Rainham, London
Rainham (IPA: [ɹeɪn.əm]) is a place in the London Borough of Havering in East London, England. It is a suburban development located 13.6 miles (21.9 km) east of Charing Cross with a population of 12,114 (including Wennington).[1] The village has grown steadily over the last few hundreds of years to the town that it is today. Rainham has maintained most of its historical features, such as the Norman church and Victorian buildings in the centre of the village. It forms part of the London Riverside section of the Thames Gateway regeneration area.
History
Etymology
The first recorded use is in 1086 as Renaham and it is thought to mean "homestead or village of a man called Regna".[2] It is also possible that it follows the other Rainham in Kent on the south side of the Thames (Roegingaham); meaning "settlement of the ruling people".[3]
Prehistory
Evidence of settlement in the Rainham area has been discovered in the flood plains that surround the riverside area, flint tools from as early as the Paleolithic period (250,000 years ago), and the earliest earthworks date from the Neolithic period. In 1963, a Neolithic ring ditch was discovered in Launders Lane, shortly before gravel extraction was to begin on this site. It surrounds a pit approximately 50 feet (about 15 metres) in diameter; evidence suggests that it may have been used for ancient rituals. Fragments of pottery were found in the pit, along with some flint tools, as well as pottery beakers; a complete Bronze Age pottery beaker was found at Gerpins Lane quarry.
In 1990, construction work began on a Tesco supermarket in Rainham. Trenches dug by archaeologists revealed possible deposits from a past river or stream, stake lines and wattle fences were also discovered, in addition to pits containing fire-cracked pebbles, possibly also from the Bronze Age. Iron Age pottery was also discovered on the same site, in rubbish pits also containing animal bone. The bones and other evidence suggest that these prehistoric residents were a flourishing community of fishermen, farmers, and hunters.
At Moor Hall Farm, ten burial chambers from the late Bronze Age (700 – 600 BC) were unearthed; small pits containing a burial urn and pots for food and drink for the after-life. Small flint blades were also discovered, possibly to act as tools. Artefacts from the early Iron Age (500 – 200 BC) were also discovered here, along with several circular and semi-circular ditches. Archaeologists believe that these represented a possible settlement, further evidence to suggest this include pottery and daub found nearby. Continued excavation found a triple ditch enclosure, thought to have been used as a defense mechanism.
Roman Empire
Rainham as it is known today has grown from a Roman village, which is now at the centre of the town. Until occupation by the Romans, Rainham itself had neither a name or identity. Remains of Roman activity were discovered during the two year excavation of Moor Hall Farm (1979 – 81). Ditches marking boundaries and settlements mimicked those from the Iron Age. Archaeologists could not confirm this area as a definite settlement, although small working areas were discovered, including small sand and gravel quarries.
However, settlement further away from village area itself was hinted at by the discovery of a corn grinding mill, worked by hand. This evidence was unearthed at what is now a Jewish cemetery, and dated back to around AD 150. Suggestion of an affluent lifestyle was signaled by luxurious Continental pottery unearthed on site.
In 1928, a stone coffin was uncovered north of New Road (the A1306 road), containing two people lying head to foot. They were identified as 4th century Romans, one female. Along with the bodies, a glass cup and a coin (of Tetrarchus, emperor of short-lived empire comprising of Britain, Gaul, Germany and Spain) were found. The burial site was discovered away from any Roman settlement, as required by Roman law.
Beyond the Romans
The next period of settlement in Rainham was Anglo-Saxon. It is now believed that Romano-Britons may have had a pact with the Anglo-Saxons, paying them to guard the shores of Britain. No archaeological evidence has been discovered of an Anglo-Saxon settlement, although many items of Saxon origin were discovered at Gerpins Farm in 1937. The artefacts were mainly grave goods, amongst these shield bosses, spearheads, jewellery, pottery and two glass drinking horns. In addition, two coins, brooches, rings, and wooden buckets were revealed.
There are also written records that provide more information about Saxon Rainham. The Barking Abbey charter of AD 697 tells of a settlement known as Ricangahaam, a variation of Roegingham (see etymology above). The Domesday Book records Rainham as having an Anglo-Saxon population of 350, justifying the construction of a church. A font bowl was also discovered, originally thought to be of Anglo-Saxon origin but later found to be Norman. Data from the Domesday Book shows Rainham as being divided amongst four manors (Southall, Berwick, Gerpins and Launders). In 1066, Rainham had a population of 190. By 1086, this had increased to around 220. The location of Rainham away from main roads (at the time) meant that a massive growth in population did not occur for several centuries later.
St. Helen and St. Giles Church (pictured right) is a recognisable landmark of Rainham and is the oldest building in Havering (being Norman), as well as an adjacent 18th century house dated 1727 which is now owned by the National Trust. The church retains many of its original features, for example the round-headed arches. It was founded by Richard de Lucy, the son-in-law of Henry II of England. Construction of the church took place between 1160 and 1170.
During the 15th and 16th centuries, the four manors recorded in the Domesday Book were broken down into smaller ownerships. This was primarily due to the dissolution of the manorial labour system, popular in the 14th century. The Black Death of 1349 made this system unprofitable, so it became more common for the lord of the manor to hire out land to tenant farmers, who were responsible for paying rent and sourcing their own labour. This method of hiring workers made the creation of many small farms possible.
20th Century Onwards
Rainham distinctly remained a village up until relatively late in its urban development, with the home building that would boost Rainham into town status only arriving in the 1920s and 30s. The construction of new homes was mainly down to weekend homebuilders, but also due to homes constructed to house the workers in the various industries in Ferry Lane (a road leading down to the Thames).
Rainham constituted a civil parish in the Romford Rural District of Essex from 1894. In 1934 the rural district was abolished and Rainham then became part of Hornchurch Urban District. The parish was abolished in 1965 when the former area of the urban district became part of the London Borough of Havering in Greater London.[4]
A large clocktower War Memorial (pictured right) is the focal point of Rainham, situated on Broadway. Unveiled in 1921 by Sir Francis Whitmore, has three clock faces and was built to commemorate those lost in World War I. The Angel Inn, a public house also on Broadway, previously known as the Redberry, was demolished and rebuilt in 1905.[5]
Before the relatively recent industrialisation of the Thames in Rainham, Rainham Beach (also known as Rainham-on-Thames) was a tourist spot frequented by day-trippers from east London. The Three Crowns pub (built in 1830, since swallowed up by the construction of a factory[6]) was a popular spot with tourists as it was a port of call for the Long Ferry, which ran between Gravesend and London. The Thames at Rainham is the location of The Diver sculpture.
Geography and transport
Rainham is almost contiguous with Dagenham and South Hornchurch; the latter is included in the Rainham post town while Dagenham and Rainham are soon to form a single parliamentary constituency. The River Ingrebourne, which flows through Hornchurch, divides into Rainham Creek and Rainham Marsh here. Rainham is susceptible to flooding, and although no major incidents have occurred recently, future rises in the level of the Thames (due to global warming, storm surges, or other factors) could swallow a large area of Rainham.[7] The A1306 passes through Rainham and acts an alternative route to the main A13 between Central London and the Dartford Crossing. Rainham Marshes Nature Reserve is located on the nearby Rainham, Wennington, and Aveley Marshes.
The Channel Tunnel Rail Link and the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway pass through the area. Rainham railway station is served by c2c train services running between Fenchurch Street railway station and Grays. Several London Bus routes pass through the area[8] and it is anticipated that there will be future improvements in local transport and that Rainham will eventually be served by the East London Transit scheme.[9] Havering London Borough Council has voiced support for the Rainham extension to be included in one of its earliest phases.[10] Rainham is served by the following Transport for London contracted London Bus routes: 103, 165, 365, 287, 372. The area is on the route of the London Outer Orbital Path.
Nearest places
Nearest railway stations
Nearest tube stations
Commerce
Tilda Rice operates a main plant from Coldharbour Lane. The waterside area to the south of Rainham is part of the London Riverside section of the Thames Gateway project. Havering London Borough Council lobbied the UK Government for permission to construct a ‘super casino’ in the area to support the local economy, however their application was rejected in May 2006.[11]
Several large companies have operations and offices based in Rainham, including Carpetright, Harveys Furniture, and Rainham Steel. These offices are situated mainly along the A1306, which leads to Dagenham.
Demographics
As of the 2001 census, there were 12,114 residents, 4,811 households and 3,362 families living in Rainham.[12] The population density was 19.97 people per hectare for the Havering area as a whole.
The racial break down of Rainham was as follows: 93.35% White, 1.26% Mixed, 2.81% Asian or Asian British, 2.25% Black or Black British and 0.32% Chinese or Other Ethnic Group. The religious make-up was 75.58% Christian, 0.12% Buddhist, 0.54% Hindu, 0.26% Jewish, 0.65% Muslim, 1.81% Sikh, 0.12% other religions, 12.04% no religion and 8.87% religion not stated.[13]
The age distribution was: 5.32% aged 0–4, 15.63% aged 5–15, 5.02% aged 16–19, 33.78% aged 20-44, 24.92% aged 45–64 and 15.32% aged 65 years and older. The general health was described as follows: 70.49% good, 21.52% fairly good and 7.99% not good. 16.41% of people had a limiting long-term illness.
Schools
Schools in Rainham include:
- The Chafford
- Parsonage Farm Primary School
- La Salette RC Primary School
- Rainham Village Primary School
- Whybridge Infant School
- Whybridge Junior School
- Brittons Secondary School
There are no further education institutions in Rainham, although The Chafford School is partnered with the local Havering Sixth Form College in Hornchurch.
Future
Many optimistic plans for Rainham have been put forward, such as a suggestion for the construction of a marina[14] and casino,[15] amongst other things; as of 2007 none of these plans have come to fruition. However, many controversial projects have been proposed, including construction of a prison. See below for more details.
It is hoped that with improved transport links, and Rainham’s participation in the Thames Gateway and London Riverside projects, and other events such as the opening of Rainham Marshes and the 2012 Olympic Games, Rainham will be regenerated with new housing and services.
Prison controversy
According to the Romford and Havering Post, Rainham is set for the construction of the largest prison in the UK. The plans for the prison, which will be a category B 1,500 capacity prison,[16] has angered many local residents and many feel that Rainham is becoming a dumping ground for East London. It is unclear whether local opposition will stop construction on the proposed brownfield site; however a large protest is being organised to try and persuade the government to locate the prison elsewhere.[17]
See also
References
- ^ Neighbourhood Statistics - Rainham and Wennington (Ward). Retrieved 30 December 2006.
- ^ Mills, A., Oxford Dictionary of London Place Names, (2000)
- ^ Evans, Brian (1992). Bygone Dagenham and Rainham. Phillimore. ISBN 0-85033-831-X.
- ^ Vision of Britain - Rainham parish (historic map). Retrieved 30 December 2006.
- ^ RainhamWeb - Angel Inn reconstruction. Retrieved 30 December 2006.
- ^ RainhamWeb - Closure of the Three Crowns. Retrieved 30 December 2006.
- ^ Flood Maps. Retrieved 30 December 2006.
- ^ Transport for London - Bus services for Rainham (PDF). Retrieved 30 December 2006.
- ^ Transport for London - East London Transit. Retrieved 30 December 2006.
- ^ Havering London Borough Council - Mayor of London blocks Havering's Casino bid. Retrieved 12 November 2006.
- ^ BBC News - Casino plans rejected. Retrieved 30 December 2006.
- ^ National Statistics, 2001 Census - Demographic statistics—serves entire section. Retrieved 3 February 2007.
- ^ Race and religion National Statistics, 2001 Census - Race and religion statistics. Retrieved 3 February 2007.
- ^ Local Councillors join forces in support of positive vision for Rainham - Plans for Rainham Marina. Retrieved 3 February 2007.
- ^ Consulting on casino complex in Rainham - Plans for Rainham Casino. Retrieved 3 February 2007.
- ^ [1] Prison capacity information. Retrieved 23 February 2007.
- ^ UK's biggest prison set for Rainham - Government plans for a prison. Retrieved 23 February 2007.
External links
- Stop Rainham Jail
- Picture History of Rainham from RainhamWeb
- Satellite image of Rainham (Centered on Broadway)
- The Chafford School