Rettendon Parish CouncilHistory of the Parish of Rettendon
The Parish of Rettendon is a rural community situated on the northern bank of the River Crouch. The Parish encompasses the four principle Parish communities of Rettendon Common in the north, Battlesbridge and Hayes Country Park in the south and Rettendon Place which is located between them and forms the centre of the Parish.
While physically dislocated the closure of the old A130 has benefited residents not only in the obvious reduction of noise and improved safety but with noticeably increased contact between neighbours and an enhanced spirit of combined community
The Parish of Rettendon about 7 miles E.N.E. of Billericay. The Parish Church of All Saints is the principal monument and stands at the South end of the village. The walls are of ragstone-rubble with some flint, septaria and puddingstone; the dressings are of Reigate stone, and the roofs are covered with tiles and slate.
The village of Rettendon is mentioned in the Doomsday Book (1086), and the earliest part of the church is the Norman south doorway and dates back to about 1200. The Nave and Chancel are from about the same period and with most of the rest of the church being build in the 15th Century. Some of the carving in the Chancel also dates back to this time but most of the furniture as we now have them was put in place when the church was restored in 1898. The tower was refurbished twice in the 20th Century. More recently, a kitchen was added in the Nave and disabled toilet at the base of the tower.
A couple of distinctive features about the church are the Humphrey memorial and the two story vestry.
The marble Humphrey memorial completely fills the east wall of the north aisle and dates back to 1727. Edmund Humphrey also left and endowment which founded Rettendon Primary School.
The vestry is a 15th addition to the church there is also a memorial to Richard Cannon (1605) who founded a trust which still support those in need in the parish. For more information about the Richard Cannon charity please see https://hrr-churches.org.
This historic church is clearly visible from the ‘new’ A130 road and its beautiful rural setting is calm and peaceful, enhancing the historic features of the Grade I listed building. Join worshippers for Sunday services – a Parish Eucharist with hymns every week at 11.15 a.m.
The Church also welcomes visitors at its regular Open Days where wonderful flower displays are on show, as well as great home-cooked lunches, cakes, refreshments and a range of stalls including bric-a-brac and books, tombola and raffle on open days.
If you live in Rettendon Parish, or have a historic connection with the church, or if you worship there regularly, It will be happy to receive enquiries about a wedding or baptism in the Church.
Please contact Rev’d Can. Richard Jordan at Rawreth Rectory Church Road Rawreth Wickford or telephone 01268 766565 to arrange an initial meeting to discuss your plans or to find out whether you qualify to have a service at All Saints’.
In Battlesbridge, it is said that the Bataille family kept the bridge over the River Crouch in repair from the earliest days of this settlement and that this is the origin of the village name. However, there is no historical evidence for the family’s involvement with the bridge and, according to Wikipedia, another possibility is that the name stems from a corruption of ‘Botolph’s Bridge’ referring to St Botolph the seventh century patron saint of wayfarers. Today it is home to a number of antiques centres, one of which is a former mill.
Battlesbridge is a conservation area which was jointly designated by Chelmsford Borough Council (north side of the river) and Rochford District Council (south side of the river) in February 1992 and March 1992 respectively.
The Tidal Gates were replaced in 2008. The new gates weighing 19 tonnes, were constructed using pine beams and metal sluices. The basic work was completed by Cllr Roy Hart and his son Justin. Woodham Ferrers engineers (the Keeble brothers), assisted with some of the more specialised milling.
The design and draughtsmanship for the working drawings was entirely the work of Roy.
Near the Antique Centre can be found Battlesbridge Free Church which was founded in about 1846 in the Independent tradition, also known as Congregational. The Church is affiliated to the CONGREGATIONAL FEDERATION. This means that it is a church governed by its members and not having a hierarchy of Bishops.
Decisions are taken by the church members, guided by a small body of elected Deacons. Services are led by the Pastor, who is invited to take the office by the members and also from time to time by Lay Preachers.
Services at Battlesbridge are lively and intimate and visitors can be sure of a warm welcome should you care to visit us on a Sunday morning. We shall be pleased to see you.
Sunday services are held at 11 a.m. and that held on the first Sunday in the month is a Communion Service at which all Christian people are welcome.
The Sunday School also meets at 11 a.m. but the children leave for a separate session in the hall at about 11.15 Baptisms, marriages and funerals are by arrangement with the Church Secretary. Lower Road, Hullbridge SS5 6DF Tel: 01702 233164
The village is served by Battlesbridge railway station on the Crouch Valley Line which runs from Southminster to Liverpool Street (but you may need to change at Wickford for the Loddon service).
Classic Car and Motorbike shows are held in Battlesbridge each year and the Battlesbridge Rural Theatre puts on shows from time to time in aid of Charity.