Pilgrims Hatch

infobox UK place

country = England
latitude= 51.636
longitude= 0.291
official_name= Pilgrims Hatch
population = 5000
shire_district= Brentwood
shire_county= Essex
region= East of England

constituency_westminster= Brentwood and Ongar
post_town= Brentwood
Ward= Pilgrims Hatch
postcode_district= CM15
postcode_area= CM
dial_code= 01277
os_grid_reference= TQ585955

Pilgrims Hatch is a village in the borough of Brentwood in Essex, England. There is also a district council ward bearing the same name 'Pilgrims Hatch', which covers the Bishops Hall and 'Flowers' Estates, and the area North of Brentwood beyond the A12 bridge, and a small rural area to the North, up until Ashwells Road and Days Lane. Pilgrims Hatch usually elects Liberal Democrat councillors.

Name

'Pilgrims Hatch' literally means "Pilgrims Gate" and, until recently, local schools used a large farmers gate as a symbol of the area. While no longer common it is still the semi-official symbol of the village.

The rationale for the area having this name lies behind 12th century Thomas à Becket pilgrimages to Canterbury through Brentwood, a popular stopping place at the time before travelling onto Tilbury for the ferry. Pilgrims from the Midlands would pass through Pilgrims Hatch en-route to Brentwood. [Brentwood Gazette newspaper, 17 September, 2008, page 31]

Features

While small, and in modern times rather subservient to the large town of Brentwood, Pilgrims Hatch does contain some features of note.

Culture

The Brentwood Centre is situated on the edge of Pilgrims Hatch, and is the centre of sport, leisure, and musical events within the area. Many artists of note have performed here including: David Essex, Chuck Berry, Daniel O'Donnell, Lee Evans, and many more. There is an annual Brentwood Festival held here, as well as the traditional firework spectacular in the autumn months.

Essex Dog Display Team

Pilgrims Hatch is home to the founder and training ground of the Essex Dog Display Team. Starting out in the 1980's this dog training school has emerged as an internationally renowned display team regularly performing at events such the Royal Tournament (the only civilian dog display team ever to be selected for this honour). Most of the dogs used are rescue dogs and are of diverse breeds. [http://www.essexdogdisplayteam.org/ Essex Dog Display Team website]

Faith

Surprisingly there are few churches in Pilgrims Hatch. There is an Evangelical church on its border with Brentwood (the border is unnoticeable, occurring as it does on a well populated road). Also, at the other extreme; towards Kelvedon Hatch and Ongar, there is an excellent example of a classic Essex flint built church. This church's rectory next door is particularly fine, but is no longer associated with the property.

The Peniel Church calls the area its home. There is also a Baptist Church [http://www.pilgrimsbaptist.co.uk] which has no building of its own but meets on Sundays at Larchwood Primary School.

A Mosque had hoped to have been situated in the area, however lengthy delays on the part of the purchaser compelled the owner of the site to seek an alternative sale at auction.

Local services

The area relies on, mainly, the larger Brentwood high street stores and supermarkets, but has many local shops including butchers, wool suppliers, antique dealers, and other small business. It also is well served by local restaurants and take aways. Not to mention the numerous pubs that pepper the area; some of which date back to the 15th century or earlier.

Places of interest

Nearby in Brentwood is Thomas à Becket Chapel, a wonderful ruined chapel that dates back to the 12th century.

Also nearby is Greensted Church, a few minutes from Ongar, the oldest wooden church in the world.

Between Pilgrims Hatch and Ongar is a Secret Nuclear Bunker, an ex-government shelter now owned by a farmer who has turned it into a local tourist attraction. The road signs to this point of interest never cease to cause amusement to non-locals, and occasionally turn up in internet humour sites.

Travel links

Pilgrims Hatch has a frequent, if underfunded, set of buses that serve the area, on the Brentwood to Old Harlow via Epping route.

It is also very close to both the A12, and M25.