Amenities/Facilities

In general the Parish of Great Wakering is well served with the Village Memorial Hall, Community Centre, Teen Cafe, Pubs, The British Legion, Clubs, Places of Worship, Library, Post Office, some local shops, Cricket Club, Scouts and Guides, and our own burial ground. Boating, fishing (sea and coarse) and other amenities or facilities. 

THE COMMON - Although so called, technically isn't a common. It is owned by A & W Bentall Ltd, Farmers but is leased to the Great Wakering Parish Council on a peppercorn rent (£1 per year). The Parish Council have full responsibility for it's maintenance and management. It covers 18 acres and runs from Common Road to Landwick.

There are ponds that children can go pond dipping and there are many rare plants such as wild orchids. Circa 2000 the millennium wood was planted. The common is left in a fairly wild state to allow wildlife to abound which it does, however there have been occasions when strong weedkiller has been used to control certain weeds but has also killed some of the valuable wild plants. This practice should be curtailed. 

ALLOTMENTS - The Allotment site in little Wakering Hall Lane has 172 allotments contained in a secure area. Allotment rents are low and there are four rent bands. There is a short waiting list so an applicant should not need to wait long as in some areas.

The site is owned and managed by Great Wakering Parish Council to whom all enquiries should be made. An Allotment Watch is operated to promote crime prevention, also talks can be arranged for new allotment holders and an On Line help and Advice Service is offered. (laurencestreet@live.co.uk) 

GARDEN AND ALLOTMENT SOCIETY - You do not have to live in Great Wakering to be a member or have an allotment, in fact anyone can join. It is a not for profit organisation which started in 1941 during the very dark days of the second world war when dig for victory meant what it said. The building is opposite the Parish Council Office and is open Saturday mornings.

Garden Sundries, seeds, fertilizers and much more are offered at very low cost plus an unrivaled knowledge of garden advice.

To promote an interest in gardening two horticultural shows are staged each year. 

FOOTBALL CLUB - Great Wakering Rovers and Colts ground is at Burroughs park where they have number of teams, have their own floodlit pitch plus a practice pitch and their own well equipped clubhouse. 

DESIGNATED PUBLIC FOOTPATHS -  The parish is criss-crossed by a number of footpaths and hiking and walking is a popular pass time. There is public footpath along the top of all Sea Walls except those under the control of the Ministry of Defence. These paths are either the responsibility of Essex County Council or the landowner. The Parish Councils footpath representitive (Cllr. Bob Gren - 01702 535244) or the Parish Clerk (01702 21934) will be happy to pass on problems or complaints about footpaths to the appropriate party.

Maps of various walks are available from Great Wakering Parish Council or the Library.  Problems with these paths may be reported to the Parish Council who will pass to Essex County Council. There are no public bridleways in Great Wakering, something that should be addressed. 

RECREATION GROUND - A large well kept recreation ground is provided by Rochford District Council, there is a play area, teen shelter and football pitches that can be hired from Rochford District Council (www.rochford.gov.uk or 01702 546366).

Until recently there was a Sports Centre on the Recreation ground which has closed due to financial cut backs. The District Council are looking for alternative arrangements to reopen the Sports Centre. There are no alternative facilities within Great Wakering. The nearest is probably Shoebury Leisure Centre (2 miles).

Useful information

Great Wakering Household Waste Collection Point - RDC from 10th January 2015 at fornightly intervals will continue the Great Wakering Household Waste Collection Point at the Sports Centre Car Park on Saturday mornings from 9am - 12pm to collect non-recyclable, garden and bulky waste from Rochford District Residents. Once the vehicles are full they will leave. This will continue until the end of March 2015 for details see News