The Official Guides to Benfleet Urban District Council (4)

Into the 1970s

By the time the 1968/70 Guide was published the population had risen to an approximate figure of 44,000, Appleton School in Croft Road (with Mr E Haynes as Headmaster) was established and Runnymede Hall had been officially opened on 10th December 1965.

Notable inclusions in this edition were references to Sports and Pastimes together with a personal contact for each.  Of course, some of these were linked to Hadleigh and Thundersley but in South Benfleet there was the Bowling Club, Badminton, Cricket, Tennis, Football, Photography, Old Time Dancing, Morris Dancing, Gardening, Golf and Yachting.   The Benfleet Branch of the Workers’ Education Association met at the Primary School and the Benfleet Dramatic Society (whose Secretary lived in Leigh) was active in the area.

 

Nationwide Local Government Reorganisation

1st April 1974 saw the creation of a new Local Authority following a countrywide reorganisation of local government.   Primarily to provide greater efficiency smaller authorities were amalgamated so Canvey Island and Benfleet Urban District Councils became Castle Point District Council with the officers split between the new offices in Kiln Road and the old Canvey Island UDC building in Long Road.

The permanent link between South Benfleet and Canvey Island had been built in 1931 with the erection of the Colvin Bridge across The Creek, the central section of which opened to allow through sailing craft at high tides.    In 1971 it was replaced by a fixed bridge.

Mention has already been made of the twinning of the old Benfleet UDC with Romainville, a suburb of Paris.   In 1970 Benfleet forged a further link with Lovenich, later to become “Cologne No 3 District”, which lies just outside the German City of Cologne.  Many exchange visits took place and friendships developed some of which still survive today.

Official Guide - The Urban District of Benfleet - published c.1968/70
John Downer
La Mairie - Romainville - In the Guide published c 1968/70
Runnymede Hall - In the Guide dated c.1968/70
Hoy & Helmet - double page advert in the Guide dated c.1968/70

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