Ramsden Crays

History

The place-name 'Ramsden' is first attested in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as Ramesdana. The name means 'wild garlic dene or valley' (cf. the plant ramsons), or possibly 'ram's valley'. Close Rolls show that Ramsden Crays was held by Simon de Craye in 1252, Craye referring to Cray or Craye in France.

In the early 1870s, John Marius Wilson describes:

"RAMSDEN-CRAYS, a parish in Billericay district, Essex; on the river Crouch, 2 miles E S E of Billericay, and 4½ N N W of Pitsea r. station. Post-town, Billericay. Acres, 1, 453. Real property, £2, 307. Pop., 262. Houses, 44. The property is divided among a few. The manor, with the Ashes, belongs to F. M. B. Batard, Esq. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Rochester. Value, £370. Patron, F. Francis, Esq"

Population

Between 1801 and 1931, the population change in Ramsden Crays was small, growing by 117 when compared to the large change between 1931 and 2001 where the population grew to 1,085. Population growth had been relatively stable before 1931. Between 2001 and 2011, the population grew more to 1,838. This population spike was the result of the illegal Irish traveller site, Dale Farm, that grew in size in the late 1990s.

Occupational structure

The occupational structure for men and women in Ramsden Crays in 1881 illustrates that for men, agriculture was the dominant employer making up around 2/3 of employment with 33, of these, 24 were working as farm labourers. The remaining male occupations in Ramsden Crays like gamekeeper, carpenter and blacksmith were occupied by 1-2 people maximum, highlighting the dominance of the agricultural industry in the parish. The female occupational structure was dominated by women who did not work or did not have a listed occupation. Women were also excluded from many occupations such as agriculture, commercial and vegetable substance services. In contrast, educational and dress making occupations were only occupied by women.

The occupational structure between men and women in 2011 compared to that of men and women in 1881 is very different. For men, in 2011, there were many more industries that people worked in, increasing from 11 in 1881 to 17 in 2011. Agriculture, which had been the dominant occupation in 1881, employing 33 people employs only 4 in 2011, showing agriculture is no longer the dominant industry in Ramsden Crays. Construction and the Repair of Motor Vehicles and Motor Cycles are now the most dominant industries, making up just under a half of occupations, showing that for males in Ramsden Crays there are a wider range of employment opportunities. The number of employment opportunities for females had also increased from 11 in 1881 to 17 in 2011. In 1881, Women working in Domestic Offices and Services made up more than half of the female working population, with the number of women without a listed occupation made up a quarter. By 2011, women were working in wide range of occupations, similar to that of the male occupation structure. Education and Human Health and Social Activities are the dominant female occupations, but, together they make up less than a third of the female occupations. As of 2011, there were no males or females in the mining occupation.

Dale Farm

Dale Farm, the largest traveller site in Europe was located in Ramsden Crays. Basildon council had initially given permission for 40 English travellers to live on the site in the 1970s. The land was bought in 1996 by an Irish travelling family for £122,000 and after 2001 the population of Gypsy/Irish travellers started to grow, peaking at 675 in 2011 Many families started moving to Dale Farm in 2001, leading to legal disputes with Basildon council. In 2005, part of the site was declared illegal by inspectors, however, the traveller community continued to oppose the council's decision, leading to a public enquiry being launched in 2006. This proved unsuccessful as in 2009 Lord Justice Pill ruled that the site was illegal. It was not until March 2011 that Basildon Council voted to go ahead with the eviction of 400 travellers living their illegally. The eviction itself took place on the 19th October 2011. Altercations with the police from protesters led to the arrests of 45 people and 15 police officers injured. By the end of the day, the illegal section of the camp site had been cleared

The overall cost of the eviction was £7 million, which was split between Basildon Council and Essex Police. Since the eviction the land has returned to greenbelt status and has become a hot spot fly-tipping, although, the land has become overgrown, leading some to question whether the eviction was worthwhile. Residents however feel that as long as there is not another illegal encampment built their, how the land is used is of little concern. Basildon council have put forward plans to build housing on the land as part of their 'Local Plan'

St Mary's Church

The isolated 15th-century church of St Mary's has been converted to a private house. The entire church, excluding the bell tower and the broach spine was entirely rebuilt in 1871. Some elements of the original 15th century church do remain. It is a grade II* listed building.