Project name

The Prittle Brook Community Group

Category

Community gathering

Region

South East

Town or Village

Leigh on sea

The Prittle Brook running from West Wood to the River Roach is home to abundant wildlife. Blackcap, grey wagtail and Little Egret are regularly sighted along its stretches and foxes frequent local allotments. Grey squirrels leap between branches above the waterway and kingfishers can be seen at Temple Farm Industrial Estate in Rochford. Sweet chestnut, hornbeam and ash trees grow on the banks at Dodds Grove in Hadleigh Great Wood and the presence of lichen confirms the good balance between air quality and nutrients. Blackberry and elderberry bushes along the route provide a good source of fruit for jam and wine makers during the summer.

There is evidence of settlement near the brook at Manchester Drive, Roots Hall, Temple Farm Industrial Estate and Priory Park. Discoveries include a Saxon crucible, Neolithic hammerstone, Iron Age, Belgic and Roman Pottery and more recently the burial chamber of the Saxon King in Priory Crescent.

The pathway built in the 1940’s, allows walkers to travel between Belfairs and Southend avoiding the main roads.

In January 2008 Sharon Cattermole started collecting litter along the pathway near her home. To date she has collected 116 bags of litter. In March 2009 she created The Prittle Brook Community Group following a litter pick organised by Greengrid Taskforce as part of the Good for Leigh Campaign. The group meets once a month and so far have collected 71 bags of rubbish. In September 2009 Prittle Brook Community Group received a Good for Leigh Environment Award.