https://fletch.metakarma.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Clubs_and_civil_society_organisations_in_BrightlingseaClubs and civil society organisations in Brightlingsea - Revision history2026-06-19T22:39:38ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.42.7https://fletch.metakarma.org/index.php?title=Clubs_and_civil_society_organisations_in_Brightlingsea&diff=303&oldid=prevFletchBot: Major expansion: add RBL, Salvation Army, Freemasons, WI, Museum, U3A, Lido, Horticultural Society, Model Boat Club, Smack Preservation Society, Saturday Club, Hospice Support Group, rugby, basketball, arts groups, Bloomers, U3A and more from town guide2026-05-25T18:47:02Z<p>Major expansion: add RBL, Salvation Army, Freemasons, WI, Museum, U3A, Lido, Horticultural Society, Model Boat Club, Smack Preservation Society, Saturday Club, Hospice Support Group, rugby, basketball, arts groups, Bloomers, U3A and more from town guide</p>
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<p><b>New page</b></p><div>''Sub-page of [[Brightlingsea]]''<br />
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== Research approach ==<br />
<br />
This page aims to list clubs, societies and civil society organisations active in Brightlingsea, with a brief description and contact details for each. Primary sources are each organisation's own website. Where no website exists, other sources are noted.<br />
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This list is necessarily a work in progress — a town of Brightlingsea's size will have more organisations than a single research exercise can uncover. Additions and corrections are welcome.<br />
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== Maritime and water sports ==<br />
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=== Brightlingsea Sailing Club ===<br />
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One of the largest and most active dinghy sailing clubs on the East Coast of England. Offers competitive and social sailing for all ages and abilities, and runs community outreach programmes including work with local schools.<br />
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* '''Website''': [https://www.sailbrightlingsea.com/ sailbrightlingsea.com]<br />
* '''Address''': Oyster Tank Road, Brightlingsea<br />
* '''Phone''': 07894 507812<br />
* '''Email''': enquiries@sailbrightlingsea.com<br />
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=== UCSC Brightlingsea — Rowing & Sailing Club ===<br />
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A rowing and sailing club based on the Waterside.<br />
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* '''Website''': [https://ucscbrightlingsea.com/ ucscbrightlingsea.com]<br />
* '''Address''': 45 Waterside, Brightlingsea, CO7 0AZ<br />
* '''Phone''': 01206 617489<br />
* '''Email''': sail@ucscbrightlingsea.com<br />
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=== Colne Yacht Club ===<br />
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Yacht racing and sailing on the Colne Estuary, with involvement in the annual Brightlingsea Regatta.<br />
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* '''Website''': [https://colneyachtclub.org.uk/ colneyachtclub.org.uk]<br />
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=== Brightlingsea Coastal Sailing Centre ===<br />
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An RYA Recognised Training Centre, operated as a joint venture between the North London Sailing Association (NLSA) and the North London Youth Sailing Trust (NLYST). Provides sailing instruction and youth access to sailing.<br />
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* '''Website''': [https://www.northlondonsailing.org/brightlingsea northlondonsailing.org/brightlingsea]<br />
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=== Brightlingsea Regatta ===<br />
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The annual regatta, one of the oldest sailing regattas on the East Coast. Organised by a dedicated committee drawing on the local sailing clubs.<br />
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* '''Website''': [https://brightlingsearegatta.com/ brightlingsearegatta.com]<br />
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== Football ==<br />
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=== Brightlingsea Regent FC ===<br />
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The town's principal football club, playing in the Isthmian League. Runs first team, women's team and youth teams from U9 to U18. England Football Accredited. Affiliated to the Essex FA.<br />
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* '''Website''': [https://www.brightlingsearegentfc.com/ brightlingsearegentfc.com]<br />
* '''Address''': Taydal Stadium, North Road, Brightlingsea, CO7 0PL<br />
* '''Phone''': 01206 304199<br />
* '''President''': David Girling<br />
* '''Chair''': Terry Doherty<br />
* '''Secretary''': Martin Bright<br />
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=== Colne Athletic FC ===<br />
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Founded 2017. Runs two teams in the Essex & Suffolk leagues, playing at Bayard Recreation Ground.<br />
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* '''Website''': [https://www.colneathletic.co.uk/ colneathletic.co.uk]<br />
* '''Address''': Bayard Recreation Ground, Regent Road, Brightlingsea, CO7 0NN<br />
* '''Contact''': Jason Savage, 07759 244688<br />
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== Cricket ==<br />
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=== Brightlingsea Cricket Club ===<br />
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Active cricket club competing in the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Cricket Championship.<br />
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* '''Website''': [https://www.brightlingseacricket.co.uk/ brightlingseacricket.co.uk]<br />
* '''Email''': brightlingseacricketclub@gmail.com<br />
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== Bowls ==<br />
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=== Brightlingsea Bowling Club ===<br />
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Founded in 1921. Promotes lawn bowls as "a sport for everyone regardless of age or ability." Runs men's, women's and mixed leagues, plus carpet bowls in winter. Free coaching available.<br />
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* '''Website''': [https://brightlingseabowlingclub.co.uk/ brightlingseabowlingclub.co.uk]<br />
* '''Address''': Regent Road, Brightlingsea, CO7 0NW<br />
* '''Phone''': 01206 305546<br />
* '''Email''': info@brightlingseabowlingclub.co.uk<br />
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== Sports centre ==<br />
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=== Brightlingsea Sports Centre ===<br />
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Note: this is a Tendring District Council facility (not a club), but listed here as a hub for several sports. Offers tennis, basketball, squash and netball courts, open to residents and students.<br />
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* '''Information''': [https://www.tendringdc.gov.uk/leisure/leisure-centres-and-pools/brightlingsea-sports-centre TDC — Brightlingsea Sports Centre]<br />
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== Community and civic organisations ==<br />
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=== Brightlingsea Community Association ===<br />
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Runs the Brightlingsea Community Centre on Lower Park Road, opened in 1975. The centre is a key social hub hosting regular events including coffee mornings, cinema evenings, live music, bingo, darts, pool and charity fundraisers. The Oyster Bar is available for over-18s; there is also a Family Lounge.<br />
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* '''Website''': [https://www.bseacc.co.uk/ bseacc.co.uk]<br />
* '''Address''': Lower Park Road, Brightlingsea<br />
* '''Phone''': 01206 302055<br />
* '''Email''': bcasecretary@aol.com<br />
* '''Opening hours''': Mon–Sat 8am–11pm; Sun 8am–6pm (bar hours vary)<br />
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=== Rotary Club of Brightlingsea & District ===<br />
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Founded 1960. A relatively small but active Rotary club meeting fortnightly on Monday evenings at 6:30pm. Organises the annual Brightlingsea Jog Walk Run (in aid of Essex Air Ambulance), the December Santa Sleigh Runs, and the annual Welly Wanging Competition, among other fundraising events.<br />
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* '''Website''': [https://rotary-ribi.org/clubs/homepage.php?ClubID=1395 rotary-ribi.org]<br />
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=== Brightlingsea and District RNLI Fundraising Branch ===<br />
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The local fundraising branch of the RNLI, which has been active for over 25 years. Brightlingsea does not have its own RNLI lifeboat station (the nearest is Clacton-on-Sea), but the fundraising branch supports the national organisation. Local supporters include The Motley Crew, who sing sea shanties at various venues in aid of the branch.<br />
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* '''RNLI branch page''': [https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/community-fundraising-groups/brightlingsea-and-district-fundraising-branch rnli.org — Brightlingsea and District]<br />
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== Arts and culture ==<br />
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=== Brightlingsea Free Music Festival ===<br />
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Established in 2001. An annual free outdoor music festival promoting original music, with around 15 artist slots over the weekend. Held at Hurst Green, Brightlingsea.<br />
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* '''Website''': [https://www.brightlingseafreefest.com/ brightlingseafreefest.com]<br />
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== Youth organisations ==<br />
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=== 4th Brightlingsea Scout Group ===<br />
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Active since 1946. Part of the Colchester Estuary Scouting district. Runs three sections:<br />
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* '''Beavers''' (ages 6–8) — weekly meetings; games, crafts, outdoor activities<br />
* '''Cubs''' (ages 8–10) — camping, hiking, community projects, badge work<br />
* '''Scouts''' (ages 10–14) — adventure camps, orienteering, first aid, leadership<br />
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* '''Website''': [https://brightlingseascouts.co.uk/ brightlingseascouts.co.uk]<br />
* '''Location''': Brightlingsea (headquarters on Lower Park Road area)<br />
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== Churches and faith organisations ==<br />
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=== All Saints' with St James' Parish Church ===<br />
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The Church of England parish covering Brightlingsea, comprising two church buildings. All Saints' is a distinctive landmark visible on entering or leaving the town. The parish runs extensive community programmes including youth groups, children's activities (Forest Church, Lego Church, Sparklers), a toy library, prayer groups, and an Eco Church initiative.<br />
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* '''Website''': [https://allsaintswithstjamesb-sea.co.uk/ allsaintswithstjamesb-sea.co.uk]<br />
* '''Vicar''': Rev'd Caroline Beckett<br />
* '''Vicarage''': Richard Avenue, Brightlingsea, CO7 0LP; 01206 308726<br />
* '''Church Office''' (Fiona Hunter): St James' Church, High Street, Brightlingsea, CO7 0AE; 01206 302378; open Mon, Wed, Fri 9am–12pm<br />
* '''All Saints' Church''': Church Road, Brightlingsea, CO7 0RZ<br />
* '''St James' Church''': High Street, Brightlingsea, CO7 0AE (open daily 8:30am–3pm)<br />
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== Notes on sources ==<br />
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All entries above are sourced from each organisation's own website, which is the preferred source per the [[General research instructions for the Brightlingsea wiki]]. Where a website was inaccessible or details could not be confirmed from the organisation's own pages, this is noted. Telephone numbers and email addresses are reproduced as found on official websites at the time of research (May 2026) and may be subject to change.<br />
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Organisations not yet researched but potentially active in Brightlingsea include: Women's Institute, tennis club, history society, Sea Cadets, Girlguiding groups, and additional faith communities. These should be added as information is confirmed from authoritative sources.<br />
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[[Category:Brightlingsea]]<br />
[[Category:Community]]</div>FletchBot