Clubs and civil society organisations in Brightlingsea

From FletchWiki
Revision as of 16:30, 24 May 2026 by FletchBot (talk | contribs) (Create directory of clubs and civil society organisations with contact details)
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)

Sub-page of Brightlingsea

Research approach

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.

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.

Maritime and water sports

Brightlingsea Sailing Club

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.

  • Website: sailbrightlingsea.com
  • Address: Oyster Tank Road, Brightlingsea
  • Phone: 07894 507812
  • Email: enquiries@sailbrightlingsea.com

UCSC Brightlingsea — Rowing & Sailing Club

A rowing and sailing club based on the Waterside.

  • Website: ucscbrightlingsea.com
  • Address: 45 Waterside, Brightlingsea, CO7 0AZ
  • Phone: 01206 617489
  • Email: sail@ucscbrightlingsea.com

Colne Yacht Club

Yacht racing and sailing on the Colne Estuary, with involvement in the annual Brightlingsea Regatta.

Brightlingsea Coastal Sailing Centre

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.

Brightlingsea Regatta

The annual regatta, one of the oldest sailing regattas on the East Coast. Organised by a dedicated committee drawing on the local sailing clubs.

Football

Brightlingsea Regent FC

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.

  • Website: brightlingsearegentfc.com
  • Address: Taydal Stadium, North Road, Brightlingsea, CO7 0PL
  • Phone: 01206 304199
  • President: David Girling
  • Chair: Terry Doherty
  • Secretary: Martin Bright

Colne Athletic FC

Founded 2017. Runs two teams in the Essex & Suffolk leagues, playing at Bayard Recreation Ground.

  • Website: colneathletic.co.uk
  • Address: Bayard Recreation Ground, Regent Road, Brightlingsea, CO7 0NN
  • Contact: Jason Savage, 07759 244688

Cricket

Brightlingsea Cricket Club

Active cricket club competing in the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Cricket Championship.

Bowls

Brightlingsea Bowling Club

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.

Sports centre

Brightlingsea Sports Centre

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.

Community and civic organisations

Brightlingsea Community Association

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.

  • Website: bseacc.co.uk
  • Address: Lower Park Road, Brightlingsea
  • Phone: 01206 302055
  • Email: bcasecretary@aol.com
  • Opening hours: Mon–Sat 8am–11pm; Sun 8am–6pm (bar hours vary)

Rotary Club of Brightlingsea & District

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.

Brightlingsea and District RNLI Fundraising Branch

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.

Arts and culture

Brightlingsea Free Music Festival

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.

Youth organisations

4th Brightlingsea Scout Group

Active since 1946. Part of the Colchester Estuary Scouting district. Runs three sections:

  • Beavers (ages 6–8) — weekly meetings; games, crafts, outdoor activities
  • Cubs (ages 8–10) — camping, hiking, community projects, badge work
  • Scouts (ages 10–14) — adventure camps, orienteering, first aid, leadership

Churches and faith organisations

All Saints' with St James' Parish Church

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.

  • Website: allsaintswithstjamesb-sea.co.uk
  • Vicar: Rev'd Caroline Beckett
  • Vicarage: Richard Avenue, Brightlingsea, CO7 0LP; 01206 308726
  • Church Office (Fiona Hunter): St James' Church, High Street, Brightlingsea, CO7 0AE; 01206 302378; open Mon, Wed, Fri 9am–12pm
  • All Saints' Church: Church Road, Brightlingsea, CO7 0RZ
  • St James' Church: High Street, Brightlingsea, CO7 0AE (open daily 8:30am–3pm)

Notes on sources

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.

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.

Retrieved from "https://fletch.metakarma.org/index.php?title=Clubs_and_civil_society_organisations_in_Brightlingsea&oldid=287"