Bulphan

Bulphan (Bul-ven ^ⓘ) is a village and former civil parish in the borough of Thurrock in Essex and one of the traditional (Church of England) parishes in Thurrock. As of the 2021 census, it had a population of 774.^[1]

Bulphan
The entrance to the village of Bulphan
Bulphan Location within Essex
Area	0.537 km2 (0.207 sq mi)
Population	774 (2021 census)
• Density	1,441/km2 (3,730/sq mi)
OS grid reference	TQ645865
Unitary authority	Thurrock
Ceremonial county	Essex
Region	East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	UPMINSTER
Postcode district	RM14
Dialling code	01375
Police	Essex
Fire	Essex
Ambulance	East of England
UK Parliament	Thurrock
List of places UK England Essex 51.5533°N 0.3737°E / 51.5533; 0.3737

History

In 1931 the parish had a population of 455.^[2] On 1 April 1936 the parish was abolished to form Thurrock.^[3]

Bulphan's original village shop closed down in 2012. However, a new community-run shop and post office opened in early 2020, in a side extension of the village hall.

Geography

St Mary the Virgin church

Bulphan forms part of the Orsett ward of Thurrock Council, and is part of the South Basildon and East Thurrock parliamentary constituency. It is located 21 miles (34 km) east north-east of Charing Cross in London. The Upminster post town forms a long, thin protrusion eastwards over the M25 motorway and the Greater London boundary in order to include the village.

The main features of Bulphan are the Bulphan Village Hall and Park, St Mary The Virgin Church, and Bulphan Church Of England Academy Primary School. The church is a grade I listed building.^[4]

Nearest places are Laindon, North Ockendon, Orsett and West Horndon.

Transport

Bulphan has two bus services: the 265, which runs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between Grays and West Horndon and the 565 to Brentwood Station via West Horndon (6 times per day, Monday to Saturday). School buses run to Shenfield School and Sockets Heath. The nearest railway station is three miles away.

Education

Primary education has been provided by the Bulphan Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School since 1853. Located on Fen lane, it educates around 84 pupils.

Notable people

• Charles Littlehales (1871-1945), cricketer and clergyman
• Jim Davidson (1953-), comedian
• Tony Cottee (1965-), footballer and commentator
• Mick Norcross (1963-2021) reality TV performer