the town as it is now started life on 'chipping hill', which is the location of st nicolas's church. as the years went by, the hamlet grew to become 'witham' and st nicolas's church of england church (a unique spelling) serves a congregation of around 150 people each sunday. during the latter half of the 18th century and the early 19th century, admiral sir william luard was the town's most prominent citizen, a resident of chipping hill and a founder and patron of st nicolas's church. his funeral cortege through the town in 1910 was witnessed by thousands.