Shenfield, Essex

infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= Shenfield
latitude= 51.6297
longitude= 0.3192
population =
shire_district= Brentwood
shire_county= Essex
region= East of England
constituency_westminster= Brentwood & Ongar
post_town= BRENTWOOD
postcode_district = CM15
postcode_area= CM
dial_code= 01277
os_grid_reference= TQ615955

Shenfield is a small town in the London Commuter Belt in the borough of Brentwood in Essex, England.

History

The name originates from the Saxon Chenefield, meaning 'good lands'. The old village, by the church and Green Dragon pub, lay along the original Roman road, now the A1023, which has once carried legions of marching soldiers.

Nathaniel Ward, a Puritan clergyman and author, was made minister of the Shenfield church in 1648 and held that office until his death in 1652.

Geography

Shenfield, with Hutton, is part of the conurbation of Brentwood. The original village centre [ [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=51269&strquery=Shenfield Historical notes on Shenfield: British History Online] ] is located one mile (1.6km) north-east of the centre of Brentwood. Apart from some small industrial areas and a modest but busy shopping area, Shenfield serves predominantly as a dormitory town for commuters to London and surrounding towns such as Chelmsford and Basildon. This is facilitated by easy access to the A12 and the M25 and rail services. Shenfield railway station, located on the Great Eastern Main Line and a junction for services for the Southend and Southminster services, is situated at the end of the high street and will gain more significance as the CrossRail project proceeds since it is intended to be the eastern terminus.

The parish church is dedicated to St Mary the Virgin [ [http://www.stmaryschurch-shenfield.org.uk/welcome.php St Mary's church] ] and St Mary's primary school [ [http://www.shenfieldstmarys.co.uk St Mary's CEVA Primary School] ] is located nearby.

Shenfield's recreational areas include the Courage playing fields on the Chelmsford Road and playing fields on Alexander Lane, next to Shenfield High School. The Courage playing fields contain a play area and a cricket pitch used by the third team of Shenfield Cricket Club [ [http://www.shenfield.cc Shenfield Cricket Club] ] . Next door to the Courage playing fields is the cricket club itself. The land was granted by the Courage brewing family for use by the cricket club. The club's badge is a cockerel, which echos both the trade mark of the Courage brand and the weathervane on St Mary's church.

The erstwhile village of Hutton, to the east of Shenfield, is now largely part of built up area.

References