Therfield

infobox UK place
country = England
latitude= 52.0163
longitude= -0.0575
official_name= Therfield
population= 539
shire_district= North Hertfordshire
shire_county = Hertfordshire
region= East of England
constituency_westminster= North East Hertfordshire
post_town= ROYSTON
postcode_district = SG8
postcode_area= SG
dial_code= 01763
os_grid_reference= TL334371

Therfield is both a small village of approximately 4,761 acres (19 km²) and a parish (originally in Odsey Hundred and Royston Union) which sits upon the chalk range, three miles southwest of Royston, and six miles (10 km) northeast of Baldock) and within the English county of Hertfordshire.

Brief history

Ancient history

The name Therfield is a variation of Tharfield and anciently Þurreweld. It is a theophoric placename referring to Thor, and either means 'Thor's Field' or 'Thor's High place", from the same Germanic root that gives 'veldt'. It was inhabited long before the Anglo Saxons came, as the Icknield Way runs through the village, and Neolithic barrows have been found on Therfield Heath.

Today

Today Therfield is known as a very small village that is locally famous for its church, chapel and pub. The Nature Reserve of Therfield Heath lies a mile to the north of the village. From here on a clear day it is possible to see the Cathedral of Ely, over twenty miles to the north. The village is well worth a visit with lovely rural countryside, friendly people and plenty of good walks.

Church of St. Mary the Virgin

In Therfield the Church of St Mary the Virgin has stood the test of time. The most recent version was completed in 1878 and it replaced the church that had existed since the 13th Century which fell into such disrepair that it was in danger of collapsing. When it was replaced, the windows, pulpit and font were removed from the old church and built into the new structure. The tower contains six bells dating from 1597, 1608, 1626, 1656, 1689 with the most recent from 1707. For years these bells were not used and worship services were marked by the ringing of a bell dated 1862 that hung from a tree in a nearby field. The church register dates from the year 1538.

Therfield Chapel

Therfield Chapel was established as a congregation of Protestant dissenters (the "Independents") in 1836. The current Chapel was built subsequently, in 1854, and the Church eventually became known as Therfield Congregational Church, being affiliated to the Congregational Union who acted as trustees for the Church property. When in 1966 the Congregational Union was replaced by a body which espoused more liberal views, the Chapel seceded and became affiliated first to the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC), and then to the Evangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches (EFCC).In 1965, Allon Taffs was ordained as Pastor, after serving the church as Secretary/informal leader for some 10 years before. He remained until May 1993.After a period of interregnum, during which time the church was cared for and led by the elders and deacons, the Rev Mark Kingston was appointed as Pastor in August 1997. He served the church until he resigned in July 2002.Andrew Carter was appointed as Pastor in February 2006.

Home of the Haggers

In recent years, genealogists, primarily led by Martin Hagger, have discovered that the area of Therfield was home to various Hagger or Haggar (also Haga, Hagar, Hager, Haggarjudd, Haggaer, Haggers, Haggerwood, Haggor) families who eventually migrated all over England and much of the world.Fact|date=May 2008 This research has resulted in annual meetings of the "Hagg*r One Name Study Project" led by Peter Hagger which is attempting to trace this worldwide family history, beginning with its roots in Therfield. The open meetings usually take place at The Fox & Duck public house.

External links

* [http://www.therfield.net History and pictures of Therfield.]
* [http://uk.geocities.com/[e-mail]/ Hagg*r One Name Study Project]
* [http://www.hagger.org Hagger Genealogy Library]