Eastfield, Peterborough

Eastfield is a residential area of the city of Peterborough, Cambridgeshire in the United Kingdom. For electoral purposes it comprises the main part of Peterborough East ward. As of 2001 this has a resident population of 8,424. Of a total 3,824 households, 52.88% are owner occupied, compared to 66.30% in the Peterborough unitary authority area. [2001 Census Area Statistics Office for National Statistics, April 2001]

The parish of Saint Mary the Virgin was created by Order-in-Council on 01 September 1857. It was the largest parish in the city and comprised of Boongate/Eastgate, Eastfield and Newark (then an outlying village) to the east of Peterborough city centre. A Victorian church was commissioned and to serve as a "poor church" for the parish and the foundation stone laid on 30 September 1859. Consisting of a nave and south aisle built of relatively cheap local stone, the church was consecrated on 07 August 1860. During the twentieth century the church began to fall into a state of disrepair and on 22 October 1989 work began on a new church. This was dedicated by William, Lord Bishop of Peterborough on 16 November 1991. [ [http://www.peterborough-stmarys.org.uk/history/index.htm Extract from the Statement of Significance] St. Mary the Virgin, Peterborough (retrieved 13 January 2008)]

Newark Hill County Primary School was first opened in 1959. The school admits up to 60 children each year and has a total capacity of 420 pupils. Abbotsmede County Primary is also located in the area.

Eastholm School was founded in 1853 but moved to its present site in two stages, Eastholme Secondary Modern School for Girls in 1957 and Eastholme Secondary Modern School for Boys in 1966. The two schools were amalgamated in 1973 and became comprehensive for pupils aged 11–18 when education in the county was reorganised in 1976. The school, renamed Hereward Community College in 1997, was closed in July 2007 and merged with Deacon's and John Mansfield to form the flagship Thomas Deacon Academy which opened in September 2007. [ [http://www.peterborough.gov.uk/page-10889&theme=__normal Past and present students urged to look back for the future] Peterborough City Council, Ref. 07/03/RG, 05 March 2007)]

Peterborough Regional College was established in 1946 as Peterborough Technical College. In 1952 the first instalment of the purpose built Eastfield site opened on land adjacent to the East of England Showground. Peterborough Agricultural Society relocated to a 250 acre (101 ha) site at Alwalton in 1965 and the college was completed in 1969. [ [http://www.peterborough.ac.uk/newsevents/pdf/pastpresentfuture.pdf Peterborough Regional College – 60 years in business] Peterborough Regional College (retrieved 18 August 2007)]

Frank Perkins formed and registered the company F. Perkins Limited to develop and manufacture the lightweight high-speed diesel engine in 1932. In 1940 the Eastfield headquarters plant opened and production officially commenced in 1947 transforming it from a small, family business to a large, modern company which would ultimately assume world-leader status. [ [http://www.perkins.com/cda/layout?m=96906&x=7 Perkins Heritage] Perkins Engines Company (retrieved 13 January 2008)]

References

External links

* [http://www.peterborough-stmarys.org.uk/ St. Mary's Church]
* [http://www.newarkhillschool.co.uk/ Newark Hill School]
* [http://www.peterborough.ac.uk/ Peterborough Regional College]