| Toppesfield | |
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Toppesfield
Toppesfield shown within Essex |
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| Population | ~300 |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | TL739372 |
| District | Braintree |
| Shire county | Essex |
| Region | East |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Postcode district | CO9 |
| Dialling code | 01787 |
| Police | Essex |
| Fire | Essex |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament | Saffron Walden |
| List of places: UK • England • Essex | |
Toppesfield is a small village, historically associated with arable farming, in north Essex, England.
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Toppesfield has approximately three-hundred inhabitants. Around one mile south-south east from the village lies the hamlet of Gainsford End, which has approximately fifty inhabitants and used to boast a countryside museum.
The derivation of the name 'Toppesfield' is assumed to be an agglomeration of the phrase 'Top of the Field' meaning it is located on a rise.
As stated, Toppesfield sits atop a small and shallow hill. This means that all roads lead downhill from its centre (a covered water pump). This also results in Toppesfield church tower being easily visible from other villages more than 10 miles distant.
Toppesfield is situated in north Essex, which has considerably hillier terrain than most other areas of Essex. It is situated close (8 miles) to the Suffolk borders.
In recent years Toppesfield has built, stocked and operated its own co-operatively owned general goods store, exclusively manned by volunteers. This is in contrast to many nearby villages, which remain without a shop.
The single public house in Toppesfield is the Green Man. This is owned by the Greene King brewery, based in Suffolk.
The village operates a single primary school, affiliated with the Church of England, called St Margarets.
Affiliated with the Church of England, the church is of traditional design. A small graveyard surrounds the church. The church is administered by the local Reverend who is based in Great Yeldham and currently administers and presides at a number of local churches.
The pump is the centre part of Toppesfield and is an exciting aspect of the old village. Many events have taken place in and around the pump such as the Golden Jubilee celebrations in June 2002.
Attached to the village shop and post office the village hall is a well used section of the village. Playing host to the annual Flower Show and The Millennium Party held in 1999-2000.
Neighbouring Toppesfield are the villages of Great Yeldham and Stambourne and the hamlet of Gainsford End.
Media related to [//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Toppesfield Toppesfield] at Wikimedia Commons