Woodham Ferrers

Woodham Ferrers is a small village about 7.5 miles (12 km) southeast of Chelmsford, located between South Woodham Ferrers and Bicknacre in the county of Essex, England. The village is often shortened to Woodham by those in the area. The village is sometimes erroneously referred to as North Woodham due to its geographical relationship with South Woodham Ferrers.

History

Originally a hermitage during the reign of Henry II the name Woodham was adopted in 1175 when it became a priory, including 60 acres (240,000 m²) of forest stretching towards Danbury.^[1]

There is a residence in the village that was once owned by the Bishop of York and was attacked during the Peasants' Revolt in 1381.

At the turn of the 16th century, the convent was used as a hospital until being returned to the church in 1540.^[1]

Due to the proximity of both the Marconi Company and North Weald Airfield, the village was in the flight path for a number of air-raids during World War II; however it was not a direct target itself.^[2]

The village was the centre of national media attention in July 2011 when some 4,000 gypsies arrived there for the Christian Light and Life Festival nearby. Local residents were angered by vandalism and litter which occurred after the gypsies arrived; local crime subsequently doubled and an extra 40 police officers were put on patrol to deal with it.^[3]

Education

The village is served by St. Mary's C of E primary school, and William de Ferrers School is its secondary school.

Religious sites

St Mary's Church, situated at the south end of the village, was recorded in the Domesday Book in 1066.

References

External links

Media related to [//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Woodham_Ferrers Woodham Ferrers] at Wikimedia Commons