Shefford, Bedfordshire

infobox UK place
country = England
latitude= 52.037
longitude= -0.332
official_name= Shefford
population= 5,400 (est.) [http://www.bedfordshire.gov.uk/CouncilAndDemocracy/Statisticsandcensus/FactsAndFigures/PopulationEstimatesAndForecasts.aspx]
region= East of England
shire_county= Bedfordshire
shire_district= Mid Bedfordshire
constituency_westminster= Mid Bedfordshire
post_town= SHEFFORD
postcode_district = SG17
postcode_area= SG
dial_code= 01462
static_

static_image_caption=Shefford High Street
london_distance=

Shefford is a small market town in Bedfordshire, England between Hitchin and Bedford. For local government purposes it forms part of the district of Mid Bedfordshire and is within the Mid Bedfordshire parliamentary constituency, whose MP is currently Nadine Dorries of the Conservative Party.

History

Between 1868 and 1974 Shefford was the site of St Francis' Boy's Home (Orphanage) that was situated upon the High Street next to the Holy Roman Catholic Church of St Francis of Assisi. The Church remains in use as a place of worship. The orphanage buildings, which are seen on the right of the picture, have been turned into flats. The orphanage buildings are the most imposing in the town and date from the 1880's. Many files regarding the home can be found at the Bedfordshire County Records Office at County Hall in Bedford. There are Home Office Inspection Reports available that cover the period from 1962 to 1969.

The River Flit and the River Hit run through the town. The Flit runs from Flitwick and joins the Ivel on the edge of Shefford. The Ivel eventually joins the Great Ouse just north of Sandy.

The name Shefford is derived from Sheeps Ford due to the previous sheep market and the ford over the rivers.

Facilities

Shefford incorporates a fire station, bowls club and a brewery. As well as this, it has various pubs and restaurants, including Chinese takeaways, Indian takeaways and eat-ins and a fish and chip shop.

There is a scout group there too, and a local Army Cadet Force hut at Chicksands on the Army Intelligence corps base, which is part of Bedfordshire ACF, in A company.

Education

The areas around Shefford are served by the secondary school Samuel Whitbread Community College, which holds Specialist Engineering College status.

References

External links

* [http://www.sheffordtouk/towncouncil/council03.html Shefford Town Council website]
* [http://wuff.me.uk/hoo%20hill%20maze/noj.html Hoo Hill Maze: Shefford, Bedfordshire.]
* [http://www.wuff.me.uk/hoo%20hill%20maze/noj.html/ Shefford Hedge Maze, open to the Public]