Historical Shepreth
Although evidence of stone age and Roman settlement has been unearthed around the northeastern corner of the village, subsequent settlement has been nearer the centre of the village. One of the earliest recordings of the population of Shepreth was circa 1086 (all 30 residents) that had slowly risen to around 200 people (circa 1800), 449 in 1921 and to approximately 900 in 2009.The name Shepreth originally had the meaning ‘the brook of the sheep’ or ‘where the sheep may be washed’. While this may have been a reference to the type of regional livestock farming that may have taken place during these times, arable farming for crops such as wheat and barley, oats were grown back then and are still predominently farmed here today. In the thirteenth century the parish was divided between four estates (from the 13th century), namely Shepreth, Tyrells, Docwras and Wimbish (which are still evident today) with the nuns at Chatteris Abbey having considerable holdings in the village too.The church of All Saints in Shepreth has birth, baptism, marriage and burial registers dating back to the mid 1500’s which are held by Cambridgeshire Archives at Shire Hall. The most recent records - some back to 1935 - are held in the church. If you need information from these records for family research purposes, please contact Brian Clutterbuck at churchwarden86_btinternet.com.The stone cross was erected on Pretty Corner in 1920 in memory of the men from this parish who fought in the Great War (1914-1918). While Shepreth was predominantly an agricultural parish since the 11th century licences to extract natural resources (such as cement and aggregates) were awarded between 1870-1899, resulting in Rhee Valley Cement works and Royston Cement Works being established. While these industries may have since closed, Edieham Cottages and Rhee Valley Cottages (which used to house the workers) still remain.
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Recreational
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All Saints
For Shep
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