Eastfield, Peterborough facts for kids
Eastfield is a residential area located in the city of Peterborough, England. It's part of the larger Cambridgeshire county. This area is where many people live and call home. For local elections, Eastfield is part of the Peterborough East ward, along with Fengate and Parnwell. In 2001, about 8,424 people lived in Eastfield. More than half of the homes there are owned by the people who live in them.
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Exploring Eastfield
Eastfield is home to several important places, including churches, schools, and even a famous engine company. Let's take a closer look at what makes Eastfield special.
Churches in Eastfield
The Church of England parish of Saint Mary the Virgin was officially created in 1857. This was a very large parish, covering Eastfield and nearby areas. A church building was designed by Gothic Revival architect Ewan Christian. It was built using local stone and opened in 1860. A tower with a special saddleback roof was added in 1883.
Over time, the original church became old and needed repairs. So, a brand new St. Mary's church was built. Work started in 1989, and the new church was officially opened in 1991.
Eastfield also has a Roman Catholic church called St. Thomas More.
Schools and Colleges
Eastfield has several schools for different age groups.
- Newark Hill County Primary School opened in 1959. It can teach up to 420 students each year.
- Abbotsmede County Primary also serves the area, providing education for younger children.
Eastholm School has a long history, starting in 1853. It moved to its current location in two stages, with separate schools for girls and boys. In 1973, these two schools joined together. In 1997, it was renamed Hereward Community College. This college closed in 2007 and merged with other schools to form the Thomas Deacon Academy. Today, the City of Peterborough Academy is located on the former Eastholm site. It opened in 2013 and shares its location with the Academy Special School, which opened in 2012.
For older students, St. John Fisher RC Comprehensive is also in Eastfield.
Peterborough Regional College is an important college in the area. It started in 1946 as Peterborough Technical College. Its current campus in Eastfield opened in stages, starting in 1952. The college was fully completed in 1969.
Perkins Engines: A Local Success Story
A very important company in Eastfield is Perkins Engines. It was started by Frank Perkins in 1932. His goal was to create and build lightweight, high-speed diesel engines. The main factory in Eastfield opened in 1940, and full production began in 1947. This helped the company grow from a small family business into a large, international company known worldwide.
Green Spaces and History
Eastfield has two cemeteries that offer a mix of history and nature.
- Eastfield Cemetery opened in 1919.
- Broadway Cemetery opened earlier, in 1858. While it's no longer used for new burials, it has become a special county wildlife site since 1990. This means it's a protected area for nature. You can find about 150 different types of flowers and plants there, including meadow saxifrage, ox-eye daisy, and common knapweed. A monument called the Cross of Sacrifice was placed there in the 1920s by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to remember those who died in wars.
