Here we are at the Wennington Village sign. It marks a place with a history stretching back centuries. Let’s delve into the story of Wennington and its green.
Wennington is a small village in the London Borough of Havering. It sits about 16 miles east of London. This places it within the Green Belt.
The Wennington Village sign stands as a marker of resilience. It also shows community spirit. In July 2024, a bronze plaque was added to the wrought iron Wennington Village sign. The plaque declared the site an official village green. This was a special celebration for Wennington.
The village green dedication came after the two-year anniversary of the Wennington wildfire. This fire had disrupted many lives. It destroyed 19 homes. The village green status protects the site from future housing developments. It ensures future generations can enjoy Wennington village green.
Village green status means protection forever. All future generations will be able to enjoy Wennington village green. Councillor Ray Morgon attended the dedication. He said safeguarding the green was a manifesto promise. He also hoped this would help Wennington residents hold onto their community spirit.
Local residents helped with the plaque design. They said they had been fighting for this for over ten years. It means a lot for future generations. The fear of development has now gone.
Wennington has faced challenges. In July 2022, a wildfire struck Wennington. At least 18 houses burned down. Many others were damaged. Around 90 families were evacuated. The fire reportedly started from a compost heap. Flames spread along a garden fence.
Despite the fire, the community has shown strength. Havering Council has worked with affected residents. They helped them get their lives back on track. This included advice and guidance. It helped private owners rebuild their homes. The council also carried out welfare checks. They ensured residents were coping emotionally.
The story of Wennington is one of survival. The Wennington Village sign now symbolizes this. It also shows community pride. The village is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Wemtuna. The manor had only three households. It was in the possession of Westminster Abbey.
The Church of England parish church dates from the 12th century. The parish included the Thameside area of Coldharbour. It also included the Wennington Marshes. In 1934, Wennington became part of Hornchurch Urban District. In 1965, it became part of the London Borough of Havering.
Wennington Road runs alongside the marsh. It leads westward to Rainham. Eastward it goes past the church to Wennington Hall. In 1557, it was called the highway from Wennington to London.
In the 1760s, the government improved the road from Wennington to Purfleet. This happened when the Royal Ordnance magazines were moved to Purfleet.
Wennington’s population has varied over time. In 1891, it rose to 310 due to industry. It reached a peak of 432 in 1921. By 1931, it had declined to 359.
So, as we stand here by the Wennington Village sign, remember its story. It is a story of history. The village is resilient. The community is very strong. The green is a protected space. It is a reminder of the spirit of Wennington.