Shobdon Parish
| Protected to the north by a forested hill and to the south by marshland and the river Arrow, Shobdon has developed from the Doomsday village of Scepedune, (which was a safe overnight stop for drovers from Wales taking their flocks for sale in Leominster) along both sides of a mile long stretch of road two miles from Mortimer's Cross. Westward leads into Wales with the nearest town being Presteigne. Shobdon village lies in arable farmland 12km from the market town of Leominster. Most of the 800 parishioners are locally employed and live in the main village, although there are three outlying hamlets: Easthampton, Uphampton and Ledicot. |
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A wartime aerodrome was built to the south of the parish, but the marshy ground meant only one runway was completed and it was used extensively for the No5 RAF Gliding School and was the main training area for the Normandy and Arnheim landings. After the war the land was de-requisitioned and a council estate was built with other areas bought by private developers. |
| The airfield itself has developed into a leisure centre for flying, gliding, micro lighting and helicopter training. It also has a small caravan site and spectator facilities. The perimeter of the airfield has several small light industries providing employment for the parish. |
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Sun Valley Poultry was formed in 1960 with the hatchery section being built at Shobdon Court. This business and the development of land for growing soft fruits, potatoes and grain provide the main employment in the area. |
| The village has a shop/post office, hairdresser and pub/ restaurant, a daytime bus service and a monthly library van. The primary school has an excellent Ofsted record and houses the Community hall which is used regularly by the�Mothers Union, Sunshine Club, and dancing. There is a new play area for the under 5's but no amenities for the older children. |
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| The Methodist chapel is in the village and the unique Parish church with its Visitor Centre is in the Park on the Shobdon Loop of the Mortimer Trail, (a long distance walk). | |
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Leisure attractions include cricket and football clubs, riding school, 3 caravan parks and a busy airfield. Housing in the village includes a council estate, a site of sheltered council bungalows along with shared ownership starter homes. Three small developments of private housing with other private houses/bungalows being built alongside the main road of the strip village. |
| Shobdon Parish has seven small pools and the largest natural lake in Herefordshire along with the remains of one of the oldest Oak trees in the country. | |
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For further information click on:
Shobdon Genealogy
