Galleywood

Galleywood
Population
OS grid reference	TL709027
District	Chelmsford
Shire county	Essex
Region	East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	Chelmsford
Postcode district	CM2
Dialling code	01245
Police	Essex
Fire	Essex
Ambulance	East of England
UK Parliament	Maldon and East Chelmsford

Galleywood is a village surrounded by countryside in the heart of Essex, about 30 miles from London, and close to the town of Chelmsford. It is off the A12 which connects to the M25 in London. Galleywood currently has a population of approximately 6000[1], and has a higher percentage of retired citizens than the national average.

Galleywood Common is approximately 400 yards in width and one mile in length, and consists of open fields and woodland. It also has St. Michaels Church in the woodland, which is visible for miles around.

History

It is believed to have begun as a small rural hamlet as far back as Saxon times, although the parish dates from the 19th century. The name Galleywood comes when Henry VIII used the woodland area near the hamlet to make the galleys for his navy. The village of Galleywood consists of the hamlets of Galleywood and Galleyend. Galleywood grew bigger than the hamlet of Galleyend to East and they merged to form the village of Galleywood.

Schools

There are 3 schools in Galleywood, Galleywood Infants School, St. Michael's C of E Junior School and The Thriftwood School

Parks

Galleywood is home to the large Chelmer Park which has facilities for hockey, football, netball, tennis, cricket, and rounders. It is the home the Chelmsford Hockey Club, the Chelmsford Cricket Club, and the Galleywood Football Club. It also has a playground area for young children.

Galleywood also has Jubilee Recreational Park with also a playground area and is meeting point of Galleywood Scouts. However Chelmer Park is much larger.

Race course

It is most famous for its race course which was first formally mentioned in 1770. In that year that the track's main event was granted the title of the "Queen's Plate" by King George III.

The race course in Galleywood began to fall into decline from the late 19th and 20th centuries. It was finally bought for housing land after World War II, although parts of the course remain around the common. It was the only race course in the country to go around a church.