Euan Wilson Shenfield
Shenfield is an affluent suburb situated in the Southwest of Essex, a commuter town since the Roman times, once a quaint rest stop for the weary traveller, now a modern Essex suburb. The explosion of rail travel in the 19th century made commuting from Shenfield to London a stress-free endeavour it has provided a home for the traditional nuclear family and the business man and has consistently provided a closeknit community with traditional values. In recent years extensive change has come to Shenfield with the new Elizabeth line beginning at the train station, it brings the town into zone nine of Transport for London’s zoning system. The emergence of new infrastructure along with increasing property prices, high end housing developments and the collapse of long-standing local businesses have unsettled residents who believe that the sense of community is slowly being eroded. Many of the older residents that would previously have enjoyed retired life in Shenfield are moving away in favour of quieter rural hamlets or seaside villages, while the young people are leaving for university never to return as they are priced out of their hometown. New residents are arriving from the city, much like they did at the end of the 19th Century, only this time they are young, wealthy financial hot shots as opposed to the quiet, more reserved family man. Meanwhile local watering holes, butchers, greengrocers, and all types of locally run businesses that have served the families in Shenfield for generations are being torn to the ground to make way for luxury flats or supermarket chains. The town of Shenfield, like many of its residents is slowly adjusting and emerging into the modern era, and while it may seem to be getting newer, shinier and all around more modern place to live, as a community it is slowly losing its identity. This documentary project captures that community in its current state, shining a light on the people within it and the landscapes that surround it.
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