Sherwood Content is a district in the parish of Trelawny. It is located approximately 8 miles from the capital, Falmouth. Sherwood Content is reached by travelling the road from Falmouth, to Martha Brae, and then crossing the bridge to the east and turning right to follow the valley south into the hills.
This scenic drive will take you along the side of the famous Martha Brae River, where tourists will be seen drifting downstream on bamboo rafts. "Rafting on the Martha Brae", is well known to visitors to the island. You will pass through the small farming communities of Perth Town and Reserve after you've parted ways with the river, then to Sherwood Content. The nearby villages of Fontabelle, Friendship, Bunkers Hill and Duanville are neighbours to Sherwood Content.
Sherwood Content was owned by the William FLASH family and part was given to William Knibb (the Baptist minister stationed at Falmouth) for the construction of a chapel. Knibb named this chapel "Waldensia". The chapel was rebuilt on the present site nearby in 1875 and the school now stands on the original site.
Descendants of the Flash family (including the headmistress of the school) still live in the area. The Jamaica Almanac of 1840 lists William Flash as owning 36 acres. More history on Sherwood Content
The Waldensia Baptist church was built in 1836.
The district is basically an agricultural one which survives mainly on subsistence farming, although there are a number of citizens employed in the tourism, transportation and other service industry.
At the crossroads is the Post Office and a bar and grocery. From this 'square' a road doubles back into thickly wooded hills and a sign directs you to the WINDSOR CAVES the largest caves in the island and a popular tourist destination. To explore them you will need an experienced guide, several, including a gentleman known as 'Sugar Belly' who lives in the vicinity.
The Churches, schools, post office, P.C Bank and several grocery shops and bars are important monuments in the community.
The community boasts outstanding national and international achievements - Mr. Usain Bolt (the World Junior and Youth champion), Senator Hugh Dawes and Dr. Velma Brown-Hamilton (former Judge) among other, Doctors, Judges, Lawyers, Teachers, Police personnel, Nurses, Tradesmen, Farmers, Politicians and Business persons who are making contributions here, there and everywhere.
Most of the early years of development of these persons started in the hills of Sherwood Content.
The concept of having a Waldensia Sherwood Content Home Coming is the brain child of Messrs. Clifton Young (Sport) and Clive Sterling (Bigga). This was shared with other members from the community (local and overseas) and has led to the organisation Committee inaugural meeting in November 2005.