The Quaint English Village Where Asylum seekers will soon outnumber locals

[Social Media]

 

Wethersfield, a quaint village about 50 miles from London, is a picture of English tradition. Neatly maintained houses line country roads leading to a small village green, a school, and the historic St. Mary Magdalene Church, which dates back to the 13th century. But in a field just beyond the village, a young man, Middle Eastern in appearance, sat against a hedge, absorbed in his phone. When approached, he startled, scrambling to his feet and fleeing toward the trees.  

 

 

The old airbase at Wethersfield now serves as an asylum camp, housing adult men who have come from countries such as Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, and Syria. Many arrived in the UK via the English Channel, crossing in small boats before seeking asylum. Currently, 580 men reside there, with the number set to increase to 800. The government initially announced a target of 1,700 but has since remained vague on the final figure.  

 

 

Before the camp opened, Wethersfield had a population of just 707. The site was originally intended for a prison, an idea met with local opposition. When the plan shifted to an asylum center, villagers were assured it would be temporary. Few believed it. “They’re talking about up to 1,800 people, which is more than twice the population,” said a woman who had moved to Wethersfield from East London. Though she slightly exaggerated the potential number, her concerns were real—soon, the camp’s population could surpass that of the village itself.  

 

The people of Wethersfield remain civil, embodying the English tradition of politeness. They do not express overt hostility toward the asylum seekers. Their frustration is directed at the government, both Conservative and Labour, as well as the bureaucratic inefficiency of the Home Office. Still, they cannot deny that life in Wethersfield has changed.  

 

 

Locals report that the asylum seekers loiter in groups along footpaths and trespass on farms. Some have reportedly defecated on village lanes, and despite government efforts to educate them on British customs, villagers claim to have seen some watching children in playgrounds. Security footage captured an attempted house break-in, and one villager recounted, “One tried to burgle the pub.”  

 

 

When asked whether they feared a rise in crime, the villagers hesitated to answer. In England, discussions on migration and crime tread dangerous ground. Everyone is aware of the past scandals involving mass immigration and crime spikes, such as the infamous grooming gangs that targeted young girls across the UK. However, speaking too candidly can have consequences. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has labeled anti-immigration concerns as “far right,” and under the Online Safety Act of 2023, British citizens have faced legal consequences for blunt discussions on social media. Vice President J.D. Vance even criticized Britain for its crackdown on free speech.  

 

Some villagers refused to talk about the camp. Those who did speak did so anonymously, wary of repercussions. Their fears were not unfounded. One resident, living near the back gate of the base in a house with countryside views, admitted she could not sell her home—buyers had no interest in a property next to an asylum center. “We hear helicopters, ambulances, and sirens all the time,” she said. “They’re fighting amongst each other in their cells.”  

 

When asked if she felt safe, she hesitated. “I’ve got my adult son living here. Luckily, my daughter doesn’t anymore, so that’s good. But our neighbors have younger children.” Would she let her daughter walk alone? “No, probably not.” She didn’t need to explain why.  

 

At the Fox on the Green pub in Finchingfield, the barmaids had been instructed to stay silent on the issue. But Sam, a local customer, pointed the way: “You want to speak to Greg Meat.” Greg, a fifth-generation farmer, preferred to go by “Greg the Egg” and had been a lifelong Tory—though lately, he was drawn to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party. He had already attended three of their meetings. “So far, I’ve liked what I’ve heard.”  

 

The conversation mirrored others from migration hotspots across Europe and beyond. From the Italian and French coastlines to the streets of Amsterdam, Paris, and Phoenix, Arizona, communities are struggling with the effects of mass immigration. Across the West, anti-immigration parties are gaining ground, and nations are tightening their borders. The pattern is familiar: migrants are placed in hotels or temporary camps while governments scramble to respond. Once-traditional voters are turning to nationalist movements for solutions.  

 

British asylum law requires proof that applicants face persecution in their home countries due to race, religion, nationality, political beliefs, or identity. Some asylum seekers exploit this, claiming religious conversion for asylum. In 2022, 72% of applicants citing LGBTQ+ status were approved. Others have claimed Christianity as a means to stay. Liverpool Cathedral has seen so many Iranian asylum seekers seeking baptism that it established a Persian congregation, baptizing over 300 converts by 2017.  

 

Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman alleged in 2024 that “churches around the country” were “facilitating industrial-scale bogus asylum claims.” Yet, successful asylum seekers make up only 11% of UK immigrants. The rest come seeking better economic opportunities.  

 

In Wethersfield, villagers remain skeptical. One woman recounted how she had entered the village church and found Iranian asylum seekers preparing for baptism. “They’ve been taken under the wing of a local reverend,” she said. “They’re getting ready to be baptized.” While Iran does suppress Christianity, few in the village believed the conversions were genuine. Reverend Alex Shannon of St. Mary Magdalene declined to discuss the matter, stating, “As a church, we aim to serve all the people of the community. It’s a political issue. We’re not involving ourselves in any public comment.”  

 

One resident summed up the village’s predicament: “If people are still coming across the Channel, either they open up more of these places or they jam more people into the ones they’ve already got, right?” She paused, then added, “What’s too many?” The silence that followed was telling—perhaps she already knew the answer.

 

Based on a report by Daily Express | FP  2025-03-15

 

 

[mikeymike100]

Tip if the iceberg, coming to a place near you??

[proton]

Illegal immigrants (criminals) not asylum seekers, that is just a scam these days as almost none come from countries where a war is raging- usually FRANCE. They are here for handouts, not asylum.

[Keeps]

53 minutes ago, proton said:

Illegal immigrants (criminals) not asylum seekers, that is just a scam these days as almost none come from countries where a war is raging- usually FRANCE. They are here for handouts, not asylum.

There was me thinking asylum was stopping at your first port of call that offered safety and sanctuary. Not ducking, diving and scamming your way through half a dozen plus countries until you arrive at the perceived (and currently true) land of 'milk and honey'.

[BexMan]

We have a friend in Sweden and with all the additional migrants locally, she will not go out in the evening for fear of the male groups that gather. I feel sorry for the locals, as I would certainly not want my wife going out around that village if we lived in Wethersfield. 

[Red Forever]

34 minutes ago, Keeps said:

There was me thinking asylum was stopping at your first port of call that offered safety and sanctuary. Not ducking, diving and scamming your way through half a dozen plus countries until you arrive at the perceived (and currently true) land of 'milk and honey'.

Your thinking was obviously wrong.

[John Drake]

10 hours ago, Social Media said:

The people of Wethersfield remain civil, embodying the English tradition of politeness

 

And this is why the British are going to lose and see their country colonized.

[Captain Flack]

I have removed a post with intentional misspelling of a name. Spell names correctly for all sides of the debate, if you don’t want posts removed.

[impulse]

Seems like it's all going according to plan.

 

Not the people's plan, of course.  But someone's.

 

[Keeps]

40 minutes ago, Red Forever said:

Your thinking was obviously wrong.

And why is that then? Please explain your reasoning as to how it should work. Do they get to pick and choose the most financially beneficial outcome?

 

If so, in your reasoning, then they are financial migrants, not asylum seekers.

 

Be very interested to hear your spin on things.

[NorthernRyland]

Replacing a population is an act of war as far as I'm concerned and totally illegitimate even if sanctioned by some government. The English of the future will need to forcibly remove these people thanks the currently treasonous people in power. It will be ugly but it has to happen.

[Packer]

The local young women will be happy to have some real men about. 

[norfolkandchance]

11 minutes ago, Packer said:

The local young women will be happy to have some real men about. 

You'll be the first receiving then.

[freedomnow]

I think they have or are trying to bring some new rule that if you enter illegally barred from applying.

 

So simple.

[SunnyinBangrak]

This is the modern day equivalent of the sailors gifting American Indians a smallpox blanket and will ultimately have the same outcome. For what? So white liberals and weasel politicians can signal their virtuousity. Seeing as voicing reasonable objection will get you banged up there's zero hope of stopping the great replacement.

[Pouatchee]

8 hours ago, proton said:

Illegal immigrants (criminals) not asylum seekers,

 

that seems to be the republicans and conservatives' view, but many leftists still want to bleed our bloodbanks and reserves for 13 year old Amhed's that are well past puberty... send them back to go face a world that they have done nothing to preserve while they were living them. They sat on their two hands doing nothing and now they are asking for asylum... shame on the dodgers

[quake]

Just one more example of broken Briton.

Shameful.

 

[LiamB80]

President Trump would never allow this.

[rattlesnake]

All by design. The programmed destruction of nations and cultures. The UK is in a very dire situation, a British Trump is sorely needed.

[Mr Meeseeks]

There are too many immigrants in the UK and there will be a massive backlash against this which will eventually end up with a great many of them being forcibly remigrated.

[rattlesnake]

Just now, Mr Meeseeks said:

There are too many immigrants in the UK and there will be a massive backlash against this which will eventually end up with a great many of them being forcibly remigrated.

 

Hopefully, yes.

[hotsun]

Alot of british refugees in thailand trying to escape this nonsense