Wiveliscombe
Wiveliscombe | |
---|---|
Population | 2,670 |
OS grid reference | ST080279 |
District | |
Shire county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Police | Avon and Somerset |
Fire | Devon and Somerset |
Ambulance | South Western |
Wiveliscombe (known locally as Wivey) is a town and parish in Somerset, England, situated 9 miles (14 km) west of Taunton in the Taunton Deane district. The town has a population of 2,670.[2] The parish includes the nearby hamlet of Maundown.
North west of the town are Clatworthy Camp an Iron age hill fort and Clatworthy reservoir.
Geography
Wiveliscombe is a former borough, market and cloth making town just 5 miles (8 km) from the border between Devon and Somerset. It is situated at the foot of the Brendon Hills and acts as a gateway to Exmoor.
The town used to have a station on the Devon and Somerset Railway which closed in 1966.
Demographics
While the population of 2,670 is small for a town, the shops and services meet the needs of a much larger population, spread through the western fifth of Taunton Deane, in scattered farms and villages. A survey in 1997 revealed that there were at least 300 businesses within a 5 miles (8 km) mile radius of the town; 14 of these were trading internationally and a further 20 nationally.Wiveliscombe is also home to 2 breweries. These being Cotleigh Brewery and Exmoor Ales.[3]
Church
The Church of St Andrew dates from 1827-9 and was built from red sandstone with Hamstone dressings, although the font is octagonal and originated in the 14the century. The architect was Richard Carver. The church has been designated by English Heritage as a grade II* listed building.[4]
Within the churchyard is a 14th century Sandstone cross.[5]
Education
Wiveliscombe Primary School serves most of the surrounding villages. Kingsmead Community School, for pupils aged 11–16, was rated by the DfEE as one of the top 50 state schools in England in 1998.[citation needed] The school houses a Theatre and Sports Hall and a youth club complementing the town's Recreation Ground where the Tennis, Rugby, Cricket and Football Clubs have their bases.
References
- ^ "Nos 5 & 7 The Square". Images of England. Retrieved 2008-02-16.
- ^ "Parish Population Estimates for 2002" (PDF). Somerset County Council. Retrieved 2007-11-18.
- ^ "Wiveliscombe". Somerset Market Towns. Retrieved 2008-07-09.
- ^ "Church of St Andrew". Images of England. Retrieved 2008-02-15.
- ^ "Churchyard cross, Church of St Andrew". Images of England. Retrieved 2008-02-16.
External links
- The 10 Parishes cash free Exchange Forum
- Taunton Deane Tourism Web Site
- Wiveliscombe Community Website
- Wiveliscombe at Curlie
- Wiveliscombe at The Somerset Urban Archaeological Survey, by Clare Gathercole
- Photos of Wiveliscombe in 3d (Anaglyphs)
- [http://www.wiveliscomberugby.co.uk Wiveliscombe Rugby Club