Bridgwater

Coordinates: 51°07′41″N 2°59′35″W / 51.128°N 2.993°W / 51.128; -2.993
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Not to be confused with Bridgewater.

Bridgwater
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51°07′41″N 2°59′35″W / 51.128°N 2.993°W / 51.128; -2.993

Bridgwater is a historic market town and civil parish in Somerset, England. The town had a population of 41,276 at the 2021 Census.[1] Bridgwater is at the edge of the Somerset Levels, in level and well-wooded country. The town lies along both sides of the River Parrett; it has been a major inland port and trading centre since the industrial revolution. Most of its industrial bases still stand today. Its larger neighbour, Taunton, is linked to Bridgwater via a canal, the M5 motorway and the GWR railway line.

Historically, the town had a politically radical tendency. The Battle of Sedgemoor, where the Monmouth Rebellion was finally crushed in 1685, was fought nearby. Notable buildings include the Church of St Mary and Blake Museum, which is a largely restored house in Blake Street and was the birthplace of Admiral Blake in 1598. The town has an arts centre and plays host to the annual Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival.

Etymology

It is thought that the town was originally called Brigg, meaning

quay. It has been argued that the name may instead come from the Old English brycg (gang plank) or Old Norse bryggja (quay), though this idea has been opposed on etymological grounds.[3] In the Domesday Book the town is listed as Brugie, while Brugia was also used. After the Norman invasion the land was given to Walter of Douai,[4] hence becoming known variously as Burgh-Walter, Brugg-Walter and Brigg-Walter, eventually corrupted to Bridgwater. An alternative version is that it derives from "Bridge of Walter" (i.e. Walter's Bridge).[5][6][7]

History

Bridgwater proper

See also:
Earls of Bridgewater

Bridgwater is mentioned both in the

Hundred of North Petherton.[8] In a legend of Alfred the Great, he burnt some cakes while hiding in the marshes of Athelney near Bridgwater, after the Danish invasion in 875, while in 878 the major engagement of the Battle of Cynwit may have been at nearby Cannington.[9]

Franciscan Bridgwater Friary in the town.[15]

During the 13th century

Sydenham House, murdering the local tax collectors and destroying the records.[17]

St Mary's Church
in the background (1998).

Bridgwater was incorporated by charter of

county constituency of West Somerset. When Parliamentary seats were redistributed for the 1885 general election, a new county division of Bridgwater was created.[19] A variety of markets were granted to the town during the Middle Ages including a Midsummer fair (on 24 June), one at the beginning of Lent was added in 1468, and one at Michaelmas.[20][21][22][23][24] The importance of these markets and fairs for the sale of wool and wine, and later of cloth, declined after medieval times. The shipping trade of the port revived after the construction of the new dock in 1841, and corn and timber have been imported for centuries.[25]

Gunpowder Plotter Guy Fawkes is remembered during the carnival season, including a grand illuminated procession through Bridgwater town centre, which culminates in the Squibbing.[26] Bridgwater, being staunchly Protestant at the time of the plot celebrated the thwarting of the conspiracy with particular enthusiasm.

In the English Civil War the town and the castle were held by the Royalists under Colonel Edmund Wyndham, a personal acquaintance of the King.[27] British history might have been very different had his wife, Lady (Crystabella) Wyndham, been a little more accurate with a musket shot that missed Oliver Cromwell but killed his aide de camp.[28] Eventually, with many buildings destroyed in the town, the castle and its valuable contents were surrendered to the Parliamentarians on 21 July 1645. The castle itself was deliberately destroyed (slighted) the following year, while in 1651 Colonel Wyndham made arrangements for Charles II to flee to France following the Battle of Worcester.[25]

Following the

Presbyterian, was demolished and its furniture burned on the Cornhill in 1683.[29] By 1688, matters had calmed down enough for a new chapel, Christ Church, to be founded in Dampiet Street, the congregation of which became Unitarian in 1815.[29][30]

In the 1685 Monmouth Rebellion, the rebel Duke of Monmouth was proclaimed King on the Cornhill in Bridgwater and in other local towns. He eventually led his troops on a night-time attack on the King's position near Westonzoyland.[31] Surprise was lost when a musket was accidentally discharged, and the Battle of Sedgemoor resulted in defeat for the Duke. He was later beheaded at the Tower of London,[32] and nine locals were executed for treason.[25]

The

glassmaking it was converted for the production of pottery, bricks and tiles, which continued until 1939. The majority of the brickwork cone was demolished in 1943. The bottom 2.4 metres (7 ft 10 in) has been preserved and scheduled as an ancient monument.[33][34][35]

Bridgwater became the first town in Britain to petition the government to ban slavery, in 1785.[36]

The population of Bridgwater in 1841 was 9,899.[37]

In 1896, the

Salisbury government sent troops to the town to clear the barricades by force after the reading of the Riot Act.[38]

Old map showing the main roads and the river.
A map of Bridgwater in 1946

A by-election in 1938 enabled the town to send a message to the government and Hitler, when an Independent anti-appeasement candidate, journalist Vernon Bartlett was elected MP.[39]

In World War II the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal formed part of the Taunton Stop Line, designed to prevent the advance of a German invasion. Pillboxes can still be seen along its length. The first bombs fell on Bridgwater on 24 August 1940, destroying houses on Old Taunton Road, and three men, three women and one child were killed. Later a prisoner of war camp was established at Colley Lane, holding Italian prisoners.[40] During the preparations for the invasion of Europe, American troops were based in the town.[41]

The first council estate to be built was in the 1930s at Kendale Road, followed by those at Bristol Road. The 1950s saw the start of a significant increase in post-war housebuilding, with council house estates being started at Sydenham and Rhode Lane and the former cooperative estate near Durleigh.[42]

On 4 November 2011 West Quay alongside the River Parrett and 19 adjoining properties were evacuated after a 40 metres (130 ft) stretch of the retaining wall partially collapsed after heavy rain and flooding.[43][44] The old hospital in Salmon Parade, which was built in 1813,[45] closed in 2014 and has been replaced with a community hospital in Bower Lane. This provides a maternity unit and 30 inpatient beds.[46] The old hospital site has been sold for development at a price of £1.6 million, and may be turned into a hotel.[47][48]

Port of Bridgwater

Main article: Port of Bridgwater
Bridgwater Town Bridge, the original highest point of navigation on the River Parrett
Dutch
architectural influence, showing how far regular trade routes led from the town

In the medieval period the River Parrett was used to transport

Act of Parliament the Port of Bridgwater extends from Brean Down to Hinkley Point in Bridgwater Bay, and includes parts of the River Parrett (to Bridgwater), River Brue and the River Axe.[52]

Historically, the main port on the river was at Bridgwater; the river was bridged at this point: the first bridge was built in 1200.

flour mills, timber yards and chandlers.[57]

Shipping to Bridgwater expanded with the construction of

Bridgwater Docks, and reached a peak between 1880 and 1885; with an average of 3,600 ships per year entering the port.[57] Bridgwater also built some 167 ships; the last one was the Irene, launched in 1907.[58] Peak tonnage occurred in 1857, with 142 vessels totalling 17,800 tonnes (19,600 tons).[59]

A cargo boat moored at a wharf with cranes and others machines. To the right is a metal gate opening to the water which flows past the boat.
Dunball Wharf. To the right is Dunball clyce where the King's Sedgemoor Drain flows into the River Parrett

Bristol & Exeter Railway by a rail track which crossed the A38. In 1875, the local landowner built The Dunball Steam Pottery & Brick & Tile Works adjacent to the wharf.[61]

Although ships no longer dock in the town of Bridgwater, 90,213 tonnes (99,443 tons) of cargo were handled within the port authority's area in 2006, most of which was stone products via the wharf at Dunball.

Dunball railway station, which had opened in 1873, was closed to both passengers and goods in 1964.[63] All traces of the station, other than "Station Road" have been removed. The wharf is now used for landing stone products, mainly marine sand and gravels dredged in the Bristol Channel.[64] Marine sand and gravel accounted for 55,754 tonnes (61,458 tons) of the total tonnage of 90,213 tonnes (99,443 tons) using the Port facilities in 2006, with salt products accounting for 21,170 tonnes (23,340 tons) in the same year.[62]

Sedgemoor District Council acts as the Competent Harbour Authority for the port, and has provided pilotage services for all boats over 98 feet (30 m) using the river since 1998, when it took over the service from Trinity House. Pilotage is important because of the constant changes in the navigable channel resulting from the large tidal range, which can exceed 39 feet (11.9 m) on spring tides.[52]

Its historic estates include the

manor of Sydenham
.

Governance

Statue on a plinth in park area, with buildings behind.
The War Memorial in King Square with the former offices of Sedgemoor District Council in the background
Bridgwater Town Hall

The Local Government Act 1972 removed the historic status of Bridgwater as a Borough, as it became part of the district of Sedgemoor, which had its headquarters in King Square.

Bridgwater Town Council, which is based at Bridgwater Town Hall, was created in 2003,[65] with sixteen elected members representing six wards of the town; Bower (three), Eastover (two), Hamp (three), Quantock (three), Sydenham (three) and Victoria (two). With powers or functions over allotments, bus shelters, making of byelaws, cemeteries, clocks, crime prevention, entertainment and arts, highways, litter, public buildings, public conveniences, recreation, street lighting, tourism, traffic calming, community transport and war memorials.

All other local services for the town are delivered by the

Somerset County Council
on 1 April 2023.

first past the post system of election. The current MP is Ian Liddell-Grainger, a member of the Conservative Party.[66]

In 2018, Diogo Rodrigues became the first Portuguese national to be elected as a Mayor in England, also becoming Bridgwater's youngest ever mayor.[67]

Members of Parliament

The

Bridgwater constituency has been represented in Parliament since 1295. After the voting age was lowered in January 1970, Susan Wallace became the first 18-year-old to vote in the UK,[68] during the 1970 Bridgwater by-election that elected Tom King, who took the title Baron King of Bridgwater in 2001.[69]
At the 2010 General Election, Bridgwater became part of the new Bridgwater and West Somerset constituency.[70]

Bridgwater was in the South West England constituency for elections to the European Parliament, prior to Brexit in 2020.[71]

Twinning

Bridgwater is twinned with the following towns and cities:[72]

Geology

Bridgwater is centred on an outcrop of

mud flats, saltmarsh, sandflats and shingle ridges, some of which are vegetated. It has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest since 1989,[73] and is designated as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.[74] The risks to wildlife are highlighted in the local Oil Spill Contingency Plan.[75]

Climate

Admiral Robert Blake
statue and Cornhill just visible in the background

Along with the rest of

convective cloud sometimes forms inland, reducing the number of hours of sunshine. Annual sunshine rates are slightly less than the regional average of 1,600 hours.[76] Most of the rainfall in the south-west is caused by Atlantic depressions or by convection. Most of the rainfall in autumn and winter is caused by the Atlantic depressions, which is when they are most active. In summer, a large proportion of the rainfall is caused by sun heating the ground leading to convection and to showers and thunderstorms. Average rainfall is around 700 mm (28 in). About 8–15 days of snowfall is typical. November to March have the highest mean wind speeds, and June to August have the lightest winds. The predominant wind direction is from the south-west.[76]

Climate data for Yeovilton, 20 m asl (1991–2020 normals), extremes since 1973
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 16.1
(61.0) 		17.7
(63.9) 		21.3
(70.3) 		25.4
(77.7) 		27.5
(81.5) 		34.0
(93.2) 		35.0
(95.0) 		33.9
(93.0) 		29.3
(84.7) 		26.5
(79.7) 		18.5
(65.3) 		16.0
(60.8) 		35.0
(95.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 8.6
(47.5) 		9.0
(48.2) 		11.2
(52.2) 		13.9
(57.0) 		17.1
(62.8) 		19.9
(67.8) 		21.9
(71.4) 		21.6
(70.9) 		19.2
(66.6) 		15.3
(59.5) 		11.5
(52.7) 		9.0
(48.2) 		14.9
(58.7)
Daily mean °C (°F) 5.3
(41.5) 		5.4
(41.7) 		7.1
(44.8) 		9.2
(48.6) 		12.3
(54.1) 		15.1
(59.2) 		17.1
(62.8) 		16.9
(62.4) 		14.6
(58.3) 		11.5
(52.7) 		8.0
(46.4) 		5.7
(42.3) 		10.7
(51.2)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 2.0
(35.6) 		1.8
(35.2) 		3.0
(37.4) 		4.5
(40.1) 		7.4
(45.3) 		10.3
(50.5) 		12.2
(54.0) 		12.2
(54.0) 		10.0
(50.0) 		7.6
(45.7) 		4.4
(39.9) 		2.3
(36.1) 		6.5
(43.7)
Record low °C (°F) −16.1
(3.0) 		−12.2
(10.0) 		−8.5
(16.7) 		−5.1
(22.8) 		−4.0
(24.8) 		1.8
(35.2) 		4.0
(39.2) 		2.9
(37.2) 		0.0
(32.0) 		−4.5
(23.9) 		−11.7
(10.9) 		−14.2
(6.4) 		−16.1
(3.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 70.0
(2.76) 		50.9
(2.00) 		48.5
(1.91) 		51.5
(2.03) 		47.2
(1.86) 		57.1
(2.25) 		50.2
(1.98) 		60.7
(2.39) 		53.3
(2.10) 		80.9
(3.19) 		81.9
(3.22) 		77.4
(3.05) 		729.6
(28.74)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm) 12.2 10.4 10.0 10.0 9.2 8.7 8.3 9.8 9.1 12.0 13.2 12.9 125.8
Mean monthly sunshine hours 59.5 79.5 121.6 170.5 202.2 199.8 205.3 185.5 149.2 107.6 71.6 53.5 1,605.8
Source: Met Office[77] Infoclimat[78]

Demography

Bridgwater had a population of 35,800 according to the 2001 census[1] (up from 22,718 in 1951, 3,634 in 1801, and 7,807 in 1831).

Population since 1801 - Source: A Vision of Britain through Time & ONS, 2006 Population projections; 2001 Census
Year 1801 1851 1901 1911 1921 1931 1941 1951 1961 1971 1981 1991 2001 2008 2011*
Population Sedgemoor[79][80] 27,205 48,575 49,907 51,263 52,082 52,917 57,964 63,497 71,684 80,933 88,544 99,317 105,867 113,500 117,300

Economy

Parrett

As early as 1300, the port exported wheat, peas and beans to Ireland, France and Spain, and by 1400 was also exporting cloth from Somerset and the adjoining counties. By 1500 it was the largest port in Somerset,[81] later becoming the fifth largest in England,[82][83][84] until eclipsed by Bristol in the 18th century.[85] In its heyday, imports included wine, grain, fish, hemp, coal and timber. Exports included wheat, wool, cloth, cement, bricks and tiles. Unlike Bristol, Bridgwater was never involved in the slave trade and, in 1785, was the first town in Britain to petition the government to ban it.[86]

The Bridgwater ship the Emanuel was one of three that took part in Martin Frobisher's 1577 search for the Northwest Passage. In 1828, 40 ships were registered in the port, averaging 60 tons each.[87]

Industry

Bridgwater was the leading industrial town in Somerset and remains a major centre for manufacturing.[88] A major manufacturing centre for clay tiles and bricks in the 19th century, including the famous "Bath brick", were exported through the port.[89] In the 1890s there were a total of 16 brick and tile companies, and 24 million bricks per annum were exported during that decade alone.[90] These industries are celebrated in the Somerset Brick and Tile Museum on East Quay.[91]

These industries collapsed in the aftermath of World War II due to the failure to introduce mechanisation, although the automated Chilton Tile Factory, which produced up to 5 million tiles each year, lasted until 1968.[92] The importance of the Bath Brick declined with the advent of detergents and other cleaning products. Dunware ponds used to make bricks and can still be found along the paths.

During the 19th century,

Restoration.[95]

In the 19th century, Bridgwater was also home to a number of

Bristol & Exeter Railway. The carriage workshops for the latter were on an adjacent site. The works passed to his son and then traded as Hennet, Spink & Else. Some of the ironwork was produced for the Royal Albert Bridge at Saltash, Cornwall. In 1873 it became the Bridgwater Engineering Company Limited but this failed in 1878.[96] W&F Wills Ltd produced steam locomotives and fingerposts.[97]

At the start of World War II, the government built a factory to manufacture high explosives at Puriton near Bridgwater.[98] Called ROF Bridgwater, the plant is today owned by BAE Systems and closed after decommissioning was completed in July 2008.[99]

cellophane factory.[100] At one time the factory employed around 3,000 people, although at the time of closure this had been reduced to just 250. However recovery has begun with the establishment of new businesses on the Express Park business park including the relocation of Gerber Juice and new enterprises Toolstation and Interpet as well as the Exel centre for the NHS Logistics Authority.[101]

Bridgwater is now a major centre of industry in Somerset, with industries including the production of plastics, engine parts, industrial chemicals, and foods. Bowerings Animal Feed Mill is now the only industry still located at the docks. Being close to the M5 motorway and halfway between Bristol and Exeter, Bridgwater is also home to two major distribution centres, while retailer Argos has a regional distribution centre based at Huntworth. A new £100 m Regional Agricultural Business Centre opened in 2007, following construction which began in 2006.[102][103]

As of 2021, a 616 acres (249 ha) commercial development campus named Gravity, targeting the low-carbon economy, is planned for the former ROF Bridgwater site 3.5 miles (5.6 km) north of Bridgwater.[104][105]

Landmarks

Castle House

Bridgwater is home to the Somerset Brick and Tile Museum, built on part of the former Barham Brothers site (brick and tile manufacturers between 1857 and 1965). Castle House was built in 1851 and was one of the first to make extensive use of concrete demonstrating "an innovative interpretation of traditional masonry features in concrete".[93]

The Bridgwater Town Mill, originating in the Middle Ages is located at the end of Blake Street, and there are plans to develop it as an extension to the Blake Museum

A house in Blake Street, largely restored, is believed to be the birthplace of Robert Blake in 1598, and is now the Blake Museum. It was built in the late 15th or early 16th century, and has been designated by English Heritage as a grade II* listed building.[106] His statue from 1898 by F. W. Pomeroy has been repositioned from the front of the Corn Exchange to face down Cornhill.[107] The public library by E Godfrey Page dates from 1905.[108]

British Cellophane plant. In 2012 EDF purchased the site,[111] including the Grade II listed 16th century building.[112] In 2015 the industrial site was razed to the ground. It is intended for construction of temporary accommodation for 1,000 workers involved in the construction of Hinkley Point C nuclear power station.[113][114]

Transport

Railways in the Bridgwater area
Legend
Bristol–Exeter line
to Highbridge and Burnham
 A38  to Highbridge
River Parrett
ROF Bridgwater
Dunball
Dunball
down line
Cement & Lime works
Dunball Wharf sidings
King's Sedgemoor Drain
Dunball
up line
Bridgwater
S&DJR Bridgwater branch
to Edington
British Cellophane
Bridgwater Spinx Cement Works
S&DJR wharf sidings
3
4
 Bridgwater
(S&DJR)
passenger
& goods
1
2
5
6
 Bridgwater Goods
(GWR)
Bridgwater and Taunton Canal
 Bridgwater
(GWR)
Carriage works
 A38  to Taunton
Somerset Bridge
over River Parrett
Bristol–Exeter line
to Taunton
  1. Bridgwater Docks
  2. "Telescopic" bridge
  3. Clink Yard
  4. Bridgwater Cement, Lime, Brick & Tile Works
  5. 1954 connection
  6. Church Street
Bristol to Taunton
.

As trade expanded during the

J Sainsbury
.

Old photograph of a crane on the quayside.
Bridgwater Docks South Side in 1968

The importance of shipping and the docks started to decline after 1886, the year in which the opening of the

ship building was also an important industry, and around 140 ships were built in the town during the 19th century by companies including David Williams, Joseph Gough, Watsons and William Lowther. F J Carver and Son owned a small dry dock on East Quay and constructed the last ship to be built in the town — the Irene.[118] The former associated industry of rope making is commemorated in street furnishings
and paving on East Quay and in the name of Ropewalk street.

The Drove Bridge, which marks the current extent of the Port of Bridgwater is the nearest to the mouth and the newest road bridge to cross the river. With a span of 184 feet (56 m), the bridge was constructed as part of the Bridgwater Northern Distributor road scheme (1992), and provides a navigable channel which is 66 feet (20 m) wide with 8.2 feet (2.5 m) headroom at normal spring high tides.

Scheduled Ancient Monument, and the rest of the bridge was kept.[121] It was later used as a road crossing, until the construction of the Chandos road bridge alongside it, and is now only used by pedestrians. Parts of the steam engine were moved to Westonzoyland Pumping Station Museum in 1977.[120]

The next bridge is the Town Bridge. There has been a bridge here since the 13th century, when Bridgwater was granted a charter by King John. The present bridge was designed by R. C. Else and G. B. Laffan, and the 75-foot (23 m) cast iron structure was completed in 1883.[85][122] It replaced an earlier bridge, which was the first cast iron bridge to be built in Somerset when it was completed in 1797.[122] The stone abutments of that bridge were reused by the later bridge, which formed the only road crossing of the river in Bridgwater until 1958.[120] Above the bridge there were two shoals, called The Coals and The Stones, which were a hazard to barge traffic on the river, and bargees had to choose carefully when to navigate the river, to ensure that there was sufficient water to carry them over these obstructions.[123] In March 1958 a new reinforced concrete road bridge, the Blake Bridge, was opened as part of a bypass to take traffic away from the centre of Bridgwater.[124] It now carries the A38 and A39 roads. On the southern edge of Bridgwater there is a bridge which carries the Bristol & Exeter Railway across the River Parrett. Isambard Kingdom Brunel designed a brick bridge, known as the Somerset Bridge, with a 100 feet (30 m) span but a rise of just 12 feet (3.7 m). Work started in 1838 and was completed in 1841. Brunel left the scaffold supporting the centre of the bridge in place as the foundations were still settling but was forced to remove it in 1843 to reopen the river for navigation. Brunel demolished the brick arch and had replaced it with a timber arch within six months without interrupting the traffic on the railway. This was in turn replaced in 1904 by a steel girder bridge.[125] Slightly further east is a modern concrete bridge which carries the M5 motorway over both the river and the railway line. It was started in 1971 and opened in 1973.[126]

Bridgwater is served twice daily by Berrys Coaches 'Superfast' service to and from London.[127]

Education

Red brick building with central clock tower. In the foreground are plants and parked cars.
Haygrove School

The

Special schools
in the town include: Elmwood Special School, New Horizon Centre School and Penrose School.

Bridgwater was selected as the first town in the South West, outside Bristol, to be selected for the UK government's Building Schools for the Future (BSF) initiative, which aimed to rebuild and renew nearly every secondary school in England.[130] Within Bridgwater, BSF was to redevelop all of the four secondary schools and two special provision schools at an expected cost of around £100 million.[131] This included the complete relocation and rebuilding of a new school combining both the Haygrove and Penrose Schools. In July 2010, several components of the Bridgwater BSF programme were cancelled and others were singled out for further review.[132][133] Following a meeting with Education Secretary Michael Gove, Bridgwater MP Ian Liddell-Grainger announced that the fate of all six affected schools would be subject to review, including the ones that were cancelled.[134]

Further Education is provided by Bridgwater and Taunton College which was formerly Bridgwater Technical School.[135] In February 2018 the southern hub of the National College for Nuclear was launched at the Bridgwater campus, intended to service the building and operation of the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station.[136]

Schools which have since closed include: Bridgwater Grammar School For Boys (originally the Poplar School of Engineering And Navigation, then Dr Morgan's Grammar School For Boys, which became Haygrove School with the Somerset County Council introduction of Comprehensive education), Bridgwater Grammar School For Girls, also in Durleigh, and Westover Senior Council School.

Religious sites

Among several places of worship the chief is the

Church of St Mary; this has a north porch and windows dating from the 14th century, besides a 170 feet (52 m)[11] slender spire; but it has been much altered by restoration. It possesses a fine painted reredos, and has been designated by English Heritage as a grade I listed building.[137]

There is also Christ Church Unitarian Chapel on Dampiet Street, built in 1688, it still retains many of its original features from 1688 and its remodeling in 1788. It has been designated by English Heritage as a grade II* listed building. [138]

The Church of St John the Baptist in Blake Place was built by the Revd. John More Capes

Roman Catholic
in Binford Place.

Classes in

Quaker Meeting House on Friarn Street.[142] In 2014 the building was put up for auction and purchased by local Muslims[143] to become Bridgwater Islamic Centre.[144]

Arts

Bridgwater Arts Centre

Nearing Bridgwater on the M5 motorway it is possible to see the Willow Man sculpture, a striding human figure constructed from willow, sometimes called the Angel of the South (see also Angel of the North). Standing 12 metres (39 ft) tall, it was created by sculptor Serena de la Hey and is the largest known sculpture in willow, a traditional local material.[145]

Bridgwater is the home of Music on the Quantocks, Somerset's most successful music series specialising in world-class classical music. The series also features performance poetry, jazz and folk. Most events are staged in venues such as churches, barns and halls surrounding Bridgwater and attract audiences up to 850 people at an event. Artists featured have included

The Hilliard Ensemble, The Tallis Scholars, Roger McGough and John Cooper Clarke
.

The Bridgwater Arts Centre was opened on 10 October 1946, the first community arts centre opened in the UK with financial assistance from the newly established

Congres Internationaux d'Architecture Moderne in 1947.[149]

Somerset Film (then Somerset Film & Video) opened their community media centre, The Engine Room, in March 2003. The centre allows the public to drop in and use the computers and equipment for free (on certain days) to teach themselves how to edit video, design websites or screen films at open evenings. Cameras and edit suites can also be hired and day courses on using creative software are run regularly.

Castle Street was used as a location in the 1963 film Tom Jones.[150] Horror writer and film journalist Kim Newman was educated at Dr Morgan's school in Bridgwater, and set his 1999 experimental novel Life's Lottery in a fictionalised version of the town (Sedgwater).[151] A sailor who had sailed "from Bridgwater with bricks" and found "There was lice in that bunk in Bridgwater" features in James Joyce's Ulysses (Chapter 16).[152]

In 2013, community radio station Access FM was launched on 104.2 FM. This was the first truly local radio station for the town since

BCR FM was bought by Choice Media in 2006 which eventually became The Breeze. Access FM was initiated as a function of Bridgwater's YMCA and as such held the same values as the charity.[citation needed] The community station began with the intentions of providing youth based programming to 16- to 25-year-olds in order to give the younger generation something new and productive to get involved with. Many of the voluntary presenters were aged 16 – 20 and the station acted as the first step into the industry. Access FM had mild success within the community, attending multiple events and marking new ground for local radio in the area.[citation needed] The station was the first in history to provide live broadcast coverage from Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival
in 2014.

In October 2015 the station went through a re-branding process under a revised management team, creating Sedgemoor FM, which launched on 4 April 2016. Sedgemoor FM broadcasts on 104.2FM across Bridgwater and the rest of the district, providing listeners with programming specific for the community. Scheduling consists of a variety of informative and entertaining radio shows including Dave Englefield's Breakfast Show, Sedgemoor Life with Jackie Sealy and The Carnival Show with Andy Bennett, along with local and national news coverage, local events guide, The Lowdown, and Just The Job, which highlights current job vacancies in the area.[citation needed]

Annual events

Night time photograph of lorry and trailer illuminated with thousands of light bulbs to make pictures. In the foreground and to the side are pedestrians.
"Genghis Khan" cart by Wick CC, parading in the Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival

Bridgwater is now best known for the illuminated "

fireworks (known as squibs) in the street outside the town hall, known as "squibbing".[154]

Bridgwater Fair normally takes place in September — it starts on the last Wednesday in September and lasts four days. The fair takes place on St Matthew's Field, better known locally as the Fair Field. The fair is now a

St Matthew's day (21 September), giving the venue its name.[155] During the first weekend of July, the annual "Somerfest" arts festival is held in Bridgwater. The event includes an extensive programme of rock, jazz and classical music, dance, drama and visual arts with national and local participants.[156]

A new annual event was launched in 2014, taking place in May each year. The Bridgwater Science Festival brings science-related family entertainment and activities to town. The event takes place in the Town Hall, and works with local organisations and the University of the West of England.

An annual Food and Drink Festival also takes place each year at the Bridgwater Town Hall. The Bridgwater Food and Drink Festival takes place at the beginning of March[157] each year and features the best in local produce with cooking demonstrations taking place from local chefs.

Media

Local news and television programmes are provided by

Somerset Live, Bridgwater Times
and Bridgwater Mercury.

Sport and leisure

Sport

Southern League Division One South and West.[159]

Bridgwater & Albion are Somerset's highest-placed rugby team, playing in National League 3 South and are based at College Way.[160] It was founded in 1875.[161]

The cricket club play at The Parks on Durleigh Road.[162]
Bridgwater Hockey Club was founded in 1925 and field four men's teams and three women's teams, playing fixtures at 1610 Leisure Centre.[163]

Leisure

East Bridgwater Sports Centre offers badminton courts, outside football pitches, squash courts and a fitness room.[164]

Bridgwater had a series of swimming pools from 1890 until 2009. The first pool, on Old Taunton Road, was replaced by the Bridgwater Lido on Broadway, which was opened in 1960 by the Mayor, Alderman Mrs A. B. Potterton. The lido, which had three pools, a diving bay and paddling pool, was demolished in the late 1980s to make way for a supermarket and to fund the indoor Sedgemoor Splash swimming pool in Mount Street, which opened in 1991.[165] In 2009, after the local council were unable to raise the funds needed to upgrade the pool, it was closed and demolished to make way for another supermarket.[166][167] A new pool was planned as part of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) rebuild of Chilton Trinity School,[168]

The town is both on the route of the Samaritans Way South West and the River Parrett Trail.

Notable people

  • Admiral Robert Blake (1598–1657) was born in Bridgwater, and attended the local grammar school (Bridgwater Grammar School For Boys). His home is now the Blake Museum and contains details of his career amongst its exhibits of local history and archaeology.[169]
  • John Chubb (1746–1818), Bridgwater merchant and amateur artist, who painted portraits of his local contemporaries, as well as a number of paintings of Bridgwater street scenes. His work is in the collection of the Blake Museum, Bridgwater.[170]
  • John Clark (1785-1853) created the first automated text generator, The Eureka, which was exhibited in 1845.
  • Donald Crowhurst (1932–1969), who tried to fake a round-the-world solo yacht journey, set up his business in Bridgwater and was a borough councillor.[171]
  • William Diaper (1685–1717), clergyman and innovative poet, was born in Bridgwater.[172]
  • Sir Paul Dukes (1889–1967) was born in Bridgwater and educated at Caterham School, and went on to be an SIS agent.[173]
  • YouTube personality, was born in Bridgwater.[174]
  • Peter Haggett (b. 1933), academic geographer and professor at University of Bristol, was educated at Dr Morgan's Grammar School, Bridgwater.[175]
  • Chris Harris (1942–2014), English performer, director and writer who starred in Into the Labyrinth. He also starred in and directed the pantomime at the Theatre Royal, Bath from 2001.[176]
  • Harry "Breaker" Morant (1864–1902), Anglo-Australian Boer War soldier, was born in Bridgwater.[177]
  • Henry Phillpotts (1778–1869), Bishop of Exeter 1830–1869, was born in Bridgwater.[178]
  • John de Ponz (c.1248-c.1307), royal administrator and senior judge in Ireland, was born in Bridgwater, and was sometimes known as "John of Bridgwater".[179]
  • Jean Rees (1914–2004), artist and co-founder of the Bridgwater Arts Centre.[180]
  • Alexander Scoles (1844–1920), Roman Catholic priest and architect of Catholic churches: he served as parish priest in Bridgwater and designed and built St Joseph's church, Binford Place.[181]
  • James Sully (1842–1923), psychologist, was born in Bridgwater.[182]
  • Fanny Talbot (1824–1917), born in Bridgwater, philanthropist and friend of John Ruskin, who donated the first property to the National Trust.[183]

Sport

  • Robert Dibble (1882–1963), England rugby player, was born in Bridgwater, and played club rugby for Bridgwater & Albion RFC and Newport RFC.[184]
  • Charles Kent (1953–2005), England rugby player, was born in Bridgwater.[185]
  • David Luckes (b. 1969), England and Great Britain hockey player 1989–2000, was brought up in Bridgwater.[186]
  • Richard (b. 1981) and Simon Mantell (b. 1984), brothers and field hockey players for England, were both born in Bridgwater.[187][188]
  • Tommy Woods (1883–1955), England rugby player, was born in Bridgwater and played club rugby for Bridgwater & Albion RFC and Rochdale Hornets.[189]

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References

Attribution:

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bridgwater.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Bridgwater.

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