Carhampton

Coordinates: 51°10′23″N 3°25′29″W / 51.1731°N 3.4247°W / 51.1731; -3.4247
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Carhampton
Avon and Somerset
FireDevon and Somerset
AmbulanceSouth Western
UK Parliament
List of places
UK
England
Somerset
51°10′23″N 3°25′29″W / 51.1731°N 3.4247°W / 51.1731; -3.4247

Carhampton is a village and civil parish in Somerset, England, 4 miles (6.4 km) to the east of Minehead.

Carhampton civil parish stretches from the Bristol Channel coast inland to Exmoor. The parish has a population of 865 (2011 census).[1]

History

Iron Age occupation of the parish is evident from the remains of Bat's Castle hillfort and associated earthworks.[2] Archaeological excavation in the mid-1990s suggested the existence of early Christian settlement and burial to the east of the village, which had previously been the site of a metalworking settlement.[3]

Carhampton is thought to have been the centre for a

Viking
raids.

A map of Britain during the middle of the 9th century, including a map of the location of the Anglo Saxon battle with Danes at Carhampton

The

King Egbert fought the crews of 35 ships at Carhampton.[2]
With the Danes in possession of the battlefield, the Chronicle recount a great slaughter.

Carhampton was part of the

Carhampton.[4]

Earl of Carhampton

The title of

Norman conquest of England
, acquiring estates as reward for services to the Crown.

Governance

The

neighbourhood watch
groups on matters of crime, security, and traffic. The parish council's role also includes initiating projects for the maintenance and repair of parish facilities, as well as consulting with the district council on the maintenance, repair, and improvement of highways, drainage, footpaths, public transport, and street cleaning. Conservation matters (including trees and listed buildings) and environmental issues are also the responsibility of the council.

The village falls within the

crematoria, leisure services, parks and tourism
.

waste disposal
and strategic planning.

There is an

electoral ward called 'Carhampton and Withycombe'. The ward extends north to the coast at Blue Anchor and south to Rodhuish. The total ward population is 1,158.[6]

It is also part of the

MEPs using the d'Hondt method of party-list proportional representation
.

Religious sites

The parish

Perpendicular period, but was extensively restored, and the north wall rebuilt in 1862–63. The tower was rebuilt between 1868 and 1870 and the vestry was added. It is a Grade I listed building.[7]

Legend

Carhampton is associated with the

Saint Carantoc. Carantoc is said to have tamed a dragon,[2]
or slain a serpent that was terrorising the inhabitants of Carrum (Carhampton). On victory, Carantoc was granted by Arthur the right to build a monastery in the village.

Wassailing

Carhampton is known for its wassailing celebration which was started in 1930s by the Taunton Cider Company. Wassailing in Carhampton takes place on 17 January in the orchard of the Butcher's Arms pub. This is preceded by a smaller event in the Community Orchard in the centre of the village next to the pub. The villagers form a circle around the largest apple tree, hang pieces of toast soaked in cider in the branches for the robin, who represent the 'good spirits' of the tree. A shotgun is fired overhead to scare away evil spirits.[8]

Carhampton Wassailing Song
Old apple tree, we wassail thee,
And hoping thou wilt bear
For the Lord doth know where we shall be
Till apples come another year.
For to bear well, and to bear well
So merry let us be,
Let every man take off his hat,
And shout to the old apple tree!
Old apple tree, we wassail thee,
And hoping thou wilt bear
Hatfuls, capfuls and three bushel bagfuls
And a little heap under the stairs,
Hip, Hip, Hooray!

Noted People

Gwendolyn Watts - (1937-2000)

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Statistics for Wards, LSOAs and Parishes — SUMMARY Profiles" (Excel). Somerset Intelligence. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  2. ^
    ISBN 1-874336-26-1
    .
  3. ^ Historic England. "Early Christian to medieval settlement and cemetery (1013589)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
  4. ^ "Carhampton Hundred". Domesday Map. Archived from the original on 8 October 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  5. ^ "Williton RD". A vision of Britain Through Time. University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  6. ^ "Carhampton and Withycombe ward 2011". Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  7. ^ Historic England. "Church of St John the Baptist (1345731)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 6 March 2009.
  8. ISBN 0-7153-5741-7
    .

External links

Media related to Carhampton at Wikimedia Commons

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