North Curry
North Curry | |
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Avon and Somerset | |
Fire | Devon and Somerset |
Ambulance | South Western |
UK Parliament | |
North Curry is a village and civil parish in Somerset, England, 5 miles (8.0 km) east of Taunton. The parish, which includes several hamlets, had a population of 1,640 in 2011.[1]
History
The parish was part of the
Reclamation of the surrounding moors before 1311 allowed the village to expand.[4] A market village since the 13th century, North Curry's sources of wealth have included hunting, fishing, and wool trade, with access to other markets via the nearby River Tone. Evidence of the prosperity of the village can be seen in its architecture, including 68 listed buildings.[5]
The course of the Chard Canal, now disused, runs across the south of the parish before entering Crimson Hill tunnel.
Geography
North Curry lies near the centre of the parish, on a low ridge. It is a fairly large village, well away from the main highways. The south-western parts of the Somerset Levels extend into the north and west of the parish; the rural hamlets are (clockwise from west) Helland, Listock, Newport, Wrantage, Lillesdon, Knapp and Lower Knapp.[6]
Governance
The
For local government purposes, since 1 April 2023, the village comes under the unitary authority of Somerset Council. Prior to this, it was part of the non-metropolitan district of Somerset West and Taunton (formed on 1 April 2019) and, before this, the district of Taunton Deane (established under the Local Government Act 1972). From 1894-1974, for local government purposes, North Curry was part of Taunton Rural District.[7]
North Curry is in an
The parish is part of the
North Curry Parish Church
North Curry Parish Church, dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, is nicknamed ‘The Cathedral of the Moors’. Parts of the large, airy church date to the 14th century, and it stands on the site of an earlier church; episcopal records in Wells mention a church in North Curry as early as 1199.[9] The church has a good view of the Levels and moors, with benches placed for walkers and other visitors to enjoy the view from the slightly higher grounds of the churchyard.
To assist visitors tracing their ancestry to North Curry, the church has posted a map of the graves in the cemetery. In August 2007, North Curry Church was incorporated into the Athelney benefice of the Church of England. The vicar of the Athelney benefice covers the parishes of Burrowbridge, Lyng, North Curry, and Stoke St Gregory.
Village life
North Curry has an active history society, village hall, playing fields, primary school, doctor's surgery, Women's Institute, cricket club, gardening club, musical and theatrical groups, and a luncheon club.[10] In 2006, villagers opened a coffee shop, staffed by 70 volunteers, in a converted barn. The coffee shop is part of the refurbished Town Farm Barn, in the loft of which are housed the North Curry Archives.[10] In 2009 the Parish Council opened a new 12-acre (49,000 m2) sports field in White Street with cricket and football pitches, a pavilion and community woodland, all maintained by volunteers.
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North Curry's coffee shop
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Memorial in North Curry commemorating the reign of Queen Victoria
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Small public garden in the centre of North Curry
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North Curry's memorial to soldiers in World Wars I and II
Notable people
Admiral Sir
References
- ^ a b "Statistics for Wards, LSOAs and Parishes — SUMMARY Profiles" (Excel). Somerset Intelligence. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
- ^ "Somerset Hundreds". GENUKI. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
- ISBN 978-0861834655.
- ISBN 0-340-20116-9.
- ISBN 978-0-9531141-1-5
- ^ "Election Maps: Great Britain". Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
- ^ "Taunton RD". A vision of Britain Through Time. University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
- ^ "North Curry and Stoke St. Gregory ward 2011". Retrieved 3 March 2015.
- ^ "The Athelney Benefice - North Curry". athelneybenefice.com. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
- ^ a b "About North Curry Village". North Curry Parish Council. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
- ^ "Funeral of Mr E. C. Dare". Taunton Courier. British Newspaper Archive. 1 July 1914. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
External links
Media related to North Curry at Wikimedia Commons