Pilton, Somerset

Coordinates: 51°09′59″N 2°35′13″W / 51.1663°N 2.587°W / 51.1663; -2.587
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Pilton
Avon and Somerset
FireDevon and Somerset
AmbulanceSouth Western
UK Parliament
List of places
UK
England
Somerset
51°09′59″N 2°35′13″W / 51.1663°N 2.587°W / 51.1663; -2.587

Pilton is a village and

civil parish in Somerset, England, situated on the A361 road in the Mendip district, 3 miles (5 km) south-west of Shepton Mallet and 6 miles (10 km) east of Glastonbury. The village has a population of 998.[1]
The parish includes the hamlets of West Compton, East Compton, Westholme, Beardly Batch and Cannards Grave.

History

Pilton is now almost 20 miles (30 km) from the sea but sits on the edge of the Somerset Levels, an area which has now been drained but was once a shallow tidal lake. According to legend in the 1st century, being a landing place then known as Pooltown, it is where Joseph of Arimathea landed in Britain .

The parish of Pilton was part of the

Hundred.[2]

Cannard's Grave is located on the southern edge of

gibbet at the adjacent crossroads and buried nearby.[3][4] Other explanations of the name include a tale that Kenred a pagan and uncle of King Ine who converted to Christianity was buried there. Perhaps the most likely story is that a thief convicted of sheep stealing was tried and hanged at the site.[5]

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.

It is also part of the

first past the post
system of election.

Church

St John the Baptist, Pilton
Stained glass window in St John's church

The present

Medieval village church, dedicated to St John the Baptist, may stand on the site of an earlier wattle and daub church built by the early missionaries. It has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade I listed building.[7]

Listed buildings

Long stone building with buttressed walls and red tiled roof
The Tithe Barn

The village has a Grade II* listed manor house[8] and a Grade I listed tithe barn, which belonged to Glastonbury Abbey.[9]

Culture

Pilton is famous as the location of the Glastonbury Festival, which is run by Pilton farmer Michael Eavis and his daughter Emily Eavis. Being the village at which the festival is held, all villagers get a free ticket.

References

  1. ^ a b "Pilton Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  2. ^ "Somerset Hundreds". GENUKI. Retrieved 22 October 2011.
  3. ^ "The Story of Cannards Grave (mid-17th Century)". Shepton Mallet Town Council. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 18 December 2010.
  4. ^ Grantham, Paul (17 February 2004). "Cannard's Grave". Unconsecrated burials of Britain. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
  5. ISBN 978-0-7509-4057-3
    .
  6. ^ "Shepton Mallet RD". A vision of Britain Through Time. University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  7. ^ Historic England. "Church of St John the Baptist (1058818)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 28 September 2008.
  8. ^ Historic England. "The Manor House and attached wall to rear (1175218)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 28 September 2008.
  9. ^ Historic England. "Former Tithe Barn in farmyard at Cumhill Farm (1058842)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 28 September 2008.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pilton, Somerset.
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