South Petherton

Coordinates: 50°56′56″N 2°48′32″W / 50.949°N 2.809°W / 50.949; -2.809
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
For the Australian town formerly called South Petherton, see Tungkillo, South Australia.

South Petherton
Avon and Somerset
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UK
England
Somerset
50°56′56″N 2°48′32″W / 50.949°N 2.809°W / 50.949; -2.809

South Petherton is a large village and civil parish in the South Somerset district of Somerset, England, located 5 miles (8 km) east of Ilminster and 5 miles (8 km) north of Crewkerne. The parish had a population of 3,737 in 2021 [2] and includes the smaller village of Over Stratton and the hamlets of Compton Durville, Drayton, Wigborough and Yeabridge. The River Parrett forms the eastern boundary of the parish. The village is approximately 2 miles (3 km) from East Lambrook, Martock and Lopen.

The village is distinctive for the traditional hamstone construction of many of its buildings. In 2005 South Petherton was awarded ‘Somerset Village of the Year’ in a national competition.[3] Historically South Petherton was a market town, but these days is regarded as a village, with many of its ancient functions including the holding of a market having ended by around 1870,[4] although some town-like characteristics remain.[5]

History

The village's name may come from the

Saxon word ton meaning settlement, forming ’Paredton’.[6]

A site on Lightgate Road, north of the present village, has produced Iron Age occupation material, though

archaeological evidence of any structures have not yet been discovered. Roman material, mostly consisting of coins, has also been discovered locally and, as it is only 2 miles (3 km) from the Fosse Way, Roman occupation is likely, although it may have been abandoned between the 4th and 8th centuries.[7]

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle of 680 refers to a major battle on the site of the village and the Saxon Ine of Wessex of the Kingdom of Wessex built a palace on present day Silver Street.[8]

A large royal estate of South Petherton was created and the Saxon settlement, Sudperetone (the southern tun on the Parrett), included a minster church, a royal palace and a short-lived 11th century

Daubeney family, who continued to hold it until the late 15th century,[7] the family dying out after Henry Daubeney acquired the earldom of Bridgwater and then failed to produce an heir to succeed him.[10]

The manor reverted to the Crown in 1553, before passing into the ownership of Charles Arundell (d. 1587), who left it to his brother Matthew Arundell, in whose family it remained until 1792, when it was sold to John Baker Edmonds. Edmonds also acquired the rectory estate of South Petherton (known also as the manor of Hele), which had had a complicated history of ownership, including purchase in 1753 by Henry Hele, a successful physician from Salisbury.[11]

Another estate (known as the Manor of Wigborough) was shared by members of the Brome Family from 1581 to 1615, when it passed to the family of Hele of Flete (unconnected to the Henry Hele referred to above) who held it for most of the 17th century.[11][12]

During the

Monmouth rebellion of 1680 and two townsmen were among those who prosecuted in the Bloody Assizes.[7]

It was also recently discovered that South Petherton was, during the 17th century, one of the main centres of bronze cauldron and skillet production. These cooking vessels were used all over the UK.[13]

Governance

parish council
meets

As a

Somerset County Council
area.

first past the post system of election. The constituency covers the towns of Yeovil, Chard, Crewkerne and Ilminster in Somerset. The current MP is Marcus Fysh, a member of the Conservative Party
.

An

2011 census was 4,866.[14]

Prior to Brexit in 2020, South Petherton formed part of the electorate for the South West England constituency for elections to the European Parliament.[15]

From 1894 to 1974 it formed part of the Yeovil Rural District.

Geography

South Petherton is situated between the Blackdown Hills to the west, the flat wetland area of the Somerset Levels and Moors to the north, and the hills of Dorset to the south. 3 miles (4.8 km) to the east, on the other side of the Parrett valley, is Ham Hill, the source of much of the village's building stone.

It lies on low lying undulating land of Yeovil Sands at the foot of a limestone ridge, which has been quarried for Petherton stone, and for sands and clays suitable for brick and tile making.[7]

Climate

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.[16] In December 1998 there were 20 days without sun recorded at Yeovilton. 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.[16]

Economy

Agriculture has traditionally been an important local industry, although South Petherton has also been a centre for glove making, cider production and other cottage industries at various points in its history.

Cloth manufacture, continued into the late 18th and 19th century although this was largely replaced by sailcloth and then leather working.[7] The importance of this industry can be seen by the number of mills which remain including; the former flax mill or granary in Hayes End,[17] Joylers Mill,[18] Shutlers Mill,[19] and the former flax mill immediately north of Flaxdrayton Farmhouse.[20]

Landmarks

Wigborough Manor House
The David Hall

In Silver Street is a 14th-century manor house.[21] It was restored in the 19th century and nicknamed 'King Ina's Palace'.[22]

The 15th or 16th century Wigborough Manor House was never completed to its original plans and has subsequently been modified many times;[12] it is a grade I listed building.

Approximately 1 mile (2 km) from South Petherton is

snowdrops.[24]

The "David Hall" (located in the old United Reformed Church) is a local social centre run by the Petherton Arts Trust, a non-profit making organisation formed in 1986 and registered as a charity in 1990.[25] There is also "The Blake Hall" which has a social club downstairs and a hall upstairs where a market is held on the first Sunday of every month, as well as various other activities.

A Fives court wall survives, located just off Crown Lane, and is grade II listed.[26]

Health and Education

During 2007 Somerset Primary Care Trust consulted local residents about proposals for the redevelopment of South Petherton Community Hospital, which provides Out Patient Assessment and Reablement services.

Sophie, Countess of Wessex.[28] A doctors' surgery and pharmacy are located adjacent to the Hospital, also in a new building.[29]

Education is provided within the village by two nurseries for pre-school children, an infants’ school (ages 5–7) and a junior school (ages 7–11). The nearest secondary schools are in Stoke-sub-Hamdon (Stanchester Academy), Crewkerne (Wadham School) and Huish Episcopi (Huish Episcopi Academy). There is a public library.[30]

Transport

The A303 main road passes through the parish, immediately to the south of South Petherton and north of Over Stratton, and the villages can be accessed from the A303 at Hayes End Roundabout.

The nearest railway stations are

Ilminster, but both of these were closed in the 1960s. South Petherton is served by a twice-daily Superfast coach service to and from London (Hammersmith) operated by Berrys Coaches[31] as well as a regular bus service to Montacute, Stoke-sub-Hamdon and Yeovil.[32]

National Cycle Network Route 339, which connects Langport with Route 33 at Barrington, passes through the village.[33] The River Parrett Trail, a walking route that follows the course of the river, also passes through the village.[34]

Religious sites

The Church of England Church of St Peter and St Paul has Saxon origins. It retains a 13th-century crosswing, with the remainder of the buildings dating from the 15th century, however it underwent major restorations in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It has been designated by English Heritage as a grade I listed building. The tower is an irregular octagon on plan, wider on east–west axis,[35] which is believed to be the tallest octagonal church tower in the UK.[36] It houses a ring of twelve bells.[37]

Methodist Church

The Coke Memorial Methodist Church was built in 1881–82 to replace an earlier chapel of 1809.[38] It was named after Thomas Coke, who was curate of the village 1772-76 and important, along with John Wesley, amongst the founders of Methodism.

A United Reformed Church was built in 1863. This is now the 'David Hall' and hosts various public events.[39]

The village also has a

Roman Catholic church, dedicated to St Michael, located on Lightgate Road.[40]

Sports

The South Petherton Walking Group is aimed at the over 50's and aims to encourage this healthy, social activity amongst residents and visitors.[41]

The Recreation Ground provides pitches for

Perry Street & District League in 2013 after a highly successful run in recent years,[42]
but gained promotion at the first attempt and have since competed well back in the premier division.

The Vaux Park Polo Club are based at Wigborough Manor, using the grounds of the house, which is situated in the southeast corner of the parish.[43]

Notable people

John Harding, 1st Baron Harding of Petherton

See also

References

  1. ^ https://www.citypopulation.de/en/uk/southwestengland/admin/south_somerset/E04008755__south_petherton/
  2. ^ https://www.citypopulation.de/en/uk/southwestengland/admin/south_somerset/E04008755__south_petherton/
  3. ^ "Winning the Somerset Village of the Year". South Petherton web site. 2005. Archived from the original on 22 November 2008. Retrieved 15 August 2008.
  4. ^ South Petherton Village History (South Petherton History Society)
  5. ^ South Petherton Neighbourhood Plan
  6. ^ Balch, Tom. "A Concise Potted History of South Petherton". South Petherton web site. Archived from the original on 10 October 2008. Retrieved 15 August 2008.
  7. ^ a b c d e Gathercole, Clare. "South Petherton" (PDF). Somerset Urban Archaeological Survey. Somerset County Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 2 February 2010.
  8. ^ Holmes, Edric. "Wanderings in Wessex". Part 3. Fullbooks.com. Retrieved 15 August 2008.
  9. ^ "Somerset Hundreds". GENUKI. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
  10. ISBN 0-86183-476-3
    .
  11. ^ a b "Parishes: South Petherton", Victoria County History, A History of the County of Somerset, Volume 4 (1978), at pages 170-198
  12. ^ a b Historic England. "Wigborough Manor House (1056928)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 23 July 2008.
  13. ^ "Where were the sites of the Somerset Foundaries". Somerset County Council. Retrieved 15 August 2008.[dead link]
  14. ^ "Ward population 2011". Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  15. ^ "UK MEPs for the South West". European Parliament UK Office. Archived from the original on 17 December 2007. Retrieved 11 January 2008.
  16. ^ a b c d "South West England: climate". Met Office. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 14 March 2010.
  17. ^ Historic England. "Former flax mill or granary (1178215)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 23 July 2008.
  18. ^ Historic England. "Joylers Mill (1056978)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 23 July 2008.
  19. ^ Historic England. "Shutlers Mill (1295084)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 23 July 2008.
  20. ^ Historic England. "Former flax mill immediately north of Flaxdrayton Farmhouse (1056973)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 23 July 2008.
  21. ^ Historic England. "Manor House, King Ina's Palace (1056956)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 23 July 2008.
  22. ^ a b "South Petherton". About Britain. AboutBritain.com. Retrieved 23 July 2008.
  23. ^ "East Lambrook Manor Garden". Gardenvisit.com. Retrieved 6 February 2008.
  24. ^ Bourne, Val (4 January 2008). "Snowdrops: White magic". The Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 11 January 2008. Retrieved 6 February 2008.
  25. ^ "The David Hall". Petherton Arts Trust. Retrieved 23 July 2008.
  26. ^ Historic England Fives Court Wall, South Petherton]
  27. ^ "South Petherton Community Hospital". Somerset Primary Care Trust. Archived from the original on 14 April 2009. Retrieved 23 July 2008.
  28. ^ "The Countess of Wessex to visit South Petherton hospital next week".
  29. ^ NHS South Petherton Surgery]
  30. ^ South Petherton Library
  31. ^ Superfast Timetable 2
  32. ^ Bus Times 81 South Petherton—Montacute—Yeovil
  33. ^ Sustrans Route 339
  34. ^ LDWA River Parrett Trail
  35. ^ Historic England. "Church of St Peter and St Paul (1056959)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 23 July 2008.
  36. ^ Vallins, John (18 February 2003). "Country Diary". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 15 August 2008.
  37. ^ "South Petherton: SS Peter and Paul". Dove's Guide for Church Bell Ringers. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  38. ^ Historic England. "Coke Memorial Methodist Church (1345928)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 23 July 2008.
  39. ^ Historic England. "Former United Reformed Church (1345893)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 23 July 2008.
  40. ^ Roman Catholic Parish of Yeovil
  41. ^ "South Petherton Walking Group". South Petherton Walking Group. Archived from the original on 3 July 2008. Retrieved 23 July 2008.
  42. ^ "Petherton Reign Supreme". ViewFrom. Archived from the original on 1 November 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  43. ^ Vaux Park Polo Club

External links

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