Wellington, Somerset
Wellington | |
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Avon and Somerset | |
Fire | Devon and Somerset |
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Wellington is a market town in Somerset, England. It is situated 7 miles (11 km) south west of Taunton, near the border with Devon, which runs along the Blackdown Hills to the south of the town. The town had a population of 14,549, which includes the residents of the parish of Wellington Without,[3] and the villages of Tone and Tonedale.
Known as Weolingtun in the
In 1809, the Crown referenced Wellington when creating a viscountcy for the eventual Duke of Wellington, Arthur Wellesley, after his victory at the Battle of Talavera in the Peninsular War. When the title's name was being considered, Arthur's brother, Richard Wellesley, Earl of Mornington, found an available manor in the parish of Wellington, a name close to the family name. Richard oversaw the manor's purchase while Arthur commanded the army in Spain against the French. The Wellington Monument south of Wellington commemorates Arthur.
The
Local industries, which now include an
The capital city of New Zealand is named after Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, being recognised as having some influence in the company that founded the New Zealand town. The New Zealand capital therefore takes its name ultimately from the English town of Wellington in Somerset.
History
In a grant of between 899 and 909
A site at Longforth Farm near Tonedale has been identified as having Bronze Age occupation and, during excavations prior to the building of new homes, found to have been occupied by a 12th-14th century building with decorated floor tiles covering 0.4 hectares (0.99 acres).[8][9][10]
A royal charter of 1215 gave Wellington its status as a town, and during the
Major rebuilding took place in the town following a fire in 1731.[11] After this the town's importance grew as it became a centre for clothmaking across Somerset and Devon, its importance as trade centre enhanced by fires in Taunton and Tiverton.[6] By the 1831 census, 258 people were recorded as cloth workers in Wellington.[12]
In the 18th century turnpikes arrived in the area and then in the 19th communications improved with the Grand Western Canal reaching the town in 1835.[6] Wellington station was opened when the Bristol and Exeter Railway reached the town on 1 May 1843. It was a typical Brunel design but was rebuilt in 1932 when two loop lines were put in. This entailed the platforms being moved back to accommodate the widened lines. These platforms are clearly visible and a goods shed still stands on the east side of the line at the Taunton end of the station, although the station closed on 5 October 1964. Wellington was an important station as it stood at the foot of a steep incline. Banking locomotives were kept here, ready to assist heavy westbound trains up to Whiteball Tunnel.
In the 20th century closer links with Taunton meant that many of the residents of Wellington commuted there for work, and the M5 motorway, which opened in sections in the 1960s and 1970s,[16] enabled car journeys to be made more easily.[6]
Fox Fowler & Co. Bank
Thomas Fox started the
The original £5 note is on display at Tone Dale House – one of the last nine and possible the only one left uncancelled.[citation needed]
Governance
Wellington has two tiers of local government: the
The lower tier is Wellington Town Council, formed as a
The upper tier is
For elections to the
Geography
The town has many dependent villages including
There are
Climate
Wellington has an oceanic climate (Köppen climate classification Cfb).
Climate data for Wellington | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 8 (46) |
8 (46) |
10 (50) |
12 (54) |
16 (61) |
18 (64) |
21 (70) |
21 (70) |
18 (64) |
14 (57) |
11 (52) |
9 (48) |
14 (57) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 2 (36) |
2 (36) |
3 (37) |
4 (39) |
6 (43) |
9 (48) |
11 (52) |
11 (52) |
9 (48) |
7 (45) |
4 (39) |
3 (37) |
6 (43) |
Source: Weather Channel[30] |
Along with the rest of
Demography
The town has a population of 14,696.[3] Large growth occurred during the 1970s when housing developments were built on the south side of the town. These were largely prompted by Wellington's proximity to Junction 26 of the M5 motorway.
Economy
Wellington's main industry was wool-making and in November 2009,
The last Fox family house in Wellington Tone Dale House is still owned by Ben and Victoria Fox, Ben is the great-great-great-great-grandson of Thomas Fox. Tone Dale House (since 1996) is also now run as an events and hire venue, for house parties, anniversaries, weddings and corporate events.
Local industries are celebrated at the Wellington Museum in Fore Street. Wellington was home of Fox, Fowler and Company, which was the last commercial bank permitted to print their own sterling banknotes in England and Wales.[36][37]
The town is still largely dependent on industry, along with the neighbouring towns Taunton and Bridgwater with manufacturing industries identified within the county economic strategy as key centres for further economic development, due to good transport links.
Transport
The town was served by
The town is close to junction 26 of the M5 motorway, which spent a year in the 1970s as a temporary terminal junction, whilst the motorway between junctions 26 and 27 was finished. The A38 is still a very important link to Taunton. Wellington is served twice daily by Berrys Coaches 'Superfast' service to and from London.[45]
Education
Wellington is home to a
The main secondary school in the town is Court Fields School. The 11–16 school includes a sports complex, completed in early 2008.[51]
Religious sites
Despite its small size, Wellington has historically been notable for its profusion of
Culture
Wellington has its own amateur dramatic group, formed in the 1960s, called Wellington Arts Association, which holds productions both at Wellington Arts Centre and at the Wellesley Theatre. It includes the Genesis Youth Theatre Group, Operatic Society, Pantomime Group, Civic Players, Arcadians and the Spectrum Arts And Crafts.[56] The Wellesley Cinema was built in 1937, in the Art Deco style. The auditorium seats 400 people on two levels and is run as an independent cinema.[57]
Wellington and District Camera Club meets in the New Science Block, Wellington School.[58] The club is affiliated to the Western Counties Photographic Federation (W.C.P.F.)[59] and also to Wellington Arts Association (W.A.A.).
The town has its own weekly newspaper, the Wellington Weekly News, which was first published in 1860.[60] There is also a community website providing news and views about the town, Around Wellington.
The town is home to Wellington Silver Band, a four section brass band.[61] The band can trace its origins to 1887, when it was formed from the volunteer band of the 2nd Battalion, Prince Albert's Somersetshire Light Infantry.[62]
Wellington is twinned to the town of Immenstadt in Germany, the town of Lillebonne in France[63] and Torres Vedras in Portugal.[64]
Sport
Wellington Cricket Club have a ground off Courtland Road, and have two teams in the Somerset Cricket League.[65] Wellington A.F.C. football Club was formed in 1892 and now play in the Western Football League.[66]
Wellington Bowmen is an archery club formed in 2001. It uses facilities at the rugby club and at Court Fields School.[67] The Rugby club itself was founded in 1874.[68] The first team plays in the Western Counties West League.
The Grand National winning horse, Miinnehoma was prepared for his victory in the 1994 race by Martin Pipe at his Pond House Stables in the town.[69]
Freedom of the Town
The following people and military units have received the Freedom of the Town of Wellington.
Individuals
- Richard Fox: 2011.[70]
Military units
- The Rifles: 17 June 2023.[70]
References
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- ^ "Wellington Town Council Website". Wellington Town Council. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
- ^ a b "Statistics for Wards, LSOAs and Parishes — SUMMARY Profiles" (Excel). Somerset Intelligence. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
- ^ "Weolingtun". BirthVillage.com. Archived from the original on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 6 June 2010.
- ^ a b "Wellington's History". Wellington Town Council. Archived from the original on 4 August 2009. Retrieved 3 May 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Gathercole, Clare. "Wellington" (PDF). English Heritage Extensive Urban Survey. Somerset County Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2010.
- ^ "Somerset Hundreds". GENUKI. Archived from the original on 19 January 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2011.
- ^ "Longforth Farm". Wessex Archeology. Archived from the original on 13 July 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
- ^ Kennedy, Maev (8 July 2013). "Medieval ruins discovered in Somerset puzzle architects". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
- ^ Nichols, Karen. "Mystery Medieval Archaeological Site Uncovered at Somerset Housing Development". Wessex Archeology. Archived from the original on 12 July 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
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- ^ Historic England. "Wellington Monument (1060281)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 15 October 2007.
- ^ "Wellington monument to cost £4 m". BBC News. 16 June 2009. Retrieved 16 June 2009.
- ^ Historic England. "Town Hall Offices of Wellington Weekly News (1059915)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
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- ^ "Wellington Town Council". Wellington Town Council. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 28 September 2009.
- ^ "Wellington Town Council serving Wellington and Rockwell Green". Wellington Town Council. Archived from the original on 2 August 2009. Retrieved 2 November 2009.
- ^ "Find a councillor". www.somerset.gov.uk. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
- ^ "Your Councillors". democracy.somerset.gov.uk. 13 September 2023. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
- ^ "Alphabetical List of Constituencies and Members of Parliament". House of Commons Information Office. Archived from the original on 4 November 2010. Retrieved 21 May 2010.
- ^ "Wellington Park, Wellington". Somerset Historic Environment Record. Somerset County Council. Archived from the original on 3 October 2016. Retrieved 15 May 2010.
- ^ "Wellington- the people's park". BBC. Archived from the original on 9 December 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2010.
- ^ "Wellington Park, Taunton Deane, Taunton Deane, England". Parks & Gardens UK. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
- ^ "Wellington Park Restoration". Heritage Lottery Fund. Retrieved 15 May 2010.
- ^ "Wellington Basins". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2010.
- ^ "Welloington Basins". Taunton Deane Council. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 6 June 2010.
- ^ "Swains Pond". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2010.
- ^ "Swains Lane". Taunton Deane Council. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 6 June 2010.
- ^ Wellington travel information Archived 18 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine Weather Channel UK Retrieved 4 April 2009
- ^ a b c d "South West England: climate". Met Office. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 14 March 2010.
- ^ Historic England. "Tonedale Mills (West complex) (1051987)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
- ^ Historic England. "Tonedale Mills (East complex) (1176514)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
- ^ "Tone Mill Regeneration Project". Somerset Rural Renaissance. Archived from the original on 23 November 2008. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
- ^ "South West England" (PDF). Heritage at Risk. English Heritage. p. 190. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
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- ^ "Fox, Fowler & Co. £5 note". British Museum. Archived from the original on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2010.
- ^ "Somerset Strategic Partnership Somerset Economic Strategy" (PDF). South Somerset Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 November 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
- ^ "History". Swallowfield PLC. Archived from the original on 11 July 2009. Retrieved 3 May 2010.
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- ^ "Relyon History". Relyon website. Archived from the original on 11 September 2012. Retrieved 3 May 2010.
- ^ "Location". Wellington web site. Archived from the original on 1 May 2009. Retrieved 15 May 2010.
- ^ "Call to re-open Wellington train station". Somerset County Gazette. Archived from the original on 18 February 2010. Retrieved 15 May 2010.
- ^ "Full steam ahead as Government backs new Wellington train station". Somerset County Gazette. 4 October 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
- ^ https://book.berryscoaches.co.uk/superfast-timetables.html Superfast Timetable
- ^ "Welcome to Wellington School". Wellington School. Archived from the original on 4 February 2010. Retrieved 21 May 2010.
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- ^ "David Suchet — Poirot — to open Wellington School facilities". Somerset County Gazette. 11 January 2010. Archived from the original on 17 September 2011. Retrieved 21 May 2010.
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- ^ "Analysis of Provision in Taunton Deane". Sports facilities strategy. Taunton Deane Borough Council. Archived from the original on 13 August 2011. Retrieved 21 May 2010.
- ^ Historic England. "Friends' Meeting House (1176261)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 15 October 2007.
- ^ Historic England. "Church of St John the Baptist (1176369)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 15 October 2007.
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- ^ Historic England. "Roman Catholic Church of St John Fisher (1176461)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 15 October 2007.
- ^ "About Us". Wellington Arts Association. Archived from the original on 27 April 2009. Retrieved 3 May 2010.
- ^ "Wellesley Wellington". Reel Cinema. Archived from the original on 28 May 2010. Retrieved 15 May 2010.
- ^ "Wellington and District Camera Club". Wellington and District Camera Club. Archived from the original on 26 August 2010. Retrieved 28 April 2011.
- ^ "WCPF Member Clubs". W£estyern Counties Photographic Federation. Archived from the original on 15 September 2010. Retrieved 28 April 2011.
- ^ "About Us". Wellington Weekly News. Archived from the original on 11 October 2010. Retrieved 29 September 2010.
- ^ "Welcome". Wellington Silver Band. Archived from the original on 23 July 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
- ^ "History". Wellington Silver Band. Archived from the original on 23 July 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
- ^ "British and French Twin Towns". France Magazine. Archived from the original on 30 March 2010. Retrieved 3 May 2010.
- ^ "Links Page". Wellington Somerset. Archived from the original on 21 August 2009. Retrieved 3 May 2010.
- ^ "Wellington Cricket Club". Welling ton Sports Federation. Archived from the original on 30 June 2010. Retrieved 15 May 2010.
- ^ "Wellington AFC". Wellington AFC. Archived from the original on 27 August 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2010.
- ^ "Wellington Bowmen". Wellington Bowmen. Archived from the original on 27 July 2010. Retrieved 15 May 2010.
- ^ "Wellington RFC". Wellington RFC. Archived from the original on 19 February 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2010.
- ^ Wood, Greg (31 May 1995). "Dunwoody gives up the grind". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
- ^ a b Thorne, John (2 June 2023). "Wellington council to present 'Freedom Certificate' to The Rifles". The Wellington Weekly News. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
External links
- Wellington at Curlie
- The Somerset Urban Archaeological Survey: Wellington, by Clare Gathercole