West Coker

Coordinates: 50°55′08″N 2°41′29″W / 50.9189°N 2.6913°W / 50.9189; -2.6913
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

West Coker
Avon and Somerset
FireDevon and Somerset
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UK
England
Somerset
50°55′08″N 2°41′29″W / 50.9189°N 2.6913°W / 50.9189; -2.6913

West Coker is a large village and civil parish in Somerset, England, situated 3 miles (4.8 km) south west of Yeovil.

History

The name Coker comes from Coker Water ("crooked stream" from the Celtic Kukro).[2]

Artifacts from early settlement in the parish include a polished stone axe and boat shaped-bronze brooch. A Roman villa has been excavated and a bronze plate inscribed to the god Mars discovered.[2] From this Mars was given the title Mars Rigisamus (which means "greatest king" or "king of kings") as it depicts a standing naked male figure with a close-fitting helmet; his right hand may have once held a weapon, and he probably originally also had a shield (both are now lost). The same epithet for a god is recorded from Bourges in Gaul. The use of this epithet implies that Mars had an extremely high status, over and above his warrior function.

The manor descended with its neighbour East Coker until the 14th century when it passed to a junior branch of the Courtenay family. It was later held by the Dukes of Somerset and Northumberland protectors of Edward VI and later still by the Portmans of Orchard Portman.[2]

The original manor house burned down during an attack in the Wars of the Roses,[2] although the current hamstone manor house has medieval origins, the earliest surviving portions probably being of around 1500. It is a grade I listed building.[3]

The village had a long history of growing hemp and flax for sailcloth manufacture, which made "Coker Canvas" highly prized by naval captains during the Napoleonic Wars.[2] Dawe's Twineworks, a late 19th-century[4] historic building in the village used for the manufacture of rope and twine, was a featured candidate on the BBC Restoration TV series in 2006. The ropewalk was on the Heritage at Risk Register until local volunteers formed the Coker Rope & Sail Trust and raised substantial funding, including from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Dawe's Twineworks is now Britain’s only surviving Victorian twineworks with its original working machinery, and is open to visitors on the fourth Saturday of every month.[5][6][7]

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 Parish Council also looks after the recreation ground which has a pavilion, a tennis court, cricket pitches, children's sports areas and the Scouts and Guides buildings.

For local government purposes, since 1 April 2023, the parish comes under the unitary authority of Somerset Council. Prior to this, it was part of the non-metropolitan district of South Somerset (established under the Local Government Act 1972). It was part of Yeovil Rural District before 1974.[8]

The village is in 'Coker'

2011 census was 5,310.[9]

It is also part of the

first past the post
system of election.

Geography

Nearby is the

gatekeeper, small tortoiseshell and common blue. Less commonly seen are large skipper, green-veined white and green hairstreak.[10]

Transport

The parish has no railway station, the nearest being Yeovil Junction on the West of England line. There are a few bus routes: the main ones are: Route CR6 (First Hampshire & Dorset) Bridport-Yeovil which operates three journeys a day Monday to Friday,[11] and Route 96 which run approximately every 90 minutes on weekdays (South West Coaches) Chard/Crewkerne-Yeovil.

Village features and services

West Coker, Somerset, offers residents and visitors a range of amenities and services. Commercial and Community Services: 

 * Hospitality: The village currently has one functioning pub and a hotel. The New Inn, a 17th century public house which also offers a dining and accommodation. Lanes Hotel with a 4 star rating, offers accommodation, a spa, bar, and dining.  Previously, there were two others public houses: The George (temporarily closed) and The Castle Inn, which suffered a fire in 2013 and ultimately closed in 2016. Previously, there was also a bistro on East Street, and a bar called the Rum Hole located in the basement of what is now Lanes Hotel.
Approximately one mile east of the village centre, the Yeovil Court hotel is currently undergoing refurbishment. Every Christmas Eve the village hold an event known as "carols in the square". This is a community fundraising event drawing crowds to sing carols accompanied by live musicians.
* Retail and Services:  A garage in the village centre provides MOT testing, fuel, and a local shop.  Other businesses include a butcher's shop and a post office. 
* Education: West Coker Primary School serves the local community with a student population of roughly 30 pupils.
* Community Spaces: The West Coker Village Hall, administered by the West Coker Commemoration Fund charity, provides a venue for a variety of events. Additionally, the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Pavilion, opened in November 2022 at the Recreation Ground on Halves Lane, offers a space for sports and community activities.
* Media: The village benefits from a regular community publication, the Ropewalker, which keeps residents informed of local news and events.

Points of Interest: 

* Dawe's Twineworks: This museum preserves the history of rope and twine production in West Coker, featuring working machinery and interactive exhibits.
* Hatherstone Wood: This small woodland was developed in 1999 as part of the Woodland Trust's "woodland on your doorstep" scheme. 
* West Coker Fen: A designated nature reserve, West Coker Fen provides habitat for a diverse range of flora and fauna, including rare orchids and wetland birds. It is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and walkers.

Transport: 

* A petrol station and convenience store are located approximately one mile east of the village.

Literary Reference

West Coker is Thomas Hardy's Narrowbourne, and features in the story A Tragedy of Two Ambitions in his collection Life's Little Ironies published in 1894.

Religious sites

The

Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.[13]

Notable people

See also

References

  1. ^ "Statistics for Wards, LSOAs and Parishes — SUMMARY Profiles" (Excel). Somerset Intelligence. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  2. ^
    ISBN 1-874336-26-1
    .
  3. ^ Historic England. "Manor House (1345845)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 5 October 2008.
  4. ^ Historic England. "The Former Ropewalk, 75 Metres North East of Millbrook House (1057092)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 5 October 2008.
  5. ^ "The former Ropewalk, 75 metres north east of Millbrook House, High Street, West Coker — South Somerset". Heritage at Risk. English Heritage. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  6. ^ "Dawe's Heritage Lottery Funded Restoration 2017-20". 28 March 2017.
  7. ^ "Dawe's Twineworks Wins Community Engagement Award". The Association for Industrial Archaeology. 3 December 2022.
  8. ^ "Yeovil RD". A vision of Britain Through Time. University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  9. ^ "coker ward 2011". Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  10. ^ Hardington Moor NNR
  11. ^ https://www.firstbus.co.uk/api/timetables/pdf?opco=6&service=6A%2FCR6&day=mf&print=pdf. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  12. ^ Historic England. "Church of Saint Martin of Tours (1345829)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 5 October 2008.
  13. ISBN 0946159483
    .
  14. ^ "Footballer battled alcohol addiction and health issues". Shropshire Star. 5 August 2021. p. 8.Report by Simon Stone.

Further reading

  • Shorey, David, and Dodge, Michael and Nadine (2008). Book of West Coker: a pictorial and social history of a Somerset village, Wellington, Somerset: Halsgrove Publishing,
    ISBN 1-84114-799-0
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