Witham Friary
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Witham Friary is a small village and civil parish located between the Somerset (England) towns of Frome and Bruton. It is in the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the ancient Forest of Selwood.
The village is reached from either direction by narrow winding roads investing it with a sense of isolation.
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[edit] History
The village takes its name from a Carthusian Priory, founded in the 1182 by Henry II[1]. It is reputed to be the first Cathusian house in England [2]. One of only 9 Carthusian Houses, the priory did not survive the Dissolution of the Monasteries[3]. At the dissolution it was worth £227; the equivalent of £52,000 today (2006)[4] . Part of the priory now serves as St. Mary's Parish Church [5].
The village has older roots. A wealth of nearby tumuli is indicative of ancient human settlement. An archaelogical dig in 1985 discovered a neolithic axe and a Roman road[6]. The village is mentioned in the Domesday Book when the village supported 11 villagers.
The former railway station at Witham was the end of a branch line through Shepton Mallet, Wells and Cheddar. The station closed in 1963 although the main line to Exeter remains open. The nearest railway station is Bruton. Part of the redundant line that ran to Shepton Mallet now forms the East Somerset Railway[7].
[edit] Public House
The Seymour Arms is a traditional and popular public house where a decent glass of scrumpy (rough cider) can be bought. Purpose-built along with farm buildings in 1866 or 1867 for the Duke of Somerset's estate, It takes its name from the family name of the Duke of Somerset.
The pub is recommended by CAMRA and because of its beautifully preserved interior, included in their National Inventory of Historic Pubs[8].
[edit] Water Dispute
Since the 19th century, the village water supply has come from the estate of the Duke of Somerset rather than from a commercial water company. The estate's decision to terminate the supply is a cause for local concern [9][10].
[edit] Geography and Geology
The village lies near the source of the River Frome and at 96 metres above sea level. There is a risk of flooding,Environment Agency Flood Warning
The underlying solid geology is Middle Jurassic Cornbrash.
[edit] Building the Dream
In 2004 the village hosted a reality television programme broadcast on Channel 4 called Building the Dream. Hosted by Linda Barker, couples competed to win a dream home in the village[11]. A local production company, Zeal, was responsible.[12].
[edit] External links
- GENUKI(tm) page
- Genealogy records and transcripts
- Map sources for Witham Friary
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