Compton Martin
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Compton Martin | |
  Compton Martin shown within Somerset |
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| Population | approx. 500 |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| Unitary authority | Bath and North East Somerset |
| Ceremonial county | Somerset |
| Region | South West |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BRISTOL |
| Postcode district | BS40 |
| Dialling code | 01761 |
| Police | Avon and Somerset |
| Fire | Avon |
| Ambulance | Great Western |
| European Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament | Wansdyke |
| (North East Somerset from next general election) | |
| List of places: UK • England • Somerset | |
Compton Martin (grid reference ST545570) is a small village within the Chew Valley in Somerset and civil parish in the North Somerset unitary authority in England.. It lies between Chew Valley Lake and Blagdon Lake, north of the Mendip Hills, approximately 10 miles south of Bristol on the A368 road Weston-super-Mare to Bath.
The village has a population of approx 500. A spring rises near the church and feeds the village duck pond, which used to power a paper mill,[1] and ultimately becomes the River Yeo.
The Big Green Gathering takes place at Fernhill Farm above the village.
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[edit] Government and politics
Compton Martin is part of the Chew Valley South Ward which is represented by one councillor on the Bath and North East Somerset Unitary Authority which has wider responsibilities for services such as education, refuse, tourism etc. The village is a part of the Wansdyke constituency, which will become North East Somerset at the next general election and part of the South West England constituency of the European Parliament.
[edit] Demographics
According to the 2001 Census The Chew Valley South Ward (which includes Nempnett Thrubwell), had 1,032 residents, living in 411 households, with an average age of 42.1 years. Of these 74% of residents describing their health as 'good', 20% of 16-74 year olds had no qualifications; and the area had an unemployment rate of 1.7% of all economically active people aged 16-74. In the Index of Multiple Deprivation 2004, it was ranked at 22,950 out of 32,482 wards in England, where 1 was the most deprived LSOA and 32,482 the least deprived.[2]
[edit] Church of St Michael the Archangel
The church, which was built in the Norman period is dedicated to St Michael the Archangel. Norman vaulting can be seen in the chancel and Jacobean work in choir stalls and organ screen. The tower is approached from the nave via a lofty Tudor panelled arch which together with the tower itself dates from the early 16th century. It is some 70 feet high and contains six 18th century bells, five of which were cast by the Bilbies of Chew Stoke. In the north wall is a recess containing the effigy of Thomas de Moreton which was discovered in 1858.
Above the ceiling of the Bickfield Chapel there is a void which contains a columbarium or dovecote. This housed 140 “squabs” or pigeons in 1606 for the rector’s table.[3]
The church is a grade I listed building (Church of St Michael and All Angels at Images of England), and several of the monuments in the church yard also have listed status; (King Walter monument at Images of England), (Symes monument at Images of England), (Unidentified monument and Crosse monument at Images of England)
Wade and Wade in their 1929 book "Somerset" described the church as "quite remarkable" "The church is one of the finest bits of Norm. work in the county. The nave is entirely late Norm., and possesses the unusual feature of a clerestory. The fine arcades, with their cylindrical columns and circular abaci, are too obvious to escape notice, but particular attention should be paid to the twisted pillar on the N.E. The chancel has an extremely low quadripartite vault, the effect of which is rather spoilt by the distortion of the chancel arch through some defect in the foundations. The aisles are Perp., and the one on the S. curiously encloses the clerestory. Note (1) the junction of the Perp. arch and Norm. pillars, (2) recessed effigy of a lady at E. end of N. aisle, (3) semi-circular recess, probably for additional altar (cp. Cudworth); (4) Norm. font on a fluted pedestal, (5) Perp. screen, said to have been an importation. There is a Perp. W. tower of weak design and poor workmanship, opening into the nave by a panelled arch." Somerset by Wade, G.W. & Wade, J.H., available at Project Gutenberg.
[edit] History
There is evidence of habitation of the area from prehistoric times and the Romans mined lead in the local hill.
According to Robinson it is listed in the 1086 Domesday Book as Comtona.[4]
The Manor of Compton was given by William the Conqueror to Serlo de Burci. In the reign of Henry I of England it passed to his grandson, Robert fitz Martin who gave the village the latter half of its name.
In the 14th century the Manor passed to the Wake family. Alice, wife of Ralph de Wake was tried and sentenced to be burned for the murder of her husband. Perhaps she is the inspiration for the legendary White Lady, a ghostly figure said to haunt the parish.
Compton Martin was the birthplace of Saint Wulfric (1080-1154), hermit and miracle worker.
Around 1500 Teazle farming for use in the weaving of cloth became a major local industry.
In 1770 a new whipping post was installed by the pond for corporal punishment for minor offenses such as petty larceny and vagrancy or absence from church.
The organ from Frenchay Unitarian Church came from the former Compton Martin Methodist Church in 1980.
Compton Martin Ochre Mine is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)[5]
[edit] Other Grade II listed buildings
- (Moat Farmhouse at Images of England)
- (Coombe Lodge at Images of England)
- (Earl's Farmhouse at Images of England)
- (Parsons Hill and Old Rectory and attached stable block at Images of England)
- (Combe Farmhouse at Images of England)
- (Highfield House at Images of England)
[edit] References
- ^ Atthill, Robin (1976). Mendip: A new study. Newton Abbott: David & Charles. ISBN 0715372971.
- ^ Neighbourhood Statistics LSOA Bath and North East Somerset 021B Chew Valley South. Office of National Statistics 2001 Census. Retrieved on 2006-04-25.
- ^ A COLUMBARIUM AT COMPTON MARTIN CHURCH, Vol 143 - 1999
- ^ Robinson, Stephen (1992). Somerset Place Names. Wimbourne: The Dovecote Press Ltd. ISBN 1874336032.
- ^ Compton Martin Ochre Mine (Mineralogy of the Mendips) GCR database
[edit] External links
- Compton Martin
- Area 4 - Mendip Slopes. BANES Environmental Services. Retrieved on 2006-04-23.
- map of Compton Martin circa 1900
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