Wiveliscombe
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Wiveliscombe | |
  Wiveliscombe shown within Somerset |
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| Population | 2,670 |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| District | Taunton Deane |
| Shire county | Somerset |
| Region | South West |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Police | Avon and Somerset |
| Fire | Devon and Somerset |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| European Parliament | South West England |
| List of places: UK • England • Somerset | |
Wiveliscombe (known locally as Wivey) is a town and parish in Somerset, England, situated 9 miles (14 km) west of Taunton in the Taunton Deane district. The town has a population of 2,670.[2] The parish includes the nearby hamlet of Maundown.
North west of the town are Clatworthy Camp an Iron age hill fort and Clatworthy reservoir.
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[edit] Geography
Wiveliscombe is a former borough, market and cloth making town just 5 miles (8 km) from the border between Devon and Somerset. It is situated at the foot of the Brendon Hills and acts as a gateway to Exmoor.
The village used to have a station on the Devon and Somerset Railway which closed in 1966.
[edit] Demographics
While the population of 2,670 is small for a town, the shops and services meet the needs of a much larger population, spread through the western fifth of Taunton Deane, in scattered farms and villages. A survey in 1997 revealed that there were at least 300 businesses within a 5 miles (8 km) mile radius of the town; 14 of these were trading internationally and a further 20 nationally.[citation needed]
[edit] Church
The Church of St Andrew dates from 1827-9 and was built from red sandstone with Hamstone dressings, although the font is octagonal and originated in the 14the century. The architect was Richard Carver. The church has been designated by English Heritage as a grade II* listed building.[3]
Within the churchyard is a 14th century Sandstone cross.[4]
[edit] Education
Wiveliscombe Primary School serves most of the surrounding villages. Kingsmead Community School, for pupils aged 11–16, was rated by the DfEE as one of the top 50 state schools in England in 1998.[citation needed] The school houses a Theatre and Sports Hall and a youth club and playgroup complementing the town's Recreation Ground where the Tennis, Rugby, Cricket and Football Clubs have their bases.
[edit] References
- ^ Nos 5 & 7 The Square. Images of England. Retrieved on 2008-02-16.
- ^ Parish Population Estimates for 2002 (PDF). Somerset County Council. Retrieved on 2007-11-18.
- ^ Church of St Andrew. Images of England. Retrieved on 2008-02-15.
- ^ Churchyard cross, Church of St Andrew. Images of England. Retrieved on 2008-02-16.
[edit] External links
- Taunton Deane Tourism Web Site
- Wiveliscombe Community Website
- Wiveliscombe at the Open Directory Project
- Wiveliscombe at The Somerset Urban Archaeological Survey, by Clare Gathercole
- Photos of Wiveliscombe in 3d (Anaglyphs)
- [http://www.wiveliscomberugby.co.uk Wiveliscombe Rugby Club
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