| Knockin | |
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Knockin
Knockin shown within Shropshire |
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| OS grid reference | SJ3304922325 |
|---|---|
| Unitary authority | Shropshire |
| Ceremonial county | Shropshire |
| Region | West Midlands |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Dialling code | 01691 |
| Police | West Mercia |
| Fire | Shropshire |
| Ambulance | West Midlands |
| EU Parliament | West Midlands |
| List of places: UK • England • Shropshire | |
Contents |
Knockin is a village and civil parish located on the B4396 in Shropshire, England. It comprises mainly historic detached buildings in a rural setting. Much of Knockin was owned by the Earl of Bradford until it was sold off in lots to meet other financial demands. The Earl still owns the cricket pitch and other small pockets of land in the area. The local public house is called the Bradford Arms and displays the Bradford family coat of arms. The pub also has an impressive clock with three faces, hung outside above the main entrance. The motto displayed on the sign is that of the Bridgeman Earls of Bradford "Nec temere nec timide" (Neither rashly nor timidly) indicating a policy of progress with prudence.
The parish church of St Mary at Knockin was founded by Ralph Le Strange between 1182 and 1195. It has a Norman chancel, nave and north aisle but the building was heavily restored in 1847. Its graveyard was consecrated in 1817 and before then all burials took place at Kinnerley. The bricked-up doorway which can be seen in the chancel is because the building was once a chapel to an adjacent castle and the entrance recalls the time when the priest entered from the fortress side.
All that remains of Knockin Castle today is a large tree-covered mound of earth. It was a moated site between two knolls and may have been built by Henry II in the 12th century. A little while after his death it passed into the hands of John le Strange, whose family were also responsible for building the church which stands close to the castle site. Like most Shropshire castles which are now only marked by grassy sites, its stones live on in a number of buildings in the area.
The village has a thriving village shop which is something of a rarity nowadays. It was once featured on television because of its sign "The Knockin Shop" and provides the Village with a convenient outlet for all day to day needs, including a Post Office.
Knockin is also home to one of the radio telescopes that make up the Jodrell Bank MERLIN (Multi-Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network) radio telescope array linking six observing stations that together form a powerful telescope with an effective aperture of over 217 kilometres.
Knockin is the home of Knockin & Kinnerley Cricket Club. Established as a club in 1862 the club currently field 3 Saturday senior teams, a Sunday Friendly XI, 2 Midweek teams and junior teams from under 11's to under 15's. On the field - 2011 saw the 1st XI finish with a very respectable mid-table position in the 1st Division of the Shropshire Cricket League and become champions of the Shropshire t20 knock-out, winning the final at their very own ground on finals day in July. The under 11's were crowned champions of their competition as the Knockin & Kinnerley Knights Junior Section continued to thrive. 2012 will be the club's 150 year anniversary with plenty planned to celebrate the occasion. The Nursery Ground (situated next to the Radio Telescope) has a reputation for having one of the best wickets in the County, and with former Worcestershire CCC batsmen Barry Jones preparing the wickets, combined with the new pavilion (built in 2010), the facilities are truly exceptional.
The village has an excellent and modern Medical Centre serving the surrounding area. The Old Forge Bed & Breakfast, next to the Bradford Arms, is in the centre of the village and on the outskirts of Knockin are Heathwaen Log-cabins and Fishery.
Media related to [//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Knockin Knockin] at Wikimedia Commons