Widmerpool | |
Widmerpool
Widmerpool shown within Nottinghamshire |
|
Population | 262 |
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OS grid reference | SK632280 |
District | Rushcliffe |
Shire county | Nottinghamshire |
Region | East Midlands |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | NOTTINGHAM |
Postcode district | NG12 |
Dialling code | 0115 |
Police | Nottinghamshire |
Fire | Nottinghamshire |
Ambulance | East Midlands |
EU Parliament | East Midlands |
UK Parliament | Sherwood |
List of places: UK • England • Nottinghamshire |
Widmerpool is a village and civil parish in Nottinghamshire, about 10 miles south, south east of Nottingham and some 7.5 miles north east of Loughborough. It sits just over a mile west of the A46 and, as one of Nottinghamshire's oldest settlements, enjoyed that proximity to that road when it was better known as the roman road, The Fosse Way. Extensive road works along a 19 mile stretch of the A46 start near here and are dubbed the Widmerpool Newark improvements. At the time of the 2001 census it had a population of 262.[1] Until the 1960s there had not been any building in the village for 100 years. Widmerpool is also a name used for the disreputable character of Anthony Powell's novels including "A Dance to the Music of Time". The connection between the village and the character can be explored at Kenneth Widmerpool.
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The history of the village is intrinsically linked to that of the family of the manor. A manor house is thought to have been present since Henricus de Diddisworth adopted the name of Widmerpool to gain the estate for his family in 1216. A "Widmerpool" family is recorded in 1283 in the village and a John de Widmerpool attended a parliament in York in 1333.[2] Since that time ownership of parts of the estate was, in the 17th and 18th centuries, contested by the Heriz, Pierrepont and Cromwell families it remained in Widmerpool ownership until the early 19th century. The estate was then acquired by the Robertson (sometimes spelt Robinson)family. The Robertsons, famous for their jam, then embarked upon rebuilding of much of the estate including some of the oldest surviving buildings such as Gardener's Cottage, the Coach House, Home Farm and the Old School House. Widmerpool Hall on the north side of the village was built in 1872 for Major George Coke Robertson to the designs of Henry Clutton (designer of Lille Cathederal). This neo Gothic manor house was constructed of Bath and Clipsham stone and has an Italianate, gargoyle adorned clock-tower without a clock. The space for the clock was left blank out of respect for Robertson's recently deceased wife.[3] It remained a private residence until the breakup of the estate in the 1950s then, for several decades at the end of the twentieth century, it was the HQ of the AA Patrol Service Training School, popularly known as 'The AA Academy'.[4] Between 2008 and 2010 it underwent extensive renovation for residential purposes; and this has provided 9 apartments, 11 mews style houses and 4 detached houses. The hall is grade 2 listed.
It is uncertain how long there has stood a church on this site but "The Buildings of England, Nottinghamshire" makes reference to the later church emanating "From the original medieval structure"[5] The Anglican parish register has records dating from 1539.[6] The church is dedicated to St Peter. The old church was in a poor state of repair and neglect when the Robertsons acquired the estate and was rebuilt in 1832. Unfortunately the handsome Gothic spire was struck by lightning some four years later, demolishing half of the spire and breaking all the glass windows. The remaining spire was then removed and the church rebuilt yet again at a cost of £10,000 in the period 1888-1895. This involved considerable financial help from the Robertson (Robinson) family. A tower replaced the spire and has three bells.[7] During the civil war two soldiers that were killed at the Battle of Willoughby Fields nearby were buried in the graveyard. There is a roll of honour, commemorating the two world wars, on the south wall. Inside is a plaque above the door to the vestry. To each side of the pillars inside of the south door are carved head ornaments, one of a lion and the other a bull. The graveyard is well kept and planted with evergreens.[8] Close by is a large copse and nature reserve.
Both a Baptist chapel and a Wesleyan Methodist chapel were built in the village by 1853.[9]
During the 20th century employment of the villages by the estate gradually diminished and ceased with the advent of easier transport and machinery. The village residents, once consisting of farm workers, teachers, smiths, gardeners, grooms and the like almost entirely centred on agriculture and concerns of the estate largely, today, travel to work. The village no longer has its own school, nor a shop or a post office. The public house has shut and the village hall was sold in 1975. In 2007, Widmerpool received the 'Best Kept Village' award for Nottinghamshire.[10]
There is a very detailed history of the village entitled "Widmerpool: a Century of Change 1900 to 2000", produced by Geoff Brooks of New Manor Farm, Widmerpool.
"Nottinghamshire A Shell Guide) by Henry Thorold, Faber and Faber, 1984
The Nottinghamshire Village Book, Nottinghamshire Federation of Women's Institutes, 1989
http://property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/new_homes/article2543236.ece - Sunday Times article about Widmerpool Hall conversion into flats.