North Curry

North Curry
Somerset
North Curry
Location
Grid reference:	ST325255
Location:	51°1’29"N, 2°57’50"W
Data
Population:	1,640  (2011)
Post town:	Taunton
Postcode:	TA3
Dialling code:	01823
Local Government
Council:	Somerset West and Taunton
Parliamentary constituency:	Taunton Deane

North Curry is a village in Somerset, five miles east of Taunton. The parish including Knapp and Lower Knapp had a recorded population of 1,640 in 2011. The village sits on a ridge of land just 23 feet above sea level.

North Curry is a fairly large village, but is quietly tucked away on the southwestern side of the Somerset Levels, well away from the main highways. The buildings, history, and village life make North Curry a surprising gem amongst the winding, hedgerow-bordered country lanes that tie it to surrounding villages. North Curry Meadow) covers 23 acres and has been designated a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest.

History

In the 11th century, North Currey was a royal manor as recorded in the Domesday Book. Around 1194, King Richard I sold North Curry to the Bishop of Wells, along with other possessions, in exchange for the money required to pay the ransom demanded by the Austrian Emperor, Henry VI, who had held Richard captive.

North Curry parish traditionally included the hamlets of Helland, Knapp, Lillesdon, Moredon, Newport and Wrantage.

In 1231 King Henry III granted a licence for the Bishop of Bath and Wells to deforest the manor of North Curry and enclose the lands as parks.

Reclamation of the surrounding moors before 1311 allowed the village to expand.

A market village since the 13th century, North Curry's sources of wealth have included hunting, fishing, and wool trade, with access to other markets via the nearby River Tone. Evidence of the prosperity of the village can be seen in the exemplary architecture, including 68 listed buildings.

North Curry Parish Church

St Peter and St Paul, North Curry

The parish church is the Church of St Peter & St Paul, which is nicknamed ‘The Cathedral of the Moors’. Parts of the large, airy church date to the 14th century, and the church was erected on the site of an earlier church. Episcopal records in Wells mention a church in North Curry as early as 1199. The church has a good view of the Levels and moors, with benches placed for walkers and other visitors to enjoy the view from the slightly higher grounds of the churchyard. To assist visitors tracing their ancestry to North Curry, the church has posted a map of the graves in the cemetery.

In August 2007, North Curry Church was incorporated into the Athelney benefice of the Church of England, covering the parishes of Burrowbridge, Lyng, North Curry, and Stoke St Gregory.

Village life

North Curry has an active history society, village hall, playing fields, primary school, doctor's surgery, Women's Institute, cricket club, gardening club, musical and theatrical groups, and a luncheon club.

In 2006, villagers opened a coffee shop, staffed by 70 volunteers, in a converted barn. The coffee shop offers artwork and crafts by local artists, along with hot food, homemade cakes, and good cheer. Proceeds from the coffee shop go to charity. The coffee shop is part of the refurbished Town Farm Barn, in the loft of which are housed the North Curry Archives. Apart from artefacts from the past, the records of people and places going back centuries are being sourced daily for those seeking Family Tree Information. In 2009 the Parish Council opened a new 12-acre Sports Field in White Street with cricket and football pitches and a pavilion.

See also

Two other Somerset villages, several miles from North Curry and from each other, are similarly named:

• Curry Mallet
• Curry Rivel

Queen Square, North Curry

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about North Curry)