Highbridge, Somerset

Highbridge
Somerset
The Royal Artillery Arms at Alstone
Location
Grid reference:	ST320471
Location:	51°13’8"N, 2°58’23"W
Data
Population:	4,606  (2001)
Post town:	Highbridge
Postcode:	TA9
Dialling code:	01278
Local Government
Council:	Sedgemoor
Parliamentary constituency:	Wells

Highbridge is a small market town in Somerset, standing on the edge of the Somerset Levels near the mouth of the River Brue. It is beside, and running into, Burnham-on-Sea, some 20 miles northwest of Taunton, the county town.

Highbridge town centre clusters around the crossroads formed by Church Street and Market Street. At their meeting point is a roundabout which marks the location of the town's original three-faced town clock. A modern concrete replacement clock, also with three faces and topped with the town's coat of arms stands in nearby Jubilee Gardens.

The town centre has faced a steady decline in the world recession, with numerous small independent shops and major banks closing. The former wharf area is occupied by recently built new housing, which stretches alongside the river from the town centre to the railway.

Name

Highbridge is named for the mediaeval bridge which stood here and gave birth to a town. It has long been an important bridging point over the River Brue on firmer ground than is found on the Levels. Today the M5 motorway sweeps across just east of the town, essentially the same route, with an even higher bridge.

An older name for the local manor was "Huish", and older ecclesiastical records refer to the place as "Huish jaxta altum pontem" ("Huish next to the high bridge"). The name "Huish" is still found in nearby Huish Episcopi ("Bishop's Huish").

History

Archaeologists have found Roman remains but of little consequence. A bridged crossing over the River Brue at this location has existed since the 14th century and it has always been an important crossing on the route from Bristol to the southwest. The bridge gave birth to a town, which takes its name from the bridge.

There are historical references to a wharf at this site and to usage of the river as part of the drainage plan for the Somerset Levels by the Monks of Glastonbury.

Highbridge grew in importance as a regional market and industrial town during the latter half of the 19th century and the early part of the 20th century. Important employers included the livestock and cheese market, Highbridge Wharf, Buncombe's Steamrollers, and the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway rail works, which closed in 1930 with the loss of 400 jobs. Heavy industry and transport declined in Highbridge after the Second World War as the Wharf proved too small for the newer generation of ships, with the last cargo of timber arriving in 1948 and the wharf was closed to shipping the following year, and commercial freight moved away from the railways. Since the 1970s close proximity to the M5 motorway has driven a growth in light industry and in the town's commuter population.

The town has grown to meet Burnham-on-Sea (and indeed the two have shared a parish council for nigh on 40 years) but it remains a distinct place; it is met with some annoyance that the council has written "Burnham-on-Sea" on signs on the approach to the town, resulting in vandalism of the "metal liars".

Churches

St John's Church

• Church of England: St John the Evangelist
• Baptist: Hope Baptist Church

Money for the building of St John's was given by Mary Ann Ruscombe Poole who laid the foundation stone in 1856 and opened in 1859. The South Aisle was included in the original plans but not completed until 1882 by Frederick Bligh Bond. Structural damage was identified during a survey in 1987.

Big Society

In 2004 a community group, the Highbridge History Project, commemorated the 150th anniversary of opening of the town's station by publishing the results of their own five year long study into the town's history (Weston Mercury "A Glimpse into the past").

Economy

Recently there has been a rapid expansion of flats and social housing in the town centre, and many new, cheap takeaway outlets which have led to concerns about antisocial behaviour and the long-term viability of remaining businesses. Following the closure of many small family shops and businesses and the development of some industrial estates (which take advantage of the proximity of the M5 motorway) much local employment is now in transport and light industry on the outskirts of the town.

The town has had an independent livestock market on the same site since 1851. It was previously run by J H Palmer and Sons and met weekly on Monday. The market closed briefly during the 2001 UK foot and mouth crisis, and in 2007 moved to a purpose built site at Huntworth near Bridgwater which also replaced the livestock market at Taunton. The former market site is now earmarked for redevelopment.

Sights about the town

The Community Hall (opened in 1994) stands on the site of the former Town Hall (built in 1885, demolished in 1984) and Railway Hotel, and incorporates a large function room and associated meeting rooms, a small volunteer-operated public library and offices for Homes in Sedgemoor, the local Housing Authority. However, since cuts by the Council in 2007/08, these offices have not been open to the public.

Like most British towns Highbridge has had its ample share of alehouses and inns. Many of these depended on trade from the wharf and livestock market and numerous public houses existed close to these facilities along Newtown Road. Now only The Globe remains in this area. The Cooper's Arms, once recognised by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) as one of the best pubs in the region has declined in popularity in recent times. Since the freehold was sold it has had various tenants, none of which have been successful. The town is also served by The George Hotel, The Bristol Bridge Inn and a thriving social club. This decline in the number of public houses has also affected local skittles leagues who are facing a reduction in the number of venues in which this locally very popular pub game can be played.

The Highbridge Hotel adjoining the market has parts which are Georgian in origin and are Grade II listed]]. The hotel was damaged in a catastrophic fire on 22 April 2008. There is local pressure on its owner to prevent further deterioration of its fabric by weather damage. The 3-faced clock is falling into disrepair.

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Highbridge, Somerset)

• Capture Highbridge by the Highbridge History Project
• The Somerset Urban Archaeological Survey: Burnham and Highbridge by Clare Gathercole
• The history of Highbridge by local historian Roy Cox
• Historical Highbridge Buildings by Highbridge Councillor Joyce Beard (archive copy, all other pages of this website are missing)

References

Books

• Highbridge History Project (2004). Highbridge: A Somerset Market Town and its People. Highbridge History Project. ISBN 0-9548266-0-4.