Heversham
| Heversham | |
| Westmorland | |
|---|---|
 View indicator on Heversham Head | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SD4983 |
| Location: | 54°14’35"N, 2°46’12"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 647 (2001) |
| Post town: | Milnthorpe |
| Postcode: | LA7 |
| Dialling code: | 01539 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Westmorland & Furness |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Westmorland and Lonsdale |
| Website: | Heversham.org |
Heversham is a small village in the Westmorland. It has a variety of recreational facilities, including tennis courts, bowling green, swimming pool and a playground. There are also rugby, football and hockey fields, as well as a cricket ground and pavilion.
It is situated in a scenic area of the country, with such highlights as Heversham Head
There is also one public house, referred to by the locals as the "Bluebell", though it is actually unnamed.
Heversham Grammar School existed for more than 370 years from 1612 until 1984, when it amalgamated with the comprehensive school in Milnthorpe to become the boarding house and 6th form college of Dallam School.
Parish church
The parish church is St Peter's. It is an ornate church, standing where a church has stood since the 7th Century.
A monastery stood in Heversham on this spot and although no trace of its buildings remain beyond buried foundations, a 7th century cross-shaft is still preserved in the church porch and in the external south wall of the church close to the western window is a fragment of the head of the cross built into the wall; the cross was of a decorated Middle-Saxon style with interwoven vine tendrils; a glimpse of the fine art of a distant age.
Over the Middle Ages the monastery and its church were built, altered and extended, until the dissolution under Henry VIII, which swept the chantry chapels away but allowed the extension of the church. On 1 July 1601 however:
Whereas illfortuned through negligence of a careless workman, being a plumber, anno Christi1601, on Wednesday being the first day of July, the Parish Church of Heversham in the county of Westmorland, was utterly consumed by fire, and all implements, ornaments, books, monuments, chests, organs, bells and all other things were perished.
Within the ensuing decade the church was swiftly rebuilt to the fine sight it is today.
Transport links
Heversham is on the A6. It was on the Hincaster Branch railway line from 26 June 1876 but passenger services ended on the branch during the War, on 4 May 1942, and were not renewed when peace came.
Remarks on Heversham
Sir Winston Churchill once visited the village and commented on the glorious view which can be seen from the top of the head which looks out towards the estuary.
William Wordsworth often travelled through the village, and it is known that he gained inspiration from and wrote the poem 'The World is too Much with Us" whilst rambling the marshes nearby.
David Starkey once voiced his critical opinion on the historic credibility of St Peters Church, which he claimed "is far from the picturesque symbol of spirit the locals believe it to be and is in fact a stark reminder of the oppression imposed by King John between 1210 and 1214 on the resident peasants who tarnished the streets with their brutish Scottish roots and threatening appearance." The parish understandably voiced its discontent with Starkey's ill-mannered, intemperate comments.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Heversham) |