Sherston

Sherston
Wiltshire
Sherston and its church
Location
Grid reference:	ST854860
Location:	51°34’22"N, 2°12’43"W
Data
Population:	1,418  (2001 LG district=Wiltshire)
Local Government

Sherston is a village in Wiltshire approximately 5 miles to the west of Malmesbury. The old part of the village is laid out around a broad High Street with a borough arrangement; much of this forms a conservation area. The newer parts of the village represent housing styles of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

The village is a small place, with one shop, and post office, which has won 'Best Rural Retailer' award in the Best Shop/Post Office category for Wessex.

Sherston has three churches:

• Church of England: Holy Cross
• Congregational
• Methodist

History

Evidence of Roman activity has been found in the village in the form of ramparts and ditches in a field called Pennymead, which is now the recreation ground. Remains of a villa, built around 350 AD, have also been discovered. The Fosseway, a major Roman road, is nearby.

Ethelred, Ealdorman of Mercia, made the earliest extant record of the village's name, as Scorranstone.

In 1016, King Cnut came with his army and was met by the English. A battle took place over two days on the hills around Sherston. Local legend has it that John Rattlebone of Sherston was the leader of the local militia and is now an emblem of Sherston and its community. His name is celebrated in a local pub, the Rattlebone Inn.

In 1511, a fire destroyed most of Sherston.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Sherston was the home of eccentric socialite Lady Edith Foxwell, and her friend the soul singer Marvin Gaye was a frequent visitor. Until his death in 2002, John Thaw, the famous actor, lived nearby with his wife, the actress Sheila Hancock.

Society

A carnival is held every year on the Saturday closest to 14 July. The main attraction is the boules tournament and music evening, which features local bands.

There is an active Scout Group.

There are two pubs, the Rattlebone and the Carpenters Arms.

Sport

• Football
• Cricket

Business

Sherston is the home of the Sherston Publishing Group (more commonly known as Sherston Software).

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Sherston)