Wessington
| Wessington | |
| Derbyshire | |
|---|---|
 Christ Church, Wessington | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SK370578 |
| Location: | 53°6’59"N, 1°26’52"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 576 (2011) |
| Post town: | Alfreton |
| Postcode: | DE55 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | North East Derbyshire |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
North East Derbyshire |
Wessington is a village in Derbyshire, in the middle of the county, near to the towns of Matlock, Alfreton and Brackenfield. It stands on the west side of the Amber Valley on the Alfreton to Matlock Road. The village is centred on a large village green. The population of the civil parish at the 2011 census was 576.
The parish church, Christ Church, stands opposite the village green.
The village also has a fish and chip shop and an old pub, "The Horse and Jockey"
History
The Domesday Book, compiled in 1086, records the village as Wistanestune, which may have been derived from the Old English words for 'water' and 'town', meaning "wet place". The village was called Washington before acquiring its present name.
During the Industrial Age, the village had a fairly large stocking frame knitting industry, with the majority of the inhabitants being employed in it.[1]
Wells and greens
There are several wells by the green which are decorated for the annual Well Dressing weekend usually held over the first weekend in July. On the Saturday, after much hard work preparing the decorations, there is an opening service in church followed by a Blessing of the Wells.
Wessington has stretches of common land in the parish, and a nature reserve.
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Wessington) |
- [www.wessingtonparishcouncil.co.uk Wessington Parish Council]