Difference between revisions of "Urchfont"
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|website= [http://www.urchfont-pc.gov.uk/ Parish Council] | |website= [http://www.urchfont-pc.gov.uk/ Parish Council] | ||
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| − | '''Urchfont''' is a rural village and parish in the [[Vale of Pewsey]] to the north of [[Salisbury Plain]] in [[Wiltshire]] | + | '''Urchfont''' is a rural village and parish in the [[Vale of Pewsey]] to the north of [[Salisbury Plain]] in [[Wiltshire]], about seven miles south-east of the market town of [[Devizes]]. The parish includes the hamlets of '''Wedhampton''' and '''Lydeway''' and lies in the very centre of the county.<ref>[http://www.urchfont-pc.gov.uk/ Parish Council]</ref> The population of Urchfont taken at the 2011 Census was 1,075.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11130028&c=Urchfont&d=16&e=62&g=6475627&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&o=362&m=0&r=1&s=1426520301290&enc=1|title=Parish population 2011|publisher=Office for National Statistics|accessdate=16 March 2015}}</ref> |
==History of the name== | ==History of the name== | ||
| − | [[Image:Urchfont village hall.JPG|thumb|Urchfont village hall]] | + | [[Image:Urchfont village hall.JPG|thumb|250px|Urchfont village hall]] |
The name of Urchfont is often thought to derive from the phrase "Church Fountain" and is possibly derived from Latin ''fons'' meaning 'spring, fountain, well' (cf. ''fount''), or the first element may be a lost personal name such as Eohric. Over 100 variations of the spelling are recorded; e.g. Lerchesfonte (1086), Erchesfonte(e) (1175, 1605), Erkesfonte (1175), Archesfunte (font) (1179, 1376, 1426), Ur(i)chesfunte (1242, 1289), Orchesfunte (1259), Orcheffunte (1428), Archfounte al. Urshent (1564), Urchefount al. Urshent (1611), Urshent al. Erchfont (1695).<ref>[http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/community/getcom.php?id=232 Wiltshire Council - Wiltshire Community History]</ref> Shown to the left is the present-day village hall, erected in 1929-1930 by local villagers, which bears the name "Erchfont". Locally, the colloquial pronunciation of Urchfont is Ushant and in the modern day, it is often known as "Urnt". | The name of Urchfont is often thought to derive from the phrase "Church Fountain" and is possibly derived from Latin ''fons'' meaning 'spring, fountain, well' (cf. ''fount''), or the first element may be a lost personal name such as Eohric. Over 100 variations of the spelling are recorded; e.g. Lerchesfonte (1086), Erchesfonte(e) (1175, 1605), Erkesfonte (1175), Archesfunte (font) (1179, 1376, 1426), Ur(i)chesfunte (1242, 1289), Orchesfunte (1259), Orcheffunte (1428), Archfounte al. Urshent (1564), Urchefount al. Urshent (1611), Urshent al. Erchfont (1695).<ref>[http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/community/getcom.php?id=232 Wiltshire Council - Wiltshire Community History]</ref> Shown to the left is the present-day village hall, erected in 1929-1930 by local villagers, which bears the name "Erchfont". Locally, the colloquial pronunciation of Urchfont is Ushant and in the modern day, it is often known as "Urnt". | ||
==Amenities== | ==Amenities== | ||
| − | The 13th-century [[Church of England|Anglican]] Church of St Michael and All Angels is Grade-I listed.<ref>{{National Heritage List for England|num=1364609|desc=Church of St Michael and All Angels, Urchfont| | + | The 13th-century [[Church of England|Anglican]] Church of St Michael and All Angels is Grade-I listed.<ref>{{National Heritage List for England|num=1364609|desc=Church of St Michael and All Angels, Urchfont|accessdate=12 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Church of St Michael and All Angels, Urchfont|url=http://history.wiltshire.gov.uk/community/getchurch.php?id=1069|website=Wiltshire Community History|publisher=Wiltshire Council|accessdate=12 June 2015}}</ref> |
| − | There is a primary school, Urchfont C of E Primary School.<ref>{{cite web|title=Urchfont C of E Primary School|url=http://www.urchfont.wilts.sch.uk/|accessdate=12 June 2015}}</ref> From 1947 to 2012 Urchfont Manor, a Grade II* listed building,<ref>{{National Heritage List for England|num=1035857|desc=Urchfont Manor| | + | There is a primary school, Urchfont C of E Primary School.<ref>{{cite web|title=Urchfont C of E Primary School|url=http://www.urchfont.wilts.sch.uk/|accessdate=12 June 2015}}</ref> From 1947 to 2012 Urchfont Manor, a Grade II* listed building,<ref>{{National Heritage List for England|num=1035857|desc=Urchfont Manor|accessdate=12 June 2015|fewer-links=yes}}</ref> housed an adult education college, Urchfont Manor College. |
There are also many local sports clubs and societies and the village has its own tennis courts, cricket pitch and skittle alley (within The Lamb Inn pub). | There are also many local sports clubs and societies and the village has its own tennis courts, cricket pitch and skittle alley (within The Lamb Inn pub). | ||
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== The Urchfont Scarecrow Festival== | == The Urchfont Scarecrow Festival== | ||
[[File:Urchfont Scarecrow Festival, Ali Baba.jpg|thumb|upright|Urchfont Scarecrow Festival: Ali Baba]] | [[File:Urchfont Scarecrow Festival, Ali Baba.jpg|thumb|upright|Urchfont Scarecrow Festival: Ali Baba]] | ||
| − | The Urchfont Scarecrow Festival (Registered Charity) was the first of its kind in Wiltshire. While other Wiltshire villages, including local rivals Lacock, have now established their own festivals on a similar model, the Urchfont festival predates them, having been established in 1997, and is among the best attended. The idea was first brought to the village by a resident who saw a similar festival in Derbyshire. Apart from being cancelled in 2001 because of the threat from Foot and Mouth disease, the festival has taken place on the weekend of the first bank holiday in May every year, and has grown to become a major local event attracting large numbers of local and national visitors and raising money for local charities and good causes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.urchfont-pc.gov.uk/News_and_Events/Scarecrow_Festival.aspx|title=Scarecrow Festival|date=|website=Urchfont Parish Council|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=| | + | The Urchfont Scarecrow Festival (Registered Charity) was the first of its kind in Wiltshire. While other Wiltshire villages, including local rivals Lacock, have now established their own festivals on a similar model, the Urchfont festival predates them, having been established in 1997, and is among the best attended. The idea was first brought to the village by a resident who saw a similar festival in Derbyshire. Apart from being cancelled in 2001 because of the threat from Foot and Mouth disease, the festival has taken place on the weekend of the first bank holiday in May every year, and has grown to become a major local event attracting large numbers of local and national visitors and raising money for local charities and good causes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.urchfont-pc.gov.uk/News_and_Events/Scarecrow_Festival.aspx|title=Scarecrow Festival|date=|website=Urchfont Parish Council|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|accessdate=14 April 2017}}</ref> |
Approximately 50 themed scarecrows made by villagers are distributed around the village, and visitors can buy a trail map which provides clues as to the identity of each scarecrow. There is also a popular Plant Sale every year during the festival. | Approximately 50 themed scarecrows made by villagers are distributed around the village, and visitors can buy a trail map which provides clues as to the identity of each scarecrow. There is also a popular Plant Sale every year during the festival. | ||
Latest revision as of 21:15, 28 April 2017
| Urchfont | |
| Wiltshire | |
|---|---|
 St Michael and All Angels parish church | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SU0457 |
| Location: | 51°18’43"N, 1°56’38"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 1,075 (2011[1]) |
| Post town: | Devizes |
| Postcode: | SN10 |
| Dialling code: | 01380 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Wiltshire |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Devizes |
| Website: | Parish Council |
Urchfont is a rural village and parish in the Vale of Pewsey to the north of Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, about seven miles south-east of the market town of Devizes. The parish includes the hamlets of Wedhampton and Lydeway and lies in the very centre of the county.[2] The population of Urchfont taken at the 2011 Census was 1,075.[3]
Contents
History of the name
The name of Urchfont is often thought to derive from the phrase "Church Fountain" and is possibly derived from Latin fons meaning 'spring, fountain, well' (cf. fount), or the first element may be a lost personal name such as Eohric. Over 100 variations of the spelling are recorded; e.g. Lerchesfonte (1086), Erchesfonte(e) (1175, 1605), Erkesfonte (1175), Archesfunte (font) (1179, 1376, 1426), Ur(i)chesfunte (1242, 1289), Orchesfunte (1259), Orcheffunte (1428), Archfounte al. Urshent (1564), Urchefount al. Urshent (1611), Urshent al. Erchfont (1695).[4] Shown to the left is the present-day village hall, erected in 1929-1930 by local villagers, which bears the name "Erchfont". Locally, the colloquial pronunciation of Urchfont is Ushant and in the modern day, it is often known as "Urnt".
Amenities
The 13th-century Anglican Church of St Michael and All Angels is Grade-I listed.[5][6]
There is a primary school, Urchfont C of E Primary School.[7] From 1947 to 2012 Urchfont Manor, a Grade II* listed building,[8] housed an adult education college, Urchfont Manor College.
There are also many local sports clubs and societies and the village has its own tennis courts, cricket pitch and skittle alley (within The Lamb Inn pub).
Notable people
- Sergeant Thomas Gray VC was born in Urchfont in 1914. An Air Observer/Navigator in the Royal Air Force, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross after he was killed in action in 1940.
- Singer Elvis Costello has a summer home in the village.
- The cricket scorer Bill Frindall (nicknamed 'The Bearded Wonder') lived there until his death.
- Major Charles Ingram the disgraced cougher from Who Wants To Be A Millionnaire lives nearby and is occasionally spotted enjoying a local ale in The Lamb Inn.
The Urchfont Scarecrow Festival
The Urchfont Scarecrow Festival (Registered Charity) was the first of its kind in Wiltshire. While other Wiltshire villages, including local rivals Lacock, have now established their own festivals on a similar model, the Urchfont festival predates them, having been established in 1997, and is among the best attended. The idea was first brought to the village by a resident who saw a similar festival in Derbyshire. Apart from being cancelled in 2001 because of the threat from Foot and Mouth disease, the festival has taken place on the weekend of the first bank holiday in May every year, and has grown to become a major local event attracting large numbers of local and national visitors and raising money for local charities and good causes.[9]
Approximately 50 themed scarecrows made by villagers are distributed around the village, and visitors can buy a trail map which provides clues as to the identity of each scarecrow. There is also a popular Plant Sale every year during the festival.
Further reading
- Crittall, Elizabeth (ed.); Baggs, A. P.; Crowley, D. A.; Pugh, Ralph B.; Stevenson, Janet H.; Tomlinson, Margaret (1975). Victoria County History: A History of the County of Wiltshire, Volume 10: Swanborough hundred; the borough of Devizes.
- Pevsner, Nikolaus (1975). Cherry, Bridget. ed. The Buildings of England: Wiltshire. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books. ISBN 0 14 0710-26 4.
References
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Urchfont) |
- ↑ "Wiltshire Community History - Census". Wiltshire Council. http://history.wiltshire.gov.uk/community/getcensus.php?item=Urchfont. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
- ↑ Parish Council
- ↑ "Parish population 2011". Office for National Statistics. https://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11130028&c=Urchfont&d=16&e=62&g=6475627&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&o=362&m=0&r=1&s=1426520301290&enc=1. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
- ↑ Wiltshire Council - Wiltshire Community History
- ↑ National Heritage List 1364609: Church of St Michael and All Angels, Urchfont
- ↑ "Church of St Michael and All Angels, Urchfont". Wiltshire Council. http://history.wiltshire.gov.uk/community/getchurch.php?id=1069. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
- ↑ "Urchfont C of E Primary School". http://www.urchfont.wilts.sch.uk/. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
- ↑ National Heritage List 1035857: Urchfont Manor
- ↑ "Scarecrow Festival". http://www.urchfont-pc.gov.uk/News_and_Events/Scarecrow_Festival.aspx. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
