Colston Bassett
| Colston Bassett | |
| Nottinghamshire | |
|---|---|
 St John the Divine Colston Bassett | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SK700333 |
| Location: | 52°53’32"N, 0°57’34"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 399 (2011) |
| Post town: | Nottingham |
| Postcode: | NG12 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Rushcliffe |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Rushcliffe |
Colston Bassett is a small picturesque village in the Vale of Belvoir in the southeast of Nottinghamshire close to its border with Leicestershire. The River Smite runs through the village.
The village is best known for its dairy which opened in 1913, one of only five that are permitted to make Stilton cheese by that name (none of which is in Stilton in Huntingdonshire). The dairy also manufactures smaller quantities of white Stilton and Shropshire Blue.
There are two churches here; the ruined church of St Mary lies to the west of the village, at the site of the manor, and the current parish church, St John the Divine, in the village.
In Colston Bassett stands an old market cross in the ownership of the National Trust.
Despite its tiny size, the village has a school, the Colston Bassett Preparatory School for children between 4–11 years, and a pub, the Martins Arms.
History
The name, first recorded in the Domesday Book as Coletone, which may be from the Old Norse personal name Kolr (genitive Kols), and the Old English tun ("farm" or "village"). Alternatively, it has been suggested that it derives from Cole meaning "coal" or "stone". The suffix Bassett is from the holder of the estate in the 12th century, Ralph Bassett, a judge appointed by King Henry I.[1]
The history of the village is recorded in some detail in the publication A History of Colston Bassett by Rev. Evelyn Young, edited for the Thoroton Society of Nottinghamshire in 1942 by Thomas M. Blagg.[2]
About the village
The village dairy, which opened in 1913, is one of only five that are permitted to name their blue cheese Stilton cheese. It also manufactures smaller quantities of White Stilton and Shropshire Blue.
Colston Bassett contains an old market cross, a ruined church of St Mary, Colston Bassett Preparatory School for children between 4–11 years, a pub, the Martins Arms, a riding school, and animal boarding kennels.
The parish church is St John's Church.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Colston Bassett) |
References
- ↑ Watts, Victor, ed. (2010), "Colston Bassett", The Cambridge Dictionary of English Place-Names, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 9780521168557
- ↑ Young, The Rev Evelyn: A History of Colston Bassett': the Thoroton Society of Nottinghamshire
