Locking, Somerset
| Locking | |
| Somerset | |
|---|---|
 Locking village hall | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | ST365595 |
| Location: | 51°19’51"N, 2°54’39"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 2,756 (2011) |
| Post town: | Weston-super-Mare |
| Postcode: | BS24 |
| Dialling code: | 01934 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | North Somerset |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Weston-super-Mare |
Locking is a village in Somerset, three and a half miles south-east of the town of Weston-super-Mare.
The village gave its name to RAF Locking, which has now closed and proposals are under consideration for an employment and residential development for the site that could deliver 62 acres of employment space and up to 1,800 new homes. The approved plan includes a 'Leisure Dome' to on the site,[1] With a 690-foot indoor ski slope, other leisure facilities and a number of shops and restaurants.
Church
The Parish Church of St Augustine dates from the late 14th century and is a Grade II* listed building.[2]
The church stands on a hill above a valley by the Mendip Hills and has views towards the nearby coast. There has been a church since around AD 1230.
St Augustine's church in Locking was founded around AD 1230 by the monks of Woodspring Priory. The oldest part of the church visible today is the tower, which was built in 1380. The font has carvings characteristic of Celtic art from the 11th century, and the figures at the corners are dressed in armour of the style of Richard I (1189–1199).[3]
History
The village is small but has a long history. There is evidence of Roman settlements nearby. The name "Locking" has a Saxon derivation probably meaning "Locc's people" and it was in the Saxon period that the church and village grew.
John Plumley, who at the time was Lord of the Manor, had been a supporter of the Duke of Monmouth and participated in the Battle of Sedgmoor. Following the rout of Monmouth's forces, Plumley returned to Locking, and when the King's men came looking for him, he was given away by his dog whose barking alerted them to Plumley hiding in a nearby tree.[4]
The manor was subsequently acquired by Edward Colston of Bristol. In 1708 he endowed the manor to free school he established in his home city in 1708.[5]
East of the village, close to RAF Locking is the site of Locking Castle a motte and bailey castle on Carberry Hill.[6] It has been designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument]].[7]
Society and sport
- Football: Locking Park FC, formed in 1993. In 2016, Dynamo Locking merged with Locking Park FC.
The Coach House Inn pub sponsors the football club and is the hub of activity for local residents and as well as football it supports competitive teams for darts, skittles, cricket and pool.
The Lockerz is a local band formed by past and present Locking Park FC footballers. After appearing on Dutch TV and BBC's The One Show, The Lockerz released an unofficial England Euro 2016 anthem "Bring It Home".[8]
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Locking, Somerset) |
References
- ↑ Ross, Alex (22 July 2011). "£50million Leisuredome gets planning approval". The Weston Mercury. http://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/news/50million_leisuredome_gets_planning_approval_1_971959. Retrieved 22 July 2011.
- ↑ National Heritage List 1135810: Parish Church of St Augustine
- ↑ "Press Release — New name for RAF Locking announced". English Partnerships. 19 October 2006. Archived from the original on 8 January 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070108141656/http://www.englishpartnerships.co.uk/page.aspx?pointerid=5A88DD3A47734F64953DB3BBAC0DE3B5. Retrieved 27 November 2006.
- ↑ "West Country Duking Days". Historic UK. http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofEngland/West-Country-Duking-Days/. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
- ↑ Rutter, John (1829). Delineations of the North Western Division of the County of Somerset, and of Its Antediluvian Bone Caverns, with a Geological Sketch of the District. London: Longman, Rees & co.. pp. 105.
- ↑ National Monuments Record: No. 192672 – Locking Castle
- ↑ National Heritage List 1008301: Locking Castle
- ↑ The Lockerz
