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Coordinates: 51°07'56?N 3°01'24?W? / ?51.1322, -3.0232
Wembdon is a rural village near Bridgwater, in Somerset, England.
[edit] History
Wembdon was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as having "5 villagers and 6 smallholders with four ploughs". The name Wembdon is believed to mean "Huntsman's Hill", referring to Wembdon Hill itself where Saxon* burials have been discovered. Wembdon Hill is also the site of St. Johns Well, which was renowned for its healing powers from the 15th century onwards. St. Georges Church, Wembdon was granted by William Testard, lord of Wembdon Manor, to St John's Hospital, Bridgwater in 1284. The church was badly damaged by fire in March 1868, and as the certificate for fire insurance had expired, had to be rebuilt with significant local aid.
- These are in fact believed to be British burials which date to the Saxon period.
[edit] Wembdon Today
Wembdon is now home to the aforementioned Anglican church, a small shop (combined with the post office), a pub, a small garage and a fruit juice processing and packaging plant. A Church of England VC Primary school (Wembdon St. Georges) can also be found in the village. In 2002 the village was bisected by a distributor road, built to ease traffic congestion in Bridgwater town centre. The road had been part of local town planning since the 1980s, and building proceeded despite some local resistance.
[edit] Local Events
Wembdon Village Day occurs towards the end of August every year, centred around competitions involving arts and crafts, fruit and vegetables, baking, jam making and wine making and many other events. It takes place on the playing field and nearby Parish centre building. A large car boot sale is also in place on the day and local radio station Quay West 107.4 conduct a live show from a stage during the event.
On the Saturday closest to the 5th of November, Guy Fawkes Night, a bonfire is set up on the playing field, and a fireworks display is shown during the evening.
The local church hosts a Christmas day service in addition to a carol service.
[edit] References
- Robin Bush (1994). Somerset, The complete guide..
- John Morris (1980). History From The Sources. Domesday Book Somerset.
(Source: Wikipedia) |