- Holcombe, Somerset
infobox UK place
country = England
latitude= 51.2437
longitude= -2.4670
official_name= Holcombe
civil_parish=
population = 993 [cite web | title= Mendip Parish Population Estimates 2002 | work=Somerset County Council | url=http://www.somerset.gov.uk/media/030F1/mendip_02mye.pdf | accessdate=2006-11-25]
shire_district=Mendip
shire_county =Somerset
region= South West England
constituency_westminster=
post_town=
postcode_district=
postcode_area=
dial_code=
os_grid_reference= ST675495Holcombe is a small village and
civil parish (estimated population 1000) in NorthSomerset ,England . The parish contains the hamlet of Barlake. It is within easy commuting distance of bothBristol and Bath. Its place name is derived from the Old English "Hol", meaning deep or hollow and "cumb" meaning valley. [cite book |last=Robinson |first= Stephen |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Somerset Place Names |year=1992 |publisher=Dovecote Press |location= |isbn=1874336032 ]The original medieval village was buried at the time of the plague and the old parish church, which survives, is surrounded by the mounds that bear testimony to this burial. It is suggested that the rhyme '
Ring a Ring o' Roses ' began there as a result. The village has two pubs, The Duke of Cumberland which can be found at the bottom of the village's hill and the Holcombe Inn which recently changed its name from "The Ring O' Roses" to its original 1960s name. [cite web | title= The Ring 0' Roses | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=267911 | accessdate=2007-11-20] It was named the Ring O' Roses as a reminder of the plague that previously destroyed the village. The Ring O' Roses is known locally as the Guns 'n' Roses following an infamous incident during the late 80's involving the (then) landlord and a shotgun.Holcombe also has a post office and four churches, two of which are in use.
Holcombe was the site of several mines on the
Somerset coalfield however these are all now closed. [cite web | title= Mining and quarrying | work=Holcombe Village Design Statement | url=http://www.mendip.gov.uk/Documents/Holcombe%20Village%20Design%20Statement.pdf | accessdate=2006-11-14]Holcombe quarry although no longer in use, dangerous, boarded off and the place of many an accident remains a popular swimming destination during the summer months for the young local adventurer.
Witin the village there is a large house known as Holcombe Manor which is now separated into flats.
For a time Scott of the Antarctic's parents lived at and ran the brewery in Holcombe Members of his family members are buried in a family grave (a memorial acrediting Scott's interment in the Antarctic) in the Holcombe old church of St Andrew which has Late Saxon-early Norman origins and was rebuilt in the 16th century. [cite web | title=Church of St. Andrew | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=267901 | accessdate=2007-11-20]
Bob Braham a decorated airman was born in the village.References
External links
* [http://www.somerset3d.co.uk/gallery.htm#h Photos of Holcombe in 3d (Anaglyphs)]
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