Wedmore

infobox UK place
country = England
latitude= 51.2256
longitude= -2.8099
official_name= Wedmore
population= 3145
shire_district= Sedgemoor
region= South West England
shire_county = Somerset
constituency_westminster= Wells
post_town= BRISTOL
postcode_district = BS28
postcode_area= BS
dial_code= 01934
os_grid_reference= ST434477

Wedmore, is a village and civil parish in the county of Somerset, England. It is situated on raised ground, in the Somerset Levels between the River Axe and River Brue, often called the Isle of Wedmore. It forms part of Sedgemoor district. The parish consists of three main villages, Wedmore, Blackford and Theale, with fourteen hamlets including Bagley, Cocklake, Mudgley and Panborough. Wedmore has a population of 3,145 according to the 2001 census,

Its facilities include doctors, a dentist, butchers, a village store, three pubs and several other small shops. It is located convert|4|mi|km|0 south of Cheddar, convert|7|mi|km|0 west of the city of Wells and 7 miles north west of Glastonbury.

History

Iron Age remains have been found in the area and there are a number of Roman sites in the district.

The name Wedmore in Old English probably means "hunting lodge" and there was a Saxon royal estate in the area. After winning the Battle of Edington Alfred the Great caused the Viking leader Guthrum and his followers to be baptised at Aller and then celebrated at Wedmore. After this the Vikings withdrew to East Anglia.

The Treaty of Wedmore is a term used by Historians for an event referred to by the monk Asser in his Life of Alfred, outlining how in 878 the Viking leader Guthrum accepted Alfred the Great as his adoptive father.Fact|date=March 2008 No such treaty still exists but there is a document that is not specifically linked to Wedmore that is a Treaty of Alfred and Guthrum.cite book |title=The hidden places of Somerset |last=Scott |first=Shane |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=1995 |publisher=Travel Publishing Ltd |location=Aldermaston |isbn=1902007018 |pages=92 ]

In 1853 a hoard of 200 silver coins dating from the Saxon period was found in the churchyard. In 1998 a Saxon ring, made of copper alloy with a unique knot design, dating from the 6th or 7th century was found in the village by Tim Purnell. It has been authenticated by the British Museum and a modern copy made by local jeweller Erica Sharpe. [cite journal |quotes= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=2006 |month=December |title=Wedmore ring |journal=Mendip Times |volume=2 |issue=7 |pages=14 |id= |url= ]

According to Domesday Book, Wedmore was one of the holdings of the Bishop of Wells with 18 cottages, woodlands, pasture and two fisheries.

The Church of St Mary is predominantly from the 15th century, although some 12th and 13th century work survives. The tower, with its set-back buttresses, includes triple 2-light bell chamber windows, those to centre are louvred, those to each side blank. [cite web |url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=435644 |title=Church of St Mary, Wedmore |accessdate=2008-03-06 |format= |work=Images of England ] There is a 14th century wall painting of St Christopher.

In the medieval period Wedmore was the centre for the surrounding agricultural area, with weekly markets as well as a larger annual one. The market cross dates from the 14th century.

In the 17th century Dr John Westover built a mental hospital to which patients came from all over the West Country. This is believed to have been England's first private lunatic asylum. Apparently the doctor treated his patients compassionately, ensuring that they had luxuries such as playing cards and tobacco. He also kept a record of the ailments of Wedmore people over a period of 15 years.

The Post Office dates from Georgian times while the Old Vicarage was built at the end of the 15th century. The "George Hotel" was a 16th century coaching inn and the Chemist's shop in Church Street was a Victorian department store.

Between 1881 and 1898 the Rev Hervey produced the "Wedmore Chronicle" which gives a picture of the people and area at the time.

Culture

Wedmore has a number of annual village festivals, a summer street fair, "Wedmore by Lamplight" street fair at Christmas, and a large Harvest Home and village parade on the playing field each year. Local people created and host the original Turnip Prize, a parody of the Turner Prize. Wedmore hosts Somerset's largest beer festival, the "Wedmore Real Ale Festival".

Notable residents

* Gary Glitter, disgraced rock star, once had a country home in Wedmore. [cite web | title= Gary Glitter facing child porn inquiry | work=Guardian Unlimited | url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,253661,00.html | accessdate=2007-10-30]

References

See also

* Treaty of Wedmore
* Frederick Wedmore
* Wetmore

External links

* [http://www.itfortheterrified.co.uk/wiredwedmore/ Wedmore Community Website]
* [http://www.wedmorerealale.com/ Wedmore Real Ale Festival]
* [http://www.wedmoretheatre.com/ Wedmore Theatre Club]
* [http://www.wedmoreopera.com/ Wedmore Opera]
* [http://www.wedmorehall.org.uk/ Wedmore Village Hall]
* [http://www.wedmorefirstschool.ik.org/ Wedmore First School]
* [http://www.wedmoreplaygroup.co.uk/ Wedmore Playgroup]
* [http://www.wedmoreharvesthome.co.uk/ Wedmore Harvest Home]
* [http://www.somerset.gov.uk/somerset/cultureheritage/heritage/projects/eus/wedmore/ Wedmore in Somerset Urban Archaeological Survey by Clare Gathercole]
* [http://www.somerset3d.co.uk/gallery.htm#w Photos of Wedmore in 3d (Anaglyphs)]