Binstead

infobox UK place
country = England
map_type= Isle of Wight
official_name= Binstead
latitude= 50.727216
longitude= -1.188337
population = 1,663 [http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk 2004 population estimate]
unitary_england= Isle of Wight
lieutenancy_england= Isle of Wight
region= South East England
constituency_westminster= Isle of Wight
post_town= RYDE
postcode_district = PO33
postcode_area= PO
dial_code= 01983
os_grid_reference= SZ573922

Binstead is a village on the Isle of Wight. It is located in the northeast of the island two kilometres west of Ryde on the main road (A3054) between Ryde and Newport.

Amenities

The village has a post office, and a corner shop. It has a primary school [http://www.binsteadpri.iow.sch.uk Binstead Primary School] , two recreational fields and has access to a public common and beach. Brickfields, a small horse centre, is located to its south. The local pub is "The Fleming Arms".

Southern Vectis bus route 9 serves the main road every 10 minutes in the daytime between Ryde and Newport.cite web | year = 2008 | url = http://www.islandbuses.info/r9.shtml | title = Southern Vectis - bus route 9 | publisher = www.islandbuses.info | accessdate = 2008-05-04] Route 4 serves the Binstead Housing Estate on its way between East Cowes and Ryde.cite web | year = 2008 | url = http://www.islandbuses.info/r4.shtml | title = Southern Vectis - bus route 4 | publisher = www.islandbuses.info | accessdate = 2008-05-04]

History

Binstead is recorded in 1086 in the "Domesday Book" as Benestede ["Domesday Book" http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/domesday/] . It became known for the quality of its limestone which led to a local quarrying industry, the result of which is still visible in the village’s landscape and place names. The nearby Quarr Abbey takes its name from ‘quarry’ and the suffix ‘pitts’ is occasionally found in house and road names. The quarries were known as pits.

The earliest recorded quarrying was by the first Norman Bishop of Winchester, Walkelin, who was granted half a hide of land by William the Conqueror. He used the stone to construct Winchester Cathedral starting in 1079. Subsequently the stone was used in the building of Chichester Cathedral, Romsey Abbey and part of the Tower of London.

Churches

Binstead has two churches (the Methodist and the Holy Cross) and a monastery (Quarr Abbey) is located nearby.

Church of the Holy Cross

The twelfth century church is located between the village and the coast. Its location some distance from the modern centre of Binstead probably indicates a medieval village associated with the quarries in the church's vicinity.

The original nave was replaced in 1844 and enlarged in 1875 by the addition of the north aisle. The bellcote dates from 1925 and contains a pre-reformation bell believed to have come from the original, now ruined, Cistercian abbey at Quarr.

On 7th June 1969 the church was seriously damaged by fire. It was restored and rededicated in February 1971. [The Church of the Holy Cross. Pamphlet published by Lightbowns, Ryde. 1971]

Outside a Sheela Na Gig [http://www.sheelanagig.org/#SheelaBinstead.htm ] , locally known as the 'Saxon Idol', is carved on a stone gateway to the churchyard which contains several old and interesting burials. Possible the best known is that of Thomas Sivell who was mistaken for a smuggler by customs officers and shot. His gravestone, with long s replaced with short s where appropriate, reads:

To the memory of THOs SIVELL who was cruelly shot on board his sloop by some officers of customs of the Port of Portsmouth on the 15th June 1785 at the age of 64 years leaving a disconsolate widow & family.:All you that pass pray look and see:How soon my life was took from me:By those officers as you hear:They spilled my Blood that was so dear:But God is Good and just and true:And will reward each to their due

In more recent times Nicholas Dingley, alias Razzle the drummer of Hanoi Rocks was buried here.

References