Cameley

infobox UK place
country = England
latitude= 51.3162
longitude= -2.555
official_name= Cameley
population= approx. 50
unitary_england=Bath and North East Somerset
lieutenancy_england= Somerset
region= South West England
constituency_westminster=Wansdyke
constituency_westminster1=North East Somerset
from next general election.
post_town= BRISTOL
postcode_district = BS39
postcode_area= BS
dial_code= 01275
os_grid_reference= ST610575

Cameley is a village and civil parish within the Chew Valley in Somerset in the Bath and North East Somerset Council area just off the A37 road. It is located convert|10|mi|km|0|lk=on from Bristol and Bath. The nearest town is Midsomer Norton, which is convert|5|mi|km|0 away. The parish includes the village of Temple Cloud.

It lies on Cam Brook. According to Robinson it was listed as "Camelie" in the 1086 Domesday Book and that the name means 'The curved river meadow' from the Celtic "cam" and Old English "leah". [cite book |last=Robinson |first=Stephen |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Somerset Place Names |year=1992 |publisher=The Dovecote Press Ltd |location=Wimbourne |isbn=1874336032]

Government and politics

Cameley is part of the Mendip Ward which is represented by one councillor on the Bath and North East Somerset Unitary Authority which has responsibilities for services such as education, refuse, tourism etc. The village is a part of the Wansdyke constituency, which will become North East Somerset at the next general election and part of the South West England constituency of the European Parliament.

Demographics

According to the 2001 Census the Mendip Ward (which includes West Harptree and Hinton Blewett), had 1,465 residents, living in 548 households, with an average age of 39.0 years. Of these 79% of residents describing their health as 'good', 22% of 16-74 year olds had no qualifications; and the area had an unemployment rate of 1.5% of all economically active people aged 16-74. In the Index of Multiple Deprivation 2004, it was ranked at 25,387 out of 32,482 wards in England, where 1 was the most deprived LSOA and 32,482 the least deprived. [cite web | title=Neighbourhood Statistics LSOA Bath and North East Somerset 021D Mendip | work=Office of National Statistics 2001 Census | url=http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadProfileSearch.do?profileSearchText=BS39+4DJ&searchProfiles= | accessdate=2006-04-25]

Church

The parish church is dedicated to St. James and dates from the late 12th century. The tower, probably from the 15th century with 19th century restoration, is built of red Mendip stone which contrasts with the local blue lias limestone of the rest of the church. The tower contains a bell dating from 1779 and made by William Bilbie of the Bilbie family. [cite book |last=Moore |first=James |authorlink= |coauthors=Roy Rice & Ernest Hucker |title=Bilbie and the Chew Valley clock makers |year=1995 |publisher=The authors |location= |isbn=0952670208 ] There are fragments of wall paintings on the nave north and south walls. Fragments from the 12th to the 17th century have been identified, the most impressive being the fine early 17th century Ten Commandments over the chancel arch, framed in twining leaves with cherubs' faces peering out. These remained hideen behind whitewash until the 1960s leading John Betjeman to describe it as "Rip Van Winkle's Church".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=22 ] The west gallery is dated 1711 but with Jacobean style balusters and attached Charles I coat of arms. The south gallery is dated 1819. There are 2 early 19th century monuments to the Rees-Mogg family on nave north wall, and a brass plaque commemorating the nine people from the village who died in World War I. [cite web | title=Cameley WWI Ref: 7503 | work=United Kingdom National Inventory of Ward Memorials | url=http://www.ukniwm.org.uk/server/show/conMemorial.7503/fromUkniwmSearch/1 | accessdate=2006-05-19] The church is surrounded by trees. It is a grade I listed building (IoEentry|32737|Church of St. James at Images of England) Several of the monuments in the churchyard are grade II listed (IoEentry|32739|Group of 2 Tombs, 10 metres south of chancel, at Images of England), (IoEentry|32738|Naish monument 2 metres south east of south porch at Images of England)

Further images of this church are available from:
* [http://www.wishful-thinking.org.uk/genuki/SOM/Camely/StJames1.html GENUKI:St James's Church, Cameley]

Cameley Lodge

Cameley Lodge is now a hotel, wedding, conference and events venue.

Cameley Lakes

Cameley Lakes comprise a group of small fishing lakes immediately to the west of the village. They frequent attract small numbers of waterfowl.

Grade II listed buildings

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References

External links

* [http://www.cameleylodge.co.uk Cameley Lodge]
*cite web | title=Area 6 - Hinton Blewett and Newton St Loe Plateau Lands | work=BANES Environmental Services | url=http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/BathNES/environment/planningservices/Landscape/rltarea6.htm | accessdate=2006-04-23
*cite web | title=Area 7 - Hollow Marsh | work=BANES Environmental Services | url=http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/BathNES/environment/planningservices/Landscape/rltarea7.htm | accessdate=2006-04-23
* [http://www.somerset.gov.uk/archives/Maps/OS62htm/1907.htm map of Cameley circa 1900]