Little Somerford

Little Somerford is a village and civil parish in Wiltshire, England, 3 miles (4.8 km) southeast of Malmesbury and 7.5 miles (12.1 km) northeast of Chippenham.

Little Somerford

Bob Shepherd's Garage, Little Somerford
Little Somerford
Location within Wiltshire
Population357 (in 2011)[1]
OS grid referenceST968843
Civil parish
  • Little Somerford
Unitary authority
Ceremonial county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townChippenham
Postcode districtSN15
Dialling code01249
01666
PoliceWiltshire
FireDorset and Wiltshire
AmbulanceSouth Western
UK Parliament

The northern boundary of the parish follows approximately the B4040 Malmesbury–Swindon road. The Bristol Avon forms part of the boundary to the west and south, and its tributary the Brinkworth Brook forms part of the southeastern boundary.[2]

History

Eight estates were recorded in the 1086 Domesday Book at Sumreford, with altogether 80 households.[3] The 'Little' prefix began to be used in the 16th century to distinguish the parish from neighbouring Great Somerford.

A school for 100 pupils was built in 1868 to replace an earlier schoolroom, and was extended in 1894. Children of all ages attended until 1954, when those aged 11 and over transferred to the secondary schools at Malmesbury.[4] The school closed in 1982 when a new school was opened in Great Somerford to serve both villages.[5]

The South Wales Main Line railway from London to Bristol and South Wales passes close to the village. Little Somerford had a station from the opening of the line in 1903, and in 1933 the junction with the Malmesbury Branch Line was moved here (at the opening of the branch in 1877 it was connected to the Great Western Main Line at Dauntsey, 3 miles (4.8 km) to the south). Passenger service on the branch ceased in 1951 and the branch was closed in 1962. Little Somerford station was closed in 1963.[6]

Church
Church of St John the Baptist

The first record of a church at Little Somerford is in 1251.[2] The church was rebuilt c. 1300 although the nave may survive from the earlier building. The tower and porch were added in the 15th century; restoration was carried out in 1860.[7]

The timber chancel screen was begun in the 14th century. A boarded tympanum from the 15th century is described by Historic England as "exceptional", although the lower part is missing: it is painted with two angels and the Commandments. The tower arch carries a large royal coat of arms dated 1602, moved here in 1983 from the tympanum to reveal the painting.[7]

The 15th-century tympanum

The pulpit is dated 1626, and the pews in the nave are box pews from the same century, now cut down to make benches. The three bells in the tower were recast in the 18th century.[8] The tower screen of 1928 is by Robert Lorimer. The church was designated as Grade I listed in 1959.[7]

From 1952 and again from 1967, the benefice was held in plurality with Great Somerford.[9][10] Later in 1967 the benefice was united with Great Somerford and Seagry,[11] and the benefice of Corston with Rodbourne was added in 1986.[2] Today St John's is one of six churches in the Woodbridge Group.[12]

Local government

The civil parish elects a parish council. It is in the area of Wiltshire Council unitary authority, which is responsible for all significant local government functions.

gollark: That apparently can degrade over time.
gollark: What about the USB-C port and stuff?
gollark: And electronics are getting increasingly integrated and hard to repair.
gollark: I don't actually know how to solder, or have the equipment.
gollark: I would prefer not to have to do complicated fiddly repairs.

References
  1. "Wiltshire Community History - Census". Wiltshire Council. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  2. "Victoria County History - vol14, pp204-211 - Parishes: Little Somerford". British History Online. University of London. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  3. Great and Little Somerford in the Domesday Book
  4. "Little Somerford C. of E. V.A. School". Wiltshire Community History. Wiltshire Council. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  5. "Somerfords Walter Powell Church of England VA Primary School". Wiltshire Community History. Wiltshire Council. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  6. "Little Somerford Station". PastScape. English Heritage. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  7. Historic England. "Church of St John the Baptist (1300525)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  8. "Church of St. John the Baptist, Little Somerford". Wiltshire Community History. Wiltshire Council. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  9. "No. 39513". The London Gazette. 11 April 1952. p. 2014.
  10. "No. 44228". The London Gazette. 17 January 1967. p. 586.
  11. "No. 44454". The London Gazette. 17 November 1967. pp. 12581–2.
  12. "St John The Baptist, Little Somerford". Woodbridge Group of Churches. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  • "Little Somerford". Wiltshire Community History. Wiltshire Council. Retrieved 26 February 2015.

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