Barford St Martin
Barford St Martin, a Wiltshire village with 467 adult residents, is situated about two miles from Wilton, on the junction of the A30 and the B3089. Barford is known as one of the Nadder Valley villages, named for the River Nadder which flows through the village.
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[edit] History
The history of Barford can be traced back to the 11th Century. There is reference to Barford in the Domesday Book compiled in 1085/1086.
On the 4th of November, 1729, a whirlwind struck the village. Houses were unroofed and trees blown down.[1]
[edit] The Church
The church of St Martin is an ancient building of stone in Early English and Perpendicular styles. There has been a church here since the 13th century and it was named for St Martin, by 1304, to distinguish it from a similar parish near Downton.[2] The building has a central embattled tower within which hangs a peal of six bells.[3] The 4 heavier bells date from the middle of the 18th century and the 2 lighter bells are from the turn of the 20th century.[4] The church is overseen by The Parochial Church Council. The vicar also has responsibility for three other parishes close by.
[edit] Community and government
Barford has an active Parish Council who are determined to improve facilities and the visual appearance of the village. The local school with its "Feed my lambs" logo was built in 1854 and closed at the end of 2006,[5] village children now travel to Wilton. The old school is now used for a preschool playgroup. Much of the surrounding farm land is owned by the Wilton Estate.
[edit] Countryside Unit at Dairy Lane
The Countryside Unit at Dairy Lane is owned by Alabaré Christian Care Centres.[6] The land used to be part of a farm, but now serves as a teaching facility for homeless and other disadvantaged people including those suffering and recovering from mental health illnesses. Skills such as woodworking, arts & crafts, and agriculture are taught there.
[edit] Attractions and accommodations
Attractions of interest include a Grade I listed preaching cross[7] and the Grade I listed church of St Michael.[8]
There is also an 17th century pub called The Barford Inn located in Barford, formerly known as The Green Dragon. The Wiltshire Yeomanry dedicated a tank to this pub during World War II, with "The Green Dragon" on one Side and "Barford St Martin" on the other.[9]
[edit] Culture
The famous organist and composer Caleb Simper was born in Barford St Martin.
[edit] Notable residents and former residents
[edit] References
- ^ <http://www.phenomena.org.uk/Bexhill.htm>
- ^ http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/community/getcom.php?id=12
- ^ http://www.historicaldirectories.org/hd/pageviewer.asp?fn=0000bhjd.tif&dn=WIL18010tif&zoom=s
- ^ http://dove.cccbr.org.uk/detail.php?searchString=Barford+St+Martin&Submit=Go&DoveID=BARFORD+ST
- ^ http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/salisbury/salisburynews/1094329.Primary_bids_poignant_farewell_after_150_years/
- ^ http://www.alabare.co.uk/
- ^ http://lbonline.english-heritage.org.uk/BuildingDetailsForm.aspx?id=320612
- ^ http://lbonline.english-heritage.org.uk/BuildingDetailsForm.aspx?id=320611
- ^ Sawyer. R. 2006. (Nadder) The Hobnob Press, ISBN 0946418535.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Barford St Martin |
Coordinates: 51°4′49.18″N 1°54′36.62″W / 51.0803278°N 1.9101722°W
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