Sherston, Wiltshire
 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (June 2007) |
Sherston is a village approximately 5 miles to the west of Malmesbury in the English county of Wiltshire. The population in 2001 was 1418 (source: Wiltshire County Council).
[edit] History
Ethelred, who was Ealdorman of Mercia, made the first mention of Sherston or Scorranstone. Evidence of Roman activity has been found in the village in the form of ramparts and ditches in a field called Pennymead, which is now the recreation ground. Remains of a villa, built around 350 AD, have also been discovered. The Fosseway, a major Roman road, is nearby.
In 1016, King Cnut came with his army and was met by the Saxons. A battle took place over two days on the hills around Sherston. John Rattlebone of Sherston was the leader of the local militia and is now an emblem of Sherston and its community. His name is celebrated in a local pub, the Rattlebone Inn. In 1511, a fire destroyed most of Sherston.
The old part of the village is laid out around a broad High Street with a borough arrangement.Much of this lies within a conservation area. The newer parts of the village represent housing styles of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Every year on the Saturday closest to 14 July, a carnival takes place. The main attraction is the boules tournament and music evening, which features local bands.
Sherston has a football,a cricket team and Scout Group. There are two pubs, the Rattlebone and the Carpenters Arms.
The village has a shop, and a post office. It has won 'Best Rural Retailer' award in the Best Shop/Post Office category for Wessex.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Sherston was the home of eccentric socialite Lady Edith Foxwell, and her friend the soul singer Marvin Gaye was a frequent visitor. Until his death in 2002, John Thaw, the famous actor, lived nearby with his wife, the actress Sheila Hancock.
Sherston has three churches: the Anglican Church of the Holy Cross, a Congregational Church and a Methodist church.
The village of Sherston is also well known for being the home of the Sherston Publishing Group (more commonly known as Sherston Software).
[edit] External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Sherston, Wiltshire |
