Wentworth, South Yorkshire
Coordinates: 53°28′55″N 1°25′08″W / 53.4820°N 1.4190°W
| Wentworth | |
 Wentworth
Wentworth shown within South Yorkshire |
|
| Population | 1,223 |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | SK385985 |
| Civil parish | Wentworth |
| District | Rotherham |
| Shire county | South Yorkshire |
| Region | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ROTHERHAM |
| Postcode district | S62 |
| Dialling code | 01226 |
| Police | South Yorkshire |
| Fire | South Yorkshire |
| Ambulance | Yorkshire |
| EU Parliament | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| UK Parliament | Wentworth and Dearne |
| List of places: UK • England • Yorkshire | |
Wentworth is a village and civil parish in the Metropolitan Borough of Rotherham in South Yorkshire, England. It has a population of 1,223.[1]
Contents |
[edit] History
The village's history is dominated by the Wentworth, Watson-Wentworth and Wentworth-Fitzwilliam families who all lived in Wentworth Woodhouse. They also owned most (possibly all) of the land in the village. The village gained some independence when the Fitzwilliam family line finished in 1979.
There have been two churches built in the village. The first, called The Chapel of Wentworth, (a chapel of ease to All Saints Church Wath Upon Dearne) and like its successor as the principal place of worship on this great estate was dedicated to the Holy Trinity is thought to date back to the 12th century. The building of a new church, called Holy Trinity Parish Church, was commissioned in 1872 by William Thomas Spencer Wentworth-Fitzwilliam, 6th Earl Fitzwilliam to the design of John Loughborough Pearson, a great exponent of the Gothic Revivalist style, and consecrated in 1877 by the Archbishop of York.
[edit] Timeline
- The village dates back to at least 1066, whereas Saxon Lord Rynold (Reginald) Wynterwade (Wentworth) was baron of the lands. His name is written in the Domesday book for Norman taxation.
- About the year 1250 Robert Wentworth married Emma Woodhouse, and the original Wentworth-Woodhouse was begun nearby. The family lived in the area for over 450 years.
- The lands passed over to the Watson family when William Wentworth, 2nd Earl of Strafford died without an heir
- The Watsons held the land until 1782. During this time most of the local follies were built
- The Fitzwilliams' ownership ended in 1979 when William Thomas George Wentworth-Fitzwilliam, 10th Earl Fitzwilliam died.
[edit] Local attractions
There are many local attractions which were built by the Wentworths, Watson-Wentworths or Wentworth-Fitzwilliams on the land surrounding Wentworth Woodhouse. Most of them can be viewed by the public. Of the twenty one monuments or follies the six largest are the Needle's Eye (dating back to at least as early as 1728, but likely to have earlier origins), Hoober Stand (1748), Keppel's Column (1781) and the Mausoleum (sometimes known as the Rockingham Mausoleum) built in honour of his uncle, Charles 2nd Marquess of Rockingham, by William, 4th Earl Fitzwilliam, who had inherited his uncle's fortune and estates.
Building of the Mausoleum commenced in 1784, two years after Lord Rockingham's death. This monument could more accurately be described as a cenotaph as it contains no human remains. There is, however, a life size statue of Lord Rockingham by Joseph Nollekens and in niches are placed eight busts of Rockingham's Whig luminaries, also by Nollekens. Both Hoober Stand and the Mausoleum are staffed at various times to allow public access. The Ionic Temple (1735ish) and the Doric Temple (1751) can also be viewed at distance.In your own interests it is advisable to observe the signs regarding access and viewing times. Smaller monuments include the Vinegar Stone and the Bean Seat. In addition to these monuments the village itself has various cottages and houses of architectural and historic interest. The site of the village stocks, in Main Street, is presently occupied by the telephone kiosk. Opposite can be seen the base of the village cross. The oldest known cottage Ivy Cottage, a cruk cottage, off Main Street, is attached to Snowdrop Farm.
Wentworth Woodhouse itself is in private ownership and excepting for the exterior of the 606-foot-long (185 m) East Front and the exterior North Front of the extensive Stable Block, may not be viewed. With the exception of the house and a few buildings within its immediate grounds (fewer than eighty acres of over seventeen thousand acres) the extensive estate and its properties are administered from the Estate Office in Clayfields Lane. The Fitzwilliam Wentworth Amenities Trust are responsible for the general running of many of the village's attractions under the guidance of Sir Philip Naylor-Leyland,Bt and the other Trustees. In addition to that part of the estate administered by the charitable trust the remainder is owned by the heirs of the Eighth and Tenth Earls Fitzwilliam, which includes the greater portion of Wentworth Park, extensive farmland and a grouse moor. To the casual passer-by the fact that the largest private house in the United Kingdom is no longer in the ownership of the family who lived there for centuries, is of little significance, if they weren't told they would probably never know, as outside the confines of a much changed stately home estate life continues to go on. Sadly, few present day residents derive their employment from the estate itself. There is also the Elsecar Heritage Centre in the neighbouring village, which has strong links with the Fitzwilliam family and is certainly worth a visit.
Close to Hoober Stand is the Hoober Observatory of Mexborough & Swinton Astronomical Society, the observatory is open to the public for evening viewing sessions during the winter months and Solar observing on Sundays throughout summer. See society website for more details http://www.msas.org.uk
[edit] Wentworth Brewery
The Wentworth Brewery was founded in 1999.[2] The brewery is based in the old power house of Wentworth Woodhouse. It currently produces around 30 barrels (2800 pints) a week. As well as a wide range of beers,[3] it also produces bottled water.[4]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Parish Headcounts : Rotherham Retrieved 2009-08-28
- ^ "Wentworth Brewery Ltd". www.quaffale.org.uk. http://www.quaffale.org.uk/php/brewery/376. Retrieved 2009-08-18.
- ^ "Wentworth". www.ratebeer.com. http://www.ratebeer.com/brewers//wentworth/2443/. Retrieved 2009-08-18.
- ^ "Wentworth Spring Water - Natural Bottled water available from Wentworth Spring". wentworthbrewery.co.uk. http://wentworthbrewery.co.uk/ourwater.aspx. Retrieved 2009-08-18.
[edit] Bibliography
- Howse, Geoffrey, The Fitzwilliam (Wentworth) Estates, (2002), the Trustees of the Fitzwilliam Wentworth Amenity Trust, ISBN 0-9543066-9-4
- Young, Roy, The Big House And The Little Village, (2000), Wentworth Garden Centre.
- Young, Roy, Faith In The Village, (2001) Wentworth Garden Centre.
[edit] External links
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