Derry Hill
Derry Hill is a village in the English county of Wiltshire.
Location
Derry Hill is located on the A4 Road between the towns of Calne and Chippenham. It is also adjacent to the smaller village of Studley
Nearby towns and cities: Chippenham, Calne, Devizes
Nearby villages: Studley, Lacock, Pewsham, Sandy Lane,
History
The Village grew up around the Bowood estate, traditionally providing houses for the workers. In the early 19th century with the help of Bowood estate's Christ Church, Derry Hill was built. Later in the 19th century a school was built, again with help from the Bowood estate. Previously to the school being built, classes for the village children were held in various locations around the village. In addition to these facilities a village hall and reading room was built.
In the early 1970's a housing estate was built at the centre of the village and, as a result, the population grew sharply. Subsequently the school was enlarged with the building of three new classrooms and a school hall. Further stages of development took place around the village in the 1990's. More recently, the school was again extended with the building of two new classrooms known as the 'Davis Building'.
In order to meet the needs of the village a new village hall was built at the time of the millennium, and christened the Lansdowne Hall after the late Lord Lansdowne.
In the summer of 2005 Bowood estate received planning permission to extend their housing development on the grounds that the estate would otherwise be in severe financial trouble. This was deeply unpopular with certain residents.
Village Facilities
The Village has a village shop called the 'Village Stores', an 18th century Church of England church, a primary school, a Pub called the Landsdowne Arms and a new village hall.
Local government
Derry Hill lies within the Parish of Calne Without, which also includes Studley, Sandy Lane and Compton Bassett. At a district Level it is part of North Wiltshire District Council (based in Chippenham) and at county level part of Wiltshire. The village lies on the edge of the Devizes parliamentary constituency.
The Church
Derry Hill Church is located on Church Road next to the School. It is in the Victorian style and is beautifully decorated inside. It was used regularly by the Lansdowne family for Weddings and Funerals when their private Chapel was too small. Originally built with three banks of pews the layout was altered to the current configuration in the 1960's to two banks of pews separated by a central isle. Occasionally the Church hosts events such as concerts in order to raise funds.
The Football Club
The village has a very successful childrens and youths football club. Formed in the summer of 2001, the Club started out life as Derry Hill Boys, however as the Club grew it changed its name to Derry Hill United to better represent its female membership.
The Club activities are based around 'Bowood Sports Ground', which is located just east of the Soho Inn, on the A4 between the villages of Derry Hill and Studley. The six acre field is owned by Lord Lansdowne who from its formation has been a keen and enthusiastic advocate for the Club and it's activities.
A brief history of the Club follows;-
- June 2001: Derry Hill Boys formed
- September 2001: First Session - 19 members
- July 2002: Clubhouse sited at the ground
- June 2003: Presented with The FA's Charter Standard Award
- August 2004: Club name changed to Derry Hill United
- October 2004: Alan Crocker, Club Chair receives The FA's Charter Standard Coach of The Year
- August 2005: Pete Weston, Club Vice-Chair wins Pepsi Favourite Coach Award and meets Sven_Goran_Eriksson
- September 2005: Club partnered with Springfields School to provide additional training area for girls
- February 2006: Established School-Club Link with Hardenhuish School, Chippenham
- June 2006: Jon Baker, Club Girls Development Officer recognized with County FA Award
Derry Hill United is sponsored by Oval Van Centre, Westbury, affiliated to the Wiltshire County FA and plays it's football in both the Mid-Wilts Youth and Minor, and The Wiltshire Womens and Girls Leagues.
Currently the Club offers weekly activity for nearly 200 members who are distributed across 13 squads, covering the age 6 through to 15.