Broad Townis a village andcivil parishinWiltshire,England, about 3 miles (5 km) southeast ofRoyal Wootton Bassettand 6 miles (10 km) southwest ofSwindon.The parish includes the hamlet ofThornhilland the farming hamlet ofCotmarsh.
| Broad Town | |
|---|---|
 Broad Town from the air in 2006 | |
  Broad Town Location withinWiltshire | |
| Population | 574 (in 2011)[1] |
| OS grid reference | SU091778 |
| Civil parish |
|
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Swindon |
| Postcode district | SN4 |
| Dialling code | 01793 |
| Police | Wiltshire |
| Fire | Dorset and Wiltshire |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| UK Parliament | |
| Website | Parish Council |
Since 1996 the village and surrounding landscape have been the subject of an archaeological project supported by the University of Bath, Swindon College and QinetiQ Archaeology. Results have been published in a number of journals and a final report is anticipated in 2015/2016.
The parish is the site of achalk horse,believed to have been cut in 1864 and known as theBroad Town White Horse.[2]
Local government
editThe civil parish elects aparish council.It is in the area ofWiltshire Councilunitary authority,which performs most significant local government functions.
The civil parish of Broad Town was created in 1884 by combining parts ofClyffe PypardandBroad Hintonparishes. Until then, Broad Town and Thornhill were tithings of Clyffe Pypard.[3]
Parish church
editTheparish church,Christ Churchwas built in 1844–45 with funding from the Marchioness of Ailesbury (who later provided the estate church, St Katherine's, atTottenham House) and from the local Goddard family.[4]Until the church was built, Broad Town was atithingofClyffe Pypard;the area served by the new church comprised parts of the ecclesiastical parishes of Clyffe Pypard andBroad Hinton.[5]
Amenities
editThe local school, now Broad TownCofE(VC) Primary School, was built near the church in 1859 and expanded in 1892. More classrooms were added in the 20th and early 21st centuries.[6]
The parish has village hall which is used by asocial club.
There is an annual Broad Town Village Show which since 2006 has taken the form of the 'Broad Town Big Gig'. This event is held at Manor Farm and features both local and national bands playing on a Saturday evening in September.[7]
Notable residents
editNikolaus Pevsner(1902–1983), architectural historian, lived within the parish.
Geoffrey Grigson(1905–1985), poet and critic, lived at Broad Town Farmhouse from 1945 to 1985.
Jane Grigson(1928–1990), food writer.
Lionel Grigson(1942–1994), jazz musician and educator, lived for part of his childhood at Broad Town.
Sophie Grigson(b. 1959), food writer, spent her childhood at Broad Town.
References
edit- ^"Broad Town Census Information".Wiltshire Community History.Wiltshire Council.Retrieved12 September2014.
- ^"Wiltshire White Horses: The Broad Town white horse".Wiltshire White Horses.Retrieved12 September2014.
- ^Crittall, Elizabeth (ed.)."Victoria County History - Wiltshire - Vol 9 pp23-43 - Parishes: Clyffe Pypard".British History Online.University of London.Retrieved3 March2016.
- ^"Christ Church, Broad Town".Wiltshire Community History.Wiltshire Council.Retrieved2 March2016.
- ^"No. 20624".The London Gazette.21 July 1846. pp. 2669–2670.
- ^"Broad Town Church of England Primary School".Wiltshire Community History.Wiltshire Council.Retrieved2 March2016.
- ^"Broad Town Show".Archived fromthe originalon 13 September 2014.Retrieved12 September2014.
External links
edit
Media related toBroad Townat Wikimedia Commons
- Broad Town Parish Council
- Broad Town village website
- Broad Town Archaeology & History Project
- Broad Townat Wiltshire Community History