Ilsington

Not to be confused withIslington.

Ilsington
Parish
The village of Ilsington
Ilsington Ilsington
Coordinates:50°34′19″N3°43′00″W
Country	England
County	Devon
Government
• Body	Ilsington Parish Council
Population (2001)
• Total	2,444
Time zone	UTC+0:00(GST)

Ilsingtonis a village andcivil parishsituated on the eastern edge ofDartmoor,Devon,England.It is one of the largest parishes in the county, and includes the villages of Ilsington, Haytor Vale, Liverton and South Knighton. The parish is surrounded, clockwise from the north, by the parishes ofBovey Tracey,Teigngrace(a short border only),Newton Abbot,Ogwell(another short border),Bickington,Ashburton,Widecombe-in-the-MoorandManaton.In 2001 the population of the parish was 2,444, greatly increased from the 886 residents recorded in 1901. The parish is represented in parliament byMel Stride,as part of theCentral Devonconstituency.

History

The village is believed to be an ancient settlement – probably existing 200 to 300 years before theNorman Conquest.It is mentioned in theDomesday Bookof 1086 as Ilestintona, and there is known to have been a church there since at least the 11th century. St. Michael's parish church, as seen today, dates back to the 15th century. It was the site of an incident which has passed into local folklore: in 1639 the schoolroom, which was above the westlychgateof the church, collapsed into the street and churchyard.

TheHaytorquarries

Apart from its agricultural history, Ilsington's industrial archaeology reflects theminingof the 18th and 19th centuries. The Atlas tin mine and the Smallacombe iron mine were major local enterprises – with the cottages at Lewthorne Cross being built for William Grose, the mine captain and mine workers. Nearby, atHaytor,granite was quarried and carried down to theStover Canalat Ventiford, Teigngrace, on theHaytor Granite Tramway,the route of which is now commemorated in the Templer Way footpath. Haytor granite was used in the building of many civic structures includingLondon Bridge,over theThamesin London.

Through the centuries, Ilsington village appears to have been largely self-supporting. Census returns and church records show a variety of rural occupations among the local community including farmers, blacksmiths, carpenters, thatchers and stone workers. It had an ancient manor house which fell into ruin after occupation ceased in about 1825. The village's most famous resident was the playwrightJohn Ford,who was born atBagtorHouse.

Today

Today, the village has a pub (The Carpenters Arms) a hotel (The Ilsington Hotel) and a village shop (Ilsington Village Shop), a non-profit shop where the villagers work voluntary shifts throughout the week. Nearby Haytor Vale has the Rock Inn, and Liverton has The Star and The Welcome Stranger. There are two schools in the parish: Blackpool School and Ilsington Primary School. ComedianJosh Widdicombeattended the latter after his family relocated from London.

The Book of Ilsington: A Photographic History of the Parishwas written by Dick Wills who lived in the parish all his life, and was the 14th generation of the Wills family to live and farm at Narracombe. He died shortly after the publication of his book in 2000.

Liverton United F.C.play in Division 3South Devon Football League,and Ilsington Villa A.F.C. play in the Premier DivisionSouth Devon Football League.

Governance

Ilsington is governed locally by the Ilsington Parish Council.It also has representation on theTeignbridge District Council.

See also

• Frederick Campling