East Brent

For the constituency, seeBrent East (UK Parliament constituency).

East Brent
Crook Peak and East Brent Church
East Brent Location withinSomerset
Population	1,302 (2011 Census)
OS grid reference	ST347520
Civil parish	East Brent
Unitary authority	Somerset Council
Ceremonial county	Somerset
Region	South West
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	Highbridge
Postcode district	TA9
Dialling code	01278
Police	Avon and Somerset
Fire	Devon and Somerset
Ambulance	South Western
UK Parliament	Wells and Mendip Hills

East Brentis a village andcivil parish,on the eastern edge of a hill that dominates the surrounding level countryside—Brent Knoll—close to theM5 motorway,5 miles (8 km) west ofAxbridge,in the county ofSomerset,in the south-west of England. The parish includes the hamlets ofRooksbridge,where theA38 roadcrosses theMark YeoandEdingworth.

History

The manor formed part of the great Saxon estate of Brent given by KingIneof the West Saxons toGlastonbury Abbeyin 693 and held by the monks of the abbey until theDissolution of the monasteriesin 1539. It was then granted to theDuke of Somersetand subsequently passed to the Whitmores and then the Pophams,who lived in the Grade II listed Beaconsfield House until it was sold in 2015.

East Brent was part of thehundredofBrent-cum-Wrington.

AbbotJohn Selwoodbuilt a mansion in the village in the 15th century, which was demolished in 1708.

In 1851George Anthony Denisonwas preferred to the valuable living of East Brent, and in the same year was madeArchdeacon of Taunton.He was responsible for establishing the annual Harvest Home festival in the village.

Governance

Theparish councilhas responsibility for local issues, including setting an annual precept (local rate) to cover the council's operating costs and producing annual accounts for public scrutiny. The parish council evaluates local planning applications and works with the local police, district council officers, andneighbourhood watchgroups on matters of crime, security, and traffic. The parish council's role also includes initiating projects for the maintenance and repair of parish facilities, as well as consulting with the district council on the maintenance, repair, and improvement of highways, drainage, footpaths, public transport, and street cleaning. Conservation matters (including trees and listed buildings) and environmental issues are also the responsibility of the council.

Forlocal governmentpurposes, since 1 April 2023, the village comes under theunitary authorityofSomerset Council.Prior to this, it was part of thenon-metropolitan districtofSedgemoor,which was formed on 1 April 1974 under theLocal Government Act 1972,having previously been part ofAxbridge Rural District.

It is also part of theWells and Mendip Hillsconstituency represented in theHouse of Commonsof theParliament of the United Kingdom.It elects oneMember of Parliament (MP)by thefirst past the postsystem of election, and was part of theSouth West England constituencyof theEuropean Parliamentprior toBritain leaving the European Unionin January 2020, which elected sevenMEPsusing thed'Hondt methodofparty-list proportional representation.

Church and chapel

Church of St Mary the Blesséd Virgin

Main article:Church of St Mary, East Brent

The parishChurch of St Mary the Blesséd Virginwas built in the 15th century and wasrestoredin the 19th century with achancelbyWilliam Butterfield.It is aGrade I listed building.The church has a 15th-centuryeagle lecternand pulpit from 1634.

Charles Fane de Saliswas the vicar in the late 19th century,before becomingSuffragan Bishop of Taunton.

ABaptistChapel was erected in 1852 and last used for worship in 1955 before being converted into a private house.

External links

• East Brent Parish Council
• Rooksbridge and East Brent