Cheddar 6427 222209623 2008-06-28T02:44:10Z Quadell 57108 Converting [1] to <ref>, and/or misc fixes using [[Project:AutoWikiBrowser|AWB]] {{infobox UK place| |country = England |official_name= Cheddar |population= 5,724 (2002) |latitude= 51.2785 |longitude= -2.7777 |shire_district= [[Sedgemoor]] |shire_county = [[Somerset]] |region= South West England |constituency_westminster=[[Wells (UK Parliament constituency)|Wells]] |post_town= [[Bristol|BRISTOL]] |postcode_district= BS27 3 |postcode_area= BS |dial_code= 01934 |os_grid_reference= ST458535 }} {{otheruses4|the settlement in Somerset, England|the cheese|Cheddar cheese}} '''Cheddar''' is a large [[village]] and [[civil parish]] in the district of [[Sedgemoor]] in the [[England|English]] county of [[Somerset]]. It is situated on the southern edge of the [[Mendip Hills]] {{convert|9|mi|km|0}} north west of [[Wells]]. ==Village status== Cheddar is a village. The adjacent settlement of [[Axbridge]], although only about a third the population of Cheddar, is a town. This apparently illogical situation is explained by the relative importance of the two places in historic times. While Axbridge grew in importance as a centre for cloth manufacture in the [[Tudor dynasty|Tudor]] period and gained a charter from [[John of England|King John]], Cheddar remained a more dispersed mining and dairy-farming village until the advent of tourism and the arrival of the [[railway]] in the [[Victorian era]]. This situation is unlikely to change in the near future, with the residents of both Axbridge and Cheddar proud of their settlements' respective status and the inevitable friendly local rivalry between the two. ==Twinning== Cheddar is [[Town twinning|twinned]] with the following towns and has an active programme of exchange visits: * {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Felsberg, Germany|Felsberg]] in Germany * {{flagicon|France}} [[Vernouillet, Eure-et-Loir|Vernouillet]] in France. ==Local produce== {{main|Cheddar cheese}} The village is famous for having given its name to [[Cheddar cheese]] which is the most popular type of [[cheese]] in the United Kingdom. Although the cheese is now made worldwide, only one producer remains in the village itself. Cheddar's other main produce is the [[strawberry]], which gave name to the now disused [[Cheddar Valley line|Strawberry Line railway]] that ran from [[Yatton]] to [[Wells]]. In the 1960s, when the rest of the line was closed and all passenger services ceased, the section of the line between Cheddar and Yatton remained open for goods traffic, to provide a fast link with the main markets for the strawberries in [[Birmingham]] and [[London]]. The former station has become housing and a trading estate, and is the starting point for a cycle path along the old track to [[Axbridge]], passing the [[Cheddar Reservoir]], an [[SSSI]] for its large population of wintering waterfowl, and the home of a sailing club. [[Cheddar Ales]] is a small brewery, based in the village, which produces beer for pubs in the local area. [[Image:Cheddar Village - Mendip Hills - Somerset - England - Project Gutenberg eText 12287.jpg|thumb|Cheddar Village circa 1907]] ==Landscape== === Gorge and caves === {{main|Cheddar Gorge and Caves}} Cheddar is also famous for [[Cheddar Gorge and Caves|Cheddar Gorge]], the largest [[gorge]] in [[England]], and for the [[Cheddar Gorge and Caves|Cheddar Caves]], including [[Cox's cave]], [[Tyning's Barrow Swallet]] and [[Gough's Cave]] where the remains of [[Cheddar Man]] were found. Nearby is [[Wookey Hole]] and [[Ebbor Gorge]]. ===Sites of Special Scientific Interest=== There are several large and unique [[Sites of Special Scientific Interest]] (SSSI) around the village including [[Cheddar Reservoir]] and [[Cheddar Wood]]. By far the largest is called [[Cheddar Complex]] and covers {{convert|441.3|ha|acre|1|abbr=off}} of the gorge, caves and the surrounding area. It is considered important for both biological and geological features. ===Quarries=== Close to the village and gorge are [[Batts Combe quarry]] and [[Callow Rock quarry]] two of the active [[Quarries of the Mendip Hills]] where [[limestone]] is still extracted. ==History== There is evidence of occupation from both the Neolithic and Roman periods in Cheddar.<ref>{{cite web | title=Mendip Hills An Archaeological Survey of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty | work=Somerset County Council Archaeological Projects | format= PDF | url=http://www.somerset.gov.uk/media/896B4/MendipAONB.pdf | accessdate=2006-10-28}}</ref> The remains of a Roman villa have been excavated in the grounds of the current vicarage.<ref name="curio"/> It was also the site of a [[Anglo-Saxons|Saxon]] Royal palace which has been fully excavated. Its outline has since been laid out in the grounds of [[The Kings of Wessex School]], which was built on the site although not directly on the palace. Cheddar was listed in the [[Domesday Book]] of 1086 as ''Ceder'', meaning 'Shear Water' from the [[Old English]] ''scear'' and [[Celtic languages|Celtic]] ''dwr''.<ref>{{cite book |last=Robinson |first=Stephen |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Somerset Place Names |year=1992 |publisher=The Dovecote Press Ltd |location=Wimbourne |isbn=1874336032}}</ref> An alternative possible meaning is from Ceodre or ceod meaning a pouch referring to the caves or gorge.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk/publications/up_081015_autumn07_lo.pdf |title=Autumn newsletter 2007 |accessdate=2007-09-25 |format=PDF |work=Mendip Hills AONB }}</ref> [[William Wilberforce]] saw the poor conditions of the locals when he visited Cheddar in 1789. He inspired [[Hannah More]] in her work to improve the conditions of the Mendip miners and agricultural workers.<ref>{{cite book |last=Coysh |first=A.W. |authorlink= |coauthors= E.J. Mason & V. Waite |title=The Mendips |year=1977 |publisher=Robert Hale Ltd |location=London |isbn=0709164262 }}</ref> ==Amenities== Cheddar has a number of active service clubs including Cheddar Vale [[Lions Clubs International|Lions Club]], Mendip [[Rotary International|Rotary]] and Mendip [[Inner Wheel Club]]. The clubs raise money for projects in the local community and hold annual events such as a fireworks display, [[Rubber duck|duck races]] in the Gorge, a [[dragon boat]] race on the reservoir and concerts in the grounds of the nearby St Michael's [[Leonard Cheshire|Cheshire Home]]<ref>http://www.leonard-cheshire.org/?lid=827</ref>. There are three schools: Cheddar First School, Fairlands Middle School and [[The Kings of Wessex School]], which has a leisure centre with an indoor swimming pool. Cheddar village also has a [[Youth Hostel]] and several camping/caravan sites, including several large ones with many facilities. There is a [[Church of England parish church]] with a tall tower in the typical Somerset style, and also churches for [[Roman Catholic]], [[Methodist]], [[Baptist]] and other denominations, including a community Church which meets at the Kings of Wessex, senior school. ==Notable buildings and structures== ===Saxon palace=== In the 10th century the [[Witenagemot]] met three times at the [[Anglo-Saxons|Saxon]] palace in Cheddar.<ref>{{cite web | title=Cheddar History | first=Vince | last= Russett | work= South West Archaeological Services | url=http://www.cheddarsomerset.co.uk/History/Cheddar%20History.htm | accessdate=2007-02-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url= http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/arch-769-1/ahds/dissemination/pdf/vol06-07/6_053_066.pdf | format= PDF | last= Rahtz | first= Phillip | publisher= Archaeology Data Service | title= The Saxon and Medieval Palaces at Cheddar, Somerset-an Interim Report of Excavations in I 960-62 | accessdate= 2008-03-31}}</ref> The ruins of the palace were excavated in the 1960s and are located in the grounds of [[The Kings of Wessex School]], together with a 14th century chapel dedicated to St Columbanus.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?id=268795 | work= Images of England | title= Former chapel dedicated to St Colambanus | accessdate= 2008-03-31}}</ref> Roman remains have also been uncovered at the site.<ref>{{cite news | title=School dig uncovers Roman grave | publisher= [[BBC News]] | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/4630806.stm | date=[[20 January]] [[2006]] | accessdate=2008-03-31}}</ref> ===St Andrew's Church=== [[Image:S3010334.JPG|thumb|Looking north west from St Andrew's Church tower. On the left is [[The Kings of Wessex School]] and the remains of the Saxon palace. In the distance is [[Cheddar Reservoir]] and Crook Peak]] The [[Church of England parish church]] is dedicated to [[St Andrew]] and dates from the 14th century. It was restored in 1873 by [[William Butterfield]]. It is a grade I [[listed building]] and contains some 15th century [[stained glass]] and an altar table of 1631. The [[church monument|chest tomb]] in the chancel is believed to be to Sir [[Thomas Cheddar]] and dated 1442.<ref>{{cite web | title=Church of St. Andrew | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=268768 | accessdate=2006-05-09}}</ref> The tower, which rises to {{convert|100|ft|m|0|lk=on}},<ref name="curio">{{cite book |title=Curiosities of Somerset |last=Leete-Hodge |first=Lornie |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=1985 |publisher=Bossiney Books |location=Bodmin |isbn=0906456983 |pages=20 }}</ref> contains a bell dating from 1759 and made by Thomas Bilbie of the [[Bilbie family]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Moore |first=James |authorlink= |coauthors=Roy Rice & Ernest Hucker |title=Bilbie and the Chew Valley clock makers |year=1995 |publisher=The authors |location= |isbn=0952670208 }}</ref> ===Market cross=== The market cross in Bath Street dates from the 15th century, with the shelter being rebuilt in 1834. It has a central octagonal pier, socket raised on four steps, hexagonal shelter with six arched four-centred arch openings, shallow two stage buttresses at each angle, and embattled parapet. The shaft is crowned by an abacus with figures in niches, probably from the late 19th century although the cross is now missing. Rebuilt by [[Thomas Thynne, 1st Marquess of Bath|Thomas, Marquis of Bath]]. It is a [[Scheduled Ancient Monument]] (Somerset County No 21) and grade II* listed building.<ref>{{cite web | title=Market Cross | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=268772 | accessdate=2006-05-09}}</ref> It was recently restored after being seriously damaged in a road traffic accident. ===Hannah More's Cottage=== Philanthropist educator [[Hannah More]] founded a school in the village in the late 18th century. Her first school, a 17th century house now named Hannah More's Cottage,<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?id=268787 | work= Images of England | title= Hannah More's Cottage | accessdate= 2008-03-31}}</ref> is a grade II listed building that is used by the local community as a meeting place. == References == {{reflist}} ==External links== *{{dmoz|/Regional/Europe/United_Kingdom/England/Somerset/Cheddar/|Cheddar}} *[http://www.cheddarvillage.co.uk/ Community website] *[http://www.cheddarfirst.ik.org/ Cheddar First School] *[http://www.fairlands.somerset.sch.uk/ Fairlands Middle School] * [http://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/ The Somerset Mercury] *[http://www.cheddarvalleygazette.co.uk/ Cheddar Valley Gazette] *[http://www.cheddarvalleycommunitychurch.org/ Cheddar Valley Community Church] *[http://www.somerset.gov.uk/somerset/cultureheritage/heritage/projects/eus/cheddar/ Cheddar Archaeological Survey] *[http://www.somerset3d.co.uk/gallery.htm#c Photos of Cheddar in 3d (Anaglyphs)] *YouTube videos: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bY044JF5-7Y Part 1] [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOQ0N3_8qpA Part 2] [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VENYt0ND69o Part 3] {{Mendip Hills}} [[Category:Sedgemoor]] [[Category:Mendip Hills]] [[Category:Villages in Somerset]] [[de:Cheddar (Somerset)]] [[it:Cheddar]] [[nl:Cheddar]] [[ja:チェダー]] [[pl:Cheddar (Anglia)]] [[pt:Cheddar]]