Whitwell, Isle of Wight

Infobox UK place |
country = England
official_name= Whitwell
civil_parish= Niton and Whitwell
latitude = 50.596439
longitude = -1.26302
population= 578 (2001 census)cite web | year = 2008 | url = http://www.iwight.com/council/parish_councils/nitonwhitwell/ | title = Niton and Whitwell Parish Council Homepage | publisher = www.iwight.gov.uk | accessdate = 2008-04-13]
unitary_england= Isle of Wight
map_type = Isle of Wight
lieutenancy_england= Isle of Wight
region = South East England
constituency_westminster= Isle of Wight
post_town= VENTNOR
postcode_district= PO38
postcode_area= PO
dial_code= 01983
os_grid_reference= SZ520770
london_distance= 95.13 miles, 153.1 km
static_

static_image_caption = White Well, after which the village was named. There are a total of 6 wells, painted in red across the village.

Whitwell is a small village located on the south of the Isle of Wight, approximately 5 kilometres north-west of Ventnor, the village's nearest town. In addition to this, it is about five minutes away from its neighbouring small villages of Godshill and Niton, the latter of which, Whitwell forms a Civil Parish. According to 2001 census data, the total population of the village was 578. There is a variety of stone and thatched housing, as well as some more modern housing, the most recent of which was completed in 2006.

Whitwell's small size has led it to become a very close-knit community with a range of amenities including a garage, a 700 year old church, the oldest pub on the island, dating back from the 15th century and a post office, which was recently re-located to a new premises inside the church bell tower.cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/6584467.stm | title = BBC News - "Stamps sold and prayers answered" | publisher = www.bbc.co.uk | accessdate = 2007-04-28] It is also the home of the Whitwell Motorcycle Club.cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.whitwellmcc.co.uk/ | title = Whitwell Motorcycle Club official website | publisher = www.whitwellmcc.co.uk | accessdate = 2007-10-27] A trout farm is located towards Nettlecombe, with three lakes covering 1.5 acres. The waters are well stocked with carp, roach and tench.cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.isleofwighttouristguide.com/Articles/Article_49.asp | title = Isle of Wight Tourist Guide - Fishing on the Isle of Wight | publisher = www.isleofwighttouristguide.com | accessdate = 2007-11-07] Nettlecombe is the site of a lost medieval village.cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.wac.soton.ac.uk/Research/IOW/Proposal.pdf | title = A Proposal in MAP2 Format:The Isle of Wight Medieval Landscape Project | publisher = www.wac.soton.ac.uk | accessdate = 2007-06-06]

Whitwell is named after the "White Well" inside the village, and pictured below. The well was visited by many during medieval times on pilgrimages, and now well dressing occurs annually each summer. Across Whitwell, six more old water standards can be seen. They were built in 1887 by William Spindler. Half the cost of installing the wells was covered by William Spindler himself, the remainder by people of the village. The water was supplied by Mr Granville Ward from a spring on his land at Bierley.

History

"White" is derived from an Old English word meaning clean or pure, and the village of Whitwell is likely to take it's name from a well or spring with a reliable supply of fresh water. The orginal White Well, located towards the south end of the village was once a place of veneration as a 'holy well' and a site of pilgrimage in the Middle Ages. The waters of the well were believed to contain healing powers for the infirm. The tradition of Well Dressing was started and now occurs annually at the site of the well. Each year the well is dressed and blessed by the local vicar giving thanks for water and a blessing for the village.

Also in the village, six red iron water pumps can be seen at various intervals. These were built in 1887 by William Spindler, a prominent figure in St Lawrence whose tomb now lies in Whitwell Graveyard.cite web | year = 2004 | url = http://www.statistics.gov.uk/geography/geographic_area_listings/downloads/EnglishParishes&WelshCommunities_N&C_2004.xls | title = English Parishes and Welsh communities N&C 2004 | publisher = www.statistics.gov.uk | accessdate = 2007-05-03] One is located next to the White Well in Ventnor Road, two along Kemming Road, two along the High Street, and one on Nettlecombe Road.

Many of the village's buildings such as the White Horse pub, date back to the 15th Century. The Church also has portions dating back to as far as the 12th century, with newer additions built in the 13th, 15th and 16th centuries. In comparison to this and the rest of the village, new housing has been built relatively recently along Bannock Road. The latest new housing was completed in 2006.

Geography

Whitwell is located in the south of the Isle of Wight, slightely to the south of Godshill, and extends to the southern shore of the island. The nearest town is Ventnor, about 5 kilometres South of the village. Niton is the nearest village about 2 miles away, which together, Whitwell and Niton form a civil parish. Also close to the village, is Nettlecombe, slightly to the north east. The entire village is surrounded mainly by fields and classed as an 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, forming part of the Isle of Wight AONB.' The relief is mainly flat, with some slight hills. It contains 1,910 acres of land, 687 acres in 1905 being arable land, 775½ acres permanent grass, and 74½ acres woodland.

With the villages co-ordinates at N 50.60223 W 1.29967, its climate is warm, with a sea breeze coming in from the coast. It bennefits from Ventnor's microclimate as a result of being in a sheltered location on the cliff of the island's south coast. This offers the village more sunny days than the much of the British Isles, and fewer frosts.

The Eastern Yar, originating in the north-east of the island, extends an infant tributary to Whitwell and at one point, a stone sheep wash is still present. The River Yar Trail was set up on 24 May 2002, with a milestone outside the White Horse in Whitwell.

Whitwell's built environment is characterised by its mixture of stone and thatched housing. There is a mixture of single and two-story houses, with most single story housing on Bannock Road, recently developed with a small estate of bungalows. Terraced housing features in the center of the village. The most notable house in the village is The Old Rectory, close to the church and was formerly a Bed and Breakfast.

Church

The Church of St. Mary and St. Radegund in Whitwell is located on rising ground at the South end of the village and adjoins the rectory.

Various parts of the church date back to different centuries. Various portions of the church were constructed in the 12th, 13th 15th and 16th centuries. However, the church has some more modern parts as well.

The church consists of a nave which has a south aisle of three bays, a chancel with south aisle in alignment with the east wall, a western tower and a south porch. Looking at the church, it is evident that the original church did not have aisles, and had a narrow chancel, divided by an arch. A narrow south aisle was added in the 13th century which was later widened in the 16th century. The early chapel was dedicated to St. Radegund, and belonging to the parish of Gatcombe. The thirteenth-century south aisle with its chancel was added as a chapel-of-ease to Godshill. The south pillar of the chancel arch is made of a short column and a huge capital. The pulpit and the communion table in the south chancel are Jacobean. The church bell now at the west end of the middle aisle is sixteenth-century.cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.invectis.co.uk/iow/wl_ventnor.html | title = Ward Lock illustrated guide to the Isle of Wight - Ventnor | publisher = www.invectis.co.uk | accessdate = 2008-01-01]

On Monday 16 April 2007 Whitwell's post office re-opened inside the church's bell tower. Although other Post Offices have been relocated to new locations on the grounds of local church's, it is the first of its kind in the country to be located inside the church.cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.iwcp.co.uk/News/POST_OFFICE_WHERE_SERVICE_IS_DIVINE.aspx | title = Isle of Wight County Press - "Post Office where service is divine" | publisher = www.iwcp.co.uk | accessdate = 2008-04-17] The idea to locate the new post office inside the church came from the church's vicar, after no other suitable location was found.

Amenities

The village used to have a wide range of facilities used by local residents. However over the years, many of these have gone. These include two shops, a playgroup, its Methodist church, the forge, a nursing home and youth hostel. The facilities left include:
* Post Office - The village used to have its own, family owned post office. This was closed in 2006, however later in 2007 was relocated onto a new premises inside the church.
* Pub - The White Horse in the village centre is a popular pub across the island. It suffered a fire in 1987, then again 20 years later in 2007 which saw its temporary closure. Prior to the two fires, the pub was thatched, however after the fire in 2007, a tiled roof was built, in an attempt to prevent future fires. The pub has recently received a 'scores on the doors' rating of 5 stars from the Isle of Wight Council.cite web | year = 2008 | url = http://www.iwight.com/foodsafety/frmDisplay.aspx?id=C10H82HIGH%2f2 | title = Food Safety Survey Record - The White Horse | publisher = www.iwight.gov.uk | accessdate = 2008-04-07]
* Garage - The village's garage, named Whitwell garage is one of the only garages left on the island to still sell petrol (excluding supermarkets). It also sells cars, MOTs and servicing, specialising in Ford.
* Village hall - It is used to host a variety of activities, as well as the Whitwell Village Show, which takes place annually each summer.Due to the village's small size and small population of 578, most amenities are located outside the village. Many are located in the slightly larger neighbouring village of Niton, such as a Pharmacy and doctor's surgury. Others are also located in the Ventnor.

Transport

Rail

Whitwell Station, on the Ventnor West branch of the Isle of Wight Central Railway, was opened along with the other stations on the branch on 20 July 1897. It was equipped with a passing loop, two platforms, a signal box and a substantial station building. Located at the top of Nettlecombe Lane, the station is located close to the village and the community it was intended to serve, unlike any other stations on the line.

However the track has now closed, and the waiting rooms have now been converted into two cottages and the old up platform has been restored. The site is now a popular tourist destination and is used for holiday accommodation.cite web | year = 2008 | url = http://www.whitwellstation.co.uk/ | title = Whitwell Railway Station: Home | publisher = www.whitwellstation.co.uk | accessdate = 2008-01-01] An old railway tunnel just outside the village is used as a mushroom farm.cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.wightstay.co.uk/context/whitwell.html | title = Netguide to Whitwell on the Isle of Wight | publisher = www.wightstay.co.uk | accessdate = 2007-10-19] Another tunnel is still present on Nettlecombe Lane (pictured to the left) leading to the station.

Bus

Southern Vectis bus route 6 links the village with the towns of Newport and Ventnor, including intermediate towns. The last bus from Newport is early at 17:45 providing no evening service for the village.cite web | year = 2008 | url = http://www.islandbuses.info/r6.shtml | title = Southern Vectis bus route 6 | publisher = www.islandbuses.info | accessdate = 2007-10-24] The seasonal 'Island Coaster' also runs through the village during the summer.cite web | year = 2008 | url = http://www.islandbuses.info/rx40.shtml | title = Southern Vectis bus route 'Island Coaster' | publisher = www.islandbuses.info | accessdate = 2008-04-13] Wightbus and Southern Vectis take students to school, which has caused some controversy over two bus companies taking a small number of students to school.cite web | year = 2008 | url = http://www.iwcp.co.uk/News/STOP_RIDICULOUS_GHOST_BUS_WASTE_1.aspx | title = Isle of Wight County Press - "Stop Ridiculous Ghost Bus Waste" | publisher = www.iwcp.co.uk | accessdate = 2008-07-01]

RoadsThere are only three roads exiting the village, Ventnor Road leading to Ventnor, Kemming Road leading to Niton and the main High Street which leads to Godshill.

The main road leading to Ventnor has recently been widened and resurfaced to cope with the larger number of cars using it, however this has caused controversy with nearby residents with reports of many cars speeding through the village. A sign was later put up, warning motorists if their speed exceeded the 30 mile per hour speed limit. More were later put up across other parts of the village.cite web | year = 2008 | url = http://www.iwcp.co.uk/News/WARNING_SIGNS_BILL_REACHES_500000_2.aspx | title = Isle of Wight County Press - "Warning signs bill reaches 500,000" | publisher = www.iwcp.co.uk | accessdate = 2008-04-17]

Walking

The River Yar trail runs through the village with the milestone outside the village Pub. In addition to this, briddleways are maintained, running to nearby villages Wroxall and Niton. Future plans could see a pedestrian link from Whitwell to Niton along the main road.cite web | year = 2008 | url = http://www.iwight.com/council/parish_councils/nitonwhitwell/images/AnnualRpt.05.06.pdf | title = Niton and Whitwell Parish Council - Annual Report | publisher = www.iwight.com | accessdate = 2008-06-12]

References

External links

* [http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/HAM/IOW/Whitwell/index.html Whitwell Parish guide]
* [http://www.wlhg.co.uk/book/part5.htm Whitwell Local History Group - Churches and Religion]
* [http://www.catbells.streamlinenettrial.co.uk/WightCAM/HTML/2002/020531-thumbnail.htm River Yar Trail]