- Epperstone
Epperstone is a village in
Nottinghamshire located near bothLowdham andCalverton . The village has a population of around 500.History
Epperstone is located in the valley of the Dover Beck, convert|7|mi|km south-west of Southwell. It has an area of convert|2343|acre|km2 , of which convert|250|acre|km2 are wooded. The common was enclosed in 1768, when convert|254|acre|km2 were allotted in lieu of tithes.
The free school was purchased in 1838 with money raised by subscription, and a grant from the National Society. About 100 children are now taught in the school. Litchfield library was founded in 1839 by John Litchfield Esq. It contains 2,250 volumes, on philosophical and miscellaneous subjects, available to all subscribers of sixpence per quarter, paid in advance. The books were kept at the schoolroom till 1843, when the worthy donor erected a neat building, and vested it, together with the library, in the following trustees, for the use of the parishioners of Epperston, viz: John Litchfield Esq., John Barnard Esq., The Rev. Thomas White, and their successors.
In 1086, when the Domesday Survey was published, it was recorded that Epperstone had a church and a priest . Evidence has also been found of a church in Saxon times. The only relics left of any date earlier than that of the existing church are pieces of the font, a
finial in the churchyard, and the lower part of the wall of the nave.The end window of the aisle, the small buttress on the north wall and the doorway beside it all appear to belong to the early years of the 14th century. Later in the 14th century the arcade, tower and spire were built, the tower being inserted into the west end of the nave. The larger buttresses on the north side were also added, and the nave wall was heightened. The nave roof is 17th century work.
According to surveys, the population of Epperstone has fluctuated since 1801, when the first accessible records were made, with the figures being as follows. In 1801, the population was 422. In 1851, this rose to 511, and in 1901, this fell to 262. In 1853 Thomas Holdsworth was principal owner and Lord of the manor, but Thomas Moore, John Towle, John Litchfield, John Thomas, William Barnard, and Henry Sherbrooke Esquires also held estates.
Holy Cross
The parish church of Epperstone is dedicated to the Holy Cross. It is built of Epperstone stone, with Mansfield stone for the windows and arcade. Services are held regularly for the parishioners. There is also a graveyard, with a number of headstones.
Bells
There are four bells at Epperstone, but only three can be rung, as one bell is used entirely by the clock, which chimes on the hour. The bells are as follows:
1) Treble, with inscription, 1742, God save his Church. 2) Tenor, T. Taylor & Co Loughborough 1865. 3) Second, God save his Church 1729. 4) Third, Jhesus be our spede 1590.
Cross Keys
The Cross Keys is a
free house in Epperstone that serves meals and drinks.Village Sport
At the Epperstone Tennis Courts there are two artificially surfaced doubles tennis courts. The adjacent village hall provides a children's play area, and full sized cricket pitch.
External images
*The Cross Keys http://www.southwell-online.co.uk/villages/vill-epperstone-crosskeys.jpg
*Sport and Leisure Facilities http://www.southwell-online.co.uk/villages/vill-epperstone-villagehall.jpg
*The Holy Cross http://www.southwell-online.co.uk/villages/vill-epperstone-church.jpgExternal links
* [http://freespace.virgin.net/ken.carter/default.html Epperstone Cricket Club]
* [http://www.freewebtown.com/etcl Epperstone Tennis Site]
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