Benwick

Infobox UK place
static_

static_image_caption=The Benwick Sign
official_name= Benwick
country= England
region= East of England
os_grid_reference= TL341909
latitude= 52.5
longitude= -0.024
post_town=
postcode_area=
postcode_district=
dial_code=
shire_county= Cambridgeshire
shire_district= Fenland
population= 860 (2001 Census)
hide_services= Yes

:"For the French kingdom in Arthurian legend (also spelled Benoic), see Lancelot."

Benwick is a small rural village in the heart of Fenland, located approximately convert|15|mi|0 away from Peterborough, England, and convert|30|mi|0 from Cambridge. Benwick comprises around 330 houses, and in 2001 the census showed the population to be around 860.

Parish council

The Parish Council consists of seven members who are elected every four years. The last elections were in May 2007. The Chairman is Lyn Keppel-Spoor; Vice Chair is Tony Richardson. The other five councilors are Howard Langford, Patrica Tickner, Reg Few, Ellen Paice and Mark Chapman. They meet on the first Tuesday of each month.

chool

The school was built in 1873 and is located on the High Street. The current headmistress is Gill Thomas, however she is leaving in September. There are three classrooms and the school teaches pupils aged 4-11 (years reception to 6).

Religion

Benwick currently has no church; the church of St. Mary was demolished in the mid eighties, and the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel stopped being used in 2006. There was also a Baptist chapel built in 1818 located on the site of the Baptist graveyard.

Groups and Associations

Benwick has a good number of groups and associations which run in the village. Benwick has a large Scout movement, which includes all groups from Beavers to Explorers. There is also the Benwick Athletic Football Club, which although based in Doddington is still a village club.

The Benwick Amateur Dramatics was founded in 2008 by Cameron Devall, and meets every Friday in the Village Hall. The Over 60's is open to all residents aged over 60, and do a number of things including Whist Drives and outings.

There is a Residents Association, Parish Plan Steering Group and Village Hall Committee. There is also the Friends of Benwick Church, who fundraise in order to build up funds to create a new church for the Methodists and Church of England.

Friends Of Benwick School fundraise for extra-curricular school activities.

External links

* [http://www.benwick.com Benwick.com] The first website dedicated to Benwick. It will be ten years old in 2009

* [http://www.lilyholtroad.co.uk Lilyholt Road] A comprehensive web site about Benwick which was launched in September 2007. Updated monthly. Filled with information on all the village groups, loads of photos both past and present.