Axbridge

infobox UK place
country = England
latitude= 51.2867
longitude= -2.8152
official_name= Axbridge
population = 2,025
shire_district= Sedgemoor
shire_county = Somerset
region= South West England
constituency_westminster= Wells
post_town= AXBRIDGE
postcode_district = BS26
postcode_area= BS
dial_code= 01934
os_grid_reference= ST431545

Axbridge is a town in Somerset, England, situated in the Sedgemoor district on the River Axe, near the southern edge of the Mendip Hills. The town population according to the 2001 census was 2,025. [cite web | url= http://www.sedgemoor.gov.uk/media/pdf/n/f/Axbridge_Ward_Profile.pdf | format= PDF | title= Ward Profile for Axbridge | work= Sedgemoor District Council | accessdate= 2007-12-15]

History

Early inhabitants of the area almost certainly include the Romans (who are known to have mined lead on the top of the Mendips) and earlier still, prehistoric man, (who lived in the local caves) whose flint tools have been found on the slopes of the local hills. The history of Axbridge can be traced back to the reign of King Alfred when it was part of the Saxons' defence system for Wessex against the Vikings. Axbridge appears in the Domesday survey of 1086 as " _an. Alse Bruge", meaning 'The ash tree bridge' from the Old English " _an. ysle" and " _an. brycg". [cite book |last=Robinson |first=Stephen |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Somerset Place Names |year=1992 |publisher=The Dovecote Press Ltd |location=Wimbourne |isbn=1874336032] It was part of the royal manor of Cheddar.

It was granted a Royal Charter in 1202, when King John sold most of the royal manor of Cheddar to the Bishop of Bath and Wells. Axbridge grew in the Tudor period as a centre for cloth manufacture, This was reflected in its early royal charters allowing it to hold markets, fairs and become a royal borough. It even had its own mint, with coins showing the town's symbol: the Lamb and Flag. [cite web | title=Axbridge visitors information | url=http://www.axbridge-tc.gov.uk/visitor/index.html | accessdate=2006-08-25] Trade was possible as the River Axe was navigable to wharves at Axbridge. [cite book |last=Toulson |first=Shirley |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=The Mendip Hills: A Threatened Landscape |year=1984 |publisher=Victor Gollancz |location=London |isbn=057503453X ]

Later the towns importance declined which led to stagnation and the preservation of many historic buildings in the town centre. These include King John's Hunting Lodge (actually a Tudor building) which is now used as a museum.

Axbridge is a very old borough and sent members to parliament in the reigns of Edward I and Edward III. [cite web | title=Axbridge | work=GENUKI | url=http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/SOM/Axbridge/index.html | accessdate=2006-08-25]

During the 19th and early 20th centuries iron ore was extracted from the hill above and east of Axbridge. [cite book |last=Gough |first=J.W. |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=The mines of Mendip |year=1967 |publisher=David & Charles |location=Newton Abbot | id=http://www.amazon.co.uk/o/ASIN/B0000CNKWB ]

The town had a railway station which opened on 3 August 1869 and closed to goods traffic on 10 June 1963 and passengers on 9 September 1963. The route of the railway is now the A371 Axbridge bypass but the station buildings and goods shed still survive. [cite web | title=Axbridge | work=Bristol Railway Station Archive | url=http://www.bristol-rail.co.uk/axbridge.php | accessdate=2006-08-25]

The Square was used as the setting for a Natwest Bank advert in the early nineties, and in particular the Town Hall which doubled as Natwest Branch. Ironically a real branch of Natwest, which was situated in the High Street, was closed not long afterwards and the premises are now private residential accommodation.

Church

The thirteenth century parish church of St John is a grade I listed building. [cite web | title=Church of St John The Baptist | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=268697 | accessdate=2006-05-09]

Work on the current building began in the early 1400s, and grew from an earlier building dating back to about 1230. The church is built of limestone and decorated with Doulting stone, while the steps are an interesting example of Dolomitic Conglomerate (pudding stone).cite book |last=Reid |first= Robert Douglas |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Some buildings of Mendip |year=1979 |publisher=The Mendip Society |location= |isbn=0905459164 ] The crossing tower is over convert|100|ft|m high, and holds six bells, one of which dating from 1723 was made by Edward Bilbie of the Bilbie family. [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 ] The statue on the east side is that of St John the Baptist. On the west side is a king - perhaps Henry VII, which would place it after 1485. The North aisle ceiling retains some mediaeval painted panels, and amongst the carved bosses is the head of a Green Man, with leaves sprouting around his face. [cite web | title=Church of St John The Baptist | url=http://www.stjohnthebaptistaxbridge.org.uk/ | accessdate=2006-08-25] The nave roof is Jacobean and dates from 1636.

Village or town?

In contrast to the much larger settlement of Cheddar immediately to the south east that remains a village, Axbridge 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 period and gained a charter from King John, Cheddar remained a more dispersed 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 settlement's respective status and the inevitable friendly local rivalry between the two.

The town was part of the Axbridge Rural District from 1894 to 1974, after which it became part of Sedgemoor.

Workhouse

The Axbridge Union workhouse was erected in 1837 at the south side of West Street in Axbridge. The Poor Law Commissioners authorised an expenditure of £4,496.17s.6d on construction of the building which was intended to accommodate 250 inmates. It was designed by Samuel T Welch who was also the architect of workhouses at Wells and Clifton. By 1929 the workhouse had become officially known as Axbridge Poor Law Institution. [cite web | title=Axbridge Workhouse and Poor Law Union | url=http://users.ox.ac.uk/~peter/workhouse/Axbridge/Axbridge.shtml | accessdate=2006-08-25]

Events

Axbridge has a very active community and holds a number of events each year.

On the first Saturday in September, the annual Somerset Showcase takes place, which is a fun filled day for the whole family featuring the best Somerset has to offer, including craft displays and market, farmers' market, entertainment, exhibitions and live music in the evening. It has become a firm favourite amongst the events held in the town each year, and attracts visitors from all over the area.

September also sees the annual Blackberry Carnival, Fair in the Square and Harvest Home which was introduced in 2007. Other events throughout the year include the Progressive Supper and Santa in the Square.

References

ee also

* Cheddar Reservoir

External links

* [http://www.axbridge-tc.gov.uk/ Axbridge information from the town council]
* [http://www.somerset.gov.uk/somerset/cultureheritage/heritage/projects/eus/axbridge/ Axbridge Archaeological Survey]
* [http://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/ The Somerset Mercury]
* [http://www.somersetshowcase.info/ Somerset Showcase information]
*
* [http://www.somerset3d.co.uk/logos%20&%20pictures/town%20&%20village%20pages/axbridge.htm Photos of Axbridge in 3d (Anaglyphs)]