Alphington, Devon

Alphington is a village in the southwest of Exeter in southwest England. The ward of Alphington has a population of 8250 according to the 2001 census, making it the third largest in Exeter, with the village itself accounting for about a quarter of this figure. It is surrounded on two sides by Devon countryside, with the Marsh Barton trading estate to the east and Exeter to the north.

Architecture & Buildings

* Most of the parish church (of St Michael and All Angels) building originates from the 15th century, including its rood-screen (the north aisle screen has a different style and design and possibly comes from another church). The screen at the base of the tower was put together from the remains of the 1625 Jacobean gallery, demolished in 1875. Saint Apollonia was depicted on one of the panels but it has been badly disfigured. ] The Norman font is said by Arthur Mee (1965) to be "believed by many to be the finest in Devon." [Mee, A. "The King's England:Devon" (Hodder and Stoughton 1965), P.17]
* Cartwheels is a typical 15th century Devon cob and timber farmhouse near the church, overlooking the Rectory.
* Mile End Cottage, on the main road through the village, is the house that Charles Dickens gave to his parents in 1839.
* There are numerous other thatched cottages dating from the 17th century onwards as well as a Victorian prison building, recently renovated, and the old Victorian school building.

Other Points of Interest

In 1749, a peal of eight bells was hung in the church, having been cast by Bilbie of Cullompton. [cite book |last=Moore |first=James |coauthors=Roy Rice & Ernest Hucker |title=Bilbie and the Chew Valley clock makers |year=1995 |publisher=The authors |isbn=0952670208 ] At the time, it was the largest peal in the country. These eight bells were re-cast from the original five hung prior to 1550 [http://www.exeterbeerglass.com/alphington.html Alphington (Exeter); Alphington History and Pubs ] ] .

The 12th century font in the church is one of the finest of its period in Devon and one of the oldest in the country. Carved from local Beer stone, a replica cast can be seen at Exeter's Royal Albert Memorial Museum.

Education

The modern Alphington Primary School is the main educational establishment in the village, with around 350 pupils aged between 5 and 11. Secondary Education is provided by West Exe Technology College, on the border between Alphington and St Thomas, and Exeter College.

port

The village is represented in the South West Peninsula League Division One West (formerly the Devon County League) by the Alphas (Alphington AFC) football team who play at The Chronicles (on Alphington Playing Field). The playing field is also home to the Alphington cricket team.

Notable People from Alphington

*Robert Stone (1516-1613), composer and member of the Chapel Royal
*Charles Babbage (1791-1871), "father of computing" educated in Alphington
*Charles Dickens's parents (1839) moved to Alphington

External links

* [http://www.alphington-afc.co.uk/ Alphington AFC]
* [http://www.alphington.devon.sch.uk/ Alphington Primary School]

References