Orcheston

Last updated

Orcheston
Flood Cottages, Orcheston - geograph.org.uk - 373142.jpg
Flood Cottages, Orcheston
Wiltshire UK location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Orcheston
Location within Wiltshire
Population327 (in 2021) [1]
OS grid reference SU059453
Civil parish
  • Orcheston
Unitary authority
Ceremonial county
Region
Country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town Salisbury
Postcode district SP3
Dialling code 01980
Police Wiltshire
Fire Dorset and Wiltshire
Ambulance South Western
UK Parliament
Website Parish Council
List of places
UK
England
Wiltshire
51°12′25″N1°55′01″W / 51.207°N 1.917°W / 51.207; -1.917

Orcheston (OR-Chest-ton) is a civil parish and village in Wiltshire, England, lying on Salisbury Plain less than a mile north-west of neighbouring Shrewton. The present-day parish combines the two former parishes of Orcheston St Mary and Orcheston St George and includes the hamlet of Elston.

Contents

History and description

The manor is recorded in the 1086 Domesday Book with the spelling Orcestone in three entries and Orchestone in a fourth. [2]

The two civil parishes of Orcheston, based on the two Church of England parish churches of St Mary and St George, were united into a single civil parish in 1934 and into a single ecclesiastical parish in 1971. [3]

The parish gives its name to the 'Orcheston long grass' (Agrostis stolonifera), also called 'Creeping Bent', the most commonly used species of Agrostis. [4] [5] [6] The Rough-Stalked Meadow Grass ( Poa trivialis ), is also called Orcheston Grass, [7] and in the early 19th century there was something of a controversy among botanists as to which was the true Orcheston Grass. [8] [9]

The source of the River Till is near the village; the entire river is a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). [10]

As of 2009, Orcheston contains about sixty-five houses, of which twenty-six are listed buildings, and has a single parish council. [11] Almost all local government services are provided by the Wiltshire Council unitary authority.

Churches

St Mary's Church dates from the 13th century and is Grade II* listed. [12] [13] In 1971 the benefice was united with those of Chitterne and Tilshead; [14] today the church is part of the Salisbury Plain benefice, which also includes the churches at Shrewton. [15]

St George's Church is also from the 13th century and also Grade II* listed. [16] [17] Having been declared redundant in 1982, it is in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. [18]

Notable people

Maurice Roy Ridley (1890–1969), writer and poet, Fellow and Chaplain of Balliol College, Oxford, was born in Orcheston. Dorothy L. Sayers is reputed to have based the appearance of her fictional detective Lord Peter Wimsey on him.

Mick Channon, footballer and racehorse trainer, was born in the village.

Bibliography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tidworth</span> Human settlement in England

Tidworth is a garrison town and civil parish in south-east Wiltshire, England, on the eastern edge of Salisbury Plain. Lying on both sides of the A338 about 3+1⁄2 miles (5.6 km) north of the A303 primary route, the town is approximately 8 miles (13 km) west of Andover, 12 miles (19 km) south of Marlborough, and 13 miles (21 km) north by north-east of Salisbury. The population of the parish at the 2011 census was approximately 10,600.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Lavington, Wiltshire</span> Human settlement in England

West Lavington is a village and civil parish in Wiltshire, England, on the north edge of Salisbury Plain, on the A360 road between Devizes and Salisbury, about 5 miles (8 km) south of Devizes. The parish includes the hamlet of Littleton Panell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Berwick St James</span> Village and civil parish on the River Till in Wiltshire, England

Berwick St James is a village and civil parish on the River Till in Wiltshire, England, about 7 miles (11 km) northwest of Salisbury, on the southern edge of Salisbury Plain. The parish includes the hamlet of Asserton. At the 2001 census the parish had a population of 185, reducing to 142 at the 2011 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chitterne</span> Human settlement in England

Chitterne is a village and civil parish in the county of Wiltshire, in the south west of England. The village lies in the middle of Salisbury Plain, about 7 miles (11 km) east of the town of Warminster.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Upavon</span> Human settlement in England

Upavon is a rural village and civil parish in the county of Wiltshire, England. As its name suggests, it is on the upper portion of the River Avon which runs from north to south through the village. It is on the north edge of Salisbury Plain about 4 miles (6.4 km) south of Pewsey, 10 miles (16 km) southeast of the market town of Devizes, and 20 miles (32 km) north of the cathedral city of Salisbury. The A345 and A342 roads run through the village.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Market Lavington</span> Human settlement in England

Market Lavington is a civil parish and large village with a population of about 2,200 on the northern edge of Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England, 5 miles (8.0 km) south of the market town of Devizes. The village lies on the B3098 Westbury–Urchfont road which skirts the edge of the Plain. The parish includes the hamlets of Northbrook, Lavington Sands and Fiddington Sands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Figheldean</span> Human settlement in England

Figheldean is a village and civil parish on the River Avon, 3+1⁄2 miles (6 km) north of Amesbury in Wiltshire, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Knook</span> Human settlement in England

Knook is a small village and civil parish in Wiltshire, England. The village lies to the north of the River Wylye at the edge of Salisbury Plain, about 4+1⁄2 miles (7 km) southeast of Warminster, close to the A36 road to Salisbury.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alderbury</span> Human settlement in England

Alderbury is a village and civil parish in Wiltshire, England, in the south of the county around 3 miles (5 km) southeast of Salisbury.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Winterbourne Stoke</span> Human settlement in England

Winterbourne Stoke is a village and civil parish in Wiltshire, England, about 5 miles (8 km) west of Amesbury and 3 miles (4.8 km) west of the prehistoric monument of Stonehenge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shrewton</span> Human settlement in England

Shrewton is a village and civil parish on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England, around 6 miles (9.7 km) west of Amesbury and 14 miles (23 km) north of Salisbury. It lies on the A360 road between Stonehenge and Tilshead. It is close to the source of the River Till, which flows south to Stapleford.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tilshead</span> Village and civil parish in Wiltshire, England

Tilshead is a village and civil parish in the county of Wiltshire in Southern England, about 9 miles (14 km) northwest of the town of Amesbury. It is close to the geographical centre of Salisbury Plain, on the A360 road approximately midway between the villages of Shrewton and West_Lavington and is near the source of the River Till. Its population in 2011 was 358, down from a peak of 989 inhabitants in 1951.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">River Till, Wiltshire</span> River in Wiltshire, England

The River Till rises near Tilshead on Salisbury Plain in the English county of Wiltshire. It flows for about 14 km south and south-east, through Orcheston, Maddington, Shrewton, Winterbourne Stoke, Berwick St James and Stapleford, to join the River Wylye.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St George's Church, Orcheston</span> Historic site in Wiltshire, England

St George's Church in Orcheston, Wiltshire, England, was built in the 13th century. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a Grade II* listed building, and is now a redundant church in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. It was declared redundant on 1 March 1982, and was vested in the Trust on 30 October 1985.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Andrew's Church, Rollestone</span> Church in Wiltshire, England

St Andrew's Church is in Rollestone Road, Rollestone, Wiltshire, England. It is a redundant Anglican church in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. It was declared redundant on 1 July 1993, and was vested in the Trust on 8 February 1995. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II* listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little Langford</span> Human settlement in England

Little Langford is a hamlet and former civil parish, now in the parish of Steeple Langford, in Wiltshire, England. Its nearest town is Wilton, about 5 miles (8.0 km) to the southeast. It is in the Wylye valley, to the south of the river; the grass fields adjacent to the river were traditionally flood meadows. In 1931 the parish had a population of 64. On 1 April 1932 the parish was abolished and merged with Steeple Langford.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maddington, Wiltshire</span> Human settlement in England

Maddington is a small settlement and former civil parish, now in the parish of Shrewton, on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England. It is on the River Till. Its nearest town is Amesbury, about 6 miles (10 km) to the southeast. In 1931 the parish had a population of 329.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rollestone</span> Human settlement in England

Rollestone is a small village and former civil parish, now in the parish of Shrewton, on Salisbury Plain, in Wiltshire, England. It is near the River Till. Its nearest town is Amesbury, about 5 miles (8.0 km) away to the east.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kingston Deverill</span> Human settlement in England

Kingston Deverill is a village and civil parish in Wiltshire, England. Its nearest towns are Mere, about 3+1⁄2 miles (6 km) to the southwest, and Warminster, about 5 miles (8 km) to the northeast. The parish and its demographic figures include the village of Monkton Deverill.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stratford Tony</span> Human settlement in England

Stratford Tony, also spelt Stratford Toney, formerly known as Stratford St Anthony and Toney Stratford, is a small village and civil parish in southern Wiltshire, England. It lies on the River Ebble and is about 4 miles (6.4 km) southwest of Salisbury.

References

  1. ↑ https://www.citypopulation.de/en/uk/southwestengland/admin/wiltshire/E04011793__orcheston/
  2. ↑ Orcheston in the Domesday Book
  3. ↑ Frederic A. Youngs, Guide to the local administrative units of England (1980), page 546
  4. ↑ William George Maton, Observations on the Orcheston long grass in Transactions of the Linnean Society, v. 5 (1800), pp. 28-31
  5. ↑ William Bingley, Useful knowledge: or, A familiar account of the various productions of nature (1831) page 33 online at books.google.com
  6. ↑ William Withering, An arrangement of British plants (1796) page 144 at books.google.com
  7. ↑ Martin John Sutton, Permanent and Temporary Pastures (1929), p. 60
  8. ↑ 'An Account of the Grasses and Produce of the Orcheston Meadow in Wiltshire, by Mr Tanner', in The Farmer's Magazine (1813)
  9. ↑ 'Fiorin Grass', in Retrospect of philosophical, mechanical, chemical, and agricultural discoveries (volume for 1815) page 174 at books.google.com
  10. ↑ "River Till SSSI". Natural England. August 2000. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  11. ↑ "Orcheston". Wiltshire Community History. Wiltshire Council. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
  12. ↑ Historic England. "Church of St Mary, Orcheston (1181876)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 27 March 2015.
  13. ↑ "Church of St. Mary, Orcheston". Wiltshire Community History. Wiltshire Council. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
  14. ↑ "No. 45435". The London Gazette . 19 July 1971. p. 8137.
  15. ↑ "Orcheston". Salisbury Plain Benefice. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  16. ↑ Historic England. "Church of St George, Orcheston (1024021)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 27 March 2015.
  17. ↑ "Church of St. George, Orcheston". Wiltshire Community History. Wiltshire Council. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
  18. ↑ "St George, Orcheston". Churches Conservation Trust . Retrieved 8 October 2010.

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Orcheston at Wikimedia Commons

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.