West Camel

West Camel
Church of All Saints, West Camel
West Camel Location within Somerset
Population	459 (2011) [1]
OS grid reference	ST578249
District	South Somerset
Shire county	Somerset
Region	South West
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	YEOVIL
Postcode district	BA22
Dialling code	01935
Police	Avon and Somerset
Fire	Devon and Somerset
Ambulance	South Western
UK Parliament	Somerton and Frome
List of places UK England Somerset 51°01′19″N2°36′07″W / 51.0220°N 2.6019°W / 51.0220; -2.6019 Coordinates: 51°01′19″N2°36′07″W / 51.0220°N 2.6019°W / 51.0220; -2.6019

West Camel is a village and civil parish in south Somerset, England, about 7 miles (11.3 km) north of the town of Yeovil. It lies either side of the River Cam, just south of the A303, and has a population of 459. ^[1] The parish includes the hamlet of Urgashay. Neighbouring villages include Queen Camel, and Bridgehampton.

History

The name "Camel" derives not from the animal, but from the name "Cantmeel", "Cantmell" or "Cantmel", by which West Camel was formerly known. ^[2] "Cantmeel" itself derives from the words cant (ridge) and mael (bare). ^[3] The village was also known as Camel Abbatis for its association with Muchelney Abbey. ^[4]

This is one of many sites in England identified as a possible setting of The Strife of Camlann, related as the final battle of King Arthur. ^[3]

The earliest evidence of a settlement dates from before AD 940: remains of a Saxon preaching cross. ^[5] The parish of West Camel later became part of the Hundred of Somerton. ^[6]

The earliest written reference to West Camel dates from 995 CE, in the form of a grant of the village by Aethelred II to the monks of Muchelney Abbey. ^[5] Produce exacted for the abbey grange was held in an extant 15th-century tithe barn. ^[7]

earthworks 100 and 250 metres north of Downhead Manor Farm show the early site of houses, possibly including a manor house, tracks and a fish pond. Though it had existed since before the Norman conquest, this settlement had been abandoned by the late 18th century. ^[8]

Running through West Camel is the Leland Trail, a 28 miles (45.1 km) footpath that follows in the footsteps of John Leland, as he traversed across South Somerset in 1535–1543, during his investigations of the district's antiquities. The Leland Trail begins at King Alfred's Tower on the Wiltshire/Somerset border and ends at Ham Hill Country Park.

Governance

The parish council has responsibility for local issues, including setting an annual precept (local rate) to cover the council's operating costs and producing annual accounts for public scrutiny. As elsewhere, the parish council evaluates local planning applications and works with the local police, district council officers, and neighbourhood watch groups on crime, security, and traffic. Its role also includes initiating projects for maintaining and repairing parish facilities, and consulting with the district council on the maintenance, repair and improvement of highways, drainage, footpaths, public transport and street cleaning. Conservation matters (including trees and listed buildings) and environmental issues are also within its responsibility.

The village falls within the Non-metropolitan district of South Somerset, formed on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972. It had hitherto belonged to Yeovil Rural District. ^[9] The district council controls local planning and building, local roads, council housing, environmental health, markets and fairs, refuse collection and recycling, cemeteries and crematoria, leisure services, parks, and tourism. West Camel belongs to the electoral ward of Camelot. ^[10]

Somerset County Council is responsible for running the most expensive local services, such as education, social services, libraries, main roads, public transport, policing and fire services, trading standards, waste disposal and strategic planning.

The village belongs to the Somerton and Frome county constituency represented in the House of Commons. It elects one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first-past-the-post system of election.

Religious sites

The Church of All Saints dates from the late 14th century. It is a Grade I listed building. ^[11] Its rectory dates from the early 15th century. The older wing may form part of the Grange pertaining to Muchelney Abbey; the south wing was probably added by Rev. Henry Law between 1824 and 1836. ^[12]

Notable residents

• Richard Amerike (c. 1445–1503) was a wealthy English born merchant, Royal customs officer and Sheriff of Welsh descent. He was principal owner of John Cabot's ship Matthew during a voyage of exploration to North America in 1497. ^[13]
• Elizabeth Benger (1775–1827), poet, novelist, and biographer of Anne Boleyn, was baptised here on 15 June 1775. ^[14]

References

1. "Statistics for Wards, LSOAs and Parishes — SUMMARY Profiles" (Excel). Somerset Intelligence. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
2. Bush, Robin (1994). Somerset: The Complete Guide. Dovecote Press. pp.  172. ISBN   1-874336-26-1.
3. "A guide to West Camel". Information Britain. Retrieved 15 March 2009.
4. Bush, Robin (1994). Somerset: The Complete Guide. Dovecote Press. pp.  226. ISBN   1-874336-26-1.
5. "West Camel". Victoria County Histories. British History Online. Retrieved 15 March 2009.
6. "Somerset Hundreds". GENUKI. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
7. Historic England. "Tithe Barn, 8 metres West of The Rectory (1345994)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 9 February 2009.
8. Historic England. "Medieval settlement remains 100 m and 250 m north of Downhead Manor Farm (1021260)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 21 November 2014.
9. "Yeovil RD". A vision of Britain Through Time. University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
10. Ordnance Survey Election maps
11. Historic England. "Church of All Saints (1056769)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 16 October 2008.
12. Historic England. "The Rectory (1175050)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 9 February 2009.
13. Peter MacDonald. "BBC History the naming of America". BBC. Retrieved 25 August 2008.
14. ODNB entry: Retrieved 10 March 2011. Subscription required.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to West Camel .

• http://www.westcamel.org.uk/
• Somerset County Council
• www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ - archive reference Anglo-Saxon charter: Aethelred II to Muchelney Abbey: