Population 1,075 (in 2011) Civil parish Urchfont Local time Monday 12:06 AM | OS grid reference SU0457 Unitary authority Dialling code 01380 Post town Devizes | |
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Weather 6°C, Wind S at 5 km/h, 80% Humidity | ||
Urchfont is a rural village and civil parish in the Vale of Pewsey to the north of Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England, about 7 miles (11 km) southeast of the market town of Devizes. The parish includes the hamlets of Wedhampton (grid reference SU060577) and Lydeway (SU052578). The population of Urchfont taken at the 2011 Census was 1,075.
Contents
- Map of Urchfont Devizes UK
- History of the name
- Governance
- Amenities
- Notable people
- The Urchfont Scarecrow Festival
- References
Map of Urchfont, Devizes, UK
History of the name
The name of Urchfont is often thought to derive from the phrase "Church Fountain" and is possibly derived from Latin fons meaning 'spring, fountain, well' (cf. fount), or the first element may be a lost personal name such as Eohric. Over 100 variations of the spelling are recorded; e.g. Lerchesfonte (1086), Erchesfonte(e) (1175, 1605), Erkesfonte (1175), Archesfunte (font)(1179, 1376, 1426), Ur(i)chesfunte (1242, 1289), Orchesfunte (1259), Orcheffunte (1428), Archfounte al. Urshent (1564), Urchefount al. Urshent (1611), Urshent al. Erchfont (1695). Shown to the left is the present-day village hall, erected in 1929-1930 by local villagers, which bears the name "Erchfont". Locally, the colloquial pronunciation of Urchfont is Ushant and in the modern day, it is often known as "Urnt".
Governance
The village is in the 'Urchfont and the Cannings' electoral ward. This ward starts in the south at Easterton, stretches through Urchfont to end in the north at Bishops Cannings. The population of this ward taken at the 2011 census was 4,350.
The civil parish elects a parish council. It is in the area of Wiltshire Council unitary authority, which is responsible for all significant local government functions.
Amenities
The 13th-century Anglican Church of St Michael and All Angels is Grade I listed.
There is a primary school, Urchfont C of E Primary School. From 1947 to 2012 Urchfont Manor, a Grade II* listed building, housed an adult education college, Urchfont Manor College.
There are also many local sports clubs and societies and the village has its own tennis courts, cricket pitch and skittle alley (within The Lamb Inn pub).
Notable people
The Urchfont Scarecrow Festival
The Urchfont Scarecrow Festival was the first of its kind in Wiltshire. While many other Wiltshire villages, including local rivals Lacock, have now established their own festivals on a similar model, the original Urchfont festival predates them all having been established in 1997 and is amongst the best attended by Scarecrow enthusiasts. The idea was first brought to the village by a resident who saw a similar festival in Derbyshire while on a walking holiday. Apart from being cancelled in 2001 because of the threat from Foot and Mouth disease, the festival has taken place on the first bank holiday in May every year since 1997 and has grown to become a major local event attracting large numbers of local and national visitors.
Approximately 50 themed scarecrows made by villagers are distributed around the village and visitors can buy a trail map which provides clues as to the identity of each scarecrow. Extensive parking facilities and toilet facilities are provided. A barbecue, beer tent, tea tent and ice cream stand provide refreshments around the scenic pond in the centre of the village. In addition, the Lamb Inn, a traditional thatched pub, serves real ale and bar meals throughout the weekend.
2016 was the 19th festival and it is held annually over the three days of the first May Bank Holiday. As of 2016 the festival has raised over £100,000 for local charities and good causes.
Past themes of The Urchfont Scarecrow Festival have included: