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Welcome to the info page. Here you will find out a little about me and my photography, how anaglyphs are created and lots more.
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For more links relating to Somerset please click here. The sites included are web sites that I prefer not to link to a specific town or village. For example, you will find the web site for Mendip District Council here rather than on the town page where they are based, Shepton Mallet. |
For more web sites on photography and photographers that feature Somerset please click here. For other web sites that feature 3D photography click here. I am now adding 3D photographs from other non Somerset places that I have visited. These will appear in GALLERY 2. Keep checking the NEWS for updates. |
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The easiest way to navigate this page is to check out the FAQ's first and see if the question has already been answered. If not then drop me an email by clicking the link below. Click here to download the custom made WoollyAnaglyph maker. I'll attempt to answer your question/s as promptly as possible and will add all relevant questions and answers to the existing FAQ's list. |
I recommend that you press F11 on your keypad to view the site full screen and to take regular breaks (about every 15 minutes) when viewing the pictures.
FOR THE LATEST UPDATES AND NEWS ON THIS WEB SITE CLICK HERE.
TO VISIT MY OTHER PHOTOGRAPHY WEBSITE CLICK HERE.
Contact me via the link below & please put 'Somerset 3d' in the subject box.
A big THANK YOU to all those who helped in the creation of this site.
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NEWS
24th July 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - LULLINGTON, and the second of two pages for BEMBRIDGE in the ISLE OF WIGHT.
The Mortons were on of the influential families who settled in Bembridge over 130 years ago. The family were instrumental in bringing the railway to the town, and in establishing a horse boat to bring over horses and carriages, and a passenger steamboat service to Portsmouth. The last train ran from Brading to Bembridge in October 1953, and modern flats now occupy the site of the railway station.
As usual m ore information is on the blog and you can visit my normal 2d website by clicking here (page opens in a new window).
Please visit the Somerset 3d book store if you wish to purchase books on any of the places featured on this website.
Sources: Somerset the Complete Guide by Robin Bush, Somerset Villages by Sheila Bird and the Isle of Wight Village Book by the Isle of Wight Federation of Women’s Institutes. Buy Somerset Books.
17th July 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - SEAVINGTON St MICHAEL, and the first of two pages for BEMBRIDGE in the ISLE OF WIGHT continues the island special.
In 1338 William Russell, Lord of Yaverland, bridged the River Yar at Yarbridge to prevent his manor being cut off from the village of Brading. The peninsula area was then referred to as ‘Within Bridge’, corrupted to ‘Binbridge’, and finally ‘Bembridge’. The village remained for years as a scanty collection of huts and farm-houses, until in the early 19th century; wealthy people began to settle in the area.
More information is on the blog and you can visit my normal 2d website by clicking here (page opens in a new window).
There is a new entry on the MEDIA page from the excellent SWELL3D website, in the form of a very satisfying review. Thank you Sean.
Please visit the Somerset 3d book store if you wish to purchase books on any of the places featured on this website.
Sources: Somerset the Complete Guide by Robin Bush and the Isle of Wight Village Book by the Isle of Wight Federation of Women’s Institutes. Buy Somerset Books.
10th July 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - WELLOW, and CULVER CLIFF is the second featured place in the ISLE OF WIGHT special.
The sweeping views atop of Culver Cliff (or Culver Down) are well worth the coastal walk from Sandown or Bembridge. On top of the hill is an early Victorian Fort, built as a military vantage point for the defence of Sandown Bay and Spithead from invasion. Between the fort and the sea is a coastal and anti-aircraft battery from the Second World War, built for the same purpose.
More information is on the blog and another Zummerzet word is explained on the 'Speakin' Zummerzet' web page, click here to visit (Page opens in a new window).
For those of you who don't visit the blog I can inform you here that I have just launched another photography website, for my normal 2d pictures. If you are interested then please visit the blog for more details or click here to go straight to the new site (Page will open in a new window).
I have also made it much easier for you to buy books or DVD's on the places I have visited. If you visit the Somerset 3d book store you will see categories covering nearly all of the places I have been to so far. So, all the hard work has been done for you. All you have to do is choose which one to buy. Happy browsing.
Sources: The Somerset Village Book by Somerset Federation of Women's Institute and The Hidden Places of Dorset, Hampshire & The Isle of Wight by David Gerrard. Buy Somerset Books.
3rd July 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - LAVERTON, with the town of SANDOWN kicking off the ISLE OF WIGHT special.
Sandown is the island's premier resort with a lively town and a Blue Flag beach. The town also host the island’s zoo which specializes in breeding severely endangered exotic species and is home to the UK’s largest variety of Royal Bengal, Siberian and Chinese tigers. The zoo is also a World Health Organisation centre for venomous snakes, their venom extracted for use in snake bite antidotes.
More information is on the blog and another Zummerzet word is explained on the 'Speakin' Zummerzet' web page, click here to visit (page opens in a new window).
Source: Somerset Villages by Sheila Bird and The Hidden Places of Dorset, Hampshire & The Isle of Wight by David Gerrard. Buy Somerset Books.
26th June 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - HATCH BEAUCHAMP and the final page for St OMER is now online.
Last week my local newspaper did a small feature on this website, please visit the MEDIA page should you wish to have a look.
As ever more on what I've been up to is on the blog and another Zummerzet word is explained on the 'Speakin' Zummerzet' web page, click here to visit (page opens in a new window).
19th June 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - COXLEY and the second page for St OMER is now available for viewing .
More information on what I've been up to on the blog and another Zummerzet word is explained on the 'Speakin' Zummerzet' web page, click here to visit (page opens in a new window).
Sources: Somerset the Complete Guide by Robin Bush and The Somerset Village Book by Somerset Federation of Women's Institute. Buy Somerset Books.
12th June 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - STOKE SUB HAMDON and the first of three pages for St OMER in FRANCE.
St Omer has been a major trading town for more than 1,000 years. The old market square gradually became too small to accommodate all the traders and a larger market square was created in the 13th century, and this is still used today. Along the main thoroughfares that link the market squares to the old port can be found majestic rows of classical facades from the 18th & 19th centuries. One of the major highlights of the town is the magnificent cathedral, the Basilica of Notre-Dame. It is the only large Gothic church to be seen in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais and is well worth a visit.
Thank you for your patience whilst I was doing the housework on the website yesterday evening. The end result was well worth it from my point of view and more details as to what I did and why I had to do it are on the blog.
Another Zummerzet word is explained on the 'Speakin' Zummerzet' web page so click here to visit (page opens in a new window).
Sources: Somerset Villages by Sheila Bird, Somerset the Complete Guide by Robin Bush and the St Omer Tourist Board. Buy Somerset Books.
5th June 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - HINTON CHARTERHOUSE.
IMPORTANT NEWS - THIS WEDNESDAY (11th June) I WILL BE DOING SOME WEBSITE HOUSEKEEPING AND, AS A CONSEQUENCE, PARTS OF THE WEBSITE MAY NOT BE ACCESSABLE DURING THIS TIME. I WILL ATTEMP TO KEEP THE DISRUPTION TO A MINIMUM. Thank you for your support.
More information on the blog and yet another Zummerzet word is explained on the 'Speakin' Zummerzet' web page. Click here to visit (page opens in a new window).
29th May 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - ASHILL.
The manor at Ashill descended from the de Vaux family to the Moultons, Sir Thomas Moulton securing in 1317 the grant of a Wednesday market and two three-day fairs here. Thereafter the estate passed in turn to the Stretche and Beauchamp families and on to the Spekes. The church of The Virgin Mary has Norman doorways and a fine Norman chancel arch. The church contains two effigies. One female identified as Lady Maud de Moulton (died 1293) and the other male, a Knight said to be of Sir John Stretche (died 1390).
More information on the blog and yet another Zummerzet word is explained on the 'Speakin' Zummerzet' web page. Click here to visit (page opens in a new window).
22nd May 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - WINCANTON and the last instalment for GENT is now available to view.
Like most Somerset towns Wincanton subsited on cloth manufacture, specializing in the early 18th century in making Spanish medley cloth and later linen, dowlas and ticking. Nathaniel Ireson (1686-1769) moved here circa 1726, having built Stourhead to Colin Campbell’s designs, but became a succesful architect in his own right. A local bed of clay provided him with the raw material for brick making and for his Delft pottery (dated pieces 1737-48) that are now very collectable. His striking monument in the churchyard bears a terracotta statue which he is believed to have sculpted himself.
More information on the blog and yet another Zummerzet word is explained on the 'Speakin' Zummerzet' web page. Click here to visit (page opens in a new window).
15th May 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - WOOLVERTON (link now fixed) and the penultimate page for GENT is now ready for viewing.
Woolverton is situated on the west bank of the river Frome, opposite Rode. The manor was included under Rode in the Domesday Book but for most of the Middle Ages was held by the Turney family until until it was acquired by the Hungerfords of Farleigh in the 16th century.
More information on the blog and yet another Zummerzet word is explained on the 'Speakin' Zummerzet' web page. Click here to visit (page opens in a new window).
8th May 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - HORSINGTON and the second page for GENT is now available for viewing.
Horsington, meaning ‘the settlement of the horse keeper’, is tucked away off the A357. The church of St John the Baptist has a 15th century west tower but otherwise was completely rebuilt in 1885-87. Inside the church is a 15th century font with angels’ heads and monuments to the Gifford, Spencer, Dodington and Wickham families. The Wickhams were rectors here from 1686 until 1897.
There is more information on the blog and another Zummerzet word is explained on the 'Speakin' Zummerzet' web page. Click here to visit (page opens in a new window).
1st May 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - CURRY MALLET and also the first of four pages for GENT in BELGIUM.
Curry Mallet is almost entirely owned by His Royal Highness Prince Charles, as one of his Duchy of Cornwall estates. The Prince frequently visits the tenant farms of the village. Every year in early January the medieval service of Blessing the Plough is still held. The farmers bring the seed corn to be blessed and the farm workers and various tradesmen bring their tools of trade and process to the altar, followed by the plough which is carried in. The ancient plough is kept permanently in the church.
Gent is the capital and biggest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys and became in the Middle Ages one of the largest and richest cities of northern Europe. Every year a ten day long street festival is held called the Ghent Fests. In 2007 it saw 1.5 million people flock to its streets. Much of the city's medieval architecture remains intact and is remarkably well preserved and restored. Its center is the largest carfree area in Belgium.
There is much more information about this week's update on the blog and another Zummerzet word is explained on the 'Speakin' Zummerzet' web page. Click here to visit (page opens in a new window).
Sources: The Somerset Village Book by Somerset Federation of Women's Institute and Wikipedia. Buy Somerset Books.
24th April 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - CUCKLINGTON.
The village of Cucklington is situated on a ridge above the Blackmoor Vale and commands magnificent views across Somerset and Dorset. The church of St Lawrence is mostly 13th century and contains a medieval window depicting the head of St Barbara.
Go to the blog for more information and yet another word is explained in the 'Speakin' Zummerzet' web page. Click here to visit (page opens in a new window).
17th April 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - UPHILL.
Early 19th century quarrying in Uphill exposed evidence of very early occupation, with flint tools and animal bones found in a small cave indicating habitation 40,000 years ago. The oldest building to survive the ravages of time stands defiantly on the hilltop. The old Church of St Nicholas, built just after the Norman Conquest of 1066, may be on the site of an earlier Saxon church. The roof was partially removed in 1864 and with the building of the new St Nicholas Church in a more accessible part of the village; 'Old Nick' fell into disuse and is now looked after by the Churches Conservation Trust. The writer Hannah More, a friend of the social reformer William Wilberforce, stayed some time in the village and the poet William Lisle Bowles was the son of a former rector.
Yet more information from France on the blog and another word is explained in the 'Speakin' Zummerzet' web page. Click here to visit (page opens in a new window).
10th April 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - BURRINGTON.
BURRINGTON is situated at the foot of the Mendip Hills, and contains the hamlet of Langford. In the side of the hills is a rocky ravine called Burrington Combe. The rocks in some places being 250 feet high. Two remarkable caverns exist here, each of which, when discovered, contained a large number of human skeletons. It is here that we can also find the ‘Rock of Ages’. In about 1775 the curate of Blagdon, Augustus Toplady, was passing through the gorge when he was surprised by a violent storm and was forced to take shelter in a cleft of a rock. While he was there he passed the time by composing a hymn, Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in thee.
More information from France on the blog and another word is explained in the 'Speakin' Zummerzet' web page. Click here to visit (page opens in a new window).
3rd April 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - ISLE ABBOTTS.
Isle Abbotts takes its name from the river Isle. The second part of its name derives from its ownership by Muchelney Abbey from Saxon times until the dissolution of the abbey in 1538. The church of St Mary the Virgin at the eastern end of the village is a magnificent building into which the Muchelney monks ploughed considerable resources.
There is important news on the blog and another word is explained in the 'Speakin' Zummerzet' web page. Click here to visit (page opens in a new window).
27th March 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - MILBORNE PORT.
Milborne Port is in a corner of Somerset that is surrounded on three sides by its neighbouring county of Dorset, to that end it also has a Dorset postal code. The suffix of Port is from the Saxon word for town or market. There is a 'Cotswolds' feel to the place with a golden yellow hue to many of its buildings. The parish church of St John is thought to be the oldest in Somerset and contains Norman and Saxon arches.
As ever there are more details on the blog and another word is explained in the 'Speakin' Zummerzet' web page. Click here to visit (page opens in a new window).
Sources: The Somerset Village Book by Somerset Federation of Women's Institute and Somerset the Complete Guide by Robin Bush.
20th March 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - BLEADON and more pictures added at MILTON CLEVEDON.
In Bleadon, in 1997, there was a skeleton found during an archaeological excavation near Whitegare Farm. The excavations were the cause of planning permission being sought for a proposed building development. An investigation was launched resulting in the skeleton, by now called the Bleadon Man, believed to belong to a farmer who was about 50 years old when he died, over 2000 years ago. DNA testing confirmed that four people living in the surrounding area were related to this Iron Age man. Visit the Parish Council web site for more information by clicking on the link below.
Milton Clevedon is a village and civil parish 1 mile south of Evercreech. An early Iron-Age earthwork, probably a stock enclosure but known as the Castle, occupies a spur of Creech Hill overlooking the Alham valley. The site includes a possible barrow on the west. The Church of St. James was rebuilt in 1790 and is a grade II listed building.
More details on the blog and another word is explained in the 'Speakin' Zummerzet' web page. Click here to visit (page opens in a new window).
Sources: Bleadon Parish Council web site and Wikipedia. Buy Somerset Books.
13th March 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - LOXTON.
In the Domesday book Loxton is entered as Lochestone, meaning, the river Lox enclosure. The village has been populated since Norman times. Old mine-workings on the hills, indicate that at one time mining was abundant, probably for calamine, lead, copper and more recently yellow ochre. The Parish Church of St Andrew dates from the 11th century and is a grade II listed building.
More details on the blog and another word is explained in the 'Speakin' Zummerzet' feature below.
Sources: Somerset Place Names by Stephen Robinson and Wikipedia. Buy Somerset Books.
*** ‘Speakin Zummerzet’ ***
Each week a word commonly used in the county is explained, along with it's meaning and examples of its use.
This week’s word is ‘Gurt’, meaning ‘Great', but only as in size (Great big) rather than stature (Great Britain).
Commonly used in phrases such as;
"Ere, e's a gurt big young'n inner?" = "Hey, He's great big youngster isn't he?"
and "I 'ad a gurt big dollop of the stuff" = "I had a great big serving of the stuff". A 'Dollop' is a term used to describe one serving of anything, food, medicine, lubricant etc.
As you can see Gurt is followed by big, so in effect they are one and the same. We wouldn't say Gurt on it's own. it would always be 'Gurt big'.
From next week, to keep things tidy, this feature will have it's own page with a link from the News page to it.
6th March 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - CURRY RIVEL and the third and last page of the TETBURY feature is now available to view .
Curry Rival is named after the Revel family who were Lords of the Manor in the 12th Century. However, the meaning behind the first part of the village name, Celtic in origin, remains an unsolved mystery. Inside the church of St Andrew is the famous Jennings Memorial of the two brothers in Trooper uniforms with their wives and children kneeling around them. The brothers are Robert and Marmaduke Jennings who died in 1625 and 1630 respectively and lived and farmed at Burton Farm.
As usual there are more details on this weeks' update on the blog and a NEW feature which can be found below.
AND NOW FOR THE START OF A NEW WEEKLY FEATURE:
*** ‘Speakin Zummerzet’ ***
As people travel and relocate the old words and dialects are gradually changing and being lost. So ‘Speakin Zummerzet’ is an attempt to redress the balance. Each week I’ll introduce a word commonly used in the county and it’s meaning, along with an example of its use.
This week’s word is ‘inner’, meaning ‘isn’t he/it.
Commonly used in phrases such as;
“E’s a brite spark inner?” = “He’s very clever isn’t he?”
and “E’s a bit spensive inner?” = “It’s a bit expensive isn’t it?”
As you can see ‘E’ can mean He or It and the ‘er’ bit of ‘inner’ can refer to He/She or It.
Another thing to remember when speaking Zummerzet is that we rarely finish a word or pronounce the consonants at the end of words.
So the ‘t’ in ‘brite’ is almost silent.
I’ll leave it to you to explain to your friends why you’ve started speaking strangely.
28th February 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - COMPTON BISHOP and the second of three pages for TETBURY in the Cotswolds.
Compton Bishop lies in a cleft in the Mendips below Crook peak (called Ridges Tor in 1068 and used as a beacon site in the 1580’s). The estate of Compton was owned by the Bishops of Winchester until 904 when it was surrendered to King Edward the Elder. The nearby Webbington Hotel & Leisure Club was converted and extended from Webbington House, built in 1908 by Herman Alexander Tiarks.
There are more details on this weeks' update on the blog along with a request for local viewers to help this website.
21st February 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - EAST WOODLANDS and the first of three pages for TETBURY in the Cotswolds in GLOUCESTERSHIRE.
East Woodlands is situated on the edge of the Longleat Estate, adjacent to woods and fields. There is very little there, aside from the church and the Horse & Groom public house. There is something quite idylic about the place though.
The Market Hall in Tetbury was built in 1655 and is considerred one of the finest of its type in the Cotswolds. Tetbury is also home to the Prince of Wales at Highgrove, which was built in the last few years of the 18th century. Tetbury is the largest town in the area that is correctly termed as the Southwolds.
I am aware of a number of new visitors to this website following the feature on BBC Somerset last week (Click here to visit). Welcome to Somerset3d. I hope you enjoy touring around the county and visiting places that you may not have heard about before. Please feel free to drop me a line (click here to email me) should you wish to comment or ask questions about the website.
There are more details on the blog with what I'm up to along with more information about this weeks updates.
14th February 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - CROSS.
Cross is a hamlet which, until the 1840’s, was of considerable importance as a coach stop for changing horses on the main road between Bristol and Exeter. The hamlet is now bypassed by the straightening of the main road.
BBC Somerset requested a selection of my 3D pictures to feature on their website. They have already put them to good use by creating a slideshow that you can view by clicking here.
Just a reminder that you can download the WoollyAnaglyph Maker by clicking here.
More information on the blog.
7th February 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - LOVINGTON.
Lovington is a small lias-stone village west of Castle Cary and between the rivers Brue and Cary. Charity Farm was acquired in 1743 by the Wells Archdeaconry Charity for widows and children of deceased clergy.
You can download the WoollyAnaglyph Maker by clicking here.
Visit the blog for more information.
31st January 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - PYLLE.
The name Pylle (pronounced pill) means creek or haven. Centuries ago, when central Somerset was under water, and Glastonbury an island, the first settlement here was on the shoreline. The original village has disappeared, probably wiped out by the Black Death plague. One half of the village (shown in the photographs) is still based around the village pond, including the church; the other half is a mile east on the Fosse Way. The village hall used to be the school and records of 1875 state that the schoolmaster complained that his 58 pupils were distracted from their lessons by the passing traffic, except when the windows frosted over. Numbers dropped so much that in 1958, with only 14 pupils, the school closed.
Late news. You can now download the custom made WoollyAnaglyph Maker free of charge by clicking here. There is also a link at the top of the page and you can also access it by going to the FAQ's and clicking on the link HOW CAN I MAKE ANAGLYPHS?
A BIG thanks to a good friend, Phil Hand, for putting the work in for me and coming up with, what I think is, the best anaglyph maker on the net.
More information available on the blog.
24th January 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - CATCOTT and STOW-ON-THE-WOLD in GLOUCESTERSHIRE is now available in GALLERY 2.
Catcott sits on the northern slopes of the Polden Hills and is on the course of an ancient trackway dating to almost 3,000 BC. Catcott Heath, only 10ft above sea level, is an area of outstanding botanical interest and is closely watched over by Conservation groups. A headless man, said to be the Duke of Monmouth, haunts a house in the village, where Monmouth is reputed to have stayed just before the Battle of Sedgemoor.
All the roads in Gloucestershire seem to lead to Stow-on-the-Wold. It's market received the Royal Grant in 1107. The stocks are still displayed on the green and many visitors have gone home with photographs of their friends and family 'locked' in them. It is one of the highest towns in the Cotswolds and is an excellent example of true Cotswold life.
More information available on the blog.
Sources: Somerset Villages by Sheila Bird and The Gloucestershire Village Book by the Gloucestershire Federation of Women's Institues. Buy Somerset Books.
17th January 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - ALFORD and the COTSWOLD MOTOR MUSEUM on the BOURTON-ON-THE-WATER page is now available to view in GALLERY 2.
North of the main part of Alford village lies the un-restored Perpendicular church of All Saints, its west tower crowned with a little pyramid roof. Looking east from the church affords a view of Alford House, built by John Thring (died 1834) and subsequently the home of his many descendants including the Preb Godfrey Thring (died 1903) hymn writer and builder of Hornblotten church and Rear Admiral George Thring (died 2001).
More information available on the blog.
10th January 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - WATCHET and BOURTON-ON-THE-WATER in GLOUCESTERSHIRE in GALLERY 2.
Watchet is an appealing small town & port with narrow winding streets, an attractive series of small shops and several old inns. The former Market House has housed the Museum since 1979 with displays illustrating the town's past. This is the harbour from which Coleridge’s ill-fated Ancient Mariner set sail, ‘below the kirk, below the hill’: a poem which tradition claims was begun in the Bell inn in Market Street. Watchet was the most important seaport in Saxon Somerset with Viking raids recorded in 917, 987-8 and 997. Legend has it that Lady Florence Wyndham, who had died and been buried with valuable jewels and rings on her fingers, came back to life when a greedy sexton opened her coffin and tried to file a ring from her finger. The sexton fled, the Lady arose from her grave and walked back to her home.
Most of the old houses in Bourton-on-the-Water were built of local stone during the 16th & 17th centuries.The oldest public house is the Old New inn which has a sundial marked 1712. The pub gardens are the home of the model village (See link on the village page). The bridges for which 'The Venice of the Cotswold' has become famous were built between the 17th & 20th centuries. The village is also home to the Cotswold Motor Museum which, in turn, is the home of Brum.
More information available on the blog.
Sources: Somerset the Complete Guide by Robin Bush
and The Gloucestershire Village Book by the Gloucestershire Federation of Women's Institues. Buy Somerset Books.
3rd January 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - WEST QUANTOXHEAD.
West Quantoxhead stands between the sea and the head of the Quantock hills, as its name suggests. The little village that stood here was progressively demolished in the early part of the 19th century. The manor-house of St Audries was held by the Cauntelo family in the 13th century and then, for 350 years, until 1736, by the Malet family. In 1835 it was bought by the triple barrelled Sir Peregrine Fuller-Palmer-Acland for his daughter Isabel (or Isabella) and her husband, Sir Alexander Acland-Hood.
More information available on the blog.
27th December 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - COLFORD.
Coal was worked at Coleford from medieval times and continued until the closure of the last pit in 1927. Newbury House was occupied by the Moore family until 1760, when their heiress married in to the Paget family. At the west end of the village lies the remains of an aqueduct, built to carry the Somerset & Dorset Canal, a project abandoned around 1800.
Visit the blog for some Christmas cheer and nonsense.
I hope you all have a fun and joyful new year.
20th December 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - MOORLINCH and WINCHESTER in HAMPSHIRE added in GALLERY 2.
Moorlinch is situated on the Polden Hills. Its name is thought to mean ‘Pleasant hill’ from the Saxon myrge and hlinc. The church of St Mary stands on an elevated site with superb views to the south over the levels.
Winchester was formerly the capital of England, during the 10th and early 11th centuries, and before that the capital of Wessex. Winchester Cathedral, the second longest cathedral in Europe, was originally built in 1079. and is the place of interment of numerous Bishops of Winchester (such as William of Wykeham), Anglo-Saxon monarchs (such as Egbert of Wessex) and later monarchs such as King Canute and William Rufus, as well as Jane Austen. This information is taken directly from the WIKIPEDIA entry for the city and for more information and live links I recommend that you visit the website to read the piece in full. You can do so by clicking here.
This week's blog will give you more information on my trip to Winchester and some thoughts for the coming week.
Happy Christmas to one and all.
13th December 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - AXBRIDGE.
Axbridge stands at the foot of the Mendip Hills and the name suggests that it was founded to control a crossing of the river Axe. On the west side of the Square, the former market place, stands a three storey merchant’s house known as King John’s Hunting Lodge. Dating from the late 15th century it served as the King’s Head Inn by 1645 until the mid 18th century but has no known connection with King John. Rescued by the National Trust it now hosts the local museum.
Don't forget that the blog will give you more information about what I'm up to and give you a chance to leave comments .
6th December 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - STOGUMBER and the last instalment of the MONACO special is now available for viewing.
Stogumber lies between the Quantocks and the Brendon Hills. Three rebels from the Taunton area were hanged in the village in 1685 after the Monmouth Rebellion. Stogumber Brewery was established around 1840 by George Elers and it’s Medicinal Pale Ale, produced with waters from the nearby Harry Hill’s well, earned a widespread reputation. Brewing ceased around 1910 with the buildings demolished in 1973.
This is the last week of Monaco pictures, I hope you enjoyed them. Keep an eye on the blog for news of future specials.
29th November 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - BLACKFORD and the penultimate page of the MONACO special is now available for your viewing pleasure.
This Blackford is the one situated on the levels near to Wedmore rather than the one near to Wincanton. The Holy Trinity Church was built in 1826 as a chapel of ease, to save the people the long walk into Wedmore.
As you can see I couldn't find out much about Blackford. Do you know more? Do you live in Blackford and know of something about the village that you think others would find interesting? Well now you can share the information via the blog. Just click on the comments link and you can leave your information for all to see.
Source: The Somerset Larders website. Buy Somerset Books.
22nd November 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - COTHELSTONE and the eighth page of the MONACO special is now ready for viewing.
Cothelstone sits on the south western slopes of the Quantock Hills. There isn't a village as such: only the old manor house, church, farm and a few cottages. Its name means ‘Cuthwulf’s settlement’. The original manor house was the home of the Stawell family. Sir John Stawell was one of King Charles I most loyal supporters and raised a small army, at his own expense, with weapons reputedly stored in the church tower at Bishops Lydeard. He was to pay dearly for his principles, being imprisoned, tried wrongfully for treason and murder and locked in the Tower of London from 1650. His home was partially demolished, his forests were cut down and his land sold. He died in 1662, shortly after the Restoration, and Charles II conferred the title Baron Stawell on his son Ralph in 1683.
Click here for the blog for further information on what I'm up to and for you to make comments about Somerset3d.
15th November 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - LEIGH-UPON-MENDIP and the seventh page of the MONACO special is now ready for viewing.
Leigh (pronounced as Lye) -on-Mendip stands 700 feet up in the heart of the Mendip Hills. In 1857 the parson, G. A. Mahon, was shot by a villager when in the pulpit of the 15th century church of St Giles. The villager in question being upset by the vicar’s criticism of drunkenness. Fortunately Mr Mahon was only slightly injured but his assailant was imprisoned for two years.
Don't forget to check out the blog for further information. It's still early days for it at the moment but I do intend to use it to supply you with extra information about Somerset, this website, and my activities as the weeks go by.
8th November 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - HAWKRIDGE and the sixth instalment of the MONACO special is now available for viewing.
Hawkridge clings to the hillside above a tributary of the River Barle. It was one of the two locations for the annual Swainmote Courts, which regulated the moor. This was held in the local churchyard. Today the annual high spot is the Hawkridge Revel, held on August Bank Holiday at Zeal Farm. Hawkridge still has one person whose business is carving items from deer antlers. The ‘Antler Man’ at Hawkridge is worth a visit, to see what can be produced from antlers found in the forest.
BREAKING NEWS: I have just started a blog that will compliment this web site. It will provide information on the latest updates and up and coming projects relating to the web site and my photography in general. It will also be an easy way for you to leave comments about the site, ask questions and find out more about me. You can find it by clicking here.
1st November 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - BISHOPS LYDEARD, more pictures added at STRATTON-ON-THE-FOSSE and the fifth instalment of the MONACO special is now ready for viewing.
Bishops Lydeard is a trim village of stone and thatched cottages and is situated in the Vale of Taunton. The almshouses date from 1616 and have been restored but still retain their mullioned windows. The West Somerset Railway, Britain’s longest privately preserved railway, operates between the village and Minehead.
Stratton-on-the-Fosse is situated on the Roman Fosse Way between Radstock and Shepton Mallet. Its church, dedicated to St Vigor, is one of just two in Britain to honour the 6th century saint (The other is in Fulborne, near Cambridge) who was much revered by the Romans. He was the Bishop of Bayeux from AD 513-537. The main attraction in the village is Downside Abbey. The Benedictines originated in Douai in Flanders in 1607, came to England in 1795 and acquired the Downside estate in 1814. New buildings were added as the famous school grew to become one of the leading Catholic schools in the country.
25th October 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - STREET and the fourth page of the MONACO special is now available for viewing.
Street is famous for its connection to the shoe industry most notably via the Quaker family of Clark. A major tannery was founded around 1810 by Arthur Clothier, who took as his apprentice (and from 1821, partner) Cyrus Clark. In 1825 Cyrus set up his own business producing sheepskin rugs, taking his brother James as an apprentice. James introduced the manufacture of woollen slippers called Brown Petersburgs, and later boots and welted shoes. The first factory building was put up in 1829 and thus C. & J. Clark was born. Today the company is still family owned and with the Clarks Shopping Village, the first purpose-built outlet shopping village in the UK, attracting around three million visitors a year, their future looks to continue for many years to come.
18th October 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - SPAXTON and the third installment of the MONACO special is now available for viewing.
Spaxton’s name derives from a Scandinavian settler who gave his name to ‘Spak’s tun’ long before the conquest of 1066. In the village stands the house and former chapel of the Agapemone – The Abode of Love, founded in 1846 by the Rev Henry James Prince. The unfrocked curate of Carlinch, who had publicly declared himself in Weymouth Assembly Rooms as the ‘Son of Man and immortal’. Addressed as ‘Beloved’ by his followers he gathered around him a host of besotted women, his ‘Soul Brides’, and fleeced them of their fortunes to support his luxurious life style. In 1856 to the strains of organ music he deflowered a young virgin before the altar in the presence of a congregation, which included his own wife and the girl’s mother. Prince claimed that the Devil was responsible for the resulting child. The farce continued long after the ‘immortal’ Prince died (in 1899) with the commune eventually being dissolved in 1958 and the buildings sold.
11th October 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - SHAPWICK , more pictures have been added at ILMINSTER and the second installment of the MONACO special is now available for viewing.
Shapwick rests on the northern slopes of the Polden Hills. It was once a stopover point for pilgrims on their way to and from Glastonbury Abbey. One such pilgrim was St Indractus. Returning to Ireland with his sister after a pilgrimage to Rome. They were spotted by servants of King Ina whilst they were paying homage at St Patrick’s tomb at the Abbey. The servants mistook their brass-topped staffs for rods of gold and their sacks of seeds for bags of booty. They were followed and murdered at Shapwick and their bodies were thrown into a pit. It is said that a heavenly light shone over the pit for 3 days and nights, and when the King learned of the atrocity he had them buried at Glastonbury.
Ilminster was devastated by a fire; it is claimed, in 1491. An event only recorded by Collinson in 1791. The fire of 1661 that destroyed nearly 30 houses in the town is better authenticated. In 1680, on his progress through the west, the Duke of Monmouth twice passed through the town. Charles Speke shook the Dukes hand in the market place during another visit in 1865, an event that was to cost him his life after Judge Jeffrey’s Bloody Assizes. At least 57 Ilminster men joined the rebellion although of the 12 later hanged, drawn and quartered in the market place, only Charles Speke came from the town.
4th October 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - SIMONSBATH and the first installment of the MONACO special.
Simonsbath is the most westerly village in Somerset. It is attractively situated in a well wooded combe and is a haven for anyone who enjoys the unspoilt countryside. In 1858 the small village was the scene of a tragic murder. William Burgess killed his little daughter Anne because he could not afford the 2s 6d (12.5 pence or about 18 Euro Cents) a week for her lodging. The body was only found after the abandoned shaft of a nearby copper mine was drained.
This week see's the first of a 10 week (Yes TEN week!) special on MONACO. Regular visitors to this web site will know that my lovely wife recently showed me around her one-time hometown. These pictures are the result of that visit. I hope you enjoy them.
It’s October and that means it’s our 2nd anniversary. I’d like to say a big THANK YOU to all of you for continuing to help make running this web site worthwhile. The site continues to gain in popularity with more than double the amount of visitors compared with this time last year (5181 hits for November 2006 - 10854 hits for November 2007 – source www.1&1.com). Plans for the coming year are to release a book of Somerset in 3d and to include more features into the site. News about these will appear in the NEWS section on the INFO page as soon as they are ready. Again, thank you for your support.
27th September 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - DULCOTE and the final installment of this month's DISNEYLAND PARIS special.
The name Dulcote has existed for at least a thousand years. The name appears in an Anglo-Saxon charter, dated May 1065, which transfers this land with other areas around Wells from King Edward The Confessor to the Bishop of Wells. In the latter part of the 17th century and for the next 200 years paper was manufactured in the village. The paper was rag-based, made from discarded linen clothing. Dulcote fountain is said to be around 150 years old. It has been created from the overflow from the springs, which supplies water to the village. These natural springs have an average flow of 100,000 gallons (454,609 litres) per day. They are categorized as “petrified springs” because of the materials high concentration of calcium hydrogen carbonate dissolved in the water. The height of the fountain has increased over the years because the minerals have built up on the rock surface.
20th September 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - MARK and the third installment of this month's DISNEYLAND PARIS special.
The name Mark has been written many ways through the ages, including Mercern and Merkerun. The name means boundary home. The village is located on the edge of a flooded marsh and at the end of a higher ridge that runs through Mark, Blackford, Wedmore, Panborough and Wells: each of which were islets. The Pack Horse Inn was important to the wool merchants of the Mendip Hills who transported their wares through Mark on their way to the ports at Highbridge and of the Bristol Channel. They stopped at the inn to change horses, and to pick up wool from the sheep grazing on the lowlands.
Source:The Somerset Village Book by Somerset Federation of Women's Institute. Buy Somerset Books.
13th September 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - WITHYPOOL and the second installment of this month's DISNEYLAND PARIS special.
Withypool was the home of Walter Raymond, one of Somerset’s favourite writers who was born in Yeovil in 1852. From his cottage here he wrote of the crafts and characters that he knew and loved so well. The village is in a remote spot and it is said that there were four harvests a year – snow, frost, rain and muck. During the 14th century, English author Geoffrey Chaucer was in charge of the village in his duties as forrester of North Petherton. The presence of Bronze Age man is marked by a 120ft stone circle on Withypool Hill.
I'm looking for information on Blackford. This is the Blackford situated near Wedmore rather than the one near Wincanton. If any of you can supply me with anything interesting about the village then please email me. Thank you.
Sources: Somerset Villages by Sheila Bird and Somerset the Complete Guide by Robin Bush. Buy Somerset Books.
6th September 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - SOUTH BREWHAM and the first installment of this month's DISNEYLAND PARIS special.
South Brewham was held, in 1066, by one of Edward the Confessor’s favourites, Robert, son of Wimarc the Staller. After the Conquest the manor and the church were granted to William de Mohun of Dunster (after clicking on the link scroll down to the heading ' MANORS AND OTHER ESTATES' for information on William and Robert). The church of St John the Baptist holds a brass signed by Wincanton bellfounder William Cockey, one of very few autograph