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{{Infobox UK place
|static_image=[[File:Chewton mendip church.jpg|alt=Stone two bay building with prominent ornamental tower behind|240px]]
|static_image_caption=[[Church of St Mary Magdalene, Chewton Mendip]]
|country = England
|latitude= 51.2755
|longitude= -2.5770
|official_name= Chewton Mendip
| population = 585
| population_ref =(2011)<ref name="popn">{{cite web|title=Chewton Mendip Parish|url=http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=11121892&c=Chewton+Mendip&d=16&e=61&g=6461327&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1388574602310&enc=1&dsFamilyId=2491|work=Neighbourhood Statistics|publisher=Office for National Statistics|accessdate=1 January 2014}}</ref>
|shire_district= [[Mendip]]
|shire_county = [[Somerset]]
|region= South West England
|constituency_westminster= [[Wells (UK Parliament constituency)|Wells]]
|post_town= RADSTOCK
|postcode_district = BA3
|postcode_area= BA
|dial_code= 01761
|os_grid_reference= ST597531
}}
'''Chewton Mendip''' is a village and [[civil parishes in England|civil parish]] in the [[Mendip]] District of [[Somerset]], England. It is situated {{convert|4|mi|km|0}} north of [[Wells, Somerset|Wells]], {{convert|16|mi|km|0}} south of [[Bristol]] on the [[Mendip Hills]] and is the source of the [[River Chew]]. The parish includes the [[Hamlet (place)|hamlet]] of '''Bathway'''.
== History ==
There were several lead mines and stone quarries in the parish. It is also the site of [[Attborough Swallet]] (also known as Red Quar Swallet), a [[cave]] which is unusual for a cave on the [[Mendip Hills]] in that it is not in [[limestone]] but instead in [[dolomite|Dolomitic]] [[Conglomerate (geology)|Conglomerate]] and [[Marl]]. The cave was first entered in 1992.<ref>{{cite book |last=Irwin |first=David John |authorlink= |author2=Knibbs Anthony J. |title=Mendip Underground: A Cavers Guide |year= 1999 |publisher=Bat Products |location= |isbn=0-9536103-0-6 }}</ref>
There is a [[long barrow]] to the north of the village {{convert|100|ft|m|abbr=on}} by {{convert|50|ft|m|abbr=on}}. Excavation in 1946 revealed six [[Bronze Age]] barrows below the crest of the Mendips.<ref name="pevsner">{{cite book | author = Pevsner, Nikolaus | year = 1958 | title = The Buildings of England: North Somerset and Bristol | publisher = Penguin Books | isbn=0-14-071013-2 }}</ref>
The shape of some of the existing fields suggest they are of [[medieval]] origin.<ref>{{cite web | title=Mendip Hills: An Archaeological Survey of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty | work=Somerset County Council Archaeological Projects | url=http://www.somerset.gov.uk/media/896B4/MendipAONB.pdf | format= PDF | accessdate=28 October 2006}}</ref>
The parish was part of the [[Hundred (county subdivision)|hundred]] of [[Chewton (hundred)|Chewton]].<ref name=genuki>{{cite web|title=Somerset Hundreds|url=http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/SOM/Miscellaneous/|publisher=GENUKI|accessdate=8 October 2011}}</ref>
On 12 June 1643 the village was the site of a skirmish in the [[English Civil War]], between Royalist forces led by [[Robert Dormer, 1st Earl of Carnarvon]] and the parliamentary forces under [[William Waller]] including the cavalry unit of Sir [[Arthur Haselrig]] known as [[Haselrig's lobsters]].<ref>{{cite book |title=The civil war in the south west |last=Barratt |first=John |authorlink= |year=2005 |publisher=Pen & Sword Military|location=Bernsley |isbn=1-84415-146-8 |page= |pages=41–44 |url= |accessdate=}}</ref>
The village used to have a [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] style mansion built for the [[Waldegrave family]] before 1791, however all that remains is an 18th-century lodge.<ref name="pevsner" />
The Waldegrave Estate still operates from an office in converted farm buildings in a small business park found on the southern edge of Chewton Mendip. Other companies include 'Bathroom Engineering' (an international manufacturer & distributor of bathroom & shower products), and The Mendip Cheese Company (a cheese supplier).
The Mendip Engineering Company Ltd was based in Chewton Mendip around the time of [[World War I]]. It was originally founded in the early 19th century as Cutler's Green Ironworks and supplied the [[British Army]] with [[sword]]s. By the 19th century they were repairing farm machinery and casting drain covers and road signs. By the start of the 20th century the company was controlled by C.W. Harris and trading as the Mendip Engineering Company. C.W. Harris designed and built steam lorries in 1907/8 that were sold as Mendips; in 1911 petrol engine vans were added to the range. W.L. Adams was employed to design an engine and by 1913 had built a four-cylinder unit suitable for [[Cyclecars]]. In March 1914 Harris announced a Light Car completely made by the company; this was sold up to 1916 when war intervened. After [[World War I]] the company moved to Southmead Road in Bristol, and was later taken over by Baines Manufacturing Company Ltd of [[Westbury-on-Trym]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Mendip Engineering Company Ltd | work=British Motor Manufacturers 1894-1960 | url=http://www.britishmm.co.uk/history.asp?id=612 | accessdate=25 February 2007}}</ref>
Although over 300 cars were built, only one incomplete Mendip car survives, having been dug out of a hedge at [[Cookham]] near [[Marlow, Buckinghamshire]] in 1967.<ref>{{cite book |last=Toulson |first=Shirley |authorlink= |title=The Mendip Hills: A Threatened Landscape |year=1984 |publisher=Victor Gollancz |location=London |isbn=0-575-03453-X }}</ref>
=== Wind turbine proposal ===
In 2004 there was a proposal to build a [[wind turbine]] near Chewton Mendip, but it was eventually turned down by [[Mendip|Mendip District Council]]. There was particular concern about the effect the wind turbine would have on the [[Mendip Hills AONB]] ([[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty]]). That decision has been appealed and was considered at a public inquiry in 2006, at which [[Ecotricity]] was given the go-ahead to build the turbine.<ref>{{cite web | title=Wind Turbine granted | url=http://www.mendip.gov.uk/NewsArticle.asp?id=SXEBCF-A7817219 | work= Mendip District Council | date= 22 May 2006 | accessdate=28 May 2006}}</ref>
The planned 2 MW turbine was built at Shooters Bottom Farm ({{gbmapping|ST595503}}). It has three {{convert|35|m|ft|0}} blades rotating at 6–22 rpm around a {{convert|65|m|ft|0}} high hub. It is expected to produce an average of 6.7MWh (megawatt hours) of electricity per year from the 2MW generator, enough to power up to 2,000 homes in the area.<ref>{{cite web | title=Shooters Bottom — Info Sheet| url=http://www.ecotricity.co.uk/acrobat/pdfs/Shooters.pdf | work= Ecotricity | format= PDF | accessdate=28 May 2006}}</ref>
== Governance ==
Chewton Mendip has its own [[Parish councils of England|Parish council]] which 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. The parish council evaluates local planning applications and works with the local police, district council officers, and [[Neighbourhood Watch (UK)|neighbourhood watch]] groups on matters of crime, security, and traffic. The parish council's role also includes initiating projects for the maintenance and repair of parish facilities, as well as 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 the responsibility of the council.
The village falls within the Nedge Ward which is represented by one councillor of [[Non-metropolitan district]] of [[Mendip]], which was formed on 1 April 1974 under the [[Local Government Act 1972]], having previously been part of [[Wells Rural District]],<ref name=wellsrd>{{cite web|title=Wells RD|url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10061581|work=A vision of Britain Through Time|publisher=University of Portsmouth|accessdate=4 January 2014}}</ref> which is responsible for [[planning permission|local planning]] and [[Building regulations in the United Kingdom|building control]], local roads, [[council housing]], [[environmental health]], [[Market (place)|market]]s and fairs, [[refuse collection]] and [[recycling]], [[cemeteries]] and [[crematoria]], leisure services, parks, and [[tourism]].
It is also part of the Mendip North West Division which is represented by one councillor on the [[Somerset County Council]] which is responsible for running the largest and most expensive local services such as [[Local Education Authority|education]], [[social services]], [[library|libraries]], main roads, [[public transport]], [[police|policing]] and [[fire service]]s, [[Trading Standards|trading standards]], [[waste disposal]] and strategic planning.
The village falls within the 'Chewton Mendip and Ston Easton' [[Wards and electoral divisions of the United Kingdom|electoral ward]]. The ward starts in [[Ston Easton]], passes westwards to ''Chewton Mendip'' and then continues west to [[Charterhouse, Somerset|Charterhouse]]. The total ward population as at the [[United Kingdom Census 2011|2011 census]] was 2,147.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukcensusdata.com/chewton-mendip-and-ston-easton-e05006764#sthash.Jnu0n0yA.dpbs|title=Chewton Mendip and Ston Easton ward 2011.Retrieved 7 March 2015}}</ref>
It is also part of the [[Wells (UK Parliament constituency)|Wells constituency]] [[county constituency]] represented in the [[British House of Commons|House of Commons]] of the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]]. It elects one [[Member of Parliament|Member of Parliament (MP)]] by the [[first past the post]] system of election, and part of the [[South West England (European Parliament constituency)|South West England constituency]] of the [[European Parliament]] which elects seven [[Members of the European Parliament|MEPs]] using the [[d'Hondt method]] of [[party-list proportional representation]].
== Geography ==
Chewton Mendip is within the [[Mendip Hills]] [[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty]] and the [[Chew Valley]].
The [[Monarch's Way]] long distance footpath follows the route taken by [[Charles II of England|Charles II]] after his defeat at the [[Battle of Worcester]] in 1651. The route enters Somerset near Chewton Mendip and crosses the Mendip Hills heading for Wells.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.monarchsway.50megs.com/|publisher=The Monarch's Way Association |title=The Monarch's Way |date=2 February 2006 }}</ref>
=== Climate ===
Along with the rest of [[South West England]], Chewton Mendip has a temperate climate which is generally wetter and milder than the rest of the country.<ref name="weather">{{cite web | title=South West England: climate | work=Met Office |url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/sw/ | accessdate=14 March 2010}}</ref> The annual mean temperature is approximately {{convert|10|°C|°F|1|lk=on}}. [[Temperateness|Seasonal temperature variation]] is less extreme than most of the United Kingdom because of the adjacent sea temperatures. The summer months of July and August are the warmest with mean daily maxima of approximately {{convert|21|°C|°F|1}}. In winter mean minimum temperatures of {{convert|1|°C|°F|1}} or {{convert|2|°C|°F|1}} are common.<ref name="weather"/> In the summer the [[Azores]] high pressure affects the south-west of England, however [[convective]] cloud sometimes forms inland, reducing the number of hours of sunshine. Annual sunshine rates are slightly less than the regional average of 1,600 hours.<ref name="weather"/> In December 1998 there were 20 days without sun recorded at Yeovilton. Most the rainfall in the south-west is caused by [[Low-pressure area|Atlantic depressions]] or by [[convection]]. Most of the rainfall in autumn and winter is caused by the Atlantic depressions, which is when they are most active. In summer, a large proportion of the rainfall is caused by sun heating the ground leading to convection and to showers and thunderstorms. Average rainfall is around {{convert|700|mm|abbr=on}}. About 8–15 days of snowfall is typical. November to March have the highest mean wind speeds, and June to August have the lightest winds. The predominant wind direction is from the south-west.<ref name="weather"/>
== Demographics ==
According to the 2001 Census the Nedge Ward (which includes Litton), had 2,074 residents, living in 893 households, with an average age of 40.0 years. Of these 78% of residents describing their health as 'good', 18% of 16- to 74-year-olds had no qualifications; and the area had an unemployment rate of 1.8% of all economically active people aged 16–74. In the Index of Multiple Deprivation 2004, it was ranked at 26,803 out of 32,482 wards in England, where 1 was the most deprived LSOA and 32,482 the least deprived.<ref>{{cite web | title=Neighbourhood Statistics LSOA Mendip 006B Nedge | work=Office for National Statistics 2001 Census | url=http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadProfileSearch.do?profileSearchText=BA3+4SW&searchProfiles= | accessdate=1 May 2006}}</ref>
== Church ==
{{Main|Church of St Mary Magdalene, Chewton Mendip}}
The church, dedicated to [[Mary Magdalene|St Mary Magdalene]], is made of Lias Stone, with a tower {{convert|126|ft|m|0}}<ref name="curio">{{cite book |title=Curiosities of Somerset |last=Leete-Hodge |first=Lornie |authorlink= |year=1985 |publisher=Bossiney Books |location=Bodmin |isbn=0-906456-98-3 |page=20 }}</ref> of Doulting Stone which was "unfinished" in 1541. The tower contains a bell dating from 1753 and made by Thomas Bilbie of the [[Bilbie family]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Moore |first1=James |first2=Roy |last2=Rice |first3= Ernest |last3=Hucker |title=Bilbie and the Chew Valley clock makers |year=1995 |publisher=The authors |location= |isbn=0-9526702-0-8 }}</ref> In addition, there is a peal of eight bells by [[Taylors Eayre & Smith Ltd|Taylor's of Loughborough]]. The church, which was started in 1441 by [[Carthusian]] monks,<ref name="curio"/> incorporates several [[Norman architecture|Norman]] features including the north doorway. The register commences in the year 560. Near the altar is a stone seat, known as a 'frid' for those, especially criminals, who took sanctuary in the church.<ref name="curio"/> The church includes monuments to Sir Henry Fitzroger and his wife who died in 1388, and to Frances, Lady Waldegrave (1879).<ref name="pevsner" /> The Waldegrave family have owned Chewton from 1553, but did not live in the village until the 1860s.<ref>{{cite book |last=Atthill |first=Robin |authorlink= |title=Mendip: A new study |year=1976 |publisher=David & Charles |location=Newton Abbot, Devon |isbn= 0-7153-7297-1 }}</ref> It is a Grade II [[listed building]].<ref>{{NHLE|num=1345137|desc=Church of St Mary Magdalene|access-date=6 June 2015}}</ref> A stone cross in the churchyard also has listed building status.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1177454|desc=Churchyard cross in churchyard south of south porch Church of St Mary Magdalene|access-date=6 June 2015|fewer-links=yes}}</ref>
Wade and Wade in their 1929 book "''Somerset" described the church as a "singularly interesting church, which possesses one of the most stately towers in the county''".<ref name="Wade">{{gutenberg|no=12287|name=Somerset by Wade, G.W. & Wade, J.H.}}</ref>
Their description continued "''The arrangement of double belfry windows in the two upper stages is unusual, and the conventional lines of the elaborately pierced parapet above are relieved by the projecting stair turret and spirelet. The general effect is rich and impressive. The figure of our Lord, surrounded by four pairs of adoring angels, over the W. doorway should also be observed (cp. Batcombe). In the body of the church note should be taken of the good Norm. doorway forming the N. entrance. The interior is remarkable for an ugly bit of mediaeval vandalism. To render the altar observable from all parts of the church, a Norm. triplet, which once formed the chancel arch, has been mutilated; a pointed arch has been inserted, and the corner of the S. wall pared away. The chancel contains the only extant specimen in Somerset of a frid stool, a rough seat let into the sill of the N. window of the sacrarium for the accommodation of anyone claiming sanctuary. Note (1) piscinas of different dates in chancel; (2) change of design in arcading of nave, showing subsequent lengthening of church — the earlier columns stand on Norm. bases; (3) rood-loft doorway and ancient pulpit stairs near modern pulpit; (4) Jacobean lectern and Bible of 1611. The "Bonville" chantry, S. of chancel, contains a 15th-cent. altar-tomb with recumbent effigies of Sir H. Fitzroger and wife, and a modern mural tablet with medallion to Viscountess Waldegrave. In the churchyard is a weather-worn but fine cross, with a canopied crucifix. The Communion plate is pre-Reformation, dating from 1511.''"<ref name="Wade"/>
== Other Grade II listed buildings ==
* {{Images of England|268033|Rookery Farmhouse at Images of England}}
* {{Images of England|268034|Sperrings Green Farmhouse at Images of England}}
* {{Images of England|268035|Woodside at Images of England}}
* {{Images of England|268037|Chewton Hill House at Images of England}}
* {{Images of England|268036|The Old Rectory at Images of England}}
* {{Images of England|268040|Lime Kiln at NGR ST 6016 5285 at Images of England}}
* {{Images of England|268042|Barn on roadside at Dudwell Field Farmhouse at Images of England}}
* {{Images of England|268041|Dudwell Field Farmhouse at Images of England}}
* {{Images of England|268043|Old East End Cottages at Images of England}}
* {{Images of England|268050|Nos 1, 2, 3 and The Old Post Office II Row of 4 houses at Images of England}}
* {{Images of England|268048|Chewton House at Images of England}}
* {{Images of England|268049|Manor Farmhouse at Images of England}}
* {{Images of England|268051|The Vicarage at Images of England}}
* {{Images of England|268052|Spring Cottage and Yew Tree Cottage at Images of England}}
* {{Images of England|268053|Everards Farmhouse at Images of England}}
* {{Images of England|268030|Bathway Cottages at Images of England}}
* {{Images of England|268054|Former parish boundary stone at NGR ST 6093 5366 at Images of England}}
* {{Images of England|268044|No 34 at Images of England}}
* {{Images of England|268045|No 35 and Ruby Cottage at Images of England}}
* {{Images of England|268029|Double House Farmhouse at Images of England}}
* {{Images of England|268046|Ford House at Images of England}}
* {{Images of England|268047|Old Ford Farmhouse at Images of England}}
* {{Images of England|268031|Post Office at Images of England}}
* {{Images of England|268032|Prior Lodge at Images of England}}
== Notable people ==
* [[Peter Denning (cricketer)|Peter Denning]] (cricketer)<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/cricket/article6941407.ece|title=A master's celebration that captures the full flavour of Somerset|publisher=Times Online|accessdate=4 December 2009 | location=London | first=Alan | last=Gibson | date=3 December 2009}}</ref>
*
*[[Waldegrave Family]]
*[[William Waldegrave, Baron Waldegrave of North Hill]]
*[[Caroline Waldegrave]], Baroness Waldegrave of North Hill
*[[Susan Hussey, Baroness Hussey of North Bradley]]
*[[James Waldegrave, 1st Earl Waldegrave ]]
*[[James Waldegrave, 2nd Earl Waldegrave ]]
*[[John Waldegrave, 3rd Earl Waldegrave ]]
*[[George Waldegrave, 4th Earl Waldegrave ]]
*[[George Waldegrave, 5th Earl Waldegrave]]
*[[John James Waldegrave, 6th Earl Waldegrave]]
*[[George Edward Waldegrave, 7th Earl Waldegrave]]
*[[William Waldegrave, 8th Earl Waldegrave]]
*[[William Waldegrave, Viscount Chewton]]
*[[William Frederick Waldegrave, 9th Earl Waldegrave]]
*[[William Waldegrave, 10th Earl Waldegrave]]
*[[Henry Noel Waldegrave, 11th Earl Waldegrave]]
*[[Geoffrey Noel Waldegrave, 12th Earl Waldegrave]]
*[[James Sherbrooke Waldegrave, 13th Earl Waldegrave]]
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
{{Commons category|Chewton Mendip}}
* [http://www.somerset.gov.uk/archives/Maps/OS62htm/2803.htm Map of Chewton Mendip circa 1900]
{{Mendip}}
{{Chew Valley}}
{{Mendip Hills}}
[[Category:Waldegrave family]]
[[Category:Mendip Hills]]
[[Category:Villages in Mendip]]
[[Category:Civil parishes in Somerset]]
{{usedwp|Chewton Mendip}}