Jump to content

Blunsdon: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 51°37′N 1°47′W / 51.61°N 1.79°W / 51.61; -1.79
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
not a village
Adding short description: "Civil parish in Wiltshire, England", overriding automatically generated description
 
(46 intermediate revisions by 18 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Civil parish in Wiltshire, England}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2013}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox UK place
{{Infobox UK place
|official_name= Blunsdon
|official_name= Blunsdon
Line 7: Line 8:
|static_image_name= Fred C Palmer Chapel Hill Blunsdon 1920.jpg
|static_image_name= Fred C Palmer Chapel Hill Blunsdon 1920.jpg
|static_image_caption= Chapel Hill, Blunsdon ca.1920
|static_image_caption= Chapel Hill, Blunsdon ca.1920
|population= 12414
|population= 2714
|population_ref=(parish, 2011)<ref>{{cite web|title=Wiltshire Community History - Census|url=http://history.wiltshire.gov.uk/community/getcensus.php?item=Blunsdon+St.+Andrew|publisher=Wiltshire Council|accessdate=24 October 2015}}</ref>
|population_ref=(parish, 2021)<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Blunsdon (parish): population statistics |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/uk/southwestengland/admin/swindon/E04012662__blunsdon/ |website=CityPopulation.de |date= |access-date=23 April 2023}}</ref>
|os_grid_reference= SU154902
|os_grid_reference= SU154902
|post_town= [[Swindon]]
|post_town= [[Swindon]]
Line 14: Line 15:
|postcode_district= SN25, SN26
|postcode_district= SN25, SN26
|dial_code= 01793
|dial_code= 01793
|constituency_westminster= [[North Swindon (UK Parliament constituency)|North Swindon]]
|constituency_westminster= [[Swindon North (UK Parliament constituency)|Swindon North]]
| civil_parish = Blunsdon
|civil_parish = Blunsdon
|unitary_england= [[Swindon (borough)|Swindon]]
|unitary_england= [[Borough of Swindon|Swindon]]
|lieutenancy_england= [[Wiltshire]]
|lieutenancy_england= [[Wiltshire]]
|website= [http://www.blunsdonparishcouncil.co.uk Blunsdon St Andrew Parish Council]
|website= {{URL|http://blunsdonparishcouncil.co.uk/|Parish Council}}
|coordinates = {{coord|51.61|-1.79|display=inline,title}}
|coordinates = {{coord|51.61|-1.79|type:city(2000)_region:GB-SWD|display=inline,title}}
}}
}}


'''Broad Blunsdon''' is a [[civil parish]] in the [[Borough of Swindon]], England, about {{convert|4|mi|km|0}} north of the centre of [[Swindon]]. Together with the nearby villages of '''Blunsdon St Andrew''' and adjoining '''Lower Blunsdon''', the area is usually known simply as '''Blunsdon'''. The hamlet of '''Broadbush''' is now contiguous with Broad Blunsdon. The [[A419]] [[dual carriageway]] divides the area into Blunsdon St Andrew to the west and Broad Blunsdon to the east.
'''Blunsdon''' is a [[civil parish]] in the [[Borough of Swindon]], in [[Wiltshire]], England, about {{convert|4|mi|km|0}} north of the centre of [[Swindon]], with the [[A419 road|A419]] forming its southern boundary. Its main settlement is the village of '''Broad Blunsdon''', with '''Lower Blunsdon''' nearby; the hamlet of '''Broadbush''' is now contiguous with Broad Blunsdon.


Blunsdon is the eastern half of the former '''Blunsdon St Andrew''' civil parish. In April 2017, that parish was divided and the western half became a new [[St Andrews, Swindon|St Andrews]] parish.
==Overview==
During the [[United Kingdom Census 2001|2001 census]] 2250 dwellings were registered in the [[Civil parishes in England|civil parish]] of Blunsdon St Andrew, including the developments of St Andrews Ridge, Ash Brake, Oakhurst, Redhouse and Groundwell West which are suburbs of Swindon.

The village of Blunsdon St Andrew includes the ruins of Blunsdon Abbey, a Victorian mansion which was destroyed by fire in 1904. Although the property was insured, the death of Louisa Thomas, the mansion's owner, later that year, put an end to hopes of rebuilding. Among the items destroyed was a unique collection of Welsh manuscripts assembled by Rachel Thomas, mother of [[David Alfred Thomas]], later [[Viscount Rhondda]] It has now been converted into a [[caravan park]]. The nearby large-scale development on the edge of Swindon was named ''Abbey Meads'' after Blunsdon Abbey. A former [[manor house]] and [[listed building]] nearby, known as The Grange, has been converted into apartments.


==History==
==History==
Blunsdon dates from [[Roman Britain|Roman]] times: it was discovered that a Roman travellers’ resting place existed on the site of the present-day Cold Harbour [[public house]]. The main A419 road follow the course of a Roman road known as [[Ermin Street]] that linked the historic Roman towns of [[Gloucester]] ([[Glevum]]) and [[Silchester]] ([[Calleva Atrebatum]]), via [[Cirencester]] ([[Corinium Dobunnorum|Corinium]]). In 1086 it appears in the [[Domesday Book]] as Bluntesdone.
Blunsdon dates from [[Roman Britain|Roman]] times: it was discovered that a Roman travellers' resting place existed on the site of the present-day Cold Harbour [[public house]]. The main A419 road follow the course of a [[Roman roads in Britannia|Roman road]] known as [[Ermin Street]] that linked the historic Roman towns of [[Gloucester]] ([[Glevum]]) and [[Silchester]] ([[Calleva Atrebatum]]), via [[Cirencester]] ([[Corinium Dobunnorum|Corinium]]).{{Citation needed|date=May 2022|reason=Ermine street doesn't come anywhere near the A419}}


The [[Domesday Book]] of 1086 recorded three estates at ''Bluntesdone'', with altogether ten households.<ref>{{OpenDomesday|XX0000|broad-blunsdon-and-blunsdon-st-andrew|Broad Blunsdon and Blunsdon St Andrew}}</ref> The L-shaped [[manor house]], just west of the church, was built and enlarged in the 17th century; it has two fireplaces from c.1600, and a staircase also from that century.<ref>{{National Heritage List for England|num=1355999|desc=Manor House|access-date=21 February 2024}}</ref>
⚫
==Sport==
Blunsdon's Abbey Stadium is the home of [[motorcycle speedway|speedway]] team the [[Swindon Robins]]. The Robins compete in the [[Elite League (speedway)|Elite League]], with matches regularly televised live on [[Sky Sports]]. However, this was under threat in 2006 due to plans by developers to demolish the stadium and replace it with houses. The initial proposal was to build a smaller [[greyhound racing]] stadium elsewhere, not large enough to accommodate the highly popular speedway racing. A campaign led by the local media and supported by the people of Swindon and speedway supporters across the world persuaded the developers to include a speedway track, enabling the Robins to continue racing at Blunsdon.


<!-- Belongs in the to-be-written article on St Andrews parish -->
The plans were at first recommended for refusal by the Council Officers due to various problems, mainly pertaining to housing. The developers agreed to take the plans away for adjustment and in May 2008 planning inspectors approved the new plans, which included 450 houses and office space.<ref>{{cite web |title= New Swindon speedway stadium moves ahead |work= |publisher= Gazette & Herald |date= 12 May 2008 |url= http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/mostpopular.var.2264333.mostviewed.new_swindon_speedway_stadium_moves_ahead.php |format= |doi= |accessdate= 28 May 2008}}</ref>
Blunsdon Abbey was a [[Gothic Revival architecture|Gothic]] mansion built near Blunsdon St Andrew church in 1858–1860 for wealthy sportsman Joseph Clayton de Windt, on the site of an earlier house. It was destroyed by fire in 1904 and remains as a ruin, with parts of the stable block – including a square tower – standing.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-03-09 |title=Sunday blazing Sunday brings down Blunsdon Abbey, recalls Barry Leighton |url=https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/14331047.sunday-blazing-sunday-brings-down-blunsdon-abbey-recalls-barry-leighton/ |access-date=2023-09-15 |website=Swindon Advertiser |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Orbach">{{Cite book |last1=Orbach |first1=Julian |title=Wiltshire |last2=Pevsner |first2=Nikolaus |last3=Cherry |first3=Bridget |publisher=[[Yale University Press]] |year=2021 |isbn=978-0-300-25120-3 |series=The Buildings Of England |location=New Haven, US and London |pages=147–148 |oclc=1201298091 |author-link2=Nikolaus Pevsner |author-link3=Bridget Cherry}}</ref>


Two areas of Broad Blunsdon village, one encompassing the church, were designated as a [[Conservation area (United Kingdom)|conservation area]] in 1990.<ref>{{London Gazette
⚫
The village has a football team, Blunsdon FC, which has youth development squads as well as a senior men's side playing in the Wiltshire League.
| issue = 52292
| date = 4 October 1990
| page = 15595
}}</ref>


===Widhill===
== Local government ==
Widhill, land lying north of Blunsdon St Andrew as far as the Roman road and bounded to the west by the [[River Ray, Wiltshire|River Ray]], appears in Domesday Book as two estates at ''Wildehill'' with altogether 14 households.<ref>{{OpenDomesday|XX0000|lower-and-upper-widhill|Widhill}}</ref> The area became a [[tithing]] of the parish of [[St Sampson's Church, Cricklade|St Sampson, Cricklade]], and for a time a small chapel served the two small settlements at Lower Widhill and Upper Widhill (sometimes North Widhill and West Widhill respectively).<ref name="vch">{{Cite book |url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/wilts/vol18/70-108 |title=A History of the County of Wiltshire, Volume 18 |date=2011 |publisher=University of London |editor-last=Bainbridge |editor-first=Virginia |series=[[Victoria County History]] |pages=70–108 |chapter=Cricklade – Outer Cricklade |access-date=3 December 2022 |via=British History Online}}</ref> [[Robert Jenner (MP)|Robert Jenner]], who prospered as a silver merchant in London, bought Widhill manor in 1624; the Jenner family remained at Widhill until the manor was sold in 1826.<ref name="HoP">{{Cite web |last=Lancaster |first=Henry |title=JENNER, Robert (c.1584-1651), of Widhill, Wilts. and Foster Lane, London. |url=http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1604-1629/member/jenner-robert-1584-1651 |access-date=3 December 2022 |website=History of Parliament Online}}</ref>
The area has two parish councils which form the first tier of local government. St Andrews parish, to the west, covers Blunsdon St Andrew, together with the suburbs north of Thamesdown Drive and east of Oakhurst Way, including Oakhurst, Redhouse, St Andrews Ridge and Ash Brake; and in the southeast, the area south of Thamesdown Drive which includes Groundwell West and the Abbey Meads Community Primary School.


In the late 19th century Widhill became part of [[Cricklade]] civil parish, then was transferred to Blunsdon in 1934; its population at the 1931 census had been 21.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blunsdon St Andrew AP/CP |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10398927 |access-date=3 December 2022 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=University of Portsmouth}}</ref>

Today, Lower Widhill Farm, Chapel Farm and Upper Widhill Farm survive in the strip of farmland between the north edge of Blunsdon St Andrew and the A419.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Map of Widhill |url=https://streetmap.co.uk/map?x=413000&y=190993&z=120&sv=413000,190993&st=4&ar=y&mapp=map&searchp=ids&dn=514&ax=413000&ay=190993&lm=0 |access-date=3 December 2022 |website=Streetmap.co.uk}}</ref>

==Parish church==
[[File:St._Leonards_church,_Blunsdon_(geograph_3565908).jpg|thumb|upright|St Leonard's church]]
St Leonard's, the [[Church of England parish church]], is in the north-east of the village. The stone rubble building has 13th-century origins, seen in the four-bay south arcade and a small two-light window in the south aisle. The west tower is from the 15th century; the elaborate wooden screen under the tower is 17th-century. A monument to John Potenger (died 1733), in white and grey marble with cherub heads, is signed by [[Peter Scheemakers]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Orbach |first1=Julian |title=Wiltshire |last2=Pevsner |first2=Nikolaus |last3=Cherry |first3=Bridget |publisher=[[Yale University Press]] |year=2021 |isbn=978-0-300-25120-3 |series=The Buildings Of England |location=New Haven, US and London |page=184 |oclc=1201298091 |author-link2=Nikolaus Pevsner |author-link3=Bridget Cherry}}</ref>

[[William Butterfield]] carried out extensive [[Victorian restoration|restoration]] in 1870, when the chancel was rebuilt and the south-east chapel and north-east vestry were added. The building was designated as [[Grade II* listed]] in 1955.<ref>{{National Heritage List for England|num=1023286|desc=Church of St Leonard|access-date=21 February 2024|fewer-links=yes}}</ref>

There is a ring of eight bells, cast in 1913 and 2002.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Broad Blunsdon: S Leonard |url=https://dove.cccbr.org.uk/tower/12338 |access-date=21 February 2024 |website=Dove's Guide for Church Bell Ringers}}</ref> The stone-built former rectory, east of the church, was built in 1867–1868 to designs of [[Ewan Christian]].<ref>{{National Heritage List for England|num=1184135|desc=The Rectory|access-date=21 February 2024|fewer-links=yes}}</ref> Today the parish is within the benefice of Highworth with Sevenhampton and Inglesham and Hannington, centred on St Michael's church at [[Highworth]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=St Leonard Blunsdon |url=https://www.stmichaelshighworth.co.uk/blunsdon |access-date=21 February 2024 |website=stmichaelshighworth.co.uk}}</ref>

⚫
==Sport==
Blunsdon's [[Abbey Greyhound Stadium|Abbey Stadium]] (also known as Swindon Stadium) is the home of Swindon Greyhounds, broadcast world-wide three times per week and a stalwart of off course betting shops in the UK all the year round. The stadium has also been the home of a [[motorcycle speedway|speedway]] team, the [[Swindon Robins]], since it opened in 1949. The Robins competed in national leagues, including the [[Elite League (speedway)|Elite League]] in the 21st century, but did not race in 2021 or 2022 due to long-running uncertainty over redevelopment of the site.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=5 October 2021 |title=Return of speedway at Swindon delayed until 2023 |url=https://www.swindon-speedway.com/news.php?extend.3513.1 |access-date=3 December 2022 |website=Swindon Robins Speedway}}</ref>

⚫
The village has a football team, Blunsdon FC, which has youth development squads as well as senior ladies and men's sides playing in the [[Wiltshire Football League|Wiltshire League]].

==Government==
Blunsdon parish covers Broad Blunsdon and the area west of the A419. In the southeast, the boundary with St Andrews leaves the A419 and follows the A4311 Cricklade Road, so that the Groundwell industrial estate is in Blunsdon parish.
Blunsdon parish covers Broad Blunsdon and the area west of the A419. In the southeast, the boundary with St Andrews leaves the A419 and follows the A4311 Cricklade Road, so that the Groundwell industrial estate is in Blunsdon parish.


Until April 2017, the whole area was the civil parish of Blunsdon St Andrew.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.swindon.gov.uk/info/20021/councillors_democracy_and_elections/687/community_governance_review_-_next_steps|title=Community governance review - next steps|date=March 2017|website=www.swindon.gov.uk|publisher=Swindon Borough Council|language=en|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=13 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lgbce.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/32092/Swindon-Borough-CGR-Order-2017.pdf|title=The Swindon Borough (Reorganisation of Community Governance) No. 1 Order 2017|date=19 January 2017|website=Local Government Boundary Commission for England|page=4|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=13 April 2017}}</ref> The parishes lie within the [[Borough of Swindon]].
Until April 2017, the whole area was the civil parish of Blunsdon St Andrew.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.swindon.gov.uk/info/20021/councillors_democracy_and_elections/687/community_governance_review_-_next_steps|title=Community governance review - next steps|date=March 2017|website=www.swindon.gov.uk|publisher=Swindon Borough Council|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222174253/http://www.swindon.gov.uk/info/20021/councillors_democracy_and_elections/687/community_governance_review_-_next_steps#|archive-date=22 February 2017|url-status=dead|access-date=13 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lgbce.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/32092/Swindon-Borough-CGR-Order-2017.pdf|title=The Swindon Borough (Reorganisation of Community Governance) No. 1 Order 2017|date=19 January 2017|website=Local Government Boundary Commission for England|page=4|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406110311/https://www.lgbce.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/32092/Swindon-Borough-CGR-Order-2017.pdf#|archive-date=6 April 2017|url-status=dead|access-date=13 April 2017}}</ref> The parish lies within the [[Borough of Swindon]], and is part of the [[Blunsdon and Highworth (ward)|Blunsdon and Highworth ward]] for elections to [[Swindon Borough Council]].


==Village shop==
==Shop==
After the last privately owned shop in the village closed in 2002, a village public meeting convened and agreed to open a new community shop, which was opened in 2003.<ref>http://www.communityshops.coop/shop/blunsdon-village-shop</ref> Located in the car park of the village hall, the shop was originally based inside a secondhand site office cabin, but in 2009 this was replaced by a brand new structure. Run mainly by volunteers, in 2010 the shop won third place for 'Best Village Shop' at the Wiltshire Life Magazine Awards <ref>http://www.wiltshirelife.co.uk/downloads/awards_winner10.pdf</ref>
After the last privately owned shop in the village closed in 2002, a village public meeting convened and agreed to open a new community shop, which was opened in 2003.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.communityshops.coop/shop/blunsdon-village-shop# |title=Blunsdon village shop |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120429095215/http://www.communityshops.coop/shop/blunsdon-village-shop# |archive-date=29 April 2012 |url-status=dead|website=communityshops.coop}}</ref> Located in the car park of the village hall, the shop was originally based inside a secondhand site office cabin, but in 2009 this was replaced by a brand new structure. Run mainly by volunteers, in 2010 the shop won third place for 'Best Village Shop' at the Wiltshire Life Magazine Awards.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wiltshirelife.co.uk/downloads/awards_winner10.pdf# |title=Wiltshire Life Awards Initiative 2010 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611200238/http://www.wiltshirelife.co.uk/downloads/awards_winner10.pdf# |archive-date=11 June 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2023, the shop moved to a new premises at Unit 1, Blunt Rise, Blunsdon, SN26 7DA and expanded to include a cafe.


==Transport==
==Transport==
Line 53: Line 73:
The [[Swindon and Cricklade Railway]] has rebuilt [[Blunsdon railway station]], just outside the parish boundary.
The [[Swindon and Cricklade Railway]] has rebuilt [[Blunsdon railway station]], just outside the parish boundary.


⚫
A [[Bypass (road)#United Kingdom|bypass]] was built between the autumn of 2006 and spring 2009. This reunited Broad Blunsdon village with the portion that was southwest of the former A419.
===A419 bypass===

⚫
A [[Bypass (road)#United Kingdom|bypass]] was built between the autumn of 2006 and spring 2009. This has reunited Broad Blunsdon village with the portion that was southwest of the former A419.
==Notable people==
[[Margaret de Windt]] (1849–1836), daughter of the builder of Blunsdon Abbey, married the [[White Rajahs|White Rajah]] [[Charles Brooke, Rajah of Sarawak|Charles Brooke]] and thus became [[Ranee of Sarawak]]. Her brother [[Harry de Windt|Harry]] (1856–1933) was an explorer and travel writer.


==References==
==References==
⚫
{{Commons category|Blunsdon}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
⚫
{{Commons category inline}}
* [http://blunsdonparishcouncil.co.uk/ Blunsdon Parish Council]

{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Civil parishes in Wiltshire]]
[[Category:Civil parishes in Wiltshire]]
[[Category:Swindon (borough)]]
[[Category:Borough of Swindon]]

Latest revision as of 23:23, 26 October 2024

Blunsdon
Chapel Hill, Blunsdon ca.1920
Blunsdon is located in Wiltshire
Blunsdon
Blunsdon
Location within Wiltshire
Population2,714 (parish, 2021)[1]
OS grid referenceSU154902
Civil parish
  • Blunsdon
Unitary authority
Ceremonial county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townSwindon
Postcode districtSN25, SN26
Dialling code01793
PoliceWiltshire
FireDorset and Wiltshire
AmbulanceSouth Western
UK Parliament
WebsiteParish Council
List of places
UK
England
Wiltshire
51°37′N 1°47′W / 51.61°N 1.79°W / 51.61; -1.79

Blunsdon is a civil parish in the Borough of Swindon, in Wiltshire, England, about 4 miles (6 km) north of the centre of Swindon, with the A419 forming its southern boundary. Its main settlement is the village of Broad Blunsdon, with Lower Blunsdon nearby; the hamlet of Broadbush is now contiguous with Broad Blunsdon.

Blunsdon is the eastern half of the former Blunsdon St Andrew civil parish. In April 2017, that parish was divided and the western half became a new St Andrews parish.

History

[edit]

Blunsdon dates from Roman times: it was discovered that a Roman travellers' resting place existed on the site of the present-day Cold Harbour public house. The main A419 road follow the course of a Roman road known as Ermin Street that linked the historic Roman towns of Gloucester (Glevum) and Silchester (Calleva Atrebatum), via Cirencester (Corinium).[citation needed]

The Domesday Book of 1086 recorded three estates at Bluntesdone, with altogether ten households.[2] The L-shaped manor house, just west of the church, was built and enlarged in the 17th century; it has two fireplaces from c.1600, and a staircase also from that century.[3]

Blunsdon Abbey was a Gothic mansion built near Blunsdon St Andrew church in 1858–1860 for wealthy sportsman Joseph Clayton de Windt, on the site of an earlier house. It was destroyed by fire in 1904 and remains as a ruin, with parts of the stable block – including a square tower – standing.[4][5]

Two areas of Broad Blunsdon village, one encompassing the church, were designated as a conservation area in 1990.[6]

Widhill

[edit]

Widhill, land lying north of Blunsdon St Andrew as far as the Roman road and bounded to the west by the River Ray, appears in Domesday Book as two estates at Wildehill with altogether 14 households.[7] The area became a tithing of the parish of St Sampson, Cricklade, and for a time a small chapel served the two small settlements at Lower Widhill and Upper Widhill (sometimes North Widhill and West Widhill respectively).[8] Robert Jenner, who prospered as a silver merchant in London, bought Widhill manor in 1624; the Jenner family remained at Widhill until the manor was sold in 1826.[9]

In the late 19th century Widhill became part of Cricklade civil parish, then was transferred to Blunsdon in 1934; its population at the 1931 census had been 21.[10]

Today, Lower Widhill Farm, Chapel Farm and Upper Widhill Farm survive in the strip of farmland between the north edge of Blunsdon St Andrew and the A419.[11]

Parish church

[edit]
St Leonard's church

St Leonard's, the Church of England parish church, is in the north-east of the village. The stone rubble building has 13th-century origins, seen in the four-bay south arcade and a small two-light window in the south aisle. The west tower is from the 15th century; the elaborate wooden screen under the tower is 17th-century. A monument to John Potenger (died 1733), in white and grey marble with cherub heads, is signed by Peter Scheemakers.[12]

William Butterfield carried out extensive restoration in 1870, when the chancel was rebuilt and the south-east chapel and north-east vestry were added. The building was designated as Grade II* listed in 1955.[13]

There is a ring of eight bells, cast in 1913 and 2002.[14] The stone-built former rectory, east of the church, was built in 1867–1868 to designs of Ewan Christian.[15] Today the parish is within the benefice of Highworth with Sevenhampton and Inglesham and Hannington, centred on St Michael's church at Highworth.[16]

Sport

[edit]

Blunsdon's Abbey Stadium (also known as Swindon Stadium) is the home of Swindon Greyhounds, broadcast world-wide three times per week and a stalwart of off course betting shops in the UK all the year round. The stadium has also been the home of a speedway team, the Swindon Robins, since it opened in 1949. The Robins competed in national leagues, including the Elite League in the 21st century, but did not race in 2021 or 2022 due to long-running uncertainty over redevelopment of the site.[17]

The village has a football team, Blunsdon FC, which has youth development squads as well as senior ladies and men's sides playing in the Wiltshire League.

Government

[edit]

Blunsdon parish covers Broad Blunsdon and the area west of the A419. In the southeast, the boundary with St Andrews leaves the A419 and follows the A4311 Cricklade Road, so that the Groundwell industrial estate is in Blunsdon parish.

Until April 2017, the whole area was the civil parish of Blunsdon St Andrew.[18][19] The parish lies within the Borough of Swindon, and is part of the Blunsdon and Highworth ward for elections to Swindon Borough Council.

Shop

[edit]

After the last privately owned shop in the village closed in 2002, a village public meeting convened and agreed to open a new community shop, which was opened in 2003.[20] Located in the car park of the village hall, the shop was originally based inside a secondhand site office cabin, but in 2009 this was replaced by a brand new structure. Run mainly by volunteers, in 2010 the shop won third place for 'Best Village Shop' at the Wiltshire Life Magazine Awards.[21] In 2023, the shop moved to a new premises at Unit 1, Blunt Rise, Blunsdon, SN26 7DA and expanded to include a cafe.

Transport

[edit]
Further information: Transport in Swindon

The Swindon and Cricklade Railway has rebuilt Blunsdon railway station, just outside the parish boundary.

A bypass was built between the autumn of 2006 and spring 2009. This reunited Broad Blunsdon village with the portion that was southwest of the former A419.

Notable people

[edit]

Margaret de Windt (1849–1836), daughter of the builder of Blunsdon Abbey, married the White Rajah Charles Brooke and thus became Ranee of Sarawak. Her brother Harry (1856–1933) was an explorer and travel writer.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Blunsdon (parish): population statistics". CityPopulation.de. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  2. ^ Broad Blunsdon and Blunsdon St Andrew in the Domesday Book
  3. ^ Historic England. "Manor House (1355999)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  4. ^ "Sunday blazing Sunday brings down Blunsdon Abbey, recalls Barry Leighton". Swindon Advertiser. 9 March 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  5. ^ Orbach, Julian; Pevsner, Nikolaus; Cherry, Bridget (2021). Wiltshire. The Buildings Of England. New Haven, US and London: Yale University Press. pp. 147–148. ISBN 978-0-300-25120-3. OCLC 1201298091.
  6. ^ "No. 52292". The London Gazette. 4 October 1990. p. 15595.
  7. ^ Widhill in the Domesday Book
  8. ^ Bainbridge, Virginia, ed. (2011). "Cricklade – Outer Cricklade". A History of the County of Wiltshire, Volume 18. Victoria County History. University of London. pp. 70–108. Retrieved 3 December 2022 – via British History Online.
  9. ^ Lancaster, Henry. "JENNER, Robert (c.1584-1651), of Widhill, Wilts. and Foster Lane, London". History of Parliament Online. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  10. ^ "Blunsdon St Andrew AP/CP". A Vision of Britain through Time. University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  11. ^ "Map of Widhill". Streetmap.co.uk. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  12. ^ Orbach, Julian; Pevsner, Nikolaus; Cherry, Bridget (2021). Wiltshire. The Buildings Of England. New Haven, US and London: Yale University Press. p. 184. ISBN 978-0-300-25120-3. OCLC 1201298091.
  13. ^ Historic England. "Church of St Leonard (1023286)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  14. ^ "Broad Blunsdon: S Leonard". Dove's Guide for Church Bell Ringers. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  15. ^ Historic England. "The Rectory (1184135)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  16. ^ "St Leonard Blunsdon". stmichaelshighworth.co.uk. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  17. ^ "Return of speedway at Swindon delayed until 2023". Swindon Robins Speedway. 5 October 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  18. ^ "Community governance review - next steps". www.swindon.gov.uk. Swindon Borough Council. March 2017. Archived from the original on 22 February 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
  19. ^ "The Swindon Borough (Reorganisation of Community Governance) No. 1 Order 2017" (PDF). Local Government Boundary Commission for England. 19 January 2017. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 April 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
  20. ^ "Blunsdon village shop". communityshops.coop. Archived from the original on 29 April 2012. Retrieved 16 March 2013.
  21. ^ "Wiltshire Life Awards Initiative 2010" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 June 2014. Retrieved 16 March 2013.
[edit]

Media related to Blunsdon at Wikimedia Commons

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Blunsdon&oldid=1253615036"