North Curry

Template:GBthumb North Curry is a village and parish in Somerset, England, situated five miles east of Taunton in the Taunton Deane district. The village has a population of 1,625 ^[1]. It sits on a ridge of land, 7 meters above sea level. North Curry is a fairly large village, but is quietly tucked away on the southwestern side of the Somerset Levels -- well off of the main highways. The buildings, history, and village life make North Curry a surprising gem amongst the winding, hedgerow-bordered country lanes that tie it to surrounding villages. North Curry Meadow (grid reference ST330253) is a 1.3 hectare (3.1 acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest, notified in 1989.

North Curry was settled in Saxon times and was a royal manor in the 11th century. Around 1194, Richard-the-Lionheart (Richard I of England) deeded North Curry over to the Bishop of Wells, along with other possessions, in exchange for cash to pay off his ransom to the Austrian Emperor Henry VI. North Curry parish traditionally included the hamlets of Helland, Knapp, Lillesdon, Moredon, Newport and Wrantage. A Market village since the 13th century, North Curry's sources of wealth have included hunting, fishing, and wool trade, with access to other markets via the nearby River Tone. Evidence of the prosperity of the village can be seen in the exemplary architecture, including 68 listed buildings^[2].

North Curry Parish Church

North Curry Parish Church, dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, is nicknamed ‘The Cathedral of the Moors.’ Parts of the large, airy church date to the 1300s, and the church was erected on the site of an earlier church. Episcopal records in Wells mention a church in North Curry as early as 1199.^[3] The church has a lovely view of the Levels and Moors, with benches placed for walkers and other visitors to enjoy the view from the slightly higher grounds of the churchyard. To assist visitors tracing their ancestry to North Curry, the church has posted a map of the graves in the cemetery. As of August 2007, North Curry Church was incorporated into the Althelney Benefice of the Church of England. The Vicar of the Athelney Benefice covers the parishes of Burrowbridge, Lyng, North Curry, and Stoke St Gregory.

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  The Cathedral of the Moors
• View across the Somerset Levels from the churchyard
  View across the Somerset Levels from the churchyard
• Gargoyle gazes over the Levels from N. Curry church
  Gargoyle gazes over the Levels from N. Curry church
• Main aisle of N. Curry parish church
  Main aisle of N. Curry parish church

Village Life

North Curry has an active history society, village hall, playing fields, primary school, doctor's surgery, Women's Institute, cricket club, gardening club, musical and theatrical groups, and a luncheon club.^[4] In 2006, villagers opened a coffee shop -- staffed by 70 volunteers -- in a converted barn. The coffee shop offers artwork and crafts by local artists, along with hot food, homemade cakes, and good cheer. Proceeds from the coffee shop go to charity.

• North Curry's coffee shop
  North Curry's coffee shop
• Memorial in N. Curry commemorates the reign of Queen Victoria
  Memorial in N. Curry commemorates the reign of Queen Victoria
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  Small public garden in the center of North Curry
• North Curry's memorial to soldiers in World Wars I and II
  North Curry's memorial to soldiers in World Wars I and II

References

1. ^ Somerset County Council, 2002. Population estimates.
2. ^ North Curry parish church website North Curry Church Website.
3. ^ North Curry A Place in History, by Angela Dix, ISBN–10 0–9531141–1–2 ISBN–13 978–0–9531141–1–5
4. ^ North Curry village website [5]

External links

• Photos of North Curry in 3d (Anaglyphs)