NETTLECOMBE PARISH . WEST nettlecombe

ParishYour Plan For YPlanour Parish

ORDNANCE SURVEY MAP SECOND EDITION 1904 FRONT COVER PHOTOGRAPH: COURTESY OF BEN LINTOTT VIEW OVER NETTLECOMBE PARK LOOKING TOWARDS THE

Published by NETTLECOMBE PARISH COUNCIL

© Nettlecombe Parish Council 2013 . Printed in Somerset, NETTLECOMBE PARISH . NETTLECOMBE PARISH . WEST SOMERSET 1

Contents Introduction

Introduction Page 1 The parishioners of Nettlecombe were consulted via a well-publicised public meeting to see if there A portrait of our Parish was interest in formulating a future plan for the parish. Geography, land use and environment. Page 2 The built environment. Page 4 There was enthusiastic support for this and a committee was formed from members of the The people of Nettlecombe. Page 6 parish, which determined that a plan was needed: Nettlecombe visitors and what attracts them to the area. Page 7 1. To take advantage of the opportunity offered by central government for communities to determine The future of our Parish their own development within the Local Development Framework, the Localism Bill and The original purpose of Parish Plans. Page 8 ongoing changes in local planning legislation. Proposed projects and action. Page 11 2. To give the Parish Council a mandate to work towards improving the life of Nettlecombe residents now and into the future.

3. To give residents the opportunity to become involved in improving life in the parish. HARVEST TIME IN NETTLECOMBE 2012 NETTLECOMBE IN TIME HARVEST 4. To provide a structure for achieving these improvements, including accessing funding where available to ensure these provisions are ongoing.

ALL ROADS LEAD TO NETTLECOMBE! OAK TREE AND OIL SEED RAPE FIELD, NETTLECOMBE 2013 . 2 NETTLECOMBE PARISH WEST SOMERSET 3

Geography, land use and environment . Geographically much of Nettlecombe lies above Recently much of this loss has been reversed. the 152m contour and reaches 358m on the Grant aid has enabled the estate to re-instate Brendon ridge. The landscape is undulating, in Parsonage Pond (originally the site of the village places steeply, and lies mostly on slate and red and parsonage), the lakes below the pleasure West Somerset sandstone. ground and the old leat. Old hedges and fences were grubbed up and There are occasional rocky outcrops evidenced by new metal fencing to the pattern of the original The area on the map bordered in yellow indicates the boundary of the the many disused small quarries in the parish, has been installed to re-create the style and Civil Parish of Nettlecombe in West once a convenient local source of building stone atmosphere of the original park. Somerset.

for the community. West Somerset covers a largely rural The park has been wood pasture or parkland for area, with a population of 34,675 The landscape consists of good grazing and at least 400 years. The oldest standard oak trees (2011 census), in an area of 740 square kilometres (290 square mixed arable land, with the steeper slopes covered are over 200 years of age and some oak pollards miles). by woodland. It descends to the north east and may be even older. The continuity of open drains into the Washford River or the Doniford According to figures released by the woodland and parkland, with large mature and Office for National Statistics in 2009, Stream. over-mature timber, has enabled characteristic the population of West Somerset species of lichens and wood boring beetles to has the oldest average age in the United Kingdom at 52. In size the parish is almost 4 miles from north to become established. south and 3 miles from east to west, but has an irregular shape, giving an area of about 12 square Many of these species are now nationally scarce miles on the map, but this is increased by its because this type of habitat is scarce over large undulating nature. areas of Great Britain. It is because of the presence of these species that, in 1990, 90 Approximately 80 per cent of the land area is hectares of Nettlecombe Park were designated as given over to mixed farming, primarily sheep and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). cattle on the steeper slopes, with mixed arable crops on the flatter land. The remaining 20 per Within the SSSI, 150 species of lichens have been cent lies on the steeper slopes and consists of identified. This reflects the wide range of habitats managed woodland, some of which is used for present, created by variations in the age of trees, raising pheasants, shooting being a popular sport their exposure and aspect. Thirteen of these in and around Nettlecombe parish. species are regarded as being indicators of ancient woodland or parkland sites. is occupied by the Field Studies Council, an environmental education Beetles recorded from this site include five charity committed to helping people nationally scarce species. Eleven other species are understand, and be inspired by, the natural world. associated with the dead and decaying parts of old trees, and are restricted to this habitat. Nettlecombe Park was created around the Court at the end of the 18th century and was Timber forms part of the local economy and subsequently extended to include pleasure recently it has become necessary to fell large grounds with artificial lakes along a stream and quantities of larch to control disease, particularly much new iron fencing to keep the deer at bay. in Pooke Wood and Kings Wood. This disease During the 20th century harder times led to is hosted by rhododendron so this has also been much of this falling into decay and some was cut back. very nearly lost forever.

Map from Ordnance Survey: http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk 4 NETTLECOMBE PARISH . WEST SOMERSET NETTLECOMBE PARISH . WEST SOMERSET 5

The built environment

The parish of Nettlecombe lies within the bounds residential aspect of what were originally accommodate the workforce of the estate. of the National Park and is fragmented agricultural settlements. Two exceptions in style Both the church and the Court are built of local into the three hamlets of Woodford, Yarde and are Combe House, a typical Regency style red Sandstone, and still form the centre of the Torre, and several outlying farms as far as symmetrical house with a stucco finish and a community as the Court is now a Field Study Holcombe Water Farm on the , shallow pitch roof, and the Old Rectory, built as Centre with hundreds of visiting children and and Woodadvent and Clitsome Farms adjacent a private house in 1900. Both were built for adults each year. to Roadwater. members of the Trevelyan family estate. At least two houses in Yarde date back to the 14thC and Torre lies to the north-west of the parish it This is a very rural parish; there is no village, no most were built in the 17th and 18thC. There was emerged as a hamlet in the 14thC and grew school, no library building or public house; yet an important mill, an inn, a large farm and a during the 18th and 19thC. The construction of despite its low population density it is a mixed blade mill. In 1891 a school was established with the West Somerset Mineral Railway started here and active community. 120 children in its heyday. All these buildings are at Roughmore on 29th May 1856. Torre House

now private residences. formerly Torre Farm dates back to 1681 and was TORRE Like many rural areas the built environment is a sizeable farm, the outbuildings of which now historical and in the vernacular. The majority of The Manor of Nettlecombe is mentioned in the form the Torre Cider farm. buildings were constructed in the 18th and 19th Domesday book and the first mention of a house centuries to serve agricultural needs, and are built on the site is in 1525. It has been extensively Other settlements of importance are Beggearn from locally sourced red sandstone, slate and enlarged over the centuries. There was probably a Huish, the estate being mentioned in 1086: timber. church by the late 12thC and it became the Woodadvent Farm dating from 1284; Huish Church of The Blessed Virgin Mary by 1440 Barton built in the 16thC and Colton Farm, Some properties were thatched and some of these and is still the proud possessor of the oldest where iron ore mining was concentrated from retain their thatch, though others have had their hallmarked church plate in the country. These 1860. There are not many modern houses slate or thatch roofs replaced with modern two buildings were the centre of the once village possibly the most recent being Torre Surgery. concrete tiles. Similarly some buildings have their of Nettlecombe. In the late 1700s the Park was Outside the parish, but very much a part of it, is external stonework covered by coloured limewash landscaped and the village was removed to the Elworthy, Monksilver and Nettlecombe or plaster. Some farm barns and stables have been specially built houses in Woodford. At this time Community Hall, a dynamically styled focus for converted to residential use, increasing the the hamlets of Yarde and Torre were enlarged to social activity. THE EMN COMMUNITY HALL NETTLECOMBE COURT AND THE CHURCH

WOODFORD YARDE WITH THE BLADE MILL IN THE RIGHT FOREGROUND 6 NETTLECOMBE PARISH . WEST SOMERSET NETTLECOMBE PARISH . WEST SOMERSET 7

The people of Nettlecombe Visitors to Nettlecombe

There are approximately 90 households in the within the parish including tourism, engineering, The rural nature of our parish makes it a popular parish. Wood Advent Farm offers comfortable parish, plus a number of holiday cottages, and financial services, communications, design and destination for visitors with an interest in nature accommodation as well as activities in a charming population of approximately 250, evenly arts and crafts. Most of these businesses are and country pursuits, both traditional and isolated location. Woodford House in the heart of distributed through the age range. There are owner run, showing a high degree of enterprise modern. Families are attracted to Torre Cider the parish is a large, comfortable Victorian house, roughly equal numbers of males and females. for such a small rural community. Some of these Farm, a long established tourist attraction where once part of the Nettlecombe estate. Nettlecombe businesses employ people who live outside the visitors can try farm produced scrumpy and home Lodge at Chidgley is a charming listed building The vast majority lives in the parish full time; one parish. cooked meals as well as making friends with pigs, c1820, also once part of the Nettlecombe estate. third have lived here for more than twelve years, goats and chickens. There is also educational with a further third living here for more than five People of the parish are involved in a wide range information about cider production. The place which hosts most visitors to the years. of activities. Local societies such as the West parish is the Field Studies Council’s centre at Somerset Railway, West Somerset Village History Wood Advent Farm is not only a place to stay Nettlecombe Court (a listed building). This More than a third of the population expect to be Society and Watchet Museum are supported. but an activity centre as well. There are facilities residential centre, one of several Field Study living here in five years time; the most common for archery and clay pigeon shooting and also Centres around the country, is run by the charity reason for choosing Nettlecombe as a place to live The most popular hobbies are walking, gardening organised accompanied walking holidays. the Field Studies Council dedicated to promoting is the quality of rural life within the parish. and equestrian activities, bird watching and environmental understanding for everyone. natural history reflecting the desire to enjoy a Walking is a popular activity within the parish; The visitors are primarily young people in There are no schools in the parish, but we have rural lifestyle. we have many miles of footpath, including part of full-time education who come here from all around 20 young people in pre-school to the Coleridge Way, which follows the footsteps over the country to study the landscape, flora and higher/further education, all of whom travel to The Parish Questionnaire returns give an overall of the famous romantic poet. fauna of the local area. In addition there are school by bus or board. impression of a mixed community, with diverse development courses for environmental occupations, interests and ages, but sharing Many of our visitors stay in the parish as a base professionals as well as introductory courses for We have a Brownie pack and a Young Farmers concerns for, and appreciation of, the lovely area to explore the wider area of west Somerset, vocational interest. club within the parish. in which they have chosen to live. including the Quantock Hills, the Brendon Hills and Exmoor. Another popular attraction is the There is a surprising diversity of employment in West Somerset Railway, a preserved working Nettlecombe. Apart from farming we have railway for enthusiasts and tourists alike. There parishioners working in a wide variety of jobs are several places where visitors can stay in the

NETTLECOMBE FETE (NETTLECOMBE COURT) CIRCA 1950’S NETTLECOMBE FETE (HUISH BARTON) 2012 TORRE CIDER FARM THE TOUR OF BRITAIN CYCLE RACE PASSES THROUGH FAIRCROSS, NETTLECOMBE, 14 SEPTEMBER 2010 8 NETTLECOMBE PARISH . WEST SOMERSET NETTLECOMBE PARISH . WEST SOMERSET 9

The future of our Parish

Introduction Parish Website Neighbourhood Watch scheme Fly tipping The original purpose of parish plans was to The Parish Plan Steering Group decided to The parish questionnaire identified an interest Fly tipping has been a problem in the parish, influence local development within the Local establish a parish website to provide a resource in Neighbourhood Watch within the parish. it is a nuisance for farmers and it spoils our Development Framework as defined by the area for locals and visitors alike. Intended as part There is already a scheme in operation at environment. planning authorities. For Nettlecombe parish this notice-board, part directory and part celebration Beggearn Huish and Egypt, as a result of this is the Exmoor National Park and West Somerset of our parish, it will supplement the parish plan there is now a new scheme operating in Action: Incidents can be reported to West Council. Their development policies make it noticeboards and ‘Pathways’ church magazine by Woodford. As yet there is no scheme in Yarde Somerset Council Customer Services unlikely that there will be any building being both immediate and interactive. It will or Torre. telephone: 01643 703704 or online at: development within the parish, so the emphasis depend very much on the participation of local www.westsomersetonline.gov.uk (waste & of our plan is focused on social and environmental people and organisations for its material. Action: The plan will encourage residents to recycling section), this information will be development which is likely to be affected by participate in Neighbourhood Watch as a communicated to parishioners by means of the Localism Bill and forthcoming changes in Action: A webmaster was appointed by the means of increasing security and safety in our ‘flyers’ on parish notice-boards and by the planning legislation. We have continually Committee and the website is already established community. This will be achieved through the new parish website. consulted our parish population through and continues to develop. Although these are parish noticeboards and the website. gatherings hosted at Nettlecombe Court, by a early days its popularity is already evident. house to house survey of every property in the www.nettlecombewestsomerset.co.uk parish, and by regular meetings of a committee of residents which has reached out to the community on specific issues. The result has been a list of aims, some of which are long term, but others are already being realised.

Our parish plan is continually evolving; as time passes further consultation with parishioners by public meeting will ensure it develops with the changing needs of the parish.

HOLCOMBE FOREST LOOKING SOUTH EAST COLTON FARM FROM THE WEST HUISH BARTON FROM THE WEST

PANORAMIC VIEW OF NETTLECOMBE PARISH FROM COLTON CROSS LOOKING NORTH

0 0 10 NETTLECOMBE PARISH . WEST SOMERSET NETTLECOMBE PARISH . WEST SOMERSET 11

Proposed projects and action

Speeding traffic Keeping the parish informed Broadband for all Parish footpaths Speeding and anti-social driving is a problem There are four Parish notice boards in Nettlecombe’s quiet rural charm belies a dynamic There are many footpaths in the parish, some of on the B3188, which is now used as a shortcut Nettlecombe Parish which, whilst useful, are community which needs modern communication which are in need of maintenance. There is also a between Minehead and . This is not currently adequate. methods to further its business and social aims. need for a footpath between Yarde and Woodford particularly dangerous in the hamlets of Torre Broadband speeds offered by the current network to avoid walking along the busy B3188, which and Woodford, where the road is narrow and Action: Some notice boards will be replaced by are inadequate for our needs, but are due to be already has a problem with speeding traffic. there are no footpaths. new, larger types with space for local residents upgraded under a government and council backed and organisations to post notices. The notice scheme to improve broadband throughout Action: The Parish Council is to use its powers Action: We will maintain pressure on the county boards and website are intended to be mutually Somerset and . and influence to keep the network in order and highway authority (through future Dunster Panel supportive. A dedicated volunteer will liase with to establish a footpath between Yarde and meetings) and the Parish Council to provide an the publishers of ‘Pathways’, the Church of Action: Interested parties within the Steering Woodford. effective and permanent means of traffic calming England magazine serving the six parishes of Group will maintain a watching brief on this on residential stretches of road, to discourage the Quantock Towers Benefice to ensure their broadband technology and update the community commercial and commuter through traffic and readers are kept informed of the parish plan on possible alternative solutions to the current BT to educate drivers into more responsible driving development. provision. habits. The plan supports the Speedwatch scheme, and progress has been made in Extending the use of Nettlecombe church re-establishing the scheme in Yarde and The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a Woodford. charming and historic building situated beside Nettlecombe Court. The Parochial Church Welcoming new residents Council (separate from the Parish Council) is Moving to a new area, particularly an isolated keen to extend its use beyond a place of worship rural area, can be a daunting time. We welcome and would welcome appropriate secular events new residents and wish to include them in our such as art sales, music recitals etc. community. Action: By promotion of the venue through the Action: New residents will be welcomed with a ‘Pathways’ magazine and the Church newsletter hand-delivered welcome card giving useful local available from the Churchwardens and the parish contacts and an introduction to the parish website website. which shows the full range of amenities and services available to local people.

WOODFORD - SPEEDING & ANTI-SOCIAL DRIVING ARE A PROBLEM! THE CHURCH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY STILE IN COLTON LANE (CHIDGLEY TO MONKSILVER FOOTPATH) WALKING IN NETTLECOMBE PARK 12 NETTLECOMBE PARISH . WEST SOMERSET

With grateful thanks to:

The Nettlecombe Parish Plan was produced by the Parish Plan Steering Group: Jenni & Bob Beard Marilyn Crothers Mary Daniels Lucy Devitt Ben Lintott EXMOOR NATIONAL PARK SIGN AT FAIR CROSS SPRINGTIME IN NETTLECOMBE PARK Liz & Dick Mayes Michael Ralph ORDNANCE SURVEY MAP SECOND EDITION 1904 Sheelagh & Martin Spink COURTESY OF BEN LINTOTT Anna Thomas Pat Wolseley Special thanks to Nettlecombe Parish Council for funding and their support and to Michael Ralph who designed and produced this Plan document.

Photographs: Bob Beard Hilary Binding (1950’s Nettlecombe Fete) Michael Ralph

NETTLECOMBE COURT AND THE CHURCH NETTLECOMBE PARISH GRAVEYARD LOOKING NORTH, DECEMBER 2010 NETTLECOMBE PARISH . WEST SOMERSET nettlecombe

ParishYour Plan For YPlanour Parish

ORDNANCE SURVEY MAP SECOND EDITION 1904 FRONT COVER PHOTOGRAPH: COURTESY OF BEN LINTOTT VIEW OVER NETTLECOMBE PARK LOOKING TOWARDS THE QUANTOCK HILLS

Published by NETTLECOMBE PARISH COUNCIL

© Nettlecombe Parish Council 2013 . Printed in Somerset, England