Radstock
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Radstock | |
  Radstock shown within Somerset |
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| OS grid reference | |
|---|---|
| Parish | Norton Radstock |
| Unitary authority | Bath and North East Somerset |
| Ceremonial county | Somerset |
| Region | South West |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | RADSTOCK |
| Postcode district | BA3 |
| Dialling code | 01761 |
| Police | Avon and Somerset |
| Fire | Avon |
| Ambulance | Great Western |
| European Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament | Wansdyke |
| List of places: UK • England • Somerset | |
Radstock is a town in Bath and North East Somerset, England, 8 miles (13 km) south west of Bath, and the same distance north west of Frome. It is part of the conurbation and civil parish of Norton Radstock.
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[edit] History
South of the town are Kingsdown Camp and Blacker's Hill Iron age hill forts.
The Fosseway Roman road run through Radstock. The town is north of the Mendip Hills.
William Waldegrave was made Baron Radstock in 1800. The title became extinct on the death of the fifth Baron in 1953.
[edit] Churches
Radstock contains four Christian Churches and a Jehova's Witness, united by the setup of 'Churches together in Radstock'. There are frequent interfaith Unity services in the Town. Radstock Methodist church opened in 1902. It was damaged by a fire in 2004 but reopened in 2005. The Parish Church of St Nicholas dates from the 15th century and is grade II listed.[1] Radstock Baptist Church, situated on Wells Hill, was founded in 1844. St Hugh's Catholic Church, opposite the Baptist Church on the Wells Hill, is served from Downside Abbey. The building was formerly a church barn, but converted for use as a church in the early 20th Century.
[edit] Coal mining
In 1763 coal was discovered in Radstock and mining began in the area as part of the Somerset coalfield.[2]
The Waldegrave family had been Lords of the Manor of Radstock since the English Civil War. In 1896 the pits were owned by the Trustee of Frances, late Countess of Waldegrave.[3]
[edit] Transport
Radstock was the terminus for the southern branch of the Somerset Coal Canal, which was turned into a tramway. It then became a central point for railway development with large coal depots, warehouses, workshops and a gas works. As part of the development of the Wiltshire, Somerset and Weymouth Railway an 8 miles (13 km) line from Radstock to Frome was built to carry the coal. In the 1870s the broad-gauge line was converted to standard gauge and connected to the Bristol and North Somerset Line connecting it to the Great Western Railway at Bristol; the GWR also took over the Wilts Somerset and Weymouth Railway in 1876. The Bristol and North Somerset line closed to passenger traffic in 1959. The Radstock Railway Land comprises an area of approximately 8.8 hectares (21.7 acres) of land which has been subject to planning and development applications.[4] The line is now the route of National Cycle Route 24, otherwise known as the Colliers Way.
Radstock had a second station on the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway extension to Bath, which closed to passengers in 1966. The two stations were adjacent to each other in the centre of the town, and both had level crossings across the busy A367 road that caused long tailbacks at busy periods. The S&D line also carried substantial coal traffic and a spur from the Great Western line on to the S&D and on up to Writhlington colliery remained open for a few years after the railway's closure to passenger traffic, until the mine shut in 1973.
[edit] Industry
Since the mines closed in the early 1970s, the towns have become commuter towns with residents working in Bristol or Bath. Some manufacturing industry still exists in the area, namely printing, binding and packaging.
[edit] Places of interest
Radstock is home to the Radstock Museum, housed in its former market hall. It is also home to an important ecological site Radstock Railway Sidings and an important geological site Writhlington SSSI.
Radstock is home to Writhlington School, famous for its Orchid collection and its links with Brazil, Costa Rica and Guatemala. The school houses the biggest collection of Orchids outside Kew Gardens. The school also attained the best Media Arts results in the country in the 2006 A-level examinations. In addition to this, it was named the most enterprising school in England and received the award on the 16 November 2006.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ Church of St Nicholas. Images of England. Retrieved on 2006-12-10.
- ^ Clew, Kenneth R. (1970). The Somersetshire Coal Canal and Railways. Newton Abbot: David and Charles. ISBN 0715347926.
- ^ Peak District Mines Historical Society Ltd. Retrieved on 2006-11-12.
- ^ Radstock Railway Land Redevelopment. Bath and North East Somerset Council. Retrieved on 2006-12-10.
[edit] External links
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