Bathford (pronounced with the emphasis on the second syllable) is a village and civil parish 3 miles (4.8 km) east of Bath, England. The parish, which includes Warleigh, has a population of 1,759[1] and extends over 1,800 acres (7.3 km2).
History
The ancient charter Codex Diplomaticus Aevi Saxonici describes a manorparish consisting of three tithings or quasi manors: Bathford in the centre, Shockerwick to the north, and Warleigh to the south. This corresponds closely to the current boundaries. This manor was known as Forde up until the seventeenth century; the name was derived from the ford that crosses the By Brook, connecting Bathford to neighbouring Batheaston.
At Bathford (near the citie of Bathe) was found by digging of a drayning trench deeper than ordinarily in the grounds of Mr Skreene, in the year 1655 a roome underground, which was about 14-foot (4.3 m) one way and 17 feet (5.2 m) the other. The pavement of which was opus tesselatum [tesselated work] of small stones of several colours. viz., white (hard chalk), blue (liasse), and red (fine brick). In the middle of the floor was a blue bird, not well proportioned, and in each of the four angles a sort of knott. This ground and the whole manor did belong to the Abbey of Bath. Underneath this floor there is water. The floor is borne on pillars of stone about an ell distant the one from the other. On the pillars were laid plank stones on which the opus tesselatum was layd. The water issued out of the earth a little below, and many persuade themselves there is much water in it. This discovered place was so much frequented that it caused Mr Skreene to cover it up again, because the great concourse of people, especially from Bathe, injured his grounds, but he would not cover it so soon that the people had torn up all the work before I came hither to see it, but his daughter-in-lawe hath described the whole floor with her needle in gobelin-stitch. Mr Skreene told me there is another floor adjoining yet untouched.[2]
The ford from which the village derived its name was connected with the Fosse Way. This is mentioned in a Saxon charter of the tenth century relating to the manor.[3] The Fosse Way stills forms the boundary of the parish.
Near Bathford, on the opposite side of the river, is a large meadow known as Horselands where, according to tradition, the Roman cavalry were exercised. More recently, the area bounded by Ostlings Lane and the Bradford Road (A363) was used to keep the spare horses used to haul the mail coaches up Bathford Hill. They then returned to the field to await the next coach. Some older long-standing residents of Bathford still refer to Ostlings Lane as Horses Lane. Whether the two areas are related is somewhat uncertain.
Bathford has been formally twinned with Artannes-sur-Indre in France since 2005.
Governance
The parish council 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 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, such as the village hall or community centre, playing fields and playgrounds, 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 of interest to the council.
The old walled village of Bathford is on the A363, approximately one kilometre south of the A4. Bathford Bridge is where the A363 crosses the By Brook (also known as Box Brook, The Weaver and Withy Brook). The original bridge was built in the 13th or 14th century to replace the ford which gave the village its name.[10]
Bathford extends up one side of the Avonvale Valley. There are several routes up to the valley ridge, which was once the site of active stone quarrying. This ridge offers commanding views of the valley below and also of nearby Solsbury Hill.
Industry
A mill was recorded in the Domesday survey of 1086.[11] A mill on the By Brook, just north of the village and upstream of Bathford Bridge, was used at various times to grind corn and make cloth and leather. Papermaking began there in 1809. The site was acquired in 1972 by the Hampshire-based Portals company, which was part of De La Rue between 1995 and 2018. Today the mill is owned by Portals International Limited, established when De La Rue divested their papermaking business; the company specialises in paper for banknotes and other security applications such as passports.[12]
St Swithun's Church, parts of which may date from the 12th century, is the resting place of Admiral Lord Nelson's sister, Ann. The church has Romanesque origins and the dedication to St. Swithun is thought to have been in 1323.[14] The north aisle and porch were added in 1856, the south aisle and nave in 1870–72, and the west tower between 1879 and 1880.[15]
Events
There is a flower show every September which is usually hosted in the village hall but, in 2022, was hosted in the school hall.[16]
Due to Covid-19 the flower show was unable to be hosted as usual. In 2020, nothing happened.
In 2021, people put up tables with fruits, vegetables, flowers, etc... in their gardens for people to see.
Education
There is a school in Bathford called Bathford Primary School (formerly known as Bathford CofE VC School).
^ ab"Bathford Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Archived from the original on 1 January 2014. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
^Aubrey, John (1982). Monumenta Britannica: a Miscellany of British Antiquities. Little Brown & Company. ISBN0-316-05907-2.
