Cattistock | |
---|---|
![]() Church and The Square, Cattistock | |
Location within
Dorset | |
Population | 509 [1] |
OS grid reference | SY592996 |
Unitary authority | |
Shire county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | Dorchester |
Postcode district | DT2 |
Dialling code | 01300 |
Police | Dorset |
Fire | Dorset and Wiltshire |
Ambulance | South Western |
UK Parliament | |
Cattistock is a village and civil parish in west Dorset, England, sited in the upper reaches of the Frome Valley, 8 miles (13 km) northwest of the county town Dorchester. The Dorset poet William Barnes called it "elbow-streeted Cattstock", [2] a comment on the less-than-linear village street. In the 2011 census the parish had a population of 509. [1]
A church was built here in the 12th century by the monks of Milton Abbey, though this structure has not survived. [3] The current church, dedicated to St Peter and St Paul, [3] was rebuilt in the 19th century by architects Sir George Gilbert Scott and his son George Gilbert Scott Junior. The Perpendicular-styled tower was the work of the latter, and has led to the church being dubbed the 'Cathedral of the Frome Valley'; he was also responsible for the porch, north aisle and vestry. [4] A carillon of 35 bells was installed in the new tower a few years after its construction. This was the first carillon to be introduced to England and attracted hundreds of visitors to the valley, though the bells were destroyed by a fire in the tower on 15 September 1940. [2] [5] The fire also destroyed the very large clock, which previously almost spanned the width of the tower. [2] In 1972 the Pevsner guide to Dorset architecture said that "for the mid- to late-nineteenth century, this is the masterpiece amongst Dorset churches". [2] The church is a Grade I Listed Building. [6]
Nearly 1.75 miles (2.82 km) north of the village is Chantmarle, a house dating from the 15th century, with additions in the 16th, 17th and 19th centuries. [7] It received its name – which means "song of the blackbird" in Norman French – from the Chauntmerles family, who lived on the site in the early 13th century. [8] In 1910 Inigo Thomas designed new end wings and a terraced garden with ponds. [2] [9] In the late 20th century Chantmarle was used as a centre for police training. [2] It then became a Christian retreat and wedding reception venue, but is now once more a private home. [8]
The Cattistock Hunt is a foxhound pack established by a parson at Cattistock Lodge in the mid 18th century. It was given the name 'The True Blue'. [2]
The Hunt has been affiliated with all UK naval vessels named HMS Cattistock, including the latest to bear the name, HMS Cattistock (M31).
The village also has a close relationship with those named ships too and has hosted the ships' crews on many occasions.
An ensign and emblem shield of HMS Cattistock - a blue cornflower, the symbol of the Hunt's colours and a wildflower local to the area - is displayed in the village church.
Cattistock hosts a Dorset knob throwing event and the Frome Valley Food Festival every year on the first Sunday in May. [10]
Cattistock | |
---|---|
![]() Church and The Square, Cattistock | |
Location within
Dorset | |
Population | 509 [1] |
OS grid reference | SY592996 |
Unitary authority | |
Shire county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | Dorchester |
Postcode district | DT2 |
Dialling code | 01300 |
Police | Dorset |
Fire | Dorset and Wiltshire |
Ambulance | South Western |
UK Parliament | |
Cattistock is a village and civil parish in west Dorset, England, sited in the upper reaches of the Frome Valley, 8 miles (13 km) northwest of the county town Dorchester. The Dorset poet William Barnes called it "elbow-streeted Cattstock", [2] a comment on the less-than-linear village street. In the 2011 census the parish had a population of 509. [1]
A church was built here in the 12th century by the monks of Milton Abbey, though this structure has not survived. [3] The current church, dedicated to St Peter and St Paul, [3] was rebuilt in the 19th century by architects Sir George Gilbert Scott and his son George Gilbert Scott Junior. The Perpendicular-styled tower was the work of the latter, and has led to the church being dubbed the 'Cathedral of the Frome Valley'; he was also responsible for the porch, north aisle and vestry. [4] A carillon of 35 bells was installed in the new tower a few years after its construction. This was the first carillon to be introduced to England and attracted hundreds of visitors to the valley, though the bells were destroyed by a fire in the tower on 15 September 1940. [2] [5] The fire also destroyed the very large clock, which previously almost spanned the width of the tower. [2] In 1972 the Pevsner guide to Dorset architecture said that "for the mid- to late-nineteenth century, this is the masterpiece amongst Dorset churches". [2] The church is a Grade I Listed Building. [6]
Nearly 1.75 miles (2.82 km) north of the village is Chantmarle, a house dating from the 15th century, with additions in the 16th, 17th and 19th centuries. [7] It received its name – which means "song of the blackbird" in Norman French – from the Chauntmerles family, who lived on the site in the early 13th century. [8] In 1910 Inigo Thomas designed new end wings and a terraced garden with ponds. [2] [9] In the late 20th century Chantmarle was used as a centre for police training. [2] It then became a Christian retreat and wedding reception venue, but is now once more a private home. [8]
The Cattistock Hunt is a foxhound pack established by a parson at Cattistock Lodge in the mid 18th century. It was given the name 'The True Blue'. [2]
The Hunt has been affiliated with all UK naval vessels named HMS Cattistock, including the latest to bear the name, HMS Cattistock (M31).
The village also has a close relationship with those named ships too and has hosted the ships' crews on many occasions.
An ensign and emblem shield of HMS Cattistock - a blue cornflower, the symbol of the Hunt's colours and a wildflower local to the area - is displayed in the village church.
Cattistock hosts a Dorset knob throwing event and the Frome Valley Food Festival every year on the first Sunday in May. [10]