The OPC is Sue Stenning
Contiguous Parishes (our neighbours)
Grittleton – Hullavington – Leigh Delamere – Littleton Drew – Nettleton – North Wraxall – Yatton Keynell
Websites of Interest
The Parish Church of St. Andrew
Above the cottages of the much admired village of Castle Combe and in the shadow of its Castle Hill rises the tall tower of its church. The capitals of the pillars are carved; eastwards is an elaborate chancel embellished with statuettes in niches. There is a 15th century pulpit and a chapel screen of the same date. A 14th century castellan lies cross legged on his tomb surrounded by mourners.
St. Andrew’s Gallery St. Andrew’s Interior Gallery St. Andrew’s Churchyard Gallery
Churchyard Memorial Inscriptions Incumbents of St. Andrews 1886-1965
Parish Registers held at WSHC
Baptisms 1653-1857
Marriages 1653-2005
Burials 1653-1888
BTs 1846-1892 held at Bristol Record Office
Parish History
The village of Castle Combe has been dubbed ‘the Prettiest Village in England’. The village has often been used by film crews to portray the quintessential English Village. The By Brook was amazingly turned into the seafront becoming Puddleby-on-the-Marsh in the 1966 adaptation of Doctor Dolittle and other prominent buildings in the village were used as the jail and the doctors house. Incidently the villagers were appalled at the noise and disruption and one was even intercepted carrying sticks of dynamite intent on blowing up the film set!! Most recently the market place and the bridge over the By Brook featured in the blockbuster War Horse, the first being the location of the sale where Joey was first purchased and again when sold to the Army for war service and the bridge is where Albert says a tearful farewell to his beloved horse as it is led away by the military. Other films using Castle Combe as a location include Stardust and Wolf-Man.
Population Figures and other parish statistics Parish News 1750-1799
Civil Registration
1837 – Present Chippenham Registration District
Buildings and Land
Property Related Newspaper Items 1800-1849 Public Auction 1867 Sale of Property 1871 Owners of Land 1873
Agriculture
Cattle Plague Regulations 1867
Bybrook & Bridge
Land Surveys
Public Houses & Hotels
Public Houses & Hotels Gallery
Castle Hotel
The White Hart
Manor House & Hotel
The Manor House has evolved over many years. It was first built on the grounds of a Norman Castle. Notable residents include Sir John Oldcastle who is historically believed to be one of the models for the Shakespeares’ character Falstaff although there seems to be no documented evidence of this apart from the reference from the history of the Manor House Hotel. Later in the 19th century it was the home of George Poulet Scrope and wife Emma, whose family had owned the land since the 14th century. During WWII the manor became the Headquarters of the New Zealand Forestry Division Officers. In 1947 the house and gardens were sold and the manor became a country club. Later the country club was sold to Bobbie Allen, a Lancashire lass who turned the manor into a an elite hotel. The hotel is still a very desirable country retreat.
Maps
Ordnance Surveyor’s Drawings 1813-1814
Market Cross
In what is recognised as the prettiest village in England, the inn is one of the centrepieces of this pageant of history, standing opposite the old wool market. The Ancient Britons had a dwelling here, the Romans a post station and, in the the ninth century, King Alfred drove the invading Danes through the village. A famous Lord of the Manor in the fifteenth century was Sir John Oldcastle, immortalised by Shakespeare as Falstaff. At this time the tavern was only allowed to open once a week, and gaming or idleness was forbidden. In the four ale bar may be seen the old wig cupboard, one end of this bar was straw-covered to keep the gentry’s feet warm.
Television and Film Locations
The village has been used in several TV and Film Adaptions over many years
| Dr. Dolittle | The Murder of Roger Ackroyd | War Horse |
Crime and Legal Matters
Assizes Court Presentations
Crime Reports
Prisons & Prisoners
Inmates of Gloucester Gaol 1815-1879
Quarter Sessions
Victims of Crime
Directories
Post Office 1855 Post Office 1875 Kellys 1915 Swindon & District Year Book 1928
Education
A National School was founded here.
Average School Attendance & Government Grant 1871-1885 Class of 1936
Emigration and Migration
Employment and Business
Agriculture and Land
Apprentices
Apprentices 1710-1811 Thomas Barrett 1722 John Beale 1719 James Bennet 1757
Wiltshire Society Apprentices
Henry Pitney 1867 Charles Henry Edward White 1844
Communications
British Postal Service Appointments 1737-1969
Community Services
Police
Medicine
General Medical Council Registration 1859-1959
Miscellaneous Documents
Non Conformity and Other Places of Worship
Baptist Chapel
Congregational Chapel
Independent Chapel
IGI Batch Numbers for Castle Combe Independent Chapel: C077661
A History of Castle Combe Independent Chapel Baptisms 1795-1836 Baptisms 1837-1911 Membership Roll 1845-1920
Primitive Methodist Mission
People and Parish Notables
Associations, Clubs, Organisations & Societies
Friendly Societies
Wiltshire Friendly Society
Membership 1837-1871 General Meeting 1846
Census Return Transcripts
Coroner Bills
County coroners were introduced in England in around 1194 once established other boroughs and liberties sought the right to have their own coroner. Often in Medieval times the coroner also assumed the role of the sheriff and his duties weren’t limited to holding inquests on dead bodies although almost a full time post they were unpaid for the duties apart from those that were deemed murder of manslaughter when they would receive 13s. 4d. From the 24th June 1752 a law was passed allowing the coroner to claim £1 for every inquest they attended not held in a gaol and also to claim 9d per mile travel allowance from the place of residence. Inquests held in any gaol were performed at a rate totalling no more than £1. These costs were to be paid from the county rates. In cases of homicide the coroner also received the former fee of 13s. 4d. The coroners submitted their bills at the quarter session sittings for approval. Coroners Bills 1752-1796
Elections and Polls
Poll of Freeholders 1772 Poll Book 1818 Voters List 1832 Voters Lists Revisions 1843 MP Nominations 2015 MP Nominations 2017
Family Notices
Inquest Reports
Personal Research Items
John Pullin Descendency Tree c1575
Tuck Family Research Burial Extracts – These items were donated by Ken Tuck and contains entries that may or may not relate to the Tuck family however they have been published as such. Many references to Quaker entries may be found from across the county.
Taxes
Poor Law, Charity and the Workhouse
Probate
Inquisitions Post Mortem of Lands Held
Richard Grobham 1630 Thomas Wilde 1642
War, Conflict and Military Matters
War Memorials & Military Gallery
Muster Roll 1539 Calne & District Casualty Lists 1914-1918 Roll of Honour Plaque 1914 War Memorial
