| Tatworth | |
|---|---|
 St John's Church | |
  Tatworth Location withinSomerset | |
| Population | 2,660 (2011)[1] |
| OS grid reference | ST325055 |
| Civil parish |
|
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | CHARD |
| Postcode district | TA20 |
| Dialling code | 01460 |
| Police | Avon and Somerset |
| Fire | Devon and Somerset |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| UK Parliament | |
| 50°50′42″N2°57′36″W / 50.8450°N 2.9601°W /50.8450; -2.9601 | |
Tatworth is a village 2 miles (3 km) south ofChard in the county ofSomerset, England. It is within Tatworth and Fortoncivil parish.
Tatworth is a large village, consisting of a number of smaller villages includingSouth Chard,Perry Street andChard Junction which are close together. The hamlet ofForton lies to the north, towards Chard; an area southwest of Forton is calledWhite Gate.[2]
A whiteliaslimestoneRomantessera measuring 25.7 millimetres (1.01 in) x 20.18 millimetres (0.79 in) x 17.75 millimetres (0.70 in) and regularly cut on two faces was found in the area,[3] and may be connected with the remains of aRoman villa or farmhouse by St Margaret's Lane. Part of this building was excavated in 1967 and pottery and paving found there are displayed in theChard Museum.[4]
The name of the village comes from theOld Englishtat andworp meaning 'A cheerful farm'.[5] In 1254, the spelling was Tattewurthe and was a sub-manor of Chard.[6] In 1554 Thatteworh was granted toWilliam Petre as the 'manor and park of Tatworthy' and remained in the family until 1790. Tatworth in the 1850s extended to 1,552 acres (6.28 km2) and had a population of 852.[6]
Theparish 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, andneighbourhood 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, 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 the responsibility of the council.
The parish was known as Chard parish (distinct from the town ofChard) until 1985 when boundary changes were made, and it was reduced in size.[7]
Forlocal government purposes, since 1 April 2023, the parish comes under theunitary authority ofSomerset Council. Prior to this, it was part of thenon-metropolitan district ofSouth Somerset (established under theLocal Government Act 1972). It was part ofChard Rural District before 1974.[8]
It is also part of theYeovilcounty constituency, represented in theHouse of Commons.
St John's Church, which dates from 1851, is designated byEnglish Heritage as a Grade IIlisted building.[9][10]
Tatworth has a primary school,[11] twopubs –Ye Olde Poppe Inn and theGolden Fleece – and the Perry Street Club, a members-only club. It also has a McColl's shop which is also apost office.
Tatworth has a number of local sports clubs. ThePerry Street & District Football League was formed in Tatworth in 1903 by Charles Edward Small, the owner of the Perry Street Lace Works.[12] Perry Street Football Club still play in the league today. There is also a cricket club and local skittles league based at Perry Street Club.[13]
Stowell Meadow is abiological Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Media related toTatworth at Wikimedia Commons
