| Kingweston | |
|---|---|
 The Approach toKingweston Church | |
 Kingweston | |
  Kingweston Location withinSomerset | |
| Population | 128 (2011)[1] |
| OS grid reference | ST526311 |
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Somerton |
| Postcode district | TA11 |
| Dialling code | 01458 |
| Police | Avon and Somerset |
| Fire | Devon and Somerset |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| UK Parliament | |
| 51°04′38″N2°40′38″W / 51.0773°N 2.6773°W /51.0773; -2.6773 | |
Kingweston is a village andcivil parish inSomerset, England, situated on Combe Hill, 3 miles (4.8 km) north east ofSomerton in theSouth Somerset district. The village has apopulation of 128.[1]
The village's name was Chinwardestune in theDomesday Book of 1086. There is evidence of Romano-British occupation in Copley Wood.[2]
After theNorman Conquest the manor was given to Eustance, Count of Bologne and held by his family until a descendant gave it toBermondsey Abbey in 1114, who held the manor until theDissolution of the monasteries. It then passed to the Smyth family ofLong Ashton until it was bought in 1740 byCaleb Dickinson.[2]
The parish was part of thehundred ofCatsash.[3]
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 village falls within theNon-metropolitan district ofSouth Somerset, which was formed on 1 April 1974 under theLocal Government Act 1972, having previously been part ofLangport Rural District.[4] The district council is responsible forlocal planning andbuilding control, local roads,council housing,environmental health,markets and fairs,refuse collection andrecycling,cemeteries andcrematoria, leisure services, parks, andtourism.
Somerset County Council is responsible for running the largest and most expensive local services such aseducation,social services,libraries, main roads,public transport,policing andfire services,trading standards,waste disposal and strategic planning.
It is also part of theGlastonbury and Somertoncounty constituency represented in theHouse of Commons of theParliament of the United Kingdom. It elects oneMember of Parliament (MP) by thefirst past the post system of election.
Kingweston Meadows is abiological Site of Special Scientific Interest providing an example of an unimproved herb-rich neutral grassland of a type which is now rare in Britain.[5]
Kingweston House was built on the site of a previous Tudor House, but the current building was erected by the Dickinson family in the 19th century. Since 1946 it has been part ofMillfield School.[6]
The parishChurch of All Saints retains some medieval fragments, but was largely rebuilt byCharles Edmund Giles between 1852 and 1855.[7]
