| Norton Malreward | |
|---|---|
 Norton Malreward fromMaes Knoll | |
  Norton Malreward Location withinSomerset | |
| Population | 246 (2011)[1] |
| OS grid reference | ST600660 |
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BRISTOL |
| Postcode district | BS39 |
| Dialling code | 01275 |
| Police | Avon and Somerset |
| Fire | Avon |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| UK Parliament | |
| 51°23′16″N2°34′23″W / 51.3877°N 2.573°W /51.3877; -2.573 | |
Norton Malreward is a smallSomerset village andcivil parish 4 miles (6.4 km) south ofBristol, England at the northern edge of theChew Valley. In 1895 Norton Malreward was combined with the neighbouringhamlet ofNorton Hawkfield (also speltHautville) into a single parish,[2] which has a population of 246.[1]
Norton Malreward is listed asNortone in theDomesday Book of 1086, meaning 'the north enclosure' (from theOld Englishnorp andtun).Malreward is a corruption of theNorman surname Malregard (lit. ‘evil eye/glance'),[3][4] that of a tenant of thebishop of Coutances in 1238.[5] During the reign ofEdward I the manor was held by John Le Sore ofBackwell. Later lords of the manor included Hawisia de Burton, John de Burton, Robert Grayndor, Robert Basset and Sir William Basset. In 1701 the manor was sold to Richard Holder and sold again in 1718 to Francis Freeman and Samuel Prigg.[2]
Just north of and overlooking the village isMaes Knoll Tump, atumulus 390 by 84 feet (119 m × 26 m), and 45 feet (14 m) in height, the start of theWansdyke. The remains of thisIron Agehillfort lie at the eastern end of theDundry Down ridge. The hillfort consists of a fairly large flat open area, roughly triangular in shape, that was fortified byramparts and shaping of the steep-sided hilltop around the northern, eastern and southwestern sides of the hill (the flat area inWorld War II was dotted with stonecairns to deter the landing of enemy gliders to invade Bristol; a detachment of theDundryHome Guard had a draughty corrugated-iron look-out shed on the top of the tumulus).[6] Maes Knoll provides a splendid view over the lands it would have once commanded. From here, there are clear views north to Bristol, east toBath and theCotswold Hills, and south overStanton Drew stone circles toChew Valley Lake and theMendip Hills.
The parish was part of thehundred ofChew.[7]
Ammonites andfossilnautili are abundant in this neighbourhood.
The village lies on the route of theMonarch's Way long-distance footpath.
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, such as thevillage hall orcommunity centre,playing fields andplaygrounds, 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.
Norton Malreward is part of the Chew Valley North Ward, which is represented by one councillor on theunitary authority ofBath and North East Somerset which was created in 1996, as established by theLocal Government Act 1992. It provides a single tier oflocal government with responsibility for almost all local government functions within its area includinglocal planning andbuilding control, local roads,council housing,environmental health,markets and fairs,refuse collection,recycling,cemeteries,crematoria, leisure services, parks, andtourism. It is also responsible foreducation,social services,libraries, main roads,public transport,trading standards,waste disposal and strategic planning, although fire, police and ambulance services are provided jointly with other authorities through theAvon Fire and Rescue Service,Avon and Somerset Constabulary and theGreat Western Ambulance Service.
Bath and North East Somerset's area covers part of theceremonial county ofSomerset but it is administered independently of thenon-metropolitan county. Its administrative headquarters is inBath. Between 1 April 1974 and 1 April 1996, it was theWansdykedistrict and theCity of Bath of thecounty of Avon.[8] Before 1974 that the parish was part of theClutton Rural District.[9]
The parish is represented in theHouse of Commons of theParliament of the United Kingdom as part ofNorth East Somerset and Hanham. It elects oneMember of Parliament (MP) by thefirst past the post system of election.
According to the 2001 Census, theChew Valley North Ward (which includesChew Magna andChew Stoke), had 2,307 residents, living in 911 households, with an average age of 42.3 years. Of these 77% of residents describing their health as 'good', 21% of 16- to 74-year-olds had no qualifications; and the area had an unemployment rate of 1.3% of all economically active people aged 16–74. In the Index of Multiple Deprivation 2004, it was ranked at 26,243 out of 32,482 wards in England, where 1 was the most deprivedLSOA and 32,482 the least deprived.[10]
TheAnglican parishChurch of Holy Trinity dates from the late 12th century. The tower which has since been altered was added in the 15th century and rebuilt around 1860 byJames Wilson ofBath. It has been designated as a Grade IIlisted building.[11]
The Malrewards came in withthe Conqueror or thereabouts. The mere name signifies evil glance. The word was originally Malregard. TheNorman G often becomes W in English. [...] Similar surnames are found at the same period, e.g. Mal-enfant (bad child), Mal-main (evil hand), Mau-lovel (bad little wolf), Malvoisin (bad neighbour), Mau-clerk (bad scholar), &c.
Norton Malreward should be Malregard from the Norman lord who had an evil eye.
