| Pitney | |
|---|---|
 Sunset rays catch the tower ofSt John the Baptist Church | |
  Pitney Location withinSomerset | |
| Population | 374 [1] |
| OS grid reference | ST455285 |
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Langport |
| Postcode district | TA10 |
| Dialling code | 01458 |
| Police | Avon and Somerset |
| Fire | Devon and Somerset |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| UK Parliament | |
| 51°03′07″N2°47′21″W / 51.0519°N 2.7891°W /51.0519; -2.7891 | |
Pitney is a village and parish in Somerset, England, located 2.5 miles (4.0 km) east ofLangport and 3 miles (4.8 km) west ofSomerton in theSouth Somerset district. In 2011, the village had a population of 374.[1]
Pitney is home to St John the Baptist Church, the Pitney Farm Shop, and theHalfway House, selected as England's Pub of the Year in 1996 byCAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale).
The name means "Pytta's place" from Pytta theSaxon, however there is evidence of much earlier occupation from aBronze Age sword dating from 200 BC found on Pitney Moor.[2] It was recorded in theDomesday book asPetenie supporting the alternative meaning of 'the traversing stream' from theOld Englishpæþþan andea.[3]
Several significant archaeological finds have been made at Pitney, including the remains of aRoman villa (roof tiles, pottery, and mosaic) uncovered in the 19th century,[4] and the Pitney brooch, a Saxon cast bronzeopenwork brooch, modelled after a late Viking design and now in the British Museum.[5]
Themedieval manors originated in grants made to Richard Rivel (ofCurry Rivel) from the Royal manor of Somerton between 1190 and 1003. The parish was part of thePitneyHundred.[6] Pitney Warne manor was granted to the Compton family in 1610 and split up and sold by their descendant theDuke of Devonshire in 1919. The lesser manor of Pitney Lortie was held by the Pyne family;[2] the manor house may be the building now known as The Old Court, which has its origins prior to the 16th century.[7]
The 1848 publication,A Topographical Dictionary of England,[8] describes Pitney as an agricultural village of 465 people and writes of the Roman villa:
At this place has been discovered perhaps the most perfect pavement of an ancient villa yet found in England; the ruins cover about an acre and a half of ground, and the remains of the mosaics show the former splendour of the buildings. In the principal apartment are four pavements of great beauty, with nine figures in good preservation, and four well-drawn busts; in another room is the figure of a youth striking a serpent. The late Sir Richard C. Hoare, who had the subjects illustrated by engravings, supposes, from the English costume of the chief figures, that the villa belonged to the lord of the manor, and was not raised till after the departure of the Romans.
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.[9] 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, and tourism.
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.
Pitney's church is dedicated toSt John the Baptist. The west tower and south doorway to the nave date to the 14th century, with other parts from the 15th century. The chancel wasrestored in 1853, with additional restoration to the church in 1875.[10] It was a daughter chapel toHuish Episcopi.[2] It has been designated byEnglish Heritage as a Grade II*listed building.[11]
Media related toPitney at Wikimedia Commons