| Coleford | |
|---|---|
 Holy Trinity Church | |
  Coleford Location withinSomerset | |
| Population | 2,313 (2011)[1] |
| OS grid reference | ST685495 |
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | RADSTOCK |
| Postcode district | BA3 |
| Dialling code | 01373 |
| Police | Avon and Somerset |
| Fire | Devon and Somerset |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| UK Parliament | |
| 51°14′39″N2°27′07″W / 51.2442°N 2.4519°W /51.2442; -2.4519 | |
Coleford is a village andcivil parish inSomerset, England, situated on theMells River in theMendip Hills five miles west ofFrome. The parish has a population of 2,313 in 2011.[1]
Coleford was listed in theDomesday Book of 1086 asColford, meaningthe hill ford, possibly from theOld Frenchcol andford, or alternativelythe coal ford, aford over whichcharcoal was carried.[2][3]
There are visible remains of a famous unfinished engineering project, theDorset and Somerset Canal aqueduct, known locally as the 'Huckyduck', which was abandoned in 1803.[4]
The village once had several coal mines as part of the now closedSomerset coalfield. Just north of Coleford there were the collieries of Newbury and Mackintosh. Mackintosh opened in 1867 but closed in 1919, due to flooding.[5] The Natural Stone Products factory is built on the site of Newbury Colliery. This pit started around the beginning of the 19th century and closed in 1927.[5] The Coal Barton mine was the scene of afiredamp explosion which killed nine miners in 1869.[5]
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.
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 ofMendip (established under theLocal Government Act 1972). It was part ofFrome Rural District before 1974.[6]
The village falls within the 'Coleford and Holcombe'electoral Ward. The ward stretches in the east fromColeford before going west toHolcombe and then south west toStoke St. Michael.Mells is also included.The total ward population as at the2011 census was 4,700.[7]
It is also part of theFrome and East Somersetcounty 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.
TheAnglican Parish Church of The Holy Trinity was built in 1831 by J. Sperring.[8] TheMethodist Chapel is a little more recent having been built in 1865.[9]
Media related toColeford at Wikimedia Commons
