| Middlezoy | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Middlezoy Location withinSomerset | |
| Population | 725 (2011)[1] |
| OS grid reference | ST375325 |
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BRIDGWATER |
| Postcode district | TA7 |
| Dialling code | 01823 |
| Police | Avon and Somerset |
| Fire | Devon and Somerset |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| UK Parliament | |
| 51°05′17″N2°53′38″W / 51.088°N 2.894°W /51.088; -2.894 | |
Middlezoy is a village andcivil parish on theSomerset Levels inSomerset, England. Situated between the two other villages of Westonzoyland and Othery and is about six miles from the town of Bridgwater which is on the tidal river Parret.
The name Middlezoy meaningthe middle stream island, derives fromSowi, the name ofGlastonbury Abbey's major estate,sow, a British river name from a root meaningflowing. The extra i is derived from theSaxonig for island.[2]
The parish of Middlezoy was part of theWhitleyHundred.[3]
In 1800 1,100 acres of common land were enclosed as a result of theInclosure Acts.[4]
In 2006 the village shop closed and a grant was obtained for the erection of a new modular structure to house a community shop and post office.[5]
In 2018 an unlicensed aerodrome business named Middlezoy Aerodrome was started on the south side of the oldRAF Westonzoyland Airfield with a grass strip, hangar and aNissen hut. A Meteor T.7 gate guard can be seen from the A372 main road.[6][failed verification]
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 village comes under theunitary authority ofSomerset Council. Prior to this, it was part of thenon-metropolitan district ofSedgemoor, which was formed on 1 April 1974 under theLocal Government Act 1972, having previously been part ofBridgwater Rural District.[7]
It is also part of acounty 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.
Just to the north of the village is theGreylakeSite of Special Scientific Interest, which consists of 20 low-lying fields in the north west corner ofKing's Sedgemoor,[8] and includes theRoyal Society for the Protection of Birds Greylakenature reserve.[9] This location is the type section for thePleistocene Burtle Beds, as it is probably the most complete Burtle Beds sequence in Somerset. It demonstrates a sequence of fluvial (or possibly glacial) gravels, marine intertidal silts and marine subtidal. Rich molluscan, ostracod and foraminifer assemblages and a mammalian fauna, includingRed Deer (Cervus elephus),Aurochs (Bos primigenius) andFallow Deer (Dama cf dama) have been recorded.[10]
Holy Cross church Middlezoy dates from the 13th century. It has a three-stage tower similar to that atLyng and has been designated byEnglish Heritage as a grade Ilisted building.[11]William of Bitton II was the rector by 20 April 1263.[12]
Media related toMiddlezoy at Wikimedia Commons
