| Mark | |
|---|---|
 Parish Church of St Mark (or Holy Cross) | |
 White Horse Inn | |
  Mark Location withinSomerset | |
| Population | 1,478 [1] |
| OS grid reference | ST376477 |
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Highbridge |
| Postcode district | TA9 |
| Dialling code | 01278 |
| Police | Avon and Somerset |
| Fire | Devon and Somerset |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| UK Parliament | |
| 51°13′30″N2°53′38″W / 51.225°N 2.894°W /51.225; -2.894 | |
Mark is a village andcivil parish which lies approximately 10 miles (16 km) fromBridgwater, 5 miles (8 km) fromAxbridge, and 4 miles (6.4 km) fromHighbridge in the county ofSomerset, England. It includes thehamlets ofYarrow andSouthwick. TheMark Yeo river has its source near the village.
Mark is home to twopubs, a village hall,[2] a village stores and post office, theKi-Aikido Federation of Great Britain and many clubs and societies, including a Youth Theatre group.
The origin of the name is believed to meanA boundary of property from theOld Englishmærc.[3]
The estate was given to theBishop of Wells byEdith of Wessex and withWedmore was used to endow the deanery ofWells Cathedral by 1157 and continued until 1547.[4]
Mark was part of thehundred ofBempstone.[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 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 ofAxbridge Rural District.[6]
It is also part of theWells and Mendip Hillscounty 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.
The ParishChurch of St Mark (or Holy Cross) dates from the 13th century, but is mainly 14th and 15th century, with furtherrestoration in 1864. It has been designated byEnglish Heritage as a Grade Ilisted building.[7] The former market cross in the churchyard dates from the 15th century.[8]
The Methodist Chapel on The Causeway dates from 1797.[9]
The educational system in the Cheddar Valley consists ofFirst Schools for children between the ages of 4 and 9, twoMiddle Schools (ages 9 to 13) and a Secondary School for pupils up to the age of 18 years.Children from Mark may attend Mark First School,[10]Hugh Sexey Middle School in Blackford,[11]andThe Kings of Wessex Academy inCheddar.
Mark is home to Mark College, a private boarding secondary school for students withAsperger syndrome orhigh-functioning autism.[12]
