Cothelstone

Cothelstone is a village and civil parish in Somerset in the south west of England in the United Kingdom. It is located in the Quantock Hills, about ten kilometers north of Taunton Taunton Deane in the district. The village has 111 inhabitants (as of 2002).

It is said that one can see a good view of Cothelstone from 14 counties and 150 churches with a telescope of days.

History

The Stawell family received the manor Cothelstone Manor in 1066 by William the Conqueror. During the English Civil War, Sir John Stawell of Cothelstone at his own expense a troop on to fight for the king. As Taunton fell into the hands of parliamentary troops and was held by Robert Blake, he grabbed at Stawell at Bishops Lydeard and took him prisoner. After the Stuart Restoration, King Charles II granted the title of Baron Stawell of Sir John's son Ralph.

Government

The municipal council ( parish council) is responsible for local affairs, such as the establishment of a budget for the expenditure of the municipalities and for the financial statements. It assesses planning applications and works in fighting crime and on the circulation of the police, district officials and local neighborhood monitoring groups. He is also responsible for about the maintenance and repair of local roads, sewers, sidewalks and street cleaning. Even the preservation of trees and listed buildings as well as environmental issues are the responsibility of the council.

The village belongs to the Non - metropolitan district of Taunton Deane, which was established on 1 April 1974 under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972; before the place was part of Taunton Rural District. The district administration is responsible for building permits and roads, council housing, environmental protection, markets and fairs, waste management and recycling, cemeteries and funeral services as well as for parks and tourist affairs.

In the facts of the Somerset County Council are the biggest and most costly municipal tasks, such as education, social services, libraries, main roads, public transport, police and fire as well as the dumping of garbage and regional planning.

Cothelstone falls in the constituency of Taunton, which determines the representation in the House of Commons. Here, a Member of Parliament is elected. At European level, the place falls in the constituency of South West England, which defines seven deputies to the European Parliament, the D' Hondt method is applied.

Structures

Cothelstone Manor was built in the mid 16th century and largely destroyed by Parliamentary forces in 1646. It was not until 1855-1856 a reconstruction done by EJ Esdaile. The gatehouse of the 16th century, a pavilion and dating from the 17th century Banqueting Hall still exist.

A located near Fountain House is a Grade II * classified under building, which originated in the Middle Ages and was rebuilt in the 19th century. It consists of worked red sandstone. Behind the Eingangstorbogen there is a shallow pool of clear water, which is also derived via pipes for irrigation. According to tradition, is said to have the healing power of water and an aid to fertility, young women used prophecies to on the eve of the feast of Saint Agnes to discover their future men. Currently, the building is being restored.

Religious Sites

The Church of St Thomas of Canterbury, which is also built of red sandstone, dates from the 12th century. It was extensively restored in 1864. There are tombs of the Stawell family in it. The church is classified by English Heritage as a Grade I.