Spixworth

Spixworth

Spixworth

Human settlement in England

Spixworth is a village and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. The village lies close to the B1150 road and is 5 miles (8.0 km) north of Norwich and some 10 miles (16.1 km) south of North Walsham. It covers an area of 4.80 km2 (1.85 sq mi) and had a population of 3,769 in 1,508 households at the 2001 census.[2] including Beeston St. Andrew but decreasing to a population of 3,718 in 1,579 households at the 2011 Census. For the purposes of local government, it falls within the district of Broadland.

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Spixworth village sign displaying the former Spixworth Hall (demolished 1952) and the crests of the Longe, Frére, Howes and Chittock families

Etymology

The village was known as Spikeswurda in Norman times and the name is believed to be derived from either the River Spikes (now Spixworth Beck) or Spic meaning swine pasture. The suffix worth is from the Anglo-Saxon yrth meaning land sloping from water or marsh. Alternatively the name is possibly derived from the OE spics (bacon farm) and worth (enclosure).[3]

History

From Saxon times the village has been part of the Taverham Hundred.[4] Prior to the Norman Conquest of 1066 much of the land was held by a Saxon freeman known as Suart. After the conquest, Spixworth and other surrounding villages were given to Roger of Poictiers.[5][6] In 1199, Peter Bardoph became Lord of the Manor, a position the family held to 1485. The estate was eventually sold to William Peck[7] in 1602. Peck, Sheriff of Norwich in 1561 and Mayor of the city in 1573 and 1586, built Spixworth Hall in 1607. The house and estate was subsequently purchased by the Longe family in 1693 and remained in the family until 1950 when the hall was sold. The hall subsequently fell into disrepair and was demolished in 1952.[6] The title, Lord of the Manor is still owned by Longe family as well as the surrounding lands.

The village today

Due to its proximity to Norwich the village is a popular residential area. Amenities include an infant school, a junior school, a dental practice, a doctor's surgery, a village hall, a motel, the Longe Arms public house[8] and a wide selection of retail outlets and services.[9]

The Church of St Peter

A church has stood on the same site for 900 years. The present day church dates from 1160 and is built in the Early English style. The narrow pencil shaped tower is the oldest part of the church. Inside the building is a Norman font. Also, of note is the 17th century memorial depicting two life–sized corpses[10] and the church bells some of which date from 1350.

Public transport

Bus

Scheduled services link the village to Norwich and further afield.[11]

Sport and leisure

The football club Norwich CBS played in the village between 2009 and 2017 under the name Spixworth Football Club.

  • The Longe Arms
  • Road sign

References

  1. [1]
    "Civil Parish population 2011". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  2. [2]
    Census population and household counts for unparished urban areas and all parishes Archived 11 February 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Office for National Statistics & Norfolk County Council (2001). Retrieved 20 June 2009,
  3. [3]
    Rye, James (1991). A Popular Guide to Norfolk Place names. Larks Press. p. 64. ISBN 0-948400-15-3.
  4. [4]
    Taverham Hundred Retrieved 9 April 2010
  5. [5]
    Roger of Poictiers–British History Online Retrieved 9 April 2010
  6. [6]
    History of the village Retrieved 7 April 2010
  7. [7]
    William Peck Retrieved 13 April 2010
  8. [8]
    The Longe Arms Retrieved 2 April 2010
  9. [9]
    Spixworth Parish Council Retrieved 1 April 2010
  10. [10]
    Norfolk churches Retrieved 30 March 2010
  11. [11]
    Bus services Retrieved 1 June 2010
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