Yatesbury

Yatesbury

Yatesbury

Human settlement in England

For the hamlet in Canada, see Cherhill, Alberta.

Yatesbury is a village and former civil parish, now in the parish of Cherhill, in Wiltshire, England. It is in the northeast of Cherhill parish, 1 mile (1.6 km) north of the A4 road between Calne – about 4 miles (6 km) away – and Marlborough.

Quick Facts OS grid reference, Civil parish ...

Yatesbury was an ancient parish and in the 19th century became a civil parish, which was absorbed by Cherhill parish on 1 April 1934.[1][2] In 1931 the parish had a population of 140.[3] Yatesbury today has a population of about 150. Whilst having no shops or amenities, the village is on National Cycle Route 403.[4] It is noted for RAF Yatesbury, which was an important training centre during World War II.

Landmarks

The Church of England parish church of All Saints has 12th-century origins, and 13th-century work can be seen inside; the nave roof and tower are 15th-century. There is a canonical sundial on the south wall. The chancel was rebuilt in 1854 by C.H. Gabriel, and the church was designated as Grade I listed in 1960.[5]

Since 1973[2] the parish has been part of the Oldbury Benefice, which comprises the five parishes of Calstone Wellington, Cherhill, Compton Bassett, Heddington and Yatesbury.[6]

The nearest primary school is at Cherhill. Yatesbury had its own small school from 1856 to 1963; after the school closed the building became the village hall.[7]

The Granary at Manor Farm, Yatesbury, was restored by the Wiltshire Historic Buildings Trust in 2006–2007.[8]

RAF Yatesbury

Main article: RAF Yatesbury

Opened as a Royal Flying Corps training site in 1916,[9] the station closed three years later and returned to farmland.[10] Pilot training resumed in 1936, then from 1939 the site was used to train many airborne wireless operators and, from 1942, radar operators.[11][12] Training of radar operators, mechanics and fitters continued until 1965;[12] in 1969 the wooden huts were demolished and the land returned again to farming, leaving several brick-built buildings and hangars.[13]

Notable people

The singer, songwriter and author Julian Cope has lived in the village for many years.[14] He referenced the village in the song My Wall in which he collaborated with the American drone metal band Sunn 0))), as well as in his 2013 publication, Copendium.

References

  1. [1]
    "Relationships and changes Yatesbury AP/CP through time". A Vision of Britain through Time. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  2. [2]
    Crowley, D.A. (ed.). "Victoria County History - Wiltshire - Vol 17 pp172-181 - Yatesbury". British History Online. University of London. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  3. [3]
    "Population statistics Yatesbury AP/CP through time". A Vision of Britain through Time. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  4. [4]
    "Route 403". Sustrans. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  5. [5]
    Historic England. "Church of All Saints, Yatesbury (1363771)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  6. [6]
    "The Oldbury Benefice". Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  7. [7]
    "Yatesbury Church of England School". Wiltshire Community History. Wiltshire Council. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  8. [8]
    Johns, Colin (2007). Wiltshire Historic Buildings Trust 1967–2007 (PDF). p. 30.
  9. [9]
    Philpott, Ian (9 December 2013). The Birth of the Royal Air Force. Pen and Sword. p. 258. ISBN 978-1-4738-3170-4.
  10. [10]
    Riding, Richard (27 March 2014). A Flying Life: An Enthusiast's Photographic Record of British Aviation in the 1930s. Fonthill Media. p. 215. ISBN 978-1-78155-414-2.
  11. [11]
    Philpott, Ian (15 July 2008). The Royal Air Force - Volume 2: An Encyclopedia of the Inter-War Years 1930-1939. Pen and Sword. p. 276. ISBN 978-1-84415-391-6.
  12. [12]
    Jenkins, Stanley C.; Long, Angela (15 November 2015). Marlborough & Around Through Time. Amberley Publishing Limited. p. 187. ISBN 978-1-4456-4134-8.
  13. [13]
    Pugh, Ralph Bernard; Crittall, Elizabeth (1953). A History of Wiltshire. Institute of Historical Research. p. 138. ISBN 978-1-904356-01-1.
  14. [14]
    "Address Drudion". Julian Cope Presents Head Heritage. Retrieved 24 August 2019.

Media related to Yatesbury, Wiltshire at Wikimedia Commons
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