Mendip District

Mendip is a local government district of Somerset in England. The district covers a largely rural area of 285 square miles (738 km2)[2] with a population of approximately 112,500,[2] ranging from the Wiltshire border in the east to part of the Somerset Levels in the west. The district takes its name from the Mendip Hills which lie in its northwest. The administrative centre of the district is Shepton Mallet but the largest town (three times larger than Shepton Mallet) is Frome.

Mendip
Non-metropolitan district
Shown within Somerset
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Constituent countryEngland
RegionSouth West England
Ceremonial countySomerset
Admin HQShepton Mallet
Created1 April 1974
Government
 • TypeNon-metropolitan district
 • LeaderRos Wyke[1]
 • CouncilLiberal Democrats
 • MPs:James Heappey (Conservative), David Warburton (Cons)
Area
 • Total285.50 sq mi (739.44 km2)
Population
 (mid-2019 est.)
 • Total115,587 (Ranked 205th)
Time zoneUTC0 (GMT)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+1 (BST)
Post Code
BA
Area code(s)01749
Websitehttp://www.mendip.gov.uk/

The district was formed on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, by a merger of the municipal boroughs of Glastonbury and Wells, along with Frome, Shepton Mallet, Street urban districts, and Frome Rural District, Shepton Mallet Rural District, Wells Rural District, part of Axbridge Rural District and part of Clutton Rural District.

Toponymy

Several explanations for the name Mendip have been suggested. Its earliest known form is Mendepe in 1185. One suggestion is that it is derived from the medieval term Myne-deepes.[3][4] However, A D Mills derives its meaning from Celtic monith, meaning mountain or hill, with an uncertain second element, perhaps Old English yppe in the sense of upland, or plateau.[5]

An alternative explanation is that the name is cognate with Mened (Welsh mynydd), a Brythonic term for upland moorland. The suffix may be a contraction of the Anglo-Saxon hop, meaning a valley. Possible further meanings have been identified. The first is 'the stone pit' from the Celtic meyn and dyppa in reference to the collapsed cave systems of Cheddar. The second is 'Mighty and Awesome' from the Old English moen and deop.[6]

Governance

The district falls under the jurisdiction of Mendip District Council. As of the 2019 Local elections, the Council went to No Overall Control.

Party Seats Net Gain/Loss
Liberal Democrat 22 +11
Conservative 10 -22
Green 10 +7
Independent 5 +4

Since then, two independents have joined the Liberal Democrats, giving them 24 seats and an outright majority on Mendip District Council.

Settlements

The five main settlements in Mendip are:

Frome, Glastonbury and Shepton Mallet are the only towns in the district, as Wells has city status and Street has maintained its status as a village despite a population in excess of 11,000.[7]

Other villages and hamlets include:

Parishes
Image Name Status Population[8] Former local authority Coordinates Refs
AshwickCivil parish1,352Shepton Mallet Rural District51.23°N 2.52°W / 51.23; -2.52 (Ashwick)[9][10]
BaltonsboroughCivil parish864Wells Rural District51.11°N 2.64°W / 51.11; -2.64 (Baltonsborough)[11][12]
BatcombeCivil parish439Shepton Mallet Rural District51.15°N 2.44°W / 51.15; -2.44 (Batcombe, Somerset)[10][13]
BeckingtonCivil parish983Frome Rural District51.26°N 2.28°W / 51.26; -2.28 (Beckington)[14][15]
BerkleyCivil parish344Frome Rural District51.24°N 2.27°W / 51.24; -2.27 (Berkley, Somerset)[15][16]
BinegarCivil parish313Shepton Mallet Rural District51.24°N 2.55°W / 51.24; -2.55 (Binegar)[10][17]
Buckland DinhamCivil parish381Frome Rural District51.26°N 2.35°W / 51.26; -2.35 (Buckland Dinham)[15][18]
ButleighCivil parish823Wells Rural District51.09°N 2.68°W / 51.09; -2.68 (Butleigh)[12][19]
Chewton MendipCivil parish585Wells Rural District51.28°N 2.58°W / 51.28; -2.58 (Chewton Mendip)[12][20]
ChilcomptonCivil parish2,062Clutton Rural District51.27°N 2.50°W / 51.27; -2.50 (Chilcompton)[21][22]
ColefordCivil parish2,313Frome Rural District51.24°N 2.45°W / 51.24; -2.45 (Coleford, Somerset)[15][23]
CranmoreCivil parish667Shepton Mallet Rural District51.19°N 2.48°W / 51.19; -2.48 (Cranmore, Somerset)[10][24]
CroscombeCivil parish603Shepton Mallet Rural District51.20°N 2.58°W / 51.20; -2.58 (Croscombe)[10][25]
DitcheatCivil parish725Shepton Mallet Rural District51.13°N 2.54°W / 51.13; -2.54 (Ditcheat)[10][26]
DoultingCivil parish618Shepton Mallet Rural District51.19°N 2.51°W / 51.19; -2.51 (Doulting)[10][27]
East PennardCivil parish348Shepton Mallet Rural District51.14°N 2.62°W / 51.14; -2.62 (East Pennard)[10][28]
EmboroughCivil parish148Shepton Mallet Rural District51.26°N 2.55°W / 51.26; -2.55 (Emborough)[10][29]
EvercreechCivil parish2,334Shepton Mallet Rural District51.14°N 2.51°W / 51.14; -2.51 (Evercreech)[10][30]
FromeTown26,203Frome Rural District
Frome Urban District		51.23°N 2.32°W / 51.23; -2.32 (Frome)[15][31]
GlastonburyTown8,932Glastonbury Municipal Borough51.15°N 2.71°W / 51.15; -2.71 (Glastonbury)[32][33]
GodneyCivil parish237Wells Rural District51.18°N 2.74°W / 51.18; -2.74 (Godney)[12][34]
Great ElmCivil parish171Frome Rural District51.24°N 2.36°W / 51.24; -2.36 (Great Elm)[15][35]
HemingtonCivil parish640Frome Rural District51.28°N 2.39°W / 51.28; -2.39 (Hemington, Somerset)[15][36]
HolcombeCivil parish947Shepton Mallet Rural District51.24°N 2.46°W / 51.24; -2.46 (Holcombe, Somerset)[10][37]
KilmersdonCivil parish541Frome Rural District51.27°N 2.44°W / 51.27; -2.44 (Kilmersdon)[15][38]
LamyattCivil parish183Shepton Mallet Rural District51.12°N 2.49°W / 51.12; -2.49 (Lamyat)[10][39]
Leigh-on-MendipCivil parish514Frome Rural District51.23°N 2.44°W / 51.23; -2.44 (Leigh-on-Mendip)[15][40]
LittonCivil parish240Clutton Rural District51.29°N 2.58°W / 51.29; -2.58 (Litton, Somerset)[22][41]
LullingtonCivil parish162Frome Rural District51.26°N 2.31°W / 51.26; -2.31 (Lullington, Somerset)[15][42]
Lydford-on-FosseCivil parish511Shepton Mallet Rural District51.07°N 2.62°W / 51.07; -2.62 (Lydford-on-Fosse)[10][43]
MeareCivil parish1,304Wells Rural District51.17°N 2.77°W / 51.17; -2.77 (Meare)[12][44]
MellsCivil parish638Frome Rural District51.24°N 2.39°W / 51.24; -2.39 (Mells, Somerset)[15][45]
North WoottonCivil parish317Wells Rural District51.17°N 2.62°W / 51.17; -2.62 (North Wootton, Somerset)[12][46]
Norton St PhilipCivil Parish858Frome Rural District51.29°N 2.32°W / 51.29; -2.32 (Norton St Philip)[15][47]
NunneyCivil parish844Frome Rural District51.21°N 2.38°W / 51.21; -2.38 (Nunney)[15][48]
PiltonCivil parish998Shepton Mallet Rural District51.17°N 2.59°W / 51.17; -2.59 (Pilton, Somerset)[10][49]
PriddyCivil parish624Wells Rural District51.25°N 2.68°W / 51.25; -2.68 (Priddy)[12][50]
PylleCivil parish160Shepton Mallet Rural District51.14°N 2.56°W / 51.14; -2.56 (Pylle)[10][51]
RodeCivil parish1,025Frome Rural District51.28°N 2.2°W / 51.28; -2.2 (Rode, Somerset)[15][52]
Rodney StokeCivil parish1,326Wells Rural District51.25°N 2.74°W / 51.25; -2.74 (Rodney Stoke)[12][53]
–SelwoodCivil parish798Frome Rural District51.24°N 2.31°W / 51.24; -2.31 (Selwood, Somerset)[15][54]
SharphamCivil parish130Wells Rural District51.14°N 2.77°W / 51.14; -2.77 (Sharpham)[12][55]
Shepton MalletTown10,369Shepton Mallet Urban District51.19°N 2.55°W / 51.19; -2.55 (Shepton Mallet)[56][57]
St Cuthbert OutCivil parish3,749Wells Rural District51.18°N 2.69°W / 51.18; -2.69 (St Cuthbert Out)[12][58]
Stoke St MichaelCivil parish926Shepton Mallet Rural District51.22°N 2.48°W / 51.22; -2.48 (Stoke St Michael)[10][59]
Ston EastonCivil parish550Clutton Rural District51.28°N 2.54°W / 51.28; -2.54 (Ston Easton)[22][60]
Stratton on the FosseCivil parish1,108Shepton Mallet Rural District51.25°N 2.49°W / 51.25; -2.49 (Stratton-on-the-Fosse)[10][61]
StreetCivil parish11,805Street Urban District51.12°N 2.74°W / 51.12; -2.74 (Street, Somerset)[62][63]
TellisfordCivil parish182Frome Rural District51.29°N 2.28°W / 51.29; -2.28 (Tellisford)[15][64]
TrudoxhillCivil parish423Frome Rural District51.19°N 2.37°W / 51.19; -2.37 (Trudoxhill)[15][65]
Upton NobleCivil parish128Frome Rural District51.15°N 2.41°W / 51.15; -2.41 (Upton Noble)[15][66]
WaltonCivil parish1,106Wells Rural District51.14°N 2.77°W / 51.14; -2.77 (Walton, Somerset)[12][67]
WanstrowCivil parish489Frome Rural District51.17°N 2.41°W / 51.17; -2.41 (Wanstrow)[15][68]
WellsCity10,536Wells Municipal Borough51.21°N 2.65°W / 51.21; -2.65 (Wells)[12][69]
West BradleyCivil parish277Shepton Mallet Rural District51.13°N 2.64°W / 51.13; -2.64 (West Bradley)[10][70]
West PennardCivil parish670Wells Rural District51.14°N 2.65°W / 51.14; -2.65 (West Pennard)[12][71]
WestburyCivil parish801Wells Rural District51.24°N 2.71°W / 51.24; -2.71 (Westbury-sub-Mendip)[12][72]
WhatleyCivil parish245Frome Rural District51.23°N 2.38°W / 51.23; -2.38 (Whatley, Mendip)[15][73]
Witham FriaryCivil parish399Frome Rural District51.17°N 2.37°W / 51.17; -2.37 (Witham Friary)[15][74]
WookeyCivil parish1,311Wells Rural District51.21°N 2.69°W / 51.21; -2.69 (Wookey)[12][75]

Transport

Major roads
  • A37 from Bristol to Yeovil
  • A361 from the M5 to Frome
  • A371 from Weston-super-Mare to Wincanton
  • A39 from Bath to Bridgwater

Railways

Railway stations

Railway stations

served by the East Somerset Railway.

Education

County schools (those which are not independent) in the five non-metropolitan districts of the county are operated by Somerset County Council.

For a full list of schools see: List of schools in Somerset

See also

References
  1. Mumby, Daniel (21 May 2019). "What the first Lib Dem leader in Mendip for 16 years says she will do". SomersetLive. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
  2. "Somerset Intelligence Network" (PDF). Mendip District Council. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
  3. "Mendip Hills Natural Area profile" (PDF). English Nature. January 1998. Retrieved 16 July 2006.
  4. "Autumn newsletter 2007" (PDF). Mendip Hills AONB. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 November 2007. Retrieved 25 September 2007.
  5. Dictionary of English Place Names
  6. Robinson, Stephen (1992). Somerset Place Names. Wimbourne: The Dovecote Press Ltd. ISBN 1-874336-03-2.
  7. "Street Parish Council". Street Parish Council. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  8. Somerset County Council. Mendip Parish Population Statistics [archived 21 November 2009; Retrieved 3 July 2008].
  9. "Ashwick Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  10. "Shepton Mallet RD". A vision of Britain Through Time. University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  11. "Baltonsborough Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  12. "Wells RD". A vision of Britain Through Time. University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  13. "Batcombe Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  14. "Beckington Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  15. "Frome RD". A vision of Britain Through Time. University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  16. "Berkley Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  17. "Binegar Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  18. "Buckland Dinham Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  19. "Butleigh Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  20. "Chewton Mendip Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  21. "Chilcompton Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  22. "Clutton RD". A vision of Britain Through Time. University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  23. "Coleford Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  24. "Cranmore Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  25. "Croscombe Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  26. "Ditcheat Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  27. "Doulting Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  28. "East Pennard Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  29. "Emborough Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  30. "Evercreech Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  31. "Frome Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  32. "Glastonbury Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  33. "Glastonbury MB". A vision of Britain Through Time. University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  34. "Godney Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  35. "Great Elm Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  36. "Hemington Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  37. "Holcombe Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  38. "Kilmersdon Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  39. "Lamyat Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  40. "Leigh-on-Mendip Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  41. "Litton Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  42. "Lullington Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  43. "Lydford-on-Fosse Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  44. "Meare Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  45. "Mells Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  46. "North Wootton Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  47. "Norton St Philip Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  48. "Nunney Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  49. "Pilton Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  50. "Priddy Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  51. "Pylle Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  52. "Rode Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  53. "Rodney Stoke Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  54. "Selwood Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  55. "Sharpham Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  56. "Shepton Mallet Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  57. "Shepton Mallet UD". A vision of Britain Through Time. University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  58. "St Cuthbert Out Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  59. "Stoke St Michael Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  60. "Ston Easton Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  61. "Stratton on the Fosse Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  62. "Street Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  63. "Street UD". A vision of Britain Through Time. University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  64. "Tellisford Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  65. "Trudoxhill Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  66. "Upton Noble Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  67. "Walton Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  68. "Wanstrow Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  69. "Wells Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  70. "West Bradley Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  71. "West Pennard Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  72. "Westbury Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  73. "Whatley Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  74. "Witham Friary Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  75. "Wookey Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
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