Somerton
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Somerton is a village in Somerset, England (until recently it was defined as a town, but has lost its magistrate's court). Although geographically a village, the (former) Parish Council has recently opted to become a Town Council. It used to be the county town, but Taunton now fulfills this role. It lies between Yeovil and Street, in the South Somerset district. It was the capital of the Kingdom of Wessex from 871 to 901. Many historical tales have grown up about Somerton, notably the myth that it once possessed a castle, but this stems from a confusion with Somerton Castle in Lincolnshire; King Alfred supposedly burnt his cakes nearby; and rumours persist of tunnels running under the old town.
The village's most noted feature is its roofed market cross (the Butter Cross) in the Square; there is also a fine, if short railway viaduct crossing the River Cary. The fine Square has many buildings of interest, including the so-called Town Hall, next to the Butter Cross. This building has never fulfilled the function of Town Hall but looks the part! Also on the square are the church (see below) and the Lady Smith Memorial Hall, also known as the "Parish Rooms".
The Anglican Church, St Michael's and All Angels, is notable for a fine carved roof, with splendid lions and a small cider barrel purportedly carved by the monks of Muchelney Abbey. Sir John Betjeman was also inspired by an inscription on the candelabra.
Somerton was hit by a (misdirected) bomb during World War Two, resulting in the loss of lives at the Cow and Gate Dairy. A memorial at the dairy site (later to become a district council depot, and recently bought by the Town Council for possible use as the site of a new hall) commemorates those killed.
Somerton has two schools - the County Infants' school on Etsome Terrace and the Monteclefe CEVA Junior school on Kirkham street.
There is also a Somerton in Victoria, Australia.
More information on the history of Somerton can be found in a volume produced by the W.I. and recently republished for the millennium. There is also a Somerton website (http://www.somerton.co.uk/).
External link
- Somerton Castle in Lincolnshire (http://web.ukonline.co.uk/john.marfleet/Somerton/Somerton.htm)