| The Char Valley Village Communities Action Plans 2003 |
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for Whitchurch Canonicorum, Wootton Fitzpaine and Stanton St. Gabriel Parishes |
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| Whitchurch Canonicorum Village |
| The setting of the village is on rising ground above
the River Char with houses strung out along the street. The variety of house
styles from different decades adds to the character of the village and this
has also attracted a variety of people who have chosen to make the village
their home. The village is well defined in each direction. The beautiful
church is in the centre of the village which is a conservation area, with
the aim of protecting not only the buildings but also the distinctive spaces
between the houses which open up to the adjoining farmland. This is a village
of trees and flowery gardens with views from the highest points, over the
Church to the Vale. The Five Bells Public House is at the upper end of the village opposite the turning to Shave Cross; the Village Hall, which started life in 1840 as The National School is in the centre. In front of the Church gates is a war memorial and in the wall on the other side of the road is the Village Well House. Whitchurch Canonicorum boasts many listed buildings of varying periods as well as the historic church. |
 Whitchurch Canonicorum. (Lynn Jenkins) |
| A personal view of the changing life of Whitchurch Canonicorum. |
| The character of the village is changing, and
this is being speeded up by the fact that there is no affordable housing
for young people born and brought up here, who are now working and ready
to leave home. They have either to continue living with their parents or
to move away. Most of those working here, the majority of whom are local
families, are self-employed. There are few young children in Whitchurch
because of the lack of housing; but there are still a number of older teenagers.
Without affordable housing for the next generation, the population is inevitably
ageing, and there will come a time when nobody local will be able to provide
work, care or services for an elderly population and the sense of community
will die. Of the houses in the village many are now second homes, particularly those ancient cottages around the church. Many people have come to live here because the idea of a small community appealed to them and many have become fully involved in village life. The lack of a sewerage system causes problems in our small streams. When it was thought that we were to have one, some years ago, there were many people who could not afford the proposed charges to bring the pipes from the road to the back of the house (most septic tanks are at the backs of properties, so drains go out that way). The cost was going to be very high – up to several thousand pounds even then, which is out of the reach of most people here. The only public transport through the village is the Wednesday bus, which gives about two hours in Bridport. There is now a good service along the A35 (although it does not always dovetail with the Axminster trains). The whole transport system needs to be integrated. Village life has changed in the last twenty-five years, mainly for the reasons already outlined, but there is still quite a bit going on. The playgroup is lively and well supported. It brings in children from a wide area. The Five Bells Pub serves food, runs outdoor discos or karaoke occasionally, pub quizzes and occasional sales. The licensees try hard to make it a social centre. The Hall is at present being refurbished, but it is not used and supported by local residents as it used to be. There are regular short-mat bowls, monthly whist drive, various events to raise money for the hall, jumble sales, farmhouse breakfast (well supported), dances and social gatherings. The Gymkhana is popular and a truly local event. The Flower Show is supported by most people and a big event. The Purcell concerts in the Church and Hall with performances by musicians from all over the world are organised by the retired head of the Purcell Music School. The standard is superb and the concerts are well attended. The Fete and Flower Festival has, until this year, been in the centre of the village around the church and rectory and has attracted help from a wide group of Whitchurch people. The event is moving to a farm this year, as the barns will provide cover. The Flower Festival continues in the church. Whitchurch is situated in a most beautiful area and is the envy of many people, but unless affordable housing for working people is provided, it could easily become a neglected backwater, instead of the vibrant and beautiful local community it should be. |
 Whitchurch War Memorial (Lynn Jenkins) |
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