Blackford, Somerset OS Map Grid Ref: ST771582
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The Parish Church
The tower shows similarities with those of several other Churches in South Somerset and North Dorset - a good
example may be seen only five miles to the south at Purse Caundle where the
tower possesses very similar pinnacles at each of its corners.
The Camelot Group of Parishes
Having evolved for a number of years, the Camelot Group of Parishes was legally established in 1976 and was the first team of this sort in the county of Somerset.
The parishes of Blackford, Compton Pauncefoot, Holton, Maperton, North Cadbury (including the villages of Galhampton and Woolston), North Cheriton, South Cadbury and Yarlington, in the Diocese of Bath and Wells, are served by a ministry team consisting of the Vicar, lay Readers, retired and non-stipediary clergy.
The eight parishes work closely together in several ways. There are Group Services, a Group Choir and a combined monthly magazine named the "Excalibur" (after the Arthurian legends associated with Cadbury Castle) and a Group Council concerned with joint activities and long-term planning.
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Chapel Cottage |
| up a narrow lane by the stream, dates from the 15th century. It was once a small chapel with an attached coattage. |
East Hall Farm |
| was mainly built in the 17th century although some parts are later additions. Built of the local Cary stone with a Doulting stone dressing, it has mullioned windows and a chamfered archway in the porch. Inside it possesses the impressive original staircase, beams and widow seats. The farm has a very old barn (the dairy was added in the 19th century), a working waterwheel, fishpond and carefully arranged arboretum. |
Old Beams |
| standing at the end of the same lane as Chapel Cottage, the house was built in the 17th century of Carey stone and has some mullioned windows. |
The manor was given to Glastonbury by King Edwy ((955-959)) and four hides were retained by Glastonbury according to the Domesday Book of 1087. One hide went to the tenenat of Thurston Fitz Rolph, Lord of Cadbury. Alma de Blackford held the "Ville of Blakeford" from Roger of Moels in 1284 and, in 1305, Lovel (Lord of Castle Cary) obtained part of the manor.
Nicholas de St Maur held the manor in 1362 and his son married into the Erleigh family of Backington. With no male heir, the possession of the manor was again divided between to men who were cousins and were jointly presented to the Rectory of Blackford in 1518. This state of affairs prevailed until the end of the 17th century.
The Cafe family from this tiny village were prominent London goldsmiths.
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