West Pennard (or West Pennard Manor) is a village and civil parish east of Glastonbury, situated at the foot of Pennard Hill, in the Mendip district of Somerset, England. The parish includes the hamlets of Coxbridge and Woodlands.
History
The village takes its name from the Old Welsh pen ard meaning high hill.
The manor was granted to Glastonbury Abbey by the king of the Mercians in 681, and was held by the Abbey until the dissolution of the monasteries in 1539. It was then granted to Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset in 1547 until his execution when it reverted to the Crown and leased to successive members of the Rogers family until 1628 when it was sold to Thomas Howard, Earl of Berkshire.
West Pennard features a number of historical settlements. Old Farmhouse, East Street dates from the mid 14th century and features crucks. Other sites such as Higher Southtown Farm, Pennard Farm (~1640), and Manor Farmhouse, Coxbridge were significantly altered in the latter part of the 16th century.
At least four houses dating from the 17th century exist. These include Sticklinch Manor, the Apple Tree inn, and a timber framed dwelling known as 'The Cottage' in Higher Southtown.
West Pennard Court Barn, dating from the 15th-century was built as a Tithe Barn for Glastonbury Abbey, and is now owned by the National Trust.
A field referred to as Millfurlong on Pennard Hill in 1515 indicates the presence of a windmill. Owing to decay the windmill had been rebuilt by 1606 and stood at Westerdown, remaining in operation until at least 1713.
The parish was part of the hundred of Glaston Twelve Hides.
Culture & Social
In 1861 a fair was run on the first Monday in August, and had transitioned to a cattle fair held on the last Monday in July by 1872. The fair ran until approximately 1902.
In 1837 a group of farmers presented Queen Victoria with a cheese created with the milk of 700 cows for the anniversary of her coronation. An octagonal mould made of Spanish mahogany was created (a replica of which is in the village hall) featuring laurels and oak leaves. On 28 June seven of the largest cheese tubs in West Pennard were borrowed, and the cheese was made to cannon fire and the ringing of church bells at the farm of George Naish. The initial pressing stuck to the mould and was reset in the mould after partial treatment. Delivering the 1/2 ton cheese measuring over 37 inches across and 22 inches high to Buckingham Palace Queen Victoria reportedly declared that she preferred her cheese "mature, and not new", sending them away whilst it matured. During this period the cheese was displayed at the Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly. After being ejected from the Egyptian Hall the cheese ended up at a farm in Sticklinch, before ending up at the Old Down Inn. The cheese was not said to be good, and fed to pigs.
The Red Lion pub featured in a 2015 television advert promoting the Rugby World Cup. In 2020 the pub was rebranded as The Lion and now features a new bar area with an extensive range of drinks on offer and a comfortable, social seating area, a rear outside beer garden, two restaurants, and 12 en-suite guest rooms.
West Pennard village hall was gifted by Lady Mostyn of West Pennard House in memory of her husband and opened in 1937.
Governance
The parish council has responsibility for local issues, including setting an annual precept (local rate) to cover the council's operating costs and producing annual accounts for public scrutiny. The parish council evaluates local planning applications and works with the local police, district council officers, and neighbourhood watch groups on matters of crime, security, and traffic. The parish council's role also includes initiating projects for the maintenance and repair of parish facilities, as well as consulting with the district council on the maintenance, repair, and improvement of highways, drainage, footpaths, public transport, and street cleaning. Conservation matters (including trees and listed buildings) and environmental issues are also the responsibility of the council.
The village falls within the Non-metropolitan district of Mendip, which was formed on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, having previously been part of Wells Rural District, which is responsible for local planning and building control, local roads, council housing, environmental health, markets and fairs, refuse collection and recycling, cemeteries and crematoria, leisure services, parks, and tourism.