Leigh Delamere is a small village in the civil parish of Grittleton in the English county of Wiltshire, about 4 miles (6 km) northwest of the town of Chippenham. The M4 motorway passes some 250 metres to the south, and the motorway's Leigh Delamere services lie to the east of the village.
| Leigh Delamere | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Leigh Delamere Location within Wiltshire | |
| Civil parish | |
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Chippenham |
| Postcode district | SN14 |
| Dialling code | 01249 |
| Police | Wiltshire |
| Fire | Dorset and Wiltshire |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| UK Parliament | |
The civil parish of Leigh Delamere (which included the hamlet of Sevington, about one mile southwest of the village) was absorbed by Grittleton parish on 1 April 1934.[1][2] In 1931 the parish had a population of 96.[3]
Buildings
editThe village comprises a church, a former farm, eight almshouses and eight houses.
The rebuilding of the church (1846) and the construction of the Tudor-style row of almshouses (1848)[4] were at the expense of Joseph Neeld, who bought the Grittleton estate in 1828 after inheriting a large sum. In both cases the architect was James Thomson, who also worked on the rectory (1846, also in Tudor style)[5] and Grittleton House (from 1832).
Manor Farmhouse is from the 17th century, with alterations for Neeld in 1842.[6] A separate large barn is from the 18th or early 19th century.[7]
St Margaret's Church
editSt Margaret's Church was built on the site of a previous 12th-century church in 1846 and dedicated to Margaret the Virgin. It has been designated as a Grade II* listed building[8] and is now in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust.[9]
Bybrook benefice
editThe benefices of Leigh Delamere and Grittleton were united in 1924.[10] In the 1990s the benefices of Biddestone with Slaughterford, Castle Combe, Grittleton and Leigh Delamere, Nettleton and Burton with Littleton Drew, West Kington and Yatton Keynell were united[11] to form the Bybrook benefice; North Wraxall joined at a later date.[12] The benefice is part of the Chippenham Deanery in the Diocese of Bristol.[13]
References
edit- ^ Crittall, Elizabeth, ed. (1959). "Victoria County History: Wiltshire: Vol 4 pp315-361 – Table of population, 1801–1951". British History Online. University of London. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
- ^ "Relationships and changes Leigh Delamere CP/AP through time". A Vision of Britain through Time. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ "Population statistics Leigh Delamere CP/AP through time". A Vision of Britain through Time. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ Historic England. "The Almshouses (1022291)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
- ^ Historic England. "Leigh Delamere House (1022292)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
- ^ Historic England. "Manor Farmhouse (1022287)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
- ^ Historic England. "Barn at Manor Farm, to south of road (1022288)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
- ^ Historic England. "Church of St Margaret (1022289)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
- ^ "Church of St Margaret of Antioch, Leigh Delamere, Wiltshire". Churches Conservation Trust. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
- ^ "No. 32964". The London Gazette. 12 August 1924. pp. 6045–6046.
- ^ "Church news". The Times. No. 65147. 26 December 1994. p. 15.
- ^ "Chippenham Deanery". Diocese of Bristol. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
- ^ "Bybrook Team Ministry". Retrieved 20 January 2017.
