| Caynham | |
|---|---|
  Caynham Location within Shropshire | |
| Population | 1,063 |
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Police | West Mercia |
| Fire | Shropshire |
| Ambulance | West Midlands |
| UK Parliament | |
Caynham is a small village and civil parish in south Shropshire, England. The parish lies on the River Teme. It can be accessed via the A4117 or the A49. Located 2½ miles southeast of the market town of Ludlow, the population in the 1961 census was 1,063.
History
editThe word "Caynham" is an Anglo-Saxon word derivation of "Caega's Ham" or homestead of a person called Caega. It is believed the Saxons arrived in the area around 550-600 AD. Caynham (Cainham) is also mentioned in the Domesday Book:
"Taxable value 8 geld units.Value: Value to lord in 1066 £8. Value to lord in 1086 £3.9. Value to lord c. 1070 £3.Households: 14 villagers. 9 smallholders. 9 slaves.Ploughland: 19 ploughlands (land for). 4 lord's plough teams. 5 men's plough teams.Other resources: 4.0 lord's lands.Woodland 200 pigs. 1 mill. 1 salthouse.Lord in 1066: Earl Morcar.Lords in 1086: Ralph of Mortimer; Robert of Vessey; Walter.Tenant-in-chief in 1086: Ralph of Mortimer.Phillimore reference: 4,11,4"
Early history of Caynham
400 million years ago, when life on earth was only 150-200 million years old, Life was only under water. Caynham was situated in warm coral waters and was likely to have been bristling with sea-life, shells can still be found today in the stones around the foot hills of Shropshire. Dead sea life fossilises over time to create Limestone. This Limestone was extensively quarried from the eighteenth century onwards.
First evidence of human settlement in the area is the massive earthwork of "Caynham Camp". It can be dated back to 900 BC, late in the Bronze Age. It was later developed and expanded until the Roman invasion off 44 AD.
Much of Caynham's later history lies with The Manor of Caynham. It is believed that the smaller village of Caynham today is far less important than the Manor was in Norman times. There have been many owners of the manor, from Saxon and Norman times with the Earl of Murcia, and Ralph de Mortimer who wrote the extract within the Domesday book for Caynham, to the Curtis Dynasty of 1852-1946. In addition the Manor of Caynham passed through many different hands in years to follow, until only recently in 2003 the court was bought by Paul Chester and work continues to substantially refurbish and restore the Manor.
Landmarks
editSt.Marys Church
As a small parish Caynham acquires a small parish Church. St.Mary's Church is a small but quaint church, used mostly by local settlers and dates back to 1179, during the reign of King Henry II.
Village Hall
Caynham village hall was opened in 1911 in loving memory of George B. Charleton Esq. A new window was also placed in St.Mary's Church in memory of him. The hall is now used by Youth clubs, Mothers union and the local School for nativity performances etc. Moreover it is also used for Village social's suggesting a very close-knit, rural community. The Village Hall Committee manage and maintain the Hall.
Bishop Hooper CofE School
Bishop Hooper is Caynham's local Primary school. Long serving the village and surrounding areas, dating back to the early nineteeth century in 1834. Aided by Shropshire Local Education Authority the school is prestigious for it's upkeep, and won an award for Environmental friendliness.
Industry
editIndustry in Caynham has changed significantly over time. As many rural villages Caynham was once a hugely Agricultural area focused around new materials and farming. This sector was highly dominated by one gender, with 90% of workers being Male. Also in 1881, Services and Offices started to become large sectors of employment, dominated by Female workers at around 80%. Today, Caynham is largely used for commuters who travel to and from work in the cities or towns of the surrounding area.
Geography
editNeighbouring parishes | |
|---|---|
The village of Caynham is located along Caynham Rd which also runs through the village of Knowbury. The road can be reached on the west by the A49 just before Ashford Bowdler or by the east from the A4117 (Ludlow road). The village lies on fairly high ground surrounded by rural foothills. The River Teme also runs through the village. Shrewsbury lies 32 miles North and can be accessed via the A49 northbound. Hereford is 24 miles south of Caynham and can also be accessed via the A49, southbound. The Large town of Kidderminster is 22 miles east of Caynham, as the small local town of Ludlow lies 2.4 miles east. Caynham is surrounded by large towns and is only 40 miles from England second largest city Birmingham. This allows Caynham to become a very desirable place for visitors, home owners and city commuters.
Demography
editThe population of Caynham in the 1961 census was 1,063. With percentage of those being Male just a little above female at around 51-52%. But the trend is very equal over the period of 1810 to 1910. Infant mortality rate in 1910 in Caynham was 139, just above the National average. With the Fertility rates remaining the roughly same from 1872 to 1882, but only partially from decreasing. Remaining around 10 above the national average for England and Wales.
External links
edit | This Shropshire location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
Category:Civil parishes in Shropshire Category:Villages in Shropshire