Paulton

infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= Paulton
population = approx 5000
os_grid_reference = ST650565
latitude= 51.3069

longitude= -2.5027
unitary_england= Bath and North East Somerset
lieutenancy_england = Somerset
region= South West England

post_town = Bristol
postcode_district = BS39
postcode_area=BS
dial_code = 01761
constituency_westminster = Wansdyke

Paulton is a large village, population around 5000, located to the North of the Mendip Hills, in the unitary authority of Bath and North East Somerset (BANES), England. A former coal mining village and home to the now closed Polestar Purnells printing factory and Ashman's Boot Factory where 'Tuf' boots were manufactured, Paulton is now largely populated by commuters to Bristol and Bath.

The area has been designated as an ‘area of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which itis desirable to preserve or enhance’ under section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. [cite web | title=Paulton conservation area character appraisal | work=Bath and North East Somerset Planning | url=http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/E54F54AD-4CBE-4E80-B044-4FB97A1F2162/0/PaultonCAA.pdf | accessdate=2006-12-10]

Village facilities

Paulton has a small hospital, a library, fire station, two pre-schools ( [http://www.noahs-ark-preschool.co.uk Noahs Ark Preschool] and Acorn Preschool), an [http://www.paulton-inf.bathnes.sch.uk/ infant school] and junior school. The village is served by a Somerfield and Tesco supermarket.

The five churches include the Central Methodist Church, dated 1894, [cite web | title=Central Methodist Church | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=32863 | accessdate=2006-12-10] Baptist Church (1724) [cite web | title=Baptist Church | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=32872 | accessdate=2006-12-10] and Church of the Holy Trinity, dated 1757 and 1839, the latter by John Pinch, [cite web | title=Church of the Holy Trinity | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=32855 | accessdate=2006-12-10] which includes a Cholera monument, from the early to mid 19th century [cite web | title=Cholera monument | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=32856 | accessdate=2006-12-10] and several other monuments in the churchyard. The Church of the Trinity is located in the parish of Paulton and diocese of Bath & Wells. It is a grade 2 * listed building. [cite web | title=Listed Building | work=A Church Near You | url=http://www.acny.org.uk/11170/] Paulton is currently serving as part of the 10 lamps ministry group and is part of the benefice with St Johns Farrington Gurney and Holy Trinity High Littleton. [cite web | title=Holy Trinity Paulton | work=Holy Trinity Paulton website | url=http://holytrinitychurchpaulton.atspace.com]

There are four pubs in the village - The Red Lion, The Winterfield, The Lamb and The Somerset (on the road to Bath past village cemetery). Until the mid-80s, there was also The Queen Victoria, but this has since been demolished to make way for flats. As well as these there are also two members clubs in the village, Paulton Rovers F.C and Greyfield's Sports and Social club.

The centre of the village is the location for the [war memorial] and a small library. There is also another war memorial just outside of the village which commemorates the location where 23 men were killed on September 17 1944 when the glider they were flying in crashed en route from R.A.F. Keevil to Arnhem, as part of Operation Market Garden.

Paulton Parish Council

Paulton has its own Parish Council formed in 1894. This body maintains the following amenities in the parish: the cemetery, Memorial Park, Miners Welfare Recreation Ground, Wallenge Open Space, Noah's Ark Pre-school, nine allotments and the war memorial. The council is also responsible for the public convenience in the Red Lion car park which is leased from B&NES. The leases for the village hall and the swimming pool are held by the parish council. These amenities are looked after by independent management committees with the parish council funding major capital works to the buildings.

Paulton is also represented on the Bath and North East Somerset Council by two Labour Councillors, John Bull and David Speirs.

Coal mining

Much evidence of coal mining on the Somerset coalfield still exists in and around the village with a slag heap known as "The Batch" in the shape of a volcano.

Paulton was the terminus of the northern branch of the Somerset Coal Canal and was a central point for at least 15 collieries around Paulton, Timsbury and High Littleton, which were connected to the canal by tramroads.

On the northern side of Paulton basin was the terminus for the tramroad which served Old Grove, Prior's, Tyning and Hayeswood pits, with a branch line to Amesbury and Mearns pits. Parts of this line were still in use in 1873, probably all carrying horse drawn wagons of coal. The southern side of the basin served Brittens, Littleborrok, Paulton Ham, Paulton Hill, Simons Hill terminating at Salisbury Colliery. In addition the Paulton Foundry used this line. The entire line was disused by 1871 as were the collieries it served. [cite book |last=Down |first=C.G. |authorlink= |coauthors=A. J. Warrington |title=The history of the Somerset coalfield |year=2005 |publisher=Radstock Museum |location=Radstock |id=ISBN 0955168406 ]

Modern industry

Paulton was the location of the first Great Mills DIY store, and the company's head office was located adjacent to the store. It used to be called Old Mills DIY, by virtue of the fact that the store was sited on the former Old Mills colliery baths site. The Great Mills business was acquired by Focus DIY Ltd in 2000, and all of the stores were rebranded. Tesco is also a major employer now in the village. Although Tesco describes itself as being in Midsomer Norton it lies within Paulton Parish boundaries. Much controversy surrounds the store because of this and its donation to Norton Radstock Town Council in return to building a store extension whilst in Paulton's boundaries.

Sports

Paulton Rovers F.C. play in the Southern Football League Division One South & West League and the club is an entertainment centre for the area.

Purnells Cricket Club provides the village with a well established cricket club which is open to anyone interested in the game.

Further sports facilities are present on the same complex as the cricket club, with tennis courts, bowls, a gym and a Football pitch home to Purnells Sports F.C.

Societies and Clubs

Misc Clubs.Bell Ringing,Thank God It's Friday (TGIF),Paulton Concert Band,Boys club,Art club,Wildlife group,Friendship club,KIT Club,Ladies circle,Historic Society,Ramblers Association,Army cadets,Canoe training,Amateur Dramatics,cubs and scouts Sports ClubsSports,Swimming clubs,Badminton,Tennis,Karate,Fishing,Bowls,Netball,Cricket,Table tennis,Yoga

Paulton New Development

A new proposed plan is to rebuild the old purnells factory and replace it with 420 houses, a family restaurant, green places, small industrial units and a park. There is concern over the amount of traffic and pollution this may produce in the village.

References

External links

* [http://www.paultonparishcouncil.co.uk/ Paulton Parish Council website]
* [http://www.somerset.gov.uk/archives/Maps/OS62htm/2009.htm Map of Paulton circa 1900]
* [http://www.pads-online.org.uk/ Paulton Amateur Dramatics Society (PADS)]
* [http://holytrinitychurchpaulton.atspace.com/ Holy Trinity Church Paulton]