Chelwood | |
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St Leonard's church, Chelwood |
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Chelwood shown within Somerset | |
Population | 148 |
OS grid reference | ST634619 |
Unitary authority | |
Ceremonial county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | BRISTOL |
Postcode district | BS39 |
Dialling code | 01761 |
Police | Avon and Somerset |
Fire | Avon |
Ambulance | South Western |
EU Parliament | South West England |
UK Parliament | |
Chelwood is a small village and civil parish within the Chew Valley in North Somerset about 8 miles (13 km) from Bristol and Bath. The parish has a population of 148.
The first mention of Chelwood dates from 925 when Robert le Bok, a native of Chelwood, was tried and acquitted of attempting to burn down the house of John de Kylkenny. According to Robinson there are two entries in the 1086 Domesday Book Cellwert and Celeworde both indicating the same meaning 'the hill farm' from the Old English ceol and wor. Although spellings varied down the years, the first attested use of the form "Chelwood" dates from the 12th century.
The parish of Chelwood was part of the Keynsham Hundred.
The village formed part of two holdings, known as East and West Chelwood. Both sides were originally owned by the Earl of Warwick's estate, but East Chelwood passed to the Popham family, where it remained into the early 20th century. Chelwood is one of the nine Thankful Villages in Somerset where all the men returned from the First World War; four went and four returned.
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, such as the village hall or community centre, playing fields and playgrounds, 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 of interest to the council.