West Pennard | |
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![]() Church of St Nicholas, West Pennard |
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West Pennard shown within Somerset | |
Population | 670 (2011) |
OS grid reference | ST545385 |
District | |
Shire county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | GLASTONBURY |
Postcode district | BA6 |
Dialling code | 01458 |
Police | Avon and Somerset |
Fire | Devon and Somerset |
Ambulance | South Western |
EU Parliament | South West England |
UK Parliament | |
West Pennard is a village and civil parish east of Glastonbury in the Mendip district of Somerset, England. The parish includes the hamlets of Coxbridge and Woodlands.
The village takes its name from the Old English penn-ardd 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 the Duke of Somerset.
West Pennard Court Barn dates from the 15th-century barn. It was built as a Tithe Barn for the abbey and is now owned by the National Trust.
Manor Farmhouse in Coxbridge and Higher Southtown Farmhouse both date from the 17th century.
The parish was part of the hundred of Glaston Twelve Hides.
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.