Coordinates: 51°26′30″N 1°36′21″W / 51.4418°N 1.6057°W
| Ramsbury | |
.png)  Ramsbury
Ramsbury shown within Wiltshire |
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| Population | 3,257 |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| Unitary authority | Wiltshire |
| Ceremonial county | Wiltshire |
| Region | South West |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Police | Wiltshire |
| Fire | Wiltshire |
| Ambulance | Great Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| List of places: UK • England • Wiltshire | |
Ramsbury is a village and civil parish in the English county of Wiltshire. In the Census 2001, the parish had a population of 3,257. It lies in the Kennet Valley, near the Berkshire border. The nearest towns are Hungerford, about 4 miles east, and Marlborough, 6 miles west. The much larger town of Swindon is 12 miles to the north.
Contents |
History
Littlecote Roman Villa is within the parish, but the earliest recorded history of Ramsbury can only be traced back to the Saxons who created the bishopric of Ramsbury in 909 AD. The see was moved to Old Sarum in 1075.
The church dates from the 13th century, and has a ghost story: according to local legend, if you count the hundred studs on the north door at midnight, it will open, and the ghost of 'Wild' William Darrell of Littlecote House will come out.[1]
During the Second World War, a Royal Air Force airfield was located on a ridge of high ground to the south of the village.[2]
Administration
Ramsbury has an elected parish council[3] and also falls within the area of the new Wiltshire Council unitary authority, which is responsible for all of the most significant local government services.
Notable residents
Ramsbury people are known as 'Ramsbury Bulldogs', echoing the neighbouring village of Aldbourne, where the local people are known as Dabchicks.
The village's notable residents have included Sir Francis Burdett, a radical Whig politician, and his daughter Angela Burdett-Coutts. In 1837 Angela became the richest woman in England when she inherited her grandfather's fortune. Over several years she gave most of this money away to good causes. By the time she died in 1906, Angela Burdett-Coutts had given away nearly three million pounds. Both lived in Ramsbury Manor, originally built in 1680 by John Webb, a son-in-law of Inigo Jones. Ramsbury Manor was sold in the 1960s and is now the home of Harry Hyams, the property tycoon who built the office block Centre Point at the junction of Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Street, London. The Manor was the target for a major burglary by a professional gang in 2006. The culprits received long prison sentences in 2008[4][5].
Stefan Persson, the owner of H&M, also has a main residence on the outskirts of Ramsbury. He also owns the Ramsbury microbrewery[6] which produces 'Ramsbury Gold' bottled beer amongst others.
Oct2006.jpg)
References
- ^ Rice, Douglas Walthew. The life and achievements of Sir John Popham, 1531-1607 : leading to the establishment of the first English colony in New England. Madison, New Jersey: Fairleigh Dickinson University Press. p.90
- ^ Ramsbury at War - RAF Ramsbury
- ^ "Ramsbury Parish Council". http://www.ramsbury.com/council/index.htm. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
- ^ "BBC news report 6 August 2008 - five jailed for biggest burglary". http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7544650.stm. Retrieved 2008-10-05.
- ^ "The Guardian 7 August 2008 - After 20 years, five police forces and £80m in loot, Britain's biggest crime family brought to justice". http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/aug/07/ukcrime. Retrieved 2008-10-05.
- ^ "Ramsbury Microbrewery Official Site". http://www.ramsburybrewery.com/m_bottledbeer3.htm. Retrieved 2008-09-15.
Sources
- Wiltshire County Council Website page on Ramsbury, retrieved 09:37 Nov 15, 2004 (UTC)
- Kennet District Council Website page on Ramsbury parish, retrieved 09:40 Nov 15, 2004 (UTC)
- Office for National Statistics Census Data on Ramsbury, retrieved 09:40 Nov 15, 2004 (UTC)
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