Yatesbury

Yatesbury is a village in Wiltshire, England. It is next to Cherhill, 1 mile (1.6 km) north of the A4 road between Calne and Marlborough.

Yatesbury
Church of All Saints, Yatesbury
Yatesbury Location within Wiltshire
Unitary authority	Wiltshire
Ceremonial county	Wiltshire
Region	South West
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	Calne
Postcode district	SN11
Dialling code	01249
Police	Wiltshire
Fire	Dorset and Wiltshire
Ambulance	South Western
UK Parliament	North Wiltshire

Yatesbury was an ancient parish and in the 19th century became a civil parish, which was absorbed by Cherhill parish in 1934.[1] Yatesbury today has a population of about 150. Whilst having no shops or amenities, the village is on National Cycle Route 403.[2] It is noted for RAF Yatesbury, which was an important training centre during World War II.

Landmarks

The Church of England parish church of All Saints has 12th-century origins, and 13th-century work can be seen inside; the nave roof and tower are 15th-century. There is a canonical sundial on the south wall. The chancel was rebuilt in 1854 by C.H. Gabriel, and the church was designated as Grade I listed in 1960.[3]

Since 1973[1] the parish has been part of the Oldbury Benefice, which comprises the five parishes of Calstone Wellington, Cherhill, Compton Bassett, Heddington and Yatesbury.[4]

The nearest primary school is at Cherhill. Yatesbury had its own small school from 1856 to 1963; after the school closed the building became the village hall.[5]

The Granary at Manor Farm, Yatesbury, was restored by the Wiltshire Historic Buildings Trust in 2006–2007.[6]

RAF Yatesbury

Opened as a Royal Flying Corps training site in 1916,[7] the station closed three years later and returned to farmland.[8] Pilot training resumed in 1936, then from 1939 the site was used to train many airborne wireless operators and, from 1942, radar operators.[9][10] Training of radar operators, mechanics and fitters continued until 1965;[10] in 1969 the wooden huts were demolished and the land returned again to farming, leaving several brick-built buildings and hangars.[11]

Notable people

The singer, songwriter and author Julian Cope has lived in the village for many years.[12] He referenced the village in the song My Wall in which he collaborated with the American drone metal band Sunn 0))), as well as in his 2013 publication, Copendium.

References

1. Crowley, D.A. (ed.). "Victoria County History - Wiltshire - Vol 17 pp172-181 - Yatesbury". British History Online. University of London. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
2. "Route 403". Sustrans. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
3. Historic England. "Church of All Saints, Yatesbury (1363771)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
4. "The Oldbury Benefice". Retrieved 25 March 2016.
5. "Yatesbury Church of England School". Wiltshire Community History. Wiltshire Council. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
6. Johns, Colin (2007). Wiltshire Historic Buildings Trust 1967–2007 (PDF). p. 30.
7. Philpott, Ian (9 December 2013). The Birth of the Royal Air Force. Pen and Sword. p. 258. ISBN 978-1-4738-3170-4.
8. Riding, Richard (27 March 2014). A Flying Life: An Enthusiast's Photographic Record of British Aviation in the 1930s. Fonthill Media. p. 215. ISBN 978-1-78155-414-2.
9. Philpott, Ian (15 July 2008). The Royal Air Force - Volume 2: An Encyclopedia of the Inter-War Years 1930-1939. Pen and Sword. p. 276. ISBN 978-1-84415-391-6.
10. Jenkins, Stanley C.; Long, Angela (15 November 2015). Marlborough & Around Through Time. Amberley Publishing Limited. p. 187. ISBN 978-1-4456-4134-8.
11. Pugh, Ralph Bernard; Crittall, Elizabeth (1953). A History of Wiltshire. Institute of Historical Research. p. 138. ISBN 978-1-904356-01-1.
12. "Address Drudion". Julian Cope Presents Head Heritage. Retrieved 24 August 2019.

External links

• Official site

Media related to Yatesbury, Wiltshire at Wikimedia Commons