Selworthy was rebuilt as a model village, to provide housing for the aged and infirm of the Holnicote estate, in 1828 by Sir Thomas Acland,[10] in a similar style to Blaise Hamlet, Bristol, which had been built a few years earlier.[3] One of the cottages, known as Periwinkle Cottage, is now an award-winning tea room.[11] Many of the other cottages, whose walls are painted with limewash that has been tinted creamy yellow with ochre, some of which are now rented out, are still thatched and are listed buildings.[12][13][14] The village and the surrounding Holnicote estate was given to the National Trust in 1944 by Sir Richard Acland, having been passed down through the Acland family for nearly 200 years.[8]
Few of the buildings preceding 1828 survive, but those that do include the church, the tithe barn and Tithe Barn Cottage.[15]
Governance
Selworthy shares a grouped parish council with the civil parish of Minehead Without.[16] 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.
As Selworthy falls within the Exmoor National Park some functions (including those related to town planning) normally administered by district or county councils have, since 1997, fallen under the Exmoor National Park Authority, which is known as a 'single purpose' authority, which aims to "conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the National Parks" and "promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the Parks by the public",[18] including responsibility for the conservation of the historic environment.[19]
On the hill above the village is the whitewashed 15th-century Church of All Saints, with a 14th-century tower. The pulpit includes a 17th-century hourglass and the iron-bound parish chest dates from the same time.[20] Within the church is a copy of the Chained Book of 1609 by Bishop John Jewel, entitled Defense of the Apologie of the Church of England.[21]
In the churchyard is a medieval cross with three octagonal steps, a square socket, and an octagonal shaft. The head is missing.[2][23] The churchyard provides views across the valley to Dunkery Beacon.[3]
The liturgical scholar and church historian Francis Carolus Eeles OBE is buried in the churchyard.[24]
The population of the parish of Selworthy is 477;[1] this has grown by 100 since 1801 when the population was 418.[27] It has a predominantly ageing population with 80% being over 45 years old.[28]
^ abMorgan Evans, David; Salway, Peter; Thackray, David (1996). The Remains of Distant Times: Archaeology and the National Trust. Boydell & Brewer. pp. 73–83. ISBN0-85115-671-1.