Alphington, Devon
Encyclopedia
Alphington is a suburb of the City of Exeter in southwest England
. The ward of Alphington has a population of 8250 according to the 2001 census
, making it the third largest in Exeter, with the village itself accounting for about a quarter of this figure. It is surrounded on two sides by Devon
countryside, with the Marsh Barton
trading estate to the east and Exeter to the north.
Most of the fabric of the parish church (of St Michael and All Angels) originates from the 15th century, including its rood-screen (the north aisle screen has a different style and design and possibly comes from another church). The screen at the base of the tower was put together from the remains of the 1625 Jacobean gallery, demolished in 1875. Saint Apollonia
was depicted on one of the panels but it has been badly disfigured. The Norman
font
(12th century) is said by Arthur Mee
(1965) to be "believed by many to be the finest in Devon." It is carved from local Beer stone, a replica cast can be seen at Exeter's Royal Albert Memorial Museum
.
In 1749, a peal of eight bells was hung in the church, having been cast by Bilbie of Cullompton
. At the time, it was the largest peal in the county. These eight bells were re-cast from the original five hung prior to 1550. The current incumbent is Rev. Stephen Bessent.
Other buildings
Cartwheels is a typical 15th century Devon cob and timber farmhouse near the church, overlooking the Rectory. Mile End Cottage, on the main road through the village, is the house that Charles Dickens
rented for his parents in 1839. Gidley's and Gidley's Cottage in Ide Lane are reputed to be the oldest dwelling in the village. There are numerous other thatched cottages including Pixies cottage (close to the church), and Laurel cottage (in Ide Lane), dating from the 17th century onwards as well as a Victorian prison building, recently renovated.
In the past, Alphington had a halt on the old Teign Valley line, but this was closed in the late 1950s. It is still possible to see the abutments of the bridge that used to carry the line over Church Road, and also smaller scale masonry remains at the previous overbridge in Ide Lane.
, on the border between Alphington and St Thomas
, and Exeter College
. The old Victorian school building has been reused.
(formerly the Devon County League) by the Alphas (Alphington AFC) football team who play at The Chronicles (on Alphington Playing Field). The playing field is also home to the Alphington cricket team.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The ward of Alphington has a population of 8250 according to the 2001 census
United Kingdom Census 2001
A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194....
, making it the third largest in Exeter, with the village itself accounting for about a quarter of this figure. It is surrounded on two sides by Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
countryside, with the Marsh Barton
Marsh Barton
Marsh Barton is Exeter's largest trading estate, covering over and supporting over 500 diverse businesses including one of Europe's largest motoring centres, showrooms, city plumbing, builders merchants, tool and plant hire....
trading estate to the east and Exeter to the north.
Notable buildings
Parish churchMost of the fabric of the parish church (of St Michael and All Angels) originates from the 15th century, including its rood-screen (the north aisle screen has a different style and design and possibly comes from another church). The screen at the base of the tower was put together from the remains of the 1625 Jacobean gallery, demolished in 1875. Saint Apollonia
Saint Apollonia
Saint Apollonia was one of a group of virgin martyrs who suffered in Alexandria during a local uprising against the Christians prior to the persecution of Decius. According to legend, her torture included having all of her teeth violently pulled out or shattered...
was depicted on one of the panels but it has been badly disfigured. The Norman
Norman architecture
About|Romanesque architecture, primarily English|other buildings in Normandy|Architecture of Normandy.File:Durham Cathedral. Nave by James Valentine c.1890.jpg|thumb|200px|The nave of Durham Cathedral demonstrates the characteristic round arched style, though use of shallow pointed arches above the...
font
Baptismal font
A baptismal font is an article of church furniture or a fixture used for the baptism of children and adults.-Aspersion and affusion fonts:...
(12th century) is said by Arthur Mee
Arthur Mee
Arthur Henry Mee was a British writer, journalist and educator. He is best known for The Harmsworth Self-Educator, The Children's Encyclopaedia, The Children's Newspaper, and The King's England...
(1965) to be "believed by many to be the finest in Devon." It is carved from local Beer stone, a replica cast can be seen at Exeter's Royal Albert Memorial Museum
Royal Albert Memorial Museum
Royal Albert Memorial Museum on Queen Street, Exeter, Devon, England is the largest museum in the city.-History:Initially proposed by Sir Stafford Northcote as a practical memorial to Prince Albert, an appeal fund was launched in 1861 and the first phases of the building were completed by 1868...
.
In 1749, a peal of eight bells was hung in the church, having been cast by Bilbie of Cullompton
Cullompton
Cullompton is a civil parish and town in Devon, England, locally known as Cully. It is miles north-north-east of Exeter and lies on the River Culm. In 2010 it had a population of 8,639 and is growing rapidly....
. At the time, it was the largest peal in the county. These eight bells were re-cast from the original five hung prior to 1550. The current incumbent is Rev. Stephen Bessent.
Other buildings
Cartwheels is a typical 15th century Devon cob and timber farmhouse near the church, overlooking the Rectory. Mile End Cottage, on the main road through the village, is the house that Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens
Charles John Huffam Dickens was an English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian period. Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity and fame than had any previous author during his lifetime, and he remains popular, having been responsible for some of English literature's most iconic...
rented for his parents in 1839. Gidley's and Gidley's Cottage in Ide Lane are reputed to be the oldest dwelling in the village. There are numerous other thatched cottages including Pixies cottage (close to the church), and Laurel cottage (in Ide Lane), dating from the 17th century onwards as well as a Victorian prison building, recently renovated.
In the past, Alphington had a halt on the old Teign Valley line, but this was closed in the late 1950s. It is still possible to see the abutments of the bridge that used to carry the line over Church Road, and also smaller scale masonry remains at the previous overbridge in Ide Lane.
Education
The modern Alphington Primary School is the main educational establishment in the village, with around 350 pupils aged between 5 and 11. Secondary Education is provided by West Exe Technology CollegeWest Exe Technology College
West Exe Technology College is one of the five secondary schools in Exeter, Devon, England. West Exe was previously known as St Thomas High. The catchment area for the school is the St Thomas area, Alphington, and some parts of Exwick...
, on the border between Alphington and St Thomas
St Thomas, Exeter
St Thomas is a large civil parish in Devon, England, on the western side of the river Exe, connected to Exeter by Exe Bridge. It has a number of pubs, places of worship, a couple of schools and a large shopping precinct...
, and Exeter College
Exeter College, Exeter
Exeter College is a tertiary college in the city of Exeter, Devon, England, providing further education for 16-18 year old students, including apprenticeships, A levels and the International Baccalaureate, as well as a range of courses for 14-16 year-olds, higher education and adult courses,...
. The old Victorian school building has been reused.
Sport
The village is represented in the South West Peninsula League Division One EastSouth West Peninsula League
The South West Peninsula League is a league of football clubs in England, which was formed in 2007 from the merger of the Devon County League and the South Western League...
(formerly the Devon County League) by the Alphas (Alphington AFC) football team who play at The Chronicles (on Alphington Playing Field). The playing field is also home to the Alphington cricket team.
Notable people from Alphington
- Charles BabbageCharles BabbageCharles Babbage, FRS was an English mathematician, philosopher, inventor and mechanical engineer who originated the concept of a programmable computer...
(1791–1871), "father of computing" educated in Alphington - Charles DickensCharles DickensCharles John Huffam Dickens was an English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian period. Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity and fame than had any previous author during his lifetime, and he remains popular, having been responsible for some of English literature's most iconic...
's parents (1839) moved to Alphington - Charles Grene EllicombeCharles Grene EllicombeGeneral Sir Charles Grene Ellicombe KCB was an English General and a Royal Engineer, reaching the rank of Colonel Commandant within the Corps. He was created one of the first Companions of the Order of the Bath, and advanced to the honour of a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath.-Early...
, British Army General - Robert StoneRobert Stone (composer)Robert Stone , born in Alphington, Devon, England, was a composer and member of the Chapel Royal.Among his best-known works is the setting of the Lord's Prayer, written around 1550.-External links:...
(1516–1613), composer and member of the Chapel RoyalChapel RoyalA Chapel Royal is a body of priests and singers who serve the spiritual needs of their sovereign wherever they are called upon to do so.-Austria:...