Alderton is a village and former civil parish, now in the parish of Luckington, in Wiltshire, England, 6 miles (9.7 km) southwest of Malmesbury. In 1931 the parish had a population of 107.[1] On 1 April 1934 the parish was abolished and merged with Luckington.[2]

Alderton
Alderton duck pond
Alderton is located in Wiltshire
Alderton
Alderton
Location within Wiltshire
OS grid referenceST840829
Civil parish
Unitary authority
Shire county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
PoliceWiltshire
FireDorset and Wiltshire
AmbulanceSouth Western
WebsiteParish Council
List of places
UK
England
Wiltshire
51°32′42″N 2°13′55″W / 51.545°N 2.232°W / 51.545; -2.232

The South Wales Main Line, the main railway from Swindon to Bristol and South Wales, runs close to the south of the village where it passes through the Alderton Tunnel.

Parish church edit

 
Church of St Giles

There was a church at Alderton in the 12th century, later dedicated to St Giles. In 1844–5 it was rebuilt by James Thomson at the expense of Joseph Neeld, who bought Alderton manor in 1927. Re-used elements from the earlier building include the north doorway and the three-bay arcade, both of c. 1200; and from the 15th century, the nave roof and the rood screen.[3][4]

Some masonry from the old church was re-used in the building of the nearby school, also at Neeld's expense.[5] Thomson worked on other churches in the area, including St Margaret's, Leigh Delamere.[6]

There are monuments to the Gore family, including Thomas Gore (1632–1684), a High Sheriff of Wiltshire and writer on heraldry. The tower has six bells, of which five were cast by Mears for the 1844 restoration.[7]

The building was designated as Grade II* listed in 1959.[3] Alderton parish is now one of eight served by the Gauzebrook group ministry.[8]

References edit

  1. ^ "Population statistics Alderton AP/CP through time". A Vision of Britain through Time. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  2. ^ "Relationships and changes Alderton AP/CP through time". A Vision of Britain through Time. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  3. ^ a b Historic England. "Church of St Giles (1022362)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  4. ^ "Church of St. Giles, Alderton". Wiltshire Community History. Wiltshire Council. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  5. ^ "Alderton School". Wiltshire Community History. Wiltshire Council. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  6. ^ "Church of St. Margaret, Leigh Delamere". Wiltshire Community History. Wiltshire Council. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  7. ^ "Alderton". Dove's Guide for Church Bell Ringers. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  8. ^ "Alderton: St Giles". Gauzebrook Group Ministry. Retrieved 27 March 2018.

External links edit