Yatton was one of the largest parishes in Somerset. "The extreme length of the Parish from the old windmill on Cleeve Hill to the westward extremity of Hewish Farm is six miles. The extreme breadth from Kenn River to James Chedzoy's paddock over Gang Wall is about fifty yards short of three miles. The circumference of the Parish is twenty miles and three quarters" (this quotation from the survey undertaken by Y & JP Sturge in 1821). Before the Norman conquest Yatton paid Danegeld (tax) for 20 hides. (a hide is about 120 acres) This makes it quite a large place.
Its church was known as "The Cathedral of the Moors". It is of Norman origin, possibly older, but the present building dates from the 1320s. A spire was added to the tower in the 1450s but the top half was taken off in 1595 and has never been replaced.Nearby is Cadbury Hill which you can learn more about here.
References to Yatton in the British Library:
1751. March 28. A Bill for confirming articles of agreement for inclosing and dividing certain commons ... in the parish of Yatton in the county of Somerset. Few MS. notes.. pp. 7. [1751.]
Yatton, Somerset. The official guide, etc. [With illustrations.]. pp. 16. Home Publishing Co.: Carshalton, [1968.]
The Western Mendips: Winscombe, Axbridge, Banwell, Yatton, etc., Somerset ... With map of the district [and illustrations].. 1910Thanks to Yatton Rotary Club for their support for local wildlife projects. Members of the Rotary Club have helped in St Mary's Churchyard, Yatton, in the autumn 2000, and will be getting out on the Strawberry Line to help with management of the Local Nature Reserve. Also, during the winter season, Rotary Club members helped the YACWAG Action Team to put up a pole box for barn owls and kestrels, as well as generously contributing towards its cost. Here are some of the photos of the pole box being erected and also of the churchyard team, after a hard morning's work, presenting a cheque for £50 to YACWAG Committee member Faith Moulin.
Another habitat creation project planned for the spring is the construction of artificial otter holts on Congresbury Moor. These provide much needed resting places for otters moving through the territory. The Rotary Club has again promised practical help with this task and Nick Baker of Alvis Brothers is kindly providing technical support and materials.
