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Miscellany
MISCELLANY Membury in 1086 was known as Manberia, possibly Maaberia, (meaning fortified place) Earlier as Maenborg (Strong Fort) Membury Hill Fort: built by the Dumnonii (People of the land) for the defence against the people of Dorset. Chestnut tree: Protected by a tree preservation order this over a hundred year old tree stands on what was the village green. There is still a playing field beyond this. The tree stands opposite the village shop. Drinking troughs: Some ninety years ago the cattle from many small village farms were driven to these troughs to drink. The water comes from unfailing springs in the fields above. The Street: Membury's most notable characteristic is its long ancient street, lined by aged cottages and farmhouses, with fields climbing the steep valley sides, many once being cider orchards. Until 1982 a picturesque stream meandered down ‘the street'. It now flows beneath the road. The Street was tarrmaced in 1928. The church: Mostly 15c. and 16c. structure containing much of Membury's history in its monument. Royalists from Honiton attacked parliamentarians on the night of 13/14th October 1645 near the church during the Civil War. Rock Mill: being one of two mills in the Manor. In an early survey it is described as ‘one griste mill consisting of two lowe roomes, two upper roomes, one Bakehouse, one garden'. There was once a watercress bed here. The mill is now a trout farm, which is open to the public. The village school once had as many as 142 pupils early in the 20c. Renovated at the turn of the century, it now thrives as an educational centre for children and adults. Web site address: www.thelocalchannel,co.uk/memburylocalhistorysociety
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