Normanton on Soar

{{short description|Village and civil parish in Nottinghamshire, England}}

{{Infobox UK place

| official_name = Normanton on Soar

| country = England

| region = East Midlands

| static_image_name = Old post office normanton.jpg

| static_image_caption = The Old Post Office

| population = 406

| population_ref = (2021)

| population_density =

| os_grid_reference = SK 520228

| post_town = LOUGHBOROUGH

| postcode_area = LE

| postcode_district = LE12

| dial_code = 01509

| constituency_westminster = Rushcliffe

| shire_district = Rushcliffe

| shire_county = Nottinghamshire

| website = [http://www.normanton-on-soar.co.uk www.normanton-on-soar.co.uk]

| coordinates = {{coord|52.8034|-1.235|display=inline,title|scale:25000}}

| type = Village and civil parish

| london_distance_mi = 115

| london_direction = SSE

| static_image_2_name = {{infobox mapframe|frame-width=240|frame-height=220|zoom=12}}

| static_image_2_caption = Parish map

| area_total_sq_mi = 2.26

| label_position = top

}}

Normanton on Soar ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|n|ɔr|m|ə|n|t|ən|...|ˈ|s|ɔr}}), formerly known as Normanton-upon-Soar and known locally as Normanton, is a village and civil parish in the Rushcliffe district of Nottinghamshire, England near the River Soar. This historic village is home to one of the last operating chain ferries in the country, the only lived in cruck building in Nottinghamshire and a 13th-century Grade I listed parish Church.

Description

=Setting=

The ancient parish of Normanton on Soar occupies 1,449 acres about 13 miles south-west of Nottingham. Nearby villages include Zouch, Sutton Bonington, and Stanford on Soar. The post town for Normanton is Loughborough leading to the confusion of being in Nottinghamshire but with a Leicestershire post code.

Normanton on Soar is situated in the Soar Valley (previously also known as the 'Vale of the Soar'{{Cite book|title=Black's guide to Nottinghamshire|last=Lowe|first=Alfred|publisher=Adam and Charles Black|year=1876|page=62}}). The parish is mostly made up of farmland, and contains seven farms. The village is situated along the River Soar and extends uphill north-eastwards towards East Leake.

White's Directory of Nottinghamshire, written in 1853, describes Normanton thus:{{Cite web|url=http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/NTT/NormantononSoar|title=Genuki: Normanton on Soar, Nottinghamshire|last=GENUKI|website=genuki.org.uk|language=en|access-date=2017-05-26}}

Normanton-On-Soar is a picturesque village and parish in the vale of the Soar, 13 miles south by west of Nottingham, bounded on the south by Leicestershire and on the north by the Wolds.

John Throsby, writing during 1790 in his new edition of Robert Thoroton's Antiquities of Nottinghamshire, recalls his account when surveying Normanton:{{Cite book|title=The Antiquities of Nottinghamshire Vol. 1|last=Throsby|first=John|publisher=G. Burbage|year=1790|page=13}}

Shenstone [s]ung while I was viewing the [s]urrounding beauties.

'How [s]weetly [s]miled the Hill, the Vale,

'And all the Land[s]cape round!

'The River gliding down the Dale,

'The Hill with Beeches crown'd!

=Population=

The 1881 census reported that the village had 322 inhabitants.[http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~lesleydonald/1881trans.htm 1881 Census: Normanton on Soar]. The population of the civil parish at the 2011 census was 448,{{cite web|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11127013&c=normanton+on+soar+cp&d=16&e=62&g=6458200&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1460553198606&enc=1|title=Civil parish population 2011|access-date=13 April 2016|publisher=-Office for National Statistics|work=-Neighbourhood Statistics}} falling to 406 residents at the 2021 census.{{NOMIS2021|id=E04007988|title=Normanton on Soar parish|accessdate=12 February 2024}}

=Lordship of the manor=

The Lordship of the Manor of Normanton on Soar is currently held since 1995 by John and Enid Burnett as Lord and Lady of the Manor of Normanton on Soar.{{Cite web|url=http://www.Normanton-on-Soar.org.uk|title=Home|website=normanton-on-soar.org.uk|access-date=2017-02-14}} The Official History Project of everything to do with the Parish is conducted under the direction of the Lord and Lady and the High Steward Ivan J Manning QStJ Esq.

Toponymy

Normanton appears several times in the Domesday survey of 1086 as Normantune and Normantun.{{Cite web|url=http://opendomesday.org/place/SK5123/normanton-on-soar/|title=Normanton [-on-Soar] {{!}} Domesday Book|last=Powell-Smith|first=Anna|website=opendomesday.org|language=en|access-date=2017-02-14}} The name, Normanton, derives from the Anglo-Saxon 'Northman's Tun' meaning Northman's Farm.{{Cite web|url=http://www.visitoruk.com/Loughborough/normanton-on-soar-C592-V13942.html|title=Towns and Villages Around Loughborough {{!}} Normanton on Soar|website=visitoruk.com|access-date=2017-04-08}} It is believed to be first used sometime between AD 870 and 940.

Heritage

=Listed buildings=

Normanton on Soar has a Grade I listed Church along with four Grade II listed buildings, all on Main Street: The Old Post Office (75 Main Street), Dovecote at Rangraak, Home Farmhouse and Ivy Cottage.{{Cite web|url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/results?q=Normanton+on+Soar&searchtype=nhle|title=The List Search Results for Normanton on Soar {{!}} Historic England|last=England|first=Historic|website=historicengland.org.uk|access-date=2017-02-14}}

==Church of St. James (Grade I)==

File:St. James Church, Normanton on Soar - geograph.org.uk - 552292.jpg from a nearby field]]

The medieval Grade I Listed church, Church of St. James, was built in the 13th century.{{NHLE|num=1242162|desc=CHURCH OF ST JAMES |accessdate=2017-02-14}} Located in the south of the village, on Main Street, it is situated on the east bank of the River Soar. The church is one of only two churches in Nottinghamshire to have a central tower crowned with a spire{{Cite web|url=http://www.nottshistory.org.uk/books/mee1938/normantononsoar.htm|title=Nottinghamshire history > Arthur Mee, The King's England: Nottinghamshire > Normanton-on-Soar|website=nottshistory.org.uk|access-date=2017-05-19}} (the other being the Church of St. John in Whatton); although the Chapel of St. Mary at Clumber Park also has a central tower with a spire. The C.15th century timber roof was noted for being of "excellent design" in 1910.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nottshistory.org.uk/articles/tts/tts1910/summer2.htm|title=Nottinghamshire history > Articles > Articles form the Transactions of the Thoroton Society > Summer Excursion 1910: Normanton-on-Soar church|website=nottshistory.org.uk|access-date=2017-02-14}} Also of note are the royal coat-of-arms of Charles II, dated 1683, which sit above the chancel arch. In April 2014 work was completed rebuilding and re-pointing the spire.{{Cite web|url=http://www.normanton-on-soar.co.uk/article.php?id=356|title=Welcome to Normanton on Soar village website|website=normanton-on-soar.co.uk|access-date=2017-02-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214181420/http://www.normanton-on-soar.co.uk/article.php?id=356|archive-date=14 February 2017|url-status=dead}} Within the Church there is a bronze war memorial dedicated to the lives of villagers lost in World War One.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/rollofhonour/WarMemorials/Details/408|title=Normanton on Soar - St James' Church -|website=nottinghamshire.gov.uk|access-date=2017-02-14}} The priest in charge also serves the neighbouring parish of Sutton Bonington.{{Cite web|url=http://www.normanton-on-soar.co.uk/article.php?id=7|title=Welcome to Normanton on Soar village website|website=normanton-on-soar.co.uk|access-date=2017-02-14|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214180429/http://www.normanton-on-soar.co.uk/article.php?id=7|archive-date=14 February 2017|df=dmy-all}} There are regular weekly services, with the village choir attending on the first Sunday of each month.{{Cite web|url=https://www.achurchnearyou.com/normanton-on-soar-st-james/|title=St James, Normanton on Soar|website=A Church Near You|access-date=2017-02-14}} The Church is kept open for the public during the day on Saturday and Sunday.

==Other listed buildings==

The Old Post Office, on Main Street, is a Grade II listed thatched cruck cottage dating from 1454. It is the oldest house in Normanton and the only lived-in cruck building in Nottinghamshire.{{Cite web|url=http://www.normanton-on-soar.co.uk/article.php?id=34|title=Welcome to Normanton on Soar village website|website=normanton-on-soar.co.uk|access-date=2017-02-14}}

=Chain ferry=

File:Normanton-on-Soar Chain Ferry.jpg.]]

The Chain Ferry is located in the south of the village and was mentioned earliest on a map from 1771.{{Cite book|title=The Normanton on Soar Ferry|last=Dark|first=Malcolm|publisher=Reprint|location=Loughborough}} It is one of the few remaining Chain Ferries operating in the UK. It is the last chain ferry still operating in Nottinghamshire (the Hazleford Ferry, in Nottinghamshire, is no longer in use). In 1981 responsibility for the maintenance of the Ferry was transferred from the Paget Estate to the Parish Council. The Ferry was relaunched in April 2017{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/i/web/status/851081652600266755|title=BBC Radio Leicester on Twitter|website=Twitter|language=en|access-date=2018-08-10}} offering crossings between 10AM and 4:30PM every weekend during the summer (between April and September). The current fee per crossing is £1 per person and 50p per dog/bicycle.{{Cite web|url=http://www.normanton-on-soar.co.uk/chain-ferry/|title=Chain Ferry – Normanton On Soar Parish Council|website=normanton-on-soar.co.uk|language=en-US|access-date=2018-08-10}} The Ferry is operated by volunteers from the village.

=Other heritage=

The old telephone box is now used to house a defribrillator which can be accessed in case of an emergency.{{Citation|title=Defibrillator in former Normanton-on-Soar phone box|work=BBC News |date=2012-05-15|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-18072532|language=en|access-date=2017-02-14}}

In June 2012 a memorial plaque was unveiled on the playing fields commemorating the crash of a Wellington Bomber in the village on 19 April 1944 during a training exercise.{{Cite web|url=http://www.normanton-on-soar.co.uk/article.php?id=481|title=Welcome to Normanton on Soar village website|website=normanton-on-soar.co.uk|access-date=2017-02-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214181008/http://www.normanton-on-soar.co.uk/article.php?id=481|archive-date=14 February 2017|url-status=dead}} Four members of the Royal Air Force were killed.

Local government and elections

=Parliamentary elections=

The current MP for the constituency of Rushcliffe is James Naish (Labour) who replaced Ruth Edwards (Conservative) in the parliamentary election held on 4 July 2024.

The Member of Parliament for the parliamentary constituency of Rushcliffe was Kenneth Clarke, of the Conservative party, who held the seat from 1970 to 2019.{{Cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/mr-kenneth-clarke/366|title=Rt Hon Kenneth Clarke QC|website=UK Parliament|language=en|access-date=18 May 2017}} Despite stating he would not stand for reelection in June 2016 (before the announcement of the 2017 election),{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/ken-clarke-to-stand-as-mp-again-brexit-europhile-theresa-may-a7692206.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220621/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/ken-clarke-to-stand-as-mp-again-brexit-europhile-theresa-may-a7692206.html |archive-date=21 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Tory europhile Ken Clarke to stand as MP at general election|date=2017-04-20|work=The Independent|access-date=2017-05-18|language=en}} Ken Clarke stood for reelection at the 2017 General Election and was reelected with a reduced majority of 8,010.{{Cite web|url=http://geo.digiminster.com/election/2017-06-08/Results/Location/Constituency/Rushcliffe|title=Rushcliffe - 2017 Election Results - General Elections Online|website=geo.digiminster.com|language=en|access-date=2017-10-05}} The voter turnout for Rushcliffe was 78%, which was the ninth highest in the country.

=Local government=

File:Rushcliffe Parish map Normanton-on-Soar.png. ]]

==County council==

For Nottinghamshire County Council elections the parish comes within the Leake & Ruddington electoral ward,{{Cite web|url=http://data.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/doc/7000000000007987|title=Ordnance Survey map of Leake & Ruddington Ward|publisher=Ordnance Survey}} which has two council seats.{{Cite web|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/659/made|title=The Nottinghamshire (Electoral Changes) Order 2016|website=legislation.gov.uk|language=en|access-date=2017-05-18}} The most recent election was in May 2017, when Andy Brown and Reg Adair, both of the Conservative party, won the two available seats.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/electionresults/2017/Divisions/leake-and-ruddington|title=Leake and Ruddington|last=Council|first=Nottinghamshire County|website=Nottinghamshire County Council Elections 2017|language=en|access-date=2017-05-18}}

==Borough council==

For the election of a councillor to Rushcliffe Borough Council, the parish forms part of the Leake ward,{{Cite web|url=http://data.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/doc/7000000000007985|title=Ordnance Survey map of Leake Ward|publisher=Ordnance Survey}} which has three council seats. The most recent election was on 7 May 2015 when Ronald Hetherington, Margaret Males and John Thurman, all of the Conservative party, won the three available seats.{{Cite web |title=Borough Election Results 7 May 2015 - Rushcliffe Borough Council |url=http://www.rushcliffe.gov.uk/elections/electionresults/boroughelectionresults7may2015/ |access-date=2017-05-18 |website=rushcliffe.gov.uk |language=en}} The next Borough election will be on 2 May 2019.{{Cite web |title=Election: what and when? - Rushcliffe Borough Council |url=http://www.rushcliffe.gov.uk/elections/electionwhatandwhen/ |access-date=2017-05-18 |website=rushcliffe.gov.uk |language=en}}

==Parish council ==

The parish council has seven seats.{{Cite web|date=2022-02-06|title=Parish council - Normanton-on-Soar Parish Council|url=https://democracy.rushcliffe.gov.uk/mgParishCouncilDetails.aspx?ID=221|access-date=2022-02-06|website=democracy.rushcliffe.gov.uk|publisher=Rushcliffe Borough Council}} Council meetings usually take place on the first Thursday of each month at the village hall.

=Historic=

The parish fell within the ancient Rushcliffe wapentake of Nottinghamshire.{{Cite web|url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10063395#tab02|title=Rushcliffe Wap through time {{!}} Census tables with data for the Ancient District|website=visionofbritain.org.uk|access-date=2017-05-18}} Before 1894 Normanton, along with the nearby villages of Sutton Bonnington, Stanford on Soar, East Leake and West Leake, was part of the Loughborough Rural Sanitary District.{{Cite web|url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10004901#tab02|title=Loughborough RSD through time {{!}} Census tables with data for the Sanitary District|website=visionofbritain.org.uk|access-date=2017-05-18}} From 1894 the parish was part of the Leake Rural District, until its abolition in 1935,{{Cite web|url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10026830#tab02|title=Leake RD through time {{!}} Census tables with data for the Local Government District|website=visionofbritain.org.uk|access-date=2017-05-18}} when the parish was then transferred to the Basford Rural District.{{Cite web|url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10055222#tab02|title=Basford RD through time {{!}} Census tables with data for the Local Government District|website=visionofbritain.org.uk|access-date=2017-05-18}} In 1974 the Basford Rural District was abolished and the non-metropolitan district of Rushcliffe was created, which Normanton became part of.

Amenities

=Education and schools=

Within the village there is a small primary school, located on Main Street, catering for children aged between three and eleven.{{Cite web|url=http://www.normantononsoarprimary.co.uk/|title=Normanton On Soar Primary School|website=normantononsoarprimary.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2017-02-14}} In its most recent Ofsted report (2013) the school was rated as Good.{{Cite web|url=http://www.normantononsoarprimary.co.uk/office/ofsted-report/|title=OFSTED Report {{!}} Normanton On Soar Primary School|website= normantononsoarprimary.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2017-02-14}}

=Transport=

File:Normanton on Soar - Soar Lane (Slipway).jpg

The village is served by the Skylink bus service, operated by Trent Barton, which can be taken from the edge of the village on the A6006.{{Cite web|url=http://www.normanton-on-soar.co.uk/article.php?id=305|title=Welcome to Normanton on Soar village website|website=normanton-on-soar.co.uk|access-date=2017-02-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214181051/http://www.normanton-on-soar.co.uk/article.php?id=305|archive-date=14 February 2017|url-status=dead}} The village is also served by the volunteer-run Soar Valley Bus service which can be taken from within the village. Both bus services provide regular journeys to Loughborough and Nottingham.

=Other amenities=

The Village Hall, built in 2007, is located south within the village and is available for hire.{{Cite web|url=http://www.normanton-on-soar.co.uk/article.php?id=395|title=Welcome to Normanton on Soar village website|website=normanton-on-soar.co.uk|access-date=2017-02-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214181010/http://www.normanton-on-soar.co.uk/article.php?id=395|archive-date=14 February 2017|url-status=dead}} The community shop is run by volunteers and is located at the rear of the Village Hall.{{Cite web|url=http://www.normanton-on-soar.co.uk/article.php?id=457|title=Welcome to Normanton on Soar village website|website=normanton-on-soar.co.uk|access-date=2017-02-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214180202/http://www.normanton-on-soar.co.uk/article.php?id=457|archive-date=14 February 2017|url-status=dead}} The shop is open Monday to Friday and Saturday morning. The Village Hall is surrounded by 5 acres of playing fields with an outdoor children's play area. The village allotments are located behind the Village Hall.

The Soar Boating Club is a private members club which was founded in the spring of 1953.{{Cite web|url=http://www.soarboatingclub.co.uk/sbcPages/History.html|title=Welcome to the Soar Boating Club History Page|website=soarboatingclub.co.uk|access-date=2017-02-14}} In 1961 the club acquired its current position on Main Street. The club has a membership of around 100 boats and holds its main annual rally over the spring bank holiday.

The village has a pub, located on Main Street, called the Plough Inn.{{Cite web|url=http://www.normanton-on-soar.co.uk/article.php?id=71|title=Welcome to Normanton on Soar village website|website=normanton-on-soar.co.uk|access-date=2017-02-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214180651/http://www.normanton-on-soar.co.uk/article.php?id=71|archive-date=14 February 2017|url-status=dead}} The pub is positioned along the river bank and offers free moorings.{{Cite web|url=http://theploughnormanton.co.uk/about-us/|title=About – The Plough Inn|website=theploughnormanton.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2017-02-14}} Next to the Plough Inn, but separate, Soar Lane offers access to a slipway for launching river craft.

Gallery

File:Main Street, Normanton on Soar - geograph.org.uk - 551982.jpg|Main Street

File:The Plough, Normanton on Soar - geograph.org.uk - 551977.jpg|The Plough Inn

File:St. James Church, Normanton on Soar - geograph.org.uk - 552287.jpg|St. James' Church from across the River Soar

File:Main Street, Normanton on Soar - geograph.org.uk - 551958.jpg|Main Street

File:The Cedars Farm, Normanton on Soar - geograph.org.uk - 18790.jpg|Cedars Farm (at the top of Butt Lane)

File:View of St James' Church, Normanton on Soar .jpg|St. James' Church from a nearby field

File:The Village Hall, Normanton on Soar, UK.JPG|The Village Hall and Community Shop (located at the rear)

File:Normanton Lane towards Normanton on Soar - geograph.org.uk - 551211.jpg|Normanton Lane looking towards Normanton

References

External links

http://www.Normanton-on-soar.org.uk Official Lordship website
[https://web.archive.org/web/20190616201644/http://www.normanton-on-soar.co.uk/ Normanton-On-Soar Village Website]
http://johntheartist.wix.com/john-the-artist Website of a local Artist

Category:Villages in Nottinghamshire

Category:Civil parishes in Nottinghamshire

Category:Rushcliffe