Fivehead | |
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Church of St Martin, Fivehead |
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Fivehead shown within Somerset | |
Population | 609 (2011) |
OS grid reference | ST355225 |
District | |
Shire county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | TAUNTON |
Postcode district | TA3 |
Police | Avon and Somerset |
Fire | Devon and Somerset |
Ambulance | South Western |
EU Parliament | South West England |
Fivehead is a village and civil parish in Somerset, England, situated on the Fivehead River, 8 miles (12.9 km) miles east of Taunton in the South Somerset district. In 2011 the parish, which includes the hamlet of Swell, had a population of 609.
The name of the village comes from a Domesday manor which measured five hides (about 600 acres (242.8 ha).
Fivehead was part of the hundred of Abdick and Bulstone.
Swell Court Farmhouse dates from the mid to late 15th century.
Cathanger manor house dates from 1559, with Langford Manor having been built around the same period.
Nearby was RAF Merryfield, a World War II airfield.
The parish council has responsibility for local issues, including setting an annual precept (local rate) to cover the council’s operating costs and producing annual accounts for public scrutiny. The parish council evaluates local planning applications and works with the local police, district council officers, and neighbourhood watch groups on matters of crime, security, and traffic. The parish council's role also includes initiating projects for the maintenance and repair of parish facilities, as well as consulting with the district council on the maintenance, repair, and improvement of highways, drainage, footpaths, public transport, and street cleaning. Conservation matters (including trees and listed buildings) and environmental issues are also the responsibility of the council.
The village falls within the Non-metropolitan district of South Somerset, which was formed on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, having previously been part of Langport Rural District. The district council is responsible for local planning and building control, local roads, council housing, environmental health, markets and fairs, refuse collection and recycling, cemeteries and crematoria, leisure services, parks, and tourism.