Beckington | |
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St George's Church |
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Beckington shown within Somerset | |
Population | 983 |
OS grid reference | ST801518 |
District | |
Shire county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | FROME |
Postcode district | BA11 6 |
Dialling code | 01373 |
Police | Avon and Somerset |
Fire | Devon and Somerset |
Ambulance | South Western |
EU Parliament | South West England |
UK Parliament | |
Beckington is a village and civil parish in the Mendip district of Somerset, England, across the River Frome from Lullington about three miles north of Frome. According to the 2011 census the parish, which includes the hamlet of Rudge, had a population of 983.
The parish includes the hamlet of Standerwick.
Beckington is mentioned in the Domesday Book.
The parish was part of the hundred of Frome.
During the medieval period it became a centre for the wool trade. By the 15th century, fulling mills had been built along the banks of the River Frome which supported spinning and weaving cottage industries.
In September 1766, rioters marched to Beckington and set on fire a mill and other property, in spite of being offered money and parish relief for their families.
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 Mendip, which was formed on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, having previously been part of Frome Rural District, which 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.