Introduction

The booklet on Claverham is the result of a comprehensive survey of the village, in order to produce a Village Character Statement.

An initiative devised by the Countryside Commission, Village Character Statements encapsulate what is best and most attractive about villages and, once adopted by North Somerset Council, have to be taken into account in planning applications or decisions of a similar nature.

Although linked to Yatton through a joint Parish Council, it was felt that Claverham has its own unique identity, which villagers wish to preserve and enhance. It was therefore agreed that Yatton and Claverham would produce separate statements.

Following a well-supported public meeting in October 2000 - which showed that residents cared about the village and were concerned for its future development - a committee was formed which started the task of looking at Claverham from all angles prior to drawing up the Character Statement.

As well as the committee, many other people became involved in the research, from working out employment patterns to counting the number of ponds in the village. All ages took part; the local scouts delivered the questionnaire, the pupils from Court de Wyck School contributed several drawings whilst those who were slightly longer in the tooth took photos and collated the material. The results of their work was a photographic exhibition in the village hall in February 2001 - which included both recent and old photographs of the area, and a questionnaire which was delivered to households in the village.

Out of the response to the questionnaire the committee was able to draw up a Draft Character Statement, which was put on display at a second public meeting held in July 2001.

This draft document ran to over 32 pages and included many photos of Claverham — both past and present. However when it was presented to North Somerset Council the committee was told that the preference now was for much shorter documents, and the Statement, which was finally adopted by North Somerset Council in February 2002, was a much reduced version - only four pages long plus maps.

The committee felt that because so many people had taken part in the original survey, and there was so much interest in the original document, it would raise the money to publish enough copies for each house in the village plus some spares. The following book is the outcome of that decision.

The committee hopes you will enjoy reading about Claverham's past, present and possible future - but above all please keep this book handy and use it as a reference to ensure that the supplementary planning guidance, agreed by North Somerset, is adhered to.

The Village

The village is centred on the High Street where there is a Post Office [now closed], Claverham Stores [now a Pizza Takeaway] and Melanie's Hairdressers; and the adjoining Bishops Road where there is a modern Primary School and a new village hall.

St Barnabas Church is at the top of the High Street and the Free Church is situated in Claverham Road, a few hundred yards from the Post Office. This cross road, formed by the High Street, Chapel Lane, Bishops Road and  Claverham Road is believed to be the site of the ancient Stalling's Cross - the market cross for Court de Wyck. (The former Chapel is thought to stand on the original site). Stalling's Cross may have been corrupted to become Stream Cross.  

Originally a farming hamlet, the village now acts as a home to many commuters. However, it still retains its rural heritage and is surrounded by some ten farms, three horticultural businesses, a thriving organic market garden and a small riding school. It is this patchwork of farms, fields, footpaths and winding lanes that gives Claverham its character and which the majority of residents wish to preserve.

As with many villages in North Somerset, Claverham has a mixture of old local families and new arrivals. However, all have a unique insight into what makes their village special and this character statement provides a 'slice in time', showing what Claverham is like in the year 2001.

"I like Claverham because my friends live here. I like the shops in Claverham and you can play in the school field." - Anthony aged 9 years

Villagers know that time cannot stand still; some changes are both inevitable and essential to the life of the community. However, it is hoped that this document will provide the framework in which the village can move forward in a structured way, retaining all that is best from the past, while enhancing the village for the future.

"There's nowhere like it in the world" Josephine Richards (nee White)

All about Claverham