Bulkington
Encyclopedia
Bulkington is a large village and former parish in the Nuneaton and Bedworth
district of Warwickshire
, UK. In the 2001 census
it had a population of 6,303. It is located around 6 miles (10 km) north-east of Coventry
, just east of the towns of Nuneaton
and Bedworth
and 4 miles (6 km) south-west of Hinckley
. Despite historically having stronger links with Bedworth, the northern edge of Bulkington is separated from the Whitestone area of Nuneaton by only a small area of green belt land.
Bulkington was mentioned in the Domesday Book
as Bochintone, meaning "estate associated with a man called Bulca". The parish originally contained seven hamlets, two of which were subsumed by Bulkington village following residential building expansion which began in the 1930s. Historically the main industry in Bulkington was ribbon
weaving
. Today Bulkington is largely a commuter village for larger nearby urban centres such as Coventry, Nuneaton, Bedworth, Hinckley and Leicester
.
Bulkington has connections with the locally-born author George Eliot
(Mary Ann Evans), who knew the village well. She referred to it as Raveloe in her book Silas Marner
(1861). The church of St James is where George Eliot's uncle and aunt are buried.
vill
s in the south Bulkington and Barnacle, and in the north Marston, Weston and Bramcote. The first four of these were held by the Count of Meulan.
Bulkington was the largest of these sub-divisions (at 4 hides and 1 virgate
) and functioned as the centre of the manor
; however, by the late 13th century the centre of the manor had moved to Weston-in-Arden. By 1285 the manor of Weston contained Bulkington, Bramcote, Barnacle, Ryton, Clifton, and Wibtoft.
The manor house Weston Hall, which dates to the 16th century, still stands in Weston-in Arden. It was substantially renovated in c.1892, and after serving for a time as a night club in the 1970s and 1980s, now functions as a hotel.
Because of this, ribbon weaving supplemented or replaced agriculture as the main source of income for the majority of Bulkington’s population. This cottage industry had spread to Bulkington from the major centres of Coventry
and Bedworth
, where it had been introduced by the Huguenots in the 18th century. The late 18th century and early 19th century was a period of significant growth for the village, with its population almost tripling in size.
The 1830s saw a slump in the industry, due in part to the introduction of factory production at Coventry, and competition from cheap imports. However, the 1840s brought another period of growth when many buildings were re-fronted or rebuilt in chequered brick work (characteristic of North Warwickshire buildings of the period).
The industry collapsed in the 1860s “when the Cobden treaty with France removed the duty on French silks entering England”. This was accompanied by a depression in agriculture and led to a fall in the population by almost a third by 1891. The Bulkington Baptismal register, 1841–1861, records that: 'On Thursday, Aug 15th, 1861, six families comprising 27 members left for Quebec, Canada, in consequence of the continued depression of the Ribbon trade… . At the same time 83 houses were vacant in the parish. Robert Potter, Vicar'.
Nonetheless, ribbon production continued in Bulkington into the middle of the 20th century, though through small factory production rather than as a cottage industry. The last factory, in Arden Road, closed in the early 1950s.
Speculative private housing development began in the 1930s and by the 1960s surrounded the village with expansive suburban areas. In addition to the greenfield development of the 1960s, much of the village itself was redeveloped. This involved the creation of a shopping precinct in Leicester Street, which was the traditional heart of the village. Additionally, many of the chequered-pattern brick buildings were replaced by typical 1960s suburban houses.
In 1968 a new east-west distributor road linking School Road and Bedworth Road replaced an ancient footpath. This development divorced the Church from Church Street; further road developments led to the demolition of a many of the buildings in the historic precinct, and by the 1980s only Church Street retained any historic continuity. The remaining historic buildings were threatened with demolition which led directly to the creation of the Bulkington Conservation Area
in 1985, which covers Church Street and the area surrounding St James’ Parish Church. In November 2008 the Barbridge Close area, north of St James' Church, was excluded from the conservation area.
St. James’ is a Grade 2 listed building, along with two 19th century chest tombs in the grounds. 3 and 4 Church Street, and the wrought iron railings on St James’ are also afforded listed status.
local government district
which, like the other wards in the district, is represented by 2 councillors. Bulkington is represented by Desmond O’Brian and Julian Gutteridge, both Conservative
. As of 2008, the Council is controlled by the Conservative Party
.
The Nuneaton and Bedworth district is a subdivision of the Warwickshire County Council, which is currently Conservative controlled. Bulkington elects a councillor to the county council along with part of Attleborough
ward. They are currently represented by John Ross (Conservative).
Bulkington was part of the Nuneaton constituency
in the House of Commons. However, following the changes to the Warwickshire parliamentary constituency boundaries which came into effect on 13 June 2007, and used for the first time at the 2010 general election, Bulkington was transferred into the Rugby
constituency.
council. From 1894 to 1932 Bulkington functioned as an independent urban district
; however, the village lost its independence in 1932 under the Warwichshire Review Order, when it became part of the Rugby
rural district
. Six years later, in 1938, it became part of Bedworth
urban district, which was established in 1928. In 1974 the Bedworth Urban District became part of the Nuneaton and Bedworth
district, which was created by the Local Government Act 1972
.
The 2001 census
records Bulkington's population as being predominantly Christian, with 84.7% of residents naming Christianity as their religion. 8.4% stated No Religion, 0.8% Other and 6.0% did not disclose.
The village is served by four churches: the Anglican St James' Parish Church
, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic
Church, Ryton Methodist
Church, and Bulkington Congregational
Church.
the church came into the Crown’s hands until 1554, when it was passed on and sold numerous times before returning to the Crown’s possession by 1662. It has remained in the possession of the Crown since. Records for baptisms and burials begin in 1606 and for marriages in 1683.
The church had chapels in Weston, Ryton, Marston, Bramcote, Shilton
and Ansty
; the latter two were transferred from the Abbey of Leicester to Coventry Priory, and subsequently became independent parishes. The rectory
, "was acquired in 1587 by Robert Johnson
, Archdeacon of Leicester, as part of the endowment of the grammar schools which he founded at Oakham
and Uppingham
". The Old Vicarage, a Victorian
Tudor-Gothic building lies to the north-east of the church; a modern, suburban style vicarage lies closer to the church.
The church today “consists of a chancel
with a vestry
on the north; a nave
, with a clearstory to the south only; north and south aisles; south porch; and a western tower”. It displays a series of architectural developments from the 13th century through to the 20th, though the earliest material in the church dates from the 12th century, represented by a single voussoir
and bell capital found in 1907 and built into the south porch. The tower was built in the mid 15th century and restored in 1907.
The church has six bells, the earliest of which belongs to the 16th century; these can be heard on Sundays, and during the week when the bell ringers practice.
Little is known of the history of this church, as its records were recently destroyed in a fire. However, a plaque on the front gable of the building records that it was built in 1811 and restored in 1883, making it the second oldest church building in the village. Further, the records for births and baptisms from 1812 to 1836 are available in the Warwickshire County archive.
The church is a rectangular, two story brick building with a balcony. A later, single story extension from the south of the building serves as the church hall. The church manse is situated to the south of the church. It lay unoccupied for some time and was subject to an arson
attack but has since been renovated and is now occupied by the new pastor and his wife who moved to the area in the summer of 2008.
There were originally two Methodist churches in the parish of Bulkington: Bulkington Methodist and Ryton Methodist. Ryton Methodist Church was initially situated in Long Street but moved to Rugby Road in 1911. A gazetteer from 1848 reports that there was a place of worship for 'Wesleyans' in the parish, making the Methodist church (though not church building) the third oldest church in the village. Bulkington Methodist closed after 110 years on 12 October 1960 when the building had become unsafe; its congregation joined Ryton Methodist Church.
The presence of the (post-Reformation
) Catholic Church in Bulkington begins in 1842 when Richard Brome de Bary, owner of Weston Hall, converted to Catholicism. He established a mission at his home, dedicated to Our Lady of Bethlehem. As well as Bulkington, the church also serves the nearby village of Wolvey
. The parish belongs to the archdiocese
of Birmingham
.
The church is a brick building in Gothic
style and was built in 1869; it holds 150 people. Recent architectural additions include the extension of the sacristy
, the building of a parish hall, and the erection of a grotto to the Virgin Mary
.
The church has held a bi-annual flower festival since 1990.
Junior School
and Arden Forest Infant School
, with a combined total of approximately 420 pupils. What is now St James' Church of England Junior School was built in 1959 as a 2-form
entry school. In 1973, following the North Warwickshire primary school reorganisation plan, it became a Middle School and it was at this time that the school's name was changed to St James' Church of England Middle School. In 1996, the school was redesignated a junior school, returning it to its original status. Arden Forest Infant School was founded in 1996 due to the Warwickshire reorganisation of schools and the subsequent amalgamation of Bulkington First School
and Weston-in-Arden First School.
At the 2001 census
, the Bulkington ward, which includes Bulkington, Weston-in-Arden, Ryton, Marston Jabbett, Bramcote (west), had a total population of 6,303. There were 3,214 females (51.0%) and 3,089 males (49.0%). The largest age groups in the ward were: 45-59 (1,526, 24.2%); 30-44 (1,104, 17.5%); and 65-74 (873, 13.9%).
The vast majority of residents are white: 6,236 (98.9%). The largest ethnic minority was Asian: 38 (0.60%).
Nuneaton and Bedworth
Nuneaton and Bedworth is a local government district with borough status, in northern Warwickshire, England, consisting of the densely populated towns of Nuneaton and Bedworth, the village of Bulkington and the green belt land in between. It has a population of just over 120,000.It borders the...
district of Warwickshire
Warwickshire
Warwickshire is a landlocked non-metropolitan county in the West Midlands region of England. The county town is Warwick, although the largest town is Nuneaton. The county is famous for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare...
, UK. In the 2001 census
United Kingdom Census 2001
A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194....
it had a population of 6,303. It is located around 6 miles (10 km) north-east of Coventry
Coventry
Coventry is a city and metropolitan borough in the county of West Midlands in England. Coventry is the 9th largest city in England and the 11th largest in the United Kingdom. It is also the second largest city in the English Midlands, after Birmingham, with a population of 300,848, although...
, just east of the towns of Nuneaton
Nuneaton
Nuneaton is the largest town in the Borough of Nuneaton and Bedworth and in the English county of Warwickshire.Nuneaton is most famous for its associations with the 19th century author George Eliot, who was born on a farm on the Arbury Estate just outside Nuneaton in 1819 and lived in the town for...
and Bedworth
Bedworth
Bedworth is a market town in the Nuneaton and Bedworth district of Warwickshire, England. It lies northwest of London, east of Birmingham, and north northeast of the county town of Warwick. It is situated between Coventry, to the south, and Nuneaton, to the north.In the 2001 census the town...
and 4 miles (6 km) south-west of Hinckley
Hinckley
Hinckley is a town in southwest Leicestershire, England. It has a population of 43,246 . It is administered by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council...
. Despite historically having stronger links with Bedworth, the northern edge of Bulkington is separated from the Whitestone area of Nuneaton by only a small area of green belt land.
Bulkington was mentioned in the Domesday Book
Domesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
as Bochintone, meaning "estate associated with a man called Bulca". The parish originally contained seven hamlets, two of which were subsumed by Bulkington village following residential building expansion which began in the 1930s. Historically the main industry in Bulkington was ribbon
Ribbon
A ribbon or riband is a thin band of material, typically cloth but also plastic or sometimes metal, used primarily for binding and tying. Cloth ribbons, most commonly silk, are often used in connection with clothing, but are also applied for innumerable useful, ornamental and symbolic purposes...
weaving
Weaving
Weaving is a method of fabric production in which two distinct sets of yarns or threads are interlaced at right angles to form a fabric or cloth. The other methods are knitting, lace making and felting. The longitudinal threads are called the warp and the lateral threads are the weft or filling...
. Today Bulkington is largely a commuter village for larger nearby urban centres such as Coventry, Nuneaton, Bedworth, Hinckley and Leicester
Leicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
.
Bulkington has connections with the locally-born author George Eliot
George Eliot
Mary Anne Evans , better known by her pen name George Eliot, was an English novelist, journalist and translator, and one of the leading writers of the Victorian era...
(Mary Ann Evans), who knew the village well. She referred to it as Raveloe in her book Silas Marner
Silas Marner
Silas Marner: The Weaver of Raveloe is a dramatic novel by George Eliot. Her third novel, it was first published in 1861. An outwardly simple tale of a reclusive weaver, in its strong realism it represents one of Eliot's most sophisticated treatments of her attitude to religion.-Plot summary:The...
(1861). The church of St James is where George Eliot's uncle and aunt are buried.
Medieval
The early history of Bulkington can be traced to the 11th century where it is mentioned as among the estates of the Count of Meulan, overseen by his sub-tenant Salo. Originally the parish of Bulkington consisted of two 5-hideHide (unit)
The hide was originally an amount of land sufficient to support a household, but later in Anglo-Saxon England became a unit used in assessing land for liability to "geld", or land tax. The geld would be collected at a stated rate per hide...
vill
Vill
Vill is a term used in English history to describe a land unit which might otherwise be described as a parish, manor or tithing.The term is used in the period immediately after the Norman conquest and into the late medieval. Land units in Domesday are frequently referred to as vills, although the...
s in the south Bulkington and Barnacle, and in the north Marston, Weston and Bramcote. The first four of these were held by the Count of Meulan.
Bulkington was the largest of these sub-divisions (at 4 hides and 1 virgate
Virgate
The virgate or yardland was a unit of land area measurement used in medieval England, typically outside the Danelaw, and was held to be the amount of land that a team of two oxen could plough in a single annual season. It was equivalent to a quarter of a hide, so was nominally thirty acres...
) and functioned as the centre of the manor
Manorialism
Manorialism, an essential element of feudal society, was the organizing principle of rural economy that originated in the villa system of the Late Roman Empire, was widely practiced in medieval western and parts of central Europe, and was slowly replaced by the advent of a money-based market...
; however, by the late 13th century the centre of the manor had moved to Weston-in-Arden. By 1285 the manor of Weston contained Bulkington, Bramcote, Barnacle, Ryton, Clifton, and Wibtoft.
The manor house Weston Hall, which dates to the 16th century, still stands in Weston-in Arden. It was substantially renovated in c.1892, and after serving for a time as a night club in the 1970s and 1980s, now functions as a hotel.
Early modern
Throughout the medieval period and until the late 18th century, the principal employment in Bulkington had been agriculture: 100 acre (0.404686 km²) of meadowland were recorded in 1086; further, windmills are recorded for Weston and Marston Jabbet, and a water mill in Bramcote. However, in 1766 700 acres (2.8 km²) of common land were enclosed at Ryton, and 4 years later enclosure was applied to the remainder of land in Bulkington, totalling 1600 acres (6.5 km²).Because of this, ribbon weaving supplemented or replaced agriculture as the main source of income for the majority of Bulkington’s population. This cottage industry had spread to Bulkington from the major centres of Coventry
Coventry
Coventry is a city and metropolitan borough in the county of West Midlands in England. Coventry is the 9th largest city in England and the 11th largest in the United Kingdom. It is also the second largest city in the English Midlands, after Birmingham, with a population of 300,848, although...
and Bedworth
Bedworth
Bedworth is a market town in the Nuneaton and Bedworth district of Warwickshire, England. It lies northwest of London, east of Birmingham, and north northeast of the county town of Warwick. It is situated between Coventry, to the south, and Nuneaton, to the north.In the 2001 census the town...
, where it had been introduced by the Huguenots in the 18th century. The late 18th century and early 19th century was a period of significant growth for the village, with its population almost tripling in size.
The 1830s saw a slump in the industry, due in part to the introduction of factory production at Coventry, and competition from cheap imports. However, the 1840s brought another period of growth when many buildings were re-fronted or rebuilt in chequered brick work (characteristic of North Warwickshire buildings of the period).
The industry collapsed in the 1860s “when the Cobden treaty with France removed the duty on French silks entering England”. This was accompanied by a depression in agriculture and led to a fall in the population by almost a third by 1891. The Bulkington Baptismal register, 1841–1861, records that: 'On Thursday, Aug 15th, 1861, six families comprising 27 members left for Quebec, Canada, in consequence of the continued depression of the Ribbon trade… . At the same time 83 houses were vacant in the parish. Robert Potter, Vicar'.
Nonetheless, ribbon production continued in Bulkington into the middle of the 20th century, though through small factory production rather than as a cottage industry. The last factory, in Arden Road, closed in the early 1950s.
Recent developments and conservation
In 1968 a new east-west distributor road linking School Road and Bedworth Road replaced an ancient footpath. This development divorced the Church from Church Street; further road developments led to the demolition of a many of the buildings in the historic precinct, and by the 1980s only Church Street retained any historic continuity. The remaining historic buildings were threatened with demolition which led directly to the creation of the Bulkington Conservation Area
Conservation area
A conservation areas is a tract of land that has been awarded protected status in order to ensure that natural features, cultural heritage or biota are safeguarded...
in 1985, which covers Church Street and the area surrounding St James’ Parish Church. In November 2008 the Barbridge Close area, north of St James' Church, was excluded from the conservation area.
St. James’ is a Grade 2 listed building, along with two 19th century chest tombs in the grounds. 3 and 4 Church Street, and the wrought iron railings on St James’ are also afforded listed status.
Political representation
Bulkington is a ward of the Nuneaton and BedworthNuneaton and Bedworth
Nuneaton and Bedworth is a local government district with borough status, in northern Warwickshire, England, consisting of the densely populated towns of Nuneaton and Bedworth, the village of Bulkington and the green belt land in between. It has a population of just over 120,000.It borders the...
local government district
Non-metropolitan district
Non-metropolitan districts, or colloquially shire districts, are a type of local government district in England. As created, they are sub-divisions of non-metropolitan counties in a so-called "two-tier" arrangement...
which, like the other wards in the district, is represented by 2 councillors. Bulkington is represented by Desmond O’Brian and Julian Gutteridge, both Conservative
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
. As of 2008, the Council is controlled by the Conservative Party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
.
The Nuneaton and Bedworth district is a subdivision of the Warwickshire County Council, which is currently Conservative controlled. Bulkington elects a councillor to the county council along with part of Attleborough
Attleborough, Warwickshire
Attleborough is an area of Nuneaton in Warwickshire in central England. It is about a mile south-east of the town centre. The centre of Attleborough has a village feel to it and contains a number of shops, restaurants, takeaways and pubs...
ward. They are currently represented by John Ross (Conservative).
Bulkington was part of the Nuneaton constituency
Nuneaton (UK Parliament constituency)
Nuneaton is a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.- Pre-2010 :...
in the House of Commons. However, following the changes to the Warwickshire parliamentary constituency boundaries which came into effect on 13 June 2007, and used for the first time at the 2010 general election, Bulkington was transferred into the Rugby
Rugby (UK Parliament constituency)
Rugby is a parliamentary constituency in Warwickshire, England. It elects one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom using the first past the post system....
constituency.
Civic history
In July 1950, Bulkington Local Health Board was formed, under the Public Health Act 1848 and in 1894 this was converted into an urban districtUrban district
In the England, Wales and Ireland, an urban district was a type of local government district that covered an urbanised area. Urban districts had an elected Urban District Council , which shared local government responsibilities with a county council....
council. From 1894 to 1932 Bulkington functioned as an independent urban district
Urban district
In the England, Wales and Ireland, an urban district was a type of local government district that covered an urbanised area. Urban districts had an elected Urban District Council , which shared local government responsibilities with a county council....
; however, the village lost its independence in 1932 under the Warwichshire Review Order, when it became part of the Rugby
Rugby, Warwickshire
Rugby is a market town in Warwickshire, England, located on the River Avon. The town has a population of 61,988 making it the second largest town in the county...
rural district
Rural district
Rural districts were a type of local government area – now superseded – established at the end of the 19th century in England, Wales, and Ireland for the administration of predominantly rural areas at a level lower than that of the administrative counties.-England and Wales:In England...
. Six years later, in 1938, it became part of Bedworth
Bedworth
Bedworth is a market town in the Nuneaton and Bedworth district of Warwickshire, England. It lies northwest of London, east of Birmingham, and north northeast of the county town of Warwick. It is situated between Coventry, to the south, and Nuneaton, to the north.In the 2001 census the town...
urban district, which was established in 1928. In 1974 the Bedworth Urban District became part of the Nuneaton and Bedworth
Nuneaton and Bedworth
Nuneaton and Bedworth is a local government district with borough status, in northern Warwickshire, England, consisting of the densely populated towns of Nuneaton and Bedworth, the village of Bulkington and the green belt land in between. It has a population of just over 120,000.It borders the...
district, which was created by the Local Government Act 1972
Local Government Act 1972
The Local Government Act 1972 is an Act of Parliament in the United Kingdom that reformed local government in England and Wales on 1 April 1974....
.
Religion and church history
| Bulkington Compared | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 UK Census United Kingdom Census 2001 A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194.... |
Bulkington | Nuneaton and Bedworth | West Midlands | England |
| Total population | 6,303 | 119,132 | 5,267,308 | 49,138,831 |
| Christian | 84.72% | 76.94% | 72.58% | 71.74% |
| No Religion | 8.36% | 11.72% | 12.30% | 14.59% |
| Sikh | 0.30% | 1.50% | 1.97% | 0.67% |
| Hindu | 0.25% | 0.60% | 1.08% | 1.11% |
| Buddhist | 0.14% | 0.09% | 0.19% | 0.28% |
| Muslim | 0.05% | 1.58% | 4.10% | 3.10% |
The 2001 census
United Kingdom Census 2001
A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194....
records Bulkington's population as being predominantly Christian, with 84.7% of residents naming Christianity as their religion. 8.4% stated No Religion, 0.8% Other and 6.0% did not disclose.
The village is served by four churches: the Anglican St James' Parish Church
Church of England parish church
A parish church in the Church of England is the church which acts as the religious centre for the people within the smallest and most basic Church of England administrative region, known as a parish.-Parishes in England:...
, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
Church, Ryton Methodist
Methodism
Methodism is a movement of Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations, claiming a total of approximately seventy million adherents worldwide. The movement traces its roots to John Wesley's evangelistic revival movement within Anglicanism. His younger brother...
Church, and Bulkington Congregational
Congregational church
Congregational churches are Protestant Christian churches practicing Congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation independently and autonomously runs its own affairs....
Church.
Parish Church of St James
St James’ is the oldest church in Bulkington, dating to the 12th century. The church was given to the Abbey of Leister after its foundation in 1143. Following the Dissolution of the MonasteriesDissolution of the Monasteries
The Dissolution of the Monasteries, sometimes referred to as the Suppression of the Monasteries, was the set of administrative and legal processes between 1536 and 1541 by which Henry VIII disbanded monasteries, priories, convents and friaries in England, Wales and Ireland; appropriated their...
the church came into the Crown’s hands until 1554, when it was passed on and sold numerous times before returning to the Crown’s possession by 1662. It has remained in the possession of the Crown since. Records for baptisms and burials begin in 1606 and for marriages in 1683.
The church had chapels in Weston, Ryton, Marston, Bramcote, Shilton
Shilton, Warwickshire
Shilton is a village and civil parish in the English county of Warwickshire. The parish of Shilton also includes the nearby hamlet of Barnacle, Warwickshire, and in the 2001 census had a population of 826....
and Ansty
Ansty, Warwickshire
Ansty is a village and civil parish just outside the outskirts of Coventry, about northeast of the city centre. Ansty was part of the County of the City of Coventry until that county was dissolved in 1842....
; the latter two were transferred from the Abbey of Leicester to Coventry Priory, and subsequently became independent parishes. The rectory
Rectory
A rectory is the residence, or former residence, of a rector, most often a Christian cleric, but in some cases an academic rector or other person with that title...
, "was acquired in 1587 by Robert Johnson
Robert Johnson (rector)
Archdeacon Robert Johnson was the founder of Oakham School and Uppingham School.He was a Puritan rector of North Luffenham for 51 years, from 1574 until his death; he was also the Archdeacon of Leicester, and using the income from these and other church posts that he was able to hold...
, Archdeacon of Leicester, as part of the endowment of the grammar schools which he founded at Oakham
Oakham School
Oakham School is a British co-educational independent school in the historic market town of Oakham in Rutland, accepting around 1,000 pupils, aged from 10 to 18, both male and female, as boarders and day pupils . The Good Schools Guide called the school "a privileged but unpretentious and...
and Uppingham
Uppingham School
Uppingham School is a co-educational independent school of the English public school tradition, situated in the small town of Uppingham in Rutland, England...
". The Old Vicarage, a Victorian
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
Tudor-Gothic building lies to the north-east of the church; a modern, suburban style vicarage lies closer to the church.
The church today “consists of a chancel
Chancel
In church architecture, the chancel is the space around the altar in the sanctuary at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building...
with a vestry
Vestry
A vestry is a room in or attached to a church or synagogue in which the vestments, vessels, records, etc., are kept , and in which the clergy and choir robe or don their vestments for divine service....
on the north; a nave
Nave
In Romanesque and Gothic Christian abbey, cathedral basilica and church architecture, the nave is the central approach to the high altar, the main body of the church. "Nave" was probably suggested by the keel shape of its vaulting...
, with a clearstory to the south only; north and south aisles; south porch; and a western tower”. It displays a series of architectural developments from the 13th century through to the 20th, though the earliest material in the church dates from the 12th century, represented by a single voussoir
Voussoir
A voussoir is a wedge-shaped element, typically a stone, used in building an arch or vault.Although each unit in an arch or vault is a voussoir, two units are of distinct functional importance: the keystone and the springer. The keystone is the center stone or masonry unit at the apex of an arch. A...
and bell capital found in 1907 and built into the south porch. The tower was built in the mid 15th century and restored in 1907.
The church has six bells, the earliest of which belongs to the 16th century; these can be heard on Sundays, and during the week when the bell ringers practice.
Bulkington Congregational Church
The church is a rectangular, two story brick building with a balcony. A later, single story extension from the south of the building serves as the church hall. The church manse is situated to the south of the church. It lay unoccupied for some time and was subject to an arson
Arson
Arson is the crime of intentionally or maliciously setting fire to structures or wildland areas. It may be distinguished from other causes such as spontaneous combustion and natural wildfires...
attack but has since been renovated and is now occupied by the new pastor and his wife who moved to the area in the summer of 2008.
Ryton Methodist Church
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church
English Reformation
The English Reformation was the series of events in 16th-century England by which the Church of England broke away from the authority of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church....
) Catholic Church in Bulkington begins in 1842 when Richard Brome de Bary, owner of Weston Hall, converted to Catholicism. He established a mission at his home, dedicated to Our Lady of Bethlehem. As well as Bulkington, the church also serves the nearby village of Wolvey
Wolvey
Wolvey is a village and parish in Warwickshire, England. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 1,741.The village, originally on the main route between Leicester and Coventry, is now on the B4065 and B4109 roads and is located on the Warwickshire/Leicestershire border in an outlying...
. The parish belongs to the archdiocese
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
of Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
.
The church is a brick building in Gothic
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
style and was built in 1869; it holds 150 people. Recent architectural additions include the extension of the sacristy
Sacristy
A sacristy is a room for keeping vestments and other church furnishings, sacred vessels, and parish records.The sacristy is usually located inside the church, but in some cases it is an annex or separate building...
, the building of a parish hall, and the erection of a grotto to the Virgin Mary
Mary (mother of Jesus)
Mary , commonly referred to as "Saint Mary", "Mother Mary", the "Virgin Mary", the "Blessed Virgin Mary", or "Mary, Mother of God", was a Jewish woman of Nazareth in Galilee...
.
The church has held a bi-annual flower festival since 1990.
Education
Bulkington has two schools: St James' Church of EnglandChurch of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
Junior School
Junior school
A junior school is a type of school which caters for children, often between the ages of 7 and 11.-Australia:In Australia, a junior school is usually a part of a private school that educates children between the ages of 5 and 12....
and Arden Forest Infant School
Infant school
An Infant school is a term used primarily in the United Kingdom for school for children between the ages of four and seven years. It is usually a small school serving a particular locality....
, with a combined total of approximately 420 pupils. What is now St James' Church of England Junior School was built in 1959 as a 2-form
Form (education)
A form is a class or grouping of students in a school. The term is used predominantly in the United Kingdom, although some schools, mostly private, in other countries also use the title...
entry school. In 1973, following the North Warwickshire primary school reorganisation plan, it became a Middle School and it was at this time that the school's name was changed to St James' Church of England Middle School. In 1996, the school was redesignated a junior school, returning it to its original status. Arden Forest Infant School was founded in 1996 due to the Warwickshire reorganisation of schools and the subsequent amalgamation of Bulkington First School
First School
First school and lower school are terms used in some areas of the United Kingdom to describe the first stage of primary education. Some English Local Education Authorities have introduced First Schools since the 1960s...
and Weston-in-Arden First School.
Demography
| Bulkington Compared | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 UK Census United Kingdom Census 2001 A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194.... |
Bulkington | Nuneaton and Bedworth | West Midlands | England |
| Total population | 6,303 | 119,132 | 5,267,308 | 49,138,831 |
| Population Density | 4.60p/ha | 15.09p/ha | 4.05p/ha | 3.77p/ha |
| White | 98.9% | 95.1% | 88.7% | 90.9% |
| Asian | 0.60% | 3.80% | 7.32% | 4.57% |
| Median Age Below 75 years old | 54 | 36 | 36 | 36 |
| Over 75 years old | 9.51% | 6.57% | 6.23% | 7.54% |
At the 2001 census
United Kingdom Census 2001
A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194....
, the Bulkington ward, which includes Bulkington, Weston-in-Arden, Ryton, Marston Jabbett, Bramcote (west), had a total population of 6,303. There were 3,214 females (51.0%) and 3,089 males (49.0%). The largest age groups in the ward were: 45-59 (1,526, 24.2%); 30-44 (1,104, 17.5%); and 65-74 (873, 13.9%).
The vast majority of residents are white: 6,236 (98.9%). The largest ethnic minority was Asian: 38 (0.60%).
| Population change in Bulkington since 1751 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | 1751 | 1848 | 1911 | 1921 | 1931 | 1951 | 2001 |
| Population | c.750 | 1,831 | 1,837 | 2,616 | 2,747 | 3,240 | 6,303 |
| 1751 figure is an estimate by Wyman (1981) | |||||||