Parish Maps in England

Backwell to Buthamshall

BACKWELL, Somerset - made in 1990

BALCOMBE, West Sussex - a 37" x 76" gouache, coloured pencil, pen & ink and watercolour map, made as part of the West Sussex Millennium Parish Maps Project. It is on display in the Victory hall and is featured in the book A Sense of Place.

BANKY FIELD, Stoke, Staffordshire - a map made in 1988 by Summerbank Central County Primary School.

BARBICAN, London - Two collage maps of Whitecross Street and surrounding area made in 1996 by school children from Prior Weston School.

BARCOMBE, East Sussex - a map made in 1990.

BARROW, Cheshire - mixed media map, 42" x 45" worked on by many people in the village including all the school children, 1995.

BARROW UPON SOAR, Leicestershire - a map made in 1996. The makers explain: "The centre piece of this map was painted by local artist and life-long Barrow-boy, Chris Bates. The border was made by the residents of Barrow on squares of cardboard that depicted the huge variety of local groups, organisations and interests. It was opened to great enthusiasm on the day Barrow twinned with Marans, France. It was hung in the Roundhouse, an octagonal building which was used originally as a lock up for the local drunk(s), then as a place to house a bier on the night before a funeral (it's just accross the road from the Parish Church) and finally as the housing for the hand-drawn fire engine until a more centralised fire service took Barrow's fire protection to Loughborough. Since 1996, we have staged exhibitions in this tiny building every summer opened by a troop of enthusiastic volunteers. The effects of making the map can be seen in the recently published village design statement, the newly opened fossil trail, the enthusiastic panto group - the map gave the village a sense of the possible, and marked an urge to look forward with hope, and not simply back with regret".

BARTON HILL, Bristol - Photo montage with a local history slant, 1990.

BARWICK, Somerset - Artist Julieann Worrall Hood has worked as the facilitator on the creation of two Barwick maps, (1) a 10' x 6' rag rug made by the Barwick Talkabout group (young parents who run their own playgroup) in 1992. It depicts the legend of Jack-the-Treacle-Eater, after whom one of Barwick's famous folly towers is named. The towers are all marked. Much of the green element of the collage came from the village hall curtains, which no-one had much liked! The map is housed in the village hall. (2) As part of a Somerset / Portugal arts exchange, a three-part free-standing screen was made in 1992 by Barwick Talkabout and Ilminster Makers. Each frame is a banner with appliqued images and words celebrating local history, myth and legend. Stories are written on the back of each frame.

BATH, Somerset - Walcot: 2-D montage of local history, 1990.

BEAFORD, Devon - (1) The Beaford Arts Centre organised a Parish Maps exhibition at The Plough, Torrington, in October 1995, featuring maps from Devon only. (2) A 36" x 24" map made by the local Women's Institute group as part of Devon Federation of Women's Institutes 75th anniversary in 1995.

BEARPARK, Country Durham - a mosaic by Bearpark Juniors and Infants School working with Durham County Council Parish Paths partnership in 1994. On display in the Bearpark Community Centre.

BECCLES, Suffolk - a paper and photographic map made in 1988.

BECKLEY, East Sussex - a painted map made in 1988 for an exhibition at Michelham Priory organised by the East Sussex Federation of Womens Institutes.

BEDFORDSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL have been engaged in the promotion of Parish maps since 1985, including a schools project and Our Village Quilts, which involved eleven villages.

BEDINGHAM, Suffolk - a paper and photographic map.

BEDMINSTER, Bristol - (1) painted on canvas by two artists - Diane Talness and Anna Oliver - concerned with the future of Spike Island, the docks area. They worked with local people to record the past and present, to encourage them to have a say in the future, 1990, (2) Windmill Hill - ceramic jigsaw mounted on thick ply - on display in the foyer of Bedminster Library, 1990, (3) Windmill Hill City farm - A patchwork quilt which was raffled, 1990.

BEER, Devon - a watercolour map made in 1990.

BERE FERRERS - The local Women's Institute group involved the local history group and members of the community in helping to make this embroidered 4' square map in 1995.

BEXLEY, London - dance and a textile map made as part of a schools project.

BICKINGTON, Devon - a 20" x 16" painted map initiated by Bickington Parish Council.

BIGGIN-BY-HARTINGTON, Derbyshire - Collage of cardboard, fabric and photographs made at the junior school in 1988.

BIGGLESWADE, Bedfordshire - Embroidered. Initiated by the Local History Society. A postcard is available from the local library, 1990-93.

BILLINGHAM, SEATON and GREATHAM, Co. Durham - collage, mixed media, 6' x 6', displayed at school in Loftus, 1986.

BILLINGSHURST, West Sussex - a 36" x 48" mixed media collage, made as part of the West Sussex Millennium Parish Maps Project. It is on permanent display in the village hall and is featured in the book A Sense of Place. See what local people have said about the map.

BILTON, Warwickshire - an embroidered map made by the Warwickshire federation of WIs in 1991 for the Rugby BC competition.

BINBROOK, Lincolnshire - a 45" x 39" map with textile, drawing and photographs, made in 1990 by Binbrook WI to commemorate their 75th anniversary. The map features buildings and landscape, flora and fauna, as well as a number of things that had disappeared which made a significant difference to the community, such as the RAF airfield, the local brook (culverted due to development) and straw burning.

BIRCHwith LAYER BRETON and LAYER MARNEY, Essex. Completed in May 2000 for the millennium, it shows local buildings, scenes and wild life, bordered with the surnames of local residents. the reverse, in black & white, features descriptive information on the three parishes, including geology, agriculture, population and services. Copies cost £5.00 plus £2.00 p&p. Contact us for details of where you can buy a copy (email info [at] commonground.org.uk), or look at their web-site.

BIRDHAM, West Sussex - made as part of the West Sussex Millennium Parish Maps Project. It is featured in the book A Sense of Place.

BISHOPS CASTLE, Shropshire - a fabric collage made in 1991.

BISHOPSTON, Bristol - Changing Places

BITTON, Somerset - made in Ellsbridge House calligraphy class, 1995.

BLACKAWTON, Devon - A local history group worked with the WI to produce this map in 1995. The whole parish was involved with different work teams - all would meet up for brainstorming sessions in the local pub. The result was a 1000mm x 710mm map which was printed and laminated, then displayed in the village hall. So much information was gathered that a Parish Handbook was also produced, as well as a ceramic tile mural made by local children for the bus shelter. See what local people have said about the map.

BLACON, Cheshire - Blacon Nature Park has a wooden archway with different aspects of the community carved into it, 1994.

BLENCOED, Cumbria - ceramic map by Paul Scott.

BLYTH, Northmberland - a textile map made by local people working with Allie Walton as a millennium celebration in 2000. It celebrates the favourite places of the children within the boundary of St Mary's Parish.

BOBBING, Kent - a 57" x 45.25" poster displayed in the village hall. Made in 1995 by Bobbing parish council, taking part in the 'Swale Pride of Place' project. Since the 1950s Bobbing's farms had declined, and tow major roads had been driven through the village, with a resulting loss of rural identity, and effectively splitting the community in two. The map aimed to create a sense of community otherwise lacking. Artist Sara Wicks worked with local people in workshop sessions to create string prints which were eventually reduced and put together to make the map. See what local people have said about the map.

BOLDRIDGE, Devon - A 4'6" x 5'6" embroidery map made by the local Women's Institute group as part of Devon Federation of Women's Institutes 75th anniversary in 1995.

BOLTON LE SANDS, Lancashire - a painted triptych showing every house, building, road, canal and railway, as well as every hedge and field. Housed in the library, where there are also two scrapbooks showing work in progress.

BONCHURCH, Isle of Wight - local artist Julie Strevens drew this map from information given by local residents in 1993-94. It was commissioned by the Bonchurch Community Association with money gained from winning the Best Kept Village award, and is displayed by the village pond.

BONSALL, Derbyshire - Researched and compiled by Bonsall village, designed by Jonathan Ogilvie. Available as a folded map (£2.50) or a poster (£3.50) + 50p p&p from W. Bullar, 19 High Street, Bonsall, Derbyshire, DE4 2AS.

BOSHAM, West Sussex - a 40" x 30" watercolour made as part of the West Sussex Millennium Parish Maps Project. It hangs in the new village hall, where the original paintings and a description of the making of the map are also kept. It is featured in the book A Sense of Place.

BOXGROVE, West Sussex - a 34" x 54" watercolour made as part of the West Sussex Millennium Parish Maps Project. It is on display in the foyer of the village hall and is featured in the book A Sense of Place.

BRACEBRIDGE, Lincolnshire - Bracebridge Heath Craft Group made this 80" x 48" woven hanging in 1995.

BRADLEY, Staffordshire - a 3' x 2' noticeboard made in 1987.

BRADLEY STOKE, Bristol - Fold-up street maps. Very accurate street maps were drawn to be updated every year as a record of changes to the village, 1990.

BRADNINCH, Devon - Initiated by the WI in 1994, this became a community project with an octagonal design by Sue Rouillard.

BRANSCOMBE, Devon - (1) Branscombe Primary School produced a folded poster in 1988 - to pay for its reproduction, children sold advertising space to their parents; (2) a map evening was held in October 1996 to promote the Parish Map idea, with displays and smuggling stories.

BRANSTON and MERE, Lincolnshire - A large contoured wooden map of the parish surrounded by places of interest and smaller panels containing paintings of flora and fauna, geology, and interesting features and information about the village, 1991.

BRATTON FLEMING, Devon - a 4' x 3' map displayed in the village hall.

BRAYBROOKE, Northants - A 3' x 2' map initiated in 1990 by the local WI, who worked with local farmers and historians and continued to form a heritage group. One part of the map shows the fields of the parish. It has been displayed in various venues through the village.

BRECKLAND DISTRICT COUNCIL, Norfolk - more than twenty maps completed in a 'heritage maps' promotion during 1986-89, including Brisley (an artist's map of field and road names), North Elham (pen and ink drawings), Garboldisham, Lyng, Shipdham, South Lopham, Tittleshall, Banham (displayed in the church porch), Old Buckenham (housed in the school), and Kenninghall (in the market place). These are no longer in print.

BRIDESTOWE, Devon - made by the local Women's Institute group as part of Devon Federation of Women's Institutes 75th anniversary in 1995. A ceramic map, 4' 5" x 5'6" displayed on the village green.

BRIDFORD, Devon - made by the local Women's Institute group as part of Devon Federation of Women's Institutes 75th anniversary in 1995. To ensure that the map was used rather than just put away or forgotten, a tapestry in nine sections was made into nine church kneelers. A full-size photo was taken which is displayed in the village hall.

BRIERCLIFFE with ENTWISTLE, Lancashire - an A1 painting 'Around Briercliffe', 1992. Initiated by the (then) chairman of the parish council, then taken up by the local art group. Ten artists contributed to the final map, which was available as a printed poster but is now out of print.

BRIGHTON, East Sussex - a map was started in 1997.

BRIGSTOCK, Northants - a 5' square map made by the 'Brigstock Sunnysiders', all over 60, in 1992. A mixed media work, it includes knitting, natural found objects, photos, writing and drawings about wild life, buildings, history, past and present. Housed at Harper's Court sheltered housing unit in Brigstock.

BRIMPTON, Berkshire - A millennium project map, along with a war memorial and a book 'The Brimpton Story'. The painted map is displayed on a plinth near the memorial, 2000.

BRIXTON, London - a map started in 1995 as part of the 'Brighter Brixton Challenge', a local distinctiveness study of the area. See also Camberwell School of Art.

BROADHEMBURY, Devon - made by the local Women's Institute group as part of Devon Federation of Women's Institutes 75th anniversary in 1995. An ex-RAF map maker worked with members of the Parish Council to compile a 65cm x 92cm map including drawings, photos and painting, surrounded by photos of interesting buildings, and paintings of local flora. It is displayed in the village hall.

BROOM, Warwickshire - a 54" x 36" tapestry made by a local resident in 1993.

BROTTON, N Yorkshire - contact details available on request : email info [at] commonground.org.uk

BROWNSOVER, Warwickshire - made in 1991 for the Rugby BC competition.

BRUSHFORD, Somerset - an outline Ordnance Survey map of the parish surrounded by a photographic collage of places, people, and events past and present. The map was started in 1986 and took ten years to complete. It is now housed in the village hall.

BUCKLAND, Buckinghamshire - (1) Painting made on the initiative of the Parish Council, displayed in the Village Hall, 1994; (2) Tapestry made on the initiative of the Parish Council, displayed in Old School Hall, showing historical, architectural and environmental features, 1994; (3) Triptych created by Buckland Parish Sewn Map Society, 2001. See what local people have said about the maps.

BUCKLAND BREWER, Devon - made by the local Women's Institute group as part of Devon Federation of Women's Institutes 75th anniversary in 1995. A 6' x 4' fabric hanging using embroidery and applique.

BUCKLAND DINHAM, Somerset - a map was started in 1995 as part of the 'Map of the Mendip' project which aims to help people become more aware of their environment.

BUCKLAND NEWTON, Dorset - Eight maps of favourite places in the parish were painted in 1986 directly onto the inside walls of the village hall. These have since been painted over, but curtains have been made with the designs printed on them.

BUCKMINSTER, Lincolnshire - An artist worked with the local primary school in 1988 to make two maps, a 7' square mural and a 32" x 48" acrylic-painted canvas.

BUILDWAS, Shropshire - contact details available on request : email info [at] commonground.org.uk

BUNBURY, Cheshire (1) An 'artists' map, 10' x 8' tapestry displayed in village hall, 1989; (2) A patchwork wall hanging initiated by Agenda 21 work, 1995.

BUNGAY, Suffolk - a 10' x 3' embroidery made in 1992-93 showing 'One Day in May' in the parish. Kept in the public library.

BURLESCOMBE, Devon - A 40" x 26" watercolour map made by the local Women's Institute group as part of Devon Federation of Women's Institutes 75th anniversary in 1995.

BURPHAM, West Sussex - a 37" x 51" coloured graphite a photographic map by Nicola Young, made as part of the West Sussex Millennium Parish Maps Project. It is kept in Burpham Village Hall and is featured in the book A Sense of Place. Some more details can be found here.

BURSTON and SHIMPLING, Norfolk - a paper map made for a notice board in 1987.

BURTON-IN-KENDAL, Cumbria - A photographic map at the Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal, 1987.

BURTON UPON STATHER, Lincolnshire - a map was initiated by Glanford Borough Council in 1988-89. Copies sold out after three reprints. A second map was made showing the Parish's public footpath network, which is still being sold to-day together with five small coloured leaflets showing walks including the public rights of way. See also the work of Glanford Borough Council.

BURY, West Sussex - a 41" x 28" watercolour made as part of the West Sussex Millennium Parish Maps Project. It is displayed in the village hall and is featured in the book A Sense of Place.

BUTCOMBE, Somerset: 3' x 4' map in Butcombe Village Hall, 2000. Poster available at £4.00 plus p&p. Contact us for details of where you can buy a copy : email info [at] commonground.org.uk

BUTHAMSHALL, Notts - a painting made in 1986.

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