Cholderton Parish Profile
The PCC was recently asked to prepare a Parish Profile. This seemed a useful summary of the life of the village, which might be of interest to more people than just a prospective Rector.
Location and Population
The village is the northernmost and most rural parish of the Bourne valley Team Ministry, situated10 miles NE of Salisbury adjacent to the county boundary with Hants. The core of the village lies on the A338, but a dispersed settlement pattern lends a scattered feel to the community.
The civil parish comprises 79 properties with 160 on the electoral roll (civil). Overall the population amounts to about 200, though only a small proportion are children. The retired and middle-aged dominate the population, many with connections with the Armed Forces. The numbers of inhabitants born and brought up in the village are dwindling and many of the newer residents are commuters, attracted by the frequent train service to Waterloo from neighbouring Grateley. Children in the village attend schools in Newton Toney, Amesbury or Salisbury.
Employment
The majority of the inhabitants now work outside the parish, whilst most working in the parish are employed in agriculture and rural activities. Local businesses include a few farms, Cholderton estate (straddling the county boundary), stables at Cholderton House, the Rare Breeds farm and at Parkhouse Doric Kennels, two hotels & Country Leisure, makers of swimming pool equipment.
The Church and Church life
The fine Victorian church built c. 1850 is a major feature of the village heritage and over the last ten years the PCC has brought the church to a good state of repair and the fabric is in good condition apart from the bell turret, which is in need of repair.
There are 32 on the electoral roll, a small PCC of 6, about 12 who regularly attend services and also a core of people who support the church in other ways. There are 3 services a month and congregations swell for major festivals. Cholderton is a friendly church and refreshments after the services provide an opportunity for fellowship. The Christmas Carol Service and Harvest Festival, in recent years followed by a Harvest lunch, have been very popular. The Remembrance Sunday Service is also an important service for this community with so many links to the Military.
Amenities
The village has no shop or school, but it does have a Village Hall, run by an enthusiastic committee and provides the venue for many village activities. The Crown public house has suffered recently from two years of flooding in 2001 and 2003, which forced its closure for some weeks, leading to management changes. The Rare Breeds Farm is popular with families and plans are underway to build a youth hostel at the Farm. A farm shop is planned to open on the Cholderton Estate during 2005. A more unusual amenity is the Woodland burial ground at Michael’s Wood. An hourly bus service between Tidworth and Salisbury runs through the village during the day.
Activities
Important events in the village calendar are the Village Fête in July to raise funds for the Church & Village Hall, the Christmas Bazaar organized by the PCC for the Church and the Christmas Party organized by Village Hall Committee. Regular events are a Book Club meeting monthly and weekly Coffee morning held in the Village Hall on Mondays. The Village Hall has hosted musical and theatrical events under the aegis of Rural Arts Wiltshire. Volunteers from the village participate in the Bourne Valley Link Scheme.