| Priddy, Mendip, Somerset, England |
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Priddy Village is situated in the Mendip Hills, Somerset, England, 4 miles north of of Wells. Priddy is within the Mendip Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (Priddy AONB). Lead has been mined in Priddy since approx 200BC and Lead mining in Priddy attracted the Romans. Examples of Roman activity exist in and around the Priddy Minories. The Lead mines on the Priddy Mineries closed in 1908 and since then the site has been left to nature attracting many rare species of flora that are lead tolerant. Many rare amphibians, including the Great Crested Newt have also flourished, causing the Priddy Mineries to be designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This site is now at Risk as Angela Yeoman has bought the neighbouring Underbarrow Farm on behalf of the Mendip Farmers Hunt, who intend to build kennels for foxhounds, stables, a fleshhouse to process dead (fallen stock) and possibly an incinerator. Priddy is also famous for the annual Priddy Sheep Fair, which moved to Priddy from Wells during the Black Death in 1348. The Priddy Sheep Fair is held annually on the thrid Wednesday of August when a sheep auction is held as wells as horse trading and a commercial fair. Priddy hosts the Priddy Folk Fair in June. The Mendip Hills has many caves, attracting tourism to the area, most noteably Eastwater Caverm, Hunter's Hole, St. Cuthbert's Swallet and Wigmore Swallet. Priddy has 3 pubs; The Hunter's Lodge, The New Inn and the Queen Victoria. Priddy has a small school, Priddy Primary school, which has about 40 pupils and is situated between Priddy Chuch and Priddy Village Hall. Priddy Sheep Race occurs each year as a fund raising event for Priddy playgroup. Check the village notice boards or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it |
