Newent Gloucestershire
Newent, a small market town, was named as Noent in the Domesday Book of 1086, but the existence of an earlier Saxon manor, given after the Norman Conquest to the Benedictine Abbey at Cormeilles is further evidence of Newent's long history. Lying as it does, within a few miles of the Welsh border, and in gentle and easily transversed countryside, the town became a resting place for travellers and with a market granted by Henry III, a centre for the local farming community as well as Welsh cattle drovers. The Market House, dating from the 17th century would have been an important commercial centre. Later, coaches made Newent a stopping place and the George Hotel still shows the coach archway.
Until the 20th century the town could have been almost self sufficient with all trades and professions represented in the population. Lawyers, schoolmasters, blacksmiths, shoemakers, weavers, straw bonnet makers, wheelwrights, carpenters, tanners, beer house and inn keepers were joined by boat builders after the construction of the Hereford and Gloucester Canal in 1798.
An ironworks at what is now Furnace Farm, used charcoal products from the local woodlands, and a small short lived coalfield was opened near Oxenhall. Sadly, the canal, opened towards the end of the canal era, was sold to the Railway company, which filled it in and used some of its length for its own construction. This in its turn, closed in 1964, gave way to a by-pass which gives relief to the busy narrow streets of the town.
There are many fine buildings in the town, the principal and most historic one being St. Mary's Church. The town is in a conservation area with the aim of preserving the character of the town. Many buildings, although showing a rendered finish, hide older timbered construction with some recent restorations revealing these ancient beams. Over the years some unfortunate gaps have been created through demolition, some filled unsympathetically, but others, such as the modern Library, fitting well into the street scene.
In the surrounding countryside, wild daffodils were once a striking feature, but with much of the farming now being arable instead of grazing land the flowers are confined to the hedgerows and the woodlands. They are still a striking and much loved sight in the spring and, although once heavily picked and even despatched to city hospitals, they are now visually enjoyed by both residents and visitors. Leaflets describing the walks are available at the Tourist Information Centre.