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Holsworthy
was first mentioned in the Domesday Book as being the estate of
Harold, son of Godwin, 1053 and known as Haroldsworthy, although
then it was spelt Haldurdi or Hadiward.
Today
Holsworthy has a population of over 1700 in the urban areas and
286 in the hamlets.
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Looking
for the best bid
at Holsworthy livestock market |
The
town's prosperity is much reliant upon agriculture, although some
light industry has been developed over recent years.
Holsworthy boasts one of the largest livestock markets in the South
West.
Markets are held each Wednesday and Thursday and it's a lively business.
Keeper
of the port
Holsworthy is known as a port town. Worthy being a Saxon word for
enclosure: a safe harbourage for goods.
Hence we still have a Portreeve: Keeper of the port,
the oldest judicial office in the county.
From 1823 to 1891 a canal ran from Bude to Holsworthy. Two wharfs
are still in existence.
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The
church with it's 21.5 metre tower
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The
Anglican church, dedicated to Saint Peter and Saint Paul is thought
to date from 1130 (the first recorded mention is 1268).
The porch is Norman and the tower is over 21 metres high.
The
fine peal of eight bells was recast in 1949 and a Carillon plays
a variety of tunes, the most famous of which is "The Holsworthy
Church Bells", composed by Samuel Sebastian Wesley, the
grandson of Charles Wesley.
A fine Methodist church was rebuilt in 1910 and we've also a Roman
Catholic chapel on the outskirts of town, dedicated to the martyr
Cuthbert Mayne.
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More
on Holsworthy |
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