Hilfield Explained

Country:England
Official Name:Hilfield
Static Image Name:St Nicholas Church, Hilfield - geograph.org.uk - 1570983.jpg
Static Image Caption:St Nicholas Church, Hilfield
Coordinates:50.8434°N -2.5211°W
Population:50
Population Ref:[1]
Unitary England:Dorset
Shire County:Dorset
Region:South West England
Os Grid Reference:ST634050

Hilfield is a small, scattered village and civil parish in west Dorset, England, situated under the scarp face of the Dorset Downs 7miles south of Sherborne. Dorset County Council's 2013 estimate of the parish population is 50.[1]

Hilfield parish church, dedicated to St Nicholas, has late 13th- or early 14th-century origins, though the present building dates from the 15th century and was substantially altered in 1848.[2] It has wooden parquet flooring, notable carved bench ends—possibly moved from Cerne Abbey[3] and thought to be Flemish but of unknown age—and the pulpit and seating have 16th-century panelling. It is one of the smallest English parish churches.[4]

Hilfield Friary is a faith-based community centred on Franciscan brothers of the Anglican Society of St Francis. The Hilfield community is made up of Franciscan Brothers and others who join them; the community encourages environmental sustainability within the Franciscan ethos of peace, faith and justice.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Parish Population Data. 20 January 2015. 28 February 2015. Dorset County Council.
  2. Web site: Church of St Nicholas, Hilfield. britishlistedbuildings.co.uk. 13 February 2014.
  3. Book: West Dorset, Holiday and Tourist Guide. West Dorset District Council. 10. c. 1983.
  4. Book: Dorset Villages. Roland Gant. Robert Hale Ltd. 71–2. 1980. 0 7091 8135 3.
  5. Web site: The Hilfield Project. BBC. 13 February 2014. 25 March 2009.