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|Description=In care of Hackerly Parish Council
|Description=In care of Hackerly Parish Council
|Contact=Joenash
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|Activities=Coconut Shy, The Search for the Bodgeham Badger.}}


 
'''Bodgeham-on-Wye''' is a village within the civil parish of Hackerly, in Herefordshire, England, near the border with Wales. It had a population estimated at 15 in 2024.<ref>Hackerly Parish Census. Retrieved 27 April 2024</ref> It lies in the south-east of the county, on the River Wye<sup>[citation needed]</sup>, and adjacent to the Eastnor Deer Park. Bodgeham-on-Wye is [[upside-down]].
{{Short description|Market town in Herefordshire, England}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{More citations needed|date=August 2009}}
{{Infobox UK place
|country = England
|coordinates = {{coord|51.914|-2.587|display=inline,title}}
|population = 10,700
|population_ref = (2011)<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11128029&c=Ross&d=16&e=62&g=6386104&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1448021422951&enc=1 |title=Town population 2011 |access-date=20 November 2015}}</ref>
|official_name = Ross-on-Wye
|label_position = left
|unitary_england = [[Herefordshire]]
|lieutenancy_england = [[Herefordshire]]
|region = West Midlands
|constituency_westminster = [[Hereford and South Herefordshire (UK Parliament constituency)|Hereford and South Herefordshire]]
|post_town = ROSS-ON-WYE
|postcode_district = HR9
|postcode_area = HR
|dial_code = 01989
|os_grid_reference = SO597241
|static_image_name = Ross-on-Wye2.jpg
|static_image_caption = Town centre,<br />looking north from Market House
}}
'''Ross-on-Wye''' is a [[market town]] and [[civil parish]] in [[Herefordshire]], England, near the border with [[Wales]]. It had a population estimated at 10,978 in 2021.<ref>[https://www.citypopulation.de/en/uk/westmidlands/county_of_herefordshire/E34000710__ross_on_wye/ City Population. Retrieved 2 January 2022]</ref> It lies in south-east of the county, on the [[River Wye]] and on the northern edge of the [[Forest of Dean]].


==History==
==History==
[[File:Market Hall, Ross-on-Wye, England-LCCN2002708080.jpg|thumb|left|The Market House in 1890 ([[photochrom]])]]
The name "Bodgeham" is derived from the Middle Dutch and Old High German words meaning "to knock together", though the historical record is unclear on what, or who, was the subject of the knocking. It was renamed "Bodgeham-on-Wye" in 1931 by the General Post Office, due to confusion with other places of the same or similar name (such as Bodham in Norfolk).<ref>[http://www.ross-on-wye.com/index.php?page=ross_010The_Town&pg=1 Bodgeham-on-Wye: History, ''Bodgeham-on-Wye.com'']. Retrieved 23 November 2019</ref>
The name "Ross" is derived from the [[Welsh language|Welsh]] or [[Celtic languages|Celtic]] for a "promontory". It was renamed "Ross-on-Wye" in 1931 by the [[General Post Office]], due to confusion with other places of the same or similar name (such as [[Ross, Scotland|Ross]] in Scotland).<ref>[http://www.ross-on-wye.com/index.php?page=ross_010The_Town&pg=1 Ross-on-Wye: History, ''Ross-on-Wye.com'']. Retrieved 23 November 2019</ref>


Ross-on-Wye promotes itself as "the birthplace of British [[tourism]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wyevalleyaonb.org.uk/wyetour/content-30114.php |title=Birthplace of British Tourism |work=wyevalleyaonb.org.uk}}</ref> In 1745, the rector, [[John Egerton (bishop)|Dr John Egerton]], started taking friends on boat trips down the valley from his rectory at Ross. The [[Wye Valley]]'s attraction was its river scenery, its precipitous landscapes, and its castles and abbeys, which were accessible to seekers of the "[[picturesque]]". In 1782, [[William Gilpin (clergyman)|William Gilpin's]] book ''Observations on the River Wye'' was published, the first illustrated tour guide to be published in Britain. Once it had appeared, demand grew so much that by 1808 there were eight boats making regular excursions along the Wye, most of them hired from inns in Ross and [[Monmouth]]. By 1850, more than 20 visitors had published their own accounts of the [[Wye Tour]], and the area was established as a tourist destination.
Bodgeham-on-Wye is known as the birthplace of saying "I beg your pardon" pejoratively.


===Parish church===
==Present day==
[[File:St. Mary's church, Ross-on-Wye - geograph.org.uk - 1356004.jpg|thumb|St Mary's Church, seen from the north-east]]
[[File:Electromagnetic Field 2018 Aerial Photo.jpg|thumb|249x249px|The Bodgeham-on-Wye village fête in 2018.]]
The 700-year-old [[Church of England parish church]], [[St Mary]]'s,<ref>[https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/347879 St Mary Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire:: OS grid SO5924 :: Geograph British Isles – photograph every grid square!<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> is the town's most prominent landmark. Its tall pointed [[spire]] is visible when approaching the town from all directions.<ref>[https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/467880 Ross-on-Wye from the Bypass:: OS grid SO5924 :: Geograph British Isles – photograph every grid square!<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The church holds several distinctive tombs, one of which – that of [[William Rudhall]] (who died in 1530) – is one of the last great [[Nottingham alabaster|alabaster sculptures from the specialist masons of Nottingham]], whose work was prized across [[medieval]] Europe. Rudhall was responsible for the repair of the [[almshouses]] to the north west of the church, in 1575. Another tomb is of [[John Kyrle]], a prominent figure in 18th-century Ross, whose name has been taken by the town's [[secondary school]]. He is also recalled in one of the town's notable inns, ''The Man Of Ross'', and there is a fine painting of him, by an unknown artist, in the [[Corn Exchange, Ross-on-Wye|Corn Exchange]] in the High Street.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/john-kyrle-16371724-the-man-of-ross-53927 |title=John Kyrle (1637–1724), The Man of Ross|publisher=Art UK|access-date=28 July 2023}}</ref>


===United Reformed, Methodist and Baptist churches===
=== Village Fête ===
The [[Methodist Church of Great Britain|Methodist Church]] in Christ Church in Edde Cross Street has closed permanently.<ref>{{cite web |title=Christ Church |url=http://www.herefordshiremethodists.org.uk/christ-church |website=Herefordshiremethodists.org.uk |access-date=21 January 2020}}</ref> The [[United Reformed Church]] congregation, part of the Herefordshire Group, likewise was at Christ Church.<ref>Group churches [https://www.hamptonparkurc.co.uk/home/group-churches.]</ref> The former United Reformed Church in Gloucester Road has now been converted into housing.
The village is known for its biannual village fête, which takes the format of a non-profit camping festival for those with an inquisitive mind or an interest in making things: hackers, artists, geeks, crafters, scientists, and engineers.


Ross [[Baptists|Baptist Church]] is in Broad Street.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ross Baptist Church; Find us |url=http://rossbaptist.org/contact/find-us-2-2/ |access-date=21 January 2020}}</ref> In 1731 the Baptists built Ryeford Chapel at [[Weston under Penyard]], but in 1817 worshippers from Ross decided to separate. They purchased the site on Broad Street and constructed a chapel with an attached graveyard. The original chapel was replaced in 1879, with much of the funding from Thomas Blake, a local philanthropist. In 2017, the current Baptist church in Ross marked its 200th anniversary.<ref>''Ross Gazette'' [https://www.rossgazette.com/news/celebrating-the-history-of-ross-on-wye-baptist-church-319043]</ref>
Whilst featuring traditional village fête activities such as a coconut shy and a raffle, the Bodgeham fête creates a temporary town of nearly three thousand like-minded people enjoying a long weekend of talks, performances, and workshops on everything from '''blacksmithing''' to '''biometrics''', '''chiptunes''' to '''computer security''', '''high altitude ballooning''' to '''lockpicking''', '''origami''' to '''democracy''', and '''online privacy''' to '''knitting'''.


===Plague Cross===
Hackerly Parish Council claims to provide '''fast internet''', '''power to the tent''', '''good beer''', and '''amazing installations''', entirely organised by a dedicated team of volunteers, though the Parish Council were unable to say who these volunteers were or where they came from.
[[File:Plague cross.jpg|thumb|left|upright|The Plague Cross]]
The [[Plague cross|Plague or Corpse Cross]] was erected in the churchyard of St Mary's in 1637 as a memorial to 315 townsfolk who died that year of [[Bubonic plague|the plague]] and were buried nearby in a [[plague pit]] – at night and without [[coffin]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ross-on-wye.com/index.php?page=ross_426-Monuments |title=Local Monuments |work=Ross-on-Wye.com |access-date=9 May 2008}}</ref>


By 1896, the Plague Cross had fallen into disrepair and the top was missing. It was later restored. Since 1952, it has been [[listed building|listed]] as a Grade II* edifice, and since 1997 it has been a [[scheduled monument]].<ref>{{NHLE|num=1098721|desc=Cross in Churchyard of St Mary the Virgin|access-date=22 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{NHLE|num=1016128|desc=Churchyard cross in St Mary the Virgin's churchyard|access-date=22 October 2023}}</ref>
A local resident, when asked about the success of the fête, said "This is suddenly getting much higher-profile than I intended".


===The Prospect===
=== Tourism drive ===
The Prospect was created by John Kyrle, who rented the land from the [[Marquess of Bath]] in 1696 and turned it into a garden and walkway.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ross-on-wye.com/index.php?page=ross_060-The_Prospect&pg=1 |title=The Prospect – The Garden |publisher=Ross-on-Wye |access-date=15 June 2013}}</ref> In 2008, heavy rain uncovered Roman remains that were excavated under the site.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ross-on-wye.com/index.php?page=rdev_720-Prospect&pg=7 |title=Ross-on-Wye Development – Prospect – Summary |publisher=Ross-on-wye.com |access-date=15 June 2013}}</ref>
In 2022, faced with falling visitor numbers and a deleterous effect on the local economy, Vicar Grimblesby began a grass-roots tourism campaign to encourage visitors to Bodgeham and the surrounding areas. The campaign included the placement of blue plaques to commemorate the many notable people and historical events of the village, as well as the commissioning of a jingle.


The Prospect provides a public garden opposite the church, containing trees dedicated to local people, a [[Victory in Europe Day|VE Day]] Beacon and a War Memorial. It offers a view of the famous horseshoe bend in the Wye and as far west as the [[Black Mountains, Wales|Black Mountains]].
== Governance ==
Bodgeham-on-Wye is part of the civil parish of Hackerly, and is managed by the Hackerly Parish Council.


==Present day==
In 2023, Bodgeham was voted the "Least corrupt small village".
[[File:Ross Market Hall.JPG|thumb|250px|The Market House]]
The town is known for locally owned shops and a market square with a market hall. Thursday and Saturday markets are held at the red [[sandstone]] Market House building in the town centre.<ref>[https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/122719 Ross on Wye, Market hall:: OS grid SO5924:: Geograph British Isles – photograph every grid square!<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/624370 Market House, Ross-on-Wye:: OS grid SO5924 :: Geograph British Isles – photograph every grid square!<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> This was built between 1650 and 1654 to replace a probably wooden Booth Hall. The upper storey now houses an arts and crafts centre.


The town's small theatre, The Phoenix, shows films once a month, along with plays and other arts events.<ref>{{cite web|author=(no title) |url=http://www.phoenix-theatre.org.uk/ |title=HOME - The Phoenix Theatre Ross-on-Wye Herefordshire |publisher=Phoenix-theatre.org.uk |date= |accessdate=2022-03-29}}</ref>
==Sport==
Bodgeham-on-Wye has one youth football team, the ''Bodgeham Bravehearts''. When asked about the origin of the team name, Coach Porter said "Braveheart is Celtic, innit? We're near Wales.".


The ruins of [[Wilton Castle]], to the west of the town, have been restored and opened to visitors. The town has a number of [[sculptures]] by [[Walenty Pytel]] – the left bank of the Wye shows two of these. Despite the common belief that both depict swans, one in fact shows ducks.
==Legends and traditions==
The Bodgeham Badger, a mysterious cryptid also known as the "King of Badgers", has been reported many times, but never photographed or even identified with certainty. It is said to be about the size and proportions of the average human but with the head of a Badger. Sometimes only glowing red eyes and a pulsing red glowing tail, akin to a bioluminescent jellyfish, have been reported along with a deep garbled growl. All reports have come when it has been dark and never during rain suggesting it is adverse to light and water.  


==Politics and representation==
A grassroots organisation, Bodgeham Cryptozoological Society, has vowed to answer the question of its existence once and for all, and is actively recruiting volunteers at the 2024 village fête for 'The Search for the Bodgeham Badger'.
Most local government functions are vested in [[Herefordshire Council]], the [[unitary authority]] covering the county. Ross Town Council, with 18 councillors, six each from the Ross North, West and East wards, has the powers of a parish council.<ref>Council powers [https://web.archive.org/web/20110720014511/http://www.rosstc-herefordshire.gov.uk/archives/Parish_Council_Powers.pdf.]</ref> The Mayor is Councillor Louis Stark. [[Ross Rural]] was merged into the civil parish on 1 April 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lgbce.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/27385/Herefordshire-RoCG-2014.pdf |title=The County of Herefordshire District Council (Reorganisation of Community Governance) (Ross-on-Wye) (No. 2) Order 2014 |publisher=Lgbce |access-date=10 March 2018}}</ref> Since the [[2023 United Kingdom local elections|May 2023 local elections]], the town council has a majority of [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]] (twelve), with one Conservative and five [[Independent politician|Independents]].


The town is part of the [[Hereford and South Herefordshire (UK Parliament constituency)|Hereford and South Herefordshire]] parliamentary constituency, currently represented in the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] by the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] MP [[Jesse Norman]].
There used to be many sightings of small mouse-sized sprites, seemingly made of wool, around the village. The local arcane and natural magic practitioner is said to have conjured these into existence while living in the old haberdashery. The locals call these "Ghemotochi" from the word "Ghemotoc", used to describe the small balls of fibers (pilling) that form on fabrics in Romanian, the native tongue of their rumored mother. As sightings of the Bodgeham Badger have increased the sightings of these Ghemotochi has decreased dramatically suggesting that there may be a link between them.


==Transport==
Since 2016, rumours of an underground cult worshipping a mysterious prophet have plagued the village.  
[[File:Ross-on-Wye Station, with Hereford - Gloucester train geograph-2523022-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg|thumb|right|[[Ross-on-Wye railway station|Ross-on-Wye station]], with Hereford – Gloucester train in 1958]]
The former [[Ross-on-Wye railway station]] was at a [[Junction station|junction]] on the [[Hereford, Ross & Gloucester Railway]] north of the town. It was the terminus of the [[Ross & Monmouth Railway]], which joined the Hereford, Ross and Gloucester just south of the station. Opened on 1 June 1855, the line was merged into the [[Great Western Railway]] on 29 July 1862 and in 1869 converted from [[broad gauge]] to [[standard gauge]] in a five-day period. A line to [[Tewkesbury]] was authorised by [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]] in 1856, but never built.


Under the [[Beeching cuts]], the lines to Ross closed in stages up to 1964.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.smr.herefordshire.gov.uk/post-medieval/railways/hrfd_ross_glouc.htm |title=Herefordshire Through Time – Welcome |publisher=Smr.herefordshire.gov.uk |access-date=15 June 2013}}</ref> The brick station has been demolished and the site redeveloped into an industrial estate, on which the brick goods and engine sheds still stand.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ross-on-wye.com/index.php?page=ross_540-The_Railway_in_Ross&pg=3 |title=The Railway in Ross – The Station |publisher=Ross-on-Wye |access-date=15 June 2013}}</ref>
==Media==
The town is served by the local newspapers ''The Bodgeham Byline'' and ''Eye-on-Wye''.


The nearest railway stations are in [[Ledbury railway station|Ledbury]] on the [[Cotswold Line]] and [[Gloucester railway station|Gloucester]] on the [[Birmingham & Gloucester Railway]].<ref>Herefordshire transport. [https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/transport/public_transport/38327.asp.]</ref>
==Climate ==
Bodgeham-on-Wye experiences an unusually wet climate, almost as if it is situated entirely within an outdoor camping festival and thus cursed by the gods for its hubris.


To the east is the end of the [[M50 motorway (Great Britain)|M50]], sometimes called the Ross Spur or Ross Motorway, which links with the M5.
== Cuisine ==


[[Stagecoach West]] and Nick Maddy Coaches provide regular bus services. Stagecoach West operates hourly route 33 through Ross between Gloucester and Hereford,<ref>https://www.stagecoachbus.com/routes/west/33/hereford-ross-on-wye/xseo033.i</ref> while Nick Maddy Coaches operates hourly route 40 serving residential streets across town.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://bustimes.org/services/40-ross-on-wye-greytree-circular | title=40 - Ross on Wye - Greytree }}</ref> [[National Express Coaches|National Express]] also operate a twice daily service to and from [[Victoria Coach Station|London]] on its 445 route.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://bustimes.org/services/445-london-hereford | title=445 - London - Hereford }}</ref>
[[File:Union Flag and St Georges Cross.jpg|thumb|The flag of England flying in Bodgeham, in July 2008]]


==Media==
Bodgeham-on-Wye is known for a distinct cuisine with a rich history. Former resident Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall described the local culinary tradition as "demand[ing] a refined, mature palette". The village dish, Bodgeham Delight, is comprised of potato chips covered in a layer of baked beans and mayonnaise arranged into the form of a St George's Cross.
Local news and television programmes are provided by [[BBC West Midlands]] and [[ITV Central]]. Television signals are received from the [[Ridge Hill transmitting station|Ridge Hill]] and the local relay transmitters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Ridge_Hill|title= Full Freeview on the Ridge Hill (County of Herefordshire, England) transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|accessdate=1 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Ross_on_Wye|title= Freeview Light on the Ross on Wye (County of Herefordshire, England) transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|accessdate=1 November 2023}}</ref>


Local radio stations are [[BBC Hereford and Worcester]], [[Free Radio Herefordshire & Worcestershire]], [[Greatest Hits Radio Midlands|Greatest Hits Radio Herefordshire & Worcestershire]] and [[Sunshine Radio (Herefordshire and Monmouthshire)|Sunshine Radio]].  
The local dairy co-operative produces a specialty cheese, Bodgeham Cheddar, in collaboration with the village cheesemonger, ''Wye Cheeses Wye''. It is available in young and mature variants, the latter at home on a charcuterie platter, while the former does well grated over a dish of bolognese pasta. The cheesemonger and co-operative members have come under fire of late for issuing a joint statement on the topic of food safety. The collective were quoted in The Bodgeham Byline as having said<blockquote>Pasteurization? Not one of us here has ever heard of pasteurization. Sounds French! No thank you.</blockquote>Bodgeham-on-Wye is the birthplace of the hexagonal hash brown.


The town is served by the local newspapers ''The Ross Gazette'' and ''[[Hereford Times]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishpapers.co.uk/england-wmids/ross-gazette|title=The Ross Gazette|date=7 October 2013|website=British Papers|accessdate=1 November 2023}}</ref>
== Local Businesses and Organizations ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Name
!Kind
|-
|The Bodgeham Byline
|Broadsheet
|-
|Eye-on-Wye
|Tabloid Newspaper
|-
|Hackerly Parish Dairy Co-Operative
|Dairy Co-operative and greengrocer
|-
|Wye Cheeses Wye
|Cheesemonger
|-
|Barnstable Brothers
|Builders
|}


==Climate==
== Controversies ==
Ross-on-Wye experiences a typically British [[maritime climate]], with mild summers and winters. A Met Office [[weather station]] provides long-term climate data for the town. Meteorological readings have been taken in Ross since 1858; the [[Ross-on-Wye weather station]] holds some national records.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ross-on-Wye - Weather Station |url=http://www.ross-on-wye.com/index.php?page=ross_250-Weather_Station |website=www.ross-on-wye.com}}</ref>
A 2012 public meeting of the Bodgeham town council descended into chaos when the village alderman announced his intention to secede from the county library network. Members of the public made their disapproval of the policy known through the medium of aggressive shushing of the alderman upon any attempt to speak, pelting members of the village executive committee with rancid dairy products, and brandishing pitchforks. Since the meeting, the whereabouts of the alderman have remained unknown, and the investigation into his disappearance stalled without identifying any suspects.
{{Weather box|location = Ross-on-Wye 41m asl, 1991-2020
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan high C = 8.0
|Feb high C = 8.7
|Mar high C = 11.2
|Apr high C = 14.2
|May high C = 17.5
|Jun high C = 20.3
|Jul high C = 22.3
|Aug high C = 21.7
|Sep high C = 19.1
|Oct high C = 14.8
|Nov high C = 10.9
|Dec high C = 8.3
|year high C =
|Jan low C = 2.2
|Feb low C = 2.2
|Mar low C = 3.3
|Apr low C = 5.0
|May low C = 7.8
|Jun low C = 10.7
|Jul low C = 12.7
|Aug low C = 12.5
|Sep low C = 10.3
|Oct low C = 7.7
|Nov low C = 4.6
|Dec low C = 2.4
|year low C =
|Jan precipitation mm = 75.9
|Feb precipitation mm = 55.3
|Mar precipitation mm = 53.0
|Apr precipitation mm = 51.9
|May precipitation mm = 56.8
|Jun precipitation mm = 56.0
|Jul precipitation mm = 51.4
|Aug precipitation mm = 64.1
|Sep precipitation mm = 56.5
|Oct precipitation mm = 83.7
|Nov precipitation mm = 79.6
|Dec precipitation mm = 80.1
|year precipitation mm =
|Jan sun = 54.6
|Feb sun = 77.1
|Mar sun = 119.1
|Apr sun = 166.0
|May sun = 203.7
|Jun sun = 200.5
|Jul sun = 210.5
|Aug sun = 189.4
|Sep sun = 143.7
|Oct sun = 103.6
|Nov sun = 63.0
|Dec sun = 47.1
|year sun =
|source 1 = [[Met Office]]<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-averages/gcnpm68t8 |title=Ross-on-Wye 1991-2020 averages |access-date=17 December 2021|publisher=[[UKMO]]|df=dmy-all}}</ref>}}


==Notable people==
==Twin towns==
People who were born in Ross, or have lived in the town, include:{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
Bodgeham-on-Wye has two twin villages:
*[[John Kyrle]] (1637–1724), philanthropist known as "the Man of Ross"<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2015-03-02 |title=Herefordshire Through Time - Welcome |url=https://htt.herefordshire.gov.uk/herefordshires-past/the-post-medieval-period/architecture/buildings-1500-1750/town-houses-and-inns/john-kyrle-the-man-of-ross/ |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=Herefordshire Council}}</ref>
*[[James Cowles Prichard]] (1786–1848), scientist prominent in [[biological anthropology|anthropology]] and [[psychiatry]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=James Cowles Prichard {{!}} Artist |url=https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/art-artists/name/james-cowles-prichard |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=Royal Academy of Arts}}</ref>
*[[Frederick Gordon (hotelier)|Frederick Gordon]] (1835–1904), hotelier<ref>{{Cite web |last=Board |first=The Stanmore Tourist |title=Frederick Gordon |url=https://www.stanmoretouristboard.org.uk/frederick-gordon.html |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=Stanmore Tourist Board |language=en}}</ref>
*[[William Partridge (soldier)|William Partridge]] (1858–1930), soldier prominent in the 1879 [[Zulu war]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gardens (en) |first=Parks and |title=Bishopswood House - Ross-on-Wye |url=https://www.parksandgardens.org/places/bishopswood-house |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=Parks & Gardens |language=en}}</ref>
*[[Arthur Pugh]] (1870–1955), President of the [[Trades Union Congress]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=PUGH, Arthur |url=https://rowntree.exeter.ac.uk/items/show/194 |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=The Rowntree Business Lectures and the Interwar British Management Movement}}</ref>
*[[William Henry Squire]] (1871–1963), [[Royal Academy of Music]] member, cellist, composer and music professor<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Artists and bands from Ross-on-Wye, England |url=https://www.allmusic.com/birthplace/ross-on-wye-england-mz0000316246 |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=AllMusic |language=en}}</ref>
*[[Frank Andrews (rugby)|Frank Andrews]] (1886–1944), international [[rugby union]] (Wales) and professional [[rugby league]] player{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
*[[Frederick Burrows]] (1887–1973), Governor of [[Bengal]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-29 |title=Blue plaque tour of the town - Visit Ross On Wye |url=https://visitrossonwye.com/heritage-trail-2/ |access-date=2023-09-18 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
*[[Juxon Barton]] (1891–1980), Governor of [[Fiji]]{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
*[[Noele Gordon]] (1919–1985), actress<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-02 |title=Nolly tells story of Wye Valley soap star's rise and fall |url=https://www.rossgazette.com/news/noeles-star-shines-again-592366 |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=The Ross Gazette}}</ref>
*[[Yvonne Littlewood]] (1927–2023), television producer<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hayward |first=Anthony |date=2023-07-19 |title=Yvonne Littlewood obituary |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/jul/19/yvonne-littlewood-obtituar |access-date=2023-09-18 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
*[[Dennis Potter]] (1935–1994), dramatist<ref>{{Cite web |date=1994-06-07 |title=Obituary: Dennis Potter |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-dennis-potter-1421167.html |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref>
*[[Roger Whittaker]] (1936–2023), singer-songwriter<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2023-09-18 |title=Roger Whittaker, giant of easy listening whose wistful ballads included The Last Farewell and Durham Town – obituary |language=en-GB |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2023/09/18/roger-whittaker-singer-last-farewell-durham-town-whistling/ |access-date=2023-09-18 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref>
*[[Pete Overend Watts]] (1947–2017), member of the [[Mott the Hoople]] band<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-02-16 |title=Thanksgiving service for a rock star – Pete Overend Watts |url=https://www.rossgazette.com/news/thanksgiving-service-for-a-rock-star-pete-overend-watts-317886 |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=The Ross Gazette}}</ref>
*[[Dale Griffin]] (1948–2016), member of Mott the Hoople<ref name=":0" />


==Twin towns==
*🇳🇱 Knoeidijk, Netherlands.
Ross-on-Wye has three [[twin towns]]:
* 🇩🇪 Basteldorf, Germany.


*[[Betzdorf, Germany]]
==Notable people==
*[[Condé-sur-Noireau]], France (since 1978)
Bodgeham has many incredibly famous and excellent people of which you have no doubt heard, They include:
*[[Namutumba, Uganda]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Twinning |url=https://www.rosstc-herefordshire.gov.uk/twinning/ |website=Ross-on-Wye Town Council |access-date=25 May 2022}}</ref>


==Gallery==
*[[User:Hugh|Hugh]], inventor of Bodgeham's famed Egg Mayonnaise-based dish.
<gallery>
*[[User:KingNoosh|Anosh Malik]], current mayor of Bodgeham.
File:Man of Ross.jpg|''The Man Of Ross'' inn
*[[User:Joenash|Joe Nash]], once recorded as saying "no village organising this year".
File:Market House from West.jpg|The Market House from the west
*Abdul,
File:Ross St Marys spire.jpg|St Mary's Church spire
*[[User:Be7.is|Bevis]], Chief Fire Safety Officer for Bodgeham-on-Wye and the surrounding flammable areas.
File:Ross-on-Wye by W.A. Call.jpg|View of the town from the banks of the [[River Wye]]
*Anais, Arcane and natural magic practitioner.
File:Interior of St Mary's Church, Ross-on-Wye, England arp.jpg|Interior of St Mary’s, the parish church
</gallery>


==See also==
== See also==
*[[Archenfield]]
*Hackerly Parish Council
*[[John Kyrle High School]]
*[[Ross Rowing Club]]
*[[The Chase Hotel, Ross-On-Wye]] (now closed)


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
<references />


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
[[Category:Villages]]
*Town Council [http://www.rosstc-herefordshire.gov.uk/ Ross-on-Wye Town Council]
*{{wikivoyage-inline}}
*Littlebury's Directory, 1876–1877 [https://web.archive.org/web/20051112152806/http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/HEF/Ross/History1876.html.]
*{{curlie|/Regional/Europe/United_Kingdom/England/Herefordshire/Ross-on-Wye/}}
{{Herefordshire}}
 
{{authority control}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ross-On-Wye}}
[[Category:Ross-on-Wye| ]]
[[Category:Market towns in Herefordshire]]
[[Category:Towns in Herefordshire]]
[[Category:Towns of the Welsh Marches]]
[[Category:River Wye]]
[[Category:Civil parishes in Herefordshire]]

Latest revision as of 12:58, 10 July 2024

Bodgeham-on-Wye

Village-Bodgeham-on-Wye.jpeg

Description In care of Hackerly Parish Council
Contact User:Joenash
Activities Coconut Shy, The Search for the Bodgeham Badger.
View all Villages


Bodgeham-on-Wye is a village within the civil parish of Hackerly, in Herefordshire, England, near the border with Wales. It had a population estimated at 15 in 2024.[1] It lies in the south-east of the county, on the River Wye[citation needed], and adjacent to the Eastnor Deer Park. Bodgeham-on-Wye is upside-down.

History

The name "Bodgeham" is derived from the Middle Dutch and Old High German words meaning "to knock together", though the historical record is unclear on what, or who, was the subject of the knocking. It was renamed "Bodgeham-on-Wye" in 1931 by the General Post Office, due to confusion with other places of the same or similar name (such as Bodham in Norfolk).[2]

Bodgeham-on-Wye is known as the birthplace of saying "I beg your pardon" pejoratively.

Present day

The Bodgeham-on-Wye village fête in 2018.

Village Fête

The village is known for its biannual village fête, which takes the format of a non-profit camping festival for those with an inquisitive mind or an interest in making things: hackers, artists, geeks, crafters, scientists, and engineers.

Whilst featuring traditional village fête activities such as a coconut shy and a raffle, the Bodgeham fête creates a temporary town of nearly three thousand like-minded people enjoying a long weekend of talks, performances, and workshops on everything from blacksmithing to biometrics, chiptunes to computer security, high altitude ballooning to lockpicking, origami to democracy, and online privacy to knitting.

Hackerly Parish Council claims to provide fast internet, power to the tent, good beer, and amazing installations, entirely organised by a dedicated team of volunteers, though the Parish Council were unable to say who these volunteers were or where they came from.

A local resident, when asked about the success of the fête, said "This is suddenly getting much higher-profile than I intended".

Tourism drive

In 2022, faced with falling visitor numbers and a deleterous effect on the local economy, Vicar Grimblesby began a grass-roots tourism campaign to encourage visitors to Bodgeham and the surrounding areas. The campaign included the placement of blue plaques to commemorate the many notable people and historical events of the village, as well as the commissioning of a jingle.

Governance

Bodgeham-on-Wye is part of the civil parish of Hackerly, and is managed by the Hackerly Parish Council.

In 2023, Bodgeham was voted the "Least corrupt small village".

Sport

Bodgeham-on-Wye has one youth football team, the Bodgeham Bravehearts. When asked about the origin of the team name, Coach Porter said "Braveheart is Celtic, innit? We're near Wales.".

Legends and traditions

The Bodgeham Badger, a mysterious cryptid also known as the "King of Badgers", has been reported many times, but never photographed or even identified with certainty. It is said to be about the size and proportions of the average human but with the head of a Badger. Sometimes only glowing red eyes and a pulsing red glowing tail, akin to a bioluminescent jellyfish, have been reported along with a deep garbled growl. All reports have come when it has been dark and never during rain suggesting it is adverse to light and water.

A grassroots organisation, Bodgeham Cryptozoological Society, has vowed to answer the question of its existence once and for all, and is actively recruiting volunteers at the 2024 village fête for 'The Search for the Bodgeham Badger'.

There used to be many sightings of small mouse-sized sprites, seemingly made of wool, around the village. The local arcane and natural magic practitioner is said to have conjured these into existence while living in the old haberdashery. The locals call these "Ghemotochi" from the word "Ghemotoc", used to describe the small balls of fibers (pilling) that form on fabrics in Romanian, the native tongue of their rumored mother. As sightings of the Bodgeham Badger have increased the sightings of these Ghemotochi has decreased dramatically suggesting that there may be a link between them.

Since 2016, rumours of an underground cult worshipping a mysterious prophet have plagued the village.

Media

The town is served by the local newspapers The Bodgeham Byline and Eye-on-Wye.

Climate

Bodgeham-on-Wye experiences an unusually wet climate, almost as if it is situated entirely within an outdoor camping festival and thus cursed by the gods for its hubris.

Cuisine

The flag of England flying in Bodgeham, in July 2008

Bodgeham-on-Wye is known for a distinct cuisine with a rich history. Former resident Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall described the local culinary tradition as "demand[ing] a refined, mature palette". The village dish, Bodgeham Delight, is comprised of potato chips covered in a layer of baked beans and mayonnaise arranged into the form of a St George's Cross.

The local dairy co-operative produces a specialty cheese, Bodgeham Cheddar, in collaboration with the village cheesemonger, Wye Cheeses Wye. It is available in young and mature variants, the latter at home on a charcuterie platter, while the former does well grated over a dish of bolognese pasta. The cheesemonger and co-operative members have come under fire of late for issuing a joint statement on the topic of food safety. The collective were quoted in The Bodgeham Byline as having said

Pasteurization? Not one of us here has ever heard of pasteurization. Sounds French! No thank you.

Bodgeham-on-Wye is the birthplace of the hexagonal hash brown.

Local Businesses and Organizations

Name Kind
The Bodgeham Byline Broadsheet
Eye-on-Wye Tabloid Newspaper
Hackerly Parish Dairy Co-Operative Dairy Co-operative and greengrocer
Wye Cheeses Wye Cheesemonger
Barnstable Brothers Builders

Controversies

A 2012 public meeting of the Bodgeham town council descended into chaos when the village alderman announced his intention to secede from the county library network. Members of the public made their disapproval of the policy known through the medium of aggressive shushing of the alderman upon any attempt to speak, pelting members of the village executive committee with rancid dairy products, and brandishing pitchforks. Since the meeting, the whereabouts of the alderman have remained unknown, and the investigation into his disappearance stalled without identifying any suspects.

Twin towns

Bodgeham-on-Wye has two twin villages:

  • 🇳🇱 Knoeidijk, Netherlands.
  • 🇩🇪 Basteldorf, Germany.

Notable people

Bodgeham has many incredibly famous and excellent people of which you have no doubt heard, They include:

  • Hugh, inventor of Bodgeham's famed Egg Mayonnaise-based dish.
  • Anosh Malik, current mayor of Bodgeham.
  • Joe Nash, once recorded as saying "no village organising this year".
  • Abdul,
  • Bevis, Chief Fire Safety Officer for Bodgeham-on-Wye and the surrounding flammable areas.
  • Anais, Arcane and natural magic practitioner.

See also

  • Hackerly Parish Council

References

  1. ↑ Hackerly Parish Census. Retrieved 27 April 2024
  2. ↑ Bodgeham-on-Wye: History, Bodgeham-on-Wye.com. Retrieved 23 November 2019

External links

Retrieved from ‘https://wiki.emfcamp.org/2024/w/index.php?title=Bodgeham-on-Wye&oldid=1393’