Compton Bassett Village lies 3.5km east northeast of Calne.
The parish of Compton Bassett was joined with the other local parishes of Calstone, Cherhill, Heddington and Yatesbury to form The Oldbury Benefice under the watchful eye of the Rector, The Reverend Philip Bromiley and his team.
The village population peaked in 1831 at 538 but has shrunk considerably to its present day total of 271. The village is set in some of the most beautiful coutryside that the county of Wiltshire has to offer.
With many brushes with fame and fortune throughout its history which will be dealt with in greater detail on other pages within this site, it currently boasts one of the most famous pop stars of the day as one of its land-owners.
During wartime Britain one of the farm houses within the village was used when Winston Churchill needed to be evacuated from London when the attentions of Hitler became a little too intense in the captital.
During the break-up of the larger estate, which ultimately led to the demolition of the former Compton Bassett house, much of the village came under the ownership of The Co-operative Society and is said to be responsible for the villages noteriety for all properties being painted black and white.
Today, many of the traditional village services and facilities are obtained from the nearby towns of Calne, Marlborough, Devizes and Swindon. But Compton Bassett still has, at it's heart, one of the best Inn's in the area having won many awards and been recognised in several national competitions.
There is a small childrens park and The Benson Memorial Hall which hosts many very successful events put on by Rural Arts in Wiltshire and a thriving amature dramatics Society CHADS, with usually two productions per year.
At the north end of the village, just beyond the village pond, is the ground of the succesful village cricket team, Compton Bassett Cricket Club.
Jack Labrador
Follow the up to date exploits of Jack Labrador, as featured in The Parishes magazine
Other Blogs form the same author The Major's Diary
The post war diaries of The Major recording the exploits of one Corporal Carruthers.
