About Cannington
We are the original Cannington from which all the others take their names. Visit our history pages for the original.
It gives its name to a small brook which passes through it on its journey from the Quantocks to River Parrett also to a parish of which it is the central settlement. It measures approx. 6km N/S & 6KM E/W with an area approaching 23km2
Scenery
At 10m above sea level the village is situated between the low wet plain of the River Parrett to the north and the Quantocks to the south. The northern part of the parish is below 10m. The land rises to the south. The highest points at Charlynch and Cannington Park are just over 80m.
The village skyline is dominated by the 14th century sandstone tower of the parish church of St Mary the Virgin. Surrounding dwellings range from 17th century cottages through to 21st century developments.
The green landscape surrounding the village is one of small fields and ancient hedgerows. Temporary and permanent grassland and cereals are the main crops to be seen whilst sheep and black and white Friesian dairy cattle are the main livestock.
Employment
Many Canningtonions work outside the parish in towns like Bridgwater [5km], Taunton [9km] or at Hinkley Point Nuclear Power Station [10km].
Within the village major employers are Yeo Valley Dairy, Cannington Centre (Bridgwater College) [a tertiary college of rural industries], Brymore School [a secondary school of rural technology]
Organisation
Its affairs are managed by a parish council within the administrative district of Sedgemoor which is in turn a sub-division of the County of Somerset.
Ian Liddell-Grainger is the Member of Parliament representing the Parishioners of Cannington within the Bridgwater constituency. Cannington's County Councillor is John Edney. Cannington has three representatives on the Sedgemoor District Council, Mr John Edney, Mr. David Joslin and Mr. Ken Dyer and have ten elected Parish Councillors that meet the second Tuesday of each month in the Village Hall. The present Chairman is Mr. Maurice Locke and the Vice Chairman is Mr. Colin Allen.
