Chipping Sodbury facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chipping Sodbury |
|
|---|---|
 The wide main street of Chipping Sodbury. Cars are parked where market stalls would once have been. |
|
 Chipping Sodbury
|
|
| Population | 5,500 (2021 Census) |
| OS grid reference | ST726822 |
| Civil parish |
|
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BRISTOL |
| Postcode district | BS37 |
| Dialling code | 01454 |
| Police | Avon and Somerset |
| Fire | Avon |
| Ambulance | Great Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament |
|
Chipping Sodbury is a historic market town in South Gloucestershire, England. It's about 13 miles (21 km) north-east of Bristol. The town was started in the 1100s by a person named William le Gros. It's the main part of the area called Sodbury, which also includes Old Sodbury.
In 2011, about 5,045 people lived in Chipping Sodbury. Since then, the town has grown a lot. It has almost joined up with the nearby town of Yate.
| Top - 0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
What is Chipping Sodbury?
Chipping Sodbury is known as a "market town." This means it was a place where people used to gather to buy and sell goods. The word "Chipping" actually comes from an old English word meaning "market." So, its name tells us about its history!
How is Chipping Sodbury Governed?
Chipping Sodbury is part of a larger area called a "ward." This ward stretches from the Chipping Sodbury Golf Course in the north down to Dodington in the south. In 2011, about 6,834 people lived in this ward.
Getting Around Chipping Sodbury
East of the town, you'll find the Chipping Sodbury Tunnel. This is a long railway tunnel that goes under the Cotswolds. It's about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) long and was opened in 1902. Sometimes, this tunnel can flood when it rains a lot. This can cause delays for trains on the main line to South Wales.
Chipping Sodbury used to have its own train station from 1903 to 1961. Now, people can use the Yate station, which is nearby. It reopened in 1989. You can also catch the WESTlink on-demand bus in town.
Fun Things to Do in Chipping Sodbury
_(cropped).jpg)
Chipping Sodbury has many fun events throughout the year!
Mop Fair and Festival Week
The town hosts a "Mop Fair" twice a year, usually in March and September. It's a traditional fair with rides and stalls. In early June, there's a "Festival Week." During this week, the main road is closed for a "Big Lunch." Residents bring picnics and eat together right on the street! Another "Big Lunch" is held in December to help elderly people feel less lonely during Christmas.
Farmers' Market and Victorian Day
You can find a farmers' market in Chipping Sodbury twice a month. It's held on the second and fourth Saturdays. In December, the town celebrates a "Victorian Day." This event starts with school choirs singing in the street. Then, Father Christmas arrives, and there's even fake snow! The streets are filled with stalls from local groups and old-fashioned rides like a Ferris wheel. You can also enjoy choirs, bands, and a hog roast.
Town's 800th Anniversary
In August 2018, Chipping Sodbury celebrated its 800th birthday! There was a weekend of medieval activities, including another "Big Lunch." A special time capsule was buried. It holds photos of local businesses and poems written by schoolchildren. This capsule will be dug up in August 2118, for the town's 900th anniversary!
Community Radio and Town Hall
The town has its own community radio station called GLOSS FM. It broadcasts online every day and on 87.7 MHz FM twice a year. The Chipping Sodbury Town Hall is a very important building. It was updated in 1858 and is used for many events in the town.
Schools in Chipping Sodbury
Chipping Sodbury has two primary schools and one secondary school.
Secondary School
Chipping Sodbury School is the secondary school. It's for students aged 11 to 18. It's known as a "Specialist Technology School." This school shares a sixth form (for older students) called Cotswold Edge. Students can take different subjects across three locations, including Brimsham Green School and Yate International Academy.
Primary Schools
The primary schools are St John's Mead Primary School and Raysfield Infants and Junior schools. St John's Mead is named after the local church. Old Sodbury Primary School is also nearby, within the parish area. Raysfield Preschool is located at Dodington Parish Hall, next to Raysfield Junior and Infant Schools.
Famous People from Chipping Sodbury
Chipping Sodbury has been home to or linked with some interesting people!
- Edward Jenner: He was a doctor in the 1700s who helped create the first vaccination. He started his medical training in Sodbury. He noticed that people who caught cowpox (a mild illness) didn't get smallpox (a very serious disease).
- RC "Jack" Russell: He was a famous English cricket player who was a wicketkeeper. He is also an artist and has an art gallery in the town.
- Sir James Dyson: He invented the famous bagless vacuum cleaner. He lives just outside Chipping Sodbury at Dodington Park.
- J. K. Rowling: The author of the Harry Potter books was born in 1965 at a hospital in nearby Yate, which was then called Chipping Sodbury Maternity Hospital. She lived in Yate until she was four years old.
Images for kids
-
The main street of Chipping Sodbury (2017)
See also
In Spanish: Chipping Sodbury para niños
