Vowchurch (St. Bartholomew)

VOWCHURCH (St. Bartholomew), a parish, in the union of Dore, hundred of Webtree, county of Hereford, 10 miles (W. by S.) from Hereford; containing 355 inhabitants. This parish is situated in the "Golden valley," and on the river Dore, celebrated as a fine trout stream. It is intersected by the road from Hereford to Hay, and comprises 2583a. 3r. 33p., whereof 1022 acres are arable, 1223 meadow and pasture, and 338 woodland and coppice. Stone is quarried, chiefly for building and for tiling. The living is a discharged vicarage, valued in the king's books at £5. 9.; net income, £200; patron, the Prebendary of Putson Major in the Cathedral of Hereford. The church is very ancient, and remarkable for its fine oak roof supported on large pillars of the same material. There was a chapel at Monington-Straddel, but it was pulled down some few years since, no clergyman being resident at the time. A free school is partly supported with the interest of £100; and the poor have some small bequests. In the neighbourhood is a square encampment.