Doddenham (St. Andrew)

DODDENHAM (St. Andrew), a parish, in the union of Martley, Lower division of the hundred of Doddingtree, Worcester and W. divisions of the county of Worcester, 7¼ miles (W. by N.) from Worcester; containing 260 inhabitants. This parish is bounded on the south and west by the river Teme, and comprises 916a. 24p., whereof 336 acres are arable, 306 meadow and pasture, 127 woodland, 34 in hop-yards, 30 in houses and gardens, 21 common, 11 river, and 18 road and waste. The greater portion of the land is a strong red marl of average quality, and the whole is undulated and highly picturesque. Ankerden Hill rises from the valley of the Teme to a considerable height, and affords a very beautiful prospect of the surrounding country. Apple and pear trees grow here to a large size. There are quarries of red sandstone, and of a strong grey gritstone, very durable in buildings; coal, also, was found some years since on the side of Ankerden Hill, but not being deemed of sufficient value, the pit was filled up. Some of the cottagers' wives and daughters are employed in sewing gloves at their own homes, for the Worcester manufacturers. The road from Worcester to Bromyard passes through the parish for about two miles. The living is consolidated with that of Knightwick: the church is a plain building with a wooden spire, is very small, and in a bad state of repair. Fossil shells are found on Ankerden hill; and there is a natural Artesian well of fine water, springing through an opening in the sandstone rock; it rises in a small basin, and discharges a considerable volume both in summer and winter, at a temperature of about 50 degrees.