Feniton is shown in the Domesday Book as Finetone (sometimes called Viniton, possible after the River Vine, which empties into the River Otter). A great battle was fought at Fenny Bridges at the time of the Prayer Book Rebellion, in the reign of Henry VIII. In 1920 a barrow on Feniton Court Estate was excavated and at that time was thought to be the burial place of a Danish Chief called Hubba, killed in battle with King Alfred, but it is now thought that the barrow was in fact prehistoric; the idea still remains in the names Danebury and Danes Mill, however.

The village is in two parts; new Feniton grew from the establishment of Sidmouth Junction station. In 1859 work started at 'Sherd Cross', with 3,000 men, 600 horses and two steam locomotives, at which time there were only a couple of farm labourers' cottages nearby; the line to Exeter opened on 18 July 1860. The owner of Feniton Court sold land to the railway on condition that passenger trains stopped at Feniton. The chapel was built for the benefit of the navvies working on the railway. The Railway Hotel (now the Nog Inn) opened at around 1860. In 1862 work started on the branch line to Sidmouth, which also served Budleigh Salterton and Exmouth, and the line opened in 1872, at which time the name of our station changed from Ottery Road to Sidmouth Junction. In its heyday there were 20 employees at the station, which included a blacksmith's shop, coal yard, parcels office and goods office. The last train ran in March 1967. (Information from 'Feniton and the Railway' by Alan Powell)

In 1950 there were only about 50 houses within a half mile radius. In February 1998 the population of Feniton was 1,926, the number of properties 763 and the number of electors 1,417 - but see below!

Households

Characteristics

Questionnaires were delivered to 810 households (the number has obviously expanded since last year - we were advised by the postman!), and 395 of these were completed and returned.

People

963 people live in these households (mainly one or two people per home). 24% of males are under 17, 57% between 17 and 64, and 19% over 64. 18% of females are under 17, 53% between 17 and 59, and 29% over 59.

Cars/Bikes

There are a total of 519 cars and 53 motorbikes owned by the responding households, of which the majority of cars park off-road. 58 have no car, and 176 have one, so many people are dependent on public transport, particularly when one person may take the only car to work.

Accommodation needs

22 households mentioned a need for alternative accommodation - 10 people at present, 11 in the next three years, and 15 in 4 - 10 years time. The main perceived need (by 9 households - 41% of those requiring accommodation) - was for a 'starter' home to buy and 5 households required residential/sheltered care. Two others mentioned young people having to leave the village because they were unable to find cheap rented accommodation.

Flooding

16 households have many problems with surface water flooding, and 36 have a few problems. In reply to the question on storm drainage, 13 households reported problems, with 35 other reporting a few problems (most comments did not identify property or road). (NB newspaper cuttings from 1986 reported protests from residents against new building 'on the flood plain')

Schools

Most children in the households which responded attend Feniton Primary (70) - total at present 185 pupils - or The King's School (54).

After-school activities

Of the 29 households who answered this question, 76% (22) say their children cannot take part in activities due to lack of available public transport, and 41% (12) mentioned 'road safety hazards' as the reason. 21% (6) cited the distance between home and school, and 24% (7) gave other reasons (e.g. nothing of interest in village, too expensive, lack of knowledge of what was available).

Personal

804 people completed this section - 420 females (52%) and 384 males (48%).

Housing

381 people (49%) thought no more housing is needed, and 143 (19%) say housing is needed for local people, followed by housing for young people102 (13%). Housing for the elderly (89) and sheltered accommodation (60) account together for 20%; large-family housing and housing for low income families gained 68 (9%) each. 127 (16%) people expressed no opinion on this question.
See also 'Accommodation needs'

On the question of development in the village, most people felt no housing was acceptable - 446 (61%); most acceptable method would be in-filling with small groups (127,17%) and 'single building' (120,16%) followed by expanding the built-up area (101,14%). Few people wanted large sites within the built-up area (10, 1%).
14 people had other suggestions, e.g. 'No further large development until suitable facilities are in place' 'Not joining the two villages, leaving the old village in its green bowl'. 'Work units only'.

Adult Education

Only 74 people currently attend any classes

312 people expressed interest in attending classes if they were held in Feniton. There was strong interest in computing (44) and languages (37), with crafts (27), art (20) and keep fit (18) also popular. Yoga was mentioned by 9, whilst woodwork, history, cookery and soft furnishing/upholstery each polled 7. Many other subjects were mentioned, but numbers for each were very small.

The Environment

Features in need of protection and improvement were the parks and open spaces in Feniton according to 580 respondents.

A lot of people would like to see the chemist shop reinstated

596 people would like to see the pub improved or protected.

The recycling scheme has been reinstated.

Dogs' mess is a key problem for 470 (71% of respondents to question), and 404 people thought litter was a problem. Other problems included noisy neighbours, low flying aircraft, farm smells/animals and FLIES!!!

The Countryside

78% of people do not want footpaths closed and many commented that we do not have enough footpaths.

384 people expressed an opinion to replace overhead wires with underground cables.

148 people said they would volunteer to help with village improvement schemes.

Transport & Highways

Road Vehicle: 520 people have daytime access to a vehicle and 198 do not.

Bus Services: Is used often by people for shopping or medical visits. 61 people used it for sports or leisure activities and 37 said they used it for going to college.

Rail Service: Is used by 373 respondents for shopping on different occasions. 99 people use the service for commuting to and from work. Others use the service for long, or business journeys. Many respondents mentioned the overcrowding on the 8.00am service from Feniton to Exeter on weekdays.