RESIDENTS of Britain’s “strictest village” love living with the Draconian rules.
Takeaways and even a traditional English chippy are banned in picture postcard Wentworth, in South Yorkshire.
Wentworth is owned by the Fitzwilliam and Wentworth Trust Credit: © Glen Minikin
Locals say the village is like stepping back in time Credit: © Glen Minikin
Wooden doors of houses and cottages, built from locally quarried honey-coloured sandstone, must all be painted green and the window frames cream or white.
But locals, who are served by just two pubs, a village shop, hairdressers, and cafe, only have one complaint – traffic!
Sign up for The Jattvibe newsletter
Thank you!
Residents want the 30mph road which runs through Wentworth reducing to a 20mph zone to cut down on noise and increase safety.
Wentworth village is owned by the Fitzwilliam and Wentworth Trust, overseen by Sir Philip Naylor-Leyland Bt., grandson of the 10th Earl Fitzwilliam, and Lady Juliet Tadgell, daughter of the 8th Earl Fitzwilliam.
RAM ATTACK
Dad of ‘joyrider’ had home rammed minutes before son & pals killed in crash
DEATH SMASH
Mum & daughter, 4, killed while walking to nursery by ‘drivers racing at 90mph’
Residents of Wentworth want the speed limit reduced Credit: © Glen Minikin
Stephen Ellis-Pearson with neighbour Eric Jones Credit: © Glen Minikin
Residents of the village all rent their homes from the trust, which dictates the rules and regulations of the area in a bid to conserve its heritage.Retired builder Eric Jones, 85, was born and bred in the village.
“I’ve lived in Wentworth all my life and I’ve lived in the house for 50 years,” said Eric standing in the immaculate cottage garden, lovingly maintained by him and fellow residents of the aptly named Paradise Square.
“I bloody wouldn’t live anywhere else.
“It is a lovely village, with no takeaways or vape shops, it is like living in the olden days.”
Eric said the estate comes round to paint the windows and doors every couple of years and only recognised contractors can carry out repairs to the rented properties.
“The only issue we have is the speed of vehicles coming through the village,” he said.
Neighbour Stephen Ellis-Pearson, 72, said:”We have asked Rotherham Council to reconsider the speed limit through the village, and want it dropping down to 20mph, but they are refusing to do so.”
Neighbour Stephen Ellis-Pearson, 72, says the strict rules make the village a pleasant place to live Credit: © Glen Minikin
The village only has two pubs a village shop, hairdressers, and cafe Credit: © Glen Minikin
Stephen moved in to Wentworth six years after retiring as a rehabilitation officer for the visually impaired.
“We keep our gardens looking lovely. It is not part of the rental agreement, but we are ‘strongly advised’ to look after them,” he said.
“The strict rules suit me and others here and it makes the village a pleasant place to live.”
The traditional red phone box in the village is now home to a defibrillator along with local honey and free range eggs for sale.
Wentworth villagers can never own their own property, only rent, and must adhere to a ‘design guide.’
The symmetry of the windows, doors, and even gutters is no coincidence.
Residents must use independent Wentworth-approved contractors who are familiar with the intricacies of the properties.
The commercial properties, such as the George and Dragon pub, Old Smythie cafe, Rockingham Arms, and Village Shop, are under the supervision of the trust.
There’s no glaring corner shop or neon takeaway signs; everything is kept in keeping with the village’s heritage.
Daniel Wild, 36, has run the village store for a couple of years and sells everything from newspapers and magazines, to fresh pies, fruit and veg, drinks and frozen food and groceries.
Despite adhering to the strict planning rules he has embraced the modern era and the Wentworth Village Shop has its own TikTok page.
“We get good trade from locals and visitors to the village. I work hard and long hours, seven days a week, but it is rewarding,” said Daniel.
“Wentworth is a lovely place to live and work.”
Retired HGV driver Dave Fenton, 69, is a regular customer of the village store and had ordered a ‘breakfast in a box’ to take home.
Dave said: “I’ve lived in the village eight years, and it really is such a nice place to call home.
“I would like the traffic to slow down a bit though. That is the only problem
“Because we rent from the estate we have to play by their rules, but I’m happy to do so.
“Because the village is so well looked after and picturesque it does attract a lot of tourists, but we’ve got a couple of pubs and places to eat and this village shop, so we don’t need takeaways or a fish and chip shop.
“It is like stepping back in time.”
