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The village
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Fovant is a medium sized village which lies astride the main Salisbury - Shaftesbury A30 road, approximately equidistant between the two market centres. The village nestles in the Nadder valley just below the West Wiltshire Downs, and its Parish boundary extends from the old turnpike road that runs along the ridge atop Fovant Down down to the River Nadder.
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Fovant (called [i]Fobbafunta during the Saxon period because of its many fountain springs) enjoys the benefit of having its own spring water lake that feeds the brook, which runs the length of the village. This rural community was once famous for the watercress beds that were located in the widest part of the valley in the centre of the village. In recent times, the cress beds have been replaced with a trout fishery. Mixed farming is carried out in the countryside surrounding the village, which is located in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and which includes within its boundary, areas of Special Scientific Interest and its own Conservation Area.
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Many people associate Fovant with the Regimental Badges, which were cut into the chalk downs along the main road by young soldiers encamped in the area during the Great War (1914-1918). Each year in July the Fovant Badges Society hosts a Drumhead Service at East Farm. The Society has its own web site, which can be viewed at www.fovantbadges.com
The village has many stone buildings and three housing developments owned by the District Council. The Parish is supported by the Parochial Church Council and an elected Parish Council of nine members and is blessed with a Church, Chapel, Village Hall, Shop, Post Office, Garage, a Licensed Restaurant, Nursery School, Youth Club and a Doctor's Surgery.
Fovant is still a traditional village community where the daily life of everyone is the subject of much interest by all, and the availability and accessibility of such meeting points ensures that no-one need be excluded or overlooked, and where help and assistance is available to those who may need it.
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