89-487: Wells Cathedral School is a family-orientated independent co-educational boarding and day school for 2 - 18 year olds located in Wells , Somerset, England, which provides an all-round education alongside world-class Specialist Music and Chorister training. The whole School comprises Pre-Prep, Prep School, and Senior School, which includes a Sixth Form. The School is one of the five specialist musical schools for school-age children in
178-452: A charity school . Wells Cathedral School is supposed to be the fifth oldest independent school in the country. It cannot be proved, however, that the School has existed continually since the date of its supposed foundation in the tenth century, and there was certainly a hiatus during the 1880s, after which it was re-founded. The current Head Master is Alastair Tighe with Jody Wells as Head of
267-478: A Somerset stone tower and a carved roof. Originally an Early English building (13th century), it was much altered in the Perpendicular period . The nave's coloured ceiling was repainted in 1963 at the instigation of the then Vicar's wife, Mrs Barnett. Until 1561 the church had a central tower which either collapsed or was removed, and has been replaced with the current tower over the west door. Bells were cast for
356-632: A bell for food. The Bishop's Barn was built in the 15th century. The city has two football clubs, one being Wells City F.C. , past winners of the Western League . Belrose FC play their football in the Mid-Somerset Football League at Haybridge Park. Wells Cricket Club runs eight sides across senior, junior and women's cricket; they are based at South Horrington . Wells Wanderers Cricket Club are based in Meare . Rowdens Road Cricket Ground
445-571: A change in the regulations, or suggest an awareness raising campaign for consumers (but will not always recommend intervention and when this is the case, will ensure that any non intervention decision is well informed and open to public scrutiny). In 2006, the OFT restructured in response to Treasury proposals for splitting the department into separate consumer and competition regulators. The OFT argued that to protect consumers effectively, it had to be able to use both consumer law and competition law approaches in
534-412: A charter of 725 granted by King Ina to Glastonbury and Fontanensis Ecclesia . " Tidesput " or " Tithesput furlang " relates to the area east of the bishop's garden in 1245. Wells was part of, and gave its name to, the hundred of Wells Forum . Wells had been granted charters to hold markets by Bishop Robert (1136–66) and free burgage tenure was granted by Bishop Reginald (1174–1191). Wells
623-538: A dinner for members of the queen's household including her four maids of honour. The Venetian ambassador Antonio Foscarini recorded her delight. During the English Civil War (1642–1651), at what became known as the " Siege of Wells ", the city found itself surrounded by Parliamentarian guns on the Bristol, Glastonbury and Shepton Mallet sides. Col. William Strode had 2,000 men and 150 horse. The Royalists evacuated
712-619: A gold mural crown , with the Latin motto Hoc fonte derivata copia (translated: "the fullness that springs from this well"). The council formalised twinning links with Paray-le-Monial , France, and Bad Dürkheim , Germany in 1979, then added Fontanellato , Italy in 1983; the Wells Twinning Association and the Mayor of Wells organise the twinning activities. HMS Somerset , Mary Bignal-Rand , Danny Nightingale , The Rifles and
801-544: A holistic fashion. Moving away from division by legislative area, the OFT created divisions based on market sector. These officials are supported by a dedicated economics branch also including statisticians and financial analysts (the Office of the Chief Economist), a legal specialist, and a policy advisory branch. In May 2006, the OFT investigated the charges being imposed on customers of credit card companies. In its report,
890-413: A large proportion of the annual precipitation falls from showers and thunderstorms at this time of year. Average rainfall is around 800–900 mm (31–35 in). About 8–15 days of snowfall is typical. November to March have the highest mean wind speeds, with June to August having the lightest. The predominant wind direction is from the south west. The civil parish of Wells is entirely surrounded by
979-598: A man in the state of California that misrepresented themselves as being British, it coordinated actions with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission , which began an enforcement action . Two years later a consent decree required the companies to end those practices and represent their location honestly. In September 2010, the OFT sent warnings to 129 firms after its review of debt management companies found widespread problems, with firms putting profits ahead of customer care. Since it issued that warning, 87 firms have surrendered their licenses. In March 2010, Consumer Focus submitted
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#17328546836441068-438: A price-fixing cartel, discovered by The Times , under which schools had made fee increases or decreases concurrently, thus minimising competition. Each school was required to pay a nominal penalty of £10,000 and all agreed to make ex-gratia payments totalling £3 million into a trust designed to benefit pupils who attended the schools during the period in respect of which fee information was shared. The discovery by The Times
1157-483: A super complaint to the OFT raising concerns that transferring cash ISAs were taking too long and there were arbitrary rules preventing transfers into some of the most attractive accounts and that interest rates were not sufficiently transparent. The OFT responded in June 2011, with a number of recommendations to ensure that transfers of cash ISAs work better and that there is greater transparency of interest rates. This included
1246-477: A trading centre based on cloth making and Wells is notable for its 17th-century involvement in both the English Civil War and the Monmouth Rebellion . In the 19th century, transport infrastructure improved with stations on three different railway lines. However, since 1964 the city has been without a railway link. The cathedral and the associated religious and medieval architectural history provide much of
1335-451: Is a Grade II listed building , and was on the Buildings at Risk Register until its restoration which included the restoration and repair of the stained glass façade. Wells Little Theatre is operated by a voluntary society which started in 1902. In 1969 they took over the old boy's building of Wells Blue School, where they put on a variety of operatic and other productions. Milton Lodge
1424-513: Is a house overlooking the city. It has a terraced garden, which was laid out in the early 20th century, is listed as Grade II on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of special historic interest in England . Television programmes and local news is provided by BBC West and ITV West Country . Local radio stations are BBC Radio Somerset , Heart West , and Greatest Hits Radio South West . The city
1513-403: Is accessible via the 376 bus route; the journey time is around one hour. The Blue School , founded in 1641, is a state coeducational comprehensive school and has been awarded Specialist science college status. It has 1,641 students aged 11–18 of both sexes and all ability levels. Wells Cathedral School , founded in 909, is a private school that has a Christian emphasis and is one of
1602-502: Is not part of a larger urban agglomeration . Wells takes its name from three wells dedicated to Saint Andrew , one in the market place and two within the grounds of the Bishop's Palace and cathedral. A small Roman settlement surrounded them, which grew in importance and size under the Anglo-Saxons when King Ine of Wessex founded a minster church there in 704. The community became
1691-455: Is on the outskirts of the city and also has a 24-bay driving range with optional grass tees. Elizabeth Goudge used Wells as a basis for the fictional cathedral city of Torminster, in her book A City of Bells (1936), and its two sequels Sister of the Angels (1939) and Henrietta's House (1942: The Blue Hills , USA title). Office of Fair Trading The Office of Fair Trading ( OFT )
1780-599: Is one of the oldest extant schools in the world . The School admitted girls in 1969 and has over 700 pupils aged between 2 and 18. The School has a musical emphasis and specialises in combining high-level musical tuition with a general academic education, as well as sports. Situated within the city of Wells, the School's boarding houses line the northern parts of the city and the Music School retains close links with Wells Cathedral . The Vicar's Chapel and Library in Vicars' Close
1869-553: Is served by these local newspapers: Wells Voice , The Somerset County Gazette and SomersetLive . A walled precinct, the Liberty of St Andrew , encloses the twelfth century Cathedral , the Bishop's Palace , Vicar's Close and the residences of the clergy who serve the cathedral. Entrances include the Penniless Porch , The Bishop's Eye and Brown's Gatehouse which were all built around 1450. The Church of St Cuthbert has
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#17328546836441958-608: Is the dullest month and June the sunniest. The south west of England enjoys a favoured location, particularly in summer, when the Azores High extends its influence north-eastwards towards the UK. Cloud often forms inland, especially near hills, and reduces exposure to sunshine. The average annual sunshine totals around 1600 hours. Rainfall tends to be associated with Atlantic depressions or with convection. In summer, convection caused by solar surface heating sometimes forms shower clouds and
2047-716: The Golden Arrow service between London and Dover . It was withdrawn from service in 1964, and rescued from a scrapyard in 1971, and as August 2021 was operational on the East Lancashire Railway . During World War II , Stoberry Park in Wells was the location of a prisoner-of-war camp , housing Italian prisoners from the Western Desert Campaign , and later German prisoners after the Battle of Normandy . Penleigh Camp on
2136-712: The Bishop's Palace, Wells is particularly popular among productions, with filming at the latter conducted (in 2015–2016) for The Huntsman: Winter's War , Galavant , Terry and Mason's The Great British Food Trip , Escape to the Country , and Holiday of My Lifetime . Wells is situated at the junction of three numbered routes. The A39 goes north-east to Bath and south-west to Glastonbury and Bridgwater . The A371 goes north-west to Cheddar and Weston-super-Mare , and east to Shepton Mallet . The B3139 goes west to Highbridge , and north-east to Radstock and Trowbridge . The nearest motorway connections are at junction 23 on
2225-796: The Bristol & Exeter Railway from Yatton , reached Wells and built a third station at Tucker Street . Matters were simplified when the Great Western Railway acquired the Cheddar Valley and the East Somerset lines and built a link between them that ran through the S&;DJR's Priory Road station. In 1878, when through trains began running between Yatton and Witham, the East Somerset station closed, but through trains did not stop at Priory Road until 1934. Priory Road closed to passenger traffic in 1951 when
2314-641: The Competition Commission , to enforce action, consumer awareness campaigns or to recommendations to government, which were published. Showing how competitive markets that work well are important for consumers, fair dealing businesses and economic performance; explaining its decisions transparently; promoting compliance by explaining to business what the law is and how the OFT will apply it; promoting consumer awareness and confidence; coordinating effectively with enforcement partners locally, nationally and internationally, and advising government on how to achieve
2403-727: The M5 via the A39 and at junction 1 of the M32 via the A39 and A37 . Wells is served by First West of England bus services to Bristol and Bristol Temple Meads station , Bath , Frome , Shepton Mallet , Yeovil , Street and Weston-super-Mare , as well as providing some local service. It is served by Berrys Coaches daily Superfast service to and from London. The bus station is in Princes Road. The Mendip Way and Monarch's Way long-distance footpaths pass through
2492-743: The Mendip Hills and the Somerset Levels . Somerset cheese, including Cheddar , is made locally. Wells is part of the Wells and Shepton Mallet travel to work area which also includes Glastonbury, Cheddar and surrounding areas. The historic part of the city has often been used for filming both documentaries and many period films and television series, including some with very large productions. Recent examples (2014 to 2017) include filming for Series 2 of Poldark , Dunkirk , Another Mother's Son , Broadchurch , The Levelling , Mum's List , and The White Princess . In addition to Wells Cathedral ,
2581-464: The Monmouth Rebellion (1685) the rebel army attacked the cathedral in an outburst against the established church and damaged the west front. Lead from the roof was used to make bullets, windows were broken, the organ smashed and horses stabled in the nave. Wells was the final location of the Bloody Assizes on 23 September 1685. In a makeshift court lasting only one day, over 500 men were tried and
2670-511: The River Axe enabled goods to be brought to within 3 mi (5 km) of Wells. In the Middle Ages overseas trade was carried out from the port of Rackley . In the 14th century a French ship sailed up the river, and by 1388 Thomas Tanner from Wells used Rackley to export cloth and corn to Portugal, and received iron and salt in exchange. Wells had been a centre for cloth making; however, in
2759-576: The Somerset Levels . The hills are largely made of carboniferous limestone , which is quarried at several nearby sites. In the 1960s, the tallest mast in the region, the Mendip UHF television transmitter , was installed on Pen Hill above Wells, approximately 2 mi (3.2 km) from the centre of the city. Streams passing through caves on the Mendip Hills, including Thrupe Lane Swallet and Viaduct Sink (approximately 5 km (3.1 miles) east of
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2848-498: The Wookey Hole Road was a German working camp. Wells City Council is a parish council , with a membership of sixteen councillors, elected from three parish wards . They are (with the number of parish councillors each elects, in brackets): Central (four), St. Thomas' (six) and St. Cuthbert's (six). The civil parish of Wells was formed in 1933 upon the merger of Wells St Cuthbert In and Wells St Andrew (the latter being
2937-553: The 14th. The street is owned by Wells Cathedral. The Bishop's Palace has been the home of the bishops of the Diocese of Bath and Wells for 800 years. The hall and chapel date from the 14th century. There are 14 acres (5.7 ha) of gardens including the springs from which the city takes its name. Visitors can also see the Bishop's private chapel, ruined great hall and the gatehouse with portcullis and drawbridge beside which mute swans ring
3026-568: The 16th and 17th centuries this diminished, but the city retained its important market focus. Wells in the 19th century had the largest cheese market in the west of England. Wells was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Welle , from the Old English wiells , not as a town but as four manors with a population of 132, which implies a population of 500–600. Earlier names for the settlement have been identified which include Fontanetum , in
3115-583: The 25th anniversary of the foundation of the Girl Choristers and the establishment of Cedars Hall. In 1969 it was among the first independent schools in the country to become coeducational when the Prep School admitted girls. The following year, girls were admitted to the Senior School and it became fully coeducational. In 2005, the School was one of fifty independent schools to be found guilty of operating
3204-486: The Blue School, the skateboard park and allotments in the grounds of the Bishop's Palace, Burcott Road and Barnes Close. Conservation matters (including trees and listed buildings) and environmental issues are also the responsibility of the council. Wells Town Hall was built in 1778, with the porch and arcade being added in 1861 and the balcony and round windows in 1932. It is a Grade II listed building . It replaced
3293-546: The Enterprise Act 2002, the OFT explored how different market sectors operate, in order to help markets work well. It sometimes researched one particular market in detail or, for example, how codes of practice or professional rules operated across different markets in a range of businesses. The results of the research, which were published, helped the OFT to assess what action, if any, needed to be taken to protect consumers' interests. They could recommend stronger enforcement, or
3382-666: The Market Place in May and November each year and the Wells in Bloom competition. The city council's role also includes initiating projects for the maintenance and repair of city facilities, as well as consulting with the district council on the maintenance, repair, and improvement of highways, drainage, footpaths, public transport, and street cleaning. They are involved in the management of the Community Sports Development Centre at
3471-498: The NHS prescription channel in 2005. In March 2012, the OFT accepted undertakings from "daily deals" company MyCityDeal, which trades as Groupon , to change some of its trading practices following an OFT investigation. The investigation found widespread examples of Groupon's practices that breached consumer protection regulations. The OFT had specific concerns over practices involving reference pricing, advertising, refunds, unfair terms, and
3560-422: The OFT confirmed these charges were unlawful as they amounted to a penalty, rather than the actual losses suffered by the companies. It said it would be prepared to investigate any charge over £12 (£16 for Egg credit card accounts) indicating that £12 would not be a "fair and acceptable charge" itself. The OFT said it would be up to a court to determine such an amount based on the established legal precedent that
3649-431: The OFT issued a Statement of Objections against Booking.com , Expedia , and Intercontinental Hotels . In the OFT's provisional view the parties had infringed competition law. In January 2014, the OFT accepted commitments proposed by the defendant parties in lieu of any fines. The OFT's Rasmussen acknowledged there was a chance the set up could lead to further monopoly, but he said the OFT would be monitoring movements in
Wells Cathedral School - Misplaced Pages Continue
3738-609: The Prep School, and Alexander Laing as Director of Music. Tighe has been Head Master since September 2018 and was previously Deputy Head (Academic) at Bedford School where he was for 5 years. The Royal Family holds links with the school, many of the buildings being opened by Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother on 6 July 1979. Queen Elizabeth II visited the school during her Silver Jubilee tour in 1977. The Countess of Wessex visited Wells on 18 October 2007 and has done so several times subsequently, including in September 2019 to help mark
3827-504: The S&DJR branch line from Glastonbury was shut, though it remained the city's main goods depot. Tucker Street closed in 1963 under the Beeching cuts , which closed the Yatton to Witham line to passengers. Goods traffic to Wells ceased in 1964. Southern Railway West Country class steam locomotive no 34092 was named City of Wells at a ceremony at Priory Road station in 1949. It was used to haul
3916-696: The United Kingdom, along with Chetham's School of Music , the Yehudi Menuhin School , the Purcell School and St. Mary's Music School , Edinburgh. The Head Master, Alastair Tighe, is a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference . The latest fees for day students are £9,942 – £26,277pa, while boarders (available from Year 4) pay £30,717 – £42,987 pa. With links to a school founded in AD 909, Wells
4005-461: The abolition of the municipal borough of Wells. Anne of Denmark , the wife of King James came to Wells on 20 August 1613. She was entertained by a pageant performed by the town's trades and crafts. The blacksmiths presented Vulcan's forge. The butchers made a tableau of "old virgins", with their attires made of cow tails and necklaces made of cow's horns, who were drawn in a chariot by men and boys dressed in ox skins. The mayor, William Bull, held
4094-449: The canons of Wells and the monks of Bath until 1245 when the bishopric was renamed the Diocese of Bath and Wells , to be elected by both religious houses. With the construction of the current cathedral and the bishop's palace in the first half of the 13th century, under the direction of Bishop Reginald and later Bishop Jocelin , a native of the city, Wells became the principal seat of the diocese. The 8th-century port at Bleadney on
4183-595: The city and surrounding Mendip Hills . Wells is part of the West Country Carnival circuit. Wells Film Centre shows current releases and, in conjunction with the Wells Film Society shows less well known and historical films. The previous cinema, The Regal in Priory Road, closed in 1993 and is now Kudos Nightclub. It was built in 1935 by ES Roberts from Flemish bond brickwork with Art Deco features. It
4272-486: The city being used as a shooting location for numerous films and television programmes. The city was a Roman settlement that became an important centre under the Anglo-Saxons when King Ine of Wessex founded a minster church in 704. Two hundred years later, in 909, it became the seat of the newly formed bishopric of Wells ; but in 1090, the bishop's seat was removed to Bath . The move caused severe arguments between
4361-537: The city), emerge at Saint Andrew's Well in the garden of the Bishop's Palace, from where the water fills the moat around the Palace and then flows into Keward Brook, which carries it for approximately a mile west to the point where the brook joins the River Sheppey in the village of Coxley . Along with the rest of South West England , the Mendip Hills have a temperate climate which is generally wetter and milder than
4450-529: The city, as does National Cycle Route 3 . Wells had two stations which were closed by the Beeching Axe in the 1960s: Wells (Tucker Street) railway station and Wells (Priory Road) railway station . The nearest railway line today is the East Somerset Railway . The nearest station today for the national rail network is Castle Cary , 12 miles (19 km) away. Bristol Temple Meads railway station
4539-418: The city. Parliamentarian troops then used the cathedral to stable their horses and damaged much of the ornate sculpture by using it for firing practice. William Penn stayed in Wells shortly before leaving for America (1682), spending a night at The Crown Inn. Here he was briefly arrested for addressing a large crowd in the market place, but released on the intervention of the Bishop of Bath and Wells. During
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#17328546836444628-420: The civil parish. As the designation is typically awarded to a local council area, this administrative area is then considered to be the formal boundary of the city, including its urban and rural extents. Wells, due to its urban area and wider parish sizes, is near-smallest city on several measures based on 2011 statistics: Wells lies at the foot of the southern escarpment of the Mendip Hills where they meet
4717-599: The consumer credit sector passed from the OFT to the new Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) from April 2014. The majority of the OFT's work consisted of analysing markets, enforcing consumer and competition law, merger control, licensing and supervisory work (of consumer credit, estate agency, anti money-laundering supervision), advocacy, delivering information, education programmes and campaigns to business and consumers. The OFT investigated markets to see whether they were working well for consumers and customers. Where appropriate, studies led to market investigation references to
4806-460: The council holds the historic office of Mayor of Wells, typically for one year. The current mayor (for the 2020–21 municipal year) is Councillor Philip Welch, who is the 647th Mayor of Wells. He was elected to office on 10 October 2020. Another historic position is that of the Town Crier . The City Council has responsibility for local issues, including setting an annual precept (local rate) to cover
4895-410: The council's operating costs and producing annual accounts for public scrutiny. They also evaluate local planning applications and work with the local police, district council officers, and neighbourhood watch groups on matters of crime, security, and traffic. This includes city centre management including CCTV , an alcohol ban and regulating street trading permissions including the two funfairs held in
4984-492: The diligence of its interactions with merchants. Groupon engaged openly and constructively throughout the investigation and signed undertakings that it will change its practices to comply with the law. In September 2012, the OFT commenced an investigation into the hotel online booking sector. The complainant, a small online travel agent, Skoosh, claimed that the hotels it bought room bookings from were under pressure from other resellers to maintain minimum prices. On 31 July 2012,
5073-504: The early 8th century. Parts of the building date back to the tenth century, and it is a grade I listed building. It is known for its fine fan vaulted ceilings, Lady Chapel and windows, and the scissor arches which support the central tower. The west front is said to be the finest collection of statuary in Europe, retaining almost 300 of its original medieval statues, carved from the cathedral's warm, yellow Doulting stone. The Chapter House, at
5162-429: The employment. The city has a variety of sporting and cultural activities and houses several schools including The Blue School , a state coeducational comprehensive school that was founded in 1641, and the private Wells Cathedral School , which was founded possibly as early as 909 and is one of the five established musical schools for school-age children in the United Kingdom. Wells's historic architecture has led to
5251-591: The five established musical schools for school-age children in Britain . The school teaches over 700 pupils between the ages of 3 and 18. The school's boarding houses line the northern parts of the city and the music school retains close links with Wells Cathedral. The primary schools in Wells are Stoberry Park School, St Cuthbert's Church of England Infants School, St Cuthbert's Church of England Junior School and St Joseph and St Teresa Catholic Primary School. Wells and Mendip Museum includes many historical artefacts from
5340-471: The following agreements from cash ISA provider to: In April 2011, the OFT fined Reckitt Benckiser £10.2 million after it found that it had abused its dominant position in the market for the National Health Service (NHS) supply of alginate and antacid heartburn medicines. The OFT found that Reckitt Benckiser abused its dominant position by withdrawing and de-listing Gaviscon Original Liquid from
5429-653: The former on the site of the Market and Assize Hall in the Market Place, and a Canonical House also known as 'The Exchequer', on the authority of an Act of Parliament dated 1779. The building also houses the magistrates courts and other offices. The Assize court last sat here in October 1970. All other local government services are provided by Somerset Council , a unitary authority established in April 2023. Prior to this date, Wells elected five councillors to Mendip District Council from
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#17328546836445518-425: The heaviest ring of ten bells in the world. The tenor bell weighs just over 56 cwt (6,272 lb, 2,844 kg). The Vicars' Close is the oldest residential street in Europe. The Close is tapered by 10 ft (3.0 m) to make it look longer when viewed from the bottom. When viewed from the top, however, it looks shorter. The Old Deanery dates from the 12th century, and St John's Priory from
5607-473: The historic liberty of the cathedral, the bishop's palace, etc., amounting to just 52 acres (21 ha)). Wells is the successor parish for Wells Municipal Borough, which existed from the creation of municipal boroughs in 1835 to their abolition in 1974. The parish has held the city status of Wells since 1 April 1974 (previously held by the municipal borough) and the member of the City Council who chairs
5696-510: The late Harry Patch have the Freedom of the City . The Somerset Light Infantry received the freedom of the City of Wells following their return from Cyprus in 1956. As the seat of an ancient cathedral and diocese , Wells is historically regarded as a city. City status was most recently confirmed by Queen Elizabeth II by letters patent dated 1 April 1974, which granted city status specifically to
5785-658: The majority sentenced to death. Wells first station, Priory Road , opened in 1859 on the Somerset Central Railway (later the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway , S&DJR) as the terminus of a short branch from Glastonbury . A second railway, the East Somerset , opened a branch line from Witham in 1862 and built Wells East Somerset station to the east of Priory Road. In 1870, the Cheddar Valley line branch of
5874-542: The market. In March 2014, the price comparison site, Skyscanner , challenged the OFT's decision with the United Kingdom's Competition Appeal Tribunal . In a "parting shot", one week prior to the transfer of the OFT's responsibilities to the CMA, the Office recommended that an investigation into market conditions in the public sector ICT market should be undertaken. The OFT was criticized for being ineffective and for many of its investigations leading to no action, in contrast to
5963-472: The more vigorous approach of United States ( United States Department of Justice Antitrust Division ) and European Union ( Directorate-General for Competition ) regulators. Criticism has been levied, among others, in the cases of: The National Audit Office issued a report in March 2009 on the OFT's competition enforcement work which indicated progress in 7 out of 10 objectives, but also concluded: According to
6052-419: The most effective regime for competition and consumers. The OFT worked under a structure arranged by markets rather than legislation with a Services, Infrastructure and Public Markets group and a Goods and Consumer group. Officials specialising in the different legal and regulatory regimes worked closely together in each of these two groups. This enabled the OFT to look more easily at whole markets and to use all
6141-497: The only recoverable cost would be actual costs incurred, i.e., liquidated damages . The credit card companies did not produce evidence of their actual costs to the OFT, instead insisting their charges are in line with clear policy and information provided to customers. Charges have been as much as £38 per item, which campaigners argue is well beyond the cost of sending a computerised letter. In 2009, after customers complained to OFT about deceptive practices by two websites operated by
6230-411: The parish of St Cuthbert Out . The population of the civil parish, recorded in the 2011 census , was 10,536. Of this number 97.5% are ethnically White (with the more specific White British category recorded at 93.5%) and 66.5% described themselves as Christian. The mean average age in 2011 was 41.9 years (the median age being 43). The population recorded for the Wells civil parish in the 2001 census
6319-456: The population recorded in the 2011 census was only 10,536, (increased to 12,000 by 2018) and with a built-up area of just 3.244 km (1.253 sq mi), Wells has had city status since medieval times, because of the presence of Wells Cathedral . Often described as England's smallest city , it is actually the second smallest to the City of London in area and population, but unlike London it
6408-465: The rest of England. The annual mean temperature is about 10 °C (50 °F) with seasonal and diurnal variations, but due to the modifying effect of the sea, the range is less than in most other parts of the United Kingdom. January is the coldest month with mean minimum temperatures between 1 and 2 °C (34 and 36 °F). July and August are the warmest months in the region with mean daily maxima around 21 °C (70 °F). In general, December
6497-414: The same report, in 2007 to 2008 the OFT estimated that its competition enforcement work led to direct savings to consumers worth £77m per year and that its market studies work had saved consumers £98 million in 2007 to 08; the OFT costs for these areas of work in the same year were approximately £26 million of its £78 million expenditure in 2007 to 208. The following bodies and companies were designated by
6586-487: The same three wards as are used for the City Council (two were returned from St Cuthbert's, two from St Thomas' and one from Central). Wells is an electoral division (with the same boundaries as the civil parish) of Somerset and returns two councillor to Somerset Council, but returned one to its predecessor Somerset County Council . Wells is part of the Wells and Mendip Hills constituency. The Wells city arms show an ash tree surrounded by three water wells , crested with
6675-466: The tools available to improve them if they were not operating effectively. The OFT used consumer and competition enforcement, market studies and references, education and communication in appropriate combination. These market sector groups sat alongside other OFT groups, mergers, and cartels and criminal enforcement. The OFT was situated off Fleet Street, near Blackfriars station . It was next to St Bride's Church . Based on expanded powers granted under
6764-456: The top of a flight of stone stairs, leading out from the north transept is an octagonal building with a fan-vaulted ceiling. It is here that the business of running the cathedral is still conducted by the members of the Chapter, the cathedral's ruling body. Wells Cathedral clock is famous for its 24-hour astronomical dial and set of jousting knights that perform every quarter-hour. The cathedral has
6853-587: The tower by Roger Purdy. The polychromatic stone Church of St Thomas was built during 1856 and 1857 and extended by Samuel Sanders Teulon in 1864, commemorating the work of Richard Jenkyns the Dean of Wells who had cared for the poor in the east of the city. Wells Vineyard Church is an Evangelical Church formed in 2003. The cathedral is the seat of the Church of England Diocese of Bath and Wells . Wells has been an ecclesiastical city of importance since at least
6942-477: Was 10,406. Following construction of the A39 / A371 bypass, the centre of the city has returned to being that of a quiet market town . It has all the modern conveniences plus shops, hotels and restaurants. Wells is a popular tourist destination, due to its historical sites, its proximity to Bath , Bristol , Stonehenge and Glastonbury and its closeness to the Somerset coast. Also nearby are Wookey Hole Caves ,
7031-410: Was Headmaster of Wells Cathedral School from 1955 to 1960. The school's connection with the cathedral offers a range of opportunities. There is a School service every Sunday evening and Monday morning in the cathedral, as well as music concerts. Chapel, chamber and cathedral choir rehearsals and performances are performed in both the cathedral and the Music School. Government funding of £3.5 million
7120-478: Was a first-class venue. No longer a cricket ground, it is now occupied in part by Wells FC. Mid-Somerset Hockey Club and Wells City Acorns Hockey Club both play on the Astroturf pitches at the Blue School, where several other sports clubs are based. Wells Leisure Centre has a 25 m (82 ft) swimming pool, gymnasium, sports hall, sauna, steam room, relaxation area and solarium. The 18-hole Wells Golf Club
7209-570: Was a non-ministerial government department of the United Kingdom , established by the Fair Trading Act 1973 , which enforced both consumer protection and competition law , acting as the United Kingdom's economic regulator . The intention was for the OFT to make markets work well for consumers, ensuring vigorous competition between fair-dealing businesses and prohibiting unfair practices such as rogue trading, scams , and cartels . Its role
7298-494: Was built as a canonical house in 1669 by Dr Claver Morris, while Plumptre dates from 1737 and was built for Dr Francis White. No.11 The Liberty was built as a Canonical house in the mid 18th century and it now forms part of Wells Cathedral Prep School. No 23 The Liberty was built in 1819 for the Chapter Clerk, William Parfitt, and the 15th century Polydor House formerly belonged to the organists. The red brick Cedars Cottage, which
7387-421: Was built as a coachman's cottage the former stables and coach house were built in the mid to late 18th century, around the same time as Mullins. Ritchie House was built a little later around the end of the 18th century or the beginning of the 19th. Ritchie Hall became part of the School on its rebuilding in 1884 but incorporates part of a 12th-century Canon's Barn, while St Andrew's Lodge was built in 1713 as part of
7476-468: Was built c1424-1430. The lower floor was a chapel, with a spiral stair leading up to the library. It is now used by the School. De Salis House and De Salis Cottage were built in the late 14th century. The Rib was built in the 15th century and is a Grade II* listed building . Cedars House was built in 1758 for Charles Tudway, the Member of Parliament for Wells and now forms part of the school. Claver Morris House
7565-454: Was made shortly after new Office of Fair Trading directives prohibiting such sharing of information. Distinguished musicians visit the School to give masterclasses. The Music School has several main practice areas including the historic Vicars' Close , and caters for specialist, special provision and general musicians. The Music School was formerly the house of the Archdeacon of Wells . It
7654-624: Was modified and its powers changed by the Enterprise Act 2002 . The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) announced reforms to the consumer protection and competition regimes. Under the provisions of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 , the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) was established on 1 April 2014, combining many of the functions of the OFT and the Competition Commission and superseding both. Regulation of
7743-408: Was obtained in 2008 to build a new concert hall and classrooms at Cedars Hall . Wells, Somerset Wells ( / w ɛ l z / ) is a cathedral city and civil parish in Somerset , located on the southern edge of the Mendip Hills , 21 miles (34 km) south-east of Weston-super-Mare , 22 mi (35 km) south-west of Bath and 23 mi (37 km) south of Bristol . Although
7832-505: Was rebuilt by Archdeacon Andrew Holes between 1450 and 1470, possibly retaining some 13th-century work and further restoration was undertaken by Edmund Buckle in 1886. It is a Grade II* listed building . The chorister and choral conductor Peter Stanley Lyons was Director of Music and Deputy Headmaster of Wells Cathedral School, and Master of the Choristers at Wells Cathedral , from 1954 to 1960. The choral conductor James William Webb-Jones
7921-526: Was recognised as a free borough by a Royal charter of King John in 1201. The city remained under episcopal control until its charter of incorporation from Queen Elizabeth I in 1589. City status was most recently confirmed by Queen Elizabeth II by letters patent issued under the Great Seal dated 1 April 1974, which granted city status specifically to the civil parish ; on that date major local government reorganisation came into effect, which involved
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