Cotterstock was recorded in the Domesday Book as Codestoche, the name possibly deriving from Old English “corther-stoc”, a dairy farm. This probably refers to the existence of a farm next to the mill on the river supplying a Romano-British villa situated on the rising ground to the north-west of the village towards Southwick.
Cotterstock is a peaceful, attractive village of around 65 households with a population of approximately 141 adults and 13 children. There is a broad age range from families with young children through to active retired and a few elderly residents too. There are three farms but there is no local employment to speak of. A number of residents work from home, but most travel to the nearby towns and some commute to London or Cambridge. There are quite a high proportion of professional and businesspeople in the village.
The parish contains twenty entries on the statutory list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest, sixteen of which are within the conservation area which covers the eastern part of the village around St Andrew’s Church and Cotterstock Hall. Almost all the houses are backed by open farmland to the north and to the south.
The old village Church of England school is situated in the centre of Main Street and now has a new lease of life as the village hall. A grant was secured to totally refurbish it in 2014, and the village hall and the church of St Andrew provide the focal point for village life. The village hall is administered by a committee which has good links with the PCC and Church. The old red telephone box in the village was refurbished and now houses a community defibrillator and small swapping library.
The village comes together for many social and community events in both the village hall and the church during the year, not least of which is the well attended annual litter pick!
The Church Bells were refurbished in 2017 with the generous aid of a National Heritage lottery grant. The names of all those villagers who gave their lives in both world wars are engraved on the bells and they act as our village war memorial. A new ‘Rita’ bell was commissioned in memory of a parishioner.
We are fortunate to have an enthusiastic group of bell ringers within the benefice (the Warmington Tower) who ring before every service, and ensure our bells are well used! Many groups of local ringers visit to practice and attempt a peal. Learn more about the Bell Project here. Wedding couples appreciate the impressive chancel and the sound of the bells heralding their special day.
Cotterstock is a very friendly village with a real community feel to it and people are warmly welcomed to St Andrew’s Church. Please see the calendar here for details of services.