responsibility. The village falls within the Non-metropolitan district of South Somerset, formed on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972. It had hitherto belonged to Yeovil Rural District. The district council controls local planning and building, local roads, council housing, environmental health, markets and fairs, refuse collection and recycling, cemeteries and crematoria, leisure services, parks, and tourism. West Camel belongs to the electoral ward of Camelot. Somerset County Council is responsible for running the most expensive local services, such as education, social services, libraries, main roads, public transport, policing and fire services, trading standards, waste disposal and strategic planning. The village belongs to the Somerton and Frome county constituency represented in the House of Commons. It elects one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first-past-the-post system of election. Religious sites The Church of All Saints dates from the late 14th century. It is a Grade I listed building. Its rectory dates from the early 15th century. The older wing may form part of the Grange pertaining to Muchelney Abbey; the south wing was probably added by Rev. Henry Law between 1824 and 1836. Notable residents Richard Amerike (c. 1445–1503) was a wealthy English born merchant, Royal customs officer and Sheriff of Welsh descent. He was principal owner of John Cabot's ship Matthew during a voyage of exploration to North America in 1497. Elizabeth Benger (1775–1827), poet, novelist, and biographer of Anne Boleyn, was baptised here on 15 June 1775. References External links http://www.westcamel.org.uk/ Somerset County Council www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ - archive reference Anglo-Saxon charter: Aethelred II to Muchelney Abbey: Villages in South Somerset Civil parishes in Somerset