Newsletter of the & Sonning Eye Society Issue • Summer 55 2018 Alien Invasion Prof. Alastair Driver explains the Saga of the Floating Pennywort impacting on wildlife, recreation fell on deaf ears and the plant and flood risk management. continued to spread down the Foudry Brook and into the It was brought into the UK lower Kennet and the many for the ornamental pond trade interconnecting ditches in the in the 1980s and first recorded in south Reading area. the wild in 1991. It appeared on my radar locally about 10 years Then on 28th July 2017, I ago when it turned up on the spotted small rafts of Floating Foudry Brook in South Reading. Pennywort in the Blake’s weir As Head of Conservation for area in Reading, just upstream the Environment Agency of the confluence of the Kennet The innocuous-sounding, but at the time, I pushed hard with the Thames and so again I highly invasive, non-native for resources to be found to urged the Environment Agency aquatic plant Floating Penny- completely eradicate the species to act fast to eradicate it, before wort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides) before it spread on down into fragments washed downstream. which originates from the Amer- the Thames. Sadly, although Unfortunately it took the EA icas, can grow incredibly fast some localised control was a few months to respond with and can completely smother wa- carried out by the EA and other action on the ground, by which terways and weir structures etc, organisations, my pleas largely time large rafts had appeared in the Thames at Sonning Floating Pennywort blocking the Hennerton backwater in a single season particularly in slower flowing Photo credits for this article: Alastair Driver areas downstream of Sonning and in the weir channels near the French Horn and Sonning Mill. It also spread downstream into the Hennerton backwater and the Lock area. Bearing in mind that individual stems of this amazing plant can grow up to 20 cms a day and that it can grow out 15 metres from a river bank in one season in warm conditions, this was entirely predictable. Continued on page 5 --»

Bridge is the newsletter of the Sonning & Sonning Eye Society email: [email protected] web: www.sonning.org.uk Printed on paper from responsible sources by a company supporting the Woodland Carbon Scheme

Bridge newsletter • Issue 55 • Summer 2018 1 Over the coming months at the Sonning Lane pinch Bridge will feature these points. The Society is organisations one by one opposed to the use of the to showcase their aims, field opposite Blue Coat for objectives and achievements parking, this is green space >>Eye on Sonning and we hope this will trigger which should only be used some readers to offer their for parking when other a view from the Bridge services as a trustee or options of using existing Mike Hart, Chairman committee member of one or paved areas in the sports more of the organisations. grounds along Sonning Lane have been exhausted. We are fortunate to have very Traffic and parking active voluntary organisations problems continue to blight Summer has finally in Sonning. Apart from the the village. Discussions are arrived and with it the Sonning and Sonning Eye still ongoing with Reading start of the social calendar Society we have an active Blue Coat School to find including the Sonning Parish Council, Pearson Hall alternative parking for the Festival with the Regatta Management and Social students who park along and Sonning Scarecrows Committees, Robert Palmer Sonning Lane and with over the weekend of 26-28th Alms House Trust, Fire Brigade the traffic department May (this will have been and Trust, Scarecrow Committee, of Wokingham Borough gone by the time you read WI and many others. All of Council to change the yellow this issue), the RNLI Garden them depend on volunteers lines so that there is more Party on 16th June and the giving their time to keep the provision for traffic to pass Elegant Picnic on 14th July. organisations running smoothly parked cars. Unfortunately The forthcoming Society for the benefit of the community solving this problem is events include a heritage and it is very important that taking much longer than we walk on 29th September and new volunteers come forward had hoped and meanwhile a visit to Loddon Brewery on to offer their services in order confrontations take place 13th October. that the organisations remain daily between drivers who sustainable. are unwilling to give way Executive Committee & Panels Patrick Hamblin, Planning & Traffic Panel Meetings & Planning Applications Additional planning issues: Information on planning applications Three meetings of the Panel have been • Assistance was given by a Panel to WBC and South District held since the last Executive Committee member relating to a property in Council are now shown on the Society’s meeting on 8th March, 4th April and 3rd Duffield Road (outside of Sonning & website under the Local News menu May 2018. Twenty five applications were Sonning Eye) after an approach was heading. discussed. made to the Society for assistance Letters were sent to Wokingham to prevent a building with heritage Sonning Parish Council Planning Borough Council (WBC) as follows: significance being demolished. The Committee meetings • Pool Court, Thames Street - relating application was subsequently refused. The Society has been represented at to an application to build a very large • A public enquiry was held on 1st May these meetings as an observer since the outbuilding relating to the Gladman Developments last edition. application to build 245 houses in • The Bull - relating to alterations Traffic (which we supported, except for the Emmer Green. The Society has already proposal to erect a pergola in the area objected regarding this development. The Society is still waiting to hear from adjacent to the wall to the Church and Our concern was the potential large WBC regarding the proposed parking re- the pergola was to have a roof of cedar increase in traffic crossing Sonning strictions in Sonning Lane. Unfortunate- shingles. This was a good outcome as Bridge each day. Our previous ly the engineer dealing with this project the plans were amended so that only comments will be taken into account. has been on sick leave for some time but half of the pergola is to be roofed, thus The enquiry has since been temporarily is aware of our concerns that the matter minimising the impact of the roof on suspended following additional is moved ahead. the view from ‘The Bull’ to the Church information being provided by South and vice versa), Oxfordshire District Council on its Local Plan Update • August Field, Charvil Lane - relating future land supply. No changes have been made to the list to a retrospective application to build a • An informal hearing was held on 4th of sites for updating the local plan and pair of semi-detached houses in place April relating to the proposed Sonning also the gypsy and traveller local plan of the single dwelling on the site. The Golf Club development off Pound Lane. since its publication by WBC. There are Society objected to this application – The results of that hearing have not yet seven sites listed in Sonning. The Society the foundations have already been laid! been made public. is continuing the monitor the list. Bridge newsletter • Issue 55 • Summer 2018 2 Loddon Brewery Celebrates 15 Years Christopher (The Gaffer) Hearn, owner of Loddon Brewery

from across the country for its beers. To date, Loddon has won over 50 national and regional prizes. Fast forward to 2018 and Loddon beer is supplied in draught and bottles all across the UK – in parts of Europe too. Brands like Hoppit, Hullabaloo and Ferryman’s Gold have become synonymous with the region, and become firm favourites for local people. Customers at the Coppa Club and the French Horn in Sonning will also be used to seeing the Loddon pumpclip on the bar. Chris and Vanessa’s son Dan joined in 2016 and the brewery has continued going from strength to On 2nd July, it will be 15 years to the day that the strength – sustained year on year growth and, in first beer from Loddon Brewery hit the market. 2017, the announcement that Loddon had become Hoppit, a 3.5% classic bitter, was the first brew an elite sponsor of Henley Hawks Rugby club, the to ever come out of the Dunsden-based brewery, brewery’s biggest corporate investment to date. and remains a firm favourite to this day. New products are continually being introduced The brewery itself was a long time coming, to reflect the ever-changing market, and in July and when it finally opened for business it was the the brewery is set to open its new tap room, with realisation of a lifelong dream for owners Chris 3 taps of Loddon Brewery permanently available and Vanessa Hearn. so beer-lovers can enjoy a pint at its very source. Brewing is in Chris’s blood. He joined the Local craft beers will also be available. industry in 1976 as a shift brewer at Brakspear in Henley, and spent a further 18 years moving The Sonning and Sonning Eye Society is through the ranks at the company. His final role planning to take a group of members on a tour was Free Trade and National Accounts Manager. of the brewery, including tasting opportunities, Stints at Batemans Brewery, in Lincolnshire, on 13th October. Details will be published on the and Morrells of Oxford followed until, in 2002, Society’s website in due course. Chris decided it was time to do what he’d wanted to do for years – set up his own brewery. Loddon Brewery was officially founded in 2002, and Chris and Vanessa soon found the location they’d been dreaming of – a 250-year-old barn on Phillimore Farm. But while the barn was beautiful, it was also derelict and it took 18-months of renovation and building to transform it into a brewery. The brew- ing kit was made to order in the UK, and from the very start was large enough for rapid growth following the news Brakspear was leaving Henley. The first brew of Hoppit was eagerly awaited – and it was a success from the very beginning. Much of this was down to head brewer Steve Brown, who previously worked at Brakspear and Rebellion and has been with Loddon from day one. Success and awards swiftly followed. In its first year Loddon won ‘growing business of the year’ at the Henley Business Awards and picked up awards

Bridge newsletter • Issue 55 • Summer 2018 3 The Reverend Humphrey Gainsborough Henley’s Minister, Inventor and Engineer Robert Farquhar If someone wondered who concept was subsequently in- After four years of intensive engineered the first pound lock corporated into their compound study, Humphrey could be at Sonning, few would guess it engine. considered to be exceptionally was a Minister of what is now Humphrey and Thomas learned. He went on to the the United Reformed Church in were two of four sons and Northampton Academy Henley. The same man also built five daughters born to John where he was apprenticed to the famous arch bridge (Conway Gainsborough and Mary (nee Dr. Doddridge, the famous Bridge) on the road from War- Burrough) in Sudbury, Suffolk. theologian and hymn writer. grave to Henley and engineered John belonged to the dissenting Humphrey was invited to the long slope down White Hill or non-conformist community Henley in 1748. Henley’s into Henley from Hurley. He in Sudbury. Fortunately Mary’s dissenters had built their first was also a great inventor: an brother was headmaster of chapel just outside the town obituary termed him “one of the Sudbury Grammar School, borders in 1719 on land donated most ingenious men that ever so the boys obtained a good by the Hall family of lived”. education despite being Court. Thomas Hall was about The Revd. Humphrey Gains- dissenters. Moreover, John’s the same age as Humphrey borough was born in 1718. His brother, Thomas, was a and they became firm friends: brother, Thomas, born 8 years successful clothier and it was he admired Humphrey’s later, was the famous portrait he who funded Humphrey’s engineering and inventive painter. Had it not been for an training as a Minister at skills and commissioned him to untimely death, however, Hum- Moorfields Academy in . construct a cupola for his new phrey could well have been the Humphrey’s tutor was John music room which can still be more famous brother. There is Eames, once assistant to Isaac seen today. no doubt he made innovations Newton. He taught not only The other major landowner to the steam engine, with his philosophy and theology but in the area, who also became design improving its efficien- also mathematics and the a friend and benefactor, was cy. He was probably ahead of natural sciences, including Sambrooke Freeman of Fawley Watt in its development at the mechanics. His lectures were in Court, who had just returned time but died before his ideas Latin but pupils also had to learn from a Grand Tour of Europe. could be fully realised. Thomas, Greek, Hebrew and French. At He was a member of the re- Humphrey’s executor, rejected that time, science was seen as cently-formed Society for the an offer of £1000 from Cornish revealing God’s work in the Improvement of the Arts and mining engineers for Hum- universe and worked for the Manufacturers and encouraged phrey’s models, but many believe betterment of mankind, so was Humphrey to submit many of Humphrey’s separate condenser included in the curriculum. his inventions to the Society: Bridge newsletter • Issue 55 • Summer 2018 4 clocks, a tide-mill, a drill plough and a fish wagon, among others. He also invented a door security chain and the fire-safe, as well as designing and building several innovative hydraulic machines for raising water on local estates, notably one for Charles Spencer at Wheatfields outside Watling- ton. General Conway of Park Place, a Government Minister under Pitt, also appreciated Humphrey’s engineering tal- ents. As well as commissioning Humphrey to build Conway Bridge (using stones from Read- Opposite: Portrait of Humphrey Gainsborough by Thomas Gainsborough - 1770-1774, ing Abbey) and White Hill, he Yale Centre for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection ,USA recommended Humphrey to the Photo Credits: Robert Farquhar. Opposite page - Sonning Lock; Above - The Cupola at Thames Commissioners to engi- Harpsden Court; Below - Conway Bridge neer new pound locks between Maidenhead and Sonning. Eight Although he did not seek pound locks were built between fame or fortune - “I am making 1771 and 1773, including the one a humble essay to serve ye at Sonning. Appointed toll-col- world” - and history has largely lector for these locks, he would forgotten him, his legacy to this walk fortnightly from Henley to area remains strong to this day. Sonning via Shiplake! An exhibition of the life and It seems amazing that Humphrey undertook all this work of Humphrey Gainsbor- engineering work on top of ough to celebrate the 300th his pastoral duties, but records anniversary of his birth will show that 79 baptisms were move in May from the River and conducted during his 28 years Rowing Museum to the Christ in Henley, and his congregation Church Centre in Henley until grew to several hundred. the end of the year.

Alien Invasion, continued from the front page In fairness to the In the meantime, a large just about possible, but there Environment Agency, they did amount of funding has been is no doubt that the EA and eventually get their act together found at last to tackle it in its various partners will need and manual removal from the Foudry Brook area and to be meticulous with their boats was carried out in late so I am still hopeful that monitoring and removal if this is autumn and early winter, with a genuine eradication locally is to be achieved. promise that they will return to systematically check and remove Floating Pennywort clearance underway in Sonning regrowth from small fragments in the spring and summer of this year. They are aware that they will need to do this along the stretch from Kennetmouth down the Thames as far as it has been spotted, which I gather is Marsh Lock just upstream of Henley, as well as in all the backwater channels. It is likely that it has also spread further downstream so the task could become greater than originally anticipated.

Bridge newsletter • Issue 55 • Summer 2018 5 An Evening with John Piper

Pauline Simmonds reports on the recent talk Many of you may remember The Centuries Art Gallery in Sonning Eye. John Piper’s pictures were often on display and a special exhibition of his work was held in the 1970s attended by Piper and his wife. The artist lived at Fawley Bottom for 30 years, was a well-known figure in the area and a friend of John Betjeman. Together in the 1930s they designed the popular Shell Guides for motorists. But Piper was also a printer, a stage designer and stained-glass artist and it was this last aspect of his work that was examined in more detail during a talk in the Pearson Hall on 20th April.

The speaker, the Revd. Ian Browne, was a former Chaplain at Oundle School and an expert on Piper’s glass. He took up Piper’s life story after the war when the artist teamed up with Patrick Reyntiens, a glass maker, and their first commission, in 1954, was for the Chapel at Oundle School. A traditional theme of Christ as Son of God was depicted but Piper used a more abstract sculptural style and this innovative modern interpretation proved to be very influential. Many other commissions nationwide followed, including window designs for Liverpool Cathedral and the Baptistry at Coventry.

Piper evidently rejected the dull and lifeless style of the Victorians and for inspiration looked back to the strong colours and drama of medieval glass or the more abstract images of Picasso. His bold use of colour and line could be easily adapted to smaller chapels or parish churches and examples of his can be found in Cambridge and in . Piper’s designs often featured traditional medieval images such as the green man or the tree of life, as well as butterflies or birds – but he frequently edged them with strong glazing bars or used filtered light from outside to highlight a feature.

Revd. Browne also included contemporary comments by Piper in the talk. These words indicated that there was a strong spiritual element to some of his windows and one of the most vivid examples of his later style can be seen at Iffley Church near Oxford, designed by Piper before his death in 1992.

According to Revd. Browne, Piper was in great demand as the designer of bespoke windows in local churches. Readers can see examples of his stained glass windows in , and village churches. Piper designed the Turville window to commemorate the small church of St. Saviour’s at Turville Heath which was closed in 1972; it provides another example of the partnership between Piper as the designer and Reyntiens as the glass maker.

>> Membership news A warm welcome is extended to the following: Ms Ann Carter Mrs Sheena Hennessy Mr & Mrs J Roberts Mr & Mrs C Sawyer Welcome packs for new residents are available from Lesley Heaney, our Membership Secretary ([email protected]), so please mention the Society when you chat to your new neighbours. We can also be found on Facebook and at www.sonning.org.uk.

Bridge newsletter • Issue 55 • Summer 2018 6 >>Bridge Ends Notes and queries The Developer Next Door friendly people and welcome ques- permitted between the hours of tions and the views of concerned 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday DON’T PANIC! residents. (7.30am start in South Oxon); and There has been a pronounced There is no doubt that 8am and 1pm on Saturdays; and increase in the amount of developers have the upper hand. at no time on Sundays or Bank development around the villages. Holidays. If the developer next door This should not be a cause for undue We all know that councils are is consistently making a nuisance anxiety and there are steps you can strapped for cash and in certain take. cases it’s hard not to feel that the you should report it. The council will send them a warning notice Remember that our Society was Community Infrastructure Levy, and if the disturbance continues founded (back in 2004) with the which can be tens of thousands of they could be fined up to £20,000. stated intention of preserving and pounds, is very tempting. Planning WBC handles this through their enhancing the character, appear- departments are stretched and they Environmental Health portal ance and environment of the villag- cannot monitor everything, but whilst SODC has a Noise & es of Sonning and Sonning Eye. Our you can make a difference. If you Nuisance section, see below for web Planning Panel works towards these spot unlawful construction work, addresses. ends and you can find out about demolition or significant trees being recent planning applications on the felled please tell someone. Local News area of our website. Most developers are mindful Parking At The Great House (We’ve enhanced the entries to of neighbours and to the fact that The success of the Great House identify those that have been com- there is a Sonning Conservation and Coppa Club since renovations mented on by the Society.) Area. A few are arrogant and pay no to the buildings took place is good Anyone can comment on a heed to the neighbourhood but as for the village but a negative side planning application so don’t delay residents we have a right to expect effect of this success has been the in using the appropriate council’s developers to implement plans that big increase of parking by employ- website to make your views known. are sensitive to the surroundings ees and visitors in village streets Encourage your neighbours to regis- and, once approved, to work due to inadequate on-site parking. ter their opinions. The more com- considerately. We should not be A presentation to villagers, made ments there are the more likely that tormented by unreasonable noise or by the Great House owners on 21st the authorities will pay attention. disturbance. May, described plans to utilise part The best way to preserve the char- Once planning permission has of the gardens of the neighbouring acter of our villages is to ensure that been granted and the de/construc- Cedar Tree Cottage to supplement when necessary there are robust tion work begins if you feel that parking. The owners have an option objections. This can and does work the conditions have not been met to purchase Cedar Tree Cottage and our Planning Panel has had or that the developer is overstep- and are proposing to use part of considerable success in the past. ping the mark you should monitor the gardens to provide a further We would also encourage inter- the situation. Take plenty of pho- 57 parking places, whilst retaining ested parties to attend the meetings tographs and keep a log. Contact much of the greenery including the of the Planning Sub-Committee of the planning officer concerned, cedar tree. An application has been the Parish Council where the major they will be appreciative of assis- submitted to WBC (Application No. planning applications are discussed. tance from the public and can take 181196) which provides full details of These are held, usually twice matters further if necessary. Do not the proposals and comments can be monthly, in the Pavilion on Pound be tempted to confront the workmen made on the WBC planning portal Lane and the agenda, listing appli- yourself, let the councils handle that. up to 15 June. If approved this will cations to be considered, is posted Noise can be a significant issue. increase on-site parking to more on their website. The councillors are Noisy construction work is only than 130 places.

Useful Planning Contacts and Websites Wokingham Borough Council Planning & Building Contol planning.wokingham.gov.uk/FastWebPL/welcome.asp Environmental Health www.wokingham.gov.uk/community-and-safety/environmental-health District Council Planning & Building Contol www.southoxon.gov.uk/services-and-advice/planning-and-building/find-application Noise & Nuisance www.southoxon.gov.uk/services-and-advice/environment-and-neighbourhood-issues/report-problem-noise-and-nuisance Sonning Parish Council Planning Meetings www.sonning-pc.gov.uk/cwgPlanningMeetings.php

Bridge newsletter • Issue 55 • Summer 2018 7 Dates For Your Diaries Future Events The events that are organised by the Society are shaded in brown but we now include other events within the environs of Sonning and Sonning Eye which we hope will give a more complete view of village life. If you are the organiser of a forthcoming attraction that you would like to see included in this list please contact us and email the details to [email protected]

7th June , First Night: The Unexpected Guest Performances until 28th July 8.15pm By Agatha Christie, directed by Brian Blessed Tickets available from millatsonning.com 11th June at 7.15pm BFHS: AGM and talk entitled ‘More Than Three Men In A Boat’ See berksfhs.org.uk for more details

13th June at 7.45pm S&SES Executive Committee meeting in Pearson Hall Members of the Society are very welcome

16th June RNLI Sonning Branch garden party More information from David Bates on 6.30pm - 8.30pm 0118 969 7753 26th June at 1.45pm Gardens Trust’s Early Summer Visit to More information from their website: Rooksnest Estate, Lambourn Woodlands, West Berks berks-gardens-trust.org.uk 14th July at 7pm The Elegant Picnic hosted by Paula & Max McNiell, part of the More information from their website: Sonning Festival 2018 www.sonningfestival.co.uk 19th July at 7.30pm BFHS: Crime Walk along the Thames at Caversham See berksfhs.org.uk for more details With crime writer and genealogist Angela Buckley 2nd August The Mill at Sonning, First Night: Ten Times Table Performances until 22nd September 8.15pm By Alan Ayckbourn, directed by Robin Hereford Tickets available from millatsonning.com 8th August at 7.45pm S&SES Executive Committee meeting in Pearson Hall Members of the Society are very welcome

15th August at 2.00pm Berkshire Gardens Trust’s Visit to Buscot Park with garden tour More information from their website: berks-gardens-trust.org.uk 27th September The Mill at Sonning, First Night: A Night in Provence Performances until 17th November 8.15pm Written by Robin Hawdon, directed by Keith Myers Tickets available from millatsonning.com 29th September at 2.00pm Sonning: an Architectural and Historical Walk Details will be published in our next issue Conducted by Diana Coulter 12th October Berkshire Gardens Trust’s AGM in Purley Barn More information from their website: berks-gardens-trust.org.uk 13th October Loddon Brewery Tour with Tasting Opportunities Tickets available from Penny Feathers Details to follow 17th October at 7.45pm S&SES Executive Committee meeting in Pearson Hall Members of the Society are very welcome

17th November S&SES AGM followed by a Supper, in Pearson Hall Details will be published in our next issue 7.15pm sharp for AGM

23rd November The Mill at Sonning, First Night: Guys & Dolls Performances until 26th January 2019 8.15pm Directed and choreographed by Joseph Pitcher Tickets available from millatsonning.com The Sonning & Sonning Eye Society is affiliated with other organisations and in the case of the Berkshire Gardens Trust, the Berkshire Family History Society (BFHS) and the Berkshire Local History Association (BLHA) our members are able to attend their events. You should contact these organisations directly if you are interested in going to one of their events.

Bridge is the quarterly newsletter published by the Sonning and Sonning Eye Society email: [email protected] web: www.sonning.org.uk Bridge newsletter • Issue 55 • Summer 2018 8