DOCSLIB.ORG

Thewallingford Experience

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Thewallingford Experience The Wallingford Experience Includes history of Wallingford, places to visit and shopping guide... Contents The Town Information Centre 2 Riverside Moorings 17 Places of Interest in Wallingford 4 A Unique Shopping Experience 18 Wallingford - an Ancient Borough 6 Cholsey & Wallingford Railway 27 Judge Blackstone 11 The Corn Exchange 27 Agatha Christie 12 Nearby Places to Visit 28 Remembering Wilding & Andrew 13 Accommodation 30 Wallingford Museum 14 Website Information & Map 31 Wallingford Rowing Club 15 Weddings in the Town Hall 32 The River Thames 16 Town Information Centre The Information Centre is operated by the Town Council covering the local area - offering information on who to contact and where to go for what, directions, history and what’s on. Town Information Centre - Undercroft - Town Hall - Market Place T: 01491 826 972 E: [email protected] The Wallingford Experience is produced by Wallingford Town Council Every effort has been made to ensure that the contents and information contained in this brochure were correct at time of going to press. This is a Wallingford publication - Published by: Cllr Dee Cripps - Production by: NP Design & Print Ltd. 01491 824827 WELCOME TO WALLINGFORD In July of 2013 I was lucky enough With regards to accommodation we to be appointed Town Clerk for also boast a great local Hotel, right Wallingford Town Council. I say in the heart of the town, The lucky because I genuinely believe George as well a host of local bed our residential and business and breakfast accommodation. community are lucky to live and work in such a wonderful town. Then there are the parks, the Having considered locations all over Kinecroft where so many exciting Oxfordshire my wife and I moved events take place each year from London to the area in October including probably the biggest free 2006 and I’m sure we, like so many festival in the UK “BunkFest”, as people here, not only have been well as the annual Firework display, delighted we made the right Car Rally, Armed Force decision but struggle to believe we celebrations, the Carnival and the will ever leave this place! Fun Fairs. Don’t tell anyone but then there’s the Castle Gardens, Aside from being easily accessible from, which I would describe as a ‘secret garden’ for instance, Oxford, Reading & London etc, (featured on the front cover!) It really was a this historically important town of Wallingford great feeling discovering this place for the first is not just wonderful to look at, but is blessed time. with such a friendly and helpful community. In and round the Castle Gardens and Bull Croft A good proportion of my family free time is visitors will see firsthand glimpses of the town’s spent wandering around this beautiful town, amazing history; something which so many visiting the great variety of shops we have here people work so diligently to keep alive none and taking in a coffee in one of our number of more so than our wonderful Museum local Cafes. The experience is made so much organisers and volunteers. nicer because relationships have been formed with the majority of the proprietors and shop Aside from the Kinecroft and Castle Gardens keepers, easy to do because they’re so there’s also the Bull Croft, which is home to friendly! play equipment for both younger and older children, as well as floodlit football and tennis For a town of our size we are blessed with a courts and full size football pitches. wide variety of shops and indoor and outdoor markets, a nice blend of recognised high street Talking of events and sporting connections, the names and independent shops. Among so many area boasts a number of festivals including the others our wonderful department store, wonderful “Rugfest” which takes place at ironmongers, cinema & theatre are long Wallingford Sports Park. And there’s the Blues established and are all independently run. Did & Beer Festival in the Regal Centre! you know that our cinema is a very well known So whether you are spending time in location for Midsomer Murders? Wallingford to browse or here for a specific And of course we are also blessed to be on the event there is so much to see and do, and you River Thames as well! Just a 2-3minute walk can guarantee that we will all be very pleased from the town centre the river offers wonderful to see you! To find out more either visit us at walks in both directions, an outdoor swimming www.wallingford.co.uk or pop into the Town pool and splash park and fabulous camp sites. Information Centre under the Town Hall. Jamie Baskeyfield Town Clerk 2014 Throughout the year local organisations put on a variety of events, to find out more visit out Town Information Centre, or log onto www.wallingford.co.uk 3 Places of Interest in Wallingford Wallingford is a small country market town on the banks of the River Thames about 50 miles to the west of London. It is well connected by road and local bus services to Oxford, Reading and Henley, and the nearby main line railway station at Cholsey. Wallingford is an ideal place in which to enjoy a days visit or to take a short break to explore the surrounding countryside. The town centre is dominated by the Town Hall, a timber-framed building constructed near to the site of the Guild Hall in 1670. It is here that the Town’s silver-gilt mace (made in 1650 at a cost of £46 18s 3d) is kept, together with the Town Plate and paintings. The open area underneath was once used for market stalls. It now houses the Town Information Centre which provides information about all of the enables you to walk through time from the local centres of interest and places to stay. The Romans and Saxons to the Civil War. Charter Market is still held in the Market Place The Regal Centre, a converted cinema near the every Friday, and a Farmers’ Market takes Market Place, is now home to many events place on the third Tuesday of each month. including an annual Blues and Beer Festival and On the east side of the Market Place is the the weekly Country Market (W.I.). Regular former Corn Exchange (built in 1856) the roof sporting activities also held here include table of which is supported inside by iron beams tennis, keep fit, short mat bowls and cast by Wilder’s, a local foundry. The Sinodun badminton. Players now own the building and provide a Many of Wallingford’s narrow lanes, and some varied programme of amateur productions, of the wider streets, follow the alignment of professional touring companies and up-to-date the original Saxon roads. Leaflets showing films. Agatha Christie, a former president of routes for Walking Tours of the Town are the Sinodun Players, lived on the outskirts of available from the Town Information Centre Wallingford for 40 years and is buried nearby and Wallingford Museum. The routes are in Cholsey churchyard. carefully chosen to ensure that visitors get the Local history is the theme of Wallingford most interest from their time here. Museum which is housed in the medieval, oak- In 2001 Wallingford Castle Meadows were beamed Flint House in the High Street opposite bought by the South Oxfordshire District the Kinecroft. The Wallingford Story is an Council. The site is managed for informal exciting ’Sight & Sound’ experience which 4 The church includes a Morris and Co. design in one of its windows, and the tomb of Sir William Blackstone. The church is now home to a series of concerts during the summer given by established professional musicians and rising stars from the Royal School of Music. Steam buffs must plan to visit the Cholsey and Wallingford Railway which runs special steam and theme days from its station in Hithercroft Road Wallingford to the main line station at Cholsey. The really energetic visitor should call in at the Wallingford Sports Park in the south west corner of the Town. This site is the centre for cricket, rugby, tennis, football, hockey, skittles and squash. Or, if being on or in water is more recreation and, although only a few fragments in your line, then Wallingford offers an open- of the walls remain, the earthworks and air heated swimming pool by the bridge and a meadows have undergone a transformation top class Rowing Club. into a delightful area to walk around and enjoy To make your visit even more enjoyable, the ecological and historical nature of the site. Wallingford provides a wide variety of places The Castle Gardens are owned by the Town to eat and drink and to suit all tastes. We offer Council and provide a colourful haven of peace traditional English meals and food from India, and quiet near to the town centre. They have Thailand, China, Italy and all forms of snacks won numerous awards for their design and from pub food to pizzas. For visitors who wish maintenance. The gardens are accessed from to stay a little longer the town has a 15th Castle Street at the back of the George Hotel. century hotel in the town centre (where legend Wallingford was important historically because has it that Dick Turpin once stayed) and of its excellent ford, and today the same another hotel on the banks of the River Thames crossing place has one of the finest bridges on at nearby Shillingford. Bed-and-breakfast the River Thames. At 300m long it is only 5m accommodation, and caravan and camping shorter than the old London Bridge.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • LWNP Evidence Paper – Planning
    Reviewed Long Wittenham Neighbourhood Development Plan 2018-2033 EVIDENCE PAPER PLANNING POLICY CONTEXT October 2018 Submission draft Prepared by Dr Andrea Pellegram, MRTPI Reviewed Long Wittenham Neighbourhood Development Plan INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT 1. The Long Wittenham Neighbourhood Development Plan (LWNDP) was made on 12 October 2017 following a successful referendum on 7 September 2017. The “yes” vote was 59.9%. 2. Despite strong community support, the LWNDP was not a successful planning framework when tested against the planning proposal at Fieldside Track, Didcot Road. The parish council objected to the proposal and that view was shared by the planning authority who determined that they would have refused the proposal had they been in a position to do so. However, the deemed refusal was overturned at appeal and the development for up to 36 houses was allowed. 3. The parish council gave evidence at the planning inquiry seeking to use the LWNDP as the basis for the inspector to uphold the council’s decision. However, the planning application was considered in the circumstances where there was no 5-year housing land supply and the inspector gave the need for additional new housing sufficient weight in his decision. 4. In his decision report for the appeal (APP/W3115/W/17/3169755), the inspector gave little weight to LWNDP policies and the argument that the proposal would jeopardize the Community Right to Build Order (CRTBO) which was the preferred means of providing the community hub. The LWNDP steering group and the parish council determined that the LWNDP should be immediately reviewed with the intention of strengthening the approach so that the interests of the village would be given more weight in future planning decisions.
    [Show full text]
  • Wittenham Clumps
    D A W B E R H O U S E PRICE £2,750,000 An exceptional village house in a private position, set within 4 acres of beautiful gardens, including 390ft of River Thames frontage ADDRESS Dawber House High Street Long Wittenham Oxfordshire, OX14 4QQ L O CAL The Plough, Long Wittenham The Vine & Spice, Long Wittenham The Barley Mow, Clifton Hampden T O W NS Abingdon 5.6 miles & T RAI N S T AT I O NS Wallingford 5.5 miles Oxford 9.5 miles Didcot Parkway Station 3.9 miles London Paddington from 37 mins 5 1 . 7 9 5 0̊ N - 1 . 8 8 3 9̊ W A B O U T T H I S H O U S E G E N E R A L ______________________________________________ SERVICES Mains water, electricity and 5/6 drainage BEDROOMS Mains gas central heating Gas fired Aga Gigaclear fibre broadband ______________________________________________ 4 LISTING Grade II BATH/SHOWER ______________________________________________ ROOMS COUNCIL TAX Band H ______________________________________________ LOCAL South Oxfordshire 4 AUTHORITY District Council RECEPTION 01235 422422 ROOMS H O U S E A N D G R O U N D S Dawber House is an enchanting Grade II listed Arts & Crafts house built in 1911 by renowned architect Sir Edward Guy Dawber, for himself, as a country retreat overlooking the River Thames. Whilst located within the village of Long Wittenham, Dawber House is completely private and tucked away. A superb family house, with excellent accommodation, Dawber House is awash with period features that capture the essence and beauty of the Arts & Crafts movement.
    [Show full text]
  • Time for a New Approach
    Henley & Wallingford Artist Trail 19-27 May 2012 Time for a new approach. We believe that it’s through taking time to understand each individual, their likes and dislikes and their life stories, we can provide personal care with a real difference. Acacia Lodge Care Home, in Henley-on-Thames is a purpose built home offering exceptional nursing, residential and dementia care in beautiful and comfortable surroundings. Beyond the 55 spacious en-suite rooms are a host of social facilities, including a bar, library, hair salon, and treatment room. For further information please call 01491 430 093 Acacia Lodge Nursing, Residential & Dementia Care or email [email protected] Care Home Quebec Road, Henley-on-Thames Oxfordshire, RG9 1EY www.acacialodgecarehome.co.uk Acacia Lodge_Oxfordshire_Artworks_Guide_210x148.indd 1 29/02/2012 09:36 Each venue is open on the highlighted dates between 19th - 27th May. Most open 12-6pm. Refer to the Artweeks Festival Guide or www.artweeks.org for further details. 383 384 385 386 387 388 389 Grant Waters OAS Ken Messer, Anna Dillon OAS, Jenny Fay, Jacqueline Fitzjohn Janet Callender Alan Wilson Painting Susanna Brunskill Melita Kyle Roberta Tetzner Painting Painting, Sculpture Unit 8, Hall Farm, Painting JewelleryMixed Media, Painting Mixed Media, Painting CeramicsPottery Gardener’s Cottage, Greys Court Farm, South Moreton Twitten, Aston Street, Heathersage, Free Church Hall, Gor- Charity Farm Barns, Shepherd’s Green, Rotherfield Greys, OX11 9FD Aston Tirrold, Aston Street, ing Free Church, High Goring Heath RG8 7RR Henley-on-Thames Henley-on-Thames nr Didcot OX11 9DQ Aston Tirrold OX11 9DJ Street, RG8 9AT RG9 4QL RG9 4PG 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 390 391 392 393 394 395 396 Hamptons Artways Art Club Acacia Lodge Artspace Anne Arlidge OCG Jane White Braziers Park International Various Drawing, Painting Glass Ceramics presents..
    [Show full text]
  • Crowmarsh Parish Neighbourhood Plan 2020-2035
    CROWMARSH PARISH NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN 2020-2035 Submission version 1 Cover picture: Riverside Meadows Local Green Space (Policy CRP 6) 2 CROWMARSH PARISH NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN 2020-2035 Submission version CONTENTS page 1. Introduction 6 • The Parish Vision • Objectives of the Plan 2. The neighbourhood area 10 3. Planning policy context 21 4. Community views 24 5. Land use planning policies 27 • Policy CRP1: Village boundaries and infill development • Policy CRP2: Housing mix and tenure • Policy CRP3: Land at Howbery Park, Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford • Policy CRP4: Conservation of the environment • Policy CRP5: Protection and enhancement of ecology and biodiversity • Policy CRP6: Green spaces 6. Implementation 42 Crowmarsh Parish Council January 2021 3 List of Figures 1. Designated area of Crowmarsh Parish Neighbourhood Plan 2. Schematic cross-section of groundwater flow system through Crowmarsh Gifford 3. Location of spring line and main springs 4. Environment Agency Flood risk map 5. Chilterns AONB showing also the Ridgeway National Trail 6. Natural England Agricultural Land Classification 7. Listed buildings in and around Crowmarsh Parish 8. Crowmarsh Gifford and the Areas of Natural Outstanding Beauty 9. Policies Map 9A. Inset Map A Crowmarsh Gifford 9B. Insert Map B Mongewell 9C. Insert Map C North Stoke 4 List of Appendices* 1. Baseline Report 2. Environment and Heritage Supporting Evidence 3. Housing Needs Assessment 4. Landscape Survey and Impact Assessment 5. Site Assessment Crowmarsh Gifford 6. Strategic Environment Assessment 7. Consultation Statement 8. Compliance Statement * Issued as a set of eight separate documents to accompany the Plan 5 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Neighbourhood Plans are a recently introduced planning document subsequent to the Localism Act, which came into force in April 2012.
    [Show full text]
  • Oxfordshire Archdeacon's Marriage Bonds
    Oxfordshire Archdeacon’s Marriage Bond Index - 1634 - 1849 Sorted by Bride’s Parish Year Groom Parish Bride Parish 1635 Gerrard, Ralph --- Eustace, Bridget --- 1635 Saunders, William Caversham Payne, Judith --- 1635 Lydeat, Christopher Alkerton Micolls, Elizabeth --- 1636 Hilton, Robert Bloxham Cook, Mabell --- 1665 Styles, William Whatley Small, Simmelline --- 1674 Fletcher, Theodore Goddington Merry, Alice --- 1680 Jemmett, John Rotherfield Pepper Todmartin, Anne --- 1682 Foster, Daniel --- Anstey, Frances --- 1682 (Blank), Abraham --- Devinton, Mary --- 1683 Hatherill, Anthony --- Matthews, Jane --- 1684 Davis, Henry --- Gomme, Grace --- 1684 Turtle, John --- Gorroway, Joice --- 1688 Yates, Thos Stokenchurch White, Bridgett --- 1688 Tripp, Thos Chinnor Deane, Alice --- 1688 Putress, Ricd Stokenchurch Smith, Dennis --- 1692 Tanner, Wm Kettilton Hand, Alice --- 1692 Whadcocke, Deverey [?] Burrough, War Carter, Elizth --- 1692 Brotherton, Wm Oxford Hicks, Elizth --- 1694 Harwell, Isaac Islip Dagley, Mary --- 1694 Dutton, John Ibston, Bucks White, Elizth --- 1695 Wilkins, Wm Dadington Whetton, Ann --- 1695 Hanwell, Wm Clifton Hawten, Sarah --- 1696 Stilgoe, James Dadington Lane, Frances --- 1696 Crosse, Ralph Dadington Makepeace, Hannah --- 1696 Coleman, Thos Little Barford Clifford, Denis --- 1696 Colly, Robt Fritwell Kilby, Elizth --- 1696 Jordan, Thos Hayford Merry, Mary --- 1696 Barret, Chas Dadington Hestler, Cathe --- 1696 French, Nathl Dadington Byshop, Mary --- Oxfordshire Archdeacon’s Marriage Bond Index - 1634 - 1849 Sorted by
    [Show full text]
  • Visitor Attraction Trends England 2003 Presents the Findings of the Survey of Visits to Visitor Attractions Undertaken in England by Visitbritain
    Visitor Attraction Trends England 2003 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS VisitBritain would like to thank all representatives and operators in the attraction sector who provided information for the national survey on which this report is based. No part of this publication may be reproduced for commercial purp oses without previous written consent of VisitBritain. Extracts may be quoted if the source is acknowledged. Statistics in this report are given in good faith on the basis of information provided by proprietors of attractions. VisitBritain regrets it can not guarantee the accuracy of the information contained in this report nor accept responsibility for error or misrepresentation. Published by VisitBritain (incorporated under the 1969 Development of Tourism Act as the British Tourist Authority) © 2004 Bri tish Tourist Authority (trading as VisitBritain) Cover images © www.britainonview.com From left to right: Alnwick Castle, Legoland Windsor, Kent and East Sussex Railway, Royal Academy of Arts, Penshurst Place VisitBritain is grateful to English Heritage and the MLA for their financial support for the 2003 survey. ISBN 0 7095 8022 3 September 2004 VISITOR ATTR ACTION TRENDS ENGLAND 2003 2 CONTENTS CONTENTS A KEY FINDINGS 4 1 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND 12 1.1 Research objectives 12 1.2 Survey method 13 1.3 Population, sample and response rate 13 1.4 Guide to the tables 15 2 ENGLAND VISIT TRENDS 2002 -2003 17 2.1 England visit trends 2002 -2003 by attraction category 17 2.2 England visit trends 2002 -2003 by admission type 18 2.3 England visit trends
    [Show full text]
  • Evidence Base
    Long Wittenham Neighbourhood Plan: Evidence Base LONG WITTENHAM NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT PLAN Appendix 1: Evidence base Status: Submission 22/02/2017 Long Wittenham Neighbourhood Plan: Evidence Base Contents A1.1 Approach............................................................................................................................ 4 A1.2 Landscape .......................................................................................................................... 4 A1.3 Townscape ......................................................................................................................... 7 A1.4 Village activity .................................................................................................................... 8 A1.5 Soil, air, water and climate ................................................................................................ 8 A1.6 Flooding ........................................................................................................................... 10 A1.7 Biodiversity ...................................................................................................................... 11 A1.8 Traffic and Transport ....................................................................................................... 12 A1.9 Material assets ................................................................................................................. 17 A1.10 Heritage ........................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Getting to Know Your River
    Would you like to find out more about us, or about your environment? Then call us on 08708 506 506 (Mon-Fri 8-6) A user’s guide to the email River Thames enquiries@environment- agency.gov.uk or visit our website www.environment-agency.gov.uk incident hotline getting to know 0800 80 70 60 (24hrs) floodline 0845 988 1188 your river Environment first: This publication is printed on paper made from 100 per cent previously used waste. By-products from making the pulp and paper are used for composting and fertiliser, for making cement and for generating energy. GETH0309BPGK-E-P Welcome to the River Thames safe for the millions of people who use it, from anglers and naturalists to boaters, We are the Environment Agency, navigation authority for the River Thames walkers and cyclists. This leaflet is an essential guide to helping the wide variety from Lechlade to Teddington. We care for the river, keeping it clean, healthy and of users enjoy their activities in harmony. To help us maintain this harmony, please To encourage better understanding amongst river users, there are nine River User Groups (RUGs) read about activities other than your own covering the length of the river from Cricklade to to help you appreciate the needs of others. Tower Bridge. Members represent various river users, from clubs and sporting associations to commercial businesses. If you belong to a club that uses the river, encourage it to join the appropriate group. Contact your local waterway office for details. Find out more about the River Thames at www.visitthames.co.uk Before you go..
    [Show full text]
  • Community and Parish Guide to Biodiversity
    Community and Parish Guide to Biodiversity Berkshire Buckinghamshire Oxfordshire About this guidance Contents ABOUT THIS GUIDANCE About this guidance ................................................................................................. 2 In this guide there are handy Getting started ........................................................................................................... 3 sections on carrying out practical conservation work, sources of Step 1) Discover ......................................................................................................... 4 funding, training and advice, and Step 2) Protect ............................................................................................................ 8 examples what other Oxfordshire communities have achieved. Step 3) Manage ........................................................................................................10 There is a lot going on in Step 4) Create ...........................................................................................................11 Oxfordshire, so before you get Carrying out practical conservation work ......................................................12 started, do check if wildlife groups, environmental groups, or Funding sources.......................................................................................................13 volunteering parties are already set Help and advice .......................................................................................................14
    [Show full text]
  • Berrick Salome NP Pre
    BERRICK SALOME PARISH NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN Pre-Submission Plan 2013–2033 NOVEMBER 2018 – DRAFT v10 Published by Berrick Salome Parish Council under the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 Contents LIST OF LAND USE POLICIES ............................................................................................................................ 3 FOREWORD .................................................................................................................................................... 4 1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND .......................................................................................................... 6 The Neighbourhood Planning Team ........................................................................................................... 7 Strategic Environmental Assessment & Habitats Regulations Assessment ............................................... 8 Consultation ............................................................................................................................................... 8 2. THE NEIGHBOURHOOD AREA ..................................................................................................................... 9 A Profile of the Parish ................................................................................................................................. 9 Early history .............................................................................................................................................. 10 St Helens Church
    [Show full text]
  • Museums and Galleries of Oxfordshire 2014
    Museums and Galleries of Oxfordshire 2014 includes 2014 Museum and Galleries D of Oxfordshire Competition OR SH F IR X E O O M L U I S C MC E N U U M O S C Soldiers of Oxfodshire Museum, Woodstock www.oxfordshiremuseums.org The SOFO Museum Woodstock By a winning team Architects Structural Project Services CDM Co-ordinators Engineers Management Engineers OXFORD ARCHITECTS FULL PAGE AD museums booklet ad oct10.indd 1 29/10/10 16:04:05 Museums and Galleries of Oxfordshire 2012 Welcome to the 2012 edition of Museums or £50, there is an additional £75 Blackwell andMuseums Galleries of Oxfordshire and Galleries. You will find oftoken Oxfordshire for the most questions answered2014 detailsWelcome of to 39 the Museums 2014 edition from of everyMuseums corner and £75correctly. or £50. There is an additional £75 token for ofGalleries Oxfordshire of Oxfordshire, who are your waiting starting to welcomepoint the most questions answered correctly. Tokens you.for a journeyFrom Banbury of discovery. to Henley-upon-Thames, You will find details areAdditionally generously providedthis year by we Blackwell, thank our Broad St, andof 40 from museums Burford across to Thame,Oxfordshire explore waiting what to Oxford,advertisers and can Bloxham only be redeemed Mill, Bloxham in Blackwell. School, ourwelcome rich heritageyou, from hasBanbury to offer. to Henley-upon- I wouldHook likeNorton to thank Brewery, all our Oxfordadvertisers London whose Thames, all of which are taking part in our new generousAirport, support Smiths has of allowedBloxham us and to bring Stagecoach this Thecompetition, competition supported this yearby Oxfordshire’s has the theme famous guidewhose to you, generous and we supportvery much has hope allowed that us to Photo: K T Bruce Oxfordshirebookseller, Blackwell.
    [Show full text]
  • The Baldons and Nuneham Courtenay Newsletter November 2014
    The Baldons and Nuneham Courtenay Newsletter November 2014 2 FROM THE VICAR , REVD PAUL CAWTHORNE It has been good to see how the work going on to remediate the immediate fabric problems of Marsh Baldon church is coming to a successful conclusion. There's repainting still to do then we can relax a bit on that church. At Toot we are just getting going on the programme of works which we have been told by the architect's inspection is essential to halt deterioration and keep the building ship-shape for a new generation. • Some people still seem to think that the government funds all our churches, which would be rather nice, but in reality we lack the joined-up thinking of some central European countries about preserving our old built heritage to give better bearings to our present. • Some people think that the Church of England has vast expendable reserves, but that is a conveniently simplistic understanding which forgets that most of the capital is already committed to paying the pensions of retired vicars (sorry we are living so long!) and paying the stipends and partial housing costs for ten thousand- odd present staff trying to live out the Gospel in parishes. • Some central church funding does go to paying for the upkeep of buildings, through for example the Churches Conservation Trust which looks after Nuneham Courtenay and other local churches where the community has changed too much for local support to be feasible, but the vast majority of our beautiful churches are reliant on the amazing generosity of local people.
    [Show full text]