»Bridge Ends A new app for Wilfred Notes and queries David Woodward

Windsor, Eton & the Great Park: a retreat The Dunsden Owen Association is in the Wilfred himself. When Wilfred’s unmarried throes of testing its brand new Android sister Mary died in 1956, the house was Members are invited to join a four-day and iPhone app which will guide visitors on cleared. It was only at this point that the history retreat, 30 March - 2 April 2015, a tour of local sites connected with Wilfred vast collection of Wilfred’s letters – 673 in in Cumberland Lodge. This educational Owen, the famous First World War poet. all – were discovered. Not neatly gathered, event aims to discover the rich his- Produced with the help of a £22,000 not archived in an orderly fashion, not tory of Windsor, Eton and the Great

Heritage Lottery Fund grant received by even assembled in one place. They were • Spring 2015 42 Issue Park. Talks will be given by William partner organisation Outrider Anthems, discovered haphazardly in every room and Newsletter of the & Society Shawcross (biographer of The Queen the app features 15 different themes taken every nook and cranny, amongst scraps Mother), Hugo Vickers, (writer, broad- from Owen’s time in Dunsden. Over 80 of silk embroidery and odds and ends of caster and royal historian), Lady Jane images are integrated with professionally material in the house, in tea chests and Roberts, (former Royal Librarian and »Eye on Sonning produced soundtracks to bring the world nailed-up boxes in the garden shed. Only Sponsor heritage skills Keeper of the Print Room at Windsor of Wilfred Owen to life. The app, featuring one letter had been carefully stored in [his Annabella Marks a view from the Bridge Castle) and Mark Flanagan (Keeper of an interactive map which provides routes mother] Susan’s jewellery box – carefully The Society has some funds generated environment what it is. There are Mike Hart, Chairman the Gardens, Windsor Great Park). for walks on foot or journeys by car, is the enclosed in an envelope and labelled in from sales of the book ‘Village Voices’ short courses as well as apprentice- What makes a village special? Ten years Situated in the heart of Windsor result of weeks of dedicated work by Jen- pencil, ‘Wilfie’s first letter’. that was published following on from ships that are available and the Society ago Country Life magazine ran a campaign Great Park, Cumberland Lodge, a nifer Leach of Outrider Anthems. It is hoped that the app will be officially the successful exhibition in 2009. It would help the candidate find what to find England’s Favourite Village. The former royal residence, is now run The main sites featured are the church, launched in Dunsden on May Day (4 May). is eager to use these funds to help a would be most appropriate for them. At panel of five judges selected Kingham in by an educational foundation. More graveyard,vicarage and school, and outly- Events on the village green will include a young person, or a group of young present the society could donate up to over other contenders includ- information can be found here: www. ing sites such as the house in Emmer family fun day, with refreshments in the people, to develop an interest in their £3,000 to help fund the course(s) but ing Cerne Abbas in Dorset. The seven cumberlandlodge.ac.uk/history-retreat Green to which Wilfred’s parents retired. village hall and the official unveiling of a local environment. This may be either would look to fundraise in the future if criteria selected in the campaign were Gardens Trust events to note The clip relating to this house (now private- blue plaque which commemorates Wilfred helping with training with a view to a the scheme is successful. architectural merit; charm, beauty and set- Don’t miss this great opportunity ly owned) provides a flavour of the trail: Owen’s time in Dunsden. For more informa- career or in a project that helps in their The sponsorship is open to any ting; quality of life; amenities; vibrancy and to see the restoration work at Shaw ...it is from this house that a final Owen tion please see www.owenindunsden. understanding of the locality. young person in Sonning or Sonning community spirit; transport; and village House in Newbury. Kate Harwood, an story can be spun; a colourful and ec- org. Dunsden Owen Association is also on There are several local organisations, Eye whether they plan to do vocational green. The choice of Kingham surprised experienced lecturer from Hertford- centric story that would have pleased Facebook and Twitter. and many nationally, that specialise in training or to study at university. The many people as it was not a chocolate box shire Gardens Trust, will lecture on conservation projects e.g. learning to hope is that we can support someone to type of village. The judges chose it be- late Tudor and early Stuart Gardens Conservation Area Appraisal build in a way that is sympathetic to develop a lifelong interest in conserva- cause it was more of a working village than with relevance to Shaw’ House’s own heritage properties, using traditional tion and their local environment, even if a tourist destination and because it had a Mike Hart early gardens, on Thursday 26 March, materials, learning traditional crafts this is not the focus of their career. great all-round atmosphere which catered at 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm in Shaw House, As you will recall, the Society has been showcased in Pearson Hall in February which are in danger of being lost for Please contact Annabella Marks by for everyone within its community. Newbury, West Berkshire. Tickets are assisting Sonning Parish Council with 2013. ever, or developing a deeper knowledge email at [email protected] if you would Sonning and Sonning Eye residents are £12.50 for members, £15.00 for non- an update of the Sonning Conservation The updated drafts have been re- of the things that have made the local like to discuss this opportunity further. justifiably proud of their villages, which members and £25.00 for two. Area Appraisal, the previous version viewed by Sonning Parish Council who comprehensively tick the boxes of archi- Visit West Green House, near Hartley of which was adopted in 1996. Teams have appointed a planning consultant tectural merit, charm, beauty and setting. Wintney, Hampshire on Monday of residents were assigned differ- to liaise with Wokingham Borough These are hugely important but I believe 8 June. There will be an exclusive guid- ent character areas of the village and Council and prepare a final draft. This that the most important factors making ed tour of these constantly evolving asked to record good and bad features version will be open for a 6-week public both so special are the intangible ones gardens, as well as a cream tea. using a Toolkit developed by English consultation within the coming weeks. of quality of life, vibrancy and community

Erratum re WBC conservation advice Heritage in association with the Oxford We will notify Society members by spirit. Preservation Trust and Oxford City email when this public consultation is In future editions of Bridge we would WBC wishes readers to note that its Council. The surveys took place in the due to take place and would urge you like to publish your views on what makes Conservation Officer is full-time and summer of 2012 and the results were all to respond. Sonning and Sonning Eye so special. We available five days a week, and not part- compiled into the first draft which was would welcome hearing what about both time as mentioned in the last issue. DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES 4 May 2015 (tbc) places ticks your boxes. Please contact Wilfred Owen events in Dunsden us on either of the addresses below. Members are welcome to attend Executive meetings. Bridge: Newsletter of the Sonning Please note that meetings now begin at 7.30 pm 5 June 2015 and Sonning Eye Society Private visit to Hardwick House near Mapledurham 13 March 2015 (More information on the web and in the next issue) Education & Social Panel Conservation of wildlife habitats along the Thames and its c/o Red House Cottage, tributaries - a talk by Richard Mahon-White Pearson Hall 10 June 2015 Pearson Road, RG4 6UH (see Page 2) Executive Committee St. Sarik Room 7:30 pm tel: 0118 9692132 29 April 2015 19 August 2015 Future Events Ray Moseley, Director of Bursledon Brickworks, near Swanwick in Hampshire, coaches a College of Es- email: [email protected] Executive Committee St. Sarik Room 7:30 pm Executive Committee St. Sarik Room 7:30 pm tate Management postgraduate student in the handling of lime plaster to make a wattle and daub panel. web: www.sonning.org.uk

Bridge newsletter • Issue 42 • Spring 2015 Bridge newsletter • Issue 42 • Spring 2015 »Executive Committee & Panels: breaking news What Sidney Paddick did for Sonning Andy Bell, Patrick Hamblin and Pauline Simmonds Co-options onto Executive and an order placed for the work to be ments in a number of areas relevant to Diana Coulter Jeremy Gilmore, Lesley Heaney and carried out. The Scarecrow Committee the village. A report will be available • Façade: is it painted or brick or In June 1981, Sidney Paddick died Pauline Simmonds have been co-opted has agreed to fund the repairs. for submission to the Parish Council in plaster? If Paddick enlarged a shortly after finalising the proof of his onto the Executive for 2014/15. due course. house, he painted all facades to Cycle racks Memoirs of a Nonagenarian. Assem- In connection with an addi- make the exterior appear of a Planning applications The Panel continues to investigate suit- bled from notes and long out of print, tional bridge across The Thames, piece. (See Green House, where The Planning and Traffic Panel has able locations and types for the provi- the memoirs contain a certain charm. Wokingham BC, Reading BC, Oxford- a single storey extension was continued to meet monthly. There have sion of cycle racks in the village. An appendix records over 100 houses shire CC and South Oxfordshire DC enlarged, or Hillside, extended been a number of applications since the he built, restored or otherwise modi- Sonning Cutting are jointly funding a detailed traffic eastwards, Pearson Road.) last edition and comments have been fied in Sonning and Sonning Eye. For The initial work carried out by Network modelling plan to look in detail at traf- made by the Society on those for The this reason it may be that the Society purchased Holme Park, and until the Rail, described as ‘the massacre of fic on both sides of Sonning Bridge. Little Cottage in the High Street and should consider re-publishing them. Depression, the estate provided Sonning Cutting’ led to many trees for Holme Park (Reading Blue Coat Lafarge Planning Permission for gravel Until the First World War, the centre Paddick with many opportunities for being cut down or very poorly and School). extraction of Sonning remained substantially building new houses and restoring or dramatically reduced with much of Representatives of the Panel met with The Society is supporting the com- unchanged apart from some early modifying older ones. He co-operated the undergrowth being removed. The the developers of August Field and ments made by the Sonning Eye Action 20th-century houses replacing older with the Golf Club in the development banks of the Sonning Cutting were Acre Field to have informal talks on the Group relating to the lack of considera- cottages or being built on plots of land of their land leading to the new houses home to a variety of trees, wildlife and proposed revised layout for the site. tion to the major issue of flooding in released through the sale of the Palmer south of the A4. He also bought land plants and much of the habitat has been Sonning Eye following the proposed family’s estate in 1910. Expansion came on the west side of Pound Lane, where ‘No Cold Calling Zones’ destroyed. Thanks to the intervention infilling with inert materials following in the 1930s and Paddick’s newer build- he built, amongst others, Olde Tudor • Rainwater goods: both Grove The Panel has written to Sonning Par- of Theresa May and Ali Driver the gravel extraction. ings can be found in Pound Lane and Place, which was to be his home. End and Rich’s Cottage (Pearson ish Council (SPC) expressing concern work was stopped and there have been south of the A4. The need for modern During the Second World War, Pad- Road) have the same “hopper” that still more signs will be erected in various discussions involving Network A date for your Diary - 5 June social housing was part of a building dick’s business worked across south- to collect rainwater off the roofs, connection with this initiative. Rail and Ali. Ali produced a ten-point boom of which he was in a good posi- ern England on bomb damage repairs. a hopper that can be seen at plan for the remainder of the work that SPC Planning Committee meetings tion to take advantage. When peace came, he helped to restore Chalgrove Manor near Oxford is being carried out, which has been The Society continues to attend the the fortunes of the Golf Club and for instance. generally accepted by Network Rail. Who was Sidney Paddick? above meetings as an observer. continued the expansion of Sonning Sidney Paddick was born in Kid- Legacy Traffic between the A4 and the railway. Gates in Sonning Lane more End in 1887. His father was When John Piper and John Betjeman The Panel still has to complete its as- During the 1960s he worked on St A quotation has been obtained for the a “builder, decorator, wheelwright, commented on the Edwardian feel of sessment of the practicality of improve- Andrew’s, including the overpaint- restoration of the Sonning Lane ‘gates’ timber merchant and blacksmith” as Sonning in 1949, Pound Lane was only ing of most of G F Bodley’s chancel well as churchwarden in Kidmore End partially developed. The heart of the decoration of 1903-06, as well as repairs Our summer outing on 5 June will be for 35 years, while his mother was village was little changed, and Pad- Conserving the Thames after two separate vestry fires. To this Education & Social Panel an exclusive morning visit to the pri- a “devoted” Methodist. Educated at dick’s interventions in the older houses period belongs his extensive work on book, with Wendy Yorke, vately owned Tudor manor, Hardwick Kendrick School in Reading, Sidney and cottages helped to preserve this The Manor in Charvil Lane (see Bridge entitled “Exploring the House and its surrounding estate, near joined the family business aged 14. He ‘olde worlde’ atmosphere. Issue 33). Thames Wilderness”, and Mapledurham. More details will follow married Betty Anstee and set up home War damage led the post-War Labour his illustrated talk will fo- in the next edition. in Kidmore End, where their two sons, What are the hallmarks of a “Paddicked” government to introduce listing of cus mainly on the ‘natural Raymond and Godfrey, were born. house? buildings of historic interest in 1946. In Thames’ with examples » New Members After duty in the Royal Naval Air • Skyline: are the chimneys origi- the late 1960s legislation was enacted to of its wonderful wildlife A warm welcome is extended to Service, Paddick seized the chance to nal, enhanced, or even new? Is create Conservation Areas. Since then and unspoilt nature the following new members: work with Leonard Russell in Sonning, the roofline original? (See the there have been numerous high profile reserves. But he will also • Mrs J Hunt which brought the family to our village. Dower House where Paddick cases, mercifully not here, where our highlight public places, • Mr G Pierce In 1925, Russell and Paddick split up, added the two right hand dor- historic environment has been either smaller tributaries and Welcome packs for new residents amicably, and the latter leased the mers on the street front.) destroyed or threatened. hidden pathways in our are available from Lesley Heaney, forge from its owner, John Wadham, in Do Paddick’s restorations pass mus- local area – and hopefully the Membership Secretary, on Pearson Road. When Wadham died, ter in the 21st century? Are they good, encourage us all to walk 0118 969 7231. his will provided for Paddick to buy his bad or indifferent? Are they conserva- Our next event is a talk on Friday 13 March and explore on our own Finally a reminder that this will house, the forge and garden. Paddick tion in the best sense of the word? Or in the Pearson Hall as the weather improves! be the last edition of Bridge you will noted that it “was in poor condition are they rather free interpretations to The speaker, Dr Richard Mayon-White, The evening starts at 7.30 pm. Tickets receive if you have not yet renewed and I rebuilt it as offices, using the old make the houses habitable by today’s has spent many decades exploring the cost £4 for members (£5 for guests) and your subscription. If you would materials”. standards? Certainly Paddick made an

River Thames on foot or in boats and includes a welcoming drink. They are avail- like to re-join, it would be appreci- A flourishing business enormous contribution to sustain the canoes from its source in Gloucestershire able from Penny Feathers on 0118 934 ated if you could do so promptly. character, charm and quaintness, even, Soon after establishing his own to the sea. He has recently written a guide 3193 – or by using the enclosed form. Please contact Lesley as above. of our two villages. business in the 1920s, Walter Fryer Photos above courtesy of Jeremy Gilmore

Bridge newsletter • Issue 42 • Spring 2015 Bridge newsletter • Issue 42 • Spring 2015 »Executive Committee & Panels: breaking news What Sidney Paddick did for Sonning Andy Bell, Patrick Hamblin and Pauline Simmonds Co-options onto Executive and an order placed for the work to be ments in a number of areas relevant to Diana Coulter Jeremy Gilmore, Lesley Heaney and carried out. The Scarecrow Committee the village. A report will be available • Façade: is it painted or brick or In June 1981, Sidney Paddick died Pauline Simmonds have been co-opted has agreed to fund the repairs. for submission to the Parish Council in plaster? If Paddick enlarged a shortly after finalising the proof of his onto the Executive for 2014/15. due course. house, he painted all facades to Cycle racks Memoirs of a Nonagenarian. Assem- In connection with an addi- make the exterior appear of a Planning applications The Panel continues to investigate suit- bled from notes and long out of print, tional bridge across The Thames, piece. (See Green House, where The Planning and Traffic Panel has able locations and types for the provi- the memoirs contain a certain charm. Wokingham BC, Reading BC, Oxford- a single storey extension was continued to meet monthly. There have sion of cycle racks in the village. An appendix records over 100 houses shire CC and South Oxfordshire DC enlarged, or Hillside, extended been a number of applications since the he built, restored or otherwise modi- Sonning Cutting are jointly funding a detailed traffic eastwards, Pearson Road.) last edition and comments have been fied in Sonning and Sonning Eye. For The initial work carried out by Network modelling plan to look in detail at traf- made by the Society on those for The this reason it may be that the Society purchased Holme Park, and until the Rail, described as ‘the massacre of fic on both sides of Sonning Bridge. Little Cottage in the High Street and should consider re-publishing them. Depression, the estate provided Sonning Cutting’ led to many trees for Holme Park (Reading Blue Coat Lafarge Planning Permission for gravel Until the First World War, the centre Paddick with many opportunities for being cut down or very poorly and School). extraction of Sonning remained substantially building new houses and restoring or dramatically reduced with much of Representatives of the Panel met with The Society is supporting the com- unchanged apart from some early modifying older ones. He co-operated the undergrowth being removed. The the developers of August Field and ments made by the Sonning Eye Action 20th-century houses replacing older with the Golf Club in the development banks of the Sonning Cutting were Acre Field to have informal talks on the Group relating to the lack of considera- cottages or being built on plots of land of their land leading to the new houses home to a variety of trees, wildlife and proposed revised layout for the site. tion to the major issue of flooding in released through the sale of the Palmer south of the A4. He also bought land plants and much of the habitat has been Sonning Eye following the proposed family’s estate in 1910. Expansion came on the west side of Pound Lane, where ‘No Cold Calling Zones’ destroyed. Thanks to the intervention infilling with inert materials following in the 1930s and Paddick’s newer build- he built, amongst others, Olde Tudor • Rainwater goods: both Grove The Panel has written to Sonning Par- of Theresa May and Ali Driver the gravel extraction. ings can be found in Pound Lane and Place, which was to be his home. End and Rich’s Cottage (Pearson ish Council (SPC) expressing concern work was stopped and there have been south of the A4. The need for modern During the Second World War, Pad- Road) have the same “hopper” that still more signs will be erected in various discussions involving Network A date for your Diary - 5 June social housing was part of a building dick’s business worked across south- to collect rainwater off the roofs, connection with this initiative. Rail and Ali. Ali produced a ten-point boom of which he was in a good posi- ern England on bomb damage repairs. a hopper that can be seen at plan for the remainder of the work that SPC Planning Committee meetings tion to take advantage. When peace came, he helped to restore Chalgrove Manor near Oxford is being carried out, which has been The Society continues to attend the the fortunes of the Golf Club and for instance. generally accepted by Network Rail. Who was Sidney Paddick? above meetings as an observer. continued the expansion of Sonning Sidney Paddick was born in Kid- Legacy Traffic between the A4 and the railway. Gates in Sonning Lane more End in 1887. His father was When John Piper and John Betjeman The Panel still has to complete its as- During the 1960s he worked on St A quotation has been obtained for the a “builder, decorator, wheelwright, commented on the Edwardian feel of sessment of the practicality of improve- Andrew’s, including the overpaint- restoration of the Sonning Lane ‘gates’ timber merchant and blacksmith” as Sonning in 1949, Pound Lane was only ing of most of G F Bodley’s chancel well as churchwarden in Kidmore End partially developed. The heart of the decoration of 1903-06, as well as repairs Our summer outing on 5 June will be for 35 years, while his mother was village was little changed, and Pad- Conserving the Thames after two separate vestry fires. To this Education & Social Panel an exclusive morning visit to the pri- a “devoted” Methodist. Educated at dick’s interventions in the older houses period belongs his extensive work on book, with Wendy Yorke, vately owned Tudor manor, Hardwick Kendrick School in Reading, Sidney and cottages helped to preserve this The Manor in Charvil Lane (see Bridge entitled “Exploring the House and its surrounding estate, near joined the family business aged 14. He ‘olde worlde’ atmosphere. Issue 33). Thames Wilderness”, and Mapledurham. More details will follow married Betty Anstee and set up home War damage led the post-War Labour his illustrated talk will fo- in the next edition. in Kidmore End, where their two sons, What are the hallmarks of a “Paddicked” government to introduce listing of cus mainly on the ‘natural Raymond and Godfrey, were born. house? buildings of historic interest in 1946. In Thames’ with examples » New Members After duty in the Royal Naval Air • Skyline: are the chimneys origi- the late 1960s legislation was enacted to of its wonderful wildlife A warm welcome is extended to Service, Paddick seized the chance to nal, enhanced, or even new? Is create Conservation Areas. Since then and unspoilt nature the following new members: work with Leonard Russell in Sonning, the roofline original? (See the there have been numerous high profile reserves. But he will also • Mrs J Hunt which brought the family to our village. Dower House where Paddick cases, mercifully not here, where our highlight public places, • Mr G Pierce In 1925, Russell and Paddick split up, added the two right hand dor- historic environment has been either smaller tributaries and Welcome packs for new residents amicably, and the latter leased the mers on the street front.) destroyed or threatened. hidden pathways in our are available from Lesley Heaney, forge from its owner, John Wadham, in Do Paddick’s restorations pass mus- local area – and hopefully the Membership Secretary, on Pearson Road. When Wadham died, ter in the 21st century? Are they good, encourage us all to walk 0118 969 7231. his will provided for Paddick to buy his bad or indifferent? Are they conserva- Our next event is a talk on Friday 13 March and explore on our own Finally a reminder that this will house, the forge and garden. Paddick tion in the best sense of the word? Or in the Pearson Hall as the weather improves! be the last edition of Bridge you will noted that it “was in poor condition are they rather free interpretations to The speaker, Dr Richard Mayon-White, The evening starts at 7.30 pm. Tickets receive if you have not yet renewed and I rebuilt it as offices, using the old make the houses habitable by today’s has spent many decades exploring the cost £4 for members (£5 for guests) and your subscription. If you would materials”. standards? Certainly Paddick made an

River Thames on foot or in boats and includes a welcoming drink. They are avail- like to re-join, it would be appreci- A flourishing business enormous contribution to sustain the canoes from its source in Gloucestershire able from Penny Feathers on 0118 934 ated if you could do so promptly. character, charm and quaintness, even, Soon after establishing his own to the sea. He has recently written a guide 3193 – or by using the enclosed form. Please contact Lesley as above. of our two villages. business in the 1920s, Walter Fryer Photos above courtesy of Jeremy Gilmore

Bridge newsletter • Issue 42 • Spring 2015 Bridge newsletter • Issue 42 • Spring 2015 »Bridge Ends A new app for Wilfred Notes and queries David Woodward

Windsor, Eton & the Great Park: a retreat The Dunsden Owen Association is in the Wilfred himself. When Wilfred’s unmarried throes of testing its brand new Android sister Mary died in 1956, the house was Members are invited to join a four-day and iPhone app which will guide visitors on cleared. It was only at this point that the history retreat, 30 March - 2 April 2015, a tour of local sites connected with Wilfred vast collection of Wilfred’s letters – 673 in in Cumberland Lodge. This educational Owen, the famous First World War poet. all – were discovered. Not neatly gathered, event aims to discover the rich his- Produced with the help of a £22,000 not archived in an orderly fashion, not tory of Windsor, Eton and the Great

Heritage Lottery Fund grant received by even assembled in one place. They were • Spring 2015 42 Issue Park. Talks will be given by William partner organisation Outrider Anthems, discovered haphazardly in every room and Newsletter of the Sonning & Sonning Eye Society Shawcross (biographer of The Queen the app features 15 different themes taken every nook and cranny, amongst scraps Mother), Hugo Vickers, (writer, broad- from Owen’s time in Dunsden. Over 80 of silk embroidery and odds and ends of caster and royal historian), Lady Jane images are integrated with professionally material in the house, in tea chests and Roberts, (former Royal Librarian and »Eye on Sonning produced soundtracks to bring the world nailed-up boxes in the garden shed. Only Sponsor heritage skills Keeper of the Print Room at Windsor of Wilfred Owen to life. The app, featuring one letter had been carefully stored in [his Annabella Marks a view from the Bridge Castle) and Mark Flanagan (Keeper of an interactive map which provides routes mother] Susan’s jewellery box – carefully The Society has some funds generated environment what it is. There are Mike Hart, Chairman the Gardens, Windsor Great Park). for walks on foot or journeys by car, is the enclosed in an envelope and labelled in from sales of the book ‘Village Voices’ short courses as well as apprentice- What makes a village special? Ten years Situated in the heart of Windsor result of weeks of dedicated work by Jen- pencil, ‘Wilfie’s first letter’. that was published following on from ships that are available and the Society ago Country Life magazine ran a campaign Great Park, Cumberland Lodge, a nifer Leach of Outrider Anthems. It is hoped that the app will be officially the successful exhibition in 2009. It would help the candidate find what to find England’s Favourite Village. The former royal residence, is now run The main sites featured are the church, launched in Dunsden on May Day (4 May). is eager to use these funds to help a would be most appropriate for them. At panel of five judges selected Kingham in by an educational foundation. More graveyard,vicarage and school, and outly- Events on the village green will include a young person, or a group of young present the society could donate up to Oxfordshire over other contenders includ- information can be found here: www. ing sites such as the house in Emmer family fun day, with refreshments in the people, to develop an interest in their £3,000 to help fund the course(s) but ing Cerne Abbas in Dorset. The seven cumberlandlodge.ac.uk/history-retreat Green to which Wilfred’s parents retired. village hall and the official unveiling of a local environment. This may be either would look to fundraise in the future if criteria selected in the campaign were Berkshire Gardens Trust events to note The clip relating to this house (now private- blue plaque which commemorates Wilfred helping with training with a view to a the scheme is successful. architectural merit; charm, beauty and set- Don’t miss this great opportunity ly owned) provides a flavour of the trail: Owen’s time in Dunsden. For more informa- career or in a project that helps in their The sponsorship is open to any ting; quality of life; amenities; vibrancy and to see the restoration work at Shaw ...it is from this house that a final Owen tion please see www.owenindunsden. understanding of the locality. young person in Sonning or Sonning community spirit; transport; and village House in Newbury. Kate Harwood, an story can be spun; a colourful and ec- org. Dunsden Owen Association is also on There are several local organisations, Eye whether they plan to do vocational green. The choice of Kingham surprised experienced lecturer from Hertford- centric story that would have pleased Facebook and Twitter. and many nationally, that specialise in training or to study at university. The many people as it was not a chocolate box shire Gardens Trust, will lecture on conservation projects e.g. learning to hope is that we can support someone to type of village. The judges chose it be- late Tudor and early Stuart Gardens Conservation Area Appraisal build in a way that is sympathetic to develop a lifelong interest in conserva- cause it was more of a working village than with relevance to Shaw’ House’s own heritage properties, using traditional tion and their local environment, even if a tourist destination and because it had a Mike Hart early gardens, on Thursday 26 March, materials, learning traditional crafts this is not the focus of their career. great all-round atmosphere which catered at 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm in Shaw House, As you will recall, the Society has been showcased in Pearson Hall in February which are in danger of being lost for Please contact Annabella Marks by for everyone within its community. Newbury, West Berkshire. Tickets are assisting Sonning Parish Council with 2013. ever, or developing a deeper knowledge email at [email protected] if you would Sonning and Sonning Eye residents are £12.50 for members, £15.00 for non- an update of the Sonning Conservation The updated drafts have been re- of the things that have made the local like to discuss this opportunity further. justifiably proud of their villages, which members and £25.00 for two. Area Appraisal, the previous version viewed by Sonning Parish Council who comprehensively tick the boxes of archi- Visit West Green House, near Hartley of which was adopted in 1996. Teams have appointed a planning consultant tectural merit, charm, beauty and setting. Wintney, Hampshire on Monday of residents were assigned differ- to liaise with Wokingham Borough These are hugely important but I believe 8 June. There will be an exclusive guid- ent character areas of the village and Council and prepare a final draft. This that the most important factors making ed tour of these constantly evolving asked to record good and bad features version will be open for a 6-week public both so special are the intangible ones gardens, as well as a cream tea. using a Toolkit developed by English consultation within the coming weeks. of quality of life, vibrancy and community

Erratum re WBC conservation advice Heritage in association with the Oxford We will notify Society members by spirit. Preservation Trust and Oxford City email when this public consultation is In future editions of Bridge we would WBC wishes readers to note that its Council. The surveys took place in the due to take place and would urge you like to publish your views on what makes Conservation Officer is full-time and summer of 2012 and the results were all to respond. Sonning and Sonning Eye so special. We available five days a week, and not part- compiled into the first draft which was would welcome hearing what about both time as mentioned in the last issue. DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES 4 May 2015 (tbc) places ticks your boxes. Please contact Wilfred Owen events in Dunsden us on either of the addresses below. Members are welcome to attend Executive meetings. Bridge: Newsletter of the Sonning Please note that meetings now begin at 7.30 pm 5 June 2015 and Sonning Eye Society Private visit to Hardwick House near Mapledurham 13 March 2015 (More information on the web and in the next issue) Education & Social Panel Conservation of wildlife habitats along the Thames and its c/o Red House Cottage, tributaries - a talk by Richard Mahon-White Pearson Hall 10 June 2015 Pearson Road, RG4 6UH (see Page 2) Executive Committee St. Sarik Room 7:30 pm tel: 0118 9692132 29 April 2015 19 August 2015 Future Events Ray Moseley, Director of Bursledon Brickworks, near Swanwick in Hampshire, coaches a College of Es- email: [email protected] Executive Committee St. Sarik Room 7:30 pm Executive Committee St. Sarik Room 7:30 pm tate Management postgraduate student in the handling of lime plaster to make a wattle and daub panel. web: www.sonning.org.uk

Bridge newsletter • Issue 42 • Spring 2015 Bridge newsletter • Issue 42 • Spring 2015