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Revealing Boxford’s Ancient Heritage wins Heritage Lottery Fund support

Boxford History Project has received £62,700 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for Revealing Boxford’s Ancient Heritage: a community archaeology project. This three-year project under professional archaeological guidance will investigate three closely linked Roman sites near to Boxford village in West Berkshire. Previous work at these sites suggested Roman occupation in an area where little is known about the extent of early settlement.

In the past, our community archaeology has successfully drawn together people from a wide age-range and all walks of life. This time our volunteers will receive specialist training, with lectures and fieldwork, giving them the skills to interpret their local heritage, and identify, record and protect these sites. Any finds will be displayed at the newly built Heritage Centre in Boxford.

Over the past three years, Boxford History Project (BHP) has been helped by the Berkshire Archaeology Research Group (BARG) and Cotswold Archaeology (CA) to undertake preliminary geophysical surveys of all three potential sites and identified varied building outlines, predominantly from the Roman period. Trial excavations took place on the largest of the sites two years ago with some exciting finds. Thanks to National Lottery players, this grant will enable BHP in a formal partnership with BARG and CA to investigate the function, extent, status, chronology and relationship between the three sites, which seem to represent a significant focus of high-status Roman occupation in the Lambourn Valley, with the Roman Road, Ermin Street nearby.

Commenting on the award, Joy Appleton said: “We are somewhat stunned but absolutely thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund. We are confident that the project will enthuse locals and a wider audience to take part in the project and gain a greater understanding of what went on here in Boxford 2000 years ago.”

Explaining the importance of the HLF support, the head of Heritage Lottery Fund South East, Stuart McLeod, said: “We are delighted that, thanks to National Lottery players, we are able to support this fascinating project, which will give visitors and the local community a chance to explore and learn about the heritage under their feet”.

 

Boxford Public Access Defibrillator

Boxford’s new defibrillator is now functioning in the church porch at St.Andrew’s. In the event of an emergency, the 999 operator will advise the location and code to access the defibrillator. Thirty two people have signed up for Resuscitation Training which will take place at the Village Hall on September 12th and 19th. More money for the defibrillator, installation, maintenance and first aid training has been received and the total now stands at £2845! Well done Boxford!

 

The sponsored runners, Colin Hays, Nadege Fleming and Andrew Leader who took part in the Gibbet Challenge Run on 28th June

The sponsored runners, Colin Hays, Nadege Fleming and Andrew Leader who took part in the Gibbet Challenge Run on 28th June to fund raise for the new defibrillator

 

 

Contacts & Information

Local Information

Visiting Library Van:
The mobile library parks at Southfields, every third Tuesday between 10.30 and 10.50, see notice board or West Berkshire Council website to confirm dates or phone Mobile Library Service 01635 519827 or 01635 519900

The Boxford:
Closed Tuesdays email: hello@theBoxford.com

Books & Leaflets about Boxford

  • Parish Footpath map: available from the church porch
  • Boxford War Memorial: available from the church porch
  • History of St.Andrew’s Church: available from the church
  • “Boxora to Boxford” a Parish history by The Boxford History Project – copies @ £9.99 from Joy Appleton, Marion Knape or Sue Downes or email church@boxford.org.uk if you find the church closed
  • “Boxford Barleycorn” The Story of an English Village by Elsie Huntley published by Abbey Press 1970 – out of print -reference copy held in the Library.
  • “A Valley of Love & Delight” by Peter Davies
  • “Berkshire Byways” by Peter Davies

New to the area? You might the following useful:

Doctors:

  • Strawberryhill  Medical Centre, Newbury Tel: 01635 917917
  • Downlands Surgery, Chieveley 01635 248406

NHS Direct: 0845 4647

West Berkshire Community Hospital:
London Road, Benham Hill 01635 273300

West Berkshire Council:
Market Street, Newbury 01635 42400

Floodline: 0845 988 118

Childline: 0800 1111

Police Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111

Police(non-emergency): 101

Newbury Central Library (The Wharf): 01635 519900

Newbury Buses: 01635 567500

Acknowledgements

Site development and hosting courtesy of : www.appletondesign.co.uk

Photographs supplied by: Colin Hays & Mike Appleton

The Parish Council wishes to thank all those who contributed to the information on the website. Whilst every endeavour has been made to ensure accuracy, it cannot be held responsible for content supplied.

Boxford Schools

kids-hands

Boxford has a Panda Club (baby and toddler group)  and a Teddy Bears Pre-School for 2-5 year olds. Both groups meet, during term time only, in the Village Hall in Boxford. The Panda Club,  is on Mondays between 9.30 am and 11.30 am. Teddy Bears Pre-School meets on Tuesdays – Thursdays between 9 am and 3 pm and Fridays between 9am and 2:30 pm. For further information please contact Sarah Phillips on 07733050288.

Address:
Teddy Bears Preschool
Boxford Village  Hall
Rood Hill
Boxford
RG20 8DD

Tel: 01488 657273
Email to:admin@teddybearspreschool.com
Facebook: https:facebook.com/TeddyBearsPreSchoolBoxford
Website: http:teddybearspreschool.com

Boxford no longer has a primary school of its own. It was closed over 20 years ago and the designated primary school is Stockcross C.E. Aided Primary School. Children are provided with free bus travel to school. Some children attend Welford & Wickham C.E.Primary School. The designated secondary school for children from Boxford is Trinity School in Newbury.

The Club

boxford-tennis-club

Boxford Tennis Club is located at the recreation ground on Lambourn Road on the edge of the village. It is a small friendly club in a glorious setting, where it is easy to get on court. It is ideal for family and social games for players of all ages and all standards. The club has 2 macadam courts which offer good year-round playing conditions. A ball machine is available for the use of Club members.

Subscription/Membership forms are available from www.boxfordtennisclub.co.uk or from the Chairman, Secretary or Treasurer of the Club.

Boxford Parish Plan

Boxford Parish Council took the initiative to develop a Parish Plan in May 2006 when the first of many public meetings was held to introduce the concept of a Parish Plan for Boxford. In October 2006 the Boxford Parish Plan Steering Committee was established and after much hard work and input from everyone in the Parish, the final draft was completed. West Berkshire District Council formally adopted the whole Parish Plan without amendment on 1st July 2008.

The Parish Plan Steering Committee held an evening to celebrate its publication on Thursday 18th September from 8pm at the Village Hall. Five £1000 grants for Action Plan Items were given to representatives at the meeting, namely the Village Hall, the Pavilion at the Recreation Ground, the children’s play area at the Recreation Ground, the church and the Boxford History Project. Those unable to attend on the 18th September were subsequently delivered a copy of the Parish Plan.

Having successfully completed and delivered the Parish Plan, the steering committee handed over the monitoring of the Plan and the Action Items to the Parish Council on 2nd October 2008. Further information and copies can be obtained from the Parish Clerk. Progress of the Action Items will be covered in the Parish Council Minutes with highlights and achievements being detailed on this webpage. Most of the 15 Action Items identified in the Plan have now been completed or are in progress.

West Berkshire Council has published Boxford’s Parish Plan on their website.

The Parish Church of St.Andrew in Boxford

st-andrews-church-boxford-14-sept-2011-1600

Our ancient Grade II* listed church is situated at the heart of the village on the banks of the River Lambourn. The churchyard is separated from a small village green and war memorial, on the Newbury to Leckhampstead Road, by a brick and flint wall and oak lych-gate, built to mark the Millennium. At the rear of the church, on the riverbank, the Peace Garden can be found, a wonderful spot for quiet reflection. We hope you will join us for worship and/or visit the church to enjoy the building in its peaceful and attractive surroundings. During the week you may find the church locked for which we apologise but sadly this is done for security. For the key please ring Joy Appleton on 07900620931 .

The 3R’s Project

The 3R’s Project started in May 2010, aimed to repair the tower;  reveal the ancient, possibly Saxon construction by removing the cement render outside and the internal plaster on the inside so enabling the walls to dry out before redecoration; and rejuvenate the interior by including toilet and kitchen facilities and removing the pews in the north aisle, so that the church can be used as a community centre. 2 of the 3 R’s, reveal and rejuvenate, were completed and a re-dedication of the church with a Harvest Festival service took place on October 3rd 2010 with around 150 attending. The Reveal element of the project has been an overwhelming success with finds including a Saxon window in the chancel. The Rejuvenate element has also been completed with the installation of a kitchen and disabled toilet which brings the church into the 21st century. The Repair element of the 3R’s – the work to repair the tower structure  – is now completed and a Thanksgiving Service was held in the church led by the Bishop of Reading, the Rt Reverend Mary Gregory. The PCC would like to thank the many sponsors and those in the community who have supported the project with such enthusiasm over the past 10 years.

St. Andrew’s Saxon Window

In 2010, workmen removing Victorian cement render from St.Andrew’s Church, Boxford were astonished to uncover a small Saxon window in the north wall of the chancel. The wooden window frame, carved from a solid piece of timber was most unusual in having a wooden shutter and is believed to be the only one of its kind in England. It has been left in situ with a moulded hood to protect it. Experts confirmed that the window was built at the time of the construction of the chancel wall which suggests that the chancel was in fact the whole of a pre-1066 church and was likely to have had a thatched roof. The chancel also has stone quoins on its two external corners – a feature of Saxon building. The window can only be viewed from the outside as a large memorial covers the internal face.

st-andrews-boxford-saxon-window

 Hall Hire

Please contact the rector  if you wish to hire the hall. church@boxford.org.uk The church has brilliant acoustics for choir or instrumental/band practices and a fully fitted kitchen suitable for small social gatherings/meetings.

 

Church contacts

Rector

  • Revd John Toogood – 01635 247566
  • The Vicarage, Church Lane, Chieveley, Newbury RG20 8UT
  • Email: edownlandrector@gmail.com

Associate Priests

  • Revd Douglas Dales – 01635 247404
  • Email: revdjdales@gmail.com

Churchwardens

  • Positions vacant

Treasurer

  • Mike Appleton – 0777191023
  • Email: mike@appleton.uk.net

Secretary

  • Position vacant

Verger

Members

  • Nick Boden
  • Charlie Liverton
  • Hilary Fawcett
  • Dan Skinner

 

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