Contents Page

This book has been compiled as a souvenir of Harwell’s recorded life of one thousand years. Much of the material has been supplied and collected by people living in the parish of Harwell. We are very grateful to them for giving their knowledge and spare time, and in many cases for lending photographs and documents.

A book of this kind has many shortcomings, but as a collection it may prove of interest not only to Harwell people but many others, who either have left the village or have some other connection with it. It is hoped that something may be found in the book to stimulate further research.

Village for a thousand years has been prepared at the request of the Harwell Parish Council by a committee. We are much indebted to Dr J. M. Fletcher for help and advice over historical material.

Barbara McIlroy
Editor

A list of contributors will be found in Appendix IV

Contents

1. The Beginnings of Harwell. The Charters.
2. The Late Middle Ages. Harwell Church; the medieval manors; cruck buildings.
3. From the Tudors to Charles II.Robert Loder’s farm accounts; Berkshire farmers and their homes; the Harwell mug; the family name Harwell; trade tokens; the Civil War.
4. Harwell Charities. Bagg’s Tree; an old Harwell recipe.
5. Harwell in the Nineteenth Century. Enclosure and Award map; the Great Fire of 1852; fire at Didcot Station; Harwell and the early posts.
6. Some Nineteenth Century Families, Houses and Personalities. The Lays of Bishop’s Manor; the three Bob Lays; the Bosley family; John Lay of Prince’s Manor; Thomas James Pryor; the Day family; the Hitchman family; other old Harwell families; Pillar House; Dr Rice; Kelly’s Directory report on Harwell, 1891; the school logbook, 1895.
7. The Early Twentieth Century. The turn of the century; a visit to Harwell; tape recordings; fire at King’s Farm; will it light? Miss Irene Clarke’s memories; poem by H. S. Baker.
8. The Second World War. Royal Air Force Station; “Guinea-pig Club”; an air ace from Harwell; Harwell in wartime, I and 11; school life in wartime; the Harwell Players.
9. 1945-85. The Atomic Energy Research Establishment; Harwell Parish Council; school life after the War; Winterbrook Youth Club; public houses; Whit Monday Feast; wild flowers; village footpaths; Harwell Church today; the Women’s Institute; Bowls Club; Football Club.
10. Harwell Cherries. Robert Loder’s farm accounts; cherries 1965; Gordon Bosley; The Cherries, by John Masefield.

Appendices

I. Harwell Charters and map showing boundaries.
II. List of buildings of architectural and historical interest.
III. Glossary.
IV. Contributors and acknowledgements.
V. References.
VI. Index. [not included online – please use the search facility]