Bagnor
Coordinates: 51°25′N 1°21′W / 51.41°N 1.35°W
| Bagnor | |
 The Watermill Theatre |
|
 Bagnor
Bagnor shown within Berkshire |
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| OS grid reference | SU452692 |
|---|---|
| District | West Berkshire |
| Shire county | Berkshire |
| Region | South East |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Dialling code | 01635 |
| Police | Thames Valley |
| Fire | Royal Berkshire |
| Ambulance | South Central |
| EU Parliament | South East England |
| UK Parliament | Newbury |
| List of places: UK • England • Berkshire | |
Bagnor is a hamlet close to the town of Newbury in the English county of Berkshire and on the banks of the River Lambourn. It is best known as the home of the nationally famous Watermill Theatre. It was recorded in the Domesday Book as Bagenore.[1]
"Humphrey the Chamberlain holds Bagenore from the King. Wulfeva held it freehold from King Edward. Then it answered for 4 hides; now 1 hide. Land for 3 ploughs: In hardship 1 (plough) 3 villagers and 3 smallholders with 2 ploughs. 1 slave: a mill at 20s meadow 22 acres: woodland at 4pigs".
It is located in the West Berkshire district. The Blackbird, a public house, has stood in the village since the 17th century.[2] It is near the villages of Speen, Donnington, Boxford, and Winterbourne. Donnington Castle lies less than a mile to the east.[3]
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[edit] Local government
Bagnor forms part of the civil parish of Speen, which is itself part of the district administered by the unitary authority of West Berkshire.[4]
[edit] The Watermill Theatre
The Watermill Theatre is a privately owned repertory theatre which has operated since 1981. It is a converted watermill with gardens beside the River Lambourn, and seats 220 people. It retains many of its original architectural features such as the waterwheel, which is viewed through a screen on entry to the auditorium. Many successful actors have begun their careers at the Watermill Theatre, most notably Sean Bean, Bill Nighy, and David Suchet.[5] It is one of only five theatres to have been awarded a National Touring remit by Arts Council England, and previous productions have subsequently moved to Broadway and the West End.[6]
[edit] Bagnor Manor
Bagnor Manor is a country home standing near the centre of the village. The house in its current form dates from the 17th century. Previously the manor and its estate had been held for the King, and was recorded in the Domesday Book. Ownership was later transferred to Henry de Bagenore, who sold the property to the Priory and Convent of Poughley in 1232. The transfer was agreed in return for a yearly payment of 8 marks, food and clothing for Henry's two sons, and an agreement that the Prior would find a suitor for his youngest daughter, Celestria.
The priory was dissolved in 1524 and its lands seized by Henry VIII. The Manor was granted to Wolsey College (later Christ Church), Oxford in 1531. Bagnor Manor was later transferred to the Dean and Chapter of Westminster in return for lands in St. James's Park. They built the present Grade II listed building[7] in the 17th century, but the estate did not pass into private ownership until 1871, when it was purchased by a wealthy family from Donnington Grove. It is now a private residence.[8]
[edit] Notable residents
A number of notable individuals have lived in the village or its immediate surroundings. They include:
- Jill Fraser MBE, theatre owner and director, who was artistic director of the Watermill Theatre from 1981-2006.[9]
- Lord Hanson, industrialist, who lived on the outskirts of the village.
- Jack Hargreaves OBE, television presenter and author, who bought and converted Brook House on the Winterbourne in 1948, moving on to Lymington in 1960.
- Sir Michael Hordern, actor, who moved to the village in 1956 to fish for trout and grayling in the River Lambourn.[10]
- George Melly, jazz musician and writer
- Baron Palumbo, property developer and art collector, who lived in Bagnor Manor.[11]
[edit] Rack Marsh
Rack Marsh is a small nature reserve in the village which is managed by BBOWT. It is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It was the scene of protests during the construction of the Newbury bypass which passes close to the east of the village. This was partly due to the presence on the reserve of the rare Desmoulin's whorl snail.[12]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "The Domesday Book Online: Berkshire A-C". http://www.domesdaybook.co.uk/berkshire1.html. Retrieved 2007-12-22.
- ^ "The Blackbird Pub". http://www.theblackbird.co.uk/. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
- ^ "Ordnance Survey Get-A-Map". http://getamap.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/getamap/frames.htm?mapAction=gaz&gazName=g&gazString=SU455695. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
- ^ "West Berkshire Council". http://www.westberks.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=9478. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
- ^ "Watermill Theatre Website - Save the Watermill". http://www.watermill.org.uk/save_the_watermill.html. Retrieved 2009-06-07.
- ^ "Watermill Theatre Website - About Us". http://www.watermill.org.uk/about_us/about_us.html. Retrieved 2009-06-07.
- ^ "Heritage Gateway". http://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=394319&resourceID=5. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
- ^ "Berkshire History". http://www.berkshirehistory.com/castles/bagnor_manor.html. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
- ^ "Watermill Theatre Profile: Jill Fraser". http://www.watermill.org.uk/about_us/jill_fraser_mbe.html. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
- ^ "Independent Online "Newbury: What the battle is all about"". The Independent (London). 1996-01-14. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/newbury-what-the-battle-is-all-about-1323863.html. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
- ^ "Independent Online "Newbury: What the battle is all about"". The Independent (London). 1996-01-14. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/newbury-what-the-battle-is-all-about-1323863.html. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
- ^ "SSSI designation for Kennet and Lambourn Floodplain". http://www.english-nature.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/2000109.pdf. Retrieved 2007-12-22.
[edit] External links
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