Oakley, Hampshire
| Oakley | |
|---|---|
| Population | 5,322 |
| OS grid reference | 575??? |
| • London | ??? miles |
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BASINGSTOKE |
| Postcode district | RG23 |
| Dialling code | 01256 |
| Police | Hampshire and Isle of Wight |
| Fire | Hampshire and Isle of Wight |
| Ambulance | South Central |
| UK Parliament | |
Oakley is a semi-rural affluent large village and parish situated 8 km (5 miles) west of the large town, Basingstoke, Hampshire, England. In the 2001 census it had a population of 5,322, verging on 'minor town' status. The village was recorded and mentioned in the Domesday book. The village is popular with middle-class professionals working in London, and boasts some picturesque countryside.
Oakley is divided into two districts, namely East Oakley and Church Oakley. It sits on chalkland.[1] Its village magazine, Link, is published monthly.
Education and worship
Oakley has two linked educational facilities: Oakley Church of England Junior school and Oakley Infant school, both of which have consistently achieved 'Outstanding' ratings in OFSTED inspections. Oakley also contains a small Methodist church, an Anglican church (St John's) and the ancient Anglican church, St Leonard's. Oakley is boring with nothing to do......
Facilities
In the centre of the village is a duck pond surrounded by attractive thatched dwellings. The duck pond is inhabited by mallard ducks and coots. Unfortunately Oakley does not have all the facilities that would be expected of a village of its size: a surgery (very limited hours since April 2006), a convenience store, a veterinary surgery, three parks, a dentist and two public houses, the 'Barley Mow' and 'The Beach Arms'. A coffee shop 'Buttercups Cafe' was a recent addition to the village, as well as a local window-cleaner http://www.oakleywindowcleaning.co.uk. Its railway station, originally on the West of England Main Line closed in 1963.[2] Situated to the west of the village is Oakley Hall, an 18th century Georgian manor that is now used for corporate events.[3]
Sports
Oakley's public sporting facilities include a football pitch (Peter Houseman field), several fields, two tarmac tennis courts, and a set of skateboard ramps. Oakley has many children's football clubs plus adult rugby, table tennis, cricket, tennis and football clubs.
Oakley Cricket Club
Oakley Cricket Club was founded in 1849; OCC's grounds are at Oakley Park, where, on June 11, 1961, the Hampshire cricketer Roy Marshall captained a team for a benefit match. This team, which won the match with 246 runs, also included Arthur Milton and Cliff Michelmore.
OCC's three youth teams are known as the 'Colts'.
Oakley Football Club
Oakley Football Club was founded in 1967 by the Chelsea FC footballer, Peter Houseman. The aims stated by Oakley FC are to enjoy their football, and encourage boys and girls to take part from all ages and abilities.[4]
Oakley Tennis Club
Oakley Tennis Club has four hard courts.
Oakley and Deane Parish Council
Oakley Parish Council was formed in 1894. In 1966 the East Oakley ward of Wootton St Lawrence became part of the parish[5] and in 1976 the Deane Parish Meeting also joined the council, at which point it became known as Oakley and Deane Parish Council. The current chairman of the council is John Strawbridge.[1]
External links
The Guardian, Saturday 24 March 2007, Oliver Burkeman The happiest village in Britain
References
- ^ a b Parish Council
- ^ Old Hampshire Gazetteer, Oakley Station, Oakley
- ^ Oakley Hall
- ^ "Oakley Football Club". Retrieved 2007-05-11.
- ^ "Oakley and Deane parish council - history". Retrieved 23 August 2010.
