The History of Charney Bassett

‘THE LENGTH OF THE ROAD’

BY MAUD ODY 

Born in Garford in 1914, Maud moved to Charney Bassett in 1924 where she spent most of her life until her death in 1990.

This 129 page book is now out of print and is available on loan by emailing joseph.ody192@btinternet.com

‘A CHARNEY LAD’

BY BILL CLARKE

Bill lived in Charney Bassett for 80 years before moving to Thame. He died in 2021 aged 101 and is buried in St Peter’s graveyard (13 Oct 2021). 

The book gives a fascinating insight into his life in Charney and is available from Sheila Terry email terry_s1@sky.com

The Clarke Tapes

Bill Clarke, former resident and Chairman of the Parish Council was ever present at village events from the late 1970s until the late 1990s and donated to the parish many video tapes of various events such as Fêtes, Feasts, Flower Festivals, CADS (Charney Amateur Dramatic Society) performances and May Queen Crowning.

Joe Ody has transferred them on to DVD. There’s a wealth of historical stuff (albeit recent history) on them and, who knows, you may discover something about village life which you never knew! The DVDs are held by Joe Ody so please get in touch if you would like to view them.

DVD 1: Charney Feasts

• 1981 49 mins Opened by Mrs Hornbe
• 1983 32 mins Opened by Jasmine Howse
• 1985 33 mins Opened by John Walton
• 1989 21 mins Opened by Robert Jackson MP
• 1991 47 mins Opened by Charles Eld
• 1993 34 mins Opened by Freddie The Fox
• 1995 31 mins Opened by Freddie The Fox and David Roberts

DVD 2: Various

• 1997 10 mins CADS Feats Show – The Moon is New (part 1)
• 1981 15 mins May Queen Jenni Carter
• 1981 10 mins WI Garden Party Rectory Farm
• 1982 44 mins Snow in Charney
• 1982 15 mins Charles and Diana Royal Wedding
• 1988 46 mins OAP Party Village Hall
• 1989 18 mins Flower Festival in the Church
•             5 mins Nora Hobson on TV

DVD 3: CADS SHOWS

• 1982 RED RIDINGHOOD ACT 1 24min ACT 2 29min
• 1983 SNOWWHITE ACT 1 41min ACT 2 44 min
• 1984 CHARNEY GOES WEST ACT 1 25min ACT 2 34min
• 1984 8min NEW YEAR IN THE CHEQUERS

DVD 4: CADS FEAST SHOWS

• 1981 46min
• 1983 1-11 min
• 1985 27
• 1989 50 (part 1)

DVD 5: CADS FEAST SHOWS

• 1989 13min (part 2)
• 1991 1-09min
• 1993 1-20min
• 1995 53
• 1997 32 (part 2) 

DVD 6

• 7min CHARNEY AND WHITEHORSE HILL BY AIR
• 1982 13 CHARNEY MILL
• 2001 13 FEAST REX PASKE
• 1994 19 MANOR and CHURCH
• 1994 18 CHARNEY
• 1994 3 FETE and MANOR
• 1994 17 FLOWER FESTIVAL CHURCH
• 1988 3 CHARNEY
• 1991 14 FLOWER FESTIVAL CHURCH
• 2003 2 CHARNEY
• 1989 27 MAY QUEEN JENNIFER RUMBLE

DVD 7

• 1999 24 mins FEAST OPENED BY PHIL CURTIS
• 1999 16 mins MORRIS DANCERS OUTSIDE THE CHEQUERS
• 1993 47 mins CHARNEY MANOR and VILLAGE
• 1993 9 mins CHURCH BELLS
•           10 mins COX’S NORTHFIELD FARM
•             3 mins CHURCH
• 1987 7 mins SNOW IN CHARNEY

DVD 8

• 1987 2 ON THE GREEN MAY QUEEN
• 1987 3 Church
• 1987 15 MORRIS DANCERS OUTSIDE THE CHEQUERS
• 1987 17 FEAST OPENED BY Dr DICK SQUIRES
• 5 SNOW IN CHARNEY

                        NEW YEAR IN THE CHEQUERS

• 1983 9 mins
• 1984 27 mins
• 1985 29 mins

DVD 9:

MAY QUEEN

• 1979 6 CAROLINE TERRY
• 1996 45 EMMA LUCKER CROWNED BY BILL CLARKE
• 1985 32 JENNIFER CARTER CROWNED BY JUDY KENDEL
• 1987 21 NANETTE CLARK CROWNED BY NANCY SHARPU
• 1995 21 SARA GARDER

• 1995 16 mins V.E. DAY AT 50
• 1998 11 mins FETE AT THE MANOR OPENED BY REV ROY WOODHAM
• 1998 11 SHEILA DALLS
• 1990 3 mins BILL CLARKE OPENING THE CHEQUERS
• 1986 6 mins NEW YEAR IN THE CHEQUERS
•           8 mins CADS REHEARSAL
• 1997 4 mins Snow in Charney
• 2008  2 mins CHARNEY ARMY ON TV
•            2 mins Charney Flo over on TV
• 2000 18 mins Bill Clarke’s 80th Birthday
•            6 mins Longworth Road and Green

MEMORIES OF

ALBERT WILLIAM HILLSDON

A Life in the Vale of the White Horse

‘It’s 65 years this month since I earned my first sixpence’

Transcribed and edited by DR Williams, August 1990

This 12 page typewritten document is available by emailing joseph.ody192@btinternet.com

Memories of Manor Farm

 by John Hobson

Memories of Manor Farm have been written down by John Hobson which is available from Sheila Terry or Joe Ody if anyone would like to look at it. The main part is 21 pages with photos plus appendices on Dick Hobson and Robert.

‘CHARNEY BASSETT THROUGH THE CENTURIES’

BY JASMINE S. HOWSE

1975

This 70 page book is available to view. Contact joseph.ody192@btinternet.com. It is also available in the Reference Section of Wantage Library.

THE DOT ACKLAND SCRAPBOOK

1983 – 1995

A fascinating scrapbook containing newspaper cuttings, extracts from the Church magazine, and local photographs of life in Charney Bassett.

The scrapbook is available to view by contacting joseph.ody192@btinternet.com

Charney Bassett Mill

A former water-powered corn mill – a history and description. Bruce Hedge, May 2016. Available for purchase from the author.

St Peter’s Church Booklet. Available for purchase at the Church.

A History of Charney Manor: By Harriet Salisbury, 1989.

In the 1980s a new booklet was needed for guests who continually asked about The Manor’s history. Harriet Salisbury, daughter of Elizabeth who was one of the trustees, researched the manor mainly at the Reading Record Office. The 32 page document she produced is reproduced here in three parts (click on each to download). A short summary of the document was used for the booklets.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Forward to the First Charney Bassett Parish Council Meeting

It is with pleasure I write this forward, for in so doing the very first record of a Parish Council in Charney Bassett will be commenced.

Never before has this little village had its own properly elected Council, and very seldom has it had and [any] form of Parish Meeting, but after some persuasion the County Council of Berkshire have finally made the necessary order, enabling a Parish Council to be formed, and we in the village have gladly put it into effect….

Download full version of the forward as a PDF Version

Download full version of the forward as a Word Version

The Council for British Archaeology (Regional Group 9) published a village survey on Charney Bassett in their ‘Newsletter 8 1978’. It gives a interesting and comprehensive overview of the village in about 8 pages with maps. You can read it here Newsletter 8 1978.

Country Life Magazine:

The Manor House, Charney Bassett, Berks – Part I
September 25 1942. Pages 602-605

The Manor House, Charney Bassett, Berks – Part II
October 2 1942. Pages 650-653

Larger Medieval Houses in the Vale of White Horse. By C. R. J. Currie A paper with lots of architectural detail about Charney Manor published in Oxeniensia Volume LVII (1992)

Volume LVII (1992)

The original publication can be found here.

A copy is available as a pdf here Larger Medieval Houses in VWH Currie.

Chronicon monasterii de Abingdon

The four visitations of Berkshire made and taken by Thomas Benolte, Clarnceuc, anno 1532; by William Harvey, Clarnceux, anno 1566; by Henry Chiting, Chester herald, and John Philipott, Rouge dragon, for William Camden, Clarenceux, anno 1623; and by Elias Ashmole, Windsor herald, for Sir Edward Bysshe, Clarenceux, anno 1665-66

With entries for
Yate
Dunch
Fettiplace
John Woodbridge

This report contains information on Cherbury Camp and comparisons with other Iron Age Forts. It is available to download.

Available on Amazon.

Includes tales of Charney Bassett such as:

• The banishment of the fourteenth century monk Robert of Glastonbury to Charney Manor for a period of penitence and prayer … and his presence is still felt….It includes other haunting tales of the Manor and Churchyard.
• The battle for Cherbury Camp and awarding of the Pusey Horn.

‘ISLANDS OF THE VALE’

BY ELEANOR G. HAYDEN

This 276 page book by Eleanor G Hayden was published in 1908 and contains several references to Charney Bassett.

For more information contact joseph.ody192@btinternet.com

Quiet roads and sleepy villages by Fea, Allan, 1913.

Various observations re St Peter’s and Charney Manor.

Specific Reference to the double bell-cot.