Sulhamstead
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Sulhamstead | |
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| Population | 1,248 (Parish, 2001) |
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| OS grid reference | |
| Parish | Sulhamstead |
| Unitary authority | West Berkshire |
| Ceremonial county | Berkshire |
| Region | South East |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | READING |
| Postcode district | RG23 |
| Dial code | 0118 |
| Police | Thames Valley |
| Fire | Royal Berkshire |
| Ambulance | South Central |
| UK Parliament | Wokingham |
| European Parliament | South East England |
| List of places: UK • England • Berkshire | |
Sulhamstead is a village, electoral district (ward) and civil parish in Berkshire, England. It lies off the A4 national route between Reading and Aldermaston.
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[edit] Location
It is located at grid reference SU632687, in the district of West Berkshire. Prior to 1782, the area consisted of two ecclesiastical parishes, Sulhamstead Abbots and Sulhamstead Bannister, based on the ancient manors. The main village stands in Sulhamstead Abbots and Sulhamstead Abbots Church, to the south, is now the parish church. Sulhamstead Bannister consists of a number of detached regions, one near Grazeley. The core of its village was around the old demolished church, where the inventor Samuel Morland's father was once the vicar.
Currently, Sulhamstead is partly in the Newbury constituency for House of Commons general elections, however the Boundary Commission has recommended that it be moved completely into the Wokingham constituency to bring the size of the electorate of Newbury closer to the national average.
When pronouncing or writing the name, there is no 'p' in the centre of the name. It is pronounced 'Sulham-stead'.
[edit] Sites of interest
Sulhamstead House, commonly known as the White House, was the manor house of Sulhamstead Abbots. It was built by Daniel May, son of the Basingstoke brewer, Charles May, in 1744. His sister's descendants, the Thoyts family, resided there for many years. The house was largely rebuilt in 1800 for William Thoyts, the High Sheriff of Berkshire. It was the childhood home of his great grandaughter, the famous Berkshire historian and palaeography expert, Emma Elizabeth Thoyts (1860-1949).[1] In 1949, the house became the headquarters of the Berkshire Constabulary. Since the merger of the local county forces to form the Thames Valley Police, it has functioned as that force's training centre and houses the Thames Valley Police Museum. It is a Grade II listed building.[2]
The church of St Mary (formerly St Bartholomew) dates from the 13th century and is Grade I listed.[3]
Close to the village is Tyle Mill and Tyle Mill Lock on the Kennet & Avon Canal, where there is a wharf, lock and swing bridge. The singer and musician Kate Bush resides close to the mill.
[edit] References
- ^ Ford, David Nash. Sulhamstead House. May Family History. Retrieved on 2006-09-16.
- ^ Thames Valley Police Training College (Sulhamstead House). Images of England. Retrieved on 2006-09-16.
- ^ Church Of St. Mary. Images of England. Retrieved on 2006-09-16.
[edit] See also
[edit] Swing bridge gallery
 Sulhamstead Tyle Mill swing bridge road traffic |
 Sulhamstead Tyle Mill swing bridge opening |
 Sulhamstead Tyle Mill swing bridge canal traffic |
[edit] External links
- Royal Berkshire History: Sulhamstead
- May Family History: Sulhamstead House
- Thames Valley Police: Sulhamstead House
