Quainton

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Quainton
Quainton shown within Buckinghamshire
Population	1,247 (2001 Census)
OS grid reference	SP745201
Parish	Quainton
District	Aylesbury Vale
Shire county	Buckinghamshire
Region	South East
Constituent country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	AYLESBURY
Postcode district	HP22
Dialling code	01296
Police	Thames Valley
Fire	Buckinghamshire
Ambulance	South Central
European Parliament	South East England
UK Parliament	Buckingham
List of places: UK • England • Buckinghamshire

Coordinates: 51°52′26″N 0°54′58″W / 51.874, -0.916

Quainton (formerly Quainton Malet) is a village in Buckinghamshire, England, about 5 miles (8 km) north west of Aylesbury. The total population is 1290, of that total approximately 1000 are adults. The village has a church, school and two public houses. The village's geographical location means that while many commute to London, many others are employed in the neighbouring towns and villages.

Quainton parish church and 17th century Winwood Almshouses

Its name is Old English and means Queen's Estate (cwen tun). It is not known, for certain, to which queen this refers, but possibly the Queen was Edith, the wife of Edward the Confessor. Known as "Fair Edith" she held manors in this part of Buckinghamshire, including a hunting lodge at Mentmore. Edward the Confessor had a palace at nearby Brill.

The former suffix Malet refers to the Malet family who were lords of the manor from 1066 until about 1348. At least one member of the family went on the crusades, and had close associations with the Hospitallers, the organization credited with rebuilding Quainton church circa 1340. The Hospitallers also erected the cross on the village green, the base and shaft of which still remain.

The remains of the preaching cross on the Village Green

The village green in the centre of the village has grouped around it some of the half-timbered thatched cottages for which the village is well known.

The parish church is dedicated to St Mary and the Holy Cross. It is a 14th century building of the style of gothic architecture known as Decorated. The west tower was built later in the 15th century. The church contains many fine memorial brasses and sculpture, including the particularly fine tomb of Thomas Stayner of 1689. The stone effigies depict the deceased lying in full armour, while his widow rests beside him, half sitting regarding her husband. In the chancel are a reredos and sedilia by William White who was responsible for the heavy Victorian restoration and rebuilding of the chancel in 1877. The church also contains Victorian stained glass windows. Richard Brett, a former rector of Quainton and one of the translators of the King James Version of the Bible, is buried in the chancel.^[1]

Close by the church is the former rectory, a large imposing house (described by Pevsner as) of vitreous red brick. The principal facade has a three bayed centre and two canted bays. The house contains fine 16th century linenfold panelling.

The plaque on the porch of the Almshouses reads: :Anno Domini 1687 - These Alms houses were - then erected endowed - by Richard Winwood Esq. - son, heir of the Rt. Honourable - Sir Ralph Winwood Knight - Principal Secretary of State - to King James I

The Winwood Almshouses, still inhabited, were built originally to house the poor of the parish; their gothic style of architecture belying the construction date of 1687. They are a terrace of eight small cottages, one storey high with a row of dormers in the attics. These attic windows have alternating small and large gables. The terrace is decorated by two porches, with a plaque above. The Almshouses are further adorned by diagonally placed chimney stacks.

Quainton Village Green, and windmill One of the most highly visible buildings in the parish is the 65ft high windmill, built in 1830. Derelict for the greater part of the 20th century it is now fully restored and can again grind wheat into flour.

Quainton was once linked to London by train services to Marylebone and Baker Street stations; in the opposite direction travel was available to Rugby, Verney Junction and elsewhere. The last public services ceased in 1964, but special trains from Aylesbury run to connect with events at the Railway Museum at Quainton Road railway station on some Bank Holidays. The station was also once a junction for the light railway (closed in 1936), sometimes known as the Brill Tramway, connecting Quainton with Brill village.

The local headquarters for the RSPCA are also in the parish, but a little outside the confines of the village.

Quainton typifies the true English village. It is not a contrived and manicured "pretty" attraction for the benefit of tourists - in fact few tourists are aware of its existence. It has a mix of both old and new dwellings which ensure a thriving community spirit, which is proven by the many clubs and societies formed in the village, ensuring that the village is as lively today as it was in medieval times.

[edit] Education

Quainton Church of England Combined School is a mixed Church of England primary school. It is a voluntary controlled school, which takes children from the age of 4 through to the age of 11. The school has approximately 180 pupils.