Wargrave

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Wargrave seen from the Twyford Road approach (A321). Two Red Kites can also be seen in the sky above

Wargrave is a village of ca. 4000 residents, being a civil parish in Berkshire, England which encloses the confluence of the River Loddon and the River Thames. The village is within Wokingham District and is classed as part of the Reading postal code area (RG10). The name Wargrave is derived from "Weir-Grove" rather than a literal meaning of War Grave and the village dates back to from Medieval times ^[1].

[edit] Geography

The village encloses the confluence of the River Loddon and the River Thames. It situated on the A321 road between Twyford and Henley-on-Thames. On the opposite bank of the River Thames are the villages of Shiplake and Lower Shiplake. Wargrave has three local schools, the primary school, infant school and a comprehensive school (Piggott School). Each is funded by the Church of England. There is also a catholic church in the village.

Wargrave railway station is situated on the Henley Branch Line from Twyford to Henley. This railway provides a year-round direct link across the river to Shiplake and on to the end of the line, Henley-on-Thames, and allows connection for commuters to the regional centre Reading and to London. A large proportion of the residents in employment commute to outlying areas, as the village itself supports a small range of shops and businesses, but not enough to support the population.

[edit] History

St Mary's Church, which is situated off the high street was notably set on fire and gutted in 1914 as part direct action by the Suffragette Movement^[2].

The village population grew significantly especially in the 1970s and 80's as new developments in the parish boundaries responded to demand for housing for commuters working in and on the western outskirts of London. More recent development has generally been on a much smaller, organic scale.

The high street now - after surviving a longer period of pressure from 'out of town' shopping-centres - features a number of small shops and businesses that are supported by the population and visitors from nearby villages/towns.

[edit] Leisure

[edit] The River

There are marinas and Wargrave Boating Club for those who use the Thames for leisure and sport. In August, the Wargrave & Shiplake Regatta is a hard-fought and light-hearted annual boating and social event and one of the oldest regattas on the River Thames^[3]. It is notable for its well-known closing firework display that brings boaters from up and down river together with land-based spectators to enjoy the spectacle of a show over the water meadows, the sound reflecting from the valley-sides and the light reflecting in the river.

[edit] Other

Although at one time there were seven public houses on the main High Street, serving coaches travelling between Henley-on-Thames and Reading, there are now only four.

[edit] Locality

Paul Daniels is a Wargrave resident, as was Raymond Baxter.

Position: grid reference SU787785

Nearby towns and cities: Henley, Maidenhead, Reading

Nearby villages: Knowl Hill, Crazies Hill, Hare Hatch, Lower Shiplake, Shiplake, Remenham, Charvil, Twyford and Ruscombe.

[edit] External links

• Wargrave website
• Wargrave Parish Council
• Wargrave with Knowl Hill Churches
• Berkshire History: Wargrave
• Wargrave Runners
• Piggott School

Coordinates: 51.49997° N 0.86761° W