| Oakley | |
Beach Arms Hotel |
|
|
Oakley
Oakley shown within Hampshire |
|
| Population | 5,322 |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | 575??? |
| - London | 48 miles |
| District | Basingstoke and Deane |
| Shire county | Hampshire |
| Region | South East |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BASINGSTOKE |
| Postcode district | RG23 |
| Dialling code | 01256 |
| Police | Hampshire |
| Fire | Hampshire |
| Ambulance | South Central |
| EU Parliament | South East England |
| UK Parliament | Basingstoke and Deane |
| List of places: UK • England • Hampshire | |
Oakley is a semi-rural affluent large village and parish situated 8 km (5.0 mi) 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.
Contents |
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.
Pupils of Oakley CE Junior School also won a BBC learning competition, to create a Doctor Who mini-adventure. Their winning adventure was entitled "Death Is the Only Answer".[2]
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, four 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. Its railway station, originally on the West of England Main Line closed in 1963.[3] Situated to the west of the village is Oakley Hall, an 18th century Georgian manor that is now used for corporate events.[4]
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 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 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.
Oakley Tennis Club has four hard courts.
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]
The Guardian, Saturday 24 March 2007, Oliver Burkeman The happiest village in Britain