Oakley, Hampshire
| Oakley | |
 The Fox Pub |
|
  Oakley Oakley shown within Hampshire | |
| Population | 5,322 |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | SU575504 |
| - 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 |
Oakley is a 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 considered an affluent area where property prices are significantly higher than the national average and has one of the lowest levels of unemployment and crime in the country.
Oakley is divided into two districts, namely East Oakley and Church Oakley. The village sits on chalkland.[1] Its village magazine, Link, is published monthly.
Education and worship
Oakley has two linked educational facilities: Oakley CE Junior School [2] and Oakley Infant school, both of which have consistently achieved 'Outstanding' ratings in OFSTED inspections. Oakley also contains a small Methodist church, and the ancient Anglican church, St Leonard's. The Anglican church (St John's) was recently demolished for safety reasons and has been translated into a garden of remembrance with the war memorial positioned on the site of the altar.
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".[3]
Facilities
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. The village is well supplied with local tradesmen, has a surgery (part of a shared practice with the next village of Overton),a central convenience store with Post Office, a local butchers, estate agent (Blue House), pharmacy, veterinary surgery, a local window cleaner[4] and dental practice;[5]three public houses, the 'Barley Mow', 'The Fox' and 'The Beach Arms'. A coffee shop was a recent addition to the village. Its railway station, originally on the West of England Main Line closed in 1963 - and the buildings are now used by various local businesses. The thriving village allotment site stands next to the old railway station. [6] Situated to the west of the village is Oakley Hall, an 18th-century Georgian manor that is now used for corporate events.[7]
Sports
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. There are also ample opportunities for walking with the Wayfarers Way close at hand and a riding stable and riding school are also found in the village.
Oakley Cricket Club
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
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
Oakley Tennis Club has four hard courts.
Oakley and Deane Parish Council
Oakley Parish Council was formed in 1894. In 1966 the East Oakley ward of Wootton St Lawrence became part of the parish[8] 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]
See also
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Oakley, Hampshire. |
The Guardian, Saturday 24 March 2007, Oliver Burkeman The happiest village in Britain
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Parish Council
- ↑ http://www.oakley-jun.hants.sch.uk
- ↑ "BBC announces one-off mini-episode of Doctor Who" (Press release). BBC Press Office. 24 August 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
- ↑ http://www.oakleywindowcleaning.co.uk
- ↑ http://www.oakleydentalpractice.co.uk
- ↑ Old Hampshire Gazetteer, Oakley Station, Oakley
- ↑ Oakley Hall
- ↑ "Oakley and Deane parish council - history". Retrieved 23 August 2010.
