DVS Events 2018

You will probably have seen our DVS photographer, Adrian Giddins, at many village and DVS events. We keep photographic records of our activities and use these to illustrate our newsletter and website. They are also added to the DVS Photo Archive which is a unique set of images, collected and managed for many years by Rob Gordon and more recently by Adrian. (Please let us know if you don’t wish any photos of yourself to be used.)

Christmas on the Green

DVS had a stall at the St Nicholas Fayre this year, one of the ‘Christmas on the Green’ events of 1 December. Thank you to everyone who came along.

Wildlife of the Jubilee River

On 15 November 2018, we invited Brian Clews to talk to us about the wildlife on the Jubilee River. Very many thanks to everyone who came along. The event was open to members and non-members and was well attended with visitors from outside Datchet too.

Wildlife expert Brian Clews has lived in the area for 48 years, been involved with the local RSPB Group for 40 years, and published the monthly Berkshire Bird Bulletin for 30 years from 1986 to 2015. He was a co-author for the latest Berkshire Bird Atlas project (a countywide survey and conservation programme), and has written three other local books. Through working part-time with WildGuides Publishers, he has contributed to about 30 other natural history books.

The Jubilee River, the flood alleviation scheme from Cookham to Datchet, was constructed in 2000. Brian’s talk looked at the wildlife it has affected and attracted. (This is of particular interest to Datchet given the proposals to build a second flood alleviation scheme, the River Thames Scheme [RTS] from Southlea in Datchet to Teddington.) Brian has vast experience in this area. After the Jubilee River was built, he surveyed both banks of the entire river every week for 10 years until the funding ran out. When the RTS was proposed, the Environment Agency had no up-to-date survey data on the Jubilee River so they asked again for Brian’s help. Brian surveyed the river throughout last winter. He has also been involved in the design of the RTS to make it wildlife-friendly.

The talk, which was held in St Mary’s Church Rooms, was introduced by Janet Kennish and followed by drinks and nibbles.

Datchet WWI Armistice Centenary

During the WWI centenary commemorations in November 2018, DVS shared its research with the village.

: On Friday 2nd, we had news to report about one of the soldiers on the memorial, Lieut J G Butt, whose grave had been found

: On Sunday 4th, we encouraged everyone to find out more about the 54 men on the memorial from the DVS research on our website

: On Monday 5th, we put up discreet signs in the cemetery showing where WWI soldiers were buried or commemorated

: On Tuesday 6th, we posted the names of the 11 soldiers missing from the War Memorial on the white posts surrounding Memorial Green

: On Wednesday 7th, when we thought there was no way it could be done in time for Remembrance Sunday, Andy Chalk, the stonemason, pulled out all the stops and the stone engraved with the names of the missing men was mounted on the memorial

: On Thursday 8th November, we mounted poppies on lamp posts, telegraph and sign posts, near the houses of the soldiers remembered on the WWI memorial so residents could discover if they lived in the same road, or house, as a WWI soldier

: On Friday 9th November we published the revised War Roll adding 82 more men to the original unfinished list of 350

: And on Sunday 11 November, names of the 11 ‘missing’ soldiers were read out in Church and DVS had a display on the Green and laid a wreath on behalf of the Society

New to Datchet Event

DVS was invited to be part of the Baptist Church’s ‘New to Datchet’ event on 13 October, an occasion designed to introduce new residents to local organisations and help them feel part of the community. As always, DVS is very happy to support village events and welcome new members to the Society – and the offer of cake is always irresistible! Many thanks to the Baptist Church for organising what we hope will become an annual event.

Southlea Farm Archaeology

Trent and Peak Archaeology invited DVS along to Southlea Farm on Thursday 11 October 2018 to tell us more about their recent archaeological investigations. The event was arranged rather hurriedly as we had very short notice, and only a few DVS members were able to attend. If you missed it, the good news is that Trent and Peak Archaeology plans to hold an event next year in collaboration with DVS so everyone has an opportunity to see what has been going on and what has been found. Details to follow as soon as a date has been confirmed.

You may remember that, in the 1990s, a DVS group investigated cropmarks seen in aerial photos of Southlea with exceptional results. Finds ranged from the Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Ages to the Roman period; from 6000 years ago to when the Romans left Britain 1600 years ago. As the proposed route of the new River Thames Scheme from Datchet to Teddington will run through this prehistoric settlement site, preliminary surveys have been carried out to assess whether archaeological material is still to be found, and if excavation should take place. Trent and Peak Archaeology have been opening trial trenches, though covering them over again, and they have finds to show us.

The visit did not involve actual fieldwalking or finds-processing as the DVS has done before. Instead, it was an update on how the professionals have been investigating the site and what they have found.

: The excavations were taking place in the fields at Southlea Farm, where DVS had made some spectacular finds while field-walking in 1996

: We were shown where numerous trenches had been dug along the route of the proposed new River Thames Scheme.

: We watched the archaeologists at work in the trenches and ditches…

: …and learned more about the different layers in the soil and rock

: One of their trenches spanned the width of the largest barrow which allowed us to better understand their size and scale

: Afterwards we were shown some of the recent finds of flint and pottery…

: …and we learned more about the meticulous process of recording finds.

: There are plans to hold an event next year so everyone has an opportunity to see what has been found

For more information: click here to read full details about the DVS archaeology project on the Datchet History website. There is also a full-colour leaflet and a cabinet of some of the previous finds at Datchet library, or click here to view the leaflet online. To read more about the Environment Agency’s archaeological surveys, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/news/archaeology-surveys-june-2017-river-thames-scheme

Kedermister Library

On 2 September, the DVS visited Sir John Kedermister’s Library at St Mary’s Church in Langley. Anyone who has visited before would know the surprise of finding such a little-known gem almost on our doorstep. Sir John Kedermister had owned land in Langley from the 1500s (sometimes in dispute with Robert Barker of Datchet!) and in 1626 became the Lord of Langley Manor. He was a benefactor for the church providing many splendid furnishings which still survive, including the Kedermister Chapel.

: St Mary The Virgin, Langley Marish

: The Royal Coat of Arms, given to the church in 1625 by Sir John Kedermister. Behind it is a bread shelf where bread was placed to distribute to the poor

: The Chancel Screen contains some 15th-century woodwork. Until the 19th century, the Royal Coat of Arms was mounted here

: The Kedermister Pew, approached by a set of stairs, was installed in the early 1600s. It also has its own private door into the churchyard

The Chapel houses a private pew for his family’s use and the Library, both built in the 1630s and painted with trompe l’oeil detail over every surface. The Library was founded so that local clergy could access theological volumes. Also interesting to modern eyes is the Kedermister family’s Pharmacopolium, a handwritten book listing homemade remedies for various ailments. In 1825, a later Lord of the Manor, Robert Harvey, employed William Bidwell of Datchet to ‘repair and make good the gold mouldings by the side of the fire place, repaint the landscapes in pannels of ditto and paint ornaments in each of the plain pannels to match’. The group then toured the church which dates from the 12th century and is listed in England’s Thousand Best Churches by Simon Jenkins.

: The Kedermister Pew is furnished with fine Charles I walnut benches, and decorated with Coats of Arms and 35 all-seeing eyes of God

: Sir John’s portrait can be found on the inside of one of the book cupboard doors

: The ornate chimney piece is a striking focal point

: The Kedermister family’s coats of arms are displayed here

: The ornate trompe l’oeil panelling conceals four large book cupboards and two windows

: Katie Flanagan, the Honorary Librarian, explained the significance of some of the painted characters

: Around the top of the room are landscape paintings

: One of these landscapes is of Windsor Castle

: The library contains more than 300 large leather-bound books, works of theology and church history

: Lady Kedermister’s book of medicines is the only hand-written book in the library

: In 1825, William Bidwell of Datchet was employed to repair and paint the pew and library.

: After the visit, DVS members were offered a welcome cup of tea by the church volunteers

Datchet Village Fete

On the first Saturday in July, the DVS stall was in action again, supporting the village fete. We used the opportunity to show off the lovely new (old) watercolours of Datchet, painted around 1850-1860, that were purchased recently on ebay. If you weren’t able to come along to see them, we’ve included photographs below – please click on each image for a larger version. They are not signed or dated but are the earliest pictures of the village yet known. Both paintings have now been bought by the DVS and The Barker Bridge House Trust, restored and framed. After seeing the paintings, many people suggested that it might be a good idea to reinstate the turnpike at the bottom of London Road! The extreme heat and a clash with an England football match and the Wimbledon Ladies’ final, meant that most stalls closed early, but thank you to everyone who came along to see us.

: ‘Cows on the Green’ before restoration

: ‘Royal Stag and the Church’ before restoration

The Ellis Journey

On the first Sunday in July, there was a second re-enactment of the journey made on 5 July 1895 by pioneering automobilist, Evelyn Ellis, from Micheldever Station in Hampshire to his home at Rosenau, on Southlea Road, Datchet. That original journey was the first ever recorded by a motorised carriage in the UK. This year’s event culminated with a display of around 30 pre-1905 cars, motorcycles, tricycles and cycles on our village greens. Many of the entrants wore period costumes and the best-dressed received a copy of Janet Kennish’s Datchet Past. The DVS had a stand on Gossip Green, in front of the library, with a display about Evelyn Ellis and Datchet’s motoring history. Please visit Janet’s Datchet History website to read more about Evelyn Ellis.

: DVS was out on the green bright and early to set up our stall

: Among the very first to arrive were Lord and Lady Montagu, photographed here outside the library, Montagu House

: Lord Montagu parked his 1903 Daimler on the village green

: Even the programme seller had a vintage bicycle

: The veteran vehicles made their way over the level crossing and through the centre of Datchet

: Among the spectacular vehicles was this 1904 8hp De Dion Bouton Type V

: Slowly Memorial Green filled up

: And a jazz band entertained the visitors

: Even though the grass was very dry, the flowers around the memorial added a dash of brilliant colour to the event

: A 1904 4hp Rover Tri-car makes its way onto the green

: This 4.5hp De Dion Bouton Vis a Vis Type G2 was made in 1901

: With the entrants dressed in period costume, it seemed as if the whole village had stepped back in time

: A 1904 6hp Gamage

: Around 30 entrants completed the journey to Datchet village green

: The period costumes added to the sense of history

: Motorists passing through the village had an unexpected treat

: One by one the cars left to make their way home

: Ready to do it all again next year on the first Sunday in July

Royal Wedding Party on the Rec

The DVS, always keen to support village events, had a stall at the Royal Wedding Party on the Rec, on 19 May 2018, to celebrate the marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The day kicked off with the screening of the wedding, followed by live music and, later in the afternoon, by the FA Cup Final.

DVS Annual General Meeting: New (old) paintings of Datchet

The AGM was held on 25 April 2018 at Datchet St Mary’s Primary Academy. There were a number of paintings of Datchet on display including two ‘new’ ones, lovely watercolours of Datchet, painted around 1850-1860. They are not signed or dated but are the earliest pictures of the village yet known. The DVS and Barker Bridge House Trust have purchased these paintings and had them restored and framed. Janet talked about what they all reveal and how we can date them.

: ‘Cows on the Green’ before restoration

: ‘Royal Stag and the Church’ before restoration

DVS was also able to display a Victorian Jubilee medal purchased recently on eBay. These medals were minted to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee on Tuesday 21 June 1887. There was a church service and procession through the village and the Victoria Oak, a gift from the Duchess of Buccleuch, was planted on the village green. There was much rejoicing and singing of the national anthem and when the school children returned to school they were all given a Datchet medal on a blue ribbon.

: Queen Victoria’s Jubilee medal reverse

: Queen Victoria’s Jubilee medal front

There was also a display of information about the ‘missing’ soldiers from Datchet’s War Memorial and the names we propose to add as part of the memorial restoration project.

ALDIN HOUSE AND CHAPEL

Our first visit of 2018, on 24 March, was to Aldin House and Chapel, two Grade II Listed buildings at St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School in Slough. The site has a fascinating social, industrial, educational and architectural history, some published and some being currently researched and pieced together by DVS committee member and heritage designer Paul Bonnici-Waddingham, and Slough historian Tony Sargeant, both hosts of our visit.

The original school was attended by Percy de Paravicini of Datchet, among others. Jock Kinross of Riding Court also sent his daughters here. At the start of WWI, the school accommodated a Voluntary Aid Detachment Hospital where many Datchet women volunteered, helping to care for the wounded soldiers. Links to the village continue to this day.

Our visit began in the front grounds of the school where the Dolphin Inn once stood, on the important London to Bath mail-coach run, and where ‘pleasure gardens’ attracted day visitors to an otherwise agricultural area. We then explored the lower floors of Aldin House, a fine example of mid-Victorian Italianate architecture which was built prospectively in the 1860s as a private residence using bricks made on the grounds. (At the time brickworks were a major local industry.) Within a few years of being completed, the still unoccupied house and grounds were leased to an Eton Master to create a preparatory school for younger Etonians – St Michael’s – resulting in further development of the site and the loss of the Inn. This marked the beginnings of the site’s heritage in education provision. The chapel, the next part of our tour, bookends the extended range of buildings to the west and has been attributed to the architect Gilbert Scott with later extension by Alfred Waterhouse, designer of London’s Natural History Museum. We then headed back into Aldin House, to explore the basement and the upper floors, and finished our visit with a refreshments in the hall.