Woodcote

infobox UK place
static_

static_image_caption =
country = England
latitude= 51.5341
longitude= -1.0721
official_name= Woodcote
population= 2,700 (2001 census data)
civil_parish= Woodcote
shire_district= South Oxfordshire
shire_county = Oxfordshire
region= South East England
constituency_westminster= Henley
post_town= READING|postcode_district = RG8
postcode_area= RG |dial_code= 01491
os_grid_reference= SU643819

Woodcote is a village in Southern Oxfordshire, and is situated between the Goring Road and the A4074.Woodcote is the highest point in the South Chilterns. Woodcote is about 6 miles north-west of Reading, Berkshire and 14 miles south-east of Oxford.

Nearby towns and cities: Wallingford, Reading, Oxford

Nearby villages: Goring-On-Thames, Pangbourne, Whitchurch-on-Thames, Crays Pond, Checkendon, Goring Heath, and South Stoke.

Woodcote is centred around the village green and Church Farm, with the village hall centred on the crossroads.Woodcote is surrounded in many parts by truly outstanding woodland, suitable for many pleasant walks. There are many country footpaths in the area, the Bridlepath also runs past the village.

Woodcote won the Oxfordshire Village of the Year title for 2008. [http://www.bbc.co.uk/oxford/content/articles/2008/07/02/village_of_the_year.shtml]

History

Not much is known about the early history of the village, but artifacts have been discovered that show that this area has been inhabited for thousands of years. For example, a 5000 year old polished hand-axe and a larger than life Celtic carved stone head, dating to about 1500 years B.C.

The name Woodcote ("cottage in the wood") was first documented in 1109, in association with South Stoke.

Woodcote was a gypsy settlement for many years and there is a gypsy burial ground in the vicinity of the village which follows gypsy tradition whereby members of the community where buried on high ground.

Education

Langtree School, The Oratory School, Woodcote Primary School are all situated in the village. There are also two preschools. Langtree school recently became a DfES Specialist Performing Arts College.

The Cabin, one of the local preschool was founded by Mrs Rose Hunt in 1961. It had two previous homes until in 1986 when Mrs Bella Saunders, the Chairperson at the time, along with the Management Committee began raising funds for a new building. £10,000 was raised in just twelve months.The current building was installed in 1987 during the Christmas holidays within the grounds of Langtree School. In September 1996 the name was changed from The Cabin Playschool to The Cabin Pre-School.

Facilities

Woodcote has two shops, Londis and Somerfield, and also a Post Office.

There are three churches in the village:
* St. Leonards, Church of England
* Christ the King, Roman Catholic
* Methodist

Lifestyle

For the youth of Woodcote between the ages of 3 and 14 there are excellent facilities in the village with a newly-built playground beside the main village green and a basketball net also available.

For men and women over the age of 21 there is the local Lions Club. One of 960 such clubs in the UK and part of the worldwide 'family' of Lions Clubs International, the largest service organisation in the world. They support those in need in the local communities from the youth to senior citizens. They also fund raise with events such as their annual 10k Run held each January, profits from this run are returned to a worthy charity, usually in the community.

Sport

* Football: Woodcote / Stoke Row Football Club currently has three teams. The First team plays in the Reading Football League Senior Division; the Reserve team plays in the Reading Football League Division Two, and the Youth team plays in the South Chiltern Minor League Division One.
* Cricket: Woodcote Cricket Club currently plays in the Berkshire Cricket League Premier Division.

Woodcote Rally

Every year Woodcote hosts a steam, vintage and veteran transport and real ale festival, the proceeds of which are donated to local charities and organisations, and over the years has raised more than £300,000. There is also a funfair attached to this for further entertainment.

External links

* http://www.woodcote-online.co.uk
* http://www.langtree.oxon.sch.uk
* http://www.thecabinpreschool.co.uk
* http://www.woodcoterally.org.uk
* http://www.woodcote-festival-ales.org.uk
* http://www.lions-gwd.org.uk

References