Easy hikes and walks around Aldworth

Rivers and canals crisscross the country, as they were – especially in the early days of industrialisation – a very essential part of the transport infrastructure. After all, the factories needed the delivery of raw materials in previously unknown quantities, and the finished goods then had to find their way to the traders. Many of the canals originate from this era. Later, the railways and, later still, trucks took over the task of transporting goods. However, when building the artificial waterways and making the rivers navigable, it had to be taken into account that differences in altitude always had to be overcome, and so locks are often lined up along the canals and rivers – at more or less large intervals, depending on the local situation. Shipping could only be made possible with their help.

home brewed beer.

Mention should be made of the Norman ‘flower-pot’ font. These are fairly common in Berkshire and the design was probably copied from the Jewish stone jars used for ritual washing in the time of Jesus, and referred to in the Gospel of St John at the wedding in Cana of Galilee. Today a similar jar can be seen in the Orthodox Church in Cana.

Laurence Binyon, 1869-1943, whose ashes are buried with those of his wife Cicily by the beech hedge bounding the churchyard, is especially remembered for the words of his poem “For the Fallen”, quoted at Remembrance Day Services: “They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.” Those from the village who gave their lives in the two World Wars are remembered in the east window and on the Memorial on the outside wall.

Yes this area is famous for the giants and the yew tree, but let's not over look the beautiful little church. St Mary’ church in Aldworth dates back in part to around 1200. The oldest part of Aldworth Church is the lower half of the tower, which is in the style known as Transitional Norman and may be dated about the year 1200, but the site is probably much older. The original circular shape of the churchyard suggests an earlier pagan burying ground which can still be seen by a ring of holly trees to the east of the church. The church yard was extended to the beech hedge in the 1930s. The Jacobean pulpit was once in St Lawrence’s Church, Reading. For some reason it was no longer wanted there and was sold or given to Aldworth about the year 1740. The reading desk is also a splendid piece of carving, but its history is not known. It hardly looks as if it was originally intended for a church.

Historical landmark. The Yew tree in the churchyard is at least 1000 years old and though it has been struck by lightning and blown over in a storm it is still partly alive.

Rumoured to once have been a medieval hall house or manor before it became a pub. It was built in the 15th century or possibly earlier, It has two rooms, a large panelled tap room with inglenook fireplace and quarry-tiled floor, and a smaller L-shaped room. The bar itself is a servery with sliding glass partitions and hatches, and has no bar fittings at all save for ebony handpumps, which were fitted in 1902. The pub is also notable for having been owned and run by the same family continuously since the 18th century. The pub is a free house and sells beers from a number of local breweries.

Effigy 8. Nicholas de la Beche, the third brother, was Lieutenant of the Tower of London and oversaw the upbringing of The Black Prince. In 1338 he was given permission to castellate (fortfiy) his homes at Beaumys and Aldworth. He seems to have received the anger of Edward III over some shortfalls in supplying the king's campaigns in France in 1340 but was quickly forgiven, being made a baron in 1342, summoned to the Great Council and made Steward of Gascony. Nicholas was also one of those chosen to negotiate with Alfonso, the King of Castile on Edward III's behalf over some disputes with their respective citizens. He died shortly after returning from a French military campaign in 1347. Carved hounds sat at Nicholas' feet, although again, these had been destroyed by 1880. Effigy 9. John de la Beche, the son of Isabella and John. He lies without armour with a dog at his feet. By 1880 the head, hands and feet of the effigy had been destroyed. John died in 1340.