Wick Hall: the story of a house and a family is about Wick Hall in Radley near Abingdon, and the Dockar Drysdale family who purchased and then transformed it in the nineteenth century. An intriguing piece of local history, it also opens a window on wider social change. More about the book
This year marks 25 years since the Millennium. To commemorate that occasion, Radley History Club commissioned the artwork to create a large, annotated colour map of Radley featuring many of the village’s historic landmarks. The map – commonly referred to as the ’Millennium Map’ – proved popular and many were sold at the time. Many past and present Radley residents have one!
There are still some left to buy at a cost of £5 (plus postage and packing). If you’d like one, please get in touch with Joyce Huddleston (chairman@radleyhistoryclub.org.uk).
Back in November 2024, one of the maps was sent (courtesy of Royal Mail) all the way to California to someone who had found details of it on this website. His name was Steve Fabes and he’d been born in Radley in 1944 during the war when his parents, refugees from London, were living in the attic flat at Lower Farm. Steve even gave his youngest son the middle name ‘Radley’. He can remember his father referring to the farmer as ‘Mr Frierson’ and thinks the family probably moved back to London in 1946. Steve still has relatives in the UK but has lived in California for over 50 years.
This walk around the village combines glimpses of everyday life in days gone by in Radley with an introduction to its historic buildings. Discover the village’s history by comparing old photos with what you see now. The leaflet features 24 points of interest and includes a map.
The walk has two halves, both starting at the Bowyer Arms pub. One half includes St James the Great Church and the ancient ‘Radley Oak’ in the grounds of Radley College. The other explores some of the old farmhouses and cottages in Lower Radley and takes you down to the River Thames.
The leaflet is on sale at Radley Village Shop, price £1.50, or you can download a free PDF here.
RADLEY MANOR AND VILLAGE a thousand year story was published on 30 November 2019. Copies can be bought via the Club’s website or in person from Radley Village Shop. The book costs £15 (plus postage & packaging).
The book was researched and written as a collaboration between Radley History Club and Radley College’s archivist. It tells the history of Radley’s manor and its relationship with the village from around the time of the Norman Conquest to the present day. It explores the changing role of the manor, the people who held it, how they lived and the power they exercised, as well as how the lives of ordinary villagers were affected by the manor. More details
Front cover of ‘Radley Manor and Village: a thousand year story’
The exhibition in Radley Village Hall on 16-17 July 2011 told the story of Radley’s farms and families, past and present. Radley once had at least 17 farms, now it has just two – Peach Croft Farm and Lower Farm. The Club’s new book, Radley Farms and Families 1600-2011, charts the story of Radley’s farms and families over more than four centuries.
The displays featured material from the Club archives on various farms (Walsh’s, Minchin’s, Wick, Pumney, Neat Home, Peach Croft, Park End, Church, Sugworth, Gooseacre, Home, Thrupp), the Stonhouse family, Radley people, farmhouses in the village, farming methods through the ages and aerial photographs of Radley. Rita and Brian Ford brought along many items from their collection of agricultural implements and memorabilia.
Display board about Gooseacre Farm
Display board about Church Farm
Over 300 people visited the exhibition during the course of the two days. “A very interesting exhibition which has brought back some lovely memories” “Very professional – an excellent farming history”
