Harwell, Oxfordshire
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Harwell is a small village in Oxfordshire, England (previously in Berkshire). It lies near The Ridgeway long-distance footpath, halfway between Abingdon, Oxfordshire and Newbury, Berkshire.
Before 1946 Harwell was probably best known for its cherry orchards. In 1937 an airfield was built between Harwell and Chilton and named RAF Harwell. The airfield was used during World War II to launch glider-borne troops for the Normandy invasion.
In 1946 this airfield was taken over to become the new Atomic Energy Research Establishment, the main centre for atomic energy research in the UK, and become known as Harwell Laboratory. It was the site of Europe's first nuclear reactor in 1946, and once housed five nuclear reactors, all of which have been shut down. Two have been completely dismantled, and it is anticipated that the other three will be decommisioned by 2022.
Other parts of the airfield were later used for other scientific organisations, including the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. That part of the site is now known as Chilton/Harwell Science Campus and also houses the Diamond Light Source. The Atomic Energy Research Establishment part of the airfield site is now officially called Harwell International Business Centre, localy it is referred to as the "Atomic".
Harwell has a population of about 2400
There are currently two public houses in the village, the White Heart and The Crispin. The two pubs are both located on the same corner of the High Street and back on to each other. Formerly there were five; The Crown is now a nursing home, The Chequers a private house and the Kicking Donkey was demolished to make way for housing. The village supports two shops, Bobs the Butchers which includes the Post Office and White Horse News which doubles as an off licence. Two other general stores have closed in the village over the last 20 years and the village bakery. At one point the village even had a brewery, this is now a private house and located opposite the White Horse public house.
Harwell_church.jpg
The Village church is St. Matthews and is part of the Church of England. The church is notable for the quality and age of the 8 peels of bells housed in the Belfry. St Matthew's, was mainly built in the 13th century, it is a grade 1 listed building and was formerly dedicated to St Mary. The nave roof is from 1220, and the screen dividing the chancel from the body of the church also dates from the 13th century. The award-winning tower has 8 bells and 1 Sanctus bell dating from 1611 to 1932. The tenor weighs 16 cwt. There is a single-handed clock on the tower's west face. In 1975 a two floor extension was built on the north wall which now contains a parish office. A new church hall was built in 1994.
Social Life.
There are a good number of clubs and societies in the village. These include an excellent Royal Legion, a lively Scout Group, an earnest Girls Brigade, a growing Horticultural Society, Harwell Feast Committee, Football and Rugby Clubs and others.
The Harwell Feast. This celebration is held on the Monday of the May bank holiday each year. The celebrations include a parade of decorate floats and people through the village. The recreation ground is turned over to various fund raising stalls and demonstration from sheep dog handling to vintage cars. Either a cow or a couple of pigs will be roasted to supply the meat for the feast.
External link
UKAEA Harwell (http://www.ukaea.org.uk/harwell/index.htm)pl:Harwell