Berinsfield

History

Palaeolithic and Roman artefacts were found during 20th century excavations to build the village. The Roman road between Dorchester-on-Thames and Alchester runs through the centre of Berinsfield. An Anglo-Saxon cemetery was also found at Berinsfield. The village is on the site of RAF Mount Farm, a satellite of RAF Benson, initially used to train bomber pilots. It was later taken over by the United States Army Air Forces, who used it as a reconnaissance base. From here stars including Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour and Glenn Miller took off to entertain the troops in Europe. Miller performed for the US service personnel at the base in December 1944 before his fateful flight from RAF Twinwood Farm which disappeared en route to Paris.

After World War II the disused airbase was occupied by squatters, some of whom stayed for over a decade until, in 1957, the Air Ministry sold the airfield for civilian use. Bullingdon Rural District Council decided to build a new council estate to be named after Birinus or Berin, a local saint. The word 'field' was added because the Americans called their base an airfield. Many new residents at that time lived in the former Royal Air Force huts until brick-built houses were constructed on the site. Berinsfield is the first English village to be built on virgin land for more than 200 years. It was designed by the architect and town planner William Holford in 1960. The Church of England parish church of Saint Mary and Saint Berin was designed by Rev. Harold Best, vicar of Dorchester, and built in 1962.

Amenities

Berinsfield has amenities including a primary school, public library, sports centre, Berinsfield Community Association and Social Club, and local shops. The village is also home to Berinsfield Amateur Boxing Club, and Berinsfield Football Club. Berinsfield has a local branch of the Women's Institute, and previously offered a youth club for those aged between 10 and 21 ('The Berry Youth Club').

Thames Travel bus routes X38, X39 and X40 indirectly serve Berinsfield, linking the village to Oxford, Reading and Wallingford seven days a week and Henley-on-Thames from Monday to Saturday.

Gallery

File:Berinsfield mainroad.jpg|Part of Fane Drive, the main road within the village File:Berinsfield houses.jpg|Houses in the northeast part of Berinsfield

References

Sources

References

1. "Berinsfield Parish".
2. Ordnance Survey. (2006). "Oxford, Chipping Norton and Bicester (Landranger Maps)". [[Ordnance Survey]].
3. {{harvnb. Boyle. Dodd. Miles. Mudd. 1995
4. "Berinsfield the Community". Berinsfield Parish Council.
5. Ward, Colin. (1 September 2004). "The hidden history of housing". History and Policy.
6. [https://www.abbeywoodsacademy.oxon.sch.uk/ Abbey Woods Academy]
7. "Berinsfield Library". [[Oxfordshire County Council]].
8. [https://archive.today/20070119191258/http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/leisure-and-countryside/leisure-centres/ South Oxfordshire District Council: Leisure Centres]
9. "river rapids X38 X39 X40 NX40". [[Thames Travel]].