Stretching from the River Kennet
to the Enborne River and including the famous Greenham
Common with its outstanding views, the Parish - on the
southern edge of Newbury - is fast becoming a major
residential area and centre for leisure, business and
shopping.
From humble origins as a small priory
and home to veterans of the Crusades, Greenham expanded
in the late 19th century. St Mary’s Parish Church
was established in 1876 and its members play an active
part in the community.
The Common was requisitioned during
World War 2 as an airbase and continued as such for
the RAF and USAF, culminating in the arrival of the
American Cruise missiles in the 1980s. Demonstrations,
mainly by women, against nuclear weapons, occurred following
their deployment.
In 1997 the airbase was purchased by Greenham Common Trust and restored to common land in April 2000. Around 750 acres of common land was sold back to West Berkshire Council and the remaining 150 acres was developed into a sustainable business park called New Greenham Park, which employs around 1,500 people. Greenham Common Trust owns and manages the business park and funds generated from this are distributed back into the local community through several streams of grants funding. It has given over £12.5m in charitable grant aid since 1997 to local good causes. West Berkshire Council owns and manages the common.
On the outskirts of the Parish there
is a thriving retail outlet housing many well known
stores. Mill Hall (formerly Greenham Lodge, a Primary
School for the Deaf) and the Hilton Hotel can be hired
for functions. Newbury Racecourse, created in 1905,
also provides a useful conference venue, nursery school
and golf range. Crookham private golf club was established
in 1873.
The Council meets monthly on
the second Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm in St Mary's
Church Hall, Greenham. Parishioners and interested
groups are encouraged to attend and express their views
on local matters. |
