Local Amenities
Many of the village amenities have maintained the simplicity of the traditional village store, particularly as many of these businesses (and residences) in or around the Square, occupy Listed Buildings, which has naturally assisted in preserving the timeless ambience of the area.
Two of the many Listed Buildings on the Square.
No.1 on The High Street was once Percy Bradford's draper's shop and the photograph above of the 1930s demonstrates a typical shop facia of this era. Despite the pronounced switch of trade, the distinctively shaped bow-windows are still recognisable in the shop-front today.
The left photograph shows The Dog & Bear Hotel as it stood in the early 1900s. In both these images the coat of arms of Queen Anne (b.1665) rests over the main entrance and there is legend that she once slept in the hotel overnight. Although there is no defined evidence in support of this, it may at least lend factual weight when speculating the age of the building.
Photographs of the entrance to Church Square taken 100 years apart. In 1915 the building on the far left was an inn called The Chequers. As can be seen in 2015 the name continues but the establishment itself now trades as a fish and chip shop.
The fourteenth century Red Lion pub is another fine example of a time-honoured social amenity on the Square.
Modern views of the village Square today:
Modern views of the village Square today: