“Hear our Story”

Tuesday 7th November 2023 

7:30pm (doors open 7:00 pm)

Chinnor Community Pavilion, Station Rd, Chinnor OX39 4PU

We are fast approaching November 11th, the time of year when we remember those who fell in the many conflicts involving our nation. We specifically wish to remember the two young men who were born in the cottages that once stood in Donkey Lane Community Orchard, Alfred and Aubrey Howlett and the landowner’s son Frank Eggleton. They, and many others, left to fight in WW1 for their country but never returned. 

If you missed last year’s presentation, this is your chance to come along and hear about their experiences. The talk will be well supported by maps, photos and illustrations including some new material. Some of the background information you may find surprising! 

Delving deep into war diaries and other War Office records, hear the poignant stories of the sons of two families; the Howletts, Alfred and Aubrey who lived in one of the Orchard cottages and Frank Eggleton, the son of the owner of the land where the cottages stood.

Discover some of the key battles and lives of the soldiers who, along with many other young men, left their village to serve their Country in the Great War and did not return.

Are you baffled by the language used in descriptions of the war or maybe thought ‘how did they do that’? 

We will try to answer a few of these things. For example; how did they transport 700 horses to Alexandria in 1914.

Admission £5 by ticket (cash only please) available from Chinnor Parish Office or by emailing greeningchinnor@gmail.com or call on 07973 788339. 

Test Pit Digging at Donkey Lane Community Orchard

Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th October 2023 10am – 3:30pm.

Last December, with the help, and under the guidance of the South Oxfordshire Archaeological Group, a series of test pits were dug at Donkey Lane Community Orchard. This was to look for evidence of the old cottages and find out more about the activities and people who lived and worked on the site.

This year two previous pits will be reopened and extended based on last year’s findings. Test Pit 1 will be slightly to the right as a building was just missed. Test Pit 3 will also be opened and extended (near the lane) where some evidence of a wall was found. Depending on numbers, it’s hoped to open 2 new test pits where there are signs of cottages and outbuildings on the 1881 map. 

As last year, we welcome you to come and help find out more about the Orchard site. Volunteers will be guided through each stage so everyone can learn how an excavation is carried out and your test pit is dug to professional standards. 

Even if you don’t dig, there are plenty of other essential roles that can be done whilst sitting and/or in short bursts and without getting too dirty! Anyone can join in; children are most welcome (accompanied by a parent or guardian). Contact Linda at greeningchinnor@gmail.com to book your place.

Donkey Lane Community Orchard - The Guntrips

Sarah Gomme and John Guntrip married in St Andrews Church in Chinnor on 7th of December 1818. They were both in later life for a first marriage by the trends of the time. According to records, John was about 40 and Sarah 36. Sarah’s maiden name was spelled in several ways in the numerous records that we have found. It can be Gumm, Gomme, Gomm or Gom. To save confusion we will use Gomme in this piece. Guntrip also has alternative spelling with a double ‘p’ at the end and on Sarah’s death recording she is listed as ‘Lantrip’. The marriage was witnessed by Lucy Gomme and William Neal who were both able to sign their names. John and Sarah only “made their mark” which was not unusual for the time and seems the case for many marriage records. We have not yet found any children from this marriage.

Sarah was the daughter of Thomas Gomme and Mary Eustace, both of Chinnor. Their marriage was recorded in the Chinnor church records in 1773. The Gomme’s had many children, several of whom had died in infancy.

There were as many as 15 recorded births although at least two died in infancy and it seems from the parish records that they used the name again for the next child, which seemed quite common at the time. The two examples of this were Lucy born 1798 and died 1799, followed by another Lucy born in 1800. There was also a James born in 1791 and died in 1792 followed by another James born in 1793 who made it into adulthood as he was still present on the later census returns.

For example, the first Lucy’s birth 24th January 1788, death, June 15th, 1789, making her 17 months old.

This is the second Lucy’s birth record for 11th March 1800. This Lucy, who was a witness at Sarah and John’s wedding in 1818, went on to have a longish life marrying James Biggs 4 years later in 1822. They had 3 surviving daughters and a son. Read more...

2023 Apple Pressing at Donkey Lane Community Orchard

It is with great regret that due to an extreme shortage of apples Greening Chinnor will be unable to hold the planned apple pressing in the Orchard. Several factors have caused this. We had a bounteous crop last year and many old fruit trees crop well and then have a rest. During blossom time we had several sharp frosts and finally the growing season has veered between deluge and drought. Unfortunately, a couple of local growers who could also be guaranteed to supply a few boxes had the same problem as us, plus the affliction of brown rot. Fingers crossed for next year and we hope the Wassail brings us better fortune.

We have seen a few members of the community picking the extremely sparse crop of windfalls. Good for them. The orchard is a Community Orchard and is always open. We are happy for anyone to collect windfalls. There is no charge and all we ask is that you do not pick for commercial purposes, damage the trees and always take your litter home.