Curridge
| Curridge | |
| Berkshire | |
|---|---|
| |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SU489716 |
| Location: | 51°26’31"N, 1°17’49"W |
| Data | |
| Post town: | Newbury |
| Postcode: | RG18 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | West Berkshire |
Curridge is a village in Berkshire, alone it is farmland, standing to the south of Chieveley and separated from it by the corridor of the M4 motorway.
Curridge is in the south-east of Chieveley parish, adjoining Hermitage. Apart from the knot of Curridge itself, its population is clustered also in Longlane and the Denison Barracks, home of the 42 Engineer Regiment (Geographic) and the Royal School of Military Survey.
The A34 runs north-south close by to the west also, and Chieveley Services on the junction of the M4 and A34 is just half a mile from Curridge but linked only by footpaths and a round-about way by lanes, leaving the village relatively unharmed by the great roads.
Much of the local area is deciduously wooded and Faircross Plantation remembers the fact that the hundred court for Faircross Hundred once met there.
History
King Edred's annals of 953 record the village of Custeridge as being given to Alfric, a deed witnessed by the Bishop of Ramsbury. The village's name is said to be derived from 'Cusa's Ridge'. It was a tithing of Chieveley.
The manor of Curridge is known as Prior's Court because it was owned by Poughley Priory in Chaddleworth and the prior held his court there. In August 1207, King John seems to have had a good few days' hunting in West Berkshire. He is reported in Curridge on the 3rd and Chieveley on the 5th.
The School served also as a chapel until 1965, when the last service was held. The ecclesiastical links with Chieveley were severed and Curridge is now linked with Hermitage. The 20th century poet, printer and artist, Ralph Chubb, lived at Curridge.
About the village
The local pub is The Bunk Inn.
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Curridge) |