Upton Village | History

• Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008

Peter Humfrey has contacted us having found the web site while researching the history of the Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway and the station.

Peter suspects that the Joseph Pomfrey referred to in the Inclosure Award might actually be Joseph Humfrey, one of his ancestors.

Nathaniel Humfrey

In 1841 Peter’s great grandfather Nathaniel had a farm of about 250 acres, and by 1881 owned 1355 acres. He even created a new breed of sheep, suited to conditions on the nearby Downs. The railway company bought land from Nathaniel in 1863 who ensured that the station would be in Upton and not in Chilton! He built Upton Lodge in about 1870 and moved there from the Manor House. Nathaniel’s sisters Blanche and Mercy moved to The Elms (newly built) and were joined there in 1943 by Flora - who left Stocks the day Harry Slade died in 1943 and never went back. Peter and his father Ewan were the first to re-enter the house nearly 20 years later, and found that breakfast was still on the table! Peter’s grandparents lived in the old Brookside.

You can find photographs of the Humfreys which Peter has kindly provided in the photo galleries under People and Old Upton.

Category: History

Mary Gutfreund celebrates

• Tuesday, August 12th, 2008

Mary Gutfreund turned 80 on the 8th August, and to celebrate the occasion she brought in cake to the Drop-in session the day before.

Drop-in session, 7th August

Category: History

The Railway

• Tuesday, April 10th, 2007

Work began on the construction of the Didcot to Newbury railway in August 1879. The first sod was turned by the Countess of Carnarvon at a site just outside Newbury.

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Category: History