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Although
(and perhaps, because) West Hagbourne is only about
two miles south of the expanding town of Didcot, we
have
a strong sense of community. The village is a pleasant and friendly
place to live; local farmers take an keen interest in conserving
the countryside; we have an active parish council; several village
organisations and a useful parish newsletter produced
bi-monthly
by the parish council. Now the village is hoping to secure a piece
of land to build a village meeting hall.
The
need for a parish plan was
identified by the village in around 2003 and in 2006, after about
three years of discussions with villagers to identify what they
value about their village and what changes they would like to
see, a comprehensive five-year parish plan was produced which
it is hoped will inspire everyone in the village to become involved
and ensure that the community continues to thrive.
Traffic
is thought by some people to be a problem too. Certainly through
traffic to and from Didcot has been increasing and when the proposed
new housing in Didcot goes ahead the increase is likely to be
greater. The parish council has been pushing for a bypass for
the village for some time and at long last the county council's
traffic consultants have proposed such a road to serve as a bypass
for West Hagbourne and Harwell. They have also suggested a southern
ring road for Didcot. These roads would remove much of the through
traffic from the village thereby changing its character considerably.
As long as these new roads do not pass too close to the northern
boundary of the village their desirability is not questionable.
So
the future of the village in the context of an expanding Didcot
may not be certain but residents are proud and protective of their
beautiful, historic village. Even if Didcot's houses come closer,
West Hagbourne as a village will continue and will still be the
pleasant and friendly place it has always been!
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