Pangbourne, Berkshire

Description
Pangbourne (signifying " the end of the Pang"), a village and a parish in Berks. The village is situated on the Pang, at its influx to the Thames, about 5 1/2 miles above Reading, is on the G.W.R., on which it has a station, is considered one of the prettiest spots on the Thames, and is much frequented by artists, anglers, &c. It has a post, money order,. and telegraph office, and two chief inns. The parish comprises 1940 acres; population, 776. There is a parish council consisting of seven members. The manor was founded by Henry I., and by him given in 1126 to the abbey of Reading, whence it passed in 1550 to John Dudley, Earl of Warwick (afterwards Duke of Northumberland), and later to Sir Francis Englefield; thence it was granted in 1563 by Queen Elizabeth to Thomas Weldon (officer of H.M.'s household) and his son. The latter in 1613 sold it to Sir John Davis, by whose son it was again sold in 1671 to John Breedon, in whose family its possession remained until 1894, when the estate was sold in several lots. Bere Court is the name of the manor house. Other chief residences are West End Grove, Shooter's Hill House, and Courtlands. It is recorded that in making excavations for the G.W.R., which was led through Pangbourne in 1840, there were discovered in a deep cutting through Shooter's Hill a bronze ornament, a spear-head in iron, a small brass coin of Constantine, and a variety of urns, coins, and spear-heads, with many skeletons. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Oxford; net value, £370 with residence. The church was rebuilt in 1866 (with the exception of the brick tower, which was built in 1718) at a cost of £3200, in the Early Decorated style, and comprises nave with N aisle, chancel, organ chamber, and S porch. The tower contains a peal of six very good bells. There is a Congregational chapel.