Hidden Henley

The Royal Family have been more than ever in the news recently and this week I’m inviting you to look at a Royal connection from 1953.

The Fairmile (sometimes written as two words) is an exceptionally fine introduction to Henley when approaching from the Oxford side. William Morris described it as “the loveliest approach to any town in England”. The generous width and straight road with its avenue of trees, spring time daffodils and on one side a brick & flint wall from 1804 is an ancient route; probably in the past a drover’s way and a Roman road.

The plaque mounted next to one of several public bench seats states: “The first of this avenue of Turkey Oak trees was planted by HRH Princess Margaret on 16^th October 1953 to commemorate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on 2^nd June 1953”. Turkey Oaks are a broadleaved, deciduous ornamental tree from elsewhere in Europe that yield bright dangly catkins in spring. However, the Ministry of Defence ordered the felling of all such trees on its UK bases in 1998 because it was discovered that they host gall wasps whose larvae damage native oaks.

Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth II’s sister who died in 2002, was known for her independent spirit, artistic temperament, glamour and often her love life – which was frequently in the public eye. She also took an active role in welfare and arts charities such as the NSPCC and St Johns Ambulance.

There are more stories about this area to follow in the weeks ahead, but please send me yours in the meantime.