As with many of the subjects featured here the weather and the passing of many years have taken their toll, and this has prompted me to feature these curious old abutments now.
These brick and flint sides once had a bridge over them taking carriages to nearby Culham Court. Although this grand 18th century house has an outstanding symmetrical front with wide steps down to a landing stage when viewed from the river or the Buckinghamshire bank, it must have been equally impressive crossing over the public road and arriving by horse power! The history of Culham Court dates from medieval times. However, the current house was built in 1765. King George visited here in 1804.
My Aunt Win (Winifred) Plumridge and Uncle Stan (Stanislaw) Adamowski, who later married and lived in Pheasants Hill, both worked here and spoke of the extensive grounds, the grand building, and its opulent interior. My grandmother, Aunt Win’s mother, used to visit her on her day off travelling from Hambleden via the Aston Ferry. As a non-swimmer who once slipped into the river when using this ferry, she owed her life to the ferryman who somehow managed to pull her to safety!
You will see the scene in my photo when taking the public footpath from Remenham into Aston and just after the village sign, before the pub The Flower Pot Hotel; which used to be known for its taxidermy cased river fish caught by the architect of many Brakspear’s pubs A E Hobbs. It’s easy to miss if you are driving but on foot a closer look reveals crumbling masonry and a gradual lean which has been partially held in one place by a long metal brace. A local peculiarity which is well worth a look before it deteriorates further.
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