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| Priory
Vale is the third and final instalment in Swindon's 'Northern
Expansion' project, which began with Abbey Meads and continued
at St Andrew's Ridge. Since construction commenced in 2001,
the development has grown to reveal the charm and allure of
a traditional village with all the conveniences of a modern-day
setting. But what of Priory Vale's past? |
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| The
early years
Priory Vale belongs to the parish of Blunsdon St Andrew. Within
this parish resides Blunsdon: a village dating back to the
Iron Age, where our earliest ancestors fortified and built
a settlement. Blunsdon is mentioned in the Domesday Book of
1086 as 'Bluntesdone', at which time the settlement had a
population of only two or three adult males. In 1281, there
was also a reference to 'Bluntesdon Seynt Andreu'. |
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| In
recent years, archaeologists discovered a Roman travellers'
resting place on the site of the present-day Cold Harbour
pub. The A419 main road through Blunsdon also follows
the course of a Roman road known as Ermine Street that
linked the historic towns of Cirencester and Silchester.
What's more, the recent Roman find at Abbey Meads is
believed to be a religious and ceremonial site. |
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Blunsdon
Abbey was a prominent landmark in the area and inspired
the title of the Abbey Meads development. The name 'Priory
Vale' also follows this monastic theme. Local tradition
claims Blunsdon Abbey was originally an outpost of Godstow
Nunnery near Oxford. Apparently, the land was granted
to the Brydges family during the reign of Henry VIII. |
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| In
1860, a wealthy sportsman, Clayton de Windt, purchased the estate
and built a new house in the "latest Neo-Gothic style"
to designs by E.Mantell of London. The builder was Thomas Barrett
of Swindon, who created an imposing residence with forty bedrooms,
grand interiors, entrance hall, billiards room and lavish furnishings.
Clayton de Windt was killed in a riding accident in 1863, and
sadly, in April 1904, fire destroyed the house and its contents. |
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| Today,
the Priory Vale development in Blunsdon St Andrew occupies
farmland and fields dating back to the 1700s. The villages
within Priory Vale – Redhouse and Haydon End –
are named after these historical fields, while the village
title of 'Oakhurst' was taken from the name of the home
at Haydon End Farm. Indeed, for many years, the Haydon
area of Priory Vale was home to farm owners and ancient
meadowlands. One such owner was Tom (Leslie) Saunders.
This local figure and master craftsman owned a farm
that spread across much of Priory Vale's land. |
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