The Village Centre

Inspired by the May challenge of map I have used a few images of the Buckinghamshire village of Bierton, just outside Aylesbury, where I live.

Bierton was first recorded in the Doomsday Book of 1086 and at one point the village had no fewer than seven public houses and porter houses. (now down to two!)
The size of St James Church and its dedication (St James is the patron saint of pilgrims) indicates this was for many centuries a site of great pilgrimage. Just beside the church is St Osyth's Well - a holy well that has recently been restored by the villagers.
A booklet written in 1956 by Wilfrid Steer (The Church of St James, Bierton, by Wilfrid Steer, 1956) adds little to our knowledge. He writes: "We do not know how old it is but it is older than it looks. It is called St Osyth's Well, but again we do not know when or why it was so called. Whether or not it is a holy well we do not know but there is no reason to suppose that it is not." Helpful!
Steer suggests it was attributed to St Osyth as her body (she was killed in Essex by invading Vikings) may have been rested here on the way to its final burial place. Also of interest at St James is a scratch dial on the wall by the south door. In recent years the well has been restored.
The Red Lion pub is a 16th Century Public house situated opposite the Church of St James the Great. It was significant during the English Civil War when it was host to many Royalist Officers including, it is rumoured, Charles 1st himself. The pub has retained traditional low ceilings with oak beams, with open log fires in both the public bar and the restaurant area.

It's a great community to live within and close enough to London.