Kintbury

This large village stands on the South bank of the Kennet between Newbury and Hungerford. It has been a village of importance since Saxon times and now, with modern housing to blend with the old, it has the appearance of a town. In the 19th century the whiting industry gave employment to many, there being 34 pits in the village, the finished product sent by canal to Bristol. In addition a silk factory, tanning and brick-making all needed workers. All these industries have now ceased and Kintbury's interests are most wholly linked with agriculture.

Several shops and a school provide for the local people and Kintbury has a station on the main line railway to Paddington. The river and canal are much used for angling and boating. Kintbury church was heavily restored in the 19th century but some parts of the original Norman building remain, for example, the chancel arch and the South and West doorways with much zig-zag ornament. The West tower survives from the 13th century. The interior is unusually rich in memorial tablets, there being no less than 30 on the walls. Of particular interest are two to the Raymond family, one by the famous sculptor, Scheemaker, and the other to the