MEMBERS of the Sonning Common Society and their guests were given a talk by Peppard author Michael Macleod.

Held at Sonning Common Library, the talk was entitled Sonning Common And The English Civil War.

The audience heard how the village had seen a lot of military movement as it lies in between Reading, occupied by the Parliamentarians, and Oxford, which was the King’s headquarters.

Rosemary Dunstan, manager of the Grove Road library, said: “King Charles was imprisoned at Caversham House in 1647 and he was only allowed out, under escort, to play bowls at an inn in Collins Green, which is now the King Charles Head.

“The evening was rounded off nicely with a piece of fruit cake made from a recipe by Henrietta Maria, the king’s wife.”


The society has organised a walk on bank holliday Monday, starting from the village hall in Wood Lane at 10am.

Published 26/05/09