Hidden Henley

THIS is another subject for which time may be running out.

The peculiar obelisk in my picture is noticeable for its state of dilapidation and with much of its brickwork having crumbled away may not last through many more storms.

It’s located next to a pond on open land belonging to the Berkshire College of Agriculture and can be seen from the public footpath that leads alongside Layde Place Cottages parallel to Honey Lane in Hurley.

The main house is known as Hall Place. There has been a building there since 1234. In the 14th century it was owned by John Lovelace and then during the 18th century by two people named William East.

The nearby pub at the road junction with the A4130 was named the East Arms and is now a group of houses.

Hall Place was occupied by Lady Frances Clayton East until the outbreak of the Second World War when it was requisitioned by the Ministry of Agriculture. It became the college in 1949 and is now known simply as BCA.