Ducklington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ducklington |
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 Ducklington pond, parish church and former school |
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 Ducklington
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| Population | 1,581 (2011 Census) |
| OS grid reference | SP3507 |
| Civil parish |
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| District |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Witney |
| Postcode district | OX29 |
| Dialling code | 01993 |
| Police | Thames Valley |
| Fire | Oxfordshire |
| Ambulance | South Central |
| EU Parliament | South East England |
| UK Parliament |
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| Website | Ducklington Parish Council |
Ducklington is a lovely village and civil parish located in West Oxfordshire, England. It sits right by the River Windrush, about 1 mile (1.6 km) south of the town of Witney. According to the 2011 Census, about 1,581 people live in Ducklington.
Contents
Discovering Ducklington's Past
Ducklington has a very long and interesting history! It's one of the oldest Saxon villages ever recorded in Oxfordshire.
How Ducklington Got Its Name
The name "Ducklington" comes from Old English. Back in 958, it was called Duclingtun. Later, in 1086, the Domesday Book recorded it as Dochelintone.
The first part of the name might come from a person's name, like Ducca or Ducel. The middle part, "-ing", often means "people of". The last part, "-tūn", means an enclosed area, a home, or a village. So, it could mean "the village of Ducca's people"! It's just a fun coincidence that the village has a duck pond today.
Early Owners and Norman Times
After the Normans took over England, a nobleman named Robert D'Oyly became the owner of Ducklington. Later, the Dyve family owned the land for many years, from the 1200s to the early 1300s.
The Village Church
The Church of England parish church of Saint Bartholomew is very old, dating back to the 12th century. In 1871, an architect named EG Bruton helped to restore the building.
The church has a bell tower with six bells! Some of these bells are very old, cast in 1708. Others were made in 1829, 1889, and even as recently as 1988. There used to be a Baptist Chapel in the village, but it became a private home in 2016. The old village schoolhouse was built in 1858. Today, the modern Ducklington Church of England Primary School is located across the village green.
Exploring Ducklington's Nature
Ducklington is famous for a special and rare flower called the fritillary, especially the snake's head variety. These beautiful flowers grow in a special meadow just outside the village.
Saving the Fritillaries
Before World War II, many fritillaries grew all over the Windrush Valley. But during the war, farmers needed to grow more food. This meant many meadows were plowed, and the fritillaries disappeared. Luckily, one field in Ducklington was left untouched, saving these unique flowers!
Locals and farmers have worked together to protect the fritillaries. Every year, the community celebrates Fritillary Sunday. On this day, the field, church, and village hall are opened so everyone can enjoy the beautiful flowers.
Village Life and Fun Activities
Ducklington has lots of fun things happening!
Traditional Dances and Performances
The village has its own Morris dancing group. Morris dancing is a traditional English folk dance. Ducklington even has its own special style of Morris dance, which is now performed by groups all over Britain and the United States! The village also has Mummers performances, which are traditional folk plays.
Places to Gather
Ducklington has one public house called The Bell, which is a great place for people to meet. There's also a sports and social club. The village has hosted many flower and garden shows, too.
The old tithe barn is now the village hall. It's been updated recently and is used by many village groups, including the Parish Council. It even serves as the local polling station during elections. Ducklington also has a Women's Institute, which is a group for women in the community.
Sports and Teams
If you love sports, Ducklington has plenty to offer!
Football and Cricket
The Ducklington Sports and Social Club has several football and cricket teams. There are three men's football teams that play in the Witney and District League. The main football team, the first XI, plays in the top division of the league. The club also has nine boys' football teams!
For cricket fans, there's one adult cricket team and three youth teams. It's a great place for people of all ages to get involved in sports.
