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Kennington is a long, linear village between Oxford and Abingdon and is
pleasantly situated between the river Thames and Bagley Wood. It is thought to
have derived its name from Cenigtun, or the place of Cenas people and was first
mentioned in a charter of AD 821.
Floods have always been a feature of the district and some present residents can
remember having to walk out of the village on duck-boards before the drainage
was improved. It is reported that in 1852 a train carrying the engineer Brunel
could not get through and he and the other passengers had to alight in
Kennington and be transported to Oxford by horse and wagon.
In the early 19th century some members of the University used to keep horses in
Kennington as they enjoyed driving them in tandem, which they were not allowed
to do in Oxford. This is commemorated in the name of one of the popular pubs,
the Tandem. The other pub, the Scholar Gipsy, is a reminder that this was the
area described in Matthew Arnolds poem of the same name.
The philosopher and writer Bertrand Russell once lived in a house on Bagley Wood
Road and a plaque on the wall records this.
Village life is enhanced by the facilities of the new village hall, a splendid
building opened in 1989. Here one finds a libary as well as a sports hall. This
is also used by many village organisations and for productions of the local
dramatic society. There is a new Youth Club building and adjoining the car park
is the Kennington Social Club building, as well as a modern health centre. Here,
too, is a stone lintel with the inscription Sunday School 1809, reminding the
inhabitants of the spot where one of the oldest Sunday schools in the country
once stood.
Demolition of a war-time cold store provided space for the erection of some
attractive new houses with views over the river. Otters Reach development has
now pushed the number of inhabitants to over 5,000.
There are three churches in the village, Methodist, Catholic and Church of
England. A great ecumenical spirit exists and many joint functions are held.
Many musical events are also held, led by the Kennington & District United
Church Choirs, all monies raised going to charity.
Kennington boasts an unusual open space in the delightful Memorial Field. This
covers several acres of natural ground and is a tribute to members of the
village who gave their lives in the Second World War. It is administered by the
Oxford Preservation Trust with a local committee representing many of the
village organisations.
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