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The ancient village of Swalcliffe lies astride a ridge six miles west of
Banbury; its name is said to mean the cliff where swallows nest and has been
spelled and pronounced differently over the centuries. It is still sometimes
called Swayclye. It has an Iron Age fort and evidence of Roman occupation
within its boundaries.
The church of St Peter and St Paul has stood on a mound overlooking the village
since Saxon times, having been altered and enlarged around the 14th century and
improved by the Victorians. It still needs costly restoration and care.
William of Wykeham is thought to have been responsible for the former work and
also some of the ancient manor house to the west and the great tithe barn
standing near to it. The family of Wykham were great benefactors and of
considerable influence, as their monuments and gifts in the church show. One
descendant sailed on the Mayflower to the New World.
The surrounding farms provided work for men and women until about 50 years ago
and servants were often recruited from the bright pupils leaving school, by the
mistress of the big house. Wages were low, but most people managed to keep a
pig; rare fresh meat for a few days when it was killed, and the rest for curing,
to be hung on the strong hooks in the beams and walls, which also served to hang
the spring balance and net when the visiting nurse weighed the baby.
The wooden village hall was built by voluntary work and public subscription in
1924 and equipped with a billiard table, games and cards etc. There was also a
well-used reading room before the wireless was so common.
Electricity arrived in 1930, but not for all. Most people relied on oil lamps
and candles for light and cooked on open fires. Wood could be collected from the
common after a years residence, or from the hedge-rows for firelighting.
Water came from springs, piped to the larger houses, but mostly carried by
buckets from one of the communal taps or lions heads and there was usually a
rainwater barrel by the door.
The village carrier, given a note, a bag and a charge of about 6d, would pick up
shopping in Banbury on Thursdays and Saturdays. The village shop sold almost
anything food and hardware. The post office was at the other end of the
village.
After the Second World War, and the evacuees had returned home, the number of
children dwindled and the school closed in 1948. Mains water came about 1954
not so nice as spring water but less work; then in 1970, mains drainage, long
overdue.
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