This Bas-Relief was designed, built and presented to the Parish Council of Beech Hill to celebrate the Millennium AD 2000 by Roland Joy – Born in Beech Hill in 1936

 

 

Most of the materials were kindly donated by W.C. Bailey, The village blacksmith – Born in Beech Hill in 1929.

 

The inscription on a plaque below the bas-relief states:

 

“The village of Beech Hill came under Stratfield Mortimer until 1886, when it was given its own identity. Infact it is believed to have once been called “Beche Hill” after the De La Beche family, corrupted to Beech Hill in the 1600s – 1700s.

 

The De La Beche family has strong connections with the village of Aldworth situated near Pangbourne. In Aldworth Church there are stone effigies of the De La Beche knights. They were giants 6-7ft tall. Most Britons were the average height of 5ft in those days.

 

Nicolas was said to have had connections with Beech Hill and Beaumys Castle, a wooden structure situated a mile east from this point. All that remains are traces of the moat and earth works, this we believe to be mid 14^th century. It would appear that all relative documents were destroyed in a fire some 200 years ago.

 

Sir Nicolas De La Beche was tutor to the Black Prince’s children at Beaumys Castle.

 

This escutcheon represents past and present history of this village.

 

The Helmet

Depicted on the top of the shield is the medieval knight’s helmet

 

The Shield

1^st Ore on a bend 3 Bucks heads sinister Argents and Gules 3 Bendlets

 

The Scroll

The scroll is written using the same case as the De La Beche seal in Reading Museum

 

3 Horse Shoes

The Blacksmith has been in the village, for most of the 20^th century the Bailey family. The workshop stands opposite the village pond.

 

The Wheel

The Wheelers built the carts and wheels for most of the local farmers. They lived in Pond House for most of the 20^th Century.
Their yard was where the house “WheelRights” now stands.

 

Ears of Wheat

Represent the village farmers. In days gone-bye, most of the men folk in this village would have toiled on the land.

 

Heart and Sword

Top left St Mary the Virgin, Mother of Christ our church emblem

 

Top Right

Lion of England

 

 

The Bas-Relief can be seen on the common land opposite the parish church.