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The most dramatic building in Napton is undoubtedly the windmill, which was restored in recent years. Originally there were two mills and old maps clearly show them situated quite close together. Records of the mill date back to 1543, but it is probable that an earlier mill existed on the site. A spring and well lie within the grounds going deep down into the hillside and providing a never failing supply of pure water.
There is a footpath leading down from the windmill to what used to be the Napton Brick and Tile works where a large proportion of villagers used to earn their livings. Bricks and tiles marked with the windmill stamp were produced from local clay and fired in the longest kiln in Europe. They were transported by canal boats which moored alongside the works on the Oxford canal. A small industrial site now occupies the site.
The Oxford canal, constructed in the 18th century, sweeps around Napton on three sides and is a contour canal and not a "cut”, and follows the lowest natural features of the countryside, creating a pleasant meandering route unlike most other waterways. During the nineteen fifties the canal was in danger of being abandoned, but the coming of pleasure craft saved its life, and now colourful narrow boats ply its length and three marinas bring pleasure and employment to the area. The Grand Union and Oxford canals join up at Napton and the old wide basins provided for converging boats remain. Old boatmen, often transporting Napton bricks, used Napton windmill as a landmark.
Local family names such as SHEASBY, EADON, DUCKETT, & GRIFFIN still exist amongst the villagers. Napton was famous for the nicknames it gave its residents and appellations such as SQUELCH DUCKETT, WAG GREEN, SNODGER COX, WAGGO ALSOP, GRUNT GRIFFIN, FLIGGER TARRANT, SHIRTY BALSAM, TRADDLES EADON and FAGGY DUCKETT are recorded.
Until 1948 Napton had separate schools for boys and girls but at that time they amalgamated and became St. Lawrence Church of England School for mixed infants and juniors. Local secondary schools received the older pupils on them reaching twelve years of age. Now that school too has closed and the children transferred to a large new building which was opened in 1997 to serve the needs of Napton and surrounding villages. Education has come a long way since children were taught on the stone benches of the church porch.
Napton remains a lively and attractive place in which to live with an active community who enjoy the various clubs and sporting activities as well as rural pleasures. The Windmill Singers are a local musical group who entertain people all over the county and every year a village pantomime is produced which creates hilarious entertainment for the villagers enjoyment.
An old gentleman of over eighty who had lived in the village all his life, was taken to visit the sea side for the very first time. On returning home he was asked his opinion of the mighty ocean and after pausing he replied, "Its no better than Napton ressy". Like that old man, many people living in Napton feel that it is a beautiful and impressive place in which to live, and one which bears comparison with other lovely Warwickshire villages.
The folk who live on the hill welcome you to their village and to the W.I.
Compiled by Monica Evans from information supplied by Napton W.I. members and other villagers.
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A brief History of Napton-on-the-Hill Part 2 |
