VILLAGERS hoping to put their home 'on the map' have unveiled a trial highlighting the area's rich history.

Wheatley, near Oxford, is now home to a one-mile route signposting important buildings and snippets of the village's heritage.

Michael Heaton, of Wheatley Village Archive, worked with a group to design, develop and fund the trail.

He said: "Wheatley has got a very rich history. It's a nuts and bolts village, and has been around for a very long time.

"We want to try to put Wheatley a bit more on the map.

"Some people have lived here for 30 years, who say they didn't know about the history on their doorstep."

The first known record of Wheatley was in the year 956 AD, when its name was spelled 'Wately'.

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Wheatley Heritage Trail launched last week with an official opening event, attended by guests including archaeologist Tom Hassall OBE.

The expert, who is also a trustee at Oxford Preservation Trust, grew up in the village and his father wrote a book about its history.

He said the trail will 'bring the history of Wheatley to a wider audience in an exemplary way'.

The project has been in the pipeline for almost two years, after it was proposed by David Harverson of The Wheatley Society, in conjunction with Wheatley Village Archive.

It was made possible by an £8,500 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, awarded in April of this year.

The one-mile trail is made up of five boards dotted around the village, showing 25 points of interest along the way.

The suggested starting point board, at Wheatley’s village hall The Merry Bells, has been sponsored by Wheatley Women’s Institute.

This was to celebrate their centenary year, with all 100 years spent at The Merry Bells.

Other boards are located at the car park behind the King and Queen, the approach to the Church Road recreation ground, Station Road close to the pedestrian crossing and in Crown Square.

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Ian Germain, who was also involved in the project, said: "Wheatley is a lively village with successful schools, pubs restaurants, cafes and shops including a bakery, butcher's and a thriving Post Office.

"It has retained its library, largely run by volunteers, and has flourishing sports clubs, drama groups and choirs.

"Because of its rich and perhaps surprising heritage, today’s role as a vibrant hub for surrounding villages, plus a growing interest in its history, it was felt that the village and wider community including younger generations should be given the opportunity to discover more."

Wheatley's history dates back to Roman and Saxon times.

Its history of limestone quarrying dates back to the 13th century, and it provided stone for Windsor Castle and several Oxford colleges.

From the 18th century it was important for brick-making and being on the coaching route from London to Oxford.

When a new turnpike road from London was built in 1775, trade slumped and the village became a refuge for ‘rough’ quarry workers, highwaymen and students.

Members of the public are welcome to wander around the trail or visit wheatleyarchive.org.uk for more information.