Sutton Courtenay

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The small village of Sutton Courtenay, near Abingdon, is currently in Oxfordshire but before administrative boundary changes, it was previously in Berkshire.

It is notable as the location of George Orwell's grave at All Saints church, though the name on the stone is Eric Blair. As a child he fished in a local stream. He wanted to be buried in the churchyard of whichever was the nearest church to where he died. However he died in London and none of the local churches had any space in their graveyards. Thinking that he might have to be cremated against his wishes, his widow asked her friends whether they knew of a church that had space for him. One friend, who lived in Sutton Courtenay, explained the problem to his local vicar, and arrangements were made.

The graves of David Astor as well as that of Lord (Herbert Henry) Asquith, Earl of Oxford and Prime Minister during the First World War can also be found in the same churchyard. It was from Asquith's house in the village, The Wharf, that preparations were made for the declaration of war.

Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter have recently moved to the village.


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