Stretching from the River Kennet to the Enborne River and including the famous Greenham Common with its outstanding views, the Parish of Greenham - on the south eastern edge of Newbury - is fast becoming a major residential area and centre for leisure, business and shopping. From humble origins as a small priory and home to veterans of the Crusades, Greenham expanded in the late 19th century. St M
ary’s Parish Church was established in 1876 and its members play an active part in the community. The Common was requisitioned during World War 2 as an airbase and continued as such for the RAF and USAF, culminating in the arrival of the American Cruise missiles in the 1980s. Demonstrations, mainly by women, against nuclear weapons, occurred following their deployment. In 1997 the airbase was purchased by Greenham Common Trust and restored to common land in April 2000. Around 750 acres of common land was sold back to West Berkshire Council and the remaining 150 acres was developed into a sustainable business park called New Greenham Park, which employs around 1,500 people. Greenham Common Trust owns and manages the business park and funds generated from this are distributed back into the local community through several streams of grants funding. It has given over £12.5m in charitable grant aid since 1997 to local good causes. West Berkshire Council owns and manages the common. On the outskirts of the Parish there is a thriving retail outlet housing many well known stores. Mill Hall (formerly Greenham Lodge, a Primary School for the Deaf) can be hired for functions. Newbury Racecourse, created in 1905, also provides a useful conference venue, nursery school and golf range. Crookham private golf club was established in 1873.
