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STOKE ROW
In
the centre is a village store and a garage and an attractive
Indian-style well and a cherry orchard. The 365 feet deep
well is known as the Maharaja's Well and was dug in the
C19 entirely by hand as a gift from the Maharajah of Benares
due to his friendship with a prominent local landowner,
Mr Edward Anderdon Reade. Mr Reade was Governor of the
Northwest Provinces of India and during his time as Governor
presented a well to the people of India. There was an
absence of available water in the Stoke Row area, and
the Maharajah generously reciprocated the gesture to demonstrate
his feelings for England and as a token of friendship
with Mr Reade. As well as paying for the well, the Maharajah
paid also for the adjacent Warden's cottage and cherry
orchard, which provided a modest income for the upkeep
of the well. The well has recently been restored and is
open to the public. Stoke Row is between the Wallingford to Reading and the Wallingford to Henley roads, about 3 miles north-west of Sonning Common. |
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