| Glebe was originally
land given by the parish to the parish priest, so that he could grow his
foodcrops. Glebe was his second means of support, after tithes, and some
priests preferred to let it out for rent. In modern times, glebe land belongs
to the diocese, not the parish, and is frequently developed to raise income
for clergy stipends. Oxford diocese in 1988 devised plans to develop Iffley's
field. Given the importance of this surviving rural space at the heart of
the old village, there was strong opposition. In 1996, the problem was resolved
through the generosity of John and Joan Critchley who bought the field and
gave it to the Oxford Preservation Trust; it is let for grazing, but parish
events may be held there twice a year. This is the remnant of the old Glebe;
on the Enclosure Map of 1830, it extended eastwards across the present allotments. |
