Clive Williams lives locally and, thanks to Indian connections, he became interested in the East India Company (EIC).  He discovered that in the C18th, Berkshire was known as ‘the English Hindoostan’; numerous retired merchants and employees of the EIC, known as Nabobs, an Anglicization of the Urdu word Nawab, settled in the county.  Englefield, Basildon Park and Purley Hall are the three nearest Nabob properties to Bradfield, but there are another seven just in West Berkshire. 

Clive, a solicitor by profession, is uniquely placed to give a fascinating insight into the real history behind some of the most significant properties/estates in West Berkshire.  He was awarded the OBE in 1998 for services to the community of Berkshire.