Water Hen and the name ‘Hendred’

This water hen (or moorhen) was spotted this week in the brook at the bottom of the vineyard.  By all accounts they have been here for a very long time and may even have a connection to the name Hendred.  In Saxon times the brook was known as “The Rill of the waterhens” (rill means small stream) which may have been shortened to Hendrill and then Hendred.  There are also two possible Celtic derivations Hen-Rhydd, meaning “Old Ford” or Hendref, meaning “winter dwelling”.

Pictured is the 1997 vintage of Hendred white wine made from Madeleine Angevine and Seyval Blanc grapes featuring a waterhen.