hangars, located at Baughurst Plantation, was used to assemble Spitfires. Between 1943 and 1945, the plant produced approximately 500 photo-reconnaissance aircraft, including Mark IX and XIX. It also produced some Mark IX and XIV fighter aircraft. Over the next 30 years, the parish's population grew from 490 to 2,250. This because of the RAF base and, later, the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment. Toponymy A number of explanations for the name "Baughurst" exist. "Hurst" was Old English for a thick wood or wooded hill. "Baughurst" may either refer to the wood inhabited by a Saxon named Beagga, or by badgers; "wood of the badgers". The latter is referred to in the name of one of the village's pubs, "The Badger's Wood". A number of alternative spellings of Baughurst have been recorded, including Bagganhyrst (11th century), Baggehurst (12th century), Bagehurst (15th century), Baugust (18th century), and Baghurst (19th century). Geography Baughurst is in area, and is neighboured by a number of parishes in Berkshire and Hampshire: The tithings of Ham and Inhurst are within the parish; they were first recorded in 1298. Baughurst Brook, which is a tributary of the River Enborne, is a Site of Nature Conservation Interest. Geology Baughurst is situated on a natural ridge between Silchester and Brimpton Common. The ridge, which is situated towards the north of the parish, is approximately above sea level. Moving south through the parish, the land drops by to Baughurst Brook, before rising to at the northern edge of the North Hampshire Downs. The brook leaves the lower land in the parish liable to flooding. The soil and subsoil of the area are clay. The Brook travels East to eventually become the Foudry Brook. Some tributaries of the River Enborne are also found in the area around Baughurst. Economy Along with Tadley, Baughurst is associated with the manufacture of besom brooms. Historically, much of the land in the parish was heathland used to grow birch trees, which were taken to Tadley to manufacture the brooms. Landmarks Built in 1937, Lattice House was originally the depot for Kent's Buses and was built with a single span wooden Belfast truss roof. It was used for the storage of Spitfire aircraft parts during 1943–1945, which were assembled at the neighbouring RAF Aldermaston. At one time the building's arched roof was the largest single-span wooden roof in Western Europe. Education The Hurst School is in the village,