Kate Middleton is put in her place

Bucklebury estate to be named after the village's most famous resident

WHAT's in a name?

When searching for inspiration to label a new cluster of Upper Bucklebury homes there could really only be one choice, and with her name on everyone's lips, the daughter of a local family and princess-in-waiting, Kate Middleton, was the inspiration behind Rivar's newest estate; Catherine Place.

In the face of competition from “Chetwode”, the name of a Buckinghamshire priory founded in 1244, to “Buckland”, drawn from the pages of JRR Tolken's Lord of the Rings, whereby the town of Bucklebury is located, to “Morton”, from John Morton, a local tenant farmer and lay preacher who defened Bucklebury commoners' rights at Westminster and preserved the Common for future generations in 1835, Miss Middleton won out.

Rivar development director, James Bull said other names had been mooted, but Catherine Place was selected due to the royal connection in a memorable year for the village.

“The marketing department held discussions with the sellers. There were a few ideas in the running, we did look around for inspiration and it was decided that this was the most appropriate suggestion,” he said.

Before Catherine Place is finalised at the name however, West Berkshire Council must satisfy several criteria, which involves consulting with Royal Mail, the emergency services, and Bucklebury Parish Council.

Royal Mail have not responded to the council's request.