On the 20th October 1998, Václav Havel visited Aston Abbotts and Wingrave, and during his tour he unveiled a wooden bench on the village green at Wingrave. The Bucks Herald on the 21st of October reports the words of his speech through an interpreter:
I thank the community of Wingrave for hosting the Czechoslovakian government during the war and for all the support for the government during that time.
Our text books refer to the government as a London government, The world is sometimes unjust.
Mr Havel was slightly misinformed. Whilst officials of the Czechoslovak government did live at Wingrave, the government in exile was based in London. The Old Manor House was used as a residence and not for government offices, although many interesting conversations must have occurred in its rooms!
The President continued his tour of the village by calling into the pub for a chat with some of the older locals, where he ordered a hot rum and water.
The plaque reads:
Presented by the President of the Czech Republic, Václav Havel.
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