On 28/2/07 18:14, in article ,
"Martin" wrote:

On Wed, 28 Feb 2007 14:11:55 +0000, Sacha
wrote:

On 28/2/07 11:29, in article , "Janet Tweedy"
wrote:
snip


Living near 'Bekonsfield' I gave up years ago saying it as though a
beacon
We also have Chesham Bois and as Sacha says everyone pronounces it Boys!
However there's going to be a Time team programme on Bois House in the
next month and maybe we'll learn what we should call it from that!

I think there's no doubt it was once pronounced in the French fashion but,
like many place names and surnames has become anglicised over time. I
nearly said *******ised but... ;-) I committed a huge social solecism by
pronouncing Belvoir Castle in the French fashion to someone associated with
the place - coming from the CIs how was I to know it's pronounced Beevor?!

Similar problem with Beaulieu.

Oh YES. I'd forgotten that one.

--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
http://www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk/
(remove weeds from address)