THE SOCIETY MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS newsletter CHRISTMAS

NUMBER 146 WINTER 2007/2008 Frogmoor is Important (and Historic!)

INSIDE THIS issue of the Newsletter is feedback on the Survey of views on Frogmoor which so many of you contributed to during the year. By replying in such substantial numbers, you showed that you cared, and you were right. Very soon, Frogmoor will occupy a pivotal point in our town, between the new Eden High Wycombe Centre, which opens its doors to the public in March 2008, and the older town – Church Street, the Guildhall and the High Street. It is vital that Frogmoor becomes an attractive place to draw the visitors to the town across the road from Eden, to see what else we have to offer, including the Chiltern Centre. Our District Council recognises this too, and has been carrying out its own consultation and review. The questionnaire used by CABE (the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment) was somewhat mystifying, but it served to prompt well-informed discussion. The main thought that lingered in our minds after the event was that, so far as transport and access are concerned, Frogmoor has to be seen in its new geographical context. The Town Centre Masterplan foresees the removal of the Arch Way link road after the roads associated with the new Sainsbury’s are built, and this opens up new possibilities for access to Frogmoor. Perhaps Frogmoor really can become – during the day at least (the night-time economy is a different question altogether!) – a tranquil haven for weary shoppers. That would be merely the latest stage in the long and varied history of our historic open space. Chris Woodman

…caring about our town: past, present and future Registered Charity No. 257897

Honorary Secretary: Frances Presland, 61 Hicks Farm Rise, High Wycombe, Bucks. HP13 7SX. Tel: (01494) 523263 THE HIGH WYCOMBE SOCIETY 2 NEWSLETTER WINTER 2007/2008

Planning This Quarter

Christmas is just around the corner and it appears that all and sundry need planning advice of one sort or another. The Group have worked hard to keep abreast of developments and applications since the summer months. We hope to have three new members by January. Bucks New University Congratulations to the Wellesbourne Campus At the time of writing an University in obtaining University Status and its appeal hearing was due to start on 20 November new name. The Town Centre site continues to concerning the original application for 238 units. progress with S.106 agreements but materials Again we have become aware that of the 11 for external finish still give rise for concern. The refusal points listed, seven were eliminated material proposed is of a pressed stainless steel through Section 106 agreements. The Group nature with a form of colouring yet to be were represented at the hearing. established. Further discussions on this subject were due to conclude during November. New Cressex School The Group were invited to view the proposals for this project and were With regard to the new student accommodation represented by Chris Woodman. The proposals on the Compair/BroomWade Site, an application are clearly futuristic but also practical and we has now been presented to have given our initial support for such a scheme. Council. The Group have had initial discussions We now await the detailed application before with H2e, the developer, and whilst the overall commenting further. principle of the design is acceptable, the Group have real concerns as to the height, external New Homes on Beautiful Gardens Many of you finishing materials and actual siting, and they will have seen an article in a national newspaper question when and where the roads will go covering this subject. In particular, the through the site to Hughenden Avenue. The proportion of housing which is built in back Group were to seek further clarification on these gardens can be as high as 84%. This factor has issues during November. arisen due to the provisions of the Government’s Policy Statement PPS3 which enables High Wycombe Station As reported in the last developers to use these as opposed to “genuine” Newsletter our grave concerns on the proposals brownfield sites. Where possible the Group and by Chiltern Rail/Laing Rail have been forwarded the Society have opposed such development and to Wycombe District Council. The Chairman, have supported Wycombe District Council’s Roger Lawson, and Tony Fooks will be meeting Housing Intensification Supplementary Policy with Chiltern Rail during December to seek Document, especially where proposals are out of clarification on their short and long term character or would constitute over-development thinking for the station and its surrounding area. of the area. South East Plan We still await the Minister’s response to the EiP Panel’s report and Planning Applications The rate of applications recommendations. This is not expected until the and appeals continues apace, keeping all New Year. members of the Planning Group busy. Terriers Farm The appeal hearing against And finally… during the latter part of November Wycombe District Council’s refusal of this the Group and members of the Executive were to application was completed recently. It is visit the Eden site for a tour around the understood that a number of Section 106 development. This will be fully reported in our agreements were concluded with Wycombe next Newsletter. District Council which eliminated some of the original refusal points. The Society has become Information to date from Multiplex is that the increasingly concerned with this approach as development is on time for opening in March such issues as infrastructure for roads, schools, 2008. etc are not addressed fully with regard to their Tony Fooks impact in the area.

ANTAS meets in High Wycombe A Chairman’s Perspective

On 13th October, it was my pleasant duty, as chairman of the host amenity society, to welcome forty delegates from the Counties of , Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire (and an observer from Newbury!) to the AGM of ANTAS, the Association of North Thames Amenity Societies, which was held www.highwycombesociety.org.uk 3 NEWSLETTER WINTER 2007/2008

in 2007 at the High Wycombe campus of the Buckinghamshire New University (formerly BCUC). The location of the meeting was due to the kind invitation of the University Director, Dr Ruth Farwell, to High Wycombe Society, to use the fine facilities of this town-centre beacon of Further Education for “our town” to host the event. Indeed, Dr Farwell also welcomed the large tracts of Green Belt countryside to the participants, before the official business of the west of the A1(M) for a mass housing scheme. AGM commenced under the brisk direction of On this occasion, regrettably, the Secretary of (our very own) Tony Fooks, Chairman of ANTAS. State did finally endorse, in 2005, the appointed It appears to me that members of our Society Government Inspector’s decision that the green are generally well briefed through our excellent fields of Hertfordshire should be submerged newsletter, and at quarterly public meetings, under the development of 3,600 domestic about the ongoing policies and actions of our dwellings – a decision that caused dismay to Executive Committee and the environmentalists throughout Working Groups such as SE England. The only Planning and Transport. comfort for ANTAS societies was that constructive support However, I anticipate that the had been given to the Hitchin title “ANTAS” does not figure Society who had spent so as prominently as it might in much time and effort in our members’ understandings opposing the Stevenage of the contribution that the initiative, on their home High Wycombe Society makes ground. to ANTAS as the umbrella Cllr Mike Appleyard gave the meeting a organisation for amenity thorough insight into the South-East Regional Another valued feature of the societies (aka civic societies) Assembly and its future. Association’s meetings is the in the three adjoining counties mentioned above. invitation extended to guest speakers to address So a very condensed history and explanation members on any subject pertinent to the main may be appropriate to enlighten our readers. concerns of environmental groups. Penelope Tollitt, until recently the Head of Urban Design Our Vice-President John Gore recalls that during at Wycombe District Council, has addressed his time as our Hon. Secretary there were ANTAS on two separate occasions: the first time exploratory discussions in 1992 between on “Positive Public Participation in Planning” (at representatives of the Amersham, Chesham, which she excelled!) and then 12 months ago on High Wycombe and Marlow Societies on a the subject of “Climate Change” when she made possible forum to be established for interested a graphic presentation on the subject, with societies to share opinion, strategies and, when professional endorsement by her husband, possible, joint action on environmental issues. Michael. Their thoughts were very well received The late, much lamented, Anthony Wethered of and subsequently circulated widely within the Marlow Society was elected Hon. Secretary societies who had attended. Past speakers have at an inaugural meeting of ANTAS in St Albans also been drawn from the during November 1994. Civic Trust, with whom Since that time, biannual ANTAS has always been meetings have provided a constructively involved. valuable platform for all the It has been customary in (now) twenty-two member the past few years for the societies to exchange host society to organise a experiences and insights in buffet lunch, for a modest all subjects environmental, charge, to encourage particularly with planning A modestly priced (£5!) and excellent lunch delegates to linger long issues. allowed experiences to be exchanged between ANTAS member Societies’ representatives. enough to benefit from The reports presented at informal discussions with meetings by participating societies have their peers from other towns. A valuable shared confirmed that ongoing threats to the built resource. I feel bound to report that at this 13th environment of towns with an acknowledged October meeting, the ladies of Mary Woodman’s heritage, and to open countryside in the Green Programme and Membership Group, led on the Belt, are commonly identified by all the day by “catering coordinator”, Sheila Fooks, laid Societies that regularly attend. Accordingly, on a splendid buffet which many participants ANTAS has supported members, by separate stayed to enjoy, thus rounding off a day of representation, in their opposition to shared interests and concerns in a most unacceptable planning initiatives. This was the pleasant location. case for the “West of Stevenage” plans Roger Lawson formulated by Stevenage Council to develop

THE HIGH WYCOMBE SOCIETY 4 NEWSLETTER WINTER 2007/2008

Northerly Expansion

In recent weeks there have been not one, but two, public inquiries into hotly contested proposals for development of green space to the north of our town. Member Trevor Dean has attended and participated in both these inquiries. Here is his account of the first of these, at which he gave what was by all accounts an impressive Powerpoint presentation, into a proposal for approximately 400 new dwellings on the Terriers Farm site. Until 2002 this site was “safeguarded land” – i.e. not for development at the present time. But then the Inspector at the Public Inquiry into the Wycombe District Local Plan decided it should be developed during the plan period, although not until it was “needed” – i.e. when other local sites can no longer meet the District’s housing allocations. The District Council says that on the basis of its forecasts, this means not until 2015 at the earliest, and much of the argument revolved around this issue of “prematurity”.–Ed. I AM not a planning expert so I leave the technical matters to the professionals, and in recent weeks I have spent many hours sitting in the Council Chamber trying to understand the finer points of site layouts, affordable housing, housing quotas and social amenities. However, living in Widmer End, something I do understand is the increasing number of motorists using the road through the village as a rat run while local residents struggle to get to work, take the children to school, catch a train, go to the doctors or even just to cross the road. The country lanes to the north of the town are in the village and it is no surprise that the already choked during the morning and evening residents of Widmer End are asking how is it rush hours, and an extra 400 homes between that the ‘authorities’ can consider the building of the village and the town centre threaten to bring any houses whatsoever to the north of Wycombe the village to a complete standstill for long until consideration has been given to the periods every morning and evening. What is shortcomings of the present road infrastructure. more, in the morning, What is more, further the traffic coming away surveys have indicated from Wycombe now that school traffic often exceeds that accounts for over 40% trying to get in and so of the total traffic anyone trying to join movements in the the main route from period 07.45am to Windmill Lane, Cryers 09.00am each day. Hill Lane, and Four This indicates that Ashes Road is in for a parents are being long wait. forced to bus children It was therefore with around the area some surprise to me because their catch- and other members of the public from adjoining ment schools are full. areas, that the whole matter of traffic had Yet, without giving the matter much thought, somehow been negotiated away and was no another 400 houses are proposed. How many longer an issue for the Inquiry. This state of cars? How many children? affairs occurred because the County Officers It appears to me, as a layman, that the officers had, in their wisdom, decided not to appear at of the Wycombe District Council have their the Inquiry and, what is more, they accepted the hands tied when County chooses not to highlight Appellant’s token offer to address the layout of an obvious existing traffic problem, and the the site entrances and exits. Much good this is people I represent feel very let down. going to do the residents of Widmer End and Nevertheless, I am pleased to report that the Four Ashes or, as conditions worsen, villages as Inspectors of both the Terriers Farm and far out as , and Holmer Wellesbourne Inquiries took on board the traffic Green. and general infrastructure problems associated I have carried out traffic counts through Widmer with the areas around these proposed End over the past three years and it is quite developments, all raised by the interested common for the total traffic movements to parties who were brave enough to give evidence. exceed 1500 per hour which is absolutely However, as both Inspectors stressed, the final ridiculous in a rural community, equating as it decision will be made by the Secretary of State does to a vehicle every two and a half seconds or and it is doubtful if the “views of amateurs” (not so. On certain days traffic movements have my words but those of the QC representing the reached 1,800 movements per hour and the developers) are given sufficient weight to delay results can be seen in the photograph. the development of the Terriers Farm. I live in hope but the residents of Widmer End are Unfortunately this is a very common occurrence steeling themselves for another long battle. www.highwycombesociety.org.uk 5 NEWSLETTER WINTER 2007/2008

And Wellesbourne… allowed, the more money they get from Member Trevor Carter has sent us this background Wimpey). on the other Inquiry, into proposals for the Widmer End and Brands Hill Residents redevelopment of the Wellesbourne Campus of what Associations and Terriers Farm Action Group was BCUC and has now become Bucks New presented a strong case about traffic problems University. and the deterioration in quality of life which the The University (now known by the initials BNU) development would cause. This caused the and Wimpey have made two applications to Inspector to visit the area during the morning build on this site: one for 238 dwellings was peak. He is understood to have expressed refused by the Council and another for 155 concern. dwellings is still being considered. The appeal Councillors representing the area also presented against the first refusal took place over four days strong arguments on traffic and lack of from 20 November. infrastructure, stating that, desirable though the Government rules and the Local Plan anticipate success of BNU is to the town, this should not that redevelopment of sites such as this, with a be at the expense of the northern suburb. lot of green space, will only be on the footprint Because the numbers of dwellings involved of the existing buildings unless there are exceed a certain threshold, both appeals have ‘exceptional circumstances’. BNU contend that been ‘called in’. Instead of taking the final their desperate need for money to redevelop decisions, each Inspector will send recommend- their town centre site is an ‘exceptional ations to the Minister, who will then make the circumstance’ (the more houses that are decision some months in the future.

Frogmoor – The Future

CONGRATULATIONS TO all those members – more than 80 of you – who returned the Frogmoor questionnaires that we issued with the Summer Newsletter. This has enabled us to draw up a detailed report, just in time to feed in to the District Council’s own consultation on the future of Frogmoor which is now underway. As well as the conclusions below, the report also includes an historical resume of the varied history of this historic open space. It may be viewed in full on our website. Your response forms were a fascinating read, impracticable because of the need for and you clearly put quite a bit of thought into people to collect their goods from the them. It is clear that you do value Frogmoor and Chiltern Centre or from take-away are dissatisfied with its current condition. Many outlets, but the sentiment is real. of you acknowledge that it now occupies a • abuse of the current “dropping off” area, pivotal place in the town, standing between the disabled parking bays and taxi bays is Eden Centre in the west and the Chiltern Centre perceived as a problem, requiring and High Street to the east. An attractive enforcement action. Frogmoor could encourage people who visit High Wycombe for the modern Eden shopping • more than 90% of those responding said experience (!) to linger nearby and see what the they would like a “greener” Frogmoor. rest of the town centre has to offer. Almost half would like to see flowers Furthermore, there are big decisions to be taken (most wanting flower beds but some about this end of the town, with the building of suggesting hanging baskets). Nearly the new Sainsbury’s and the proposal in the 40% of those responding said they Town Centre Master Plan to eliminate the Arch would like to see trees even though Way link road. these were not mentioned in the questionnaire – this is part of a wider The most notable conclusions of the survey are desire to see Frogmoor restored to what as follows: it has been in the past. • a full 80% of those responding said they • More than half those responding would would like to see more seating in like to see a fountain in Frogmoor, and Frogmoor – robust against vandals but most of those wanted a “traditional” comfortable enough to relax in. fountain. • there was a substantial majority against • There was strong support for cafés and allowing through traffic in Frogmoor occasional specialist markets, and some (except for buses), and a considerable support for street entertainment, level of support for full pedestrianisation provided it was occasional. (i.e. no buses, no taxis and no dropping off). The latter may turn out to be concluded on p.9

THE HIGH WYCOMBE SOCIETY 6 NEWSLETTER WINTER 2007/2008

Wycombe Repertory Theatre – Its Rise and Fall THE IDEA for a repertory theatre in High Wycombe was conceived during World War II by four servicemen with a deep-rooted love of the dramatic arts, all of whom served in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME). They were led by Ian Dobbie, a theatrical producer before the war, who, being able to call upon not only men and women with acting experience, but also carpenters, electricians etc, organised a series of plays to help maintain the morale of service personnel in the build-up to D-Day. Many evenings were spent in the NAAFI by Dobbie and his colleagues Jack Stone, a builder from Morden in Surrey, Nick Simms, an engineer from Slough, and Ted Shoesmith, a London clerk, discussing the idea, and choosing a suitable location. Eventually they chose High Wycombe, and latest design and had an entirely original before demobilisation they travelled here when switching system allowing great flexibility. on leave to search for a suitable building. Of There was provision for an orchestra pit, and all the buildings they dressing-room accom- inspected the only modation. The theatre was possibility was the building complemented by a work- at the northern end of shop for constructing the Frogmoor, Figure 1, and in sets, a café-lounge (initially Ian Dobbie’s own words, ‘It of limited facility) and a car took courage to visualise the park to the rear of what was old swimming bath as a then Frogmoor Garage. theatre’! During the war the The management team, led building had been used as a by the Director, Ian Dobbie, furniture store, having by now residing on originally been constructed, Amersham Hill, comprised of course, for the Wycombe Nick Simms as Production Technical and Arts Institute. Manager, Jack Stone as This was probably in the Fig.1: The theatre building in the mid-1960s, Stage Manager, and Edward minds of members of the disused and boarded up. It was refurbished in Shoesmith as Catering Borough Council when they the mid-1970s for office use. The Bell public Manager. The resident granted planning permission house is in the left foreground. Photo: HWS professional repertory com- for the change of use to a 02651 on the SWOP website. pany comprised Malcolm theatre. Ian Dobbie’s practical stage Graham, previously with Harrogate Repertory experience was combined with Jack Stone’s Theatre; Miss Lesley Lindsay, from the Oldham experience as a builder to draw up plans for Theatre; Miss Katherine Page, from the Old Vic; the conversion whilst the foursome were still in Stuart Brown and Martyn Williams, from The uniform. Torch Theatre, London; Miss Zena Ralston, When demobilisation started in 1945, however, from the Alexandra Theatre; and Kenneth they were spread around the world: Shoesmith Osborne, from Guildford Theatre. All had and Stone had been sent to India, Dobbie to served with the Forces during the Second Germany, and Simms was in America! It was World War. not until a year later, in July 1946, that the The theatre was named ‘The High Wycombe conversion work could begin. At that time Repertory Theatre’, and it was with an regulations did not permit the employment of enormous and justifiable sense of pride that building labour on anything but ‘essential the theatre opened on Monday December 16th, work’, and a theatre was way down the list of 1946, an event which was attended by Hugh priorities! So all the work had to be done by Williams, star of stage and screen. The the team themselves, working long days, seven opening took place despite the fact that days a week. They tackled every job from Wycombe Town Council’s watch committee was labour-intensive tasks such as wood-sawing not entirely satisfied that the theatre complied and cement-mixing to the intricacies of with all the then current safety precautions. electrical installation, ventilation, raked Specifically a safety curtain was not in place, flooring and staggered seating. but at the council meeting Councillor When finished, the theatre had a stage area of Brocklehurst argued that it might be fairer if just under 1,000 sq. ft., the acting area being they did not “stick to the strict letter of the roughly square. The auditorium seated just law’!” A temporary licence was granted until under 300, the floor having a parabolic rake to December 31, and then extended until March give a perfect sight-line from every seat. The 31, 1947. seating itself was designed by a well-known The first play was Gerald Savoy’s George and London firm of theatre furnishers, and tailor- Margaret, which ran for 8 days until December made for the theatre. Stage lighting was of the 24th. The company then worked over www.highwycombesociety.org.uk 7 NEWSLETTER WINTER 2007/2008

Christmas to re-open the theatre on December frequent changes in the production company. 26th with a Christmas comedy by N. C. This started as early as November 1947, when Hunter, A Party for Christmas. The play was Ian Dobbie left. He was replaced by Antony supported by businesses: for example the local Stuart, who remained a Director of the shop Gardners’ supplied furnishings, and the company until March 1949. After that for telephone was supplied by courtesy of the nearly three years there was no one regular GPO. The performances were daily at 7.30pm, Director. In October 1950 Brian Oulton with matinees at 2.30pm on Wednesday and became Director of Productions, with John H. Saturday, and admission Stone as General Manager and prices were 10s.6d. for a box Edward R. Shoesmith as (seating 2), stalls at 4s.6d., Secretary (these being the only and the pit at 3s.6d. and 2s. remaining founder members of the theatre). Oulton was Over the next weeks the succeeded in August 1951 by theatre presented weekly Alfred Bradley, an old boy of productions, which included the Royal Grammar School. In such well-known plays as The March 1952, Bradley an- Sacred Flame by W. Somerset nounced that the theatre was Maugham and Blithe Spirit by to be renamed the Tower Noel Coward. After 20 weeks Fig.2: Actor Claude Hulbert, left, Theatre, and the company the of continuous playing, the rehearsing for a production at the theatre High Wycombe Repertory company took one week’s rest of ‘Nothing But The Truth’ in May 1954. Company. His tenure did not at the beginning of May 1947. Photo: Bucks Free Press BFP 03413 on last long, and he was succeed- This allowed a local amateur the SWOP website. ed in August 1953 by Quality dramatic society, The Masque Plays Bedford Manager, George Radford. Players, to present Time and The Conways. Ian Dobbie had previously announced that it was Only six months later, in January 1954, the the policy of the Repertory Company not to theatre was briefly closed, but it reopened on monopolise the theatre but to encourage its 8 February under the management of Mr Neil use by local organisations. Also in May, a Gibson. Born locally, he was known as Tom Repertory Ball was held, which became an Gibson, and the youngest son of Mr annual event for the next 12 years. C. A. Gibson, a well-known builder The company had got off to a and contractor. One year later the satisfactory start, but there was a theatre was again renamed, now as portent of things to come when it the Intimate Theatre. In August was announced in the programme 1956 Neil Gibson was taken ill, notes in March that there had and, despite recovering and been some downturn in the returning to the theatre, he found audiences in February due to the it necessary to let the theatre to ‘bitter weather’. Despite the best the West End Repertory Theatre efforts of the many people Company, under John Chitty, in associated with the theatre, it September 1957. Their tenure never managed to attract lasted just over 12 months, when a consistently the level of audiences new company, High Wycombe necessary to make it financially Repertory Theatre Players, took sustainable. A wide range of over the theatre at the end of July different plays was put on, 1958. This company was under including pantomimes at Christ- the direction of E. Steven Scott, mas, and many well-known actors but with the active participation of and actresses appeared in them. Neil Gibson. Regular productions These included the then very Fig.3: Compere was the only continued until early January popular stage, screen and radio magazine of the High 1959, however: thereafter it was Wycombe Repertory Theatre personalities, Claude Hulbert and occasionally used for productions Club, formed to encourage the by local organisations until it his wife Enid Trevor, who appeared support of local people. in a production of Nothing But The closed completely in mid-1959. Truth, Figure 2. The support of local people So ended over 12 years of repertory theatre, was actively encouraged through the formation during which in excess of 400 plays and of a theatre club, Figure 3. And a body of pantomimes had been presented. Many well- Theatre Patrons was formed, which included known actors and actresses had trodden its Earl and Countess Attlee, Lady Penelope boards. Live theatre was not to return to High Clementi, Mr and Mrs John Hall, Miss Celia Wycombe on a regular basis for over 30 years, Johnson, Miss Googie Withers, and Sir until the opening of the Swan Theatre in 1992. Laurence Olivier. Mike Dewey The recurring financial difficulties resulted in

THE HIGH WYCOMBE SOCIETY 8 NEWSLETTER WINTER 2007/2008

A personal reminiscence from member in the tavern where we sang ‘Fill every glass for Ronald Swains wine inspires us’’. Later, too, I was ‘another man’ in Desire Under the Elms. We were, of I first became aware of the Wycombe Rep. course, unpaid, and I imagine Union rules were when I went to the schools dentist in the bent to allow us to appear at all! My dear Christmas holiday of 1948. The tooth man had friend Kenneth Matthews also appeared, very premises in a run-down terrace at the end of briefly indeed, in the first scene of Murder at Frogmoor, almost next to what I saw was now a the Vicarage’ where he stood by the body of theatre. I did not attend until Hamlet had its Colonel Protheroe and had a line, pronouncing Wycombe premiere. Esme Percy of West End “Dead, I’m afraid; shot through the heart!” status was a guest as Claudius and Antony Stuart was the Prince. He was one of the early These were some highlights but, during the Directors when the Rep. was still fortnightly – time I assiduously attended, one might suggest it later had to go weekly and, inevitably, down- that Murder at the Vicarage set the tone as market. being, roughly, what Wycombe wanted. I was much involved with local drama and later Information for Mike Dewey’s article (of which a became a student of the Wylie School which fuller version will appear on the Society’s Margaret Wylie ran at Oxcroft, 57 London Rd. website) was obtained from: copies of the Mrs M Lancaster-Wylie (affectionately known theatre programmes, held at the Library, and in as Ma) was a focus in speech and drama. She possession of the author; copies of the theatre had many students of all ages and, usefully, a magazine ‘The Compere’ in possession of the hoard of costumes and props. The Rep. could author; and the Bucks Free Press. thus borrow from her – both the props and the students, if the show was a big one and needed A reminiscence from member Nina Battleday extras. Thus I was seconded as ‘a manservant’ will follow in a future issue.–Ed. for the School for Scandal and ‘another gentleman’ in the same production, this being

High Wycombe’s Contribution to Aviation by David Scott and Ian Simmons

Until I read this book, I had no idea that High Wycombe and the wider Wycombe District had played such a significant role in the development of aviation in a variety of aspects. Our authors have carried out much detailed research, uncovering a tremendous amount of information about aircraft production and operation in the district. It was Dave Scott, one of the co- It was in the 1914-1918 war that authors, who instigated the search High Wycombe people became fully for the birthplace of Geoffrey de aware of the aeroplane and its Havilland, later Sir Geoffrey, who potential. The furniture manu- established the renowned aircraft facturing industry had the company bearing his name. It necessary skills and equipment for transpired that he was born in making and assembling wooden 1882 at Terriers House in aircraft parts, and many of the Amersham Road, Terriers, opposite well-known companies were the ‘Beech Tree’ pub. A WDC involved in their mass-production. commemorative plaque was later Bucks Free Press adverts of the affixed to the house with due period show a continual demand ceremony, appropriately including for skilled workers. a fly-past. The de Havilland In the inter-war years, demand for company produced some notable aircraft declined and local industry aircraft carrying the DH prefix, mostly moved back to furniture including the Mosquito fighter/ making. However, during the 1930s public bomber in WWII and the Comet airliner in interest in aircraft was stimulated by regular post-war years. visits by Sir Alan Cobham’s Flying Circus. An early flying visit to the district was made by This operated from what is now Wycombe High Colonel Samuel Franklin Cody (not Buffalo Bill) School playing field at the top of Marlow Hill, who made a forced landing in in then Whincup’s Farm. Members of the public September 1912. He was the first person in were invited to take a flight to view the district Britain to fly a powered aircraft, in 1908. His for, I understand, five shillings (25p) per child. landing caused great excitement locally, and Many of us will know of and appreciate Ronald prompted a mayoral visit. Goodearl’s aerial photos of the locality taken www.highwycombesociety.org.uk 9 NEWSLETTER WINTER 2007/2008

during such flights. Significantly, in early towards the end of 1944 when around 3000 1939, a German Graf Zeppelin airship flew over bombers and fighters were despatched on a High Wycombe, probably taking reconnais- single mission. Since the end of WWII there sance photographs, and soon after the have been several reorganisations of command outbreak of WWII on 3 September of that year structure and upgrading of facilities at both the RAF took over an airstrip on a farm at sites, but, at the time of publication of this Booker renaming it RAF Booker, now Wycombe book, final closure of the US base in Dawes Hill Air Park. The final chapter of the book Lane was expected by the end of 2007. recounts the story of Booker Airfield. Hughenden Manor was also requisitioned by The outbreak of war seriously affected the local the Air Ministry during WWII. Codenamed furniture industry. Demand for furniture ‘Hillside’, it was used as a top-secret dropped, but by mid-1940 many firms were intelligence and map-making facility, being fed back into the production of aircraft parts, with photoreconnaissance information from notably for the largely wood-constructed Benson and . The facts about Mosquito aircraft, but also in other materials. Hillside have only recently come to light. After Assembly of fuselages was undertaken, even at WWII, in 1946, the Air Ministry moved out and Davenport Vernon’s garage in High Wycombe the property was made over to the National High Street, where Argos now trades! The book Trust. contains a chapter devoted to photographs and This book, dedicated to the craftsmen and other information showing the extent of women of the High Wycombe furniture wartime work undertaken by Wycombe industry, is full of interest to local people. We factories. owe a debt of gratitude to the authors for their High Wycombe and its locality were closely research and for this publication. involved in the operation and control of the (High Wycombe’s Contribution to Aviation, armed forces, notably the RAF and USAAF, published by WDC; price £10; profits to both during and after WWII. Deep shelters for Thames Valley & Chilterns Air Ambulance.) RAF Bomber Command were built in the beech woods at , and for US 8th Army Air John Gore Force Headquarters, codenamed ‘Pinetree’, in Copies of this book are available for purchase at the grounds of Wycombe Abbey School, which Wycombe Museum and at the Tourist had been requisitioned in 1942 at short notice. Information Centre in Paul’s Row. Alternatively, At both sites trees provided natural contact our member Ian Simmons at 154 New camouflage. Generally, the USAAF operated by Road, High Wycombe, HP12 4LA or on 01494 day and the RAF by night. Peak performance 531912 (post & packing £2.50). by the US 8th Army Air Force was reached

Future of Frogmoor (concluded from p.5) Bill Page • Several respondents said they would like It was with sadness and regret that we heard of to see toilets restored to Frogmoor. the death of Bill Page at the end of September. • Several people said they wanted He had become an integral part of the Pann Mill Frogmoor to be a peaceful place where restoration team. None of us could remember they could relax, with shade from the when he had joined us, although we remembered sun. the awe and anticipation we felt when he said he • The pigeons need to be dealt with! was a miller – an expert at last, we thought, only We were glad we had this report to hand when to find he was a metal miller, but he was to prove some of us attended consultation workshops an invaluable part of the team. He will be sadly organised by the District Council in November, missed, his ready help and dry humour as well as at which many people made the same points. his boundless knowledge. At his funeral service WDC tell us that they intend to publish their own we learned that he was also well known for his report on their website, and when they do, we’ll love of the , but for us he will alert those of our members who are on email to always be a part of the Pann Mill team. look for it on their website. Margaret Simmons Can you DIY? The PANN MILL GROUP is in urgent need of new John Mumford adds: Bill had a very good members. Pann Mill is a huge source of revenue knowledge of machines and this understanding and support for our Society. The Group meet to helped the team improve the reliability of the do all sorts of work on the Mill twice a month, on machinery. He was also a keen 35mm Sunday mornings. Only DIY skills are required – photographer, having taken many photos of Pann and a willingness to get stuck in! Please contact Alan Furness on 01494 563071. Mill inside and out.

THE HIGH WYCOMBE SOCIETY 10 NEWSLETTER WINTER 2007/2008

Frances Dove – Headmistress Extraordinaire

Frances Dove was both the founder and the first headmistress of Wycombe Abbey School. She was to leave her mark, not only on the school, but also on the town in which it is situated. She was a generous giver. According to Elsie a town council. I have served on Bowerman in her book, “Stands There a committees which have to do with School” (1965), she “never hesitated to meet health and the hospital and the free urgent needs from her own pocket”. In 1906, library.” she inaugurated the Wycombe Central Aid In 1928, Frances Dove was made a Dame Society – a lasting legacy to those in need in Commander of the British Empire. Concerning the area – prompted by the sight of the poor, her impressions of the ceremony at who clustered round the Abbey School’s Buckingham Palace, where she received the entrance, seeking leftover food. award, she said: Frances Dove was involved in all kinds of “I felt quite overwhelmed. The chief public work, especially in education. She impression left upon my mind was that helped raise funds for the building of St. all in the Palace, from the highest to John’s Church, Desborough Road, and for the the lowest, were infused with a sense of new Church of England School in Loakes Park. quiet dignity and loving service, surely She was a governor of both the Royal Grammar an inspiration to us all.” School and the then Wycombe Grammar School for Girls. In the realms of both education and local politics, she too exemplified the same spirit of Moreover, she played a prominent part in the “quiet dignity and willing service”. affairs of the town. In 1907, she became the first woman to be elected to the Town Council. After retiring from her post as headmistress of The news of her election was received with the Abbey School, Dame Frances continued to great excitement by the girls of the school. live and work in the local area. She bought a Miss Dove interrupted their cheers of delight house at Little Kimble, and ultimately came with quiet humour, saying, back to live in High Wycombe. After her retirement, she added to her other “If you only stop that horrid noise, you responsibilities by accepting work on the shall have a holiday tomorrow.” County Education Committee and in diocesan A booklet called “Looking Back”, written in affairs. No doubt to expedite the travelling 1996, to commemorate one hundred years of involved in such work, Dame Frances learned the school, described her thus: to drive a car – at the age of 72! “Her splendid personality, her She died in 1942, having left to the people of inex haustible energy, her lively religion, High Wycombe as well as to the girls of the permeated every phase of school life.” Abbey School her high standards, her compassion and concern for the She to o k that splendid personality, lively faith disadvantaged, and her political enthusiasm. and great energy into municipal work also, to such an extent that, in 1908, she was There is, in All Saints Church, a stained glass nominated for the mayoralty – an amazing feat window given to the church by Frances Dove. for a woman at that time. Such was the It depicts seventeen women who, throughout intere st the subsequent poll aroused that, history, dedicated their lives to the service of before the day of the vote, a national others. The inscription set in the glass reads: newspaper hailed her as the first woman mayor “To remember the ministry of women in England. It was to prove a false statement, to their fellows through faith in as she was defeated by two votes. Her God in all spheres of life.” disappointment and awareness of the machinations of the political world shine So, too, do we remember and honour Dame through her statement on the election: Frances Dove. To aid us in this, there is a blue plaque on the wall of No. 29 Priory Road, “I did not seek the honour, it was pointing out her life and achievements. thrust upon me and some of those who thrust it upon me voted against me.” Dawn Williams However, she also afforded a glimpse of her benevolent involvement in council affairs, Stands There a School, Memories of Dame writing: Frances Dove, Founder of Wycombe Abbey School, by Elsie Bowerman, was published by “There are many ways in which a the School in 1965. Second-hand copies can woman can do good and useful work on still be found on the Internet.–Ed. www.highwycombesociety.org.uk 11 NEWSLETTER WINTER 2007/2008

Quarterly Meeting Georgian Architecture

Those of you who did not attend the quarterly meeting on 24th October 2007 may be surprised to hear some of your fellow High Wycombe Society members now confidently using architectural terms to describe the buildings in our town centre. Our speaker, Andy Gunn, formerly a lecturer at Rycotewood College and with the Open University, set out to educate us rather than entertain – but managed to do both with ease. Electing to use an overhead projector so that ingly sustained demand for new housing; the he could face his audience, he ensured that we growth of the middle classes in particular; and all paid attention as he challenged us to define their wish to distance themselves from the what we meant exactly by the term “Georgian”. working classes; and the increased numbers of He then showed us how, between the people in domestic service. beginning of George I’s reign in 1714 and the end of George IV’s in 1830, there had been a Many style adjustments occurred for very succession of architectural styles in fashion: mundane reasons. Palladian villas were not Baroque Classicism, Palladian, Chinese, designed with our cold climate in mind. The Gothic, Rococo, Neoclassical and Regency. sash window, for example, was adopted in response to the need to contain warmth, and He reinforced his message by drawing on drip sill features performed the very necessary familiar local examples of architectural task of keeping water away from the windows. features such as the Baroque Classicism of The lack of any effective damp-coursing made Blenheim Palace; the Chinese room at Claydon the first storeys of buildings much more House; and the Gothic interior of Hughenden attractive than the ground floors. Andy taught Manor. He encouraged us to examine in detail us to “read a building” from the outside to see the features of the inside of the Guildhall in where the rooms of importance were located. which the meeting was being held: the Roman pillars supporting the classical archway; the Returning to the indoors of the building, we Greek fluted pilasters bordering the timber were shown how fashions in furniture, panelling; the architraves and pediments of the furnishings, fixtures and fittings emerged to doorways; and the dental mouldings around reflect the styles of the rooms in which they the ceiling; not forgetting the mullions and were placed. Furniture by such makers as transoms of the sash windows. A carefully Chippendale and Hepplewhite was designed to selected set of transparencies provided more look at home in Georgian surroundings. information about each of the styles, tracing Elaborate chimney pieces evolved during this their classical origins and providing further time into relatively simple fireplaces. examples of key features. In giving his vote of thanks, David Snoxell Alongside this informative and descriptive lamented the fact that the evening had not also journey, Andy also drew our attention to included a guided walk along the High Street. conditions which had spurred the architectural But it was possible to take a virtual tour as developments in this country: the dissatis- Mary Woodman had provided a set of mystery faction with the timber-framed buildings of the photographs of Georgian features in the centre past and the appreciation of the merits of of town. These provoked animated discussion building in brick; the growth in popularity of after the formal part of the meeting. the Grand Tour whereby the well-to-do brought back inspiration from their travels; the huge Jackie Kay explosion in the population with a correspond-

THE HIGH WYCOMBE SOCIETY 12 NEWSLETTER WINTER 2007/2008

Notices

NOW WE ARE 40 YES – in 2008 the High Wycombe Society celebrates its 40th anniversary. To mark the occasion we are arranging a buffet dinner with entertainment for Friday 27th June 2008 at the Cricket Club in London Road. Put it in your diary now! Places will be limited, so buy your tickets at the AGM or see the Spring Newsletter for further details. Programme and Membership Group New Members have agreed that our first meeting of 2008, on 7 March (see Diary), will be open to individual We warmly welcome the following new members: members of the Society as well. Although it is Mr & Mrs A Jeeves of Widmer End. helpful if you can do so, you do not need to Mr & Mrs N Morris of Widmer End. notify me if you wish to attend, unless you wish Mrs J Tanner of Inkerman Drive, . to add an item to the agenda.

If this meeting generates enough interest we will Obituary then continue with this arrangement. Frances Presland We regret to announce the death of: Hon. Secretary Mr Bill Page

We extend our condolences to Bill’s wife, Valerie, and to their family and friends (see p.9). Frogmoor

Many thanks to all of you who completed your questionnaire on the future of Frogmoor, Affiliated Groups Meetings including the ladies of WI who I know you will read this and probably think, photocopied the questionnaire for all their “Hello, she’s off on one of her communication-is- members. important crusades again.” But it really is vital See details on p.5. that as a Society we listen to our members.

For some time now, we have been holding meetings every four months with our affiliated Thanks… groups. This has enabled us to understand ... to all those who have contributed copy for this some of the issues that are specific to individual issue. Material for the Spring 2008 issue should groups and also to promote discussion with and reach me at 29 Maybrook Gardens High between groups where there is a common Wycombe HP13 6PJ (01494 528106) by interest. 20 February, please. This has been very successful, and now the affiliated groups and the Executive Committee Chris Woodman (Hon Editor)

Put these dates in your diary now!!! DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2008 Friday 11th January Quarterly Meeting: “Chairmaking in the Chilterns and Thames 7.30pm, Guildhall Valley”. Speaker: Dr. Catherine Grigg, Curator, Wycombe Museum. With refreshments to welcome in the New Year. Friday 7th March Affiliated Groups Meeting at 25 London Road (see above). 7.30pm, Friends Meeting House Friday 4th April Annual General Meeting, followed by reports from the Society's 7.30pm, Guildhall Groups. Sunday 11th May Pann Mill Open Day for National Mills Weekend. Details in 11.00am–5.00pm Spring issue or on our website. Friday 27th June, evening Society’s 40th Birthday Party (see above).

The membership card and programme for 2008-2009 are currently in preparation.