Hilltop News
Hilltop News
August & September 2013 Summer, at last
The cold spring relented just in time for the annual St Leonards Parish Hall Fete on the first day of June. For a pleasant change we enjoyed blue skies and sunshine, which helped bring in more visitors and raise record profits. ince then the Hilltops have been bathed in some proper warm summer Sweather, even a heat wave: something we’ve missed for the past couple of years. Let’s hope a fine summer continues into the autumn. Jim Hetherington has provided regular features on the wildlife in our villages since the very the beginning of Hilltop News. Small wonder, then, that new subject matter has become ever elusive. Jim is taking a break, but will still contribute to this magazine on a more occasional basis. In the meantime, Michelle Storm has contributed a timely feature on gardening for the benefit of wildlife. Matt Baker once again opens the annual Many of you have expressed concern St Leonards Parish Hall Fete. Report and about the tree thinning which has taken photos inside… place on our commons. Michelle explains, in another feature, why this work is necessary. Also in this issue… Graham Lincoln, editor • A tribute to Lilian Smith • George Humphries sets up a local Canicross club • Mike Wallis remembers a local character • A book of poems by Julia Yeardye Plus our regular features… Chris Brown visits one of our churchyards to Front cover inspire his nature notes. Wildflowers on Buckland Common. Planted Our Curvaceous Cook serves up a fishy just last year, they will, hopefully, provide recipe. a colourful display for the community to …plus all the news from our churches, enjoy over many years to come. school, pubs, clubs, councils and societies.
Hilltop News 3 start to slip again. Details of dates, position possibility of privately funding an earlier unclassified roads when they present an THE PARISH COUNCIL of groups if found littering, schools they’ve upgrade within the parish. As BT has signed actual danger of flooding (every road in Government in this country tends to come from, even photos of the litter will all the contract with Connected Counties, this this parish is unclassified except Wigginton help our case. is not an option and, in any case, would be Road and Hawridge Hill/Hawridge wind down over the summer: from the prohibitively expensive. If we find we are in Common/Cholesbury Lane which are parliamentary break to the Parish Council’s High-speed rural broadband update the final 10% of rural premises who won’t C-roads). I already spend quite a bit of time lack of an August meeting. In our case, we Cllr Brown has been following this one for be covered by the contract, we will expect reporting blocked gullies, flooding and some time and told us in June that Bucks our County and District councillors to work other drainage problems (oh, and endless don’t quite down tools and go on extended Business First and Herts Enterprise, overseen with us to bring about a favourable change potholes, of course) but if you can help me holidays, but it’s as good a time as any to by the two County Councils and together to those areas included in the roll-out plans. to do this by either telling me or Transport take a break and concentrate on something known as Connected Counties, have signed for Bucks (e-mail to [email protected]) else for a while. a contract with BT which will provide 90% Delivery Development Plan Document when you see a problem I would be very of rural premises in the two counties with This unwieldy name has been given grateful. ur Annual Meeting of the Council in fibre broadband by 2016 at the latest, to Chiltern District Council’s latest May confirmed that there will be no with the first areas upgraded by mid-2014. supplementary document to its Core And finally - those wheelie bins Ochange in councillors this year and This project comes at no extra cost to Strategy, which was adopted in 2011 The smart new wheelie bins have been I am pleased to report that the Council’s householders or businesses (though it is, of and which frames Chiltern’s overall delivered and those of us who live on very finance and administration has been passed course, funded by our council tax) but it is planning policy for the next few years. narrow roads are having to make do with by the internal auditor as satisfactory for important to remember that – particularly The Government’s Planning Inspectorate coloured bags instead. There has inevitably 2012–13. We are well on the way to being in our area with our ancient telephone has instructed Councils to include certain been a settling-in process but hopefully in a officially approved by the external auditor. exchange – it isn’t just a case of flicking a policies within its existing Core Strategy, year or so Chiltern DC will be able to tell us Phew – the Clerk can breathe easy again! switch to enable faster broadband: the new as well as having produced the National categorically that they are, as a direct result fibre network has to be physically built. Planning Policy Framework in 2012, which of spending all this money on new bins Duke of Edinburgh groups Virgin Media has chosen Chesham as Chiltern DC must now take into account, and waste collection contracts, recycling Several issues have come up over the spring its pilot site and is installing a super-fast and the DDPD is the means of doing this. considerably more of our rubbish than and summer: not least the quantity of network now as part of its urban upgrades, You can read the Parish Council’s they used to. All comments to wasteteam@ litter produced by our seasonal walkers, and BT are doing the same in other Bucks response on www.cholesbury.com or you chiltern.gov.uk. the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme groups and Herts towns. The big companies are can ask me for a paper copy. There will be Susie Bell, Clerk to the Council sent by schools to roam our countryside far less interested in upgrading the rural a further period of consultation in early 758408 [email protected] clutching maps. This year seems to have broadband networks, as they present much 2014 on the revised document which this been particularly bad for litter and the more complicated, expensive problems Council will consider with equal care, even Chartridge & Bellingdon Parish Clerk, Liz while benefiting fewer households. though we are well protected by being in van Hullen, and I have been corresponding Connected Counties is working to redress the Green Belt. The DDPD will eventually with the DofE head office recently to try the balance by concentrating on rural replace any remaining parts of the Chiltern to stem the flow. As a result, the Chairman areas. A survey of areas to be upgraded District Local Plan and help deliver the of Braid Wood Activity Centre and a is happening this summer, but our local objectives of the Core Strategy. representative from the DofE’s South East Cholesbury exchange is one of the oldest Your councillors are: region joined the Chartridge Council in the area and may have to be totally Bucks County Council’s cost-cutting John Allen, Chairman: 758095 meeting. I went along to hear what they rebuilt before we can benefit from such an Bucks CC, while proud of being able to Nigel Blomfield, 758314 had to say and throw in Cholesbury’s views. upgrade. One possible alternative solution keep council tax at 2012–13 levels, has very Chris Brown, 758890 I must say that by mid-July the situation could be to extend a high-speed broadband quietly been making sweeping reductions seemed to have improved enormously – connection loop from Chesham, but this is in many areas to maintain these headlines. Philip Matthews, 758205 thanks, I like to think, to our persistence at guesswork at the moment and I’m afraid A couple which affect our parish directly John Minting, 758206 head office level – and I am hopeful that it we will have to wait and see. Cllr Brown are what used to be regular highways Francis Sanger, 758767 will stay that way. will keep an eye on progress and I hope services, such as grass-cutting and gulley- In the meantime, I would appreciate it if we will have an update in the next few clearing. Verges will now only be cut Liz van Hullen, 758800 everyone could keep an eye on paths they months. twice a year instead of three times, and walk regularly and let me know if things One resident has asked me about the gullies and drains will only be cleared on
4 Hilltop News Hilltop News 5 THE COUNTY COUNCIL who may be interested, I will happily put HAWRIDGE & CHOLESBURY C of E SCHOOL them in touch with Ernst & Young, who are he 2011 census advising BCC on these appointments. results reveal that Please join me in wishing all our young TBuckinghamshire people who have taken their GCSE’s and Summer term is always the busiest in The sleepover was something of a dress saw a 24% rise in over A levels this summer the best of luck with schools with so much to do before the rehearsal for the residential week away at the Isle of Wight in June. With the SATs 65’s in the decade to their results. What you may not know is holidays arrive. Things are currently in full 2010. The Chilterns are that Buckinghamshire has the biggest gap finally over, all were looking forward to swing, with rehearsals for the school’s an especially good place of all in terms of the highest and lowest some time to have fun and socialise with to live in terms of a long results. The gap is accentuated by our high production of Bugsy Malone. The cast their friends away from home. The week life! Our wonderful performing grammar and upper schools are busy learning their lines and stage was wonderful. The weather kept fine, the environment provides and currently the county is seeking to hotel and its staff were lovely and everyone directions, the whole of Key Stage 2 are many opportunities reduce that gap by giving extra support enjoyed seeing the sights of such places as for a healthy lifestyle: walking being one to a small cohort of youngsters to improve practising the songs and the staff and Osborne House, Carisbrooke Castle, Alum of the best. The Chief Executive of Public their performance. volunteers are frantically finding costumes, Bay and The Needles, Shanklin Chine, Robin Hill Country Park and HMS Victory in Health England, Duncan Selbie, visited The Learning Disability gardening making props and painting scenery. We all Bucks last week and praised the new service at Missenden Abbey walled garden Portsmouth. At the disco on the last night it hope that it will be fantastic, that Key Stage Prevention Matters project which promotes is now selling hanging baskets, so do seemed that very few wanted to go home, independence and integrates the work of look in. It is a great opportunity for these 2 will get a lot out of starring in it and that despite missing their families. GP’s and social care. As I write, the Keogh people to learn new skills in a wonderful parents, relatives and friends who come to It is not just Year 5 and 6 who have been busy – there are new additions in Folly enquiry is preparing to report on BHT, the environment. I say that because we are see it will appreciate all the hard work. hospitals trust and the Health Scrutiny creating a sensory garden beside the River Fields (Year 3) and Holly Crofts (Year 4) Select Commmittee are investigating A&E Misbourne. Previously they undertook ears 5 and 6 (Cherry Platts and Great in the form of some newly hatched fluffy performance. contract gardening and plan to do so again Oaks) have been particularly busy. feathered chicks. The children have been The 2013 Care Bill has profound next season, particularly for churchyards YEarlier in the term the children and able to witness the miracle of birth first implications for local authorities in and open spaces. their teachers – supported by other members hand as part of their work looking at the providing care from 2017 onwards, raising Please let me know if I can raise your of staff - took part in a ‘sleepover’ at the book ‘Charlotte’s Web’ by E B White. the cap for personal wealth from £23,500 to concerns at County Hall. We expect soon to school. This was because their topic was There is still a lot to pack into the £123,000. Whilst the amount payable will know the outcome of the HS2 Appeal in the ‘Stig of the Dump’ – a book by Clive King in remaining weeks with Sports Day; meeting be tapered, many more local people will be High Court. As the cost escalates I believe which a young boy discovers a caveman in new teachers; leavers’ service for Year 6, able to ask the Council to cover the cost of our chances of stopping it will improve. the modern era sleeping rough in his den at who are moving on to secondary school; the bottom of a chalk pit in Kent. a trip to Windsor Castle; a Teddy Bears’ their care, albeit that they will still pay for Tricia Birchley (Chiltern Ridges Division) You may have seen the recent article Picnic for Honey Pots and Little Peppers their board and lodging in residential care. 01296 621138 We are fortunate in having some of the featuring the children in The Bucks (Years 1 and 2) and a drumming concert for best new care homes in Britain, including Examiner after one of its reporters visited Folly Fields (Year 3). All will surely find the Cameron House in Chesham which will be the school to teach the children about summer holidays a welcome rest! ready for use in early 2014. journalistic writing. The sleepover wasn’t Chris Burgin, Teacher (Year 6) The Local Authority Trading Company quite the same as sleeping in a den – they has now been registered at Companies all set up their sleeping bags etc. on the House as Buckinghamshire Care. Initially floor of the school hall. Nevertheless, it was this will have an annual turnover of £8 adventurous and most slept fairly well after million and employ around 300 staff. It an afternoon of games, cooking their own will principally deliver our new day services evening meal and watching a DVD whilst and reablement to get people fit again enjoying hot chocolate and biscuits. The after a hospital visit. We are currently bacon sandwiches for breakfast were most seeking a non-Executive Chairman and will welcome – particularly for the parents who be appointing a new Chief Executive and came to collect their tired children from the CFO in the autumn. If you know someone even more tired teachers!
6 Hilltop News Hilltop News 7 The garden is open on Tuesdays, from May CHOLESBURY cum to September. Check her website for details: ST LEONARDS www.kathybrownsgarden.com Hilltop Villages Community Choir HORTICULTURAL In the afternoon we visited Coton Manor in Northamptonshire. This is a long- SOCIETY established garden surrounding the stone Manor House. There are formal borders and A special thank you to Liz Firth, who has then you pass through a woodland area summarized the garden visits: all of which I and on through the water and bog gardens missed due to tennis! out onto lawns with banked herbaceous borders. In this area you are surprised to o much has changed since my last find flamingos at home in their pond with report. Due to the warm damp spell in unusual ducks for company. Beyond is a Searly June my garden grew rapidly and bluebell wood and a wildflower meadow. is still looking lush, but the recent dry spell, There is also an extremely good plant which is forecast to continue, means that nursery. We ended a very enjoyable day these plants may become stressed more with more tea and cake in the Courtyard easily. I will be watering recent additions, Café, so many thanks to Diana and John for The HVCC started in March with two the annual flowers and vegetables. To arranging this garden outing. ensure a continued display don’t forget to In the middle of June, Judy and Michael dozen members, many of whom had deadhead before seed is formed. Joseph kindly opened their garden in St. never been allowed to join a choir, but Watering and deadheading should Leonards for an evening visit. Members loved singing along. The choir meets at ensure that you have plenty to display at enjoyed walking around admiring the the Annual Show on 7 September. There garden – glass in hand – on a rather chilly Cholesbury Village Hall during term times are also classes for cookery, handicraft, evening. We were able to warm up as Judy on Wednesday evenings starting promptly flower arranging and photography. Never and Michael provided a barbecue, which at 7.45 to 9.15. entered before? Try just one or two classes was most welcome and helped to raise that interest you. Entries to Roseann Vince: funds for their chosen charity, The Cure enny Wright is our Musical Director and 11 Sandpit Hill Cottages, Cholesbury by Parkinson’s Trust. starts off with a relaxing warm-up, and Wednesday 4 September. Jthen leads us through a wide range of On 8 June, members went on a very Happy Gardening songs each evening. enjoyable coach trip to visit gardens in The choir sings a variety of songs Sarah Tricks Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire. The including one, two, three and four part first was to Kathy Brown’s garden at the harmonies – all unaccompanied. We now Manor House, Stevington, near Bedford. have words for several of the songs we are Kathy is a garden designer and, with her working on, and Jenny has sent all choir husband Simon, has created a fascinating members recordings of the different parts garden full of horticultural delights and just in case they want to do some home surprises. Kathy is not only a garden practice. designer but bakes the most delicious cakes We are looking for new members to – some using flowers from her garden. join us in the September term starting 4 Old Photos Restored So we started the morning with coffee September – it is only £4.00 an evening – a Professional retouching and restoration of old and cake before being taken on a tour of real bargain, and it does not matter if you or damaged photographs including mounting the garden. There are wonderful plantings, cannot come every week. If you are even and framing. from herbaceous borders to topiary and only slightly interested please contact influences from French garden design. The Nicola Leat on 758784 or e-mail leatrj@ 01494 758882 yahoo.co.uk for more details. purple aliums were at their spectacular best email: [email protected] in long borders under arches of wisteria. Nicola Leat
8 Hilltop News Hilltop News 9 Commons Preservation Society. They make a often easy for us to miss seeing these small refresher chainsaw courses, servicing the HAWRIDGE & lovely, inexpensive gift with a local flavour. species and their astonishing variety. tractor, making signposts etc. etc. In the CHOLESBURY If you would like to purchase any please call Isobel and Roy have also been keeping last issue of Hilltop News, Linden wrote COMMONS Sue (757202). a watchful eye on Pallett’s Pond. Isobel about the need for us to cut back on some believes that the use of black plastic has of the cutting and collecting regime on PRESERVATION Volunteers killed the original area of New Zealand the grassland areas since we need to work SOCIETY As you know, the Commons don’t just look Pygmy Weed, though Roy found some over within our budget. Your subscriptions and after themselves and, although the working the winter which will need to be dealt any donations that you are able to make Calendar parties stop for the summer, there are with on the pond margins. Black plastic, are vital to the work of the society. As I write, summer is finally here, the still lots of volunteers out there making it currently in the middle of the pond, is If you haven’t already done so, you can grassland areas of the Commons are easier for you to walk, ride or just enjoy the helping to suppress the reed sweetgrass pay your annual subscription of £10 to our looking stunning and the work on the Commons and our thanks are due to all of which would out-compete other species if treasurer Ben Lewis, 7 Sandpit Hill Cottages, woodland areas is beginning to look less them. Among them are the tractor drivers left. The fact that we have had to use black Cholesbury Lane, Cholesbury HP23 6NF ‘raw’, so this might be a good time to get Jef Bell, Paul Hembury, Isobel Clark and our plastic in the pond over such a long period (758843). Ben can also provide you with an out there with your camera. Following novice, Clare Muir: all have done a stalwart of time demonstrates how difficult it is to e-mail form if you wish to pay by Standing the success of our two series of butterfly job and, of course, Martin Barber has given deal with introduced species. It is for this Order. He can be contacted by e-mail: lewis. cards, we would like to produce a calendar us very valuable assistance by maintaining reason that we ask that you never put any [email protected]. for 2014 with images associated with the the tractor and other equipment. plants or animals in the pond or anywhere Commons. These could be pictures of the In June we had another visit from 19 on the Commons. AGM flora or fauna, an activity taking place on RAF recruits who helped clear the heather Whilst we are basking in sunshine, it is the Commons or a landscape. The choice area at the top of Horse Block. It is good Costs difficult to be thinking forward to winter. is yours! If you have photos that you to see how much work these young and Although we have many people However, you might want to put the date would like to share please e-mail them very fit young people can do! They were contributing their time and effort to the of the AGM on the calendar. It will be at to me by mid August: lindsaygriffin@ clearing bracken and gorse from this area Society, we also have a great many costs Cholesbury Village Hall on Tuesday 19 yahoo.co.uk . Because of the constraints as these would quickly out-compete the such as insurance for the working parties, November. of the page layout of the calendar, all heather. However, gorse growing in other petrol, repairs and replacement of tools, Lindsay Griffin (for HCCPS) photographs except the front cover areas, especially to the east of the heather should be in landscape format. The work regeneration, is left to flourish. of all photographers will, of course, be In mid and late July we expect to have acknowledged. two further visits from the ‘Get Out There’ Many of you will remember fondly project, who will be clearing very invasive the calendars which were produced over bracken and brambles around the gorse a number of years by the Horticultural area as well as clearing up some of the Society. These included drawings of local broken tree branches. scenes and personalities from many of our Other activities which are ongoing residents, including children. We believe include updating the flora and fauna that it may be possible to produce a records. Isobel has initiated a record of calendar on similar lines in the future but bryophytes (mosses) and has so far found for now, since time is short for next year’s the following: cypress-leaved plait-moss, calendar, we intend to stick to photographs. harts-tongue thyme-moss, swans-neck thyme-moss, bank haircap, capillary thread- Cards moss, common smoothcap, common, Sue Phillips has done a great job selling our creeping and clustered feather-moss. We Butterfly Cards which have added a much are very grateful to Roy Maycock and his needed boost of over £800 to our funds associates for help in identifying them. over the last three years. The cards, which Next time you are out walking you might feature the work of David Dennis, can be like to see which ones you can find. As with seen on our web-site www.cholesbury.com / the abundant fungi on the Commons, it is
10 Hilltop News Hilltop News 11 HAWRIDGE & CHOLESBURY CRICKET CLUB
Pavilion extension Anyone driving past the club in the last few weeks will have noticed the changing face of the pavilion, as work has stepped up to complete the changing President’s Day cup winners! room extension. General consensus is that the exterior one of which was rained off. Of those, work, undertaken by a team led by Digger the club has won only one, although all Reading, has been completed with great the other five were lost by the narrowest skill and professionalism, including the of margins. Losing the toss in all of these careful use of aged roof tiles on the front matches and being put into bat on every of the building, blending in with the occasion has not helped! The result is that months, with five wins, one defeat and two 68 colts have registered in 2013, across the existing tiles. Internally, the space created we are in mid table, with two matches in ruled out by the weather. The defeat came age range Under 8 to Under 13. An attempt for the enlarged changing rooms and hand over the league leaders. There is a in the popular annual Cobra Cup challenge was made to field an Under 14 side, but storage facilities has worked out as well as good team spirit and a great determination against the Currymen. Unfortunately, H&C in the end we had too few registering: a could be hoped for. to finish the season strongly. The club expects to complete the were not prepared for a virtuoso innings challenge for next year. from Mike Jones, who plundered 142 runs The Under 9s entered both the 6-a-side work by August. Funding is still an issue, President’s Day at a rapid rate, allowing The Currymen to Kwik Cricket Tournament at Winchmore Hill although help received via the Bucks Each year in June our club President, amass 266 in 40 overs. James Cath bowled CC on 15 July and The Rodwell Cup 8-a-side Community Foundation, in the form of Trafford Matthews, sponsors a fun day well and Ben Drane came on late to stem tournament at Tring Park CC on 21 July. a £5,000 loan from the Bucks Big Society of cricket. This year we held a six-a-side the flow of runs. The Under 10s, who play in the Bucks Bank, allowed the development to go competition. Fortunately the weather In reply, the home team batted steadily Southern League Division 3, are currently ahead. We therefore appeal to members of behaved, so we enjoyed a great day’s fun after losing a wicket in the first over. James without a win, but are adapting well to the community who appreciate and enjoy and frenetic excitement as six teams battled Cath played a lovely innings to score a playing with a hard ball and the rigours of the facilities offered by the cricket club to out for supremacy. With just five fielders century. He was involved in a big stand with helmets, pads and gloves. There have been think of making a contribution, however and a bowler this is quite exhausting, so Ben Drane, who curbed his impetuosity to notable performances from Mac Harriman, small. there were many tired bodies at the end make a very well played 77. In the end, H&C Sarah Timmins and Joe Frankum. Once the building work is complete, and of the day. Eventual winners were Steve ran out of overs, despite a mad dash at the The Under 11s are unbeaten to date, when funds permit, the plan is to complete Wright’s Select VI, who beat the H&C end, reaching a total of 240 for 5, just 26 as both Luke Barker, with his bowling, the improvement work by replacing the Sunday team by two runs in the final. runs short. and Max Collins with his wicket keeping existing patio area, as many of the stone Ellie Redding supplied a wonderful lunch and batting, continue to display qualities tiles are dangerously cracked and broken. and then Sham Butt and his supporters Colts that have seen them retained in the Bucks produced a wonderful spread at the end Colts cricket remains very popular, with County squad. Mid Bucks League: mid-term report of play. Dave Penn umpired the full event, large turnouts each week, from both colts The Under 12s are also performing It is hard to believe that we are half way well supported by scorer Charlie Barker. through the Saturday Mid Bucks League and parents, which is wonderful to see. well given that the team is predominantly The new club hoodies have been a great U11 players, with the exception of Sam season. Byes and withdrawals from the Sunday team success, especially on those cool evenings Hames and Jamie Matthews, but the Under league have resulted in just seven matches, Some good results over the last couple of when the weather has threatened. Overall, 13s, who play in Bucks Division 2, have
12 Hilltop News Hilltop News 13 struggled, mainly because they have to field many U11 colts to fill a team. Parents have been wonderful in their support. Thursday evenings have become great family occasions, when the weather has permitted, providing a relaxing after- work opportunity to watch their children having good, safe fun.
Social news Various Friday evening socials have been arranged for club members. The first was a very enjoyable Race Night in June. A Bingo Night in July will be followed by another Race Night in August. No decision yet on an end-of-season function. All news, photos and more can be found on the club website, which is hawridgeandcholesbury.hitscricket.com. Brian Ralphs Chairman, Hawridge & Cholesbury Cricket Club
14 Hilltop News Hilltop News 15 the basins and baths: basically all the hard There was never a dull moment when work, as Nick had a serious neck problem). you were with Nick. I feel so lucky to have A local man remembered We used have so much fun! had such a good friend. There’s an old I remember Nick calling me in the middle saying about giving you the top brick off of a particularly bad winter’s morning: two the chimney: Nick would have done that. foot of snow and ten below! Well, I got He died in 1991 at the age of 68 and is the old Landrover out and went down to buried alongside his wife Margrit and Through my life I count myself lucky to have collector of muzzleloaders. Within a few collect him. We loaded up and set off to daughter Yvonne in St Leonards church, months I was regularly shooting in teams met and become friends with some very sort out a burst pipe in the roof of a house a few feet away from his friend, Tim representing Chiltern, to the degree that interesting and amazing people. One of in the village. The cold tank in the loft had Matthews. I qualified to represent the UK in Europe burst and the water had run out of the After his death, I hardly did any those was my very great friend Nick Grace, in the mid-1980s. In those days there was roof all around the soffit boards and down shooting. I lost the appetite for it without who lived down the end of Little Twye. no sponsorship, so you had to pay your the walls. The ice covering the house was my mate. Instead, I concentrated on own way, and the mandatory green jacket first met Nick back in the 70’s when I nearly six inches thick! We had to smash working my dogs. Recently, however, I have cost about £150! That was several months’ still lived in Berkhamsted, just below the our way through a wall of ice to get in by got back into clay shooting, and thoroughly wages, so sadly I couldn’t afford to go. auction rooms in Middle Road, which my the front door - that was the easy bit! The enjoying it. But I still miss the fun and I What I did start doing was shooting family owned and ran. My dad had bought water inside was running under the door laughs the pair of us used to share. big bore guns: muzzle-loading shotguns a very unusual Scottish muzzle-loading and freezing once it was outside! Finally, Cheers Nick: a great influence on my life! bigger than 10-bore. I borrowed several of shotgun that had been entirely stripped of I managed to get into the house and turn Nick’s guns and did quite well. Then Matt Mike Wallis all its screws and dismantled. I spent several the water off! and his great mate Tim Matthews, the local months in the evening re-assembling and brick-maker, went to an auction in London repairing it into a ‘shootable’ condition. and bought a Purdey 8-bore, expressly for Once it was done, I needed to find someone me to shoot in competition. The first time who had the expertise to teach me how I took it out was to the American airbase to use it. Nick Grace was a bit of a legend at Lakenheath. At that time the American where old muzzleloaders and flintlocks airbases had the most up-to-date shooting were concerned. I went to see him, and layouts in the country. Competition was discovered that near his house was an tough, but we cleaned up! This gun was excellent shooting layout, built by Nick, and awesome. It weighed about ten and a half used by The Chiltern Muzzleloaders club. pounds, but worked like a little wand. Well, Within a few weeks we had become firm it had been expertly fettled by Nick! friends. Most weekends we would go off Nick and I also created and ran a clay shooting around the country, or down pheasant shoot in the woods between to Bisley to shoot rifle. My dad was an Champneys and Hastoe. Our pens were half excellent shot, and taught me from when way up Kiln Lane. Two acres of woodland I was aged just four! So I had the skills to were surrounded with mesh, six feet high, shoot a breech-loading modern gun, but with the bottom buried 12 inches in the it was Nick who taught me muzzleloader. ground to prevent foxes digging under! He was an excellent teacher of this new It took us eight months to construct, discipline, showing me all the tricks he had working every weekend and evening. We learnt from years of competition. Nick also ran it together for nearly ten years before found the house in Hawridge where I now I pulled out due to pressure of work, but live. That was nearly 40 years ago. we continued to go to shoots and buy guns It was also about this time that he together. introduced me to a lifelong friend of his, Nick was a plumber by trade, and a very Matt Chapel, who used to manage the good one. Over the years I did most of his waterworks at the bottom of Hawridge grafting (digging trenches, carrying all Hill. Matt was a very knowledgeable
16 Hilltop News Hilltop News 17 while, Punch pursued a tactic of installing a series of disinterested, temporary Summer news of Hilltop Pubs operatives to keep it open though not fully functional as a village pub. Since early March, Punch have eschewed their legendary greed for uneconomic rents and In mid July, the Hilltop pub scene continued extended a “tenancy at will” to Trevor to present changes and variations on old Barrett at a peppercorn rent but terminable with little notice. In fits and starts, Trevor themes. The Black Horse is settling down has reintroduced some choice of ales, cider, for the long haul, The Rose and Crown lager, stout and a few other beverages. is agreeably steady, The Full Moon has Along the way, food service has been experienced senior management changes, reintroduced, and the telephone is again alive and reinstated on the traditional The Bull is dead, and future fortunes of The 758387 number. White Lion cannot be predicted. Without describing the details of the hen the previous manager of The ugly financial manoeuvring that is going on Full Moon moved on to other amongst the junior and senior bond holders Wpursuits in June, her deputy, and equity investors in Punch Taverns, Amber Brand, took full charge. An early suffice to say that there is an investment innovation was to introduce a special bank that hopes to buy all their “bad pubs” summer menu in July with a longer term in a package at a fire sale price with the well to exploit this as an attraction for their intention to make wholesale planning plan to rotate the menus to be in keeping customers. with the various seasons throughout the applications for changes of use and to Punch Taverns are clearly dividing their realise a profit on their resale. year. In an effort to perk up demand for estate into “good pubs” and “bad pubs” Bill Ingram food on Wednesdays, which are inexplicably for management and on-going investment slow, half price food will be offered. purposes. They wish to retain and Although a regular inspection is coming encourage the “good pubs” for their cash due, the ales in the Full Moon are currently generation, which goes mainly to servicing certified by Cask Marque. A beer and cider Punch Taverns’ colossal debt. festival with live music is scheduled for Since The Black Horse is being treated as 3 and 4 August. Shortly after that, on 7 a “good pub”, Punch invested significant August, a charity imaginary horse race has amounts of cash in the infrastructure and been booked. décor of the property this past winter. As a Since The Rose and Crown is celebrating consequence of reasonable treatment and its fifth anniversary in the care of Kerry and terms afforded to her by Punch, Sandra Marc Heywood this August, a beer festival Taylor has agreed a five-year lease on the was held at the end of July to the mark the pub in her own name. She is already off to occasion. Their success demonstrates that a good start with a Cask Marque inspection real dedication and good hospitality can in early July which gave all the ales on tap a make a major contribution toward keeping five out of five score. Sean Taylor, the cellar a country pub alive against the tide of an man, will continue to keep a regular watch adverse market. From the beginning, they on the bar and cellar management. had the good sense to recognise that, given By way of contrast, Punch Taverns have the economics of the country pub trade been managing The White Lion as one of today, appealing food service is essential their “bad pubs” which they would like to to profit and thus survival.They have done convert into cash as soon as possible. For a
18 Hilltop News Hilltop News 19 front of their homes, allowing a variety a whole host of insects and amphibians, Our gardens as havens for wildlife of wild flowers to flourish. Even the and provides drinking water for the birds. government has taken steps to enforce a You can attract more wildlife to your more sympathetic mowing regime, by our garden by adding a log pile and creating councils, of roadside verges as a response a leaf litter corner, which will attract a to the declining bee population. This is also whole ecosystem of invertebrates, frogs, important as certain butterflies, such as hedgehogs and reptiles to predate on small and large skippers, need tall grasses unwanted pests such as slugs. Avoid solid on which to lay their eggs. And nettles barriers, as wildlife need to enter and exit support an astonishing 30 different species your garden. Leaving a 4-inch gap will during a full life cycle and provide nectar if allow hedgehogs to come and go as they allowed to flower. wish. I recently visited local gardener Paul Wait until Spring to cut back summer Mathews, who has spent the last 20 years perennial stalks and dead growth. creating a beautiful wild flower garden They provide an essential habitat for from seeds and plants he has rescued overwintering invertebrates, which in turn from various land developments. I was provide much needed protein for garden particularly impressed with a large area of birds. And limit your hedge cutting to fragrant wild garlic and another area of Spring and Autumn so that nesting birds cowslips and fritilliaries, propagated by Paul and their fledglings are left undisturbed. from just a few original wild seeds. Once you’ve created your garden wildlife Paul’s garden contains a diverse range habitat it is important to avoid garden chemicals and bug killers, as they usually Paul’s wildlife-friendly garden of habitats, which is perfect for attracting native wildlife. Paul realises that a tidy contain neonicotinoids which are deadly garden is a sterile garden and his is for pollinating insects. Their effects are now healthier because some areas are left linked to the global collapse of the honey untouched and overgrown. He practices bee population. restoration and improvement for native Last year Michelle Storm, from Buckland a mowing regime that allows knapweed, For butterfly-friendly gardens try wildlife. Growing a variety of nectar planting cowslip, field pansy, foxglove, Common, visited a Hilltop farm to find out meadow sweet, meadow cranesbill and rich flowering plants - especially native bird’s foot trefoil to flourish. Paul does wild geranium, heather, honeysuckle, how land can be well managed for the species - is vital to creating an instant not treat his grass with a ‘feed and weed’ nasturtium, pelargoniums, vipers bugloss, bee and butterfly cafe in your garden. benefit of wildlife. Now Michelle has been formula as this would stop the emergence wild marjoram, wild thyme, wild pansy, Double flower varieties are impossible for looking into our gardens to see how we of wild flowers and also inhibit chafer wood avens, wild strawberry, wild plum, ivy pollinators to access for nectar and bedding larvae, a soil dwelling grub produced from holly, hawthorne and dog rose. can improve or increase suitable habitat for plants are often sterile offering little or no chafer beetles which provide a protein rich For bee and hoverfly-friendly gardens our native species. nectar. food for green woodpeckers and small you’ll get great results if you plant Bee and bug ‘hotels’ are easy to make t a time when the latest UK research mammals. marjoram, oregano, lavender, thyme, and can provide a much needed instant indicates a 60 per cent decline in Paul practices companion planting on his hollyhock, lupins, delphinium, buddlija, habitat on a warm wall or garden shed. studied wildlife species, there is an vegetable patch so there is little need for honeysuckle, jasmine, sweet peas, chives, A Installing nest boxes away from feeding urgent need for us all to get involved and garden chemicals and his pond is home to fennel, rocket, leek, alliums, oxeye daisy stations and direct sunlight will also help help in some way. Many garden favourites frogs, which help keep slugs at bay. He has and red campion. your garden birds. You may even find that, are among the creatures shown to be in also created a woodland pond which is fed Then sit back and enjoy the buzz! once the birds have left, the nest box will serious trouble, such as starlings, toads, via a pipe re- routing the rain water run-off Visit Michelle’s blog: www.plantameadow. become a temporary home for bees: as my hedgehogs, some butterflies and ladybirds. from his house. A pond can be really small wordpress.com, where you will find lots neighbour, Erin, recently found. With a few minor changes, gardeners and still benefit wildlife. I’ve added logs of useful information and easy-to-use Some villagers are now mowing can have a significant and almost and gravel edges to my mini pond and it is guides on how to improve the plight of the pathways through long grass rather immediate positive effect on habitat now home to frogs, toads, damsel flies and wildlife in your garden. than completely mowing the areas in
20 Hilltop News Hilltop News 21 New local club for Canicross
We have previously introduced readers to With the summer approaching (what the relatively new activity of Canicross: little there was) runs were moved to Wednesday nights and cooler temperatures. where runners attach themselves to their After the sadness of losing Bono, we gave faithful dogs and go cross-country running hope to a young pointer who needed lots together. Local exponent of the sport, of work to build him up from a walking those who were not comfortable running skeleton. Having the Canicross equipment Government websites were consulted George Humphries, updates us… 5k, and this turned out to be a real success. enabled us to take him out, and build his to ensure we did everything correctly. After Now these members are achieving distances lot has changed in my little Canicross muscle gradually over the summer. With two months the Kennel Club underwriters they might never have done without the world since Bono and I competed in Autumn approaching and nights closing accepted what we were setting up and encouragement the dog gives. Other Athe European Championships. Sadly in, we reverted back to Saturday mornings agreed to insure us under the dog club members have taken part in races all over I was unable to defend our ranking as Bono once again. scheme: a massive hurdle jumped. An AGM the country, competing in events from 5k to sadly passed away after a heart problem. With larger numbers of runners date was set: to be held in the café at half marathon. However, his mark on life will never be appearing I thought they might be Ashridge after a run, and we were ready to We are now planning a race on forgotten as the gift of running he shared interested in forming a Canicross club. It form the club. Dunstable Downs in aid of a dog rescue with Sarah and I we have taken and shared would mean we could record our runs on a Excitement grew as the day approached centre. Maybe one day we’ll get to organise with others. website, provide equipment for beginners and potential members all prepared for a race in Ashridge or even in the Hilltops. Three winters ago we started running and, most important, give everyone a sense the run and AGM. Then it snowed! No We have had some memorable runs in the Ashridge estate and decided to of being part of a club. The response was run, no AGM. We needed the AGM to get in Ashridge over the last year: in arctic encourage others to come along to share unanimously yes. signed minutes to set up a bank account. conditions over the beacon; through the the experience. Sarah would run with Bono So a few of us sat down and worked Nevertheless, a visit to the bank got the glorious autumnal colours; in pitch black; while I ran with the terriers. The groups out what we needed to do to get the club account process started. A week later the in pouring rain watched by deer snuggled were never large but we all enjoyed a off the ground. Sourcing insurance was a snow was still lying, but could not deter under fallen trees; filling our lungs with the Saturday run out. We started a Facebook challenge as no company had ever insured us and a brave bunch set out on a run scent of bluebells; sampling all sorts of cake group and soon had a few ‘virtual’ runners, a club representing this new activity before. and shivered through our inaugural AGM with our hot chocolate. It has been truly some of whom actually morphed into We were to be the first ‘non profit-making’ clutching mugs of hot chocolate. Club great fun with a great bunch of people and physical entities and started appearing Canicross club in the country, owned and officers elected, minutes signed – we were dogs. regularly on a Saturday morning for a social run by its members. A constitution was now the first Canicross club in the country. If you are interested in Canicross, visit: run. We had people coming from as far drawn up and amended until we were I set a target of 20 members in our first www.ashridgecanicrossers.org.uk. afield as Stevenage and London to take happy it would get the approval of all the year: we are now at 32 and rising by the part in Canicross. members when we held our inaugural AGM. week. We started a beginners group for George Humphreys
22 Hilltop News Hilltop News 23 24 Hilltop News Hilltop News 25 Telling the Story
by the Reverend Jesus did both, of course – theological David Burgess debates with the scholars of his day from the age of twelve, and teaching with razor- I listened to a radio sharp snapshots from life which pointed interview with the way to God’s love, frequently featuring the most unexpected characters: playboy Dan Brown – he swineherds, good Samaritans, rich servants, of ‘The DaVinci labourers who received a full day’s pay for Code’, ‘Angels an hour’s work, and so on. They’re called parables, of course. and Demons’ and ‘Inferno’ – a few weeks Who tells the story for Christianity these ago. He interviewed very well. He was days? Who are our modern parable-givers? pleasant, articulate, and fully aware of the It is actually a question whose answer I divisive nature of the reviews he receives. don’t know. I think we need a story-sharing culture within our faith-sharing culture to However, he did make a claim for his develop and grow rapidly. novels’ cultural or educational value. A brief Bible verse comes to mind. When can’t remember the exact words he used some Greeks arrive at Jerusalem in time at that point in the interview, but he for The Passover festival in John’s Gospel, Isaid something like: “…I hope that when they seek out Philip the disciple with the readers finish the book they’re inspired words, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” There to go and see some of these things.” It’s a are several pulpits around that have these good point, and made me ask myself – how words inscribed on them. Unlike most other do we inspire people to come and see what inscriptions, though, they’re inscribed inside Christianity is about? the pulpit – only the preacher can see them. The classic Western (and maybe It is an invitation and a challenge to all distinctively British) approach is apologetic who hold the Christian faith as a treasure: if – the Oxbridge college and the debating not the sermon, if not the discussion… then chamber, arguing and discussing closely what? How do we tell the Christian story? from reason through a series of steps to Let’s get out there and find out. explain the nature of God, or salvation or sin or any one of a number of Christian concepts. C S Lewis’ work is the classic example of this approach. I’m a Lewis fan (just in case you didn’t know that, dear reader!), but I’m increasingly aware that this method may have run its course, and getting hooked on stories is the order of the day. That’s a good thing if it’s used correctly and gets the desired result.
26 Hilltop News Hilltop News 27
CHURCH SERVICES - August - September 2013
St John the Baptist St Leonard’s St Laurence St Mary’s DATE DAY NOTES THE LEE ST LEONARDS CHOLESBURY HAWRIDGE
Parish 8.00 am Holy Communion Parish 4 Aug Trinity 10 11.00 am Communion 9.30 am 9.30 am Family Service 10.00 am Matins Communion
Parish 11 Aug Trinity 11 10.00 am -‐ -‐ 10.00 am Matins 9.30 am Holy Communion Communion
Mid-‐week Shared Parish Shared Parish Holy Communion 18 Aug Trinity 12 10.00 am Family Service 11.00 am Communion at -‐ Communion 11.00 am Shared Communion 10.00am at The Lee Hawridge At Hawridge on First Wednesday Parish Breakfast Quiet Parish 25 Aug Trinity 13 10.00 am 9.00 am 9.00 am 10.45 am Communion Service Service Communion Holy Communion, Parish Communion 8.00 am Holy Communion Parish Matins & Evensong 1 Sept Trinity 14 11.00 am with 9.30 am 9.30 am Family Service 10.00 am Matins Communion Book of Sunday School Common Prayer Harvest 8 Sept Trinity 15 10.00 am Parish Communion 6.00 pm 10.00 am Matins 9.30 am Parish Communion Festival Parish/Family Shared Shared Shared Communion at Communion & 15 Sept Trinity 16 10.00 am All Age worship 11.00am Communion at 11.00 am 11.00am Communion Cholesbury Morning Services Cholesbury Common Worship Parish Breakfast Quiet Parish 22 Sept Trinity 17 10.00 am 9.00 m 9.00 am 10.45 am Communion Service Communion Communion Joint Four Parish 29 Sept Trinity 18 10.00 am -‐ -‐ -‐ -‐ -‐ -‐ Communion
Vicar and Rector Churchwardens
The Revd. David Burgess The Lee 01494 837315 Janet Whittow The Vicarage, The Lee, 01296 624568 Hawridge Great Missenden, [email protected] Joan Walton Bucks, HP16 9LZ Rod Neal 01494 758332 [email protected] 01494 837264 Elizabeth Tomlin [email protected] 01494 758214 Parish Secretary St Leonards Cholesbury Peggy Sear Ann Horn John Farmer 01442 863589 01494 758250 01494 758715 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
28 Hilltop News Hilltop News 29 (758332) or Elizabeth Tomlin (758214) if you area outside the porch, bordered with a could help. flower bed and high hedge, is ideal for Harvest Festival, 6 October – We share a semi-circle of pews. This year a second again our Harvest Festival with Cholesbury. row was necessary to accommodate 34 ST LEONARDS The joint Harvest Family Service will be people, including children, who brought Burial held at Hawridge at 9.30am with the many dogs and three chickens – secure 14 June 2013 Lilian Gladys Smith Harvest Supper at 5.30 for 6pm at the in their cage! One guest and owner of a School. Money raised at the auction of much loved cat brought a symbolic sample produce after supper will be given to of fur for blessing to spare the cat any charities. Tickets: £5 adults, £2.50 children trauma. David, with an outsize pack of 5-14, under 5 free – from John, Joan or cards, reminded us of both the similarities Elizabeth. and differences between people and pets. Christ on The Mount of Olives; Guy As the refreshments were served a couple HAWRIDGE Williams’s hilarious Rules of Mornington of worshippers chose the warmth of the hat a treat you Crescent; James The Vagabond from CHOLESBURY church, but we did agree the event is more missed if you Vaughan Williams’s Songs of Travel and fun outdoors! entecost this year did not come Roger Quilter’s Go Lovely Rose. Jodie then The weather for the Cream Teas was so W was held as a three to our Summer Patronal switched to Debussy’s Pierrot and Iain’s different and we enjoyed the hot sun that parish service Concert directed by Iain favourite French Song, Chanson Triste. P we traditionally expect for the last Sunday at Cholesbury. Our Ledingham on 28 June! David Burgess chose his favourite story in May. Visitors relaxed and sat comfortably particular thanks to the Iain’s guest artistes were from a book of politically correct versions on the Common enjoying sandwiches, tea, flower arrangers, who two singers who have of children’s classic stories – the tale of The scones and cakes (the second cup of tea was provided a stunning display of red tulips as just completed their post-graduate studies Three Co-Dependent Goats Gruff and the free in a revised pricing structure). Cream a dramatic reminder of the event in Acts at The Royal Academy of Music: Belgian Troll with a modern twist. James concluded teas depend on the weather but also on when the Holy Spirit came as ‘tongues like soprano, Jodie de Vos and Upminster with Cole Porter’s What is This Thing Called advertising, and discrete ‘market research’ fire’. baritone, James Williams - both of whom Love? and the New York-set Transatlantic among our guests revealed several sources It was cold and overcast, the wind was displayed great vocal dexterity with Lullaby, with Iain surprising both James and were particularly effective in advertising blowing and a decision had to be made immense range and dynamic. his audience by employing tremolo and the teas. We also learnt that guests came whether to hold the Pets Service inside James began with Non Piu Andrai lighting effects available on the school’s from surprisingly far away. The real winner or outside. The first five arriving at the from Mozart’s ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ comprehensive electronic keyboard. for teas is the quality of the cakes and this church readily agreed to go outside and which was followed by Jodie’s rendition Finally a buffet supper provided by ladies is where Cholesbury church’s reputation the pews were promptly moved. The of the same composer’s concert aria of the audience with wine kindly given must be sky high! Thank you to all of you Vorrei Spiegarro. James then assumed by James and Sylvia Watson was much the well-known role of Leporello from enjoyed. Our very grateful thanks to you ‘Don Giovanni’. Elizabeth Tomlin gave all. two dramatic readings either side of Our fifth Joint Baptism Celebration Iain’s solo, Schubert’s Impromptu in A Service and Patronal Festival was held on flat. The first reading depicted Schubert’s 30 June. Our thanks to all who attended, Unfinished Symphony as reported to his allowing us to donate £82.88 to the company chairman by a misguided quality Children’s Society. assurance manager! The second pictured Annual Church Fete, 26 August – an aristocratic Bible Study elder statesman Preparations for the Fete are well in hand. with unrestricted access to the Lord’s This year it will be held at the Cholesbury Enclosure – as invented in The Diary of end of the Common. Donations for stalls Adrian Plass aged thirty seven and three are particularly welcome as is help in quarters! Jodie closed the first half of the running a stall; transport and setting up or concert with Songs of Love by Strauss. clearing away at the end of the day. Please Service for pets After the interval we heard Jodie’s contact John Farmer (758715), Joan Walton
30 Hilltop News Hilltop News 31 Pastoral Care – There are a number of elderly people in the village (and some not so elderly) who would much enjoy some contact with the local community. We will be reporting in our next edition about a SPONSORED RIDE project which we hope might enable this AND STRIDE to happen – benefitting us all. If you feel you could contribute in any way to this we would love to hear from you. We are Saturday 14 September 10am – 6pm exploring all sorts of thoughts and ideas at this point. Please contact Anne Butterworth The Bucks Historic Churches Trust (758700) for further information. organises this event each year, with Harvest Festival, Sunday 8 September half the proceeds going to the Trust, – David will lead us in the Harvest to continue its important work Thanksgiving Service at 6pm in church helping to repair our churches, and followed by supper in the Village Hall, half to St Leonards Church itself. If A perfect day for cream teas with the auction of produce immediately anyone is willing to walk or ride for St who bake with skill and generosity: your ST LEONARDS afterwards. This is a great village occasion Leonards please let Anne Lake know efforts yielded £870. – for families of all ages and stages – and 01296 620169. We welcomed John and Josephine small but willing group have taken indeed for anyone who might like to join Stevinson to Cholesbury as they continue to on the external maintenance of the us. Tickets are £7.00 for adults (to include There is no limit to the number of trace Jo’s family tree as part of their golden AChurch Room. Windows have been a glass of wine) and children under eight churches wedding anniversary. Jo was born a Pallett, rubbed down together with the front door come for half price you can visit and you will nearly a name once well known in our villages. and all have been re-oiled, including the always Jo’s grandfather set up the cider company porch beams. Our thanks to Diana Osborne, find refreshments available. in Broomstick Lane at the house that is who maintains the entire church room on still called ‘Ciders’. Another branch of the a regular basis. It is much used and one of family lived in The Bury and Tony and our greatest success stories. Wendy Smith generously invited John and Our Tea Parties meet in the Church Jo into their home. The large gravestone Room regularly on the fourth Wednesday close to the church porch is dedicated to of the month. It’s always a friendly and three members of the Pallett family. John relaxed gathering – often with new faces presented us with a copy of the Pallett which are most welcome. We meet at 3pm family tree and this has been passed to the and our next dates are 28 August and 25 Local History Group. September. Do let either Anne Lake (01296 The Fete this year will be at Cholesbury 620169) or Anne Butterworth (758700) on Monday 26 August. We will have the know if you would like transport. usual stalls and games, grand draw and teas Similarly, our Breakfast Service starting and the band will play. A new event this at 9am takes place in the Church Room on year is dog temptation. We are assured that the fourth Sunday of each month. So we dog owners everywhere will understand it next meet on 25 August and 29 September. so please bring your dog and join in! The We do enjoy meeting your family and stalls depend on your support to supply friends, so do come and enjoy a delicious good quality bric-a-brac, books, bottles, breakfast - you can smell the fresh coffee cakes, tombola prizes, toys, plants and from the car park - and take part in a short produce. We would also be most grateful but meaningful service at 9.30am. You’ll for any help on the Monday to set up and be home just after 10am with, hopefully, a dismantle the fete site. few thoughts to start your week.
32 Hilltop News Hilltop News 33 CHOLESBURY-CUM-ST NEIGHBOURHOOD LEONARDS W.I. WATCH ue Benwell gave us an excellent insight here have been some into the life of Sir Norman Wisdom, reported incidents of Sspeaking of how his early years led to Tburglary and theft. his success as a well-loved comedian, actor Please be aware and take and singer-songwriter and explaining the note and report anything background to how she came to write her suspicious. Police have been spending more book about him. time patrolling out in the rural areas. For Carol Henry had the St Leonards Parish all non-emergency enquiries dial 101, for Hall Fete figures which showed a good emergencies dial 999. result for the cake stall and teas and the The Chesham Neighbourhood Team can overall takings were also good. Di Amies give information about how to reduce the reported on her visit to Wendover Evening risk of becoming a victim: please contact WI and Iris Hawkes told members about them via the 101 number. They also suggest various events coming up within the county. that, if you are going away, don’t advertise August is a Social Evening and, in the fact on Facebook. And if you are away, September, Alison Roots is coming to St have someone you can trust pop into your Leonards Parish Hall to talk about her home to remove post from near the front time in Tanzania. Alison went as a mission door and open and close curtains. partner, taught in schools and hospitals and Do contact them if you see or hear any ran an internet cafe. Join us on Monday 16 suspicious activity, it may help to link in September. Please ask Carol Henry for more with other calls and give a better picture details on any of our meetings (758435), or of what is going on. Record serial numbers look on the cholesbury.com website, where for bikes and take photographs of them: our programme is listed. it makes identification easier if they are stolen and recovered. Visit www.bikeoff.org for more useful information. There will be a ‘Have Your Say Meeting’ on Wednesday 7 August, 11am-1pm, in Chesham Town Centre, where you can speak with our local neighbourhood policing team about any issues you may have. Shirley Blomfield 758314
34 Hilltop News Hilltop News 35 36 Hilltop News Hilltop News 37 HILLTOP NEWS nature notes activity. Just a foot or two away I saw some dull lime-green interspersed with shades of grey and the unmistakable serpentine shape. Seemingly untroubled by my The hidden natural history presence, a motionless grass snake, around 18 inches long, was clearly alert to the disturbance beneath it. A moment later it of an English churchyard disappeared beneath the leaves: whether it found its prey soon after I cannot confirm. On a recent visit to St Laurence’s know that Charles Darwin, after giving up I heard someone comment recently that, churchyard I was reminded that studying medicine at Edinburgh, was set to with the wealth of television documentaries become ‘a man of the cloth’. Half a century graveyards, typically tucked away from on wildlife from all round the world, one earlier Gilbert White fitted the mold of can sometimes become more familiar with the hurly-burly of daily life, are places for naturalist-clergyman to perfection. His the lives and habits of a black mamba in tranquil repose. However, looking closer, influential commentaries on nature, written the Amazon Basin or a cobra in northern they are also important habitats for our during his time as curate at Selbourne, India than their home grown relatives living took the form of letters to his friends and almost totally unnoticed in our back yards. local wildlife. diaries of events: from chronologies of year- So far, what has been described is the The greatly magnified ‘water bear’! hurchyards are places that are on-year events to hourly observations at wildlife engaged in the most frantic of the run-off and, even under a hand lens, treasured by us; with so much care different times of the day. He amassed such activity. Churchyards are also home to you can see these ‘water bears’ as they lovingly bestowed on them, ensuring observations in minute detail, ranging from those living in the slow lane. Lichens are C are also known - because they have the continuity. This sympathetic approach to the activities of earthworms, to the habits a combination of a fungus and one or appearance of a cuddly swimming teddy. the small estates around parish churches and wanderings of his pet tortoise. more species of algae that live in symbiotic Their resilience enables them to survive is long-standing and, consequently, these I mention this as we can adopt a similar harmony with each other. The algae prolonged periods of freezing cold and can habitats have been protected, sometimes approach today. I visited St Laurence on a provide much of the food supply through recover speedily when conditions reverse. over many hundreds of years as the village humid summer’s day, in late afternoon: the photosynthesis whilst the fungi provide They float around in air-currents much community evolved. Many of the nature beginnings and ends of days being when a robust means to keep secured to the like pollen, have been recovered from the reserves around us, often reclaimed sites, wildlife are often most active. Blackbirds substrate and absorb water and trace outer atmosphere, will survive long periods have not had the benefit of such long resumed their methodical search across elements drawn from the gravestone. of drought, and do not need to feed for periods of care. the moist lawn for worms, interrupted by They come in different forms. Typically on years: only becoming active again once re- Church wardens and others who look bouts of synchronous serenading at the gravestones we might find the amorphous- hydrated. after these oases of calm have learnt to top of a beech. A pair of robins attempted shaped dusty patches of leprose lichens, or These microscopic beasts feed by grazing strike a balance between the levels of to intimidate each other atop some the rough-surfaced crustose lichens typically on the bacteria and detritus found on the tidiness needed to be respectful, and the neighbouring headstones, the winner found embedded in sandstone monuments. surface of the lichen or moss. In return informality that is inevitable and pragmatic taking the spoils from some recently broken Occasionally we might also find the rosettes for benefiting from a moist secure niche, when adjacent to the semi-wilderness ever- ground lying between their respective of foliose lichens, growing proud of the their grazing ensures the surface of mosses encroaching from across its boundaries. ‘lists’. A song thrush sought a slug, or surface of the headstone. and lichens remain dust-free, thus aiding I am reminded at this point of the Old- perhaps a woodlouse, by methodically Lichens have been dated to over 500 efficient photosynthesis by their hosts. English folk song ‘Who Killed Cock Robin’. stirring through the grass heaped on the years. They can resist periods of extreme I hope a few of you will take the It is interesting how many of the characters compost. cold, and create their own microclimate, opportunity to enjoy our local Anglican (including several birds) in this melodrama Meanwhile, approaching a shaded within which many minute creatures churchyards in Hawridge, St Leonards and are imbued with sepulchral overtones. An corner, I could hear the beech leaves make their home. About one millimetre Cholesbury as well as the small Baptist owl is digging a grave with pick and shovel rustling around me. Beneath the deep long, living on the surface and within the churchyard in Buckland Common. That’s whilst the thrush offers to sing the psalm. carpet of last year’s leaves I concluded structures of lichens and mosses, is the all this time. Comments and questions Typecast is the rook depicted as the parson that there must be several small rodents, group of microscopic creatures known as welcome as always. (equipped with his bell and book). perhaps shrews or field mice, foraging for tardigrades. It is perhaps no surprise that many of the invertebrates and seeds. I soon discovered [email protected] early naturalists were also clergymen. We that I was not alone in observing this frantic Splash a lichen with water and capture
38 Hilltop News Hilltop News 39 bits of pot in your garden, your allotment, Local History or around the villages, it may be a clue to a Group production site. What to look out for? Typical local pots This year the Local History (left) would have had a brown or dark Group clocks up 50 years shiny glaze on a body roughly the colour and now looks forward of flowerpot, and be thicker than most modern pottery. So these are the ones to to another new season of look out for. It is possible that some special evening talks, visits and other events. pots were occasionally decorated with e kick off with The Story of white slip on top of the reddish clay, but Pinewood Studios, with Mike these would be rare. Payne as our guest speaker, at If, instead of the flower-pot type stuff, W you come across a lot of thinner grey- 8.15pm on Friday 4 October at St Leonards Parish Hall. Other talks for the year include coloured pieces, you may have found the Bucks Suffragettes, Bayeux Tapestry, evidence of a pottery production site earlier St Leonards area. For instance, among the Second Battle of St Albans and Tring Silk Mill. than the known documented start date for collection of art objects at Chequers is a jug The subscription for annual membership, the area: that would be exciting. inscribed ‘John Revet Esqr, 1759 Thomas providing free entry to all eight meetings, So if you think you have found Brackley Potter at Buckland Common’. priority booking for events and a Newsletter something of interest, please e-mail me The Hay’s book, Hilltop Villages of the is just £10. Non-members are always at: [email protected] or contact Chilterns, published in 1971, notes quite a welcome (£4 on the door). So whether you Chris Brown from the Local History Group. list of names. But where were the potter’s are new to the villages or to local history, Many thanks, Mike Farley.’ workshops? We know of only one site or just interested in having an entertaining where there was almost certainly a kiln – Chris Brown 758890 or e-mail on lhg@ evening away from ‘the box’, we look the house today known as ‘The Potteries’ in cholesbury.com forward to seeing you. More details on our Buckland Common, so perhaps you can help website at www.cholesbury.com. find others? Calling all gardeners and any amateur The great thing about kiln sites is that archaeologists! one broken pot can produce dozens of bits, I was contacted at the end of last and over a generation most potters broke month by Mike Farley, a former County many. So, if you have ever noticed lots of Archaeologist, who, with a colleague, is currently researching ‘The Potters of Buckinghamshire’. He has asked for help from those currently living in the Hilltop Villages who may have come across fragments of pottery and may be unaware they might have unearthed some important evidence about the pot-making industry which used to thrive in this area. Mike has put together the following note and would be delighted to hear from anyone who might have something of interest to let him know… ‘Between 1684 and the 1850s, we know the names of several potters working in the Cholesbury, Buckland Common, and
40 Hilltop News Hilltop News 41 Lilian Gladys Smith February 1941 – May 2013 ilian (Lil), who died recently at Stoke Mandeville Hospital as a result of Lmultiple organ failure, was born in Buckland Common in the Rose and Crown Cottages. These have since been pulled down but they were where Rose Cottage is now, near to the Horse & Hounds (formerly The Rose & Crown). Lil attended St Leonards Primary School until she was eleven and then went on to a residential school in Great Gaddesden for children with special needs until she was fifteen. Lil’s brother Albert remembers the family going to visit her there during term time. It was quite a journey at that time. They used to go by ‘taxi’ driven by Mr Cole who had the petrol station which is now Chiltern Motors. Lil’s family lived in Buckland Common until the late 1950s when they moved to Sandpit Hill Cottages. Lil was well known around the village, regularly using the local bus to go shopping in Chesham and she enjoyed helping out with washing up the dishes at local fetes. Two years ago Lil was treated for cancer and, as she was unable to return home, she moved to a care home in Great Missenden, which she enjoyed. Lil is buried in St Leonards Church, as are three previous generations of her ancestors.
42 Hilltop News Hilltop News 43 St Leonards Parish Hall Fete
We had glorious weather for the fete this cent on last year, as did Debbie’s ice creams. year and made a remarkable £6,000 or Jonathan more than trebled his profit on the dog show. The WI also turned in thereabouts. This is the hall’s main fund- massively increased sales. What a difference raising event and will help in repairing the weather makes! a major water leak, roof repairs and Grateful thanks to all the organisations replacing the front doors; plus heating, and individuals who helped make this year’s fete a success, particularly the (mostly) old lighting and other rising costs. codgers who set out the field and erected ’m sure everyone enjoyed the day, except the book tent: we really could use some for me: I spent most of the time clearing fresh young blood next year. Iblocked drains! Believe it or not the Over the last few years we have built up blockage was caused by an old cement bag, a fund which could enable us to refurbish presumably left behind by the builders in or replace the playground equipment. The 2007 and just waiting for a really big event playground is very popular with children with lots of loo usage. The loos are now from inside and outside the village. My functioning perfectly and I don’t expect the informal chats with users show a wide problem to re-occur. range of views as to what needs to be This year saw the return of the Woodside done and we are looking for someone with Morris men who provided us with an experience of organising customer surveys entertaining dance break. We also had a to establish exactly what the local children few new stalls including ‘Play Your Cards would like. If you have that experience Right’ from Sheila England, a herb stall please call me on 758567 or e-mail: from Sally Reynolds and the return of the [email protected]. cloths pegs: this time run by Jill Try. The • A handy man is required for St weather was no doubt responsible for the Leonards Parish Hall. Please contact me sharp rise in barbeque, bottles and food with any enquiries about this paid position. sales. Michael and Judy increased their Dave Clarke profit on the Pimms stall by nearly 100 per Chairman, Hall Committee
44 Hilltop News Hilltop News 45 Good Neighbours Group
Pub Lunch Club The Parish Community Project is being If you live in the Hilltop villages and find it piloted in our villages and Dial-a-Ride is difficult to get out to local social events, the presently in the process of finalising the Pub Lunches provide opportunities to meet funding for a new vehicle with special up with others in convivial surroundings. facilities and wheel-chair access to do Lunches are normally on the second short journeys between the villages and Wednesday of each month at the Rose and nearby towns, and linking to a community Crown in Hawridge. If a lift is needed this transport network for longer trips to can be arranged. On offer is a two-course hospitals and other important locations. meal for just £8, prepared and presented by Vital to the success of this new service Cholesbury Watercolour Workshop hosts Marc and Kerry. will be the recruitment by Dial-a-Ride of The next few dates for your diary are: volunteer drivers who are living in the Annual Art Exhibition Wednesdays 7 August, 11 September and villages around Chesham. Whether you on Saturday 7 September from 10am to 6pm 9 October. Bookings need to be made in have PSV experience or are new to driving at Cholesbury Village Hall. advance to Janet Hopkinson, via e-mail: minibuses, you are welcome to become a Works include watercolour, acrylic and the odd oil. Proceeds from donations [email protected] or phone Chris driver, as comprehensive training will be and 10% of sales will go Iain Rennie Hospice at Home. Brown on 758890. given. The group meets on Thursday evenings from 7.15 to 9.15pm. If you are interested in volunteering If you would like to join us please call Ron Evens on 758446 or Rosemary Birch on 758246 Would you like to be a Volunteer Driver? as a driver for this innovative project, or The Good Neighbours learning more about how this project might Group is working on a help you or someone you care for, please project with Chiltern- contact Chris Brown on 758890. Dial-a-Ride to introduce a parish-based community transport scheme to improve the quality and availability of such transport in rural areas for residents restricted in travelling to nearby towns. Chiltern Dial-a-Ride is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing an affordable, accessible and safe transport service for people living in or close to the Chiltern District who, due to age, illness or disability are not able to transport themselves or do not have adequate access to, or cannot use public transport services. Dial-a-Ride provides a door-to-door, round-trip service, using specially equipped vehicles with wheelchair access and trained, caring drivers. You can book in advance for transport with Dial-a-Ride by a call to 01494 766123.
46 Hilltop News Hilltop News 47 The Bluebell Wood
For all my Hawridge Friends (May 2003)
It was here, in this enchanted place, we paused awhile, Drowning in the surrounding beauty, the charm and guile Of a myriad, softly moving, gloriously waving, bluebells, Breathing in the perfume-laden air of this fairy dell, And I, transported back in time, to a childhood scene, Enraptured, as in this idyllic spot, countless blooms did glean, Yet now I would not harm their grace!
When Julia Yeardye and a small group of like-minded people were given permission to convert the old stable at the back of the ‘Gamekeepers’ Lodge’ in 2004, little did they realise that the Chesham Museum would eventually find a final home at No 15 Market Square. In between Julia’s work with the Museum – she was treasurer for a number of years, she finds time to write poetry – her fifth anthology is to appear next year. Julia sometimes includes poems about local scenes and events and she would now like to sell her few remaining books with a donation going to The Foodbank in Chesham. These two charming, small volumes, Golden Reflectionsand Golden Afterthoughts – ‘The Bluebell Wood’, from which we have taken the first of five verses, is from Golden Reflections – each contain over sixty poems and are for sale at £5.50 each or two for £10.00. Postage is £1.00.
Please contact Julia 786839 if you would like to buy a copy.
48 Hilltop News Hilltop News 49 and collecting regime and knocking back bracken with an ancient tractor to promote a greater diversity of plants. Pockets of gorse can still be found on parts of the common, frequented by partridges: one of the many birds using the area for habitat, nesting and breeding. On a recent visit I noticed vast swathes of bluebells shooting up between the trampled bracken, proving that the CPS’s hard work is having the right effect. In recent years conservation work has taken greater prominence with the introduction of heather regeneration schemes and measures to promote the acid grassland, which is rare in Buckinghamshire. After seeing an aerial photo of the When is tree thinning good? commons I was surprised to see just how much of the land had been colonised by One of our trees of special interest woodland in a relatively short time. Lovely as it is, woodland needs to be managed to As an ardent tree lover I’m the last person of Henry VIII sold it to Lord Chief Justice maintain tree health and prevent disease. that likes to see a tree come down. Baldwin” (Source: 1806 Magna Britannia). Thinning out areas of woodland can benefit Bluebells on the common: imagine the colour! Historically the land has been used for flora and fauna biodiversity by increasing Trees are such extraordinary ecosystems be sold to a local brick company who use a variety of purposes. Cleared of most of light and air, allowing smaller plants to providing habitat, food and oxygen and wood charcoal to fire their premium range its ancient woodland in the 18th Century, flourish, and can trigger dormant seed bricks, thus creating a sustainable local absorbing CO2 vital for the fine balance of it was used as a Beech plantation and germination in cleared areas. relationship which would also help towards our climate. Yet this year, more than most, harvested for the furniture industry in Although Christine could manage the the cost of the coppicing. High Wycombe. Previous owners have land more cost effectively, she has chosen I’ve noticed a considerable number of areas As part of the project Christine has also used it to extract chalk and clay and, to maintain the land with conservation as locally where trees have been removed located 40 ‘veteran’ trees of special interest in recent times, flint for road making. the focus. The commons are designated which will be revealed in all their glory by or severely cut back. What can be the When the common was used for grazing it a County Wildlife Site and locals report would have resembled open grassy plains, thinning out woodland, where necessary, reason for this? Whilst I still don’t have the seeing many types of birds and mammals. around them. This will also ensure that but after many years of non-grazing, it The woodland glades and edges of the answers for the whole picture I do have an they are not damaged in winter storms by has become a fairly dense woodland. In more open grassland areas also provide surrounding trees and branches. The second insight to the extensive tree pruning and the last 25 years there has been little or feeding grounds and reproduction sites for stage of the tree management will include removing on Cholesbury and Hawridge no maintenance of the trees and, with many butterflies. the coppicing and reduction of trees along the criss-crossing of public paths and A management plan for the woodland Commons which started this Spring. the public roads that run along the side of bridleways, this can present some serious was produced with the help of the the commons, with a final stage of thinning ack in March I met with Christine problems if trees become diseased, Forestry Commission. After three years out across the common planned for 2015. Stott, the current owner of the overcrowded and weakened. of consultation Christine decided to go On this occasion the planned and Bcommons. Christine carries the grand In 1967 the Commons Preservation ahead with the plan whilst the Forestry considered coppicing and removal of title of Lord of the Manors, an impressive Society was set up to assist in the Commission were willing to help with certain trees is the right action plan for title with an equally impressive history. “In maintenance of the common land on behalf some of the costs. It is a huge project of the future of our beautiful commons, and 1364, King Edward III granted this manor, of the Lord of the Manors. The society has tree thinning and coppicing aimed at I for one am truly grateful that the present which had been held for life by John de been primarily concerned with the endless producing sustainable managed woodland owner is a true conservationist. Cobham, to Thomas Cheyne, his shield- battle of controlling invasive vegetation. for the future. At a later date there is the bearer, whose descendants in the reign This has included a sympathetic cutting possibility that the coppiced wood may Michelle Storm
50 Hilltop News Hilltop News 51 V V V CURVACEOUS COOK 100 Club Trout with vegetable topping I am writing this in Italy where we eat a lot of trota con verdura. We are so far from the sea but winners have plenty of fish farms in the vicinity, and this is a favourite and very quick way of serving it. For 4 medium sized trout fillets May 2013 1st prize £15.00 (we use trout, but salmon would also be lovely: it would just need Mr A Whatman, Coppice Farm Park slightly longer cooking as it will be thicker). 2nd prize £15.00 1 grated courgette. Mrs E Firth, Buckland Common 2 smallish grated carrots. June 2013 1st prize £50.00 1 potato, ideally boiled for 10 mins, so still firm but a bit cooked. Mrs J Joseph, St Leonards 1 shallot/small onion/chives/spring onion. 2nd prize £25.00 Mrs J Ingram, St Leonards A little grated garlic if you like it. 3rd prize £15.00 Salt and pepper. Mr B Ingram, St Leonards Good grating of parmesan or similar strong cheese. 4th prize £15.00 Mrs N Tullet, Cholesbury July 2013 Grate all the vegetables and, if you have time, leave to drip through a sieve for a while. 1st prize £15.00 Mr D Clarke, St Leonards Mix them well and season. 2nd prize £15.00 Heat a grill and at the same time heat a pan, ideally a ridged one that can go under the grill, to Cholesbury cum St Leonards WI very hot, and slap the fillets on, skin side down. You don’t need oil as there is enough in the skin. August 2013 Leave for a few moments to crisp the skin, and then divide your vegetables between the fillets, 1st prize £25.00 Mr N Butterworth, St Leonards pressing down slightly, and sprinkle with the cheese. You can miss out the cheese, but it does give a lovely crunch and you don’t need much. 2nd prize £15.00 Mrs J Davies, Buckland Common Pop under the grill for approx 5-10 minutes until the tops are golden and serve. I just add a 3rd prize £15.00 garden salad and minted new potatoes, but mash would be lovely. Mrs M Marchant, Cholesbury These are also lovely served cold as part of a buffet, and are just a bit different. I also think that New Members always welcome, please salmon and trout has more flavour not served piping hot, but I prefer not to put them in the contact the Treasurer, Richard Leat on fridge once cooked as it seems to reduce the flavour and you lose the texture. 758784. Lulu Stephen [email protected]
52 Hilltop News Hilltop News 53 Hilltop News We welcome all news, letters and articles which are of general interest and relevance to the Hilltop Villages. Material for inclusion in the October/November edition should be sent to Graham Lincoln or Anne Butterworth (Church Matters) by 9 September latest. Please note that photos sent online must be at least 2,500 x 1,750 pixels in size.
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