ISSUE 225 • AUTUMN 2017

www.chilternsociety.org.uk • CHILTERN SOCIETY MAGAZINE

Water voles appeal Buildings Design Awards Museum makeover HERITAGE • CONSERVATION • ENVIRONMENT • WILDLIFE • LEISURE ISSUE 225 • AUTUMN 2017 www.chilternsociety.org.uk • CHILTERN SOCIETY MAGAZINE In this

Water voles appeal Buildings Design Awards Amersham Museum makeover HERITAGE • CONSERVATION • ENVIRONMENT • WILDLIFE • LEISURE Chiltern Society volunteers at Whiteleaf Cross issue (Photo: Colin Drake)

NeWs & vieWs

3 Editor

4 FroM tHE CHAirMAN

8 CH iLtErNS BUiLdiNGS dESiGN AWArdS

13 P AWS iN tHE CHiLtErNS The dog’s the star in our new competition

20 V oLUNtEEr! 8-9 You and the Chilterns will both benefit, writes Peter Duxbury

CHiLtErNS 35 triBUtE to rAY CHALLiNor BUiLdiNGS dESiGN 36 LEttErS AWArdS 2017 37 W ANtEd – YoUr BESt PHotoS! For the PhotoGroup’s online exhibition 14-15 38 triBUtE to GEoFFrEY LEGGE SoCiEtY HeritAge EVENtS 12 PitCHiNG iN Teamwork pays off at Lacey Green Windmill

18 MUSEUM MAkEoVEr ‘Amersham’s gem’ has been transformed, says Bob Stuart

34 tottErNHoE UNdEr tHE MiCroSCoPE Time travelling with John Hockey

CoNservAtioN Special MeMBeR 5 Boo M tiME At tHE BEdS offeRS News from Ewelme see page 40 16 H oNoUriNG A GrEAt MAN oF tHE CHiLtErNS Why the Society’s work at the Hampden Monument is so important

eNviroNMeNt

28 SEEiNG tHE BiGGEr PiCtUrE 37 Lucy Murfett explains why small isn’t 2018 oNLiNE always beautiful PHoto 29 C oHoUSiNG to tHE rESCUE? ExHiBitioN There’s no need to build on green belt, says Merrin Molesworth

2 Chiltern 225 Changing views From the editor Richard Bradbury

I’m sure that like me many of you love looking at old photographs – not just pictures of family and friends, but rural and urban scenes that give us a fascinating insight into times gone by.

WiLDLiFe A few weeks ago I spent an evening with a couple of colleagues from the 6 WAtEr VoLE APPEAL Help us bring them back from branch of Walkers Are Welcome, trawling the brink! through images of the town and its environs dating back many decades. Our aim was to 24 HEA rtS oF George Stebbing-Allen explores the select some of them for a new ‘app’ the group history and impact of an iconic tree is developing for smartphones and tablets, which will enable users to follow routes 30 BroCk’S CoUNtrY through Chesham, and, with the help of the Tony Marshall celebrates the Grey Old Man of the Hills pictures and some text describing points of interest, learn more about what they see. Chesham town centre (Ian Bullock) A particularly enjoyable aspect of our be following with interest a new proposal task was comparing past and present, which being investigated in to Leisure was easier in some instances than in others, revitalise the town centre and make it more depending on the extent of the changes to attractive for residents and visitors by 10 StUdHAM ‘FiGUrE oF EiGHt’ the buildings, streets and open spaces since ‘reopening’ the River Wye, which is at present WALk the photographs were taken. I was shocked confined to a culvert that passes under 14 SoCiEtY EVENtS & ACtiVitiES when I realised that I was already struggling structures such as the Abbey Way flyover. Autumn/winter 2017 to remember exactly how parts of Chesham After the news was reported in the Bucks 22 WESt oF HENLEY looked when I first moved here about 35 years Free Press, the response on its Letters page Barry Hunt introduces a new ago. I couldn’t even picture clearly the area was overwhelmingly enthusiastic. Among PhotoGroup album round the original Elgiva Theatre before it those to welcome the idea was former 23 PUZZLE PiCtUrE was moved to make way for Sainsbury’s. My Society trustee Mike Overall, now Chairman appreciation of the value of our PhotoGroup’s of Revive the Wye, the organisation that has 26 EMB rACiNG CHANGE ever-expanding archive increased still further. been spearheading efforts to improve the Martin Pearson visits Peterley Manor Farm Change is inevitable, of course, but it river for the last 10 years. Correspondents isn’t always for the better, a fact that the quoted the example of Reading, which they 32 GrEAt PArk For CYCLiNG Society’s Planning Group is constantly felt benefitted hugely from incorporating the Windsor is popular with the wrestling with as it monitors and responds Kennet into its shopping centre. Wycombe’s Cycle Group, writes Dennis Keeling to development in the Chilterns. Knowing councillors might also look at the example of 40 MEMBEr oFFErS where to draw the line must often be very Hemel Hempstead. Some of its ‘new town’ 42 WALkS ProGrAMME challenging. The study of old photographs architecture may look tired and outdated, but also reminds us that what’s acceptable (as reported in Chiltern 222) it’s seeking to – perhaps desirable – to one generation honour one of the best features of its legacy is absolute anathema to another. At a by restoring the River Gade and the Water domestic level, the fashion for boarding up Gardens to their former glory. or otherwise covering original features such A hundred years from now, I wonder as fireplaces and wooden floorboards is now what people will make of the impact we dismissed as a misguided aberration. had on the Chilterns. We can only hope Likewise, many people now regard that most of what was done way back in

scan here for as disastrous some of the town planning the good old 21st century receives a nod of www.chilternsociety.org.uk decisions made during the 20th century. I’ll approval.

dEAdLiNES rEProdUCtioN oF iMAGES It is not possible to guarantee that items received after The photographs in this magazine must not be the deadline will be included in the next issue, unless a reproduced elsewhere, except with the express prior arrangement has been made with the Editor. permission of the photographer via the Editor. If you do not wish your photographs to be used in other SENdiNG CoPY ANd PHotoGrAPHS Published quarterly by The Chiltern Society Society publications, please make this clear when you Please email text as Word attachments. Pictures should send them. Editor: Richard Bradbury • 01494 793049 be sent as jpg attachments. High resolution images Email: [email protected] are required for publication, although low resolution the Society does not necessarily accept images can be sent as samples in the first instance, if responsibility for the views of contributors or the AdVErtiSiNG: Sophie Elkan claims of the advertisers. Email: [email protected] preferred. Please indicate the quality of images sent, entitle your pictures and delete any numbers. dESiGN & tYPESEt: Clickdraw • 01525 374270 PriNt: Hartgraph • Amersham on materials dEAdLiNE For iSSUE 226 (dECEMBEr 2017) produced by environmentally friendly processes. Items to the Editor by: Monday 25 September • Published: Saturday 25 November email: [email protected] 3 Plus points From the Chairman David Harris

David Harris and Sue Holden from the Conservation Board make a presentation at the Society volunteers working on Buildings Design Awards (Photo: Colin Drake) Whiteleaf Cross (Photo: Colin Drake)

I’m delighted to report that at the time of writing, with our 2016/17 financial year drawing a chainsaw, holding it incorrectly and to a close, the Society has had another very positive 12 months. We’re continuing to expand not using any of the usual safety gear, membership and reach, as well as maintaining a secure financial base. Thanks to some like helmet and guard, gloves, chainsaw unexpected legacies, the forecast deficit turned into a surplus. Legacies are a vital part of trousers and so on. I’m happy to our funding stream. Do please remember us in your will! If you let us know, you can become report that he wasn’t in fact one of our a member of our Bluebell Guild – members who have made bequests to the Society. volunteers, but a local resident cutting firewood on an adjacent piece of land! The Woodland Campaign has been very Hillforts and Landscape projects with I hope to see you at our AGM on successful, raising money primarily to the Chilterns Conservation Board, as 7 October. help the Chiltern Woodland Project and well as plans for another Conservation encourage biodiversity within Chiltern group in the southern Chilterns centred woodlands. Thanks to all those members on our project to resurrect the Chilterns AGENDA 10am start: for coffee, chat who have contributed to this and other Commons Network. Hopefully all will and visit to our book stall fundraising initiatives. Unfortunately our make significant progress over the next 10.30am: The Business Meeting • Minutes of 2016 AGM, Annual Report presentation Planning Campaign fundraiser, which few months, which we’ll be able to report AGM and Annual Accounts • Election of Chairman, Annual General Meeting Vice Chairman, General Secretary, Treasurer and was directed at the general public at the AGM in October. Meanwhile our 7 October 2017 Executive Council members (Trustees) Nominations for the above positions should be made in writing, with the candidate’s written consent included, to the General in ‘development hotspots’, was less Conservation and Path Maintenance ALL members are invited to attend this Secretary at the Office not less than 14 days before the AGM. important yearly get-together in A form is available from the Office Manager (01494 771250) The Coach House at Green Park A list of nominations will be available . by 25.09.17. successful, although we have recruited Groups continue their excellent work, Stablebridge Road, • The AGM will be followed Aston Clinton, Bucks by general discussion with members on the affairs FOR SATNAV: HP22 5NE and plans of the Society some new members. The plan now is to doing what it says on our strap line – See map below 2pm: Guest speaker use some consulting resource to bolster caring for the Chilterns. Richard Knox-Johnson A41 A418 Chairman of the Green Belt Council our Planning team where appropriate, Our new website is now well bedded AYLESBURY Threats to the Green Belt and what A41M THAME A41 we may be able to do about them A329 ASTON rather than take on an additional staff in. We hope you like it. It’s far more CLINTON A418 GREEN PARK TR Youth & Community ING Training Centre A4011 12.45pm: AGM LUNCH member. The ‘Save Our Pubs’ campaign, flexible than the old site, but to make HIGH WYCOMBE Bookable in advance ONLY. HIGH WYCOMBE Please use form below, or book online at www.chilternsociety.org.uk AMERSHAM led by John Pearce within the Heritage the most of it we really need a ‘website PLEASE RETAIN THIS NOTICE FOR YOUR INFORMATION Group, has had one or two notable savvy’ volunteer or two who are able to AGM LUNCH Booking form for AGM lunch Please use the form opposite, and send on 7th October (capital letters please) it with your cheque and SAE to: victories in recent months, supporting help develop/change it as required. If Name (Mr/Mrs/other) Chiltern Society Office, White Hill Centre, Address groups trying to save their ‘local’. you think you could help, please get in White Hill, Chesham HP5 1AG by Wednesday 27th September latest aGM & Your AGM lunch will ONLY be served on Post Congratulations to them and here’s to touch with Vicky Blane. presentation of the ticket(s). Email address: Menu includes fruit juice starter, XMaS more success in the future! Finally, eagle-eyed readers will have hot or cold dishes with vegetarian I/We would like ...... tickets @ £15 each options, dessert and glass of wine. I/We would like ...... vegetarian options Cheque enclosed payable caRDS £15 per head to Chiltern Society Work is progressing on a number of noticed that in the last issue there was I ENCLOSE SAE for my ticket(s)SEE INSERT initiatives – our Education project, the a photograph of someone brandishing

PAtroN: Rt Hon The Earl Howe HEAd oF CoNSErVAtioN & dEVELoPMENt: Gavin Johnson PrESidENt: Michael Rush HEAd oF MArkEtiNG & MEMBErSHiP: Victoria Blane ViCE PrESidENtS: CHiLtErN SoCiEtY oFFiCE: Tracey Read Lord Carrington KG PC CH KCMG MC White Hill Centre, White Hill, Chesham, Michael Colston Esq Bucks HP5 1AG Sir John Johnson Tel: 01494 771250 John Taylor Email: [email protected] CHAirMAN: David Harris

Please re-cycle this magazine A company limited by guarantee registered in and Wales with reg. no. 4138448 Share it with family, friends and work colleagues - before recycling!

4 Chiltern 225 it’s boom time at the Beds!

eWeLMe WAterCress BeDs • oXoN

Small blue butterfly (Photos: Tom Stevenson) say Tom Stevenson and Ann Truesdale

One of our aims on the nature reserve is to increase biodiversity. This time last year we reported on the creation of the Old Mill Pond on the lower site, which now looks well established. We’re very pleased to report that both frogs with tadpoles and smooth newts with efts have been seen. Various dragonflies and damselflies have been laying eggs in the pond, including broad-bodied and four-spot chasers, as well as large red, blue-tailed and azure damselflies. We’re not too sure how next year’s tadpoles are going to like trying to avoid all these predators! It’s very encouraging, however, because these species Tawny owl don’t thrive in the cool water of the watercress beds.

The wild flower meadow gives much pleasure than impressive looking butterfly’ is shown will be held on 3 September between 2pm to the volunteers and visitors. It has supported here, together with a young tawny owl and 4.30pm. We then return to a programme a much wider range of plants than ever found in a tree adjacent to the beds. of guided walks on the first Sunday of each envisaged nearly ten years ago. The number The watercress beds are maintained for month. These start promptly at 10.30am. We of orchid species recorded has been very heritage and volunteers spend a lot of time show a short film made in the 1960s of the encouraging. Last year there were only two keeping the channels open alongside The old watercress industry, before taking you green-winged orchids, but this year 32 were Street and neighbouring gardens. Some of round the upper and lower sites. If you’re counted, together with 49 common spotted, our regular volunteers travel some distance a member of the Chiltern Society, entry is 42 southern marsh and 7 pyramidal orchids. in order to help. Work mornings are held free. Otherwise it’s £3 for adults and free for At the time of writing knapweed and meadow on the first Saturday and third Wednesday accompanied children. Sensible footwear sweet are in flower, and there are pollinating of every month, from 9.30am to 12.30pm. is recommended and no dogs are allowed, insects everywhere, including bees and Please contact Tom on 01491 836888 apart from assistance dogs. butterflies. On two recent butterfly transect or [email protected] for Children’s activity events are held in surveys over 200 individuals were counted. more details, or to be added to the email the autumn and spring terms, and on the There have been two real highlights circulation list. Alternatively just turn up. Dr Anne Millar Day in the summer holidays. this year. The first was a very brief but We held an extended work day in July with If you’d like to be kept informed so you amazing sight of three bee-eaters, one in a free lunch for volunteers provided by the can book a place for your child, please flight and then all three perched in a dead Friends of the Watercress Beds. As part of contact Margaret Connolly on 07879 461593 willow tree. Unfortunately much too brief Wallingford School’s community project, ([email protected]) or Ann Truesdale for photographic evidence! The second was we had additional help this summer from on 01491 835173. Evening events in term seeing a small blue butterfly on the kidney two small groups of year seven children, time are free, but you need to book, and vetch that was planted in the nectar garden with their supervisor, who spent the school places are given on a first-come, first-served outside the centre. Although this species day working in the watercress beds, sieving basis. Children need to be aged from 7-11 has been recorded previously it’s the first compost and painting one of our seats. years and are asked to bring wellies and an I’ve seen on the reserve. A photo of this ‘less The last of this year’s Open Afternoons adult if they wish to attend. www.chilternsociety.org.uk 5 Help us bring water voles back from the brink

CHILTERN WiLDLiFe

The water vole (Arvicola terrestris) is the UK’s fastest declining mammal. In the last 100 groups for a number of years to protect the years numbers have declined by 95%, with much of this occurring in the last 30 years. remaining water vole populations, but we This sad and dramatic decline has been echoed here in the Chilterns, with just two rivers need your help to increase their efforts and supporting populations today. achieve more. Their work on the Chess has already prevented water voles becoming Water voles are a charismatic and much The dramatic decline, both locally extinct there, but more needs to be done loved species, and are found on almost and nationally, has been driven primarily to help the population grow and expand any kind of waterway from large rivers to by fragmentation and loss of habitat, its range. Many of the mammal monitoring ditches and ponds. The chalk streams of pollution of waterways, the widespread rafts are very old and need replacing. Rafts the Chilterns provide particularly good use of rodenticides and predation by North need to be deployed to new areas to help habitat for them with extensive margins American mink – a non-native species encourage water voles to spread along of vegetation affording cover and food; introduced to the UK by the fur trade. Mink the River Colne from the lower Chess, as soft earth banks, ideal for burrowing; and have been a particular problem, causing well as on the Misbourne. In addition, with relatively stable flows that are less likely to the decline in the water vole population your support, the Chalk Streams Project flood their burrows. in the Chess and preventing them from can restore habitat at a number of sites, Until quite recently, water voles were a recolonising their former local stamping connecting areas of good habitat and common sight along many Chiltern rivers, grounds on the Bulbourne, Gade and Ver. enabling water voles to expand their range. but now they’ve disappeared from most the water voles of the Chilterns would of their traditional strongholds. Concern What can we do about it? be extremely grateful if you could make about the state of local populations led At first sight you might be forgiven a donation by returning the pre-paid form to a Chilterns-wide survey in 2002 by for thinking that the situation is quite enclosed in this magazine. They would also the Chilterns Chalk Streams Project and bleak, but all is not lost. Water voles like you to know that donations can be its partners that found water voles to be can reproduce very quickly in the right made online at www.chilternsociety.org. absent from all but the and environment. Populations can quickly uk/donate. Your donation will help with Ewelme Brook. Although a new population rebound and expand their range, as long as species population monitoring and vital was discovered on the lower Misbourne in the correct conservation measures are put habitat enhancement to boost water vole 2009, which briefly increased the number in place. populations. Proceeds will go directly to of rivers supporting water voles, recent One of our key partners, the Chilterns the Chalk Streams Project, which protects surveys indicate that the small population Chalk Streams Project, has worked with the and conserves chalk streams across the on Ewelme Brook may now be extinct. Wildlife Trusts, landowners and local river Chilterns.

6 Chiltern 225 DiD You KNoW? Facts about the water vole ...did you know? Between 1989 & 1996 the uK water vole population fell by90% the rivers Misbourne & Chess support the last endemic populations of water vole in An adult water vole may weigh as much as 350g. they are the uK’s largest native vole - a field vole weighs just 35-50g

Water voles eat roughly Water voles of their body are tidy when weight each day. it comes to dinner 80% time! They create Although primarily herbivorous, they feeding stations at a will eat insects and even crayfish favourite spot, made of neatly aligned Water voles have Despite their name, water pieces of chopped up vegetation little flaps of skin voles are actually not good which prevent swimmers, preferring slow or water from getting still water and relying on their into their ears! buoyant fur to keep them afloat

Water voles can have up to 5 litters per year. the young are born blind and hairless. they leave the nest after 4 months. Young born before July may breed in the same year

7 news & views

Overall Winner The Hundred Hills Winery Chilterns Buildings Design Awards 2017 Elaine Mason reports on an inspirational odyssey

The Buildings Design Awards, run jointly by the Chiltern Society and the Chilterns Conservation toured the locality to get a proper feel for the Board, aim to encourage good design in the Chilterns. The main judging criteria are the way style of neighbouring barns and other farm the building contributes to the local distinctiveness of the Chilterns, the way it relates to the buildings. Consequently the winery has pitched surrounding landscape, how it uses its site, sustainability, the suitability of the materials and the roofs with barn-like proportions. Ideally the appropriate use of hard and soft landscaping. materials were to be locally sourced, or failing that, British. The judges were pleased to see This year we received a record number of and Fiona Duckett, owners of the winning that local bricks from Chesham had been used, extremely interesting and varied submissions. building design, with the prestigious plaque. the oak came from a company in Totnes, the The panel of judges examined each one in Certificates were awarded to the three owners roofing tiles from Tudor Roof Tiles of Kent, and detail, including the applications received who’d received commendations and to all the reclaimed York stone formed the patio. in 2016 which were carried over to this year. architects and builders. The presentation was The building certainly improves the After poring over the architects’ property a very successful and joyous occasion, ably appearance of the site, because it replaces descriptions, plans and photographs organised by the Ducketts. redundant farm buildings. The interior is (particularly the ‘before and after’ ones), impressive – light and airy, with much use the judges shortlisted eight buildings. The of soaring oak trusses. The large conference selected properties were situated in Bucks Overall Winner room/tasting area has a balcony providing a and Oxon. The Hundred Hills Winery, Pishill, prospect of the vineyard slopes backed by tall Although it was a chilly, heavily overcast day near Henley trees. Thanks to its proximity to the building, (not good for photographs!), the enthusiasm Owners: Stephen and Fiona Duckett the vineyard seems to form part of the of the judging team was not diminished. They Architect: Ian Brown, Nichols Brown Webber landscaping. felt that all the building designs had merit and LLP, Northend, near Henley The project has been designed to achieve in most of them the architect had planned Builder: Kingerlee Ltd, Kidlington, Oxford. a BREEAM (Building Research Establishment for sustainability by minimising the impact of At this new vineyard the owners have planted Environmental Assessment Method) Excellent the building on human health and the natural 85,000 vines, with the ultimate ambition of standard. It’s well insulated and has low energy environment, reducing waste, pollution and producing top quality English sparkling wine. inputs. It’s maintained at a temperature of environmental degradation and increasing The architect’s remit was to design the winery, about 140C, using thermal mass, automatic energy efficiency. At the end of an inspirational storage and marketing buildings and a new vents and night cooling. Spoil from the odyssey round the central and south Chilterns, house, so the winery is the first phase of a construction work has been kept on site to the judges were ready make their decisions. sizeable project. His aim was for it to blend in reduce carbon emissions created by road The presentation event took place in June with the Chilterns Farmyard vernacular, while haulage. The judges were also impressed with at the Hundred Hills Vineyard. The Chairman using the highest quality materials available the owners’ desire to get involved with local of the judges, Colin White, presented Stephen and achieving fine detailing. To this end he affairs and provide a community focus – but

8 Chiltern 225 Highly Commended House 19

unattractive sports hall. The ‘Shiplake mix’ bricks are handmade in Swanage. The distinctive diamond-shaped ‘diaper’ pattern, using dark coloured bricks, echoes the decoration elsewhere on the campus, as do the red clay tiles on the roof. Internally, the judges were able to admire the Douglas fir trusses in the spacious art room and were interested to learn how the music room and resource centre are used. In terms of sustainability, solar screening measures such as internal blinds and solar control glazing have been incorporated. Photovoltaic panels have been placed on the roof of an adjacent structure. The project has been awarded a BREEAM Excellent rating for sustainability. The soft landscaping around the Commended The Old Sawmill building is very pleasing and the plants were specifically chosen to attract bees. Porous cobble paving helps to reduce excess water when it rains, and handmade bricks have been used for the steps leading to the basement rooms. The judges described the building as a very successful fulfilment of the architect’s design.

The Old Sawmill, Parmoor, near Frieth Owners: Nick and Wendy Sargent Architect: Malcolm Cook, Danks Badnell Ltd, Windsor Builder: Skillbond Ltd, Fawley Green, near Henley. This domestic project is an unusual and quite challenging conversion of two disparate buildings into one house, using a link corridor above all they admired the way the building is clearly visible to those using Barn Meadow. which also serves as the hallway. At one end sits in its site, harmonising perfectly with its Importantly, it also has impressive eco a dilapidated old barn, originally housing a surroundings and the unique character of the credentials. It’s a carbon neutral, energy sawmill for the nearby St Katherine’s Convent, Chilterns. efficient house which includes several passive has been replaced by a building which and active energy-saving measures. It has contains the contemporary kitchen, dining Highly Commended a ground source heat pump, earth tube and living room. The builder reused as many House 19, Old Amersham ventilation, photovoltaic panels, sustainable of the old barn timbers as possible, and the Owners: Heinz and Jenny Richardson urban drainage and rainwater harvesting. As a ceiling height, filled by splendid roof trusses, Architect: Heinz Richardson, Jestico & result, it exceeds building regulation standards is aesthetically pleasing. Upstairs there are Whiles, London of energy efficiency. The interior is cool, two bedrooms and an attractive minstrel’s Builder: SK (London) Contracts contemporary and flooded with light, yet it gallery, complete with an iron railing made by Management, Bishops Stortford. feels like a real home which works fantastically a local blacksmith, which overlooks the living Our judges described this new-build house well to keep the occupants comfortable. space below. At the other end is the converted as ‘a gem’. It’s a modern take on the Chilterns Victorian cottage, which has smaller rooms. vernacular, which has been crafted with Commended The judges liked the use of real timber tongue immense love and attention to detail. Local The John Turner Building, Shiplake College, and groove on the walls, and the appropriate materials have been used wherever possible. Shiplake, near Henley colour palette. There’s a double height ceiling The landscaping consists of a modern Owner: Shiplake College in the bedroom. The design has respected formal garden which beautifully compliments Architect: Mark Webber, Nichols Brown the original style and function of the two the building, and a contrasting informal Webber LLP, Northend, near Henley properties. outdoor area. The owner/architect took great Builder: Edgar Taylor Ltd, . The Old Sawmill has achieved Passivhaus pains to get the orientation of the building This project is a new art, music and resource status, which means it’s completely carbon completely right and used the highest quality centre. It’s part of a long-term plan gradually neutral and requires no energy input. This has materials in the construction, with many to replace an assortment of outdated and been achieved by use of such features as solar fine details incorporated. The design of the unattractive temporary buildings, in order to panels, triple glazing, internal blinds for solar property was greatly influenced by his local create a more homogeneous campus, where screening and LED lighting. Externally there’s connections, so the flint work is inspired by new buildings blend in seamlessly with the an interesting low maintenance garden. The St Mary’s Church, the black cladding by local original red brick Skipwith House. The centre quality of the property’s brickwork is obvious barns and the clock on the tall white chimney replaces an old prefab and also conceals the when viewed from the lawn. www.chilternsociety.org.uk 9 CHILTERN WALK • BEDS

B4541 Bus Hill stops Farm A 3 B4540 to Kensworth Whipsnade Studham ‘Figure Heath Heath Whipsnade Wood Shortgrove Manor 2 Farm walk 4 of Eight’ Whipsnade Zoo B With BUCKWOOD North 0 0.5 1km Andrew Clark Holywell LANE Oldhill 0 mile½ Wood Dedmansey Wood Westhill BYSLIPS Chiltern Way Walk 1 Farm ROAD School Longspoons Fareless Hill BUCKWOOD 5 Wood Byslip Wood Start/Finish Farm Wood LANE ROAD 6 Markyate Bell Wood Studham Bus 7 5 1 stops

Roe End Mason’s ROE END Walk 2 Farm Plantation Studham LANE Common C 6 Faveralls Sch 2 Gravelpit Studhamhall Farm Wood Farm 1 4 T his stile-free route gives you the choice Gt Baldwin’s COMMON Wood of one long walk or two shorter ones. There’s ROAD Beechwood Home Farm Photos: Colin Drake a lot of lovely rolling countryside on both, along Map: Glyn Kuhn Dell with a tree cathedral, a 16th century church and the Wood 3 beauty of the Common itself.

Terrain: Easy stile-free walks on good surfaces with access Sat rt: Studham War Memorial, on the corner of Church Rd and through a few kissing gates. Can be muddy at times Clement End Rd, Studham LU6 2QG. Grid ref: TL 022 157. There’s a Maps: OS Explorer 182, Chiltern Society 20 and 21 small car park at the junction of Kensworth Rd and Clement End Rd REFRESHMENTS: The Red Lion, Church Rd, Studham, Dunstable LU6 (Grid ref TL 023 157). If full, park in Church Rd 2QA and The Bell, Dunstable Rd, Studham, Dunstable LU6 2QG Distance: 10.8 miles/17.4km, with 660ft/200m of ascent. (Walk 1: Public transport: Bus 43 runs between Dunstable and Studham, 5 miles/8km with 330ft/100m of ascent. Walk 2: 5.6 miles/9km with Mon-Fri. Bus 35 runs between Dunstable and St Albans, Mon-Sat, to 330ft/100m of ascent) join the walk in Whipsnade. Route – Walk 1

From the memorial turn left up Church Rd and take the path on 5. Turn right to leave The Chiltern Way and stay on this path for the right just after the Methodist church. Walk along the edge of 240m to reach a T-junction. Turn left, follow the path round to the first field for 350m to a path junction. the right and, after 50m, turn left on a path along the edge of the 1. Turn right along the edge of the same field to go through a gate wood. onto Dunstable Rd. Cross, turn left along the pavement and take 6. A few metres past an old sign for Mason’s Plantation, go down the path on the right just after No.132. Walk up through the wood, the slope to the right and turn left through the gate into a field. stay in the same direction between the fields to pass by the end of Go ahead on the path, following the line of the overhead cables. a road. Continue alongside the next field, passing more houses on Stay in the same direction through a gate and over a lane to the the left, to drop down to the path junction. bridleway opposite. Continue past a school and onto the wide 2. Cross over onto the path that runs parallel to the road on the right grassy path to return to the start. and follow it for 400m, before turning left up into an estate. Turn right along the pavement, take the path on the right immediately after No.11 Bramblewood and follow it along the field edge to reach Route – Walk 2 a busy road. Cross, turn left along it for 50m and turn right through From the memorial turn left up Church Rd past the bus stop and a kissing gate into a field. Walk along the left-hand edge of the first a tree and, after a few metres, take the first path on the left to field and stay in the same direction to go through the gate into the cross over the Common. Climb up the hill through the woods to a grounds of St Mary Magdalene Church. Walk past the church, exit T-junction at the top. onto Whipsnade Green, turn immediately left and cross the wide 1. Turn left, cross the road and stay in the same direction along the grassy area to a road. top of the Common, go over the next road, through a car park and 3. Cross to a rough lane to the left of Chapel Cottage and continue onwards for 400m to where the hedgerow on the right ends. ahead to visit the Tree Cathedral. Return to Chapel Cottage, bear 2. Turn right through the hedgerow, follow the left-hand edge of the right over the road to the lane opposite and walk past Maple field for 100m and turn left into a wood. At the major junction of Cottage and The Old Post Office to drop down the grassy slope to forestry tracks, go straight ahead on a wide track for 830m past Studham Lane. Turn left along it for 600m to reach a path on the Beechwood Home Farm to the next junction. right, just before the second set of barriers. 3. Turn left on the farm access track and follow it through rolling 4. Take this path as it runs alongside the high fencing of Whipsnade countryside for nearly a kilometre to meet a surfaced lane, Roe Zoo. Where the fencing ends, continue to the path junction and go End Lane. Turn right along it for 350m to a path on the left signed straight ahead on The Chiltern Way. Keep to the left-hand edge of for Markyate. two fields to reach a wood and bear slightly left into it. Walk along 4. Walk along the field edge and through a gate to a path junction. the edge of the wood for 180m to a path junction with a small Continue straight ahead between the fields and follow the path as footbridge on the left. it descends to meet a path and a hedgerow. Turn left downhill to

10 Chiltern 225 Studham Common Whipsnade Tree Cathedral

St Mary Magdalene Church Approaching Roe End Farm

meet Buckwood Rd, turn left along it for 230m to a path on the left junction. Ignore the path on the right and stay ahead through a gap signed to Studham. in the hedgerow to meet a wide bridleway, Roe End Lane. 5. Take it, go through the gate into a field, stay straight ahead to the 7. Turn right along the bridleway to the entrance to Studham Sewage right of a hedgerow to climb up to and through the next gate. Keep Treatment Works. Turn right along the concrete access track for a in the same direction as the path joins a wide farm track and stay few metres, climb up the bank on the left and turn right to continue on it for 730m to where the track peters out at the entrance to a in the same direction along the bottom of the Common. At the end field. bear right to rejoin the concrete track and reach a road. Bear left 6. Continue ahead, keeping the field to the left and Fareless Wood across it to the path to the right of an electricity pole and continue and Dedmansey Wood to the right, for a kilometre to a path straight ahead for 450m to return to the start.

Points of Interest

Studham is an ancient village referred to in the Domesday Book as there’s a steam train on busy days in the summer. You can see the Estodham. For many years the parish straddled the Beds and Herts edge of the zoo from Bison Hill. border, and was partitioned until 1894 when it was unified under c. Studham Common has been vital to the community for livestock Beds. A local story suggests the Government ruled that whichever grazing and firewood for generations. Its varied habitats support council put in electricity first could lay claim to the whole village. an impressive range of flora and fauna, including rare species There are two pubs: The Bell, which is the highest pub in Beds and such as the skylark, the dormouse and several varieties of The Red Lion, which used to have a cock-fighting pit. orchid. In 1997 The Friends of Studham Common was formed a. Whipsnade tree Cathedral was planted in the early 1930s by to help restore and replant hedgerows, reclaim lost grasslands Edmond Blyth as an act of ‘Faith, hope and reconciliation’ for and woodland glades, and re-open footpaths and bridleways. those killed in WWI. Its design was inspired by Blyth’s visit to The Chiltern Society’s Wendover Woods Conservation Group . There are grass avenues lined with deciduous has been working on the Common for several years, helping the and evergreen trees and species to form the chancel, nave, Friends to restore hedges and create wildlife habitats. transepts, chapels and cloisters. The site is owned by the National Trust and administered by the Trustees of Whipsnade Tree We would like to thank Pam Rumfitt of the Friends for her help with Cathedral Fund. these notes. For further information go to www.foscomm.org; and for Chiltern Society work parties, www.chilternsociety.org.uk/get-involved. B. W hipsnade Zoo was originally known as Whipsnade Wild Animal Park. It’s open from 10am every day except Christmas Day. You Photographs of Studham, Whipsnade and Markyate can be can drive round part of the zoo to view the Asian animals and found on our PhotoGroup’s website: www.chilternphoto.org.uk

email: [email protected] 11 Pitching in

LACeY greeN WiNDMiLL volunteers made all the difference, says Michael Hardy

It’s two years since I last wrote about work carried out on the Windmill, when we made extensive repairs to many of the windows, and painted all the windows and doors. At the same time we painted the sails – quite a daunting task, because they hadn’t been done since 2009.

The other main decorating task for a smock the paint doesn’t get baked and cracked by windmill is painting the smock or body of the the sun, the previous paints had lasted far mill, as well as the cap and its roof. This hadn’t better. been done since 2008, so after nine years After scraping and brushing, the eight the Windmill’s weatherboarding was in need walls of the smock and the cap roof (which for some days, which meant I could have of attention. Traditionally, weatherboarded is coated in metal) were given two coats an occasional day off. Organising such a buildings would have been tarred, but for of paint. All the woodwork on the cap was project involves a lot more than the work some years tar has been classified as a toxic given three coats. Most parts of the cap are days themselves, probably committing me substance, so other products have been difficult to access, with the ridge of the cap for about two months in total. We’re also very developed for use on such buildings. Most being 40 feet (12.2 metres) above the ground. grateful to Amersham Decorating Supplies of these products have a very limited life Access was made possible by hiring a boom (www.amershamdec.co.uk) who supplied the however, necessitating repainting every year lift, commonly known as a cherrypicker. While 100 litres of black paint that we used on the or two. We decided to use a bitumen-based we had this machine we took the opportunity Windmill. We hired the boom lift from Helpful product, which should give a more traditional to carry out various repairs to the fantail Hirings of Towersey (www.helpfulhirings. look, although it still has to be used with mechanism, some done by our millwrights, co.uk), who are always very obliging and seem extreme care. and others by our volunteers. All the windows completely unworried about putting their During the 1970s restoration of the were painted inside and out, as was the 10 ton machine in the hands of a complete Windmill 4,500 feet of 6 inch tanalised, exterior of all the doors. amateur such as myself! featheredge weatherboarding had been I’m very grateful to all the volunteers who In the first three months of our 2017 supplied by the Crown Estate at Windsor contributed over a period of nearly three open season we’ve had over 600 visitors.

Park. (Our records show that it cost 6 1/2 pence weeks. A total of 14 people helped us, 9 of the Windmill will be open from 2-5pm on per foot). The boards were fitted to the mill in whom were from the village. Naturally, some Sundays until 27 September, and on Bank 1980, since when they’ve been treated with a people can spare more time than others, and Holiday Monday 28 August. Bring your variety of different coatings. In May this year some prefer different tasks and working at Chiltern Society membership cards for free it was decided that as much as possible of the different heights. I won’t list all their names, entry. For further details, please see our residual mix of paints that had partly survived but I do have to express my special gratitude website, www.laceygreenwindmill.org.uk, or on five walls should be scraped off – a very to Mark Jeffery who used much of his holiday call Michael or Betty Hardy on 01844 275871. dusty operation taking considerable time and to be on site for about 10 days throughout the Email: [email protected]. effort. As the other three walls face north and work. He volunteered to lead the proceedings Photos: Michael Hardy

12 Chiltern 225 COMPETITION Paws in the Chilterns Send us your photographs & win a prize!

We want to celebrate our furry friends, who enjoy the countryside as much as we do! To be in with a chance of winning, here’s what you need to do: Many of you would probably agree Our conservation and path that one of the best ways to enjoy maintenance volunteers work hard so you l Take a photo of your dog (and yourself the Chilterns is with a four-legged can enjoy the countryside at its best. But if you like) enjoying the countryside companion. Walking the dog is so we know that people aren’t the only ones l Either email it to us at much more than just a part of the daily to appreciate their efforts! We love the [email protected],OR routine; it can often provide moments fact that dogs also reap the benefits of l Share it with us on Facebook and of calm and tranquillity in an otherwise the pathways, woodlands and commons Twitter using #PawsInTheChilterns chaotic world. It can be a wholesome that we work hard to maintain. (don’t forget to tag us in the post using and therapeutic activity, a reason to To celebrate this, we’re launching @ChilternSociety) explore parts of the countryside that our Paws in the Chilterns campaign! l Include the name of your dog and you might not otherwise have visited, We’d like you to share with us pictures where the photo was taken a chance to share moments as a family, of your dogs enjoying the Chilterns. The and even an opportunity to meet new three winning dogs will each receive a l If your dog would like to show his or people. Perhaps most of all, it can bring £30 voucher to redeem at Symply Pet her appreciation for the work we do, such happiness to see the delight of Foods, a local pet food producer based please text CHIL02 £5 to make a £5 your dog (or dogs!) as they run around in Chesham that makes products free donation. and investigate new places with their from artificial colours, preservatives and We look forward to receiving your photos! tails wagging! flavouring.

Photos: Top & bottom left, Shutterstock; top right, Chris Howe; bottom right, Sally Jenkins

www.chilternsociety.org.uk 13 CHiLterN soCietY eveNts events & Activities Autumn/winter 2017 our events are open to everyone, but we offer our members discounted prices.

Tiggywinkles – Private tue 3 oct 6.30-9pm Family Bushcraft White Hart, Aylesbury End, , Tour & Talk Bucks HP9 1LW Discover bushcraft together! Build a cosy shelter using just the natural resources Join us at the world famous Tiggywinkles Members £30 per adult of the woodlands, learn exciting fire wildlife hospital. Your ticket includes both Non-members £35 per adult lighting methods and enjoy the pleasures an introductory and a hedgehog talk (20-25 of cooking something simple over your minutes) where you’ll see hedgehogs up Chiltern Walking campfire! This event is aimed at families close and learn more about them, plus a with younger children (no minimum 45 minute slideshow. You’ll have time to Festival age requirement), but all are welcome! explore the Visitor Centre and other animal The Society are once Sessions are run so that families learn enclosures where the long-term patients again putting on several together, with everyone actively involved reside. There’ll also be an opportunity to walks as part of the and parents assisting with their children’s look around the red kite centre, the museum Chilterns Walking learning. and the gift shop. You’re welcome to stay all Festival. Walks will day and have lunch if you wish, but please explore Aston Rowant Sat 14 oct 10am-1pm note that lunch isn’t included in the price. Nature Reserve, Lacey Green Windmill, Captain’s Wood, Chesham, Bucks HP5 2xJ Sat 9 Sept 10am Hughenden Manor and much more! You Members £13 per adult £7 per child tiggywinkles, Aston rd, Haddenham, can find and book the free walks, and Non-members £15 per adult £9 per child Aylesbury, Bucks HP17 8AF many others, at www.visitchilterns.co.uk/ walkingfest. Members £5 per adult £3 per child The Art of Fire Non-members £7 per adult £4 per child Sat 16 Sept-Sun 1 oct On this course you will light fires using a variety of techniques, both modern and Brush Party Tree Identification primitive; develop an understanding of the properties of different woods and Join us for an evening during which you’ll Course their uses; build fires and understand the paint an autumn woodland scene on canvas. Learn to identify trees in the Chilterns with benefits of various fire layouts. You’ll learn You don’t need any experience, it’s all woodland expert John Morris. The course about friction fire lighting (rubbing sticks about fun… get yourself a drink from the will begin with a tutorial at Radnage Village together to make fire) and how knives and bar, settle down, and, guided step by step Hall, before heading to our nearby ancient saws can be used to make useful items by our artist, unleash your inner Van Gogh! woodland site, Bottom Wood, where your for friction fire lighting. The cost includes You’ll be delighted as your blank canvas new knowledge will be put to the test. a light lunch which you’ll be preparing transforms in a little over two hours. Great Price includes some light refreshments, over the campfire! This event is run by company and a glass of wine or two will add but please bring lunch with you. Suitable David Willis, a teacher of Bushcraft and to your enjoyment. We’ll provide everything outdoor clothing and footwear is essential. Wilderness Living Skills. you need – a 16” x 20” quality canvas, paint, Fri 6 oct 10am-4pm brushes, aprons, music and the environment Sun 15 oct 10am-4pm radnage Village Hall, radnage, for a great night out. If you feel confident, Bottom Wood, Near Stokenchurch, Bucks HP14 4dF you can interpret our instructions any way Bucks HP14 3xd you wish… maybe you’d like to change the Members £15 per adult Members £47 per adult colours to suit your décor? Non-members £20 per adult Non-members £57 per adult

14 Chiltern 225 Country Ramble and their ale is made. Guests are then taken into menu will be forwarded to attendees closer the brewing hall itself for a 45 minute tour to the time. Pub Lunch – Studham with an explanation of the brewing process Thu 16 Nov 10am-2pm An easy stile-free walk that starts from and how Malt The Brewery came to be. The The Dashwood Arms, Old Oxford Rd, Studham Common and visits the beautiful tour ends back in the tasting room with a Piddington, Bucks HP14 3BH tree cathedral at Whipsnade. Along the pint of Malt ale and a chat with Nick and his Members £17 per adult way we pass a 16th century church and the wife Jenny. Tours also include a souvenir Non-members £22 per adult edge of Whipsnade Zoo. The walk is 5 miles pint glass to take home. with about 100m of ascent and is on good Thu 2 Nov 6-7.30pm Chair Making Museum, surfaces, although it can be muddy at times. Malt The Brewery, Collings Hanger Farm, Dogs are welcome as long as they’re kept Wycombe Rd, Prestwood, Gt Missenden, Craft Village Art Gallery under control. A two course set menu will Bucks HP16 0HW & Workshop Tour be forwarded to attendees closer to the Members £16 per adult time. Join us on a tour of the newly refurbished Non-members £20 per adult museum where you’ll discover the Thu 20 Oct 10am-2pm wonderful chair making heritage of High The Red Lion, Church Road, Studham, Cupcake Decorating Wycombe. You’ll learn about how the Beds LU6 2QA Workshop Bodgers worked in the Chiltern Members £17 per adult woods, and the methods they used to Non-members £22 per adult Learn how to pipe beautiful buttercream create the iconic Windsor chair. The swirls and nature-themed fondant toppers tour includes a brief demonstration at this cupcake decorating class for on a shave horse and pole lathe, and beginners. You’ll decorate six cupcakes there are examples of all the tools used. and take them home with you to enjoy! There will be an opportunity to browse All ingredients and equipment provided. the gift shop. You’ll also see the large This event is being hosted by Heaven is a contemporary art gallery which features Cupcake, a premier cupcake company in St. pieces from acclaimed international artists, Albans and winner of the 2010 St. Albans a professional wild life photographer and a Local Gem Award. selection of sculptures. The price includes Tue 7 Nov 7-8.30pm some light refreshments. Unit 1, St Albans Enterprise Centre, Wed 29 Nov 10am-12pm Longspring, Porters Wood, Herts AL3 6EN Kraftinwood, Kraft Village, Grafton St, Fungi Foraging Members £27 per adult High Wycombe, Bucks HP12 3AJ Non-members £30 per adult Members per adult Come and discover the wonderful world £3 Non-members per adult of mushrooms, toadstools and other fungi £4.50 that thrive at this time of year! Join us on Campfire Bread Baking this family hunt through Captain’s Wood, Led by expert David Willis, this course will Christmas Inspiration an ancient beech woodland near Chesham. introduce you to making traditional yeasted with Chocolate Expert Penny Cullington from the Bucks breads and other breads such as bannock, Christmas is a time for chocolate! Learn Fungus Group will lead the walk. flat breads and ash cakes. It will cover how to temper chocolate and discover campfires and fire lighting; ensuring they’re Wed 25 Oct 1.30-3pm easy ways to create Christmas gift ideas, hot enough for baking, and maintaining the Captain’s Wood, Chesham, Bucks HP5 2XJ desserts & chocolates. You’ll also learn fire; pots and pans; Dutch ovens through to Members £4 per adult £2 per child about ganaches, hand rolling truffles and improvised ovens; recipes for all the breads; Non-members £6 per adult £3 per child making chocolate thins. The best bit is you’ll bread baking alchemy – experimenting take home everything you make! Auberge with bakes, adding different ingredients du Chocolat is a unique artisan family and enjoying the results; and tool use. Price business, with a passion for chocolate which includes refreshments and a light lunch. they love to share by encouraging their Sat 11 Nov 10am-4pm customers to get involved in the chocolate Bottom Wood, Near Stokenchurch, making process. They’re a ‘Fairtrade Bucks HP14 3XD Independent’ company and are committed Members £47 per adult to sourcing products in a sustainable and Non-members £57 per adult ethical way. Sat 16 Dec 3-5pm Country Ramble & Pub Auberge du Chocolat, Unit 28, Chess Lunch – Bottom Wood Business Park, Chesham, Bucks HP5 1SD Tour & Tasting – Malt Members £40 per adult This walk takes in the early autumn wonders Non-members £45 per adult The Brewery of the Society’s Bottom Wood and looks Malt The Brewery was established in 2012 at some of the old routes that travellers by Nick Watson. A small family-owned took when crossing the Chilterns, followed business, they focus on quality ingredients, by a delicious two course pub lunch at the How to book traditional techniques and great customer The Dashwood Arms in Piddington. The Booking is essential, as we have limited service. The brewery is 100% British-built. walk is approximately 5.5 miles, with three places available. For more detailed Tours start in the tasting room, which moderate climbs and one short, steep information and to book visit our website overlooks the brewing hall. It’s a unique descent. Dogs are welcome as long as www.chilternsociety.org.uk/events, or call experience, allowing all visitors to see where they’re kept under control. A two course set the office on 01494 771250. email: [email protected] 15 Honouring a great man of the Chilterns

soCietY CoNservAtioN NeWs

View from the monument (Colin Drake) society volunteers are ensuring that John Hampden’s memorial is treated with the respect it deserves, reports Jim Rodda

In 2015 the Chiltern Society took over responsibility from Bucks County Council for the Ship Money Monument in Honor end Lane on the edge of Prestwood. The monument was erected in September 1863 on the ground where the warrant for ship money was levied, and commemorates the stand taken by local landowner and Member of Parliament John Hampden (1595-1643), in refusing to pay the tax to Charles I. As a life member of the Chiltern Society, a member of The John Hampden Society, and now living in Great Hampden, less than two miles from the monument, I’m honoured to be the Site Co-ordinator of the memorial on behalf of the Society. (Colin Drake)

Ship money was a tax traditionally levied defaulters to pay their outstanding parliamentary side and died as a result of for the navy by the King, under his balances. In February 1637 the judges injuries sustained at the battle of Chalgrove. prerogative powers, on coastal counties found in favour of the proposition that Indeed, until the rehabilitation of Cromwell’s and island ports in time of war. Charles ship money was legal, if and when the King reputation in the mid-19th century, I ruled without a parliament from 1629 judged the kingdom to be in danger. They Hampden was generally considered to be a to 1640; his style of government was also agreed that it was legal to extend more influential figure in the Civil War than expensive and he was short of funds. As a the levy to inland counties. Although his cousin, Oliver Cromwell. ‘Hampden’s solution to the problem, Noy, his Attorney the writ against John Hampden for 20 history from 1640 to 1643 is the history General, proposed the extension of ship shillings was issued in March 1637, his of England.’ (Macauley). The ship money money to the entire country. Despite case didn’t reach the Court of the King’s verdict, widely reported by the new London protests the levy in 1634 was successful, Bench until 6 November. Two lawyers put newspapers, not only made Hampden bringing in £104,000. A second writ was Hampden’s case; the King’s case was put nationally famous, but was also a critical issued in 1635, leading to more protests. by the Attorney General. When the judges’ event in restricting the monarch’s extra- John Hampden was one of those who verdicts were announced, Hampden had parliamentary income. ‘John Hampden’s refused to pay, and because he was known lost on a seven to five split decision. He refusal to pay ship money in 1635 took his to be a leading member of the faction may have lost the legal battle, but he name into every household and made it a opposing the King’s policies in Parliament, scored a moral victory: subsequently very byword for patriotism.’ (Adair) ministers decided to make an example of little ship money was collected anywhere The monument in Prestwood is, him. in England, and in 1641 the tax was therefore, a significant memorial, The case was slow in coming to declared illegal by Parliament. commemorating not only Hampden the court and various attempts were made In the English Civil War that soon man but also his greatest achievement, to persuade Hampden and the other followed, Hampden fought on the affecting the course of British history

16 Chiltern 225 and indeed that of much of the English- more interesting and relevant speaking world. His direct challenging of information available on the site, the prerogative rights of the monarchy plus a seat to welcome weary Honouring a great man eventually led to the constitutional model walkers! These improvements will we enjoy today. Like John Hampden make the monument worthy of himself, the monument has been sadly the memoryChiltern of the greatest Society and Sites of the Chilterns neglected, becoming more inaccessible most complete1 Bottom man Wood, the ancient Chilterns woodland HITCHIN and invisible over time. With the active has ever produced,2 Brush Hill Nature and Reserve of the 3 Captain’s Wood, woodland & nature reserve help of volunteers from the Chiltern crucially important event it represents. 4 Cholesbury Camp, site of iron age hill fort HERTS DUNSTABLE Society, the John Hampden Society, and If you’d5 likeCobblers’ to Pits,find woodland out near more Wend ovabouter Arm canal

where appropriate Bucks County Council this remarkable6 Ewelme man,Watercre ssa Bedsgood & nature starting reserve BEDS and others, we’re working to rectify these point is the7 HampdenJohn HampdenMonument, memorial Society to John Hampden who opposed the King’s imposition of Ship Tax issues and encourage a wider recognition website, www.johnhampden.org.8 Lacey Green Windmill, c.1650 BUCKS oldest smock mill in England of the memorial’s significance. As well as TRING Right: Hampden9 Marlow – Robert Common Walker (North) woodlandportrait common making it more accessible, there will be (courtesy of10 thePenn JH Jubilee Society) Wood, meadow and woodland 5 HERTS on the Chiltern Way WENDOVER 11 Prestwood Nature Reserve BERKHAMSTED 12 Whiteleaf Hill, historic site, HEMEL chalk cross & nature reserve 4 HEMPSTEAD 2 12 Great CHESHAM Chiltern society sites 7 Missenden 3 8 11 Prestwood AMERSHAM Bottom Wood, ancient woodland 1 BUCKS RICKMANSWORTH 2 Brush Hill Nature Reserve 1 HIGH WYCOMBE Captain’s Wood, woodland and nature reserve River West 3 Thames Wycombe 10 CHILTERN OPEN 6 AIR MUSEUM 4 Cholesbury Camp, site of iron age hill fort 5 Cobblers’ Pits, woodland near Wendover Arm canal BEACONSFIELD WALLINGFORD GERRARDS 6 Ewelme Watercress Beds and Nature Reserve MARLOW CROSS 7 Hampden Monument, memorial to John Hampden who opposed 9 the King’s imposition of Ship Tax HENLEY GORING Key 8 Lacey Green Windmill, c1650 oldest smock mill in England Chiltern Society Area OXON Area of Outstanding 9 Marlow Common (North), woodland common River Natural Beauty Thames Chiltern Way P enn Jubilee Wood, meadow and woodland on the Chiltern Way 10 Chiltern Way Extension CAVERSHAM River Loop 11 Prestwood Nature Reserve Thames North Chiltern Trail Whiteleaf Hill, historic site, chalk cross and nature reserve 12 Chiltern Cycleway

“We are your local independent hearing Award-winning consultancy, working in the area for Family run Hearing nearly 30 years - we can help with all Consultancy things related to ears and hearing. Don’t Estd in 1989 su er in silence book in for a personal appointment, call or email for more OUR SERVICES Need advice in an informal details or join us at one of our HearToday available in setting? events” Amersham & Thame Why not join us at one of our Hearing & Duncan & Kate Collet-Fenson Communication free monthly HearToday Amersham Directors of Aston Hearing Assessments Flint Barn Court co ee mornings? Church Street Very Latest Hearing Old Amersham Technology Buckinghamshire HP7 0DB Full Hearing Aid 1st Friday of each month - Repair Service Amersham 10am-12pm 01494 733840 Flint Barn Court, Church Street, Ear Wax Removal Old Amersham, HP7 0DB (Microsuction) Thame Cobbles Yard [email protected] Children’s Hearing 112 High Street Screening Service Thame www.astonhearing.co.uk Oxfordshire Ear Protection OX9 3DZ 1st Tuesday of each month - 10am-12pm Thame Tinnitus Advice & Cobbles Yard, 112 High Street, 01844 396057 Thame, OX9 3DZ Support ALL WELCOME

www.chilternsociety.org.uk 17 Museum makeover

CHILTERN HeritAge Photos: Linda Gould ‘Amersham’s gem’ has been transformed both inside and out, says Bob Stuart

There’s an exciting new look to Amersham Museum. Following a £1.1 million facelift, the museum has now reopened, boasting a complete ‘re-imagining’ of its collections. In welcoming and spacious surroundings – the museum has almost doubled in size – visitors can follow the fascinating history of the locality spanning some 2,000 years.

Set in the heart of old Amersham, the existence, and visitors can discover for award-winning museum is the town’s oldest themselves what life was like in the former domestic building and forms part of a Goya and Brazil’s factories in their 1960s medieval hall house dating back to the 15th heyday. century. Recently the opportunity arose to Curator Emily Toettcher is excited by purchase the adjoining Victorian cottage and what has emerged following an almost year- the two buildings were united. This freed up long closure as the new museum was being the brewery buildings still stand, although valuable new space to exhibit the thousands developed. ‘It was a tremendous opportunity the recipe for brewing Wellers beer has not of items in the collection in exciting new to reveal more of the gem of our collections survived! In 1892 the railway steamed into displays, and to stage yet more events in a – the building itself,’ she told me. ‘Another Amersham, followed shortly after WWI by busy activities programme. major gain was our large new learning space, a surge in housing development in the ‘new Visitors can explore the town’s past allowing us to extend our programme of town’. With the arrival of mains utilities, the through maps, photographs, objects and events and activities such as school visits, stage was set for the marketing of ‘Metro- documents. There are hands-on activities, talks and activities workshops.’ Although Land’ in the 1930s. This brought many new ‘discovery boxes’ to delve into, and multi- the museum has grown in size, Emily and people to the town, but these were homes media tablets giving an insight into the her fellow ‘re-imaginers’ knew it would be for the well-off middle class and cost more museum’s extensive archive. Museum-goers impossible to cover the town’s entire history than many locals could afford. The official will experience what life was like at key in detail. Instead, five dates were chosen that Metro-Land developments ended in 1939. moments in local history, stepping into it’s hoped will provide an insight into life in During and following WWII the population the past to become a Tudor merchant in Amersham at the time. burgeoned with a diverse mix of incomers, the 1580s, sitting down in a 1930s living The first, 1580, paints a picture of many of whom enjoyed entertainment in room and listening to local people’s stories Amersham as a thriving market town. The the newly-built theatre and cinema. The on a traditional Bakelite radio. In a record timeline rolls on to 1775 and the influence final date, 1964, gives an insight into local shop sound booth visitors can hear about wielded by Lord of the Manor, William industries, such as Goya cosmetics and the Amersham’s industrial past, as well as other Tyrwhitt-Drake from his estate in nearby Brazil’s sausage factory. The bus garage was many and varied facets of life in the 1960s. Shardeloes. It was also the year that Wellers a busy transport hub and the electrification In fact, local industry has always been an became the main brewery in the town and of the railway brought the days of steam on integral element in the museum’s 26 year a principal employer. Interestingly, some of the Metropolitan Line to an end. Sadly, the

18 Chiltern 225 things you never knew about Amersham l d irk Bogarde performed at the former Playhouse theatre in Amersham-on- the-Hill. one-time dr Who Patrick troughton also trod the boards there l o liver Cromwell and his family spent time in Amersham l Fr om their estate in Shardeloes, the tyrwhitt-drake family controlled much of the property in Amersham during the 19th and into the 20th centuries l Sir tim rice was born at Shardeloes when the house was requisitioned as a maternity hospital l Amersham has a long history of brewing dating back hundreds of years. in the 18th century Wellers the brewers controlled more than 130 tied pubs cinema had already closed its doors and in Amersham and district. the brewery has gone, but several of been demolished two years earlier. the maltings buildings still survive While this final year is still within l living memory for many residents, older o ne of the first modernist houses in Britain was built in Amersham, reminiscences grow ever more treasured. and is still there. Begun by the Amersham Society in 1970, these and other historical landmarks are featured in the regular guided walks the museum’s oral history collection features that start from the museum on certain weekends. nearly 120 interviews with locals such as farm workers and shopkeepers – including some WWI memories. In future, they will all be available digitally for visitors’ listening pleasure. From farming, lacemaking and brewing to perfume, sausages and steam, the fascinating story of this charming and historic Chilterns town comes alive as you step into the museum’s sparkling new reception area. If you thought you knew all there was to know about Amersham, you might be in for an enjoyable, and captivating, surprise. The museum is located at 49 High Street, Amersham HP7 0DP. For society footpath maps information call 01494 723700 or visit www. – don’t leave home without them! amershammuseum.org. It’s open Wed-Sun, noon to 4.30pm and Bank Holiday Mondays. Our 32 footpath maps give comprehensive coverage of the Chilterns, from Hitchin Adults £3, children free. (Chiltern Society and Hexton at one end to Goring and Mapledurham at the other. members get two adult tickets for the Every kind of footpath, bridleway and other with up to four walks detailed on the back. price of one). School visits are welcome. right of way is VERY clearly picked out, so Most of them are in colour, and prices range For answers to questions on Amersham you can get the most out of walking, riding from £1.95 to £2.99. The maps are available history go to www.amershamhistory.info. and running in the Chilterns. direct from the Society and in outlets across Alternatively you can book an appointment 1 The maps are 2 /2 inches to 1 mile the Chilterns, including garden centres, to view the collection and talk to a (approx. 1:25000) scale, and even come pubs, shops and tourist information centres. researcher.

Peterley Manor Farm Pick Your Own - June to October Strawberries, Raspberries, Summer Vegetables and lots more! Please check our website for full availability.

Farm Shop - Open all Year Fully stocked with homegrown and local artisan food products. Now in store local ales and premium wines.

Wild Strawberry Cafe “in the yurt” Open for homemade Breakfast, Lunch and Cakes Tuesday-Saturday; Sunday Breakfast only till 12 noon.

01494 863 566 [email protected] www.peterleymanorfarm.co.uk Opening Times: Tues-Fri 8.30am-5.30pm. Sat 8.30am -5pm. Sun 9am-1pm. Address: Peterley Manor Farm, Peterley Lane, HP16 0HH

email: [email protected] 19 news & views V olunteer! It’s good for our wellbeing and for the Chilterns Writes Peter Duxbury We hear a lot about ‘wellbeing’ these days – it’s a growth industry. Wellbeing for both our minds both for you and the Chilterns. and our bodies is something that shouldn’t be overlooked in our busy, rushed lives. Millions Nearly 10 years ago the Government of people feel increasingly anxious about employment, changes in the economy, technology commissioned the New Economics and climate. Today many of us seem to be struggling to find meaning just by gathering up Foundation to introduce the Five Ways to achievements, spending so much time at work that we’re cut off from each other and our local Wellbeing framework, based on hard evidence community. Keeping well doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune on gym membership and from over 400 scientists. It was publicised spas, however. True wellbeing comes from connecting body, mind and environment. We’re so nationally, by our County Councils, the NHS fortunate to have the Chilterns, the Chiltern Society and volunteering to help us with this! and local libraries, but it’s perhaps even more relevant today. Research has shown that Volunteers are the backbone of the Society. an hour’s drive. They’re also a means for people who feel happier – or who enjoy a high Last year we clocked up over 60,000 volunteer reconnecting with nature and each other level of wellbeing – can live over seven years hours, but that’s probably an underestimate as a community. Our unique selling points longer than those who don’t. Connecting with when we take into account the wide range of as a Society are that we recruit from the their local landscape and community gives activities our volunteers cover. We quite often entire area, including the AONB, the green control back to people, who consequently feel hear about the great work we’re doing in our belt, urban centres such as High Wycombe, they can make a difference. Giving something Planning, Rights of Way and Conservation Aylesbury, Luton, Hitchin, and to others, the community and environment Groups, but there are also diverse roles in Reading; that we cover a wide range of is crucial to developing a sense of meaning. Heritage, Rivers & Wetlands, Photography, special interest groups; and, last but not least, Those who volunteer are generally happier Walking, Cycling and in our office. Every one that we’re a charity largely run by volunteers. than those who don’t, but we haven’t yet of our 7,100 members can also have a role Involvement can mean, among many other managed to prove how much longer Society in promoting the Society and its objectives things: event participant, committee member, volunteers live! The Chilterns offer lots of whenever they have a conversation with others secretary, specialist advisor, campaigner, path opportunities for people to introduce the about our beautiful Chilterns. maintenance volunteer, Site Co-ordinator, Five Ways into their lives, so forget what you Since taking on the role of Volunteer walk/cycle ride leader, Trustee and Bluebell thought you knew about volunteering. THIS is Co-ordinator and Trustee, I’ve been amazed Guild member. We encourage diversity across what it’s all about: connecting with different at the variety and depth of specialist skills gender, age, ethnic background and ability, people, sharing your skills, experiencing among our members and volunteers. so there are roles for everyone! We realise new things, knowing you made a difference, Maybe we can make better use of some that some people just want the benefits of igniting your career, feeling good! of this untapped potential. The Chilterns membership, if they’re too busy or want an Volunteering is, of course, a two-way are sometimes referred to as ‘green lungs’ easy life in retirement – but the more you put relationship, and we aim to welcome, for over 10 million people who live within in, the more you get out in terms of wellbeing, recognise, appreciate and celebrate what Here’s how to do it:

Fivey Wa s How

Volunteer with one of our special interest groups, work in a team and get to know a whole new Connect... range of interesting people. Collaborate with our partner organisations who also work in the with people around you. Chilterns.

Be active... Volunteer to lead one of our guided walks or cycle rides. Get out walking as a local Path Rep find a physical activity or Chiltern Way Officer. Get fit in a conservation work party or, for something a little more that you enjoy and do it! challenging, become a Path Maintenance Volunteer.

Appreciate our biodiversity and heritage by volunteering with our Conservation, Rivers & Wetlands Take notice... and Heritage Groups. Take notice of threats to our environment by joining our Planning team of the world around you. campaigns and reviewing planning applications.

If you’ve always just joined walks, why not think about leading your own guided walk? If you’ve always Keep learning... participated in a Conservation group why not think about becoming a Site Co-ordinator or Group try something new. Leader? Why not take an interest in one of our other specialist groups, like Heritage or Photography?

Give... Give your time, special skills and enthusiasm to keep our groups thriving with new members. a smile, some time, Spread the word about the Society among others in the community to help them with their a helping hand. wellbeing.

20 Chiltern 225 Meet Caroline, who has been our Site Meet Les, who has been our Group Leader for Meet John and Janet, volunteers at our Ewelme Watercress Beds site Co-ordinator at Whiteleaf and Brush Hill North Chilterns Path Maintenance Volunteers Nature Reserves since January. Caroline for two years. Socialising in the pub after a volunteers because she wants to protect the hard morning’s work is a vital part of path Chilterns for future generations. maintenance volunteering Above – spotlight on some of our volunteers you give to us. We want it to be a fun and feed and website. We’re planning a Chiltern who want to step up to the next level by rewarding experience. In the corporate Society Volunteers’ Day, Group Leaders’ co-ordinating a volunteer group. Could you world volunteering is also increasingly Forum and special recognition for our be an expert advisor on transport, planning being recognised. Most large businesses longest-serving volunteers. We also want to or development of our IT systems? The more have Corporate Social Responsibility tap into the potential of younger volunteers in we use our untapped in-house expertise, (and Wellbeing) targets, including giving social action as part of the #iWill campaign. the less we may have to spend on external employees time off for volunteering, and We advertise volunteer vacancies via advice. So come along, say i will… get we’ve welcomed the contribution some of our e-News, and have details of our groups involved! these volunteers have made to our activities. and activities on the Get Involved section Peter Duxbury is our new Volunteer Co- In June we celebrated National Volunteers’ of the Society website. Don’t hesitate to ordinator. He can be contacted at duxburyp@ Week by extending a huge thank you to all get in contact to find out more, or share talktalk.net or on 07756 070382. In future issues our volunteers. We shared our activities with your ideas with us about volunteering. We’d he plans to tell us more about the Society’s other charities throughout the country on especially like to hear from anyone who may collaboration with other organisations. social media, via our Facebook page, Twitter have special skills we could use, or those

If you are going to put your fridge or freezer in storage or are moving a long distance, clean them out and ensure they are IT’S EASIER defrosted and dry before your moving day. Start packing your possessions into boxes THAN YOU and clearly label them with the room and it’s contents unless your removal company THINK TO is doing all the packing. You might need to keep any childrens toys to one side so they are easy to find MOVE HOME when you arrive at your new home. If you are packing your cutains and blinds yourself don’t forget to take them down. Find and label your keys including the spares and put them somewhere safe. Wherever you are moving to, it still Notify your insurance, electric, water, gas, needs careful planning and organ- financial, and phone companies. Don’t Pack a box of essentials for your arrival. isation, to make it as stress free as forget about the DVLA, schools, and clubs A kettle, tea, coffee, biscuits, mugs, light possible here are some pointers to you belong to. bulbs and toilet rolls should be high on get you ahead of the game. your list. Dispose of or sell off anything you don’t Confirm your removal date with your want. If you are not sure where to sell it remover, complete, sign and return your why not visit your local auction house? 01494 774186 removal acceptance form. They can be very helpful. Call for a FREE no obligation REMOVAL quote or visit Clear your loft and other storage areas Send out your new address cards to clarksofamersham.co.uk friends and relatives along with a map ready for your move day. If you need help and directions. contact your removal company as they may offer this service. Check the details of your home insurance to make sure you are covered from the Organise any parking requirements at day you move into your new home. your old and new properties.

www.chilternsociety.org.uk 21 photogroup news West of Henley Barry Hunt reports

A few miles west of Henley-on-Thames lie the villages of Checkendon, Kidmore End, Rotherfield Greys, Rotherfield eppardP and Shepherd’s Green. Set in the rolling landscapes and ancient woodlands of South Oxfordshire, they’re quintessential Chilterns communities that have remained relatively secluded and unspoilt.

This means that there are many listed and and were mentioned much later in the highly desirable timber-framed 17th and Domesday Book (1086). By then the 18th century cottages, with either thatched Norman rulers had changed Old English or original tiled roofs. The parish churches place names, therefore Cecadene or Above: Norman apse at St Peter and St Paul Church, Checkendon (J Harrison) don’t disappoint either, with many retaining Ceaca’s hill-pasture became Checkendon, The library in a telephone box, Shepherd’s Green (M Parry) key aspects of their Norman origins, while redrefeld meaning cattle lands Right, top to bottom: despite major 19th century restorations became Rotherfield. The Norman lords did A new use for a former smithy in Checkendon (E Morton) in the Gothic Revival style to meet the their bit too: Peppard is derived from the Duck pond in Kidmore End (C Smith) The ‘Old Thatch’ 17th century cottage changing demographics of village life. Pypard family who owned the manor from in Shepherd’s Green (J Fitzgerald) Such fine photogenic material made for 1166 to 1316. All Saints Church, Rotherfield Peppard, features an unusual reredos and altar panels of inlaid woods (B Hunt) a successful outing for the PhotoGroup. As a result we have a new ‘West of Henley’ album for our Chilterns photo Diary dates archive (www.chilternphoto.org.uk/index/ On Friday 22 September we visit the The PhotoGroup’s AGM is on Saturday category/276). As usual, the final selection Hambleden Valley, led by Alan Strawn, 21 October at 10.30am at The Lounge, of nearly 50 captioned images contains starting at 10.30am. The attractions include Amersham Community Centre, followed by contemporary subjects too, in this case Hambleden village and its parish church, Keith Hoffmeister’s photographic update closed-down pubs and new uses for Hambleden weir and lock on the Thames, on the HS2 rail project. Don’t forget, the redundant telephone boxes. lunch at The Frog in Skirmett, and a closing date for entries to the Online From a Chiltern heritage viewpoint, it’s possible option to visit the Chiltern Valley Photographic Exhibition 2018 is worth recording that many of the villages Winery & Brewery (Luxtors). Details to be 19 November. Full details can be found on originated as Anglo-Saxon settlements confirmed. the website.

22 Chiltern 225 Photogroup competition Puzzle picture: 86

The work of which artist is displayed in this building? Where is it situated? Send your entry to Ian Bullock, 11 The , Amersham, Bucks HP6 5NT or to [email protected]. If using email, please include your postal address so that, if you win, your prize can be sent to you. The draw will take place on 16 September. The winner will receive £10. Photo: D Lonsdale

Puzzle picture: 85 The answer

The address of The Falcon is 9 Cornmarket, High Wycombe, adjacent to The Guildhall. The pub retains the name of the inn recorded on this site since the 17th century. The winner was Madeleine Newitt of Booker, High Wycombe. Photo: M Bowker

email: [email protected] 23 CHILTERN nature in hedgerow (George Stebbing-Allen) Hearts of oak George Stebbing-Allen reflects on the practical and emotional significance of an iconic tree Purple hairstreak (Shutterstock)

In Hyperion, John Keates wrote ‘As when upon a trancèd summer night/Those green-robed Trafalgar, when Nelson’s oak-built ships senators of mighty woods/Tall oaks, branch-charmèd by the earnest stars/Dream and so beat the oak-built ships of France and dream all night without a stir/Save from one gradual solitary gust/Which comes upon the Spain. (As an aside, the hulls of Nelson’s silence, and dies off/As if the ebbing air had but one wave.’ ships were sheathed in copper to keep them free of barnacles; this gave them the So much for poetry: now for something I’ve visited the Forêt de Tronçais where, greater speed necessary to plough through more substantial. It’s a remarkable intrigued, I sought out a particular and very the enemy line. I learned this extraordinary historical fact that in the years following special oak tree, the Chêne de Stebbing. piece of trivia at the Levant Tin Mine at 1660 both the English and the French This massive tree was probably planted by the very tip of Cornwall, where they mined gave great thought to strengthening their Colbert, but why Stebbing? Edward Percy more copper than tin). But the emotional navies. Samuel Pepys, Secretary to the Stebbing (1872-1960) – no relation! – was terms are legion and probably outnumber Admiralty, and his French counterpart, Director of the Edinburgh Forestry School their practical counterparts. Jean-Baptiste Colbert, were instrumental and collaborated with the French to study Marcel de Cleene and Marie Claire in planting oak trees. Pepys concentrated the desertification of the Sahara. Every Lejeune wrote a book called A Compendium on the New Forest – close to the sea – year he took a party of students to Tronçais of Symbolic and Ritual Plants in Europe in where Bucklers Hard became a major and over time he became associated with which they wrote ‘The oak, the biggest, shipyard; and remember, it took 1,000 oak this particular tree, to which he no doubt strongest and most useful tree, became the trees to build HMS Victory. Colbert, by had both a professional and an emotional king of the plant kingdom in Europe, just contrast, planted the Forêt de Tronçais – attachment. Touching (and unusual) as the lion is king of land animals and the not close to the sea – in what is now the homage to an Englishman by the French. eagle rules the skies.’ As we all know, the Département of Allier in the Massif Central, This introduction has, I hope, given oak tree, along with the bulldog, symbolises about as far from the sea as it’s possible some indication of both the practical and the very essence of Englishness, and it’s to get in France! Logic there somewhere, I emotional significance of the oak tree. illuminating to see that two French authors suppose. In practical terms think of the Battle of are of much the same opinion.

24 Chiltern 225 In the 1980s the Royal Mint issued a a height of 20-40 metres and as it matures remarkable hatch. The scientific name of series of £1 coins carrying national motifs it forms a broad and spreading crown the purple hairstreak is Quercusia quercus, – a leek for Wales, a thistle for Scotland, a with sturdy branches beneath. Growth is and the clue is in the name. The caterpillars shamrock for Northern Ireland, and an oak particularly rapid when the tree is young, feed on the flower and leaf buds of the oak tree for England. After all, it was the future but gradually slows down at around 120 tree. King Charles II who hid in the Boscobel years; and it can actually shorten with age The oak is held in high regard in most oak to avoid capture after the Battle of to extend its lifespan. Acorns are so well European cultures. It was sacred to Zeus, Worcester in 1651; a great historical ‘what if’ known that they’re often overlooked, yet Jupiter and the Celtic god Dagda, all of is – what if they had caught him? Ironically, they too express Englishness – witness the whom ruled over thunder and lightning. in view of this, in Cromwell’s time couples trademark badge of the National Trust. Oaks are often the tallest living feature of were often wed under ancient oaks. Some Oak woodland provides a richly diverse the landscape and are prone to lightning folk still observe Royal Oak Day, and The habitat and supports more life forms strikes. Druids frequently practised their Royal Oak is the third most popular pub than any other native tree. It plays host rituals in oak groves, and particularly name in the country (434), pipped only to hundreds of species of insect, which in cherished the mistletoe that frequently by The Crown (436 and also royal) and turn supply many birds with an important grows on oak branches. Royalty has also had The Red Lion (518). The oak has therefore food source. In fact, to quote one example, a long association with them; ancient kings played an important part in our culture, blue tits time the hatching of their adorned themselves with crowns of oak both practically and subliminally – and young to coincide with the abundance of leaves, and Roman emperors were similarly poetically, as those green-robed senators to ‘looper’ caterpillars. Which brings me to bedecked during triumphal parades. which Keates alluded. a very personal experience. My house is My title is, of course, borrowed from The common oak Quercus robur, along surrounded by trees, including a number of David Garrick’s 18th century song, which with the beech, arrived in the British Isles as mature oaks. I’ve lived here for 15 years, but has become the official march of the the earth warmed up when the ice sheets only one of those years has been notable Royal Navy. I chose it to emphasise the retreated some 10,000 years ago. That’s a as a ‘butterfly year’. In 2009, from spring fact that the oak has for centuries been a long time for an emotional attachment to brimstones and orange tips right through national symbol of strength and survival. develop. It’s arguably the best known and to summer migrant red admirals and Not just in the oak-built warships that best loved of British native trees, and is beyond, I counted 23 species of butterfly kept our enemies at bay, but in the strong the most common tree species in the UK, in my garden. None was more exciting determination for freedom that’s such a especially in southern and central British to me (because of its unfamiliarity) than powerful and enduring characteristic of the deciduous woods. An oak tree can grow to the purple hairstreak, of which we had a English.

PENSIONS FREEDOM Explore all the options available to you.

Leave part Should Cash in all of your pension my pension fund as an be the last of your pension inheritance? aged 55+? investment Cash in and I touch? treat yourself Do nothing to a new car, Give my child and wait? Buy an Cash in holiday or the tax-free part of your annuity? pension and extension? re-invest in a lump sum? ‘buy to let’?

We can help you put the Pensions Freedom choices into perspective, so you avoid an unnecessary tax bill. To speak to one of our experts call 01442 270000 or pop into our branch NFU Mutual Office, Boxted Farm, Berkhamsted Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 2SG ...... NFU Mutual Financial Advisers advise on NFU Mutual products and selected products from specialist providers. We’ll explain the advice services we offer and our charges. NFU Mutual does not advise on ‘buy to let’ investments. Financial advice is provided by NFU Mutual Select Investments Limited.

Our Agents are appointed representatives of The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited (No. 111982). Registered in England. Registered Office: Tiddington Road, Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 7BJ. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. A member of the Association of British Insurers. For security and training purposes, telephone calls may be recorded and monitored. www.chilternsociety.org.uk 25 FOOD AND DRINK Embracing change

Photos courtesy of Peterley Manor Farm

Peterley Manor Farm is leading Katy, an experienced freelance chef, is running the café. the way, says Martin Pearson Christmas trees cover 50% of the farmed land at Peterley, with the rest being given over to apples, strawberries and other Things are changing on the farm. Those of us who grew up in the 1970s will remember the seasonal fruit. The soil has always proved trays of eggs left at the farm gate, with a note asking passing purchasers to leave their cash a challenge. It’s too flinty to grow many in the accompanying tobacco tin. The farm wasn’t a place you’d think about visiting to buy popular crops such as asparagus, but your groceries, and certainly not a potential venue for a family outing. maintaining Peterley as a real working farm is of paramount importance to the Brills. The past 40 years have brought hard chains. Additionally, mutual benefits can ‘Too many farm shops now have no real times to UK farms, forcing many farmers be gained by sourcing produce from local farming going on around them or only grow to diversify and seek alternative sources of businesses at an early stage, helping them one crop,’ said Katy. The Brills continue to income. This in turn has led to many of them grow in partnership.’ offer their own produce, such as honey and deciding to sell their produce directly to the The value of establishing local apple juice, through the shop. public, either via local Farmers’ Markets or by partnerships and working with the There have been some significant opening an on-site shop. Farm shops are now community is well understood at Peterley changes at the farm since I last visited in a significant part of the economy. In 2003 Manor Farm in Prestwood, which has been 2014. The shop has doubled in size, having a trade body was established to represent run by the Brill family for 35 years. Roger been extended into the adjoining barns. their interests. The National Farmers’ Retail Brill and his wife Jane developed the current This has allowed Peterley to offer produce and Markets Association (FARMA) has site from a derelict turkey farm. The retail from over 25 local businesses, including a a membership of 302 farm businesses, side of the business started with seasonal specially selected range of meat products employing more than 2,500 staff. sales of home-grown produce at the farm from award-winning local suppliers such as As Head of FARMA, Michael Mack gate and has gradually expanded to a Potash Farm and Chiltern Farm Food. The explained, ‘Farm shops not only help point where they now have a farm shop, most obvious change is the appearance to keep farms afloat, but also make an plant nursery, PYO and café. While Roger of a Mongolian yurt, home to the Wild important social and economic contribution and Jane still run the farming business, Strawberry café, which offers menus using to local rural communities. Some of our the recent addition to the payroll of their home-grown and local produce. Open to members turn over more than £1 million, daughters, Katy and Pip, appears to the public for breakfast and lunch, it also and typically a farm shop with a £1 million have added fresh impetus to the whole hosts a variety of daytime and evening turnover contributes around £260,000 to enterprise. Since graduating, Pip has taken events. ‘Recently we’ve had a wedding, a employment and £480,000 to local supply over the running of the farm shop, while naming ceremony and a 90th birthday party

26 Chiltern 225 at the yurt,’ said Katy. ‘In June we had 600 people here for our Fathers’ Day hog roast.’ Recipe Consequently, five chefs now work for Katy and a second yurt has appeared. Chiltern chorizo, cavolo nero The Brills are proud to have close ties with the community. They support local and roasted pumpkin fetes and regularly welcome visits from local schools. ‘It’s an opportunity to explain to children where food comes from,’ said Pip. The Brill sisters are currently organising their most ambitious venture yet: Feast on the Farm, a major Chiltern food and produce event on 14-15 October. ‘Our event will only involve people and producers who are from or have a strong association with the Chilterns,’ said Katy. Already some of the best restaurants in the area, including The Mash Inn, Native Feasts, The Artichoke and The Nags Head have agreed to be involved, and Oliver Roe, the eponymous Urban Chef, will kick off the event with a supper club in the yurt on 13 October. The following two days will feature food stalls, demonstrations and an opportunity for the public to sample some of the best local produce. The sisters have just added the 2017 In her ‘other life’ Katy Brill is deputy editor of Chilterns Food Magazine, a Muddy Stiletto Bucks and Oxon Farm Shop collaboration between a group of young Chiltern food enthusiasts whose shared of the Year awards to a similar accolade mantra is ‘Eat local, eat seasonal and eat Chiltern’. This is one of her favourite they picked up at the Berkshire and recipes. It’s excellent with a barbecued chicken or on its own as a light lunch. Buckinghamshire Life magazine awards late last year – but there’s no chance of the Brills resting on their laurels. They’re already Ingredients – serves 4 looking ahead to their 4th annual Christmas l 150g Chiltern charcuterie chorizo, skin l Chilli flakes (optional) market, featuring local arts and crafts, and removed and diced into smallish cubes l  Sea salt they’ll soon be harvesting their pumpkins l 1 large cavolo nero (approx. 800g) l 150g Greek-style yoghurt ready for sale in time for Halloween. Longer l 600g pumpkin (Tim’s Dairy is excellent) term plans include assessing the viability of l 6 cloves garlic l Pinch of saffron strands a ‘glamping’ area and eco retreat on the site. l  Olive oil The future looks exciting and, encouragingly, the Peterley approach is Method being replicated at other farms across our  l Slice the pumpkin into 2cm wide Add the chorizo cubes and allow to region. As Mike Mack put it, ‘A trip to a farm wedges. Don’t worry about peeling it; cook slowly – they’ll start to release an shop should allow you to take your time, it’s far easier to roast skin on and slice orange oil and smell delicious! Squeeze observe and try new things and engage the skin off afterwards. Toss in olive oil, out the remaining three cloves into all your senses.’ Indeed, Pip recalled that a sprinkle with sea salt and chilli flakes. the pan and add the cavolo nero. Toss family had recently spent almost the whole Put in a roasting tin along with the with the chorizo to coat with the olive day at Peterley. ‘They arrived for breakfast, garlic cloves (skin left on) and roast at oil, add two tbsp of water and cover spent time in the PYO fields, visited the 2000C for about 45 minutes, or until the pan for about 5 minutes to allow greenhouses, enjoyed a light lunch, walked golden and tender. Set aside to cool the leaves to wilt, stirring occasionally. down to see the alpacas and then did some slightly Season to taste shopping.’ l Cover the saffron strands with a tbsp l Remove the skin from the pumpkin Ironically, if farming hadn’t gone into of water and leave to soak for a few slices and arrange on a plate, top with such a steep decline it’s doubtful that the minutes. Add the saffron water to the the chorizo and cavolo nero, drizzle public would ever have gained so much Greek yoghurt and mix. Squeeze three with yoghurt and top with toasted access to our farmland and its produce. Now of the roasted garlic cloves into the seeds (if used) we can all enjoy a trip to the farm, buy our yoghurt, mix well or blitz in a food C hef’s tip: don’t discard the pumpkin groceries, have some lunch, enjoy whatever processor if you prefer seeds. Clean off any pumpkin strands, else is on offer and, while we’re there, gain l W ash the cavolo nero and cut out toss in some vegetable oil and soy sauce a better understanding of the traceability most of the tough stem, but keep the and roast in the oven for about 15 minutes and sustainability of what we eat and drink. leaves as whole as possible until golden. Use as a garnish. Here’s looking forward to October’s Feast on l Hea t a ‘glug’ of olive oil in a heavy- the Farm and many more truly ‘local’ events based saucepan over a medium heat. Photo: Martin Pearson showcasing the best our farms have to offer. email: [email protected] 27 Planning Seeing the bigger picture

Photo: Neil Thompson Photo: Annette Weiss Beware the cumulative effects of small developments, urges Lucy Murfett

We who care about keeping the Chilterns special cannot fail to have noticed that there’s a lot of and what the effects on the AONB could be if development, big and small, going on in and around the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural everything that’s planned goes ahead, such as Beauty. Individually each planning application may seem OK – where’s the harm in a replacement large-scale new housing developments in Luton, dwelling or a few new homes tacked onto a village? The trouble is, it’s happening everywhere. Hemel Hempstead, Watlington, Stokenchurch, We have 13 local authorities with land in the Chilterns AONB, each responsible for their patch of High Wycombe, Princes Risborough, Hazlemere it, some large, some tiny. In my role as the planning officer for the Chilterns Conservation Board, and Amersham Old Town (the list goes on); I’m consulted on proposals from all over the Chilterns – and I’m worried. HS2; electrification of the Great Western and Chiltern railway lines; new roads in the AONB, Most councils are revising their local plans; area. Even when proposals use the right local and new flight paths triggered by the proposed all of them are under pressure to push at the vernacular materials (like red brick, flint and third runway at Heathrow. New insights were AONB boundaries like never before. Because clay roof tiles), they tend to get the scale generated into how important it is to think there’s no regional or strategic planning tier wrong, and rather than looking like historic cross-boundary and long term, if we’re to look any more, each local authority must research Chilterns cottages, they appear ‘pumped up’ after this nationally designated landscape its own objectively assessed need for new versions with ridge heights of nine metres or properly for current and future generations. homes and do its utmost to find places for more. We clearly need to do more to raise We want it to be just as good, preferably even this (universally higher) number. If they can’t, awareness about building in the right way and better, than we’ve been lucky enough to enjoy. they must enter difficult negotiations with at an appropriate scale to keep the character Some examples of cumulative effects on the neighbouring authorities, which often have of the Chilterns. The Buildings Design Awards Chilterns: constraints and designations of their own. (see pp 8-9) are a prime example. l Urbanisation from major planned strategic Added to this, the Chilterns is a highly With this in mind, the Chilterns development and incremental ‘nibbling’ at desirable place to live, accessible from Conservation Board convened a meeting the edge of villages London, and the level of wealth and number in March of all the local authorities in the l Fragmentation of habitats and landscape of new owners coming into the area appears region, Natural England and the Chiltern severance caused by new railways, noise to be rising. Consequently every little cottage, Society to discuss cumulative effects of likely barriers and fencing former hovel or farm appears fair game for changes (large and small) on the Chilterns l Water pollution and low flows in rare chalk Grand Designs-style replacement dwellings AONB. It’s a statutory requirement of the streams from over-abstraction to service (some with staff accommodation), new Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive urban development access roads, security lighting, tall fencing, to consider cumulative effects, but many l Air pollution and associated reduction in entrance gates, manicured lawns, private planners have limited experience of doing it. plant diversity due to more vehicles in, and tennis courts, pools and play areas, the list We invited Professor Riki Therivel, a leading driving across, the Chilterns goes on. Sadly few of these changes are national expert, to introduce the subject and l Loss of special character from sympathetic to the Chilterns, or compatible run a workshop, and afterwards produce a unsympathetic extensions, replacement with enhancing natural beauty. When they simple guide, kindly sponsored by the Chiltern dwellings, domestic paraphernalia, fencing, involve high fencing, CCTV and security gates, Society. The result was pooling of information gates and light spill in previously dark it diminishes the public’s enjoyment of the about what’s happening across the Chilterns, landscapes.

28 Chiltern 225 PLANNiNg

Cohousing ACE DENTURE QUALIFIED DENTURE EXPERTS to the NEED NEW DENTURES? • We supply private natural looking dentures direct to the public at rescue? affordable prices. • Sunken features can be supported to return to your natural appearance. There’s no need to build • On site laboratory. on green belt, says GOLD 12 MONTH NO DEPOSIT Merrin Molesworth of our UNCONDITIONALGOLD Planning Group MONEY BACK GUARANTEE PAYMENT ON COMPLETION DENTUREGOLD REPAIRS WHILE-U-WAIT Forget the old ‘house and garden with garage’ model, think of ToFROMpPrices £30 Paid 7 DAYS In Cash A FoWEEKrYour denser building in flats or terraces with parking beneath and shared ScrapPrecious Metals Including recreation/amenity space. With good design these dwellings ECONOMYUnwanted (FULLJewe SET)llery, Coins£380 &Watches. STANDARD (FULL SET) £500 can be desirable and be located in areas near services, transport, PartExchange Available SPECIAL (FULL SET) £750 FREE schools and shops. Cohousing or Direct Housing Initiatives (DHI) – DELICATE CHROME PLATE £530 CONSULTATION the popular name for a group of owners building or commissioning their own dwellings – offer people the opportunity to be involved PHONE FOR A FREE INFORMATION PACK & FULL PRICE LIST 174 Desborough Road, High Wycombe HP11 2QA in the design of their own site. Groups can be as loose or closely involved as they choose. www.acedenture.com CALL 01494 520515 24HR HELPLINE Various schemes can be used to make cohousing projects YOUR DENTURE PROBLEMS SOLVED affordable and remain so in perpetuity. Owners of suitable housing sites could develop a plot themselves, or in conjunction with a Mr P. Caira has a Diploma in Clinical Dental Technology R.C.S (ENG). G.D.C Reg No. 118974 DHI group, to create neighbourhoods they and future citizens will enjoy. Long-term investment would yield more than an immediate land sale. The land and dwellings would be cared for by people committed to how the area looks and functions, not only now A but in the future. The quality of design would improve, and the B C neighbourhood would remain vital and viable with the settled input AYLESBURYBULLION COMPANY of long-term locals. The principle of owners designing and building The FamilyofJewellers their own dwellings is encouraged in Europe, and such schemes are increasingly popular here. Land and estate owners could embrace 11a, High St AylesburyBuckinghamshire HP201SH modern design to complement the traditional, and allow denser, Tel: 01296423198 affordable residences in rural areas where occupations such as farming require accommodation nearby. Neighbourhood Plans are being given more weight. The latest Government White Paper Fixing our Broken Housing Market encourages small builders. Councils love an area that says ‘Yes, we can take more dwellings’. Of course it requires a different way of Jewellery designed and produced to your specifications, or choose thinking, not simply handing house building over to the from our extensive range of new, secondhand and antique pieces. big volume builders who are out to make money and l Diamond merchants l Valuations: insurance and probate have no interest in the future of the area, (certified stones always available) (carried out on the premises) l Antique restorations l Insurance claims advisors infrastructure, design, l Hand engraving l Complete repair service vernacular architecture Servicing of Rolex, Tag, Omega, Raymond Weil, Gucci etc. or sustainability. Batteries fitted and waterproof testing carried out on the premises. Cohousing is an exciting idea that Top prices paid in cash for antique and modern jewellery, could solve the watches (especially Rolex), government’s coins, gold, silver, platinum and scrap precious metals. housing impositions Part exchange available. at a stroke.

An innovative 11a High Street, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP20 1SH design for a Chilterns Tel: 01296 423198 location already www.aylesburybullion.co.uk abutted by higher buildings

29 Brock’s country

CHILTERN WiLDLiFe Badger sett (Tony Marshall)

Tony Marshall celebrates the grey old Man of the Hills

Badgers are iconic mammals in the Chilterns. The logo of the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust is a badger. They’ve been here since time immemorial, well before man. Fossils have been found dating back 250,000 years. They’re widely spread over the British Isles, but they like the chalk in our hills and other southern downlands for the ease with which they can excavate their underground homes. Although on the surface all we see of a badger sett is a large hole about 25-30cm, it may mark the entrance to hundreds of metres of tunnels, a vast metropolis that can be inhabited by several families. It’s the result of a prodigious amount of digging with very powerful forelegs, armed with large, stout claws. The results of this activity (most often in spring but regularly renewed throughout the

year) are the great spoil heaps below each entrance – a mixture of chalky soil, flints, chalk, Claw marks on chalk (Tony Marshall) and old bedding made of leaves and straw. Old English word was brocc, a name taken As nocturnal creatures they’re rarely seen, bears of the old wild woods), other than, by Anglo-Saxon invaders from the Celtic although a quiet walk at twilight along of course, that universal predator, man and people they found already resident here, the edge of most of our ancient woods his trusty companion the motor car. Indeed, the builders of the prehistoric hill forts. The offers a good chance of a glimpse. Being most of us only see a badger as a corpse by word in Welsh to this day is broch, the Celts creatures of habit, they often use the same the side of a road – kite fodder. having been banished to the western fringes foraging trails night after night, year after ‘Badger’ is a relatively recent word, of the British Isles. ‘Brock’ is therefore a year, and even century after century, so coming into use in the late 18th century and truly ancient and indigenous word, and it’s that such trails can often be clearly seen as probably referring to its black and white a shame that it’s now seldom used. Like a straight line across a grassland hill slope, ‘badge’ or facial markings. Other words the Latin word, brocc signified the grey fur, as well marked as any human path, if rather were also used about this time, such as from the related Celtic word for ‘grizzled’ narrower. Sitting downwind of such a trail at ‘bauson’ from an old French word for black (in modern Welsh broc). It shows that the the edge of a wood before it starts to get and white markings, and ‘gray’ referring to badger had long been hunted for its fur, dark and patiently waiting is a good way of the grizzled pelt once used for fur clothing. although the coarser hair of the European getting to see them. Their cryptic black and The scientific nameMeles meles is from the badger makes it less popular these days white head stripes and grey bodies break up Latin for badger, which appears to derive than that of the American species. their image in the half-light. Not that they from the Greek melas, ‘dark or dusky’. Badgers eat a variety of foods, such as need such protection because they have no The grey look derives from hairs that are small mammals, the eggs of ground-nesting predators (long gone are the wolves and black with whiteish tips. But the original birds, berries and other fruits, underground

30 Chiltern 225 nests of wasps and bees, and beetles, but their special delight is a juicy earthworm, which they prefer to anything else. Most of their foraging is done on arable land and short grassland, where it’s easy to grub up their prey. You often comes across their ‘latrines’, shallow depressions used over and over in a selected spot (sometimes marking the edge of their territory), where dung is deposited. This is softer than that of the fox and usually very dark, the refuse of masticated earthworms, but often containing stones of soft fruit like cherries or haws. Badgers are one of the few animals that can tackle a hedgehog and they’ll eat them when they can. This has led some to think that badgers may be responsible for declining hedgehog populations. Research, however, has failed to show any connection between numbers of the two species, and they’ve lived side by side for centuries. Badger predation is limited in its effect on hedgehogs and there are clearly other reasons for Photo: Colin Drake their decreasing numbers, one of which is perhaps increased Badger latrine (Tony Marshall) road traffic. The primary reason, however, is thought to be poorly not always in our local churchyard, but I have not yet maintained hedgerows that lack the in a good plucked up courage to tell the vicar what thick undergrowth of vegetation which way. I get many he might do about it! provides essential protective hedgehog queries these days Badgers are a particular concern for highways through the countryside. from people wanting to know some farmers (see the exchange in the last Badgers, like their relatives otters are how to keep them out of their gardens, two issues of Chiltern). For one thing, they very quick and active creatures, intelligent because cultivated ground and lawns may extend their setts across paths and and robust. They’re both mustelids, are a great attraction for worm hunters, tracks, or into pastureland, where people and members of the weasel family. The rough and expanding numbers force them into stock may stumble and injure themselves. and tumble of young badgers at play is a contact with human settlements. Their This may mean having to reroute paths or delight to watch. They keep themselves effect, turning over large swathes of turf, move fences. Alternatively a licence can be to themselves, however, and want nothing can be devastating to the house-proud obtained to block up the more dangerous to do with us. Although it’s possible with gardener, and they regularly return to a holes. More seriously, the badger is blamed patience and care to become accepted ‘good spot’. My first tendency is to think, for spreading bovine TB, and it has been by a colony in the wild, as documented in well, the badgers were here first, by shown to play a small role in doing so, the absorbing but heart-rending book The rights this is their land, and I’d be really although the bulk of infection is actually from Darkness is Light Enough by Chris Ferris, pleased to have a chance to observe these cow to cow. While culling is often advocated, it’s best if we respect their privacy and creatures every night. But I don’t keep a and is in limited use in areas of the country restrict ourselves to the occasional chance neat garden, and those who do also have where bovine TB is prevalent, it often proves glimpse, the more to be savoured because a right to the fruits of their hard work. A relatively ineffective for various practical of its rarity. Chris Ferris was a pseudonym, badger-proof fence could be very costly reasons and may actually help transmit the because she also documented the horrific and is often impractical. Fortunately there disease to new areas by forcing badgers activities of badger baiters and was often is one tried and tested folk remedy that to move. Much better is the approach viciously attacked by them. Like the badger, appears to work very well, although it employed by the Wildlife Trust in the west of she had to live in obscurity. It was these might have to be renewed from time to Oxfordshire, where they have a vaccination cruel practices that resulted in the badger time. Badgers operate by smell and hearing programme for badgers. This, accompanied becoming legally protected in this country. (their eyesight is really poor), and they’re by stricter controls on the movement of The badger is not a rare creature. very sensitive to scents. If house owners cattle between areas, seems the most Locally its population has probably been scent-mark their boundaries by urinating appropriate way forward. increasing as it recovers from persecution, in a few places around them, the badger Brock is one of the icons of the Chilterns but is probably still not at maximum will recognise it as human territory and and, as intruders in his territory, we need to capacity for the available food resources. one to be avoided. I’m told by some who respect his way of life, learn to live with him, This has meant that encounters between have tried this recently that it has worked enjoy the glimpses we steal, and celebrate badgers and people have increased, and spectacularly. We have a similar problem the Grey Old Man of the Hills. email: [email protected] 31 CYCLe grouP great Park for cycling The Copper Horse Statue The Village 15 Minutes Walk Windsor 20 Minutes Walk 1 Hour Walk

1 Mile King George VI 1 Km Coronation Grove Cumberland Gate Mill Lane The Valley Gardens Bishopsgate Cow Pond Prince Consort Five Arch Bridge Statue Breakheart Hill Chapel Wood Site of Fishing Temple Smith’s Lawn Blacknest The Savill Garden Gate Johnson’s Pond The Savill Building

Cumberland Guards Obelisk Legend Polo Club Obelisk Pond wc To Bracknell Suggested Walking Routes Valley Gardens High Flyer’s Hill Car Park Savill Garden Cycling Permitted Heather Garden Car Park Virginia Water South Perch Bay Car Park wc Carter’s Bar Vehicles Permitted Frostfarm Wick Lane Public Highway Plantation Cheesman’s Gate wc Windsor Virginia Water The Punch Bowl Fine Public Picnic A329 Blacknest Road Wick Road Vistas Toilets Area Totem Pole Car Park is a popular Wick Road Wick Pond Egham Wick Plantations destination N Botany Bay To Egham Point Leptis Magna Ruins for the Group, Virginia Water Plantations

wc writes Dennis Map reproduced To Bagshot Virginia Water A30 London Road by kind permission of & Camberley The Cascade Car Park Keeling windsorgreatpark.co.uk

Windsor Great Park is a superb facility for cycling. Whether you’re five or seventy-five, it has up the hill and turn left towards the statue a cycleway for you. With over 4,800 acres for you to explore, you’re never short of something of the Queen on horseback. It’s the perfect to do. With a royal history spanning over 1,000 years, there are historical monuments, ancient spot to enjoy stunning views across Windsor forests and stunning horticultural displays, as well as rare wildlife, plants and fungi. each of Great Park, Queen Anne’s Ride and Stag the three outstanding gardens has its own distinct feel, bursting with colourful displays that Meadow. We then cycle towards Cumberland transform over the season, and, throughout the summer, you can experience the sensation of Gate and alongside Smith’s Lawn, where polo sight, scent and taste with ‘The Power of Flowers’ in The Savill Garden. is played. We carry on down to the lake at Virginia Water. perimeter offers multiple access points, and if Cycling alongside the lake and up to the you enter through Ranger’s Gate, you will join bridge at Wick Pond we pass the old Leptis up with the fairly even plains of National Cycle Magna ruins – a folly that, in the fashion of the Route 4, which takes you through the Park and time, was built to look like a genuine Roman brings you to the exit of Bishopsgate, rejoining relic, using remnants of a Roman town near the public road for all routes to Windsor and Tripoli. We normally turn right at the Totem Englefield Green. Follow this route along the Pole – a gift to the Queen in 1958 from the paved path to discover relics of royal history people of Canada. This 100 foot structure Cycle Group outside the Savill Garden like Ranger’s Lodge (home of the Deputy was carved by mastercraftsman Chief Mungo (Photo: Dennis Keeling) Ranger), continuing past the open fields of Martin of the Kwakiutl Federation. Take a cycle ride, hike, brisk walk or gentle Poets Lawn. Look out for the impressive sight We continue to Obelisk Pond, up the hill stroll. There are many routes for you to of the Cumberland Lodge in the distance, at to the Cumberland Obelisk and right towards choose from. Windsor Great Park has over the end of the tree-lined parade – a former the Savill Garden. This magnificent obelisk, in 17 miles (27km) of smooth paths and roads, residence of members of the Royal Family. honour of the Duke of Cumberland, rises high which are perfect for cyclists. Experience Alternatively, pedal along the heights of Snow on the lawn. We usually stop at the Savill a relatively peaceful ride through nature, Hill as you take in the magnificent sights of Garden, which has a great café and fantastic because motor vehicles and motor cycles Windsor Castle below, and the Copper Horse garden centre. are restricted in the Park. Roads are shared Statue on high. Then for a shorter cycle, take After that we go straight on through with the odd vehicle belonging to the National Cycle Route 4 back past Poets Lawn the woods back to Cumberland Gate. We Estate or a Park resident, pedestrians and to either Cranbourne Gate or Ranger’s Gate, normally carry on towards the Copper Horse horse riders. The Park is a fantastic place to where you can find parking and the public Statue, an impressive work depicting King run, so whether you’re a beginner seeking roads surrounding the Park.’ George III on horseback, erected in 1831 to inspiration, or a regular runner who’s The cycleways are clearly marked (see commemorate his significant contribution to looking for a different challenge and a fresh map). The Cycle Group regularly ride through the Great Park. It overlooks The Long Walk. experience, you’re sure to find a route that’s the park – it’s one of our most popular We look down from the top of the hill to right for you, as Windsor Great Park’s own destinations. We normally enter the Park Windsor Castle – we’re not allowed to cycle website explains: from Sheet Street, the road from Windsor to down The Long Walk. Finally, we return along ‘The public road around the Park’s Bracknell, into Prince Consort Drive. We cycle Prince Consort Drive to the road.

32 Chiltern 225 WiNdSor GrEAt PArk ProVidES GUidANCE to CYCLiStS: l Set your speed with consideration for other road users, ride no more than two abreast and travel in groups of no more than six l Cycling is not permitted on the Long Walk itself, or in the Valley Gardens – so please plan your return route to Virginia Water car park to avoid cycling through this area 2017 l Be aware that, during certain events, parts of the Park can become extremely busy. on major event days, especially those focussed on Smith’s Lawn and Guard’s Polo Club, there SOMETH can be considerable vehicle movements, especially between ING NEW Blacknest Gate and Smith’s Lawn, so please take special care IS CO in these areas, especially if cycling with children MING l When you enter the deer Park, you can use the automated buttons to open the gates rather than having to dismount l A fully interactive map of the park is available on the Park’s website: www.windsorgreatpark.co.uk. FOLLOW US ON TWITTER, FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM FOR NEWS ON 2017 RELEASES sign up to our newsletter at Future thursday WWW.TRINGBREWERY.CO.UK group rides

If you’d like to join one of our popular cycle rides, come along to one of those listed below. We usually start at a pub and return there for lunch. We meet at 10am to place food orders, for a 10.30 start. If numbers are large, some riders will often leave at 10.15, with the main group following at 10.30. 7 September Bury yourself in the beautiful Meet at The Royal Standard of England, Forty Green, Buckinghamshire countryside! Beaconsfield (Grid ref: SU 923 919, postcode HP9 1XT). The Chesham Bois Burial Ground offers formal and ride will be predominantly on quiet lanes, but with some residential roads, and will be c20 miles. woodland burial areas, a garden of remembrance, ride leader: Richard Henry 01494 717316 and 07716 006565. and a pretty chapel all in a peaceful setting surrounded by fields and woodland. 5 October Open to all faiths, residents and Meet in the car park opposite The Hit or Miss, Penn Street non-residents of the Parish. (Grid ref: SU 924 955, postcode HP7 0PX). We’ll ride down to Penn Bottom, up to Penn, through Holtspur and on to Burnham and Farnham Common, returning via Beaconsfield to Penn Street. The ride is c21 miles, mainly on lanes, with a few moderate hills. ride leader: Penny Nokes 01494 864681 and 07842 289516. 2 november Meet at The Pineapple, (Grid ref: SU 928 797, postcode SL4 6QS). The ride will be along the well-surfaced Jubilee River Trail to Eton. We’ll then complete a circuit of Windsor Great Park, returning through Windsor and past Dorney rowing lake. A gentle, flat ride of 22 miles. ride leader: Mike Pullen 01844 343188 and 07738 488720. Chesham Bois Burial Grounds To find out more please contact us. rides are open to Society members and non-members. All ride at their own risk and should be 14 years or older www.cheshamboispc.org.uk unless accompanied by an adult. Bring a drink for roadside email: [email protected] stops. It is strongly recommended that riders wear a helmet for all rides and carry their own first aid kit. tel: 01494 432585

www.chilternsociety.org.uk 33 totternhoe under the microscope

CHILTERN HeritAge Above: Totternhoe School; right: The Old Farm Inn (Photos: John Hockey) time travelling with John Hockey rather than try to cover the myriad delights that Totternhoe has to offer, I’ve let my magnifying glass hover over a small part of its Conservation Area, which was established in 1993. The village has three ‘ends’ – Lower end; the disconcertingly named Middle end and here where my spy-glass settles, Church end. I want to examine some of the interesting historical finds here, and I hope you’ll come with me on this short walk, time travelling from pre-history to the present day.

Totternhoe lies just down the hill from ploughing this area and there seemed to Dunstable and the soil comprises a sort be an unusual number of rocks and flints of alluvial silt overlaying chalk. As a lad in damaging his ploughing equipment. In this area I was always amazed by the fact 1950 the local ‘Time Team’, Manshead that the land we walk on now, even at the Archaeological Society, obtained top of the Downs, was once at the bottom permission to excavate the site. They interior that has some surprises, however. of a huge sea, albeit 90 million years ago. found a 4th century Roman courtyard On the capital of the east respond of the Many of the fossil finds we gathered as house, measuring 200 x 240 feet, with north arcade is an angel bearing a shield, children, ammonites and the like, testify at least 14 rooms complete with mosaics, on which there’s an ash tree and a well, a to the sedimentary nature of the rock hypocausts and painted wall plaster. The rebus on (William) Ashwell, who in 1545 pushed up so dramatically to form this end situation is beautiful, with the flat ground left money to build the west tower. From a of the Chilterns and the little spur known of Totternhoe slowly rising up towards more recent period, there’s a stained glass as Totternhoe Knolls, where I used to Dunstable Downs in the distance. Nothing window of the Tree of Life by the 20th live. One consequence of the subsequent exists above ground now, but conjecture century artist John Piper. compression was formation of a hard chalk suggests this was the home of a noble All this research is making me thirsty, so known as Totternhoe clunch, mined in the Roman family, being positioned as it is it’s time to pop into The Old Farm Inn, just village and used to face such buildings close to the Roman town of Durocobrivae, near the edge of my circle of investigation. as Windsor Castle, Woburn Abbey and now known as Dunstable. As the name suggests, this building was Ashridge House. Naturally, this stone was Just across the road from the site of the once a farmhouse. It was listed in 1980 also used to construct Totternhoe’s St Giles Roman villa lies St Giles Church. It was built as Grade II, of special interest, dated to Church, of which more later. as a ‘chapel of ease’ when Dunstable Priory the 17th century, with later additions. The In Church End, in a field that’s part of was too small to hold the congregation – original structure was timber-framed with Church Farm, lies a site marked on the how times have changed! The general style brick noggin infill. Owners and tenants have map as ROMAN VILLA (site of). Rumour is Perpendicular and there’s pleasing flint included well-known local families such has it that the farmer always had trouble flush-work to the chancel exterior. It’s the as the Twidells and Gurneys. Sadly, this is

34 Chiltern 225 now one of only two pubs in the village, the in 1950. When you first come across it, other being The Cross Keys, situated in the the phrase that comes to mind is ‘Is it a shadow of Totternhoe Knolls. Both are very bird? Is it a plane?’ – but no, it’s a school. popular watering holes for local residents Very much a design of its time, the school and inhabitants of Dunstable alike. started as a County Primary School In the past this entire area was known built on land compulsorily purchased for growing the Aylesbury prune, a damson by the Local Education Authority. It’s plum used for eating and the dyeing of currently a Lower School, administered by clothing. Exact dates of planting are not Central Bedfordshire Council. The person known, but it was a thriving industry in the responsible for this unusually shaped mid-19th century. The local footpaths still building is believed to have been Sydney C cut through the orchards and are a delight Jury FRIBA., the Bedford County Architect. at all times of year. Not far from The Old By taking my magnifying glass to a small St Giles Church Farm is a house which was formerly called part of a small village in the Chilterns I’ve Orchard House. The predominant trees are travelled from 90 million years ago to the damson, but you do get the occasional mid-20th century and beyond. What history greengage. When I lived in Totternhoe, the in such a tiny fragment of the Chilterns! In one in our garden helped us make the most future articles I hope to be able to repeat delicious greengage jam. Various strategies this technique in other villages, to illustrate have been developed to make sure the what can be found by looking at the detail orchards are well protected and don’t as well as the general. deteriorate too much – because the location I’m looking at is part of a Conservation Area, Photographs of Totternhoe can this should certainly help. be found on our PhotoGroup’s The one building in this area that website: www.chilternphoto.org.uk seems a little unusual is the school, built Site of Roman villa

OBITUARY Ray Challinor This tribute is based on the words of George Thackray, who spoke at Ray’s funeral

My wife Joan and I have been privileged to know Ray and Rowena as neighbours and forged new community relationships in friends for the last 17 years. When we moved to Hyde Heath, Ray had already retired as the Chilterns, giving talks on behalf of the a regional director of the Midland Bank, but he was certainly not sitting back and taking Society, and increasing overall awareness life easy! In the words of one who knew him well, Ray was ‘not moved by any desire for of the Society’s work. He pioneered a personal recognition, but by a very genuine desire to achieve good for his fellow human community newsletter, arranged small beings – he was driven by a desire to serve the wider community.’ grants for conservation projects, and successfully canvassed local businesses to Ray’s longest affiliation was probably to the HS2 Ltd to extend the proposed tunnel give financial and corporate volunteering British Heart Foundation, having become beyond South Heath. support to the Society’s activities. Ray active in the South Bucks branch in the Ray was also Treasurer, and later was also a trustee of several other early 1980s. He became Chairman in 1988 Chairman, of Chesham Voluntary Hospital organisations which promote, support and and under his leadership the branch raised Car Service. Rowena has been a driver for develop social enterprises. over £200,000. He led the committee the service for 37 years. Such commitment His visits to our home to play duets which saved Hyde Heath village shop shows the extent of their concern for those on his clarinet with Joan were enjoyable when it was threatened with closure, and in need of practical help. He was active in occasions for us all. I will also remember he subsequently oversaw its day-to-day Chesham Probus, and was instrumental in his willingness to talk thoughtfully on all running. Thereafter, several other villages the formation of Chilterns Probus Club. He matters under the sun, preferably with a considering similar projects drew on his subsequently became its Chairman. glass of whisky in his hand. This enabled a expertise. He also acted as Treasurer of He was a member of the Chiltern forthright exchange of views, and helped the Pre-School and reinvigorated the Hyde Society from the early 1980s, a trustee us to develop a deep and lasting friendship. Heath Village Society. Their campaign for nine years until 2010 and General We are sad to lose Ray. We are grateful against HS2 contributed to a decision by Secretary for six years up to 2006. He for who he was. We will miss him.

email: [email protected]

35 LETTERS Sheep of Bucks Ken Austin, by email I wonder if any readers have knowledge of old breeds of sheep associated with Buckinghamshire. In 1883 Emma Phipson wrote a book called Animal Lore of Shakespeare’s Time, which has recently been reprinted by The Lost Library. In the book there are two quotes about Buckinghamshire sheep. The first is from Fuller’s Worthies of England (1811): ‘The best and biggest-bellied in England are in the Vale of Ailsbury in this county, where it is nothing to give two pound or more for a breed-ram. So that should a forrainer hear of the price thereof, he would guess that ram rather to be some Roman engine of battery, than the creature commonly so called.’ An upgrade

The second is older, from Topsell’s Historie vulgar in Buckingham, Northampton, and for Bridget of Foure-Footed Beastes (1607): ‘The Leicestershire... I have credibly heard of a quantitie of wool upon our sheep is more sheepe in Buckingham-shier in the flock of John Hockey, than any other countrey of the world, for L.P. that had shorne from it at one time, one even the least among us, such are on hard and twentie pound of wooll.’ by email grounds... have better and weightier fleeces Not being a farmer I went to the internet, I noticed recently that the than the greatest in other nations. The which suggested that six and a half pounds commemorative seat to Bridget quantitie is the least a pound... in the middle might be the average today. Talbot OBE near Edlesborough had sort of sheepe two or three pounds, as is been remade in gleaming limestone, replacing the rather weathered version shown in my Chiltern News article of 2011. It seems some traveller (a pilgrim perhaps?) has placed shells on Can we afford to be green? the seat, perhaps alluding to the fact Bridget invented a waterproof torch Geoffrey Copas, by email for mariners, in addition to her sterling work saving part of Ashridge for the Following the editorial ‘A good walk spoiled’ (Chiltern 223), I would like to comment. National Trust.

Photo: John Hockey All trees will die and rot away. Felling have difficulty making a profit. If they them while in their prime creates income are in the red, they cannot afford to be for woodland maintenance. Efficient green. With Brexit, financial support will timber production requires clear felling reduce due to the higher priority for Glass – but not of woodland using machinery and chain health services, schools and care homes saws, not a horse and an axe. Following for senior citizens. In addition, because stained clear felling, nature and wildlife will of the AONB status, Chiltern farmers adapt. Woodland destroyed by the gales have to operate with greater restrictions Doris Rollinson, of 1980 is now in a similar condition, than their competitors with better irrespective of whether it was cleared quality land, where cost of production is Bovingdon and replanted or not. The famous high- cheaper. banked, steep lanes of the Chilterns were If you have a prosperous countryside, Thank you for the summer issue [of formed by man’s movements creating the money is there for its maintenance. Chiltern]. I was particularly interested ruts that over time eroded away, shaping The countryside in Austria is maintained in the cleverly designed Chess Valley the sunken lanes which we all now wish to a high standard by income generated Walk, because my family lived at the Old to preserve. Walkers should not expect from visitors using new facilities, like Wheatsheaf on Sarratt Green from 1965-95. paved footpaths, but wear footwear ski lifts, hotels and restaurants. In the Regarding the entry for Holy Cross Church, suitable for ruts, mud and puddles when Chilterns we have the visitors, however may I point out a tiny error? Although the visiting the countryside. You cannot there is opposition to changes that church holds a significant collection of expect the Chilterns to be maintained to could provide the income, and thereby 19th and 20th century glass by Clayton & the same standard as Hyde Park. the maintenance. The Society should be Bell, Powell, Whall and Fisher, there is no The Chiltern countryside was formed congratulated for doing sterling work on evidence of a ‘15th century stained glass by farmers and foresters, and they the small area they control, but maybe window’. Records show that windows were created what the Chiltern Society wish to the time has come for them to consider installed in the 15th century (not necessarily preserve and encourage people to visit how to create a prosperous countryside coloured), but these were replaced by and enjoy. The farmers produce mainly that will maintain all of the Chilterns free plain or stained glass during the church’s food, the forester timber, and they both of charge. Victorian restoration.

36 Chiltern 225 2018 Online Photo Exhibition Exhibit your best photos online! The exhibition will be held on the Chiltern Society PhotoGroup website from 1 January to 31 December 2018. There are no prizes, but it’s a wonderful opportunity for Society members to display their photos of the Chilterns and other parts of the UK. There are five categories –Buildings, Flora & Fauna, Heritage, Landscape and Other

Buildings Flora & Fauna Hgeerita A Hannaford P Davis D Lawson

Landscape Other C Howe P Wood How to enter l Entrants must be members of the l Each image must be a high l Submissions should include Chiltern Society resolution digital file of not more the entrant’s name and email l Photographs must be taken in the than 6 megabytes address, and be sent via email to Chilterns or elsewhere in the UK l Each photograph must have a unique [email protected]. l Each entrant may submit a file name: your initials followed by uk. Captions should be sent to maximum of 12 photographs, a unique number starting at 1, the [email protected]. with not more than 5 in any one photo location and a letter (B, F, H, category L, O) to indicate the category. For example: AB 1 Tring B.

See www.chilternphoto.org.uk for the complete rules

www.chilternsociety.org.uk 37 OBITUARY Geoffrey Legge Merrin Molesworth remembers a colleague and friend

It was Planning where Geoffrey made his greatest contribution to the Chiltern Society. It’s people like him who ‘make’ the organisation by giving hours of their time. I’ve worked for Planning since the early 1990s. When Geoffrey took over he inherited a garage full of documents, but soon had them sorted out. He reorganised the Planning Field Officers (PFOs), forming a particularly productive partnership when Mark Januszewski became Planning Secretary. Geoffrey and I became friends and took meals at each other’s houses. I was always jealous that his hair never went grey or fell out!

Eventually Geoffrey was appointed member, if not the Planning Advisor. As PFO for Aylesbury founder, of the Vale North he worked with Charles Beacon Art Group Firth, who, when Geoffrey’s eyesight and continued was failing, drove him to meetings to attend their and helped him with reading, as did meetings even after Tracey Read from the Society office. his poor eyesight He was respected for his knowledge of prevented him planning and his ability to draw on the from painting. He initiated a Society art Tracey Read and Linda Rush, who know-how of other Society experts, exhibition at Aylesbury under our then visited him at Hulcott Nursing Home. such as Geoff Larminie and Barbara Chairman, Robin Rowland. Geoffrey was Linda also arranged for the audio Wallis, on controversial or complicated also involved in a number of activities in books which gave him pleasure and planning matters. His opinion was sought Ivinghoe village and the community, and the mental stimulation he still needed. by Aylesbury Vale District Council, walked in the Chilterns countryside with Because of Geoffrey the Chilterns is especially on the redevelopment of the his dog. a better place. Pitstone quarries. Geoffrey wasn’t afraid His contribution to the Society was Merrin is a Chiltern Society to speak out and did so eloquently, but fully recognised in 2006 when he was trustee and worked as a volunteer always objectively and knowledgeably. made a Vice President. with Geoffrey for many years. These He painted beautifully. One year his Towards the end of his life, Geoffrey’s reminiscences were drawn from watercolours featured on the Society’s typically uncomplaining fortitude was the tribute she paid at his memorial Christmas cards. He was an active evident to his old Society friends like service. cholesbury tree fellers local family business established 30 years for these locally sourced products chesham based Chiltern Rapeseed Oil • Buckinghamshire Ice Cream • all aspects of tree surgery undertaken • • woodchips supplied • Chiltern Natural Foods • Chiltern Ridge Apple Juice • contractor to local authority • Local Free Range Eggs Buckinghamshire Honey mulch supplied, ideal for water retention • Gem’s Dry Skin Cream tel: and01494 weed suppressor 771180 mob: 07939 135056

38 Chiltern 225 Manufacturers & Suppliers of Quality Fencing & Garden Buildings to the Trade & DIY Window and door repairs Fence Panels & Posts Closeboard Failed double glazed units, window and door Trellis & Palisade locks, hinges and hardware. Concrete Posts Why replace your doors or windows? We can Entrance & Side Gates repair them. Free estimates, no minimum Decking & Sleepers Field Fencing order, speedy and affordable. Chainlink Sheds & Garden Don’t replace it! Repair it! Buildings Friendly Advice 01296 623139 Large Stocks Delivery Service Aston Hill, Aston Clinton, HP23 6LD Call Jon on 07935 826312 www.cheshamfencing.co.uk Simons Glazing . E-mail [email protected]

Boiler installation General heating maintenance Servicing

Oakleigh Heating is offering 10 years warranty on parts of the Worcester and Vaillant boiler range

Call today for a free quote Watford Ad Nov16.qxp_Layout 1 28/10/2016 10:07 Page 1 [email protected]

01296 291588 / 07903 119950 REGISTER 549089

Oil deliveries for home, industry & agriculture...

RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS • NEW HOUSES EXTENSIONS • BARN & FARM CONVERSIONS PROJECT MANAGEMENT

For a fast,efficient & friendly service Budget Payment Scheme Deliveries from 500 Litres ISO 9001 Certificate No.4521 Wide range of Lubricants in stock Suppliers of Bunded Tanks on request Established over 35 years Most Major Credit Cards Accepted

BARTON PETROLEUM LIMITED 3 Greycaine Road, off Bushey Mill Lane Watford, Herts WD24 7GP 30 High Street, Wendover, Bucks HP22 6EA [email protected] 07971 294880 [email protected] Tel: 01923 233171 email: [email protected] 39 YOU MUST PreSenT YOUr VALID MeMBerSHIP CArD TO TAKe ADVAnTAGe OF THeSe OFFerS. Member The membership card is not transferable. Members who pay an annual subscription to the Chiltern Society will receive their new cards when they renew their membership. For latest information on discounts offers please check our website: www.chilternsociety.org.uk. Chiltern Open Air Museum every full-paying adult. Not available on Chiltern society sites special events days and Xmas trains in Dec. newland Park, Gorelands Lane, l Single members get one free adult entry See website for details. A wonderful example Chalfont St Giles, Bucks HP8 4AB l Family members get free entry for two of low speed rail, ambling between the houses www.coam.org.uk 01494 871117 adults and up to three children under 18. and out onto the Greensand Ridge, with great Two tickets for the price of one. Open daily views of the Chilterns. ewelme Watercress Beds 10am-5pm, 1 Apr-26 Oct. (Closing at 4pm High St, ewelme, Oxon OX10 6HQ in Oct). Excludes Bank Holiday Mondays, Pitstone Green Museum Halloween Spectacular and Enchanted Historic watercress beds and local nature Vicarage road, Pitstone, Bucks LU7 9eY Museum. Not to be used in conjunction with reserve. Open Days 2-5pm on the first Sunday www.pitstonemuseum.co.uk 01582 605464 any other offer. Offer valid on full price adult of each month May-Sept. Guided walks are held or child admission prices (cheapest goes free). One child ticket free with two full-paying on the first Sunday of each month Oct-Apr. adults (one per family). Open 11am-5pm, 28 Start 10.30am. Chinnor & Princes Aug, 10 Sept, 8 Oct. Lacey Green Windmill risborough railway river & rowing Museum Lacey Green, Bucks HP27 0PG Chinnor Station, Station road, Mill Meadows, Henley-on-Thames, www.laceygreenwindmill.org.uk Chinnor, Oxon OX39 4er Berks rG9 1BF The oldest surviving smock mill in the UK. www.chinnorrailway.co.uk 07979 055366 www.rrm.co.uk 01491 415600 Open 2-5pm from 2 Apr-24 Sept on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays. Adult: £2.50; See website for events and timetables. Two adult tickets for the price of one. Open Child: £1. Free to Chiltern Society Members. Two adult tickets for the price of one on daily, 10am-5pm. Three galleries dedicated to presentation of valid membership card. Offer rowing, rivers and the history of Henley, plus valid until 29 Oct, excluding special events in Wind in the Willows exhibition. Contemporary other sites and July and Santa trains. art and photography exhibitions, and calendar of nature trails, craft workshops and family days. attractions Didcot railway Centre Amersham Museum Didcot, Oxon OX11 7nJ Stonor 49 High St, Amersham, Bucks HP7 0DP www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk Stonor Park, Henley-on-Thames, www.amershammuseum.org 01494 723700 01235 817200 Oxon rG9 6HF www.stonor.com 01491 638587 Two adult tickets for the price of one. Free Two tickets for the price of one on presentation entry for children. Please check website for of a valid Chiltern Society membership card. One of England’s oldest manor houses – 850 further information. Not valid for ‘Day Out with Thomas’ events or years of family history. Two adult tickets for Gala events advertised on our website. See the the price of one. Open Suns from 2 Apr-24 Bekonscot Model Village website for more information and opening times. Sept & Bank Holiday Mons. Also Weds, Thurs Beaconsfield, Bucks HP9 2PL and Sats in Aug. House open 1.30-5.30pm, last www.bekonscot.com 01494 672919 Ford end Watermill entry 4.30pm. Gardens, chapel & pantry open ‘The world’s oldest model village’. One child 12-5.30pm. Gift shop 1.30-5.30pm. Offer not Ivinghoe, Bucks LU7 9eA ticket free with two full paying adults (one applicable on any events. www.fordendwatermill.co.uk 01442 825421 per family) – a saving of £6. Valid 11 Feb to Buckinghamshire’s only working watermill with 29 Oct. (Not to be used in conjunction with The roald Dahl Museum original machinery – milling demonstrations. concessionary prices). Free entry for Society members. See website & Story Centre British Schools Museum for next Open Afternoons. 81-83 High Street, Great Missenden, Bucks HP16 0AL 41/42 Queen St, Hitchin, Herts SG4 9TS www.roalddahl.com/museum 01494 892192 www.britishschoolsmuseum.org.uk Frogmore Paper Mill 01462 420144 & Visitor Centre Two tickets for the price of one (cheapest goes free). Award-winning museum for 6-12 The museum where learning comes to life. Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP3 9rY year-olds and their families. Two fun and fact- One free adult or child ticket when you buy a www.thepapertrail.org.uk 01442 234600 packed biographical galleries, fantabulous full price adult ticket 17 Feb-27 Nov, excluding Open for ‘drop-in’ visits and pre-booked interactive Story Centre. Not to be used in special events/activity days. groups every Thursday and 1st Sunday of the conjunction with any other offer. Not valid Buckinghamshire railway month. Two adult tickets for the price of one. for workshops. See website for full terms and Centre Leighton Buzzard railway conditions. Quainton, near Aylesbury HP22 4BY Page’s Park Station, Billington road, Wendover Woods www.bucksrailcentre.org 01296 655720 Leighton Buzzard, Beds LU7 4Tn The Forestry Commission offer CS members Two adult tickets for the price of one. Valid to www.buzzrail.co.uk 01525 373888 a free parking voucher (see opposite). Please 31/10/17 (excludes ‘Day out with Thomas’ events). One free adult, senior or child ticket with cut it out and display it on your windscreen. Members can also buy a Wendover Woods Discovery Pass for £33 (normal price £42), giving a year’s free parking plus other vouCHer Free PArKiNg benefits. Details from www.forestry.gov. uk/pass, tel. 0300 067 4160, or Forestry At Wendover Woods Commission Office, Upper Icknield Way, Aston date this voucher & display clearly in your vehicle windscreen. Clinton HP22 5NF. Wycombe Museum Priory Avenue, High Wycombe, Bucks HP13 6PX www.wycombemuseum.org.uk Facebook.com/museum 01494 957210 / /2017 Social history museum, with nine interactive Not valid unless dated. Not valid during school holidays. Valid for one use only. galleries and beautiful gardens. One free hot

! drink with the purchase of a cake or traybake

40 Chiltern 225

on production of a valid CS membership card. The Chequers Dees of Amersham Valid for card holder and up to three guests. 171 Sharpenhoe Road, Streatley, 39 Hill Avenue, Amersham, Bucks HP6 5BX Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 10am-5pm, Fri Beds LU3 3PS www.deescycles.com 01494 727165 10am-4.30pm, Sat 11am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm. Last Thurs of every month 10am-9.30pm. The 01582 882072 10% discount on all goods and cycles up to Museum is open on some Bank Holidays. Pease Local pub near Sharpenhoe Clappers, £2,200 inc. VAT. Over £2,200, 12% discount. check the website for information on upcoming ideal for walking in the north Chilterns. Not applicable to sale items, but discount will Bank Holidays. Complimentary dessert and coffee with all be made up to 10/12% if sale reduction is less. main course meals. Discount applies to parts fitted but not to labour on repairs. Priority repairs for CS members. The Ivy House Fox’s Outdoor London Road, Chalfont St Giles, Theatre and dining Bucks HP8 4RS London Road, Amersham, Bucks HP7 OHE Café in the Woods www.ivyhousechalfontstgiles.co.uk www.foxsoutdoor.co.uk 01494 431431 01494 872184 15% off goods in store and online – quote Wendover Woods, Bucks discount code CS-01 (online orders only) or www.cafeinthewoods.co.uk 01296 620294 10% off total bill when you show your CS membership card. present your valid membership card in store. This Discount of 10% to Chiltern Society members offer does not apply to sale or discounted lines. on production of their membership card. Rowan Garden Centre Cinnamon Square NEW! Retail Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles, 9 Church St, Rickmansworth, Herts WD3 1BX Bucks HP8 4AB www.cinnamonsquare.com Auberge du Chocolat www.rowangardencentre.co.uk 01923 778353 28 Chess Business Park, Moor Rd, 01494 872335 Chesham HP5 1SD 10% discount to Chiltern Society members Independent garden centre with a large www.aubergechocolat.co.uk when eating in the Bakery Café. selection of plants. Knowledgeable staff to 01494 774179 help you choose. Delightful rural views from Hartwell House and Spa 10% off award winning, fairtrade chocolate the Rowan Café. 10% off outdoor plants. Free bars and chocolate models from Auberge refill of tea or coffee in the café. Excludes Oxford Rd, Aylesbury, Bucks HP17 8NR du Chocolat, including pre-personalisation other offers. Dog friendly. Check website for www.hartwell-house.com 01296 747444 (in store only, when you show your CS opening hours and directions. Magnificent stately home, just 2 miles from the membership card). town, within the Vale of Aylesbury and set in The Mediterranean Nursery 90 acres of parkland. Enjoy a 10% discount on Buckingham Garden Centre Flaunden Lane, Bovingdon, Herts HP3 0RL all lunches and dinners, excluding drinks. (Offer Tingewick Rd, Buckingham MK18 4AE 01442 832482 does not apply to Sat dinner and Sun lunch). www.buckinghamgardencentre.co.uk Please quote ‘Chiltern Society offer’ when Open 10am-4pm every day except 01280 822133 booking. Wednesday. CS members receive 10% off all Independent garden centre offering a wide plants and . Drinks and home-made range of bare root hedging, trees and fruit cakes available at our café. Dog friendly. The Black Horse Inn plus a superb selection of container-grown The Vale, Chesham, Bucks HP5 3NS stock. Large garden shop and excellent Tring Market Auctions www.theblackhorsechesham.co.uk restaurant/coffee shop. Dog friendly and fully Brook Street, Tring, Herts HP23 5EF 01494 784656 accessible to wheelchair users. Mail order www.tringmarketauctions.co.uk Your classic country pub! Traditional, hearty available. 10% discount on all outdoor plants 01442 826446 and wholesome pub food, great ales. Pies a collected until end Dec 2017. Specialist Fine Art sales, 20th Century Arts speciality. Discount of 10% on all food and & Decorative sales, regular general sales. drink purchased at the pub, on production of Cotswold Outdoor One year’s free subscription for CS members valid CS membership card. www.cotswoldoutdoor.com to Fine Art & 20th Century sale catalogues 01666 575500 mailed to your home. Please phone or email The Black Horse Pub Cotswold Outdoor provides the widest [email protected] quoting your & Eating House range of outdoor clothing and equipment membership number, name & address. Visit Aylesbury Road, Great Missenden, from leading brands such as The North website for auction calendar. Bucks HP16 9AX Face, Berghaus and Rab. Receive 15% www.theblackhorsegreatmissenden.com discount* by presenting your Society 01494 862537 membership card in store, or online using the discount code – please call the Society Tastefully refurbished traditional pub, on 01494 771250 for the promotional located on CS maps 8 & 12. Dog, child and code. muddy boots-friendly. Large gardens, secure children’s play area, five-a-side football pitch, *Full terms and conditions apply. Not to two good-sized car parks, field for events and be used in conjunction with any other hot air balloon flights. CS members get 10% offer or discount. Selected lines are off food Mon-Fri (lunch and dinner). exempt. For personal purchases only. Your holiday Not to be shared with third parties or booking can The Chequers used against business purchases. Offer expires 31/12/17. Cotswold Outdoor – Berrick Salome, Wallingford, Oxon OX10 6JN help us! stores nationwide. www.chequersberricksalome.co.uk We’re delighted to announce that, 01865 891118 for every walking holiday booked A beautiful brick and flint country dining Cycle Care with ramblers Worldwide Holidays pub in a delightful, peaceful village. Seasonal 225 Desborough Road, High Wycombe, (www.ramblersholidays.co.uk/home), and fresh Michelin-recommended food with Bucks HP11 2QW the Society will receive a small donation lunchtime offers. Family, dog and horse- www.cyclecare.co.uk 01494 447908 to assist in the promotion of walking friendly, with enclosed children’s play area and 10% discount on bikes/clothing/accessories/ in the Chilterns. Please remember to good-sized car park. (Closed all day Tues). CS energy food and drinks – basically 10% off nominate the Chiltern Society when members will receive a 10% discount on food everything except for Garmin and GoPro making your booking. orders. products. Please use our own free car park! www.chilternsociety.org.uk 41 SUNDAY Walks start at 10.00am, unless stated. SOCIETY WALKS Usually about 5 or 6 miles, allow 2.5 hours. WEEKDAY Walks start at 10.30am. About 5 miles, allow 2.5 hours. These walks are open to all members. Non-members are welcome to NB. Variations from this will be indicated in the walk description. join us as guests for two or three walks, though if you walk with the ENQUIRIES regarding the walks should be directed to: 1) Walk leader where telephone number is given, or group regularly you will be expected to join the Chiltern Society to 2) Paul Weller 01628 486328 support our work in caring for the Chilterns. CS = CHILTERN SOCIETY MAP NO.

SEPTEMBER O/S GRID REF OCTOBER O/S GRID REF Sun 3 Meet at The Five Horseshoes Pub, Upper Explorer 171 Wed 4 Meet at The King William IV pub at Hailey OX10 Explorer 171 Maidensgrove RG9 6EX for a hilly walk with great GR 711890 6AD. A 6 mile walk with some long, but mostly GR 642859 views (weather permitting). Dogs welcome. CS Map 9 gentle, ascents and descents. Only one stile. A CS Map 15 Please only park in the pub car park if you have Oxon highlight is an impressive section of Grims Ditch Oxon booked for lunch. Plenty of parking space along on The Ridgeway National Trail. Please park in the the edge of Maidensgrove Common. pub’s overflow car park and patronise the pub. Maggie Templeman 01491 637942/07831 878679 Bob Parry 01189 620405 Wed 6 Meet at The Royal Oak car park, Frieth Rd, Explorer 172 Sun 8 Meet at Stokenchurch village car park by The Landranger Bovingdon Green, Marlow SL7 2JF. If staying GR 835870 Kings Hotel, HP14 3TA. A 5.5 mile walk starting 165 for lunch please arrive early to pre-order. A 6 CS Map 1 along The Chiltern Way and the Stokenchurch GR 761963 mile walk with some lovely views across rolling Bucks Valley, returning via the Radnage Valley, Sunley CS Map 14 countryside. We’ll follow the Marlow Common Wood and High Wood. A few short climbs Bucks ridge, then go down to Munday Dean Lane in the totalling 700 ft. Five good stiles. valley and up to Copy Farm, returning to explore Mike Fox 01844 344356 ([email protected]) Marlow Common. A very undulating route, with Wed 11 Meet at The Plough, Belsize (near Sarratt) WD3 Explorer one stile if farmer’s gate locked. 4NP for a relatively flat and stile-free scenic walk 172/182 Mary Nash 07982 246667 of 5.25 miles on woodland and farmland tracks, CS Maps Sun 10 Meet at the Café in the Park, Rickmansworth Explorer 172 taking in Chipperfield Common and Sarratt 5, 28 Aquadrome, Frogmoor Lane, Rickmansworth GR 055938 village. Use pub car park if lunching, otherwise Herts WD3 1NB. Park in Aquadrome car park. A stile- CS Maps limited roadside parking. free 6.2 mile walk through the Colne Valley on 22, 28 Paul Cooke 07901 516342 good surfaces, with one climb through Old Park Herts Sun 15 Meet in the car park on the Common by Explorer Wood. Total of 230 ft of ascent. Chipperfield Church WD4 9BS (plenty of parking 172/182 Frank Auton 07785 276095 nearby if full) for a 5.8 mile walk to Sarratt and GR 043016 Wed 13 Park in Bradenham NT car park for a 6.2 mile Explorer 172 the Chess Valley. Walk no. 27 in the 50 Great CS Maps walk. Turn off the A4010 into Bradenham Wood GR 828970 Walks book. Some road walking. Three stiles and 5, 28 Lane to Bradenham. Turn 1st right onto dirt track CS Map 7 one short, steep climb. Herts st (Rectory Lane), then 1 left to NT car park. The Bucks John Lavender 07546 245847 walk heads to Saunderton Lee and Loosley Row. Meet in the car park behind The Lions Of Bledlow, A mixture of woods, fields and views, with a brief Wed 18 Explorer 181 Church End, Bledlow HP27 9PE. A 5 mile easy GR 776020 stop to observe amusing trivia. There are some walk on good paths, with fantastic views from CS Map 7 steep ascents and descents, so unsuitable for less Bucks able walkers. May contain stiles! Lodge Hill. Two short climbs and a few stiles. Lunch is available at the pub afterwards, but David Lawrence 01296 482313/07950 088213 please contact them in advance to book (01844 Sun 17 Meet by the public car park beside The Kings Landranger 343345) and say you’re with the walking group. Hotel, Stokenchurch HP14 3TA. A hilly 6 mile 165 Andrew Clark 01494 783035 GR 761963 circular walk via Radnage and Sprig’s Alley. (Mobile on the day only 07935 875403) Richard Boas 01628 527978 (Mobile on the day CS Map 14 07549 883962) Bucks Sun 22 Meet at Fingest church RG9 6QD for a walk of Explorer 171 6-7miles via Ibstone, Turville Heath and Turville. GR 777911 Wed 20 Meet in Crowell village car park, on the right Explorer 171 Possibility of coffee at the walkers/cyclists barn. CS Map 11 of the B4009 just before the right turn into GR 743997 Please only park in The Chequers car park if Bucks CS Map 14 the village and The Shepherds Crook pub, if booked to lunch there. Otherwise use the lane Oxon approaching from M40 (nearest postcode OX39 beside the church. 4RR). This 6 mile walk includes Crowell Hill, Deidre Philpott 01628 483700 Crowell and Kingston Woods, Aston Hill and The Ridgeway. No stiles, but some mud likely. Lunch is Wed 25 Meet at the large NT car park situated on Explorer 181 available if required at The Shepherds Crook. the minor road west of Ringshall (signposted GR 982143 Peter Hetherington 07767 647714 Marsworth/Ivinghoe from the B4506), nearest CS Map 19 postcode HP4 1NE. A 5 mile walk which Herts Meet in the car park on Chipperfield Common, Sun 24 Explorer 182 progresses through the beautiful Ashridge Estate WD4 9BL, off Bucks Hill Road. A 5 mile walk in the GR 044015 to the Bridgewater Monument. From there we’ll surrounding area. No stiles and only small hills. If CS Map 5 drop down to the outskirts of Aldbury, before required, lunch is available at The Two Brewers. Herts returning to the start via open country above John Rowe 01442 862619/07816 654982 Beacon Rd. One steep descent, two brief ascents Wed 27 Meet at The Red Lion pub (not shown on some Explorer 172 – one fairly steep, one more gentle. No stiles. OS maps), on the B474 Penn Road, Knotty Green, GR 933924 Stephen Groves 01494 684880/07843 381971 Beaconsfield HP9 2TN. (Note: do not confuse this CS Maps This walk starts at 11am. Meet at The Valiant with The Red Lion in Penn). Use the small pub 13, 6 Sun 29 Explorer 181 Trooper pub, Aldbury, nr Tring HP23 3RW for a GR 964122 car park only if lunching there, otherwise park in Bucks walk along The Ridgeway to Ivinghoe Beacon and CS Map 19 Forty Green Road alongside the cricket ground. A back, skirting the Ashridge Estate. About 8 miles, Herts 5.5 mile walk through woods and farmland to the with a couple of steep slopes. Magnificent views. edge of Seer Green, no stiles or serious hills. Bring packed lunch or snack. Dogs welcome. David Vick 01494 673875 John Briggs 07742 918642 OCTOBER NOVEMBER Sun 1 Meet in the car park to the right of The Royal Explorer 172 Meet at Cookley Green by the bus shelter, nearest Standard at Wooburn Green HP10 0JS. A 6 mile GR 923876 Wed 1 Landranger walk through open countryside and woodland, CS Map 13 postcode RG9 6EL. A 6 mile hilly walk with great 175 encompassing Egypt Woods and Burnham Bucks views of the escarpment. Walking via Coates Lane GR 696902 Beeches, returning across fields via Littleworth and back via Watlington Park, Pishill and Russell’s CS Map 9 Common and Burgess Hill. No significant Water. Oxon climbing. Stephen Fox 01491 681646 Sue Brown 07815 310552 (Mobile on the day 07816 289503)

42 Chiltern 225 All participants join the walks at their own risk and must ensure that they are adequately equipped with appropriate clothing and footwear, fit enough to undertake the walk, and follow any advice and instructions issued by the Walk Leaders. Participants are also advised to carry their own first aid kit and water. Walk Leaders have the authority to refuse participants who, in their opinion, are inadequately equipped or unfit to undertake the walk. To avoid disappointment, please contact the Walk Leader in advance if you are unsure of the suitability of the walk. NOVEMBER O/S GRID REF JOIN US Sun 5 Meet at Cadmore End in the lane opposite the Landranger school, where parking is available on the grass 175 and get all this… verge. A 6 mile walk to Ibstone church, passing GR 784926 l A free Chiltern Society footpath map of your choice through Fingest and Turville. There’s a variety of CS Map 11 woodland and open countryside with good views. Bucks l Chiltern magazine, exclusive to members, packed with great Hilly walk, with three stiles. features, news and views, delivered to your door four times a Sue Brinn 01628 483639 year Wed 8 Meet at The Red Lion, Dagnall HP4 1QZ. Park in Landranger l Fantastic offers at over 30 visitor attractions, pubs, cafes and the car park at back of pub if staying for lunch. 165 shops A 6 mile walk up to Beacon Hill via Gallows Hill, GR 990164 l A selection of walking and cycling maps allowing you to then along The Ridgeway to Crawley Wood and CS Map 19 Duncombe Terrace, before returning to Dagnall. Herts discover the beauty of the Chilterns Good views on a clear day. Beacon Hill is a steady l Early access to our exciting events programme and special climb, but not steep. member discounts David Betterton (Mobile on the day l The satisfaction that comes from knowing you are helping to 07899 798840) conserve and care for the Chilterns. Sun 12 Meet in car park at front of Chesham Station Explorer 181 HP5 1DA. An easy 5 mile walk via Blind Lane and GR 961016 To join, call us on 01494 771250, visit our website www. Herbert’s Hole. No stiles. CS Map 8 chilternsociety.org.uk, or come to see us during office hours at Bob Fish 01494 774145 Bucks the White Hill Centre, Chesham – address on p 4. Wed 15 Meet in the public car park on Link Rd, Great Landranger Missenden HP16 9AE. An interesting walk in 165 the hills and valleys around Great Missenden, GR 895015 Reporting path problems including one of the best examples of a chalk rock CS Map 12 outcrop and the source of the . Bucks In normal circumstances please report any path problem to our Ray Payne 07554 402789 Rights of Way Group Area Secretary covering the parish, who will then either take remedial action or prompt the appropriate Sun 19 Meet alongside the Common in Southend RG9 Explorer 171 Highway Authority to do it. Information about the Area 6JQ. An undulating walk of about 6 miles, taking GR 752898 Secretaries is shown on the Society’s website. in Stonor Park and Pishill. A selection of both hills CS Maps and views is included! Dogs welcome. 2, 9 If however you come across something which you feel is a David Hanson 01494 675954/07754 588956 Bucks safety hazard needing to be handled with special urgency Wed 22 Meet at The Dashwood Arms, Piddington HP14 3BH Explorer 171 please make that known direct to the Highway Authority for a 6 mile hilly walk along Radnage Ridge and GR 808944 responsible for the location (their details are shown below). If through Beacons Bottom. A few stiles and likely CS Map 7 you do inform the Highway Authority direct, it would greatly to be muddy. Well-behaved dogs welcome. Please Bucks help if you also informed our Area Secretary. only park in the pub car park if you’re staying for Central Bedfordshire CC 0300 300 8308 lunch. There’s plenty of parking along the road. Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford SG17 5TQ Clive Knapman 01494 437791/07811 707918 Preferably report online: http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov. Sun 26 Park on edge of Ashridge Forest off Beacon Explorer 181 uk/leisure/countryside/rights-of-way/public.aspx, identifying Road, just WNW of Ringsall HP4 1NE. Walk GR 981143 the path number by use of the map on that site; otherwise by through forest towards, but not ascending, CS Map 19 email to [email protected]. Ivinghoe Beacon. Return via Coombe Wood. Herts Gruff Edwards 01442 267272 Luton BC 01582 510333 Fax: 01582 547177 Highway Maintenance, Luton Borough Council, Town Hall, Wed 29 Meet at The Three Horseshoes, Wycombe Road, Explorer 172 George Street, Luton LU1 2BQ Marlow SL7 3RA. Park in the pub car park if GR 856891 [email protected]. staying for lunch, otherwise park in the adjoining CS Map 1 Bucks road. This 5 mile walk goes through the beech Hertfordshire CC (excluding Dacorum) 01992 555279 woods and open countryside of the rolling south Rights of Way, County Hall, Pegs Lane, Hertford SG13 8DN Chiltern hills. The walk is undulating with stunning [email protected]. views. One stile and a couple of steep ascents and descents, but generally comfortable walking. Hertfordshire (Dacorum BC) 01442 228356 Lunch to be pre-ordered when arriving. Countryside Access Officer, Cupid Green Depot, Mary Nash 07982 246667 Redbourn Rd, Hemel Hempstead HP2 7BA DECEMBER [email protected]. Sun 3 Meet at The Rainbow, Middle Assendon RG9 Landranger Buckinghamshire CC 0845 230 2882 6AU. A very hilly walk with spectacular views 175 Rights of Way (Operations), County Hall, across the Stonor Valley, before dropping sharply GR 739857 Walton St. Aylesbury HP20 lUY down into the village of Stonor, continuing up CS Map 2 but if at all possible online at: to Maidensgrove, through the Warburg Nature Oxon transportforbucks.net/report-it-prow.aspx Reserve and returning to Middle Assendon on The Oxfordshire Way. Plenty of parking in Middle Oxfordshire CC Assendon and traditional Sunday lunch available Path and bridleway problems should be reported using the at The Rainbow (please book in advance on online interactive reporting system: 01491 574879). Dogs welcome on the walk and in http://publicapps.oxfordshire.gov.uk/content/publicnet/ the pub. council_services/environment_planning/countryside/Map/ Maggie Templeman 07831 878679 ROW/row.html, or use the quick link: www.tinyurl.com/ Wed 6 Christmas walk and lunch, gsbpw4y. information available in October. General Rights of Way enquiries 01865 810226

email: [email protected] 43 CARE FEES PLANNING

A compassionate approach to Care Fees Planning

We all face many nancial problems during our lives but the prospect of paying for care, whether for ourselves or our loved ones, has the potential to diminish nances like almost nothing else. Paying for care is an open-ended nancial commitment – no one has any idea at the outset for how long care will be needed. If you are in this situation, it is more important than ever to make sure that you take advice by discussing your circumstances with an expert who understands the issue in its entirety. ”Paying for care can be costly, complex and emotional. We bring experience (a lot of it), simple solutions, and a high level of support.”

Rosebank Care Fees Planning is a very experienced care fees planning team and we will do everything in our power to help Whether you are planning you to understand your options, protect your capital, and achieve your own care arrangements the best possible care for you or your loved ones. or helping out a loved one, we’re here to help. Considered and clear guidance • Achieve the best possible care from quali ed experts • Protect your capital We always ensure that our advice ts your needs. • Show you the options available 1. Firstly, we’ll make sure we fully understand your situation. • Offer friendly, expert advice

2. We’ll check to see whether you need to pay for care To nd out more, simply call us on (not everyone does by any means). 3. We’ll check that you are receiving ALL of the State Bene ts to which you are entitled. 01442 861662 [email protected] 4. We shall work out exactly what your care funding problem is. www.rosebankcarefees.co.uk 5. We shall help you to understand the WAYS OF PAYING FOR Caroline Grif ths – Principal CARE and help you to choose the option that works best for you. Chartered Financial Planner. Fellow of the Personal Finance Society. Member of the Society Paying for Care of Later Life Advisers and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. The good news is that there are not dozens of options to consider – just a handful. The only problem is that it is rarely the case that just one The Old Coach House, Rosebank, Gravel solution in isolation is right, and no one solution is right for everyone. Path, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire. HP4 2PF A key part of our role will therefore be to help you to decide Rosebank Care Fees Planning is a trading name of Rosebank Wealth which combination of solutions works best for you. Management which represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) Above all, we never forget that care fees planning can be for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s a dif cult time for all involved. Our team will always offer website at www.sjp.co.uk/products. Rosebank Care Fees Planning also offers introductions to other professionals (eg Solicitors) and other services friendly support when you or your loved ones need it most. not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

7746 Rosebank Advertorial_A4.indd 1 15/04/2015 10:55