ISSUE 227 • SPRING 2018

www.chilternsociety.org.uk • CHILTERN SOCIETY MAGAZINE

Power of partnership on The Oxfordshire Way Revealing Little Missenden Doom Amersham bluebell walk

HERITAGE • CONSERVATION • ENVIRONMENT • WILDLIFE • LEISURE ISSUE 227 • SPRING 2018 www.chilternsociety.org.uk • CHILTERN SOCIETY MAGAZINE In this

Power of partnership on The Oxfordshire Way Revealing Little Missenden Doom Amersham bluebell walk HERITAGE • CONSERVATION • ENVIRONMENT • WILDLIFE • LEISURE Reed warbler at Stocker’s Lake, Rickmansworth issue Photo: Cliff Buckton

News & views 10 3 Editor 4 FROM THE CHAIRMAN events & activities 5 CHilterns heritage festival 6 so CIETY NEWS SCPMV Facilitator retires, new Ranger recruited, award for volunteer

7 volUNTEERING – UNSUNG HEROES

16 into africa Bob Stuart visits Workaid in Chesham

17 HS2 UPDATE

24 NEW S IN BRIEF Hanging Basket workshop Including Chilterns Walking Festival and Society Food & Drink Awards 12 25 LETTERS Heritage an ashridge 12 AN ASHRIDGE AMBLE amble John Hockey goes walkabout at Little Gaddesden

14 rEVEALING THE DOOM Little Missenden church reveals its hidden secrets

32 lACEY GREEN WINDMILL

35 CHiltern open air museum WWI Nissen hut in preparation

Special 38 WYC OMBE’S FINEST MEMBER Donald Stanley focuses on offers RGS High Wycombe see page 40 ENVIRONMENT

30 tHE CHANGING FACE OF FARMING

33 WHO NEEDS GRASS? Alison Beck welcomes the orchid squad

36 sigNS OF THE TIMES Our countryside offers many clues to its past, writes Tony Marshall 34 Good Action required

news for New Government Data Protection Misbourne Regulations require you to confirm how you wish to hear from us. water voles Please visit our website chilternsociety.org.uk/data-protection or return the enclosed, pre-paid form. If we don’t hear from you, you may not receive important information or news from us.

2 Chiltern 227 Open country From the Editor Richard Bradbury

In my late twenties I broke my leg playing football and spent 14 weeks in plaster. For ten of them my leg was encased from toe to thigh, which restricted my movement somewhat! I became very adept at using crutches, but even so it gave me a little insight into the difficulties faced by people who have longer-term or possibly permanent mobility problems. Conservation Perhaps because I could see an end to my predicament once the injury had healed and I’d had 8 loNG LIVE THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY some physiotherapy, I was quite happy for friends and family to fuss over me – in fact I quite Volunteers help rare butterfly at enjoyed all the attention – but I can imagine that for many of those with chronic conditions, Prestwood LNR any limits on their independence must be 9 500 and counting hugely frustrating and help, however well The latest on Donate-a-Gate meaning, not necessarily welcome.

26 tHE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP Improving access on The It appears that 21st century attitudes and Oxfordshire Way policies towards disability matters, although far from perfect, are more enlightened. 34 looKING FORWARD AT EWELME Considerable efforts have been made to make buildings, public spaces and transport WILDLIFE more accessible; through events like the Blind walker negotiating a stile (Howard Dell) 34 good NEWS FOR MISBOURNE Paralympics, people with disabilities now WATER VOLES have a much higher profile and command funding is in place, and all the planning and Wendy Tobitt reports greater respect; and employment administration connected with sending out a opportunities have increased. We can only work party has been done. Leisure hope that the trend continues. On page 9 Stuart Gulliman updates us The Chiltern Society has its own relatively on the phenomenon that is our Donate- 10 soCIETY EVENTS & ACTIVITIES small but nonetheless significant part a-Gate scheme, while on page 26 Maggie Spring 2018 to play in this process. I remember that Templeman tells us about the progress 18 AMERSHAM BLUEBELL WALK when I helped to organise 25 mile-long the South Chilterns Path Maintenance 20 A WARM WELCOME WHATEVER challenge walks in the Chilterns in the Volunteers (SCPMV) have been making on THE WEATHER 1990s, a participant calculated that there The Oxfordshire Way. You’ll also discover Pete Bradshaw seeks new recruits for were over 70 stiles on one of our routes! I how positively these initiatives are regarded the Cycle Group wonder how many she’d find on the same by both a landowner and a local authority 22 tAKE YOUR PIC! route today. So much good work has professional. In addition, there are tributes There’s lots to see on the PhotoGroup’s been carried out by our volunteers over to two SCPMV volunteers who’ve played website, writes Barry Hunt the years, and we’re justifiably proud of key roles in maintaining the momentum in 23 PUZZLE PICTURE what’s been achieved. Both Chiltern 226 this area of the Society’s work: Howard Dell, 28 FOOD TOWN – BERKHAMSTED and this issue feature articles about the who’s just retired as the group’s Facilitator, Martin Pearson takes a widespread installation of gates in place and Alan Futter, Gate Instigator and Planner, gastronomic tour of stiles, thus increasing accessibility to whose efforts – particularly with regard to 31 rECIPE – SPRING LAMB WITH the countryside for a greater cross-section blind and partially sighted walkers – have HARISSA AND BEANS of the population; and we mustn’t forget resulted in an award in the New Year’s 40 Member offers that alongside gate installation goes path Honours list. 42 Walks programme maintenance and improvement, which helps I sometimes wonder how I’d cope if my to make walking safer and more pleasant for health prevented me from walking in my everyone. It’s not simply a case of turning favourite Chiltern locations. On the other up and doing the job, of course – that only hand, it’s encouraging to think that, with the

scan here for happens when negotiations with all the help of the Society, some people may have www.chilternsociety.org.uk interested parties have been completed, the the chance to enjoy them for the first time.

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 228 (JUNE 2018) produced by environmentally friendly processes. Items to the Editor by: Monday 26 March • Published: Saturday 26 May email: [email protected] 3 Mutual support pays dividends

The launch of the Kingwood Common Conservation Group From the Chairman David Harris (Photo: Colin Drake)

A significant feature of the last quarter was the progress we made on a number of collaborations with other organisations. All of these joint ventures have benefits not just for the Chilterns, but also for the Society, either through direct or indirect funding, or from the opportunities they give to our members and volunteers.

We have, with the Forestry Commission, and District Commons Conservators, has to our sites and conservation groups, applied for a substantial grant for a been working on Kingwood Common stepping in when temporary leadership new adventure playground in Wendover since the autumn. Last but not least, in is needed, and helping with practical Woods. Our new storage facility is now conjunction with the Wormsley Estate, work and logistics where necessary. established at our partner Lindengate’s we’ve been successful in gaining another She’ll also assist Gavin in other areas, site in Wendover. With our support, grant from The Trust for Oxfordshire’s such as outreach and management the Chilterns Conservation Board were Environment (TOE2) for a continuation plans. Fiona brings a wealth of successful in obtaining Heritage Lottery of the ‘Bring box back to the Chilterns’ experience in the field and has all the Funding for a project focused on hillforts project. necessary professional qualifications, so of the Chilterns. This project seeks In addition to the progress made we look forward to the positive impact to map and investigate our hillforts with our partnerships, I’m delighted she’ll have on our capabilities in the thoroughly, and will include, for the to welcome our very own Chiltern conservation arena. very first time, aerial mapping, followed Society Ranger! Fiona Bennett-Meere Finally, I must thank all our members by on-the-ground archaeology. Our is working three days a week, initially who kindly donated to the various new conservation group, the Kingwood on a year’s contract, supporting our appeals throughout 2017. A substantial Common Conservation Volunteers, Head of Conservation & Development, amount of money was raised to support created with the help of the Nettlebed Gavin Johnson. She’ll provide support our woodlands and chalk streams.

PATRON: Rt Hon The Earl Howe Head of conservation & development: Gavin Johnson PRESIDENT: Michael Rush head of marketing & Membership: Victoria Askew 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 Registered Charity number: 1085163 Company limited by guarantor number: 4138448 Share it with family, friends and work colleagues - before recycling!

4 Chiltern 227 www.chilternsociety.org.uk 5      

      

    

           

      

© 2018 The Chiltern Society. All rights reserved. Registered Charity no. 1085163. A company limited by guarantee registered in England & Wales registration no.4138448. White Hill Centre, White Hill, Chesham, Bucks, HP5 1AG Tel: 01494 771250 | Fax: 01494 793745 4 Chiltern 227 www.chilternsociety.org.uk 5 SOCIETY NEWS Howard Dell Our first Ranger! retires as SCPMV Introduced by Peter Brown It’s a clear indication of the expanding nature of the Chiltern Society’s Facilitator conservation and maintenance work that we’ve now appointed our first From Maggie Templeman Ranger to help and support our volunteer groups. Fiona Bennett-Meere is spending about three days a week with volunteers on our conservation sites and nature reserves, as well as helping those members who regularly work to maintain and improve woodland, ponds and wetlands in the Chilterns. She’s also assisting Gavin Johnson, our Head of Conservation and Development, with future projects. Fiona, who has experience in conservation work with both BBOWT (Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust) and with Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, is fully trained in site management Howard (far right) with fellow volunteers and safety techniques. She lives in the Howard joined the Chiltern Society in 2001 and, despite Chilterns and is regularly out walking in the Lewknor area with her husband living in Chalfont St Giles, he became Parish Path and her two dogs. Representative for Checkendon. In 2004 he became She said: ‘I hope to become involved with the surveying of our reserves an active member of the then recently-formed South from the spring onwards. It is important to ascertain what species are Chilterns Path Maintenance Volunteers (SCPMV). As the present and to review the work carried out, as surveying it is an invaluable group increased in size and complexity, Howard took on tool for creating management plans and fully understanding how a site has responsibility for photography, archiving and maintaining changed over time. I really enjoy living and working in the Chilterns, and look statistical data about the work completed, assuming the forward to meeting as many of the Society’s volunteers as I can and helping key role of Facilitator in 2009. them in their vital work to maintain and conserve this beautiful countryside.’

During the past seven years under Howard’s leadership, the SCPMV has become a formidable volunteer force working in the Oxfordshire Chilterns. In 2006, the group obtained funding for a gate installation programme and developed in a different way from the Central Chilterns PMV: gate projects are instigated by the Area Secretaries rather than the County Council. These projects have mainly been funded by The Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment (TOE2) – as described in Howard’s article ‘From stile to gate’ in the last issue of Chiltern. In 2011 the group won the Volunteer Award in Oxfordshire ‘For the biggest impact on the local environment’. The SCPMV have now installed 250 gates, cleared 130km Alan Futter of paths and spent in excess of 2,000 hours each year on all (centre) the background work and reporting to make these projects possible – much of which has fallen on Howard’s shoulders. High standards and quality – including aiming to achieve BEM for Society British Standards on gates and stiles – have been a trademark of Howard’s role. After a professional career with BBC volunteer television, he has used his experience to produce a high quality Many congratulations to Alan Futter of our South Chilterns Path pictorial record. This has been invaluable in achieving an Maintenance Volunteers (SCPMV) for being awarded the British Empire excellent standard of reporting, which has been a significant Medal in the New Year’s Honours, in recognition of his work on behalf of factor in securing funding from Oxfordshire County Council blind and partially sighted people. As well as completing more than 20 (OCC) and in particular TOE2. Presentations have been made years of volunteering with the Reading Association for the Blind, during to OCC’s Budget Committee. More recently Howard gave a which time he’s held several key posts in the organisation and regularly joint presentation on the SCPMV to the National Association of led country walks for the RAB’s blind rambling group, Alan is one of the Rights of Way Officers, which was scored as the most useful at SCPMV’s three Gate Instigators. In this capacity he’s been responsible for the conference. the replacement of 110 stiles with gates in the most southerly part of the Howard continues as a member of the SCPMV, where his Oxfordshire Chilterns, using his experience with blind walkers to help him skills are much valued. decide which routes will benefit them most if made stile-free.

6 Chiltern 227 email: [email protected] 7 volunteering Our first Ranger! Introduced by Peter Brown Hard at work! Peter Duxbury introduces some of the Society’s unsung heroes

Meet Ruth, a volunteer with our Heritage Group. She’s been co-ordinating a project with her colleagues, investigating the potential for Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in supporting the work of the Chiltern Society. They’ve been trialling this exciting technology to demonstrate its use for conservation, planning, heritage, mobile reporting by volunteers, and promotion of the Chilterns through maps. Watch this space for further developments in 2018.

Meet Matthew, our newest Group Leader, There was a good turnout for the from the recently launched Kingwood launch of the new Kingwood Common Common Conservation Volunteers (see Conservation Volunteers group on right). Matthew has had a rapid rise, straight 1 November. This work party was from running his own chain of estate supported by our new volunteers; agents, to joining the Chiltern Society, to South Chilterns Path Maintenance leading this Group – a perfect example of Volunteers; our sponsors Nettlebed transferable management and team building and District Commons Conservators, skills being used to good effect. An active and TOE2 (The Trust for Oxfordshire’s Chilterns champion in his own locality, he’s Environment) with funding from built a close partnership with the Nettlebed Grundon Waste Management Ltd. The and District Commons Conservators and Society was represented by Chairman other volunteers already working in the area. David Harris, Gavin Johnson our Head All this is helping to increase our overall of Conservation & Development, and presence west of Henley. myself as Volunteer Co-ordinator. Do come along and lend a hand with the You too can be an unsung hero! group’s future work parties – they’re held every two weeks on alternate Maggie Templeman’s article on page 26 and Howard Dell’s in Chiltern 226 on gate Mondays and Saturdays. The schedule planning and installation are a great demonstration of the breadth and depth of for our conservation work parties is our volunteering expertise. If you’d like to get involved with one of our three Path on the Society website under How Maintenance Volunteer groups, become a Rights of Way Area Secretary, Footpath Rep to Help>Volunteer. You’ll be very or Conservation Volunteer, please contact Peter Duxbury (tel. 07756 070382 or email: welcome at any of our groups. [email protected]). cholesbury tree fellers local family business established 30 years chesham based • all aspects of tree surgery undertaken • • woodchips supplied • • contractor to local authority • mulch supplied, ideal for water retention tel: and01494 weed suppr 771180essor mob: 07939 135056

6 Chiltern 227 email: [email protected] 7 Long live the Duke of Burgundy! chiltern SOCIETY sites

Photos: J Scafe (above) Colin Drake (below) A rare butterfly is benefitting from the Society’s work at Prestwood, reports Philip Pratt

The Chiltern Society took on the management of Prestwood Local Nature Reserve in late 2012. The land had been purchased by Wycombe District Council (WDC) in 1976, having previously been used by a business dealing in used cars and caravans. WDC had to remove 16 lorry loads of cars from the site before being able to rotovate and re-seed the lower part of the slope, in order to create a picnic area and nature reserve. It’s hard to imagine a local authority being able to undertake such a project today. We still stumble across hub caps, axles and various other car parts.

The presence of apple trees, clumps of It has taller grasses growing among that the pupils to undertake work such comfrey and the occasional gooseberry hawthorn, blackthorn and dogwood, as leaf identification and making field bush suggests that part of the site may with scabious, knapweed, marjoram and sketches. One of the delights of a sunny have been used as a smallholding at some bedstraws providing nectar and pollen summer day is to see butterflies. We time. There’s a belt of mixed deciduous for insects. When the Society took on the were particularly pleased when Butterfly trees on three sides of the four acre management of the reserve there was Conservation contacted us to see if we’d reserve, with the west-facing slope rising mainly dense, maturing scrub towards the be willing to be involved in a project approximately 25 metres from bottom to top of the slope at the eastern end. Over designed to assist the Duke of Burgundy top. The steepest part of the site, rising the last four or five years, volunteers have butterfly, which is already extinct in some from the car park, is the main area of chalk been nibbling away at it, creating scallops counties in the Southeast. Only nine grassland on underlying thin soil and is to provide sheltered areas to support a Duke of Burgundy colonies remain in the where most of the bee, pyramidal and greater variety of flora and fauna, and Chilterns, with 21 having been lost since the common spotted orchids are to be seen producing a more varied age and height 1980s. The remaining butterflies are living in June and July, followed by gentians in structure within the scrub. We also work in small, isolated colonies which could August and September. It also supports a to keep a mosaic of scrub, grasses and easily disappear. The project is designed great many cowslips, a sight worth seeing flowers for the benefit of visitors, non- to provide more suitable habitat for the in April, together with other species such human and human alike. The reserve has Duke – and other butterflies like the dingy as milkwort, eyebright and birdsfoot-trefoil. been grazed by sheep for a few weeks skipper and grizzled skipper, as well as the To the south of this area the soil is each winter. Chiltern gentian. Work is to be carried out probably deeper and more fertile. A local school has visited the site so at a number of sites across the Chilterns.

8 Chiltern 227 www.chilternsociety.org.uk 9 DONATE-A-GATE

The project enabled extensive work to be done on the site, including jobs requiring a chain saw that otherwise we 500 and counting probably wouldn’t have been able to do. The Chiltern Rangers were appointed Stuart Gulliman reflects on the success of as contractors for the work, creating sheltered glades within the mature this highly regarded scheme scrub and tree belt, and cutting scrub regrowth within areas of grassland. Three It’s now 12 years since the idea of a Donate-a-Gate scheme was first proposed with an article sessions were arranged between October in Chiltern News. The thinking was that the installation of gates to replace stiles would bring and December for felling, clearing and about a general improvement to ‘access for all’ – in particular for those who enjoy walking in burning. The Rangers work with various the Chilterns countryside, but are hindered by stiles because of impaired mobility. groups who provide volunteers for such tasks. As well as members of Butterfly It was also proposed that if installations Conservation, there was a magnificent were carried out by the Central Chilterns turnout of Society members to help with Group of the Path Maintenance Volunteers, the tasks at hand. Many thanks to all who any labour costs would be avoided and attended. money donated could therefore be aimed In addition to burning the smaller at making a significant contribution towards

Long live the arisings, we were able to build log the cost of materials. piles that will benefit beetles and other To date the volunteers have installed creatures, and screen off certain areas over 500 gates throughout the Central by weaving dead hedges. The project Chilterns area – a very successful outcome. Duke of Burgundy! also allows for the growing of plug This has been achieved in partnership with plants of cowslips, the food plant for Bucks County Council Rights of Way and the caterpillar of the Duke of Burgundy. by the application and dedication of the daunting for those who suffer impaired Seed will be collected from the reserve volunteers – no mean feat by any standards. mobility or merely the onset of old age in 2018 and the resulting seedlings The scheme has moved on during this (which faces all of us), preventing continued planted out in the newly created glades period, with many donors identifying access to favourite walks. – although some plants will undoubtedly particular locations at which they have The generosity of the many donors has arrive unassisted. Adults of the Duke of encountered difficulty: where a stile has made all this possible, and the scheme Burgundy butterfly can be seen from fallen into disrepair and is dangerous, for continues to receive donations from both late April to early June, depending example, is too high, or even on occasions individuals and walking groups alike. Thank on conditions. Eggs are laid on the where dog owners have to lift their animal you to all involved. As long as the donations underside of cowslip and primrose over it to continue their walk. Above all, continue, the Donate-a-Gate scheme will also leaves, usually in small batches. The coping with stiles can be particularly carry on, further improving ‘access for all’. larvae feed at night, producing small holes on the leaves but leaving the midrib and veins intact. Apart from Butterfly Conservation, local group Prestwood Nature has long Improving access been involved in the management, monitoring and surveying of the site. Jonathan Clark, Strategic Access Officer This shows the value and importance for Bucks CC, pays tribute to the part of like-minded organisations working together. I’d also like to thank local played by Donate-a-Gate residents, who keep an eye on the place, help clear litter left by inconsiderate It’s heartening to see so many walking groups and individuals continuing to raise money users of the car park and report any from within the Chilterns and beyond to improve accessibility in the countryside. Many of problems. us enjoy a good walk, but for a significant number that pleasure is frustratingly restricted Unlike some of the larger Chiltern by a lack of mobility, and something as simple as a stile can be a major obstacle. These Society sites, we don’t have regular structures are a real barrier for those with limited mobility, and if poorly constructed or work parties at Prestwood LNR, but poorly maintained it can become a problem for all. we welcome volunteers who want to get involved with the reserve and help The Donate-a-Gate scheme, a partnership Creating greater accessibility increases with maintenance. If you’d like to find between the Central Chilterns the opportunities for more people of all out more, please contact the volunteer Path Maintenance Volunteers and ages and abilities to engage with their Site Co-ordinator, Phillip Pratt on 01494 Buckinghamshire County Council, has in natural and historic environment, and to 523869, or email highbeeches1@yahoo. no small part resulted in many miles of explore and appreciate the Chilterns’ hidden co.uk. Please note that there’s a height footpaths becoming completely stile-free. treasures. With the help of such valuable restriction at the entrance to the car No longer are we talking about stile-free financial contributions, and the ongoing and park, which allows standard cars to gain ‘routes’, complete parishes and whole areas appreciated goodwill of landowners, long access, but not vans and caravans. of the Chilterns are now stile-free. may this process continue!

8 Chiltern 227 www.chilternsociety.org.uk 9 chiltern society EVENTS Events & Activities Spring 2018

Our events are open to everyone, but we offer our members discounted prices.

Nordic Walking Tree Identification Sat 21 Apr 10am-2pm Tiggywinkles, Aston Road, Haddenham, – Taster Session Course Aylesbury, Bucks HP17 8AF Nordic Walking uses poles to add major Learn to identify trees in the Chilterns with Non-members £7 per adult £4 per child benefits to walking – the upper body woodland expert John Morris. The course Members £5 per adult £3 per child muscles are used, as well as the legs. will begin at Radnage Village Hall, before The poles help propel you along – this heading to our nearby ancient woodland, Wild Foraging means you work harder than usual, Bottom Wood, where we’ll find a large but the support given by the poles range of trees and shrubs, and collect leaves Springtime walks will never be the same makes it feel easier! Whatever your age, etc for identification during the afternoon. again if you come along to our foraging day fitness level or goal, Nordic Walking is During the indoor afternoon session John with Fred Gillam (aka Fred the Forager). suitable, effective and fun. This session will also give an illustrated presentation on He’s been foraging for over three decades. is designed to see if you enjoy it. The identifying trees and shrubs in the Chilterns. He’ll show you exactly what you can safely special poles will be provided. Note: you Price includes some hot drinks and light pick, what to avoid, how to prepare your don’t require National Trust membership refreshments, but please bring lunch with harvest and most importantly how to make to attend. you. Suitable outdoor clothing and footwear sure all of this is done sustainably! Fred has made recent appearances with Jeremy Vine Wed 7 Mar 11am-12 noon is essential. (Radnage/Bottom Wood are and on ITV’s Countrywise, foraging and Greys Court, Rotherfield Greys, near Stokenchurch – junction 5 M40). ‘cheffing’ in the woods with Gino D’Acampo. Henley-on-Thames, Oxon RG9 4PG Fri 20 Apr 10am-4pm His courses are recommended by BBC Radnage Village Hall, Radnage, Non-members £12 per adult Countryfile magazine. Bring a packed lunch, Bucks HP14 4DF Members £10 per adult camera and notepad. Non-members £22 per adult Thu 26 Apr 11am-4pm Members £17.50 per adult Chocolate Egg Kingwood Common, Nettlebed, Decorating & Truffle Tiggywinkles – Tour Oxon RG9 5NA Workshop Non-members £35 per adult and Talk Members £25 per adult Easter is a time for chocolate! Learn how to After a successful event last year, we’ve temper chocolate and discover easy ways decided to arrange another visit to the to decorate your Easter eggs. Decorate at world famous Tiggywinkles wildlife hospital. least four half eggs to take home and make You’re welcome to bring a picnic/packed easy Easter place names. Learn about about lunch if you wish. Your ticket includes ganaches, hand rolling truffles and making both an introductory and a hedgehog talk, chocolate thins. Take home everything you where you’ll see hedgehogs up close and make! learn more about them. You’ll have time to Fri 16 Mar 10am-12 noon explore the Visitor Centre and other animal Auberge du Chocolat, 28 Chess Business enclosures where long-term patients reside. Park, Moor Road, Chesham, Bucks HP5 1SD There’ll be an opportunity to look around Non-members £35 per adult the red kite centre, the museum and other Members £30 per adult facilities, plus a private slideshow.

10 Chiltern 227 email: [email protected] 11 Digital Photography Landscape photography is enjoyed and practised around the world and we’re fortunate to have the beautiful and scenic Chiltern hills in which to practise and perfect our craft. In this one-day workshop with professional photographer Dave Willis, you’ll visit some of the most iconic Chiltern landmarks (Pitstone Windmill & Ivinghoe Beacon) and learn how to approach the art. Fri 4 May 9am-5pm White Hill Centre, White Hill, Chesham, Bucks HP5 1AG Non-members £80 per adult Country Ramble and Members £70 per adult Ice Cream Making Pub Lunch – Ashridge National Mills Weekend Workshop This exciting new workshop allows you Bluebell Walk Celebrate the annual festival of our milling to explore ice cream through taste and In spring the National Trust Estate at heritage! Visit our lovingly restored smock invention. Produce mouth-watering desserts Ashridge is one of the best places in the windmill at Lacey Green – the oldest in the with minimum effort. Discover how to make country to see bluebells, although it’s country! No need to book in advance, just gateaux for birthdays etc. difficult to predict when they’ll be out or turn up. Fri 22 Jun 1pm-3pm at their best. This gentle walk will take you Sat 12 May 2pm-5pm Auberge du Chocolat, 28 Chess Business through carpets of this beautiful plant, Sun 13 May 11am-5pm Park, Moor Road, Chesham, Bucks HP5 1SD before finishing with a delicious pub lunch Lacey Green Windmill, Lacey Green, at The Red Lion. The walk will be c5.5 miles Bucks HP27 0PG Non-members £35 per adult with a total ascent of c130m. Members £30 per adult Non-members £2.50 per adult £1 per child Fri 27 Apr 9.45am-2pm Members FREE The Red Lion, 21 Main Rd North, Dagnall, Glow in the Dark Bucks HP4 1QZ Hanging Basket (a choice of dates) Non-members £18 per adult If you’ve never seen glow-worms before, Members £15 per adult Workshop come and witness this magical display of Learn how and what to plant to create a nature’s very own fairy lights with expert Creative Writing beautiful hanging basket to take home with John Tyler. you. The session will be followed by a cream Learn to see, hear and interpret your Sats 30 Jun or 7 Jul 9.45pm-11pm tea in the café. Price includes a completed surroundings as never before with this Whiteleaf and Brush Hill, Peters Lane, hanging basket and a cream tea. unique creative writing workshop from Princes Risborough, Bucks HP27 0RP Mon 14 May 1.30pm-3.30pm award winning Sunday Times bestselling Non-members £8 per adult £5 per child The Mediterranean Nursery, Bovingdon, novelist Rowan Coleman. You’ll spend Members £6 per adult £3 per child time in beautiful countryside, using it as Herts HP3 0RL inspiration for a short story or poem, all Non-members £37 per adult guided by Rowan. Members £32 per adult Tue 1 May 2pm-4pm Chenies Manor House, Chenies, Bucks WD3 6ER How to book Non-members £25 per adult Booking is essential as we have limited places available. For more information and to Members £20 per adult book please visit www.chilternsociety.org.uk/events or call the office on 01494 771250.

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

01494 863 566 [email protected] www.peterleymanorfarm.co.uk 27 High Street Chesham HP5 1BG Opening Times: Tues-Fri 8.30am-5.30pm. Sat 8.30am -5pm. Sun 9am-1pm. Address: Peterley Manor Farm, Peterley Lane, HP16 0HH Tel: 01494 771267 www.healthright.co.uk

10 Chiltern 227 email: [email protected] 11 An Ashridge amble

chiltern HERITAGE

Right: Golden Valley Bottom: St Peter & St Paul Church Photos: John Hockey John Hockey goes walkabout from Little Gaddesden

On this lovely four mile stroll round the Ashridge area I want to see what history and nature I encounter along the way. Having done this particular walk before I don’t think I’ll be disappointed.

My starting point is the ever popular and although I’m still in Hertfordshire, both Bridgewater Arms in Little Gaddesden, with Beds and Bucks can easily be seen from its clear heraldic pub sign showing the coat this spot. Despite the village name Little of arms of the Egerton family who lived at Gaddesden, the River Gade doesn’t flow nearby Ashridge House, now home to a through any part of the parish. After a few world-class management college. Turning minutes breezy walking, I cross The Chiltern right down a well-used grassy path, the open Way and a thin piece of woodland comes aspect of the first part of this walk becomes into view, leading to wide open Hudnall clear. A couple of gates later I’m confronted Common which I also cross as I descend by a field of rare breed White Park cattle towards a large copse. I‘ve never done this and shortly afterwards some alpacas, their walk without seeing fallow deer and sure inquisitive faces turning in unison to view yet enough, once inside the mix of scrub, silver another boot-clad walker wandering by. birch, hawthorn and embryonic oaks, I spy a popular with dog walkers. I’m about The first significant piece of history is small group of deer nibbling at a cluster of halfway round now and the chance to rest the church of St Peter and St Paul, set some saplings. Inadvertently I break a twig, and is gratefully taken after my uphill exertions way from the village, perhaps due to the after a startled glance the deer are gone in an – how thoughtful that a seat is provided in effects of the plague. This delightful small instant, putting a safe distance between man just the right spot! Continuing over a small church, which is usually open, contains many and beast. I’m reminded that last year over secluded country road, I can’t help thinking monuments to members of the Egerton 700 deer were culled on the Ashridge estate, how lucky we are to live in an area so rich in family, including a memorial to Francis, 3rd but it made not a scrap of difference to the natural beauty, yet so tranquil. Duke of Bridgewater, the so-called ‘father of population a year later. Down and down I go, I’m soon reminded that luck sometimes inland navigation’, who is immortalised by almost to the Hemel Hempstead road, before needs a helping hand because, after the the Bridgewater Monument which can be crossing a minor thoroughfare and climbing path zig-zags round a couple of paddocks found further away in Ashridge forest. back up to a second part of the common. complete with grazing horses, I pass Little Striding on across the ridge top, there are A magnificent oak tree acts as a marker Gaddesden House, once home to Bridget splendid views of the Gade Valley to the left post, standing alone in acres of grassland Talbot OBE. It was she who fought valiantly

12 Chiltern 227 www.chilternsociety.org.uk 13 and successfully for the Ashridge Estate to be saved, when death duties caused both Ashridge House and thousands of acres of beech woodland to be put up for sale in the late 1920s. How grateful we should be that her view prevailed. After walking down a curved path edged by a lovely brick and flint retaining wall I arrive at the glorious Golden Valley. Capability Brown certainly knew what he was doing! The vista stretching out ahead is sublime, with rounded green fingers of grassy hills poking down to the valley floor. Up to the left is the aforementioned Ashridge

House, faced in Totternhoe clunch. I continue Little Gaddesden House 3 for about /4 mile, occasionally nodding to other walkers deep in conversation, until I where. Suddenly I’m approaching the car reach the road just in front of the 2nd green park of The Bridgewater Arms. A notice of Ashridge Golf Club (founded in 1932). inside states that the building was also once There are many ways to return to the a school endowed by the Brownlow family starting point, but the option which leads to but, due to licensing laws, children were the higher part of the golf course is of interest. banned from crossing the threshold and had There seems to be beech mast and leaf litter to enter the classroom by climbing through to wade through at any time of year. After I the window! I’m certainly old enough and pass some seriously impressive properties, the more than happy to enter in the normal way, walking pamphlet I’m following entreats me to order a pint of real ale and muse on another look out for Captain Downer. This turns out to splendid mix of nature and history to be be an electricity substation named in honour found on a walk in the Chilterns. of a former golf club Captain! I turn right here and pass close to a Photographs of Little Gaddesden couple of tee boxes, as well as another of can be found on our PhotoGroup’s those woodland roads that leads who knows website: www.chilternphoto.org.uk Lone oak on Hudnall Common

Let our famiLy move your famiLy

• Award winning local removals and storage company

• Late keys guarantee. If your keys are delayed we still move you at no extra charge

• Fully insured & professionally trained staff

• Transporter of antiques, fine art & pianos

01494 774 186 Call for a FREE no obligation quote or visit clarksofamersham.co.uk

12 Chiltern 227 www.chilternsociety.org.uk 13 Revealing the Doom at Little Missenden chiltern HERITAGE

Above: Doom GOBO image

George Stebbing-Allen reports

Aficionados of Midsomer Murders may well recognise this church; they may even know its real identity as the church of St John the Baptist in Little Missenden. They may also know that it’s an extremely interesting and important church. Built in 975, it’s been the focal point of the community for over 1,040 years. It is in fact a ‘church within a church’, because the original Saxon building still stands within the Norman exterior.

Indeed, there are very nearly 2,000 years of 13 November 1931 records that Professor on the chancel arch (where you’d normally history in the fabric of the church, because Tristram’s systematic examination of the expect to find it) of the purported ‘Doom’ within its walls it contains bricks taken from walls resulted in the discovery of paintings painting, a medieval representation of the a villa that may have been the centrepiece from every century between the twelfth and Final Judgement. Neither did subsequent of major Roman activity in the valley. the seventeenth, and the spread of dates conservators in the 1940s, 1970s and 1990s There’s even evidence to suggest that makes this church unique. The north wall discover it ... this has been a place of human gathering St Christopher was particularly fine and in ... until now, that is. Having used for many thousands of years. The church perfect condition – every detail, including a scalpel to scrape back centuries of tower is based on pudding stone, a by- the fish swimming around the Saint’s feet, plaster repairs on the chancel arch, product of the glacial action that formed could be clearly distinguished. Even more the conservators, the Perry Lithgow the Misbourne Valley; and pudding stone remarkable was the approximate date of Partnership of Chipping Norton, have has always had great social and spiritual 1320, which adds greatly to its importance. discovered substantial fragments of what significance. Its position opposite the door emphasises preliminary assessments suggest is a 14th During cleaning in the early part of 1931, the Saint’s role as patron of travellers – century ‘Doom’ painting. traces of wall paintings were discovered anyone passing could glance at or venerate Clearly visible from the ground, there on the north wall of the nave, round a it according to their wish. are a number of subjects from left to centre large board recording charities, opposite Subsequent investigations revealed on the arch which have emerged from the doorway in the south aisle. The board further scenes which, though much beneath bare patches of plaster repairs that was removed to reveal indications that a mutilated in places, were sufficiently well pre-date even Professor Tristram’s work figure of St Christopher was concealed preserved to allow their artistic merits to be in the 1930s. There are faces of the past by limewash. Professor E W Tristram of appreciated. These included St Catherine awaiting their judgement; above them there the Royal College of Art was called in to complete with the miraculous destruction are a number of coffins with souls rising at complete the uncovering of this figure, to of her spiked wheel, a Crucifixion and the ‘Last Trumpet’; and to the left traces of preserve it and to make further explorations. Christ in Majesty between two censing the heads of seven angels blowing seven An article in The Times newspaper dated angels. Mysteriously, there was no trace trumpets have been revealed.

14 Chiltern 227 email: [email protected] 15 These ‘Doom’ discoveries are obviously of the utmost importance to what was an already highly significant place of worship. The church has therefore launched The Christopher Project – a programme of conservation, remedial work and reordering that recognises the diverse activities and functions of such a historic building. It also seeks to both conserve and enhance the presentation of the historic fabric, while improving the facilities that service the many church activities. The church authorities are therefore very keen to promote their treasures to a wide audience. The building is always open, delightfully intimate and extremely welcoming, and by the time you read this there will be a TV monitor inside the entrance presenting a

beautiful explanatory programme. Soon a smartphone app will St Christopher from the door be available, complete with ‘rub out’ facility to demonstrate the process of discovering the paintings under the plaster. A printed guide is also being prepared. A GOBO, or gobo, is a template through which light shines to project an image onto a surface. It’s an acronym that stands for ‘GOes Before Optics’, and the Perry Lithgow Partnership are using this amazing tool to present the paintings as they might originally have been seen. So far the Doom is complete and they are working on the St Catherine sequence, which they hoped to finish by January 2018. To recreate the St Catherine sequence, they’ll use what they can actually see from their restoration work, combined with sympathetic observational research of similar St Catherine paintings elsewhere. This is then scanned onto a computer and finally etched onto a lens. The result is spectacular and inspirational. The Christopher Project will cost a total of £700,000 over two phases. The church has received a confirmed grant of

£305,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The Project’s Patron Photos: George Stebbing-Allen is The Earl Howe, the President is the Vicar, the Revd. John Simpson and the Chairman is Mr John Lamb. It goes without saying that the church needs, and would be immensely grateful for, the financial support of all those who consider the Project to have the utmost merit. You can contact John Lamb by ‘phone RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS • NEW HOUSES (01494 784889), email [email protected], or write to him EXTENSIONS • BARN & FARM CONVERSIONS at Little Mapletree, Chartridge, Chesham HP5 2TF. PROJECT MANAGEMENT Please visit this church. If you know it already it will be a joyful return. If you don’t, you’ll be wrapped in an embrace that’s both spiritual and emotional, and one that takes you right back through the generations to a very distant and far off time.

Photographs of Little Missenden can be found on our PhotoGroup’s website: www.chilternphoto.org.uk

Manufacturers & Suppliers of Quality Fencing & Garden Buildings to the Trade & DIY Fence Panels & Posts Closeboard Trellis & Palisade Concrete Posts Entrance & Side Gates Decking & Sleepers Field Fencing Chainlink Sheds & Garden Buildings Peter Bradford Architects, The Coach House, Friendly Advice 01296 623139 Large Stocks Sutton Court, Tring, Herts HP23 5BB Delivery Service Aston Hill, Aston Clinton, HP23 6LD Call: 07971 294880 Email: [email protected] www.cheshamfencing.co.uk Visit: peterbradfordarchitects.com

14 Chiltern 227 email: [email protected] 15 news & views Into Africa have helped me get enough knowledge in serving the community at large. I had no parents to take me to study these skills, but now I have them free of charge from the Workshop.’ Over more than 30 years, the charity has shipped in excess of 100 containers – their contents including more than 9,000 typewriters and over 4,500 knitting machines. Nearly 11,000 kits containing more than 35,000 tons of tools have helped support 3,000 vocational training projects, improving the lives of over 150,000 people such as Mochoge. Sourcing new supplies is rarely a problem for Workaid. Items mostly come from individuals, for instance when a partner dies, or when a business closes. A countrywide network Bob Stuart visits Workaid in Chesham of collectors then arranges for delivery to Household tools, appliances and garden equipment that once languished unused and unloved Chesham. At the heart of this bustling facility in sheds, garages and cupboards are enjoying a new lease of life thousands of miles from the are its teams of enthusiastic volunteers, now Chilterns – thanks to Chesham-based charity Workaid. numbering more than 250. Their ranks span jobs and professions as varied as tradesmen At spacious workshops in a former boot- and utilities like electricity, items are prepared and engineers, retired surgeons – even a former making factory, an army of volunteers works and containerised at Chesham. High on the Polaris submarine crewman! So positive and its daily magic on everything from hammers popularity list are carpentry kits and sewing welcoming is the environment for volunteers, and hoes, screwdrivers and spanners machines, more than 20,000 of which have Workaid was rewarded in 2015 with The Queen’s to electric drills and typewriters – even found their way abroad. Award for Voluntary Service. complex knitting machines. Once cleaned These days up to ten containers are Among a number of additional services and repaired, thousands of such items are dispatched annually to East Africa. Packed offered at Chesham is the Workaid Hub, dispatched to Africa to begin a new role in inside are about 80 tonnes of equipment a facility that gives people with learning the hands of budding craftsmen eager to supporting up to 180 projects – some even disabilities the opportunity to play an active learn a trade, gain official qualifications and bound for prisons, allowing inmates to learn role in workshop activities. The charity also perhaps begin their own businesses. new skills. ‘Each project might involve up to supplies tool kits to The Prince’s Trust, as well Founded in Amersham in 1986 by local 40 trainees, meaning that we help over 7,000 as providing placements to youngsters pursuing businessmen in response to the Ethiopian people each year to learn new trades and their Duke of Edinburgh Award. Students from famine, Workaid flourished and before long skills,’ explained Workaid General Manager local schools are also regular visitors, along with was able to ship its first container-load Rob Levine. ‘Such skills are much in demand in volunteers from local businesses on of goods to Kenya. Moves to ever-larger Uganda, for example, where official schooling team-building exercises. premises followed, before the charity settled ends at 11 years, and youngsters are forced to To finance its programmes, Workaid relies on at its current home in Chesham. Its targets drop out to help support their families.’ sources such as grants from charitable trusts, are vocational projects in Kenya, Uganda, A typical beneficiary was Kenyan youngster public donations and the occasional legacy – Zambia and Tanzania. Once locally-based Mochoge, a member of the Netanyi Carpentry no government funding is involved. And from representatives have assessed the viability Workshop. The project received sewing Thursday to Saturday an in-house shop sells a of potential schemes, including factors such machines and woodworking kits. He explained range of popular domestic items such as tools, as the availability of established instructors the significance of the items. ‘These machines electrical goods and garden equipment – even haberdashery. Visitors can also join a variety of activities in The Hive, ranging from ‘Knit and Natter’ sessions to classes such as painting and textiles, or even Spanish conversation! New volunteers are always welcome. No particular skills are necessary and training is provided if needed. So rewarding is the work that many existing volunteers have been attending for a very long time – one for 30 years! As Rob Levine observed, ‘There’s a great sense of fun, comradeship, and a real sense of purpose. With more volunteers we can help even more people.’ Workaid can be found at The Old Boot Factory, 73 Townsend Rd, Chesham HP5 2AA. Tel: 01494 775220. Email: [email protected].

16 Chiltern 227 www.chilternsociety.org.uk 17 HIGH SPEED TWO Society continues to raise concerns Writes John Gladwin

Three companies are involved in HS2 construction work in the Chilterns. The Align Interest, where the Wendover ‘cut and consortium, who are responsible for the Chiltern Tunnel; CEK consortium, responsible for cover’ tunnel is due to be constructed. the line construction from the Chiltern Tunnel North Portal to North Buckinghamshire; and Fusion, who are responsible for the enabling works, including the construction of habitat Operating safety sites, creating entrances and developing the haul road. We’ve analysed the proposed operating parameters of HS2 in the Chiltern tunnel, As you may have read in Chiltern 226, HS2 the Chiltern Tunnel North Portal near South and believe that this operation needs a full Ltd are submitting applications to local Heath, together with the alterations required safety assessment before the tunnel designs councils under what is known as Schedule to the A413 roundabouts and the Link Road are finalised. In deciding that the tunnel 17 of the HS2 Act. Currently these are mainly at Great Missenden. will be operationally safe, HS2 Ltd has used for the creation of habitat sites away from HS1 as its safety case reference, although the line, with the intention that they will be Ground Investigation (GI) the latter has shorter tunnels, substantially ready in two years’ time so that endangered The first GI report by HS2 Ltd was fewer trains running at lower speeds, species can be moved from the construction completed last autumn, but was only and fewer passengers. In our opinion the area. Details of applications can be found available through a Freedom of Information proposed timetable of 18 trains per hour by going to the Planning Application search request. We’ve obtained a copy of the each way travelling at 320kph in the tunnel on a particular Council’s website and typing initial report and are currently analysing the is unsafe, given that the ‘other’ (or second) in HS2. results. We have concerns about the risk of tunnel is, in HS2 Ltd’s words, a ‘relatively HS2 Ltd are meeting local parish councils diversion of flows through the aquifer and safe place’. to update them and discuss the proposed the potential loss of the River Misbourne. In We are engaging with HS2 to discuss our next steps. They’re currently looking at the addition we’re worried about the stability concerns.

work necessary to deliver the haul road to of Bacombe Hill Site of Special Scientific Photo: Richard Bradbury

“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 Estd in 1989 things related to ears and hearing. Don’t su er in silence, book in for a personal OUR SERVICES TAKING HEARING appointment. Call or email for more Available in Amersham & Seriously Need advice in an informal details or join us at one of our Hear Today Thame Amersham setting? events” Flint Barn Court Hearing & Church Street Why not join us at one of our Old Amersham free monthly Hear Today Communication Assessments Buckinghamshire co ee mornings? Duncan & Kate Collet-Fenson HP7 0DB Directors of Aston Hearing Very Latest Hearing Champneys Technology Health & Welling Centre Champneys Tring 1st Friday of each month Full Hearing Aid Chesham Road 10am-12pm Repair Service Wigginton Flint Barn Court, Church street, Hertfordshire Old Amersham HP7 0DB Ear Wax Removal HP23 6HX (Microsuction) 01494 733840 [email protected] Children’s Hearing Thame Screening Service Cobbles Yard www.astonhearing.co.uk 112 High Street Ear Protection Thame 1st Tuesday of each Oxfordshire month 10am-12pm OX9 3DZ Cobbles Yard, 112 High Tinnitus Advice & Street, Thame, OX9 3DZ Support 01844 396057 ALL WELCOME

16 Chiltern 227 www.chilternsociety.org.uk 17 CHILTERN WALK • Bucks Amersham bluebell walk With Andrew Clark

From mid-April onwards, spring provides Hyde Heath the opportunity to see the stunning displays of bluebells in the woods on this walk. The route also passes many of the historic buildings along the High Street in Old Amersham, where the walk starts and 4 finishes. Chesham B Bois Weedonhill Wood

3 Amersham Little A on the Hill Missenden C A413 A416 Start: Old Town car park, The Broadway, 5 Amersham Old Amersham HP7 0HL. Grid ref: SU 959 972 D Underground Shardloes Mantles DISTANCE: 5.9 miles/9.5km (stile-free) 2 Green Terrain: Easy walking on good paths 6 1 Amersham and pavements. Care is needed crossing Common A404 the railway line and in navigating along North P Start/Finish permissive paths through the woods. 0 0.5 1km E Amersham One climb with a total ascent of 0 ½ mile Old Town Bus 410ft/125m stops A413 Maps: OS Explorer 172, Chiltern Society 6 REFRESHMENTS: Plenty of pubs and A355 Photos: Colin Drake Map: Glyn Kuhn cafes in Old Amersham High St Public transport: From the bus stops in The Broadway or nearby, there are frequent services to Aylesbury, Chesham, Hemel Hempstead, High Wycombe, Slough, Watford and Uxbridge. You can join the walk from Amersham railway station by turning left out of the entrance, walking down to the second roundabout and turning right up Station Rd. At the top turn left into Rectory Hill, first right along Longfield Drive and, at the end, straight ahead into Hervines Wood, joining the walk at point 2 below. Route

Turn left out of the rear of the car park and walk beside the river 3. Don’t go into the housing estate. Instead, turn left on a wide path to a path junction. Go right over the bridge, turn immediately left between the wood and the houses. Go straight over a road and and continue for 150m to meet a road (Rectory Hill). Take the continue along to the next one (Weedon Lane). Turn right and pedestrian crossing, turn left and immediately right into School walk along to the junction with Copperkins Lane. Turn left along Lane. the pavement and take the path on the left just after the entrance 1. Cross School Lane and bear right on a surfaced path towards the to No. 51 (Lowood). Follow this path into a field and cross to the houses. Turn left, first right and, where the road bends to the right, left of the overhead cables. Go through a gap in the hedge into a continue straight ahead past the barrier into Barn Meadow playing wood, stay on the path for 400m to a path junction and turn right field. On the way stop and look at the old commercial buildings on on a wide track past an information board. Follow this track for the left, originally built in 1829 as a Maltings for the Weller family 400m along the edge of the wood, past some barns on the right who had a brewery and pubs nearby. Bear left across the field and to where the path leaves the wood. walk beside the river to reach Mill Lane. Turn right past the bend 4. Stay in the wood and turn left, following the edge of the wood to to the junction with School Lane. The modern house on the right the next junction. Turn right and follow the path, still keeping to at the end was highly commended in the 2017 Chilterns Buildings the edge of the wood, for 330m to where the hedge on the right Design Awards. ends. Turn left for 180m to meet a very wide track. The route now 2. Take the path directly opposite past the football pitch, through a goes straight over to the path opposite (however, please note that hedge into a field and bear left across the corner to a path on the at the time of writing it was partially obstructed by a fallen tree). other side. Turn right uphill to a railway line, cross it with extreme Follow the path for 150m, bear right to the next path junction care, go through the opposite gate and bear immediately left into where the fence on the left ends. Turn right and stay in the same Hervines Wood. Follow the wide path ahead as it runs parallel general direction as the path eventually runs parallel to the railway to a ditch on the right. At the end of the playing fields turn right fence on the left and onwards to meet a lane. Turn left over the across the ditch. Don’t turn immediately left, but bear half-left and railway bridge and follow the lane down to a major road. Taking follow the fence line on the right to a path junction. Turn right up extreme care, cross the dual carriageway to a join a track at the the slope between the fences and, where they end, turn left and right-hand end of the brick wall. Follow the track as it drops down immediately right to follow the woodland path for 160m, keeping over the River Misbourne to a major path junction. parallel with the playing field. Leave the woods by going through 5. Turn left through a gate. Follow the stony track for over 400m a gap in the hedge onto a crossing path. Ahead are the houses in and, where that swings uphill to the right, continue directly ahead Berry Field Park. to pass through the next gate. Stay in the same direction, passing

18 Chiltern 227 email: [email protected] 19 Shardeloes Lake The former Wellers Brewery, Old Amersham

View towards Kennel Farm from west end of walk Weedonhill Wood

Shardeloes Lake to go through a further gate to reach the edge in the hedge. Follow the path to the river, go under the main road of a cricket ground. Pass the front of the pavilion, scoreboard and then turn right up to and alongside the road. After 100m, turn left nets. (On match days, please use the access road that runs behind through a gap in the hedge and stay on the path as it becomes a the pavilion). Turn left and go through the metal entrance gates to pavement leading back into Old Amersham. Continue past the old a lane. Market Hall, over Whielden Street and cross the road to return to 6. Don’t follow the lane, but continue straight ahead through a gap the car park.

Points of Interest Amersham comprises two different areas: the historic Old Town stored in the aquifer – layers of chalk rock which work like a and the modern Amersham on the Hill, which developed with sponge, soaking up water until it emerges at ground level. the coming of the railway. The name probably comes from the The river rises near Great Missenden and flows through Old Saxon Agmodesham. The first record of a settlement was in the Amersham to join the River Colne near Denham. 8th century, along what is now the north side of the High Street. D. Shardeloes House: the large 18th century country house on the In 1931 a memorial was erected to commemorate the Amersham hill is the ancestral home of the Tyrwhitt-Drake family, Lords of Martyrs. The first martyr was burnt at the stake in 1511, with a the Manor of Amersham. During WWII the house, like others in further six in 1521. They were persecuted by the established the area, became a maternity hospital for women from London church for being Lollards, whose crime was wanting the Bible to and more than 5,000 babies were born there. It was later be available in English. converted into flats. A. Hervines Park & Windmill Plantation: Hervines Park is a large E. old Amersham: the High Street is full of listed buildings,

1 green space of some 28 /2 acres. It’s used for various sports, many dating back to the 15th century. There are too many including athletics, bowls, cricket, football and rugby. Windmill to list here, but detailed information can be obtained from Planation is an ancient woodland which has a wonderful Amersham Museum, located at Number 49. Interestingly it’s display of bluebells in spring. housed in a medieval hall built c1480 and is probably the B. Weedonhill Wood: originally owned by Sir Francis Drake as oldest residential building in the town. In September each year part of the Shardeloes Estate, Weedonhill and Lots Woods the High Street comes to life with the Charter Fair, granted by cover 57 hectares and have beautiful views and varied habitat. King John in 1200. They’re managed by The Forestry Commission, which means the public have unrestricted access on foot throughout. In Photographs of Amersham can be found on our PhotoGroup’s spring there’s a wonderful display of bluebells. website: www.chilternphoto.org.uk C. River Misbourne: this chalk stream is fed by groundwater

18 Chiltern 227 email: [email protected] 19 A warm welcome whatever the weather

Cycle group

The off-roaders in the valley between Crowell Wood and Pophley’s Wood (Photo: Jim West) Pete Bradshaw encourages new recruits

As the new year turns to spring, maybe you’re thinking back to those resolutions you made. up to the full distance, it’s always worth Many of us will have thought about ways in which we could become more active. This was asking the ride leader about this option. certainly the case for me when, three years ago, I got my bike out for the first time in quite That first ride was a bit of a challenge a while and joined the Chiltern Society Cycle Group. Newly retired, it seemed an ideal for me, but very enjoyable. It took me opportunity to get a bit fitter, meet new people and explore the beautiful region in which I through 20 miles of countryside that I live – and so it is for many members of the Group, although being retired isn’t compulsory! wasn’t particularly familiar with, although it was local to me. Setting off from the pub The Group organises a number of regular led me to the Chiltern Society website with at 10.30, and being back in time for lunch rides and this article will attempt to give a its section on the Cycle Group, articles such at 1pm, meant a very viable average speed flavour of them. Whether you are a novice as this one, the diary of rides for the first of around 10mph with stops built in. I soon cyclist or have been riding for years, there’s Thursday of the month and reports of the found that a regular highlight of the rides something here for you. We have three main weekly Thursday rides. I recommend that is the halfway ‘apricot’ stop (other fruit and sections – the Thursday group for all-comers, you have a look at those reports. They give a snacks are available). the Monday group for those who want comprehensive picture of the range of rides I had downloaded the route to a website longer and faster rides, and the Tuesday that are undertaken – a range that includes that allowed me to look at a map and, off-road group. The diary entries at the end every corner of the Chilterns (and sometimes more importantly for me, an elevation and of this article show the rides for the first a little bit of the surrounding area) as well as gradient profile. In a future article I’ll look at Thursday of each month but, once you’ve rides of varying lengths and hilliness. such websites and some of the technology joined the Group, you can be sent details of A typical Thursday ride is about 20 which helps with the navigation. This the rides organised weekly by each section. miles with 1,000ft of ascent/descent. When particular Thursday promised me 960ft of My experience is mainly with the I first joined, I contacted the organiser ups and downs, with a maximum gradient Thursday group, although I’ll describe the of the next ride as listed in the diary and of 8%. While that incline seemed a little typical activities of all three sections. signed up. It was a bit daunting to go out daunting, it was only a short distance. I had for the 10 o’clock rendezvous at a pub, to walk the last part of this particular hill, but Thursday Group but I was assured that there would be a the group were fine about it and there was I was looking for a local cycling group. I had friendly welcome and that the ride leader a backmarker to ensure I wasn’t left behind. friends who belonged to such groups and would ensure I wasn’t left behind. Both the The inclusive nature of the Thursday rides is thought it would be something I would enjoy, welcome and the inclusivity of the group a key feature – in fact it applies to all groups, although I wasn’t keen to do the sort of were soon borne out in practice and there each with their own ‘norms’ of speed, distances at the pace my friends were doing. was the further reassurance that short cuts distance, terrain and elevation. I needed something that was pleasurable were available if necessary. If you’re thinking If you feel this is something for you, have a and not an endurance test. Searching online of joining a ride, but aren’t sure that you’re look at the diary, get in touch and come along.

20 Chiltern 227 www.chilternsociety.org.uk 21 Monday group

Having completed my first Thursday ride, I was sitting in the pub when the people next to me started talking about another ride that was being planned in the locality. This, it transpired, was a longer ride of about 40 miles with the Monday group. Once you’ve joined the Thursday group, you can be added to the list for these longer, faster rides – if you feel you’re up to it. The typical Monday ride is between 30 and 40 miles with about 200ft of ascent and descent. In winter the rides follow the same format as the Thursday ones, with a 10am start and a lunchtime finish. The earlier start allows for the longer distances. The most noticeable difference is the pace, which tends to be 12mph-plus. In the longer summer days, rides often have lunch on route, starting and finishing at a suitable Out in all weathers! Near Burnham Beeches (Photo: William Wells) parking spot rather than at a pub. While very much focused on the Chilterns, the afterwards – the group will typically travel frames, but it’s always a good idea to longer distances sometimes mean that rides about 20 miles, with the emphasis on the compare notes with others. pass through other areas – indeed they bridleways and byways that criss-cross the sometimes barely touch the Chilterns, but hills, valleys and woods of this beautiful Get involved that’s beyond the scope of the magazine! part of England. As you can see the Cycle Group has If you’re thinking of joining these rides, something for everyone. Get involved by Tuesday group it’s easy to ask other members of the group contacting one of the ride leaders listed As with the Monday group, once you’ve who also do the Thursday rides about below and come out on a Thursday to been out on a Thursday you can ask to the level of difficulty of upcoming routes, explore parts of the area you may never join the Tuesday riders. This is a group because some are more ‘off-road’ than have visited – or ones that you know well, for those who enjoy, and have the bikes others. You can also ask about the suitability but have never visited on a bike or in a for, off-road routes. Taking a similar of your bike and what’s required. Basically group. You’re assured of a warm welcome format again – 10am meeting time, lunch you’ll need wider tyres and suspension whatever the weather. Future Thursday Group Rides

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. 3 May 1 March 5 April Meet at The Fox and Hounds, Christmas Common (Grid ref: SU 714 931, postcode Meet at The Old Swan, High St, Meet at The Bell in Studham (Grid ref: TL OX49 5HL). This popular bluebell ride takes Cheddington (Grid ref: SP 923 169, 023 159, postcode LU6 2QG). We’ll need to us by Cowleaze Woods, along the ridge postcode LU7 0RQ). This is a ride of pre-order food, so please arrive in time to with its magnificent view of Oxfordshire c21 miles out to Aston Abbotts passing do so. The ride is 20 miles long with 1,100ft (good photo opportunity), then on to through Mentmore, Wing, Cublington, of ascent, so relatively gentle throughout, the outskirts of Stokenchurch and right Wingrave, Long Marston and Marsworth. and on quiet country roads. The route heads down the beautiful Ibstone Road with its It’s almost exclusively on quiet country out of Studham to Kensworth, followed by marvellous views of the valley. At Fingest roads, has exceptional views and ends a long gradual descent via Markyate to the we turn left then right up to Frieth, where with a number of crossings of a pretty Redbourn halfway stop. It then gradually we stop for our apricots etc. We then section of the Grand Union Canal. There’s a climbs via Trowley Bottom, Jockey End and descend into the Hambleden Valley and modest 900ft of ascent. Clements End back to Studham. Several short go up to Gussets Wood, past the winery at Ride leader: John Pulsinelli 01494 cut opportunities are available if needed. Luxters Farm, across to Summer Heath and 866373 and 07974 237810. Ride leader: Les Mosco 01442 865693 Turville Hill, and back up through Northend and 07799 718283. to Christmas Common. A total of 19.5 miles, with 1,391ft of ascent. Short cuts available Rides are open to Society members and non-members. All ride at their own risk and should to avoid Frieth Hill. be 14 years or older unless accompanied by an adult. Bring a drink for roadside stops. It is Ride leader: Dennis Keeling 01494 strongly recommended that riders wear a helmet for all rides and carry their own first aid kit. 863344 and 07419 113700.

20 Chiltern 227 www.chilternsociety.org.uk 21 photogroup news Take your pic! There’s so much to see on the Group’s website, writes Barry Hunt

If you haven’t already done so, be sure to visit the PhotoGroup’s Online Photographic Exhibition for 2018. The 14th edition has a total of 292 photographs by 28 authors in 5 categories. All were taken in the UK, with about a third representing subjects in the Chilterns (including those I’ve arbitrarily chosen for this article). The annual event is non-competitive and offers all Chiltern Society members an excellent showcase for their digital photos. Follow this link to take the tour: www.chilternphoto.org.uk/index/ category/277.

‘Once again our members have risen to outdoor activities available in the Chilterns. Top: Whitwell, Herts at twilight (C Howe) Above: St Mary the Virgin, Hambleden (I Smith) the challenge and submitted a variety It soon became a popular addition to of photographs for us to enjoy. Holiday the Special Collection series of albums: Right, top to bottom Smokey Turville (M King) memories, local Chiltern scenes and 27 different activities illustrated by 88 Chiltern Valley Winery (Q Barrett) carefully constructed still-life images photographs within a matter of weeks. See Brush-making in Chesham (T Cherrill) are all represented,’ says Chris Smith, them at www.chilternphoto.org.uk/index/ Exhibition editor. With Stan McCartin’s category/283. We welcome more leisure- move to Edinburgh, we were lucky to have related images. Terry Coffey as our guest reviewer. In the last 15 years he has judged about 400 competitions under the auspices of the Diary dates Centre, Chiltern Avenue, Amersham HP6 Chilterns Association of Camera Clubs and On Saturday 17 March, Mark King’s 5AH. Free parking is available at weekends the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain. presentation is entitled ‘Ground-breaking in the nearby council offices car park, south laser landscape photography’. An on-the- of the Centre on King George V Road. Outdoor activities door collection of £3 will be made. Indoor This year’s outdoor meetings are Late last year we introduced a new photo meetings are held from 10.30am to 12.30pm Wednesday 9 May, Thursday 12 July and library album dedicated to the many in The Lounge, Amersham Community Friday 21 September. Details to be confirmed.

22 Chiltern 227 email: [email protected] 23 Photogroup competition Puzzle picture: 88

The picture is an aerial view of a town in Buckinghamshire. Which one? Send your entry to Ian Bullock, 11 The Willows, 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 17 March. The winner will receive £10. Photo: SM Arnold

Puzzle picture: 87 The answer

The subject is The Maharajah’s Well in Stoke Row, Oxfordshire. It was a gift from the Maharajah of Benares in 1864. He learnt of the water problems in the village from the District Commissioner, Charles Reade (who incidentally came from the nearby village of Ipsden). The well was dug to 365 feet before water was struck. The winner was Daniel Dennick of St Albans. Photo: Q Barrett

22 Chiltern 227 email: [email protected] 23 news in brief Chilterns Walking

Festival returns Berkhamsted Walk 2017 – certificate presentation Berkhamsted Walk 2018 This annual event in aid of The Children’s Society, will take place on Sunday 13 May. You can choose between The Bluebell Walk (12 miles), The Challenge (18 miles) or The Fun Walk (6 miles). All routes pass through the bluebell woods of Ashridge and the beautiful Chiltern countryside. Register for the 12 and 18 mile walks at the Court House, St. Peter’s Church, HP4 2AX between 10 & 11.30am, or for the 6 mile walk, at Ashridge Management College HP4 1NS between 11am & 2pm. For more After a successful launch in 2017, the Chilterns Walking Festival returns in May with 16 days information and to download a sponsor of walks, events and activities, including several being organised by the Chiltern Society. form go to www.berkhamstedwalk.com, or Spearheaded as before by the Chilterns Conservation Board, the programme will offer a you can call 01442 864968. range of options, from town centre rambles to longer hikes, afternoon cream teas or a pint of craft beer! Whether you tackle walks on two legs, four paws, or a set of wheels, it’s a wonderful opportunity to get to know the Chilterns better with the help of expert guides who Vote for the best are passionate about the area. brunch in the The Society’s contribution will include a six more information can be found at www. Chilterns! mile route from Cookley Green, taking in Pishill visitchilterns.co.uk/walkingfest. No previous Whether it’s a full English, eggs benedict, and Russell’s Water (see our Walks Programme experience is necessary, and each walk granola or something completely different, on p 43); an exploration of the fascinating description indicates the suggested level going out for brunch is a wonderful treat – WWI practice trenches at Berkhamsted; and of fitness. Walks are mainly free of charge, so for the 2018 Chiltern Society Food and an archaeology walk on Pitstone Hill. Other but pre-booking via the website is essential. Drink Awards we’re asking everyone to activities are in the pipeline. A second walking festival will follow in the nominate their best independent brunch The event runs from 16 May-3 June. Much autumn, between 6 and 21 October. spot, with a few words about your favourite menu items, ambience, service and other factors important to you. Honouring Gordon Beningfield To nominate, please email volunteer@ chilternsociety.org.uk with the heading The late Gordon Beningfield, who lived in Water End near Hemel ‘Best Brunch’. We’re waiting to hear from Hempstead, was one of the finest natural history and wildlife artists you! You’ll be able to read more about of the 20th century. Evacuated from East London to Hertfordshire the award in the next Chiltern. during WWII, his artistic talent and love of the countryside soon emerged. After leaving school he worked as an ecclesiastical artist for Faithcraft, a church restoration company based in St Albans, and Celebrate studied at St Albans College of Art, before eventually becoming a successful freelance artist, who enjoyed many sell-out exhibitions Dendro Day and produced a wealth of paintings and drawings. Merelene Davis of Little Friars Arboretum wishes to encourage readers to celebrate Between June and September this year, conservation weekend and an exhibition of Dendro Day on Sunday 4 March. She his life and work will be celebrated with a Gordon’s paintings. For more information writes, ‘In early spring we begin to notice number of events, starting in April with bird visit www.dacorumheritage.org.uk/dht- the swelling buds on the trees and shrubs walks along the River Ver. The programme news/gordon-beningfield-2018 or www. in our gardens, parks and on our streets, will also include a flower festival, a hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/gordonbeningfield. so this is the time to start thinking about them.’ She points out that Dendro Day activities can be a great opportunity Change of venue for Chiltern Society AGM for local societies and even groups of Members are asked to note that the next AGM, on Saturday 6 October, will be held at Chartridge neighbours to come together for their first Conference Centre just outside Chesham, and not at Green Park, Aston Clinton where it has outside event of the year. previously taken place.

24 Chiltern 227 www.chilternsociety.org.uk 25 LETTERS Sails figures Chris Boll, by email

With reference to the article on mills in Chiltern 226, it is known from the writings of Vitruvius that the Romans used watermills with gearing, and also remains of mills have been found, so the suggestion that the technology came from China during the Renaissance period is unfounded.

On the subject of five-sailed windmills, the major snag with these was that if one sail was damaged the mill was out of action until repaired. With four or six-sailed mills the damaged sail and the one opposite could be removed, and the mill run at reduced power until the pair were replaced. During the final days of the life of a mill, it was common to run on two sails when expensive repairs could not be afforded. The mill at Quainton which is currently being repaired has a cross-type sail mounting, not usually found in the southern counties of England. Apparitions…? Howard Dell, by email

I had no idea until I read Bob Stuart’s ‘That’s the spirit’ in Chiltern 226 that we had so many haunted pubs around us. What a shame those drinkers of some hundreds of years ago weren’t able to have a camera phone to hand to record the ancient spectres and make our 21st century spines tingle. I have to say that I’ve always taken such stories with a pinch of salt, until...

In late summer 2016 I was walking setting sun, I turned the corner by the round Chinnor looking for interesting west door and I was brought up short photos to illustrate a report I was by a pair of ghostly monks a few metres writing and I found myself in St away among the gravestones. It was an Andrew’s churchyard. Still having the automatic action to grab a couple of camera round my neck despite a quick shots and then I was off! Doolittle Mill (Photo: John Hockey) Fame at last for Three power sources Little Kimble station! John Hockey, by email Graham Larkbey, by email I was interested in George Stebbing-Allen’s study of windmills in the last issue of Chiltern, and particularly his Readers may have heard of last year’s ‘allthestations’ project by intrepid explorers research into wind and water-powered examples. I am sure Geoff Marshall and Vicki Pipe, who set out to document every railway station in the readers are aware that in the village of Totternhoe there is an country, filming their adventures and putting them online. This includes features example which used three forms of power – namely Doolittle on the least-used station in each county, and the ‘winner’ for Buckinghamshire is... Mill. Formerly a rare combined wind and water mill (there are Little Kimble! The 12-minute film of Geoff’s visit can be viewed at www.youtube. reputed to be only twelve in the whole country), ‘Doolittle’ com/watch?v=LB9JlpgBp9w. (Alternatively, Google ‘Geoff Marshall Little Kimble’ refers to the fact that the river (the Ouzel) has little power or ‘allthestations’). As a bonus, it includes footage taken on the line’s vintage at this early stage in its journey. The top and sails blew off in ‘bubblecar’ train which was retired from service last May. a storm in 1880, but the mill continued to use water power, supplemented by a steam engine until the 1920s. A more recent visit has revealed that the local map displayed at the station. the very useful direct public footpath A possible project for the Society’s George Stebbing-Allen’s piece on windmills in Chiltern between the station and Great Kimble Rights of Way Group, maybe – and it 226 certainly excited some interest! As well as the letters is in poor repair and is not at all well might help the station lose that ‘least above, you’ll find a further response in the Lacey Green signposted. It’s not even fully shown on used’ tag! Windmill article on p 32.

24 Chiltern 227 www.chilternsociety.org.uk 25 The power of partnership

RIGHTS OF WAY GROUP

Photos: Howard Dell

Gates have replaced stiles on The Oxfordshire Way, writes Maggie Templeman

In October 2016, The Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment (TOE2) awarded a grant of For several years it’s been part of her £5,000 to the Society’s South Chilterns Path Maintenance Volunteers (SCPMV) to replace job to ‘jump on and off all the stiles’, twice 12 stiles on The Oxfordshire Way with metal and wooden kissing gates, to improve access a year, to check their condition. It was for walkers of all abilities and their dogs. The successful delivery of this project, on one on one of these inspection tours in early of the county’s promoted routes, was only made possible by the strong partnership 2016 that she noticed some of the OCC established between the landowner, the volunteers, Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) waymark discs on the stiles were faded. and TOE. Her request via the OCC website resulted not just in new discs, but a visit from OCC Rights of way – the genuinely strayed from the path, others Field Officer, Jonathan Beale, to discuss are making use of the firm footing of the replacing a small wooden bridge on The landowner’s view farm’s concrete road (which is private) or Oxfordshire Way and installing gates (to Jess Dax, Estate Manager at the 1,000 acre going to extraordinary ‘off-route’ lengths replace existing stiles) on either side of it. Model Farm, is the third generation of her to avoid cattle. Cycles are ridden on and This was to be a very small-scale trial of family, working as a team with her parents off the paths, even though there isn’t a whether gates would work in the Model to farm the land which spans the parishes single bridleway on the whole estate. ‘I Farm environment. According to Jonathan, of Shirburn, Pyrton, Stoke Talmage and think that some people just don’t realise ‘This area of the South Chilterns has always Lewknor, to the east of Watlington. that a working farm can be a hazardous had a large number of stiles and relatively The Oxfordshire Way runs through the environment,’ said Jess. ‘We want to keep few gates. Over the years we have been farm, making its way over both arable walkers on the public rights of way, so that encouraging landowners to move to and pasture land and crossing a small we know where they are and can make gates, wherever possible. In this particular stream. Jess isn’t the only landowner to sure that they are not going to suddenly case, we were keen to see improvements find managing a public right of way across find themselves in the midst of cattle being to access as The Oxfordshire Way is a land challenging. While some walkers have moved or crops being sprayed.’ promoted route.’

26 Chiltern 227 email: [email protected] 27 A ‘grand plan’ is hatched Jonathan suggested it might be useful for Jess to meet me, as the local Chiltern Society Area Secretary, to see if I could secure external funding for the gates via an application to TOE2. I had the idea that we should look to replace all 12 stiles on The Oxfordshire Way. I would apply to TOE2 for funding and, if successful, the SCPMV would carry out all the work, free of charge. It was a grand plan neither of us thought would ever happen. For Jess and her family the timing Maggie and Jess was ideal. The farm was significantly increasing its flocks of sheep and while workday, with the volunteers bringing A successful project barbed wire worked for cattle, sheep along additional posts and fencing, and the – and multiple Sean could simply get underneath it and requisite tools. escape. Electric fences, which had to be The overall project was led by SCPMV’s Connerys (time-consumingly) set up and taken Mike Boas and Derek Greenwood. A site ‘We’re not used to having “strangers” working down, were used for the sheep, but visit was made before each workday to on the farm, as we tend to do most work they still often escaped. As and when confirm the actual position and layout ourselves,’ said Jess. ‘But the workdays have barbed wire fencing needs replacing, it’s of the gate, any clearance that might be all been well organised, with parking agreed in now being changed to permanent stock required, where volunteers would park advance and the volunteers putting out signs fencing to keep both cattle and sheep and how tools would be transported to for walkers, to show where they are working. safely contained. the site. At the same time, decisions were One day my sister, Liz, who lives on the farm, It quickly became clear, however, that made on whether fencing would need to be called to tell me that there were lots of cars the new stock fencing caused a problem reinstalled, as well as any requirements for going past with men who looked like Sean for many dog walkers on The Oxfordshire wire and straining posts. Connery*. “Oh that will be the Chiltern Society Way. Jess observed: ‘The fencing across The first task on the workday was volunteers,” I said.’ (*Sean Connery in his much the stile meant that dogs couldn’t to clear the site of vegetation and later roles rather than as James Bond!). get through and it was impossible for overhanging branches to provide a safe As well as collecting wood from the old people with larger dogs to lift them over. working area. The stile was dismantled and stiles, Jess admits to going out at the end of Although we installed special dog gates, all nails removed so that the wood could each workday to inspect the most recently these were frequently left open (and be reused around the farm. For wooden installed gate and to enjoy the way that it of course the lambs could get straight gates, the plan was pegged out enabling swung smoothly open and then self-closed. ‘I through them). One irate dog owner even digging to start, usually concentrating on cannot understand why any landowner would threatened to return with wire cutters.’ the hanging post for the gate, because it’s say no to a Chiltern Society/TOE2 project to the deepest and dictates where subsequent replace stiles with gates. We no longer have The project rolls out posts are installed. At the same time, two the risk of walkers being injured climbing over The application to TOE2 to replace the volunteers would ready the hanging posts a stile and I don’t need to check them twice a stiles with ten metal kissing gates and two and the corral. Once the gate was hung, the year. All the stock is completely safe, because wooden ones was submitted in summer corral was installed and lined up correctly. the gates are self-closing. Dog walkers are 2016, with a grant for the full amount being For metal gates, which come with the gate happy and, overall, gates make it more likely awarded in October. Fiona Danks, director already on its hinges, once it’s in position that walkers will stay on the path rather than of TOE2 said: ‘The Oxfordshire Way is a the corral can be offered up and installed. straying to avoid the obstacle of a stile. Quite lovely route, which I have walked myself, At the end of the workday, volunteers simply, the gates are brilliant.’ and which shows wonderfully the diversity retired to the local pub for lunch. The team The final kissing gate was, fittingly, of the landscape in the county. With leader produced a report, including before installed on Valentine’s Day and the funding from Grundon Waste Management, and after photos, to be sent to OCC, the occasion was marked with champagne and we were delighted to support this project.’ Chiltern Society and all the volunteers. cake for all parties involved. The schedule for the gate installation was agreed with Jess to ensure that those stiles where walkers were having the About Model Farm most problems were tackled first. Stock l Originally called Stonehill Farm, although renamed in the 1850s when new buildings set movements and weather conditions which it up as a ‘model farm’ – a farm upon which others should be modelled could affect access and installation – l 240 acres of permanent pasture, some of which is historic ridge and furrow particularly on sites prone to waterlogging l 600 acres of arable land for growing wheat, barley, beans, linseed, maize and oilseed rape – were also taken into consideration. l Remaining acreage is tracks and woodland, including many ancient oak trees planted The gates, which had previously been by the family delivered to Model Farm for storage, were l A number of individual field names, used on a map of 1736, are still used today. transported by Jess to the site on each

26 Chiltern 227 email: [email protected] 27 FOOD AND DRINK Food town – Berkhamsted

Photos: Martin Pearson

Society’s Best Chilterns Tea Shop in 2014. Martin Pearson takes a Next a short, but worthwhile, detour down Ravens Lane takes us to the award-winning, gastronomic tour Eastwoods, still one of the best butchers’ shops in the area. Over the past 40 years the UK’s high streets have changed beyond recognition. The days of Returning to the high street we pass the the butcher, the baker and the family grocer standing cheek by jowl with mens and ladies popular music pub, The Goat, and start the outfitters, bookshops and newsagents appear to have gone forever – and sadly so too have journey into the town centre. Our next stop most of the pubs. In the relatively affluent Southeast, the hairdressers and estate agents that is The Gatsby, an independent cocktail bar appeared during the boom times of the late 1980s have more recently been joined by national and high-quality restaurant, serving what brands, such as Waitrose, Boots and Specsavers. they describe as ‘Modern European cuisine, accompanied by piano music’. Apart from UK think-tank, The New Economics from the Academy of Urbanism heaped the food and the excellent cocktails, what Foundation, coined the term ‘clone towns’ to praise on the town for its ‘quality high street makes The Gatsby particularly special is its describe the impact increasing numbers of and café culture’. Another source, the 2017 location. It’s part of the building that houses chain stores have had on our once distinctive Vitality Index of 1,000 retail locations, ranked the wonderful art deco Rex Cinema, which and attractive towns. They claimed that Berkhamsted as having the 16th best high according to The Daily Telegraph is the most towns were losing their character and that street in the country, so it’s here that we start beautiful cinema in the UK. The interior of The ‘cloning’ had led to a reduction in diversity, our gastronomic walking tour, at the eastern Gatsby reflects the beautiful features of The forcing independent retailers out and leaving end, close to The Old Mill. Rex, with internal staircases and spectacular consumers with a homogenised offering. In From The Old Mill – part of the Punch floor to ceiling windows. Across the road is The this series of occasional articles, I’ll visit some group of inns – the route goes up the hill Red Squirrel Beer Shop. This local independent of the towns in our region and consider how towards the town centre, passing on the brewer sells a range of excellent craft beers these changes have affected food and drink left the long-established Indian restaurant, and offers draft ales at its tasting bar. Next businesses. What better place to start than The Curry Garden. A few minutes later, after door is Darvell’s Bakery shop. Darvell’s is a local my home town of Berkhamsted? passing numerous residential and office family business, founded in Chesham more The advent of the A41 bypass in the buildings, we reach The House of High Tea. than 175 years ago. More importantly they early 1990s coincided with a regeneration A purveyor of teas, coffees, home-made make excellent bread, cakes and savouries – of Berkhamsted High Street. A recent report lunches and cakes, it was the winner of the including a superb Bavarian rye bread.

28 Chiltern 227 www.chilternsociety.org.uk 29 If there’s one thing Berkhamsted isn’t short of, it’s good, independent coffee shops. Next we pass Fred & Ginger and Bel Caffe before reaching the ‘A’ board announcing that Black Goo, which first opened in Tring, has taken the top floor of the iconic Home and Colonial antique shop. On the other side of the road is The Kings Arms, part of the rapidly expanding local pub and restaurant chain the Oakman Group, which opened its first pub, The Akeman, in Tring in 2007. After this we pass the excellent Thai Cottage, before reaching the door of Tabure, a recent addition to Berkhamsted’s food scene. Although it’s listed as a Turkish restaurant, don’t expect to find large doner and chips on the menu. This is very good, high-end Turkish cuisine. At this point in our journey the north side of the high street becomes almost completely devoid of any decent eating options. Rental costs are very high here, consequently the town centre is dominated by those with the biggest budgets, including Tesco, Waterstones, Laura Ashley and Carphone Warehouse, plus one of the two local Costa Coffee outlets. After a short stroll we reach our next foodie enclave, Kings Road, which forms a Olive Tree has already won Muddy Stilettos crossroads with the high street in the centre Hertfordshire ‘Best Restaurant’ awards two of town. The south side of Kings Road is years running, and made it to the final of the mainly residential, but the north side which Hertfordshire Food & Drink Awards in 2017. leads down to Berkhamsted Station (where There are numerous chain restaurants at there’s a very good ‘chippy’) has enjoyed an this end of town, but once you’ve passed influx of quality food outlets in recent years. my excellent ‘local’ pub The George, you’re On the corner, we find Mario’s Espresso Bar left with Chinese, Fried Chicken and Indian and Gelateria, which one of my colleagues at takeaways and restaurants. At this point the Society described as serving ‘legendary Berkhamsted melds almost seamlessly into coffee, home-made gelato and smoothies’. Northchurch and we’re at our journey’s end. On the same side of the street there are two Outside the main town, Simon and Natalie more Hertfordshire-based businesses: Zero Tooley’s Frithsden Vineyard goes from Beaconsfield, Harpenden and Marlow have Juice & Sushi and Shaken Cow Milk Bar. Then, strength to strength, with evening events moved in. Their arrival has coincided with just before Waitrose car park we find Here, throughout the summer, and The Alford Arms rising commercial rents, which have pushed which serves fresh, seasonal and, wherever continues to be one of the best food pubs some good businesses out. One example is possible, locally sourced food. They smoke in the area. In Potten End, Martin’s Pond Fennell, formerly in Lower Kings Road. Its their own fish, bake their own bread and offer has been taken over by Iain Griffith-Jones, demise means that the town has no specialist a brilliant ‘bottomless’ brunch at weekends. landlord of The White Hart in Whelpley Hill, delicatessen and appears to be crying out Berkhamsted needs more restaurants like and the food is now very good. Also in Potten for something like Wendover’s No. 2 Pound Here, which has received three stars from End is Crockers Chef’s Table, a recently Street. the Sustainable Restaurant Association. opened fine-dining establishment, where Nevertheless, Berkhamsted’s gastronomic Across the road from Here is Berkeley, billed MasterChef: The Professionals finalist Scott star continues to rise. Anyone who’s been as ‘Berkhamsted’s new wine bar with an art Barnard is in the kitchen. Early reports have landed with the almost impossible task of twist’, next door to which is I Love Food, an been favourable and I look forward to visiting making a last-minute restaurant booking on independent Sicilian eatery that provides the soon. a Saturday evening will be able to confirm most authentic Italian food in town. This ends our food tour of Berkhamsted that there’s plenty of room for more good Walking back to the crossroads, we now and its surrounding villages. The town has eateries. With one or two exceptions, such as turn right into the western half of the high grown in size and popularity over the past Here, there’s a noticeable lack of restaurants street. Here the many banks and building decade, and the food and drink on offer espousing the virtues of food traceability societies eventually give way to another new has improved significantly. It’s encouraging and sustainability. It will be interesting to see coffee shop, Epicure Artisan Coffee. On the that so many independent enterprises have which new food businesses come to town in north side of the street is The Olive Tree, a recently opened, but the town’s increased 2018. Let’s hope we get the deli we deserve, Greek, family-run business, which uses recipes affluence has also resulted in an element and a top-quality restaurant that showcases handed down through the generations. of ‘cloning’, because the chain eateries our excellent local produce. The demand Despite only opening its doors in 2015, The found in other Chiltern towns, such as certainly exists.

28 Chiltern 227 www.chilternsociety.org.uk 29 chiltern FARMING The changing face of farming Gill Kent wonders what the future holds

At the beginning of January each year the great and good of the agricultural industry gather the wrong reasons. There are at least five at the Oxford Farming Conference. This year they were hoping to learn what the future held government agencies that may visit a for them, post-Brexit, from Environment Secretary, Michael Gove. farmer, all requiring similar information in different formats. Defra requires forms to be completed and boxes ticked with reference to field margins, trees and hedges, but no notice is taken of animal welfare or slurry disposal. Very few farmers have joined the latest stewardship scheme, because it’s so complicated that only those with numerous office staff can cope with the form filling. Mr Gove emphasised that he realised food production was the heart of almost all farming businesses, but that it’s necessary to think of the food chain as a whole, from farm to fork. The creation of a Food and Drink Sector Council will help farmers and food manufacturers improve the sustainability and The main theme of Mr Gove’s speech To emphasise the need for change in the nutritional benefit of food. Having made his was the need for ‘change’, necessitated present system, Mr Gove highlighted the many audience aware that he understood many of primarily by the expected huge increase inefficiencies which occur under the CAP. their everyday problems, Mr Gove then made in world population. He noted that the For example, the occupier, whether tenant or promises to the environmentalists. ‘Enhancing Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) had owner, of all agricultural land is annually paid our natural environment is a vital mission been designed for the post WWII period in the region of £80 per acre. The regulations for this government. We are committed to when conditions were very different from state that the payment has to go to an ‘active ensuring we leave the environment in a better today. Before elaborating on his theme, he farmer’, but in practice market forces have condition than we found it.’ reassured his audience that the Government pushed up the rents, so that the tenant gets This was all well and good, but the was committed to continuing the present no benefit and the value of the landlord’s audience must have left the auditorium system of CAP payments until we actually land increases. Much of this acreage payment feeling they’d learned nothing about the leave the EU. This will give everyone time to therefore ends up in the hands of the big post-Brexit situation and hoping that adjust to the new system, which he hopes landed estates and to quote Mr Gove ‘It gives somehow the Government would manage to to announce in the spring. The scheme is the most from the public purse to those who create a scheme that will enable the survival expected to benefit farmers who farm in an have the most private wealth.’ of the patchwork landscape for which our environmentally friendly way, rather than He confessed that Defra inspects farms country is famous. those who farm intensively. far too often, and in very many cases for Photo: Colin Drake

Consulting Structural Engineers ROBERT 10 Icknield Way, Tring, Hertfordshire HP23 4ET TUCKER Tel: 01442 891411 associates [email protected] Boiler installation Structural Design and Drawing General heating maintenance Servicing Inspections and Reports Planning and Listed Buildings Applications Oakleigh Heating is offering Feasibility Studies 10 years warranty on parts of the Variety of Building Types Worcester and Vaillant boiler range

Call today for a free quote [email protected]

01296 291588 / 07903 119950 REGISTER 549089

30 Chiltern 227 email: [email protected] 31 FOOD AND DRINK

Hampden Herdwicks Recipe for spring Herdwick hogget with superior flavour Our flock of Herdwick sheep graze the rich chalk grasslands of the lamb with harissa Chiltern Hills near Great Missenden. They form an integral part of our arable farm’s management. Herdwicks grow slowly. The lambs, known as hoggets, are typically a year old before they are ready. and beans As a result the meat is full of flavour and very tender. Our hogget is now available most of the year and is perfect for winter roasts and stews as well as summer barbecues.

Hampden Hogget Boxes We supply whole and half hogget freezer boxes, vacuum packed and labelled, direct from the farm. Insulated with wool liners, they can be recycled or returned. A half hogget will weigh about 10kg, will fit in one freezer drawer, and comprises: 2 x half legs 2 x half shoulders Mince 7-8 best-end cutlets 6-8 loin chops 3-4 leg steaks From Martin Pearson 2-3 neck cutlets or Lamb is bang in season and happily there are many great kidney and liver producers in our region. This recipe uses one of the cheaper We can also provide whole leg and shoulder cuts, the neck fillet, which when cooked low and slow, turns into joints and racks on request. something delicious. We can also provide whole joints and other cuts on request. Ingredients – serves 4 For more information contact Ian & Fiona Waller l 4 tbsp Chiltern rapeseed oil 01494 488567 or 07973 676891, l 2 tbsp ground cumin or email [email protected] l 2 tbsp dried coriander l 1kg lamb neck fillet, trimmed and cut into small pieces l 2cm knob of fresh ginger, chopped into very small pieces l 2 white onions, peeled and thinly sliced l Glass of dry-ish white wine l 400g tin of chopped tomatoes l 2 tbsp tomato purée l 2 tbsp runny honey l Large pinch of chilli flakes. (Or more if you like your food very spicy) l 2 tbsp harissa paste (available at good supermarkets)

1 l Finely grated rind of /4 lemon

1 l Juice from /2 lemon l 400g tin of cannellini beans, drained and rinsed l Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Method l Preheat the oven to 150oC l Work the cumin and coriander into the meat, then season with salt and pepper. (Do this in advance if you wish) l Heat 2 tbsp of the oil in a casserole dish and fry the meat in two batches, so it all gets a good colour. Remove the meat and set aside l Pour the remaining oil into the pan, add the ginger and onions, and fry over a medium/high heat for about 8 minutes until soft. Pour in the wine and boil for 2 minutes, burning off the alcohol and making sure you deglaze all the good bits from the bottom of the pan l Add all the remaining ingredients except the beans and stir well l Cover with a lid and transfer to the oven. Check after an hour and add water if required. After 2 hours add the beans and cook for another 30 minutes or until the lamb is ‘melt in the mouth’ soft l The dish contains beans, but if you crave more carbs, serve with Jersey Royal potatoes. Use any seasonal vegetable, such as cauliflower, purple sprouting broccoli and savoy cabbage

30 Chiltern 227 email: [email protected] 31 Opening hours 2018 and more

LACEY GREEN WINDMILL

Interior of Lacey Green Windmill (Photo: Michael Hardy) From Michael Hardy

The Windmill will be open from 2-5pm on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays from 1 April and there’s archaeological evidence of (Easter Sunday) until 30 September. Admission is £2.50 per adult and £1 per child aged some vertical water wheels in Roman and 5-15 years; Chiltern Society members are entitled to free admission on production of their Saxon England. After the Norman Conquest membership cards. the size of watermills increased, and all would have had vertical water wheels. We’re very grateful to our team of the sails of any static windmill should do, As with watermills, windmills would have volunteers who opened the Windmill to rather than directly facing the Chiltern been changed from a horizontal shaft to 1,185 visitors in 2017. They’re proud to Hills as is claimed. It’s certainly correct a vertical shaft for turning the millstones. show people the wooden machinery that watermills pre-dated windmills, but This part of the technology was therefore that’s about 370 years old. It’s the oldest windmills were becoming well established operating long before 1434, let alone 1627. surviving complete windmill machinery in in England during the 13th century, and George Stebbing-Allen writes about the country, and probably further afield were documented in 1185. the aesthetics of mills, saying he considers as well. For further information contact Watermills and windmills share many that ‘Lacey Green appears to crouch Michael Hardy, Windmill Manager on 01844 mechanical features, and many of their down into the ground in an almost self- 275871, email: contact@laceygreenwindmill. parts have the same name. A crucial deprecating manner as, in fact, does Ford org.uk, or visit the website: difference is that the power from a water End Watermill.’ All mills were machines www.laceygreenwindmill.org.uk. wheel will generally come up from a low built for a purpose, not designed for level, and that from a windmill’s sails will their aesthetics. As machines, they were ‘Worth tilting at’ always come down from a high level. Early normally built in the most cost-effective watermills had horizontal water wheels way, according to the conditions dictated Readers will have seen an article on which drove millstones with a single vertical by their location. Lacey Green Windmill windmills by George Stebbing-Allen in shaft. The more efficient vertical water was built in a clear area, 750 feet above sea Chiltern 226 (pp 20-21). Members of Lacey wheels run on horizontal shafts which level on the escarpment of the Chilterns, Green Windmill Restoration Committee, require gearing to convert their drive to a directly facing the prevailing wind. The myself included, are always pleased vertical shaft in order to drive a millstone. lower floor of the Windmill is half-buried to hear of fellow windmill enthusiasts. George Stebbing-Allen claims that the below ground level, so that the tips of I would, however, like to make some gearing could have been invented in 1434, the sails come close to the ground. It was points regarding the article. The sails of but might not have been used in windmills perfectly capable of getting the power it Pitstone Windmill face southwest, the until 1627. Actually, the requisite gearing required from the wind without needing direction of the prevailing wind, which was recorded by Vitruvius in about 25 BC, to be taller, which in its position would be

32 Chiltern 227 www.chilternsociety.org.uk 33 chiltern NATURE

far less practical for a wooden structure, and far more vulnerable to wind damage. Windmills are only built many storeys high to raise their sails above obstructions such Who needs as other buildings in surrounding farms, villages and towns. Watermills, such as Ford End, also had to be built to function in their own particular landscape. Such grass? differences between mills are part of the fascination that encourages people to study them. Mr Stebbing-Allen also considers the aesthetics of the sails, finding that four sails are too neat and symmetrical, preferring multi-sail windmills. He quite rightly states that multi-sails weren’t possible until the Industrial Revolution, when bulky, complicated castings were used to hold the sails. On the oldest windmills, however, the timber sails would have been jointed into the end of a timber windshaft, which would have been the case at Lacey Green for about 150 years. It was then replaced by a canister, a large metal casting which holds a pair of timber stocks, supporting four sails. This would have been the only practical and affordable solution for most windmills, particularly those away from the ironworks of the Midlands and the North. Mill enthusiasts from across the world visit Lacey Green Windmill. They’re Alison Beck welcomes the orchid squad delighted to see its unique historic Edwin Beard Budding has a lot to answer for. In 1830 he invented the lawnmower, and machinery and admire the sympathetic thus encouraged a feature of gardening that has spread all over the world. Have you ever way that it‘s been restored to ensure its wondered why so many of us spend so much of our precious time trying to produce a plain survival for future generations. They’re also green patch of grass in front of or behind our houses? Lawns lack interest and biodiversity: very impressed that we manage to keep somewhere for the kids to play and great for sitting on, but not much else, and they take so its cap and sails automatically facing the much time. Last year I was able to enjoy a different and much more interesting vista. wind – certainly a remarkable achievement for such an old mill. It’s also a benefit for I’ve lived in Aston Clinton for 40 years, is ‘common.’ They’re more often found in us, given the increasing number of storms and during that time the occasional bee the south of England, with a preference and gales that we now experience. In all orchid has popped up in my front lawn, to for scrub land, coastal sand dunes, chalk the 33 years I’ve organised opening the be carefully mown round. Some years there grassland and unkempt lawns – I’ve clearly mill to visitors, I’ve never heard it described are none, and recently I assumed that the provided the latter! Perfect little flowers, as ‘crouching down into the ground in an moss, which is taking over from the grass, they can grow to 30m, but mine were much almost self-deprecating manner’. I can had choked them out. In 2017 I was away for more modest in size. Their beautiful pink assure everyone it doesn’t feel like that almost three weeks from mid-May, so the flowers were perfect, with a tiny, dark velvet when you’re working on the upper parts of front lawn took the opportunity to go into lip. it, as some of us were for three weeks in production. When I returned it was a sea Once they’ve flowered, the orchids early summer 2017! of dog daisies, buttercups, hawkbit and 35 produce millions of tiny dust-like seeds, I hope I’ve been able to correct some bee orchids! It looked absolutely beautiful, which will only germinate where the right inaccuracies that were to be found in parts a real wild flower meadow, and I couldn’t soil fungus is found – I must have that too. of George Stebbing-Allen’s article. I felt help thinking how much more interesting The seeds then take between five and eight I should do so on behalf of the Chiltern and useful it was than all that grass. Bees, years to produce a flowering plant, so it’s Society and the many volunteers who butterflies and hoverflies were delighted, not surprising that they often vanish from restored Lacey Green Windmill, and have and so was I. well-tended lawns. I’ve looked up how best now diligently opened it to more than Bee orchids are fascinating plants. to encourage my beautiful visitors to stay, 52,000 visitors over the last 43 years. They have a complicated life cycle, and and the advice is to do what we always These volunteers take considerable time although their appearance and scent used to do traditionally with meadows – to understand the history and workings of originally evolved to attract bees for the stop mowing from April through to early the mill, and mills in general, so they can purposes of pollination, the species of September. I’m not sure that everyone will properly inform our visitors. Their efforts bee needed doesn’t occur in the UK, so agree, but to me it seems a blessing not to are rewarded by the excellent comments in here they self-pollinate. They’re not rare: be ignored, and one less job to do!

the Visitors’ Book. although declining, their conservation status Photos: Alison Beck

32 Chiltern 227 www.chilternsociety.org.uk 33 Ewelme Watercress Beds • OXON Looking forward From Tom Stevenson and Ann Truesdale

We’re looking forward to spring to see how successful the planting of over 400 English bluebell and 50 wild daffodil bulbs proves to be. They’re unlikely to provide very much of a show this year, because they take a little time to get established. The bulbs planted in previous years should, however, give a good display. We’ll also be taking delivery of 105 bare root saplings from The Woodland Trust which we hope to plant in late winter. It’s amazing how the saplings planted in earlier years have grown and flourished. We’re doing our bit to help alleviate climate change, as well as to increase biodiversity on the site.

Visitors have noticed that both the water warrant a second look. There have been two level and flow of the stream are very low kingfishers on the beds, but they’ve only (except during and soon after heavy rain). been seen together on one occasion. We’re often asked why, because there was We’re always keen to welcome new plenty of rain last summer. The problem volunteers and would love to see you at is that the aquifer is recharged mainly one of our work mornings, on the first by winter rain, summer rain being either Saturday and third Wednesday of every absorbed by vegetation or lost through month from 9.30 to 12.30 (with a break evaporation, and we’re still feeling the for refreshments). Please contact Tom effects of the very dry winter of 2016/17. Stevenson on 01491 836888 or thomas. This winter is looking a bit more promising. [email protected] for more details, to be arranged. This will be free for children It can take up to three months for rain falling or to be added to the email circulation list. aged from 6-10 years (accompanied by an on the Chilterns to filter down through the Alternatively just turn up any time during a adult). We’ll be sending out details to those chalk and appear in the brook. work morning. We also encourage families already on the list, but if you’re not and you During winter and spring sightings of to bring their older children. As the average wish to attend, please contact Margaret wildlife are mainly restricted to birds. We’re age of our volunteers is mid-70s, it would be Connolly on 07879 461593 (b.e.connolly@ lucky enough to provide suitable conditions great if some younger people could join us. live.co.uk) or Ann Truesdale on 01491 for kingfisher, little egret, water rail and Our next Family Activity event will take 835173. You could also register for the very green sandpiper – all unusual enough to place on a Friday evening in spring – date popular Dr Anne Millar Day held in mid-

chiltern wildlife Good news for Misbourne water voles Brought to us by Wendy Tobitt of BBOWT

The River Misbourne in south Bucks is being transformed into a wildlife-friendly habitat, thanks to Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT), working in partnership with the Wild Trout Trust, Allan Beechey of the Chilterns Chalk Streams project, the Environment Agency, Bucks County Council, Groundwork South and local conservation volunteers.

Julia Lofthouse, Water Vole Project Officer other material cut from the vegetation to other vegetation will provide food and cover with BBOWT, explains why this work is reinstate banks and recreate the winding for water voles. The water voles on the needed: ‘In some places the river’s gravel nature of the stream. Misbourne are one of only three populations bed has silted up, so that brown trout ‘Narrowing the stream speeds up the remaining in the county. Ultimately we aren’t able to spawn. In other areas the flow of water, which then washes away the would like to see them extend downstream banks have become overgrown with trees silt. As the river naturally bends around the and along the River Colne to link up with the and shrubs, so that water voles don’t new banks, it creates pools where trout can nearby population on the River Chess.’ have grasses and plants to feed on. Staff live and invertebrates, such as mayflies and The habitat improvement project is and volunteers from the wildlife groups dragonflies, can reproduce. Cutting back focusing on a section of river from above and local project partners are opening the overhanging trees allows more light the Colne Valley Park Visitor Centre up the river, using tree branches and onto the banks where grasses, reeds and downstream to the confluence with the

34 Chiltern 227 email: [email protected] 35 CHILTERN open air museum

August. A small charge is made for this event, because it includes a barbecue lunch, after which is the annual boat race. Maybe you’re considering visiting Ewelme as part of the Chilterns Walking Festival. Our site will be open on the afternoon of 3 June. Bring the children and we‘ll try to do some bug hunting and possibly stream dipping, provided we still have some water.

Nurses outside WWI Nissen hut on the Western Front Guided walks (© Imperial War Museum) and open afternoons For more information, see Member offers on p 40. On open afternoons you can explore the site on your own Coming soon – or with a guide. We also show a short film about the old watercress industry, and serve tea and home-made cakes WWI Nissen hut in the summer. Sensible footwear is recommended and only assist dogs are allowed. Please use the car park at the Sam Hatfield, Director of COAM,reports eastern end of the village. Entry is free for Chiltern Society members, otherwise With generous support from donors COAM is constructing a second Nissen hut on £3 for adults and free for accompanied the site, alongside the WWII Nissen hut erected in 2009. The new one will be a WWI children. version of this famous design, invented by Major Peter Nissen during the Great War as a simple, portable and easily-erected general purpose building for use by the military. We always knew we wanted a WWI example, and because 2018 marks 100 years since hostilities ceased, it seems an appropriate project for this year. The route to achieving our goal hasn’t been straightforward, however. Unable to source an original WWI hut, we were fortunate to have a spare one from WWII, so the question was could we convert it? The obvious problem is that the profile of the two huts is different, the earlier version being squatter, with, effectively, a semi-circular profile.

Our buildings manager, John Hyde- improves in the spring, the ‘new’ hut will Trutch, contacted the Imperial War be built on brick pillars adjacent to our Museum to ask about WWI Nissen huts, existing hut, and the differences will be and was delighted to discover that they obvious. had a copy of an original memorandum In parallel, our Heritage Lottery- on the subject. It contained full design funded buildings trainee, Jess Eyre, has details, including specifications, drawings been looking into local WWI history with and instructions for dismantling, packing help from history groups in Chalfont St and erecting the huts. Armed with this Peter, Chorleywood and elsewhere. There information, John has been able to are some remarkable local stories from design the alterations needed to create that period, and Jess will be aiming to Colne. The project, which is funded by the a replica WWI model from the WWII reflect both those and other aspects of Environment Agency, started in October hut – and this is precisely what he and life in Nissen huts during the war. 2017 and is due to finish in March. his team have been working on over the Look out for more news about our WWI In 2018 the team will be creating a last few months. As soon as the weather hut and its progress in 2018. gravel ‘beach’ beside the River Misbourne outside the Colne Valley Visitor Centre in Denham Country Park. ‘This will make a lovely place for people to paddle, and use nets to dip for mayfly nymphs and the abundance of other tiny creatures that live in the chalk stream,’ says Julia. Far left: WWI profile, left WWII profile

34 Chiltern 227 email: [email protected] 35 Signs of the times

chiltern environment

Bank at top of field marking chalk-rock stratum (Meadsgarden Field near Denner Hill) Our countryside offers many clues Photos: Tony Marshall to its past, writes Tony Marshall

I often lead nature rambles in the Chilterns, but I find I spend as much time pointing out scene – woods, fields, hedgerows – all other features of the countryside as I do talking about the wildlife species encountered. are man-made. Before the first Neolithic This is partly because our wildlife is not randomly distributed – to find particular species agriculturalists forests were distributed you need to know the places they like to inhabit; it’s also partly because our countryside indiscriminately across the land, except is full of interesting signs of the past that often go unrecognised by the casual passer-by. for places scoured by rivers or where deep People often spot a toadstool or flower on a bank, but they seldom think about why it’s marshes inhibited trees, where lightning growing there, or indeed what the bank is doing there. fires or major storms had opened glades, or where browsing wild ox, boar and red The most obvious features of our bit of all – a killer blow! This relatively deer kept tree regrowth down and allowed landscape are the result of its underlying narrow steep section winds round all grass to flourish. It was the first cultivators geology and the subterranean forces our hills, marking where a band of hard who felled trees and kept large areas that have shaped it, throwing up sea- chalk-rock occurs near the surface. This open, creating the basis for the shapes we floor deposits to form chalk hills that are band separates two major eras of chalk see today, when a continuous expanse of rounded by weathering, and grooved by deposition, called the Middle and Upper trees was replaced by clearly delimited steep-sided river valleys. The products of Chalk. Being more like limestone than chalk woodlands, each eventually distinct this weathering, scouring and episodes (it used to be excavated for building), it enough to be given their own names. It of glacial deposits have formed the clays weathers less than the layers above and was hunting by man, first of all for meat that survive on top of most of the hills. below, leaving this marked contour. As to supplement their domestic stock, The clays, less warm, tending to get most of the Upper Chalk is covered in clay, but eventually for sport and to control alternately waterlogged and dried rock this hard band tends to be at the top of competing predators, like the wolf, lynx hard, and leached of calcium, are less agricultural fields and close to the margin or polecat, that changed the character of suited to agriculture, so that the usual view of the woods. Here, where a wide field the forest. By the late Middle Ages timber of the Chilterns is of pasture and arable margin is left to grass, is the best place to had become a crop in itself and man even along the valley bottoms and slopes, with look for the rarer chalk flowers that can began to control which trees grew where wooded hilltops above. Look more closely, cope with its thin soils – rockrose, wild by phases of felling and replanting. however, and you can usually see that the thyme, milkwort, Chiltern gentian and fairy Farming is nature kept under control. slopes aren’t uniform: just before the top, flax. Barriers were needed, for instance, to the gradient tends to increase. It’s most Although geology forms the canvas of exclude grazing stock from arable crops. obvious when walking or cycling (or even, the Chilterns, the details of the picture are The simplest means of achieving this was if you must, motoring) up a lane that takes the result of man’s hand in more recent the creation of hedgerows – sometimes you to the tops. Just as you’re tiring of the times, albeit going back thousands of the survival of woodland strips left after stiff climb, you suddenly reach the steepest years. Look at the components of any local clearance, sometimes deliberately planted,

36 Chiltern 227 www.chilternsociety.org.uk 37 Old laid hornbeam hedge (Crooks Wood between Prestwood and Great Kingshill)

with thorny shrubs like blackthorn and been allowed to grow outwards, the former for timber, felled after one or two hundred hawthorn preferred. The hedges were boundary will be marked by the same signs years, leaving very few veteran trees in made particularly impenetrable by laying within the wood itself – a good example our woods. Smaller branches, meanwhile, young trees. Selected saplings were cut is by the footpath down from the top of were used for fence posts, tool handles almost right through and laid horizontally. Warren Wood near Little Hampden. Not all and chair legs. The latter were produced These would automatically produce new banks are man-made, however. You often by coppicing (mainly hazel, but sometimes shoots growing vertically towards the find a woodland edge marked by bank, other trees) close to ground level, so that light, providing a dense woody network. but without a ditch. This is the result of they’d sprout dozens of straight poles that Although hedge laying is now largely centuries of ploughing and cropping in could be harvested seven to ten years later. a thing of the past (it’s too easy to use the neighbouring field, gradually lowering Although discontinued at much the same barbed wire nowadays), you can still the soil level, while the wood itself is an time as hedge laying, the remains of these see the signs of laying, abandoned since area of soil accumulation from leaf mould. dense hazel stools, now grown into multi- the 19th century, in any old hedgerow. Sometimes I’ve come across a hedgerow stemmed trees, can be seen today in many Horizontal boughs of laid hornbeam, between two fields with a similar one-sided woods and some hedgerows. beech or hazel have grown thick and bank. It required some research using old Nowadays, where you find veteran trees knobbly like trunks, with equally misshapen maps to discover that these were in fact you can usually see that they’ve been twisting boughs rising from them, a Gothic the remains of former wood edges. There’s left as ‘markers’ indicating boundaries, architecture of the hedgerow laid bare, a very good example by the footpath especially at the corners of woods or fields. the habitat of trolls too elusive ever to be going down Denner Hill (west of Great Additionally, the same corners are often seen. The oldest hedgerows, dating back Missenden) towards Nanfan Wood. Double marked by large sarsen stones – an even to medieval times when labour was cheap, hedgerows with a wide ditch between more durable sign. Trees were also valuable were reinforced by ditches and banks, so them are usually a sign of an old track – a for fruit. Hedges were excellent places that these ancient monuments can still be useful way of identifying those we have for growing fruit trees (now called ‘linear identified, indicating where the earliest lost. orchards’), which is why you find so many farmsteads were established. Old pasture woodland can usually be cherries, wild plums, apples and hazels still The margins of woods were managed recognised by a scattering of large, old growing in them. in the same way as hedges, with laying trees (mainly beech and oak), pollarded There’s much more to be seen (I haven’t accompanied by a ditch and a bank – the so they sprout just above animal browsing even mentioned the distinctive remains bank inside the ditch to keep animals out height – Burnham Beeches for example, of 17th century parklands). Next time you of woods to protect regenerating trees; or, and, in the Chilterns proper, Little pause to take in the view, try interpreting in the case of pasture woodland, the bank Hampden Common. The origin of the name why the lines and features are where outside the ditch to keep them in. You can Denner Hill is the Anglo-Saxon denn or they are. You’ll find that even more of the identify a medieval woodland boundary by ‘swine-pasture’, because what are now countryside’s beauty begins to emerge looking for these signs. Usually boundaries crop fields were once oak woodland where out of the overall backdrop – a beauty have hardly changed to the present day, pigs were allowed to roam and feed on ultimately, however unintentionally, of but sometimes, where a woodland has acorns. Other woodlands were managed man’s creation.

36 Chiltern 227 www.chilternsociety.org.uk 37 chiltern HISTORY Wycombe’s finest? Donald Stanley focuses on the RGS and some notable alumni

The story of the Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe and those who have taught or former RGS boy who contributed to the been educated there reflects the history of the nation. entertainment industry was Ian Dury, who made his name in the punk and new wave Following Henry VIII’s seizure of properties position and, in WWII, Ian Edward Fraser era of rock music in the 1970s. belonging to the Catholic Church in the for pressing home a successful attack The orchestral conductor, Richard mid-1500s, the mayor and burgesses of on a Japanese cruiser in Singapore, after Hickox, was born in 1948 at Stokenchurch High Wycombe acquired the Hospital of St navigating his midget submarine through of a musical family. Encouraged by his John the Baptist for a school. The hospital, mined waters and overcoming difficulties mother, a piano teacher, and clergyman situated on what is now the A40, had at the target’s anchorage. After the war father, he was accompanying church provided almshouses for poor and infirm Fraser pioneered scuba diving and carried services by the age of seven. Educated people of the town, and shelter for similar out underwater work on a commercial at RGS and the Royal Academy of Music, people in need travelling between London basis. he became an organ scholar at Queens’ and Oxford. The school received the prefix After attending the RGS, the current College, Cambridge. He went on to found ‘Royal’ when Henry’s daughter, Elizabeth I, Secretary of State for Transport, Chris music festivals, the first being that at granted it a Royal Charter in 1562, but Grayling, graduated from Cambridge Wooburn where his father had become struggled financially until it received a and made a career in television. He was vicar. He became a director of choirs and substantial bequest in the late 1700s. This unsuccessful in the General Election of conductor of orchestras in addition to meant a better qualified Master could be 1997, but became a borough councillor the founding, at the age of 23, the Richard afforded and enabled the school buildings following year. He was more successful Hickox Singers and Richard Hickox to be repaired and expanded. The number in the 2001 General Election, being Orchestra. He was appointed Master of of pupils increased and in 1915 the school elected Member of Parliament for Epsom Music at St Margaret’s, Westminster, the was moved to Amersham Hill. In 1993 the and Ewell. He rose rapidly through the church serving the Houses of Parliament. surviving ruins of the original buildings ranks of the Conservative Parliamentary He was principal guest conductor of the were declared a national monument by Party, serving in Shadow Cabinets before Netherlands Radio Sinfonia Orchestra English Heritage. becoming a Privy Councillor and Minister and for five years Musical Director of the The school is generally known as the of State in 2010. In 2012 he was promoted Spoleto Festival in Italy, as well as holding RGS. For a short time one of its staff was to the Cabinet as Lord Chancellor and conducting posts in the USA, France and TS Eliot, before he went on to teach at Secretary of State for Justice. He was the Germany, and being appointed Music Highgate, where one of his pupils was John first non-lawyer to serve as Lord Chancellor Director of Opera Australia. In 2008 he Betjeman. In his blank verse autobiography since, it is believed, the 1600s. In 2016 he collapsed and died while recording with Summoned by Bells, Betjeman wrote was appointed Transport Secretary. the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. He that Eliot admired his youthful poetry. Jimmy Carr’s career path was unusual. was aged 60 and had been honoured with Subsequently Eliot gave up teaching to After graduating from Cambridge, he a CBE. spend more time writing poetry and plays. worked in marketing for a major oil In both England: an Elegy and Gentle Notable former RGS pupils include the company. On being made redundant, Regrets, the academic, philosopher and poet and politician Edmund Waller, who he established himself as a stand-up writer Professor Sir Roger Scruton, wrote was exiled for plotting to seize London comedian and of the remarkable atmosphere at the RGS, for Charles I, as well as two winners of the made a career where he had been educated. Victoria Cross: Frederick Youens in WWI in television. for throwing enemy bombs out of his Another Society footpath maps – don’t leave home without them!

Our 32 footpath maps give comprehensive coverage of the Chilterns, from Hitchin and Hexton at one end to Goring and Mapledurham at the other.

1 Every kind of footpath, bridleway and other The maps are 2 /2 inches to 1 mile £1.95 to £2.99. The maps are available direct right of way is VERY clearly picked out, so (approx. 1:25000) scale, and even come with from the Society and in outlets across the you can get the most out of walking, riding up to four walks detailed on the back. Most Chilterns, including garden centres, pubs, and running in the Chilterns. of them are in colour, and prices range from shops and tourist information centres.

38 Chiltern 227 email: [email protected] 39 Watford Ad Nov16.qxp_Layout 1 28/10/2016 10:07 Page 1

Oil deliveries for home, industry & agriculture... ACE DENTURE QUALIFIED DENTURE EXPERTS NEED NEW DENTURES? • We supply private natural looking dentures direct to the public at affordable prices. • Sunken features can be supported to return to your natural appearance. GO• OnLD site laboratory. 12 MONTH NO DEPOSIT UNCONDITGOIONAL LD MONEY BACK GUARANTEE PAYMENT ON COMPLETION DENTUREGO REPAIRSLD WHILE-U-WAIT ToFROMpPrices £30Paid 7 DAYSIn Cash A FoWEEKrYour For a fast,efficient & friendly service ScrapPrecious Metals Including Budget Payment Scheme ECONOMYUnwanted (FULLJewe SET)llery, Coins£380 &Watches. Deliveries from 500 Litres STANDARD Par(FULLtExchange SET) £500Available ISO 9001 Certificate No.4521 Wide range of Lubricants in stock SPECIAL (FULL SET) £750 FREE DELICATE CHROME PLATE £530 CONSULTATION Suppliers of Bunded Tanks on request Established over 35 years PHONE FOR A FREE INFORMATION PACK & FULL PRICE LIST Most Major Credit Cards Accepted 174 Desborough Road, High Wycombe HP11 2QA BARTON PETROLEUM LIMITED www.acedenture.com 3 Greycaine Road, off Bushey Mill Lane Watford, Herts WD24 7GP CALL 01494 520515 24HR HELPLINE [email protected] YOUR DENTURE PROBLEMS SOLVED

Tel: 01923 233171 Mr P. Caira has a Diploma in Clinical Dental Technology R.C.S (ENG). G.D.C Reg No. 118974

Bury yourself in the beautiful A Buckinghamshire countryside! B C Chesham Bois Burial Ground offers formal and AYLESBURYBULLION COMPANY woodland burial areas, a garden of remembrance, The FamilyofJewellers and a pretty chapel all in a peaceful setting 11a, High St AylesburyBuckinghamshire HP201SH surrounded by fields and woodland. Tel: 01296423198 Open to all faiths, residents and non-residents of the Parish.

Jewellery designed and produced to your specifications, or choose from our extensive range of new, secondhand and antique pieces.

l Diamond merchants l Valuations: insurance and probate (certified stones always available) (carried out on the premises) l Antique restorations l Insurance claims advisors l Hand engraving l Complete repair service

Servicing of Rolex, Tag, Omega, Raymond Weil, Gucci etc. Batteries fitted and waterproof testing carried out on the premises.

Top prices paid in cash for antique and modern jewellery, watches (especially Rolex), Chesham Bois Burial Grounds coins, gold, silver, platinum and scrap precious metals. To find out more please contact us. Part exchange available. www.cheshamboispc.org.uk email: [email protected] 11a High Street, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP20 1SH Tel: 01296 423198 tel: 01494 432585 www.aylesburybullion.co.uk

38 Chiltern 227 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. Two adult tickets for the price of one. Valid to Pitstone Green Museum Chiltern Society sites 31/10/18 (excludes ‘Day out with Thomas’ events). l Single members get one free adult entry Vicarage Road, Pitstone, Bucks LU7 9EY l Family members get free entry for two Chiltern Open Air Museum www.pitstonemuseum.co.uk 01582 605464 adults and up to three children under 18. One child ticket free with two full-paying Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, adults (one per family). Open 11am-5pm, Chalfont St Giles, Bucks HP8 4AB Ewelme Watercress Beds 2 Apr, 7 & 28 May, 10 Jun, 8 Jul, 12 & 27 Aug, 01494 871117 www.coam.org.uk High St, Ewelme, Oxon OX10 6HQ 9 Sept, 14 Oct. [email protected] Historic watercress beds and local nature Two tickets for the price of one. Offer valid reserve. Guided walks are held on the first River & Rowing Museum on full price adult or child admission prices. Sunday of each month until April. Start Cheaper goes free. Open daily 10am-5pm, Mill Meadows, Henley-on-Thames, 10.30am. Open Days 2-5pm on the first 26 Mar-25 Oct. Exclusions are Enchanted Berks RG9 1BF Sunday of each month May-Sept. Museum, Halloween Spectacular and special www.rrm.co.uk 01491 415600 evening events. Not to be used in conjunction Two adult tickets for the price of one. Open Lacey Green Windmill with any other offer. daily, 10am-5pm. Three galleries dedicated to Lacey Green, Bucks HP27 0PG rowing, rivers and the history of Henley, plus The oldest surviving smock mill in the UK. Didcot Railway Centre Wind in the Willows exhibition. Contemporary Open 2-5pm on Sundays and Bank Holiday Didcot, Oxon OX11 7NJ art and photography exhibitions, and calendar of Mondays from 1 Apr to 30 Sept. www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk nature trails, craft workshops and family days. 01235 817200 Other sites and Two tickets for the price of one on Stonor Park presentation of a valid Chiltern Society Henley-on-Thames, Oxon RG9 6HF attractions membership card. Not valid for ‘Day Out with www.stonor.com 01491 638587 Amersham Museum Thomas’ events or Gala events advertised One of England’s oldest manor houses – 850 49 High St, Amersham, Bucks HP7 0DP on our website. See the website for more years of family history. Two full priced adult www.amershammuseum.org information and opening times. house tickets for the price of one, offer 01494 723700 excludes event days. House, Chapel & Gift Shop open Suns & Bank Holiday Mons from Two adult tickets for the price of one. Free Ford End Watermill 1 Apr to 30 Sept. Also Thurs, Fri, Sat in Jul entry for children. Please check website for Ivinghoe, Bucks LU7 9EA & Aug. House open 1.30-5pm, gardens & further information. www.fordendwatermill.co.uk 01442 825421 Wonder Woods open 10am-5pm. Last entry to Buckinghamshire’s only working watermill with everything 4pm. Bekonscot Model Village original machinery – milling demonstrations. Beaconsfield, Bucks HP9 2PL Free entry for Society members. See website www.bekonscot.com 01494 672919 for next Open Afternoons. The Roald Dahl Museum and ‘The world’s oldest model village’. One child Story Centre ticket free with two full paying adults (one Frogmore Paper Mill & 81-83 High Street, Great Missenden, per family) – a saving of £5.80. Valid 10 Feb Visitor Centre Bucks HP16 0AL www.roalddahl.com/museum 01494 892192 to 27 Oct. (Not to be used in conjunction with Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP3 9RY concessionary prices). www.thepapertrail.org.uk 01442 234600 Two tickets for the price of one (cheapest goes free). Award-winning museum for 6-12 Open for ‘drop-in’ visits and pre-booked year-olds and their families. Two fun and fact- British Schools Museum groups every Thursday and 1st Sunday of the packed biographical galleries, fantabulous 41/42 Queen St, Hitchin, Herts SG4 9TS month. Two adult tickets for the price of one. www.britishschoolsmuseum.org.uk interactive Story Centre. Not to be used in 01462 420144 conjunction with any other offer. Not valid Leighton Buzzard Railway for workshops. See website for full terms and The museum where learning comes to life. Page’s Park Station, Billington Road, conditions. One free adult or child ticket when you buy a Leighton Buzzard, Beds LU7 4TN full price adult ticket 16 Feb-27 Nov, excluding www.buzzrail.co.uk 01525 373888 Wendover Woods special events/activity days. One free adult, senior or child ticket with The Forestry Commission offer CS members a every full-paying adult. Not available on free parking voucher (see below). Please cut it Buckinghamshire Railway special events days and Xmas trains in Dec. out and display it on your windscreen. Members Centre See website for details. A wonderful example can also buy a Wendover Woods Discovery Quainton Road Station, Station Rd, Quainton, of low speed rail, ambling between the houses Pass for £33 (normal price £42), giving a year’s Aylesbury, Bucks HP22 4BY and out onto the Greensand Ridge, with great free parking plus other benefits. Details from www.bucksrailcentre.org 01296 655720 views of the Chilterns. www.forestry.gov.uk/pass, tel. 0300 067 4160, or Forestry Commission Office, Upper Icknield Way, Aston Clinton HP22 5NF. VOUCHER FREE PARKING Wycombe Museum Priory Avenue, High Wycombe, At Wendover Woods Bucks HP13 6PX www.wycombemuseum.org.uk Facebook.com/museum 01494 957210 Date this voucher & display clearly in your vehicle windscreen. Social history museum, with nine interactive galleries and beautiful gardens. One free hot drink with the purchase of a cake or traybake on production of a valid CS membership card. Valid for card holder and up to three guests. Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 10am-5pm, Fri 10am-4.30pm, Sat 11am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm. Last Thurs of every month 10am-9.30pm. / /2018 The Museum is open on some Bank Holidays. Not valid unless dated. Not valid during school holidays. Valid for one use only. Pease check the website for information on upcoming Bank Holidays.

40 Chiltern 227 www.chilternsociety.org.uk 41

Theatre and dining Retail Rowan Garden Centre Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles, Café in the Woods Auberge du Chocolat Bucks HP8 4AB Wendover Woods, Bucks 28, Chess Business Park, Moor Rd, www.rowangardencentre.co.uk www.cafeinthewoods.co.uk 01296 620294 Chesham, Bucks HP5 1SD 01494 872335 Discount of 10% to Chiltern Society members www.aubergechocolat.co.uk 01494 774179 Independent garden centre with a large on production of their membership card. 10% off award winning, fairtrade chocolate selection of plants. Knowledgeable staff to bars and chocolate models from Auberge help you choose. Delightful rural views from Cinnamon Square du Chocolat, including pre-personalisation the Rowan Café. 10% off outdoor plants. Free 9 Church St, Rickmansworth, Herts WD3 1BX (in store only, when you show your CS refill of tea or coffee in the café. Excludes www.cinnamonsquare.com 01923 784656 membership card). other offers. Dog friendly. Check website for 10% discount to Chiltern Society members opening hours and directions. when eating in the Bakery Café. Buckingham Garden Centre Tingewick Rd, Buckingham MK18 4AE The Mediterranean Nursery Hartwell House and Spa www.buckinghamgardencentre.co.uk Flaunden Lane, Bovingdon, Herts HP3 0RL Oxford Rd, Aylesbury, Bucks HP17 8NR 01280 822133 01442 832482 www.hartwell-house.com 01296 747444 Independent garden centre offering a wide Open 10am-4pm every day except Magnificent stately home, just 2 miles from the range of bare root hedging, trees and fruit Wednesday. CS members receive 10% off all town, within the Vale of Aylesbury and set in 90 plus a superb selection of container-grown plants and shrubs. Drinks and home-made acres of parkland. Enjoy a 10% discount on all stock. Large garden shop and excellent cakes available at our café. Dog friendly. lunches and dinners, excluding drinks. (Offer does restaurant/coffee shop. Dog friendly and fully not apply to Sat dinner and Sun lunch). Please accessible to wheelchair users. Mail order quote ‘Chiltern Society offer’ when booking. available. 10% discount on all outdoor plants NEW The Black Horse Inn collected until end Dec 2018. The Vale, Chesham, Bucks HP5 3NS www.theblackhorsechesham.co.uk Cotswold Outdoor Chiltern Society 01494 784656 www.cotswoldoutdoor.com 01666 575500 Gold Member Your classic country pub! Traditional, hearty The UK’s widest range of outdoor clothing and wholesome pub food, great ales. Pies a and equipment. With over four decades of The Red Lion, speciality. Discount of 10% on all food and experience in outdoor retail, we offer one drink purchased at the pub, on production of of the most extensive and comprehensive Coleshill valid CS membership card. ranges of outdoor clothing, equipment and The Black Horse Pub and accessories. We’re delighted to offer CS Father and son team, Roger members a 15% discount*, both in store and and Barney Howe have rejoined Eating House online. To redeem it, either present your Aylesbury Road, Great Missenden, membership card in store or quote valid forces to renovate and reopen a Bucks HP16 9AX discount code online. Please call the Society quintessentialy English pub nestled www.theblackhorsegreatmissenden.com on 01494 771250 for the discount code. 01494 862537 in the heart of the Chilterns, which *T&Cs. Selected lines are exempt. Not to be used in Tastefully refurbished traditional pub, conjunction with any other offer or discount. Offer welcomes everybody including located on CS maps 8 & 12. Dog, child and expires 31/12/18. ramblers, children and dogs. muddy boots-friendly. Large gardens, secure children’s play area, five-a-side football pitch, Cycle Care They describe The Red Lion as ‘a two good-sized car parks, field for events and 225 Desborough Road, High Wycombe, destination pub worth the trek as a hot air balloon flights. CS members get 10% Bucks HP11 2QW pit stop for your exploring, or for a off food Mon-Fri (lunch and dinner). www.cyclecare.co.uk 01494 447908 great sit down for some excellent The Chequers 10% discount on bikes/clothing/accessories/ Berrick Salome, Wallingford, Oxon OX10 6JN energy food and drinks – basically 10% off food and drink, on our patio or www.chequersberricksalome.co.uk everything except for Garmin and GoPro cosily in front of an open fire.’ 01865 891118 products. Please use our own free car park! A beautiful brick and flint country dining pub in a delightful, peaceful village. Seasonal and fresh Dees of Amersham Michelin-recommended food with lunchtime 39 Hill Avenue, Amersham, Bucks HP6 5BX offers. Family, dog and horse-friendly, with www.deescycles.com 01494 727165 enclosed children’s play area and good-sized car park. (Closed all day Tues). CS members will 10% discount on all goods and cycles up to receive a 10% discount on food orders. £2,200 inc. VAT. Over £2,200, 12% discount. Not applicable to sale items, but discount will The Chequers be made up to 10/12% if sale reduction is less. 171 Sharpenhoe Road, Streatley, Discount applies to parts fitted but not to labour Beds LU3 3PS on repairs. Priority repairs for CS members. 01582 882072 Local pub near Sharpenhoe Clappers, ideal for Mountain Warehouse walking in the north Chilterns. Complimentary www.mountainwarehouse.com dessert and coffee with all main course meals. 020 3828 7700 The Ivy House The largest outdoor retailer in the UK, with over 200 stores nationwide. We cater for an London Road, Chalfont St Giles, extensive range of outdoor activities, including Bucks HP8 4RS Your holiday booking can www.ivyhousechalfontstgiles.co.uk walking, running, cycling, camping and skiing, 01494 872184 with a wide range of equipment and clothing help us! for the whole family. We’re focused on offering We’re delighted to announce that, for 10% off total bill when you show your CS a growing customer base the best gear and every walking holiday booked with membership card. the best service at the best prices. Receive 15% Ramblers Worldwide Holidays (www. The Red Lion NEW! discount in all our Chiltern-based stores* by ramblersholidays.co.uk/home), the Society presenting your valid CS membership card. will receive a small donation to assist in Village Road, Coleshill (nr Amersham), *Full terms and conditions apply: in store only – the promotion of walking in the Chilterns. Bucks HP7 0LH Amersham, Berkhamsted, Harpenden, Marlow, Taplow Please remember to nominate the Chiltern www.theredlioncoleshill.com 01494 723718 and Thame. Not to be used in conjunction with any Society when making your booking. Chiltern Society members will receive 10% off other offer or discount. For personal purchases only. when ordering 2 courses, Mon-Fri. Offer expires 31/12/18.

40 Chiltern 227 www.chilternsociety.org.uk 41 SUNDAY Walks start at 10.00am, unless stated. All participants walk at their own risk and must follow any advice and SOCIETY WALKS Usually about 5 or 6 miles, allow 2.5 hours. instructions from the Walk Leaders. Participants must be equipped with WEEKDAY Walks start at 10.30am. About 5 miles, allow 2.5 hours. appropriate clothing and footwear, and are also advised to carry a first aid kit and water. Walk Leaders have the authority to refuse those who in These walks are open to all members. Non-members are welcome to NB. Variations from this will be indicated in the walk description. ENQUIRIES regarding the walks should be directed to: their opinion are inadequately equipped or unfit to undertake the walk. join us as guests for two or three walks, though if you walk with the To avoid disappointment, contact the Walk Leader in advance if you’re 1) Walk leader where telephone number is given, or 2) Paul Weller 01628 unsure of the suitability of the walk. group regularly you will be expected to join the Chiltern Society to 486328 support our work in caring for the Chilterns. PLEASE NOTE: Walks may occasionally be changed or cancelled at short CS = CHILTERN SOCIETY MAP NO. notice. If you can, please check our website for updates.

MARCH O/S GRID REF APRIL O/S GRID REF MAY O/S GRID REF JOIN US Sun 4 Meet at Swyncombe church, Swyncombe, Explorer 171 Sun 8 This walk more or less follows the route of the Explorer 171 Wed 9 Meet at The Hampden Arms, Great Hampden Explorer 181 Henley-on-Thames RG9 6EA. A hilly walk with GR 682901 ‘Rugged Radnage’ cross-country run. Meet GR 785966 HP16 9RQ. Parking available. A reasonably level GR 845014 and get all this… far-reaching views from The Ridgeway and Swan’s CS Map 10 outside The Crown, City Road HP14 4DW (limited CS Map 7 6 mile walk, viewing archaeological and historical CS Map 12 l A free Chiltern Society footpath map of your choice Way, and across Ewelme Downs. Dogs will need sites in the Chilterns, including Grim’s Ditch, Bucks Oxon parking opposite). A walk of about 6.25 miles, Bucks l Chiltern magazine, exclusive to members, packed with great to be kept on leads to protect game birds. mostly on tracks and woodland paths. Two Whiteleaf, Neolithic and Bronze Age Barrows and Maggie Templeman 01491 637942/07831 878679 significant climbs and a steep descent. May be Hampden House. A few stiles. Lunch available at features, news and views, delivered to your door four times a The Hampden Arms if required. muddy in Crowell Wood. year Wed 7 Park in Wheel Orchard car park at the rear of Explorer 171 Brian Bowman 01844 290346 Goring High Street RG8 9HB. Follow the parking GR 599806 Deirdre Philpott 07973 271474 l Fantastic offers at over 30 visitor attractions, pubs, cafes and Sun 13 Park roadside near The Dashwood Arms, Piddington Explorer 171 signs to The Wheel pub and use the public car CS Map 16 Wed 11 Meet at the rear of The Palmer Arms car park off Explorer 160 HP14 3BH. A gentle stroll through Bottom Wood, GR 808943 shops park. Small charges apply. A moderate 5.5 mile Oxon the B3026 in Dorney village SL4 6QW. A mostly GR 930791 followed by a climb over Bledlow Ridge. Returning CS Map 7 l circular walk passing through Battle Plantation flat walk, taking in parts of the Arboretum, the No CS Map A selection of walking and cycling maps allowing you to via Hearnton Wood. About 6.5 miles. Bucks and Wroxhills Wood. Views of Elvendon Priory. Olympic Lake, The Thames Path and Jubilee River. Berks discover the beauty of the Chilterns Continuing past Cold Harbour and through Great Richard Boas 01628 52798 (Mobile on the day One stile. If lunching, please pre-order on arrival. 07757 482293) l Early access to our exciting events programme and special Chalk Wood, before returning on The Chiltern Patricia Boxell 01494 438968/07847 869506 Way. One stile and one quite steep hill. Wed 16 Meet at The Plough, Cadsden HP27 0NB. A 6.4 Explorer 181 member discounts Peter Hetherington 07767 647714 Sun 15 Meet in Great Hampden, parking on the road Explorer 181 mile walk with 900ft of ascent evenly spread GR 826046 l The satisfaction that comes from knowing you are helping to alongside the cricket pitch HP16 9QR. The GR 845015 over three climbs. Mainly through woodland and Meet in Pitstone Hill car park HP23 5RX (off road CS Map 3 Sun 11 Explorer 181 walk goes via Greenland’s Farm and the John CS Map 24 passing Hampden House and Chequers. Returning conserve and care for the Chilterns. between Ivinghoe and Aldbury). Walk to Ivinghoe Bucks GR 955149 Hampden Memorial to Little Hampden, with views Bucks along The Ridgeway. Call the pub on 01844 Beacon, Ward Hurst Farm, Duncombe Farm and CS Map 19 To join, call us on 01494 771250, visit our website www. of the Misbourne Valley. It then joins The Chiltern 343302 if you’d like lunch. Aldbury Nowers. Returning via The Ridgeway Bucks Way before passing Hampden House and crossing Mike Fox 01844 344356 (Mobile on the day chilternsociety.org.uk, or come to see us during office hours at Path. About 6 miles, no stiles. fields back to the start. Total ascent 558ft/170m. 07836 262766) the White Hill Centre, Chesham – address on p 4. Phil Cummings 01296 668621 A few stiles, and it could be muddy. Sun 20 Meet at Cookley Green by the bus shelter RG9 Explorer 171 Wed 14 Note early start of 10am. Park in The Spade Explorer 172 Sue Brown 07815 310552 6EL. Park on the green nearby. A hilly 6 mile GR 696902 Oak car park in Bourne End SL8 5PS, if staying GR 884876 Wed 18 Park at the side of the track opposite Cadmore Explorer 171 walk via Coats Lane, Watlington Park, Pishill and CS Map 9 for lunch. If not, please use the public car park CS Map 1 Russell’s Water. Great views and a few stiles. This End School HP14 3PE. A walk of about 5 miles, GR 784927 Oxon just past the pub on the right. A lovely 7 mile Bucks is a combined walk with the Chilterns Walking Reporting path problems touching on Turville and Fingest. Two or three CS Map 11 walk along The Thames Path from Bourne End Festival. If lunch is required, please book at The In normal circumstances please report any path problem to our to Marlow, over Marlow Bridge then back on the steep hills, and some pleasant views. Lunch is Bucks Crown, Pishill for about 1.15pm. Rights of Way Group Area Secretary covering the parish, who other side of the river under the flank of Winter available at the Dashwood Arms, Piddington if Peter Hetherington 07767 647714 Hill. Mainly flat, with one gentle climb and steep required. will then either take remedial action or prompt the appropriate Meet at The Red Lion, 90 Vicarage Road, steps both sides of the pedestrian bridge when Clive Knapman 07811 707918 Wed 23 Explorer 181 Highway Authority to do it. Information about the Area Marsworth HP23 4LU. Park in the small car park recrossing the Thames. If you want lunch, please GR 919147 Secretaries is shown on the Society’s website. Sun 22 Meet in Amersham Old Town car park, The Explorer 172 or considerately along the road. A mostly flat arrive early to pre-book. CS Map 18 Broadway HP7 0HL. An easy 6 mile walk, with GR 959972 walk of approx. 5.5 miles, but includes a moderate Bucks If however you come across something which you feel is a Mary Nash 07982 246667 stunning views. We climb out of Amersham CS Map 6 flight of steps, a few stiles and crossing some safety hazard needing to be handled with special urgency Sun 18 Meet at Hodgemoor Woods car park, Botterells Explorer 172 towards Coleshill, then join The Chiltern Way over Bucks busy roads. The route incorporates canals and please make that known direct to the Highway Authority Lane HP7 0JX, east of the A355 from Amersham GR 968938 open fields, before dropping back down to the reservoirs, as well as the villages and hamlets of responsible for the location (their details are shown below). If to Beaconsfield. This 5.5 mile walk heads south start. About 328ft/100m of ascent. Plenty of cafes Marsworth, Wilstone, Tringford and Startops End. CS Maps you do inform the Highway Authority direct, it would greatly through Hodgemoor Woods to Seer Green, then 6,13 and pubs in Old Amersham for refreshment. David Lawrence 07950 088213/01296 482313 help if you also informed our Area Secretary. explores the downland and woods west of Seer Bucks Andrew Clark 01494 783035 (Mobile on the day Sun 27 Park in car park on Stocks Road, Aldbury (just Explorer 181 Green before continuing along a fine stretch 07935 875403) north of the village centre) HP23 5RU. A fairly GR 965126 Central Bedfordshire CC 0300 300 8308 of The Chiltern Way, west of Chalfont St Giles. Wed 25 Meet at the car park beside the cricket pavilion, Explorer 182 easy 4.9 mile, mixed terrain walk incorporating CS Map 19 Return to the start via the access road to the car Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford SG17 5TQ Redbourn Common AL3 7DB. A 6 mile walk to GR 103119 sections of The Ridgeway, Hertfordshire Way, Herts park. Eight stiles and three modest climbs. May be Preferably report online: http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov. the south of Redbourn, with gentle hills, good CS Map 27 Grand Union Canal towpath and Grim’s Ditch. muddy in places. One stile and one quite steep hill (650ft/198m of uk/leisure/countryside/rights-of-way/public.aspx, identifying views through the Ver Valley and water meadows. Herts Stephen Groves 01494 684880/07843 381971 ascent). A bit of road walking. the path number by use of the map on that site; otherwise by A moderate walk with 3 stiles and several flights David Hackett 07707 253591 email to [email protected]. Wed 21 Meet at The Red Lion, Little Missenden HP7 Explorer 172 of steps. Total ascent 380 ft/115m. The walk is in 0QZ. Park along the opposite side of the road to GR 922989 Wed 30 Meet at The Royal Oak, Bovingdon Green, Marlow Explorer 172 the ‘50 Walks’ book. Plenty of pubs in Redbourn Luton BC 01582 510333 Fax: 01582 547177 the pub. A walk of about 5 miles through open CS Map 6 for lunch. SL7 2JF. A 5.2 mile, figure of eight walk around GR 835870 Highway Maintenance, Luton Borough Council, Town Hall, countryside and woods, taking in Shardeloes, Mop Bucks Rob Saunders 07885 663816 Marlow Common and Homefield Wood. A few hills CS Map 1 End and the outer suburbs of Holmer Green. No and 3 stiles. For walkers wanting a shorter walk Bucks George Street, Luton LU1 2BQ stiles and only modest hills. Sun 29 Meet at Cowleaze Wood car park, nearest Explorer 171 of 3.2 miles, no hills or stiles, use a simple unled [email protected]. David Vick 01494 673875 postcode OX49 5HX. A 5.5 mile walk exploring GR 725956 short cut (map supplied), while other walkers the Chiltern escarpment of Shirburn Hill and CS Map 9 continue on the longer walk. Children and well- Hertfordshire CC (excluding Dacorum) 01992 555279 Sun 25 Meet at the Recreation Ground car park, just Explorer 181 Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve. Part of Oxon behaved dogs welcome. Lunch can be booked in beyond The Greyhound Inn on the Chesham Rights of Way, County Hall, Pegs Lane, Hertford SG13 8DN GR 938101 the route follows the ancient Icknield Way and advance at The Royal Oak on 01628 488611. Road, Wigginton HP23 6EH. The walk is about [email protected]. CS Map 18 The Ridgeway. Fine views, two stiles and one Paul Weller 01628 486328 (Mobile on the day 4.5 miles, mainly level and includes a section of Herts steep descent and one ascent (total ascent 07961 227140) Grim’s Ditch and The Chiltern Way. Hertfordshire (Dacorum BC) 01442 228356 570ft /174m). Gruff Edwards 01442 267272/07810 700885 Countryside Access Officer, Cupid Green Depot, Philippa Sanders 07711 600226 JUNE Meet at The Crown, Ley Hill HP5 1UY. Ample free Redbourn Rd, Hemel Hempstead HP2 7BA Wed 28 Explorer 165 Sun 3 Starting at the top of Hollandridge Lane (North Explorer 171 parking around the green in front of the pub. A [email protected]. GR 989021 MAY End/Christmas Common) near OX49 5HL, this GR 715930 5.3 mile walk through woods, along old drover CS Map 17 Wed 2 Meet at Ewelme Recreation Ground car park Explorer 171 figure of eight walk circles round via Launder’s Map 9 paths, and across open-view fields, making a Bucks Farm then Watlington Park. Lovely views, hilly, Buckinghamshire CC 0845 230 2882 OX10 6PG, for a walk around Swyncombe taken GR 648912 Oxon gradual descent to the Chess Valley, followed by varied countryside with no stiles. Dogs welcome. Rights of Way (Operations), County Hall, from 50 Great Walks in the Chilterns. An easy 5.5 CS Map 10 a gradual ascent back via Tylers Hill. Lovely views, Allow 2.5 hours. Walton St. Aylesbury HP20 lUY mile walk, with one steep climb. Great views over Oxon quiet paths and no stiles. Maggie Templeman 07831 878679 but if at all possible online at: Oxfordshire. Paul Cooke 07901 516342 transportforbucks.net/report-it-prow.aspx Bob Parry 0118 9620405 Wed 6 Meet at The Red Lion, Dagnall HP4 1QZ. Please Landranger park in the rear car park. A 6.5 mile walk around 165 APRIL Meet at the ruined Norman church of St James Sun 6 Explorer 171 the Gade Valley. Climbing up to Whipsnade GR 990164 Oxfordshire CC just north of Bix Bottom near RG9 6BJ. A 5 GR 727869 Sun 1 Easter Sunday – no walk Golf Course, going through Masons Plantation & CS Maps Path and bridleway problems should be reported using the mile walk, initially on The Chiltern Way, through CS Map 2 Studham, then back down to the bottom of the 19, 20 online interactive reporting system: Oxon Wed 4 Meet at The Fox and Hounds, Christmas Common Explorer 171 Welgrove Wood to Crocker End, Nettlebed valley via The Chiltern Way. Another climb up to the Bucks http://publicapps.oxfordshire.gov.uk/content/publicnet/ Common and Berrick Trench, returning through OX49 5HL, for an energetic 6 mile walk connecting GR 714932 ridge, then continue past Gaddesden church to Hoo council_services/environment_planning/countryside/Map/ Warburg Nature Reserve. Lovely countryside with Wood and Well Farm before lunch. Two long steep Christmas Common with the commons of Ibstone CS Map 9 ROW/row.html, or use the quick link: www.tinyurl.com/ and Northend. Some steep hills – 800ft/244m of Oxon good views, a moderate hill and a few stiles. ascents, hopefully rewarded with some good views. ascent. Please patronise the pub. Paul Weller 01628 486328 (Mobile on the day David Betterton – mobile on the day 07899 gsbpw4y. Bob Parry 0118 9620405 07961 227140) 798840 General Rights of Way enquiries 01865 810226

42 Chiltern 227 email: [email protected] 43 SUNDAY Walks start at 10.00am, unless stated. All participants walk at their own risk and must follow any advice and SOCIETY WALKS Usually about 5 or 6 miles, allow 2.5 hours. instructions from the Walk Leaders. Participants must be equipped with WEEKDAY Walks start at 10.30am. About 5 miles, allow 2.5 hours. appropriate clothing and footwear, and are also advised to carry a first aid kit and water. Walk Leaders have the authority to refuse those who in These walks are open to all members. Non-members are welcome to NB. Variations from this will be indicated in the walk description. ENQUIRIES regarding the walks should be directed to: their opinion are inadequately equipped or unfit to undertake the walk. join us as guests for two or three walks, though if you walk with the To avoid disappointment, contact the Walk Leader in advance if you’re 1) Walk leader where telephone number is given, or 2) Paul Weller 01628 unsure of the suitability of the walk. group regularly you will be expected to join the Chiltern Society to 486328 support our work in caring for the Chilterns. PLEASE NOTE: Walks may occasionally be changed or cancelled at short CS = CHILTERN SOCIETY MAP NO. notice. If you can, please check our website for updates.

MARCH O/S GRID REF APRIL O/S GRID REF MAY O/S GRID REF JOIN US Sun 4 Meet at Swyncombe church, Swyncombe, Explorer 171 Sun 8 This walk more or less follows the route of the Explorer 171 Wed 9 Meet at The Hampden Arms, Great Hampden Explorer 181 Henley-on-Thames RG9 6EA. A hilly walk with GR 682901 ‘Rugged Radnage’ cross-country run. Meet GR 785966 HP16 9RQ. Parking available. A reasonably level GR 845014 and get all this… far-reaching views from The Ridgeway and Swan’s CS Map 10 outside The Crown, City Road HP14 4DW (limited CS Map 7 6 mile walk, viewing archaeological and historical CS Map 12 l A free Chiltern Society footpath map of your choice Way, and across Ewelme Downs. Dogs will need sites in the Chilterns, including Grim’s Ditch, Bucks Oxon parking opposite). A walk of about 6.25 miles, Bucks l Chiltern magazine, exclusive to members, packed with great to be kept on leads to protect game birds. mostly on tracks and woodland paths. Two Whiteleaf, Neolithic and Bronze Age Barrows and Maggie Templeman 01491 637942/07831 878679 significant climbs and a steep descent. May be Hampden House. A few stiles. Lunch available at features, news and views, delivered to your door four times a The Hampden Arms if required. muddy in Crowell Wood. year Wed 7 Park in Wheel Orchard car park at the rear of Explorer 171 Brian Bowman 01844 290346 Goring High Street RG8 9HB. Follow the parking GR 599806 Deirdre Philpott 07973 271474 l Fantastic offers at over 30 visitor attractions, pubs, cafes and Sun 13 Park roadside near The Dashwood Arms, Piddington Explorer 171 signs to The Wheel pub and use the public car CS Map 16 Wed 11 Meet at the rear of The Palmer Arms car park off Explorer 160 HP14 3BH. A gentle stroll through Bottom Wood, GR 808943 shops park. Small charges apply. A moderate 5.5 mile Oxon the B3026 in Dorney village SL4 6QW. A mostly GR 930791 followed by a climb over Bledlow Ridge. Returning CS Map 7 l circular walk passing through Battle Plantation flat walk, taking in parts of the Arboretum, the No CS Map A selection of walking and cycling maps allowing you to via Hearnton Wood. About 6.5 miles. Bucks and Wroxhills Wood. Views of Elvendon Priory. Olympic Lake, The Thames Path and Jubilee River. Berks discover the beauty of the Chilterns Continuing past Cold Harbour and through Great Richard Boas 01628 52798 (Mobile on the day One stile. If lunching, please pre-order on arrival. 07757 482293) l Early access to our exciting events programme and special Chalk Wood, before returning on The Chiltern Patricia Boxell 01494 438968/07847 869506 Way. One stile and one quite steep hill. Wed 16 Meet at The Plough, Cadsden HP27 0NB. A 6.4 Explorer 181 member discounts Peter Hetherington 07767 647714 Sun 15 Meet in Great Hampden, parking on the road Explorer 181 mile walk with 900ft of ascent evenly spread GR 826046 l The satisfaction that comes from knowing you are helping to alongside the cricket pitch HP16 9QR. The GR 845015 over three climbs. Mainly through woodland and Meet in Pitstone Hill car park HP23 5RX (off road CS Map 3 Sun 11 Explorer 181 walk goes via Greenland’s Farm and the John CS Map 24 passing Hampden House and Chequers. Returning conserve and care for the Chilterns. between Ivinghoe and Aldbury). Walk to Ivinghoe Bucks GR 955149 Hampden Memorial to Little Hampden, with views Bucks along The Ridgeway. Call the pub on 01844 Beacon, Ward Hurst Farm, Duncombe Farm and CS Map 19 To join, call us on 01494 771250, visit our website www. of the Misbourne Valley. It then joins The Chiltern 343302 if you’d like lunch. Aldbury Nowers. Returning via The Ridgeway Bucks Way before passing Hampden House and crossing Mike Fox 01844 344356 (Mobile on the day chilternsociety.org.uk, or come to see us during office hours at Path. About 6 miles, no stiles. fields back to the start. Total ascent 558ft/170m. 07836 262766) the White Hill Centre, Chesham – address on p 4. Phil Cummings 01296 668621 A few stiles, and it could be muddy. Sun 20 Meet at Cookley Green by the bus shelter RG9 Explorer 171 Wed 14 Note early start of 10am. Park in The Spade Explorer 172 Sue Brown 07815 310552 6EL. Park on the green nearby. A hilly 6 mile GR 696902 Oak car park in Bourne End SL8 5PS, if staying GR 884876 Wed 18 Park at the side of the track opposite Cadmore Explorer 171 walk via Coats Lane, Watlington Park, Pishill and CS Map 9 for lunch. If not, please use the public car park CS Map 1 Russell’s Water. Great views and a few stiles. This End School HP14 3PE. A walk of about 5 miles, GR 784927 Oxon just past the pub on the right. A lovely 7 mile Bucks is a combined walk with the Chilterns Walking Reporting path problems touching on Turville and Fingest. Two or three CS Map 11 walk along The Thames Path from Bourne End Festival. If lunch is required, please book at The In normal circumstances please report any path problem to our to Marlow, over Marlow Bridge then back on the steep hills, and some pleasant views. Lunch is Bucks Crown, Pishill for about 1.15pm. Rights of Way Group Area Secretary covering the parish, who other side of the river under the flank of Winter available at the Dashwood Arms, Piddington if Peter Hetherington 07767 647714 Hill. Mainly flat, with one gentle climb and steep required. will then either take remedial action or prompt the appropriate Meet at The Red Lion, 90 Vicarage Road, steps both sides of the pedestrian bridge when Clive Knapman 07811 707918 Wed 23 Explorer 181 Highway Authority to do it. Information about the Area Marsworth HP23 4LU. Park in the small car park recrossing the Thames. If you want lunch, please GR 919147 Secretaries is shown on the Society’s website. Sun 22 Meet in Amersham Old Town car park, The Explorer 172 or considerately along the road. A mostly flat arrive early to pre-book. CS Map 18 Broadway HP7 0HL. An easy 6 mile walk, with GR 959972 walk of approx. 5.5 miles, but includes a moderate Bucks If however you come across something which you feel is a Mary Nash 07982 246667 stunning views. We climb out of Amersham CS Map 6 flight of steps, a few stiles and crossing some safety hazard needing to be handled with special urgency Sun 18 Meet at Hodgemoor Woods car park, Botterells Explorer 172 towards Coleshill, then join The Chiltern Way over Bucks busy roads. The route incorporates canals and please make that known direct to the Highway Authority Lane HP7 0JX, east of the A355 from Amersham GR 968938 open fields, before dropping back down to the reservoirs, as well as the villages and hamlets of responsible for the location (their details are shown below). If to Beaconsfield. This 5.5 mile walk heads south start. About 328ft/100m of ascent. Plenty of cafes Marsworth, Wilstone, Tringford and Startops End. CS Maps you do inform the Highway Authority direct, it would greatly through Hodgemoor Woods to Seer Green, then 6,13 and pubs in Old Amersham for refreshment. David Lawrence 07950 088213/01296 482313 help if you also informed our Area Secretary. explores the downland and woods west of Seer Bucks Andrew Clark 01494 783035 (Mobile on the day Sun 27 Park in car park on Stocks Road, Aldbury (just Explorer 181 Green before continuing along a fine stretch 07935 875403) north of the village centre) HP23 5RU. A fairly GR 965126 Central Bedfordshire CC 0300 300 8308 of The Chiltern Way, west of Chalfont St Giles. Wed 25 Meet at the car park beside the cricket pavilion, Explorer 182 easy 4.9 mile, mixed terrain walk incorporating CS Map 19 Return to the start via the access road to the car Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford SG17 5TQ Redbourn Common AL3 7DB. A 6 mile walk to GR 103119 sections of The Ridgeway, Hertfordshire Way, Herts park. Eight stiles and three modest climbs. May be Preferably report online: http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov. the south of Redbourn, with gentle hills, good CS Map 27 Grand Union Canal towpath and Grim’s Ditch. muddy in places. One stile and one quite steep hill (650ft/198m of uk/leisure/countryside/rights-of-way/public.aspx, identifying views through the Ver Valley and water meadows. Herts Stephen Groves 01494 684880/07843 381971 ascent). A bit of road walking. the path number by use of the map on that site; otherwise by A moderate walk with 3 stiles and several flights David Hackett 07707 253591 email to [email protected]. Wed 21 Meet at The Red Lion, Little Missenden HP7 Explorer 172 of steps. Total ascent 380 ft/115m. The walk is in 0QZ. Park along the opposite side of the road to GR 922989 Wed 30 Meet at The Royal Oak, Bovingdon Green, Marlow Explorer 172 the ‘50 Walks’ book. Plenty of pubs in Redbourn Luton BC 01582 510333 Fax: 01582 547177 the pub. A walk of about 5 miles through open CS Map 6 for lunch. SL7 2JF. A 5.2 mile, figure of eight walk around GR 835870 Highway Maintenance, Luton Borough Council, Town Hall, countryside and woods, taking in Shardeloes, Mop Bucks Rob Saunders 07885 663816 Marlow Common and Homefield Wood. A few hills CS Map 1 End and the outer suburbs of Holmer Green. No and 3 stiles. For walkers wanting a shorter walk Bucks George Street, Luton LU1 2BQ stiles and only modest hills. Sun 29 Meet at Cowleaze Wood car park, nearest Explorer 171 of 3.2 miles, no hills or stiles, use a simple unled [email protected]. David Vick 01494 673875 postcode OX49 5HX. A 5.5 mile walk exploring GR 725956 short cut (map supplied), while other walkers the Chiltern escarpment of Shirburn Hill and CS Map 9 continue on the longer walk. Children and well- Hertfordshire CC (excluding Dacorum) 01992 555279 Sun 25 Meet at the Recreation Ground car park, just Explorer 181 Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve. Part of Oxon behaved dogs welcome. Lunch can be booked in beyond The Greyhound Inn on the Chesham Rights of Way, County Hall, Pegs Lane, Hertford SG13 8DN GR 938101 the route follows the ancient Icknield Way and advance at The Royal Oak on 01628 488611. Road, Wigginton HP23 6EH. The walk is about [email protected]. CS Map 18 The Ridgeway. Fine views, two stiles and one Paul Weller 01628 486328 (Mobile on the day 4.5 miles, mainly level and includes a section of Herts steep descent and one ascent (total ascent 07961 227140) Grim’s Ditch and The Chiltern Way. Hertfordshire (Dacorum BC) 01442 228356 570ft /174m). Gruff Edwards 01442 267272/07810 700885 Countryside Access Officer, Cupid Green Depot, Philippa Sanders 07711 600226 JUNE Meet at The Crown, Ley Hill HP5 1UY. Ample free Redbourn Rd, Hemel Hempstead HP2 7BA Wed 28 Explorer 165 Sun 3 Starting at the top of Hollandridge Lane (North Explorer 171 parking around the green in front of the pub. A [email protected]. GR 989021 MAY End/Christmas Common) near OX49 5HL, this GR 715930 5.3 mile walk through woods, along old drover CS Map 17 Wed 2 Meet at Ewelme Recreation Ground car park Explorer 171 figure of eight walk circles round via Launder’s Map 9 paths, and across open-view fields, making a Bucks Farm then Watlington Park. Lovely views, hilly, Buckinghamshire CC 0845 230 2882 OX10 6PG, for a walk around Swyncombe taken GR 648912 Oxon gradual descent to the Chess Valley, followed by varied countryside with no stiles. Dogs welcome. Rights of Way (Operations), County Hall, from 50 Great Walks in the Chilterns. An easy 5.5 CS Map 10 a gradual ascent back via Tylers Hill. Lovely views, Allow 2.5 hours. Walton St. Aylesbury HP20 lUY mile walk, with one steep climb. Great views over Oxon quiet paths and no stiles. Maggie Templeman 07831 878679 but if at all possible online at: Oxfordshire. Paul Cooke 07901 516342 transportforbucks.net/report-it-prow.aspx Bob Parry 0118 9620405 Wed 6 Meet at The Red Lion, Dagnall HP4 1QZ. Please Landranger park in the rear car park. A 6.5 mile walk around 165 APRIL Meet at the ruined Norman church of St James Sun 6 Explorer 171 the Gade Valley. Climbing up to Whipsnade GR 990164 Oxfordshire CC just north of Bix Bottom near RG9 6BJ. A 5 GR 727869 Sun 1 Easter Sunday – no walk Golf Course, going through Masons Plantation & CS Maps Path and bridleway problems should be reported using the mile walk, initially on The Chiltern Way, through CS Map 2 Studham, then back down to the bottom of the 19, 20 online interactive reporting system: Oxon Wed 4 Meet at The Fox and Hounds, Christmas Common Explorer 171 Welgrove Wood to Crocker End, Nettlebed valley via The Chiltern Way. Another climb up to the Bucks http://publicapps.oxfordshire.gov.uk/content/publicnet/ Common and Berrick Trench, returning through OX49 5HL, for an energetic 6 mile walk connecting GR 714932 ridge, then continue past Gaddesden church to Hoo council_services/environment_planning/countryside/Map/ Warburg Nature Reserve. Lovely countryside with Wood and Well Farm before lunch. Two long steep Christmas Common with the commons of Ibstone CS Map 9 ROW/row.html, or use the quick link: www.tinyurl.com/ and Northend. Some steep hills – 800ft/244m of Oxon good views, a moderate hill and a few stiles. ascents, hopefully rewarded with some good views. ascent. Please patronise the pub. Paul Weller 01628 486328 (Mobile on the day David Betterton – mobile on the day 07899 gsbpw4y. Bob Parry 0118 9620405 07961 227140) 798840 General Rights of Way enquiries 01865 810226

42 Chiltern 227 email: [email protected] 43 WE BELIEVE QUALITY HOME INSURANCE CAN’T BE RUSHED

We’ll invest time to help you ensure you get the right cover for your home.

Call 01442 270000 for a quote or pop in NFU Mutual Office, Boxted Farm, Berkhamsted Road, Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP1 2SG

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.

Home+CarAdverts_Clean_0717.indd 2 27/06/2017 08:19