Hilltop News

August & September 2016 Village fun and celebrations

Anne Butterworth has been a stalwart of our community for many years and has now achieved official recognition by receiving the British Empire Medal. Always inclined to deflect personal credit for her work, Anne has nevertheless been persuaded to give an account of her award and special day at the Palace. Many congratulations Anne. Full details of all the summer events and celebrations inside this issue…

More help from our Good Neighbours Already providing a service to Hilltop Villagers with the Pub Lunch Club, Superfast Broadband and, in winter, with the Severe Weather Car Scheme, the Good Neighbours Group is now organizing the first of what is hoped will be a number of workshops providing an introduction to using and getting the most from an iPad. Many older residents, in particular, find this modern technology beyond comprehension As part of Her Majesty’s 90th birthday but, as Chris Brown explains in this issue, celebrations, our ‘Queen’ graced us with her this free two-part taster session arranged presence on a couple of occasions this summer. for August will demonstrate how easy these The wet weather relented just in time for tablet computers are to use. the annual St Leonards Parish Hall Fete. Plus our regular features… For a pleasant change we enjoyed blue Chris Brown goes over some grey areas. skies and warm sunshine, which helped Our Curvaceous Cook gets stuffing. bring in more visitors and raise much Plus all the news from our churches, school, needed funds for the Parish Hall. This year clubs, councils and societies. the fete was graced by our ‘Queen’, who arrived in style in a Rolls Royce. The ‘Queen’ also turned up a week later at an afternoon of fun and games in her Cover picture honour on Buckland Common. Also in June, The famous climbing tree the Village Picnic, organized for a second by the cricket pitch has time by the Commons Preservation Society, given children fun for working with the Cricket Club, provided many years, as here at the another enjoyable event for families. Village Picnic

Hilltop News 3 Progress with roads continues to be slow, our main roads and so I have given Ivan a THE PARISH COUNCIL although the potholes are being filled in THE COUNTY COUNCIL very detailed tour of our rural roads and The seemingly endless rain has taken a toll fairly quickly. Please remember that if you he County Council an itemised list of areas in need of repair. see a pothole, please report it to http:// is currently He is proactive and keen to get potholes on some of the wooden furniture around transportforbucks.net/report-it-pothole. Texamining the repaired promptly. He is adamant that the the Parish and repairs have been made to aspx. These reports go straight to the Local provision of education quickest way to get this done is for anyone the Millennium bench by the cricket pitch, Area Technician and are logged on a system for children with Special who sees a dangerous pothole to go online where they cannot be ignored! Otherwise, to Transport for Buckinghamshire: http:// the bench on Buckland Common and a new Educational Needs Cllr Allen is still on a mission to make the (SEN). For a long time www.buckscc.gov.uk/transport/tell/tfb/. door is being fashioned for the Buckland County Council aware of the generally poor it has been known that HS2 reported back in mid-June on their Common noticeboard after, in its rotten state of some of the roads in the Parish, as the county supports a proposals for the haul road, proposed state, it fell off in my hand whilst posting well as the poor quality/longevity of repairs higher proportion of the school population from the Great Missenden roundabout to when they do get carried out – we will not (currently 82,000) than our statistical the tunnel portal at Bury Farm. Following minutes! give in! On a brighter note, Brown’s Rise neighbours such as Kent, Surrey and their presentation the County Council he delightful weather has also given has been resurfaced! Hertfordshire and this has recently risen together with the Districts decided that the the grass a boost and we are aware from 2.79% to 3.2%. In some cases our House of Lords Select Committee should Tthat there are some very overgrown The New Local Plan, subject to agreement costs are almost 50% per child higher than be approached for additional funding to footpaths. So if you spot a particularly by cabinet on 12 October of the final many other authorities. However in terms move the haul road closer to Leather Lane, bad bit (like the section opposite Chiltern ‘Preferred Options’, will look to run a of home to school transport our costs are significantly reducing congestion on A413. Motors, which has already been reported), six-week public consultation between the average and our administration is cheaper, The cost was insignificant in terms of the then please let me know. The weather 31 October and 12 December on this next but the outcome may well be to train more overall budget, however we must all hope does however seem to have been excellent stage of plans. Provisional dates for public teachers in mainstream schools to provide that following Brexit this monstrous project for potatoes, of which we saw a fabulous exhibitions of the plans are as follows: their education rather than relying too will be dropped altogether. display amongst many other delights at the heavily on special schools. I am always pleased to raise your • Chiltern Council Offices, Amersham, annual allotment inspection - one plot still The County’s business case for a Unitary concerns with officers at County Hall. Saturday 5 November 9.00am to 12.00pm up for grabs if anyone is interested! authority in Buckinghamshire is gaining Tricia Birchley [email protected] • Chesham Town Hall, Saturday 5 momentum and the District Councils are 01296 621138 The MVAS equipment has been in use November 2.00pm to 5.00pm now working together to look at other again; this time by the cricket pitch on options. Whilst it would be sad to see the It should be noted that there are no the common during July. We hope to see County Council replaced after 125 years changes within the current plan regarding sensible speeds through the village for the of service, there is no doubt that savings housing, business or changes to Green Belt safety of all, but especially our horse riders, would be achievable from a rationalisation boundaries that affect this Parish. cyclists, walkers and children: all of whom of chief executives, planning, finance and would benefit from the odd speed-demon Hayley Lewis, Clerk to the Council, 758843 other services. The number of councillors being reminded of the speed limit. Email: [email protected] is also likely to reduce and the Council is looking at the Wiltshire model which ensures the voice of local communities is heard, with particular emphasis on parish Your councillors are: councils. John Allen, Chairman: 758095 Over the past month we have seen two Nigel Blomfield, 758314 new Local Area Technicians: John Murphy and Ivan Crome, who are now responsible Chris Brown, 758890 for the safety of our local roads in terms of Philip Matthews, 758205 potholes, reporting defects and keeping on John Minting, 758206 top of emerging problems. Having taken Francis Sanger, 758767 John out to acquaint him with our road Judith Joseph: 758702 network it was clear from his comments that he was committed to the upkeep of

4 Hilltop News Hilltop News 5 Hawridge and Cholesbury C of E School

As it has affected most of us, the weather parents, as they see the clothes that are seems to have sent its challenges to some soon to go in to the washing machine! A French cafe transformed the school hall of the school events as the last term came with parents and children alike joining in to a close. The Spring Fayre managed to and creating a wonderful atmosphere. The find a three hour window (just) to allow Battle of the Books competition and grand the children to enjoy the visiting farm, finale quiz was won by a team of seven in a final that all children enjoyed as the Zorb racing and inflatables – the rest of competing teams were whittled down to the stalls retreated into the hall and those the final two. There has also been a readers’ who visited saw some fantastic entries to tea party with Mrs Phillips for the children who exceeded their reading target and a the Royal bake off and photography ‘Kith pizza picnic for those who excelled in their and Kin’ competition. As with most village handwriting. events poor weather doesn’t deter many As the copy deadline for this article closes and the school managed to raise a good the children are preparing for their first dress rehearsal of their production, Joseph amount of money and fun was had by all. and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat he rain did beat the first planned and Year 5 are preparing their presentation Sports Day as the safety of the for the Go Givers ‘Make a difference’ Tchildren had to be considered. inter school competition at the Aylesbury The reserve day allowed the children to Theatre. compete in a number of races and this Over the summer holiday the school is concluded a Fit for Fun week with children having a bit of a refurbishment and this and parents coming together for ‘wake has been helped significantly by Gordon and shake’ early morning exercise sessions Elliott of Elliott Flooring kindly offering to before school. re-carpet one of the classrooms and helping Continuing on the sport theme, the out with some of the others. children have been taught hockey and Not sure how the staff have managed basketball as well as their other normal to squeeze so much in! In the hope that we sports and have had inter house and inter will have some sort of summer, on behalf school competitions to hone their new skills. of the school, we hope you all have a good Years 5 and 6 are also visiting Chiltern Hills break. Academy to compete in an inter school games festival where they will be playing rugby, football, cricket, tennis, hockey, netball and table tennis. A willow tunnel has been created in the school field by parents and locals and the outside area continues to be used as much as possible. Forest Schools have been back to complete more outside learning and the only people whose hearts seem to sink somewhat when the children finish are the

6 Hilltop News Hilltop News 7 • For adults – plants and produce, gifts, HAWRIDGE AND tombolas, cakes, books and ‘pick a bottle’ CHOLESBURY • Ellesborough Silver Band CHURCHES FETE • Vintage car display onday 29 August: Everyone is Grand Draw tickets: £1 each and can welcome to come and join the be bought in advance from one of the M‘fun of the fete’ on Cholesbury committee. Common from 1.30pm to 4.30pm. This is a Donations of goods/produce: Every year, major fundraiser for both churches and the our friends and neighbours have made committee are working extremely hard – great contributions to the Fete. We would after three consecutive years of rain we are love offers of cakes (for both the teas and due for a dry, sunny day! Highlights include: the cake stall), produce such as plants, fruit, eggs, honey, chutney, etc; donations for the • Grand Draw with a cash prize of £100 book stall and any bric-a-brac (please only and lovely hampers full of goodies good quality items), bottles, gifts or raffle • Win 12 months’ supply of home baked items. Donations can be collected from you cake by one of the team. We are most grateful • Cream teas, a barbecue, ice creams and a to everyone in the village who is helping ‘Pimms & A Pint’ tent in any way and if you would like to help • Dog Temptation alley – see whether your please let us know – the more the merrier! dog can resist the treats on offer! For any queries please contact John Farmer • For children – ‘Hook a Duck’, Bouncy (758715) or Janet Hopkinson (757059). All BANK HOLIDAY Castle, Face Painting and Splat the Rat proceeds will be split between Hawridge and Cholesbury Churches. MONDAY

1.30pm – 4.30pm

CHOLESBURY COMMON

8 Hilltop News Hilltop News 9 St Leonards Parish Hall and starts at 8.15 tour guided by Colin Lomas, concentrating Local History sharp, with the Hall open from 8pm. CHOLESBURY-CUM-ST on the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Group Other talks to look forward to during LEONARDS W.I. Our September meeting will be really the season include: The Oxon and Bucks interesting - Dr Geoffrey Farrer-Brown he Local History t the May meeting we discussed Light Infantry on the Somme 1916, is to talk about Medical Detection Dogs. Group’s popularity and voted on the two resolutions Buckinghamshire Astronomers and Garden Geoffrey (a retired histapathologist) continues to be which went on to be passed at T Cities and Other Utopias. A has thoroughly researched the subject shown by its growing the National AGM in Brighton. The first For members and regular visitors we and chaired an international conference membership with large called for NHS hospitals to provide facilities look forward to seeing you once again. If on medical bio-detection. The Medical attendances, including enabling family carers to have better you are new to the area, have just not got Detection Dogs Centre started in Great plenty of visitors, at all meetings. The LHG access to their loved ones with dementia around to coming along before, or for a Horwood in 2008 and the power of a dog’s Committee would like to thank everyone while they are being treated on the while, why not try out one of our meetings, nose to detect human diseases is amazing. for their continued support over the past ward. This was passed in Brighton with a just £4 at the door? No dogs on the evening, just lots of year. 79% majority. The second resolution was Membership for the whole year is great fascinating information, not to be missed - The popularity is in part down to finding about cutting food waste and tackling value at just £10 for adults and free for Monday 19 September! interesting speakers with entertaining and food poverty, calling upon supermarkets those 16 years and under. There are eight Do give Carol Henry, our President, a call informative stories to tell. So hopefully we to rethink their approach to food waste. evening meetings, normally on the first for more information about WI (758435). have come up with a quality selection of This had an 83% vote in favour. At the Friday of the month, plus a newsletter, speakers and topics for the new season of AGM, expert speakers spoke both for and other member events and access to our talks starting in October. against the resolutions and there was NEIGHBOURHOOD archive of photographs and other material We kick off on Friday 7 October by strong debate from the floor. The mandates documenting the history of the houses, WATCH welcoming back Julian Hunt, a renowned will be followed up by campaigning and people and events in the Hilltop Villages - local historian with well-illustrated talks full working for change on these issues, both here will be ‘Have something for everyone to enjoy. of interesting anecdotes. This time we’ve nationally and locally. Your Say’ meetings chosen a talk with a thirst-quenching title: Chris Brown (758890) Claire de Carle came and spoke about Tat The Market in the Buckinghamshire Breweries. The talk is at email: [email protected] Mrs Maud Grieve in June. Mrs Grieve High Street, Chesham, on founded a medicinal and commercial herb the first Wednesday of school and farm at Chalfont St Peter where each month, 11am-1pm, she trained people in the harvesting, drying through to December. Meet your local and preparation of medicinal herbs and in neighbourhood officers and have your 1931 published a book called ‘A Modern say on policing priorities and any concerns Herbal’, which is still in print! which you may have. August is an ‘away day’, when we Shirley Blomfield (758314) are going out for a Cream Tea and in September we are visiting the V&A for a

10 Hilltop News Hilltop News 11 HAWRIDGE & CHOLESBURY CRICKET CLUB Mid season report As most folk have experienced, thus far this has not been a good summer weather-wise. Rain and cricket are not good bedfellows, and there have been numerous match cancellations, with much gnashing of teeth and disappointment. Unfortunately this can and has led to frustration, as individuals turn their back on the game and look for Captain Neil Jones leads from the front alternative entertainment. currently unbeaten this season. The Under This, along with several injuries to key 11 team has just won two games in a row players, has left Club Captain Neil Jones Colts continue to excel and is also near the top of its league. All news, photos and more can be scratching for a team each Saturday. These In addition to the colts performing, found on the club website, which is difficult circumstances coincide with the impressed with her bowling. In addition to progress is being made on the coaching hawridgeandcholesbury.hitscricket.com. club’s elevation to the Mid Bucks Premier taking a wicket, she also had a simple catch front. Of particular significance, Alex Neal The club also has a Facebook Page and League, so it has been tough going. That dropped off her bowling! With the influx of has qualified as a Level 2 coach, the first at Twitter Account. the club has maintained seventh place girls into our colts, there is every likelihood the club to do so under the reconstituted Brian Ralphs in a ten team league, says a lot for the of more ladies participating in this fun structure. The club is justly proud of dedication of a few. day in the future. For the record, The his achievement and his enthusiasm is One of the few bright rays on an President’s XI won the first of two innings infectious. otherwise gloomy horizon has been the on the day, and came a close second in the transitioning to senior cricket of a few of next innings! Sunday friendlies our up-and-coming juniors, without whom Winning is not the only goal of our Sunday we would have had to scratch fixtures. Sam Looking ahead cricketers. Whilst being highly competitive Hames, Ciaran Delaney, Ferdy Maintzer Over the next few weeks there are a in the field of play, it is also very important and Luke Barker have at times stepped in number of Friday evening friendlies to ensure that all players get to make a to make positive contributions. All aged 14 planned, so a good time to visit the club contribution. We did not win a game until or 15, they have displayed commendable and enjoy the company of those who may the 3rd July when, ironically, we beat the maturity in the toughly competitive league. not play as regularly as others. You may usually very strong Kensington team in even get a game! a two innings match. Many games have Colts The Colts Fun Day and Awards been close, with cricket being the ultimate As commented above, our colts are Presentation will take place on 10 winner. continuing to provide the mainstay of September. This will be followed with a Of note, at our annual President’s the club. Not only the senior colts have Barn Dance in the evening of the same day. Day fixture, we again had a lady player, performed well, teams at other age groups So watch the press regarding this event and when club Social Secretary Dawn Edwards have excelled. The Under 10 team is make sure to put it in your diary. Ellie Redding and Dawn Edwards mind the cakes…

12 Hilltop News Hilltop News 13 Common. Barbara and Richard Baddon vegetable garden to visit. CHOLESBURY cum have a structured garden which so In the afternoon, a few miles took us ST LEONARDS complements their house. Members to Baddesley Clinton. This is a moated HORTICULTURAL explored the prolific vegetable garden Manor House set in pleasant parkland. in four raised beds, the greenhouse and Members toured the medieval house lived SOCIETY the new stable block. There is interesting in by the Catholic Ferrers family for over planting in the flower beds to the side of 500 years and, because of persecution, it I am writing this report after an extremely the house. has three priest holes. Outside you could wet and blustery June and July. The In complete contrast Sue and Guy wander around the walled garden and weather has caused rapid growth and it Williams invited members to see their see the vegetable garden, which was A little bit more help? hidden cottage garden. This has been being restored. The afternoon ended with has been a busy time tying in plants and aving been able to make life easier lovingly created over ten years and it was everyone tucking into a good National Trust for their parents by offering them repairing wind damage. I hope, by the time most interesting to see the before and tea. some practical help, Alix and you read this, we will have had plenty of after photos. Donations were taken for The trip was once again organised by H Stuart Matthews decided to start their the Florence Nightingale Hospice and the Diana and Brian Mills and the Society is very sunshine to bring on the flowers into their own company ‘Enabling Independence’ Hospice of St. Francis. grateful to them for arranging such a good full summer glory. with a view to helping people in a similar The Society would like to thank all the day out for members. situation. ow is the time to take cuttings owners for their generosity in opening their gardens for members to visit - quite one of The Society’s next event is the Annual of pelargoniums. They need no The Matthews are quick to point out the nicest ways of raising money for charity. Show on Saturday 3 September at 2.30pm Nspecial treatment: just insert in that they don’t see themselves as ‘Carers’ at Hawridge and Cholesbury School. 3” pots of compost with added perlite. but they are there to take some of the In June the annual Coach Trip took Now is the time to start planning your Water sparingly and place in a greenhouse day-to-day pressures off your shoulders us to Warwickshire to visit two National entries so keep tending your veggies or on a sunny windowsill to overwinter. – whether that be helping you to remain Trust properties. In the morning we and nurturing your flowers for the Show Penstemons, which give long flowering independent, giving you more time with visited Packwood House and gardens. The benches. Remove side shoots of dahlias displays, need regular dead heading and your family or just more time for yourself. gardens were full of interest with extensive to ensure prize blooms. Decide which pot are also easy to propagate by cuttings. Put In fact they can turn their hands to flowerbeds planted with a wonderful plants you want to enter and give them three stems in a 4” pot of light compost almost anything and find themselves with mixture of annuals and perennials. special care. If the garden is not your thing but cover with a plastic bag until rooted in requests for help such as driving to and Members especially enthused over the then get out your cameras as there are about 3-4 weeks. Then pot on individually from appointments and social journeys; colour and planting scheme of the long six photographic classes to enter. Artists and overwinter in a frost-free place and shopping, housekeeping, food preparation, borders. The helpful gardeners told us take up your brushes for a prize-winning plant out in May. computer assistance, paper work, pet care, the planting was called ‘mingling’ and painting and cooks plan your baking Maintain your garden with regular DIY, lawn mowing or gardening and even was a move to escape from rigid Victorian entries. hoeing, weeding and watering. Roses need help with entertaining family and friends! bedding. There was also formal topiary, As ever, read the schedule carefully! If dead-heading and cutting back. Shrub and Companionship itself is high on their list of orchards, a lake and a productive walled you have any queries please contact Show hybrid tea varieties should flower again the type of support they offer. Secretary Roseann Vince (758764) or Hon. until the end of September. Sow hardy They have no outside employees, being Sec. Diana Garner (758347). Schedules can lettuce now to provide salad leaves into the very hands on themselves and they aim to be downloaded from www.cholesbury.com winter. provide support in most areas of your own and click on the Hort.Soc. Page and print home where you and your family might off. Roseann has some paper copies. We have had three open garden require assistance. evenings this year. The first in June was They live locally at Hyde End and much Good gardening and I hope we can now to wander around the lovely garden of look forward to being able to be of help. Katharine and Bill Dallas at Dundridge all enjoy some summer weather. They can be contacted via their website – Manor. Donations were taken for the Liz Firth. www.enablingindependence.co.uk or by British Heart Foundation. mobile: Alix on 07799 346834 and Stuart In July we had a joint opening of on 07511 683882 and can, of course, supply two very different gardens in Buckland references.

14 Hilltop News Hilltop News 15 HAWRIDGE & CHOLESBURY COMMONS PRESERVATION SOCIETY

Despite the weather before 19 June, the Village Picnic was able to go ahead and it proved a very enjoyable afternoon. We were fortunate to have the Cricket Club facilities and their catering with Dawn Edwards’ beautiful Fun for all at the village picnic cakes and Bren Mason’s exotic burger stall, the club’s bar and ice creams as well as set up, one opposite the Full Moon and strawberries and cream sold in aid of St another at Braziers End. The first didn’t Mary’s Church. The Berkhamsted Ukelele have many moths since the conditions were far from ideal. Moths prefer warmer, Peter Hall recorded 33 micromoths and 96 meant there were so few butterflies flying. Random Players (BURP) played a variety of moist and calmer weather and cloudy skies macromoths together with 27 species of A new date will have been announced numbers with their customary flair (all for and will even fly in a light drizzle. The butterfly. Although most moths fly at night by MailChimp and on New Grapevine, tea and cake and the odd beer) and, during trap at Braziers End, in a more sheltered there are actually more species of day-flying including another moth release. spot, proved more successful, so we had their break, we were treated to songs with moths than there are butterflies. No one Recently David Dennis wrote about the a large number of specimens for release has yet been able to establish why moths possibility of an influx of Painted Ladies an international flavour from the Hilltop on the Common the following morning: which fly at night are attracted to a bright this year since the conditions in Morocco Villages Community Choir. some of these can be seen on our website: light or why some have such colourful had been favourable for these migrant hawridgeandcholesburycommons.org. s always there were a number of markings or, even if brown, they have such butterflies. Although we have had some We had a good number of participants people behind the scenes who intricate wing patterns which are so locally, so far there have not been greater in better weather on the Saturday morning, helped make this a fun event – Bill seldom seen. numbers than usual. Apparently they fly A including some very enthusiastic children. We are fortunate to have David Dennis northwards at about 15 miles per hour, Waller, who had cut the grass opposite for As well as the astonishing beauty and detail additional parking; John and Ann Caple and Peter Bygate who are so willing to only rarely stopping to refuel on flowers, of many of the species when seen close who erected their marquee for the band; share their knowledge and enthusiasm and once here they breed. What has now up, much of the fun is in finding out the Peter Hopkinson who fetched and carried for moths and butterflies. Gill Fleckney been confirmed is that the next generation names of the species (eg Setaceous Hebrew all manner of signs and tables etc; Brian spoke for us all when she wrote ‘A super of these lovely butterflies returns to North Character, Drinker, Uncertain, Snout and Ralphs, Richard Vasey and other members event. Thanks to you and everyone else Africa in large numbers, travelling over the Bright Line Brown Eye) and in finding of the cricket club who moved their tables who organised it….especially the beautiful 1000 miles! out interesting facts about these amazing and chairs so that people could sit outside moths for turning up to be trapped!’ If Nighttime on the Commons: You don’t creatures. Did you know, for example, that in comfort; and Digger Reading who held a you want to find out more about these have to wait for an organized event to there are only 58 species of butterflies in number of activities for the children. Thank amazing creatures do check out www. enjoy the Commons in perhaps a different the UK but over 2,500 different types of you to everyone who helped make this a learnaboutbutterflies.com which includes way. One local person wrote to Linden and moths (only three of which are clothes really pleasant afternoon. fascinating information about moths. Stephen about the use she had made of the eaters!)? A study conducted on our Our Moth trapping also went ahead The Butterfly walk which was planned bench (in the clearing through the trees, commons in 1995 by Martin Albertini, on Friday 1st July despite the continuing to follow the Moth release had to be roughly opposite the Old Smithy), which the Bucks County Moth Recorder, and cool and breezy weather. Two traps were postponed because the poor weather they gave us last year. “Last night I came

16 Hilltop News Hilltop News 17 LINDENGATE GARDENS t Lindengate there are many Aopportunities for gardeners to learn and experience the therapeutic effect of horticulture, arts and crafts, construction, cooking and wildlife, as well as being part of a team Healthy local chicks and the wider community. In creating a new sensory garden, it takes these have proven a challenge for the owls opportunities a step further for those feeding their young. It was interesting on the autistic spectrum and dealing though to find that another barn owl with the many areas of memory loss. nesting box nearby was being used as a Most importantly, the garden will be larder for surplus food. fully accessible. Conservation Group activities: The wet The remainder of the garden will be weather has also been a challenge for broken down into manageable projects our volunteers. Our thanks to our tractor for fund raising - and there will be a lot drivers, who are now able to get out and of them! At around 24m2 the finished Examining the trapped moths cut the grass. In August we hope to have a area will be one of the largest sensory return visit from the Hammersmith-based gardens in the area. home from choir at about 9.30 and poured year. However, several local people have group of volunteers who have come to Once the funds have been raised, myself a small(ish) glass of red, gathered also put up boxes nearby and when Lynne help on the Commons on several previous both gardeners and volunteers will up my dogs and went over the Common Lambert from Bucks Owl and Raptor Group occasions. It should be an opportunity for work together to create what will to sit on your bench. It was a wonderful came back to monitor various boxes on them to see the results of their past efforts be become an incredible addition to evening (compared to the day) and the sky Christine’s farm in mid-June she found in clearing the area so that the heather has Lindengate’s offering. was mottled pink and blue for a while – five healthy kestrel chicks and a barn owl been able to flourish so well. absolutely gorgeous. The grass and bracken sitting on seven eggs. She ringed the kestrel Thank you for supporting Lindengate! Lindsay Griffin is really tall but Isobel has swiped some chicks and commented, “From their wing Telephone: 01296 622443 wide paths so I sat and the dogs mooched. length we can estimate that they were Email: [email protected] The birds were singing their hearts out about two weeks old. They each weighed – it was a ‘dusk’ chorus, if there is such a approximately 200g, which is quite heavy thing – truly magnificent and really loud! for their age so appear well-fed. The wet As the dusk gathered the bats came out weather this week will be a challenge for – whizzing past me in flashes of flapping the parents but, all being well, the chicks silent wings. Some of them obviously have will fledge at 28 – 35 days and will stay better radar than others – some turned as around the box being fed by the parents soon as they sensed me, others flew straight for another 2-3 weeks, so you should see past, suddenly disappearing from sight. them in your garden in a couple of weeks’ It was wonderful. I eventually wandered time.” home at about 10.30. I will make sure I do At the same time they netted the male this more often – all because of a bench.” barn owl and ringed him but left the Nesting boxes: Unfortunately none of female as she was sitting on seven eggs. the nesting boxes on the Commons have Lynne will be back soon to check on their been used for the intended species this success. However, the wet conditions will

18 Hilltop News Hilltop News 19 More common celebrations

illagers gathered on 12 June on Buckland Common to celebrate Vthe Queen’s 90th birthday with an afternoon of fun and games. They started with hobby-horse races followed by egg-and-spoon racing for both young and old. The children found jewels around the common to fill the holes in a large crown. Even ‘Her Majesty’, following her appearance at the St Leonards fete the previous week, found time to join us. The enthusiastic gathering sang patriotic songs, including the whole of the National Anthem, and even ‘Waltzing Matilda’ to satisfy some visiting Aussies. Some of our local guitarists banded together for some tunes and the afternoon finished off with some delicious cake, in the form of the Union Flag, made by Rosemary Pearce. What a delightful afternoon – Shelagh England, who was the main driving force behind the event, gives thanks to everyone who helped and to all who came.

20 Hilltop News Hilltop News 21 friendly although still very traditional and was relatively informal and great fun. the only people who didn’t smile all the The Palace mantra of ‘One Team One One Team One Standard time were the Yeomen of the Guard – I Standard’ was very obvious as we watched presume they’re not allowed to or maybe the different official groups interacting the ruffs around their necks would prickle with one another and I felt this applied It was some weeks before Christmas that them even more. equally to the Investiture Ceremony at Penn It was rather chilly (no, actually freezing) House. I feel very much a part of a ‘Team’ I received a letter from the Cabinet Office that afternoon and having made a happy here in St Leonards. Thank you, not only to indicating that my name had been put tour of the garden, we made our way to the those people who wrote so kindly on my forward for an award, The British Empire tea tent only to discover that there was no behalf but to you all for making this award Medal (Civil Division), and asking whether tea left! We did have a cup of tea (one of possible. 10,000 made that afternoon) but were sorry I would be prepared to accept it. After Anne Butterworth not to be able to enjoy one of the 47,000 some thought, I decided that in accepting cakes and sandwiches - could it be that the * * * I was really doing it on behalf of the many Queen calculated it wrongly? Apart from The above, reluctantly written by Anne, people in the Hilltop Villages who do an the fact that I was now shaking with cold, I couldn’t help thinking that if that was the gives a fascinating insight into the process incredible amount of work – often unseen case, there was hope for me yet! of receiving an award but modestly covers – ensuring the happiness of so many of We withdrew slightly before the Royal up the real story! Having worked with us. This was announced in the New Year’s party (as did a number of others) and Anne for at least the last fifteen years on bought a rather thick sandwich from a stall the PCC and as joint Churchwarden with Honours List...right at the bottom of the in the park which we ate in a very smart her, for eleven of them, I can vouch for page. little side road just off St James...oh, yes her dogged tenacity in seeing projects through, alongside her willingness at all was particularly pleased that in and a cup of hot coffee. By then I had times to help those around the Parish who addition to work in the community of stopped shaking... are ill or in some kind of difficulty. This all St Leonards, the citation mentioned The Investiture Ceremony was held I of London when surrounded by thirty nine combined with her devotion to her large the Trust for Spinal Muscular Atrophy at Penn House and the award was acres of beautiful garden. Conservation is family, including ten grandchildren! Her with which I have helped raise funds for a presented to me by The Lord-Lieutenant of an important aspect of the grounds and the exhaustive work for the Trust for Spinal number of years. Buckinghamshire, Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, lake is home to a number of nesting wild Muscular Atrophy, so close to her heart, is This particular medal had been on 31 May. Penn House, owned by The birds and there are beehives on the island! also well recognised. Anne always goes the established in 1917 for both civil or military Earl and Countess Howe, was warm and The trees are of special interest and the extra mile in all she does. How she does it service, had been withdrawn in the United welcoming and Lady Howe who received us herbaceous border is amazing - not quite all, none of us know! Congratulations Anne Kingdom in 1993 and was re-instated in had made all the cakes for tea herself! There yet at its best in May. upon your most well deserved BEM in the 2012 and is now only in recognition of civil were only four of us receiving the BEM so it Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip New Year’s Honours ...Ann Horn service. It may be awarded posthumously so duly arrived with The Duke and Duchess I was quite relieved still to be around last of Cambridge (who was particularly month to receive it in person! interested to talk to the team of doctors An invitation duly arrived inviting me and nurses who had been with her at the and a guest to attend a Garden Party at birth of Princess Charlotte) and Princesses Buckingham Palace. I decided Nick was my Beatrice and Eugenie. A number of people best bet and off we set in our finery to join were chosen – apparently you had to look 7,000 other guests on Tuesday 24 May. interesting on the day - to be presented to Many of you, for a number of reasons, members of the Royal Family. Sadly Nick will have walked through the Grand and I were not singled out and my dress Entrance and despite rigid security it was and skirt – not forgetting the silly hat – is a wonderful start to the afternoon. It’s now referred to as my uninteresting outfit. difficult to imagine you are in the centre The atmosphere is most relaxed and

22 Hilltop News Hilltop News 23 Community Choir Good Neighbours Group sing on he Pub Lunch Club is open to anyone HOSPICE NEWS living in, or connected with, the he Hilltop Villages Community Choir Support for carers Hilltop Villages. Currently the Pub meets on Wednesday evenings in T Anyone affected Lunch Club meets at 12.30pm on the Cholesbury Village Hall. Our singing by a life-limiting T second Wednesday of each month. We are director, Jenny Wright, encourages us to illness can access looking forward to a warm welcome and relax and really enjoy our singing. Over the the Hospice’s opportunity to sample an excellent new last year we have sung a variety of songs services and there menu at the newly refurbished Black Horse including ‘Lean on Me’, ‘Play a Simple is also a dedicated upfront and commit yourself for the whole Inn. On offer is a two-course meal, plus tea Melody’ and ‘Sitting in the Morning Sun’. carers’ support programme which half term. We have nearly two dozen or coffee for just £10. At Christmas the choir sang during includes a first aid course and a moving regular singers now so you don’t have to Distinctly unstuffy, it’s just the place the carol service at St Leonards Church to and handling training course during sing on your own – no solos! to get to know some new faces, whether a packed congregation – this was their September. To find out more about If you would like to join us in September, you are new to the villages, or if you are second appearance at the service and their these and other services available from or want more information, talk to Nicola just around during the middle of the day, fame must have travelled far and wide! the Spring Centre visit: www.stfrancis. on 758784 or [email protected], or maybe working from home and just fancy The choir is not linked to the church in any org.uk/springcentre just turn up on Wednesday 7 September at a break and a chat over a meal. It also way at all. In June a group of twenty of us 7.45pm. provides an opportunity for those who Come to the gardens! sang at the Village Picnic on Cholesbury Nicola Leat, Janet Hopkinson and Diana might otherwise not find it easy to get to As we enjoy the last days of summer common. Garner local social events. If a lift is needed there the Hospice will be opening the You do not have to be able to read and back this can be arranged. gates to its seven acres of volunteer- music to join the choir, and we sing The next few dates for your diary are: kept gardens as part of the NGS unaccompanied. The evenings run from Wednesdays, 10 August, 14 September and Open Gardens Scheme on Sunday 4 7.45 prompt to 9.15 and cost £4.00 12 October. Booking is made in advance September from 2- 5pm. Explore the per session if you just want to come by contacting Chris Brown on email: sensory garden, woodland walk or occasionally; or £3.00 per evening if you pay [email protected] or enjoy refreshments on the lawns with phone: 758890. their views over the Chilterns. Entrance to the event is £4 (children enter free). To find out more about all events and fundraising challenges, visit: www.stfrancis.org.uk/events or email [email protected]

24 Hilltop News Hilltop News 25 Teamwork

by the Reverend Britain won seven out of a possible David Burgess ten track cycling gold medals in London, and every British cyclist, either riding as an individual or as part of a team, broke a world record at some stage in the I’m writing this competition. article in the wake Three simple but crucial ideas come from of a hectic, almost this when applied to the Christian faith: manic, sports • Everyone has a part to play. This is a basic, fundamental principle which is neglected Sunday. Lewis Hamilton won the British surprisingly often. If you consider yourself Grand Prix; Andy Murray and three other a Christian you have a part to play in the British tennis players won championships church’s scheme of things. It may be small at Wimbledon; and the day was closed but it won’t be insignificant: and not playing a part at all isn’t an option. with the final of the Euro 2016 tournament. • Small things matter. One definition Well done to our churches – and to my of quality is “attention to detail”, and rota planning – for finishing our morning whether as churches we’re looking at our services in time for the Grand Prix and for acts of worship at one end or our catering fitting our evening service in between the for social or fundraising events at the other, the quality needs to be there – and end of the tennis and the football! its absence is frequently noted if it isn’t efore we get engulfed in the Rio got right. Olympics, which should be starting • We serve a greater whole. I don’t know Bjust as you settle down to read this, how large the Team GB cycling team was in a few thoughts on teamwork and the 2012 – the team numbers probably easily Christian faith. Much has been made of ran into three figures. The majority of the success via attention to detail of the them wouldn’t have got a public mention British cycling team at London 2012, and but they would have been aware of the on the final morning of the Olympic track big picture of which they were part. The cycling competition. British Cycling’s then- Christian church isn’t about me, it’s about performance director Dave Brailsford said what I contribute to the whole. in a BBC interview: So if you like sport, enjoy the next few “The whole principle came from the weeks. If you don’t, my sympathies – it’s idea that if you broke down everything going to feel like a long haul! But do take you could think of that goes into riding a time to think about these ideas and apply bike, and then improved it by one per cent, them to your own thinking, you will get a significant increase when you whatever you consider your put them all together. They’re tiny things relationship to God to be. but if you clump them together it makes a big difference.”

26 Hilltop News Hilltop News 27

SERVICES AND CONTACT DETAILS FOR THE FOUR PARISH CHURCHES: August and September 2016

DATE DAY St John the Baptist St Leonards St Laurence St Mary’s THE LEE ST LEONARDS CHOLESBURY HAWRIDGE

7 Aug Trinity 11 8.00 am Holy Communion 11.00 am Parish Communion 9.30 am Holy Communion 9.30 am Family Service 10.00 am All-­‐Age Worship at Lee Common Methodist

14 Aug Trinity 12 10.00 am Parish Communion -­‐ Shared service 10.00 am Patronal Matins -­‐ Shared service at at The Lee Cholesbury

21 Aug Trinity 13 10.00 am Matins 11.00 am Shared Parish Communion at Hawridge AE

28 Aug Trinity 14 10.00 am Parish Communion 9.00 am Morning Prayer 9.00 am Quiet Communion 11.00 am Parish Communion

4 Sept Trinity 15 8.00 am Holy Communion 11.00 Parish Communion 9.30 am Holy Communion 9.30 am Family Service 10.00 am All-­‐Age Worship w. Sunday School

11 Sept Trinity 16 10.00 am Parish Communion 6.00 pm Harvest Festival -­‐ No service 9.30 am Holy Communion

18 Sept Trinity 17 10.00 am Matins Time to be confirmed – Shared Parish Communion at Cholesbury

25 Sept Trinity 18 11.00 am Harvest Festival 9.00 am Breakfast Service -­‐ Sharing the service at St 11.00 am Parish Communion (NB: change of Leonard’s time)

Vicar and Rector Licensed Lay Minister Churchwardens Churchwardens (cont.) Churchwardens (cont.) Rev. David Burgess Tony Eccleston The Lee Hawridge St Leonards The Vicarage, 0777 7640386 Trevor Pearce Elizabeth Tomlin Mark Lane The Lee [email protected] 01494 837601 01494 758214 01494-­‐758238 Great Missenden [email protected] [email protected] HP16 9LZ Parish Secretary Cholesbury 01494 837315 Peggy Sear Rod Neal John Farmer James Nisbet [email protected] 07724 115200 01494 837264 01494 758715 01296-­‐624337 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

28 Hilltop News Hilltop News 29 expressed to many people but particularly Church matters to Ruth and Andy and to Chris. We raised a very welcome £709.

The Fete will be held on Bank Holiday CHOLESBURY Monday 29 August. Please join us for an n the fifth event shared by Hawridge and Cholesbury Sunday in churches. We welcome volunteers and new OMay it was ideas! Cholesbury’s turn to hold the four- parish service. Our guest speaker was Kieran HAWRIDGE Kettleton from the ur Baptism Service Church Urban Fund and he talked to us A service for pets on Sunday 3 July about its work. This is a Church of England Obrought some new the stained glass windows, following an initiative that helps to empower local urban faces to St Mary’s, which inspection from our Insurers. The PCC communities to meet the needs of their was looking particularly had a brain-storming session to find a parishioners. Churches in inner cities are lovely, decorated novel fund-raising event in the village. alert to these needs and, with help from in all-white floral Philip mentioned the Windmill as a great CUF, they can tackle homelessness with arrangements. It was landmark and Maggie felt many villagers shelters, build up Credit Unions for financial Magical history tour at The Windmill wonderful to welcome advance and combat food shortage with would be interested in local history. So we showy. Everyone relaxed in beautiful some of the children from across the parish Food Banks. Kieran emphasized that contacted Ruth and Andy Wright at The surroundings under a hot sun. Close up, the who had been recently christened and such commitment must be long term to Windmill who very generously agreed to windmill tower, set against a mainly blue it was warm enough for us to sit in the achieve success with both individuals and open their garden and allow us to hold sky, was truly imposing. churchyard to enjoy tea and some delicious communities alike. The collection raised a traditional English Garden Party. Chris Chris gave a second talk focusing on biscuits baked by one of our visitors. £199 for CUF. Brown, our well informed local historian, discussed different options for his Talk. the history of The Windmill. In 1913 it was bought by the writer Gilbert Cannon whose Apart from the Summer Concert (write The annual Pets’ service was held on So began the Magical History Tour and guests included John Middleton Murry and up in next edition) we have held a few its traditional Sunday in May and once Garden Party at The Windmill devised and D H Lawrence. Their social life caused quite small fundraisers. Thank you to the School again we were obliged by the weather planned by Maggie, and by early July it had a stir! Another guest was the painter Mark PTA for inviting us to their May Fayre and to celebrate indoors. Hymns were become a two-venue event. Guests first Gertler, who painted the famous picture our thanks also to St Leonards Fete where accompanied by David on the guitar. Our gathered on the north churchyard where of the Windmill. Andy told us about the there were some real bargains to be had dog friends predominated as usual. The Chris spoke about the fort and church. The restoration work he had carried out to on our ‘Two Pound Land’ stall. Thanks younger ones were anxious to join in but origins of the fort are Iron Age and Chris remove the cap weighing 4 tons as well as to Richard, one of our very generous their masters and mistresses had them well reported various finds and reviewed the details about the whole year of renovation. parishioners, we were able to offer bowls trained! A hen arrived, cared for by the most recent interpretations. He explained When the cap was replaced, there was an of huge, freshly picked strawberries and Cheeseman family, and during the quiet the church rebuilding in 1873 and awful moment when it would not rotate. It cream at the village picnic. A big thank you parts of the service there was a lovely pointed out some of the more interesting was removed again and the roller bearings to everyone who supported our various ‘cheeping’ noise. Our youngest member, memorials, including the headstone of re-arranged before it functioned properly. stalls and helped raise more funds for our Matthew, brought a stuffed toy forward to Thomas Robinson, who was the local miller The restoration, including making new sails, on-going repairs and refurbishment. David in the Christian custom of ‘suffer the before WW1. We then headed for the Windmill to needed many special crafts that are rare in little children.’ Everyone in Hawridge should by now be greeted with glasses of Pimms and England today. Clearly for Andy this was a have received an invitation to become a finger food. The Windmill lawn is carefully labour of love, but crowned with success. Cholesbury church needs up to £3000 ‘Friend of Hawridge Church’ and we would maintained and the garden was a joy to All those who attended enjoyed a to replace the protective grilles over appeal to you all please to consider making wander through with roses particularly fascinating day and I echo the thanks

30 Hilltop News Hilltop News 31 a regular donation to ensure the future The Breakfast Service has now been Supper Concert – On Saturday 15 of this important ancient building. No ST LEONARDS running for nearly six years. We usually October. Dave Clarke and his well-known amount would be considered insignificant e much look forward to the work around a particular theme (this, choir are already rehearsing their repertoire – it would just be wonderful to think every arrival of Tony Ecclestone, without too much communication – it for the evening – from the classics to high parishioner might make some contribution Wa Licensed Lay just seems to happen!) and we are always comedy. A delicious supper menu has been rather than us having to continually rely Minister based in delighted that so many and different decided and you would be wise to book on a small but very generous core of Weston Turville, people join us. On the fourth Sunday in your place now! This is always a sell-out supporters. Thank you to those who have who is to join the May there were 55 of us in church - we and, sadly, late-comers can’t be fitted in as already pledged their support. four Parishes at almost needed a loaves and fishes act! Our there is a limit to numbers in St Leonards the end of the Summer. Although Tony subject was ‘understanding’ and this was Parish Hall. So do contact Ann Horn Plans for the Church Fete on Bank will not be in the Hilltops every Sunday, this re-enforced in the talk, the hymns and (758250) for tickets - £20 each. Holiday Monday 29 August are well will be a tremendous support to David who the prayers – not forgetting Jo Streven’s under way but again all offers of help, currently leaps from one Service to another amazing rendition of ‘God Be In My Head’. The next Tea Parties are to be on donations or contributions are of course without taking breath in between! Do join us if you would like something a Wednesdays 24 August and 28 September. readily accepted. This is a big but labour- We are truly sorry to be losing Richard little different. We meet for breakfast at There are some members who find it intensive fund-raiser for both churches, so Charles from the PCC. Richard has been a 9am, go into church at 9.30 and you can be difficult to get out and to those we extend please don’t be shy in offering your help. much valued member for many years and home just after ten. a special welcome. Transport is always Hopefully this year you won’t need to don we shall miss his quiet and wise counsel. On available so please contact Anne Lake your full wet-weather kit! Sunday 19 June Richard was presented with As part of our Mission Action Plan and (01296 620169) or Anne Butterworth We will be repeating our raffle to ‘Win some rather special wine in recognition to widen our clergy base, we have invited (758700) if you would like to be collected 12 months’ supply of home-baked cake’– of his great contribution to St Leonards. Rev. Prebendary Jeremy Crossley from St and returned to your home. There’s always last year’s winner, Nicola Chaplin, has Very fortunately for us, Richard has happily Margaret Lothbury in the City of London someone new to meet which is what makes described it as ‘the BEST prize ever’ – and agreed to continue playing the organ and to take our Communion Service on Sunday it such fun. Oh, and the scones and cakes she’s still got two cakes to go! If you can’t dealing with some of the more intricate 7 August. This is an initiative by one of are fantastic! make it to the fete but would like to buy points of Church maintenance. We do our Church Wardens, James Nisbet, which a raffle ticket for either the cakes or the thank you, Richard. hasn’t been easy given that the City Clergy Grand Draw, please let us know. work mostly during the week and Sunday New to the fete this year is a Scarecrow is a real day of rest! In return, we are Competition – a homemade scarecrow hoping to take a number of people to St to your own design advertising the fete. Margaret, which is one of the finest Wren Wouldn’t it be great to see the Hilltop churches in the country and is situated next Villages ‘alive’ with scarecrows for the last to the Bank of England in the heart of the two weeks of August? A truly wonderful City of London. We might even manage prize to the winner! We can supply you a quick lunch beforehand in the Royal with all the materials you need (wood, Exchange and maybe a look at the Bank of hay or straw) to make your scarecrow – a England’s Museum afterwards! Strangely perfect summer holiday project – you for us – but not for them – St Margaret, as just need some old clothes and plenty many City churches, is closed at weekends. of imagination. If you would like some Their Communion service is at 1.10pm on supplies please email hawridgechurch@ Tuesdays and we plan to visit on Tuesday 6 gmail.com or phone 757059. September. We will be giving details of exact dates and transport nearer the time. This is an invitation to all Hilltop Villagers, so if you are interested and would like to join us, please contact James on 01296 624337. Richard Charles with David

32 Hilltop News Hilltop News 33 NOVI MOST – CREATING CREATIVITY Your guide to using an iPad hen Matty Sutton, Novi Most’s where you never switch on a computer Liaison and Development or art lessons where you never pick up WCoordinator, returned to the a paint brush! Through the work of The Good Neighbours Group (GNG) has Chesham office – where he normally Novi Most volunteers, High School and organised the first of what we hope will be works - he was asked to sum up his University students are now able to take a number of workshops or taster sessions whistle-stop road trip around Bosnia and advantage of courses in photojournalism, Herzegovina. He replied quite simply art and photography and practical on using a tablet computer, or iPad. The ‘Life-changing. Humbling. Wonderful’. technical skills, all of which are helping aim is to demonstrate how easy they are to He continued ‘I would say every single them to succeed in a very competitive use and provide a sound introduction as to young person I spoke to said they would market. Thanks to the Novi Most teams not know what to do if Novi Most wasn’t and the many years of struggling to be what a ‘tablet’ can do for you. there to give them fun, hope, a safe accepted, the young people of Bosnia hether you’ve had no experience place, wonderful friendships and the and Herzegovina can now see a future in of using any type of computer chance to discover God’s love and purpose front of them as more and more of them Wbefore, or you’ve got a tablet for their lives’. understand the value of Christianity - and already but have not got the most out of it, The Novi Most team is now spread slowly, very slowly, newcomers are joining this workshop is for you. across five different locations and them in church! With more and more government, utility Leonards Parish Hall starting at 1.30pm on is currently making huge progress Gill Fleckney is our contact with company, bank and shopping services now Wednesdays 17 and 31 August. promoting creativity with young this amazing organisation and we are primarily available via the internet, the There is no charge for attending but people. The school system in Bosnia and most grateful for her enthusiasm and GNG felt it important that those people pre-booking is essential to confirm a Herzegovina is big on learning by rote commitment to the Team who pioneer living locally who have missed out so far place. To book a place or find out further but gives little opportunity for practical this very valuable youth work in Bosnia on the opportunity to get familiar with information please contact Chris Brown on experience. Imagine Computer lessons and Herzegovina. tablet computers could have the chance to 758890 or email: [email protected]. find out about their benefits and have a go Assuming there is further interest trying them out. we aim to repeat these workshops and The two- session workshop has been are exploring other computer-related organised with the Bucks Adult Education workshops. So if you would like to attend Team and will be led by a tutor experienced but can’t make the August dates, or if you in familiarising those new to using tablet have suggestions about other courses that computers. Those attending will be shown could be put on, please get in touch. how to use all the basic programs and applications available on tablet computers. They will learn about using email, how to safely access the internet, look for information connected to their interests and hobbies, and make use of online services most important to them. You don’t need to own a tablet computer, as Apple iPads (a popular make of tablet) will be provided to learn with on the course, but if you already own an iPad you can bring it along with you. The course involves two sessions, each of two hours, and will take place at St

34 Hilltop News Hilltop News 35 HILLTOP NEWS nature notes The peppered moth – a sonnet Arising from our ashen pit of toil, As forge and mill did shape this unkempt land; Poetry in monochrome – The blackness of the trees from coal and oil, Contrasted with the skin nature had planned. rapid industrialisation of Britain. This was the nature of grey v black A single, fragile pearl encased in jet, particularly the case in the large towns and Your pallor marked you out for all to see; cities of northern and midland England. I was awoken in the early hours as the dawn broke a few days ago by a gang of grey squirrels In contrast to our progress, blood and sweat, Soot, the waste product of the coal fuelling Your population had no industry. factories, iron furnaces and steam railway engaged in a noisy exchange. No doubt if one could interpret the staccato chatter the language And then from deep within you came a switch, engines was acidic. Across industrialised employed would be no less profane than that of the proverbial ‘Billingsgate fishwives’. areas and the countryside immediately We came across your shadow in the sky; surrounding these towns it progressively t best, grey squirrels are never pollution and the amount of open space. Your alabaster pelt had turned to pitch, killed off delicate lichens highly sensitive to more than a loose association of For instance, populations living in large Forced to adapt so that you would not die. airborne pollution. Soot also blackened all Afamily members but squabbles and cities generally rely more on the visual I wonder if we ever get it right, but the smoothest surfaces it attached to, violence are never far below the surface. signals: in rural areas, those ‘poetic rhymes’ Will you turn back from darkness into light? including the rough bark that clad trees. This time of year there is tumult within predominate. By Samuel Illingworth Rapidly the paler form of peppered moth the squirrel population. They breed twice I have mentioned the so-called ‘black resting on darkened bark was exposed to a year, summer and winter and the noisy squirrel’ variant in a previous Nature predation by birds. Though research into argy-bargy denotes the period during Notes. When I last wrote about them This modern sonnet is inspired by the these observations has been challenged which mature female squirrels kick their there were probably only 25,000 black recent natural history of the peppered over the years, it is believed that the darker adolescent offspring, or kits, out of the squirrels, representing no more than one moth. Feeding on birch, it is found in (melanic) moth variety stood an increasingly drey (aka. nest). Meanwhile male squirrels per cent of the total UK population of rural woodlands and urban gardens and better chance of survival as it merged into are making moves to secure the favours over two million. Some of these are ruddy/ land fringing industrial areas. Like all the sooty background. Over less than 50 of the most desirable females and that brown/black while others are a sleek jet lepidoptera when at rest during daytime it years the most frequently found variety had accounts for the noisy dawn chorus. Being black. A black squirrel was first sighted is at risk of providing a tasty meal for birds. switched from pale grey to black. By the crepuscular - more active at dawn and dusk in Letchworth, Hertfordshire in 1912, As the name implies, the moth’s wings and beginning of 20th century more than 95% – chatter can explode at both ends of the and is now the town’s mascot. Since then body display a speckling graduating from of moths trapped displayed a sooty-black day. they have slowly but steadily spread east black to white. When seen at a distance it appearance. Grey squirrels communicate through a and west, reaching just a short leap from gives the moth a pale grey hue. Some of you may remember the Clean complex repertoire of sounds. Rather than here at Whipsnade. Recent research has Over millions of years, through the Air Act which came into effect in 1964. speech, consider it a means of expressing confirmed there is a dominant gene that process of natural selection, its colouration Very gradually, measures were put in emotions, threats or desires. A kind of has been ‘switched on’ in the black form. has evolved to resemble the pale bark of place to prevent sooty deposits being ‘squirrel poetry’ comprising squeaks, low- It is linked to higher concentrations of silver birch and the light-coloured lichen discharged into the atmosphere. Now, pitched barks, and high-pitched chatter. testosterone suggesting both males that favours the bark. Consequently, the the pale grey peppered moth has become Above all the most frequent repost is and females with the gene are closer its shading and camouflage came the predominant variety again. Even in a coarse - “mehr mehr mehr”. It’s not more aggressive and will to resemble those of bark and lichen, the the heartlands of heavy industrial activity, just vocalization that’s central to the out-compete the pale form. greater its success in countering predation. natural selection has reversed the trend. interactions but also body posturing, such So numbers of the black Even the caterpillar displays adaptive However, today and sadly in common with as tail-flicking. This is deployed to warn variety are on the qualities by closely resembling thin twigs of most lepidoptera, the overall numbers other squirrels about predators. Male increase. birch. Occasionally, genetic mutation will of peppered moths is as little as a fifth squirrels also make an affectionate coo- produce all-black or all-white moths. But compared to 200 years ago. If Tennyson purring sound used when courting. this is a disaster for these moths as they were alive today he may well have The use of vocal and visual would stand out against the background composed an ode to the peppered moth. communication has been shown to vary by and the vast majority would be quickly That’s all ‘in grey and black’ for this time. location, based on elements such as noise picked off by grateful birds. The early part of the 19th century saw [email protected]

36 Hilltop News Hilltop News 37 the Full Moon, there was an interregnum The Leader of the Council’s side was period of “interesting times”. As of July, a barrister who made a strong case with Late summer pub news a new team is in charge led by Lisa and emphasis on the several points of planning Charlotte, the chef. They have asserted law and policy, the heritage implications that the pub will henceforth be managed and the potential financial viability of to their standards that are focused on the property trading as a public house. maintaining a well-managed cellar Evidence was presented by professional With three pubs now of the pub to serve more customers inside, and good fresh food from local sources members of the planning department and a they felt the plans as presented were too open again in our wherever possible. They have promised contracted expert consultant. grand in scale for the Green Belt and not reporting area, things an all-new menu by August with special The Leader for the Save the White Lion adequately sympathetic to the Grade II fish days, emphasis on a fine Sunday roast Group was Richard Hurd, who introduced look a little better listed aspects of the building. lunch and an international theme night volunteer evidence from experts from the than in our previous Since Monday trading has been very once a month to highlight the cuisine of a Chiltern Society (heritage, tourism and slack and to allow the team some time off, report. Nevertheless, on-going situations particular country each time. In addition grant funding), Campaign for Real Ale the pub now closes all day on Mondays. to serving the local community as a prime (viability of community owned pubs and continue to keep three more closed. The To accommodate the quiz night regulars, objective, they aspire to win back visitors value of pubs to community welfare), and Bull remains a nursery, whilst the owners quizzes will now be on Sunday evenings. to the Chilterns such as cyclists, walkers, two people giving evidence from first hand On other Sunday evenings, there will be of the Rose and Crown and the White Lion nature lovers, etc. experience as to the potential viability. live music from 7 to 10pm. Coming events persist in seeking permission for a change As part of the plans to widen the There was also extensive evidence provided include a barbeque for the Porsche Club on appeal of the pub, they are bringing in live by a director of White Lion Community of use from their current legal status as 2nd August and a three day beer festival music on alternate Saturday nights and Pub Limited documenting the business public houses to residential properties. starting on Friday 16 August. For updates making children more welcome through outlook for a revived White Lion as a pub. and the latest news on happenings visit the he Black Horse in the Chesham Vale an attractive junior menu and activities for The thrust of the Group’s evidence was new web site: www.theblackhorsechesham. has now reopened under the new them. Looking to the near term, a beer to emphasize the value of the pub to the co.uk. You can also subscribe to The Black ownership of Alison Giles and Gita festival is planned for the August Bank community’s welfare and the hospitality T Horse Bugle, an occasional email newsletter. Cassidy and managed by Lisa Walker. Their Holiday weekend. You can keep up with service it can provide to the many visitors to objective is to offer good beers and wines upcoming events at the new web site www. our area. The Old Swan has struggled recently to to accompany good pub food with flair. In thefullmoon.pub. The Leader of the Appellant’s side was find a replacement sous chef. In the event the short time since the reopening, they a Queen’s Counsel. The Appellant’s four that none has been recruited, Tuesday’s have achieved their objective. The planning application to demolish consultants from outside the area made a food offerings will be restricted to the During its brief closure, the pub was the Rose and Crown and replace it with stark contrast with the passionate evidence Pub Classics Menu to give Aarron a much- completely revamped in the public areas six residences has been referred to the delivered by unpaid witnesses for the Save needed day off. Otherwise, Wednesday with a sorely needed enlargement of the Planning Committee of the Chiltern District the White Lion Group, by the Parish Council will continue as Market Menu, Steak Night serving bar. Although the kitchen is still too Council. This has taken considerable time as and by concerned members of the public. has now moved to Thursday and Friday confined, it has been fully restocked with the planners have commissioned reports by Throughout the sometimes tedious five continues to be Fish and Fizz. state of the art equipment. To alleviate expert consultants. days of the inquiry, the observer seats were A barbeque kitchen has been built in some of the pressure, an external barbeque nearly always filled with neighbours from the garden to expand the capacity of food kitchen is being developed in the garden. The Public Inquiry into the appeal by the the Hilltop Villages and supporters from service when the weather is good. This The décor is fresh, the garden has been owners of the White Lion to reverse the surrounding areas who share a passion will function in fair weather on weekends tidied up and the car park surface improved Council’s refusal to grant permission for a for restoring the White Lion to its former to begin with. It could be expanded to and extended. change of use from that of a public house warmth and welcoming atmosphere. This midweek in future if there is enough However, their ambition for a second to a domestic residence overran its allotted silent testimony will surely have a bearing demand. To follow the current menus, you phase of development has been thwarted three days in May. The concluding evidence on the Inspector’s perception of the value can subscribe to receive email updates at by Chiltern District Council refusing and closing statements took up two further of this public house to a community that the web site www.theoldswanpub.co.uk. permission for a major extension to the days in mid-June. The three parties to extends well beyond the boundaries of public areas, a new kitchen and a manager’s the Inquiry were the Appellants, Chiltern two hamlets. Since the unfortunate loss of Samantha office. Although the planners expressed District Council and the Save the White Lion and Richard as the management team in Bill Ingram support for the need to expand the capacity Group.

38 Hilltop News Hilltop News 39 40 Hilltop News Hilltop News 41 their dogs - or is it the other way round? It was a particularly happy day – enjoyed A Right Royal occasion! by all - and we made a grand total of over six and a half thousand pounds. This will go towards the refurbishment of the playground and will help to improve the Village Hall. Our thanks to all of you who contributed either by preparing the site, parking cars, running a stall, baking cakes, cooking, serving drinks or playing music and a special thank you to Judy and the team for their tremendous hard work which made it all possible.

As many of you will have seen, Her Majesty over 800 people to come and take part. arrived in some style to open the 2016 From just after one o’clock visitors could listen to Paul Nicholson and his jazz band, St Leonards Fete. With a police escort (it watch the Morris Men, enjoy a delicious was their idea!) and Graham Swallow in tea organised by the WI, gaze longingly at his smart uniform driving, the cream Rolls the classic cars, buy plants from a fantastic Royce – HM 1 naturally – did a circuit of the selection or just join the queue for the barbeque and sip Pimms in the village bar playing field before The Queen emerged - and then, of course, there was the Tug of to greet her delighted subjects! Dressed War. in cream lace with a matching hat (not But it was really a day for the children. Where did Gus find so many of them for forgetting the patent handbag and shoes) the junior ‘Pull’? They could bounce, eat she was presented with a small bouquet of ice-cream, cuddle the small farm animals, flowers by Poppy Lane. What grace! What have their faces painted, practise their charm! Well done Erin! bowling and some of them even managed to Splat the King Rat! The Fire Engine gave he Fete Chairman’s lovely hat blew off so much pleasure to so many young people within seconds of The Queen’s arrival - and a few older ones as well! Luckily Tbut no one noticed as a number of the stalwart pair committed to catching other ‘important’ people were presented any child as they fell out of the cab were to Her Majesty. Did you see the corgi not actually required to do so and the tucked under her arm? A short tour of the paramedic had a peaceful afternoon. stalls and a gracious thank you to the tea The Horse Show, so well organised ladies followed before the Queen took tea by Caroline Channer was, as always, a herself. Lots of thought had gone into her great success and under Jonathan Bright’s arrival and it set the tone for what was to excellent stewardship the entries for the be a wonderfully happy and fun day. dog show were up on last year. Is it true Having survived continuous cold and rain that owners can become remarkably like for weeks, the day was warm, encouraging

42 Hilltop News Hilltop News 43 44 Hilltop News Hilltop News 45 46 Hilltop News Hilltop News 47 CURVACEOUS COOK

Lamb stuffed with feta and olives

I thought I would do a recipe which wasn’t Italian for a change and having friends for lunch on a thundery Umbrian Sunday I hit the books. In the Abel and Cole cookbook, which arrived with my first order a few years ago, I found this recipe and played around with it a bit. It was delicious and I will certainly do it again.

For six people you will need 2.5 to 3kg leg of lamb, boned out and butterflied. I used a shoulder, which is hard to find here as the Italians turn the whole lamb into chops! ½ a mug of feta (about half a normal pack). ½ a mug chopped black olives. ½ a mug pre-soaked bulgur wheat (I used farro boiled for 10 minutes). 1 handful toasted pine nuts or any other nuts. 2 – 3 cloves crushed garlic. 2 handfuls chopped rosemary (the chopping helps to bruise the rosemary, which releases the flavour) or 2 tbs dried rosemary, but I would beg fresh from a friend if you don’t have it growing. 2 handfuls chopped fresh parsley or coriander (I used parsley as can’t get coriander here). Juice of 1 lemon, and grated zest of half a lemon. A glug of olive oil and salt and pepper to taste.

Mix all the stuffing bits, then press onto the flattened, butterflied lamb. Roll it up as tightly as you can, tying with string, and pushing the stray bits of stuffing back into and round the lamb. Season well with salt and pepper and roast on 180/350/4 for 20 minutes a pound. If you want it well done, just add some time at the end, but better a bit pink. Rest it for at least 15 minutes before serving. I made gravy by sloshing a large glass of red wine into the pan with all the bits which have dropped out and bubbling for a few minutes with a spoonful of mint jelly, but you could use redcurrant jelly, or leave it out altogether!

I served it with thin green beans and some spuds parboiled for 5 minutes with an onion and a sprig of rosemary, then all but the rosemary fried in Frylite until crunchy. When ready to serve add a bit of fresh chopped rosemary and a glug of good olive oil.

Lulu Stephen: [email protected]

48 Hilltop News Hilltop News 49 50 Hilltop News Hilltop News 51 BENEFITS OF SUPERFAST V V V BROADBAND Chris Brown, of the Superfast Broadband Working Group, has told us that many Hilltop residents have Dear Diary reported considerable benefits in their 100 Club business activities through now having August 2016 access to Superfast Broadband. Hilltop 10th Pub Lunch Club – The Black Horse – 12.30pm winners News would be pleased to hear some case studies from these people, so 17th GNG iPad Workshop – St Leonards Parish Hall – 1.30pm please contact editor Graham Lincoln 24th Tea Party – St Leonards Church Room – 3pm on [email protected] (758449). St Leonards Parish Hall 29th Churches Fete – Cholesbury June 2016 31st GNG iPad Workshop – St Leonards Parish Hall – 1.30pm £50 Ruth Matthews, St Leonards £25 Sandy Clarke, St Leonards £15 Graham Swallow September 2016 £15 Julia Barber, Buckland Common 3rd Hort Soc Annual Show – H&C School – 2.30pm For membership, please contact the 10th H&CCC Colts Fun Day/Awards/Barn Dance Treasurer, Richard Leat on 758784. 14th Pub Lunch Club – The Black Horse – 12.30pm 19th WI – St Leonards Parish Hall – 8pm Cholesbury Village Hall 26th Parish Council Meeting – Cholesbury Village Hall – 8pm June 2016 £25 Angela Lincoln, Buckland Common 28th Tea Party – St Leonards Church Room – 3pm £15 Malcolm Angell, Buckland Common July 2016 £15 Zoe Daneker, Asheridge October 2016 £15 Bill Ingram, St Leonards. 7th Local History Group – St Leonards Parish Hall – 8pm For membership, please contact 12th Pub Lunch Club – The Black Horse – 12.30pm Brigid Farmer on 758715, or email [email protected] 15th Supper Concert – St Leonards Parish Hall V V V

52 Hilltop News Hilltop News 53 Hilltop News

We welcome all news, letters and articles which are of general interest and relevance to the Hilltop Villages. Material for inclusion in the October/November edition should be sent to Graham Lincoln or Anne Butterworth (Church Matters) by 9 September latest. Please note that photos sent online must be at least 2,500 x 1,750 pixels in size.

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