Museum Talk on River Chess

Bill Templeton's talk on the River Chess has already been repeated once and will be given again on Monday 8 March at 2.30pm. Entitled The Chess: Portrait of a River it costs £2.50 per person, or £2 for Super or Life Friends.

Power at The Grove

The next meeting of the Chess Valley Archaeological and Historical Society will be a talk by Garry Marshall on The Grove, Chesham, and the most powerful man in England. It will be held on Friday 19 February at the White Hill Centre, Chesham and will begin at 8pm. Visitors are welcome and admission costs £2. Call Anne Marshall on 01494 725952.

Museum Soldiers On

Sue Gordon, Curator of the Chesham Museum said that during the snow the museum only had to close on two occasions for lack of staff. “Like almost everyone else we are happy to see the end of the snow. Bearing in mind the traffic disruption caused by the weather we are very grateful to those who were able to struggle in.” The snow also kept people away from the AGM. It was a very wet night but there were enough Friends and Trustees to be able to hold a business meeting and plenty of cheese and wine to go round. Sue continued, “Despite the weather we have not been idle. The 'Chesham Sites and Sounds' interactive exhibit has been updated and now includes more than 600 photographs of Chesham and Chesham people. More photographs have also been added to the museum website www.cheshammuseum.org.uk/cm_collections.php and rearranged so they can be browsed street by street.” Talks and other events in the museum are proving popular. Bill Templeton's talk on the River Chess has already been repeated once and will be given again on Monday 8 March at 2.30pm. Entitled The Chess: Portrait of a River it costs £2.50 per person, or £2 for Super or Life Friends. The successful quiz night last November will be repeated on Saturday 13 March, again at St Marys Church Rooms. Visit the museum website www.cheshammuseum.org.uk for times and booking details.
The programme of fundraising and other events continues on Friday 29 January at 2.30pm with a talk at the museum by Chris Brown, entitled The Hilltop Villages - an everyday history of country folk, plus one or two heroes, artists etc. It costs £2.50 per person, or £2 for Super or Life Friends. Book now for the Tea Dance with Ray Cox on Saturday 13 February from 2 - 5pm at St Mary's Church Rooms, Church Street, Chesham. Tickets £6 (including tea and cakes) from Chesham Museum or from Orbitpress, 11 Market Square, Chesham.
Museum opening hours are - Monday: Closed, Tuesday: 11am - 3pm, Wednesday: 11am - 3pm, Thursday: Closed, Friday: Closed, Saturday: 11am - 3pm, Sunday: 2 - 4pm. Visi www.cheshammuseum.org.uk for the programme of Reminiscence Sessions, Heritage Walks and Talks and for details of how to book a place at an event.

Was Alfred Burt VC a Cheshamite?

Regarding Alfred Burt VC, see Another Famous Cheshamite
Keith Fletcher author and Chesham museum researcher said, “I had included Alfred Burt in my list of Chesham People, Personalities and Achievers that I publish in Town Talk magazine. However on investigation I found that he was not a Chesham man and didn't come here until 1925 when he became landlord of the New Inn, Waterside. He was a Hertfordshire man and served in a Hertfordshire Regiment and won his VC long before he became a Cheshamite. I would in no way denigrate his brave deed but since I have a long list of people who were born here or achieved their success whilst living here, I put him well down towards the bottom of my list."
Brian Shrieve said he believes The Legion was presented with a plaque made in hardwood with gold lettering by the family of Alfred Burt VC. "It was placed in a position for all to see, but as you know the fire destroyed everything of this nature. Enquiries have been made to replace it, the best we can.” Alison Pirouet said, “There is quite a lot of information on Alfred Burt if you go to the Gamekeepers Lodge pub, and look on the wall." Do you think he should be considered at Cheshamite and deserving commemoration by having a road named after him (if that were possible)?

Another Famous Cheshamite

A member of the public has suggested there should be some recognition of Alfred Burt, VC. A A Burt won the Victoria Cross when he saved his battalion from an unexploded shell in their trench in 1915. Between the wars Burt was the landlord of the New Inn at Waterside. Keith Fletcher and Peter Hawkes mentioned it in their book Pubs of Chesham and Villages. Poor health stopped Alfred serving during the Second World War, although he was also one of the Victoria Cross holders who attended the Victory Day celebration reception in June 1946. Alfred Burt died on 9 June 1962 at Tindal General Hospital, Chesham, Buckinghamshire, aged 67. Can anyone add any anecdotes to our knowledge? Cllr Colette Littley has suggested Alfred’s name be used as a street name when next a development is planned. However it is the developer who chooses the names, in cooperation with the Post Office - the town council can only make recommendations.

A Bit of Money Towards Study Costs

Parents and students are reminded that applications can still be made for grants as the next meeting of the Educational Charities trustees will be held in January. There are four Educational Charities in Chesham and their objects are essentially the same, although the funds are no longer as big as they were in the days they were set up. The charities are: Rachel Johnson’s Eleemosynary, the W J Standring Trust, the Chesham Students and Apprentices Fund, and the Prior’s Charity. They are to encourage the young people of Chesham into higher education (including apprenticeships, the study of music and other arts) by providing financial assistance for outfits, tools, instruments or books. The amount that can be awarded is small and will vary with what is available and the number of applications. The Trustees will tell the applicants whether they are eligible but speaking generally, those who have been at one of the schools in the ‘Old Parish’ of Chesham for two years qualify. Peter Ward said, “We ask students that, as soon as they have their placements, they keep receipts for books or tools”. Email Peter Ward on ward.peter2@googlemail.com, or apply to him at 59 Darvell Drive, Chesham, HP5 2QN.

Who Knew Philip Sidney Beck born in 1921?

The mayor Cllr Justine Fulford, has been asked about a missing World War II airman P S Beck. The last known address of his family was ‘Moira’, Eskdale Avenue, Chesham, Bucks. Philip Sidney Beck was born 10 May 1921 and his service number was 116535. During WW II airman Beck was in a Stirling BF505 radioletter “Z”, which was shot down on 5 May 1943 near Murmerwoude, a village about five miles south of the town of Dokkum in the northern part of the Netherlands. Five of the crew were killed but Beck and two others spent the rest of the war in a prisoner of war camp. D.S. Drijver of the research group Friesche Luchtvaart Documentatie 1939-1945 explained: “Since the early seventies our group has taken an interest in the history of the air war over the northern part of the Netherlands during World War II. In co-operation with the ‘Stichting Missing Airmen Memorial Foundation’ and the local Resistance Museum we aim to gather as much information as possible about the aircraft-crashes and their aftermath, in order to make a historically correct reconstruction. Over the years, our research brought us in contact with many former airmen, pilot-helpers and other researchers all over the world. In some cases we have been able to clear up the fate of pilots who were reported missing in action. On a few occasions we also succeeded in returning recovered personal items from the flyers to their families.” Even if you didn’t know airman P S Beck perhaps you know the house number? Email Justine Fulford justine.fulford@btinternet.com.

The Chess Undignified in a Culvert

Have you been wondering about the barricades in Market Square? The Town Centre Working Group was told by Chris Schwier of Transport for Buckinghamshire that barriers had been erected around the frontages of properties on one side of Market Square to prevent vehicles driving or stopping there. A survey has identified a structural problem with the culvert and until the issue is resolved, the amount of weight loaded on top of the culvert will be restricted. Chesham Building Society is liaising with the county council’s Bridges team to resolve the issue and there is no known timescale for a solution, although it is expected that it may take some months to solve. As part of his Getting Closer to Communities work, Chesham Town Council will monitor the barriers to ensure that they are not moved. There is confusion over the ownership of the culvert. Chris explained that when the Environment Agency enmained the culvert in 2008 they only took over responsibility for the river bed and the culvert structure remains the responsibility of the riparian owner.
I wish we could un-culvert the Chess and have our own stream meandering through Market Square.

Give a Museum Connection

Chesham Museum has introduced a gift membership scheme, whereby an individual can buy a Friend's Membership as a gift for someone else. It might make a suitable stocking-filler because annual Friends Memberships start from £10. Forms are available in the museum, which is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays 11am to 3 pm, and on Sundays from 2 until 4pm.

Elaborations on Asheridge School

Janet Harriman tells us more about the Asheridge School (see School in Asheridge). Janet was one of the first students to attend the William Durrant School which was only opened in 1959/60. The Asheridge School was attended by children from Bellingdon, Chartridge and Asheridge, but it closed in the early 1930s. The Headmistress Mrs Ogborne lived in the school house which is the original part remaining, she was a Miss Tomlin, daughter of the landlord of the local pub, and related to the Tomlins who still live in Chesham. The early photo appeared in a book printed in 1986, sadly no longer available, by Colin Birch called Around Chesham in Camera, The towns and villages. CS at the bottom of the photo refers to Colin Seabrook who provided the original from his collection South Bucks postcard albums. Thank you Janet.
Betty Norwood has been able to add more too, she knows a pupil from the Asheridge school, Grace Martin (nee Harding) is still alive and going strong. Betty said, “If anyone is sufficiently interested in interviewing Grace (and naturally a couple of her friends would be on hand to help) we could perhaps arrange a suitable time for the meeting. Grace Harding is an absolute fount of knowledge of the school, and has several photos of the children and classes. She is a pleasure to visit and also tells of the surrounding village life. Please pass this on to anyone who may be interested, it is local history.”

Paradigm Housing’s 21st birthday

Paradigm Housing is celebrating its 21st birthday on Friday 12 December 2009. Its creation was an historic event, as the first large-scale transfer of council houses to a housing association. The original company Chiltern Hundreds Housing Association, took over 4,650 homes from Chiltern District Council on 12 December 1988. The fledgling housing association could not persuade British banks to lend it the £30 million needed, so funds were borrowed from the French bank Paribas. A ballot of tenants was held in September 1988 and 3,840 voted for the transfer, with just 743 voting against. The first thing the association did was to fit new kitchens, windows and heating to all its properties. The association was set up with a staff of 67 and two computers. Now it has close to 280 staff lead by Chief Executive Alison Hadden. The association under the Paradigm since 1999, now owns and manages more than 11,000 properties across the south east of England, including around 8,000 for social rent and close to 1,000 for shared ownership. It has built 4,800 and plans to build 700 a year for the next two years. Most Paradigm residents are still in the Chiltern area however, living in almost 5,000 homes and Paradigm works closely with Chiltern District Council. The vision was to provide more affordable housing.
In A Chesham Century the story of a town and its council, 1894 -1994 by Arnold Baines and Clive Birch assisted by George Malin, Mike Kennedy and Steve James published 1994, we get a flavour of the housing problem. “In 1911 Dr Freeman Long, the Council’s Medical Officer of Health, had his Annual Report printed at his own expense. It disclosed a manifest lack of suitable housing for working men. The Local Government Board took due notice, and drew the Council’s attention to their powers under the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890. … the Brockhurst estate …”.

School in Asheridge

When I said last week that the Neolithic flint axe was found at Asheridge School (wherever that was) I did think the school might have been in Asheridge and Cllr Peter Jones of Ballinger South Heath And Chartridge wards, has suggested where to look. It is the third or fourth house on the left as you enter Asheridge from Chesham. I went to the remainder of the building which is now a private house and the owner let me take a photo. He also generously let me see a photo of the old school which is captioned as follows. “Over the hill and a short walk along the lane was Asheridge, in 1890 clearly mapped as Ash Ridge - and in 186?3 [7] a 'small hamlet' which in the 1700s seems to have been a popular resort of gentlemen, for John Maccsascree lived there and was Treasurer in the ?Militia, and so did Captain the Hon William Egerton. On the other hand 'a Sc_ot' from fr___ village was handed over to Sgt Thomas Geareing of the Regiment of Foot for compulsory military service... At the turn of the century, learning was assured at 'The Schools'. (CS)."
I asked a Chesham old timer who said (smiliing), “Oh, we never went as far as Asheridge”. Can anyone tell us about those days or the story behind the picture?

Bronze Age pottery bowl comes home

The Museum will take delivery of two rare prehistoric artefacts which were discovered in the Chesham area but have never been on show here. They are on loan to Chesham Museum from Buckinghamshire County Museum. The first is a polished Neolithic flint axe dating from 2,500-2,150BC, from Asheridge. It was found in 1925 at Asheridge School (wherever that was) and donated to the County museum by the pupils. The other item is a rare Bronze Age pottery bowl, dated around 2,150-1,500BC, and excavated at Stratford's Yard, Chesham, so it will take pride of place. It is another example of the links curator Sue Gordon has established with neighbouring museums, and the Museum achieving the required accreditation. It is expected that the loaned artefacts will go on display on Saturday 20 November. The Keeper of Archaeology at the County Museum, Brett Thorn said, "From our point of view, we're delighted to be able to loan these items to Chesham museum so that the people of the town can see a fascinating and rare part of their local heritage. The axe has not been on display recently, although the bowl was until about six months ago. Whole Bronze Age pots are rare, this is one of only five such pots from the entire county." See timeline of settlement in Chesham.

Quality Newsletter

Town Talk Winter edition has been printed and is being distributed around town. Anne Noakes said, “I hope you like this issue. I do try to get just the right mix of local interest articles so that there's something for everyone in it”. And there is plenty for everyone. I found the article The Factory Relay Race, by Keith Fletcher interesting and timely with its reference to the Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Soldiers and Sailors (NFD&DS&S), touching as it does on the Legion memorabilia search being undertaken by the Youth Council, see Memorable Legion.

Durrant Discovered

We had a success with the call for information about William Durrant born 1884 - died 1954, see Dish on Durrant. Sisters Betty Norwood (nee Pearce) and Gwen Ing kindly sent me information. William Durrant was obviously a philanthropic gentleman and Betty remembers him teaching her Sunday School at Friendship Hall in Pond Park (now long gone). Betty said, “He was loved by the children in his care. By learning and reciting passages I was presented with the Lord Wharton's Bible on the 7th December 1947”.
However I wonder if this Durrant is old enough? It was not council policy to honour a living councillor ie. name a school after him, and Arnold Baines implied our William Durrant had been mayor or chairman although the boards in the town hall do not mention him. When Little Spring headteacher Mary Paton has completed the research I hope she will let us know.

Dish on Durrant

Alison Pirouet asks if anyone can tell the headteacher of Little Spring, Mary Paton, the origin of the name of William Durrant. Greenway and William Durrant schools merged in September 2002. He was a councillor and mayor. Google finds a “William Durrant was born 5 Sep 1797 in Bovingdon, Herts, England” although of course I don’t know if it is our William Durrant and there are others listed in Chesham, Bucks - but it’s not my job to do their research. The late Dr Arnold Baine’s book The People Behind the Place Names of Chesham states, “A very productive source of road titles has been the wish to honour Councillors who have served the town well, usually as occupants of the civic chair, … William Durrant has both a road and a school” (named for him). Arnold also mentions “… Frank Howard, the estate agent, who served the Town for 48 years…. “F.E.” was a leader in the church, social and musical life of Chesham.”

Memorable Legion

The Youth Council is spearheading a project to collect memorabilia to replace the pictures and bits and pieces that were lost in the fire at the British Legion. The silverware from the cabinets in the front was rescued by the Fire Brigade, and the standards (flags) had been taken to the home of a member, however everything else was lost. The YC members are aware that this is a long term project. Could you help by letting them know of any items related to the Legion that can either be donated, or in the case of old photos, scanned and then returned? Please contact the YC either via the Town Hall, on 01494 778985 or email alisonp76@aol.com (the young people’s emails cannot be published so Alison has volunteered to forward the information).

Medieval Military Fashion

Ken Poulton is giving a talk to the Chesham Society and anybody else who may be interested, on Wednesday 18 November at the Town Hall, at 7.30 for 8pm. David Carter said, “I heard Ken talking on this subject for the event marking the 750th anniversary of the granting of the town’s Market Charter. I was quite impressed, Ken knew his stuff.”

Who knew these Hyde Heath people?

Monica Weller has emailed saying, “I am a freelance writer, ghost writer of Ruth Ellis My Sister's Secret Life. I am researching my second book about GP (general practitioner) Dr Helen Davidson who died in 1966, and hope readers may be able to help me. Does anyone remember Ruby Baker and Kathleen Cook, both deceased and both of Hyde Heath? Dr Davidson married Herbert Baker in 1961 after his first wife Ruby died. Kathleen Cook was their housekeeper. I would be pleased to hear from anyone with any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem.” Please contact Monica email monica-weller@hotmail.com or call 07811 799582.

Almost old schoomates

Two of our subscribers - Brian Shrieve and Brian Pratt have been in touch with John Reeve born 1930, see Voice reaches Queensland. They are not quite John’s age but have exchanged some reminiscences. John said, “Brian Pratt sent me a lovely photo of 8 Market Square as I remember it with the side of the house painted with an advert for the shop”. John was also interested to see the articles about the Park and adds some more information. “When I was seventeen or so the bandstand with the seats around was a favourite courting place. There used to be a little covered pergola, another favourite because in those days we were guaranteed safety and privacy.” He also liked the picture of the baulks which are just as he remembers the view.

Aylward traced, what about Plato?

Another success came from Know your Aylward from your Plato. Phil Folly of the Friends of Chesham Cemetery said he received a long and informative email from Richard Weller who is a great grandson of the Revd A F Aylward, and lives in Penistone, near Barnsley, South Yorks. Our own subscriber Hilary Unwin had been in contact with Richard via the Kent Family History discussion site so she drew his attention to our request. It is gratifying that Chiltern Voice is producing results.

Know your Aylward from your Plato

Friends of Chesham Cemetery want to refurbish some of the older graves in the cemetery. It is probable that the deed holders of these graves have also passed on, but relatives may still live in the Chesham area, and the Friends would like their views. Phil Folly said, “We are particularly interested in the grave of William Ford, Auctioneer and a later William Ford, registrar of Births and Deaths for Chesham District”. Other graves of interest are those of the Reverend Aylward, Sara and Esther King and Charles Plato. I know that a Rev’d A.J. Aylward gave his life in the 1871 epidemic as did Doctor Faithorn, and they both have roads named for them now.* If you can help please contact Phil Folly 16 Essex Road, Chesham HP5 3HZ call 01494 783691 or email follypostman@aol.com (and let Chiltern Voice know any bits of historical interest too please).
*See the book A Chesham Century - the story of a town and its council, 1894 -1994 by Arnold Baines and Clive Birch assisted by George Malin, Mike Kennedy and Steve James published 1994. “Chesham, which had been almost proverbially healthy in the seventeenth century, was swept by epidemics in the nineteenth. The last and worst was in 1871, when Dr Faithorn and three nurses gave their lives. The vicar, A. J. Aylward, a man greatly beloved, who had seen St Mary's restored and Christ Church built, worked unceasingly until he too died. The poor of Chesham erected his memorial.”

Voice reaches Queensland

We have another Aussie subscriber. John Reeve lived in Market Square for 15 years, and his family lived in Chesham for over a hundred. He used to climb the steps from the Pound and up over the railway bridge to the Baulks, and would like to have his ashes scattered there when the time comes. John lives in Brisbane now, and said, “Although I am 79, with cancer, I don’t expect to go for a few years yet.” His grandfather was a pawnbroker in Church Street and his Uncle Reg Reeve ran the shop now the museum. The cottages and garden were pulled down, together with Gomms the butchers, for the ring road. John’s father volunteered for the RAF and was lost over Mannheim on 17 December 1940. John continued, “The last time I saw him I was nine years old and we sat up the Baulks and looked over Chesham. I left Chesham in 1948 and hardly ever returned. I have sent details of the Reeve family to the museum together with old photos of the shops. It would be nice to contact old friends but I fear most of them are long gone. I have a lot of memories, and happy times pre war." John’s email is john@nlrr.com.au and do tell Chiltern Voice if you make contact with him.

Caption: John we think this photo was taken in the 1970s but does the view look familiar to you?

Co-op enlightenment

On Thursday 29 October at 2.30pm, Keith Fletcher will give a talk on the history of the Chesham Co-op, at the museum in Market Square. Tickets cost £2.50 or £2 for Super or Life Friends, and space is limited so booking is essential. Call Sue Gordon on 01494 772096, leave a message on the museum answer-phone 01494 792549 or drop in during museum opening hours –Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays 11am -3pm and Sundays 2 - 4pm.

Museum film night

There is still time to book a seat at an evening of documentary films on Friday 23 October at 7.30pm. Hosted by Alan Wilmott, it is on at the Little Theatre by the Park (Temperance Hall) Church Street, in aid of the Chesham Museum. Another Nostalgic Film Evening will transport you back in time with such gems as: Listen to Britain a classic Humphrey Jennings moral-boosting film made in 1942, Warm Welcome the arrival of the SS United States at Southampton after its maiden voyage in 1952 and topically Men of Letters the story of the pioneers of the Royal Mail - made in 1985 which will make interesting viewing in the light of current events. Tickets are £6 (including refreshments) call Sue Gordon on 01494 772096 or leave a message on the museum answer-phone 01494 792549 or drop in during museum opening hours –Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays 11am - 3pm and Sundays 2 - 4pm. There may be some tickets available at the door on the night if you are lucky.

Private air raid shelters

Keith Fletcher has told me of a nice little article about air raid shelters on the Chesham High School website - see www.cheshamatwar.com/bombing/shelters.htm it describes the building of a private shelter in Townsend Road by William Humphrey. Of course the Lowndes Park and Nash Rec shelters would have been larger, probably 50-60 feet long by 15-20 feet wide. We reported Wednesday, 30 September 2009 Air raid shelters.

Air raid shelters, Ron How remembers

More to the piece on an air raid shelter in Lowndes Park. Ron How of Turkey farm fame, says there were also two similar air raid shelters in what was called The Reck opposite Brockhurst Road and its junction with Nashleigh Hill. They were built with Fletton bricks with a concrete roof, only half buried in the ground with the excavated earth heaped around and over them in the same way those in the park were built.
(the Reck was presumably abbreviation for the Recreation Ground). I wonder were they ever used?

Band Stand further thoughts

Regarding our quest on the band stand in Lowndes park - see previous pieces: Wednesday, 30 September 2009 Bandstand in Lowndes Park ; Wednesday, 23 September 2009, Lowndes Park Bandstand and Wednesday, 16 September 2009 What no band stand? Ron How said, “My memory of the park from 1935 onwards is that Chesham's prize Silver band would play on the round area which was referred to as The Bandstand. I know nothing about a 1912 bandstand. Farmers did not put hay on this type of stand but made un-threshed corn ricks to keep rodents out." Ron continues, “Also on a Tuesday the Boys Brigade Band would march though the Park and Broadway. Before the war the park keeper would empty his grass box against the fence that divided the park from the farm yard.”

I came to Chesham

A Coming to Chesham exhibition will be on at the Chesham Town Hall on Saturday 10 October from 9am – 4pm and on Monday 12 October from 9am – noon. It is a collaborative community project led by Chesham High School. There will be an art competition on identity from surrounding junior schools, interactive displays of memory boxes, story telling and films of World War 2 Asian and Polish Communities. The Museum will have a Coming to Chesham display featuring artefacts and photographs relating to Chesham as a refuge in wartime. The official opening for invited guests only will be on Friday. Dr Siobhan Bygate, Community Coordinator Humanities at Chesham High School said, “The Coming to Chesham Exhibition is based on the WW2 interviews and Ethnic History interviews carried out last year. It also at highlighting the housing of this film for use by the public in Chesham Museum. Although led by Chesham High School, it has involved close collaboration between a number of partners including: CHS, Chesham Park Community College, Thames Valley Police, Chiltern District Council, Chesham Asian Welfare Society, Polish Ex-Combatants Society, COPAG, an Art competition on identity for all Chesham Junior and Infant Schools to be judged by CHS and CPCC, Chiltern Racial Equality Council, Churches Together for Chesham, South Bucks Jewish Community, Chesham Mosque, Chesham Museum and many more. It includes a Social History Room: excerpts from the film running in a ten minute loop for all to get a taster of what is going into the Museum, memory boxes from the different communities, art work, storytelling in different languages and stories from WW2 as well as a Faith Room with displays from the Christian, Muslim and Jewish communities. The exhibits were prepared by the different community groups in liaison with CHS and CPCC pupils over two workshops held at Chesham High School in September.”

Julian Hunt writes another book

Julian Hunt has teamed up with David Thorpe to write a book called Beaconsfield: A History. Beaconsfield is a Buckinghamshire market town with a national reputation, best known as the home of 17th century poet Edmund Waller and of 18th-century Parliamentarian Edmund Burke. Julian and David previously worked together on A History of Gerrards Cross. David Thorpe was a lecturer in Urban Geography at Durham University, and as an Honorary Research Fellow of the University of London, he has been working on the history of 19th-century Buckinghamshire. In 2000 he established the Bucks Local History Network. Julian Hunt joined the staff of Birmingham Reference Library in 1968. Moving to Buckinghamshire County Library in 1988, he wrote numerous histories of Buckinghamshire market towns, including A History of Amersham (2001) and A History of Gerrards Cross (2006). He is now a freelance researcher, lecturer and writer on English local history. Julian also authored or co-authored Aylesbury: A Pictorial History, Marlow: A Pictorial History, Newport Pagnell: A Pictorial History, and Chesham: A Pictorial History. Beaconsfield: A History is produced in hardback with 128 mono illustrations in 208 pages, available from bookstores and http://www.phillimore.co.uk/ at £18.99 ISBN: 978-1-86077-497-3.

Pastimes and Pleasure at Chesham Museum

Chesham Museum will be open to the public from Tuesday 6 October at its new premises at 15 Market Square. The trustees and volunteers led by curator Sue Gordon, are busy unpacking the artefacts and placing them in the display cabinets. The permanent exhibition has five main themes: Made in Chesham; Remember Chesham; Chesham at War; Coming to Chesham and Digging up the Past. Displays in a temporary exhibition space will be changed in the spring and autumn. The current exhibition is Pastimes and Pleasure the story of entertainment in Chesham, from amateur theatre to radio and television. Reminiscence sessions will be held every first Monday in the month apart from Bank Holidays (and including Monday 5 October since that date was already advertised). There will be a theme each month, sometimes with a short talk, and allowing handling of objects where possible. There will be regular talks in the afternoon or evening when the museum is closed to the public.
A selection of guided history walks is being developed, most will start and end outside Chesham Museum in Market Square. You can find times and dates on the appropriate pages on the website. For five years the museum was housed in former stables behind the Gamekeeper's Lodge in Bellingdon Road but quickly out-grew it. When the chance to take over the lease of No 15 Market Square arose, the trustees raised more than £20,000 in 12 months through a series of events to cover rent and other set-up expenses. A frustrating seven-month wait followed while the lease was being finalised but in that time the premises were completely refitted, carpets laid, and new lighting installed.
The official opening for invited guests will be on Saturday 17 October at 11am AND the museum will be open to the public that day after all - they've changed their minds.

Bandstand in Lowndes Park

Regarding our piece on Wednesday 23 September 2009 about the Lowndes Park Bandstand (and previously What no band stand? )Rod Culverhouse of Fastbreak Sports says, “I know that there was a bandstand in the park. My late Father E.J. Culverhouse used to tell me how he and other boys would go along to hear the band, but chiefly to suck lemons in front of the brass players. The trumpet and trombone players would slightly curl their lips, thereby spoiling their playing. It caused much amusement.” He asks, “Are the youth of today so very different?” Rod went on, “When the park was finally handed over (to the then Urban District Council) it was my grandfather as Town Mayor, who officially opened it. There used to be a brass plaque displayed to this effect, but it’s long since vanished.”

Air raid shelters

Eleanor Phillips discovered Chiltern Voice and tells us more. “You ask about the air raid shelter. In fact there were two. At the Park Road entrance to the park was a farmhouse and several outbuildings. I remember a herd of cows grazing in ‘top park’ which was fenced off about level with the bowls club. You walked past the farm into the park, and on your right were two air raid shelters, running horizontally with the road, one placed next to the road and the second beyond it. When I was a child in the 1950s we would go down inside them although they were supposed to be barred shut. They were of course absolutely disgusting but it was a good ‘dare’ to get your friends down there. They were flattened at about the same time as the farm disappeared. I don't believe I have ever seen a photo of them though.”

The only picture I can find with cattle is on the Bucks CC Photo Library website dated 1900.

Eleanor continued, “Of course, back in those days we had a lovely avenue of mature elm trees running through the park but they were all felled and replaced with tiny ornamental trees. These in their turn are now mature and look quite lovely but nowhere near as impressive as the elms were.”

I can’t resist passing on Eleanor’s kind words, “Just seen your website for the very first time and I am very impressed.” We do get other compliments from time to time – but I mustn’t boast.

Chesham remembered

Lesley Perry, Honorary Chairman of Chesham Museum read our piece Happy 103 year old and tells me she interviewed Hilda Flello for her museum stories when she was 100. You can see an extract onthe website or www.cheshammuseum.org.uk where there are lots of interesting reminiscences.

More in reprinted pubs book

Keith Fletcher Chesham museum researcher, together with co authors Ray East and Peter Hawkes, are re-releasing their book Pubs of Chesham and Villages – Second Edition in time for the opening of the museum. Since it was first published in 2006 they have been given about 125 more photos of pubs and their patrons so a new section will be included about the drinkers and some of the landlords.

Lowndes Park Bandstand

Keith Fletcher saw our piece last week What no band stand? Keith describes himself as Chesham museum researcher and is the author of Chesham at Work in the 20th Century and Pubs of Chesham and Villages. Keith said, “I note that you claim that there was never a bandstand in Lowndes Park. I think this is incorrect. In 1912 a band stand was erected in the park near the Park Road entrance. An iron rick-stand – the kind used by farmers for supporting hay stacks - was donated to the band by Mr W F Lowndes and it was this structure that was converted into a band stand by builders Messrs Keen and Son. Later other local builders added a wooden roof covering using timber purchased by the band." Keith has asked around and the band-stand was probably located just above the path Rue de Houilles, about half way between the scented garden and the Park Road entrance. The site of the old air raid shelter*. Can anyone let us see a photo of the structure?
The photo is not the bandstand but the Lowndes Park paddling pool, probably taken in the 1950s and kindly lent by Brian Pratt.

*Now - who can tell us about the air raid shelter?

What no band stand?

Gordon Dixon who has moved away, still keeps in touch with Chiltern Voice. Gordon said, “In the article History of the roses in Lowndes Park no mention was made about the reason for the construction of the Fountain in the middle of the Bandstand in the early 1970’s, so perhaps there is no record about it”. He goes on to tell us:

Prior to the 1970s the water in Skottowes Pond was fed from springs under the pond, and these were prone to drying up. This meant that sometimes for several months the pond dried out and was reduced to a few small pools of water - one could even walk across to the island at times. Even in those days there were wildfowl around and they had to seek other places if they wanted a swim. The Deputy Surveyor at Chesham Urban District Council in those days was Fred Taylor. He conceived the idea of sinking a bore hole near Skottowes Pond so that water could be raised up from the underground area (I believe that it is called the Sub-aqua strata) and allowed to flow into Skottowes Pond to maintain the water level. A licence was obtained from the Thames Conservancy Board and a borehole was drilled adjacent to the Bandstand with a brick structure on the surface to house the pump and electricity supply for it’s operation. This is the brick structure from which an electricity supply is obtained for the band concerts etc). In order to avoid just having a pipe at the edge of the pond from which water appeared, Fred had the idea of creating a water feature in that area. So he designed the fountain for the middle of the bandstand area with an underground pipe then taking the water across the band stand to the top of the steps which were converted into a cascade. When the water reached the bottom of the steps it passed through another pipe under the footpath so that people could still walk around that path without getting their feet wet.

Unfortunately, although an excellent idea, leaves falling into the fountain particularly during the Autumn (or other rubbish thrown into it by human beings) often resulted in the underground pipes becoming blocked, and then the water from the fountain filled, then overflowed onto the bandstand area before some made it’s way to the top of the cascade. (The uncouth amongst us then referred to the fountain as Fred’s Folly). Finally, avoid Skottowes Pond becoming full to overflowing, a pipe was built into the side wall opposite the cascade that drained off surplus water into the storm water sewer which ultimately feeds into the River Chess. At that time some of the walling around the pond was deteriorating, so another aspect of the project was to repair and where necessary rebuild, and some of these had to be rebuilt again when St Mary’s Way was constructed as this used a small strip of land along the perimeter of Lowndes Park). Some remedial work was also carried out on the island in the middle of Skottowes Pond including I believe, the construction of the ramps so that the wildfowl could access the island – in particular the young chicks. Gordon concluded, “I am writing all this from memory, so if anyone has some information different to what I have given, I apologise in advance for my inaccuracies. Best wishes to all my friends in Chesham.”

I am so glad Gordon has given us this chapter and verse before it gets forgotten.

Friends of Lowndes Park say there has never been an actual band stand in Lowndes Park, just the circular performance area.

Great news - the museum is signed, sealed and delivered

Chesham Museum trustees are relieved to have finally signed the lease to allow the move into the premises at No 15 Market Square, formerly Chapter One bookshop. They have been completely refurbished and the cabinets and artefacts moved in. The documents were signed by president Mora Walker, chairman Lesley Perry, curator Sue Gordon and vice-chairman Chris Spruytenburg. Said Mrs Gordon, “It has been a trying time while we waited for the documents to be drawn up but now it's all systems go and we expect the museum to open to the public at the end of September”. An official launch is planned for later. The museum was first set up five years ago behind the Gamekeepers Lodge in Bellingdon Road in what were former stables, at the suggestion of the landlord Shay Comaskey. It quickly outgrew its home and the chance to move to a more central position arose so the trustees realised this was a chance not to be missed.

In 12 months £20,000 was raised to pay for set-up costs and establish a foundation for the museum to meet running costs for the next 10 years. "People were concerned that the museum hadn't opened but now we are all set to begin work to establish it as a community resource - we want the people of the town to become fully involved," said Sue. The museum needs more volunteers to allow it to open as often as possible. Planned opening hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday from 11am to 3pm and Sunday afternoons between 2 to 4pm. If you can help please call Chris Spruytenburg on 01494 785160 email christopher.spruytenburg@ntlworld.com.

Visit http://www.cheshammuseum.org.uk/ and sign up for the new DVD Discovering Chesham produced by Peter Viney so I bet it is interesting. The museum team have kept quiet about its launch.

History of the roses in Lowndes Park.

Old photos of Skottowe’s Pond show a rustic archway over the steps up and borders of American Pillar roses around the band stand area. They look lovely during their (admittedly short) flowering season. Sheila Carter a member of the Friends of Lowndes Park who carries out practical gardening there, has found out they were planted by the late Albert Sedgewick who was born in 1912. Sheila and colleague Rosemary Main met with Albert’s son Rodney Sedgewick who still propagates Pillar roses from stock handed down to him by his father. Rodney showed how to prune the roses but it is labour intensive because they grow so vigorously and all side shoots must be taken out. The roses grow tall and are therefore harder for short people to reach, and also they have a short flowering period. Because of this and after discussion, it was decided not to go down the road of propagating Pillars. Rosemary and Sheila visited South Heath Nurseries for advice on a stock of roses which are disease resistant, have a longish flowering period, and a selection whereby staggered flowerings mean there would be colour at different points - hopefully for most of the summer. Stakes would also be avoided to reduce costs. The upshot is that six white Rugosas and six Gertrude Jekylls have been ordered. I look forward to seeing the flowers when they appear next year.

Chiltern Voice Amersham – Henry Wizgier: Amersham Heritage Open Day

One of Amersham’s most popular and long-standing events, Heritage Open Day we reported takes place this Sunday 13 September from 11am to 5pm in the Old Town. It’s a great day out for all the family and the weather is usually very good. The list of attractions is too numerous to mention here but a comprehensive preview can be viewed at http://chilternvoiceamersham.blogspot.com/.
Any news and information for publishing in Chiltern Voice Amersham – please email Henry Wizgier: h.wizgier@virgin.net

Halton House opens to the public

Halton House, Aylesbury home of the Royal Air Force, holds an open day on Sunday 13 September 2009 from 10.30am – 4pm. It will be a rare opportunity to see this lasting reminder of Victorian decorative style. Commissioned by Alfred Rothschild to join the other Rothschild family residences in Buckinghamshire, Halton House was completed in 1883 and for 30 years provided the venue for Alfred’s sparkling weekend house parties which attracted the cream of British society, stars of the theatre and even Royalty. On Alfred’s death in 1918, the House was acquired by the fledgling Royal Air Force and for the past 90 years, has served as the Officers’ Mess for Royal Air Force Halton. The team of guides, many of them serving RAF personnel, will be on hand to elaborate on the history of the house both in the Rothschild era and in RAF hands. A shuttle bus will run between the house and the atation’s Trenchard Museum, where visitors can learn more about the history of the Station and the RAF’s Apprentice Scheme. St George’s Church will also be open where there are over 100 stained glass windows and other memorabilia commemorating the RAF Halton Apprentices. Halton House has been used extensively for filming and in June 2009 was the venue for the Great British Menu. The House has limited disabled access and parking is available. Refreshments and souvenirs will also be on sale. The Station’s role is to train personnel for the Air Force of tomorrow, including Recruit and Basic Trade training for suppliers and Logistics Officers.

The Painting Spitfire over Halton House reproduced by kind permission of Michael Turner.

Heritage Open Day - Amersham Old Town Sunday 13 September 2009

Around the entrances to Amersham Old Town, advertising boards have been giving details of where to find the attractions for Heritage Open Day which will be held on Sunday 13 September. A town crier will announce the times for the events during the day, which this year will include Morris Men, sponsored by the Crown Inn, Doyle Dancers, classic car displays, steam organ, clowns, animal farm, Punch & Judy, sponsored by the Amersham Society, Victorian Games, balloon making, and a bouncy castle. Local organisations, including straw plaiting and beekeepers, will be taking part, and refreshments will be provided by the Townswomen’s Guild in the Market Hall. Both the Bensheim and Krynica Town Twinning Societies will be offering light snacks near the Memorial Gardens. Places of interest to visit during the afternoon include the Drake Chapel and St Mary’s Church, the Quaker Meeting House in Whielden Street, and the Methodist Church and King’s Church on the High Street. Amersham Museum will be open from 11am with a reduced entry fee and they are also organising free guided walks around the town starting at 12.30pm. There will be two walks to the Amersham Martyrs Memorial at 11.15am and 2.15pm. The Amersham Band will play in the Memorial Gardens from 2.30pm providing an opportunity to sit down and enjoy some popular music. Further details in advance from Amersham Town Council on 01494 586892 and on the day timetables of the day’s events will be available from the Information Desk under the Market Hall.
The Chesham Society is not opening any venues this year.

Our own Lowndes Park prehistoric site

It is not official but the preliminary report from the archaeological investigation of the rolling-pin does show many of the characteristics of a bowl barrow with its circular shape and ditch. John Gover reports, “Such barrows date from the early Neolithic but their peak of construction was during the late Neolithic and early Bronze Age (2400 – 1500 BC).” John led the Chess Valley Archaeological and Historical Society investigation. The site is a scheduled monument which means no excavation, but they performed a geophysical survey using a resistivity meter. The meter comprises a steel frame which carries a data-recorder, a low voltage battery and two probes attached directly to the frame. Two other probes attached by leads, are placed in the ground at a fixed point about 15 metres from the survey position. Electrical current is introduced into the ground and automatically recorded by the data recorder. The principle is easy to understand. If a soil contains moisture it can conduct a current of electricity. Solid objects such as a buried wall containing less moisture, will offer greater electrical resistance. Buried pits or ditches will retain more moisture and be less resistant than the background soil. If resistance is measured at regular intervals across the ground, patterns of variable resistance can be recorded and are called anomalies. Specialised computer interface software converts the pattern of anomalies into graphic maps that reveal the presence of underground structures.

The survey results show a near circular structure some 22 metres in diameter enclosed by a thin partially complete darker coloured ring. This is interpreted as a narrow ditch surrounding the mound. The mound itself is relatively indistinctive except for a “D” shaped feature on its crest. The “D” feature is intriguing. What is its origin? Can it be associated with a windmill or some other structure on this site? John concluded, “The survey proved to be very fruitful. The available data is consistent with the mound having a prehistoric origin together with later use of the site. But additional evidence for this requires further investigation and excavation.”

In 2007 the old site of Chessvale Bowling Club near Stratford Yard in East Street was excavated by the Birmingham Archaeology. Numerous finds were uncovered pointing to a long pre-history of occupation and usage from the Mesolithic to the Romano-British period. There were also various post medieval features. The major discovery consisted of a Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age ring ditch with an external diameter of 6.5m. Their more detailed report was published in 2008 in the Record of Buckinghamshire, Vol 48 pps 1 -36 and the author was John Halsted.

Young people playing in Lowndes Park

I can now bring you a picture of the Lowndes Park play area we reported last week, Play equipment popular. Simon Cansdale points out that the new mound of earth looks remarkably like another mound further up the park. See The rolling-pin archaeology - geo-phys investigation.

Peter Hawkes looks forward to hearing more about the mound at the top of the park. He sends us part of a scan of the old town picture which shows a built structure on a mound at the top of

the park. Peter said, “I favour the idea of a smock mill, but I know that the trustees of Lacey Green Windmill also dispute the case. Perhaps it was just a folly attached to Bury Hill House. History has to be based on evidence, so I hope some is found.”

I hope it proves to be a Neolithic or Bronze Age Burial mound which seems an increased likelihood since some evidence has been found by a 1990 excavation at the old Chessvale Bowling Club near Stratford Yard, East Street. That site is now covered with a large block of flats. John Gover who carried out the geo-phys investigation of Friday & Saturday 17 & 18 July 2009 with Chess Valley Archaeological and Historical Society (CVAHS) will tell us more soon. He said (despite report in the Examiner) “I didn't know we were to do more in

September! We do intend to work in other areas but not Chesham. This is a scheduled monument and each time we want to do studies we have to get permission from English Heritage.”

The rolling-pin archaeology - geo-phys investigation

The Chess Valley Archaeological and Historical Society (CVAHS) will be investigating the large mound at the top of Lowndes Park on Friday 17 July from 2.30 - 5pm, and again on Saturday 18 July from 10.30am - 5pm. It might only be an 18th or 19th century folly. However the circular earth mound or Bowl Barrow is a scheduled ancient monument, thought to consist of the barrow plus a quarry ditch. There is no sign of a ditch and only the barrow is scheduled. The flat top of the mound indicates that a later structure was placed on the site, but there have been no archaeological investigations. Some people say that the barrow was the site of a seventeenth century smock mill. The mound was inspected by an English Heritage Historic Environment Field Adviser in November 2007 and described as being in excellent condition. It is covered with grass and has trees whose root systems may have damaged the barrow when growing, but as they are ornamental cherries, when they die they will decay in situ causing minimal soil disturbance. No excavation work will be undertaken in the area of the monument that would break the ground surface unless permitted by English Heritage.

The rumour that it is the foundation of a windmill is challenged by retired lecturer from the University of London, James H Venn, who has researched old records and there is no mention of a windmill. Because mills were taxed there would have been a record. Chesham had three watermills so would not have needed a windmill. James disputes George Piggin’s claims and thinks confusion may have crept in because the Lacey Green miller was at one time a Mr Cheshire. We would all like to think the bund might be a Bronze Age burial mound constructed to contain the remains of a chieftain or important person, which would make it 4,000 years old. Because it is a scheduled site the Chess Valley Archaeology Group are not allowed to excavate. But they can peer under the ground using geophysical equipment and hope to answer some of the questions. Any member of the public is welcome to go along and watch, ask questions and have a go with the geophysical surveying equipment. CVAHS will be at the bund on Friday 17 July from 2.30 - 5pm, and again on Saturday 18 July from 10.30am - 5pm. It is the Festival of British Archaeology 2009 from Saturday 18 July – Sunday 2 August. Numerous events across England and Wales will showcase the best of British archaeology and allow everyone to see archaeology in action. Visit CVAHS and use the form on the website to make contact. It will be fascinating to see what they uncover and I hope the mystery is solved.

Buck’s best trees and ancient woodlands

The best trees in Buckinghamshire are not all recorded. Many wonderful and some unusual specimen trees are perhaps seen just driving past a garden, park or along the roadside. The Bucks Tree Club is compiling a list of the best of each tree species and so would like to hear from people who think they have a particularly fine specimen or a rare tree. Email details including the map reference to buckstreeclub@gmail.com or write to the club c/o The Dendrologist, PO Box 341, Chesham, HP5 2RD.
Not only tree enthusiasts are interested in ancient woodlands which may date back to when the Ice Age last receded. Anyone interested in natural history can use woodland archaeology to track man’s usage over the centuries, in these ancient places. The Bucks Tree Club has already listed many ancient woodlands on its website www.buckstreeclub.org.uk but others may well exist. The club goes on visits to arboreta and gardens with interesting trees and welcomes new members including those from adjoining counties. Contact Merelene Davis, Acting Club Secretary email buckstreeclub@gmail.com.

Don’t forget to buy your plants

Don’t forget to buy your plants.

Chesham residents - share your carnival memories

Townspeople are encouraged to delve into their own family histories to celebrate this year’s Schools of Chesham carnival. Carnival organisers are following in the footsteps of popular TV programme Who Do You Think You Are? by encouraging residents to unearth their own treasured memories of carnivals gone by. They hope these memories will help to put together a unique history of how the carnival, the people and the town have changed over the years - and how some things have stayed the same. They'll be displayed on a new website sponsored by Mohammed Jhangir, owner of Chesham's Newtown Garage, who is also sponsoring the carnival for the fifth year running. He said, "Everyone has wonderful memories of carnival day and it would be great for everyone to see them. I'm asking residents aged anything from nine to 90 to dig around and see what they can find in old shoeboxes or photo albums. Children could ask grannies and grandads or mums and dads what they can remember. Everything is welcome - stories, photos, newspaper cuttings, the works!" If you have a photo or a memory of the carnival, email the image or recollection to info@cheshamcarnival.org. Those who don't have internet access can drop photos or letters into the Town Hall reception, marking envelopes 'Chesham Carnival memories'. Make sure you include an address and phone number for return of photos and do take copies of anything precious. This year's carnival takes place on Saturday 13 June 2009. The parade will start on Asheridge Road at noon and end in Lowndes Park, where there will be stalls, fun and games for all the family. The website URL will be www.cheshamcarnival.org.

Chiltern Voice Amersham – Henry Wizgier: Martyrs to the cause of walking

Why do the weak go to the wall? What’s the issue with hard cheese? What is small beer - and why? Who haunts the inn at Bury End? What’s a conventicle and where were they held? These and many other questions will be discussed on the next Amersham Martyrs Walk on Saturday 30 May, starting at 2.30pm at the Amersham Museum, 49 High Street. The walk led by guides in 16th century costume, tells the story of the six men and one woman burnt to death 500 years ago in Amersham for their religious beliefs. Taking about two hours, the walk goes around the Old Town and climbs up through the fields to the Martyrs memorial, stopping a number of times at various points of relevance to the story. The burnings are set in the context of life in the early 1500s – food, drink, clothing, housing, work, health, cures. The first walk at the end of April, attracted over 30 visitors on a sunny but windy day and walks continue on the last Saturday of each month until the end of September. The walks cost £2 (children free). For further information contact Marion and Peter Borrows on 01494 728422, 0773344 3694 or email peter@borrows.demon.co.uk.

History both entertaining and informative

Amersham Museum is at 49 High Street in Old Amersham. The family-friendly local history museum in Amersham's oldest house has re-opened with several new exhibits for 2009. You can find out how the Tudors lived, see more Amersham toys or remember the ‘50s and ‘60s - the Rock & Roll Years. It is open from 2pm to 4.30pm Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays and entrance is only £2 for adults and free for accompanied children under 16. Anthony del Tufo said, “From May to September we are also open on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. There is a peaceful herb garden leading down to the Misbourne.” Visit www.amershammuseum.org/ or call 01494 723700. There are walks around Old Amersham every Sunday at 2.30pm as well as the special Martyrs walks with guides in costume on the last Saturdays of each month at 2.30pm (see Henry Wizgier’s piece below.)

Chiltern Voice Amersham – Henry Wizgier: Amersham Martyrs

The monthly Amersham Martyrs Walks kick off this Saturday 25 April. For those readers who aren’t sure what this is all about, click onto Chiltern Voice – Amersham area chilternvoiceamersham.blogspot.com/ where the whole history behind these popular events now in their eighth year, is explained. However, to find out what happened to seven poor souls who were martyred for their religious beliefs almost exactly 500 years ago in Amersham, join the walk which starts from Amersham Museum, 49 High Street, Old Amersham at 2.30pm. No need to book and it costs only £2.

Museum events - volunteer to steward

Have you considered volunteering to help the Museum staff the new premises and cover the extended opening hours? There is an invitation evening for Museum stewards on Tuesday 21 April at 8pm in the Council Chamber at the town hall. If you’ve already contacted the team and offered to help or if you are merely thinking of volunteering, do go along to find out more over a glass of wine. Email info@cheshammuseum.org.uk or if necessary call Sue Gordon on 01494 772096.

Dance for the cause

Saturday 25 April - Step into Spring and enjoy another tea dance with DJ Ray Cox at the Little Theatre by the Park (Temperance Hall), Church Street, Chesham. Tickets cost £5 and include tea and cakes, from Orbitpress, 11 Market Square, Chesham or call Karel Lewis on 01494 837344. Visit www.cheshammuseum.org.uk/events.html. I’m afraid no times are given but the previous successful tea dance on Valentines day went from 2 to 5pm.

Don’t visit the Museum just yet

No Chesham Museum to visit over Easter I’m afraid, but it is closed for a good reason. The Museum’s collections have been catalogued and boxed up in preparation for the move to Market Square, which was to take place in April. Chapter One bookshop is being refurbished in readiness by the generous owners, so the move will probably now be in June. Mora Walker tells me how grateful she is that the project has taken off. Lack of a premises was the original problem until Shay Comasky offered part of his stable block behind the Gamekeepers Arms in Bellingdon Road. He is still one of the trustees. A new Museum logo is being designed and the first exhibition will focus on the leisure pursuits of yesteryear.

As the opening of the new premises nears, another nostalgic evening of documentary films by Alan Wilmott is being organised. "The first evening last autumn at the Little Theatre by the Park proved very popular and we were asked if we could hold another one," said press officer and vice-chairman of the trustees, Chris Spruytenburg. This time the event on Friday 17 April will feature documentary films of the 1940s, 50s and 60s and organisers are expecting a full house. Tickets at £5.50 include tea coffee and biscuits. To book email via the guestbook on the website or call Irene Brown on 01494 583418 or Sue Gordon on 01494 772096, and ask the start time which I’ve not been told and is not shown on the website. If there any left over, you can buy tickets at the door.

Opening of COAM

Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St. Giles, Bucks HP8 4AB, has reopened for the season. It was founded in 1976 to rescue threatened buildings and re-erect them on its forty-five acre site of natural park, meadow and woodland. It preserves a variety of structures of historical or vernacular interest which are typical of the region and allows you and me to enjoy them and learn more. The collection of 30 buildings includes a working nineteenth century farmyard and a village with its green, cottages, forge and chapel. In appropriate settings the buildings, the artifacts and the activities associated with them illustrate influences that have shaped the distinctive landscape of the Chilterns. In addition to the museum offers an Easter fun week from Monday 6 – Friday 9 April when there will be hands-on activities for all the family from noon until 4pm, ie. make a suncatcher, a cork lamb and an Easter chick. It is open daily from 10am - 5pm with last admission at 3.30pm. Visit http://www.coam.org.uk/ for charges or call 01494 872163.

Local knowledge

Don’t forget the book by Keith Fletcher, Peter Hawkes and Lesley Perry, Chesham at Work. We reported it last November. It tells you out about Chesham’s local industrial and social heritage. Factories and craft workshops once supplied goods to many parts of the UK and the world and the book is a portrait of the town’s workers and the varied items that they produced. Available from local bookshops or call 01494 793000.

Organise museum lovers

As Chesham Museum's fundraising efforts push past £19,000 the trustees are leaving no stone unturned in an effort to find a fundraising officer to direct the rolling programme. Said chairman Lesley Perry, "We've done amazingly well to raise as much as we have, but we do need a well organised and committed person to take on this role. We have 2009 sketched out but we need someone who can focus entirely on organising the succession of events to ensure we have enough income to make the museum a success. We want a fundraising officer and a small team of committee members and volunteers." Since May last year the trustees and volunteers have run a plant, jumble and book sale, a film show, a quiz and an art exhibition, as well as having a presence at Chartridge Pond Party and the Chilterns Show in July and the Heritage week-end in September. They are looking for someone with ideas and flair. I’ve suggested they ask Voluntary Action who have successfully found volunteers for the Chesham Society, and the Elgiva Board of Management, to name but two. The museum is on target to open at the former Chapter One Booksellers shop in Market Square in the spring. If you have an interest in Chesham Museum and think you might be able to help please call Lesley Perry on 01494 773513 for more information.

Pub closures continued

Our pub closure piece last week was highly viewed – we have software which gives us the statistics. I am sorry to tell you more: Peter Hawkes adds that The Kings Arms in King Street has also closed, somewhat abruptly. Off our patch, but still lamentable, is the closure of the Pheasant at Ballinger. Peter’s book will become a collector’s item with all these lost pubs, it will be the last remaining record.
Merelene Davis says the Nash Arms was another victim of the economic conditions. She adds, “The English pub is under threat, particularly country ones, from the pressure to make it illegal to have one drink and drive. The government (having themselves promoted 24 hours opening) already castigates people who want to meet up with their friends to share a drink and meal - the civilised way. It is a very English thing to do.” It is such a shame to lose a public house.

BOATs Inquiry - at a price

The amount of paper which had to be sent to every objector was huge – more than a kilogramme, a room hired for three days, counsel retained and everyone’s time used up. It will be nearly six years since the date of the original Trail Bike Rider’s Federation (TRF) applications in January 2003 for these byways to be opened to all traffic under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. That Act was superseded in 2006 by the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act, which now only allows such routes to be upgraded to Restricted Byways, not for motorised vehicles. 

The Inquiry opened and closed in just over an hour. The reason the Inquiry closed so quickly is because the Inspector will make his conclusions from the extensive Proof of Evidence documents already submitted. Following the formal Inquiry, the inspector walked crucial points of the paths, with key objectors and a supporter who said he was just a member of the public. The Inspector had already walked the three bridleways - Trapps Lane, Bunns Lane and Bottom Lane, in both directions the day before. Some 100 people were in attendance at the Inquiry including ABC (Action for Bridleways of Chesham), the Chiltern Society, and the headmaster of Chesham High School which has a pony club using the lanes. The cost of the appeal process and Inquiry has been large, all because government decided to open the countryside to everyone under flawed legislation (since amended). Cllr Justine Fulford who has put considerable effort into objecting, said, “All the man hours and financial costs are worth it if rights are protected and acknowledged. Everyone has a right to a fair hearing, no matter what their view. We believe the applications are wrong, so our rights have been protected by the PI proceeding. I've enjoyed my research into the lanes, which has given me a much broader understanding of Chesham's history and how it slots together”. The Inspector’s decision will be announced in a week or a fortnight. See most recent of our previous pieces.

Chesham’s magazine

The Winter edition of Town Talk is out. I’m glad to see a picture of the well tended and charming mini-park (more accurately a garden bed) at Hivings Park on the corner of Great Hivings and Upper Belmont Road opposite Hivings Free Church. I was also interested to learn about Harry Wing, publican of the Golden Ball in 1905. Chesham Town Talk is distributed throughout the town and surrounding area. You can pick up a copy from the Town Hall, Library, White Hill Community Centre, the Elgiva Theatre, local supermarkets and post offices, newsagents or corner shops throughout the town. It can also be seen at most sports centres, cafes and shops, visit www.cheshamtowntalk.org.uk.

Weekend art exhibition

Friday 28 November from 6pm - 9pm (the Victorian shopping evening), Saturday 29 November and Sunday 30 November from 10am - 4pm are the times to visit an art exhibition in support of the Chesham Museum fundraising appeal. Drop in at Number 15 Market Square, the old Chapter One Bookshop, and browse this special exhibition of quality art and craft works, photography and sculpture. Everything on show will be for sale and each piece is unique, so go early to avoid disappointment.

Comenius project

Chesham Park Community College students were guests of Polish students in an international learning project. They exchanged and celebrated their cultural differences and similarities with students from Germany, Slovenia and the host country, and produced information booklets, a cultural calendar, experienced new languages, and established links for their schools. The Comenius initiative, funded by the British Council and the EU, invites schools in Europe to work together on projects that will promote international understanding, cooperation, and friendship through education. As a member of one of this year’s winning partnerships, Chesham Park Community College will make exchange visits to each of the countries involved, before taking on the role of host country for the final stage of the project in 2010.

Continuing the progress of the Comenius project, Chesham Park students will be exploring the experiences of WW2 evacuees and soldiers, migrant workers, refugees and immigrants who live within the local community. They would like to get in touch with people who might be interested in meeting to tell their stories and answer questions. Please call Charlotte Stock on 01494 782066 or email cstock@bucksgfl.org.uk.

Book about our working past

Chesham At Work is a record of the main sectors of trade and manufacture that provided a livelihood for Chesham people through the 20th century. It is a celebration of Chesham’s industrial heritage, a portrait of its workers and the many varied items that they produced. It is a resource for historians, family history researchers and students of social history, as well as those interested in the recent development of this industrious country town. Written by three local residents Keith Fletcher, Peter Hawkes and Lesley Perry, the 68 page book is illustrated with photographs, most of which have never been published before. Chesham At Work is available from Hawkes Design and Publishing, 59a Broadway, Chesham, Bucks HP5 1BX and from Keith Fletcher call 01494 782526, or email fletchcrik@hotmail.co.uk. Price £12.95 plus postage and packing.

Bellingdon & Asheridge Village Hall long history

There will be an open day celebration of 60 years of the Bellingdon & Asheridge village hall on Saturday 8 November from 10am – 4pm. The organizers would love any memorabilia or photos from the hall or village during that time, especially of the clubs that have used it over the years. They will be serving coffees, soup and a roll and cream teas during the day, and will be running film footage compiled by an ex villager. It sounds like an interesting day, everyone is welcome. Call Lulu on 01494 758303.

Lady Elgiva started it

To mark Chesham's Heritage weekend, The Friends of St Mary's Church have arranged for an exhibition prepared by historian Shirley Foxell on The Life and Times of the Lady Elgiva to be on show at the Church, on Sunday 14 September between 12.30 and 5pm. The display will outline how it came about that Chesham first emerged into recorded history over 1,000 years ago in the will of the Lady Elgiva. An illustrated booklet on the subject will be on sale, together with other local history books, the proceeds of which will go to The Friends of St Mary's. For more information contact David Way 01494 783529.

Happy Pakistan Independence Day

Pakistan’s Independence Day ((Urdu یومِ آذادی) also known as Yaum-e-Azadi was celebrated in style last Sunday 10 August by a packed programme of Cultural Awareness Events for invited guests at the Elgiva theatre. It was the first event held by the Chesham Asian Welfare Society, chaired by Masud Ahmed, the new group formed to let the ordinary people in ethnic communities know about activities in Chesham. It celebrated the History of Asians in Chesham with a presentation by Parveiz Aslam, and was so crowded by happy adults and children from many ethnic backgrounds, all enjoying themselves, that I feel sure it will be the start of many similar events. Thankyou to all who worked to make the day a success.

Walking maps

Chesham Community Vision was brought together to enhance the town and make it more attractive to residents and visitors. One of the results has been the production of a set of walking leaflets designed to encourage everyone to enjoy the town and to explore the surrounding countryside. There are six clearly laid-out and attractive leaflets which describe walks of varying lengths and difficulty. Each leaflet has an easy to follow map, a full description of the route and description of the important historical landmarks. There is further information about special views, wildlife and background events connected with the route, illustrated with photographs and historical pictures.
Walk 1 is the Heritage Trail which takes one around the town on a route based on the black heritage plates affixed to buildings. This is an update of the previous leaflet with an extension of the route to the Museum and the Mosque.
Walk 2, the Outer Ring, skirts the perimeter of Chesham following closely the boundary between town and countryside. Although it is one of the longer walks at 7 and a half miles, it can be curtailed by shortened to the town centre from a number of points.
The other four walks basically explore east, south, west and north, starting and finishing in Chesham.
Walk 4 is the shortest, going towards Chesham Bois and into the beech woods. It is stile free and makes a suitable starter for those who have not yet explored the local area.
Other walks take you to Ley Hill and the Woodland Trust reserve at Cowcroft and back along the Chess; to Pednor, Chartridge and Asheridge with an opportunity to visit a medieval earthworks. You can be reminded of ancient history - an iron age fort, and the modern history of Bovingdon Aerodrome where Clark Gable, James Stuart and Glen Miller served in the Second World War.
The leaflets are available at the Chesham Library, Chesham Town Hall, Amersham Library and various other outlets.
Or download them in pdf format from the Town Council website www.chesham.gov.uk.

Heritage opens doors to us all

Chesham’s history will come to life on Sunday 14 September 2008 as part of the national Heritage Open Day. The focus of the day will be on The Bury, Church Street, where the house and grounds will be open from 10am - 5 pm, courtesy IBB Solicitors. The Bury is a fine example of a Buckinghamshire town house, and was the residence of the Lowndes family, who donated Lowndes Park to the town. There will be guided tours of the house and displays in the grounds of traditional Chesham crafts, such as wood turning and brush making. There will also be a display of Medieval dress and armour and the Friends of Chesham Cemetery will be present to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the town’s cemetery. Even if the weather is bad the Society will still open the Bury House, however the displays will be moved to the Town Hall.
Other places of interest in the town will also be open to visitors, including St Mary’s Church, Broadway Baptist Church, the Friends Meeting House, the Mosque, Chesham Bois Manor on Amersham Hill (tours at 10am and 2pm), the Cemetery Chapel and the White Hill centre. You can also explore Mathews Brickyard in Bellingdon, a modern-day industrial site that represents an important part of Chesham’s history; timed tours will be held during the day. Chesham Museum will be open in the afternoon. A lovely little attraction which will appeal to children, is Croft Meadows a small holding up the Amersham Road.
Walking tours of the town start from Chesham Metropolitan underground station at 10am, 11.30am, 2pm and 3.30pm. If you are willing to help on the day please contact David Carter on 01494 772383
For more information, see http://www.chesham.gov.uk/ or contact the Town Hall on 01494 774842.

Leave your mark on the lead

St Mary’s Church is having the bell tower worked on. It was discovered that the wooden frame which supports the bells was loose and moving within the stonework of the tower and there was concern that the several tons of bells could end up in a heap on the chancel floor or worse. It was also found that the gap between the inner and outer stonework of the tower had only been filled with rubble. Detailed measurements were made over a period to define the amount of movement and the tower is now being strengthened and the bell frame secured. The work is proceeding on plan and no more nasties have come to light. However the scaffolding would make it easy for metal robbers to climb up and remove the lead roofing. Lead is worth a lot of money at the moment. To deter thieves the lead has been painted with a coating with a secret DNA tracer which gives police forensic evidence and links the suspect to the crime scene. Don Sanderson of St Mary’s Church, went to a lot of trouble to put up a notice warning thieves of this – I think that was over and above the call of duty. However he tells me the notice has been stolen!

Historical help

Neil Rees seeks someone who knows anything about the history of Pond Park Congregational Church which used to be in Lyndhurst Road but is no longer there, and also Hivings Free Church, Upper Belmont Road, Great Hivings, Pond Park. Please email Neil on nwreesATgooglemailDOTcom or call 01494 776457 or 793921.

Post office viability

If you missed the public meeting about the proposed closure of yet more post offices, namely - Botley Road and Waterside, don't be afraid to make your own comments or protest.
Jane Lewis drew my attention to the planned closure of the Waterside Post office and you can sign a petition there. People can email their views to consultation@postoffice.co.uk

Heritage calendars

A great idea, you can personalize a 2009 calendar of photos of Victorian Chesham and villages to send to contacts and friends at the end of the year. Order from Orbitpress, 11 Market Square HP5 1HG. Call 01494 778053, email info@orbitpress.co.uk or phone Hawkes Design & Publishing on 01494 793000 for more details. The cost will be £8 each, personalised for home or business. The 2009 calendar will feature some of the earliest portraits of the town and surrounding villages, of the highest quality and many unique in print.

Making of the Chilterns Landscape

The Chilterns Conservation Board presents a conference on the historic environment on Saturday 21 June 10am – 3.30pm. It will be held at Buckinghamshire New University, Chalfont St Giles, costing £25 including lunch. The program includes National Perspective on Conserving the Historic Landscape, Climate Change and the Historic Environment and Historic Landscape Characterisation - what has been discovered? There is lots more on the agenda and time for discussion. To book a place contact Donna Hunter on 01844 355504, email dhunter@chilternsaonb.org.

Chesham Museum's new scheme

Join the Chesham Museum SuperFriends scheme for 12 months and enjoy free admission, free newsletter and a discount on their talks and guided walks. The programme will be available later this year. Becoming a SuperFriend of Chesham Museum costs only £60 which will help to raise money to move the museum from the Stables into part of the former Chapter One bookshop at 15 Market Square. Chair of the Trustees, Sue Gordon said, “This promises to be an exciting new chapter in Chesham Museum's history. Number 15 is an historic building, with space for a variety of community based activities as well as more display and storage room than we have at present in Bellingdon Road - in short it is eminently suitable for our purposes.” In order to move into the former bookshop, the Trustees need to raise £20,000. Please help by making a donation online at www.MyCharityPage.com - type Chesham Museum in the search box. Or call at one of the following Chesham businesses, Orbit Press, 11 Market Square; Barclays Bank, 79 High Street or send a cheque to the Treasurer, Chesham Museum – The Stables, Bellingdon Road, Chesham HP5 2NN. Registered Charity No. 1107115. For more information call the Chairman, Lesley Perry on 01494 773513.