Dendro Day, Everyone’s Tree Day

The study of trees - Dendrology - comes from the Greek word for tree and these giants of the plant kingdom provide the framework of landscapes. In our towns too, trees are welcome for their softening of the hard outlines of buildings, giving pleasant shade and shelter. So wherever we live, trees have a place in our lives. Trees deserve a day of focus and Dendro Day is on Sunday 7 March. Check to see if trees need attention whilst they are still bare and branches can be examined using a pair of binoculars. The Bucks Tree Club and the Dendrologist are voluntarily run, supporting all tree interested people and groups since 1982. Email buckstreeclub@googlemail.com or contact the Dendrologist, PO Box 341, Chesham, Bucks HP5 2RD. The Subscription is £10 (payable to the Dendrologist) and that includes a one off joining fee of £2.50.

Will it be Crabby?

Chesham and District Natural History Society (CDNHS) holds its next indoor meeting at St Mary's Church Rooms, Church Street. It will be on Monday 8 February at 7.30pm. The speaker is John Tyler, and his subject sounds mysterious, it is Island of Crabs, so go along to find out more about it. Visitors are welcome for a charge of £2. The membership year runs from May to April and is currently £10 p.a. Andrea Polden said, “There is no field trip this month but they will resume in March”.

Gardening Guru

Let the blanket of snow give you a new perspective on your garden for the spring. If you are going on holiday or just planning ahead, you can get practical and physical help with your garden from Chris Spruytenburg. Rates are £13 per hour, call Chris on 07864 868629 or 01494 785160.

Chess Helps Museum

Those interested in the river Chess should hear Bill Templeton talk on The Chess, Portrait of a River at the town's museum. Hear about the important contribution of our river to local industries, the history of the working mills and the mill houses and the current status of the surviving buildings. The evening starts at 8pm on Thursday 17 December 2009. Tickets cost £2.50 or £2 for Super or Life Friends, but space is limited, so booking is advisable. Call 01494 792549 or email via the museum website www.cheshammuseum.org.uk.

How Come We Use So Much Water?

The English chalk streams are under threat due to the amount of water we use, an increasing population and the effects of climate change. You can/must see the World Wildlife Fund's River's on the Edge film on You Tube. Rivers on the Edge contains an important message on the connection between chalk stream flows and public water use. Allen Beechey, Chilterns Chalk Streams Project Officer at Chilterns Conservation Board said, “Customers in the Veolia Water Three Valleys area have the highest water usage per person, per day in the UK. Nearly 25 litres above the national average. It is this usage that drives abstraction and leads to the low flows that all the Chilterns chalk streams are suffering”. There is also information on the WWF's campaign available on their website.

And We Produce More Carbon Dioxide

Apparently we need to hang our heads in another shame because Bucks Free Press says research by data analysts Experian, shows we (Amersham and Chesham) also produce more carbon dioxide than anyone else in the country. I find it hard to believe such damning figures, we have no more extravagances here than nearby towns.

Tree Planting Saturday 5 December

The weekend is going to be a busy and exciting time for the Friends of Lowndes Park. On Saturday 5 December they are taking part in a BBC sponsored tree planting event and on Sunday 6 December there is their usual monthly working party. It is National Tree Week and the BBC aims to get as many people as possible across the UK to plant a tree between 11am and noon. They want to increase local biodiversity and break the Guinness World record for the highest number of trees planted in one hour. Joan Clark has obtained three trees from Focus, who were giving away one per household, the other two were kindly donated to the Friends by customers in the shop. The Friends of Lowndes Park will meet at the Guide Hut at 10.30am and everyone is welcome to join them. One of the BBC conditions is to take photos of the planting showing the date and time, so Joan said, “Please bring your cameras”.

If that wasn't enough excitement on Sunday 6 December they have their monthly working party to do clearing work in the wild area and general tidy up before the Christmas period.

Voles Increase Threefold

The Chilterns Conservation Board has issued a press release headed Good news for Ratty. A survey has found an exciting increase in the numbers of one of Britain’s rarest mammals in the Chess Valley. Good numbers of water voles, have been found along the River Chess between Chesham and Chorleywood. The survey was organised by the Berks Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust, with support from the Chilterns Chalk Streams Project, and is the fifth survey to have been carried out on the River Chess since 2001. Water voles, which live on river banks, have been in decline nationally for years. By 2003 there were very few on the Chess, but the population has dramatically increased since then. There are now an estimated 300 voles along the river – a threefold increase since 2007. Allen Beechey of the Chilterns Chalk Streams Project said, “This fantastic news shows we are doing the right things to help water voles recover on the Chess. We’ve been working with landowners to restoring bank-side vegetation and trap feral mink, which prey on the voles. We have to remain vigilant because mink are still being found near the river.” The success of voles along the Chess ties in with the news announced by British Waterways this week that there has been an increase in water voles along the canals and waterways they manage.

Chess Clean Up at Waterside

The silt disturbance at the Chess near the Moore at Waterside is a continuation of works that were started some time ago - possibly in November 2008. The Flood Defence team of the Environment Agency were unable to complete the work last time. The planned programme includes: tree works (coppicing and pollarding); removing deep pockets of silt and reed rhizomes; backfilling with gravel to provide a beneficial habitat and make maintenance easier in the future. Kathryn Graves, Policy & Projects Officer at Chesham Town Council said, “The Conservation Department of the EA will be attending in future to plan the planting of reeds in one part of that stretch.”

Fish for Diggers

The Chesham Town Council Allotments Group will be holding a fish 'n' chip supper on Saturday 14 November at 7pm, at the Temperance Hall in Church Street. They will also have a quiz and raffle. These events prove to be a wonderful way of getting to know more allotment holders in Chesham and are not just limited to people who have an allotment. Family, friends and those with a link to the CTC allotments are always welcome, however booking in advance is required and there is a cost of £6 per person. Call the Secretary Kate Hobbs on 01494 778204.

Hunt a tortoise among the bricks

Katharine Dallas has lost her tortoise. It is a spur thighed male that she has had for at least 25 years. Katharine who was formerly Katharine Matthews, from the brickyard, said, “It is my fault, I left the greenhouse door ajar for a little while last Sunday and he did a runner and will probably be trying to hibernate. I live at Peppetts Green, Bellingdon and my phone number is 01494 758207.”

Chess River Project Wins

The Meades Water Gardens Regeneration Project has received a conservation award from the Wild Trout Trust. The project, carried out by the Impress the Chess partnership, restored the River Chess in this popular town centre green space in Chesham and cost £60,000. The award recognises excellence in work that benefits wild trout and other life in rivers and lakes. Sponsored by Orvis outdoor clothing, the awards have been held since 1998 to celebrate projects carried out by professional organisations or/and grass roots volunteers. The judges recognised improvements that the project has made to Meades Water Gardens for both wildlife and people. In addition to replacing silted up ponds with the natural stream habitat, tree work has improved light levels and tree health, and accessibility for all has been helped by footpath and fencing. They commented on the tenacious resolve of the Chilterns Chalk Stream Project officer Allen Beechey, and colleagues, who persisted when faced with obstacles during project–planning, including the need to undertake large-scale consultation. Natural re-colonisation of the site has been rapid since the gardens re-opened in July 2008, with both plants and animals such as sticklebacks and freshwater shrimp returning. The restored habitat was the chosen site for the release last summer of young brown trout reared by Waterside County Combined School pupils. This was the culmination of the Trout in the Classroom project to educate children about their local river and its wildlife.

Allen Beechey and the mayor Cllr Justine Fulford attended the awards ceremony and were delighted to receive the Runner Up award. This is the third time that the project has been recognised at both the regional and national level. Impress the Chess is a partnership of statutory organisations and community groups led by Chesham Town Council and the Chilterns Chalk Streams Project. It was set up to improve the river throughout the town and is involved in a variety of projects from mapping and controlling invasive riverside weeds to monitoring water vole populations.

Listing trees

Bucks Tree Club continues listing ancient woodlands on its Best in Bucks list, and veteran trees will be defined by adding 'vt' to distinguish them from the best specimens of each tree species in the county. When Slough became a unity authority in the 1970s there was some administrative tidying of the boundaries so the group agreed to use the 1000 years of the southern county boundary of Buckinghamshire as the river Thames. This allows the Ankerwycke Yew to be added. The website will include a list of Tree Wardens in the county so I have advised them of Bernard Meldrum’s details. The acting club secretary is Merelene Davis, the subscription is £10 (payable to The Dendrologist) which includes a one off joining fee of £2.50 and you will receive the publication Where to See Trees in The British Isles. Contact The Bucks Tree Club, c/o The Dendrologist, PO Box 341, Chesham HP5 2RD email buckstreeclub@gmail.com.

Bandstand retrieved from fountain

Ron How has come clean on his contribution to Band Stand further thoughts Wednesday, 14 October 2009. He said, “As there seems the need to record events happening in our park, I had better come clean and admit to paying for the removal of the fountain that used to feed the water to the cascade. By diverting the water to a new fountain in the pond, we were able to return the Bandstand to a more useful area for entertainment.” I always suspected it was Ron we should thank.

Young plant bulbs

We reported Broadlands beautifies and Charlotte Norris tells me it turned out to be a lovely fine day, The children managed to plant plenty of daffodil bulbs. Charlotte said, “We even had time to clear away the grass from an over grown path that links the footpath to the bench. I have lived here four years and never knew the path existed.”

Woodland Archaeology

The Chess Valley Archaeological and Historical Society is opening its season of Friday evening lectures with a talk by John Morris of the Chiltern Woodland Trust, titled Chiltern Woodland Archaeology on Friday 16 October. It will be held in the White Hill Centre, Chesham beginning at 8pm. Visitors are welcome and admission costs £2. If necessary call Anne Marshall on 01494 725952.

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.”

In Bloom gets a constitution

Chesham in Bloom holds its first ever AGM on Thursday 22 October at 7.30pm at the Town Hall. Chesham In Bloom is a town-wide initiative to improve the way it looks and how people feel about it. You can read more about the work they have been doing and the successes. They will be adopting a constitution and electing office bearers. The annual meeting is open to any interested members of the public, so please tell any friends who you think may like to attend. Refreshments will be available and it will be a good opportunity for like-minded people to meet and discuss ways in which we can make a difference to the town. Rachel Watts, Chesham in Bloom Chairman said, “I would be grateful if you could let our secretary Kathryn Graves know whether you would be interested in becoming a committee member. Even if you feel unable to join Chesham in Bloom, the team would be delighted to see you at the AGM.” Call Kathryn on 01494 583798, email policy@chesham.gov.uk."

Broadlands beautifies

Every year the residents of Broadlands Avenue in Chesham and especially their children, plant daffodil bulbs in the grass verges along the street. Member of the Residents Action Charlotte Norris, said, “This not only encourages the community to come together - young and not so young - but also helps the children to take an interest in their environment, and makes Broadlands Avenue a picture of colour in the spring time”. Each household contributes to the cost, one resident digs the holes, and it only takes 30-40 minutes of the children’s time. After the recent decimation of the Avenue the bulbs will be even more important. Charlotte told me, “I used to live in an apartment in Watford where nobody spoke to each other. There is a wonderful community here in Broadlands Avenue and I am glad I moved here four years ago.”

Don’t wash your car in dry spells

Following my throw-away line last week, Chess admirers make it official Allen Beechey, Chalk Streams Project Officer at Chilterns Conservation Board got in touch when he responded to similar questions from a Chesham Park A2 Level Geography Student. Allen said, “I too share your concern about flows in the Chess and all the other chalk streams in the Chilterns. As you correctly mention, water levels have declined dramatically in the space of eight months. The two major reasons are low rainfall and abstraction.”

He gave the following explanation. The river Chess is a chalk stream and chalk streams rely on the underground store of water in the chalk bedrock. The level of this groundwater store varies seasonally. In a typical year (2008 for example), rain falling in winter, between October and March, recharges the groundwater store so that it peaks in April/May. As spring turns to summer, rainfall decreases and plant growth increases, greatly reducing the amount of water reaching the chalk aquifer. As a result groundwater levels decline until winter rains start the recharge process again. This year, rainfall has been very low ie. 15% below average. There was almost no rainfall in March which brought a premature end to groundwater recharge and the dry weather has caused the groundwater level to drop much more quickly than usual. The continued dry weather (there was no rainfall at all in September) has meant that groundwater recharge will be delayed until January (if we get any rain!). This situation has meant that flows are very low in the river.
However, abstraction of water for human use has greatly exacerbated the problem in that demand for water has reduced the river's ability to tolerate dry periods, thereby increasing the incidence of drying. The river Chess catchment is designated as overabstracted by the Environment Agency. This means that an unsustainable amount of water is being abstracted from the catchment. This situation is likely to get worse with increasing development in the area.
The incidence of drying of the river has increased over time as a result of climate change. The river in Chesham has dried out three times since the 1950s - in 1976, 1996/7 and 2005/6. This year will be the fourth. Looking at the spread of these events it is clear that they are becoming more frequent. From abstraction records we know that abstraction levels in the catchment have remained fairly constant over the last 10 years, so the current drying and the last, have not been a direct result of changing abstraction. Looking at abstraction levels it is also clear that during long dry spells people use much more water (water the garden, more showers, filling paddling pools etc), so ironically, more water is taken from the catchment at the very time the river needs it most. With this area having the highest water usage per person in Europe, it is clear that the public could and should be doing more to reduce water usage and help to keep rivers like the Chess flowing.

Chesham in Bloom result

Because of the different population sizes Chesham and Amersham are not in the same category of Thames and Chilterns in Bloom awards. Chesham has retained its Silver standard for a second year running and was particularly praised for its community involvement. Areas of strength were: Community Participation – scoring highly in Development and continuity and Communication and education – and Environmental Responsibility – with good scores in Conservation and biodiversity and Local heritage. Kathryn Graves at the Town Council said, “We have consolidated our Silver Award overall, Waterside were highly commended in the school competition, Meades Water Gardens was praised and we scored very well for our environmental work in general.”

Friends of Lowndes Park banner

Phil Folly tells us that the FoLP have a new banner. “We can now be identified working in the park on the first Sunday every month, and not be mistaken for a group carrying out community service,” Paul joked. There will be a Lowndes Park Working Party on Sunday 4 October. Joan Clark said, “We hope to continue developing the wildlife area that has been started by some of you and is looking much better. We are waiting for the oak saplings to be removed so that the grass can be cut. Help may be needed to rake up the hay. The Monday afternoon working party will soon be planting some new roses.” If you can't make Sunday maybe you could help them. Volunteers are welcome on the day, or call Phil on 01494 783691 or Joan 01494 783035. The banner was made locally at Flagmakers, George Tutill in Higham Road.

Chess admirers make it official

The inaugural meeting of the River Chess Association was held on Wednesday 16 September and the number of attendees was encouraging. It is being initiated by David Hyde, Paul Jennings and Allen Beechey, Manager of the Chiltern Chalk Stream Project. – people deeply committed to the successful future of the River Chess. Paul said, “We are privileged to have access to the environment in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Some people rely on the river for business and others as a place of recreation.” The main aims of the new RCA are Environmental Monitoring and Protection - many eyes they can identify and report changes; management of voluntary resources – people who already work improving the habitat; raising public awareness of this rare ecosystem and any threats; education through programmes with schools; and lobbying – giving the Chess a voice by mobilizing the talent and expertise that can be found along the Chess Valley. They will work with other groups such as the Chiltern Chalk Stream Project, Impress the Chess and the Chiltern Society. A concept presentation was given. Paul continued, “We are looking to attract people with a vested interest in the Chess including land owners, walkers, fishermen, farmers, water companies, mill owners and watercress farmers. It is interesting to note that at the meeting we had a representative from Three Valleys Water.” The next meeting will be in October, call 07766 406718.

PS: I ask about the dry river bed near the Queen’s Head, and suspect over abstraction.

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.

Good news and bad news

At the Allotment Holder’s annual general meeting awards were presented to allotment holders to mark the best kept allotment this year. Cameron Road overall winner was Lorraine Falkner (of the famous squashes and pumpkins), second was Vince Crompton and third - Mr J Pedder. The winner at Asheridge Road was Lynne Goodman, second - Mr A Shipp and third - Mr E Richardson. The best new tenant award went to to Nichola Goddard from Asheridge Road allotments. However Kate Hobbs, Secretary said they have experienced their first break-ins on Cameron Road and Asheridge Road in the last two weeks. The first was at Asheridge Road around Monday 7 or Tuesday 8 September when sheds were broken into and alcohol and a wheelbarrow were taken. Then on Sunday 13 or Monday 14 September four sheds were broken into at Cameron Road and petrol strimmers and rotavators was taken. The ultimate indignity was that the third break-in took place on Thursday 17 September - the evening of their AGM. Sheds across the whole Cameron Rd site were broken into and further tools etc were taken. PCSOs remind all allotment holders to mark such items and take pictures if necessary. Then if the stolen tools come up in a car boot sale for example, they can be identified and returned. The last allotment coffee morning of 2009 will be on Saturday 26 September from 10am to noon at the Asheridge Road allotments. Kate said, “These have proved very successful in creating community on Cameron Road. We are looking to build similar community on Asheridge Road but it can only be done by those on the plots themselves, and like minded neighbours. We'd love to see plot holders and supporters on Saturday.”

Shelley Gardens celebration

The Pond Park Community Association Shelley Gardens Celebratory Day will be held on Saturday 26 September. It is to demonstrate the success of the lottery funded project to create a green, welcoming space at the Shelley Road path. The event is aimed at families and will include environmental activities for children (those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult). Shelley Gardens have been created at the top of the path down to town from Pond Park’s Shelley Road. From 11am until 3pm there will be activities and a chance to see what is happening there. Install a bird feeder, sew wild flowers, hear story telling, create a masterpiece from scrap: and enjoy free refreshments. Cllr Peter Yerrell explained that work will be continuing, with the next activity being a Tree Dressing event on Saturday 28 November, call Peter on 01494 771583.

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.

Environmental cleanup

On Sunday 20 September Chesham Environmental Group will have a clear up of litter in Captain's Wood. Georgina Lomnitz said, “Please wear gloves, as in the past we have found all manner of abandoned things such as prams, tyres etc. It is quite a big task, so it would be great if we had a good number of volunteers.” Meet at the shops at the top of Greenway, North Chesham, at 10am. There is plenty of parking in this residential area.

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.

Naturally - indoors and out

The next meeting of the Natural History society will be on Monday 14 September indoors at 7.30pm when Rachel Sanderson will speak on the Special Trees and Woodlands Project. Rachel is the Project Officer for the Chilterns AONB. Andrea Polden tells me they continue to hold meetings in St Mary's Church Rooms. “We are lucky to have managed to find a new home after the Royal British Legion fire,” she said.
The first field trip is on Saturday 19 September, starting from The Moor car park at 2pm and will be led by Andrea, to Dancersend. Dancersend Nature Reserve is managed by the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT). Some spell it Dancer’s End and the road nearby is Dancer’s End Lane. It is tucked away in a series of valleys in the Chilterns, near St Leonards and Tring, Aylesbury HP23 6JX. Dancersend has a range of habitats from mixed woodland to flowers on chalk grassland. More than 290 different plants have been recorded, supporting a rich variety of insects, including rare moths and butterflies. Call the programme secretary Mike Lambden on 01494 782939.

CEG

The next meeting of Chesham Environmental Group volunteers will be at the Town Hall on Thursday 27 August at 7.30pm. The Agenda will cover the Chess river bank restoration at Water Lane where over-active trimming was inflicted by Chiltern District Council contractors. CDC will pay for replacement plants, and CEG will replant with a traditional mixed hedge of Quickthorn, Blackthorn, English Oak, Field Maple/Wych Elm, Hazel and Dog Rose. Also on the agenda are Walkers are Welcome towns and an update on Shelley Gardens. Supporters of CEG are normally encouraged to attend Chesham-in-Transition Green Drinks at The Drawingroom which this month are at the same time Thursday 27 August at 7.30pm. Visit www.cheshamintransition.org.uk.

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.

Allotments open day

The Allotments Group invite you to join in at Cameron Road for their Allotments Open Day on Saturday 15 August at 10.30am, which will be opened by the mayor Cllr Justine Fulford. There will be a display of flowers, fruit and vegetables and refreshments, guided tours of the allotments and a treasure trail for the children. Everyone is welcome, and Kate Hobbs said, “We will be more than happy to sell on any surplus produce to anyone wishing to come and visit us”. Tea, coffee, and home made cakes will also be available for a nominal fee (if there is one made by Vince it will be delicious). The new chemical toilet, generously donated and supplied by popular demand, is now operational.

Birds control birds

The Cameron Road allotments have a deterrent against pigeons. Harris Hawk Goldie patrols with her handler Dave. As well as being a keen falconer and austringer (pronounced aw-strin-jer - a person who trains and flies short-winged hawks), Dave set up his own company providing animals for the glamorous world of film, music and television commercials. Two events forty years ago sparked his passion for birds of prey. Dave found a sparrow hawk chick out of its nest and watched a powerful film called Kes (1969). A tangible bond exists between Dave and his birds: head butting his hand, gently nibbling his fingers, they talk to him constantly with chirps and beak clicking. Goldie now 18 years old, came from a bird sanctuary but Harris hawks are originally from North America. For security each bird is microchipped, ringed and registered with DEFRA. The birds also fly with a radio transmitter attached. Dave said, “Thermals can quickly take them out of sight and they can cover huge distances, taking several hours to track down. They don’t fly in wet or windy weather.” Although Goldie is not allowed to hunt, his regal presence deters the feral pigeons. Thanks to the Allotment Group’s newsletter The Grower’s editor Kate Hobbs for allowing me to precis this charming story.

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.

Peaceful rural holiday

We’ve just returned from the most tranquil relaxing holiday at our son’s house in Combeyrol, six kilometres from Jumilhac-le-Grande in the Perigord Vert region of the northern Dordogne, France. If you would like to holiday or work there (via wireless broadband), visit http://www.combeyrol.com/.

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.

Elusive butterfly

The CDNHS July meeting is much earlier than usual, taking place on Saturday 4 July, rather than the third weekend of the month. Andrea Polden said, “This is because we are joining the Upper Thames Branch of Butterfly Conservation in Bernwood Forest to search for the Purple Emperor. This elusive butterfly has already been seen further south, so hopefully we shall be successful.” The early date is because of the flight period of the butterfly. Full details on the website. Meet as usual at The Moor car park HP5 1SF at 10am where car sharing is arranged, donations to car drivers welcome. For programme information call Mike Lambden on 01494 782939.
The indoor meeting for Monday 13 July will be held again in St Mary's Church Rooms when Andy Sands will speak on A British Safari.

Brushwood won the boot

In this year’s Chesham in Bloom competition for schools, pupils were invited to plant up a boot to celebrate Chesham's heritage and then enter it at the stall in Lowndes park on carnival day. (We reported it on Wednesday, 4 March.) Members of the public were asked to vote with a coin for their favourite boots. Brushwood Junior School were the clear winners with 177 votes and Waterside Combined School were second with 47 votes. Brushwood School has been presented with a certificate and a healthy eating hamper donated by Waitrose as the prize. Rachel Watts said, “Nicky Deegan and Sheila Summers who run the after-school gardening club were delighted and will be sharing the hamper out among the children. The presentation was attended by the photographer from the Bucks Examiner so hopefully we will be seeing a picture in the paper soon.”

Sort out the Lowndes Park Friends

Friends of Lowndes Park hold their annual general meeting at 7.30pm on Wednesday 1 July, and it will be in the town hall, Baines Walk. They are particularly hoping someone will step forward as new secretary but any new committee members would be welcome. To join the Friends of Lowndes Park or to find out more, call Michael Rowan on 01494 785146, email michael.rowan@ntlworld.com or visit www.lowndespark.org.uk.

Weeding and tidying

Chesham will be judged as part of Thames and Chilterns in Bloom this year on Thursday 16 July. All helpers are encouraged to lend a hand with the pre-judging litter pick. For more information please contact Kathryn Graves of the Town Council on 01494 774842 or email policy@chesham.gov.uk.

Chesham Environmental Group (CEG)

The Environmental Group meets on Sunday 21 June for its monthly work party. Gather at the Moor car park at 10am. Georgina Lomnitz said, “In the absence of Chairman Phil folly, we'll only be litter-picking along the river, Jacob's Ladder and the footpath that runs parallel to the Met line. If it's pouring with rain there won't be a work party.”

Thursday 25 June is the date of the CEG indoor meeting at the Town Hall at 7.30pm. If members have any additions to the agenda, please email Georgina on this occasion - geo@waitrose.com. Look out for Himalayan Balsam or and Japanese Knotweed on the agenda.

Best trees in Bucks - help welcome

The Bucks Tree Club is checking on the rare trees that appear on its Best in Bucks list at its website following the loss over the winter at Cliveden of the best Tree of Heaven in the county. The club will be visiting Priestfield Arboretum at Sony Lane, Little Kingshill at 11am on Saturday 20 June to check on the Kansu Crab Apple there. Anyone interested in join in a walk around this tree collection is welcome - please email buckstreeclub@googlemail.com to advise you are going. Ancient woodlands are rare and although Buckinghamshire has below average tree cover, it has quite a few ancient woodlands , mainly in the Chilterns. The Bucks Tree Club is locating them and also listing Buckinghamshire’s ancient woodlands on its website.

Brush with nature

Chesham & District Natural History Society next field meeting will be on Sunday 14 June. Sue Brawn is leading the walk from Brush Hill. Meet as usual at The Moor car park HP5 1SF at 2pm where car sharing is arranged, donations to car drivers welcome. For programme information call Mike Lambden on 01494 782939.

Chalk streams and the Chess valley

If you are interested in knowing more about the river Chess, the person who can tell you is Allen Beechey, Chilterns Chalk Streams Project Officer of Chilterns Conservation Board at the Chesham Society meeting. It is on Wednesday 17 June. David Carter said, “I hope Allen will talk beyond the 'Impress the Chess' aspects and take the matter wider and deal with chalk streams in general and the effect of the Chess on the whole Chess valley”. The Chesham Society meets at the town hall at 7.30 for 8pm. Guests are welcome for £1 including refreshments, members 50p. For further details call 01494 791329.

Trout released in Chess chalk stream

On Sunday 7 June at 7pm on BBC One you can see up-to-date reporting on the Impress the Chess project which has been progressing for five years now. Countryfile reporters Matt Baker and Julia Bradbury will show Waterside school children releasing their carefully nurtured trout fingerlings. The newly-restored section of the Chess in the Water Gardens is an excellent habitat for the young fish and this will be the first time that trout will have been seen in this stretch of the Chess since it dried out in the 2005/06 drought. The children have been rearing the trout in special temperature controlled tanks since the beginning of the year as part of their Trout in the Classroom project. Chilterns Conservation Board and the Impress the Chess group developed the scheme and Alan Beechey, Chiltern chalk streams project officer for the Conservation Board has taught the children about trout and how to preserve and protect the special habitat of the Chess chalk stream. It was great to see (and hear) the send-off as the fish swam to freedom. Members of the Impress the Chess group, together with community and conservation bodies who help look after the river, joined a guided walk from one of its sources in Pednor Road.
Our earlier reports explain the Impress the Chess project and Meades Water gardens: Wednesday, 23 July 2008, Pleasant Meades; Wednesday, 13 February 2008 Meades Water gardens work in progress; and way back on Wednesday, 30 January 2008 Chess impressed the water voles. Countryfile will also report on red kites to the Chilterns, 20 years since their reintroduction.

Friends of Lowndes Park Working Party - Sunday 7 June‏

Joan Clark says, “We are back in Lowndes Park this Sunday 7 June at 10am at the Guide Hut. I encourage as many of you as possible to join in. This time we will concentrate on removing the docks from the old paddling pool area, continue to remove the oak and ash saplings and, if time, give the park a general tidy up.” If you are going for the first time, there are some tools but you may wish to bring your own. Visit www.lowndespark.org.uk.

Blooming prizes up for grabs in Chesham

Chesham in Bloom has launched its Front Garden and Blooming Business Competitions for 2009. There are three categories: Best Large Front Garden, Best Small Front Garden and Best Container. If you are proud of your gardening skills, Chesham in Bloom wants you to take part. Or why not nominate a neighbour’s glorious garden? The prizes are as follows: Best Large Garden - £50 of shrubs from Farnham Common Nursery; Best Small Garden - £50 of garden vouchers donated by Paradigm Housing; Best Container – A bottle of Champagne donated by Waitrose Chesham. To be eligible, front gardens and containers must be in public view. Judging criteria includes not only colour and impact, but environmental-friendliness and maintenance. The containers can be whatever you like – from a traditional hanging basket to a recycled bath tub. The Blooming Business competition is open to Chesham shops and businesses which put on floral displays. The winning entry will receive four Elgiva cinema tickets. The competition is fun and Chesham in Bloom welcomes all entrants: closing date for nominations is Thursday 19 June 2009. To make a nomination call Kathryn Graves at the Town Hall on 01494 583798 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 4.30pm), pick up a form from the Town Hall or download one from http://www.chesham.gov.uk/. The winners will be announced in July and participating gardens may be viewed by the Royal Horticultural Society judges when they come to judge Chesham as part of Thames & Chilterns in Bloom. Kathryn said, “Do consider taking part; you could win an excellent prize and help represent the town at its blooming best.”

Out in the garden with a chainsaw

The garden at Old Sun House, Pednor will be open on Sunday 24 May (the Bank Holiday Sunday) from 2 - 6pm. This year’s highlight will be a wooden outdoor carving. When a tree right near the house died, Mark commissioned a sculptor from Wales, Simon O'Rourke who has worked in Germany, Japan and America, to carve it into a work of art with his chainsaw. It is acacia so should survive the elements, see if you can pick out the owl and the mouse. There is ample parking with proceeds to the Scouts, and a field for family picnics. Entrance costs £3 and children free. Teas and home made cakes will be served and proceeds from the plant sale will aid Scannappeal. The garden is set in five acres on the top of a Chiltern ridge with spectacular views over farmland. There is a large pond, herbaceous beds, woodland walk and collection of endangered pheasants, chickens, guinea fowl, white peacocks and lots of ten day old chickens.

Watch the birdy

The next indoor meeting of the Chesham and District Natural History Society is on Monday 11 May at 7.30pm at the Royal British Legion in Broad Street. Chris Ward will speak on Kites, Kingfishers & Koels.

Grow your own or buy from the experts?

Don’t miss the plant sale to be held this year on Saturday 9 May at 9.30am at the White Hill Centre, White Hill, Chesham. The Chesham and District Community Association (C&DCA) Gardeners’ Group will be offering bedding plants, perennials, shrubs and vegetable plants. You can exchange tips and hints over a cup of coffee too. The Gardeners Group meets every third Thursday of the month at the White Hill Centre. Chris Hozier said, “We are a friendly club and welcome visitors. As well as talks we run day and weekend trips. We are currently taking bookings for the Malvern Show on Sunday 10 May and the Hyde Hall trip on Saturday 20 June”. Call Chris on 01494 771807.

Peanuts or pee?

Badgers at The Bury have been desecrating the lawns since the end of last summer. Now with the help of TVs badger expert Chris Packham, IBB solicitors can try offering peanuts to stop the badgers ploughing through the turf looking for worms. The other suggestion is for male human urine to deter the badgers, so maybe IBB should be holding a big alcoholic party (drunken bash). The Examiner broke the story. Now it’s been covered on BBC breakfast news.

Water voles in the ascendance

Following our Water Vole piece on 15 April Julia Armstrong, Water Vole Project Officer for Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) has let me know more information. The Berks, Bucks and Oxon Water Vole Recovery Project is based with BBOWT but is a partnership project between BBOWT, the Environment Agency, Thames Water and British Waterways. The project has monitored the water vole population on the River Chess since 2001. In 2003 a dramatic 97% decline in water voles was seen, which was attributed to predation by the non-native American mink which were dispersing along the watercourse. In conjunction with local landowners a mink control scheme which uses floating rafts to detect and trap mink was initiated along the Chess and the water vole population began to recover. Surveys conducted in 2007 showed that water vole numbers had recovered to 32% of the 2001 population and it is hoped that the surveys conducted in 2009 will show the water vole population continuing to thrive. The Water Vole Recovery Project collates water vole records and is interested to hear from anybody who sees a water vole. Please contact the project with a date, location and grid reference for your sighting. Julia said, “Since I'm out in the field a lot at this time of year please use my email address juliaarmstrong@bbowt.org.uk.”

Poplars are popular

The CDNHS (Chesham and District Natural History Society) field trip will be on Sunday 26 April, led by Georgina Lomnitz. It is a Black Poplar walk, starting from the Moor car park at 10.30am and will take most of the day so bring a picnic and drinks. The black poplar tree (populus nigra) is under threat of extinction. Georgina said, “We'll be parking in Wilstone Village Hall (near Tring) and starting the walk from there at about 11am. The actual walk is about five miles, but I've shortened it to avoid road walking. If the weather is good, we'll be stopping at the tiny Millhoppers Butterfly Reserve, where I was planning to have our lunch. I don't foresee the walk taking all day, unless we spot huge numbers of butterflies. The catkins of the Black Poplar are red and are known as ‘devil's fingers’, they were certainly very obvious on the magnificent tree specimens we saw a few days ago. I'll have leaflets with me with much more information on the trees, as well as leaflets on Millhoppers Reserve.” Anyone is welcome to join the walk and they can meet us at the Moor car park or make their own way to Wilstone Village Hall in time for 11am.

Allotment holders' sustainability

The Allotments Group open meeting is happening tonight, Thursday 16 April from 7.30 to 9pm in the Council Chamber at the Town Hall. The guest speakers will talk about Transition Towns. Chesham in Transition is part of a worldwide movement, details of which can be found at www.transitiontowns.org. It is summed up in their question, "For all those aspects of life that this community needs in order to sustain itself and thrive, how do we significantly increase resilience to mitigate the effects of Peak Oil*, and drastically reduce carbon emissions to mitigate the effects of Climate Change?" (*Peak oil is the point when the maximum rate of global petroleum extraction is reached, after which the rate of production enters terminal decline.) Voice reported Transition Town meetings . Visit www.cheshamintransition.org.uk.

Environmental group meeting open to all

The Chesham Environmental Group AGM will be in the Lowndes Room at the Town Hall next week on Thursday 23 April from 7.30 to 9pm. The actual meeting should be quiet short and is followed by a talk from the Transition Town group so don’t worry if you didn’t get to hear them at the Allotment Group meeting. Everyone is welcome and there will be refreshments.

Water Vole Survey

You may have heard of water vole survey which is being carried out on the river Chess led by BBOWT (Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trusts) www.bbowt.org.uk. The Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust was established in 1959 by ecologists who could see the harm being done to the rich natural environment of the counties. BBOWT has more than 1,300 active volunteers and over 50,000 members. BBOWT is one of 47 wildlife trusts working across Britain to achieve the shared aim of securing a better future for wildlife. They are independent county-based charities, but come together under the umbrella of the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts giving strength to their work at a regional and national level. BBOWT is carrying out a survey of the Chess watervole population this summer.

Smarten up the park

Joan Clark from Friends of Lowndes Park Working Party said, “I look forward to seeing you all at 10am on Sunday 5 April at the Guide Hut. I am hoping we have good weather to continue removing the oak saplings and clearing the hedgerows.” If you will be going for the first time there are some tools available but you may wish to bring your own. Did you know the Friends of Lowndes Park have a website? It certainly hasn’t been widely publicised but take a look, visit www.lowndespark.org.uk.

Open garden

Chesham Bois House HP6 6DF will again have an open garden on Sunday 29 March from 2 – 5.30pm. The three acre garden frames the late Georgian house (not open). Take a winding walks through an old orchard and over an ancient bowling green. You can see the walled garden, a small ornamental canal and rill with gazeb,o and herbaceous borders with some tender and unusual plants, Admission costs £3.50 for charity, children free. Visitors are also welcome by appointment call Julia Plaistowe on 01494 726476. Park in the road or on the right at the school and at the scout hut.

Historic walk round Berkhamsted - take Mum

On Sunday 22 March from 2 - 4.30pm you can discover the fascinating history of the Norman castle and town of Berkhamsted with volunteers from the Berkhamsted Local History and Museum Society. Admission costs adults £3 and £1.50 for children. It is organised by the Chilterns Conservation Board and booking is essential, call Jenny Sherwood on 01442 865158 or email KSherw9100@aol.com. Dogs are allowed, meet at the main gate to the castle grounds, adjacent to the station.

Biodiversity action team

In January, BTCV in Thames & Chilterns began to run a new Biodiversity Action Team in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. The BAT is a regular programme of one-day conservation volunteering projects which are free and open to everyone. You don't need any special skills to become a BAT volunteer, other than a willingness to get involved and a basic level of physical fitness. All the tools, equipment and practical instruction are provided by BTCV and you don't need to commit yourself to more than one day at a time; you can attend as many or as few projects as you want to. Paul Forrest-Jameson said, “As the group is so new, we're presently looking to recruit more people to join in with its work. The list of exciting and worthwhile projects we're planning to get involved with includes: Building dry-stone walls in the Cotswolds, managing woodlands in the Chilterns, restoring heathlands in the North Wessex Downs, maintaining community gardens in Reading, planting hedges in the Aylesbury Vale, building boardwalks in water meadows, helping schools create environmental education areas, hedge-laying in the Vale of White Horse, helping Network Rail care for its SSSIs (sites of special scientific interest), and assisting British Waterways to maintain its towpath network”. If you would like to be added to the new Biodiversity Action Team e-mailing list, call Oonagh Kelleher on 0118 947 5049 email o.kelleher@btcv.org.uk, visit www2.btcv.org.uk/display/bat

In Bloom in the boot

Britain in Bloom was started in 1963 by the British Tourist Board to enhance the appearance of British towns and villages and encourage more visitors. The Keep Britain Tidy group took over running the In Bloom until 1989 and in 2001 the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) took it on. RHS is the UK’s leading gardening charity dedicated to advancing horticulture and promoting good gardening. Its charitable work includes undertaking scientific research into issues affecting gardeners, holding plant trials and educational events and activities. Floral displays play an important part in the contest, but the Bloom title may be misleading because the competition has increasingly assessed how all sectors of the community are managing their local environment. The Chesham in Bloom campaign began in 2005 to improve the way that Chesham looks and how people feel about their town.

Chesham enters the Regional Finals of the competition as a Large Town competing in the same category as places like Bicester, Aylesbury and Abingdon. If we achieve Gold and the most marks in our category, we would be put forward for the national finals the next year. Kathryn Graves said, “The organizers have been revitalised thanks to Rachel Watts’ enthusiasm. The group will be more formally composed with a bank account and constitution to make it self-sustaining and able to undertake more projects long term”. The In Bloom group is keen to involve everyone. To reflect Chesham’s ‘five Bs’ namely boots, beer, brushes, Baptists and bricks, this year Chesham in Bloom introduces a Boot competition open to all schools in Chesham. They can enter a pair of boots planted up with any seasonal bedding. It can be any type of boot, Wellington or hiking. The competition will be judged at the Schools of Chesham Carnival on Saturday 13 June by members of the public. Rachel Watts said, “Last year we had a similar competition for scarecrows and we were encouraged that Heritage House took part. The public voted for their favourite scarecrow by putting a tiddlywink in a tin and we had over 200 votes - Brushwood School won first prize”. This year they will probably have the same voting system and there will be a stall in the park advertising Chesham in Bloom. The winning entries will be shown to the RHS judges on judging day. There will be the usual front gardens competition and everyone will be urged to pick up litter nearer the time (and don’t drop it in the first place from now on although our readers do not litter– Ed).

For more information call Kathryn Graves on 01494 583798, visit CTC website or email policy@chesham.gov.uk%20

Gardener’s get together

The Chesham and District Community Association Gardeners Group meets at the White Hill Centre on the third Thursday in the month, starting at 8pm. Visitors are welcome at a cost of £1. Chris Hosier said, “We are a friendly group. We have day trips away and a speaker at the monthly meeting. This year we are going to Malvern Show in May and Hyde Hall in June. A long weekend is also planned and this year we will be going to Devon with gardens included.” Our meeting on Thursday 19 March will be a talk by Mr Nick Morgan who will speak on the Glasshouse complex at Wisley two years on, seeing how the plants have developed and looking at what is happening in the future. Call Chris Hosier 01494 771807 or John Slatter on 01494 785655.

Snowdrop walk

Norman Bennet said their Snowdrop day was a great success and the weather was splendid, “We had 190 visitors”.

Snow lovely

It has been wonderful to see the snow. It is so bright and clean and covers all the road lines, graffiti and rubbish. It muffles sound (although the reduced traffic helped with that) I could hear the laughter of children tobogganing from across the valley. The best sound is the crunch of your footsteps and that lovely compression noise. I admire people who made an effort to go to work, walking great distances where necessary, although I heard the post office closed. There was increased courtesy among drivers and shared smiles and camaraderie between pedestrians. It is having another benefit too – the media has something else to talk about other than the financial straits – not that they aren’t being negative about the snow either.

Pictured - Chickens and Sheep at Hazeldene Farm wondering how to get through the snow to graze or scratch.

Recycle greetings cards

If everyone recycled just one Christmas card this January, the Woodland Trust would be able to plant 15,000 trees. Imagine what the charity could achieve if every Christmas card was recycled with the Trust. Cards can be recycled in participating stores of W H Smith, Tesco, M&S and T K Maxx. Take your cards to bins in participating stores and the Woodland Trust will recycle them and then plant 1000s of trees in five UK sites.

The sites are Heartwood (near Sandridge, between Harpenden and Hatfield); Low Burnhall along the banks of the River Wear two miles south of Durham city; Cefn Ila just outside the pretty market town of Usk, Monmouthshire; Milton, a 777 hectare (1,920 acre) upland hill farm which spans Milton Glen near Callander; and Burntollet Wood, Ervey, in the Faughan Valley a diverse and attractive landscape located approximately eight miles south-east of Londonderry in Northern Ireland.

Sadly, the UK is one of the least-wooded countries in Europe. England has lost half its ancient woodland since the 1930s, either to development, agriculture or planting with non-native conifers. Only 4.87 per cent of the UK is native ancient woodland, the UK’s richest wildlife habitat and its equivalent of the rainforest. In England, this is broadleaved trees like oak, ash, alder, hawthorn, small-leafed lime and hornbeam. Sites of ancient woodland have existed for at least 400 years. Many have been in existence for much longer and are probably remnants of the ‘wild wood’ that once covered vast swathes of the pre-Iron Age British Isles. Ancient woodland has attracted specialised flora and fauna because of the soil conditions which have developed undisturbed over the centuries – a result of particular light and moisture conditions, and the interactions plants, animals, soils, climate and people over hundreds of years. If disturbed by development or encroached upon by cultivation, the special ecosystem that is ancient woodland is destroyed forever and the huge variety of plants and animals, some of which live only in ancient woodland like herb paris and wood anemone, is lost.

Green Flag in Lowndes Park

At last the Town Council has erected the flagpole and is able to fly the Green Flag which was awarded in recognition of the well run, well maintained park. The flagpole had to wait for the due planning permission process. Delay means the council has already had to re-register for next year’s assessment. Town Clerk Bill Richards said, “We fervently hope we won’t have to lower the flag by the summer”. 

Chiltern timber

Good news for woodland owners and managers in the Chilterns. With help from The South East Timber and Woodland Fund, local craftsman and woodland owner Steve Roberts has been able to buy a compact and portable mobile sawmill and offers contract sawmiller services. If you have valuable trees that are hard to reach or extract or too few to sell, consider cutting out the middle man. Cut out road transport costs and produce planks, beams, posts or weatherboard for your own use or for sale. Steve has been felling, milling, air drying and making good use of his own timber for twenty-eight years, and has built sheds, summerhouses, Wendy houses -  even an oak framed barn. He has made windows, doors, kitchen units and staircases all from his own timber. Steve said, “Apart from the cost, it just makes no sense to be bringing timber half way round the world when we have so much of our own growing here all around us”. Email straightfromthewoods@phonecoop.coop.

Enjoy Trapps, Bottom and Bunns Lanes in tranquillity

Saving the Bridleways of Chesham

What a relief that the Inspector did not confirm the order to make Trapps, Bottom and Bunns Lanes into byways. It has been two years since the Trailbike Riders claimed that they and vehicular traffic had used these lanes for decades. People knew that wasn’t true. The Public Inquiry had to decide on historic evidence only, not animals, nature or safety to walkers and horse-riders today. However it is walkers and horse-riders and wildlife which will benefit. Well done to the Action for Bridleways of Chesham group, the Chiltern Society, the Natural History Society, the Chiltern Harriers and others. Their extensive research paid off and the Inspector has said 'the order is not confirmed'. There were initially more than 270 objections and some 25 carefully written statements. The ABC said, “It has been a long haul but the just result has been arrived at. The Chesham community, acting together, can achieve great benefits. We must continue to be vigilant in order to protect our local countryside. Continue to enjoy walking and horse-riding on the local bridleways and report any illegal use by motorcyclists or other vehicles to the Police and Chiltern District Council.”

See previous pieces:

Wednesday, 3 December 2008 - BOATs Inquiry - at a price, Wednesday, 20 August 2008 - BOATS (Byways Open to All Traffic) ; Wednesday, 9 July 2008 Three bridleways - Trapps, Bottom and Bunns Lanes; Wednesday, 29 August 2007 - Friday 14 September deadline; Tuesday, 24 July 2007 - Object before Friday 14 September; Thursday, 26 April 2007 - BOATs (Byways Open to All Traffic) not wanted here and Wednesday, 11 April 2007 - Trapps, Bottom and Bunns lanes.

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.

Try again

Disappointment for the Friends of Lowndes Park and all of us. The Heritage Lottery Fund bid was unsuccessful. However all that work is not for nothing - apparently it takes about half the applicants two attempts to achieve a grant although there are no guarantees. Lowndes Park was part of The Bury estate purchased by William Lowndes, Secretary to the Treasury and the leading civil servant of his day. Perhaps his motto will spur the Friends on – “ways and means”. The Friends of Lowndes Park can lodge another application. 

Chesham in Bloom double delight

We achieved a creditable Silver Award at the Thames & Chilterns in Bloom awards ceremony despite the poor summer for gardening. Mayor Cllr Alison Pirouet who is a keen allotment holder, attended the ceremony with a number of the Chesham in Bloom team including previous chairman Vince Crompton. Our team also won the Best Portfolio award for the colour folder showing off the town’s floral features and describing Chesham in Bloom’s work throughout the seasons, and using the design skills of volunteer Steve Adams of BPC Magazines. Chesham’s High Street was a big winner with the judges, who commended the colourful hanging baskets and planters, and there was praise for the regeneration of Meades Water Gardens. Chesham in Bloom’s gardening competitions demonstrated the enthusiasm of residents and traders for all things horticultural. Winner of the large and small categories of the front garden competition, Mr Muddiman of 6 Broadview Road received £50 of shrubs from Farnham Common Nursery, and the Staples family of 73 Fullers Hill won £50 in gardening vouchers donated by Paradigm Housing. Mrs Tandy of 120 Berkeley Avenue, was delighted to receive a bottle of Champagne donated by the Chesham branch of Waitrose, as winner of the hanging basket competition. Gil-Lec’s floral display in Wey Lane won them the Blooming Business magnum of champagne from the George & Dragon pub. Chairwoman of the Chesham in Bloom group Kathryn Graves said, “We are really grateful for the widespread support from residents, businesses and organisations. We would like even more people to get involved, so anyone with an idea to brighten up the town, please get in touch with me at the Town Hall on 01494 774842.”

Walk simply in Chesham

Keep walking through the summer. Fiona Broadbent, Simply Walk coordinator, said “Currently we have three walks in Chesham”. All the walks are lead by a trained volunteer leaders who will help you get started and encourage you to walk at your own pace. You don’t need to book, just turn up in good time to register first before the departure time. The easiest walk is on Tuesdays at 9am from Hivings Free Church car park (Pond Park - off Hivings Hill) it is mostly flat with no stiles and takes about 45 minutes. Thursday at 10.30am is the moderate walk lasting 60 to 90 minutes and there may be stiles and gradients. Meet at the car park in Moor Road, Waterside. We’ve already told you about the buggy walk for parents with children under five, which leaves from the Childrens’ Centre, Waterside on Thursdays at 10am.
For more information call Simply Walk on 01494 475367, email simplywalks@buckscc.gov.uk or visit www.buckscc.gov.uk/rights_of_way .

BOATS (Byways Open to All Traffic)

The latest newsletter from the group Action for Bridleways of Chesham (ABC) tells those who lodged objections that the Planning Inspectorate will hold a Public Inquiry on Tuesday 2 December at 10.30am and it may last up to three days. Buckinghamshire County Council had difficulty in finding a large enough venue so it must be at the inconvenient Burnham Conference Centre and Football Club, Wymers Wood Road, Burnham, Bucks, SL1 8JG. BCC will be objecting to the Definitive Map Orders at the Inquiry. This is the first time that BCC has objected to an order that they have been directed to make by the Planning Inspectorate and BCC has retained a barrister to act at the Inquiry. The ABC steering committee is busy preparing a Statement of Case and Proof of Evidence for each of the three bridleways - Trapps Lane, Bunns Lane and Bottom Lane, Chesham. ABC are united in one goal - to preserve the tranquility and safety of these bridleways for the enjoyment of the majority of members of the public, be it on foot, wheelchair, pushchair, walking stick, pogo-stick, horseback or bicycle – but nothing with a petrol or diesel engine. See our earlier most recent piece .
As objectors, you will be aware from the Planning Inspectorate letter, the next key dates are the submission of Statements of Case by Thursday 23 October and Proof of Evidence by Tuesday 4 November. ABC is made up of residents and members of the Chiltern Society, Chesham Society, Chesham Environmental Group and a member of Chesham Town Council and Chiltern District Council. They hope that to be accurately representing your views and I personally am grateful for the efforts they are making. There is more information in the newsletter on the three options open to objectors, the worrying one is if you decide not to do anything. In that case you will not be able to speak at the public enquiry and your original objection may carry less weight, although you can still attend. To request a copy of the newsletter or if you have any information which could help please contact Mel Chapinal on 778325 or email cheshamboats@btinternet.com.

Good life open day

There is still time to book your stall at an open day to be held at Hazeldene Organic Farm, Asheridge Road, Chesham HP5 2XD on Sunday 31 August from 11am – 5pm. There will be more than 30 stalls including: cards, jewellery, Wildlife Trust, holistic, bric a brac, books, 11+ tutor, equestrian, fancy dress, plants, photography, face painting, community police and motorbikes. Stallholders are not being charged for their pitch but need to provide their own table or gazebo, and will be asked to make a donation to the air ambulance if they have a good day. Call Liz Bateman on 01494 783501 or email liz@hazeldenefarm.com. There will be a barbeque, tea and cake marquee, ice cream van, classic cars, a mega slide, tractor and trailer rides, animals in pens and of course the popular farm shop. Entry costs adults £2.50, children under 16 go free, and half of the gate will be donated to the Berks Oxon & Bucks Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust.

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.