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Hilltop News �

Hilltop News

December 2008 & January 2009

� Hilltop News Hilltop News 3

Last year’s ‘Christmas’ edition was my first

as editor of Hilltop News. Has a year and

six more issues really passed? Despite my

paranoia about copy deadlines being met,

it’s been rewarding and enjoyable.

ForthisIthankthesplendidteamaroundme.ImogenVallancelightenstheloadbygatheringallthesociety

reports.AnnHorntakescareofallthevaluedadvertising.OliverParsonshasgotaphotographforeveryoccasion.ProofreadersImogenandPaulaAngellalwaysmanagetofindsomeliteralsImissed.MikeSparkaddsthatfinalpieceofdesignflairinputtingthepagestogetherandpreparingforprint.AndthenRosemaryPearceandherhelpersensurequickandefficientdistribution.Throughout,AnneButterworth,aswellasprovidingchurchmattersandotheritems,isareassuringpresencetosmoothoveranybumpswhichmayappearalongtheway.

Thentherearethecontributors,regularandoccasional,withoutwhomtherewouldbenoworthwhilenews.Ithasbeenapleasuretomeetandcorrespondwithsomanyinterestingpeople.

Lastbutcertainlynotleast,thankstoallyoureaders:withoutyourinteresttherewouldbenopointhavingHilltopNews.

On behalf of the Hilltop News team, have a very merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years.

Graham Lincoln

In this issue…

Three working generations…Alocalfamilybusinessbuiltonbricks.

The local woodmanWho’sbeencuttingthetreesdown?

Our champion football teamWhenourlocalladsweretops!

Running and Riding for CharityOursuper-fitgirlsexertthemselvesforthebenefitofothers.

Our newly improved hallOpenmorningshowsStLeonardsHallinallitsglory.

Hens go from hell to heavenSallyReynoldstotherescue.

Plus our regular features…Naturenotes,wildlife,farming,curvaceouscook…plusallthenewsfromourchurches,school,pubs,clubs,councilsandsocieties.

One of the great contributors to life in the Hilltop Villages, Evelyn Money, passed away last September. In this issue, Joan Barnard and Paddy Thomas pay a fitting tribute to this wonderful lady.

Front cover created from a photo taken last October – in a Hilltop garden. First October snowfall since 1934 we are told. Who’s dreaming of a white Christmas?

4 Hilltop News Hilltop News 5

THEPARISHCOUNCIL

TheParishCouncilisstillveryconcernedaboutthestateofourroads.Withthisinmindseveral

memberstouredtheParishinCouncillorJohnAllen’slargevehicleandcompiledamapshowingeverypotholeintheParish.HavingseenthemapIthinkitmayhavebeensimplertoidentifyareaswithoutpotholes.TheCouncilbelievesthattheroadsituationisnowtotallyunacceptableandhas,throughCountyCouncillorTriciaBirchley,invitedValLetheran(CountyCouncilCabinetMemberforTransportation)andJimStevens(HeadofTransportation)toattendthenextParishCouncilmeetingonMonday�4NovemberatStLeonardsParishHall.Iftheycomewecouldhavealivelydebate.

ProposalstoreviseandreplacedirectionsignsthroughouttheParishhavebeenreceivedthisweekandtheywillalsobediscussedatthenextCouncilmeeting.

TheCouncilcontactedlocalorganisationswithaviewtoplanningsomeeventstocelebratethe75thanniversaryoftheParishCouncilnextyear.Lotsofideashavebeenreceivedincluding:Rounders match at St Leonards Playing Field

Concert in St Leonards Church

Celebration service and other events at Hawridge Church

Beating the bounds

Exhibition and talk by the Local History Group

Contributions from school and play groups.

Nextyearcouldbeabusyone.Ifyoucanaddanymoreideaspleaseletme,oramemberoftheCouncil,knowassoonaspossible.

David Clarke,Clerk to the Council 758567

NATS Consultation

The Parish Council received the following letter from NATS:

“InJulywepublishedtheInitialFeedbackReportintotheTerminalControlNorthAirspaceChangeProposalconsultationandpromisedtokeepyouuptodatewithprogress.

Aswehavesaidpreviously,considerableworkisbeingdonetoassessthesignificantamountsofconstructivefeedbackreceived.Thisworkisongoingandfurtherdesignoptionsandsuggestionsarebeingevaluated.

Keyareaswherefurtheroptionsarebeingconsideredinclude(butarenotlimitedto):

• LutondeparturesinthevicinityoftheChilterns,AylesburyVale,Caddington/SlipEndandStevenage.

• HeathrowdeparturesinthevicinityofRickmansworth/AbbotsLangleyandHounslow.

• StansteddeparturesinthevicinityofBishopsStortfordandSaffronWalden.

• LondonCitydeparturesoverNorthLondon.• Thelocationof,andproceduresfor,arrival

routes/holdsforLuton,StanstedandLondonCity.Icanadviseyouthatshouldthecurrentwork

leadtoanyproposedoptionsthataresignificantlydifferenteitherfromthosecontainedintheconsultation,orfromthecurrentsituation,thismayleadtoafurtherconsultation.

Atthisstage,therefore,wehavenotsetatimetablefornextstepsontheTCNproposal.However,youmayrecallthatintheconsultationwesaidnochangeswouldbeimplementedbeforeMarch�009;thattimescaleassumedthatwewouldbeinapositiontosubmitanAirspaceChangeProposaltotheCAAthismonth,whichisnolongerthecasegiventhefeedbackevaluationwhichisstillunderway.Wehavealwaysbeenclearthatwewilltakeaslongasisnecessarytogivefullconsiderationtothefeedbackfromtheconsultation.

WewillofcourseadviseyouontherevisedtimescaleforproceedingtoaformalAirspaceChangeProposalonallorpartoftheTCNproposal.”

TCNConsultationTeam

THECOUNTYCOUNCIL

Howfortunatewearetoliveinsuchasupportive

Parish.Theconstantbarrageofbadnewsontelevisionbroughtaboutbytheglobaleconomicsituation,thepressureplacedonpeoplebythediminishingvalueoftheirhomesandjobsecuritymakesusrealisethevalueofthecommunitytowhichwebelong.Whentimesarehardfriendsandneighboursmattersomuch.

ThewayinwhichSocialServiceswillbedeliveredinfutureisabouttochangeandby�0��thegovernmenthasdecidedthateveryoneeligibleforsupportwillbeofferedanindividualbudget,withafixedsumdependentonneedandmorechoiceinhowtheychoosetheircare.Inordertopreventruralisolationitishopedthatlocalcommunitieswillfindwaysofhelpingpeopletoremainindependentandretaintheirqualityoflife,todelaythedaywhenresidentialcaremaybenecessary.InTouch,atelephonecallfourtimesayear,hasenabledtheCountyCounciltospeaktoanextra3000olderpeopleinthelasttwelvemonthswhomayshortlyneedacareassessment.Whilstthechangesaheadappearatbesttobecostneutral,manyolderpeople,particularlyself-funders,havehithertolackedtheadviceandsupportneededwhendifficultdecisionsaremade.

AnexampleofbestpracticelocallyisourpostmanFrankButlerwhohasbuiltlinkswithelderlyresidentsonhisdailyroundstoensuretheyaresafeandwell.AnyconcernsarerelayedtoPCSOLesleyRocheandIwouldliketoaddmythankstothembothonbehalfofourmostvulnerableresidents.

ManyofusattendedtheannualgeneralmeetingoftheChilternSocietyon4OctoberatGreenParkConferenceCentre.Perhapsthemostrelevanttopicraised

thisyearwastheongoingdebatewithNATSovertheirproposalstoflylowerandmoreoftenovertheChilternsAONB.IcanassureyouthattheCountyCouncilwillcontinuetokeepupthepressureonthemtorethinktheirplansandIampleasedtohavecontributedthroughmyCommunityLeadersFundtothecostofourcampaignlocally.Itisessentialthatwefightforthepreservationofourenvironment,theChilternsAONBisafragilelandscapeandIcongratulatetheChilternSocietyontheirexcellentworktomaintainourcountrysideforthebenefitoffuturegenerations.

TheCountyCouncilisinthelastyearofthecurrentadministrationandIhavebeenre-selectedtostandforelectioninJune.BalancingthebookshasnotbeeneasyasthegovernmentcontinuestopenalisetheSouthEast.IndeedtheSouthEastPlannowexpressesthenumberofhousesplannedoverthenext�0yearsas‘theminimum’excludinginfill.Myparticularconcernistheplantobuild9,300housessouthofAylesbury,thereisnoevidenceofinvestmenttosupportlocaljobsandhowcouldtheA4�3copewiththeinfluxofyetmoreheavytraffic?

MayIwishyouaveryfestiveChristmasandaHappyNewYear.

Tricia Birchley 01296 621138


WINNINGSTARTINNEWLEAGUE

Hawridge&CholesburyCricketClub’s

Saturday�stXIwontheSecondDivisionoftheChilternsLeagueatthefirstattempt.Unbeatenthroughouttheseason,theteamfinishedamassive75pointsaheadofsecond-placedGreatKingshill.WelldonecaptainSteveWhiteandhisplayers.

AcebatsmanSankalpaGunesekara,ourguestcricketerfromSriLanka,toppedtheLeague’sbattingscoringatotalof�,�60runsatanaverageof96.7perinnings:bothLeaguerecords.BowlerMohammedRifai(ofSriLankandescent,butlocallyresident)wastheLeague’stopbowler,taking44wicketsatanaverageof��.8runsperwickettaken.

AlsointheLeague‘Top�5’batsmenwereH&CplayersSurangaDaluwatta,SeanRobinsonandJamesCath.Surangawasalsooneoftheleadingbowlers.JonathanChannerfinishedtheseasonintheTop�5�ndXIbowlers,taking��wicketsatanaverageof��.6:notbadfora�4yearold!

Formerplayerandmuchrespectedclubofficialovermanyyears,SenSinniah,hasmovedtoliveinDevon.Hestillkeepsintouchwiththeclubandhasdonatedanannual‘YoungClubmanoftheYear’

award,fortheyoungsterwhohasgrownoutofthecoltsandwhocombinesplayingabilitywithgoodsportsmanshipandhelpfulness,qualitieswhichSenalways

displayedhimself.Theclub’scommitteewereunanimousinawardingthefirstsuchawardtoWilliamMills.Williamhashardlymissedatrainingsession,isconstantlylooking

toimprovehisskillsandisalwaysonhandtoscoreifnotplayingandhelpwithotherjobsaroundtheclub.

Nextseason,intheFirstDivisionoftheMorrantChilternsLeague,theSaturday�stXIwillfacemuchstiffertests,andweneedmoreplayerstostrengthenthesquad.PleasecontactClubSecretaryGrahamLincoln(758449)ifyouareatallinterested:wedocaterforplayersofallagesandabilities,andallareassuredawarmandfriendlywelcome.

TopofLeaguetable Played Won Drawn Lost PointsHawridge&Chol. �8 �� 6 0 405GreatKingshill �8 9 6 3 330Wargrave �8 6 8 4 �65 DIDYOUKNOW?

WhenplaywasinterruptedduringWorldWarII,thecricketpitchbecameasearchlightposition.

ThelowesteverscoreadmittedbyH&Cwas3againstTempleEndinapre-warChesham&DistrictLeaguegame–andtwoofthemwerebyes!

ButH&CdismissedCheshamSocialClubforjust5runsin�948!

COLTSHOLDKEYTOFUTURE

Witnessthenumberofyoungstersenthusiasticallytrainingonasummer’sThursdayeveningand

youcanseewhytheClublookstothefuturewithexcitedoptimism.ThecoltsplayedcompetitivematchesatUnder��,�3and�5levelslastseason.TheClubisindebtedtoco-ordinatorBarbaraGolds,whosegreatorganisationalskillhaskeptthecolts’band-wagonrollingsmoothly,withgreatsupportfromseveralcoaches(moreofwhomwillbeundertakingofficialcoursesthiswinter).Barbaraisalwayslookingformorecolts,andwillingparentstohelpkeep90-oddlivelyyouthsinorderonThursdayevenings(phoneheron0�844�75874).

Will our new scorebox display record scores next season?

Prize-winning Colts Back: Matthew Rutt (colt of the year), Middle left to right: William Jones (under 15 batsman), George Haggarty (under 11 all-rounder), Angus Hardy (under 13 bat), Jon Channer (all-rounder). Front: Jonty Wager Leigh (under 11 batsman), Harry Chrichton (under 11 all-rounder). Other award winners not present: Liam Hoban (under 13 bowler), Cameron Reid (under 13 all-rounder), Zohaib Khan (under 15 bowler).


LOCALHISTORYGROUPLocal History Group upcoming meetings

Ournextmeetingprovidesarealopportunityto

findoutmoreaboutwhereyoulive.LauraRobertsonfromTheBuckinghamshireFamilyHistoryCentre,whogaveusanexcellentworkshoponoldhandwritinglastMarch,returnstoaskthequestion…Where Do You Think You Live – Does Your House Have A History?ComealongwithyourownquestionsonFriday 5 December 8for8.�5pmatSt.LeonardsParishHall.

WestarttheNewYearwithJulianHunt,oneofourmostknowledgeablelocalhistorians,whowillentertainusonceagainwithhistalkonBuckinghamshire’s Favourite Churches.Deviatingfromthenorm,wewillmeetonthesecondFridayofthemonthat8for8.�5pmon9 JanuaryagainatSt.LeonardsParishHall.

Wehavebeenpleasedtowelcomelotsofnewfacesalreadythisseasonaswellasourregularmembers,sowemustbegettingsomethingrightwithourprogramme.Visitorsarealwayswelcomesowehopeyouwillcomealongtoournextmeetings-lookoutfortheyellowpostersduringtheweekbeforetheyareheld.

Chris Brown 758890

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W.H.A Upholstery

�0 Hilltop News Hilltop News ��

AnExtraordinaryYearDuring the past year, agriculture has

experienced record highs in commodity

and input prices; and one of the largest

harvests worldwide ever. UK yields were

on the whole very good, but the potential

for quality went the same way as the

‘summer’. Quite!!!

Thefrequentwettingweatherwithlittleornodryingwindorsunledtoaveryfrustratingharvest.Combines

oftencameoutoftheshedonlytoreturnashorttimelaterasthenextbeltofrainstoppedplay;andevenwhenitwasnotrainingtheskieswereovercast.Manycerealcropsaroundthecountrysufferedfrom‘growingout’,wherebythegrainbeginstogrowinthestandingear.Thisgrainisimmediatelydowngradedtoanimalfeedregardlessofthemarketthatitmighthavebeengrownfor.

Theweathermeantthatallgrainrequiredtheinputof‘liquidsunshine’ateyewateringpricesandpressureonoftenagingdryingequipmenthasbeenhigh.Manyfarmshaveoptedforlargeon-floorgrainstoresoverthelast�0years,makinguseoffansblowingambientairthroughtheheaptoreducemoisturecontentsovertime;measuredinweeksormonths.However,moisturelevelsashighas�5percent,(cerealsshouldbebelow�5percentatsale)presentproblemsasgraincanheatuporgomouldyinalargemass,evenwithlargequantitiesofairblowingthroughit.Theproblemismademoreacutebythefactthatmoderncombinecuttingcapacityfallsonlymarginallywhenharvestingwetgrain,whereasthegraindrierslowsconsiderablyasmoisturesrisetothelevelsexperiencedthisyear.

Afterasoggyharvest,therewasaneedtoliftthesoilstoremovecompactioncreatedbytrafficovertheground,andthat

initselfprovedapainfullyslowjobastheweatherintervenedregularly.OilseedrapethatshouldhavebeensownbytheendofAugusthadtowaituntilthethirdweekofSeptember.Consequentlythecropwillbeverysmallgoingintothewinterandifthepigeonstakeafancytoit,thenit’s‘curtains’andre-plantingwithaspringvarietywillberequired.Thewheatplantingsontheotherhandtookplaceimmediatelyaftertheoilseedrape:ontimeandintogoodseed-beds.Consequently,theylookverywellalthoughawatchfuleyehadtobekeptforthepresenceofslugs,whichnotsurprisinglyhavehadastormingyear.

LasttimeIwrotethatcheapfoodappearedtobeathingofthepast;ascerealpricesroseonthebackofworldshortagesandoilseedstrackedcrudeoil.Now,the‘motherofallharvests’;thecollapseofthefinancialsectorandthereducingoilpricehavereinedintherunawaymarket.Theproblemfacingfarmingnowisthatproductioncostsfornextyear’scropsarelikelytoexceedoutput.Fertilizersbroughtwhenthingswereflying,nowlookoverlyexpensiveagainstthegrainfuturesmarketforharvestnextyear.However,thelikelihoodofanotherbumperharvestfollowing�008,withoutouroldfriendtheweatherinterveningsomewhereintheworld,isslim.

Politicianshavebeensomewhatpreoccupiedwithfinancialconcernsjustlatelyandtheissueofinflationaryfoodpriceshasbeensomewhatputonthebackburner.Itwillbeinterestingtoseeifpricesatthesupermarketsfallinlinewithcommodityprices,orwilltherecessionhavethegreatersay?

Supplyanddemand!

Marcus Reynolds 07712 52761

Hilltop News �3Hilltop News ��

Cliveshowedussomeexamplesthatwemightnothaverecognisedasfungi.Unlikeournativefloweringplants,itisdifficulttopredictwhenthefruitingbodieswillappear,sowemayarrangetheseforaysatshortnotice.

Working PartiesSincethesuddensnowfallattheendofOctobercausedsomanyoakbranchestofall,wehaverearrangedtheworkingpartiestotrytoclearupasquicklyaspossible,concentratingontheridesandpathsfirst.TheprogrammeforDecemberandJanuaryisgiveninthetable.

Pallett’s Pond ClearanceInlateSeptember,agroupofsevenlocalpeoplewerejoinedbyasmanyHemelHempsteadConservationVolunteersonataskwhichcomesroundeveryfewyears–clearingpondvegetationbacktoareasonablelevel.AtleasthalfthepondareahadbeeninvadedbyReedmace(more

�� Hilltop News6

HAWRIDGE&CHOLESBURYCOMMONSPRESERVATIONSOCIETY

Mainlyduetothewetweatherthisyear,wehavebeenunabletodoourusualcuttingand

collectingontheCommons.However,wewouldliketothankMikeWallis,whoseizedasuitableopportunitytoflailaconsiderablestretchofgrassadjacenttotheroad,fromhishousetowardsMermaidCottage.Inaddition,StephenCheeldhascutalotoftheundergrowthunderthebeechtreesneartheroadinHawridge.Thisareawasopenedupseveralyearsagoand,inordertokeepthewoodlandfloorclear,re-growthofbramblesandnettlesdoesneedcontrollingfromtimetotime.Thisenablespeopletoappreciatethebeautyofthesemagnificenttrees.Itisveryencouragingtoseethesnowdrops,whichhavebeenrevealedasaresultofthiswork,increaseyearbyyear.UndergrowthinasmallareanearCholesburyBottomhasalsobeenclearedinthisway,allowingmoresnowdropstobevisible.Theworkingpartyon�9Octoberwasparticularlywellsupported.Weoffermanythankstoallthosewhoturnedup.Wecanachievesomuchmorewiththatextrahelp.

Pound LaneDuringthepastyear,severalsmalltreeshavefallenontoPoundLane,andthereareothersthatareleaning.Thefallenoneshavebeencleared,eitherbylocalresidentsorbyBucksCCwhowillrespondquicklyifhighwaysareblocked.BucksCCHighways-on-Callcanbecontactedon0845�30�88�.Theconsensusoflocalresidentswhoregularlyusethelaneisthatrottenorprecarioustreesshouldbecutdown.Theyliketheruralfeelofthisnarrowlane,with

itscanopyoftreesformingatunnel,soitisacaseofgentlemanagement.Thisworkwillbecarriedoutlaterinthewinterandtheroadwillsoonreturntoitsdelightfulappearancebymidsummer.

Boxing Day HuntInrecentyears,thehuntmeetingthattakesplaceonCholesburyCommonhasbecomeextremelywellattended.Wehavebeenworkingwithhuntorganiserstodecidehowbesttoeasethecongestionthatoccursasaresultofsomanyvehiclescomingtotheevent.TheSocietyisalsoconcernedaboutpossibledamagetotheCommons,particularlyinviewofthewetconditionsthatwehavehadinthelasttwoyears.Onesuggestionisthattheorganiserswillundertaketoidentifyvariousvenueswhereparkingcanbeprovidedawayfromtheimmediatevicinityofthemeet.Asfarasispracticable,theywillalsoprovidemarshalswhowillhelpvisitorstoparksafelyandsensibly.Pleaseconsiderwhetheryoureallyneedtobringavehiclewithyouontheday,ormaybeyoucouldtakeadvantageoftheparkingareasthathuntorganiserswillbeidentifying.Theothersuggestionfromthehuntcommitteeisthat,onbehalfoftheSociety,weshouldcirculatecollectionbucketsamongthosewhoaregathered.AnydonationswouldbeusedtohelpmaintaintheCommonsforthebenefitofeveryone.

Fungus WalkOn�6October,CliveCareyverykindlytookusonasearchforfungiontheCommons.Unfortunately,itwasawetmorningandonlythreeofusturnedup.TomakeupforthelackofspeciesontheCommons,Clivehadbeenverybusycollectingnumerousexamplesfromotherlocalplacesandwehadagoodlookattheseunderthecanopyofhisbootdoor.Wewereabletoobservetheintricatebeautyanddiversityoftheseextraordinaryorganisms.WewentontoseeseveralspeciesontheCommonand

commonlyknownasbulrushes),theevenmoreinvasiveReedSweetgrassandtoalesserextentYellowFlagIrises.

Someofthevisitorspulledontheirthigh-highwadersandgottoworkpullingoutthe8’longstemsbytheroots.JamesFisherfromRaysHill,onhisfirstworkparty,joinedtheminthewaterandworkedlikeaTrojan.FlorenceHobbsandherfatherMark,alsoontheirfirstworkparty,andtherestofthelocals,thenfilledwheelbarrowswiththeuprootedplantsandwheeledthemawaytodisposeoftheminamorediscretelocation.

Anothergroupofworkerscutdownthesmallwillowshootsroundtheedgeofthepondandsomeoverhangingbrancheswerecutdown.Ateamworthyofatug-of-warthenpulledtheseoutofthepond(above).Wewouldliketothankeveryonewhocameandhelped,includingLindsayGriffinwhoprovidedyetanothermagnificentcakeandrefreshments,withoutwhichwecouldnothavecontinued.Everythingwehoped

All pulling together! Pallets pond clearance.

�4 Hilltop News Hilltop News �5

Date Location Activity

Dec�4 OppositeHighView, Clearupfallenoaklimbs.Logandstack.

Hawridge(GR943067) Burnbrash.Bonfire.

�009

Jan�� SEofMermaidCottageon FellfallenelmsonpathbesideMermaid

pathleadingoffroad Cottage,cutdownstumps.Logandstack.

(GR936069) CutupfallenoaklimbbesideMermaid

Cottage.Burnbrash.Bonfire.

Jan�5 DownhillbehindMermaid Continueclearingupfallenoaklimbbeside

Cottageopposite MermaidCottage.Finishcuttingback

TheFullMoon(GR93607�) blackthornbesideMermaidCottage.Bonfire.

If you find any branches down across paths or rides on the Common we would be very grateful if you would let us know, by calling Isobel (758987) or Steve (758126) or emailing [email protected].

forwasachieved,thankstothecombinedeffortsofthetwoteams(seephotosaboveandpreviouspage).

AGMTheAGMwillbeheldonWednesday,3 DecemberatCholesburyVillageHall,startingat8.00pm.Aftertheformalbusinesshasbeencompleted,refreshmentswillbeservedandthenwewillhavetwoguestspeakers:MargaretJarretthasbeeninvolvedwithplanstointroducegrazingonChorleywoodCommon;JenniHignettworksforBBOWTandistheNettlebedCommonsProjectsOfficerinvolvedinplanningsustainablestrategiesfortheNettlebedCommons.Itemsfordiscussion:Ifyouhaveanyissuesthatyouwouldlikeustoraiseatthemeeting,wouldyouletmeknowbeforehand,sothatwecangiveproperattentiontoanyquestions.Eithercallmeon

[email protected]

Annual SubscriptionsThesearedueattheAGM.Theyremainat£7.50perpersonandarepayabletoMikeFletcher,IvyCottage,Cholesbury,Tring,Herts,HP�36NDorifyouprefer,youcanpayattheAGM.

Linden Bevan-Pritchard


Open morningatnewlyimproved

StLeonardsParishHall

The very first thing to say is - what a

wonderful Community effort! The very

well attended Open Morning at the Hall

was blessed by a magnificent warm and

sunny autumn day. The sunshine showed

off the newly improved and decorated Hall

to its best advantage.

Visitorswereofferedcoffeeanddelicioushome-madebiscuitsbeforetheytookatouraroundthenew

sparklingtoiletsandmuchimprovedverandahandstageareas.Therewasadisplayof‘beforeandafter’photographstakenbyAnnHornandShirleyBlomfieldandexpertlyarrangedonscreensbySandyClarke.Aboardof‘Thanks’wasalsoonviewtoallthemanypeoplewhoworkedunderthecloakofCHGroundsMaintenancetocompletethework.

AroundtheHallweresmalltabledisplaysbyalmostalloftheHallusers’ClubsandSocieties,theseprovedveryinterestingandalsoofferedanopportunityfornewcomerstotheareatosee‘whatgoeson’.Nooneseemedinarushandtherewasahappysociableatmospherethewholemorning,aspeoplechattedovertheirrefreshmentsandcaughtupwithalltheirnews.

BeforeIbeganthisreportIlookedbacktotheMinutesoftheHallManagementCommitteeMeetingforNovember�007.Itmademiserablereading.Thecommitteehadfinallytoacceptthat,havingspent

mostof�007chasingGrantsofeverykindtherewaslittlechanceofeverbeingsuccessfulincompletingthemuchneededrefurbishment.TheFete,Concertsand�00Clubhaddonewellbutnowherenearthesumrequired.Itwasdecidedatthatmeetingtoappealtothelocalcommunity.IftheHallwasevertohavenewtoiletsandfinishtheextended‘stageend’,theonlywayitseemedwasforthecommunityto‘digdeep’.AftersomedespairandmuchdebatealetterwaspreparedandsentbyMichaelReynolds,ChairmanoftheManagementCommittee,toeveryhouseholdintheParishofStLeonards,BucklandCommonandChivery(theownersoftheHall).Therest,astheysay,ishistory!

Whatafantasticachievement!WeinvitedtheBucksExaminertocomealongtophotographtheOpenMorningandtellthisencouragingstoryofpeopleworkingtogethertoimprovetheirlocalfacilities–afterall,weshouldbeveryproudofourselves.Whathappened?JustasthefrontdoorhadbeenlockedandtheCommitteewasleavingattheendofthemorning,theBucksExaminerphotographerturnedup!Heknewhewashalfanhourtoolatebutsaid“anyway,someonewillcalltheSecretarytogetthestorynextweek”–theydidn’tofcourse.Butnevermind,westillhaveHilltopNews!

Ann Horn

POSTCRIPTAnd,onSaturdayNovember8,theManagementCommitteeputonaverysuccessfulJazzConcertandSupper,witharelaxedatmosphere,excellentsoundandsuperfood.Lou’sSextetplayedandrevealedthepreviouslyunknown(tosomeofusatleast)talentsofourveryownlocalsinger,LaurieElliott–checkouttheirwebsitewww.loussextet.co.uk.Peopledancedalleveningandagoodtimewashadbyall.Thankstoallthecooksandtoeveryonewhohelpedtomaketheeveninggowithaswing.Whatismore,theeventraisedjustover£700!

QUIZRESULTSThankyoutoeveryonewhosupportedourlatestquiz(No5).Wemade£�50.00towardstheStLeonardsParishHallrefurbishmentfund.Theresultsweresoclosethatwedecidedtoawardthreeprizes.Ourluckywinnersare:Joint 1st MrsDAustin,LongMarstonand

MrsBEdwards,HemelHempstead-�87points.

3rd CarolineCoates,BucklandCommon-�86points.

Thehallextensionisnowfinishedbutfundraisingwillcontinueaswehavea‘wishlist’offurtherimprovementswewouldliketomake.Quiz No 6willbeavailableattheCholesbury-cum-StLeonardsHistorySocietyeveningonFriday5Decemberinournewhallandthereafteratlocalgatherings,fromthereceptiondeskatVictoriaHallTringordirectfromBeechwood,JenkinsLane,StLeonards.

Thankyouallagainforyourcontinuedsupport.

Sandy Clarke

Hilltop News �9

HAWRIDGE&CHOLESBURYSCHOOLChristmas is coming…

Well,thefirsthalfoftheautumntermhaspassed,ourbuildingworkhasprogressedverywell

andournewclassroomshouldbefinishedontime(meaningthatClass5canmoveintotheirnewhomeforChristmas).

MeanwhilewewerevisitedbyOFSTEDandarepleasedtoreportaverypositiveresult.Infact,weretainedour‘good’schoolstatuswhilstbeinggradedas‘outstanding’intheareaofHealthyLifestyles.Oneoftheinspectorswasheardremarkingthatourchildrenwere“unhealthilyhealthy”.Thismarvellousresultwasdowntoanenormousamountofhardworkanddedicationbyallstaff.Equally,thechildrenwerebeautifullybehavedduringthevisit(asalways)andcouldnotfailtoimpressourvisitors.Welldoneeveryone!

Wealsohadourannualharvestcelebrationsfollowingthe‘usual’format:basketsandboxesofgoodiessentinbyallthefamilies,togetherwithharvestbreaddonatedbyMissElizabethTomlin,wereblessedbyReverendBurgessatourharvestassembly.Thefollowingmorninggroupsofparentsandchildrendistributedthe

giftstoaddressesintheHilltopvillagesandChesham,wheretheyweregratefullyreceivedbytheelderlyresidents.Alovely�0�year-oldwelcomedthechildrenintoherflatandsharedsomestoriesofherownchildhoodwiththem.Theschoolhasbeenoverwhelmedbythe‘thankyou’lettersandphonecallswhichwerereceivedinresponsetotheday.

Andsoitisthatwefindourselvesat‘thattimeofyear’again:angelsand

shepherds,glitterandglue,carolsandparties.Amostexcitingtimewhenwe’llbecelebratingineverywaywecan.InthespiritofChristmaswehopeyoumightjoinusatoneormoreofthefollowingevents…pleasejustturnup,youwillbemostwelcome:At the school:

• ChristmasBazaaronSaturday 6 December(��.30amto�pm)

• ChristmasCoffeeMorningon Friday 12 Decemberat9.�5am

• NativitydressrehearsalFriday 12 Decemberfrom�.30pm

At Hawridge church:

• SchoolChristmasCarolserviceThursday 18 Decemberat�0.30am

Welookforwardtoseeingyoubutifyoucannotcome,restassuredthatwewillreportbackinJanuary.HaveapeacefulandhappyChristmas.

Kay Bass 786016

Visiting the eldest resident

Sitting on the job! Preparing to make apple juice

�8 Hilltop News

CHOLESBURY-CUM-STLEONARDSW.I.

ChristmaswillsoonbehereandtheWIwillhavetheirChristmas Partyon15 December.Themeetingisfor

membersandinvitedguests(otherwisenumbersandcateringwouldbeextremelydifficult)andthisyearmembersareeachaskedtobringalongaplateoffood.WelookforwardtobeingentertainedbyTheCygnets,themalevoicechoirfromHighWycombe.

Andsowegointo�009,the30thbirthdayyearfortheEveningWI.BackinOctober,attheAnnualMeeting,DoreenHubblewaspresentedwiththePhyllisO’ConnorCupforthemostpointswoninthemonthlycompetitions.TheJanuarycompetitionis‘ToDecorateaWellingtonBoot’andJimDaleisreturningtotalkabout‘TheImpactoftheWeather’.Itissometimesincehewaslastwithusandthereshouldbesomeinterestingremarksaboutourchangingweatherpatterns.Let’shopethatitallowshimtogettousandthatthewellingtonsarenotneededforotherpurposes!

AlsoattheAnnualMeeting,CarolHenrywaselectedtocontinueasourPresident.CarolwillbeverypleasedtotellyoumoreaboutourWIifyoucontactheron758435.Meanwhile,wehopethatallmembershaveaveryhappyChristmasandthatour30thyearwillbeoneofbetterhealthforthoseofuswhohavebeenunwellduring�008.

NEIGHBOURHOODWATCH

Iamsorrytoreportthat,havingreferredinthelastHilltopNewsto

burglariesandtheftsintheChilternsareaoverpastmonths,thesituationmovedmuchcloserandtherehavebeenburglariesandtheftsintheparish.Pleasebealertandifsomeone(oravehicle)looksoutofplace,ring 0845 8 505 505.Itmaybethatthedescriptionyougivetiesinwithpreviouslyreportedcrimeselsewhereandapatrolvehiclecanbesentout.Dial 999ifacrimeisinprogress.

Elsewhere,therearereportsofworkmen’svansbeingbrokenintoduringbuildingworks,etc.–again,pleasebeawareofthis.Lockedvehicleswillbebrokenintoifthereisachancethattherearevaluablestobetaken.Vehiclealarms,andextracarewithwhereandhowvehiclesareparked,maybeadeterrent.Ifyouhaveworkmenatyourhome,pleasebringthispoliceadvicetotheirattention.

Pleasealsowarnelderlyandvulnerableneighboursnottoopendoorstostrangers,andtosecurealldoorsandwindows.AtAshleyGreen,twomensaidtheywerelookingforalostdogandwhilethiswashappening,ahand-bagwasstolenfromaninsecurevehicle.Elsewhere,menhavebeencallingataddressesclaimingtobepoliceofficers.

Duringarecentcoldsnap,avehiclewasstolenwhentheownerslefttheirvehiclerunningtodefrostthewindows.OurlocalPoliceCommunitySupportOfficer,LesRoche,sayspleaseremembertobevigilantforsuspiciousbehaviour.Opportunistsarealwaysonthelookoutsodonotleavevehiclesunattended,evenforashorttime.Darkereveningsleadtoanincreaseinburglaries-usetimerswitchesforlightsandevenradioorTVtomakeyourhomelookoccupied.

Finally,TradingStandardswanttomakeyouawarethatbogustradersmaybecashinginonthegovernment’sinitiativeoffering‘Freehomeinsulationchecks’.Donotdealwithunknowndoorsteptradersand,ifyoureceivealeafletfromanunknowntrader,thinkcarefullybeforedealingwiththem-itmightbebogus.

Shirley Blomfield 758314

Hilltop News ��

WINTERNEWSOFHILLTOPPUBSEven before the chill winds in the economy

began to bite, there have been changes

afoot for our village pubs. The Rose

and Crown has changed hands, the Full

Moon has been offered for sale, and the

management of the White Lion has been

restructured. This news column should help

bring you up to date with these and other

developments.

TheWhiteLionWhenherbusinesspartnerintheWhiteLion,GaryHeap,diedsuddenlyatthebeginningofthisyear,MichelleStrattondoggedlyundertooktocarryonperformingtheircombinedmanagerialroles.Fulfillingthisambitionhasprovedexhausting.Atthesametime,sheandhersonMurray,hadmovedintothecramped,openplanaccommodationoverthenorthhalfofthebuilding.However,withoutevenaself-containedkitchen,thishasprovedunsustainable.Thus,thetimehascomeforafreshstart.MichellehasaddedthemanagementoftheGrandJunctionArmsatBulbournetoherportfoliowhilstretainingtheresponsibilityformanagingtheWhiteLion.

MichelleandMurrayhavenowmovedintothemoreamenableaccommodationattheGrandJunctionArms.There,shewillbejoinedinabusinesspartnershipbytheredoubtableAmandaLake,whohasthenecessarycellarskillstorelieveMichelleoftheday-to-daychoresthere.

Simultaneously,JudeandJerrySmeimanhavetakenupresidenceintheWhiteLionasMichelle’semployees,havingleftabriefsojournattheBull,whichisnowclosed.Beforethat,JudeandJerryhad�4andsevenyearsrespectivelyrunningaverypopularpubinCookham.Jerrywillserveas

cellarmanandJudewillbechef.TheWhiteLionhasachievedCask

Marqueaccreditationforitsrealalesandhasrecentlyintroducedanimprovedwinelist.Nofurtherchangestothepresentpopularbeerandfoodofferingsareanticipated.Inaddition,thereisaprogressiveredecorationprogrammeunderway.ThiswillculminateinJanuary�009whenthepublicbarareasaretoberedone.Allthisworkwillbecarriedoutduringhourswhenthepubisnotopen.

TheRoseandCrownSincemidAugust,KerryInchandherfiancé,MarcHeywood,havetakenontheleaseholdoftheRoseandCrownwheretheyaremaintainingitsfreehousestatus.Althoughtheyarenewtothepubtrade,Marcisaqualifiedchefwithexperiencerunningaclub’skitchen.Thefoodofferedishomecooked,traditionalEnglishfareincludingpies,steaks,sausageandmash,etc.Toaddvarietytothechoices,therearechef’sspecialsthatvaryaccordingtoMarc’sinspiration.Maincoursepricesrangefrom£7.50to£�4.00.Kerryhaspreviouslyworkedinmarketing.

SinceMarcisafanofrealales,wehaveeveryexpectationhisofferingswillnotdisappoint.ThefourhandpumpsprovideapermanentselectionofSidePocketandColley’sDogfromTringBrewery,LondonPrideandoneguestalewhichwillbechangedonafrequentbasis.On5November,theaptlynamedSkyRocketwastheguestontap.Thetworealciderswillcontinuetofeature,whilstthereturnofperryisanticipatedaswell.AlthoughthewinelistwasunchangedfromthetimeofSandraandPeter’stenure,KerryandMarcareinconsultationwiththeirsuppliertopresentacompleterevampintimefortheholidayseason.

TheFullMoonThosewhofollowtheHilltoppubscenewillknowthattheFullMoonwasoffered

�0 Hilltop News

upforsaleinthetradepressinSeptember.ThiswasbroughtonbydoubtsraisedduringtoughnegotiationswithPeterandAnnie’slandlord,whichhadbecomeprotractedoveranunconscionableperiodoftime.AttheendofOctober,thatleaseissuewassettledontermswithwhichtheAlbertoscouldagree.Now,Annieishappytosay:“PeterandIareheretostay”.Thiswasaclassiccaseinwhicha‘PubCo’hastriedtomilkunreasonablereturnsoutofbusinessesthatarealreadybeinghitwithdevastatingcostincreasesforelectricity,heating,food,etc.

TheFullMoonhasbeensponsoringaseriesofeventstoraisefundsinsupportoftheHelpforHeroescharityinconjunctionwiththeBritishLegion.Thischarity’spurposeistofillthevoidleftwhenreturningBritishmilitarycombatantsareinneedofphysicalormentalsupportwhichisnolongeravailabletothemfrommilitarysources.TheseriesofeventswillculminateonSaturday, 20 DecemberwithaneveningoflivemusicattheFullMoon.

ThewintercinemaclubeveningswillresumeaftertheholidaysinJanuary.Anniewouldwelcomeanysuggestionsfromtheviewingpublicforfilmstopresentontheirwidescreen.

TheBlackHorseMeanwhile,theBlackHorseislikeatranquilislandinaturgidsea.MickGoodchildreportsthatitisbusinessasusualwithregularupsanddowns.HetakesheartthattheiradvancebookingsforChristmascelebrationshavebeencominginstrong.

Bill Ingram

�� Hilltop News Hilltop News �3

CHOLESBURYcumSTLEONARDSHORTICULTURALSOCIETY

Thefinal‘HortSoc’eventof�008wastheAGMandsupperwithquiz,whichwasheldatCholesburyVillageHall

onFriday�4November.Around60peopleattendedwhatwas,asalways,anenjoyableevening.ThebriefAGMwithre-electionofcommitteememberstookplacebeforethemeal.Weare,onceagain,delightedtohaveJohnandDianaGarnerworkinghardtoensurethesmoothrunningoftheSocietyasChairmanandSecretary.Itisawondertheyfindtimetotendtheirowngarden!

Ifyouhavenotyetrenewedyourannualsubscription,thiscanbedonebycontactingDianaGarneron758347.Wewerepleasedtowelcomesomenewmemberstothesocietythisyear,someofwhomdidwellatthisyear’sshow,soothersamongyou,whoarenotalreadymembers,maywishtoconsiderjoining.Membershipcostsremainat£�foranotheryearandbenefitsincludethemembers-onlysummereveninggardenvisit,reducedchargesforyourshowentriesanddiscountatseverallocalgardencentres.Membersareremindedtotaketheirmembershipcardswiththemforidentificationpurposeswhenmakingpurchasesfromthesenurseries.

Ourfirst event of 2009,whichwillbethe70thanniversaryyearoftheSociety,willbeaflowerarrangingdemonstrationfromTanStrong,whowillrecreateherSilver-GiltwinningentryfromChelsea08.Thiswillnodoubtbeaneyeopenerforthoseofusforwhomtheartofarrangingremainsshroudedinmystery!TheeventwilltakeplaceonFriday20 March 2009inthenewlyrefurbishedStLeonardsHall,andnoticeswillbeissuedintheusualwaynearertotheevent.However,thiseventissuretobewellattendedsomakeanoteinyournewdiariesnow!

Othereventsfor�009willincludeourusualafternoonopen garden/s with teas,andonceagaintheSocietyhasoptedtodonatetheproceedsofthiseventtoacharitychosenfromsuggestionsmadebymembersattheAGM.Therewillalsobeanevening garden visitformembersand,ofcourse,theannual show.Seedcataloguesfor�009areavailablenow,sowhatbetterwaytowhileawaythewintereveningsthantoplanaheadinhopesoffuturesuccesses(andsomethingresemblingadecentspringandsummer!).

Thankyoutoallmembersforyoursupportthroughout�008,withoutwhichtheSocietywouldnotbeasstrongasitis.Ihopethatouryoungermemberswillensurethatitcontinuesforanother70years!

Anne Brown 758890Hort Soc Committee(http://www.cholesbury.com/hortsoc.htm)

htiw pleh deen uoy oD ruoy

scisyhP ro shtaM ?level A ro ESCG ta rotuT tneitaP dna decneirepxE

setar evititepmoC

789857 kralC lebosI llaC moc.yrubselohc@gnirotut : liame


Thatisexactlywhattheyhad,andtheywere.Thegeneraldiedin�985.Hisskillin

woodworkingisevidentinthehouseandthechurch,andhisexpertiseinphotography,inthearchivesofthelocalHistoryGroup.Bothofthemgavegenerouslyoftheirtime,energyandknowledgetothevariousvillagesocietiesinwhichtheywereinvolved,someofwhichtheyhadinitiated.

GeneralMoneywaschurchwardenatStLaurenceChurchformanyyearsandafterhisdeathEvelyncontinuedinthisroleforanother�8years.Thisdutywascarriedoutwithdevotion,strictattentiontodetailandcarefulobservanceofclericalniceties.FormanyyearsshepresidedoverthecakesandpreservesstallattheChurchfete,notallowingthesellingtostartbeforethefetewasofficiallyopened(thougheveryoneelsedid),norknockingdownthepricetogetridofthatlastjarofplumjam.Ononeoccasion,someone,wholongagoleftthevillage,sentoutanemergencycallforanysparemarmaladeasshehadpromisedEvelynsome

forthefete,anddarednottellhershehadn’thadtimetomakeit,lifeandfamilyhavingintervened.ThiswasnoexcusetoEvelyn.Apromisewasapromiseandshecertainlyliveduptohers.

Evelynlovedhergardenanddelightedinthebeautyofherold-fashionedroses.Shewasgenerousinsharingherplantsandmanyhavefoundtheirwayintoourvillagegardens.TheMorellocherryandawhitepeachtrainedagainstthewallsofthehousewereasourceofjoyordespairdependingontheweatherorthebirds.Aluckyfewwouldoccasionallybegivenapreciousfruitgentlywrappedtoprotectit.Theywouldalsobeurgedtoappreciatethespecialattributesofthemedlar.Evelyncontinuedtoweedandprune,bravelybutoftenperilously,evenwhenshecouldnolongermovewithouthersticks.

EvelynplayedanactiveroleintheHorticulturalSocietyformanyyears,bothasChairmanandthenasPresident.Shetooktheannualshowveryseriously,wouldenterasmanyclassesaspossibleandbeverypleasedifshegotanaward.Atthisyear’sshowLizFirthdescribedhownewrecruitsfoundthecommitteemeetingsattheOldManorHouseratherintimidating.HoweversherememberedEvelynasalwaysamostgraciousChairmanandPresidentwhosupportedandthankedhercommittee.

Evelynwasatalentedartistwhoenjoyedpaintinganddrawingtheworldabouther.HerpenandinksketchoftheIronAgeFortwasusedintheHilltopVillagesMillenniumMap.MostappropriatelythiscontinuesnowastheLocalHistoryGrouplogo.

TheCholesbury-cum-StLeonardsLocalHistoryGroupbecameanimportantpartofEvelyn’slifealmostassoonasshecametothevillages.Thegroupbeganin�963andby�966shehadjoinedthecommittee.GeneralMoneywasChairmanandEvelynwasputinchargeofrefreshments.SheherselfbecameChairmaninthe�990s.Atthegroup’srecentOctobermeeting,ChrisBrownrememberedhowEvelyn’sexperienceasaHeadmistress

Mrs Money, who lived in the Old Manor

House at Cholesbury for over 40 years, died

at Chiltern Court Care Home, in September,

a month before her 95th birthday. This is a

tribute to her and to a lifetime of service to

education, her church and the community in

which she lived.

Shewasapersonwithastrong

senseofdutyandveryhighstandardswhichsheappliedrigorouslytoherselfandtoothers.Eveninthecharmingphotographofherasababyinhermother’sarms(opposite)youcanseethepersonofenergy,intelligence,andinterestintheworldaroundher,thatshebecame.

HermaidennamewasGrosstephan,herfather’sfamilybeingFrench.Hergrandfather(�84�-�907)wasanapprenticecooktoNapoleonIIIatVersailles.Bythetimeherfatherwasbornin�880,hergrandfatherhadbecomechef de cuisine intheserviceoftheRothschildsinTring.HewassenttoschoolinFranceagedeightandafterthatapprenticedasapatisseriecook.HavinglearnedhistradeheappliedforserviceintheFrenchnavyandtravelledallovertheworld,returningtoTringtobecomeeventuallyHeadCheftotheRothschilds.TherehemetEvelyn’smother,whowasfromOxfordshire.Theymarriedin�908.

Evelynwasbornin�9�3,thefourthoffivechildren,shortlybeforeherfatherwascalleduptotheFrencharmy.Hewastakenprisonerearlyinthewaranddidnotreturnhomefor5years.

Evelyn Money – a tributeEvelynandhersisterswereeducatedat

BerkhamstedGirlsSchool.Shethentookateacher’strainingcourseandgainedadiplomainGeographyattheLSE.ShetaughtinseveralschoolsintheUK,andforoneyearinFranceatArras,andthenforayearatKamloopsinBritishColumbia,Canada.ShereturnedtobecomeheadteacheratLowndesSecondarySchoolinChesham(nowCheshamParkCommunityCollege).WehaveatributetoherfromMurielRichardson,whowastheschoolsecretarywhenEvelynwasheadmistress.

“MissGrosstephan(asshewasthen)wasafineHeadmistress.Shewaswellrespectedbecauseherstandardswereextremelyhigh.Thesegavethegirlsaverygoodgroundingbothinschool,andthatwhich‘setthemup’fortheoutsideworld.Herdisciplinewasfirm,butfair.Theremustbemanyex-pupilswhorememberherruleswithgratitudeinhelpingtosettheirowngroundrulesasparentswithchildrenoftheirown.MissGrosstephanwasextremelyproudofhergirlsandwouldalwaysencouragethemtoenteraworthwhilecareeronleavingschool.Iftherewerehardshipwithinafamily,shewouldendeavourtogiveevenmoreencouragementtothatpupil.”

MissRichardsonconcludeshertributebysaying,“IwillalwaysrememberMrsMoneywithgratitudeandpride.AdeterminedladyforwhomIhadgreatrespect.”

In�960,EvelynpurchasedtheOldManorHouseatauction.Atthattimeitwascondemnedandduetobedemolished.Shehadthishistorichouse,nowlisted,restoredbyHumphreyBrothersoftheLeeandmadeitthecharminghomeitistoday.

Evelynretiredin�973andin�978marriedMajorGeneralRobinMoney.Shesaidthattheyhadagreedthatiftheyhad7yearstogethertheywouldbehappyandcontent.

Hilltop News �7�6 Hilltop News

wasusedtothefullwhensherosetoaddressthemembers.In�000shestooddownbutwasappointedofficialArchivistandPresident.Thelocalhistoryarchiveswereherparticularinterestandpassion.Sheguarded

thecontentsofthefamous‘BlackBox’withvigour.Thisgrowingcollectionofdocuments,photographsandassortedpiecesofpaperrelatingtolocalhouses,eventsandcharactersofthepasthadbegunwithGeneralMoney.

IttooksometimetopersuadeEvelyntomoveitfromhisblacktintrunktoaproperfilingcabinet.Thosewhowantedtolookat,borrow,orreadanythingmayhavefoundEvelynalittlereluctanttoallowitemstoleavehercareandshewasmeticulousinrecordingtheirmovements.WhatvisitorstotheOldManorHousewillalsohavediscoveredisthedepthofherknowledgeandconstantinterestinthisarea,notjustinthepastbutinthepresentandhowshelovedtoshareit.

AswithanyonewhohaslivedinthevillageaslongasEvelynandcontributedasmuch,wevaluewhatshegave,andthewayshegaveit.Weregretherpassingbuthavemanygoodmemoriesofherandalifewell-lived.

Joan Barnard & Paddy Thomas

Evelyn in her younger days

Hilltop News �9�8 Hilltop News

CHURCHSERVICES–DECEMBER�008&JANUARY�009

by the Reverend David Burgess

I’ll begin this month with a story I’ve

told before, concerning Pope John XXIII.

His personal warmth, good humour and

kindness captured the world’s affections.

Whenever his photograph was taken, John

would look directly at the camera and

smile.

OnChristmasDay�958,hebecamethe

firstpopetoleaveVaticanterritorysince�870,whenhevisitedchildrensufferingfrompolioattheBambinGesùHospitalandthenvisitedSantoSpiritoHospital.ThenextdayhevisitedtheReginaCoeliprison,oneoftheworstinRome,wherehegreetedtheprisonerswiththesewords:“Youcouldnotcometome,soIhavecometoyou.”Theseacts,particularlytheBoxingDayvisit,createdasensation,andhewroteinhisdiary:

“...greatastonishmentintheRoman,Italianandinternationalpress.Iwashemmedinonallsides:authorities,photographers,prisoners,wardens…”

“Youcouldnotcometome,soIhavecometoyou…”We’reusedtothestoryofChristmasbeingamulti-facetedtale.Matthew’sandLuke’sGospelsprovideuswiththestoryfromseveraldifferentstandpoints–Mary’sandJoseph’s,Zechariah’sandElizabeth’s,theshepherdsandthewisemen,andthatofthetwo

authorsthemselves.Thenarrativeswouldformalongtaleifputtogether.

ButJohn’sGospelcondensesChristmasintoasingleverse,almostbringingtoustheeventsfromJesus’ownpointofview:“TheWordbecamefleshanddweltamongus.WehaveseenHisglory,thegloryoftheOneandOnly,whocamefromtheFather,fullofgraceandtruth.”

TheChristmasstory,atitsheart,isjustthat—ofJesuscomingtouswhenwecouldnotcometohimanddwellingamongus.Theword“incarnation”—puttingonflesh—isanexactdescriptionofhowithappened.ChristiansbelieveinaGodwhowantstocomealongsideus,whohasidentifiedwithusandwhohasexperiencedhumanitytothefull.Thisishowhebroughtitabout.

WhatJohnXXIIIdidclearlyencouragedanddelightedmanyandchallengedothers.Hehimself,though,wouldhavebeenthefirsttoacknowledgethelimitsofhispowers.Hecouldvisittheinmatesintheirprison,buthecouldnotfreethemfromit.

Wecanbethankful,therefore,thatJesus,SonandSaviourdoesboth.Becauseofthis…“WehaveseenHisglory,thegloryoftheOneandOnly,whocamefromtheFather,fullofgraceandtruth.”

IwishyouapeacefulandjoyfulChristmas.

Yours in Christ,

Hilltop News 3�30 Hilltop News

Incarnation

fruit,vegetablesandflowers!DavidledafamilyservicewhichwasenormouslyappreciatedandwentontotheVillageHalltowelcomeeveryonethere.WealmostoverflowedinthenewlyenlargedHall,butsomehoweveryonefoundaplace.Supperwasdeliciousaseverandtheauctionconductedatsuchspeed,peopledidn’tevenknowtheywerepartingwiththeirmoney!Wemadeaprofitof£5�7-notthemainpurposeoftheeveningbutmostwelcome!Oursincerethankstoeveryonewhocontributed.Itwasgreatfun!

Winter Tea Parties-ThesecontinuetogivegreatpleasuretoanumberofHilltopVillagersandtherearecertainlyplentyofpeoplewillingtogiveliftstothosewhoneedthem.Wewillmeet–forChristmas–onWednesday 17 DecemberwhenJoannaStrevenshaskindlyagreedtosingforusagainforashortwhileinthechurch.Welookforwardtoseeingyouallandanyfriendsyouwouldliketobringalong.WeareuptonearlythirtypeopleonsomeWednesdays!

The Small Rural Parishes ForummetinOctoberintheChurchRoom.DiscussionwasbasedonSteveHollinghurst’sinspiring

talkinGreatMissendenlastSeptemberandweaskedthequestion‘Whatshouldwebedoingdifferently?’Itwasdecidedweshouldtakeamorepro-activeapproachanddiscussedatsomelengththemarketingofthechurchandwaysofgettingitintothewidercommunity.It’sareallygoodoccasionforthesmallerruralchurchesintheDeanerytogettogetherandshareideas.MikeSherrattfromTheLeehasagreedtochairthemeetingnextApril.

TheleaningandflattenedHeadstones

Hilltop News 33

Celebrating the Harvest Festival

HAWRIDGE

All Souls Evensongon�November

–Amostmovingevensongservicewasheldtocommemoratethelivesofthosewhohavediedduringtheyearinthefourparishes–andwealsorememberedallthosewehavelovedandcherished.IfyouwouldlikealovedonetobeaddedtoourBookofRemembrance,pleasecontactSylviaWatsonon7589�4.

Remembrance Sundayon9November–OurHolyCommunionServiceincludedanActofRemembrancewithatwominutesilenceforallthosewhohavegiventheirlivesfortheircountryduringwar.

Ride and Strideon�3September–WewouldliketothankallthosewhotookpartinthesponsoredRideandStrideinaidofBucksHistoricChurchesTrust.Weraised£��0.

Christingle Service on 7 December at 3pm–OurChristingleservicewillbeheldtohelpsupporttheChildren’sSociety’svitalworkamongchildrenwhofacelife’shardestchallenges.Therewillbenootherserviceonthisday.

Carol Singing on 16 December–WemeetattheOldSchoolat7pmandarecollectingforSavetheChildrenFund.

Christmas Services-TheChurchwardensandcongregationofStMary’ssendbestwishestoeveryoneforaHappyandPeacefulChristmasandwelcomeyoutoourChristmasServices:Carol Service24 December at 5.30pm

Family Communion 25 December at 9.30am

Joint service, Hawridge & Cholesbury on 28 December at 10.45amDojoinusatHawridgeforParishCommunionfollowedbymulledwineandmincepies.

Hawridge Church Walking Group-Detailstobeadvised.

STLEONARDS

Itiswithmuchsadnessthatwetellthoseofyouwhodon’talreadyknow,

thatZoeDowsondiedattheendofSeptember.Herfuneralwasheldon6October.Thechurch,whichwasdecoratedwithgardenflowers,muchlovedbyZoe,wasfullofoldfriendswhoweredelightedtofeelonceagainapartofherlifeasDavidandSarah,Zoe’ssonanddaughter,ledtheservice.Youcanreadmoreaboutherlongandhappylifeelsewhereinthisedition.

Harvest Festival-Itwaswonderfultohavesomanypeople-morethaneightyincludingchildren–fillingthechurchwith

ST LEONARDSHoly Baptism–�6October�008OliviaMeganHaycock

CHOLESBURYHoly Baptism–�6October�008JemimaGraceOliveVerney

3� Hilltop News

Little Bears

BucklandCommon.Parents,Godparents,familyandfriendsjoinedinthehymnswhichincluded‘Makemeachannelofyourpeace’asaprayerforJemima.MelanieandMarkhavesettledinShireLaneanditwillbelovelytoseeJemimagrowupinCholesbury.

TheHarvest Supper and AuctionwasagreatsuccesswithapackedVillageHallgivingapartyatmosphere.SomebabieswereclearlyattendingtheirfirstharvestSupperwhileolderchildrenactedasrunnerstogiveoutproduceboughtintheAuction.ThanksagaintoSueandJamesfortheAuctionandBrigidandherhelpersforthechickensupperwithplentyof‘seconds’!Theeventraised£4�8forSendaCow.

CholesburytookpartintheShoebox Appealagainthisyearbutnotquiteinthewaywehadplanned.WehadarrangedourGivingServicefor�3NovemberbutthenlearntthattheclosingdatetoensuredeliverytoEasternEuropewasthe5th.WephonedasmanypeopleaswecouldrememberandeighteenBoxeswerefilledforChristmaspresentsincludingagenerousnumberfromtheHaggartyfamily.Thankyousomuchtothosewhorespondedatsuchshortnoticeandourapologiestothosethatwemissed.

Remembrance Sundaywasobservedon9NovemberandthenamesoftheSixCholesburyandBucklandCommonmen

whodiedintwoWorldWarswerereadout.Thosewhofellinotherconflictswererememberedsilently.Acollectionof£37willbesenttotheRoyalBritishLegion.

AtthetimeofwritingtheAutumn Tidyisstillinthefutureandourthanksinanticipation.AlreadytheCouncilhasmadeanimprovementintheapproachtotheChurch.ThescrubintheCampby

theChurchDrivehasbeenclearedandtheshapeoftheIronAgefortificationsisnowmuchclearer.

Christmaswillbecelebratedthisyearwithtwoevents:-

Carols by CandlelightwillbeheldonSunday 21 Decemberat6pmwhenwewillremembertheChristmasstorywithreadingsandcarols.DaveClarkewillbringhischoirtoleadthecongregationandsingtheirChristmassongs.Mulledwineandmincepieswillbeservedafterwards.

Carol SingingroundtheVillagewillbeonMonday 15 December,collectingforSendaCow.WewillgatherattheVillageHallat6.45fornibblesandstartsingingat7pm.Bringtorchesandwrapupwell!

Hilltop News 35

intheChurchyardhavenow,withoneexception,beenrightedandthechurchyardisonceagainveryprettyinthelateAutumnsunshineasyoulookdowntowardsthefield.Thankyoutothoseofyouwhocontributedtotheworkinvolved.

Little Bears cametochurchtocelebratetheirHarvestbringingwiththemgiftstobedisbributedtothoselessfortunatethanthemselves.TheywerefascinatedbyVirginia’stalk–ablyhelpedbyCharlie–andenjoyedsquashandbiscuitsinthechurchroom.

OnSunday�6October,IvorbaptizedOlivia Megan Haycockwholiveswithherparents,SarahandAdamatTheChapelHouseinBucklandCommon.IvorconductedatraditionalserviceofMatinswhichwasthewishofthefamilyandweweredelightedtowelcomeOlivia,whosmiledthroughout,intothechurch.ShewaswearingaverybeautifulfamilyChristeningrobeandwewereespeciallythrilledtohavesomanyfamilymemberswiththeirchildrenandbabiesattheservice.Itwasamosthappyoccasion!

WedohopeasmanypeopleaspossiblewilljoinourCommunion Service on Sunday 7 Decemberwhen,withmembersofRuthWarren’sfamily,wearededicatingthetwobeautifulaltarclothsprovidedbysomeofthelegacyRuthsogenerouslylefttoStLeonards.Wewillbemeetingwiththefamilyafterwardsforaglassofwineinthe

34 Hilltop News

ChurchRoom.Docome!Onsunnydaysyoucanseethatallour

windowssparkle.ThisisduetothegreatgenerosityofAnneandBrianandtheirfriendswhocontributedtotheirfurtherrepairandcleaningtocelebratetheLake’sGoldenWedding.Ithasmadeahugedifferenceandwearemostgrateful.

Christmas!-It’sbeenabusyyearandwealmostfeelthecribhashardlybeenputintostoragebutthatit’scomingoutagain.The Carol Service, lastingonlyan hourthisyear,andincludingtheyoungermembersofthecongregation,isonSunday 21 DecemberandonChristmas EvewehavetheNativity at 3.30pmandMidnight Communion at 11.30pm.OnChristmas Daythereisasaid Communion at 9amwithashortFamily Service at 11.15am.It’sahectictimeforeveryone,butdotryandspareafewmomentstojoinusforwhatisaveryspecialcelebration.We’dlovetoseeyou!

CHOLESBURY

ThechurchbellrangonSunday�6OctoberasMarkandMelaniebroughttheirdaughter

Jemima for baptism.ThebellhadbeenrestoredafewyearsagoasamemorialtothemuchlovedformerChurchwardenMikeScarrottandJemimaishisgreatgranddaughter.YoScarrottandSueandKeithSapeyreturnedtoCholesburyfortheoccasion.

ThiswasalsoavillageeventandDorrittCartmell,whohasknownMelaniesinceshewasachild,arrangedtheflowerswithPaulineAllum.AfloraltributetoMikewasincluded.JemimabehavedperfectlythroughouttheserviceincludingthebaptismbyDavid.Jemima’sfourGodparentsareMark’sbrotherPaulandMelanie’sbrotherSamandsisterTillyandHannahHoward,whousedtoliveinOlivia Haycock baptism

‘Jemima’


THANKYOUIwouldliketosayabigThankYouforallthelovelyflowers,GetWellcardsandmessagesIhavereceivedoverthelastweeks.Whatitistoliveinsuchacaringcommunity.ThesupportandgoodwishesofmyfriendsintheHilltopVillagesismuchappreciated.

Joan Walton

ZOEDOWSON

ZoeDowsondiedon�5September,peacefullyathome,attheageofninetyfive.Itwasin�963thatZoe

andDick,togetherwiththeirtwochildren,movedfromPrestwoodtoTheLee–amovewhichwastobethestartofalife-longassociationwiththeHilltopVillages.Zoemuchenjoyedandwaswellknownforherever-increasingfamilyofanimals.Herdogs,cats,ponies,goats,donkeys,chickens,turkeys,ducks,rabbits,pigsandevenheifers,forashortwhile,madeKingswoodHousealandmarkandkeptherextremelybusy!DuringthisperiodofnearlytwentyyearsZoegavegenerouslyofhertimetotheDarbyandJoanClubandhercooking,particularlyatPonyClubCamp,waslegendary!TogetherwithDick,shedeliveredMeals-on-Wheelsformanyyears.

Itwas�6yearsagothatZoeandDickmovedtoRussetBarninBucklandCommonwhereZoecontinuedtoenjoythefriendshipsshehadmadeinherearlyyearsintheneighbourhoodandwasabletocontinuetoshareherwisdomandstrongChristianvalueswithsomanyfriends.Sheherselfwasagoodandfaithfulfriendandaconstantsourceofhelpandencouragementtosomanypeople.

Severalmembersofherfamilylivednearbyandtheirexpandingnumberswereasourceofgreatjoytoherandaveryimportantpartofherlife.SherejoicedparticularlyinthebirthofOliviaandEmily,hertwogreatgrandchildren,whoseChristeningpartyshewasabletoattendinJuly.

Zoehadmanyotherinterestsandherskillasaphotographer;herbeautifullymadesoftfurnishingsandherknittingabilities,herinvolvementsortingclothesforcharitiesandheropen-housecoffeemorningsinaidofMacmillanNursesmeantZoewasneveridle!

Thankyou,Zoe.Youlivedagoodlifeandafullone.

�00CLUBWINNERSOctober 2008

�stPrize £�5

MrTMatthews,TheVale

�ndPrize £�5

MrsSPritchard,Bellingdon

3rdPrize £�0

MrsCHenry,BucklandCommon

November 2008

�stPrize £�5

MrCMatthews,StLeonards

�ndPrize £�0

MrsLPriest,Bellingdon

New Members always welcome, please contact the Treasurer, Mick Mariscotti 837093

CUTYOURHEATINGBILLSWedon’tneedremindingthathouseholdgasandelectricitycostshaverocketedthispastyear.Canwedoanythingtoslowdowntheserisingenergycosts?Asspaceandwaterheatingaccountforaround60%oftheenergyusedintheaveragehome,thisisagoodplacetostart.Followthesefivetipstotrimyourheatingbills:

�.Useyourprogrammertoswitchtheheatingandhotwateronandoffandsetyourthermostatatbetween�8and��°C.Every�°Cabovethisincreasesyourheatingbillby�0%.

�.Avoidusingtheimmersionheatertoheatwater.Therelativelyhighunitcostofelectricitymakesitmorecosteffectivetouseyourgasboilerforthis.

3.Switchsupplierorswitchtariff.IfyouhaveEconomy7,timeyourwashingmachineanddishwashertoexploitthecheapernight-timeelectricitytariff.

4.Makethemostofeachuseofagivenappliance.Washclothesanddisheswhenyouhaveafullloadreadytogo.Switchthingsoffwhennotinuse.

5.Insulateyourhome.EnergySavingTrustnowestimatesannualsavingsof£�60frominstallingcavitywallinsulation.Thisiscurrentlyfreetoover70s.

Foradviceoninsulatingyourhome,callCocoonon08008048777.Thisisafree,council-supportedservice.

THETHURSDAYCLUBThanks to all who came to the Wine &

Cheese tasting, our first Social Evening in

the 2008/2009 Calendar. Welcome to the

new members who joined since then.

On18 DecemberwehaveourChristmasParty,withentertainmentfromDavidClarkeandFriends.ItwillbeaBring&SharefortheFood.Pleasebringyourownbooze.Cost£�.00forMembersand£�.50forNonMembers(noincreasefor3years).

Socials to come, at St Leonards Village Hall: 15 Januaryfrom�.30pm:gamesandTeapluscakes(anycontributionswelcome).19 Februaryat7.30pm:QuizNightwithPloughmanssupper.PriceTBC.

Guy Williams

FOOK-SENGYEEThefamilyofFook-SengYee,whosadlypassedawayon�4November�008aged60,wouldliketoexpresstheirthanksforthekindmessagesofcondolencereceived.

Hilltop News 39

The Local WoodmanThere is a man in the wood with a chainsaw.

What’s he up to? Has he come to mess up

our beautiful, natural woods? Has someone

decided they want to make some easy

money by cutting down our fine old trees?

WellIdon’tthinkso.Infacthewillprobablybeinvolvedinsomereally

importantworktoensurethelong-termfutureofourChilternwoodlands.Wearesofortunatetoliveinsuchaspecialplace.TheChilternHills,richinwildlife,designatedasanAONBforover40years,coveringanareaof383sq.miles,isapparentlyoneofthemostpopularareasforwalkinginEurope!

TheChilternHillsareaisalsooneofthemostdenselywoodedregionsofthecountry,butthishasnotcomeaboutbychance.Asnaturalasourwoodlandmightseemtobe,itisinfacttheproductofcenturiesofverythoroughmanagement,aconstantprocessofplanting,protecting,tending,cutting,andfelling.Ithinkthatitisreallyimportantthatweunderstandhowandwhyourlandscapehasevolvedinthewaysthatithas.Withthisknowledgewethenhaveachancetoplayourpartindoingwhateverwecantoensureitsfuturevitality.

EveninMedievaltimesourareastoodoutasbeingheavilywooded.Butwoodlandthenwouldhavebeenmuchmoreopenwitharangeofspeciesofdifferentsizesandages.Manywoodswouldhavebeen

managedascoppice,atraditionalmethodofmanagement,whichinvolvestheregularcuttingofyoungshootsgrowingfromthestumpsoftreessuchasAsh,OakandHazel.Thewoodcutfromcoppice,knownasunderwood,suppliedarangeoftraditionalproductsandsupportedalargeruralworkforceforcenturies.Woods,inthesetimes,wereseenasavital,renewableresource,ofcentralimportancetothelocaleconomy.

Timberfromthelargertreeswasusedforbeams,posts,planks,gatepostsandthelike.Woodfromsmallertreesandcoppicematerialprovidedthepolesforsmallerconstructionssuchassheeporcattlehurdlesorpens,fencing,domesticarticles

andwattleanddaubfillingstruts.Somewastiedintofaggotsorchoppedintobilletsforfirewoodormadeintocharcoal,whichwouldhavebeenusedinbrickortilekilns.

TheThamesprovidedtheallimportanttradelinkwithLondonandsotheChilternwoodtradegrewinlinewiththerapidgrowthofthecityandtheconsequentrisingdemandforfuelwood.Thistraditionalcoppicemanagementpracticecontinuedforcenturiesuntil

improvingroadsandthearrivalofthecanalsbegantoconnectthecountry’sindustrialcentres.Coalbegantoarriveinquantity,pricesfellandsodidthedemandforfuelwood.

Theshiftfromthismixedcoppicetothehighbeechwoodlandweknowtodaytookplaceverygradually.Astheoldmarketswerebeinglost,newonesweredeveloping.Furniture,producedinandaroundHighWycombe,couldnowbesold,notjustinLondonandthelocalarea,buttocitiesinthenorthofEngland.

Thenatureofthewoodlandschangedbutmanagementcontinuedandthewoodlandsflourished.Chairmaking,whichhadbeen

38 Hilltop News

Pole lathe turner c1920

LocalCalendar�009-AnIdealChristmasPresent?Iamproducingalimitededitioncalendarfor�009withphotographsIhavetakenmyself,featuringlocalscenes,inordertoraisefundsformytriptoTanzania.TripstoTanzaniaseemtoruninourfamily.ManyofyoumayrememberacoupleofyearsagowhenToby,mybrother,hadtoraisemoneytogoonaWorldChallengetriptoNorthernTanzania.ThistimeitismyturnandIamraisingmoneytogotoSouthernTanzanianextsummer.TwoteacherswillaccompanyagroupoftwentyCheshamHighstudents,myselfincluded,onthisonce-in-a-lifetimeexpedition.ThisisthefirstWorldChallengetriptobespecialisedaroundacademicsubjects,anditwillgiveallofusvaluablelearningexperi-encesaboutthegeographicalandbiologi-calattributesofTanzania.Whilstthere,wewillbedoingvariousthings,suchastrekkingthroughthejungle,localcommu-nityprojectwork,studyingtheecologyoftheAfricanwildlifeandexperiencinglocalvillageculture.Partoftheinitialchallengeistoraisethemoneyforthetripourselves.

Ifyouwouldliketoreserveacopyat£8each,pleasecontactme,KatieThwaites,[email protected].

Hilltop News 4�

AsthepresentownerofHengroveWood,Ihaveaninterestinthissubject.Infact,sometimesIamthatmaninthewoodwithachainsawcuttingdownafineoldtree.ContinuingwhereBunkersleftoff,Ihavefoundwaystoconvertthosetreesintoqualitytimberthereinthewoods,toseasonitandthentouseitformanypurposes.Iveryrarelybuytimber;itgrievesmeifIhaveto.Iunderstandthatourglobalmarketsystemmakessomekindofeconomicsensebutcommonsensetellsmethatweshouldbeusingourlocalresourceswhereverpossibleratherthantransportinggoodshalfwayroundtheworld!IamhopingthatIwillbeabletoexpandtheworkthatIhavebeendoingformanyyearsandhelpotherstomakemoreproductiveuseoftheir

treesandwoodland.Ihaveboughtanew

mobilesawmillwithhelpfromtheRuralDevelopmentAgencyandcannowoffermymillingservicesthroughouttheChilternsregion.IhopethatinthefutureIwillalsobeabletosupplylocaltimberinthisareaandproductsmadefromthattimber.JustasmanyofuswanttosupportourlocalfarmersatFarmers’Markets,Ibelievethatmanyofuswouldchoosetobuyanduse

localtimberifthatoptionwereavailabletous.Insodoing,wewouldbehelpingtoensurethelong-termvibrancyofthesebeautifulChilternwoodlands.

Steve Roberts 01296 624043

Oak-framed barn under construction, timber from Hengrove Wood

40 Hilltop News

oneofthemanyruralcraftspractisedintheareaforcenturies,grewintoathrivingindustryattheendofthe�8thcentury.

Therearemanyimagesof‘bodgers’atworkinthebeechwoodsand,indeed,throughoutthe�9thcenturytheywerestilltobefoundatworkinthesewoods.Usingthesmallertrees,astheywerethinned,theywouldcut,split,roughlyshapeandfinallyturnthewoodintochairlegsandspindles.Usingsimpleandportabletoolsthesemenworkedinthewoodswhereverthetreeswerebeingfelled.Theirproductswerethentakentothefactoriestobeassembledintochairs.

Infact,bythetimethephotographersweretakingtheirpicturesofthebodgersinthewoods,theirdayswerealreadynumbered.Inevitably,newmachineryandmassproductionsystemshadarrivedandthetraditionalwayswerebeinglost.Worsethanthat,bytheearly�900’salargeproportionofthetimberbeingusedinthebigfurniturefactoriesinWycombe,wasbeingimportedfromNorthAmerica!

Chesham,meanwhile,haddevelopeditsownlittleindustrialcentremakinggeneral‘woodware’:bowlsandbreadboards,rollingpinsandwoodenspoons,butterprintsandclothes-hangers.Beechwastheidealwood,supplywasstillplentifulanditwascertainlystillbeingcartedintoCheshaminthe�930’sasmyneighbourcanrecall,

“Twomenwouldcomeby,ontheirwayto

HengroveWood,withabigwagondrawnbytwoshirehorses.Laterintheday,theywouldreturnwithaheavyloadoftimberdestinedfor‘Bunkers’onHivingsHill,inChesham”.

MyneighbouralsorecallsthelargetreetrunksthatusedtolieonHawridgecommon,oppositeTomlinsyard,(nowtheblacksmiths).Tomlinswerethelocalundertakersand,oneassumes,theywerestillprocessinglocaltimberinthe30’s;perhapstheyweresawingelmtoproducecoffins?

However,withinthememoryofjustonegenerationtheexpectationofself-sufficiencyintownandvillagehasgone.Wenowlive,

ofcourse,inaworldofglobalmarkets.Ifwewanttobuysometimbertoday,itismorelikelytocomefromRussiaorCanadathanfromBritainanditisveryunlikelyindeedthatithascomefromtheChilterns;thelocalmarketsarenolongerthere.

Shouldwebeconcerned?Well,yes,Ithinkweshould.Theconsequenceofthislossisthatmanyofoursmallwoodlandsarenolongerbeingactivelymanaged.Manywoodsareageingandindeclinebecauseitisonlybyremovingtreesandclearingspacesforyoungtreestoestablishthemselvesthatwecanensureahealthy,livingwoodandathrivingenvironmentforwildlife.Thiscanonlyhappenifwecan,onceagain,findmarketsforourtimber.

Milling oak in Hengrove Wood

4� Hilltop News Hilltop News 43

So an unexpected cold easterly wind unusually brought freezing rain and snow at the end of October. For any self-respecting wildlife, which was hoping for a prolonged warm spell, that snap has signalled winter is on the way. For migrating birds such as geese and swans, which had been reported delaying their journeys from Scandinavia and beyond, this was sufficient to trigger the packing of bags for the flight south. Last winter was much wetter, warmer and generally unsettled than normal. This year there is expected to be a return to cooler, but slightly dryer conditions. With the water table remaining high, footpaths and bridleways will remain ‘claggy’ and waterlogged.

Three birdswhichmaketheirpresence

known,evenintheheartofwinter,arethrush,greattitandrobin.Songthrushesare,inJanuary,oneofthefewtoprovideamusicaltuneateitherendofbleakerdays.Silentsincethesummer,Mavis(asitiscolloquiallyknown)hasadistinctiveandmellifluoussound,heardasnightturnstodayanddaytonight,singingforuptoanhour.Eachstanzastartswithasoundnotunlike“January

HILLTOP NEWS NATURE NOTES

Three of a kindjoy”.Listenoutforaparticularbird’suniquesignaturenoteswhichtypicallywillberepeatedthreetimesduringitsrepertoireofresonantreprises.Theirsmallerrelative,themistlethrush,hasanaltogethermorerandomsong,akindofimprovisedjazzbutmorepersistentwhentheweatherisinclementforwhichtheyhavegainedthename‘stormcocks’.Meanwhile,duringtheshortdays,greattitslaunchintosong,atripletof“teacher,teacher,teacher”highupinabare-branchedtree.Ironically,duringtheseasonofgoodwill,theiconicrobinisatitsmostfierce,defendingitsterritoryandchasingoffeveryred-breastedopportunistthat

darestomakeanappearancewithanequallystridentvibratocall.

Three things to look out for!First,duringOctober/November,

thispartoftheChilternshasbeenhosttoafestivalof

kitesdisplayingovertheopenfieldsatBraziersEndandSt

Leonards.Severalsightingshavebeenmade,indicatingthis

maycontinuetobearegularfeatureinthis

area.Suchmasssightingssignifythatthebirdsare

supplementingtheirscavengingwithfoodspeciallyprovidedforthem.

Second,winterparasites.Howdoyougetridofthoseirritatingfleas,ticksandmitesfromyourfeathers?Inadrysummer,adustbathcandothetrickbutinwinter

whatoptionsdoyouhave?Welltryoutwhatcrowscanbeseendoingthistimeofyearbyusingthesmokefromchimneys.Itcanmaketheeyeswaterbutyoushouldbeabletostickitoutlongerthanyourunwelcomevisitors.

Third,oneoftheearliestsignsthattheseasonisontheturnarethecatkinsofhazel,inclustersof

three,slenderand

brownatfirstbutearlyJanuaryseesthemlightenandturnfrompaletobrimstoneyellow.

EverythreeyearsorsoweareinvadedbyathirdandmostcolourfulScandinavianvisitorwhosesolepurposeinvisitingseemstobefoodshopping.Waxwings,withtheirsleekbeigecoatsoverlainwithrussetbrownandwithblack,yellowandwhitehighlights,areparticularlypartialtotheredandorangeberriesofcotoneaster,pyracanthaandvibernumbushesthatadornsupermarketcarparks.Theystartwiththenorth-eastcoastaloutletsbutastheweatherhardenstheymovesouthandwestsoacoldsnapcouldbringthemtoalocalTesco,WaitroseorSainsbury(withtheobviousbonusofnectarpoints!)ortoyourgarden.

A triplet of treestolookupto:Sycamoreswiththemostungainlyarrangementofbranchesofallourlocaltreesholdthekey.Thelastbunchesofbedraggled,wingedfruit(keys)hangwaitingtobewrenchedawayandassistedontheirjourneybyjustonemoregust.Lateron,thefirstpalegreenbudsofthenewseasonarevisible,havingshedtheirwaxyscales.Alsomakingashow;the

moresubduedspear-shapedbeech

budsremaintightlyshutbuthaveturned

adarkpurpleandnowstandoutasidetherusty

leavesretainedonthetreetoprotectthesemoredelicate

buds.OakleavesmayremainintoDecemberinmoreshelteredspots,

iftheweatherpermits.Onbrightdaystheleavesappearpink.Thisispartlydue

totheremainingpigmentsgraduallybeingmilkedoftheirremaininggoodnessasthetreewithdrawsvitalelementsintoitssap.However,thecolourissometimes

augmentedbydisc-shapedprotuberances,containingthelarvalstageofthespangledgallwasp.Thetreeproducesthesestructuresinanattempttoisolateitselffromtheinvader,butprovidesjusttheprotectionthelarvaneedstomatureintoanadult.

Three so-called cold-blooded animals,snails,newtsandsnakesareforcedintohibernationfromnowonwards.Itisnotjustthetemperature,butthelackofaccessiblewaterwhentemperaturesfalltoaroundzeroorbelow.

Intheinvertebrateworldthereisoftenacorrelationbetweenspeedandlongevity.Takethegardensnail,whichcanapparentlytravelatupto0.03mphorabout�’6”perminute.Lifeexpectancyis�0yearsincaptivity,buttwoyearsinthewild.Forhalfthattimeitwillbetotallyinactive,livingwithinitsshellandsealedfromtheoutsideworldbyabungofmucuscalledanepiphragm.Beforeclosingthedooronwinterthesnailwillhaveperhapsfollowedthetraillaiddownbyothersnailsdownanoldmouseholeorunderastone.

Thethree species of newt:smooth,palmateandgreat-crested,canalsoliveforuptoadecade.FromlateNovembertheyhibernatewithinstonewalls,pilesoflogsoroccasionallywithinthemudof

Hilltop News 4544 Hilltop News

theirbreedingponds,untilemerginginlateFebruaryorMarch.Theycantraveluptotwomilestofindasuitablebreedingpond.

Eachofthethree British snakes:grass,smoothandadderhibernateandchooseregularsitesknownashibernacula.Typicalareoldrabbitscrapes.Unlikethepreviousexamples,snakeshavealreadyfoundasafehavenbynow.TheyoungofgrasssnakeshatchfromeggsinOctoberandimmediatelyseekrefugeforthewinter.Snakeswillonlyemergewhentemperatureshavemaintainedcertainlevelsoveranumberofdaysandwillquicklyseeksunnyareasinwhichtobaskandwarmup.Muchoftheirhuntingisdonefromwaterinwhichtheyaremostagileswimmers.

Three booksofakindforChristmasnow:‘FoodforFree’byRichardMabeyisfullofinterestingstories,superstitionandusebymanofplantswecanforagefortoday.‘NotesFromWalnutTreeFarm’and‘Wildwood,aJourneyThroughTrees’arebothbythelateRogerDeakin.Fromaquickbrowse,theyarefullofbrilliantobservationsandwritingsoneverydaylifeinthecountrysideandthewiderworld.

That’s all this time, so let me have any observations as always. [email protected]


Members of the Matthews family (and,

by marriage, Reynolds) have been active

in several capacities in the Hilltop Villages

over many years. The generosity of the

family is well known: most recently with the

donation of bricks to build the extension to

St Leonards Village Hall. The Cricket Club

has benefited from their continuous support

and were supplied the materials to extend

their much-admired clubhouse. Hilltop News

asked Trafford Matthews to give an insight

into his renowned local family business.

HGMatthews(knownasGeorge)wasbornin�895.HeandhisbrothersDennis,William(Bill),andAlfwere

allbuilderswithCheshamfirmJesseMead,beforeDennisandBillthensetuptheirownbusiness.DenniswaskilledattheSommejustbeforetheendoftheFirstWorldWar,leavingBilltocontinueandestablishafinereputationforqualitybuilding.SomeofthefinestexamplesareinDevonshireAvenue,Amersham.Heproducedmanyofhisownbuildingmaterialsandranjoineryworkshops.Intime,self-sufficiencyinbrickswouldfollow.BrothersAlfandGeorgewereencouragedtosetupbrickmanufacturingbusinesses.AlfformedBovingdonBrickyardandGeorgefoundedHGMatthewsin�9�3atLyeGreen.TheBellingdonsitewaspurchasedsoonafterwards.

ThefirstsiteforextractingtheclaywasThePark,afieldadjacenttothepresentBellingdonlocation.IntheearlydaystheclaywasdugoutbyhandduringthewinterandthebricksmadebetweenApriland

Septemberastheydriedintheopenair.Horseswereusedtoturnthepug-millthatmixedtheclay.Therewasnomainswateronsite–neededtosoftentheclayjustbeforemouldingintoshape–butawell(George’sWell)waslocatedjustoffthemaindrivetotheworks.Productionmethodshavechangedlittleovertheyears,althoughabrick-makingmachineandbrickdriershavebeeninstalledsothatproductioncancontinueallyearround.Oneofthebiggestinnovations,Traffordsays,wastheintroductionoffork-lifttruckstoreplacewheelbarrowstotransportthebricks!Thekilnswereoriginallyfiredbywood,latercoaland,since�957,oil.

Thereissomethingspecialabouttheclayhere.Itismixedwithloamwhichforms�0-�0percentoftheoverallcomposition.ThismixtureisfoundonlyinisolatedpocketsintheChilternHillsandgivesthe‘Bucks’and‘Chesham’multi-brickstheirdistinctivecolour.Theloamstabilisesthebricksduringfiring

Three generations of fine brickmaking

Henry George Matthewsandgreatlyenhancesthefinalcolours.

BusinessprosperedbuttherewasahaltinproductionduringtheWarbecausetheredglowfromthekilnsduringfiringmightbeseenbyenemyaircraft!JustaftertheWar,�3brickyardswereoperatingwithinasevenmileradiusofChesham.Todaythereareonlythree,duemainlytoclayreservesbeingexhaustedandcheapernon-localbricksbeingusedinthearea.

In�943Georgeboughtarun-downDundridgeManorand(fortheclaysupply)�00acresofsurroundingfarmlandatauctionfor£�0,000(SonTimlaterhadtheforesighttobuyadditionaladjacentlandtoensureafuturesupplyforthenextgeneration).

Giventhenatureofthebrickworksbusiness,youmightexpecttoseeuglyexcavationscarsaroundourvillages.Youdon’t,asMatthewsensureastrictpolicyoflandrestorationtopreservethenaturalbeautyofthearea.Whenalargewaterreservoir(tosupplyChesham)wasinstalledwithintheboundaryofDundridgeManor

in�984,thespoilswereusedtofillaclaypitacoupleoffieldsaway,whichisnowlandscapedusingnativetrees.OtherclaypitsattheBellingdonsitehavebeenfilledwithinertmaterialfromlocalbuildingsites.Evenasmalllake(nowgratefullyoccupiedbyducks)hasbeencreatedusingsomeoftherainwaterchannelledfromtheroofsofthesitebuildings.Therestofthewaterisusedinthebrick-makingprocess,sothereislittledemandonthemainssupply.

WhenHenryGeorgeMatthewsdiedsuddenlyin�957,sonsTimandJimanddaughtersTeresaandSallytookoverthereinsandthebusinesscontinuedtothrive.Sadly,Teresadiedin�99�andTimdiedin�996,butUncleJim,asTraffordcallshim,stillhelpsoutonsite.

HGMatthewshassincediversified,withSallyReynolds(George’sdaughter)andhersonMarcusfarmingmuchofthelandaroundDundridgeandgrandsonWilliammanagingthespecialistfireplacebusiness,setupin�993.Othergrandsons,TraffordandJim,runthebrickyard.TheirmotherKatharineandauntSallylookaftertheoffice/administration.Thesesixpartners,asTraffordstresses,haveanenormoustrustin

Longest serving employee Dave Penn with George Reynolds at the brickyard

Digging the much-valued raw material

Hilltop News 4948 Hilltop News

eachother,whichisthefoundationofHGMatthews’continuedsuccess.

Ofthe�8staffcurrentlyworkingatthebrickyard,allbutonelivewithinatenmileradiusoftheBellingdonsite.Ameasureofloyaltyisshownbythefactthatthestaffhaveclockedupastaggering�5�yearscombinedservice.Thelongestservingemployee,DavePenn,hasbeenwiththefirm4�yearsandstilllivesinCholesbury.

In�006HGMatthewswonaNationalAwardfromtheBrickDevelopmentAssociationfor‘BestPublicBuildingoftheYear’forthe��0,000brickssuppliedtoUniversityCollegeLondon.Thegrey-brownsarethesametypeusedforStLeonardsVillageHall.

MatthewsBrickshavebeensuppliedasfarafieldasMoscowandTheFalklands.PrestigiousbuildingjobsincludeChequers,SadlersWellsTheatre,SchoolofOrientalandAfricanStudiesinLondon’sRussellSquare,CheshamClockTower,DrChallonersGrammarSchoolandTesco’s(TringandAmersham).ThequalityanddiversityofMatthewsbricksisevidentinthattheyareusedextensivelyformatchinginoldbuildings.Thecompanyalsospecialisesinreproducingdifficultandunusualshapes:aserviceregularlysoughtbytheNationalTrust.

TraffordhasworkedoutthatHGMatthewshasproducedover�00millionbricksatBellingdon.Laidendtoend(inthetriedandtrustedfashion)thesewouldstretchtwothirdsofthewayroundtheworld!

50 Hilltop News Hilltop News 5�

acrosstheYorkshiremoorsinthewindandraincallingoutCathy’sname.Wet,windyandgrimcometomind!Butworrynot,ourstoryhasaveryhappyending,asafter3.5hoursofsoggyridingweroundedthehilltoseethesplendourofWindsorCastle-andsoonafter,agentlecycleupthe‘mile’approachtotheCastleand(hurrah!)thefinish.Welovedworkingtowardstheeventtogether.Wespentmanydaysoverthewetsummer,cyclingupanddowntheChilternHills-goodqualitytimecatchinguponeachother’snewsandgossip.Whatfun!

Togetherweraisedmorethan£�,000forcharity.Whatagreatresultforyoungdisadvantagedpeople.Ahugethankyoutoallofyouwhohelpedustoachievethishugetotal!

Wouldwedoitagain?Ofcoursewewould!Aswesitinourdrycomfortablehomesandenjoytheautumnsunshine,anythingseemspossible-alreadytherainymemoriesarefading.Andafterall,whatbetterwaytoescapethehouseholdchoresthantobeabletousetheexcuse“Iamofftrainingonmybike-seeyoulater”.WelookforwardtowelcomingsomenewmemberstheCholesburyCyclistsnextyear!

The Runners: from the left, Linsey Cresswell, Jenny MacClean, Sarah Jones.

Running and riding for charitySome of the Hilltop Village’s super-fit

ladies have been putting in plenty of time

and effort these past few months to raise

money for worthwhile causes. Helen Pert

tells us about the Cholesbury Cyclists and

Linsey Cresswell reports on the Buckland

Common Runners.

TheCholesburyCyclists

ThissoundedlikeagoodteamnamefortheladiesgroupofcyclistsmadeupofHeidiDore,PaulaHurd,Karen

Quilter,TanStrongandmyself.

Sowithanameinplace,thehardworkbegan!Wewereworkingtowardsour‘debutouting’inSeptemberwiththeaimofcompleting45milesfromBuckinghamPalacetoWindsorCastle.Andallforagoodcause-thePrince’sTrusthasbeenrunningthiseventforyearsnowandhelpedthousandsofdisadvantagedyoungpeopleasaresult.Whatbetterreasoncouldweaskfor?

Itwasagreateventwhenithappenedandtheaccompanyingphotoshowshowpleasedwewerewhenitwasover.Notleastbecausethedayoftheevent(theculminationofallourtraining)heraldedinafewweeksofcalmandsunnierweatherthanwehadseenallsummer.Afterweeksofbattlingthroughshowers,rainstormsand,evenhail,wereallyhadbeguntowonderifwewouldevergettorideourbikesinthesunshineagain!

Sowhatwerethehighlights?Beingabletosaywehaddoneit.Onthedayoftheevent,havingcycledacrossPutneyBridge,weeventuallyreachedRichmondParkandwerealisedwhatHeathcliffinWutheringHeightsmusthavefeltlikewhenhelurched

The Cyclists: from the left, Heidi Dore, Tan Strong, Karen Quilter, Paula Hurd and Helen Pert. TheBucklandCommonRunners

October5thmighthavebeenaveryrainydayhereintheHilltopsbutinNewcastletheweatherwasperfect

forrunning.SarahJonesandmyselffromBuckland

CommonalongwithJennyMacLeanfromAstonClintondidtheGreatNorthRun,all�3.�milesofit,andraninsupportofLeukemiaResearch,CancerResearchandtheSilverStarSocietybasedattheJohnRadcliffeHospitalinOxford.

Timeswere“reasonable”,Sarahmanaged�hours�0minuteswhileJenandLinseycameinat�hours30minutes.

HusbandsNeilandMickwentuptosupportthem;madesurethegirlsdidn’tpartakeinaglassofwinethenightbefore,getthemtothestartline,seetheRedArrowsanddrivethemhomeagain!

Ifyoubumpintoanyofthem,askabouttheHostandHostessfromtheB&BwheretheystayedontheSaturdaynight,theywere“interesting”tosaytheleast!

5� Hilltop News Hilltop News 53

From hell to heavenLast summer I put my name down as

willing to rescue ten battery hens from the

Battery Hen Welfare Trust. The charity has

so far saved over 100,000 hens from the

20 million that are sadly slaughtered each

year.

InlateSeptemberIdrovetoacollectionpointdownaverysmartresidentialroadinEpsomandjoinedanorderlyqueueof

peoplewithcatbaskets,cardboardboxesandwirecages.Fortunatelyitwasalovelyafternoon,becauseselecting,catchingandcagingacoupleofhundredbirdsisnotaspeedyprocess.Talkingtoothersinthequeue,Icommentedonhowsadthehenslooked,butwasquicklycorrectedwith,“butthesearetheluckyones!”Myten‘girls’werepickedup,theirnailsclippedand,havingpaid£�foreachbird,Iwasonmyway.

Withacoldspellforecastandwithnexttonofeathers,thehenscouldnotbeputintoanopensummerrun;soIhousedtheminalargedeeplitterbarnwithoneopenside.ForthefirsttwodaysoffreedomtheyjustsatwhereIputthem.Ittooksomewhileforthemtogettheirbalanceandanyattemptstoscratchthelitterusuallyresultedinthebirdfallingover.However,amonthlaterthreebirdshavelearnttoperchandhavenowreachedthegiddyheightoffiveinchesofftheground.Theotherstrybutstillfalloff.

HopefullyIplacednestboxesonthegroundandhavebeenpleasantlysurprisedtoget,evenfromdayone,betweenfourandeighteggsaday.Astheyarenotperchingandtheirupperbeakshavebeen

shortened,Iamleavingthelightsontoallowextendedfeeding.Doubtlesstheclippedbeakwillgrowbackbut,untilitdoes,feedingtakestime.

ThebirdsarenowverytameandgreetmeeverytimeIwalkby:greattime-wastersIfear!Butitissolovelytoseethemfreeandscratchingnormallyinthelitterforthefirsttimeintheirlives.

ThosewantingfurtherinformationaboutrescuingbatteryhenscancontacttheTrustatwww.bhwt.org.uk

Sally Reynolds

Our champion soccer teamOur thanks to Alan Brown for finding this

photograph and searching the background

to the successful Hilltop football team.

Hawridge&CholesburyFootballClubwasfoundedafterWorldWarIIandoriginallyplayedatStLeonards.Two

oftheplayers,MickyWhiteandSidBrown,livednearbyandwereinstrumentalinformingtheclub.

AfterfourseasonstheymovedtoCholesbury,playingwherethecricketpitchisnowestablished.MickyWhitehadmovedtoPostOfficeCottages,livingnextdoorto

Hawridge & Cholesbury FC Winners Chesham League Season 1951-52. Back row, left to right: ‘Spatty’ Brown, Mick White, Harry Cope, Frank Sabatini, Pat Dodds, Sid Brown, Jeff ‘Twink’ White, Bob Hawes, Major Waldren, Donny Gomm. Middle row: Norman Pearson, Fred (Gosher) White, Moss Norwood. Front: Ken ‘Kipper Feet’ Wallis, Ken Norwood.

PatDodds.TheteamcomprisedthreeWhitebrothersandtwoNorwoods,whoweretheyoungestandverytalentedlocalplayers.

TheteamhaditsfairshareofsuccessandwontheChesham&DistrictLeagueintheearly�950sandalsotheDistrictLeagueCup.ThephotographwastakenattheCheshamFCgroundafterwinningtheLeagueChampionship.

Thecricketclubneededtoworkonthesquarein�953(inthosedaysitwasnothingliketheflatgreenswardoftoday),whereuponthefootballteammovedtoplayatBellingdoninJohnPage’sfield.

Webelievethatonlytwooftheplayersarestillalive:theNorwoodbrotherswholiveinBellingdon.Ifanyonehasmoreinformationorphotos,AlanBrownwillbedelightedtohearfromyou(758647).


Water shrew

pastureassummerarrives.Thenthere’sthepygmyshrew,weighing

just6gm-Britain’ssmallestmammalwithabodyalittleover5cmlong.Itissotinythatitisnearthelowersizelimitatwhichawarm-bloodedanimalcanexist.Itlosessomuchenergyasbodyheatthatitmustconstantlysearchforfood–andwillstarvetodeathifitfailstoeatformorethantwohours.Noobesityproblemhere!Itbustlesalongshallowtunnelsmadebyotheranimalsinthesoilandavidlyconsumesmorethanitsownbodyweighteverydayofspiders,tinybeetlesandinsectlarvae.Femalesproduceseverallittersofaboutsixyounginthesummer.Youngstersleavethenestafterthreeweeksandarethemselvesraisingfamiliesafewweeksafter.Notsurprisingly,giventheirfeedingrequirements,manyyoungdiewithinthefirstfewmonthsanditisrareforapygmyshrewtocomethroughasecondwinter.

Allshrewstendtobemoreabundantindampplaceswheretheirpreyiscommon.Butthethirdtype,thewatershrew,willtaketothewaterinthehuntforawiderrangeofpreyincludingtadpoles,molluscs,fishandevenquitelargefrogs.Ithassharpteethforgrippingslipperycreaturesandstrongvenominitssalivathatcanimmobilise.Darkerandalittlebiggerthanthecommonshrew,thewatershrewisashysecretiveanimalthatisrarelyseenbutcan,liketheothers,makealotofhighpitchednoise.

Becauseoftheairtrappedunderitsfur,thewatershrewissobuoyantthatithastodiveintowatertobreakthesurfaceandthenpaddlefranticallysimplytostayunder-forabout�0secondsatatime.Afringeofbristlyhairsalongtheundersideofthetailactsasarudderandthetailisusedtogripsubmergedtwigsandbranchesasthelittle

animalexploresthebottomofapondorstream,turningoverstonestorevealatastymeal.

Thebreedingcycleissimilartothatofothershrewswithashortperiodofgestation,rapiddevelopmentandcomparativelyshortlifespan.Youngwatershrewsleavethenestataboutfourweeksand,atthisstage,familieshavebeenseentotravelinprocession,the(probablypregnant)motherleadingandeachyoungsterholdingontotheoneinfront–asintheillustration.

Tocloseonaliterarynote,Shakespearedidmuch,ofcourse,topublicisethehumanversionofthislittlefurrymammal.Heusedtheword‘shrewd’tomean‘ill-natured’or‘uncomfortablynearthemark’ratherthanthemodern‘ofsoundjudgement’andhegavehisshrewKatetorrentsofwonderfullysharp,spitefulinvective.

Jim Hetherington 758836

HILLTOP NEWS WILDLIFE

Shrewd Little FellowsShrews are among the oldest surviving

mammals, their ancestors having evolved

about 50 million years ago. Whilst we think

of them as small mice with long snouts,

they are more closely related to moles and

hedgehogs.

Becauseshrewsaremainlynocturnalandspendmostoftheirtimeunderground,wedonotoftensee

them.Yettheyareextremelyactive–alwaysonthegoastheyforageforfood.Thelittlemammalhassuchahighmetabolicratethatitneedstoconsumeitsbodyweightinfoodeveryday.Suchisitsdrivetoeatthat,ifitcannotfindnormalprey–suchasslugs,snails,earthworms,spiders,beetles,woodlice–itcanturncannibal.Shrewshavetoxinsintheirsalivaforstupefyingtheirprey;thepoisonactslikeasnake’svenombyslowingtheheartbeatuntilbreathingstops.

Theyarepreyeduponbyavarietyofpredatorsincludingowls,hawks,magpies,jackdaws,weasels,stoats,addersanddomesticcats.Becausetheshrew’sskinhasfoulsmellingandtastingglands(formarkingterritoryratherthandefence),fewofthesepredatorswillactuallyeatashrew.That’swhywearemorelikelytoseeacorpsethanarathersecretive,liveshrew.Onlybirds,whichhaveapoorersenseofsmell,willstomachthelittlecreature.

Outsidethebreedingseason,ashrew

cannotbeartohaveanotheronitsterritory.Aggressiveterritorialencountersarethereforefrequentandarepunctuatedwithhighpitchedscreamsasthetinyanimalswrestlewitheachother;butit’smoreofasqueakingcontestandtheyrarelyinflictanyrealdamage.

Inourarea,wecancomeacrossthreedifferenttypesofshrew.Asthenameimplies,thecommonshrewisthemostabundant-theonewearemostlikelytospot.Itsbodyisabout7cmlongwithatailhalfasmuchagain;itweighsinatabout7gm.Thehabitatisdeciduouswoodlandandtussockygrass,especiallyalongroadverges.Itoftendigsforpreywhichitlocateswithitslongsnoutand,asithaspooreyesight,it

usesitswhiskersandacombinationofsmellandecho-locationtofinditswayaround.Thoughmainlyearthbound,thelittleanimalhas

beenknowntoclimbseveralmetresuptrees

initssearchforfood.Thecommonshrewbreedsin

thesummerwithacoupleoflittersofaboutsixyoungwhichdevelopveryrapidlyandbecomeindependentinaboutamonth.ThoughitisoneofBritain’smostabundantmammals,numbershavefallensignificantlyinrecentyearsbecauseoftheuseofpesticidesandherbicideswhichbothdestroytheanimal’sshelterandkilltheinvertebratesonwhichitfeeds.Shrewsdonothibernatebuttendtospendthewinterinhedgebottomsandcopsesamongdeadleaves,emergingintofieldsandrough

Common shrew

Hilltop News 57

CURVACEOUS COOK Slow Roast Lamb

I am a great believer in simple food, or meals that can be made ahead or even frozen before everyone arrives for Christmas,

so that the hard work and maximum time has already been spent, and I am then free to spend the time with my family and

guests when they all arrive. This year is particularly special for me as my whole family will be together for the first time in a

year, so I want to treasure every moment before they all jet off again!

I made this Slow Roast Lamb dish this autumn and it worked really well. I used a leg of lamb from Hazeldene Farm in

Chesham, but actually think that a lean shoulder would have been just as good, and much less expensive. I didn’t freeze it,

but the work involved at the start of the day was minimal, and then it just sat in the oven really slowly till we ate it! It easily

fed six, and would probably have done eight.

2 tbsp olive oil

2 kg/4lb leg of lamb

2 tbsp plain flour

2 onions, thinly sliced

4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

75cl dry white wine

600ml/1 pint chicken stock

1 tsp dried oregano

2 tbsp redcurrant jelly

salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 170C/325F/Gas 3.

Pour the oil into a large, sturdy roasting tin and set it over the hob.

Season the lamb then roll it in the flour. Brown the lamb all over in the hot oil for 5-10 minutes, then remove from the tin

whilst you fry the onions for 5-10 minutes till browning.

Put the lamb back into the pan and add the garlic, white wine, stock, oregano and redcurrant jelly, bring to a simmer and

cook in the oven for 3-3½ hours, basting now and again with the liquor. I put in the bottom of the Aga for about 5 hours.

There should be a good quantity of wine left in the bottom of the tin to serve with the lamb but if you feel it is getting too dry,

just cover with foil.

Take the lamb out of the tin and place in a double wrap of foil to rest in a warm place. While the lamb is resting, sit the tin

back on the hob and simmer the pan juices for a few minutes, reducing the liquid, if there is a lot, to make a tasty gravy. If

you have a hand held whizzing wand, just whizz the whole lot to make a creamy onion sauce.

Cut the lamb into thick slices - you’ll find the meat falls away from the bone so you may end up with more chunks than slices.

I served with creamy mashed potatoes and green beans.

Lulu Stephen [email protected]

56 Hilltop News

Dear Editor,

You might be interested to learn

that Hilltop News now has a near

international reach. I recently received

an e-mail from a Shane McCurdy,

of whom I had never heard – but

my grandmother was a McCurdy. It

turned out that he was no relation,

lived in Northern Ireland, and had

for 30 years been researching every

McCurdy he could find. He knew that

my grandmother had married a William

Fletcher Nicholson so he Googled him

and found Hilltop News with my name

and e-mail address!

Fletcher Nicholson

Hilltop News 59

Hilltop NewsWewelcomeallnews,lettersandarticleswhichareofgeneralinterestandrelevanceto

theHilltopVillages.MaterialforinclusionintheFebruary/March(limited)editionshouldbesenttoImogenVallance(Societies),orAnneButterworth(ChurchMatters)by9Januarylatest.Allothernews,viewsandmaterialshouldgodirectlytotheeditor,GrahamLincoln.

Pleasenotethatphotossentonlinemustbeatleast�,500x�,750pixelsinsize.

[email protected]

Societies, DiariesImogenVallance75855�[email protected]

Co-ordinator/Church [email protected]

AdvertisingAnnHorn758�[email protected]

Design & ProductionMichaelSpark75888�[email protected]

PhotographyOliverParsons758694oliver@parsons��.freeserve.co.uk

Distribution RosemaryPearce758334

Printer Strongs,Berkhamsted0�44�87859�[email protected]

HilltopNewsisentirelynon-profitmakingandisfundedbyadvertising.

SupportedbyCholesbury-cum-StLeonardsParishCouncil.

58 Hilltop News

60 Hilltop News

Credit crunch, sub-prime and rights issues are words we’re all familiar with. Butwhere are the markets heading? Although nobody can say for sure, it can help toget an informed, unbiased opinion. Open an account, and once registered, youcan call our expert advisers and get a view on a share, a sector and whether it’s agood time to buy, sell or sit tight. Our advisers don’t work on commission and noextra costs are involved.

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