Thursday 4 October 2012

Our Wonderful Photographer

A huge thanks to our wonderful photographer, Marion Mason, who generously donated her time, following us about the county taking the most wonderful photos of the week.

All of the photos are credited to her.

If you would like to contact her about her services email her at studio@marionmasonimages.com 


Write of for Day 6 - The Charm of the Chilterns

It seems so long ago now, but here is The High Sheriff's write up of day 6, which somehow got missed.

"Mounted on Mr Jenkins (an ex police horse) and accompanied by his stablemates, we set out in fine style from Hildreth’s Garden Centre to All Saints Church, Prestwood.  The church hall there is home to the Missenden area  Childrens’ Centre.  Some very young children plus Mums (and one Dad) were very excited to see four horsemen ride into the churchyard.  Their squeals of delight turned to shyness when confronted by the disounted High sheriff in her funny hat.  Clare Pritchard, the manager had set up a tent where lots of busy hands were glueing, moulding and building.  Given the proximity of the Raoul Dahl Museum,  Clare and I thought it would be appropriate for me to read a story.  A task I took great pleasure in, although I think they all found watching the horses more exciting.

Despite the myriad of footpahs and lanes in this part of the world, bridleways and tracks are not very good at connecting with each other.  We had a lot of help from friendly farmer and thus were able to ride along the Misbourne Valley on the South Bucks Way before ascending the steep, flinty hills to emerge at Mop End and the Amersham Field Centre.  This is part of the Field Studies Council, a national organisation with centres dotted about the UK dedicated to teaching conservation and outdoor studies.  Most of these Centres are based in rugged national parks  Buckinghamshire is lucky to have one in Amersham.  The centre has the use of 70 acres of woodland, wildflower meadows, ponds, two indoor classrooms and a beautifully constructed Yurt where we had a cup of tea!  They run a fantastic variety of day courses and holiday camps for both primary and secondary schools, A Level scientific modules a speciality.   This is bound to be a fun, educational day out  - judging by what the children say,  they love getting dirty!  

A shortish ride through woods and the Shardeloes Equestrian grounds (for which many thanks to Shardeloes), brought us to MARES.  An establishment set up to provide horse-based therapy for any number of dehabilitating conditions.   They have a wonderful, spacious site on the edge of Amersham where they aim to make riding (western style), carriage driving, horse management and even vegetable growing part of a healing process.  The atmosphere is very relaxed and many clients return to help as volunteers, so supportive is the concept and Sue Holland, who runs it.   We lingered over tea and cake, watched two of the horses in action and thanks to the Mayor of Amersham I briefly held an Olympic torch on horseback!"



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The final day through a lense


St. Katherine's, Parmoor, where we started our day

The days posse



The High Sheriff was presented with cards and a bouquet of flowers


A tour of the garden, in the newly restored walled garden






The riders passed through the pretty village of Turville before ending their day 


The arrival of The High Sheriff to a celebration reception

A triumphant wave 

A few brave the rain to congratulate Carolyn on the end of her momentous journey 







Day 7 in photos

The Day started at Hedgerley Youth Club
With Katie Jackson, who also joined Carolyn for a small part of the ride,
in the new Youth Club building


With Scouts, Cubs, Brownies and their leaders
The mornings riding party
The days second stop



Information boards on the Olympic and Paralympic angels the Mona Lisa Project has been wokring on 



With one of the angels outside the school
With Rhonda Fenwick, who is behind the project


Outside Cliveden hotel
Feeding time at Cliveden for the horses

Tea in the library

The view from Cliveden

With the angel of aspiration from the Mona Lisa Project, which is in the grounds of Cliveden 






Wednesday 26 September 2012

The Final Map

What a week it was, here is the final map showing all the places we visited.



Day 6 photos

A little help with directions
All of the horses used for Friday were ex police horses


The horses were clearly a big attraction

Friday mornings group - Prestwood and Missenden Children's Centre


Story time

The Sheriff with Claire Pritchard

The horses get a well deserved snack at Amersham Field Centre 

Leaving the field centre


Arriving into MARES


Mimi Harker, the Mayor of Amersham

Carolyn with her ride for the day, Mr Jenks