Berkhamsted Living Autumn 2022

LOCKERS PARK 

“Lockers Park prepares 

boys for su ce s in the 

ISSUE 84 BERKHAMSTED AUTUMN 2022 

Living 

YOUR QUALITY LOCAL MAGAZINE 

SERVING THE COMMUNITY AND SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES SINCE 2001 

THE LEGACY OF 

CAPABILITY BROWN 

The 18th century landscape designer’s 

work is right on our doorstep 

FIRST 

SCHOOLS 

How to choose your 

child’s first school 

80s FASHION 

REVIVAL 

Bringing the decade’s 

fashion up to date 

BERKHAMSTED’S QUALITY QUARTERLY MAGAZINE. DELIVERED BY ROYAL MAIL 

TO 11,399 HOMES IN BERKHAMSTED & SURROUNDING VILLAGES 

MAGAZINE WRAPPER IS COMPOSTABLE 

Exce lent results | Enthusiasm for life 

modern world.” 

Tatler Sch ols Guide 

A purposefully small prep school for boys aged 4-13 | Boxmoor, Hertfordshire 

OPEN MORNING - Saturday 15 October 

Book your place at lockerspark.co.uk 

FREE WITH THIS ISSUE!

Welcome to the 

Autumn issue! 

BERKHAMSTED 

AUTUMN 

The summer holidays are at an end and 

it’s back to school and college for our 

younger readers - but there’s still plenty 

to look forward to. 

As always, the magazine includes lots 

of local news. We also have a round-up of 

local events and days out in our What’s On 

section - there’s plenty going on this autumn, 

including Heritage Open Days, Berko 

Beerfest, BerkoFest Book Fest, the Graham 

Greene Festival and lots more. For more 

inspiration see the enclosed programmes 

from Berkhamsted Music and Berkhamsted 

Arts Trust too. 

Our history feature looks at the legacy 

of legendary landscape gardener Capability 

Brown, while our walk takes in some of 

his work and other interesting local historical 

spots. We think autumn is just the best 

time for walking - not too hot, not too cold, 

CONTENTS 

4 News and views from 

Berkhamsted and 

surrounding villages 

16 Find something special from 

our local shops 

22 Education: Applying for 

school places 

24 Kids puzzles 

26 Local history: The legacy of 

Capability Brown 

30 Fashion: The 80s revival 

and you can enjoy the changing colours of 

the countryside. 

In the garden we have some ideas for making 

colour last just a bit longer, while we take a trip 

back to the 1980s in our fashion revival feature. 

There’s puzzles for children, and books from 

and about the local area to enjoy as the nights 

draw in. 

We also have interiors inspiration for your 

home. And if you’re planning some changes 

to your property, don’t forget to enter our 

competition for tickets to Grand Designs Live! 

If you want to be involved in the next issue, 

please email Naomi at editorial@livingmags. 

info with your news prior to our winter issue. 

Happy reading! 

Alison and 

Naomi 

Owner & Editor 

32 Win tickets to Grand 

Designs Live! 

35 Whip up a delicious 

Tiramisu 

36 Books: Our reading selection 

from local authors 

38 Autumn colour in 

your garden 

39 Property: Velvet is this 

season’s fabric 

40 What’s On 

CONTACT US 

01442 824300 

INFO@ 

LIVINGMAGS.INFO 

46 Walk: Take a stroll 

through history 

48 Local Services 

50 Quick crossword 

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LOCAL FOCUS 

SEND US YOUR NEWS / TELEPHONE: 01442 824300 / EMAIL: EDITORIAL@LIVINGMAGS.INFO / NEXT DEADLINE: 26-10-22 

Date set for 

Festival of Light 

It doesn’t feel like Christmas is on the way 

until you’ve visited the annual Berkhamsted 

Festival of Light. This year the event will be 

held on Sunday 27 November. 

You can expect entertainment from local 

musicians, stalls, Santa and the Elves Posting 

House in the Civic Centre, fairground rides, St 

Peter’s Church service, the popular best dressed 

shop window competition and lots more. 

Census results 

show population 

increase 

The first results from the 2021 Census 

(a data collection exercise undertaken 

every 10 years) show that the number 

of people living in the Dacorum Borough 

Council area has risen by 10,300 - a 7.1% increase. 

Dacorum now ranks 132nd for total 

population out of 309 local authority areas in 

England, moving up three places in a decade. 

To give you an idea of population density, the 

national average is three people for every 

football pitch-sized piece of land. Dacorum has 

around five people for each football pitch-sized 

area of land. 

There has also been an increase of 18% in 

people aged 65 and over, an increase of 3.7% in 

people aged 15 to 64, and an increase of 9.3% in 

children aged under 15. 

Discover history for free! 

A 

chance to 

take a 

tour of 

Berkhamsted’s 

former Foundling 

Hospital with 

two former foundlings has been added to the 

Heritage Open Days programme (HOD). 

Memories of Childhood - tours of the former 

Foundling Hospital, now Ashlyns School - take 

place on 11 September. 

The HOD Talks and Tours will be happening 

in and around Berkhamsted between 9 and 18 

September. Visit www.heritageopendays. 

org.uk/visiting/printable-area-lists/county/ 

Hertfordshire for details. 

Concert set to raise funds 

for Ukrainian network 

A 

concert in 

Berkhamsted 

is set to 

raise funds to help 

support Ukrainians living in Berkhamsted, Tring 

and surrounding villages. 

The Berkhamsted and Tring Ukraine Hosting 

Network (BATUHN) supports Ukrainians who 

have fled their country in a number of ways 

including offering English lessons, sourcing 

clothes and school uniform. 

A concert is being held on Saturday 12 November 

at Ashlyns School, from 7-11pm. The evening will 

include music, food and drink. 

For more information about the 

organisation and how you can support them, 

see www.berkotringukraine.com 

4 / Berkhamsted Living FOR THE LATEST NEWS UPDATES AND MORE GO TO WWW.LIVINGMAGS.INFO/NEWS

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LOCAL FOCUS 


800th birthday 

celebrations continue… 

St Peter’s Church 

in Berkhamsted 

continues its 800th 

anniversary celebrations 

this autumn. 

During September, 

you can enjoy an 800th 

historical display, while 

Oktoberfest celebrations 

take place from 9-11 

September. 

Saturday 10 September sees a sponsored bike 

and hike around local churches, while on 26 

November you can take part in an evening of 

Scottish country dancing and whisky tasting. 

Finally on 27 November, see St Peter’s church 

lit up by thousands of candles followed by a 

traditional Advent Carol Service at 7pm. 

Full details at www.stpetersberkhamsted. 

org.uk/800 

While the Chiltern Society has 

welcomed recent reports that the 

Chilterns Beechwoods Special Area 

of Conservation (including the Ashridge Estate 

and Tring Woodlands) need more action to 

protect them, it is setting up a working group to 

focus on planning in the area. 

Until satisfactory mitigation measures are 

in place, Dacorum Borough Council must put 

a temporary halt on granting any planning 

permissions for new homes near the area. 

As we went to press, the council told 

Berkhamsted Living: ‘We are working on a 

mitigation strategy, which sets out the actions 

necessary to protect the Chilterns Beechwoods 

Special Area of Conservation (SAC) from 

Dacorum’s Den 2022 

award winners 

Congratulations to the local budding 

entrepreneurs who were awarded grants 

for their businesses after they pitched 

their ideas to a team of Dacorum’s Den judges. 

The panel of four judges, led by Sir Mike 

Penning MP, divided a £10,000 grant fund to a 

range of businesses. 

Winners 

included: 

Berkhamsted’s 

Natasha Collins, 

owner of Nevie- 

Pie Cakes, who 

received £500 to 

fund an edible printer. 

Jessica Thatcher, owner of Little Gaddesden’s 

ZV Textiles, who received £1,500 towards 

advertising and marketing for her B2B textile 

manufacturing business in the equestrian and 

country clothing sector. 

Chiltern Society ‘concerned’ over planning 

both existing and future pressures. Further 

information on the progress of the mitigation 

strategy will be provided later this summer.’ 

Tom Beeston, chief officer at the Chiltern 

Society, told Living: ‘We now pin our hopes on 

our MPs, councillors and various government 

agencies taking a serious look at the 

broken planning system so that they start 

putting nature and the environment before 

developer profits. 

‘That said, we’re so concerned about the 

specific planning implications around Dacorum, 

we are looking to set up a special working group 

to address the issues. 

‘Anyone wanting to volunteer to help can drop 

us a line at volunteer@chilternsociety.org.uk.’

The arts in 

Potten End 

The Arts Society of Gade Valley (ASGV) is a 

friendly group that meets for lectures at 

10:30 am on the third Wednesday of each 

month between October and July at Potten End 

Village Hall. 

This season’s programme includes The Pepe 

Martinez lecture entitled Banksy – Fraud or Genius? 

and Sir Christopher Wren and the rebuilding of 

London out of Disaster by Janet Gough. 

ASGV also jointly sponsors Dacorum Young 

Artist Competition for local primary schools. 

Prospective members 

can attend a free 

taster lecture. Email 

membersgadev@gmail. 

com or visit www. 

theartssocietygadev. 

Pepe Martinez 

org.uk. 

Public Inquiry set for 

Luton Airport expansion 

The inquiry 

date for the 

expansion 

plans at Luton 

Airport has 

been set for 27 

September. 

London Luton 

Airport Operations 

Limited plans to increase passenger capacity 

from 18m to 19m a year - a move approved by 

Luton Borough Council in December. 

However, a decision was made on behalf 

of Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for 

Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, to hold 

a local inquiry, which aims to consider ‘all the 

relevant aspects of the proposed development’. 

The public inquiry is set to run for 10 weeks 

commencing at Luton Town Hall on the 27th 

at 10am. 

Celebrating the arts 

in Berkhamsted 

Berkhamsted Arts Trust celebrates its 45th 

anniversary and the 37th annual edition 

of the Arts for Berkhamsted diary - often 

referred to as the ‘Green Sheet’. 

The impact of Covid, however, has led to the 

loss of one society - Berkhamsted Archaeology. 

Nevertheless, this year, the diary features 83 

entries from September through to June. 

The programme is varied - enjoy film nights at 

the Civic Centre courtesy of Berkhamsted Film 

Society, or be transported back to the 20s and 30s 

and the sounds of New York Cotton Club when 

the Harlem Meer Cats play Ellington. 

Next spring, Berkhamsted Theatre Company 

will be talking to the animals at the Court 

Theatre, Tring with Dr Doolittle! The Musical, 

and Berkhamsted Local History and Museum 

Society will take you back to the 19th century for 

a talk about Castle Street. 

With a varied selection of classical and jazz 

concerts and BerkoFest Book Festival, there 

should be something for everyone. 

The Green Sheet is enclosed with this edition 

of Berkhamsted Living. 

NEWS 

IN BRIEF 

Ed joins Stringer Mann 

Ed Evans has joined Berkhamsted High Street 

based chartered financial planners 

Stringer Mann as an adviser. Previously, he 

undertook six months of intensive training 

at the St. James’s Place Financial Adviser 

Academy, and spent two years with the St 

James’s Place Investment Management team. 

LOCAL

LOCAL FOCUS 


Berkhamsted author tells 

grandfather’s Holocaust story 

A 

new book written to introduce 

children and young adults to the 

Holocaust has been written by Joel 

Stern from Berkhamsted. 

Just Freddy is the story of Joel’s grandfather, a 

young boy growing up in 1930s Germany, whose 

life takes a dramatic turn for the worse when 

Hitler comes to power. The book charts Freddy’s 

journey from a happy childhood to his departure 

from Germany with little but the clothes on 

his back. 

First-time author Joel said: ‘I wanted to use 

my grandfather’s story to educate young people 

about this important subject. Ultimately, the 

message I want to convey is that the Holocaust 

didn’t start with violence, concentration camps 

and murder; but with the 

suspicion and intolerance 

of others, with prejudice 

and hate speech. I think 

that message is as 

important today as it was 80 years ago.’ 

Freddy Stern was born in June 1925. His father 

was sent to Buchenwald concentration camp. 

Freddy received a place on the Kindertransport, 

arriving in the UK in 1939. After the war, Freddy 

learned that his parents, grandparents and 150 

other members of his family had been killed. 

Freddy married and became a research chemist 

and businessman. He had two children, six 

grandchildren and four great-grandchildren 

when he died in 2020, aged 95. 

Bach is back! 


Music’s 2022- 

23 season 

(its 69th) opens on 

Saturday 8 October 

at Berkhamsted 

Civic Centre with 

the Gould Piano 

Trio performing 

pieces by Fanny Mendelssohn, Judith Weir 

and Tchaikovsky. 

The Gould have been playing for 25 years and 

are still at the top of their game. Subsequent 

concerts feature Ashley Wass (piano), the 

Ensemble Hesperi (baroque quartet), the Mithras 

Piano Trio, and the season closes with the 

Villiers Quartet. 

Berkhamsted Music presents prizewinning 

professional chamber musicians at different 

stages of their careers. This year the spectrum 

ranges from the Mithras formed in 2017, 

currently BBC New Generation Artists, to 

Ashley Wass, whose first visit to Berkhamsted 

was in 2000 when he also became a BBC New 

Generation Artist. The music ranges from Bach 

to Britten and everything in between. 

See the programme enclosed with this edition 

of Berkhamsted Living, our What’s On pages, 

and look for more details and regular updates at 

www.berkhamstedmusic.co.uk. 

Concert tickets £20 each and discounted to £75 

for all the concerts in the season. 


Before you search 

globally, search locally 

An entrepreneurial website developer 

who has created a digital high 

street for Tring has his sights set on 

Berkhamsted for his next project. 

Phil Knight said: ‘I was building sites for 

shops in Tring when an idea hit me… why 

not build a website for the whole high street 

and make shops and services searchable! You 

could be at home, need to buy a lightbulb and 

instead of just going to the big online 

retailers, you could search for it locally, buy it 

and have it delivered to your door in 10 minutes.’ 

You can find out more at 

www.ourdigitalhighstreet.com. 

Young actors run 

away with The Circus 

Berkhamsted’s new professional theatre 

company The Shakespeare Circus was 

launched this year to help the Covid cohort 

of young actors. 

The Circus is based in Prince Edward Street, where 

Victoria and Chris Williams run The Gobstoppers, 

which provides classes in the performing arts. 

Victoria teamed up with renowned ‘theatre maker’ 

Michael Corbidge to form the Circus. She said: 

‘Two of my children are trying to build careers in 

the world of theatre, and I realised that the 

pandemic made things hard for so many. Michael 

and I decided we had to help resurrect some of the 

ambitions and hopes of these young people.’ 

LOCAL 

FOR THE LATEST NEWS UPDATES AND MORE GO TO WWW.LIVINGMAGS.INFO/NEWS 

Autumn 2022 / 9

Promotional Feature 

LOCAL FOCUS 


The benefits of being purposefully small 

Lockers Park is a boarding school for boys 

aged four to 13, nestled within 23 acres of 

Boxmoor woodland in Hertfordshire with 

Radlett, Berkhamsted, Harpenden, St Albans and 

Bushey close by. 

We hold a highly regarded academic reputation 

for achieving excellent results. Small classes of 

16 pupils or fewer allow teachers to know every 

Lidl: There’s still no news on the proposed Lidl 

supermarket on the old Roy Chapman site at 

Gossoms End. A spokesperson for Lidl told 

Berkhamsted Living: ‘We remain committed 

to bringing a Lidl store to Berkhamsted and 

look forward to updating the local community 

further as soon as we are in a position to do so.’ 

Berkhamsted Leisure Centre: The public 

consultation on a proposed new leisure centre 

for Berkhamsted, including a teaching pool, 

a larger fitness suite and a spa and treatment 

zone ended in March. Dacorum Borough 

Council told us that there is no further update 

at this time. 

single individual well, and to get the best out of 

them with a personalised approach. 

Each year, boys secure places at a wide range of 

senior schools including Berkhamsted, Harrow, 

and St Albans. Considering the school’s small 

size, boys are awarded a high number 

of scholarships. 

The happiness and wellbeing of the boys is at 

the heart of Lockers Park - our teachers know 

what makes each boy tick and we encourage 

them to develop their passions. The family-like 

community – which actively involves parents 

– gives the school a special feel. All boys are 

encouraged to experience boarding and there’s a 

range of options available. 

Come and see how our purposefully small school 

could benefit your son; join us at our 15 October Open 

Morning and 21 October Stay and Play session. 

Berkhamsted planning update 

Dacorum Local Plan: A Dacorum Borough 

Council spokesperson told us: ‘A revised 

timetable for the Local Plan was presented to 

and approved by Cabinet in February 2022. 

A key factor to the delay of the Local Plan is 

due to the Habitats Regulations Assessment 

(HRA) – an important legal requirement for 

plan making. Work on the HRA to date has also 

resulted in some important changes to the way 

that the Council considers applications for new 

residential development in the borough. Further 

information on this can be found at 

www.dacorum.gov.uk/sac. 

‘There remains an expectation to consult on a 

revised draft of the Local Plan in 2023.’ 


Graham Greene Festival returns 

LOCAL 

23rd Graham Greene International 

Festival, Berkhamsted School, Thursday 29 

September–Sunday 2 October 2022 

Graham Greene is one of the most famous 

former residents of Berkhamsted, and to 

recognise and commemorate that, an annual 

festival was created. This year is the 23rd event 

where all things Graham Greene are celebrated 

over four days, with a stimulating mix of 

accessible 

talks, 

readings, and 

screenings. 

The eminent 

speakers from 

the UK and 

abroad pose 

intriguing 

questions 

about Greene 

and his life. 

Just four 

months after 

the Cuban 

Revolution 

Greene by Paul Hogarth 

in 1959, did the locals react nervously to the 

arrival of Carol Reed’s production team to shoot 

Our Man in Havana? Did rivals Ian Fleming 

and Graham Greene include common character 

types, plot directions and recurring symbols 

across their works? How would Greene 

have responded to the Cyber Age of criminal 

hackers, social media and cyber warfare? Do 

wicked characters like Pinkie in the novel and 

films of Brighton Rock have a resonance to the 

understanding of current-day murderers? Were 

Greene’s many drinking trips around Spain 

with his great friend Father Duran really just a 

cover for his espionage activities? 

Other highlights include a talk on Graham 

Greene plays, a repeat showing of a BBC Arena 

special on his early life, and a screening of 

the film Monsignor Quixote starring Alec 

Guinness and Leo McKern. 

The Festival is held over four days, mainly in 

Berkhamsted School where Greene grew up 

under his father, the headmaster. It is directed 

by Dr Christopher Hull. 

Details and tickets at 

www.grahamgreenebt.org. 



LOCAL FOCUS 


BerkoBeerFest is back 

The 7th Annual Berkhamsted Beer, Music 

and Comedy festival is back on 16-17 

September. This local community beer 

festival will showcase 24 craft keg and 24 cask 

beers from in and around the Chilterns, along 

with 16 real ciders. The festival also provides a 

platform for nine up-and-coming local bands 

on the Saturday, with a mix of covers and 

original songs. 

Friday night is comedy night with four 

renowned comedians headlined by Zoe Lyons. 

The range of food vendors and the beautiful 

setting of Berkhamsted Cricket Club make for a 

great day out. 

Details and tickets from https:// 

berkobeerfest.co.uk 

Get on board to shop 

Door2Store is an accessible community 

bus service that collects passengers 

from their home to take them to 

Waitrose in Berkhamsted on a fortnightly 

basis. The Berkhamsted schedule runs on a 

Wednesday and includes a stop in the café for a 

cup of tea. 

The cost is £5 per person for the return 

journey and the shoppers are supported by two 

volunteers to help them around the store if they 

need it and to carry their bags into their homes. 

It also runs two day trips per month to various 

locations including lunches, garden centres, 

stately homes, and theatre. 

Call 01442 212888 or email 

ctadmin@communityactiondacorum.org.uk. 

5 Riverside industrial estate, Billet Lane, Berkhamsted HP4 1HL 

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Dry, secure storage available 

call for details 

Keep your prestige car purring with a comprehensive and 

competitively priced service. Specialising in Jaguar & Landrover 

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• Full servicing 

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• MOT & tyre fitting 

• Vehicle storage

Canal Fields 

Play Area opens 

In case you missed it, the refurbished Canal 

Fields Play Area in Berkhamsted opened 

in August. 

The transformation has replaced tired old 

metal play equipment with modern wooden play 

structures including a castle, train and climbing 

frames. It includes a new sand pit and inclusive 

play equipment. New slides, swings and benches 

have also been installed. 

Save the date for 

Book Festival 

Berkofest Book Festival will take place at 

the Town Hall on Sunday 20 November 

from 11am-7pm. 

Confirmed authors so far include Henry 

Normal, Jenny Eclair, Pragya Agarwal and 

Claudia Hammond, Gaia Vince and Helen 

Czerski, and Robin Ince. 

Look out for updates at https://bookfestival. 

berkofest.com. 

Summer sounds 

This summer Tring 

Radio has been out and 

about at lots of events, 

most notably Tring Carnival 

where the sound system came 

along on a lorry (donated for 

the day by Chiltern Transport). 

The station has some new 

presenters and new shows including the What 

a Week chat show on Monday afternoons and a 

new Drum n Bass show (Bassology) coming soon 

on Saturday evenings. If you’d like Tring Radio 

to appear at your local event contact them via 

tringradio.co.uk where you’ll also find details of 

how to become a presenter. 

Public presentation on 

new hospital announced 

Would you like to have a 21st-century, 

patient-centred hospital, centrally 

located and easy to get to, on a clear 

site in West Hertfordshire? Then head to a public 

presentation at Berkhamsted Town Hall on 

Wednesday 14 September at 7:30pm, to find 

out more. 

As reported in our summer issue, the 

project designer and project manager for 

the ‘Outstanding’ CQC rated Hospice of St 

Francis, Gordon Yearwood, believes that all our 

healthcare services should and could be of a 

similar high standard. 

West Herts 21 Century Hospital Solution was 

formed as a non-profit organisation, to get real 

transformation in hospital services, through 

achieving a purpose-built, 21st century designed, 

patient-centred, acute general NHS Hospital 

(including A&E, maternity and planned surgery) 

for the people of West Hertfordshire, centrally 

located between St Albans, Watford and Hemel 

Hempstead. 

The Government has indicated that up to £590 

million could be provided for a ‘new’ hospital 

as part of its 40 new hospitals programme. 

But, says Gordon, local NHS senior staff want 

to spend £940 million building a tower block 

hospital, in the sloping car park area of the 

existing Watford General Hospital. 

To read the full story and learn how to make 

donations to progress this project, visit 

www.livingmags.info/public-presentationhospital-announced 

LOCAL 



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ADVERTISING FEATURE 

M oy mruo eka wyen f kro 

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We take the time to really know your 

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SJP12236e B1 (03/22)

SHOP LOCAL 

Here’s our 

selection of great 

things to buy in 

Berkhamsted, 

Tring and the 

villages 

01 

02 

03 

04 

05 

06 

07 

xx 

08 

01 

06 

10 

09 

16 / Berkhamsted Living

LOCAL 

12 

11 

Bailey & Sons - Berkhamsted 

01 Kit Heath Silver Necklace £98 

02 Tissot ‘Lovely’ Watch £255 

03 Two Tone Gold CZ Bracelet £285 

04 Silver Gold Plated Pearl Hoops £35 

Debbie Shrimpton Illustrates - 


05 Signed & Framed House Portraits £95 

Fancy That - Tring 

06 Italian Leather ‘camera’ bags from £40. 

Bag straps £10 

07 Sherlock Holmes 1000 piece puzzle £16 

08 Jellycat Hamish Hedgehog £54 

HouseThirteen - Tring 

09 Rise Ring Sterling Silver £42, 

Gold-Plate £50 

Notion Jewellery - Tring 

10 Sterling Silver Large Acorn and Oak Leaf 

Pendant with 18-inch chain £183. Other 

sizes available 

11 Sterling Silver Blackberry and Leaf 18-inch 

chain £128.50. Other sizes available 

Puddingstone Distillery - Tring 

12 PUD PUD Cacao Gin £36 

Tring Brewery 

13 Courtyard Vodka 700ml £37 

Contact advertising@livingmags.info 

to find out how you can promote your 

local seasonal products here. 

Whilst we have made every effort to ensure 

these details are correct, you must confirm 

directly with the retailer. 

Advertise 

with us... 

To reach over 

65,000 

local residents! 

Serving the community and supporting 

local businesses since 2001. 

Email: advertising@livingmags.info 

or telephone 01442 824300. 

13 

Please mention Berkhamsted Living when responding to adverts / Autumn 2022 / 17 

Quarter page house ad.indd 1 29/03/2022 17:06

Your apples... 

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and browse our produce 

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Alternatively, you can purchase our 

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Campfire Gins, limited edition gins, 

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distilled at our Tring distillery. 

Visit Puddingstone Distillery on Fridays & Saturdays 

and enjoy a try before you buy gin tasting. 

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D www.tringbrewery.co.uk

Sally_Aug22.indd 1 02/08/2022 17:06 

TRANSFORMING 

OUTSIDE SPACES 

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Oltco Plays its Part in Recycling the 

Equivalent of Over 200 Million Plastic 

Straws in Driveways Across the UK 

Oltco is the leading sustainable resin 

bound driveway company in the 

area, creating stunning driveway, 

patio, pathway, balcony and pool surround 

transformations for customers in the local towns 

and villages. 

Oltco came up with a unique solution to help 

tackle the issue of plastic waste littering the 

globe in 2019 and has used the equivalent of 200 

million plastics straws in Recycle Bound projects 

throughout the UK so far. 

Recycle Bound is made by mixing a stone 

blend, resin and recycled plastic. The recycled 

plastic is a combination of straws, plastic drink 

bottles and plastic food packaging from a plastic 

recycling point; each square metre of Recycle 

Bound consists of the equivalent of 3,000 plastic 

straws. Therefore, if Recycle Bound was laid on 

a standard 50 square metre drive, the equivalent 

of 150,000 plastic straws would be recycled in the 

process. 

Researchers have estimated that up to 12 

million tonnes of plastic ends up in the ocean 

every year, which is the equivalent of a rubbish 

truck emptying every minute. This ocean plastic 

then has a disastrous impact on the oceans’ 

inhabitants and wildlife. 

Oltco was inspired to develop the product 

after growing increasingly concerned about the 

devastating environmental impact plastic waste 

was having on the planet. 

Although mainly used on driveways, paths and 

patios for the domestic market, Recycle Bound 

has also been used on larger commercial projects 

including some of the UK’s leading hotels and 

attractions. 

Oltco’s Co-Director, Tom Stringer, said: 

“We have been thrilled by the response to 

Recycle Bound. Every member of our team 

has fully embraced it and it has proved hugely 

popular with our customers, both residential 

and commercial. The number of customers who 

are asking for it to be used on their driveways, 

patios and paths is growing all the time. It’s hard 

wearing, lasts for years and helps rid the world 

of the plastic waste. 

The issue of plastic waste has long been a 

concern for us here at Oltco, we see first-hand 

the impact it’s having on our beaches and wider 

environment. 

Recycle Bound has been hugely successful 

and we are grateful to all the individuals who 

have come on board in a bid to help us tackle the 

global issue of plastic waste. We are proud to 

have installed Recycle Bound in many areas.’’ 

For more information, or to arrange a free 

quote, please call the team on 0800 040 7795 or 

visit oltco.co.uk

FIRST 

SCHOOL STEPS 

What you need to consider when applying 

for a school place for the first time 

As the new school year begins, many of 

us will have an eye towards next 

September when our youngsters will 

be embarking on the school journey for the 

first time. While the excitement associated 

with seeing kids take their first big 

independent step is tangible, it can also be a 

stressful time for parents. 

So as the countdown begins towards final 

selection of places at the start of next year, 

here are some dos and don’ts for picking the 

right school for your little one. 

DO attend the open days. It’s easy to gloss 

over an establishment’s flaws when looking at 

a fancy brochure, which is why attending a 

school’s open day is essential (even though 

this is still arguably the best the place will 

ever look). Upon arriving, pay attention to 

how the school feels – what’s on the walls, 

how organised are the classrooms, are the 

teachers friendly and, if it’s a daytime 

opening, how engaged are the kids? 

DON’T be afraid to ask questions. Take the 

opportunity to ask teachers and pupils alike 

how they feel about the school, and don’t fret 

about being upfront with representatives 

regarding any nagging doubts you have. 

DO look for convenience. We may consider 

that selecting a school that’s a 10-minute walk 

away is acceptable, even when there’s an 

‘almost as good’ alternative three doors down. 

Yet when factoring in the walking speed of a 

four- or five-year-old, and the reality that you 

will be walking to and from the school twice 

each day (four legs, effectively), that 

10-minute walk could easily become an hour 

or more. For parents keen to return 

themselves to work and productivity while 

their children are in school, location and 

proximity are key factors. 

DON’T be taken in by cosmetic 

appearance. Schools come in all shapes, sizes 

and appearances. While the newer ones may 

look glossy, modern and straight from an 

architect’s brochure, it’s what goes on in the 

classroom, within the pages of books and 

inside the minds of our wonderful 

youngsters, that really counts. 

22 / Berkhamsted Living www.livingmags.info

DO pay attention to the Ofsted report and 

league tables. Official statistics will tell you 

test and exam results for the schools you’re 

looking at, offering a pretty reliable snapshot 

of how each is performing, while the Ofsted 

report will offer a broader understanding of 

how the curriculum is taught and the pupils’ 

overall wellbeing. 

But DON’T base your decision entirely on 

that. If an institute has an ‘outstanding’ 

Ofsted rating, but you’ve heard of bullying or 

disruption at the school, it’s important to bear 

both in mind. Similarly, if a school has a 

‘satisfactory’ rating but seems to have got its 

act together since the report, it may be worth 

giving it a second look. 

DO go with your heart. Whatever the facts 

and figures, the most important barometer is 

how you and your little one feel about the 

school, and that feeling normally comes from 

the heart. 

DON’T obsess over friends. While it’s 

tempting to want to surround our kids with 

the buddies they have made in pre-school and 

the local park, most childhood friendships are 

made when they start school. Our young ones 

are true social sponges and encouraging them 

to make new friends at every opportunity is 

only a good thing. 

DO show positivity and excitement above 

any apprehension. Your children will feed 

off the smallest scraps of emotion in what can 

be a nerve-wracking time, so when looking at 

school selection discuss the exciting things 

about each school that they will encounter as 

they make this big new step in their 

development. 

“Lockers Park prepares 

boys for success in the 

modern world.” 

Tatler Schools Guide 

LOCKERS PARK 

Stay & Play - 30th September and 21st October 

Accepting enquiries for our September 2023 and 2024 Reception class 

Excellent results Enthusiasm for life 

A purposefully small boarding prep school for boys aged 4-13 | Boxmoor, Hertfordshire

Spot 5 differences 

Racoon 

Fox 

Bear 

Hare 

Squirrel 

Deer 

Hedgehog 

Bird 

Snake 

Forest wordsearch 

Count how many animals you can see

Chesham 

Preparatory 

School 

Independent education for 

boys and girls aged 3 to 13 

OPEN MORNINGS 

Wednesday 5th October and Saturday 8th October 

RECEPTION PLACES AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 2022 

Register at www.cheshamprep.co.uk/open-day/ 

07884 058 795 

Professional Floor Care 

for your home or business 

CARPETS 

RUGS 

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RENOVATION 

www.greensofberkhamsted.com 

What our readers say: 

We moved to the area last 

September and really enjoy the 

Living Magazine - it has been so 

useful to see what is going on in 

the area and really helped us feel 

part of the community 

Rose 

BOOKING 

DEADLINES 

WINTER 2022 

BOOKING & NEWS DEADLINE 26-10-22 

DISTRIBUTION FROM 05-12-22 

SPRING 2023 



TO BOOK 

TELEPHONE: 

01442 824300

LOCAL 

HISTORY 

1 

LOCAL 

HISTORY 

The legacy of 

Capability Brown 

The legendary 18th century landscape designer Capability 

Brown has left his mark on a number of properties in the 

Chilterns - most notably the Ashridge Estate 

Even if you are not a keen gardener, you 

are bound to have heard of Lancelot 

‘Capability’ Brown. The influential 

18th century landscape designer worked on 

a number of significant estates around the 

country, including Ashridge. 

Capability Brown has been dubbed the 

‘Shakespeare of gardening’. He is supposed to 

have got this nickname by announcing that 

sites had ‘great capability’. 

In his early 20s, Capability Brown worked 

for Sir Richard Grenville at Wotton House, 

just west of Aylesbury, before moving to its 

larger sister estate at Stowe in 1741. Here he 

worked for Lord Cobham, on what was to 

become one of the greatest landscape gardens 

in the country. He became head gardener 

there and made a number of connections, 

thanks to Lord Cobham. He arrived at 

Ashridge in 1759, where he supervised 

the landscape work for the third Duke of 

Bridgewater - Francis, also known as the 

‘Canal Duke’ - for around nine or 10 years 

before becoming the Master Gardener at 

Hampton Court Palace in 1764. Here he 

carved out a role as King George III’s friend 

and confidante. 

There’s a number of features that identify 

a work of Capability Brown; probably best 

known are the carriage drives, which helped 

landowners to both inspect and show off 

their land to visitors. You’ll also often see 

“ 

Ashridge’s Golden Valley 

is considered one of his 

greatest projects, thanks 

to his clever design and 

its impressive view 

“ 


2 

acres of turf, large areas 

of water and a ‘ha-ha’ - a 

ditch that prevents animals 

from coming too close 

to the house, but offers 

uninterrupted views that 

hedging and walls would 

not allow. 

Brown’s vision was to 

create a naturalistic setting 

to surround the grand 

houses that he worked on 

(in all he carried out 170 commissions during 

his lifetime and is associated with a total 250 

gardens and estates), with both clumps of and 

scattered trees. He liked to get rid of existing 

garden features - and had even been known 

to relocate entire villages to achieve his 

desired effect! 

At Ashridge he wasn’t able to include all 

these features - the chalkland meant there 

was no existing water, so he couldn’t include 

any of his vast lakes. The Duke refused any 

proposed alterations to the straight-sided 

grass rides that cut through the estate woods, 

(which is why the Prince’s Riding and others 

are still there to this day). 

Brown did however clear much of the 

woodland around the house, leaving in its 

place copses (a much-wanted feature in a 

time when shooting game birds as a pastime 

was becoming particularly popular). But he 

wasn’t working with the house we know 

today; it was almost entirely rebuilt in the 

19th century, and then another well-known 

designer, Humphrey Repton, came in to 

redesign the gardens around the house. 

Repton purported to follow Brown in many 

ways, although the intricate designs here 

were in a quite different style. 

Ashridge’s Golden Valley, which sits to the 

north and east of the house, is considered one 

of Brown’s greatest projects, 

thanks to his clever design 

3 

and its impressive view. 

Originally a shallow wooded 

valley, he cleared the trees 

from the valley floor, leaving 

1. The Temple of Concord & Victory 

at the head of the Grecian Valley 

at Stowe 

© National Trust Images/ Andrew Baskott 

2. View looking south east from the 

Golden Valley. Ashridge Estate 

© National Trust Images/ Andrew Butler 

3. View looking north west from the 

Golden Valley. Ashridge Estate 


Please mention Berkhamsted Living when responding to adverts / Autumn 2022 / 27

Cows near the Golden Valley. 

Ashridge Estate 


LOCAL 

Park near Hertingfordbury, and HISTORY 

Beechwood Park near Markyate. 

Further away, you can see his work at 

Blenheim Palace. 

Find out more about Ashridge at 

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ashridge-estate 

those along the upper slopes. He also moved 

mountains of earth (by men using shovels, 

pickaxes and wheelbarrows), to create sloping 

and gentle bends. These make the valley 

appear as if it goes on endlessly, when in 

reality it only runs along a short distance. If 

you visit, for the best view, take a look back as 

you reach the northwestern end of the valley. 

Other spots around the Chilterns that 

benefited from Brown’s design include 

Moor Park near Rickmansworth, Cole Green 

Walk in Capability 

Brown’s footsteps 

Follow this 3.8 mile walk, which heads 

into the Golden Valley and takes in the 

view of Ashridge House. You may even 

see some fallow deer along the way. 

Walking trail 

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ashridgeestate/trails/trail-to-golden-valleyashridge

Why are Berkhamsted’s ladies 

heading for the golf club? 

Berkhamsted’s women have gone golf-mad 

– and it’s all because of the golf club on 

the common at the top of the hill. 

Twice a week, on Monday mornings and 

Saturday afternoons, a group gathers at 

Berkhamsted Golf Club under the kindly eyes 

of PGA Professional golf instructors John Clarke 

and Joe Biggs. 

Most are total newcomers to the game, and the 

lessons are free, as they are subsidised by the 

golf club itself. 

But why? 

Some say for the social life. Others for mental 

well-being, and still more for what the fresh air 

and exercise does for your body. And everybody 

can agree – the 10,000+ steps needed to complete 

a round of golf, and the 1,000+ calories which it 

burns off, are numbers which we are all happy to 

get behind these days! 

John Clarke has been helping women to take 

their first steps in golf for over twenty years, 

and Joe Biggs has made a huge impact on the 

club since joining as Head Professional in the 

summer of 2021. 

“A group of women who are complete 

beginners is the best-possible group to teach” 

said Biggs. “They have no existing bad habits; 

they simply want to get started, and get better.” 

The Ladies Academy at Berkhamsted Golf Club, 

is currently running at over two dozen learners 

and is run by the club’s ladies’ section. 

With social events and a buddy system 

designed to make newcomers as comfortable as 

possible about “becoming a golfer”, the Academy 

is designed to make the learning experience 

as un-intimidating as possible. And as people 

improve, it organises fun competitions and 

access to the golf course itself – which people 

can then join as full members once they reach a 

certain standard of play. 

But there’s no hurry. 

Berkhamsted is one of the country’s most 

progressive golf clubs when it comes to 

encouraging women to take up golf. It recently 

signed up to the national Women In Golf 

Charter, created by the sport’s rules-makers 

the R&A, and in April 2022 the club’s worldrenowned 

Berkhamsted Trophy tournament for 

elite golfers welcomed female competitors for 

the first time – an unprecedented step forward 

for top-level amateur golf. 

Counted among England’s top 100 golf courses, 

the golf club which for well over a century has been 

the custodian of the public land on Berkhamsted 

Common is also one of the most beautiful places 

in Hertfordshire to spend some time. 

“Come and join us for a coffee and a chat 

any time” said the club’s Lady Captain Fiona 

Foy. “We’re exploding as many of the myths 

about golf as we can. It’s a friendly sport, very 

accessible these days, and most of all it’s fun and 

very rewarding!” 

Contact Berkhamsted Golf Club on 01442 

865832 / www.berkhamstedgolfclub.co.uk 


THE EIGHTIES FASHION 

REVIVAL 

The era that provoked a fashion and music revolution is being 

celebrated right now, and it’s not too late to jump on the 

fashion trend of the year – Eighties revival! 

All that glitters is not gold 

In fact it can be silver, blue, pink, vermillion, 

turquoise, or any colour as long as the overall 

look is drop-dead fabulous. Think feathers, 

sequins and of course, Lamé. With such 

ostentation however, it’s still important to 

keep this look modern, so choose a sleek and 

slinky silhouette, keep makeup natural and go 

easy on the accessories. 

Give winter the cold shoulder 

Reviving the classic Eighties asymmetric look, 

and proving that those were simpler times, 

one perfectly exposed clavicle would always 

do. Keep it current by choosing muted colours 

and going for a structural statement rather 

than anything flouncy or frilly. 

The power pose 

Women may have been able to vote for 100 

years, but the power suit only became a thing 

in the Eighties. Not just for important board 

meetings; worn right the perfect suit will take 

you from the office to the dancefloor, and 

looks good in almost every colour. 

While the structure of the power suit hasn’t 

changed – broad shoulder, slender waist, big 

impact – the overall feel is more feminine, with 

a silky blouse or underlayer and killer heels. 

Be the prom queen once again 

Why not roll back the years with the latest 

incarnations of the tulle skirt, albeit with 

perhaps a touch sultrier sophistication than 

would have been played out in the era of Pepsi 

and Shirlie. Keep it short and punky or long 

and elegant, just don’t over accessorise. 

Padding it out 

Shoulder pads are back in fashion with the 

classic Eighties accentuation possibly having 

shown to reach its peak with this bold, 

horizontal look. 

Yes, the comparisons with American 

Football player silhouettes will always be 

there, but the shoulder pads actually served as 


a really smart, artificial boost to women with 

small frames who just wanted to show a bit 

more of themselves to the world. And thanks 

to the Eighties revival, they now can again! 

HEALTH & BEAUTY 

Bodysuits 

The versatility of the bodysuit means it’s a 

piece for any occasion. It is a tight, 

comfortable and versatile foundation piece 

that looks sleek, either in accentuating a 

slight frame or being used as a bottom layer 

for a larger jacket or puffy top. 

Bodysuits look best when worn with 

wide-leg trousers or even a flowy skirt – the 

tightness of the top half and the carefree 

movement of the lower half works in perfect 

complement, for a classic Eighties look. 

Restorative wellbeing treatments, 

reflexology and meditation 

Scan this code to find out more and book your 

treatment, or visit chamomiletherapies.com 

Find me at: Hazel Meacher Acupuncture and Wellness 

clinic, Dower Mews, Berkhamsted HP4 2BL 

Love a glove 

Gloves seemed to define a coolness of the 

Eighties. From Michael Jackson to acid house, 

the glove was a music moniker that 

permeated through to the high street, and 

they were back again in the summer, proving 

fashion over function truly exists! 

Legging it 

Finally, a nod to the legwarmers of the 

Eighties. While these had been around before 

the decade that changed fashion forever, their 

recent revival shows they have evolved, 

largely with different fabrics and shades. 

Once just the domain for professional 

dancers and workout queens looking to avoid 

cramp, they are perfectly repurposed for 2022. 

“ 

Bodysuits look best when worn 

with wide-leg trousers or even 

a flowy skirt – the tightness of 

the top half and the carefree 

movement of the lower half 

works in perfect complement, 

for a classic Eighties look 

“ 


Online Classical 

Guitar Lessons 

with Don Adam Perera 

Beginner - advanced • All ages welcome 

Professional and experienced classical guitarist 

with BMus and MMus. 

£20 per half hour 

Please text: 0789 456 2150 

or email: donadamperera@gmail.com 

What our readers say: 

Having lived in Berkhamsted for 15 years I 

think I know the town pretty well. But from 

every issue of Berkhamsted Living I learn 

something new! It’s packed full of ideas, 

stories, insights and inspiration. Every time it 

arrives I settle down with a cuppa and find out 

what’s going on in this fantastic town that I’m 

lucky to live in. 

Caroline 

BOOKING 

DEADLINES 




SPRING 2023 



TO BOOK 

TELEPHONE: 

01442 824300 

COMPETITION 

Win tickets to Grand Designs Live! 

Living Magazines have teamed up with Grand Designs 

Live to give you the chance to win a pair of tickets to the 

UK’s leading contemporary home show. 

Hosted by TV presenter and design guru Kevin 

McCloud, Grand Designs Live will run over five days 

from 5-9 October 2022 at NEC Birmingham. 

The year’s event is set to include exciting new exhibitors 

and features, which will join the long running favourites 

that have cemented the show as the go-to event for the 

thousands of visitors who have walked through the doors 

before. Whether you want to build or renovate your own home or simply redecorate a room, you’ll find 

plenty of brilliant ideas and inspiration. 

To enter, answer the question below at www.livingmags.info/competitions by 21 September 2022. 

What is the name of the presenter of the Grand Designs TV show? 

We have five pairs of tickets up for grabs - valid for 5, 6, 7 October 2022 only. Terms & Conditions apply. 

Refer to website for details. 

For more information visit Grand Designs Live - www.granddesignslive.com 

Recent winners: West Leith Farm Alpaca Experience: Rachel Kempster. 

Donna Ashcroft book: Sophie Edwards, Yvonne Thomas. Six tickets: Ross Asquith

Advertise 

with us... 

To reach over 

65,000 


TRING 

PILATES 

STUDIO 

Fully equipped Pilates Studio 

based in the centre of Tring. 

Highly qualified instructors have first-hand 

experience of how Pilates can help with: 

• Posture correction 

• Dance 

• Pain management 

• Rehabilitation 

• Pre and Post-natal 

• Extreme Sports 

• Increased 

functionality 

• General Fitness 

The Instructor to client ratio is 1:3 

1:1 sessions available 

Mat classes. 





01442 890214 

studio@tringpilates.co.uk 

www.tringpilates.co.uk 

Tring Pilates Studio 

66-68 Akeman Street 

Tring HP23 6AF

KEEP WARM 

THIS WINTER 

Quality hardwoods from sustainable 

sources. Ideal for log burners & open fires. 

Bagged or by the load – you decide. 

All our products have been certified 

as READY TO BURN. 

FREE LOCAL 

DELIVERY 

LOG STACKING 

SERVICE 

WE ALSO SUPPLY COAL 

07735 406268 

01442 843612 

email: berkhamstedlogs@hotmail.co.uk 

www.berkhamstedlogs.co.uk 

Cross Keys Farm | Dagnall | HP4 1QX 

BERKHAMSTED 

LOGS 

QUALITY FIREWOOD 

DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR 

BERKO LOGS HALF - AUT 2021.indd 1 30/07/2021 14:21

RECIPE 

TIRAMISU 

This quick and easy 

Northern Italian 

dessert is made with 

a creamy mascarpone 

filling, coffee-dunked 

ladyfingers and finished 

with a dusting of cocoa 

This recipe comes from Tring’s 

Nonna’s Pantry, where you can 

find authentic ingredients so 

you can create your own delicious 

tiramisu at home. They say: ‘A 

traditional recipe involves no alcohol, 

however it’s a modern addition that 

we love. You can use our Amaretto or 

Vin Santo del Chianti dessert wine to 

give your tiramisu a richer flavour.’ 

You will need 

• 500g mascarpone* 

• 24 ladyfinger biscuits (one 

packet)* 

• 230ml strong-brewed coffee* 

• 3 tbsp grated dark chocolate 

• 4 egg yolks 

• 3 egg whites 

• 6 tbsp sugar 

• 4 tbsp Amaretto or Vin Santo 

dessert wine (optional) 

• 1tbsp cocoa powder 

* ingredients that can be found 

in Nonna’s Pantry 

You will also need a dish that 

is roughly 8 x10 inches to 

make this, but you can use 

more or less ladyfingers to 

accommodate the size of 

the dish. 

Method 

1. To begin, divide the egg whites and yolk into 

two separate bowls, and add 3 tbsp sugar to 

each (we’d recommend using soft light brown 

sugar for a caramel flavour if you are not using 

alcohol in your recipe; but any sugar works 

regardless). Whisk the egg whites until they 

are stiff and glossy. 

2. Moving on to the egg yolks, whisk those until 

pale and thick. 

3. Next add the mascarpone to the yolks and mix 

to make a smooth cream. 

4. One third at a time, gently fold the egg whites 

into the mascarpone mixture. 

5. In a shallow bowl, dip the ladyfingers into 

the coffee for about 2-3 seconds, making sure 

to soak both sides. If you’re adding alcohol, 

mix with the coffee before dunking the 

ladyfingers. 

6. Lay half of the ladyfingers in your dish to make 

an even layer. 

7. Now add half of the mascarpone mixture over 

the biscuits, making an even layer, and top 

with the grated dark chocolate. 

8. Continue with another layer of ladyfingers, 

and top again with the mascarpone, as you 

have previously done. 

9. Dust with cocoa powder to finish, and leave to 

rest in the fridge for roughly 6-8 hours before 

serving. 

Buon Appetito! 

Made by Mia Stevenson 


BOOKS 

The 

latest 

books from 

our local 

and regional 

authors 

A mixed selection of reads from or about the local area 

The Feather Thief: Beauty, Obsession and the 

Natural History Heist of the Century! 

by Kirk W Johnson 

This is a slight diversion from our normal book reviews, which generally feature 

local authors. Our publisher Alison was intrigued by this title and had been 

wanting to read The Feather Thief for some time. She writes: 

This is a fascinating insight into the mania of exotic birds and feathers of 

the Victorian era combined with the obsession and the art of fly-tying, and in 

particular of salmon flies. 

The story covers the very real crime of the greatest feather robbery of all time, 

and from the Natural History Museum in Tring. 

Before buying the book, I had no idea whether the heading was fact or fiction, but I was absolutely 

hooked (if you’ll forgive the pun) from page one – it makes for compulsive reading, you’ll romp through it! 

Goldfinches, Daffodils and Sunshine 

By Maria Oliver 

Yoga teacher Maria has come up with a clever way to help children 

focus on their mental health and wellbeing. The book is a collection 

of relaxation scripts, inspired by observing nature on daily lockdown 

walks, and designed to spark children’s imagination. It also includes 

techniques to help boost self esteem and connect with trusted adults. 

Children will be transported on the back of a dragon, under the sea 

alongside merpeople, or up into the clouds. 

Maria teaches yoga to adults, expectant and new mums, and 

children in and around Hemel Hempstead. 

From A Hard Place To A Rock 

By Timandra Slade 

Accounts from World War Two often focus on the ‘big events’. The evacuation 

of Dunkirk is well documented, but less is known about the regiments who 

defended the outer perimeter. These brave men fought the German onslaught, 

while sacrificing their own chances of evacuation. Many paid with their lives, or 

were forced to surrender. This fascinating book tells the story of four officers of 

the British Expeditionary Force who were captured and then escaped, making a 

perilous journey through Spain, France and Gibraltar to try to make it home. Told 


through accounts and letters and with sketches and photos, it’s a tale of courage and determination that 

deserves to be shared. 

Timandra lives in Chesham. She found a briefcase containing details of her father’s wartime escape - 

and here she brings to life his extraordinary story. 

Techniques in Painting: Learning from 

the Dutch Masters 

By Brigid Marlin 

This beautifully illustrated book by accomplished artist and lecturer 

Brigid Marlin brings to life the techniques used by the Dutch 

Masters from the Golden Age and shows artists how they can use 

them in contemporary works. 

Brigid demonstrates how to use the techniques of Rembrandt 

when painting a portrait, using step-by-step images to show how her 

portrait comes together, as well as creating a still life using multiple 

glazes and white egg tempura in the style of Jan Van Eyck. She offers 

an exercise in using the art of imagination, inspired by Hieronymous 

Busch, and shows how contemporary artists have used the techniques in their painting. 

For practised students it includes techniques and advice in using materials and methods in your work - 

but for the less artistic of us, it is a fascinating insight into the work of the Old Masters. Anyone who has 

wandered a gallery wondering ‘how did they do that’ will find this an inspiring and informative read. 

Brigid lives in Berkhamsted and her work is included in many important collections including: the 

House of Lords, Westminster; National Portrait Gallery, London; the National Museum for American 

Artists and Illustrators and Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art. 

Before You Go and The Mother’s Secret 

By Clare Swatman 

If you enjoyed Clare’s latest Book How to Save a Life (reviewed in our last issue) 

you might be interested to know that two of her books are being re-released and 

can now be pre-ordered. 

Before You Go tells the tale of Zoe and Ed. After meeting at college and having 

a whirlwind romance, their lives travel on separate, parallel paths, but always 

destined to meet. When love does finally strike, Zoe and Ed are sure they will be 

together forever. 

Then the unthinkable happens – Ed dies and Zoe is 

left facing a lifetime of what-ifs and could-have-beens. But what if Zoe had the 

chance to change Ed’s destiny… 

In The Mother’s Secret, sisters Georgie and Kate have always been close. 

Brought up by their mum Jan after the death of their father, this family of 

women have always been able to rely on each other. 

But secrets have a nasty habit of refusing to stay hidden, and the sisters 

are about to discover that while lies can cause pain, the truth could destroy 

them all. 

Clare is a former editor of Berkhamsted Living and lives in the town with 

her family. 

Local authors! Let us know about your book releases. Email editorial@livingmags.info 


AUTUMN 

REVIVAL 

How to revive your garden 

after the long hot summer 

If you think you suffer from the heat as 

far as summer goes, think how that 

sun-baked garden fares without even so 

much as a dash of sun lotion. 

Of course, any knowledgeable gardener will 

tell you it’s better to take action to protect 

your flora while the sun is out, but hindsight 

is a wonderful thing, and if by the time you 

get to late summer you realise the damage has 

already been done, there are at least a few 

techniques that will begin the restoration 

process for your beloved garden. 

Following the guidelines below will give 

your green space a chance to repair before the 

bareness of autumn and shivering 

sensibilities of winter bring about altogether 

different challenges! 

So take an organised route to regular 

hydration in the garden, and gradually bring 

things back to life. 

Nothing but a dirty grass 

Remove debris and dust to make the land as 

ready for replenishment as possible, with 

simple clearing away of organic residue 

exposing the ground to moisture and sunlight 

aplenty. And if you have a composting area 

then all these swept-away bits can be used to 

bolster what will become a fertile store that 

can be then reintroduced into your flower 

beds and earth areas. 

Cut back to move forward 

The more you mow, trim and prune, the 

quicker your greenery will spring back to life, 

so while a worthy exercise for the flora and 

fauna of your garden, you’ll undoubtedly feel 

enthused and enlightened at the renewed 

space you’ve created. 

First-class fertiliser 

The best way to boost growth where your 

living matter is concerned is with an 

approved, high-quality fertiliser. 

Research well and choose a fertiliser that 

matches your environmental conscience, 

remembering not to apply until growth is 

already well on its way, or you’ll simply end 

up scorching the earth. 

Starting afresh 

And of course, the best way to get your garden 

humming again is to invest in it. 

Consider plants, flowers and other 

additions that will suit the rustic autumn 

season to come. 

Water water water 

It’s the fuel that keeps your plants alive - 

water will stimulate stems, fire up flowers 

and galvanise grass, but moderation is the 

key, and as we’ve all experienced in the past, 

overwatering is just as bad as underwatering. 

38 / Berkhamsted Living

VELVET 

DREAMS 

midnight blue, forest green and 

mustard add sophistication and 

warmth. 

People with kids and pets ought to 

stick to the darker end of the 

spectrum, or perhaps choose to use 

velvet in areas that are less accessible to 

those who might damage it. 

Once again, velvet is the 

fabric of the season, but 

like all interior trends, it’s 

important you get the perfect 

balance for your home 

Simple appeal 

Velvet is the timeless material that patterns 

and makes perfect such a range of items, 

despite having a largely streamlined appeal 

– the way it feels. 

Regardless of the fact that what most of us 

admire about the fabric is simply that 

sensation on our hands, there is a deeper 

sensual nature about velvet. It also adds 

warmth, offers a depth of colour, and paints a 

subtle luxuriousness to any home. 

Perhaps what stands out most about velvet 

though is its ability to cross over so many 

different moods and styles. It is timeless in its 

appeal and can look as good in a stately home 

as it does in a trendy nightclub! 

Following the trend 

The main consideration is colour – too much 

scarlet or purple velvet and you might feel 

trapped in some eternal cabaret; but lilac, 

Furniture and flashes 

In terms of the items that showcase velvet 

best, most people will automatically think 

about a classically styled sofa or chaise longue. 

Complemented with velvet cushions using 

contrasting colours, you can turn a simple 

sofa into a statement piece in the room. 

In addition, velvet bed frames and 

banquettes are available in a range of very 

modern styles, and can add a real touch of 

class to the bedroom in the right shade. 

Alternatively, feel free to play around with 

flashes of the fabric here and there, either 

with curtains or lampshades, or even just a 

very subtle velvet trim. 

You could also combine the look with 

the current texture trend. Think leather 

sofas with velvet cushions, wooden beds 

with linen sheets and velvet throws, or 

a stone mantlepiece adorned with quilted 

photo frames. 

Maintenance 

While velvet is made with the use of vertical 

yarn and takes multiple steps to produce, 

there is a common misconception that it’s 

difficult to maintain. 

In most cases though, looking after it is as 

easy as any other fabric. That means mopping 

up any spillages as soon as they happen (and 

definitely not letting them sink into the cloth 

base), vacuuming with a sofa brush to work 

away dust and any dried-in crumbs, and 

using light steam to bring fibres back to life. 

Also consider if a part of your velvet sofa 

will take in more sunlight than another part, 

as the fabric is susceptible to fading. 


WHAT’S ON 

WWW.LIVINGMAGS.INFO FOR DAILY UPDATES 

MONDAY 5 SEP 

Fundraisers: DENS 

STEPtember 

Step up to the challenge of 

10,000 steps a day through 

September and raise money 

to help local people facing 

homelessness. www.dens. 

org.uk 

TUESDAY 6 SEP 

Theatre: Avenue Q 

7.30pm. To 10 Sep. A musical 

comedy featuring puppets and 

human actors with music and 

lyrics. Book by Jeff Whitty. 

courttheatre.co.uk 

WEDNESDAY 7 SEP 

Business: Tring Together 

Netwalking 

9.30am. Join BusinessMart and 

walk around Tring Park whilst 

you network. Dogs welcome. 

Register via email. vivianne@ 

tringtogether.org.uk 

Sport: Ashridge Golf Day 

18 holes on this prestigious 

course followed by a delicious 

three-course meal and live 

auction. www.stfrancis.org.uk 

FRIDAY 9 SEP 

ALWAYS CHECK with the event organiser beforehand. 

Opening times and restrictions may vary. If you would like to 

include your event in future magazines complete the form at: 

www.livingmags.info/submit-event. 

Fairs / Festivals: Heritage 

Open Days 

To 18 Sep. Celebrating our 

local communities and stories 

Berkhamsted Mind Body 

Spirit Show 10 September 

with both digital and in-person 

events. berkhamsted-history. 

org.uk 

Arts & Crafts: Berkhamsted 

Arts 

The Berkhamsted Art 

Trust’s 2022/23 season 

gets underway, promoting 

numerous arts events. www. 

berkhamstedartstrust.org.uk 

SATURDAY 10 SEP 

Markets & Sales: Tring 

Farmers Market 

Market Place, Brook Street, 

9am-12.30pm. 2nd and 4th 

Saturday of each month. www. 

tringfarmersmarket.co.uk 

Fairs / Festivals: Berkhamsted 

Mind Body Spirit Show 

Civic Centre, 11-5pm. Features: 

1-1 readings, holistic therapies, 

self-help and spiritual advice, 

crystals, arts & crafts, jewellery, 

healthy living products, talks and 

workshops. www.deerspirit.co.uk 

Music: Dixie Mix Jazz 

BJazz at the Civic Centre, 

Berkhamsted, 8pm. Dixieland 

jazz from a well established 

touring Sextet. www.bjazz.org 

SUNDAY 11 SEP 

Exhibitions: Pitstone Green 

Museum Open Day 

Enjoy a fantastic day out at an 

old Victorian farm now run by 

volunteers as a museum, with 

over 40 exhibits to suit all ages 

and tastes. Open the second 

Sunday each month and Bank 

Holiday Mondays. 

www.pitstonemuseum.co.uk 

Fundraisers: Chilterns 3 Peaks 

challenge for Rennie Grove 

Four route options are available 

from 6.5 to 18 miles, with all 

routes starting from Princes 

Risborough school. 

renniegrove.org 

Fundraisers: Ashridge Garden 

Party 

From dog shows to beer tents, 

there is something for everyone. 

www.stfrancis.org.uk 

TUESDAY 13 SEP 

Business: Tring BusinessMart 

Breakfast 

8am. Join the friendly 

BusinessMart networking group. 

www.tringtogether.org.uk 


Business: BDCC Networking 

Breakfast. 

Berkhamsted Cricket Club, 

7.15-9.30am. www.berkhamstedchamber.co.uk 

Talks: West Herts 21 Century 

Hospital Solution 

Berkhamsted Town Hall. Public 

presentation on proposals for the 

new hospital. gordonyearwood@ 

aol.com 

THURSDAY 15 SEP 

Comedy: Tom Allen Work in 

Progess 

Tom Allen is heading back on the 

road, warming up new material 

ahead of his brand new tour. 

www.get-stuffed.biz 

Music: Music Networking 

Evening 

Come along to find out ‘all things 

music’ happening in Tring and 

how you can be a part of it. 

Trish@tringtogether.org.uk 

Music: The Incredible Blues 

Puppies 

Blues Bar, Tring. 8.30pm. www. 

bluesbartring.co.uk 

FRIDAY 16 SEP 

Fundraisers: Welsh Three 

Peaks 

To 18 Sep. An epic adventure, 

creating precious memories 

and embracing the breathtaking 

scenery of Pen Y Fan, Cadair 

Idris and Snowdon. stfrancis. 

org.uk 

Film: Tring Cinema 

Nora Grace Hall. Doors 

8pm, film tba 8.30pm. www. 

tringcinema.com 

Fairs/Festivals: Berkhamsted 

Beer, Music & Comedy 

Festival 

Showcasing craft and cask 

beers, local bands and a comedy 

night with four renowned 

comedians headlined by Zoe 

Lyons. https://berkobeerfest. 

co.uk/ 


Fairs / Festivals: Herts Big 

Day Out 

To 14 Oct. Herts Big Weekend 

is back for 2022, now known 

as the Herts Big Day Out. 

hertsbigdayout.co.uk 

Walks: A Walk on the Chalk - 

Dunstable Downs 

9.30am-1pm. £5. Part of the 

5th Annual Chilterns Heritage 

Festival. chilternsociety.org.uk 

Fairs / Festivals: Chilterns 

Heritage Festival 

To 2 Oct. This festival of 

experiences promises 

something for everyone to 

enjoy. chilternsociety.org.uk 

Kids|Music: Tring Chamber 

Music Relaxed Family 

Friendly Concert 

Hastoe Village Hall 3-4pm. 

Francesca, Becky and Annabelle 

(The Lawson Trio) invite you 

and your family to a relaxed fun 

and interactive concert specially 

for children of primary school 

age. Enjoy a journey which 

explores the amazing sounds 

of violin cello and piano. www. 

tringchambermusic.co.uk 

Comedy: Seann Walsh 

With his extended ‘Back from 

the Bed’ tour. www.get-stuffed.biz

An outstanding Independent 

Prep School for boys and girls 

aged 3-13 years 

OPEN MORNING 

Saturday 1st October, 2022 

9:30am – 12:30pm 

Contact: 01442 256143 

www.westbrookhay.co.uk 

London Road, Hemel Hempstead HP1 2RF

SUNDAY 18 SEP 

Markets & Sales: Berkhamsted 

Farmers Market 

High Street, Berkhamsted, 10am- 

2pm. 3rd Sunday of every month. 

www.facebook.com/berkofm 

Music: Tring Chamber Music 

Summer Season - Three Plus 

One 

Hastoe Village Hall, 7.30pm. £20 

Under 18’s £10. Brahms great C 

minor Piano Quartet, music by 

Rebecca Clarke and Moszkowski 

with the Lawson Piano Trio 

(Francesca Barritt violin, Rebecca 

Knight cello. Annabelle Lawson 

piano) Paul Barritt, violin and 

viola. www.tringchambermusic. 

co.uk 

MONDAY 19 SEP 

Film: Belfast 

Berkhamsted Civic Centre, 

8pm. Also Tues 20. www. 

berkhamstedfilmsociety.co.uk 


Talks: Ashridge House 

High Street Baptist Church 

Tring, 8pm. With 700 years of 

fascinating history, there’s a 

palpable sense of heritage at 

the heart of Ashridge House. 

tringlocalhistorymuseum.org.uk 


Arts & Crafts: Evening Draw 

and Explore 

7-9pm. £15. Find out about 

the fascinating history of the 

specimens in a 30-minute gallery 

tour. Then take time to get 

inspired by the specimens and 

draw them. Suitable for adults. 

www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/tring 

FRIDAY 23 SEP 

Music: The Dung Beatles 

This show will celebrate the 

60th Anniversary of the Beatles’ 

first single release ‘Love me do’. 



Fundraisers: Dog Show 

Dudswell. Bring your dog 

along and enjoy a fun-filled day 

guaranteed to get their tails 

wagging! www.stfrancis.org.uk 

Music: Nica and the Jazz Divas 

Hastoe Village Hall. Music will 

be provided by the jazz septet 

The Shoe Horns. 01442 827702 

Arts & Crafts: Berkhamsted 

Live Goes Green 

Berkhamsted Civic Centre, 7.30- 

9pm. Music by Hanging Bandits, 

Open Door Ukulele Band, 

Richard & Chloe from Goodlife 

Vintage, Leslie Tate MC. lstate@ 

btinternet.com 

Music: 90s Indie Night 

For one night only the Common 

People DJs will be playing your 

fave ‘90s tunes. From Blur to 

Beck, Pulp to The Chemical 

Brothers, Oasis to The Prodigy, 

Primal Scream to The Cure. 


SUNDAY 25 SEP 

Exhibitions: Classic and 

Special Interest Car Show 

Dudswell 11am-4pm. Classic Car 

Show. stfrancis.org.uk 



International Graham Greene 

Festival 

To 2 Oct. 23rd Graham Greene 

International Festival. www. 

grahamgreenebt.org 

FRIDAY 30 SEP 

Fundraisers: Firewalk 

St Mary’s Close, Hemel Old 

Town, from 6.30pm. Community 

Action Dacorum are looking 

for brave people to walk across 

burning hot red embers! www. 

communityactiondacorum.org/ 

firewalk-fundraiser 

Fundraisers: Hospice Coffee 

Morning 

10.30am-12noon, last Friday of 

the month. 01442 869550 

Markets & Sales: 

Berkhamsted Book Fair 

Court House, Berkhamsted, 

10am-4pm. 01442 862011 

Fairs / Festivals: Tring 

Apple Fayre 

To 31 Oct. Tring’s Own 

Apple Fayre returns. Core 

apple dates Sun 2 Oct: 

Apple Day at Jeacock’s 

Orchard; Sat 8 Oct: special 

Tring Farmers Market with 

the Pippin High Street Parade 

and scarecrow competition. 

www.facebook.com/ 

TringsOwnAppleFayre 

Fairs / Festivals: Aylesbury 

Mind Body Spirit Wellbeing 

Show 

Grange School, 11-5pm. Meet 

experts in spirituality, holistic, 

psychic & mediumship, selfhelp 

& healthy living. Crystals, 

art & crafts, wellbeing products. 

Talks & workshops. www. 

deerspirit.co.uk 

Music: Peter Long Quintet 


Berkhamsted, 8pm. Swinging 

jazz made famous by the 

legendary Benny Goodman 

quintet in the 1940s & 50s. 

www.bjazz.org 

MONDAY 3 OCT 

Film: Berkhamsted Film 

Society 




WEDNESDAY 5 OCT 

Kids: Open Mornings 

Chesham Preparatory School, 

9-11am Also Sat 8 Oct, 9-11.30am. 

With tours of schools and 

opportunity to speak to class 

and specialist teachers. www. 

cheshamprep.co.uk 

Talks: Robin Ince - 

Bibliomaniac 

Join Robin Ince - he’s promoting 

the very book that he’s written 

following the last bookshop tour! 

www.tringbookfestival.co.uk 

THURSDAY 6 OCT 

Music: East West Maxwell 

Street 

Blues Bar Tring, 8.30pm. www. 


FRIDAY 7 OCT 

Fundraisers: Slip into Slippers 

With your help, Age UK Dacorum 

can highlight the needs of older 

people and raise vital funds to 

support its services. www.ageuk. 

org.uk/dacorum 

SATURDAY 8 OCT 

Exhibitions: Dolls House 

Miniatures Exhibition 

Wilstone Village Hall 11am-4pm. 

See what club members have 

accomplished in the last three 

very unusual years! In aid of 

Cancer Research. helen24@ 

talktalk.net 

Music: Gould Piano Trio 

Berkhamsted Civic Centre 

7.30pm, £20. Fanny Mendelssohn, 

Judith Weir, Tchaikovsky. www. 

berkhamstedmusic.co.uk 

SUNDAY 9 OCT 

Fundraisers: Rennie Grove 

Herts 10k 

10k race raising funds to provide 

specialist care and support for adults 

and children with a life-limiting 

illness. www.herts10k.com 

MONDAY 10 OCT 

Film: Dream Horse 




Tring Chamber Music Summer 

Season - Three Plus One 


Fundraisers: Open Door 

Repair Café 

Open Door Berkhamsted. 

First Saturday of each 

month, 9.30am-12.30pm. 

Bring along your broken 

items and let the experts take a 

look, in exchange for a donation. 

opendoorberkhamsted.co.uk 

Aylesbury Mind Body Spirit Wellbeing Show 1st October 


TUESDAY 11 OCT 

Fundraisers: The Pepper 

Show 2022 

Court Theatre, Tring, 7.45pm. 

Sat matinee 2pm. To 15 Oct. A 

fabulous night of live music 

performed by a wealth of local 

talent. www.pepper.org.uk 


Business: Tring 

BusinessMart Networking 

Evening 

Tring Winery, 6pm. Come and 

network with local businesses 

in a friendly and comfortable 

setting. www.tringtogether. 

org.uk 

FRIDAY 14 OCT 

Music: Ma Bessie & Her 

‘Pigfoot’ Band 

Tring Church. 8pm. Classic 

blues and jazz from the 

Empress of Blues. www. 


SUNDAY 16 OCT 

Fundraisers: Mud Pack 

Challenge 

After two years, The Hospice of 

St Francis Mud Pack Challenge 

returns in all its mucky glory! 

stfrancis.org.uk 

TUESDAY 18 OCT 

Exhibitions: Sexuality and 

Gender in the Animal 

Kingdom 

Natural History Museum, 

7-8pm. Evening LGBTQ+ gallery 

tour to uncover the range of 

different animal behaviours 

from homosexuality in dolphins 

to sexual acts to defuse 

tension. Suitable for adults. 

www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/tring 

WEDNESDAY 19 OCT 


Lunch 

Venue TBC. 12.30-2.30pm. 

www.berkhamsted-chamber. 

co.uk 


Music: The Alex Hamilton 

Band 




Music: Howard Alden Trio 


Berkhamsted, 8pm. From 

the USA, one of the world’s 

leading jazz guitarists leads a 

trio performing a mixture of 

standards and originals. 

www.bjazz.org 

MONDAY 24 OCT 

Film: Parallel Mothers 


8pm. Also Tues 25. Nonmembers 

£5 at door. www. 


FRIDAY 28 OCT 

Film: Tring Cinema 

Nora Grace Hall. Doors 8pm, 

film 8.30pm. www.tringcinema. 

com 

SUNDAY 30 OCT 

Theatre: Nativity! The 

Musical 

At Waterside Theatre Aylesbury 

in aid of Florence Nightingale 

Hospice Charity www. 

fnhospice.org.uk 

THURSDAY 3 NOV 

Music: The Shufflepack 

Blues Bar, Tring. 8.30pm. 

www.bluesbartring.co.uk 

FRIDAY 4 NOV 

Fairs / Festivals: Tring Book 

Festival 

To Sun 13 Nov. A host of big 

names and book launches with 

something for everyone. www. 

tringbookfestival.co.uk/ 

SATURDAY 5 NOV 


Festival of Fire 

Tring Park Cricket Club 

5.30pm. Supporting sport in 

the local community. www. 

tringfireworks.co.uk 

Fairs / Festivals: 

Berkhamsted Town 

Fireworks 

Gates 6pm for 7pm start. A 

charitable event taking place 

at Berkhamsted Cricket Club. 

Berkobang.org 


Music: Brave Rival 

Tring Rugby Club, 8.30pm. 



Music: Ashley Wass, Piano 


7.30pm. Bach, Franck, 

Schumann and Shostakovich. 

www.berkhamstedmusic.co.uk 

Fundraisers: Ukrainian 

Network Concert 

Ashlyns School 7pm. Hosted by 

BATUHN and CAD, the evening 

will include music, food and 

drink, with money raised going 

towards help and support of 

Ukrainians now living locally. 

www.berkotringukraine.com 

TUESDAY 15 NOV 

Business: Tring BusinessMart 

Breakfast 

8am. Join the friendly 

BusinessMart networking group. 

www.tringtogether.org.uk 

WEDNESDAY 16 NOV 


Breakfast 

Berkhamsted Cricket Club, 

7.15-9.30am. www.berkhamstedchamber.co.uk 

Talks: Chiltern Hill Forts 

High Street Baptist Church 

Tring, 8pm. Dr Wendy Morris 

will be returning to give 

the results of this 4-year 

project. 

tringlocalhistorymuseum.org.uk 


Music: Mississippi 

MacDonald 




Music: High Wycombe Music 

Centre Big Band 


Berkhamsted, 8pm. Expect the 

music of Ellington, Basie, Miller 

& others of the Big Band era. 

www.bjazz.org 

SUNDAY 20 NOV 

Fairs / Festivals: BerkoFest 

Book Festival 

10am to 6pm. Author talks, 

readings, Q&A sessions, 

panels and book signings, all 

of which are quirky, fun and 

educational. www.bookfestival. 

berkofest.com 

MONDAY 21 NOV 

Film: Operation 

Mincemeat 


8pm. Also Tues 22. Nonmembers 

£5 at door. www. 



Comedy: Andy Parsons 

Court Theatre, 8pm. Join Andy 

Parsons as he warms up for 

another national tour with this 

intimate airing of a brand new 

show. www.get-stuffed.biz 

FRIDAY 25 NOV 

Fundraisers: DENS Sponsored 

Sleepout 

9pm-7am. Swap your cosy 

bed for a sleeping bag and put 

yourself in the place of those 

sleeping rough in the cold winter 

months. www.dens.org.uk 



Together Christmas Festival 

Tring High Street and Victoria 

Hall, 3.30-8.30pm. Christmas 

market stalls. Late night 

shopping, open churches, live 

performances, Father Christmas, 

a magical light display. www. 

tringtogether.org.uk 

SUNDAY 27 NOV 


Festival of Light 

Berkhamsted High Street, 

3.30-6pm. With entertainment 

from local musicians, stalls, 

Santa and the Elves Posting 

House, fairground rides, St. 

Peter’s Church service. www. 

berkhamstedtowncouncil.gov.uk 

MONDAY 28 NOV 

Film: Manon Des Sources 




THURSDAY 1 DEC 

Music: Moondogs 

Blues Bar, Tring. 8.30pm. 


SATURDAY 3 DEC 

Music: Ensemble Hesperi 


7.30pm, Hesperi presents the 

Battle of the Kings: a selection 

of baroque music from the 

courts of Louis XIV and Charles 

II. www.berkhamstedmusic. 

co.uk 

SUNDAY 4 DEC 

Markets & Sales: Berkhamsted 

Book Fair 

Court House, Berkhamsted, 

10am-4pm. 01442 862011 


Promotional Feature

WALKS AROUND TOWN 

Hertfordshire Mansions 

and Parklands 

A circular walk From Great Gaddesden 

created by Walking Britain 

This walk is over the undulating plateau 

of the Chiltern dip slope, through the 

parklands of some of the 18th century 

mansions that dot the Chilterns. Although 

the land is now more given over to arable 

agriculture, the landscape is still influenced 

by the great designers of the day, including 

Capability Brown (see our local history 

feature on page 26). 

This circular walk will take just over 3 hours 

and covers a distance of 10.39km with an 

average difficulty level. 

The walk starts from a dirt layby on 

the A4146 (Grid ref TL030116), the Hemel 

Hempstead to Leighton Buzzard Road. The 

layby is opposite four blocks of houses on 

the right hand side of the road coming from 

Hemel Hempstead just after passing the 

turning signed to Great Gaddesden and with 

a Hemel Hempstead Garden Centre notice. 

As you face the houses there is a footpath 

at the right-hand end signed Gaddesden Row 

11/2: this is the Hertfordshire Way but not 

signed as such going this way. 

Cross the A4146 and go up this concrete 

drive and continue up the field edge curving 

left. Where the field edge turns sharp right, 

continue straight on over the field up to 

the wood at the top. Enter the wood and 

immediately turn right. The track goes along 

just inside the wood, and emerges through 

a kissing gate to go along a field edge with 

woods on the left. Go through a double set 

of gates and follow the fence on the right 

straight on through two fields to arrive at a 

large house (The Hoo) sitting in a parkland 

designed by Capability Brown. 

Here bear left to a gate and stile in the hedge 

a short distance off. Once over the stile, turn 

right along a hedge; where the hedge ends, 

continue straight on across a field to a gap 

in the hedge on the opposite side. Continue 

straight across another field aiming for the 

right hand end of a line of trees. Here go 

through a kissing gate and bear slightly right 

to come to a stile by a gate and tree. Once over 

the stile continue down an enclosed path - 

abandoned allotments on left - and come out 

at a (Roman) road (Grid ref TL042136). 

1. Turn left along the pavement and at the 

edge of Jockeys End turn right onto public 

footpath 9 through a children’s play area, 

and along the backs of houses and down a 

field break to steps down to a gravel lane in 

Ballingdon Bottom. Turn right and follow 

it out to a lane and immediately turn left 

through a wooden kissing gate. Cross the 

field up to a gate to the left of a line of 

FULL DETAILS OF THE WALK CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.LIVINGMAGS.CO.UK/TYPE/WALKS. 


poplars. Turn right and walk along the edge 

of Beechwood House School playing fields. 

At the end of the playing fields follow the 

path through a coppice to come to the 

school drive. 

2. Here leave the Hertfordshire Way by 

turning right and following the drive past 

a Victorian Lodge out to a road. Turn right; 

ignore the road immediately to the right 

(signed Gaddesden Row) and go up the hill 

(be careful on the road) and along for about 

1/2 mile. Watch out for a Chiltern Way sign 

pointing left and straight on, then in about 

100 yds turn right at a second Chiltern Way 

sign (Grid ref TL055136). 

3. Now follow the Chiltern Way to Water 

End. Go down by the side of a woodyard to 

come quickly into a long field with woods 

either side. There is no obvious trodden 

path, but first of all you need to arrive at 

the far corner of the left hand wood and 

then, going forward, a gate in the hedge 

ahead. Go through the gate and turn left 

down a green lane which, after a gap 

leading to fields on either side, swings right 

and then goes straight to the JMI school at 

Gaddesden Row. 

There is a pub about 1km to the left, but 

the walk continues straight on over the 

(Roman) road down a tarmac drive. Just 

before a large black and white timbered 

farmhouse turn left along a field edge. 

At the field corner turn right down an 

enclosed footpath to a kissing gate facing 

Golden Parsonage, built in 1706. From the 

gate bear right and continue through a gate 

on this line over two fields to arrive at the 

drive into the Parsonage. 

4. Bear slightly right again to follow the drive 

towards Home Farm for about ½ mile 

before diverging right to follow the track 

through the woods to bypass the farm. 

Where you emerge from the woods by a 

wide gate there are glorious views over 

the Gade valley. Walk down to a line of 

power line poles and follow them across 

the parkland to a gate and stile. Cross the 

stile and walk up beside the 

fence. Pass an original estate 

gate in the modern fence 

and turn right through the 

next gate. 

Go straight ahead to a 

double and single gate in the 

fence ahead. Go straight ahead from the 

gate and when level with the architect 

Wyatt’s Palladian villa, Gaddesden Place, 

bear left through the parkland to a single 

gate in the fence running down hill on the 

left. (Great view over Great Gaddesden.) 

From here, bear right through a clump of 

five mature trees to another gate. From 

here there is a good view of the 17th 

century brick and timber cottages of Water 

End and it is a straight line down to the 

cream gable end of a cottage to the right. To 

the left of the cottage is a wicket gate, 

which decants you directly onto the A4146 

(Grid ref TL035107). Take great care in 

coming out onto the road and in crossing it. 

5. Once across, turn right for a few yards 

and then left down a very narrow footpath 

between buildings to a kissing gate. From 

the gate, cross the river Gade by the bridge 

and continue your line over the water 

meadows to a power line pole in the corner 

of the field. Go through a gate, turn right 

along a field edge and an enclosed path to 

arrive at a road in Great Gaddesden near 

its 12th Century church. Go down Church 

Meadow opposite, fork right past the 

school on the left and where the road bends 

left, go straight on to find a kissing gate on 

the right. Go through this, over the water 

meadow to the long bridge over the Gade 

and up to the A4146 at your starting point. 

Our thanks to Walking Britain for allowing 

us to share this walk. You can view the full 

details of the walk at: www.visorando.co.uk/ 

walk-some-hertfordshire-mansions-andparkland/ 

or visit our website to view this 

and other walks at www.livingmags.info/ 

type/walks. 


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