There’s a small village near me which is so old it was listed in the Domesday Book in 1086. For a tiny place, Chalfont St Peter has a very big story which I thought it would be fun to share.
A major reason for Chalfont St Peter’s rich history is its location – just a day’s horse-ride from London. It’s why the famous poet John Milton evacuated to its neighbour, Chalfont St Giles, to escape London’s Great Plague in 1665. The nearby Bull Hotel, in Gerrards Cross is an old coaching inn, built in 1688, and coachmen from London would push their horses to gallop across the last stretch of woodland, trying to dodge the highwaymen lying in wait and reach The Bull and a safe night’s sleep. The Bull Hotel has retained its historic grandeur to this day and is a lovely setting for an evening meal or a celebration.
There’s so much to tell, but a good starting place is Chalfont St Peter’s infamous resident – Judge George Jeffreys, known as the ‘hanging judge’ – his sentences had a reputation for being brutal. He owned The Grange, a mansion in beautiful grounds close to Gold Hill Common and he used to hold court at The Greyhound, a 14th Century coaching inn at the bottom of the village. Judge Jeffreys was so concerned about reprisals for his harsh sentences that he built a tunnel from his residence to The Greyhound, allowing him to travel to and from his court in safety. The tunnel is still present today, although the Grange has been replaced by a modern housing estate. The Greyhound Inn however still flourishes and is a great place for a drink and a meal.
But back to Gold Hill Common, which has always played a major role in the village. Just a couple of generations ago, villagers would each keep a cow or a pig. Each day the cows would make their way to Gold Hill Common, to graze and drink from the pond, then in the evening, each cow would find its way back to its own yard. The Common is built on a hill and has a wooded area with fruit trees, which helped to supplement the villagers’ diets. A beacon was constructed in 2012 for Queen Elizabeth’s Jubilee celebrations and has been lit on numerous occasions since, most recently for the VE Day 80th Anniversary, a real opportunity for the community to meet under the burning Beacon as the sun goes down. But the most incredible volunteer achievement is the annual Chalfont St Peter Feast Day, where the Common is transformed with numerous stalls, including beekeepers, the library, local businesses and more; a travelling fair; and a large stage featuring performances by local schools and dance groups. Then in the evening, the whole village relaxes and chats together on the grass with picnics and drinks, enjoying the warm summer evening and a free concert. This year One Step Beyond, the Madness tribute band headlined this event. I just love how the spirit of the village and community has been maintained for over eleven centuries by the hard work of so many volunteers.
This is just a taster, there are so many stories of Chalfont St Peter – its history, its famous residents, past and present, and the challenges endured by the local people.
Until next time …
By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q
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Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.