Go for a walk: Little, Chalfont, Chenies and Latimer

The notice board on the Little Chalfont green in the village has bold letters.Chess Valley Churches together and this walk incorporates four of them.

The walk will take about an hour and a half brisk walking or at a more leisurely pace around two hours.

Starting point: Chalfont and Latimer station (booking office side). However by car if you wish to start a little along the route cars can be parked in Stony Lane a turning off the A404 (towards M25) on the left when leaving Chalfont housing. A gravel patch on the left hand as the road goes down the hill. The footpath crosses the road into the woods join here.

The churches are like a family all growing up... some older than others and as the area has grown so the demands have changed.

1. TheMethodist Church grew up as Little Chalfont developed and has wonderful facilities for the local population.  It provides for various activities that serve the local community and all within walking distance for so many.

2. As indicated in the Walking notes just through the Chenies Village is theBaptist Chapel celebrating its 250 Anniversary this year 2010 and has just had an extension room put on at the rear of the church. Always an encouraging sign ans so difficult on occasions to get planning permission. Whilst not open during the week it has interesting plaques inside to former members of their faithful service in years gone by.  A hard one to emulate the discipline of a past generation.

3.St Michael's and All Angels,Chenies is the oldest building and is open during the week for visitors. The heating is kept a constant temperature  -  So a warm welcome for visitors!  It gets a mention in Simon Jenkins book England's Thousand Best Churches of particular note being  the Russell tombs (the Bedford Chapel is only visible through a screen in the church)

Well patronised for baptisms and weddings and sad to say funerals, but just to say that some good few years ago a little lad pointed out to us that the gravestone of his grandfather John Henry Boughton  -  He was proud to do so because his name was John Henry Boughton. Not quite so morbid as you might think!  In the summer teas have been served on Sunday afternoons Check the website www.cheniesbenefice.org.uk

4.St Mary Magdalene,Latimer is open during the week -  it is very good that these two churches mentioned are open for quiet reflection and prayer. I think it shows the care of persons opening the building and seeing there is a welcoming presentation on entry.  Latimer has recently built a Church Hall with facilities that were not available in the church. At one time the M.O.D. had housing for staff quarters at the back of Latimer House They were sold off a number of years ago and Latimer House formerly belonging  to Lord Chesham is now part of the DeVere group for corporate and private functions.

5.The Plaque.  Crossing the River Chess at Latimer there is the plaque on the left with the following

Great are  the Works of the Lord.
                                       Psa 111. 2.
Who is like God -
    Creator Lord!
In awe we worship you,
Great & mighty Eternal One
Who created the heavens
and gave the earth its form,
Almighty & omnipotent God.
                                           m.b.

Need I say more on the thoughts the plaque conveys.

On the right of the river west side is the complex ofRestore Hope, Latimer. Worth looking up as in the late summer a marquee is erected for special Christian Worship. Not to be missed.

The walk cannot be bettered and is always changing  through the year. Celandine flowering in early spring in the Chenies Wood followed by bluebells  in the wood off Stony Lane. Full green leaf and then followed by autumn colours. A variety of birds and waterfowl  -  Even the Baptist Church has its two ducks in the pond nearby. The view of the valley for the first part is superb along the ridge to Chenies and later the returning path meanders along the River Chess is something I have enjoyed for over 50 years.

John Letham