Aldridge's Dell

This board is located by a model of the Metropolitan No.1 steam locomotive at Oakfield Corner. It has the following wording: Welcome to our replica of the Metropolitan No.1 steam locomotive. Top left Photo: Metropolitan Locomotive No.1 (c) Peter Boor Collection This locomotive was a mainstay of the Metropolitan Railway to Aylesbury for twenty years. It needed a crew of two to operate it: the driver, who was in control of the steam, and the fireman who shovelled coal into the firebox to generate the steam. Our model is half the size of the original locomotive. It was called an E class locomotive and was designed by the Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Metropolitan Railway, Mr T. F. Clark. Built in 1898, it was the last engine to be built at the Neasden works. Originally numbered 79, it was numbered No.1 as a replacement for the original A class locomotive No.1 that was scrapped after an accident. Earlier locomotives were predominantly olive green. In 1885, the colour was changed to a deep red and this remained the standard colour until the Metropolitan Railway became part of London Transport in 1933. Photo: Offside view of 0-4-4 Metropolitan E-class locomotive No.1 (c) Tfl from the London Transport Museum Collection. A similar colour is still used on the Metropolitan line today and on the iconic Tube map. On 30 June 1904, decorated with flags, bunting and flowers, Met No.1 headed the first passenger train from Baker Street at the ceremonial opening of the new Uxbridge branch of the Metropolitan Railway. The service opened to the public on 4 July. From 1 November 1906 trains were electrically worked from Baker Street to Wembley Park where steam took over. From 19 July 1908 the changeover took place at Harrow-on-the-Hill. Some trains worked right through to Verney Junction. Metropolitan No.1 (renumbered L44 by this time) was given the honour of working the last steam-hauled train on the Metropolitan line on 9 September 1961. The locomotive was saved from being broken up for scrap by the endeavours of Jim Stringer, a 19-year-old London Transport Mechanical Engineering Apprentice who started the Met Tank Appeal Fund in 1962. In 1965, it was bought by the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre in Quainton and is the only survivor of the seven E class engines. Lower left Coal is burned in the firebox to boil water and create steam. The coal is stored in a bunker behind the cab, with water held in two long rectangular tanks situated on both sides of the locomotive. The firebox is at the front end of the cab. There are many tubes linking the firebox to the smokebox which is located at the front of the engine. The tubes pass through the boiler, which is full of water. Hot air and smoke are drawn through the tubes which heats the water to create steam. This steam is piped from the large brass dome in the centre of the boiler to the cylinders that are housed between the front driving wheels. The steam pushes the pistons backwards and forwards in the cylinders. This power turns a crank which drives the wheels. The smoke box has a door on the front that allows ash to be cleaned out to ensure that the hot air keeps flowing. Some of the exhaust steam from the cylinders is blown up the funnel which helps to draw more hot air through the boiler. Our sincere thanks to the brilliant leaders of the 1st Chesham Bois Scout Group for designing and creating this exceptional replica steam train. Top right A total of seven E class locomotives were built between 1896 and 1901 for the Metropolitan Railway. Four were built by Hawthorn Leslie and Company in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, with the other three being built by the Metropolitan Railway at their Neasden works. The E class is described as a 0-4-4 steam locomotive - no supporting wheels at the front, four driving wheels, and four smaller supporting wheels at the back. These engines were an improvement to the fleet of A class locomotives on the Metropolitan Railway. The E class locomotives were originally built with condensing apparatus to reduce the smoke and steam that was released into the tunnels. The first E class engine was scrapped in 1935: two more were lost before the rest were renumbered by London Transport. The Metropolitan No.1 became L44. Photo: Metropolitan Railway locomotive No.L44 at Neasden in January 1947 (c) Tfl from the London Transport Museum Collection Lower right We are lucky that Metropolitan No.1 was saved by some forward-thinking pioneers of preservation. Otherwise, this wonderful piece of transport history would have been lost. For several years, Metropolitan No.1 was maintained to the standard required of British Rail mainline running so that it could be used for special 'Steam on the Met' rail tours organised by London Underground. The engine appeared at Amersham in September 2013 as part of London Underground's 150th anniversary celebrations. Photo: Metropolitan No. 1 at Amersham Station on 9 September 2017 (c) Neil Fraser Foot of board from left to right Amersham Town Council, Flint Barn Court, Church Street, Amersham, HP7 0DB. Link 01494 434000

Located at 26 High Street HP5 1EP, this branch is due for closure on Tuesday 5th October 2021 as indicated by the notice in the window, Link refers. It is one of fifteen such branches due for closure in the autumn 2021. The ATM cash machine to the left of the notice will be taken out at the same time.

This photo shows the closure notice in the window of Halifax Bank at 26 High Street. It has the following wording: We're closing this branch on Tuesday 5th October Why we've decided to do this The way people choose to bank with us has been changing for some time. We've looked at how often and why our customers use branches, and how they're choosing alternative ways to bank. To find out more, take a look at our Closing Branch Review Document at halifax.co.uk/branchreview or ask in branch for a copy. Other ways you can bank with us. Please let us know if you need any extra support to do your banking. Boxes Top left Online at halifax.co.uk Top right On your phone or tablet with our Mobile Banking app Lower left By calling Telephone Banking Lower right At your local Post Office Colleagues at these alternative Halifax branches will be happy to help you: 225-227 Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead HP1 1BL 1 The Highway, Beaconsfield HP9 1RL You can use any Halifax branch and for up to date opening times go to halifax.co.uk/branchfinder or call us on 0345 720 3040

This memorial seat is in front of the former NatWest bank at 13 High Street HP5 1BG. The inscription notice mentions that it is dedicated to the memory of Dr Arnold Baines (1921-2001), a former Chesham resident and Mayor of that town, Link refers.

This notice is on the seat in Chesham High Street and has the following wording: In memory of Dr. Arnold H.J. Baines PhD FSA 1921 to 2001 Chesham born statistician, historian and long serving Councillor and Mayor 'Always devoted to Chesham' Incidentally, FSA after Dr Baines' name stands for 'Fellow of the Society of Actuaries'.

"Born c. 1470, Harding lived in Amersham and then Chesham, where he was a farmer. He was a member of the Lollard community and believed in the right to read the scriptures in English. As a result of his unconventional beliefs he was found guilty of heresy and sentenced to be burnt to death at a place now known as Martyr’s Dell on White Hill. Harding was, however, spared a fiery death. As the fire was being lit, someone in the crowd threw a piece of firewood which hit him on the head and killed him instantly." - Link

One of pair. Grade II listed - Link.

A grade II listed building, around 1600.

The south end. The buildings are grade II listed.

Most of the buildings are grade II listed, but not the clock tower, which is modern.

A very humble station now, with just a single terminating track. Once there was a quite large goods yard behind the camera to the left, now a car park. The station buildings, including the disused signal box and water tower, are grade II listed.

Dated 1845, now church rooms.

North Lodge and South Lodge are grade II listed buildings, 18th century.

Grade II listed, early 17th century.

A pub on the corner of Wey Lane.

The path runs between two channels of the river, looking as if at least one powered something downstream, this is looking upstream. This channel is very dry, as is frequently the case in season in these chalk lands.