April showers seem to have passed us by this year. The news is full of bush fire stories. John Norris’ observations for April in the ” Facts & Figures ” section of our website show a second consecutive very dry month. The groundwater levels summarised at ” Quick View ” are at 4-year lows for this time of year and the spring fed back stream at Chalfont St Peter is bone dry. We have checked with Veolia Water and they advise there has been no reduction in abstraction. And yet the Misbourne continues to flow continuously through the Chalfonts without “the gap”. It’s nice to think that our efforts have something to do with this and in many places the recently emerging gravely bed supports that thought. However, some of the facts, e.g. the healthy situation upstream of Quarendon Mill where we have done nothing, raise questions not resolved by reference to our efforts. “Answers on a postcard, please”!
Anyway, its good to see the silver ribbon scintillating in the sunshine along the valley. I hope we can muster a good turnout for our next Work Party on Sunday May 22nd. A good effort this month is essential to keep the channel open and maintain the viewpoints we have been creating. Please let me know if you can join us and we can start planning which of the many needy locations to tackle. Supporters from both St Peter and St Giles will, no doubt, also be wanting to make their river frontages are as attractive as possible for the Best Kept Village judges visiting in June.
As it is fairly close to the river, you may be interested in, and possibly have a view on, the plans for a Waste Transfer Station to be built adjacent to the Recycling Centre at the London Road Depot – see this link . This reach of the river, of course, is one of the two sections the Chiltern Society has identified for lining. We now have surveys in hand and, following an encouraging briefing meeting with the Heritage Lottery Fund, drafting of the application for Lottery Funds is being finalised. Letters of support have been received from both Chiltern District Council and Chalfont St Peter Parish Council.
Other dates for your diary and appeals for assistance include 25th June, Chalfont Fair – and 3rd September, Chalfont St Giles Show, and don’t forget that, after the June work party on Saturday 18th June, we aim to have a family picnic.
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