Last month I undertook to advise Thameswater’s response to the concerns raised by two apparent spikes in the record of Amersham Tank discharges into the river in September. I’m pleased to report that one was explained by disconnection of cables for diversion as part of the improvement works and the other, on a perfectly dry day, might have been an errant spider crossing the detector (!!!???) when tank levels were actually several meters below overflow. The reported stench was probably from tank cleaning rather than discharge into the river. Anyway, good communication with TW continues.
Frustratingly, I have no news to share regarding “Mending the Misbourne” where earlier CCCP announcement of £1m plus match funding appears to be pending actual arrival of funds before kick-off. Similarly it was very disheartening to visit the Colne Valley visitor centre last month and find it closed and dilapidating rapidly, the Misbourne still fenced off by “Elf ’n Safety” and few walkers around, regulars having been put off by the ridiculous car parking charges.
Also slightly disappointing, as The Chalfonts prepare for winter, is that hopes/expectations for comprehensive cleaning of the precinct culvert have (temporarily?) retrenched to thorough surveys – a lesser step but still in the right direction. Meanwhile, drainage of A413 by Chiltern Hill bridge has been addressed, though responsibility for action to clear the silt under the bridge itself continues to bounce between authorities.
Two good work parties continued the previous clearance of the leat from Misbourne Farm to Miil Lane by working on towards Chalfont St Giles leaving just the one field (plus a bit) to reach the village centre and the clear stream below. Work parties to tackle the said field are planned for Saturday October 18th & Thursday October 23rd. Most likely, the last work parties of the year will take us to Amersham centre on Tuesday 28th and Saturday November 1st. If you can join us for any or all of these, please let me know, together with your shoe size for warders if I don’t have it already. As you may have noticed from their copious WhatsApp messaging, a team has also been busy in the centre of CStP and would appreciate some more support. Upstream of Deepmill Pond, the winterbourne has dried after a good long spell of life since November 2022 but should return soon. In other news, we had a rare glossy ibis spotted in the wetlands just downstream of Amersham and reported on “going birding”.
We continue to enjoy the Chalfont Sports Club (aka the Cricket Club) for our not-a-meetings and look forward to maybe seeing you at our next on Monday 10th November. All very welcome.
Long term supporters of our group will fondly remember our original “pin-up”, Naomi, (see attached) and it was lovely to receive a long letter from her in the month, still passionately engaging with projects to care for our world.
Of course, the main purpose of this note is to remind you of our Annual Dinner at The Ivy House on Wednesday 10th December at 6.30 pm. This will, I think, be our 17th and people tell me how they have always enjoyed them, with last year’s return to The Ivy House being particularly well received. The cost is £34.95 for 3 courses, £29.95 for 2 courses. Please let me know as soon as possible if you can join us and I will send the attractive and varied menu for your choices.
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In the beginning: Naomi looking for a river in 2009
The area of the old ford Chalfont St Peter now looking much better
