A letter from Stephen Pinel, Chair of the Chilton Community Green Space Steering Group
Dear Residents of Chilton Parish,
In early 2021, during one of our lockdown walks, my daughter Emilia—then just five years old—asked why our community had nowhere for her to go and play. Her question struck a chord. At the time, aside from St Mary the Virgin Church, Chilton Parish had no public amenities available for its residents and visitors to share. Over the years, we have lost our school, post office, cricket club, playground, and social club (The Poachers Pocket, formerly The Chilton Club).
That moment sparked a wider conversation. We know that our community spaces and our physical surroundings have a huge impact on our well-being, alongside our jobs and homes, our family and friends. A Parish survey conducted after the Annual Parish Meeting in late 2021 revealed strong community support for a range of new exciting projects, including reclaiming a piece of land once used as a playground in the mid-1990s. A small group of residents then came together with the aim of making a visible difference within the Parish and to reconnect our community through creating access to a sustainable public green outdoor space.
The project was split into five core phases:
- Phase 1: Create a Steering Group (including the development of a project scope).
- Phase 2: Options appraisal and site selection.
- Phase 3: Engage local community on preferred site use.
- Phase 4a: Preparation of the site (including the development of a project management plan).
- Phase 4b: Infrastructure.
- Phase 5: Monitor, evaluate and close.
Now, four years later, we are writing to you as a major milestone in the Chilton View project is now complete with the installation of the Wicksteed Leisure infrastructure completed (Phase 4b). It therefore feels an appropriate time to acknowledge the many people that have made this project happen to date. On behalf of the Steering Group, we would like to thank the following:
- All those who have kindly provided donations and/or supported the various fundraising events, with a special mention to Anne Kingsley, Julia and Jay Cartwright and Liz Lewis – your generosity was so welcome.
- Philippa Green and John Fowler for contributions to the funding from apple juice sales.
- Finn Koefoed-Nielsen, John Fowler and Thame Shed for the making of the existing bench at the site.
- Long Crendon Football Club for the donation of the football goals which provided an interim resource at the site pre-installation of the infrastructure.
- Rebecca and Nick Wasey for running the last two Chilathlons and willingness to contribute the significant monies raised towards the project – you’re both such strong pillars of our community.
- Jed McCarthy and Kate Walker at Bruern Abbey School for allowing free use of their classrooms in the evenings for the many Steering Group meetings we have held.
- Simon Ashley and Nick Barlow for agreeing to contribute the legacy CHIP funds towards the project.
- Chilton Parish Council for their support of the project and approval of the plans.
- Laura Purse (Kingston Blount) and Graeme Hope (Brill) for their advice and willingness to share their own learnings from similar projects.
- Harry Aubrey Fletcher and the team at Chilton Estate for their support and for leasing the site to Chilton Parish Council.
- George Pearman and the various staff at Chilton Home Farms for their support with preparing the site.
- David Scott and Charlie Heald for their support with preparing the site and general advice/encouragement.
- Bertie Aubrey Fletcher for her continued positive support of the project, including supporting the fundraising events.
- Elaine Hassall (Community Board Manager), Angela MacPherson and Michael Rand previous ward Councillors) for all their support and guidance, particularly with the graded access.
- Tom Burke and the team at Wicksteed Leisure Ltd. for working with us on the project delivery as the chosen supplier of the infrastructure.
To date, we’ve raised approximately £85,000, covering the newly installed infrastructure, the graded access, tree works, groundwork, and fencing. Of this, nearly £8,500 came from local fundraising and donations —a remarkable achievement for a small Parish. The remainder was secured through successfully applying for national and local grants, we are therefore grateful to the following organisations:
And, as Chair of the Steering Group, I must also take this time to recognise those dedicated residents that have given up their time, expertise and efforts over the last few years to make this all happen; I am so pleased to have embarked on this journey with them and they’re all such a huge asset to our community.
Ken Harris, Camilla Harrison, Kate Heald, Claire Roome, Frances Stacey, Nick Wasey, Rebecca Wasey
These amazing people have provided an excellent example of how a small group can come together to make a positive difference for our local community when there is a shared goal. I hope it can inspire other residents to consider how they can themselves provide future positive solutions for the Parish and there is now a blueprint that can be followed.
Finally, I want to thank my wonderful daughter Emilia. Her simple question back in 2021 was the spark that ignited this journey for me personally. Without her vision and curiosity, I may never have taken on the role to lead the project or had the motivation to see it all the way through. I hope she—and all Chilton Parish residents—can now enjoy the new space and connect as a community at Chilton View for many years to come.
Before the project is formally completed and handed over to Chilton Parish Council for long-term management at the end of 2025, a few final steps remain:
- Continued work with Buckinghamshire Council on traffic safety and crossing improvements on the Thame Road.
- Additional landscaping, including new trees on the northern bank between Thame Road and the fence.
- A resident feedback survey, due for later this year, to help evaluate the project and shape learning for any future community-led initiatives.
With heartfelt thanks and best wishes,
Stephen Pinel
Chair of the Steering Group
A note from the Steering Group
The Steering Group wishes to recognise and thank Stephen Pinel for his work leading the project. Stephen’s perseverance and professionalism has provided the essential backbone that this project needed. He has worked tirelessly to keep the project on track and to motivate the Steering Group and the community to see it though. It would not have happened without Stephen’s leadership and as a community we will be very grateful for years to come. Thank you, Stephen.
