IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Sheepcote Dell Road, HIGH WYCOMBE, HP15 6TH

This photo shows the plaque on the left with the words "BAPTIST CHAPEL 1869" which was when the original chapel was built at the West end of The Common. The plaque on the right lists the sixteen men of that Chapel who were killed during the Great War (1914-1918). The wording at the bottom of the plaque says "Greater love hath no man than this", which is from John 15:13.

Situated at the East end of The Common, this Church was opened in January 2000 replacing the old Chapel at the West end of Common, which is now a private dwelling. For SatNav purposes, its postcode is HP15 6TD.

This photo shows the Church at the East end of The Common, with the notice "BAPTIST CHURCH" to the left and its blue noticeboard to the right. Services are held here every Sunday at 10.45am, with activities taking place during the week.

The Bat & Ball pub, seen here catching the late afternoon sunshine, stands at the junction of Penfold Lane and the Common in Holmer Green. Its name derives from its location opposite the recreation ground where the local cricket team plays. I have not been able to find the date when this fine brick and flint hostelry was built but a photograph here http://www.stuartking.co.uk/wp-content/plugins/falbum/wp/album.php?album=72157603434917989&page=1&photo=2181042886 dating from the 1920s shows that, in outward appearance at least, it has changed very little in the last 80 - 90 years.

This information board, which has been erected by the Holmer Green Village Society, is at the east end of the Common HP15 6TD, and shows a view looking towards the north end of The Common with Holmer Green Village Hall to the left of the board. It has the following wording: Top left FLORA The most notable tree is the magnificent Horse Chestnut which stands in the North West corner. Many species of tree are planted around the perimeter amongst them are Beech, Silver Birch, Japanese Crab Apple, Mountain Ash, Swedish Whitebeam, Lime, Cherry, Holly, Sycamore, Field Maple and probably the oldest tree here, the English Oak. Scan the QR code below for information about all the trees around the Common. Images of English Oak, Field Maple, Horse Chestnut, Cherry, Silver Birch and Whitebeam. Lower left HOLMER GREEN The first real glimpse of our village as a whole is through the 1742 map of the Manor of Holmer where we see a very open landscape with ancient woodland on the outskirts. We also see an established but scattered settled population. Most of these inhabitants would be involved in farming and general rural pursuits. We see the first evidence of fruit growing and in some of the place names much evidence of sheep rearing and droving. We can also identify some of the buildings that survive to this day. This 1742 layout of the village remained almost unaltered until Holmer Green was enclosed by act of parliament in 1854 when the road lay-out we know today was introduced. Map: Holmer green; 1854 Common inserted on the 1742 Manor map. Top right THE COMMON It could be said that our hill top village has two main centres with the first being around the cross roads with our ancient pond and shops. The attractive and busy area of the Common provides the second focal point. Around its three sides you will find the Middle School and Baptist Church, while the Bat and Ball pub stands proud on one corner overlooking the children's playground. The Church community hall lies adjacent to Christ Church. which modestly dominates the skyline with its high perched golden cockerel weather vane. The main village hall known as the Village Centre evolved from the Victorian school. Further around the Common is the original Baptist Chapel which is now converted to a dwelling. On the south side is the Clementi estate that up until the 1970s was the country house known as Holmer Court, home to Sir Cecil and Lady Clementi. Photos (top right anticlockwise to lower right) i) Peddles Cottage c.1910 ii) The Common 2008 iii) The Bat & Ball c.1950 iv) Christ Church c.1905 v) Sunnyside & The Old School 1900 vi) The White House 1899 vii) Baptist Chapel Late 1920s

Situated at the east end of The Common opposite the junction with Sheepcote Dell Road, this telephone kiosk has a BT notice fixed above the payphone indicating that it will soon be taken out due to lack of usage. A BT green cabinet box and direction signs to nearby places can be seen to the left of the kiosk. Update: this telephone kiosk has since been removed.