IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Okeford Drive, TRING, HP23 4FN

This was formerly a school playing ground, and there have been debates over its future for years. Earlier this year (2018) planning permission was given for two large houses in the area shown, and I understand the rest will officially become part of the public park area. See an earlier view from the other end of the track Image The path cutting across the picture in the immediate foreground is the Tring to Drayton Beauchamp footpath

This entrance is on the rerouted footpath that originally ran in a straight line from the centre of Tring towards Drayton Deauchamps. The school is regularly used as a polling station during elections.

Expanding nursery provision meant more classroom space was required. The door to the first classroom (Image) can be seen on the left, beyond the new build.

When my children went to Goldfield School 45 years ago they all walked. Now it would seem many go to school with a brightly coloured scooter - in most cases with a crash helmet. Some more scooters Image

Another View Image

The middle part of Goldfield is a large triangular area where nature is taking over much loved by dog walkers. It was the former playing fields of Osmington School and is designated as a public open area. When the school closed in about the 1970s the school site was developed for housing, but planning permission has never been given for this area. The original boundary fence became broken down and was removed for safety reasons, and young trees are beginning to grow in places round the edges. See view in the other direction taken in 2018 Image shortly after planning permission was given for two houses in this area. The houses in the distance are the former council houses in Goldfield Road and mainly Victorian houses in the "Tring Triangle". Beyond the houses lies the Chiltern escarpment.

When the provision for nursery education was expanded this classroom, and associated fenced off play area, were built at the rear of Goldfield School.

On the right is a large grassed area for general recreation, including as a children's play area. The area on the left used to be the Osmington School playing fields. When the school closed and the school grounds were redeveloped this was not built on and has been allowed to go wild. It is popular with dog walkers. Image shows almost the same view in the snow five years earlier.

For an almost identical view taken in the summer some 5 years later see Image In this view, because there are no leaves on the trees one can see Goldfield School in the distance.

Looking along the footpath in the opposite direction Image some eight years earlier.