hiya bucks in Bourne End, Flackwell Heath, Marlow, Wycombe, Wooburn December 2018 | Page 33

Gray’s Field where you will quickly spot
the huge monument to honour Thomas
Gray, a resident of Stoke Poges in the
18th C. His poem, Elegy Written in a
Country Churchyard, was completed in
1751 and is said to reference the area.
The poem mentions the ploughman who
perhaps was heading to the Plough pub
in Wexham Street.
We had intended to continue on a
circular walk taking us through many
a kissing gate and open fields towards
Wexham Street, but the sky darkened
and we hurried back to the car. I agree,
a little rain never hurt anyone, but with
a sore throat already I wasn’t taking any
chances.
The beautifully landscaped Stoke Poges
Memorial Gardens have free car parking.
Beware though because the gates
automatically lock at 4.30 p.m. at this
time of year. There is also a small car
park for St. Giles church (beside the
memorial gardens) but despite the sign
on the gate saying it was open until
dusk, it was actually shut.
If you want to head somewhere
afterwards for a warming drink and a
bite to eat there’s a new café which
has just opened at Pinewood Nurseries
(adjacent to Wexham Park hospital). The
nurseries are family run and their farm
shop is full of Buckinghamshire produce.
Plus, they have lots of interesting things
for the garden (hint hint, it is almost
Christmas!).
We joined the footpath beside the pretty
St. Giles church which took us through
Elegy Written in a Country
Churchyard
The curfew tolls the knell of
parting day, The lowing herd
wind slowly o’er the lea, The
ploughman homeward plods his
weary way, And leaves the world
to darkness and to me.
Thomas Gray, 1751
Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens,
Church Lane, Stoke Poges SL2 4NZ
Helen Gerrish, Editor
hiyabucks.com
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