hiya bucks in Bourne End, Flackwell Heath, Marlow, Wycombe, Wooburn March 2018 | Page 33
We drove along the A413 from Amersham, through
Aylesbury, to Buckingham. It’s a pleasant drive, passing
many pretty villages, with plenty of thatched cottages.
We’ll admit, Buckingham isn’t perhaps the
prettiest place we have ever visited, but it’s
right up there with the historical factor, and
that’s got to make it beautiful right?
Did you know that The Old Gaol, built in
1748, incarcerated prisoners in damp cells
with no heating, lights or toilets? 3 people
died in the gaol, one prisoner escaped
over the wall and another walked out when
the gaoler went home and forgot to lock
the door. It is reputed to be haunted and
paranormal investigators are regular visitors.
It’s now a museum and they host plenty of
events, but are you brave enough to attend?
Did you know that John Barton founded
Buckingham Hospital in 1431? Just imagine
visiting the doctor in those days!
Did you know that in 1725 a disastrous fire
destroyed many of the main streets and a
third of the homes in Buckingham?
Did you know that the Royal
Buckinghamshire Hussars were formed in
1794? There’s a plaque for them in St. Peter
and St. Paul Church.
Did you know that in 1786 two future
Presidents of the newly formed United
States of America visited Buckinghamshire?
Thomas Jefferson and John Adams
both made a whistle-stop tour of
Buckinghamshire taking in our towns of
Buckingham and High Wycombe.
Did you know that Buckingham was the
capital town of Buckinghamshire when it
was first created in the 10th Century? Ok,
maybe that one is obvious. But did you
know that the town received its charter in
1554 when Queen Mary created the free
borough of Buckingham?
Did you know that Buckingham University
was the first private university in the U.K.,
completely independent of any Government
support. In 1973 the University College at
Buckingham (UCB) was incorporated in
the form of a non-profit making company
registered as an educational charity. You
can get your Bachelors Degree in two years
instead of the usual three here.
The University is ranked by The Times and
The Sunday Times Good University Guide
2018 as: 1st for Teaching Quality : 2nd
for Student-Staff Ratio : 4th for Student
Experience
They have an Open Day on 10th March
for any students wishing to find out more.
There’s an historical walking trail through
the town pointing these and many other
facts out. And after that there are plenty of
places to eat and drink. The Buckingham
Tea Rooms caught our eye but you have to
pre-book.
Helen Gerrish, Editor
hiyabucks.com
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