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 | 33