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This year we arranged a special visit for our members to Beaconsfield’s very own prestigious National Film and Television School. The School is world famous and this year was honoured for outstanding British contribution to cinema at the BAFTAs. At our last AGM in 2017 NFTS won our award for their new buildings and this was a chance to have a guided tour of the whole site.

On 20th September 2017, we had a rare opportunity to visit Hall Barn, Beaconsfield’s famous estate and manor house and the home of the Lawson family since 1881, which is not normally open to the public. Hall Barn’s history can be traced back to the 13th century and, over the years, the house has been adapted to meet the needs of the time. Today the outside closely resembles that of the original building, a Victorian wing having been demolished. Of particular interest is the gatehouse where the ‘Barley-sugar’ columns have been restored.

Alison Uttley, ‘spinner of tales’ and creator of the Little Grey Rabbit books for children, lived in Beaconsfield from 1938 until her death in 1976. She wrote over 100 books and became a millionaire in the post-war years from the sales of her Little Grey Rabbit and Sam Pig children’s stories.

On a glorious July afternoon, eighteen members of the Society were joined by our friends from BOTRA to enjoy a conducted tour of Chenies Manor and the gardens. The weather could not have been better and we were met by our guide for the afternoon who enlightened us with the history of the house.