T H E C H I LT E R N S By
David Small The Chilterns is a large area of chalk escarpment situated north west of London, from Goring Gap to Hitchin, which could loosely be regarded as middle England. In 1965 the Chiltern Hills were designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty, which with its stunning countryside offered high levels of protection. It’s quintessential nature includes rolling countryside, ancient woodlands, rural market towns, agriculture and of course a plentiful population. I am lucky to live near the highest point of the Chilterns (Haddington Hill 267m) in the small town of Wendover with Coombe Hill, 7m lower, affording it some protection from the prevailing weather incoming from the south west. Most of my photography involves early morning trips to the local areas such as hills, woodland and reservoirs. I don’t generally travel too far! My choice of location is often dependant on weather conditions. We are lucky here in that we don’t generally experience the extremes of weather suffered by other parts of the country, the ferocity of weather fronts dissipated over the course of the journey inland.
The ancient Icknield Way runs along Ivinghoe Beacon in Hertfordshire. Stretching from Norfolk to Wiltshire, it is one of the oldest tracks in Great Britain, pre-dating the Romans. This image is a series of 5 portrait shots stitched together showing Ivinghoe Beacon right of centre. A pre-dawn excursion, patiently waiting for sunrise. Although a rural area, it’s unusual to see such a large expanse with is little human intervention.
September 2021 Volume 6 Number 6
Page 35
