Half way there at the end of Day Four - Heading West

The week is passing by quicker than anyone could have imagined. Here is the Sheriff's entry for Day Four. (Photo's to follow)


"I am now in the area of Thames Water, having crossed the watershed above North Marston and reached Chilton perched high above the Vale of Aylesbury to the east and overlooking the rolling plain towards Oxford in the west.  Townhill Barn, Chilton marks the start of today’s journey with a visit to the Thames Valley Partnership.  This is their HQ, although their remit goes beyond the Thames Valley.

The Partnership, as its name suggests, works closely with a variety of organisations seeking to combat crime and social exclusion, protect victims of crime and support families of offenders.  They also provide skilled training in a number of fields that support probation services, restorative justice and family support.  A particular area of interest for me is their use of ‘art’ programmes to raise aspirations and motivate people who have lost their way.  ‘Art’ in the broadest sense of the word – dance, film-making, drama, story-telling, street art – all have the power to unlock the imagination and make a positive impact on vulnerable lives.  The Partnership pioneers best practice in all these approaches.

At Chilton, another kind friend provides a new mount for me and we are joined by Karen, Mark and Daisy from Horsewyse at Long Crendon, whither we set our course.  Descending into ‘border country’, the patchwork of fields roll out towards Didcot power station (its cooling towers soon to be demolished I am told).  This is the territory of a once great ‘Royal Forest’ :  the Bernwode, which fell – approximately – within the boundaries of the River Great Ouse and the River Thame.  These medieval Royal Forests provided a ready revenue for the Crown, heavy fines being imposed on anyone who dared to infringe the strict Forest Laws, which the Normans introduced.  Special Courts were set up to collect these fines, at which no doubt the then High Sheriff presided and probably managed to exact additional revenues for himself.  Long Crendon has such a Court (now a National Trust property) but, of course, any thoughts of a present day High Sheriff appropriating fines were banished from my mind as we skirted the village to the west and arrived at Horsewyse.

Here we are greeted by Neil Smith who, along with Karen his wife and Mark provide a unique horse-based environment for children (and adults) with autistic and behavioural problems.  Spatial awareness, personal control, managing frustration or simply improving listening skills are all introduced by working with specially trained ponies.  Both Neil and Mark have a natural gift for interpreting the individual needs of their ‘pupils’.  Using subtle commands to the horse, they are able to connect horse with pupil and lead them on a path of self discovery.  It’s a remarkable process and it makes you realise what relatively unexplored territory is this beneficial interaction between horse and human."