Since I last left you I’m sad to report that things haven’t got any easier on the team, as one of the riders came off their bike. Thankfully there was no serious damage done and everyone is fine.
We can only hope it’s smooth riding from here on out! The team have not long left Haddenham, which holds a special place in all our hearts as it’s where Andy and Damien lived, featuring on multiple Ride4Life events as a stopping point.
But what else can I tell you about the place?
Haddenham
I’ll get it out of the way early because I’m fed up of saying it now… It’s in the doomsday book. Twice in fact, once in 1086 and then again in 1142.
The name can translate to ‘Haeda’s Homestead’ or ‘The Home of the Hadding Tribe’ which would suggest it was populated by the Hadding family around the time it got its name.
Haddenham’s population is around It is one of only three villages in the UK to have Wychert constructed houses, which is the process of mixing white clay with straw to build walls, before topping them with a thatched or red slate roof.
It has a population of just over 4,500 people and has seen a rapid decline in pubs over the past few years, with just two now remaining. Not somewhere to go if you’re planning a pub crawl but definitely a beautiful part of the world to visit.
Ducking Ponds
What is it famous for though, I hear you cry.
Ducks! That’s right, the duck ponds in Haddenham are world famous, partly because they are used to breed Aylesbury Ducks, but also because they have featured in a number TV shows and even a blockbuster Hollywood movie…
Big Names
So Haddenham doesn’t really have any notable residents other than Andy and Damien, but it is probably recognisable to anyone who watches a lot of TV or cinema.
It’s credits include Jeeves and Wooster, Midsummer Murders and Rosemary and Thyme.
It’s the aforementioned ponds that have really made a splash (pardon the pun) though, with one featuring in a Halifax advert including the Thunderbirds, and another playing host to Kermit the Frog, Fozzie Bear and Gonzo in the second Muppets movie.
Most recently the ponds were used to film scenes for Pennyworth, a DC Batman spin-off.
Samaritans in Amersham and Chiltern
As the team leave Haddenham and make their way to the White Bear in Rickmansworth, they will pass through Amersham and Chiltern Hills.
The Samaritans set up there in 1968 and have over 130 trained listening volunteers.
One of those volunteers told us about their experience:
I started volunteering in 2018 for the Chilterns branch. Why do I support Samaritans? I lost my dad to suicide and the thought of him feeling so alone is really upsetting. I don’t want anyone to feel that way. I just want to be able to say….”you’re not alone, reach out, talk it through, there is someone who cares.” I hope that by supporting Samaritans it enables that support to be there.
My local branch is amazing, kind-hearted volunteers providing support round the clock to those in emotional distress. They offer support by phone, email and also provide outreach services.
The Chilterns branch are an incredibly wonderful and caring team, and every single one a volunteer.
– Rashi
Next Stop… Rickmansworth
We’ve already arrived at The White Bear in the support van, and the riders aren’t too far out!
I’ll be back with more once we set off for London!