The Sheriffs of Buckinghamshire Sheriffs are the oldest office under the Crown and pre-date the Norman Conquest. Originally known as the King’s Reeve or the Shire Reeve, his duties included keeping the King’s peace and the collection of the taxes and rents due to the King, as well as commanding the local militia. After [...]
Rutland Boughton was born on 23 January 1878 at 18 Bicester Road. He probably attended the nursery school ran by two school ma’ams at 5-9 Parsons Fee. Later he was a scholar at the Grammar School – then in St Mary’s Square – and in 1891, as recorded in the census, he was living [...]
John Wilkes 1727-1797 “A friend to liberty” (Epitaph on Wilkes’ tomb). The ancient town of Aylesbury has a habit of commemorating local heroes by erecting their statues. At the top end of the Market Place both Hampden and Disraeli watch resplendently from their plinths whilst the world walks past their feet. 50 yards away, [...]
2007 saw the 250th Anniversary of the election of John Wilkes as the Member of Parliament for Aylesbury. He was one of the most colourful figures in English political history and 1757 saw the beginning of his career, here in Aylesbury. He is remembered as the father of the British free press and a [...]
Outsiders find it hard to believe when we tell them that Aylesbury has been a major landmark on the British rock and pop music scene, playing host to such famous and diverse acts as David Bowie, Queen, Genesis, The Jam, The Ramones, Iggy Pop, Roxy Music, U2, The Police and Blondie. The reason was [...]
On Tuesday 8 October 1935, the new Aylesbury police station and constabulary headquarters in Exchange Street were opened by Sir Walter Carlile, Chairman of the Bucks Standing Joint Committee. In his opening address he paid ‘a high and well-deserved tribute to the efficiency of the County police and said the problem Colonel T R [...]
The Aylesbury Civic Centre was the last great public building commissioned by the former Aylesbury Borough Council. The idea of a new Civic Hall was first mooted by Borough Councillors in 1968, but plans didn’t really get under way until 1970. Council minutes in that year stated: ‘In presenting his report, the borough architect [...]
The Aylesbury Repertory Company probably deserves more of an honourable mention in the show business hall of fame than it will ever receive. The Market Theatre first opened in 1911. It is hard for us today, with a myriad forms of entertainment, to understand the importance of live stage performances in the social life [...]
Jerusalem And did those feet in ancient time Walk upon England’s mountains green And was the holy Lamb of God, On England’s pleasant pastures seen? And did the Countenance divine, Shine forth upon our clouded hills? And was Jerusalem builded here, Among these dark satanic mills? Bring me my bow [...]
We aim to make Live in the Park and Proms in the Park as accessible as possible for all. This year, at a time when we are all living with the effects of COVID-19, it is no less important for us to ensure we offer a range of essential services to those with a variety [...]