Chalfont St Giles

{{Short description|Village in Buckinghamshire, England}} {{Use British English|date=May 2012}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}} {{Infobox UK place |official_name= Chalfont St Giles |static_image_name= C of E Parish Church Chalfont St Giles - geograph.org.uk - 38540.jpg |static_image_caption= St Giles' parish church |coordinates = {{coord|51.63|-0.57|display=inline,title}} |os_grid_reference= SU9893 |population= 5925 |label_position= top |population_ref=(2011 Census)<ref>{{cite web |author=Neighbourhood Statistics |url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=3&b=11121773&c=chalfont+st+giles&d=16&e=62&g=6404254&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1359740105606&enc=1 |title=Neighbourhood Statistics 2011 Census |publisher=Neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk |access-date=1 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527115905/http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=3&b=11121773&c=chalfont+st+giles&d=16&e=62&g=6404254&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1359740105606&enc=1 |archive-date=27 May 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |civil_parish= Chalfont St Giles |unitary_england = [[Buckinghamshire Council|Buckinghamshire]] |lieutenancy_england = [[Buckinghamshire]] |region= South East England |country= England |post_town= Chalfont St. Giles |postcode_area= HP |postcode_district= HP8 |dial_code= 01494 |constituency_westminster= [[Chesham and Amersham (UK Parliament constituency)|Chesham and Amersham]] |website= [http://www.chalfontstgiles.org.uk/ The Chalfont St Giles village website] }}

'''Chalfont St Giles''' is a village and [[civil parish]] in southeast [[Buckinghamshire]], England. It is in a group of villages called '''The Chalfonts''', which also includes [[Chalfont St Peter]] and [[Little Chalfont]].

It lies on the edge of the [[Chiltern Hills]], {{convert|20.9|miles|km}} west-northwest of [[Charing Cross]], central London, and near [[Seer Green]], [[Jordans, Buckinghamshire|Jordans]], [[Chalfont St Peter]], [[Little Chalfont]] and [[Amersham]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.chiltern.gov.uk/article/1977/Villages-and-towns |title=Villages and towns - Chiltern District Council |access-date=13 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160212120711/http://www.chiltern.gov.uk/article/1977/Villages-and-towns |archive-date=12 February 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

The [[cockney rhyming slang]] term "chalfonts", meaning [[haemorrhoids]] (piles), is derived from the name of the village.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780199916214.001.0001/acref-9780199916214-e-0421 |title=Chalfonts |author= |website= |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |access-date=4 August 2021 }}</ref> The village has a [[duck pond]] that is fed by the [[River Misbourne]]. The village sign was designed and painted by Doreen Wilcockson ARCA in 2001.{{cn|date=July 2021}} Chalfont St Giles is famous for the poet [[John Milton|Milton’s]] only surviving home.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title='England hath need of thee': appeal to save Milton's Paradise Lost cottage {{!}} John Milton {{!}} The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/aug/17/england-hath-need-of-thee-appeal-to-save-miltons-paradise-lost-cottage |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=amp.theguardian.com}}</ref>

==History== In the [[Domesday Book]] of 1086, Chalfont St Giles and Chalfont St Peter were listed as separate Manors with different owners, called 'Celfunte', which is likely derived from "cealc funta''"'' - the [[Old English]] for chalk stream.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How Amersham’s rural past is reflected in our placenames |url=https://amershammuseum.org/history/research/amershams-placenames-2/ |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=Amersham Museum |language=en-GB}}</ref> They were separate holdings before the [[Norman Conquest]].

The [[Church of England parish church]] of [[Saint Giles]] is of [[Norman architecture]] and dates from the 12th century.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=42544 |title='Parishes: Chalfont St. Giles', A History of the County of Buckingham: Volume 3 (1925), pp. 184–193. |access-date=15 June 2009 |publisher=[[British History Online]]}}</ref> The church features a [[lychgate]] and wall paintings from the early 14th century.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.chalfontstgiles-pc.gov.uk/page.php?id=18|title=History of the Parish {{!}} Chalfont St Giles Parish Council in Buckinghamshire|last=www.parishcouncil.net|first=Parish Websites Ltd.|website=www.chalfontstgiles-pc.gov.uk|access-date=14 May 2016}}</ref> During the [[English Civil War]], some iron cannonballs were embedded in the stonework around the east window; they were believed to have been fired by [[Oliver Cromwell]]'s troops when camped in the neighbouring field after the [[Battle of Aylesbury]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.chalfontstgiles-pc.gov.uk/page.php?id=18|title=History of the Parish {{!}} Chalfont St Giles Parish Council in Buckinghamshire|last=www.parishcouncil.net|first=Parish Websites Ltd.|website=www.chalfontstgiles-pc.gov.uk|access-date=14 May 2016}}</ref> Three of these balls are now on display in John Milton's Cottage in the village. Bishop [[Francis Hare (bishop)|Francis Hare]] is buried in his family mausoleum in the churchyard.

[[Image:MiltonsCottage.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2|[[Milton's Cottage]], at 1 Deanway, Chalfont St Giles]] During the [[Great Plague of London]] in 1665, [[John Milton]] retired to Chalfont St Giles where he completed his epic poem ''[[Paradise Lost]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/threecounties/content/articles/2008/05/20/miltons_cottage_feature.shtml |title=A piece of Paradise in Bucks! |access-date=15 June 2009 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> [[Milton's Cottage]] still stands in the village, and is open to the public. The inspiration for ''[[Paradise Regained]]'' is said to have been found in this parish from a conversation with a former pupil, [[Thomas Ellwood]]. In 1887, after an attempt was made to relocate the house to America and rebuild it there, a movement was begun locally to purchase the house by local public subscription. [[Queen Victoria]] headed the list with a gift of £20,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.chalfontstgiles-pc.gov.uk/page.php?id=18|title=History of the Parish {{!}} Chalfont St Giles Parish Council in Buckinghamshire|last=www.parishcouncil.net|first=Parish Websites Ltd.|website=www.chalfontstgiles-pc.gov.uk|access-date=14 May 2016}}</ref> a considerable amount at the time – approximately £2,360 as of 2016.

Like most other rural parishes, it managed its civil affairs through the [[Administrative vestry|vestry]] until the [[Local Government Act 1894]] required all parishes of over 300 people to have a [[Parish councils in England|Parish council]] independent of the Church. The village was the birthplace of cricketer [[J. T. Hearne]], one of the greatest [[bowler (cricket)|bowlers]] of the 1890s and 1900s, who died there in 1944, and of the actress [[Alexandra Gilbreath]].

Notable residents of the village have included [[Ozzy Osbourne]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-27373048|title=Ozzy Osbourne Buckinghamshire estate conversion foiled by bats|website=BBC News|access-date=8 May 2016}}</ref> [[Harry Golombek]], [[Brian Connolly]], [[Brian Cant]], [[Chicane (musician)|Chicane]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Chicane on switching to software and the state of trance |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/chicane-on-switching-to-software-and-the-state-of-trance-603419 |website=MusicRadar |publisher=Future plc |access-date=20 July 2020 |date=21 July 2014}}</ref> [[Armando Iannucci]], [[Noel Gallagher]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.buckinghamshireexaminer.co.uk/south-bucks-news/local-buckinghamshire-examiner-news/2010/02/26/oasis-s-noel-gallagher-to-build-home-in-chalfont-st-giles-114018-25923414/ |title=Buckinghamshire Examiner article regarding Noel Gallagher |publisher=Buckinghamshireexaminer.co.uk |date=26 February 2010 |access-date=7 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227155208/http://www.buckinghamshireexaminer.co.uk/south-bucks-news/local-buckinghamshire-examiner-news/2010/02/26/oasis-s-noel-gallagher-to-build-home-in-chalfont-st-giles-114018-25923414/ |archive-date=27 February 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and [[Nick Clegg]] who became the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]] party leader in 2007<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100427020042/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/familyhistory/3355395/Family-detective-Nick-Clegg.html Family detective: Nick Clegg] ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' (London) 22 December 2007</ref> and [[Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom]] from 2010 to 2015.

The village has given its name to [[Chalfont, Pennsylvania|Chalfont]], [[Pennsylvania]], which is a borough in [[Bucks County, Pennsylvania|Bucks County]], Pennsylvania.

The [[Chiltern Open Air Museum]], located immediately outside the parish boundary, rescues and re-erects historic buildings which face demolition, from medieval to modern. Its collection includes a cottage from around 1600, and a variety of 19th century buildings, within {{cvt|45|acres}} of parkland.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.chalfontstgiles-pc.gov.uk/page.php?id=18|title=History of the Parish {{!}} Chalfont St Giles Parish Council in Buckinghamshire|last=www.parishcouncil.net|first=Parish Websites Ltd.|website=www.chalfontstgiles-pc.gov.uk|access-date=14 May 2016}}</ref>

The [[Buckinghamshire Building Society]] was founded in 1907 as the Chalfont & District Permanent Building Society, and it continues to have its headquarters and sole branch in the village.<ref>[https://www.bucksbs.co.uk/about-us/ Buckinghamshire Building Society] About us</ref>

==Future== [[High Speed 2]] will pass underneath the village in the [[Chiltern tunnel]]. A ventilation shaft will be constructed near the village, disguised as a barn.<ref>{{Cite web|title=HS2 reveals Chilterns 'barn design' vent shaft for Chalfont St Giles|url=https://mediacentre.hs2.org.uk/news/hs2-reveals-chilterns-barn-design-vent-shaft-for-chalfont-st-giles|access-date=2021-02-06|website=HS2 News and Information|language=english}}</ref>

==Amenities== The village is the closest to [[Hodgemoor Wood]], a [[Site of Special Scientific Interest]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Marcus Bicknell |url=http://www.hodgemoor.org.uk |title=Hodgemoor Wood |publisher=Hodgemoor.org.uk |access-date=7 May 2012}}</ref>

The village is [[Town twinning|twinned]] with [[Graft-De Rijp]], Netherlands.

===Education=== Chalfont St Giles Village School educates children from the ages of 3 to 7 (at an infant school and nursery) and 7 to 11 (at the junior school).<ref>{{cite web |title=Chalfont St Giles Junior School |url=https://services.buckscc.gov.uk/school-admissions/schools/110287 |website=services.buckscc.gov.uk |access-date=2 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Chalfont St Giles Infant School and Nursery - GOV.UK |url=https://www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Establishments/Establishment/Details/110214 |website=Get Information About Schools |publisher=UK Government |access-date=2 January 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

===Sport=== The local football club is [[Chalfont Wasps F.C.|Chalfont Wasps]], which was promoted to the [[Hellenic Football League]] Premier Division for the 2008–09 season. They play their home games at 'The Nest'. Chalfont St Giles has a tennis club, affiliated to the [[Lawn Tennis Association]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csgtennisclub.tk/ |title=Chalfont St Giles Tennis Club |publisher=Csgtennisclub.tk |access-date=7 May 2012}}</ref> The village is home to Oakland Park Golf Club, and nearby to [[Harewood Downs Golf Club]].

The local cricket club is Chalfont St Giles CC, which plays in the [[Thames Valley Cricket League]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Chalfont St Giles Cricket Club|url=https://www.tvlcricket.com/clubdetails.php?ClubID=148 |website=Thames Valley Cricket League |access-date=5 June 2019}}</ref> and Morrant Chiltern League.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chalfont St Giles Cricket Club |url=http://chilternscricket.org/index.php/member-clubs/chalfont-st-giles |website=Morrant Cricket Club|access-date=5 June 2019}}</ref> They play their home games at Bowstridge Lane in the heart of the village.

==Film and television==

Chalfont St Giles has been the location of several film and television programmes. It doubled as [[Walmington-on-Sea]] in the [[Dad's Army (1971 film)|1971 film version]] of ''[[Dad's Army]]''. [[John Laurie]], one of the main actors, lived in Chalfont St Peter. ''[[The Miller's Tale]]'' episode of the [[BBC Television]] drama ''[[The Canterbury Tales (TV series)|The Canterbury Tales]]'' was filmed in and around Chalfont St Giles<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0353045/combined IMDB listing]</ref> as was an episode of the BBC Television sitcom ''[[As Time Goes By (UK TV series)|As Time Goes By]]''. It was the location for the filming of [[Quantocking#Series 3: 2005|Episode 6 of Series 3]] of ''[[Peep Show (British TV series)|Peep Show]]''.<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0672492/ IMDB listing]</ref> A series 2 episode of the Channel 5 series No Place Like Home was predominantly filmed in Chalfont St Giles, with Fern Britton, a former resident, touring viewers around the village.<ref>{{cite web |last=Corbin |first=Tianna |title=Fern Britton father: Tony Britton relationship - No Place Like Home |url=https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1717163/Fern-britton-father-Tony-Britton-relationship-no-place-like-home |publisher=Express.co.uk |date=2024-04-01 |access-date=2024-04-10}}</ref> The village hosted a 2015 episode of [[Storage Hunters|Storage Hunters UK]].<ref>{{cite web |date=2015-12-16 |title=Storage Hunters, Buckinghamshire |url=https://uktvplay.co.uk/shows/storage-hunters-uk/series-4/episode-8/5816594304001 |access-date=2024-04-10 |publisher=Dave}}</ref>

The village is also mentioned in the series 3 episode of ''[[Jeeves and Wooster]]'' entitled "Bertie Sets Sail", when Bertie Wooster likens Lord Wilmot Pershaw's demeanour to "a wet weekend in Chalfont St. Giles". Other films and TV shows filmed in Chalfont St Giles include ''[[Hammer House of Horror]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.chalfontstgiles.org.uk/films.htm|title=Films shot in Chalfont St Giles|website=www.chalfontstgiles.org.uk|access-date=8 May 2016|archive-date=1 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140601172853/http://chalfontstgiles.org.uk/films.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''[[The Sweeney]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.chalfontstgiles.org.uk/films.htm|title=Films shot in Chalfont St Giles|website=www.chalfontstgiles.org.uk|access-date=8 May 2016|archive-date=1 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140601172853/http://chalfontstgiles.org.uk/films.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> and ''[[The Big Job (film)|The Big Job]]'' (1965),<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.chalfontstgiles.org.uk/films.htm|title=Films shot in Chalfont St Giles|website=www.chalfontstgiles.org.uk|access-date=8 May 2016|archive-date=1 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140601172853/http://chalfontstgiles.org.uk/films.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> starring [[Sid James]] and [[Dick Emery]]. The village is ideal for film production due to its close proximity to [[Pinewood Studios]] in Iver Heath, and London.

The Chalfont St Giles Community Library has featured twice on BBC's [[The One Show]]; first in 2010<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3dV49VLzNk&t=1s |title= Chalfont St Giles Community Library |author= ChalfontStGilesBucks |date= 2010-06-02 |website= YouTube |publisher= BBC's The One Show, originally aired on 24/05/2010 |access-date= 2024-04-10 }}</ref> and for a second time in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://youtube.com/watch?v=_VlS_z2RL0Q |title= Chalfont St Giles Community Library 2 |author= ChalfontStGilesBucks |date= 2012-09-25 |website= YouTube |publisher= BBC's The One Show, originally aired on 22/05/2012 |access-date= 2024-04-10 }}</ref> The segments highlighted the importance of the library to the community and how volunteers have helped keep it operational. {{wide image|Chalfont St Giles (7311004032).jpg|600px|alt=Chalfont village green}}

==Events==

=== Chalfont St Giles Village Show === The Chalfont St Giles Village Show is an annual event that normally occurs on the first Saturday of September. The show hosts entertainment attractions, stalls from local people and businesses, and a horticultural and arts-and-craft competition for local residents to enter<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.csgshow.org/Constitution%20November%202022.pdf | title = Constitution November 2022 | author = The Chalfont St. Giles Show | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230324100235/http://www.csgshow.org/Constitution%20November%202022.pdf | archive-date = 2023-03-24 | access-date = 2024-04-03 }}</ref>(with a maximum prize of £3).

=== Other Events === Chalfont St Giles has hosted numerous Beer Festivals that take place on the village green, with the most notable being in 2014 when DJ [[Brandon Block]] hosted a set. <ref>{{cite web | url = https://twitter.com/bat4csg/status/487865448411987968 | title = The final #music lineup for the #csgbeerfest on Sunday! | author = BAT4CSG | date = 2014-07-12 | access-date = 2024-04-03 | website = 𝕏 }} </ref>

In May 2023, Chalfont St Giles hosted a street party to celebrate the [[Coronation of Charles III and Camilla|Coronation of King Charles III]]. The event hosted thousands of people, with live music, barbeques, pop-up bars, rides, and face painting. <ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.chalfontstgiles-pc.gov.uk/2023/05/biggest-street-party-ever/ | title = Biggest Street Party Ever | author = Chalfont St Giles Parish Council | date = May 2023 | access-date = 2024-04-03 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230529120548/https://www.chalfontstgiles-pc.gov.uk/2023/05/biggest-street-party-ever/ | archive-date = 2023-05-29 | website = Chalfont St Giles Parish Council }}</ref> The event was attended by [[Princess Beatrice]] and [[Princess Eugenie]].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65516031 | title = Street parties, big lunch and Coronation concert to take place on Sunday | author = Rachel Russell | date = 2023-05-07 | access-date = 2024-04-03 | website = BBC News | publisher = BBC }} </ref> ==Hamlets== [[Hamlet (place)|Hamlets]] in Chalfont St Giles parish include:

* '''Bottrells Close''', located along Bottrells Lane to the west of the village. Bottrells Close Cottage is the location of the ancient hamlet. * '''Chalfont Grove''', located to the south of the village along Narcot Lane. It is the location of the [[British Forces Broadcasting Service]]. * '''[[Jordans, Buckinghamshire|Jordans]]''', located south west of the main village, near [[Seer Green]]. * '''Stratton Chase''', located to the north of Mill Lane.

==Notable people==   *[[Chicane (musician)|Chicane]] (Nick Bracegirdle, born 1971), influential musician and producer *[[Joe Blochel]] (born 1962), retired professional footballer *[[Fern Britton]] (born 1967), TV presenter and author <ref>{{cite web |last1=BBC Countryfile |title=My Countryside interview: Fern Britton |url=https://www.countryfile.com/people/interviews/my-countryside-interview-fern-britton |website=Countryfile.com |date=2018-06-06 |access-date=2024-04-10}}</ref> *[[Brian Cant]] (1933–2017), children's television presenter and actor *[[Brian Connolly]] (1945–1997), lead singer of the glam rock band [[The Sweet|Sweet]] *[[Thomas Clayton (physician)|Sir Thomas Clayton]] (1612-1693), [[Regius Professor of Medicine (Oxford)|Regius Professor of Medicine]] at Oxford and MP for [[Oxford University (UK Parliament constituency)|Oxford University]] *[[Nick Clegg]] (born 1967), media executive and former Deputy Prime Minister *[[Noel Gallagher]] (born 1967), musician, songwriter, and former lead guitarist of the rock band [[Oasis (band)|Oasis]] *[[George Fleetwood (Tavistock MP)|Sir George Fleetwood]] (1564-1620), Member of Parliament for Wycombe and Tavistock *[[George Fleetwood (regicide)|George Fleetwood]] (1623-1672), soldier and regicide who co-signed [[Execution of Charles I|King Charles I’s death warrant]]. Son of Sir George Fleetwood (above) *[[James Fleetwood]] (1603-1683), English clergyman and [[Bishop of Worcester]] *[[Thomas Fleetwood (of the Vache)|Thomas Fleetwood]] (1517/18-1570), Member of Parliament and Master of the Royal Mint under [[Henry VIII|King Henry VIII]] *[[Harry Golombek]] (1911-1995), chess Grandmaster, author, and chess correspondent *[[J. T. Hearne]] (1867-1944), Middlesex and England medium-fast bowler. His 3,061 first-class wickets remain a record for medium-pace bowlers *[[Armando Iannucci]] (born 1963), acclaimed Scottish satirist, writer, and director *[[Penny Jamieson]] (born 1942), the seventh [[Anglican Diocese of Dunedin|Bishop of Dunedin]] and the world’s second woman [[diocesan bishop]] *[[Charles Key]] (1883-1964), British schoolmaster and [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] politician *[[John Milton]] (1608–1674), renowned poet and intellectual, known for his epic poem "[[Paradise Lost]]" *[[Francis Hare (bishop)|Francis Hare]] (1671-1740), [[Bishop of St Asaph]] and later [[Bishop of Chichester|Chichester]], classical scholar *[[Hugh Palliser|Admiral Sir Hugh Palliser]] (1723-1796), Royal Navy officer and colonial governor, known for his role in the [[Seven Years' War|Seven Years’ War]]. Former owner of [[The Vache]] estate in the village * [[Liam Payne]] (1993–2024), singer-songwriter and member of the boy band [[One Direction]] *[[Gavin Sherlock]] (born 1969), professor of Genetics at Stanford University *[[John Williams (actor)|John Williams]] (1903-1983), actor known for his role as Chief Inspector Hubbard in [[Dial M for Murder]]

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Chalfont St Giles}} *[http://www.chalfonthistory.co.uk/ The History of Chalfont St Giles] *[http://www.miltonscottage.org/ Milton's cottage] *[http://www.chalfontstgiles.org.uk/ Village website]

[[Category:Chalfont St Giles| ]] [[Category:Villages in Buckinghamshire]] [[Category:Civil parishes in Buckinghamshire]] [[Category:Chiltern District]]