The largest ever survey of Englands built heritage was recently launched by the National Monuments Record, the public archive of English Heritage.
The purpose of the survey is to provide 360,000 ‘defining images of listed buildings for the Images of England internet project. The resulting Images of England website will be completed by 2002, creating one of the worlds largest picture libraries. The project has been backed by a £3.09 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and is supported by the Millennium Festival Fund and The Royal Photographic Society.
Over the period 1999 – 2002 one photograph – “the defining image” – will be taken of the exterior of each listed building. These photographs will be taken by volunteers from The Royal Photographic Society from a public road or other public place.
How does this affect Chipperfield?
There are 45 listed buildings in the civil parish of Chipperfield ranging from the War Memorial and the church Lych Gate – not forgetting St Pauls Church itself – to the Manor House and the old school and including many barns at a number of farms. In addition Bucks Hill, Sarratt and Flaunden have a further 140 listed structures, which include red telephone boxes and the pump on Sarratt Green.
If owners of listed buildings see someone photographing their property, probably carrying a large camera bag and possibly with a pair of step ladders, it is most likely that they will be a volunteer on the Images of England project. If you are in any doubt ask to see a proof of their identity. All photographers carry identification and authority