News

Hodgemoor Wildlife Junior Photography Award 2026

Marcus Bicknell

The Hodgemoor Wildlife Junior Photography Award is an annual competition held at the Chalfont St Giles Village Show. The Hodgemoor Riding Association and its 300 members sponsor since 2022 an annual trophy and a £20 cash prize in the Junior Photography Section. Southbank Photography in St Giles also give framing of the winning entry or a £20 voucher. Since 1999 the Association has raised over £320,000 for the renovation and maintenance of the 6 km of horse-riding trails in the woods, improving this popular amenity for all users, whether walkers, cyclists or horse-riders. By making and maintaining other trails the Association promotes safety by getting horse-riders off the dangerous roads and into the woods. www.hodgemoor.org.uk

https://hodgemoor.org.uk/category/events/page/2/

Eligibility: Open to juniors (under 18). Subject: Photos can feature horses, but must include a significant wildlife element (wildlife photos are preferred over basic horse portraits). The winner gets an engraved pint tankard/beer glass trophy, and local photography framing or voucher offers. Sponsored by the Hodgemoor Riding Association.

Susie, Marcus and Heather judged the entries of the junior photography class this morning 5th September 2026 at the Chalfont St Giles Village Show. The requirements state “The photo may be of a horse or horses but must have a significant wildlife feature in the photo, i.e., not just a portrait of the horse. Photos of wildlife, flora or fauna will be preferred by the judges. Consideration will be given to the difficulty of getting the shot and to the scientific value of the study. This plays to the fact that Hodgemoor Woods are in the Chiltern Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is itself a site of special scientific interest.”

The winner was number 473 Theo Jones. Image right. The judges noted “The rear of the horse would not normally be the competitive photographers pose but it looks well here. The lumbering sportive muscles belong to a flight animal untethered in Hodgemoor Woods. Where did the horse go next? The bracken adds to a certain wildness. Well observed.” Gemma Jones writes “The horse in the photo is my horse, Taggart who lives at Oldefields. He might be the oldest Hodgemoor horse as he is 33 years old! He enjoys regular walks to the woods which is when Theo took the photo.”

Second, number 351, Ellie Greenwood. Image left. Friendly bumblebee on a lavender-coloured flower. Good focus. Nice colour-matched mount. One of the three judges’ favorite.

Third, number 73. Anya Hiely-Rayner. Image right. It’s of a brown marmorated stink bug, black with white triangles around the edges on a moss-covered trunk. but for all that the photo has a good nature feel and is well observed.

Highly Commended, number 469, Dora Hiely-Rayner. Nice view of a flower; difficult to tell if it’s growing wild or in a garden. A difficult subject to focus, but good try.

Sorry that my photos of your photos are not brilliant. If you would like to email me your jpeg to marcus@bicknell.com I will replace the image here with your original. Thanks. Theo, if you have not got the cash award yes please let us know.

Fungi in Hodgemoor

Marcus Bicknell

Are you aware of the mass of fungi in our peaceful Hodgemoor Woods? Thanks to Penny Cullington of the Bucks Fungus Group (www.bucksfungusgroup.org.uk) we have a written report and a list of what they found on 2nd May 2026 here. Are you sitting comfortably? A cup of tea or a glass of sherry if it’s after 6. Here are the terrifying fungi we have…

Oyster, Deceiver, Swarming Spine, Southern Bracket, Wolf’s Milk, Scalycap, Bluebell Rust, Sulphur Tuft, King Alfred’s Cakes and Dead Moll’s Fingers

The report is at https://www.bucksfungusgroup.org.uk/Documents/2026/Report%20Hodgemoor%20Woods%2002052026%20v3.pdf
and the list at https://www.bucksfungusgroup.org.uk/Documents/2026/List%20Hodgemoor%20Woods%2002052026%20v2.pdf

What do Penny and her colleagues do? A mycologist is a scientist or researcher who studies fungi, including mushrooms, molds, and yeasts, focusing on their taxonomy, genetics, biochemical properties, and ecological roles. These specialists investigate how fungi interact with ecosystems and humans—covering areas like medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology—to understand their uses as food, medicine, or pathogen causes. Fungi represent a vast kingdom with an estimated 3 million species, of which only about 5% are known to science.

 

In praise of Hodgemoor

Marcus Bicknell

Hodgemoor Woods – A paradise, whether you have two legs or four.

The New Year is a good moment to address to all members and friends of the Hodgemoor Riding Association on the extraordinary amenity, a jewel in the crown for many of our lives, which is Hodgemoor Woods. Yes, I say members and friends because many walkers and cyclists join the Association – without any tangible benefit – or support our aims and contribute to the amicable ambience in the woods.

Hodgemoor Woods is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (Countryside Act 1949) is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981) and, as we now know from LIDAR research in the last three years, is crossed at the diagonal by a Roman Road. The heath where pigs were bred in the middle ages is now a deep and bounteous forest owned by Buckinghamshire Council and tended by Forestry England. We can feel grateful and privileged that under the contract between Hodgemoor Riding Association and Forest England of 20 years standing, we have the right to ride in the wood. We take on obligingly our obligation to maintain the horse trails and bridal paths in the woods and we extend our work elsewhere in the neighbourhood when suitable.

It seems unbelievable that in 1998 Forestry Commission was about to prohibit all horse riding in Hodgemoor because of the quagmires the horse is created around the car park and many other areas. The all-weather riding trails now not only permit riders to exercise all year round but also improve walking on foot both because the trails give a firm footing and because horses do not turf up other areas. In those 25 years, you, members of the Hodgemoor Association, have raised over £350,000 from modest membership fees and fundraising events, all of which have been invested in the construction and refection of trails. Our public-private partnership has been acclaimed by the British Horse Society, local and government bodies as a model of how a community can get positively involved. You have on three occasions won awards for this work. This is a matter of pride and satisfaction both for you the riders and Susie and me in helping run it.

Every time you go into Hodgemoor Woods do please think about how blest we are.

You might be wondering what your New Year’s Resolutions might be, although I say in haste that I started writing this monologue without any thought of making demand on you! You might choose to come on at least one volunteering party every year; to our dismay, from 250 members, we get half a dozen volunteers max. You might choose to come to our annual party and meeting in November; drinks and food punctuated by a short relevant talk (2025 was the Thames Valley Air Ambulance and resuscitation advice) and an open discussion of affairs of the woods and the Association. Your last resolution needs no prompting; ride into Hodgemoor frequently, love thy neighbour and pinch yourself to make sure you’re not dreaming. 

Happy New Year, from Marcus

 

Hodgemoor Dressage 28 December 2025

Marcus Bicknell
Hodgemoor Dressage RESULTS
Sunday 28th December 2025, at Waylands Equestrian Centre
 
 
The festive spirit was in evidence today at Waylands for the second of two Hodgemoor Dressage competitions… riders, horses, team members and spectators came dressed for, and pre-disposed to, having a jolly time. Mulled wine and other hot drinks flowed, but only to help down the mince pies, marshmallows, biscuits and chocolates. The standard of riding was very high with six tests earning over 65% in marks attributed by the judge for both events (multi regional and national dressage event winner, Rob Waine Rob Waine Dressage https://www.robwainedressage.com/about-rob/).
 
WINNER. We congratulate the winners of each of the four classes, Annabelle Tripp, 13-year-old Isla French, 15-year-old Lily Hannigan and Louise Maeers and their horses. 16-years-and-under riders were classified alongside the adults and also in junior rankings for rosettes. You can see the full results in PDF at the link above.
 
CHRISTMAS CHAMPION. The prized horse statue trophy was awarded to Isla French , the champion across the two events, 7 and 28 December. The criteria were marks, achievement compared to previous, youth, Christmas dressing-up and entertainment value as accorded by Rob Waine, Susie Bicknell and Marcus Bicknell (secretary and chairman of the Hodgemoor Riding Association).
 
AWARDS CEREMONIES. The event was in memory of Geoff Gudgion, long-time treasurer of the Hodgemoor Riding Association, friend and rider at Waylands of the mare Ida who competed beautifully today with Juliet Booth. He died of cancer in the summer of 2025. His family, led by granddaughter Ruby Mayor, made several class presentations and the Christmas Champion award in the company of her sister, mother Sophie, father Bill Mayor and Sophie’s mum, Geoff’s widow Deborah Gudgion.
 
FUND-RAISING FOR CHARITY. The riders’ entry fees are being donated to Iain Rennie Hospice at Home (now part of Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care) who were so marvellous to Geoff.
 
THE HOME TEAM. We thank Susie Bicknell who undertook the considerable task of organising the event including entries, Marcus her husband and Christopher their son (scoring). Lana Craker provided the excellent indoor venue at Waylands and her partner Frank, who has made the yard so functional and elegant, was on hand to help. We thank the judge Rob Waine, the reader Jane Braithwaite, and another scorer Judy Burns. Moya Merola was caterer-in-chief and others helped make teas and coffees, thank you all. So nice of the Gudgion family to brave the cold and to be with us on the day.
The Association’s AGM 2025

The Association’s AGM 2025

Marcus Bicknell

We had a very productive meeting on Wednesday 12th November with about 30 members present.

Read the minutes at https://hodgemoor.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/agm2025.pdf

The meeting opened with an excellent talk by Ruth Dunkin, Head of Community & Events at Thames Valley Air Ambulance. What makes their rescue service different from the NHS is their highly equipped helicopters and road ambulances bring an A&E capacity to the location itself. Time is of the essence, with heart attacks being the most frequent call out. CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is a life-saving emergency
procedure that involves chest compressions (and, for trained individuals, rescue breaths) to keep blood flowing and oxygen moving through the body when a person’s heart and breathing have stopped. If you encounter an unresponsive person who is not breathing normally, immediately call emergency services (999 or 112), and then begin CPR, which includes hands-only compressions for untrained rescuers. We have put the map of defibrillators closest to Hodgemoor on the last page of these minutes.

Support the Thames Valley Ambulance with their lottery https://www.tvairambulance.org.uk/support-us/lottery/

Having had a few moments of silence at the opening of the AGM to give some thoughts for Geoff Gudgion, our friend and long-time Treasurer who died of cancer on 3rd August, we made two decisions:
a)   A proposal to name a trail or entrance after Geoff Gudgion was fully supported. It was decided that “Geoff’s Jolly” for the Western Bridleway was the best, as Geoff used to love having a good old canter up it!
b) A bench in memory of Geoff was also discussed. The committee will progress on alternatives, maybe in the raw-hewn style of Frank Everest’s at Waylands.

We urge members to have a look through the useful topics in the minutes and to plan on coming next year.

 

Christmas Dressage at Waylands 28 Dec 2025

Christmas Dressage at Waylands 28 Dec 2025

Marcus Bicknell

Hodgemoor Riding Association

In memory of Geoff Gudgion, who was based at Waylands with his horse Ida.

A Between-Christmas-and-New-Year Dressage

Waylands Equestrian Centre, Indoor Arena, Seer Green HP9 2RQ

Sunday 28 December 2025, from 9.30

The times for each competitor were published here at 13.00 on Boxing Day 26 December…
https://hodgemoor.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Dressage_times_WAYLANDS_27_December_2025.pdf

Download your entry form in MS Word here: schedule_dressage_waylands_28_december_2025

Download your entry form in jpeg here, details on the first page. You need the second page to fill out your entry:

https://hodgemoor.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/schedule_dressage_waylands_28_december_2025_page_1-scaled.jpg

https://hodgemoor.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/schedule_dressage_waylands_28_december_2025_page_2-scaled.jpg

 

Prizes for best Xmas or New Year’s Eve outfits! Photos will be taken on the day of any outfits (horse or rider or both) and posted on the Hodgemoor Facebook page. Prizes will be awarded on the number of Likes after a week and the judge’s assessment. However, dressing up is not obligatory, just correct dressage attire is fine. Mulled wine. Special Rosette and gift for those who take part and also at the Hodgemoor Dressage at Windmill Farm on 7 December (for which the entry procedure is via MyRidingLife.com not Susie, see poster below).

  •  Class 1: Intro 1
  •  Class 2: Prelim 1
  •  Class 3: Novice 1
  •  Class 4: PYO Novice 2  or Elementary 2

Young riders (two age groups; 11 years and under; 12 to 16 years on the day of the event) will be classified with the adults and also judged separately, so give your age on the entry form. Cost:  £15 per class, £20 if you are not a member of the Hodgemoor Riding Association.  Entries close: 8 p.m. Wednesday 24th December (extended by one day on 22nd December).  Numbers will be limited.

Download your entry form here: schedule_dressage_waylands_28_december_2025


CHRISTMAS CHAMPION. This solid gold / Cartier jewel-encrusted / much loved / previously owned / life size / patina of ages (delete whichever inapplicable) horse trophy will be awarded by the Secretary and Chairman to the champion across the two events. Criteria considered will be marks, achievement compared to previous, youth, Christmas dressing-up and entertainment value.

STOP PRESS 7 December: We are delighted to announce that Geoff’s family, led by granddaughter Ruby, will make the presentation at the end of the dressage tests on Sunday 28 December at Waylands probably at 2pm, to be confirmed, and we express our thanks to them

Geoff Gudgion – his life

Geoff Gudgion – his life

Marcus Bicknell

We thought you might like to read more about Geoffrey’s life, in fact several in the riding and writing communities have asked to know more.

I cooperated with Geoff’s family, Cambridge friends from 50 years ago and more recent writing friends to bring together details of his terrific life which will interest you. This is not so much an obituary as an account of his life which serves as a long-lasting online tribute to a good friend of Hodgemoor, the community and those who knew him.

With thanks to James Gudgion for coordinating the family’s input; to Graham Wiltshire, James Wrigley and Charles Style for inputting from the perspective of Geoff’s Cambridge friends; and to writing friend Clare Christian clare166@gmail.com   www.clarechristian.co.uk

The account of Geoff’s life… click on  https://hodgemoor.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Geoffrey-Nigel-Gudgion-his-life.pdf

Geoff’s funeral, order of service… https://hodgemoor.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Geoffrey_Gudgion_order_of_service_8Sept2025-1.pdf

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Visit the Roman Road in Hodgemoor 27 July

Visit the Roman Road in Hodgemoor 27 July

Marcus Bicknell
Those of you who attended Nigel Rothwell’s talk in Seer Green on the Roman Road between Verulamium (St Albans) and Silchester in April may be interested to know that he will be leading walks around Hodgemoor Woods, including visiting the road, on 27th July. This is part of the Council for British Archaeology’s Festival of Archaeology and is in conjunction with the Buckinghamshire Archaeological Society. Booking is essential as the number of attendees is restricted. However, the walks are open to the public and can be booked either from the Festival website at https://www.archaeologyuk.org/festival/festival-event-listing/hodgemoor-woods-heritage-and-wellbeing-walk.html, or directly with Buckinghamshire Archaeological Society at https://bas1.org.uk/bas-outings-july-2025. There is a small charge for non-BAS members of £5 – cash or card (assuming the technology doesn’t let us down).
The walks are 3.5 km and 3 hours, on woodland paths. All information is also all provided at the Festival booking site.
E-bikes not allowed in Hodgemoor

E-bikes not allowed in Hodgemoor

Marcus Bicknell

Further to recent incidents in Hodgemoor Woods and enquiries from members of the public, we publish here the law which prohibits e-bikes in these Woods.

Section 34 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (as amended by Schedule 7 Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000) states that it is illegal to ride or drive a motor vehicle on common land, moorland, Forestry Commission land or any land that is not forming part of a road without authorisation. There are a range of penalties available including heavy fines, and the power to confiscate vehicles and bikes which are used off-road in a manner which causes ‘alarm, distress and annoyance’ in s59 and s60 of the Police Reform Act 2002.

This applies on Forestry England land whether the bike is an ‘electrically assisted pedal cycle’ (EAPC) or not. Users of e-bikes are reminded that you must know the specification of your e-bike and whether it is an EAPC or not before setting out anywhere, including roads and pavements. Not certain? Check it out. Until the new bill comes out classifying e-bikes as motor vehicles for all legal purposes, the follow is the definition of an EAPC:

An EAPC (electrically assisted pedal cycle’ (EAPC)

  • must have pedals that can be used to propel it
  • can have more than 2 wheels, for example a tricycle
  • It can be propelled up to 15.5mph without pedalling but only if it’s been approved.
  • must have an electric motor with a ‘continuous rated power’ output of no more than 250 watts and
  • which must not be able to propel the bike at more than 15.5 miles per hour (mph)