OSCAR-WINNER Dame Judi Dench has helped to introduce toilets to an historic landmark after more than 700 years of people having to relieve themselves in bushes.
Dame Judi, with fellow actors Colin Firth and Rupert Everett, recently filmed Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest at the Golden Ball on West Wycombe Hill one of Wycombe district's most famous landmarks.
And in a deal struck by the patron of St Lawrence Church Trust, Sir Edward Dashwood, the film company agreed to donate £9,000 to help build the first toilets at the ancient building.
The movie, directed by Oliver Parker, is scheduled for a cinema release this summer and stars Dame Judi uttering the immortal lines "a handbag!" as plummy aristocrat Lady Bracknell.
Cash from the film company has now given the green light to phase two of an ambitious building project to turn the church into a first class concert venue and an education centre for schoolchildren.
Murray Kent, chairman of the St Lawrence Church Trust, said: "This is an exciting period of development for the church. It will enable the community at large to benefit from the church's enchanting atmosphere and superb acoustics."
The group hope to complete the project by next summer with the opening of a purpose-built visitors' centre. A sound system, sound loop and the toilets should be introduced this summer. Back in 2000 the trust installed running water at the church for the first time in its history.
Mr Kent said: "When completed, St Lawrence Church will rank among some of the best venues in the Home Counties for concerts and possibly dramatic productions."
Local schoolchildren will also benefit. Mr Kent explained: "They will be able to come up to the centre and see local wildlife from red kite and muntjac to wild orchids. It will make them aware of the environment around them and show them the beautiful views of the Chilterns."
The entire project is expected to cost in the region of £160,000 and the group is looking to local businesses to help fund it.
They have recently applied to Onyx Environmental Trust for £120,000 to help with the appeal. To qualify for the trust's money any project must be within ten miles of the nearest landfill site.
Mr Kent said: "On an OS map there is an Onyx site at Gerrards Cross exactly ten miles away so that is a stroke of luck."
The last time building work was carried out at the church was 25 years ago when it was given a thorough spring clean.
After this work is complete the famous Golden Ball will need to be re-gilded.
A Royal Grammar School Concert on May 16 will be taking place at the church to help raise money for the visitors centre.
This article appeared on the This is Buckinghamshire website on April 4, 2002. I just happened to like the picture I posted to go along with this article. It has nothing to do with the subject at hand, but it appears to me she is holding back a smile.