Our Parish

Tring Rural Parish comprises of the three villages of Long Marston, Puttenham and Wilstone along with the hamlets of Astrope, Gubblecote and Little Tring. It is situated at the very edge of the Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire border.

Our Parish lies in an attractive landscape where the Chiltern Hills meet the Aylesbury plain. The immediate environment is mainly farmland. We are partially ringed by the Grand Union Canal and its branches. The feeder reservoirs to the canals are nationally known as a haven for birds, the canals and towpaths provide opportunity for recreational activities such as ornithology, boating, fishing and walking. Additionally the area is a stronghold of a rare national tree, the black poplar. A small nature reserve consisting of ancient grassland ringed by old trees has been in existence since 1997.

Our historical claim to fame is that Long Marston saw the last drowning of a "witch" in this country; Ruth Osborne in 1751. This was followed by the hanging nearby of the main perpetrator of the crime, Thomas Colley, a local chimney sweep.

Today the Parish comprises a total of approximately 540 households. Long Marston being the largest village supports a thriving primary school, attracting children not only from our Parish, but from the surrounding villages in Buckinghamshire. A free bus services takes secondary school students to the well regarded comprehensive school in Tring.

Facilities in the parish include three Anglican churches: All Saints in Long Marston; St Cross in Wilstone and St. Mary's in Puttenham. All three villages have their own village halls which are used for a variety of purposes, ranging from dog training, to ballroom dancing, as well as being available for private hire. The Parish has a thriving Scouting movement based in the Wilstone Hall.

We have three well-patronised pubs all providing food within the villages and we are fortunate to have a shop/post office in both Long Marston and Wilstone, both of which rely on the continued support of local people.

Sporting facilities feature prominently. There are successful football and tennis clubs. The cricket club in Long Marston has an excellent ground and hosts Minor County matches. There are a number of keen horse riders in the Parish and the roads are used regularly by local cycling groups.

There are dynamic local social groups, organising village shows, a pantomime and other events. Funds raised are donated to other village organisations and charity.

Our nearest towns are Tring, 3 miles and the county town of Buckinghamshire, Aylesbury, 7 miles. We are close to an excellent communications network. Both Tring and Aylesbury have rail links to London to the South and Birmingham to the north. The M1, M25 and M40 are all nearby. For the international traveller both Luton and Heathrow Airports are within easy reach.