Local historian, Julian Hunt, gave a talk to the High Wycombe Society on Friday 3rd October entitled “Wycombe’s Wharf: the Story of Marlow”. An experienced, well-informed and entertaining speaker, he provided a wealth of fascinating facts about the history of our neighbouring town, but provoked an even livelier Q&A session in which members shared their own understanding of the transport routes used by local corn-suppliers, chairmakers and brickmakers over the past few centuries.
Daniel Defoe wrote about a “very great quantity of malt and meal” … “brought hither from High Wickham”. Julian’s talk found much substance to support the thriving level of activity at Marlow and on the river Thames, but also underlined the practical details of tranport in former times, including the risks and expenses involved in traversing weirs and the dependence on horses.