The North End Village Design Statement (VDS) group was formed in March 2003 with the sole purpose of producing a VDS document for the village to complement the one already produced for the main village of Great Waltham in the parish of that name.

One of the first activities to be arranged was our village Photo Exploration day when the village residents were invited to capture in words and photographs, the aspects of the village which they considered important. We don't possess a village hall and have to rely on the generosity of our local church, Blackchapel, to host such events.

Armed with cameras, paper and pen, a number of groups of residents of all ages set off to explore the village and record their findings. After lunch at The Butcher’s Arms the groups reconvened and reviewed all the displayed information which was then taken away for analysis.

The results of the analysis were delivered to each residence in the form of a report along with a detailed questionnaire. We obtained a 71% return for the questionnaire and are now arranging an exhibition where the results will be presented.

We soon realised that there was a great deal of synergy between the VDS activity and the Village Map project of our village VOICE group. Both were collecting historical information about the village and were recording details of the local environment so we decided to combine our efforts to generate the North End Heritage Project. Being a village of a little over 60 residences it has been easy to coordinate the activities of both groups especially as we had some people who sat in both groups.

When the map has been finalised a small printed copy will be produced for inclusion in the VDS which will be delivered to each residence.