THIS week we take a look at pictures which illustrate the recent history of the hamlet of Handy Cross, from when it was dominated by a farm and its associated fields, to its current infamy as junction 4 on the M40 motorway.

Sheaves of corn stacked in a field on Handy Cross Farm prior to transporting to a barn on the farm, which completed the harvesting procedure, c.1950.

Bucks Free Press:

The Royal South Bucks Agricultural Association held a Ploughing Match at Handy Cross Farm in 1954.

Bucks Free Press:

An aerial view of the Handy Cross roundabout busy with traffic in 1993.

Bucks Free Press:

An aerial view of the M40 junction 4 at Handy Cross under construction, November 1965, with Handy Cross hamlet near the centre of the picture. The route of the original Marlow Road, which disappeared in the redesigned road system, can still be seen as the only straight section of road.

Bucks Free Press:

This group of local farmers at a meeting in 1943 were members of the Wycombe District War Agricultural Committee during WWII, tasked with maximising food production in the county. The farmer at Handy Cross Farm Cyril Morris is third from the left, wearing a trilby hat.

Bucks Free Press: