Jack Hayden Smith was a local boy, who was born in the village and later returned to live here in his retirement. From humble beginnings he went on to obtain degrees from both London and Manchester universities and pursued a career in education. In his retirement years he became immersed in local affairs: the Church, Parish Council and the Grayshott Stagers being among his interests. It was during this period that he wrote the first part of this book. He had no family of his own, and on his death he generously left a legacy to the Parish Council together with half the copyright of his book. The legacy has been used over the years to improve village amenities. The Parish Council has also used it to provide an annual prize for a pupil of Grayshott School for some outstanding achievement, the winning child receiving a book.