There would be no security nor guarantee of permanency, the ‘partnership' could have been dissolved for any reason Anderson thought fit, and there would be no say in the choice of staff.

For these reasons, the Royal College, the governing body of Veterinary Surgeons, suggested and ruled that, MVA could set up his own practice in the town after an interval of 6 months. This is the story behind the start of this practice in May 1958. For the first four months it was based at home - 31,Amersham Road - until the premises at 54, West Wycombe Road were purchased in September 1958. Shortly after this a strip of land was purchased from 56, West Wycombe Road to enlarge the parking area.

It is perhaps a point worth noting, that at this time consultations cost 3 shillings and 6 pence; spay cats £1-7s-6d; spay bitches 3 guineas and local visits 7s - 6d. (approx : metric equivalent - 15 pence, £1.30, £3, and 65p.) !!

At first only part of the ground floor at 54 West Wycombe Road was used as practice premises, the remainder, together with the upper floor, being rented out until gradually the whole of the ground floor was taken over. In 1960 an X-Ray machine was purchased, and Mrs. Archard’s qualifications as a Radiographer were put to good use in addition to her existing duties of part time secretary / book-keeper / lay assistant and general dogs body. The next major purchase was a radio-telephone which enabled better use of time when making visits, particularly in the event of emergencies - it also deferred the need to employ an assistant for more than a year. The base unit was installed at Amersham Road ( from where there was a good radio signal radius of approximately 30 miles) and was manned 24/7 by Mrs.A or the part-time secretary. At the time of the poodle hey-day the front room upstairs at 54,W.W.Rd: was used for dog trimming, at one time employing four full time staff. For the first few years the practice was mixed, but Mr. Archard’s aim was to practise only small animal work, and this came about in the early sixties.

In the mid seventies, the adjoining property - 52, West Wycombe Road - was purchased and the ground floors connected through with the 52 area being converted to a theatre unit. The total ground floor was then used for the practice. The upstairs of 52 was, in the beginning let out, but then used to house a Veterinary Assistant, and subsequently lay staff. In 1961, the first assistant was employed, but it soon became clear that the practice needed a partner. A property was purchased at Keep Hill Drive, and in succession 3 prospective partners joined, each staying for 3 - 4 years before leaving for various reasons. One emigrated to Australia, another decided that he preferred a 9 - 5 job at the Ministry of Ag: and Fish, and the third unavoidably and sadly had to return to Scotland for family reasons.

Eventually, in response to an advertisement in The Veterinary Record for an assistant with a view to a partnership, Malcolm Walters joined the practice in February 1974. He became a partner in April 1975, at which time he moved from Keep Hill Drive to Eastern Dene, Hazlemere where a branch practice was started at his house. As the number of clients increased, the facilities there eventually became inadequate and the decision was made in October 1984 to purchase 351, Amersham Road, Hazlemere in order to transfer the branch practice there. Originally three daily consultations were instituted, but the work there increased so much to the point now that the surgery is manned all day and minor operations are also carried out.

Soon after this it became clear that the practice needed an up-graded filing system, and a computer, though expensive, was the only real option. At this time only a few veterinary practices were using them, hence the programmes were at an embryonic stage and there were only two firms in the field. The firm we chose worked very closely with our practice in order that they could write a more appropriate and much improved programme for veterinary practices.

The practice has continued to grow and now has three partners, Simon Carter became a partner in 1997 at which time Paul Steven's practice at Watlington was purchased. Three consulting sessions are held daily during the week, and operations are performed.
In 2006, Denise Kinnard became a partner. There are also five full time and one part time veterinary assistant, and one visiting veterinary surgeon specialising in ophthalmology.
Facilities the practice has to offer include those for Radiography, ultrasound, endoscopy, ECG, equipment for blood analysis, and a sophisticated dental machine.

Mr. Archard retired in 1991

M.V. Archard