with Margaret Morbey
Olympic TorchCongratulations to Dave Thomas of Willow Gate, Chearsley on successfully flying precious cargo of the Olympic Torch and some very important dignitaries from Athens to Culdrose, Cornwall last week. Dave has worked for British Airways for nearly 20 years, and is currently Head of flight training. He was the natural choice to have the honour to be the captain, joined by 2 other pilots. During his career, Dave has flown the Queen on two royal tours and former prime minister Tony Blair to a G8 summit in Germany, so had few nerves about high-profile flights. In an interview with the BBC, Dave said “It is fantastic. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime for me. There’s lots of history, being involved in the Olympic movement which goes back thousands of years. In terms of symbolism this is the most precious cargo I have carried and it’s a new story for me to tell at dinner parties”. Well done, Dave, and to his two children for being able to keep such an exciting secret for so long. Chearsley is rightly very proud of you – when would you like to come over for dinner?
Florence Nightingale QuizOver £400 was raised by Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity at the recent Quiz night in Chearsley and they would like to thank all Chearsley participants and everyone who took part in the 11 team competition to help raise this amount. The Hospice needs to raise over £600,000 this year to keep essential Hospice services running, including its new Nightingale 24/7 team service which provides day and night-time care for its patients. In June the Charity holds its annual Sunny Sunflower Month – Do Something Sunny for Money and they are encouraging everyone to clear out cupboards and wardrobes to donate items to their local charity shop in Chinnor. Good quality clothing, household goods and bric-a-brac are always welcome as well as any unwanted gifts which can be used as tombola and raffle prizes in fund-raising events. Please visit
www.fnhospice.org.uk or ring 01296 429975 for information about future events.
Chearsley Village PlanUp to date news on work on the Plan can be found on the
Planning Forum page. Email addresses can be left there in order to receive automatic updates when new information is added. Most of the Topic Groups have already met or have meetings arranged for the near future. Everyone is welcome to join in the Groups by contacting the co-ordinator, details of which can be found on the website. The Steering Group is arranging to have a stand on the Village Green on our Jubilee Celebration Day, Monday June 4, which will provide an opportunity for anyone interested to see details of the work to date, express opinions and register to receive information of the Forum.
Jubilee Day Celebrations for Chearsley Villagers , Monday June 4.A great deal of thought, work and time has been put in by the Jubilee committee for the benefit of Chearsley villagers and it is hoped that the sun will shine and everyone will come and celebrate for some or all of the day and evening plans.
- 11.00am All day - free carousel rides for young children
- 12.00pm Making Crowns in the Bell Garden
- 1.00pm Village Photo. The last Village Photo was taken for the Millennium and it is a wonderful record of Chearsley villagers at the time. That was 12 years ago, so the Diamond Jubilee is an appropriate time for another village photo. Please come to The Green at 1.00, even if you are unable to stay for any other celebration. If you require a lift, please ring me on 208913. This will be followed by
- Street Party Lunch or Picnic on The Green
- 2.00pm Treasure Hunt and Party Games
- 7.30pm Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace on screen being shown in marquee in The Bell carpark.
- 9.30pm Candle-lit procession to the Church with Jubilee lanterns
- 10.00pm Lighting the Jubilee Beacon, National Anthem, toast her Majesty and share the Diamond Jubilee Cake
Then, dancing in the marquee. The Bell will be open for drinks and bar snacks all day with fish and chips and barbeque on sale all evening. The shop will be open all day for ice-creams, soft drinks and snacks.
Parish Council meetingThis was held in the village hall on Monday June 21 when Nic Brown was re-elected chairman, John Lewis elected vice chairman, and Clare Clark was appointed responsible Financial officer. John Lewis then chaired the meeting in the absence of Nic with 3 members of the public present.
Among matters raised :
- Matters arising from the Annual Parish Meeting held in April :
- The Police would be asked about amending the Neighbourhood Watch signs to include “No cold calling” and a note of where existing signs are located would be made.
- A litter pick would be held on Saturday May 26 when gloves and binbags would be available from outside The Bell at 2.30pm in an effort to make the village as attractive as possible for judging in the Best Kept Village competition.
- Dog bins would be erected soon, located in the field at the bottom of Church Lane and in the old strawberry field, Shupps Lane, Church Lane
- The footpath across The Green would be left to naturalize.
- During the open session, the deterioration of the verges by large heavy delivery lorries was discussed. A standard letter from the Parish Council should be drafted to encourage householders to request small delivery lorries, particularly those delivering to houses having new works, to prevent more damage and to make everyone aware of this problem. The letter could also be sent to local delivery firms. The bulk oil buying scheme, through its nature, seemed to be only able to send out a large lorry to the village and Community Impact Bucks, the co-ordinators for this scheme would be contacted.
- It was reported that planning permissions at Walnut Orchard and The Martins had been passed.
- Broken sewage pipe – this problem had resulted in sewage from the pumping station in the field at the bottom of Church Lane having to be pumped out into lorries many times during the day and night. Difficulties, including the flooding of the river into the field, had been encountered in the mending of the pipe, and it is hoped that the problem will soon be resolved.
- The possibility of having the 2 wooden seats engraved with the benefactors name and details would be investigated rather than have a metal plaque fitted.
- The deteriorating state of Aylesbury Road should be taken up again with AVDC.
The next meeting will be held on Monday June 18 in the Village Hall at 7.30pm.
Refuse and recycling collectionsAfter the Jubilee holiday, bins only will be collected on Thursday June 7. The following week, bins and baskets for paper, cans and plastics will be collected on Wednesday June 13. The following week, it will be bins only on the Tuesday June 19.
