Wednesday 30 April 2014

Congratulations

Congratulations to Claire & Colm Henry on the birth of their first daughter and a little sister for Finn and Charlie.

Margaret, Mary, Gabrielle was born at 12.05am on Good Friday.




Weighing in at 9lbs and 2oz.

Mum and baby are home and doing well.
Welcome to Chearsley Maggie!

Thursday 17 April 2014

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

Steam Train - Amazingly everything went exactly to plan when Braunton came gleaming and steaming along the Chiltern Line on Sunday April 13. The weather was sunny, it was the expected locomotive, and it came through on time. It was a splendid sight with no diesel engine hitched up in case of any problems with the steam engine, which in the view of my reliable informant, is just not acceptable! As far as I know, no other steam trains are planned along the Chiltern Line for this year. So I hope you didn’t miss this one.

Annual Parish Meeting - Monday April 28 in the Village Hall. Please check the notice board for details of time. Chearsley Parish Council invite everyone to come and hear reports from the local police, our local District and County councillors and what has happened in the village over the past year. Other topics of village interest to be discussed will be on the agenda displayed on the notice board.

Job Vacancy at The Bell - Sharon needs a part-time cook to join her team at The Bell. Applications from anyone with a knowledge of cooking and preferably experience of working in a busy kitchen and able to work different shifts including weekends should apply to Sharon at The Bell on 01844 208077 or email her at sharon@thebellchearsley.co.uk, or call in, have a drink or a meal and speak to Sharon in person.

Find the Joker - Friday nights at 8.30pm. The prize money for this has grown considerably over the past weeks since the competition began – the Joker not having yet been drawn. A Friday evening at The Bell to be there for the draw might prove to be very worthwhile.

Meat Raffle - Sundays at 3.00pm at The Bell. This very popular raffle continues and for £2.00 you may win anything from a chicken to pork chops, all from local suppliers.

Lunch Club at The Bell - Wednesday April 30 is the next Pub Lunch for anyone in Chearsley or from other villages who would like to come along for a 2 course meal for £6.50. On the menu will be lasagne, sausage and mash or macaroni cheese, followed by spotted dick, lemon tart, sticky toffee pudding or cheese and biscuits. Sharon needs to know what you would like to eat before hand, so please ring her on 208077 to book your place.

British Red Cross Week May 4 – 10
This is a week of major fundraising for the Red Cross to raise funds to help vulnerable people and people in crisis in our local area and abroad. The organisers are looking for volunteers to help raise funds by holding any event – a “Caring Cuppa” coffee morning with friends and neighbours, cake sales ,or help organise a house to house collection. If you would like to get involved, please contact local community fund raiser, Sharon Cooper on 01296 739309, or email scooper@redcross.org.uk or visit the British Red Cross website for more information on www.redcrossweek.org.uk.

Music in Quiet Places
These are classical concerts organised by Aylesbury Vale District council during May and June in local rural venues providing the opportunity for villagers to enjoy professional concerts. The concerts are preceded by a free walk of the village led by a local historian.
On Saturday May 10 at 7.30 at The Reading Room, Windmill Hill, Waddesdon, the Metzger Ensemble with flute, violin, viola and cello will be performing. The programme includes Dvorak Cypresses, when Sarah Coward, who plays Caroline in The Archers, will read the text of each song before it is performed. Tickets for the concert are £12 and can be bought by ringing 01296 653226 or by email. A talk by a Waddesdon guide starts at 6.30pm. An opportunity to experience the wonderful views from this award winning building.
The Church of St Mary and The Holy Cross at Quainton hosts another concert on Saturday May 17 at 7.30pm when musicians playing violins, violas and cellos will perform Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence. A walk starting from the church porch will commence at 6.30pm. Tickets are available at £12 from June Hanson on 01296 655249.
The Church of St Mary Magdalene at Shabbington hosts a concert on Saturday May 31 at 7.30pm. The programme includes duos for viola and cello by Mozart and Franz Danzi and works for string trios by Schubert and Hayden. Ring 01844 201236 for tickets. A walk starts from the church door at 6.30pm.
Go to AVDC website, Music in Quiet Places for a list of all venues offering concerts.

Burglaries - Thames Valley Police are warning everyone to be extra vigilant in keeping their houses and garden sheds secure. There have been several daytime and evening break-ins in the area, in 3 the burglars have used garden tools to gain access. Access in the other 2 have been by damage to rear windows. Most burglars are opportunistic and a property which looks insecure is more likely to be targeted than one properly secured with all windows and doors and side gates locked, and all tools locked away in sheds.

Diary Dates:
  • Monday April 28 - Annual Parish Meeting in Chearsley Village Hall - time to be announced
  • Tuesday May 6 - Bingo at The Bell with Eyes Down at 8.30pm.
St Nicholas Church:
  • Sunday April 27 - Family Service at 10.00am

Tuesday 15 April 2014

Neighbourhood Police Newsletter & Advice

The Neighbourhood Police Update for April is now available here.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thames Valley Police would like to remind residents to remain extra vigilant after a series of burglaries in the local area of Aylesbury Vale. Five offences took place between Wednesday 19 March and Saturday (28/3) in Aylesbury Central and Milton Keynes.

They have included both daytime and evening break-ins where shed and garden tools have been used by the offenders in three burglaries to gain access to the properties. The remaining offences involved offenders gaining access to properties by damaging the rear windows.

Most burglars are opportunistic and a property that presents itself as insecure is far more likely to be targeted than one which is properly secured. We would like residents to remain extra vigilant and to please consider the following crime prevention advice:
  • Make sure you securely lock all windows and doors
  • Ensure that your side gate is secure, locked and not easy to climb over
  • Securely lock all tools in a shed or garage and keep them out of sight, as these can be used by thieves to force entry into your property
  • Consider using prickly plants as an effective way to deter someone trying to climb over your gate or fence to gain access to your garden
  • Ensure there are no loose paving stones or bricks lying around in your garden
  • Do not leave ladders in your garden, lock them away in your shed
  • Consider fitting security lighting and a burglar alarm
  • Ensure you check your home security, when leaving your home and before going to bed
Please consider the following shed security advice:
  • Keep your shed in good condition
  • Fit a closed shackle padlock to the door
  • Fittings should be bolted through the door and any screws concealed
  • It is easy to unscrew the ironmongery, steal contents and in some cases replace the screws to make it look as if the shed has not been tampered with
  • By using tamper proof screws or coach bolts, together with a good quality pad bar or hasp and staple and close shackled padlock, the shed owner will make it harder for the would-be thief.
  • Bond any window glass in with mastic to prevent easy removal. Fit grilles or mesh to windows to slow down the thief.
  • Ensure all equipment and tools are locked away when not in use
  • Install a shed alarm
  • Post-code or mark all property such as lawnmowers, bikes, and tools using ultraviolet pens, forensic marking such as Selecta DNA, Smartwater or engravers.
  • Install security lighting as a deterrent, and plants such as thorny shrubs to act as a barrier at potential access points
  • If building a shed, put it where it is most visible to you and neighbours
  • Ensure ladders are locked to a secure fixture in the shed or garage so they can’t be used to reach top floor windows
  • Chain large items such as bicycles together, making it much more difficult for a thief to carry away
  • Fit a wire cage inside the shed where more expensive items can be locked away.
Anyone with information in relation to these burglaries should contact DS Jim Forrest, from Aylesbury Vale local CID via the Thames Valley Police Enquiry Centre on 101.

If you don't want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.


Thursday 10 April 2014

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

Trees on The Green - the final diseased sycamore tree has now been cut down and the logs left for villagers’ use.

St George’s Day – this will be celebrated in fine style at The Bell on Saturday April 26. Please contact Sharon for more details of the menu and to book a table. Space is limited, so don’t delay.

Job Vacancy at The Bell - Sharon needs a part-time cook to join her team at The Bell. Applications from anyone with a knowledge of cooking and preferably experience of working in a busy kitchen and able to work different shifts including weekends should apply to Sharon at The Bell on 01844 208077 or email her at sharon@thebellchearsley.co.uk, or call in, have a drink or a meal and speak to Sharon in person.

Mobile Library - It is hoped to re-arrange the date the mobile library visit to Chearsley this month from Easter Monday April 21 for later in the week. At the time of writing, it has not been decided.

Village Hall - Chearsley Village hall offers good, basic facilities for parties of all kinds, including ones for children and teenagers, with secure outdoor space. Cost per hour is £10.00. Please contact the Bookings Secretary on 01844 208343 for more information.

Refuse Collection
The refuse bins and food bins will be collected a day later next week on Saturday April 19. Easter does not affect the following week and the bins will be collected on the Friday as usual.

Diary Dates –
  • Easter Sunday, April 20 at 11.00am - Easter Egg Hunt in The Bell Garden.
  • Easter Monday April 21 Evening - Chocolate Party in The Bell – chocolates for everyone including Sharon and Sarah who have gone without chocolates for Lent to raise over £700 for the Oli Bell.
St Nicholas Church:
  • Good Friday April 18 at 10am -- Good Friday Service (quiet and traditional)
  • Easter Sunday April 21 - Easter Garden Service and Communion

Monday 7 April 2014

Lost Cat - has been found!



Good News - Scruffles has been found!  A bit thinner but safe and sound.

Lost Cat - answers to the name of Scruffles.

Could residents of Lower Green Lane, Dark Lane, School Lane and other surrounding areas check garages and garden sheds?

Reward offered for safe return ... please call Peter on 01844 201120 with any information.

Thursday 3 April 2014

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

Bingo at The Bell – a very quiet evening of Bingo was held on April 1, when £50 was the prize for winning the final Full House and £28 was made by the raffle in aid of the Oli Bell Fund. Birthday wishes to Andy Camden who tirelessly supports Paul Kingsman in calling the numbers each month and providing the banter. A great photo of Andy and his birthday “cake” can be seen in the birthday gallery in The Bell. Sharon and Sarah are still keeping to their chocolate diet and have so far raised over £700 also in aid of the Oli Bell Fund. If you would like to sponsor them for the final few days, they would welcome your support. Bingo in May is on Tuesday May 6.

Steam train through Chearsley – Sunday April 13
There is a steam train planned to leave London passing through Chearsley en route to Warwick and Stratford Upon Avon on Sunday April 13. It is the Sunday Luncheon Special run by Steam Dreams. The locomotive is scheduled to be Braunton, a Light Pacific express passenger engine designed by Olliver Bulleid, a West Country Class locomotive which takes its name from the North Devon town.
This locomotive was retired from service in 1965 and sold to Barry scrap yard. Work to restore the engine started in 1996 and was completed by 2008.
Departure time from Paddington is 10.50am being at Beaconsfield at around 11.45pm and coming through Chearsley possibly between 12 noon and 12.30pm. As always, there could be many hitches, but if it is a pleasant day, what better way than to spend an hour or so in the field near the train track waiting for a few seconds’ glimpse of a Proper Train as it flashes past! On its return journey, it is due to leave Stratford Upon Avon at 6.30pm. If it leaves as scheduled, it should pass through Chearsley around 8.15 to 8.30pm.

Chearsley W.I. - their next meeting will be held on Tuesday April 15 in the village hall when Peter Hague will be giving a talk on West Wycombe Park and the Dashwoods. Visitors are very welcome to come for a charge of £4.00. Meetings start at 2.00pm.

Easter at The Bell - hopefully the weather will be warm and sunny and the large, safe, child friendly garden at The Bell can be enjoyed by everyone. An Easter Egg hunt will take place on Easter Sunday, April 20 at 11.00am in the garden, rain or shine and on Easter Monday evening Sharon and Sarah, having successfully gone without chocolate for Lent will be indulging themselves in a Chocolate Party in The Bell with lots of chocolates for everyone.

St George’s Day
– this will be celebrated in fine style at The Bell on Saturday April 26. Please contact Sharon for more details of the menu and to book a table. Space is limited, so don’t delay.

Be Good – three lads, who all attended Lord Williams school make up this Oxford band ” Be Good”. One of them is Charlie Clark, son of Clare Clark, secretary to the Parish Council. Their song,” I’d have Told you Anything” which they recorded in the house they share in Cowley was recently played on Radio Oxford Introducing. It can be heard on their website www.begoodsometimes.bandcamp.com. A good start and good luck to them all with the band’s future.

The Book House, Thame
Chearsley now has a local connection with this independent bookshop, as Lesley, who works there, has recently moved to the village. We are fortunate to have a lively independent bookshop so local, well established for nearly 40 years selling a wide range of books with a particularly good children’s section which encourages families with children to come and spend time enjoying and browsing amongst the books.
The Book House prides itself on selling and promoting works by local authors, among them, Steve Cole, who writes the”Astrosaur” series and who has been chosen to write the new Young James Bond books, the first one to be published this Autumn and Jenny Smith who writes for teens and children “My Big Fat Teen Crisis” and “Diary of a Parent Trainer”.
The Book house has also published books about Haddenham and Cuddington’s history – “Before Domesday” by Bruce Alexander and “Hill Top village” about Brill in Tudor times by Canon Vincent Strudwick. Not forgetting Jean Daish from Chearsley whose first book “Operation Pied Piper” is on sale in The Book House.
The Literary Festival in October in Thame welcomes many authors to the shop and a number of book signing events have been held in the past, among them, Terry Wogan, Kate Mosse, Raymond Blanc, Rick Stein, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, Mary Berry, Sophie Dahl and the list goes on. The Use it or Lose it slogan to keep local shops in business applies to The Book House like many other local enterprises, particularly with increasing competition from online shopping. Why not call in and see the wide range of books, cards, book related toys, CDs and DVDs at The Book Shop where the staff are always happy to offer advice and can obtain a book usually within 24 hours if it is not on their shelves.

Diary Dates –
St Nicholas Church:
  • April 13 10.00am Palm Sunday Morning Celebration Service – celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. This will be followed by the PCC AGM at 11.00am in the church, to which everyone is invited to stay for. Please note there is no evensong this day.
  • Tuesday April 15 8.00pm - During Holy Week, Compline will be said with Meditations. Compline is a quiet late-night service, traditionally ending the day in convents and monasteries.
Tuesday April 15 - W.I. meeting in the village hall at 2.00pm