Thursday 31 July 2014

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

Planting at Haddenham and Thame Parkway railway station – the newly extended station which was recently opened by Raymond Blanc, a regular customer at the station now has newly designed planting areas. When you next go to the station, take a careful and admiring look at the planting as the work was carried out by Vanessa Doyle of Chilton Road. She has worked as plant specialist in conjunction with Rodney Lovell of Landmark Garden Design who was responsible for the design.
Her aim was to find plants which would look good all year, be able to thrive in drought conditions and survive with little attention. The” helter-skelter” in the middle of the car park is planted with grasses and a mosaic of house leeks. The triangular beds have been given a seaside theme with blue and black grasses, sea hollies and bergenias whose leaves turn scarlet in winter.
Vanessa grows many of her own unusual plants and has a lovely garden, which she opened to the public last year as part of The National Gardens Scheme. With thanks to Vanessa for this information, I shall make a point of viewing the new planting with informed eyes next time I am at the station and throughout the coming months.

Black Coffee at Oxford Playhouse.

A young Eric Carte

Eric Carte, our esteemed local actor has been on tour since January with the Agatha Christie Theatre Co in the first play written by Agatha Christie, Black Coffee. Jason Durr, well known as PC Mike Bradley in Heartbeat has replaced Robert Powell as Hercule Poirot. The play is set on an English country estate which is thrown into chaos following the murder of eccentric Sir Claud Amory and the theft of his new earth shattering formula. On the arrival of Hercule Poirot with Captain Hastings at the scene, he immediately senses a potent brew of despair, treachery and deception amid the estate’s occupants. It is described by Agatha Christie as a “conventional spy thriller”. Inspector Japp also makes a welcome appearance in the play. Black Coffee continues its tour of the UK and Ireland with Eric and will be at The Oxford Playhouse from Tuesday August 26 to Saturday August 30, with matinees on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Wedding Congratulations to Angela and Duncan of Chilton Road who were married on Saturday July 26 at St Mary’s Church, Chilton. Angela and Duncan were responsible for creating the jewelled Crown which was the centre piece on The Green for the Jubilee celebrations in 2012. Good luck to them and their children, Molly and Barnaby.

Jack Neil - Jack’s relatives would like to thank all who attended his funeral at St Nicholas Church on July 24 and particular thanks to Jeremy Pratt for playing the organ and to the ladies who sang the descant. £217 was raised from donations for the Alzheimer’s Society. They would also like to thank Sharon at The Bell and everyone who came back to The Bell after the funeral.

Clothes and Shoes Recycling in The Bell car park. Sharon has kindly agreed for a clothes and shoe bank to be placed in The Bell car park. Proceeds from this will go to the children’s charity Shooting Stars, which is a leading children’s hospice charity caring for babies, children and young people with life limiting conditions and their families. The bank in The Bell car park is run by The Salvation Army Trading Co. with the support of Fuller’s Brewery. Donations should be put in a bag before being placed in the bank.

Red Cross Transport – volunteer drivers are being sought throughout the Vale to take people to medical appointments, dentist, etc. You would use your own car and expenses would be reimbursed. If you could spend a few hours helping, please contact The British Red Cross on 08450703752 for more information. This number can also be used to book transport.

Diary Dates:
  • Sunday August 10 - Evensong at 6.00pm at St Nicholas church (no Morning Celebration). During August there will be no Junior Church or Rock Solid.
  • Monday August 11 – Mobile Library from 10.00am until 10.25am in the Bell Car park

Thursday 24 July 2014

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

Summer Holidays
School has now finished for the Summer until term time starts again on September 4 and life goes a bit quiet in the village during August, but will wake up again with a vengeance in September, when a lot of events and meetings will be taking place. There will be no meeting of the Parish Council during August.

Parish Council Meeting held on Monday July 21 – Only 3 members of the public attended. The matter of increasing the precept was talked about during the public session when it was agreed that this should be an agenda item for discussion at the next or future meeting. It was suggested that the bad condition of the roads in Shupps Lane and Dark Lane and kerbing work should be done as a priority. It was reported that quotes for this work were being sought. The potholes in School Lane had been filled in and white lining around Church Lane and Shupps Lane would soon be done. Highways and kerbing would be an agenda item for the next meeting. Chearsley had not been successful in the The Best Kept Village competition this year. No details about this were available. The verges are only being cut on the main roads by AVDC. All other verges, footpaths and overhanging hedges should be kept clear by homeowners.

Village Hall Refurbishment – Representatives of the Village Hall Management Committee addressed the meeting with progress so far. A Feasibility study had been made, other village halls which had undergone major alterations visited and studied, the possibility of grants and funding looked into, a survey in the village had revealed that 80% would be in favour of a new building on the present site. Two possible layouts for a new hall, with outside space and parking had been suggested by the architects appointed and a date for putting these proposals to the village for their comments had been set for September 22.

Wild Flower areas – as Mike Heybrook was not in attendance to talk about the wild flower areas, this would be on the agenda at the next meeting.

Any Other Business. A plaque in memory of Betty Duval who left money in her will to buy the benches on The Green still needs to be arranged. The bench by the War Memorial needs repair. The white gates into the village need painting. The footpath in Chilton Road is overgrown. John Lloyd would be contacted about this. The Vehicle Activated sign in Chilton Road would soon be moved to a different position.

Date of Next Meeting - this will be on Monday September 15 at 7.30pm in the village hall.

Chearsley Cricket Club - The Junior Awards evening was held at the Cricket Club on Tuesday July 15 with proud parents and members to celebrate another successful season. The club now has almost 100 junior players, including 30 girls. In the Girls section, the award for player of the year went to Emily Seed, Most improved player was Poppy Winnicot and the Coach’s award went to Katie Sawrey-Cookson. In the boys Under 9 – Batsman of the year was Harry Lazaruk, Bowler of the year was Ben Warner, and Most improved player was Joseph Grapes. In the Boys Under 11 – Batsman of the Year was Joe Littlewood, Bowler of the year was Hal Seed and Most Improved Player was McKenzie Hughes and Will Greenfield. In the Under 13 – Batsman of the Year was Rory Gillis, Bowler of the Year was Reuben Feltham and Player of The Year was Ben Caiger. The Under 15s still have matches to play and they will join the Senior Players for a joint Awards Presentation on a date still to be confirmed in September. Congratulations to all players and a big thank you to Angela Gray, Dave Richards and all the other coaches and helpers who have made this season such a memorable one.

Chearsley Show - Saturday September 6 The schedules and details for the show have now been circulated round the village. Gardens are flourishing in the warm weather and gardeners should now be eyeing up possible entries in one of the many categories of flowers, vegetables and fruit. Lettuce, peas and peppers and pansies are new classes this year. The theme of the flower arrangement is to commemorate The First World War, using any flowers, foliage and accessories. For the non-gardeners who would like to take part in the Show, there is the Domestic section which includes apple pie, Victoria sponge, cheese scones and new for 2014 - 1 white loaf of bread. There is also the Art and Craft section including entries for photographs, craft picture, model. There should be something for everyone to be able to take part. For children, there are many categories and 4 age groups – decorated fairy cakes, favourite photograph, picture, garden on a plate, decorated hard boiled egg on any theme, model made from vegetables and a hand crafted item. Entry forms must be completed and submitted by Tuesday September 2. Public entry to the show is at 2.45pm with teas and raffle.


Diary Dates
  • Sunday August 3 – 10.00am Family communion. No Junior Church
  • Monday August 4 - Lights Out from 10.00 to 11.00pm marking the hour Britain entered World War I in 1914.
  • Monday August 11 – Mobile Library from 10.00am until 10.25am in the Bell Car park
  • Tuesday September 2 - Bingo at The Bell at 8.30pm
  • Saturday September 6 - Chearsley Show in the village hall. Open to the public at 2.45pm
  • Sunday September 7 - Chearsley Classic Car Rally and Fun Day at The Cricket Ground 12.00pm till 5.00pm
  • Saturday September 13 – Family Quiz – early evening in the village hall.
  • Monday September 15 - Parish Council Meeting 7.30m in the village hall
  • Friday September 19 to Sunday 21 - Flower Festival in St Nicholas church in aid of The 3 New Bells
  • Monday September 22 -- Open meeting for all villagers about alterations to The Village Hall
  • Saturday September 27 - Harvest Festival Supper in the village hall. More details to follow

Saturday 19 July 2014

Courier Scam Update

Thames Valley Police is warning Aylesbury Vale residents to be vigilant after a number of suspicious phone calls have been received by local residents.

The series of calls have been from someone purporting to be DC or PC Charlie Mitchell, shoulder number EK247, from Aylesbury Police Station.

He tells a story relating to recovering the callers cloned bank card and asks for their card security details and card numbers.

It’s a scam!

Sergeant Bryn Scott from the Waddesdon Neighbourhood Policing Team said “If you receive a call like this DO NOT give out any personal details.

“Remember, your bank or a genuine police officer will never ask you for your pin number or the three digit security number from the back of your card.

“If you give your details they will likely be used to purchase goods on line which will be delivered to another address”

If you receive a similar call please report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit the Action Fraud site. In an emergency dial on 999.

Click for the Thames Valley Police website

Friday 18 July 2014

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

Girls at Chearsley Cricket Club - on Saturday July 12th, a girls team from the Cricket Club took part in an under 11s 6 a-side Lady Taverners Tournament held at Beacon School, Chesham Bois and were very proud to finish runners-up. All six girls, which included Olivia and Katie Sawrey-Cookson and Rowan Chantrey who live in Chearsley, played exceptionally well, batting, fielding and catching brilliantly – “catches win matches” – beating by 60 runs Bledlow, a team the girls had lost to earlier in the season and losing in a close game to Balinger, the eventual winners. Well done to the Chearsley girls and Emma Morris, Emily Seed and Rebecca Seed for representing your Club with such effort and enthusiasm. The Club is proud of your achievement.

100 Birthday Congratulations - Freda Scarlett, resident of Cuddington, celebrated her 100 birthday on Saturday July 12 with her daughter, Lyn Frankland of Willow Corner, Chearsley, and many family members and friends. As well as receiving many cards, presents and flowers, including a card from The Queen and a telegram from Ian Duncan Smith, Minister of Pensions, she opened Cuddington Fete and judged the Fancy Dress. Everyone sang Happy Birthday before she was driven away in Lyn’s car, with the roof down so should could wave like The Queen. A party in Chearsley Village Hall was held for her with friends and family, including her daughter from America and nephew and family from Denmark. Freda would like to thank everyone who came to the party and all her friends in Cuddington who were unable to come as they were busy at the Fete. Congratulations Freda!

Send a Cow Fundraising - fundraising for this has now reached halfway to the target of £750. The collecting box in The Bell has raised £11.20 so far. Hopefully donations will continue to be made. Government Aid Overseas Funds will match every penny the village can raise.

Alterations at our Shop and The Bell
Jeyan and Suki now have a new chiller installed for milk, dairy products, wine, pies, soft drinks – a smart easy -to -see arrangement with no doors to open. The counter is also being altered to make room for the sale of scratch cards and hopefully an installation of a National Lottery Terminal in due course. The shop is open long hours 7 days a week and sells a wide variety of products, including a good selection of wines and beers, often on offer, fruit and vegetables, ice-creams, greeting cards, fresh bread, eggs, newspapers. Jeyan is happy to try to get whatever you might need and will deliver.

The Bell now has an attractive new inner door and window into the bar. This means that the outside main door can be kept open even in the cold weather, without the customers and staff getting cold. During opening hours, The Bell will now always look open for business.

Reading Glasses found - if anyone has lost a pair of reading glasses in Aylesbury Road recently, please contact me on 208913.

Diary Dates
  • Thursday July 24 - Funeral of Jack Neil at St Nicholas Church at 12 noon
  • Sunday July 27 - 10.00am Family Service at St Nicholas Church
  • Sunday July 27 - BBQ at The Bell from 5.00 to 7.00pm.

Friday 11 July 2014

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Steve Vear
More than 150 family, villagers and friends came to this service for Steve on Wednesday July 9. The church was full, as expected, and many had to sit outside. There were moving tributes from his wife, Karen, reading “Farewell – I only wanted you”, his old friend and neighbour, Stuart Burnham recalling many happy times and escapades together (Steve had many throughout his colourful and varied life) and a clever, witty and moving poem “Our Dad” composed and read by his daughters, Emma, Millie and Alice. Donations in Steve’s memory will be shared between Thame District Nurses, Long Crendon Surgery and the Outreach team at Florence Nightingale Hospice. The support of all these enabled Steve to be cared for at home by his family. Please send any donations to Wright Funeral Services with Steve’s name on the back of the cheque.

The funeral of Jack Neil who died on June 23 will take place in St Nicholas Church on Thursday July 24 at 12 noon and afterwards at The Bell. No flowers. Donations in Jack’s name may be sent to Alzheimer’s Society c/o Wilsons in Haddenham. Jack lived in Shupps Lane and for many years was a church warden.

Seamus Bestic, another old villager, who moved away to Princes Risborough a few years ago has also died. Seamus was chairman of the Parish Council for a few years.

Peacocks in Chearsley
I am told, on hopefully good authority, that the peacock and peahen, which have been heard and seen around the village recently, originated from Timberlake’s Farm in Winchendon Road, Chearsley. They were released to roam around once they had been accustomed to the Farm as they were thought unlikely to wonder off. But they did. The story continues that the first peahen disappeared and was replaced with another one. But as two peahens and one peacock have recently been seen, the original peahen must have returned. Perhaps it is a peacock ménage a trois.

All About ... Phil
Phil Morbey has recently celebrated a “special” birthday – congratulations Phil - and was given a unique line and watercolour framed painting depicting all things important in his life, including his Dennis the Menace jumper, his Riley, The Bell, his family ... all manner of personal little pictures to find. It was designed and painted by villager Alicia Howard, a free lance designer and illustrator, with the aid of photos and suggestions from his family and is one of a number of paintings she has created in this “All about “ series which include All about Chearsley, the Allotments, the Jubilee, Chearsley Cricket Club and a new one All About The Bell in support of the St Nicholas New Bells fund.
Please contact Alicia if you would like to know more about her work. I would be pleased to show All About Phil to anyone who would like to see it. Alicia also created one of my life when I celebrated a “special” birthday. Perky - if you are reading this out loud in The Bell as you are known to do, I am not telling you what “special” birthday it was!

Pub Lunch Wednesday July 23 12.30pm The 2 course meal costs £6.50 and includes tea or coffee. The Lunch Club is a way of supporting The Bell and an opportunity to meet up with others from the village. It was started as a way of providing a social meeting for those older people in the village unable to get out much, but anyone who would like to join in are more than welcome to come. There is a choice of menu which will be Quiche, macaroni cheese or lasagne, followed by ice cream, jam sponge or chocolate mousse or cheese and biscuits. Please ring me if you would like to come and let me know your choice of meal on. 01844 208913.

Chearsley Classic and Vintage Fun Day
Sunday September 7 Noon until 5.00pm This will be a great event for the whole family to be held at Chearsley Cricket Ground. Entry will again be free this year. Over 150 vehicles are expected plus a fly-past by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. There will be games and funfair for the children, craft stalls and a car boot sale. Come hungry and thirsty as the famous Chearsley Cricket Club BBQ will be on full blast and the bar open. For more details and to register your vehicle, please see www.sites.google.com/site/chearsleyclassic. Check out up to the minute details on www.facebook.com/ChearsleyClassicFunday or email classicfun@chearsley.com.

Gardening Workshop at Turn End Haddenham – Friday July 25 from 10.00am to 1.00pm. 'Selecting and caring for Plants' is the title of this gardening workshop at Turn End. Budding gardeners will be given guidance to select suitable plants for particular conditions with tips on plant care and plant problems. There will also be the opportunity to purchase plants grown at Turn End. Places are limited to 10 and cost £20. Please email turnendtrustevents@gmail.com or phone 07591 018601

HS2 Community Support
Bucks County Council are organising meetings to discuss local petitioning points, including those submitted by Bucks County Council, local groups and individuals. There will be one on July 21 for Waddesdon and Quainton. More details of venue and time (the evening) will be decided upon when it is known how many are likely to come. If you would like to register interest in attending, please email HS2Blueprint@buckscc.gov.uk

Diary Dates:
  • Saturday July 19 Tool security marking on The Green from 1.00pm until 3.00pm also security advice.
  • Sunday July 20 - 9am Communion at St Nicholas Church
  • Wednesday July 23 - Pub Lunch at The Bell

Wednesday 9 July 2014

Neighbourhood Police Newsletter

The Neighbourhood Police Update for this July is now available here.

Click for the Thames Valley Police website

Wednesday 2 July 2014

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

It has not really been a good time for Chearsley these last two weeks. Some sad news to hear of the death of Steve Vear in his early 50s after an illness of a few months. He was known to so many in the village in different ways, through the cricket club, the church, The Bell, the shop and Post Office, where he worked for a few years, his veg plot and Veg-Boxes, gardening for many, teaching maths, always a familiar sight in his old Landrover – just like something out of Midsomer Murders. It was good that he was able to have a few drinks at The Bell in recent weeks. Steve’s funeral will be at Chearsley Church on Wednesday July 9 at 2.00pm. His family welcome all friends to the church and afterwards at the Cricket Club.
Elsie Lambert who lived in Winchendon Road with her son Howard has also recently died. She was often to be seen at her allotment plot. There is also news of Jack Neil’s death. Jack lived for many years in a bungalow in Shupps Lane and died on Sunday June 23 in Castlebar Care Centre, Sydenham, London. Jack was a church warden at St. Nicholas for many years. Details of the arrangements for the funeral which will be held in Chearsley Church will be put on the notice board when know.
It is hoped that Tony Saunders of Shupps Lane is now making good progress after a recent fall from a roof and an operation in Stoke Mandeville. Someone let me have some good news please.

Peacocks
It would be interesting to know more about the peacock and peahen ( or is it 2 peahens?) that have been heard and seen in Chearsley in the past couple of weeks. There have been reports of them being seen on various roofs throughout the village and last Sunday I saw them on a roof in School Lane. I know there have been peacocks in Dadbrook, Cuddington, in the past. I haven’t seen them for many years so don’t know if these Chearsley ones are a Cuddington visitation. I am sure we would all be interested to hear from anyone who owns them or knows where they come from.

Send a Cow
There is a new collecting box on the bar in The Bell with thanks to Sharon, to support the Send a Cow charity. This initiative is a UK-based international development charity that works with poor African families to promote self-sufficiency through the development of small sustainable businesses based on growing and selling food. It provides training, livestock, seeds and support to families to equip them to make the best use of their land and resources. The current emphasis is in providing dairy cows which will help support poor rural families to feed themselves over a period of time and help them to establish sources of income and nutrition for their children. Throughout the current two months, British Government Overseas Aid funds will match every penny raised by charitable collections in this country. Members of St Nicholas Church Chearsley hope that villagers will agree to support the initiative in whatever way then can, including contributing via this collection box in The Bell.

Pet Sitting – in aid of Send a Cow. Libby is offering to sit your pets – chickens, cats, dogs, while you are away. She is asking for donations in support of Send a Cow and can be contacted on 01844 208740.

Shed and garage break-ins - Crime Prevention and Security Marking Event
A locked shed in the garden of a house in Bernard's Close has recently been broken into overnight. Nothing was taken, but a lot of damage done. On the same night, the garage of Pear Tree Lodge, Dark Lane was broken into and again, nothing was taken, but damage done in breaking in. Since then, there have been more shed break-ins in the village, locks broken and lawnmowers and other equipment stolen. If anyone has any information on any of the break-ins they are asked to contact PC Kingham on 101. As a result of these recent crimes, a Crime Prevention and Security marking event has been arranged to take place on The Green Chearsley on Saturday July 19 between 1.00 and 3.00pm. The local neighbourhood police will give crime prevention advice and security mark your power tools and lawnmowers.

Aylesbury Vale Community Safety Partnership has prepared a pocket sized card with tips to help keep residents from being victims of house burglaries, including a holiday check list to keep your house safe while you are away on holiday and advice to keep doors, windows and side gates locked even when you are out in the garden. The cards can be found at various outlets, such as libraries and doctors surgeries.

Slow Down Sign – there is now a Vehicle Activated Sign to warn motorists that they are travelling at more than the 30mph speed limit in Chilton Road. This is thanks to the work of the Parish Council and as often is the case has taken a while to achieve. The sign is moveable and will, when the Parish Council decides, be placed on one of the other busy main roads into the village.

Cuddington Wild West Fete on Saturday July 12 2.00pm at Lower Green – with all the usual stalls. Teas at Tyringham Hall; Grand draw with a top prize of £100 voucher for the Mole and Chicken; an Auction offering 15 lots, including an overnight stay at The Greyhound on the Test at Stockbridge, voted 2014 Michelin Pub of the year; a competition to design a sheriff badge open to all ages. Please go to Cuddington village website for more details. Cuddington Fete is considered to be one of the best in the County and great to have it on our doorstep. A nice walk over the fields to enjoy all the fun of the Fete, weather permitting.

Marie Curie Cancer Care in Bucks
This organisation provides free care for people with a terminal illness in their own home and gives vital emotional support to the family. Volunteers are needed to join a volunteer fundraising group in the Aylesbury area to raise funds and further awareness in the local communities of the nursing services of Marie Curie. Please contact Hazel Bendon, community fundraiser at her office in Northampton on 01604 258758 or email her at hazel.bendon@mariecurie.org.uk if you would like to help.

WWI Lights Out – Marking World War I centenary - Lights Out is an invitation to everyone in the UK to turn off their lights from 10 to 11pm on Monday August 4, leaving on a single light or candle for this shared moment of reflection marking the hour that Britain entered World War I one hundred years ago. A limited edition of Centenary candles will be on sale at M & S stores from 4 July, price £4.00 with all profits going to The Royal British Legion. It is hoped that a million candles will be lit throughout the UK to remember the million and more Commonwealth service personnel who lost their lives in World War I. A candlelit vigil will be held at Westminster Abbey at the same time. Lights Out is a headline project of the cultural programme 14-18 NOW which was initiated by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

Diary Dates
  • Saturday July 12 Cuddington Fete 2.00pm
  • Sunday July 13 – Bring and Share Picnic in Ann and Paul Persson’s Garden after Morning Celebration
  • Monday July 14 - Mobile Library in The Bell car park from 10.00 until 10.24am
  • Saturday July 19 tool security marking on The Green from 1.00pm until 3.00pm also security advice

Security Marking




Tuesday 1 July 2014

Steve Vear


It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Steve Vear who passed away peacefully at home on 30th June with his family.  Steve had been battling courageously against cancer which he was diagnosed with just after Christmas.

Steve's funeral will take place at St Nicholas Church, Chearsley at 2pm on Wednesday 9th July, followed by a gathering at Chearsley Cricket Club.  All friends are welcome to attend.