Thursday 14 May 2015

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

Steve Vear Memorial Tree
Karen Vear, Steve’s widow, wishes to thank the many people to came to the coffee cake and produce morning on Saturday May 9 in the village hall. An amazing sum of over £850 was raised in memory of Steve. The selection of cakes was superb. Karen would like to thank everyone who donated cakes, money and other items to raise money for a tree in Steve’s memory. Special thanks must go to Julie and Sonia Timberlake who organized the whole event and to everyone who stayed at the end to help clear up. We are so fortunate to live in such a wonderful village. Karen and her family were really touched by how many people came up to the village hall to raise such a huge amount of money for a tree and possibly a bench for us all to enjoy. The morning was a testament of how many villagers hold Steve in such high regard and remember him with love and affection.

Bridge Closure at Cuddington
The following is an extract from an email sent to a Cuddington villager by Len Smith, Team Leader Highway Structures Management for Transport for Bucks in reply to a query about the bridge repairs and which has been sent on to me for interest.
“Both of the bridge parapet walls and approach fencing were significantly damaged by vehicles striking them. Before the works could commence on site, consent had to be obtained from the Environment Agency, a legal requirement and the necessary bricks had to be ordered and supplied. We have had a significant number of our operatives working on the repairs and are currently rebuilding/repairing the damaged section of parapets. Also scaffolding was required to be erected before demolition and repairs could commence. The wall is fairly substantial and we are limited on the amount of brickwork that can be placed per shift. The breaks between shifts allows sufficient time for the brickwork to be set and allow the next courses of bricks to be laid. Programmed date for completion of the works is May 22. We will be monitoring progress and hope to complete ahead of May 22 subject to the weather. The website dates relate to the maximum period that the order could stay in place rather than the actual works completion date. Because we had to use an emergency closure which is valid for 28 days and then has to be extended, this has led to different dates posted on the Transport for Bucks website.” 
Julia Witcher, Parish councillor, has also been told that by May 22 the bridge should be open again. Let’s hope the weather doesn’t hamper progress and things go to plan.

Pub Lunch at The Bell – there will be Pub Lunch with a choice of menu on Wednesday May 27. Everyone is welcome to come along. Just book either with Sharon at The Bell or with me a few days beforehand. It is a very informal get- together intended for those who are unable to get to many other social occasions, and a way of enjoying a very reasonably priced 2 course lunch in our charming old pub.

Chearsley and Haddenham Under Fives Pre-School

Set within idyllic village locations, CHUF provides children with a nurturing, safe, stimulating and happy environment to learn. Great outside play areas; high quality care and pre-school education; play equipment for learning and interactive play; high staff to child ratios; highly qualified and caring team. CHUF is a registered charity and member of the Pre-school Learning Alliance. They welcome parents and carers to come and meet the team and see the pre-schools. Visit chuf.co.uk for session times or call 01844 299123 to book a free trial session.

The Village Picture House, Cuddington
On Thursday May 28, there will be a showing of “Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?” a 1970s made for television version of Agatha Christie’s whodunit in The Bernard Hall, Cuddington. Most of the fictional welsh seaside town of Marchbolt is filmed in Cuddington – in the church, The Bernard Hall, Tibby’s cottage, Wellfield House, Bethany and The Pitchings. Actors in the film include John Gielgud and Francesa Annis. Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start. Refreshments available. Tickets cost £5 each, concessions £4 and can be booked on-line via the Cuddington village website or at Cuddington Stores.

Village England is a documentary made in the mid-7os by the Inner London Education Authority about the changing nature of English village life and focuses on Cuddington and Nether Winchendon. The hour long film will be shown in The Bernard Hall, Cuddington on Sunday June 14 with 3 viewings at 3pm, 4.30pm and 6pm. The film is a wonderful piece of nostalgic social history and captures the villages at a time when more commuters and “newcomers” were moving in. There are interviews with a number of Cuddington residents mainly conducted in The Red Lion. It is being screened as part of a Local Heritage Project being run in Nether Winchendon centred on the repair and restoration of historic churchyards’ tombs. Tickets cost £2 and can be booked on line at the Cuddington village website, or enquire at the shop. Refreshments will be available.

Church Services at St Nicholas:
  • Sunday May 17 Communion at 9am
  • Sunday May 24 Family Service at 10am.
  • Every Thursday at Church House, Long Crendon Coffee and home-made cakes from 10.30 to 12. All welcome.

Diary Dates:
  • Friday May 15 Coffee and cake in The Bell at 10am to 12 noon
  • Monday May 18 Mobile Library from 10 to 10.25am at The Green
  • Monday May 18 Sunshine Club Matinee Cinema 1.30pm at The Bernard Hall, Cuddington showing High Society
  • Monday May 18 Parish Council Meeting at 7.30pm in the village hall
  • Wednesday May 27 Pub Lunch at The Bell
  • Thursday May 28 Cuddington Village Picture House showing Why Didn’t They Ask Evans at 7pm
  • Saturday and Sunday June 6 and 7 Dadbrook Garden open from 2 until 6
  • Sunday June 14 Village England Documentary 3 screenings in The Bernard Hall
  • Saturday June 20 Chearsley Midsummer Fete 1pm