Monday 7 March 2016

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

New Village Hall Information Meeting
A meeting is being held on Saturday April 23 in the village hall for all villagers to view and comment on the proposed new plans for the village hall. Doors will open at 10.30am and members of the Committee will be present to talk villagers through the design. In addition, at 11.15am there will be a short presentation from Antonia Stratford (chair of the Village Hall committee) followed by a few words from Amy Hollis (Community Impact Bucks), Lynn Palmer (Lynn Palmer, architects) and Jack Peeters (Oving Village Hall). The morning will finish around 12.30pm. Tea, coffee and cake will be available.  In advance of this meeting, please take a look at the design and plans now at www.chearsleyvillagehall.co.uk.

Village Hall Website
Community Impact Bucks have kindly created and funded a new website for Chearsley Village hall which contains a fabulous new logo designed by Tony Fleetwood. The new website provides clear information on how to book the hall and to view a timetable of current activities. Also, there is information on the re-build project.  The website can be found at www.chearsleyvillagehall.co.uk or accessed via the village hall link above.

Litter Pick
Around a dozen villagers and friends gathered in the rain on Tuesday March 1 to clean up the village roads and main roads into the village. A vast amount of mainly fast-food wrappers and containers, beer cans, wine bottles and  plastic bags filled many black bin liners which were then taken to the Rabans Lane tip. A back-breaking, tiring  job, and at times a revolting one when used nappies or other unmentionable items are found.  It was heartening that it was felt that this year, there was less litter and the village roads were mainly rubbish free. Laura of the Heybrook family treated all the tired and  wet litter pickers to well deserved coffee (and stronger stuff for some) and  delicious pub-made cake in The Bell. Thank you to Laura and her family for organising us all.

Chearsley WI Visit
On Wednesday, March 2, a small group of Chearsley W.I. members were to be seen huddled on Haddenham Station at 7am at the start of their day out to The Houses of Parliament. The visit began with a magnificent guided tour of both Houses of Parliament with one of Parliament’s Gatekeepers who, during the 90 minute tour, pointed out many of the treasures and historical highlights and Westminster Hall, traditionally used for great State events, e.g. the lying in state of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.
The tour was followed by the Speaker’s Procession where our MP John Bercow  processed into the House of Commons shortly before Prime Minister’s Questions. The Speaker had arranged seats in the Speaker’s Gallery  which provided a birdseye view of the weekly challenge to the Prime Minister. A truly exciting event and day.  Chearsley W.I. meet every 3rd Tuesday of the month in the village hall from 2 to 4.30pm. Please contact Anne Lewis on 01844 201011 for more information.

Bingo at The Bell
The Bell was busy for March’s Bingo session on Tuesday March 1 (always the first Tuesday of the month) with proceedings conducted by our regular caller, Paul Kingsman. There were plenty of lucky winners (myself among them)  including some with Bingo beginner's luck who had several wins including the winning ticket drawn at the end of the evening for a free meal. We hope to see them again next month to try their  luck.
It is good to welcome not only Chearsley residents, but others from other villages who enjoy coming to The Bell with its cosy fire and friendly banter, hoping to go home with a cash prize. The evening  also raised £47 from the raffle to go in the New Village Hall collection pot at The Bell. If anyone would like an enjoyable evening out and  the chance to win a good cash prize - this month, the final full house prize was £70 – make a note of April 5 for the next one. Eyes down at around 8.30pm. Bingo players can also have a meal  beforehand at a special price of £7.50.

Sunshine Club Matinee Cinema
There will be a showing of Guys and Dolls on Monday March 21 at The Bernard Hall, Cuddington. This film, which lasts 143 minutes and stars Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons and Frank Sinatra, includes well known songs such as “Luck Be a Lady” and “Sit Down, You’re Rockin The Boat”.  Doors are open at 1pm for a 1.30pm start. Entry is by ticket costing £5 or £4 concession which includes tea and cake during the interval.
Tickets may be available at the door, but purchase beforehand is advisable from Liz Davies on 01844 299150. As parking is limited, please drop off passengers at the Hall and park in the Playing Field Car park at the end of Bernard Close so that space is left for disabled drivers close to the hall.

St Nicholas Church Services:
  • Sunday March 13 Morning Celebration at 10am; Evensong at 6pm  
Diary Dates:
  • Monday March 21 Mobile Library 10 to 10.25am by The Green 
  • March 21 Sunshine Club Matinee Cinema   Guys and Dolls in The Bernard Hall, Cuddington
  • March 21 Parish Council meeting 7.30pm in the village hall