Saturday 25 February 2017

Village News

with Margaret Morbey : 01844-208913

Annual Litter Pick
Well done and thank you to everyone who turned up on Friday to go litter picking. I was sorry that Phil and I were unable to come this year, but we have filled a few bags of rubbish in our time. What a good job that Doris had abated! Let’s now all try to keep the lanes and hedgerows litter free by picking up any rubbish you see at any time.

Bus Shelters
I notice that the Parish Council has been busy again in arranging for the roofs of the two bus shelters to be mended. They now look very smart.

New Village Hall update: February 2017
The Village Hall Management committee led by Antonia Stratford with help from members of the Parish Council and other advisers has been progressing with decisions on the new village hall with the aim that work on the new village hall can start mid to end of July. Planning permission for the new hall was granted last year.
Money already secured £473,00 has already been secured for the project. This figure is made up as follows:
     Grants - £381,372; Donations £95,000; Fundraising £6,000;
     Fundraising matched by the Heybrooks and Vickers £6,000
Funds already raised by the village include over £300 generously donated by Joy Payne from her Christmas garland making morning. A Christmas coffee and craft sale made £1000. An evening of supper and Murder at The Manor with Thame Players for 60 villagers raised around £800 and the Chearsley boys calendar raised over £1000.

Future Fund Raising
It is anticipated that around £50,000 still needs to be found. One idea for fundraising is to have fundraising bricks, where there could be a showcase inside the entrance hall as brick “slips” or as a “giving tree”. The details for this have still to be finalized. Any other ideas or suggestions for fundraising by village societies or individuals will be very much appreciated.
Cost of the new hall build: It is expected the cost of the build will be around £500,000 with £25,000 contingency included. Three more grants are to be applied for which, if successful, would add another £30,000.
Next steps: A Projects Manager has been appointed to finalise the tender documents for submission to contractors shortly in order to appoint a contractor by the end of March with the aim of a start on the new hall in mid/end July
Click on the Village Hall link to keep up-to-date with all developments and news.

Chearsley Cricket Club Quiz
The Club’s first social fundraiser of the year will be a Quiz to be held on Saturday March 25 in the village hall at 7:00pm for a 7:30pm start. Larry Warr will be the quizmaster. The cost will be £5 per person. Teams of 8 to 10 people are welcome. Please bring your own food and drink.
There will also be a raffle and auction. As this event has been very well supported in the past, it is advisable to let the organisers know in good time that you would like to come. There will be no tickets issued, just pay on the door, but they need to know how many tables to arrange. Please contact Laura Cambray, who has taken over the role of Club’s Fun and Games co-ordinator for the first time. Her mobile number is 07794 241499 or email lauracambray@btinternet.com All proceeds will go towards development of facilities at the Club. Any donations for the auction or raffle prizes would be gratefully accepted.

Pancake Day this Tuesday 28
Don’t forget about the Pancake party at the church from 5 to 6pm. All donations to the Children’s Society

Refuse Collections: Wednesday March 1 the general green bins and food bins will be collected

Church Services :
  • Tuesday 28: Pancake Party at the church from 5 to 6pm
  • Wednesday March 1: Ash Wednesday service at 7.30pm
  • Friday March 3: Lent Course begins at Long Meadow, Dark Lane at 1.15 to 2.45pm
  • Sunday March 5: Family Communion at 10am
Diary Dates:
  • Tuesday February 28 Pancake Party at The Church from 5 to 6pm. We are all invited to this free event when all donations will go to the Children’s Society
  • Saturday March 25 Cricket Club Quiz in the village hall 7 for 7.30pm start