Friday 30 June 2017

Meadowsong - Saturday 8th July


Village News

with Margaret Morbey : 01844-208913

Bucks County Council Transport Survey
A request from our Parish Council to take part in Bucks County Council’s transport survey :
“Your Parish Council has been lobbying Transport for Bucks to introduce restrictions to reduce the significant numbers of HGVs using the minor roads through our village. During 2016, we organised 3 surveys which produced solid evidence of the number of HGVs passing through Chearsley – a problem which will undoubtedly worsen in future due to the significant programme of new house building in local villages and the start of construction of the new HS2 rail system. We are asking all parishioners to complete a short online Bucks County Council survey which would help inform a new transport strategy for our area. The survey can be accessed within a recent press release issued by Bucks C.C. which also gives further background to the consultation they are undertaking prior to the development of the strategy and is available at this link : http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/news/help-us-plan-for-tomorrows-lorry-traffic/. The survey can be completed in 10 minutes or so and needs to be submitted by a deadline of 6th July. We know this issue is of major concern to our community and would urge you to spend a few minutes to register your views to help convey the strength of our feelings on this vital matter.”

Lorry and Chestnut Tree
You may have witnessed a very large Ultraframe lorry on Tuesday 27 June at around 9am getting into difficulties and attempting dangerous manoeuvres around the Chilton and Winchendon Roads at a very busy time of day and damaging a branch of the Horse Chestnut tree whilst during this. There were several witnesses and photographs taken and the vehicle registration number recorded. The company concerned, Ultraframe, have been contacted by John Howard of the Parish Council. They have referred the matter to their Logistics Manager and further communication from them is awaited. This particular incident goes to emphasise the need to try to encourage such large vehicles from using the small roads through our village, so please complete the survey referred to above.

Flower Festival
Don’t miss the Flower Festival in St Nicholas Church which takes place this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Joy Payne and her flower ladies have been busy putting together 16 flower arrangements based on different aspects of village life in Chearsley, including one celebrating the cricket club and one of The Bell. Entry is free. Donations can be made in appreciation of the Festival which will go towards the upkeep of the church. Teas and home-made cake will be available throughout the day. The church will be open from 10am to 5pm on Friday and Saturday and from 11am to 5pm on Sunday.

Fete Success
Over £5,000 was made from a very enjoyable and successful day on Saturday which attracted many visitors. The proceeds will be donated towards the New Village Hall Fund. Congratulations to Angela Gray and everyone who contributed to another good village event.

Wrong university: I apologise for incorrectly saying that Marcus Travers studied at Bath. He went to Exeter University and will start his new job at Aylesbury Grammar School shortly.

Gary The Postman
Did you know that Gary who has been postman in Chearsley for over 20 years is getting married to Karen on Saturday July 29? I am sure that Gary would be delighted and surprised to receive a card or words of congratulation and good luck from villagers during the week beginning July 24 leading up to his important day.

Services at St Nicholas:
  • Sunday July 2 10am Family Holy Communion
Diary Dates:
  • Friday, Saturday, Sunday, June 30, July 1 and 2nd: Flower Festival in St Nicholas church. Plants for sale, tea or coffee and homemade cake available all day.
  • Thursday July 6 to September 9: Eric Carte appearing in Agatha Christie’s Spider’s Web at The Mill at Sonning
  • Saturday July 8 Meadow Song from 6.30pm at the village hall.
  • Sunday September 10: Chearsley Classic & Vintage Fun Day from 12 noon at the Cricket Club.

Saturday 24 June 2017

Aylesbury Whizzfizzing Festival


On Saturday 1 July the Whizzfizzing Festival takes over Aylesbury town centre to celebrate the world of children’s literature and will be packed with fun-filled family activities.

You can just turn up on the day but some activities do require a ticket – and they are going fast! A limited number of free tickets are available to Aylesbury Vale My Account customers until 9am on Monday 26 June - use the code MyAccount on our ticket booking site. Get yours now!

Locations across the town centre will host a range of free events and there will be opportunities to hear exciting children’s authors share their hilarious award-winning stories and teach youngsters how to draw their characters. The day, formerly known as the Roald Dahl Festival, kicks off at 11am with a Fantastical Beasts-themed parade of giant puppets, live bands and hundreds of local schoolchildren.

CBeebies’ Katy Ashworth returns after last year’s packed sessions, to cook up some weird and wonderful delights with the help of children from the audience in her Concoction Kitchen.

Other highlights of the day include tea and cake with the Tiger Who Came to Tea, young performers in the Young Talent Showcase, authors and local celebrities reading a whole Dahl book aloud in a day and lots of crafts and fancy dress fun.

For tickets and more information visit www.whizzfizzfest.org

Tuesday 20 June 2017

Village News

with Margaret Morbey : 01844-208913

Midsummer Fete Saturday June 24 from 1pm until 5pm.
Plant Stall:  Suzie Heybrook, with help from Joy, is running the plant stall this year at short notice and is in urgent need of donations of plants. Maybe you have some vegetable plants surplus to your own needs which could be potted up and brought to the stall on Saturday morning or some plants which have self seeded and are large enough to pot up. Whatever you can find will be gratefully received by Suzie Heybrook and Joy. Please contact or take your donations to Joy at 1 Bernard's Close or bring up to The Green on the morning.

The Bell at The Fete
Hopefully the present glorious weather will hold until Saturday and The Bell with its Beerfest and outside bar will be in great demand dispensing liquid refreshment all day and late into the evening.

Sunday June 25 in the Threshing Barn, Manor Farm, Chearsley Thame Choral Society are performing a selection of English Partsongs by Elgar, Sterndale Bennett, Stanford, Sullivan and others with readings to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen. This will take place on Sunday June 25 in Manor Farm’s recently restored Threshing Barn at 4pm. Pedestrian entrance is available from 3.45pm via Church Lane. The cost is £5 per head, children are welcome. Please bring your own seating and refreshments to enjoy in the many intervals.

Sunday June 25 Pet Service at St Nicholas Church at 10am All types of pets, large and small are welcome to this service to celebrate God’s creation and to give thanks for the way that our pets enrich our lives. There will be refreshments, including dog biscuits after the service. If your child would like to read a prayer, please contact Sharon at Sharon@cloverdale.biz.

How they Grow!
Not wishing to embarrass either Marcus Travers or Harrison Siddall, but I would like to mention their recent achievements. I remember them both as babies and growing up in Chearsley, and learn that Marcus has now been offered a job as trainee Geography teacher at his old school, Aylesbury Grammar School, having taken his degree at Bath University and starts work shortly. Harrison has passed his driving test and has been seen driving a very smart red car. Where have the years gone? Congratulations to them both and good luck to Marcus in his new life and to Harrison as his horizons broaden.

Bucks Open Studios
Mark Stallwood’s studio at Orchard House, Lower Green Lane will again be open this coming weekend June 24 and 25 from 10.30 until 4.30pm as part of the Bucks Open Studios. He will be delighted to welcome all visitors. View his work at imagineoils.co.uk

Red Kite Radio
I have been enjoying listening for a few days to Haddenham’s new radio station, Red Kite radio, broadcast from Haddenham Garden Centre, since it was magically and apparently automatically tuned in on our car radio.(Not our Riley car!). It can be found on 107.2fm. Give it a try. They are welcoming businesses who would like to advertise with them and to contributors to The Voice Box from groups or charities with details of forthcoming events. Worth remembering for future events in the village. For more information, visit the radio’s website at www.redkiteradio.com.

Services at St Nicholas:

  • Sunday June 25 Pet Service at 10am
Diary Dates:
  • Saturday June 24 Village Fete 1 until 5 onwards on and around The Green. Pig Roast and Live Band at The Bell 7pm until late
  • Saturday June 24 and Sunday June 25 10.30am to 4.30pm Mark Stallwood’s work on show as part of Bucks Open Studios at Orchard House, Lower Green Lane.
  • Sunday June 25 Thame Choral Society concert at The Threshing Barn, Manor Farm, Chearsley at 4pm
  • Friday, Saturday, Sunday, June 30, July 1 and 2nd Flower Festival in St Nicholas church. Plants for sale, tea or coffee and homemade cake available all day.
  • Thursday July 6 to September 9 Eric Carte appearing in Agatha Christie’s Spider’s Web at The Mill at Sonning
  • Saturday July 8 Meadow Song from 6.30pm at the village hall.
  • Sunday September 10 Chearsley Classic & Vintage Fun Day from 12 noon at the Cricket Club

Monday 19 June 2017

Reminder – don’t give burglars an ‘open invite’ to your home

This is a message sent via Action Fraud Alert and has been sent on behalf of Thames Valley Police.

This is a quick reminder to double check your premise when you are going out, or going to bed. Make sure all accessible windows and doors are shut and locked. It’s easy to miss one or forget, but this could be the invite an opportunist criminal needs.

If you are enjoying your garden, make sure there aren’t any accessible windows open at the front. It’s easy for someone to reach in and take valuables.


Click for the Thames Valley Police website

Community and Emergency Service Day Quainton Railway Centre July 2017



Thursday 15 June 2017

Village News

with Margaret Morbey : 01844-208913

New Village Hall News
Antonia Stratford, chairman of the Village Hall committee issued a report recently that :
“The Trustees of Chearsley Village Hall in Buckinghamshire have this week signed a contract worth over £500,000 to build a new village hall in the centre of the community.
After a competitive tender process managed by construction and surveying consultancy, Peter North & Partners, local builders, Furlong and Higgs were selected to deliver a new, attractive timber framed building that will be in keeping with the village, be accessible to all and will use locally sourced building materials and renewable energy sources to heat and light the building.
Work is scheduled to start on site at the end of July and it is anticipated that the new hall will be available to hire from April next year. If you would like the chance to have your family name on our Giving Tree in the new hall, please donate at www.make-a-donation.org.“
Meadowsong 
Tickets for this delightful evening of music held in the village hall on Saturday July 8 are now available from me, Joy Payne and other members of the village hall committee. An evening not to be missed and the last event to be held in our old hall. Tickets cost £10. Children are free. All proceeds will go towards the cost of building the new village hall.

Parish Council clean up
Nic Brown’s great enthusiasm for getting things done and his love of Chearsley was evident last week when he chivvied his fellow councillors and other villagers into sweeping and tidying up of areas round The Green, the Horse Chestnut tree, the War Memorial and the bus shelters. It all looks very neat and tidy and will set the scene for our Fete on June 24. Thank you Nic and everyone who helped.

Next Parish Council Meeting
Come and support your councillors at their next committee meeting in the village hall on Monday June 19 at 7.30pm. There is an opportunity for members of the public to voice comments and opinions or concerns at the beginning and end of the meeting.

Midsummer Fete Saturday June 24 from 1pm until 5pm.
Our Fete always attracts a great number of visitors, not only villagers and surrounding villages but from miles away. There are many opportunities to get involved and be part of the day. Contact Angela on 202105 or email her at angela@grayemail.co.uk if you can help.

Flower Festival at St Nicholas
This will take place on Friday June 30, Saturday July 1 and Sunday 2 at our church when there will be some delightful and imaginative floral displays on the theme of “Village Life” depicting many aspects of Chearsley life, societies and clubs. The church will be open from 10am to 5pm on Friday and Saturday and from 11am to 5pm on the Sunday. Tea and home-made cakes will be available all day and the chance to buy from the plant stall.

Red Kite Radio
Did you know that very shortly there will be a new, long awaited local radio station in Haddenham, which will be officially launched on Sunday June 18? It can be found on 107.2FM and is already broadcasting test transmissions. The radio station operates from an existing building at Haddenham Garden Centre which has been renovated by a team of volunteers and youngsters, learning skills in construction. The work has been carried out by ToolShed, a Bucks based social enterprise that gives young people the skills to gain a career in the construction industry. Thanks to recent grant awards from the AVDC Community Chest, the Rothschild Foundation and the Haddenham Beer Festivals Trust, the building will be home to a full broadcast studio and radio training facility.
The not-for-profit radio station is licensed by Ofcom and will be completely funded through grants, donations and the sale of advertising and sponsorship to local businesses and traders. The radio will be staffed by only 1 or 2 people plus volunteers. Once live, the studio will be an open facility where you can pop in, meet the team, take part in programmes and play a big part in this local radio station, serving Haddenham, Thame and surrounding villages. If you belong to a community group, charity, club or body working in the area you have a chance to attend a community presentation at the new studios. During the short meet and greet you can learn about the plans for the radio, what will sound like and how your organisation can benefit from Red Kite Radio. Email: community@redkiteradio.com to book a slot. For more information, visit the radio’s website at www.redkiteradio.com.

Scarecrow Festival in Haddenham
You may have seen a few odd scarecrow type figures lurking around the roads of Haddenham this past week. They are all part of Haddenham’s second Scarecrow Festival organised by The Haddenham Association of Scouts and Guides. Over 50 of all sorts of scarecrows made by Haddenham groups, clubs and families are displayed at locations around the village until June 25. A Scarecrow trail can be obtained from the library or Blooming Fruity in Banks Parade for a £1 donation. All money received will be shared between the Scout and Guide Association and Heads Together, a campaign to try to end the stigma around mental health.

Birthday Congratulations
I see from a photo on the Church webpage that Ann Persson has celebrated her 80th birthday. Congratulations Ann!

Services at St Nicholas:
  • Sunday June 18 Holy Communion at 9am
  • Sunday June 25 Pet Service at 10am More details to follow
Diary Dates:
  • Saturday and Sunday June 17 and 18 10.30am to 4.30pm Mark Stallwood’s work on show as part of Bucks Open Studios at Orchard House, Lower Green Lane.
  • Monday June 19 Parish Council meeting in the village hall at 7.30pm
  • Saturday June 24 Village Fete 1 until 5 onwards on and around The Green. Pig Roast and Live Band at The Bell 7pm until late
  • Friday, Saturday, Sunday, June 30, July 1 and 2nd Flower Festival in St Nicholas church. Plants for sale, tea or coffee and homemade cake available all day.
  • Thursday July 6 to September 9 Eric Carte appearing in Agatha Christie’s Spider’s Web at The Mill at Sonning
  • Saturday July 8 Meadow Song from 6.30pm at the village hall.
  • Sunday September 10 Chearsley Classic & Vintage Fun Day from 12 noon at the Cricket Club

Saturday 3 June 2017

Village News

with Margaret Morbey : 01844-208913

June at The Bell
Friday mornings continue to be extremely popular when The Bell is open from 10am for coffee and home-made cakes. This half term week, the garden was really bustling with children of all ages enjoying this safe haven with all its play equipment and toys while adults enjoyed a chat over coffee.
Tuesday June 6 is Bingo night – the last until after the Summer holidays. So take this opportunity of a good night out and maybe to go home a winner. There are good cash prizes for every line and house won, including the Snowball game, which has now increased to over £100. Eyes Down is at about 8.45pm.
Sunday June 11 is quiz night at 8pm.
Wednesday June 12 is Lunch Club for anyone who would like to join this now growing band of “older people” for a 2 course lunch with tea or coffee for a very reasonable special price. Please contact me on 208913 or Sharon if you would like to come. The lunch club started in Bucks several years ago by Community Impact Bucks, with the aim of supporting the local pub who would provide those people who had a limited social life with a good meal and the chance to get together each month. It proved very popular then and is now held every fortnight.
The Bell plays a very central part on Fete Day, Saturday June 24, open all day and providing a pig roast at 7pm and live band, Street Life, in the evening with dancing until late.

Midsummer Fete Saturday June 24 from 1pm until 5pm.
Our Fete always attracts a great number of visitors, not only villagers and surrounding villages but from miles away. There are many opportunities to get involved and be part of the day. Contact Angela on 202105 or email her at angela@grayemail.co.uk if you can help.

Donations for the various stalls are needed as detailed here:
  • W.I. Cake Stall – cakes should be brought up to the village green from 11am onwards. Contact Anne Lewis on 2015000.
  • Teas cakes and cookies are needed for the tea stall. Contact Justine on 07720 351938 or email Justine.yorke@nielsen.com or Rachel on 201566 email gerrysamp@aol.com
  • Books and DVDs - Please bring to The Green on the morning or contact Thia at thiarichards@gmail.com
  • Plants - Please contact Laura or Rose at laura@daleandheybrook.com if you have plants for this stall
  • Craft handmade items are needed for the craft stall. Contact Anne on 201611
  • Toys, including teddies of all description,s are needed. Contact Sarah on 208329. Email sarah.sawrey-cookson@sky.com
  • Bric-a-Brac quality items needed. Please deliver to The Green between 9.30 and 11.30 on the morning. Contact Marion on 202631.
  • Jewellery and accessories handbags, belts, jewellery, scarves etc. are welcome for this stall. Bring on the morning or contact Margaret on 208913

Fete Raffle
Some marvellous prizes for the raffle have been acquired and tickets are on sale in the shop or in The Bell. Prizes include £25 voucher from Costa coffee; £50 massage at Thame Therapy Centre; £20 x 2 vouchers for XT brewery; 50% off voucher for dinner, bed and breakfast for 2 at The Hundreds, Ashendon (value of c£100); golf at Crews Hill Golf Club, Enfield for 4 (value c£100); Half a day for a private handy man to complete jobs around the house (c£80); two hours computer clean up from ARG computers (value of c£100); 1 hour session for Pilates work out/health assessment with a personal trainer (value of c£50); load of winter logs delivered to your door (value c£75); food hamper (value c£50), Chearsley village print (value c£80); chimney clean (value c£50) and an extra raffle prize of 1 night’s accommodation and breakfast for 2 at the new Apex Hotel opening in Bath in August.
There will also be a Silent Auction on which you can bid. All bids should be sent to Angela Gray by 4pm on the day. Winners will be notified by June 26. Lots include dinner, bed and breakfast at The Hilton Puckrup Hall and golf for 4 (value c£500); Estee Lauder products for men or women (value c£150); cordless Husqvarna grass trimmer with battery charger (value c£225) and 2 tickets for Chearsley Cricket Club Dinner and Dance on November 11 2017.
Whether you come to help on a stall or help set up on the day or just come to walk round and enjoy the Fete, it is bound to be a good, friendly village day, raising funds for our new village hall.

Chearsley Artist and Bucks Open Studios
This annual event in Bucks is run by Visual Images Group c/o Obsidian Art, Stoke Mandeville and has an alliance of over 600 artists in Bucks. The fortnight enables local artists and makers to show their skills and talents when they open their studios to the public. A wonderful opportunity of seeing art of many descriptions for free. This year, Mark Stallwood, of Lower Green Lane, Chearsley, is taking part for the first time and welcomes visitors to his studio at weekends during the Open Studios fortnight. These are Saturday and Sunday June 10 and 11, 17 and 18 and 24 and 25 between 10.30 am and 4.30. Mark lives at Orchard House, Lower Green Lane, Chearsley. Good luck to Mark. You can see his work and learn more about what he does on his website www.imagineoils.co.uk . For more information of other open studios in the area, visit www.bucksopenstudios.org.uk

Chearsley Cricket Club
The club has become a regular host to County Cricket matches for the past three years. This season, Bucks CC Veterans have already played at the ground in a midweek fixture when they narrowly lost to Sussex. Pete Redfern and Larry Warr of Chearsley Cricket club have made regular appearances for “the Vets”. There will be a game between Bucks and Kent at the Chearsley ground on Wednesday July 12 at 1.30pm. Pete or Larry may well be playing. Come up and watch and cheer them on.

Nether Winchendon Fete Saturday June 10
This is always a lovely traditional village fete in the grounds of Nether Winchendon House. Open from 2 until 5pm. Another lovely day out.

Turn End Trust
There is an Open Gardens Weekend 17 and 18 June from 11 to 4pm for a chance to view this beautiful garden for £4, children free. No booking required. To find out more about Turn End, an award winning architect designed house in Haddenham, go to their website turnend.org.uk. They are also holding a Midsummer Night’s tour with Jackie Hunt the head gardener on Wednesday June 21 from 7.30 to 9.30. Stroll round the garden with a glass of Pimms or cordial when Jackie will talk and explain about the garden. Tickets cost £10 and booking is required at turnendtrust.eventbrite.co.uk. A Propagation Techniques Workshop is being held on Tuesday August 15 from 10.30 to 1pm. Tickets cost £25 and booking is required.

Possible /Probable Flying Scotsman on the Chiltern Line through Chearsley on this Tuesday June 6 and again Friday June 9. This is the Chiltern Hills Lunchtime Tour organised by Steam Dreams, leaving Paddington at 12.21 on a trip pulled by Flying Scotsman through the Chiltern Hills connecting to the new line at Bicester joining the Chiltern mainline to Oxford before returning to London via the Thames Valley.
Sorry, I have no information about the return time. You have the chance to see it again on a similar Lunchtime tour on Friday June 9 again leaving Paddington at 12.21pm. In August, another journey this time to Shrewsbury pulled by the Duchess of Sutherland is planned by Steam Dreams passing through Princes Risborough at 9.30am. But, things often change and can’t always happen. My main informant is not available to confirm details on the June 6 and 9, and trips I am only going by the Steam Dreams online brochure. I hope I am not giving out misleading information!

Services at St Nicholas:
  • Sunday June 11 Morning Celebration at 10am and Evensong at 6pm
  • Sunday June 18 Holy Communion at 9am
  • Sunday June 25 Pet Service at 10am More details to follow
Diary Dates :
  • Friday June 9 Disco for Juniors at the Cricket Club from 6.30 to 8.30pm
  • Monday June 19 Parish Council meeting in the village hall at 7.30pm
  • Saturday June 24 Village Fete 1 until 5 onwards on and around The Green. Pig Roast and Live Band at The Bell 7pm until late
  • Friday, Saturday, Sunday, June 30, July 1 and 2nd Flower Festival in St Nicholas church
  • Saturday July 8 Meadow Song from 6.30pm at the village hall.
  • Sunday September 10 Chearsley Classic & Vintage Fun Day from 12 noon at the Cricket Club
  • Friday 30th June - Sun 2nd July, Flower Festival in St Nicholas church
  • Saturday July 8 Meadow Song from 6.30pm at the village hall.
  • Sunday September 10 Chearsley Classic & Vintage Fun Day from 12 noon at the Cricket Club