with Margaret Morbey
Lizzie Carte
Lizzie died Thursday morning 10th April. She had collapsed after appearing on stage on board The Oriana, sailing from South Africa to Southampton, apparently from a brain haemorrhage. I can do no better than to quote from Eric’s email on the website especially set up to keep us informed of Lizzie. “…our darling girl left us this morning at 6, though she really went backstage on Saturday in naughty underwear, gold shoes and on top of the world….”. The Oriana docks at Southampton on Wednesday, bringing Lizzie back home again. Our love and tears go to Eric and all of Lizzie’s family, especially, Lil, her mother and Billy, her brother. The website dedicated to Lizzie is http://lecarteblanc.blogspot.com/ which has some delightful photos of her.
Joan Smithers
Joan, who lived in Turnip Close in the village with her husband, and then in School Lane, near her daughter, died on Sunday 6th April after a long illness of Alzheimer’s. Her funeral was at Amersham Crematorium on Monday 14th. Our sympathy goes to her daughter Ann and family.
Chearsley Shop
The sale of this has indeed been completed, as anticipated. Janine Rees is the new owner of the whole premises and has many plans for it. The shop will be a village convenience store, much as it has been in the past, and adjoining this will be a tea room. How much better it will be to sit and natter over a cup of tea when you bump into old friends in the shop, than catching up on the gossip or making arrangements for a meeting while leaning against the ice-cream freezer, dodging other customers reaching for a tin of beans or dog food!
The alterations and arrangements will take a while, but it is hoped the shop will open in June, as you may have seen from the many posters put up round the village.
Annual Parish Meeting
This was held on Monday 7th April in the Village Hall with poor attendance. The chairman, Mike Edmonds outlined the function of the Parish Council and its concerns over the past year, which had mainly been the shop, state of the village roads, speeding, parking issues, planning matters, NAGS and GC2C meetings.
He then described the roles of the District Council and County Council and their different responsibilities.
Sue and Caroline, our local PC Special Officers were in attendance and briefly outlined their presence in the village and agreed to try to attend the next Parish meeting when speeding in the village would be discussed.
The good news about the Shop was reported and Jay announced her enthusiasm and plans to open in June.
The Neighbourhood Watch report reminded us all to be vigilant, especially in the light of the recent walk-in burglary in the village.
Stockwell Project: Although no active action had been taken, Perry Smith reported that he had organized volunteers and was in contact with the Countryside Commission for their help and advice. Great Crested Newts are believed to be in the Pond, so this is a great consideration when any work is started.
Speeding: Community Speed Watch was described by Sue, one of our PCSOs at the meeting where villagers record the registration number of cars speeding in the village, this can lead to a letter being sent, and then possibly a fine. She agreed to come to the next Parish Meeting to discuss this. She was of the opinion that the more signage and road lettering there was about the 30mile an hour speed limit, the more likely motorists were to adhere to the restriction.
Village Car Service: Jock Scholefield reported that this service had been used 53 times in the past year by 10 people. There were 10 volunteers, and more would be welcome to help out.
Village Trust: There was no representative present to give a Report
Village Hall Report: Lettings of the Hall were good to village societies, activities and functions. A quiz and Theatre in the Villages in conjunction with AVDC had taken place, raising money for any maintenance, repair and work needed to the Hall in the future.
Any Other Business
A fairly new resident in Chearsley complained to the meeting that he felt victimized by the Council about the parking of his van and this led to a discussion that the Council could be more pro-active in the village, and provide more communication by way of newsletters. The chairman accepted all this criticism and said this would be discussed at the next Parish Council meeting in May.
The mystery of broken locks on the large and small gates into the Millennium Field was brought up, and it was resolved the damaged large gate would be mended and the lock re-instated and possibly a notice displayed informing anyone who needed vehicular entry into the field who the key holder was.
