with Margaret Morbey
Annual Parish Meeting
This was held on Monday April 20th in Chearsley Village Hall with a fairly poor attendance from Chearsley residents, which possibly indicates that our present Parish council are doing a good job, with nobody raising complaints.
Nic Brown, the chairman, reported on the latest stage of kerbing to preserve the banks from erosion by lorries. The possibility of having smaller kerbstones was raised as being more suitable and will be put to AVDC for future kerbing work.
Future plans are in hand for the footpath across The Green, and for new benches once the footpath is done. The council will look into the possibility of replacing the phone box with an original red one; having a webcam; holding a Barn Dance, pig roast and children’s tea in the summer , a Christmas tree on The Green, introducing a poopascoop scheme, mending the sand bins – all things to improve and tidy up Chearsley. Nic and The Council welcome ideas and comments. A regular Newsletter is still very much in the pipeline for the future.
Some other matters arising :
Millenium Field
This has recently been improved and levelled, by the Cricket Club and will be maintained by the Parish Council in future, to make it a more viable field for ball games.
Village Shop and Tearooms
Janine reported that although she was pleased with the success of the tearooms, attracting all ages, she was disappointed by the lack of support for the shop, particularly after the enthusiastic welcome it had been given almost a year ago. It was emphasised by the meeting that it was a case of “use it or lose it”.
Neighbourhood Watch
The village continues to be well served and kept informed by Ringmaster messages and is mainly a “quiet” village, and benefiting from the PCSOs who are regularly seen in Chearsley.
Stockwell Project
A builder is being sought for the work needed to be done to the well. Clearing of undergrowth to encourage flora and fauna will take place in October.
Cricket Club
This is now up and running again after the flood damage earlier in the year with a thriving junior section on Tuesdays from 6 – 7.30, when new members are always welcome.
Matches take place most weekends, when the Clubhouse facilities are open to all Chearsley villagers.
Car Service
Jock Scholefield reported on another successful year in which 9 participants had been taken on 60 visits to hospitals and Drs. etc by the 11 volunteer drivers.
Village Trust
This had given awards to 10 organizations, amounting to £835.
Village Hall
There is an attractive new willow structure in the grounds and children’s games have been painted on the car park, all funded by Chuf. Following a health and safety inspection, it was reported that the kitchen needs to be updated and improved and the Village Hall committee will look into the possibility of redecorating the rest of the Hall and having a new heating system.
Refuse collection
Monday 4th May is a Bank Holiday, which means the rubbish will be collected on Wednesday, 6th. There will also be a collection of glass, plastics and paper on this day. Remember to put them out the night before to ensure they are collected.
St Nicholas Church
Rosemary Wallis
On Sunday, 19th April, Rosemary Wallis retired as a Churchwarden after 30 years of devoted service. A small ceremony at Chearsley Church marked the occasion at which she received flowers and gifts to a standing ovation. Rosemary and her late husband, Don, came to the village in the 1950s and both immediately immersed themselves in village life. Don served as chairman of the Parish Council for many years. Everyone in Chearsley knows Rosemary, who intends to remain active in church and village affairs.
New Vicar
After a year without a vicar, The Rev. John Wynburne takes over the Benefice of Long Crendon with Chearsley and Nether Winchendon at a ceremony at St. Mary’s Long Crendon on 5th May. All who worship in the three parishes eagerly look forward to the arrival of our new vicar and his wife Anna, who will be living in The Vicarage, Long Crendon.
Gary at The Bell
Best wishes go to Gary who has been in hospital in Oxford for the past 2 weeks, where he is making a slow recovery. Gary has been pulling pints at The Bell since Ollie and Sharon Babington became the new Landlords and his presence is greatly missed.
Theatre Royal Windsor
Eric Carte is appearing in The Grass is Greener, a classic comedy by Hugh and Margaret Williams, at Windsor. Performances end on Saturday 2nd May. Phone the box office on 01753 853888 for more information and to book tickets. I understand that later in the year, the show will go on tour round England, with Eric.
