with Margaret Morbey
Jumble Sale
The Village Hall Committee would like to thank everyone who gave jumble, raffle prizes , donations and cakes and to those who bought raffle tickets and came on Saturday afternoon to support us. Despite a disappointing turn out, possibly because a beautiful day and the Grand National held more attraction, £290 was made, which will go towards the ever increasing costs of maintaining the village hall. Florence Nightingale Hospice has benefitted from the left overs. Thanks to everyone who helped on the day.
Chearsley Elections May 7th
For the first time in many years, there are more candidates wishing to be on Chearsley Parish Council than there are seats. A list of the 10 proposed candidates is on the noticeboard. There are 7 available seats. It is up to all Chearsley residents to vote for the candidates they consider will serve Chearsley in the best way, and then to support them by regularly attending the monthly Parish Council meetings to let them know of any problems and to compliment the committee when they get things right.
Annual Parish Meeting – Monday April 11th
About 30 Chearsley residents attended this meeting. Michael Edmonds, Chearsley’s County Councillor reported on the year’s road repairs programme, mentioning that the road into Cuddington will very soon be resurfaced. He reported on the review of libraries, speeding, Local Area Forums, waste incinerator at Calvert and Long Crendon and HS2, to which both Bucks CC and AVDC objected. As AVDC councillor, he reported that all services had been maintained, with money in reserves being used to balance the books. He spoke of the new theatre in Aylesbury, the involvement of Parish Councils with the AVDC plan about housing developments, that the present weekly refuse collections would remain and that the collection of garden waste would soon be implemented, the demolition of the Civic Centre car park in Aylesbury and the move of the local offices to Gatehouse Way. He thanked his colleague, Dave Smith of Long Crendon, who is standing down, for the work he had done as a District Councillor.
Comments were made from the floor regarding the amount of money set aside by the councils to object to the HS2 project. Chairman Nic Brown pointed out that there will be local meetings for the pros and cons of the railway to be discussed.
The Police Report covered speeding in villages, and pointed out that the speed gun had been used many times in Chearsley; that the crime rate in AVDC had dropped and more uniformed officers were to be appointed despite cuts.
The question of use of grit from the grit bins was brought up and it was agreed signs would be put up pointing out the grit was not for private use and also requesting cars not to be parked in front, which would prevent refilling.
Janine from the shop reported bad sales figures and felt that unless an extraordinary solution could be found in the next few weeks to make the shop profitable, she would have to close. It is hoped that through talks between Janine and Nic Brown, a solution will be found.
Village Car Service – Keith Wright reported that more than 200 requests had been made this year, which he and Beryl had mostly carried out. More volunteers are desperately needed to maintain this vital facility.
Cricket Club – Tony Babington reported on the newly refurbished club house, there are many juniors, and he encouraged more support from local residents to watch the cricket and enjoy the facilities of the club house.
Village Trust – many grants had been given over the year, including the Christmas tree. More applications are welcome including help with voluntary work during gap years by students or for help with school trips.
Village Hall – the kitchen had been refurbished and the hall redecorated. Chuf had funded a new door leading on to a patio, which had been put to good use at the recent Jumble Sale for refreshments. There were good regular bookings. Funds were however low due to the recent refurbishments and repairs.
The Chairman’s report reminded us how the pub and shop are vital to the village and need constant support. Traffic Calming in the village was awaiting finalisation. Benches on The Green had been installed. Maintenance of Stockwell in Church Lane and other projects are being managed by villagers. The newly installed picnic bench by the War Memorial would be moved. Christmas celebrations and the tree had been successful. There would be more kerbing in the village. There are good communications via Village Happenings and our enviable Website. Nic Brown thanked all the councillors for their past hard work and reminded us all of the forthcoming elections for the AV vote, Parish and District Council seats. Clare Clark, secretary to the Parish Council for many years was thanked.
From a show of hands, it was agreed that Chearsley should enter the Best Kept Village.
Refuse collections
Due to Easter, our bins only will be collected on Wednesday, 27th April. The next collection after that will be Thursday May 5th (Election Day) when all the recycling baskets and boxes will also be collected.
Easter Services at St Nicholas Church Chearsley
Good Friday, April 22nd – Good Friday service at 10.00am
Easter Day April 24th – Easter Garden Communion at 10.00am
Easter Saturday, 23rd - Children’s Easter crafts at Sharon Sampson’s Cloverdale Lower Green Lane, from 10 – 12pm
Aylesbury Vale Village Pub Competition 2011
Closing date for nominations is 30th April. The Bell has many reasons to be nominated. Oli and Sharon work hard and deserve recognition for all their efforts. There are application forms in The Bell, or apply online at www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/pubcomp
MacMillan Cancer Support – World’s Biggest Coffee Morning Project
Macmillan Cancer Support are aiming to raise £8.4 million this year from the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning and need someone to join their fundraising team to manage this project. It will entail working for 3 months from July to October, based at Launton and would be suitable for anyone interested in fundraising events, PR and anyone wanting to move into the charity sector. Out of pocket expenses will be paid covering travel and lunch. Own transport would be helpful but not essential. Please contact Eleanor Green on 01869 322 279 or email her at egreen@macmillan.org.uk for more information.
Walking With the Wounded Charity Event – Saturday May 21st
A Chearsley lady is organizing this fund raising event when 2 local bands will be playing at The Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury in the Promenade Function Suite. Tickets are on sale at £10 each. There will also be a Silent Auction. Doors open at 7.30. Bar open until 1am. Please ring the theatre on 01296 745596 for tickets. The charity which currently has Prince Harry trekking to the North Pole with 4 soldiers who were severely injured in Afghanistan, is hoping to raise £2million for the education and re-training of wounded service men and women and to help them get back into work.
Volunteers wanted re the tv switchover help scheme
The analogue signals from the Oxford transmitter will be switching over to digital from the 14 to 28th September 201. Community Impact Bucks needs local volunteers to help with this programme to ensure that no-one misses out on the help available for making the necessary changes. Training will be given on May 10th at Quainton. Please contact Bridget Wythe, Community Impact Bucks on 01908 566438 or email bridget.wythe@communityimpactbucks.org.uk for more information.
