Christmas Eve Crib Service

Come along to St Nicholas Church on Christmas Eve at 3pm and let our innkeeper (John Wynburne) and some of our children tell you the Nativity Story. Sing a few carols and then stay for mulled wine, mince pies and biscuits. Everyone welcome, children or not! For more information ring Sharon on 208740.

Chearsley Village Plan

The next stage in the development of our Village Plan has commenced with the publication of a Consultation Document and Questionnaire.  A copy of both documents should by now have been delivered to every house in the village and copies can be viewed via the links here.

The Consultation Document describes the work done so far on the Plan and the Questionnaire invites you to give your views on a range of questions that have emerged during the work so far.

Please take some time to look through both documents, fill in and return the completed questionnaire preferably in the next few days, but by the end of the year at the latest.

Neighbourhood Police Newsletter

The Neighbourhood Police Update for December is now available here.

Bogus callers claiming to be from Action Fraud

This is a message from Thames Valley Alert Information sent on behalf of Neighbourhood and Home Watch Network

Police have received reports from people who have been contacted by fraudsters claiming to be from Action Fraud [19 December 2012]

Conmen frequently impersonate officials in an attempt to convince people that their offer is genuine. We are aware of a recent scam where fraudsters impersonate an Action Fraud representative to trick people into sending money.

The caller states that they are from Action Fraud and that the person they are calling is entitled to compensation from a recent incident. The scammer then asks for money to be sent via a Ukash voucher in order to process the compensation claim. The amount asked for is usually in the range of £200 to £400.

Action Fraud is warning people not to pay these bogus telephone callers; there is no way to retrieve Ukash payments as they are in effect cash transactions. This is a scam. You will lose your money.
Action Fraud is in no way affiliated with these scammers and would never under any circumstances be involved in processing claims for compensation. The genuine Action Fraud is the UK’s national fraud reporting centre where consumers can report if they have been scammed or defrauded.
You can report fraud online using Action Fraud’s reporting service.

Tree Planting

Sunday 16th December

To mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, AVDC has purchased an English oak tree for each town and parish council in the district to plant in their local green space for future generations to enjoy.
More than 80 town and parish councils have reserved their free tree and volunteers from the AVDC barn owl project have helped to deliver them.
Councillor David Thompson, AVDC Cabinet Member for Leisure, said: “We wanted to create a tribute to Her Majesty that would last for many generations and hope that the planting of this ceremonial oak tree in Buckingham, and the subsequent planting of Jubilee oak trees across the Vale, will do just that."

Haddenham Medical Centre

For an update on the Clinical Computer System at Haddenham Medical Centre, please see this letter, or visit their website here.

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

Jubilee Photos
A photo of many villagers taken outside The Bell at our Jubilee celebration day is now available to purchase. Prints are available from The Bell for £5, of which £2.50 will be donated to charity. Call in and have a look at the framed photo hanging over the fireplace in the bar and then buy one as a memento of Jubilee in Chearsley.

Cricket Club Celebrations
Chearsley Cricket Club recently celebrated its 90th birthday along with 120 members and supporters at The 90 Not Out Ball held at Studley Wood Golf Club. During its long 90 years history, the club has been in 3 different locations. At Lower Green from the 1920, then on Snowy’s Field, Cuddington Road from the 1950s and at its present ground in Winchendon Road since 1990. 3 players from the 1970s, Errol Bateman, Tony Buggins and former Chairman, John Tribe were present.

During the evening, tributes for outstanding contributions to the development of the Club were given to Ann Veness who died this year, and recently retired Chairman, Clive Weston. Richard Veness presented the Veness trophy to fellow umpire, Rowly Willis. Adam Lazaruk was awarded the Chairman’s Cup by Peter Crook and Ian Houseman in recognition of his tireless endeavours on the Club’s behalf.

An Auction raised nearly £3000 which will go towards the development of cricket in Chearsley including the thriving Juniors’ Section.

Chearsley Shop Hours over Christmas
We are very lucky to have Jeyan and Suki to run our village shop and to keep open such long hours. They will be closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day only, otherwise it will be normal opening hours. I hope they enjoy a very well-earned time at home with their family.

Refuse collections over Christmas
There will be the normal collection of food bin together with the recycling bin on Friday December 21. The next collection will then be on Monday December 31 when the food bin and ordinary waste bin will be collected. The following Saturday January 5, the food bins and recycling bins will be collected.

The Big Heat Surviving Winter Appeal
This fund supports voluntary and community groups throughout Bucks to help the most vulnerable people keep warm this winter. By now, all older people will have received the Winter Fuel Allowance which is paid automatically regardless of income or need. The Charity, Bucks Community Foundation, which organizes the Big Heat Fund is the vital link between donors and local projects and they would very much appreciate a donation of all or some of this amount to help those who are less fortunate. Please contact the Bucks Community Foundation on 01296 330134 or visit their website www.bucksscf.org.uk where there is a link to enable you to donate.

Happy Christmas
I would like to thank everyone for their appreciation of my efforts with the Chearsley column, to encourage you to keep me informed of your news and events in 2013 and to wish everyone a Very Happy Christmas and New Year.

Series of vehicle thefts Aylesbury Vale

This is a message from Thames Valley Alert Information sent on behalf of Thames Valley Police

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses after a series of vehicle thefts across Aylesbury Vale.
On Thursday night (6/12) and Friday morning (7/12) eight vehicles were broken into in the villages of Wooton, Underwood and Westcott. Cash, mobile phones, satellite navigators and clothing were stolen.

Earlier in the same week in the areas of East Claydon , Drayton Parslow and Oving, Marsworth and Chearsley and Long Crendon valuable items were stolen from unlocked cars. In the villages of Oakley and Brill, two cars were stolen when the owners left their engines running to defrost their cars.

DS Jim Forrest from Aylesbury Vale police station said: “We are asking motorists to make it difficult for the opportunist thief. In these rural areas we have had a series of car thefts and thefts of valuable items from cars.

“By leaving items on display or leaving the keys in the ignition defrosting the car on a cold morning, it is an invitation to the opportunist thief. We would like to bring this to people’s attention.

“December is the biggest time of the year for shoppers, and also for car thieves. Even small belongings such as clothing or small change left on view in a vehicle can be tempting to a thief, let alone leaving expensive presents in the car. Never think leaving items in the boot is safe either, who could say if someone watches them being put in there?

“Car crime accounts for more than a quarter of all reported crime in the UK, so always take precautions and lock your car, making sure windows are closed, even if you’re away from your vehicle for just a few minutes. Additional security such as adding a steering lock is to be applauded.

“Never leave your keys in the ignition whilst your vehicle is unattended, even for a few minutes. Opportunist thieves will often steal cars that have been left with the engine running to defrost the windows.”

If you have information about any of these crimes please call DS Jim Forrest on 101, the police non-emergency and general enquiry number.

For further news and updates follow us on Twitter @TVP_Aylesbury.   Any crimes in progress should be reported by dialling 999.  Any callers who wish to remain anonymous can call the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

Vehicle Thefts Ongoing

This is a message from Thames Valley Alert Information sent on behalf of Thames Valley Police

Following the recent report of thefts from vehicles in Chearsley, Long Crendon and Oving, we have now had further reports of similar thefts overnight on the 6th and 7th December.  These offences are believed to be opportunist with no particular vehicle being targeted. All of the attacked vehicles had been left insecure and various items stolen.

Please report any suspicious vehicles or persons seen to our non emergency telephone number 101.

Please take the extra time to remove items from inside and lock your cars. For as long as thieves know there are so many insecure cars to pick from in our villages there is every chance they will keep coming back. Don’t make it easy for them.

Additional Police patrols are occurring in these areas over night.

Community Message

This is a message from Thames Valley Alert Information sent on behalf of Thames Valley Police

Free crime prevention packs in 3Space shop - Friars Square, Aylesbury

Come down to the 3space shop in Friars Square Shopping Centre, Aylesbury for free crime prevention packs. From Monday 10th December to Sunday 16th December, Thames Valley Police and the Community Safety Team at Aylesbury Vale District Council will be manning  stands alongside other partner agencies such as Bucks County Council, The Drug and Alcohol Action team and Bucks Fire & Rescue. The 3space shop can be found next to Waterstones in Friars Square Shopping Centre.
 
Thames Valley Police and AVDC Community Safety will be on hand to advise about personal safety over the festive season as well as burglary and car crime prevention.  Free timer switches and UV pens are available as well as alco-tops to prevent against drink spiking and car crime prevention packs. These free items will be given out on a first come first served basis, whilst stocks last.

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

Christmas Tree Lights
A reminder that on Friday December 14 at 6.30pm, the lights on the Christmas tree will be turned on. There will be carols round the tree, mulled wine and mince pies and a collection in aid of DebRA and Cystic Fibrosis.

The Jubilee Oak Tree
The Parish Council hope that there will be good support for the official planting of Chearsley’s Jubilee Oak Tree on The Green on Sunday December 16th at 12.30pm.

Christmas Bingo
The Bell was packed with Christmas Bingo players on Tuesday December 4, when a record £130 was the prize for the final full-house of the night. Bingo sessions on the First Tuesday of the month will continue in the New Year in January.

Barbara Green – 99 and still going strong
Many villagers may remember Barbara who lived in Chearsley for many years with her husband Stan. They both played very significant roles in village life – not least the Church and W.I. She now resides in a Residential Home near her daughters and keeps in touch with Chearsley villagers and has a great interest in Chearsley news. Congratulations to Barbara on her 99th birthday on December 4.

Library Film Club
A new film club in Long Crendon, a project of the Long Crendon Community Library is opening with 2 launch nights at 8pm on Friday January 11 and Saturday January 12 when the film, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel will be shown. Tickets will be free and as seats are limited, must be reserved and restricted to two per person and are available from Long Crendon Library. Membership to join the Library Film Club is only open to over 16s and forms are available at the library. The library now run by volunteers became a community library in April of this year. Please check their opening hours via the Long Crendon website – www.long-crendon.com.

NHS 111
It is planned that in February of 2013, this will be the new number to call for urgent but non life threatening medical help. It will work alongside the existing 999 number. When a call is made to this number, which will be available 24hrs a day and every day of the year, a clinical assessment will be made over the phone and the caller directed to the right help, without the need for further calls. More information will become available in the months before the launch.

Two Trees to Attend

Friday 14th December at 6.30pm

Carols Round the Tree

with hot sausage rolls, mince pies
& mulled wine
All are invited to come and make a joyful noise in support of
DEBRA and CF, providing essential funding for research into chronic
conditions which affect two of our youngsters in Chearsley.
This is the only carol singing event in the village this year, so please come
along, sing your hearts out, and dig into your pockets for a worthy cause.

~~~~~

Sunday the 16th December at 12.30pm

Jubilee Oak Planting

Chearsley has been gifted an English Oak to commemorate the Queen's Jubilee.

Come and join in the fun on the Green and enjoy a drink from The Bell or a coffee from the Shop!

Now appearing at a screen near you...

Long Crendon Library is starting "The Library Film Club" with a showing of

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Rated: Suitable for 12 years and over     Running Time 118 mins

British retirees travel to India to take up residence in what they believe is a newly restored hotel. Less luxurious than its advertisements, the Marigold Hotel nevertheless slowly begins to charm in unexpected ways.

OPENING LAUNCH NIGHTS:
Fri 11th and  Sat 12th January 2013 at 8pm

Tickets for the opening night are FREE but you must reserve a seat in advance as there are a limited number available. Tickets limited to two per person.

You can reserve a seat by calling into the library and booking at the desk. Tickets must be booked by adults. Membership forms to join the Library Film Club are available at the library. To join you must be over 16.

Security of vehicles during cold weather

These two messages are from Thames Valley Alert Information sent on behalf of Thames Valley Police

Over recent weeks, 15 vehicles have been broken in to in Chearsley, Long Crendon and Oving areas. Offences have been occurring over night and are believed to be opportunist with no particular vehicle being targeted. All of the attacked vehicles had been left insecure and various items stolen including sat navs, cash, clothing, glasses and a brief case.

Suspects are believed to be coming to our villages from Oxfordshire and some of the stolen property has been recovered in a vehicle in Oxford.

Please take the extra time to remove items from inside and lock your cars. For as long as thieves know there are so many insecure cars to pick from in our villages there is every chance they will keep coming back. Don’t make it easy for them.

Additional Police patrols are occurring in these areas over night.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thames Valley Police is urging local residents to be vigilant with the security of their vehicles, especially on winter mornings.

During recent cold weather conditions two vehicles have been stolen from Brill on 30 November and Chilton on 1 December. Owners had left the vehicles running to defrost the windscreens and warm the cars up but thieves took advantage and stole the insecure cars.

Motorists are advised to never leave a car unattended in these circumstances. If a vehicle is stolen in this way it is unlikely that your insurance company will pay for the loss of the vehicle.

Visit www.thamesvalley.police.uk for further crime reduction information and advice on vehicle security or call on the 24 hour Police Enquiry Centre 101