Wednesday 25 December 2013

Happy Christmas!

A very
Happy Christmas
to all our readers!

Keep warm, have a great time, and please
don't forget to look out for your neighbours!


Thursday 19 December 2013

Cakes & Bakes


Many Chearsley children have contributed recipes to a beautiful new recipe book "Cakes & Bakes", just published in time for Christmas.   The book is A5 in size and has 74 colourful pages of  tasty recipes for cakes, bread and puddings.  It would make a great Christmas Present. The books cost £10 each or just £8.50 per copy for orders of three or more, and can be ordered through the Cuddington village shop or via Sharon@cloverdale.biz.  All monies raised support the Cuddington & Dinton C.of E. School.

Saturday 14 December 2013

Winter Friends


Support the
campaign and sign their pledge to look in on an older friend or neighbour this winter.

Last winter, about 31,000 people in England died as a result of cold weather. Most of the people who died were over 75 and many of these deaths could have been avoided.

But it doesn't have to be this way.  By signing our pledge and looking in on someone this winter, you can help reduce the number of unnecessary deaths and make winter a better time for everyone.  Join us and together we’ll all do our bit this winter.

Signing the pledge will also ensure you get cold weather alerts and other email tips to help friends and neighbours as the temperatures drop.

5 Ways to be a winter friend;
  1. Set some time aside to drop in on an older neighbour or friend once a week – more often if the weather turns very cold.
  2. Check their home is warm enough. The main living area should be around 21°C (70°F) and bedrooms should be 18°C (65°F). If they are worried about the costs of heating, check they are receiving their heating bill benefits, such as Winter Fuel Payment and Cold Weather Payment. If there are draughts you may be able to help plug them.
  3. Food is a vital source of energy that helps keep us warm. Make sure the person you are looking in on is eating well and has some non-perishable foods in the cupboard that they can heat up in case they can't leave the house for a few days. Tinned meals and soups are ideal.
  4. Many older people take medicines and everyone over 65 should have a free flu jab. Ask if there is anything you can do to help – picking up a prescription or giving them a lift to their GP, for instance. And if you are unwell take real care not to pass it on.
  5. It’s also important for people to keep active and get out if they can. Make sure the person you are helping has warm and grippy shoes and a good coat, hat and gloves. Offer to walk with them if they are not confident alone. If it snows clear the path to their door for them.

Thursday 12 December 2013

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

Christmas Bingo at The Bell - The pub was crowded for the last Bingo session of the year. The final full house win was £100. The raffle for charity made £49. Thanks go to Paul Kingsman and Andy Camden who have been hosting the Bingo evenings for the past 3 years, now well experienced callers. These evenings are always well attended and good fun. The New Year will start with one on January 7.

Chearsley Christmas Cards
Alicia Howard has created a Christmas Card of children tobogganing down the fields behind Chearsley Church. Packs of 4 cards costing £2.50 are on sale in the village shop, The Bell and from Alicia.

Christmas Tags - Andrew (Podge) and I have made some give tags from recycled Christmas cards and these are on sale in packets of 20 for £1.50, or individually for 10p each in The Bell.

Refuse Collections:
Refuse Collection Friday December 20 - the recycling and food bin will be collected.
Refuse collections after Christmas – Please note the different collection days for this week and the following week. Monday December 30 when the green general waste bin and food bin will be collected
Saturday January 4 - Recycling bin and food bins will be collected
Friday January 10 - Waste bin and food bins will be collected

Chearsley Shop
The shop will close at 6.00pm on Saturday, December 14. Christmas Day and Boxing Day are the only days when the shop will be closed. Usual opening hours up to and after then.
Thank you to those of you who have kept me informed of village activities and events this past year. I look forward to hearing news of family celebrations, special achievements ,and forthcoming occasions in 2014. Without having news, there is no column. Happy Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone.

Diary Dates :
December 22 4.00pm Lessons and Carols at St Nicholas
December 24 3.00pm Children’s Crib Service – everyone welcome, not just children and parents
December 24 11.30pm Midnight Communion
Christmas Day 10.00am Christmas Praise
December 24 The Bell is Open 12.00pm to 3.00pm. 6.00pm till late.
Christmas Day The Bell is Open 12.00pm until 2.00pm Closed in the evening
Boxing Day The Bell is Open 12.00pm until 4.00pm Food available. Dodgy Christmas Jumper competition. Closed in the evening
Monday December 30 – Mobile Library in The Bell Car park from 10.00am until 10.25am. The next visit will be January 27.
New Year’s Eve The Bell is Open 12pm to 3.00pm. 6.00pm till late. Nibbles on the bar. Food available as usual
New Year’s Day The Bell is Open 12pm to 4.00pm. The Bell’s Big Brekkie and usual menu. Closed in the evening.
January 5 2014 – Twelfth Night Party at the village hall at 7.30pm. Tickets are £12.50 available from Anne Pratt on anne.jpap@gmail.com
January 13 2014 Parish Council Meeting – venue to be announced. Please see noticeboard a few days before for more details.

Saturday 7 December 2013

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

Village burglary
A garage in Dark Lane was broken into overnight on Wednesday November 27 and Thursday 28. The padlock was forced and power tools were stolen. Anyone with any information is asked to contact PCSO Denise Grayburn from Waddesdon Neighbourhood Policing team on the 24hour Police enquiry number 101.

Margaret Braley There will be a short service led by Canon John Wynburne at St Nicholas Church, Chearsley on Wednesday December 18 at 10.30pm for the interment of Margaret’s ashes. Everyone is welcome to attend. Margaret was one of the original residents to move in to Elm Brook Close with her husband, Harold, when it was built in 1967. Margaret was a former President of Chearsley W.I. and will be remembered for her needlework and crafting skills and for her love of children, teaching more than 1 generation of pre-school children at her nursery in Aylesbury.

Black Coffee
This first play written by Agatha Christie is being performed by The Official Agatha Christie Theatre Company in the New Year. It is good news to hear that Eric Carte (Chearsley’s most famous actor) is among the cast, with Robert Powell playing Hercule Poirot. The performance will be on tour throughout the country, starting with a 2 week period at Windsor from January 6. It will also be at Milton Keynes from April 28. The play is set on an English country estate which is thrown into chaos following the murder of eccentric investor Sir Claud Amory and the theft of his new earth shattering formula. On the arrival of Hercule Poirot with Captain Hastings at the scene, he immediately senses a potent brew of despair, treachery and deception amid the estate’s occupants. Agatha Christie described the play in her autobiography as “a conventional spy thriller”.

Free Christmas Day Lunches Churches Together in Buckingham are offering anyone who will be alone this Christmas Day the opportunity to enjoy a free Christmas lunch, entertainment, games and presents. One lunch will be at St Mary’s in Aylesbury Town centre, one at Buckingham and one at Steeple Claydon. Places are limited, so booking is essential. Please phone Eric Undritz on 01280 817560 or email wellstreetoffice@gmail.com.

Chearsley Christmas Cards Alicia Howard has created a Christmas Card of children tobogganing down the fields behind Chearsley Church. Packs of 4 cards costing £2.50 are on sale in the village shop, The Bell and from Alicia.

Diary Dates:
Friday December 13 6.30pm Lighting of the Christmas Tree on The Green Gather round the tree on The Green for a count-down to the lights being switched on and for carols, mince pies and mulled wine

Christmas services at St Nicholas Church
December 22 4.00pm Lessons and Carols
December 24 3.00pm Children’s Crib Service – everyone welcome, not just children and parents
December 24 11.30pm Midnight Communion
Christmas Day 10.00am Christmas Praise

Christmas and New Year at The Bell
December 24 Open 12.00pm to 3.00pm. 6.00pm till late.
Christmas Day Open 12.00pm until 2.00pm Closed in the evening
Boxing Day Open 12.00pm until 4.00pm Food available. Dodgy Christmas Jumper competition. Closed in the evening
New Year’s Eve Open 12pm to 3.00pm. 6.00pm till late. Nibbles on the bar. Food available as usual
New Year’s Day Open 12pm to 4.00pm. The Bell’s Big Brekkie and usual menu. Closed in the evening.

Thursday 28 November 2013

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

New Parish Councillor - Congratulations to Julia Witcher on receiving 112 votes at the election to become the new Parish Councillor for Chearsley.

The Big Heat - Winter Fuel Payments are now being paid and Bucks Community Foundation is asking for anyone who feels they could donate their payment to their Big Heat Fund which helps local older people to keep warm and healthy this winter to get in touch with them. Since 2000, the Foundation has worked with local people who have given more than £3million which has helped over 1,500 community groups and projects in Bucks. Long Crendon Day Centre which relies on donations to operate and provides hot lunches and a warm environment for elderly clients twice a week is one local project which has benefited from the Fund. Please ring 01296 330134 or email info@buckscf.org.uk if you feel you can donate all or part of your Winter Fuel Payment.

Twelfth Night celebrations – an evening of fun and feasting is being held in the village hall on Sunday January 5 2014 at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £12.50 which will include a cup of wassail on arrival. The menu is game pie or vegetarian hommity pie, lemon posset, cheese board and Twelfth Night cake. Please contact Anne Pratt on anne.jpap@gmail.com or Julia Witcher for tickets.

Diary Dates :
Christingle - December 8 at 4.00pm this is a service for people of all ages, but particularly for children. During the service the children receive a Christingle composed of an orange, a lighted candle, a red ribbon, raisins and sweets, each part representing a symbol of the Christian faith. The collection will be donated to the Children’s Society.
Quiz at The Bell – December 8 at 8.00pm. Come on your own or in a team. Nibbles served at half time.

Saturday 23 November 2013

Internet Safety


You’ll find some excellent new advice pages for parents by visiting www.getsafeonline.org and selecting ‘Safeguarding Children’.

Get Safe Online has also enlisted the help of independent experts to provide free, practical advice on topical child internet safety issues, and is inviting parents to sign up to receive regular email updates.

To sign up, please visit https://www.getsafeonline.org/switchedon

This really is a great source of information and we recommend that you register. If you no longer wish to receive the updates, it will be fast and easy for you to unsubscribe at any time.

Election result

Following last Thursday's election, Julia Witcher becomes our new Parish Councillor. The official declaration can be downloaded from here.

Friday 22 November 2013

Village News

with Margaret Morbey.

Parish Council Meeting Monday November 18
There was a lively public attendance of about 20 residents at this meeting chaired by Nic Brown. During the time allowed(and extra time) for public comment, many concerns were voiced about the upset the Housing Development topic in the Draft Village Plan had caused in the village, that there could be many more houses built in the future than many villagers would like to see. John Lewis, as main co-ordinator of the Village Plan, welcomed all the comments which had been received on it and said that it was always the intention of the committee for the plan to be a reflection of what the village wanted, so that in future planning decisions by Aylesbury Vale Council, the Village Plan could have some weight in swaying any decision made.

There were also heated comments about the publication on the village noticeboard of the names and addresses of villagers who had written to request an election for the new member of the Parish Council. Nic Brown and Mike Heybrook admitted that this had been a mistake and apologised.
Other matters discussed included progress which has been made on having two vehicle activated signs which could be moved to 4 sites on the approach to the village, in an attempt to curb speeding in the village. During a survey, it had been found that over 80% of vehicles entering the village were speeding with more than 50% exceeding 60mph.

Potholes continue to be a problem, particularly in School Lane and white lines around The Green need to be repainted. Lorries delivering to Cedar Cottage in Dark Lane were eroding the banks and John Lewis had been in contact with the owner, suggesting a barrier of orange mesh or similar could be erected around the bank to highlight the problem. The Council has funding and a plan for continuing kerbing of various village roads to prevent the erosion of the banks and would appreciate anyone from the village volunteering to oversee this plan. Please contact Nic Brown if you are able to help.

It was suggested that the Remembrance Wreath should be wired on to the Memorial to prevent its removal. During Any Other Business, it was agreed that the village noticeboard was the responsibility of the Parish council and that a careful check on notices on it should be kept. The state of Chilton Road was commented on and a new salt bin requested for Winchendon Road.

A round of applause was given to Ann Hooton who is leaving the village this week as thanks for the great amount she has done for the village over the past 30 years. Chearsley had improved its achievement in this year’s Best Kept Village, having been awarded a certificate of Merit in 2012 and Runner up in 2013 in the Morris Cup section. These certificates had been framed at the expense of the Chairman who encouraged everyone to do their best for the coming year, particularly in June at the time of judging, to keep the village as neat and tidy as possible. Mike Heybrook reported that the state of all footpaths were fine and that he had been told that Footpath 9 (Church Lane towards and over the railway line) would be upgraded whereby gravity swinging gates would replace styles. It was reported that obscured glass in a window in the new house in Turnip Close still needed to be fitted.

Nic Brown thanked everyone for attending the meeting and encouraged them all to come regularly to interact and contribute to the work of the Parish Council. Next meetings would take place on December 9 at 7.30pm and January 13 at 7.30pm with venues to be announced at a later date.

Electoral Register
– If you have not yet completed your details for the electoral register, now is the time to do so. Around 68% of forms sent out in October have been returned, but reminder forms are being sent out to 24,700 Aylesbury Vale residents who have failed to fulfil this legal requirement, failure for which could result in a fine of up to £1,000. For advice and help on registration, visit aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/elections or call 01296 585807 or call a 24 hour free phone number 0800 1976185. The registration form can be completed online at www.registerbyinternet.com/aylesbury or returned by post.

Winter Light by Bruce Munro at Waddesdon Manor - from now until Jan 1 there is the opportunity to enjoy these 6 large-scale light based installations situated around the gardens at Waddesdon Manor. Wrap up warmly and allow an hour to follow the trail to view them all which are illuminated from 3pm each day. There are late night openings every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from November 29 until December 29 with the last admission at 7.30pm. Car parking for visitors for the house and gardens is in the process of change. The first phase has been launched with a flat area for 450 spaces now in operation. There are 4 shuttle buses operating a “park and ride” system from the car park up to the North Fountain.

Digital Camera
– a Nikon digital camera in a case has been found on Aylesbury Road on the evening of Tuesday 19. Please contact Lin on 01844 208373 if it belongs to you.

Christmas Bingo at The Bell – December 3 at around 8.30pm This is bound to be a busy evening, so come in good time to make sure you have a seat. As well as the usual bingo games for cash prizes and raffle for charity, there will be a special prize for the best hat or costume. Fun and laughter guaranteed with our jolly Christmas bingo callers, Paul and Andy.

Christingle - December 8 at 4.00pm this is a service for people of all ages, but particularly for children. During the service the children receive a Christingle composed of an orange, a lighted candle, a red ribbon, raisins and sweets, each part representing a symbol of the Christian faith. The collection will be donated to the Children’s Society.

Appeal for information after local burglaries

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

Appeal for information after a series of burglaries – Brill, Westcott and Long Crendon

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses after a series of burglaries in Brill, Westcott and Long Crendon, Bucks.

Between Saturday (16/11) and Sunday (17/11) five properties were burgled. The incidents are believed to be linked.

Between 10am on Saturday and 6.50pm on Sunday, offenders forced entry to a rear ground floor window and made a messy search of the property in Raven Crescent, Westcott and stole items of jewellery.

Between 10am and 8.45pm on Saturday, offenders forced a rear window and made a messy search of a property in Lacemakers, Long Crendon. They stole items of jewellery. Offenders also forced open a rear kitchen window to a house in Old Windmill Way, Long Crendon, making a messy search and stealing jewellery.

Between 8.30am and 8.30pm on Saturday, offenders forced a front window to a property on Temple Street, Brill and made a messy search of the property and stole jewellery. A second property on this street was also broken into when offenders removed a glass panel from a front window and conducted a messy search. Jewellery was stolen.

If you have any information please contact Det Con Bruce Wilson from Aylesbury police station via the Thames Valley Police Enquiry Centre on 101.

If you don't want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online via the Crimestoppers website. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

Friday 15 November 2013

Aylesbury Town Christmas Lights

Thames Valley Police and Aylesbury Town Centre Partnership are working together to make the Aylesbury Christmas Light Switch On a fun and safe event.

The event will run between 5.30pm and 7.30pm on Thursday 21st November in the Market Square along with a funfair at Kingsbury in Aylesbury.

The lights will be switched on at 6:50pm and will be followed by a short firework display. The entertainment will conclude at 7:30pm in Market Square and the funfair at Kingsbury will close at 8:30pm.

Road closures will be in place from 4.30pm until 9pm at Market Square, Kingsbury and George Street in its entirety and High Street from the Hale Leys loading ramp toward Market Square.

The road closure for fireworks will take place from 6.50pm until 7.15pm at Walton Street from its junction with Great Western Street.

Diana Fawcett, Aylesbury Town Centre Manager, said “We are delighted that local youngster Alexander Novakovic will switch on this year’s Christmas lights on Thursday 21 November, as well as Alexander, local comedian Andy Collins and upcoming singer Holly Brewer will be in attendance.

“The lights will be switched on at 6.50pm and will be followed by a firework display. There will also be a host of live music acts performing from 5.30 pm until 7.30 pm including ‘My Holiday Romance’ and ‘The Overtones’.”

Insp Kelly Glister from Aylesbury police station, said: “The Christmas Lights Switch On in Aylesbury is a magical event for all the local community. There are a few things we would ask you to keep in mind during this time.

“As you leave home, remember to lock your door with a key and leave a light on so that your house looks occupied while you are out. Plan your car journey and parking so that you can walk into town in good time for the start of the event.

“If you are taking children with you, write your phone number on their hand or put it in their pocket in case you become separated. There is a dedicated area to report any missing children or vulnerable people.”

The local neighbourhood policing team will be in and around during the event and will be happy to discuss any local issues or concerns, you may have. Enjoy your evening, stay safe and have fun.

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

Jeff Heap A service of celebration and thanksgiving for the life of Jeff was held in the church on Tuesday November 12. Jeff, who lived in Aylesbury Road with his wife Linda and children, Christopher and Rebecca for many years, died suddenly while on holiday in Barbados. Jeff had enjoyed retirement for a few years and delighted in the birth of his granddaughter, Samantha. Jeff was buried close to the grave of his daughter who died 30 years ago of cot death aged 7 weeks. Our love and sympathies go to Linda and the family.

Margaret Braley – It is sad news to learn of the death of Margaret who had lived in Elm Brook Close for many years. Her funeral will be held at the Chilterns Crematorium on Friday 22 at 3.30pm. Condolences go to her family.

Christmas Garland Workshop
Joy Payne, a professional florist whose skill in flower arranging is well known in Chearsley, is again running a Christmas Garland Workshop in the village hall on Saturday November 30 from 9.30am to 12.30pm. Joy will give a demonstration on how to make a beautiful festive garland and then give step by step instructions for everyone to make one as good as Joy’s. The cost of the morning which will include all materials, as well as refreshments is £30. Email Joy at joychearsley@talktalk.net or phone 01844 208513.

Parish Councillor Election on Thursday November 21
The hall will be open for voting from 7am until 10pm for you to vote for a new parish councillor. The candidates are John Howard, Perry Smith and Julia Witcher. Please note that there will not be polling cards. You vote on the day in the hall.

Pub Lunch - Wednesday November 27 at 12.30pm - come and join the small group of regular monthly lunchers in The Bell for a 2 course lunch including tea and coffee. This month there is a choice from sausage and mash, lasagne, chips and salad or scampi and chips. Pudding is crumble, sticky toffee pudding, ice-cream or cheese and biscuits. If you haven’t been before, or haven’t been for a while, you will be made very welcome. Please contact me on 01844 208913 to book your place and let me know your choice from the menu. A Christmas lunch of roast turkey will be served on December 18.

Find the Joker at The Bell – there are quite a few jokers who frequent The Bell, but this is a new Game with the draw taking place every Friday evening at 8.30pm. Tickets cost £1 which can be bought at any time throughout the week, with a maximum of 3 per person.. The weekly winner receives £10 and then chooses an envelope, hoping it will contain the Joker which means winning the accumulated funds. The prize pool increases each week until the Joker is found. If the owner of the winning ticket is not in the bar on the Friday night, it will be redrawn . The chance of winning £10 or more sounds a good reason for being in the Bell on Friday nights.

Toy Service at St Nicholas Church
- this will be held on Sunday November 24 at 10am. Unwrapped, new toys are wanted which will be distributed to needy children in homes and hospitals in the Aylesbury Vale area, in conjunction with Mix 96, the local radio station appeal.

Pacific Rowing Challenge
Team Pacific Rowers

James Wight, whose parents Gill and Andy have had their home in Church Lane for many years, has recently taken part in a 24 hour static row in Leicester Square, when he and 2 others rowed 235km in the 24hour stint. This was the start of a campaign to advertise and raise funds for his team with 3 other young men who plan to take part in the 2,100 mile New Ocean Wave Great Pacific Race 2014 across the Pacific Ocean in June 2014.
They will be rowing, eating and sleeping in turn for 5 weeks from California to Hawaii unaided against 11 other teams in a boat well equipped with the latest communication technology, water desalinators and necessities in the event of an emergency. James has sought and experienced adventures particularly personal endurance challenges in the past, having previously cycled through Portugal, climbed Mt Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kinabalu in Borneo, trekked in the southern Alps, Pyrenees and volcanoes in Indonesia. and took part in the London Marathon this year. This will be the hardest of anything he has done before.
All the very best James and thank you to his mother, Gill for keeping me informed. For more information, go to website Team Pacific Rowers which is the name of their team at pacificrowers.com or follow them on facebook or twitter.

Christmas Fayre at Bernard Hall, Cuddington – this will take place on Saturday November 23 from 2.00pm until 4.30pm in aid of local groups. There is free admission to many stalls including hand-crafted gifts, cards, jewellery, home made cakes and preserves, jams, local food products. There will be refreshments, raffle and Santa in his grotto.

Bucks Healthcare NHS - A big conversation
Bucks Healthcare NHS is inviting the public to join them at meetings at different venues throughout Bucks in the coming months, to hear how they are improving the quality of care they offer and for the public to share their views on past experiences of hospital care and community healthcare services. In Aylesbury on November 28 there will be an evening meeting. In Thame on Jan 31 there will be a morning meeting and in Buckingham an afternoon meeting on Feb 5. More details of venues and times will be given on contacting Bucks Healthcare by phoning 01494 734953 or emailing dee.irvin@buckshealthcare.nhs.uk. More details can be found on www.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/abc

Wednesday 13 November 2013

Neighbourhood Police Newsletter

Our monthly Neighbourhood Update is now available for our area here: http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/yournh-tvp-pol-area-n417

Friday 8 November 2013

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

Christmas meals at The Bell
With Christmas fast approaching it is  time to plan festive  celebrations with friends, family  and neighbours. The Bell has  a 2 course Christmas menu  of £19.95 or a 3 course Christmas menu of £23.95  available to book   from Monday December 2 until Tuesday 24. There is a choice, so pick up a Christmas menu from The Bell to choose what you would like.  Reservations can be made by phoning The Bell on 01844 208077 or email Sharon@thebellchearsley.co.uk.
The regular Pub lunch meeting for Christmas will be on Wednesday December 18 when Christmas Dinner is on the menu. If you would like to come along to this, even if you haven’t been before,  please phone me on 01844 208913. Everyone is very welcome.  In the meantime, during November, 2 meals for £10 from a selected menu continue to be offered for Tuesday to Thursday evenings; steak night on Thursday evenings  for £25 with a bottle of wine and Friday evenings is fish night.
The log burner and friendly staff and customers will always guarantee you  a pleasant visit.

Quiz – this will be held in The Bell on Sunday November 17 at 7.30pm. This is a very friendly, informal evening when you are welcome to  come on your own and join with others to make up a team, or arrange your own team.


Brown Bin Collections

AVDC garden waste collections are a ten month service and final collections are due to take place at the end of November. As usual, your garden waste will be collected on the Monday of the week that your green-lid landfill bin is collected.

Final collection for this year will be on Monday 25 November

2014 collections will start again on Monday 3 February.

To see your personal collection calendar and lots of other information about recycling and waste collections, visit www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/gardenwaste or call the recycling and waste helpline on 01296 585510

Thursday 31 October 2013

Village News

with Margaret Morbey.

Mobile Library - I have Tracey to thank for letting me know that the Mobile Library will now only visit Chearsley on a 4 weekly timetable. The time has also changed - the library will be in The Bell car park from 10.00am until 10.25am. The next visit is November 4th, as the new times start then, with the next visit to the village on Monday December 2 at the new time. Information on the AVDC website still refers to the old fortnightly timetable.

Remembrance Day Poppies
Sue Grimsdell will again be going round the village hoping to find people at home to buy a poppy. Collection boxes will also be in The Bell and the shop. If Sue does not call on you and you would like her to, please phone her on 01844 201319 to arrange for a personal visit – thank you Sue for continuing to do this every year.

Remembrance Day Service at the War Memorial – everyone is welcome to attend this service on Sunday November 10th at 10.45am.

Election for Parish Councillor
There are 3 candidates for this post. John Howard of Great Barn, School Lane, Perry Smith of Church Piece, Winchendon Road and Julia Witcher of Chestnut View, Chilton Road. The election takes place on Thursday November 21 in the Village Hall.

Theatre in the Villages - only a small audience consisting of villagers and several travelling quite a distance enjoyed the performance of Diary of a Nobody recently in Chearsley village hall, as part of the Theatre in the Villages scheme. Most of the audience were familiar with the book and it was a delight to be reminded of Charles Pooter’s often amusing and endearing diary entries.

Pumpkin Competition at The Bell
- It was a difficult task to decide which pumpkin deserved the prize for being the best dressed. There were about 10 pumpkins on display for The Bell customers to choose and vote for their favourite. The winning pumpkin was created by Victoria, Maddie and Sophia Gray of Elm Brook Close. Another busy, village occasion organized by Sharon and staff at The Bell.

Village Hall Trustees AGM - This meeting will take place in the village hall on Monday November 11 at 8.00pm. Anyone who would like to come is welcome.

Cricket Club AGM – change of date. This will now be held on Monday November 25th at 7.30pm at the pavilion, not Friday November 22nd as previously announced.

Village Shop - it is now almost 2 years since Jeyann and Suki took over the shop. Time to think back to the months before this when the shop was closed for a few months, at how quiet the village seemed with no-one walking about, nowhere to walk to for the forgotten pint of milk.
We had to go by car for any shopping we needed. We missed having a place to walk to for a purpose and maybe meet up with villagers on the way for a chat. There is very much to thank Jeyann and Suki for and to appreciate the long hours they work. Open every day.
A time now to remember exactly what they sell and the services they offer – daily newspapers, which can be delivered if you wish, fresh bread, fruit and vegetables, ice creams, sweets, crisps, groceries and household goods, cakes, biscuits, chocolates; a very good range of wines, beers and spirits, often at prices cheaper than Supermarkets, chilled and frozen goods, greetings cards for all occasions, the list goes on. They provide a twice weekly dry cleaning service; the facility to top up your phone, pay gas, water and electric bills through PayZone, get cash back, take part in the Health lottery for the chance to win a prize and help to fund local health projects; have a cup of tea or coffee from their neat little machine – a long list of good reasons to support the shop as much as possible and for the village to say a very big thank you to Jeyann and Suki for all they do in such a friendly, willing and happy way, always pleased to see you and help you find what you are looking for.

Wednesday 30 October 2013

Remember, remember...


...to bring your own fireworks to the Cricket Club this Friday, 1st November, from 7:30pm - the club Bar and BBQ will be in operation.

Monday 28 October 2013

Long Crendon Library

What’s On at Long Crendon Library
(apart from lots of brilliant books)

You do not have to be a Library member to be welcome at any of these events:

For Pre-schoolers:
Bounce and Rhyme: Wednesdays 11-11.30: songs and stories.
PJ Friday: last Friday of the month at 5.30. Wear PJs and bring Teddy.
Arts and crafts: Tuesdays 10.30-11.30 (18 months-5 years)
All welcome!

Coffee Morning: 10-12.30 on the first Wednesday of the month.
Tea, coffee and homemade cake, plus a good natter.

Crendon Crafters: alternate Tuesday afternoons during winter months, with occasional talks/demonstrations. Do your own craftwork in good company.

Computer Lessons: free one-to-one tutorials on a Friday afternoon to learn basic computer use. Book your session at the Library.

Film Club: Alternate Thursday afternoons and Friday evenings, from October to April. Ask in the Library for details on membership and the current programme. Enjoy great films and a glass of wine in a friendly ambience.

Plus:
Computers for public use: there is a small charge for using the internet other than the Bucks site on which, amongst other things, you can access Ancestry.com free of charge.

Photocopying: A4 b/w: 10p; colour: 50p.

The Library can also be booked for outside events, eg talks, book groups. There are excellent projector/screening facilities, and very reasonable rates.
E-mail longcrendonlibrary@hotmail.co.uk for more details.

(A pdf copy of these amenities is available here.)

Saturday 26 October 2013

Chearsley By-election


A copy of the official Statement of Persons Nominated for the Election of a Parish Councillor can be downloaded from here.

Thursday 24 October 2013

Election of Parish Councillor

Forms of nomination for the Parish Election can be obtained from the Parish Clerk or from the Returning Officer, The Gateway, Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury HP19 8FF.
Nomination papers must be delivered to the Returning Officer no later than noon on October 25th 2013.

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

Peter Clark
Peter died on October 11th at Stoke Mandeville Hospital after a short and unexpected illness. He had lived in Church Lane with his wife Clare who is clerk to the Parish Council, and children, Emma and Charlie. Peter worked from home until his retirement in February this year and could often be seen taking his daily constitutional walk around the village lanes. His funeral will take place at The Chilterns Crematorium, Amersham on Tuesday October 29 at 1pm. Family flowers only. Donations in Peter's name can be made to the UK Sepsis Trust at www.justgiving.com/peterdavidclark

Bingo at The Bell
The next Bingo session at The Bell will be on November 5. Come early to make sure of a seat and have an evening meal at a special price for those playing Bingo, ready to start playing at 8.30pm. A book of bingo cards for 6 games costs £6.00 and could bring in a substantial win, depending on how many players on the night. Come and join in the fun.

Sunday Quiz at The Bell
If a more intellectual challenge is to your liking, try this monthly event at The Bell. The next quiz will be on November 10 at 8pm. Get together a group or come alone and join in.

Pub Lunches at The Bell - these lunches for older residents of Chearsley first started over 3 years ago from an idea of Community Impact Bucks with the aim of helping people maintain a level of social contact in rural areas. Ann Hooton became the main the organiser for Chearsley, and support for this monthly lunch has grown to more than 20 attending on a Wednesday lunchtime. It is also a way of supporting The Bell. Ann plans to shortly move from the village and the pub lunch on Wednesday October 23 was the last one she has organised. Ann has lived in the village for over 30 years and the list of roles played in Chearsley is incredibly long – her first role being as secretary for the village Playgroup, then secretary of the W.I. Clerk to the Parish Council; chairman of the Parish Council, village hall trustee; treasurer for St Nicholas Church when the roof was replaced and also being its organist which she still does from time to time as well as for Nether Winchendon; started the Village Produce Show and a regular newsletter. For a time she was the village correspondent for the Bucks Herald. I am sure there are many other parts she has played in the development of the village. Not least was the help and support she gave to her late husband Ted who spent many hours of research to produce the very informative and much referred to book of Chearsley, which was printed in 1994 . Ann is sad to be leaving the village, a place which, from all the roles she undertook, gave her the opportunity to learn many skills and enabled her to enjoy a really good job and career. Chearsley has very much to thank Ann for. She will be greatly missed. We all wish her and her dog, Honey all the very best and hope to see her back at The Bell when she has settled in her new home.

Mobile Library - this will next be in the village on Monday November 4th in The Bell car park between 12.20 and 12.45pm.


Family Fireworks
The Cricket Club is holding a firework night on Friday November 1st starting at 7.30pm in the Cricket Ground. The bar will be open and barbeque food will be on sale. Entry for everyone is free. Bring your own fireworks. More information is available from Larry Greenfield on 07789 748360


Cricket Club AGM - this will take place in the Cricket pavilion on Friday November 22 at 7.30pm. Please contact the Secretary, Terry Gadsby on 07768 755797 for a copy of last year’s Minutes and for a copy of the agenda for this year’s AGM.

Recycling Bins in The Bell Car Park – These glass recycling bins are not always being used properly by villagers. Recently, empty bottles and bags of bottles have just been left by the bins, which have blown over and broken becoming a danger to car park users and children. The Bell allows the bins to be kept in the car park as a service for the village. Please respect this and take home any bottles if the bins are full and wait for the bins to be emptied, rather than leave them for someone else to deal with.

Christmas at Waddesdon Manor - Waddesdon Manor closes on October 27 when Christmas arrives and part of the house is decorated ready for re-opening on November 13. There will be late night openings of the house and gardens on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from November 29 until December 29 . Follow the trail in the Gardens which leads around the 6 new light installations created by the acclaimed light artist Bruce Munro. Please see their website for more information www.waddesdon.org.uk

Thursday 17 October 2013

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

Parish Council October 14 – this meeting was postponed as a mark of respect for the death of Clare Clark’s husband, Peter who had died a few days before after a short illness. Clare is the clerk to the Council. Love and sympathies go to Clare and her family.

Election for a new councillor
– the vacancy which exists for a councillor on the Parish Council will be decided by an election in the village to take place on Thursday November 21.

Steak Night Tuesday October 22 from 6.30 to 9.00pm - a choice from 3 types of steak are on the menu. Fillet at £19.95; Sirloin at £15.50 and rump at £14.95 including mushroom, or peppercorn or Stilton sauce and all served with chunky chips, Portobello mushroom, grilled tomato and peas. Please book as soon as possible by ringing Sharon at The Bell on 208077 or email sharon@thebellchearsley.co.uk

Pumpkins at The Bell – Put your imagination to work and dress a pumpkin and bring it to be judged at The Bell on Tuesday October 29. Size doesn’t matter, (the competition is not about the heaviest this year) neither does style – the pumpkin can be smart, scary, sophisticated, whatever you like. Judging will take place at 7.30pm with a prize for the Best. Good company and laughter guaranteed with the pumpkins - the usual 6 o’clock lot should still be there.

Memorial Service Sunday November 3 at 3pm – Everyone is invited to come to St Nicholas church for a Memorial Service to remember those who have shared our lives, and whose passing has left an emptiness and often an ache in the heart. It will be a service of quiet reflection with prayers, readings, music and a short talk with an opportunity to light a candle as an act of remembrance for a loved one. Looking back often evokes sadness, but can also bring thankfulness as times of happiness and enjoyment are also remembered.

Rock Choc Church – Sunday November 17 at 6pm - this meeting is aimed at younger people in year 5 and above to get together in the Church for loud music, hot chocolate and cake chat, debates, fun and laughter with John Wynburn. Parents are welcome to stay and share a glass of mulled wine or tea or coffee at the back of the church. It is hoped to arrange more sessions in the future.

Chearsley Cricket Club Christmas Dinner - Saturday December 7 – this will be held again at Studley Wood Golf Club with dinner, dancing, raffle and auction. Tickets are £35 each available from John Howard on 07970 651326 or email jnh@dbmc.co.uk. All money raised from the event will go to maintaining and improving the club facilities and developing the very successful Junior section which had 80 youngsters signed up this season.

Christmas Gift Fair at Waddesdon Plant Centre – this will be held in the glass house at the Plant Centre from Thursday November 7 until Sunday 10 from 10.30am to 4.30pm, where there will be over 50 stalls selling local arts and crafts, home ware and original British gifts. Please note that Waddesdon Manor will not be open then – it closes on October 27 to prepare for Christmas ready to open again on November 13.

Saturday 12 October 2013

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

Jock Scholefield
Jock of Chilton Road died at home with his family present on Friday October 4th. Jock had lived with Mary in Chilton Road, Chearsley since 1991 and took an active part of life in the village. At St Nicholas Church, Jock would often read the lesson, and write and lead prayers until two years ago.
For some years he was Chairman of the Parish Council and among other involvements, played an important role in organising the village car pool service, taking villagers to hospital or doctor’s appointments, and when the Post Office closed, regularly taking villagers to Long Crendon to collect their pension. Since retiring, Jock had enjoyed a fairly quiet time but was always ready to help out and become involved. When the Youth Club started, he would read stories to the children, being a very good story teller.
His funeral will be held on Tuesday October 15th at 11am at St Nicholas to which everyone is welcome. Family flowers only and Mary asks that no-one wears black. This service will be followed by a private cremation. There will be a celebration of his life after Family Service on October 27th to thank the village for their love and support. Sympathies go to Mary and the family.

Steam train through Chearsley Sunday October 6th – there was disappointment that the steam train scheduled to travel along the Chiltern Line from Paddington to Stratford on Avon was cancelled at short notice. The message on Steam Dreams website said that the trip had been cancelled due to the coaching stock being trapped by engineering works. It would seem that lack of communication between the organisations involved was to blame. Oh well, it was a lovely day to spend half an hour in the sun, waiting in vain.

Quiz – this was held at the Village Hall on Saturday October 5th when £535 was raised in support of Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Eric Carte as Quizmaster made sure that everyone had a really enjoyable evening, even those who found the questions hard. Tony Hall, the organizer would like to thank everyone who came to take part, those who helped out on the night and to Eric for making the evening such a success. There are plans to hold another quiz next year and possibly other fund raising events.

Theatre in the Villages
Friday October 18th at Chearsley Village Hall - Diary of a Nobody - Tickets for this are still available and although it is better to book beforehand to reserve seats, it should be possible to turn up on the night and buy a ticket. Tickets cost £12 and are available from me, Margaret Morbey on 01844 208913 email margmorb@mail.com or Tony Fleetwood on 01844 201176 email fleetwood@btinternet.com. The evening of comedy and song in company with the Pooters starts at 8.00pm. Come in plenty of time. The bar will be open from 7.30pm and during the interval.

Mobile Library – this will next be in the village at The Bell on Monday October 21st from 12.20pm until 12.45pm.

Cafe Cibo Banks Parade, Haddenham – this has now opened again under new management. Open from 9.30am to 2.00pm Mondays to Saturdays. It is hoped that it will shortly be opening in the evenings for meals again as before, where you are welcome to bring your own wine. Dom Pisapia continues to make progress in the specialist neuro-rehabilitation centre in Amersham Hospital.

Wednesday 2 October 2013

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

Theatre in the Villages - Friday October 18 at Chearsley Village Hall - Diary of a Nobody The trustees of the village hall are very pleased to host another performance this year as part of this scheme funded by Aylesbury Vale, South Bucks and Wycombe District Councils. Diary of a Nobody is a new adaptation of George & Weedon Grossmith’s classic comic Victorian novel of suburban life, which strikes many contemporary chords. Charles Pooter is a clerk in 1880’s London who records in his diary the aspirations, trials and tribulations of his life both at the office and at home – a life involving insolent junior employees, his long suffering wife, Carrie and the escapades and scrapes of his son, Lupin, Suitable for 14+ years. An evening of comedy and song. The performance starts at 8,00pm. A bar will be open for drinks beforehand and during the interval. Tickets cost £12 and are available from me, Margaret Morbey on 01844 208913 email margmorb@mail.com or Tony Fleetwood on 01844 201176 email fleetwood@btinternet.com Please book early as seats are limited.

Scams do happen in Chearsley - I have learned of a scam which happened to two Chearsley villagers recently , when the driver of a car parked in the gateway of “Toby’s” field, just down on the left hand side of Aylesbury Road towards Cuddington, flagged them down as they were travelling towards Aylesbury. He had a very convincing and plausible “sob” story that he was very short of petrol and was on his way to see his baby in hospital and could he borrow some money to buy petrol in exchange for the rings on his fingers. All this was conveyed in very poor English,(he was possibly eastern European) in great upset and distress and enough to appeal to the good nature of his intended victims. The upshot was that the rings were found to be worthless, being brass. The police have advised that this is not the first scam of its kind in this area – an affluent area targeted for good natured people used to trusting and wanting to help someone in apparent trouble.

Parish council meeting – the next Parish Council meeting is due to be held in the village hall on Monday October 14 at 7.30pm. Please see the notice board for confirmation of this and for details of the Minutes of the last meeting and the proposed agenda for this meeting. There is a public session at the beginning of the meeting for members of the public to put any problems or voice concerns to the Council.

The Bell - Some special events are being held at The Bell this month, the next one being Dessert Night on Tuesday 8. On offer will be a choice of 5 desserts or a trio of mini portions for £5.95. Booking essential as Sharon needs to know how many puddings to make. Email her or call in to book.
Next is a Steak Night on Tuesday October 22 and booking for this is also required. The Bell continues to offer 2 meals for £10 on Tuesdays to Thursdays. Friday Nights are Fish Nights with 2 fish and chips and a bottle of wine for £25. The Meat Raffle when a ticket for £2 could win you a meat prize from either Sherwin’s of Long Crendon or Orchard View Farm, Little Meadle, is drawn Sunday lunchtimes. Tickets available to buy all week.

Thursday 19 September 2013

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

Steam Train through Chearsley
I know there are a few villagers who are always keen to have information about a steam train coming through Chearsley. On Sunday October 6th,  The Cathedrals Express Luncheon train with the locomotive Bittern (not the correct engine for this line my reliable informant regrets to tell me! But who else would know? ) leaves Paddington at 11.00am arriving at Stratford On Avon at 2.15pm. It is due to return from Stratford at 5.30pm to be in Paddington at 8.45pm. It is estimated that the train should pass through Chearsley just after 12 noon returning through Chearsley at approximately 7.45pm. But be prepared for a wait! As ever, there is the decision to be made about the best place to view the train – close up at Haddenham station for a second or two, or for a slightly longer glimpse from afar in a field. Let’s hope everything goes to plan and we aren’t all waiting in vain.

October in The Bell – the nights might now be drawing in and the evenings cooler, but The Bell has plenty of logs in store for the cosy woodburner. Sharon has some special events planned for October and is also happy to hear of any events that could be held in the pub. Tuesday October 1 – Bingo at 8.30pm. Players eat for £7.50; Sunday October 6 – Quiz Night at 8pm; Tuesday October 8 – Dessert Night (booking necessary); Tuesday October 22 Steak Night with choice of fillet, sirloin and rump steak (booking necessary): Tuesday October 29 - Best dressed Pumpkin competition – judging at 7.30pm. Thursday October 31 Children’s Halloween Party from 4.30 until 6pm - tickets available from the bar. Throughout the month from Tuesdays to Thursdays, The Bell offers 2 meals for £10 from a selected menu. Friday nights continue to be Fish Nights with 2 fish and chips and a bottle of wine at £25.

Quiz on Saturday October 5
A reminder that this is being held in the village hall starting at 7.30pm when Eric Carte will be the quizmaster, with proceeds in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. There are still some tickets available at a cost of £5 each with a maximum of 8 players per team. Tea and coffee will be provided. Please bring your own nibbles. Contact Tony Hall on 01844 208474 or email tazv.hall@tesco.net.

Vacancy for Parish Councillor - the deadline for 10 electors to request an election for this post has now been corrected and amended to October 1. If no election is to be held, the Parish Council will co-opt a new councillor at their next meeting on Monday October 14 in the village hall.

Recycling and waste collection dates – the very useful laminated sheet giving details and dates of collections has now finished and will not be replaced. Details of collection dates can be found via a link under the Village Diary header. Friday September 27 - the recycling bins and food bins will be collected. The following week, October 4 - the ordinary waste bins and food bins will be collected.

Cuddington Village Picture House
Cuddington is delighted to announce that after a lot of planning and hard work to equip the new cinema facilities, including a commercial sized 4.5m screen, high fidelity multi-channel surround sound system, the Village Picture House is now up and running. The first of a regular programme of big-screen viewings is on October 3 in the Bernard Hall when Iron Man 3 will be shown. Tickets priced at £4 for adults and £3 for under 18s, students and Over 60s for this have nearly all sold. In addition, Cuddington is one of 250 venues (and the only village hall) licensed to show live and pre-recorded filming of National Theatre productions. Tickets for these will be £10 each. The first screening is Othello, tomorrow September 26 which is now sold out. Tickets for the films can be bought at Cuddington Stores or online via Cuddington website where there is a calendar of films for October and November. The advice is to book early as seats are limited to 50 – newly upholstered with arm rests. There is a licensed bar selling wine, beer and soft drinks, coffee and tea, ice cream and snacks, catering by John and Elaine of Cuddington Stores.

The Silver Line – this is a new service spearheaded by Esther Rantzen, to support older people by linking them into varied services around the country, and offering a 24 hour, year round telephone befriending service, in the hope that those suffering from neglect, loneliness and abuse can be helped. This will operate in much the same way as Childline has helped abused children just by a phone call. There has been a very successful pilot stage in the North, Jersey and Isle of Man, funded by a BIG lottery grant of £5million with the aim of launching it nationally on November 25th this year. Donations from Comic Relief and support from BT still do not cover the costs of the running the helpline, of making sure every older person knows the Silver Line telephone number. £1 and half million still needs to be found from other trusts, foundations, corporate supports and public donations. Volunteers for the befriending service are needed. If you would like to donate or volunteer, please email amy@thesilverline.org.uk. Leaflets about this new service will soon be circulated with the number 0800 328 8888 that can be used at any time.

Charity Concert in aid of The Hospice of St Francis - following last year’s successful concert in Tring when nearly £2000 was raised, The Oxford Fiddle Group Concert will be held at Victoria Hall, Tring on Sunday September 29 at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £10 in advance and £12 at the door. Please contact David Lonsdale on 01296 631791 or email lonsdales@hotmail.co.uk

Wednesday 18 September 2013

Bank card courier scam

Thames Valley residents are advised to be on their guard to a new type of scam which is becoming prevalent across London and is now spreading to other areas.
The courier fraud scam often targets the elderly and vulnerable and takes the following steps:
  1. The victim receives an unsolicited telephone call from fraudsters saying they are from their bank (or in some cases claiming to be the police), stating that their systems have spotted a fraudulent payment on their card or that their card is due to expire and needs to be replaced.
  2. The person may be asked to ring the bank back using the phone number printed on the back of their bank card. This helps to convince the person that the call is genuine. However, the fraudster has kept the telephone line open so even though the person has called the bank, the call does not go through. Instead they are unknowingly connected straight back to the fraudster.
  3. The fraudster then gains the person’s trust by pretending to be from the bank and seeming to offer assistance. In many cases the person is asked to provide their full bank card details and key in their PIN so that their existing card can be cancelled and their new one activated or authorised. The fraudster will then explain that the bank will need to collect the card.
  4. The fraudster will then attend the person’s address or send an innocent courier company driver to collect the card and sometimes provide them with a replacement card which is subsequently found to be fake.
  5. Therefore, the fraudster has obtained the person’s name, address, full bank details, the card itself and the PIN. The bank cards are then used fraudulently without the victim’s knowledge.
There are a number of variations to the scam, including:
  • Fraudsters pretending to be from the police cold calling members of the public and telling them that their bank account has been compromised by criminals. The fraudster suggests that the person should transfer their bank balance into a ‘safe’ police bank account.
  • Fraudsters pretending to be from the police attending people’s addresses and retrieving the person’s card and PIN.
  • Members of the public receiving letters on bank headed paper informing them that their account has been the subject of a fraud. The letter advises them to transfer their funds to a ‘safe’ account and that an official will be in contact to provide them with a new card and PIN.
  • Fraudsters contacting members of the public requesting them to cut their cards in half because their account has been compromised. They are then asked to post the cut card to an address where fraudsters simply tape the card together again and can use the details to commit fraud.
Between May and August, Thames Valley Police has received 17 reports of fraud of this type, all in the central Milton Keynes area.
Police advice is that if you receive such a call, end it immediately. If you have elderly or vulnerable family members, friends, or neighbours, let them know about the scam.
Please be aware that:
  • Your bank will never attend your home
  • Your bank and/or the police will never collect your bank card
  • Your bank and/or the police will never ask for your PIN
If you receive this type of call, report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040, or via their website. In an emergency, dial 999

Tuesday 17 September 2013

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

Chearsley Show - this was held in the village hall on Saturday September 7 when a record number of 65 entrants exhibited their home grown fruit, vegetables, flowers, cakes, jams, models, photos, and handicraft. The children’s section was particularly well supported this year. The overall winner of the Vic Walker Cup was retained by Julian George, last year’s winner, who also won the Gadsby Trophy for Best Vegetables. Other winners were
  • Geoff Corpe : Best Photograph
  • Perry Smith : Best Model
  • Jean Wiles : Best Art Entry
  • Anne Pratt : Craft
  • John Howard : The Eli Godfrey Glass Plate for Men’s Jam Tarts
  • Julia Witcher : Wilfred Kind Cup for Best Domestic
  • Pauline Parkes : The Olive Ashworth Cup for Best Flowers
  • Alicia Howard : The Lane Bud Vase for Best Flower Arrangement
  • Anne Pratt : The Harry Gregory Cup for Craftsmanship
  • Joy Payne : Best Fruit
  • Fenella Tillier : Best Tomatoes
  • Margaret Morbey : best hanging basket. 
The Best Children’s Entry was Thomas Wall Morris who received the Harold Braley Cup and the children’s champion was Tessa Siddall. The Committee with Joy Payne as president , who was celebrating her birthday on the day,and particularly Anne Lewis, who has the difficult job of entries co-ordinator are to be congratulated on organising another successful village day, appreciated by the many entrants and other villagers who came up in the afternoon.
Thanks also go to all the exhibitors, particularly the children for putting on such a good show. If anyone would like to join the committee, or be able to help on the day, this would be very much appreciated. Please contact Joy Payne on 01844 208513.

Chearsley Classic Car and Fun Day - the rain held off for most of the afternoon to enable over 500 visitors to enjoy the day when over 100 classic cars were on display and there was a busy afternoon of entertainments including a fun fair, go-karting for kids, a Pets’ Corner, 2 dog agility displays by Fracas, jazz performances by Eddie Takes Five, face painting, wool spinning, sheep shearing – lots to see as well as a car boot sale. Trips around the local area in a classic bus proved very popular. Tea and cakes provided by Chearsley W.I. did well, and the bar run by Perry Smith and his team.
Almost £2,000 was raised by the event, which was the original idea of Fred Crawford, who with his team of Mark Haynes, Adam Lazaruk, Larry Greenfield and John Fowler worked very hard to make it all happen. The money will be invested in developing the Junior Cricket at the Club which had 80 youngsters signed up during the 2013 season. It is planned for the event to take place next year on Sunday September 7 – make a note.

Chearsley Cricketers
Aunt Sally
Richard Veness has very proudly told me: “At last, Chearsley Cricketers have something to shout about. After a season of under-achievement on the cricket pitch, the Aunt Sally team has come up trumps. They won 11 out of 14 league games, finishing top of Division 5 of The Hook Norton Bicester and District League. Captain Adam Lazaruk’s average would grace a team in a much higher league and Paul “masterchef” Kingsman’s food is undoubtedly the best in the Division by far. Well done to all those who played throughout the season. They will receive their trophies at Finals Night at The Black Bull in Launton on Friday September 20.

Harvest Festival – this will be held on Sunday September 22 at 10am at St Nicholas Church with Andy Bell followed by a bring and share lunch

 Baby CongratulationsPeter and Sue Grimsdell of ElmBrook Close are proud to have become grandparents for the second time. Scarlett Grace Grimsdell was born in Herford, Germany to John and Heidi on Friday September 6, a sister for Holly Rose. Congratulations and best wishes to the Grimsdell family.

Vacancy for Parish Councillor
A vacancy has occurred in the office of Councillor for the Chearsley Parish. If any 10 electors for the parish write to the Returning Officer by October 15 requesting that an election be held, the vacancy will be filled at a by-election. The Returning Officer is Andrew Grant, Electoral Services, The Gateway, Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury Bucks HP19 8FF. If a by-election is not called for, the Parish Council will fill the vacancy by co-option of a suitably qualified person at their meeting on Monday October 14.

Theatre in the Villages - Friday October 18 at Chearsley Village Hall
The trustees of the village hall are very pleased to host another performance this year as part of this scheme funded by Aylesbury Vale, South Bucks and Wycombe District Councils. Come and enjoy an evening with The Pooters for comedy and song with pianist Wendy Norman. It is a new adaptation of George & Weedon Grossmith’s classic comic Victorian novel of suburban life, which strikes many contemporary chords. The titular nobody is Charles Pooter, a clerk in 1880’s London who records in his diary the aspirations, trials and tribulations of his life both at the office and at home. The performance starts at 8,00pm. A bar will be open for drinks beforehand and during the interval. Tickets cost £12 and are available from me, Margaret Morbey on 01844 208913 (email margmorb@mail.com) or Tony Fleetwood on 01844 201176 (email fleetwood@btinternet.com) Please book early as seats are limited.

Electoral Registration Forms – an opportunity to earn extra cash
Every year AVDC send out a registration form to every household in the area to update the Electoral Register. They need people to work for a few evenings or weekends from December 6 until January 20 (with a 2 week break over Christmas) to deliver canvass forms to chase up responses. Contact Jo Sara on 01296 585051 at AVDC, Electoral Registration, The Gateway, Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury HP19 8FF for more details.

Saturday 7 September 2013

Heybrook Planning Proposal

Rose, Francis and Laura Heybrook invite all residents of Chearsley to
the second and final

Presentations of their proposed Housing and Village Community Initiative

at The Village Hall, Chearsley.

Thursday 12 September 7pm – 9pm

Formal presentation with questions afterwards.

This is YOUR opportunity for us to listen to and address your comments.

We hope you have all received a copy of our draft proposal delivered to every household in Chearsley.  If not,and you would like to receive one, please contact Laura as below.

DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS SUNDAY 15 SEPTEMBER 2013

PRIOR TO SUBMISSION OF A PLANNING APPLICATION


The Village Picture House

The Bernard Hall Management Committee in Cuddington is delighted to announce that the work to equip the new cinema facilities is now complete and that the Village Picture House web page is now live.
  • High-definition video on a commercial-sized 4.5 metre screen
  • High-fidelity, multi-channel surround sound
  • New upholstered seating with armrests
  • Licensed bar for wine, beer and soft drinks
  • Freshly ground coffee, tea, ice cream and snacks
  • Catering courtesy of John and Elaine Moore at Cuddington Stores
The film schedule begins on Thursday 3rd October with a screening of Iron Man 3.  This is the first of a regular programme of big-screen viewings for local people.  They will be showing a range of films including action, drama, sci-fi, children’s, art house and romantic comedy movies, including both recent releases and older films, so hopefully they will have something for everyone.  Tickets for films are priced at just £4 for adults and £3 for under-18s, students and over-60s.

The Village Picture House has scored a significant coup – they are one of just 250 venues in the UK (and the only village hall) licensed to show live and pre-recorded filming of National Theatre productions.  These screenings have been hugely successful and attract sell-out audiences in large venues across the UK and around the world.  The first event will be on Thursday 26th September when they present a live screening of Othello with Adrian Lester in the title role.  National Theatre prices are set at £10 per person, the lowest price we are allowed to charge under the terms of our contract.

You can buy tickets at Cuddington Stores (cash only, please) or book online using PayPal, a debit or credit card.  There are only fifty or so seats per night, and they expect most events to sell out very quickly.  Book early!  To make sure that you receive priority email updates about new Village Picture House screenings:
  • Sign in to the village website
  • Click the ‘Your Preferences’ tab
  • Tick the box labelled Village Picture House
  • Click the ‘Submit’ button at the foot of the screen

Friday 6 September 2013

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

Proposed Heybrook Planning Development - the evening presentation held in the village hall on Monday September 2 was well attended with around 50 to 60 interested residents there to hear about the proposals, see the plan and voice their opinions – several with strong feelings and anxieties, particularly that if this development was permitted, it would lead to other large developments being given the go-ahead, putting even more strain on the already failing old sewerage and water pipes in the village and other consequential problems of an influx of residents. Laura and Rose who presented the evening together with their planning consultant were thanked for openly discussing their proposals with the village and actively seeking to amend or adapt according to points and opinions felt about the number of houses and whether a new village hall should be built etc. The scheme would allow for a new village hall/cricket club/playgroup, play area,and carpark to be built by the Heybrooks, registered and run in trust for the village, or money would be given towards updating the existing hall. Regarding the lease of the Heybrook land now used as a cricket field, it was confirmed that this lease would be extended for a considerable number of years whether or not the proposed housing development went ahead. If you missed this first meeting, another evening presentation will be held in the village hall on Thursday September 12 at 7pm. The Heybrooks can be contacted at Manor Farm or by email to laura@daleandheybrook.com.

Village Draft Plan – Your comments and opinions are needed. The latest date for comments is Friday September 20.

Bingo at The Bell – the first of a new season of Bingo was held on Tuesday September 3 with a good number of hopefuls – some there for the first time and some old regulars. The final Full House prize of £60 was won by a first timer, so it is hoped to see her again next month! Andy, unable to be there, was missed by us all. Paul, the caller, managed very well with Tracey, Andy’s better half, standing in, who was able to keep all the balls in their right places! £38 was raised by the raffle in aid of the charity pot. The next Bingo session will be on Tuesday October 1.

Chearsley W.I at The Bucks County Show
Chearsley W.I. recently entered the annual Craft and Design competition run by The Bucks Federation of Women’s Institutes. The theme of the competition was “Musical Highlights” and Chearsley chose “Mary Poppins”. All the entries were displayed at the Bucks County Show on Thursday August 29 and marks were given for an appropriate hat, cake, flower arrangement and sweets as well as presentation. There were a large number of entries and the Chearsley representatives were delighted to be placed in the first 5. This was the first time Chearsley W.I. had entered this competition and the excellent comments from the judges were very encouraging.

September Meeting for Chearsley W.I. – this will be held on Tuesday September 17 in the village hall when Elizabeth Thomson will give a talk on the “Early Life and times of Frank Markham” – an early 20th century MP who represented three parties in Parliament. Meetings start at 2.00pm. Visitors are welcome at a cost of £4.

Warning – feral cat!
A ferocious attack on a dog took place a few evenings ago in the old Millennium field, Chilton Road by a large feral tabby cat, resulting in several open wounds requiring stitches and costing its owner a vet’s bill of almost £250. Does anyone know anything about this cat, which was last seen on that evening attacking cattle in a field in Chiltern Road? If you have any information, please contact me.

Quiz – a Quiz is being organised to raise funds for The Royal National Lifeboat Institution to be held in Chearsley Village Hall on Saturday October 5 at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £5.00 per team member with a maximum of 8 per team. Eric Carte will be the Quiz Master. Tea and coffee will be provided. Please bring your own nibbles. Contact Tony Hall at The Cottage, Church Lane, Chearsley HP18 0DH, phone 01844 208474 or email tazv.hall@tesco.net for more information and to book your tickets.

Kop Hill Climb - Now an important fixture on the historic motor sport calendar, The 5th historic Kop Hill Climb will take place at the weekend of September 21 and 22 at Kop Hill Princes Risborough, when over 400 period cars and motorcycles take it in turn to try, and mostly succeed in getting to the top of Kop Hill from a dead start. The hill starts with a gradual slope and is 1 in 6 at the halfway mark. The road then eases off before getting even steeper at 1 in 4 for a short section just before the summit – quite a challenge for driving skills and vehicle performance. There are viewing points for spectators in the field alongside part of the hill. Come along and cheer them on. Runs start at 10am until 12.45pm and from 2pm until 4.45pm each day. There will be motor sport demonstrations from 12.45pm until 1.00pm and from 16.45pm until 17.00pm . On the Sunday there will also be a Battle of Britain flight – schedule and weather permitting. Other attractions include A wall of Death Motorcycle, soap box challenge, Laurel and Hardy, static display of classic cars, traders, children’s entertainment, food and Kop Hill ale. Last year, a record crowd of over 14,000 attended enabling over £37,00 to be distributed to local charities. There will be 2 entrants from Chearsley this year – Phil Morbey in his 1951 Riley 2 ½ litre, supported and encouraged by Podge and myself on the Saturday , and Jonathan Hirst of Church Lane who will be sharing the driving duties with his father Richard Hirst of Haddenham in their 1935 Railton Light Tourer. For more information about the day, admission charges and opening times etc. please see their website at www.kophillclimb.org.uk

Home Sweet Home Art Installation – video mapping of “a slice of life” in Aylesbury Last year, on the night of the Paralympic Flame Celebration, the Court House in Market Square in Aylesbury was transformed by Shared Space and Light into a canvas of images featuring Paralympians talking about their inspirations. This company have now been invited back by AVDC with funding from Arts Council England to create a video mapping installation of a “slice of life” in the Aylesbury Vale area, combining residents’ stories and opinions and views with transformations and juxtapositions of architectural styles of the area from different eras. The final work will be played in a 10 minute loop under the Arches of Market Square during evenings in the Autumn. AVDC are looking for residents willing to be filmed talking about where they live and what is good about living in the Aylesbury Vale. Casual interviews will be held on Thursday September 12 at The Queens Park Arts Centre between 12pm and 8pm. There will be 20 minute slots for people to book. If you are interested and happy to be filmed, please contact Jessica Rabone at AVDC The Gateway phone 01296 585939. The Paralympic Flame celebration can be seen at www.sharedspaceandlight.com/projects/flame.

Tuesday 3 September 2013

Emergency Services Open Day - Sept 14th

The Waddesdon Neighbourhood Policing team is organising its annual Emergency Services Open day.

The event will take place on Saturday 14 September and will run between 10am and 3pm in front of Waddesdon Manor on the High Street.

The neighbourhood policing team will be accompanied by the Fire, Ambulance and other emergency services.

As it is the Heritage Day, there will be free entry for members of the public to the Waddesdon Manor and surrounding grounds. PCSO Denise Grayburn said: “The neighbourhood officers will be out and about, offering crime prevention advice and raising awareness of how people can sign up to the two-way communication system - Thames Valley Alert.

“On the day we will be supported by two horses from the Milton Keynes Mounted section. We encourage members of the local community to attend this free event and this will be a great opportunity to meet your local neighbourhood officers for a chat about any concerns you may have.

“We will be located in front of the manor, so you can’t miss us. We anticipate this will be very a successful event, with a huge turnout likely.”

Monday 2 September 2013

Reminder - Heybrook Planning Proposal

A quick reminder that the Heybrook Proposed Housing and Village Community Initiative is on view today in the Village Hall, with a formal presentation beginning at 7:00pm.

Free Bike Marking Event - Saturday 7th September

Aylesbury Vale residents are being urged to take advantage of a free service that aims to reduce bike thefts in the district.

A free bike marking session will be held at Halfords in Broadfields, Aylesbury, between 11am and 1pm on Saturday 7 September 2013.

New bikes purchased at Halfords are free for marking as well as those that are old that are brought along on the day of the event.

Following this event,  bike marking will be available to all new bikes purchased at Halfords whilst security marking stocks last. Free bike marking upon purchase of a new bike from Buckingham Bikes will also be available for a limited period whilst security marking stocks last.

The security marking shows who owns the bike and cannot be erased or removed. It acts as a permanent deterrent to bike thieves because it can be easily checked by police.

If the bike is stolen and then recovered, the police can easily trace the rightful owner and make sure it is returned to them. It also means they can prosecute the person they catch riding the bike for theft or handling stolen goods.

The bike marking event has been organised by Aylesbury Vale District Council’s community safety team in partnership with the Thames Valley Police Neighbourhood Team.

Councillor Pam Pearce, AVDC Cabinet Member for Community Matters, said: “Bikes are often very valuable possessions and it can be  very upsetting when they are stolen. It is vital to secure any bike which is going to be left unattended – even if the owner is only going to leave it for a short period of time. We are working very closely with the police to remind people to lock up their bikes so we can work together to reduce the number of incidents in Aylesbury Vale.”

Top tips for cycle security are:
  • Always lock your bicycle wherever you leave it – it only takes seconds to steal an unsecured bike. Make sure it's locked in a well-lit public area with lots of people passing.
  • Only use a good quality D-lock. A poor quality lock at the lower end of the market can be easily sawn through or bolt cropped in seconds. It certainly pays to invest in the best quality lock you can afford (At least £30 -£40).
  • Always lock your bicycle to something immovable, an object a bicycle cannot be lifted over and cannot be broken, cut or removed i.e. chain link fencing, grilles, gates or trees.
  • As many as half of all bicycles are stolen from the owner's home – investing in a ground anchor and attach it securely to a wall or concrete floor.
  • Insure your bicycle on your home contents insurance – don't forget to cover it for thefts away from home.
  • Register your bike on the property database Immobilise. Immobilise helps police identify the owner of lost and stolen property thousands of times each day.
  • Before registering your bicycle on Immobilise.com, take a photograph and record the frame number/key details such as make and model.



Thursday 29 August 2013

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

Ann Veness memorial cricket match – Sunday August 25
The sun came out with perfect timing after a rainy morning for the start of the inaugural Memorial Match for Ann Veness on Sunday August 25 at Chearsley Cricket Club. 25 past and present members of the Club, with which Ann was so involved, took part in the match, captained by James Veness and Adam Lazaruk . Play went well in favour of James Veness’s side with a score of 323 from the 35 over innings before tea. A heavy downpour interrupted play and further rain prevented the match continuing. It was agreed that an Aunt Sally game would be played to decide the outcome of the match. This should have favoured Adam Lazaruk’s team, having more players who regularly play Aunt Sally for the Club, but over 2 legs, they were well beaten. Richard Veness presented mementoes to the 2 umpires, Rowly Wills and Sammy Walker, a shield to the winning team captain, his son James and a Man of the match award to Marc Hignell. Richard thanked everyone who played, the villagers who came up to watch and the ladies from Chearsley and Haddenham who provided cakes and savouries for the tea for the day which raised over £430 for Florence Nightingale Hospice.

Aylesbury Rambler s Walking Festival – Saturday September 7 - this day brings an opportunity to sample what the new Outer Aylesbury Ring has to offer by joining one of the 18 walks. The walks start from various venues around Aylesbury which will cover a total of 53 miles of the Outer Aylesbury Ring long distance path and follow country paths back to each start. There are 2 circular walks involving Chearsley. One starts at Haddenham Church End via Aston Sandford, Kingsey, Cuddington, Chearsley and return to Haddenham, a walk of 9.7 miles. There is another one from Ashendon Recreation Ground of 7.3 miles to Pollicott, Chearsley to Cuddington, Nether Winchendon and Musk Hill Stud to Ashendon. All walks start at 10am. Please contact oarwalk7sept@gmail.com to let them know which walk you would like to join and find more details of all walks at www.aylesbury-ramblers.org.uk. Only registered assistance dogs can be brought on the walks unless a prior arrangement has been made with the walk leader.

Long Crendon Library Film Club
The brochure of films to be shown for Season 2 is now available. To become a member and book tickets, please go to the Library Box office at Long Crendon Library. The Film Club is a Long Crendon Community Library project, run by volunteers and all profits go to help support the continuing operation of Long Crendon Library. Comments and suggestions for further film titles are welcome, as are any offers to help. Matinees start at 2.30pm and evening showings at 8.00pm. There is a bar. The first film on Thursday September 26 matinee at 2.30pm will be a short film, This Way up – a 2008 UK Oscar nominated animation film, followed by Quartet, a comedy drama. A special event is being held on Saturday September 28 when there will be a showing of “Woodstock” The Directors Cut a 1969 documentary lasting 224 minutes, with Jimi Hendrix, Joe Cocker, Richie Havens, Grateful Dead, The Who and many more. “Let your hair down for 3 days of peace, love and music in this iconic documentary of the legendary music festival”. Tickets for this event are £15 to include a barbeque, with bar including cocktails which will be available all evening. Doors open at 6.00pm for 6.30 start.

The Hundred of Ashendon
“A rather nice English Inn – eat, drink and sleep
Bank Holiday Monday was the perfect day for a little ride in our Riley to discover if the old Gatehangers pub in Ashendon had now re-opened and to re-acquaint ourselves with its new landlady Pia Knight, who was born and bred in Chearsley, and her partner, Matt from Ickford. Now called The Hundred of Ashendon, it has undergone a transformation with a lot of help and support from family, particularly Pia’s Mum and Dad, Jane and Peter Knight of Church Lane, Chearsley.
Pia, having previously worked in advertising in London, and Matt, a chef who has worked for some of the country’s top restaurants, have now been open for only a short time and plan to serve fresh, homemade lunches and evening meals with locally sourced ingredients with a menu which changes daily as well as keeping it as a traditional village pub with local ales.
Closed on Mondays, but open all day Tuesdays to Sundays from 11.30am. In time, the five rooms of bed and breakfast upstairs will all be given a makeover. Welcome back to this lovely part of England and good luck to our Chearsley girl and Matt. First impressions were that it should prove to be a great success.