Thursday 28 February 2013

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

Golden Wedding - Keith and Beryl Wright
Congratulations to Keith and Beryl who recently celebrated 50 years of marriage. What a recommendation for marriage they both are – always busy, interested in village events, greatly involved with their family and always happy together and enjoying life.

Fenella has been on tv again I am told. Fenella , well known to everyone in the village and often seen trundling up to the village shop on her mobility scooter, has part ownership of a horse, which recently won. While a television presenter was interviewing the winning jockey, Fenella came up to congratulate the jockey and in true Fenella style stole the interview – more than likely having more interesting things to say than the jockey! This prompted one of the pundits to ask the question why more people like Fenella weren’t interviewed more often!

Oli Day – Friday March 15
Several friends and customers at The Bell are continuing a twice yearly event in honour of Oli Babington which he started a few years ago. He organised a “Boys’ Day Out” visiting various cities to take in the sights and culture with an occasional stop in a pub for a quick pint. There are several stories attached to these days out, and they are hoping to create a few more this year when the destination, as had already been decided by Oli, will be Soho. If anyone would like to spend the day raising a glass or two in honour of Oli, seeing the sights of Soho and finding a few pubs, and raising money for charity, please add your name to the list in The Bell. The arrangements are to meet at The Bell at 10.30am.

Chearsley Fete -Saturday June 29 2013
There will be a Fete this year. So please keep this date free to either come along with friends and family or offer your time and help beforehand and on the day. A successful first meeting was held last Monday at The Bell under the chairmanship of Angela Gray when about 10 other villagers willing to become involved with the organisation of the fete contributed ideas and suggestions. The name and theme of the Fete will be decided at the next meeting to be held in The Bell on Monday March 11 at 8pm. Many themes were discussed and there is one hot favourite. Everyone is welcome to come to contribute ideas. One of the main money makers is the Raffle and donations for prizes would be welcomed. There will be the usual fete stalls of books, cds, bric a brac, jewellery and accessories, cakes, plant, bottle tombola etc. So, if you are starting to spring clean and tidy up, please keep anything suitable for the fete. Think about growing a few extra plants when you grow your own. There will be more details of who is manning which stalls and asking for contributions nearer the time. Funds are needed to pay for activities and expenses on the day, so all contributions or sponsorship of a particular item would be very welcome.
Next Fete Meeting will be on Monday March 11 at 8pm at The Bell. As much help from everyone as possible is needed. Please come along. Email angela@grayemail.co.uk for more information.

Sunday March 10 Mothering Sunday at St Nicholas Church
Mothering Sunday will be celebrated at St Nicholas, Chearsley as part of the Family Service at 10am.

Mothering Sunday March 10 at The Bell
After church, you can then Indulge your Mother (and yourself)with lunch at The Bell. Meals will be served from 12 until 4pm. Booking advisable.

Comic Relief Friday March 15
Everyone is welcome to join Lucy, Alicia and Alex to raise money for Comic Relief at Needlemakers, Watts Green, Chearsley from 8.30am for tea, coffee and cake. There will also be a raffle. Entry fee is £5.

St Patrick’s Day March 16 at The Bell
This is being celebrated on Saturday night with a set menu. Booking essential.

Quiz and Curry Night – Sunday March 17 7.30pm
Just for this month, the quiz has moved from its first Sunday in the month position, due to Mothering Sunday celebrations.

Mobile Library
This is next in the village on Monday March 11 from 12.20 until 12.45pm

Monday 25 February 2013

Garage burglaries continue...

This is a Neighbourhood Alert message from Thames Valley Police, Aylesbury

The Waddesdon Neighbourhood Policing Team (NHPT) is urging residents to be vigilant following a number of burglaries reported to domestic garages in the area.

Between the 19 and 20 February a garage on Menmarsh Road, Worminghall was targeted – tools were stolen from the property, which had been left insecure.  Also,  a garage on Farm Close, Ickford was broken into, although nothing appears to have been taken.

Between the 14 and 15 February two garages were attacked in Long Crendon.  This occurred on Bicester Road, where no property was taken and on Frogmore Lane, where an attempt was made to break in, but no entry was gained.

Please remain vigilant and ensure your premise is locked when unattended.  Make sure anyone suspicious is reported immediately to the Police.  If you can, please obtain a description of them, along with details of any vehicle they may be using, especially the registration number.

If you have any information about any of these crimes please call the Waddesdon NHPT via the 24 hour Police Enquiry Centre on 101.

If you don’t want to speak to the Police or give your details you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Saturday 23 February 2013

Fight Back Britain

RDF Television are producing a new commission for BBC1 called Fight Back Britain. They'd be very interested in hearing Neighbourhood and Home Watch members stories.

The programme concentrates on the role that the public plays in helping the police fight crime. How social networks, mobile phone footage, photos, eyewitness accounts etc. can provide crucial evidence in identifying suspects and assisting in successful convictions. The highlight of each episode will be the inspiring stories of public involvement.

As well as these stories, the programme will provide advice on how members of the public can play their part in responsibly aiding the police, as well as insights into how they can keep their family and property safe. Where relevant, they also want to include on-going cases where an appeal for evidence would be useful. The series is a BBC1 prime-time commission, with a provisional transmission date from mid-July.

They are looking for past and present stories where the public (and ideally their footage) has played a key role in the case.

If you have a story on how your Neighbourhood or Home Watch group has helped Police fight crime, please contact crime@rdftelevision.com or 0207 013 4208.

The flyer for the show can be downloaded here.

Friday 22 February 2013

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

New Bells for St Nicholas
Chearsley PCC are planning for 3 new bells to be cast by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, whose bells were seen last year leading the Jubilee Pageant on the Thames, to join the existing 3 bells in the church tower. Around £55,000 is needed. Fundraising events will be taking place throughout the coming year and donations are invited from individuals either generally or for a specific fitting. It is planned that one of the bells will be sponsored by customers and staff at The Bell and dedicated to Oli Babington, late landlord of The Bell, and be known as “the Oliver Bell”. To enable the bells to be rung regularly, more bell ringers of all ages are needed to join the group of regular bell ringers in the village. Bell ringing is a challenging and stimulating activity, good physical exercise, skill and co-ordination of working as a team, and the mental discipline of following complex instructions. Please contact Jeremy Pratt on 01844 201611 or email Jeremy@jpap.co.uk for more information.

Litter pick – this is planned for Sunday March 17 at 10.30am. Meet outside The Bell. Bags and gloves will be provided. Please come to keep our village tidy.

Chearsley Chix Race for Life
This is taking place at Waddesdon Manor on Sunday May 19 when everyone in Chearsley is warmly invited to join the Group to run, walk, skip or dance the 5k distance in Waddesdon Manor grounds, raising money for cancer. Chearsley Chix is the name of the group already set up. To take part, registration with Race for Life is necessary which can be done online at raceforlife.cancerresearchuk.org when the Group name and Group ID must be given. The group ID is AH3939. The more people taking part, the more funds for research into cancer will be raised and the more fun it will be. An after the event lunch at The Bell is also being planned.

Parish Council Meeting Monday February 18
Nic Brown chaired this meeting with only 2 other committee members present and 4 members of the public.
  • Public session - Damaged road edges and verges throughout the village and the immediate need to continue the kerbing programme was the first item to be discussed during the public session. Lorries delivering materials for building works in the village are often to blame and although householders were asked to ensure only small lorries were used, this often did not happen. It was suggested that photos should be taken if possible of vehicles seen causing damage and for the offenders to be approached. Later in the meeting it was agreed that the Planning Forum together with Mike Heybrook who would investigate kerbing contractors, would discuss which areas should next be kerbed according to a plan already drawn up.
  • Unacceptable noise from a quadbike being driven at weekends in a garden in Lower Green Lane was brought to the attention of the council and Nic agreed to talk to the householder concerned.
  • Blocked drains in Dark Lane was another problem and Dave Smith of AVDC would be contacted again. A footpath diversion behind Long Meadow, Dark Lane was not the within the authority of the Parish Council, but they would consider a letter of support when the appropriate authority was approached to divert the footpath.
  • Planning permission recently granted at The Birches against the wishes of the Parish Council was of great concern to a neighbouring householder, and it was felt a letter should be sent by the Parish Council complaining that it was considered proper procedures had not been followed by AVDC in granting the permission.
  • Planning Matters A site meeting was arranged at The Old House, School lane development.
    Millenium Field - a lot of work has been done to reinstate this field after use as a play area. Mike Heybrook asked the council for financial help with a slab of concrete which needs to be removed. It was part of the original agreement that the field would be returned to Mike in its original state.
  • Village Plan – John Lewis reported that the results of the survey with nearly a 40% response would soon be published with plans for a further survey/vote on actual proposals before publication of the plan in the Autumn.
  • Cycle Path to Haddenham Station - it is thought possible for this to happen and will be seriously investigated with the help of the Planning Forum.
  • Damage to The Green – two areas which have suffered with vehicles driving over them will be re-seeded and a temporary fence put around. 
  • The next meeting will be on Monday March 18 at 7.30pm in the village hall.

Saturday 16 February 2013

Road Closure: Lower Green Lane

Thames Water have applied to have the bottom end of Lower Green Lane closed to traffic from
08-05-2013 to 10-05-2013
The application can be viewed here. Any objections must be made to Transport for Buckinghamshire by 21-02-2013

Friday 15 February 2013

Groundsman Wanted

Chearsley Cricket Club is offering an opportunity for an enthusiastic local person to join and potentially lead their ground staff in mowing, preparing and maintaining their excellent cricket ground.
The exact degree of time, commitment and work is negotiable dependent upon availability, ambition and expertise. It could be ideal for a person eager for a few hours’ work each week, or for someone seeking more substantial and long term work.
Please ring Peter Crook on 01844 202481 or Ian Housman on 01844 202991 for more information.

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

Barbara Green
There will be a private cremation for Barbara. A Memorial Service will be held for her on Thursday March 14 in Chearsley Church at 3pm.

Fete 2013
A first meeting will be held at The Bell on Monday February 25th at 8.00pm when everyone is invited to come along and express an interest in helping in any way with a Fete this year. All ideas and offers of help are needed. A fête hasn’t been held in the village for the past 2 years – Jubilee celebrations replaced last year’s fête. Proceeds from the fête are shared between the Church, the village hall and The Village Trust. The Village trust supports financially local projects and its funds are very low. If not enough support is forthcoming to run the fête, the Trust will be in danger of closing. So please consider coming to the meeting, or letting me, or Angela Gray at angela@grayemail.co.uk know of your interest.

Mobile Library
This will be in the village by the Green on Monday February 25 from 12.20 until 12.45pm.

At The Bell –
  • Pancake Races February 12
    It will be remembered that The Bell won the AVDC award for Best Community Pub in the area for 2012. Sharon and her staff arranged for another such family and village event on Tuesday, Pancake Day when there were pancake races for all ages. Winners were Jack Lazaruz, Caitlin (Linda behind the bar)’s granddaughter, Julia Wicher and Paul Oliver, who all received t shirts to mark their achievements. It was also an evening to sing Happy Birthday and share cake with Natalie Birney. Love and Congratulations Nat.
  • Children’s Bingo – this will be held on Sunday February 24 from 4 until 5.30pm.
  • National Chip Week
    To celebrate National Chip Week, Fish Friday on February 22 at The Bell will have many different types of chips available to try.
Pub Lunch
There will be another Pub Lunch in The Bell on Wednesday February 27 at 12.30pm. Time to contact Ann Hooton on 01844 208306 to book your place and choose your meal.

St Nicholas Chearsley
Church Services at Chearsley Church during March
  • Sunday March 3 : 10am Communion and Junior Church/Rock Solid
  • Monday to Friday March 3 – 9 : 8am – 8pm Soul Spark
  • Sunday March 10 : 10am Mothering Sunday Family Service
         6pm Songlines when the vicar with his guitar plays his favourite religious songs
  • Sunday March 17 : 9am Communion
         6pm Service of Healing Prayer
  • Sunday March 24 : 10am Palm Sunday Family Service
  • Friday March 29 : 10am Good Friday Service
  • Tuesday March 26 : 8.00pm Compline – Meditations on “Jesus at the hands of others” led by Ann Persson
  • Sunday March 31 : 10am Easter Day Easter Garden Service and Communion
  • Soul Spark – Monday March 3 to Friday 9 from 8am until 8pm - an opportunity for individual quiet reflection. It is hoped that the different “stations” arranged around the church will help visitors to focus on particular areas of life’s experiences and find space to reflect on their lives and what matters most to them. Soul Spark is intended as a way into our inner experiences and the spirit deep within us. Everyone is welcome to come down at any time and to take as long as needed to look round. It will also move on to St Nicholas Church Nether Winchendon the following week, March 10 until 17 and then to St. Mary’s, Long Crendon from March 17 until 23.
Don’t forget :
The Six Nations Rugby at The Cricket Club
Everyone is welcome to come and watch the rugby at Chearsley Cricket Club where there will be a bar and refreshments available. Saturday February 23 Italy v Wales at 2.30pm followed by England v France at 5pm. Sunday February 24 has Scotland v Ireland at 2pm.

Tuesday 12 February 2013

Neighbourhood Police Newsletter

The Neighbourhood Police update for February is now available at http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/yournh-tvp-pol-area-n417

Pancake Day!


Everyone is welcome to pop down to the church between 4pm and 5pm to enjoy a pancake served by some of our Junior Church children.


Friday 8 February 2013

Will Irish eyes be smiling?


Another fantastic weekend of rugby in prospect....

Will the Scots douse Italian passion?

Will the pride of Wales run the legs off the Frogs?

Will Irish eyes be smiling?

Come and see for yourself - we'll be showing all three games at the Cricket Pavilion this weekend.

Saturday 9th February

14.30 Kick Off : Scotland v Italy
17.00 Kick Off : France v Wales

Sunday 10th February

15.00 Kick Off : Ireland v England

The doors will open half an hour before kick off. Bar and refreshments will be available.

Don't miss it!

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

Rob Atkinson
Rob’s funeral will be on February 14 at 11am at Chearsley Church and afterwards at Chearsley Cricket Club. Everyone is welcome to come. Family flowers only. Sue and Emily have chosen 2 charities for those wishing to make a donation in Rob’s memory. These are Cancer Research  and The Dogs Trust.

Barbara Green
It is sad to learn of the death of Barbara aged 99.
Barbara lived for over 40 years in Chearsley, at her happiest in Regency Cottage before moving to Old Plough Close until she moved to a Residential Home, where she always kept a lively interest and concern for Chearsley matters . She will be remembered by many for her tireless support of Chearsley Church where her husband Stan was a lay preacher. She was involved in many Chearsley activities not least a very keen member of Chearsley W.I. It is planned for a Memorial Service for Barbara to be held in Chearsley next month.

Bingo at The Bell - Tuesday February 5
The bingo callers were back to full strength on Tuesday when £70 was the top full house prize and £32 was raised by the raffle for charity. Each month brings new bingo players who always seem to strike lucky! Next month’s Bingo will be on Tuesday March 5. Don’t forget the Bell offers meals for Bingo players at the special price of £6.99.

Parish council Meeting
This will be held in the village hall on Monday February 18 at 7.30. Everyone is welcome to attend. Come and hear what is being discussed in your village; come and put forward any concerns or points you may have in the public session. The minutes of the last council meeting are published on the CPC web page as well as on the notice board, together with the proposed Agenda for this meeting.

Valentine’s Day at The Bell
The Bell is offering a 2 or 3 course set meal for £16 or £20 for you to celebrate February 14. Booking is essential. Take advantage of eating close to home and enjoy a bottle of wine with your meal with no driving to consider. Buy a card, flowers and chocolates from the village shop to truly support our village.

Chearsley W. I.
The next meeting of the W.I. will be on Tuesday February 19 at 2.00pm at the village hall. There will be a speaker from The Thomley Activity Centre in Worminghall – a centre which works with disabled children and their families. Non-members are welcome to come at a cost of £4 which includes a cup of tea.

The Six Nations Rugby at The Cricket Club
Everyone is welcome to come and watch the rugby at Chearsley Cricket Club where there will be a bar and refreshments available. Saturday February 23 Italy v Wales at 2.30pm followed by England v France at 5pm. Sunday February 24 has Scotland v Ireland at 2pm.

Chearsley Classic Car and Fun Day in September
Following the success of the first Classic Car and Fun Day last year it is planned for another one to be held at Chearsley Cricket Club on Sunday September 8 from 12 until 4. Plans are already well in hand, so make a date to come along when there will be entertainment for the whole family. The Morris Minor Oxford and Berkshire Club will be showing many of their members’ cars and many more classic vehicles will be on display. Anyone who would like to display their classic vehicle on the day is very welcome to get in touch with the organisers. There will be a car boot sale – an ideal opportunity to turn out your cupboards and sell on things you no longer need; arena events; children’s carousel rides, bouncy castle. Sideshows and stalls of all descriptions including arts and crafts with demonstrations throughout the day. Hopefully a brass band will be playing to create a perfect English day out in typical Midsomer Murder fashion.(Hopefully with no murders!) The bar will be open and there will be refreshments and ice-cream on sale. Arrangements are still in the early stages, but it is hoped to be able to organise an air display, and have a fire engine for inspection. Anyone who would like have a stall or car boot can get in touch with me in the first instance.
Please note that this Family Fun Day is not intended to replace the Village Fete on The Green. It is hoped that this will take place on June 29. A first meeting to assess interest and offers of help will be arranged shortly.

Volunteering at Waddesdon Manor
Anyone interested in getting involved at Waddesdon Manor as a volunteer is invited to an Open Day in the Manor Restaurant, Waddesdon Manor. Please contact Bonnie Bennett on 01296 653258. More details are available on the website www.waddesdon.org.uk/work-with-us/volunteer.

Don’t forget :
  • Rugby at The Cricket Club - Saturday February 9 - Scotland v Italy at 2.30 and France v Wales at 5pm and Sunday February 10 - Ireland v England at 3pm
  • Quiz Night at The Bell on Sunday February 10 at 8pm.
  • Pancake Day, Tuesday February 12 - Pancakes at the Church from 4 until 5 followed by Pancake Family Race at The Bell at 6.30 with more pancakes to eat.

Thursday 7 February 2013

Vamoose burglaries - Aylesbury Vale

Thames Valley Police is urging Aylesbury Vale residents to get a handle on car  security by dead locking their cars and placing car keys out of sight of potential offenders.
The appeal comes after a recent vamoose burglary in Halton, Aylesbury Vale.  This is where offenders break in to a house, find the car keys and steal the car. The latest incident took place on Friday 4 January (04/01).

Vamoose burglaries have increased in last quarter in Aylesbury Vale.  From six in August/September to eight between 12 to 25 October.  Car-owners in the rural areas of Edlesborough, Slapton and Pitstone are asked to be particularly vigilant and report any activity however trivial it may seem.
No specific vehicle type is being targeted but most have been new models which could be of a reasonable value.  The offences take place at night and cars have been stolen from both occupied and unoccupied houses.

Det Insp Russ Murden who is investigating the burglaries said: “Thieves can break in almost silently and within seconds. If your front and back doors are locked securely and the keys are not adjacent to either exit, taking those extra seconds to find the keys could substantially reduce your risk of becoming a victim of a vamoose car crime.

“Vamoose’ burglaries often happen when car keys can be seen or are left next to a door or window of a building. Handbags are one of the first places offenders look to find car keys.”
In order to avoid being the victim of a vamoose burglary, house owners are advised to
  • Make sure that your vehicle is properly dead-locked and that the alarm is fully activated.
  • Lock all car windows and doors.
  • At home keep your car keys away from any windows and doors to prevent them from being "fished" through letterboxes, or seen from outside to tempt the offender but do make sure you know where they are in case of fire.
Anyone with any information about these vamoose burglaries should contact  Det Insp Russ Murden in Aylesbury police station using the Police Enquiry Line 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 at www.crimestoppers-uk.org . Personal details are not taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.