Betty Lane - it is sad to learn of the death of Betty Lane on Monday March 10. Betty who was in her 80s, had been unwell and in hospital for several months. She was born and lived in Chearsley all her life, going to the village school. There are references to her and her family in Ted Hooton’s book on Chearsley and of her brother, Den who also lived and died in Chearsley and who wrote a small book on Chearsley. It is unfortunate that Betty was absent when a photo was taken of children at the village school. She worked at Brown’s chicken farm in Church Lane until she retired. The chicken farm is now built on at Bottom Orchard. In the 80s our family had chickens and when they became broody and then bored with the whole idea of sitting on the eggs, we would take the eggs down to Betty who would place them in the incubators for them to hatch out. Betty never married, and her closest relative is Anita, the daughter of Betty’s brother Den. Anita married the son of Margaret Braley of Elm Brook Close who also died recently. Condolences to Anita and her family.
Pub lunch at The Bell - Wednesday March 26 at 12.30pm. Anyone who has time to come out to lunch in our lovely local pub and would like to join the group this month is very welcome to come and enjoy a very reasonably priced 2 course meal with tea or coffee afterwards. Choices on the menu are Chicken curry and rice, meat pie, mash and veg and toad in the hole with mash and veg. Puddings are crumble, sticky toffee pudding, lemon tart or cheese and biscuits. Please contact me on 208913 if you would like to come and what your choice of menu is.
Village Hall Survey Please return your completed questionnaires either on line to chearsleyvillagehall@hotmail.co.uk or to the collection boxes in the shop and The Bell or post to The Old Granary, Chilton Road, Chearsley HP18 0DN by Monday March 24. Please let me know on 208913 if you have not received a printed questionnaire or would like any more.
Parish Council Meeting Monday March 17 at 7.30pm in the village hall. This meeting of the Parish Council was originally to be a general meeting. It will now be a public meeting to discuss the proposed planning application for 10 houses at land adjoining the Cricket Ground. This is application number 14/00581/APP/ and can be viewed on Aylesbury Vale Website.
The next Parish Council meeting put off from this date will be held on Monday March 24 at 7.30pm in the village hall.
Cricket Club - Peter Redfern, the Director of Cricket at Chearsley Cricket Club is appealing for help to get the ground and club house ready for the new season. Help of just a few hours from as many volunteers are possible is needed for rolling or cutting the grass, painting and generally tidying up inside the pavilion. Please contact Peter on 07775 618929.
Mobile Library - this is next in the village on Monday March 24 from 10.00 t0 10.25am
Honey Bee Swarms – with improving, milder weather there is a timely reminder about Honey Bee swarms and what to do. The declining number of honey bees make the collection of swarms an important part of the work of bee keepers. Don’t panic if you see a swarm which is merely en route to a permanent home and the bees will not normally sting if left alone. If you do see a swarm, please contact Brian Bush as soon as possible, before the swarm moves off, for him to come and collect it. Brian Bush of Mid Bucks Beekeepers and the BBKA swarm officer is based at Haddenham with phone number 01844 292195 or mobile 07767304067
The Big Allotment Challenge – BBC2 TV - keen gardeners or allotment owners are being sought to take part in the Big Allotment Challenge which will follow several talented amateur gardeners as they transform a plot of earth into a patch of beauty. Auditions are now taking place. If you are interested in contacting the organisers to take part, the deadline for applications is March 20, with auditions on March 21 and 22. An application form can be downloaded from the The Big Allotment Challenge web page, or email them at grow@silverriver.tv
Computer Lessons – Bucks County Council has a small amount of money to run short computer workshops to help people start off with computing. Classes can be held all over the county and the Council is keen to work with over 50’s groups. A free 2 hour taster session would be offered with progression onto a free scheme the libraries are running to help people improve their computer skills. If you are interested, either as a group having a session or attending one individually, please contact Pei Harper, Outreach Officer on 01296 382252 or email pharper@buckscc.gov.uk.
Diary Dates –
- Saturday March 15 St Patrick's Day meal at The Bell
- Sunday March 16 Holy Communtion at 10.00am
- Monday March 17 Parish Council Public Meeting to discuss planning Application at land adjoining the Cricket Ground
- Tuesday March 18 Chearsley W.I.
- Sunday March 23 Family Service at St Nicholas 1t 10.00am
- Monday March 24 Mobile Library 10.00 until 10.25am
- Monday March 24 Chearsley Parish Council at 7.30pm
- Wednesday March 26 Pub Lunch at The Bell at 12.30pm
- Saturday March 29 - help Alicia make the posies for Mothering Sunday from 1.00pm at Great Barn. Donations of small flowers are very welcome
- Sunday March 30 Mothering Sunday Service at 10.00am with posies and simnel cake
