Monday 23 November 2015

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

Affordable houses at Stoney Furlong.
There has been some doubt as to whether the Stoney Furlong development has any Housing Association/shared ownership houses available. There are two 1 bedroomed and a 2 bedroomed house. Stoney Furlong is a development of less than 14 houses and it is therefore not obligatory for there to be any affordable houses (non-profit making homes). However, the Heybrook family are making 2 available in the hope that someone local will benefit for them by helping them to get onto the housing ladder. Details of eligibility criteria can be found on Paradigm Living website. The final decision of the approval of sale is made by AVDC.

Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday November 19 in the village hall with Nic Brown as chairman and 7 members of the public present. Among matters discussed :
  • it was commented that although the temporary 4-way traffic lights while work to the sewage system is carried out, are a disruption and nuisance, it has had the beneficial effect of slowing traffic through the village. It was much appreciated that all lights were turned to red during the War Memorial Remembrance service 2 minute silence at the suggestion of the firm carrying out the works who arranged for an operative who travelled two hours each way to carry this out. It is hoped that the works will be completed shortly. AVDC has carried out work to the drains by the bus shelter and flooding should no longer occur.
  • Proposed planning in Winchendon Road - it was agreed that representatives from The Vale of Aylesbury Housing Trust be invited to the next Parish Council meeting on Wednesday December 9 to put forward and discuss their plans for this site. This would be at 7pm to which all members of the public are invited and encouraged to come. The proposal for eight affordable dwellings to be built would exceed the desired number of new builds in Chearsley as per the Village Plan and villagers are invited to express their views at this meeting.
    Aylesbury Vale Plan comments on this are invited by December 4. Details of the plan can be viewed on line at aylesburyvaledc.gov/valp. Chearsley Parish Council would enquire whether it took into account that the suggested quota of 10 new houses in Chearsley had already been met.
  • Village Projects It has been over a year that the vehicular activated sign has not been working and Nic was endeavouring to locate the metal fixing plates on the four roads into the village and to get the sign itself working and installed again shortly.
  • War Memorial area 3 quotes for the work to the trees and hedge had been received and it was agreed to accept one with a known and recommended firm for £1,100 and it was confirmed that the VAT could be reclaimed.
    Advice to be obtained from this contractor on the three hornbeams on The Green, the walnut tree by the phone box and the chestnut tree in Winchendon Road.
  • Kerbing: No progress had been made as the contractor had not responded to requests for a date for this work to be carried out. It was suggested that the County Council who supply a list of approved contractors should be contacted.
  • Flag Pole: this has been ordered and will be delivered once the tree works by the War Memorial area have been carried out.
  • Defibrillator: a highly visible location of this should be decided on and Nic agreed to seek permission from Janine to have it installed by the shop.
  • Noticeboard: 2 more quotes are awaited. One has been received for £1,753 for a half glazed board. New Village Hall no further progress had been made. The Parish Council were happy to offer to assist Antonia and others in decisions about the hall.
  • Steve Vear Memorial Tree: this will be planted on The Green, close to where a small bench is currently placed. It was agreed that there should be no more new trees on The Green.
  • Traffic at The Chestnut Tree it was agreed to consider the proposal of one-way traffic here at a future meeting of the Council.
  • Christmas tree will be installed on The Green on December 5 with the official lighting ceremony on Saturday December 12.
  • Devolution Details of future responsibilities of the Parish Council for village matters which are currently the responsibility of AVDC and Bucks County Council, should be investigated and how it would affect future Precepts.
  • Walnut tree by the village hall the roots of this tree are pushing up the path and causing a hazard.
  • During the public session held at the end of the meeting, the subject of the new wide footpath in Chilton Road being unnecessary was again raised – a matter out of the hands of the Parish council as it was a planning consideration decreed by AVDC. The poor state of Chilton road during the road works was commented on.
  • The next meeting will be the Budget Meeting in the village hall on Wednesday December 9. The Budget meeting is when the Parish Council decide how much they require from villagers as part of next year’s Council tax. Villagers are encouraged to attend and have the chance to query and discuss this during the open sessions. This meeting will be preceded at 7pm by The Vale of Aylesbury Housing Trust presentation of proposals for a housing development in Winchendon Road.
  • Further dates for Parish Council meetings will be January 18, February 15 and March 21. It was asked that the Minutes and new agenda should be circulated and made available a minimum of 10 days beforehand to give more time for any necessary change of date to be made.

Good Luck to Jeyan and Suki as they prepare to take over Cuddington Stores as well as running Chearsley Shop. Take over day is planned for Tuesday December 1. There will be a period when they will both be undertaking Post Office training at Cuddington Stores and the Chearsley shop will be staffed by part-time staff, but the shop will continue to be open for the same long hours as present. Also best wishes and good luck to John and Elaine as they leave Cuddington for quieter (with grandchildren around?) and more relaxing times ahead.

Children’s Christmas Craft Afternoon with Chearsley Chuf - an invitation to all young children to come and enjoy an afternoon of Christmas activities with Chearsley Chuf on Saturday December 5 from 2 until 4pm in Chearsley village hall. Entry is £1 per child which will include squash and biscuits and all craft materials. Activities include writing a letter to Father Christmas, Christmas crafting, decorating a gingerbread biscuit and musical activity by Kindergym. More details are available at chuf.co.uk or ring 0184428868.

Long Crendon Day Centre Christmas Sing-a-Long

This will be held on Tuesday December 8 from 10 to 12noon in The Baptist Church Hall, High Street, Long Crendon, where the Day centre is regularly held. All older people from Chearsley and surrounding villages are invited to come along for an enjoyable and stimulating experience led by local singers and musicians, especially older people who have memory problems or early onset dementia. There will be mince pies and sherry during the interval. Previous sing-a-longs at Long Crendon Day Centre have proved successful and it is planned for regular sessions to be held on the last Tuesday of the month with the option to stay for a freshly cooked 2 course lunch. Please contact Andrea Camden on 01844 208508 or email her at andreacamden46@gmail.com for more information and to book for the Christmas Sing-a-long.

BrainBox Young Games Inventor 2015
Don’t forget to vote for Alice Grapes in the Young Games Inventor 2015. Alice is hoping for lots of votes for the game she has thought up and designed Get Off your Sofa. Vote for Alice by going to www.brainbox.co.uk where you will find “Vote for Young Games Inventor 2015". Voting ends on Sunday November 29.

Christmas meals at The Bell
The Christmas menu will be available from Monday December 7 to Thursday December 24. A 2 course meal will cost £19.95 and 3 courses £23.95 to include starters, traditional turkey dinner, lamb chops, fish or vegetarian option and a choice of 3 sweets or cheeses. Please book by phoning Sharon on 01844 208077 or email her at Sharon@thebellchearsley.co.uk. Evening offers continue with Thursdays and 2 curries and a bottle of wine for £25 and Fridays with 2 fish and chips for £15.

Bingo at The Bell
Get in the Christmas spirit early and come to the Christmas Bingo at The Bell on Tuesday December 1 at 8.30pm Come in good time to have a meal at a special Bingo player price and then enjoy a lively, fun evening with a chance to win some good cash prizes for a line or the full house.

Sunday Quiz at The Bell
This will be held on Sunday December 6 at 8pm.

Chearsley Choir - a Chearsley Choir is being formed for the Carol Service on Sunday December 20. Please contact Jeremy Pratt if you would like to volunteer for this.

Mobile Library This will next be in the village on Monday November 30 from 10 to 10.25.

Services at St Nicholas Church:
  • Sunday November 29 There are no services at Chearsley. A United Carol Service is being held at Long Crendon at 6pm.Sunday December 6 Christingle Service at 4pm and Rock Solid Party from 5 to 7pm.
Diary Dates:
  • Wednesday November 25 Pub lunch at The Bell at 12.30pm
  • Monday November 30 Mobile Library from 10 to 10.25am.
  • Tuesday December 1 Christmas Bingo at The Bell
  • Saturday December 5 Chearsley Chuf Children’s Christmas Craft Afternoon in the village hall. 2 until 4pm
  • December 6 Christmas Quiz at The Bell at 8pm
  • Wednesday December 9 Parish Council Meeting Budget meeting. This will be preceded by a presentation of the proposed housing development at Winchendon road at 7pm. Please check the notice board for confirmation of the time.