Monday 25 January 2016

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

Parish Council meeting held on Monday January 18
10 members of the public were present.
  • Chestnut Tree The situation regarding the chestnut tree was discussed during the Open session and made clear that at present no decision has been made for it to be cut down. A second and possibly a third opinion by tree surgeons will be requested on the health of the tree in the hope that it can be saved. But if the safety of the public is in danger due to the tree’s decay, the Parish Council will have no option but to have it cut down. In anticipation of this, an amount has been included in the budget to replace it with a mature tree.
  • Parking near the post box and The Green Cars and vans parked in this area by villagers and customers to the pub are a potential danger to pedestrians who are forced to walk on the road to get round them. The Parish council have no legal redress to stop parking here, and a general discussion regarding traffic generally in the village and on the approach roads to the village is a great problem and needs thought and consideration.
  • 3 and 4 Winchendon Road: The Vale of Aylesbury Housing Trust plan to organise a public meeting in the village hall in February when they will put forward their plans and answer questions and receive comments from villagers.
  • War Memorial area. The proposed work to the trees and hedge will be carried out at the end of February. At the same time, the hornbeams on The Green and the walnut tree near the phone box will be pruned. The flagpole could then be installed in its new position by the War Memorial in the first or second week of March.
  • Kerbing: Having been let down by one kerbing contractor, another one on the AVDC approved list has responded and will hopefully be inspecting and quoting shortly.
  • Defibrillator: John Howard hopes to progress with this scheme, now being told that he should contact the ambulance service for advice and training once it is installed.
  • Noticeboard: this has now been agreed and will be ordered.
  • Railings by the noticeboard: The suggestion that these could be removed as they had little point and looked unsightly was generally met with disapproval by councillors.
  • Village Hall: it is hoped that a public consultation meeting will shortly be arranged for the village vote.
  • Vehicle Activated Sign: To date, this has been an unsuccessful project having quickly stopped working. This has now hopefully been corrected. Paul Bown and Mike Heybrook agreed to find the locations on the four approach roads, to contact Adam Lazaruk who has the sign and to get the sign working to remind car drivers that they are in a 30mph area and make a difference to speeding cars into and out of the village.
  • The final Open Session brought on a discussion again about the problems of cars and parking in the village, the state of The Green because of parked cars and possibilities of solutions by seeking professional help and ideas from Highways at Bucks CC and to welcome any villagers suggestions. Short term, 'No Parking' signs could possibly be put on the walls of the houses near to The Green.
  • Chuf were criticised for discouraging a request to view the hall and for keeping the gates locked denying access to villagers to the grounds and play equipment.
  • Next Meetings:
    Monday February 15; Monday March 21 and Monday April 18 all in the village hall at 7.30pm

Christingle Service
This very popular lovely service was held in Chearsley Church shortly before Christmas when the children were given oranges representing the world with lighted candles representing the light of Jesus. The service raised over £200 which was donated to The Children’s Society. This charity fights child poverty and neglect and helps all children have a better chance in life.

Adam Lazaruk, Angela Gray, Tina and Stu Burnham and Sharon Woodford are taking part in Vitality Reading Half Marathon on April 3rd to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. This is to support Adam’s wife who has been diagnosed with breast cancer and is currently awaiting hospital treatment. Adam has a Just Giving Page for easy and safe donations to Breast Cancer Care and to Maggie’s Centres. Maggie’s Centres offer emotional and practical help and support to people with cancer, their families and friends. Adam and friends welcome anyone who would like to run with them on the day and anyone who would like to donate. Please go to www.justgiving.com/Adam-Lazaruk and it is then very easy to make a donation. All good wishes go to Claire and her family.

Help Keep our Church Clean
Volunteers are needed to clean the church, which would involve a couple of hours every other month. Please contact the church wardens, Alicia Howard or Joy Payne if you would like to help.

Burns Supper on Saturday January 30 in The Bell
January 25 1759 is the birthday of Robbie Burns, Scotland’s national poet. As this is a Monday, it will be celebrated in The Bell on Saturday January 30 at 7.30pm with a Burns Night Supper when Sharon is offering a 2 or 3 course menu. The 2 courses menu costs £16.95 and the 3 courses cost £19.95. Traditional Burns Night food is on offer including cock-a-leekie soup, haggis, a scotch broth vegetarian option and lemon posset or cranachan for pudding. It is bound to be a lively evening with good food and company and the celebration of Burns’ poetry with traditional customs of the Selkirk Grace and addressing the haggis. Bookings must be made with Sharon as soon as possible with a £5 deposit per person. Probably a few whiskies will be consumed in Burns’ honour.

Brown Bins - the fortnightly collection of the brown bins for garden waste starts again on Monday February 1st, the week in which the ordinary general waste bins are collected on the Friday.

Church Services at St Nicholas:
  • Sunday January 31 . A United Benefice service will be held at Long Crendon at 10am There is no service in Chearsley or Nether Winchendon as this is the 5th Sunday of the month
Diary Dates:
  • Saturday January 30 Burns Night Celebrations at The Bell
  • Monday February 1 Brown Bins collected
  • Tuesday February 2 Bingo at The Bell at 8.30pm.
  • Wednesday February 3 Roast lunch at The Bell at 12.30pm. £7.50 for roast dinner and pudding of your choice and tea or coffee. Let me know or Sharon at The Bell if you would like to come a few days beforehand
  • Tuesday March 1 Village Litter Pick at 10am

Friday 22 January 2016

Young Photographer Competition 2016


PRIZE TOTAL £300
THE SUBJECT IS “FUN”
(For all age groups)
Entries must be delivered by noon 25th March 2016

An entry form can be download from here.

Monday 18 January 2016

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

Litter Pick
The Heybrook family are again organising another much needed village litter pick of the village lanes and the four main roads into Chearsley. This will be held on Tuesday March 1st meeting outside the village shop at 10am. All villagers are invited to turn up and help, bring gloves and wear bright clothes if possible. Bin bags will be provided. As an incentive and reward, home-made cake and refreshments will be served at The Bell at 11.30am. Should the weather be too bad, refreshments will still be offered.

Pilates Classes
Debbie Corpe continues to offer 2 weekly pilates classes and has places available. On Wednesday evenings from 6 to7pm in Chearsley village hall to tone, strengthen, stretch and lengthen with classic pilates exercises and a variety of small props. On Friday mornings in The Bernard Hall in Cuddington from 9.15 to 10.15am, Debbie runs a Pilates Barre class, which consists of a warm up, arm weights, standing Barre work, pilates mat and stretching section. You will need to bring your own mat to both classes. Please contact Debbie on 07770646494 or email her at deborahcorpe@gmail.com for more information.

Aylesbury Citizens Advice Bureau with their office in Pebble Lane, Aylesbury, is currently offering volunteering opportunities in a number of different roles including office support, Gateway assessors, advisers, campaigners and particularly for fund raising and events organisers. Potential volunteers should enjoy a diverse workforce and have a passion for helping the local community in Aylesbury. Full training and volunteer expenses will be provided. More details can be found on their website at www.aylesburycab.org.uk or emailing admin@aylesburycab.org.uk or phoning 01296 329854.

Vale Lottery
This local weekly lottery which supports local causes in the Vale district, including Chuf, our local pre-school operating in Chearsley and Haddenham , has now been running for a number of weeks. Tickets cost £1 per week with 58% of the ticket price going to local charities with an opportunity of nominating the charity you wish to support. Every ticket has a 1 in 50 chance of winning a prize and the weekly draw takes place every Saturday night. 2 matching numbers will win 3 draw tickets; 3 matching numbers win £10; 4 matching numbers will win £100, 5 matching numbers will win £1,000 and a top prize with all 6 numbers matching of £20,000. Details of how to join or to view the winning numbers can be found at www.valelottery.co.uk.

Chearsley Classic and Vintage Fun Day

September might seem a long way ahead, but plans are already in the making for another Chearsley Fun Day this year. This will take place at The Cricket ground on Sunday September 25. Make a note in the diary.

Church Services at St Nicholas:
  • Sunday January 24 Family Service at 10am
Diary Dates:
  • Thursday January 21 Chuf Winter Open Day at Chearsley village hall – 2 session
  • Saturday January 23 Family Quiz in the village hall at 5p
  • Monday January 25 Mobile Library 10 to 10.25am
  • Monday January 25 Showboat at Sunshine Club Matinee Cinema at The Bernard Hall, Cuddington at 1.30. Contact Liz Davies for tickets on 01844 299150
  • Saturday January 30 Burns Night Celebrations at The Bell

Thursday 14 January 2016

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

Bingo at The Bell
The first Bingo session of the year was a fairly quiet evening, with many regular players including Paul our caller unwell and unable to come. Sharon made a good stand-in as caller, calling out at a fast rate to keep us concentrating and not having time to lark around as usual. With a bit more experience and swotting up of the bingo lingo she will surely become as competent as Paul. The cash prizes were still pretty good despite the lack of participants, with a win of £40 for the final full house. The Snowball game continues and now stands at £60 and the Raffle made £29 which goes towards the new village hall.
The next Bingo session will be the usual first Tuesday of the month, February 2 at 8.30pm. Attending the Bingo evenings is a way of supporting The Bell , meeting up with other villagers for a good time out in the village and having a chance of winning a cash prize. Sharon offers Bingo players a meal beforehand at £7.50. Other evening Meal offers continue of 2 curries and a bottle of wine on Thursdays, 2 fish and chips for £25 on Fridays and other nights 2 meals for £15. See the notice board in The Bell for an update.

Roll The Dice is back on a Friday night at The Bell. Tickets cost £1 and the draw takes place on Friday evenings at 8.30pm. If you have the lucky ticket drawn out you have the chance to roll the dice and win whatever number the dice falls on.

Burns Night at The Bell
This will be celebrated in the usual fashion with a meal and other associated traditions on Saturday January 30. More details will be available later.

Cuddington Sunshine Club Matinee Cinema Monday January 25 at The Bernard Hall A new year of monthly classic films starts again when Showboat starring Ava Gardner, Kathryn Grayson and Howard Keel will be shown at The Bernard Hall Cuddington at 1.30pm with doors open at 1pm. This romantic musical features well known songs such as “Make Believe” “’Ol Man River” and “Can’t Help Loving dat Man”. Tickets are £5 or £4 concession which include tea and cake during the interval. Please ring Liz Davies on 01844 299150 to book your ticket. Please remember that as parking outside the hall is very limited, visitors are asked to park in the Playing Fields Car Park.

Information please
 I can only report events and happenings in Chearsley if I get to hear about them and would very much welcome news from everyone either by phone or email. I have been very grateful to receive so many old Christmas cards to make into gift tags with Podge from villagers who have responded to my request through this column. We still welcome more!

Diary Dates:
  • Monday January 18 Parish Council Meeting in the village hall at 7.30pm
  • Thursday January 21 Chuf Winter Open Day at Chearsley village hall – 2 sessions
  • Saturday January 23 Family Quiz in the village hall at 5pm
  • Monday January 25 Mobile Library 10 to 10.25am

Tuesday 5 January 2016

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

Carol Singing
Despite a very wet night, Chearsley carol singers raised £300 which will go towards the charities of Debra and Cystic Fibrosis.

Chuf Ofsted Report
The Committee and staff at Chuf are delighted to have been recently awarded a Good grading in their Ofsted Report. The staff have worked hard to achieve this result. There are four headings which all received a Good grading – effectiveness of leadership and management; quality of teaching, learning and assessment; personal development, behaviour and welfare; and outcomes for the children. A copy of the report can be downloaded from here. Congratulations to everyone involved with Chuf.

The Bell
The New Year brings the return of familiar monthly events. The first Bingo of the year takes place on Tuesday 5 and the Quiz will be held on Sunday January 10 at 8pm. The popular Friday coffee and home-made cake mornings re-start on Friday 8 from 10am onwards – a chance to enjoy the fire and chat and catch up with friends and neighbours and village news. Please check the blackboard in The Bell to see what events are planned – Burns Nights celebrations and menu offers.

Winter Open Day with CHUF

Our local Preschool is holding this Open Day on Thursday January 21 which is a free event for young preschool children to try fun activities. There will be snowflake paper craft, robin paintings and snowflake cookies to decorate. It is being held at Chearsley Village hall with 2 sessions. The morning one is from 10 to 11.30am and the afternoon from 1 until 2.30pm. Please book your place by phoning 01844 208868 or email info@chufpreschool.co.uk or see their website www.chuf.co.uk for further information.

Family Quiz
Following on from the great success of the Family Quiz held last year, the Village Hall Committee are organising another quiz to be held in the hall on Saturday January 23 2016, starting at 5pm until approximately 8pm. All are welcome and questions will be orientated to both children and adults. So everyone can join in. Tickets are £10 each or £30 for a family of 4 and will include a fish and chip supper and pudding. There will be a bar and a raffle.
Ideally, quiz teams should be of 8 and teams can be made up in advance or on the night. Places will be limited (due to the overwhelming demand for the last Family Quiz) so please let the organisers know if you could like to come as soon as possible. Please contact Alex Wall Morris at alex@willowcorner.net; Antonia Stratford at antoniacarrlocke@hotmail.com or Angela Gray at angela@greyemail.co.uk.

Mobile Library - this will next be in the village on Monday January 25 from 10 until 10.25am.

Parish Council Meeting
This will be held in the village hall on Monday January 18 at 7.30pm. As dates and times are sometimes changed at the last minute, please check the notice board for confirmation of this and to read details of the Minutes of the last meeting and view a copy of the agenda for this month.

Old Christmas Cards
Any unwanted old Christmas cards would be gratefully accepted by Andrew and myself for turning into Christmas gift tags. Please let me know if you would like me to pick them up, or please leave them at my door. We have depleted our stock. Andrew and I would like to thank Sharon at The Bell for having the tags on sale there and to everyone who bought them. We tried another venue to sell them this year and would like to thank Steve and Emma at Bradmoor Cafe and Farm shop in Haddenham for having them on their counter. They sold out. All the staff at Bradmoor make Andrew and his house-mates very welcome when they go there for a morning cup of tea or All Day Breakfast.

Church Services at St Nicholas:
  • Sunday January 10 Morning Celebration at 10am and Evensong at 6pm
Diary Dates: 
  • Sunday January 10 Quiz in The Bell at 8pm
  • Monday January 18 Parish Council Meeting in the village hall at 7.30pm Thursday January 21 Chuf Winter Open Day at Chearsley village hall – 2 sessions
  • Saturday January 23 Family Quiz in the village hall at 5pm
  • Monday January 25 Mobile Library 10 to 10.25