Tuesday 29 March 2016

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

Dog Fouling
It has been observed that this is on the increase again, particularly in Church Lane, despite the installation of two dog bins in the village. Dog walkers have a legal duty to clear up their dog mess in public places and not to just leave it for anyone to have the unpleasantness of stepping in it, or to throw it into a garden hedge. Please will dog walkers ensure that they carry plastic bags so they can pick up any dog faeces and either take the bags home or deposit them in the red dog bins provided at the expense of the Parish Council at the bottom and top of Church Lane.

Parish Council Meeting Monday March 21
Six members of the public, including our District Councillor were present with John Lewis in the chair.
  • Public Session: As the book by Ted Hooton cannot be reprinted, there was an alternative suggestion that a small booklet “A short history of our village – Chearsley” written by Dennis Lane and published in 1977 could be updated and reprinted. The Parish Council would pass on this suggestion to the villager who had originally suggested publication of Ted’s book for him to take up further.
  • Matters Arising from The Minutes
    A resistivity test on the chestnut tree at the junction of Winchendon Road and Aylesbury Road has now been commissioned.
    VAS: It was confirmed that the equipment in our possession is outdated and it was agreed to abandon the scheme for the present time.
  • Planning Matters
    Site meetings had been held at The Old Orchard which was agreed to in principle and at Byeways with no objection.
    The Winchendon Road housing scheme meeting had been well attended with an impression from the organisers of a 50/50 for and against. Plans were in the process of being submitted for approval.
    War Memorial area: No further action would be taken for now regarding a new pedestrian access from the Chilton Road into the village hall grounds. It would be decided on the exact spot for the new flagpole and installed as soon as possible.
  • Play equipment: these were reported as being in bad condition. The chairman of the village hall committee reported that an official inspection and risk assessment had been arranged to take place in May.
  • Damage to The Green
    It was generally felt that this damage had been caused as a result of cars, possibly belonging to builders from the building site in Chilton Road being parked alongside the wall by the post box and The Old Farmhouse and preventing enough room for lorries to get through. It was agreed to go ahead with the idea that notices should be affixed to the wall asking people not to park there. It was reported that the damaged sign at Winchendon Road had now been replaced. APL Logistics, the owners of the lorry seen damaging the sign had adopted an unhelpful attitude in the matter, not being able to provide the name of the driver concerned. There was a suggestion of approaching The Bucks Herald to publicise the incident and to express the village’s annoyance and frustration.
  • Kerbing: There was a formal proposal that the proposed kerbing in Dark Lane should start as soon as possible.
  • Defibrillator: It is planned for this to be installed on the wall of the outhouse at Byeways, next to the shop and will have to be delayed until this wall has been rebuilt.
  • New Noticeboard: There was now a date for delivery of this and its installation would be arranged as soon as possible thereafter.
  • Proposed new village hall: Antonia Stratford, chairman of the village hall committee addressed the meeting with an update of the plans. A village meeting has been arranged for the plans to be viewed by villagers for Saturday April 23. There is now a great need for help from anyone with commercial and building experience to support the work of the committee. A meeting with representatives from the Parish Council had been arranged to go through a project plan.
  • AOB:
    Dog fouling, particularly in Church Lane is on the increase again. Cuddington have a dispenser with bags and this idea will be investigated.
    Mud on roads particularly in Chilton Road is a problem, possibly caused by farm vehicles and building site equipment. It was suggested that Rectory Homes should be approached to re-instate the damage caused to the verges.
  • Next meeting is the Annual Parish Meeting on Monday April 18. The venue is to be confirmed.

Cricket Club update
The club has now invested £30,000 raised from 2 years of fund-raising and grants to produce an ECB approved 2-lane non-turf practice facility. It was hoped to have this ready for the start of the Tuesday evening junior training sessions , but due to wet weather, work on this will not now start until the beginning of May, and should be ready in 6 days. It is then planned to have an ex-England cricketer to open the nets when completed.

Cricket Club Work parties
Weekend work parties at the cricket club grounds have now started and will continue every week end until the first match of the season on Sunday April 26. Anyone able and willing to come and help prepare the grounds and pavilion for the forthcoming season would be very welcome and are asked to contact Pete Redfern on 07775 618929; James Veness on 07732 43868 or Adam Lazaruk on 07865 093154. The more help there is, the quicker the jobs will be completed.

Cricket Club Quiz 
 A fun Quiz evening for everyone, even those with little general knowledge, or knowledge of any sort has been arranged by the Cricket Club when well known Quiz master Larry Warr will be setting the questions and conducting the evening. It will take place in the village hall on Saturday April 16 at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Teams of 8 or 10 are invited with tickets at £10 per person which includes a fish and chip supper. Bring your own drinks. There will also be a raffle and auction. Please contact John Howard for tickets or for more information on jnh@dbmc.co.uk

Wednesday Pilates Classes
Debbie Corpe’s evening Mat Pilates classes will continue after the Easter break beginning again on April 6 through to July 13, with a break on June 1 and June 8. These classes are held in Chearsley village hall from 6 to 7pm and aim to tone, strengthen, stretch and lengthen with classic pilates exercises and a variety of small props. Please contact Debbie on 07770 646494 or email deborahcorpe@gmail.com for more information.

Crunchie the Cat
I am sure most people in the village have been asked to keep a look out and check sheds and outbuildings for Crunchie who has been missing from The Boot since Friday March 18. Crunchie, who is microchipped has still not come home as of Wednesday March 23. Anyone who might have seen the missing cat is asked to get in touch with the Taylor family on 07979655648. It must be heartbreaking for the family especially the children and I really hope Crunchie comes home soon.

St Nicholas Church Services:
  • Sunday April 3 Family Communion at 10am
Diary Dates:
  • Tuesday April 5 Bingo at The Bell at 8.30pm (ish). Special meal deals for bingo players. Come in good time. Saturday April 16 Cricket Club Quiz at the village hall. 7pm for 7.30pm start.
  • Sunday April 17 Parochial Church Council AGM and tea for the village in the hall at 3.30pm
  • Saturday April 23 Village Meeting for Plans for the New Village Hall 10.30am with presentations at 11.15. Refreshments available.