Wednesday 29 June 2016

TVP Force Open Day Competition

This is a message sent via Thames Valley Alert and has been sent on behalf of Thames Valley Police.

Thames Valley Police is launching a competition for young people to design the livery on vehicles promoting community engagement.

We're looking for the bright young minds of Thames Valley to help us design some livery for the side of one of our non-response Neighbourhood Policing cars.

The competition is open to all young people under the age of 18, and the winner will not only get their artwork printed onto the car, but a certificate presented at our Force Open Day on Saturday 6 August and a day out with Roads Policing!

The competition is running on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and email – so there are a few ways you can send your entries in.

To enter, you can  download the PDF (59 Kb) and email a photo of your design to Corporate Communications. Or post a photo of your entry to our Facebook account, tweet it to @ThamesVP, or Instagram it to @ThamesValleyPolice.

Your photo may be used in our competition Facebook album.
Get your entries in by midday on 8 July to be in with a chance to win.
Here are some of our top tips for entering the competition:
  • Be big and bold!
  • Think of how the design looks on all elevations.
  • Less is more, clear and concise designs are always the best.
  • Try and think of how you can incorporate the community into your design!
For further information please visit the Thames Valley Police website.


Click for the Thames Valley Police website

Tuesday 28 June 2016

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

Parish Council meeting Monday June 20
Only four councillors were in attendance with two members of the public for this meeting which was over within an hour.
  • Risk Assessment - for insurance purposes was thoroughly investigated last year and no changes had occurred since.
  • New Parish Clerk: Clare Clark has now given in her notice after more than 20 years as a hard-working and dedicated Parish Clerk and Financial Officer of Chearsley.
  • Planning Matters - there were none to discuss. It was noted that no planning application had as yet been submitted for 1 and 3 Winchendon Road by Aylesbury Vale Housing Trust and noted that the Council had no objection to the plans for the proposed new village hall which had recently been submitted.
  • Kerbing - this on-going project needs another meeting of councillors to determine the next steps to take.
  • Village Green: The Green needs protecting from damage by vehicles and the Council has various ideas of positioning posts or boulders to keep vehicles off the grass.
  • Highways Survey: Several volunteers took turns throughout the day on Friday June 10 to make a note of all vehicles and in particular HGVs which came through Chearsley on all the main roads. A total of 130 HGVs came through. This was a survey undertaken in conjunction with several other nearby villages and Bucks County Council. A meeting was to be held with the other villages to discuss the results. Further surveys will probably be needed.
  • Flag Pole and Notice Board: Graham King has been asked to erect the new flag pole and notice board and do other work in the bus stop area. A volunteer is needed to be responsible for raising and lowering the flag and to contact Nic Brown, Chairman.
  • Next meeting: This will be held on Monday July 18 at 7.30pm in the village hall.
Chearsley W.I.
Chearsley W.I. celebrated their 70th anniversary on June 21 with an afternoon of strawberries and cream and bubbly. Guests who have been associated with the W.I. in the village were invited to share the celebration which also offered a good opportunity to catch up with friends from the past. Everyone was presented with a posy of flowers gathered from Chearsley gardens to round off a very enjoyable afternoon. Chearsley W.I. hold monthly afternoon meetings at the village hall and welcome new members. Please see the notice board for information about future meetings when non-members are also invited to attend.

Fly The Flag for Chearsley
A new flag pole in a new position by the War Memorial will very soon be in place. The Parish Council is looking for someone to take on the role of raising and lowering the flag on flag flying days. It should not be a very difficult job and there are not many days when the flag would be flown and could be suitable for a villager living close to the War Memorial. If anyone is interested in helping, please contact Nic Brown or any member of the Parish Council, or failing that, me on 208913.

Easy Fundraising for the Village hall
A total of £108.83 has now been raised over the past months by 16 Chearsley shoppers, with the top shopper contributing more than £41. This simple and free way of fundraising for the new village hall is for online shopping and has over 2,700 well known retailers as part of the scheme. Whenever you buy online the retailer will make a donation to your chosen cause. There are no costs and no catches and it is simple to join. Please log on to http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/chearsleyvh to get involved. More details can be found  on the village hall website.

Scarecrow Festival in Haddenham

I had seen two scarecrow type figures under an umbrella in the hedge on a few occasions as I had driven along Stanbridge Road and wondered what they were doing. Thanks to Christina’s Haddenham column in The Bucks Herald, which I always read for the Haddenham news, I now know that they are part of the first Scarecrow Competition launched by the Haddenham Association of Scouts and Guides at the recent village fete.
This has attracted entries from nearly 50 individuals, clubs, societies, community groups, schools and local businesses. Several extra scarecrows have also appeared around the village. I hope to buy a copy of a trail and then follow this to find the location of all the entries round Haddenham. Failing this, there are photos of some of them to be found, including a fireman on a roof, a fisherman under an umbrella and a delightful mouse on a wall, on the Haddenham village website.
It is hoped that over £300 will be raised in aid of The Florence Nightingale Hospice. A great idea for getting all parts of the village involved and something maybe Chearsley could copy or adapt in future.

Church Service at St Nicholas:
  • Sunday July 3 - Family Communion with Valerie Plumb at 10am and Rock Solid Youth Group at 6 until 7.30pm
Diary Dates:
  • Saturday July 2 Calling all Chearsley men for the calendar photo 6pm at Chearsley road sign in Crendon Road.
  • Saturday September 3 Chearsley village show
  • Sunday September 11 Chearsley Classic and Vintage Fun Day 12 – 6pm at the Cricket Club
  • Saturday September 17 Fundraising for the village hall with a Fun Run in and around the village
  • Saturday November 26 (new date) Murder Mystery Night with local drama group, The Thame Players at the village hall. Fund raising for the new village hall

Tuesday 21 June 2016

CHUF Summer BBQ & Party


Calling All Men!

Chearsley Calendar Boys
2017

It's not too late to get involved with this fund-raising
project for a new Village Hall for Chearsley.
Photography is now underway but there is still time to get
your kit off for a good cause!
Alicia Howard for more information

Monday 20 June 2016

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

Celebration Street Party
Despite the rainy day, a picnic lunch was enjoyed by about 40 children on Saturday June 11 while Sharon and her staff put on a barbeque at The Bell for adults. A rousing rendition of Happy Birthday was sung in honour of Queen Elizabeth. The Village Hall committee who arranged this street party are looking forward to organising another in 2026 to celebrate the Queen’s 100th birthday!

Queen’s Birthday Disco at The Bell
There was a good turn out at The Bell for the disco on the evening of Saturday June 11 with customers enjoying a few drinks and dances in celebration of The Queen’s 90th birthday. The cardboard cut-out of The Queen was seen throughout the evening accompanying an energetic dancer or two. Revellers also appreciated wearing the masks of William, Kate and Camilla. There was another birthday to celebrate that evening. It was Brenda Woodford, mother of Landlady Sharon’s special birthday the next day so Happy Birthday was sung and a cake given to her.

Every Little Helps
Sophie, Katie and Olivia Sawrey-Cookson with their friend, Jessica Taylor, have recently been very busy making and selling cakes. Their impromptu cake sale on the sunny weekend of June 4 and 5 when their delicious cakes were sold to family and friends raised £10.90 and they have donated this to the New Village Hall Fund. Well done girls and the Village Hall committee thank you very much for your efforts and enthusiasm. Hopefully, others will follow your example.

Pat Miles 
There is sad news that Pat died in Stoke Mandeville hospital on the evening of June 15 after a short illness with her family at her side. She was 91 and had lived in the same house in Bernard's Close for over 50 years (with the same neighbour, Fenella) and for much of that time with her husband, John who was Parish Clerk for some years. Pat and John were both very much involved in village life. Pat had been a staunch supporter of Chearsley W.I. in the past, a great artist and actress who enjoyed taking part in village shows.
Condolences to her family, particularly, her son, Paul and daughter Ann. The funeral will take place at Chearsley Church on Tuesday June 28 at 2pm. Everyone is welcome to come and meet either at The Bell at 1.30pm to walk down to the church, or meet at 2pm at the church if preferred. Donations in her memory can be made to a charity close to Pat’s heart, Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Chuf Summer Party in Chearsley Village Hall
Everyone is invited to Chuf’s Summer BBQ and party on Sunday June 26 from 12 noon until 2.30pm. There will be a BBQ, bouncy castle, soft play area, face painting, children’s tombola, games and music. Tickets cost £5 per participating child which will include play on the bouncy castle, all soft play, drinks, a pot of strawberries and a party bag. Please contact Angela on 07890 563597 or Nicola on 07890 001306.

Parking on the pavements in the village
I have been asked to point out to villagers that cars parked on the pavements in the village, particularly on Winchendon and Aylesbury Road can cause considerable difficulty for pedestrians, particularly those with mobility problems or using a mobility scooter, who are unable to get by without stepping out on to the busy main road. It has probably not been appreciated that parking in this way can cause problems and they are asked to consider pedestrians when parking in future.

Diary Dates:
  • Today Monday June 20 : Parish Council meeting at 7.30pm at the village hall
  • Friday June 24 Ingrid’s work on display from 2 to 7pm
  • Saturday June 25 Ingrid’s work on display from 11 to 5pm
  • Sunday June 26 Ingrid’s work on display from 11 to 5pm
  • Sunday June 26 Chuf Summer Party in the village hall 12 until 2.30pm
  • Saturday July 2 Calling all Chearsley men for the calendar photo 6pm at Chearsley road sign in Crendon Road.
  • Saturday September 3 Chearsley village show
  • Sunday September 11 Chearsley Classic and Vintage Fun Day 12 – 6pm at the Cricket Club
  • Saturday September 17 Fundraising for the village hall with a Fun Run in and around the village
  • Saturday November 26 (new date) Murder Mystery Night with local drama group, The Thame Players at the village hall. Fund raising for the new village hall

Pat Miles

We are saddened to report the death of Pat Miles, who passed away last Wednesday evening at the age of 91 after a short illness.

Her funeral will be held at 2:00pm on Tuesday 28th June at Chearsley Church. All are welcome to join a procession walking down from the Bell Inn at 1:30pm at the Bell, or at the church at 2:00pm, as they prefer.


Tuesday 14 June 2016

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

Bingo at The Bell
This month’s bingo was very well attended with the final full house of £60 won by a very worthy regular bingo player and supporter of The Bell. £42 raised by the raffle was put into the charity pot. There is now a summer break until September 6, when the snowball game now standing at over £150 will continue and our caller Paul will have married Jackie. All the best Paul for July 4th, and thank you for keeping us all (most of us) in order when the excitement of a possible win gets too much.

Chearsley Calendar
A date for the men in the village. A calendar is being produced to help raise money for the new village hall – a calendar with a difference. Calendar Girls but with men. Various groups in the village have agreed to take part and pose for photos , including Aunt Sally members, the cricket team, allotment owners, cyclists, runners and more. A photo is needed for the front cover and all men in Chearsley are invited to come along to have their photo taken (clothes on) by the Chearsley road sign. This will take place at 6pm on Saturday July 2 with Sharon Sampson, who will be taking the photos. Please turn up at the Chearsley road sign in Crendon Road if you would like to take part. Contact Alicia Howard for more information.

Chearsley Show
This will be held on Saturday September 3rd in the village hall. For people new to Chearsley, this is a yearly village event with categories for flowers, fruit and vegetables, baking and preserves, art and craft plus a special section for children. The show is very low key with the emphasis on taking part, having fun and enjoying the opportunity for villagers of all ages to come together. So, don’t think that because your apples or carrots have a blemish or two, they won’t be good enough to enter. Maybe, everyone else’s will be the same.
If you are not a gardener, there is the opportunity to enter a photo of your holiday or of wildlife, enter a drawing or painting and if baking is your forte, there are categories for a wide selection of cakes, bread and scones, including a “Show stopper” celebration cake and new for this year, chocolate brownies. The theme of the flower arrangement this year, is, (unsurprisingly) in celebration of Queen Elizabeth’s 90th birthday.
There are plenty of opportunities for children to take part with cash prizes for ages 5 to 14 years and sweets for those under five.
Show schedules will be delivered in due course to everyone. Take time to look through it. There are some slight changes and additions this year and hopefully you will be able find some categories you are able to enter. Judging takes place at 10.30am and the hall opens its doors to the public at 2.45pm. It is hoped that this year there will be the opportunity at the end of the afternoon when any unwanted produce can be sold to a good home. There will be a raffle and refreshments.
The committee is delighted to welcome the village’s new vicar, Richard Phillips who has very kindly agreed to come to present the trophies and prizes. So, get planting, making and baking. Entry forms have to be in by Wednesday August 31st to Joy Payne, the chairman at 1 Bernard's Close, together with the fee of 20p per entry.

Special Birthdays
Birthday greetings go not only to Queen Elizabeth but also to Brenda Woodford, mother of Sharon, landlady of The Bell, who has also celebrated a “milestone” birthday on June 11th (nowhere near 90!). Although, no longer a Chearsley resident, Eric Carte also celebrates a “special” birthday on June 15. Happy birthday Brenda and Eric, and of course, Her Majesty.

Aylesbury Vale Lottery
Chuf and the new village hall are both beneficiaries of this local lottery. Due to the growing success of the weekly lottery, the jackpot has been increased to £25,000 and 60p in every pound, up from 58p, goes to local good causes. So far, more than £24,000 has been paid out. Please visit www.valelottery.co.uk for more information and to take part.

Father’s Day at The Bell 
Treat your father to a meal at The Bell on Sunday June 19 and there will be a free drink for him.

Parish Council Meeting
The next meeting is due to be held on Monday June 20 in the village hall at 7.30pm. Having missed the last meeting, I am not sure if this is still the planned date, so please check the notice board for confirmation of this.

Services at St Nicholas Church:
  • June 19 BCP Communion at 9am
Diary Dates:
  • Friday June 17 Ingrid’s work as part of Bucks Open Studios open in Church Lane, Chearsley from 2 to 7pm
  • Saturday June 18 Ingrid’s work on display 11 to 5pm
  • Sunday June 19 Ingrid’s work on display 11 to 5pm
  • Monday June 20 Parish Council Meeting in the village hall at 7.30pm
  • Friday June 24 Ingrid’s work on display from 2 to 7pm
  • Saturday June 25 Ingrid’s work on display from 11 to 5pm
  • Sunday June 26 Ingrid’s work on display from 11 to 5pm
  • Saturday September 3 Chearsley village show
  • Sunday September 11 Chearsley Classic and Vintage Fun Day 12 – 6pm at the Cricket Club
  • Saturday September 17 Fundraising for the village hall with a Fun Run in and around the village
  • Saturday November 26 (new date) Murder Mystery Night with local drama group, The Thame Players at the village hall. Fund raising for the new village hall

Thursday 9 June 2016

Happy Birthday, Your Majesty!


Together with churches across the country, the bells at Chearsley will be ringing on the afternoon of Sunday 12th June to mark the Queen’s official 90th birthday and party.

A full peal of 5040 changes will be attempted starting at about 3pm, with ringing finishing in time for choral evensong at 6pm.


Tuesday 7 June 2016

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

Thank You from Jean and Gladys. 
I have been asked by Jean Tribe on behalf of her and Gladys Arnott, whose husbands, John and Brian died within a day of each other last month, to thank all their friends, neighbours and everyone in the village and beyond who have offered comfort and support to them both at their time of sadness. Although nothing can replace the emptiness felt by the loss of their long time husbands, a friendly word, phone call, card or offer of help goes a long way to helping them through such a difficult and lonely time and they both appreciate this. The families are also very heartened by the generosity of many who have donated to The Florence Nightingale Hospice charity in memory of John and to The British Heart Foundation in memory of Brian.

HGV/LGV menace in Chearsley
Following the damage recently caused to the large “Give Way” sign located by the Chestnut tree in Winchendon Road by a lorry, the Parish Council have been informed by Bucks CC that in the absence of the vehicle registration number or photographic evidence there was very little prospect of securing a damages claim against the offending party. If any Chearsley resident is witness to any form of damage or other antisocial behaviour perpetrated by an LGV, please do your best to gather as much information as possible, in particular the registration number of the vehicle and photographic evidence. Date and time and location of incident should be recorded, also the vehicle type, (LGV, farm vehicle, bus etc), the direction of travel and company details if available.
The Parish Council has been in discussion with Bucks C.C. and other local villages of Ashendon, Cuddington and Westcott about the increasing numbers of LGVs using the minor roads through our villages en route to the new landfill and incinerator facilities at Calvert. There are a number of possible measures which might be taken to restrict LGVs using minor roads as short cuts rather than keeping to major roads. In order to identify the best solution, it is necessary to first gather “a body of evidence” to demonstrate the extent of the problem and it has been agreed for the Parish Council to carry out a test survey in co-operation with Ashendon, Cuddington and Westcott in the next few weeks. If you are able to help, please contact John Howard at jnh@dbmc.co.uk or phone 07970 651326.
A number of residents have also expressed concerns about the growing numbers of vehicles driving through our village at high speeds. The Parish Council will be taking specialist advice on this to establish whether effective traffic calming measures are available.

Bucks Open Studios in Chearsley
This visual arts event throughout Bucks offers the public the chance to view the work of over 500 artists and makers in over 200 different venues during 2 weeks in June. This year, it is a pleasure to learn that we have one in Chearsley. Ingrid Thorstad of 5 Church Lane will be displaying her paintings, drawings and collages entitled “Landscapes and Thoughts” for some of these 2 weeks at her home. Her work is of mixed media loosely based on themes relating to drawings and memories with semi-abstract results. You can view Ingrid’s work on Fridays 17 and 24 June from 2 to 7pm; Saturdays 18 and 25 from 11am to 5pm and Sundays 19 and 26 from 11am to 5pm.
Congratulations to Ingrid for having her work accepted for this very popular and successful arts event.

Turn End garden in Haddenham will also be open as part of The Bucks Open Studios with free admission to Sculpture in The Garden from Saturday June 18 to Sunday June 26 open daily from 11 to 6pm.

Help wanted with a Video about Chearsley
Antonia Stratford, chair of the Village Hall Management Committee would like to hear from anyone who feels able to make a short video about Chearsley which would help with the new village hall fund raising campaign. A cross section of villagers, old and young would need to be interviewed about why they would like a new village hall and what they would use it for. Please contact Antonia at antoniastratford40@gmail.com if you are interested and would like to help. The plans for the new hall submitted to AVDC on April 29 can be viewed on the Village Hall website.

Chearsley Vintage And Classic Fun Day

The fifth year of this annual family day will be held on Sunday September 11th from 12 to 6pm in the grounds of Chearsley Cricket Club. Anyone who has a vintage or classic vehicle which they would like to display is now invited to register by going to http://www.ccvfd.co.uk Last year, over 100 classic vehicles were on show. Anyone who would be interested in having a stall for auto jumble or for charity fund raising or who would like to advertise in the programme is also invited to get in touch with the organisers.
At this year’s show, which raises money for the Junior Section of Chearsley Cricket Club, there will be a flypast of both a Hurricane and a Spitfire during the afternoon. There will also be arts and crafts stalls, children games and mini fun fair, BBQ, licensed bar, live music, vintage bus trips and steam engines. A great day out for all the family with free entry.

Chearsley Birthday Celebrations for our Queen Saturday and Sunday June 11 and 12
Come and let your hair down at The Bell on Saturday June 11 at a disco with DJ starting at 8pm till late to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday. Enjoy drinks and nibbles at the bar, dancing and fun. Patriotic clothing, not obligatory, would be very much appreciated by Herself who will be there to join in the fun and for photo opportunities. On Sunday, June 12 there will be a barbecue at The Bell from 12.30pm before the street party outside The Bell for children when a picnic lunch will be set up. The cost of this is £2.50 per child. Please email chearsleyvillagehall@hotmail.co.uk to book your child’s place.

Murder Mystery Night 
Please note that there is a change of date for this hall fund raising event. It will now be held on Saturday November 26 (not October 8). More details of this will be available nearer the time.

Nether Winchendon Fete Saturday June 11
This annual traditional village fete will be held in the grounds of Nether Winchendon House from 2 until 5pm with all the usual fete attractions - home -made cakes, plants, white elephant, tractor rides, unusual cars, Punch and Judy, face painting, teas, ice-creams, fun and games for the children and the Bisham Concert Band.

Cuddington Birthday Celebrations in honour of Queen Elizabeth for the Weekend of June 11 and 12.
There will be a special flower display in their church on Saturday from 10 – 12pm and 2 to 5pm. This will also be open on Sunday 12 from 2 to 5pm when the garden of Tyringham Hall will be open from 2 to 6pm when celebratory refreshments will be served.

A reminder about the change of Bin Day. This coming Wednesday, June 8 is the first week of our bins being collected on a Wednesday, when the green bins and food bins will be collected. The following week, Wednesday June 15, the recycling, blue lidded bins will be collected. Collection of the brown bins remain unchanged and they will be collected on the Monday of the week of the green bins.

Services at St Nicholas:
  • Church Sunday June 12 Morning Celebration at 10am and Evensong at 6pm
Diary Dates:
  • Tuesday June 7 Bingo at The Bell
  • Saturday June 11 Disco for The Queen’s Birthday celebrations at The Bell from 8pm
  • Saturday June 11 Nether Winchendon Fete 2 to 5pm
  • Saturday June 11 Special Flower Display in Cuddington Church 10 to 12pm and 2 to 5pm.
  • Sunday June 12 BBQ and children’s street party at 12.30 at The Bell to celebrate The Queen’s 90th birthday
  • Sunday June 12 Special Flower Display in Cuddington Church 2 to 5pm. Tyringham Hall garden open from 2 to 6pm with refreshments
  • Friday June 17 Ingrid’s work as part of Bucks Open Studios open in Church Lane, Chearsley from 2 to 7pm
  • Saturday June 18 Ingrid’s work on display 11 to 5pm
  • Sunday June 19 Ingrid’s work on display 11 to 5pm
  • Friday June 24 Ingrid’s work on display from 2 to 7pm
  • Saturday June 25 Ingrid’s work on display from 11 to 5pm
  • Sunday June 26 Ingrid’s work on display from 11 to 5pm
  • Sunday September 11 Chearsley Classic and Vintage Fun Day 12 – 6pm at the Cricket Club
  • Saturday September 17 Fundraising for the village hall with a Fun Run in and around the village
  • Saturday November 26 (new date) Murder Mystery Night with local drama group, The Thame Players at the village hall. Fund raising for the new village hall

Friday 3 June 2016