Tuesday 31 January 2017

Vacancy for a Councillor

Parish Council of Chearsley

VACANCY FOR A COUNCILLOR
  1. There is a vacancy on the above Council caused by:
    The resignation of Cllr Michael Heybrook

  2. A bye-election to fill the vacancy will be held if within 14 days (not counting a Saturday or Sunday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday or Bank Holiday) from the date below ten electors for the parish give notice in writing claiming such an election to the Returning Officer.

  3. The address of the Returning Officer is:
    Aylesbury Vale District Council, The Gateway,
    Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury HP19 8FF

  4. If no such notice is given the Parish Council will fill the vacancy by co-option.
Dated: 31st January 2017        Signed: Helen Spurgeon, Clerk




Monday 30 January 2017

Village News

with Margaret Morbey : 01844-208913

Endeavour at The Bell
Did you spot (and you had to be quick) the scene filmed in The Bell in last Sunday’s Endeavour? It only lasted about three minutes, and it was hard to tell that it was in the main part of The Bell. I have been told there was another glimpse of the bar earlier in the episode, which I missed.
I also missed seeing Eric Carte, once Chearsley’s most famous actor, who appeared in Unforgotten this week as a watchmaker. I obviously need to watch more TV.

New Village Hall Fund and Waitrose
Chearsley Village Hall Fund has been chosen by Waitrose as one of their projects to support as part of their Community Matters scheme, which starts this Wednesday, February 1. So, don’t forget to take every opportunity to put as many little green discs as possible in the appropriate box each time you shop at Waitrose. Each month Thame branch donates £1000 to local good causes, divided between three organisations. Funds are still needed for our new village hall and this contribution by Waitrose is very much appreciated.

London Marathon and Angela Gray
Angela is asking for support for her entry into this year’s London Marathon on April 23. She has 12 weeks to train to complete the 26 miles when she has only run 13 before and to raise £2000 in that time. Angela is running for Wheelpower, the charity that supports disabled youngsters through sport. You can sponsor Angela to help her raise this money to take part by going to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/angelagraymarathon2017. Angela is always very involved in Chearsley life particularly giving her time to the cricket club, the church, the village hall committee and chief organiser of the fete and more. She deserves your encouragement and sponsorship.

Parish Councillor vacancy
The resignation of Mike Heybrook from the Parish Council has resulted in a vacancy and the Parish Council invite anyone interested in joining the council to email the clerk to Chearsley Council, Helen Spurgeon at Helen.v.spurgeon@gmail.com. The position of Parish councillor is a rewarding role offering an opportunity to put something back into village life by contributing to the well-being and care of Chearsley. The council generally meet every third Monday of each month at 7.30pm in the village hall.

No Parking Signs
No doubt you have noticed the no parking signs by The Green and the Parish Council have asked all villagers to take heed of the signs which have been put there in an effort to protect the Green from more vehicular damage, and to park safely in the village lanes, making sure to leave room for emergency vehicle access.

Design a Flag for Chearsley
Did you know about the competition to design a Chearsley flag? This is being organised by the Parish Council and entries are asked to be handed in to Jeyan at the village shop or sent by email to the Parish Clerk as above.

Next Parish Council Meeting
Please make a note of the date of the next Parish Council meeting on Monday February 20 at 7.30pm in the village hall.

Rock Solid will be meeting on Sunday February 5 at Long Meadow, Dark Lane from 5 to 7.30pm. Please note the altered start time. This is a group for youngsters from 10plus. At this meeting, the film “God’s Not Dead” will be shown with a debate afterwards. The group are pleased to have the vicar, Richard Phillips coming to join in the debate and try to answer any questions.

Valentine’s Day at The Bell
Celebrate Valentine’s Day by enjoying a meal for 2 including a bottle of wine for £25. This offer is available at lunch and evening time at The Bell. Take advantage of a good, homemade meal at a bargain price in a lovely traditional thatched pub complete with cosy log burner. No need to worry about who is driving or finding a taxi. Sharon and her staff would love to see you. Phone to book a table on 01844 208077 or email Sharon@thebellchearsley.co.uk.

Refuse Collections: Wednesday February 1: the general refuse bins and food bins will be collected

Services at St Nicholas Chearsley:
  • Sunday February 5 Family Communion at 10am. Rock Solid at Long Meadow 5 to 7.30pm
Diary Dates:
  • Monday January 30 Sunshine Club Matinee cinema showing The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel at The Bernard Hall, Cuddington at 1.30pm. Tickets on the door or phone Liz on 01844 299150
  • Tuesday February 7 Bingo at The Bell. Eyes Down at 8.45pm. Come for a fun evening and good cash prizes
  • Sunday February 12 Monthly Quiz at The Bell at 8pm
  • Tuesday February 14 Valentines Day celebrations at The Bell. Lunch and evening meals £25 for 2 including a bottle of wine. No driving, no taxi fare. Support your local pub.
  • Tuesday February 14 to Sunday February 19 Cuddington Youth Drama perform The Domino Effect at The Bernard Hall
  • Monday February 20 Parish Council Meeting at 7.30pm in the village hall.

Saturday 28 January 2017

Chearsley Flag Competition

Message from Nic Brown, Chearsley Parish Council:

Can you design a Chearsley village flag to fly on our new flagpole?


A competition is being held by the Parish Council to design a Chearsley flag. Please submit you entries to Jay in the village shop or via email to the Parish Clerk at helen.v.spurgeon@gmail.com

The closing date for entries is Sunday 19th March 2017.


The winner will receive an award and have their design made into a flag to be flown on the flagpole.



Saturday 21 January 2017

Village News

with Margaret Morbey : 01844-208913

Rock Solid Cup Cake Sale
I am sure the cakes baked by members of the Rock Solid group didn’t live up to their Rock Solid name, as they looked delicious and earned the group £101 which they have sent to Animal Aid Unlimited, a charity which treats sick and injured animals on the streets of India. Sharon and the young bakers would like to thank everyone who supported them by buying the cakes or who gave donations. Photos of the bakers and their cakes can be seen on the Church webpage.

Burns Night at The Bell will be celebrated this year on Saturday January 28. There is a choice of menu. 2 courses cost £16.95 and 3 cost £18.95. Starters are Cullen Skink Soup (smoked haddock, potato and leek chowder), which is definitely a winner for me, or fish terrine with melba toast. For mains there is, of course, haggis, neeps and tatties with the option of a vegetarian haggis, or Aberdeen Angus sirloin steak with flambayed whiskey cream sauce, chips, grilled mushroom and vine tomatoes. Puddings are Cranachan (whipped cream, honey, whiskey, raspberries and oatmeal) or chocolate pot with highlander biscuits. It should be another fun evening with appropriate Burns Night traditions. Book your place and choice of menu as soon as possible with Sharon.

Christmas Cards
Thank you to everyone who has given me or left on the doorstep, their old Christmas cards over the past weeks, which have all been gratefully received. We can never have enough, and would welcome cards from anyone who still has them to dispose of, for Andrew and myself to make into gift tags. Sharon at The Bell and Steve and Jane at Bradmoor Farm Shop very kindly had a basket of the gift tags on their counters, which sold very well. Thank you to them for their support and to everyone who bought them.

Cuddington Youth Drama and The Domino Effect.
A chance to see this modern play by Fin Kennedy before the drama group perform it at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this August. Last year, Cuddington Youth Drama took “Fiddler on the Roof” to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe when they earned praise from Tim Wilcock in the Fringe Review - “If there was a ‘Spirit of the Fringe’ award, these guys would get one”. The group is looking forward to Edinburgh again this August, taking The Domino Effect. Led by drama teacher, Elaine English, the group’s talents and confidence just grow and grow. Don’t miss the opportunity to see this “enthusiastic and very engaging troupe” performing their 2017 Fringe play on your own doorstep.
The play is a modern ensemble piece about a silent girl finding her voice and finding her mother when a mysterious East End antiques dealer teaches her how small actions can lead to big effects. A poetic story of youthful hope and optimism. It will be performed at The Bernard Hall, Cuddington on Tuesday February 14 to Saturday February 18 at 8pm with a Sunday matinee on February 19 at 3pm. Tickets cost £8 per person (concessions £5 and families £23) on Tuesday and Wednesday and £10 per person (concessions £6, families £28) on Thursday to Sunday and can be purchased from Cuddington Stores or online at www.cuddingtonvillage.com/cyd. Doors open 30 minutes before the performance, so you can enjoy a drink at the bar before hand.

Refuse Collections on Wednesday January 25 the recycling bins and food bins will be collected

Services at St Nicholas Chearsley:
  • Sunday January 22 Family Service at 10:00am led by Derek Witchell
  • Sunday January 29 United Benefice Service at Nether Winchendon at 10:00am
Diary Dates:
  • Wednesday January 25 Pub lunch at The Bell at 12.30pm. Please let Sharon know if you would like to come
  • Saturday January 28 Burns Night Meal and celebrations at The Bell
  • Monday January 30 Sunshine Club Matinee cinema showing The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel at The Bernard Hall, Cuddington at 1.30pm. Tickets on the door or phone Liz on 01844 299150
  • Tuesday February 14 to Sunday February 19 Cuddington Youth Drama perform The Domino Effect at The Bernard Hall

Saturday 14 January 2017

Village News

with Margaret Morbey : 01844-208913

Poppy Collection
Jennifer Schram de Jong of Cuddington who is the voluntary area organiser for the Royal British Legion offers her thanks and congratulations to everyone in Chearsley involved in raising over £780. This magnificent amount was made up by Sue Grimsdell and Joy Payne who collected more than £564 from door to door collections round the village, £70 from the box in the village shop and £41 from the box in The Bell and £102 from coffee served by the Village Hall committee after the Remembrance Day service at the War Memorial.
A grand total of £2465.51, more than last year, was collected from the 3 villages of Cuddington, Chearsley and Nether Winchendon. A great effort by everyone concerned.

W.I. Tuesday January 17 Talk on Myths and Legends of the volcanoes in Indonesia
Local resident, Andy Wight, will be the W.I. guest speaker at Chearsley village hall on Tuesday January 17. All villagers, men included, are very welcome to come and join the W.I. members at what promises to be an excellent and interesting afternoon in the company of Andy. Entry which includes refreshments is £5 and the talk starts at 2.30pm.

Chearsley couple leaving
Sue and Peter Crook, formerly of Raglan House and currently living at Doverhay, Dark Lane, are leaving Chearsley to join their children and family in New Zealand. They have been disposing of unneeded possessions in recent weeks and are now ready to offer other items for sale or as give-aways. Various garden and household furniture, tools, sprays, pots, lamps, storage units, nest of tables etc. are freely available whist other more substantial items have a cost attached. Notably, these are a Honda CRV and Renault Clio, both high spec and in excellent condition, a lounge display and bookcase and a King sized bed, details of which are on the notice board. All are priced to sell. Please contact Peter on 01844 761466 for more information.
I was pleased to be told that I was very much in Phil’s thoughts when he went to have a look at what Peter had on offer last weekend. He came home with a boot full of gardening equipment, including secateurs, ever mindful that mine regularly get mislaid and time is wasted looking for them, and other items to keep me out and busy in the garden. He did manage to find some useful bits for himself and his garage. I would recommend contacting Peter as soon as possible in case Phil can’t resist another look, with me in mind, of course.

Parish Council Meeting: Monday January 16 at 7.30pm.
The Council have their next monthly meeting in the village hall on Monday January 16. The meetings are open to the public to hear what is being discussed and two open sessions offer the opportunity for villagers to raise any matters of concern with the council, or to comment on Council proposals.

Burns Night at The Bell will be celebrated this year on Saturday January 28. More details of the menu and cost will be available shortly.

Sunshine Club Matinee cinema on Monday January 30
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel I hope anyone thinking of coming to the showing of this has made a note on the calendar. As a follow on from this film, the Second Best Marigold Hotel - again with Judi Dench, Maggie Smith and Bill Nighy - will be shown on Monday March 27. The Sunshine Club invite everyone to come and enjoy the “Sunshine Experience” (which is especially good on a cold wintry day!) in a friendly atmosphere with comfortable upholstered chairs. Tea and homemade cake, served at the interval is included in the ticket price of £5 or £4 concession. Screenings are at The Bernard Hall, Cuddington at 1.30 with doors open at 1pm. (Please leave parking spaces closest to the hall for disabled drivers). Tickets are often available on the door, but to avoid disappointment, please book with Liz on 01844 299150.

Refuse Collections on Wednesday January 18 will be the general refuse bins and food bins

Services at St Nicholas Chearsley:
  • Sunday January 15 Holy communion at 9am
Diary Dates:
  • Monday January 16 Parish Council Meeting at 7.30pm
  • Tuesday January 17 W.I. Meeting. Talk by Andy Wight at 2.30pm Open to everyone
  • Saturday January 28 Burns Night Meal and celebrations at The Bell

Wednesday 11 January 2017

Neighbourhood Police Newsletter

The Neighbourhood Police Update for this month is now available here.

Click for the Thames Valley Police website

Friday 6 January 2017

Village News Extra

with Margaret Morbey : 01844-208913

Endeavour


On Sunday January 8 on ITV from 8 to 10pm, the 4th series of Endeavour begins, the first of four episodes about Endeavour Morse as a Detective Constable played by Shaun Evans.  It may be remembered that Shaun Evans and Roger Allam - who plays Detective Inspector Thursday - visited Chearsley in the Summer  for a morning, for a scene acted out in The Bell.  I am pretty sure that scene isn’t in this first episode. If you want to try and spot the interior of The Bell you will have to watch all 4. If you aren’t an Endeavour fan, try it. It’s good with much of the filming having been taken in Oxford and around the area.

Thursday 5 January 2017

Village News

with Margaret Morbey : 01844-208913

Carol singing round the village and round the Christmas tree 
£650 was raised from generous donations from villagers which will be split between DEBRA and The Cystic Fibrosis Trust. These are charities which the village have supported for several years as they have close associations with two Chearsley young men. Well done to the carol singers.

New Village Hall Fund 
Waitrose have chosen Chearsley Village Hall Fund as one of their projects to support as part of their Community Matters scheme. This will happen during February. Each month Thame branch donates £1000 to local good causes, divided between three organisations, so make sure you choose the box for Chearsley Village Hall for the little green discs available each time you shop at Waitrose during February.

Fund raising for the hall 
Another quiz will be taking place during February. Previous quizzes organised by the village hall committee have been very successful and oversubscribed. So when the date is announced, make sure you get your tickets as soon as possible.

Bingo at The Bell 
There was a fairly quiet start to the first Bingo of the year at The Bell, when £50 was the top prize for the last full house of the evening. The Snowball game which stands at nearly £300 was very nearly won this month when two or three people were within one number of winning. So, it looks likely to be won next month. Make sure you have the date of February 7 in your diary to come and have a chance of winning.

Quiz on Sunday 
The first Quiz night of the year will be at The Bell on Sunday January 7 at 8pm.

Lunch Club at The Bell Wednesday January 11 at 12.30pm
If you are an older person and would like to enjoy a two course meal at The Bell in company with a few others, please let Sharon at The Bell know on 01844 208077 in good time before Wednesday. There is a small choice of menu on a basis of first come first served for a very reasonable price of £7.50 which includes a cup of tea or coffee afterwards. The next one will be on January 25th.

The Bell special offers
The long winter months of January and February can be cheered up by enjoying a meal at The Bell. Don’t forget to use the vouchers in The Bell Christmas card for January and February offering £5 off the bill when two people dine together and each enjoy a two course meal or £10 off the bill when four people enjoy a two course meal. Also on offer is a free bottle of Pinot Grigio when four adults have four main meals. These same offers are also available with vouchers for February. The vouchers cannot be used on Sundays, bingo evenings and Burns meals.

Break-ins before Christmas
Just a reminder to be ever vigilant in keeping your doors locked and to be alert for strangers in the village. Two properties were broken into before Christmas. I believe that some property was stolen from a house in Church Lane.

Parish Council
Our Parish Council have been busy before Christmas. Have you noticed the new flag and flag pole in its new and more visible position by The War Memorial? No Parking signs have also been affixed to the wall of The Old Farmhouse by The Green, in an attempt to keep large vehicles from driving on to and damaging The Green when space is tight. The bus stop area by the new notice board has also been tidied up with the removal of the old out of date bus sign and a new timetable placed more conveniently in the bus shelter.
The Council have their next monthly meeting in the village hall on Monday January 16 at 7.30pm. The meetings are open to the public to hear what is being discussed and two open sessions offer the opportunity for villagers to raise any matters of concern with the council, or to comment on Council proposals.

Baby Congratulations 
I hope that baby Louis William Sampson, who was born on Tuesday December 20, quite a few days overdue, to Karin and Toby is doing well and Freddie is enjoying having a little brother. I also hope that Rachel and Gerry, the grandparents are pleased with their 4th grandson! Congratulations and good luck to Karin and Toby.

The Mystery of The Books in The Bag
A few days before Christmas, I received an email from Elly Cahill asking if I knew anything about a bag of what seemed like new children’s books which had been left on the gate of her house. Elly and her husband who is Hazel Cahill’s grandson and their three children live at Highviews, The Green, opposite The Bell. The children, aged 11, 5 and 2 have all been delighted with the books. Has anyone an explanation as to how and why the books were left there, as Elly and her family would love to be able to thank them properly as they greatly appreciate the gesture. A number of Chearsley villagers will remember Hazel who lived at Highviews for many years, living to well over 100 years old and have memories of her, always smartly dressed even when she was wheeling her wheelbarrow to the allotment where she grew an amazing amount of fruit and vegetables. A belated welcome to Elly, her husband and children to Chearsley.

Theatre in The Villages
Over the years, Chearsley has been pleased to take part in this scheme which offers the opportunity for rural areas and villages to have professional actors and shows on their doorstep at very reasonable prices. It is now very disappointing, but not surprising to learn that Aylesbury Vale District Council will no longer be able to support the scheme which has been operating for 17 years.

Sunshine Club Matinee cinema Monday January 30
2017 starts with the showing of “The Best Marigold Hotel” , a very popular film starring Judi Dench, Maggie Smith and many other well known actors and actresses, at The Bernard Hall , Cuddington with doors open at 1pm for 1.30pm start. A delightful way to spend the afternoon for £5 or £4 concession price with a cup of tea and piece of homemade cake during the interval. Tickets should be available on the door or can be booked beforehand by ringing Liz Davies on 01844 299150.

Rock Solid Cake Sale
There is a Rock Solid Cup Cake Sale on Saturday January 7 in aid of Animal Aid Unlimited in India which helps injured dogs, donkeys and cows who live on the streets.  Cakes will be available from 2-4pm, from Cloverdale and possibly the village green.  Pre-orders to Sharon Sampson 208740 (50p per cake).


Refuse Collections on Wednesday January 11 will be the recycling bins and food bins

Services at St Nicholas Chearsley:
  • Sunday January 8 Morning Celebration at 10am and Evensong at 6pm