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
