Thursday 28 January 2021

Chearsley Cyclists Action Group

 

Parishioner, Michael Heybrook, has set up a ‘Chearsley Cycling Action Group’ (CCAG), to promote the interests of the cyclists of our community.

 

Its scope will cover a range of cycling-related issues, such as providing support for the development of new off-road cycling routes as well as safety issues for cyclists on existing roads in our locality.

 

The timing of Michael’s initiative is crucial.

 

‘Active Travel’, or ‘making journeys by physically active means, like walking or cycling’, has become a much stronger focus of government in recent months, as outlined in a briefing paper published in August last year:

 

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-8615/

 

Buckinghamshire Council have a number of major projects under consideration. The ‘Buckinghamshire Greenway’ covers their involvement in a planned “transformational” cycling/walking route between Milton Keynes and Heathrow Airport.

 

https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/transport-and-roads/cycling-and-walking/new-walking-and-cycling-routes/

 

Of particular interest to Chearsley cyclists, there has been renewed discussion about a cycleway linking Aylesbury, Haddenham and Thame.

 

A public consultation recently started about an ‘Aylesbury Gardenway’, - a planned 12-mile ‘orbital park encircling Aylesbury and linking it with surrounding villages.

 

https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/news/second-chance-get-involved-co-design-aylesbury-gardenway/

 

As some may be aware, a project to create a direct cycling/walking link between our village and Haddenham & Thame Station was investigated some years back but no solution was identified at that time, due to a variety of difficulties including regulatory, permissions, financial and routing issues.

 

For the future, the CCAG will support all local initiatives to create more off-road opportunities for our cycling community and the Parish Council have asked Michael to represent Chearsley on the Haddenham & Waddesdon Community Board ‘Cycling & Walking’ Sub-Group, which is already heavily engaged in progressing the new cycling links between Aylesbury, Haddenham and Thame

 

Michael would like to invite all Chearsley cyclists, of all ages or abilities, to join the new CCAG and to make sure our village is able to benefit from any new opportunities for development of ‘active travel’ in our locality in the years ahead.

 

If you would like to join the CCAG or obtain more information, please contact Michael Heybrook at mheybrook@gmail.com

Tuesday 26 January 2021

Aylesbury Gardenway Plans - Bucks Council requests input

The  latest communication from Bucks Council requesting consultation about the planned Aylesbury Gardenway.

"The Aylesbury Gardenway is the first transformation project to come forward from the Aylesbury Garden Town Masterplan.

 

We launched a community engagement marketing campaign on 25 November which will remain open until the Friday 26 March 2021.

 

Due to Covid-19 we are having to engage using digital channels. To assist this we have a dedicated online website, www.aylesburygardenway.co, with an interactive map with a “put a pin in it” function where people can leave their feedback. They can also find out more and sign up to engagement events.

 

This week we launched a new series of co-design workshops  that will look at the different sections of the route, north, south, east and west. This will give the design team the chance to listen and learn from local people that know the area in more detail. The events will be held online via Zoom from 6 pm to 7.30 pm. Each event will run for one and a half hours each which will include a 10-20 minute presentation by the design team.

Monday 25 January

West Section – Oxford Road to Bicester Road

Tuesday 26 January

North Section - Bicester Road to the Aylesbury Arm of the Grand Union Canal

Wednesday 27 January

East Section – Aylesbury Arm of the Grand Union Canal to Wendover Road

Thursday 28 January

South Section – Wendover Road to Oxford Road

To find out more about the Gardenway visit www.aylesburygardenway.co

To register for one of our community conversations to get involved and to share your local knowledge visit https://bit.ly/2VxMXJf


Saturday 23 January 2021

Peter Martin RIP

 

We are deeply saddened to have to report the passing of one of our village’s great characters, Peter Martin, the former headmaster of Chearsley Village School.

 

As many will know, Peter lost his wife, Alva, just a short while ago in November last year.

Peter came to the school as headteacher in 1959. A photo of the school children, together with Peter and Alva, in that same year is shown below. Peter and Alva held similar views on teaching, including enjoying outdoor activities, not just sitting behind desks, and having fun with the children while they learnt.

Please enjoy some of Peter’s recollections about his time as headmaster in Chearsley on this link.

Peter left his role at the village school in 1966 and spent the rest of his working career in teacher education, demonstrating a real passion for providing our youngsters with the best possible learning opportunities.

Alva and Peter married in 1965 and made their home in Chearsley in 1979. They remained in Bernards Close, Chearsley until Alva needed nursing care two years ago, and they both retired to Hulcott Nursing Home, near Bierton.

While many of us today can boast a little bit of knowledge about many things (usually by courtesy of Messrs Google), Peter knew an awful lot about an incredibly wide range of subjects. A conversation with Peter was often an education in itself, hoping he’ll forgive the metaphor!

Peter was also an accomplished artist, a keen cyclist and a passionate supporter of Sussex County Cricket Club.

We’d like to pass our sincere condolences to Peter and Alva’s family, with the message that they will be sadly missed by our community, especially by the former pupils of Chearsley Village School.

We will pass on further details about Peter’s funeral arrangements as soon as they are available – although they will of course be subject to all current social distancing guidelines.

Chearsley School 1959


Friday 15 January 2021

January Parish Council virtual meeting

The January Parish Council virtual meeting will be held Monday Jan 18 at 7:30pm. The agenda is here:

The live stream will be as below and it can also be viewed as a recording at your leisure via this same link : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLxDssuvYlM

As ever, any questions can be submitted live on the YouTube stream chat or sent in advance to chearsleypc@chearsley.com 

Saturday 9 January 2021

Monday 4 January 2021

Thank You note from Joy Payne

Dear Chearsley friends.

Leaving Chearsley !

I was overwhelmed and shocked to receive such wonderful leaving gifts.

I had lived in Chearsley for 43 years, it is a very special village like no other !

I am very excited about my new life in Somerset, I will be living close to my brother helping to look after the many animals on the estate he manages.

I look forward to returning to visit the many friends I’ve made along the way.

I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year.

With love and thanks.

Joy.