Wednesday 28 March 2018

Village on the Green! Save the Date – 23 June 3pm

In the absence of the Chearsley Fete, the committee are holding a Village Celebration day around the green for all ages on Saturday 23 June.

From 3pm there will be a children’s tea party with entertainment followed by a “twilight tea” for those in their later years of life!

The Bell will be running a beer festival from 3pm then from 6.30pm there will be a pig roast and a band which you can listen to whilst relaxing on the green followed by a disco so you can dance the night away!

For more information, please contact Angela Gray on 202105, angela@grayemail.co.uk

Bucks County Council - Draft Freight Strategy

A message from Chearsley Parish Council:

Bucks CC have just published a ‘Draft Freight Strategy (2018 – 2036) Consultation'.

A copy of the relevant documents can be accessed here.

Although it is a long report, we would draw your attention to Page 41 onwards, where the area of ‘Waddesdon, Haddenham & Long Crendon’ is identified as a ‘Freight Hotspot’, although no specific mention is made to any of the roads running through Chearsley Village

Your PC has been actively communicating our concerns about the numbers of HGVs using the wholly unsuitable routes through our village. This included circulation of a report on the three HGV surveys carried out during 2016. A copy of the report is available on our new website: http://www.chearsleypc.org.uk/community/chearsley-parish-council-13750/publications-and-reports1/ . Our belief is that the situation has worsened since the surveys were carried out.

Although the PC will continue to make representations on behalf our community, it would be most beneficial if you could support our initiatives by raising your concerns directly with Bucks CC.

You can either raise your concerns directly with the council by contacting:  transportstrategy@buckscc.gov.uk

Alternatively, you can complete an online survey available at: https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/transport-and-roads/transport-plans-and-policies/freight-strategy/

The consultation ends on Monday 9th April

We know the HGV menace is a matter of great concern to many of our parishioners.

Please spend a few minutes to ensure that our particular concerns are heard loud and clear by those who are in a position to help address them.

Friday 23 March 2018

In an English Country Allotment...


Photos from Mark Gillis


Village News

with Margaret Morbey : 01844-208913

Litter Pick

A small team of Litter Pickers gathered recently when their sterling efforts scouring the lanes and hedgerows in the village and approach roads into the village filled 25 bags with assorted litter, including car parts, squashed and unsquashed beer cans, empty bottles of wine, crisp packets and other miscellaneous rubbish. The weary workers were rewarded with a cuppa and some wonderful home-made cakes by Sharon and her team at The Bell. John and Alicia Howard, who organised the litter pick, thank Louise and Nick Puttick, Louise and Richard Philips, Julian George, Joy Payne, Annie and Tim Bradley, Maria and Peter Allen, Susan Olding, Nic Brown, Phil and Margaret Morbey, Mike and Suzie Heybrook, Phil and Philippa Rawlings for turning up on a very cold, wintry day and would like to ask all villagers to help keep Chearsley tidy during the summer months, by just picking up bits of litter you might see around the village.

Easter Parade and Sunshine Club Matinee Cinema presents a showing of Easter Parade starring all time greats , Fred Astaire and Judy Garland in The Bernard Hall on Monday March 26 at 1.30pm. (Doors open at 1pm). Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy this wonderful film shown on a big screen, with comfortable seats and tea and cake brought to your seat during the interval. Tickets cost £5 or £4 (concessions) and include refreshments and can be booked by phoning 01844 291526. Tickets might also be available on the door.

Lock Up Your Sheds
A timely reminder and warning to be aware of strangers and thieves in the area and to keep all property, sheds and garages secure. There was recently a break in at allotment sheds in Cuddington when tools were stolen.

Advice for Dog Walkers
Sue Jones, the Police Community Support Officer for Chearsley offers the following reminder to dog walkers when they are around sheep and lambs at this time of the year.
“Sheep are valuable assets and any harm to them harms a farmer’s livelihood. It is every dog’s instinct to chase, even if they are usually obedient and good with other animals. Chasing by dogs can do serious damage to sheep, even if the dog doesn’t catch them. The stress of worrying by dogs can cause sheep to die and pregnant ewes to miscarry their lambs. Sheep fleeing from dogs are often killed or seriously injured by their panicked attempts to escape, causing untold damage to fences and field boundaries in the process. Dogs chasing ewes and lambs can cause mis-mothering issues, with lambs dying from starvation or hypothermia when they become separated from their mother and fail to find her again.
Dog bites can cause death in sheep or necessitate them being put down at a later date, or in less severe cases considerable veterinary bills and additional welfare issues as a result of flies being attracted to the blood and leading to a nasty health problem in sheep called “fly strike”. Injuries to sheep can also delay the normal farming routine, be it the mating season or administration of vital medicines and vaccines. It is an offence to allow a dog to worry sheep. Worrying includes attacking or chasing sheep and in some circumstances, farmers are legally entitled to shoot dogs if they are endangering their sheep. It is vital that you keep your dog on the lead around livestock, even if you can usually trust it to come to all. If you live in or near a farming area, you must make sure that your dog cannot escape from your property as it may find its way onto land containing sheep.

Easter and April at The Bell 
  • The Meat Raffle this Sunday, March 25 will be a Massive Easter Meat Raffle with £200 of meat available to be won. Tickets cost £2 and the raffle will be drawn at 3pm.
  • The Bell bar will be open all day for the Easter Weekend Saturday, March 31 - this must herald the start of Spring leading to a sunny summer.
  • Bingo is on Tuesday April 3 with Eyes Down at 8.45pm
  • The monthly quiz on Sunday April 8 at 8pm
  • Saturday April 21 St George’s Day Celebration Evening Meal Booking for this great patriotic evening is essential. Details of the set menu will be available shortly.
  • In addition to a new Spring Menu, Wednesday nights continue to be Curry and a pint for £10. Make time from shopping or household chores every Friday Morning and come to the ever popular Coffee and Cake for £4 10am to 12pm. Fridays are Fish nights followed by the Friday Night Puzzler Game and on Sundays at 3pm, The Meat Raffle

Cuddington Youth Drama
Following the success of Cuddington Youth Drama at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2017, they step onto stage this Easter Holidays to explore Britain’s History in a unique and revealing play “The Wardrobe” by Sam Holcroft. Set within a Tudor wardrobe, we follow its ownership across the centuries. In each scene, children climb into the wardrobe, seeking sanctuary of one sort or another from the events outside. We see history through the eyes of each child as they share their life experiences, their secrets and find the funny in the history of the day.
Performances take place at The Bernard Hall, Cuddington on April 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th April with curtain up at 7pm and on Saturday 14th there are 2 performances, at 2.30pm and 7pm. The show is suitable for children from 8 years. Tickets cost £5 for children. £10 for adults and £20 for a Family ticket and are available through CuddingtonVillage.com or on the door. Please come and support these very talented children, directed by Elaine English when many children from Cuddington and surrounding villages will be appearing.

Easter at St Nicholas:
  • Sunday March 25 Palm Sunday 10am Family Service. A procession from the Village Green to the church for bacon butties, craft and service. Palm crosses from the Holy Land will be distributed
  • Tuesday March 27 at 7pm Evening Prayer. A simple candlelit service marking Holy Week with praise, prayer and attention to Scripture
  • Friday March 30 Good Friday 10am Readings and Hymns for Good Friday with symbolic dramatic actions depicting the events leading to Christ’s crucifixion.
  • Saturday March 31 “Messy Easter” 4pm to 5.15pm for all ages. Hands on activities, a short act of worship and refreshments
  • Saturday March 31 Benefice Holy Communion and Service of Light at 8pm. The first celebration of Easter with the lighting of the Pascal Candle
  • Sunday April 1 Easter Sunday Family communion at 10am

Diary Dates :
  • Tuesday April 3 Bingo with Eyes Down at 8.45pm
  • Sunday April 8 Quiz at 8pm
  • Monday April 16 Annual Village Meeting in the village hall at 7.30pm
  • Saturday April 21 St George’s Day celebration meal
  • Saturday May 12 Grand Opening Ceremony of the Hall 6 to 7.30pm
  • Saturday June 30 Church Fund raising event
  • Saturday September 1 Chearsley Show in the hall
  • Sunday September 9 Chearsley Classic and Vintage Fun Day at the Cricket Field

Saturday 17 March 2018

False Telephone Preference Service Calls


This is a message sent via Action Fraud Alert and has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud & Cyber Crime Centre).

False claims of Telephone Preference Service:
Fraudsters are cold-calling victims, falsely stating that they are calling from one of the well-known UK telecommunication service providers. They call victims claiming to provide a ‘Telephone Preference Service’ - an enhanced call-barring service, which includes barring international call centres.

The fraudsters ask victims to confirm/provide their bank account details, informing them that there is a one-off charge for the service. Victims instead see monthly debits deducted from their accounts, which they have not authorised. The fraudsters often target elderly victims.

In all instances, direct debits are set up without following proper procedure. The victim is not sent written confirmation of the direct debit instruction, which is supposed to be sent within three days.

On occasions when victims attempted to call back, the telephone number provided by the fraudster was either unable to be reached or the victim’s direct debit cancellation request was refused.

During 2017, there were 493 Action Fraud Reports relating to this fraud.

Protect yourself:
  • There is only one Telephone Preference Service (TPS). The TPS is the only official UK 'do-not-call' register for opting out of live telesales calls. It is FREE to sign-up to the register. TPS never charge for registration. You can register for this service at http://www.tpsonline.org.uk.
  • You will receive postal confirmation of genuine direct debits. If you notice unauthorised payments leaving your account, you should contact your bank promptly.
  • Always be wary of providing personal information, or confirming that personal information the caller already claims to hold is correct. Always be certain that you know who you talking to. If in doubt hang up immediately.
If you have been affected by this, or any other type of fraud, report it to Action Fraud by visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

Winter View #3




All pictures courtesy of Mark Gillis

Wednesday 7 March 2018

Village News

with Margaret Morbey : 01844-208913

Chilton Road Closure
This road will be closed during the day from 7am to 5pm until Friday March 9th for surface dressing preparatory works.

Don’t Forget to Come and Help at the Litter Pick This Thursday March 8 at 9am
Meet outside the shop wearing brightly coloured, visible clothing for safety, and wearing protective gloves. Black sacks provided by AVDC will be supplied. Please come to help tidy up our village.

Chearsley Parish Council Website
This has now gone “live” to improve communication with the village community. Please visit the new site at www.chearsleypc.org.uk which has been designed to provide comprehensive information on the Council’s activities, meetings, planning and other areas of Parish Council business. A series of regular news updates will also be published. If you would like to receive these updates and email alerts, you can register your details on the special panel on the Home Page. It is hoped this new site will prove a valuable addition to the current information resources available in Chearsley. The Council is keen to receive your feedback on the website.

Village Hall News
The new hall will be officially open for bookings in the week commencing April 16. If it is possible to make the hall available for use earlier, the Committee will let the village know as soon as possible. Details of how to book the new hall can be found on www.chearsleyvillagehall.co.uk. A new electronic system is being tried which will enable users to view all current and future activities and hopefully make bookings a lot easier to manage. For those villagers who do not have access to the internet but wish to book the hall, Martin and Debbie Hearmon have kindly agreed to handle any bookings by telephone on 01844 201920.

Grand Opening Ceremony of the Hall
This will be held on Saturday May 12 from 6 to 7.30pm. Further details will be available in due course. In the meantime, please save the date.

Chearsley Annual Fruit and Vegetable Show Saturday September 1
This was not held last year while our new hall has been in the making, but plans are being made for it to return, bigger and better than ever. Please make a note that it will be held in Chearsley village hall on Saturday September 1st. As well as categories for fruit, flowers and vegetables, there is also the opportunity to enter classes for baking, jam making, art work and handicrafts and many more. There will also be classes enabling children to show off their creative skills.
The Show, which has been running for many years, is a fairly low-key, friendly affair with only a little bit or rivalry as to whose runner beans are bigger and better or who grows the best roses. As Spring is nearly with us and with it the time to be thinking of sowing seeds, bear the Show in mind and think what you will be able to enter. Schedules will be circulated in due course. Keep the date free even if you do not think you will be able to take part, as the afternoon is open to the public to view the prize winning exhibits and when a raffle and refreshments will be available.

Chearsley Classic and Vintage Fun Day Sunday September 9.

Now in its seventh year, this will again be held at the Cricket field on Sunday September 9. A few changes have been made to make it even better and larger, including an earlier start at 11am and plans to have working farm vehicles on show this year and another flypast. The website will soon be updated when entries can be submitted. This great family day out will have free entry and raises funds for the Junior Cricket Club. More information can be found at www.ccvfd.co.uk.

Chearsley Cricket Club and Waitrose Community Matters
For the month of March, Chearsley Cricket Club is one of the three recipients to receive a share of £1000 donated by Waitrose to local good causes. When shopping in Waitrose, please remember to take the green discs available and deposit them in the box for Chearsley Cricket Club.

Mothers’ Day at The Bell - this Coming Sunday March 11
A full menu including Roast lunches of Pork, Beef and chicken will be served from 12 to 4pm. Treat your Mother – she deserves it. Please book with The Bell as soon as possible as places are limited and this is one of their busiest Sundays by emailing Sharon@thebellchearsley.co.uk or phoning 01844 208077.

St Patrick’s Day Dinner on Saturday March 17
To be Sure to book your place for a tasty Irish meal, music, singing and dancing accompanied by a few whiskeys at The Bell to celebrate St Patrick’s Day hosted by Chearsley’s inimitable Irishman. A two course meal including Irish Stew or Steak and Guinness pie costs £16.95 or £19.95 for three courses. To be sure it will be a lively evening.

The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Monday March 19 at 7.30pm at the cricket club pavilion.

Mothering Sunday at St Nicholas Sunday March 11 at 10am
Everyone and especially Mothers are invited to come for coffee and a biscuit before this service which starts at 10am. The service will be an informal, modern, all-age one with craft, quiz, story and drama. If anyone is able to help make the posies for this service, please come to Joy’s at 3pm on Saturday.
Sung Evensong at 6pm.
This monthly service is a lovely quiet end to the weekend and this month will include hymns for Mothering Sunday and evening time.  There will be posies at this service as well.


Thursday 1 March 2018

Winter View #2

Photo from Paul Bown - February 28th 2018

Litter Pick