People’s Emergency Briefing

The Bernard Hall, Upper Church Street

Wednesday 8th July   7.30pm

The UK faces a growing climate and nature emergency.  Yet most people have never been fully briefed on what it means for our lives, our economy and our future.

Cuddington Parish Council, in conjunction with the Village Picture House, presents this new 50-minute documentary from the National Emergency Briefing.  The film sets out the risks facing the nation – and the credible, positive responses available – in a clear and accessible account.

Doors open 7.00 pm   Free entry for all

Age 16+ recommended

Updates from Buckinghamshire Council

Please click on the links below for the latest updates from Buckinghamshire Council:

Buckinghamshire Council, Steve Broadbent, Leader

Latest news on Community Safety in Buckinghamshire

Cuddington Fete 2026 - Donations needed!

Cuddington Fete

SATURDAY 11TH JULY 2026
Parade from Lower Green 12:30pm | Fete 1-4pm

Donations needed!

PLANTS, POTS AND TOOLS

Drop off from end of June at Lower Farm Barn, Frog Lane

TEDDIES / SOFT TOYS

Drop off at 4 Swan Hill, 7 Swan Hill, or Denise's

BOOKS (FICTION ONLY)

Leave in porch of Sorrell House (HP18 0AG). Postcode takes you nearly there, then turn up gravel track signposted footpath beside thatched white cottage, and it's the first house on the left

WINE, SPIRITS AND CORDIAL (UNOPENED AND IN DATE)

Drop off at The Old Post, next to Bernard Hall

CAKES AND BISCUITS

Drop off at Tyringham Hall on the morning of the fete

Live music request

We are looking for live musicians to perform at Bernard Hall as well as Tyringham Hall to complement the lovely tea and cakes being served there. Whether you can play a short set or for the full 3 hours, please get in touch with the Fete Committee:

cuddington.fete@gmail.com

Village Clearup... and Children’s Gardening

With the Best Kept Village judging taking place between 1st June and 14th July, we are encouraging everyone in the community to take pride in their surroundings and help out with their area of the village.  The poster suggests some ideas as to how you can help.

As part of this effort, the local children will be meeting at the Playing Fields at 10.00 am on Saturday 16th May to help beautify our communal spaces.  It’s a fantastic opportunity for the younger generation to get involved, learn about nature, and ensure our village shines for the upcoming inspection.

Natasha Lee

The Crown Questionnaire

As many of you know, The Crown has been saved and is shortly to be made ready to reopen as a proper country pub for everyone.

Before we open our doors, we’d love to hear from you.  This is your village pub – and we want it to reflect what the community truly wants: from the atmosphere and food to events and traditions.

We’re inviting all Cuddington residents and visitors to complete our short questionnaire to share your thoughts and ideas to help shape The Crown’s future.  To make your contribution please either:

• Click here
• Scan the QR code
• Complete the paper questionnaire, available in the May issue of Village Voice.

All responses to be submitted by 22nd May 2026.

Whether you’re a regular pub-goer, a family looking for a welcoming space, or simply someone who values having a thriving local pub – your input matters.

We will publish a summary of responses in June so you can see how your input shaped the decisions.

Thank you for being part of bringing The Crown back to life.  We look forward to welcoming you soon.

The Management Committee

Jamie & Doug’s Folk Night – March 2026

Come along to another evening of songs, fiddle tunes and general happiness performed by local musicians in a very relaxed atmosphere.  Get there early if you want a seat – it gets very busy (we start at 8pm on Friday March 20th)

The Crown PH

Update 20th February: Terms have now been agreed with Fuller’s for the village to purchase The Crown and turn it into a Community Owned Pub.  Read the full story in this letter from Mike Cottman, and please come to the meeting in The Bernard Hall on Friday 27th February at 6.30 pm.

——

Over the past four years, there has been a small group of people who are keen to explore and secure the future of The Crown, with an aim to arranging a village buy-out from the brewery, Fuller’s. This will be the third approach to Fuller’s, following the resignation of the last three landlords.

Running a pub is extremely difficult when it is owned by a brewery or property company charging high rents and premium drink prices. Community ownership makes it far more viable, with lower costs and greater flexibility.

The group are in active discussions with Fuller’s to purchase the freehold and turn The Crown into a community-owned pub, giving villagers the opportunity to buy shares and help restore it as the thriving village pub it once was.

While Fuller’s continues to look for a new tenant, we face the prospect of a closed — and possibly boarded-up — pub, which is a real loss to our community.

If an opportunity arises to purchase the pub, the group will immediately hold a village meeting to explain the financial model, how residents can become shareholders, and how the pub would be run.

Although things look challenging right now, we remain hopeful that Fuller’s will agree to sell and that we can secure a community asset we can all be proud of.

If you would like to help or learn more, please contact Mike Cottman at mikecottman@hotmail.com

Update from Steve Broadbent, Leader, Buckinghamshire Council

Please click here for the latest News from Buckinghamshire Council.

Update from Steve Broadbent, Leader, Buckinghamshire Council

Please click here for the latest news from Buckinghamshire Council.

Cuddington Christmas Trail 2025

Take part in this year’s Christmas Trail!

Download the Trail Sheet here or pick one up from the Church porch.  Then, use the trail map to find clues hidden amongst the Christmas displays around the village.  Can you work out the hidden message?

There are prizes to be won!  Competition closes on Sunday 4th January.

Jamie & Doug's Folk Night

Our November Folk Night was packed - standing room only! It was a very happy occasion with a good variety of performances: we never know who will come and perform, but the standard is generally high.

Our December 12th Folk Night will have a generally Christmas flavour, and to spread the joy, this will be an opportunity to donate to the Aylesbury Food Bank if you wish.

In the New Year, we are combining January and February with a Folk Night on Friday January 30th.

Familes and Dementia Talk - this Saturday, at 2.30pm

Cuddington Parish Council is hosting a Families and Dementia talk this Saturday, 22nd November at 2.30pm in the Bernard Hall.

The talk is being delivered by Dr Pippa Moreton, Chair of the Wendover Dementia Support.

The talk starts at 2.30pm.  Refreshments will be served.

Cuddington Fireworks Party

Tickets are now sold out for the Cuddington Fireworks Party on Sat 8th November. There will be no tickets available on the door. We have noticed potential scammers selling tickets on Facebook, please take care if you are buying tickets 2nd hand.

Update from Steve Broadbent, Leader, Buckinghamshire Council

Please click here for the latest News from Buckinghamshire Council from Steve Broadbent, leader of Buckinghamshire Council.

Families and Dementia

On Saturday 22nd November, Dr Pippa Moreton from Wendover Dementia Support will be giving a talk on Dementia and its impact on families.  All of us know someone who is suffering from Dementia, whether it be a family member or friend, and Dr Moreton’s talk will help us to understand more about it and how to help those who have it feel less frustrated and vulnerable.

The event will be held in the Bernard Hall, Cuddington starting at 2.30pm, and is another in the series of interesting and informative afternoons initiated by our Parish Council.

For more information visit wendoverds.org.uk

Angela Sanderson

Poppy Appeal Starts Today

Today (23rd October 2025) marks the start of this year’s Poppy Appeal which raises vital funds to support serving and veteran members of the armed forces and their families.

Our wonderful Poppy Appeal volunteers will soon be visiting door-to-door in Cuddington collecting donations in support of the Royal British Legion.  They are looking forward to seeing everyone between now and 8th November, so please make sure you have some change ready.  It is also possible to donate via a QR code. 

The Church service in on Remembrance Sunday, 9th November at 10am with the Act of Remembrance in the churchyard from 10.45am.  Please do attend.

Photographed is the Unknown Tommy Statue recently purchased by the Parish Council.  This will be in place at the Best Kept Village garden until a week after Armistice Day, each year.  There are also poppies on all entrance gates to the village.

Update from Steve Broadbent, Leader, Buckinghamshire Council

Please click here for the latest news from Buckinghamshire Council's leader, Steve Broadbent.

Update from Steve Broadbent, Leader, Buckinghamshire Council

Please click here for the latest news from Buckinghamshire Council's leader, Steve Broadbent.

Update from Steve Broadbent, Leader, Buckinghamshire Council

Please click for the latest news from Buckinghamshire Council from Buckinghamshire Council's leader, Steve Broadbent.

Community Garden – Welford Way

The rainbow chard is ready to pick – please cut or break the leaves off and then it should grow back.

This is an easy recipe for cooking chard:

First, prep the chard.  Slice the leaves off the tough stems, and cut the stems into 1/4-inch slices.  Stack the leaves on top of one another and coarsely chop them.

Next, cook the stems.  Heat a little olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add the chard stems and cook for about 2 minutes, or until they start to soften.

Then, add the leaves, some sliced garlic, salt, and pepper, and cook until the leaves wilt, about another 2 minutes.

Finally, season and serve.  Squeeze the wilted chard with lemon juice and serve it as a side dish.

Enjoy!

Lorraine Stevens

Jamie & Doug’s Folk Night, June 2025

The next Jamie & Doug’s Folk Night will happen at the Playing Fields Club House on Friday June 13th. It's a free evening of music that seems to make people happy. 

If you sing, or play an accoustic instrument and fancy performing for a supportive audience, we'd love to include you in the running order.

Community Safety Newsletter from Buckinghamshire Council

Please click here for the latest community safety news from Buckinghamshire Council.

The newsletter content includes:

Vehicle Crime Project
Learn Pre-Defence and Self-Defence skills for free
Spring Crime
ATM Thefts
Be Waterwise
Safe Place scheme
Bucks Fire & Rescue, free Online Home Fire Safety Check
Cold Callers
Nuisance Phone Calls
Thames Valley Police
Social Media
Useful Contacts

Update from Steve Broadbent, new Leader, Buckinghamshire Council

Please click for the latest news from Buckinghamshire Council from Buckinghamshire Council's new Leader, Steve Broadbent.

Update from Martin Tett, Buckinghamshire Council

Please click here for the latest news from Buckinghamshire Council

Church Electoral Roll

St Nicholas Church is renewing its Electoral Roll this year.  This means that everybody who wants to be on the Roll must sign up, even if they have been on it before.

Please consider joining the Electoral Roll.  To do so just click here – it is very quick and easy. 

Membership of the Electoral Roll is done on an individual (not a household) basis.  Everyone living in Cuddington who has been baptised and is over the age of 15 is eligible to be on the Roll.  It is also available to people who do not live in Cuddington but worship at our church.

Being on the Roll means you can vote at the annual meeting, and is a way to show your support for the ministers, churchwardens and Church Council who take on the responsibility for the spiritual life of our church as well as the building and the churchyard, so that it can continue to play an important part at the heart of our village.

James Stonham

Jamie & Doug's Folk Night

Our next evening of music and jolllity will take place at the Playing Fields Club. House on Friday March 14th at 8pm. Entrance is free!

Hornage Farm anaerobic digester plant

Acorn Bioenergy, a company owned by Spanish investors, has applied to Buckinghamshire County Council to build an industrial-scale anaerobic digester plant on the B4011 between Long Crendon and Oakley. 

The proposed site is Hornage Farm, part of the Aubrey-Fletcher's Chilton Estate.

The villages of Chearsley, Chilton, Easington, Ickford, Long Crendon, Oakley, Shabbington, Worminghall and others will all be affected by this proposal. The plant could lead to a staggering 150% increase in HGV traffic through our local villages.

Along with Chearsley, Chilton, Ickford, Shabbington and Worminghall Parish Councils, Cuddington Parish Council has contributed to an independent transport and highways study to support objections to the proposed site.

You can read the full details and comment here:

https://www.saynotoacorn.co.uk/

Hornage Farm anaerobic digester plant

Acorn Bioenergy, a company owned by Spanish investors, has applied to Buckinghamshire County Council to build an industrial-scale anaerobic digester plant on the B4011 between Long Crendon and Oakley. 

The proposed site is Hornage Farm, part of the Aubrey-Fletcher's Chilton Estate.

The villages of Chearsley, Chilton, Easington, Ickford, Long Crendon, Oakley, Shabbington, Worminghall and others will all be affected by this proposal. The plant could lead to a staggering 150% increase in HGV traffic through our local villages.

Along with Chearsley, Chilton, Ickford, Shabbington and Worminghall Parish Councils, Cuddington Parish Council has contributed to an independent transport and highways study to support objections to the proposed site.

You can read the full details and comment here:

https://www.saynotoacorn.co.uk/

Jamie & Doug's Folk Night

Jamie and Doug's next Folk Night will take place at 8pm on Friday January 10th at the Playing Fields Clubhouse.

These gigs seem to make people very happy, so if you want some post-festive season cheer to lighten the winter darkness, come along!  Entrance is free.

Wedding Bells

Expect a feast of Bellringing at Cuddington church on Saturday 26^th October when Katherine Stonham marries Alan Eyles at 1pm. This event brings together two bellringing families as both Katherine’s and Alan’s parents met through ringing and their grandparents rang together in Swindon. Many well respected ringers from Oxford and across the country are coming to the wedding and will want to join in the celebration; so the church bells will ring out from midday and again after the ceremony with their joyful sound.

Update from Martin Tett, Bucks Council

Click here for the latest News from Buckinhamshire Council#mce_temp_url#. 

Update from Martin Tett, Bucks Council

Please click here for News from Buckinghamshire Council.

A418 Road Closure – for two weeks!

The A418 Oxford Road will be closed completely between the Bugle Horn corner and the Coldharbour Way roundabout from 8.30 pm on Friday 16th August until 5.30 am on Monday 2nd September.  This is to complete the re-alignment of the A418 via a new bridge over the HS2 railway line.

The suggested alternative route into Aylesbury is via Upper Winchendon onto the A41 east of Waddesdon.

Bus routes are diverted as follows:

• The 110 service will divert via the A41 and Upper Winchendon, missing out all stops between Aylesbury and Cuddington
• The X20 service will run via Princes Risborough and Aston Sandford, missing out all stops between Aylesbury and Woodways in Haddenham
• A temporary shuttle bus will operate hourly between the Bugle Horn and Thame High Street

Highways and Traffic Update - July 2024

HGV Control Zone – Waddesdon Freight Zone

The Parish Council has received a disappointing update on the Waddesdon Freight Zone.  A report on the informal engagement survey results and comments received has been presented to the Cabinet Member for Transport.  The Cabinet Member has decided to pause progressing the Waddesdon Freight Zone whilst the effectiveness of a freight zone is measured. Now, traffic surveys on the pilot freight zone in the Ivinghoe area will be rerun (towards the back end of this year) and analysed to inform how effective the Ivinghoe Freight Zone has been in removing HGV through traffic whilst allowing for local access. 

Buckinghamshire Council has said the Parish Council will receive further updates when the surveys on the Ivinghoe Freight Intervention have been conducted and consideration has been given to the intorduction of a freight zone along with other potential solutions.  

Kings Cross Junction Lining

Haddenham PC has submitted a joint application (Haddenham, Cuddington and Chearsley PC’s) to the HS2 Road Safety Fund and await the outcome.

Resurfacing and refreshing of road marks

An order is in place for refreshing of road linings at the south entrance to the village (currently advised to be August/September).

Village Gate

Village gates to be installed at all three approaches to the village have been ordered.  The PC will be kept Parishioners advised of progress and timescales, as informed by Buckinghamshire Council 

Ashendon Pub as a Community Asset – an Invitation to Find Out More

The Ashendon Community Pub Society Ltd is warmly inviting Cuddington residents to find out more about Ashendon Pub as a Community Asset and its Share offer launch this Friday, 21st June in Ashendon Village Hall.  The Pop-Up Pub opens at 6pm and will be followed by a presentation at 7.30pm on the Share offer.

The government has already met Ashendon halfway by awarding a community ownership funding of £300,000.  This government financial backing is only available for a limited period.  Via this Community Share Offer, the team has six weeks to raise the balance it needs to acquire, renovate, and reopen the pub.

The minimum investment is £100.  Shares can be purchased as an individual, group, or company, as a gift, and on behalf of children. 

Caring about community cohesion, residential desirability, and inter village connectivity, the Pub Society want as many community members as possible across the villages to buy shares.  You can Learn More, visit ‘Ashendon Community Pub’, RSVP to the launch invitation and Subscribe to News.

Father's Day Brunch on Sunday 16th

All are invited to

Father's Day Brunch

At the Playing Fields Clubhouse

From 9.30am 

Bacon and Sausage and Eggs

Croissants

Mushroom Veggie Option 

 A short time of worship around 10.30 am.

Organised by St Nicholas' Church

New Library Trustees Needed!

Haddenham Community Library is looking for new volunteers to help run this valuable local amenity.

If you think you might be able to help, email Susan Toner, Chair of the Board of Trustees, at info@haddenhamcommunitylibrary.org.uk.

Village Litter Pick and Tidy - Saturday 25th May at 10am

In preparation for the judging of the Best Kept Village Competition, volunteers are needed for the annual Village Litter Pick and Tidy this Saturday, 25th May at 10am. Please meet on the Upper Green. Judging for the Best Kept Village Competition takes place from 1st June to 14th July. 

Litter pickers, high vis jackets and bags provided.  Please bring gloves.

We look forward to seeing you there!

May Madrigals from the Witchert Chorale

As usual, the Witchert Chorale will be singing madrigals from the top of St. Nicholas’ Church tower on Bank Holiday Monday, 6th May.

The singing will start at around 9.45 am and will be followed by refreshments.  A collection will be taken in aid of Christian Aid.

www.witchert.org.uk

Why are the Bells Ringing Today?

This afternoon at 3.30 (Saturday 16th) we welcome ringers visiting from East Anglia as they tour various churches in our area.

We hope you enjoy the ringing.

Breakfast for Breakfasts

Come to the Bernard Hall from 8.45am on Monday 25th March for tea coffee and pastries – and help feed children in South Africa.

To book your place, email Ali Lewis at mrs.ali.lewis@gmail.com.

Blooming Fruity in Haddenham

Blooming Fruity in Haddenham is now a community owned greengrocer, providing a lovely community service locally.

They are looking for volunteers to assist with shop activities.  If you’re able to help, please email bfvolunteers24@gmail.com.

Proposed Freight Zone Survey - Reminder

A reminder that the Freight Zone consultation ends this Saturday, 17^th February. It only takes a few minutes to complete the survey (please click here).  A strong response will improve the chance of the proposals being implemented, so please don't forget to have your say!

Latest Update from Martin Tett, Leader of Buckinghamshire Council.

Please find attached the latest community news and information from Martin Tett, Leader of Buckinghamshire Council.

Bridgeway Road Closure – Update

Update Thursday 1.00 pm: The repairs to the leak in Bridgeway appear to have been completed.  The road is fully open again.

Update 3.00 pm Saturday: A Thames Water engineer has told a resident that the latest leak might be in the service pipe rather than the main. They are hoping to carry out a clamp repair without turning the water off, but it might need to go off for a short period and there’s a small chance that it might need to go off for longer. Important: the advice for anyone affected by the previous outage and going away for Christmas is to turn the water off at the stopcock while you’re away.

Update 10.00 pm Friday: Thames Water engineers are back on site and Bridgeway is closed again west of the bridleway.

Update 3.30 pm Friday: Bridgeway has now been reopened, but another small leak has sprung up outside The Little House.  This has been reported to Thames Water.

A Thames Water employee said that this is a 12-inch water main and its rupture caused a considerable amount of damage.

Update from Martin Tett, Bucks Council

Please find attached the latest community news and information from Martin Tett, Leader of Buckinghamshire Council

Update from Martin Tett, Bucks Council

Please find attached the latest community news and information from Martin Tett, Leader of Buckinghamshire Council.

Defibrillator Training Course

A reminder that there are still spaces on the Defibrillator Training courses on:

Thursday 31st August at 7.00pm in the Bernard Hall

16th September at 10.00am in the Playing Fields clubhouse.

The sessions are free to attendees and will cover adults and children, recover position and use of defibrillator.

Please book your place by emailing rupert.parker@scas.nhs.uk.

Defibrillator Training Course

A reminder that there are still spaces on the Defibrillator Training courses on:

Thursday 31st August at 7.00pm in the Bernard Hall

16th September at 10.00am in the Playing Fields clubhouse.

The sessions are free to attendees and will cover adults and children, recover position and use of defibrillator.

Please book your place by emailing rupert.parker@scas.nhs.uk.

Free Defibrillator Training Course

Rupert Parker, a Cuddington resident and local first responder, has kindly offered to run two Defibrillator Awareness Training sessions on Thursday 31st August at 7pm in the Bernard Hall and again on 16th September at 10.00am in the Playing Fields clubhouse.

The sessions are free to attendees and will cover adults and children, recover position and use of defibrillator.

Please book your place by emailing rupert.parker@scas.nhs.uk.

Fundraising Event for Dadbrook Safety Campaign

You are invited to an evening of light opera at Dadbrook House in Cuddington, HP18 0AG on Friday 16th June from 6pm to 9.30pm.

Opera That’s Nice! (www.operathatsnice.com) will perform a selection of opera highlights and popular songs.  A light supper will be served during the interval.

The aim of the evening is to raise awareness and start a fundraising campaign to make the road to/from the A418 safe for pedestrians.

A temporary solution is already in place to remove the extra soil from the bank on one side of Dadbrook which leads to/from the A418.  A grass walkway will be planted at a lower height, for pedestrians to use in safety.

• Supporter tickets (for those who can afford a little more) £15
• Adult tickets £10
• Student Tickets (12 - 18) £5

Every penny raised will go towards the project.

Please email: clico7@hotmail.com or call: 07776 201062 to reserve a ticket.  Payment on the night.

Seats are limited, so don’t delay!

Clico Kingsbury

Ken Birkby and Ellen Dyer Crowned as Coronation King and Queen!

After Sunday afternoon’s Coronation Celebration on the Playing Fields, the focus moved that evening to The Crown.  Glynn and Tracy, both resplendent in Union Flag shirts, served up masses of pints and pizzas.

The key event was the crowning of Ken Birkby and Ellen Dyer as Village King and Queen respectively.  Both were elected by residents for making the biggest contribution to the village.  Warm congratulations to our two “monarchs”!

National Alert Test – Sunday 23rd April at 3pm

You may already be aware that the government has launched a national alert service and they are testing the system on Sunday 23rd April at 3pm.  The alert will appear on mobile devices for 20 seconds and you will hear a loud, siren-like sound for up to 10 seconds, you can see and hear it here UK Emergency Alerts - YouTube.

This may be frightening to residents who are vulnerable and unaware of the alerts.  If you know of someone who you feel may be adversely affected, they can opt out of the test.  For further information please visit the How emergency alerts work - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) for instructions on how to opt out.

Cuddington Easter Trail

This year the Cuddington Easter Trail has been organised by the Friends for Cuddington and Dinton School (F4CADS).  They are raising money for new library books for the school.

If you would like to take part in this year’s trail you can download your trail sheet here.  The suggested donation for taking part is £2 per entry.

Completed entries and donations can be posted through the letterbox of Beam Cottage, Lower Church Street (clue 14 on the trail map).  All completed entries will be put in a prize draw to win an Easter Egg!

We hope you enjoy the trail!

Ali Lewis

Hole Town

Overnight, a new development of seven properties has appeared on the bridleway (footpath 6) at the end of Frog Lane.

The occupants have applied for retrospective planning permission and Cuddington PC have been informed and are investigating.

The State of The Thame: A River in Recovery

Come and listen to a presentation by Doug Kennedy and the River Thame Conservation Trust who will explain the state of the River and the extensive work underway to restore it.  Join the Q&A session and discover how you can get involved and contribute to its recovery.

The event is being sponsored by Cuddington Parish Council and takes place on Wednesday 15th March at 7.30pm in the Bernard Hall.

It would be useful to know numbers, so please email your attendance to doug@doug-kennedy.com or cuddingtonpc@gmail.com.   

News from Buckinghamshire Council – Spending Priorities for 2023/24

Time is running out for residents to have their say on what priorities Buckinghamshire Council should focus its budget on in the coming year.

Last month the council opened its Money Matters consultation which sets out what proportion of the budget is currently spent on services and invites the public to say what areas and services they would like to see prioritised for future spending.

The consultation closes at midnight this Sunday (20 November)

The council’s budget covers a range of services including:

• Road repairs and improvements
• Care for vulnerable adults and children
• Running libraries and leisure centres
• Bin collections and waste services
• Keeping streets and open spaces clean and safe
• Support for those facing hardship

Martin Tett, Leader of Buckinghamshire Council explained: “We know times are incredibly tough for everyone at the moment. Every year we face difficult decisions on how to prioritise council spending and this year is going to be one of the most difficult ever. With pressures from all areas, balancing the books is going to be extremely challenging. That is why it is more important than ever for residents to tell us what they think and to give us their views on where they believe we should prioritise our spending.”

Martin continued: “The feedback we get from residents is an important part of the decision-making process and we look at all of it closely so please, I would urge everyone to take ten minutes to take part. We want to make sure we are taking all views on board as we go forward in our budget setting process.”

Once the survey has closed, the council will consider all feedback during the following phase of the budget setting process. The full budget proposal will be announced early next year for further feedback and scrutiny before it is agreed and finalised in February and implemented from 1 April 2023.

To take part in the survey visit: http://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/money-matters-consultation

Haddenham Health and Wellbeing Event

Haddenham and Waddesdon Community Board is hosting a drop in Health and Wellbeing Event for residents on Tuesday 25th October, 2-5pm in Haddenham Village Hall.   

More information attached

Playground to Close for Two Weeks

The children's playground will be closed for approximately two weeks from tomorrow for the installation of new play equipment.  

Thanks to the hard work of the Playground Commitee, the playground is being extended to include a new climbing frame and sensory equipment - almost all of which has been funded by S106 monies and grants. 

The playground will reopen after an independent post installation inspection has taken place. 

Defibrillators

The two village defibrillators are being collected tomorrow (Friday 23rd September) for urgent repair.  The Parish Council will issue a further update when they are reinstalled.

A message from Martin Tett

Click to view a message from Martin Tett following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 

The State Funeral Service of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Monday 19th September   11.00 am

Come and watch the Procession and Funeral Service on our huge screen in the Bernard Hall, live from Westminster Abbey in high definition and surround sound.

• Free admission
• Informal ‘cabaret’ style seating layout
• Children welcome
• Bring your own refreshments

Doors open at 10.20 for the movement of the coffin from 10.30.  Service begins at 11.00.

Peggy Cattell 7th Oct 1922 to 12th August 2022

A few days ago, Peggy Cattell passed away peacefully at Stone House Nursing Home.  With her sister Nan, she lived in Spurt Street for many years and played an active part in the church and village societies. 

Her funeral was in St Nicholas' Church on Tuesday 30th August.

Postman Pete Retires!

Pete, our friendly postman, is retiring this coming Saturday.  If you would like to give him a retirement card, you’ll need to get it to him by then...

Community Engagement Event – Thursday 30th June 2-5pm

Residents are invited to the Haddenham and Waddesdon Community Engagement Event tomorrow, Thursday 30th June from 2–5 pm at Waddesdon Cricket Club (Silk Street, Aylesbury. HP18 0JH). 

There will be an opportunity to meet your local Buckinghamshire and Parish Councillors for the Community Board area, find out how the Community Board is supporting local projects and discuss ideas and ways to get involved in shaping your local community.

There will also be a range of activies for children, stalls from local organisations and societies, drinks and refreshments. The organisations that will be on hand, providing information, advice and activities include the Bernwode Community Bus, Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust, Buckinghamshire Council Family Information, Buckinghamshire Road Safety Team, Bucks Mind, Carers Bucks, EFBK/HS2, Inspire Bucks, Lindengate Nature Based Health and Wellbeing, NHS Live Well, Stay Well and health checks, Rothschild Foundation, Simply Walk, Thames Valley Police, The Nature Alliance and Street Associations.

Platinum Jubilee – Tea Towel Design Competition

Due to the busy Easter period, the deadline for entries for the tea towel competition has been extended to Friday 29th April 2022.

The entire village is invited to take part in this competition with categories for all ages – Under 11's, 11-18 years and 18+ years.  

Simply create your design on an A4 sheet of paper, filling the page as much as you can!  Please provide your name, category, telephone number and/or email on the back, and hand it in to Cuddington Village Stores.

All entries will be judged by three local artists and the winner in each category will win a prize.  The overall winner will have their design printed on a commemorative tea towel for distribution in the Village. 

Church and village flowers - enjoy now!

While enjoying this lovely weather, please do take a walk around the village and look at the special Easter flower displays inside the church and the Easter garden in the porch. There is also a new Easter banner made by the banner group.  

Also enjoy the wildflowers and the aubretia in full bloom in Holly Tree Lane  and generally around the village. 

Alan and Stella Marsh

Madrigals at St. Nicholas’

Sing a Song of Maytime!

Another fine village tradition returns – and back in the tower this year!

On Bank Holiday Monday, 2nd May, come and listen to the Witchert Chorale singing Maytime madrigals from the top of St. Nicholas’ Church tower and in the church itself.  The singing starts at 9.45 am, admission is free and refreshments will be available.

A collection for Christian Aid will be made.

Cuddington Matinee Cinema

On Monday 28 March at 1.30pm (doors open 1pm) in the Bernard Hall, “Ladies in Lavender” will be shown.  This 2004 drama, set in picturesque Cornwall in a tight-knit fishing village in 1936, tells the story of the arrival of a handsome young musician whose presence disrupts the peaceful lives of two sisters and the community in which they live.  This amiable film stars Judi Dench, Maggie Smith and Daniel Bruhl.

Entry £7 (Sunshine Club members £5) includes tea and cake at the interval.

You are respectfully asked to wear a face covering unless exempt.

The Queen’s Green Canopy

Cuddington Parish Council are planting a tree for the Platinum Jubilee.  We have selected a mature specimen native field maple, acer campestre, to be planted on the Playing Fields, near where the dugout was, following discussion with the Cuddington Playing Fields Association.

The date for planting is Tuesday 22nd March at approximately 11am, although this is subject to change if the ground proves too soft at that time for the vehicles from Majestic Trees.  If it does have to change, we will post an update on the village website and Facebook page.

We are very grateful to the Haddenham and Waddesdon Community Board who have been very generous in their substantial grant towards this project.

Julia Ridout

Buckinghamshire Council Update

Latest community news and information from Buckinghamshire Council.

Nan Cattell’s Funeral

Nan Cattell’s Funeral  will be in Cuddington Church on Thursday 23rd December at 2pm

Covid Procedures

If you are attending church services – including the Funeral of our beloved Nan Cattell on Thursday 23rd December at 2pm – please take note of the following:

• Everyone aged 12 and over will be expected to wear a mask while in church (unless while reading, praying or leading)
• Everyone will be expected to have taken a negative LFT
• Doors will be left open – so please wrap up to keep warm
• Everyone should assess for themselves if the event is appropriate for their individual circumstances.

Nan Cattell 1925 to 2021 RIP

Nan Cattell was a Cuddington resident and faithful member of St Nicholas church for very many years. On Friday night, her 96th birthday, she passed away peacefully into the presence of her Lord and God, with her sister Peggy at her side. Details of her funeral will be publicised when arrangements have been clarified.

Housing Needs Survey for the Thame Area

Thame Town Council is renewing its Neighbourhood Plan and needs to undertake a Housing Survey, here:

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/3KD2LXR

The aim of this is survey is to ask local households if they have a need for the following types of housing:

• Affordable Housing
• Older Peoples Housing
• Other Specialist Housing Needs

Households are encouraged to participate by completing the online survey (deadline 8th December, 2021).

Councillor Julia Ridout

Representative for:

• Haddenham and Waddesdon Community Board (Environment Subgroup)
• Nicholas Almond Trust

Tel: 01844 690792

Buckinghamshire Council – Have Your Say

The following consultations are currently open. (Please click on the link to view).

Design Code for Buckinghamshire

Buckinghamshire Council has been selected as one of 14 local authorities to participate in the national pilot to test the new National Model Design Code. A Design Code is a document that contains design rules for new developments, covering the design of streets, public spaces and buildings, as well as spaces created for water and nature. The Design Code for Buckinghamshire will set rules that developers need to follow. Bucks Council is seeking your opinion on developments in the local areas as well as the problems and issues you may face living in Buckinghamshire, and what you would like to see in future.

Budget Consultation

Residents, businesses and organisations in Buckinghamshire are being asked to give their views on how the council should prioritise its spending next year in the annual budget consultation.

As the council prepares to set its budget for 2022/23, people are being invited to give their opinion on what services and areas should be given a higher priority and where they think savings could be made. The consultation closes on 14 November 2022.

Fibre Broadband in Cuddington

You probably can’t fail to have noticed all the work that’s been going on digging up village roads recently, installing cables.  The work has been carried out by or on behalf of Voneus, who will shortly be making Fibre Broadband available for almost all households in the village.

‘Gigabit’ Fibre Broadband is up to twelve times faster than the fastest high-speed Broadband previously available in Cuddington.

Voneus are holding two presentations in the village, to explain more about their service and answer any questions.  The dates and times are as follows:

• Wednesday 22nd September, 2pm - 7pm, at the Bernard Hall
• Friday 24th September, 5pm - 8pm, at the Playing Fields Clubhouse

Please go along if you are interested.  voneus.com

Public Consultation – Footpath CUD013 Diversion

The Parish Council has received Notice and Order for the diversion of part of the public footpath No 13.

At the February meeting of the Parish Council, the majority of Councillors were supportive of this diversion and commented as such (Item 10 and Appendum of attached Minutes).

Now the Order is made, the public are invited to comment on this Order  Any representations about or objections to the Order may be sent in writing to the Definitive Map Team, Buckinghamshire Council, Walton Street Offices, Walton Street, Aylesbury, HP20 1UA by no later than 8th September 2021 or email row@buckinghamshire.gov.uk, stating the grounds on which they are made.

Casual Vacancy

Local Government Act 1972 Section 87 (2)

CASUAL VACANCY

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that one vacancy exists in the office of Parish Councillor for the PARISH OF CUDDINGTON. The Parish Council will take steps to fill the vacancy by co-option, now at the August meeting (Tuesay 24th August 2021 at 7pm).

Any person interested in becoming a Cuddington Parish Councillor should please apply to:

Venetia Davies, Clerk

Cuddington Parish Council

Email: cuddingtonpc@gmail.com

By 5pm on Friday 6th August 2021

Notice of Casual Vacancy

The recent Town and Parish Council elections resulted in an uncontested election for Cuddington with only 6 people putting their name forward for 7 seats.

At its June meeting (last Tuesday), the Parish Council resolved to begin the process to co-opt a Parish Councillor to fill the 7th seat.  The PC is required to give Notice of Vacancy (for 14 days excluding weekends) and will then proceed to advertise the position.  The PC hopes to fill the role by co-option at its July meeting on Tuesday 27^th July. 

As a Parish Councillor you can become a voice for our community and represent the interests of Cuddington.  The main requirements are enthusiasm and determination.  There are plenty of training opportunities which are paid for by the Parish Council.  Meetings are monthly, the Tuesday in the month and last up to 2 hours but some time is needed outside of these meetings too, to get involved locally in wider meetings (working groups such as the Traffic Action Group or, for example, the new Haddenham and Waddesdon Community Boards)

More details will follow when the Notice of Vacancy expires on 14th July but if, in the meantime, you would like to find out more, please contact the Clerk at cuddingtonpc@gmail.com.

Village Party at the Playing Fields – New Date!

Due to the delay in lifting restrictions the Village Party will now be on Saturday 4th September!

Playing Fields Village Party Replaces Fete 2021

This year our usual village Fete is cancelled. We usually attract many visitors from outside of the area for a great day out of family fun. It seems a little too soon to encourage everyone back so we have agreed with the Playing Fields Committee to run a smaller Village Party on the Playing Fields.

There will be some of the usual stalls, activities for the whole family in an environment where we can still observe Covid safe practices.

Saturday July 17th - from 3pm until late....

Tomato Plants Galore!!

Angela and Charles Sanderson raised a staggering £380 for Christian Aid from their plant sale last week, but there are still some plants (especially Tomatoes) left over. These will be on a stall outside the side gate at Holymans Farmhouse, off Frog Lane this weekend.

If you missed the house to house collection this year, here is the link to the e-envelope that I have set up to keep a track of all our efforts:

envelope.christianaid.org.uk/envelope/caroline-stonham

Caroline Stonham

Playground Closure – Monday 17th to Friday 21st May

Christian Aid Week

In addition to the usual house to house envelope collection there is an e-envelope this year and we want to encourage as many of you as possible to use that for your donations, for which I am very grateful.

https://envelope.christianaid.org.uk/envelope/caroline-stonham

During the week Angela Sanderson is hosting a plant sale in her front garden from 2- 6pm, at Wellfield House in Spurt Street.  All donations of plants very gratefully received.

Last year the children stepped up to the mark with their Everest Challenge; this year I think it is the adults’ turn!  The Challenge is 300,000 steps in May, roughly 10,000 a day, walking, jumping or running!  It is good that we have a team effort for this and it is not too late to join.

Every envelope, every gift and every challenge can help Christian Aid to stop the climate crisis hurting the most vulnerable people on the planet.

Caroline Stonham

Plant Stall for Christian Aid Week

Christian Aid Week begins tomorrow, Sunday 9th May, and in Cuddington as well as a door-to-door collection there will be a Plant Stall at Wellfield House in Spurt Street.  This will run from 2pm until 6pm each day during the week, starting on Sunday afternoon.

We have a good selection of both annuals and perennials, and plants brought to add to the stall will be most welcome!  Christian Aid is such a very worthwhile cause, and we are hoping to welcome many visitors to our stall.

Angela Sanderson

The Village Picture House Reopens

The Village Picture House is starting up again – and we can’t wait to welcome you back!

Our screenings this summer are subject to the latest Government rules and guidelines, which means limiting our seating capacity to around 50% of our normal amount.  Social distancing will need to be observed and face masks will be compulsory, except when eating or drinking.  There will be a one-way system of entrance and exit, good ventilation, and chairs will be specially arranged according to the size of each group of people who have bought tickets.

We are currently unable to provide a bar and refreshments, but you are welcome to bring your own wine, tea, coffee, snacks and so on.  However we do ask that you take away your empties and rubbish please.

We encourage you to book your tickets on this page of the website, but there re a very limited number of tickets available in Cuddington Stores for those local residents who are unable to do so.

Important: Shop sales and online bookings will close at 4.00 pm on the day, and there will be no tickets available on the door.

We are very reluctantly increasing our ticket prices, having held them at £5/£4 for the past six years.  The price to license a movie remains the same however many people we can accommodate, and we are having to set our new prices at £8 with a £7 concession to cover our costs.  The good news is that we are able to keep the “live/as live” theatre events at the original price of £12 with a £10 concession price – and even better news: all these prices are around half the cost of tickets at the local Odeon.

John Cooper

Notice of Uncontested Election for Cuddington

Following the close of nominations on 8 April, attached are Notices of Buckinghamshire Council Election, Uncontested Election for Cuddington Parish Council and Police Crime Commissioners Election.

The Return of the Village Picture House

With the Government’s promised relaxation of the Covid-19 restrictions after 17th May for indoor activities in cinemas, theatres and leisure facilities, we are planning for the return of the Village Picture House in the Bernard Hall.

Initially, we are planning for four screenings on a fortnightly basis starting on Thursday 3rd June, then 17th June, 1st July and 15th July.  There will be a break across the summer holiday period.  Then, fingers crossed, if the vaccination programme has worked, and we can get back to some kind of normal life, we plan to have weekly screenings on Thursdays across the autumn.  By then, we hope that the National Theatre will be up and running with some exciting new live productions.

Full details of our summer programme will be announced in the May edition of Village Voice, and on the village website.

We are hoping to commence with the fabulous West End production of 42nd Street: The Musical that was recorded before the first lockdown.

We can’t wait to welcome you back – but rest assured that we will be complying with any safety protocols and guidelines that are still in place.

John Cooper

April’s Village Voice

Here is the April edition of Village Voice and again, although restrictions are now being lifted, the Editorial team has decided to be very cautious and not  hand deliver copies to all homes. We hope that you understand and we very much plan to be back to full paper copies for May!

Please help us by letting people know that this is happening but that it is available to read, download and indeed print off from here, our village website.

If you have a friend or neighbour who is unable to do any of that then please offer to print a copy for them - we would love as many people to get it as possible!

There will be a very limited number of copies available shortly in the village shop.

Thank you and good reading from the Editorial Team

Mothering Sunday

On Sunday 14th March there will be a posy making station in the church porch from 1 - 4pm. Children and young people are invited to come along to make a beautiful posy of flowers to help celebrate Mother's Day. 

To make sure this is “covid safe” activity please stand back if another family is at the table, remember the national restrictions on mixing, and follow hygiene rules provided.

We hope this spreads a little cheer on Mother's Day.

Christine, Ali and Sonia

March’s Village Voice

Here is the March edition of Village Voice and again sadly we have been unable to hand deliver it to all households.due to the continued strict lockdown measures.

Please help us by letting people know that this is happening but that it is available to read, download and indeed print off from here, our village website.

If you have a friend or neighbour who is unable to do any of that then please offer to print a copy for them - we would love as many people to get it as possible!

There will be a very limited number of copies available shortly in the village shop.

Thank you and good reading from the Editorial Team

February’s Village Voice

Here is the first Village Voice of 2021 and sadly, because of the latest lockdown, we have been unable to hand deliver it to all households.

Please help us by letting people know that this is happening but that it is available to read, download and indeed print off from here, our village website.

If you have a friend or neighbour who is unable to do any of that then please offer to print a copy for them - we would love as many people to get it as possible!

There will be a very limited number of copies available shortly in the village shop.

Thank you and good reading from the Editorial Team

Cuddington Covid 19 Update

It is unlikely that anyone is not aware of the current situation, with the increased need for care for yourselves and the rest of the community.  However, it is worth remembering that there are volunteers in Cuddington who are prepared to help out particularly vulnerable neighbours, who may be in need of some extra support because of the need to isolate themselves.

This on-going support has been working successfully since the onset of the virus pandemic and can be accessed by calling Ken Birkby on 292921, (or e-mail ken@vivsemmens.force9.co.uk) who will match volunteers to the particular requirements.

Join the Garden Route Children’s Trust Trek!

Get fit and banish the post-Christmas blues while helping to feed South African children in need.  Come together throughout the month of January to virtually trek the 2,300 miles around the Garden Route Children’s Trust feeding projects in South Africa.  All you have to do is make a donation (£10 for an adult, £5 for a child or £20 for a household) and tell us how far you aim to cover and by what means.

The Garden Route Children’s Trust is a UK charity which was set up by Penny Fleming in 2006.  She always had a huge desire to care for the needy and help others, so when a family friend in South Africa started working with informal schools in the townships surrounding Knysna, she had the idea of starting a charity in the UK to support the work.  Fast forward to 2020 and the original feeding project now funds a meal for over 5,000 children every day.  The GRCT has grown to over 90 volunteers and it now funds additional feeding projects around South Africa.

Please head to www.grct.org.uk to sign up and to find out more about the Garden Route Children’s Trust work.

Ali Lewis (Penny Fleming’s daughter)

Buckinghamshire Residents Recognised in the New Year Honours List

Awards for fourteen Buckinghamshire residents were announced today in HM The Queen’s New Year Honours List.  These men and women have been recognised for their outstanding work in supporting key services and communities, ranging from a commitment to voluntary services for young people to services to child safety and action to support community efforts during COVID-19.

The complete list of the Buckinghamshire residents in the 2021 New Year Honours List is:

Commander of the British Empire (CBE)
Mrs Lucy Bird from Little Kingshill, for public service

Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Mr Stephen Baker from Aylesbury, for services to reducing crime and improving safety in licensed premises
Mr Marcello Casale, for services to animal welfare, particularly during the COVID-19 response
Mr Philip Conran from High Wycombe, for services to recycling and the environment
Mr Philip Critchlow from Stoke Hammond, for services to radio and television
Mrs Rosemary Pope from Princes Risborough, for services to charitable fundraising
Mr Mark Sautereau from Princes Risborough, for services to the food supply chain and the vulnerable, particularly during the COVID-19 response

Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Mr Douglas Barrow from Loudwater, for services to the maritime sector and to the City of London
Dr Natalie-Jane Macdonald from Ickford, for services to healthcare, particularly during the COVID-19 response
Mrs Veronica Main from Hazlemere, for services to straw hat plaiting and endangered crafts skills

Medallist of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)
Mr Kenneth Birkby from Cuddington, for voluntary service to young people in Buckinghamshire
Mrs Fiona Copeland from Milton Keynes, for services to raising awareness of Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia
Mrs June Smith from High Wycombe, for services to the community in West Wycombe
Ms Christine Walker from West Wycombe, for services to child safety

Many congratulations to Ken!

Advent Trail

We are excited to launch Cuddington’s first Advent trail, suitable for all ages!  We have 24 window or outdoor scenes all around the village for you to find, identified by the trail sticker.  In each one there will be a hidden letter seen from the pavement or road.  Some may be in unexpected places and so we have a Trail Sheet and Map to help you here and also they are to be found in the church porch.

There is no particular order to visit the scenes and they will all be on display until Christmas.

When you have used the boxes on the sheet to work out the secret phrase, post your entry into the letterbox at Beam Cottage, Lower Church St, for a chance to win a prize.  Don’t forget to vote for your favourite display too!  We hope you enjoy yourselves.

Provisions for Vineyard

Thank you to everyone who has donated so far to the Aylesbury Vineyard Storehouse Christmas appeal.  A fantastic amount of groceries have been collected already (see photo left) and the first car load went to the Storehouse yesterday.  Please continue to add your items to the box in the church porch at any time.  There is also a collection basket in Cuddington Village Stores in the edge of the window by the door for those who would like to buy their items in our local shop.

The storehouse were very grateful for the items donated, and during the coming week are particularly in need of custard and desserts, ham / corned beef, tuna / tinned fish, small cereals, tinned potatoes / mash packets, tins of chilli / stew / curry / casserole, small jars of pasta sauce and festive items.

Please help in whatever way you can.

Thanks,
Christine, Ali and Sonia

Reverse Advent Calendar

Now, during November, is the time to make a “Reverse Advent Calendar” for Aylesbury Vineyard Storehouse, to help them provide food for people this Christmas.

Due to Covid they have seen a huge rise in the demand for food parcels this year.  Please help a family provide for themselves and their children this Christmas by collecting non-perishable items from their shopping list (pick from the lists opposite) and donating to Storehouse.  It’s a great way to get children involved in supporting the community too.

The idea is you buy one item for each day of the month during November and donate them to the Aylesbury Vineyard Storehouse to enable them to provide for people this Christmas.  The lists on the left are ideas of some essential and luxury items to include in your “Reverse Advent Calendar”.

There is a collection box in the church porch in Cuddington where you can leave items, or if you prefer you can check the Storehouse website for times when they are able to receive items directly.  aylesburyvineyard.church/storehouse.  There is also a “giving” section on the website which shows you how you can give financially.

Individual items are gratefully received as well.  This week they are asking for donations of custard and desserts, tinned ham / corned beef, tuna and tinned fish, small cereals, tinned potatoes, mash packets, meat soup, small jars of pasta sauce, hot dogs, stew, curry, casserole etc.  No pasta or UHT milk please.

Many thanks for all the help you are able to give.

Christine, Ali and Sonia

Bucks Business Grants

Click to view the latest update from Martin Tett on fighting coronavirus in Buckinghamshire, this week focussing on the launch of Bucks Business Grants.

Villager Publishes a New eBook

Cuddington resident Peter Bassano, professional musician and conductor, has written a new book published on Kindle entitled “Shakespeare and Emilia: The Untold Story”.

Emilia Bassano was identified as the Dark Musical Lady of the Shakespeare Sonnets by A.L. Rowse in 1973.  Peter’s book presents previously unpublished evidence to prove that Rowse’s identification was correct.  Emilia, an early feminist poet and musician, was the daughter of the youngest of six Venetian brothers, all professional musicians, brought to London by Henry VIII in 1540 to ensure a musical wedding for Anne of Cleves.

Peter, a descendent of Emilia’s uncle Anthony, suggests that Shakespeare was the father of Emilia’s son Henry.  Shortly after the child’s birth in May 1593, Shakespeare took a trip to Northern Italy with three of Emilia’s musician cousins travelling through towns well known to Shakespeare lovers as the setting of his early plays.  The book does not agree with the views of John Hudson and Peter Matthews that Emilia wrote the Shakespeare canon.  He believes that Shakespeare was Shakespeare but that Emilia was hugely influential on Shakespeare writing, particularly his outspoken heroines.

Peter suggests that Emilia and Shakespeare met at Bisham Abbey when Emilia had written and performed in the entertainment to welcome the Queen.  Bassano believes that “A Lover’s Complaint”, published as an appendix to the Sonnets, is entirely appropriate and relates to the four protagonists that he identifies in the main text.  The conclusions in this book are diametrically opposed to the conclusions in the 2020 book by Paul Edmondson and Stanley Wells, “All the Sonnets of Shakespeare”.

The eBook is available to download here.  Peter hopes to publish a printed, paperback edition but this is unlikely to be before the New Year.

Remembrance – November 2020

Sale of Poppies

These are extremely difficult times, but with no house-to-house collections this year, on behalf of the Royal British Legion we would be most grateful if you are able to make a donation to help the Legion to continue its invaluable work.  The Royal British Legion was founded in 1921 – 100 years ago next year!

Poppies, including a limited number of the metal lapel pins, will be on sale at:

• Denise’s Hairdresser - Upper Church Street
• The Village Shop - Upper Church Street
• The Crown Inn - Aylesbury Road
• and Cuddington and Dinton C of E School will have poppies for sale to families

Gift Aid forms will be available from and can be returned to:

• Skippy Blumer - Southways, The Upper Green
• Margaret Russell - 4 Swanhill Cottages, Aylesbury Road
• Rosemary Bradbury - Downeys, Lower Church Street
• Jennifer Schram de Jong - Larden, Spicketts Lane

It will also be possible to donate directly to the Royal British Legion via Lloyds Bank:
Sort Code 30-11-75
A/c No. 01937121
Please quote Payment Reference: EBA/34 Cuddington

Should you wish for further information about the Poppy Appeal or the 2020 Remembrance Service, please contact Jennifer Schram de Jong at 01844 291501 or jschramdejong@yahoo.co.uk.

With my grateful thanks for your support with this year’s Poppy Appeal.  Stay safe and well.

Jennifer Schram de Jong

The Village Picture House – An Update

Back in mid March, due to Covid-19 government restrictions on indoor activities, we had to halt our screenings programme at the Village Picture House.

These restrictions have now been eased and, in common with many other local village halls, the Bernard Hall Management Committee have agreed to open up the hall for a limited number of bookings, from early October.

A lot of work has been done to make the cinema experience as safe as it can be by complying with Government guidelines for village halls and community centres, and we had planned to re-open the cinema on October 8th, with a socially distanced audience of twenty six, plus other safety measures in place.

However, with the recent introduction of the “Rule of Six” for households, and further restrictions being announced to try to halt the spread of the virus, we have put our decision on hold, as we felt it was now inappropriate to re-open the cinema.  The safety of our audience and volunteers is first and foremost in our minds.

We are fortunate to live in a relatively safe part of the UK, and we hope it won’t be too long before the restrictions are eased, and we can once again open the doors to the Village Picture House.  Keep an eye on the village website for further announcements.  Stay safe.

John Cooper

Harvest at St Nicholas’

Harvest is here and it is a wonderful time to gather apples and all kinds of garden products. We are asking you to celebrate Harvest at Home - decorating your house and cooking an apple crumble (or pie if you prefer). Please send photos to be put on our website and social media here.

For children we have prepared a pack that you can download. In it there is a recipe for Apple Crumble - you may have your own - but please take the time to watch the online service where Phil explains why it is best to use local apples from the trees around us.

Please do not forget to drop off donations for the Aylesbury Vineyard Storehouse.

Our outdoor Service on Sunday 20th at 10.00am will have a harvest theme, but will not be a harvest service - we can’t raise our voices to welcome the harvest home or sing to thank God for the good gifts around us, but we will gather to praise, pray and learn together. There will be a craft activity for children. Please bring your own chairs and blankets and if you plan to go into the church you will need a face mask.

There will be service sheets for distribution, but you may prefer to print out and bring your own.

Harvest at St Nicholas

This is an advance notice that there will be an outdoor Harvest Service at St Nicholas’ Church this Sunday, 20th September at 10.00am.

Further details will be circulated in the next few days but in the meantime please note the fact and be ready to come – with your own chairs and/or blankets if possible!

In the meantime you might like to download the Harvest Pack and begin your preparations for Harvest!

Information will be provided regarding offerings to bring and how they will be handled.

Service for Sunday 13th September

This week’s service features a very moving and personal sermon by Rev Jonathan Hawkins.  In it he explores his calling and ours to share the light of Christ.

The service sheet is available as well.

Next week we will have the first of two services focusing on Harvest.

Services for Sunday 6th September

Our service in the churchyard on 6th September will be led by Olive Kuhrt with Gordon preaching. There will be a story for children and activities for them as well.

The Service Sheet is available and please print off your own copy - but there will be some copies available from Alan.  Please remember to bring a chair or blanket.  And if you intend to go into the church you must bring a face mask in order to do so.

This Sunday’s online Holy Communion Service comes from St Mary’s Haddenham and St Nicholas Cuddington.  It features a sermon on growing in faith by Ven Gordon Kuhrt.  We also have the opportunity to focus on the beautiful stained glass window of Mary and Jesus in St Mary’s Church, and the service sheet is also available here.

August Bank Holiday bin collections

Bin collections will be operating to a revised schedule next week. With no collections on Bank Holiday Monday 31 August, the week’s collections will instead move forward by one day.

To help prevent the spread of coronavirus Buckinghamshire Council is offering a friendly reminder to residents to wipe down bin handles and wash hands with soap and warm water after handling bins. Residents are also reminded to park considerately to ensure that recycling and waste vehicles have appropriate road access and can complete their rounds.

Residents are asked to ensure their bin(s) is presented by 6.30am on their rescheduled collection day.

Find out more information about household recycling and waste collections, including how to report a missed bin.

For all the latest updates on collection rounds, please follow @BucksCouncil on Facebook and Twitter.

Bear & Vic booklet

We are delighted to announce that “Bear & Vic’s Lockdown Adventures!” is now available for sale!

The 24-page A5 booklet is being sold in aid of the Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity. 

It costs £5.00 and tells the story of Bear & Vic’s antics in Cuddington during the lockdown - from abseiling and repairing motor cars to winter sports and playing golf - the booklet presents a delightful range of scenes of the two friends!

The booklets are available now can be obtained from:

• Cuddington Village Stores
• The Florence Nightingale charity shop at Bradmoor Farm in Haddenham
• Online here - click on “Book Now” below and please send your postal address to us at villagevoice@cuddingtonvillage.com otherwise we won’t know where to send it/them!

Additional donations can also be made via the “Book Now” page.

New Website Accessibility Regulations

The Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018

You may have noticed a few changes to the website over the past couple of weeks.  This is because all websites of public sector bodies – including those of Parish Councils – now have to be accessible to all users, including those with disabilities.

For example, people with a motor impairment have difficulty with the fine motor movements required for using a mouse, and have to be able to navigate websites using only a keyboard.  People with learning difficulties may not understand long and complex sentences.  Users with poor sight need to be able to increase text size and need high contrast between the text and its background.  Completely blind users, of course, can’t read the text or see where to click a mouse, and rely on assistive technology such as screen readers.

Our website developer has been working hard to make our website compliant with the regulations.  And at the foot of every page, there is now a link to our Accessibility Statement – a legal requirement.

You might like to try navigating our website without the mouse: use the Tab key, Shift-Tab and the Enter key.  The Spacebar opens a menu item to expose the items below.  Within the main content area, use the Up and Down cursor keys to scroll up and down.

The Website Working Group

Service for Sunday 16th August

Sunday Worship

This Sunday sees the conclusion of our series from Bishop Mariann Budde’s excellent little book Receiving Jesus. The service is available here.

Rev Trish Mander gives us a perspective on a rhythm of life and the service features an interview with Philippa Blowfield. We sing Tell Out My Soul and How Great Thou Art.

There is a service sheet to follow as well.

Sunday’s Service on Video - 9th August

In this Sunday’s service we return to the theme of Going - this time saying Yes to crossing boundaries, listening deeply and living like Jesus.

It features Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer.

The service can be followed on the service sheet.

Outdoor Service at St Nicholas’

This Sunday, 9th August, we will be holding an outdoor All Age service at St Nicholas’ church at 10.00am.

All are welcome – individuals and families, just come along!

Please bring your own folding/picnic chairs or blankets to sit on – you are responsible for your own comfort!

The church will be open, especially for the use of the toilet – however, if you do foresee that you will want to enter the church you must have a face mask as it will be mandatory to wear one in the church as from tomorrow.

And finally please observe all Government regulations and ensure that you are socially distancing.

We look forward to seeing you!

Church Opening for August

Now that there are limited services being held at St Nicholas we are operating a 3 day quarantine process before and after each service to make it as safe as possible for visitors.

August’s church opening times and the next Sunday service in church are available to see.

If you do visit the church please follow the guidelines as displayed.

Paul Ray

It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of Paul Ray following a long illness. Paul will be missed greatly and remembered fondly. He was a valuable member of this community, and popular down the pub and club alike.

Paul's funeral is due to take place on Monday 13th July. Paul will be leaving his home on Swanhill at 2pm, travelling towards The Crown and then down Dadbrook towards the crematorium in Aylesbury. Unfortunately the number of attendees permitted at funerals is limited, so we would love for those who wish to pay their respects to line the Upper Green and Dadbrook from 2pm onwards. At 3pm the Playing Fields Club Bar will open for those who wish to raise a glass to Paul and all he did for our village.

Thank you

Lorraine Ray & Family

Cuddington Playground Reopens

On Saturday 4th July the children’s playground in Cuddington will re open.  Numbers are restricted to 8 people in the playground at one time (adults and children combined).  Please read the Parish Council Playground Guidelines here.

Tool Collection for Workaid

Workaid is a charity based in Chesham, founded in 1986.  It’s run by a team of volunteers who send shipping containers to East Africa loaded with practical items to help the local populace become more productive.  Items sent include carpentry tools, gardening tools, metal working tools, hand tools, sewing machines of any age, haberdashery, knitting machines and equipment – more or less everything except electric strimmers.

Have you had a clear-out during lock-down and discovered some tools that you no longer use or need?  If so, Peter Bradbury is coordinating a tool collection.  He will collect any unwanted tools and arrange for them to be delivered to his contact at Workaid.

You can reach Peter on 290249 or by email to peter.bradbury7@btinternet.com.

For more information about Workaid, download the
“What We Do At Workaid” document or visit workaid.org

Terry Williams

We are sorry to report that Terry Williams died on 22nd May, after a long illness.

Terry’s funeral, a private, family ceremony, took place on Monday 8th June at Amersham.  Before the funeral, Terry’s family and friends in Cuddington paid their respects as the hearse passed through the village.

Nearly there!

Only 5,040 steps to go to conquer Mt Blanc as well!

What a fantastic effort the children have put in – see the video:

youtu.be/wz-lsK_ZSUc

And please read the attached message about Christian Aid week from Phil Groves – click here.

In order to sponsor and make your contribution to Christian Aid, go to:

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cuddingtonclimbers

Summit reached!

A fantastic achievement by the children in reaching the top of Mount Everest via their stairs on day 5 of the challenge!

As they have done it so quickly the challenge is now being extended to include Mont Blanc – a further 24,050 steps!

Watch the website for progress and visit Just Giving to sponsor and donate:

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cuddingtonclimbers

Day 4 – the top’s in sight!

Fantastic progress up the stairs!

The Day 4 total is an amazing 38,234 steps which is 86% of the target to the top of Mount Everest!  And some great achievements are being made – the record individual daily total is 3,150 steps!!!

Well done everyone – see both graph and photographs of Alex, Lucy, Monty, Emma and Joseph on the left.

See article further down for full details of the climb and importantly, in order to sponsor and make your contribution to Christian Aid, go to:

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cuddingtonclimbers

Everest Progress – a great start!

The chidren of Cuddington got off to a flying start on day 1 of their challenge to climb Mount Everest via their stairs!

With a grand total of 7,942 steps completed that means they are already 18% of the way there!

The progress chart on the left also has Alex, Lucy and Monty in action!

See article further down for full details of the climb and importantly, in order to sponsor and make your contribution to Christian Aid, go to:

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cuddingtonclimbers

Climbing Mount Everest together!

Christian Aid week is approaching (10th-16th May) and obviously we cannot do envelope donations or other fundraisers as we have done in previous years.

So we have had a think and we thought a collaborative challenge might be a fun and easy way to raise some money.  We think we can aim big and climb Mount Everest on our staircases!

The challenge will take place all week, and I will update progress on the website.  It is 44,240 stairs.

We would love to involve as many families as possible.  Please email me at mrs.ali.lewis@gmail.com saying you are keen to take part and then I will form a register.  I will then send out more information to those families about how we are going to do it and how we are going to collate our progress.

Here is the Justgiving page link:
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cuddingtonclimbers

Thank you,

Ali Lewis

The Sandersons’ Plant Sale

For the past few years our Christian Aid Evening in Cuddington has been held at the home of Charles and Angela Sanderson at Wellfield House in Spurt Street.  Sadly, this cannot happen this year because of the Corona Virus.

However, Charles and Angela wish to “do their bit” for Christian Aid again so they will be holding a week-long plant sale in the front of their house, starting on Sunday 10th May and finishing on Saturday 16th  – from 10.00am to 6.00pm each day.  Plants will be on tables on their front lawn, and there will be a Christian Aid collection box for donations towards the plants.  Needless to say, only two or three people will be able to be inside the garden at any one time, and they would ask that visitors are good about social distancing.

Angela will have quite a few perennials, including Hardy Geraniums, Penstemons, Delphiniums and Hostas.  She is asking those of you who would also like to give plants for the sale to leave them in the front porch, preferably the week before.  However, if you wish to bring plants with you during Christian Aid week then please feel free to do so.  This year it will not be possible to pass on unsold plants for other plant sales or to the Florence Nightingale Hospice, so if you bring plants and want any unsold ones returned please leave your name and contact details on the pots.  The remainder will, sad to say, have to be composted.

The Sandersons look forward to welcoming – from a distance – those who would like to come, with or without plants and would ask you please to give generously!

Service for Easter 4

Whilst the church is closed due to Covid-19, Phil Groves will be putting together services which parishioners may access remotely.

This Sunday’s service for Easter 4 is available to down load by clicking here.

And the video of Phil conducting the service is available on the following YouTube link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM9qKctLZCc&feature=youtu.be

Sewing for the NHS

Jasmine Blake, Lynne Devey and Julia Ridout have been busy sewing for the NHS!

The photographs on the left show just some of the headband ear savers and scrub laundry bags that they have been making over the last few weeks.

When nurses and doctors are wearing face masks for a considerable length of time during a 12 hour shift their ears get very sore. So by making headbands which have buttons on, the mask loop goes round the buttons which takes pressure off of the ears.

And the scrub laundry bags are for the nurses to be able to take off their scrubs and deposit them into a drawstring laundry bags so that they are protected until they are put directly into a washing machine in the bag without being touched.

Well done and thank you to Jasmine, Lynne and Julia; if you have something to share then please contact any of the Village Voice Editorial Team::

Helen - wichertcot@gmail.com; Rachael - rachael.cb@btinternet.com or Chris - chrisblumer@blumer.co.uk

Please Donate Food for Local Foodbanks

Paul Irwin, Cuddington’s local Buckinghamshire Councillor, has been leading a food collection effort with his Council colleagues, collecting much needed groceries for local foodbanks who are running short of food in the current lockdown. 

If you are able to help by donatating an item or two, please take them to the Village Shop and drop them in the donation box.  The following are most needed:

UHT milk, tinned food (meat, vegetables, soups, tomatoes), cereals, fruit juice, pasta sauce, pasta, rice, tinned fruit and desserts, toiletries and nappies.

Thank you

Green waste collections to restart and waste sites stand ready to open

News from Buckinghamshire Council:

Buckinghamshire Council will restart green waste collections across the county from 11 May and also stand ready to open five of its nine household waste sites as soon as the Government gives the green light nationally.

The moves to help residents across the county deal with their additional waste were announced at Cabinet today (30 April) by Bill Chapple OBE, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change.

Today’s announcement follows the closedown of both areas at the start of the coronavirus outbreak due to government guidance, as well as staff shortages due to sickness and those needing to self-isolate.  However Bill Chapple said things had improved sufficiently to reinstate the two services.

“Coronavirus has had a massive impact on all our waste services but waste teams from across the county have worked tremendously hard to prioritise collections and keep waste and recycling bin collections going.  However, we’re now fighting back and it’s my intention to get services operating somewhere close to normality wherever I can, subject to current conditions continuing.

“Bringing back green waste collections will really help residents tend to their gardens during the lockdown.  I know collection crews will be working hard particularly on the initial rounds, so could I ask residents to be considerate and avoid over-filling bins or putting additional garden waste out alongside.”

Residents’ normal garden bin collection days will stay the same but the Council advises checking their website first just to make sure nothing has changed.  Collection times may however change, so residents are asked to put bins out by 6.30am.  In addition, no subscribers will be out of pocket while green waste hasn’t been collected as contract extensions or reduced priced renewals are being introduced.  The Council will also be reinstating its bulky waste collection service across the county.

Bill continued, “To allow residents to dispose of other essential rubbish that might be harmful to store, we’ve also been working behind the scenes to prepare five of our most suitable household waste sites for reopening.  These sites are at Amersham, Aston Clinton, Beaconsfield, Buckingham and High Heavens in High Wycombe and are best able to deal with queuing vehicles.

“We’re now just waiting for the Government’s final authorisation to open and this is expected within the next couple of weeks.

“That said, sites will look and operate differently to comply with strict social distancing requirements.  We’ll be adopting a ‘supermarket style’ of operation with strict controls on the number of people entering the site at any one time and marked off areas to maintain two metre gaps.

“As soon as we get the green light, we’ll publish more detailed guidance on when these sites will reopen and how they will operate so residents can be absolutely clear on what they need to do.

“It’s been a concerted effort from the whole waste team to find the best ways to reintroduce services given the extraordinary times we’re in and  I really hope it will provide some much-needed help for local residents going forward.”

Pop-up Library!

Thank you to the Powells for starting the pop-up library in the telephone box by the church – Village Voice photographer caught them in the act of setting it up!

Feel free to borrow, swap or just add some of your own – either books and/or CD's will be very welcome!

Please send your photographs or news items to:

Helen - wichertcot@gmail.com; Rachael - rachael.cb@btinternet.com or Chris - chrisblumer@blumer.co.uk

Tennis Courts Closed

Please note that, in compliance with Government regulations relating to Covid-19, the Cuddington tennis courts will remain closed and should not be used until further notice.

News from Transport for Bucks – Helping Keeping Essential Journeys Going

To help all those making essential journeys across the county during the pandemic, Transport for Buckinghamshire (TfB) has brought in changes to make sure that road repairs and maintenance can continue to be carried out.   

Crucially this means that NHS, social care and hundreds of other key workers, together with the emergency services and those needing to make essential journeys, can do so safely.  It also makes sure that much-needed deliveries can continue, particularly to support the most vulnerable.  

This has however meant introducing stricter controls particularly on social distancing and hygiene.  This includes using additional vehicles so workers can travel to site alone and staggering shift patterns to maintain social distancing at depots.

Buckinghamshire Council Executive Portfolio Holder for Transport, Mark Shaw, praised the way TfB had responded to the unprecedented situation.  “Good roads help support all those making essential journeys around Buckinghamshire to help others during this crisis,” he said.

“It’s vital that this work continues and my thanks go to everyone involved for the way they have adapted.”    

“With roads being quieter than usual we are also looking to bring some planned maintenance works forward so we can get them done earlier and quicker.  It was only recently that we made more cash available for additional 'plane and patch' works following the wet autumn and winter weather and of course February’s storms.  However, now is the time to see what more we can get done, although this will of course be subject to the availability of workers, materials and equipment.”

Mark added: “It’s more important than ever to show respect to our workforce if you see them out and about.  They’re out there doing a fantastic job under difficult circumstances and I applaud them all.”

For more information please visit www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/coronavirus/service-changes/roads/

Bunting, Bears and Banks!

Just some of the lovely spring flowers, sights and displays around the village over the Easter week-end!

Thank you from Village Voice to all who have contributed in whatever way.

Please let us have any contributions which you might like to share:

Helen - wichertcot@gmail.com; Rachael - rachael.cb@btinternet.com or Chris - chrisblumer@blumer.co.uk

Good Friday in Cuddington

Just a small selection of lovely sights whilst exercising today and other contributions.

• Lambs along Ridgebarn Farm track
• The Teddies of Lower Church Street with free trees
• Chris Long's garden 
• An Easter Tree at Holymans Farmhouse
• Blossom in Lower Church Street

Easter for Families and Children

Resources and Easter Bunting Competition for all ages

As we are in Holy Week and begin to prepare for Easter, we would like to invite Wychert Benefice to get creative and make some Easter bunting or banners to display outside our homes or in our windows.  Much like the rainbows we have all seen popping up, we would love to be able share the Easter message and bring community together during this difficult time.  We would love to see as many households as possible taking part even if you don’t have little ones at home.

Attached here is a pdf with inspiration for your bunting as well as some great activities for you and your families to do over Easter.

Please feel free to forward this information.  Also the pack can be found on the Wychert Vale Benefice website :

https://www.wychertvale.org/easter/

Thank you and good luck!
Ali Lewis

PS – Chris Long has a limited supply of packs of 12 x A4 coloured card sheets should anyone need some!  No charge.  Call him on 01844 291153 to arrange collection.

My Garden – a Poem

There is a little patch of green
Of dappled sun and windy shade
Where tulips nod and birds preen
In showy blossoms overhead.

Frost’s grip  forgotten in early warmth,
Buds jutting from winter’s cold
A single ladybird sallies forth
A tiny adventurer, brave and bold. 

I share this place with a myriad host
Of creatures mostly unseen
Inhabiting dark places moist
With the snail’s silver sheen.

These heroes of the earth
Perform a miracle every year
Silently recycling, enabling rebirth
Of Spring’s magnificent cheer.

Nature’s choir in all its glory
Fills the air with buzz and tweet.
I do not think I will ever hear
Any sound so exquisitely sweet.

This is my solace and grace
Where my lonely heart belongs
Flutterbies in my green space
And skies full of twittery songs.

JEM Hindmarsh
Lockdown 2020

Thank you so much to Jane for her lovely contribution!
Ed. (Village Voice)

Bernard Close Choir!

Please see the photos of a glorious sunny morning in Jane Hindmarsh's garden.

All taken whilst listening to Black Caps, Robins, Blackbirds, Wrens, Dunnocks and an assortment of busy Tits and a host of Goldfinches.

Bernard Close has its own Nature Choir!

Thank you Jane,
Ed., Village Voice

Social Care Centre Opens its Doors

Buckinghamshire Council has responded to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak by transforming the Olympic Lodge and other buildings at Stoke Mandeville Stadium in Aylesbury into a social care facility for adults.  The centre will be open from Monday 6th April.

In just three weeks the lodge has been completely repurposed as a care and reablement centre to look after vulnerable adults during the current Covid-19 pandemic.

The aim of the centre is to get people back into their homes as soon as possible. The centre will care for:
• hospital patients who no longer require acute care but are not quite ready to go home and;
• people living at home who, temporarily, are unable to remain there because they have no support.

Up to 240 beds will be available staffed by a team of care workers, and supported by volunteers, all providing round the clock care and support to those staying there.  To help the centre run smoothly stadium catering and hospitality staff are supporting the Olympic Lodge.

Explaining why the facility was needed, Angela Macpherson, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care said: “The benefits of setting up this centre are two-fold.  Not only are we freeing up beds in hospitals which can be used to care for critically ill patients, we are also ensuring that our most vulnerable residents have a safe place to go where they will be cared for.  They will be away from the danger of infection in hospital and under the care and supervision of a team of specialist staff.”

To prevent the potential spread of Covid-19 and keep both residents and staff safe visitors will not be allowed.  However, the centre has been equipped with mobile phones and tablets for people to stay in touch with their family and friends.  All meals and laundry services will be provided and residents will have access to TVs and other entertainment.

Councillor Macpherson continued: “It is an amazing feat to have got this centre up and running in just three weeks and I congratulate everyone involved.  The centre is registered with Care Quality Commission (CQC), with all staff and volunteers receiving training.

“Ultimately we want to make sure that during this time of national emergency that we are working proactively to do all we can to protect our most vulnerable residents from the dangers posed by Covid-19.”

Could you offer some assistance to support the staff at Olympic Lodge?  The team is looking for a range of volunteers with a health or social care background to help care for clients.

Councillor Macpherson said: “Whatever time or help you can give will be of huge benefit.  Our staff will be carrying out the main care duties for these clients but our volunteers will provide much needed support and assistance to help them do this.  It’s a great way to get involved and join the huge national wave of support for our vulnerable communities.”

Full training and support will be given to all volunteers.  If you would like to volunteer or find out more about what is involved please let us know by completing the form at www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/your-council/contact-us/ or email us communities@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Village Voice Coronavirus Special

Whilst the main village website will continue to provide key and critically important information during this unprecedented crisis, the Editorial Team at Village Voice would like to help to share some of the more positive and uplifting stories and experiences that are happening around us.

If you would like to share a particular act of kindness, someone’s originality or creativity whilst being on “lock down”, tips and techniques for getting by etc., then please let us know.  Also, how are those DIY projects, your garden in spring and especially what have the children been up to?!

Please send your contribution (plus photo if possible!) to any of the team; Helen on wichertcot@gmail.com, Rachael on rachael.cb@btinternet.com or Chris on chrisblumer@blumer.co.uk.

We will use the Village Voice page of the website to publish selected contributions, which will also appear on the Home page.  We do not envisage distributing a hard paper copy of the newsletter for the foreseeable future.

Scamming Complaints on the Rise

News from Buckinghamshire Council:

Doorstep scammers are taking advantage of the coronavirus emergency to con elderly and vulnerable people.

There has been a rise in the number of scam complaints related to the coronavirus outbreak, according to Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards team, who are urging members of the public to be aware.  Since the beginning of the month the total number of scam complaints has increased by 40%.

Latest complaints include reports of a South Buckinghamshire woman in her 80s who answered the door to a man who tried to demand £220 in cash to complete a health and safety check.  Additionally, there have been widespread complaints of scammers trying to take people’s bank details to cover payments for school meals whilst the schools are closed.

Residents are also being urged to be especially wary of people offering or selling:

• Virus testing kits – these are only offered by the NHS
• Vaccines or miracle cures – there is currently no vaccine or cure
• Shopping or medication collection services that require payment upfront
• Home cleaning services
• Overpriced or counterfeit products

Residents must also be wary of emails, texts, telephone calls and messages via social media from scammers offering refunds on taxes or bills, as these are highly prevalent.

Trading Standards have provided some helpful tips to help prevent people from becoming victims of scams:

• Don’t be pressurised into making a decision.  If someone is trying to rush you or panic you, they are probably trying to scam you.
• Only purchase goods from trusted retailers.
• Be suspicious of requests for money upfront.
• Do not give your bank card or bank details to a stranger.  Never write your PIN number down.
• Know who you’re dealing with – if you don’t know the person who’s offering you help then ask to be introduced by someone that you know and trust.

Gareth Williams, Buckinghamshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Health, said: “I am absolutely appalled that anyone would use a time of national emergency to target vulnerable and older people. This is as low as you can get.

“I’m heartened by the fantastic number of people locally who want to help others, and I’d encourage anyone looking out for their elderly and vulnerable neighbours to keep an eye and ear out for these types of scammers.”

If you have information or are worried about coronavirus related scams please contact Trading Standards. You can email trading.standards@bucksandsurreytradingstandards.gov.uk or call on 01296 388788.

Closure of Play Parks and Other Public Facilities

A reminder that in line with the latest Government directive, Cuddington’s playground, tennis court and football pitch are now closed until further notice.

If you are using the Playing Fields or any of the footpaths in and around the village, please help to keep everyone safe by following these simple but vital guidelines:

• Observe social distancing.  Keep a 2-metre distance from others at all times.
• Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly.

Thank you

Message from 2D Print World

Although our shop is closed, we are being kept extremely busy with orders via phone and email for all those people who now have a home office/school.

We have remanufactured and original inks in stock and our delivery times are faster in most cases than the internet now. We can deliver paper, ink and toner and even printers to your doorstep – with contactless delivery of course!

At the shop we work within the Government guidelines and stay 2m apart.  Most of our staff are working from home.

To contact us, phone 01296 434666 or email 2dpw@2dprintworld.co.uk.

Thank you for shopping local and keep safe.

Sarah and Martin Dyckhoff, Dadbrook

Coronavirus Pandemic and Parish Council Meetings

Both the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) and the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) are asking local councils to stop holding any physical meetings or gatherings during the Coronavirus pandemic.  This includes full council, committee meetings, annual parish or council meetings.

The following Cuddington Parish Council meetings have been cancelled:

Parish Council: Monday 30th March 2020

Annual Village Meeting: Wednesday 22nd April 2020

Parish Council: Monday 27th April 2020

Parish Council AGM: Tuesday 26th May 2020

The Town and Parish Council Elections have been postponed until May 2021.

However, the government is working on a Coronavirus Bill and associated legislation that will allow Parish Council meetings to be held remotely and to make decisions without the need for physically meeting.  This will be introduced soon.  An update will provided on the Parish Council News page here.

If you have any issues that you would like to bring to the attention of the Parish Council, please get in touch at cuddingtonpc@gmail.com

Coronavirus Test Scam

A relative of a Cuddington resident who works with older people within AVDC reports that scammers are targeting the houses of older people, saying “We can test you for Coronavirus.”  Once they gain entry they are free to rob or fleece the householder.

Please be aware that no health agency is currently offering unsolicited Coronavirus tests, and that any such offer is undoubtedly a scam.  Be on your guard, and please pass on this information to anyone you think might be vulnerable.

Ken Birkby, Parish Council Chairman

Cuddington Matinee Cinema

The Sunshine Club very much regrets that the Matinee Cinema will be suspended for the time being.

Nether Winchendon Snowdrop Walk

Nether Winchendon House is hosting a Snowdrop Walk on Sunday 9th February, between 11.00 am and 4.00 pm.  The last entry is at 3.30 pm.

Delicious refreshments will be available in the Carriage Barn, including coffees, teas and home-made cakes.

Entry is £4, with children under 12 admitted free.  Dogs will be welcome if they are on a lead.  All proceeds will go to the Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity.

Visitors should be aware of the unfenced riverbank and other winter-time hazards, such as the possibility of slippery paving.  The event is organised by the Haddenham Community Support Group with the kind permission of Robert Spencer Bernard.  Telephone Sue Peck on 292110 for more information.

Haddenham and Thame Greenway – Public Survey

Buckinghamshire County Council would like to hear from people living in the Haddenham and Thame area about travelling between Haddenham & Thame Parkway railway station and Thame.  They want to understand how people currently travel between these locations, to help assess whether it would be beneficial to introduce an off-road walking and cycling route (known as a Greenway).

Oxfordshire County Council, Buckinghamshire County Council and Sustrans are working in partnership to investigate this scheme.  Funds have provisionally been allocated for the scheme through the Oxfordshire Housing and Growth Deal.

Have your say by completing the online survey here.  The survey is open from now until midnight on Monday 9th December 2019.

Stage 2 of Traffic Calming Measures Complete!

The Parish Council is pleased to announce that the lining works in its Stage 2 Traffic Plan are now complete with high friction surface, dragons’ teeth, 30mph roundels and chevrons on Dadbrook and Bridgeway are in place.  The Parish Council are grateful to the Haddenham Local Area Forum for match funding this project.

With further funding now secured from the New Homes Bonus, plans for the Stage 3 build-out on the Aylesbury Road are well underway.  Please keep an eye on the Cuddington Parish Council Minutes (here) for updates.  The lining works to Aylesbury Road will be completed when the build-out is constructed.

Casual Vacancy – Apply to Become a Parish Councillor

Notice is herby given that one vacancy exists in the office of Parish Councillor for the Parish of Cuddington.

The Parish Council will take steps to fill the vacancy by co-option.  Any person interested in becoming a Cuddington Parish Councillor should please apply to the Clerk at cuddingtonpc@gmail.com by 5pm on Monday 18th November 2019.  The Parish Council wishes to fill the vacancy by co-option at its meeting on Monday 25th November.

From 1st April 2020, Aylesbury Vale District Council, Buckinghamshire County Council, Chiltern District Council, South Bucks District Council and Wycombe District Council will be replaced by a single, new Buckinghamshire Council.  As a result, the Parish Council elections, which were due to be held in 2019, will be held in May 2020.  The term of office of Parish Councillors is four years.

Being a Councillor is a rewarding role that provides a great sense of achievement.  You have an opportunity to make a real difference to the vibrancy, appearance and facilities of Cuddington.

Cuddington Parish Council provides services at a village level; representing its electors in the parish ward.  The Council is funded by the precept (raised as part of Council Tax) and takes responsibility for a range of local matters and community needs.

As well as Councillors working together as a team, some Councillors participate in committees or working groups such as the newly formed Traffic Action Group.  The Parish Council is also responsible for the Neighbourhood Plan, working with other members of the community through a Steering Group supported by Task Members to prepare Cuddington Neighbourhood Plan; a Plan which will influence the way the village evolves over the plan period to 2033.

Meetings are held on the last Monday of the month (at 7.30pm in the Bernard Hall) and generally last no more than two hours.  Site visits, to consider planning applications, tend to take place on the Sunday preceding the Parish Council Meeting.  The AGM takes place every May.  Every meeting is a public meeting with an opportunity for parishioners to raise concerns or ask questions during Parishioners’ Question Time at the beginning of each meeting.  Councillors are given support in performing their duties from the Parish Council Clerk.  Training is also available to new Councillors through organisations such as Buckinghamshire Association of Local Councils.

To become a Councillor you must be over 18 and a British national or qualifying citizen of the Commonwealth or the European Community.  To stand for an election of Cuddington Parish Council you must be an elector of the parish or; for the whole of the previous 12 months have occupied (as owner or tenant) land or other premises in the parish, or; during the previous 12 months have worked in the parish (as your principal or only place of work), or; for the whole of the previous 12 months lived in the parish or within three miles of the parish boundary.

Ringing World National Youth Contest

RWNYC

This afternoon young bellringers from the Oxford Diocese will be taking part in a training session at St. Nicholas Cuddington from 2.00 to 4.00pm.  Last year the team came first in the competition held in Liverpool.  We wish them well for the 2020 competition.

News from BCC – Looking to the Future of the Rights of Way Network in Bucks

Buckinghamshire’s new ten-year improvement plan for its rights of way network has just been published in draft form, and the County Council is asking people to take a look and provide feedback via an online survey here: www.buckscc.gov.uk/rowip

The new plan for Buckinghamshire’s footpaths, bridleways and byways was put together after an extensive engagement exercise earlier in the year in which a wide range of individuals, groups and organisations gave their views on the strengths and weaknesses of the network and how they felt it should be improved and developed over the next decade.

The information received via the engagement process was added to the detailed knowledge of the County Council’s rights of way service to produce a new plan setting out how the rights of way network can provide an amenity over the coming years which best meets the needs of people who live or work in Buckinghamshire, and the many people who visit in order to enjoy the county’s outstanding countryside.

Bill Chapple OBE, Buckinghamshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning & Environment, said: “Our rights of way network is the means by which local people and visitors alike access the beautiful Bucks countryside, whether that’s for relaxation, sport, nature study or getting from A to B.  It’s therefore a precious asset, and we are committed to making the most of it, ensuring that as many people have access to it as possible for their recreational and travel needs.  We also want to ensure that the network is not only properly maintained, but protected and enhanced as new infrastructure and residential development takes place in the county.

“I’d ask anyone interested in the future of our rights of way network to read the draft report, and help us to check whether we have come to the right conclusions and have included the right actions by completing the survey.  The responses to this consultation will help us produce the final version of the rights of way improvement plan.  The final draft of the plan will be finished in early 2020 and then adopted by the council.”

Vacancy in the Office of Parish Councillor

Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 87 (2) of the Local Government Act, 1972 that a casual vacancy has occurred in the office of Councillor for Cuddington Parish.

If any TEN electors for the ward or parish give notice in writing to the Returning Officer by Friday 25th October 2019 requesting that an election be held, the vacancy will be filled at a by-election.

The Returning Officer is Andrew Grant and his address, to which such notice should be sent is, Electoral Services, The Gateway, Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, Bucks HP19 8FF

If no such notice is received, the Parish Council will, at their meeting on Monday 25th November 2019 fill the vacancy by co-option of a suitably qualified person.

Dated: 8th October 2019

Signed: Parish Clerk

Sheep Attacked

We’re sorry to report that there has been a dog attack this morning on Ben Clayton’s Herdwick sheep in the field off Spicketts Lane.

Two sheep were killed, and a third has been fatally injured.

Did you see anything?  If so, please telephone Karen urgently on 07718 559978.

Amelie Brooks at the National Tennis Championships

Cuddington resident Amelie Brooks was a finalist in the 12-and-Under Girls Singles event at the Junior National Tennis Championships in Bournemouth last week.  This is a great achievement and reflects very positive performances from her throughout the competition.

Amelie attends Aylesbury High School and trains at Halton.

Mandy Spencer’s 100km Walk

Last weekend Mandy Spencer completed her 100km walk raising money for Winston's Wish, a charity offering support to children and young people after the death of a parent or sibling.  She completed the 100km in 28 hours and 16 minutes.

The amount of money that Mandy has raised so far is over £1,100, which is more than double her £500 target.  The amount includes more than £100 from the collection tin in The Crown – thank you Mike and Laura. 

Mandy would like to thank everyone for their support and sponsorship.  If you would like to top up her fundraising for Winston’s Wish please visit justgiving.com and search for Mandy Spencer. 

Lower Footpath across Ridgebarn

We are extending the spinney in the ridge and furrow field and are preparing the ground for planting with native deciduous trees in the winter of 2021.  This year, we are taking out the fence line and clearing the scrub.  This time next year we will be felling the leylandii.

Please take care when walking through the field and please keep dogs on a lead.  This preparatory work commences on 16th July and should be finished by 20th July.

Milly Soames

Bunting Bonanza!

A huge thank you to everyone involved with our fabulous Fête!  Once again, everyone rallied and put in a huge effort – for those of you who missed out on seeing Frog Lane’s beautiful bunting and farmyard surprises because the tractor ride wasn't available, please do take a walk down there before it's too late!  Scarecrow, chickens, a bull on the porch and a piggy wreath can be found amongst the hand-made bunting!

Sentinel Speed Camera Figures

Cuddington volunteers have been using the Sentinel speed camera since April, and have compiled some statistics which may be of interest to villagers.  Below are the initial findings.  Over the coming months, we hope to provide people with more information on numbers, time periods, etc.

For the period 25th June to 3rd July:

And then overall, for the period 9th April to 3rd July:

*Total vehicles means all those vehicles captured by the Sentinel Speed Camera for exceeding 35 mph within Cuddington.  Details, which include registration numbers, make and colour of vehicle, are then submitted to the police for further action.

There has been a tremendous effort by all those involved.  However, we are still looking for more volunteers.  If anyone wishes to be involved with Cuddington Speedwatch, please contact myself at stepnwright@gmail.com.

Steve Wright, The Old Inn

Final Countdown!

The bunting is up, the weather set fair!

We're in the last stages, now finalising the Auction Lots and working out table allocations... But we still need your help!

Donations on the day - please!

Plants to the Gardening Stall

Cakes to the Cake Stall

Bottles to the Bottle Tombola

Bottles & Prizes Needed!

A huge thank you to those who donated and sorted last Thursday evening. Unfortunately we didn't have enough volunteers to do house to house collections, if you do have items for the Fete, small amounts can be dropped at Denise's or you can arrange to leave them with Karen Clayton on 07718 559978.

We are in desperate need of new prizes for the tombola, this can be in the form of toiletry gift sets, vouchers, anything new and in original packaging would be great.

Bottles are also needed so please clear your wine rack and drinks cupboard to give us sealed bottles that are within date, please. Bottles could be beer or lager or soft drinks too...

If you're feeling particularly generous why not pop something in your shopping basket to donate - a biscuit selection, toiletries, a scented candle, a bottle of something... 

Thanks for your continued support!

The Fete Committee

cuddington.fete@gmail.com

Fete Collections & Sorting – Thursday 20th June

Please bring Fete donations to the Clubhouse on Thursday 20th June 6.30pm - 9.30pm where we will sort the goods to the appropriate stalls.

There will also be house-to-house collections that evening too, when we distribute the programmes.

We need: Bottles; Bric a Brac; Tombola prizes; Crockery; Clothes – especially children’s; Toys; Cuddly Toys.

Helpers on the evening would be appreciated – we’re intending on emptying the Fete shed to look at gazebo quality and check all the stalls are complete.  This is a big preparation day – all welcome – and thank you for your support. Contacts: cuddington.fete@gmail.com or Karen Clayton 07718 559978 or Janine Humphreys 07989 895968.

Fete Colections & Sorting - Thursday 20th June

Please bring Fete donations to the Clubhouse on Thursday 20th June 6.30pm - 9.30pm where we will sort the goods to the appropriate stalls.

There will also be house to house  collections that evening too when we distribute the programmes.

We need: Bottles; Bric a Brac; Tombola prizes; Crockery; Clothes –  especially children’s; Toys; Cuddly Toys.

Helpers on the evening would be appreciated – we’re intending on emptying the Fete shed to look at gazebo quality and check all the stalls are complete.  This is a big preparation day – all welcome – and thank you for your support. Contacts: cuddington.fete@gmail.com or Karen Clayton 07718 559978 or Janine Humphreys 07989 895968
Fete

Churchyard Working Party

A reminder of our churchyard working parties –

First and third Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10.00am

Please bring your own tools, something to take weeds, ivy, etc. away in, and lots of enthusiasm - and just come when you can!

Jobs that are required:
Ivy removal from tombs, walls, etc.
Pruning
Weeding the path.
Clearing the gutter round the church.
Etc, etc......

For more information contact the Church Wardens, Helen Keeping wichertcot@btinternet.com and James Stonham james@holymans.co.uk

Fly Tipping on Ridgebarn Lane

Update: thanks to very prompt action by AVDC, all the fly tipping has now been removed.

18th May Visiting Bellringers

This afternoon we welcome bellringers from Wimbledon. After lunch at the Crown, they will ring our bells before moving on to the 10 bells at Long Crendon church. We hope you enjoy the ringing.

Witchert Chorale – Friends Reunited

St Mary’s Church, Haddenham

Saturday 4th May 2019  7.30 pm

Can’t wait to hear the Witchert Chorale sing from the top of church towers in Cuddington and Long Crendon on the first May Bank Holiday?  Then come to St. Mary’s in Haddenham at 7.30 pm on Saturday 4th May, when they will be joined by their friends from Berlin – the Golgatha Kantorei – for an evening of music from around Europe.

Featuring pieces by well-known English and German composers including Chopin, Fauré, Reger and Schütz, and with some sparkling piano music from Hugh Stradling, proceeds from the evening are being donated to the Haddenham Syrian Family Project.

Tickets are £12 (Concessions £10, Under-16s free) from Blooming Fruity, Haddenham Community Library, Tricia Stradling 01844 291607 or www.witchert.org.uk

Benefice Evensong

St Nicholas’ will be “hosting” this month’s Benefice Evensong which is on Sunday 31st March at 6.30pm.

Everyone is most welcome to this special service when the singing will be led by the Benefice Choir.

Call for Volunteers!

The second Neighbourhood Plan Consultation Paper, a guidance document to accompany the forthcoming second Neighbourhood Plan Village Survey, is now ready for distribution to households in the village.

The Parish Council is looking for any willing villagers to help with door-dropping the Consultation Paper on Monday morning.  If you can help, please meet at 9.30am at Cuddington Stores, when the documents will be shared out and streets assigned.

Thank you very much for your help.

Venetia Davies, Clerk to the Parish Council

Traffic Works Commence

In response to traffic concerns from the village, the Parish Council commissioned Ringway Jacobs (AVDC Highways) to conduct a detailed Traffic Feasibility Study in January 2018.  The objective was to analyse speed through the village and detail appropriate traffic calming measures that AVDC Highways would support.  The results of the Study (here) were received in August 2018. 

Below, the Parish Council summarises the areas that were discussed and discounted, the works of the Traffic Action Task Group, the negotiated traffic calming measures (some of which are taking place now), and the PC's appeal for volunteers for its Sentinel Speed Watch campaign (please email Steve Wright: stepnwright@googlemail.com).

Areas discussed and discounted: 

• Speeding analysis: Speeding compliance 60% therefore relatively consistent.

• Accidents within the 5-year period 01/04/2013 - 31/03/2018: one reported within Cuddington Village, not speed related.

• No pedestrian crossing – no suitable locations with available space, width and visibility.

• No physical buildouts because of restrictive width, poor forward visibility and increased use by farming vehicles bar Aylesbury Road.

• No 20MPH – speeds must average at or below 24MPH which is achieved through signing only whereas the speeds on approach are well in excess of these values.

• To require a 20MPH zone would require significant traffic calming measures, including a number of physical measures, to achieve speeds of 24MPH, this is impractical and would incur high costs.  Not supported by Bucks County Council or Thames Valley Police.

Ringway Jacobs proposed traffic calming measures  

Signing and lining improvements at entry points, including dragons’ teeth, 30mph roundels, high friction surfacing.  Replace the chevron signs on The Green using yellow backed signs.

Cost of proposed recommendations £24,513.

 A LAF funding application was submitted to obtain 50% of the required costs from the local authority.

In October 2018, the village traffic forum, a sub group of the Neighbourhood Plan, were tasked to evaluate the findings in line with the concerns raised in the initial NP survey.

The forum agreed that the top priority was the visibility concerns raised by villagers at the junction where Dadbrook, Aylesbury Road and Bridgeway intersect.  The second and third priorities were speed and crossing points in the village.  It was clear that all three priorities are interlinked given that reducing speeding entering the village from all three main entry points would significantly reduce risks associated with the junction and that of pedestrians crossing the road. 

The traffic forum wrote a response paper detailing their concerns that the traffic calming measures proposed were insufficient to act as a deterrent to motorists speeding through the village.

They insisted on exploring two further options raised in the Feasibility study, that of:

Point 7.1 The group was fully supportive of the proposed physical buildout as detailed in PRIV18003/FEA/DWG/001.  This was deemed a significant physical traffic calming build that would effectively reduce vehicle speeds entering the village from the direction of Aylesbury road and ultimately decrease vehicle speeds at the central junction.  The group noted the issues raised about the need for illumination and the associated costs.

Point 7.3.1 The group was unanimous that the 30mph speed limit terminals located at Spickett Lane and Holly Tree Lane should be moved further out of the village closer to the village nameplate.

In January 2019 Parish Councillors Ravern Stevens and Ken Trew met with the author of Ringway Jacobs Feasibility Study and representatives from Bucks County Council.

We raised our concerns but were told by the highways that the options proposed were the only acceptable solutions that they would support and implement. However, the following was negotiated:

Stage 1 (paid for by Buckinghamshire County Council)

• Refresh the lining and junction markings at the junction of Dadbrook, Aylesbury Road, The Green and Upper Church Street
• Refresh the lining to the bus stop on The Green
• Install solid white edge lines from the main junction to No 7 Aylesbury Road
• Carriageway preparatory patching for the High friction surfacing works at the 30mph terminal signs on The Green

Stage 2

Signing and lining improvements at entry points GREEN, DADBROOK and AYLESBURY ROAD (next to Terminal Speed Signs, including dragons’ teeth, 30mph roundels, high friction surfacing.  Replace the chevron signs on The Green using yellow backed signs.

COST £13,784.21  

Stage 3

Evaluate physical buildout in Aylesbury Road.  This will require installation of additional illumination on the approach and at the buildout.  Cost lighting and power installation high would require significant support and funding from PC estimated at £26,000.

Positioned opposite Spicketts Lane alongside Cuddington Playing Fields therefore slowing traffic down entering from Aylesbury Road.

Further study required into moving terminal speed signs out of village specifically Aylesbury Road 30MPH.

Conclusion

It was proposed by AVDC Highways that Stage 1 should commence in Spring 2019 followed by Stage 2.

Stage 3 will require further research and analysis of funding options linked to the ongoing Neighbourhood Plan.

The Parish Council awaits confirmation this month from the LAF that our funding request for half of the costs has been successful.

Sentinel Speed Watch Campaign

Running parallel to physical structures there is also the sentinel speed watch campaign.  This is where villagers can volunteer to receive training in using a speed camera that can be sited in certain areas of the village to capture vehicles travelling in excess of 35MPH.  Details of these motorists are passed to the police and receive a warning later.  Recidivists who are caught three times will get a personnel visit by a Police Officer.

It is accepted by the Parish Council that the mitigation measures proposed maybe deemed by some villagers as being insufficient.  It must be noted that whilst the PC wanted other options explored they are restrained by what the Highways authority through Ringway Jacobs will allow.

The only option is to challenge the Highway authority’s findings by employing a traffic consultant.  This will be costly and could ultimately be unsuccessful.

It is felt that the risks posed by speeding vehicles can only be countered through a combination of villagers volunteering to regularly undertake speed watch activity and the installation of physical structures.

To register your interest in volunteering for the Sentinel Speed Watch, please email Steve Wright: stepnwright@googlemail.com or phone 01844 292610.

Bellringing Saturday 9th March

One of our local bellringers is 70 this month and the bells will be pealing on Saturday morning to say “Congratulations”.  Ringing friends from the Oxford Society of Change Ringers are hoping to ring a full peal starting at 9.30 and lasting until about 12.30.  We hope you enjoy it.

If you would like us to ring the bells to mark any extra special anniversary or birthday just let us know and we’ll see what we can arrange.

Election of a District Councillor for Haddenham and Stone

A by-election has been called to fill the vacancy for a District Ward Councillor for Haddenham and Stone.  The date of the poll will be 7 March 2019

Statement of Persons nominated here

Notice of Elections Agents' Names and Officers here

Waddesdon Manor Volunteer Open Day

Waddesdon Manor is looking for more volunteers to join their team and get involved and inspired by Waddesdon.  Volunteers have the opportunity to work in a magnificent setting and contribute their time to help and support this heritage property.

They are holding an Open Day at the Manor Restaurant on Friday 1st March between 10.00am and 12.30pm.  At this event, you’ll have the chance to walk around the gardens with a member of the Gardens Team, or see behind the scenes in the House whilst all the winter conservation work is carried out.  You can chat with their friendly staff and volunteers about what it’s like and learn more about the benefits of volunteering at Waddesdon.

Register your interest in the Open Day here.

If you can’t attend the event but would like to find out more, please contact Volunteering Manager Helen Franklin by email to: helen.franklin@waddesdon.org.uk

Parish Supper

The Annual Parish Supper is a wonderful opportunity to come and meet fellow parishioners, enjoy a good meal and hear an inspiring speaker!
All are most welcome.

This year we are most fortunate to have Howard Rose with his talk entitled –
“Out on private jet... home on easyJet!”

It promises to be a stimulating evening –
Saturday 2nd March, 7.00 for 7.30pm in the Bernard Hall, Cuddington.

Tickets (free) from Caroline Saker – 01844 291825 / cpsaker@gmail.com

Donations to cover expenses and surplus to charity

Notice of Road Closure – Aylesbury Road

A section of Aylesbury Road (approximately 168 metres) will be closed from 00:00 to 23:59 on 4th February until 8th February 2019 for the rebuild of wall damage (near Crown PH).

Alternative routes for affected users are Dadbrook, Aylesbury Road, Low Lane.

BCC News – Changes at Household Recycling Centres

Buckinghamshire County Council’s Cabinet has agreed a series of changes to the county’s household recycling centre service.

The main changes being introduced, which it is estimated will make cost savings of £1.25 million, are as follows:

1. Introduce charges at all Buckinghamshire household recycling centres for anything that is classed as non-household waste.  This includes waste resulting from the construction, demolition, renovation or alteration of homes and outbuildings, and rubble, soil and treated wood resulting from garden landscaping.  However, all green garden waste will continue to be accepted without charge.  Charges will be phased in from 1 April 2019.
2. From 1 April 2019, reduce daily opening at the household recycling centres at Rabans Lane (Aylesbury), Chesham and Burnham from seven to five days a week by closing them on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
3. Permanently close the household recycling centre at Bledlow from 1 April 2019.
4. Close the household recycling centre at Burnham permanently from 30 September 2019, subject to a financial review of the effectiveness of the other changes, which could mean that closure is postponed.

The Council will be carrying out extensive communications to ensure that residents are aware of the changes that will be taking place.

David Jutson

We are sorry to report the death of David Jutson, on 27th December at his home.

Together with his late wife Eileen, David was an active member of the village community and used to run the Cuddington cubs and scouts group.  He is survived by his daughter Jane and son John.

The funeral will be at 1.00 pm on Friday 18th January, at St. Nicholas’ Church.

Photo: markwheelerphotography.com

Christmas Services – 30th December

Please note that there will not be a service on Sunday 30th December in St Nicholas' Cuddington.

However, there will be a Benefice Communion sevice in St Mary's Haddenham at 10.30am, when it is hoped that as many Benefice parishioners and others as possible will be able to attend.

Christmas Tree Lights
Switch-On

Mike and Laura from The Crown switched on this year’s Christmas tree lights earlier this evening, after thanking everybody for making them both feel so welcome in the village.

Afterwards, they provided complimentary mulled cider and mince pies at The Crown, in return for a donation to a local charity.

The Hiding Place

St Nicholas’ Church, Cuddington

Monday 3rd December, 2018 at 7.30pm

The Oddments Theatre Company presents The Hiding Place.

This powerful performance of Ten Boom’s incredible story of an amazing rescue mission of Jews from their devastating circumstances during the Second World War is highly recommended.

Tickets are £10 in advance or £12 on the door and may be obtained from:

• www.oddments-theatre.co.uk for direct online booking
• The Benefice Office, St Mary’s Centre, Station Road, Haddenham, 01844 291108
• Caroline Saker, 01844 291825

Bonfire & Fireworks Party 2018

Our annual Fireworks Display will take place at the Playing Fields on Friday 2nd November is once again going to be ‘Free Admission’, thanks to a donation from the Fête Committee to cover the costs of the fireworks!

We need lots of support to make sure that we cover all the additional costs and we promise a great value family night out!  The Playing Fields Clubhouse Bar will be open from 6pm, with the fireworks display from 7.30pm, after which the bonfire will be lit.  The BBQ will be selling hotdogs and burgers from Egghouse Butchery, hot drinks and cakes will be sold by Friends 4 Cuddington and Dinton School, and mulled wine and glowsticks will also be on sale.

We look forward to seeing you there.  Bring your friends and family – it is open to everyone!

“Call My Bluff” Wine Quiz

The Bernard Hall, Cuddington

**Last Call!**

Saturday 27th October 2018  7.30pm for 8pm

This year’s fundraiser for the upkeep and maintenance of the Playing Fields and the Clubhouse takes the form of a hilarious wine quiz in the style of “Call My Bluff”.  A centre-stage panel of bluffers will talk you through each wine and, after tasting, you need to guess which panellist was telling the truth.

Can you tell which of our panellists are bluffing and correctly identify the wine?  There will be eight wines to taste, so the quiz will no doubt become harder as the evening wears on!  Why not get a table together and enjoy the fun?

Tables of up to eight people, at £12.50 per head including eight wines with a cheese platter on the table. There will be a licensed bar and feel free to brimg your own nibbles.

Ideally we'd like people to get a whole table of 8 together and they coordinate their table on the evening...

For more details contact Lorraine Ray on 290606 or email lorraineray1965@yahoo.co.uk

Benefit Gig for Finley Newell

The SkaSouls will be playing a benefit gig for Finley at the Rivets Sports and Social Club, Whitehead Way, Aylesbury HP21 8AD on Saturday 3rd November, from 7.30 pm until midnight. 

The SkaSouls are a seven-piece ska, reggae and 2-tone band playing original material along with Trojan reggae and covers of songs by Madness, The Specials and Bad Manners.  Finley’s father, Joel, plays saxophone with the band.

There will be a licensed bar and a raffle, and all proceeds will go to the Finley Newell Mobility & Equipment Fund.

Tickets are £10 per person.  Enquiries to Liz Davies, telephone 01844 299 150.  Our grateful thanks go to Rivets for hosting this event.

Traffic Feasibility Study

Cuddington Parish Council commissioned a Traffic Feasibility study in May this year.  

The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning 2018

Following the very happy and successful event last year, we shall again be taking part in “The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning” in support of the Macmillan Cancer Fund.

Do please come along to the Playing Fields Clubhouse on Saturday 29th September at 10.00 am - 12pm for a cup of tea or coffee, cake and a tombola.  The money raised will go towards financing Macmillan nurses, offering financial support to patients’ families and funding health and social professionals who help people with cancer.

Please support us in helping this very worthy organisation to do their valuable work in the community.

Best Kept Village Presentation

Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, the Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, presented Cuddington with the Tindall Cup in the Bucks Best Kept Village Competition last Saturday.  The Tindall Cup is awarded to the best village out of all those that won their category in the previous year.

Richard Pushman, chairman of the Competition, congratulated Cuddington on its win and praised the efforts of residents in keeping the village so well maintained.  He said that Cuddington had won the competition 13 times, which was believed to be a record.

After the presentation, both the Competition delegation and villagers were invited to a reception in the Bernard Hall.  The splendid lunch comprised a fine buffet provided by The Crown, supplemented by some delicious cakes produced by Sharon Hayward and Viv Birkby.  In addition Carol Hayward had baked some shortbread biscuits in the shape of aeroplanes, to mark the 100th anniversary of the RAF.

Thanks are also due to Christine Luckett and Gilly Cottman, for their help “behind the scenes”, and to Charlotte Cooper for replanting the pots outside the Hall.

Dinton Folly on Channel 4’s Grand Designs

The first episode of a new series of Grand Designs, aired on Wednesday 19th September, features the Dinton Folly.

Kevin McCloud meets “boundlessly optimistic” Spanish Architect Jaime Fernandez and his English wife Mimi, who have been working to convert this Grade II* listed building into a family home.

Not least of their problems was the discovery of a Saxon burial ground below the folly, leading them to have to call off the diggers and bring in an archaeologist.

The programme is available to watch on the All4 catch-up service, here.

Best Kept Village – Presentation This Saturday

Cuddington has once again won the Tindall Cup, awarded to the best village of those that won in the previous year.  The runner-up village is Stewkley, and the winner of the Morris Cup this year is Padbury.

Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, the Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, will present Cuddington with the cup on the Upper Green at 12.50 on Saturday 15th September.  A buffet lunch will be provided in the Bernard Hall from 1pm.  Everyone is invited to celebrate our success.  Please come along.

Richard Pushman, chairman of the Bucks Best Kept Village Competition, said: “Our popular Best Kept Village competition highlights the great community activity that goes on in our lovely Buckinghamshire villages.

“It is a great way to recognise the contribution of many who give their time and effort to showcase and enhance their local environment.  The Best Kept Village competition is not just for ‘pretty’ villages – we want to see communities where everyone makes an effort to keep their surroundings well maintained.

“The competition is a good opportunity for villages to celebrate all the positive aspects of life in their village and we warmly congratulate this year’s winners for their superb efforts.  The standard is higher than ever this year despite the drought conditions.”

Casual Vacancy – Apply to Become a Parish Councillor

Local Government Act 1972 Section 87 (2)

CASUAL VACANCY

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that one vacancy exists in the office of Parish Councillor for the PARISH OF CUDDINGTON.

The Parish Council will take steps to fill the vacancy by co-option.  Any person interested in becoming a Cuddington Parish Councillor should please apply to:

Venetia Davies
Clerk, Cuddington Parish Council
Prospect Cottage
The Green
Chearsley
Aylesbury
Bucks  HP18 0DJ

Email: cuddingtonpc@gmail.com

By 5pm on Monday 17th September 2018

Parish Clerk
30th August 2018

Power and Tool Security Marking - Today!

PSCO Sue Jones is offering a Power & Garden Tool Security Marking and Crime Prevention session today, Saturday 11th August 2018, outside the Bernard Hall from 1 - 3pm.

Bring along your power and garden tools for free marking and gain some crime prevention advice.

Vacancy in the Office of Parish Councillor

Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 87 (2) of the Local Government Act, 1972 that a casual vacancy has occurred in the office of Councillor for Cuddington Parish.

If any TEN electors for the ward or parish give notice in writing to the Returning Officer by 24th August requesting that an election be held, the vacancy will be filled at a by-election.

The Returning Officer is Andrew Grant and his address, to which such notice should be sent is, Electoral Services, The Gateway, Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, Bucks HP19 8FF

If no such notice is received, the Parish Council will, at their meeting on Monday 24th September fill the vacancy by co-option of a suitably qualified person.

Dated: 7th August 2018

Signed: Venetia Davies, Parish Clerk

Address: Prospect Cottage, The Green, Chearsley, Aylesbury, Bucks HP18 0DJ

Watch the England-Colombia Game at the Clubhouse

The Playing Fields Clubhouse will be screening the England-Colombia World Cup fixture this evening.  Come along and cheer on England!

The bar will be open from 6.45.

Normal Pattern of Services

The normal pattern of Sunday services is:

1st Sunday      10.00am Holy Communion
2nd Sunday     10.00am All-age Service
3rd Sunday      10.00am Holy Communion
4th Sunday      10.00am Morning Worship
5th Sunday      10.00am Morning Worship
There is an Evensong in one of the Benefice churches on a 5th Sunday - see notices for details

Occasionally there will be times when a different arrangement is followed. For details please see the weekly Notice Sheet.

There are rotas of those who read lessons, lead in prayer, run the sound system and act as the Welcome Team/Sidesmen.

Extraordinary Meeting - Tonight at 7.30pm

A reminder that the Parish Council will be considering responses to the Rectory Homes/Allotment Society Exhibition tonight at 7.30pm in the Bernard Hall.  The Agenda is attached here

The Exhibition is available to view from 5.30pm today in the Bernard Hall, Monday 18th June.

Traffic Feasibility Study Underway

Cuddington Parish Council has agreed to proceed with a Traffic Feasibility Study.  The report, to be received in August, will give a series of recommendations for traffic calming in the village.  This will be funded by contribution.

The Scheme Assessment and Scope Form can be viewed here and under Useful Links on the Neighbourhood Plan section of the village website.

Fete Sorting – Thank you!

A huge thank you to all those who donated, sorted, lifted, boxed, priced and so on last night!

More prizes and donations still needed - tall thin prizes for Hoopla, bottles of all shapes sizes and contents for the Bottle Tombola, General Tombola new prizes such as toiletry sets, gift sets, vouchers, etc...

Donations received at Denise's, or e-mail cuddington.fete@gmail.com or contact Janine Humphreys or Karen Clayton...

One month to go....!

Donations & Sorting Evening – 14th June

Please bring donations and your time to the Playing Fields Clubhouse on Thursday 14th June 6.30pm to 9.30pm so that we can sort items to relevant stalls and see what else we might need before Fete Day!

Bar will be open from 7pm... and we'll be sorting out the Fete shed too!

Keep Cuddington Tidy – Litter Pick this Saturday

Please join the Parish Council for a Litter Pick this Saturday, 2nd June, at 10am.

Meet on the Upper Green.  Litter pickers and bin liners provided.  

With thanks

Look Out for a Grey Range Rover Discovery

Please look out for a grey Range Rover Discovery, registration number OV51 AET.  The occupants are seeking to dump rubbish in the village and have already been chased away twice.

If you see them, please chase them away and/or call the police on 101.

CHUF Celebrates 50 Years!

CHUF Pre-School is delighted to host CHUF FEST at the newly-built Chearsley Village Hall on Saturday 19th May, to celebrate its 50th anniversary!

Please join us for an afternoon and evening of fun and celebrations, to commemorate this very special occasion.  All are welcome!

Between 3:00 and 6:30pm we have a fun-packed programme for all the family:

• Workshops for children of all ages
  Musical Mayhem ~ Disney Dance Workshop ~ Street Dance Workshop

• Talent Competition from Magic and Poems to Martial Arts and Football
  Best prince and princess costumes, in honour of the royal wedding

• Bouncy castle, face painting, arts and crafts stalls and games

We will be serving plenty of refreshments including an American BBQ, a jacket potato stall, the Fish and Chip Van will be popping in, ice creams and cakes.  For any football fans, the FA cup final will also be shown at our licensed bar.

Tickets for the afternoon events are just £5 per child and free for adults!

Between 6:30 and 10:30pm it’s our 50th birthday “Golden Evening”!  You will be treated to a fabulous evening of music and entertainment, including an acoustic set from special guest Tony Hadley, more live music from a great local band, and a glittering DJ disco.

We will be serving the same delicious food and drinks including American BBQ and the Fish and Chip van will be back.  Tickets for the Golden Evening are £15 per adult.

All proceeds from CHUF FEST will be used towards CHUF Pre-School, at both the Chearsley and Haddenham settings.  Please use the link below to book your tickets and we look forward to seeing you there!

www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/483390

CHUF is a Registered Charity, Number 1019818

Turn End Gardens Open Weekend

Turn End, Townside, Haddenham  HP17 8BG

Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th April  2.00 - 5.00 pm

Turn End is one of three houses designed and built in Haddenham in the 1960s by architect Peter Aldington.  Visit this award-winning family home and explore the enchanting series of walled gardens.

Enjoy the Sculpture Exhibition which will bring together the work of ten local sculptors, including Cuddington sculptor Jessica Ecott, with pieces intriguingly displayed throughout the garden rooms of Turn End.  The studios of Artist in Residence Heather Hunter, who specialises in artist’s books and printing and multi-award winning photographer Paul Wilkinson will also be open to explore.

Admission £15 (Friends of Turn End and children free).  Teas and homemade cakes.

Buy tickets here or buy on the gate.

www.turnend.org.uk

www.jessicaecott.co.uk

May Day Madrigals

One of our most pleasant and popular local traditions continues!  The Witchert Chorale will be singing a selection of madrigals at the top of St. Mary’s Church, Long Crendon at 8.30 am and then at St. Nicholas’ Church at 9.30 am on Bank Holiday Monday, 7th May.

Admission is free and all are most welcome to come along.  Refreshments will be provided.

Please support the Freight ePetition

Cuddington and Chearsley Parish Councils are maintaining pressure on Bucks CC to do something about the amount of heavy freight traffic using the roads through our villages and have joined forces to create an ePetition to Bucks County Council on the subject.  

Please support our efforts by signing this petition at Freight ePetition.  It is very simple to 'sign'.

No log-in is required – just click the link, then click on Sign ePetition and enter name and email address, then on the next page click ‘Sign’. 

Petition Title:  Chearsley and Cuddington Freight Traffic Problems

Petition Wording:  There is a high and increasing volume of Heavy Goods Vehicles using the totally unsuitable routes through both villages.  Bucks CC is requested to note the concern this is causing to local residents and ensure that it is specifically and effectively addressed as part of the developing Bucks CC Freight Strategy.

Supporting Statement:  The C class roads through both villages are relatively narrow and totally unsuitable for the increasing number of HGVs that are using them.  The draft Bucks CC Freight Strategy is intended to address this, but the current draft a) does not identify these villages as particular hot-spots, and b) appears to put the interest of freight operators above the concerns, and safety, of local residents.

The petition will close on 9th May 2018. 
Please support us by signing it.  The more people that participate, the more our voice will be heard.

Thank you

Annual Village Meeting – Wednesday 18th April

This year’s Annual Village Meeting will be held in the Bernard Hall on Wednesday 18th April at 7.30 pm.  The agenda is attached here.  The Minutes from last year’s meeting can be viewed here.

This meeting is the main opportunity of the year for all residents of Cuddington to get together and discuss issues that are concerning them, as well as hearing about what is going on in the village.  It is not a meeting of the Parish Council, although one of the items will be a report from the PC.  In recent years this meeting has always been really well attended and an enjoyable event.

It is also a fantastic opportunity for newer residents to meet others, over a glass of wine or soft drink at the end of the meeting.

The agenda will include Planning, the Neighbourhood Plan, Village Finances, progress at the School and lots of other things.

Please join us.

Ken Birkby
Chair, Cuddington Parish Council

BCC Draft Freight Strategy – Have Your Say

Cuddington Parish Council and Chearsley Parish Council are working hard to reduce the high volumes of heavy vehicles driving through our villages – a matter of concern to many Parishioners.

Bucks CC have just published a ‘Draft FreightStrategy (2018 – 2036)’ Consultation.  The deadline for comment is 9th April.

A copy of the relevant documents can be accessed at: https://democracy.buckscc.gov.uk/mgConsultationDisplay.aspx?ID=6356

Your attention is drawn 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 Cuddington and Chearsley Village.  It takes only a few minutes – use question 6 to emphasise what you think about the situation in the village.  The more people that comment, the more seriously it will be taken.

The Parish Councils have been actively communicating its concerns about the numbers of HGVs using the wholly unsuitable routes through our villages.  This included circulation of a report on the three HGV surveys carried out during 2016.

Although the PC will continue to make representations on behalf of the 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 Bucks County 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/

Thank you

Spring is Here so Get Walking!

New born lambs are in the fields, along the River Thame; saw a yellow brimstone butterfly in Holly Tree Lane today; wild primroses abound and lots of birdsong! 

So dust off your walking boots and walk with a spring in your step to see all these and more delights!

Contact us if you want any advice on walks. 

Happy walking!

Alan and Stella Marsh

marsh@rosetree40.plus.com

What Sort of Cuddington Do You Want for Your Family’s Future?

What sort of Cuddington do you want for your family’s future?  The recent drafting of the Aylesbury Vale Local Plan set out a vision for the years ahead for housing for the Vale, identifying Cuddington as a medium sized village, so designated by its facilities such as school, field, local shop and public house.  It sees that 21 houses could be built on two separate sites in the village.

The Parish Council without detailed plans of developments has consulted with villagers about this plan and in principle supported the idea of planned growth within the village to assist sustainability for local services and an opportunity to develop village infrastructure such as pathways.  It is mindful however of the limited capacity of our services such as the school and the impact on traffic volumes.

The adoption of the Local Plan will likely be some eighteen months off but will at that time bring some order to future development.  In the meantime we could face potentially developers bringing forward unsuitable proposals.  As things stand at this time there are very few powers within the Councils to prevent such haphazard growth having to argue each case on its merits as they appear.

The Parish Council is seeking to develop a Neighbourhood Plan for the village to ensure development is both planned and ultimately in the village’s best interests.  Neighbourhood planning was introduced in the 2011 Localism Act whereby Communities can directly shape development in their local area through the production of a Neighbourhood Plan.  It will take around a year to produce and needs to be the result of local residents for local residents.  It is seen as a vital tool to both identify and then deliver upon answering the question what sort of village do you want for your family’s future.

We intend setting up a working party including councillors and local residents to oversee the preparation of and drafting of our plan.  A number of working groups will be required looking at areas such as traffic volumes, detailed housing and related requirements, education and employment developments and links to other areas.  There is assistance available from dedicated Aylesbury Vale Council staff and consultants can be used to help shape and work on the various strands involved in the plans preparation.  Government grants can be claimed to assist with costs. Copies of plans already developed can be seen on various local websites such as those for Buckland, Marsh Gibbon and Slapton, all places similar in size to ourselves.  Others include Long Crendon.

The Parish Council recognises that a Neighbourhood Plan can only be successful if it involves at all levels the residents of Cuddington.  We are therefore seeking local people with an interest in the village to join the working party or in the near future one of the working groups likely to be established.  A number of people have already expressed interest but we are writing to make you both aware of our intentions and invite your participation.  We will need many varied skills to lead or assist on tasks such as public consultation, surveys and questionnaires such as about the scale of any future growth.  Our intention is to look to prepare in January/February so we are ready to apply for grants in March/April.  Then to get on and deliver!

At this time we would be grateful for your expression of interest.  We will be arranging an initial get together soon.  Do not be shy or think you have little to offer, you will have plenty.

Please respond to cuddingtonpc@gmail.com.

Cuddington Parish Council

Defibrillator Training – Saturday 10th March at 3pm

The Parish Council has arranged a further opportunity to have CPR and defibrillator training in the village.  Training commences at 3pm and concludes at 4.30pm on Saturday 10th March, in the Bernard Hall.  It is being delivered by Ian Jones, a fully qualified paramedic from South Central Ambulance Service.  This training will provide all attendees with a clear understanding of how to use CPR and defibrillators in the case of a suspected cardiac arrest and, perhaps, save someone’s life.

The training is limited to only 20 spaces, so please, if you want to secure a place and to support your community, then e-mail your details, or telephone, to Venetia Davies, Clerk to the Parish Council, on cuddingtonpc@gmail.com

Depending on demand, it may be possible for a further session to be arrange in the future.

Traffic Congestion

Please be warned that parking will be limited around the school’s Infant site for the next two weeks, starting on Monday 8th and there will probably be some traffic congestion.  This is due to work taking place on the Foundation area, which was mentioned in last month’s Village Voice;  a skip for the removal of rubbish will be in position and delivery vans will be dropping equipment off at various times during the period.

Cones will also be placed during this time to allow for deliveries and access for removal vans at The Old School House.  When there are cones in position please respect them, as it will be either for a delivery or removal vans.

We hope you can bear with us during this time.

Kim Price, Headteacher

Drawing and Painting Course

Caroline Stonham is running a 10-week drawing and painting course in Haddenham under the Buckinghamshire Adult Learning scheme.

The course will take place at the St. Mary’s Centre, Station Road, Haddenham HP17 8AJ on Friday mornings between 10.00 and 12.00 am, starting on 12th January.

Places are limited.  To book your place telephone 01296 382403 or email studentenquiries@buckscc.gov.uk.  For more courses and information visit www.adultlearningbcc.ac.uk

Carol Singing

This year's carol singing will start on Upper Green at 6.00pm on Tuesday 19th December.

Do come and join us singing round the village!

Or if you aren't able to then please listen out for the singers and our team of collectors who will be asking for donations which will be shared between Tearfund and Crisis.

New Metal Kissing Gates on Footpaths 11 and 13

Thanks to funding from Bucks County Council, Cuddington now has four new metal footpath gates on  paths 11 and 13.  BCC kindly met the cost of the gates whilst the Parish Council paid for the installation.  Our thanks to the landowners for supporting this initiative.  Happy walking!

The Witchert Chorale: From Venice

St Mary’s Church, Haddenham

Saturday 2nd December  7.30pm

Come to the Witchert Chorale’s Concert and be transported between continents and across centuries.  From the historic city of Venice in the Renaissance to the beaches of Rio de Janeiro in the 20th century.  We celebrate the start of the festive season with joyful psalms and with a rather continental dance.  And who knows what else we can manage to squeeze in between!

We welcome to perform with us on this occasion two violinists and a cellist, in a programme which must surely have something for everyone.  Refreshments will be served in the interval.  We look forward to seeing you there!

Charity Coffee Morning

Come and join us in the Bernard Hall on Wednesday 8th November for a Coffee Morning and Gift Sale in aid of the Garden Route Children’s Trust (www.grct.org.uk).  There will be local artists and artisans selling their beautiful products.  It is a chance to buy early Christmas presents or just something lovely for yourself.

In addition, we will be serving tea, coffee and homemade cake.

Proceeds will be going to support the work of the Garden Route Children’s Trust in South Africa.  We hope to see you there!

Ali Lewis and the trustees of Garden Route Children’s Trust

Chinnor Musical Theatre – All Kinds of Everything

The Bernard Hall, Cuddington

Saturday 18th November  7.30 pm

Chinnor Musical Theatre presents a hilarious evening of variety and entertainment – with a twist!  There’ll be something for everyone and you’ll come away with a huge grin on your face.

Tickets are £12 per person and include a ploughman’s supper.  There’ll also be a licensed bar.  Visit www.chinnormusicaltheatre.org.uk or phone 01844 223355.

Bucks County Council – Budget Consultation 2018/19

People across Buckinghamshire are being asked to help the County Council make important spending decisions about next year’s budget.

An online consultation, which runs until Sunday 19th November, aims to get local people involved in helping to decide on which areas of the Council’s work future spending should be focused.  The short survey can be completed at:  https://tinyurl.com/bucksbudget18

Noel Brown, Cabinet Member for Community Engagement and Public Health, said the Council’s services touched the lives of everyone in the county.

“It’s only right that we should want to ask residents to tell us what’s important to them, to help us decide where to focus our finite funding, and I’d urge people to take part,” said Noel.  “Allocating our budget gets more and more difficult each year, with pressure on our vital services to vulnerable older people and children.  Difficult decisions lie ahead.  There are things we have to do, which mean there are more limited choices about the things we’d like to do.”

The coming year, 2018/19, will be the first in which the Government gives Buckinghamshire nothing in revenue support grant funding, putting further pressure on the budget, said Noel.  The amount the Government pays the County Council has fallen rapidly in the past few years, from £60.8m four years ago, to zero next year.  Along with Dorset, Buckinghamshire will be the first county to receive no revenue support grant from Whitehall.

Noel said the County Council would be submitting a consultation response about next year’s funding settlement and lobbying the Government for more money.  People who don’t have access to the internet or a computer can take part in the County Council budget consultation at any library, where staff can help them to complete the survey.

Have Your Say on Household Recycling Centres

Residents across Bucks are able to give their views on the Household Recycling Centres as the annual customer satisfaction survey is launched by BCC.  The survey is run annually in October to find out what works well, what could be improved, and how residents are using the Household Recycling Centres in Bucks and, for the first time ever, residents will also be able to complete the survey from the comfort of their own home.  Link to online survey - https://goo.gl/AQ6zex. Closing date Tuesday 31st October.

Survey staff are on sites during October and talking to residents who use the sites, which gives Buckinghamshire County Council a snapshot of the service.  Over 2,000 responses are sought across the ten sites asking residents questions which include which site they prefer, how often they visit, and whether they are familiar with the permit scheme.

The online version has been created this year, to increase the number of responses, and capture the thoughts of those people who maybe do not visit the site as much.  The survey is open until Tuesday 31st October and can be completed by any Buckinghamshire resident.

Once completed, the survey responses will be collated and reviewed to help the Council make the services offered at all ten Household Recycling Centres the best they can be, whilst keeping costs down.

County Council Cabinet Member for Planning & Environment Cllr Bill Chapple OBE said “The annual survey is a great chance for residents to have their say, and tell us what they like about the service.  Last year 99% of those who responded to the survey were satisfied with the service, and we’d like to get to 100%.  Millions of visits are made to our Household Recycling Centres each year, so we want to know where we can improve and how our residents are using the sites.  Having an online option is a great chance to listen to more of our residents’ views.”

Aylesbury Choral Society – Autumn Concert

Aylesbury Vale Academy, Paradise Orchard, Aylesbury HP18 0WS

Saturday 18th November  7.30 pm

Works will include Schubert’s Mass in G, Rutter’s Gloria and Lux Aeterna by Lauridsen.  The concert will be conducted by Jeff Stewart.

Tickets are £15 (under 18s £6), available from Angela Sanderson on 01844 291626 or at www.aylesburychoral.org.uk.

Harvest Festival

Harvest Supper
Saturday 7th October in the Bernard Hall
7.15 for 7.30pm
Tickets £7.50 (£5 concession) from Caroline Saker – 291825

Sunday 8th October – All Age Service at 10.00am followed by
Bring and Share Lunch at 12.30pm
with crazy harvest competitions:
       - Famous building carved out of carrots
       - Cupcakes decorated with an animal theme
       - Fluffiest scones
       - Best home-made jam

Come and Celebrate with us!

Best Kept Village Award Presentation

Following Cuddington’s success in this year’s Best Kept Village Competition, Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher presented the Morris Cup and Sword of Excellence to Ken Birkby, Chairman of Cuddington Parish Council, this afternoon.  He read out some of the complimentary comments from the judges and praised the village for our efforts.  He singled out the condition of the Best Kept Village sign, the defibrillator and the lack of litter in the village as particularly worthy of mention.  Sir Henry said that Cuddington has won both the Morris Cup and the Sword of Excellence more times than any other village.

Before the presentation the Chairman of the competition, Richard Pushman, paid tribute to the late Jim Hayward, saying that Jim had been instrumental in supporting the competition over many years and was a tremendous local champion.  He said that Cuddington has set the standard of what a best-kept village should look like.

Chearsley were kind enough to present us with a splendid celebratory cake for the occasion, created by Alex Brown.  Next year Chearsley will be entering the Best Kept Village Competition for the first time.  As this year's winners, Cuddington will be barred from entering next year, and so we wish our neighbours every success!

The Seventies Rewind

I have just joined the team at Red Kite Radio to present a new weekly programme called The Seventies Rewind.  I hope you’ll join me every Monday evening at 7 pm for two whole hours of great 1970s music.  Dig out your platform soles, flares and kaftan and enjoy everything from glam rock to disco; from soul and Philly to reggae; from soft rock to R&B.

Listen locally on 107.2 FM, or online at www.redkiteradio.com, or via the TuneIn app.

Chris Long

Hold Your Horses!

No fewer than seven horse-and-traps were seen on the Upper Green this afternoon.  The group met up on the Green before driving to Chearsley for a private birthday lunch at The Bell.

A young pony, wanting to be with the other horses, had earlier escaped from a paddock, but our neighbourhood PCSOs Sue Jones and Denise Grayburn helped ensure that the pony was safely recaptured.

W.I. "Young Carers Bucks " 2017

We have continued to collect coppers (No coinage refused) and we have had some very generous donations for Young Carers Bucks.  By the end of 2016 the total given was £2,335 .  We thank everyone for their support and will continue with this collection which the young people greatly appreciate.

Cuddington Wins Again – the Best of the Best!

Cuddington has triumphed once again in the Best Kept Village Competition, winning the Morris Cup which is awarded to villages with a population of between 500 and 1500.  The runner-up was Castlethorpe, to the north of Milton Keynes.

Not only that, but Cuddington is also to be presented with the Sword of Excellence, awarded to the best winner overall.

Richard Pushman, Chairman of the Best Kept Village Competition, said: “Our popular Best Kept Village Competition highlights the great community activity that goes on in our lovely Buckinghamshire villages.  It is a great way to recognise the contribution of many who give their time and effort to showcase and enhance their local environment.  The Best Kept Village Competition is not just for ‘pretty’ villages – we want to see communities where everyone makes an effort to keep their surroundings well maintained.  The competition is a good opportunity for villages to celebrate all the positive aspects of life in their village and we warmly congratulate this year’s winners for their superb efforts.”

Cuddington Parish Council would like to say a very big “thank you” to all parishioners who took place in this year’s litter pick and tidying of the village.  Not only did they tend to the usual spots – the war memorial, notice boards and bus shelters – but earlier in the year they worked to clear the verges along the main roads.  Whilst not judged on this for the Best Kept Village Competition, it was much appreciated in controlling the litter that is thrown from windows of passing vehicles.

The Winners’ presentation is due to take place on Saturday 16th September, when Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, Lord Lieutenant, will present us with the cup.  Further details will be posted on the village website.

Congratulations are also due to Haddenham, runner-up in the villages with a population of over 3,000 category.

Break-In to Allotment Sheds

Several of the sheds on the allotments have recently been broken into.  A petrol can, tools and a calor gas burner were left on the ground near the footpath through that end of the allotments.

Allotment holders – and indeed all garden shed owners – are advised to ensure that their sheds are secure, and to consider removing any valuable equipment.

Notice of Casual Vacancy for the Parish of Cuddington

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to Section 87 (2) of the Local Government Act 1972, that a vacancy exists in the office of Councillor for the Parish of Cuddington and that unless ten or more electors of the electoral area have, on or before Tuesday 1st August at 5pm, submitted a request in writing to the Democratic & Electoral Services Officer, Aylesbury Vale District Council, The Gateway, Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, HP19 8FF that an election be held to fill the vacancy, the Parish Council will take steps to fill the said vacancy by co-option.

Clerk to the Council

Dated: 12th July 2017

Cuddington Fête – Grand Auction Lots

Here is a list of the fantastic lots to be auctioned on Fête Day, Saturday 8th July, at 3.15 pm outside the Bernard Hall.

To place a bid in advance, please email cuddington.fete@gmail.com with your name, contact number, the lot or lots you wish to bid for and the amount(s), by 12 noon on 8th July.  You can also obtain a Bid Form from Cuddington Stores or Denise’s.

STOP PRESS!!  We also now have four tickets for Chessington World of Adventure to auction...

Good luck!

Help Bucks County Council Plan for Tomorrow’s Lorry Traffic

Parishioners will recall the formation of an HGV traffic action group with neighbouring Parish Councils to obtain data on HGV traffic through village roads and the group’s subsequent lobbying and presentation to Bucks County Council.

Residents and businesses are now being invited to help plan how to handle tomorrow’s rail and road freight in Buckinghamshire.  Heavy lorries make up between 10% and 20% of traffic on main routes through the county, and with a steady increase in freight forecast over the next decade, County Council transport planners want to prepare for the future.  They’re asking people to help them identify local problem areas, explore untapped opportunities and pinpoint solutions.

A ten-minute online snapshot survey will run until 6th July at www.buckscc.gov.uk/freight to allow residents and businesses to feed into their thinking.  Please take time to fill in the survey.  The results will inform a draft strategy for full consultation later in the year.

Red Kite Radio 107.2

Cuddington has a brand new radio station!  From new, custom-built studios in Haddenham Garden Centre, Red Kite Radio is now broadcasting live to Thame, Haddenham and the surrounding villages on 107.2 FM.

Red Kite Radio is a not-for-profit radio station run by a team of volunteers and a couple of part-time employees.  They oversee the day-to-day output, present programmes, look after client supporters and the team of enthusiastic volunteers.

Despite being not-for-profit, Red Kite Radio is professionally run and aims to give the region a polished radio station featuring people and voices from the local community.  The station is licensed by Ofcom and will be completely funded through grants, donations and the sale of advertising and sponsorship to local businesses and traders.

To find out more visit www.redkiteradio.com

Xtreme Barrow Racing

The Playing Fields – Sunday 18th June from 2pm

A Father’s Day Treat in aid of Compassion’s community project, supporting Ngowa (St Nicholas Church’s sponsored child).

Please bring a picnic – cakes and hot drinks will be available in the clubhouse where the bar will also be open from 2.30pm.

Prizes will be awarded for the first to cross the line and the best fancy dress in two separate categories:

• Full sized barrow pushed by an adult, carrying a child over 5
• Barrow of any size pushed by a child under 5, carrying a soft toy

Race Numbers can be bought in advance from Jo Goodson or Sonia Storey at church every Sunday, at school pick-up at 3.15pm or from the bus stop at 3.50pm.  £5 per barrow team.

And now for the official rules:

1. Barrow occupants must wear a bike helmet and remain within the barrow for the duration of the race.  If a barrow loses its occupant the whole team will be disqualified.
2. Barrows must stay within the marked 500m course at all times.
3. Participants must adhere to instructions from fluorescent jacket-wearing marshalls at all times.
4. Fancy dress must extend to the barrow occupant, pusher and barrow itself.
5. Barrow occupants must be over the age of 5 years and able to hold on to the edges of the barrow for the entire race.
6. There is no upper age limit for barrow occupants but race organisers may question the sanity of anyone pushing someone heavier than themselves.
7. Barrow pushers must be aged over 12 years.
8. Barrow pushers are allowed to borrow children from outside their family for the event but please get permission from the child’s parents before attending the race.
9. Strictly no barrow bashing during the race.
10. Strictly no barrow sabotage before or during the race.
11. Event organisers reserve the right to stage heats should there be a large volume of entrants.
12. Good sportsmanship should be displayed by all participants at all times.
13. And finally... all participants take part at their own risk and the event organisers may not be held responsible for any injuries resulting from the barrow racing event.  Trips to hospital will result in disqualification!

Village Tidy Up – Sunday 4th June at 10am

Cuddington has once again entered the Best Kept Village competition and in preparation for the judging (anytime from June through to July), the Parish Council has organised a Village Tidy on Sunday 4th June at 10am.

As well as being marked on the overall appearance of the village including lack of litter and community effort, Cuddington will be judged on areas around the shop and pub, bus shelters, notice boards, war memorial, children’s play area and the playing field.

If you are available to lend a helping hand with our Village tidy up, please email cuddingtonpc@gmail.com.  We’ll meet outside the Bernard Hall at 10am.  Litter pickers, high-vis jackets and bags will be provided.  Please bring gloves.

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

Cuddington resident and coins and medals expert Charles Riley appeared in an episode of the antiques-themed BBC TV programme Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is.  The programme pits two personalities from the world of antiques against one another, buying objects at car boot sales, auctions etc. and then reselling them.  The person who makes the most profit is the winner.

In this episode the two ‘competitors’ were Chuko Ojiri and Eric Knowles.  Ojiri, who has an interior design shop in East London, had bought an 18th century guinea balance (for weighing gold guineas, to see that they are the correct weight) at a car boot sale in Chesterfield.  Charles talked to him about the balance and then offered him a buying price.

Work on the Bridlepath at Ridgebarn – Postponed

This work has now been postponed until August.

May Day Madrigals

In what has now become a local tradition, the Witchert Chorale will be singing a selection of madrigals at the top of St. Mary’s Church, Long Crendon at 8.30 am and then at St. Nicholas’ Church at 9.30 am on May Day, Monday 1st May.

This will be followed by further singing inside the churches.  Admission is free and all are most welcome to come along.  Refreshments will be provided.

Cuddington Vertebrate Watch 2017

On the second weekend in May for the past six years, people around Cuddington have spent an hour watching their gardens or a piece of ground around the village and recorded the birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles that they see.  I collect the results and compile them into a report which can be seen on the Cuddington web site or obtained from me, and which is sent to the British Trust for Ornithology.  The aims are:

• To get a small insight into the wildlife in Cuddington and
• To track any changes between years and over time.

This is interesting in itself, but could have a longer-term importance in understanding how wildlife is changing in our area.  This year it will take place on the weekend of May 13th-14th.

We currently have a panel of about 10 people, mostly in the lower part of the village (north of Aylesbury Road) and would really welcome some help from the Dadbrook side – please do send me an email if interested (doug@doug-kennedy.com).

I shall report on the results of this Vertebrate Watch on this page and in the July issue of the Voice.

Reminder – Annual Village Meeting – Monday 3rd April, 7.30pm

Cuddington residents all have an interest in maintaining the vitality, appearance and facilities of our village and its surroundings.  The Annual Village Meeting is the main opportunity for everyone to get together and voice their opinions, hear what is going on and meet neighbours, new and old.  This meeting is not a Parish Council meeting.  Please come along.

The meeting will be informal, as it is intended to have much of the time devoted to open discussion, with various presentations about what is going on.  There will be complimentary wine and soft drinks for socialising and continuing the discussions after the meeting.

Subjects for discussion put forward so far, are;

• Future housing developments in the village and neighbouring areas
• Access to bus routes and safer walking to Haddenham
• Improvements to public footpaths and the environment around the village
• The increasing traffic through the village

Other topics people may want to hear about and discuss are: Village Fête, progress of the Playing Fields, District and County Councils’ activities, the School, The Nicholas Almond Trust, Gardening Club, Village Voice, the Website, the Bernard Hall, the Village Picture House, Tennis Club, WI, Sunshine Club, Boules, Police Community Support Officer, Parish Council.

Appeal for Witnesses Following Serious Collision – Haddenham

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following a serious collision in Haddenham on Sunday 26th March.

At around 4.35pm, a collision took place between three cars on A418 Aylesbury Road.  The collision involved a red Ford Focus, a red Renault Clio and a grey Range Rover.  Road closures were in place whilst emergency services attended the scene.  The road was reopened shortly after 8.40pm.

An occupant of the Clio, a woman in her sixties, sustained serious injuries and was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital by ambulance where she currently remains.  A man in his thirties and an eight year-old boy, who were both travelling in the Focus, were also taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital.

PC Ashley Jordan, from the Joint Operations Unit for Roads Policing, said: “We would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the collision.  If you have any information which may assist with the investigation, please call the Thames Valley Police 24-hour enquiry centre on 101, quoting URN 943 of 26 March.

“I’d also like to thank nearby motorists for their patience whilst the road closures and diversions were in place.”

Message sent by Diane Brown (Police, NHW & Community Messaging Co-ordinator, Aylesbury Vale LPA)

Notice of Casual Vacancy for the Parish of Cuddington

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to Section 87 (2) of the Local Government Act 1972, that a vacancy exists in the office of Councillor for the Parish of Cuddington and that unless ten or more electors of the electoral area have, on or before12th April 2017 at 5pm, submitted a request in writing to the Democratic & Electoral Services Officer, Aylesbury Vale District Council, The Gateway, Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, HP19 8FF that an election be held to fill the vacancy, the Parish Council will take steps to fill the said vacancy by co-option.

Clerk to the Council

Dated: 25th March 2017

A Blitz on Roadside Litter – Saturday 25th March, 10am

Cuddington is going to have a blitz on roadside litter on Saturday 25th March at 10am before the grass grows too much and masks the rubbish along the roadsides (since Bucks County Council has cut the verges on many roads over the recent months, it is noticeable how much litter and junk is present along the roadsides).    

We need a gang of volunteers, who are prepared to give a few hours of their time on this day.  

Please contact venetia.davies@talktalk.net and we will contact you the week before to make arrangements and provide bags and equipment for the job.    

If you would like to help but are not available that day, we could allocate an area to be covered at a more convenient time.

Residents take a pride in the fact that Cuddington village is virtually litter-free.

Casual Vacancy for Parish Councillor

The Parish Council has a vacancy and would like to co-opt a new member soon. 

Casual Vacancy

If you are interested in applying or would like further information, please contact the Clerk at venetia.davies@talktalk.net.

W.I. Meeting on 14th February

A very interesting speaker at this meeting.  Mike Payne has lived in Princes Risborough for many years, and told us a great deal of its history, especially about all the various shops, some of which are still open, although sadly some had to close to make way for Tesco, M & S etc!  He accompanied his talk with lots of pictures on the screen.  After his talk we all enjoyed tea and cakes and a good chance to chat amongst ourselves!

Notice of Casual Vacancy for the Parish of Cuddington

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to Section 87 (2) of the Local Government Act 1972, that a vacancy exists in the office of Councillor for the Parish of Cuddington and that unless ten or more electors of the electoral area have, on or before 20th February 2017 at 5pm, submitted a request in writing to the Democratic & Electoral Services Officer, Aylesbury Vale District Council, The Gateway, Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, HP19 8FF that an election be held to fill the vacancy, the Parish Council will take steps to fill the said vacancy by co-option.

Clerk to the Council

Dated: 1st February 2017

Proposed 50 mph Speed Limit – A418 Dinton Cross Roads to Cuddington Village

Transport for Buckinghamshire (TfB) has received a proposal to reduce the current speed limit from the A418 Dinton cross roads to Cuddington village, along the Cuddington / Aylesbury Road. This change is proposed by the Dinton with Ford & Upton Parish Council, Cuddington Parish Council & Local County Councillor. Funding has been awarded through the Haddenham and Long Crendon Local Area Forum from the BCC Local Area budget and Parish Council contribution.

Transport for Buckinghamshire is seeking your views regarding the proposed changes. 

Objections must be made in writing, together with the grounds on which those objections are being made.  This can be done through: 

• An on-line feedback form is available on the following website: https://democracy.buckscc.gov.uk/mgConsultationDisplay.aspx?ID=3237

• Alternatively comments should be sent to Shane Thomas

The deadline for responses is 8th February 2017.

Subject to feedback from this Public Consultation and Decision, the intention is to implement this 50 mph speed limit legally by way of a Traffic Regulation Order.

The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal for 2016

The following amounts were raised in Cuddington during Remembrance.  These amounts do not include Gift Aid which will be added to the individual village totals later in the year. 

A big thank to all of you who donated to this extremely worthy cause.  Thank you also to those of you who took the trouble to complete the Gift Aid forms.  Gift Aid substantially increases the final amount that is collected annually by the British Legion.  There was no further news regarding the collecting box stolen from the Crown.  In spite of this, results are still excellent.

House to House Collections, Village Stores and Denise Hair: £667.17

St Nicholas Church Remembrance Day Collection: £298.38

Cuddington Parish Council: £60.00

Cuddington and Dinton School: £154.21

Cuddington Total: £1,179.76    

Money collected from the three Villages of Cuddington (£1,179.76), Chearsley (£780.30) and Nether Winchendon (£505.45) totalled £2465.51.  An increase on last year.

Many thanks to all of you who went round the village making collections and for all those of you who once again donated so generously.  All donations have been gratefully received.

Many thanks again to you all                          

Jennifer Schram de Jong

Wanted Down Under

Cuddington villagers Angus and Jo Goodson appeared in last Friday’s edition of the BBC1 TV programme Wanted Down Under.

The programme gives British families the opportunity to look at life in Australia and New Zealand, ahead of a possible migration.  In this edition, Jo, Angus and their children spend a trial week in the city of Tauranga on New Zealand’s North Island coast.

Cuddington Stores – Christmas Opening Hours

Christmas Day   CLOSED (Bank Holiday)
Boxing Day   CLOSED (Bank Holiday)
Tuesday 27th December   8am - 11am (Bank Holiday)
Wednesday 28th December   8am - 5.15pm
Thursday 29th December  8am - 5.15pm
Friday 30th December   8am - 5.15pm
New Year’s Eve   8am - 1.30pm
New Year’s Day   CLOSED (Bank Holiday)
Monday 2nd January   8am - 11am (Bank Holiday)

With best wishes for Christmas and the New Year

Jey and Sugi

Appeal for Witnesses After Vehicle Crime

Thames Valley Police is appealing for information after one vehicle was stolen and another one damaged in Cuddington.

Overnight on Saturday 5th to Sunday 6th November a resident in Bernard Close reported that two windows had been smashed on her Vauxhall Corsa, although it doesn’t appear that anything has been stolen.

On the same night in Aylesbury Road another Vauxhall Corsa was stolen from a driveway.

PCSO Sue Jones from the Waddesdon Neighbourhood Policing Team is the officer dealing with these crimes.  If you saw or heard anything suspicious in the area that night, please give her a ring on the 24 hour Police Enquiry Centre number 101.

If you don’t want to speak to the police or give your details you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or report it online.  No personal details will be taken.  Information is not traced or recorded and you will not have to go to court.

Message sent by Diane Brown (Police, NHW & Community Messaging Co-ordinator, Aylesbury Vale LPA)

HGV Traffic Survey – Volunteers Please!

The Parish Council is conducting its third HGV Traffic Survey on Friday 25th November (8am - 4pm) and volunters are needed again please!  Time slots for monitoring at Cuddington (Upper Green) and the Ashendon Crossroads (Upper Winchendon) are as follows:

8.00 - 9.00, 9.00 - 10.30, 10.30 - 12.15, 12.15 - 13.45, 13.45 - 15.00, 15.00 - 16.00.  Please email venetia.davies@talktalk.net.

Whilst the Ashendon/Westcott Road is closed for the next couple of months due to works to a water main, the HGV working party thought it would be very useful to document any changes in HGV numbers passing through Cuddington and Chearsley compared to those recorded in the June and July surveys.  We will still monitor at the Upper Winchendon crossroads in order to provide comparable data. 

We are also hoping to be able to use some Sentinel equipment to monitor the speed of HGVs and cars entering the village – although we are still awaiting final confirmation of the availability of the equipment.

Representatives from the HGV Working Party (which includes the villages of Ashendon, Chearsley, Cuddington and Westcott) recently attended the Transport for Bucks Autumn/Winter conference.  John Howard, Councillor of Chearsley Parish Council, presented the findings of the surveys this summer which highlighted the number of HGV vehicles together with the safety concerns, especially for vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly, and the heavy damage to village verges.  It is hoped the presentation helped communicate the deep concerns of the villages regarding the number of HGVs currently using the minor roads through the villages.  

With many thanks.

Christmas Fayre with Santa

Saturday, 19th November

2.00 pm to 4.15 pm at the Bernard Hall

Varied stalls selling Christmas gifts, Cards, Hand-crafted Patchwork, Appliqué and Knitted items, Home-made Cakes, Biscuits, Preserves and Sweets, Planted Winter Containers, Pre-loved Toys and Games, Haddenham & District Age Concern Artwork, Raffle, Delicious Refreshments and more.

Come and enjoy a friendly, festive afternoon!
Free admission.

The Royal British Legion (RBL) Poppy Appeal 2016

Beginning during the third week of October, ladies from the village will be going around the village selling poppies for the RBL Poppy Appeal so please give as generously as you can when they come.

Some people in the village have kindly begun to complete the RBL gift aid forms with their donations which increases the income donated.  Last year an additional £170 was collected – a considerable increase on previous years and obviously worthwhile doing.  Practically, Gift Aid can be collected from a donation of about £4.00 upwards but we do not wish for people to feel obliged to give more than they can afford so that we will not be distributing forms prior to the official poppy selling unless asked to do so.  However, should anyone like to use the Gift Aid system, please ask your poppy seller for a form or you can get in touch with Jennifer Schram de Jong who will be very happy to help you:

Email: jschramdejong@yahoo.co.uk

Telephone: 01844 291501

Cuddington Remembers – Lest We Forget

The Village War Memorial was erected in the church yard in 1920 engraved with the names of Cuddington men who died during the First World War.  The same year, the first Remembrance Service took place with most of the village joining together at the memorial.  More names were sadly added at the end of the Second World War and in 1972 the name of Brian Hope who died in Northern Ireland was also added to the memorial.  We also have a commonwealth war grave for Fl. Lieut. Charles Ridout in the cemetery.

This year the anniversary of the battle of the Somme has been widely commemorated both here and in France, and this terrible battle will be remembered here in Cuddington.  But, as we do every year, we will again come together to remember and honour not just our village war dead from two world wars, but also to honour and give thanks for the sacrifices made for us by millions of people from home and abroad who gave their lives or have been terribly injured as a result of the many conflicts throughout the world during nearly seventy years since World War II ended.

This year’s Remembrance Service will be held on Sunday, 13th November, 2016 at 10.00 am.

As for the last four years, a short service will take place in our village church followed by the Act of Remembrance outside at the war memorial (if the weather is clement).  A representative of Cuddington’s children will lay a wreath along with the chairman of the parish council; while the children of all the families at the service will also take an active part by planting poppy crosses at the foot of the memorial.  This has always been a very moving ceremony and it would be good if even more people from the village could join with friends and neighbours quite simply to come and remember and give thanks for the sacrifices of the many so that we may live in peace and freedom.

Martin Dyckhoff Interviewed about HP Printer Cartridge Gaffe

Cuddington villager Martin Dyckhoff was interviewed yesterday on BBC Radio 5Live by business correspondent Coletta Smith.  The interview discussed Hewlett Packard’s recent software update to many of its printers, which caused printers to stop working if non-HP ink cartridges were being used.

Hewlett Packard has now backtracked on this initiative and has announced that a further software update will remove this restriction in a couple of weeks.

Listen to the interview with Martin, who owns Cartridge World in Parton Road, Aylesbury, here.

Results of the Best Kept Village Competition

The Best Kept Village competition judges villages on principal features (Cemetery, playing fields, children’s play area, natural conservation areas, village hall and general environmental features (hedges, verges, ditches, pond, stream, pump) as well as other features including the area around shop, pub, bus shelters, notice boards, war memorial, overall appearance, lack of litter and evidence of community effort.

As a winner of the Best Kept Village 2015, Cuddington was entered into the Tindall Cup category this year – the cup winners category so some very tough opposition!  Cuddington was awarded 80 out of 100 possible marks with very good comments.

A thank you to everyone who worked hard to prepare the village in time for judging.  The report and marking sheet is attached.

Parish Council Meeting – 12th September 2016

The Agenda includes planning application 16/02977/APP – Paddock at Rear Of Great Stone House, Aylesbury Road, Cuddington – Erection of 7 dwelling houses including alterations to the existing access and associated landscaping works. 

The plans will be on inspection from 7pm.  During Parishioners Question Time, Jolande Bowater (Project Manager, Rectory Homes) will be present for a Q&A session.  This session will close at 8.15pm.

VALP – Update for Parishes

The consultation period closed on Monday 5th September.  Here’s “What's next” from AVDC

• All comments received will be analysed and taken into account.
• The evidence and sustainability appraisal will be finalised and the final version of the plan will be prepared for December 2016.
• This will then be considered by AVDC’s councillors and a statutory six week public consultation period will take place in the New Year.  Anyone who has taken part in any consultation throughout the local plan’s development will automatically be notified when this takes place.
• The plan should then be submitted to the government’s planning inspector in early March 2017.  It is anticipated that a public examination will be held on the plan soon after that, with adoption of the plan taking place in mid-2017.  However, after submission, the timetable will be in the hands of the government’s planning inspector.

Another VALP Parishes Event will be held in November.  Date to be confirmed.

All VALP queries to localplanconsult@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk

Draft Minutes of Special Parish Council Meeting to discuss VALP

The Draft Minutes of the Special Parish Council meeting to discuss the Vale of Aylesbury Draft Plan (VALP) and its implications to Cuddington can be viewed here.

Cuddington Parish Council would urge you to make separate representation of your views to AVDC.  The deadline is 5th September.

The full plan is available to look at on the AVDC website: www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/vale-aylesbury-local-plan-draft-plan

Special Parish Council Meeting to consider response to Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan (VALP)

Draft of key points that will be made in the Parish Council’s response to the consultation on Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan.

To be discussed at: Special Parish Council Meeting on 8th August 7.30 pm Bernard Hall.  Everyone is invited to contribute.

The Draft Plan aims to find 33,300 new dwellings by 2033.  (An additional 12,000 houses from adjacent districts on top of the estimated need of 21,300 for Aylesbury Vale).  The Draft Plan allocates housing numbers using a four-tier settlement hierarchy based on sustainability indicators and a fixed % allocation for each tier i.e. a broad-brush, desktop approach to setting minimum targets for each settlement.

Cuddington has been re-defined, in the latest draft, as a ‘medium village’ with a 19% growth target and, as such, would need to accommodate 50 dwellings.  If it was defined as a ’small village’ it would need to find locations for at least 12 new dwellings.

The Draft Plan has not identified the potential sites for the 50 dwellings at Cuddington and AVDC officers aim to find ‘suitable’ sites through detailed site assessments for each settlement and consultation with parishes.  However, it is understood that this exercise may not be completed before the end of the consultation stage for the Draft Plan.  This consultation ends on 5th September 2016.

Cuddington Parish Council believes that the housing allocation in the Draft Plan is too high and should be based on all the criteria for sustainable development and should take account of the characteristics of each settlement and its capacity to accommodate change.  Therefore it is intended to seek a reduction in the housing numbers for Cuddington by :-

• Asking for Cuddington to be defined as a ‘Small Village’
• Objecting to the % allocation for each village type and replacing it with a more qualitative approach
• Strengthening the policy for the protection of the Area of Attractive Landscapes (AAL) designation that covers the village
• Questioning the need to accommodate so much housing from neighbouring districts.

The details of the objections to the Draft Plan are as follows: -

Settlement Hierarchy

The village does not satisfactorily meet the AVDC criteria for a medium village and should revert to its previous classification as a small village.

Cuddington does not meet 4 of the 5 criteria for a medium village: -

• Size – Population is 569.  It would be the smallest of the medium villages and less than half the average of 1152 (in a range of 680-2115) for the proposed medium villages.
• Connectivity – Whilst only being 1.5 miles from Haddenham, there is no public transport to Haddenham, no footway and the necessity to cross the dangerous A418 at an accident black spot.  The public transport to Aylesbury is infrequent.  This is not being ‘well connected’.
• Employment – None.  Insufficient weight has been given to the lack of employment – most of the settlements in the medium village group have some employment.  This is an important issue.
• Facilities –

Key services are: Food store, Pub, Post Office, General Practice, Village Hall, Recreation, Primary School

Non-key services are: Pharmacy, Library, Places of worship, Secondary schools

Cuddington is assessed to score 6 of the 7 on the list of key services.  However, the system gives one point irrespective of how many shops/ pubs etc there are in the village.  Various of the medium villages have greater numbers of each of these services but still the same score applies.  Further, there is no weighting between any of the ‘Facilities’.  For example, for a population with a high proportion of older people, a GP surgery might be more important than recreational facilities.

The Cuddington school site is not a full Primary School, in that Cuddington and Dinton School is located on two sites, the junior school being in Dinton, with infants in Cuddington.  The school is also heavily over-subscribed.  It serves not only Cuddington but also Dinton, Chearsley and Lower Winchendon and these primary pupils are bused-in or driven to school.

• Qualitative assessment – recommends, throughout, small village status.  The description of being ‘well connected to a service centre’ is very debatable.

In response to our querying the re-categorisation, Louise Anderson, Senior Planning Officer - Forward Plans, stated that, ‘The addition of the new medium villages category has meant that some of the smaller villages are now medium villages so as to better reflect their sustainability.’

This is not the case, as Cuddington was the only small village ‘upgraded.’

She further added that, ‘Cuddington continues to be relatively sustainable in terms of the number of criteria it meets, and so fits well into the new medium category.’

Cuddington Parish Council would dispute that statement, in view of the points raised above.

19% growth for every medium village.

The capacity for each medium village to accommodate sustainable development should be sensitive to local conditions and a ‘flat rate‘ of 19% increase is arbitrary and not appropriate in all cases.

For example, there is no consideration of other relevant local factors that restrict the capacity for growth. At Cuddington these include :-

• Much of its area is in a Conservation Area.  There is only one site identified in the HELAA (Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment) so far (for 6 houses) and this is in the Conservation Area.  In order to adequately protect the built environment, this proposal needs to be assessed against sites, including those outside the Conservation Area, that might come forward.
• The village is situated within an Area of Attractive Landscape (AAL)
• Proposals for major expansion at Haddenham could lead to the prospect of coalescence with Cuddington.

Strategic issues

In addition to the above points relating to Cuddington specifically, the Parish Council intends to comment on:-

• The inordinately high provision for possible un-met needs from neighbouring local authorities.
• The apparent disparity between the approach in Wycombe and Chiltern and South Bucks Districts, where, despite not having completed their plans, their bottom-up approach seems to leave a huge deficit.  This compares with AVDC top down approach to impose targets on all its settlements, at the outset.
• The crude mathematical division of development for settlements with little, or no, consideration of the character of the settlement, or its ability to find sufficient sites.
• The lack of specific planning policy for Areas of Attractive Landscape (AAL)

In the event that our arguments about the status of Cuddington are not accepted, there will be a further opportunity to make representations to an inspector, once the Final Plan is published.

Draft Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan – Consultation Starts 7 July 2016

Important implications for Cuddington and its residents

From 7 July to 5 September, residents and other interested parties can comment on the latest draft of the Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan (VALP) which includes locations identified for new homes and jobs.  50 new houses in Cuddington is part of the Plan (see below).

Cuddington Parish Council urges everyone to visit one of the following drop in sessions in order to be better informed, and to make comments.  The Parish Council will be considering its response at its next meeting on Monday 11th July at 7.30pm (Bernard Hall)

Haddenham Village Hall Monday 11th July 11.00-20.00

Aylesbury Friars Square Shopping Centre Thursday 14th July 10.00-17.00

The VALP is based on the premise that there is a requirement for 21,300 new houses for the needs of Aylesbury Vale.  This covers the period 2013-2033.  However, there is also a requirement for it to consider and take account of the unmet needs of adjacent local authorities.  A figure of 12,000 (a 56% uplift) has been added to the total.  Thus the VALP allocates 33,300 new houses to be built in our district.  Cynics have suggested that if Wycombe, Chiltern and South Bucks claim not to be able to find enough sites for their needs, then the Aylesbury Vale green belt will take the hit for them!

In the previous draft of the Plan, Cuddington was classified as a ‘small village’, which would be required to find sites for about 22 new houses.  In the latest version Cuddington has become a ‘medium village’, required to grow by 19%.  Cuddington is the only village in Aylesbury Vale to have been classified upwards and this appears to have been primarily based on our closeness and, presumed easy, accessibility to the wider range of services in Haddenham.

The Draft plan will go before the Government’s Planning Inspector in Spring 2017.

The plan can be accessed from 7 July at: http://aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/vale-aylesbury-local-plan-draft-plan.

Ken Birkby, Chairman

Volunteers Please for Second HGV Traffic Survey – Thursday 7th July

Plans are underway for a second HGV traffic survey this coming Thursday, 7th July.  There are still a couple of slots that need filling, so if anyone can lend a hand at these times, please get in touch at venetia.davies@talktalk.net or 07717 834606.  With many thanks!

HGV Traffic Watch - Thursday 7th July

Cuddington Lower Green

12.15 - 13.45 (one volunteer needed)

Ashendon Crossroads (Upper Winchendon)

12.15 - 13.45 (two volunteers needed)

13.45 - 15.00 (two volunteers needed)

Singing for The Queen!

Friday 10th June

The Infant children will be coming round the village between 9.15 and 10.15 am on Friday 10th so do please look out for them!

This year instead of the traditional May Dancing and Singing round the village, the Infant children will be doing this in honour of the Queen’s Birthday Celebrations.

Please come and celebrate with them!

Village Tidy – Saturday 4th June 2016 at 10am

Just a reminder that we will be tidying the village this coming Saturday, 4th June at 10am in preparation for the Best Kept Village competition.  Barbara Buckley, Parish Councillor has kindly agreed to co-ordinate this event after a very successful Clean for the Queen earlier this year.  If you can help, please contact Barbara at buckley@live.co.uk or arrive at 10am at the Bernard Hall.  Litter pickers and bins will be provided.  Please bring gloves.

Areas where we need help include:

• Litter picking
• Clearing and replacing the notices on the Notice Boards and weeding below
• A weed and clean around the Telephone Box
• A sweep in the Bus Shelters and a clear of the edge of the road in the Bus Lay-bys
• A clear to the edge of the round near the Crown PH wall and a clean of the seat.

Judging takes place between 4th June and the end of July.

As a result of residents making huge efforts, we have had great success over many years.  Floral displays are really helpful in making the village look fabulous, so please get your tubs and baskets in good order and visible!  The Gardening Club have worked hard in the planting around the sign on The Upper Green.  Let’s win again!

Waste Bin Collection Day Changes

From the week beginning 6th June onwards, Cuddington’s recycling and waste collection day will change from Friday to Wednesday.

• On Wednesday 29th June, AVDC will empty the blue-lidded recycling bin and food waste bin
• On Wednesday 6th July, AVDC will empty the green rubbish bin and food waste bin

There is no change to the collection day for garden waste – this remains as every other Monday.

The new collection days are now listed online, at www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/find-your-bin-day

Volunteers Please for Traffic Survey of HGV Vehicles – Friday 10th June

Concerns have been expressed about the volume of heavy goods vehicles passing through Cuddington as well as the villages of Chearsley, Ashendon and Westcott.  Discussions have taken place with Transport for Bucks and our local County Councillor, Paul Irwin and it has been decided to survey the scale of the issue, in order to gather evidence to demonstrate the extent of the problem and see what further action can be taken.

The survey is being organised to take place simultaneously across the villages on Friday 10th June, between 08.00 and 16.00.  A full briefing will be given ahead of the day.

We are urgently looking for volunteers to spend an hour (or more if possible) helping with the Cuddington survey.  It is planned to take place at the crossroads, based in a parked car and with pre-prepared, easy to complete survey sheets.  If you can help, please phone Venetia on 201899 or Ken on 292921 or email venetia.davies@talktalk.net with your available time slot.

With thanks

Jim Hayward Memorial Bench

The bench to commemorate Jim Hayward’s long, dedicated service to the village has now been installed on the Upper Green.  The inscription on the bench reads “In memory of Jim Hayward who spent his lifetime dedicated to Cuddington.  1931 - 2015”.

At the Parish Council meeting last October, it was unanimously agreed that a memorial bench would be a fitting tribute.  The siting of the bench, on the Upper Green near the Best Kept Village sign, is in recognition of Jim’s key involvement with the Best Kept Village competition over many years. 

A ceremony to mark the installation of the bench will be held shortly.

Galliard Band Spring Concert

St. Nicholas’ Church, Cuddington

Saturday 14th May  7.30 pm

NOW IS THE MONTH OF MAYING

with THE GALLIARD BAND and FRIENDS

For tickets please phone Caroline Saker (01844 291825), call into the village shop - or just turn up on the evening!

If you were at their previous concert, you’ll want to hear Galliard again; and if you weren’t – here is your chance to find out what all the excitement was about.

Galliard are joined by well-known local folk musicians, Sue & Clive Carey, who bring their own distinctive contribution to the musical mixture.

Everyone who has ever been at a concert in the Church knows that the standard of catering at the Interval is unparalleled.  So we have a feast for the senses, all in the cause of launching Christian Aid Week in Cuddington.

CPFA Race Night – Last Chance to Place Your Bets!

The Bernard Hall

Saturday 7th May  7.00pm for 7.15pm start

Put together a table of you and seven of your friends for an evening at the races!

Entry is £8 per person including supper.  Put your name down at Denise’s or email Lorraine lorraineray1965@yahoo.co.uk or telephone 290606.

Highway maintenance works: Bridgeway and Dadbrook, Cddington

Transport for Buckinghamshire will be undertaking highway maintenance road treatment works to the carriageway at Bridgeway, Cuddington between Cannons Hill and Brookfields and Dadbrook between A418 and the Green.  This work is being undertaken to improve the condition of the road in order to prolong its life, and will be carried out in two phases.

The surface dressing preparatory works here are scheduled to take place in late April/Early May and it is anticipated they will take up to 4 days to complete.

Actual surface dressing dates have yet to be confirmed.

This work will be carried out utilising a daytime closure that will be in operation between 07.00 and 19.00hrs. 

Works of this nature are extremely weather dependant and therefore may be subject to disruption due to inclement weather. If the works are delayed due to weather or any other unforeseen circumstances, the advance information signs on site will be updated to reflect any change in dates.

Every effort will be made to maintain access for residents, although there may be some delay as the road treatment works pass your property, and we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. Whilst works are being undertaken, vehicles should not be parked on the road and/or footway, as this would obviously cause an obstruction and prevent the necessary works from being carried out in their entirety.

Further information about this work can be found on Transport for Buckinghamshire’s Service Information Centre at http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/transport or alternatively 01296 382416,

Donkey Meadow

No more has been heard either by Nether Winchendon Parish Meeting or by those involved in Cuddington in this matter, and therefore it seems that Mr Spencer Bernard has not submitted a challenge to the ruling by the Inspector at the Public Inquiry.

The Claimed Route, which runs along the northern side of Donkey Meadow, close to the hedge, has now become a Public Footpath.  This will be shown as such on a revised edition of a map of the footpaths and bridleways in our parish: this will be produced within the next few months, and will be posted on the Village Website and on the notice boards; copies will also be available in the Village Shop.

Angela Sanderson

2016 Cuddington Fete needs your stuff!

Cuddington Village is once again preparing for their annual extravaganza which is the Village Fete.  We are collecting almost anything you can think of (except electrical items), if you're having a clear out send your stuff our way – baskets, bottles, toys, soft toys, jigsaws, books, clothes, and all the usual bric-a-brac. Collection points this year include Denise’s, the village shop and 10 Bernard Close.  You can also take toys direct to the Malthouse on the Lower Green and books can go to Wayside on Bridgeway.

If you haven’t helped on the day before but would like to give it a go I’d certainly like to hear from you.  We still have a few orphan stalls without parents to look after them: the General Tombola, bric-a-brac and a few others....

Thanks everyone for all you help,

Jo Goodson (292958, m0301291@doctors.net.uk)

The Great PACE Tea Party

Bradbury Campus, 156 Wendover Road, Aylesbury HP22 5TE

Tuesday 24th May  3.30 - 5.30 pm

The children at PACE would like to invite you to support the upcoming launch event of this year’s Great PACE Tea Party.  The campaign was set up four years ago inspired by The Great British Bake Off, and in recent years has been supported by celebrities such as Mary Berry and Jo Brand.  Our aim is to give our supporters the opportunity to host their own Tea Party in aid of PACE, to raise vital funds that will contribute to further continuing development programmes to those who attend PACE.

PACE is a special needs school and registered charity, offering an “Education for Life” to children with sensory motor disorders such as cerebral palsy.  This based on the belief that every child has the ability to learn and each programme is tailored to their individual needs.

The children at PACE have been working hard perfecting their baking skills in preparation for this year’s campaign.  Join them for a cuppa and a slice or two of cake, as one of our groups bring their creations and tell you about their new PACE Café.  As well as finding out how you can get involved in this year’s campaign by hosting your own tea party.

Over the last two years our supporters have helped to raise £10,000 for PACE, but the hard work doesn’t stop there.  Just under half of our funding is provided by the Local Education Authority, which means we rely on the generosity of the local community to raise approximately £1.3m a year.

We would be delighted to have you join us for a fantastic afternoon, please RSVP to leah.lewis@thepacecentre.org or telephone 01296 616974.

Leah Lewis, Community Fundraiser at PACE
Registered Charity 1011133

Reminder – Annual Village Meeting – Monday 18th April at 7.30pm

Draft Minutes from 2015 AVM (to be approved on 18.04.16)

Nicholas Almond Trust - Report 2015/16

Cuddington residents all have an interest in maintaining the vitality, appearance and facilities of our village and its surroundings.  The Annual Village Meeting is the main opportunity for everyone to get together and voice their opinions, hear what is going on and meet neighbours, new and old.  This meeting is not a Parish Council meeting.  The meeting will again be informal, as it is intended to have much of the time devoted to open discussion, with various presentations about what is going on.  There will be complimentary wine and soft drinks for socialising and continuing the discussions after the meeting.

Subjects for discussion put forward so far, are:

• Future housing developments in the village
• Neighbourhood plans.  The benefits, costs and work involved
• Devolution of services and the potential increasing costs to us
• Footpaths and the environment around the village
• The perennial problem of traffic

Other topics people may want to hear about and discuss are; Village Fete, progress of the Playing Fields, District and County Councils’ activities, and much more!

There will also be a live demonstration of CPR and information about the two defibrillators.

You just have to be there!

Ken Birkby

Salsa Beginner Course

Dance instructor Jenny Willis will be hosting a course of five one-hour salsa dancing lessons at the Bernard Hall, starting on Tuesday 8th March at 7.00 pm.

The cost of the course is £35 per person, payable at the start.  For more information or to book a place, please contact Jenny Willis on 07767 234532 or email info@salsahips.co.uk.

Annual Village Meeting – Monday 18th April at 7.30pm

Our popular annual meeting is booked for Monday 18th April at 7.30 in the Bernard Hall.  This is a village meeting and not a Parish Council meeting.  It is normally very well attended and has lively discussions.  Anything can be included on the agenda (Venetia on 201899).  Subjects already requested are Housing Developments, Neighbourhood Plan, Expenditure in the village and a demonstration of CPR and the defibrillators.  Hopefully the last item will not be required for real, despite the wine at the end of the meeting!

Ken Birkby

Aylesbury Vale My Account

The Aylesbury Vale My Account allows people living or working in the area to manage their contact with the Council online, all in one place.

Since its launch AVDC has had over 6000 residents and businesses sign up for accounts to manage various services they have with AVDC.

There are two accounts, one for residents and one for businesses.  The residents’ Aylesbury Vale My Account allows customers to:-

• View and pay your council tax online
• Manage personal and contact details held with AVDC
• Apply for a garden waste collection, manage garden waste details or order another garden waste bin
• View real time benefit statement information
• Apply for and renew Taxi Driver licences
• Talk to AVDC instantly online via the new web chat service

More details at account.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/resident

Join us! Let’s Clean for The Queen – Saturday 5th March

Clean for the Queen has launched a call for volunteers to join the UK’s largest litter pick aiming to inspire one million people to help during a special clean-up weekend on March 4th, 5th or 6th.  All of the country’s litter charities have come together in support of this campaign to attack the blight of litter, together with a growing range of companies, land managers and associations.

Supporting the clean-up, Cuddington villagers will be taking part, mainly on Saturday 5th March at 10am onwards.  Jobs identified, so far, include:

• Cleaning road signs
• 30mph/de-restriction signs on Dadbrook, Aylesbury Road and Bridgeway
• Other road signs inside the village e.g. School, signpost on The Upper Green, 30mph repeater signs
• Road name signs
• Welford Way garden area.  Weed, trim, litter pick
• Litter pick on roads, verges and ditches
• Bridgeway from the Upper Green to Bridgeway House
• Aylesbury Road from the Upper Green to Cuddington village name sign
• Dadbrook from the Upper Green to Kings Cross
• Bernard Close and Welford Way
• Upper and Lower Church Street, including around the Bernard Hall and telephone box
• Frog Lane
• Spicketts Lane
• Great Stone
• Spurt Street
• Sweeping out and clearing the two bus shelters
• Litter pick down the ‘concrete road’ footpath, particularly behind the School fence
• Cleaning the war memorial and planting pre-potted around it (kindly pledged by Jennifer and Jaap Schrame de Jong).
• Litter pick around the Playing Field.

Barbara Buckley is co-ordinating the event.  Please let her know which job or part job you will undertake, so that we can co-ordinate everyone’s efforts and get enough people together to do the bigger jobs.  If it’s not convenient, it doesn’t have to be on the Saturday.

“Clean for the Queen” litter bags and disposable gloves will be available. 

Email: buckley@live.co.uk  Tel.  291332

For further information visit www.cleanforthequeen.co.uk

About Keep Britain Tidy

• About 2.25 million pieces of litter are dropped on the streets of the UK every day. Thirty million tons of rubbish are collected from England’s streets each year. That’s enough to fill Wembley Stadium four times over and costs over a billion pound to clean up.
• The Highways Agency clears about 180,000 sacks of litter from motorways and A roads alone. There could be 46,000 pieces of plastic floating in every square mile of the ocean. About 80% of that comes from the land. Plastic takes at least 450 years to break down in seawater.
• In 2013/14, local authorities dealt with 852,000 fly-tipping incidents in England and Wales. These cost roughly £45 million to clear up. The RSPCA receives 7,000 calls a year about animals injured by litter
• In 2013, 8.3 billion single-use plastic bags were handed out in the UK. The amount of litter on UK beaches has almost doubled over the past 15 years.
• An RSPB study found that 95% of fulmars washed up dead on the North Sea coast had ingested plastic.
• How long does it take to biodegrade?
  • Paper bag up to one month
  • Orange peel up to two years
  • Banana skin up to two years
  • Plastic bag up to 10–20 years
  • Cigarette butts up to 12 years
  • Plastic bottle up to 450 years   
  • Glass bottles and chewing gum are not biodegradable
  • How much does litter cost?
    • It costs taxpayers almost £1 billion every year to clean up litter from our streets
    • The cost of cleaning up chewing gum from a town centre is up to £60,000
    • Fly-tipping costs Network Rail more than £2.3 million each year
    • Clearing litter costs Dartmoor National Park £20,000 a year
    • According to a 2014 Keep Britain Tidy report, if we recycled 50% of items littered in England, it would have an economic value of at least £14.8 million

Pollarding

The churchyard lime trees are due to be pollarded this coming week (probably on Monday 15th and Tuesday 16th).  As the tree surgeons will be working near the road can you please use another route if possible.  We apologise for any disturbance caused.

James Stonham, Churchwarden

Footpath through Donkey Meadow – the Public Inquiry

Following the Inquiry on 25th November, the Inspector, together with the barristers representing both sides, will return to The Bernard Hall on Monday 1st February at 11.00am when the barristers will present their submissions to the Inspector.  Anyone interested in hearing what they have to say is entitled to be present, although it is not known how long the presentations will take to deliver.

Once the Inspector has heard these submissions he will then go away to deliberate on them, and hopefully we should receive his final decision within the next few weeks.  It is understood that this decision will be final, and not open to any form of Appeal.

Angela Sanderson

CPFA Quiz Night

The Bernard Hall

Saturday 23rd January  7.30pm for 8.00pm start

Put together a team of eight of your brainiest friends and family and test your knowledge at the CPFA Quiz Night!

Entry is £10 per person including supper.  Put your name down at Denise’s or email Karen info@porkandginger.co.uk or telephone 290404.

Cuddington Stores – Christmas Opening Hours

Christmas Day   CLOSED (Bank Holiday)
Boxing Day   8am - 11am (Bank Holiday)
Sunday 27th December   8am - 11am
Monday 28th December   8am - 11am (Bank Holiday)
Tuesday 29th December  7am - 5pm
Wednesday 30th December   7am - 5pm
New Year’s Eve   7am - 5pm
New Year’s Day   8am - 11am (Bank Holiday)

With best wishes for Christmas and the New Year

Jeyan and Sugi

BCC - Vision for County’s Transport Future

Residents and businesses are being asked to say what they think about BCC’s vision for the future of transport in Buckinghamshire.

It’s published by the County Council, and comes in the form of a new draft Buckinghamshire Local Transport Plan – a blueprint for travel covering all types of transport, looking ahead to 2036.

An extended public consultation starts today, through the County Council’s online ‘Have Your Say’ web page, and runs until 29th January.

Launching the consultation, Mark Shaw, Cabinet Member for Transport, said good transport systems were essential to grow Buckinghamshire’s economy, serve its residents and businesses well, and make the county a great place to live and work.  “Planning for the future of transport in the county is critically important, and we don’t get a second chance at it,” said Mark.  “I want to make sure we really understand the people of Buckinghamshire.  With their feedback, I believe we’ll be able make this a practical working plan for change, that will benefit everyone in the county.”

He said that as well as supporting good roads, public transport, cycleways and footpaths, the draft Local Transport Plan aimed to:
• Encourage links to local, national and international destinations that promote a flourishing economy
• Empower communities to support their own local transport solutions
• Enable and promote travel choices that improve people’s health

“The draft Plan is very clear about maintaining and enhancing our county’s special environment, and helping residents and businesses thrive and develop to become one of the strongest and most productive economies in the country,” said Mark.

The draft Plan also supports a number of vital transport improvements; for example East-West Rail, which Mark said would stimulate an estimated £72 million boost to the local economy.  It would open up a public transport cul-de-sac for the county and bring connections to the north, west and east of the country within convenient reach of the whole of the county.

Achieving the Plan’s aims will require strong partnerships with central government, the district councils, communities and businesses, said Mark, along with innovative approaches to make the best use of taxpayers’ money in a climate of austerity.

A link to the ‘Have Your Say’ survey can be found at https://democracy.buckscc.gov.uk/mgConsultationDisplay.aspx?ID=1117 and those with no internet connection can see it at Buckinghamshire libraries.

Parish Bulletin – Overhanging Trees and Hedges

Please follow link for guidance for dealing with Overhanging hedges and trees.

Christmas Services

Do join us in celebrating the birth of Christ:

Sunday 6th December: 3pm Christingle Service

Christmas Eve Carols by Candlelight: 7pm

Christmas Day: 8am: Said Communion Service
10am: Family Celebration Service

All are welcome to the above services in addition to our normal services at 10am on Sundays.

Goodbye!!

Elaine & John just wish to thank everyone, one final time, for all their support and loyalty to us and the village shop.

We will keep in touch and be back to visit next year.

Goodbye for now..... and we wish the new shop owners, Jeyan & Sugi every success.

John & Elaine

Footpath through Donkey Meadow – the Public Inquiry

On Wednesday 25th November Mr Peter Millman, the Inspector from The Planning Inspectorate, took his seat in the Bernard Hall and announced the start of the Inquiry.  After setting out the order for the day’s proceedings, the barrister acting on behalf of Buckinghamshire County Council, Miss Heather Emmerson, called in turn twelve witnesses from Cuddington and Nether Winchendon who were all questioned first by her and then cross-questioned by Mr George Laurence, QC who was acting on behalf of Mr Spencer-Bernard.  Mr Robin Carr, an expert in matters relating to footpaths, then gave his evidence on behalf of BCC and was also questioned by both barristers.  The action then moved to the opposing side: Mr Spencer-Bernard was called to answer questions put to him by Mr Laurence, and then replied to questions from Miss Emmerson.

Half-way through the afternoon it became apparent that it was not going to be possible to complete the Inquiry in one day, although the Inspector wished to hear all witnesses before he called a halt to proceedings.  This meant that the submissions by both barristers would have to be presented at a second hearing, possibly in London and with only the three main protagonists in attendance.  This led to cries of “Magna Carta!” from two of our residents, who suggested that it was only right that the second hearing should take place in the village: Mr Millman, impressed by their knowledge, agreed, and so we will all come together once again on Monday, 1st February 2016 to hear both barristers’ submissions.  But still we must wait: the Inspector is unlikely to reach a ruling for another month or two, and that will be a final decision whichever way it goes.

The Inquiry was adjourned at 6.40pm, and thanks must go to all witnesses and to those residents of Cuddington and Nether Winchendon who came to support us – some of whom were there from beginning to end.  It was a very long day, but how lucky we were to be able to wander up to the Playing Fields Clubhouse for the wonderful party for John and Elaine which was an excellent way to relax and restore our spirits.

Footnote: Following the Public Inquiry, Buckinghamshire County Council have advised that the Claimed Order Route through Donkey Meadow should not be walked until the Inspector has announced his decision on the case, which might take two or three months.  All those concerned with the case would appreciate it if this advice was adhered to by walkers until the result of the Inquiry is known.

Angela Sanderson

What a Send-Off !!!!

Just a quick message to thank all those people who came to our farewell party at the clubhouse on Wednesday evening.

Around 100 of you joined in the fun, chat and great food generously given, prepared and served by Karen, Gilly, Lorraine, Helen, Thelma, Celia and no doubt many others.

The cards and gifts were much appreciated and will be safely kept to remind us of the splendid send-off you all gave us.

Thank you sooooo much again.

John & Elaine

Budget consultation – ‘The toughest decisions yet’, says the Council

People across Buckinghamshire are being asked to help the County Council make important spending decisions on next year's budget, in a survey launched today (Thursday 26 November).

The survey, which will run online until 17 December, aims to get people involved in helping to decide which areas of the Council's work spending should be focused on. The short, easy to complete survey is available at www.buckscc.gov.uk/budget.

People who don’t have access to the internet or a computer can take part at any of the county’s libraries, where staff will help people to complete the survey. Computers with internet and wi-fi access are available in all libraries where people can access the consultation for free.

Leader of the Council, Martin Tett, said: “This really is the toughest budget yet. People will know that we’ve put in place a spending freeze until the end of this financial year, which will help us to manage the potential overspend that we have identified. But next year, given the growing demands on us, particularly in looking after vulnerable children and the elderly and the Living Wage requirements, we still need to save another £31 million to cope.

“We were originally proposing to increase council tax by 1.99%, the maximum the Government normally allows. However, in yesterday’s Spending Review and Autumn Statement, the Chancellor, George Osborne, recognised the extra pressures facing those councils like Buckinghamshire with social care responsibilities. He told councils that they can raise up to 2% extra from council tax to spend solely on adult social care, which will also help relieve pressure on the NHS. We are planning to accept the Government’s proposal and are therefore now suggesting a 3.99% rise for next year.

“I realise that the Government’s announcement means that everyone pays a bit more; however, in previous budget consultations, our residents have indicated that they would support a higher increase if it meant more local services being protected. This extra money will go some way to meeting what residents have told us.”

Martin Phillips, Cabinet Member for Community Engagement, says it’s absolutely vital that people take part in the survey: “This year, more than any other year, decision-making for the budget will be very, very challenging. We will need to take some extremely difficult decisions on where we continue to fund services and where we will have to stop doing things.

“This process affects everyone in the county and I urge you to please let us have your views: tell us what's important to you, where we should reduce spending, where we should continue to invest, and what you think of our council tax proposals."

The survey is online at www.buckscc.gov.uk/budget until the closing date of Thursday 17 December.

Cuddington Stores UPDATE

We are now pleased to announce details for the changeover of the business to the new owners.

John & Elaine’s last trading day will be Monday 30th November.

The shop and Post Office will be CLOSED for one day on Tuesday 1st December to allow for stock-taking, the Post Office Audit and other legal technicalities.

The shop will re-open under the new owners, Jeyan & Sugi, on Wednesday 2nd December.  Please note, the Post Office counter may not open until 9am on this day due to Post Office training.

John & Elaine wish to thank everyone again for all the support in the lead up to this change.  We also wish to repeat the invitation to everyone who wishes to join us for a farewell get-together at the Playing Fields Clubhouse on Wednesday 25th November from 7.30pm.

John & Elaine   

Haddenham & District Film Festival

The second Haddenham & District Film Festival opens on Friday 20th November with a screening of the 1996 film Richard III at Long Crendon Community Library.

The Festival is a joint enterprise between the Village Picture House in Cuddington, Haddenham Screen and the Long Crendon Film Club, supported by the Rotary Club of Haddenham & District.  The theme of this year’s Festival is “Shakespeare at the Movies” and the programme comprises some of the best films made from, or inspired by, the plays of William Shakespeare as we approach the 400th anniversary of his death.

The Festival will be opened on Friday by guest speaker Nik Powell, Director of the National Film and Television School.

For more details of the Festival see the Music, Art & Drama page.

AVDC Webcasts

Now you can keep up-to-date with the Latest from AVDC Full Council.  Watch the next meeting from the comfort of home with AVDC’s live webcast on Wednesday 2nd December from 6.30pm.

The link is here:  www.aylesburyvaledc.public-i.tv/core/portal/home

You can also view the webcast footage at your leisure after it’s uploaded to the archive library.  This footage has useful index points which enable you to skip to points of interest.

Topics under discussion in October’s webcast included the Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan issues and options, a review of licensing policy, and the Food Service Plan 2015-2016.

Online Vale Lottery

The Vale Lottery is gathering pace with more than 30 local causes now on board.  The organisations who’ve signed-up include disability charities, sports clubs, schools, scout groups, theatre groups, animal charities to name a few!  

Under the Vale Lottery umbrella, these groups will have their own web page, where they can encourage their supporters to take part in the lottery to help fundraise, while being in with a chance of winning a £20,000 jackpot at the same time!    

The lottery costs a pound a week to play, payable via card or direct debit, and charities get 50p in every pound spent on their page (compared to 28p in the pound that is donated through the National Lottery.) In addition, 8p in every pound goes to a general good cause fund, to be administered by AVDC.  

AVDC is the first council in the country to set up an online lottery like this.  If you know a good cause that wants to get involved, please ask them to visit www.valelottery.co.uk

There will information on the AVDC website and in the local media very soon about how members of the public can take part!  

All Change at Cuddington Stores

As most of you will already know, Elaine & I are moving back to the South coast.  The hand-over of the Post Office and shop is scheduled to take place on Tuesday December 1st.

Whilst we had planned and invested to be here for 10 years, events in life happen, that can lead you to take a different path.  Our reasons for leaving now are threefold:

1. When we moved to Cuddington there were no grandchildren, and now we have three, all living on the South coast

2. Following Elaine's bad fall in October 2014, she hasn't made the recovery we had hoped and now needs surgery and also find work that is more forgiving of her condition.

3. Finally, we have not had a whole week’s holiday in 5 years and are in need of some R & R.

We have had a wonderful time in the village and will take some lovely memories with us.  We also wish to thank the vast majority of villagers and especially the Parish Council for supporting us in resurrecting your village shop.  We have also been fortunate to make some great friends here and we wish to thank them all for their help, advice and support over the last few years.

We are proud of what we have done and can leave knowing that the shop’s future should be secure for many years to come.  The new owners will be Jeyan & Sugi, who are currently the popular owners of Chearsley Stores.  Cuddington Stores will be their second shop and they bring a wealth of retail experience with them, although this will be their first Post Office and so they will need to be given time to learn that.

We will provide more information about trading on the actual business transfer day at a later date.

Finally, we invite all our customers from Cuddington and the surrounding villages to a farewell event to be held at the Playing Fields clubhouse on Wednesday 25th November from 7.30pm.  Karen Clayton, Gilly Cottman and others have very generously offered to provide some nibbles for those who attend.  Our thanks go to them for this very kind offer.

John & Elaine Moore

Donations for the Fireworks Tombola – Please!

The countdown to the Fireworks Party is on!

In order to re-coup the costs of putting on the party we are running a tombola and need donations of prizes:

• Bottles of beer, spirits and wine
• Tins & packets of biscuits
• Tubs and bags of sweets
• Gift food and luxury items

Please pop a little extra in your basket at the supermarket or better still in Cuddington Stores!

Donations can be dropped off at Cuddington Stores (there’s already a basket of contributions); Denise’s Hairdressing; or with Laura Ewers (call 299027).

The long term forecast is looking good!!

Karen Clayton

Your Chance to Shape the Future of Aylesbury Vale

Aylesbury Vale District Council is asking local residents, businesses and community groups to have a voice in the future of housing, jobs and key policies, as consultation on the next stage of the Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan (VALP) gets underway.

Following approval by councillors, a document setting out the issues and options for the VALP has been produced and is available to view at www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/valp.  Residents now have until 4th December to view this document and give their views and ideas on what the plan should achieve, how new homes and jobs should be distributed, and what new policies could be introduced to manage development between now and 2033.

Councillor Carole Paternoster, Cabinet Member for Growth Strategy, said: “We need to build another 31,000 new homes in Aylesbury Vale by 2033 and the new Local Plan will provide the framework for how the Vale will grow and develop to accommodate this.  It is really important that people take this opportunity to get involved by letting us know what they think about the different options we have identified and by raising any issues they feel need addressing.”

The Local Plan, which is still in its early stages, will, once finalised, provide firm guidance on how planning applications should be considered and say where new development should or should not take place.  This is the second public consultation stage in the new Local Plan’s preparation and it includes nine potential options for distributing new development.

The options include developing urban extensions at Milton Keynes/Bletchley; using land more efficiently by raising the average density of new development; creating a whole new settlement somewhere in the Vale; and a combination of these.

A series of public exhibitions where planning officers will be available to explain the options and answer any questions will be held on:
   Monday 2 November 11am - 8pm, Villiers Hotel, Buckingham
   Thursday 5 November 11am - 8pm, The Bell Hotel, Winslow
   Tuesday 10 November 11am - 8pm, Friars Square Shopping Centre, Aylesbury
   Wednesday 11 November 1.30pm - 9.30pm, Haddenham Village Hall

People can also view the consultation and give feedback via the website www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/valp.  The responses received will inform the development of a draft local plan.  There will be two further consultation periods prior to the Local Plan being considered at a public examination in 2017.

Footpath through Donkey Meadow – A Further Update

The closing date for submitting evidence to Bucks County Council and to their expert witness, Mr Robin Carr, has now passed, and we have had a good response from Cuddington residents.  In addition to those who completed a User Evidence form at an earlier date, ten more people have sent in these forms.

As far as witnesses are concerned, i.e. those people who are prepared to stand up at the Inquiry, read out their Statements (now termed as Proofs of Evidence) and possibly be cross-questioned by legal representatives from both sides, we have at least nine or ten.  There is also a sizeable number from Nether Winchendon, and Mr Carr feels that only four or five from each village will be required to appear as witnesses.

However, I have been informed by Mr Carr that anyone who wishes to do so can speak at the Inquiry, even if they have not submitted any papers.  They need to be in the Bernard Hall for the start of the Inquiry, and register their wish to speak.  The Inspector will take their details, and they will be able to speak after the main parties have given their evidence.

The Inquiry has only been scheduled for a single day, Wednesday 25th November starting at 10.00am, but Mr Carr thinks it highly unlikely that proceedings will have finished during that time.  Unfortunately the Inspector is unavailable the following day, so the matter will be adjourned at the end of day one – quite probably until the beginning of 2016.  Witnesses will need to be there for the first day to register just in case there is time for them to be heard, but may need to come back for a second day, whenever that may be.

A copy of this article will also appear in the November edition of Village Voice so all those interested will know that they still have a chance to speak at the Inquiry, even if they have not submitted any written evidence.  If anyone wishes to have further details please contact me at asanderson@waitrose.com or 01844 291626.

Angela Sanderson

Labi Siffre on The One Show

Pop singer and former Cuddington resident Labi Siffre appeared on tonight’s edition of BBC1’s The One Show.  Siffre had hits in the 1970s and 1980s with songs like “It Must Be Love”, “Crying, Laughing, Loving, Lying” and “Something Inside So Strong”.

In the feature, which includes views of Labi Siffre’s former home and The Crown, he talks about how he came to write “Something Inside So Strong” and his work with the Aylesbury Multicultural Centre.

The programme is available to watch on BBC iPlayer for the next 28 days, at www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b06gxym1/the-one-show-16102015  The feature begins about 20 minutes into the programme.

Ringing Today- Saturday 10th October

There will special ringing  between 4.00 and 5.00 this afternoon as part of the weekend of Harvest Festival activities and as a prelude to the Harvest Supper this evening. We hope you like listening to it.

Three new Parish Councillors

Three new Councillors have been co-opted on the Parish Council.  They are Barbara Buckley, Ken Trew and Stuart Anderson.

Barbara has previous experience of being a parish council Clerk and lives in Cuddington Court.

Ken has considerable experience in landscaping, planning and environmental impact issues and lives on Frog Lane.

Stuart has previously been a member of our parish council.  He has wide experience of planning issues and building and lives on Cowley Farm.

It is hoped that we will be able to officially co-opt a Councillor for the final vacancy, at the October meeting on Monday 12th October.

The Council will then be at full strength, with an enthusiastic and experienced group of people.  Full contact details are on the Parish Councillor page

The Finley Newell Mobility & Equipment Fund

A feast of music, a super raffle and children’s fun took place last weekend in the gardens of The Broad Leys pub, Aylesbury.  Finley’s dad, Joel, organised the free concert with a wide range of sets played by supportive musician friends and he, himself, played bass with The Powders and saxophone with The Maintrees; Finley’s 14 year old brother, Kyle, played drums with Scatterbrain.

Finley is Liz and Steve Davies’ two-year-old grandson who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 2, a rare genetic condition leaving him unable to walk or crawl.  He is, and will be, reliant on varied equipment to improve his quality of life, most importantly for mobility and standing/sitting support.

He is a bright and sociable little boy who has a great love of life.  A top-of-the-range Permobil Koala powerchair at a cost of £15,000 will give Finley greater scope to interact with his peer friends at mainstream playgroup and school.  Happily, this amount has already been realised and is at the ready to buy the powerchair next year.  But the family, apart from the angst of the whole situation, are having also to face the cost of extending and modifying their small mid-terraced home in Haddenham to make it wheelchair friendly and to accommodate Finley’s equipment.  Grants will be available for the through-floor lift and specialised bathroom fittings but all building costs and related expenses will fall upon the family.

With this in mind, we are spurring on with fundraising.  The sunny afternoon with excellent music line-up at The Broad Leys attracted a happy generous crowd who helped to raise a further £2,300 for the fund.  Finley and his Mum, Rosie, were unable to be there as the little chap was in hospital once again with respiratory problems.  Happily, they came home two or three days later and, apart from extra convalescent rests, Finley is now back in the swing of things and hopes to return to Puddleducks playgroup in Haddenham very soon.

SMA awareness week has coincided with the World Cup rugby – the photo, taken only a few days ago, shows Finley supporting both events!

If you are interested in following Finley’s progress, he has his own Facebook page which can be accessed by anyone (without having to sign in as a member) via the following link https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Finley-Newell-Mobility-and-Equipment-Fund/823618127719947?ref=hl   Apart from showing delightful photos and video clips of Finley and information on fundraising events, it also provides some more serious information about Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

Wear Your Poppy With Pride

November is the month of Remembrance and a reminder of how important the work of the Royal British Legion continues to be for veterans of all our armed forces – young and old – together with their families. 

The Royal British Legion was founded to help and support men returning from the horrors of the First World War, and in 1921 the first “Poppy Day” collection was held.  From that time onwards, the Legion has been there for all service men and women who have needed them and for the families of those who lost their lives.

Since the two World Wars, there have been many conflicts in which so many young men and women have fought and continue to fight for their Queen and country, so that we may live in peace and freedom.  Too many have paid the ultimate price and the Legion is there to give help to their families.  Too many have suffered life-changing injuries, both physical and psychological, and the Legion offers them support as they try to rebuild their lives.  Through the media of TV and newspapers, we have seen for ourselves the bravery of all those young men and women of the armed forces, struggling to rebuild their lives and put the trauma of war behind them.  With your help, the Royal British Legion will carry on its very necessary work, which will continue as long as the need remains.

There are, of course, many other charities whose aim is to help the members of our armed forces, but as Remembrance Day approaches, it is to the Legion’s Poppy Appeal that our thoughts turn.  Towards the second half of October we will be visiting every house in the village to sell poppies in aid of the work of the Royal British Legion.  Please try to give as generously as you can.

Our Remembrance Day Service this year will be held in St. Nicholas Church, Cuddington at 10.00am on Sunday 8th November.  The Act of Remembrance will then take place at our village War Memorial in the church yard just before 11 o’clock.

All church goers and non-church goers alike, are asked to come and pay your respects to, and give grateful thanks for, all those who have given their lives or have been severely injured in the Service of our Queen and Country, and who have made it possible for us to continue to live our lives in relative peace and freedom.

If you would like to know more about the British Legion, our village Remembrance Day Service, our poppy collection, and also this year if you would like to use Gift Aid to make a donation to the Poppy Collection, please contact Jennifer Schram de Jong – 01844 291501

Organ and Piano Recital

On Saturday October 24th at 7.30pm in St Nicholas Church Cuddington there will be an organ and piano recital by Sam Baker, an ex Oxford senior organ scholar, in aid of the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

The programme will include works by JS Bach, Frank Bridge, Sir Edward Elgar, French composers and Sam Baker amongst others. It will also feature the first performance of "A Cuddington Suite" written especially for the occasion. This is dedicated to Jim Hayward in honour of the outstanding service he had given to the village over very many years.

Tickets at £10 (£5 for under-sixteens) are available from Myles Saker, 01844-291825

As usual refreshments will be served during the interval.

2015 Harvest Supper

The 2015 Cuddington Harvest Supper will take place in the Bernard Hall on Saturday October 10th at 7.15pm for 7.30pm.

Tickets £7.50 adults, £5 concessions, family tickets £20 from Myles Saker (291825)

All welcome!

Also at church harvest weekend Oct.10-11th there will be a Bring and Share lunch in St.Nicholas church from 12pm on Sunday Oct.11th following a lively family service at 10am.

Again, all welcome!

Presentation of the Best Kept Village Awards

Cuddington was presented with the Morris Cup award for the Best Kept Village and the Savills Trophy for the Community award on the Village Green.  The Lord Lieutenant, Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, presented the awards assisted by Richard Pushman, Competition Chairman, and Parish Councillor, Ken Brown.

Sir Aubrey-Fletcher and Richard Pushman praised Cuddington for being awarded the “Best Kept Village” for the seventeenth time since 1978.  There were 62 entries this year.  They specifically praised Jim Hayward who had been such a key figure in the community every year.  Jim would enter Cuddington into the Best Kept Village competition and he was instrumental in keeping the village spick and span so that it would have a good chance of winning.

As we know Jim died just a month ago and the Morris Cup was received by Harry Mitchell, his grandson.  Jim loved the village and he will be sadly missed.  For some time now he had been a judge on the Best Kept Village Committee.  And it has been quickly pointed out that he was not allowed to judge Cuddington!

The Savills Trophy was received by Chris Blumer, who in addition to being on the editorial team for “Village Voice” is also the Administrator for the Village Picture House.  The Trophy is in recognition of Cuddington’s excellent community spirit and specifically for the Picture House which has been such a recent success, bringing not just great films but live theatre from London and elsewhere to Cuddington.  This is a village with a true heart which puts its community first.  It has many clubs and associations, Youth Drama Group, Women’s Institute, Gardening Club, Bell Ringers, and various sports clubs, just to mention a few.  The community is well supported by not only Village Voice but its website and much activity in the Bernard Hall.

The afternoon concluded with a classic Cuddington cup of tea and a slice of cake in the Bernard Hall for the presentation party and the many villagers who attended the event.

Ken Brown

Best Kept Village Presentation - today at 3.45pm

The presentation of the Morris Cup for the Best Kept Village and Community Trophy Award will take place today, Saturday 12th September from 3.45pm.

Henry Aubrey Fletcher, Lord Lieutenant, will make the presentation of the cup to Harry Mitchell, grandson of the late Jim Hayward, and Councillor Ken Brown; and the Community Trophy award will be received by Chris Blumer in recognition of the Village Picture House.

Please come along.  3.45pm on the Upper Green for the presentations and then for tea and cakes in the Bernard Hall.

Heritage Open Day with Community and Emergency Services

Saturday 12th September from 10.00

Join us at Waddesdon Manor for a fun-filled family day with your local Emergency Services. Climb aboard a fire engine, have a closer look at a police car, examine an ambulance and learn more about your local community services.

Admission to Waddesdon House and Gardens is FREE all day.

Garden Guides Required at Waddesdon Manor

Waddesdon Manor has a team of volunteer Garden Guides who take guided tours of visitors around the gardens, and they are looking for one or two more Guides to join the team.

Whilst they are mostly keen gardeners themselves, the Guides are not guiding specifically on the flowers but on the history of how the gardens were made and how the gardens were used in different ways by various members of the family who have lived there.  Of course, visitors interested in flowers and plants may well ask questions regarding the different types of plants they see.  Waddesdon Manor’s gardens are actually more visited than the house, so they are very popular.

The average number of guided tours that each volunteer gives is around 2 days per month.  Full training is given, with lots of practice, so new volunteers are not thrown in at the deep end.  The Manor staff try to look after their volunteers well, with day trips, summer BBQs, Christmas parties, coffee mornings etc.  Mileage expenses are covered.

If you are interested in becoming a Garden Guide, please contact Sarah Kane, Volunteer Manager, telephone 01296 653394 (Wednesday-Friday) or email sarah.kane@nationaltrust.org.uk

Public Inquiry – Footpath through Donkey Meadow – Updated

A PUBLIC INQUIRY is to be held on Wednesday 25th November in the Bernard Hall to make a final and binding decision on the footpath through Donkey Meadow becoming a public right of way.  “Definitive Map Modification Order” (to show a path from Public Footpath No 10B Lower Winchendon to Pubic Footpath 3 Upper Winchendon).

This path was closed by Robert Spencer-Bernard in 2010, but efforts have been made by residents of Nether Winchendon and Cuddington to have the path re-opened.  Submissions were made by these residents to Bucks County Council, and in due course the BCC Rights of Way Committee found in favour of the path becoming a public right of way.  Mr Spencer Bernard appealed against this, and there is now going to be a Public Inquiry.

When evidence was originally taken, BCC asked only for people who had used the footpath for 20 years or more to make submissions.  This limited the number of potential witnesses.  It now appears that this is not a requirement and that anyone who has used this footpath reasonably regularly from any time before October 2010, believing it to be a public right of way, is able to submit evidence to the Inquiry.  The more evidence that can be submitted the more likely it is that the Inquiry will find in favour of re-defining this footpath’s status, and thus open it up for future use by walkers.

If you have not yet done so, but now wish to complete a User Evidence Form, please download the form from the link below:

BCC User Evidence Form

Your completed form must be returned to Angela Sanderson at Wellfield House, Spurt Street no later than 20th September.

To help completion of the question which refers to the description of the path, the answers are: “From: The Old Mill, grid reference 473800/212150”, To: “See attached map, grid reference 474400/212320”, and the believed status is “Footpath”.  The width of the path is about 3-4 metres (question no. 4).  Angela will attach a map to each User Evidence Form as it arrives.

If you do not wish to submit a form, but would like to attend the Inquiry on 25th November, again – please contact Angela so that a list of attendees from Cuddington to the relevant authorities can be submitted.

asanderson@waitrose.com

01844 291626

New Dates for Parish Council Meetings

Just a reminder to all that the Parish Council will now meet on the second Monday of each month in Cuddington and Dinton School – infant site.  The meetings start promptly at 7.30pm and everyone is welcome to attend and hear about local matters.

Meeting Dates 2015:

• Monday 9th November
• Monday 14th December

Jim Hayward

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Jim on Sunday evening, 9th August.  Jim was a wonderful man and his death is a huge loss to the village.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Sally and their two daughters Carol and Sharon and Harry, their grandson.

Best Kept Village Competition – Cuddington Wins Again!

Cuddington has once again won the Morris Cup for the best kept village in Buckinghamshire with a population of between 500 and 1,500.  The runner-up in this category was Castlethorpe near Milton Keynes.

Our village also has the added honour of being selected for the Savills’ sponsored Community Award.

Competition chairman Richard Pushman commented: “There was a record number of entries this year, standards were high in all the competing villages and I congratulate all our winners and runners-up.

“The judges were very impressed with the general upkeep and absence of litter.  Almost all the entries displayed much evidence of good community spirit with numerous activities and community enterprise.  Cuddington is a worthy winner of the Community Award.  In particular, the Cuddington Picture House, run by volunteers, is an ambitious community project which has been a great success.  Oving too deserves congratulations.  Although not a Best Kept Village winner, Oving’s new village hall has been a tremendous achievement for the village.”

Locally, Haddenham won the Pushman Cup which is awarded to large villages with a population of over 3,000.

The judges look for well kept open spaces, community facilities and evidence of community involvement.

News about Jim Hayward

Many people will know that Jim Hayward was taken ill overnight Friday/ Saturday, having suffered a stroke.  He was taken into Stoke Mandeville Hospital and subsequently transferred to John Radcliffe Hospital.  Currently, he is ‘poorly but stable’.  Unfortunately, Sally is not well enough to visit Jim but is being looked after by their grandson, whilst their two daughters are visiting the hospital.  John, in the shop, is collecting any cards or messages for Jim and Sally, and these are being collected daily by their family.

I’m sure we all wish Jim the very best for a speedy recovery and hope the same for Sally.  Our thoughts are with all the family.

Ken Birkby
Chair, Cuddington Parish Council

Village Voice Errata

We are very sorry that the dates shown on page 5 of July’s Village Voice for Haddenham Community Library Timetable show the wrong dates.

The days of the week are correct but, apart from 2nd July, all the others should be the day before e.g. 10th July should read 9th etc.

We do apologise for any confusion.

Ed.

Rock Concert Poll Results

The poll to decide which rock concert to screen this autumn has now closed, and the 1986 Queen concert at Wembley Stadium was the runaway winner.  The three most popular choices were as follows:

1. Queen Live at Wembley Stadium – 62% of the vote
2. Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds – 18%
3. The Eagles: Hell Freezes Over – 11%

This means that we shall screen the Queen concert this autumn, probably in late October.  Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds will be shown next year.

Thank you to all who voted in the poll.

Parish Council Meetings

Just a quick reminder to all ... at the last meeting of the Parish Council, Councillors agreed to move the monthly meeting to the second Monday of each month.  Tonight’s meeting has therefore been rescheduled to Monday 13th July at 7.30pm in Cuddington and Dinton School – infant site.

This meeting is a public meeting.  Please come along.

Village Tidy Up – Sunday 31st May at 10.30am

In preparation for this year’s Best Kept Village competition, the Parish Council has organised a village tidy on Sunday 31st May.  Please join us at 10.30am outside the Bernard Hall.  Bin liners will be provided but please bring gloves.

The competition awards are for Best Kept villages.  The judges will be looking for well kept open spaces, community facilities and evidence of community involvement.  Judging takes place in June and the results will be announced by the middle of July. 

Emergency Road Closure – End

The emergency repairs to the Mill Race Bridge have now been completed and the road between Cuddington and Chearsley is now open again.

May Dancing and Singing

Do look out for the Infant children coming round the village this Thursday 21st May, from about 9.15am

They will be singing on Lower Green and the top of Bernard Close, so do keep a look out and they will have posies to give as well!

Also please come back to school afterwards to see them perfoming their dances in the playground – you will be very welcome!

Website now Mobile-Friendly!

Cuddington Parish Council is delighted to announce that the website has now been redesigned to work perfectly with your smartphone or tablet computer.  You’ll see almost exactly the same content as you would on a desktop PC, with only the banner photographs removed to save space, but with a layout optimised for the smaller screen.

Browse the latest news from around the village; find out what’s happening in the village calendar; discover what your newly-elected Parish Council are doing for the village; read the latest Neighbourhood Watch alerts; book tickets for the Village Picture House; register as a website member to receive email updates – all from the convenience of your smartphone or tablet.

Emergency Road Closure – Update

According to the latest information from Transport for Buckinghamshire, the road between Cuddington and Chearsley will now be closed until Friday 22nd May (possibly earlier) for the repairs to the Mill Race Bridge.

The Team Leader, Highway Structures Management at TfB comments as follows:

“Both of the bridge parapet walls and approach fencing were significantly damaged by vehicles striking them.

“Before the works could commence on site, consent had to be obtained from the Environment Agency, a legal requirement, and the necessary bricks had to be ordered and supplied.

“We have had a significant number of our operatives working on the repairs and are currently rebuilding/repairing the damaged section of parapets. Also scaffolding was required to be erected before demolition and repairs could commence.

“The wall is fairly substantial and we are limited on the amount of brickwork that can be replaced per shift.  The breaks between shift allows sufficient time for the brickwork to be set and allow the next courses of bricks to be laid.

“The programmed date for completion of the works is 22nd May.  We will be monitoring progress and hope to complete ahead of 22nd May, subject to the weather.”

Bus route 110 is operating to a revised route and timetable, running at earlier times on journeys to school.  Download the temporary timetable

Transport for Bucks Interactive Road Closures Map
(search for Cuddington)

Village Film Night for Nepal

The Bernard Hall, Cuddington

Saturday 9th May   7.30 pm

We are showing the Academy Award-nominated film Himalaya, directed by the French film maker and photographer Eric Valli.  This is a rare opportunity to see a gem – a very touching story, absolutely beautiful to look at, and a celebration of Nepali people and culture.

We will be providing a traditional Nepalese curry and there will be a cash bar.  All the money raised will go direct to the medical charity Britain Nepal Medical Trust.  A representative of the charity will be there on the evening to answer any questions about the relief effort and their work. 

To arrange tickets/make a donation, follow this link http://bit.ly/1R6XJ0x

The film is 105 minutes long and has a PG certificate.

Open Garden – Dadbrook House

This beautiful three-acre garden will be open to the public on Saturday and Sunday, 6th and 7th June between 2.00 and 6.00 pm.

Admission is £4 (children free) in aid of the Finley Newell Mobility and Equipment Fund.  Finley Newell (Liz and Steve Davies’ grandson) has Type 2 Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a rare neuromuscular condition which leaves him unable to walk, also affecting his arms, hand, head and neck movement, breathing and swallowing.

He will be two years old in May 2015 and gets around in his power chair which was supplied on free loan by the national charity ‘Designability’.  At three years old, Finley will need a larger power chair costing in the region of £15,000.  A larger family vehicle will also be necessary to accommodate him in his wheelchair and his parents and big brother, and his small home in Haddenham is to be extended with specialised facilities being installed throughout.

Finley’s parents Rosie and Joel are grateful to Clico and Gerald Kingsbury for their kind generosity in opening their garden towards Finley’s fund.

Home-made teas will be available and there will be plants for sale.  There is free parking on the gravel courtyard and wheelchair access.  No dogs, please.

The main garden faces south where three terraced lawns lead down to a small lake, filled with koi carp. The terrace nearest the house is formally laid out, with lavender-edged beds filled with hebe and alliums with a box knot at its centre.  A ha ha was added thirty years ago to open up the view across the 11 acre field to the side of the house.  This view is framed by two borders: a new rose border on one side and a mixed border on the other. Both these borders are backed by clipped yew hedges.  There are many mature trees throughout the garden including Dawn redwoods, ancient yew trees and a large holm oak.

A shrub border hides a tennis court, and the walled kitchen garden behind the house is laid out to a strict pattern with box edged beds where vegetables and ornamental herbs are grown as well as flowering annuals and topiary shapes.

Where are we?

The courts can be found at the Playing Fields, HP18 0AJ

Christian Aid Bring & Buy, Coffee Evening and Plant Stall

This year's Bring & Buy, Coffee Evening and Plant Stall will be held at Wellfield House, Spurt Street (Charles and Angela Sanderson) on Monday, May 11th from 7pm - 9pm.

All welcome!

May Day Madrigals

In what has now become a local tradition, the Witchert Chorale will be singing a selection of madrigals at the top of St. Mary’s and St. Nicholas Churches on May Day, Monday 4th May.

This will be followed by further singing inside the churches.  Admission is free and all are most welcome to come along.  Coffee and other refreshments will be provided. 

New Website Goes Live

We are pleased to announce that our new website has now gone live!

Please visit it via the link below and get a flavour for what is happening in your school on both Infant and Junior sites.

www.cuddingtonanddintonschool.co.uk

Emergency Road Closure Notice

Statement of Persons Nominated and Notice of Poll

Statement of Persons nominated

Election of Parish Councillors - Cuddington

Election of District Councillors - Haddenham and Stone Ward

It’s Playtime! Friday 10th August at 2pm

TIC TOC, the Cuddington group for children and babies (and their carers – mums, dads, grandparents and nannies) are organising a special Easter holiday play day for all youngsters this coming Friday, 10th April at 2pm.

The afternoon of fun takes place on Cuddington playing fields and activities will include a bouncy castle, face painting and a selection of outdoor toys and sports equipment.  What’s more, the event is kindly being sponsored by Cuddington Parish Council so there is no entrance fee.  The Clubhouse will be open for refreshments and facilities.

With the sun forecast to shine, please come along and enjoy the Easter fun!

Annual Village Meeting – Wednesday 22nd April

The Annual Village Meeting will take place on Wednesday 22nd April at 7.30pm in the Bernard Hall.  All villagers are invited to attend this friendly and informal evening, listen to news from local clubs and societies as well as organisations and join in the open discussion on local issues, concers and wishes.

The meeting will be chaired by Ken Birkby, Chairman of Cuddington Parish Council.
The Agenda can be viewed here

Please join us.  Light refreshments will be provided.

Still Time to Stand for Election

There are just days left to apply to stand for Election.  The nomination period closes this coming Thursday, 9th April at 4pm.  Please ensure your nomation pack is completed by then and delivered to AVDC.

Are you registered to Vote?

Aylesbury Vale District Council is urging those who are not yet on the electoral register to apply to register by the deadline of 20 April to protect their right to vote on Election Day – 7 May 2015.

Chris Sheard, Electoral Services Manager, said: “Time is now running short to make sure you can take part in these elections, so I’d encourage everyone in Aylesbury Vale to take action now if they aren’t registered to vote. Those particularly at risk of missing the chance to vote are people who have moved house recently, and who mistakenly assume they are automatically registered at their new address because they pay council tax. The two processes are completely separate.

“Online registration makes registering to vote easier and more convenient than ever before. It only takes a few minutes to do at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote and people can access it through their computer, smartphone or tablet.”

AVDC is particularly keen to remind young people that they need to be registered by the closing date to be able to cast their vote in May.

Sixteen and 17-year-olds can register themselves now so that they will be able to vote as soon as they turn 18. Students who are living away at university can also register at both their term time address and home address.

Under the new Individual Electoral Registration system, which was introduced last summer, everyone is responsible for registering themselves. Those registering will need to prove their identity by providing their name, address, National Insurance number and date of birth when applying. 

Those who would prefer a postal vote, rather than going along to a polling station, need to be registered individually before they can apply for a postal vote. The closing date for postal vote applications is Tuesday 21 April, at 5pm. 

For further information about voting in the May elections, visit www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/elections or call the elections team on 01296 585807.

Notice of Election – Monday 23rd March 2015

An Election is to be held of Seven Parish Councillors for Cuddington.

Notice of Election can be viewed here

Nomination packs are now available.

Devolution

Buckinghamshire County Council has been working with 23 town and parish councils for several years to support them to take on a range of services.  It is now seeking to roll out this programme to all towns and parishes. The main benefit "is that it builds local ownership and enables parishes to have control over how services are delivered."

"Devolution is all about empowering parishes to make decisions and deliver services locally with support and funding from Buckinghamshire County Council"

Election Timetable

23 March 2015 – Notice of Election

23 March 2015 – 9 April 2015 – Nomination period (expired)

10 April 2015 – Statement of Person nominated

16 April 2015 – Potential Notice of uncontested Election result

7 May 2015 – Polling day

9 May 2015 – Parish Election count

11 May 2015 – Notice of Election result, if contested

Stand for Election

Nomination packs for anyone wishing to become a candidate at this year's Parish Council elections are now available.  Please email the Clerk at venetia.davies@talktalk.net (07717 834606) or contact Jo Sara, Senior Electoral Service Officer at AVDC (01296 585051) for a pack.  

Timetable for Elections

23 March 2015 - Notice of Election

23 March 2015 – 9 April 2015 (4pm) - Nomination period

10 April 2015 - Statement of Person nominated

16 April 2015 - Potential Notice of uncontested Election result

7 May 2015 - Polling day

9 May 2015 - Parish Election count

11 May 2015 - Notice of Election result, if contested

Become a Parish Councillor

We all know Cuddington is a wonderful village.  Home to approximately 550 parishioners, it boasts some incredible facilities for a village of its size and has gained regular success in ‘Best-kept Village’ and ‘Britain in Bloom’ competitions.

The next Parish Council elections for Cuddington will be combined with the General Election on Thursday 7th May 2015.  By standing as a Parish Councillor candidate, you could have an opportunity to make a real difference to the vibrancy, appearance and facilities of Cuddington.

Independent of AVDC and BCC, Cuddington Parish Council provides services at a village level; representing its electors in the parish ward.  The Council is funded by the precept (raised as part of Council Tax) and takes responsibility for a range of local matters and community needs which include, amongst others, the following:

• Maintenance of parish land including the village greens
• Provision of recreational facilities – including the children’s playground and boules pitch
• Provision and maintenance of the two bus shelters
• Care of the environment through litter and dog control
• Oversight of the repair and maintenance of highways including footpaths and bridleways
• Repair and maintenance of the war memorial
• Protection of the ‘Assets of Community Value’
• Review of planning applications

The proposed devolution of a range of services by BCC will only increase these responsibilities.

As well as Councillors working together as a team, some Councillors participate in committees or working groups such as the Website Working Group and the Footpath Working Group.

Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month (at 7.30pm in the Cuddington site of Cuddington and Dinton School) and generally last no more than two hours.  Site visits, to consider planning applications, tend to take place on the Sunday preceeding the Parish Council Meeting.  The AGM takes place every May.  Every meeting is a public meeting with an opportunity for parishioners to raise concerns or ask questions during Parishioners’ Question Time at the beginning of each meeting.  Councillors are given support in performing their duties from the Parish Council Clerk.  Training is also available to new Councillors through organisations such as Buckinghamshire Association of Local Councils.

To become a Councillor you must be over 18 and a British national or qualifying citizen of the Commonwealth or the European Community.  To stand for an election of Cuddington Parish Council you must be an elector of the parish or; for the whole of the previous 12 months have occupied (as owner or tenant) land or other premises in the parish, or; during the previous 12 months have worked in the parish (as your principal or only place of work), or; for the whole of the previous 12 months lived in the parish or within three miles of the parish boundary.

Being a Councillor is a rewarding role that provides a great sense of achievement.  You can either apply to AVDC (Jo Sara, Senior Electoral Service Officer: 01296 585051) or to our Clerk (venetia.davies@talktalk.net: 01844 201899) from 23rd March 2015.  The nomination form needs to be supported by a Propser and Seconder (from 2 people on the electoral register within the Parish).  The deadline for completed nomination forms is 4pm on Thursday 9th April 2015.  It must be hand delivered to AVDC.

Third Anniversary FREE PRIZE DRAW

To mark our 3rd anniversary of taking over the running of your village shop, we invite you to participate in our free prize draw.

All customers who purchase any item and are over the age of 18, will be offered a free draw ticket and if the number matches any of those on a prize, you win it.

There are six chances to win, so why not pop in to the shop on Saturday and try your luck. Any prizes not won on Saturday will be carried over on to Sunday or until they have all gone

Thank you for all your support over the last three years. Without it, the shop and Post Office wouldn't be here now.

John & Elaine

Race Night at the CPFA Saturday 14 Feb 2015

And they’re off !  ……..

...to the Race Night to be held at the Bernard Hall on Saturday, 14th February, being organised by the Playing Fields Association and Bar Committee.

Doors open at 7.00 pm for the First Race at 7.45 pm.

Tickets £8.00, including a Ploughman’s Supper, available from Cuddington Village Stores and Denise’s, or contact Lorraine Ray, tel. 01844 290606, for further information.

Whether you fancy a ‘flutter’ or not, do come along for a fun evening – you will be supporting two much-valued village amenities. 

Manor House String Quartet Concert

“New Year’s Viennese Gala”

To celebrate the start of 2015 this well known music  group will be providing an exciting concert in St Nicholas Church Cuddington at 7.30pm on Saturday January 17^th.

The programme will comprise music by Johann Strauss, Lehar, Brahms, Weber and other well-known composers;  refreshments will be served during the interval.

Two years ago this group provided a similar evening in Cuddington which was warmly appreciated by the many who attended.

 Tickets at £10 (£5 for those under 16 years) obtainable from Caroline or Myles Saker (tel.01844-291825)

Carol Service 2014 – Light of the World

Come at 4.00pm on 21st December for Festive Refreshment to be followed at 5.00pm by a Christmas Kaleidoscope of Carols, readings and real life stories from many Nations.  Come and hear that there is Hope in the world as we hear what changes people are making in their society.  You are warmly invited to attend – hope to see you there.

Village Fireworks – Saturday 1st November at 5.30pm

This year the Village Fireworks and Bonfire party with BBQ will be held on Saturday 1st November on the playing fields.

Tickets on sale from: Laura Ewers 299027, Jennifer Schram de Jong 291501, Lorraine Ray 290606, John Luckett 290491 and also at Denise's and the Village Shop.

Ticket prices: Adults £8, Children £4 (aged 12 years and under), Family Ticket £20 (2 adults and 2 children), Children under 3 go free.  

Top Producer to Open Film Festival

Leading film producer Jeremy Thomas CBE, who lives locally, will formally open the Haddenham & District Film Festival in Cuddington.

Jeremy produced a huge number of superb films including Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence, Insignificance, Naked Lunch, Sexy Beast, A Dangerous Method, The Sheltering Sky, Let Him Have It, 13 Assassins and Rabbit-Proof Fence.   He has worked with a wide range of top directors including Stephen Frears, Nicolas Roeg, Bernardo Bertolucci, David Cronenberg and Wim Wenders.

Jeremy’s best known work The Last Emperor has been selected as the Festival's opening film, to be shown at the Bernard Hall on Friday 14th November at 7.30 pm.  Jeremy is expected to speak about the film before the showing.

The Last Emperor, directed by Bernado Bertolucci, charts the dramatic history of Pu Yi, the last emperor of China, who started life in the Forbidden City as the object of worship by the people and ended up as an obscure peasant worker.  The film won nine Oscars including Best Picture, four Golden Globes and three BAFTAs in 1987.

This Film Festival is a local community initiative by Haddenham & District Rotary Club working in partnership with The Village Picture House in Cuddington and film clubs in Haddenham, Long Crendon and Bishopstone.  The festival is supported by the Aylesbury Vale Arts Council.

The theme of the festival is “Cinema through the Decades”, with some of the best films from the eight decades 1940 to the present day.

Details of the films showing in Cuddington are on the Village Picture House page.  Tickets are £5 each from Cuddington Stores.  For details of the full Film Festival programme visit our Music, Art & Drama page or www.haddenham-rotary.org.uk

Village Fireworks and Bonfire Party 2014

Saturday 1 November 2014 -  5.30pm onward

Tickets from The Village Shop and Denise

Enqiries and Tickets: 299027 (Laura)  291501 (Jennifer)  290606 (Lorraine)  290491 (John)

Ticket Prices: Adults  £8   Children(12 and under) £4                                             Family (2 adults + 2 children) £20                                                               Children under 3 Go Free

ALL WELCOME

Grant towards cost of replacing mower

The Cuddington Playing Fields Association thank the Trustees of The Haddenham Beer Festival for their grant of £500 towards the cost of replacing the mower for the CPFA.

The Beer Festival’s next event is the Haddenham Winterfest on Saturday 13th December 2014.

Link to www.haddenham-beer-festival.co.uk

Haddenham Surgery Flu Injections

A flu vaccine is available free on the NHS for:

• anyone over the age of 65
• pregnant women
• children and adults with an underlying health condition (particularly long-term heart or respiratory disease)
• children and adults with weakened immune systems

Flu clinics will be held on the following dates:-
    Saturday 27 September 2014
    Saturday 4 October 2014
    Saturday 25 October 2014

In addition to these dates members of the nursing team will have pre-bookable appointments for the flu vaccination during the week starting 6 October 2014.

We will not be offering private flu jabs.

Heritage Open Day with Community and Emergency Services

Saturday 13th September from 10.00

Join us at Waddesdon Manor for a fun filled family day with your local Emergency Services.  Climb aboard a fire engine, have a closer look at a police car, examine an ambulance and learn more about your local community services.

Featuring live music from The Young Pilgrims, with performances at 12.00, 1.00, 2.00 and 3.00.  The band invite you to march around with them and be part of their rock-induced, brass band madness!

Admission to Waddesdon House and Gardens is FREE all day.

Ring Found in Cuddington

An engagement/dress ring has been found in the village.  If anyone has lost a ring recently or is aware of anyone to whom this may belong, please contact PCSO C9830 Sue Jones on 07970 145073 or email suzan.jones@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk

Arnie Jenks and the House of Strangers

Chearsley resident Tim Bradley has just published a new novel for children and teen adults.

Arnie Jenks and the House of Strangers tells the story of a seemingly ordinary 12-year-old boy who, while waiting to be collected by his aunt from a school trip to the crumbling, ancient Shabbington Hall, gets trapped there as a sudden heavy snowfall forces him to stay the night.  As he wanders the house in search of hidden secrets he is suddenly transported back in time, meeting various characters associated with the house, each of whom has a tale to tell from when they lived there.  His quest is to find out why this is happening to him.

The book is available now to order via The Book House in Thame and all other retail outlets plus Amazon, in both paperback at £6.99 and Ebook at £3.49.

Read more about the novel and its author

Building Work on the Infant site

Work has now started on moving the front entrance on the Infant site, as our photograph shows.

Meanwhile inside good progress is being made in removing walls, re-configuring service pipes and wiring and generally to open up the internal area.

We hope the extra builders' traffic on the road is not being too disruptive.

Parish Council Meeting – August 2014

Whilst building works continue at Cuddington and Dinton School (infant site), the August meeting of the Parish Council will be held in St Nicholas’ Church.  The meeting opens at 7.30pm – please join us!

Please click to view the Agenda

Severe Weather Recovery Scheme – News from TfB

Buckinghamshire County Council recently submitted a bid for a share of the Severe Weather Recovery Scheme and was successful in being awarded a total of £2,507,486 to help repair damage to the local road network caused by the severe weather during the winter of 2013/2014. 

More information about the Scheme can be found here

LIGHTS OUT – Monday 4th August, 10.00 - 11.00pm

Residents across Aylesbury Vale are being encouraged to switch off their lights as part of a poignant commemoration.

The event invites everyone (individuals, households, local organisations and companies) to turn off their lights from 10pm to 11pm on 4 August, 100 years to the day that Britain declared war on Germany, leaving on a single light or candle for this shared moment of reflection.

It is hoped that over one million candles will be lit across the UK to remember each and every service man or woman who gave their lives in the war to end all wars.

The event will echo the famous words spoken 100 years ago by the British Foreign Secretary, Sir Edward Grey, who remarked at the time: “The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime.”

For more information on the Lights Out campaign visit www.1418NOW.org.uk

Didcot Power Station Cooling Towers Demolished

The skyline over Didcot changed dramatically at five o’clock this morning as the three southern cooling towers at Didcot A Power Station were demolished.

Watch a video of the towers’ demolition at the BBC News Oxford website

Play Around the Parishes – Wednesday 30th July 2 - 4pm

Parents, Grandparents, Childminders and children will be delighted to know that Cuddington Parish Council has teamed up again with Aylesbury Vale District Council to provide an afternoon of fun in the Playing Fields and Clubhouse in Cuddington.

Play Around the Parishes starts at 2pm on Wednesday 30th July when there will be a series of play, sports and art activities for children aged 1-11 years.

Entry is Free.  Don't miss it!

Seaside Fun!

The school managed to choose the hottest day of the year (last Friday) to have a day of Seaside Fun – or was that just good planning?!!

All classes took part in various activities with a seaside theme – ending up with a fish and chip lunch.

Our photograph shows a group of Foundation children preparing to ice a “sandcastle” cake.

Cuddington W.I.

At our last W.I. meeting on Tuesday June 10th we had an extremely enjoyable and informative talk, given by our Curate Ian Herbert about the Street Life Trust in the Philippines, with which he is very much involved.

Bucks Healthcare out of special measures

Link to Bucks Healthcare

Fête Goods Collection TONIGHT !!

Howdy folks

As part of the build-up to this years extravaganza we are holding the annual collection of all those unwanted goodies TONIGHT, Wednesday 18th June from 6.30pm.

We will collect, bottles, bric-a-brac, tins of biscuits, sweets, jars, unwanted gifts, nearly new, clothes, books, toys, bags and bangles etc etc which are all wanted for various fete day stalls.

Please have a sort out and see what you can find, then Sheriff Jeremy and his trusted band of Deputies will call on you TONIGHT to collect your goodies or you can deliver them yourself to the Bernard Hall where a loyal band of volunteers will sort them.

Please be as generous as possible because every penny raised from the fete gets put back into the community that we share and love.

The date again TONIGHT...... WEDNESDAY 18TH JUNE from 6.30pm

Thank you

Sports Day

It was a perfect afternoon for the Infants’ Sports Day today.

There was plenty to cheer about and there was a great turn out of Mums and Dads to offer totally impartial support!

The afternoon was organised by the school’s sports partners, Ignitesport, and included all of our favourite races.

Garden Open for Scannappeal, Weds 11th June 2pm

Open Garden for Scannappeal 

( providing advanced medical equipment for local patients)

On Wednesday 11th June 2-5 pm the garden at The Old Rectory, Aylesbury Road, Cuddington will be open in support of this very worthy Buckinghamshire charity. 

• A varied and colourful garden of 2 acres with unsual scultpures
• 70 foot garden canal and wonderful views
• Refreshments and a plant stall
• Entertainment by the Germains Male Voice Choir
• Entry £6 per person
• Parking in the field or the lower gate will be open for pedestrians

Parish Council Election of Chairman and Vice Chairman

At the Annual General Meeting of the Parish Council, Councillors re-elected Ken Birkby as Chairman and Jim Hayward as Vice Chairman.  The Minutes from the AGM can be found on the website under Parish Council - Agenda and Minutes.

The Parish Council consists of seven Councillors in total and the Parish Clerk.  Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month in Cuddington and Dinton School (Infant site) at 7.30pm.   The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 4th June.  Everyone is welcome to attend.

Village Tidy Up – Sunday 1st June at 10am

Please spare some time on Sunday 1st June to help tidy up the village in time for the official judging of the Best Kept Village 2014 in June.

Please meet on the Upper Green at 10.00am.

School Refreshes Riders!

The school acted as a refreshment stop for the second year running for a Royal British Legion charity bike ride on the afternoon of Saturday 17th May.

Some of you may have seen the 30 or so riders and 10 support crew pull into the village and head for the school playground where they made full use of essential pit stop facilities.

Having started in London they were heading off for an over-night stop in Banbury.

School Toilets Completed!

Our new toilets have now been installed and an application for Planning Permission has now been submittted to AVDC for further phases of our plans. Please see our application 14/00902/APP for full details.

The most visible element will be a new front entrance about 2 metres to the right of the present one which will have a reduced and more discrete canopy. Other parts of the plan entail a new headteacher's office tucked into the righthand side of the building and an extended classroom achieved by in-filling a space in existing building.

We are also opening up the internal space to create a much larger and more open library and entrance hallway.

Scout Group Leaders Required

The 1st Bernwood Forest Scout Group is currently recruiting for adults, young and old, to become Leaders, Assistant Leaders and Supporters of their Group and for their Beaver, Cub and Scout units.

Scouting is one of the greatest movements the world has ever known.  Scouts have walked on the moon, rowed across oceans and scaled the highest mountains.  But, closer to home, the 1st Bernwood Forest Scout Group offers adventures and experiences to more than 120 young people in the area around Long Crendon and Dinton.  They are only able to offer these experiences because of their enthusiastic and dedicated team of volunteer leaders and supporters.

Behind every great Scout there is a great Scout Leader, could that be you?  Training is provided and no previous experience of Scouting is necessary.  If you have a few hours a week, or a fortnight, and an occasional weekend, Scouting can give you adventure, fun and new skills.  No time for a weekly commitment?  The Scout Group is looking for someone to act as their Group Secretary, a role which only needs a couple of hours every month or so at Group Executive meetings.  There is no need for you to have a child in Scouts; only enthusiasm and a willingness to share that enthusiasm with young people.

For more information, please contact Duncan Spence on 01844 292076 or email BernwoodGSL@conspiritors.com

bernwoodforestscouts.webs.com

Pollution in the River Thame

An article on the Bucks Herald website describes Doug Kennedy’s campaign to improve the water quality of the River Thame.

Read the full article here

Pot Hole Blog

Transport for Bucks now has a blog for information on potholes and other road repair work. Please visit www.tfbpotholes.blogspotco.uk.

If you see a pothole that is in need of urgent repair, please call the contact centre – 0845 230 2882.

Grass cutting season begins

With Spring in the air, Transport for Bucks has begun its annual grass cutting progamme. 

Grass cutting takes place during the summer months to provide good visibility for road users.

This year, TfB will be carrying out urban (verges within 30 and 40 mph speed limit signs) grass cutting itself, rather than using a contractor, with one cut every five weeks.

In rural (verges between village and town name signs areas), there will be two cuts this year, done by contractor, Robert North. Check progress at www.buckscc.gov.uk/grasscutting.

Check progress at www.buckscc.gov.uk/grasscutting

Carrier Bags – The No 1 Enemy of AVDC Recycling Bins

Whilst some plastic carrier bags are recyclable at supermarkets, AVDC DO NOT RECYCLE CARRIER BAGS in the blue lidded recycling bins, whether they are labelled recyclable or not.  So please do not put any carrier bags in your recycling bin; reuse them or return to the supermarket you got them from.

Dealing with this recycling contamination affects AVDC’s recycling contract and is costing AVDC on rejected recycling loads.  As a consequence, household recycling bins with contaminated items such as carrier bags will not have their recycling bin emptied, and will have a note explaining why attached.  If this happens to you, remove the offending items ready for your next collection.  Alternatively you can take your recycling to the tip instead.

For a full list of what can and can’t be recycled in AVDC bins, please read the poster in your recycling bin lid, or visit the website,

www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/recycle.

April butterflies

In Sunday's glorious weather, I went exploring locally and enountered quite a lot of butterflies fluttering around among the blackthorn blossom and the new spring wild flowers. It was nice to see a lot of orange tips for the first time this year, which will be newly emerged, along with peacocks and small tortoiseshells after winter hibernation.
Wildlife strips around fields make a big difference - wild flowers grow there, so you get lots of insects and birds. You find these on Winchendon Estates arable land, which is managed by Waddesdon, such as those around Cuddington and on the Winchendon side of the Thame. On farms that crop right to the field edge, there is little to be found in the way of wildlife, so well done Waddesdon! Now, can we get them to mark our foot paths better?

Children’s Poetry Competition

Village Voice has launched a poetry-writing competition for the younger members of the village.  It is open to any child living in Cuddington or attending Cuddington and Dinton School.

There are three categories:

• Children in School Years 1 and 2.  Theme: My favourite animal
• Children in School Years 3 and 4.  Theme: Water
• Children in School Years 5 and 6.  Theme: Spring

We would like entrants to write a short poem – it could be descriptive, imaginary, what the theme means to the poet; it is entirely up to the writer.  The winner in each category will receive a £10 book token.

When completed please e-mail the entry, including name and age, to Helen Keeping at wichertcot@btinternet.com with “Village Voice poem” in the subject line, or leave the entry in the box in Cuddington Stores.

The closing date is Wednesday 23rd April.

Annual Village Meeting (AVM) – 31st March 2014

The Draft Minutes from last year’s AVM (17th April 2013) are available to view on the Notice Boards and Website.  These will not be re-circulated at the meeting on Monday evening.  Item 2 on the Agenda will be to approve these Minutes as a true record.

Please do come along and join in the open discussions, hear what is going on in and around Cuddington and meet neighbours, old and new.  Wine and soft drinks will be served after the meeting.

Children’s Playground Update

Works to the wind damaged fence in the children’s playground is complete and the playground is now fully enclosed with a new fence and posts.  Time to enjoy the sunshine!

Annual Village Meeting – Monday 31st March 2014

The date for this year’s Annual Village Meeting has been set for Monday 31st March.  Please join us in the Bernard Hall at 7.30pm.  Full Agenda to follow.

Damaged Fencing – Children’s Playground

Due to the severe storms last week, a fairly large section of fencing on the playing field side of the children’s playground has blown down, leaving the playground open. New posts will be erected and the fencing repaired and reinstated.  In the meantime, please ensure children keep away from the damaged fencing to avoid anyone getting hurt.  Those who exercise dogs on the playing fields, please ensure the dogs do not enter the playground area.  Work will be carried out as soon as possible.

Recycling Banks

Following the introduction of the household recycling collection service in 2012, Aylesbury Vale District Council will be removing any remaining recycling banks they manage from across the district. 

There are currently over 80 sites but the one's most likey to affect Cuddington include those located in Haddenham (Village Hall and Garden Centre) and Chearsley (The Bell PH).

Residents can disposal of excess recycling that doesn't fit in their household recycling bin at their local Household Waste and Recycling Centre. 

Breast Cancer in Women Over 70

Link to Public Health England

Aylesbury Vale Clinical Commissioning Group

Link to Aylesbury Vale CCG

Building Work at School

Some much-needed work is being done on the Infant site to upgrade the children’s toilets, which are proving inadequate for the numbers we now have on the site.

There will be occasions when our builders will need loading access to the premises and therefore have to park vehicles outside the school.

They will be as considerate as possible and we do hope this won’t cause too much inconvenience.  We will do our best to keep you updated on progress and it could take us into the Easter Holidays.

Thank you for your understanding.

Chris Blumer

New Appointment System at Haddenham Medical Centre

Link to page on Haddenham Medical Centre website

Can You Help Aylesbury Food Bank?

Much has been written in the press recently about the number of people in this country who don’t have enough to eat, and the food banks that are trying to help them.  Even in our own relatively wealthy county of Buckinghamshire there are people – particularly children – who are going to bed hungry each night.

Churchgoers at St. Nicholas are already doing their bit to help this appalling situation by bringing non-perishable foodstuffs to church on the first Sunday of each month.  This in turn is taken to the Vineyard Storehouse in Aylesbury, which is a Christian charity helping those in need.

Now John and Elaine in Cuddington Stores have kindly agreed to have a box in the shop where all those who wish to do so can put their contributions.  These in turn will also be taken to the Vineyard Storehouse each month.  The box has only been in use for a week or so, and already is nearly full, which is excellent news.

This will be an on-going project.  Thank you to all those who have already contributed, and we hope you will continue to do so.  For those who don’t know about the box, please give it some positive thought. 

Plant Pots Stolen

Please be aware that two large patio plant pots with decorative plants in them were stolen from the front of the Cuddington Methodist Chapel in Lower Church Street between Thursday morning 9th and 5pm Sunday 12th January.  Some time last week, the two pots with the miniature golden fir trees were aslo taken from either side of the front door.

Please keep a lookout and report any suspicious activity to PCSO Sue Jones via the 24 hour Police Enquiry Centre number 101.  Thank you.

Bucks 50 Plus Forum

Routes to Information – the What, Where, Who, Why and How

26 March 2014   9.30am - 2.00pm
The Oculus, The Gatehouse, Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury HP19 8FF

New legislation, welfare benefits reform and cuts to local authority budgets mean that support for older people is going through a period of great change.  Timely access to good information is vital to ensuring that older people can adapt to changes, make informed decisions and empower their choices.  Come and find out about the What, When, Where, Who, Why and How on the routes to information for the over 50s.

The Bucks 50 Plus Forum Conference for 2014 is for individual older people and members of Older People’s Groups across the county.  The aim of the conference is to provide delegates with tools to access appropriate information better and then share what they have learnt with their own groups and networks.  This is a FREE event and includes lunch.  Places are limited to 120 delegates so book early to ensure you or your group don’t miss out.  For more information and to register your place contact Debi Game on 0300 777 2711 or email debi@suco.org.uk.

The conference is funded by Buckinghamshire County Council and supported by Age UK Buckinghamshire, Aylesbury Vale District Council, Bucks Service User and Carer Organisation (SUCO) and Wycombe District Council.

Fremantle Day Care in Haddenham

FreTime (Haddenham) Care and Activity Service is welcoming new members

FreTime (Haddenham) – formerly Haddenham Day Centre – is a new care and support service from The Fremantle Trust.  You can try out their newly refurbished centre for a day with others from the local community, whatever your care needs – absolutely FREE!  Go along for a day so you can decide for yourself if you would like to become a FreTime member.  Transport can be provided.  For more information or to arrange to visit us please call Linda on 01844 292265, or just pop in for a chat and a cup of tea.

(This information is sent by AVDC but relates to services we have no influence over – the contact details are provided for who runs the centre.)

Lynne Maddocks, Community Engagement Officer
Aylesbury Vale District Council

Village Calendar

If you didn’t receive the hoped-for 2014 calendar from Father Christmas, you might like to know that there are still a few copies of the village calendar left in Cuddington Stores.

The calendar features reproductions of twelve magnificent water colour paintings of local scenes by Caroline Stonham, and costs £5.

Cakes & Bakes Recipe Book

Cuddington & Dinton School’s beautiful new “Cakes & Bakes” recipe book has just been published.

The book is A5 in size and has 74 colourful pages of  tasty recipes for cakes, bread and puddings.  It would make a great Christmas Present.

The books cost £10 each or just £8.50 per copy for orders of three or more, and can be ordered through the village shop.  All monies raised support the School.

2013 Cuddington Poppy Collections

The Poppy collections in Cuddington this year are as follows:

House to house collections - £667.26

Cuddington and Dinton School - £96.92

Remembrance Day Service Collection - £139.93

New Altar Poppies - £24.00

Donation from Cuddington PC - £55.00

This brings the total amount given to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal by Cuddington this year to £983.11.  This is a terrific result for Cuddington and is very much appreciated by those who work on behalf of the British Legion, and also by all those who have benefited from the Legion’s help over the years gone by.

But perhaps more especially today, we think of our young service men and women who have been killed or severely injured and traumatised and of their families.  Many have sustained terrible injuries – both physical and mental.  Others face a future of living with the constant unimaginable, grinding pain that can follow the loss of one or more limbs.  There will be financial hardship for those no longer able to do the jobs they were trained for.  Many are suffering injuries that are not just physical and will need not only long-term medical help but also practical and financial support.

The Royal British Legion tries to be there for all of them and their families for as long as they are needed.  Your contributions help them to do this.

I would, therefore, like to say a big thank you not only to our Poppy collectors but also to those of you who have given so generously to this very worthy cause.

If you would like to know more about the Legion’s work or would like to help with the house to house collections next year, please get in touch with me.

There were two printing errors in the VV with regard to the amounts shown for “House to House” collections together with the overall total.  The correct figures are shown above.

With my grateful thanks and very best wishes,

Jennifer Schram de Jong

Village Fireworks and Bonfire Party

The morning of Saturday 26th October brought drizzle and bleak skies as predicted, but we held our nerve, collected the food and made the mulled wine – that certainly helped!  The forecast was spot on, just what the Dr ordered,  dry, even warm weather for the afternoon and early evening ’though perhaps a bit breezy at times.

As always, there was an early start for organisers and helpers – Mark, his fellow cricketers and friends.  BBQs were collected and taken to the playing fields along with tables, gazebos and everything else that was needed with the kitchen sink in the clubhouse!   John rolled up the turf and James brought the hay bales for the bonfire, while Mark and Davie set out the fireworks.  Andy arrived with the Sound System for MC Chris was happy – things were looking good.

Mark gave us a really lovely display of fireworks – not too many bangs but plenty of oohs and aahs – enjoyed by young and old.  As in all previous years, everyone agreed that this year’s fireworks were THE BEST EVER!!

Delicious burgers from Parminters and tasty sausages were beautifully cooked by our two Eds and Richard et al - I’m sorry al, I don’t know all your names!!  A glass of Jaap and Tony’s mulled wine went down a treat and, for those feeling chilly, there was the clubhouse with its bar where Nibby and friends worked hard all evening to keep you happy.  The food sold out apart from a few vegie sausages and burgers – last year we didn’t have enough - you just can’t win!  Thank you to Sam ? who helped serve the BBQ all evening!!

Laura held a raffle with lots of prizes.  There were so many great entries in the fancy dress competition for older children that it seemed as if everyone was a winner!  I personally lost my heart to little Philip Trew who won best fancy dress for “little people” disguised as a pumpkin – he almost won best pumpkin too!  In the end that prize went to Tommy Healy who firmly informed us he’d grown his magnificent pumpkin himself.

Ticket sales were very much down on previous years, but those of you who came seemed to enjoy yourselves.

Lots of children running here and there waving their glow sticks and munching sausages.  Thanks Elaine and John for helping us to sell tickets.

Thanks must go to “the games makers” for all their help and hard work on the day making it all happen, and for the big clear up afterwards.  Last but not least, there wouldn’t have been a party if nobody came, so a big thank you to those of you who came along and supported us.  I hope you all enjoyed yourselves and had fun.

Thank you all again,

Jennifer

Christmas Fayre 2013

Thank you to everyone who helped at the Christmas Fayre on 23rd November.  Proceeds from the Raffle, Children’s games, Plant stall and two kind contributions from people unable to spend time at the Fayre have enabled donations to be sent as follows:

   Florence Nightingale Hospice – £100.75
   Young Carers Bucks – £81.55

In addition, Santa Claus raised just over £51 for the Chiltern Air Ambulance.

Again, thank you all – stallholders, helpers, and the lovely people who came and supported the event – it could not happen without you!

Rosemary Bradbury

A418 Overnight Road Closure This Week

We are advised that the A418 will be closed overnight this week for road repairs between the Buckinghamshire / Oxfordshire boundary and the turning to Haddenham at Scotsgrove (including the junction of Aylesbury Road and Thame Road at that location).

The road will be closed to all traffic except buses on scheduled routes from 7.00 pm on Monday 2nd December until 6.00 am on Tuesday 3rd December, and again for the following three – or possibly four – nights.  Diverted traffic will be routed through Long Crendon, Chearsley and Cuddington, to rejoin the A418 at the Haddenham junction at Kings Cross.

Carol Service – Joy to the World

Enjoy singing carols?  Join us as we sing favourite carols interspersed with items that share the Christmas Message in words and music.  At the same time, in conjunction with Premiers Radio’s “Feed the  Hungry” initiative, help us to collect food for people in need in our area.  Food bags will be received at the service and taken to local Food Banks.

Come to Cuddington Methodist Church on 22nd December at 5.30pm PRECEDED at 4.30pm with Festive refreshments.  Special bags containing a list of suggested food items will be provided if required.  To obtain a list and bag contact Margaret on 01844 291661.

Newsletter for Trinity Health patients

Download the Autumn/Winter 2013 newsletter here

Affordable Warmth this Winter

At this time of year it is important to remind people that they do not have to struggle on in the cold through the winter.  There is a local free helpline 0800 107 0044.

The Buckinghamshire Affordable Warmth Network is a longstanding service working to reduce the number of people in fuel poverty; and so improving health and wellbeing.  It is able to give impartial expert advice on all issues surrounding Affordable Warmth.  This includes reducing energy bills, increasing energy efficiency of properties, switching energy supplier and how to stay warm over winter, and is promoted towards all residents likely to be struggling with rising energy bills, or those vulnerable to the cold.  Grants and financial assistance are also available.

Cuddington’s Christmas Fayre

Saturday 23rd November  2.00 - 4.30 pm

The Bernard Hall  Free Entry

Local enterprises, village organisations and charity stalls selling crafts, jewellery, cards, pre-loved toys, local produce, home-made preserves and gifts.  There will be a raffle and refreshments will be available.

As always, Father Christmas will be there in his Grotto for the children.  Come and enjoy a friendly, festive afternoon and start to get into the Christmas spirit, while at the same time supporting local groups.

For more details or to book a table please contact Rosemary Bradbury on 290249.

Change of Date – November 2013 Parish Council Meeting

The November meeting of the Parish Council has been changed to Tuesday 5th November 2013 at 7.30pm in Cuddington and Dinton School, Infant site.

The Agenda will follow.

Quiz Evening – Saturday 16th November at 7pm

Come along to our fabulous Quiz Evening on Saturday 16th November at 7pm for 7.30pm.  Tables of six are available.  Tickets are just £7 which includes a delicious supper and quiz.  There will also be a super raffle.  Proceeds towards the upkeep of the playing fields and Clubhouse.

End of Season Meeting

The Boules Club will be meeting on Wednesday, 30 October 2013, 8pm at the Clubhouse.  This will be a chance to reflect on the past season and look forward to and plan for the next.  All members and anyone interested are welcome to come along.

Village Fireworks – Saturday 26th October at 5.30 pm

This year the Village Fireworks and BBQ party will be held on Saturday 26th October on the playing fields.

Tickets are on sale from: Laura Ewers 299027, Jennifer Schram de Jong 291501, Lorraine Ray 290606, John Luckett 290491 and also at Denise’s and Cuddington Village Stores.

After eight years without any increase in the price, sadly, we have had to make a small increase in the ticket prices.  However, we are still one of the cheapest fireworks events taking place.  And there is a discount when you buy before the event!

Tickets bought before the event:
Adults £8.00, Children £4.00 (12 years and under), Families £25.00 (2 adults and up to four children 12 years and under)

Tickets bought at the gate:
Adults £10.00, Children £5.00 (12 years and under), Families £27.00 (2 adults and up to four children 12 years and under).

Vegetarians.  To help with catering and to avoid running out of food as we did last year, where possible please request Vegetarian food prior to the event.

Please put this date in your diaries and help us to make it another great evening for the village.  If you have any queries, please get in touch with Lorraine or Jennifer.  If you can help on the day, please get in touch.

Which Films Would You Like to See?

The Village Picture House is already proving to be very popular – we have now sold over 500 tickets – and we want to make sure that we continue to show the sort of films that you would like to see.

With this in mind, we have put together a questionnaire listing a selection of 25 film choices that we think might be popular. These are all good movies, but everyone has different tastes.  If you could please tell us which of these you would definitely like to see, which you might like to see or not like to see at all, it will help us put together the best possible programme.  These are only sample films; there is also space for you to add your own film choices.

We are holding an open meeting for the Village Picture House at the Bernard Hall on Wednesday, 16th October at 7.30pm to explain how we are planning to run the cinema, to ask you for feedback and for you to tell us what sort of films you would like us to put on.

Please try and return your forms before 15th October so that we can discuss the results at this meeting.

Forms can be returned to the Cuddington Village Stores or scanned and emailed to markusbolton@live.co.uk.

We look forward to receiving your feedback!

Markus Bolton

Download the questionnaire here

Coffee Morning

At Cuddington Methodist Church on Monday 7th October between 10.00 am and 12.00 noon we invite you to come and see the restoration work that has been completed in the church.  Enjoy good company and coffee and biscuits/cake.  Everyone is welcome.

Macmillan Coffee Morning

A splendid sum of £371 was raised at the Coffee Morning on Saturday 28 September 2013 at the Playing Fields Club House.  Congratulations and thanks to everyone who joined in.

Older People’s Day at Haddenham Library

Tuesday 1st October  10.30 – 4.00

Haddenham Community Library  0845 230 3232

FREE drinks and cake.  Information from a range of organisations.  Re-bookable FREE computer taster sessions.  Talks and more…

Best Kept Village Presentation

Last Saturday lunchtime, on the Upper Green, the Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher presented councillor Jim Hayward with the Tindall Cup.

This trophy is fought for by the winners of the previous year’s Best Kept Village competition, and so for Cuddington to win this award is a particular honour.

Some of the judges’ comments were as follows:

“Residents obviously take pride in their village and ensure its continuing beauty.  It is a lovely place deserving of its high marks.  The green in the centre of the village, by the pub and shop, sets the tone for the village.  It is very well maintained and attractive to look at, with small, strategically placed flower beds and a newly painted pump.

“The playing field caters for a good range of sports; it had been newly cut and is very tidy.  The field is in an attractive location on the edge of the village and is obviously well used for cricket, tennis, and football.  The children’s play area is well equipped and neatly kept.

“The historic Bernard Hall  has colourful flower troughs in front of it and is in very good condition for its age.  The War Memorial in the churchyard is extremely well maintained with neat and colourful bedding plants surround it.  The sunken path to the church, with flowers within the stonework, is an attractive feature of the neat graveyard.”

Well done Cuddington!

18 Months On.........

Eighteen months ago, we wrote about our plans for your shop and we are pleased to announce that we have now completed our planned capital expenditure.

To recap on what we have achieved:

• Replaced the counter
• Installed two new chillers and two new freezers
• Replaced the flooring (thanks go to AVDC for the grant to cover 50% of this cost)
• Installed all new shelving
• Extended the retail area and massively increased the stock range available.
• Extended the opening hours of the shop and Post Office

We have also introduced various stock items of Buckinghamshire produce including yoghurts, apple juice, infused rapeseed oils, Mary Berry’s salad dressings, Cici Coco pasta meals, handmade ice-cream from Haddenham, Kirsty's Kitchen goods and more besides.

We have started our own food business producing sandwiches, pies and ready-meals for sale in the shop as well as developing the business still further with a catering operation for private events and functions. We will also be running the bar at the new Village Picture House.

It has been an interesting period in our lives and a very busy one too. We hope you are happy with the progress we have made in the shop and we will continue to strive to stock the items you want to see.

We wish to thank all of you individually, and the Parish Council specifically, for the support shown so far and now that the shop has returned to its former glory, we hope this gives you more reason to pop in for those essential day-to-day groceries and ensure that the shop remains viable for generations to come.

John & Elaine

CPFA Fun Day – Sunday 15th September CANCELLED

CANCELLED 

CPFA are running a Family Fun Day, Dog Show and Car Boot on Sunday 15th September.  Attractions will include a Bouncy Castle, Face Painting, BBQ, Tombola, Raffle and Welly Wanging.  The Club House bar will be open for cold drinks and tea, coffee and delicious cakes will be available.

While the family are enjoying all the entertainment why not bring your family dog and enter them into the fun Dog Show, classes to include Waggiest Tail, Handsomest dog, Prettiest Bitch, Cutest Puppy and a Veteran class.  There is also a class for the best doggy trick so get practising to impress the judge.

Why not have a go at selling some of your unwanted items at the Car Boot sale, pitches for a bargain £5.  If you wish to pre-book a pitch please contact Lorraine Ray 290606 or just turn up on the day

All this is to take place 1-4pm on Sunday 15 September in the Playing field, we look forward to seeing you there.

Emergency Services Open Day

The Waddesdon Neighbourhood Policing team is organising its annual Emergency Services Open day.

The event will take place on Saturday 14th September and will run between 10am and 3pm in front of Waddesdon Manor on the High Street, Waddesdon.

The neighbourhood policing team will be accompanied by the Fire, Ambulance and other emergency services.  As it is the Heritage Day, there will be free entry for members of the public to the Waddesdon Manor and surrounding grounds.  PCSO Denise Grayburn said: “The neighbourhood officers will be out and about, offering crime prevention advice and raising awareness of how people can sign up to the two-way communication system - Thames Valley Alert.

“On the day we will be supported by two horses from the Milton Keynes Mounted section.  We encourage members of the local community to attend this free event and this will be a great opportunity to meet your local neighbourhood officers for a chat about any concerns you may have.

“We will be located in front of the Manor, so you can’t miss us. We anticipate this will be very a successful event, with a huge turnout likely.”

Best Kept Village Presentation

Presentation of the Tindall Cup to the village

1.00pm Saturday 14th September  The Upper Green

As everyone will now know, Cuddington has won the Tindall Cup in the 2013 Best Kept Village Competition.  This is a very keenly fought competition for the winners of each category in last year’s 2012 competition.  This is an amazing achievement, particularly as it is the fourth consecutive year that we have won either the Morris Cup (for our size of village) or the Tindall Cup.

The presentation will take place on The Upper Green at 1.00pm on Saturday 14th September, with Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, the Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, and the presentation party handing over the cup to Jim Hayward, who will represent the village.  If the weather is wet, this presentation will take place in the Bernard Hall.

Everyone in the village has contributed to this magnificent achievement and is invited to the presentation.

Sir Henry and his party will bepresenting to all winners across the County during the course of the day.  We are providing Sir Henry and histravelling party with a sandwich lunch in the Bernard Hall.

Whilst they are lunching, all villagers are invited to the Bernard Hall for a glass of wine, or soft drink to join the Parish Councillors in celebrating Cuddington’s success.

Magazine for Deaf People

Communication from AVDC Community Engagement Officer:

A magazine freely available for deaf people.

magazine.slfirst.co.uk

Teaching Day with Denise Cross

Life for Life Ministries welcomes Denise Cross of Ellel Ministries for a Teaching Day on Saturday 21st September 2013 entitled 'Restoring the Human Spirit' 10.00am - 5.15pm

Cost £20 includes coffee, lunch and tea.  Pre-Booking essential.  Contact Colin on 01844 291661 or Betty on 01844 290372.

Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?

Much of this 1980 Agatha Christie drama was filmed in Cuddington.  Previously only available as a Spanish import, the DVD has now been released in the UK.  For more details see the Cuddington on Location page.

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00CPL8BUI

Cuddington Stores Moving Day

A fantastic band of volunteers gathered on Sunday and moved the entire shop stock, three chillers, two freezers and other sundry equipment to the Village Hall ahead of the renovation work.  A massive thank you go to everyone who helped.

Pictured are those there at the finish, from L-R Mike, Celia, Alan, William, Thelma, Jenny, Caroline, Ken, Viv, Helen, Charles, Elaine, Josh, Ed, Ann, Chris, Rebecca, Tony, Jane and Peter.  Others who also helped greatly were Marianne, Meryl, Pat and Nina.

John and Elaine

Post Office Community Enterprise Fund

A partnership between Department for Communities, Local Government and Post Office Ltd has created an opportunity for community schemes to gain financial support.

20 schemes from across England will be chosen from all those ideas submitted, and could receive a grant upto £10,000. The money would be paid during the financial year 2013/14. The deadline for applications is Friday 18 October 2013.

For more information, please click on the link below.

Post Office Community Enterprise Fund

I have my own idea but would like to hear from you all first.

John Moore

Calling Cuddington’s Creative Talent

Following the interest in displaying Graham Brant’s artwork ahead of the fete auction, we have decided to offer the same space to any Cuddington resident who wishes to display their work.

This can be painting, ceramics, glass, needlework, textiles or anything else provided it is for wall-mounted display.

The overall dimensions should be no more than 500mm square or you can hang more than one piece with that total area. It is our intention to give each artist use of the space for one month and then give someone else the opportunity.

You can display your items for exhibition-only or commission-free sale and, if you wish, you need to arrange your own insurance.

If you wish, we can also publish an article about your work on our own home page of the village website.

For more information or to reserve your place please contact John at the shop.

John Moore

Buckinghamshire Healthcare – Rapid Response Review

According to the BBC website, Buckinghamshire Healthcare is one of eleven trusts put into ‘special measures’.  The Rapid Response Review gives evidence and background for this decision.

Cuddington Wins Again – the Best of the Best!

Cuddington has triumphed once again in the Best Kept Village competition, winning the Tindall Cup which is awarded to the best of all the previous year’s winners.  The runner-up was Little Marlow.

Competition chairman Richard Pushman commented: “The Best Kept Village Competition remains as popular as ever.  Our judges were impressed with the standard of entries and highlighted that Buckinghamshire as a whole, and not just the Best Kept Villages, is in remarkably great shape.  Well done to all those litter pickers and volunteers who make such an effort to keep their communities tidy.”

Congratulations are also due to Chearsley, runner-up to Great Brickhill in the small villages category.

Haddenham Practice doctor sick leave

Please see the news below regarding Dr Karen West.  Dr West has given us permission to pass this information and the photo to you in order that patients are aware.

We are very sorry to announce that Dr. Karen West will be on sick leave for six to nine months due to breast cancer.  We all wish her a speedy recovery.  We hope to have a locum doctor in place soon to work with us until she returns.

E Solley (Practice Manager)
Haddenham Medical Centre

Spirit of Australia

A touring choir from Western Australia will be visiting Cuddington to present a concert of choral entertainment in St. Nicholas Church on Saturday July 27th at 7.30pm.

The choir has a wide repertoire of music from Mozart through Strauss to modern works, and this promises to be a very entertaining evening.

There will be wine and canapés available, and this will provide an opportunity to give the summer evening a social flavour and a chance to meet the performers.

The good news is that entry is free and tickets are available from Myles Saker (01844-291825).

Donations on the night will be in aid of the Kampala Music School.

Judging for Britain in Bloom – Tuesday 2nd July at 10am

Judging for the regional round of Britain in Bloom will take place this coming Tuesday, 2nd July.  Judges will be accompanied by Cllr Jim Hayward and will tour the village lanes, Churchyard, War Memorial and Greens.

Please keep Cuddington looking beautiful!

Cuddington and the Winchendons

An English Rural Idyll

Doug Kennedy is thinking about publishing a new book of photos of the locality.  The book covers a very limited area, and so the number sold won’t be large while the cost of a small print run is very high.  Therefore, before going ahead, Doug would like to gauge the level of interest and whether people would be willing to pay for a copy at a realistic price (likely to be around £25).

To find out whether people would be interested in the book, Doug has produced a ‘pilot’ copy.  This first draft has no text but does contain most of the photographs that would be used (although the cover has not come out as expected and will be different in any final version).  About 40 people have seen it so far and the response has been excellent.

If you’d like to see the book, please go to the Cuddington Stores where it’s on display.  There is also a form for recording your interest and reactions to it.

You can follow Doug’s new book project at www.doug-kennedy.com

Patient Participation Group at Haddenham

Haddenham Medical Centre

Patient Participation Group Chair and Vice Chair post recruitment.

Haddenham Medical Centre is recruiting volunteers from patients to undertake the posts of Chairperson and Vice Chair for the Patient Participation Group (PPG). The PPG is a group of patients and practice staff who meet to discuss the practice and how it is able to service the community. 

The Chairperson role requires a volunteer who is interested and committed to working with the practice for the benefit of all patients. There will be a requirement to Chair and organise the PPG meetings.  Interested parties must be a patient of the practice; ideally with some experience of running meetings and used to public speaking. 

The Vice Chair role will support the Chairperson and deputise at meetings in their absence.  Interested parties must be a patient of the practice; ideally with some experience of running meetings and used to public speaking. 

Both roles require volunteers who are sensitive to the needs of the practice and patients and can assist in the success of the PPG.

If you are interested please apply by letter or e-mail to Ellen Solley Practice Manager, detailing what interests you about the role; your experience and what you can bring to it by Friday 21 June 2013

The term will be for 12 months and the successful candidate will be decided by the PPG at the next meeting on Thursday 27 Jun 2013.  The candidate should be prepared to speak at the meeting to the group detailing what they could bring to the role and the group will then vote to decide who the successful candidate is.

Postal address: Haddenham Medical Centre, Stanbridge Road, Haddenham, HP17 8JX

E-mail:  Haddenham.medicalcentre@nhs.net

If you require any further information please contact Ellen Solley as detailed above.

Stoke Mandeville Hospital Review

The NHS Medical Director, Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, is reviewing the quality of care at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in relation to mortality indicators. A team is visiting from 10 - 12 June 2013.

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

Memory Advice Service

This service is run by " Age UK Bucks "and funded by Bucks CC

CarersBucks

Courses for Carers run by CarersBucks, a charity funded by Bucks CC to support Carers 

Music in Quiet Places

One of the concerts in the AVDC  2013 programme of Music in Quiet Places will be held in St Nicholas Church, Cuddington at 7.30pm on Saturday June 15th.

The concert performed by the Maurizi Ensemble is entitled “A taste of summer from Brahms”.  It will centre on Brahms’ Sextet in G major op.36, but will also include a Boccherini Quintet.

The last Music in Quiet Places held in Cuddington two years ago was a very popular event, and the AVDC have again chosen Cuddington as a suitable venue in the Aylesbury Vale.

Tickets at £10 can be obtained from Myles Saker at Rose Cottage, Spurt Street or by phone  (01844-291825).  Wine and canapés will be available at the concert.  

CPFA AGM 12th June 2013

7.30pm at the Pavilion.  All welcome

Villager Appears in Watchdog

Cuddington villager Sarah Dyckhoff appeared in a recent episode of the BBC One consumer affairs programme Watchdog, as part of their investigation into the very high cost of printer ink.

You can watch the clip at www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p018tmk9

One week until Village Tidy! Sunday 19th May

Just a reminder that the Village Tidy and Litter Pick takes place next Sunday, 19th May.  Please bring gardening gloves and meet on the Upper Green at 10.30.  Black bin liners will be provided.

Councillors have been assigned various maintenance tasks too including pressure washing village benches, tidying of the Notice Boards as well as wood staining the bus shelters and new benches.

All help in getting Cuddington ready for the Best Kept Village competition will be very much appreciated. 

Boules Club AGM 2013

The Boules club will be holding its AGM at 7.30pm on Wednesday, 22 May at the Playing Fields Clubhouse. Everyone is welcome.

If you've not played boules before and would like to have a go, why not come along to one of the club sessions on a Wednesday evening or Sunday morning.

Christian Aid Week

The Christian Aid Week Aid Bring and Buy Coffee Evening and Plant Stall will be held on Monday May 13th from 7.30pm onwards in Skittle Green Cottage, Lower Green (Caroline Thompson)

All welcome – including offerings!

Walking

May is National Walking Month

Walking is a normal, everyday activity – and that’s partly why we forget it’s actually exercise at all.  It can help us stay healthy and watch our weight and it gives us energy (which makes us feel great).  There’s really no other exercise like it!  And with walking, you don’t have to do a lot to reap the rewards.  The minimum recommendation from doctors to keep your body healthy and prevent illness such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes is 150 minutes of activity a week.  So you could look at that as just 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week – and you can break that down into chunks of ten or fifteen minutes at a time if you like.  You don’t have to walk for a long time or at a brisk pace from day one.  You can build up as you go.  If your mobility is limited start by walking more in your home or garden.  Set small achievable goals to build this up.

There is a lot of evidence that people enjoy walking more with other people and this also helps them keep it up. Why not try the Buckinghamshire Simply Walks?

Simply Walks are volunteer led walks running throughout the year with over 500 walkers joining every week on more than 50 walks across the county.  Volunteer leaders are there to help you walk at your own pace and nobody is left behind.  All new walkers are welcome to the scheme whether you are currently fit and active, or haven’t exercised in a long time.  It couldn’t be easier to get started.  No need to book, just choose your walk and, on your first walk arrive 15 minutes early to register with the walk leader.  The walks are FREE.  Well behaved dogs on non-extendable leads are permitted, at the discretion of the walk leader.

Please wear suitable clothing and footwear and bring a stick if you need one.

For more information please get in touch with Simply Walk Coordinator Fiona Broadbent on: 01494 475367, email: simplywalks@buckscc.gov.uk or visit www.buckscc.gov.uk/simplywalk These are a few of the walks locally – there are many more across the county.

Wednesdays

Haddenham 10.30am.  Meet in the Library Car Park, Churchway, HP17 5EE – Alternate Wednesdays to the Stone walk.

Stone 10.30am.  Meet outside The Methodist Chapel, Eythrope Road, Stone HP17 8PG – Alternate Wednesdays to the Haddenham walk.

Winslow 10.00 am.  Meet at The St Laurence Room, Market Square, Winslow.  1st and 3rd Wednesday

Thursdays

Wendover Woods 11.00am.  Meet at cafe in main car park, HP22 5NQ – First Thursday of every month.

Fridays

Buckingham (2 walks for differing abilities) 11.00am.  Meet at Cornwall’s Meadow Car Park outside Waitrose MK18 TRS

You can also look at these websites:

www.walkingforhealth.org.uk

www.livingstreets.org.uk/walk-with-us/national-walking-month-may-2013

This briefing is produced as part of the Building Community Capacity Project by AVDC’s Lynne Maddocks.  Contact on 01296 585364 or lmaddocks@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk for more information

Spring Clean Cuddington! – Sunday 19th May

Please spare some time on Sunday 19th May to tidy up the village in time for the official judging of the Best Kept Village 2013 this June.

Meet on the Upper Green at 10.30am.  Look forward to seeing you there!

Caring for Dementia

A course organised by Oxford NHS Trust responsible for mental health care in Buckinghamshire.

Do you care for someone with dementia?

Healthy Minds and Psychological Services are running a CBT for carers of people with dementia group.  The group will cover:

• Managing stress
• Understanding dementia and your reaction to it
• Identifying helpful ways of interacting with your relative
• Coping with difficult thoughts and emotions
• You will also meet other carers, and be able to share ideas and experiences of caring for someone with dementia