planning stewkley`s future: everyone can help

Transcription

February 2016
PLANNING STEWKLEY’S FUTURE:
EVERYONE CAN HELP
Thelasttwomonthshavebeenabusyperiodforthoseplanning
Stewkley’sfuture,anditislikelytogetmoreintense.
Some250villagersturnedupatameetingcalledbytheParish
Council,almostallofthemputtingtheirhandsuptoapprovea
motion that Stewkley should produce its own Neighbourhood
Plan, a plan that would allow the community to have a major
sayinhowthevillageisshapedoverthenext18years.
Everythingisontheagenda,fromplanningissuestobroadband,
fromtrafficconcernstoretailspace.
Thefirstmoveintheexerciseistocreateabasicoutlineofthe
stateofthevillagetodaytoactasaplatformforfutureplanning.
Withthatinmindall24villagerswhovolunteeredtohelpinthe
process have been asked to
takepartinwhatis,ineffect,a
village
census
via
a
questionnaire – nothing to do
with
anyone’s
personal
details, but everything to do
withfindingoutwhatkindofa
villageStewkleyistoday.
COMMUNITYTEAM
Once the approval for a
Neighbourhood Plan programme had come from the
villagemeeting,thevolunteers
were called together and a
VILLAGER NEIL DICKENS
formally structured executive
Heads Neighbourhood Plan Team
CV: Former senior police officer, former
team was formed under the
Director of Security at the National Lottery,
leadership of one of the
and, in Stewkley, former Church Warden
volunteers,retiredpolicechief
and Chair of the Jubilee Committee
and former churchwarden
Neil Dickens. He had previously headed the team that
successfully planned Stewkley’s celebrations for the Queen’s
THE BIGGEST STEWKLEY GRAPEVINE EVER:
28-PAGES OF NEWS, VIEWS AND INFORMATION
DiamondJubilee.
The ambition is to produce a document that describes a vision
for the village’s future and identifies a pathway for its
achievementinvolvinglocalcouncilsandthevillagecommunity.
The foundation questionnaire is to be delivered to and picked
upfromeveryhomeinthevillagebythevolunteers.
It will cover such subjects as housing stock (number of
bedrooms, ownership, whether adapted for special needs etc),
expectationtowanttoupsizeordownsizewithin thenextfive
to ten years, age groups of persons within each household,
numberofcarsperhousehold,onoroff-streetparking,location
ofpeople'swork(fromhome,withintenmileradius,commuter
etc.)andschooling.
It will also cover frequency of use of current facilities and
amenities including the shop, pubs, public transport, mobile
library,VillageHall,Rec,Rec-basedsurgery,andpathwaysand
bridleways.
AWARENESS
Inadditiontherewillbeacoupleofquestionsabouthowpeople
currentlygetinformedofStewkleymattersandtheirawareness
abouttheNeighbourhoodPlan.
The questionnaire will also be available on the Parish Council
website(http://stewkleypc.webs.com)andlargeprintversions
canberequestedfromtheParishClerk.
Thecovernotewillmakeitclearthatallinformation provided
by households is completely confidential, will not be used for
anythingotherthanthepurposeforwhichithasbeencollected,
andwillnotbesharedwithanyotherparty.Itwillalsomakeit
clearthatitisnotobligatorytocompletetheformandunused
questionnaireswillbecollected.
There are approximately 35 questions, mostly factual and not
seekingopinion,andtheNeighbourhoodPlanningteamhopeit
will take no more than 15 minutes to complete. Once collated,
thestatisticalanalysiswillbesharedwithvillagers.
PLANS FOR A 100-HOME DEVELOPMENT
OFF THE SOULBURY ROAD
SEE PAGE 5
MARCH ISSUE DEADLINE: STRICTLY SUNDAY FEBRUARY 14
Contact: [email protected] To advertise email or call 240765
Stewkley Grapevine, February 2016
Page 2
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MONTHLYFEATUREMEETALOCALviaSTEWKLEY-STYLE
DESERTISLANDDISCS ROS LUXFORD
(Née CHAPPELL)
Home: 77 High Street
South
Age : Knocking on
Years in Stewkley:
Forever
Occupation: Head
cook and bottle
washer
Village Interests:
Anything interesting
(there’s lots) Bellringing (past tense)
Most treasured discs:
I love music ranging from Elvis to La Bohème
Luxury Item: A glass of wine
Book: Complete sewing and knitting
Would you cope? I would have to find an animal friend
What would I miss most of Stewkley? Everything. I always
wish to be here but would particularly miss my dogs
What would I not miss? Nothing springs to mind. I’m a native!
Feature information collected by Bunt Scott
TheAssociation’sAGMwilltakeplaceonWednesday,February
17at7.30pmintheRecPavilion.Themeetingwillbefollowed
byapresentationbyRayOrthconcerningtheWendoverArmof
the Grand Union Canal and the work of the Wendover Arm
Trust. Donations for the refreshments’ table and raffle prizes
would be greatly appreciated. New members are always
welcome and walk leaders especially are needed. Everyone is
welcome at the AGM! Subs for 2016 will be collected at the
meeting.
ThursdayFebruary11RedWaysandLeisureRoutesofMK
Meet at The Swan, Stewkley at 9.45am to drive to The Toby,
Shenley Church End, Burchard Crescent, Milton Keynes MK5
6HQ(turnleftoffWatlingStreetandtaketheV4intoBurchard
Crescent)tomeettheleader.Thereispermissiontoparkonthe
far side of the Toby’s car parkπ. The route is Loughton, North
Loughton Valley, Great Holm, Bradwell and back by similar
route.FoodbackatTheToby.
Leader:Chris07952273211
WednesdayFebruary17Jerry’sWinterWarmerWander
Meet at The Swan, Stewkley at 10am for lifts to the public car
parknexttoTheBargeInn,atWoolstone,MiltonKeynesMK15
0AE for a 10.30am start. This is the leader’s traditional Three
Waterways Walk (all footpaths, no stiles, no cattle) from the
River Ouzel to Willen Lake and on to the Grand Union Canal.
LunchattheBargeInn.
Leader:Jerry07944697401
Web:www.stewkleywalkers.org.uk
STEWKLEYWALKERSfromAliceHorne
A regularly updated
G RAPEVINE V ILLAGE D IARY
covering the entire year can be found at www.stewkley.org
To add an event email [email protected] or call 240076
STEWKLEYVILLAGEHALLfromSheilaFellowes
The next Sunday Lunch is on Sunday February 14 at 1pm.
Ticketsshouldstillbeavailable–contactnumbersareonpage
3.Lunchesarealwaysasociableevent,chancetocatchupwith
friendsandhaveagoodSundaylunch.
TheGinnFamilyhaveverykindlyofferedtoprovidemusicfora
Barn Dance on Saturday March 5 in memory of Barbara. This
will be at the Village Hall and details are available on page 3.
NoticeisgivenoftheVillageHallAGM,whichwillbeonMonday
March14at8pmattheVillageHall.Allwelcome.
STEWKLEYWIfromSheilaFellowes
ForthefirstmeetingoftheyearPaulRabbitscametotalkabout
Great British Parks. He told his audience that the Sun
newspaper had labelled him one of the ten most dull men in
Britain (he travels the country taking photos of bandstands) –
buthegaveanentertainingandreallyinterestingtalkaboutthe
historyofroyalandpublicparks,theirvariousdesignsandthe
resurgence of many parks and their amenities due to Lottery
funding.
February’s speaker is Mike Bartlett, who will be talking about
The Amber Room, the world-famous chamber in the Catherine
PalaceatTsarskoyeSelonearSaintPetersburgthatisdecorated
inamberpanelsbackedwithgoldleafandmirrors.Themeeting
isattheVillageHallonWednesdayFebruary10at7.30pm.For
moreinformationcontactSheilaFelloweson240596.
STEWKLEYRUNNERSfromFrankGesoff
HowaretheNewYear’sresolutionsgoing?Ifrunningwasone
of them then the Stewkley Runners can help! The ‘beginners
and returners’ group is currently having great success with
record turnouts and has almost achieved its goal of a fivekilometrerun.HavealookontheRunners’Facebookpagefor
more information – search for Stewkley Running Club or go
directly to www.facebook.com/groups/stewkleyrc If there is
enough interest, another session will start soon. Contact
throughFacebookorbytelephone(seebelow).
StewkleyRunnersalsosupportvariouseventssuchasthenew
RushmereParkRunaswellasotherlocalruns.Again,checkthe
Facebook page for updates. Good suggestions for local events
or ideas for training activities are welcome. Contact Frank on
[email protected].
Page 3
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT’SON
STEWKLEY VILLAGE HALL
(Charity No. 231141)
SUNDAY LUNCH
Sunday February 14 at 1pm
Tickets £12.50 (inc glass of wine/orange juice)
Tickets from:- John Cornish: 240333, Jill Scott: 240639,
Sheila Fellowes: 240596, Sandy Flewin: 240076
STEWKLEYLOCALHISTORYGROUP
WednesdayFebruary24
VILLAGE DIARY
FEBRUARY
Mo 1
Tu 2
Th 4
Sa 6
Su 7
Parish Council, Village Hall 7.30pm
Refuse: blue bins
Coffee Stop, Rec Pavilion 10.30am-12noon (See page 9)
Rugby on TV at the Pavilion: Eng v Scot 5pm (6)
Mobile Library, Stockhall Crescent 9am – 12pm
Sale of tickets for fundraiser by Al Murray, the Pub
Landlord, on Feb 26. 10am – 1pm (Advert page 10)
Refuse: garden bins
Refuse: green bins
St Michaels School breaks for half term
Mutual Fellowship, Chapel Room 7.30pm
Talk: Hula Dog Rescue
Village Hall Sunday lunch 1pm (3)
Rugby on TV at the Pavilion: Italy v Eng 2pm (6)
Refuse: blue bins
Stewkley Walkers AGM & Talk, Pavilion 7.30pm (2)
Chapel Lunches, 12noon-1.30
Cygnets School Disco, Village Hall 7.30pm (13)
St Michaels School reopens after half term
Refuse: garden bins
Refuse: green bins
Local History Group Open Meeting, Pavilion 7.45
Talk: Leather and Tanning Industry by Tony Crack (3)
Charity Quiz, the Swan 8pm. Call 07784 297466
Al Murray, the Pub Landlord (Advert page 10)
Fundraiser at the Village Hall 7.30pm. Ticket only.
Talk by Rev Philip Derbyshire
Rugby on TV at the Pavilion: Eng v Ire 5pm (6)
Stewkley Singers Spring Quiz (3)
St Michaels School, 7.30pm. Bookings: 01296 688009
Mobile Library, Stockhall Crescent 9am – 12pm
Mo 8
Tu 9
Fr 12
AtalkbyTonyCrackon
‘TheLeatherandTanningIndustry’
Su 14
Recpavilion,7.45for8pm.Admission£3includesrefreshment
Allwelcome
ForfurtherinformationcontactJillScott240639
CHARITY QUIZ FOR BEAT
(www.b-eat.co.uk)
The Swan on Thursday February 25 at 8pm
£20 for a table up to six people.
Raffle tickets five for £1. Fantastic prizes.
Call Natasha 07784 297466 for a table booking or raffle ticket
Tu 16
We 17
Sa 20
Mo 22
Tu 23
We 24
Th 25
Fr 26
STEWKLEY SINGERS
STEP INTO SPRING QUIZ
Sa 27
St. Michael’s School Saturday February 27 at 7.30pm
£7 50 including a ploughman style supper, bring your own drinks
Teams of 8 max or just come along
Su 28
MARCH
To book Liz on 01296 688009 or email [email protected]
Tu 1
Fr 4
FUNDRAISERATTHEVILLAGEHALLFEBRUARY26
Sa 5
Mo 7
Fr 11
ALMURRAY,THEPUBLANDLORD
Seeadvertisementpage10
STEWKLEY VILLAGE HALL
(Reg. Charity No. 231141)
BARN DANCE WITH GINN FAMILY BAND (AND FRIENDS)
Saturday March 5 -- 7.30pm to 11.30pm
Ploughman’s Supper - Bar
Tickets: £10
Available from: Sheila Fellowes: 240596, John Cornish: 240333,
Jill Scott: 240639, Sandy Flewin: 240076
STEWKLEYVICARAGECRICKETCLUB
Sa 12
Mo 14
We-Sa
16-19
Th 24
Fr 25
Su 27
Mo 28
Parish Council, Village Hall 7.30pm
Talk by Lynda Hart, History of the Chapel
Rugby on TV at the Pavilion: Eng v Wales 5pm (6)
Village Hall AGM 8pm
Stewkley Players Spring Production, Village Hall
Keeping Down with the Joneses
Village Hall We-Sat 8pm
St Michaels School breaks for Easter
Good Friday bank holiday
Good Friday meditation, Rev Irena Byron
Summer Time starts: clocks go forward one hour
Easter Monday bank holiday
WEEKLY REGULARS
Tu
We
BARNDANCE
VillageHall,SaturdayApril16,7.30–11pm
Tickets£15perperson(includesfood)
Availablefrom:Kim&AlanHardings
242227/07519599149/07548979636
[email protected]
Refuse: blue bins
Women's World Day of Prayer Service, Methodist Chapel
10.30am
Barn Dance with Ginn Family & Friends, Village Hall 7.30pm (3)
Th
Fri
Su
Short Mat Bowls 2pm, Village Hall
Daisy Club, Methodist Hall 10.30am
Badminton, 8pm, Village Hall
Running Club, 7.30pm, Rec
Short Mat Bowls 7.30pm, Village Hall
Mobile Library, 1.30pm – 4.30pm, Rec and some Sundays
(see above) Stockhall Cres bus stop
Toddler Group,
10.30am,
Hall
TBaby
HE G &
RAPEVINE
V ILLAGE
D IARY :Village
www.stewkley.org
Running Club, 8.30am, Rec
Page 4
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
broadband portfolio, told the Grapevine: “While we are hoping
toknowinthenextfewweekswhetherOpenreachcaninclude
There was further evidence last month that arrangements for
the disadvantaged areas of the village in their plans to a
Stewkley’s electronic connections are somewhat muddled and
reasonabletimescale,therearealternativesthathavebeenused
insomecasestechnicallyinefficient.
inotherruralareasinthedistrictandwearekeepinganopen
Whilepartsofthecentreandsouthofthevillagesufferedultramind on whether it could be to Stewkley’s advantage to use a
slow connections last month, BT Openreach engineers were
differentscheme,orsupplier.”
carrying out the final checks on bringing “super-fast” fibre to
MOBILEPHONESIGNALS
thenorthend.
Despite this, for the A Grapevine reader has provided details about her dealings
withEE.Complainingaboutpoormobilephonesignalstrength,
north end, confusion
remained.
While shewassentwhatthecompanydescribedasa‘signalbox’that
arrived by next-day delivery. It was easy to install, and
Openreach reported
in mid-month that suddenly, reception became “excellent”. The boxes, which plug
fibre was available to into a broadband connection and create a mini mobile phone
areawitharadiusofaround15metres,areofferedforsaleby
homes connected to
their
Cabinet
1, EE,butapparentlytheycomefreeinsomecircumstances.
suppliers, including NOTHINGBEATSHOMEGROWNfromGillMorgan
BT, said they were
Somearetemptedbytheideaofhomegrownvegonthedinner
still unable to offer
tableallyearlong.SomegotthebugfromtheLandArmyappeal
theservice.
While it seems just a to – ‘Grow your own, can your own’, ‘ for a healthy happy job’
andallthat…?
matter of time for the
Stewkley offers the best type of productive outdoor gym – the
arrival of fibre in
allotments.
north end homes, its
All are welcome -- from expert gardeners to beginners with
availability in the rest
of the village still plenty of enthusiasm. It’s an outdoor hobby that offers action
withnogymmembership!
seemssomewayoff.
LocatedjustoutsidethevillageontheSoulburyRoad,thereare
Connected Counties is
anumberofplotsinneedofgardeners.Onefullplotisvacant
Engineers bringing fibre connections to
the organisation set
on the site, as are half plots, and even they can be subdivided
the cabinet in High Street North.
upbylocalauthorities
in Beds and Herts to intoquarterplots.Afullplotisroughly250squaremetres,soa
quarter plot would be about 60 square metres – perfect for a
work with BT to increase fibre availability. When asked about
fewseparatedbedstoallowcroprotation.
homes connected to Cabinet 2 that serves the south end, and
NOANIMALS
those in central Stewkley who are connected directly to the
There are relatively few rules or restrictions. No animals may
exchange, a spokesman for Connected Counties said: “Those
bekeptonthesiteandnopermanentstructureswithfootings.
premisesinStewkleyconnectedviaexchange-onlylineswillbe
Shedsareallowedifplacedonatemporaryorremovablebase.
dealtwithintheSuperfastExtensionProgrammeandAVDChas
Therearenoutilities–waterorelectricity–butthosefolkwho
highlighted Stewkley as a preference area. BT Openreach is
currentlyusetheallotmentsstillmanagetogrowvastamounts
currently modelling the funding for the second contract in
ofproducedespitesuchdrawbacks.
Bucksandwehopetoreceivethisinthenextfewweeks.
For those interested in viewing the plots that are available to
“This will model the rollout according to the resources and
rent, contact Gill Morgan on 07794 265473, Steve Buchan on
funding available to provide fibre coverage as quickly as
07973752901orSeanRedmondon07775800118toarrangea
possibletotheremainingunservedpremisesinBucks.Thiswill
meetingonsite.TheallotmentsbelongtotheDioceseofOxford
then have to be reviewed and agreed by the different funding
and are managed by the Oxford chartered surveyors Sidleys.
partners, including AVDC, before the rollout plan is finalised,
Anyonewhoisinterestedintakingononeoftheplots(full,half
andwe’lllooktopromotethisnewsassoonasitisavailable.”
or quarter) will be given their contact details. A contract is
Councillor Keith Higgins, who has the Parish Council’s
signedwithSidleysfortherent,whichispaidannually.
INTERNET&MOBILEPHONECONNECTIONS
CONFESSIONSANDAPOLOGIESOFANEDITORbyJohnFlewin
The Grapevine team tries hard to deliver a newsletter that is
after Christmas. One wrong colour bin was found, and the
free from errors. Every member of the team reads it at least mistakecorrected.
once, and often several times, during preparation and then it ElsewhereintheDecemberGrapevinewemanagedtogetthe
goesofftoaproofreader–theteam’sgoal-keeper!
names in the caption for the Stewkley Walkers’ outing
In the last issue, however, we got it wrong. All the refuse muddledup.
collection details for the months of December and January On top of all that, I misjudged (and misrepresented) Chris
wereincorrect.
Mills, Stewkley Players Chairman and cast member in their
This time it can definitely be put down to “Editor error,” lastproduction,Blackadder.Undermyby-line,mycritiqueof
although there was a little technical “jiggery pokery” that the play suggested Chris was “a little shorter, and a little
contributed. The whole team was disappointed, but efforts rounder”thanTV’sBlackadderRowanAtkinson.Infact,Chris
were made to get the word out: information found its way is two inches taller, although he doesn’t deny being “a little
onto social media, featured in school and church newsletters, rounder”.
and leaflets were distributed at the Coffee Stop and at the So, apologies all round (and from now on I will look up to
BandConcertintheVillageHall.
ChrisMills).
Grapevine deliverers were asked to keep their eyes peeled in One little piece of good news for the team: The Stewkley
the areas to which they deliver in case the wrong bins were Grapevine was placed 19th out of 600 entries in the 2015
going out. As a final check, a drive around the village was National Parish Magazine Awards organised by a Wiltshire
undertaken on the evening before the Wednesday collection printingcompany.
Page 5
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LOCALLANDOWNERSTOAPPEALAGAINSTPLANNINGREFUSAL
The two local families who applied for outline planning
permissionfora14-homedevelopmentinthecentreofthe
village are to appeal against a decision last month by
AylesburyValeDistrictCounciltorefusetheapplication.
Thedwellings,parkingandanestateroadwereplannedon
a site off High Street North, 200 yards north of The Shop.
The refusal came despite support from the Parish Council
andthevillage’sdistrictcouncillor.
AVDC said the scheme would be of “a scale and nature
which would result in significant adverse impact on the
ruralcharacter”ofthesiteandwould“appearincongruous
with the established pattern of development”, would
“adversely impact on the character and appearance of the site, the
street scene, and would fail to preserve the character and
appearanceofthedesignatedconservationarea.”
The land is presently unattended garden with a single unoccupied
detachedhouse,leadingontoagriculturallandbehind.Ithasbeen
owned by the Grace and Hedges families for many years. The
descendentsoftheoriginalownersofthatpartofthelandfronting
theroad,StephenHedgesandhissisterJillScott,hadteamedwith
John Grace, whose father village builder the late Bill Grace and his
ancestors owned the land behind. They said they planned to
providetwo,threeandfourbedroomhomesandofferthemfirstto
localfamilies.
ONEHUNDREDHOMESITEPROPOSAL
A plan to build 100 homes on a site off the
Soulbury Road, on the right on leaving
Stewkley, has surfaced as part of a project
from which a long-term plan for the whole of
Aylesbury Vale District Council’s area. It was
detailed on release of the results of the
council’s call for development site proposals,
resultsthatalsoincludedsmallerdevelopment
sites off Wing Road, at the end of Sycamore
Close and off High Street North, all of which
wouldneedplanningpermission.
Site
1
DISTRICT
COUNCIL’S
PLANNING
OPTIONS
Site
2
CLASSIFICATION
The emerging AVDC plan has seen Stewkley
provisionallyclassifiedasavillagethatshould
havebetween100and120newhomes.
Stewkley Parish Council has invited the agent
acting for the landowners, the Hunt family, to
outline the proposals at the next Parish
Councilmeeting,attheVillageHallonMonday
February1.
Othersmallersitessuggestedfordevelopment
include: High Street North site, near what
AVDC calls “Cricketers Meadow” 200 yards
northoftheshop,thathasalreadybeenturned
down by the council (see above), although an
appeal is pending; a plot of land at the end of
Sycamore Close and another on the Wing
Road,ontheleftonleavingthevillage.
National Planning Policy Framework requires
localplanningauthoritiestoidentifyandkeep
up-to-dateadeliverablefive-yearhousingland
supplyagainsttheirhousingrequirements.
The Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan will include
an overall strategy for the district, site
allocations and development management
policies, a draft of which will be going out for
consultation this spring, with an ambition to
achievefurtherconsultationintheautumnand
adoptioninthesummerof2017.
Site
3
AVDC’S CALL FOR HOUSING SITES PROGRAMME
Site
1 Cricketers Meadow, High Street North,
development of circa 15 new dwellings, including dwellings to
meet local housing needs, land available, 12 to 18 months to
develop (first application for 14 homes refused, appeal pending)
Site 2 Five to six “saleable units” on land off Sycamore
Close to subsidise social housing, land available, one to two
years to develop
Site 3 Land off Orkney Close and Walducks Close, 100
units of housing and public open space, access and
landscaping, land available, one to five years to develop
Site 4 Land at 3 Wing Road, two detached dwellings,
three terraced houses
Additional sites on the edge of the village are adjacent to
Steart Farm off Cublington Road, and an old barn at
Kingsbridge.
Site
4
Page 6
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NEWLEASEFORTHERECfromtheParishCouncil
Stewkley Recreation Ground Association has successfully
managed the Rec and Pavilion on behalf of the Parish Council
forover60yearsandanew25-yearleasehasbeenagreed.
The document formalises arrangements between the Council,
which owns the ground, and the Association, a registered
charity, which manages it on behalf of the villagers. The
partnership between the Council and the Rec ensures that
villagerscanenjoyawell-managedfacilityatamuchlowercost
than would otherwise be the case. A security of tenure
provided for in a 25-year lease greatly assists the Rec and
Sports Clubs with applications for grants. The Council
contributestowardstherunningcostsoftheRecwithanannual
grant of £8,000, plus insurance cover. The Association is run
entirelybyvolunteers,keepingthecostsdownforsportsusers
andhirers.
OBJECTIVES
TheobjectsoftheAssociationare:
To provide a public recreation ground and/or playing field for the
benefit of the inhabitants of the Parish of Stewkley and the
neighbourhood and to provide facilities in the interests of social
welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation with the object
of improving the conditions of life for the inhabitants.
To establish or to secure the establishment of a sports pavilion
and to maintain and manage the Pavilion for activities promoted
by the Association and its constituent bodies in furtherance of the
above objects.
their capacity as Trustees of the Charity. Signatures were
witnessed by Tim Dawson and Trish Higgins and additional
witnessestotheeventincludedthecurrentChairandTreasurer
oftheRec,JulieDawsonandGeorgeGater,plusrepresentatives
CouncillorsKeithHigginsandGillMorgan.
TheParishCouncilexpressesitssincerethankstoallwhohave
put time and effort into the development of the lease.
Councillors look forward to a continued collaboration with the
StewkleyRecreationGroundAssociation,sothattheRecreation
Ground can remain a valuable resource for the benefit of the
inhabitantsoftheParishofStewkley.
PLANSFORPAVILIONUPGRADEfromtheRecCommittee
The Recreation Ground Committee has been considering
potentialimprovementstothefacilitiesatthePavilionforsome
monthsandtheresultingdraftplansareavailableforalltolook
at and comment on in the Pavilion, until February 6. The
Pavilion is open on Saturday mornings 9.30am – 12noon-ish,
and4pm-7.30pm.
RUGBYONTVATTHEREC
This year the Rec Pavilion will be showing only the England
matchesintheSixNationsRugbycompetitionasothernation's
gameswerenotwellattendedlastyear.TheyareonFebruary6,
14and27,andMarch12andhopefully19.
DetailsintheGrapevineDiary,Page3.
MUSICALBIGBARBY2016
AfterthesuccessoflastJuly’sevent,theRecCommittee
REFURBISHMENTPLANS
A major refurbishment of the pavilion is planned this year. hasannouncedthatthisyear’sMusicalBigBarbywillbe
Some£100,000hasalreadybeensecuredtomeetthecostsand
held on Saturday July 23 – the Saturday following the
furtherfundraisingwilltakeplaceoverthenextfewmonths.
endofschoolterm.Asbefore,itwillbeafunafternoon
The Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Council, Councillors
andeveningoffreeentertainmentforallages.
Jenny Wodey and Paul Smith signed on behalf of the Parish
Council,whileTerryBrown,KrisPrattandBuntScottsignedin
Page 7
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PARISHCOUNCILMATTERS
ThefollowingreportfromtheParishCouncilcoverstheDecember
andJanuarymeetingsoftheCouncil.
Planning
TheCouncilsupportedapplicationsfor:
New Vicarage Farm, Soulbury Road: Removal of a condition
allowing non-ancillary occupation of annexe and replacement
with an undertaking to prevent the sale of the annexe
independentofthefarm.
14 Bletchley Road: construction of a single storey one-bed
annexe,conversionofexistinggarageandconstructionofanew
detacheddoublegarage(subjecttoretentionofahedge).
Blackthorn Nursery, Wing Road: erection of an agricultural
building.
TheCouncilalsoconsidered:
Walducks Farm, Soulbury Road: Proposed 100-home
development.CouncillorsagreedtoinviteDenisonInvestments
tothenextCouncilmeetingasacopyoftheprojectactionplan
andtimelinehadnotbeenreceived(seepagefive).
Red Brick Farm Barn, Dunton Road: Application for a
determination as to whether prior approval is required in
respect of transport and highway impact, noise, contamination
risk, flooding and locational considerations for conversion of
agricultural building into three residential dwellings.
Councillorsresolvedthatpriorapprovalwouldberequiredfor
this planning application as the site has been operating
principally for storage of building materials and waste and,
although some horses have been kept on part of the land and
hay and straw occasionally stored, this does not constitute
agriculturaltrade.Also,theconstructionofthethreedwellings
appeartobealmostindependentofthebarnstructure
CorrespondenceandCommunications
Three cycling events are planned for 2016 that will pass
through Stewkley. The North Bucks Festival of Cycling to be
held on May 28-29 and road races on April 10 and June 26.
Councillors gave their support to the eventsand suggested the
Scouts might like to organise refreshments to raise funds for
theirnewhut.
Anincreaseofonepennyperelectorinthesubscriptionratefor
theNationalAssociationofLocalCouncilswasnoted.
Arrangements were made for the erection of new No Cold
Calling Zone signs at the entry roads to the village. Residents
canrequest‘Warning–NoCold-Callers’stickersfromtheClerk.
CouncilChairmanCouncillorWodeyistobecomeamemberof
AylesburyValeTransportUsersGroup.
YouthVoiceCommunityEvent–therequesttosubmitdetailsof
engagingyoungpeopleincommunityprojectswasforwardedto
theStewkleyEnterpriseAgencyandtheExplorers.
It was agreed to purchase one two-hour session with sports
organisedbyPlayAroundtheParishesforAugustintheRec.
NeighbourhoodPlan
The open meeting held in December was a resounding success
with a unanimous vote from those present to invest in the
developmentofaStewkleyNeighbourhoodPlan.Itwasagreed
thattheslidesandthequestionsandanswerswouldbeposted
onthewebsite.
Twenty-fourpeoplevolunteeredtohelpwiththeplanandover
50 registered to receive regular updates. A database was to be
created for volunteers and contacts and a first meeting of
volunteersarranged.Formalnotificationofthecommencement
of a plan to be registered with AVDC Neighbourhood Planning
Officer and submission of a grant funding application to My
Community (a grant-giving organisation funded by the
DepartmentforCommunitiesandLocalGovernment).
MrDavidLettattendedtheOpenForumtoexplainCommunity
LandTrustsanditwasagreedthesecouldbeconsideredaspart
of the Neighbourhood Planning exercise. Councillors agreed to
invite to a future meeting Debbie Wildridge (Community Land
Trust Development Manager at Foundation East, an
organisationthatlendsmoneyforsustainableenterprises).
RecreationGround
Lease:A25-yearleasewassignedbytheParishCouncilandthe
Trustees of The Stewkley Recreation Ground Association to
enterintoatenancyofthepremisesatthePavilionandpartof
the Recreation Ground. The Parish Council was to register the
leasewithLandRegistry,andtoproducealicencetooccupyfor
the land not covered under the lease. The Rec Association will
berequiredtoproducealicencetooccupyforStewkleySports
Clubtorunthebar
Cricket Nets: the Council confirmed its agreement to purchase
thenewnets,subjecttosufficientfundingbyStewkleyVicarage
CricketClub.
Pavilionrefurbishment:TheCouncilagreedtosubmitaplanning
application and was awaiting formal plans, estimated costs,
sources of funding etc. Councillors expressed their delight that
an application for £50,000 towards refurbishment had been
agreedinprinciplefromtheNewHomesBonus,aGovernment
scheme that is aimed at encouraging local authorities to grant
planning permissions for the building of new homes in return
foradditionalrevenue.TheCouncilalsoconsideredhowitcould
supportfuturefund-raisinginitiatives.
1st Stewkley Scout Group: The Council agreed to submit a
planningapplicationforthenewScoutHutattheRec,subjectto
detailed plans and materials, site location and size, access,
waste strategy and utilities, sewage, parking, hours of use and
consultation with local residents. Also, the Council would
require a copy of the Terms of Use agreed between the
RecreationAssociationandtheScouts.
Highways,FootwaysandFootpathsLighting
Bucks County Council’s freeze on all non-essential spending
until end of financial year and the subsequent cancellation of
the Council’s “walk around the village” with a Local Area
Technician was reported. Councillors emphasised that
dangerouspotholesandfaultsshouldstillbereported.
Posters are to be put on notice boards and notice given to
residentswithoverhangingvegetation.
The Clerk advised community police and the county council’s
Local Area Technicians of a near miss at the War Memorial. A
constructive response from PCSO Paula Boston offered
suggestions and support. The Local Area Technicians also
responded and stressed the requirement to consult with
residents and sent a Members’ Parking Tool Kit. They
suggested Councillors consider the village as a whole, rather
than just one area, to get better value from a future feasibility
study, but declined the request to support councillors by
holding a workshop. Councillors Higgins and Bottomley will
reviewcommentsandinformationreceived.
Councillors were to confirm the policy of the replacement of
trees covered by Tree Preservation Orders after consent of
grantstoremovethem.
Finance
The budget monitoring report was agreed. Cheques drawn:
DogWaste£915.30;Clerk(December)£518.91,BCCLegal£108,
Christmas tree donation £75, Village Hall rent £231.50, Best
KeptVillagelunch£336,grasscutting£300.50,RecCommunity
Grant £500, HM Customs £173.39, Clerk (January) £486.31,
Stationery£67.18,NeighbourhoodPlan£64.14.
Councillor Janet Blake, Stewkley county and district councillor,
reported that Chiltern and South Bucks would produce a joint
local development plan which could increase the number of
new houses required in Aylesbury Vale, and also that the East
West Rail link is back on track for 2019. Councillor Blake
additionallyreportedthatshewaspressingtheCountyCouncil
to agree to undertake road repairs in High Street South and
Northatthesametime,ratherthanintwoseparatephases.
PCSO Paula Boston reported an increase in thefts from sheds,
including tools and machinery and urged everyone to be
vigilant.
ThenextCouncilmeetingwillbeintheVillageHallonMonday
February1at7.30pm
Page 8
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Down Memory Lane
FROMTHEGRAPEVINE20YEARSAGO:
THESTORYOFTHESTEWKLEYRIOT
SammyBateswasStewkley’soldestresidentwhenhediedin1986
aged100.Hehadbeenawidowerforsome13yearsandlivedin
HighStreetNorth,rightoppositeBowlsFarm.Tenyearsafterhis
death,theFebruary1996Grapevinereproducedinhisownwords
astoryhehadleftbehind:thatof“TheStewkleyRiot”.
Itwastheyear1900,orthereabouts,beforetheVillageHallwas
builtonwhatwasthenSwanField,andChapelSquarewascalled
Penfold End. A half-crown was two shillings and sixpence (25p)
andmostvillagermenhadnicknames:
TheAnnualFeastwasinvariablyheldintheSwanFieldandthe
fairgroundpeoplenamedGraycamefromLeightonBuzzard.
On this occasion an argument arose when Kate Hedges
proffered a half-crown for a ride on the roundabouts. The
operator refused to hand over any change, saying she’d only
givenhimapenny.SubsequentlyTomTofieldwasalsoaccused
ofonlyhandingoverapennywhenheclaimedhe'dalsogivena
half-crown. Arguments became rather heated and one of the
fairgroundpeoplethreatenedhe'dsummontheirprizefighterto
clear the field. It was customary for prizefighters to challenge
localpeopletomeettheminthering.
“Bossy” Mead and “Dumpy” Dickens were two Stewkley men
whowerethebestofpalsanddrinkingpartnerswhoregularly
engagedinafightontheirwayhomefromthepub.
Bossy was present when the fairmen threatened to get their
prizefighter to clear the field and, being handy and practised
with his fists, got up on the coconut stand ready to accept the
challenge. When one of the fairground people threw a wooden
coconutballthathithimonthehead,drawingblood,alocalran
to the King's Head and shouting, “They’re going to kill Bossy!”
PUBQUICKLYEMPTIED
AmongthedrinkerswereGeorgeAllderandBossy'spal,Dumpy
Dickens. The King’s Head quickly emptied with these two
leading the reinforcements. Their arrival at Swan Field
prompted some of the fair-people to hide under the
roundabouts or seek shelter in Pond Cottages (the terrace of
fourcottagesatthenorthendofIvyLane).Someofthewomen
pulled up the iron hoops used for holding the coconuts and
brandishedtheseinself-defence.
Whenthepolicemanarrivedonthesceneheorderedthelocals
out of the field but tempers had become so inflamed that they
started to vent their wrath on the caravans in Penfold End
where they were always parked. A number of caravans were
hauleddowntheslopeandpushedintoFishweirpond.
Someofthewomenpleadedthattherewasadyingmaninone
ofthecaravans.Sammy’sbrother-in-law,arailwayemployeein
a navy uniform, was mistaken for a police superintendent. He
wasaskedbythelocalsandallowedbytheownerstoopenthe
top half of the caravan door. "He'll live alright," he announced,
sothiscaravanwasalsohauleddowntoFishweir.
The fairground people also claimed that there were sleeping
children in one of the caravans that had been pushed into the
pond. It was hauled out, found to be empty, and promptly
returnedtothepondandoverturned
There seems to be no record of how the situation was calmed
downbut,Sammywasquotedassaying,theGraysneveragain
cametoStewkley,buttheannualfairscontinued.
ALSO FROM THE GRAPEVINE 20 YEARS AGO….
FROM THE GRAPEVINE 10 YEARS AGO….
February 2006:BucksCountyCouncilwasplanningto
closeeightvillagelibraries,includingtheStewkley
Library …. villagers lined up to protest and 1,200
folksignedapetition.
ALSO FROM THE FEBRUARY 2006 GRAPEVINE ….
StMichael’sSchoolhostedasurprisepartyfor100gueststo
marktheretirementofheadteacherDeniseMcClellan….the
Parish Council decided to name a new development of
affordable houses Griffin Field …. the village was mourning
thedeathofChrisCarter….HughMellorofBlacklandsFarm
was awarded a CBE in the New Year's Honours List for
services to nature conservation … Stewkley was expecting
more traffic because a number of local roads were being
closed during the building of the Leighton Buzzard by-pass
linkingthetowntoBletchley
PLANNINGFORAVILLAGECENTRE?
In its 22 years, the Grapevine has reported a number of planning
initiatives, some of which have produced results that have made
Stewkleywhatitistoday,whileothershavepeteredoutorjustbeen
toodifficulttoachieve.Asthe2016NeighbourhoodPlanningexercise
getsunderway,onereportstruckachord:
OPTIONS FOR VILLAGE CENTRE JUNE 2002
‘A small committee has been set up to look at options for
creating a village “Community Centre,” which might include
an improved library, a combined shop and post office,
doctors’ surgery and some other facilities.
Members of the committee, which consists of some members
of the Parish Council, and other individuals, have had initial
meetings with County Council and Post Office officers, and
more meetings are planned.
Three sites in the village are being considered, and options of
running it through a charity, or as a community-run
organisation, are on the initial agenda.’
The Stewkley Country Fayre Committee
is looking for help
•
February 1996: ThefirststageofanupgradeprogrammeforSt
Michael’s Church had just been completed with local
craftsmen Paul Beasley, Eric Cheval and Ivan Leary
undertaking the work …. there was a reader complaint that
the Grapevine was getting “too political” .… the Village Hall
was staging a Valentine’s Dance on February 17 ….. it was
saidthataftertheChristmasfestiveseasonrefusebagsand
boxeshadlinedpartsofthevillagefordays,insomeplaces
blockingpavements.
•
•
Can you loan crowd control equipment
such as temporary barriers, plastic netting
and road pins?
Can you help with the production of
signage or do you have sign-writing skills?
Are you interested in having a trade stand?
Please contact Liz Ring: 01525 240013
email: [email protected]
See event advertisement page 6
Page 9
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
StMichael’sChurch
TeamRectorRevPhilipDerbyshire
MethodistChapel
MinisterRevIrenaByron
TheVicarage,Stewkley
Tel:240287
Email:[email protected]
TheManse,HighStreetSouth
Tel240105
UPCOMING SERVICES
Jan
31
10.30 am
th
10.30 am
Rev Byron
7
Holy Communion – Arthur Sara
14
th
10.30 am
No Service. Stewards service, Cheddington.
21
st
10.00 am
Café Church – Rev Steve Watts, Communion
28
th
10.30 am
Mr Ken Harris
● Friday Workshop - 3.30 to 5pm - February 5 – Pancakes
and March 4 – Mothers and Easter
● Chapel Lunch - Saturday February 20 - 12 to 1.30 pm
● Women’s World Day of Prayer – Friday March 4 – 10.30.
“Receive children. Receive me” prepared by Christian women
of Cuba
MUTUAL FELLOWSHIP meets at 7.30 on Fridays in Methodist
Chapel School Room. All welcome
►February 12 – Hula Dog Rescue – Karina Collins & Sue
Willett (Collection for cause)
►February 26 – Rev Philip Derbyshire – CS Lewis “The
Screwtape Letters and the Banality of Evil”
MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER
Dear friends
I hope it is not too late to wish you a happy
(no longer new) year as we start February. It
will be a longer year than the last and with the
leap year will come anniversaries and
celebrations that I hope will bring us all joy
and hope for the future as we remember the
past.
As the winter passes we will be getting the fuel bills and realise
that, despite the warmer than usual winter, it tends to be an
expensive time of year, yet what would we do without the
electricity and gas that keeps us warm and gives us light in the
darker months?
Electricity is an amazing power that enables us to live our lives
in the complex modern world. It provides us with light, heat and
energy and makes possible industry, transport, commerce and
communication on a vast scale; and any power cut
immediately reminds us how much we depend on it. But
electricity can also be dangerous and shocking and we need to
approach it with due respect.
The Bible could be described in similar terms; it is full of
powerful stories, poetry and wisdom that need to be
approached with care. How easy it is to misunderstand, for
example, the violence of the Old Testament and, if we don't
understand the context, to dismiss the teachings of Jesus as
historical and with no relevance. This amazing book (or
collection of books) can shock us and inspire us and really
does have something for everyone, even in today's world of
technology and discovery. It can change our values, our
lifestyles and our unjust systems through the lives, words and
actions of prophets and saints who are inspired by a vision of
better things. It gives us the moral dynamic to try and live in the
modern world as God wants us to live and to shape our society
according to his eternal law of love.
Nobody can measure the impact of Jesus Christ on human
civilisation over the last two thousand years, but we know that
we still need the light of his truth, the heat of his passion for
righteousness and the power of his Spirit as much today as
ever we did in the past.
As we begin 2016, let us use the past to lead us forward into
the future. The power and light of electricity may let us down,
but the power and light of Christ never fails. Plug in to Jesus
now and release God's power into your life.
Blessings, Irena
SERVICES FOR FEBRUARY
7
th
10 am
Parish Communion
10
th
7 pm
Ash Wednesday - Holy Communion
14
th
10 am
Parish Communion
21
st
9 am
10 am
Holy Communion
Family Worship
28
th
10 am
No service. Team Eucharist, Soulbury
EVENTS and NOTICES
† JJC & Labyrinth February 14 in the Hut at 10am
† The light shone brightly in memory of Bob Burgess and
Clive Parker over Christmas and the New Year and for
th
Daniel Gallimore’s 50 birthday in January. Contact Roger
Crews (07946 568153) to sponsor the light.
MESSAGE FROM THE TEAM RECTOR OF THE COTTESLOE TEAM
Dear friends,
"Thirty days hath September, April, June
and November.
All the rest have thirty-one, excepting
February, which has twenty eight. And in a
leap year twenty nine".
That is (more or less) a rhyme with which
millions of us grew up until recent times.
Like so many things it was learned by heart and recited
whenever we needed to remember where we had got to in
the year. Of course the leap year occurred every four years
(except at the start of a century!)
Yes we really had to carry all sorts of stuff round in our
heads---times-tables, spellings, how many wives Henry VIII
had (and what happened to them) etc. It probably took up
quite a lot of space but also somehow left room for thinking…
Albert Einstein had no time for information storage (he once
said the only thing you needed to remember was where the
library was!) claiming that he kept all his brain free for
thinking. I think he might have exaggerated a bit but certainly
one of the great pluses of modern electronic storage is, as
long as we can remember the retrieval process, we can
actually free up a lot of brain space. The down side could be
that we might lose an awful lot of our folk
knowledge/mothers' wisdom. Still, who knows one day in the
future somebody might stumble upon some dusty old book
and rediscover it.
Some people in our society would wish God, faith, Church
etc. similarly consigned to the dustbin of history but I suspect
that, in a reworking of those famous words: "the rumours of
(God's) death are much exaggerated"!
Have a lovely February whatever the weather.
God Bless, Philip.
COFFEE STOP AT THE PAVILION 10.30 TO 12 NOON
Thursday February 4 in aid of Keech Hospice
Many thanks for support at the December and January
events. They raised £241 for CRISIS and £180 for St
Michael’s Priory (the new name for the Well at Willen)
POPPYCOLLECTIONTHANKS
FromDeniseDraper,VolunteerPoppyOrganiser
StewkleyBranchoftheRoyalBritishLegionsaysthankyouto
Stewkley villagers for their continuing generosity of in the
annual Poppy Collection. This year the total sum raised was
£2614-18p. Thanks also to the door-to-door collectors who
madethispossible.
Page 10
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
one’s views are being ignored. All the letters and comments,
following the initial model display, have been circulated to all
members of the PCC and are currently on their way around
ProjectTeammembers.Inthiswayitwillbecleartoeveryone
involvedinthedecisionmakingprocesstherangeofviewsthat
havebeenreceived.
Mission Design Studio was formed in June 2004 as the
architectural practice JBKS Architects, and was recently
renamed. From its rural Oxfordshire studio, architects work
throughout the UK, specialising in Church projects and other
buildings to serve the Christian community. These have
includedcommunitybuildingsandChristianadventurecentres,
schools,collegesanduniversities.
MILESTONEFORCHAPTERHOUSEPROJECT
FromGeoffRing,ProjectTeamLeader
InthelastarticlefromtheProjectTeamreferencewasmadeto
theArchitectselectionprocess.Itcannowbereportedthatthe
Architectural practice of “Mission Design Studio” has been
appointedtoprogressthescheme.Oneofitsfirsttaskswillbe
toreviewalltheworkthathasbeenundertakentodate,takeon
board all the concerns and objections raised, as well as the
many constructive suggestions, and develop a package of
information for discussion with the Planning Officers of
AylesburyValeDistrictCouncil.Onekeyelementofthatprocess
will be to establish whether the favoured siting, shown on the
model,isthebesttomeetalltheneedsidentified,takingnoteof
both the positive and negative reactions received from those
villagerswhohavecommentedsofar.
Ithasalwaysbeenacceptedthatitwillbeimpossibletobuildin
suchasensitivelocationwithoutupsettingsomepeople.Ashas
beensaidinthepastitisnotpossibletopleaseallthepeopleall
thetimebut,restassured,theteamwilldoitsutmosttodothe
very best possible to take on board as many of the comments
thathavebeenreceived.
Thefundscurrentlyavailablewillenableustoprogresstowhat
is known as “Outline Design Stage”. This will result in more
detailed plans of size, shape, appearance and location being
produced. Once these are available, and there are indications
from AVDC that the Council is likely to support the plans, it is
proposed to hold an exhibition to show villagers what it is
finallybeingproposed.TheParochialChurchCounciliskeento
makethisafullyconsultativeprocessandfavouranexhibition,
ratherthanapublicmeeting,asitwillallowmoretimeforthe
Architects, members of the Project Team and the PCC to meet
with visitors, on a one-to-one basis, and talk over any
outstandingissues.
The Project Team would like to re-assure everyone that no
WATCHOUTFORSCAMMERS
Itisknownthatsomelocalshaverecentlyfallenfoulofscammers
– some by telephone, some via email and websites, so it is
appropriate that Dave Williams from Stewkley Computers put
pentopaperfortheGrapevine:
Some recent jobs I’ve carried out have shown that we still fall
forscamscurrentlydoingtherounds.
Manypeoplehavelostthousandsofpoundstothesescammers
andthethreatshouldbetakenseriously.Scammersareworking
full time in posh offices around the world raking in tens of
millionsofpoundsfromtheirwork.
Pleasetaketimetorunthesearch“latestscamsuk”everynow
andagainandlearnabouttheenemy.
They will pretend to be lawyers, from your bank, from
Microsoft, from Google but all of them will want some money
from you BEFORE they have done anything. You might get
websitestellingthevisitorthattheyhaveavirus,tellingthemto
gotoanotherwebsitetofixit.
Don’t listen to them. Browsers should be closed down and
restarted.
STEWKLEYVILLAGEHALL
Reg.CharityNo231141
CHARITYEVENING
inaidofVillageHallfunds
with
ALMURRAY
‘THE PUB LANDLORD’
FridayFebruary26at7:30pm
Licensedbar
Tickets-Age18+Price-£25.50(maximumof4perperson)
SaleofticketsatVillageHall
10am–1pmonSundayFebruary7
CASHORCHEQUE(PAYABLETOSTEWKLEYVILLAGEHALL)
Page 11
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SPEEDWATCHTEAM’S2015REPORT
The most recent statistics from Stewkley's volunteer
Community Speedwatch team suggest that their hard work
is paying off. The number of drivers breaking the village
speedlimitof30mphisreducing,asistheoverallextentof
theirtransgressions.
The police have commented that no Stewkley residents were
recordedduringthemostrecentsessions.
In 2015, the Speedwatch team were out and about on 89
occasions and recorded a total of 936 violations, an average of
just over 10 violations per session. The maximum speed
recorded was 59mph. In November, there were eight sessions
and67violations,anaverageofjustovereightpersession;the
maximum November speed recorded was 47mph.The number
ofspeedersrecordedinasessionisnowconsiderablylessthan
whenSpeedwatchfirststartedin2012,when60speederswere
clockedinonetwo-hoursession.
ENCOURAGING
The improving trend is particularly encouraging because the
team is now using more sophisticated equipment that records
videos of speeding traffic and automatically notes speeds.
Previouslythiswasdonemanuallyandwaslessefficientasnot
every vehicle could be recorded. Offending drivers receive a
police caution by letter, with the worst offenders being visited
bythepoliceandmoresevereactiontaken.
Community Speedwatch is just one way Stewkley is
endeavouring to control traffic speeds and make the village
more pleasant and safe. The MVAS - Mobile Vehicle Activation
System - that is moved around all the village entrances and
some exits, flashes a reminder of the speed limit to speeding
THANKSTOSECRETSANTA
Rachel Kirchin, Alex, Xavier, Cassiopeia, Sanchia, Pacian and Azaria thank
the kind person who left a bag of presents for each of them on their
doorstep, presents that were just signed from 'Santa'. They say it was a
lovelysurpriseandmuchappreciated,adding“ThankYouSanta”.
traffic and records the speeds. Following the purchase of a
secondMVASunitbyBucksCountyCouncil’sLocalAreaForum
for use by Stewkley, Drayton Parslow and Stoke Hammond,
therehasbeenanMVASinthevillagecontinuously(apartfrom
shortbreaksforminormaintenance)throughout2015thathas
recorded395,000vehiclemovements,averaging1,100perday.
More than 16% of these exceeded 40mph and just over 1%
exceeded 50 mph. There has been a minor improvement
throughouttheyearinthepercentageofspeedersatmostsites;
traffic coming into the village is worst along Dunton Road,
followed by Bletchley Road. Regarding individual speeds, one
vehiclewasrecordedat95mphatHighStreetNorthonOctober
21at9:55pmandanotherat80mphonOctober26at2.25pm.
Theseare,fortunately,exceptions.
TheMVASandSpeedwatchdataisusedbythepolicetojustify
the force allocating scarce resources to additional traffic
enforcementinStewkley.
Despiteanoverallimprovementintrafficspeedingin2015,the
Parish Council and Speedwatch volunteers are considering
additional measures including traffic-calming structures and
roadlayouts.Anysolutionswillbecostlyintermsofmoneyand
lengthy legal procedures, but the Council hopes that the
forthcoming Neighbourhood Plan consultation will push
forwardtheprocess.
They would like to hold more Speedwatch sessions in more
locationsin2016butrequiremorevolunteerstoachievethis.If
thereisnocommunitydatatosupportadditionalpoliceaction,
then there will be no improvements and the situation might
worsen. Anyone who has an occasional two hours to spare is
askedtocontacttheParishClerkandregisteraninterest.
Contact:[email protected]
STEWKLEYVOLUNTEERMEDICALTRANSPORT
FromPamDickens,Chair,PastoralCareGroup
The volunteer transport service has been operating in the
village for almost six years and some of the most elderly
residentswhoneedhelpandtransporttoenablethemtoattend
medicalappointmentsverymuchappreciatetheserviceoffered
by the volunteer drivers. They have asked that their most
sincerethanksbepassedontoalldrivers.
During 2015, 42 journeys have been made by a total of 13
drivers. This has involved eight journeys to Milton Keynes
Hospital, one to Oxford and 14 to Stoke Mandeville Hospital.
Additional trips include one visit to a dentist in Leighton
Buzzard, and four appointments attended at various opticians.
Themajordemandhasbeenthe14roundtripstoGPsurgeries
inWing.
The scheme is co-ordinated by St Michael’s Church Pastoral
Care Group. Enquires are welcome from elderly people in the
villagewhoneedhelporvillagerswhoarehappytosupportthe
schemeasVolunteerdrivers.
Thefollowinglistedisformattedtobecutoutandkept:
LISTOFSTEWKLEYMEDICALTRANSPORT
VOLUNTEERDRIVERS
Christine Parker
Clare Chandler
Alison Thurkettle
Roger Hill
Linda Moya
Brian Asbee
Barrie & Patricia Archer
Joyce & John Pilley
Diana & Stewart Fawcett
Maureen & Geoff Thompson
Liz & Geoff Ring
Pam & Neil Dickens
240428
240422
240409
240363
240195
240082
242124
240613
242121
240322
240013
242253
Page 12
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SCOUTHUTFUNDINGDRIVEGETSUNDERWAY
GOLDMEDALFORINGRAM
The 1st Stewkley Scout Group is launching a “We Need You”
fund-raisingcampaignbyinvitingvillagerstobeapartof“their
futureinthevillage”.
OnleavingtheirpresentsiteatManorBusinessParkwhenthe
lease runs out next year, the Scouts need to have a new Scout
Hutandarebusyfundraisingwithatargetofgettingto£60,000
within the next 16 months. So far under their own steam they
have raised £14,000 and are now offering villagers the chance
to buy a plaque (of the type pictured) that will be part of a
featurewallinthenewhut.
Eachplaquewillbethesizeofahousebrickfaceandthereisa
choice of five colours: red, green, blue, white or yellow.
Contributors can design and name their own plaque by using
anyfontfromacomputerandanycolourforthetext.Company
namesorpersonallogosarewelcome.Bybuyingmorethanone
plaque,adesigncanbecreatedoveralargerarea.
Each plaque costs a minimum donation of £25 and for those
whodonothaveacomputer,theScoutswillhelpwithadesign
fromonedrawnonpaper.
IngramMurrayofDuntonRoadhas
been awarded a gold badge by the
Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
Hewasnominatedfortheawardby
the
Institution’s
regional
Community Fundraising Manager
in collusion withthe localWinslow
and
Buckingham
fundraising
branchofthecharity.
The RNLI awards a gold badge to
those who have demonstrated “a
significantlevelofcommitmentand
awillingnesstotakeonahighdegreeofresponsibilityintheir
voluntaryrole”andhavemade“asignificantimpactwithintheir
own sphere of voluntary work”. Ingram, a once-keen sailor
around the British Isles and off the Irish and French coasts, is
pictured in 1999 sailing off Newton Ferrers, Devon. His wife,
Juliet,isfromalife-boatingfamily,andIngramfirstsignedupas
a member in 1983 and was elected Honorary Secretary of the
then Winslow Branch in 1996, not long after joining the
committee. He stood down as Secretary in 2006 but remained
on the committee until 2012, when he retired and was
subsequently elected President of the expanded Winslow and
BuckinghamBranchforathree-yearterm.Hesteppeddownin
2015andisnowalifeVicePresident.
STEVE’SNOTSLOWINWINNING
The Scouts’ examples board
For more information contact: John Sargent on 240372
(evenings)oremail:[email protected]
TheScoutshope“buy-a-plaque”formswillreacheveryhousein
Stewkley this month. Contributing can be as simple as
completingtheformanddroppingitbacktotheaddressonthe
form.
The Scouts say, “Please support us in keeping a legacy of
ScoutinginStewkleythathasbeengoingforover50yearsand
that has helped develop over 4,000 young people during that
time.”
OtherScoutingnews
December’s winner of the Scouts’ 100 club prize was Emma
Payne. The club is open to anyone and costs £2 a month, the
proceeds going 50% as prize money and 50% to the new hut
fund.TojoincallAndyDunnon07789680719.
Over two very wet weekends last month the Scouts and their
leaders collected over 120 Christmas trees from around the
villageandfromSoulbury.Theycollected£630andhaveasked
the Grapevine to thank all who offered trees – and Sarah
Gammonfortheuseofherlorry.
The jumble sale held in the Village Hall last month raised
£315.65thatwillcontributetothegroup’srunningcosts,while
£131.79raisedonthecakestallgoestowardsthenewhut.
Another way the Scouts are raising funds for the new hut is
throughtheon-lineAylesburyValeLottery.Ticketscost£1with
50%oftheproceedsgoingtotheScouts.
Web:www.valelottery.co.uk
ADVERTISING IN THE GRAPEVINE REACHES
EVERY HOME AND BUSINESS IN STEWKLEY, PLUS SOME
C ALL 240765
The Swan held its annual Sloe Gin competition just before
Christmas, organised by Steve Neale and, through an
anonymous voting system, won most of the competitions
himself! There were more than 20 entries across three
categories:Nouveaux,Vintage&Hedgerow.
NEWYEARSEVEWITHJAMESBOND
Village enterprise, R&R Bars, run by Rachel
Kirchin and Bob O’Callaghan, hosted a James
BondthemedcharityeventonNewYearsEveat
theVillageHall.
The family-focused evening was a sell out with
all 150 tickets sold. R & R Bars took no profit
from the evening and raised a total of £657.21,
beingsplitbetweenthetwonominatedcharities,
RefugeActionUKandStokeMandevilleHospital
Intensive Care Unit. R&R Bars are auctioning
Bond memorabilia from the evening to raise
furtherfundsforthecharitiesinquestion.
RachelandBobhaveaskedtheGrapevinetothankthosewhocame
andthosewhohelpedfortheirsupport.
Picture: The guitar duo providing the entertainment was Vintage
Black,SteveCoulingandAdamVaile.
On behalf of all who attended the party can we thank Rachel and Bob
for a very enjoyable evening - the kids especially had a great time -
DebbieandGeoffBall
Page 13
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NINEYEAROLDMILLIELANDSSTAGEROLE
Millie on stage with the rest of the Workhouse Gang.
She is in the front row, fifth from the left.
BackinSeptember,MillieParkins,anine-year-oldinYear4
atStMichael’sSchool,wenttoopenauditionsatAylesbury’s
Waterside Theatre held by Rare Productions, an amateur
youth musical theatre company for children and young
adults from local areas that produces full shows on real
stages.
LastmonthsheappearedasamemberoftheWorkshopGangin
Rare’sproductionofOliveratWatersideTheatre,performingin
front of 1200 theatre-goers, including her parents,
grandparents, cousins and aunts as well as school friends,
familyfriendsandteachers.
Millie, who lives with her parents in High Street North, had no
previousdramaexperience,buthersinging,dancingandscript
readingimpressedtheassessors,andlandedherthepart.
Milliehasafive-year-oldsister,Georgiewhowatchedhersister
on the stage. She enjoyed it so much she too wants to be in
Oliverwhenshe'solder!Milliehopesherperformancewilllead
to other appearances with Rare Productions, and further her
actingskills.
St Michael’s School newsletter congratulated Millie saying the
number of staff from school who went to see the show were
“reallyimpressed”withMillie’sstagepresence.
STMICHAEL’SCHILDRENLEARNABOUTFIRES
ChildrenintheFoundationYearatStMichael’sSchoolareworkingona‘PeopleWho
Help Us’ topic this term and will be having visits and hearing from individuals and
groupswhoprovideservices.
ScheduledarevisitsfromthePolice,avetandadoctor.Firstwereateamfromthe
Fire Service at Bletchley. They turned up with their fire engine and provided
informationaboutwhattodoifthereisafireinabuilding.Thechildrenwereexcited
toseetheequipmentonthefireengineandlearnaboutthetypesofemergenciesthat
fire fighters attend. Those children who wanted to, also held the hose while it
sprayedwater.
Five-year-old Emily
Bennett from High
Street North takes
control of a hose
CYGNETS SCHOOL
DISCO
Village Hall
Saturday Feb 20
7.30pm-11.30pm
TICKETS: £10
(10 for £75)
from
Emma Galvin
07940 411330
or
Sarah Smith
07753 750732
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FARMPHOTOGETSCOMMENDATIONINNATIONALPHOTOGRAPHICCOMPETITION
StewkleyteenagerOwenHearnwhosephotosfeatureregularly Owen, who lives on his grandfather’s farm, operates his own
among prize winners in photographic competition after website“OwenHearnPhotography”wheremuchofhisworkis
photographiccompetitiongotacommendationforthisshotina displayedandisavailableforcommerciallicensing.
new category, “Farm Animals,” in the RSPCA’s annual Young
PhotographerAwardsannouncedlastmonth.
Takenonafrostymorningonhisgrandfather’sfarminDunton
Road,thephotographofaherdofBelgianBluesandHerefords
seemssomehowappropriateaslocalfarmersstrugglewiththis
winter’sunusualweatherpatterns(seebelow).
Seventeen-year-old Owen’s work featured elsewhere in the
competition, a photograph of a wild deer on the run landing
himtherunner-up’sawardinacategoryfor16-18yearolds.
Web: www.ohearnphotography.500px.com
DOWNONTHEFARM:COPINGWITHTHEUNUSUALWEATHER
The Grapevine asked two local farmers to report how the
unusualweatherhasaffectedthings:
John Heady, who farms over 1,000 acres locally, says: “The
farm has been affected in several ways by the unseasonable
weather. So far the grass has kept growing all winter ,
althoughthecattleareallinnow.Afewsmallbuncheswere
abletostayoutlongeruntilthegroundbecamewaterlogged,
saving on bedding and feed. The sheep have been moving
around the cattle grass fields finding ample grass to keep
them full. The downside on the stock front is that the cattle
yards are all desperate to be cleaned out now. They should
havebeendonebeforeChristmasbutthegroundhasbeenso
wet and soft it has been impossible to move the muck onto
the fields with tractors and trailers. We need hard frost to
freezethegroundtomakeitfirmenoughtocarrythetractors.
Onthearablesidelatewinter-sownwheatshavegrownaway
well.Ifwegetalotofcoldweather,theymayneedre-drilling
inthespring.
Thewetweatherhasmeantthatfourfieldshavebeentoowet
for ploughing giving less time for the frost to break the
ground down which means more spring cultivations will be
needed. The oil seed rape has grown away well being taller
than I can ever remember for this time of year. The extra
growth should mean less damage from wood pigeons and a
betterstartinthespring,butithasalsomeantithasbeentoo
mildandwettogetsomeoftheweedspraysonleadingtothe
weedsbeingstrongerandmoredifficulttokill.Ithinkoverall
the mild wet weather has given advantages and
disadvantagesinequalproportions.
GRANGEFARM
At Grange Farm off the Bletchley Road, David Wheeler
reports: “The unseasonably warm and wet weather which
hasleftthefieldsverywaterloggedhasseengreatergrowth
with thicker, more forward crops in all the corn planted in
theautumn.Thishasledtoanincreaseindiseasesfoundon
the plants, such as mildew and yellow rust, the weeds have
alsocontinuedtogrow.Theywillneedcontrollingassoonas
thegroundisdryenoughtotravelon,increasingthecostof
growingthecropatatimeofreducedcropvalue.
Thegrasshascontinuedtogrowallwinter,untilthemiddle
ofJanuarywhenthetemperaturesdropped,meaningalonger
growing season which could have an impact come early
spring with slower re-growth, meaning sheep farmers will
have to feed expensive dry food for longer, eating into
alreadytightmargins.
The warm damp weather also presents a greater risk to
housedlivestockbecomingill,withyoungcalvesparticularly
vulnerabletoviruses.
Page 15
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NatureWatch
Spring seemed to be on us even before Christmas decorations
were down. The daffodils above were pictured in St Michael’s
CloseinearlyJanuarygivingalovelybutunseasonablefeeltoa
month where frosts, cold winds and even snow are
commonplace,butuntilthenhadbeenmissing.Theflowershad
allbloomedbyChristmasDay,andseemedtobelasting.
As well as very early appearances from primroses and other
springflowers,gardenbirdsputonarealshow.Duringthegrey
days of December bird tables had been fairly quiet, but at the
beginning of January they sprang
into action − many of the birds
already in their bright breeding
attire.Thefeathersofthegreattit
werevividexamplesofthis.
Birdfeedersattractedthefleeting
visitsoftits−great,blueandcoal
− and the longer stays of
goldfinches and greenfinches
whilechaffinchesjoinedthewood
pigeons and ring doves on the
groundbelowmakingthemostof
left-overs.
Fatballs,afavouriteforsparrows,
also provide stopping-off places
fortheraidingpartiesoflongtail
tits (pictured), and one garden in
Haywood Park got a daily visit
from
a
greater
spotted
woodpecker.
inlengthandthefirecrestisonlyalittlebitbiggerat10cm.Both
hopfrombranchtobranch,seekingtinyinsects.
A pair of goldcrests was seen in a fir tree (lasiocarpa) in Dove
Street, while a single male firecrest was spotted in a red robin
hedge(photiniafraseri)inHighStreetNorth.
Themaindifferencesbetweenthetwoarethatthefirecresthas
a bold white patch above its eyes and a black stripe through
each eye. The females of both have yellow striped crowns on
theirheadswhilethatofthemalefirecresthastheorangestripe
thatgivesthespeciesitsname.
Will be back in February
WINDOWSILL
At the same place, from bird droppings on a windowsill, a
former house martin’s nest that in the 2015-breeding season
hadbeenusedbyapairofwrens,providedawintershelterfor
an unidentified member of another species. In several gardens
morethanonerobinwasspottedwithouttheusualaggression.
In one case the reason was established quickly when the most
activeoftherobinsselectedaseedfromafeeder,immediately
flying down to present it to the other − robin courtship in
action,alittleearly!
Missingsofarthisyearhavebeentheusualvisitsfromredpolls
and siskins and there have been no reports of fieldfares or
redwings although the brief spell of “real” winter weather in
midJanuarymayhaveencouragedthem(seebelow).
TwoofBritain’stiniestbirdshaveputinguestappearances.The
goldcrestisthesmallestresidentbirdinBritainataround9cm
LITTLECOTEAMMONITEfromJohnSheldon
The large fossil cast dug up recently near their home at
LittlecotebyRachelandDougWebbisthatofCornuAmmonis,
or the Common Ammonite. A marine creature living on the
edge of a warm, tropical sea that extended from Dorset as far
as North Buckinghamshire, its fossilised shell was deposited
some144millionyearsagointhelateJurassicPeriod.
The
Creamy
Limestone bed to
whichitbelongedis
known
as
Portlandian Strata,
after the better
known
Portland
Limestone
in
Dorset.Thestoneis
cream to pale grey
in colour, and in
this area, it is quite
gritty due to the
highamountofshell
material and is
therefore less fineThe Littlecote fossil
grained. The strata
(Tea-spoon for size comparison)
yields many marine
fossils of bivalves, gastropods and ammonites. Its most
prominent outcrop from the surrounding clays is just down
Dunton Road from Littlecote at the disused Warren Farm Pit,
fromwhereitislikelythattherubblestonethatconstitutesthe
wallsofStewkleyChurchwaswonbytheNormansinthe12th
century.
CloseexaminationoftheexteriorwallsofStMichael’sChurchis
a visual treat for the amateur geologist interested in what was
livinginthevicinityofwhatbecameStewkleyinJurassictimes!
WEEKENDBIRDWATCHING
On the mid January day when winter really unleashed its
wrath, this view from a Littlecote kitchen window was
enough to spark jealousy among those lining up to take
part in the annual BIg Garden Birdwatch organised by the
RSPB.
The bird throng, members of which may never before have
seen snow, appear to include a good sprinkling of
sparrows and chaffinches.
The RSPB Garden Birdwatch is held yearly and invites
householders to report details of birds appearing in their
garden over a chosen one-hour period, this year on the
weekend January 30 to 31 – the Grapevine’s publication
weekend. Details, and report submissions, can be found at
www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch
Page 16
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
THEPLAYERSBUNKERDOWNfromGillMorgan
OBITUARY:BETTYSMITH
StewkleyPlayersandthisspring’sproducerJillyScrivenerwill
stage the comedy ‘ Keeping down with the Joneses’ March 1619attheVillageHall.TheplayiswrittenbyJohnChapmanand
Jeremy Lloyd, two comedy playwrights who have authored
several of the plays presented by the Players over the years
including‘Allo‘AlloandNotNowDarling.
In ‘Keeping Down with the Joneses’, the audience meets
GeoffreyJones,MPandsometimearchitect,whoissoconvinced
that the Russians are about to launch a nuclear strike against
Englandthathebuildsanundergroundbombshelterequipped
witheverythingneededtolastoutsuchastrike.Heplanstotry
it out for a three-week experiment when he is trapped inside
withhiswife,hermother,atelephoneinstallerandamilkman.
Unbeknown to them, neighbours trying to Keep up with the
Joneseshavedonethesamethingand,asfatewouldhaveit,get
trapped in their bunker at the same time. The complications
becomehilariousastheyallstrivetogetout.
TicketsgoonsaleonMondayFebruary22andwillbeavailable
fromtheBoxOfficeon07845489167orinpersonattheVillage
HallboxofficeonSundayFebruary28,March6and13between
10am and 12 noon. Tickets are £6 including the programme.
For those people who were expecting to see Fawlty Towers, a
word of explanation is required. Basil and Sybil have been
delayedbyaprofessionalproductiongroupwhowillbestaging
Fawlty Towers in London, sometime this year, resulting in a
blackout zone for licensing of amateur dramatic performances.
ItisexpectedthattheFawltyswillmaketheirappearancelater
thisyear,orsoonafter.
ForfurtherinformationonthisorotherPlayers’activities,please
visittheirFacebookpageorwebsite,www.stewkleyplayers.co.uk.
“MUSIC&MINCEPIES”fromIngramMurray
After a rehearsal period dogged by sickness and an uncertain
first performance in North Marston Church, the Stewkley
Singers came through with a bravura performance of their
programme for Music & Mince Pies in Stewkley Village Hall.
Theywereofcourseonhometurf,infrontofahallpackedwith
theirfans,warmandwithacontainedacoustic.
The programme was the now familiar mix of traditional carols
andadventhymns,combinedwithmoreseriousworksfromthe
baroqueandmodernperiodsfromalloverEurope,interspersed
withsomelighthumour–muchofitconcerningfoodofonesort
oranother.AmongthefamiliarwasStilleNachtwhichonavisit
to Colmar (north eastern France) in 2014 the Singers sang in
the original German, French and English and it was a pity
perhapsthattheydidnotdosoagainthistime,perhapswitha
guitar as accompaniment as it had been when first sung in a
simplecountrychurchinAustria.
VerypleasingwastheSingers’willingnesstotackleforthefirst
time Vaughan-Williams’ Fantasia on Christmas Carols. Written
in1912andnostalgicasismuchofVaughan-Williams’musicfor
theworldhewouldwitnessdissolvingduringtheGreatWar,in
which he served first as a Medical Orderly and later as an
ArtilleryOfficer,theFantasia’smovingintroductionbythesolo
celloandtheBaritonecallstomindcarolsofasimpleragesung
in English country churches. Charlie Calver sang the solo part
beautifully; a reminder perhaps that Advent is a time for
reflection even for a generation which has lost the faith that
sustained their great grandfathers through the terrors of that
GreatWar.
Thereistalkofanewformat.CouldtheSingerstakeonBach’s
ChristmasOratoriooraChristmasMass(theVicarpermitting)?
Perhaps not but I hope their ambition does not slacken. There
are one or two items which could go overboard – the truly
awful Jingle Bells and Santa Baby (which Eartha Kitt made her
own)tobereplacedperhapsbyarousingInDulceJubilosungat
the beginning by the audience and Singers to warm everyone
up? After all, the Singers are starting rehearsals for Carmina
Burana,atoughenoughchallenge.
Betty
Smith,
a
member of the local
community for 30
years, has died aged
93. She moved, with
her late husband
Bryan,
from
Leighton Buzzard to
High Street North in
1986.Althoughnot
being an active
member of any
organisations, Betty
loved living in
Stewkley and soon
made
friends.
Always a great
reader,shelovedthe
village library that
also served as a
place to meet and
chatwithotherlocal
folk.Bettyfelttheclosureofthelibraryin2006wasarealloss
forherandthevillage.
Although not a member of the congregation, she spent many
yearsontherotaofbrasscleanersatSt.Michael’sChurch.
Betty, whose maiden name was Callidine, was born in
Wolverhampton.Shegrewupinafamilyofeightand,likemost
childrenofthatera,leftschoolaged14years.Attheoutbreak
ofthewarshevolunteeredfortheAuxiliaryTerritorialService
and was trained to drive lorries and ambulances. She had
severalpostingsthroughoutthecountryandoftentalkedfondly
of her time in York where she met her husband to be, Flight
SergeantBryanSmith,anRAFradiooperatorandreargunner,
who flew in Lancaster bombers over Germany. They became
sweethearts and, like many couples apart during the war,
exchanged love letters, some of which she kept until she died.
The romance survived and Betty joined Bryan in Leighton
Buzzardwheretheymarriedin1947.Shebecameamemberof
the team in the family grocery shop in Church Street that
operated under the name of the previous owners, Cook and
Sons.Bettywassoonbusyservingintheshopanddrivingvans
deliveringorders.
FIRSTHOUSE
By1951,BettyandBryanboughttheirfirsthouseandbegana
family.Onceherchildrenwereoldenough,Bettywashappyto
getbacktoworkandwasthrilledtogetanotherjobasadriver,
thistimedeliveringcarsforCamdenMotors.Shelikednothing
better than driving different cars and travelling the length and
breadth of the country, where she could see new places and
meetnewpeopleeveryday.
Betty and Bryan celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in
Stewkleyin1997.Bryandiedlaterthatyearbut,notbeingone
to mope, Betty became a frequent foreign traveller. Her
greatest pleasure though was spending time with her
grandchildrenwhichshedidwheneverpossible.
BettywasburiedinthecemeteryatSt.Michael’sChurchaftera
service conducted by the Rev. Philip Derbyshire, with a eulogy
read by family friend Bunt Scott. Leading mourners were
Betty’schildren,BobandLizandherfourgrandchildren.
THANKSFROMTHEBREWERFAMILY
The family of life-long Stewkley villager Bert Brewer, who
diedinNovemberaged95,haveaskedtheGrapevinetothank
everyone for their “amazing generosity”, giving to a charity
“Bert would have loved.” Michael Brewer, Hazel and family
saydonationstochildren’scharityKeechHospiceCareraised
£714.
Page 17
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
OBITUARY:DENNISSTANESBY
OBITUARY:CLIFFMITCHELL
The garden outside
Dennis and Margaret
Stanesby’s three-bed
cottage home at the
top of Dunton Road
was very small, but
was admired by all
who walked by. For
the 46 years they
lived there, it was
immaculate.
For the last year or
so, however, it has
not been so good as
oldagebegantotake
its toll, first on
Margaret, and then
Dennis, and they
were unable to do
whattheyusedtodo.
Dennis lost Margaret
last March after 63
years of married life, and just before Christmas he too died at
theageof90.
The couple moved to Stewkley from Stoke Hammond in 1968
whenDennis,afarmhandbytrade,gotajobattheKeenfamily’s
WingRoadfarm.ThegardenwasDennis’prideandjoy.
TRANSFORMATION
In the early days he grew vegetables on the patch of garden
outsidethedoorthatdoubledasthefrontandbackentranceto
theirhome.Overtheyearshetransformeditintoaplacewhere
a tiny neatly-trimmed lawn was surrounded by colourful
flowersthroughallseasons,andoftenthetallestsunflowersin
Stewkleytoweredoverthegardenfence.
Wheninhisgarden,Denniswaseverreadytopassthetimeof
day with passers by who stopped to admire the results of his
work.AloveofcommunitylifeinStewkleywaspartofhisand
Margaret’sDNA.
He was born Dennis Harwood Stanesby at his family home in
StokeHammondin1925.Hewenttothelocalvillageschooland
then to the former Leon school in Bletchley, leaving when he
was14andgoingstraightintofarming.
He met Margaret at a dance in Stewkley Village Hall and they
marriedin1952.TheylivedfirstinStokeHammondwherethey
had four children, Roger, Jacqueline, Gary and Jane and where
Dennis was a keen member of both the village cricket and
footballteams.
AtStewkley,hewasaregularSundaydrinkeranddartsplayer
attheCarpenters’Arms,justafewyardsfromhishome.When
heretiredhejoinedtheShortMatBowlsClubattheVillageHall,
playing on Tuesdays and Thursdays, also representing the
village in competitive games in the Aylesbury Vale Friendly
League,andtheJohnRobinsonCup.
When Margaret became unwell with Alzheimer's disease he
became her carer, doing things he had rarely done before --
shopping,cleaning,washingandcooking.
The couple’s last 18 months were centred on the Orchard
ResidentialCareHomeinStewkley,whereDenniswasrelieved
ofthehouseholdchores,butcouldstillenjoyhisdailywalkand
chattofriendshemetontheway.
He leaves behind four children, six grandchildren, 12 great
grandchildren,andonesurvivingyoungerbrother.AMemorial
ServiceatStewkleyMethodistChapelwasconductedbytheRev
IrenaByron.
Dennis’familyhaveaskedtheGrapevinetopassontheirthanks
for all the cards and kind messages, and to everyone who
attended the memorial service, or helped in any way with the
serviceorcatering.
Meeting up with Cliff
Mitchell,
friends
would know what
modehewasinbyhis
attire:smartmodefor
work in the legal
world, casual in play
mode as not only a
rugby devotee but
also an official with a
vital job in that sport,
and a little more
downmarket on the
farm helping his wife,
Jan,
with
her
smallholding.
Cliff died in hospital
aged 75 after being
taken ill at his home,
LittlecoteDairyFarm.
His parents kept
racehorses and cattle on their farm at Billington and Cliff as a
youngmanbecameakeensportsman,showjumpingbeinghis
earlyfavourite.Butrugbybecamehissportofchoice.Heplayed
atLeightonBuzzardandprogressedtobecomearugbyreferee,
travellingthecountrytorefereegames,someofthemtelevised.
Healsobecamearefereeassessor,attendingrugbymatchesand
gaugingtheperformanceofreferees
GREATTRAINROBBERY
HisearlyworkingdayswereattheLeightonsolicitorsETRay,
and a memorable moment for him came in 1963, taking handwritten depositions at the courthouse in Linslade during the
magistrates’ proceedings ahead of the trial of the Great Train
Robbers. He later worked for the Law Society, initially in its
SolicitorsComplaintsBureauproducingreportsonthestandard
of service that lawyers’ clients received. He moved on to other
andmoreseniorrolesintheSocietyoveran18-yearperiod.
In 1969 Cliff married a local girl, Chris Latter from Wing. In
their 15-year marriage they had two children, Adrian and
Allison.
CliffhadknownJanGoodsonsincehisdaysatETRay.By1986
she was a widow whose husband had died in a train accident
and together with Jan’s daughter, Hazel, they moved to
Littlecote Dairy Farm and started gathering horses, sheep, and
dogs.CliffandJanmarriedin1993.
Cliffwasneverhappierthanwhenlambingordrivingatractor
during haymaking. He continued to thoroughly enjoy his legal
work until a heart attackat sixty-one,thereafterworkingfrom
homeuntilhewassixty-five.Hewouldsometimesbespeaking
to clients whilst bottle-feeding a lamb. He also helped in what
was a deeply rewarding activity for him – leading ponies at
WingRidingfortheDisabled,anddonationsinmemoryofCliff
wereforthatcharity.
AfuneralceremonywasheldatCrownhillCrematorium,Milton
Keynes. Cliff is survived by his wife Jan, stepdaughter Hazel, a
step granddaughter, and by his first wife Chris Mitchell, who
livesinStewkley,theirsonAdriananddaughterAlison,andby
fourgrandchildren.
Advertising and Editorial suggestions
and text can be sent to
[email protected]
Page 18
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Page 19
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Page 20
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Page 21
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THE GRAPEVINE, STEWKLEY
Advertising Rates
Village/Non-village
For Sale (Max of 2 items)
Classified
Classified highlighted
Forthcoming events
Display, Eighth Page
Display, Quarter Page
Display, Half Page
£5 / £10
£5 / £10
£10 / £20
Free/ £20
£15 / £25
£25 / £35
£35 / £55
To Advertise – Call 240765
SERVICES (continued)
NICOLA'S GARDENING SERVICES
Friendly gardener available for regular maintenance or one-off
jobs. Free quotes. Contact Nicola 07733 208042
FOR SALE
ARIEL COUNTAX 625 PETROL BRUSH CUTTER
Ideal for clearing orchards/paddocks. 190cc engine, good starter.
Hardly used vgc. £50. Tel: 240465
DESK
Modern desk 80cm x 120cm with curved front. As new £25. Tel
240465
STORAGE
STEWKLEY STORAGE LTD
Advertising Copy
For all your storage needs. Domestic & Commercial
Rooms & Containers.
Larkshill Farm, Stewkley Rd, Soulbury
www.stewkleystorage.co.uk Tel: 240297
By hand, or by email to [email protected]
Electronic advertisements as .doc or .jpg files
Display Ad Copy Guidelines
Free upcoming village events: text only
Quarter Page: Portrait. Half & Eighth Page: Landscape
All advertisement appear as greyscale
Lucy’slemontot’spresents
LEMONTOT'SPOPUPPLAYDAYS
Classified Ad Guidelines
One line header, plus up to 12 words of text, and
contact details. Words x two for twice the price
LookingforsomethingtodointheFebruary
holidayscomealongtoanafternoonofarts
andcrafts,forallthefamily
Ad Payment Terms
STRICTLY in advance / Yearly advertisers: 10% discount
Next Deadline for Ads: STRICTLY 6pm Sunday Feb 14
Where:WingVillageHall
When:Wednesday17thFebruary
Time:1-3pm
HOME MAINTENANCE
T.G.R ELECTRICAL
Stewkley based , Elecsa Approved Electrician . Sockets, lights etc.
Free quotes. Call: 240498 or Mobile: 07840 100501
Only£5perfamilyandyoucantake
everythingyoumake!
STEWKLEY DECORATING
Quality guaranteed work. Reliable trustworthy service. PDA & FSB
members. Fully insured. Call Stewart, 01525 242121 Mobile: 07981
226922 Web: StewkleyDecorating.com
Kitchen & bathroom upgrades, staircase conversions, Replacement
doors, general maintenance & small building work.
07939 146630 email: [email protected] (Soulbury)
LOGS
JTS DECORATING SERVICE & PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
Call John on 240372, mobile: 07809113090, Email:
[email protected]
THE LEIGHTON OVEN MAN
Dirty Oven? Professional cleaning by experienced local company.
email: [email protected] or tel: 01525 372393
Call:07835175402
SERVICES
WING PARK MOTORS - AUTOMOBILE ENGINEERS
Repairs and servicing all makes of car. VW /Audi specialists.
Supplier of most makes of tyres. Stewkley Road, Wing
Tel: 01296 688256.
COUNTRY FRAME
The complete picture framing service. From prints and posters to
paintings and needlework. Tel: 240163 / 07771 508805 : Paul Body.
Please call first.
WINDOW CLEANER
CARPET SERVICES
All makes carpets and vinyl. Personally supplied and fitted. 25 years
experience Paul Levett Tel: 01296 689179 or 07976 204433, 20
Hawthorn Way Wing. Free estimates. paul.levett@homeca l l.co.uk
STEWKLEY BASED
PRIVATE SWIMMING LESSONS
For adults and/or children. Small indoor heated pool.
Qualified teacher. Tel: 240240. The Orchard, High St South
07778 443246
COUNTRY
CATS
Small peaceful boarding cattery on a farm in Wing. Inspection
welcomed. Gillian Alexander 01296 681104.
Email: [email protected]
Maths, Science/Physics: KS1-4, English: KS2. Inc 11+ Qualified 121
tutor with CRB. Call Roger Crews on 07946 568153 or Email:
[email protected]
HORSE RIDING LESSONS IN STEWKLEY
From complete beginners to experienced riders. Adults and children.
Fully licensed/ insured. Call Sarah Gammon, Kilnholm Stables.
240529 or 07712 854034
BARN
SEASONEDHARDWOOD
DAVE REID. FULLY QUALIFIED CARPENTER
1-2-1 TUITION IN MATHS, SCIENCE, ENGLISH
Display ads
[email protected]
ADVERTISING IN THE GRAPEVINE
REACHES EVERY HOME AND
BUSINESS IN STEWKLEY
Page 22
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Wewillbeopeningourdoors
on
Saturday27thFebruaryat
2pmforyouto
comeandlookbehindthe
scenesofour
newlyrefurbishedfacilities.
WindmillVeterinaryCentre,
33HighStreet,Winslow.
MK183HE
www.windmillvets.co.uk
ANNETTEGESOFF
AdvancedClinicalMassage
Therapist
MemberoftheFederationof
HolisticTherapists
Massagecanbebeneficialfor
manyconditions
seemywebsiteforfurtherinformation:
www.gesoffmassage.co.uk
Pleasephone:
01525240135or07709629283
Oremail:
[email protected]
Page 23
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Page 24
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DOMESTICCLEANERREQUIRED
WEAREEXPANDINGAGAIN!!!!
ANOTHERFABULOUSCLEANERISREQUIREDTO
JOINOUREXISTINGSMALLTEAMOFDOMESTIC
GODDESSES.
IFYOUAREACAROWNER,CANCLEANTOA
HIGHSTANDARDANDAREHAPPYTOTRAVELTO
STEWKLEYANDTHESURROUNDINGVILLAGES,
THENWHYNOTGIVEMEACALL.
UPTO16HOURSAWEEK.£8.50PERHOUR.
WEAREASMALL,FRIENDLYBUSINESS,BASEDIN
STEWKLEY.
CALLCHRISSTEVENITTON01525-240512
OR07850-540393.
Pre-salePropertyServices
Chappell Plumbing
and Heating Ltd
Fully qualified and insured
gas safe engineer
All central heating and
hot water work undertaken
Boiler servicing,
breakdowns and installations
Landlord certificates
Stewkley based
07725 480047
Enhancing home values
Selling your home can be a stressful time, getting it ready
for marketing only adds to the workload. We can bring
your home up to its prime marketable condition by sorting
out the numerous small jobs that make all the difference
to the look.
First impressions count, your buyer will not be impressed
by tired looking paint, scruffy gardens, weeds sprouting
from the drive or the gutters leaking. Internally your
kitchen and bathrooms need to be clean and sharp. These
two areas can make or break a sale.
The Internet is the buyer’s tool of choice so having clear
images of your home will improve the click through rate of
the potential purchaser, leading to more viewings.
If necessary, we are able to provide wide-angle digital
images that you can use to market your property, either by
an agent or on the Internet yourself.
We can also supply Energy Performance Certificates (EPC’s)
[email protected]
Partial makeovers, clearing clutter, painting
and decorating, garden tidying, driveway
cleaning, hedge trimming, tree pruning,
window cleaning. Astro Turf supplied
Please call Graham Smith for a consultation.
Stewkley based.
Tel. 01525 242204
Mobile 0751 6744125
Email. [email protected]
www.pre-salepropertyservices.uk
www.chappellheating.co.uk
Page 25
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DogTrainingOutdoorWorkshopsinStewkley
Doesyourdogpullonthelead?
Notcomebackwhencalled?
Needstolearnorbrushuponbasictraining?
Wantstolearntodotricksortryanewdogsport?
OutdoorworkshopsinStewkley&indoorclassesin
LittleBrickhill
withIMDTfullyqualifiedtrainerJess
Formoreinfo&tobookcall07801747722
www.doggydaydreamers.com
D.B'S GAS
PLUMBING AND HEATING
SERVICES
LOCAL VILLAGE COMPANY WITH
OVER 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE
BOILER BREAKDOWNS, REPAIRS & SERVICING
FULL HEATING INSTALLATIONS AND EXTENSIONS
GAS SAFETY CHECKS AND CERTIFICATION
NO JOB TOO SMALL
ALL WORKMANSHIP FULLY INSURED
O.A.P. 10% DISCOUNT ON HOURLY RATES
NO CALL OUT CHARGE. COMPETITIVE RATES.
TEL OFFICE: 240784
TEL DARON ON : 07799 122971
CAJELECTRICAL
LocalVillageElectricianbasedinStewkley.
Nojobtoosmallwithallworkguaranteed
andcertified.
Newfuseboards,indoorandoutdoorlighting
additionalsocketsornewpowersupplyto
garages,alldomesticworkcarriedout
Qualified Carpenter & Joiner: Double Glazing Repairs
(Broken Handles/Hinges, Misty Sealed Units etc)
Home Improvements: General Maintenance
Call–Craig07968152709
[email protected]
Page 26
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ForgeFarm,WingRoad,Stewkley
Page 27
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Q & A Financial Solutions
FUNWAYDOGTRAINING
Whatisthebestmortgageforyouandyourfamily?
atLittleHorwood
Bespokepuppytraininginyourownhome
forpuppiesgoingthroughvaccinations.
Classesforpuppies,classesforadultdogs.
Haveyougottherightinsurancecover?
Wanttosave£'soffyourmortgagepayments?
Forstress-relieving,jargon-freeanswers
totheseandotherquestions
callourStewkley-basedexperttoday.
SheilpaPanchal
01525 242195
:
Follow-onclassesalwaysavailable.
KennelClubGoodCitizensDogScheme,
APDTGoodCompanionsAwardsandmyown
Minitestsavailablebutnonearecompulsory.
ContactEvelynon01908502272.
07956 463259
Pleasevisitthewebsiteortelephonemeforfurtherdetails.
www.funwaydogtraining.co.uk
[email protected]
WOBURNBUILDING
SERVICES
SUPERIOR INTERIORS DECORATING
SERVICES
Provide a highly professional and comprehensive
decorating service with over 30 years experience
Specialised building work
PLEASE VISIT MY WEBSITE FOR MORE
INFORMATION
New builds and extensions
www.superiordecor.co.uk
Design and build service
Contact Jim Munro
Mob:07788 921865 Tel:01525 240741
Listed building refurbishments
Email: [email protected]
Interior and exterior alterations
Stewkley- based
STUART JAMES COLEMAN
01525 242111
Email:
:
Treatments available in
the comfort of your
own home
07970 888236
[email protected]
www.woburnbuildingservices.co.uk
EST 1986
Page 28
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WATCHOUT,THIEVESANDVANDALSAREABOUT
To Hire the
VILLAGE HALL
Carvandalism,burglaries,cartheftsandtheftsfromvehicles–notthekind
of thing usually associated with Stewkley, but all have been evident
recently.
InadditiontotwoburglariesinBletchleyRoad,therehavebeentwoother
burglariesrecentlyandothersinsurroundingvillages. Acommonmethod
of entry has been via the rear of a property through windows and patio
doors. In Dove Street, tools were stolen from a parked van; elsewhere
storedmobilehomesandcontainerswerethesubjectsofthefts.
A Stewkley Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator advises: “Please be extra
vigilant when you are not at home, and try to make the house appear
occupied,leavinglightsonafterdark,andleavingaradioswitchedontoa
talkingstationsuchasRadio4.
”Fake TV lights are available very cheaply on the internet, and these flash
afterdarkgivingtheimpressionofaTVbeingoninaroom.Makesureall
windows and doors are securely locked.Alarm systems should always be
switchedonwhenpremisesareunoccupied.
“Ifthereisagatetotherearofyourhouse,makesureitislocked.”
Cars are now almost impossible to steal without the key so apparently
thievesquiteoftenbreakintoahousetoobtaincarkeystostealacarona
driveway.Theadviceisalwaystoputthecarkeysinasafeplacewherea
burglarwillnotfindthem,orbetterstillkeysshouldnotbeleftinahouse
when a vehicle is left in the drive, and definitely should not be left near a
frontdoorwheretheycanbeaccessedthroughaletterbox.
call 07582 580229
To Hire the
REC PAVILION
CARVANDALISM
Vehicles parked in High Street North have been the target of keying –
deliberate scratching of paintwork with the sharp end of a key, or similar
implement.
InNovembersixcarsweredefaced.Theperpetrator,alongwithanumber
of scratched lines on different
panels, left a signature ‘smiley
face’ calling card on each car. A
further incident happened last
month, again on High Street
North near the village shop,
where another car was keyed
with the same sign of a ‘smiley
face’ and damage to all three
passengerdoorpanels.
The Police have been contacted
on all counts of the deliberate
damage, estimated at some
£5,000intotal.
One of the car owners has asked
theGrapevinetoalertvillagersin
The “smiley face” signature scratched into
the area, and ask them to be
the door panel of a car last month
vigilant.
TAILPIECE TALE
ABENCHMARKFORDAVID
For months, the bench in High Street
North near Sycamore Close was
missing, a temporary chair taking its
place. Just before Christmas the real
bench was back in place, the fifth
village seat that David Beasley has
renovated by arrangement with the
Parish Council.
David, a builder by trade, suffers
from chronic fatigue syndrome and
although he works short periods with
the Enterprise Group, has to
schedule his time carefully to avoid
overdoing it. Hence, renovation work
on benches takes quite a while.
The one in the picture was donated
by former Orchard Lane resident
Ron Smith – the plaque says “TO
MY FRIENDS OF STEWKLEY
VILLAGE”
call 240330
To Hire the
CHAPEL SCHOOLROOM
call 217795

planning stewkley`s future: everyone can help

Transcription

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