Join our health club now - Stoke Poges...Join our health club now for £39 and pay nothing until...

Join our health club now for £39 and pay nothing until January. For a free day pass call us on 01753 663666or bring this advert to the club at Wexham Street,Stoke Poges

Get healthier for less this Christmas

Terms and conditions apply. Offer ends 31st December 2010.

Stoke Poges Advert 149x210.indd 1 22/10/2010 14:52

3

Four months on from the by-election that elected five new Parish Councillors, the new Parish Council is finding its feet, as you will read in this edition. As our Councillors get more involved in outside meetings involving other local parishes, a pattern is becoming clear: nearby parishes have been imaginative and energetic in providing for their youth and their older people. Neighbouring parish councils have made great progress in pro-vision for their communities, whilst still giving good value to taxpayers.

The current Parish Council feels very strongly that its role is to do what it can to improve the quality of life for residents of Stoke Poges. We know that in the current climate of government spending cuts, District and County Councils won’t be able to help, so the Parish Council is committed to working with the voluntary organisations and the village charities, to do as much as it can.

Our forthcoming ‘Carols on the Green’ is symbolic of the new energy and purpose the Parish Council is putting into the community. Please join us to make this year’s ‘Carols on the Green’ the most successful yet.

In this issue we include the latest crime figures for our area together with several recommendations intended to make it harder for offenders to prosper in Stoke Poges.

Thank you to all our contributors, advertisers and you, our readers for your support. I appreciate the kind comments on my first edition. I would like to welcome eight new advertisers to this edition – please give them the opportunity to win your custom, as strong support from our advertisers helps us produce a high quality magazine.

Finally, I would like to be the first person this year to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Ralph Bagge

IndexStoke Poges Musician on TV 4Carols on the Green 5Bells Hill Update 5Keep Burglars Away 6Chairman’s Letter 10Initiatives supporting Older People 12Winter Roads Information 13Threeways Surgery 15The Stoke Poges School 18Birds in Stoke Poges 22D of E Group 24Vicar’s Letter 26Neighbourhood Action Group 28Bridge Club 31Dates for your Diary 32The Stoke Poges Society 34Forget-Me-Not-Club 36Rainbow Pre-school 39Horticultural Society 41Friends of Stoke Common 41Stoke Poges Singers 45Photographic Club 46Football Club 48Guides 49Scouts 50Updates from Councillors 52Neighbourhood Policing 54Sunshine Pre-school 56Tennis Club 58Women’s Institute 60

Waste and recycling collection over the holiday periodYou will have received a leaflet from South Bucks District Council recently informing you of the changes in the collection days for waste and recycling over the Christmas and New Year public holiday period.

Please note the dates of your scheduled collec-tions and ensure that you put your waste and recycling out on the right days.

From the Editor

4

Stoke Poges Musician on TV

Stoke Poges resident Michael Messer is interna-tionally renowned for his blues slide guitar playing. He will be the featured musician in BBC TV’s ZingZillas programme on 13 December. Michael provides some background information:

The BBC approached me back in the spring of 2009 about doing an episode of the CBeebies series, ZingZillas. I have done many sessions for the BBC over the years, mostly for radio, promoting my own music. So for me this was something quite different.

The show was created by the same people who did the TeleTubbies and the Tweenies, and sits somewhere between The Muppets (in that it features well known musicians) and Sesame Street, which was an educational show aimed at young children.

ZingZillas is a series of 52 episodes, each 20 minutes long, featuring a different style of music and musician in each episode. The idea of the show is to teach young children about music and to give them the real thing, rather than the usual plinky-plinky music that is so associated with children’s TV shows.

Some of the musicians who have appeared on ZingZillas include: cellist Julian Lloyd-Webber; jazz singer Cleo Laine; composer and saxophonist Johnny Dankworth (his last TV appearance);

the BBC Concert Orchestra; percus-sionist Dame Evelyn Glennie; flautist James Galway; steel guitarist BJ Cole – and many more.

I was brought in as the blues slide gui-tarist for the episode about ‘The Blues’. I played two pieces of

music. The first is my own composition and features a film of me playing solo acoustic blues slide guitar. The second has me jamming with the ZingZillas monkeys band on a blues song written by the show’s musical directors Chris Banks and Wag Marshall-Page.

The whole project is a local one, as it not only features a resident of Stoke Poges, but also the series was filmed just down the road at Pinewood Studios.

The ZingZillas ‘Blues’ episode will be broadcast on 13 December. So if you hear your children belting out the blues on dad’s treasured Gibson acoustic guitar some time in mid-December, it will be my fault!

Michael Messer

Stoke Poges Players

A first production of Babes in the Wood by Rojer Weightman is being performed by Stoke Poges Players at 8 pm on Thursday 9, Friday 10 and Saturday 11 December, with a matinee at 2 pm on Saturday. Tickets are £7, concessions £5, family ticket £15 (max. 2 adults).

Call the Box Office T: 01753 677032, M: 07986 535656 or E: [email protected]©

BBC

© B

BC

5

Carols on the GreenIn our autumn issue we asked for suggestions from the Parish for Carols on the Green. We had many expressions in favour of keeping our village tradition alive and a number of people said that it could be the winter equivalent of the Village Fete – a great opportunity to get together infor-mally and talk with people you know, but don’t meet too often.

Whilst we would love Carols on the Green to return to its traditional venue on Bells Hill green, that isn’t possible yet. The Village Centre committee, however, were very enthusiastic about hosting the Carols in their grounds.

Everyone who discussed the idea said much the same thing: ‘Since the redevelopment, the heart’s been knocked out of the village. It’s time we did something about it.’ We are hoping that Carols on the Green this year will be remembered as a turning point.

The idea quickly snowballed. It seemed like a good idea to hold an outdoor Christmas craft market in the Village Centre car park, giving a number of parishioners the opportunity to offer their seasonal gifts for sale. With the Club Room bar open, we are inviting everyone to linger and socialise after the carols.

However, the Carols will be at the very heart of the event. Accompanied by a brass band and with The Stoke Poges School Choir, everyone will join in singing some traditional favourites.

The Parish Council’s working party has been busy sourcing new Christmas lights. A Christmas tree has been generously sponsored by Alpha Windows. The Social Club is providing complimentary mulled wine and Sainsbury’s are donating mince pies.

A small number of volunteers have put in a massive amount of time and energy to create an enjoyable event that brings the parish together. Please show your support on Friday 3 December by coming along.

Bells Hill UpdateA planning application has been lodged with South Bucks District Council to modify the frontage of the empty retail space to create separate entrances for three shop units of 525 sq m, 415 sq m and 135 sq m. The estate agent’s details suggest that the largest unit could be further subdivided.

South Bucks has also received a licence applica-tion from the Coop for sales of alcohol, although it is understood that contracts have not been exchanged with the developer.

South Bucks District Council is paying for the design of a ramp suitable for wheelchairs and buggies to use from Bells Hill Green. This will be used to get construction quotes when available. Once we know how much it will cost to build, we can work out how it is paid for.

The Parish Council has been negotiating with Persimmon about siting a replacement notice board near the retail units and this will be installed soon.

6

Keep Burglars Away Offer – Forensic Marking KitsThe most effective way of discouraging burglars is forensic marking. It has resulted in an 85% reduction in burglaries in areas where it has been introduced – locally in Taplow and Gerrards Cross. Thames Valley Police has achieved excellent crime reductions using SelectaDNA kits in local burglary hotspots.

Research shows that burglars tend to avoid breaking into homes where forensic marking is used. Marking your possessions with a forensic marker increases the chance of a burglar being caught and your property being recovered, whilst making your possessions harder to sell on.

The SelectaDNA Home Security kit contains a special liquid and an applicator. The liquid con-tains tiny microdots, each carrying a unique code, which can be used by the police to trace a marked item back to its owner.

The liquid also has an ultraviolet (UV) trace that shows up under a UV lamp. Police regularly trawl car boot sales with UV equipment. The forensic marks are almost impossible to fully remove and require too much effort to be worth attempting.

The marking kit includes tamper-proof labels to be attached to all marked possessions plus win-dow stickers to be displayed near your home entry points.

The recommended price for a SelectaDNA Home Security kit is £50. The Parish Council has obtained a special rate from the manufacturer and is offering SelectaDNA to parishioners at its cost price of £30.

This relatively low outlay appears to be the most effective burglary deterrent available, so please take up this opportunity to protect your home and make Stoke Poges a safer community by ordering yours from the Parish Council Office.

Nick Milne Garden Services

❁ Stoke Poges-based small family business.

❁ High quality maintenance gardening and small landscaping projects undertaken.

❁ Approved by Slough Trading Standards and featured on Stoke Poges Trustworthy Tradesperson’s list.

❁ References and portfolio available.

www.nmgs.co.uk - 01753 643612 - 07832 144935

SelectaDNA Home Security marking kit

8

Fusion – Summer Activities for young peopleThis event was organised by Stoke Poges and Wexham Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) and was held in the grounds of The Stoke Poges School on 19–20 August. School years 4 to 6 came along to the two-hour morning sessions and young people at secondary school attended the afternoon sessions.

Activities varied from ‘Try Golf’, Sumo Suits, Multiskill (sports), football, rounders, arts and crafts and a graffiti art project especially for the teenagers.

The idea of the graffiti art project was to educate young people about criminal damage offences, whilst enabling them to see that by using a canvas and seeking permission from appropriate people, their graffiti artwork could be displayed legitimately.

With the help of a specialist graffiti artist, a number of panels were created. Six 8 ft by 4 ft panels, the best of a dozen painted, will be displayed on the brick walls in Bells Hill Recreation ground for a limited period. Hopefully having legitimate graffiti will discourage further unsightly or abusive graffiti – it has worked in other locations!

The event also enabled the Neighbourhood Policing team to engage with local young people

in a positive environment, aiding their work in the community.

The event was a great success with 67 young people attending over both days.

Buckinghamshire Community Foundation, Thames Valley Police and South Bucks District Council provided funding.

The Stoke Poges School kindly allowed use of their field as a venue for the event and equip-ment including marquees, tables and chairs were kindly provided free of charge by the Parish Fete and St Andrew’s Church. Many other volunteers from NAG and the community generously gave their time to set up and/or run the project. Without their involvement, the event would not have been possible.

Barbara Davis, NAG member

Vote for Faster BroadbandBT is rolling out its ultra-fast, optical broadband service called Infinity. If you have a phone number starting 64 you are the lucky ones as the Farnham Common exchange is on the roll out plan for ‘Infinity’. If you live across the tracks of Bells Hill and a few places to the east or south, then we are likely to be in the dark ages for a long time yet! However, there is an opportunity to influence this. By voting on the Infinity website we might just be able to get numbers not beginning with 64 into the plan. If everyone in the parish who is online votes for Infinity, we could influence BT to provide it sooner. The web site is http://www.racetoinfinity.bt.com/home and to vote you need to click on the vote button. It will ask for a name and phone number and there is one of those codes to ensure that the voting is not done automatically.

Two participants work on their graffiti art.

Phot

o: B

arba

ra D

avis

9

BuchanansSolicitors

Buchanans Solicitors can assistwith all the above and more.

Buchanans Solicitors is afriendly,modern law firm whichoffers a broad range of servicesand aims to deliver clear advicepromptly and cost effectively.

Call us for a no obligations chaton 01628 810 707

Conveyancing | Commercial |Employment | Wills | Probate |Litigation | Elderly Client

4 Suffolk House,Wooburn Green,Buckinghamshire HP10 [email protected] www.buchanansonline.com

BuchanansSolicitors






BuchanansSolicitors






BuchanansSolicitors





4 Suffolk House,Wooburn Green,Buckinghamshire HP10 [email protected] www.buchanansonline.comRegulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority

10

Chairman’s LetterAs I mentioned in the autumn edition of Stoke Poges News, your Parish Council had reached its full compliment and I believed that the 13 councillors had the experience, skills and passion to make the Parish Council more effective. This has certainly proved the case. Please take a look at the range of initiatives that the councillors are undertaking shown on page 52.

By setting the Council the clear agenda of developing our village’s ‘community spirit’ and focusing our efforts on making things happen, we are starting to make progress, which is extremely encouraging. The level of energy coming from the Council is fantastic and the flow of new ideas and initiatives is almost non-stop. I would encourage anyone to get involved, particularly if you see something of interest to you and please get in contact to suggest any additional projects to us.

An important aspect of our role is preserving and

improving the quality of village life. Many of our aims are interdependent. For example, if we can make the village more attractive to families with younger children then we will have more children living within walking distance of the school, reducing the traffic congestion around Rogers Lane. Having attractive play equipment in our recs is an important part of the way forward and families will also welcome creating safer cycle routes in our parish with children. Likewise, the top priority for our new parish website is to promote the attractions of living in our village to house hunters.

From the Council’s existing budget we have found the money to invest in ‘Carols on the Green’ with the addition this year of both a tree and lights around the Village Centre, where the evening will take place. We have had some health and safety issues to overcome for Santa’s parade through the village, and this year you will see that the roads will be closed off and marshals present. There will be carols led by the vicar and mulled wine, as well as various Christmas stalls and Santa’s grotto for the children.

I am pleased to report that we have approved plans to invest in some additional equipment at both Bells Hill and Plough Lane recreation grounds. As well as replacing some unsafe items, we will be installing some new extra-wide pedestrian gates specially designed to enable wheelchair access; an additional bus shelter near to Bold's Court and subject to SBDC approval, a ramp to access the shops. All will be funded from the existing budget and reserves. The Council is also making contingency plans to implement the major play equipment project in 2011 at the Bells Hill Recreation Ground, should the government grant be withdrawn. We have also approved a budget from reserves so that we can upgrade some of the play equipment at Plough Lane.

We have been building stronger links with both County and District. We have requested a scheme to alleviate the terrible parking problems, which exist on Stoke Green near to the junction with Wexham Street, and to install vehicle activated speed signs. We are working with the

D&KPROPERTY MAINTENANCE

PLUMBING AND HEATING

BATHROOM INSTALLATIONS

WALL AND FLOOR TILING

PAINTING AND DECORATING

ROOFING AND GUTTERING

SOFFITS AND BARGEBOARDS REPLACED

FENCING

FREE ESTIMATES AND ADVICE

NO CALL OUT CHARGES

CALL DEAN OR KEVIN 24/7

T: 01753 650247

M: 0788 171 0080

24/7 LOCAL PLUMBING

AND HEATING

BURST PIPES, RADS, SHOWERS,

BATHROOM INSTALLATIONS,

IMMMERSION HEATERS, COLD TANKS, CYLINDERS,

THERMOSTATIC RAD VALVES,

SYSTEM UPDATES, AND ALL GENERAL PLUMBING

AND HEATING WORK

FREE ESTIMATES AND

ADVICE

NO CALL OUT CHARGES

T: 01753 650247

24/7 M: 0788-171-0080

11

Neighbourhood Action Group on siting them in the village. I am encouraged by the initial responses and there is every expectation that these two projects will happen.

At our last Parish Council meeting, PC Lou Sharples stressed that it is really important for villagers to telephone in reports of any suspicious or anti-social behaviour. All too often we assume that ‘someone else will report that’ and on that basis it doesn’t get called in. Please report anything to the 0845 8 505 505 number. It doesn’t matter if it is reported more than once; the police will attend to these calls. It also helps them to build up a fuller picture of the issues we face in the village.

We recently began a wonderful dialogue with the residents of Bold's Court, and that has led to a new initiative to increase the council’s provision for our older residents. We are coordinating with the other groups in the village as well as the village charities and we plan to launch a ‘Good Neighbours Scheme’ whereby we can match those needing assistance with volunteers who are willing and able to help. To understand how we can be more effective in this initiative the councillors will be hosting an afternoon tea for some of the parish’s older residents at Bold's Court in early December.

I hope to see as many of you as possible at ‘Carols on the Green’ on Friday 3 December.

Mark Fletcher

Safer Cycling Initiative

The Beeches Local Area Forum has set itself the goal of creating a network of safe cycle routes in the five parishes across the south of Buckinghamshire. The idea is to connect the Dorney rowing lake with Burnham Beeches and across Stoke Wood to Black Park.

If you are interested in helping the task group identify and develop cycle routes in our area please contact Julie Simmonds, our parish clerk.

Temporary Speed Warning SignsAmongst the many news releases received for publication was an item from Bucks County Council. They have bought two temporary speed indication signs, which are available to parishes for a two-week loan. These are the signs that display the speed of an oncoming vehicle. They have been highly effective in other parts of the county and many have been installed nearby.

Ralph Bagge raised this at the October meeting of the Parish Council and it was agreed to obtain two units, each for a period of two weeks, to be used on roads with known speeding problems – Bells Hill, Wexham Street, Park Road or West End Lane.

12

Initiatives supporting Older PeopleSeveral Parish Councillors have been representing Stoke Poges at meetings for all South Bucks parishes. We heard about a Good Neighbours scheme that is being funded in Iver and Burnham.

Its purpose is to identify people who would benefit from volunteer help, whether: a lift to a medical appointment; collecting prescriptions or shopping; or being taken to a social event. These needs are met by a group of volunteers who are willing to offer their time and some skills. A coordinator matches the needs with the offers of help and ensures everyone is included and involved. The South Bucks schemes are being piloted by Age Concern Bucks. However, our research has shown that in other parts of the country, parish councils have been successful setting up their own schemes.

It became apparent that this is an area of provision that has been neglected in Stoke Poges. At its October meeting, the Parish Council agreed to have a Spokesperson for Older People and Saera Carter was nominated.

It was also agreed to set up our own scheme, starting in the next financial year and to do further preparatory work. Our Good Neighbour Scheme

will also include disabled and vulnerable people. Saera Carter has been busy consulting with local volunteers and there are encouraging signs that volunteers from some of the existing groups in the parish can join together and achieve a lot.

Two related items that will benefit our older people were also agreed. The Parish Council will coordinate a project with the combined Lord Hastings Hospital Trust and Stoke Poges Relief in Need charities to supply low energy/high per-formance replacement light bulbs to parishioners who will benefit from reducing their electricity usage. It was agreed to provide a new bus shelter on Bells Hill opposite the Village Centre, in response to requests from Bold's Court residents.

Beeches Local Area Forum (LAF)The Beeches LAF met in September. It is a forum of county, district and parish councillors from the five parishes across the south of Buckinghamshire and members of the public are welcome to attend and participate.

The forum agreed that it has an important role in influencing Slough Borough Council so that Slough doesn’t adversely impact the parishes, particularly with traffic problems.

TemplewoodEstablished in 1973

Your local friendly builderAll types of building works undertaken

Telephone David Marriott on 01753 648332

13

There was unanimous agreement that Wexham Park Hospital parking was a big problem for all five parishes in the LAF because at some point most people will visit the hospital.

The forum set itself the following priorities:

• designating HGV routes to Slough Trading Estate to reduce congestion in the Farnhams

• a scheme to protect Stoke Green conservation area from hospital parking

• a scheme to prevent buses causing bottlenecks outside Burnham station

• creating safe cycle routes.

It was further agreed that the LAF should spend its delegated budget on its priorities.

The Parish Council voted unanimously to formally participate in the forum and councillors will be representing Stoke Poges at future meetings.

The Beeches LAF meetings are very informal and informative, the chairman involving everyone in discussions throughout. It provides a great oppor-tunity for County’s officers to hear grassroots views. The next meeting is at 7 pm, 1 December in the Huntercombe Room, Burnham Park. There will be a highways ‘drop-in’ from 6.30 pm.

Winter Roads InformationWhilst we all hope that we don’t have a repeat of last year’s harsh winter weather, it’s good to know that Bucks County Council has learnt from experience and made some big improvements to its gritting plans and information service.

Its dedicated website (www.transportforbucks.net) carries live updates and the winter maintenance page uses satellite technology to show the locations of gritting vehicles on a map display. You can also follow ‘tfbalerts’ on Twitter for the latest roads information.

The Village Centreat the heart of Stoke Poges

A range of accommodation is available for hire, at highly competitive prices,at The Village Centre including:

• Main Hall, with stage and kitchen facilities - ideal for parties, wedding receptions, functions, etc., as well as trade displays and sales• Ned Hartley Room, with integral private bar for adult parties in the Main Hall• The Harding Room for meetings of up to 30 people

Adjacent Car ParkingFull details on the Village Centre website

www.stoke-poges-centre.org.ukor contact Roger le Clercq – T: 01753 642250

A thriving Social Club meets every evening: membership is open to all local residents. Please pay us a visit!

Now

with air

conditioning

15

St Giles’ Women’s Fellowship

We meet on the first Monday of the month at 2 pm in the chapel at St Andrew's. We have speakers each month who give talks and slide shows on a variety of topics. Our meeting ends with a raffle and refreshments.

We also have an outing during the summer as well as a Garden Party in August. The year ends with our Christmas Anthology. Guests are welcome and pay £2 per visit. We are a very friendly group and you will be made very welcome. So feel free to come along to meet us. Our next meetings are:

Tuesday 7 December, 8 pm main hall, St Andrew’s – ‘Christmas Anthology’. A selection of festive poems, carol singing, fruit punch and mince pies.

Monday 17 January, 2 pm, chapel, St Andrew’s, AGM followed by Geoff Burnett on ‘Slides of the Seasons’.

Monday 7 February, 2 pm, chapel, St Andrew’s, Alan Jaycock speaking on ‘Hughenden to Hughenden’.

For further information contact Jane T: 645954, E: [email protected]

Parish Council Work ContractsStoke Poges Parish Council is responsible for maintaining the two recreation grounds and controlling weeds and hedges on a number of metalled footpaths in the parish.

Contractors based outside the parish currently do the work. At the October Council meeting it was agreed that similar businesses based within the parish should have the opportunity to tender for this work. If you are interested in submitting a quote for the year commencing April 2011, job specifications can be obtained from our parish clerk.

Threeways Surgery Following the retirement of Dr Susan Lynch on 1 October, Dr Rachel Pope has joined the Clinical Team at Threeways Surgery. Some patients may recall meeting Rachel when she worked with us in 2007 whilst Dr Brodie was on maternity leave. We also welcome Marie Pike as a new member of our Admin Team.

With winter again upon us, may we remind all patients over 65 and those with heart and chest problems and diabetes that they should have a flu injection. The injection will protect people from flu strains expected in the coming year, including swine flu.

At Christmas this year, we shall close early on the afternoon of Friday 24 December and reopen on Wednesday 29 December. We shall also close early on the afternoon of Friday 31 December for New Year and reopen on Tuesday 4 January. Please ensure you have enough routine medication for the holiday period. Should you need to access medical services whilst the sur-gery is closed, please call our usual telephone number and follow the instructions given to connect to either NHS Direct or East Berkshire Primary Care Out of Hours service or use the Walk-In Centre in Slough. A&E should only be used for injuries that may need stitching, x-rays or major medical emergencies. We wish you all a merry Christmas and a healthy 2011.

We would also like to remind patients that they can sign up for our text message reminder service and for access to online appointment booking and repeat prescription ordering. First you need to obtain a registration form and set up details from the surgery. Once you have done this you can log on to either www.patient.co.uk or www.threewayssurgery.co.uk. Click on the EMIS Access icon and set up your account.

16

Stoke Poges Men’s Group

Our 2011 schedule of events starts in the evening of Saturday 29 January with a return visit of the tank battle game TANX. We will be in teams of four (with each person operating a scale model WW2 Tiger 1 tank) playing this radio controlled tank battle game (the closest thing to driving a real tank into battle!). Each of the eight tanks has an infrared battle system for tank to tank combat and its own onboard computer- controlled sound system to reproduce the sounds and actions of a real tank.

The battle zone will be located in the new hall at St Andrew’s in Rogers Lane and the tank battle games will start at 7.30 pm. Do come and join us for this evening of fun, plus a tasty fish and chip supper.

Our following event will be a men’s breakfast at the Ethorpe Hotel in Gerrards Cross on Saturday

26 March. If you enjoy a full cooked breakfast (or even a healthy one if that is your preference!) then do come and join us. We will start gathering at the hotel at 8.15 am and will be finished by 10.15 am. More details of this event (with details of our speaker) will be posted on the Parish Church website in the coming months. To book a place at any of our events, contact Tony Shortman or Nigel Lowe.

Tony Shortman T: 01753 644691 or E: [email protected] Nigel Lowe T: 07973 349721 or E: [email protected]

Mother and Toddler at Rainbow Pre-SchoolOur mother and toddler group continues to run on Tuesday afternoons from 1.00 pm to 2.30 pm, term time only. We welcome all new parents and carers to join us for a slice of homemade cake with a cup of tea or coffee. No appointment required, just turn up. It is an excellent opportunity to meet new friends whilst allowing your child to play safely with all our equipment inside, or in our large outside garden area. Learning to ride bikes, scooters and coupe cars is fun, plus they can experience the thrill of digging whilst sitting in our outside sand pit.

If this is not enough they can access our two playhouses or simply just have a good run around on the grass or patio areas. Children always settle much quicker when they have attended mother and toddler, as they are familiar with the staff who run it, and the setting. It is the parents who get upset, as it is time to leave their children with us so we can do our job of teaching your child to be happy, independent and confident.

T: 01753 647572E: [email protected]: www.stokepogesrainbow.co.uk

Cheryl Fleetwood Manager

17

For enquiries or reservations please call 01753 717171

A festive menu will be served in our breath taking Dining Room throughout December.

Traditionally only our Members and Hotel Residents are able to take advantage of Chef’s delightful Christmas cooking but due to so many requests it will be open to all from

Wednesday 1st December until Thursday 23rd December

Monday to Saturday, 12.00pm to 2.30pm

A two course seasonal lunch will be served at £24.50 and a three course lunch at £29.50 per person

Christmas Sunday Lunch Open to all at Stoke Park

18

News from The Stoke Poges School

It’s a busy time of year in school. No sooner had the Harvest Festival songs been put away, our Christmas plans were set in motion.

We are looking forward to many performances in the next few weeks; KS 1 with their big Christmas production, Years 3 and 4 singing carols and Years 5 and 6 with the St Giles’ Carol Concert. This is now in its tenth year and promises to be better than ever. The choir is very excited to have been asked to sing at ‘Carols on the Green’ this year.

Events

The International Day of Peace occurs annually on 21 September. This is the second year that our children have each made a peace windmill to display in the school grounds for passers-by to admire, including personal messages from the children, prayers for peace and well-known anti-war slogans.

We had a whole school assembly, which included a medley of songs, specifically chosen for their lyrics: ‘Imagine’ by John Lennon; ‘Let there be peace on earth’ and an action-packed rendition of ‘A wonderful world’ by Louis Armstrong, per-formed by the choir.

Year 6 jumped at the opportunity to dress as flower children and many of them created ban-ners and posters demanding World Peace and an end to war.

We celebrated the Harvest Festival just before half term. It was special for Mrs Barton and her gardening team as the display included the pro-duce from our own garden for the first time. The amazing wheat sheaf was kindly provided by Sainsbury’s in Taplow. The children walked down to St Andrew’s, where they sang songs and read out their harvest-inspired readings and poems to parents. The retiring collection raised £340 for the Pakistan flood appeal.

In October we had a Golf Day to raise money for charity CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) and the Thames Valley Adventure Playground. Children dressed in golf-inspired clothes and had the opportunity to try their hand at golf activities. The total raised was £330.

We had a visit from the Animal Man, organised by the Friends of The Stoke Poges School. Pupils were surprised and amazed at the creatures that appeared from behind the screen, including a skunk, some owls, snakes and a meerkat. Some children got to touch the animals, and Lauren in year 3, whose birthday it was, got to have the meerkat stand up on her back. But it was only the brave staff that were allowed to hold the huge hairy spider!

Trips

We’ve been out and about this term. Trips includ-ed Year 2’s visit to The Museum of London to help with their topic, The Great Fire of London. Year 6 are studying the Second World War and visited the RAF Museum at Hendon.

Year 5 went to the Intech Science Centre and Planetarium near Winchester.

Year 3 are studying Roald Dahl, and they went to the Roald Dahl Gallery in Aylesbury as well as having an entertaining visit from the actor, Anthony Pedley. Year 4 know much more about the Romans after visiting Verulamium, St Albans.

Our display at our Harvest Festival Service.

Phot

o: J

Nol

epa

19

The choir went to a concert at the Albert Hall and the orchestra is due to visit the Schools’ Prom later in the term.

Sport

All the school teams are up and running. The Year 6 football team has had some early success. They played in two tournaments, playing ten matches, of which they won nine and drew one. They scored twenty-five goals and only conceded two. As a result of this fantastic victory, we have qualified for the county finals, which are to be played in January.

Music

On Monday afternoons, budding George Formbys can be heard practising in the school hall. This year, we have been given funding to teach all of Year 4 the ukelele! County has given us 30 brightly coloured instruments and a teacher. What a marvellous opportunity!

All our news can be found on the school website, along with photographs and reports written by the children.

W: www.thestokepogesschool.ik.org

Furze FieldObservers of parish matters will know that there has been long-standing dissatisfaction with the rubbish and gas cylinders dumped in this field. The Parish Council has been pressing South Bucks District Council (SBDC) to take action for some time.

In the summer an Enforcement Notice was served on the land, which has been ignored by the owner. The District Council now has the right to enter the field, clear it and charge the land-owner its costs.

SBDC’s October Environment policy group meeting was asked to authorise the cost of a contractor to clear the rubbish. However, it was not clear whether the contractor’s quote included clearing the rubbish from inside the corrugated metal structure, so the decision was deferred.

Cllr Bill Lidgate, the cabinet member responsible for Environment for South Bucks, has been invited to November’s Parish Council meeting to discuss this issue.

Bus number 53Your local bus service serving Wexham Park Hospital – Stoke Poges –

Farnham Royal – Burnham Grammar School – Maidenhead – Bracknell.

Operated by Thames Travel

Please contact us if you need travel on bus line 53, your comments or suggestions are always warmly welcomed.

www.thames-travel.co.uk

or call 01491 – 837988

20

a more beautiful you1A Winterbourne, Wexham Street,

Stoke Poges, Bucks SL3 6NT T: 01753 664166 E: [email protected]

www.hibiscus.me

beauty salon

beauty salon offering hairdressing, laser hair removal, thread veins & pigmentation,semi-permanent make-up, Mary Cohr facials & products, electrolysis, waxing, osteopathic treatment,manicure & pedicure, chiropody, holistic therapies plus a full range of beauty treatments and aloe vera products.

Hibiscus_210x148.indd 1 26/10/10 20:31:32

21

Bucks Home Library Service hosts Hughenden Thank YouOn a sunny Tuesday in September, the Bucks Home Library Service (HLS) held a meeting at Hughenden Manor, High Wycombe, to thank the many volunteers who help make the service a success. The Bucks HLS is run in partnership with WRVS (Women’s Royal Voluntary Service), to provide access to libraries for those people in the county who have difficulty accessing a library.

Anyone who is unable to get out and visit a library, whether due to illness, disability, age or caring full time, is eligible for this free service. A WRVS volunteer will be allocated to them, they choose the reading material and deliver it on a monthly basis, ensuring they spend some time with the housebound person as social contact is an important part of the service we provide.

The Tuesday morning event took place in the beautiful gardens of Hughenden Manor, thanks to the National Trust management who provided the venue, a great speaker and a tour of the Manor at the end of the meeting. The venue, informative speakers, home made cakes and house tour helped make the event special, gave the volunteers a chance to meet one another and enabled us to thank them for their work and dedication in ensuring that over 2000 items are delivered every month.

If you would like to join this merry band of volunteers please contact Hazel Clarke on 01296 387863 or [email protected].

If you would like to enjoy a friendly volunteer bringing the library service to you, in your own home, or you know of someone who would love to receive this wonderful FREE service, please contact the library service on T: 0845 2303232 or E: [email protected].

The Parish Clerk – Our Point of ContactJulie Simmonds has been our parish clerk for three years. Her official role is to make sure that council’s funds are looked after and properly accounted for and to produce agendas and records of all council meetings.

However, her work requires Julie to be in regular contact with officers at both district and county councils. That means that she invariably knows whom to call to get a problem resolved and probably has a good working relationship with them as well.

So if there is something involving ‘the council’ that you need help with, Julie is the ideal person to call first. She may be able to answer your question immediately or suggest whom to call. If she needs to make enquiries she will do so and contact you with an answer. She also knows the best way to escalate queries so that they can be dealt with satisfactorily.

Julie is in the parish office Mondays to Thursdays between 9.30 am and 2.30 pm.

HLS Reception at Hughenden Manor.

Phot

o: A

lan

Parr

y

22

Birds in Stoke PogesThanks for your replies to my last article and various bird sightings.

A resident of Vine Road reports seeing a variety of birds in the neighbouring fields – including bullfinches and long tailed tits. He also sent me a photo of a little owl which I reproduce here. What he really wants to take a photo of is a barn owl – any help?

A resident of Broom Hill showed me a record of the birds seen in her garden over the past three to four decades. The number of species totalled 45, not to mention six overflies. Can anyone beat that? Interesting ones in the list included yellow-hammer, linnet and spotted flycatcher.

A nightjar has been heard, but not seen, at the junction of Rogers Lane and Elizabeth Way. I believe Stoke Common is a common haunt of theirs? Any reports of this?

A lesser spotted woodpecker has been seen also in Rogers Lane as well as in Hollybush Hill. A flock of about 20 doves or pigeons was also seen – nothing unusual you might think – but all would go into a free-fall fluttery spin in turn and then rejoin the group.

As winter sets in, the search for food gets harder. Please keep the bird feeders and birdbaths replenished. If you are keen to see some of the more interesting birds, this will give you a big advantage. Redwing and fieldfare are regular winter visitors – the former especially are attracted by berries on bushes. Going by the number of berries in our garden, they won’t be going hungry this year!

Please let me know what you see. If you struggle to recognise a bird I will try to help.

Roger WrightT: 01753 642438E: [email protected]

A little owl near Brockenhurst Wood

Phot

o: B

arrie

Cou

rten

ay

23

Logs for Sale Quality dry logs. Come and choose your own

Leaf blowers, Garden vacs, Chain saws in

stock

Main and supplying dealers for

Countax, Stihl, Hayter, Echo & Lawnflite

PLUS

• SALES, SERVICE, REPAIRS AND SHARPENING

ON ALL MAKES AND TYPES OF GARDEN MACHINERY

• SPARE PARTS & ACCESSORIES, ENGINE OIL, 2-STROKE OIL

& CHAIN OIL

• FREE COLLECTION AND DELIVERY ON TRACTOR/RIDE-ON

SERVICES

• COLLECTION & DELIVERY SERVICE

• TRAILER HIRE AND SALES

• CALOR GAS STOCKiSTS

• ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED

• LARGE OFF STREET PARKING

Opening times:

8.00 to 5.30 Mon-Thurs. 8.00 to 5.00 Fri. 9 to 2.00 Sat.UNIT 1, PINEWOOD NURSERIES, WEXHAM STREET.

(Opp Wexham Park Hospital)Tel 01753 662309 Fax 01753 663219. www.wexhammowers.co.uk

24

Stoke Poges D of E Award GroupOur group hit the ground running at the start of this term with two groups of girls from Stoke Poges and surrounding villages travelling to the Peak District on 22 October to complete their Silver assessment expedition. We linked up with Dr Challoner’s High School in Little Chalfont to take silver participants to the Peaks with 26 participants in all. It was a pleasure to take them, as they were all fantastic and so was the weather!

We are looking forward to reading their projects and diaries, which will be on display at the Parish Council’s reception next year. Of course we must say a huge thank you to the leaders who went too: Richard Lawrence, Anne and Pete Milne, Vikki and John Ashton and Pam Lloyd.

Also we wish Charlotte Wells a speedy recovery from her broken collarbone, as she couldn’t join us this year. A place is reserved for you next year!

Earlier this year, 12 young people trained for their Bronze expedition, which they successfully completed in July. At this level there is far more training as many young people come to us with little or no knowledge of map reading, compass work, camping skills and first aid. Once again none of this would be possible without the leaders’ support and training expertise of Dave Shillabeer, Anne and Pete Milne, Richard Lawrence, Julia King, Mandy Harrod and Vikki Ashton.

Back in June we were once again asked to help at the village fete and I would like to thank all our young people who so kindly gave up their afternoon to support this yearly venture.

We started our new term in September and 12 young people came along interested in starting their Bronze Award. It’s really amazing that there are so many young people who are keen to do their award. Also we had some interest from the male section! At the moment we seem to have

more young ladies interested in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, so come on lads, I’m sure you all must have something to offer. The D of E is open to all between the ages of 14 and 25. More information from W: www.dofe.org.uk or contact Mandy Harrod.

In December we are looking forward to helping at the 'Carols on the Green', so we will see you there.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Mandy Harrod, T: 01753 662414 and Vikki Ashton

Nick Harrod, Hannah Church and Ross Matthews with their Gold Awards at St James’s Palace

25

The “All Sewn Up” Experience Provides:

• Personal and Friendly 1:1 Home Consultation Service, with flexible appointments to suit your needs

• Professional, Respectful and Friendly Advice

• Traditional and Quality Hand-Made Finishes

Whether you are looking to create a refined, elegant and classic interior or a more contemporary, innovative and individual style we can assist with your soft furnishing requirements. We specialise in custom-made, hand-sewn, lined or interlined curtains and blinds. We firmly believe that each home is as individual as its owners, and we will sympathetically listen to your needs to produce a bespoke project in

harmony with your lifestyle and budget.

To enjoy the “All Sewn Up Experience” in bespoke window

treatments, please email or telephone us with your details. We will be happy to discuss your requirements.

Bespoke, Curtains & Blinds

We are a small and friendly, family owned business based in Stoke Poges.

We offer two kinds of service for window treatments.

• Measuring and Fitting Service

• Home Consultation

Creative Interior Design • We can also help you

transform any room to your requirements, access to professional local craftsmen and trades people.

Tel: 01753 664 079www.allsewnupsoftfurnishings.co.uk

Email: [email protected] Box 4000, Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire, SL3 3GN

26

Vicar’s LetterThe story is told of a Native American village set in the shadow of a high mountain. Only the very strong or determined could climb it, so all the boys of the village were eager to try. One day the chief gave them permission. ‘You may try to climb the mountain’, he said. ‘Each of you go as far as you can. When you are too tired to go on, come back. But bring me a twig from the place where you turned back.’

Soon a rather overweight boy came puffing back. In his hand he held out to the chief a cactus leaf. The chief smiled. ‘My boy’, he said, ‘You did not even reach the foot of the mountain’. Later a second boy returned. He carried a twig of sage. ‘Well’, said the chief, ‘at least you reached the foot of the mountain’. The next boy to come back had in his hand a cotton twig. ‘Good’, said the chief. ‘You climbed as far as the springs’. Another boy came back with some thorn. ‘You, my boy’, he said ‘were really climbing. You were up to the first rock slide.’ An hour afterward, one boy came

back with a branch of pine. ‘Brilliant’, said the chief, ‘you made three quarters of the climb’.

But the sun was low in the sky when the last boy returned. His hands were empty, but his face was shining. He said, ‘Father, there were no trees where I was. I saw no twigs, but I saw a shining sea’. Now the old chief’s face glowed too. ‘I knew it’, he said. ‘When I looked at your face, I knew it; you have been to the top. You needed no twig to tell me. It is written in your eyes.’ ‘And so’, says the storyteller ‘it will be with you and me. When we climb to the top of the mountain, we will return with the joy of the Lord in our hearts and the radiance of God on our countenances’. In the words of the Psalmist, ‘Those who look to him are radiant’. (Psalm 34:5).

If a personal meeting with God were available for you at the top of Ben Nevis or Snowdon or Scafell Pike… how much would you want to climb it? How high would you get? Would you return with a radiant face? Would I? Now it may come as relief to some that we do not have to climb an

1st SundaySt. Giles’ 9.00am Communion ServiceSt. Andrew’s 10.30am All Age Service

2nd SundaySt. Giles’ 9.00am Communion ServiceSt. Andrew’s 10.30am Family Service*St. Giles’ 6.30pm Evensong

3rd SundaySt. Giles’ 9.00am Morning PrayerSt. Andrew’s 10.30am Family Communion Service*St. Giles’ 6.30pm Evensong

4th SundaySt. Giles’ 9.00am Morning PrayerSt. Andrew’s 10.30am Family Service*St. Giles’ 6.30pm Evensong Communion

5th Sunday (as 2nd Sunday)(*With Crèche and Junior Church)

CHRISTMAS 2010 SERVICESSunday 28th November

6.30pm at St. Giles’ The London Community Gospel Choir

Sunday 19th6.30pm at St. Giles’ Carols by Candlelight (a traditional service of nine lessons & carols)

Friday 24th Christmas Eve3.30pm at St. Giles’ Pre-School Carol Service5.30pm at St. Giles’ Family Carols by Candlelight 11.30pm at St. Giles’ Midnight Communion

Saturday 25th Christmas Day10.00am at St. Giles’ Family Communion Service

Sunday 26th Boxing Day9.00am at St. Giles’ Communion Service

PARISH OF STOKE POGES ST. GILES’ AND ST. ANDREW’S CHURCHThe service details below give our usual pattern but may be changed by seasonal specials.

For further information please refer to our website:- www.stokepogeschurch.org

Do contact the Vicar, Revd Harry Latham, on 01753 642261 or The Parish Administrator, Kate Holliday, on 01753 642331

St. Giles’ church is open from 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday-Saturday and from 8.30am to 7.30pm on Sunday.

St. Giles’ Church, Church Lane, Stoke Poges, SL2 4NZSt. Andrew’s Church, Rogers Lane, Stoke Poges, SL2 4LN

27

actual mountain to experience something of the presence of God. He is only a prayer away though mountains are a great place to pray, but he loves us to seek him with our whole hearts.

The story of the mountain is one that asks us really how hungry we are for a more tangible experience of God… but we do not need to elevate ourselves to experience his presence. This Christmas time we celebrate that in Jesus, God has come down to our level. The author has broken into the story of humanity as one of us. St Paul writes: 'When the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship’. (Galatians 4:4)

God’s humility in coming down to us is awesome. But even more amazing is his desire that we, his creatures, should become his sons and daughters. My favourite Christmas verse is this one: ‘to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God’. (John 1:12-13)

HAPPY CHRISTMAS from the Revd Harry Latham

Could you volunteer 10–15 hours a month to Bucks Vision?

Bucks Vision is the new name for BAB (Bucks Association for Blind and Partially Sighted People).

We are a registered charity providing services to anyone with sight loss in Bucks. We have a dedicated team of professional staff, a resource/training centre and an network of around 500 volunteers to support our visually impaired members.

Our South East Division covers: Gerrards Cross; Stoke Poges; Burnham; Taplow; Beaconsfield; the Farnhams; Denham and Iver. We have around 270 members. A local team of volunteers and drivers help to run two monthly social clubs along with other annual events.

Each area of our division has a volunteer Link Officer. It’s a key role involving liaison and interaction with members, other volunteers and drivers, staff in our Aylesbury HQ, the local social club organisers and our divisional committee.

We are currently seeking to recruit a volunteer Link Officer for the Stoke Poges area. We are looking for a caring, trustworthy and reliable individual; someone who would feel confident in phoning new members and visiting them in their homes on an occasional basis.

This volunteer role involves meeting each new member of Bucks Vision and making introductions to our Division and social club, outlining our services and providing relevant local information. A small amount of administration work is required to keep an up-to-date register of members in their area and to complete basic forms.

Link Officers are invited to attend the Divisional quarterly committee meetings and it is beneficial if they can help out at the monthly Stoke Poges social club but neither are a requirement for the role.

Candidates will need to provide references, be security cleared, and attend a volunteer training day in Aylesbury. They will be expected to attend update/training days held annually thereafter. Once in the post they will attend quarterly caseload meetings held locally, designed to provide support and advice on any member issues.

If you think you might be interested, or want to know a few more details, then please either phone Pam Warren M: 07774 660606 for a pre-liminary chat or E: [email protected]

SportS and HoliStic MaSSage tHerapiStMassages to promote relaxation and wellbeing

Melinda Swallow ITEC Diploma/Embody/CThA

Tel. 01753 642748 Also available for Mobile Manicures/Pedicures

28

Stoke Poges United CharityStoke Poges United Charity (SPUC) is a charity, set up to help people suffering hardship or distress or otherwise in need. Grants of money can be given to individuals or organisations set up to help groups of people. Help is restricted to people living in Stoke Poges plus parts of Slough adjoining the village north of the Bath Road A4, east of Farnham Road and west of Uxbridge Road including Manor Park, Stoke Wards, Upton Lea and Wexham Court.

If you are already receiving statutory benefits you may get additional help from SPUC if you need it. In fact, help cannot be given unless you have obtained all the relevant statutory benefits to which you are entitled. Help can still be given to people who are not entitled to statutory benefits if they have a need not covered by the statutory rules. Medical aids and appliances and services in the home should be requested from health and social services in the first instance.

The ways in which SPUC can help are wide and varied, providing there is a clear need, which is reasonable in the circumstances, taking into account any help available from other sources.

Ways in which SPUC can help

Grants of money to relieve sudden distress. Payment of travelling expenses for visiting people in hospitals and the like.Grants of money towards the cost of:* Providing items such as furniture, bedding,

clothing, fuel, heating appliances, washing machines and other household equipment

* Paying for services such as essential house repairs

* Providing facilities such as the supply of tools, equipment or books or payment of fees for instruction or examinations

* Adaptations to the homes of disabled people* Providing items such as medical or other aids,

nursing requisites, wheelchairs for disabled people

* Providing services in the home for disabled, handicapped or infirm people (including gardening)

* Providing facilities for disabled, handicapped or infirm people such as arrangements for a recuperative holiday or respite care to provide temporary relief for carers.

Enquiries about help should be made to:Mike Dier T: 01753 642886Trevor Egleton T: 01753 643330Susan Lynch T: 01753 646582

Stoke Poges and Wexham Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG)Over the last quarter Stoke Poges and Wexham NAG has been concerned with two main projects: the questionnaire seeking residents’ views on issues they have worries about and the Fusion Project, a youth event held in mid-August to attract youngsters to engage in positive activities with a view to reducing anti-social behaviour in the area.

Our NAG has been at work for nearly three years. In line with our constitution rules, we wanted to see whether the three topics that the parishes initially highlighted as important –anti-social behaviour, speeding and burglary, are still the worrying issues. 2500 questionnaires were sent out and Naomi Arnold’s email list was put to use to encourage replies. Fewer than 70 responses were received. Either residents feel pretty happy with the way the community is operating or people have just pulled up their drawbridges and are getting on with life!

From the replies we had, anti-social behaviour remains a concern, along with speeding and other highway issues. Burglary was not high-lighted as a major concern. The NAG has already decided that dealing with burglary is mainly a police issue, but one that we will continue to overview as we go forward. Parking was shown as a real issue, and we will add trying to improve this to our list.

29

There was a large number of comments that did not come within our remit. These have been forwarded to the parish councils and to South Bucks District Council and work on a number of these has started.

David Claydon, Chairman

The Bucks DebateBucks County Council has been running a public consultation over the summer to find out which services are valued and which might be cut. The results have now been published.

The services that are particularly valued are:

Highway maintenanceWinter maintenanceHousehold waste and recycling centresRecycling and compostingResidential and nursing careChild ProtectionRespite Care

Special educational needsFostering and adoptionServices for vulnerable people.

The services that could be cut were:

Economic developmentAssessment of people’s needsLocality servicesRoad safetyStreet lights.

The survey also identified five areas that communities could help deliver:

Rights of wayMobile librariesLibrariesCommunity safetyYouth clubs and activities.

Full details are available online at W: www.buckscc.gov.uk/bcc/about_your_council/bucksdebate_feed-back.page

Call Paul Webster on 07814 747221 E-mail [email protected]

DO YOU HAVE AN ANNOYING DRIPIN YOUR HOUSEHOLD?

Dr Tap Plumbing & Heating Services

Fully qualified and insured plumb-er available to remove drips, drops and other annoyances around your

house.

Boilers installed, serviced and repaired,

Landlord’s certificates issuedGas leaks fixed.

NO jObtOO SmALL

31

Allotments Expansion PlannedThe Parish Council has a waiting list for allotments. Its Recreation and Environment Committee considered options to expand the current allotments into neighbouring paddocks at Nettleship Wood (which is owned by the Council).

It was agreed to consult with the grazing tenant with a view to making changes in April 2011. An allowance for the cost of changes to fencing and providing additional standpipes will be made in next year’s budget.

Stoke Poges Bridge Club

Stoke Poges Bridge Club continues to thrive and we are now averaging six to seven tables each week. What better way to pass the time on a cold and/or wet afternoon!

Duplicate bridge is played in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and there are prizes for the winners. Computer-dealt hands are used which means paper copies of these are available immediately afterwards to work out what should have hap-pened! The results of each session appear on our website later the same day.

We indulged in some ‘après bridge’ recently with a ‘soirée’ of (gentle) eating and drinking at the Crown Inn, Farnham Royal, to celebrate summer-time. There were calls for another one in the not too distant future.

We have entered a team in a local league, which is being organised, by the newly formed Chesham and South Bucks Bridge Association (CASBBA) – to pit our wits against other local clubs. We may have played one or two matches by the time you read this.

The annual pairs cup competition is due to be held on Monday 15 November. And the Xmas party on 20 December.

The club meets at St Andrew’s Church Hall, Rogers Lane, each Monday from 1.30 pm to 5.00 pm. With or without a partner, players are most welcome.

For more information, please visit our website www.stokepogesbridgeclub.org.uk, ring 01753 642438 or email [email protected] or just turn up.

Roger Wright

Olympics 2012The Olympics are coming to South Bucks. Dorney Lake will be the venue for rowing and open water canoeing and kayaking events. South Bucks District Council is predicting significant commer-cial opportunities. It will fund training workshops to educate residents in how to take a business approach to offering bed and breakfast accom-modation to guests visiting the Olympics. More information will follow soon.

Graham WilliamsChauffeur Service

Postbox CottageVine Road

Stoke PogesSlough

Bucks SL2 4DW

Tel: 01753 663885Mobile: 07889 455994

32

Dates for your Diary

DECEMBER

Wednesday 1 Hedgerley Historical Society, ‘Frost, Freezes and Fairs’ - Ian Currie, Hedgerley Memorial Hall, 8 pm

Wednesday 1 Beeches Local Area Forum, Burnham Park, Burnham, 7 pm

Friday 3 Rainbow Christmas Nativity and Fayre, St Andrew’s Hall, 9.45 am

Friday 3 Carols on the Green, Village Centre, 6 pm

Saturday 4 Stoke Poges Singers, ‘Captain Noah and Friends’, St Andrew’s Hall, 7.30 pm

Monday 6 Stoke Poges Parish Council meet-ing, Lionel Rigby room, Village Centre, 8 pm

Tuesday 7 Women’s Fellowship, ‘Christmas Anthology’, St Andrew’s main hall, 8 pm

Wednesday 8 WI, ‘Traditional Costumes and Folklore of Christmas’ by Janet Deneen, Village Centre, 2.15 pm

Thursday 9 - Saturday 11 Stoke Poges Players, ‘Babes in the

Wood’, Village Centre, 8 pm (and 2 pm on Saturday)

Tuesday 14 Photographic Club, ‘The art of Off-Camera Flash’ by Quoc-Huy Nguyen Dinh, Village Centre, 8pm

Wednesday 15 Festival of Lights, Beaconsfield, 6 pm

Thursday 16 Stoke Poges Society, ‘What Christmas Means to the English’ -

St Andrew’s main hall, 7.45 pm

JANUARY

Thursday 6 Stoke Poges Singers, rehearsals start, St Andrew’s, 8 pm

Saturday 8 Friends of Stoke Common, Heathland restoration on East Common, 10 am, opposite the Pickeridge

Monday 10 Stoke Poges Parish Council meeting, Lionel Rigby room, Village Centre, 8 pm

Tuesday 11 Photographic Club, ‘Points of View’ by Chris Palmer, Village Centre, 8 pm

Wednesday 12 WI, ‘Thomas Gray’ by Roger Askew, Village Centre, 2.15 pm

Monday 17 Women’s Fellowship, AGM and ‘Slides of the Seasons’ by Geoff Burnett, St Andrew’s chapel, 2 pm

Wednesday 19 Hedgerley Historical Society, ‘Pictures from Langley’s Past’ - Tony Pilmer, Hedgerley Memorial Hall, 8 pm

Tuesday 25 Photographic Club, ‘Water on the Lens’ by Phoebe Rudomino, Village Centre, 8 pm

Saturday 29 SP Men’s Group, TANX tank battle game, St Andrew’s new hall, 7.30 pm

Beaconsfield Festival of LightsThis years Festival of Lights will be held in Beaconsfield on Wednesday 15 December from 6 pm. This year, South Bucks District Council’s arts team has been working with local schools and a team of professional artists to create fabulous lanterns, which incorporate the traditional Christmas spirit. Candy cane, Christmas crackers, stockings and much more will be a part of the fabulous parade, so come along and join in the fun!

Dates for your Diary

33

FEBRUARY

Saturday 5 Friends of Stoke Common, Heathland restoration on West Common, 10 am, opposite the Pickeridge

Monday 7 Women’s Fellowship, ‘Hughenden to Hughenden’ by Alan Jaycock,

St Andrew’s chapel, 2 pmWednesday 9 WI, ‘The Cathedrals of Britain’

by Barbara Askew, Village Centre, 2.15 pm

Monday 14 Stoke Poges Parish Council meeting, Lionel Rigby room, Village Centre, 7.30 pm

Tuesday 15 Stoke Poges Society, ‘An Evening at Stoke Park’, Stoke Park, 7.30 pm

Wednesday 16 Hedgerley Historical Society, ‘Beaconsfield and the Waller Family’ - Julian Hunt, Hedgerley Memorial Hall, 8 pm

MARCH

Wednesday 2 Beeches LAF, Huntercombe Room, Burnham Park, 7 pm

Saturday 5 Friends of Stoke Common, Creating a glade on Main Common, 10 am, opposite the Pickeridge

The Forget-Me-Not Club meets every Thursday in the Village Hall Social Club at 2 pm.

Coffee Friday is a social gathering for senior parishioners, held every Friday in St Andrew’s

coffee shop at 10 am.

34

The Stoke Poges Society

Visit to Eton College Library

A group of 25 Society members were welcomed by Rachel Bond, the College Librarian, who it turned out appropriately was an authority on 18th century literature, since we were there particularly to see items from their Thomas Gray archive. Thomas Gray was a pupil at Eton from 1725, where two of his uncles were masters. While there he formed a strong friendship with three like-minded friends, Thomas Ashton, Richard West and, most importantly, Horace Walpole. They called themselves the Quadruple Alliance, and pursued literary rather than sporting interests.

Rachel Bond introduced the afternoon visit by giving us a brief history of the library from its beginnings in 1440 when King Henry VI founded the College. It was then a private resource of theological works for the sole use of the Provost, and inaccessible to anyone else. Even by the early 20th century it was very difficult to get access. Now it is only open for research or to special interest groups, such as ours.

In the 18th century the collection of books increased both in size and scope, with growing emphasis on the classics, Latin and Greek history and literature, the staple diet of education at the time. This resulted in the provision of specially built rooms which could accommodate about 5000 volumes, all chained, of course. By the end of the century it was full and any further development ceased for about 200 years.

After a revival in the 1960s, the library has now over 150,000 items, and not only books and manuscripts, but an important collection of watercolours, busts, and other memorabilia, even locks of hair – many of them donated by past scholars of the College. Some of the priceless treasures that we were able to see included their oldest item, a 10th century book, a Gutenberg Bible in its original binding, a copy of Shakespeare’s First Folio, the Eton Choir Book which is the most

important source of 15th and early 16th century choral music, and of course, the original manu-script of Gray’s Elegy, which is where we came in!

Rachel gave us a brief biography of Thomas Gray as represented in the library’s collection. She had gone to a lot of trouble to assemble many rele-vant items, letters between Gray and his other Eton friends, including Horace Walpole who was instrumental in getting the Elegy published in 1751. See later for details of a related lecture on Horace Walpole’s Cat; and interesting editions of the Elegy, including ones with illustrations by William Blake and Salvador Dali; and Gray’s own journal which revealed his interest in and acute observation of the natural world.

It was a fascinating afternoon, and we felt privi-leged to have been allowed this special access.

Our next event is a lecture to be given on Wednesday 24 November at 7.45 pm by Professor Sir Christopher Frayling who will be delivering his lecture on ‘Horace Walpole’s Cat’. Professor Frayling, former Rector of the Royal College of Art, was until January this year Chairman of the Arts Council.

Knighted in 2001 for Services to Art and Design Education – he chose as his motto, ‘Perge scelus mihi diem perficias’ which he suggested could be loosely translated as Clint Eastwood character Harry Callahan’s watchword, ‘Go ahead, punk, make my day!’ He is a frequent broadcaster on radio and TV and an expert on spaghetti westerns!Horace Walpole was one of the Quadruple Alliance. Gray was invited by the young Walpole, son of the Prime Minister, Robert Walpole, to accompany him on his Grand Tour of Europe. Despite a famous falling-out between the two young men, Gray and Walpole did remain friends. Walpole had a cat, Selima, who unfortunately

Horace Walpole

35

drowned in a bowl of goldfish. Gray wrote a famous mock-heroic poem, Ode on the Death of a Favourite Cat on the subject, and it is that which will be the subject of Professor Frayling’s lecture. We are privileged to have such a distinguished figure as a lecturer. We are also very lucky that Hitachi Data Systems are kindly allow-ing the lecture to take place in Sefton Park, SL2 4HD. As well as being a most entertaining lecture, this will be a rare opportunity to be allowed inside one of the more important buildings in the village. The lecture will be free to members, though non-members are very welcome at a charge of £2. Further details will be available via the usual Society emails.

Our Christmas event will take place on Thursday 16 December (please note the change of date), and will include a celebration of ‘What Christmas Means to the English’, and some delicious sea-sonal fare. The event is free to members (non-members very welcome at £2 per head). This will take place in St. Andrew’s Main Hall.

DAIR HOUSE SCHOOLFARNHAM ROYAL

Prospective parents are welcome to visit at any time, please call 01753 643964 www.dairhouse.co.ukBeaconsfield Road, Farnham Royal, Bucks, SL2 3BY

Dair House is a 3–11 year old co-educational independent preparatory school.

We pride ourselves on excellent teaching and pastoral care, small classes and individual attention.

Tom Caldecourt

It is with regret that we record the sad loss of Tom Caldecourt of Vine Road,

who passed away on Saturday 16 October.

Tom was literally at the heart of village life when he kept one of the original shops.

His ability to supply whatever his customers wanted within 24 hours was legendary.

On behalf of everyone in the village, we extend our sincere condolences to Tom’s widow Shirley and family.

t

t

36

Stoke Poges Forget-Me-Not ClubWe will be celebrating our 65th birthday next year! That is quite a landmark, is it not? I can hardly believe that this club has been running in the village for so long. It must have started a year after the end of World War 2, and certainly seems to have fulfilled a need for people in the village at that time. It seems that until possibly twenty years ago, whenever a villager retired, he and his wife would join the club and spend Thursday afternoons down at the Village Centre playing cards with friends and neighbours.

However, that custom would appear to have come to an end and people of early retirement age have not been joining the club. We have also failed to attract other older village residents and sadly membership is in decline.

If the club is to continue we need new blood and maybe a change of philosophy. AND we need you to tell us what you want and what you think might work, if we are to continue.

We have a core of volunteers who are prepared to meet once a week and offer a service for

lonely and isolated villagers. However, we need you to come forward and tell us what you might need.

Perhaps playing cards is ‘old-fashioned’ now. But it is important that we keep up our relationships and meet others on a regular basis. This helps us to maintain healthy bodies, and maybe more importantly healthy minds.

So – we meet in the Clubroom at the Village Centre every Thursday at 2 pm until 4 pm. You are most welcome. We organise Christmas celebra-tions, a spring lunch and occasionally use dona-tions for outings.

If this is not ‘your thing’, please let us know what it is you would like to do. If you are reading this and you think you know what elderly people might appreciate doing socially, let us know! We are looking for IDEAS – the more the better and innovative ideas that we may not have even thought of.

We want to create a network of support and interest for the elderly in this village and we are asking for your help. If you have an elderly neigh-bour, please talk with them about the club. We will go on as long as we can, but without new

Plumbing & Heating

01753 643554www.nsrplumbingandheating.co.uk

RegisteredPlumber

BathRoom ReFuRBiShmentBoiLeR inStaLLationSundeRFLooR heating

CentRaL heating PoWeRFLuSh

37

members or a new format we are going to have to finish. Those who care passionately about making a difference for our elderly friends don’t want that to happen!

If you want further details or have any ideas, please phone Hazel Dier T: 642886 or Thelma Gillham T: 644473.

Hedgerley Historical Society - Frost Freezes and FairsTV weatherman Ian Currie is giving an illustrated talk at Hedgerley Memorial Hall at 8 pm on Wednesday 1 December.

Ian Currie has written a number of books on the weather including Red Sky at Night, a compendi-um of weather sayings, which explains the reli-ability or otherwise of over 150 adages. He is the author of I Spy Weather. Ian is also a regular on television and radio, talking about the weather on The One Show and Country File on BBC TV and has been a guest on BBC Radio 4 Midweek.

Ian’s most recent book is called Frosts, Freezes and Fairs and it chronicles all the great winters of the past when the Thames and Medway froze and

magnificent fairs and carnivals were held on the ice. He gave a series of lectures at Somerset House, London about `Frost Fairs’ and made a programme in December 2008 for BBC Radio 4 on the subject. Ian’s presentation includes:

* All the great freezes of the past 1000 years start-ing with the 1092/93 winter. 200 horse and carriages could cross the congealed rivers.

* The great 1683/84 winter when the Thames was frozen for ten weeks and Charles II accompanied by the Royal household visited the famous Thames Fair.

* The Brutal Frost of 1739/40 when a temperature of minus 12C was accompanied by a wind of 50 to 60 mph and rivers such as the Thames froze in three days.

* The last great London Frost Fair of 1814 where one could buy a piece of `Lapland mutton’ that was roasted over a spit upon the river Thames.

* The Great Blizzard of 1881 when immense 10 feet drifts blocked London’s Oxford Street.

Visitors welcome Seasonal refreshments Further details from John Lovelock T: 01753 647187

NIGEL A ARCHIBALD

CHARTERED PHYSIOTHERAPIST

M.C.S.P.

South Lodge ConSuLtingWexham Park01753 516611

7.30amtiLL Late

SportS InjurIeS / back problemSacupuncture / profeSSIonal advIce

38

Village Fete 2010 UpdateThe deadline for requests for a donation from this year's Village Fete funds closed on 31 October. We received requests from: Rainbow Preschool for equipment; Bold's Court for a Christmas meal and a donation towards funds; D of E for expedition equipment; Friends of The Stoke Poges School for outdoor equipment; Stoke Poges Parish Council for community events and Sunshine for a sand box.

The 1st Stoke Poges Air Scouts have requested a donation towards equipment and more impor-tantly for money towards their plans for a new scout hut. They are looking to find new accom-modation due to the recent changes at St Andrew’s. We would like to help them all in part, if not in full.

Many thanks to everyone who helped organise and run this year’s fete and especially to all who attended and made all the hard work worthwhile.

I thought this year’s event had a superb atmosphere and was great fun.

I’ve already had some ideas for next years fete, to be held on 12 June. There are three themes that I am toying with and could possibly use all of them. They all happened 100 years ago in 1911. For the main theme, the Titanic was built, launched and sunk. For a children’s theme, Rev W. Awdry (author and creator of Thomas the Tank Engine) was born and it is the hundredth anniversary of the first Monte Carlo Rally, which could be the theme for the car show.

If you have any ideas or would like to run a stall, take part or help organise the next Village Fete please get in touch with me. E: [email protected] or [email protected] or M: 07963 627805.

Martin Wood

39

Rainbow Pre-SchoolAutumn term began by welcoming lots of new children starting at Rainbow. We worked with colour, shape and numbers one to five for the first few weeks. With excellent weather we were able to expand the children’s knowledge of the world around us.

We explored the surrounding woodland and fields, close to the Rainbow setting, looking for signs of autumn. Each child made a basket to collect their finds of conkers, leaves, acorns, cones, etc. The children also observed from a distance various varieties of fungi growing freely in their natural environment.

Armed with our collections/findings we set to work building them into our theme of colour, shape and numbers. This was further extended by sorting, printing, weighing, matching, rubbing, painting and glueing.

We transformed the home corner into a green grocery shop by filling it with real fruit and veg-etables to get the children to feel and explore the textures of all the different varieties. By the end of the week they had broadened their knowledge especially with the vegetables. We did not let all the vegetables go to waste either as we made a very tasty vegetable soup for all to enjoy.

During October a new committee was elected at the annual AGM with many of the new parents wishing to get involved in their children’s pre-school by offering their time and commitment. A big thank you to the old committee and we look forward to working with newly elected parents.

We celebrated several festivals during this term, namely Eid and Diwali. The children enjoyed making diva lamps, tasting some food and drinks, and having henna shapes painted onto their hands. We all dressed up in our fancy dress clothes, all week, for our cultural/seasonal party to mark the end of half term.

In November the children enjoyed hot jacket potatoes with sausages, while singing songs

around the campfire, and watching multi- changing coloured sparklers from a distance.

Within the Rainbow setting the children are also preparing for Christmas by making cards, tree decorations, calendars and gifts to take home. Practices are well under way for our Christmas Nativity, which involves every child who attends Rainbow Pre-School.

The children will be performing at St Andrew’s Hall in Rogers Lane on Friday 3 December. Rainbow will also be holding a Christmas Fayre alongside the nativity for all to come along and enjoy from 9.45 am – 12 noon, with home-made gifts and cakes, raffle, tombolas and refreshments available throughout.

Rainbow can be contacted anytime. Please call for a reservation form and prospectus or an informative chat with a play leader.

Finally, the term will be ending with a Christmas party, an entertainer and a visit from Father Christmas. May we take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

T: 01753 647572 M: 07889 980570E: [email protected]: www.stokepogesrainbow.co.uk

Cheryl Fleetwood, Manager

Farnham Home ServicesChatterings. Christmas Lane.

Farnham Common. Buckinghamshire SL2 3JF.Telephone: (01753) 644992

HOME AND PET SITTING SERVICEAre you going away on holiday?

Or just a weekend, or even a day, and worried about the security of your home, and the care

of your pets in your absence?

Contact us • Impeccable References

40

Sports Development News

Young People

MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do it!)The Sports Development Team run regular FREE programmes for children aged 7–13 years who are over their ideal weight. Sessions are provided by a nutritionist (selected by the NHS) and a qualified physical exercise provider.

The next 10-week course will take place in Beaconsfield, starting in February. Children attend with a parent or guardian and the sessions are twice weekly (usually Tuesday 5 pm to 7 pm and Thursday 5 pm to 6 pm). For further details about this innovative course contact Joe Sammon, T: 01895 837348 or E: [email protected]

February Half Term Activities (21-25 February 2011)

Look out for activities taking place during the February half term week. Details will be published on the leisure section of the Council’s website when confirmed, visit www.southbucks.gov.uk.

Junior NetballSet to start in February 2011, a weekly junior netball session will take place at Evreham Sports Centre on a Monday evening. Details are yet to be confirmed, but please contact the sports development team if you would like your child to attend.

Brazilian FootballPreviously run by the District Council, Brazilian Football has restarted on Wednesday and Thursday evenings at the Teikyo School on Framewood Road, provided by Tom Hogan of Brazilian Soccer Schools. For details call Tom on 07748 954862.

Disability SportThe Sports Development Team offers a pathway of multi-sports for people with a disability, for young people aged 7–17 years, through to adults. The three clubs detailed below cater for young people with both learning and/or physical disabilities:

Rockets Junior ClubAges: 7 to 11 yearsDay: Friday 5 pm to 6 pm (term time)Venue: The Beacon Centre, Holtspur Way,

Holtspur, Beaconsfield, HP9 1RJ Price: £2 per session

Burnham Multi-Sport Disability ClubAges: 12 to 17 yearsDay: Wednesday 4.30 pm to 6.00 pm (term

time)Venue: Burnham Upper School, Hogfair Lane,

Burnham, Bucks, SL1 7LZPrice: £2 per session

Get Active for AdultsAges: 18+Day: Wednesdays, 11.15 am to 12.15 pm

(term time)

41

Venue: Evreham Sports Centre, Swallow Street, Iver, SL0 0HS

Price: £2 per session

Please call before attending any club in order to discuss the level of care required for the individual.

Adults

Reactivate South Bucks – Offering adults the chance to try new activities and get active!

A variety of NEW activities for adults are set to start in February 2011, specifically aiming at beginners and those returning to a sport they may not have played for many years. These new activities are being offered by the Sports Development Team in partnership with Nexus Community as part of the Reactivate Bucks campaign, with the aim of increasing the number of adults taking part in regular sport and physical activity across the district and county.

The NEW activities set to run within South Bucks include 10-week Beginners’ Golf and Return to Golf courses at The Lanes Golf Course and Driving Range (Stoke Poges) and Back to Netball sessions at Evreham Sports Centre in Iver. These new activities will be accompanied by the continuation of jogging in Beaconsfield and net-ball in Burnham, amongst many other activities run by providers across the county. If you think you may be interested, please look out for dates coming soon to the Reactivate Bucks website: www.reactivatebucks.org or call the Sports Development Team directly.

To book or for further information regarding any of the activities and events organised by the Sports Development Team, please call T: 01895 837255 or E: [email protected]

Have you

Made Your Will?

Your Willin the Privacy

and Comfort ofYour Own Home.

From £39.95*+ VAT (£46.95)

*our standard single will

“Our Professional friendly staffwill come to your home

at a time to suit you”

Lasting Power of Attorney: Property Trusts

Children's Trusts: Executor Support:

Help Protect Your Home from Care Fees!

Contact us TODAY for free INFO PACK

0845 056 [email protected]

www.inhomewills.co.uk/don.madden

24Hrs / 7days a Week

In-Home Legal ServicesMember of the Society of Will Writers

In-house Specialist Solicitor

WINTER 10 Base SPN 2/11/10 09:53 Page 39

42

Stoke Poges, Wexham & Fulmer Horticultural Society As we look forward to 2011 here are some important dates for your diary. The Society’s Annual Flower Show will be held on Saturday 30 July at The Stoke Poges School. The ever-popular Annual Plant Sale held each year at The Village Centre is later in 2011 because Easter is very late. Also, being later, everyone can go home and put the plants purchased straight into the ground (with any luck!). The date to remember is Saturday 7 May. The Spring Social Evening is on Wednesday 16 March at 8 pm at Stoke Poges School. As is customary there will be a table show, a raffle and a buffet supper. There will be an illustrated talk on Wildlife in Kenya presented by Ron Teague. Our Lecture Programme for 2011 is being organised and is as follows. These events are held on Wednesday evenings at The Stoke Poges School at 8 pm. Wednesday 11 May – Flora and Fauna of Costa Rica presented by Rev. Ken Tombs

Wednesday 8 June – Speaker to be confirmed Wednesday 14 September – Speaker to be confirmed Wednesday 12 October – London 2012 Olympics presented by Sally Botwright Members and non-members are welcome. For £6, or £8 for two members from the same household, you can become a member of the society. This entitles you to free admission to the show and to a copy of the schedule. Apply for membership by contacting the Membership Secretary, Peter Montgomery, T: 01753 643384 or E: [email protected] For further information visit our website at www.hortsoc.org

The Friends of Stoke Common The latter end of September and October gave some good weather, allowing us to carry out essential work on the Common.

On 4 August we conducted our bat and moth evening as part of our ongoing survey of the flora

VILLAGE ELECTRICALELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR

Domestic • Industrial • Commercial Installations House Rewires • Fuseboard Upgrades • Security Lighting

Fire Alarms • Emergency Lighting • Test and Inspection reports Work carried out to the 17th Edition Wiring Regulations BS7671

Part P Registered for Building Control

Contact John Croly2 Broom Hill, Stoke Poges, Bucks SL2 4PUTel: 01753 662595 Mobile: 07788 742163

Email: [email protected]

43

and fauna found on Stoke Common. In addition to our regular volunteers, we had lots of new interest. We hope that our visitors enjoyed the event and join us again in future!

On 7 August, at Burnham Beeches, we did vari-ous tasks whilst exploring this most interesting location. For those brave enough to take a look, creepy crawlies were displayed at the Burnham Beeches Information Centre.

Our flora and fauna survey continued on 4 September, with a reptile survey. This well attend-ed event produced some interesting specimens, although not for the faint-hearted!

On 18 September we began our autumn and winter task of birch clearance on Stoke Common. Making a start on West Common, with the inten-tion of moving to the Main Common in October, we cleared a significant area to promote new growth of species struggling to survive on this heathland.

On 2 October we continued our birch clearance plan on Main Common, putting the cut trees to good use by building a hibernaculum. The pur-pose of this structure is to provide a safe, dry area for our reptiles and amphibians to use when the Common floods during the winter.

On 30 October we had some fun with the material we had cut, by making witches broomsticks. We were very busy all day, with lots of enthusiastic apprentice broom-makers!

At this juncture, I would like to assure you that we are respectful of trees, however, for your heathland to flourish, the area has to be man-aged.

Our programme from December 2010 until April 2011 inclusive follows:

Saturday 8 January 2011. Heathland Restoration on the East Common.

Saturday 5 February 2011. Continuing Heathland Restoration on West Common.

Saturday 5 March 2011. We will be creating a glade on the Main Common. Our work will produce material useful for pea-sticks. All volunteers on the day will be able to take a few home for their gardens, allotments, etc.

Saturday 2 April 2011. We are planning a spring clean involving litter picking, fishing articles out of ditches, hollows in the woodland, etc.

The meeting point for all our activities is at the gate opposite the Pickeridge on Stoke Common Road, Stoke Poges.

Volunteer events start at 10.00 am and finish at 3.30 pm. However, there is no problem if you are only able to manage a few hours. If coming for the whole day, bring a packed lunch. The group leaders provide tea, coffee and biscuits.

Wear suitable clothing and sturdy footwear; we recommend boots, long sleeves and trousers. Waterproofs are recommended in case of wet weather. Gloves, safety equipment and tools are provided. We ensure all volunteers are trained in the safe use of tools and equipment, however, if you prefer not to work with tools, we always need people to help clear cut trees or bracken for the bonfire, and to keep the hot drinks and biscuits flowing on a chilly day!

An adult must accompany those under the age of 16. 16 and 17 year olds require parental consent.

All events and activities are subject to change. However, our aim is for you to enjoy working with a great group of volunteers in, we think, an amazing location. We invite you to come along and judge for yourself!

For further information, or to book a place on one of our special events, please call Debbie on M: 07912 731500 or E: [email protected] W: www.friendsofstokecommon.co.uk

Debora Armstrong, Committee Secretary of the Friends of Stoke Common

45

Stoke Poges Singers

On 2 October the Phil Astles blues band played at a jazz evening hosted by the Singers. Visitors enjoyed some lively music and a tasty supper.

Saturday 4 December Concert

'Captain Noah and his Friends’

Make a note in your diary to come to this concert, which is suitable for all ages. The programme includes ‘Captain Noah and his float-ing Zoo’ and ‘Jonah-Man Jazz’. Proceeds will go to ‘Save a Child’s Heart’.

Venue: St Andrew’s HallStart time: 7.30 pmTickets: adults £8, children £4. To include tea and mince pies.Available at the door or from Naomi M: 07831 217575 or Cheryl T: 01753 655682

6 January 2011. Start of rehearsals

Stoke Poges Singers are a friendly four-part choir with about 40 members and the

motto ‘Singing for pleasure’. We perform a minimum of three concerts a year, one of which is usually a religious work, performed in St Giles’

Church.

Our repertoire ranges from Haydn, Karl Jenkins and Puccini to Gilbert and Sullivan and songs from musicals and films. Our conductor, Graham Roitt, a member of the Association of British Choral Directors, is now in his ninth year with the choir.

New members are always welcome and there are no auditions. The ability to read music, although an asset, is not essential. There are opportunities for solo work for more accomplished singers. Rehearsals are held every Thursday between 8 pm and 10 pm at St Andrew’s Centre, Rogers Lane, Stoke Poges. If you are interested in joining, come along on any rehearsal night or contact Naomi or Cheryl at the numbers given opposite.

E: [email protected]: www.stoke-poges-singers.org.uk

Acupuncture • Musculo-skeletal medicine • Complementary therapiesSpecialising in chronic fatigue syndrome, M.E. and fibromyalgia.

Courses in yoga and meditation.

HOCKLEY CORNER HOLISTIC CLINICFarthing Green Lane, Stoke Poges, SL2 4FEe.mail: [email protected]

www.hockleycorner.co.uk

For appointments (day and evening available) or further information call

01753 663480Dr Alastair Reece

MB. Ch.B MSc. D.C.M. (Beijing) Dip.Med.Ac.Recognised provider of acupuncture by BUPA, PPP etc.

46

Stoke Poges Photographic ClubThe Club has successfully moved into the main hall at the Village Centre and changed the evening on which it meets from Thursday to Tuesday at 8 pm. The change in venue has enabled the club to accommodate all the people who were on the waiting list. Because of the change in venue, if anyone else is still interested in joining there are still a few vacant places available.

The general outline of the programme for this year remains very similar to previous years, with a mixture of competition between members and against other clubs in the area, lectures, talks and evenings when members do their own presenta-tions.

The increase in membership has enabled the club to be more ambitious with some of the events. The most noticeable change so far has been the inclusion of a talk held on 12 October by Chris Steel-Perkins, a member of the Magnum photographic group, which is an elite group of

photographers. His recently published book, England, My England contains some of the famous pictures from his previous books like The Teds and Northern Exposures as well as being made up of a brilliant variety of new pictures, some personal, which captures moments of time in perfect detail.

Other noticeable events include a lecture to be held on 14 December by Quoc-Huy Nguyen Dinh entitled The art of Off-Camera Flash. Forthcoming events are a talk by Chris Palmer entitled Points of View and Water on the Lens by Phoebe Rudomino, which are programmed in the new year on 11 and 25 January.

Last year the club was very successful with inter-club competitions. The quality of output is reflected in the truly excellent year-book, which demonstrates the scope and range of photographs submitted by members. Whilst it is still too early in the season to predict the outcome of any external event, the indications so far are that the quality of the work of members is well up to the standard of last year.

Nonetheless, the club is still keen to cater for people with all levels of

photographic skills and all types of cameras, be it the most expensive to the simplest. Just to prove this point, one of the competitions this year is for pictures taken on disposable film cameras, which have been generously donated, to the club by Tesco, for which we are most grateful.

For further information regarding the club see our website W: www.stokepogesphotoclub.co.uk or contact Sue Avey M: 07884 173214 or Jim Williams M: 07759 300747

Falling Snow by Jean Porter

47

Templewood Security Systems LTD

Templewood Security Systems LTD

Established in Farnham Common since 1990.A friendly LOCAL business with 20 years

of experience.

• Intruder alarms specialist

• For all your installation requirements and local servicing

• Insurance approved

• Red Care monitored systems

• 24 hour call outs

• Free estimates and advice

Call: 01753 648330Web: www.templewood.co.uk

E-mail: [email protected]

NACOSS

GOLD

48

Stoke Poges Football Club The start of the 2010-11 season was a rocky one to say the least. It seemed that many of the players who have been associated with Stoke Poges FC for some years were suddenly being asked by their employers to work more hours due to the recession (i.e. Saturdays). This caused a very disjointed pre-season training schedule and only one pre-season match.

The pre-season match was against our old adversaries Burnham United whom we had never beaten. Amazingly on the day, many of our regular players and some new youngsters from Stoke Poges were available and the end result was a fantastic 3-0 victory for Stoke Poges FC.

With players only being able to commit two or three times every month due to work commit-ments, the club decided to enrol some younger players from the village. During the summer the football club assisted with the local police game against the youngsters of Stoke Poges and George Green. After the game four of the youngsters decided that they would come down and join the club in an effort to get fit.

I am happy to report that all of these players are still with the club and are learning extremely fast. All of them have made their maiden appearances in senior football after only a few weeks of the new season. More importantly, all of the younger players are enjoying the camaraderie, the training and discipline that the club has to offer.

The first game for Stoke Poges FC was a bit of a let-down with many players unavailable and a few key players trying out for senior clubs. Our opening game was against Richings Park FC, always a test for both clubs. Unfortunately, the game was lost after a very competitive 90 minutes and Richings Park ended up 3-1 winners.

Since that game, we seemed to have turned a corner and produced some very good results as shown below:

League Loss Richings Park FC 3 - 1 Stoke Poges FCLeague Draw Slough Heating 3 - 3 Stoke Poges FCLeague Win Stoke Poges FC 4 - 0 Stoke Road LegionPresidents Cup Win Partizan London 0 - 4 Stoke Poges FC

StOKE POGES POSt OFFICEHours: Mon to Fri - 9 am to 5.30 pm

Sat - 9 am to 12.30 pm

and SHOPHours: Mon to Fri - 7 am to 6 pm

Sat - 7 am to 1 pm Sun - 8 am to 1 pmfor most of your EVERYDAY NEEDS

(Newspapers - Milk - Bread - Tea - Coffee etc)

Unit 1, Giles House, Bells Hill GreenTel: 01753 - 648328

49

Berks & Bucks Cup Loss Iver FC 3 - 2 Stoke Poges FCLeague Cup R2 Win Stoke Poges FC 2 - 1 Partizan LondonLeague Win Beaconsfield Town 0 - 6 Stoke Poges FC

We are currently in second place in the division and looking strong. Our injured players are starting to return to training and the younger players have had some very good experience against some strong teams. For forthcoming fixtures text me on 07976 371802 and we will send you our fixture information for the following week.

This year David Ashton, a former youth coach, has joined Stoke Poges to assist with our player improvement and coaching. Our thanks to Dave for his support and commitment over the first few months of this season. We look forward to working with him for many seasons to come.

Player RecruitmentOur club is always looking for players from Stoke Poges and the surrounding areas to help strengthen the squad. Any senior players in search of a well-run progressive club should contact Alan Fox on 07811 137762

TrainingOur training sessions are held every Wednesday evening from 7 pm to 9 pm; newcomers (over the age of 16) are welcome.

Vic BunbyChairmanStoke Poges Football Club

Stoke Poges District Guides 20:10 Centenary Final Celebration150 Rainbows, Brownies and Guides from Farnham, Hedgerley and Stoke Poges District celebrated the Girlguiding UK‘s 2010 Centenary Final in traditional style.

Former Stoke Poges Guider, leader, Chris Southam, led the singing, with old and new Guiding songs. The girls also enjoyed a delicious fish and chip supper around the campfire, before linking via the internet with the Chief Guide, to remake their Guiding Promise at 20:10 hrs on 20 October 2010.

Burnham Beeches Division Commissioner, Angela Hurlstone, said ‘this was a fantastic way to end our Centenary celebrations. Girlguiding is as relevant today as it was 100 years ago. It was wonderful to think that all Rainbows, Brownies and Guides across the UK and beyond were remaking their Guiding promise at 20:10 this evening’. The girls were joined by Division President, Di Robinson, who enrolled 20 new Guides and Brownies at the event. Guests included former Stoke Poges Guide Leaders Jenny Irvine and Barbara Davis.

WaterSoftenerSSupply & installation

drinking Filters & Faucets

next day delivery servicefor Block, granular

and tablet Salt

01753 643554nSr Limited

50

1st Stoke Poges Air Scouts

As we returned to groups in September after the summer break we have got straight into Scouting activities.

The first weekend back we organised a family camp at Duffield Lane. We had approximately 60 adults and children join us. The camp gave us an opportunity to get to know some of our Scouting families as well as allowing the children to experience camping and playing in a safe environment.

Beavers have six new starters, which is really positive. Activities so far this term include a visit to a driving range and getting out and about collecting items for an autumn collage.

Cubs have been learning about organisational skills and have had the opportunity recently to plan, organise and run the group. In doing so the children have had to work as a team and have been working towards earning more badges.

Scouts have had a night hike and last term they made go-karts and have been putting them to the test this term by racing them. Some of our Scouts will be attending a mountaineering weekend in the Brecon Beacons.

We mentioned in the last edition that our groups are meeting in various temporary accommoda-tions due to losing our own hut. This is not with-out its problems, however, we would like to thank all of our parents and leaders for their continued support and patience during this testing period.

Looking forward to the future we had been led to believe that we could make use of the youth facility within the new St Andrew’s Church hall when it was completed. (Our old headquarters was demolished to make way for the extension.)

In reality this has meant that without consulta-tion, we have been told that until September 2011 the only nights available to us are Monday and Tuesday. This has left us with a large problem for the Scout section, which meets on a Thursday evening. Changing nights would mean losing around 25% of our members and difficulties for our leaders.

Whilst we find a solution the Scouts are meeting in a field at the Duffield Lane campsite. As you can imagine this is becoming increasingly difficult as the nights draw in and the weather changes. We are looking at a couple of possibilities that we hope will be a temporary solution.

During family camp we held a public consultation to ask for opinions on the prospect of us submit-ting a planning application for a new headquarters on the Duffield Lane site. We would like to thank those who made the effort to come and see our proposals. We are now pushing forward with this application and are hoping for a positive outcome.

Please be assured that all groups are running as normal and that we are doing our utmost to ensure that the children gain the maximum from a full and varied programme.

D&KPROPERTY MAINTENANCE

PLUMBING AND HEATING

BATHROOM INSTALLATIONS

WALL AND FLOOR TILING

PAINTING AND DECORATING

ROOFING AND GUTTERING

SOFFITS AND BARGEBOARDS REPLACED

FENCING

FREE ESTIMATES AND ADVICE

NO CALL OUT CHARGES

CALL DEAN OR KEVIN 24/7

T: 01753 650247

M: 0788 171 0080

24/7 LOCAL PLUMBING

AND HEATING

BURST PIPES, RADS, SHOWERS,

BATHROOM INSTALLATIONS,

IMMMERSION HEATERS, COLD TANKS, CYLINDERS,

THERMOSTATIC RAD VALVES,

SYSTEM UPDATES, AND ALL GENERAL PLUMBING

AND HEATING WORK

FREE ESTIMATES AND

ADVICE

NO CALL OUT CHARGES

T: 01753 650247

24/7 M: 0788-171-0080

52

Mark FletcherMy primary role as chairman is to ensure the Parish Council shapes a clear agenda and stays on track. I keep close to the committees and working parties to make sure that all the hard work being put in results in the projects delivering benefits for the parish.

Secondly, I am working to raise Stoke Poges’ pro-file at district and county level. We are now clearly on their agenda with projects such as: the ramp access to the shops; the Stoke Green park-ing restrictions; the clearance of Furze field and the new bus shelter. I am making sure that the village is not overlooked and has fair access to funding, for example, through the Beeches Local Area Forum (LAF), where we are requesting funds for four vehicle activated speed signs.

I recently decided not to stand in next May’s elections for South Bucks District Council. My reason is that I want to remain focused on our ambitious plans for our village. I chair our Finance committee and encourage and support events like ‘Carols on the Green’ and the upcoming Bold's Court Christmas tea. Personally, I am responsible for the development of the Parish Council’s new website and email newsline, I am trying to find a suitable place to relocate the flagpole and to reinstate the village beacon, which was removed as part of the Bells Hill redevelopment.

Saera CarterSince the last update I have continued to work on the Planning Committee, which I am finding very frustrating as I see the planning applications that are approved by South Bucks District Council and how they are changing the landscape of our vil-lage in a negative way.

As Youth Spokesman I am still working with Ralph Bagge on the Recs Project. I am currently looking at grant funding we can apply for to help with the cost of this long-term project.

I have been involved in putting together ‘Carols on the Green’ which I am very excited about. I am especially looking forward to seeing the Christmas tree and lights that are planned for and anticipate that they will give the village a little bit of a lift during the festive season.

I have recently become the Parish Council spokes-man for Older People. I am working on a project with Ralph looking at the possibility of setting up a Good Neighbour Scheme. As part of this I am currently consulting with organisations within Stoke Poges that offer support and a volunteer base to see how we can formalise something that can address a wider need that exists. I look for-ward to pushing these projects forward.

Cathy ThorntonAs a member of the Planning Committee I am concerned about the systematic erosion of the rural nature of the village with the routine removal of trees and hedges in favour of redevel-opment. I am keen to enter into dialogue with South Bucks District Council on ways in which we can preserve and enhance the rural character and appearance of Stoke Poges.

Sue LynchI should like to thank all patients who wished me well in my retirement at the end of September. I was very moved by some of the comments I received.

I am learning how the Parish Council works and how we can best serve the village. I investigated whether action could be taken against Persimmon

Updates from your Parish Councillors

Mobile Library

Bucks County Council's mobile library is available outside the Village Centre, Rogers Lane on:

Wednesday 9.30 am - 12.30 pm

Friday 1.30 pm - 5.00 pm

Saturday 9.30 am - 1.00 pm

Please do not park in the layby when the library is due

53

under the Disabled Discrimination Act but this was not possible and we are now awaiting a quo-tation on the cost of a ramp. If we get a super-market in the New Year, we must hope that the underground car park and lift become opera-tional which should solve the access problem.

I am representing the Parish Council on the Neighbourhood Action Group. With Chris Taylor, I am looking into the possibility of removing ‘Slough, Berkshire’ from our postal address, as this seems to create difficulties when call centres refer us to Berkshire services instead of Bucks.

Liz RobinsonOver the last few months I have been busy organising ‘Carols on the Green’. At the end of October I attended a course with Ray, a fellow councillor, and Andrew Booth and Martin Wood (organiser of the Village Fete) to be trained as road marshals so that we can close the roads and conduct the carol procession safely.

Lots of local businesses are getting involved, from sponsoring Santa’s grotto to providing us with road signs. It looks set to be a great event so I hope the village will pull together to support it. I for one am very excited about the Christmas lights and hope that it will put some heart back into the village!

We have heard from Bucks County Council that plans are in hand to control parking in Stoke Green, which should help the residents but fol-lowing two accidents in the last month on Wexham Street it cannot come soon enough.

MPs Dominic Grieve and Fiona McTaggart are looking into having a single organisation coordi-nate the ticketing of those who park illegally near the hospital in the hope that this will bring a level of control to the situation. I am frustrated that Slough Council cannot move quicker to give per-mission for a car park in place. I have yet to see the buses that the hospital is supposed to be putting into place for staff.

The Neighbourhood Action Group had great success with our Fusion event and has decided

this year, following research, that the priorities are: anti-social behaviour; parking and highways in general. I am pleased with this, as the roads in Stoke Poges are terrible; so any ‘NAGing’ that can be done is very helpful. I look forward to seeing you all at the carols.

Ralph BaggeI have been finding sources of funding for play equipment and for the youth and sports pavilion we would like to add to our recs and identifying suitable equipment and suppliers for the improvements that are coming soon.

I have been researching ‘Good Neighbour Schemes’ and put proposals to the Parish Council in October. You have probably already noticed that I have continued to develop Stoke Poges News. I have also been doing some preparatory work for putting the Parish Council’s budgets for 2011-12 together.

I arranged for our local Highways technician to meet with a parishioner who had a long-standing problem with the footway near his house. I have been working with residents who are unhappy with unauthorised building work on a house in green belt. I share the same frustrations as Cathy and Saera with planning policy, which appears to be designed for urban areas like Gerrards Cross and Beaconsfield and not semi-rural areas like ours.

I have also accepted an invitation to join the Village Hall’s Executive Committee.

54

Crime StatisticsReported crime in Stoke Poges and Wexham is relatively low. In the 12 months to the end of September 2010 (the latest figures) there were 136 reported crimes – which is only one every three days. This is a 29% reduction on the previous year, whereas crime in Bucks as a whole fell by 15%.

The most frequent crime (55%) is theft from a motor vehicle with 75 instances. You can guard against this risk by taking any attractive items with you when you park your vehicle. Never leave bags or desirable items on view when your vehicle is left unattended. Also, when using a public car park, don’t move items to your boot before leaving your car as thieves may see you do this.

There were 33 burglaries from dwellings in the year. In burglary hotspots, where Thames Valley Police has responded by offering residents forensic marking kits, the burglary rates have been reduced by 85%. See the ‘Keep Burglars Away Offer’ item (page 6) to find out how you can mark any items that would be attractive to burglars, so that you can safeguard your home and possessions.

Stoke Poges and Wexham Neighbourhood Police TeamSection 59 Warnings (Police Reform Act 2002)

Over the last few months we have received a number of complaints from residents about the anti-social use of mopeds. Although the number of reports vary from month to month, this is still an issue in the Stoke Poges area. Your local neigh-bourhood policing team has continued to monitor this problem. As a result, we have issued a number of Section 59 warnings to riders of mopeds.

A Section 59 warning can be issued by a police officer or a police community support officer (PCSO) to anyone who drives or rides a motor vehicle which causes alarm, distress or annoy-

ance to members of the public. In other words, driving or riding a motor vehicle anti-socially. The first offence is dealt with by giving the offender a warning letter. This warning will be recorded on our systems for a full calendar year.

Should the person who has been warned commit another offence within that year, the police can seize the vehicle from the offender, irrespective of what vehicle it is. Therefore, if the offence is committed in another vehicle, then this vehicle will be seized under sections 59 and 60 of the Police Reform Act 2002. A vehicle can be seized by a police officer or PCSO. Once the vehicle is seized, the following charges will apply: removal charge of £105, plus a storage fee of £12 a day. Only once these fees are paid can the vehicle be reclaimed by the owner. If the vehicle is not claimed within seven days, arrange-ments may be made for its disposal. We ask members of the local community to call us about the anti-social use of motor vehicles. The more information we have, the better. The following details would help us immensely with our enquiries and allow us to give Section 59 warnings – vehicle make, model, colour, registra-tion number. The rider/driver’s description, cloth-ing type/colour, helmet colour, location and times of the offence. We would like to take this opportunity to thank residents for working with us.

PCSO Kam Benawra C9436Stoke Poges and Wexham Neighbourhood Police Team

Suspicious Behaviour

Recently parishioners have seen strangers acting suspiciously near the open spaces in our village and have expressed concern that they may be engaged in illegal activities.

If you regularly walk a dog, please add the police non-emergency number to your phone contact list and report anyone suspicious, giving a descrip-tion and location, as soon as it is safe to do so.

CALL 999 IN AN EMERGENCY OR TO CONTACT US CALL 0845 8 505 505 ON

OUR NON-EMERGENCY NUMBER.

55

Burglary

Winter is just around the corner and the nights will be longer. We would like to ask all residents to take a look at how to make your properties look more occupied during the winter months.

Burglars use the cover of darkness to break into properties. Below are some simple crime preven-tion measures you can take to keep your home safe from burglars over the coming months:

• You can install Passive Infrared (PIR) Sensor Floodlights at the front or back of your property. This system automatically switches on a bright floodlight when it detects movement.

• Make sure your house number is visible from the road outside your house and in the dark. A visible house number helps the emergency services find your home quickly in an emergency and in the dark.

• Use timer switches. These are very cost-effec-tive and are a great deterrent.

(A well-lit property makes your property less likely to be burgled and reduces your fear of crime).

Farewell to PCSO Steven Beck

After nearly two years, PCSO Steven Beck will be leaving us. Steven will be going over to Beaconsfield to work with the neighbourhood policing team there. We would just like to wish him good luck in his new area of work and thank him for all his hard work. Steven has been an asset to our team and will be missed! Steven writes: ‘I have enjoyed my posting to Stoke Poges and Wexham a great deal and have found the people here to be a fantastic mixture of characters. During my time here, I’ve dealt with and been involved in many incidents and situations that will remain in my memory for quite some time! I believe the area has benefited over the past year and a half from the attention of three very dedicated officers and hope that the differences have been felt by you all.’

53 Bus Line - Opportunity to give your viewsIn September, the Parish Council was copied in on an email from the son of a Park Road resident to Mr John Wright, the managing director of Thames Travel. Their 53 bus line from Wexham Park Hospital to Bracknell travels the length of Park Road without stopping and the gentleman enquired whether it would be possible for stops to be sited on Park Road.

Mr Wright replied within a few hours, offering to meet with Bucks Highways to agree suitable locations for bus stops on Park Road.

We know how difficult parking is at the hospital, so the 53 bus line could be a very useful service for local residents travelling to Wexham Park (or Burnham, Maidenhead and on to Bracknell). A return fare to the hospital is probably cheaper than the parking charge and the bus journey could be faster than driving around the hospital site in search of a parking space.

Thames Travel wants to meet the needs of local residents and would appreciate your response to the following questions:

1 Would you or a member of your famil y use bus line 53 if it operated at a time more convenient to you and if so what time would you want to use the service?

2 Does bus line 53 serve the places you need to access or should it run on to Slough centre or stop elsewhere in the village?

3 If you are a current user of bus line 53 we would welcome your views on the current serv-ice Thames Travel provides on this route.

The 53 is a service that could be very convenient, operated by a company that appears genuinely interested in meeting the needs of the commu-nity it serves.

The timetable and details are available at W: www.thames-travel.co.uk. Please take the time to contact Mr John Wright. E: [email protected] or T: 01491 837988

56

Sunshine Corner Parent and Toddler GroupThis group meets every Thursday morning in term time in the main hall of The Village Centre. It runs from 9.30 am to 11.30 am. All children, parents and carers are welcome. It is very reasonably priced at £1 per family, which includes coffee/tea, juice, biscuits and fruit.

Maybe you are finding it lonely at home with a toddler or a baby or maybe you would like your child to meet other children? Whatever your reason, you will always find a welcome at our Toddler Group. It is run by parents and members of the Committee of Sunshine Corner Pre-school which takes place next door in the Harding Room in the Village Centre. Many of the children from the group go on to attend the pre-school

with children they already know from the Toddler group.

For information please call T: 01753 644300 or M: 07973 671558.

Sunshine Corner Pre-schoolWe returned on Monday 6 September and were joined by many new children. They have all settled in well and are joining in enthusiastically. Children now attend for three-hour blocks and, for the first time in our long history, some children are bringing their lunch and staying for both the morning and afternoon. Those children are greatly enjoying having lunch with their friends and we expect to see the number of children taking up this opportunity increasing as the year goes on.

During the first half term the children looked at the theme of ‘Myself’ and their favourites – they enjoyed a Teddy Bears Picnic and visited the mobile library to choose a favourite book. During Pets Week a number of pets came to visit us including three tortoises and two dogs. We also had a visit from Pets at Home who brought various animals including a rabbit, rat, guinea pig and gecko for the children to see and stroke. The half term ended with a multicultural party with the children dressed in their own traditional clothes and bringing in food from their different cultures.

This term we are looking at ‘Celebrations’ including fireworks, Diwali, Eid, birthdays and weddings leading up to our Christmas celebrations; the children will be taking part in many different activities centred around this theme. We are hoping that the weather will be dry and we will be able to carry on spending time in the garden where an all-weather canopy will be erected soon.

The children will be making Christmas crafts to take home at the end of term. The annual Nativity Play will take place on 15 December and the term will finish on 16 December with a

KJ ElectricalExtra sockets

Lighting

Immersion heaters

Telephone points

Replacement fuse boxes

No job too small

No VAT

1 01753 663699

57

Christmas party for all the children. Father Christmas will be making time in his busy sched-ule to visit the children then.

During the last half term we held our Winter Olympics, which was well attended by children from the pre-school and the Parent and Toddler group and their families. Botanics Landscape Gardening sponsored the event and we would like to thank them for their generous donation. Hopefully the sponsor money from this event will contribute significantly to our funds and enable us to make sure that our toys are updated on a regular basis and reflect the latest develop-ments in children’s care and education.

Our next big fundraising event takes place on Saturday 27 November when we will be holding a Christmas Bazaar in the Village Centre from 10 am to noon. Father Christmas will once again be present and children will be able to have their photographs taken with him. Sunshine Corner will be running a Teddy Tombola and any contri-

butions of teddies and other soft toys in good condition will be welcomed – please bring them to Sunshine Corner in the Village Centre on any weekday between 9.00 am and 3.30 pm. The Bazaar was very well attended last year – make sure you put this date in your diary so you don’t miss it!

On Thursday 18 November we will be holding our annual AGM when we will be looking to appoint a new committee. Last year’s committee worked very hard at fundraising and we are hop-ing that the new committee will be equally suc-cessful. Fundraising is vital to the pre-school, as government funding does not cover all costs. Fundraising enables us to keep toys and other equipment updated. The work of the present and past committees has been invaluable and our thanks go to all parents who volunteer to be part of the committee.

A friendly welcome is extended to all parents and carers. For information phone T: 01753 644300 or M: 07973 671558.

Home Care from CaremarkCaremark is a Home Care Provider, delivering the highest standards of professional care to those in need and support in our community, who choose to live in their own homes.

We are registered with the Care Quality Commission, who are the governing health regulator and are members of the United Kingdom Home Care Association.

All clients are individuals, with their own specific needs, our care packages are then tailored to meet these bespoke requirements. We encourage your independence and respect your dignity, confidentiality and freedom of choice.

Our care and support workers are thoroughly trained, vetted and regularly assessed to ensure high standards are always met.

Whether you need 24 hour care, or just a short visit a day, we will select a carer who has the appropriate experience, qualifications to best meet your requirements.

“I am so grateful to Caremark who have given me such high quality of care whilst staying in my own home, I can see all my neighbours and be in the home where I raised all my children and I know my wife is even happier that I am at home too”.Mr H S Law (Private Client)

Advertiser’s announcement

... help and support in your own home

Do you need care?...... help and support in your own home

• Personal Care, such as washing and dressing • Help with household tasks • Companionship, such as assistance with shopping

or errands, travel to social events, or to simply share a cup of tea • Bespoke personal support plan • Live-in care, Overnight care

• Care service available 365 days of the year • Support work for a variety of client groups, such as the elderly and learning

disabilities • Supporting people in receipt of Direct Payments

Caremark (Slough & South Buckinghamshire) Tel: 01753 610560 Email: [email protected]

www.caremark.co.uk

58

Stoke Poges Lawn Tennis ClubThe winter season is now upon us – and our teams have started their matches in various leagues. There is a ladies’ and two mixed teams.

Looking back over the summer, the ladies team played consistently well and held their own in their high county league. The men, however, struggled against some tough competition!

We also entered six teams at various levels in the Bucks Aegon Team Tennis competition. It was pleasing that the ladies and the under 14 girls won their respective leagues.

At the AGM on 3 October David Claydon retired as chairman after serving for 11 years. As a token of their gratitude, members presented him with a wine decanter and set of glasses inscribed with the club’s name (see photo). Anne Milne takes over this role.

Karen Perez takes over from David Murphy (also long serving) as treasurer – and Hugh Francis takes over as Club Captain. We wish them good fortune and support of the members in their new roles.

Unfortunately, the end of season Ray Horner tournament was postponed because of rain. It is now due to be played on Sunday 28 November.

Coincidentally, the annual skittles tournament was also postponed due to circumstances beyond our control. This will now take place on Saturday 20 November.

Play and coaching continues through the winter for adults and juniors – and at very reasonable prices! Good use of the floodlit courts is made at this time of year.

New players of all standards are always most welcome. For further information, please ring 01753 642438 or see the website www.stoke-pogestennisclub.co.uk or just turn up at the courts adjoining Bells Hill Recreation Ground. Roger WrightPublicity Manager

Stoke Poges Free ChurchStoke Poges Free Church celebrated its 20th year of meeting in Stoke Poges this year. We meet on Sundays for services at 10.30 am at The Stoke Poges School as well as during the week and are involved in various other activities in the village, sometimes hosting special events.

This summer, together with The Farnhams and Hedgerley Community Church, we hosted the Jungle Jamboree Holiday Club week with a visiting team from Scotland. This was enjoyed by over 90 children from the village and surrounding area.

Look out for publicity in December for our Christmas celebrations, which will include a service on Christmas Day. For more information about the church contact Geoff Bath T: 01494 676808 or [email protected].

David Claydon looks pleased to receive a gift to mark his retirement as chairman of Stoke Poges Tennis Club.

Jungle Jamboree participants

Phot

o: T

riona

Tie

rney

60

Stoke Poges and Wexham Women’s Institute

The clouds were black when we left Stoke Poges for our summer outing to Stowe Landscape Gardens. The heavens opened as we arrived. We picnicked under umbrellas, the bands played on and in true WI fashion we enjoyed ourselves.

Stoke Poges member Jean Porter won the ‘Capture the Spirit of the Day’ competition with this iconic photograph of our day out.

Stoke Poges played host to the Beeches group of WIs, comprising George Green, Hedgerley, Stoke Poges, Taplow and Hitcham and Templewood, in the Village Centre. We were also delighted to receive the Chairman of the Bucks Federation of WIs, Jean Morris.

The meeting was well attended and visitors expressed their appreciation of Stoke Poges WI’s hospitality.

We approach Christmas with more than a little excitement. A group of five WI members aim to compete for the Christmas Pop charts after clinching a £1m recording deal with Universal.

Thirty WI members got through to the final at London’s legendary Abbey Road Studios. Five of them were chosen to form the WI quintet – The Harmonies. Aged between mid-20s to mid-50s, their debut album The Voice of the WI includes a selection of all-time favourites including ‘When I

Fall in Love' and the classical ‘Jerusalem’.

On Friday 14 January the Bucks Federation has arranged a coach trip to Shepherds Bush to visit the Westfield shopping centre. This stunning architectural masterpiece has now been opened for just over a year. There are 275 shops in the complex with retailers from 15 countries. There is a street of restaurants with freshly prepared food from 13 countries and 50 exciting eateries boasting 73 awards between them.

If we have time after indulging ourselves we may visit ‘The Village’ – a conclave of 40 luxury boutique style shops to find a bargain to boast about on the coach journey home.

Buckinghamshire WIs are concerned that District Councils are turning off our street lighting to cut costs. Many members feel that our safety is being put at risk to reduce carbon emissions and light pollution. On Thursday 27 January the Federation has arranged a ‘Discussion Group’ at our Headquarters – Stuart Lodge in High Wycombe from 10.00 am to 12.30 pm. Watch this space for the results of this discussion.

On Tuesday 22 February we plan to visit the Wallace Collection at Hertford House, London, with the Bucks Federation. At 10.30 am we will have a guided tour of the collection including Hal’s The Laughing Cavalier and works by Rubens, Velázquez, Rembrandt, Canaletto and Gainsborough. After lunch we will view the col-lection of Sevres porcelain, French furniture and princely arms and armour.

The Spirit of the Day

The Harmonies

Phot

o: Je

an P

orte

r

62

Our November meeting is always one of our most important meetings when we elect our President and committee to lead us through the year ahead. We convene at 12 noon for the elections before enjoying a celebration lunch in the Village Centre.

In December our speaker, Janet Deneen, will lecture us on Traditional Costumes and Folklore of Christmas. In January, Roger Askew will remind us of our literary heritage with a lecture on Thomas Gray. In February, Barbara Askew will deliver a talk on The Cathedrals of Britain.

If you would like to join us for the talks or any other event, pop into the Village Centre at 2.15 pm on the second Wednesday of the month. You can be sure of a warm welcome

Gwyn Alcock, WI Secretary

Thames HouseNeighbouring residents breathed a collective sigh of relief in August, with the opening of Watkins Car Sales on the Thames House site. For the first time in ten years we now have a garage offering servicing and repairs in the village.

Proprietor Mr John Watkins is a parishioner who has spent his career in the motor industry, first as a mechanic and then building a successful transport business.

We wish Mr Watkins every success with his business because it will guarantee the site remaining a garage for the foreseeable future.

• Friendly family run garage• First class repairs and servicing for ALL MAKES

of cars and light commercial vehicles• Independent Renault specialists

• Latest diagnostic equipment• MOT test station

• Air conditioning repairs and re-gassing• Free local collection and

delivery from home or work• Open 6 days a week

• Free wash with every service and selected repairs

• Courtesy cars available• Accident repair work can be arranged

Beeches Road, Farnham Common,

Slough, Bucks, SL2 3PS

T. 01753 644568 or 01753 646748

63

Chairman: Mark FletcherMyrtle Cottage, 128 Rogers Lane, SL2 4LNM: 07802 889651; E: [email protected]

Vice Chairman: Ray Aldridge3 Old Post Cottages, Hollybush Hill, SL2 4PPT: 663102; E: [email protected]

Chairman of Planning Committee: Lin Gillan Elegy House, Park Road, SL2 4PET: 644976; E: [email protected] Chairman: Cathy Thornton

Chairman of Finance and General Purposes Committee: Mark FletcherVice Chairman: Ray Aldridge

Chairman of Recreation and Environment Committee: Ray AldridgeVice Chairman: Heather Huntley

Ralph Bagge Wavertree House, Duffied Park, SL2 4HYT: 693600; E: [email protected] Carter24 Elizabeth Way, SL2 4LQT: 647525; E: [email protected] Huntley26 Broom Hill, SL2 4PU T: 663144; E: [email protected] Matthews,40a Rogers Lane, SL2 4LFM: 07976 371802; E: [email protected] Robinson Pinewood Nurseries, Wexham Street, SL3 6NBT: 663443; E: [email protected] Thornton 98 Rogers Lane, SL2 4LLT: 645158; E: [email protected] Fox 48 Hazell Way, Stoke Poges, SL2 4DDT: 642197; E: [email protected] Hawkins 43 Larkins Lane, Stoke Poges, Bucks, SL2 4JUT: 663290 Susan Lynch12 Duffield Lane, Stoke Poges, Bucks, SL2 4AB T: 646582; E: [email protected] Taylor32 Bunby Road, Stoke Poges, Bucks, SL2 4BPT: 644386; E: [email protected]

PARISH COUNCIL SPOKESPERSONSConstitutional Matters – Mark FletcherCrime and Disorder – Mark FletcherEnvironment – Ray AldridgeFinance and Grants – Mark FletcherFootpaths – Gary MatthewsHealth and Safety – Cathy ThorntonHeritage – Heather HuntleyHighways and Transport – Liz RobinsonPlanning – Lin Gillan Recreation – Ray AldridgeYouth – Saera CarterOlder People – Saera Carter

APPOINTED REPRESENTATIVESSouth Bucks Association of Local Councils Saera Carter, Cathy ThorntonNewsletter Editor Ralph BaggeStoke Poges Village Centre Ralph Bagge, Saera CarterFlagmasterDoug Roxburgh, Six Bells, Pennylets Green, SL2 4EJ T: 643057

ELECTED REPRESENTATIVESSouth Bucks District CouncillorsNaomi Arnold; Chairman of Licensing Committee; Member of Community, Leisure and Communications PAG (Policy Advisory Group); and Standards Committee 12 Freemans Close, SL2 4ERT: 663305; E: [email protected] Bowater; Member of Planning CommitteeThe Hermitage, West End Lane, SL2 4NDT: 643800; E: [email protected] Webber; Member of Sustainable Development PAG (Policy Advisory Group); Standards Committee; Overview and Scrutiny Committee Framewood Manor, Framewood Road, SL2 4QRT: 664424; E: [email protected]

Buckinghamshire County CouncillorTrevor Egleton, Knoll Cottage, Duffield Lane, SL2 4AHT and F: 646090; E: [email protected]

Member of ParliamentDominic Grieve, MP, House of Commons, Westminster, London, SW1A 0AA T: 020 7219 6220Dominic Grieve holds regular surgeries in Beaconsfield, at which electors can meet with him, by prior appointment.

Member of European ParliamentJames Elles, MEP, European Parliament, Rue Wiertz, B-1047 Brussels, Belgium T: 00 32 2284 7951

Parish Office: Parish Clerk, Julie Simmonds, The Village Centre, Rogers Lane, SL2 4LP – T: 644803; E: [email protected] Poges Website: http://www.stokepogesparishcouncil.gov.uk/

Designed by Kim Day 01753 693487. Thanks to Roger Wright for proofreading T: 01753 642438. Printed by Reliant Colour 01628 670005.Spring Newsletter No 176 - All material to the Editor, please, no later than Friday 28 JANUARY 2011

Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Editor or the Parish CouncilRalph Bagge – T: 01753 693600 E: [email protected]

COPYRIGHTMaterial in this publication, in particular articles by a named author, can be reproduced only with the consent of the editor or the author of the article

Stoke Poges Parish Council

64

Friendly, local, reliable, family run businessoffering low, low prices on:

• Doors • Windows • Conservatories• Glazing • Cladding • Fascias and guttering

in UPVC, aluminium and timberto the highest specification

Composite Front door

only £749 fittedUPVC Front door

only £499 fittedUPVC Back door

only £449 fitted

‘We won’t be beaten on price quality or service’

• Free quotes • 10 year guarantee• A Highly skilled installation team

‘We won’t be beaten on price quality or service’Alpha Windows Berkshire Ltd

West End Cottage, West End Lane, Stoke Poges, Bucks, SL2 4NE

01753 663 663www.alpha-windows.com31585

Join our health club now - Stoke Poges...Join our health club now for £39 and pay nothing until...

Documents

Transcript of Join our health club now - Stoke Poges...Join our health club now for £39 and pay nothing until...