1st March 2017 Valentines Day – 14th February 2017 17th March 2017

ISSUE 138 February /March 2017

In this issue ...... DRAYTON DIARY

Christmas Lights Page 2 February th Holy Trinity News inc church services Page 3 11 Bingo – DPSSC 7pm 11th Village Trivia Night and Supper, Greenacre Hall, DP 7pm Christmas Charity Bingo / Carol Concert Page 3 th Baptist Chapel news / Book Club Page 4 27 Parish Council meeting, Carington Room 7:30pm Parish Council news Page 5 March 11th Bingo – DPSSC 7pm Neighbourhood Plan Page 6 25th Comedy Night – DPSSC 7pm Broadband update Page 7 27th Parish Council meeting, Carington Room 7:30pm VPA Christmas Party / Three Schools Page 7 Later in the year Sports & Social Club news Page 8 th 17 June Church Fete (not 10th as previously advertised) Your Garden in February Page 9 8th & 9th July Open Gardens Prevention Matters Page 10 19th August Village Show Valentine’s Day facts and recipe Page 11 Adverts and classified listings Pages 12-17 Yoga Page 13 Christmas Quiz answers Page 16 Local Services Page 18 Christmas Wreath Workshop / Christingle Page 19-20

NEXT ISSUE Contributions, articles and photos for the April/May issue by no later than Friday 10th March 2017 please to the Greenacre Hall Village News mailbox [email protected] or by For hall bookings please telephone hand to Sally Wallis (10 Prospect Close) or Claire Darnley Carol 01296 720741

(Tamara, 3b Main Road). If you want to speak to either of us, please contact Sally on 720030 or Claire on 720383. Village Show Change of Date for 2017 The annual VPA (Village Produce Association) Show will now take place on Saturday 19th August rather than Saturday 12th August. Please make a note in your diaries and we look forward to seeing you. SPRING IS COMING – TIME TO START GROWING YOUR OWN! Your contributions to the Village News are welcomed! ALLOTMENTS AVAILABLE! We have two allotments available – one at Manor Gardens and one Please email us your fun facts, jokes, poems, local history at Stackyards. Rents are very reasonable so if you feel like growing your own information, details of a hobby or project, photographs of the produce please contact the Parish Clerk at village or anything else you think fellow villagers would find [email protected] 07763 487545 interesting!

Drayton Parslow Christmas lights

2016 was the best year so far!

Thank you to everyone who came to the official switch on!!

A very big THANK YOU goes to Drayton Parslow's very own ELVIS (Graham), who entertained the crowd with some lovely singing on a very cold night!

We managed to raise £350 which has very generously been matched by Garry Duncan of WJ Products Ltd and by Barrie Norman...... Thank you both very very much!

This means that the Thames Valley Air Ambulance and the Florence Nightingale Hospice will each be receiving £525.

Thank you everyone for your generosity .

The Fedoriw Family

P.S. We only hope the person or persons who helped themselves to some of the money from the donation bucket feel really ashamed of themselves!!!

Holy Trinity News HOLY TRINITY SERVICE DATES January 22nd 9:30 Holy Communion Jackie Brown 29th 10:00 United Benefice Simon Faulks+ February 5th 9:30 Holy Communion Simon Faulks 12th 9:30 Family Service David Talks 19th No service 26th 9:30 Holy Communion David Talks March 5th 9:30 Holy Communion Simon Faulks 12th 9:30 Family Service Lay led 19th No service 26th 9:30 Holy Communion David Talks

Christmas Charity Bingo So one month into 2017 and how is it going so far? Did you start the year with The charity bingo in the Sports and Social Club plans/resolutions? Many people do as we want to eat more on December 17th was not as well attended as in previous healthily, get more exercise etc. if that includes you and years but we still managed to raise £350 for the Helen and you’ve stuck with it, then well done! Douglas House Children's Hospice in .

We often make these kind of resolutions perhaps partly to Thank you to everyone who came and supported us and for detract from the guilt of over-eating at Christmas but also all donations given. I hope you all had a good time! that idea of getting ready for the summer. It can feel like a small sacrifice to pay for looking better in the summer or Linda Fedoriw even life in general; feeling fitter and healthier makes us feel like we can get more out of life. Christmas Concert Sometimes we can look at the 10 commandments in the Bible and it seems they are about don’t do this and don’t The church was full for the annual do that, about restricting what we do in life, whereas Jesus Christmas Concert by the Drayton says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it Parslow Singers. The programme abundantly.” (John 10:10) Another translation puts this as included traditional favourites as well as up-tempo songs “life in all its fullness”. from the Caribbean and contemporary American composers. It was good to see so many friends from the I believe this to be true. The 10 commandments and ‘rules’ village on a winter’s evening warming the church and of the Bible are not about telling us what we can’t do but enjoying mulled wine and mince pies to get everyone into about protecting us from things that can cause problems in the festive spirit. our lives and therefore enabling us to have life in all the abundance or fullness as God intended. This year’s panto was based on Roald Dahl’s alternative Goldilocks with some topical additions to include We recently celebrated Jesus coming to and this was part references to BBC’s Great British Bake Off, the three bears of the message he came to bring. If you want to know undertaking a signature challenge to produce three bowls more about life in all its fullness why not come along to of perfect porridge. Thanks to Jessica for her turn as a one of our services or get in touch I would be more than Barry-accented goldilocks. happy to talk with you about what Jesus means when he offers abundant life. The choir are always happy to welcome new members, we are especially short of men, so if you are free on Tuesday God bless evenings between 8 and 10 PM and would like to give it a try, please get in touch with Stephen our musical director, Simon [email protected]

David Perry

DRAYTON PARSLOW BAPTIST CHAPEL

Thank you to Liz Carter-Gates for taking our Carol Service on December 11th. Grateful thanks to the Drayton Parslow Singers, Anne Sherry who played for us and Sophie Titmuss who entertained us on her flute. To Vera many thanks as always for the beautiful tree and to everyone who helped with the buffet after the service. The evening collection of £220 was donated to the Childhood Cancer Research Fund at Oxford Radcliffe Hospital.

SERVICES FOR FEBRUARY & MARCH 2017

February 5th, 11am Ken Pitkethly

February 19th, 11am Keith Silverthorne

March 5th, 11am Nick Lingard

March 19th, 11am Viv Cooling

Any enquiries concerning the Chapel, please contact:

Mrs J McCall 720486 Mrs E Mallick 720666

Drayton Parslow Book Club 2016 List

Below is a list of the books we read during last year. As with any reading group our opinions were often varied as to how much we liked or disliked the different novels, however many hours of reading were enjoyed by all members.

Nella Last’s War edited by Richard Brown and Suzie Fleming The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Phillipp Sendker The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway Hearts and Minds by Amanda Craig The Novel of the Viola by Natasha Solomons Painter of Silence by Georgina Harding Saffron Trail by Rosanna Ley The Thread by Victoria Hislop To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee The Visible World by Mark Slouka The Woman in Black by Susan Hill A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry (current book)

Please note that residents will need their PARISH COUNCIL NEWS existing energy bill(s) to complete their registration. We now have a website dedicated to news from the Parish Council, Bucks County Council & Any additional questions, please feel free to Vale District Council (AVDC). This can be found at contact: https://draytonparslowparishcouncil.org.uk Filipe Fernandes, Energy & Resources Officer, You will be able to find full details of parish council Bucks County Council meetings, agendas and minutes, finances, links to 01296 382243 / 07710 146879 planning applications, Governance Documents as [email protected] well as news from the county & district councils, links [email protected] to community agencies and anything else that is pertinent. There is also a ‘Contact the Parish Council’ Damage to the recreation ground fence page which sends a direct e-mail to the Clerk.

Future meetings:

These will be held at 7:30 pm in the Carington Room at Greenacre Hall on:

- Monday 16th January 2017 (date brought forward) - Monday 27th February 2017 - Monday 27th March 2017

- Monday 24th April 2017 In order to reduce anti-social behaviour and the - Monday 22nd May 2017 opportunities for low level crime such as drug dealing in the village, we are lucky enough to All members of the public are welcome to attend and have volunteers who lock the lower rec for us. there will be a period of time at the beginning of each There is a sign on the fence that clearly states meeting for residents to address the Parish Council. that the gates are locked at night

Bucks CC Collective Switching Scheme Nevertheless, before Christmas someone got County Council invites residents to themselves locked in and removed the fence in see if they can make savings on their energy bills order to get their car out. This was witnessed through the Government’s Collective Switching and reported to the police who have identified Scheme. It is a national scheme, which will join the suspect responsible for the criminal residents, families and friends with other people from damage. around the country in a large pool and then invite energy suppliers to bid in an auction to provide Can you please make sure that you advise any energy to this pool of people at a preferential lower visitors who may be staying late in the village rate. Once the supplier has been confirmed they will not to leave their cars in the rec car park unless write to everyone with a personalised quote. There is they are prepared to get a taxi home? no obligation to switch.

In the last round of Auction: ● 41% of people who registered in Buckinghamshire were able to make a saving ●The average savings in the county have been around £280 per year.

We have a website: http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/switchedon where people can find out more and also register their interest.

The deadline for registration is 13th February 2017 and the auction for suppliers will take place on 14th February.

Drayton Parslow Neighbourhood Plan Update

Since our last up date in November the DP Neighbourhood Planning Group have made a start!

We all attended the PC meeting in November where Neil Dickens, Chair of the Steering Group generously shared the group’s learning - from their starting point in 2015 to the present day.

The team of 35 worked in groups who focused on each of the following issues:

• Roads / infrastructure • Youth • Sports and recreation • Elderly and disabled • Nursery and Primary Education (lack of facilities) • Conservation and Heritage • Planning / landscaping • Housing and environment • Business (linked to issues for those who work at home)

This confirmed for us that every single person in our village has a direct interest in the issues covered by a Neighbourhood Plan, and therefore needs to have a voice in shaping our own village plan.

So, what next? We are currently designing a questionnaire that will ask for your opinion about the issues above and we need everyone to respond. We have to prove that we have done everything we can to engage with you and give you the opportunity to share your views. Stewkley achieved an 80% response - we know DP residents will be equally responsive.

Before the questionnaire pops through your door we will be sending every house a leaflet reminding you about what we are fighting for and what is unique and special about our village. Look out for this in February alongside the usual Village News.

We have recruited additional members to the team which is great news as our visit to hear about Stewkley’s work confirmed that we definitely need more people to be involved for the project to be successful and to share the workload.

Thank you to: Barrie Norman, James Bruce and Andrea Wood and to those who have volunteered their occasional help with specific aspects such as collecting and evaluating the questionnaires, door drops etc. We will be in touch - and it's still not too late to join us!

If you are interested, please contact Deborah O'Brien at: [email protected] or via the Parish Council website at www.draytonparslowparishcouncil.org.uk

Fibre Broadband Update

The run up to Christmas saw lots of work on our new village fibre internet network being installed by Broadband. Their civils (road works) contractors started at VPA Christmas Party the south of the village by the Church where it was expected The VPA Christmas party was attended by around 30 that the main fibre bundle would come in to the village and children who all seemed to enjoy the afternoon of fun. have been working steadily down Main Road and some of the side roads. Under the terms of their licence with the Everyone joined in the games, icing gingerbread highways authority, they can only work on a specified small biscuits and doing some arts and crafts. number of named streets at a time within a fixed period before applying for a new licence to work on additional roads After eating their party food each child had a special once these are complete. Whilst some good progress was visit to Santa's grotto where they received a gift. After made, they are about as far down Main Road as The Rec at chatting to all the children, in his grotto, Santa came out to read stories until it was time to leave. the moment, the civils contractors were not able to proceed as quickly as they had committed. Consequently, AVBs Many thanks to all the children, and grown-ups, for streetworks licence expired over Christmas with the work attending.... incomplete and they must now re-apply to complete the works. In parallel with this, the expected fibre route to Hopefully this will become an annual event! has also proved to be less than optimal and it now looks as if a direct route will not be expedient and a The VPA team more circuitous route via another village will be the most efficient option. Christmas Celebrations at the Three Schools

They are obviously working on a number of villages at the Over the recent festive season, children across the same time and have to deploy their resources to build the three schools celebrated Christmas with a variety of entire network out as efficiently as possible. AVB are therefore working on parts of their network that will be on activities and wonderful performances. the new fibre route to Drayton Parslow for the next few weeks and will then return to the village, probably in Pupils at Village School and Drayton Parslow February to progress the onstreet works here. Village School came together to celebrate Christingle. They had lots of fun making their own Christingles and The current progress is obviously somewhat disappointing for us all as it means we all have to struggle along on the learnt about their meaning and importance. appalling BT connectivity for a while longer. It is worth On top of this, KS1 children performed in the nativity remembering that this is the first major new infrastructure project to come to the village in decades and is always going play, ‘Hey Ewe’. They sang and danced beautifully and to have challenges and bureaucracy to overcome. Hopefully thoroughly enjoyed taking part. once the new fibre network arrives and we go from having some of the worst connectivity in the country to the very At Swanbourne Village School, the whole school spread best available the wait will be more than worth it! their festive cheer with two heart-warming performances at their annual carol service. The service AVB are very busy at the moment concentrating all available resources on getting the work done as quickly as possible. It consisted of: wonderful piano recitals, violin and wood will almost certainly help them if we can avoid sending lots wind performances, an acoustic guitar duet, a brilliant of similar individual enquiries about progress. Drayton steel pans piece, and the magical vocals of the school Parslow villagers with questions are encouraged to email me choir. The singing and musical talent was there for all at [email protected] and I will attempt to to admire. The children did themselves proud and a answer as best I can from the updates they provide. fantastic time was had by all. Rob Pickering. Mr Mitchell (Year 5 Class Teacher)

along – those who have been before know that it’s a

highly entertaining evening, in your own village, for less than the price of a standard Cinema ticket.

Regular Events

Bingo continues to run monthly on Saturdays. Doors open at 7pm, Eyes Down at 8pm. The bar will be open, and the Fish & Chip van will be in attendance on the night. Forthcoming dates for your diary are: We hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and a x Sat 11th Feb 17 Happy New Year. We are looking forward to a x Sat 11th Mar 17 successful 2017 for the Sports & Social Club – we Dates for April onwards will be announced shortly have the continued support of our regular events (depending on Cricket fixtures!) – look out for posters (Bridge, Whist and Bingo), and have got some great in the clubhouse and on the A-frame notice board at one-off events planned for the year, starting with our the bottom of the car park. Comedy Night on Saturday 25th March.

If anyone has a New Year Resolution of being more Whist Drive continues to run every involved in the local community, then we welcome all Tuesday night, 8-10pm. All are welcome. Anyone volunteers. We are a warm, fun and friendly wanting more information should contact Doreen on committee and would welcome newcomers on to our 01296 720517. team (we meet on a Weds night every month for c. 1 hour). Alternatively, we would love more volunteers to join our team of volunteer bar staff to run the bar either AbbeyA Smith Bridge Club run regular on Sundays (12-2pm), during events, or during the sessions on Thursdays evenings and Friday cricket season. All newcomers are warmly welcomed, afternoons. Beginner lessons and Seminars are held and any help is always greatly appreciated. on Mondays / Wednesdays / Saturdays. Anyone wanting more information should contact Abbey via Membership Renewals Now Due email [email protected] or call Our licence is granted based on our being a Members 07891 586 410. Club. Membership runs from Jan-Dec, and renewals are now due. There is a sign-up sheet behind the bar, or please drop your details (name, address, age for under 18s) along with your membership fee through to The bar remains open every Sunday 12- Helen Harvey, Membership Secretary (24 North 2pm. The Pool Table is free to use for everyone Close) or Kirsty Foley, Chairman (The Barn, 64b Main whilst the bar is open. Road). Hall Hire Once again, the committee have decided to keep our The clubhouse remains available to hire for one- membership costs fixed, with no inflation. Fees are off events (Birthday party / Christening / Wakes – any therefore £1 per person for the year (£4 for a family). reason for a gathering!) or for a regular booking for We appreciate everyone’s support in becoming clubs / organisations. We have a large, spacious members – not only does it help us maintain our room, with kitchen, garden and bar facilities, licence (which is a valuable addition to events such as overlooking the Cricket ground. Our rates are still the VPA show and Cricket, as well as those who maintained at £8 per hour (£10 with bar facilities). regularly use our clubhouse), the membership fees We believe this offers great value compared to help us pay our essential fixed costs such as Council other venues in the area. A non-refundable deposit Tax and Public Liability Insurance. and hire agreement form are required for all bookings. All local groups receive 2 free hires per year. More Forthcoming Events: details can be found on The date is set for our next Comedy Night – https://venues4hire.org/venue/details/32878/drayton- Saturday 25th March. Doors open at 7pm, parslow-sports-social-club, or by calling Sarah with the Comedy due to start at 8pm. The Fish & Chip Norman on 07970 820342 van will attend during one of the breaks, for anyone in need of sustenance. As with previous Comedy Nights, you will be riotously entertained by Patrick (our regular compere) and 3 comedic acts. Be prepared for lots of laughter. Tickets are £10 per person, and are available from either Kirsty Foley (07789 511264) or Sarah Norman 07970 820342. Please do come

Your Garden in February Gardening Advice from Gill Gallon, Potash Nursery www.potashplants.co.uk

This is the shortest month of the year and often the coldest, but we can still have some nice bright sunny days when we can get out in the garden. Snowdrops, winter aconites and miniature daffodils all remind us that Spring is not too far away.

Jobs for the garden x Cut down the old stems of perennial plants like Sedum and cut back the old foliage from ornamental grasses before growth begins - clip them to within a few centimetres of the ground. x Cut back autumn fruiting raspberries to about 15cm of the ground and trim the tops of canes of summer fruiting raspberries. x Deadhead and prune grapevines, wisteria, buddleia and summer flowering clematis. Cut all previous seasons shoots back to within 2 or 3 buds of old wood. This hard pruning will encourage the development of strong growth that will bare good size flowers from June onwards. x Remove any snow we may get from greenhouse and conservatory roofs to let in more light and also shake it off tree branches and shrubs to prevent breakages. x Prepare the ground for spring planting whenever the weather permits. Add a dressing of bonemeal to shrub borders and beds as an additional source of plant food for the spring. x Seed potatoes are now available and should be stored in trays, in a light, cool, frost-free place to chit ready for planting in March or April.

Plant of the Month Helleborus are always a welcome sight in late winter and early spring when their nodding bell-like flowers start to show through the evergreen foliage and fill the garden with shades of white, pink and rich plum purple. Sometimes known as the Christmas or Lenten rose, it is the jewel of the Winter garden with their frost resistance making them a popular choice of plant for this time of year. Favourite garden varieties include, Helleborus foetidus, Helleborus niger and Helleborus hybridus although there are approximately 20 species of this herbaceous, evergreen, perennial flowering plant. All hellebores are woodland plants which enjoy a shady, damp spot. They're largely untroubled by pests and diseases: just trim off old leaves in late winter to expose the emerging buds so you can see the display at its heartwarming best.

Happy Gardening in 2017!

P.S. Although we are closed in February, if you would like to visit the nursery, just give us a call and we will open up for you.

Sometimes we all need a bit of help

There are times when we all need a little bit of help. Maybe you’re recovering from an illness, feeling lonely and isolated or unable to get out and about, Prevention Matters could give you that bit of help to make your life easier and more fulfilling.

Prevention Matters, delivered by Buckinghamshire County Council through a partnership of organisations, including the NHS, District Councils and a variety of voluntary and community sector organisations, is a free and friendly advice service linking eligible adults (over 18) in Buckinghamshire to social activities, volunteers and community services.

We can support you in regaining your confidence, independence and getting out and about by finding social activities, volunteers and community services for you in your local area.

Here’s how we helped Georgina with the worries of being on her own:

After the death of her last remaining family member Georgina was concerned about her declining health and money worries. A Prevention Matters community practice worker visited her at home to see how we could help.

The community practice worker was able to help arrange a home visit to asses her property for disability allowance, get taxi tokens so she could get to appointments, catalogues on home shopping and meal delivery so she didn’t have to rely on friends.

Georgina now feels better informed about the services that are available to her and through Prevention Matters is now £200 a month better off, safer at home and less worried about her finances.

How do I find out about this service? x Call our friendly staff on 0300 666 0159 (local number) x Email at [email protected] x Or use the online form at buckscc.gov.uk/preventionmatters x Alternatively you can ask your GP or health professional for more information

What would happen next?

One of our Community Practice Workers will contact you to arrange a time to come and talk to you about what services may be available locally for you. The Community Practice Worker can contact the activities and services you might be interested in attending or receiving in your home and can support you until you feel confident and happy to be independent.

It’s ok to ask for help. To find out more about Prevention Matters please visit www.careadvicebuckinghamshire.org/preventionmatters

Valentine’s Day Facts February 14th From the Daily Telegraph Birds The idea that Valentine's Day is the date birds start to mate dates from the 14th century, and bird superstitions are common. In Cornwall, young men would launch an early morning hunt with a net for an owl and two sparrows. If they could capture the birds without injury and get to the inn before the females of the house had risen, they were rewarded with three pots of ale laced with a shot of wormwood. No records are kept of what happened to the birds.

Cards The first man to send a Valentine note was a Frenchman. Charles, Duke of Orleans, was imprisoned in the Tower of London after the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. He remained there for 25 years and wrote 60 love poems addressed to his wife, which are claimed as the first formal "valentines". One even refers to her as "Ma tres doulce Valentinée".

Hearts The traditional Valentine's heart shape might derive from the seed of the silphium plant, used in ancient times as an herbal birth control. Early visual representations in religious art made the heart look more like a pine cone.

Love The iconic hippy LOVE image (with the LO above the VE) was created by Robert Indiana, a leader of the New York pop art movement. Indiana claimed that his inspiration came from the inscription on the wall of a Christian Scientist church, which he had attended as a child. In 1973, the US Post Office reproduced it on a Valentine's Day stamp which sold more than 300 million units and made $25 million for the Post Office. Indiana had never copyrighted the design and so earned nothing. He recently emerged from his island retreat to create a matching red, white and blue sculpture of HOPE for the Obama campaign. Valentine’s Day Recipe From BBC Good Food

Baked sea bass with lemon caper dressing Ingredients Method 4 x 100g/4oz sea bass fillets 1. To make the dressing, mix the oil with the lemon zest and juice, olive oil capers, mustard, some seasoning and 1 tbsp water. Don't add the olive oil, for brushing parsley yet (unless serving straight away) as the acid in the lemon will fade the colour if they are left together for too long. For the caper dressing: 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 2. Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Line a baking tray with grated zest 1 lemon, plus 2 tbsp juice baking parchment and put the fish, skin-side up, on top. Brush the 2 tbsp small capers skin with oil and sprinkle with some flaky salt. Bake for 7 mins or 2 tsp Dijon mustard until the flesh flakes when tested with a knife. Arrange the fish on 2 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley, plus a few extra warm serving plates, spoon over the dressing and scatter with extra leaves (optional) parsley leaves, if you like.

Serve by candlelight with potatoes of your choice and green veg

STEWKLEY PLAYERS present their 117th production

One Man, Two Guvnors

written by Richard Bean based on The Servant of Two Masters by Carlo Goldoni

in the Village Hall, STEWKLEY

WEDNESDAY 22nd MARCH 2017 at 8pm

THURSDAY 23rd MARCH 2017 at 8pm

FRIDAY 24th MARCH 2017 at 8pm

SATURDAY 25th MARCH 2017 at 8pm

Doors Open 7:30pm Licensed Bar

TICKETS £6.00 (incl. programme) ON SALE FROM 27th FEBRUARY 2017 Box Office Telephone : 07845 489 167

5th, 12th & 19th March: Sunday morning Box Office at the Village Hall from 10:00 to 12:00 Please pay for tickets in advance. Cheques payable to ‘Stewkley Players

Village events change of dates reminder:

Church Fete: 17th June (not 10th as previously advertised)

Open Gardens: 8th & 9th July

Yoga Classes in Drayton Parslow. Wednesdays from 7pm, Village Hall

Hatha and Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga

Demelza runs classes which are fun, achievable and challenging for each individual.

Give yourself an hour and a half to explore what your body can do and let your mind release the stresses of our busy lives so you can start the new day afresh.

Your body and mind will thank you for it!

** Particularly good for horse riders as Demelza is also a Dressage coach so can tailor exercises to improve posture, strength and flexibility specifically **

£45 for a course of 5 sessions or £10 drop in.

Classes start Wednesday 8th February 2017

Call 07811 767578 email [email protected]

Demelza Hawes Classical Dressage Trainer www.demelzahawes.com

London Professional Cleaning Co.

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We are happy to provide you with a regular daily, weekly or fortnightly cleaning service. All our services are tailor-made to suit you.

Why not call us for a free no obligation quote!

Contact Us:

[email protected] 07943 103 228 / 08434 873 108 www.londonprofessionalcleaningco.com Had a long and busy day at work, feeling

achy and stressed or do you take part in sports or recently had an injury? Why not try DebbieDuz Dog Grooming/ a Sports Massage? Massage has wide Home Boarding reaching benefits such as; relaxation,

As well as being a professional NPTC City and Guilds qualified dog groomer catering for all aspects of dog grooming, we are also fully insured and licensed to board dogs at our home. Following the success of our dog grooming business many of our clients have decided they would like to stay with us when their owners go on holiday! They live in our home as part of the family enjoying all the country walks and comforts of home - rather like a doggy creche!

For an informal chat to discuss your dog’s holiday requirements please call:

Tel: 01296 728672 Mobile: 07927195345 Email: [email protected]

FOR ALL OF YOUR DOMESTIC CLEANING

YOUR LOCAL STEWKLEY BASED COMPANY

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Paul Eveling Domestic Electrical Services

All types of domestic electrical Work carried out. No call out charges Free Quotations Friendly Local Electrician Part P Approved

Additional Sockets / Lights, Exterior / Security Lighting, Fault Rectification, Electric Showers, Fuse Box Upgrades.

88 Westbrook End Tel Home: 01908 649143 Mob: 07541025351 e-mail [email protected]

Christmas Quiz - answers: Softscape Horticulture “The Art of Cultivation”

Local Garden Service

Garden Consultation :

A visit to your garden aimed at those who want to garden themselves but need some guidance. Softscape will explain what you need to do How did you do? and when and how you do it. Advice includes:

x Plant identification problems and care 1. Advent x Pruning and training techniques 2. More than one, the Bible doesn't say how many! x Planting advice and more……. 3. Deep pan, crisp and even! A consultation in your garden – 30 mins £15.00 4. Elizabeth 5. St. Nicholas Annual Contract Garden Maintenance : 6. 25; 'no el'!!! From £80.00 per month

7. Bethlehem Garden Work : 8. 364 £25.00 per hour

9. 1840s - 1843 by Sir Henry Cole Pruning Lawn Care Border Preparation 10. Egypt Planting Weeding Leaf Clearance 11. Three - Dasher, Dancer and Donner Established 2001

12. Germany - it was Latvia but it was part of German Qualifications: then! Royal Horticultural Society 13. King Herod General Examination in Horticulture (2000) Bsc (Hons) Geography (Exeter) (1997) 14. Just like the ones I used to know IHRS Certificate in Viticulture (2012) 15. Carpenter 16. The Anglo Saxons - it means 'good health'

17. Shepherds Jon Barraclough 18. A six pence Steeple , Buckinghamshire 19. Gabriel Tel : 07950 341399 / 01296 738353 20. In a manger Email : [email protected]

Cleaning and reproofing Service x Dogs are cared for in within my own home. Delivery and collection by arrangement or FREE x Regular exercise sessions in paddock and walks. Free to on orders for over 10 rugs play in secure garden/paddock in fine weather including paddling pool during summer. x Dogs have their own resting areas for sleeping time. Outdoor Rug Wash only £8.50 x Stuffed Kongs provided for relaxation and entertainment! Reproof £6.50 x All services are available seven days a week. Stable Rugs (Inc Thermatex) £7.50 x Places are strictly limited to ensure a high standard of care Horse Duvet £10.50 for your dog. Coolers £5.00 x Fully licensed and insured. Summer Sheets £3.50 Please contact Sheila for further details: Numnahs (excluding Sheepskin) £4.00

Sheepskin Numnahs £5.50 Tel No. 01296 720537 – Mobile 07919485128 Email: [email protected] All Rugs washed and re-proofed using Nikwax products All accounts must be settled on return of rugs NB Please note dogs MUST be sociable to other dogs and people in order to be taken for home boarding and day care. All dogs must be vaccinated and proof of vaccination is For any further details or prices, required. please call Tina 07830 783012

DIRECTORY OF LOCAL SERVICES

COMPUTER SERVICES PROPERTY SERVICES

Comput@mation FULLY QUALIFIED Computer support and CARPENTER after-sales services. Kitchens, bedrooms, John Wallace, bathrooms etc. Small building Advertising rates: Mob: 07968 536068 works and property repairs. Classified listing £30 per year Tel: 01525 261381 Contact Dave Reid on 07939 Fax: 0871 528 4646 146630 or 01525 Boxed advert £60 per year (6 [email protected] 279524. Email: issues) [email protected] One-off boxed ads £12 DOMESTIC SERVICES RESIDENTIAL CARE See adverts inside from For Sale/Wanted items: Exquisite Cleaning & The The Lindens £2 DP residents, £4 Non- London Cleaning Company Family run residential care home, village setting, Stoke residents GARDEN SERVICES Hammond. Details from Matron 01525 240240 Softscape Horticulture Any questions, please contact Garden Consultancy and The Orchard Sally on Maintenance. Border work, Delightful residential care [email protected] mowing, planting & advice. home in Stewkley. Full care

Local Service based in DP. Call service. Details from Matron Jon on 01296 728331 or 07950 01525 240240 341399 BABYSITTING & ODD JOBS!

TUITION Potash Plants Emily Sutherby: Beautiful plants on your 121 Tuition in Maths, 07702 138772 doorstep Science & English Stewkley Road, Drayton Maths, Science/Physics: Chloe Humphreys: Parslow 01296 720578 KS1-4, Also 11+. Qualified 121 07927 195345 www.potashplants.co.uk tutor with CRB. Roger Crews 07946 568153 Emily Hunter: PET SERVICES [email protected] 07716 486990 [email protected]. See advert inside from Debbie Swimming lessons uk Humphreys and Sheila Lester. Private lessons for adults

and/or children. Small indoor PICTURE FRAMING heated pool, qualified teacher. Neve Skeggs: The Orchard, Stewkley 07783 959874 Country Frame 01525 240240 Est 1984, quality framing in Iona Stepney: Stewkley. Mount cutting, 07712 322592 needle-work stretching. Call TO RECEIVE VILLAGE NEWS BY Paul Body 01525 240163 or E-MAIL – 07771 508805 IN COLOUR – CONTACT SALLY

[email protected] 10 Fishweir (off Chapel to be added to the list. Square), Stewkley LU7 0HB You will still receive the hard copy

Please call before visiting as well, but the e-mail version is www.countryframe.co.uk available around a week before the printed copy.

This year, when I embarked on my January 6th “Christmas Decoration Take Down” I was slightly regretful as I removed the Christmas Wreath, that still looked fresh, from my front door.

On December 18th a happy group of villagers and friends met at Greenacre Hall, taking time out from the frantic pre-Christmas rush, for a Wreath Making Workshop. Having been revived with coffee and homemade biscuits , we were treated to an informative demonstration by Sue Milner. We were all impressed and inspired by the speed and ease at which she produced such a beautiful wreath. Then it was our turn to attempt to be creative!

We were provided with a wonderful array of different decorations to use...... bright red berries, lovingly-tied cinnamon sticks, fragrant dried oranges and metallic sprayed leaves all to be arranged on a backdrop of fresh greenery. Many a village garden and local hedgerow had been scoured to find such a good variety. The wreaths soon began to take shape, the results were very impressive and all so different. Having been fortified by a warming homemade soup and mince pie for lunch, we returned to add the finishing touches to our wreaths. Twenty eight wreaths were made and brightly adorned the front doors of homes around Drayton Parslow over the festive season (see photos on the back page). It was a truly fun event and we all left with a sense of satisfaction, knowing we had not only made a nice wreath and chatted over lunch but also supported Holy Trinity Church in raising much needed funds.

A big thank you to all who made this possible and I am already looking forward to the next one!

Anne Glenn.

Christingle at Holy Trinity

The service, led by Simon, was very well attended as always and the beautifully decorated church looked extra-special in the glow of the Christingles.