APRIL 2021

STEWKLEY DECORATED

FOR WORLD BOOK DAY from Sally Kay Thursday 4 March was World Book Day and many children were learning from home, whilst key workers’ children were in school. Usually on World Book Day there are lots of activities in school, and children dress up as their favourite characters - a yearly perk for many parents I’m sure! With learning happening at home for many, we thought a community book event would be lovely for children (and adults) to see as they walk around the village. We asked people to decorate their windows with the theme of a book of their choice. After some persuasion (lockdown and home schooling fatigue was going strong at this point), 17 houses got involved and this resulted in some fantastic entries. Some people drew or painted pictures and some used toys and props to depict a scene; there was a huge range of creative ideas. Hopefully you managed to get around and see some of the windows, but if not there are some photographs shared in this issue. Some other local villages also took part in the initiative. There was a vote on the village Facebook group and the winning entry was from the Dyer family of Chapel Square with The Tiger Who Came To Tea (Pictured right). More pictures on page 20. Many thanks to all who took part, to the school for promoting the idea and to ‘Our Bookshop’ in Tring for providing the £10 book voucher prize. Our hope is for this to be a yearly event and that it will encourage all members of the community to keep reading.

PCs4STEWKLEY from David Morley, Headteacher, St Michael’s CE Combined School Our appeal in early January for donations of laptop and tablet devices for our children received an amazing response from people. We were able to lend 25 computers to our children so they were able to access learning on line. Our teachers did an amazing job in delivering live lessons via Microsoft Teams, but without the support of the local community, many children would not have been able to access them. We were also indebted to the St Michael's School Trust, Stewkley Parish Council and the Rothchild's Foundation for their cash donations which meant that we were able to buy some new laptop devices and a storage trolley. These devices have now been returned to school so that they can be used by our classes. We would Also in this months Grapevine: like to offer our thanks to our Chair of Governors, Susie Brister, for coordinating the campaign. ● p2 Walkers Walking again ● p3 Airport Campaign Anniversary ● p5 60th Wedding Anniversary ● p5 Mother’s Day Blackout ● p10 Down Memory Lane: High Street South ● p20 Stewkley Characters ● p20 More book day pictures

THE GRAPEVINE: NEXT ISSUE ON OR ABOUT 1 MAY 2021. DEADLINE FOR CONTRIBUTIONS & ADS: 15 APRIL 2021 Contact: [email protected] To advertise: email or call 242137. For editorial: email or call 240350. Page 2 Stewkley Grapevine April 2021

towards the golf course, onwards to golden valley, past Ashridge VILLAGE DIARY College and back to the car park. NB It can be quite muddy in places especially after heavy rain. Dogs on leads welcome. APRIL Facilities: Public Toilets and cafe near the Visitor Centre. Mon 5 Book Club – via Zoom, 8.30pm Leaders: Frank and Heather Phone 07938 521252 to book Tue 6 Parish Council – via Zoom 7.30pm Thursday 22 April Ouse Valley Figure of Eight 4.5 miles Thu 8 Refuse: green tops, food bins and brown garden waste Meet at Watermill Lane car park, off Old Stratford Road, Wolverton Mill (MK12 5PR) at 10.00am. This figure of eight walk around the Wed 14 Refuse: blue tops and food bins Ouse Valley Flood Plain and Nature Reserve is a level walk all on Thu 15 Grapevine deadline for adverts and articles surfaced footpaths. Please bring binoculars as there are hides for Wed 21 Refuse: green tops, food bins and brown garden waste birdwatching. Regret no dogs. Fri 23 to Tues 27 Over our dead bodies - YouTube NB No public toilets Wed 28 Refuse: blue tops and food bins Leader: Tom Phone 07970 479007 to book Tuesday 27 April Aspley Guise and Husborne Crawley 4.5 miles WHAT’S ON IN APRIL Meet in Recreation Ground/Bowls Club car park, West Hill, Aspley Guise (MK17 8DX) at 10.00am. Take entrance to Aspley Guise and Woburn Sands Golf Club and bear immediately right signed to Bowls BOOK CLUB Club and into car park behind on left. The walk is varied, crossing Monday 5 April fairways, short sections of quiet roads in Aspley Guise, one or two 8.30pm via Zoom fields, a small wood and through Crawley Park. Good views, no stiles. NB No public toilets. Regret no dogs. Please contact Greg on 240487 for information Leaders: Alice and Dot Phone 07905 759120 to book Book to discuss: Anna of the Five Towns by Arnold Bennet Friday 30 April Heath Wood Circular 4 miles (Book for May: Away with the Penguins by Hazel Prior) Meet at The Globe Inn, (LU7 2TA) at 10.00am. This walk crosses the flood plain meadows to Heath Wood and Knolls from Bridget Watson STEWKLEY WALKERS Wood. Grass and woodland paths throughout with some gentle Walks Programme for April slopes. Can be muddy in a few places. Dogs on leads welcome. We look forward to welcoming members back to group walks after Facilities: No public toilets. The Globe should have reopened the lockdown has lifted. We can then meet outdoors, the ‘Rule of 6’ where there are toilets and also a restaurant with plenty of outdoor applying once again, so there will be one walk leader plus five space (Booking required). walkers. There will be a maximum of two groups on all our walks Leaders: Bridget and Dave Phone 07756 326350 to book and we will operate a staggered start. Suggested walks for the May programme to Bridget by 12 April When meeting up at the starting point and during the walks, please please ([email protected]). remember to keep a safe distance from others and bring a face covering and hand sanitiser. More Walk Leaders needed! Many of the walks were on the December/January walks STEWKLEY WI from Sheila Fellowes programme, so most places will have been booked by members who are still able to go. However, it is worth phoning to go on a waiting It has been a long time since I have had some good news to write list. If there is sufficient interest, we can offer the walks again in May about. As you are already aware we hope to have an outdoor get- or June. Mileages are approximate. Walks usually take about two together in June, followed by the first indoor meeting in July. hours. Obviously this all depends on the release from ‘lockdown’ going to plan. Please give your phone contact to the walk leader in case of any cancellations. Thank you. The first meeting in the Village Hall will be on 14 July. We will be using the Main Hall for a few months and we are grateful to the Wednesday 7 April Rushmere Circular 3.5/4.0 miles Badminton players for this concession. This will give us more space. Meet at Rushmere Country Park, Old Linslade Road, (LU7 0EB) by Usual time of 7.30pm the Visitor Centre at 10.00am. NB Parking is £3 cash/card on exit. The speaker will be Catherine Jones, a former British Army Officer The walk takes in Rushmere and Stockgrove on marked woodland and now a writer of romantic novels, her talk is titled ‘Guns and paths. Some uphill and downhill slopes. It can be muddy in places, Roses to Hearts and Flowers’. especially after heavy rain but this walk can be adapted on to suit It will be good to see everyone again, but if you have any concerns the conditions. Dogs on leads welcome. please contact me and the committee will try to address them. Facilities: Public Toilets, cafe/serving hatch for hot and cold food For any information contact Sheila Fellowes on 240596. and drinks. You need to wear a face covering when ordering. Leaders: Thelma and George. Phone 07860 654325 to book Grapevine deadline: 15th of month. Tuesday 13 April Ashridge Circular 4.5/5 miles Meet at the visitor centre at 10.00am after parking at the Email your articles and pictures to Bridgewater Monument car park (HP4 1LT). The walk will be [email protected]. Stewkley Grapevine April 2021 Page 3 AIRPORT CAMPAIGN ANNIVERSARY by John Flewin Two photographs depict the beginning and the end of the two years that go down in Stewkley’s history as perhaps its greatest period. It was the time that the village defended itself against a plan to destroy every villager’s home, farm, church and the Village Hall. A similar fate was proposed for the villages of , and Dunton. A Government-appointed commission had proposed that the area should become the site of Britain’s biggest airport, a four-runway affair dwarfing Heathrow. They called the site Cublington (Wing), although Stewkley would have been the biggest village to be destroyed. Pictured on the right is Stewkley’s reaction in July 1969 when the plan was first proposed. Below is an image of the start of the torchlight procession that celebrated the successful conclusion of the anti-airport campaign, some 50 years ago this month. 29 April 1969 Hundreds took part. Stewkley had an Action Committee that led the fight. After the victory, the minutes of its next meeting read: “The announcement in the House of Commons …. was made at about 3.30pm on Monday April 26. By 4pm Union Jacks flew from various points throughout Stewkley ….. BBC TV erected a transmitting mast in the yard behind Tythe House. They introduced Panorama with live views of the church and procession. “The church bells rang from 7.30pm until the service at about 8.15. The church, churchyard and street were packed and the service was relayed to people outside.

“The torchlight procession began with the lighting of the torch

cross held by Mr Bill Chappell from the candles of the altar. From this big torch, all the others took their flames and the procession began. There were hundreds of torches. It looked like a river of flame.” It is good that the campaign story is kept alive today, and that villagers look after the Airport Monument and Spinney on Dunton Road. It is a comforting reminder of a period when fears and hopes 26 April 1971 dominated Stewkley’s community, and of the elation when the threat was finally extinguished. Although not a villager at the time (I lived in ), I was in a privileged position. As a freelance journalist I was approached by the umbrella organisation, the Wing Airport Resistance Association, to be its Press Officer. In that capacity I was in almost daily touch with the folks in Stewkley who were the most active in the campaign, among them live-in school headmaster Geoffrey Ginn, who was Chairman of the Stewkley Action Committee, and his neighbours David and Helen Stubbs who abandoned their jobs and became organisers-in-chief. Nearly everyone in the village played some part in the protests. EVERYONE INVOLVED The last four months of the campaign, up to April 1971, saw other life in the village come to a halt. It was a unique and probably unrepeatable time when literally every villager played some part in the protests in defence of the community. It is probably unthinkable these days that a Government would be Today asked to consider a plan that involved destroying whole villages. But that’s what happened. It would have been the biggest eviction of people from their homes in Britain since the nineteenth century Highland Clearances. Over the last few months I have been acquiring new footage and re-editing an audio-visual presentation entitled “Over Our Dead Bodies” that I screened ten years ago at the Village Hall. Sadly, present restrictions make that prospect impossible. So instead, the new hour-long presentation will be available to view on Smart TVs, computer screens and tablets, via YouTube for five days at the end of the month.

OVER OUR DEAD BODIES, the video. Available from 6pm Friday 23 - Tuesday 27 April Details and link: www.stewkleyfilms.org or call it up at www.youtube.com/stewkleyfilms Audio Visual Programme : YouTube 23 – 27 April Page 4 Stewkley Grapevine April 2021 PARISH COUNCIL MATTERS The following is taken from the draft minutes provided by Stewkley Burial Ground: Permission is to be sought from the Environment Parish Council after its March meeting. Agency to plan burials within a 30 metre radius of a nearby pond May 2021 elections: Philip Gomm introduced himself as the prior to preparing a planning application. prospective Conservative party candidate for the Date of next meeting: Tuesday 6 April 7:30pm Council ward, having supported Cllr Ben Everitt in recent months. Election information is available to prospective STEWKLEY PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS – candidates for the Parish Council. 6 MAY 2021 Planning: Cllrs resolved to support the following applications: Ref Following last year’s postponement of local elections, this year’s 21/00296/AOP for Silkwell Stud, Dunton Road, outline planning election for councillors for Stewkley PC will take place on 6 May, permission for the erection of a rural enterprise dwelling alongside the elections for and for the (previously submitted as 20/04053/APP); Ref 21/00319/APP, The and Crime Commissioner. Ploughing Barns, Soulbury Road, erection of an agricultural Stewkley Parish Council has nine councillors and not all current building, commenting on better organisation to maximise the car councillors will be standing for re-election. So if you are interested parking on site, to avoid overspill onto Soulbury Road; subject to in contributing to the community as a councillor, you will find all the relocation of the new 30mph gateway to be placed further east the essential information including qualification requirements to along Soulbury Rd, 21/00401/APP, The Ploughing Barns, change be a candidate on Buckinghamshire Council’s website by following of use of land from agriculture to dog exercise area including laying the tabs Home, Your council, Council and democracy, Elections and a 16mx16m hardstanding parking and manoeuvring area, fencing voting. the site with deer netting and improving the existing access; There are links to the Electoral Commission’s website for 21/00503/ALB Old Wood Hall 8 Dean Road Stewkley, renovation nomination forms and guides. of an inglenook fireplace, restoration of wall finishes, new floor Important dates: structure and door opening. • Nomination papers can be delivered to from The Council agreed not to comment on 21/00576/COUAR, Dean 22 March until no later than 4pm Thursday 8 April. Farm, Dean Road, determination as to whether prior approval is required in respect of transport and highway impact, noise, • For new electors: If you are not on the Electoral Roll, you can contamination risk, flooding and locational considerations for the still register to be an elector by 19 April. conversion of agricultural barn into dwelling house and in relation • Deadline for receiving postal vote and postal proxy vote to design and external appearance of the building. applications: 5pm 20 April. Cllrs objected to 21/00548/AGN Old Forge Farm (re-named from • Deadline for new applications to vote by proxy: 5pm 27 April Kiln Home Farm) Dunton Road, erection of barn on the basis of size If you would like your nomination form to be delivered to the and location on the site. returning officer, please could you place it in Stewkley Parish Finance: The following payments were confirmed – E.ON £321.70; Council post box, St Michael’s CE Combined School, Chapel Square, SparkX £391.06; Computers £1,770; SparkX emergency call £600; Stewkley, to the right of the main school entrance door. Website EHA £99; Printer cartridges, laminating pouches £59.94; The Parish Clerk will take completed nomination forms to Gateway Staff costs £878.95. Aylesbury at Noon Wednesday 7 April. Any forms posted in this Coronavirus Actions: Following a successful campaign to raise post box after that date will not be delivered by the Clerk. laptop donations, the school’s needs were satisfied, and the receipt of further laptops has been paused. Further offers of laptops could EXPRESSWAY CANCELLED BUT CONCRETING be sent to national schemes. The public were thanked for their CONTINUES generosity and in particular the local resident who gave up time to The Government has formally cancelled the Oxford-to-Cambridge set up the laptops for use. An additional expense of £270 for school expressway (multi-lane highway). Extensive analysis showed that laptops was approved. the anticipated benefits of the expressway, that was mooted to slice Best Kept Village: The PC will support the competition if it is held through the Vale close to Winslow, were outweighed by its costs. this year. It was noted that the litter problems around the village The Department for Transport will instead investigate the need for are particularly bad and that teams of volunteers could address the more targeted road interventions in the region to support the problem. recently launched spatial framework. The framework is the first Grass verges, Dove Street: Members of the public have step towards significantly developing the Oxford-Cambridge ‘Arc’ complained to the PC. The verges are deeply rutted by contractors’ and will inform local and national planning and investment vehicles to the point where they could present a danger. The Clerk decisions to “unlock the long-term potential of the area in a will contact Vale of Aylesbury Housing Trust to alert the sustainable way, improving the arc as a place to live and work.” Up contractors to the danger and ensure speedy repair work. to 1.5 million new homes have been suggested as a “sustainable” target, or the equivalent of about 12 cities the size of Milton Keynes. Streetlights: The lighting sub-committee reported on the framework for repair and development that would be arranged The East West Rail scheme remains a critical infrastructure project with Sparkx. Progress would be made public through the within the Arc. In January, the Government announced a £760 Grapevine. An emergency call out and security repairs were million funding commitment to deliver the next phase of the required on a street light on Dean Road at a cost of £500 ex VAT; railway, which will reinstate direct rail services between Bicester further repairs were agreed at a cost of £1700 ex VAT. The light and Bletchley for the first time since 1968. outside St Michaels Church was noted as needing repair. Critics of the proposed development of the Arc have pointed out Highways: It was agreed to make an application to the Winslow that such ambitions are inconsistent with the Government’s Community Board to support funding for a footway on the corner headline levelling-up agenda, and that such energy and investment of Dean Road. Ongoing drainage problems in Fishweir have been should prioritise the less well-off parts of the country, otherwise reported to Bucks Council but an immediate solution is unlikely. the ‘Red Wall’ communities will fall further behind. The Council will press for higher priority. High Street South More information is available at: pavements have been identified as a priority area for repair. www.gov.uk/government/publications/planning-for-sustainable- Swarco Mobile Vehicle Activated Sign maintenance contract has growth-in-the-oxford-cambridge-arc-spatial-framework and been renewed at the silver level. www.beag.org.uk Stewkley Grapevine April 2021 Page 5 60TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY from Mandy Forbes FIONA PHIMISTER ‘HIGHLY COMMENDED’ IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE WOMEN IN CHARITY AWARDS There were four categories for the Awards and Fiona received Highly Commended in the Outstanding Volunteer category – awarded to an individual who has displayed great commitment and whose volunteering efforts have made a significant difference to people’s lives. Fiona told Grapevine, “I was delighted just to have been nominated and so completely blown away to have got a mention and a highly commended!! It was Lynsey Ford of Manor Drive who sneakily nominated me. I only found out a few days before the ceremony that I had been nominated. “The award ceremony was at midday yesterday (Monday 8 March) online and you could login into the live ceremony via A wedding anniversary is the celebration of love, trust, partnership, YouTube. tolerance, and tenacity. The order varies for any given year! And after 60 “I’m not actually sure what happens now! They have my years together, it's definitely a call for a celebration. Cedric and Patricia contact details and apparently they will be in touch for media Brewer, of Wing Road, Stewkley, were married at the Stewkley Methodist interviews but I haven’t heard from them as yet. I don’t even Chapel in April 1961, and have lived in the same house, in the village, their know if I get a certificate! It all kind of happened out of the whole married lives. In fact, Ced was born in that house. Please join family blue!” and friends in wishing them a very happy Diamond anniversary, and many Lynsey was also thrilled by the outcome of her nomination. more to come. She said, “We saw the Buckinghamshire Women in Charity Awards in the Grapevine and thought that it was the perfect FAREWELL TO MRS CORKETT opportunity to give Fiona some recognition. We felt that her from David Morley, Headteacher, St Michael’s CE Combined School achievement of hitting £100k was the perfect time to nominate her. Also, it was an easy story to tell, her hard work After 19 Years of dedicated service to the St over the past ten years speaks for itself! We were so proud Michael's School community, Mrs Julia Corkett, when her name was read out as Highly Commended for the our teaching assistant, has moved onto new Volunteer Award, another amazing achievement for my adventures. fantastic friend!” In her time with us she has supported countless children with not only help with their learning, A JUMPER’S JOURNEY (CONCLUSION) but also much needed nurturing support. Last year Polly Kempson Our pupils, parents, staff and governors are explained the process of hugely thankful to Julia for her hard work and producing yarn from a dedication to her role. fleece and dying the yarn Julia has fulfilled many roles at the school and ready to knit her sweater. worked with many different year groups. In recent years she has provided Polly left off her story in July essential and valuable one-to-one support for children. at a point where she was Upon leaving the school, Julia was presented with flowers and John Lewis ready to start testing needle vouchers. sizes and determine how best to produce the type of We wish her all the best with her future plans. garment she wanted, a FUNERAL: DAVE & MARGET OKE jumper inspired by the A joint funeral service for village American artist Kaffe character Cornish Dave and his wife Fassett. Margaret was held last month at The jumper is now finished Crematorium. The couple and the colours produced through the dying process stand had no known family and it was a out beautifully against the undyed black Jacob wool. Polly simple affair with no mourners. told the Grapevine, “It’s very cosy and warm and I’m very As reported in the February edition of the Grapevine, Dave Oke died at pleased with how it has turned out.” their home in Southall Crescent aged 87 in December. Margaret, who was THANK YOU from Brenda Jones of Stockhall Crescent 95, died a few weeks later in a nursing home. I would like to thank Bunt for the lovely photo and memories The funeral service was conducted by Methodist minister the Rev Fred of Geoffrey and Barbara Ginn. I was very lucky to have been Ireland. Two members of the funeral director’s team sat where a taught by both of them. congregation would normally be. On top of each coffin was a single rose. Bunt and I sat at the same desk in Mr Ginn’s class. I regularly Two bunches of spring flowers were added at the crematorium viewing had a bruised upper arm because Bunt liked to give me a area, bunches sent by a village family. The couple’s ashes were later thump! However it all stopped the day our kindly interred at the Stewkley Burial Ground. headmaster informed him that thumping me was a sign of Cornish Dave was a regular at The Swan public house, a seat close to the affection! fireplace apparently reserved for him each day. In the couple’s memory, Once, when I was visiting the village, I bumped into Barbara an appeal has been launched to raise money for a memorial bench to be having not seen her for what must have been 20 years. I told sited in The Swan garden. her she hadn’t changed a bit and how well she looked. Her Donations can be made at: www.gofund.me/b6516e8a answer was “Yoga my dear, yoga.“ Page 6 Stewkley Grapevine April 2021 LOCAL ELECTIONS ­ 6 May As well as the Parish Council elections on 6 May, County Councillor Phil Gomm elections for the new Unitary Authority will take It’s been a privilege living and being part of the place. Each Ward in the new Unitary Authority will elect three spirited multicultural community all County Councillors. Stewkley is in the Great Brickhill Ward. my life. The closing date for nominations is 8 April and although actual People have always been my focus and as a DJ polling day is in May, postal voters will receive their packs Presenter and owner of an events company, approximately three weeks beforehand. So the Grapevine has listening and delivering accurately has been key. requested details from the different parties to provide information Family is extremely important and it’s been my pleasure to farm to voters about their individual candidates. and breed horses with them. The details received so far are given below. Additional details of Recently, as a County Councillor, Chairman of Thames Valley candidates will be included in the May edition. Crimestoppers and Buckingham Neighbourhood Action Group I’ve LIBERAL DEMOCRATS gained a passion for advocating for the best for people which I Andrew Jones endeavour to continue. I have lived in North Buckinghamshire for over 40 Jilly Jordan years, the last 30 of which have been in , I am currently working as a Unitary Councillor in which, like Stewkley, is part of the Great Brickhill the Ivers. I have served on several committees, Ward for the Unitary Council Elections. My children including planning (local and strategic) and finance, went to school in Stewkley and now, in-turn, their and I am Chairman of the local Community Board. children are at school locally. I was a partner in one of the major We recently moved to live in the area. I am keen to international accounting firms but since recent retirement I have use experience gained as a member of become a Parish Councillor in Mursley and a Governor for the Sir Buckinghamshire Council to the benefit of the local community. Thomas Fremantle secondary school in Winslow. I passionately believe that residents should have the opportunity to elect Clearly, we face many challenges, including those presented by Councillors who live in the Ward at the heart of their community. major infrastructure projects. I look forward to getting to know members of the local communities and working together to Malcolm Newing maintain and improve the quality of life in our villages. I have lived in Aylesbury Vale for 30 years, 24 of them in where I am a Parish MOTHER’S DAY BLACKOUT Councillor. I chaired the successful Stop Dorcas On Sunday 14 March, just as Mothering Sunday suppers were about Lane Turbine Action Group which brought together to be popped in the oven, the lights at first dimmed and then went residents across the North Bucks Villages including out completely. Stewkley. The same approach would be beneficial in the face of common threats like housing over-provision, road quality and The Western Power website and Twitter feed confidently stated traffic speed through the villages. My experience of managing that the problem would be resolved by 6.30pm. But then something major issues and large budgets as a Customer Service Director in changed and an update gave a much later timing of 10pm, so BT will help me contribute more and make a difference to people’s families settled in for an evening of candles and blank screens. lives. I passionately believe greater understanding, seeking Power was finally restored at around 9pm, though one or two compromise and working together will deliver a better, stronger households in the village continued to experience problems with kinder society. reduced power. Nicolette Smith In response to one villager’s queries the following day Western Nicolette moved from the Netherlands to the UK in Power stated, “We had a fault on the high voltage network 2002 to work for a software company, then based yesterday at 16.56pm affecting 1043 properties. It was due to an in Stokenchurch. She has lived in Buckinghamshire overhead switch needing repairing, which engineers completed last ever since, she met her British husband in night.” The Western Power employee did not know where the Haddenham and they now live in with actual fault had occurred. two teenage children, two cats and a dog. She joined the Liberal For future reference Western Power’s numbers are: 0800 6783 Democrats party in 2016 to give a voice to minority groups, such 105 for emergency information and 0800 096 3080 for general as EU citizens in the UK, neuro-diverse people, children with queries. Special Educational Needs, gender choice and gender equality. She has a passion for education, a fair society for all and the STEWKLEY WALKERS AGM from Alice Horne environment. CONSERVATIVES Stewkley Walkers’ AGM on Wednesday 17 February 2021 was held via emails. As Pat Grenfell was standing down from the Committee, Iain Macpherson the Chairman thanked her for supporting Stewkley Walkers in Iain has spent the last 39 years in business, initially various activities. The other Committee members were willing to in international sales and marketing roles for multi- continue for another year. Neil Shefferd continues as Chairman, national companies travelling extensively, but more Alice Horne as Secretary, Bridget Watson as Walks Coordinator, and recently in medium sized businesses in the food Stephen Kleppen as Treasurer. Thelma Hearne, Lindsay Keen, Jill sector in the Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire and Ian Skudder and Paul Thomas continue as Ordinary Members. area as Managing Director. The Chairman expressed appreciation in particular to Bridget He has always taken a keen interest in both national and local Watson and Stephen Kleppen who, when they took on their politics and has recently supported Greg Smith’s campaign pre- respective roles only a year ago, could certainly not have envisaged election on the doorsteps. He’s attended many fundraising events the extra work in rearranging walks and trips, due to Government and local activities such as the anti-HS2 rallies. restrictions during the pandemic. Iain is married to Angela; they have two mature children; Rosanna Walks are arranged whenever restrictions allow and we hope to (32) and Angus (29) hold our Social Evening as usual next October. New members and walks leaders are always welcome. Stewkley Grapevine April 2021 Page 7 Methodist Chapel St Michael’s Church Minister: Rev Donna Broadbent-Kelly Benefice Rector: Rev Howard Robson The Manse, Tel: 01296 688593 High Street South Team Vicar: Rev Dr Andrew Krauss Tel 240589 Tel 07508213154 Email: [email protected] Church Wardens: Web: www.aylesburyvale.org.uk Neil Dickens [email protected] Tel: 242253 Judy Walker [email protected] Tel: 240444 SERVICES and NOTICES for APRIL SERVICES and NOTICES for APRIL ► Following Government restrictions there will be a Zoom Subject to Government restrictions services will be held as service every Sunday at 10am until further notice. All welcome to follows. Please wear masks. See Facebook @ St Michael’s Church join in. Please contact Rev Donna Broadbent-Kelly or the Stewkley for further details. Stewards for the link. ► The Rev Donna Broadbent-Kelly is writing a weekly reflection. 4 11am Easter Sunday – Holy Communion ► There is a daily thought for the day from one of the Circuit Ministers. 11 10am Family Service ► All can be accessed on www.aylesburymethodists.org.uk 18 10am Holy Communion ► If you would like to receive the weekly reflections or join the 25 10am Holy Communion Zoom Bible Study please email Donna and she will arrange = Food Bank: The porch is open for contributions which now go for you to join in. to Leighton Linslade Homeless Service. Many thanks to all MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER donors. Hello friends, MESSAGE FROM THE BENEFICE RECTOR I don’t know about you, but I have always been REV HOWARD ROBSON fascinated by mazes. Particularly those mazes where you begin in daylight and then walk through the “We know the price of everything and the value of paths in semi-darkness until you emerge in the nothing”. I was reminded of that phrase by an centre back into the daylight. Then you embark on advert in a recent edition of Classic Car Weekly for the return journey! a 1978 Daimler Sovereign. The car is immaculate, It feels to me that over the last year we have been but then it should be because in 43 years, the in some kind of maze as we have negotiated our Daimler has covered only 400 miles. The seller is way through the pandemic with all the twists and turns that it has asking £42,000. The car raises a very interesting brought upon us. Yet as I write at this time of year, it feels to me that question about the relationship between value, we are on that return journey out of the maze towards the light in more price and worth. ways than one. The value of a late seventies Daimler in excellent condition is significant, Firstly, we are beginning to slowly emerge from lockdown. The roadmap but the price of this one is significantly higher than usual because of its out of lockdown has been given to us, and we are negotiating the twists mileage. But the worth? Such a low mileage means that to use the car and turns of that maze each day. Secondly, as the church, we have been would mean major recommissioning, but then would you want to use journeying through the maze of Lent preparing for the light of Easter. it and increase the mileage? But if the car remains unused, what’s the Now that Easter is upon us, and the maze is becoming clearer, we can point of having it? Some (many?) would say that the car is not worth prepare to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the darkness of the tomb having. on that first Easter Day. Jesus has given us a clear path through the The relationship between value, price and worth is something we live maze of life, through God’s love for all of us. with daily and we apply it to everything we do, sometimes even towards Easter Reflections is a beautiful poem by Helen Steiner Rice that tells other people. And our selective valuing can be conscious or not. Day us how God blesses us through the beauty of the spring season and by day for us all therefore, thinking about how we view others and how also reflects on the Easter season and what it offers us. For the poet, we judge accordingly is an important exercise. Easter is the time when earth wakes up from a deep slumber and the The Gospel of Christ meets head on the question of value, price and beginning of new life in nature. A time to feel the real blessings of God. worth. All are valuable as created beings in the sight of God; all are worth the effort of relationship with Christ and Christ paid the ultimate Easter Reflections price to demonstrate this. Throughout the Easter story, Christ neither remonstrates with nor avoids the accusations or ridicule from others; he With OUR EYES we see simply allows their (our?) values to play out and thus be seen for what they are. The beauty of Easter At Easter we are confronted by Christ’s valuing of us all; for Christ rose as the earth awakens once more... again and every Primary school child I have ever asked knows Jesus did With OUR EARS we hear not rise again to “zap” those who nailed him up. Jesus’ absolute valuing The birds sing sweetly of us all is amply shown by the invitation to follow him in his risen life to tell us Spring again is here... because we are worth it. Easter chocolate is yummy and Easter bunnies are cute, but neither help with the question “how much am I worth?” With OUR HANDS we pick The Gospel of Christ replies You are worth everything. the golden daffodils With every blessing, and the fragrant hyacinths... Rev Howard Robson.

But only with OUR HEARTS can we feel the MIRACLE of GOD'S LOVE which redeems all men... CAN YOU HELP? And only with OUR SOUL ASSISTANCE NEEDED KEEPING CHURCHYARD TIDY can we make our 'pilgrimage to God' and inherit His Easter Gift of ETERNAL LIFE. If you fancy doing a bit of mowing in the church yard So in this Easter season I pray that you experience the grace of God as Please contact Judy Walker on 240444 or you go through the maze of life. With blessings [email protected] for details of what is involved. Rev Donna Page 8 Stewkley Grapevine April 2021 Nature Watch

During a ‘litter-picking’ trip down Littlecote Lane Rachael Webb Flip Jackson’s Sycamore Close garden and birdfeeders have been a spotted some brightly coloured fungi on the verge. Although hidden hive of activity in the last month. And Flip has kindly kept up his amongst dead leaves and growing weeds their colour made them insightful observations and great photography. unmissable (header and below). On 1 March Flip’s This spring-fruiting mushroom is the scarlet elfcup (Sarcoscypha attention was austriaca), found from December to March when there are very few attracted by a robin’s other fungi about. The cap is initially deeply cup-shaped, flattening unusual excessive to a shallower fluttering around the disc with age. birdfeeder. The first The cap is thing that Flip around 6cm noticed when the across with a robin settled was the short stem of lack of tail feathers. He soon realised that this was not the only 3cm. Mostly injury; the robin also found in damp, had a crippled right shady places, it leg. Flip’s conclusion is widespread was that the little bird but had been caught from uncommon behind by a predator, across the UK. perhaps a cat, It grows in damaging both tail and clusters on dead wood, especially hazel, and is often hidden by leaf leg, but had escaped litter. any further mauling as According to Wild Food UK the scarlet elfcup is a tasty mushroom it seemed otherwise that should be cooked before eating. The Woodland Trust, on the healthy and was other hand, describes it as “not poisonous, but considered feeding well, using its inedible.” Maybe not a culinary experiment to try! left wing for balance as it landed on the feeder. In flight both wings were working well. Bird Watch ‘Dedleg’, as the One Sunday afternoon at the end of February, Dove Park residents robin became were treated to a spectacular aerial display by approximately known, was 18 wheeling red kites (Milvus milvus). around in the When asked about the number of birds in one place RSPB North garden and on the Bucks said, “Red Kites were introduced into Buckinghamshire feeders for two about 30 years ago. Some young birds were released near days but since Stokenchurch and have gradually increased in population, then there have spreading out some 25 miles. They reached been no further about 15 years ago. sightings, despite “When they were Flip regularly introduced at topping up the Stokenchurch they birdfeeders. were given daily Flip’s sad conclusion: “I’m sorry, but it was inevitable that a feeds of raw meat … wounded robin would not survive in a predatory environment, nor and as they got at a time when territory is all important at the beginning of the established the breeding season.” feeding was Nearly three-quarters of robins in Britain die before they are one gradually reduced year old, caught by predators or unable to fend for themselves. Ten until they had percent of become established older robins and self-sufficient. die defending Their diet is mainly their territory. carrion, and they are quite often seen on roads where there has been a coming Flip was able together of car and bird or mammal. to report though that “Here in Newton Longville … one household chose to put out some Pinocchio the raw meat and that brought in 50 or so birds, all of whom could be starling is seen at about 4.30pm every day. So, if you ever want to see that making many many red kites in one view visit the cross roads in Newton solo visits and Longville. sitting alone “The reason for you seeing so many was most likely due to a food for long periods on the feeders. This hopefully means that he has source; perhaps a fox after a raid leaving a few carcasses about.” staked his claim and is settling in for the breeding season.

Sources: Wild Food UK, The Woodland Trust, The Wildlife Trusts Stewkley Grapevine April 2021 Page 9 Farm Watch By Richard Heady It’s lambing time again and it’s a time of year I look forward to; the It’s also surprisingly hard to tell a lamb’s ear from its tail, when new born lambs are great characters and it’s very rewarding deep inside the ewe. delivering them and watching them thrive. At the same time I don’t There is no ‘Haynes Manual’ for lambing sheep; each birth is look forward to the lack of sleep and the second-guessing whether different and you have to learn as you go. It is a matter of life and to intervene in a birth or let things progress naturally, and also death, and no matter how hard you try you cannot safely deliver playing every lamb, but over time you learn not to beat yourself up for your Poirot to wrong decisions, but to learn from them. work out if a It’s amazing how quickly healthy lambs are up on their feet and lamb has instinctively know where to look for their first meal. This first meal managed to suckle or not. In the following paragraphs I am going to explain a little about the lambing process, and how those fantastic lambs come to frisk in the fields surrounding Stewkley, but if you are a little squeamish, it might be worth putting down your custard cream for a minute, or turning the page. Ideally we let the ewes get on with the birthing process by themselves, and most of colostrum (the ewe’s first milk) is packed with natural immunity, manage this along with vital energy supplies. The quicker they drink this the without a better, as without it the stomach soon starts to shut down leaving problem, but the lamb vulnerable to hypothermia and disease. some need A neighbouring farmer once gave me the wise advice: clever ewe + help, dopey lamb = not a problem, dopey ewe + clever lamb = not a otherwise we problem, but a dopey ewe + dopey lamb = big problem. This is could lose the when we have to help them suckle, be that by holding the dopey lambs and ewe still to give the lamb a chance to drink, or directing the dopey the ewe. lamb to the teat and waiting patiently for it to get the urge to suckle. Ideally lambs Occasionally if a lamb is too weak to drink by itself we will use a should come tube to deliver colostrum directly into the lamb’s stomach, and it’s diving out of amazing how this small act can bring a fairly lifeless lamb to its feet the ewe front feet first, followed by the head, but it’s not uncommon in a short time. for the lambs to get a little tangled. Common problems are breech births, lambs arriving bottom first, or the lamb’s head arriving before the front feet, both of which usually require assistance, but occasionally you are met with more puzzling situations. I have arrived in the morning to find a ewe with two lamb heads protruding out As Wonky lamb is grown up and doesn’t need my attention any and no legs, and have also been confronted by the opposite - more, the next batch of lambs are here to keep me busy, and I am multiple legs from multiple lambs and no head in sight. It can be a certain there will be a bottle-fed lamb or two to entertain the real puzzle working out what legs (front or back) you have found children and mow the lawn this spring. I am sure lambing gives me and which lambs they belong to. a few more grey hairs each year, but also many, many smiles. Page 10 Stewkley Grapevine April 2021 DOWN MEMORY LANE Continuing our series looking at Stewkley past and present

High Street South Looking North These properties lining the west side of High Street South comprise two-storey dwellings built to the back of the pavement. A wide pavement and the use of local brick with slate roofs add to the interest. However, little of the earlier window and door joinery has survived, along with most of the chimneys. Formerly two cottages, No 90, of late 18th century origin, and No 68, an 18th century house with adjacent former barn, are well-preserved houses that contribute to a relaxed rural atmosphere. The brick terrace of cottages that composed No 74 was formerly the characterful village grocery shop run by Bob and Mabel Mead. This row sits on the footprint of a demolished early 17th century terrace of timber-framed and thatched cottages. The property © to the right of the terraced cottages (now demolished and the site of the entrance to Silver Birch Close) was the home, shop and slaughterhouse of Robert Page, one of Stewkley’s butchers. The green copper-clad spire of the 1903 Methodist Church can just be spotted through the tree on the right. The rather dilapidated property in the right foreground of the 1920s image appears to have an interesting timber frame…does anyone know more?

© Images used in Grapevine are produced with the permission of the persons supplying them, are copyrighted to them and may not be © reproduced. We are not able to supply copies.

FROM THE GRAPEVINE 10 YEARS AGO… FROM THE GRAPEVINE 20 YEARS AGO… From April 2011, the late Chris Gurnett was From April 2001, all countryside paths in the village standing down at the forthcoming May Parish were closed to suppress the spread of Foot and Council election after 30 years’ service to the Mouth disease and the Rights of Way Association village…Stewkley’s reprieve in 1971 from being scrapped its walks programme, thankfully there bulldozed for a new London airport was being no local outbreaks…the running costs of the announced in the House of Commons…the Royal Village Hall were outstripping its lettings income, Wedding was to be celebrated by a party in the Rec and whilst the Project Committee was evaluating input from on the big screen in the Village Hall…despite the loss of a valued villagers on the future of the hall…Ailsa Knightley thanked the 16 community facility, the PC voted not to oppose the planning villagers who qualified to give emergency aid to children following application to renovate the former Stewkley Library as a private a children’s first aid course in the Village Hall…St Michael’s Church residence…work began to replace the overhead electricity cables visitors’ book revealed that 2000 had seen the highest number of along the main power line on the southern edge of the village… visitors since 1996 including many from the ‘old Commonwealth’… St Michael’s schoolchildren entered the spirit of Red Nose Day John Sheldon’s interest and research into Stewkley’s Fallen from for Comic Relief by turning up for school in wacky outfits…Nature the Great War began with the wartime story of Private Sidney Watch reported on disease in local horse chestnut trees…and Keen…and a late 1920s photograph emerged of possibly the Stewkley FC was heading into two cup finals and the earliest stage production by villagers in their new Village Hall. championship of the North Bucks League. Stewkley Grapevine April 2021 Page 11 HOME MAINTENANCE THE GRAPEVINE, STEWKLEY T.G.R ELECTRICAL The Stewkley Grapevine is published monthly, except for January. Copies Stewkley based, Elecsa Approved Electrician. Sockets, lights etc. are distributed free of charge to all households (over 780) in Stewkley. Free quotes. Call: 240498 or Mobile: 07840 100501 Further copies are made available for visitors at various locations in the village. It is also available for download at www.stewkley.org STEWKLEY DECORATING

Publication date: 1st of each month except January. Quality work, Guaranteed, Fully Insured, Reliable, Trustworthy & PDA Member. Instagram @stewkleydecs. [email protected] Deadline for advertisements: 15th of month prior to publication. www.StewkleyDecorating.com Call Stewart on 07981 226922 Advertising Copy: By email to [email protected] or by hand to 111A High DAVE REID. FULLY QUALIFIED CARPENTER Street South. Kitchen & bathroom upgrades, staircase conversions,

Display Ad Format: Replacement doors, general maintenance & small building work. Electronic advertisements should be supplied as .pdf, but we can also accept 07939 146630 email: [email protected] (Soulbury) .doc or hi resolution .jpg files For best quality, images should be 300dpi. All advertisements are printed in greyscale. Please check your ad is JTS DECORATING SERVICE & PROPERTY MAINTENANCE readable in monochrome. Pre-paid ads may be changed at no extra cost. Call John on 240372, mobile: 07809 113090, Classified Ad Guidelines: Email: [email protected] Generally one line header, plus up to 12 words of text, plus contact LEE’S GARDENING & LANDSCAPES details. One line header plus 13- 24 words of text, plus contact details for twice the price. All aspects of gardening, landscaping & general maintenance.

Advertising Rates: Stewkley Non-Stewkley Reliable & friendly service. Lee Southall - 07776 292824 For Sale (Max of 2 items) £5 £10 Classified £5 £10 SERVICES Classified highlighted £10 £20 COUNTRY FRAME Forthcoming events Free* Not available (*Limited to Classified Allowance). The complete picture framing service. From prints and posters to Display, Eighth Page £15 £25 (w:93 x h:65mm landscape) paintings and needlework. Tel: 240163 / 07771 508805 : Paul Display, Quarter Page £25 £35 (w:93 x h:135mm portrait) Body. Please call first. Display, Half Page £35 £55 (w:192 x h:135mm landscape) HORSE RIDING LESSONS IN STEWKLEY Ad Payment Terms: Payment in advance of first publication From complete beginners to experienced riders. Adults and 3-5 issues 5% discount 6-10 issues 10% discount children. Fully licensed/ insured. Call Sarah Gammon, Kilnholm 11 issues (annual) 15% discount Stables. 240529 or 07712 854034. Monthly Standing Order on 12th of month. 10% Discount. Minimum period 1-2-1 TUITION IN MATHS, SCIENCE, ENGLISH - 6 months. Cost of 11 Issues is spread over 12 months. Maths, Science/Physics: KS1-4, English: KS2. Inc 11+ Qualified Ad Payment Contact: 121 tutor with CRB. Call Roger Crews on 07946 568153 or 01525 242137 or email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

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0784_WR_Qtr page ad_90x61mm Final.indd 1 05/02/2021 13:01 Page 12 Stewkley Grapevine April 2021 STORAGE

STEWKLEY STORAGE LTD For all your storage needs. Domestic & Commercial Rooms & Containers. Larkshill Farm, Stewkley Rd, Soulbury www.stewkleystorage.co.uk Tel: 01525 240297 Automotive Engineers MOUNT PLEASANT FARM STORAGE 20 foot shipping containers available for general storage Forge Farm, Wing Road, Stewkley Short or long term lets at competitive rates Mount Pleasant Farm, Dunton Road, Stewkley Andrew Gurnett Tel: 07866 609047 or Email: [email protected] For a reliable service and all your motoring needs, give me a call TO ADVERTISE IN GRAPEVINE PLEASE CALL 242137 or email [email protected] Servicing Tyres BLOCKED DRAIN?

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07811 238163 www.cottesloephysio.co.uk 568424 Cottesloe Physio Cublington Rd Wing LU70LB www.chappellheating.co.uk Stewkley Grapevine April 2021 Page 13 ANNETTE GESOFF Advanced Clinical Massage Therapist AN EFFECTIVE TREATMENT FOR MANY CONDITIONS Visit my website for further information: www.gesoffmassage.co.uk Please phone: 01525 240135 or 07709 629283 Or email: enquiry@gesoffmassage.co.uk

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We will be re-opening again Monday 12th April at 4pm In accordance with Covid rules Drinks & Food outside We have this covered!!

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1 Wing Road, High Street South, Stewkley Page 14 Stewkley Grapevine April 2021 Smash your goals and get results at Hunt Fitness

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01525 240696 Courtesy car available by prior arrangement. Stewkley Grapevine April 2021 Page 15 WOBURN BUILDING DAMIAN STEWART PLUMBING & HEATING SERVICES PROFESSIONAL QUALIFIED PLUMBING & HEATING ENGINEER ● For all your Plumbing, Gas, Oil & Heating requirements Specialised building work ● Boiler & appliance installations, system upgrades, servicing, fault finding & repair ● Oil­boiler and tank installations, service & repair New builds and extensions ● Complete bathroom installations & design ● No job too small / Fee no obligation quote / No call out charge Tel: 01296 688968 / 07527 900028 Kitchens supplied and fitting service E mail: [email protected] www.damianstewartplumbing.co.uk 7 Chiltern Road, , Aylesbury, Bucks, HP22 2QQ Bathroom design and fitting Computer Support for Home & Business Users Problem Solving: Virus, spyware detection & removal Internet & email assistance Interior and exterior alterations Fault diagnostics, repairs & upgrades Slow running PCs Stewkley- based Services:

mation Computer support for PCs, Mac & Linux Wireless & wired networking STUART JAMES COLEMAN Data recovery

@ Install & setup Health checks 01525 242111 : 07970 888236 Sales: Desktops, laptops, printers, peripherals & software Email: [email protected] computer support & services For friendly advice call John on 07968 536068 or 01525 261381 www.woburnbuildingservices.co.uk email: [email protected] - www.computamation.co.uk comput Computamation Services Ltd - 9a Lower Way, Great Brickhill, Bucks, MK17 9AG EST 1986 Established 1999 with over 25 years experience

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We have been supplying and fitting carpets for 30 years and have a wide range of carpets, vinyl and lvt luxury vinyl tiles and accessories at our Little Horwood showroom. Free measuring and estimating T: 01908 501019 E: [email protected] Page 18 Stewkley Grapevine April 2021 NEW DOG WALKING BUSINESS based in Stewkley

I am a Level3 Animal Management student who HARLEQUIN has recently set up a dog walking business. I have a qualification in dog walking, first aid in PRESSLtd puppies, dogs and humans as well as a Level3 BTech in Sport. Lithographic and Digital Printing Contact Nicole on:

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www.vass-tech.co.uk T: 01296 641429 E: [email protected] 5A High Street, Whitchurch, Buckinghamshire HP22 4JU Stewkley Grapevine April 2021 Page 19 HUNTER PEST SERVICES Covid ­19 safety compliant

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• • Facials • Waxing Moles, Rats Fleas, Bed Bugs, Wasps PRE-BOOK NOW T: 07801 564213 Cockroaches, Glis-glis, Squirrels All crawling and flying insects, Pest birds W: www.laurenarmor.co.uk and much more... Instagram: @laurenarmorbeauty Facebook: @laurenarmorbeauty Page 20 Stewkley Grapevine April 2021 Continuing our series on Stewkley characters past by Bunt Scott. Henry Bliss (1918‐2001) Henry Bliss was the type of Stewkley character who, in his day, was not uncommon but who sadly nowadays rarely exists. He was a man of the countryside who when not working spent his time along the hedgerows with dog and gun, bagging rabbits, pheasants and any other game that his practiced eye spotted. With his wife Doreen and seven children to look after and feed, provisions in the 1950s needed supplementing. Although a renowned poacher, local farmers called on Henry to 'sort out' foxes particularly during lambing time. He was more than happy to oblige. As a boy I recall him striding boldly across the rec through the middle of our summer evening football games, oblivious of us and, as ever, with shot gun under his arm and spaniel at his heel. He was the kind of formidable character with his deep rumbling voice who we boys regarded with reverential awe. The reality was quite different. He loved his children and those of other families and would regularly gather them round him to lead trips across the fields for blackberrying adventures, referring to each of them genially and soft-heartedly as ‘My ducky’. Oliver Henry Bliss (nicknamed Brusher) was born at the Potash in 1918. The family moved away to Codicote for a while before returning to live at Woodhall in the Dean Road. During the Second World War Henry volunteered and served in the Royal Navy, finishing his service in the icy waters of the Baltic Sea which made his accumulated spoils of war somewhat comical i.e. a bunch of bananas and a tortoise, which he proudly presented to his family back at Woodhall. After the war Henry, along with other village fellows, worked at the London Brick Company in Newton Longville to where they biked daily. Following that Henry helped to build Dove Street and secured a house in the process, where he lived until his death in 2001. Henry liked a pint and along with other notables such as Ernie Harrup and ‘Wibble’ Willis would imbibe regularly at The King's Head and Black Swan. Occasionally, perhaps a little worse for wear, Henry would forgetfully leave his bag of game at the pub and have to send his faithful dog back to scratch at the pub door until admitted and able to retrieve it. There was a time when characters such as Henry were plentiful in Stewkley but those days are gone. I'm sure that nowadays the village has distinctive individuals but they are far less obvious and perhaps too concealed to be noticed. It's quite a different world now. If you're ever wondering what Henry was really like then have a word or two with Nigel who is every inch the son of his father! MORE STEWKLEY WORLD BOOK DAY WINDOWS