No 178 Autumn 2011 STOKE POGES From the Editor Index Village Fete report 4 In this issue we record and celebrate a wonderful Community Picnic 6 summer of colourful activity in Stoke Poges, showing Poetry, Faith and Flowers 8 that we are fortunate to live in one of the most sociable and vibrant communities in South Bucks. Flower Show report 11 Birds in Stoke Poges 15 There are many items of good news this time, however, for me the most remarkable item is the Chairman’s Letter 17 information in the neighbourhood police report that Cricket Club 18 in July, there was not a single burglary reported in the parish. There is no room for complacency – with Bridge Club 18 the shorter days fast drawing in, please take every BucksVision 20 precaution you can to discourage opportunistic burglars from trying their luck on your doors South Bucks Sports 22 and windows. See the Neighbourhood Police page Stoke Poges Singers 24 for more detail. Bowls Club 26 September is the time of year when our village clubs Scouts 27 and societies begin their new season programmes. We are lucky to have such a diverse choice of recreational British Legion 28 clubs in the village – they are a big part of the informal Friends of Stoke Common 30 network that makes village life so enjoyable. The Parish Rainbow 31 Council and the Village Centre are sponsoring a ‘Clubs and Societies Fair’ on Saturday 10 September as an Dates for your Diary 32 opportunity to meet and find out more about The Laughing Group 34 membership. If you are new to the village or don’t know many people here, it’s a great opportunity to Golf Pro Tips 35 get involved – you are assured of a friendly welcome. Photographic Club 38 Finally, I would like to welcome three new contributors Hedgerley Historical Society 40 to this edition. Lewis Fry, the new pastor at Stoke Threeways Surgery 42 Poges Free Church, Mo Shoaib of Stoke Green Cricket Club and Geoff ‘Jaffa’ Orange – a former resident who Vicar’s Letter 43 has kindly offered to write a series of articles recalling South Bucks Golf 44 his youth in the village in the 50s and 60s. Stoke Poges Society 46 Ralph Bagge, Editor Tennis Club 48 Cover: Ray Aldridge takes a direct hit at the Sunshine Corner 50 Village Fete Stoke Green Rovers FC 52 Stoke Poges Remembered 56 Thirty Years Ago 56 STOP PRESS Women’s Institute 58 Stoke Poges Players 60 As we went to press, news arrived of the sad Neighbourhood Police 62 loss of Revd Cyril Harris, former Vicar of Stoke Poges, artist and Vice Chairman of the Parish The Stoke Poges School 64 Council. His family is in our thoughts. Council Business 65

3 Fantastic Fun Fete

The weather was very kind to Stoke Poges on 11 June. With the village’s youngsters to the fore – musicians from The Stoke Poges School, a top class display by the school’s gymnastic team and the dancers from the Orchard Academy – record crowds enjoyed a fabulous day. These photos capture the spirit of the day.

4 5 Community Picnic

Stoke Poges Parish Council celebrated the opening of our new playground and outdoor fitness equipment on Saturday 18 June. Heavy showers were passing through, however, the sun appeared from behind the clouds in time for the opening. Parish Council Chairman, Mark Fletcher, made a short speech thanking all who had been involved in the project and Dominic Grieve, for his efforts lobbying ministers to ensure the scheme funding was spared from Government savings.

Dominic Grieve congratulated the Parish Council for its determination and tenacity in fighting so hard to save the Playbuilder grant when it was threatened in last year’s round of spending cuts and then formally opened the new playgrounds by cutting the ribbon, assisted by Alan Walters, Chairman of South Bucks District Council.

The afternoon was a relaxed, sociable occasion with all sections of the community represented, enjoying the fete committee’s bar and the Scouts’ barbecue. The showers returned around 4 pm, with all but the hardiest dashing to shelter from the rain.

6 7 Have you Poetry, Faith and Flowers Made Your Will?

Over 250 visitors enjoyed this wonderful day organised to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible together with the 260th  anniversary of Thomas Gray writing ‘The Elegy in the Country Churchyard’. The day started with the church bells, tours of the church, handbell    ringing, poetry readings, an organ recital and storytelling. In the churchyard visitors enjoyed   refreshments and lunches provided by members   of the church congregation. The historic church interior was beautifully decorated following the theme of ‘Poetry, Faith and Flowers’. Some of the tributes were created      by professional people who regularly provide the floral arrangements for weddings at the church. Many more were made by the women of the church who take it in turn to do the flowers every week. Other floral arrangements were contributed       by the Stoke Poges Airscouts, the Brownies, the    Parish Council, the Stoke Poges Society and the Horticultural Society. Magnificent pots of flowers    were also provided by local garden centres.

A fascinated group of visitors were allowed access via the precarious external staircase to the bell   tower to enjoy a demonstration of bell ringing.   The day’s activities concluded with a full congregation for choral evensong, taken from the Book of Common Prayer, led by Revd Harry Latham, with the church choir augmented by the David Guest Singers.

Barbara Davis          

                

     

8 9 Remembrance Day Glorious Weather Stoke Poges Parish Council will continue its Clubs and tradition of honouring Remembrance Day at the Draws Record Crowd flagpole on the corner of Bells Hill and Hollybush Societies Fair Hill from 10.30 am on Friday 11 November followed by refreshments in the Rose and Crown. On Saturday 10 September over 15 to Flower Show village clubs and societies will be All villagers are invited to this solemn setting up in the main hall of the Nearly 2000 people, a new record, flocked to the Stoke Poges, Wexham commemoration of those who bravely gave their Village Centre to give potential new & Fulmer Horticultural Society’s Annual Flower Show, held at The Stoke lives in service of our country’s freedom. members an opportunity to meet Poges School on Saturday 30 July. current members and to find out what each organisation has to offer. The Reading Spring Gardens Band entertained everyone with a variety of music. The Uxbridge and District Classic Vehicles Club brought a great ‘Carols on the Green’ The fair, jointly promoted by Stoke variety of over 40 magnificent vintage vehicles, which were much Poges Parish Council and the Village admired. The best classic car trophy, in memory of Peter Spicer, was won Centre, will be open between 11 am A date for your diary – this year’s ‘Carols on the by Tim Neal with his Rolls Royce Phantom 1938. and 3 pm. The idea behind the fair is Green’ will take place at the Village Centre on that it is much easier to join a club if Saturday 10 December. Responding to feedback The gigantic 200 foot long exhibition marquee was packed with very you have met other members first impressive competition entries, beautiful displays and exhibitions. following last year’s event, it has been moved to than going along to a first session the Saturday and will start slightly earlier. when you are uncertain whether you There were dozens of stalls, with lawn mowers, plants, crafts, gifts, and will know anyone. home-made treats for sale and also local organisations with information The Parish Council’s group is at work planning to about their activities. build on last year’s success. Stoke Poges, Wexham & The tea tent, with lunches and Fulmer Horticultural cream teas provided by Pinewood Society Autumn Nurseries, did a roaring trade; the   !    demand at the beer tent, selling Programme beer from Rebellion Brewery, was such that replenishments had ✮  ! Wednesday 14 September at to be sent for half way through 8 pm: evening talk at The Stoke the afternoon! ✮      Poges School, Rogers Lane – ✮     ‘Understanding Orchids’ – The skittles alley and coconut illustrated talk to be given by shy were very popular and ✮  Mrs Lydia Cobb, Chairman, competitive with a number of Chiltern Orchid Society. people achieving a clean sweep!     ! !    The children loved the bouncy Wednesday 12 October 7.30 for castle, card making, face painting            "  8 pm: Members Autumn Social and the ice creams. Evening and Informal Evening #    Show – ‘The 2012 London Michael Mobbs presented the Olympics’ – illustrated talk to be   " ! cups and trophies won in the given by Sally Botwright, London horticultural classes, plants and Blue Badge Tourist Guide. flowers, fruit and vegetables, There will be a buffet reception wine and beer, cookery and arts. and informal evening show. The Jon Homan, President Emeritus of
   the Society, thanked all those schedule will be published in the Society’s autumn newsletter. who had worked so hard to make Countryside Services this our most successful show. Wednesday 16 November at 07912 731 500 8 pm: Annual General Meeting Ruth Rooley [email protected] at St Andrew’s Church Hall. Stoke Poges, Wexham & Fulmer Horticultural Society

10 Stoke Place Heritage Open Day Live life to the full with Lynda Bellingham Each year Heritage Week is held in hotel’s owners have retained the historic September, when buildings of historic character of the hotel whilst meeting the and Reactivate Bucks! interest are opened up for the public to standards expected of a four star country visit. This year, Grade II listed Stoke Place house hotel. Award winning actress Lynda Bellingham will be open to visitors on Sunday (pictured) is urging adults in Buckinghamshire 11 September. There is no restriction on the The hotel is open lunch and dinner and will number of visitors and no prior booking also be serving afternoon tea on the lawn to take part in Reactivate’s Give it a Go Week is necessary. (weather permitting, otherwise in the of sports and physical activities (with many being restaurant) at £9.95 – 33% off its regular free or subsidised) between 26th September The William and Mary central section of the tariff. At 2 pm John Brushe, South Bucks to 2nd October. Lynda says: “Do give it a go. house was completed in 1698 and the 25 District Council’s Conservation Officer, will acre grounds were later landscaped by lead a tour pointing out significant features Think of it as doing something in aid of a good Capability Brown. The open day offers of the house – assemble at the hotel cause. With that good cause being you!” villagers the opportunity to see how the reception just before 2 pm to join the tour. Since turning sixty a few years ago, Lynda has been as busy as ever with appearances on Strictly Come Dancing, a range of theatre roles and a regular slot on ITV’s popular Loose Women Show. What’s her secret to looking and feeling so good? Lynda replies: “I eat well and exercise.” So why not take part in any of the hundreds of taster activities featured in our Give it a Go Week including learn to Nordic Walk taster sessions at Dorney Reach (27th Sept) Black Park (28th Sept), Simply Walks at Gerrards Cross (27th Sept) and Iver heath (1st Oct) and Beginners Bowls at Dorney Reach Orchard Academy Celebrates Village Hall (2nd October) or join us for an afternoon of activity on the 26th ORCHARD 30th Anniversary September in the beautiful grounds of Hughenden Manor ACADEMY OF DANCE & THEATRE ARTS (www.nationaltrust.org.uk) in High Wycombe. The Orchard Academy of Dance and Theatre Arts Est. 1981 celebrates its 30th anniversary this autumn with a Principal ~ Jean Orchard L.I.S.T.D spectacular live stage show at the Beck Theatre, For details of what’s on offer during Give it a Go Hayes on Saturday 26 November and Sunday Week (26th September – 2nd October) or for more 27 November. information contact us: Entitled The Time Of My Life, this will be the Academy’s tenth production in a professional theatre and features more than 200 pupils in a visit: www.reactivatebucks.org dazzling performance of song and dance from boys and girls aged three years right up to the ladies of the Adult Tap Class! or call: 01296 585215

NOW Villager Jean Orchard started the school in 1981 Enrolling for our 10th Spectacular Live Stage Show with a weekly keep fit class for local mums. Jean, Register online for updates and be in with a who still teaches almost all the students herself, chance to win one of many great prizes including ‘THE TIME OF MY LIFE’ says: ‘Not in my wildest dreams could I have tickets for Calendar Girls, starring Lynda imagined that the Academy would have grown Beck Theatre, Hayes ~ Sat 26 Nov. and Sun 27 Nov. Bellingham, showing at the Aylesbury Waterside from such modest beginnings to the full-time Visit www.OrchardAcademy.com for more details on our commitment that it is today. I am now teaching the Theatre in November. classes in Acting, Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Singing and Street Dance children and even the grandchildren of my pupils from the 1980s – so I do hope as many of my [email protected] former students as possible will come and see this special Anniversary Show.’ 01753 663484 Tickets will be available from the Beck Theatre Box Office, 020 8561 8371.

12 13 Road Improvements Get County Go-ahead

http://www.saferroads.org/maps/map.php – enter your post code to see local information.

Transport for Buckinghamshire has now announced its road resurfacing plans. Stoke Green will have the existing road surface replaced in the week commencing 5 September, with Park Road (between Grays Park Road and West End Lane) being resurfaced the following week.

The roads patched recently (Rogers Lane, Farthing Green Lane and Fir Tree Avenue) were scheduled for surface dressing during the last week of August and plane and patching repairs should be carried out to Gypsy Lane, Collum Green Lane, West End Lane and Templewood Lane by mid-September.

Grays Park Road (between Stoke Green and Church Lane) has been prioritised for surfacing next year.

Credit is due to our county councillor, Trevor Egleton, who has put in some sterling work with county officers, putting a robust case for these roads to be repaired. Relief is in sight for Stoke Green residents following the decision taken at the Beeches Local Area Forum (LAF), part of Bucks County Council’s consultative Tesco helps Tidy Bells Hill Rec. process with local communities. The LAF agreed to fund a scheme to restrict parking on Stoke Green The Parish Council was contacted last year by the and Wexham Street, including bollards to protect community champion at Tesco’s Gerrards Cross the grass verges at the eastern end of this supermarket, offering help on community conservation area. projects. It is a requirement that all managers do half a day’s voluntary work in the community Additional projects to reduce speeds at several they serve. junctions on the walking and cycling routes between Stoke Poges and Wexham Park Hospital A recent request from a Willow Park resident for were also approved and signage for a cycle route the paths on the rec. to be edged provided the between Bells Hill and the hospital will also be opportunity to take Tesco up on their offer. They erected, formalising the popular, quiet roads route dispatched a volunteer team one afternoon in taken by cyclists from Wexham Street via Chapel early June who did a fine job for us, Lane, Hollybush Hill and Sefton Paddock. demonstrating that ‘Every little helps!’.

The majority of the LAF’s budget this year has been allocated to our village. This is due in no small measure to the efforts made by parish councillors in presenting the case to the LAF and also proposing measures that fit with the LAF’s priorities of reducing speeding, parking congestion and promoting cycling. The success confirms the current Parish Council’s commitment to engage and cooperate with all levels of government to get the best it can for Stoke Poges.

Thames Valley Safer Roads has an interactive map that shows the locations of speed cameras and scenes of road traffic collisions. The URL is

14 15 Mayor of London’s Birds In Stoke Poges Chairman’s Letter Skyride Thanks again for your reports of bird sightings. The beginning of the summer has been a busy time in the village and this year we have been able to I am writing this time about locations a bit outside enjoy four community events in June and July. the main area of the village. The annual village fete was again bigger and bolder, and the early summer sunshine brought out the Having made contact recently with the Friends of crowds. Many villagers commented that this year’s Stoke Common group, I understand there are potentially some interesting species to be seen on fete was ‘better than ever’, so a big thank you and the common. These include woodcock (one seen in congratulations to the fete committee and all the Templewood Lane), Dartford warbler and nightjar. volunteers who gave their time and energy before, Please let me know if you see any of these. And on a during and after the day. recent walk there was a noisy baby greater spotted Community Picnic woodpecker waiting to be fed in its nest at the south east corner (see the photo). A further visit a couple To celebrate the ‘official’ opening of the Bells Hill of days later suggested it had fledged. and Plough Lane recreation play equipment, the Parish Council organised its first ever Community Although not a village event, many residents have To the north of Stoke Common very close to the taken part previously in the London Skyride which Picnic. It was another great opportunity to meet up M40, beyond the tumbledown Pickeridge, the lake with friends and family. We were delighted to makes a great, inexpensive family day out. British there has provided lapwing and little ringed plover welcome Dominic Grieve and Alan Walters for the Cycling and Sky stage one of the biggest cycling (probably nesting). Also several grey herons, some for pedestrians and cyclists around several junctions events in the world when 15 kilometres of pochard and mandarin ducks. I also received one afternoon as well as some of the Bolds Court where the speed of traffic is a risk factor. I’d like to London’s streets are closed to motorised traffic, report of the call of a cuckoo in that area. The area is residents and villagers, who brought along an say thank you to Ralph for all his work on this and allowing cyclists to have the roads to themselves also good for blackberry picking! impressive array of picnics. The Scouts provided their also to Saera for taking part in the Stoke Green for the day. usual impressive barbecue and the fete committee consultation. The work is scheduled to be completed A trip to Dorney Lake produced some surprisingly provided a beer and Pimms marquee. Once again, by November and should make a tangible difference Last year 80,000 people took the opportunity to interesting sightings: a family of four green thank you to the volunteers who came along to help to the quality of life in the village. view London’s sights by bike, passing Buckingham woodpeckers, little grebe, great crested grebe with set up in the morning and clear away afterwards. Palace, 10 Downing Street, Westminster Abbey, Big three babies, common tern and a buzzard. All at the Also a thank you is due to the village Social Club for Bells Hill saga Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London time when a triathlon was being held. obtaining a drinks licence and to Terra Firma Sound And finally, the continuing saga that is Bells Hill. We whilst taking outdoor exercise. and Lighting for the sound system. In celebration of continue to get glimmers of positive news about the Red kites regularly make an appearance over the the 260th anniversary of Thomas Gray’s Elegy in a Co-op store. Co-op have recently put in a planning A delightful quietness descends on central London village, as do buzzards. A sparrowhawk was seen Country Churchyard and the commemoration of recently at our feeder in Rogers Lane. application for store front signage and I have spoken for a few hours and it is an ideal day to explore 400 years of the King James Bible, the church held to the letting agent who has told me that the an open day at St Giles’ with a wonderful theme for the capital on foot, taking in the carnival- Please keep your sightings coming in – and if you contracts are going through their final legal review. the day of ‘Poetry, Faith and Flowers’. like atmosphere. struggle to recognise a bird, I will try to help. On completion, Persimmon will undertake the Horticultural Society’s Annual Show necessary work to subdivide the units and This year’s Skyride is on Sunday 4 September Telephone 642438 or commission the lift, following which the Co-op will from 10 am. email [email protected] Finally, the village ‘social season’ concluded with the undertake the fit-out. The agent’s current view is Stoke Poges, Wexham and Fulmer Horticultural that the store will be ready for a Christmas opening. Roger Wright Society’s Annual Show at the end of July. It was, as Our struggle with Persimmon over the access ramp we have come to expect, phenomenally well continues. Since my last update, there has been attended, the sunshine welcomed a big crowd and no progress, other than that the Parish Council the competition entries were of a very high has selected a building contractor which means standard. Well done to all of the prize winners and that we are ready to proceed once we have the committee for delivering another superb Stoke Persimmon’s consent. I have been working with the A baby greater Poges summer community event. Chairman of the South Bucks and Chiltern Access spotted We are pleased that the Beeches Local Area Forum woodpecker Group who published a report last year on the waits for its (LAF) has agreed to fund three projects in Stoke appalling access which Bells Hill offers to the next meal in Poges: implementing comprehensive on-street disabled and elderly. They are drafting a letter to the Stoke parking controls in the vicinity of Wexham Park Chairman of Persimmon to ask why Persimmon’s Common. Hospital to include Stoke Green and Wexham Street regional managing director is so reluctant to allow and bollards to protect the verges along Stoke the Parish Council to invest in this development and Green; installing signs to mark a cycle route between create safe access to the shops. Bells Hill and Wexham Park Hospital and a series of highway improvements that will improve conditions Mark Fletcher, Chairman

16 17 Stoke Green Cricket Club Stoke Poges Bridge Club We would like to welcome all villagers to our club, especially to our darts and social nights. Our darts Stoke Poges Bridge Club continues to thrive and we night is on Thursdays and our social night is on Fridays. The bar is open on both evenings. are now averaging six to seven tables each week. But we had just recently a record-breaking 9.5 tables! If the local community puts forward ideas for other social events on the other nights of the Duplicate bridge is played in a relaxed and friendly week (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday), the atmosphere and there are prizes of wine for the club will seriously consider them. winners! Computer-dealt hands are used which We have cricket matches on Saturdays and means paper copies of these are available immediately Sundays through to the first week of October, afterwards to work out what should have happened! with an all-day bar. We have two Saturday The results of each session appear on our website later teams: our first team is having a really good the same day. season, having won 10 out of 12 matches so far this season. We also like to indulge in some ‘après bridge’: recently We also have three youth teams: U11s, U13s and some of us went to the Monday evening race meeting U15s which train on Sunday mornings from 10 am. at Windsor and proceeded to lose money as is However, their season finished at the end of customary! Also a ‘soirée’ of (gentle) eating and August. Youth players interested in joining next drinking took place at the Crown Inn, Farnham Royal, season should contact Sukh Dhillon (1st Team to celebrate summertime. Captain) on 07886 666923. For latest results and fixtures, we have a We plan to be at the Club and Societies Fair on 10 dedicated website: September at the Village Hall. Come and say hello and http://www.stokegreencc.co.uk watch bridge ‘in action’.

Mo Shoaib, [email protected] The annual Pairs Cup will be held on Monday 7 November. Current holders are Roger Holden and Bill Garnsey. A teams of four event is also planned.

    The club meets at St Andrew’s Church Hall, Rogers Lane, each Monday from 1.30 pm to 5.00 pm. With   or without a partner, players are most welcome. For more information, please visit our website   www.stokepogesbridgeclub.org.uk, ring 642438 or   email [email protected] or just turn up.     Roger Wright   Local Neighbourhood 㾎 Action Group Disbanded The Stoke Poges and Wexham Neighbourhood 㾎 Action Group has been disbanded. Pressures on policing time have led to the conclusion that 㾎 NAGs have not delivered sufficient progress for the police time invested. This reflects 㾎 the pattern in Buckinghamshire as a whole, where NAGs have been dismissed by critics as 㾎 talking shops. 㾎 In future, the police may establish mini-NAGs to target specific problems in more localised hot spot areas. Examples would be to address ☎ antisocial behaviour or other crimes in specific locations.

18 19 BucksVision Simply Walks Graham Pattinson of the Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens spent a morning in May with members and Simply Walks in both Langley Park and Black Park volunteers from BucksVision. Serving visually continue to thrive and grow with Black Park impaired people across the county, BucksVision is a celebrating its third anniversary and Langley Park its charity with a thriving division in South Bucks. We second anniversary earlier this year. have a large monthly social club based in Stoke Poges and an activity group for younger members Both parks have benefited from their upgrades and getting out and about in the local area. offer wonderful opportunities for peaceful and offering safe walks. beauty salon The visit to the Memorial Gardens was our first guided walk this year. Our members, who are Both walks can now usually offer a shorter/slower hairdressing, laser hair removal, registered blind or partially sighted, really appreciated option so that most people can be catered for, the opportunity to experience outdoor nature in a whatever the level of walking ability. thread veins & pigmentation, safe environment and one with level pathways. Graham was a super guide and came up with a semi-permanent make-up, bespoke tour for us: discovering textural and For more information or a copy of the current walk aromatic features of flowers, shrubs and trees in programme, please contact the gardens. Fiona Broadbent, Simply Walks coordinator, Mary Cohr facials & products, 01494 475367. Despite our fantastic spring the trip on 18 May was electrolysis, waxing, cloudy and chilly but many of our members preferred this weather as bright sunshine can cause eye osteopathic treatment, discomfort or even pain. So we were able to spend two very interesting hours with Graham as he Stoke Poges Forget-Me-Nots manicure & pedicure, chiropody, shared some of his historical and horticultural knowledge with us. Lunch was then taken at the Rose and Crown. It is with great sadness that I have to tell you holistic therapies plus a full range of that we have had to close our much-loved club. We certainly hope to visit the gardens again. The committee decided that with the falling beauty treatments and aloe vera products. membership, and lack of new recruits, it had For more information about BucksVision visit our ceased to be a vibrant concern, the lively club it Facebook page or www.bucksvision.co.uk or phone had always been and the one we wanted it to 01296 487556. be! Times had changed.

If you are interested in volunteering locally – just We celebrated the 65th anniversary of the once a month is an enormous help – please contact Forget-Me-Nots at our final meeting with a our local representative Pam Warren, 07774 660606. meal at the Rose and Crown on Maundy Thursday. We do, however, intend to meet up every so often to lunch together, and to catch beauty salon up with news. I know that our elderly friends will be well catered for with the coming Good Neighbour scheme, and there are many of us a more beautiful you who will benefit from this scheme, both as users and also as volunteers. 1A Winterbourne, Wexham Street, If you enjoy going out for lunch once in a while, but maybe have no transport, please Stoke Poges, Bucks SL3 6NT give me a call, and I’m sure we will be able to arrange this for you. T: 01753 664166 E: [email protected] Hazel Dier 642886 www.hibiscus.me

20 21 South Bucks District Council Sports Development News

YOUTH Hughes on 07970 214760 or email: complete their course, missing no more than one All courses are six weeks in duration. If you are [email protected] session, and keep playing the sport for at least interested in taking part please book early Bucks Youth Games – Results another three months will be entered into a ballot through the Sports Development Team as numbers Close to 100 young people represented South Bucks Stoke Poges Clubs and Societies Fair for free London 2012 tickets. Fortunately for Stoke are limited. at the Games in Aylesbury in late June. South Bucks 10 September 11 am – 3 pm Poges residents, several of the courses are very retained the netball gold and also gold in a joint Come along and see us at the Village Centre on close by: LONDON 2012 OLYMPICS swimming team with Chiltern. Second places were Saturday 10 September to find out more about the also secured by the district in the Disability Sport range of sports activities available. Please continue to look out for the Bucks Olympic Running: and Athletics Year 7 events. Well done to all Legacy booklets that have been distributed in the Ages: 18 – 25 yrs our competitors! ADULTS district that features open days, many of which will Venue: Farnham Park Playing Fields be free, in sports clubs across the county for each of Venue postcode: SL2 3BP MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do it!) Back to Netball the Olympic and Paralympic sports! Starting 25 August 2011 Next course: Starts week beginning Monday 26 Back to Netball is re-launched at the Evreham Sports 6 pm - 7 pm September at the Evreham Sports centre, Iver. Centre on Tuesday 19 September from 6.30 pm – DISABILITY SPORT 8pm. Aimed at adults wanting to get more active, Cost: £2 per week (Maximum number 20) The Sports Development Team are supporting this get back into netball or just wanting to try The Sports Development Team have recently been FREE programme for children aged 7 – 13 years who something new, see contact details below if you working on broadening the work that they do for are over their ideal weight. The MEND courses in would like some more information. There is no need Tennis: young people with disabilities and this has resulted in Bucks are now run by Nexus Community who to book onto this course – just turn up for the Ages 18 – 25 yrs a pathway providing multi-sport for ages 7 – 17 operate both leisure centres in South Bucks (Evreham session. Venue: Stoke Poges Lawn Tennis Club, years. The two clubs detailed below cater for young and the Beacon Centre). The trained staff who Rogers Lane, SL2 4LN people with both learning and/or physical disabilities: deliver the course have a background in nutrition Sportivate South Bucks Starting 5 September 2011 and physical fitness. Sportivate is a new lottery-funded initiative to give 6.30 pm – 7.30 pm Junior Multi-Sport Disability Club young adults a chance to learn a new sport or Cost: £2 per week Ages: 7 – 11 yrs Children attend with a parent or guardian and the improve on existing skills, and if they keep taking (Maximum number 12) Day: Friday 5 pm – 6 pm (term time) sessions are twice weekly (Monday 4.30 pm – 6.30 part after the course is finished, they could find Venue: The Beacon Centre, Holtspur Way, Holtspur, pm and Wednesday 4.30 pm – 5.30 pm). For further themselves on their way to watch the London 2012 Beaconsfield, HP9 1RJ details about this innovative course, contact Elayne Olympic or Paralympics Games. All participants who Golf: Price: £2 per week Ages: 14 – 17 yrs and 18 – 25 yrs Venue: The Lanes Golf Course, Stoke Road, Burnham Multi-Sport Disability Club Slough, SL2 4NL Ages: 12 – 17 yrs Starting: Late September 2011 Day: Wednesday 4.30 pm – 6 pm (term time) Times: tbc Venue: Burnham Upper School, Hogfair Lane, Cost: From £10 for the six weeks Burnham, SL1 7LZ VILLAGE ELECTRICAL (Maximum number 10) Price: £2 per week ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR Please contact Sports Development Team for further details. Adult Club Domestic • Industrial • Commercial Installations Ages: 18+ Day: Wednesdays, 11.15 am - 12.15 pm, House Rewires • Fuseboard Upgrades • Security Lighting Girls Football: Venue: Evreham Sports Centre, Swallow Street, Iver Ages: 14 – 16yrs Price: £2 per session Fire Alarms • Emergency Lighting • Test and Inspection reports Linking with Taplow United FC Work carried out to the 17th Edition Wiring Regulations BS7671 Please contact Sports Development Team for Please call before attending the clubs to discuss the Part P Registered for Building Control further details. level of care required. For further information regarding any of the activities Park Gym (Outdoor Gym): Contact John Croly and events organised by the Sports Development Ages: 14 – 16yrs Team, please call Joe Sammon, Sports Development 2 Broom Hill, Stoke Poges, Bucks SL2 4PU Venue: Burnham Park Officer, on 01895 837348 or Rakhi Shingadia, Please contact Sports Development Team for Tel: 01753 662595 Mobile: 07788 742163 Community Activities Coordinator, on 01895 further details. Email: [email protected] 837233 or e-mail [email protected]

22 23 answer questions about the scheme and we would welcome more volunteers. We plan to hold a A Message From Lewis briefing session for volunteers later in September. Stoke Poges Fry, The New Pastor Of Surprisingly, we haven’t heard from as many Stoke Poges Free Church parishioners who would like to call on our services: Singers lifts to medical appointments; collecting prescriptions I’m writing this sitting on a bench overlooking Bells or shopping; help with pets or minor household The Singers have recently been on an ‘away Hill Green. The air smells of freshly cut grass, the sun repairs (the sort of jobs that are too small for a day’ to Selsey in Sussex, where we gave a is shining and I feel very grateful to be spending my tradesman to be interested in). Questionnaires to very successful concert in the local parish second week in this beautiful village! God is, as they       register your interest are available from Threeways church of St. Peter’s. Around 150 people say, good. Believing that to be true, I feel truly attended, one of our largest audiences! Surgery, Hedgegrail Pharmacy, the Parish Office or pleased and excited to be starting ministry at Stoke They even invited us back to perform from our secretary, Saera Carter. Remember if you Poges Free Church and I’m very grateful to the Handel’s Messiah, which we sang at St. would like to call on the scheme’s services then you church for the opportunity. Giles’ in May. All our concerts support a have to register first to get the phone number. local charity, the May concert being in aid Kimberley, Sam and I arrived here very recently We have had a fantastic initial response to our of Ian Rennie Hospice at Home. The committee is working on ideas for social having spent three years serving a church in the questionnaire with 19 parishioners offering to help as activities for older people, including trips to garden We commence our new term of rehearsals Welsh valleys, though Kimberley and I grew up in volunteers, including six who are prepared to hold on Thursday, 8 September at 8 pm in St the phone and act as coordinator. It is clear from centres, and teas with music. If you are interested, let Somerset. I became a Christian in my teens (as did us know your thoughts. Pinewood Nurseries has Andrew’s Hall. There will be an Open Kimberley) having up till then been firmly sceptical reading the responses that we have a super group of people who want to do what they can to help kindly offered ten per cent off their cream teas for Evening with cheese and wine for all of such things. Whether you’re a firm believer or newcomers on 15 September. No audition fellow parishioners. scheme members. necessary, all are welcome to join, as unconvinced as Richard Dawkins, I’d love to particularly tenors and basses! meet you. We will be participating at the Clubs and Societies Ralph Bagge, Chairman, 693600 Fair on 10 September, so we will be available to Saera Carter, Secretary, 647525 On 15 October at 7.30 pm we have a quiz So if you see me or my family around the village evening with a fish and chip supper. please say hello! Similarly, if you would appreciate a chat, a prayer or a listening ear please do let me Our winter concert will be held on know (you can email [email protected] or 10 December, performing Gilbert and give me a ring on 07956 407091). Sullivan’s Trial by Jury plus excerpts from Kern and Hammerstein’s Show Boat. Needless to say, you’re more than welcome to come along to one of our Sunday services, even if Meet us and find out more at the Clubs and  '" ()'$(%0$ &0( $$0)2 Societies Fair at the Village Centre on you’ve never been to church before (we meet every Saturday 10 September. Sunday at 10.30 am in The Stoke Poges School, %$$%# $) %$" Rogers Lane). David Horton, Secretary, 537673,  "%)($'$(1 "" $1' )2%()) $( www.stoke-poges-singers.org.uk/ Our love to you all, Lewis, Kim and Sam

Stoke Poges Post Office and Shop )%!%( #%' "'$( Post Office hours: Shop hours: 0' $ Mon to Fri, 9 am - 5.30 pm Mon to Fri, 7 am - 6 pm )%!%( ! Sat, 9 am to 12.30 pm Sat, 7 am - 1 pm Sun, 8 am - 1 pm For most of your everyday needs ● Newspapers ● Milk ● Bread ● Tea ● Coffee Unit 1, Giles House, Bells Hill Green ☎ 01753 648328

24 25 STOKE POGES Parent/Carer and Toddler at Rainbow Pre-School 1st Stoke Poges Air Scouts Our parent/carer and toddler group continues to run on This term has been a busy time for all sections. We neighbours to ask for donations for our tombola Bowls Club a Tuesday afternoon from 1 pm to 2.30 pm, term time have been able to take full advantage of the longer stall and we would like to thank everyone for only. We welcome all new parents and carers to join us days and warmer weather. Both Beavers and Cubs their generosity. In spite of the inclement weather we have been having for a slice of homemade cake with a cup of tea or are nearly full. Beavers numbers have increased from this summer, Stoke Poges Bowls Club is having a good coffee. No appointment is required, just turn up. 6 to 17, which is very positive. The group comprises We held our AGM in July at the Walter Davis site in season. We have only had one or two weekend games mainly younger children. Duffield Lane. We had a barbecue and played family cancelled due to the weather and have managed a very It is an excellent opportunity to meet new friends whilst games. Our District Commissioner presented five good percentage of wins in our weekend friendly games. allowing your child to play safely with all our equipment Now that the groups have relocated to St Andrew’s year awards to David Dyer and Martin Gatehouse. inside or in our large garden area, learning to ride bikes, Youth facility it is easier to run a full programme. We would like to thank them for their contribution scooters and coupé cars is fun. Or they can experience Our men’s team have done very well in the Bucks Plate Activities last term included building solitary wasp to our groups and ongoing hard work. competition and have reached the semi-final was due to the thrill of digging whilst sitting in our outside sandpit. houses, making racing cars, visiting Denham Country be played on 7 August at Long Crendon. Park and cooking on open camp fires. Children always settle much sooner when they have Our Chairman, Roger Walker, has offered to On 3 July we held our annual American Tournament for attended parent and toddler as they are familiar with continue for this coming year but will step down the staff and the setting. It is the parents who get upset We currently have 22 Cubs. They are following a next year. We are actively looking for a replacement, the Anniversary Trophy. This was won by Norman Dunk, two-year rolling programme with leaders planning with his wife Sylvia as runner-up. as it is time to leave their children with us so we can do whether a parent or someone from outside the our job of teaching your child to be happy, independent to do more outdoor work. Cubs will be camping and group. If this is something that you are interested in and confident. activities this term include badge work, in particular We are always looking for new members, so if you have finding out about, please contact us. We especially Challenge Badges and making bird boxes. Emphasis need to recruit new leaders as some of our current any interest in the sport, please ring us or come to speak Places are available in September for funded children will also been placed on Air Scouting. with us at the Clubs and Societies Fair in the Village Centre leaders’ children have now left and in the not too age 3-5 and non-funded children age 2-3 – call us on distant future they too will be moving on. on Saturday 10 September. 647572 to discuss. Scouts numbers are at 24. They were meeting outside up until Christmas last year. Even though the Judy Smelt, 642341 Cheryl Fleetwood, Manager children seemed to enjoy this and attendance was As we look forward to a busy term in September we mostly 100 per cent, it was far from ideal. Activities would like to thank everyone for their hard work and include outdoor work, hiking, caving, survival nights contributions towards making us a very successful at Rowley Farm and building shelters. The children Scouting group. attended a water weekend at Longridge and will be DAIR HOUSE SCHOOL camping over the summer. In September there will If you would like more information on Scouting, you be opportunities to attend a mountain biking can meet us at the Clubs and Societies Fair on 10 FARNHAM ROYAL weekend and a hike in Snowdonia. September or please call: The Scouts played an active part at the village fete. Group Scout Leader: Mark Relf, 643729 We ran the barbecue, the stocks, the plate smashing Secretary: Saera Carter, 647525 stall and the tombola. Scouts called on their Membership: Colin Barr, 647542 We pride ourselves on excellent teaching and pastoral care, TEMPLEWOOD small classes and Established in 1973 individual attention. Your local friendly builder All types of building works undertaken Prospective parents are welcome to visit at any time, please call Telephone David Marriott on 01753 648332 Beaconsfield Road, Farnham Royal, Bucks, SL2 3BY

26 27 our numbers suffered. Luckily it was a fine evening so a Royal British Legion few of us sat outside for a drink and chatter. In May we donated a further sum to the Poppy Appeal We attended the Farnham Common fete but to me the from our branch funds, almost £3000, and this helped visitors seemed low compared with previous years, but us to retain second place behind Aylesbury for collections this may have been due to our being situated round a from branches without clubs. This was a great effort corner, although our new banners made us visible. No THE GARDEN ROOM from all four villages with Stoke Poges playing no small new members were obtained but the weather was dry part. Our Poppy Appeal organisers, David and Cherry even though a little gusty at times. Our new gazebo gave at Stoke Place Marriott, again excelled themselves – can they do it again us protection from any wind. next time? On 1 October, subscriptions will rise by £1, making ours On 11 June we attended the Stoke Poges fete which, as £12 per year but HQ state that for the next few years it usual, was a great success for all concerned. The weather will rise by £1 to make the total more realistic with the kept fine, the sun even came out regularly which must present financial climate. have pleased the young dancers who put on a good show. From our point of view we gained at least three For the annual supper we are seeing if an alternative to new members and others showed interest. Plus we sausage and mash can be offered for a similar cost. received around £30 in donations. As you read this magazine we are approaching the We had a successful plant sale on a dry Saturday morning autumn, poppy fortnight and remembrance services. A and were pleased to raise a little over £400 for branch busy time for all connected with the Legion. Remember, funds. Unsold plants were given to the local WI and we when the Christmas cards come through your door, keep hope they will be able to increase their funds a little – it the stamps for us. Minesh at Londis in Hedgerley still all helps! Many thanks to all helpers on the day and to accepts them for us – and any committee member you those who donated plants. may know can pass them on at one of our meetings.

On Monday 4 July, we met at The Victoria but it seems the room we used has now been let to poker players so John Cooper

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28 29 The survey continues over the summer. Look out for more information on the notices displayed on the Rainbow Pre-School 2011 Rainbow had a visit from Ofsted in the last few gates at entrances to the Common. Enjoy the weeks of the summer term which resulted in an Friends of heather display on the East Common, looking Summer term ended at Rainbow Pre-School with a outcome of ‘good’ with four outstanding features. particularly lovely in late summer. barbecue, attended by most of our children and their Anyone wishing to read it can do so on the Ofsted Stoke Common families. There was lots of laughter and tears at the website or by visiting our website: event, with the sun shining for the whole duration. www.stokepogesrainbow.co.uk Our programme for the next few months is as Sadly, we had to say farewell to 25 children who will follows: be moving on to their new schools in September. All After the long summer break we welcome our new Summer events on the Common continued with the staff wish them every success in the future. children and their families to Rainbow in September. pine seedling plucking, bracken bashing and path 10 September – Martin Hartup, Senior Ranger, The term starts with colour, shape, numbers, letters clearance. We were present at the Village Fete and Burnham Beeches, will lead volunteers on a reptile During the last, very hot and sticky half term we and many more activities. We will be exploring the met a considerable number of interested residents. survey to find out how reptiles, for example, enjoyed water play and having fun in our large sand signs of autumn in our beautiful surrounding area The children in particular loved the little insect box slow worms and adders, are responding to the pit, climbing trees and also enjoying using the slide starting with a collection of conkers to count and a peep at the slow worms and adder safe in restoration work. and see-saw in our newly upgraded garden area. and sort. their container. This year we planted sunflowers, wild flower seeds, runner beans and tomatoes, which meant lots of We are expecting the children to be very busy with 10 September – 11 am – 3 pm at the Village Centre, watering and hoeing by the children. We also had paint, glue, clay, pipe cleaners, junk modelling and Following a buffet and quiz at the Fox and Pheasant, Clubs and Societies Fair. We will be there. Come and fun playing cricket, tennis, catching/throwing bean many more materials to create some wonderful art the bat and moth evening at dusk on Friday 15 July talk to us about the work on the Common. bags and skipping. creations. We are always grateful for donations of was well attended. The group spotted a chocolate wool, material or unwanted paper. tip moth, a hawkmoth, a common footman (moth) 1 October – the Autumn season begins with This year we enjoyed a successful sports day with all and a ghost moth and some small pipistrelle bats. heathland restoration on the West Common. We will the children receiving a winner medal for taking part. Rainbow can be contacted anytime and we welcome Alas no Cretaceous Hebrew Character or Neglected be tackling birch and gorse to open up some of the The parents were very competitive in the adult races your call for a prospectus or an informal chat with a Rustic, spotted in 2008. (I mention these two as I narrower paths which will improve walking and luckily there were no injuries this year! play leader. Places are available in September for find the names fascinating!) conditions and help heather restoration. funded children age 3-5 for 15 hours per week, also The children were all invited to a teddy bears picnic, non-funded children age 2-3. in aid of NSPCC. We made sandwiches, cakes, An insect survey, supervised by insect expert, Martin 29 October – an enjoyable annual event. Equip popcorn, jelly and fruit. All the teddies and their Cheryl Fleetwood, Manager, 647572, Albertini, has found four specimens new to the yourself for Halloween. Learn how to fashion a owners were very full after consuming all that food. [email protected] Common. They are the Potter wasp, (Eumenes besom brush from birch cuttings using a range of coarctatus) which you might guess makes a mud tools and fly home with your own custom-made and clay pot in which the eggs are laid, a spider broomstick. Also useful for leaf sweeping. hunting wasp, (Anoplius viaticus), a parasitic wasp (Brachygaster minuta), the Dusky Cockroach 12 November – West Common again. We continue (Ectobius lappanicus), one of only three native with the work begun in October. cockroach species. The uncovering of these species is thought to be due to the heathland restoration. Marian Payne, [email protected]

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30 31 Dates for your Diary Parish Council Meetings The Parish Council meets at 7.30 pm on the second Monday of the month, except August, in the Lionel Rigby Room of the Village Centre. September October November In December and January, the meeting is held on the first Monday. Mon 5 ‘The History of Music in London’ Sat 1 ‘The History of Poster Art’ study day Mon 7 ‘Life and Times of Mr Punch’ talk by talk by Roger Askew, Women’s with Prof. William Prescott, Bob Sacco, Women’s Fellowship, There is a 15-minute public session at the start Fellowship, 2 pm, St Andrew’s Hedgerley Historical Society 2 pm, St Andrew’s of the meeting in which questions and comments from parishioners are welcomed. Heathland Restoration, Friends of Meeting agendas and minutes are posted on Welcome Evening, Photographic Sat 1 Tue 8 ‘Lightroom/Stock photography and Tue 6 Stoke Common, Stoke Common Chiltern Hundred’. Workshop by parish noticeboards and may be downloaded Society, 8 pm, Village Centre from the Parish Council’s website (see page 63 Kevin Day, Photographic Society, for the web address). Sat 1 ‘Harmonious Springs’, The Stoke 8 pm, Village Centre Sat 10 Stoke Poges Clubs and Societies Poges Society, 7.30 pm, St Giles’ Fair, 11 am – 3 pm, Village Centre church Wed 9 AGM and lunch, Women’s Institute, 12 noon, Village Centre SPORTS AND Sat 10 Reptile Survey, Friends of Stoke Sun 2 Harvest Festival service, 11 am, St Giles’ church HOLISTIC MASSAGE THERAPIST Common, Stoke Common Fri 11 Remembrance Day Massages to promote relaxation and wellbeing Commemoration, Hollybush Melinda Swallow ITEC Diploma/Embody/CThA ‘What Makes a Good Judge’, talk Mon 3 ‘Magic Circle Experiences’ talk by Hill/Bellls Hill, 10.40 am Tue 13 Jean Purdy, Women’s Fellowship, Tel. 01753 642748 by Stan McCartin, Photographic 2 pm, St Andrew’s Mobile Manicures/Pedicures and OPI Gels Nails Society, 8 pm, Village Centre Sun 13 Remembrance Day Service, 10.50 am, St Giles’ church Tue 11 ‘Not Just Thomas Gray’ – a literary ‘London 2012’ talk by Sally Wed 14 journey through Buckinghamshire. Wed 16 ‘National Trust Archeology’ by Gary Botwright, Women’s Institute, The Stoke Poges Society, 8 pm, Marshall, Hedgerley Historical 2.15 pm, Village Centre St Andrew’s church Society, 8 pm, Hedgerley Memorial Hall Thur 15 Open Evening with cheese and Wed 12 ‘From the Fighting Forties to the wine, Stoke Poges Singers, 8 pm, Swinging Sixities’ talk by Mrs Tue 29 ‘Magic Moments’ by Arthur St Andrew’s hall Bradford, Women’s Institute, Edwards, Stoke Poges Photographic 2.15 pm, Village Centre Society, 8 pm, Village Centre Tue 20 ‘Edith Ward Holiday Prints and Graham Williams Sat 15 Quiz Evening with fish and chip Wed 30 ‘Shell House – its occupants, its Projected Images’, by Caroline supper, Stoke Poges Singers, Chauffeur Service Williams, Photographic Society, design and garden’ by Donald 7.30 pm, St Andrew’s Vincent, Hedgerley Historical 8 pm, Village Centre Society, 8 pm, Hedgerley Memorial Sun 16 End of Season Tournament and Hall Wed 21 ‘Famous People and Places in the AGM, Lawn Tennis Club Postbox Cottage Chiltern Hills’ by Claire Forrest, Vine Road Hedgerley Historical Society, 8 pm, Wed 19 ‘London Olympics 2012’ by Sally December Stoke Poges Hedgerley Memorial Hall Botwright, Hedgerley Historical Society, 8 pm, Hedgerley Memorial Slough Hall Thur 1 – Sat 3 Bucks SL2 4DW Thur 22 Tour of Olympic Games Venues, Women’s Institute ‘The Grand Old Duke of York’ - Tue 25 ‘Flowers’, lecture by Jackie Parker, Stoke Poges Players production, Photographic Society, 8 pm, Village ‘Studio Lighting’, lecture workshop 8 pm (and 3 pm Saturday), Village Tue 27 Centre Centre Tel: 01753 663885 by uniquecapture.com, Broomstick making event, Friends Mobile: 07889 455994 Photographic Society, 8 pm, Village Sat 29 Sat 10 ‘Carols on the Green’, Village Centre Centre of Stoke Common, Stoke Common

32 33 Sunshine Corner Parent    and Toddler Group        This group meets every Thursday morning in the main hall of the Village Centre. It runs from 9.30 am to 11.30 am in term time only. We are pleased to announce the launch of The All children, parents and carers are welcome. Laughing Group, set up to organise It is very reasonably priced at £1.50 per family, group cycle rides from Stoke Poges. The name which includes coffee/tea, juice, biscuits comes from a cycling term for the riders who and fruit. can’t stay with the pace and settle back into a group that helps one another get home by Maybe you are finding it lonely at home with a riding non-competitively. That’s what we hope toddler or a baby, or maybe you would like your the group will be – people of all ages riding child to meet other children. Whatever your together at a steady pace, enjoying some light reason, you will always find a welcome at our exercise and (hopefully) good company. Toddler group. It is run by staff and parents from Sunshine Corner Pre-school which takes place Starting in September, we will organise regular next door in the Harding Room in the Village recreational rides, from the Village Centre, at a Centre and many of the children from the group go on to attend the Pre-school with children steady pace suitable for families and riders of all they already know from the Toddler group. abilities. The aim is to enjoy the safety in numbers that comes from riding in a group. We can chat For more information phone 644300 or whilst riding along, whilst our British Cycling trained 07973 671558. ride leaders take care of safety. Kirsten Tarrier Most people have a bike (there are more bikes than cars in the UK) but rarely get around to going out for a ride. Now you have the opportunity of joining a ride starting on your doorstep! St. Andrew’s Coee Shop The Laughing Group is a members’ association set ‘Come and support your up by villagers Jayne McFarlane, Nick West-Oram local Coee Shop!’ and Ralph Bagge. It is affiliated to British Cycling, has £10m liability insurance cover and our leaders are Take a lile me out and pop into The Coee Shop, CRB checked. situated at the lower end of St. Andrew’s Church Centre, Rogers Lane, Stoke Poges, SL2 4LN. Our rides will be about two hours long, with a tea stop. Our guideline is ‘the slowest rider sets the Tuesdays – Fridays pace’. Future rides will take us to Dorney Lake and (During Term Time) the Jubilee River, Langley Park, Hedgerley, Burnham 10am – 12.30pm Beeches and Beaconsfield. We will be using cycle- friendly roads and traffic-free routes as much as 2.30pm – 5pm possible and our leaders’ expertise will navigate us Fridays from 9am safely through the occasional busy junction. As well as a selecon of beverages and snacks we also have a range of We have a Facebook page: Laughing Group S Bucks greengs card and small gi items. – send a friend request to receive advanced information of our ride plans.

SPECIAL OFFER You can find out more at the Clubs and Societies Fair Bring this advert with you to in the Village Centre on Saturday 10 September, between 11 am and 3 pm. claim your Free Cup of Coee or Tea. Jayne McFarlane, Chairman [email protected]

34 by similar wind speeds and that is reducing spin on the ball. This may seem a bit technical, but it isn’t SolicitorsSolicitorsSolicitors and it’s what Darren did every time he was hitting Pro Tips into a strong wind. He took one to two extra clubs and hit the ball with a shorter and softer swing, this BuchanansBuchanansBuchanans kept the ball from ballooning into the air and also held the ball’s line.

How? Well here’s the physics: the harder you hit a golf ball the more spin you generate. More spin essentially means more backspin, which in turn means a higher trajectory as lift is produced and is accentuated with a head wind. So therefore, Clarke was reducing the amount of backspin on his golf ball by reducing his swing speed, he took more club to make sure he got the distance as he was ConveyancingConveyancingConveyancing ||| CommercialCommercialCommercial ||| Stuart Rank, Head of Instruction at Stoke Park hitting it softer. But this reduction in swing speed continues his series of top tips for golfers. ‘Just didn’t just give him a lower ball flight it also reduced EmploymentEmploymentEmployment ||| WillsWillsWills ||| ProbateProbateProbate ||| Swinging In The Wind’. side spin which gave him a straighter shot.

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36 37 STOKE POGES PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

As summer moves on towards autumn it’s time of the most famous images of Princess Diana and to think about the club’s new season which other members of the Royal Family. commences at 8 pm on Tuesday 6 September. The first meeting will be a social event which As part of the annual subscription members will enables members to catch up on the gossip and automatically receive a ticket for his talk ‘Magic FAFAMAMILLYY FFUNERAL DIRECIRECTORSRS get in their excuses as to why they have not Moments’ which will be held at the Village Centre taken the perfect competition-winning picture on Tuesday 29 November at 8 pm. A limited number over the summer. of tickets are available for residents at £10 each. Anyone interested in buying tickets should contact It is also an opportunity for anyone to come along Kim Day by email at [email protected] and talk to us to see what we do. We don’t ask for SerServing the any money on the first night – in fact, we encourage Whilst it is not compulsory to submit entries, some people to come along for two or three weeks so of the main activities of the club are the four print local community they can make up their minds and be sure about and four projected image competitions which joining before being asked to pay. However, you culminate in the two finals at the end of the season. for 3 generations must be a member before entering any of the Competitions are divided into set subjects which this competitions. If you are thinking about joining but year include the ‘Seven Deadly Sins’, ‘Music’, cannot make it on 6 September, additional ’Derelict’, ‘Unusual Angles’ and ‘Shadows’, all of information about the club can be found on our which should test the creative imagination of both Under the personal supersupervision of Eric, Petula,etula, RRobert and Tina website, which is currently being updated, but members and the judge. There are also open does include a number of pictures from last sections where members can put in projected Our family caring for yyourour family year’s competitions. images and prints of any picture they like. The prrooffeessional and Our new season programme is on our website. The Competitions are divided into two classes with new programme will include a mixture of social events members starting in the Intermediate class. personal service for wwhhich and tutorials, together with talks by professionals As well as the website, additional information about we arere rerenowned is aavailable giving technical advice and tips. One of this year’s the club can be obtained from Sue Avey on 07599 speakers is Arthur Edwards, The Sun photographer, 343763, www.stokepogesphotoclub.co.uk day and night a Fleet Street legend who brought the world some • Priivvate Chapels of Rest • Pre-Paidaid Funeral Plans • Horse Drawnwn Funerals • Facilities fofor the ddisabled The Sun • If yyou wish arrangementsrangements photographer can be made in the Arthur privacy of yourour home Edwards

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38 39 Hedgerley Historical Society

We return after our summer break on Wednesday 21 In 2012, London will be hosting the Olympic Games For our final meeting of 2011 on Wednesday 7 December September at 8 pm when Claire Forrest, Information for the third time, the only country to host the games at 8 pm, Alan French will talk about ‘A Year as Master of Officer at the Chilterns Conservation Board will present three times. Sally Botwright will look at the history of the the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers’. Through telling an illustrated talk on ‘Famous People and Places in the games, how the modern games started, some of the his story of a year in office Alan will provide a potted Chiltern Hills’. people who have played a part, both famous history of the livery movement, including many of its and infamous. traditions and its key roles within the City Claire has worked for the Chilterns Conservation of London of today. Board for nine years, promoting the Chilterns Area Following our third of Outstanding Natural Beauty, its many special Autumn Lunch on Monthly meetings of Hedgerley Historical Society take features and the opportunities it offers for enjoying the Saturday 29 October, Tony place at Hedgerley Memorial Hall, Kiln Lane, Hedgerley at great outdoors. Eaton will present ‘The 8 pm and visitors are most welcome. curious disappearance of Yorkshire before moving to this region in 1993 when Bookings are still being taken for the first Hedgerley Study Major Glenn Miller’. His he worked at Chastleton House (Oxon) and Stowe Annual Membership of the Society costs £6. Day on Saturday 1 October when Professor William chief leisure interest is the Gardens (Bucks). Prescott will present three lectures on ‘The History of music of the ‘Big Band Further details from John Lovelock, 647187, Era’, especially that of [email protected] Poster Art’: We have an extra event on Wednesday 30 November Glenn Miller who brought when Donald Vincent presents ‘Shell House – its his all-star American ‘Pleasure and Leisure’: The development of the Occupants, its design and Garden’. Shell House (pictured orchestra to Britain in modern poster above) at the northern end of Hedgerley village is a late 1944. Tony’s speciality has 17th century house of two storeys with cellars and attics been unravelling the and is believed to be so named because over the front ‘Protest and Propaganda’: The poster in war time mystery of the famous bandleader’s disappearance, door there used to be a semi-circular hood containing a supposedly en route to Paris in December 1944. He has carved wooden scallop shell. ‘Transports of Delight’: The travel poster, and the been a member of the international Glenn Miller Society commercial poster. for 55 years and is the main UK feature writer for its Moonlight Serenader magazine. It is reputed to have been built in 1680 and the poor rate The event costs £20 and includes light refreshments with books of Hedgerley Parish indicate that the property was owned at this time by Mr Edward Penn. an optional two-course lunch at the White Horse for a On Wednesday 16 November at 8 pm Gary Marshall will further £10. present ‘National Trust Archaeology’. Gary Marshall is the National Trust’s archaeologist for the London and South Donald (and his wife Hazel) have lived in Shell House since On Wednesday 19 October at 8 pm Sally Botwright, East region, based at Stowe Gardens near Buckingham in 1947 and this talk will be the culmination of over 60 years’ a London Blue Badge guide, will present ‘London North Bucks. Mr Marshall has been with the Trust for 24 research into the ownership, architecture and environs of Olympics 2012’. years working on a number of projects in Derbyshire and the property. DO YOU HAVE AN ANNOYING DRIP Nick Milne Garden Services IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD? www.nmgs.co.uk - 01753 643612 - 07832 144935 Dr Tap Plumbing & Heating Services ❁ Stoke Poges-based small family business Fully qualified and insured Boilers installed, serviced ❁ High quality maintenance gardening and plumber available to remove drips, & repaired, small landscaping projects undertaken drops and other annoyances Landlord’s certificates issued around your house. Gas leaks fixed. ❁ Approved by Slough Trading Standards NO JOB and featured on Stoke Poges TOO SMALL Trustworthy Tradespersons list ❁ References and portfolio available Call Paul Webster on 07814 747221 E-mail [email protected]

40 41 to-face appointments, we are looking at further News from Threeways use of available technology to improve patient Vicar’s Letter Parish of Stoke Poges experience. Two thousand of our patients have Surgery signed up for internet access to appointment Do you know that God is good? In the first chapter St Giles’ and St Andrew’s Church booking and repeat prescriptions. We actively of James letter (v16-17) we read: ‘Don’t be deceived, encourage our remaining patients to do so. We also my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift "* We are very pleased to announce our GP trainers, offer a text messaging appointment reminder is from above, coming down from the Father of "* " Dr Allen and Dr Hassim, have received a further two the heavenly lights, who does not change like *  service. This winter we will trial sending specific ‘at %*"" years’ accreditation from the Oxford Department of risk’ patient groups text message invitations to book shifting shadows.’ Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education. appointments for flu and pneumonia vaccinations. In other words we can: trust His goodness, receive the We also envisage using this technology to prompt good as gifts from God – rather than blame Him for the    This year we have again achieved a high patients to book medication and chronic disease performance score of 995.4/1000 against Quality bad, know that He wants the best for us, know that He reviews, as well as for routine data collection, e.g. can even work good out of bad things. We can do this and Outcomes Framework (QOF) and we wish current smoking status. because God has demonstrated His love and commitment to thank our staff for their continuing hard work to us in sending Jesus to die as our Rescuer on the Cross.    and our patients for their ongoing support and We are looking to set up a Patient Participation response to Ipsos MORI’s patient choice and Group, ideally a mix of patients covering all ages, Have you heard the story of the Gratitude Train? experience survey. both male and female. We hope to have a core *  group that will meet with the practice a few times a The Gratitude Train arrived in New York Harbour aboard Dr Hassim has taken up the position of Cluster Lead year and a larger group whom we can contact via the Magellan, a French merchant ship, in February 1949.    for BPCC’s (Buckinghamshire Primary Care email periodically to ask a question or two and gain The Gratitude Train, a gift from France, contained 49  Collaborative) southern cluster of practices and is valuable feedback. You can register your interest by boxcars. Each car was filled with gifts to the people of the instrumental in planning provision of future patient downloading a form from our website: United States from the people of France. Even though *  services for our local area prior to the demise of www.threewayssurgery.co.uk and returning it to many French families had very little left after the war, over Bucks PCT (Buckinghamshire Primary Care Trust) the surgery. 6,000,000 families contributed something to fill the cars.    in 2012.  The 52,000 gifts included children’s drawings, ashtrays Finally, we say our hellos and goodbyes. Dr Elizabeth made of broken mirrors, worn shoes, hand crocheted Our patient list size of 5700 continues to grow, with * " Evans has retired from general practice having doilies, a jewelled Légion d’honneur once presented to the resulting additional demand requiring us to worked with Threeways for the past nine years. constantly review access to and provision of Napoleon, the bugle which signalled the Armistice signing Sheila Ackrell, patient registrations officer, has retired at Compiègne in 1918, fifty rare paintings, the first    services. As part of this, Dr Rachel Pope has after 14 years with Threeways. August saw our GP motorcycle ever built, and a Louis XV carriage. The *+- increased her working sessions from four to five and registrar Dr Gee Grewal finish his one-year President of France contributed 49 delicate Sèvres vases Dr Vineet Agnihotri has taken on a regular Friday attachment to Threeways and September sees the and the city of Lyon provided dozens of silk wedding "2""" afternoon session. return of Dr Jeremy Mellins whom patients may dresses. By 1948 the boxcars were filled to capacity. When remember from his earlier placement with the the Magellan sailed from Le Havre, 9000 gifts had to be Whilst telephone consultations provide a highly left on the docks. surgery in 2009. Marie Pike and Lynne Le Marchand    effective alternative for patients not requiring face- join our admin. and reception team. Why such gratitude? Well, apart from the massive "   wartime help, in 1947 an American Friendship Train   carried $40 million in relief supplies to France and Italy, "" over 700 boxcar loads of food, fuel, and clothing, " donated by the citizens of the United States, brought relief to war-torn Europe. Gratitude is a wonderful thing, it enables us to enjoy what we have and inspires us to be      generous in our giving to others.  " John Wesley said: ‘Do all the good you can, by all the ""     = means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places $" you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.’  "" """ Let me encourage you to join us at the Harvest Festival on 2 October, to give thanks to God for our food and to " generously give to those who have far less than we do. Let me also encourage you to join us on Remembrance             Sunday, 13 November, as we remember with gratitude  those multitudes whose sacrifice preserved our freedom. Above all, even when life is hard, hold fast to the goodness of God and live in a way that demonstrates it. &&& $($$)&! $&$ %! %&$&$& ) Revd Harry Latham

42 43 South Bucks District Council Golf Courses Farnham Park weekdays for just £12.80 and weekends from only £15.80. The course is looking fantastic and we’re not the only Weekdays, seniors pay £10.00 ones who think so. while juniors pay just £9.80.

‘Thought the course was in superb condition on the Great offers are also available for day, new hole cups on good greens was such a joy to society and four-ball bookings play on!’. Pros Day player July 2011 until the end of September. Book a society day from just ‘I play in a very active golf society, which plays an £20 per person, Monday to average of two private clubs a month through the Friday, including green fee, summer plus some foreign courses. I played at coffee, bacon roll, and chef’s Farnham Park and every green seemed in perfect dish of the day. A minimum condition and as good and certainly better than any I number of players apply. Or why not come in for a have played this year.’ Golf society player June 2011 four ball? Pay only £60 for the group and you will also receive hot drinks and bacon rolls. A first class pay and play golf course? We think so. But it also offers great value for money green fees at all Farnham Park is now also offering an unrestricted, times. So if you have not tried it yet, why not give seven days a week annual season ticket. Prices are pro it a go? rata so why not buy a season ticket this September for less than £475, valid until 31March 2012? For further For those who like a challenge, Farnham Park Golf details on pricing please call, 01895 837306. Course is offering adults 18 holes after 1 pm on For further information or to book, call 643332 or visit www.farnhamparkgolfcourse.co.uk. Why not sign up to receive the Farnham Park Golf Course newsletter? just e-mail [email protected] and request to be added to our e-mailing list. Don’t forget The Lanes

The highly popular Lanes nine-holes pay and play course provides the ideal set-up for the whole family to play with great junior and family rates. PGA professional staff provide first class tuition for all ages and there are always courses starting up from just £10 for a five-week programme. And at that price they get booked up quickly so get your name down now to save being disappointed! The driving range is open until late every day, except Christmas Day, so we are always open for practice.

Memberships for The Lanes Golf Club are now available. Benefits include a discount on green fees, the opportunity to play in friendly matches and competitions, and get a handicap. Initially aimed at new players of all ages and abilities, it also welcomes players who enjoy a bit of competition but without the pressure of high-level matches. Annual membership is £30 for concessions and juniors, and £50 for adults. To enquire about membership call 554840 or visit the website www.thelanesgolfclub.co.uk.

44 The Stoke Poges Society

Last Season’s Events Gaby Battrick was also appointed as publicity officer – Not only is this part of the world notable for Gray and with invading bureaucrats!). It is considered one Walk on Stoke Common, Saturday 15 May 2011 a post much needed. We are very grateful to them his Elegy; many other writers have lived here, including of his most important works. He also at the same Since the last issue, 30 members of the society enjoyed both for their readiness to help the Society to the 17th century Royalist poet, Edmund Waller, the time produced a bust of John Penn, which is in a walk on Stoke Common with the Senior Ranger, move forward. The remaining members were American poet, Robert Frost and the writer and social Eton College – a replica is in the Penn Pew in St. Chris Morris. This ancient landscape has never been duly re-elected. observer, G.K. Chesterton; and even Aldous Huxley Giles’ Church. built on. It is the largest remaining area of the extensive has left his literary mark on the village. An entertaining heathland that covered much of Buckinghamshire and I should like to voice my gratitude to them all for their and surprising evening is guaranteed. John Penn had the Caesar marble installed in his new for hundreds of years provided the local communities dedication to the Society. (Roger Askew, Chairman) Members – free; non-members £2.00. Refreshments mansion, Stoke Park, over a fireplace. with grazing and firewood. It became an object of will be served. controversy at the beginning of the 19th century when The Flower Festival, ‘Poetry Faith and Flowers’, Penn was so enthusiastic about this talented man the then Lord of the Manor, John Penn, wished to Saturday 9 July Tuesday 13 December, St. Andrew’s Church, 8 pm that he drove him around the Naples area to enclose it. Now it is an important site for wildlife, a Site The Society was very visibly present at this event, Christmas Event – Quiz Night see the Roman antiquities – all the time Vesuvius of Special Scientific Interest and since 2007, its located as we were at Thomas Gray’s tomb. The floral This event returns by popular request. was erupting. management has been taken over by the Corporation element of our presentation was an imaginative Members – free; non-members £2.00. of the City of London. evocation of Gray’s Elegy, with the well-known Seasonal refreshments will be served. The marble stayed in the mansion until sometime silhouette of Gray and the lowing herd. between 1930 and 1938, when it was moved to the For this we were entirely indebted to Looking Ahead to 2012 Manor House. Stoke Park was then in the ownership Anne McWhirter who conceived and Tuesday 14 February 2012 of Sir Noel Mobbs. However, in 1929 it was loaned by executed the display. Thank you, Anne. Following the very successful lecture, ‘Horace Sir Noel for a short time to the Penn-Gray Museum in Walpole’s Cat’, given by Professor Sir Christopher Church Cottage. That year Queen Mary paid a visit to Issues Frayling last year, we are visiting Horace Walpole’s the museum, and was particularly struck by the Deare As we go to press much concern is house, Strawberry Hill, in Twickenham. It was the marble. On questioning the curator as to its meaning, being voiced, again in relation to the first neo-Gothic house to be built in the country, before he could reply she gave her own interpretation, Manor House over the proposal by the creating a great vogue for this style. Members £20.00; ‘It is the dream of life.’ lessee to move an important and non-members £25.00. Cost includes coach transport, valuable marble relief, The Landing of entrance and guided tour. A coach will leave John Deare died in Rome in 1798 in Caesar by John Deare, to the Victoria Stoke Poges at 9 am. Limited places so early unfortunate circumstances, apparently and Albert Museum (see below for booking is advised. having caught a chill while sleeping on an article about this object). Many a block of marble in the hope of people have lodged objections with Our Featured Property deriving inspiration. He was only 49 the Planning Department at South Given the concern about the proposal to years old, leaving his Italian wife and Bucks District Council. The move the John Deare plaque from the Manor children with little to live on. His output overwhelming feeling is that this item House to the Victoria and Albert Museum, we had been comparatively small, yet he should remain in Stoke Poges. By the felt it would be appropriate to focus on the was held in high esteem by his time you read this it may have been plaque and John Deare himself. contemporaries and is considered a major resolved one way or another. figure in the world of 18th century sculpture. Chris Morris, Senior Ranger, and members of John Deare, sculptor, was born in Liverpool in The Landing of Caesar is among his the Society Future Events 1759. Having studied at the Royal finest work and we are privileged to have Saturday 1 October, St. Giles’ Church, 7.30 pm Academy Schools he produced it in our village. Let us hope that it Much of the present management involves clearing ‘Harmonious Springs’ – a celebration in words and commissions in plaster, ceramics can stay. birch saplings which threaten to stifle the wild flowers music of Thomas Gray and his world, in aid of the and marble and became much that are so important there. Thomas Gray Anniversary Fund. sought after. In 1785 he moved to Membership Rome where he stayed until his death, To renew your membership, or to join A donation of £60 was made towards the We are continuing to mark the two anniversaries, his inspired by the wealth of classical art the Society, it is not too late (look at maintenance of Stoke Common. death in 1771, and the publication of his Elegy in that surrounded him and intoxicated by the benefits – the visit to Strawberry 1751. This entertainment will bring to life the life in that city. Many commissions Hill next February itself is enough to Annual General Meeting, Wednesday 15 June fashionable world of 18th century England of which followed and he sent over to England new make it worthwhile!). Please contact In Roger Askew’s absence the place of Chair was ably Gray was both a part, and from which he felt himself works on classical themes, or copies of Jane Wall, our Membership Secretary, taken by Diana le Clercq who reported on events past apart, in a sequence of songs, letters and poems, ancient marbles. It was in 1791 that John 645954, or email: [email protected] and to come. One or two changes to the committee featuring local young musicians and readers. Penn commissioned him to produce this We will also be attending the Clubs and were made. Barbara Rigby has decided to stand down Tickets £10.00 and £8.00, to include a glass of wine, marble relief. The subject was John Penn’s Societies Fair at the Village Centre on Saturday as secretary, though will continue to serve as are available from The Stoke Poges Society. choice. It shows the invasion of 10 September. committee member. We are very grateful to her for all Britain by Julius Caesar in 33BC, she has done as secretary and are very glad that her Tuesday 11 October, St. Andrew’s Church, 8 pm but the Roman general is being ‘Not Just Thomas Gray’ – a literary journey through repulsed by the native Britons. (Oh Replica of bust of John Penn knowledge and experience will be still available to our by John Deare Roger Askew, 644582, activities. Her place is being taken by Naomi Arnold. Buckinghamshire that we locals could do the same [email protected]

46 47 Stoke Poges Lawn Tennis Club A Big Fete Thank You and Invitation for Donation Requests The summer months are the busiest time at the In the Under 10s Caitlin McCaugherty was the I think this year’s fete was one of the best tennis club. winner, with Matthew Smith and Jonathan Nankivell attended events that I have ever had the pleasure the runners up. to be a part of. So I wish to extend my thanks and The finals of the juniors competitions were held gratitude to everyone who was involved and to recently. In spite of the rain, spectators were treated All the matches were well supported by friends and those who attended such a fabulous community- to some great tennis, notably in the Boys U18 final, family and all competitors played in superb spirit, based day out, which had the village’s best which went to three nail-biting sets, with long rallies, and, win or lose, they should be proud of their interests at heart. and scintillating winners. Richard Biondini, last year’s efforts. Refreshments rounded off the activities. The primary role of the fete is to draw us all champion, aged 15, finally won through against together as neighbours, friends, groups, Harley Dyer, aged 12, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2. The adult league matches are in full swing with three organisations and businesses to enjoy one teams: men’s, ladies’ and mixed in action. On another’s company and to share what we all can In the Girls U18 final Grace Whittam, 14, also balance, we have more or less held our own. bring to the party. It is a chance to meet up with retained her title, beating Emma Chandler, 17, in a The younger competitors with their prizes. old friends that you haven’t seen since last year’s match also filled with great rallies and superb The adults club tournaments are also being played fete and to make new ones whilst our children can passing shots played by both girls. currently – and the finals of these were due to be enjoy the freedom of having fun in a safe and held on 6 August. familiar environment. Earlier Harley Dyer beat TJ Spelman in the U14 boys, while Matthew Scott beat Daniel Nankivell in the Looking to the future: we will be at the Clubs and The secondary role of the fete is to raise U12 boys. Caitlin McCaugherty won a high quality Societies Fair on 10 September. On Sunday 16 money to help the multitude of groups and match against Sapphire Perez, last year’s winner in October the end-of-season mixed tournament and organisations that bring fun, entertainment and the Girls U12s. AGM take place. A skittles evening is due to be held education to a diverse selection of villagers. on Friday 28 October at Stoke Green Cricket Club. If you would like to ask for a donation towards a The mini tennis started the day, with six competitors village-based group, then please get in touch, in the U8s. The winner was Oliver Latham and the Please ring 642438 for more information or visit our explaining how you benefit the village and what runner-up Esther Nankivell. Also competing were: website: www.stokepogestennisclub.co.uk. you would like the donation for. Alistair Smith, Joanna Scott, Samantha Scott and Alternatively, just turn up at the courts at Bells Hill Riley McCaugherty. recreation ground, off Rogers Lane. Please send requests by email to [email protected], alternatively I can In the U9s Corey Wood was the eventual winner, Roger Wright The Under 18 finalists from left to right: Emma be reached on 07963 627805. with William Barr and Marina Daniel also taking part. Publicity Manager Chandler, Grace Whittam, Richard Biondini and Harley Dyer Martin Wood, Chairman, Fete Committee Bus number 53 Your local bus service serving Wexham Park Hospital – Stoke Poges – Farnham Royal – Burnham Grammar School – Maidenhead – Bracknell.

Operated by Thames Travel Please contact us if you need travel on bus line 53, your comments or suggestions are always warmly welcomed. www.thames-travel.co.uk or call 01491 – 837988

48 49 Sunshine Corner Pre-school        We enjoyed another busy term and made the most of events: they had a Bouncy Castle those days when the sun came out to spend time in the day, dressing up day and a beach garden outside. On their return after Easter the children party with paddling pools and     celebrated the Royal Wedding by making crowns, ice cream. Term ended on 20 acting out their own wedding and eating their wedding July with a Leavers’ Party feast. After this the children enjoyed a maths theme and attended by 31 children who looked at numbers and shapes. Activities included were moving on to school and counting beads to make jewellery, measuring and other settings. All the staff were very sad to say &07&5"@1651 pouring during water play and drawing around the goodbye to the children at the end of the party and we tallest and shortest children. They also made a height wish them all the best in the future. chart and enjoyed marking the adults’ heights to see who was the tallest and who was the shortest. The half Fundraising continued with a pirate-sponsored walk term finished with the annual visit to Odds Farm where around Black Park at the end of June for both the pre- The Clubs and Societies Fair everyone had a good time looking at the animals school children and the toddler group. All the children despite the rather chilly weather. enjoyed finding ‘treasure’ at the end of the walk and fortunately the rain held off until the afternoon so we The second half term featured the theme of ‘continents’ were able to picnic as well. Fundraising is vital to update Saturday 10 September and the children took part in various indoor and toys and undertake larger projects such as the artificial outdoor activities related to the different areas of the grass which has now been laid in the garden to enable world. These activities included making lion masks, the children to use the garden all year. creating boomerangs and eating Chinese noodles. They 11 am - 3 pm helped to make a kangaroo and a panda to display on The new term starts on Wednesday 7 September when the wall and joined in American celebrations on 4 July we welcome many new children. The theme will be ‘My by making flags and eating hot dogs. Body’ and the children will do handprints, footprints, Village Centre, Rogers Lane paper plate faces and eventually will use all of these to Children who were leaving to go to school marked their make a life-size cut-out of themselves to take home. last few days at Sunshine Corner with some special During this term we will also hold our annual fundraising Winter Olympics where the children will take part in sponsored events. Find out about the fun social and recreational opportunities

On Saturday 26 November Sunshine Corner will again available to all in Stoke Poges and meet representatives from WATER be holding their Christmas Bazaar and planning is these village clubs and societies already underway. Father Christmas will again be visiting and we will be taking pictures of the children with him. SOFTENERS There will be many stalls, refreshments and fun activities 51'"1$"4(@"34 (4551'"1$"4)&34 1654 for children. Alpha Windows will be sponsoring the bazaar. If you are a local company and would like to donate a raffle prize and have your name in the %"51'"1$"41 &"5@ 51'"1$"41 &(#(6 Supply & Installation programme, please contact Kirsten or Janette on the number below. 51'"1$"4"9%) 11!"&$%1634 %")" Drinking Filters & Faucets We are a very popular local committee-run pre-school 6()"3135& 6(563(1 &"5@ 51'"1$"4%151$32%& which takes place every day in the Village Centre. We Next day delivery service welcome all children from the age of two until school 51'"1$"4"0A4 3162 1 &"5@ age and receive government funding for three and four for Block, Granular year olds. Our staff are well qualified and undertake 51'"1$"480"00&4#(6 51'"1$"4%3&!$"#(6 ongoing training. We have a wide experience of special and Tablet Salt needs and various dietary requirements. We 51'"1$"4&0$"34 51'"1$"4%18(4#(6 recommend putting your child’s name on the waiting list as soon as you can whatever the age of your child. 165%%6 '4#1))60&5@#"5@ %"6$%&0$ 3162 We fill our spaces very quickly and many of our present "!$"3("@&4513& ( %+#21354+"7"(12)"05 01753 643554 or former parents put their child’s name on the waiting list within weeks of their birth. 1 &"5@ 51'"1$"43""#%63 % A friendly welcome is extended to all parents and carers. NSR Limited For information, phone: 644300 or 07973 671558 and speak to a supervisor. All welcome Kirsten Tarrier

50 51 Stoke Green Rovers Football Club

Last season was a success overall with the club standards. We have agreed with the EBFL to play one of For anyone interested in supporting the club from eventually finishing mid-table and retaining its the teams at home every week to ease the congestion the sidelines, please feel free to e-mail us on: Division Two status for the coming season. The of games. [email protected] for fixtures. young players from our own village who joined us last season are starting to show signs of I would like to thank the officers of both clubs for the Finally, I have been associated with the club for over improvement and under the right coaching regime hard work they have put in to make this amalgamation ten years now. This year due to work will mature into good strong players. Our side for possible. I am pleased to confirm that in addition to commitments, I have been forced to step down the past two years has been one of the youngest having a strong squad of players, we have retained all of from actively running one of our sides. I have been in the East Berks Football League (EBFL) and our the officers and now have one of the largest asked to remain as chairman of the club and will outlook for the future is very positive. committees in the EBFL, which is imperative for long- continue to provide assistance to the managers term stability. where necessary. I would like to wish all of the Many years ago, as you may remember, Stoke Poges FC officials who are involved in the day-to-day running was called Stoke Rovers. People in our village remember The club has also been assisting in bringing a ladies of the squads the very best for the forthcoming this club fondly and many still talk to me about the team to Stoke Poges for the first time in the village’s season. It’s a thankless task sometimes and a very happy days that they spent playing for the club. history. Wycombe Wanderers Ladies FC will be playing tiresome one, but also where you make lifelong on the rec. pitch on Sundays this year and I look friends with players and officials. I would also like to Over the close season, we have successfully combined forward to helping them and promoting the women’s thank all the players, past and present, who have Stoke Poges FC and Stoke Green FC and changed our game to all who are interested locally. I wish the ladies worked with me over the years and all of the name to Stoke Green Rovers FC (to reflect and respect the very best of luck in their coming season and look opposition, who have made football such a large the input that both clubs have had). This move is a forward to watching their games on a regular basis. part of my life. major step forward in bringing football from the Your ideal party venue! outskirts of our village back into the recreation ground From a financial point of view, we now have three Player Recruitment and will now give us two football teams, one playing in contracts on the pitch and all teams are paying their Our club is continuously looking for players in Stoke Division Two of the EBFL and the other in the Premier way to ensure that the recreation ground and the Poges and the surrounding areas to help increase of the EBFL. current facilities are kept to a high standard. You may and strengthen our squad. Any senior players in have noticed that this year the changing rooms have search of a well-run and progressive club should he Village Centre in the heart We have always aimed to return, eventually, to the been repainted, and the skirts on the bottom of the contact Alan Fox on 07811 137762 T historical name of Stoke Rovers. Although we have not changing rooms have been replaced, repainted and lead of Stoke Poges is the ideal Club Support moved all the way to recovering this name, everyone flashed for the coming year. Stoke Poges Football Club needs your support and venue for your party, get-together or concerned felt that Stoke Green, an old club everyone is welcome to come down to our home themselves, needed to be recognised and for now, our Pre-season training started on 6 July and anyone ground on Saturday afternoons. Games generally wedding reception. new name is a fitting compromise. Who knows what interested in getting fit and playing for a strong side in kick off at 2 pm and if you text us on 07976 ❋ will happen in the future... the 2011-12 season, should get in touch. As always, we Fully licensed bars 371802 we will be happy to send you our fixture are very interested in enrolling players from our village list for the following weeks. All of our players have ❋ Air conditioning This will provide villagers with games to watch every and we therefore invite players who are interested to been trained to respect referees and supporters and week and, if they wish, come and play at various contact us and get involved. to express themselves correctly to the officials rather ❋ Choice of rooms and layouts than using foul and abusive language. Our disciplinary record is superb every year and we look ❋ Ample parking forward to the club being short-listed for the East ❋ DOMESTIC & Berks Football League Sportsmanship Award. Friendly welcome Why take your young ones to expensive ❋ COMMERCIAL ROOFING Premiership games and expose them to language Main hall with stage and and physical abuse when you have the perfect U.P.V.C FASCIA SOFFIT answer in the heart of your village? kitchen ❋ AND GUTTERING We promote the East Berkshire FA’s RESPECT and Competitive hire rates  will continue to do so.

Training 96 ROGERS LANE  Our training sessions are held every Wednesday Call: Roger le Clercq 01753 642250  evening from 7 pm – 9 pm. Newcomers (over the STOKE POGES age of 16) are welcome. www.stoke-poges-centre-org.uk BUCKS SL2 4LL HOME: 01753 644054 MOBILE: 07768 475467 Gary Matthews, Chairman Stoke Green Rovers Football Club

52 53 Cycling – It’s Not Why? It’s Why Not?

short time here in Stoke Poges a lot of people have said ‘I ride my bike. Why not?’. That is a very encouraging sign but we know there are a lot more TemplewoodTemplewood SecuritySecurity people who would like to ride their bike but don’t. If you are one of those people help is at hand.

Training quite literally gives you the skills to deal with today’s traffic but in this area there is more than just training available. We are doing our bit through Cycle- SystemsSystems LTDLTD Wise delivering Bikeability courses in schools and for adults, helping them gain confidence to enjoy riding their bikes. We are also looking for adults to train as leaders to help others along. (If you are interested please visit our website www.cycle-wise.co.uk) Established in Farnham Common since 1990. The Beeches Cycling Development (BCD) group has brought together many local cycling organisations A friendly LOCAL business with 20 years and individuals. It is looking at overcoming the barriers As a Bikeability Cycling Instructor I am keen to to cycling. How should I ride? Where can I ride? Can I see people on their bikes wherever and of experience. secure my bike when I get there? Just a quick look whenever possible. Having moved from back at the last Stoke Poges News answers the last Hillingdon to Burnham a few years ago, I have question, with the article about new cycle racks at last seen the light and am now a resident of springing up throughout the parish. Stoke Poges. • Intruder alarms specialist An exciting new project, funded by the Local Area When I was in a London borough people seemed Forum for Stoke Poges will be the Home to Hub for ready to use that as an excuse not to ride ‘Oh the The Stoke Poges School. It is looking at the routes • For all your installation requirements traffic in London is so bad, it’s so busy in this area’. linking students’ homes to their destination, the The fact that where I lived was a London borough school and then the setting up of bike trains – belied the fact that it was 17 miles from central and local servicing groups of adults and children riding together to the London. In Burnham a well-worn excuse is ‘Oh there’s same destination. all the traffic from the Slough Trading Estate’. The • Insurance approved Slough trading estate is on one side of Burnham but Another excuse that often comes up is the weather. on the other three sides are Burnham Beeches, the We can’t do much about that, but we can give advice River Thames and the Jubilee River. on the best equipment and clothing to make your • Red Care monitored systems riding experience as pleasant as possible. It may be oversimplifying things but the general point is that it seems people are always ready to say ‘Why The weather has presented a challenge for cycle should I cycle?’. I have to say that so far in my very training over the last 12 months. The hardest hit was • 24 hour call outs our own Stoke Poges School. Back in November of last year, 17 valiant pupils braved the freezing weather LAPTOP & PC to begin their Bikeability course. As we all know the • Free estimates and advice NACOSS snow came and Britain, let alone South Bucks, ground REPAIRS to a halt. It took several months to slot in time to GOLD finish the course but no one had been put off by their sub-zero experience and we finished training in June. As you can see from the photo the weather was Call: 01753 648330 FIXED PRICE REPAIRS £39.99 + PARTS slightly better for the Games in the Park which came NO CALL OUT CHARGE to Bells Hill Rec. in July and August. Many youngsters were able to endure and enjoy the cycling assault Web: www.templewood.co.uk ON SITE OR COLLECT & RETURN course we created there. FLEXIBLE APPOINTMENTS CALL ANYTIME So I leave you with this thought, next time you E-mail: [email protected] CONTACT MARK ON look at your bike.... It’s not why? It’s why not? 01753 735706 07799 545550 Darryl Boot, Cycle-Wise Thames Valley

54 55 Stoke Poges 1955 to 1965 Remembered A new school was built adjacent to Wexham Park Hospital By Geoff (Jaffa) Orange on ground at the rear of the local builders, William Hartley, named Woodside Secondary Modern School. We teenagers had to relocate to this new school. It had a I would like to give you a feel wonderful indoor gymnasium (only soft shoes allowed on of what it was like growing the wooden floor), outdoor tennis area, a purpose built up in the village half a wood/metalwork room, cookery area and science lab – century ago. First let me all a big eye-opener to us. provide a little background information. My mother, The assembly area was like a theatre with a large stage Violet, came with her parents and floodlights that dropped from the ceiling. I enjoyed to Sefton Park Cottages (next working the lights and scenery for school plays rather than to the present Decies Way) when her father Fred C. Bell acting in them. I was fortunate to be made the first Head (Sam) formed a partnership with Roy Neville at the Boy of Woodside. butcher’s shop. Both Sam’s and Roy’s sons, Fred and Pete, joined the business later on. Nearly all of the children from Stoke who went to Woodside used their bikes and we did not see the usual Mum, Dad and I lived in Farnham Common for a short cars outside the school jamming roads as now. Some while, then returned to the village around 1955 to pupils would go by bus to Stoke Green corner and then Vine Road. walk to school. Plenty of exercise and no obesity in those days! When spoken of, the village was normally referred to as ‘Stoke’. Going out of the village to school was the thing that made you realise that you belonged to Stoke, the village School at that time was the old school, on School Lane, with its rec. and several shops, the garage on the hill and with headmaster Mr Harman, who lived in the house the Village Hall. There was some employment in these adjoining the main building. After he retired he lived in places, and also at the Glaxo’s Laboratories, Cement and Vine Road for a while before moving south. Concrete, and L & H Engineers. School sports would be held in the rec. (Recreation Ground). This school had no grass area for such activities When other youngsters from Iver, Wexham, Farnham as schools have now. Also the rec. had its own local Royal or Slough asked where you came from, you proudly football team of Stoke Rovers in the mid 1950-60s which announced that you were from STOKE. was eagerly supported by the young of the village, especially for away matches. The village hall provided many things including table tennis, film shows and flower shows. We had sports days In those days few people had cars and boys were on the rec. or in Glaxo’s grounds. Later on other firms did crammed into all kinds of vehicles to attend away these things too. Also there were all the shops and public matches. This was a novelty in itself and I remember once houses to find out about. As you would expect, with my going to a match in a very big smart car, similar to a Rolls grandfather being involved in the butcher’s shop, I helped Royce. Good times! out there and I will say more about the shops next time. Thirty Years Ago The hot topic for the parish in autumn 1981 was a proposal to build 140 to 210 houses on 30 acres of Green Belt between Elizabeth Way, Rogers Lane, West End Lane and Park Road. The newsletter carried an appeal for pledges to raise £5000 to cover legal fees at a planning appeal hearing.

Also featured was a photo of a loyal greeting to the Prince and Princess of Wales on the occasion of their marriage, designed by Ian Huntley. Copies were available from ‘Marian’s’, Bells Hill Shopping Precinct.

The WI’s September talk was ‘Care of the feet’ by Mrs Finlay and in October it was ‘Wild Life of the Chilterns and Thames Valley’ by Mr Trevor Williams.

56 Feeling the Women’s Institute

Over 100 members of the Beeches Group of WIs called for wider discussion of the issues surrounding Our most glamorous autumn event takes place on Pinch ? (George Green, Hedgerley, Stoke Poges, Taplow and large-scale factory farming enterprises. Thursday 3 November when we visit the Rothschild Templewood) convened in St Mary’s Church Hall, Suite in Mentmore Golf Club for a sumptuous three- Wexham, for the We were reminded of the power of WI backing course lunch. ££££££ AGM, hosted by when we heard that the Payments Council have George Green. After dropped plans to scrap cheques from October 2018, In September, we will welcome speaker Sally ££££££ the business meeting, stating that they would be available to bank and Botwright who will regale us with insider Blue Badge Guide building society clients as long as customers need information on the 2012 Olympic Games. In October oney is available from local Sally Botwright them. David Raffley MP said that ‘this is a victory for Mrs Bradford will have us searching our wardrobes delivered a fascinating Middle England’. Supermarkets and shops which for forgotten garments from the forties and Morganisations for villagers who talk on the ‘Oddities had stopped accepting cheques, including Marks & swinging sixties. Our November meeting is one of require financial help due to hardship of London’ (including Spencer and Boots, are expected to come under our most important when we elect our committee to and are unable to obtain statutory a pets’ cemetery in pressure to start honouring them again. guide us through the year ahead. After the elections benefits or help from health and social Hyde Park!) We we adjourn to the Village Centre for a delicious enjoyed a delicious Saturday 30 July is a day we all look forward to – the lunch served by caterer Ann Tennant. services supper, all the more Annual Flower Show of the Stoke Poges remarkable because Horticultural Society. Under the auspices of the WI, If you would like to know more about the WI, pop Subject to a clear need in each case George Green, with the Home Economics Section is always a big into the Village Centre at 2.15 pm on the second only 16 members is attraction with husbands vying for first place in the Wednesday of the month. You can be sure of a grants can be given to families and the smallest WI within men-only Chocolate and Apricot Jam competition. warm welcome. individuals for such purposes as: Sally Botwright the Group. Stoke Poges with 70 On Monday 12 September we will join Van Gogh Gwyn Alcock, WI Secretary  Providing equipment and facilities members is the largest. Following supper, flautist authority Professor Anthony Slinn for a one-day Jo Anne Mingay gave a recital and we were invited teach-in. Based at Cheddington Village Hall, the work- for disabled, handicapped or infirm to view Jennifer Harper Jones’ beautiful prize- shop will cost £15, including a French themed lunch. people, including respite care winning craftwork. ARNOLD  Providing essential household On Thursday 22 September a group of us will join Stoke Poges member Jean Montgomery represented the Bucks Federation for a full-day tour to view the FUNERAL SERVICE appliances, furniture and equipment the Beeches Group at the National Federation WI Olympic Games venues. The Olympic Park has been Independent family business  Limited assistance with gas and AGM in Liverpool completed so we will see the spectacular sporting Traditional and Alternative Funerals Echo Arena. Two scene as the world will see it in 2012. Our coach trip Home Visits by appointment electricity bills may be available in important resolutions will take us from Woolwich Arsenal via O2 and Excel Pre-payment plans available some cases were detailed. The buildings to Stratford where we will take a short  resolution calling for a walk to the viewing point. Morning coffee and a 273 Farnham Road, Paying for essential house repairs campaign against roast chicken lunch will sustain us on our travels. Slough  library closure was Providing essential supplies for supported The Federation have arranged three autumn events 01753 535556 school (including school uniform), unanimously by for us. On Tuesday 18 October Miranda further education, and apprenticeships delegates. The Krestovnikoff, presenter of BBC’s Coast and The One 38 Oak End Way resolution opposing Show, will entertain us with ‘A Whistle Stop Tour  Providing financial relief in cases of factory farming was around the Coast’! Held in High Wycombe Town Gerrards Cross made more difficult Hall, the event will take place from 2.00 pm to 4.30 sudden distress such as illness, 01753 891892 including travelling expenses to and when the President of pm. (Miranda’s mother is a member of Farnham from hospital the National Farmers Common WI.) also at Union said that if the Marlow High Wycombe Jean Montgomery WI supported the Our second autumn event, a series of workshops, 01628 898866 01494 472572 For help contact: motion, it would put will take place on Wednesday 26 October from Beaconsfield farming back many years. He said, ‘With the 10.30 am to 4.00 pm at Cheddington Village Hall. 01494 685000 Mike Dier 01753 642886 expected increase in population, Britain must There will be two live craft demonstrations in the Trevor Egleton 01753 643330 increase farm productivity.’ After a heated morning and, following the included lunch, two in www.arnold-funerals.co.uk discussion, members moved on without a vote on the afternoon. Plant propagation, the use of herbs in Susan Lynch 01753 646582 the issue, declaring the resolution ill thought out and cookery, cushion making and plant photography are badly worded. Ruth Bond, the chair of the NFWI among the subjects covered at a cost of £14. 24 HOUR SERVICE

58 59 Stoke Poges Players

Members of Stoke Poges Players had great fun in rehearsals and whilst putting on their most recent production, a comic whodunnit, Inspector Drake’s Last Case in May. We were gratified by the audiences’ comments. All who spoke to us afterwards said they had thoroughly enjoyed our       performances even though we had a few technical glitches (no ring on the phone and no gun shot on     a couple of occasions). All said this added to the comedy.     We are nearly at the end of our August break and BC967A3A839EC547GCA are looking forward to the start of the next season on Monday 5 September when we will distribute 989B49D8CF849 scripts and start auditioning for our pantomime The Grand Old Duke of York written by Norman 7DBB@A@ACB957B8BB9A5B Robbins. Apart from the Grand Old Duke, this pantomime has a bad-tempered fairy, a good witch, a wicked baron, his two henchmen and a gypsy boy, to name but a few. ❋

We are always looking for new members, not just actors, as a successful production needs help ❋ backstage with prompts, marketing, props, scenery, lights, sound and front of house. ❋ Would you like to join us? Experienced or not it doesn’t matter – just a willingness to participate and maybe try something different. Why not come along ❋ at 8 pm on 5 September or see us at the Clubs and ❋ Societies Fair being held at the Village Centre on Saturday 10 September between 11 am and 3 pm. ❋ We meet every Monday evening throughout the year (except for August) between 8 pm and 10 pm     in the Harding Room at the Village Centre, Rogers Lane.

The Grand Old Duke of York will be performed at     the Village Centre at 8 pm on Thursday 1, Friday 2 and Saturday 3 December plus a matinee on       Saturday 3. Tickets go on sale from Tuesday 1 November.         Unfortunately due to rising costs we have raised our ticket prices as follows:        Adults – £8; Concessions: Seniors 60+ and Children aged up to 14 – £6       Family tickets (max. two adults) – £18

To book tickets or to get more information, call Linda, 677032 or email:   [email protected] 88 D 6947@83A5  5   D   Linda Miles, Secretary CCCC D 667C 9@7B4

60 61 NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE

Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) • Use timer switches. These are very cost effective and Neighbourhood disputes Other news During the month of July we have had some reports of are a great deterrent. In recent months the neighbourhood police team (NHPT) Two males were found in possession of cannabis in the noise and bikes being ridden in an anti-social manner. • You can install Passive Infra Red (PIR) sensor floodlights has spent a number of hours attempting to resolve Stoke Poges area. They were both dealt with accordingly There is more information on the neighbourhood dispute at the front or back of your property. This system disputes between neighbours. More often than not these by officers. section below about noise-related issues. automatically switches on a bright floodlight when it occur as a result of minor, non-criminal matters being detects movement. blown out of all proportion and resulting in an irreparable After almost three years as Neighbourhood Specialist We tend to get more complaints of anti-social use of • Cut back overgrown hedges. These provide a cover breakdown of relationships. We as the NHPT would like Officer (NSO), PC Lou SHARPLES is sad to announce that motorised vehicles during the summer period. These tend for burglars. to help you avoid potential conflict by offering the she will be departing for a new role within the local CID to be more about off road bikes. The police can issue • You can secure your valuables in a safe. Domestic safes following advice. team based at Iver police station. When we receive news Section 59 warnings to any persons riding without are designed not to be easily seen. They can be put in as to who her replacement will be, this will be passed on. permission and in an anti-social manner on any land. If a places that are harder to find. • Initial contact – have you approached your neighbour second one is given within a year then the vehicle will be • Remove all keys from windows and doors and keep and tried to resolve the issue yourself in a polite and Local crime information seized and a hefty fine will need to be paid to get the these out of sight. Do not keep your car keys by the reasonable manner? If your first point of contact If you would like to access information about crime vehicle back. Recently two males were given Section 59 front door as vehicles have been stolen this way by regarding a minor issue is via the police, relations do statistics, please visit the Thames Valley Police website warnings whilst riding in an anti-social manner in a field burglars getting hold of keys through letter boxes. not tend to start well! We recommend speaking to (www.thamesvalley.police.uk) where you will be able to in Stoke Poges by Police Community Support Officer Kam your neighbour or writing a polite letter outlining your view local crime maps. There are many more steps you can take to protect your issue, as this often prevents the need for solicitors, local Benawra. We ask members of the public to provide us home. For more information, see our website. council or police involvement in the dispute. Community Messaging is a free service which provides with as much detail as possible about the offenders: information to subscribers about crime and police activity clothing descriptions, type of vehicle, colour, registration Speeding • Noise – the police have no powers to deal with noise in their area via phone or email. It also includes number, time and date. This would help us immensely You may have seen PCSO Kam Benawra with the speed in a dwelling. This needs to be reported to the information on what we and our partner services with our enquiries. Please do not put yourself at any risk indicator device (SID) in the Stoke Poges and Wexham Environmental Health Department at South Bucks are doing to bring offenders to justice or combat whilst doing this. areas this month. The SID is a great way to measure District Council. You can download forms and these anti-social behaviour. More information can be obtained speeds of vehicles and is a great deterrent for speeding. should be returned to Environmental Health with via our website, and you can sign up here too: Burglary In extreme cases letters can be sent out to speeding accurate information about the noise issue. This will http://www.tvpcommunitymessaging.org/rmwebportal/st From 1 July to 27 July Stoke Poges has suffered no drivers and details of offending vehicles passed onto our build up a case for noise monitoring equipment to be artup.aspx burglaries. While this is really good news we ask local Traffic Department. If you think your road has a speeding put in place. residents to remain vigilant and report any type problem, then please contact us on our non-emergency Have Your Say Meetings of suspicious behaviour. Let’s make it harder for number or email us. SBDC website – Have Your Say Meetings take place in your area and are the criminals! http://www.southbucks.gov.uk/environment_planning/en an ideal opportunity for you to speak to your local police There will be further speeding and road safety operations vironmental_health_and_protection/noise/default.aspx officers and PCSOs about any local issues you are Below are some simple steps to take to protect locally in the near future, so drive safely and within experiencing, or to report information to us that you feel your property: the law! • Building work – have you informed your neighbour may be of importance. No appointment is necessary, just about any building work you may be getting done? turn up! Further meetings will be publicised locally and How would you feel if, without any warning, your on the force website at www.thamesvalley.police.uk neighbour decided to complete loud and disruptive works? Think about letting them know the timing of If you want any advice or would like to contact the any deliveries of skips/other building machinery or neighbourhood team, telephone the Thames Valley Police Registered equipment and where they will go. The vehicles used non-emergency number 0845 8 505505 or email Plumber to deliver such items can often cause parking or [email protected] temporary restrictions for vehicle access. Residents tend to be less irate about this inconvenience if they have PCSO Kam Benawra prior warning. Consider keeping them updated about how long the work will be going on for.

BATHROOM REFURBISHMENT • Fence or boundary disputes – if you have a dispute over Burglarproof your home a boundary or a fence then speak to your neighbour in time for winter BOILER INSTALLATIONS before taking action. You may be able to come to an agreement. If you cannot come to an agreement then We know that every winter burglaries increase UNDERFLOOR HEATING you will need to seek advice from a solicitor or a as the days get shorter. It’s easier for a criminal surveyor. Boundary disputes are not a police matter and to tell if a house is unoccupied. Make your CENTRAL HEATING POWERFLUSH must be resolved through civil courts – the police have home less attractive to thieves by installing a no power to make any decisions or arrangements in DIY alarm, marking your valuable electrical relation to these problems. items with a SelectaDNA kit (available from the Parish office at £30) and by investing in a  Partnership work/Good news FakeTV device which switches on at dusk and Your Neighbourhood Team attended the Rainbow Pre- looks like there is a television on. School end of term event this month. The children got to speak to the local officers and see our Panda car!

62 63 News from The Stoke Poges School COUNCILBusiness

Farewell Miss Toomey! were outstanding. They were professional and showed Recent Parish Council Decisions century from a country village to a semi-rural community. enthusiasm and spirit throughout their routines. At the The project would be highly participative, involving all Many of you may have fond memories of Miss Toomey fete, they were joined by other members of the squad to The Parish Council was contacted by South Bucks sections of the community in collecting records, from your days at The Stoke Poges School. Miss Toomey put on a truly stunning display. Environmental Health team following a report of fly- photographs and oral history of the last 100 years of joined us in September 1971 and has become one of the tipping and bonfires at the Parish Council’s allotment site village life. The records will be stored digitally and made most respected teachers in her profession. After forty Garden news in Duffield Lane. Following investigation, the Parish available online. There would also be an exhibition and years, Miss Toomey retired in July. We had a week-long Council has decided to prohibit bonfires, barbecues and provision for people who don’t use computers to have celebration, culminating in a farewell assembly, with songs Plants and vegetables have been sprouting in the summer all fires on the site because in law, as the land owner, the access to the information. Early indications are that the and speeches. A play, specially written by Mr Harrington sun and the children have been enthusiastically tending Parish Council is liable for any nuisance caused by fires. application is on track to meet the funding criteria; and performed by Year 6, had us all laughing. A standing them, ensuring they are watered each day. The plants however, there is intense competition for funding. have been joined by some rather unusual celebrity ovation for Miss Toomey from the whole school made a The Parish Council has agreed a revised allotment tenants’ fitting end to an emotional assembly. scarecrows, made during this year’s Arts Week, which had the theme of ‘In the garden’. agreement, written in plain English, that respects the original intentions of the Allotments Act – namely that a Updates from your Councillors We also said goodbye to Year 6 as they embark on their plot holder may grow fruit and vegetables on their plot journey through secondary school. After their excellent for consumption by themselves and their immediate The County Council launched its new interactive 11+ and SATS results, they have enjoyed their last months family. The new agreement also reflects the site’s location Corporate Plan at the end of June. In a move away from at primary school, the many trips and visits including in Green Belt, where the key requirement is to preserve the lengthy, government-driven plans of the past, our rowing at Dorney and a residential trip to France. This openness and to keep the view attractive. The Parish new plan, Working with You is a fully interactive annual trip includes visiting Bayeux, the Mulberry Council was unanimous that it should lead by example by e-brochure. The innovative plan is available on the Harbours and Paris. All the staff and children had the time requiring the allotments to be kept tidy. county’s website and focuses on how the County Council of their lives, experiencing a combination of education, is working with local people and communities to develop culture and fun. Finally, back at school, Year 6 rehearsed for their performances of Olivia, which was a resounding The allotments continue to present a difficult challenge: solutions to challenges. This is illustrated through videos success. there is a waiting list of prospective tenants, whilst a in which residents themselves explain how County number of current tenants hold more than one plot. A Council services have touched their lives. The link to In June, some children from Year 4 and 5 attended the well-tended plot will produce sufficient vegetables for a Working with You is PGL centre at Ross on Wye in Herefordshire. It is a household to be completely self-sufficient, saving stunningly beautiful part of the country and that, along hundreds of pounds at the shops. Yet the allotment rental http://www.bucksccbrochures.co.uk/corporate plan with the great weather, made a wonderful income does not currently cover the annual water bill, let 2011-13/ trip. This visit enabled the children to experience alone the other maintenance costs. Parish councillors adventurous and outdoor education at its best and they learnt at a seminar recently that a parish in neighbouring You can also follow County Council news and updates benefited from the out of the classroom learning Berkshire set its rents in an auction, with the annual on Twitter, Facebook and Youtube. environment. The enthusiasm and behaviour of the Sporting news rental being set at £300. The Parish Council undertook a children was what we have come to expect from review of grazing rentals to ensure that it is charging the The new leader has appointed his cabinet consisting of: our pupils. They were truly engaged at all times and There were smiles and cheers all round as the children market rate to the grazing tenant of the paddocks at excelled in activities they may never have the chance to jumped, skipped, hopped and ran as fast as their legs Nettleship Wood. Martin Tett – Leader - policy direction and strategy, experience again. Next year’s PGL trip is already would carry them on what were perfect conditions for communications, economic development fully booked! sports day 2011 – not too hot, or too cold and it remained The Parish Council is to trial an LED (light-emitting diode) dry! streetlight in one of its locations and will be interested in Mike Appleyard – Deputy Leader and Cabinet Village Fete feedback from residents. This new technology puts the Member for Education and Schools – schools, The children were enthusiastic and full of energy to light where it is needed – on the footway and the road – special educational needs, early years, post-16 We enjoyed participating in the Village Fete this year. Our compete for their house. The four teams battled it out in and costs a lot less to run than our current streetlights education, training and adult education choir, orchestra and Key Stage 1 singing club all lots of events which culminated in the exciting relay races. because LED lights draw less power for the same light performed enthusiastically. For the older children it was a It was a tight competition – ALL the children were output. The bulb life is also very long, so they need Val Letheren – Cabinet Member for Children’s useful experience as they performed the same set at winners, but the house scoring the most points overall, less maintenance. Services – children, child protection, fostering, ‘MAD about Waddesdon’, a music and dance festival held for the first time in years, was Blue House! later in June, at the National Trust estate north of corporate parenting, youth offending and youth services Aylesbury. It was an extremely hot day, but in our shady We were very lucky with the weather again when hosting The Parish Council has sent out a tender document glade, on a real stage with professional sound equipment our annual invitation Liaison Athletics. The school romped inviting architects to submit bids to design a sports and Martin Philips – Cabinet Member for Community and engineers, we had a wonderful time. We hope to be to victory over St Nics, St Peters and St Mary’s Farnham youth pavilion and multi-use games area at Bells Hill rec. Engagement – locality strategy, library service, safer invited back next year. Royal. There were lots of gold medals won and some With a consultant appointed, the next stage will be to communities, voluntary sector, trading standards, outstanding performances in all age groups. Our athletics have them produce a scheme design for costing and customer services, museums, registrars and coroners, The school’s second performance at the fete was an team have had a very successful season. submission for planning permission and grant funding. big society amazing gymnastics display. Some members of our squad had made it to the British Schools National Gymnastics If you would like to see photos or read more on any of The Parish Council agreed to apply to the Heritage Lottery Steven Adams – Cabinet Member for Environment Finals in early May. Natasha and Kaliska Nowers, Connor these stories our website is the place to visit. Fund’s ‘Unlocking Hidden Histories’ to fund a project – waste procurement and operations, country parks, Watson, Tom McFarlane, Ella Jeffers and Aryan Bains all called ‘The Making of Modern Stoke Poges’. The aim is green spaces, rights of way, gypsies and travellers, competed at extremely high levels and their performances www.thestokepogesschool.ik.org to capture the evolution of the village during the 20th sustainability *

64 65 Peter Cartwright – Cabinet Member for Finance to explore several cases that have been raised by residents and Resources – ICT, human resources, property who are unhappy about neighbours’ activities. services, legal services, resilience, finance Stoke Poges Parish Council The Parish Council continues to go about its work of Patricia Birchley – Cabinet Member for Health and making Stoke Poges a great place to live, with energy and Chairman: Mark Fletcher Heather Huntley Flagmaster Wellbeing - adult social care, public health, drug and enthusiasm, as reported elsewhere in this edition. Myrtle Cottage, 26 Broom Hill, SL2 4PU Tony Thomas alcohol awareness 128 Rogers Lane, SL2 4LN 663144; [email protected] Glengower, Hollybush Hill, 07802 889651; Stoke Poges, SL2 4EJ Saera Carter [email protected] Susan Lynch 663418 Peter Hardy – Cabinet Member for Planning and 12 Duffield Lane, SL2 4AB Transformation – strategic planning, development As mentioned in the summer edition, we held our Vice Chairman: Ralph Bagge 646582; [email protected] control, transport operations, road maintenance. Elected representatives Community Picnic in June at Bells Hill recreation ground. Wavertree House, South Bucks District Councillors Despite the weather, which was a mixture of sun and Duffield Park, SL2 4HY Gary Matthews, Trevor Egleton, County and District Councillor showers, it was a very successful day. We estimate that 693600; [email protected] 40a Rogers Lane, SL2 4LF Ralph Bagge throughout the day around 300 people attended. I would 07976 371802; Wavertree House, Duffied Park, Duncan Smith Chairman of Planning Committee: [email protected] like to thank everyone who turned up on the day to help SL2 4HY Cathy Thornton set up and generally contribute towards making the day 693600; [email protected] I am new to the District Council and, unlike my colleagues a success. It is at times like this that we realise that we Vice Chairman of Planning Christine Taylor Committee: Saera Carter 32 Bunby Road, SL2 4BP Member of Planning Committee and Trevor and Ralph, I am not a member of any other live in a village with some very community-spirited people. 644386; Sustainable Development Policy councils. My background is working in small businesses I have received several emails asking if this could be Advisory Group and I have been pleasantly surprised at the lack of Chairman of Recreation and [email protected] an annual event. I would love to hear your views on Environment Committee: bureaucracy and the efficiency of South Bucks District this suggestion. Trevor Egleton, Council. I am a member of the licensing committee and Saera Carter Cathy Thornton Vice Chairman of Recreation and 98 Rogers Lane, SL2 4LL Knoll Cottage, Duffield Lane, SL2 4AH also the advisory group to the cabinet holder for I have also been involved in a project with Ralph looking Environment Committee: 645158; [email protected] 646090; [email protected] resources, which means making the best of the council’s at ways we can become more energy efficient as a Parish Gary Matthews Member of Licensing Committee and assets. Council. We have been looking at LED lighting which is Sustainable Development Policy very reliable and would save about 80 per cent of the Chairman of Finance and Resources Advisory Group I have been able to help a few residents with their energy costs compared to our current lights. Committee: Ray Aldridge Parish Council spokespersons interactions with the Council and I recently attended the Vice Chairman of Finance and Constitutional Matters – Mark Duncan Smith, Wexham Park Hospital Parking Group, which is working After much concern from the residents at Stoke Green Resources Committee: Mark Fletcher Fletcher Elegy House, Park Road, SL2 4PE to find solutions to parking near the hospital. Crime and Disorder – Mark Fletcher 644976; [email protected] regarding parking on the grass verges and pavements I Ray Aldridge was pleased to assist Ralph in a consultation with residents Environment – Ray Aldridge Member of Licensing Committee and As a keen sportsman I hope the village will be able to 3 Old Post Office Cottages, Finance and Grants – Mark Fletcher Resources Policy Advisory Group make a positive contribution to the Olympics next year, to get their views on potential measures to prevent this. Hollybush Hill, SL2 4PP We then collated this information to determine how to Footpaths – Gary Matthews and will support the council’s projects to promote us as 663102; Health and Safety – Cathy Thornton Buckinghamshire County best preserve the look of the conservation area and an Olympic District. [email protected] Memorial Gardens – Heather Huntley Councillor presented the information to the Beeches LAF. Highways and Transport – Ralph Trevor Egleton Saera Carter Ralph Bagge Bagge 24 Elizabeth Way, SL2 4LQ I have been elected Chair of the Recreation and Planning – Cathy Thornton Member of Parliament 647525; [email protected] I have been enjoying the new challenge of being a District Environment Committee. Work is being done to look at Recreation – Ray Aldridge Dominic Grieve, MP, House of Councillor. As a member of the South Bucks Planning the allotments as they are in Green Belt and we are keen Youth – Saera Carter Commons, Westminster, to protect and preserve the openness of the site. We also Jake Field Committee I have been getting familiar with the Council’s 43 Larkings Lane, SL2 4JU Older People – Saera Carter London, SW1A 0AA; 020 7219 6220 planning policy framework and attending monthly have a waiting list and are looking at ways to reduce this. 663290 Dominic Grieve holds regular Planning Committee meetings. I can confirm that Appointed representatives surgeries in Beaconsfield, at members are strongly predisposed towards preserving We will also be working on the forthcoming ‘Carols on Alan Fox Stoke Poges News Editor which electors can meet him, by prior Green Belt and the leafy character of our roads in South the Green’ as well as 2012 Diamond Jubilee celebrations. 48 Hazell Way, SL2 4DD Ralph Bagge appointment. Bucks. I am also a member of the group that advises the Again your comments and suggestions are welcome. Two 642197; Webmaster portfolio holder for Sustainable Development (on more double buggy/wheelchair friendly gates will be alan@chilternassetfinance.co.uk Daniel Lennox Member of European Parliament planning issues). installed at the recs in the next few weeks, one in each of Stoke Poges Village Centre James Elles, MEP, European our recreational areas. We are also gathering quotes for Felicity Hawkins Ralph Bagge, Saera Carter Parliament, Rue Wiertz, Trevor, Duncan and I met with officers responsible for the resurfacing the areas around the existing gates as these 43 Larkings Lane, SL2 4JU Beeches Local Area Forum B-1047 Brussels, Belgium; Council’s property to be briefed on the background to the get very muddy in wet weather. We hope to get this done 663290 Ralph Bagge, Susan Lynch 00 32 2284 7951 Manor House, which has raised some concerns. As a before winter arrives. member of the Planning Committee, I exercised my right Parish Office: Parish Clerk, Julie Simmonds, The Village Centre, Rogers Lane, SL2 4LP – 644803; Planning has proved to be challenging with changes to to request that the Listed Building Consent application to [email protected] move the John Deare relief to the Victoria & Albert the government’s policies and South Bucks District Stoke Poges Website: http://www.stokepogesparishcouncil.gov.uk/ Museum comes to the committee if officers are minded Council’s planning framework. We are endeavouring to Designed by When-D Ltd. Thanks to Roger Wright for proofreading; 642438. to approve it, to ensure that the issues are aired in public find our way around these. Along with Cathy Thornton, Printed by PK InPrint Limited, 01494 452266. and the decision is made transparently. we have engaged with villagers regarding their Winter magazine No 179 – All material to the Editor please, no later than Friday 28 October. applications and hopefully suggested improvements, Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Editor or the Parish Council. Duncan and I also met with the Council’s enforcement whilst also expressing the need to preserve the character For further information about advertising in this magazine please contact the Editor. officers to help us understand how the process works and of our village. Editor: Ralph Bagge; 693600; [email protected]

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