FULMER NEWSLETTER June 2018 – Issue 63 www.fulmervillage.org.uk

LIST OF ADVERTISERS

LIST OF ADVERTISERS

Hamptons Estate Agents, 01753 886464

South Bucks Physio, 01753 664114

Space Station Storage, 01753 770707

Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens 01753 523744

We are very grateful to our advertisers, many of whom have been supporting the Newsletter for a number of years. Please remember to tell any of the advertisers that you have seen their advert here. The advertising income with a contribution from the Parish Council helps us fund the Newsletter and secure its future.

If anyone would like to advertise in a future issue, please contact Susie Simkins 662537 [email protected]

Fulmer Day – Saturday 7th July

Fulmer Day is a few weeks away and this year’s event is going to be bigger and better than ever. There will be activities for everyone whatever the age.

Remember, the road will be closed to all vehicles, including residents, from 11.30am – 6.30pm with activities taking place between 1.30pm – 5pm.

Last year we donated £3,500 to local charities and good causes. Some of those that we helped included: Carers Bucks, PACE, Riding for the Disabled Association, Leonard Cheshire, Fulmer Village Hall, Fulmer Newsletter and Contact the Elderly.

The emphasis this year is on family fun, we have a range of activities for all ages from bungee trampolines to the popular petting zoo. There will be lots of new stalls to keep the shoppers busy too! Alternatively, catch up with family and friends in the Black Horse garden or at the bar whilst enjoying a delicious burger from the BBQ.

There will be fun and games with Mr Marvel’s Magic Show, Punch and Judy, Traditional Morris Dancers, as well as authentic Japanese dancing by Teiyko School. The Junior Cadets Marching Band will be back by popular demand as will the Church Choir.

The Black Horse continues to sponsor our event and we appreciate all the support Howard, Rachel and Jane provide, along with their fantastic hard- working team. The party will be in full swing throughout the afternoon with the kids’ amusements in the pub car park as usual.

So please do join us for a fantastic day, encourage your family and friends to join in and we hope you have lots of fun and that the sun shines!

We look forward to seeing you. Darren (Fulmer Day Committee)

Welcome to the 63rd issue of the Fulmer Newsletter Our village has a new Parish Council Chairman, David Brackin, and we welcome him and wish him well in his task of keeping our village in great shape. This can only come with the help and support of many loyal and helpful volunteers who quietly go about their work – for example - Fulmer Conservation Volunteers who keep the vegetation in the village (including footpaths) under control; the Churchyard garden group with the same motto; and many other villagers who keep their patch free of litter. However, we need more people to help and below you will see the ‘Situations Vacant’ and please consider helping out. It doesn’t have to be every week and sharing these chores can be beneficial on so many levels. Our thanks, as usual, go to our contributors, loyal advertisers and the helpers who assist with delivering this newsletter to you.

Susie & Ronnie Simkins, Editors

SITUATIONS VACANT Clerk to the Parish Council – this is a salaried job, approx. 40 hours a month, Contact [email protected] for more details

Deputy Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator – helping in the Co- ordinator’s absence to keep the village informed of activities and police information. Call David Brackin 07970 793058

Fulmer Conservation Volunteers – they meet regularly on Saturdays to carry out cutting back; clearing of pathways and general tidying of vegetation. Consider it a form of exercise! Contact [email protected]

Archiving Assistant – to continue the good work of Edward Guinness & Ken Peters in cataloguing Fulmer items for posterity. Contact David Brackin 07970 793058

Churchyard Gardeners – Susan Fagan and her team would welcome more assistance in keeping the flowerbeds at St James Fulmer in good shape. Call Susan 662193

FULMER PARISH COUNCIL AND OTHER DUTIES DAVID BRACKIN Chairman [email protected] 07970 793058

PARM KHANGHURA Deputy Chairman/planning/finance [email protected]

MICHAEL SAXBY Transport, Minerals & Waste, County & District Policies, Finance [email protected]

SUSIE SIMKINS Newsletter Editor; Pinewood liaison [email protected]

FRANCESCA HALL- Village website; St James’ Fulmer DRINKWATER [email protected]

LORETTE DU TOIT FSCA [email protected]

POSITION VACANT COUNCILLOR

PARISH CLERK Finance Group; Council Admin; FSCA; Notice Board; Allotments

OTHERS

RICHARD MARSHALL Fulmer Conservation Volunteers (BKV) [email protected]

BARBARA ZOLTOWOSKA Fulmer Village Hall Chairman [email protected]

DISTRICT COUNCILLOR Malcolm Bradford [email protected]

COUNTY COUNCILLOR Roger Reed [email protected]

BRIAN WEILD Neighbourhood Watch; Police & Community Liaison [email protected]

KAREN NELMS Village Hall Lettings Secretary 07498 041253

One of the things that makes Fulmer such a special place to live is the strong sense of community which comes from everyone pitching in and lending a hand to keep our village running smoothly. If you are new to Fulmer and would like to get to know other members of your community better and get involved, then do please let me know – David Brackin 07970 793058

PERSONALIA

Births We congratulate: Edward & Al Fagan on the birth of their daughter, Tatiana, on 17 February. Tatiana is the first grandchild for John & Sue Fagan.

Deaths – Burials - Ashes We send condolences to the families of:

Christine Mudd who died on 16 January. A memorial service was held on 15 February.

Jennifer Peters who died on 23 February. Her funeral took place at St James, Fulmer on 15 March.

Colin Simpson who died on 18 March. A celebration of his life took place on 29 March.

Ivan Nellist who has died, a Celebration of his life took place on 27 March.

Pamela Whittle who died on 10 April, a Celebration of her Life took place on 11 May.

CHRISTINE MUDD 10 July 1921 – 16 January 2018

My dear Mum, Christine Mudd died peacefully on the 16th January at Burnham Lodge Nursing home. She was born on the 10th July 1921 in Guildford. She spent her childhood in Surrey and Portsmouth before returning to Guildford in her teens. Her first job was as a Junior Librarian in Boots in Guildford. It was there she met Dennis, who slipped a note into the library book he was returning, to ask her to go to the Odeon playhouse with him! Courtship followed, but it was wartime with Dennis training and flying with the Fleet Air Arm and Mum working as a Nursery Nurse in the first wartime Nursery in Guildford. However, in 1943 they married.

Time moved on to happy family life when my brother John, and then I were born. We moved to Horsham in Sussex where we grew up. Mum was busy looking after us and with school activities. During that time, her elderly Father came to live with us. It was not always easy for Mum to keep the peace! While in Horsham, Mum helped start up their branch of The Citizens Advice Bureau and volunteered at the local hospital.

In 1969 we moved to Gerrards Cross after a promotion at work for Dad. It was with coming to Fulmer Church we found welcome and friendship. The church offered great support and care for us during family illness. Dad retired in 1980, and Mum and Dad decided to move to Hay Lane in Fulmer. They were both welcomed into the village and community and became active members of Fulmer Church and they were at their happiest. Sadly Dad only enjoyed four years as part of Fulmer life, as his illness of pancreatic cancer progressed. Mum nursed him at home with love and devotion.

After Dad died in 1984, Mum was so glad to have the support of her friends in Fulmer and the Church. As she said she always had someone to talk to. Mum wanted to try and give back to the Fulmer community a little of what she had received. Helping in the Church and the community became her priority! She served on the Parish County Council with Edward Guinness, and her work was renowned for village footpath inspections with her close friend Sylvia Hornibrooke. Indeed, on one occasion Mum was so intent that she fell off the bridge at the Watersplash causing a visit to the hospital. Mum worked hard for Fulmer, especially for the ‘Best Kept Village’ award.

Mum was an active member of committees for the village hall and was also involved with the W.I and Women’s Fellowship. She was always ready to help or listen. Cups of tea and homemade cake were always offered, and she always met you with a lovely smile. As well as village life Mum also worked with Age Concern visiting Wexham Park Hospital with the library trolley. If the bus didn’t arrive to take her, she would walk! After a theft from Fulmer Church, Mum was the trusted member to unlock and lock the Church, morning and night whatever the weather! Remembrance Sunday saw Mum, usually with one of the grandchildren in tow, selling poppies around the village. On Fulmer Day Mum was usually helping in the kitchen with a large teapot. She so enjoyed village events.

In the 90’s, Mum decided to move from Fulmer into a warden-run flat in Gerrards Cross. She missed being part of Fulmer but kept in touch with her many friends. Sadly, 10 years ago Mum suffered a succession of strokes that left her unable to manage on her own. She was loved and cared for in Burnham Lodge. As well as family, a small group of friends from Fulmer Church regularly visited her.

A dearly loved Wife, Mother, Gran and Great Gran. She has now come home to Fulmer after 96 years of love and care for her family, friends and community.

ELIZABETH DYE (Daughter)

JENNIFER PETERS (from her service of thanksgiving)

“To live in the hearts of those we love is not to die” First of all – I thank each one of you for joining my family and me at this Service of Thanksgiving and also many of you for the very kind words of condolence and sympathy you have sent me. I referred to Jennifer in a recent letter as “my beautiful Jennifer” and her grace kept in step with Jennifer’s maturity as she moved smoothly through the roles of wife, mother, grandmother and, finally, great-grandmother before her illness began its malign progress. We were married for almost sixty-six years and so I have many, many happy memories on which to dwell and a pride that will not fade. I remember her laugh – head back, wide smile and such joy. She had a warmth that was all-embracing and throughout our many years together, was always a loyal and loving companion. She loved me without reservation, she loved her daughters with steadfast devotion, she loved her sons-in-law as though they were her own and she loved and delighted in the charm and success of each of her four grandchildren. Jennifer was always fun, with a fine sense of humour and perceptive wit and also nimble at pricking pomposity no matter its source. We lived in an age long before the baby-boomers, at a time when society was much more ordered and so it was unsurprising that we had an official engagement of eighteen months. During this period our meetings frequently took place at the conclusion of the working day but I was not the best of time-keepers. Came yet another such occasion of delay and waiting which prompted Jennifer to remark, “Well, we shall know what to put on your headstone – ‘The Late Ken Peters’.”

Once married, in addition to the usual endearments, Jennifer had affectionate terms of her own for me, such as “Hublet” on account of my stature, for she was taller than me, and another, with a touch of Franglais, but for the same reason, was ‘hommelette’, which showed, perhaps as Bertie Wooster might have said, that I was a “A good egg”. Her nature was such that even when the joke was at one’s expense, whilst it might be revealing, it was never ever hurtful. Humour still twinkled in her even after several months of near helplessness in bed when the staff at Chalfont Lodge, by using a hoist, contrived to get Jennifer into a rather impressive wheelchair. Her elder daughter, Angela, was thus able to take Jennifer on a tour of the Care Home and then, having wrapped her warmly, for it was chilly despite the sunshine, took her out into and around the grounds. They looked over the adjacent golf course, went along to the lake and then, because it was early November, went to see the large bonfire that had been prepared for firework night. Perched on top of this combustible pile was a very realistic effigy of Guy Fawkes. Jennifer regarded this rather disconsolate figure then said to Angela, “So that’s what they do with old residents”.

Over the years Jennifer wrote many poems, clever as well as amusing, prompted by the characteristics of people she met, events that affected her or some actions that seemed to her to verge on the absurd; a few appeared occasionally in this Newsletter. Jennifer was a Christian with a simple, uncomplicated faith, having been brought up in the non-conformist tradition. Her father had been a pillar of the Free Church, Hampstead Garden Suburb, from its early days and so the family worshipped there every Sunday and were otherwise much involved in the many activities and undertakings in that remarkable Lutyens’ building. It was there that I first met her.

But it was not all brightness and lightness for Jennifer in her formative years as a young girl. In 1939 when war was declared, she and her elder sister, Valerie, were evacuated first to East Anglia, later to Cornwall and finally reunited with their parents, in Leamington Spa where her father, a senior civil servant, had been relocated. But, the domestic accommodation allocated for Mr & Mrs Edgar Smith did not take children. The two girls thus found themselves boarders at Leamington High School. It was there that Jennifer contracted Nephritis and due to the Matron refusing to believe that she was ill, was left for far too long without medical attention. She survived because, with nowhere for her to stay in the school holidays, a kindly teacher took Jennifer to her own home, saw how seriously ill she was and had her taken into hospital. Three years later, Jennifer’s mother sat up for her morning cup of tea and died instantly from an embolism. Jennifer was just thirteen and very shy. On her return to her beloved Garden Suburb after the war it was to a strange and dilapidated house, her original home having been requisitioned by the government to house victims of the 1940’s London Blitz. Jennifer had lost her friends, had no mother to advise her nor affection, at a critical age, and was living with a grown-up sister and father who though caring, were distant, on a high intellectual plane – all this was too much for her. As a result Jennifer entered into a period of darkness and fragility of spirit for several years: I tell you this because it deserves recognition since you all only knew her as a competent, charming, warm- hearted, well balanced and capable woman. It took time but the gradual transformation was amazing. We married when Jennifer was twenty two and bought our first house in “The Suburb” as we all called it. During our married life we moved house many times, often because of my work and each time Jennifer coped with that, unfailingly turning yet another empty property into a welcoming home, ‘Woodland Cottage’ is our ninth residence. I use that word advisedly because, whilst it is still beautiful, it is now devoid of the once laughing, sincere and loyal spirit that ensured that it was really a home, as we all understand the word.

Jennifer loved this church in Fulmer. We began to come here in 1968 when we came to live in Gerrards Cross. We first moved to Fulmer in 1978 although during the working week we lived in Buckingham Gate, Westminster, until retirement in 1995 when we became full time Fulmerites. Jennifer was for sometime Treasurer of the Fulmer Women’s Fellowship and every fortnight, for many years, cleaned the brass in this church. Best of all she enjoyed the time spent in our choir, for singing gave her so much pleasure. Before St James there was the Choral Society in Prestbury where we lived for three years and before that the choir at the Free Church.

Her musical taste though embracing the Requiems of Mozart and Faure inclined to the lighter side, delighting in Gilbert & Sullivan. Her reading was recreational and a liking of Hilaire Belloc – his verse, not the man – and Ogden Nash, meant that Jennifer often recited their verse unexpectedly, when the words suited the moment. She had an interest in fashion – elegant, not popular, and this led to her working at Harrods, Simpsons of Piccadilly and The White House in Bond Street. Later, while living in London as well as Fulmer, she became Manageress of the then flagship shop of the National Trust that occupied the entire premises of the Blewcoat School in Petty France, and made it a great success.

In addition to her other responsibilities Jennifer was a huge support to me in my working life, especially in the later years when required to be a hostess or by my side as guest-of-honour and having to deal, always graciously, with some pretty tricky people prominent in the newspaper world.

Jennifer had no deviousness, no wiles, just honesty, loyalty, faithfulness and unfailing love. I have been a truly fortunate husband.

KENNETH PETERS

COLIN SIMPSON 9 December 1948 – 18 March 2018

Colin Simpson was a champion bridge player; earlier, as a detective with the Metropolitan Police Special Branch, he came to the assistance of Shlomo Argov, the Israeli ambassador to London, during an assassination attempt in 1982, which precipitated Israel’s invasion of Lebanon three days later. On 3 June 1982, Argov was leaving a dinner for diplomats organised by the banknote printing company, De la Rue, at the Dorchester Hotel in Park Lane, accompanied by Simpson, when he was shot and severely injured by a gunman from Abu Nidal’s organisation, a splinter group of the Palestine Liberation Organisation. Simpson chased the assailant on foot and was shot at, although the bullet missed. A witness described how Simpson “fired and shot the assassin in the head”. Argov never recovered and died in 2003, while Simpson received a commendation and a £100 reward for his bravery. He was back on duty the next day, later pointing out that no counselling was available in those days. Three men were jailed for the attack. Nine years earlier, Simpson’s skills at bridge had meant that he was chosen to work undercover at the Acol Bridge Club in West Hampstead, investigating allegations of an illegal poker game. He duly received an invitation to play and on his evidence a warrant was issued and a late-night game was raided.

Colin John Simpson was born on 9 December 1948 at Harlington, Middlesex, the son of John Simpson, an art teacher, and his wife Doris; his grandparents kept a small farm on what is now the site of a Heathrow hotel, where for three years running they won a trophy for rearing the largest pig in the country. The family moved to Scotland when Colin was 10 and he was educated at Dunfermline High School, where he was taught bridge, by a maths teacher. He read Physics at Strathclyde University, although recalled not learning much “apart from playing bridge”. He played rugby at university and for the police, and enjoyed golf in later years. During his police career Simpson acted as personal protection officer for many high-profile politicians, including William Whitelaw. Although a highly competent rubber bridge player, his work meant that he had little time for representative bridge until after his retirement in 2002.

His greatest achievements came with the Seniors’ Team. They won the 2009 D’Orsi bowl at the World Championships in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and the Seniors’ event at the 2014 European Championships in Opatija, Croatia. He also won the Camrose trophy and the Teltscher trophy, formally known as the “Senior Camrose”. Domestic wins included Crockfords, Premier League, the Spring Foursomes and the Tollemache.

On one occasion in 1997 Simpson and his team had qualified to play in the final stages of the Gold Cup in Peebles. He and his wife arrived in Scotland a few days early to play golf and visit relatives. The rest of the team were not due to join him until the morning of the match, but a fire at Heathrow resulted in its closure and a hasty rebooking for them on a flight from Gatwick. Meanwhile Simpson received word that they were not on the flight and started his journey home. A few hours later his teammates arrived in Peebles only to find themselves a player short.

Simpson was a great motivator. In the 2004 European Championships in Malmo, the England open team was below average after the first week. Near the venue’s entrance was a stuffed moose, which he persuaded his teammates, Tom Townsend and David Gold, to touch for luck before every match in the second week. They rose to fifth place, enough to qualify for the Bermuda Bowl.

He is survived by Juliana Aimee Marguerite, his wife of 42 years.

SUE SHIELDS

For those of us who live on Fulmer Road many will remember Sue and Phil and their gentle Greyhound Ray. Phil built the flowerbox as we come into Fulmer and Sue tended it with great effect in all seasons. I was greatly saddened to hear this news from Phil a few weeks ago.

Sue and Phil moved to Chinnor in September 2013, Ray retiring on his 70th birthday. All was well and they all enjoyed the lovely walks around Chinnor. Ray was put down Summer 2015, as a result of various health issues. Sue and Phil were using their place in Spain for 4/5 weeks at a time and Summer 2016, Sue began to get out of breath when swimming and walking, she didn’t make much of it, but told her Sister Carol, she feared it was cancer. After various tests it was confirmed she had lung cancer. Sue fought a brave battle but this evil disease claimed her on 15 May 2017. She died in The Florence Nightingale hospice at Stoke Mandeville with her two sons and Phil by her side. Sue was a happy cheerful soul who spent her life helping people and for 35yrs nursing them in her profession as a nurse. Sue started as a carer at Harefield Hospital and finished her career as a Sister at Denville Hall, Northwood.

Thank you Sue and Phil for your contributions to Fulmer life while you lived here. Francesca HD

SEASONS OF CHANGE As I write, we seem to have moved remarkably quickly from winter to summer. The long cold winter has gone and the warmth of the sun has arrived and long may it last. We ‘Brits’ are always surprised by our weather. Whilst reflecting on the joy of welcoming summer and saying goodbye to winter, I was reminded of the passage from the Book of Ecclesiastes, 3v1- 8 in the Bible: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” This is a passage about contentment and satisfaction even though our lives are often seemingly out of our control. There’s a natural rhythm to the seasons of the year and to the seasons of life. As we look at the beauty of God’s creation, especially at this time of year, we can meet with God by recognising or suddenly remembering that we are a part of God’s creation, designed to be in synch with creation and to care for it. Who else directs the sun to shine, the rain to fall, the trees and plants to grow, the birth of a child? Every season has its purpose. That’s the way God created it. Somehow in our busy lives we’ve forgotten to ‘just stand and stare’ and be thankful for God’s creation and our part in it. If we had one season we wouldn’t recognise or appreciate the change that takes place from one season to the next and see the awe and wonder of it. When God created the world, including humankind, he pronounced it good. What a shame to spoil it and not live as part of God’s creation and the seasons of change as he intended. Instead, let us be thankful that God: “has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him” [‘to be in awe of’ or ‘to respect’]. Eccl. 3:11-14. Rev.d Jill Roth, St James Fulmer

ST JAMES FULMER – Warden’s Report

Many of you will know we have recently said farewell to Martin Williams who has been with us for 17 years both as Associate Rector and then Rector from 2009. He has contributed enormously over this period and built into many areas of our 2 busy Churches. We now enter the Vacancy period and will follow the Church of England process in advertising for a new Rector, from the end of June. Ben Topham, our Associate Minister will take the lead during this time.

Here in Fulmer, our Reverend Jill has formed the Fulmer Leadership Team to work on drafting the Mission Action Plan required by the Deanery and also to move us forward. The team consists of the Wardens, Antony Bargioni and I, Bob Mason, John Stanley and Andrew Nealon. Some of you will remember we conducted a Survey across the Congregation and every household in the Village; c300 surveys with a return of 50! Thank you if you helped us with this questionnaire. From this we determined our priorities which include widening the attraction of traditional worship, being accessible to all through pastoral love and care and enhancing communication with the congregation and the Village.

We have recently gained 2 Faculties for the Church. The first to build new railings around the boiler steps, to keep those youngsters out and safe! The second, to convert a storage area in the Vestry area into a Coffee and Tea Station; it will be small but a big step forward from current facilities!

Recap of Events Christmas services were well attended; our ‘Carols by Candlelight’ service with c150 people, followed by mulled wine and mince pies in the Village Hall. We held a Christingle Service, attracting c60 children and 121 adults. Our Christmas Day service welcomed many families, friends and visitors. We welcomed 569 people across the 5 Christmas services!

Mothering Sunday was a fun service with several school and village families singing songs they had practiced for school concerts.

Our Good Friday “An Hour at the Cross” Service was well attended. Will Wilcox, whom some of you know, had carved a wonderful large wooden Cross for the event. After our Family Easter Day Service, we had an Easter Egg Hunt with craft activities.

Looking forward – another Summer Concert is planned for Wednesday June 27th. Fulmer Day is on July 7th when we will have our usual activities; Flowers, Organ playing and Bellringing as well as Children’s crafts and small snacks in the Churchyard. Our special Community Service is on the 8th July with a light buffet to follow.

Further out Our Harvest Supper is on Friday 28th September 7 for 7.30 pm, with our Harvest Family Service at 11.15 am on the 30th September followed by drinks and nibbles in the Village Hall for 5th Sunday. Our Bereavement & Thanksgiving Service will be held on 4th November.

This year with the 100th anniversary of the end of the 1st World War we will hold a special Remembrance Service on November 11 at 10.50. We would like to gather a small team who would help with crafts such as knitting poppies to make this very memorable. Please contact me if you would like to be involved.

All are welcome to join us at any service or event 8.00am or 11.15 on a Sunday with coffee on a second and fourth Sunday; our wine and nibbles in the Village Hall on 5th Sundays and a Prayer and Chat gathering on the first Tuesday of each month. Francesca Hall–Drinkwater, Church Warden 01753 662295

PARISH COUNCIL REPORT I write as the new chair of the Parish Council and I hope that by the time this is published, I will have already had the chance to chat with many of you, and that I will meet with many more in the coming months. I am sad to report that this summer we are losing our long- standing Clerk, Peter Kelly, who has faithfully served Fulmer for over 18 years and is taking a well-earned retirement. It's fair to say that much of the workings of Fulmer have been quietly and efficiently pushed along by Peter, and he will be greatly missed. We will also miss the contributions of Christine Owen, particularly for her close relationship with the comings-and-goings at Pinewood, who has stepped down as a Parish Councillor after many years. Apart from finding their replacements, my initial aim is very much to continue the excellent work of my predecessor, Michael Saxby, although I am also reviewing what our priorities are as residents.

Fulmer is clearly a very special place and it's central to the Parish Council's role to keep it that way and to nurture the community spirit in the village. This might involve anything, from checking the spread of the urban environment by planning controls through to ensuring that our County Council provides adequate attention to our roads; we also liaise with the neighbourhood Police and support the Fulmer Sports Clubs. The Fulmer Conservation Volunteers help keep the village in tip-top shape, particularly in advance of the Best Kept Village competition, and there are many social and community occasions within the village. We plan to bring ultra-fast broadband to many of the properties, which are currently so poorly served.

However, none of these things happen in isolation from all of us who live here: they can only occur with your support, time and encouragement. We're not big enough simply to let the old hands get on with it, and I notice that Parishes with a vibrant, engaged and active community are not only happier and safer places to live but also seem to get the support of local and national resources. So - particularly the younger and newer residents - I would urge you to look out for opportunities to join in. Most activities are posted on the village website -- www.fulmervillage.org.uk -- and also on the NextDoor app. Do please keep an eye on what is going on and, in my experience, everyone is most welcoming if you'd like to get involved. (and see Situations Vacant earlier in this newsletter – Editors)

Finally, we also post up the agenda and minutes of the monthly Parish Council meetings in both these places, and all are welcome to attend: the first 15 minutes of each meeting is set aside for public questions and issues. If there's something that you think should be looked at, or if you're not getting an answer from the District or County Councils then let us know. There's no other part of local or national government that cares about Fulmer and Fulmer alone. Any of the councillors will be delighted to speak with you about issues if you are unable to come along. Theirs and my own details are listed in this newsletter.

David Brackin

SOUTH BUCKS DISTRICT COUNCIL - Fulmer & Wexham Ward

The District Council continues with the national problem to provide affordable rented accommodation in the District for our homeless. Work is underway to secure temporary accommodation to reduce the cost of emergency housing. Plans have been developed to build several secure temporary one and two-bedroom self-contained units at the Bath Road Depot. This programme will reduce the health inequality risk associated with the placement of families. South Bucks District Council has been awarded £4.4million funding towards the construction of a relief road to support delivery of new homes in . This funding is part of the £866million worth of investment in local housing projects across the country. The award, announced by the Housing Minister Sajid Javid and Chancellor Philip Hammond, is one of 133 council-led projects across the country that will receive grants to deliver housing developments more quickly. This bid was written collaboratively, by officers from South Bucks District Council and County Council. The Beaconsfield Relief Road proposal has already received £6.1 million through the Bucks Thames Valley Local Enterprise Partnership to help address traffic issues in Beaconsfield and with this additional award Buckinghamshire County Council will now have sufficient funding in place. Pinewood Studios announced their plans to build phase two of the new development starting in 2018. Plans are currently work in progress with a new temporary access proposed for site traffic. These will be made available to the public when submitted to the planning department. South Bucks District Council (SBDC) has agreed to make representations to the Secretary of State in response to his recent 'minded to' statement on the future of local government in Buckinghamshire. The council decided this in order that it could fully understand the rationale and evidence that supports this position and to ensure he has considered all of the most up- to-date information to help inform his final decision. Last year, South Bucks District Council, in partnership with Aylesbury Vale, Chiltern and Wycombe district councils, submitted an alternative proposal, which would create two new all-purpose unitary authorities providing all services in the north and south of Buckinghamshire. "We are very concerned about a 'one size fits all' single unitary for Buckinghamshire as it would be too distant and remote from South Bucks, meaning that key decisions affecting the delivery of our services could be made with limited local representation. Fulmer Parish remains one of the most beautiful villages in Bucks with the surroundings of natural beauty and I remain dedicated to supporting the Parish with all their challenges. The Council continues with the Challenges it faces to reduce cost and maintain the quality of service delivered to our residents.

[email protected]

BUCKS COUNTY COUNCILLOR REPORT

We were disappointed with the outcome of the Ofsted inspection for Children’s Social Care Services. We shall continue to work closely with the DfE appointed Commissioner and remain absolutely committed to transform and improve our services to better support and help children in Buckinghamshire. 65% of county funds go to pay for adult social care and children’s services. Following a particularly harsh winter, our roads have suffered the consequences. We have invested £15.9million in our roads and welcome the additional government funding but know this, like children’s services and social care roads must continue to be a priority.

Looking ahead we are hoping the Secretary of State for housing, Community & Local Government will confirm his decision to replace the five existing councils with a single, new Council for Buckinghamshire. If it proceeds the new Council will combine the best of the County & District Councils and will be simpler, much better value and be much closer to residents, communities and businesses. A new, single Council will deliver at least £18million in savings every year, ensuring more money is available to deliver frontline services to our residents. Residents will already be aware that the District Council officers are predominantly based in Amersham, and planning enquiries by telephone will only be answered before 13.30. Roger Reed, County Councillor for Denham, Fulmer & Gerrards Cross

FULMER INFANT SCHOOL

It’s been another busy time at the school: Trips & workshops – Year 1 have been to Windsor Castle. Year 2 have visited the River Museum in Henley and Reception will have a trip to Pizza Express, Gerrards Cross and Year 1 & 2 will visit Dropmore School for Country Dancing later this month. There have been workshops for parents advising them how to support their children with learning at school and there was a drumming workshop celebrating Black History month. Diversity – throughout the term parents and staff and our local vicar have led assemblies celebrating our multicultural community, teaching the children about our different faiths. Charities – We have had a range of fund-raising activities for different charities – Genes for Jeans; MacMillan Cancer; our link school in Honduras – AFE. Staffing – Two members of staff have retired and we welcome Rakhee Rudki as our new Reception teacher and hope to appoint a new Finance Officer soon. Celebrations – All classes have celebrated the work over the year with assemblies for parents.

Cathy Hunt, Headteacher PLANNING IN FULMER In the 12 months between 1st April 2017, and the end of April 2018, a total of 41 planning applications for the Parish of Fulmer have been received and reviewed by the Parish Council – an average of just over 3 applications per month (3.4 applications on average). For comparison, Gerrards Cross Town Council received 459 applications in the same period, or marginally above 38 per month (38.25). Parish Council 317 and Parish 39, respectively. The applications received have ranged from permission to fell a single tree, to the construction of completely new houses. The process is that the Parish Council is given a few weeks to comment on any planning applications before the South Bucks District planning officers meet and decide finally on each case. As remains the case the Parish residents are welcome to attend the monthly Parish meetings to voice their thoughts and concerns on planning matters. The main priority of the Parish council in providing its views to the District Council Planning Officers continues to be the protection of village life and prevention from overdevelopment. Our aim being to promote development which helps the Parish to continue to function as a participative community, preferring buildings for permanently resident families, over huge ‘structures’ that can sometimes attract temporary residents.

In the 12 months from 1st April 2017, South Bucks District Council have published decisions on 41 planning applications affecting the Parish of Fulmer. In comparison 50 applications were decided upon in the same period last year and 42 for the previous year. (Below you can see what the number of applications has been over the last 10 years).

Though it is worth noting that the difference in the number of applications received and decisions made reflects that decisions are not always taken in the same period as the applications are received.

Of the 41 decisions published, just over half, 21, were permitted (51%), 11 were refused (27%), 8 are still pending a decision (20%) and in 1 case, a Tree Preservation was determined not to be required (2%).

Hedgerley a comparable Parish in size recorded the following over the same period. Which shows overall perhaps a slightly more complicated 12 months but with a very similar outcome. Of the 39 decisions published and submitted, just over half, 21, were permitted (54%), 8 were refused (20%), 6 are still pending a decision (15%), 3 were withdrawn (8%) and 1 was objected (3%).

As well as providing commentary on Parish views with regards to the applications submitted, the Parish Council has also been active in trying to drive the resolution of a number of long outstanding Enforcement activities working closely with both District & County Council representatives. This continues to be a drawn out process. Overall, the village continues to have an active planning agenda and the amount of planning applications for such a relatively small Parish positively reflects the desire of people to make their homes in the village as well as a desire to invest in those homes. The Parish Council would very much like to hear from Fulmer residents on how we could improve the provision of information and supporting any concerns for all planning matters.

Parm Khangura, Parish Councillor

FULMER SPORTS & COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

The sporting clubs at King George’s Field, Gerrards Cross & Fulmer Football Club have had a very successful season. Recently, the club had its annual presentation of awards for all the players and coaches celebrating the past season. In particular, the Boys U18 squad won their league and the U11 made the final of theirs. The club welcomes both boys and girls; current membership is 200 boys and 20 girls.

Fulmer Cricket Club has just started their season with mixed results. The club has many more members, which is great news, as in recent years it has struggled to find players for matches. The club are currently looking to raise funding for a training net to enhance training sessions and improve all round ability.

Fulmer Tennis Club have joined forces with the LTA again this year; they are sponsoring two 6-week courses for 4 to 7 year olds. The courses have spaces for 19 children. Individual lessons are available from myself.

Gerrards Cross and Fulmer Netball Club used the facilities last year but due to falls by young girls on the all weather courts they have decided not to play this year. The surface is now 10 years old and in decline so a committee has been formed to look at a new surface but also to ascertain how it can expand to cater for the best surfaces each club would like to play on. Quotes and designs have been received.

In November we had Fulmer bonfire night, it was a great success with just under 500 people attending. Watching the Houses of Parliament burn down was innovative and there was an excellent firework display. This year we are considering having a James Bond themed display and if so will be advertised as a ‘Bondfire’ night.

On bank holiday Monday 7th May we held the Fulmer Family Fun Day. The feedback from this event was very positive with many families enjoying activities from bouncy castles to the coconut shy, welly-wanging and golf’s nearest the pin. I would like to thank all volunteers who helped out at both events and to everyone who came and participated in them.

Adult and children’s parties have been very popular at the club so please get in touch if you would like to hold your own event in an idyllic location.

Andrew Nealon, General Manager, 07879 404745

THE INHERITANCE OF OUR PARKS

To walk in nice gardens at anytime is a joy, but between April and July it is really delightful to see all the young foliage and spring flowers in bloom. In South Bucks there is nothing more stunning to view than the magnificent Rhododendron and Azalea Gardens at Langley Park; it is probably one of the best displays in the UK and deserving of many visits at this time of the year. How fortunate we are in Fulmer and the other villages, which surround these wonderful well kept havens of Langley and Black Parks. We have much to thank Bucks County Council with their foresight in purchasing these parks, plus Rowley Farm, in 1933 for the princely sum of £33k.

The estates have a very long history, however, Langley Park only became a residence some 250 years ago when the third Duke of Marlborough built a house there, a small replica of his home at Woodstock. The house was built to facilitate easy access to London for himself and his subsequent descendants. In the latter part of the 19th century the two parks and farm estate were owned by the Harvey family, and it was Sir Robert Harvey who developed the gardens at Langley Park over a period of many years. Sir Robert was a diplomat, a big game hunter and a horticulturist; as he travelled the world he collected suitable plants and trees, which he sent back to stock his gardens. He, together with his head gardener, a Mr Gillies, created, not only the Rhododendron and Azalea gardens, but also a Japanese garden, Fruit gardens, arboretum, pinetum and water garden. They created gardens within gardens; his plant collection was huge, and by 1910-12 was considered to rank the finest in England at that time.

Sadly after his demise and the sale of the estate there followed 60 years of almost total neglect due to economics and also the onset of war which did not help. A great number of trees and shrubs were lost due to the neglect and others destroyed through total ignorance. Thankfully this has all changed with some of the gardens now renovated and refurbished to their former glory. They get better each year and many people now want to visit this beautiful park and enjoy the wonderful legacy from a bygone age.

Black Park with its fabulous lake and forest criss-crossed with so many lovely walks was until recent times (and in part still is) a working wood with its own sawmill. From way back and until late Elizabethan times it and other adjacent estates were part of the Royal Estate used for hunting and the production of charcoal. In Rowley Lane there were 4 cottages – Burners Cottages, where the charcoal burners lived; they are still there but now as one house. I imagine the charcoaI burning gave Black Park its name, however, if anyone should know differently I would be pleased to hear. The lake is manmade, purposefully built on a high level so that the outlet would make a Race, which runs under the road and would have driven the mill in Rowley Farm, finally ending up in Rowley Lake.

With apologies to those readers who know the rich history of the Godolphin Estates, but with the influx of younger families into our village in recent times, a little knowledge could make their visits more interesting.

Enjoy your garden. Eric Price

Thank you Eric for this fascinating piece of horticultural history- makes us appreciate even more the gems we have on our doorsteps – Editors

NEW MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR STOKE COMMON In October 2007, ownership, protection and management of Stoke Common was officially transferred from South Bucks District Council (SBDC) to the City of London. A decline in traditional management and a series of bad fires had left the common in a sorry state and, whilst SBDC had tried their best, a lack of resources, manpower and expertise had meant their ability to continue to manage the common effectively was limited. Soon after the acquisition, the City’s team at Burnham Beeches began making plans for the restoration of the Site of Special Scientific Interest and, in 2008, a ten-year management plan was agreed for the site. Ten years on and Stoke Common management plan is coming to an end meaning that we now need to start the process of planning for the next ten years.

A considerable amount has changed on the common in the past decade. After the fires, young birch scrub started to dominate huge areas of the common, crowding out the heathland plants and reducing the value of the habitat for reptiles, birds and invertebrates. Footpaths were slowly becoming overgrown, dark tunnels through dense gorse and birch or simply muddy quagmires. Whilst volunteer groups had tackled small areas, the problem was so vast that the only way to make significant progress was to use machinery. The detailed plan highlighted the order in which areas were to be managed and specified which techniques should be used; large flails or forestry equipment for clearing monocultures of young and mature birch and pine verses staff, volunteers and contractors with chainsaws and hand tools where a more delicate, targeted approach was needed to protect the last remnants of heathland. Through using this combination of techniques, 11 ha of young birch have been mulched, 17.8 ha of larger trees/scrub have been cleared, just over 10 ha of small birch have been flailed and about 2.5 ha/year of smaller trees and scrub have been cut by volunteers, re-opening large areas to allow the less aggressive heathland species back in.

We are fortunate at Stoke Common that there is an excellent dormant seedbank in the soil. This has responded really well to the soil disturbance and increased light levels created by the management works. Consequently, typical heathland plant species like heather, petty whin, dwarf gorse, tormentil, heath spotted orchid and heathland grasses have started to flourish. Of course, an improvement in the floral habitat encourages the fauna and birds, reptiles and invertebrates are all being closely monitored and are showing good signs of improvement. Other than the wildlife improvements, a real positive from the past ten years has been the work carried out by volunteers and especially, the re-invigoration of the Friends of Stoke Common volunteer group. In total 3690 people, from the local community and further afield, have worked on the common, not just clearing scrub but also improving footpaths, bridleways, fences, benches, building habitat piles, monitoring, surveying and running events.

Having realised the majority of targets set out in the 2008-18 plan, we are now evaluating our successes, as well as areas which did not go to plan, and looking at how best to ensure we build on the habitat improvements already achieved. Areas to be considered will include: building on the success of the regeneration of the heathland; more encouragement of the heathland and other species which have either disappeared from the common or are still only present in low numbers; techniques we use to maintain the area (such as grazing and mowing); areas for further restoration; availability of grant and other funding; and how to continue managing the site as a local resource for quiet recreational uses.

Now large areas on all parts of the common have been returned to heathland, it is easier to treat the site as a whole. Future projects are likely to include small scale clearance at the edges and to ensure that the firebreaks are effective, but the emphasis will shift to maintenance.

It is very important that the connection with and involvement from the local community in the management of the common continues. We have already discussed potential management options in consultation with various experts. Now, as the production of the new management plan continues, we will be seeking the opinions of the local community at consultation events in Fulmer on 19 June and on 21 June. Further details of these events will be publicised on our website, Facebook, Twitter and through posters on Burnham Beeches and Stoke Common. We look forward to seeing you at one of them.

Chris Morris, Senior Ranger, Open Spaces and Heritage Department | City of London Corporation 01753 647358 (Ext 6684) [email protected] www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/burnhambeeches

ANNUAL ARCHIVING As reported last year, no one has as yet come forward to take responsibility for the archiving of general material for Fulmer Village. This is an essential non-onerous job and hopefully someone will kindly come forward shortly. As far as Parish Council archiving material is concerned my successor, as Parish Clerk, will continue to be responsible for archiving to Bucks County Council archives in Aylesbury. However, following communication with Sally Mason, Chief Archivist for BCC, it is apparent that owing to space limitations, BCC have become more selective in what they will accept to the archives. They will now only accept material such as Minutes, Final Accounts and correspondence, which the Clerk considers worthy of permanent preservation. All other material hitherto accepted such as Bank Statements, Cheque stubs, Invoices, certain items of correspondence, etc. will no longer be accepted. Accommodation will therefore have to be made available to house Fulmer Village material as well as Fulmer Parish Council material.

Peter Kelly - Clerk

STOKE POGES, WEXHAM & FULMER HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

Annual Plant Sale - After a long cold wet winter everyone welcomed the sunshine and the warmth. So did the plants! It was a pleasure to see so many people at our Annual Plant Sale on 21 April. We hope the plants you purchased flourish and that you enjoy the delicious cakes that were on sale. Thank you to all those who supported and helped by donating plants and homemade cakes, and by coming to buy. The exact amount raised has not as yet been finalized, but it will be over £1,000. All of this goes towards the cost of hiring the huge marquee for the Annual Show.

The Annual Show – the 125th! - will take place on Saturday 28 July, from 12.30 in the grounds of The Stoke Poges School, Rogers Lane. The Marquee opens about 1.30 pm after the judging of the exhibits. There is free parking in the adjacent Recreation Ground, off Bells Hill. Entry is £3.00 for adults, £2.00 concessions, free entry for children and Members with their membership cards. To celebrate such a milestone year Edward Guinness C.V.O., who lives in Fulmer, is donating a new trophy to mark the occasion. The trophy is specifically for 16 to 30-year-olds, to exhibit a horticultural project that they have undertaken or been involved in. It is very fitting that someone, who has been a loyal supporter of the Society over many years, should seek to sponsor and encourage a new generation of horticulturalists for the future. Edward is hoping that he will be able to present the trophy in person. In addition, we are delighted that Earl Howe and/or the Countess, depending on availability, have accepted our invitation to present the Cups and Trophies.

There are competitions for best plants and flowers, fruit and vegetables, flower arranging, wine and beer, photographs, cookery, arts and crafts for both adults and children. We encourage you, your children and friends to enter the many and varied competition classes. There are a wide variety of junior classes, such as a miniature garden, a scarecrow, flowers, baking biscuits or fairy cakes, a decorated plate. The Show Schedule with full details and entry forms will be available in May on line www.hortsoc.org or from Pat Rofe on 01753 662695.

Experienced or novice there is something very satisfying about growing and nurturing plants in a garden or an allotment, in a window box or in a pot on a patio. Whatever you are growing this year please take a look at what you have in the week before the Show and consider entering one of the classes.

If gardening is not your thing, there are many other classes you might enter, why not take a look at the schedule to see the full details.

Other attractions include a Brass Band, Plant Sales and Garden Equipment, Classic Car Display, a Coconut Shy, Raffle and Tombola, Stalls, Tea Tent, Beer Tent, Lunches and Barbeque, and for children a Bouncy Castle, Face Painting and Ice Cream.

It is a unique and popular event for all the family. People from a wide area attend each year. Help is needed to prepare on Thursday and Friday, and on Show day; we would welcome volunteers who would be willing to give some of their time assisting the hardworking show team; this year being led by Andrew Booth and John Northway. If you would like to help, please get in touch with me Ruth Rooley on 01753 648040 or Jon Homan on 01753 662166

Membership Membership at £7 for an individual or £10 for two people living at the same address is a bargin; particularly as members have free entry to the Show, Lecture Evenings and other events. The cost of membership is increasing slightly next year to £8 and £12. You can apply for membership by contacting Chris Southham, our Membership Secretary, on 01753 644713 or via our website www.hortsoc.org

BEST KEPT VILLAGE COMPETITION

Much to my regret, I did not produce a report in time for the last newsletter, though most details of FCV’s efforts in support of our entry to the Best Kept Village (Gurney Cup), up to mid-May were included in the newsletter for June. Though we are now ‘well after’ the 2017 competition, which we again failed to win, I wanted to give further details to recognise the efforts made by FCV supporters. Up to the start of judging around the 3rd June 2017, FCV worked on 8 successive Saturdays, then during the June judging period, on a further 4 occasions. In total this meant that FCV contributed around 190-200 man-hours of effort to the village. I keep a record of hours worked, partly to demonstrate the personal contribution being made, but also to satisfy myself that the declarations I make when applying for insurance cover correctly reflect the approximate hours worked. Each year FCV works throughout the village cutting grass, sweeping, litter picking, cutting hedges and sometimes doing a bit of painting to brighten things up. Last year also, Rosie Lamb and I could be seen on 3 June at 8 pm washing various road and bus stop signs throughout the village. FCV also ‘helped’ those responsible for keeping the churchyard tidy and planted with seasonal bedding plants. Unfortunately once again Fulmer Village overall failed in its bid to win the Gurney Cup, in 2017, though as usual we reached a standard high enough to win a Certificate of Merit. I believe these certificates are awarded for scores of 80 and over, and Fulmer scored just 81. The village is judged, not solely on specific features, but also on evidence that it is an active community, that also cares for its overall environment and community members. Also I should emphasise that FCV is only one of the contributors to Fulmer’s efforts to win and as usual I know that everybody did their very best in 2017, just as we will be doing this year. Richard Marshall

FULMER PARISH FOOTPATHS Maintaining access to our small network of country footpaths and keeping them in good condition was, for many years, one of the key activities that FCV undertook. In fact it was in the 1990s that FCV was actually founded for the purpose of keeping the paths open, litter free and accessible and to access funding being made available to local councils through the so-called ‘Parish Paths Partnership’ (P3). Funding was made available to pay for projects identified by local groups for items such as gate and/or way sign replacement and general maintenance to ensure continued easy access and improvement of the path network. Full justification was required to receive any funding for projects, which had to be approved by P3 before monies were paid to Fulmer Parish Council. Though P3 funding remains available in some parts of the country, it is no longer available in Buckinghamshire. I have a friend who is a lengthsman working in a number of parishes in Worcestershire, who is paid and expensed by P3 funding. In 2015, following proposals from BCC to devolve responsibilities for footpaths and other local services to local councils, Fulmer was obliged to decline on the basis that we had an insufficient number of local volunteers and any funding that was on offer was insufficient to cover all but the most basic needs.

Fulmer’s footpaths and those of other parishes not able or willing to accept the terms of the devolution agreement are cleared and maintained by a contractor operating on behalf of BCC. I don’t want readers to think that FCV and/or Fulmer Parish Council have completely washed their hands of the footpaths, as they remain an asset to our community for local walkers and longer distance ramblers following Beeches Way and Shakespeare’s Way. These two routes follow the same path in Fulmer Parish from the junction of Fulmer Common Road with Black Park Road and through the village to Windsor Road. Fulmer is firmly on the map and in the minds of the ramblers, so we need to make sure that their experience on our patch is a good one. Therefore, each time I write for the Newsletter, I walk the paths to get an up-to-date picture of their condition and accessibility, which I did over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, despite inclement weather. I was able to inspect the paths running between Hay Lane and Stoke Common Road via the Pickeridge and between Hay Lane and Windsor Road. I had walked some parts of these paths at Christmas when they were far from clear, clean and tidy. However now very wet, they were all relatively litter free and completely clear of any obstructions. The BCC contractor seems to be doing a good job on the paths and the owners of the Pickeridge seem to have cleaned up on and around the concrete access road. I also entered Fulmer Rise Estate near the gated entrance at the junction of Fulmer Common Road with Black Park Road. This is the start or end of Beeches Way and Shakespeare’s Way in Fulmer Parish. The route is on metal roads within Fulmer Rise Estate before it narrows to pass between, Penn Wood and West Hill. This part of the path is prone to getting obstructed by mainly straggling rhododendrons rooted in the garden of West Hill. This year is no exception and though it is possible to negotiate the path now it isn’t as clear as I would expect and there may be requests for a clearance to be made. For it to be done properly and to be more than a temporary fix, it needs to be brought to the attention of BCC and be taken care of by their footpath contractor rather than for FCV to undertake the work. It is understood that BCC has now requested that the owners of West Hill take on clearance work. I have completed my review with a walk on the path between the village and the recreation ground. It is completely accessible with no serious work required.

That brings me on to the very important matter of Ronnie and Rosie Lamb’s unstinting contributions to the work of FCV both on the footpaths, and for the Best Kept Village. During 2017, with all of their commitments leading up to their departure, we were already getting a taste of what that would mean. It meant amongst other things, their absence from working parties, further diminishing volunteer numbers and the all-important basket of coffee and biscuits, brought by Rosie and served by Ronnie around about 11 am. As so many have said before me their kindness, generosity and service to Fulmer was outstanding. Richard Marshall

The FCV are a remarkable team who deserve our respect for their work in keeping the village paths and footpaths cleared and litter free. We thank them all so much and also extend our heartfelt appreciation to Ronnie & Rosie - Editors

FULMER ALLOTMENTS This past year has seen only two changes around in the allotments. One tenant gave up and her allotment was instantly snapped, whilst another tenant gave up one of her two allotments leaving one vacancy and no one on the waiting list. I would like to thank all the tenants for maintaining their Plots to a good standard especially so we can present a pristine presence not only throughout the year but also during the judging window of the Best Kept Village competition, which this year will commence on 1st June and finish on 7tth July. The panel of judges do take a very keen interest in the allotments and their condition does impact on whether or not we are successfully marked in their schedule. The other reason for keeping the allotments looking good is for the judging for the Annie Russell Jones Memorial Cup. In 2017 the winner of the ARJ Cup yet again was Dr A Leon and the runner up was Mr P Chapman. Congratulations to both of them. Regrettably no one came forward during the year to take over the responsibility for forming the Fulmer Allotments’ Tenants’ Association. I hope that one of the Tenants will come forward to continue with the initial work started by Sue Taylor and Rohan to form this important project for the benefit of the Tenants. During the first quarter of this year we have had another instance of trouble with the central water tap for the use of the tenants. Due to the extremely cold weather earlier part of the tap broke causing water to flow non-stop. Thanks to the good and immediate work carried out by the plumber it was soon fixed. The plumber is investigating a long-term solution to the problem. One of our new Parish Councillors , Mrs Du Toit , is taking a keen interest in the allotment area with a view to making the surrounding hedging look much more pleasing to the eye.

Peter Kelly, Clerk

FULMER VILLAGE HALL

It’s been another busy year at the Village Hall with regular classes, parties and wedding receptions taking up most of our time and being ably managed by our Lettings Secretary; Karen Nelmes. As always there is a never-ending list of jobs that need doing at the Hall, some of which have included:

o A water leakage issue being resolved o An external light fitted over the Church Room door o Replacement of railings following yet another car accident at the Hall o A smashed window pane replaced o The kitchen and lobby walls repainted o The Disabled toilet replastered and repainted o Damaged radiator covers fixed

We have three large outstanding jobs that will need attention in the coming months. The most pressing is a new boiler. Our heating engineer has fixed the boiler a number of times but has said that it’s on “its last legs”. The floor in the hall also needs re-sanding and re- varnishing. To do a proper job that will last, we are looking at approximately £5-7,000. Finally, the drive will need re-tarmacking as the winter weather has taken its toll on the surface.

So, as you can see, keeping the Hall to its high standard is a time consuming and expensive task, as soon as one job is completed, another three pop up!

With this in mind, I’m sure I speak on behalf of all villagers when I say that our thanks go to everyone on the Village Hall Committee for their hard work and commitment to keeping the hall running so smoothly and looking so good.

Finally, don’t forget, if you have any special events coming up and you are looking for a lovely venue at a competitive price, we are always happy to welcome you.

Please contact Karen Nelmes for further details on our new number; 07498 041253

We look forward to seeing you at the Village Hall very soon!

Barbara Zoltowska Village Hall Chairperson and Secretary

DANIEL MICKELTHWAITE A short reflection on school

Recollections of one’s first day at school are always somewhat blurred. Just one thing still sticks out in my mind; and that was the extraordinary abundance of coats. I can remember being planted right in the midst of them; numerous navy-blue macs and embroidered shoe bags towering high above my head, supported on giant curling hooks. It had seemed an eternity before I was dug out from this dungeon, when I was finally grabbed by a hand and led down yet another corridor of navy-blue and duly deposited beneath yet another of these hooks. This one being free. “That’s yours,” said the hand proudly.

Arriving for work experience at a small school in Yorkshire several years later and confronting the same array of navy-blue, this memory came flooding back. How tiny all the little mackintoshes and wellingtons, and how low all the coat hooks seemed as I looked down from my giant vantage. There were to be twelve new arrivals into class 1A. All the older children had been continually reminded of this all week. “Now big children, what must we all remember when the little children arrive next week?”. We were barraged with a choice selection of replies: “Show them where to sit” “To smash ‘em if they play with our Lego” “Remember to bring their dinner money” “Not to spit at each other” “Not to poke Rodney the hamster” When the big day arrived, it saw twenty-two “big children” sitting very upright and important behind their desks awaiting the arrival of their new counterparts: the much talked about, much instructed about (surely somewhat inferior) “little children”. The atmosphere changed when a sudden avalanche of mothers, uniformed five year olds and babies descended into the classroom all talking and giving instructions at once. “Mark’s not to eat broccoli, it brings him out in spots” “Here is Vanessa’s tonic, she’s very delicate you see” “Now don’t let him give you any bother, just clout him one if he does” In the midst of this confusion stood one small boy, seemingly unaccompanied. He was clutching a large red shoe bag, and was noticeably smaller than the rest, or perhaps it was just the abundance of large uniform that made him appear so. His hair was fair and long, and cut in that “long and short” style that favours trendy students, but not little boys. I searched the group of enthusiastic Mothers hoping to find someone to give me instructions regarding his health, diet and defects of personality, but to no avail. His face was pale and pinched, and as I looked I saw his bottom lip tremble as he clutched his precious shoe bag closer to him. I had a sudden impulse to take him in my arms, but refrained from doing so on seeing Mrs Copper’s warning eye on me. “Whatever you do, don’t succumb to their sentiments”, she’d told me. Then as quickly as they’d arrived, the Mothers departed midst a flurry of “Goodbye”, “See you at three o’clock”, “Be good”.

“Now come along little children, follow me and I’m going to show you all the first thing that we must do every morning when we come to school”. Mrs Copper seemed somewhat harassed and threw instructions at me to read a story to the “big children” whilst she showed the others where to hang their coats and change their shoes. “Are they coming back?” “Yes Darren” “Can we have a punch-up when they do?” “No Darren, it’s their first day at school and you must be kind to them. Now come over here and listen to the story” “Don’t want a silly old story, want a punch-up” No doubt it wouldn’t be long before Darren had his wish … he usually did. Two minutes later in trailed twelve very bewildered, very solemn little people. There was complete silence as twenty-two mature “big” faces scrutinized the less experienced, less worldly twelve “little” ones. Twelve? … One, two, three … “Oh my God!” cried Mrs Copper, “There’s one missing!”. “You go and find the little horror” she said to me “whilst I get this lot organized”. I searched the corridors and the toilets, even the nearby gymnasium for the little deserter, but all in vain. “What if he or she had got out onto the road!”. The whine of a nearby siren made my panic increase. “No. That’s too soon”. I thought. I headed back to the classroom hoping that the young villain had somehow found his own way back, and that I would be greeted by a triumphant “Twelve!” from Mrs Copper. In my hurry to get back, I took a short cut through the Infants’ cloakrooms, only to be brought to a sudden halt by a muffled sob coming from somewhere amongst the raincoats … and there he was; still clutching his beloved shoe bag, the boy with the trembling lip. Though by now it had developed into more than a tremble, and tears were freely running down his face. He was buried amongst a confusion of berets, scarves and bean bags, and despite Mrs Copper’s warning, I took him into my arms. It was a good five minutes before the sobbing subsided. We examined the red shoe bag together for some time, and he seemed to brighten up a little as he proudly presented me with a brand new pair of white plimsoles. “Daniel Mickelthwaite” announced the compulsory name tape sewn inside. “Well come with me, Daniel” I said, “And I’ll show you your peg”. I guided him down a corridor of navy-blue to where I found an empty peg with his name above it. “That’s yours”, I said proudly. Daniel Mickelthwaite never said a word that day. Neither did he the next, or the next. Somehow nobody seemed to notice, and on commenting about it to several members of staff I got the response “Nothing serious to worry about; we once had a child who never said a word for a week.”

He always arrived promptly at nine o’clock and would then sit stubbornly at his desk and speak to no one. He had been at school for four days now and was already becoming one of the main topics of conversation in the staffroom. “That dreadful child of yours in 1A Mrs Copper. The one who never speaks. He bluntly refused to eat his dinner today. Really, it can’t go on. He must be taught some discipline,” said Mrs Carr from 4B. “From what I can gather,” said the Welfare

Officer, “His mother walked out a couple of weeks ago leaving an irate father and four children to fend for themselves. He’s on nights, so the entire mob seems virtually dependent upon a seventeen-year old sister. I feel sure that this must have something to do with his loss of speech. The way you young people try and search out some deep-rooted psychological explanation for a child’s misbehavior, it’s just an excuse. Discipline is what’s called for, and discipline is exactly what he’s got.”

I left the staffroom and went quickly to the dining room, which was empty except for kitchen staff who were clearing away, and one small boy who was sitting on a long bench looking very determined not to eat his dinner. He was scowling resolutely at a plate of cold spam, two sad looking lettuce leaves and a pile of unappetizing beetroot. It didn’t surprise me in the least why Daniel Mickelthwaite wouldn’t eat his dinner. So going against all authority, I took the plate away and told him to go quickly into the playground. He looked up and beamed at me, then ran off. I felt quite justified in doing what I’d done, and promptly returned to the staffroom. “Daniel Mickelthwaite has eaten his dinner.” “Discipline” said Mrs Carr, “What did I tell you. They always give way in the end.”

Daniel shone at Art. He always amazed me with his accurate ability with jigsaws. At first I thought that he must have similar ones at home, and had become so familiar with them that he could put them together automatically. But if there was one thing the school was well endowed with, it was wooden jigsaw puzzles. So I tried him with every one, and whilst I sat beside him trying to mentally work out ‘what yellow duck went where’, Daniel would have it complete and demand a new one, at the same time licking his top lip, which by this time, I had learnt was his way of expressing achievement. He never seemed to pay much attention during the more academic subjects. When Mrs Copper held up the word “cat”, eagerly awaiting a response, the “big” children of course got it straightaway. Strangely enough, Daniel was the first of the “little” children ever to write his name. A week passed, and still Daniel had not spoken. The younger children seemed to accept him, but when some of the older ones discovered his inability to speak, they used him as a subject for their own amusement. “Daniel Mickelthwaite’s lost his tongue He is daft and he is dumb”, they chanted “That Mickelthwaite child”, said Mrs Carr during mid-morning break. “I’ve just given him a jolly good hiding. Came running straight into me … not a word of apology. He’ll be speaking by the time I’ve finished with him”. The second week arrived: and with it, the art class. Mrs Copper was distributing large sheets of grey paper to all the children whilst I handed out brushes and paints. None of the children as yet were very advanced in the techniques of painting, their biggest achievements so far being “my house”. Today’s subject was “my mother”. Darren insisted that his mother had three eyes. “She’s always telling me she’s got eyes in the back of her head”, he said. This seemed fair enough. Vanessa’s mother appeared to have a somewhat extraordinarily sized stomach. “She’s always having babies”, she announced. This seemed fair enough too. Daniel Mickelthwaite’s mother appeared to have nothing at all. My budding little artiest didn’t have anything to show me except a mass of dirty black scribble.

That week passed amid great confusion. The Head had announced that the annual school concert was to be brought forward, and that it was due to be presented in three weeks time. There were to be representatives from each class, ranging from puppet shows and poetry readings to dances and songs. Class 1A were to sing selected nursery rhymes. Teaching twenty-four five year olds “This is the way to London Town” will go down in my memory as being one of my major achievements. However, by the end of the week we’d all, except one, mastered not only the words, but certain little choice movements to go with them as well. Daniel had not been to school for two days; and again he was number one topic of conversation in the staffroom. Somebody suggested that he was perhaps scared away by the fact that he might have to sing during the concert. “Well, and so he should”, said Mrs Carr. “It’s not that he can’t, it’s that he won’t. Fancy letting his class down like that. Unforgivable”. I remarked that it didn’t really make any difference whether Daniel sung or not. There were so many of them that I was sure that he wouldn’t be missed. This comment was met with obvious disapproval.

It was particularly fine weather that afternoon, and I was given instructions to take the children onto the lawn and give them some exercise. I’d decided on the “zoo” as a topic, and we gradually worked our way through ferocious tigers, dizzy chimpanzees and hungry anteaters, and had all finally curled up as lazy snakes asleep. “My snake’s not tired”. Yes it is Darren, curl up and go to sleep”. One minute of blissful silence passed as we all relaxed in the hot sunshine. “My snake’s woken up and is hungry and is coming to eat you!” “So’s mine!” “So’s mine!” echoed the rest; and within seconds I had twenty-three very hungry little snakes writhing all over me. For several minutes the children hissed and wriggled, and I somehow managed to emerge unscathed, though somewhat exhausted.

“Hey, hey”, called a voice in the distance. I swung round in utter dread expecting to see an irate Mrs Carr brandishing a cane with cries of “Where has your sense of discipline gone, young lady!” The sight that met me in the hazy sunshine is one that I will never forget. It was Daniel Mickelthwaite running across the grass at great speed, waving his cap in the air and swinging the red shoe bag round his head. As he got nearer I saw that he was different. He’d had his hair cut, and the sleeves of his enormous blazer had been shortened. Somehow he didn’t seem to little any more. He was laughing and shouting, but I couldn’t hear what he was saying as he was trying to get it out between excited gulps of air. “What’s wrong, what’s wrong I cried, laughing with him as he flopped down exhausted on the grass beside me. He sat for a moment trying to catch his breath; and when he did so he just looked up at me. “Mummy’s come home!”, he said.

Written in 1970 by Susie Jenkinson (now Matthews)