Preparing this issue, we feel we’ve been have the steps! getting ready for a Christmas Party, full of And, just when you wonder what else we’ve got up our sleeves, we have Paddy interesting people we really want you to Sanger’s brilliant ghost story, The Sitting meet. They’re doing all kinds of things Tenant. Read it and feel the hairs rise on and fulfilling all kinds of dreams; they’re the back of your neck! all at different stages of their lives - but The only sad note in this issue is David’s illness. Our Christmas Services won’t be the one underlying thread links them all: their same without him. Everybody in the optimism. Hilltops holds him in great affection and o Toby Thwaites leaves for Tanzania misses him enormously. He’s getting better and Mount Kilimanjaro; Richard all the time and we’re looking forward to SCharles launches his narrowboat and the New Year when he’ll be back where he will spend the next year turning his talents belongs. to fitting her out; Lesley Paton, whose Yes, we know this has been a long beautiful goblets and tankards we first introduction but there is a lot to cover in noticed at the Full Moon, takes early this issue. You don’t have to read us in one retirement and discovers an entirely gulp. Pick us up and put us down when unexpected talent for pottery; Sandra and you have a minute. If you want to find out Peter at the Rose and Crown see all their the shape of things to come, turn to the hard work paying off; the small boy, John back page. Meanwhile it’s goodbye from Matthews, who always insisted on both of us. It’s the funny things we choosing his family’s Christmas Tree, grows remember; the extraordinary people we’ve up, goes into partnership with his brother, met; the friends we’ve made and the Robert, and their company becomes one of enormous support we’ve had. Hilltop News the of the country’s biggest suppliers. The wouldn’t have been what it is without Hunt doesn’t just survive the new them: our setters, Tony Taylor, Brian Lake, legislation but thrives on it; and on the Fletcher Nicholson and now Michael Spark; other side of the hedge – we’ve always had our long-suffering proof readers; our a sneaking admiration for him – the fox printers, PeerPress. They’ve been terrific. finds a defender in Jim Hetherington. Our advertising owes everything to the As if that’s not enough we’ve sorted out efficiency of Ann Horn and our distribution one present problem that crops up without to the meticulous organisation of Rosemary fail every Christmas: potted plants. Tricky Pearce and her distributors. And then of things aren’t they? Too dry, they die; too course, without our contributors, where wet, they die; too hot, too cold – just would we be? We couldn’t have done seeing them through to the New Year is a without any of you. minor achievement in itself. Anne Brown But there would have been no point to isn’t so easily intimidated. For her advice, all our efforts without you, our readers. read ‘On the First Day of Christmas’. So, thank you. We’ve had a wonderful Back to our party. Thanks to Lulu, we four years. We can’t ask for more than have mouth-watering food; our only that! regret is that since we failed to sign up for Carol Henry’s dancing classes, we don’t Happy Christmas! Hilltop News 3 THE COUNTY COUNCIL government is prepared to waste millions TRUE GRIT Hall, Walton Street, Aylesbury HP20 1UA or on rearranging the deck chairs. email to [email protected]. 2006 has been a busy year at County Hall Changes in the way we manage our Parish Council Emphasize the dangers that our waste have increased our recycling and schoolchildren will be exposed to if gritting and I have been pleased to flag up issues composting and I am grateful to everyone ast year, after a lot of work by Chris services are withdrawn from school bus on a number of occasions. who makes the effort. Did you know that in Brown, the Council's representative on routes. Just imagine a busload of children arly in the year the Chiltern we now achieve over 60%? This Lthe Chiltern Local Area Committee, we careering down Gilberts Hill or Asheridge proposed changes to keeps the council tax down and best of all managed to get winter gritting reinstated Hill. Ethe catchment area is composting at home. I'm hoping my on Gilberts Hill and Oak Lane. Our main The irony is that these cuts may force rules for Dr Challoner's vegetables next year will benefit from this justification was that both these roads are more residents to use four wheel drives - meant that bright year's organic compost! on school bus routes and met the County totally against the current government youngsters from the north This year's settlement from Government Council's criteria for gritting. policy. has meant the County Council reducing its As some of our readers live in adjoining Chilterns would be BUCKLAND COMMON Transportation budget by 20%. The knock- parishes I should also add that, after a disadvantaged. Our petition with 1,500 Thanks to Councillors John Horn and Nigel on effect is a reduction in winter gritting, Parish Meeting, demonstrations in signatures was presented to County Council Blomfield we can now see the notice and Rocky Lane is the road most affected Asheridge and a campaign in the press, the and the pressure we brought on the boards at Buckland Common and use the locally. I have written to the Secretary of County Council also agreed to grit Education Department forced a re-think. Victorian post box without having to fight State protesting, supported by our MP Asheridge Hill. To meet the criteria in this May I wish the children who have just taken our way through the undergrowth. I was Cheryl Gillan, and understand it will now be case we had to point out that Bucks CC's their 11 plus every success in gaining a place quite surprised to see that the post box is included in the Priority 2 network ‘which own sign showed a different gradient to at the school of their choice in September. on its own pillar and not part of a wall. will receive post treatment for ice and snow the one used in their original calculations. This year the County Council underwent This work has made it a lot easier for me to within 48 hours subject to available So last year, sometimes after a bit of three inspections, the Corporate post information on the Council's notice resources’. Our fleet of gritting lorries has chasing, we had gritting on these roads. Assessment, Children's Services and Youth. board. been cut from 29 to 20 and I shall be taking Well done all concerned. Buckinghamshire was found to be “a top For your information the Council has a keen interest during the winter weather. Regrettably the County Council is now performing council delivering high quality notice boards at St Leonards Parish Hall, How much longer the wonderful sunny short of funds and we are told £20M is to services, affordable to the taxpayer”. We Buckland Common, Cholesbury Common days of early winter will continue, no one be cut from the highways budget and - certainly hope to retain our four star status. and the Black Horse. I also usually put knows. Bonfire night was a perfect evening guess what - gritting is to be withdrawn The Government has at last published its minutes and agendas on the board at the and so was Remembrance Sunday. from these same roads together with a few Local Government White Paper, ‘Strong and Blacksmith's in Hawridge. If you see Christmas is fast approaching and I would others - including Rocky Lane, also used by Prosperous Communities’. It sets out to anything of interest on a notice board like to wish everyone a really happy and many of our readers. The County Council tackle some of the big social issues facing come along to a Council meeting and have enjoyable holiday and a prosperous New has apparently already sold 9 of its 29 the UK. Additionally it invites partnerships your say. You will be made welcome. between County and District Councils, and Year. strong fleet of gritting vehicles in anticipation of these cuts. ALLOTMENTS talks about ‘outcomes for place shaping Tricia Birchley and service delivery’. In other words the The Parish Council is so concerned about Now is a good time to take on an the danger presented by these cuts that it allotment. There are several plots available has already called a meeting of members at the Springal Hill site and rent is only £15 from Chartridge and The Lee Parish per year for a full plot. It’s possible to take Councils to agree a joint strategy for half a plot to start off with and rent for objecting to the cuts. The next stage will the first year is free! be a meeting with the County and District Councils on 22nd November*. I have asked David Clarke for the Cabinet Member for Transportation, Clerk to the Council 758567 Councillor Mrs Val Letheren to attend that meeting as she seems to be the person *Is there any truth in the rumour that Tricia most likely to be in a position to authorise Birchley was seen with Val Letheren driving reinstatement of gritting services.