Buses and now the good news was delighted to receive the following email from the office of IMr John Hodgkins, Transport and Accessibility Manger for Bucks County Council (BCC). Carousel buses will be operating the new 35 and 36 services between Flackwell Heath and with effect from 10 March. Each service will run hourly, with the 35 operating via Loudwater, Kingsmead Rd and London Road and the 36 along the existing 400 route via Daws Hill Lane and continuing to Bourne End. They will be programmed to operate so that services leave Flackwell for High Cherrymead Surgery Wycombe every half an hour during he bulk of medical services at the daytime Monday - Saturday. the Cherrymead Surgery were Christmas These services will be operated by low- Ttransferred to the Loudwater floor fully accessible buses and as both Cherrymead Surgery in Queensmead routes will be run by the same operator, Road on Monday 7 January. A basic Lightsnyone passing the corner of return tickets will be accepted on both service remains in Flackwell Heath; Chapman Lane and Green services.” the surgery is open from 8 am to 1 pm ADragon Lane in December Mr Hodgkins had faced an audience and there is a GP there every morning must have noticed the Christmas of 70 angry villagers at the meeting Monday to Friday. A nurse and blood illuminations put on by a couple of on Tuesday 11 December at the Royal testing are each there once a week. families in Cherry Close. This is the British Legion but was able to mollify Prescription requests can be handed fifth year that the Birches and the them with his proposals to reorganise in at the Flackwell surgery. You can Brophys have decorated their houses, the present “farcical” bus service. collected your prescription from and the second that they have asked He has now been able to persuade Loudwater, or you can enclose an s.a.e. admirers for a contribution to their Arriva to relinquish its bus route and or you can nominate Tesco, Moss or favourite charity, The Blue Cross. Carousel has taken on both routes. I Ryemead as your pharmacy and collect (This provides support, information understand that he also persuaded your medicines direct from them. and advice for pet and horse owners; BCC to provide “a small subsidy” to it is also involved in pet adoption The practice has 9 500 patients looked encourage Carousel. and help with vets' fees for owners after by 4 GPs. About 3 000 patients are unable to afford them). This year It appears that democracy does work from Flackwell Heath. Jackie Jennings, they raised the magnificent sum of when the demos gets behind their the Practice Manage,r does not seem £1,117.00 The families would like representatives and even private to think that access to Loudwater to send a huge 'Thank you' to all companies can be made to see sense. has proved a major problem. The bus the donors, on behalf of The Blue Thanks to Cllr Mike Appleyard, service was reduced just before they Cross. Parish Council, moved to Loudwater but their luck has and to Jackie and Becky Holt and every turned and from 10 March there will Sue Arnautov one who supported them be an hourly service from Flackwell Photo by Steve Thomas Tim Kendell Heath. Ashton Opticians FLACKWELL HEATH RESIDENTS OPTOMETRISTS 1 Acorn House, 12-16 Straight Bit, Flackwell Heath

ASSOCIATION PRIVATE AND NHS EYE EXAMINATIONS Chairman’s message Theme is ‘The Wild West Comes to SPECTACLES & CONTACT LENSES "Firstly I would like to take this Town’ – so come along and meet the Lone Ranger and Silver. Your independent practice in opportunity in wishing all FHRA Flackwell Heath members and residents of Flackwell It promises to be bigger than ever and for value, style and personal service Heath a very happy and healthy 2008. stall application forms are now available As ever our aim is to continue working – if you would like a pitch please contact 01628 530420 www.ashtonopticians.co.uk to improve life and community spirit Terry Darby: 01628 523375. within the village. Please continue to Partners: Mr. M. W. Ashton BSc.(Hons), MCOptom, Police and Traffic Group Mrs R.V. Ashton BSc.(Hons),MCOptom contact our group regarding any aspect of village life, whether it be anti social The Group continues to hold regular behaviour, traffic issues, or the look of meetings with Rob Page and the last the village. We would be pleased to hear two Beat Surgeries were well attended. Classic Beauty from you. A big thank you also to our On the 23 of November, 3 Members of Fully qualified and caring therapists members who have supported us during the group attended a meeting organised Using Top quality products from: the last year; in particular our thanks go by Chepping Wycombe Parish Council to Mr Al Habtoor, a great supporter of to discuss anti social behaviour with Flackwell Heath village and community Dominic Grieve, Sothys, Jessica , Caci life." led by Supt. Rob Angel. & Naturasun tanning Members of the group attended the Grant Foster. Chairman For all your beauty needs Events Group police Neighbourhood Action Group Open 9.00 am until 8.00 pm (NAG) meeting on the 14 November, Contact: Mike Scullion: 01628 524187 and it is hoped that the Police and 3 Acorn House, Straight Bit, Flackwell Heath On Saturday 1 December Flackwell Traffic Group will be allocated 2 seats Tel 01628 850688 Heath Residents Association held the on this committee. annual village Christmas Tree Lighting Dave Rollinson has collated Ceremony. The parade of local children questionnaires from the Parking Survey, with brightly lit lanterns led by the and the results have been sent to the Egham Brass Band brought Father police and the county council for their The Stag Christmas to the Green where a service advice and comments. of Carols was conducted by the Rev Chris Bull, Vicar of Christ Church. On the 6 December David Onslow and Mike Appleyard, our County Councillor, Father Christmas presented cheques attended a meeting with Bucks County to the FHRA nominated Charities for Council Highways Department to 2007 - Age Concern, The Cherries discuss the Village Traffic Plan. They are Home and Good Companions. The finalising their report to the Local Area Christmas Tree lights were then Committee for discussion at a meeting switched on by two children, one from to be held at the end of the month. 91 Heath End Road, Flackwell Heath, Bucks, HP10 9ES Carrington and one from Juniper Hill Telephone: 01628 521277 Junior schools. David Onslow. Chairman FHRA Police & Traffic Group The Community Centre was open for [email protected] refreshments and for the Craft Fayre, Membership which had been open since mid- Loft conversion morning. Renewals became due on 1 January. If ExZakt & roofing specialists The FHRA would like to thank all the you have not received yours or wish to join the Residents' Association please helpers and supporters on the day, and Slate & tile pitched roofs in particular wish to thank Mr Terry contact Craig Lewis on 01628 528550. Flat roof problems solved Darby, and also Pam Mannering for Membership is only £5 and we would Gutters, fascias & soffits organizing all the refreshments. like to take this opportunity to thank Flashings and leadwork all the members who have added Cherry Fayre 2008 donations on top. It would greatly assist Talk to Zak about a loft conversion The Cherry Fayre will be on 13 July us if everyone would renew as soon as Friendly advice and free estimates 2008 from noon until 5.00 pm at the possible. Thank you in anticipation of 01628 524677 or 07980 864278 Recreation Ground - free entry. The your continued support! CARRINGTON Methodist Infant School Church The building work in the library is finished The annual Girls’ Brigade and the whole area redecorated providing a Enrolment and Re-dedication light and airy space in which to read and to Graham Hartnell was ordained Deacon in a magnificent service at Service is at 11 am on Sunday 3 store all of the new books we have bought. February. Thank you to our parent volunteers who St Mary’s, Reading on Epiphany kindly took the time to cover the books in Sunday and will be part-time Curate We are holding a Fairtrade protective wrapping. at Christ Church. Coffee Morning on Saturday 1 March 2008 10am - 12 noon. As You may remember that the gardening Ash Wednesday: 6th February. well as tea and coffee, we will have club had been busy planting old “wellies”. Lent starts very early this year… homemade cakes, a Traidcraft stall Well, the efforts look like being rewarded Why not mark the start of your (Fairtrade goods), Phoenix cards, with lots of green shoots as the spring Lent and preparations for Easter Earthly Joys hand-made jewellery bulbs begin to grow and, we hope, provide by coming to Ash Wednesday Holy and a Bring-and-Buy stall.Proceeds us with a colourful display to look forward Communion (8.00pm)? will go to the Fairtrade Foundation to in the next few weeks. Christ Church is running a free 2008 and Tearfund. We have a new lunchtime sports club to Lent Bible School on three Sunday Our Mothering Sunday service mention and to add to our list of activities evenings (6.30pm) in February: is on 2nd March at 11am. All ladies this term. We now have a basketball club Sunday 10th February: "Can war attending will receive a small posy where the children will learn some of the of spring flowers. basic skills of the game and perhaps play ever be just?" - With The Venerable Collections against other schools in due course. (Group Captain) Ray Pentland, Principal Anglican Chaplain and We would like to thank everybody Janet Day. Archdeacon for the RAF for your generous donations over news from Sunday 17th February: "Allah the Christmas period. or the Almighty? Do Christian and We would also like to thank the Juniper Hill Muslims worship the same God?" - gentleman who had donated so SCHOOL Rev Gregory Hargrove many soft toys for our collection for the Priory Centre. He also brought uniper Hill School will be forty years old Sunday 24th February: "Allah in a cuddly toy fox which was sold Jthis year and to celebrate the birthday or the Almighty? The identity and for £25 so that we were able to we will be using this as the theme for our mission of Jesus" - Rev Gregory donated £143 to NCH (a leading spring Research days on the 1 and 2 of Hargrove children’s charity). April. The children will be finding out The ALPHA Course On Christmas morning £152.50 about the history of the school and then What is the point of was collected for the Wycombe representing it in a creative way, using life? What happens Night Shelter, giving the chance textiles, model making and other art when we die? The of a warm bed and good food to activities. We would be grateful to borrow ALPHA course is a the homeless of Wycombe during or copy any information about the early the coldest months. FHMC days of Juniper Hill, for example pictures friendly and safe place to explore these and and Christ Church are working of the animals or field trips. It would be together to provide and deliver great if anyone was able to offer to come other questions. Come along to the Guest Supper, enjoy a great Supper food for breakfast for the Friday into school and talk to the pupils as well. night/Saturday morning sessions Please call in or contact the office on and listen to “Christianity—Boring, Irrelevant, Untrue?” on Saturday of the Night Shelter. There are 30 01628 523536. churches in the area helping in 9th February at the Christ Church Congratulations to our Under 10’s some way plus some non-church Centre (7.15pm). Why not bring a football team who have made it to the people. friend? quarter-final of the Instead of sending each other Knockout tournament, and good luck Two courses start in February - Christmas cards the congregation against Monk’s Risborough in the next Tuesday daytimes and Thursday made a donation for work with match. evenings. To book your free place women in Bolivia. £65 was also Debbie Kite. at the Supper or a course please donated to Tearfund. contact the Church Office Please contact the Church Office in Aerobics and Yoga 4 PAWS Chapel Road for details of regular with Caroline services and further information Professional dog grooming Wednesdays at Carrington Junior on any of the above: 01628 533004 All breeds catered for Aerobics 7 – 8 pm (9.00am – 1.00pm Monday to From clipping to hand stripping Fitness Yoga 8 – 9 pm Friday). Call Sharon on 01628 532863 01628 826544 or 07989 328573 www.4pawsonline.co.uk Flackwell Heath Women’s Institute Flackwell Heath In January, Ms Clair Evening WI Williams told us about We celebrated out 50th 'Civil Registration in birthday with a party and Wales'. She but we have also decided described its history, and to provide a special some of the incidents celebration bursary of during her time as £200. The lucky member Registrar, which included will be chosen by lot, and performing the marriage must spend the money on ceremonies of the Prince an educational course, at of Wales and Elton John. any institution, and tell us We held a tombola of all about it afterwards. unwanted Christmas presents, which raised over For our December £40 for the Iain Rennie meeting, we enjoyed Hospice at Home. the Chiltern Handbell Joan and Jamie Sweetman get their poppy Our New Year Dinner is from Harry Merryweather Ringers, who played carols well-known and less at Christ Church on 4th Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal familiar, some with our February. Our February speaker will be Jane Harry Merryweather and Mary Harding would like to thank all voices in accompaniment. We had a Party together Kaushal, 'the osteopath Flackwell Heath residents who generously contributed to the who comes to you'. house to house collection and the collection outside Budgens. with Evening £2,491.80 was raised for the Royal British Legion Poppy WI at just before Sue Arnautov Appeal Fund. “Thanks and congratulations to you all!” Christmas.

a contrasting background so that they can be easily seen from the road. In Neighbourhood an emergency, this could save those vital minutes. carpet care Watch News Theft of metal FLACKWELL HEATH Free survey & quotation Can your house be Both the Community Centre Stain removal • Fully insured and Day Centre – as well as some For clean, fresh carpets found in an Emergency? residential properties – have had call Paul Wiseman on Hand-delivering Neighbourhood metal, mainly lead, taken from them. Watch information – or more This type of crime is encouraged by 01628 533329 recently Christmas Cards – has made the high price being paid for scrap 07787 838361 me aware of how difficult it can be to metal. Unfortunately it is not always read – or even see – house numbers noticed straight away, which can from the road, even in the daytime. lead to serious water damage and Imagine what it must be like for the further costs. If your property has Emergency Services on a wet, windy metal fixtures and fittings that are night – trying to find YOUR house! potentially at risk, keep a watchful Their advice is to display your house eye on it. ‘SmartWater’® technology name and/or number close to the can provide unique identification of road, or to have the details large your property and also help identify enough, illuminated at night and on those who have handled it. Osteopath Flackwell Heath For further information about Neighbourhood Watch, contact: Michael Thornton ND, DO Back, neck, shoulder, knee and hip David Gresswell – Area Co-ordinator, Flackwell Heath pain Sports injuries and headaches (Tel: 525019 e-mail: flackwell_ [email protected] 01628 520711 or 07799 713117 Secretary of Carols Around CHATTELWORTH the Community the World LIMITED Association CW All general building work plus After ten years in the post, I feel I should Heath Singers Full Decorating Service stand down to give another person the Christmas Concerts Purpose-Made Joinery opportunity of meeting some lovely It is not difficult to see why year Maintenance Free Products after year the Heath Singers manage First class service at competitive prices people, serving the community by Call now for a no obligation estimate helping to looking after the centre and to have three sell out Christmas Local Authority Approved using some rusty secretarial skills. The concerts in eight days. The quality job is enjoyable but not arduous and is of the performance is very high; 95a Queens Road, High Wycombe, Bucks the programme is carefully chosen HP13 6AH basically as follows: Tel/fax 01494 461544 (this year it was outstanding); the (a) prepare agenda for meetings. audience is sophisticated enough to (b) take minutes of meetings and sing rounds or even every other line distribute to members. without having to be rehearsed; and DON THE HANDYMAN the evening combines the delight QUALITY WORK FROM A LOCAL AND RELIABLE (c) publicise AGM to all 28 days TRADESMAN g No before meeting. of the choir singing new carols, the Sin el audience singing more traditional (d) write to Centre Users as SHELVES TO SHOWERS carols and the low humour of Father necessary. Heath Singers’ Christmas. . REPAIRS TO RENOVATIONS (e) Work as an active team member Christmas Concert The concert programme is the brain YOUR DIY PROBLEMS SOLVED to ensure the smooth running child of Peggy Woolhouse who takes of the Community Centre. a great deal of trouble to present new If you would like more information and interesting music drawn from all MANY HAPPY CUSTOMERS - FULLY INSURED please ring me, Chris Thomas on round the world. CALL DON ON 07957 490142 01628 520361 or John Sweetman, The choir was able to donate £1 000 www.donthehandyman.co.uk Community Association Chairman, on to Iain Rennie Hospice at Home; 01628 528671 £750 to Scannappeal and £250 to Your Grapevine Leukaemia Care Support. Subscription Badminton players Benjamin Breton The new subscription year begins with the March issue of the Grapevine. Subscriptions There are vacancies for experienced will be £4.50 with a reduction to £3.50 players in groups hiring courts in the for people over 60. This is an increase of Community Centre Robin Hood 50p per year. he team of Scouts worked Mondays 10.00 to 11.00 Women As you will have noticed, your Grapevine from September each week Joan Sweetman 01628 528671 is in full colour. At the moment about half Tto perfect the performance the households in the village subscribe Wednesdays 9.30 to 10.30 Women which on the day was excellent. While to the Grapevine and I hope that the Belinda Grimsey 01628 530084. not quite sell-outs, the hall was well introduction of full colour will attract more Mondays 20.00 to 22.00 Women occupied during both performances, younger readers. Jim Fanning 01628 527506 the evening performance in particular I also hope that having a brighter Grapevine entering into the panto spirit. will contribute to a sense that Flackwell Cameron Price and the team devised, Heath is rather a jolly place to live – which, wrote, directed and produced the actually, it is. entire panto with minimal help from And in case you are wondering, no one The Queen and Albert involved with the Grapevine gets paid Green 01628 520610 Scout leaders and parents etc. This demonstrates their co-operation, anything - except the printer. Lunches 12 – 2 enthusiasm and abilities not to say Tim Kendell - Editor Tuesday to Saturday determination and indeed confidence Food 6.30 – 9.30 Tuesday to Saturday in taking on such an ambitious Table Top Sales Traditional Sunday lunch 12 – 3 production. Watch this space for a panto for the 2008 season! There will be a table top sale in the OAP set menu Tuesday lunch-£5.75 (2 Community Centre most Sundays in The profit was around £600 and we courses and coffee) February. Set up 9.00. owe a debt of gratitude to the sponsors Public free entry from 9.30 to 12.00. Private dining room seating up to 16 who helped defray the costs of the Book a table for £7. Details contact available for supper meetings, buffets production. and family occasions Mr Ayres on 079123 676771 Alan Routledge £10 for first and £5 for second place, this was worth having. Heartened by this, she went ahead and submitted Pat Townsend stories to various women's magazines. Writer and Local Historian Gradually, she learned what editors were looking for, and how to match the style, her School Certificate. content and length of the story to a She then worked as a particular magazine's requirements. The junior clerk at Reynolds, length that comes most naturally to her Parry, Jones and Crawford, is 3000 words, but she can tailor a story solicitors. Later she moved to other lengths. Her biggest market on to Broomwades, and was Women's Weekly, My Weekly and then Equity and Law. The People's Friend. These magazines She was a member of the prefer stories with happy or at least Methodist church, the hopeful outcomes, romance rather than Sunday School and the explicit sex, and sometimes a twist at the Youth Club, and played end. Pat also wrote stories and 'picture a lot of tennis and table scripts' for teenage magazines such as tennis. Jackie. Mills and Boon published some Pat met her husband Tony of her work, but as tastes changed she at a birthday party when found it harder match their criteria. she was not quite 16; they She also wrote some pantomimes for have now been married 52 the local WI drama group, which was a years. Tony's family, the lot of fun, For their entry in a National Townsends, used to have WI drama competition, Scene 80, she the boatyard at Bourne wrote a play, 'Scapegoats'. This is set End. He also worked at in the 1830s and through the eyes of a Broomwades, where he 'Greek chorus' of Flackwell women, it was manager of the spares follows the course of the unrest against department. Now retired, the introduction of machinery to the at Townsend no longer lives in he is Chairman of the paper mills along the Wye, the riots, the Flackwell, but she knows more Marlow Masonic Centre, which keeps trials and the subsequent punishment. Pabout the area than many who him pretty busy. Their daughter, Lesley, This play (limited by the rules to under do. Pat was born in Fennels Way, in was born a year after their marriage. 15 minutes,) reached the national final the house where Harry Merryweather When Juniper Hill School opened of the festival, held at Stratford-on-Avon lives now. Her father, Reg Wilks, was a under headmaster Alex Ferguson, Pat in the summer of 1980. Currently, she furniture polisher, and later a foreman became the first school secretary. is trying her hand at historical novels, at Fords paper mill. The Wilks men Pat has another name, and another life: partly set in , but so far were all interested in football, and both under the name Marion P Townsend has not found a publisher. Reg , known as 'Golla', and his father she writes short stories, novels and You can see that Pat is ideally qualified held office as Secretary to the Flackwell poetry. She began when her mother to write articles on local history for the Heath Football Club and were involved urged her to while away the last weeks Grapevine, so watch out for them in in the local leagues. Pat used to go of her pregnancy by writing short future issues. along to the games. stories for the monthly competition in Sue Arnautov After early education in Flackwell and Competitors' Journal To Pat's delight, Loudwater, Pat went to St. Bernard's she was successful pretty quickly; and Convent in High Wycombe and took won several first and second prizes. At Is the British Legion in your blood? Martin Yo u r Lo c a l MOT s p e c i a l i s t The Flackwell Heath branch of A friendly family run business with 20 years experience Vehicle servicing Servicing all cars, new and old the British Legion was founded Adams also light commercial vehicles. almost 80 years • General car repairs and maintenance ago, on 14th December 1928. • Free courtesy car available The present members would like • Tyres, exhausts and batteries supplied and fitted to hear from any descendants of • Latest diagnostic equipment for all makes of vehicle the founding members, with a • Air conditioning service available view to including them in the 01628 850000 email: [email protected] celebrations. Please contact

Alexander House, Wessex Industrial Estate, Bourne End, Bucks, SL8 5DT Martin Vehicle servicing George O’Leary on Adams 01628 526360. Diary of events Regular events MadMarch Saturdays The FH Royal British Legion runs dances every Saturday evening. 8.30 to 11.30 Open to non members BarnDance Wednesdays The Silver Circle over 60 Club 2nd and 4th Wednesdays from 2pm to 4 at the Bodgers Wood Band Leader Royal British Legion Club. £1 including tea, cake and a chat. and Caller Madelaine Smith Thursdays Good Companions meet every other Thursday 1.30 to 3.30 in the Community Centre. Speakers, games and conversation Saturday 1 March Thursdays Flackwell Ladies Club 1st & 3rd Thurs 8pm Community Centre 7.30 pm for 8.00 in the Community Centre February Tickets £10 Saturday 2 Wine Tasting Evening 8pm Community Centre £8 inc supper from Barbara including supper Thompson 01628 522751 From Barbara Thompson Tuesday 5 ‘Book Doctor’ at the Library 10.30 to 12.00 to advise on your kind of book. 01628 522751 Wednesday 6 Paperback & Jigsaw Library 1.30 to 3.30 Community Centre Bring your own drinks Sunday 10 Can war ever be just? Lecture by Ray Pentland Christ Church 6.30 and glasses Friday 15 Juniper Hill School Ladies Indulgence Evening 7.00pm-10.00pm Sunday 17 Do christians and moslems worship the same god? Lecture by Rev Gregory Hargrove Christ Church 6.30 FLACKWELL Sunday 24 Flackwell Amblers to Knowl Hill to see the snowdrops. 10 am from Budgens car park HEATH Sunday 24 Allah or the Almighty? The identity and mission of Jesus. Christ Church 6.30 Friday 29 Ratatouille. Childrens Film Night at Christchurch Open to all £1 LIBRARY Friday 29 Wye Valley School Ladies Indulgence Evening 7.00 to 10.30 Would you like to get more out of your reading? Perhaps March discover new authors or even just chat Saturday 1 Fairtrade Coffee morning with stalls at the Methodist church 10 -12 about the books you like. We are Sunday 16 Flackwell Amblers to Maidenhead Moor. 10 am from Budgens car park holding a coffee morning on Tuesday 5th February with our “Book Doctor” who will be able to point you in new Recycle you mobile and directions and help you make the help the nation’s hearts Juniper Hill SCHOOL most of your reading time. Everyone is The British Heart Foundation can welcome and the event is free. Come raise funds by recycling old mobiles. along between 10.30 and 12.00 and For every phone recycled, the BHF Ladies Indulgence share a coffee and your ideas with receives £3.50. So if you were lucky Evening others. enough to find a glittering new phone We are still planning our new library in your Christmas stocking please 15 February management system which will start remember that your old phone could 7.00pm-10.00pm coming into gradual effect at the start help improve the lives of people of February. We are obviously hoping affected by heart disease. Tickets £3.50 in advance to keep any disruption to a minimum To support the BHF recycling appeal and £4.00 on the door but hope you will bear with us while simply return your old mobile phone these changes are taking place. by Freepost to: BHF Recycling HH Contact Jackie Hughes on 01628 523601 Flackwell Heath Library Xmas 2007 Freepost Lon 17592 CR 3UZ. Tel. 0845 2303232 Pauline Gibson Fluffy Pups Grooming the cherry tree For friendly, reliable dog and cat 5 Straight Bit, Flackwell Heath Express Video Library f grooming call Tracey 01628 522299 Coming this month - Collection and delivery available Death Proof 01494 443137 or 07888 715927 Excellent value lunches I Now Pronounce You Monday to Friday 11.30 – 2.00 Chuck and Larry Osteopath home visits Just two of the new releases for Flackwell Heath and near area Traditional home cooked February from our extensive range £40/session, Sunday lunch 12 – 3.00 of films on VHS and DVD. back, neck and joint pain etc Live Sky Sports Call in at 3b Straight Bit or phone: 01628 526966/527351 Tel 07730 733377 Heated patio area open 7days a week from 9am to 9pm www.community-osteopath.co.uk for the final examination in front of two highly experienced honey judges at the National Honey Show which takes place Local and long distance annually in October or 4,5,7,8 Seater vehicles November in London. A Wycombe District Council Licensed somewhat overwhelming experience but fortunately I was awarded my Judge’s Certificate. There are about 30 qualified Honey Judges all major credit cards accepted throughout this Britain and our names appear in the Year Book issued by the British Beekeeping First Aid Training Association. The Show To suit HSE requirements Including defibrillator or to suit parents, playgroups etc Vivienne Brown Tel 07730 733377 Secretaries will then contact the Judge of www.firstaid-courses.co.uk Honey Judge their choice to act at their honey show. he Headmaster of the village The size of shows varies - from under YOUR LOCAL ELECTRICIAN school I attended in Aldbourne, 100 entries when one Judge will usually Wiltshire, kept bees in the school preside, to many hundreds, such as in ElecSa Approved Part P Certification T the Great Yorkshire Show where there garden. When pupils had done some Fully Insured good work, we were rewarded with a will be ten or more of us. Most Honey For a free quotation and friendly Shows take place between the end of net curtain to cover our heads while service May and the middle of December. Mr. Jackson opened the hives to tend Martin Lawrence his bees. This must have made such an We start by examining the exhibits to 01628 525178 impression that when many years later ensure that they fulfill the specifications. I saw an advert “Beekeeping Lessons Then we check the cleanliness, tonight at the Sir William Ramsay presentation, viscosity, aroma and flavour Flackwell Heath Community Association School” it began my involvement with using the Judge’s tools of the trade - a Chairman: John Sweetman the beekeeping world. I had my first high powered torch and glass rods for 01628 528671 hive of bees in spring 1979 and the first tasting. After all, it is the flavour of the Secretary Chris Thomas small crop of honey late that summer. I honey that is important. 01628 520361 had joined High Wycombe Beekeepers’ The variations in the colour and taste Treasurer Val Weston Association and was asked to enter their of the honey depends entirely on the Honey Show. However, we had eaten forage available to the bees. In this 01628 523213 nearly all the honey but enough was left area, their main nectar sources are fruit to make a honey cake which won first Centre bookings Pam Wilsher blossoms, oilseed rape, the flowers of the 01628 525484 prize. I was hooked. lime trees, blackberry and willow herb I passed the basic and intermediate also the flowers and shrubs in gardens. Keyholder Express Video Shop Beekeepers’ exams and then there was a It is very noticeable that honey from Reg Charity No. 1044870 choice of becoming a lecturer, a master urban areas has a much greater variety beekeeper or a honey judge. I chose the of flavour than from countryside which THE latter which involved more study and is predominantly cereal producing. exhibiting and stewarding at Honey I travel the country to Shows - Shows. We had to show experience of Yorkshire, Somerset, Cornwall, Editor: Tim Kendell exhibiting honey in its various forms 55 Philip Drive Flackwell Heath HP10 9JD Hampshire, Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, 01628 521149 - light, medium, dark, set or in comb Leicestershire, Oxfordshire as well as [email protected] form; understand the properties and more local ones. The past 30 years cleaning of beeswax, making candles, Sue Arnautov have been a wonderful experience S W Grierson 01628 525019 polish, creams and any other interesting - making me very aware of weather, Design: [email protected] items. These had to be exhibited at local, plants, the amazing life of bees and their county and national levels and to qualify contribution to the environment and Subscriptions: Irene Walker 01628 529710 as a Honey Judge, you also had to have the opportunity to meet so many other won about l50 1st and 2nd prizes. beekeepers throughout the UK. Views expressed by contributors to the At this stage, you became eligible to apply Grapevine are not necessarily the views of Vivienne Brown the FH Community Association