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THE March 2021 LEE For The Lee, Lee Common, Hunts Green, Kings Ash and Swan Bottom Leonards. I really enjoyed it, apart From the Editor from weeping over the mischief of By Phil Harrison HS2. I hope to make contact again at he sun will shine on you the time of the next issue for another again and the clouds will go thought provoking read. away” so said Captain Sir Your neighbour “T Audrey Hughes Tom Moore last year. His example of positive thinking, belief in good times St Leonards ahead and enthusiastic determination to push on captured the heart and Lockdown French-style imagination of the country. He achieved To the Editor more in his 100th year than most people As everywhere, the year 2020 was not do in a lifetime. As the vaccine makes so easy to manage here in Fromelles. its way into our arms, we can look We had a strong lockdown from ahead to the clouds going away, March to May 2020. School was hopefully sooner rather than later. stopped for two months (not easy to This month’s newsletter has a share internet and computer at home for four children and I), most of the number of articles looking ahead with companies were stopped or must apply hope. Revd Chris Haywood, the new ‘home-working’ procedures. I still vicar at St John the Baptist, introduces work at home most of the time. Even himself; Enzo, as new Scout Leader, garbage collecting was compromised! talks about his plans to involve the Then, in the middle of May, we troop in the community even more; progressively restarted school, with elections in May and the 2021 Census half groups, and most of the pupils all feature. came back. Next month’s editor is Jonathan The festivities and activities in the Batten. Please send your letters, th village are still limited but we manage comments, articles and pictures by 12 to do a lot while preserving the health March to [email protected] situation (far more than in the cities): • religious ceremonies (half capacities) • most of the activities for the children Your letters • library To the Editor • remembrance ceremonies (even I have just read my first sighting of during the first lockdown, we The Lee Newsletter, despite having continue to commemorate every date of Remembrance) family links with the village and • fairground actually living ‘next door’ at St • clearance sale 2 For now, non-essential activities new variants, which are now in France... are not authorised after 6:00 pm; we are now close to the third lockdown. restaurants and cultural centres are I was due to be re-elected as closed since October. No meeting Mayor last March (but had to wait above six people is possible (except for until May due to the first lockdown). children), and of course... the mask. I was also designated as the president of the Association of the North Rural Mayors, which included 200 mayors of small villages. Jean-Gabriel Masson Maire de Fromelles Président de l’AMR59 The Apostropher To the Editor Ruth Fowler’s article in the January Newsletter about the use of apostrophes in place names in The Lee is interesting. This of course dates back to the reign of Charles II, who was concerned about the misuse of apostrophes so appointed the first Apostropher Royal to oversee their use. The Lee was in high favour with the king, so was awarded three. Many We started the vaccination of the more were awarded to greengrocers, seniors at the end of December. The as the king was particularly fond of quantities are limited, and February fruit, and they have jealously guarded was dedicated for the second injection the tradition to this day and some for the first million of the oldest proudly make use of it in signs such as inhabitants. My mother has got one Apple’s and Pear’s. just in time... The true explanation is sadly This, for now, is the main problem probably more prosaic. Since the 1890s in France. Just a little bit worried for (or did I mean the 1890’s?) apostrophes have been banned by the Federal Government from place names in the USA, on the grounds that they The LeeWay – Your make names longer to read – there are Village Support Team only five exceptions such as Martha’s Vineyard, on the grounds that it was If you have difficulty getting to your doctor or the hospital, doing your unlikely to appear in road signs! The shopping or would like a home visit and tradition in this country is more a friendly chat, then please ring: confused (isn’t it always?) but there has 07845 029500 been a steady trend to remove Mon - Fri: 10 am - 4 pm. Sat: 10 am - 12 apostrophes from place names. noon. Please give us reasonable notice of Birmingham City Council led the way your requirement to help us organise it. by banning apostrophes in 2009, 3 despite much protest. Other towns followed, for example Cambridge in New 2014, after an apostrophe error sent an ambulance to the wrong place with fatal consequences. However, they beginnings were forced to backtrack after By Enzo D’Alessandro, Scout Leader protesters filled in the missing aving taken over the Scout apostrophes with black marker pens. Troop from Tom last Elsewhere inconsistency rules, so those H September, I thought I’d still brave enough to travel on the introduce myself. My name is London Underground can travel from Crescenzo D’Alessandro, but please Earl’s Court to Barons Court. So, I call me Enzo. I have been involved in think the residents of The Lee can do all aspects of Scouting since the age of as they prefer (or do I mean The-Lee?). eight – I firmly believe in the Andrew Burnett educational message and means of Wendover delivery of the movement: as a young boy living in a godforsaken town on the outskirts of Naples, I have seen first-hand the transformative effect Caption this educational message has on whoever gets involved at every level. competition My interpretation of Scouting can hat is being said here? be summarized easily: we are witnesses Send your answers by 10th W March to The Editor at [email protected].

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[email protected] 4 to the simple idea that leaving the around! The Scouts will decide the world a bit better than we have found needs of the community they want to it, is a worthwhile life choice. We try address and the activities to carry out. to do this by respecting our Promise I am incredibly lucky to have a and following our Law, and focusing brilliant troop and a super-experienced on self-discovery through doing, community of leaders I can draw on community engagement, outdoors for help and support. Of course, if you activity – all of this of course infused would like to get involved in any way with a lot of FUN! please get in touch by email at The last year has been a real [email protected] challenge. Our motto is “Be Prepared”, and to this I add that Scouts sing in the face of difficulties. We Your newsletter tailored the activities for the times we’re living in: hikes in person or virtually; virtual stargazing sessions; needs you! first-aid to teddies and pets. Plenty of he newsletter editorial team other activities planned (international will shortly be losing the meetings, arts etc.): we are really T services of two of its most focusing on the formative nature of experienced members and are looking this experience. I also want the troop for new volunteers to join the team. to be more active in the community. Paul Apicella has been involved Be ready to see much more of us with the newsletter since its inception, nearly 20 years ago, managing the newsletter’s advertising and raising Pippa Hart around £50,000 over that period. Photography

Natural & Informal Peter Archer has been a part-time Black &White editor of the newsletter since 2009, when we moved away from a full-time Portraits editor for the first time. Although the team is made up of 01494 837340 people with a wide range of skills and www.pippahart.com 5 interests, we are particularly interested position to work at Berkhamsted at present in developing the newsletter School which is the school I had to make it more interesting to a attended for eight years as a student. I younger audience. If you would like to was employed to work in the Pre-Prep find out more about joining us to fill providing after school care for one of these roles, or take on another, children aged 3-7 years of age. This please contact one of the team was great until January when a third members listed on page 23 or email lockdown was announced, and all [email protected]. schools had to close. I was furloughed We look forward expectantly to but then found myself at a loose end hearing from you. with nothing to fill the hours of spare time I now had. This is when I decided to put a My lockdown notice on the The Lee Forum asking if families needed help with childcare during the lockdown. When placing experience this notice, I did not expect to receive By Alice Brock such a great response from so many hen I was busy planning for families. Soon after posting this my gap year in 2019, I message on the forum the enquiries W never thought it would turn started coming in with lots of families out like this. I was so excited to be asking if I would be available to help leaving school and to be starting my them. As a result of using the forum I life as an adult.

From the age of 15 I had decided that I wanted to join the army, and had made plans to take a gap year before doing so. Towards the end of my A Levels I was getting very excited, as I had made plans to go to Sri Lanka and work in a hospital for two months. Then the unexpected happened and Swan Bottom based glazing coronavirus hit, and I felt like company specialising in everything I had planned for and been Replacement UPVC Double looking forward to was put on hold. I Glazed Units never thought that the virus would last Repairs to UPVC Windows & Doors this long and presumed I would still be (hinges, handles, draught seals, able to go travelling in March and jammed sashes) April of 2021 but, as the virus Splashbacks/Mirrors progressed, this glimmer of hope I had Glazing Repairs seemed to fade quickly. With the virus becoming a larger 24/7 Emergency ‘Board-Up’ pandemic than any of us could have Call Out Service imagined, I soon realised my plans to Tel: Macauley Hearn 01494 919015 travel were unable to be fulfilled so I Mob: 0788978695 started to look for jobs. I was offered a 6 was able to secure some work with a restrictions in place throughout the lovely family in the Lee. year, the extent to which the new fort The experience of using The Lee has made any real impact on health Forum really highlighted to me the and well-being is impossible to assess. amazing platform it provides and how Looking forward, the Parish easy it was to use. Thank you to all Council would hope that, in the who read and responded to my notice. summer ahead, we would see the [Forum Freda is delighted that Alice whole playground area returning to made such good use of the forum; being a popular point for children (and supporting students to earn some adult) recreation. money whilst helping local families during lockdown proves it is at the heart of the community. Ed.] The fort survey – the feedback By Colin Sully, The Lee Parish Council hank you to all the residents who gave feedback on the new Community cohesion fort at the children’s T Just a third of respondents thought playground. Although the number that the fort had improved community responding was small (23 residents), it cohesion. This again is not surprising. was a useful insight into the As one respondent put it: “The new community’s views of this fort enables the community cohesion development. A full report on the to continue; it does not improve it.” results is available on the website at The Lee is a strong community. www.thelee.org.uk/fort_review_2021 HS2 is bringing about many The survey confirmed the challenges to the whole parish and has anecdotal feedback we have already started to cause some rifts and received that the new fort is felt to be a divisions. There is resentment valuable and a well-liked addition to amongst some residents that the parish the playground. Specific feedback council has had to go to HS2 to get included positive comments on the this project sponsored. However, the design and the enjoyment it brings: parish council is content that it made • “A good job has been done to the right decision, as otherwise there integrate the new with the old would have been little prospect of (which needed replacing).” getting the replacement fort built in • “Looks much nicer; good choice anything like the same timescale. of materials.” • “How good would it be to be a Safety child again.” Over 80% of those responding • “It remains the nicest park to visit.” thought the new children’s fort was Health and well-being safer than the old one. Certainly, being newly built, there are less hazardous With the playground closed for surfaces and joints on the new part of the past year and Covid playground, and the structure itself is 7 now more secure. However, a small number of respondents pointed out two features, which they felt made it less safe for very small children: “treating Cromar the uprights as stairs” and “a ‘drop-off’ at the end of the bridge”. These features were deliberately Carpets Ltd designed into the fort and have been assessed by both the manufacture’s safety inspectors and by our own independent safety inspections. The Carpets, Vinyl and Parish Council will remind users, with Wood Flooring new signage, of the age range the fort is designed for, and that all children Supplied and Fitted are expected to be supervised at all times in the playground. Natural and built heritage This design of the new fort has 9-11 Station Approach clearly been a great success; over 90% agree that it has enhanced the natural Great Missenden and built heritage. This is again not 01494 862125 surprising, as the old fort was in a poor and deteriorating condition. The comments made by residents demonstrate the benefit of the care taken at the design stage of this project to try to ensure that “It looks like it will last for several generations: just like the last one”. In the months ahead, as we slowly move out of lockdown, we hope you enjoy the playground… but also respect the space and observe the notices. Art4Lee By Ruth Fowler hen Art4Lee was first conceived, it slotted nicely W into the early May bank holiday weekend: the weather is usually reasonable, few people are away and there isn’t much else going on. Unfortunately it is not at all clear that Covid will have subsided by the start of May and regretfully this is an idea whose time has not yet come. Hopefully next year... 8 and instead use a traffic light- Chiltern controlled entrance into the Little Missenden vent shaft site. We Ridges continue to press HS2 for realistic HGV limits on A413 and have taken By Cllr Patricia Birchley, the case to the House of Commons Buckinghamshire Council Select Committee. n 2021 Buckinghamshire can boast Finally, it has been announced that a strong economy worth £14.6 Buckinghamshire Council has won the I billion, including the export of Great Britain September Clean Award £3.8 billion of goods and £1.7 billion at the Keep Britain Tidy Network of services. 45% of our residents are Awards 2021, ahead of Dacorum and educated to degree standard or higher. Corby Borough Councils! There are 34,400 businesses in the county and 281,000 jobs. That said, Buckinghamshire has always had the highest percentage of residents in Parish Council England who commute out of county to work. elections: 2021 Last February the new Unitary By Hayley Farrelly, Authority agreed a net operating Clerk to The Lee Parish Council budget of £441 million, (the gross ocal elections are planned to go budget was £1,186 billion). This year ahead on Thursday 6th May. the Council is asked to agree a net sum L The following elections are due of £459 million. Social care services to take place locally: for adults and children amount to £266 • Buckinghamshire Council million, far and away the biggest area • Parish Councils, including The Lee of expenditure. A net revenue budget • Thames Valley Police and Crime of £19 million is proposed for roads, Commissioner plus a capital programme for Highways and Technical Services of Residents will receive full details £37 million. by post on voting procedures, postal Cllr Jane MacBean and I have votes and proxy votes nearer the time. pressurised Transport for Bucks into The Lee Parish Council extending the repair and resurfacing of election Chartridge Lane in 2021 from Nominations are invited from 22nd Cogdells Lane to Swan Bottom. The March for all seven parish councillor work will include extensive patching positions. To stand for election to which will be covered by a surface become a parish councillor you must be: dressing to seal the road and halt • at least 18 years old on the day of deterioration for a period of at least 7- your nomination and 8 years, providing we hold HS2 • a British citizen, an eligible vehicles to account and make them Commonwealth citizen or a citizen stay on the approved routes. Working of any member state of the European as a team, your local councillors have Union (we think that still applies, forced HS2 to change their plans for a but there is some uncertainty). new roundabout in Little Missenden 9 You must also meet at least one of The Lee, the relevant office is: Chiltern the following four qualifications: and South Bucks election Areas, King • You are, and will continue to be, George V House, King George V registered as a local government Road, Amersham, HP6 5AW. elector for the parish in which you Original signed forms must be wish to stand from the day of your submitted. If they wish, candidates can nomination onwards. liaise with me rather than having to • You have occupied as owner or visit the area office themselves. tenant any land or other premises If you have any questions or in the parish area during the queries relating to the Parish Council whole of the 12 months before the election please contact either me, the day of your nomination and the Parish Clerk, at [email protected], day of election. or the area DRO office on 01494 • Your main or only place of work 732143 or 729000 or email during the 12 months prior to the [email protected] day of your nomination and the Residents thinking about applying day of election has been in the might also want to sit in on a parish parish area. council meeting to get an indication of • You have lived within three miles the work and commitment required. in the parish area during the The parish council next meets (online) whole of the 12 months before the on the evening of 9th March at 7:30 day of your nomination and the pm. Again please contact me, as day of election. above, for more information. The Notice of Election will be published on 22nd March. The period for nominations will then be open and Shop at The Lee the deadline for nominations will be 4:00 pm on Thursday 8th April. Following the deadline, a complete statement of persons nominated will be published. Nomination Forms Nomination forms for election to the Parish Council are available from the Electoral Commission website at www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am- a/candidate-or-agent). Alternatively, For all your daily needs hard copies will be available from me as A community shop, financed and Clerk after the Notice of Election has run by the village; the shop lies at been published. the heart of the parish. Nomination forms must be hand delivered (not emailed or posted) to the Current opening hours: Mon to Thurs: 8.00 a.m. until 2.00 p.m. relevant Deputy Returning Officer Fridays: 8.00 a.m. until 4.00 p.m (DRO) on working days between Weekends: 8.00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. 10:00 am and 4:00 pm from Monday 22nd March to Thursday 8th April. For Tel: 01494 837195 [email protected] 10 my Son, the Beloved; with you I am Beginning a well pleased.’ The affirmation Jesus received from His Father to launch His public ministry is not a direction new ministry about what to do or where to go, but By Revd Chris Haywood an affirmation about who He is. His iscerning God’s will and mission and ministry would be purpose is always an determined by a deep sense of His D adventure and a journey which Belovedness in God. God’s will and must be committed to wholeheartedly. purpose would be worked out through When discerning where God is calling Jesus living faithfully to this calling. you to serve, in my experience, it is rarely principally about being guided to a location or place, although undeniably the geography is important. It is much more a case of tuning into God, walking closely with him and listening to his promptings, being attentive to what He reveals. It’s about learning to keep in step with the Spirit and embracing what He requires of you. The discernment should enable you to come to a deeper understanding of God, yourself and your gifting and belovedness in Him. If such a focus is maintained, then surely His desire and purpose will be realised through the faithfulness of the discerner. It is similarly my deep conviction At the beginning of the year, on that God has a purpose for your life, the first Sunday of Epiphany, the not a plan. It is with this realisation at Anglican lectionary (the set bible the forefront of my mind that I look reading for that particular day) focuses forward to becoming the Vicar of the on the baptism of Jesus by John the Benefice of The Lee and the Benefice Baptist, which culminates in the of Hawridge with Cholesbury and St. pronouncement from heaven, ‘You are Leonards. For sure, my wife Georgie and I were drawn to this position through our personal connection, our MARTIN THE MILKMAN heart and affinity for the area, the Refrigerated delivery of fresh ministry of the churches in these milk, dairy produce, bread, Benefices and the social life of the eggs, fruit juices and more. locality; the location was an important To place an order call factor. However, it was in the missional possibilities and the 01442 833944 opportunities for community PHONES MANNED 4 PM – 6 PM engagement that the context presents, ANSWERPHONE AT OTHER TIMES where I discerned God’s call and 11 determined His purpose for us. I look Brighton, where we were very settled, forward to embarking on this ministry and relocating to Durham for my with you following my induction on th Theological training, before Thursday 29 April 2021. undertaking my Curacy in Leicester When I picked up on the advert for Diocese. Not long after settling in NW the vacancy in the Church Times, Leicestershire someone asked us how there was much that drew my we ended up there. Georgie quickly attention to the possibilities that the responded, “God called us”, a call that position would afford, many has been born out in the richness of opportunities for outreach and our experience here. involvement. It was however the It is with the same sense that we statement that the Benefices were approach ministry in the Benefices and looking for a Vicar who is “as with great anticipation that we look comfortable in the pub as they are in forward to discerning and working out the church” which caused my wife’s God’s purpose in the community in eyebrow to rise quizzically. which we will serve in the years Incarnational ministry, being present ahead. One thing’s for sure, up to now and available in the community, is an my life has not been boring, and I important dimension of my vocation expect it to be no less so as we embark and one which we shall enjoy living on the next stage of our adventure, out in the locality. with God as our guide. My background in NHS With every blessing. community services has served me well in this regard and my wife’s vocation as a NHS Radiographer, specialising in Nuclear Medicine, FOR ALL YOUR PEST maintains our contact with healthcare. Georgie is encouraged to have some CONTROL NEEDS… job possibilities in the area to continue with her career. Its another piece of VERMINATOR UK the jigsaw which seems to be falling into place. • Wasps We are, of course, very much • Rats & Mice looking forward to settling in the area. • Squirrels My wife and I are dog owners and • All flying and committed country walkers, and are crawling insects looking forward to the opportunities • Solar panel that the Chiltern area affords to enjoy proofing against such pleasures to escape the pressures pigeons also of Parish ministry. We are familiar undertaken with the area and look forward to making new friends as well as picking THEY WON’T BE BACK up with some friends of longstanding in the vicinity. Call Tim Simmons 07734 649305 It’s been a long and never less than THE VERMINATOR 0808 1972 730 interesting journey, through discerning my call to ordained ministry, leaving verminatoruk.com | [email protected] 12 during March, but we very much hope Services for to hold a Service at 3:00 pm on Easter March Day which is on Sunday 4th April. At the time of going to press, the plans for services remain subject to Government guidelines. Please check The Lee Forum for up-to-date news. St John the Baptist

In the meantime we offer the following prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, We pray for our world and for an end to all that frustrates your purpose. We pray for those who live in Contacts: Parish Administrator: countries racked by conflict, famine, Joanne Evans (07811 094416). disease and poverty and who now Churchwardens: Trevor Pearce (01494 have to cope in addition with the 837601) and Mike Sherratt (07597 ravages of the Covid-19 virus. We 158269). Verger: Bill Pearce. Treasurer: pray for those who face repression David Stephenson (01494 867617). and discrimination, persecuted for what they believe or for who they are The Lee Old Church and for those who are victims of crime, violence and war. We also pray for the unemployed and homeless, the sick and suffering the lonely and unloved, the disabled and disadvantaged. We pray for those who work to build a more just and loving world, for all who strive to bring help and healing to those in need, for ministers, preachers, missionaries and evangelists, for the doctors, nurses and ancillary staff who work in the hospitals in our own country and all Lee Common Methodist over the world. When this Newsletter is published, Lord Jesus Christ, we will be in the season of Lent. We look forward to the day when Unfortunately, at the time of writing you will rule in splendour, when you we have no plans to hold a Service will establish justice between the 13 nations and there will be an end to of the community which it has sorrow, suffering, darkness and death. variously served as a village hall until Until then, help us to commit 1922 (when Ballinger War Memorial ourselves to your service and to work Hall was completed), as a school room, for your glory so that we may a mission room, a meeting place, a honestly say and truly mean: your retreat and more recently as a church, kingdom come, your will be done, on to which everyone no matter what earth as it is in heaven. In your name denomination, is always welcome. we pray. Amen Services are held once and sometimes twice a month with extra at St Mary’s Ballinger Easter, Harvest and Christmas and it is also licensed for weddings, baptisms, blessings and for the renewal of vows. St Mary's is far more than a building though and over the years has played host to garden parties, New Year's Eve parties, flower festivals, art exhibitions, coffee mornings, fashion shows, supper parties, national celebrations and concerts, to name but a few. The University of the Third Age have enjoyed lectures here and, until Covid hit, the building was regularly Wandering down Blackthorne Lane in Ballinger, you may be surprised to come across this little jewel of a church nestling in its own garden. Set back from the road it has been in situ for over 100 years and has seen many transformations since it was first built in 1873, although it still retains many original features. Initially conceived as a ‘school and Great Missenden lecture room for the poor’, it was a gift Supported Living from Abraham Watson of The Lee Manor and has always been at the heart A warm, friendly, house for the elderly, in the picturesque centre of Mike Lake the village. Friendly & Local Come and take a look to see for Painter & Decorator yourself and have a chat with For that professional touch Carol Lauder-Ross (Manager) Tel: 01494 865026 Interior & Exterior Also Property Maintenance or email for a brochure [email protected] For a free quotation please call: 01494 866873 / 07723 017005 Find out more on our website [email protected] www.abbeyfield.com 14 in demand. The community book stall activities and reflects just how special also remains popular, albeit this little building is to so many people. unavailable at present. The nearby Contacts: Associate Church Watson Cottages were originally part Wardens: Maggi Cameron 01494 of the bequest and although privately 864790 and Anne Ellis 01494 837247. owned now, still share in the maintenance of the well-kept gardens. Sunflower Gold From The Lee Sunflower Club ven social-distancing and liberally applied hand sanitiser E couldn’t take the fun out of The Sunflower Club last summer. Our mammoth plants were anything but virtual and the monster of the bunch, from our super-size-champion-grower Chris Ruttle, was close on three metres.

Looking to the future and once life assumes some normality, we are intending to completely refurbish and restore this much-loved building before bad weather and age take their toll. With your help we will be successful, and St Mary's will once again sparkle in the hearts of the hilltop villages. St Mary's Church is open all the time but for private prayer only. Please sanitise your hands on entering and again when leaving using the bottles provided near the door. Please observe social distancing in accordance with government guidelines. We would also ask all visitors to sign in on the sheet Best of all, we have grown gold for in the porch and not to go into the charity too. Our competition entries church if feeling unwell. raised £220 which has been donated to Chairs have been set out in the The Queen’s Nursing Institute to help main body of the church. All other provide support to the amazing nurses areas are either covered or closed off. out there caring for patients in their Thanks to everyone who has homes and the community – including contributed financially to St Mary's those living with Covid-19. throughout this pandemic. Your Well done and thank you to all the generosity has mitigated the income members of The Lee Sunflower Club. lost by our many cancelled fund-raising 15 Harry volunteered for the RAF aged Bridge too far? 17 in 1940 and was involved in air traffic control before going to By Kathryn Dickinson et al Normandy 11 days after D Day as part he points were fairly evenly of the landing in France in 1944. distributed between the two Meanwhile Margaret, quite a few T pairs on this hand, but West’s years Harry’s junior, was evacuated to unbalanced hand created some Wales from Kent at the age of 11 interesting bidding. which was a very isolating experience ♠ J 9 and she ruefully reflects that the only ♥ A Q 10 9 6 4 2 male company was the local vicar. ♦ 10 7 4 By the time they arrived in The ♣ 5 Lee, their son and two daughters had left home and Harry, in his late 50s, 3 2 A K 8 7 5 ♠ ♠ left the family retail furnishing ♥ J ♥ 3 business. Having a Marketing degree, ♦ 6 ♦ Q J 8 3 2 he became a Marketing Consultant ♣ K Q J 10 8 7 4 3 2 ♣ A 9 working all over the country when ♠ Q 10 6 4 many might have thought it was time ♥ K 8 7 5 to put their feet up or at least hit the ♦ A K 9 5 golf course. ♣ 6 As two of the fundraisers for the RAF Benevolent Fund and local Dealer: South Vulnerability: E-W

The bidding started: W N E S 1♥ 4♣ 4♥ ? Who do you think won the contract and did it make? See page 22. Personal-Lee In conversation with Liz Macann hirty-five years ago, the Jacobs moved to The Lee having T worked their way out from London via Chalfont St Peter then Chalfont St Giles and Buckland Common before settling into our community in 1986. Married for 72 years (and yes, they receive anniversary cards from the Queen!) Harry and Margaret met when their families became neighbours in London after the war. 16 charities, Harry and Margaret raised a a means to an end would be forgiven lot of money over the years, a recurrent on the day of reckoning, Harry did just feature being the annual sponsored that and as he completed the job, he horse ride at RAF Halton which swears that there was a clap of thunder regularly raised around £30,000. and a lightning flash which quite possibly did not support Margaret’s assessment of the situation! Dogs and horses Always keen riders, by the time they came to The Lee they no longer had horses which had been a big part of their lives, but they were known for their Dalmatians and enjoyed the spectacular Chiltern countryside on their dog walks. Now they are the fond owners of Alfie, a Romanian rescue dog who, when he arrived with them via The Chiltern Dog Rescue Society, was a very traumatised fellow. He is now to be seen gambolling happily with other village dogs either on the Village Walk or accompanying John Circus time and Liz Ford, who take him out most Some of the stories make your days now that Harry and Margaret are eyes water – such as when Harry was no longer able to take him on the long integral to organising a circus at walks that they used to. Shardeloes; he and Margaret were in With the span of 35 years from the big top watching the entertainment which to draw comparisons, the Jacobs when he was asked to step outside maintain that the only thing that they whereupon he was marched back into miss is the abundance of red berries the ring by two ‘heavies’ and pinned which used to adorn their holly bushes against a large board – to be the target which, in turn, has depleted the wide for the Knife Throwing act! All good variety of birds and wildlife. fun with no casualties but scary none Otherwise, living in The Lee for Harry the less. and Margaret, is as wonderful as it My own personal favourite tale is always was. of Harry leading an elephant across the A413 to join his chums. Such an image! But Harry’s is when he and Forum Freda John Glanville’s wife, Margaret, were setting up a lecture in the Old Church Love thy neighbour on a wet and stormy day. They needed t has been very encouraging of late to rig up a screen and the only possible to see the forum used, not for way was to attach the equipment to a I complaints about behaviour bar running above the altar. With considered by some to be certain misgivings but assured by unacceptable, but by those advising Margaret that climbing on the altar as their neighbours in advance of 17 something that could cause a problem. Freda wholeheartedly encourages this HS2 update pro-active approach, as most people By Colin Sully, The Lee Parish Council are very tolerant if warned politely in f you are reading this before 1st advance of a future inconvenience. March, remember that the Parish New email address? Council is holding an online webinar I st The quickest way to let us know if (using Zoom) on Monday 1 March at you have a new email address, phone 7:30 pm to update local residents on number or are moving house is to fill HS2 plans. To register, please go to out a User Details Update form at www.thelee.org.uk/registration. thelee.org.uk/update-user-details/ If you are reading this after 1st Please note this form should not be March and you attended, we hope you used for changing or setting email found it useful. Please send any notification subscriptions. feedback to [email protected]. Read the manual! HS2 forward programme You may not be aware, but there is a There have been delays to some of complete guide to using the forum the HS2 work programs locally, partly available on the village website. because of the weather and partly Whenever people mail us with problems because of permit issues. The – or we guess from their activity that contractors' community engagement they may be having issues – we always teams are keeping us appraised and mail them links to those sections that we will let us know when the works will think may be relevant. The User Guide can be found at thelee.org.uk/user-guide-to-the-lee- forum-2020/, and a couple of the more popular links are: • thelee.org.uk/password-reset/ to KINGSHILL reset a password CARS FOR ALL OCCASIONS • thelee.org.uk/subscriptions to set subscriptions for email notifications Take a look as you may find the Chilterns answer to your questions, and of course let us know if anything is at all unclear or missing. If you need some specific advice, please email [email protected] Airports giving details of the problem. Don’t forget that answers to various questions can be found on the Common Problems page of the website London at https://www.thelee.org.uk/common- problems/. Not yet a member of the forum? Complete the application form 01494 868699 at https://www.thelee.org.uk/new-user Email: [email protected] 18

begin. However, March should now • Leather Lane: 15th March-1st April see a continuation of: • Bowood Lane: 6th-23rd April th th • archaeological surveys using the • Rocky Lane: 26 April-14 May internal haul road and, to a limited These dates are subject to change; extent, other access points on local Advance Works Notices (AWN) Potter Row and Kings Lane, (using will be issued when they are ‘light vehicles’) confirmed. One-day closures of these • archaeological digs at the Kings roads, to investigate utility works, are Lane compound (Grims Ditch) also expected; dates to be confirmed. • tree-planting in fields near Jones Hill Wood Major ongoing concerns Our main local concerns continue • vegetation clearance along the line of route of the internal haul road to be traffic-related, as reported in the from South Heath towards February Newsletter. Bowood Lane and Rocky Lane We are grateful that residents continue to document and photograph • preparatory work at the Chesham Road (Annie Baileys) shaft site inappropriate vehicles on hill-top lanes. Thankfully, we have seen, and We have also now been advised of should continue to see, a reduction in provisional dates for three-week full the use of these lanes for HS2 work. time closures of the following roads, EKFB (the main works contractor) has to enable construction vehicle reported that once the internal haul crossing points to be established: road is built, there should be no further need for them to use these lanes. A355/A413 traffic SHORT-TERM Local parishes and towns from Beaconsfield to Wendover continue to RENTALS be concerned about the apparent high levels of HS2 traffic now predicted to be From £295 per week (all inclusive) using the A355/A413 over the next four years, because of changes made by HS2 Self-catering holiday Ltd to the wider construction routes. or temporary accommodation The Lee continues, with others, to at Lee Common press for further assessment of the impacts on local communities of these Moving house? changes and consideration of Completion dates don’t coincide? additional local mitigation. Bucks House sale falls through? Council is also concerned that a proper Builders outstaying their welcome? overall assessment has not taken place and, at the time of writing, has delayed Expecting Visitors? the approval of some applications for Need extra accommodation? HS2 work in the A413 corridor.

Self-contained Period Property: Public Rights of Way sleeps four guests As the project develops its surface route between South Heath and Rocky Tel: 01494 837798 Lane, there will inevitably be some e-mail: [email protected] temporary foot-path closures. EKFB, 19 the main local contractor, has 24 empty ‘household spaces’). The indicated that they may seek the parish had: closure of all of these footpaths for • 344 males and 354 females varying periods of up to five years. • 23% under the age of 20 The Parish Council has requested • 24% over the age of 65 more information on this before • 673 residents reporting their decisions are taken pointing out, in identity as ‘British’ and/or at least particular, the significance of some one of ‘English/Welsh/Scottish/ long-distance footpaths such as the Northern Irish’ Chiltern Way. • 4 reporting ‘Irish’ (including 1 Community Engagement Irish/British); 1 ‘Cornish’ and 10 Public engagement events are being other national identities planned by HS2 Ltd and the contractors • 472 people reporting their religion for later in the year. Once the Parish as Christian; 3 Jewish, 1 Hindu and Council has reviewed its own 1st March 1 ‘other religion’ event, it will also consider the need for • 50 households living in rented further public engagement. properties The Lee Parish Cllrs now meet • residents had 539 cars available every fortnight (online) with the How will this have changed ten years contractors’ local community on? Time – and the census – will tell. engagement managers. If you have Full details of the 2011 census can questions or information you would be found at www.nomisweb.co.uk/ like us to put to them, then please let reports/local area us know at [email protected] Quality Building & Countdown to Renovation Projects

Census 2021 Based locally, PVE Construction are By Colin Sully well known for providing high illions of pounds are allocated to quality work throughout the local services every year using Chilterns and surrounding areas. B census-based information. So that these funds can be allocated in the We specialise in both residential and most appropriate and effective ways, it commercial projects offering a wide is important the census accurately range of services from individual captures everyone in our society. home improvements to complete rd th Between 3 and 13 March, every new build management. household will receive a pack telling them to join in now – and how to do it. Call Phil Easeman on 07771 863880 Census Day is 21st March. or visit www.pveconstruction.co.uk Ten years ago At the last census in 2011, there were 698 residents living in The Lee parish spread over 275 households (plus Professional Reliable Trusted 20 built without planning permission Planning • general planning policies that apply to most developments e.g. design, highways, privacy, applications in environmental control, amenity spaces, parking, ecology, etc. The Lee • site-specific policies for the Green By The Lee Parish Council Belt, the AONB, historic buildings lanning applications for all and Conservation Areas e.g. on developments in The Lee parish openness, design, character and P are now determined by the East preserving the beauty of the Bucks Planning Area of Chilterns AONB Buckinghamshire Council (BC). The Planning Officers and Planning Parish Council (PC) is invited to make Committees will always determine an comments on applications, in the same application according to their way as are local residents and other interpretation of these policies. interested parties. The Lee Parish Council Relevant planning policy The PC is invited to review and comment on applications in the context of the same policies. Our procedure in The Lee may be summarised as follows: • The details of an applications are circulated to all Cllrs. • All Cllrs are invited to review the application (unless a Cllr is ‘conflicted’ by their relationship with the applicant or their close neighbours, or other interests). Each application is determined by • A notification of the application is BC on its planning merits, taking into posted onto The Lee Forum. account current legislation and • The PC does not normally contact national and local planning policies. the applicant, as it is assumed that Many planning applications are the information on which the delegated to be determined by application needs to be judged is Planning Officers – a smaller number contained within the application. go to the Area Planning Committee, • BC is generally obliged to notify in made up of County Councillors. writing the occupiers of properties The relevant policies that need to immediately bordering the be considered in determining an proposed development. application include: • Residents living further away are not formally notified of an application. • the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which sets • For this reason, on a trial basis, a notification of each application is out the Government’s broad also currently posted by the PC on planning strategy The Lee Forum. • ‘Permitted Development’, which • Anyone may object to or support specifies what can and cannot be an application. Their comments 21 must be addressed to the planning reasons as to the grounds for objection authority and should be based on and the applicant will need to address relevant planning grounds. these, if they intend to re-apply. • Comments can be lodged online In the event that an applicant feels through the BC website but not via that the national or local policies have The Lee Forum. been incorrectly applied by BC, then in • Residents who may not wish to most cases, the applicant will have the identify themselves personally may right to appeal the decision. ‘Objectors’ express their comments in do not have any right of appeal. confidence to the PC, who will take Postings to The Lee Forum their views into account when Earlier this year, the PC took the forming their own response. decision to trial posting notifications • A draft PC view is prepared by a of planning applications in The Lee lead cllr, who then seeks comment onto The Lee Forum. This has proven from all councillors before a PC particularly beneficial at a time when view is agreed. BC’s normal notification process • The Clerk notifies the Planning appears to have been under pressure Office of the PC’s agreed response. because of the Covid crisis. The PC proposes to continue the trial and will review it in July 2021. Please let us know whether or not you think it's a good idea to continue by emailing the Clerk at [email protected] J Brown Funeral Services 67 Woodside Road, Amersham, HP6 6AA 01494 727474 (24 hours)

The planning decision A truly independent family funeral directors The Planning Officer / Committee will take into consideration the views Bespoke and traditional services of the PC and residents, in so far as Private chapels of rest Pre-paid funeral plans they are relevant to planning policy. Off street client parking Sometimes, the views of the PC and Home visits BC will differ. This may happen, in particular, where some degree of judgement is required as to the degree of significance of an impact such as ‘design’, ‘openness’, ‘character’ or ‘beauty’. The PC takes a strong stance on such issues, believing that one of Contact Jason Brown on: 01494 727474 the reasons that people choose to live [email protected] and stay in the parish is because they value these attributes of The Lee. Recommended by If the application is rejected by BC, The Good Funeral Guide the Planning Officer will give specific 22 Bridge too far? March Monday 1st . HS2 local information n our game East bid 5♣ but North event (online). 7:30 pm. Organised by took the contract with 5♥. The Lee Parish Council, see page 17. I Although that went one-off, losing Tuesday 9th . The Lee Parish Council two spades and a club, it gave them a Meeting. 7:30 pm. Online. see page 9. better score (even doubled) than Tuesday 9th. Ballinger Evening WI. leaving E-W to make 5♣. Being a Stuntman: Talk by Sam Durani. Online for members via Zoom. Coming soon th The fastest way to let everyone in the Thursday 29 April. Induction service for Revd Haywood. See page 11. parish know about an event you are th arranging is to publish it right here in Thursday 6 May. County and Parish Council Elections. See page 8. the Newsletter. Contact the Editor by th the 12th of the previous month (see Tuesday 11 May. The Lee Parish contact details on page 1). Council Meeting. 7:30 pm. Online.

Ballinger Horticultural Society will not be holding any meetings until next Mervyn’s year. Please check website for all up- Carpet & Upholstery to-date details ballingerhort.co.uk Cleaning Services Independent carpet cleaning specialist with over 30 years Directory of experience. local contacts CARPETS. UPHOLSTERY. Ballinger Horticultural Society RUGS. HARD FLOOR. Chairperson: Katherine Hersee CARPET PROTECTION. 07801 948650, [email protected] FULLY INSURED. Membership Secretary: [email protected] Friendly and reliable service. Ballinger War Memorial Hall Most work by recommendation. Bookings: Jane Ogden, 837379 Environmentally friendly Ballinger Evening WI cleaning materials. Contact: Frankie Little, 837659 For a no obligation quote ’phone [email protected] 01525 371724 or 07975 847027 Lee Common C of E School Email: [email protected] School office, 837267 [email protected] 23 Lee Common Methodist Church Marian Tomkins, 837479 The Newsletter Lee Common Scouts he Lee Newsletter is published 10 Group Scout Leader, Chris times a year and distributed free to Nevill. 864881 all households in the parish… and [email protected] T a little beyond. The views expressed in it Scouts, Enzo D’Alessandro; are not necessarily those of the Editor. [email protected] We welcome letters and articles of Beavers, Karen Bruton; interest and relevance to The Lee. [email protected] Copy should be sent to the Editor of Cubs, James Bruton; the month (see page 1) by the 12th of [email protected] the month before publication. Shop at The Lee Letters should ideally run to no more Symeon Economou, 837195 than 200 words and articles to no more [email protected] than 700 words; material may be edited St John the Baptist Church and may appear on the village website See centre pages. www.thelee.org.uk unless consent is St Mary’s Ballinger specifically withheld. Anonymous Contact: Anne Ellis, 837247 [email protected] contributions are not accepted. Tennis Court @ Parish Hall To advertise or place an insert, please contact Paul Apicella on 837377 Bookings: Pippa Hart 07785 323232 th (ideally WhatsApp) by the 12 of the previous month. The Arts Society Ballinger If you have photographs for Chair: Lesley Wickham, 865480 publication please contact Jonathan [email protected] Batten on 837450 or email The Lee Cricket Club [email protected]. www.theleecc.org.uk For queries regarding distribution Secretary: Mike Harris contact Barnaby Usborne on 837382. 07788 345555 Other members of the Editorial The Lee Flower Show team: Peter Archer, Zoe Berkeley, Chairman: Jonathan Batten, 837450 Ruth Fowler, Phil Harrison, Liz The Lee Newsletter Macann, Jen Ogley, Adam Speller and [email protected] Colin Sully. The Lee Old Church Trust Printed by Orbit Press: Chesham. Secretary: Pam Garner 837501 01494 778053. The Lee Parish Council Clerk: Hayley Farrelly, 07704 909324 To book the Parish Hall [email protected] or Scout Hut

www.thelee.org.uk/pc ’phone Anne Barnett on 837796 Allotments: Alison Weir, 837529 The Lee Parish Hall Committee Rates 9 am - 1 pm 6 pm - 2 pm - 6 pm midnight Bookings: Anne Barnett, 837796 Mon - Fri £30 or £10/hr £45 or £10/hr Pippa Hart, 837340 Sat/Sun £12/hr £70 Chairman: Tony Lea, 837237 Bank Holiday £12/hr £70 The LeeWay Car park only £10 Contact: 07845 029500 Crockery/cutlery £15 (hire outside the hall) Sales & Lettings 64 High Street Great Missenden Buckinghamshire HP16 0AN Tel: 01494 890990 email: [email protected] www.jeremyswan.co.uk