Welcome to the November edition of Hallmark As well as the political chaos explained on pages 6, 26, 29 and brought on by Brexit, it looks like 31. we are going to have change in I was really pleased to see how our UK political representation. well the ladies did organising the Firstly the boundaries MacMillan Coffee Morning. To commission are proposing to raise almost £2,000 is fantastic. move our Westminster ward into Our best wishes go to Jill Baker the Chesham and Amersham who is currently unwell. constituency, so we will get a different MP. Hallmark Helpers Thank you to all the people who Secondly the County Council is have volunteered to help out proposing to close down the with Hallmark distribution, it’s District Councils and have a nice to know that people are few hours work now and then. single Unitary Council for Bucks. prepared to contribute a bit to You will need to have email. This will bring major cost savings the community. and simplify council business. We also need someone to help Needless to say the District Can you help with the with photographs and provide an Councils are against it as their production of Hallmark? We appropriate front page photo or jobs will disappear. I suspect need someone to manage the artwork for each edition. most people will be pleased to advertising, liaise with people see (and pay for) fewer who wish to advertise and Mike Piercy politicians the issues are remind existing advertisers to renew their agreement. Just a Editor Macmillan Coffee Morning It is Thursday, 29th September 8 prize. Others are keen to guess decided to pass the ‘coffee cup’ o’clock in the morning and men how many spots are on the cake. on to other ladies. Ann, Sandra are arriving at the Village Hall to Plenty of coffee is drunk with and Daphne have kindly put out the tables and chairs. It is biscuits and cakes going down volunteered. We know you will a cheerless morning with a little well. Meanwhile our stall holders give them your support as shall drizzle but by 8.45 ladies are are having a success with their we. arriving with cakes, produce, sales. Thank you once again for helping crafts and ‘baskets of delight’ to By midday, including earlier to raise such a fantastic amount. fill the tables. Soon after donations, we have raised concessionaires are arriving with £1,904 for Macmillan. A very big their goods to display. The kettles Joy Lawrence thank you to all who helped and are boiling and shortly before and Jill Baker supported us, your enthusiasm 9.30 our contribution to the showed in the atmosphere in the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning hall, everyone enjoyed the in aid of Macmillan Cancer occasion whilst supporting the Support is ready for the off. needs of the Macmillan ethos. It Over the next two and a half brought a great sense of hours we receive many visitors community – thank you all once keen to support the event. Raffle again. tickets are selling well, whilst Jill and Joy have organised this many attempt to win a tombola event for five years and have

2 What’s On What’s On

Sat Nov 5 10.30am in Village Hall Windmill Artists exhibition and bistro Sat Nov 12 Village Hall 11am to 4pm Annual Christmas Market Nov 12 and 13 St John’s Church History Society exhibition of our local places of worship Wed Nov 16 Horts Club Pumpkin Supper Sat Nov 19 Nov 7pm for 7:30pm in St John’s School Hall CEILIDH The Black Dog Band, dancing, fish & chips supper with puddings Tel: 01844 345452 Nov 24 26 8pm “Food for Thought” Dinner Theatre with Lacey Green Productions. 3 short plays and dinner Sat 3 Dec 10:00am – 2:00pm in Village Hall Christmas Fayre Father Christmas, lots of stalls, tombola and raffle and refreshments including soup lunches, bacon rolls etc. Sun 4 Dec 6pm in Village Hall Carol service with Lacey Green Singers and St John’s school choir. Sun 18 Dec 6pm Church service of Nine Lessons and Carols Wed Jan 18 Horts Club “The travels of a horticultural student” talk by Billy Stott

Windmill Artists Exhibition and Special Christmas services at St Bistro Nov 5 John’s Church This popular Art Exhibition and Bistro will once See page 40 for a full schedule of activities in again be held in Lacey Green Village Hall on November and December Saturday November 5th from 10.30 am to 4 pm. There will be light refreshments throughout the day and we look forward to seeing you all.

STOP PRESS: The Annual Village Quiz A very successful Village Quiz We were delighted that from the everyone who attended and to was held on October 19th. The proceeds we were able to everyone who helped on the winners again this year were the donate £60 to The Lighthouse night to make this such an Lacey Green Singers but only by Holiday Club, and the remainder enjoyable event. a narrow margin! of £236 to our Village Hall. Thank you very much to The Windmill WI We welcomed a new Councillor Lacey Green Parish is right at the Kop Hill Climb was once again a for Lacey Green in September. junction of three constituencies big success in the recent local Elizabeth Patient lives in the (High Wycombe being the third). calendar of events in spite of the village and has children at St If you have strong feelings that weather on Saturday. Sunday's John’s school and Windmill the plans to move our ward into sunshine more than made up for Under 5s preschool. We wish her Chesham and Amersham are a it, and brought crowds in their a long and happy relationship good or bad idea, do have a look hundreds to see the cars and with the Council. at the Boundary Commission motorbikes. There were 800+ website altogether this year, with the The Parish Council is still one https://www.bce2018.org.uk soapbox challenge, stage events Councillor short of the full where you can see the current and other attractions. A wide complement, so if you feel you and planned constituency range of foods was also available have some time to give back to boundaries and have your say. from sushi to curry, paella, the the community, please give the usual burgers, hotdogs, pies and Clerk your name for A very big thank you to all the pasties. The large number of consideration. Chiltern Society and other visitors means that again there volunteers (including Roger Many householders in the area will be a huge sum of money Craft) for all your hard work in have applied for planning raised for local charities, so it is a helping clear the pond in permission to fell or prune trees winwin situation for all! Studridge Lane, Speen on the of all kinds. As we live in the weekend of 7/8th October. The Huge thanks go to all the Chilterns AONB, this is just a photo below shows the huge volunteers without whom none reminder if you are planning to task which confronted them on of the organising, planning and have any similar work done. their arrival at the pond. I hope success would be possible. Put a Autumn is the best time for this the residents in the area reminder in your diary for next kind of work, so contact appreciate the effort which was year! Wycombe District council before selflessly carried out. embarking on any project in case Miv Hughes some of the trees on your property have Tree Preservation Orders on them. This does not preclude work being carried out, as maintaining a healthy tree by pruning helps to prolong its life and gives character to the garden. The Boundary Commission has recently produced its findings and there are plans in 2018 to include Lacey Green, Speen and the Hampdens in the Amersham and Chesham Parliamentary constituency with Cheryl Gillan as MP. Currently we are in the Aylesbury constituency with David Lidington as MP. Pink and Lily New Year’s Knees – Up! turkeys anyway, had better be upon us and again we’re getting getting fat! If organizing the party the party started. Come and celebrate good is your responsibility, whether for This year it’s all about tradition – times at The Pink and Lily! work or family make sure that you don’t miss out. Menus are think a wintry walk to work up an The nights have definitely started available from the pub, or we can appetite, kicking off those muddy drawing in, and up at The Pink email them straight to you. At £25 boots in front of a roaring fire, there is winter magic in the air. for two courses or £30 for three, enjoying a warming dram or three The fires are roaring, the welcome fabulous festive fun is guaranteed. before tucking in to some is warming, the chef’s specials are We even throw in the crackers – spectacular seasonal fare; ringing seasonal and the beer most what more could you ask for! in the New Year with a traditional definitely hits the spot! As Autumn singalong around the old johanna makes way for Winter, we are Our glorious Christmas Day menu while counting down to the celebrating all that is the best is also on sale, last year we were midnight toast with a free glass of about a traditional English country running a wait list from bubbles thrown in for good pub! November, so I urge you to pick measure! up the phone sooner rather than There’s surely no better way to The Pink is made for a party – and later. If you’re dreading the annual see in 2017 than to come and the winter season is kicking off in seasonal invasion of the family – it have a drink up at your friendly style on Halloween with the can’t be just me surely? – then local, The Pink! launch of our regular monthly why not relax on December 23rd quiz. The last Monday of the with a little preChristmas chill out? month sees teams of any size Full menu will be available so treat Rodney Parker, battling it out in friendly yourself to a little bit of ‘me’ time Landlord competition. And all for the glory before the hordes descend! Or if 01494 489857 – or for Halloween should that say you need to, ’gory’ of being that month’s save yourself champion and a bottle or two of some effort, let prosecco! With game pie for Michael our chef Halloween and Scottish delights take the strain Adam’s Computing on the menu for St Andrew’s Day, and bring them Lacey Green why not make a proper evening of all with you for it and relax over dinner while dinner. The Does your computer run slow? giving those little grey cells a more the Does it need an overhaul? workout? definite merrier! Christmas is coming and our It may seem a Christmas party menu is already way off now but I can troubleshoot problems, Recommend on sale and selling fast. Those New Year’s Eve improvements, geese – well, bronze Norfolk will soon be And install software and remove viruses. Bird’s Bathrooms Give me a call on 07528032106 Or email me at [email protected] Bathroom Installations Plumbing Tiling Repairs

Friendly, local service! Call Luke on 07743858031

6 On The Farm SURPRISE, SURPRISE! A farmer age of 13 we were one of first to larvae that live in the stem saying the weather was perfect. cross the bailey bridge that the cutting off all nutrients. army had put in place to open A good yield of wheat, all The majority of oil seed rape the road. The whole wide valley brought in dry enough to store crops, certainly around here, was wrecked with torn down without further drying – almost were ploughed back in. Many houses, uprooted trees, boats, unheard of! And such a saving in bee keepers think the ban has cars, debris everywhere. An time and money. made no difference but it has not unforgettable sight. It looks so been lifted. If the other EU Silage; food for the cows and serene now. countries heed the ban too there youngstock throughout the One night Stanley Johnson could be a shortage of rape oil winter. The grass kept growing; resident expert on Exmoor was next year. Perhaps you should our usual three cuts were made, our guest speaker to round off stock up. four on some land. The cows are the day. He was very still out grazing, it being fairly We did harvest a little off one entertaining and no mention of dry, so they are not poaching up field and it is a crop we would Boris (his son). the grass. like to keep growing being an Picking up on ‘bees’. At Quince alternative to continually Lucerne, a new crop for us, was Honey Farm at South Molton we growing cereals. Rape was harvested. Allied to clover, it’s a all realised how little we knew. always prone to slug and pigeon useful crop as it improves They have an excellent exhibition damage, both able to decimate it nitrogen in the soil. Maize was which absorbed us for ages. Late and now with Stem Flea Beatle it recently cut, the last to add to summer they move the hives really is a challenge. the clamps. onto Exmoor for the heather Back to the good news. We are 26th to 29th September: my which provides lovely honey. now clear of the TB restrictions annual trip with grassland Back home a local bee keeper imposed after two inconclusive farmers, 24 of us based at Exford. dropped in with some honey. He animals were slaughtered several It was a packed itinerary, said it had been an unusual year months ago. including shire horses and a bee as usually he is swamped out farm with 1000 hives. On 1st October we hosted The with honey from the rape crops. Chiltern Hills Ploughing Match at We learnt about the wild deer on This is very hard, almost white Walters Ash. Competitors are Exmoor, with the annual cull. and some people don’t like it. judged on how well the stubble This is done to keep the numbers I explained that the rape crop is buried, how straight the stable and in good health. The had virtually FAILED. It was the furrows are, and how neat the Hunt meets 3 times a week but first crop grown since an start and finish are. Winners can the supporters just follow to ‘experimental’ ban was put on go forward to national matches. watch at a distance. Only the the nicotinoid dressing put on Ploughing has been out of huntsmen hunt, using a couple of the seed against Stem Flea Beatle fashion but could well come hounds to bring the chosen before sowing. It was thought back in order to bury black grass animal within range. Next day the dressing might be affecting seeds, a pest. But you can’t do it we went to the meet, where at the bees. the next year as you bring them least 70 horses followed. up again. Sometimes it is just We inspected our crops after We spent a long time inspecting difficult to win. dark in September as they and discussing a fully automatic emerged. The beetle was milking parlour, of which Joan West present. We sprayed them at perhaps more another time. night when it is most active. The We made a visit to Lynmouth beetle will eat the young P.S. Charlotte West, has just Museum of the Flood of 1952. cotoledon, or if the plant survives started at Harper Adams Returning from holiday at the will lay eggs on it, hatching into Agricultural University.

7 Horticultural Society The annual show has come and to prolonged growing seasons gone, and it was one of the best and earlier crops. The company we have ever had. The standard trade mainly through mail order, of the exhibits was very high and but do welcome customers too. the benches with vegetable Here you can buy coir growing entries were absolutely full to medium, felt pots which will bursting. Geoff Nash from Princes eventually compost, special Risborough was a very deserving mineral supplements for your winner of four trophies: the crops and very interestingly, a Plowman Cup, the Hughenden range of chilli starter kits which Cup, the Marshall Cup, and the we were very generously Bill Cleaver Memorial Award for presented with on leaving. the best exhibit in the produce section for his five tomatoes. If you have any questions about growing chillies this is the place The Connie Baker Cup for the to visit! Proprietors Mark and best rose exhibit was won by Emma will help set you up with Judith Woods Ballard. I won the everything you need and answer Floral Cup. The Domestic Salver any problems you have with was fiercely fought and went to growing. I look forward to Joy Lawrence. The Jubilee Cup growing my Chinese Space for members with most points Chillies HJ9 Big Bang next who have not previously won an spring! award went to Simon Bolton. The Pumpkin Supper is the next Congratulations to all the event for the society on winners, also to everyone who November 16th, sponsored by entered, helping to make this the K&B Family Butchers in Princes liveliest show in years. More Risborough. On January 18th, details and pictures can be found local horticulturalist Billy Stott will on the village website. Special tells us about his travels as a thanks to all the young people horticultural student and provide who entered, a record number of an insight into the life of under 16s, who we hope to professional growers. Our AGM encourage with a special section in March will be followed by a in a new Spring show to be talk on the wild flowers of the announced before Christmas. Canadian Rockies.

A small group of interested Now is the time to plan your members visited GrownUp growing for next year and get Hydroponics in Aylesbury. We your seeds and planting planned. were treated to a very There is plenty to do in the informative talk about growing garden, with tidying, making hydroponically, basically growing compost and sowing autumn vegetables in aerated or atomised crops like onions, garlic and water, with added nutrients. It is broad beans. There is never a the way that many commercial quiet time for gardeners, so enjoy growers produce food crops the last of the autumn sun before now. The advantage for domestic the frost really sets in. growing is that using the systems and special lighting you can give Alison Shreeve your crops a head start, leading

8 Lacey Green Productions “Food for Thought” Thursday Tickets are available now by 24 November to Saturday 26 calling Helen on 01844 347518 November or Anne on 01844 347818 or through our website at This November Lacey Green www.laceygreenproductions.co.uk Productions and Command Performers are joining together In March 2017 LGP will be to welcome people from near taking a Murder Mystery and far to come with friends and entertainment to Great family to the Millennium Hall for Hampden and Winslow and also 3 Tables in rehearsal an entertaining evening of to Whiteleaf Golf Club for the dinner, drink and drama all to local Rotary organisation. All were certainly some interesting raise money for a number of these performances will help to foreign accents. There have been local charities. raise further money for charity. so many different versions of the LGP’s total raised so far now Frankenstein story, even the This year's performances will stands at over £60,000. feature a trio of interesting one original characters don’t know act plays. what’s real any more. Will you? Interested in acting or any of the peripheral activities? We always With a mixture of old and new In Luigi Jannuzzi's light hearted welcome new faces to come and faces on our local stage, an all comedy€ The Appointment € Mr join Lacey Green Productions. new catering team, and a Toemeali isn’t happy: he's got an To find out more about the cracking trio of plays, this is the appointment with God, but will group you can visit our fledgling local event you won't want to the big guy show up? Facebook page miss. Rehearsals are going well @LaceyGreenProductions and as you can see from the photos. Twitter. LGP shows always sell out, so get your tickets now! A lot of new ideas are being discussed at the moment to keep Performances are on Thursday LGP buzzing, so watch this 24 November (no food but bar space and keep your eye on our open), Friday 25 November social media sites. (Dinner Theatre) and Saturday 26 November (Dinner Theatre). John Titchen The Appointment rehearsal

In Dan Remmes' Three Tables € the audience gets a funny and fascinating look at modern life as three separate couples in different stages of their relationships sit, eat and argue at the same restaurant, providing a romantic comedy of heart, hurt and laughter. Finally in Robin Johnson's Stitched Up € we know that Doctor Frankenstein created a monster. The monster escaped, but then what? Was there a bride? An angry mob? €There Stitched Up in rehearsal

9 FAMOUS LOCAL INCIDENT IN 1925 one year younger sister, she was was, she duly recovered, retiring permitted to start and leave in 1970, aged 74 after clocking school one year later than was up 50 years’ service. The GPO usual. expected them to walk, but she too used her bicycle to start It was also in 1925 that she with. However by the late married Frank Chilton and came 1950s she was only on foot. to Lacey Green, living at no. 2 Her route was along the Pink Belle Vue, Main Road. About Road to Widmer Farm then back 1950 she started work to the Lacey Green Main Road. delivering the post for Mr Only one house at the bottom Harvey of Harvey's Stores and of Goodacres Lane then. P.O. Loosley Row, together with Keeping to the north side of Mrs Dormer. Their rounds at the main road then down Kiln that time are still to be Lane, along Highwood Bottom, researched. The Post Office up through Flowers Bottom. Wikipedia describes what moved to Mr. Lawrence at the Next, Turnip end and Slad Lane happened at the Kop Hill Climb top of Loosley Hill in 1952. She back to the Main Road. She in 1925 as a 'minor incident'. retired in 1977. The G.P.O. then delivered along the north This is far from the truth as it issued a uniform, including side of the Main Road as far as had far reaching consequences. shoes, expecting her to walk her Kiln Lane. She also crossed to the Hill climbs were competitive round, but she used her own opposite side which Mrs Chilton and held all over the country. bicycle. She started at 7.30am at had missed as she went round At Kop Hill in 1925 a car ran the P.O. She was expected to the back of Church Lane. into the crowd. Though finish at 10.45am after delivering nobody was killed, the RAC down the south side of the Main Hilda's hours were 7.30am to then banned all motorsports on Road, including the side roads 10.15am, half an hour less than public roads. It was as a result as they were built. After the Mrs Chilton. She had one week's of this that Grand Prix Racing Black Horse she turned into holiday a year. Mrs Chilton had was developed. The Climb was Church Lane, back onto the two weeks holiday. Speen Farm revived in 1999 but is now run Main Road to the 'old' vicarage, was logically on Hilda's route as a charitable noncompetitive now Lacey House, and and she would have gladly done event. Grymsdyke. Then off to it, but it might have taken her Smalldean Farm (a steep hill on over her hours, in which case Why is your Local History Group that stretch) Holly Bush Farm, she too would have had two mentioning an event that took since demolished for the Air weeks holiday, also a full place in Princes Risborough Force and a final call over at uniform. She had a cap and when this is going to focus on Speen Farm which should, one jacket but was not issued the lives of two much loved would think, have been part of with shoes!!! They both had a women, one from Loosley Row Hilda Gomme's round. day off on the Queen's birthday. and one who lived in Lacey From the 18th December to Green? Hilda Gomme, born 1896 Christmas they did two delivery started working for Mr. Allen in rounds a day. The GPO vans Elsie Rixon lived at Green Hailey Lower Road, Loosley Row at took over after them. Farm at the top of Kop Hill. Aged the first P.O. here when she 18 she was a Red Cross first was 24. The P.O. briefly moved For more information on the aider and gave first aid at the to Harvey's Stores, Lower Road families, the places and accident in 1925. As a child she then up Loosley Hill to Mr. businesses of Loosley Row and had attended Lacey Green Lawrence’s. Hilda had had a very Lacey Green go to School. It was a long walk and major operation for stomach www.laceygreen.com/Sections/ in order for her to walk with her cancer, but being the person she History.

10 St John’s School We have used Harvest as our Christmas Fayre Friday 2nd focus for National Poetry Day December from 2.30pm and the children all learnt a poem for the Church Service. Key Stage 1 Performance – We collected food donations Wednesday 7th December which have been given to 2pm Saunderton Lodge and Icknield Key Stage 1 Performance – Court as part of our Harvest Here at St Johns C of E (VA) Thursday 8th December 6pm Celebration. Combined School we have had Key Stage 2 Cast A a quiet start to the school year Our Remembrance Service will with our new pupils settling in Performance –Tuesday 13th take place on 11th November at December 2pm and 7pm very well. 10.45am. Key Stage 2 Cast B We have been busy with On the 18th of November we preparations for our Harvest Performance –Thursday 15th will be raising money for December 2pm and 7pm Festival and the School has Children In Need when been full of the sound of everyone will be encouraged to End of Term Service Tuesday harvest songs. The School is wear something spotty. 20th December 1.45pm currently decorated with scarecrows made by the We are looking forward to the Please contact the school for children which each class used Festive period and have a variety availability nearer the time. as inspiration for our whole of events taking place: school write (see below). St John’s School Office

11 Youth Club News Lacey Green, Loosley Row and place and you will feel good Speen YC to give it its full title about yourself. continues to thrive thanks to The youth club needs six people volunteers, although it was touch every session to be safe and at and go for a while. least one of them is required to Jenny Stothard and Karen Lowes know some first aid, fortunately left us this year after several years rarely needed. Things have to be as leaders. A big thank you to organised, some behind the them for their dedication and scenes – we have a treasurer, and Sometimes we get specialists in efforts during that time. This the tuckshop has to be supplied. for something really different or would have left us with just two of One parent makes sure we have we go down to the field. the original leaders had we not enough people every session. We first found some new ones. We Some youngsters who have left get apparatus out and put it away would have had to close the club come back to do the community and then just keep one eye on the had parents not stepped forward. part of their Duke of Edinburgh, kids whilst socialising with our Thanks to Cathy Tyrell and Mary so all in all the club provides a lot peers. The kids have a powerful Joseph whose supportive emails of opportunities for a hour and a sense of self preservation at this to get volunteers did far better half every two weeks. age but they don’t always see the than mine ever do. risk to others or to property as One final request: although the It is always difficult to get helpers, they scoot and tear about. They club is plodding along it needs a those that do help know only too also get up to mischief we need dedicated leader. As a grumpy old well it is often the same few eyes everywhere. They do seem fart I am too far removed by age public spirited people that do so. to have lots of fun without any for them to relate to me. Some people are genuinely help from us although we do Especially if I have to get down on unable but others are just simply organise a game here and there, the floor as they have to help me takers – I hope they feel guilty. with cooking and crafts, all for up again. Just take a turn, give something variety. back and the world is a better Leigh Axe Short Mat Bowls Every Monday afternoon 2pm the ability to buy a new mat you walk, you bend and you lift, Lacey Green Village Hall. whenever we need. We now have albeit gently, oh and you can sit two new mats and one of the old and get up a lot too. The Club, still flourishing, started ones. in July 2010, more by luck than New members are welcome and anything because new mats cost Thanks to the skills of Les Hazell in fact the comment often made is at least £800. That would be a we also have some wheeled just that –‘You made me feel large outlay even for several ‘coffins’ to keep the mats in. At a welcome’. Don’t worry about people and a big risk should it not push (pun intended) one person your skill level, beginners often do be successful. Anyway we had the can get the mats out although it is better than most of us. good fortune to have invited a easier with two. Compare that member of the Chinnor Club and with the use of a wooden pole Leigh Axe to cut a long story short he was through the middle and four of us able to get us two second hand trying to carry it out, although that mats for £100. The £20 we all put was funny to watch. in is now the one off membership We maintain thirty members with fee for any new member. That, a an average attendance over the couple of grants from the local year of half that number. It is more authority and £1 a week only social than competitive although it when you attend has kept us with is good to win. It is also healthy –

12 Community Planning Group You didn't have anything from that not much use is being made haven't missed anybody. Appeal the Group in the previous of it. It is quite possible that our to residents tell me if you know Hallmark, and I wouldn't like you volunteers simply don't have the of anyone moving into a to think that we have time to make use of the various property near you. evaporated. things on which credits can be spent. Pubs and grubs Lacey Green Stores We are very fortunate in having As usual, we are always on the The stores continues to thrive, our three pubs. Hopefully they lookout for volunteers to help in although it would be nice to will continue to function well the Stores, so if you fancy your have more customers. I was into the future. So many have chances in the retail business, do looking at some old papers the been closed elsewhere, and even give us a shout. other day results of one of the changed into houses. Makes a many surveys that we used to small dent in the housing carry out. One of these was very Princes Risborough statistics, but it's always a loss to We mentioned the town plan in revealing 65 residents said that the community. the last but one issue, but didn't they would use the stores and mention a possible would spend £12 each every Planning Group comprehensive ban on parking week. I can confidently tell you on most of the residential roads organisation and that we do not have takings of in the town. I haven't seen this order! activities anything else about this recently, The group started in 2002. It can We do see some interesting but I suspect that it is not going be a quite powerful body to features. When St John's school to disappear. It would be quite tackle community problems that is open, quite a number of mums catastrophic for anyone with a are outside the jurisdiction of the park their cars in the Millennium car wanting to visit someone in local authorities. I am very Hall car park. Over several Risborough who didn't have conscious that as chairman of its years, the number of these mums spare space on their drive steering group since foundation, that have even entered the (assuming that they had a drive). it is high time for someone else stores can be counted on the What it is going to be like if and to take over and introduce fresh fingers of my right hand. I when the town plan does go ideas and action. I would haven't actually asked any of ahead I shudder to think. welcome feedback from the them whether there is a reason, residents. yet! Welcome packs Three of these were delivered Tony Molesworth The time credits scheme is over one weekend in July, but 01844 344975 functioning, although it seems nothing since. I do hope that we

Duncan ColletFenson – European and UK€Audiologist of the Year€ Aston Hearing has been Aston is a very local company The award is European€wide, and providing quality independent that started life in West recognizes ‘outstanding care’ by private hearing care for nearly Wycombe and had many happy a hearing care professional. The thirty years, and now is proud to years based in Loosley Row, now Audiologist of the Year title is announce that Aston Hearing’s working from two successful awarded on the basis of Director and longstanding practices in Amersham and commitment, exceptional audiologist, Duncan Collet Thame. Employing 14 people – knowledge and making a Fenson, has been named 7 of which live in Lacey Green, tangible difference to their European and UK€Audiologist of Loosley Row and Naphill! patient’s lifestyle.€€ the Year 2016.€€ Kate ColletFenson 13 Tennis Club The 7th and 8th October were a morning to dancing in the Piano great tennis weekend for the Bar in the evening. club. On the Saturday, despite It was a great weekend break the weather’s best efforts, we and the clay courts were held an autumn junior fantastic to play on. I don’t think competition. Nine juniors our canine mascot really ranging from 1115 came along appreciated the heat and to play doubles followed by perhaps it was a case of mad singles. There was some brilliant dogs and Englishmen. There was tennis played and in the end cup will be for the winning one Scotsman, but I think he was Toby Burton and Anthony ladies’ champion. just pleased to see the sun, full Joseph won the U14s and U16s stop! Each year we will be having a respectively. We were really Sunday tournament for mixed pleased with how the afternoon doubles and the winners will be went and there will definitely be Competition Cups Compared to other clubs, we presented with the “West Cups” another one in March. Hopefully have never had any trophy cups after John and Joan West. Many we can get a few girls to come to present. People love of you will not know that the along too? competition and there is nothing West family kindly donated, on a The black clouds and rain had better than achieving that down free longterm lease, the strip of cleared on the Sunday and our theline winning topspin to be land which incorporates the afternoon BBQ was held in crowned champion! So we now playground, football training lovely autumnal sunshine. have three cups which are ground and our second and third Suitably fuelled by sausages and associated with the history of the tennis courts. In addition, they burgers cooked alongside the club and will be named the assisted the club in 1999 when court, members enjoyed an “Bradley”, “Ebbles” and “West” we badly need funds to refurbish afternoon of friendly mixed cups. court 3, not to mention numerous doubles. The format worked other areas over the years. The Bradley cup is named after well and we shall be replicating Wyndham and Dianne Bradley. I am aware that there are many this for future events. Wyndham was chair for 8 years other people who have also had Men’s Trip during the 1960s and 70s and a major role in the development Dianne was secretary for many of the club. Hopefully this is just A few weeks earlier we had our years. The Bradley cup will be the start, and as we move annual 3 night tennis break to presented to the men’s forward there will be further cups Murcia, South East Spain. Six champion. which will recognise others. members were originally going, but unfortunately one member Mike and Maureen Ebbles were For details see our website: had to pull out at the last minute. heavily involved with the club Clubspark.lta.org.uk/LaceyGreen We didn’t like the idea of being during the 1980s and early TennisClub. Our Facebook page just five, so in the end we hastily 1990s. Mike was chair of the (link on website) contains all the bought a small soft toy in the club for some 10 years and was latest pictures including the terminal as a tour mascot. We instrumental in building the 3rd autumn tournaments. made sure he came to all our court in 1985. Maureen was activities from being chair ladies’ captain, she also helped Nigel Glenister umpire at the clay courts in the with the social side and raising funds for the club. The Ebbles’

14 Windmill Under 5s The children all looked fantastic After the half term break, the in their finery and crowns, and staff will start to plan for our loved the entertainment Christmas activities, and I am provided by Wayne Wonder. sure that it won’t be long before the children start practising for The staff and remaining children the Christmas play. Renditions of are very grateful for the fantastic Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer selection of new outdoor toys will be heard up and down Main and equipment donated by Road! those leaving. They are brilliant and the great weather this If you would like your child to autumn has meant that they have join Windmills, we would already had lots of use. Thank recommend that you contact you to everyone who gave so Paula as soon as possible, and generously. she will advise you of the most up to date information about our In September we welcomed 5 waiting list. You can also look at new children to the preschool our new website for more who have quickly settled into information about the preschool their new environment, and are (http://www.windmillunder5s.c enjoying all that Windmills has to o.uk/). offer. It is no surprise that the The autumn term at Windmills is waiting list is also filling up again Victoria Geenes now well under way and after a fast. This is testament to the relatively quiet start to the term, fabulous job that the staff; Chair the preschool is once again Angela, Louisa, Lucy, Annie, buzzing with happy children Keely, Joel, Lisa and Paula, do in who are enthusiastic and keen to making Windmills a fun and learn. successful environment for our children. Thank you to you all for This term the children have been your hard work and climbing beanstalks, blowing commitment. down houses and tasting porridge as part of our “Fairy The new academic year also Stories” theme. brought change in the committee of Windmills. At the They have learnt all about the AGM last week we said goodbye autumn, and enjoyed collecting to Nell Rigg and Kristina Black, falling leaves, conkers and other who have both been fantastic “treasures” on some autumn members of the committee and walks. They have also been will be sorely missed. Thank you making the most of the good both for your efforts, enthusiasm weather whilst it lasts, spending and commitment to the lots of time outside in the garden preschool. and doing sports on the field. Next week will see us host our At the end of last term we said first fundraising event of the year an emotional goodbye to our the annual Halloween party. school leavers who have moved This has been a great success in up to “big school”. Their recent years, and Natasha Kann’s departure was marked in efforts will ensure that this year’s traditional Windmills style with a event will be no different! royal tea party.

15 All of us see pictures of poor package that African children in dire need; includes a mostly we feel a quick burst of cooking stove, sympathy then move on. solar lighting to read by, a basic But 5 years ago when Clare mobile phone Clements from Loosley Row saw to keep in a picture of a young Malawian touch and a boy unable to walk due to club tiny amount of feet, she decided that she had to money to buy do something to help. She had essentials. £3 Fredson in his new wheelchair never been to Malawi, and had per child each no experience of running a term is enough to make a great She is also keen to provide Joyce charity. However she did have a difference in Malawi. with a laptop to keep in friend Joyce Maunde who lives in communication; if you have an Malawi so Clare asked Joyce if Clare’s operation has slowly old one then she can reuse it. she could track down the boy in grown over the past 5 years. She The battery needs to be still the picture. has had to replace Fredson’s working as the electricity supply wheelchair as he has grown. She Joyce located the boy named in Malawi is most unreliable. has also provided a second Fredson, in a village called wheelchair for another family Joyce is supplementing her Zombe. Fredson was unable to with a daughter who has cerebral income by hiring out wedding walk and was having to be palsy. Clare and Joyce now dresses, which are unaffordable carried to school, so Clare set provide ongoing support to five for most brides in Malawi. If you out to provide him with a families with disabled or have an unwanted wedding wheelchair. especially vulnerable children. dress or any bridal accessories Malawian roads are really rough please give them a new lease of and European wheelchairs would Can you help? life by donating them to Joyce. be too flimsy. Clare found a Clare runs ChildCare Malawi all Clare has created a website at hospital workshop that was on her own. She takes no salary www.childcaremalawi.org.uk willing to make a rugged or expenses and all money raised This contains many beautiful, wheelchair for Fredson and is spent in Malawi. uplifting pictures of Malawian raised the money to pay for it. Small sums of money go an children. The website gives more Fredson’s life was transformed as incredibly long way in Malawi. details on how to donate and his friends could now push him Just £18 will provide a primary how any contributions you make to school. (See picture). school child with uniform, shoes can be used. Joyce told Clare how successful and extra tuition fees for a year. Clare lives at Beechurst on the wheelchair had been but Clare also collects used Woodway, 01844 343602 email pointed out that his whole family children’s clothing, toys and [email protected] was living from hand to mouth in games and sends these out to deep poverty and needed help Zombe village. She would be with the basics of life. Together delighted if you have any suitable they created a simple support items that you can give her. Mike Piercy

16 Lacey Green Singers New MD for Lacey my career. Last year, I graduated with a degree in music from Green Singers Cardiff University where I In our last report, we said enjoyed singing and playing in a goodbye to our musical director variety of choirs and orchestras, James Woodhall. He left us to as well as having fun in a become director of music at a fantastic city. large public school on the south coast. Our loss was certainly “I am absolutely loving their gain and we understand he conducting the choir so far! We has settled in quickly and is are currently rehearsing for the doing very well. annual LGS Christmas concert in the Millennium Hall on Sunday 4 additional singers – including Happily, it wasn’t too long December and I look forward to men! – so if you would like to before we were fortunate to find meeting you all there. As always, sing a wide range of music and a local replacement, Lucy Twaite. the choir will be reinforced by meet new people, now’s the She writes: “I have been living in children from St John’s, so come time to join! We meet every Lacey Green since I was seven, along and share with us an Thursday evening in the school and it was during my music evening of celebration as we at 7.45pm.” lessons at St John’s Primary start the festive period. I should School that I developed my love add that since I joined we have of music and decided to make it already recruited some Alan Lewis

Black Horse It does not seem possible that it Black Horse will have the Thank you Rob for all your hard is that time of year again when pleasure of baby sitting in the work last season running the the clocks go back and the near future. Congratulations to team, you did a good job.€ Thank leaves on the trees are turning Tim and Leanne on their you.€Well done to Lisa and Ian brown and falling. Also it is wedding it was a wonderful for running the Aunt Sally league Christmas menu time once day.€€ this summer, it was great fun as again; it only seems yesterday usual,€next year please?€€€ We did the yearly quiz for when we were doing Christmas the€Wycombe Lions charity; we We have got back into the Good lunches and parties. We have raised a fair amount of money Beer Guide 2017, which is great had one of the busiest summers which was good. And a Black news. Also we now have a new for many years, thank you to all Horse team got through to the web site www.blackhorse my customers who have final at Booker community pub.co.uk . Please keep your supported us and to all my hard centre.€ Roger and Wendy Whip, eyes out for new things working staff.€ Cheffie, Ian and Lisa Saxton and happening on our notice Well what has happened since I you are not going to believe this, boards.€ A reminder that we do last put pen to paper.€ New me. I answered three questions not do breakfasts in December. arrival to the village, Harrison, a correctly,€so chuffed.€ Well done Happy Christmas to you all new addition to the proud to the team.€ parents Emma and Barry. It will soon be time to start the Congratulations to you both, he Lynne darts winter league. It is a shame is gorgeous. Also the addition to but due to not enough players Lisa and Ian’s home, a new we have had to lose a team.€ puppy called Oscar, who the

17 District Council News There is a lot of activity within service levels are maintained or proposed to move into the the Town Hall. Work continues improved. Wycombe ward. on the evaluation of the several The key benefit of a unitary This proposal would mean that thousand responses by residents authority is that it is a ‘one stop’ the Wycombe constituency to the District Local Plan to authority that will deal with all would have an electorate of update the plan before it is local government. In the current 77,998. The Lacey Green, Speen submitted to the Government in system County deals with roads, and the Hampdens ward is March 2017. The release of transport, adult social care etc. actually the smallest of the 28 some of the larger sites in and District handles waste wards within the WDC area with Wycombe for housing has collection, leisure facilities, food an electorate of just 2,043. required the recruitment of licensing and planning matters. Greater Hughenden has 6,486, additional staff within the After reorganisation, in all of the Bledlow and Bradenham 2,149 Planning team to handle the proposals, each unitary will be and Stokenchurch & Radnage planning applications. responsible for all local has 4,137. government matters. Unitary Authority I give you these numbers as it is Bucks County Council has Your thoughts on this subject do really a matter of moving pieces recently published a lengthy matter and the reports have been around a chess board to achieve report that proposes the creation published for consultation. Go to the best result. My thoughts are of a new single unitary council in www.wycombe.gov.uk/mlg that we are probably best served Bucks to replace the existing where we are or a move to Steve County Council and four District Parliament Baker’s Wycombe constituency Councils. To add to the changes, the would also be fine. However Boundary Commission has most residents have no affinity The District Councils of proposed that the Lacey Green, with Amersham and Chesham Wycombe, Aylesbury Vale, Speen and the Hampdens ward and it is seen by many as a most South Bucks and Chiltern be moved to Cheryl Gillan’s unwelcome change. Hazlemere responded by uniting to produce Amersham and Chesham North (3,717) and Hazlemere another lengthy independently parliamentary constituency. South (3,439) are much closer to prepared report. This advocates Amersham but are proposed to that a reorganisation into two or The rules for the review state that remain within the Wycombe three unitary authorities has clear every constituency should constituency. Perhaps a logical benefits over a single authority. contain no fewer than 71,031 alternative strategy or do you The cost savings achieved by electors and no more than have an alternative? reducing administration costs are 78,507. This is a significant less than with a single authority change to the old rules under It will happen unless there is a but still significant. However the which there was no statutory considerable volume of report argues that residents will fixed permissible range. Existing objections. If you have any receive better service levels as English constituencies currently comments to make to the decisions will by definition be range from 54,232 to 105,448 Boundary Commission, you can more local. electors, based on data go to the website contained in the electoral Buckinghamshire is a county of www.bce2018.org.uk to give registers for 2000. two distinct parts, the rural area your views before the deadline north of Aylesbury and the more The proposed changes advocate on 5 December. densely populated southern moving our ward and the areas. A ‘one size fits all’ Greater Hughenden ward into Graham Peart approach will not achieve the the Chesham and Amersham Councillor for Lacey Green, necessary improvements in constituency. The wards of Speen and the Hampdens service. Cost saving is one of the Bledlow & Bradenham and 01494 488327 key issues but only good value if Stokenchurch & Radnage are [email protected]

18 Kindergym and Melody Minors our “Watch the Birdie” workshops. are announcing expansion in He will show the children how to several areas! A new reception – take photos of our wildlife, (fluffy year 2 class is starting at Monks tweeting birds on Kindergym Risborough on a Wednesday, trestles) and also take a few 3.30pm – 4.30pm. New baby informal photos of the children for music classes are opening in the parents at a very low cost. Haddenham, Bicester and Great We are taking bookings now for Haseley, and a new Wild Rumpus our Advent craft party – it will be class at Bicester. nice to start the season in style! If you believe your child has Saturday 3 December 10am – benefited from our classes please 12pm £9 per child . Age 1–7 yrs (3 spare the time to give us a review yrs and above can be left with us) on netmums, or share us on The children will be able to take Facebook or comment. lots of decorations home with Imagination station sessions had them, and there will be lots of lots of excitement this half term messy play options for the when we invited some firefighters younger ones. There will be no to join us for our “People who shortage of glitter or festive treats, help us” workshop, They dressed but booking is essential. Heather up as a firefighter which Come and visit us at any of our the children found very amusing! I classes at Lacey Green on a Friday think Heather secretly enjoyed it – it is always nice to meet and too! make new friends. Our next special guest will be a photographer who is joining us for Jenny Stothard

19 MP’s Update Often, the division of The number of councillors would responsibilities is confusing. drop from 238 to 98. There'd be Wycombe District Council is just one phone number and responsible for housing and email address for "the council". planning, while Buckinghamshire We wouldn't need to puzzle out County Council is responsible for which council does what. the infrastructure that supports those developments and is the I was pleased that the plan lead authority for managing recognised the need to devolve flood risks. power within Bucks, and it contains interesting ideas about Wycombe collects our rubbish delivering services through but Bucks is responsible for community boards where disposing of it. We pay our Unitary Council members would council tax bill to the District, but sit with parish and other local Normally, the last thing the biggest slice goes to the community representatives. The constituents have on their minds County, which has to fund idea that some services and is the structure of local expensive services like social assets like buildings could be government. But just now it's care. devolved to town and parish important to think about just that councils like Lacey Green is Perhaps in the 1970s, when the welcome. issue, because a very big present system was set up, this decision is looming about local all made sense, but now we Our District Councils have now government here in Bucks. need reform. Fewer, larger just published their alternative Our County and District councils would provide plan. They too want a unitary Councils all believe that the economies of scale. system but prefer two or three councils to just one. current system cannot carry on. I So I welcome Bucks County agree. Whoever is in Council's plan to abolish itself We need to look at the small government, money will be tight. and the four District Councils in print of the different plans and In this context, it isn't sensible to favour of a single, unitary council decide which outcome we continue with five separate for the whole of prefer. For me, there are three councils, each with back office Buckinghamshire. They reckon key questions: structures and management £18 million a year could be teams. saved. which option will cost local taxpayers least;

which will provide the best Princes Centre Update services, There is still much to do to get the provision of a wheelchair how to ensure a local council the Centre up to scratch. lift between the varying floor is big enough to plan services There are plans to refurbish levels, and restructuring and strategically but which also the clients’ toilet facilities in reroofing the lower hall area. respects village and town the upper hall area early next identities. As you can imagine this is year, although this is more long term due to getting dependent on funding the details correct, sorting the David Lidington MP becoming available. planning, and last but not Our main project in the lower least, getting the necessary hall area is rather complex and funding. expensive, and involves moving the kiln so as to enable Maggie Wooster

20 County Council News been submitted to the DCLG It was the top priority road that I (Department for Communities recommended as the Local and Local Government.) Member earlier in the year as part of the Capital Maintenance However the 4 District Councils Programme. All notices were have engaged Deloittes to posted that these works would develop a business case for be carried out from June over a some other form of a Unitary 15 week period ending on 26th Council and although there are September. However Transport greater savings to be made from for Buckinghamshire , upon having a single unitary, their inspection, have stated that micro recommendation is for 3 unitary surfacing will not be sufficient Councils as it is considered that with the Lane requiring an there would be more localism. alternative more robust option. I As this is going to press, the have been given assurances that Leader of Bucks County Council these works will be completed by and the 4 Leaders of the District early 2017. However, I am Councils are due to meet to endeavouring to get a Here we are in November work through a solution that will programme of works released as already with the nights drawing in benefit all the residents of soon as possible. and long gone are the sunny Buckinghamshire. The District So that is about it for now! summer days which we had Councils recommendation will earlier this year. also be submitted to DCLG. To end, I know that we have another month before the Festive In my article in the July edition, I The DCLG will then assess both season commences, but can I reported that even without Brexit, bids and make a decision in wish you all a very Merry and with decreasing funding from January 2017. Currently the plans Christmas and a Happy New Central Government to Local are for a unitary or unitaries to be Year 2017. Authorities it has been agreed set up by April 2019 with that there must be some form of elections of Members in May If there are any matters relating to modernization of local 2019. (I would add that there will Buckinghamshire County Council government in Bucks. still be the County Council that you would like to raise, Elections taking place in May please don’t hesitate to contact Over the summer months, 2017). me either via email officers from Bucks County [email protected] or by Council have worked on a Once a decision has been taken telephone 01494 564771 and if business case looking at all the regarding the way forward, there you would like a person to options from one single unitary, 2 will be consultations for residents, person meeting with me, I will unitaries, or 3 unitaries with a businesses and stakeholders to happily come and see you. Combined Authority. The Council have input into how this or these debated and voted in September new councils will operate. for a single unitary with savings of Carl Etholen County Councillor for the £45m over 5 years. There would Locally, there were plans for Ridgeway West Division be 19 Community Boards set up Studridge Lane in Speen to have micro surfacing works carried out under these proposals and 5 Area Chairman of the North West by September this year. Planning Hubs for more Local Chilterns Local Area Forum issues. This business case has

21 Windmill WI The July meeting was very In August we also had our interesting, our speaker was Summer Lunch at Pat's house. The Alistair Borland MBE who is weather was kind to us and we all Chairman of Service Emergency sat in the garden and enjoyed a Rider Volunteers (SERV). SERV is delicious lunch prepared by the a volunteer run charity which committee. It was an excellent exists to provide the facilities and afternoon and we all enjoyed the resources to allow their members social side of this event. to deliver vital rapid response Six of our members had a very services. SERV transports urgently enjoyable day at Denman which is needed medical items to Several of our members helped our WI College at Marcham near hospitals. The charity is run serving tea, coffee and Abingdon. We were greeted with entirely by volunteers who homemade cakes, also running coffee and biscuits, then there was receive no compensation for their the Tombola and other stalls. This a very good cookery time or costs. was very much a village event demonstration by a WI Tutor. After and we were all pleased to help Also in July some of our members an excellent lunch we had a tour and even more pleased with the went to a Tea Party at Marlow and history of the college, finishing amount raised. Rowing Club. It was a very the day with a lovely cream tea pleasant afternoon with tea, cakes before we travelled home. This month we had our AGM and a talk by a WI Advisor. where we listened to the Financial At the beginning of September it Statement, the Committee's In August our speaker was Lucy was our 29th birthday meeting. Annual Report and the President's Allen telling us about the highs We celebrated with a birthday Address and Adoption of the and lows of a Stunt Woman's Life. cake, made by our President Pat, Annual Report. After all this Lucy is a professional stunt and wine. Our speaker was Karen business we were pleased to woman and a qualified stunt co Elliott who is a freelance florist. enjoy coffee, cakes and a quiz. ordinator. She has over 20 years She showed us how to make experience in the film and TV several beautiful flower Our Jumble Sale was a huge industries. Lucy told us about her arrangements which she later success we had loads of jumble own personal journey into stunts kindly raffled for some of our and lots of customers. We all and shared her experiences, both members. At the end of worked very hard setting up stalls, scary and hilarious at times, doing September it was The Coffee selling cakes and doing Tombola. the job she loves. Morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Ann Bartlett Where have all the kites gone? For the early part of this summer most days. However, over recent I don't really miss them as I have we had kites nesting in the cedar years there have been many kites long been of the opinion that tree in Loosley House garden. In in the valley. Whenever we there were too many for the area spite of various assaults on their looked out of the window there to sustain without unnatural nesting site by crows and other would be four or five gliding over feeding by local people. The opportunists, they produced a the fields below in search of original aim was that they should very vociferous chick who, as heaven knows what. spread across the country in twos soon as he could fly, spent his and threes to enhance the bird Now ours are the only ones, no time sitting in the top of the ash population. However, the other kites appear to be sharing tree yelling to be fed from 4am to sudden reduction in the their space. This is not all, there 9pm which wasn't bad going! population has intrigued me and I seems to be very few in Lacey wonder whether anyone has an His poor parents were worn Green, Saunderton and explanation? ragged! Eventually he set off to Risborough, the odd one begin foraging himself and is still certainly, but not the numbers Ginnie Brudenell living in our trees and we see him from a year or so ago.

22 Happy Wanderers Lane End End via A very large turnout of Moor members of the Happy Common Wanderers Club assembled in and to the Lane End village car park on enjoy a a wonderfully warm and sunny morning morning. Having endured some coffee at cold and wet conditions during the earlier walks everyone was Grouse determined to make the most of and Ale. the benign summer weather.

The leaders of our walk were The Ham bleden Valle Peter and Jo Clee, who live in main y Lane End, and who were very group of 19 walkers continued to familiar with the various along a farm track running from cut the walk a little short so we options to suit our members. Bolter End towards Little Frieth returned via Moorend Common which commanded some to join the others at the Grouse Initially 26 walkers plus and Ale where we were served several canine companions, beautiful views towards the Hambleden Valley. The wheat with some very appetising under the supervision of lunches. Badger, leader of the dog fields were still awaiting harvest section, set off over Ditchfield so some of the fields had Peter Clee Common. We went past the restricted paths around the village church and through a edges and at one point we wooded area towards Bolter were walking through a head End. The route had been height maize crop. Cookham Moor Our walk on Sunday 28th chosen carefully to avoid stiles Our route meandered towards August started from the National or steep climbs. Frieth and the walkers were Trust car park on Cookham able to admire several quaint After about a mile the shorter Moor. We had a gentle climb up village houses along a country route walkers, led by Jo, and across the John Lewis golf lane. After Frieth it was decided branched off to return to Lane course on Winter Hill from where we enjoyed fine views of the countryside and the River Thames. Our return to the car park was along the tow path past the Bounty public house which interestingly can only be reached by either the river or on foot via the tow path!

A most enjoyable walk of about 4.25 miles which was not marred despite some light showers. Lunch was enjoyed by a number of members at The Crown on Cookham Moor. Ron Collins or Cookham Mo 23 Obituary for John Mortham John Mortham had lived in the people, and it was his great boast village for 23 years. He was that no one in his department born in 1930 in Oxford near the had ever failed an exam, until the Thames, and he soon became training was taken over by proficient at all water sports, Universities. including swimming, diving, When Sir Ludwig Guttman built rowing, canoeing and even ice the Stadium for the Disabled at skating. He did well at junior the back of the hospital, John school, and gained a scholarship was asked to help found a to Magdalen College School. In 1993, John married his second Lifesaving Club, which provided wife, Rosemary, and moved to He excelled at maths and all the lifeguards for disabled Lacey Green. For many years, as sciences though the arts were events for many years. A junior part of his job, he had been never his strong subjects. He section was begun and in order overseeing Pest Control at the enjoyed many sports, including to retain the interest of the Hospital. When the opportunity rugby and boxing. The family teenagers, he bought a boat, and came to take early retirement, he was not able to support him began lifeguard patrols on the decided to set up a business on through university, so he began Thames. Their activities included his own. He thoroughly enjoyed work in the Public Health providing a Safety Boat at this, as it gave him the Laboratory at Oxford, where he Henley Regatta and looking after opportunity to meet many could train on the job. He was the pool at the Boat Show. John people, who were always glad to soon called for National Service, gained a Distinction in lifesaving see him. and served two years in the labs and became a Royal Lifesaving at Woolwich Hospital, where he Society Instructor and Examiner. Things started to go wrong when was able to continue his training. He also became a Royal he fell from a locomotive and Yachting Association Examiner broke his neck. He made a good After returning to Oxford, he for power boats. recovery, surprising the doctors, achieved qualifications in but shortly after this he was Bacteriology, Haematology and During the cold war, John was found to have a heart problem, Parasitology. He moved to involved with emergency and was given a replacement Aylesbury, where he became a planning at the County Offices. valve. He was now retired, and Senior Technician at Stoke He finished his career in the was able to spend much more Mandeville Hospital, mainly in laboratory as Senior Chief time at Quainton with his engine. Bacteriology, but he was Medical Laboratory Scientific expected to deal with all Officer. In 2013, he began to show signs departments when he was On of Parkinsonism and dementia, In 1969, Quainton Railway Call at night. but he and Rosemary were still Society was formed. John was able to enjoy life. Both The extra income allowed him to able to pursue his great passion conditions worsened, so that by marry his first wife, Margaret. in life, and became one of their 2016 he was confined to a They had two children, Angela first members. Railways were in wheelchair. It was no life for and Anthony. John continued his blood. Many family members such an active man, but he had his sporting interests, and had worked on the railways, many good friends who came to completed the Devizes to including his grandfather, help him, and to whom Westminster canoe race (an another John Mortham, but Rosemary is very grateful. overnight marathon). He was known as Hellfire Jack. In 1972, running the local scout troupe, John was able to purchase his He died in the early hours of 21st and later began to run the Rover own locomotive, a Peckett, July 2016, at the age of 85 years. Scouts in Princes Risborough. number 2105, which he named His was truly a full and active life Rokeby, after the Mortham of which his family is very proud. Throughout his life, John was family estates in always keen to encourage young Northumberland. Rosemary Mortham

24 Golden Joinery which encompass the concepts philosophical idea from Kintsugi of nonattachment, acceptance that the broken pot can be re of change, and fate, as aspects of made with golden joinery, a human life which are to be golden repair, in order to be celebrated rather than rejected. even more valuable than it was before certainly rings true for me. I came across these quotes from a book on the subject of Kintsugi Christians believe the essence of by the writer Christy Bartlett: the Christian faith to be primarily “Not only is there no attempt to and essentially about salvation I have recently heard about the hide the damage, but the repair is and the opportunity to begin a about the Japanese art of literally illuminated” …. and “the new life with a clean slate in the Kintsugi , which means “golden vicissitudes of existence over sense that the regrets and joinery”; also known as time, to which all humans are remorse of the past, the past Kintsukuroi meaning “golden susceptible, could not be clearer mistakes for which we repent, repair”. This is the art, or perhaps than in the breaks, the knocks, are not forgotten but redeemed we should say philosophy, of and the shattering to which so that we are set free to repairing pottery with lacquer ceramic ware too is subject. continue our life’s journey. dusted or mixed with gold, silver And so this truly means that the In these Autumn days we are or platinum. older and more wellworn we reminded by the beauty of the I read that Kintsugi philosophy, become, the more valuable we world around us that life is which has its origins in ideas from become. In the western world precious, more precious than any Zen Buddhism by the way, treats under the pressures of inanimate object. So that, breakage and repair as part of consumerism, we are prone to according to the principles of the history of an object. discard those things which are “golden joinery”, just as we worn and regarded as no longer rightly celebrate the glories of the In other words, having been useful. And our contemporary natural world, so too we can broken and repaired, and having culture can treat people this way celebrate the glories of our own a history, makes an object more too. The art and philosophy of achievements; and rather than be beautiful not less so as we in the Kintsugi calls us to think again crushed by the times when we Western world might be and look for increasing value in have got it wrong, we can rejoice conditioned to think. Japanese that which the world can be so in the times when we have got it aesthetics values the beauty of quick to write off and dismiss. gloriously right! something which is flawed and imperfect by reason of the marks Kintsugi is about seeing that, This is indeed intrinsic to the of wear and tear of having been instead of having lost a past celebration of the great festival of used. glory, the things which are truly Christmas which, at this season of value do indeed have a glory of the year, seems to be drawing This can be seen as a rationale which magnifies with the passing ever closer and closer; and for keeping an object around of time instead of being through which we celebrate even after it has broken and as a diminished. once more the song of the angels justification of Kintsugi itself. That of peace and goodwill, of joy to is by way of highlighting the For me, all of this resonates with the world. This is a timeless cracks and repairs as simply an the biblical imagery we have message which echoes down the event in the life of an object from Jeremiah Chapter 18 of a aeons and which we hear once rather than allowing its service to creator God who functions as a more each Christmas as if it come to an end at the time of its potter, and of ourselves, his were gold dust trickling through damage or breakage. people, as the clay which he our fingers. moulds and shapes, and re Kintsugi evidently stems from moulds and reshapes over the Tony Bundock elements of Japanese philosophy course of our lives. The Vicar of St. John’s

25 Heavenly Bodies Aren’t eyes amazing! When Fabulous Saturn is now leaving plus blue nebulosity swirling looking at the night sky, they act our skies, but has been replaced around the cluster (see image). as our very own onboard space by Venus – in about the same ‘Seven’ refers to how many stars capsules transporting us vast area of the sky. Look southwest the ancient Greeks thought distances across the Galaxy and at around sunset, and locate the could be seen with the naked beyond. It’s instantaneous eco big, bright beacon of white light eye, but most sharpeyed space travel. near the horizon. Venus will observers can make out 1420. steadily climb higher over One of the treats in store for our While you’re marvelling at Orion coming weeks and months, and peepers takes places on the and the Pleiades, thank your initially will appear to get closer evening of Monday 14th lucky eyes, because they have to Mars to its left. At the start of NovemberNovember. They will see the beamed you 1,500 and 440 December, the crescent Moon “Supermoon”. It will be the lightyears respectively without will point out the planets of biggest, closest and brightest Full having to leave your garden. ‘War’ and ‘Love’ (see diagram). Moon of the year. In fact, it’s the And the same scene will be closest to Earth the Moon will repeated from New Year’s Eve Chris Dignan have come so far this century, for a few evenings to help and it won’t be as near again for welcome in 2017! another 18 years. How close is ‘close’? It’ll be about 222,500 Don’t forget to ask your ‘on miles away (or 356,000km) board space capsules’ to find the which is 20,000 miles nearer distinctive shape of Orion (see than average. www.laceygreen.com – Hallmark – November 2014 ). The Moon will appear even Below the threestar ‘belt’ of bigger if you can catch it while it Orion is the famous Orion is low in the sky near the Nebula, a vast cloud of gas and horizon, housetops or hilltops. dust giving birth to new stars. It This is due to the socalled can be seen as a mysterious ‘Moon Illusion’ which happens fuzzy patch with the naked eye, when your brain and eyes try to and as a bright glowing ‘ghost’ make sense of the Moon near with binoculars. A telescope and the Earthly surroundings, making DSLR camera can really tease it seem huge. Look out for the out details of the cloud which is Moon in the east between 5pm being lit up by the new stars and 7pm on the night (clouds within (see image). permitting) to experience this phenomenon for yourself. Following the three stars of the belt to where they point from left On 22nd DecemberDecember, you may to right brings you to the be able to spot some ‘shooting celebrated “Seven Sisters” star stars’ fizzing across the sky in the cluster in Taurus (see same Ursid Meteor Shower. The online Hallmark issue as above). flashes of light will be dust This is formally known as the particles left by the trail of Comet Pleiades, and contains young, 8P/Tuttle, which comes around hot stars which were born about just under every 20 years. The 20 million years ago. They can Ursids are not the most intense be easily seen with the naked meteor display of them all, but eye, and are gorgeous through are worth watching as anything binoculars. A telescope and could happen! camera show even more stars,

26 St John’s Church Special Christmas services at St Regular Services at St. John’s John’s Church Church SUNDAY 13th Nov Remembrance Service at 10:00am 8.00am Holy Communion (1662) every Sunday 20th Nov Bereavement Service at 3:00pm 10.00am All age Worship Communion 27th Nov Advent Carol Service at 4:pm 1st Sunday of the month. 4th Dec Christingle Service at 10:00am 10.00am Parish Communion 2nd, 3rd, 4th, (&5th) Sundays 11th Dec Parish All Age Worship and Toy Service or the Salvation Army at Junior Church at 10.00am – all services other 10:00am than 1st, held in upper room. 18th Dec Nine Lessons & Carols at 6:00pm TUESDAY 24th Dec Crib Service at 3:30pm 9.30am Communion in Lady Chapel at St. John’s. 24th Dec ‘Midnight’ Holy Communion at WEDNESDAY 11:15pm 10.30.am Team Communion Service at Chapter House, St. Mary’s Church, Princes Risboro’. 25th Dec Usual Services at 8am and 10am School Assemblies during term time are held on 27th Dec St John’s Anniversary service at Friday mornings 9.15 am at St.John’s and 10.00 11:30am followed by wine & cake am at Speen.

HARVEST FESTIVAL We had a lovely Harvest Service on the 2nd October in the Church, which was beautifully decorated with flower arrangements and vegetables. Following the service, the congregation and others went to the School Hall where our choir had prepared an excellent Harvest Lunch, which was enjoyed by all. £561.80 was raised from the lunch together with £254.10 raised from the auction of produce. Our grateful thanks to all the choir for providing an excellent celebration! We are looking for someone to revive the Toddler Praise session. If you would like to help (possibly with others) please speak to Pat Richards. If you know of anyone who would like to receive Holy Communion at home, or would like a home visit, please contact churchwardens Mrs Pat Richards on 01844 345452 or Mr Dick Field on 01494 562231. Please do come and experience the warm Harvest Festival Auction welcome in our lovely Church.

27 Organisation Meetings Contact Phone Email address

Happy Wanderers Walking Club Full walk last Sun of the month 10.30 Ronnie Lewin 274961 [email protected]

Happy Wanderers Walking Club Short walk (2-3 miles) 2nd Wed 10.30 Linda Taylor 345261

Horticultural Society 3rd Wed of Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sep, Alison Shreeve [email protected] Nov. 8 pm Kinder Gym & Melody Minors Baby to 5 years. Fridays during term. Jenny Stothard 344441 [email protected] After school classes for up to Year 3 Gabby Kenny 07793 80745 LG Singers Thursday evenings in term time Denise Kinnard laceygreensingers@hotmail. com Lacey Green Productions Theatre, drama, and sometimes food [email protected]

Windmill Under 5s Mon-Fri 9.00-12.00 or 1.30 if your child Paula Cunningham 07502 198405 [email protected] stays for lunch Windmill WI (evenings) 1st Wed of month except Jan. 7.45 pm Daphne Willash 01494 562455 [email protected]

High Wycombe & District U3A 4th Wed afternoon of the month Theresa Hehir 01494 881170 [email protected]

Youth Club Alternate Fridays - see laceygreen.com Jenny Stothard 344441 [email protected] web site for details 7.30 pm Over 50s Pub Lunch Club Black Horse. First Tuesday of the Betty Tyler 344606 month Yvonne Axe 345216 Short Mat Bowls Club Monday 2 pm Leigh Axe 345216 [email protected]

LG Sports Club Secretary Stephanie Dell 07768 831196 [email protected]

LG Sports Club - Cricket Jonathan Dell 07786 386912

LG Sports Club - Tennis Nigel Glenister 342771 [email protected]

LG Sports Club - Football Ben Foster 344906 [email protected]

Karate Monday evenings Stephen Fincham 07540 531034 [email protected]

Whiteleaf Bowmen Wed, Thu & Fri evenings, Apr to Sep Brenda Cordwell, Sec 01494 485037 www.whiteleafbowmen.org.uk

Pilates Classes Tuesday mornings Sue Croxford 346656 [email protected]

Wycombe District Council Graham Peart 01494 488327 [email protected] v.uk Bucks County Council Carl Etholen 01494 564771 [email protected]

St John's Church Pat Richards 345452 [email protected]

LG Community Planning Group Tony Molesworth 344975 [email protected]

Scouts (Naphill & Hughenden) Peter Byerley 01494 565955 [email protected]

Parish Council Susanne Griffiths 275912 [email protected]

LG Post Office Monday and Thursday 9 am to 12 noon

LG Windmill Sundays & Bank holidays 2 to 5 pm Michael Hardy 275871 [email protected] April to September g.uk Millennium Hall Clive Hodghton 343113 [email protected]

Millennium Hall bookings Karen Hodghton 274254 [email protected]

The Black Horse Quiz night last Sunday of every month Lynne Comley 345195 [email protected] at 8pm Police Andy Ralph 101

28 Hallmark is published quarterly by Our aim is to mirror the mark that We welcome news from all the the Lacey Green & Loosley Row the Village Hall makes upon our Village clubs, societies, church and Millennium Hall Management community, to publish the school, stories of local interest and Committee, although opinions activities of all Village entries for the Village Diary. expressed in comment or organisations, and to provide a A version of this printed Hallmark contribution do not necessarily forum so that the rights, the may be found on our website represent the collective view of wrongs, the wellbeing of village www.laceygreen.com , which also that committee. life can be aired. has breaking news and many additional articles & photos. HALLMARK EDITOR Mike Piercy, Malmsmead, Kiln Lane, Lacey Green, Bucks HP27 0PU ( just before the pond on the right) 01844 344021 Email [email protected] ADVERTISING MANAGER Chris Baker, "Woodpeckers", Kiln Lane, Lacey Green, Bucks HP27 OPT (past the pond on the left) 01844 275442 Email [email protected] VILLAGE HALL BOOKINGS Clive or Karen on 01844 274254 (answering service)

LACEY GREEN POST OFFICE VILLAGE HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE Open Monday and Thursday 9.00 to 12.00 Clive Hodghton (Chair) LACEY GREEN STORES Sue D’Arcy (Secretary), Village Hall 9.00 am 12 Noon every week day Leigh Axe (Treasurer), COFFEE MORNINGS Karen Hodghton (Booking Sec.), Held in Village Hall 10am12 noon Thursdays. Chris Baker, Yvonne Axe, Friendly chatting with tea or coffee & biscuit Stella Boll, Jane Brown, Cathryn Davies, Ginnie Brudenell, Jill Gosling

LACEY GREEN WINDMILL The windmill is closed during the Winter. The mill will be open from 2 pm to 5 pm on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays from the beginning of April 2017.

For further details about visiting the mill, such as access, facilities, location, and travelling. See www.laceygreenwindmill.org.uk or telephone Michael or Betty Hardy on 01844 275871.

Printed by PK Inprint Ltd 01494 452266 CLOSING DATE FOR COPY FOR THE FEBRUARY EDITION January 17th 2017

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