The Villager Newsletter for Slapton, Horton and Grove January 2021

2021 SOS - Spirit of Slapton It is expected that we should be able to complete the project during this coming year - the only question is whether we In 2016 The Spirit Of Slapton was formed to by Jayne can stretch to putting bells in the tower rather than the 5 as it Tardieu and Jacqui Rolando to raise funds for local projects. currently stands. In the 3 years they were active Spirit of “Thank you again to everyone who has so generously Slapton have held many fund raising contributed to this project which will be a legacy for the events and we are delighted to announce village for many years to come.” Wendy and David Mann, that thanks to their donations and Holy Cross Church Slapton dedication to local causes another two important local projects now have New Goal Posts After a very long and challenging 2020 funding available. we are pleased to announce that new goal posts have been installed at the Recreation Ground. Thanks to a very The Church Bell fund and new goal posts generous donation from the Spirit of Slapton group, a grant in the recreation ground can now move towards completion from the Local Area Forum (thank you Anne Wight) and thanks to the generous efforts of Jayne and the Spirit of Parish Council monies these new Youth size goal posts Slapton. Other local projects to benefit from their kind were put in place on a very chilly day just after Christmas. donations have been bench Hopefully the children and possibly older residents (more on tables in the recreation ground that another time) of the Parish will get a lot of enjoyment and toys for the after school club from this new equipment. At the Spirit of Slapton events have present moment the ground around

included A spectacular 40's night, the posts is very boggy, particularly quiz nights, a bingo and games at the far end by the play family night. Childrens reindeer equipment, but we are sure things races, and two large Summer will dry up quickly in the Spring. Fayre events with live music. Happy New Year to all our Parishioners. Jayne explained, so many of the local people helped all our Slapton Parish Council events come to fruition so we thank them all. The committee members, Paul Voltzenlogel, Pam Waugh, Village Noticeboard Lorna and Graham Mann, Jayne Tardieu, assistance members, Jane Savage, Jenny Hill, Rhoda Crickmay, Phil Coronavirus support and information, updated regularly, can and Jo Bradley, Renate Taylor, Liz Allen, Madeleine Hill be found at and Sally and Keith Rhian. www..gov.uk/coronavirus Jayne is keen to include new members from the Slapton Horton Grove Support Group community, as once the pandemic is over l, the parish can Providing support to our pensioners and most vulnerable again enjoy Spirit of Slapton events and the benefits it self isolators Shopping, prescriptions, assistance, chat. brings to the community. [email protected] From all the residents of Slapton Horton and Grove, thank you Jayne and the Spirit of Slapton for your kindness and 01525 222131 or text 07771570314 dedication to our community. Check our village website regularly The Villager was sent this note from Holy Cross Church : www.slapton-pc.org For local updates and information and support within our “We’d like to thank Spirit of Slapton for all the good work village during the covid-19 crisis they do fund raising for various projects in the village. Through various different fund raising events they raised a www.facebook.com/slaptonhortongrove considerable amount of money which they donated to our www.facebook.com/groups/Slapton Bells project - we are thankful to them and everyone else who donated funds. Although this has had a number of Next Meeting of Parish Council delays, with some extra donations we are now in the 13 January 2021 8pm Zoom. position of being able to start the actual works with TLB Details www.slapton-pc.org BellHangers from Woburn. Hello Everyone! have done for us and we would like to welcome Frank Wakefield as the new Chair. Frank has served on the Parish Our villages looked beautiful over the Christmas holidays, Council for many years, and brings a great deal of local thank you to everyone who brightened us up during our knowledge and experience to the role. Congratulations Christmas in lockdown. Frank from all of us. Slapton Horton and Grove residents again showed great My thanks as always to Judith and the support group, who generosity of spirit with many kind offers of a Christmas are still offering their support to the community and is able to lunch to those in the community that may have been help should you need transport for vaccinations. You are all struggling during our tier 4 restrictions. My thanks to amazing. everyone who kindly volunteered. It is with more than a little sadness I am stepping down as We have had amazing news to start Editor of Villager, at least for a short while, off our 2021. Jayne and The Spirit of as conflicting responsibilities to the village Slaptons’ fundraising has ensured have made it difficult to continue. I have our Church Bells restoration project loved producing every issue of Villager can now go ahead, and kindly have and would be delighted to pass the baton contributed, alongside to anyone who might like to take over the to fund our reigns of our fabulous publication. new football goals. Thank you John for putting them in place for us this The last year has been full of ups and week. downs and it has been wonderful to see the friendship, kindness and generosity of our community, We also have good news on the Church emergency repairs, and we look forward to being able to come out of the Covid- Dave and Wendy have now have raised the funds and works 19 restrictions currently placed upon us to be able to see our are now completed to secure our historic church wall. This friends and neighbours again. will secure the building until work for the future is decided. Slapton Horton and Grove you are AWESOME! Slapton Parish Council have had a few changes recently, Melinda Woof, has stepped down from the committee due to Much love Emma xx work pressures, we would all like to thank you Mel for all you Highlights of 2020 And most importantly we all supported each other November 2020

October 2020

September 2020

August 2020

July 2020

Christmas in Slapton Horton and Grove 2020 Lighting up our Villages for Christmas Christmas Tree Slapton Horton and Grove looked beautiful over the Our village Christmas tree Christmas period, raising our spirits despite spending looked beautiful again this Christmas in lockdown. year, our thanks to Slapton Parish Council for supplying Christmas Lights Winner the tree, to Gerallt Griffiths Our Light up for Christmas competition this year was won by for providing the expertise John, Naomi and Arron O’Dwyer on Mill Road. Thank you to hook up the electricity for lighting up our spirits over the cabling and to Rhoda and Christmas holiday with your fabulous Nick Crickmay for kindly display. supplying the electricity to our tree throughout the Christmas holidays.

Our go thanks to them all, our tree certainly brightened up our village. Lighting us up while we were in Lockdown.

Elizabeth Griffin Memorial Hall

Although the Hall was closed we decided to go ahead and put up a tree which we hoped would help to cheer everyone up during this very unusual Christmas.

Pictured right is Pippi Griffin, who due We would like to thank to the challenges of social bubbling, Gerallt Griffiths for getting and being dressed as an elf at the the tree, putting it up and time, volunteered to judge our decorating it. We hope that it had the Christmas Garden Lights Competition desired effect. Madeline Carman Chair Elizabeth Griffin Memorial Hall. Our Community Groups Slapton Craft Club Slapton Senior Citizen Group Throughout the lockdowns during 2020 we have kept in touch Considering we have not been able to meet as a craft club for with each other by means of a conference call on a Thursday, around 9 months, the group is flourishing! We all have a daily set up for us by Dave Mann. chat on messenger and have supported each other through good and not so good days. The amount of crafting done has We are extremely grateful for this opportunity to have a natter been amazing and the work produced and shown to each with each other. During the last few months, on the first other via our messages has had us all excited and eager to do more. Thursday of each month we have played bingo via the phone. This has proved very We are so lucky in our lovely group to successful, especially when we played a special Christmas have a huge range of talents meaning game! we are learning all the time! It is our intention to continue having our meetings via the So we will continue to chat to each telephone in 2021, even more so now we are in lockdown other and share our works via social again! media until we can all meet again, hopefully , in the not to distant future. The phone calls are free for an hour. If anyone would like to We wish everyone A Happy New Year ! join us we would warmly welcome you.

Pam Please phone me if you are interested – 01525 221413. Our next meeting will be Thursday 7th January 2021. Wishing your all peace, good health and lots of lovely times to look forward to! Shirley Burrell 221413

Slapton Family Club Slapton WI Hello everyone! We had a Christmas party on zoom last week, we handed out Wishing you all a very Happy New Year! Let’s hope we start goodie bags in the morning and all opened them at the same to see some normality in our lives soon?! I hope you were time at the zoom party it was great fun. We had great time able to have a lovely Christmas, albeit a much quieter one and lots of laughs as we are all new to this technology. than usual. Madeleine x My thanks again to all who donated gifts for the Domestic Abuse charity. We had a couple more donations after our last villager were published, so again sending my thank yous. Over 1800 presents were delivered in total over the areas, which is just fantastic! It looks like our gatherings in the park are a way off yet, but let’s hope it’s not too long! The Christmas lights around the village looked great too, we have enjoyed looking at them on our walks! In the meantime, keep safe and keep enjoying our lovely countryside fresh air. All the best Kirsti x

Would you like to donate food? St. Mary’s Church in is open every day from 8.30 until 5pm or you can leave donations in the porch. Any packets, tins The 100 Club or dry goods welcome especially longlife milk and tinned

Have you joined the100 Club 2001 yet? if not you are not too cooked meat or pies. late as the first draw will be at the end of the month So do it Do you know of anyone who is in need of food or are you short now and help support your Village Hall. of food yourself or need someone to shop for you?

Winner for December prize of £100 with Ball 36 was David Please contact Sandra on 01296 668648 or Babs on 07860 DeButt 780127 To Join the 100 Club contact Madeline Carman on 220393 All calls will be dealt with confidentially and we will arrange for a box of food to be left on the doorstep Holy Cross Church Slapton Dear Friends Happy New Year to you all! I hope you have had as nice a Christmas break as you were able to in the circumstances. As you know, the government guidelines and the spread of the virus meant we had to cancel our socially distanced churchyard carol service which we had planned and instead ran a virtual service on facebook which I hope was enjoyed by all. During this crucial period, we will continue with the online services at 9:30am every Sunday on facebook and on the telephones. I am thinking of live streaming to youtube as well for those that have a problem signing into Facebook. As reported last month, the emergency repairs are completed and we now have quite a bit of tidying, plastering and general making good including thorough deep clean of the church! The services in the church will resume when safe to do so - which may be a little while! Again a big thank you to everyone in the village who continue to support the church - its a difficult time for all of us so we really do appreciate your support. Our services are as follows: Every Sunday @9:30am facebook.com/holycrossslapton/live - 0330 606 1118 Room No: 297713 Other services in the Benefice.

All Saints - please ring John on 01296 662252 St Marys Ivinghoe - ring Sandra on 01296 668648

The January Parish News has arrived - if you want a copy of this, please help yourself from the box in our porch (17 Rectory Close) (normally 35p per copy to cover printing costs - details in the Parish News) as we are not delivering or collecting money as we are in Tier 4 lockdown.

Wishing you a healthy and Happy New Year filled with FIRST SESSION IS ALWAYS FREE. everlasting hope for us all. At Demon Fitness we continue to run classes 6 days a With our very best wishes week, with a variety of classes to suit everyone. Wendy and David Mann We offer live classes on Zoom and Facebook Churchwardens Holy Cross Slapton and our outdoor and indoor classes are going from strength to strength with the addition of SAQ Drill Training and the opportunity of 121 Training with Chris. Revised Library Service From 3rd December 2020 Classes include, Hiitstep Metafit, Resistance Training,Boot We shall be resuming library visits – with a limited number being Camps, Metapwr ,Gentle Aerobics, Metapro and much more. allowed at one time in the library Classes are no more than 45 minutes long and can be adapted for all abilities. Tuesdays 2 – 5pm, Thursdays 2 – 5pm Alternate Saturdays 10 - 1pm (starting 5th December) Are you looking to release your inner fitness demon? Further information, including Christmas arrangements, will be posted on the website. Contact us for more information. Facebook at demonfit66six or contact me for further information Books may be returned to the drop box when the Town Hall Foyer [email protected]

Tel 07941177666 News from the Wing and Ivinghoe Community Board • Supporting victims of abuse affected by Covid-19 with As Chairman of our Wing and Ivinghoe Community Board, I £2,139 towards funding a Crisis Councillor for Vale thought I might take this opportunity to give you and update as to and Milton Keynes Sexual Assault and Abuse Support Service; how our board activities are progressing. As you may know, the Nearly £48,000 in total for traffic calming in Ivinghoe, Cublington Wing and Ivinghoe Community Board is made up of local and parishes as well as improved road signing and residents, groups and organisations along with local elected lining in Aston Abbots. councillors. Its purpose is to bring people together with Buckinghamshire Council to identify what matters most to our We still have substantial budget left for project funding this year, area and find solutions to address those issues. so if you’d like to join the working groups looking at how this money is best spent, do get in touch. I am pleased to say that we have successfully identified priorities for action and our subcommittees have already come together The only upside of the Covid-19 pandemic is that it has reminded and are making plans to focus on these. For our board, us all of the strong spirit of cooperation and support in our area. stakeholders felt that our focus for this year should be on the So our Community Board, made up of local residents, groups environment (including littering and wildlife), transport, health and and organisations along with local elected councillors, was wellbeing for all, and Covid-19 recovery. More specifically, our delighted to put forward nominations for the Wing and Ivinghoe subcommittees are working on improving our amenity and area in the recent Proud of Bucks Community Awards. These biodiversity by looking at projects to regenerate our countryside awards recognised those who have gone above and beyond and protecting our wildlife. Electric car charging point during coronavirus. infrastructure is another really exciting area which one of our subgroups is devoted to exploring, while our transport I’m delighted to say that the winner for the Wing and Ivinghoe subcommittee is keen to see what traffic calming initiatives might area award was Chedderoo – a village volunteers force who be possible in our local area. These are just some of the ideas formed in response to the Covid-19 crisis to support the local which we are currently working on, and we are very open to community in . The group collected and delivered looking at others. If you feel strongly about any of these or other prescriptions and medication, delivered shopping to those who local issues, we warmly invite you to get involved and have a say were shielding and offered whatever support was needed to local as to what local projects you would like us to take forward – residents. Although we were not able to undertake a full please email us at [email protected]. presentation of the awards in person due to the pandemic, I want to extend my warmest thanks and congratulations to organisers We would also like to thank all of our working groups for their Carol Lister and Gail Steed for all their hard work. Highly proposals of projects to benefit our local communities. I’m very commended also for their commitment to looking out for people happy to say that our Community Board has funds to help tackle during the ongoing difficult times were Tais Bonafe ( these priority issues and so far we have supported the following: Together) and Watermead Volunteer Army. Well done to all the worthy winners! • Varied Covid-19 Community response projects; Finally, I am pleased to announce that you can now find us on • Nearly £4,000 towards play equipment for younger children Facebook – if you search for Wing and Ivinghoe Community at Green; Board you can get all the latest news and find how to get involved. We’d love to hear about what you’re doing and we would be delighted to help spread the word about community events and initiatives in the area, so please do like and follow us!

Slapton Parish Website www.slapton-pc.org

Slapton has its own Parish website. Here you will find all the information pertaining to our local area. Our website carries news and information and is the first place you should look for updates on how the current situation is affecting us locally.

All Parish Council matters can be found here, along with reports from our Buckinghamshire Councillors and news and events.

The website has a variety of links to allow you to report problems to the Council, notify the correct department for potholes, view planning applications and keep up to date with the local Police and Crime reports. Both current and back copies of The Villager can also be found on-line here.

If you have any information that you would like to be published on-line, an event to promote, or to book the Village Hall, please make contact through the relevant page on the website. Parish Council

Following the unexpected resignation of Melinda Woof as As a Parish we owe a huge ‘thank you’ to our outgoing our Parish Council Chairperson, Chairperson, Melinda Woof. Mel has Frank Wakefield was unanimously overseen and been instrumental in supported when he offered himself up placing our Parish Council on a for the position. strong compliance footing, tirelessly ensuring we meet our legal obliga- tions and deliver the support and Frank moved into the Parish back in services our Parishioners deserve 2012 and became a regular member and to which we are entitled. Mel of the public attending Parish Council has driven change from a position of meetings shortly afterwards. In 2016, knowledge, as throughout her term the then Chairman, Brian Williams, she worked for Bucks & Milton filled a vacancy on the Council by co- Keynes Association of Local Coun- opting Frank. cils and as a Parish we have benefit- Frank is a already well known around ed from her thorough understanding our Parish as a Trustee of the Eliza- of all matters. beth Griffin Memorial Hall Committee, a regular helper (you will usually find him manning the beer tent) at the annual Parish Summer Fayre and other Parish events, and as a coordinator for the distribution of the Villag- Mel has recently been appointed as the Parish Clerk of er newsletter. Hughenden, ( a full time position in a Parish in - Frank retired from his financial brokerage business in 2016 shire some ten times the size of Slapton). and now occasionally enjoys a spot of gardening!

VILLAGE HALL INFORMATION & SURVEY DOCUMENT

In December 2019 the Parish Council voted to consult all the villagers on future options for the Village Hall.

To this end an information and survey document will be sent to every household in the next few weeks.

We would greatly appreciate you taking the time to read the document and consider how you would like the Parish Council to act in this matter, then using the voting form respond with your preference.

Once the data has been analysed the Parish Council will try to use your preference in any future projects involving the Village Hall.

Many thanks

Slapton Parish Council

Buckinghamshire Council Council organisation(s) to local active community transport schemes who could benefit from their support. Getting residents to their vaccination appointment Asking for help to get to an appointment Support with transport Please consider whether you have a family member, We are using the Buckinghamshire Community Transport neighbour or other transport option who can get you to your Hub scheme which is commissioned by Transport for Bucks appointment or if you can use public transport. and delivered by Community Impact Bucks. This will help us Buckinghamshire Council residents will be able to use their map all offers of help so we can pass this on to those concessionary bus pass to travel to a vaccination booking the appointments. appointment at any time of the day Organisations who can offer volunteer transport If not, please let your GP Practice know you need transport Organisations, both voluntary and non-voluntary, who can when you are booking your appointment. help by volunteering to drive residents to their vaccination Your Practice will put you in touch with the appropriate appointments, should email Community Impact community transport arrangement. Where there is no Bucks: [email protected] voluntary transport scheme in the area, patients who have Individuals who want to offer volunteer transport ability to pay, will be signposted to Buckinghamshire Council support approved taxi companies. If you wish to offer support as a driver volunteer please Guidance when sharing a car register your details with the volunteering matching service Car sharing is not permitted with someone from outside your on the Community Impact Bucks website. household or your support bubble unless your journey is Where possible, Community Impact Bucks will signpost the undertaken for an exempt reason. An exempt reason includes getting to medical appointments and also getting your vaccination. It is difficult to socially distance during car journeys. Where it is essential to car share, you can reduce the risk of transmission by:

• Sharing the transport with the same people each time

• Minimising the group size at any one time

• Opening windows for ventilation

• Travelling side by side or behind other people, rather than facing them, where seating arrangements allow

• Facing away from each other

• Considering seating arrangements to maximise distance between people in the vehicle

• Cleaning your car between journeys using standard cleaning products – make sure you clean door handles and other areas that people may touch

• Asking the driver and passengers to wear a face covering

Residents in Slapton Horton and Grove have our own support group offering to take residents to vaccination appointments should help be needed. Our thanks to Judith and our wonderful supporters. To contact Judith email: [email protected] tel: 01525 222131 text: 07771 570314

Support on their smartphones. This is the ‘official’ NHS app to support the Test and Trace system.The app doesn’t use personal data other You can find out more about what the rules are in each Tier on the than the first part of a user’s postcode - it works anonymously via government’s website www.gov.uk/Coronavirus. Coronavirus Bluetooth, for details on why it is important, how it helps to trace the support and information, updated regularly, can be found at virus quickly, and user confidentiality please go to our website www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/coronavirus www.slapton-pc.org Slapton Horton Grove Support Group For detailed information about the new COVID-19 NHS App go to www.COVID-19.nhs.uk Happy New Year! Talk about your Worries If you are worried about how I don’t think the traditional greeting has ever been more heartfelt in coronavirus is impacting on you, your family and friends, your my lifetime than this year. What more can we wish our families, finances or your future please talk to someone about your feelings. friends and neighbours at this time than good physical and mental https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/healthyminds/covid/ health in the days ahead? With the announcement of a new total lockdown, I’d like to reassure you all that the Slapton Support Group The North Bucks Patient Support Service is an NHS funded is still ready and willing to help you in any way you need. I know that link between older and vulnerable patients of all the GP Surgeries in many of you have families or supermarket deliveries, to meet your north Buckinghamshire. shopping requirements. Once again, however, there will be many of www.northbuckspatientsupport.info/coronavirus you shielding, and with the recommendation that we all stay at home and www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/coronavirus as much as possible, we will need to limit our journeys. It will not be long before many of our residents will be invited to receive the new Doorstep Posters vaccine. Many residents need regular prescriptions collected, or If you have concerns for anyone within your home who is vulnerable have scheduled medical appointments. Whatever your requirements and has or is within the high risk category for Covid-19 and you - whether you have run out of milk, need a loaf, have to collect a would prefer not to have to answer the door, go to our website prescription, or need help to get to a doctor’s appointment, please www.slapton-pc.org and download the full size posters to display on contact the support group, and we will ensure your problem is your door. resolved. Let’s all look forward to much better times in the spring, and remember….. ...though we are keeping our distance, help is still Residents should check the following link for daily updates about all near at hand. email: [email protected] tel: 01525 council services:https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/community- 222131 text: 07771 570314 and-safety/changes-to-our-services-due-coronavirus/

Coronavirus Testing Site A new walk-through coronavirus www.nspcc.org.uk Calm Zone’ area on their website which testing site has been set up at Buckinghamshire Council’s Gateway has activities from breathing exercises, activities, games and videos building car park in Aylesbury – where it is planned to remain for the to help let go of stress. foreseeable future. How to book a test, symptoms and for more information please go to our website www.slapton-pc.org www.childline.org.uk There is also a very useful Covid 19 support and advice on how we help our children deal with anxieties and Covid-19 NHS App The new NHS COVID-19 app is now live and worries about the virus, to worries about conflict and family is available for people in and Wales to download and use tension.and much more. We Deliver to Slapton Horton and Grove Masons Home Delivery Service We are offering a free home delivery service for the elderly and those who are self isolating from Covid-19 Delivery day to Slapton Horton and Grove is a Tuesday Place orders on 07940 227487 Shopping must be over £20 and paid for either in cash or by card over the phone Your order needs to be placed by noon on Tuesday for delivery after 4pm Groom's Farm Shop Are offering delivery of fresh local produce with priority to the elderly and those in self isolation, please contact info@groomsfarmshop to order. Again the volunteer team have confirmed they can collect orders on Thursdays. www.pharmacy2u offers free delivery of your repeat NHS prescriptions. Hortons Butchers in Totternhoe 1 Chapel Lane Totternhoe 01525 220213 Free delivery to Slapton Horton and Grove if you spend over £30. Delivery Friday/Sunday www.facebook.com/hortonsbutcherstotternhoe/ Useful numbers The Villager would love to hear your news, pictures, and updates for inclusion in the next issue. Please Parish Clerk John Furniss 01462 713424 send to [email protected] Village Hall Bookings Frank 07716 723780

Church Wardens Dave and Wendy 221202 The Villager Copy Date and Advertising Rates Volunteer Helpline Judith 222131 Next copy date to be advised [email protected] or The Villager Emma 01525 221111 Buffalo House, Mill Road, Slapton and speak to Emma on 100 Club Madeline Carman 220393 01525 221111 Family Club Kirsti 07752 269851 Boxed Display rate –Commercial Senior Citizens Club Shirley 221413 Full page - £40 per month The Craft Club Wendy 222776 1/2 page - £25 per month Womens Institute Rhoda 220395 1/4 page - £15 per month Foodbank local 07860 780127 1/8 page - £10 per month Buckinghamshire Council 01296 585858 Boxed Display rates –Non profit Helplines Full page - £25 per month www.nhs.uk Advice on covid-19, childhood illnesses injuries 1/2 page - £14 per month www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk Bucks County Council 1/4 page - £8 per month www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/coronavirus Coronavirus Government help https://www.gov.uk/ If you are receiving a paper copy of The Villager and would coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable prefer to get it by email, contact the editor at [email protected] or Emma Griffin at Buffalo District Council help www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/ House on 221111 coronavirus/community-hub Aylesbury Women’s Aid 01296 436827 www.reducingtherisk.org.uk/cms/content/information-and- advice-buckinghamshire Help and advice on domestic abuse www.bucksmind.org.uk Mind mental/emotional help www.childline.org.uk (free, private and confidential help for children and young people) Childline 0808 800 5000 (adults concerned about a child) Childline 0800111 (help for children)

Editors Note: Contributors to The Villager should be aware that the editor reserves the right to edit text submitted, for reasons of accuracy, sense, clarity, tone, relevance and space. Contact the Editor at [email protected] 01525 221111