Welcome to the February edition A reader suggested to me that a big fundraising drive. Please do we should have a page of fill in the attached questionnaire forthcoming events from and give us your opinion. (and neighbouring villages. I think this come to the AGM on the 13th). is an excellent idea and would be Meanwhile please promote the delighted to include these events Hall to your friends and societies. - we have an advert for St We have some spare weekend Dunstan’s Flower Show overleaf. bookings that are not yet taken If you are involved with an and our Friday daytime slots are organisation in our wider local currently available for any area please feel free to send me organisations or clubs looking for information on your events. an up-market venue. As you can see below, the Thanks again to Barry Chignell Village Hall Committee have for the cover picture . See more Mike Piercy been looking at possible of his work on page 32 and at improvements to the Millennium bscimages.com. Editor Hall but we don’t know how much support there would be for Millennium Hall Enhancements Our magnificent village hall is was the most significant item to We, as a village, are capable of approaching its twentieth be excluded. raising this sum and will certainly birthday. We are always looking We would like to hear your look for grants and ways of help. at ways to improve our facilities views on questions such as:- It is possible but we will need and ways in which we can your backing. improve the letting rate 1. Do we as a village wish to particularly at the weekends. raise funds to add an atrium We need you to reply to our One major project that has been now? questions, either by dropping our questionnaire into the Village considered since the design 2. Would we feel that the Shop/Post Office, Entertainment stage of the new village hall has benefits would be worth the House (Clive’s) been the addition of an atrium or costs incurred? conservatory across the front of Or alternatively email Hallmark 3. Do you feel that the Atrium the hall. This would be a major (karenadvertisinginhallmark@gm would increase our income i.e. improvement, giving more ail.com) with your ideas. space, a large reception area, a wedding receptions and party bright extra room but would lettings both from the village and We shall also add building an come with a significant price tag outside the village? atrium and your responses to the that we, the village hall agenda of the AGM on 13th 4. Do you think that you would management committee, would March at 8pm so please come use this space? therefore like your views on. along and see what the other You may know that the original 5. Would a new car park be villagers think. plans included an atrium. more important? We look forward to your replies. However, when we were quoted Adding an atrium is quite an for the new building the price Village Hall was significantly more than expense, roughly around expected and it was necessary to £100,000, so we really want Committee reduce the cost, and the atrium your views as to whether to go ahead. Please let us know.

2 What’s On

Sat 10 March WI Jumble Sale Village Hall

Tues 13 March Village Hall AGM AGM 13 March 8pm Sat 24 March Horts Club Spring Show Come and give us your views on possible Sat 24 March LG Singers Spring Concert enhancements to the Millennium Hall Sat 28 April Tennis Club Family Competition

Sat 12 May Tennis Club Open Day

Sun 13 May 11am National Mills Day with Horts Club Stall

Happy Wanderers We would welcome you to join us on one of our walks: Sunday February 25th, 4-5 mile walk starting at 10.30am Phone Liz Lewin on 01844 274961

Save The Date! Strawberry Tea will be on 8 July Windmill WI In October we had our bi-annual new tables for the hall. Several prepared a beautiful cold buffet Jumble Sale. We all worked very members went to the Group for us with desserts. We were hard in the morning sorting Meeting at Sands and thoroughly also entertained by The jumble and setting up stalls. We enjoyed the guitarist and vocalist Amersham Band with lovely enjoyed lunch at the Black Horse Andy Smith. carols that we all joined in with. then returned to the Village Hall Our chosen charity for this year to find a queue waiting for us. November opened with the was Bloodbikes, last year Alistair The afternoon passed quickly speaker Eileen Gershon, author Borland, Chairman of SERV came and we were pleased with our of the book 'Nurses never Run'. and spoke to us. result. Eileen was an excellent speaker and kept us all interested with This brings us to the end of We also hosted the Village Quiz her stories of her life as a student another busy year. We meet this month, the winning team nurse in Addenbrookes Hospital. again on Wednesday 7th March was The Whiteleaf Bowmen. Our All sales of her book were at 7.45 pm, you would be very thanks go to all the helpers on donated to The Sick Children's welcome. the evening. We were pleased to Trust. give £70 to the Quiz Master Ann Bartlett Jamie for the Lighthouse Play December was our Christmas Forthcoming event: Saturday Scheme. Also £211 to the Village Meeting and a good time was 10th March - Jumble Sale Hall Funds for the purchase of had by all. The Black Horse Going Going Gone I received a call asking if I would who organised the wonderful and even her 20 month baby be interested in taking on food by Debbie. Isabelle sat spell bound and still organising the annual Windmill on my lap! I decided to advertise it more Art Show and Bistro otherwise it widely and invite my talented It would be a shame for it to fold, would fold, and that it was '"not friend Wendy Lewis to sing some but I have decided I will not be much work'". I said Yes, despite Celtic and Indian songs acapella organising it next year or having two other exhibitions at lunchtime which were very exhibiting, so if anyone is keen to opening the same week! Nudes heart wrenching. I designed an keep it going please get in touch at The Jam Factory in Oxford, 'artists' poster to plaster the area with me at [email protected] and with four other artists at The with, featuring paintings of some Black Gallery. of the exhibitors, As an exhibitor it is a very simple featuring our famous show, in that you turn up Friday and much loved, highly evening and hang all your work, acclaimed Dennis (after the amazing 'men folk' Syrett, with his 'Vicar heave the enormous 8' x 4' super on a bike' masterpiece! heavy boards into place!), then I also got in touch with return Saturday morning to sit by the BFPress asking your exhibition boards all day them to do a feature enjoying the delicious food and but nothing came of it cake from the excellent Bistro sadly. The show went and meet lovely friends and well, the food was people. excellent, but sales and attendance were rather A very happy occasion it was on down. Wendy pierced Saturday. And a big thank you to our hearts with her everyone who made it possible clear and soulful voice and to Val and Peter Brookhouse Horticultural Society

The society started the festive The days are lengthening now We also had two trees brought season in style with our annual and it’s time to start thinking down by snow lying on the ivy Pumpkin Supper and Social event about the new growing season. and a pear tree snapped off by in November. There were Onion seeds can be sown and branches being so laden with numerous pumpkins exhibited you need to plan your vegetable snow. I don’t know why the snow and the largest grown by Nigel plot and what you might want to caused so much trouble here, but Rolfe from . Well done to change in the garden whilst many it settled and stuck fast. all the growers for a fine range of plants are dormant. Don’t forget The first spring show last year was exhibits. that our plant stall on May 13th at a resounding success, so we are the Windmill is an excellent The supper has now become a having another this year. The source of plants, including well-established event in the schedules should be with you in vegetables, fruit and flowers, and calendar and very popular; so this edition of Hallmark. If you very good value for money which popular that this year we had to lose it there will be a copy on the can help in your gardening plans! turn away some late requests for village website tickets. Unfortunately some The first signs of spring are here, http://www.laceygreen.com/Secti people did not let us know that with daffodils, snowdrops and ons/Horticultural_Society/hortsoc they couldn’t make it on the bluebells all beginning to show .php Do think about entering night, even though they had green and many with buds something. We’ve included craft booked, so we ended up with a forming. items and artwork as well this few disappointed people and a year, so there really is something As I write we are planning a few empty places. for everyone of all ages, whether reconstruction of the vegetable horticulture, baking, arts, craft or Could I please ask everyone who and fruit garden due to a massive floral art. We hope to see you on books for the supper to let us collapse of the fruit cage! This March 24th to join in the fun and know if they can’t come – even if was caused by snow which sat on to see how creative and skilled it’s on the actual day? That way the netting we hadn’t got round the people of our villages are. we can offer your place to to taking off. Poles snapped and someone who can come. Thank bent leaving a disaster area. Alison Shreeve you. St John’s School becomes an Academy

For some years the government end they decided that the best questions answered and issues has been encouraging schools to answer is for St John’s to join the were addressed. The governors become academies. Conversion Oxford Diocesan Bucks Schools then decided to formally apply to is not mandatory, but the Trust, ODBST. This is a new the Department of Education to changes in school funding and organisation set up to support join the ODBST MAT. During the reduction of Local Education primary schools in Bucks and autumn term detailed planning Authority support for schools approximately 12 schools are for conversion and “due makes it increasingly difficult for currently looking at joining it. It is diligence” studies were carried single schools to continue to the sister of the established out and now all the existing exist on their own. This applies in Diocese of Oxford MAT which teachers and support staff at St also and the school currently serves 25 schools John’s have now transferred over governors have been planning across Oxfordshire and Windsor to the MAT. the move to academy status for and Maidenhead. the past 18 months. So on February 1st the conversion The MAT will support schools in documents were signed and St The governors at St John’s did the trust to enable school staff to John’s formally joined the new not consider it beneficial to set concentrate on delivering the MAT. In the short term very little up a new academy trust and highest standards of teaching will change, we have the same decided to convert as part of a and care to all pupils. This staff, same curriculum, same Multi Academy Trust (MAT). A support is given through central governors, same admission MAT is a charitable commercial services which are funded policies, same ethos and values. organisation that acts as an through a top slice from the Over the next 6 months we umbrella over a number of academies’ income. ODBST expect that the school’s teachers schools, providing shared academies will automatically be and leadership team, as well as services, economies of scale and provided with support regarding the administrative staff, will start the opportunity for schools to the curriculum, school exploring the opportunities to share best practice and support improvement, HR advice, share best practice techniques each other. finance software, training and and resources with the other advice, governance, premises schools in the MAT and taking The Headteacher and governors and admission appeals. advantage of the greater reviewed the existing MATs in freedoms outside LEA control. the area and evaluated how each During the 2017 summer term option would be in the best the governors carried out various Mike Piercy interests of the children and staff consultations with parents, staff and preserve the school’s and the community; detailed School Governor distinctive Christian ethos. In the information was provided,

6 On The Farm Like any industry, farming is which is consistent, as volatility is are quite simply not the truth. always having to change with the a big problem. Then the But it does make you check your times. There are constantly supermarkets apply their own own practices. But damage is changing demands from the rules. They are protecting and being done to our industry. It is buyers of our products and we promoting their own brands and important to remember that not are always reviewing how we their name is often on the farm everything on social media is as farm and considering how we gate. For instance, there are it seems. can improve. conditions on how many days a Dairy UK has just launched a year the cow must go out to With new machines and promotional campaign graze and what medical technology, new procedures highlighting the nutritional products can be used, also to become possible. Policies are benefits of dairy products, of whom the farms can sell cattle. created by government that which there are many, so The supermarkets are really cause farmers to change their hopefully consumers will see deciding the direction in which direction. Worryingly there is a these. A lot might be on social dairy farming is heading. new Agricultural Act probably media but you may see adverts going to be rushed through Mechanical technology is at train stations and on the tube. parliament before Brexit. The developing rapidly. Many Look out for adverts by “The taste of the public changes, tractors are linked to satellite Ministry of Scrumptious Affairs”. leaner meat is a perfect example. which means they can be At Stocken we are working our Some people have strong views steered in exact directions within way through winter. Passing the of how farming should be done, a couple of centimetres, avoiding shortest day always feels we are some of these are possible and unnecessary work. Often the heading in the right direction. As others just not feasible. driver only steers when turning you know we have had a fair bit at the end of the field. The The one thing that doesn’t of snow so far. It’s difficult to see tractors can have the ability to change for us is our aim to much good in it from the farm’s reduce tyre pressures in the field produce quality food that people point of view, apart from if it is to reduce soil compaction, then want and need to eat, in a deep enough it buries the oil up the pressure for road work sustainable and economic way. seed rape which stops the without the driver even having to pigeons eating it. Our milk buyer Arla is constantly leave his seat. tweaking our supply contract to We had one night when the milk Combines can record yields of get the supply of milk they tanker didn’t get to us. For some crops as they are harvested, then require for their contracts. reason he went up the wrong a yield map can be created to Recently we have seen price road and got stuck. For the first help management decisions for rises for supplying milk with time ever we had to discard that field in the following year. higher butterfat and protein some milk as we didn’t have Some forage harvesters have an percentages. We get paid more room to store it. Generally the on-board analysis facility that for milk produced in August to drivers do very well, driving in constantly tests the forage as it is December than January to July, conditions that are not good for harvested for its protein, energy to encourage more in the late a 4x4 let alone an artic’ lorry. and dry matter. All these summer/autumn when the products would be useful but The next article will be written national milk supply is lowest. they come with large price tags April. What changes to report They want to be able to collect that have to be justified. then? Well, for one, it will be from us anytime 24 hours a day, Spring. to keep their tankers moving. Recently there has been campaigns by vegan groups. Recently a number of dairy farms Joan West Some of them are anti dairy have formed into supermarket farming. Many farmers find this producer groups. They are paid very upsetting and annoying as on a cost of production formula they often put forward facts that

7 Burns Night Celebrations! Burns Night, in memory of the A great night of Burns verse, Scottish poet, Robert Burns, is tartan, whisky, Scottish dancing traditionally celebrated annually and laughter was had by us all. on 25th January. We enjoyed a delicious three We held our charity event on course Burns supper, prepared Saturday 20th January, hosted by by ‘Four Seasons Catering’, with Matt and Wendy Randall, at the a whisky toast to the haggis Lacey Green Millennium Hall. ‘warm reekin, rich’!

After our meal, we cleared the tables back and danced the night away with a customary which helped to raise funds for Scottish Ceilidh. the Chiltern MS centre. Maisie The evening Randall also ran a raffle for her ended with a lively chosen Botswana charity, ‘Bana rendition of Burns’ Ba Letsatsi’. most famous So, if you are partial to a haggis piece, ‘Auld Lang dinner, enjoy Scottish dancing, Syne’! like to wear tartan and hear the The organisers bagpipes, join us again in 2019! would like to thank Details will be revealed later this all who came year! along to the evening, Sarah Halliday

BECOME A CHORISTER WITH THE CHURCH JUNIOR CHOIR Learn a varied range of music under the direction of our organist and choir trainer Cheron Mole.

Become part of the Royal School of Church Music’s Voice for Life Scheme, working towards attainment of Ribbon and Medal Awards, from probationers Light Blue Ribbon up to Red and Green Head Chorister and Bishop’s Choristers awards.

Acquire social skills, including self–discipline, team work, and the ability to perform under pressure.

Lead the singing in church at both regular services and special events such as Weddings and Carol Singing

Read in public

Perform in Junior Choir Concerts.

Opportunities to develop leadership qualities

Have fun and make life-long friendships.

Enquiries to: Rosemary Mortham 01844 34586 Junior Choir members promoting the and Cheron Mole 01844 342303 “Church and School” activities

8 The Turnpike Trust THE was not only very steep but upturn in use, for although most TURNPIKE TRUST, known today tracked from side to side to people walked from the villages as the A4010, was first debated lessen the gradient. In 1831- to the station it did a busy trade at meetings held in 1794 in 1835 the Overseers of Princes in goods for which cart traffic Princes Risborough. The route of Risborough Parish – at the would have to use the road. this turnpike, originally from expense of the Turnpike Trust – By 1866 income was falling World’s End to rebuilt the steepest half mile of again and the trustees applied to was approved by Act of the hill, from the Ridgeway to the Parliament to wind up the Trust. Parliament in 1795. Shootacre Lane junction. They They eventually obtained drove a new gently curving road Money was secured against the permission and it ended on 1st through the middle of the former tolls that were set up. Two November 1871. ‘S’ shape. They excavated notable trustees were John cuttings to even out the gradient At their meeting on 27th Grubb, of , Lord of and some of the spoil from this December 1871 to finalise the the Manor of Princes was carried downhill to form a trust’s affairs, they found they Risborough, and Sir Scrope low embankment across a had raised £108.10s from the Bernard-Morland of Nether shallow valley at the bottom and sale of six toll houses, gates and Winchenden, who also had land thus reduced the height to be surplus land. in the Kimble area. Between climbed. them they chaired all the The Local History meetings up to 1841. The clerks Three branches were added to were Aylesbury solicitors. the original. In 1822 an Group extension was authorised from To quote from the writings of Terrick to . Peter Gullard, who researched Also in 1822 construction was the toll roads of started of a largely new road “It was a very Request by the LHG from West Wycombe to Handy active trust which built one and a Research has recently been Cross (this was only partly built). half miles of new road to shorten completed on the Reverend Finally in 1825 a branch road the road by cutting out detours. William Robson, vicar at from Princes Risborough to This work converted an indirect Lacey Green 1898-1922. Thame was authorised. string of local lanes into a main Unfortunately the road. The toll gates were on average photographs of all the just over three miles apart. The In Princes Risborough it passed incumbents of this church milestones were simply down the High Street, along Bell were destroyed when the rectangles of roughly shaped Lane to the junction of Station Reverend Raymond Maynard stone on average eleven inches Road with Poppy Road, where it came here in 1983, William square set facing the road with took a right angled turn. Robson’s among them. towns and miles painted on In 1820 the trustees persuaded them in black.” Should anybody have a the parish’s Inclosure photograph of him, the group The coming of the railways did Commissioners to build a quarter would very much appreciate not adversely affect this turnpike mile curving section of the chance to borrow and until railways came to Oxford Wycombe Road to cut off the copy it in order to complete and Aylesbury in 1841-44. A corner. The turnpike trustees, of this research, or indeed any slump in tolls followed, but in course paid for the new road. old photographs. 1854 a line was opened to High A quarter of a mile south it Wycombe then on to Princes More local history can be crossed the Ridgeway Path and Risborough and Thame in 1862. found on www.Lacey Green started its climb up Culverton & , click ‘history’ With a station built at Hill. Here the pre-turnpike road the Turnpike saw an

9 Lacey Green Productions

Ring out the old, ring in the new. their courts and our donation will group’s stage equipment. New help them to finance this project. LED lights have just been ordered LGP rang out 2017 with a as well as the new cabling and successful dinner theatre and we Many thanks to all our audiences computer gizmos to go with them. are ringing in 2018 with lots of who came to see us during the The new lights will enable us to plans to keep our audiences and whole of 2017 for their support. create better lighting effects more ourselves busy and entertained. The total of all our donations is easily and should make the tasks The dinner theatre entertainment now £63,656. of rigging the lights in the village was called “#Ooops” and was a As for ringing in the new, we are hall a bit simpler. New stage collection of plays and sketches just starting to create our new curtains had already been on the theme of mistakes. We had purchased and we are developing very good audiences who ate and Murder Mystery entertainment for 2018. We hope to be performing some further improvements for drank well. As a result we have the stage itself. All of these raised enough to send our this in the late spring/summer in the village hall for our local developments will help to ensure donations for 2017 to the audiences. This new murder that LGP remains a vibrant force following: mystery might be on a “Wild for amateur drama in our area. Oxford Transplant Foundation West” theme, a “Star Trek” theme In the summer we shall also hold have received £700. This – or who knows? In addition, we another Open Day and we hope foundation funds the buildings, shall be performing in other to include a short entertainment education and research at the locations to help other groups to with words and music. This will be Oxford Transplant Centre and raise money for charity. We are held in the village hall, so watch provides information for patients, always happy to do this and if you out for advertisements giving donors, relatives and carers. are interested in raising money details of the date etc. with a humorous and brain-teasing St Mary’s Church, Aylesbury “Free entertainment, just contact us. From all of this, you can see that Christmas Lunch” have received LGP is always keen to try new £100. We have supported this In 2017, we did our very best to ideas – no getting stuck in a rut for charity for several years. They attract new members. This was us! We are, however, continuing entertain and feed the homeless, successful and we hope to repeat to be a slightly unusual amateur the elderly and those with mental this success in 2018. Therefore, drama group because there is no health issues for free on Christmas we shall be taking a stall again at 3 joining or membership fee. Day. local fetes in the summer – , Naphill and Princes This makes us a family friendly Lacey Green & Loosley Row Risborough. We shall once again group and we are always happy to Tennis Club have received £200. feature free games for the young welcome new members – contact We are delighted to be helping (and the not so young). us through the website the local tennis club. They have www.laceygreenproductions.co.uk recently been given planning As well as recruiting new permission to floodlight two of members, we are investing in the Peter Brookhouse

10 Windmill Under 5s Windmill Under 5s

The autumn term was one of great children who have English as a First up, we are looking for regular excitement at Windmills in the run second language. She had a great volunteers to come into pre- up to Christmas. There were personal bond with the key group school to help prepare snacks for Christmas crafts aplenty; the of children she worked with, and the children and sit with them children created their own baubles will be sorely missed by all of us. while they enjoy their snack. Or and designed and wrote cards for In January, we were thrilled to do you have an interest, their families. They worked hard welcome Natalie to our staff team, profession or hobby you could rehearsing songs and lines for their to work with Annie’s key group. come in to talk to the children play (this year a traditional Natalie is a Level 3 qualified EYFS about? nativity), which they performed for practitioner, and has long been We would also welcome family and friends in the village part of the Windmills family, both members of the wider community hall at the beginning of December. as a parent and a volunteer. to our Management Committee, It is an enormous task for the staff, particularly Angela who directed January is a time of contemplation, which is responsible for and I have been reflecting on the overseeing the running of the pre- the proceedings, to get the position of Windmills in the school. And, lastly, we would love children (more or less) in the right place at the right time! We are all community. My parents have to hear how you would like to be recently moved to an area which involved in fundraising; what sort so appreciative, because there is absolutely no better way to start some years ago lost its school and of activities would be of interest? pre-school. The village has since If you are able to give your time, Christmas than a stage-full of become all-but-devoid of young or your skills and ideas, to help under 5s proudly singing their hearts out to Away in a Manger. families, and it has made me Windmills or have any ideas for mindful of the importance of the collaboration we would love to We ended the festivities with a service we provide to our hear from you. Please email me at Christmas party, with games, community. [email protected] or call crafts, party food and, to great Natalie, our Administrator, on As a parent-led, charitable excitement, a visit from Father 07502 198 405. organisation, which is operating in Christmas (according to my son an environment in which funding And if you would like your child to the genuine article on account of is increasingly under pressure, we join us at Windmills, please call his very long beard!) Thank you are time and resource-limited. We Natalie or email her at so much to Father Christmas for are also a vibrant, open and [email protected], for coming to see us. friendly group, which has so much more information on the The festivities were tinged with to offer the wider community. To availability of spaces. sadness, as we said goodbye to help us continue to thrive in the our team member, Annie. Annie current climate, we need to draw Laura Chapman was with Windmills for seven on the skills and resources of the Chairperson of the Management years and has moved to a post community at large. Committee where she can use her skills with

11 News from Westminster

Well, politics can certainly be number of committees, and heaving been held by the difficult to predict! I had not deputise for her when she is sovereign since Henry expected to be moving posts in away from others where she Bolingbroke became King Henry government again after less than would normally take the chair IV, and I had to go up to a year at the Ministry of Justice. herself. Sandringham to be sworn in by But resignations before Her Majesty. Christmas meant that the Prime I have an overarching Minister had to make changes to responsibility in government for It's a feature of our constitutional the government and so on constitutional affairs, including system that Ministers are also Monday 8 January I was asked to devolution, and for the Members of Parliament with go to Number 10. implementation of government individual constituencies. Not policy. Oh, and I shall also stand every democracy works like that. The Ministry of Justice was a in at Prime Minister’s Questions In the United States and the challenging brief but I enjoyed on the rare occasions when she Netherlands, Ministers are not my time there. Part of me was is unable to be there. members of the legislature. In sorry to leave, but the new role others, MPs are elected on as Chancellor of the Duchy of I feel excited and honoured by regional or national party lists not Lancaster and Minister for the the appointment, and a little single-member constituencies. Cabinet Office takes me to the apprehensive too at the heart of government. responsibilities that I have been The Friday after my new asked to shoulder. appointment I was in Aylesbury The Cabinet Office is responsible hearing from constituents about for the coordination of For those interested, Chancellor problems affecting social care government business across of the Duchy of Lancaster is an and the impact of the closure of departments. It services the ancient title that nowadays is RAF Halton. Our system loads Cabinet and the network of given to a senior Minster without more work onto Ministers, but it Cabinet committees through specific departmental really does keep your feet on the which much of government responsibilities. It is granted by ground! business is done. The Prime The Queen in her capacity as Minister has asked me to chair a Duke of Lancaster, the title David Lidington MP

12 Tennis Club

The combination of wind, rain Aviva community grants, play other pairs using mini tennis and snow over the past few Councillor Graham Peart, Lacey nets and the slower red balls. months has meant that Green Parish Council, Lacey We will be hosting our event on unfortunately there has been Green Productions and Saturday 28th April and the little opportunity for members to Council. winner will earn the opportunity get down to the courts. In Together with our own fund, we of a day out at a qualifying addition, being in such an will have by this summer some weekend of a LTA grass court exposed position means that we £15,000. A small part of this will major event in June! always feel the full force of the be used to power-wash courts 2 This event has proved very weather! However, we will soon and 3 and repaint court 2. A popular at other clubs and if you be moving into spring with the decision will be made on the like the sound of it and are not a lighter evenings and it is always remainder, dependant on the member, the good news is that nice at this time of year to look outcome of further grants that membership for parent members forwards. we have applied for. Our aim is and under 10s are very to floodlight two courts and We have an exciting year ahead reasonable! Please have a look replace some of the fencing. of us and we will be spending a at our website. We would love significant amount of money Each year we like to offer to see you down at the courts. improving the courts, aided by members more tennis Other dates for your diary various grants that we have won opportunities and this year is no include our annual cheese and over the past few months. different. For families with wine event on Friday 23 March younger children, we have for I am very grateful to the and our open day on Saturday the first time, signed up to the following people and 12 May, where the courts will be Quorn Family Tennis Cup. This organisations which share our open for anyone to come down allows any child born after 31st vision for the club and have been and enjoy a game of tennis. August 2007 (10U) to partner up very generous: with an adult family member and Nigel Glenister

13 Happy Wanderers visit to Oundle

The Happy Wanderers’ annual Lyveden New Bield (not a typo) the church at Achurch. The church away trip in early October was to was the focal point of the Monday dates from the 13th Century and Oundle, Northamptonshire. Our morning visit. This is a National the churchwarden very kindly base for two nights was The Talbot Trust property now and we had an made arrangements for us to visit Hotel, a Grade 1 listed building, expert guide to show us around. by unlocking the door and putting renovated in 2012. The original The authentic Elizabethan house the lights on. We then made our hotel reputedly dates from the 7th and moat was conceived and built way back to the Old Barn for tea Century and part of the main (as far as one can see it today) by and cake. building was taken from Sir Thomas Tresham who inherited Fotheringhay Castle. The main the estates from his grandfather in On Tuesday morning, we departed for Fotheringhay village staircase is reputed to be that 1599. He was a fervent Catholic and began the walk with a visit to which Mary Queen of Scots and spent the best part of 20 years the castle. The motte and bailey is descended on her way to her in prison for his beliefs. While all that remains from the castle execution in 1587. In addition, there, he planned the ‘New Bield’ the hotel restaurant holds an AA as a lodge for Catholics to practise that was founded around 1100 by Richard of Senlis. Around 1630, Rosette, so we were well looked mass out of sight. He died in the castle had fallen into such a after. prison in 1605. His eldest son, Francis was implicated in the state of disrepair that the stone Once all 28 of us had settled in, was taken away for construction Gunpowder Plot and also died in we were fortunate to be given a of several buildings in Oundle, 1605 in prison before he could be walking tour of the town and, executed. Our guide had spent a including the Talbot Hotel. The principally the school, by John considerable time in the British walk itself took in the nearby Kendrick. John lives in Oundle and Library researching the Tresham village of Woodnewton and is an official school guide for surrounding farmland. The group papers and was a most parents of prospective pupils. The knowledgeable guide. dispersed after lunch in one of the school enjoys a very strong two nearby hostelries. reputation, with about 20 per cent In need of refreshment after the We were grateful for good of pupils coming from abroad. The tour, the group repaired to the relatively new science and Old Barn Tearooms at Wadenhoe, weather for all three days and the visit awakened a new appetite technology laboratory was a charming village on the banks of within the group for this very financially supported by Sir James the River Nene. Once refreshed, interesting part of the country. Dyson and boasts equipment that we set off on the afternoon walk many a university engineering of three and a half miles that took department would envy. in the Nene Valley and a visit to David and Helen Cliff

14 Lacey Green Singers December was a very busy time for with the children and they were the door, or from us all at LGS. We had a lot of fun well received by the audience. [email protected]. learning a brand new piece of Our summer concert will be on On Sunday 3rd December, the music, so new in fact that it had not Sunday 15th July in St John’s long anticipated Christmas Concert had its world premiere when we School Hall and may well include a started learning it! The piece was went very well. Tickets sold out and similarly scrumptious tea to last both choirs, many dressed in their Wassail!, by Bucks composer year. finest Christmas jumpers, sang Alexander L’Estrange and is a brilliantly on the day. The audience One final, very pleasing note is that collection of Christmas carols from got to have a go when we sang a we have gained a number of new around the UK, arranged in a folk style. In preparation for the annual few old favourites after we had singers over the past few months, finished Wassail! and I must with both ladies and gentlemen Christmas Concert, where we and congratulate them on their fine joining. We now have 9 men in the children from St John’s School voices too. Maybe we have a few choir, which is fantastic news as we come together and make a future new members out there? A men are often so difficult to come fantastic sound, some of the children set to learning the fantastic evening was finished off by. with the usual mince pies and children’s part, which was rather We would love to have even more mulled wine, with juice of course tricky in many places, superbly led for the under 18s! new members, so if you’d like to by their Music Teacher and our join us, please come along to one previous Musical Director Mrs We have started singing again and of our rehearsals. We welcome Insley. are now working towards our everyone, from 11-111, whatever spring concert. The concert will A while before the Christmas your ability! We meet at St John’s have a theme of ‘songs from the Concert, we were asked if we School every Thursday evening at musicals’. We are enjoying learning would sing with the children from 7:45pm. Come and give us a try. the new pieces that our excellent the school at the Princes Musical Director Lucy Twaite has Wishing you all a very Happy New Risborough Christmas Lights Switch chosen, I can say that it will be a Year, full of joy, peace and of On, and never liking to turn down concert that does not disappoint! course, singing! an opportunity, we said yes. A The concert will be on Saturday selection of carols was chosen from 24th March in St John’s Church. Billy Stott Wassail! and we performed them Please do put the date in your Chairman diaries. Tickets will be available on Community Plan Road Works On one morning we saw one of use Woodway when travelling At the entrance to Little Lane from the predictable consequences, from the A4010 to Lacey Green. the A4010, there is a sign when a large coach was unable to Perhaps we can persuade prohibiting its use by trucks of 7.5t turn the corner from Foundry Lane Transport for Bucks to change the or more. Unfortunately, there is into Loosley Hill. The driver had road signs to bring about the no restriction on buses or to reverse all the way back, and change. was eventually able to make his coaches, which are generally In December, the sporadic longer vehicles. escape. It was not easy given the narrowness of the road, and took flooding problem in Foundry Lane was addressed and improved Last October, due to road works about 15 minutes. Other drivers in Lower Road, Loosley Row, any needing to use these roads were drainage was put in place. The work carried on during the short vehicle coming up Little Lane seriously obstructed. wanting to get to Lacey Green spell of heavy snowfall, and gave was diverted down Foundry Lane It is inappropriate for vehicles of some residents a problem because and then up Loosley Hill. this type to use Little Lane at all, they were unable to leave Loosley and it would be an improvement if Row via Foundry Lane. large vehicles were required to

15 This New Year, the faster drivers The Lacey Green playground is but we expect it to be reopened amongst you may have spotted being upgraded, with works for the Easter holidays. the new traffic camera in the planned to start mid-February. We If you would like to join us as a parish. This mobile Vehicle have drawn on parish funds and Councillor, to help us continue to Activated Sign (VAS) is now fully have also been awarded £4,000 make a difference to the village, operational, to help you with that from the Tesco’s “Bags of Help” please contact our Parish Clerk. New Year’s resolution to slow blue tokens scheme. Parents and Which brings me to Jayne, our down through the village! It can children from both Windmills pre- lovely clerk, who is sadly moving be moved between five locations school and St John’s school were on. We would like to thank her for in Lacey Green and Loosley Row consulted and Councillors visited her help and wish her all the best and two in Speen and flashes many local playgrounds for with her future plans. We are when the vehicle driving towards inspiration - in my case with three therefore recruiting for a new it is exceeding the 30 mph speed unusually amenable children, keen Parish Clerk. This is a salaried role, limit. to give their input as to what 10 hours a week from home with makes a playground “awesome”! These signs have proved to be equipment provided, plus very effective at increasing The final plan includes a bespoke attendance at meetings. If you are awareness of speed limits and slide unit, new bucket swing, see- interested please contact Jayne, reducing accident rates by 34%. saw and roundabout. The existing who is kindly staying with us until We do need more volunteers to swings and springers are being we have found her replacement. move the VAS between the post repaired and repainted. There will [email protected] locations in the village - a be safety surfaces below each unit We wish you all a very happy New straightforward job. The sign is and parents will be glad to hear Year. lightweight and simply clips onto that we have also included a designated pre-existing posts. If shelter. The playground will have you are able to help, please email to be shut for a few weeks whilst Liz Patient our Parish Clerk. this transformation takes place,

Parking issues living in these roads, it is tough for The shop is run by a team of ten There are as yet no parking visitors. volunteers, that do a superb job, restrictions in Lacey Green and but we need more of you. If you Loosley Row, but will this Lacey Green Stores have any spare time during the continue? Those of you that visit The store continues to thrive but day, do join the team. Even a Princes Risborough by car will could always do with more trade. couple of hours once a month is notice that at certain times it is Recently we had eight useful. You would be doing becoming increasingly difficult to exceptionally good weeks in something positive in support of find a parking spot, and the car succession, which just happened your village. parks are tending to be filled to to coincide with my own capacity. In part this is a direct temporary absence. No consequence of the parking connection, of course! Tony Molesworth restrictions placed on many If you haven’t yet been into the residential roads. Whilst this is shop, do take a look. We do understandable and may make life welcome visitors, especially if they a little easier for the residents buy something!

16 We ended 2017 on a high note The centre was able to support resulted in a total of £1,331 once with the news that we had won Risborough community’s older gift aid is claimed and we thank the National Not for Profit people’s Christmas lunch this all the volunteers who stood out Business of the Year at the SME year. It was an extremely in the cold holding the buckets, National Business Awards held at successful event with the local and all the generous shoppers Wembley Stadium. We had community providing Christmas who kindly stopped and put already won the Regional Award dinner for older people living some money in them. earlier in the year and were alone in Risborough, and was If you wish to contribute thrilled this time to beat strong provided free of charge to the financially to our continuing opposition from all over England. participants. refurbishment needs, you can Above is a photo of some of the It was well supported by the donate on line by visiting trustees and staff receiving the town’s mayor, councillors and www.princescentre.org.uk., and award. Reverend David Williams and by clicking on the ‘My Donate’ We are really grateful for all the members of our local Rotary button. If you would like to book massive support we have Club and their wives, who a hall or offer support in any way received from the community arranged the transport for the please ring Kim, our manager, on which has enabled us to achieve people attending. A great day 01844 345105. 5 years of providing a much- had by all. needed service with such Maggie Wooster Keyte Our two days of collecting success. outside Tesco before Christmas

17 Black Horse

Happy New Year to everybody. how we lost We had a really busy Christmas him. He got out period with many Christmas of the gate in parties. The snow came and the pub when it some of the parties had to cancel was snowing due to the weather. However we and ran into the are in January now and road outside everybody has rebooked their and got run Christmas dinner and we are still over. A big doing these through the month thank you for all of January. I think our last one is the cards and the 27th. flowers it was so kind of you Well we had some really sad all. news just before Christmas. We the speech that I have to lost our dog Rossco who has New Year’s Eve - what a great prepare. been a loyal friend to the pub time was had by all. The and customers for 8 years. We children's disco started really well Breakfasts are now back on got him from dog with many families having a great Tuesday to Friday 9am till 11am. rescue. He never had a day on time. Balloons, poppers etc and Also please keep your eye on his own or without a trusty walk music. Then followed with the our black boards for up coming from Ian in all that time. We adults dancing into the night till events. have had friends walk him every about 3am. I know I fell into bed A big thank you to all my staff weekend, thank you Kerry and about 4am on Monday. that worked so hard during the Phil. Unfortunately you could We are fully booked once again Christmas period. never let him off a lead as he for Burns Night, looking forward would do a runner, and that is to that, sat here thinking about Lynne

18 St John’s School Sports This term St John’s have taken part in sports events including cross country, hockey, football and netball. Our teams all played with enthusiasm, showing great team spirit and often coming away with a top three finish. Well done to all the children who participated and thank you to the parents who helped with transport or came along to support the children.

Theme week Year 2 PSHE work on celebrating differences At the end of October, we had our stream of children. Altogether a theme week, which focused on Christmas Fayre wonderful event which is sure to work by David Hockney. Each Our Christmas Fayre, on 1st have raised funds for our school. class used a different landscape December, was a fantastic success. The hall was filled with picture as a stimulus for their Spring Term work. They followed different lines stalls selling gifts and crafts along This term we have many exciting of enquiry, covering curriculum with the raffle of Christmas activities coming up for the areas within the work they Hampers. Year 6 children provided children. Our Year 3 and 4 produced. As well as having an a range of games for everyone to children are going to visit the open afternoon for parents, our try, some down to skill and some Verulamium Museum as part of Year 4 children used theme week down to luck! This year, the Fayre their topic work. Reception are as the focus for their assembly. spilled out into the playground with further stalls and activities. being visited by Zoolab and will The highlight was the visit from get to experience being up close KS1 – Prickly Hay with different mini beasts and This year our younger children Father Christmas. He could be other creatures. presented their adaptation of the seen in his fantastic grotto where Nativity story in the form of he was visited by a constant ‘Prickly Hay’. With catchy songs, adorable costumes and some enthusiastic performances it was a lovely start to our Christmas productions. KS2 – Puss in Boots Our Christmas performances finished with a very memorable production of ‘Puss in Boots’. The play, written and directed by Mrs Thomas, was based on the traditional story - with a twist. Both casts did a fantastic job and seemed to have as much fun performing as we all did watching them.

19 St John’s Church Christmas at St John’s Church REGULAR SERVICES We had a good Christmas starting with our Christmas Fayre in November and then following through the Christmas services Sunday thereafter. Attendances were good and it was a very happy time. 8.00am Holy Communion At the Crib Service on Christmas Eve, the children performed a (1662) every Sunday nativity play entitled ‘Shepherd Little’ written by Gavin Mole and 10 am All age Worship Sara Ridgley. It was an excellent performance enjoyed by all. Communion 1st Sunday of the month. 10.00am Parish Communion 2nd, 3rd, 4th, (&5th) Sundays Junior Church at 10.00am – all services other than 1st, held in upper room. Tuesday 9.30am Communion in Lady Chapel at St. John’s. Wednesday 10.30.am Team Communion Service at Chapter House, St. Mary’s Church, Princes Risboro’. School Assemblies during term time are held on Friday mornings 9.15 am at St.John’s and 10.00 am at Speen.

20 How To Capture Stunning Sunset Photos

Lacey Green enjoys some different white balance, focus, Use natural features stunning sunsets, especially during shutter speed and aperture to Natural Features can all be used to the Winter months. Taking images achieve your exact results rather give your image added interest. of a sunset requires forethought, than relying on the camera to Water reflecting the sunset adds a patience and the correct camera interpret the scene. Remember level of symmetry to your photo, a set up. If you want to capture the you can use bracketing to obtain a polarizer filter can be used to impact of a great sunset then series of photos at different control the level of the reflection. proper preparation is needed. exposures, this will give you a Trees can be used to break up the Here are some points to take into greater choice to process from sunset and capture the individual consideration on your next each shot. light rays shining through the photographic outing. canopy onto a forest floor. Glass Lens and filter choices buildings and other reflective Plan ahead If you wish to fill more of the surfaces can all be used to include Before going out on a shoot, look frame with the sun itself, a longer ‘leading lines’, reflections and at a previous set of sunset photos lens should be used (200mm). symmetry to your shot. and have a think about any When using longer lenses in improvements that could be fading light, be sure to steady the Integrate silhouettes made. Location changes, camera on a tripod and use the Capturing silhouettes adds perspective, filter effects or using self-timer to avoid camera shake. interest. Silhouettes of people, different lenses are all worth Colour, Neutral Density (ND) and such as those walking on the crest considering. Asking for of a hill or jumping are a good way constructive critique on social polarizing filters are all great for enhancing a scene. ND filters will to tell a story through your photo. sites and forums is a great way to Ensuring that the sun is behind any gain advice from others. darken a scene and add contrast. If there are darker clouds object you’re capturing as a Know where you’re going and get surrounding the sunset then a ND silhouette is a must. to your location early. This will filter will also increase their give you a chance to set up and prominence in the frame. Take plenty of photos make sure everything is ready for Coloured filters will tint or As the scene will be constantly the shoot. enhance existing colours, add changing during a sunset, it is warmth or cool an image. important to remain for the Choose your settings Polarizers will help to fine tune the duration and capture each stage Get familiar with the settings on depth of the colours in the sky and of light and the effects it has on your camera as you’ll need to be can be used to adjust reflections the environment. The colour of prepared to utilise manual mode from glass or water should your the sky, the glow created by the for a great sunset shot. Avoid auto photo contain these elements. changing light and the shadows settings and experiment with cast will all change dramatically during a sunset. Barry Chignell 21 Heavenly Bodies

“The Return of The Planets” will (the ‘eye’ of Taurus the bull) May: Venus continues to shine soon be showing in the skies which the Moon passed in front of brightly near where the Sun has above Lacey Green and Loosley during daylight. The star re- just set, and is joined by the Moon Row, reaching a spell-binding emerges from the right-hand edge on the 17th. The Moon then skirts climax with a Red Moon! of the lit portion of the half-Moon. near Jupiter on the 27th, and rises with Saturn on the 31st in front of Indeed, all of the visible planets March: Venus rises higher as the the Milky Way ribbon. June will be putting on a cosmic show weeks pass, and Mercury swings features the Moon by Venus on over the coming months as into view near Venus on the the 16th, and by Jupiter on the Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Mercury and evening of the 4th– though the 17th. Saturn rises after Jupiter and Venus punctuate the evening and best evenings to see them are 15- is at its closest and brightest to us night skies. These displays are 18th. There are also two full for the year on the 27th. then topped by an eclipse of the Moons in March on the 2nd and Moon. 31st which makes the second one By July, Jupiter, Saturn and Mars a “blue Moon”. This follows the will form a long line low across The warm-up to the big show “blue Moon” we had in January, the southern sky (see graphic), starts in February as Venus comes but won’t be a ‘supermoon’ as it and reveal the differences in out from behind the Sun to glow will be further away this time. colour – white, pale yellow and brilliantly at sunset. Wait until the dark orange respectively. On the Sun is below the horizon and look April: Jupiter begins to become 27th, the Moon will rise a shade out for the planet low in the west. visible at around midnight from of orange/red at 9.30pm (BST) as It will be in a fairly bright sky but the beginning of the month and it will be eclipsed by Earth’s improves in the coming weeks. will have the Moon as a near- shadow. As it climbs in the sky, Fans of the “Seven Sisters” star neighbour for the first four nights. Mars appears below it! The Moon cluster will be treated to the The Moon will then scurry across will then slowly move out of our Moon forming a triangle with it the sky to be below Venus on the shadow and its orangey hues fade and the V-shaped Hyades cluster 17th. There could be a good to white/grey again. on the 22nd. There will be a rare meteor display on the 22nd and naked-eye sight on the 23rd when 23rd as the Leonids shower is I wish you clear skies for the a bright orange star will appear scheduled to makes its annual above. Heavenly Bodies returns in from behind the Moon (approx. return. August’s edition. 7.35pm). The star is Aldebaran Chris Dignan

22 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 Speen & North Dean Toddlers Tuesday 9.30 Chapel Hall, Speen Rachael McComish Speennorthdeantoddlers@gmai Church in term time l.com LG Singers Thursday evenings in term time at St Denise Kinnard laceygreensingers@hotmail. John’s School 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 Natalie Jane 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 Leigh Axe 345216 [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 and evenings 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 Jayne Mylchreest [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

23 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 well-being 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 Karen O’Shaughnessy, Jacaranda, Main Road Lacey Green, HP27 0QH (near old Baptist Chapel) 01844 275908 Email [email protected] VILLAGE HALL BOOKINGS Clive or Karen on 01844 274254 (answering service)

LACEY GREEN POST OFFICE VILLAGE HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE Open 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), Freshly brewed coffee for sale (not Thursdays) Karen Hodghton (Booking Sec.), COFFEE MORNINGS Yvonne Axe, Cathryn Davies, Held in Village Hall 10am-12 noon Thursdays. Stella Boll, Jane Brown, Friendly chatting with tea or coffee & biscuit Karen O’Shaughnessy Gill Mortimer-Biggs Jill Gosling, Mike Piercy

LACEY GREEN WINDMILL In 2018 the windmill will be open from 2 pm to 5 pm on Sundays & Bank Holidays from 1st April until 30th September. Admission is £2.50 per adult, and £1 per child (aged 5-15). For National Mills Weekend we will be open on from 2-5 on Saturday 12th May and 11-5 on Sunday 13th May. 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 MAY EDITION April 17th 2018

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