No 187 Winter 2013 STOKENews POGES

Carols

on the Green Saturday 7 Dec

1 Index From the Editor 21 Years Ago 13 Duke of Edinburgh Award 14 Welcome to the winter edition of Stoke Poges News! You will read that the village has been busy Stoke Poges Players 16 as usual and there are lots of exciting events Hedgerley Historical Society 18 planned for the next few months, not least our Photographic Club 20 annual ‘Carols on the Green’ on Saturday 7 December, at the Village Centre from 3 pm. Friends of Stoke Common 22 Watch out for the Christmas tree going up Scrabble Club 25 outside the Village Centre any day now! Bridge Club 25 This magazine is published by Stoke Poges Parish Free Church 27 Council as a service to our parishioners. A key part Rainbow Pre-school 28 of that service is enabling local businesses to tell us about the products and services they offer by The Stoke Poges Society 29 paying to advertise on our pages. The advertising The Stoke Poges School 31 income is offset against the cost of producing the Sunshine Corner 32 magazine, which enables the Parish Council to do more with the funds it receives from its annual Bowls Club 33 precept. We are grateful to our regular advertisers Dates for your Diary 34 for supporting Stoke Poges News and making a Royal British Legion 36 financial contribution to the parish. If you are shopping for the products and services offered by Golf Pro Tips 37 our advertisers, please give them the opportunity Bell-ringers 39 to win your business. Bucks Fire and Rescue Service 40 I’d also like to thank all the contributors from our Vicar’s Letter 42 clubs and societies who send in their reports Good Neighbour Scheme 44 reliably for each edition. Their reports keep us up to date with what’s happening in our busy and Women’s Fellowship 44 diverse village. It’s a source of pride that the village Men’s Group 46 offers so many opportunities to socialise. Community Safety 46 Furthermore, we are very fortunate in having so many people living here who give their time Horticultural Society 48 generously to benefit our wider community. As Stoke Poges Singers 50 we enter the festive season, it’s appropriate to Women’s Institute 52 reflect on the generosity of spirit we enjoy in Stoke Poges and work together to keep our Stoke Green Rovers FC 54 village a great place to live in. Parish Council Chairman’s Letter 56 Tennis Club 59 Ralph Bagge Threeways Surgery 60 South Bucks Sports Development 62 Front cover: Recreation Report 64 Oil painting of children playing in the snow in front of St Giles’ Church by Revd Cyril Harris.

2 3 Energy Price Increases – How to Fight Back!

Rising gas and electricity prices have been in keyholes and letterboxes. DIY stores sell draught switching them on when you need to use them. It’s quickly mount up. Even if you have an electric hob, the news this autumn with the ‘big six’ excluder strips but a cheap and effective alternative is the same for computers and printers too. It’s helpful it’s possible to boil only the water you need (as little increasing their tariffs by up to ten per cent. It’s to tear off and stuff a piece of cling film into to ask yourself the question, ‘what do I have to as one mug’s worth) in a traditional kettle – we hard to live without heat and lighting, so how draughty cracks and keyholes. leave plugged in overnight?’ and then unplug waste electricity overfilling kettles and heating water can we survive the price hikes as we enter the everything else. that isn’t needed. coldest 12 weeks of the year? The energy companies are required by law to provide help to people who may have difficulty affording to Every home has battery-powered devices with their It’s also worth using price comparison websites to We need to look at our energy consumption in two heat their home. A scheme called the Energy chargers. Did you know that a charger plugged into check you are on the tariff that’s best for you. The ways: heating and everything else. Company Obligation requires them to pay for energy a socket is using electricity even when the energy companies make life difficult for us with their efficiency improvements for homes where people phone/laptop/etc. isn’t connected? So unplug endless permutations of standing charges and Let’s think about heating first. Our homes leak heat – are receiving certain benefits. It’s worth checking chargers when they aren’t in use. different prices per unit. Entering accurate through the floor, the walls, the windows and the with your energy suppliers if you think you might information from your energy bills into a price roof. Insulation is your ally in the fight against rising be eligible. We have got the message about the energy-saving comparison website is the best way of checking. energy costs. It’s almost possible to build a house potential of low energy light bulbs over the past few that is so well insulated that it hardly needs any Single glazed windows leak lots of heat which can be years. However, there’s a big difference between the When gas and electricity prices are increased, there is additional heating beyond the body heat of its reduced by installing replacement double glazed power used by compact fluorescent bulbs and the a risk that your energy company could overcharge occupants. Unfortunately, most of us live in homes units. Alternatively, DIY stores sell secondary glazing newer (and slightly more expensive) light emitting you by estimating that you have consumed more at that were built many years ago, but it’s still possible kits which use a plastic film to create an insulating air diode (LED) bulbs. A compact fluorescent may be the increased rate. Therefore, it’s worth noting down to improve insulation. And because insulation is gap inside your windows. rated between 11 and 22 watts (which is good your meter readings each week so that you have relatively cheap, the energy savings pay back the compared to the 60W or 100W incandescent bulbs evidence in the event of a dispute. If you decide to investment relatively quickly. Room temperature control is important – reducing we used to use). However, the latest LED bulbs can change your energy supplier, bear in mind that if you the thermostat by one degree can save up to ten per give the same amount of light whilst drawing only pay by a monthly direct debit that they might owe Cavity wall and loft insulation are energy-saving cent of your heating bill. Our Prime Minister was 5W. So switching from compact fluorescent bulbs to you money. Be sure to check and get a refund when essentials. They aren’t very glamorous home criticised recently for suggesting we all put on a LED equivalents can dramatically cut the cost of you leave them. improvements and they don’t make your home look jumper, however, it has been documented in a home lighting. A further bonus is that LED lights are smarter, however, by stopping heat leaking through scientific trial that people wearing thermal forecast to last up to 30,000 hours, saving the cost your walls and roof you won’t have to use as much underwear beneath their normal clothes were and trouble of many replacement bulbs. It’s worth keeping a note of your meter energy to keep warm. For homes built before cavity comfortable with their heating set four degrees reading so that you track your energy usage walls construction, it is still possible to insulate the lower than their usual setting. Many people find and costs. walls – either internally (which makes the rooms thermostatic radiator valves useful so that you can LED GU10 down lighters deliver smaller) or externally (which may require planning set a lower temperature for rooms which aren’t big savings in electricity usage. permission in some circumstances – so check with occupied all the time the heating is on. the District Council first). Most of the parish has access to mains gas, but for It’s also important to pay attention to the small properties that don’t, it’s worth considering a details. Things like gaps around doors and windows, switch from oil or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) heating to biomass (wood pellets). Government incentives are available under the Renewable Heat Initiative which covers the cost of the new boiler over a seven-year term.

Moving onto ‘everything else’: it’s worth investing in The most expensive lighting in home use is the an energy monitor to systematically track how your GU10/MR16 downlighter. Each tungsten bulb uses electricity bill mounts up. Which? magazine 50W, making them very expensive to run. LED warm recommended the Efergy Elite monitor, which costs white replacements are available at 2.8W (not quite around £30. as bright) and 5W (equivalent brightness), so it’s possible to cut the cost of running downlighters by With an energy monitor you may be surprised by 90 per cent, which means the cost of the LED Fill gaps how much electricity you are using with everything replacements is soon recouped. around switched off. That’s because some appliances use doors and significant amounts of electricity when they are on Using an energy monitor will quickly identify the windows to standby – for example, a TV and set top box can hungry appliances around the home. Electric kettles keep draw 40 watts. That may not sound much but it are quick and convenient but they guzzle electricity. The Energy Saving Trust’s website is a great source of draughts at adds £44 to the bill over a year. Similarly, the clock Gas costs around 4p per kilowatt hour whereas unbiased information on all of the options available bay. display on your oven or microwave could be costing electricity is at least 12p per kilowatt hour. So if you to save on your energy bills: you £40–£50 per year. Try leaving them off and only can boil a traditional kettle on a gas hob, the savings www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

4 5 The new South Buckinghamshire Clubhouse The new South Buckinghamshire Clubhouse is almost ready to open its doors, with the completion date set for February 2014.

The location of the clubhouse will provide gorgeous panoramic views across the Colt/Hawtree-designed 18-hole golf course, a splendid background for any occasion. With function rooms available for private hire and a perfect backdrop for all your special photos, why not hold your function with us? The interior design is being finalised to give style, sophistication and elegance to any occasion.

The new clubhouse construction is progressing well

!!" $! ! ") +$",-., The new clubhouse will also provide options are also available; so, if you are golfers with an opportunity to relax a regular golfer, these will allow you to ,"  with friends and family before or after play unlimited golf all year. their game, with the bar and restaurant The ideal society package can also be providing an extensive menu to choose put together for you. To enquire, please ) +"4 +") +$",-., from. A new catering and hospitality call 643332. contract has just been awarded which !""""> will bring with it a new high calibre A sale now on in the pro shop – don’t head chef who will be creating mouth- miss out on fantastic prices. Why not watering dishes to suit all tastes. pick up a perfect Christmas present for the keen golfer in your family at a great Memberships for The South price? With big brands like Footjoy and Buckinghamshire Golf Club are available Nike, our pro shop can help you get which offer discounted rates for the 18- kitted out in the latest golfing apparel so hole golf course and the nine-hole that you are ready and set to go with a Academy course just a mile away. Other new you in our new clubhouse. benefits include the right to an official handicap and discounts in the bar and restaurant. Furthermore, club members For further details or to book online visit have the opportunity to book up to ten www.thesouthbuckinghamshire.co.uk or days in advance. Various season ticket contact the pro shop on 643332.

6 7 Waste and Recycling Roadshow MUGA Pavilion update South Bucks District Council held a roadshow at Stoke Poges Village Centre at the end of The Parish Council’s architects have been October. Visitors had the opportunity to see the new wheelie bins and to find out about the Grant Award busy working on the detailed structural Council’s additional recycling services. design of the building. Due to the pavilion’s The following press release was green living roof, to be planted with The most significant change will be that distributed by The Veolia Environmental sedum, it’s vitally important that the roof every household will be supplied with Trust on 30 October: structure can support the weight of the soil caddies for waste food – a small one to and vegetation. be kept in the kitchen (lined with a ‘A project to provide people living in and around Stoke Poges with a great biodegradable sack) and the larger one, Our architect, Lee Masters, has extensive new all-weather multi-use games area with a pest-proof lid to be kept outside experience of designing environmentally (MUGA) has received a funding boost and put out for weekly collection. from The Veolia Environmental Trust. friendly buildings and has applied his Parishioners who are still on ‘black sack’ knowledge to the new Stoke Poges pavilion collection will enjoy not having to worry We have awarded Stoke Poges Parish by specifying high levels of insulation to keep about birds and foxes ripping their black Council a grant of £39,000 through the the heating costs as low as possible. sacks open and leaving a mess. Landfill Communities Fund towards the installation of the MUGA. The fenced The final specifications have been with the A pack explaining the full details of the sport-zone will have markings and goals quantity surveyors during November; their changes has been delivered to every The Waste and Recycling roadshow for several sports and will be available job is to calculate the construction cost. household in the district. Any questions to the whole community. Our architect will then put the project out can be answered by calling the Waste at the Village Centre. to tender. and Recycling team at South Bucks. This grant is one of 42 awarded by our Board at their quarterly meeting on 21 Sport England is accepting applications for its October 2013.’ ‘Inspired Facilities’ grant scheme. The Parish Council will apply for a grant – the maximum DAIR HOUSE SCHOOL Now that the grant has been awarded, our project manager will work with grant available to parish councils is £50,000. the parish council to confirm the The scheme guidelines indicate a preference FARNHAM ROYAL scheme’s detail and draft the required for partnership funding either as cash or in documents so that work can start as kind. If you know anyone who would be soon as possible. prepared to offer building materials or labour $%"'%%%%%+%0%--%)$%" %"2'&"! in support of our application, please contact Speaking about the awarding of the the Clerk to the Parish (contact details on funding, Chairman of the parish council, page 67). !#!!&%#$#$&"$)%%"" 7% Cllr Ralph Bagge, says, ‘This is great #%&#$)&'!0'# news for our project. The grant is very welcome and we look forward to LAPTOP & PC working with the Trust team to ensure $##2!!#(#(## our plans become real and benefit REPAIRS ##%'($&!#&4# people of all ages living in Stoke Poges.’ '"!!#!''' ## The Executive Director of The Veolia Environmental Trust, Paul Taylor, adds, #0)!#((#($#6 ‘This grant is a great example of how FIXED PRICE REPAIRS £39.99 + PARTS the Trust and the Landfill Communities NO CALL OUT CHARGE Fund make a real difference to 7&$'%(0#%&#('#&#1!$"#($#0'(#(##3#("4#%!'#!!## communities of all types across the UK. ON SITE OR COLLECT & RETURN Every project is important to us and we FLEXIBLE APPOINTMENTS CALL ANYTIME 8-9:+%;<+;<%%(((7$"'%7"7' look forward to seeing work start and CONTACT MARK ON the MUGA take shape.’ 01753 735706 :$#'4!#<$4#=&#"#<$3!4#:) '4#@A#B: 07799 545550

8 9 SolicitorsSolicitors Birds in Stoke Poges

Autumn has arrived in the village with high winds BuchanansBuchanans and mild temperatures, both of which affect our bird life in very different ways. On the plus side, there seems to be an abundance of berries, seeds and acorns all of which will help sustain our feathered friends through the winter months. Even so, now is a great time for those of us ConveyancingConveyancing || CommercialCommercial || who put food out for the birds to think about keeping our feeders EmploymentEmployment || WillsWills || ProbateProbate || topped up and providing fresh LitigationLitigation || ElderlyElderly ClientClient water for them too. Recent sightings of note include a pair of buzzards with two juveniles, a kingfisher, sparrow- hawk, green woodpecker, again with several juveniles, and little BuchanansBuchanans SolicitorsSolicitors cancan assistassist owl also breeding successfully in withwith allall thethe aboveabove andand more.more. the village. I would be very interested to hear of any unusual bird species you may BuchanansBuchanans SolicitorsSolicitors isis aa come across in the village or surrounding areas, in particular the friendly,modernfriendly,modern lawlaw firmfirm whichwhich barn owl, so feel free to email me at: offersoffers aa broadbroad rangerange ofof servicesservices [email protected] with your andand aimsaims toto deliverdeliver clearclear adviceadvice sightings. promptlypromptly andand costcost effectively.effectively. Neil Neville Little owl owlet. CallCall usus forfor aa nono obligationsobligations chatchat Credit: Neil Neville. onon 0162801628 810810 707707

4 Suffolk House, Wooburn Green, Buckinghamshire HP10 0EU 44 SuffolkSuffolk House,House, Wooburn Wooburn Green,Green, [email protected] HP10HP10 0EU0EU www.buchanansonline.com [email protected]@buchanansonline.com www.buchanansonline.comRegulatedwww.buchanansonline.com by the Solicitors Regulation Authority

10 11 Credit Union Open for Business 21 years ago South Bucks residents are now able to join M for Money Credit Union. Credit unions are financial institutions that offer the same services as banks whilst operating The December 1992 edition of The Stoke Poges Parish differently. As not-for-profit financial cooperatives, they are formed and owned by Newsletter comprised 16 pages. The front cover featured a members according to the philosophy of ‘people helping people’. black and white image of ‘The Snowman’ by Revd Cyril Harris, which was the St Giles’ Christmas card, available in two sizes at 15p or 20p. The key activities of a credit union are to assist balance, up to a maximum of £10,000 above members to save and to provide a range of the level of savings in the account. As credit The first news item was an update on the plans for the 15- loans to members. All member savings and unions are not-for-profit, returns on savings acre site now known as Nettleship Wood. The wood was loans are covered by free-to-the-member loan can be highly competitive and loan interest named after William Nettleship, a retired parishioner, who in protection and life savings insurance. All can be cheaper than alternative lenders. 1810, together with William George Freeman and Revd savings up to £85,000 per member are M for Money quotes an example of a £100 Arthur Bold, saved 200 acres of Stoke Common from guaranteed by the Financial Services loan repaid over 12 months incurring total enclosure – accounting for the naming of Freemans Close Compensation Scheme. interest of £13. and Bold’s Court.

Credit Unions promote thrift – as a rule of Further information is available at Our village bobby, PC Tony Young, identified the key thumb, they will lend a multiple of three www.mformoneycreditunion.org or community safety issues of the day – theft from cars, bikes times a member’s basic savings account 020 8756 3866. stolen from sheds, cyclists riding without lights, pavement parking outside the schools and surgery, and children not being strapped in car seats.

Beeches Road, Farnham Common, Slough, Bucks, SL2 3PS T. 01753 644568 or 01753 646748 8"#1#'%7" &#%7"14'"!1! 8"##123"%22"1)#12"'"215##'!" (1"677"69: ( "12"'"%#!"3"(&&1#%"5"#%2 8"=')''3"'4%3"2)#%#232 8"7323"#!'(23#"04#)&'3 8""323"233#(' 8"6#1"('#3#('#'!"1)#12"'"1B!22#'! 8"#1"%(%"(%%3#('"' %#517" 1(&""(&"(1"6(1$ 8")'"E"72""6$ 8"#1"62""6#3""517"215#" '"2%3"1)#12" 8"F(41327"12"5#%% 8"6#'3"1)#1"6(1$"'""11'!

12 13 Stoke Po g es Duke of Edinburgh Aw ard Group

expedition to the Peak District with weather warnings in place before we set off. With the worst storm for years predicted to hit the country on the Sunday night, we wondered if we would be able to complete FAFAMAMILLYY FFUNERAL DIRECIRECTORSRS the three days. It was very wet and windy and we had numerous very squally showers, but fortunately not the SerServing the high winds that battered our homes down south. We laid local community contingency plans for the young people to for 3 generations stay in farm buildings if the weather worsened overnight and we kept Our bronze participants this year had to everybody well clear of trees. In Under the personal supersupervision of Eric, Petula,etula, RobertR and Tina contend with extreme cold for their practice the end, everybody completed the Our family caring for yyourour family expedition in April and extreme heat for challenge and came home tired and very muddy! their assessment expedition in July. They have yet to experience any real wet weather. The expedition is not the only part of the award. The prrooffeessional and To gain the award at the different levels of personal service for whwhich For those who continued with their silver award, bronze, silver and gold, participants also have to this changed! At the end of October, we learn a skill, take part and improve in physical we arere rerenowned is aavailable undertook our three-day, silver assessment recreation and undertake some community day and night service. The scheme is for all young people aged 14 to 25 years old and we have a strong local group here in Stoke Poges. • Priivvate Chapels of Rest Road Closures - 7 December • Pre-Paidaid Funeral Plans We are currently finalising dates for next year’s The Parish Council is holding ‘Carols on bronze expedition, with training starting in • Horse Drawnwn Funerals the Green’ at the Village Centre on 7 February for a practice expedition in April and an • Facilities fofor the ddisabled December. Rogers Lane, Duffield Lane, assessment expedition in July. Our next group • If youy wish arrangements rangements Pennylets Green and Bunby Road will be meeting will be on 30 January at Hitachi Data can be made in the subject to rolling closures whilst the Systems in Sefton Park, when we will be privacy of yourour home procession passes through in the late catching up with the progress that the young afternoon/early evening. Marshals will people are making towards the different levels of put signs and bollards across the roads the award and also talking about the bronze and will be in attendance. Please plan OF F expedition section for all newcomers. ION UN T E IA R C A O L

your travel carefully to avoid the road S D

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L contact Mandy Harrod; 662414. L visitors, please let them know. Anne Milne

14 15 Stoke Poges Players Celebrating 50 Golden Years Stoke Poges Players held their first General Another new member was Phil Jones, who took Meeting on 12 November 1963 with the first the role of Alderman Fitzwarren. Annual General Meeting being held on 11 May 1964. In 1964 members of the group staged Cat Although both these new members appeared in Among The Pigeons followed by A Lady Mislaid. the first production after they joined the group, anyone who is a bit nervous need not worry, we Current members of the group started the Golden won’t force you on stage. You can take as much Anniversary year by entertaining villagers with time as you need if you are nervous or maybe Dick Whittington, a pantomime written by you just don’t want to tread the boards. We are Norman Robbins, on 28, 29 and 30 November at always looking for members to join us who the Village Centre. can help out backstage, so there is a place for all talents. All the members of the group had great fun with the various comedy routines during rehearsals and We hold our last meeting before Christmas on were very grateful to the youngsters who agreed 9 December and start the new year on 6 January to be rats. when we will be reading scripts and deciding which play to perform in May. We will probably Shirley Edwards, one of our newer members, took opt for a play that is in keeping with the fifty-year up the challenge of being Tommy the cat which theme or a well-known play that we may have she did extremely realistically after studying performed before. her own cats. Are you a regular audience member who remembers a play performed by the Players that you would like to see us stage again? If the answer is yes, please let us know. Our choice of play will obviously be dependent on the number of members we can cast but we would welcome any suggestions.

But don’t forget, if you saw the pantomime or another of our recent productions and thought you would like to join in the fun on stage or you are handy with a paint brush, making props, costumes or publicity or any other backstage task, come along any Monday night at 8 pm to the Harding Room at the Village Centre, Rogers Lane. Alternatively, ring Linda on 677032 for more information or visit our website: http://www.wix.com/ stokepogesplayers/home

Give us a try for a few weeks and find something to fill those dark Monday winter evenings. Linda Miles

16 17 Hedgerley Historical Society On 4 December Bobbie Latter will present ‘Marlow Town’. This light-hearted talk accompanied by photos will take the form of an imaginary walk through Marlow, where the audience will hear about the history of the town and Herschel Park learn about the buildings passed along the way, such as churches, the suspension bridge, cottages, mansion houses and pubs. Tales of the park and the river will also be woven into the mix, together with stories about famous inhabitants. Bobbie Latter is a member of the Guild of Guide Lecturers and has been a tour guide for just under 30 years. Co- writer of the recently re-published Windsor, A History & Celebration, she has also performed for six years running at the Windsor Festival in her own comedy costumed historical walks. In her spare time she is a perpetual student, especially of languages; she is continually trying Amersham to improve the seven she has acquired over the years, circa 1820 including British Sign Language. Our first meeting in the new year will be on Wednesday 15 January when Bruce Hicks and Tony Down from Slough Borough Council will describe the ‘Restoration of Herschel Park’. Bruce Hicks will present a short history of Herschel Park, the people and circumstances that came together to create the park and surrounding estate and the park’s more recent history, the £2.7m Heritage Lottery Fund restoration, the volunteers and how the park is managed today. Bruce Hicks is Parks Projects Officer and has over 30 years’ experience of developing, managing and maintaining parks, open spaces and allotments and is conversant with the importance green infrastructure plays in health, wellbeing and community and business prosperity. He managed Slough’s parks and open spaces for five years and is very aware of the local and national issues and challenges affecting parks, street scene and the urban outdoor environment. Bruce’s work has achieved gold awards for floral displays in southern UK competitions. On19 February: ‘Amersham – A Town on the Road’ – Julian Hunt Julian Hunt was born in Romsley, Worcestershire where his father founded the Romsley and Hunnington History Society. He worked as a librarian in Birmingham, Oldham and Buckinghamshire and was local studies librarian at Aylesbury between 1988 and 1997. He has written several histories of Buckinghamshire market towns, including A History of Amersham, published in 2001, A History of Gerrards Cross, 2006 and A History of Beaconsfield, 2008. He is currently working on a history of Bromsgrove in Worcestershire. Julian’s talk on Amersham will focus on the Drake family of Shardeloes, Weller’s Brewery in Church Street and the six coaching inns on the London Road. He will bring the story up to date with the coming of the Metropolitan Railway in 1892 and the development of Amersham on the Hill. Monthly meetings of Hedgerley Historical Society take place at Hedgerley Memorial Hall, Kiln Lane, Hedgerley, SL2 3UZ starting at 8 pm. Visitors are most welcome. Further details from John Lovelock; 647187; [email protected]

18 19 STOKE POGES PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB saturday 8 This year the club celebrates its 50th The club has already enjoyed an outdoor anniversary. It started in 1963 and from a few workshop with fireworks and sparklers, where we december budding slide and print photographers has had some hot food laid on as well. developed into a group of keen hobbyists in village the digital age with almost 60 members. We still have some very interesting talks to come in the programme, including a talk on Antarctica centre The season is now well underway after the and Sub-Antarctica, street photography and the carols summer break, with some very interesting first picture editor from The Independent will take evenings since the return in September. We have us on a journey from dark room to digital. March had a variety of evenings so far, with various sees our second annual competition with clubs informal competitions, talks and workshops. from Australia and South Africa. Last year’s Our talks have covered a wide range of topics on the competition was won by South Africa, but we will from taking better family photos, the use of be seeking to improve on our second place in this Lightroom as an editing tool and a very year’s competition. entertaining and interesting evening about Victorian magic lanterns. So far this year, we have had internal competitions green with subjects such as ‘the letter B’, ‘Boats’, Our workshops have covered macro photography ‘Working hands’ and ‘Trees’, with other subjects and firework photography with an upcoming of ‘Portraits’, ‘Reflections’, ‘Tranquillity’, ‘Night evening on night photography, when the club will shots’ and ‘Panorama’ still to come. Our annual 3 pm brave the winter evenings and learn more about Photographer of the Year competition continues the techniques involved in shooting at night. with some interesting battles developing in the intermediate section with a couple of new members scoring well in the first few lantern procession competitions. Can they maintain their good form going into the second half of round the village Live Entertainment the season? The club meets every Tuesday from 7.45 pm at the Village Hall to 10.00 pm in the main hall of the Village Regular readers will remember that the Centre. The season runs from the start of carols September until June. For competitions, we Village Hall clocked up its centenary last have two classes, intermediate and January and an all-star variety show, advanced, whereby new members will be featuring local performers, was staged. allocated to intermediate unless they Following much positive feedback, John already hold a photographic qualification. christmas market stalls Orchard (the pianist at that event) has hired the Village Hall a year on to mark the hall’s New members are always welcome and 101st anniversary on Saturday, ‘I’ve 18 January.booked a we encourage potential members to visit John told Stoke Poges News for a couple of weeks to ‘get a feel’ for four-piece comedy band that I know will suit the club. We rarely have anyone do this santa’s grotto the villagers’ taste for a fun night out. The without actually joining and becoming a Social Club have been asked to provide a bar regular contributor to the club. For any and tickets at £10 each are on sale now’. enquiries, please contact us on Readers can reserve seats by completing the [email protected] or look seasonal food & drink order form on page 17 of this edition of through our website at . Stoke Poges News www.stokepogesphotoclub.co.uk Chris King licensed bar

20 21 We are in year five of a ten-year specimen, Petty Whin, has Management Plan directed by been noted. Burnham Beeches staff which includes some tasks undertaken by A user survey was conducted in Friends of volunteers, including the Friends of August. A number of volunteers, Stoke Common. A number of stationed at some of the entrance experiments have been carried out, gates on a number of occasions, for example, covers laid to carried out a count of those entering Stoke encourage reptile breeding, the the Common, with dogs or without construction of hibernacula to and the same for bikes and horses. provide better winter quarters for A summary of the survey will be Common insect life ,’exclosures’ to keep the available at some future date. cattle out and enable a comparison to be made between the area Our winter programme is as follows: grazed by cattle and those areas from which they are excluded. Saturday 14 December – we will probably build our Stoke Common You may have wondered about Christmas tree again, clear up any patches where the earth has been unfinished work, celebrate the scraped off. A close look at those year’s work and move across to patches reveals a prolific Burnham Beeches for the afternoon. regeneration of heather seedlings, which was the hoped for outcome Saturday 11 January – cutting and burning on the main Common, of the experiment. We can look providing excellent post-Christmas forward to a wonderful display in exercise in the fresh air. If the due course. weather is too fresh, wet or snowy, ring the Burnham Beeches office to Plans to regenerate heather by seed check if the event is still on (647358). harvesting have been postponed until later in the year, as has Thursday 16 January – AGM, 7.30 waymarking, both of which will pm at the Village Centre. Come if feature in future programmes. you can, to learn about plans for the year, ask questions and meet There was a good turnout for path our volunteers. repairs, birch and bracken clearing, pine seedling removal and Saturday 8 February – we may make construction of a new a start on glade creation for the year hibernaculum, near the original one or path clearing. Look out for details constructed several years ago. closer to the date.

Favourable weather conditions On our working days we meet at have led to a prolific growth of 10 am at the Pickeridge gate to the fungi for expert Penny Cullington to Common on Stoke Common Road. identify and to help those people If you arrive late the map on the who attended her October talk to gate will indicate the work site. We extend their knowledge of these work until 3.30 pm but there is no fascinating and slightly mysterious obligation to stay for the whole day. organisms which suddenly Hot drinks and biscuits are provided materialise in autumn. but bring lunch if you intend staying all day. We enjoy our days on the A smattering of Latin is no Common and you might too. Why hindrance, but whatever your grasp not join us for the new year? of Latin, expect a challenge if you are an amateur in the fungi field. Our website is www.friendsofstokecommon.org.uk A fungus rare in Europe, aleuria or ring Marian Payne on 644203. congrex, has been sighted and the spread of another rare plant Marian Payne 22 23 Stoke Poges Stoke Poges Bridge Club The club continues to thrive but we S C R A B B L E are always pleased to see new 1 3 1 1 3 3 1 1 players. Why not come along for a Club free taster session? Duplicate bridge is played in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and there are The Scrabble Club has started the consultation of the prizes for the winners. Computer dealt a monthly evening meeting in dictionary before play and hands are used which means paper the Village Social Club. The eight (or even nine) tiles to copies of these are available first of these, on Thursday 7 speed up the game. Nobody immediately afterwards to work out November, was attended by had managed to get all eight what should have happened. The three new members of a high down in one turn until 7 results of each session appear on our standard. We propose to November, but we have had website later the same day. continue meeting there on the some good double-double first Thursday of every month, scores. Why not come and We organise a number of social with the next meeting on 5 join us? It's far more sociable occasions during the year including a December at 7.30 pm, than Words With Friends on Christmas party, a summer pub supper followed by 2 January. Facebook and I always get and an anniversary lunch. better letters out of the bag Bold's Court has changed the than electronically online. The club meets at St Andrew’s Church day of their monthly meeting Hall, Rogers Lane, each Monday from so we now play there every If any group of up to 10 1.30 pm to 5.00 pm. We will always Wednesday at 2.30 pm. members would like an provide a partner if needed. occasional Super Scrabble We have two Super Scrabble evening, please contact Terry For more information, please visit our sets, which you really should on 525304. The Super game website: try as the bigger board takes about two hours and if www.stokepogesbridgeclub.org.uk, includes quadruple scores and you haven't played Scrabble, ring me on 520189 or email the 200 tiles give a better all you need is the ability to [email protected] distribution of letters. We have make words from the letters or just turn up. modified the rules for more you pick and find a place on relaxed play, even permitting the board – age is no barrier! Valerie Wright Nick Milne Garden Services www.nmgs.co.uk - 01753 643612 - 07832 144935 ❁ Stoke Poges-based small family business ❁ High quality maintenance gardening and small landscaping projects undertaken ❁ Approved by Slough Trading Standards and featured on Stoke Poges Trustworthy Tradespersons list ❁ References and portfolio available

24 25 Stoke Poges Free Church

For those who celebrate Christmas, what do Perhaps you’ve long since concluded Christmas you hope to find when you open your presents is just for kids. If so, why not read the original on Christmas Day? A necklace? A watch? A tasty story and see what you make of it? If you have delicacy? The one thing we wouldn’t expect to a Bible, try the second chapter of Luke. find would be a baby, lying in a feeding trough! Alternatively, you can read (or hear) the original And yet – this is what Christmas is traditionally story online (www.stokepogesfreechurch.org > all about. more > Online Bible).

And, for various reasons, I believe this baby is a Thinking of Christmas, Stoke Poges Free Church gift far greater and grander and more glorious (SPFC) will be celebrating in a number of ways than anything we’ll open on Christmas Day. this year. We’re beginning December with a carol-themed 1stSunday@4 (Sunday 1 Of course, many find the Christmas story hard December); giving away some Christmas to believe – and I fear our Christmas card, fairy- goodies at ‘Carols on the Green’ (Saturday 7 tale version of the story doesn’t help! For December); and carol singing at Wexham Park example, guess how many of the following Hospital later in the month. three things are part of the nativity story: comforting winged angels; a stable; a We’ll also be holding a Christmas-themed procession of three wise kings? Answer: none worship service (at The Stoke Poges School) on of them! 22 December (at 10.30 am) as well as a short Christmas Day service at the same time and There are angels – but they don’t have wings as place on the 25th (children are welcome to far as I can tell and (far from feeling comforted) bring a favourite pressie!). As always, the shepherds are absolutely terrified! And absolutely everyone is welcome – please visit while Jesus is laid in a feeding trough, there’s the website for more information. no mention of a stable. And the three kings? Well, some Eastern astrologers (magi) visited If you’d like to get in touch with me personally – Jesus some time after he was born – but they even if you’d simply appreciate a friendly face weren’t kings, and how or a listening ear – please don’t hesitate to do many there were is so ([email protected]; anyone’s guess! 07956 407091; 315692).

Wishing you the best possible Christmas,

Lewis Fry (Pastor at SPFC)

26 27 The Stoke Poges Society Rainbow The Edward Coke Memorial Lecture Future Society Events On Saturday 28 September we were treated to a Tuesday 10 December – Christmas Event, St Andrew’s Pre-School remarkable legal tour-de-force when Sir John Laws, an New Hall, 8 pm. A surprise event, featuring members of Appeal Court judge, delivered the second Edward Coke the society’s committee as you have never seen them Memorial Lecture in St Giles’ Church. His subject was before! Free to members, visitors welcome for £2.00. ‘Justice and Sir Edward Coke’. In giving an account of Seasonal refreshments and raffle. Coke’s legal career he drew parallels between the problems and issues facing Lord Coke at the beginning Tuesday 11 February 2014 – Members’ Evening ‘Are We The autumn term began Hallowe’en disco. The children shimmering ticket to see Santa of the 17th century and our own time; despite the Downhearted? No!’ – Memories of the World Wars – passage of some 400 years they were essentially the Stoke Green Cricket Club, 8.00pm. with the excellent weather thoroughly enjoyed carving the in his grotto and receive a same as are challenging the judiciary in the 21st century. that we had enjoyed during pumpkins which had been present (if they’ve been good!). We were very happy to welcome Sir John and his wife, Saturday 17 May – a walk in Langley Park, time tba. the summer break, enabling grown and donated by a green- The seasonal refreshments will Sophie, who it turned out had given a lecture on the the children to expand their fingered grandparent. be provided by our in-house Book of Common Prayer in St Giles’ Church several years Society Membership knowledge of the world chef. The term will culminate in ago. We were also very pleased that Dominic Grieve, our around them spending many In October we held our AGM a glittering party with everyone MP and the present Attorney General, was able to If you wish to join the society, please contact the glorious hours in our safe and successfully elected a new dressing up in their best finery, introduce Sir John to deliver his appreciation of Dominic’s Membership Secretary, Jane Wall, and stimulating garden. committee. We would like to lots of food, dancing and pots predecessor in that very position. (For further details on 143 Vine Road, Stoke Poges, SL2 4DH, 645954. take this opportunity to thank of merriment. Sir Edward Coke and Stoke Poges, please see the previous summer issue of Stoke Poges News.) As the term progressed and the our old committee for their help Any further enquiries regarding the society may be made weather became more and support and to welcome The pre-school will return from to the Chairman, Roger Askew, 644582 or The evening was completed with a splendid reception [email protected] inclement, we were able to don the new members to our the Christmas break on Monday at Stoke Park, to whom we are most grateful for our boots and coats to explore extended family. 6 January with lots of winter their hospitality. our beautiful wooded activities planned. We will also surroundings looking for We returned from half term to be preparing our Chinese New If you are interested in reading Sir John Laws’ lecture, it is changes in the seasons. Each celebrate firework night with Year celebrations which will take now available as a download on the Society website – child made a brightly coloured our traditional gathering around place on 31 January. Following http://www.bucksvoice.net/stoke-poges-society/. We are basket to collect their finds of the bonfire watching the the feast of the New Year, the most grateful to him for making this possible. conkers, leaves, acorns, cones sparklers whilst eating our children will be able to walk off Proceeds from the evening are being split between St and twigs. Armed with our finds popular individually made their noodles and rice, with Giles’ Church, the Thomas Gray 2016 Anniversary Fund we were able to return to the vegetable and sausage kebabs. our annual sponsored wellie and the ‘Keep our Village a Village’ Fighting Fund. pre-school in our very muddy The children made lamps to walk, held in our spacious boots to explore our finds in celebrate the Festival of Lights – woodland surroundings. The Thomas Gray 2016 Anniversary Project more detail with our new Diwali, and we would like to It is with some satisfaction that we can magnifying glasses and boxes thank the parents for giving We would like to thank the announce that the restoration and which we had been able to buy their time to help and guide us parents, carers and members of conservation work on both the Gray tomb and using the Tesco and Sainsbury in enhancing our knowledge the local community who give monument has been completed. On Friday 18 vouchers collected by the and understanding of Diwali. their time so freely in helping to October, Cliveden Conservation who have Rainbow parents. The children’s support our pre-school – your been responsible for all the work, completed senses were further extended by It is now full steam ahead with help is invaluable and the repairs to the monument, as you can see using the finds to sort, print, the Christmas preparations. The appreciated by us all. from the photographs. weigh, match, rub, paint and children will be busy making glue with. The beautiful many gifts for their families, We would also like to take this Poetry Competition creations now adorn the walls including cards, calendars, opportunity to wish you all a As previously reported in Stoke Poges News, of the pre-school. Christmas tree decorations and merry Christmas and a The Stoke Poges Society is pleased to delicious Christmas cakes. Our prosperous new year. announce the inauguration of a poetry During this busy term we also unique winter wanderland will competition in 2014, which will run for the explored the themes of Eid, the take place on Wednesday 11 The Rainbow Playleaders; following two years, and will culminate in a ocean, emotions, Handa’s December following our nativity 647572; literary event in 2016 as part of the celebrations marking the tercentenary of Surprise, our homes and the performance. The children will stokepogesrainbow@ Thomas Gray’s birth on 26 December 1716. farm. The half term was brought wander through the woods to hotmail.co.uk; Further details and entry forms, etc. will be to a close with our spooky collect clues to win a www.stokepogesrainbow.co.uk available early in 2014.

28 29 News from The Stoke Poges School We are very pleased to announce that our school has was also some lovely seasonal art work on display. The achieved the Primary Science Quality Mark – Silver retiring collection raised £594.41 for this year’s chosen award. This award is in recognition of outstanding charity, which is the Special Care Baby Unit at Wexham TemplewoodTemplewood SecuritySecurity science practice throughout the school and there have Park Hospital. The School Council have also decided to been a number of exciting opportunities set up for the donate this half term’s mufti collection to the unit. children to experience and enjoy. We have two after- school science clubs, as well as a link with Burnham Have you ever considered becoming a school governor? Grammar School, which gave us the opportunity to learn We have a vacancy for a Community Governor and are about science in a laboratory. The Quality Mark also keen to hear from anyone in the parish who might be SystemsSystems LTDLTD focused on ‘teaching science outside of the classroom’. interested in joining us. Maybe you have an area of We have organised a science week for the last five years expertise you wish to share? If you would like to know and last year’s ‘Here and Now’ exhibition was a more about being a school governor, you can find out celebration of the theme ‘Inventions and Discoveries’. more by contacting Roger Smith, the Chair of Governors, via the school office. Established in Farnham Common since 1990. The science week was a perfect opportunity to promote practical science throughout the school. The Year 6 We are gearing up for a season of joy and sparkle as science ambassadors were at the forefront of Christmas approaches. The Friends of The Stoke Poges A friendly LOCAL business with 20 years demonstrating science in the playground! Science trips School are organising a Christmas Fayre on Saturday 30 were another major part of the award to inspire children November, following on from their exciting Hallowe’en of experience. and included The Science Museum, The Royal Institute of discos. We’re looking forward to another huge turnout Great Britain and The Big Bang in London. The teaching for ‘Carols on the Green’, with lantern making high on of science at The Stoke Poges School goes from strength the agenda this term. The younger children are busy to strength! learning songs for their production, with staff and parents even busier working on costumes. For the • Intruder alarms specialist Over the summer holiday we had a successful installation older children, the carol service at St Giles’ is on the of 33 new computers in our ICT suite, making us one of 17 December. the very few schools in the county to have Windows 8 • For all your installation requirements touch screen computers! The children have enjoyed The sound of singing fills the corridors and there is glitter using the new machines and adapting to a new absolutely everywhere! and local servicing operating system. We also installed a research centre for Year 6, with access to six computers for children to use http://www.thestokepogesschool.ik.org during lessons. Anne Frank • Insurance approved Our enthusiastic team of school councillors have been busy organising fund- raising events for charity. • Red Care monitored systems They held a coffee morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer • 24 hour call outs Support, selling hot drinks, cakes and biscuits. It’s no mean feat making hot • Free estimates and advice chocolate for all 450 NACOSS pupils and staff, not to mention the parents who GOLD joined us! They raised £310.30 and provided us all with an enjoyable sociable occasion. We all enjoyed the two Harvest Call: 01753 648330 Festival assemblies, which this year took place in our school hall, rather than at Web: www.templewood.co.uk St Andrew’s. The big audience was entertained by songs, poems and The recently upgraded ICT suite E-mail: [email protected] informative speeches about harvest festivals around the world. There

30 31 Sunshine Corner Pre-school STOKE POGES We returned in and party food were money during the term. Bowls Club September for another enjoyed by all present. We hope that the busy term. Many new money from this event children joined us and Over the remaining part will enable us to update Stoke Poges Bowls Club had a good they have now settled in of the term we looked our toys on a regular season. Finals day went well. Dave taking part at shapes including basis to reflect the Seymour was our men’s singles champion enthusiastically in all making square houses latest developments with Newark Smelt as runner-up. Pauline activities. Bringing their and triangle trees. in children’s care own lunch continues to During the first week and education. Branchflower won the ladies’ singles, and be very popular with the after half term the runner-up was Peggy Farley. older children and most children made fireworks During October we also of the children now do to go on the sky picture held our AGM where On 26 October we held our annual dinner this at some time before on the display board on we appointed a new dance at Stoke Poges Village Centre, they move on to school. the wall. This picture is committee for the We have been in receipt when all our winners were presented with gradually being added coming year. Last year’s of government funding their trophies by Sue Faulks, past ladies During the first half of to during the term executive committee for children in the term President of Bucks Bowls Association. the term the children to become a big members stood again after their third birthday After the meal and presentations we looked at different Christmas display. and were re-elected. for some years but there colours and had a day They worked hard at is now some funding for danced to the music of The Clubmen. each week when both As we move towards fund-raising last year two year olds as well. the children and staff the end of term, the and we hope they will This funding is available During our close season we will hold wore the colour of the children have begun to be equally successful to parents who are in social events and in the new year our week. The last week make Christmas crafts this year. Fund-raising is receipt of particular short mat bowls. Anyone interested in was ‘rainbow week’ to take home with vital to the pre-school as benefits and if you joining our club, please contact me on and everyone looked them. The annual government funding would like to find out 642341 or email: [email protected] Dave Seymour, Sue Faulks and Newark Smelt very colourful on the nativity play will take does not cover all the whether your child special day that week. place on 13 December costs and it enables us might be eligible, please Activities included and the term ends on to keep toys and other contact either Jennie making a red postbox, 19 December with a equipment updated. or Kirsten on the eating bananas and Christmas party. We are The work of the present number below. custard in ‘yellow week’ sure that Father and past committees and icing biscuits with Christmas will be able has been invaluable We are a very popular orange icing in ‘orange to fit a visit to the and our thanks go to local committee-run week’. ‘Purple week’ children at the party all parents who pre-school which meets was particularly exciting into his busy schedule. volunteer to be part of every day during term as it was also ‘pets the committee. time in the Village week’ when we were During October we held Centre. We take visited by several dogs, our sponsored Winter Our next fund-raising children after their two tortoises and two Olympics. Despite The event was due to take second birthday and ponies – not all at the Stoke Poges School place just before the have a wide experience same time fortunately! being shut on the day, publication of this of various children’s the event was well edition of Stoke Poges needs. We recommend As the weather attended by children News. Sunshine Corner putting your child’s continued to be largely from the pre-school and held its Christmas name on the waiting fine we were able to the Parent, Baby and Bazaar in the Village list as soon as you can, spend many sessions in Toddler group. Many of Centre on Saturday 23 whatever their age, the garden making the the children brought November. Father as our spaces fill up most of it before the older brothers and Christmas was present very quickly. winter sets in. The first sisters with them and it and local organisations half of the term ended was nice to see so many and traders ran stalls. A friendly welcome is with a multicultural older children returning By the time you read extended to all parents party with the children to see us again. All the this we will hopefully and carers. For and staff dressed in children were sponsored have found that the information phone traditional clothes or in to take part and they bazaar has been as 644300 or 07973 favourite dressing up have been bringing in popular and successful 671558 and speak to costumes. Party games their sponsorship as in previous years. a supervisor.

32 33 Dates for your Diary

Sat 25 Beer and skittles evening, Stoke Tue 11 Members’ evening – ‘Are We December January Poges Men’s Group, St Andrew’s Downhearted? No!’, The Stoke Hall, 7 pm Poges Society, Stoke Green Cricket Sun 1 1stSunday@4, Stoke Poges Free Sun 5 1stSunday@4, Stoke Poges Free Club, 8 pm Church, Village Centre, 4 pm Church, Village Centre, 4 pm Thur 30 Duke of Edinburgh Award Group meeting, Hitachi Data Systems, Wed 12 ‘The Man on the Spot’ – talk by Bill Tue 3 ‘A Celebration of Christmas’, Mon 6 Women’s Fellowship AGM and ‘The 7.30 pm Hamilton, Women’s Institute, Village Women’s Fellowship, St Andrew’s, Farnhams and Burnham Beeches’ – Centre, 2.15 pm 8 pm talk by Judy Tipping, St Andrew’s Chapel, 2 pm February Fri 14 ‘London and its Theatre’ - talk by Wed 4 ‘Marlow Town’ – talk by Bobbie Colin Oakes, Middle Thames Latter, Hedgerley Historical Society, Wed 8 ‘Dragonflies and Damselflies’ – talk Archeological & Historical Society, St Hedgerley Memorial Hall, 8 pm by Brian Clewes, Women’s Institute, Sun 2 1stSunday@4, Stoke Poges Free Andrew’s Chapel, 7.30 pm Village Centre, 2.15 pm Church, Village Centre, 4 pm Fri 6 Christmas Concert, Women’s Wed 19 ‘Amersham – A Town on the Road’ Institute, The Gateway, Aylesbury, Fri 10 ‘Magic Lanterns’ – talk by Tony Mon 3 ‘Furniture Restoration’ – talk by – talk by Julian Hunt, Hedgerley 7.30 pm Brown and Gordon Case, Middle Carol’s Circuit, Women’s Fellowship, Historical Society, Hedgerley Thames Archeological & Historical St Andrew’s Chapel, 2 pm Memorial Hall, 8 pm Sat 7 ‘Carols on the Green’, Village Society, St Andrew’s Chapel, Centre, 3 pm 7.30 pm Sat 8 Glade creation, Friends of Stoke Mon 24 Gems and jewels of London tour, Common, The Common, 10 am Women’s Institute, all day. Christmas social event, Middle Sat 11 Common clearing, Friends of Stoke Thames Archeological & Historical Common, The Common, 10 am Society, St Andrew’s Hall, 7.30 pm Wed 15 ‘Restoration of Herschel Park’ – talk Tue 10 Christmas Event, The Stoke Poges by Bruce Hicks and Tony Down, Society, St Andrew’s New Hall, Hedgerley Historical Society, 8 pm Hedgerley Memorial Hall, 8 pm Wed 11 Christmas Party, Women’s Institute, Thur 16 AGM, Friends of Stoke Common, Village Centre, 2.15 pm Village Centre, 7.30 pm Christmas tree building, Friends of !#$%()#% + (# .(/+0 # Sat 14 Sat 18 Ian English Boodlum Band – live ❖ "GE8PQB6(C(!GEE8I6B4D Stoke Common, The Common, music and comedy night, Village 10 am Centre, 8 pm ❖ %FQ8IBGI(C(#UQ8IBGI ❖ $RDDV(%FPRI87 Stoke Poges Post Office and Shop ❖ 4P87(BF(0QGC8((G@8P Post Office hours: Shop hours: ❖ '8E58IP(G9(QA8((4BFQBF@(4F7("86GI4QBF@(PPG6B4QBGF(Q("R &BPQ87(4P(1IRPQTGIQAV(1I478PE8F(BF(0QGC8((G@8P Mon to Fri, 9 am - 5.30 pm Mon to Fri, 7 am - 6 pm ❖ Sat, 9 am to 12.30 pm Sat, 7 am - 1 pm ❖ $I88()RGQ4QBGF(GF(I8HR8PQ un, 8 am - pm S 1 !"#$ #&' $'&+,' "$ & &." 0& For most of your everyday needs 1#$(+ '(#(+++$+ ● Newspapers ● Milk ● Bread ● Tea ● Coffee '(#+(# Unit 1, Giles House, Bells Hill Green ☎ 01753 648328 #(PE4IQ7866GEE8I6B4DDQ7AGQE4BD<6G

34 35 In the last edition we had just but some people, if they work in an held our annual walk. Well, not office, ask for the stamps from their too many walkers turned up but mail. I receive quite a few this way. Golf Pro Tips several members walked in their own areas and also a few We are losing more members than donations were received. About a are joining at the moment and it dozen people from Stoke Poges would be nice to see an increase were also walking and from the present 122 plus one youth. gave us a donation of about £400 which was On 14 September we held our first much appreciated. Legion lunch at the Victoria pub, which was more of a trial run, Remember to organised by our secretary, Alan A Higher Launch for a collect the stamps Bones. To say it was a resounding from your success sounds great but it really was Lower Handicap envelopes. I know with 45 tickets sold and the ‘Vic’ there are not so putting on an excellent spread. I’m As we’re now in the depths of winter, I’m sure you’ve noticed a significant change in the many these days sure this will be repeated in 2014, distances you’re hitting the ball. Clearly a drop in perhaps a little earlier in the year. temperature will affect how far the ball travels in the air but, if you can counteract this influence by We were all sorry to hear that Ruth making a few simple changes to your technique has had to cease her job as treasurer and equipment, winter golf won’t seem such due to medical reasons but have hard work. been fortunate in Mrs Chris Leister- Crow offering to take it on. If you hit a low ball or struggle to keep up with your playing partners it’s essential that you get the Some 56 members and new ball in the air for longer. My first piece of advice is members attended the annual to check your equipment as most amateurs have drivers and fairways woods with lofts that are too supper in October. As usual, an low. By increasing this by one to two degrees per excellent meal was served, with a club, the ball will fly higher and have less side spin, good raffle to round off the evening. giving a much more effective and efficient flight. Many of the latest clubs have adjustable lofts, so John Cooper find your tool and add a few degrees. My second piece of advice is to adapt your set-up position to allow you to launch the ball further. DO YOU HAVE AN ANNOYING DRIP Follow these five simple steps: 1. Feet just outside shoulder width with the ball IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD? positioned on the front heel. 2. Tilt behind the ball from the waist, creating a spine angle away from the target. Dr Tap Plumbing & Heating Services 3. Ensure your left ear (for right handers) is two Fully qualified and insured Boilers installed, serviced inches behind the ball. 4. Feel 60 per cent of your weight is on your plumber available to remove drips, & repaired, back foot. drops and other annoyances Landlord’s certificates issued 5. Hands and shaft positioned slightly behind the ball. around your house. Gas leaks fixed. Each of these aspects contributes to you NO JOB delivering maximum club head speed to the ball with the correct angle of attack, ultimately giving TOO SMALL you a ball flight that is in the air for longer. The next time you play, your partners won’t believe the difference. Call Paul Webster on 07814 747221 E-mail [email protected] Stuart Rank, Head of Instruction at Stoke Park

36 37 Stoke Poges Bell-ringers

We had a positive response to the item ringing their bell at the right time with others. ‘Learn to ring church bells in a week’ in the Having the opportunity to practise each day was a spring edition of Stoke Poges News. In fact, great help because there wasn’t time to forget the four people (Hazel, Sheila, Naomi and Jane) previous day’s learning, so progress was rapid. Our signed up for the week of instruction and four ringers were invited to join the band ringing practice at St Giles’ Church in the first week ‘rounds’ (the downward sequence which opens of August. and closes all ringing methods) before Evensong on the Sunday evening and acquitted themselves Three highly experienced ringers patiently with distinction. Typically, a new ringer who rings demonstrated and guided our learners through at weekly ringing practices would take around the basics of bell control, stepping in to take three months to reach the same level. control when necessary. Unlike learning many other skills, it isn’t possible to start slowly and then They will now receive a warm welcome in the bell get faster as confidence builds. Each bell weighs a tower on Sunday evenings, where they can join few hundredweight and once it is in motion the the band and further enhance their skills. ringer has to respond to it. Each day other ringers also came along to ‘make up the numbers’; it’s Bell-ringing is a great way of getting some gentle easier to learn when ringing when everyone else upper body exercise in a friendly, sociable setting. knows what they are doing and rings in the right place! The experienced ringers enjoyed the extra If you are interested in giving bell-ringing a try, practice and the opportunity to work on come along to a practice night on Wednesdays improving their technique. at 7.30 pm or before Evensong at 5.45 pm on Sunday (except the first Sunday of the month) By Wednesday, our novices had a good grasp of or call the Tower Captain, Dr Peter Mackie the basics and they progressed to the next stage – on 645510.

The bell-ringers Credit: Paul Elderfield

38 39 Bucks Fire and Rescue Service

Home Fire Risk Checks alarms with a sealed battery that should last ten years in normal use. You might be surprised to learn that although we go to hundreds of house fires every year, your As an option, in certain premises, we may local fire service also visit thousands of homes fit heat detectors. Our staff will ask you to where there isn’t a fire! That’s because sign an indemnity form for any alarms Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service is that they fit. By signing this you accept supporting a national initiative to offer free home the responsibility for the alarms we fire risk checks to anyone who would like one. have provided.

What are they? Is there a waiting list?

A home fire risk check is a basic assessment of the Your local station will contact you to arrange fire risks in your home, carried out by our staff. It an appointment convenient for you. There is takes about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the a waiting list for this popular service, which size of the house. We will need you to be present varies depending on the time of year. Thank to answer a few questions for us. you for your patience!

What happens when the check is completed? How much does this all cost?

Our staff will offer you fire safety advice, based on The home fire risk check and any alarms any potential fire risks that they have identified we provide and fit during the check are during the check. You may also ask them any fire entirely free. safety questions you have. Bucks fire-fighters How do I request a home fire ready to carry out a If they think you need them, our staff will also fit risk check? home fire risk check as many smoke alarms as they think necessary. We currently provide British Standard smoke By telephone – contact the Community Safety team administrator on 01296 744477 or call Gerrards Cross Fire Station on 885761.

By email – [email protected]

Or look out for our home fire risk check leaflet coming through your door. Alarms for hearing- impaired people

If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may well not be able to hear the smoke alarms that we fit during home fire risk checks. If that is the case, we can still help provide you with an appropriate smoke alarm system.

We will, with your consent, pass your details to Action on Hearing Loss who will arrange a hearing assessment for you. Subject to the results of that assessment, they will loan you a special smoke alarm that is suitable for your needs.

40 41 Vicar’s Letter Christmas is Good News

Christmas is good news because it is about Jesus – and here are four reasons why Jesus is good news (from Hebrews chapter 1)! more. Jesus took flesh and 1. We know that God has long been into the became ‘incarnate’ – like us in every communication business: ‘in the past God way but without sin in order that he might spoke… through the prophets at many times and provide ‘purification for sins’. in various ways’. But starting at that first Christmas we see something different: ‘in these This is why we rightly call him the Saviour or Rescuer; last days he has spoken to us by his Son’, the it is why we look forward on his birthday and Lord Jesus. remember the day he died just 33 years later. Jesus died on our behalf as an ‘atoning sacrifice for our 2. This Jesus is the pre-existent Son of God; he did sins’ (1 John 4) because he is the Lamb of God who not begin life at that first Christmas, he has been takes away the sin of the world. around for a very long time. He was involved in Creation as the One ‘through whom’ God ‘made Jesus paid the price for our wrongs, taking our the universe’! So in the Old Testament book of punishment in order that nothing might come Proverbs (ch. 8) we read: ‘I was appointed from between us and God. That is why the Christmas eternity, before the world began’. angels could sing: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests’. 3. For people wanting to know God, all that is needed is to look and see what Jesus is like! ‘The It was true then and it is still true. Peace with God is Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact still held out to all people who receive what Jesus has representation of his being.’ provided them – ‘purification for sins’.

The naked eye cannot see the sun apart from the This Christmas come and share in the good news and radiance of its heat and light, and yet this radiance experience the welcome that God gives us at our is separate from the sun. In the same way Jesus is carol service on 15 December and our services on distinct from God the Father but as we look to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Jesus we truly see God! No wonder Jesus told his disciples: ‘Anyone who has seen me has seen the Draw near and receive for yourself what Jesus died to Father’. (John 14) purchase for you – forgiveness for the past, cleansing for the present and the new relationship of becoming 4. This Jesus came to earth by being born at that first a child of God. Christmas with a job to do. Yes, it was to show us God and teach us how to live, but there was Revd Harry Latham

DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL ROOFING U.P.V.C FASCIA SOFFIT AND GUTTERING

96 ROGERS LANE STOKE POGES BUCKS SL2 4LL  '#(/)-0#*,,(-,#   '#())*+#,)-,*)

42 help, perhaps when family and friends are unavailable, to register with us. Forms are available at Threeways Surgery, Hedgegrail pharmacy and outside the Lionel Rigby Room at the Village Centre.

It is always good to have more volunteers and the same form can be used to join as a GoodGGoGoooodddN NeighbourNiNNeNegNgNigNeigiiggghhboouuurr SchSchemeheeme scheme volunteer. You can specify what t k g services you wish to help with. In particular, it S o e Poo eses would be helpful to have more volunteers to hold the mobile phone for a week every six The Good Neighbour Scheme continues to eight weeks, to take requests for help. to run successfully. So far, most requests Volunteers need to have a Disclosure and for help have been for transport but we Barring Service (DBS) check, formerly known can offer other services. as Criminal Records Bureau (CRB)). There is no cost to the volunteer for this. As winter approaches, with darker evenings and possible bad weather, we would like to If you would like more information, please encourage anyone who feels they may need phone Sue Lynch on 646582. !" ' "*+,-'//"+0" 2"

Women’s Fellowship ! #$%& )* &(%, )))"%"-)( $".-)&(%)) %$"))(, -)- * )) ! Our final event of the year is ‘A Celebration ( ,())%&(* $)9))*))& " )*), ")-)) $)*%)%##%* of Christmas’ which will be held on Tuesday 3 December at 8 pm in St Andrew’s. There will be music, carols and readings, with coffee and mince pies to follow – it’s always ! (&%(*)($)() ! ! )( &) an enjoyable evening. Everyone is welcome ! (+ ))($)() !  $) – we would love to see you there, if not as a member, then as a guest. ! %(&%(*),$*) ! & "),$*) ! )&%!)(, ) ! %")( &) On Monday 6 January, in the Chapel at St Andrew’s at 2 pm, we hold our AGM followed by a talk on ‘The Farnhams and & ")! )!) $"+) )%""* %$-)! )(,  Burnham Beeches’ by Judy Tipping, which should be interesting as it is local. Please $)($)()*%) (&%(* would those people who are Children’s Society box holders bring their boxes to the AGM for the annual count. %()#%() $%(#* %$)%$)%+()- )($)%))(, )-)%* $))'+%*)-)%()%%!)%$" $-), ) *

On 3 February at 2 pm the topic by ‘Carol’s Circuit’ will be furniture restoration, some of her work having been done at Windsor Castle. Please give it your support. ,! #$%& )*,-#, .

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44 45 Stoke Poges Men’s Group Community Safety

Our 2014 schedule of events starts on Saturday 25 January with a Beer and Skittles Evening. Do join us in St Andrew’s At this time of year, when there are http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/homesecurity- explanations for the reduction in traditional Hall, Rogers Lane, for what is always a fun so few hours of daylight, the scene is selfassessment.pdf acquisitive crimes has been the growth in online crime, which takes many forms. evening. The first game starts at 7 pm. A set for opportunist burglars. Car crime good choice of drinks will be available It’s important to be on the lookout for scam along with a tasty fish and chip supper and If your home is unoccupied during the day, it’s We continue to receive reports of cars being phone calls and emails: be very suspicious of any delicious desserts. As numbers have to be important that you make it look as though broken into. Thieves are looking for portable email asking you to ‘reconfirm your log-in details’. limited, be sure to book your place as soon someone is in, especially when we need to put electronic devices: laptop and tablet computers, Also, watch out for scam phone calls asking for as possible. the lights on in mid-afternoon. Use a timer plug mobile phones and satellite navigation. Always your personal details, like passwords, PINs, etc. with a light or a light-sensing switch to turn a light take these items with you and remove all evidence Next on the list will be a Men’s Breakfast on on. Also, a radio tuned to a speech only station that you have one (e.g. the satnav holder’s suction Be wary of how much of your personal Saturday 22 March. If you enjoy a full can give the impression that people are inside cup mark from the windscreen and connecting information you make public online if you use cooked breakfast (or even a healthy one if talking. These simple measures can be sufficient to cables). It’s safest to remove everything from the social media. How many of the answers to the that is your preference!), put this date in deter a criminal from attempting a break-in. car: remember it costs a thief nothing to smash a usual security questions do you share on your diary. More details will be posted on Remember that criminals look for easy pickings, so window and if he sees a coat on a seat, he may be Facebook, e.g. mother’s maiden name, name of the Parish Church website in the coming homes with a burglar alarm installed are 60 per tempted to check for money in the pockets. eldest child, your school, your place and date of cent less likely to be burgled. months. birth? It might be easier than you think for Cars are now much harder to steal due to someone to ‘borrow’ your identity and gain access If you are planning to be away for a winter break, For further information about the Men’s advances in immobiliser technology. However, if to your bank account or spend money using your arrange for it to look as though you are at home: your car is particularly desirable it could be at risk; credit card! Be careful with the correspondence Group, or to book a place, contact Tony arrange for your letterbox to be emptied daily; use Shortman or Nigel Lowe. the preferred method of stealing is to break in, you receive from banks and building societies: a time switch on lights to give the impression of find the keys and drive away. To discourage this, always remove your name and address details the home being occupied and if you have a put your car keys away at home somewhere that from junk mail before you recycle it and shred your Tony Shortman, 01844 350014 or driveway, arrange to have a car parked on it. isn’t convenient (e.g. opposite the front door) or identity details. [email protected] obvious. When parking in a public place, lock the Nigel Lowe, 07973 349721 or Thames Valley Police have published a home car using the key (not the remote) and check a Thames Valley Alerts [email protected] security self-assessment check which can be door handle to ensure that it has locked. downloaded from their website: Thames Valley Police runs a free community Criminals are always on the lookout for easy ways messaging service which sends out crime alerts of getting their hands on other people’s money. local to our area. You can sign up at Crime experts have suggested that one of the https://thamesvalleyalert.co.uk

46 47 Stoke Poges, Wexham & Fulmer Horticultural Society At our last meeting of the year on 13 November, Jon Homan gave an illustrated talk on ‘Botanical Gardens of the World’. It was also our Annual General Meeting. New members were welcomed to enjoy the talk, have a glass of wine and learn about the society.

This is a quiet time of year for the society but plans are in hand for next year! Full details will be included in the spring edition of Stoke Poges News. Meanwhile, here are some dates for your 2014 diary:

Annual Spring Plant Sale: Late April at the Village Centre – good quality plants at reasonable prices.

Lecture Evenings at The Stoke Poges School at 8 pm on Wednesdays: 12 March, 14 May, 10 September and 8 October.

Annual Flower Show, Saturday 26 July in the grounds of The Stoke Poges School.

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48 49 Choir rehearsals are on Thursdays, 7.45 pm to 9.45 pm at St Andrew’s Church Centre, Rogers Lane, Stoke Poges Stoke Poges. South Bucks Physiotherapists Conductor, Graham Roitt Singers South Bucks Physiotherapists (SBP) was established over 30 years ago when the Thames Graham began his conducting at school in High Valley Hospital consultants asked them to continue to treat the in-patient orthopaedic Next concert: An evening of John Rutter including: Wycombe with the Dance Band. Whilst at university patients and rehabilitate them back to full function. the Magnificat, anthems and music for Christmas, 14 in London he conducted his college choir and December, 7.30 pm at St Giles’ Church, Stoke Poges, orchestra for two years, and after leaving he They began to do this, at first in a small tickets £10 (£8 concessions) on the door. conducted several small groups including a room underneath the staircase, and performance of Haydn’s Nelson Mass. For a number of years Graham was a member of the Royal Free have grown into a thriving All proceeds from each of our concerts are given to practice, now treating patients 30 years and still charities chosen by choir members. This time we are Singers in Windsor where he sang bass. He travelled with them to Hungary, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, referred from not just on the move! supporting Middlesex University Centre for consultants but GPs as well. Diagnostic and Investigative Oncology. Belarus and Russia. This is Graham’s ninth year with The Stoke Poges Singers, and our performances Singing for Pleasure together have included Vivaldi’s Gloria, Gilbert and Having developed great Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance and Suppé’s Requiem. working relationships The Stoke Poges Singers are a mixed voice, soprano, Graham is a member of the Association of British with the hospital alto, tenor, bass (SATB) choir whose members enjoy Choral Directors. consultants, they singing in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. We opened an additional hold a minimum of three concerts each year, one of Come sing with us. New members welcome treatment room in which is usually a religious work performed in St (www.stoke-poges-singers.org.uk/contact-us/new- members-form) the newly opened Giles’ Church. Our repertoire ranges from Mozart’s Park Hall Clinic at Requiem to songs from South Pacific and Oklahoma! If you would like to join us, you can either turn up at Wexham Park Hall, the St Andrew’s Church Centre for rehearsals or you further down can contact us. You will be made very welcome and Wexham Street. Now, ARNOLD you will not be under any obligation for the first few following a strategic weeks until you have found out how you get on with change at the Spire FUNERAL SERVICE us. If you used to sing many years ago, or if you have Hospital, they are moving Independent family business ever thought of singing, or if you would like a their entire clinic to these Traditional and Alternative Funerals change from your current choir, then why not give us newly refurbished premises. Home Visits by appointment a try? We will give you lots of help and Pre-payment plans available encouragement. There are more details on our website www.stoke- Research shows that physiotherapy can help in many of 273 Farnham Road, poges-singers.org.uk/ Call Naomi: 07831 217575 or send us a message: the muscle and joint problems that Slough (www.stoke-poges-singers.org.uk/contact-us) patients present to GPs, such as back and 01753 535556 neck pain, and sports injuries. Following joint surgery, physiotherapy is essential to maximise full recovery,  38 Oak End Way and SBP are extremely experienced in this. !# (&'('*''(!. $&.111 Gerrards Cross Home visits are offered as part of their efficient and '"(*.& '"(5(". ' ( ( ( ( ( 01753 891892 responsive service. Patients are also able to refer .&". ' 5 &' ." ' 5 7.& 5 themselves. ' *.(5('#('.("(5('!(!".*( also at " #!".*(" '*.!'(!".(5 Marlow High Wycombe If you would like to book an appointment or (9("(!'(5 01628 898866 01494 472572 need advice on how they can help, please call .%. (5('9#!((5 Beaconsfield !".(.! 01494 685000 them. They are keeping the same phone number: 664114. + + + + www.arnold-funerals.co.uk %& () **)+& - % ( % / &) In summary, SBP are moving, and aim to keep  %* * 11  24 HOUR SERVICE their patients moving too!

50 51 Stoke Poges and Wexham Women’s Institute

awarded the prestigious Judges’ Calendar Cup, The Bucks Federation has arranged a special treat In February we will get a peep behind the scenes which was presented to her at the Bucks for us on Monday 24 February when we join a when BBC broadcaster and journalist Bill Hamilton Federation Council meeting. Members are now full-day tour of glittering London. Starting in the describes his eventful life as ‘The Man on the being invited to enter the BFWI 2015 calendar London silver vaults with its display of incredibly Spot’. Covering most of the south of England, Mr competition on the theme ‘hidden in valuable silver creations, we go to Hatton Garden Hamilton is the man who races to trouble spots to Buckinghamshire’, entering photographs of for lunch. And then to the Museum of London to provide us with immediate, up-to-date footage of hidden gems relevant to Buckinghamshire, its see the very first exhibition of the Cheapside disasters, or occasionally, happy events. His stories culture and history. This should prove extremely Hoard, a priceless collection of gems from Tudor will jog our memories and make us more interesting and we look forward with eager and Stuart times. Leaving home early in the conscious than ever of how much effort goes into anticipation to seeing these hidden gems. morning, we expect to return about 6.30 pm, keeping us abreast of events. inspired by the sight of these recently discovered Our Christmas celebrations begin on Friday 6 wonderful treasures. If you would like to join us at any of these events, December at The Gateway, Aylesbury. At this WI pop into the Village Hall at 2.15 pm on the Christmas concert we will be singing lots of Our new year talks give us plenty to look forward second Wednesday of the month. You can be favourite carols, accompanied again this year by to. In January, world famous entomologist Brian sure of a warm welcome. the Amersham Band and the Joyful Divas. With Clews will examine the role of ‘Nature and the coffee and mince pies to keep our strength up, Insect World’ when he tells us about the life cycles Gwyn Alcock we look forward to an evening of joyful of dragonflies and damselflies. WI Secretary merriment to welcome in the festive season.

Our Christmas party, on Wednesday 11 December, is always a favourite occasion. We were delighted to hear that for the Members arrive togged out in Sunday best, second year running, our photographers Gill gripping festively wrapped presents in their hands. Opie and Jean Porter have been successful in These are added to the present pool, making sure the calendar photographic competition. that every member receives a Christmas present; no one is forgotten. A delicious tea is served The 2014 Bucks Federation of WIs (BFWI) calendar courtesy of May Martin’s legacy and the catering was on the theme of gardens. Gill was also department of Marks and Spencer. VILLAGE ELECTRICAL ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR Domestic • Industrial • Commercial Installations House Rewires • Fuseboard Upgrades • Security Lighting Fire Alarms • Emergency Lighting • Test and Inspection reports Work carried out to the 17th Edition Wiring Regulations BS7671 Part P Registered for Building Control

Contact John Croly 2 Broom Hill, Stoke Poges, Bucks SL2 4PU

Tel: 01753 662595 Mobile: 07788 742163 The Cheapside Hoard: bejewelled necklaces and chains. Credit: Museum of London Email: [email protected]

52 53 Stoke Green Rovers Football Club Stoke Green Rovers (reserves) have found it challenging for the top spot in the Premier difficult to hit their stride this year after many of Division this year. Let’s see what happens! our players moved away from the area to start university. The side made a promising start in their As always, we continue to search for young first few cup games but have suffered a few losses vibrant players, and our coaching staff look recently in the league and are currently wallowing forward to the possibility of young talent from our near the bottom of division two after winning village coming forward and joining their local club only one of their four league games. As we are to play at senior level. Any players in search of a all aware, the season is a long one so there is a well-run, progressive club should contact Alan Fox real opportunity to pull things together during (07811 137762) or Gary Matthews (644225). mid-season and rally strongly towards the end of the season. Club Support

The Stoke Green Rovers (firsts), managed by Tim Stoke Green Rovers FC welcomes your support Dale, struggled with a challenging pre-season and everyone is invited to watch our home programme due to players’ work commitments. matches on Saturday afternoons. Games generally However, after a worrying lead-up to the season kick off at 2 pm. If you text us on 07976 371802 with players being unavailable, the results have we will be happy to send you our fixture list for been extremely impressive. In the league the first the following weeks. All of our players have been team currently sit in second place and are trained to respect referees and supporters and to performing well in the senior cups. We were due express themselves correctly to the officials rather to play the semi-professional Amersham Town than using foul and abusive language. Our from the Spartan South Midlands League Division disciplinary record is superb every year and we One on Tuesday 5 November, under floodlights at look forward to the club being short-listed for the Amersham Town. It seems that the team has now East Berks Football League ‘Sportsmanship reached a standard where we regularly meet Award’. We promote the East Berkshire FA’s these senior clubs in the cup runs, such is the ‘RESPECT’ campaign and will continue to do so. improvement in the side. Gary Matthews With a long way still to go in the season, Stoke Chairman Green Rovers look forward to the prospect of Stoke Green Rovers Football Club "# %"''( )+%(" .% ( " .. $." >.!$ ..# ." !

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54 55 Parish Council Chairman’s Letter It’s been an eventful autumn in what has been the had been most contentious year for Stoke Poges in a long successful. time. The main topic of conversation over the past They will provide few weeks has been the move to censor our £39,000 towards the cost of building residents’ right to speak out against an unwanted our new all-weather sports pitch at Bells Hill rec. – secondary school here by enforcing a rarely used around half of the project cost. Veolia required a law. I can understand the anger people feel about huge amount of information (contractors’ this latest turn of events and whilst it’s easy to quotations; proof of ownership of the land and a direct that anger towards council officers, it’s long list of the Parish Council’s policies and important to bear in mind that they were doing documents) which all had to be scanned and their job responding to complaints they had uploaded to their website. I am grateful to Julie, received. Experience shows that clever minds often our clerk, who worked with great tenacity to find ways to get around legal obstacles and it gather together all the documents required whilst I remains to be seen whether that will happen with was writing the application (and editing the banners opposing a secondary school. summer edition of this magazine). There are always more projects than funds available, which One of the first things I did as a parish councillor makes the grant process extremely competitive. So was to spend an afternoon in both recs, with it’s an excellent outcome for the village that our Saera Carter and Felicity Hawkins, listening to funding request was met in full. The Parish Council what our young people would like in the recs. will now select a contractor to build the facility, Their first priority was more and better play hopefully to be ready in time for the spring, equipment, which we have been installing over weather permitting. the past three years. The older ones wanted somewhere where they could play informal, small- November is the time when the Parish Council sided games of football, netball and basketball. As plans its budget for the next financial year, a result of our research, back in 2010, the Parish commencing April 2014. I wouldn’t preempt the Council set itself a goal of delivering a multi-use decision on the precept, which will be taken by games area (MUGA). the full Council in December or January. There has been no discussion about a need to increase the At the end of October I received the fantastic precept above its current level. news that the Parish Council’s application for funding from The Veolia Environmental Trust The Parish Council is gearing up for our annual ‘Carols on the Green’ evening. It’s always a special occasion when we get together as a village to sing ! #$ &'(& * ,'(& $ '0&1, $1$* ' traditional carols. Many of us feel it’s important that we maintain the traditions and ensure that !#  #'*',-#*' -**-', * * our young people enjoy a good experience of being part of a friendly and safe community. If you **,-'-*5-' *''*  have young children, please bring them along on ' -* ***-*- 7 December – the more the merrier! If your children are now adults, come along anyway – it’s <- -,* *--#'*-'** '*-, ' fun taking part in the procession round the village on closed roads and singing is good for the soul. ,,' * =- * -* - -#* ? -#*'#* ,--# Best wishes for a wonderful Christmas and a prosperous new year. ! #' %& ' ) *'+ ,, ' -'' Ralph Bagge

56 Sunshine Corner Parent , Baby and Todd l er Group This group meets every Thursday morning in the main hall of the Village Centre. It runs from 9.15 am to 11.30 am (term time only). All children, parents and carers are As we draw towards the end of the year welcome. It is very reasonably priced there has been so much going on: junior and at £1.50 per family which includes adult championship titles have been claimed coffee/tea, juice, biscuits and fruit. for another year, summer matches have been played as have many of our winter fixtures, Maybe you are finding it lonely at Rusty Rackets (for returning players) on a home with a toddler or a baby, or Monday is thriving, so much so that we have maybe you would like your child to added an evening session. Wednesday meet other children. Whatever your morning play, which is open to all, continues reason, you will always find a to be hugely popular. Despite the winter welcome at our Baby and Toddler season there is still a lot of tennis Group. It is run by staff and parents being played! from Sunshine Corner Pre-school which meets next door in the We ran an Open Day on 15 September in Harding Room in the Village Centre. honour of Britain having its first Wimbledon Many of the children from the group Men’s Champion since 1936. Although the go on to attend the pre-school with weather was unkind to us, it was an children they already know from the toddler group. enjoyable afternoon, with adults and juniors playing ‘prisoner’, and two potential new For more information, phone 644300 members attending. Our next Open Day will or 07973 671558. be in March, just ahead of the new season, so keep a look out for dates. Kirsten Tarrier In closing I would like to mention two members who have been staunch supporters for many years: Tom Barnes, a member since 1962, who has decided to (temporarily, we hope) hang up his racquets, and Val Taylor !" $%&'%(" *+,"($ who has been a valuable committee member for about thirty years, who has resigned her 05"3&13(0!("65"3&13(2&05&0$ position as fixtures secretary. We are pleased 05"3&13(0!("65"3&13(5&(" that Val will continue as a playing member of our club. 11!(0()&05"((113&0$ 11!(#&0&4%"4 If you are an existing member and interested in serving on the club committee, or a (45"3&0$ resident interested in playing, please contact (((15%"3('1 4 Anne Milne on 529646, or see our website http://www.stokepogestennisclub.co.uk (((1 "35 =>?@A(BC@AC>(13((=?>?(?B??E? Triona Tierney – Publicity Manager

58 59 will be asked twice per year per patient. national eligibility criteria and the surgery has no Ne w s f r o m Additional questions and information will be leeway in its interpretation. added in due course. If you qualify for the shingles vaccination, this can THREEWAYS There is currently a nationally outstanding be given at the same time as your flu vaccination. problem with the arrivals screen in that it can be SURGERY very slow (20–30 seconds) to complete your Annual Patient Survey arrival. Please bear with it as it will complete. Threeways has a NHS-governed requirement to Flu and Shingles Vaccine carry out an annual patient survey. The survey for 2013/2014 can be obtained from the Threeways If you haven’t yet had your flu vaccination, please reception, the clinician with whom you have an phone for an appointment. Flu vaccinations are appointment or from Hedgegrail Pharmacy from free to patients aged 65 and over, i.e. born on or 4 November. All completed forms should be before 31 March 1949 and to any patient aged six returned to Threeways reception. months or older with a diagnosis of chronic respiratory disease, chronic heart disease, chronic If you would prefer, an online version of this kidney disease, chronic liver disease, chronic survey can be found by following the link below. Car Parking overnight or at the weekends, we cannot allow neurological disease or diabetes. Again this link has been available from the use of the car park by people who are not 4 November. The car park at the front of the surgery is part of visiting the surgery during the week (8.00 am – This year Threeways offered a shingles vaccination http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FHBCJ8B the surgery’s property and has no connection with 6.30 pm). Therefore, in the interests of our to a very specific patient group. In order to qualify the shops or flats on the Bells Hill development. patients and your neighbours, could we please for this vaccination, you have to be either 70 years Whatever your preferred method of completing ask all Stoke Poges residents not to use the old (born between 1 September 1943 and 31 the survey, we urge all patients to take the time to Whilst, as good neighbours, we are happy to surgery’s car park unless they are attending the August 1944) or 79 years old (born between 1 complete the form. Results will be displayed allow residents to park in the surgery’s car park surgery and to be mindful that the four disabled September 1934 and 31 August 1935). Please within the surgery and will also be available on bays are for disabled patients only and not note the supply of this vaccine is limited to our website from 28 March. able patients? !"# $%&' )*'+% You may not be aware but there is ample parking under the Co-op for shoppers as well as a lift to shop level. ! $ Leavers and Joiners &')''$' We welcome Dr Daljit Sahata as a new salaried &'-./ GP. Her surgeries are Wednesday 9.30 am to 0 $) '3' 12.30 pm and Friday 9.30 am to 12.30 pm. $) August saw the rotation of GP registrars with Dr Rebecca Jackson and Dr Sara Al Chalabi joining ✓ !%&)  Threeways and Dr Ifatt Jehan and Dr Saima Khalid leaving us to further their careers. ✓ , ✓ 2 & %  Arrivals Screen ✓ 4   & Since its introduction in April 2010, a total of 37,724 patients have booked in for their ✓ 7 %)  &  :  appointment using the automated arrivals screen. ✓ ;%&   We thank you for using this system as it releases our receptionists for other tasks.

☎ !"#$%&&&%&''& The arrivals screen will now ask a simple question about whether you smoke or not; this question

60 61 South Bucks Sports Development

Junior Mountain Bike Sessions Return to Netball is a great gentle introduction to Teen Netball is a great sport for girls aged Venue: The Curzon Centre, Maxwell Road, the sport for female players aged sixteen and over. between 12-16 years. All sessions are led by a fully Beaconsfield, HP9 1RG Plans are underway to establish a junior mountain All sessions are led by a fully qualified coach and qualified coach and will cover basic skills, Price: £6 per day bike club at either Black Park or Hodgemoor will cover basic skills, development and court play. development and court play. The emphasis of Woods (between Beaconsfield and Amersham). If The emphasis of each session is learning new skills each session is learning new skills and playing Weekly Clubs this is something that your child (initially ages are and having fun playing with netball friends. with netball friends. These sessions are aimed at restricted to 10-14yrs) would be interested in, all abilities and focus on fun challenges to build The Sports Development Team provides multi-skills please email us at These sessions are aimed at all abilities and focus skills and help you get active in a fun way. A sports clubs for young people and adults with [email protected] on helping you to rediscover a sport you had rolling ten-week course runs on Saturdays both physical and learning disabilities: forgotten or simply to get active again in a between 11 am and 12 noon. If you would like Simply Walk fun way. more information, please contact the Evreham ‘Rockets Club’ Sports Centre, Swallow Street, Iver, Bucks, SL0 Ages: 7-12 years Walking is a fantastic way to get out and about, Return to Netball only costs £3 for members of 0HS on 672610. Day: Fridays, 5.30 pm - 6.30 pm (term time) meet new people, improve your health and Better and £3.50 for non-members per session. Venue: The Curzon Centre, Maxwell Road, wellbeing and help the environment. In Evreham Sports Centre Mondays, 7 pm - 8 pm No strings Badminton Beaconsfield, HP9 1RG Buckinghamshire there is a lot of stunning Beacon Sports Centre, Fridays 9 am - 10 am Price: £2 per week countryside waiting for you to enjoy. Take your South Bucks District Council is working together first step to getting and staying more active. If you would like more information, please contact with Badminton England and Better to get people Burnham Multi-Sport Disability Club the Evreham Sports Centre, Swallow Street, Iver, excited about a new and fresh badminton Ages: 13-17 years Volunteer-led walks run throughout the year with Bucks, SL0 0HS on 672610 or The Beacon Sports initiative. Whether you’re a complete beginner or Day: Wednesdays, 4.30 pm - 6.00 pm over 500 walkers joining us every week on more Centre and Theatre, Holtspur Way, Holtspur, would like to return to the sport, No Strings (term time) than 50 walks across the county. Our volunteer Beaconsfield, Bucks, HP9 1RJ on 01494 677764. Badminton is a highly sociable way of keeping fit Venue: Burnham Upper School, Hogfair Lane, leaders are there to help you walk at your own and meeting new people. All sessions are ‘pay Burnham, Bucks, SL1 7LZ pace – so don’t worry about getting left behind. Junior Netball 8-11 years and play’ making it convenient and cost-effective. Price: £2 per week All new walkers are welcome to the scheme There are a variety of sessions to suit everyone, whether you are currently fit and active, or Evreham Sports Centre from families and over 50s to complete beginners. Get Active (Adult Club) haven’t exercised in a long time. It couldn’t be Ages: 18+ easier to get started. No need to book, just Better have launched the massively popular entry ‘Pay and play’ sessions to suit you: Day: Wednesdays, choose your walk and, on your first walk, arrive game of High 5 netball. It’s a great way for kids to The Beacon Centre, Wednesdays, 11.15 am - 12.15 pm (term time) 15 minutes early to register with the walk leader. get active, enjoy themselves and make new 5 pm - 6 pm and 6 pm - 7 pm Venue: Evreham Sports Centre, Swallow Street, friends. It’s designed specifically for children, aged The Beacon Centre, Fridays, Iver, Bucks, SL0 0HS Please contact the Sports Development Team for 8-11 and uses fun and variety to get them into 11 am - 12 pm and 12 pm - 1 pm (women only) Price: £2 per session details on Simply Walks near you or visit the game, polish skills and aid fitness. This course The Beacon Centre, Tuesdays www.buckscc.gov.uk/bcc/row/simply_walk.page is ideal for young girls who want to have fun with 5 pm - 6 pm and 6 pm - 7 pm Please call before attending the clubs in order to to download a copy of the latest programme. their friends and learn new skills all from a fully The Beacon Centre, Sundays discuss the level of care required. qualified netball coach. A rolling ten-week course 4 pm - 5 pm and 5 pm - 6 pm (families) Return to Netball Ladies 16+ runs on Saturdays between 10 am and 11 am. If Evreham Sports Centre, Mondays, For further information regarding any of the you would like more information, please contact 8 pm - 9 pm and 9 pm - 10 pm activities and events organised by the Sports Evreham Sports Centre and Beacon Sports Centre the Evreham Sports Centre, Swallow Street, Iver, Evreham Sports Centre, Wednesdays Development Team, please call Sports and Theatre Bucks, SL0 0HS on 672610. 8 pm - 9 pm and 9 pm - 10pm. Development Team on 01895 837348 or email [email protected] Thinking of returning to netball or want to try it Teen Netball 12-16 years The session fee is only £3.50. for the first time? For more information, please contact Evreham Better is working in partnership with England Evreham Sports Centre Sports Centre on 672610 or Beacon Sports Centre SPORTS AND Netball to provide new Return to Netball sessions and Theatre on 01494 677764. HOLISTIC MASSAGE THERAPIST for the residents of South Bucks. Whether you Dodge, pass and shoot! This is your opportunity Massages to promote relaxation and wellbeing enjoyed playing netball at school or stopped to take part in new and exciting teen netball Disability Clubs Melinda Swallow ITEC Diploma/Embody/CThA playing more recently and would love to start sessions at Evreham Sports Centre in Iver. Better again, this is perfect for you. Return to Netball is a are working in partnership with England Netball February 2014 School Half Term ‘Rockets’ Club Tel. 01753 642748 Mobile Manicures/Pedicures and OPI Gels Nails great way of meeting new people and trying a to provide netball sessions for the teens of Ages: 7-13 years new sport in a really fun way. South Bucks. Day: Monday – Friday 11 am - 1 pm

62 63 Recreation report... Recreation report... Recreation report...

Saera Carter chairs the Parish Council’s On that note we notice that the dog waste bins through this space to alleviate the Recreation and Environment Committee. that have been sited in both recreation grounds flooding on Duffield Lane. As we and at various points by public footpaths are know, the ditches on Duffield Lane Recreation Grounds being used to the point of being overfilled. This is were cleared last year by Bucks positive in our quest to improve dog fouling in County Council Highways. October is the month that the Recreation and and around the village. We are looking at placing Hopefully this year, Duffield Lane Environment Committee puts its budget together two more bins at key places along the most will be flood-free and safer for all. for the next financial year in time to be agreed at frequented footpaths. the November Finance meeting. Now that the We have many hundreds of trees playground equipment is complete at Bells Hill As mentioned before, the Parish Council still in Nettleship Wood and luckily we Recreation Ground, we have made sure that we employs two people to clear litter and dog fouling did not lose any in the October St have budgeted to ensure that Plough Lane in the recreation grounds. Although the bins are Jude’s winds. A few rather large Recreation ground has the same equipment. being used by the majority, they are still kept busy branches fell but these were several times a week having to clear up after quickly cleared by Councillor Alan From April next year we will be able to say that irresponsible dog owners and people who Fox who volunteered to clear Plough Lane is also completed. We will aim to get choose to drop litter on the ground. If you are fallen debris from pathways. this done in good time for the arrival of the guilty of this, would you do the same within your Please do take advantage of this summer months, further encouraging children own home? area which is there for the and families to enjoy the great outdoors. enjoyment of the village. So, to all of you out there that are conscientious To complete Bells Hill Recreation Ground, you will and thoughtful, a huge thank you. To those of be aware that we have planning permission to you who are careless and selfish, shame on you. Continued on page 66 replace the unsightly portacabins which have Closed-circuit television is still being investigated reached the end of their life and are in a poor as an option, so you may see yourself on camera. state of repair. We look forward with great excitement to the welcome addition of a pavilion Nettleship Wood and multi-use games area (MUGA). We are positive that this will enable our village to have Work continues to make the wood an facilities within walking distance rather than accessible place for walkers to enjoy, having to go to other villages to use theirs. which then leads into Stoke Common. We are maintaining the ditches that run We hope that the village spend many years enjoying both recreation grounds and that they are something that we as a village can be very proud to have as a facility.

If you do see any sign of vandalism, please help us by phoning either 999 or 101 to report it. In the event of receiving calls, our The fundraising quiz neighbourhood police Carol singing outside Bold’s Court last Nettleship Wood can ensure that they at St Andrew’s in September year – be sure to join us this year! regularly patrol the area.

64 65 + + + Recreation report... cont. from page 65 ! % & '% &)+, -  /+ Chairman: Ralph Bagge Susan Lynch Elected representatives Village Fighting Fund Under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 Wavertree House, Duffield Park, SL2 4HY 12 Duffield Lane, SL2 4AB South Bucks District Councillors there is legislation that allows banners to be 290630; [email protected] 646582; [email protected] Ralph Bagge This opportunity to bring the village together displayed if they comply with a certain size. The Twitter: @ralphbagge Wavertree House, Duffied Park, SL2 4HY 290630; continues. Many of you have been supporting campaign group are busy preparing a banner that Gary Matthews, Vice Chairman: Saera Carter [email protected] campaigners by coming up with ideas to raise meets this legislation. These will be available to 40a Rogers Lane, SL2 4LF 24 Elizabeth Way, SL2 4LQ Chairman of Planning Committee funds, donate raffle prizes, auction prizes and purchase at a cost price of £20 each. If you would 07769 112922 ; [email protected] much more. As a village this goes to show like to display a banner expressing your opposition 647525; [email protected] and member of Sustainable Development how fortunate we are to have so many who to the siting of a secondary school in our village, Policy Advisory Group Christine Taylor care passionately about our village and please email: [email protected] Chairman of Planning Committee: our environment. Cathy Thornton 32 Bunby Road, SL2 4BP Trevor Egleton, ‘Carols on the Green’, 7 December, 3 pm at Vice Chairman of Planning Committee: 644386; Knoll Cottage, Duffield Lane, SL2 4AH One of the latest developments was that the the Village Centre Saera Carter [email protected] 646090; campaign group held a public meeting on [email protected] Chairman of Recreation and Wednesday 23 October at St Andrew’s Church. You will see that we have our village Christmas Cathy Thornton Twitter: @trevoregleton Environment Committee: This meeting was in response to residents tree in situ outside the Village Centre on Bells Hill. 98 Rogers Lane, SL2 4LL Member of Licensing Committee and Saera Carter receiving a removal notice from SBDC in direct This is in preparation for our lights being turned 645158; [email protected] Sustainable Development Policy Advisory Vice Chairman of Recreation and Group relation to those in the village displaying on at our ‘Carols on the Green’ celebration. This Environment Committee: campaign banners. event is aimed at the whole village, old and Parish Council spokespersons Gary Matthews Duncan Smith, young. It is a unique opportunity for the village to Constitutional Matters – Keith Finan Elegy House, Park Road, SL2 4PE SBDC’s heavy-handed approach was in response come together before Christmas to meet friends Chairman of Finance and Resources Crime and Disorder – Gary Matthews to a letter that they received from The Khalsa and neighbours. 644976; Committee: Alan Fox Environment – Vacancy [email protected] Secondary Academy’s solicitor threatening Vice Chairman of Finance and Resources Finance and Grants – Ralph Bagge Cabinet Member for Resources and legal action. This year we will have Christmas market stalls, Committee: Vacancy Footpaths – Gary Matthews member of Licensing Committee Santa’s sleigh and procession, Santa’s grotto, carol Health and Safety – Cathy Thornton Although this is causing much anxiety amongst singing and mulled wine. So please do join us and Mary Crocker Memorial Gardens – Heather Huntley Buckinghamshire County villagers, on the positive side it must surely add to the festive atmosphere. We look forward Clifton Cottage Highways and Transport – Ralph Bagge Councillor demonstrate that the banners are effective in their to welcoming you. Duffield Lane, SL2 4AD Planning – Cathy Thornton Trevor Egleton message. This was echoed wholeheartedly by 646323; [email protected] those who attended the public meeting. Recreation – Vacancy Member of Parliament Keith Finan Youth – Saera Carter 31 Sefton Close, SL2 4LH Older People – Saera Carter Dominic Grieve, MP, House of Commons, Westminster, 645454; [email protected] Appointed representatives London, SW1A 0AA !"#$%&'()&* &'( #&'* (* #&* #)* 020 7219 6220 Alan Fox Stoke Poges News Editor: [email protected] 48 Hazell Way, SL2 4DD Ralph Bagge Dominic Grieve holds regular surgeries Craniosacral therapy Shiatsu Massage Acupuncture 642197; alan@chilternassetfinance.co.uk Stoke Poges Village Centre: in Beaconsfield, at which electors can Ralph Bagge, Saera Carter ❃ ❃ Heather Huntley meet him, by prior appointment. Blissfully relaxing Safe, effective, gentle Beeches Local Area Forum: 26 Broom Hill, SL2 4PU ❃ Eases pain, stress, anxiety, stiffness, low vitality 663144; [email protected] Ralph Bagge, Susan Lynch Member of European Parliament ❃ Many cases improve even from the first session Chiltern and South Bucks Strategic James Elles, MEP, Philip Kidby Partnership: Ralph Bagge European Parliament, Rue Wiertz, 72 Rogers Lane, SL2 4JU Flagmaster: B-1047 Brussels, Belgium; WWW.GET-U-WELL.CO.UK 642935; [email protected] Jim Budd 00 32 2284 7951 Parish Office: Clerk to the Parish: Julie Simmonds, The Village Centre, Rogers Lane, SL2 4LP, 644803; [email protected]; Stoke Poges Website: http://www.stokepogesparishcouncil.gov.uk Lip Ong MRCST MBAcC MRSS BSc PhD Spring magazine No 188 – all material to the Editor please, no later than Friday 31 January. Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Editor or the Parish Council. Offers made by advertisers are The Lanes Medical Practice solely their responsibility and should be checked to your satisfaction before entering into a contract. For further information about advertising in this magazine please contact the Editor. Plough Lane, Stoke Poges, 01753 662244 Editor: Ralph Bagge; 290630; [email protected] Designed by When-D Ltd; 01243 267645. Thanks to Roger Wright for proofreading; 07811 509490.

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