AUGUST 2021

SCARECROWS TAKE OVER

On the weekend of 3 - 4 July, was once again taken over by scarecrows. The bi-annual event, organised this time by St Michael’s School Friends’ Association, saw over 30 creations across the village. The winner of the Best Dressed Scarecrow was Paddington Bear by the Harts in Dunton Road, picked by Gareth Wesley of Wesley Artisan Pizzeria who said “.. they are all incredible. What a brilliant thing for the village to do. I loved Bertie Basset’s dog and the great deal of slightly sloshed scarecrows made me chuckle.” Gareth kindly donated the winner a prize of four pizzas of their choice when the Pizzeria visits Stewkley Village Hall on a Saturday. The Association would like to thank everyone that went on the Trail and helped raise over £500 for the school, St Michael’s Church and The Rec Pavilion. See centre pages for pictures from the weekend.

Also in this months Grapevine: SEEN IN • p3 New homes planned STEWKLEY • p3 RAF Wing Memorial • p5 “I was there” Euro 2020 final • p6 Stewkley Feast and Stewkley Riot • p8 Stewkley FC Junior presentation day

The Grapevine: Next issue on or about 1 September 2021. Deadline for contributions & ads: 15 August 2021 Contact: [email protected] To advertise: email or call 242137. For editorial: email or call 240350. Page 2 Stewkley Grapevine August 2021

STEWKLEY WALKERS from Bridget Watson VILLAGE DIARY Walks Programme for August AUGUST From this month there is no limit on numbers attending walks Sun 1 Stewkley Car Show, The Rec, 1pm but walk leaders would prefer members let them know if you intend to come. This month we will begin a monthly ‘Mystery Mon 2 Stewkley Parish Council meeting, Village Hall, 7.30pm Walk’ with short and longer route options, usually one or two Mon 2 Book Club, Carpenters Arms, 8.00pm hours’ walking time. Please continue to bring a face covering for Wed 4 Refuse: blue tops and food bins indoor areas. Please note earlier starts this month. Wed 11 Refuse: green tops, food bins and brown garden waste Sun 15 Grapevine deadline for adverts and articles Tuesday 10 August Mystery Walk 2.5 or 4.5 miles Wed 18 Refuse: blue tops and food bins Meet at Tiddenfoot Waterside Park, Linslade (LU7 2AE) at 9.30am. Wed 25 Refuse: green tops, food bins and brown garden waste Leaders: Tom and Gay Phone 07970 479007 to book SEPTEMBER Thu 2 Refuse: blue tops and food bins Wednesday 18 August Stewkley Walkers Picnic Join us at Chilterns Gateway Centre on Dunstable Downs, Whipsnade Road, Dunstable (LU6 2GY) at 12 noon for a relaxing picnic (weather permitting). It would be lovely to see members WHAT’S ON IN AUGUST who have not been able to walk with us during the last year. Look out for Alice and Bridget in the car park who will show you where we are pitched. STEWKLEY CAR SHOW Sunday 1 August Car Park: free for National Trust members/£3.50 for non- The Rec. members. Please bring your own picnic, including drinks, blanket and/or chair. Members’ grandchildren welcome too. There will be an BOOK CLUB optional short walk to the Tree Cathedral afterwards. Monday 2 August Facilities: cafe, toilets, NT shop. 8.00pm at Carpenters Arms Phone Alice 07905 759120 or email me to give us an idea of Please contact Greg on 240487 for information numbers. Book to discuss: No Country For Old Men by Cormac Mccarthy (Book for September: A Town Like Alice by Neville Shute) Wednesday 25 August Rushmere Circular 5.5 miles STEWKLEY PARISH COUNCIL Meet at Rushmere Country Park visitor centre, Old Linslade We are delighted to confirm the return of the Parish Council to Road, (LU7 0EB) at 9.30am. This pretty countryside walk includes the Village Hall, in the Main Hall, on Monday 2 August at 7.30pm. woodland paths, fields and meadows. Hand sanitising facilities will be available and face masks are There are gentle slopes and some stiles. No dogs please as there are sheep in some of the fields. recommended whilst moving around, but not compulsory. Facilities: toilets, cafe, indoor and outdoor seating. STEWKLEY WI from Sheila Fellowes Leaders: Bridget and Alice Phone 07756 326350 to book The weather was kind to us and changed in time for us to have another outdoor get-together, this time enhanced by scones, Walks for the September Programme to Bridget please by jam and cream, and Prosecco. 12 August. Afternoon and evening walks can also be offered. We hope to have had our first indoor meeting, with a speaker, at Email [email protected] the end of July. More Walk Leaders urgently required! The meeting for August will be on 11 August at 7.30pm in the Village Hall. The speaker is Cath Campell, and her topic is SVCC FIXTURES AUGUST Introduction to Yoga and Meditation. Saturday 5 Caddington 1st Home 13:30 (League) For more information contact Sheila Fellowes 240596. Sunday 1 Away 13:00 Saturday 7 Caddington 1st Away 13:30 (League) STEWKLEY SINGERS SINGING AGAIN from the Stewkley Singers Committee Sunday 8 Olney Home 14:00 Saturday 14 New Bradwell 2nd Home 13:30 (League) Our first rehearsal of the Autumn Term is on Thursday 16 Sunday 15 Home 14:00 September, from 8-10pm, at St Michael’s Combined School, Stewkley. Saturday 21 Great Brickhill ­­­­­ Away 13:30 (League) We look forward to welcoming back current members of the Sunday 22 Haddenham Away 12:30 choir after a very long break. Saturday 28 Sharnbrook & Bromham 1st Home 13:30 (League) If you are interested in joining our friendly local choir, please Sunday 29 Home 13:00 contact Ron Sims for more information 240671/ 07449 818819. Stewkley Grapevine August 2021 Page 3 NEW HOMES PLANNED FOR WING ROAD Village Foundations has recently submitted its full application to develop the site on the Carpenters Arms side of Wing Road with 15 dwellings. The Parish Council will be considering the application at its August meeting and will be liaising with the developers to clarify details where needed. Village Foundations held an online presentation for residents in April and this is the next step in the formal process. Full documents are available under reference 21/02762 on the Bucks Council planning portal, https://publicaccess. aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/ online-applications/ © Copyright. Image used with permission.

RAF WING MEMORIAL from Jillian Scott On a bright Saturday morning, 26 June, a gathering met on across to the Wing/Cublington Road. the old aerodrome to unveil a memorial to the aircrews based Information about RAF Wing can be found on the website there during WW2, when it was known as RAF Wing, No. aircrewRemembranceSociety3.com and its Facebook page. 26 Operational Training Unit. The memorial is a truly fitting commemoration of the aircrews of RAF Wing; its unveiling was a moving and dignified tribute to them. A welcome from David King, Chairman of the Aircrew Remembrance Society, began the ceremony. He then invited Rev. Wing Commander Ashley Mitchell, Senior Chaplain RAF Halton, to bless the memorial, following which the unveiling by Greg Smith MP took place. Then came a flyover of four planes, and afterwards a two-minute silence was observed. The memorial is a plaque mounted on a brick base (incorporating some bricks from the original airfield buildings) set within a semicircle of eight flagpoles; the flags were flying in the breeze on the day.

It so happened that the date of the unveiling was the same day David King, Chairman of the Aircrew Remembrance Society in history that a unit was on its way back from a raid on Germany. (left) watching Greg Smith MP unveil the memorial A full crew of five and their Wellington didn’t make it home to Wing, the pilot was a New Zealander. Fittingly Wing Commander Steve Thornley, Air Adviser to New Zealand Defence Staff and Chief of Staff in London, took part in the proceedings and presented a flag from Auckland. An ensign was also sent by the Royal Canadian Air Force. The ceremony concluded with the laying of wreaths by Nick Ellins, Alex King and Dave Keen. Along with David King these were the men responsible for instigating the plan for the memorial, its construction and the unveiling ceremony. Many thanks are due to them for the time and energy expended to bring the plan to fruition. Thanks are due to the Alexander family too, who generously gave a corner of their land adjacent to the original main runway for the site; also to local people and businesses who donated the funds for the memorials construction. The RAF Wing memorial can be visited as it is alongside public footpaths that run from the top of Gallus Hill, Dunton Road The memorial to RAF Wing aircrews Page 4 Stewkley Grapevine August 2021 PARISH COUNCIL MATTERS 101 or 999 if an incident is in progress. The Neighbourhood Plan has reached the Independent Notes from Parish Council Discussion 5 July , held on line in lieu Examiner stage and the Examiner’s report has been received. of a full public meeting. The PC continues to operate under delegated powers pending YOUR GRAPEVINE TEAM the expected return to the Village Hall in August after the If you have been in contact with The Grapevine over the last relaxation of Covid restrictions. year there is a good chance that due to the on-going restrictions Under this process, the PC confirmed: it has been mainly by email. With limited opportunity to meet • The appointment of Jo Simonds as the new Clerk and people in person we would like to let you know who is behind Responsible Financial Officer to succeed Rob Mann on 1 producing your monthly Grapevine eleven times a year. August. Andy Gibbs: • Payment to Stewkley Walkers of £33.87 to pay for an Editor and page layout. updated definitive map. Hillary Wingfield: • To support a planning application at Littlecote Farm Nature Watch Editor. ref 21/01995. There was much discussion regarding the grass-mowing regime Trish Higgins: in the village following trials to rewild some areas. It was agreed Advertising Manager and Community Contact. to set up a working group comprising the PC, Stewkley Enterprise Juliet Murray: Agency and the Best Kept Village organiser to work on detailed Church pages and Community Contact. proposals for next season. John Sheldon: Confusion over responsibility for Council Arts, Culture and Heritage Editor. hedges is to be clarified and in the meantime the PC will organise for the hedge in Stockhall Crescent to be trimmed for health & Mike Boden: safety reasons. Accounts and Advertising. Contacts continue with Dandara and Rachael Webb: to clarify various issues on the St Michael’s Park site, including Diary. foul water drainage, Open Space transfer and the non-adoption Karen Gurnett: of roads and lighting. Photographer. Additional signs will be installed at entrances to the Lawn If you have an article that you think will be of interest to your Cemetery to require dogs to be kept on leads, following reports fellow villagers, or you have an update on the activities of one of dog-fouling within the grounds. of the many clubs or societies in Stewkley, you can reach us all Residents were urged to report all incidents of vandalism or by email: [email protected] or you can speak to other potential threats to individuals to on any of us in person. KLEY CAR SH STEW OW Sunday 1 August from 1pm at Stewkley Rec mix of cars covering the classic, vintage and modern eras as well as other wheeled wonders will be on display Ice creams Full Bar

Afternoon teas Barbeque served by the Brownies Craft StallsBouncy Castle please come along to this free event and enjoy another social afternoon at The Rec. Like to show your interesting vehicle? Call 01525 240115. Stewkley Grapevine August 2021 Page 5 THE BELLS RANG OUT FOR THE NHS I WAS THERE! from Bunt Scott, Tower Captain from Rob Davis, High Street South As many readers will I’ve been working as a Fire Officer at know, on Monday 5 Wembley Stadium for six years and have July the tenor bell at St been incredibly lucky to work many events Michael’s rang out 73 held there, such as concerts, NFL and boxing. times to celebrate the 73- But when the opportunity came up to work year history of the NHS. the Euros, I couldn’t say As well as being a tribute no and it was made even to all those who work better when tirelessly in the NHS, this made it to the final. I national initiative was also arrived at the stadium a in recognition of those long time before any of the who work in social care fans and was lucky enough and other front-line roles. to be positioned in the VIP This photo of Bunt area where the Royal Box is Scott, Tower Captain at also positioned. The buzz St Michael’s, pushing when all the supporters through the 10-minute started to fill the stadium challenge, was taken was incredible: chanting, by fellow ringer Maeve singing and smiling. Fox, who also helped to It’s what we as English make sure the count was supporters needed after correct. a tough past 18 months. Fortunately for me, being in the VIP area, I was able THANK YOU TO THE SWAN to avoid all of the issues from Rita Russell, High Street South with fans breaking into the A big thank you to The Swan, Stewkley, for opening up the stadium and causing unrest but I did witness some of the disturbances. pub on Monday 28 June and providing hospitality to family However this didn’t dampen the paying customers’ spirits. and friends of Rita Russell, whose partner Dennis Proctor Once Luke Shaw scored for England within the first two minutes the sadly died on 29 May. atmosphere became electric and it continued right through the first Tom and Charlotte not only worked hard, were very half. The crowd really tried to get behind the team in the second half to respectful, but also provided excellent food and service gee them up and it was made a little more light-hearted when a pitch on what was a very sad day. invader ran onto the pitch and gave some stewards the run around. A thank you also to Rev. Donna Broadbent-Kelly for Unfortunately it just wasn’t our night, but it was such a privilege to the services at both the Methodist Church and experience. Hopefully England can seal the deal and go on to win the KLEY CAR SH Crematorium. World Cup in Qatar 2022! EW OW PRESENTATIONS TO CHURCH WARDENS ST On Sunday 27 June St Michael’s Church presented thank-you gifts to Neil Dickens and Judy Walker who, as reported in the July issue of Grapevine, are standing down as Wardens. Geoffrey Ball, Treasurer of the PCC, presented Neil with a voucher towards a tree purchase, along with a bouquet of flowers for his wife Pam. Judy received two silver photo frames and a John Lewis voucher, along with a bottle of wine for her husband Ron. She was unwell on the day and the flowers were presented to her at home by Honor Jenkins (daughter of Lillie Jenkins, Member of the PCC and in charge of Family Services). Geoffrey Ball and Neil Dickens Judy Walker receives her bouquet from Honor Jenkins Page 6 Stewkley Grapevine August 2021 DOWN MEMORY LANE Continuing our series looking at Stewkley past and present

Fishweir, ‘Stewkley Feast’ and the ‘Stewkley Riot’. nearby at Penfold End. They hauled them down the slope and Fishweir forms the transition from the High Street and Chapel pushed them into Fishweir Pond. The fairground folk were said to Square to open countryside. The lane winds down into a have never again crossed the Stewkley threshold. The late Robert peaceful, low lying wooded space occupied on the lower side Dickens conjectured that it may have been this incident which by a tightly clustered row of cottages with views of countryside gave rise to the well-known saying, ‘Stewkley! God help us!’ towards , and on the upper level by a row of modern Down Memory Lane Editor’s Note: To add some flavour to this bungalows. The wooded space in between once contained one month’s Stewkley Past and Present tale on Fishweir, the Grapevine of the village’s natural ponds, the last one to be infilled in 1961. was pleased to learn about ‘A Lovelorn Riot’, the latest rendition The pond was replaced by closely grouped trees consisting of from that old village crooner, Brian ‘Lofty’ Bottomley, written mainly silver birch with oak, alder, lime and poplar. and performed by Brian and Richard Gleave. You can find it on Today’s modern image shows two homes, Nos 10 and 12, derived YouTube at: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8U204x63u1I from the three original brick cottages in the old image. But Fishweir was not always a haven of peace, as you will discover. ‘Stewkley Feast’ was celebrated beyond living memory as a time for village family gatherings and reunions. Feast Week took place in the week following Feast Sunday which preceded Old Michaelmas Day, then on 11 October. It was the Festival of the Patron Saint of St Michael’s Church. Years ago, a large fair with roundabouts, swings and sideshows was held throughout Stewkley Feast on Swan Field, where the Village Hall now stands. According to the late Kate Mayne, ‘the hot sausage stall © did a roaring trade, offering an enormous sausage and a large piece of bread for a halfpenny each. The school children were given holidays on Feast Monday and Tuesday so that they might enjoy the fun of the fair.’ Around the turn of the last century, it was here that the ‘Stewkley Riot’ began. Arguments erupted between the fairground operators and irate villagers about the latter being short-changed for rides during Feast Week. Fighting broke out between the fairground people, wielding iron coconut-shy hoops, and locals led by ‘Dumpy’ Dickens, ‘Bossy’ Mead and George Alder. Police arrived to clear the field, whereupon angry villagers pent on revenge, turned their attention to the © fairground caravans parked Stewkley Grapevine August 2021 Page 7

FROM THE GRAPEVINE 10 YEARS AGO… FROM THE GRAPEVINE From August 2011, Stewkley won the Best Kept 20 YEARS AGO… Village award in its category for villages of 1,500 to From August 2001, over 270 villagers 3,000 population, with all ‘primary’ features being attended the Parish Council’s traffic well-maintained and litter free…husband and wife calming exhibition in the Village team David and Margaret Carter took top honours Hall, with 80% saying they would at the Village Hall Flower Show and Fete…leader of pay an additional parish charge to the successful Third London Airport (WARA) Resistance fund a scheme…St Michael’s Church Bell Campaign from 1969 to 1970, Sir Desmond Fennel, passed away aged Restoration Fund had hit £17,644 against its target 77…Pete Fry stood down after 25 years as Rec Secretary…Stewkley of £30,000…David Body threw in the towel on his Scouts wrote to the Parish Council asking for help to establish hot air ballooning…the fund raising project to a permanent home on land owned by a village body…the PC and update the Village Hall got off to a good start, after a youth leaders met with Bucks CC to consider the early beginnings of successful Flower Show and Fete set the ball rolling a social enterprise agency to undertake civic tasks such as grass verge with a £1,000 profit…and the Grapevine received cutting…and Littlecote’s Alison Kennedy was co-opted onto the PC an interesting article from Tony Baigent of Goring and Sue Mordue from became the new Parish Clerk. about the two sundials at St Michael’s Church.

A KINDNESS THANK-YOU from Ann Winsor I was delighted to find the kindness pebble, under my hedge. It really lifted my spirits when I was feeling a bit fed up. I know many others have found similar pebbles throughout the village and they have been really appreciated during difficult times. Adults and children alike have found them sources of joy, small things have made a big difference. I would like to send a huge thank-you to the person who has taken the time to decorate them and hide them for us to find. Have you found one? I wonder how many have been decorated, perhaps the instigator can enlighten us, anonymously of course! Our own Stewkley Banksy...

BROWNIES IN ACTION from Pauline Knowler The Brownies continue to meet outside at the Spinney and even though the Brownies hope to restart back at the Pavilion in weather hasn’t always been the best for our meetings we have had fun and September. made the most of it. The unit is very grateful to St. Michael’s church for Building dens took a whole evening. Fallen branches were pulled from the its generous donation; given as a thank you for the undergrowth and carried and dragged to the den building area and each help of Matilda C and Daisy at the teas during the of the three groups came up with slightly different designs and construction Scarecrow Trail. methods. The only rule was that every member of the group had to fit inside the finished project. One team even had the foresight to make a luggage storage area and all the groups provided seating. The results were three very strong and successful dens. Another evening the brownies practised their fire-lighting skills, with each one having a go at striking a match or two and understanding what natural materials are best for starting a fire. Despite having some dry materials the very damp weather made the lighting a challenge but in the end there were three small fires going and enough heat to melt marshmallows to eat dipped in melted chocolate. This was a firm favourite as far as activities go and we will be doing it again for the last meeting of the term and hopefully get the fires going a bit quicker. Page 8 Stewkley Grapevine August 2021 STEWKLEY FOOTBALL CLUB JUNIOR PRESENTATION DAY – SATURDAY 17 JULY After a long and turbulent season, the football club managed to Willis winning the Clubman Award for his brilliant service with sign off the 2020/21 season with its end-of-season presentations. the kitchen duties every Saturday morning. Kai Bailey won the On a glorious summer day the Recreation Ground was full of Andrew Gurnett Young Player of the Year Award and Will Essex people enjoying themselves, which was such a pleasant sight won the Development Player Award. after the lockdowns of the past 16 months. Whilst still not Team Awards completely out of restrictions, the presentation was conducted U7s: Players’ Player Percy Lovell, Coaches’ Player Jack Lee, in a safe manner, with all teams remaining in their bubbles in Supporters’ Player Rosie Taylor, Most Improved Player Tom designated zones, while parents and spectators spread around Clarke. the outer areas, maintaining social distancing. U9s: Players’ Player Finley Duthie, Coaches’ Player Seth The event marked the end of the junior season, where every Munnelly, Supporters’ Player Eden Boyes, Most Improved Player team managed to fulfil its fixtures, in a season that wenton Kian Humphries. to the end of June. There was also some attendance from the U11s: Players’ Player Emily Honan, Coaches’ Player Lew Hadley, senior section, although it was decided there would not be any Supporters’ Player Ava Boyes, Most Improved Player Lottie Lai- individual team awards this season, as the North Bucks League Kit. decided to only play half a season. U12s: Players’ Player Stian Laukli, Coaches’ Player Patrick The age groups were paired in 30-minute blocks, with youngest Phimester, Supporters’ Player Max Meader, Most Improved and and oldest being put together. It was fantastic to see our Player Jamie Terry. rising stars at U7s and to watch our outgoing U18s collect their Players’ Player Dylan Mansfield, Coaches’ Player Charlie trophies. This is a sign of the success with our rolling project U13s: Holdsworth, Supporters’ Player Noah Hadley, Most Improved for our junior/youth section going up the ages to then form Player Eloise Simister. part of our senior section. Indeed, 11 years ago it was those U18s setting out in junior football for their first season and now U15s: Players’ Player Paolo Gray, Coaches’ Player Will Smith, a good eight to ten from both the U18 and U17 squads have Supporters’ Player Owen Mansfield, Most Improved Player represented our senior sides. James Bailey. We started the presentation with our upcoming age groups, U17s: Players’ Player Will Essex, Luka Green, Oliver Flecknell, from foundation and year 1, where every child received a medal Coaches’ Player Lochlan Laukli, Most Improved Player Alexander for attending this season’s training sessions. The year 1 team will Abbot. be ready to start matches come September as our newest U7 U18s: Players’ Player Albie Whittemore, Coaches’ Player Mark team. Thanks to Tim Lewington, Paul Smith, James Pollard and Smith, Supporters’ Player Rory Williams, Club Player Sam everyone else who has helped kick-start these age groups. Our Munday. current U7 team will split next season to become two U8 sides, Thank you to everyone who helped make the day such a success, allowing more children the opportunity to play match football from BBQ, kitchen and bar volunteers and our brilliant committee on Saturday mornings. Thank you to Matt Day, Malcolm Lee and for overseeing and planning such a great occasion. incoming coach Charles Hill for all their help. The committee is always looking for more help and will have Except for our U18 side, who will hopefully be playing as much some roles available for the new season. If anyone is interested senior football as university and work commitments allow, every in helping run this fantastic club please contact the Chairman, junior side will be continuing next season and will move up an age Rob Pollard, on 07810 448349. group. Thank you to all the other coaches for their dedication in a disrupted season: Dan Smith and Phil Duthie at U9s, Noel Under 15’s - league runners up Lai-Kit and David Wheeler at U11s, James Meander and Susie Brister at U12s ( to whom we would also like to give a huge thank-you, as they will be passing responsibilities over to Julian Bennett next season), Rob Pollard and Rob Honan at U13s, Rory Scrivener and Kai Bailey at U15s, Andy Ashton and Tony Harris at U17s and Steve Munday at U18s. Steve will be stepping down from his duties at the club, having taken his side from U7s to U18s. Steve’s commitment has been far more than just a coach, having acted as our Junior Development Officer, overseeing the NIGHT-TIME VISITORS youth section for the Bunt Scott managed to capture these two nocturnal wanderers past 12 years or more. in his High Street North garden. Bunt told the Grapevine, “A His service has been rare sight in the garden these days but at the moment we have fantastic and we send our three hedgehogs visiting each night. They snuffle about and thanks for all those hours then tuck into the peanuts I put out for them, although at times dedicated to ensuring the they rather bad-temperedly argue and fight.” children of Stewkley and surrounding villages have an opportunity to play football. To honour Steve’s commitment, he was awarded the Bob Burgess Service Award. Other Club awards were Neathan Willis and Rob Pollard presented, with Neathan Stewkley Grapevine August 2021 Page 9 Methodist Chapel St Michael’s Church Superintendent: Rev. Richard Atkinson Benefice Rector: Rev. Howard Robson 01296 339899, [email protected] Tel: 01296 688593 Steward: Mary Cottrell Team Vicar: Rev. Dr Andrew Krauss Tel 07508213154 01296 688741, [email protected] Church Warden Donald Peebles Tel: 07966 035623 Email: d.peebles@ucl/ac/uk

SERVICES and NOTICES for AUGUST SERVICES and NOTICES for AUGUST Subject to Covid Restrictions there will be the following services. Subject to Government restrictions services will be held as fol- Please let Lin Jones know on 01525 217795 if you wish to attend. lows. Please wear masks. See Facebook @ St Michael’s Church 1 10.30am Communion - Mr Arthur Sara Stewkley for further details. 8 10.30am Mr Paul Thomas 1 10am Holy Communion 15 10am Zoom – details to join nearer the time 8 10am Messy Church 22 10.30am Rev. Richard Atkinson 15 10am Holy Communion 29 To be announced – probably Songs of Praise 22 10am Holy Communion 29 Benefice Service - 9am , 11am Wing MESSAGE FROM THE STEWARDS † Food Bank: The porch is open for contributions which now As you read this Donna and family will be packing up ready to move go to Leighton Linslade Homeless Service. Many thanks to to her new circuit in a few days and we wish her well in this next all donors. phase of her ministry. † To sponsor the illumination of St Michael’s to celebrate a Firstly we apologise for having cancelled the cake sale and lunches special event or in remembrance of a loved one please planned for June, but since the restrictions were not lifted as we contact Geoff Ball 240765 expected, we did not have enough helpers to ensure we were Covid-safe. As some of you will already know, the Rev. Stephen Hill, who was due to join us in September will, due to ill health, not now MESSAGE FROM THE BENEFICE RECTOR be doing so. This does not mean that the Chapel will be any less REV Howard Robson active, just that we will not have a Methodist minister living in the Over the last 18 months we’ve become more village. We had seen the coming of Stephen along with, hopefully, aware of our inter-dependence and perhaps, the lifting of Covid restrictions as a fresh start for us. We will however our vulnerability, but hopefully we can now leave still carry on and reintroduce some of our activities and hopefully begin new ones from September and know that, as always, we can behind restrictions and restart our common life rely on the support of the village as we continue God’s work in together. The Christian Gospel is clear that Stewkley. no-one is an island and whilst we are stronger together, we are strongest when we function as SCARECROW TRAIL WEEKEND FUNDRAISER the body of Christ. I used to know two brothers with a 1992 Ford Escort Cosworth rally During the Scarecrow Trail weekend a stall outside the Methodist car, once a Ford works car in the World Rally Championship. It has Chapel raised £100 on behalf of Mind, the mental health charity. Pictured below on the stall are Hannah Kelly and Charlotte a bank of front lights, a roll cage from the front shock absorbers Handsley. through to the rear ones, plus four wheel drive. The car’s sides carry the bible verse “You must be born again”. We say Jesus is the light of the world. Just as the car’s lights scatter the darkness, Jesus, in teaching and example, shows us the way, like a light. The roll cage: there are times we feel crushed by our actions, inaction or simply at what is happening in the world. Christians believe that Jesus surrounds us so that we are not crushed. And Four Wheel Drive; life can be slippery, compromising. Well, you know where this is going – Jesus is like Four Wheel Drive. When things get a bit questionable, Jesus teaches us what’s right. Being born again means I want Jesus in my life for all the above and more. Glib? I don’t think so. Despite all the technology that rally car is just like an ordinary car; needing a battery, handbrake and unleaded. When we become a Christian, we’re still us, but helped to see better, be stronger and be right with God; many ordinary people have thus done amazing things in Christ’s name. Stepping into church might seem really hard, but the church is here for everyone and we’d love to see you. With every blessing, Rev. Howard Robson

Subject to Covid restrictions THE COFFEE STOP RETURNS Thursday 2 September In the Pavilion from 10.30am to 12 noon Raffle in aid of the Florence Nightingale Hospice Page 10 Stewkley Grapevine August 2021

Nature Watch

Butterfly or Moth? Hold off on the slug pellets Often maligned, some of the UK’s moths are just as impressive as These are, believe it or not, very beneficial in gardens. butterflies, and while there are just 59 species of butterfly, there After the removal of a rotten fence post in Flip’s garden, this are over 2,500 species of moth in the UK, many of which are day- monster reluctantly appeared. This is a leopard slug (Limax flying. The Big Butterfly Count 2021 includes three species of maximus, literally day-flying moth: the silver Y, jersey tiger and six-spot burnet. meaning biggest slug) It is not known exactly why some moths started flying in the day. It and they can be more may have been to avoid being eaten by bats, or in circumstances than six inches in length. where it was too cold to fly at night. Initially Flip’s specimen Day-flying moths withdrew its head under usually have more the shield. But as Flip colourful wings dripped water on it the than those that fly massive body unfurled at night, which is to its full length, which one reason they are Flip estimated was close often confused with to five inches. butterflies. One of The leopard slug gets its name from the spots and stripes on its the easiest ways to body, which can vary in colour and pattern from slug to slug. But tell the difference to be certain not to confuse it with an ash-grey slug one needs between the two is to pick it up and check the ‘foot’ – I don’t think so! how their wings are They do not damage living plants but eat dead and rotting held. When resting, vegetation and fungi. They also eat other, more damaging slugs, a butterfly tends and have been known to pursue their prey at the impressive to sit with its wings speed of six inches per minute. closed, whereas moths rest with their wings open, as can be seen in both these examples of day-flying moths. Leopard slugs are nocturnal, which is why they are not frequently seen, despite being widespread in the UK. They also have a The mint moth (Pyrausta aurata) in the header photo was very strong ‘homing’ instinct and after night-time foraging will captured in a Littlecote garden resting on, not surprisingly, return to their damp, dark ‘homes’, such as cellars, under stones, cat-mint. The scarlet tiger (Callimorpha dominula) (above) was wooded areas or, spotted by Flip Jackson in his Sycamore Close garden. as in this case, Both these species of day-flying moth also fly at night. at the base of a Blue tits and caterpillars rotten fence post. The diminutive blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) is a familiar sight All slugs and in gardens; in fact blue tits are believed to visit 98% of garden snails are feeders – the one below is hermaphrodites in Flip Jackson’s garden. (male and female The nuts and seeds in the sex organs present feeders are not what blue in all individuals) tit young eat though; they but it is common for ‘mating’ to take place. The mating ritual of are hugely dependent on these slugs is particularly exotic. When ready to mate, two slugs caterpillars that provide will climb a tree or rock and then descend together on a string of both bulk and water. In mucus, circling their bodies around each other as they go. fact it is estimated that the Giant Mosquito? 3.4 million blue tit pairs in No, crane fly (Tipulidae), of which there are around 300 species the UK feed their young in the UK; they are completely harmless, though can be very 35 billion caterpillars each annoying. They fly from June to October but numbers peak in year. September, especially after a A favourite is the caterpillar wet summer. of the winter moth, which It is the female that looks lays its eggs just as the leaf particularly threatening with buds emerge on oaks and other broad-leaved trees, providing its long pointed ovipositor a ready food source for their caterpillars. And blue tits time their which is used to deposit eggs egg-laying so that as the chicks hatch there will be a plentiful into the ground. Their larvae, supply of caterpillars. known as leatherjackets, do However, this year because of the cold, wet May, buds did not cause problems, as birds and emerge, and nor did the caterpillars, until much later than usual. other wildlife destroy lawns This has meant fewer nesting blue tits, and for those that did and fields in search of them. produce broods, many did not survive. It is hoped that this will Apparently adults tend to not affect the populations long- term. Presumably these blue tits hang on things like plants were happy to visit Flip’s garden to take advantage of the sawfly – this one is hanging on a caterpillars on his Solomon’s seal! bottle of red wine. Sources: Wikipedia, The Living World of Molluscs, Phys.Org, Springwatch, UK Safari, Insect Identification Stewkley Grapevine August 2021 Page 11 Farm Watch by Richard Heady

Being a farmer is bizarre. I was standing in my pyjamas this We are keeping a close eye on the crops and will be putting our morning, planning the day, when a hot air balloon slowly drifted combine harvester to work very soon. We are currently facing a into view, and descended into one of our pasture fields. Plans for predicament in terms of when to harvest our winter barley. the day faded as I desperately pulled on my clothes with the aim The main of reaching the gateway before the cows, and Guss our massive crop is bull, arrived to take a closer look at the balloon. Luckily the ripe and cattle, equally scared and intrigued, stayed away until I arrived, ready to and the hot air balloon was packed away safely, untrampled. go, but we The rest of the day was spent making hay before the storm hit: topped up rowing up, baling, carting and stacking just shy of 1000 small some thin patches with spring barley that is yet to ripen. The field also has a fair scattering of far-from ripe volunteer wheat (wheat growing from seed shed during the previous harvest). If we harvest the crop too soon the green unripe grains will make the barley damp and it will go mouldy in store, wait too long for the spring barley and wheat to ripen and we risk the main crop of winter barley falling to the floor. Our plan is to wait a little longer, not just for the crop to ripen more, bales of hay in the clammy 28˚C. We finished clearing the bales but to give us time to finish off work on our combine harvester, from the field with thunder and lightning crashing around us, and clean our grain storage sheds, which we should have done getting them safely stacked in the dry shed just minutes before weeks ago. the rain hit. I had a fantastic wildlife encounter on the farm this week. I was standing looking over the fence checking the cows that are visiting Guss. I heard some distressed bird chatter and turned to see a starling pursued by a sparrow hawk fly straight through the sheep netting fence. The starling in a desperate manoeuvre then flew straight through my legs closely followed by the hawk. The starling, searching for some sanctuary, landed on me, hanging from my trousers. The sparrow hawk then gave up the chase and flew off, while the starling hopped off my leg, dropping to the floor. It paused to gather itself before taking flight in the opposite direction. I stood there stunned, contemplating what had just happened. There is rarely a dull day on the farm. HARES, HELICOPTERS AND HOT AIR BALLOONS Every morning for the past couple of months, Doug Webb has looked out of the windows of his Littlecote home to check on a hare that has made the back lawn and its plethora of clover its go-to breakfast. Sometimes the bucolic scene is shattered by an early morning helicopter spewing noise, greenhouse gases and other pollutants over the verdant Vale. But in late-July, Doug was surprised to see not a hare on the ground or a helicopter in the sky, but a hot air balloon, almost on the ground. It seemed to be struggling to rise up Littlecote Lane (as most things do) and the smart money was on it landing in one of the fields, even on top of the cattle. But at the last minute it rose majestically and carried on its way, fortunately still ‘below2’ the usual flightpaths of any helicopters. It would seem that its majestic rise was short-lived though and a while later, as described in Farm Watch above, it finally lost all ability to get the uplift needed and did indeed come down amongst cattle. Page 12 Stewkley Grapevine August 2021 STEWKLEY SCARECROW TRAIL 2021 Stewkley Grapevine August 2021 Page 13 STEWKLEY SCARECROW TRAIL 2021

Awarded 2nd prize

Awarded 3rd prize Page 14 Stewkley Grapevine August 2021 WILDING IN STEWKLEY: ADVERTISING IN STEWLKEY GRAPEVINE The Stewkley Grapevine is published monthly, except for January. TIGER ISLAND AT THE FOREFRONT? Copies are distributed free of charge to all households (over 780) in By John Flewin, Best Kept Village Organiser Stewkley. Further copies are made available for visitors at various locations in the­­­ village. It is also available for download at This year Stewkley www.stewkleygrapevine.co.uk has followed what is Publication date: 1st of each month except January. becoming a national Deadline for advertisements: 15th of month prior to publication. trend by trying Advertising Copy: By email to [email protected] or by its first ‘wilding’ hand to 111A High Street South. experiments, Display Ad Format: earmarking verges Electronic advertisements should be supplied as .pdf, but we can also accept .doc or hi resolution .jpg files.For best quality, images should be and grassed areas 300dpi. All advertisements are printed in greyscale. Please check your ad as ‘no mow’ in May is readable in monochrome. Pre-paid ads may be changed at no extra and June. The result cost. has been that some Classified Ad Guidelines: Generally one line header, plus up to 12 words of text, plus contact areas have looked details. One line header plus 13- 24 words of text, plus contact details for rather scruffy, and twice the price. there has been some Advertising Rates: Stewkley Non-Stewkley inconvenience to pedestrians. For Sale (Max of 2 items) £5 £10 It is clear from the wild-flower organisation Plantlife that there Classified £5 £10 is much more to wilding than just letting grass go unmown, and Classified highlighted £10 £20 Forthcoming events Free* Not available such schemes can be managed in a way that gives back to nature (*Limited to Classified Allowance). while still looking neat and tidy. Display, Eighth Page £15 £25 (w:94 x h:65mm landscape) Planning for next year’s Bucks Best Kept Village competition Display, Quarter Page £25 £35 (w:94 x h:135mm portrait) when Stewkley is up against all 2019 winners, I’m seeking to work Display, Half Page £35 £55 (w:194 x h:135mm landscape) with the Parish Council and the Enterprise Agency in furthering Ad Payment Terms: Payment in advance of first publication the wilding scheme in a planned way. 3-5 issues 5% discount Last month the Parish Council organised a hedge trim on the 6-10 issues 10% discount edges of Tiger Island (that’s the old village name for the island 11 issues (annual) 15% discount Monthly Standing Order on 12th of month. 10% Discount. Minimum of grass and trees between Stockhall Crescent and High Street period - 6 months. Cost of 11 Issues is spread over 12 months. North). This autumn there will be a further reduction in the hedge Ad Payment and copy Contact: to make it more manageable in future. 01525 242137 or email: [email protected] Tiger Island is a centre piece of the north of the village and has the potential to be an attractive home for nature. Taking as an HOME MAINTENANCE example the way the informal group of villagers has nurtured the Airport Spinney, perhaps a ‘Friends of Tiger Island’ group might T.G.R ELECTRICAL Stewkley based, Elecsa Approved Electrician. Sockets, lights etc. be a good way ahead here. Free quotes. Call: 240498 or Mobile: 07840 100501 Because of the glade-like make up of Tiger Island, it would be STEWKLEY DECORATING an ideal spot for spring flowers, bluebells, cowslips, foxgloves Quality work, Guaranteed, Fully Insured, Reliable, Trustworthy & and the like. Imagine a neatly-mown edge strip, and a weed-free PDA Member. Instagram @stewkleydecs. [email protected] kerb, the circumference of a burst of natural spring colour. www.StewkleyDecorating.com Call Stewart on 07981 226922 The recent smartening up DAVE REID. FULLY QUALIFIED CARPENTER of the Stockhall Crescent Kitchen & bathroom upgrades, staircase conversions, sign at the south end of the Replacement doors, general maintenance & small building work. island by Buckinghamshire 07939 146630 email: [email protected] (Soulbury) Council, at the request of JTS DECORATING SERVICE & PROPERTY MAINTENANCE the Parish Council, was a Call John on 240372, mobile: 07809 113090, good start. Revealing the Email: [email protected] twin sign at the north end, and the bus stop, from Next advertising deadline 15 August the undergrowth will be email: [email protected] a bonus. But planning for next year, and beyond, is the immediate task. Anyone interested in being part of The Friends of Tiger Island can make contact with me on [email protected]. During the autumn I hope to be working on other schemes to get our village looking good for next year’s Best Kept Village competition: more news in due course. Chris’s Pond Services Plantlife, backed by the Prince of Wales, offers advice and Maintenance Repairs expertise on how best to encourage wildflowers on rural verges Health Check New Ponds – outside villages, and within them. Visit the organisation’s website at plantlife.love-wildflowers.org.uk. There is a particularly informative PDF entitled The Good Verge Guide Chris Phillips 07770 425569 available for download. The 24-page document is a mine of facts and advice about wilding. Stewkley Grapevine August 2021 Page 15 SERVICES COUNTRY FRAME The complete picture framing service. From prints and posters to paintings and needlework. Tel: 240163 / 07771 508805 : Paul 20% OFF PEDICURES IN SEPTMEBER Body. Please call first. HORSE RIDING LESSONS IN STEWKLEY 20%Covid O(CFFov PE id-1919DICU safetysaREfetyS co INcompliantmp SEliaPTnt)ME BER From complete beginners to experienced riders. Adults and children. Fully licensed/ insured. Licence No. LC201711-4339. (Covid19 safety compliant) Call Sarah Gammon, Kilnholm Stables. 240529 or 07712 854034. 1-2-1 TUITION IN MATHS, SCIENCE, ENGLISH Maths, Science/Physics: KS1-4, English: KS2. Inc 11+ Qualified 121 tutor with CRB. Call Roger Crews on 07946 568153 or Email: [email protected] STORAGE MOUNT PLEASANT FARM STORAGE 20 foot shipping containers available for general storage Short or long term lets at competitive rates Mount Pleasant Farm, Dunton Road, Stewkley Tel: 07866 609047 or Email: [email protected] QUIET BEAUTY STUDIO IN STEWKLEY STEWKLEY STORAGE LTD QU• GeIETl NaBEAUils •TY Ma STUDnicuIOre sIN & ST PediEWKLcureEYs For all your storage needs. Domestic & Commercial Rooms & Containers. Larkshill Farm, Stewkley Rd, • Ge• l Nails • Ma• Facnicuialsre s • & WaPedixicungre s www.stewkleystorage.co.uk Tel: 01525 240297 PRE-BOOK• NOW • T: Fac 078ials01 56• 42Wa13xi ng FOR SALE PRW:E- www.laurenBOOK NOWar mor.T: 078co01.u k56 4213 WALKING & RIDING BOOTS W:Instagram: www.lauren @laurenarmor.armoco.urbeautyk Size 7 Scarpa leather walking boots paid £240 worn 3 times - too big. £100. Size 7 slim fit full leather Regent riding boots £50 Instagram:Facebook: @l @laurenaurenararmomorbeautyrbeauty including boot bag and boot pulls. Collect High Street South, Call Adele 07702 815076 Facebook: @laurenarmorbeauty

OCERS Y GREENGR 170AMIL YEARS OF F

A family business with a vision to bring the very best produce to the local community.

FARM SHOP TEA ROOM • HOME DELIVERY Fresh fruit and veg Homemade cakes • SHOP ONLINE

Fresh local meat Artisan coffee • OUTDOOR SEATING Local eggs Brunch and lunch • KIDS PLAY AREA Flowers and plants menu available Artisan produce Wednesday to Sunday • DOG FRIENDLY

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Monday to Saturday 9am – 5pm | Sunday 10am – 4pm Fenn Farm, Off the A418, Rowsham, Bucks, HP22 4QP [email protected] | 07989 445 761 www.wildraven.co.uk

@wild_raven_farm_shop @wildravenfarmshop Page 16 Stewkley Grapevine August 2021

Home produced Pork, Beef, Lamb & Sausages

Open Friday afternoons Saturday mornings

Manor Farm, , MK18 3LH 01296 714239 [email protected] www.morrisofhoggeston.co.uk

NEW DOG WALKING BUSINESS based in Stewkley AMA TAT I am a Level3 Animal Management student who PLUMBING & HEATING has recently set up a dog walking business. A A M AT I have a qualification in dog walking, first aid in ● For all yor lming eirements puppies, dogs and humans as well as a Level3 ● Boiler & appliance inst ystem upgrades, servicing fault finding & repair BTech in Sport. ● Oilboiler and tank ins t epair Contact Nicole on: ● Complete athroom inst Facebook: K-9 Kompanions, ● No job too small / Fee no oliga e / No call out charge Instagram: k9kompanions2 Tel: 01296 688968 / 07527 900028 T: 07930 716146 mail infodamiansteartplumbing.co.uk www.damiansteartplumbing.co.uk E: [email protected] 7 Chiltern oad ingrave Aylesry, Bucks, HP22 2QQ

D.B’S GAS ANNETTE GESOFF PLUMBING AND HEATING SERVICES Advanced Clinical Massage Local village company with Therapist over 25 years experience. Boiler breakdowns, repairs & servicing. AN EFFECTIVE TREATMENT FOR MANY Full heating installations and extensions. CONDITIONS Gas safety checks and certification Visit my website for further information: NO JOB TOO SMALL All workmanship fully insured www.gesoffmassage.co.uk O.A.P. 10% DISCOUNT ON HOURLY RATES Please phone: 01525 240135 or 07709 629283 NO CALL OUT CHARGE. COMPETITIVE RATES. Tel office: 240784 Or email: [email protected] Tel Daron: 07799 122971 BLOCKED DRAIN? COUNTY DRAINAGE & PLUMBING SOLUTIONS YOUR LOCAL DRAINAGE EXPERT WITH OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE 01525 222439 or 07944 297538 Beechmoor Farm, Cublington Road, Whitchurch High Pressure Water Jetting - CCTV Survey’s Home Produced Meat : Pies, Cheeses & Olives : Fruit & Veg Specialist in Drain Repair - Replacement and Relining Milk, Bread & Eggs : Pickles & Preserves : Frozen Produce All work fully Guaranteed Open Tues, Wed, Thurs & Fri 8am -5pm Email: [email protected] Saturday 7.30am - 1pm (closed Sunday & Monday). Tel: 01296 641207 : Email: [email protected] www.countydrainage.co.uk Web: www.parrott-bros.co.uk Stewkley Grapevine August 2021 Page 17 Computer Support for Home & Business Users Problem Solving: Virus, spyware detection & removal Internet & email assistance Fault diagnostics, repairs & upgrades Slow running PCs

Services: mation Computer support for PCs, Mac & Linux Wireless & wired networking Data recovery

Install & setup Health checks

Sales: Desktops, laptops, printers, peripherals & software computer support & services For friendly advice call John on 07968 536068 or 01525 261381 email: [email protected] - www.computamation.co.uk comput Computamation Services Ltd - 9a Lower Way, Great Brickhill, Bucks, MK17 9AG Established 1999 with over 25 years experience J & J LUXFORD LTD Stewkley based builders A.B.EATON For all your building needs project • BATHROOM DESIGN & INSTALLATION managed from design to completion • PLUMBING HEATING For testimonials and information visit • UNDERFLOOR HEATING • TILING & REFURBISHMENT www.luxfordbuilders.co.uk • APPRENTICESHIP SERVED Contacts: • OVER 35 YEARS EXPERIENCE

Julian Luxford 07885 455203 CALL FOR A FREE QUOTE James Luxford 07860 726741 07801 938632

The Carpenters Arms Stewkley Tel: 01525 240029 Opening times: Monday & Tuesday: 4pm till 10pm Wednesday - Saturday: Mid-day ‘till 11pm Sunday: Mid-day till 10.30pm

Wednesday 4th August - Quiz Night - 8pm - All Welcome

Tuesday 17th August - Display of Morris Dancing by Owlswick Morris Start approx 8.00pm Dancing, Singing & Music

Large family friendly rear beer garden

1 Wing Road, High Street South, Stewkley Page 18 Stewkley Grapevine August 2021 Smash your goals and get results

- Physiotherapy appointments at Hunt Fitness - Mat-work Pilates - Reformer Studio We offer tailored one-to-one, (very limited places in classes) small group and online personal training with our - Hydrotherapy Pool dedicated coaches, who will support you at every stage of your fitness journey.

Whatever your fitness level, ability or disability our aim is to help you be the fittest, healthiest version of yourself so you can live life to the fullest!

If you are interested in any of our services and would like to Get in touch to discuss how we can help you smash your fitness goals. discuss how we can help you please contact: [email protected] www.huntfitness.co.uk 07811 238163 huntfitnessuk huntfitness.uk www.cottesloephysio.co.uk Cublington Rd, Leighton Buzzard LU7 0LB Cottesloe Physio Cublington Rd Wing LU7 0LB

HUNTER’S GARAGE

Local friendly village automotive garage offering:

• Servicing • Repairs • MOTS on site • Diagnostic and tuning • Tyres • Exhausts • Batteries

We also offer the service to collect and deliver vehicles from the Leighton Buzzard area. Contact details:

Unit 3-4, Manor Business Centre Courtesy car available by High Street South, Stewkley

prior arrangement. 01525 240696 Stewkley Grapevine August 2021 Page 19 KG HAYERS Carpentry - Joinery - Maintenance www.kghcarpentry.co.uk

 City & Guilds Qualified  General Carpentry & Joinery  Doors  Storage Solutions  Locks  Kitchen Installation & Upgrades  Staircase Upgrades  General Property Repairs  Domestic & Commercial  Fully Insured  Waste Carriers License  Free Quotes

Contact Karl: T: 01525 240484 M: 07855 749610 E: [email protected]

Page 20 Stewkley Grapevine August 2021 Chappell Plumbing and Heating Ltd

Fully qualified and insured Automotive Engineers gas safe engineer. All central heating and Forge Farm, Wing Road, Stewkley hot water work undertaken. Andrew Gurnett Boiler servicing, For a reliable service and all your breakdowns and installations. motoring needs, give me a call Landlord certificates. Stewkley based. Servicing Tyres 07725 480047 MOT’s Repairs [email protected] Exhausts & more Stewkley

Aylesbury Vale Golf Club Tel: 01525 240991 568424 Mobile: 07980 600095 Forge Farm www.chappellheating.co.uk Wing Stewkley Grapevine August 2021 Page 21     ! CHARLES HILL GARDEN SERVICES LTD    DESIGN I BUILD I MAINTAIN         LANDSCAPE CONTRACTORS         NCH Horticulture. City & Guilds Garden Design A professional company working with all your garden       requirements from design to complete landscape.             07773 723236 www.charleshillgardenservices.co.uk  www.allyearoundbbq.co.uk •          •              SUROR TRORS •             DCORT SRCS • $  $ %# !! $$$!    " '  " rovide a highly professional and comprehensive &#$  "   " decorating service with over 30 years experience           LS ST M WBST FOR MOR FORMTO  www.superiordecor.co.uk ­  €‚  ƒ‚ ­‚ „ †‡ Contact Jim Munro Mob 07788 185 Tel 0155 071

Email: im.m.munrogmail.com THE SWAN Stewkley 01525 240285

Thanks to all our customers (existing and new), it’s great to see so many of you trying our new range of wines and our new breakfast menu too.

We are working on a newly refreshed menu for the rest of the summer – more to come on this very soon!

The Swan continues to be open Wednesday through to Sunday as per the usual times for food and will close at 8pm on Sunday evenings.

We are now also offering a fantastic range of freshly ground coffees from 11am every morning.

Please call 01525 240285 or email [email protected] to book a table. Page 22 Stewkley Grapevine August 2021

32 years in print HUNTER PEST Your friendly local printer... SERVICES

HARLEQUIN PRESS Ltd Lithographic and Digital Printing Booklets Leaflets Brochures Letterheads Domestic and Commercial Pest Control Business Cards Magazines Fast, Reliable, Discreet | No call out charge Compliment Slips Newsletters Beds, Bucks and surrounding areas. Delivery Notes Note pads Contact Tim Hunter Directories Order of Service T:07976 802 362 Draw Tickets Personal Stationery E: [email protected] Event Tickets Postcards www.hunterpestservices.co.uk Invitations Programmes Invoice Books/Sets Timetables Moles, Rats Fleas, Bed Bugs, Wasps and Grapevine Cockroaches, Glis-glis, Squirrels Friendly Service, Free Advice All crawling and flying insects, Pest birds Tel: 01908 506722 and much more... 12 Bacon House Farm • • Milton Keynes • MK17 0PS [email protected] • www.harlequin-press.co.uk

Save up to 50% on your main dealer prices

Audi qualified & licensed technicians with over 54 years combined experience

Diagnostic repairs with the latest equipment All servicing and mechanical repairs carried out to the highest standards including brakes, clutches, cambelts etc

Complimentary courtesy car subject to availability

MOTs, Tyres and puncture repairs Stewkley Grapevine August 2021 Page 23

That's a load off your mind! Ironing and Laundry Specialised building work

Services ew builds and extensions

 Ironing itchens supplied and fitting service  Laundry

 Dry Cleaning Bathroom design and fitting  Duvet & Pillow

Cleaning nterior and exterior alterations  Curtains Cleaning  Alterations Stewkley- based

STURT JMS COLM Free Collection & Delivery 0155 111 0770 8883

01296 422 500 [email protected] mail stuartwbsgmail.com www.steam-on.co.uk www.woburnbuildingservices.co.uk

ST 18 PHOENIX CARPETS Your local carpet & flooring showroom

SHOWROOM OPENING TIMES: Mon-Thu: 10am to 4.00pm Fri: closed Sat 10am to 1pm 16 Bacon House Farm, Little Horwood MK17 0PS

We have been supplying and fitting carpets for 30 years and have a wide range of carpets, vinyl and lvt luxury vinyl tiles and accessories at our Little Horwood showroom. Free measuring and estimating T: 01908 501019 E: [email protected] Page 24 Stewkley Grapevine August 2021 STEWKLEY ENJOYS THE FOOTBALL... EVEN IF THE RESULT WAS NOT SO MUCH FUN

Jonah and Jamie drum up support On Sunday 11 July 2021 there was great anticipation and hope that football was finally from the passing cars ‘coming home’ after 55 years. England was in the final of a major competition for the first time since winning the World Cup in 1966. Stewkley residents got together, some for the first time in a long while as restrictions began to ease. Sadly, the match against Italy, at Wembley Stadium, was lost on penalties, but a good time was still had by many...

Charlotte Blayney aged 10

Freddy Hayes aged 7