The Claydons PARISH MAGAZINE August/September 2020

Vacant position for new Steeple Councillor See page 06 Don't be a tosser Campaign See page 10

The Claydons, Calvert, , Sandhill & 1 www.theclaydonsparish.org.uk Motor Repairs MOT Work, Servicing, Brakes and Clutches, Welding, General Repairs, Wheel Balancing and Alignment, Tyre and Exhaust fitting, Air Conditioning Regas, Recovery Service All makes of motor vehicles, light commercial and horse boxes Trading for more than 25 years Free collection and delivery service of your vehicle in surrounding villages Based in

Work: 01296 670911 Mob: 07850 352541

2 Letter from our Vicar, Rickey

Dear Friends, is His, not ours, keeps us grounded with gratitude whilst avoiding pride, and motivate us to In these strange times, according to Huffington maintain our faith daily. This gratitude permeates Post, it can often feel like we’ve lost many things our character, emotions, behaviours and outlook that bring us joy. Until recently, we couldn’t see of life which transforms our health and well- friends and family in and beyond the Claydons’ being. Sometimes, admittedly, the health issues villages, our outside passions and pastimes were may not go away but the transformation helps banned, and we were restricted to when we can us to face them with peace and graceful leave the house. So how can we be grateful – acceptance just like a person who I provided a and is that still possible now following the prayer after he received the news of having three relaxation of Covid-19 government rules? months to live. Well-being, the state of being The news article also cites that gratitude is comfortable, healthy, or happy, must come from powerful. Psychological tests have proven that who we are on the inside influencing us on the Motor Repairs gratitude was more powerful than any other outside. Am I being influenced by what others virtue in boosting our health think of me or what I genuinely know of myself? and wellbeing, says Kristján Put simply, it comes down to my daily public MOT Work, Servicing, Brakes and Clutches, Kristjánsson, a professor of face to the outside world. virtue ethics. “No one really God places His most precious treasure in clay knows why,” he says. “Some jars for others to see and experience the treasure Welding, General Repairs, people think gratitude of Christ through us. As clay jars, we are fragile occupies some sort of a human beings who handle difficulty so Wheel Balancing and Alignment, unique place as a ‘parent of differently with gratitude that people are all the virtues’.” Others say attracted to us – to hear our story, our journey, Tyre and Exhaust fitting, that “gratitude searches for our motivations, what makes us different, our the good things in life to struggles and joys. In fact, stories of our health train our brains to and well-being. There is no distinction between Air Conditioning Regas, automatically notice and thus be positive”. As our private and public faces, we simply be. Our Christians, we beg to differ. responsibility is to let people see God through Recovery Service Gratitude boosts our health and well-being us. The bible reading of 1st Thessalonians 5: 18 because of the light of Christ that shines in our invites us to: “Be thankful in all circumstances, hearts. We are like fragile clay jars containing for this is God’s will for (us) who belong to All makes of motor vehicles, this great treasure. The Apostle Paul knew that, Christ Jesus”. historically, palaces did not use clay jars for their As fragile clay jars our value and self-esteem valuables (2nd Corinthians Chapter 4). Clay jars grow, as exemplified in the Japanese art of light commercial and horse boxes were found in the kitchen and outhouse, but not Kintsugi. Instead of concealing damages to in the living room. Only jars made of gold, silver broken jars by repairing them to appear new, Trading for more than 25 years and other metals were used for special Kintsugi restores them by incorporating the occasions. damage into the aesthetic of the restored jar, God uses fragile clay jars, us, to reflect His making it part of its history. Kintsugi uses Free collection and delivery service of your Good News and works. Knowing that the power lacquer resin mixed with powdered...cont page 4 ... vehicle in surrounding villages Based in Hogshaw Advertise in The Claydons Magazine Per edition: Quarter Page £13 b/w, £16 col / Half Page £21 b/w, £26 col Distributed Full page £42 b/w, £52 col. Annual booking of 11 issues only pay for 10! 25% of total fee is charged to fundraising charities. Catchment schools FREE 1xpage to over 1800 Work: 01296 670911 If you'd like to advertise and need help with creating an advert please get in touch. Editor/Designer: Rachel Seago [email protected] homes Please note DEADLINE for October edition: 10th September 2020 Mob: 07850 352541 Copyright © Published by The Claydons PCC. Please note that August & September is a joint edition.

3 cont from page 3. gold, silver, platinum, copper or bronze, resulting into a jar more beautiful and valuable than the original. How lovely! I believe this is what gratitude does to us. It takes our past and recreates our story into something more valuable because of what we have in us as clay jars. We experience the Christian joy of gratitude on our health and well- being. My prayer today is that our villages experience the joy of gratitude in the Lord as we continue to make sense of Covid-19’s impact and respond to our nation’s future of opportunity. Luxury Heated Chalets Special Diets Catered For Stay blessed, Reverend Rickey Simpson-Gray Spacious Individual runs Parish of the Claydons www.theclaydonsparish.org.uk Collection and Delivery Service Inspection Welcomed If you need help please don't wait - just call: Childline: 0800 1111 Lockharbour Farm, Bushey Lane, Samaritans: 116 123 , MK18 4ND Domestic Violence Hotline: 0808 2000 247 Tel: 01280 848935 Mind: 0300 123 3393 Age UK: 0800 169 6565 Police: 101 or in an emergency 999 Laptop &

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4 NEWS from Parish Council

Notes from the Parish Council. The full Council Council regarding the safety issues. minutes are available on the Parish Council website: www.theclaydons.org. Meetings are being Playground held virtually until the lockdown has been lifted. This is currently closed but has undergone its annual inspection and deemed to be safe. Some Coronavirus minor works will be undertaken once it reopens. The Parish Council has set up a WhatsApp group Parents should ensure that Government guidelines to link volunteers to those who need help during are adhered to and hand sanitising is practiced. this difficult time, which is being monitored by Cllr Gary Baldwin. All requests for help have so far to Cambridge Expressway been met. A decision on whether the Oxford to Cambridge Expressway will be cancelled is still awaited. Planning All planning applications are available to view on Village Hall the Vale District Council website: www. The re-roofing of the Hall has been approved and aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/search-planning-licensing- work is in progress. applications The change of use of the Snooker room to become a meeting room has been approved and School Car Park: drop off and pick up area The Parish Council has submitted an “expression of work has started on this project. interest” to the HS2 Road Safety fund for the car The Village Hall Committee have installed park drop-off and pick-up area. As mentioned in decorative planters with attractive planting to previous newsletters, a decision will not be enhance the appearance of the Hall. announced until the final traffic numbers are known. The Parish Council is also corresponding Mushroom Tree with the Oxford Diocese and Maintenance work on the Mushroom Tree has been reviewed with a qualified tree surgeon and appropriate pruning will be carried out later in the year. The advice is that the Tree will remain standing for several years.

Council Meeting dates Council Meetings will be held ‘virtually’ until further notice.

To comment/volunteer: [email protected] 01296 534698

East & Village Hall re-opening update The Village Hall Committee are reviewing the situation regarding the opening of the Village Hall in line with current Government guidelines. It has been decided not to open to the public at this time, but this will be kept under constant review. The Mushroom, manned by volunteers, has also decided that it will not open until restrictions and government guidelines are eased, particularly related to social distancing. 5 NEWS from Parish Council

The July meeting of the Steeple Claydon and their meetings are available on the Parish Council was held on Tuesday 7th July website. at 7:30pm using the Zoom platform. During public participation a member of the Village Roads – concern was expressed about public asked if we could approach HS2 and EW the speed of traffic on the approach roads to the Rail to put more information on their signage to village, particularly those experiencing increased help people understand who is carrying out the traffic including Addison Road and West Street. works. We will contact them with this suggestion. It was suggested that the council approaches Buckinghamshire Council to ask for the speed Re-opening council facilities - The main focus limits to be reduced from 60mph to 40mph of the meeting was on preparing the council along affected sections. facilities to bring them back into operation following the COVID restrictions. It was agreed Next Meeting - The next parish council meeting that the Children’s Corner playground is to will be held on Tuesday 1st September at reopen with appropriate notices and the 7.30pm. To join the meeting open Zoom in a web provision of hand sanitizer. Plans and risk browser or application and put in the Meeting ID: assessments are being carried out to open the 227 605 3027 with Password: 7tVuB0 (case library in the next week or so. It is likely that the sensitive). The meeting will open from 7:15pm Village Hall and the recreation ground pavilion and will start at 7:30pm. If you need any help or will remain closed until the beginning of further information regarding accessing the September. meeting please contact the clerk, Hannah Holmes: Projects – The skateboard park project is to be [email protected]. funded using Section 106 money from the new 01296 534698 housing developments in the village. The www.e-voice.org.uk/steepleclaydonpc/ application for this money is now with Buckinghamshire Council and the contract will be awarded once it has been secured. It is hoped that work will start in September. Proposals for Steeple Claydon the refurbishment of the village hall kitchen are well advanced and this work will also be the Parish Council – subject of Section 106 funding. Recreation Ground – work was approved for co-option of councillor minor internal improvements to the pavilion changing rooms, tree surgery around the Steeple Claydon Parish Council has a vacant recreation ground and replacement cameras and position for a new councillor. Elections for new controller for the CCTV on the pavilion. It was councillors should have been held in May but agreed that the new dog poo bag dispensers they were delayed until 2021 due to COVID have been a great success and Councillor restrictions. The council has the option to co-opt Hammond was thanked for all his hard work. an additional councillor to join the existing team Finance and Audit – the Clerk reported that the of 8 volunteers who take responsibility for external auditor had reviewed the council’s managing the affairs of the Parish Council. In accounts and confirmed all is in order. The particular, we are looking for someone to help council thanked Ms Holmes for her diligent work. improve the Council’s communications to help inform the village about our activities and we New councillor needed – the parish council is are interested in hearing from those with some looking for an additional councillor to fill the up-to-date experience in this field and with current vacancy. Please see right hand column social media / websites. If you are interested in for further information. joining the Council please send a note to the Councillor Chilver joined the meeting after Clerk, Ms H Holmes, Steeple Claydon Parish having attended other meetings that evening Council, Village Hall, Queen Catherine Road, including the first meeting of the Buckingham Steeple Claydon, MK18 2PY or email clerk@ and Villages Community Board which includes steepleclaydonparishcouncil.gov.uk with a brief Steeple Claydon. Information about this board summary of your relevant skills and experience. 6 LOCAL CHIMNEY SWEEP Est 1988 l Brush & Vacuum l Traditional Open Fires l Inglenook Fireplaces l Wood Burners & Stoves l Gas/Oil Boilers l Birds Nests Removed l Bird Guards & Cowls Fitted l Approved Wood Burning Reg No: 14260 Stove Installer Call Phil at PTH SWEEP CLEAN on Over 20 years experience 01280 702772 or 07765 408390 www.pthsweepclean.co.uk The Claydons WI Lockdown and shielding has curtailed our face-to- face meetings but not all the activity. Book club has continued via zoom meetings. The Crafts group made scrubs bags for MK hospital and other needy front line workers. A “lockdown gardens" has allowed all members to THE CLAYDONS WI share their beautiful pots and gardens since our Garden meeting and the Claydons Open Gardens 1st September CZECH CONNECTION had to be cancelled. Neil Rees. Refreshments: tbc An active WhatsApp group has facilitated Venue to be confirmed depending communication throughout including the sharing o n t h e COV I D - 1 9 s i t u a t i o n of useful information on local suppliers and restaurants providing takeaway meals. Anyone with a need only has to ask. General emails have Forthcoming events - To be advised been used to share the more formal WI communications and provide updates for those Meetings are held in East & Botolph Claydon who did not wish to join the WhatsApp group. Village Hall at 7.30pm on the first Tuesday of the The walking group is available for anyone who month. New members always welcome. wishes to participate in socially distanced walks Non-members are also invited to attend and in groups of no more than 6 people. experience a meeting. We hope to reconvene in person, as soon as the restrictions ease and we can at least manage Please contact Linda at: a group picnic! [email protected] or 07872 925750 New members always welcome. 7 It’s a fact! Volunteers are happier

Join our volunteer community and enjoy the benefits of helping people with sight loss and improve your own wellbeing. We have a flexible approach to volunteering, with roles to suit all. And don’t just take our word for it, in 2018 90% of our volunteers said they would recommend us, so why not give us a try!

01296 487 556 [email protected] www.bucksvision.co.uk

8 NEWS from Calvert Green Parish Council

The Calvert Green Parish Council met on the 2nd New Councillor July 2020. This would have been our 3rd public We are still looking for a new Parish Councillor if meeting held virtually and is working well. you are interested or would like some information about the role please contact the Community Centre [email protected] The Community Centre will be opening from 12th July with Covid-19 restrictions, please Neighbourhood plan check the CGCA website before attending. We have submitted our neighbourhood plan to Buckinghamshire County. We will be looking for Recreation/Park areas up to 3 people from the community for the The playpark on Rustics close is now open steering group so please apply if you are following easing of restrictions on the 4th July interested. Thank you to everyone who has 2020. submitted their questionnaire - it's not too late to hand them in. Website www.calvertgreenparish.co.uk, we will be Next meeting will be on the 6th August 2020 at updating regularly with news from the Calvert 7.30pm this will held at the community centre Green Parish. All Councillor contact details are unless Covid restriction are changed. Get uploaded and news and events from around involved in how your Parish Council works for Calvert Green. you. Please get in touch Tracy Horsfield, Parish Clerk, [email protected]

Local girl's auction house We are pleased to announce that our local auction house, Dickins Auctioneers, has rebranded to Claydon Auctioneers following John Dickins’ termination of directorship. Auctioneer and fellow company shareholder, Louise Gostelow, took over the company in November 2019, running the auction house with the same friendly team. Louise is a local girl who grew up in Verney Junction and attended East Claydon School. She has worked in the auction world for a number of years, and makes regular appearances as an expert on BBC Antiques Road Trip. Louise is proud to be at the helm of her own auction house located within the parish of her childhood.

9 Don't be a tosser Litter is a constant struggle for parks and urban • Residents will be able to either bring collected areas and has previously followed a predictable waste to local Household Recycling Centres or, pattern. COVID-19 and the lockdown has shifted by arrangement , have the waste collected by this radically. Usual hot spots in Town Centres are the local waste collection team. much quieter whilst parks and green spaces are • Work towards the deferred "Great British Spring busier than ever. Lots of people are also visiting Clean" which has moved to September. This will these areas for the first time, and using them to be a nationwide campaign used to promote eat, drink and socialise. The litter produced is a local activities and focus minds on eradicating result of a mixture of careless discarding of waste litter from our local areas. Details of this event and people doing "the right thing" without will be on our website soon as it has just awareness of the unseen impacts. For example, launched - www.keepbritaintidy.org/get- leaving a carrier bag next to a full litter bin may involved/support-our-campaigns/great-british- seem a sensible thing to do, but animals may rip spring-clean it open and spread the rubbish all over the park. Angela Macpherson What is the Council doing? Deputy Leader Buckinghamshire Council • Street Cleansing teams are continuing their Cabinet Member Adult Social Care clean ups trying to react to the different Councillor for ward hotspots, but it's hard to move with the speed [email protected] necessary to stop build ups of litter. • Country parks and beauty spots are communicating to visitors the issues with litter by using posters, social media and also by stepping up their cleaning routines. • Promoting anti-litter using Keep Britain Tidy messages.

This is what the Council is planning for the future: • Dedicated Communications plan to deliver joined-up anti-littering messages across the County. • Focus on the impacts on wildlife of littering in our green spaces with a clear call to take litter home. The "don't be a tosser" campaign is City & useful in the right areas, but we feel working with Buckinghamshire's beauty spots and local Rural Cars wildlife will work best. 07821 727262 • Produce a toolkit for Parish/Town Councils and [email protected] community groups to promote the same

messages (posters, social media posts, etc.). Serving the Claydons • Promote community litter picks. & surrounding villages • Equipment to be provided to allow groups to organise litter picks in local areas (provided by Waste Collection teams in each area). 10 WHATEVER DECOR EAST, MIDDLE & Property Maintenance BOTOLPH CLAYDON Incl. Decorating, Painting, Tiling, Plastering, Woodwork etc. SUPPORT GROUP All Jobs Considered For people who need assistance during self-isolation

If anyone wants to volunteer or needs support call: Gary 07429 042885 CLEAN RELIABLE SERVICE [email protected] GOOD RATES Hoping we can all get Call Chris Charman the food, medicines and friendly chats we need  Mobile: Stay safe, stay well - stay home, 07921 183784 stay in touch!

Tea Break Quiz 1 Emphysema affects which part of your body? 2 Where were the Elgin Marbles originally from? 3 How long must a person have had to be dead to qualify for a Blue Plaque? 4 What Latin words did the Queen use to describe the year 1992? 5 Where do cars with the international vehicle registration SF come from? 6 What name does spy-writer David J Cornwell write under? 7 Which county is Eton School in? 8 Which drug takes its name from the Greek god of dreams? 9 What was the former name of Sellafield? 10 What is the metric word for a million? 11 Which dessert is named after a famous ballerina? 12 Which chess piece can only move diagonally? 13 Before Winston Churchill went bald what colour was his hair? 14 What is the real name of the criminal dubbed The Yorkshire Ripper? 15 In which year did the TV ‘soap’ EastEnders first appear? 16 In which country do soldiers wear skirts called fustanella? 17 Which word can describe a listening device, an illness or an insect? 18 How many kilometres per hour is 30 miles an hour? 19 Which politician said ‘A week is a long time in politics’? 20 Which organisation was founded in 1953 by Reverend Chad Varah? Answers on page 25 11 R. D INTERIORS

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NEWS from your local library in Steeple Claydon

CLICK & COLLECT LIBRARY Library staff will quarantine all wonderful facility continues in our BOOKS returning books, in line with public community for future generations. Our library is launching a new health guidelines, before returning 'Request & Collect' service which them to the shelves. EVENTS will allow active library customers We hope to see you soon when What would be better after long to borrow books in a safe, we re-open. shutdown than a nice walk around contactless way. this lovely village? The new Request and Collect OPENING TIMES Find out about the history of service will be accessible through Tuesday & Friday 14.30-17.30 buildings that are no longer here or the library's website; www. Thursday 10.00-13.00 have been changed into a new life. steepleclaydonlibrary.co.uk. Saturday 09.30-12.30 Wonder who used to live in the Members will need to fill in the houses and worked the fields contact form to register. The Library will always accept around the village? Who were Once a request has been made, donated books and CD Audio books. these people who now have a new the books will be issued and picked. home in St Michaels Church. To ensure social distancing There are some books for sale Friends of Steeple Claydon collections will only be available on Paperbacks 50p each or 3 for £1. Library have produced a book opening days. They will be placed Hardback books £1 each which is for sale in the library at near the entrance. Children books 20p each £8.50 each. It is a 72 page wire Donated magazines, due to the bound A5 booklet which will make present health climate will no These books are for sale on behalf your village walk more interesting. longer be accepted or available. of the Friends of Steeple Claydon On sale now in the library. Donated books will always be Library. By purchasing these books accepted, please make sure they you are kindly supporting the Pat Serle, Librarian are in bags/boxes. library, helping us to ensure this

13 Regular Claydons Parish Meetings ALL CANCELLED UNTIL LOCKDOWN IS LIFTED LL Fencing Wednesday mornings: Church Mice Mums 'n Toddlers Get-Together & Paving 10.30-11.30am, St. 's Church, Steeple Claydon Co-ordinator: Kate 730655 For all your garden needs

Wednesday afternoons: 'Tea & Chat' All types of Fencing and 2-4pm, Mark Bulman Parish Room, St Michael's Church, Steeple Claydon Gates, Decking, Pergolas, Co-ordinators: Heather 730447 / Carina 733882 Turfing & Sheds, etc

Wednesday evenings 'Praise & Beyond' We can help design and then produce (encountering God) your patio in concrete or natural stone 7.30-9.30pm For all enquiries please call 9a, Buckingham Road, Steeple Claydon Lawrence Co-ordinator: Carina 733882 E. [email protected] T: 01442 826578 M: 07801 924059 Friday Night Prayer Quiet time of Prayer and Contemplation with Night Prayer Compline 6.30-7.30pm Mark Bulman Parish Room Co-ordinator: Geoff Strutt 01296 730248

Monthly: Claydons' Youth Groups Every first Sunday of the month during term time 6-8.30pm, Botolph House, Botolph Claydon Younger Group starting at 6pm and Older Group at 7pm Co-ordinators: Emily 730655 / Lyn 712200

FORGET-ME-KNOT Steeple Claydon Methodist Church Hall 1st Thursday in the month 2-4pm Games, Craft, Chat & Cup of Tea All Welcome! Contact: Marian Gardner 713227

14 Book reviews Behind the Lens by David Suchet Sputniks Guide David discusses his London upbringing and love by Frank Cottrell Boyce of the city, his Jewish roots and how they have A one-of-a-kind story of heart, humor, and influenced his career, the importance of his faith, finding one's place in the universe. how he really feels about fame, his love of Prez knows that the best way to keep track of photography and music, and his processes as an things is to make a list. That's important when actor. He looks back on his fifty-year career, you have a grandfather who is constantly including reflections on how the industry has forgetting. And it's even more important when changed, his personal highs and lows, and how your grandfather can't care for you anymore and he wants to be you have to go live with a foster family out in remembered. And, of the country. course, life after Poirot and why he's Prez is still learning to fit in at his new home still grieving for the when he answers the door to meet Sputnik--a eccentric Belgian kid who is more than a little strange. First, he detective. can hear what Prez is thinking. Second, he looks An autobiography like a dog to everyone except Prez. Third, he can with a difference, manipulate the laws of space and time. Sputnik, this is David Suchet it turns out is an alien, and he's got a mission as you've never seen that requires Prez's help: the Earth has been him before - from marked for destruction, and the only way they behind the lens. can stop it is to come up with ten reasons why the planet should be saved. Thus begins one of the most fun and eventful summers of Prez's life, as he and Sputnik set out on a journey to compile the most important list Local Plasterer based Prez has ever made-- and discover just what in Steeple Claydon makes our world so remarkable. KTJ Plastering

Both these book's will be available to bor- row in the Steeple Claydon library when it re-opens. Pat Serle, Librarian

For all your plastering needs by local tradesman with over 20 years experience please contact Nigel, “The secret of change is to KTJ Plastering focus all of your energy not Home number 01296 738682 on fighting the old, but on Mobile 07708 571830 building the new.” Socrates

15 Healthbuddy tip of the month My name is Mark and I am the Over the years, our lives many of us working from home owner of HealthBuddy and have got so busy with work, at the moment, this has been a HealthBuddy Bootcamps based family, friends, commuting, great time to get back in the in Steeple CLaydon. social media and constant kitchen, cooking some real As a former GB Hockey emails that cooking real food food again and changing our coach, personal trainer, has moved down our priority habits and our cycle. nutritionist and meditation list as we simply find time hard I don’t expect everybody to teacher I want to catch up to come by. We move from be growing their own veg and with you each month and our bed, to our car, to an office, meal prepping all their weeks share a simple tip that we can to a car, to the couch we fuel food on a Sunday afternoon all use to improve our health ourselves in between with and filling the fridge with pre- and wellbeing and hopefully all supermarket meal deals, quick prepared meals but it would be live a longer, healthier and bites from petrol stations and great if we could all use a little happier life. ready meals when we are bit of our spare time to cook a As this is the first month, home just so we have a few meals a week from scratch, let’s start off with the most precious couple of hours to sit trying something new and important tip of all which can with our loved ones in front of bringing in some healthier help us all improve our mental the TV. nutritional habits to help us all wellbeing, lose weight and So why spend time standing look, move and feel better. reduce the chance of bringing over an oven for 45 minutes If you want to use this time in conditions such as diabetes, making a risotto when you can to improve your nutrition or if high cholesterol, heart disease, buy one that’s ready in 5 you are just looking to improve strokes and arthritis into our minutes with minimal washing your health and fitness, please lives as we get a little older. up afterwards?! get in touch with me by The most important piece We have got caught in a emailing mark@health-buddy. of advice I can give you is to very damaging cycle and it’s co.uk or visiting our website reduce the amount of processed hard to break but with the www.healthbuddybootcamps. food you eat every day. recent lockdown and with so co.uk

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16 CALVERT COVID-CRISIS SUPPORT GROUP “One Village..One Family” We are here to help. If you are isolating, sick or vulnerable and need some urgent assistance, please contact us. 4 Shopping for essential food & grocery items (if available), 4 Essential medication items (if available) Doctor Prescription drop off and pick up 4 Walking your 4-legged friend! 4 Catch up calls or just a friendly chat! Access to a foodbank is available or maybe you'd like to donate? To speak to your assigned volunteer please contact: Nikky 07725 316528 or Liza 07455 019867

What’s my house worth in the What’s my house worth in the Claydons? Claydons? If you want to know, get in touch with Ella in partnership with Alexander & Co for your free, If you want to know, get in touch with Ella in partnership with Alexander & Co for your free, no obligation valuation. Ifno you obligation want to valuationknow, get. in touch with Ella in partnership with Alexander & Co for your free, no obligation valuation. We’re working together to cover more of your local area than ever before. We’re working together to cover more of your local area than ever before. We’re working together to cover more of your local area than ever before.

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17 NEED EXTRA STORAGE? Classic Car Storage? Secure dry storage for Builder’s Equipment? 20 foot storage containers in secure yard in Hogshaw available now £100 + VAT per month Call Eddie on 07850 911518

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Food Bank Collections

Thank you to everyone that has already helped our food banks support local families. Demand continues to be very high (over 20 times the usual)and this is anticipated to remain high for some time. Bernie will be collecting throughout the summer and visiting Steeple Claydon on Thursdays 13th August and 27th August and our collection points are: 12.15pm (approx) Prince of Wales, Village Hall and Langston and Tasker bus depot.

Please give any TINNED FOOD and TOILETRIES that you can spare – THANK YOU.

Cllr Angela Macpherson & local co-ordinator Cllr Frank Mahon 18 TRICIA POPE Phoenix Kitchen I wish to apologise to all the people in at Claydon Steeple Claydon to whom I was unable to say goodbye before leaving the village. Courtyard – Open Gerry and I arrived here in 2006 and were Friday to Wednesday warmly welcomed, making many new friends. Having downsized, 10am-5pm our original intention was to remain in Steeple Claydon The Phoenix Kitchen is offering customers a for about three years, different dining experience this summer, with a before moving to the delicious selection of takeaway options to enjoy warmth of Spain. at picnic tables in our historic Claydon Courtyard, However, it was not to be; or take home. Gerry ended his days here. As well as a new Summer menu we have *NEW PRE-ORDER BOXES* available for The time was then right for collection. Customers can pre-order a great me to relocate to Essex - the choice of boxes to eat here or takeaway, county of my roots. including:

God Bless You All Sharing Box for two people - The Ploughman, Vegetarian Ploughman or Seafood Platter.

Afternoon Tea - Treat yourself to indulgent, delicious sweet and savoury treats.

Sunday Carvery - Our popular carveries are back Claydon Leather Repairs and in a box, with a choice of Bedfordshire beef, Claydon honey glazed gammon or vegetarian Cleaning, Repair, Restoration with all the trimmings! The Old Drapery Visit our website for more details: 12 Chaloners Hill www.claydonestate.co.uk or contact the Steeple Claydon Phoenix Kitchen on 01296 340058. Buckingham MK18 2PE *We are giving our valued NHS workers a free takeaway hot drink when visiting the Phoenix Kitchen during July and August 2020. Please show your NHS ID badge to our staff when ordering.

19 20 A view from STEEPLE CLAYDON Westminster SUPPORT GROUP If you need anything whilst It cannot be re-stated often enough just how self-isolating, significant the support this government has made available to protect jobs, businesses and or if you may be able to help… the economy has been. Measures equivalent to 15% of GDP. The most wide reaching support please join the Facebook page: package in the world. Steeple Claydon Support Network As I have spoken to business owners across the constituency - where some 11,900 people or call: have been furloughed under the Job Retention Sarah J 07952 689670 Scheme and 4,300 people in receipt of support Gillian 07586 310423 under the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme - it is clear that jobs, livelihoods and Sarah H 07929 877931 businesses, some built up with passion and Hoping we can all get determination over decades, have been saved. Likewise, business rates holidays, VAT deferrals, the food, medicines and friendly small business grants, Coronavirus Business chats we need  Interruption Loans and Bounce Back Loans have Stay safe, stay well - stay home, given a vital lifeline to so many. stay in touch! Getting so much of the economy re-opened on 4th July was a huge boost. From pubs to hotels, galleries to cafes; on top of non-essential represents the biggest ever one-off government retail opening up again in June, it is essential we spend in UK culture and will provide a lifeline to all support local businesses. Without wanting vital cultural and heritage organisations across to put too finer point on it, for many its crunch the country hit hard by the pandemic, ensuring time. Continuing social distancing rules and they stay afloat and protecting multi-billion additional Covid-secure costs tighten margins. pound industries that are famous around the The more we can support local business, the world for the future. greater the chance of them all having prosperous I continue to push for support to be made futures. available for other sectors, such as local coach Some sectors also continue to be in need of companies whose business models will not particular help and attention as our economy return to normal for some time. Likewise for restarts, so that they all can rebound and look those parts of the economy like gyms, swimming forward to a prosperous future. It has been on pools and beauty salons to be permitted to behalf of these businesses and sectors I have reopen as soon as possible. focused much of my energy in recent weeks. If you need my help or support in lobbying One example is the performing arts. As government to help your business or sector, someone who has previously been a trustee of please do email me at greg.smith.mp@ both a theatre and a major arts centre, I know parliament.uk. how difficult the current situation is for all in the arts. Having raised the case for support for Greg Smith MP the arts in the House of Commons and with Member of Parliament for Buckingham Ministers directly, I was delighted at the news House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA the government has listened and made available 020 7219 4287 a £1.57bn support package. The packages www.gregsmith.co.uk 21 Services of Worship around The Claydons

Service METHODIST CHURCH, ALL ' CHURCH, ST MARY'S CHURCH, ST MICHAEL'S CHURCH, Steeple Claydon East Claydon Steeple Claydon

6th September _ 9.30am Book of Common Prayer No Service 11.00am All Age Service via Online Zoom 13th September – No Service 9.30am Common Worship 11.00am informal Sunday Service Communion via Online Zoom 20th September – No Service 9.30am All Age 11.00am informal Sunday Service via Online Zoom 27th September – No Service 9.30am Common Worship 11.00am informal Sunday Service Communion via Online Zoom 4th October – 9.30am Book of Common Prayer No Service 11.00am All Age Service

Please call 01296 713227 for the Methodist Church Service updates. To join the Zoom meetings you will need a link - please contact the Church via the Facebook page or website.

Parish of the Claydons and Swan Team

Church Wardens: St Mary’s Church, Mrs Elspeth O’Halloran 01296 712588 East Claydon Mrs Esther Turnbull 01296 712127 [email protected] St Michael’s Church, Mr David Smith 01296 730655 Steeple Claydon Mr Nick Henstock 07824 336632 All Saints Church, Would you be interested in this position? Contact [email protected] Middle Claydon (Vacant)

PCC Secretary Mrs Linda O’Dell 01296 738111 [email protected] PCC Treasurer Mrs Claire Moll 01296 738005 [email protected] PCC Stewardship Secretary Mr Geoff Strutt 01296 730248 [email protected] Music Leader Mrs J Abu-Rish St Michael’s Verger Mrs Heather Aris 01296 730447 [email protected]

Claydons/Swan Team Vicar Rev’d Rickey Simpson-Gray 01296 706694 [email protected] The Rectory, Queen Catherine Road Steeple Claydon MK18 2PY Claydons/Swan Team Vicar Rev’d Angela Mann 01296 771100 [email protected] Claydons/Swan Team Rector Rev’d David Hiscock 01869 277297 [email protected] 22 Services of Worship around The Claydons

Service METHODIST CHURCH, ALL SAINTS' CHURCH, ST MARY'S CHURCH, ST MICHAEL'S CHURCH, Steeple Claydon Middle Claydon East Claydon Steeple Claydon

6th September _ 9.30am Book of Common Prayer No Service 11.00am All Age Service via Online Zoom 13th September – No Service 9.30am Common Worship 11.00am informal Sunday Service Communion via Online Zoom 20th September – No Service 9.30am All Age 11.00am informal Sunday Service via Online Zoom 27th September – No Service 9.30am Common Worship 11.00am informal Sunday Service Communion via Online Zoom 4th October – 9.30am Book of Common Prayer No Service 11.00am All Age Service

Please call 01296 713227 for the Methodist Church Service updates. To join the Zoom meetings you will need a link - please contact the Church via the Facebook page or website.

Steeple Claydon Methodist Church

Methodist Stewards Mrs Marian Gardner 01296 713227 Mr David Hurman 01296 733759 Secretary Mrs Doreen Teckoe 01869 243078 Treasurer Miss Gwynneth Akins Organists Miss Gwynneth Akins Mrs Doreen Teckoe 01869 243078 Methodist Minister Rev'd Tim Edworthy 01280 817560 Booking Clerk Mrs Marian Gardner 01296 713227 Church Office 01280 817560

23 Steeple Claydon School & Nursery

We are rated securely ‘Good’ by Ofsted and have a high standard of attainment and progress for all our children.

We take pride in ensuring we provide children with a rich, creative and engaging learning journey from Nursery to Year Six.

Our pupils are high achievers not only academically but also socially, emotionally, creatively and physically.

On leaving primary school our children are equipped with the tools to be life long learners.

Every day is an Open Day - contact us to book a tour [email protected] 01296 738132

Wrap-around care available from 8am-6pm

24 Our churches Local emergency Steeple Claydon School reopen food fund support

Dear Village Residents, Sometime ago, I shared on the Facebook & Nursery Forums that our Church of Parish You will already be aware that our churches were secured £1,000 from Buckinghamshire Council permitted to re-open from 4th July following Community Fund for additional food needs government and Church of England Covid-19 and toiletries’ supplies across our villages: We are rated securely ‘Good’ by Ofsted and have advice. Middle Claydon, Steeple Claydon, East Claydon and Calvert Green. a high standard of attainment and progress Parish of the Claydons' churches will open for Whilst we have helped many families and for all our children. Sunday worship, as detailed below: persons with the assistance of our volunteers, All Saints Church, Middle Claydon - this is a reminder that funds are still available 6th September, for emergency food needs. Please, please We take pride in ensuring we St Mary's Church, East Claydon - don’t suffer in silence. We are genuinely here 13th September, for you. provide children with a rich, St Michael's Church, Steeple Claydon - Food distribution remain coordinated via our creative and engaging learning 4th October local contacts: Gary Baldwin (East Claydon and Middle Claydon), Jo Vipan, Rachael Gravy, journey from Nursery to Year Please refer to Sunday worship dates of Kate Smith (Steeple Claydon) and Jane September and October in the centre pages of Henstock, Nikky Rawlings and their contacts Six. this magazine. for Calvert Green. If your emergency needs Our pupils are high achievers We are maintaining online informal church are confidential, please get in touch with any services via our Parish Facebook account. You are of the above persons direct or myself on not only academically but also more than welcomed to join us each Sunday. 01296 706694 (or [email protected]) as All updated Sunday Worship services are the last resort for help. socially, emotionally, creatively listed in the Parish website diary of events: and physically. www.theclaydonsparish.org.uk. You can also get With every blessings and love, in touch via the website. Reverend Rickey Simpson-Gray, Thanks for your understanding and patience. On leaving primary school our Parish of the Claydons With every blessings, children are equipped with the Answers to Tea Break Quiz on page 11 Reverend Rickey Simpson-Gray, tools to be life long learners. Parish of the Claydons 1. Lungs, 2. Greece, 3. 20 years, 4. Annus Horribilus, 5. Finland, 6. John Le Carre, 7. Berkshire, Every day is an Open Day - 8. Morphine, 9. Windscale, 10. Mega, 11. Pavlova, 12. The Bishop, 13. Red, 14, Peter Sutcliffe, 15. 1985, contact us to book a tour 16. Greece, 17. Bug, 18. 48, 19. Harold Wilson, [email protected] 20. The Samaritans 01296 738132 “I would maintain that ThankThis is a thank you to Bali You! at the Mace shop thanks are the highest Wrap-around care in Calvert Green: Thank you Bali sooooo form of thought, and that much for your very kind donations. They available from benefitted several different familes in gratitude is happiness Steeple Claydon and Calvert Green who doubled by wonder.” 8am-6pm appreciated them very much. Thank you G K Chesterton and God bless! 25 Eco Column

Could our Covid pandemic help our climate emergency?

Before this crisis we accepted the dominance of traffic noise as inevitable, but now we have sampled an alternative urban ambience. Many of us have little desire to return to the situation before lockdown. But how easy will it be to affect the Green Recovery many governments say they want, and how can we help this happen? Post-lockdown, many are re-evaluating lifestyle choices which had previously not been considered. In a poll for the AA, one fifth of motorists said they would work more from home in future. This has implications for the UK’s road building program which assumes that traffic on our roads will rise by 1% per year – something that now looks unlikely. So – could you work from home more regularly? With many of us using virtual meeting technology can you cut out the daily commute? Another benefit of the weeks spent in lockdown has been the number of people cycling – either for health and recreation, or simply as a safe socially distanced method of travel. Many cities and towns have green transport schemes developing – e-scooter schemes, pop-up bike lanes, protected cycling space, safer junctions and cycle-only corridors are just some ideas being implemented. If you are someone who might be able to cycle to work, check out the government’s Cycle to Work Scheme. This allows you to save up to 40% and spread the cost of buying a new bike. www.cyclescheme.co.uk Growing veg has long been hailed as a beneficial pastime, both nutritionally, and for our mental and physical health. During lockdown, the RHS has experienced hundreds of thousands more people looking for growing advice, and across the UK new gardeners are getting their hands dirty for the first time. There has been a huge surge in seed and plant sharing schemes, and other horticultural community initiatives. With budgets tight the benefits of growing your own food are also financial. If you haven’t joined the grow-your-own revolution, check out Alan Titchmarsh’s ITV show Grow Your Own at Home, with tips and advice on how to get started, even if you only have a small space.

by Ali Freeman

This is YOUR column. Please send your contributions - articles, poems, thoughts, tips for greener living, etc. to: Olivia Riches 730730 [email protected]

REDUCE • RE-USE • RE-CYCLE 26 ALL ROOFS, GUTTERS & CHIMNEYS

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A point to make Smiling faces of temporary gifts, all moving around in the breeze, satisfaction one minute, then it shifts, never stable, never at ease. Beauty as always, is there to behold, but for the one who sees, this is the one, who breaks the mould, a joing of the birds and bees. Happenings occuring, judge them not letting life just play its game, now is the world that time forgot, igniting that magical flame. Playing in a world that has it all in hand, such is the ease of observation, Could this be the chance to make a stand, or to rise in shear elation. David A Willis

27 CLAYD ST O A N

E

C L o OFSTED: f O “The curriculum E O is rich, broad and S engaging and meets C H the needs and interests of pupils exceptionally Looking for a great well.” local pre-school or school for your children?

From September 2020 our school will take children through to year 6 – it’s been an exciting journey over the past four years of expansion from infant to primary school. Children can join us in our thriving Pre-School from age 2 and we will now be able to educate children all the way up to their transition to secondary school. As evidenced in our excellent inspection reports from Ofsted and Welcoming SIAMS, carried out in Summer 2019, we can offer: • A fantastic small school set within a beautiful rural environment. children from • Personalised learning to ensure every pupil achieves their 2-11 years full potential. from • An immersive and creative curriculum that engages and inspires children. Sept 2020 • A cohesive community where everyone works together for the benefit of the pupils. We have open days each half term for prospective parents – please call us to arrange a personal viewing on one of these dates. Inspiring all God’s children St Mary’s Road East Claydon Buckingham MK18 2LS [email protected] 28 01296 712765 www.eastclaydon.org.uk James Dougall Designer & maker of bespoke jewellery & objects in gold & silver

07786 176118 I [email protected] jamesdougall6768 I www.jamesdougall.com

East & Botolph Claydon Village Hall to hire THE This refurbished Village Hall is ideal for children's/ MUSHROOM adult parties, weddings, mutual interest groups, meetings and exercise classes. There is a well VILLAGE BAR equipped kitchen and a large garden with

EST 1972 beautiful views and a BBQ area. CLOSED UNTIL COVID RULES EASE THE Event Non-Resident Resident Parties, weddings & other Open Thursday to Sunday 8pm until 11pm with MUSHROOMearly family opening at 6pm on Friday (parents adult functions from 4pm £90 £70 and children welcome). 24 hour hire - Noon 'til Noon £110 £80 VILLAGE BAR There’s a LARGE ENCLOSED GARDEN for the kids to run Children’s afternoon parties £50 £40 around in and we also have a WIDE SCREEN TV, POOL, Meetings in Annex / Main Hall £45 £32 DART BOARDEST 1972 AND FREE WIFI. Private Lunches £50 £30 Available for private hire with/without the Village Hall There are approximately 20 large tables and over adjoining the bar. Taking bookings for 2021. 90 chairs. The hall also houses a well stocked, fully Run by the community... for the community licensed bar which is run by the The Mushroom.

Follow us ‘The Mushroom’ for latest news/events Call Gary 01296 712706 for bookings For information, availability, and bookings call Gary Baldwin 07429 042885 / 01296 712706 EAST & BOTOLPH CLAYDON VILLAGE HALL BOTOLPH ROAD, BUCKINGHAM MK18 2LP [email protected] www.theclaydons.org/village-hall 29 Walk your rubbish home Key workers are facing risks and pressure due to Covid-19. If public bins are full then please walk your rubbish home.

Support our key workers. Please help them by taking your rubbish home with you. 30 Please help them by taking your rubbish home with you. Support our key workers. home rubbish Walk your 'Drink and drop' - new survey reveals a nation of thirsty litterers

A new report, produced by Keep Britain Tidy and and plastic-lined cups, including those use for commissioned by Defra, reveals just how much take-away coffees and cold drinks. The charge on litter is being dropped and what it is. single-use plastic carrier bags reduced The research reveals that the bulk of the litter consumption by up to 90% and evidence that is being thoughtlessly thrown on our suggests that a charge on single-use cups could streets, parks and beaches is the result of our in turn nudge us away from single use and insatiable thirst for drinking on the go. towards a refill culture for drinks-on-the-go. The survey, carried out at a representative The research, carried out before the sample of sites across the country in 2019, Coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown, looked not only at the number of items dropped showed that despite the fall in the number of but at the volume of that litter and it revealed smokers over the past decade, cigarette butts are that almost three quarters of the litter – a littered more than anything else, accounting for staggering 75% was the result of drinks 66% of all litter items dropped. consumption. The Government’s own Environment Bill The most littered item, by volume, was the introduces the concept of extended producer small plastic bottle (up to 750ml) for non- responsibility (EPR), initially for packaging but alcoholic drinks, which accounted for 24.4% of with scope to encompass other products. EPR the total, but these are joined by cans, larger aims to make companies responsible for 100% bottles, glass bottles, coffee cups, takeaway soft of the net costs of dealing with the products drinks cups and cartons to create a mountain of when they become waste, which includes the waste, much of which could and should be cost of clearing up those products if littered. recycled but is, instead, polluting our “Given the prevalence of cigarette litter, we environment and costing millions of pounds to believe government should ensure that EPR is please walk your rubbish home. due to Covid-19. If public bins are full then Key workers are facing risks and pressure clean up. applied to the tobacco industry, not just for “It’s clear that our ‘food on the go’ culture of cigarette packaging but for cigarette butts, which convenience comes with real consequences, with account for two-thirds of all littered items." food and drink packaging polluting our Keep Britain Tidy Deputy CEO, Richard McIlwain environment, which in turn costs millions to To clean up this country, and to change the clean-up and harms native wildlife and domestic behaviour of those who, as we have seen so pets." Keep Britain Tidy Deputy CEO, Richard clearly in the past few weeks, think it is McIlwain acceptable to pollute our beautiful parks, As we consider what a post-Covid green countryside and beaches with their rubbish, we recovery should look like, we should allow need everyone to play their part and pay their ourselves to imagine a world without litter and fair share. Only then will we have an plastic pollution. It is clear that we urgently need environment of which we can be proud. new measures to tackle all types of littering but particularly to address the issue of drinks Keep Britain Tidy containers, which make up nearly three quarters of the volume of litter in this country. This is why we need a well-designed and comprehensive deposit return scheme as soon as possible, for all sizes of plastic, glass and aluminium drinks containers. In more than 40 countries and regions around the world, such schemes can drive up collection rates for drinks containers to over 90%, creating clean material for recycling and reducing littering. We are delighted that the Government is pressing ahead with plans to introduce a deposit return scheme for drinks bottles and cans in 2023 and government must ensure this A lot of litter is being timescale does not slip. left behind at Calvert In addition, we are also calling for the Nature Reserve. introduction of a charge on single-use plastic 31 A new Outreach project launches in North Bucks Bringing our farm to your door...albeit at a Essentially, bringing our farm to you…albeit distance! Unfortunately, due to the lockdown at a distance. we have had to put our plans to start a Countrymen Club at the farm on hold. But in This is for you if... the meantime, the team at Animal Antiks based • You are a man who enjoys the countryside at Manor Farm, are taking some and outdoors or you care for someone who positive steps to support men and their family does. carers while lockdown is forcing their isolation • You’d like some activities to pass the time. at home and affecting their physical and mental • You are feeling the effects of lockdown and wellbeing. would appreciate some support. Thanks to some funding from the national charity, Countrymen UK, we are developing an If you are interested or have someone in outreach project to connect with these men and mind who would appreciate this support, please their family carers. The support is free of charge do contact Emma Dearn at and the men and carers can choose how much [email protected], call the farm office on or how little support they require. The support 01296 670996 or visit the website at we can offer ranges from delivering free www.animalantiks.co.uk countryside-based activity packages to keep everyone busy to sharing countryside news via regular newsletters.

32 SEAN COX Need a hall to hire? electricals Church area: with dais and comfortable, flexible, seating arrangements and use of large and small tables all electrical work and kitchen facilities. Suitable for Conferences, undertaken Seminars, Training Days, Lectures etc. Seats: 50 - 60 home & commercial Fee: £10 per hour. (£9 per hour, for block bookings of based in Steeple Claydon 10 or more sessions.) Kitchen facilities: Fully fitted. Fee: Free for making hot drinks and use of microwave. £10 per session for use of full cooking facilities. School room: as above, but no dais. contact us for a Seating capacity: approx 30 free no obligation quote Fee: £7 per hour. (£6 per hour for block bookings of City & Guilds certified 10 or more sessions) WC facilities: 1 x WC and 1 x WC Disabled 07759 206018 / 01296 730209 Call: Marian Gardner 01296 713227 [email protected] to discuss bookings and availability

33 THE RETRO ICE CREAM TRIKE EXPERIENCE BRING THE GOOD OLD DAYS TO YOUR EVENT

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34 Let a tiny patch of lawn run riot with grass and flowers, and you’ll be sheltering an abundance of life

Monty Don claims the UK have lost 98 per cent grasses are very attractive in themselves. of meadow sites since 1945 and with them the A meadow – even one of only a few square incredible diversity of meadow plants such as metres – can last a very long time. Annual buttercups, oxeye daisies, knapweed and yellow meadows that depend on replacement plants rattle, which support a rich insect ecosystem each year are not meadows at all and have a that in turn supports birds and mammals. much less interesting ecosystem. The difference between pasture and meadow What is really beneficial are meadows is that pasture is for grazing whereas a meadow comprised solely of our native plants that can is intended for hay. The grass is ungrazed – or potentially last, changing subtly from year to uncut – until after midsummer, when the hay is year and even from one metre to the next, for cut and gathered. hundreds of years. It can be grazed in autumn and winter, going The easiest way to start is to manage a into spring short, but must not be cut again in section of lawn as hay meadow, cutting it spring or the first half of summer. between June and October, removing all cut A gardener has to replicate that cycle to material to the compost heap. maximise on wildflowers and the wildlife in their It can then be cut by the lawnmower once a meadow. week through to the end of the growing season, As well as being beautiful, a wildflower then go into winter short. This will not transform meadow in your garden will enrich the quality your lawn into a flower-filled meadow overnight and quantity of wildlife. You can grow a meadow – it might take a few years – but it will change it almost anywhere and of almost any size. for the better, and fast. One of the myths of wildflower meadows is Flowers can be introduced through plugs – that they will only thrive on poor, shallow soil. small plants grown in individual pods or sold by This is not true, but it is based on the fact that the tray – or by scattering seed. The best time to grasses grow best in rich, deep, well-drained do this is straight after long grass has been cut. topsoil and where grasses grow best they tend Work the ground really aggressively with a to out-muscle most neighbouring plants, such as spring-tined rake so there is plenty of bare soil wildflowers. and then scatter the seeds all over this. However, if you get a seed mix correct – very Tread them firmly so that good contact is precise mixes are available – then you can have made between the seeds and ground. Don’t the right combination of grasses and flowers for worry if the flowers change every year, a almost any conceivable garden situation. In meadow is a constant process of adaptation and general, successful meadows are around 80 per will look much better some years than others. cent grasses and 20 per cent flowers. It is essential to collect up all the grass cuttings Monty advises managing a section of lawn from a meadow as I mentioned, otherwise they between June and October to easily begin a will enrich the soil too much and form a rotting meadow garden. mat. It would make a world of difference to all And don’t despair if your trimmed meadow biodiversity if we mowed grass less. There are looks like a muddy mess – it’s good for thought to be ten times more species and 50 germinating seeds and will always recover. times more individual creatures in long grass than grass mown once a week. And you will find Source Monty Don, Daily Mail 35

Do you need help with plumbing Lockdown and home improvements? fitness challenge! Local service and repairs from £50 Lockdown has motivated the Henstock family to Free inspection visit, advice & estimate get fit. Working from home has meant Nick and Jane make a point of going for a walk or bike ride Replacement taps, basins, toilets & baths every day. Nick has lost a stone and a half and has become fitter and healther as he cycles just Kitchen sink, tap & water softeners over an hour every day (weather permitting) Shower pumps, mixers, tray & enclosures Joe and Becky have followed Joe Wicks daily Radiators, system flushing & filters workouts. From this Becky challenged herself to do 50 sit ups - starting at 10, which was a real We also paint & decorate, supply & fit effort - and adding one more sit up each day. Then a friend challenged her to continue to 100. blinds, shutters, kitchen units & worktops Inspired by Capt Sir Tom Moore she decided she'd rise to the challenge and at the same time Contact Jeff on 01296 730999 or raise funds for a good cause. Many people were raising funds for NHS, so she decided to raise funds for those overseas where Covid 19 is having a bigger impact so chose Tearfund. Her first target was to raise £100 and thanks to her friends and family smashed the target early on and last Monday she achieved 100 sit-ups in 3 minutes 56 seconds - blasting the 5 minute target she set her self too. Not only that, but she has raised over £600. WELL DONE BECKY! If you'd like to donate to this worthy cause here is the link https://www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/becky-henstock100situps Jane Henstock

36 wildwood Have you got a story to tree surgeons tell, something you professional tree could share? Maybe it's and hedge care funny, poignant or unusual? Or do you have NVQ LEVEL II FULLY an event you'd ARBORICULTURE INSURED like to advertise or WOODLAND WOODCHIP MANAGEMENT SALES tell us about? We are always on the look-out for articles for our magazine

Please send your article to the Editor, Telephone: [email protected] Mark on 07905 474744 Deadline is 10th of every month for it to be in the following 01296 730928 month's magazine Steeple Claydon based

St Michael's Church Community Food Cupboard Food donated by the community, for the community Located in the entrance to St Michael's Church, Steeple Claydon accessible 7 days a week 9am-5pm Take what you need, donate what you like 37 Pubs of the Claydons 1

There is a rhyme about the pubs in Steeple Claydon that was told in the early 20th Century: The Black Horse kicked the Crown, And drank the Fountain dry, The Sportsman shot the Prince of Wales, 2 And made the Phoenix fly There were six public houses and alehouses in Steeple for many years until quite recently, but as social habits have changed only two are left now, The Fountain and The Prince of Wales, the others have become private houses.

1. One other well-known one not mentioned in the 3 rhyme is The Milkpail but that is probably because it only existed as an alehouse for a few years at the beginning of the 1900’s.

Others we know existed but their whereabouts in the village is not known, they are:

The Unicorn – a thatched building noted in a fire policy, the landlords were various members of the Grace family from 1756 until 1783. 4 The Crown – landlord John Reynolds 1754 -1771. The Wheel – landlord Thomas Inwood – 1753. The Red Lyon – landlords were members of the King family – 1777-1785.

Of the ones mentioned in the rhyme: 2. The Black Horse situated at the top of Addison Road (Bull Lane), it was established in 1833 and occupied by Richard Beckett. It became a private house for a short while in the mid 1900’s and was then demolished to 5 make way for Taurus Close 3. The Crown situated at the corner of Addison Road (Bull Lane) and West Street and was established in 1833. It was occupied by Edmund Clarke but owned by Thomas Brinkler and leased to Walter Norris. No one family is associated with it and it was sold and converted into a private house in 1998 with new houses built in the garden area,

4. The Fountain situated in West Street near to the 5 junction of North End Road. It was established in 1830 by James Beckett but owned by the Duke of Buckingham and leased to John Terry. At the beginning of the 20th Century it was burned down together with the Blacksmith’s Forge behind. Rebuilt in the style of the times and is one of the two remaining public houses in use.

38 5. The Prince of Wales situated quite close to The Crown in Addison Road (Bull Lane). It was established in 1867 and occupied by Thomas Roads. The building was 6 old in the 1930’s and it was demolished. A new up to date one was built a little further up the road, this is the other remaining public house. The second photo is of the present building.

6. The Old Sportsman situated in North End Road. It was originally called The Fowler but then in 1777 The Sportsman and soon after that The Old Sportsman. The first Landlords were members of the Perkins family and then various until it was sold and converted into a house in the 1980s/1990’s 7 7. The Phoenix situated in Queen Catherine Road and was established in 1753, occupied by Edward Scott. Originally named The Crown it was renamed in the early 1800’s. Many people owned, leased and occupied the building and in 1895 Mr & Mrs Parrott sold the freehold to Aylesbury Brewery Co Ltd. In 1939 Mr Robinson, the landlord at that time was also a motorcycle and cycle agent using the small building at the side as a shop. The Phoenix was for many years a poplar meeting place for the village people having the advantage of a large 8 garden at the rear, it has only stopped being used as a public house in the last few years and is in the process of being turned into a private house.

EAST CLAYDON AND VERNEY JUNCTION

8. The Swan situated at the junction of Sandhill Road and Winslow Road. East Claydon was on the busy old stage road from Aylesbury to Buckingham and all sorts of vehicles travelled through. The Swan Inn was a stopping point for people to stay or to change horses. When the new turnpike road was built through Winslow 9 this route was abandoned and the Inn was no longer needed. It eventually became a private house and is currently being beautifully restored.

9. The Verney Arms this was situated almost opposite to the Swan Inn and was a public house used mainly by the villagers and probably drovers as they passed through. It is now a picturesque country cottage.

10. The Verney Arms at Verney Junction began as The Station Hotel and was built in the latter half of the 19th Century when the railway was opened there. It provided accommodation for both people and their horses and 10 carriages as they used the railway. After the line was closed to passenger traffic this became a local public house and a popular restaurant for the surrounding area. Closed in the early 2000’s and sadly still un-used.

The Steeple Claydon History Society

39 St Mary’s Roof Appeal - the latest

I wanted to update you on our progress towards We are not out of the woods as yet though. replacing the roof at St Mary’s Church, East The Tower roof has been in desperate repair for a Claydon following the unfortunate lead theft in while and we have been advised of the extra May 2019. This was when thieves stripped the £23,000 repair cost. It makes sense to start both main roof of its lead before our planned roof elements of roof work but, sadly, our fundraising alarm installation. income cannot stretch towards covering this Church Wardens (Elspeth O’Halloran and additional repair despite securing the Church of Esther Turnbull), Nigel Turnbull, the St Mary’s England Legal Faculty consent. So, our Fundraising Group and I have been busy fundraising efforts continues. fundraising across many channels of Grant If you are able to help us with this final Making Trusts, Parish contributions and private fundraising (gift-aided) push of donations, we sponsors for meeting the building and architect just might be able to combine and complete costs of circa £55,000. both elements of work before winter. If you Planning approval from District would like to make a donation, kindly get in Council and Church of England Legal Faculty touch with Church Wardens, Elspeth and Esther, consent were also required for the terne-coated who’d be pleased to assist you otherwise please steel roof replacement. contact me. The good news is that we have met our roof May I take the opportunity on behalf of our replacement fundraising target. Work Parish to thank you in advance for your commences around September 2020. Planning contribution towards the St Mary’s Church Roof approval and Church of England Legal Faculty Appeal. were also successfully secured. Our aim is therefore to complete installation before the With every blessings, winter months. So, heartfelt thanks from me on behalf of our Parish, our Churchwardens Reverend Rickey Simpson-Gray, and the fundraising team for your financial Parish of the Claydons support and contributions to date.

An extra £23,000 is needed for the leaky tower roof. Any donations you'd like to make please get in touch with the Church Wardens (see centre spread for details) or use this link www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ Tower-Roof-East-Claydon. Thank you.

40

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St Michael's Church toiletries Cupboard Toiletries donated by the community, for the community Located in the entrance to St Michael's Church, Steeple Claydon accessible 7 days a week 9am-5pm Take what you need, donate what you like 42 Margo Firth

We would like to thank everyone for their love and kindness during Margo’s fight with cancer and for your messages of support and memories of a wonderful woman. Margo was well known around the Claydons, having been a district nurse at the Swan Practice and Matron at the Royal Latin School. She was a wonderful mum, wife and friend to many and your letters and notes have made us laugh and cry as we remember those things that made her special. Margo died peacefully at home with her family including her sister Lynne, and leaves a big hole in our lives. We’d like to extend a massive thank you to the wonderful team at the Swan Practice, the district nurses, the Macmillan team at and Nightingale Hospice at Home Service who all played crucial and caring roles in Margo’s care.

Rest in peace Margo.

Paul, Victoria, Ross and Rhiannon

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