No 184 News Spring 2013 NEW SECONDARY SCHOOL? From the Editor Index Village Hall Centenary 4 Hedgehogs in Spring 6 There is no question that the biggest current Bridge Club 8 issue for most of us is on the front cover – the future of Pioneer House. We have rightly allocated Sunshine Corner 11 space to a very thorough report by a working Threeways Surgery 12 ‘Star Quality’ group of the Parish Council’s Planning Committee Case Against HS2 13 which provides lots of helpful information HELLO! MAGAZINE about the decisions to be made regarding the Rainbow Pre-school 14 proposed school (see page 61). Carols on the Green 17 Stoke Poges Remembered 18 Before news of the secondary school reached us, I had been planning a feature on physical activity Hedgerley Historical Society 20 in time for the (hopefully) better weather. I was a Golf Pro Tips 21 member of a NICE committee which last year Friends of Stoke Common 22 published public health guidance on walking and cycling. I was shocked by some of the evidence The Laughing Group 25 presented – two thirds of adult men and three The Stoke Poges Society 27 quarters of women take less than the British Legion 27 recommended minimum weekly physical activity of 150 minutes. Yet, after smoking and drinking Photographic Club 28 alcohol, inactivity is the third largest cause of non- Tennis Club 29 communicable diseases – heart disease, stroke, The Stoke Poges School 31 type 2 diabetes and some cancers. Dates for Your Diary 32 A large and increasing body of research shows Vicar’s Letter 35 that regular, moderate physical activity, like Bowls Club 36 walking, swimming and cycling, significantly reduces the risk of contracting a wide range of Parish Chairman’s Letter 38 diseases. So when the sun comes out, why not Women’s Fellowship 39 consider walking those short journeys to the Women’s Institute 40 IS AWARDED 3 AA ROSETTES... shops or post office instead of taking the car? Celebrated Chef Chris Wheeler invites you to indulge your tastebuds A cycle ride to the gym is a great alternative Sky Ride Local 42 at Humphry’s, Stoke Park’s 3 AA Rosette award winning restaurant. warm-up. Many people have increased their Birds in Stoke Poges 44 activity levels by walking further as part of their Open to all, Humphry’s fine dining restaurant allows you to enjoy Stoke Poges Players 46 ‘an experience you want to relive again and again’ (At Home with Marco daily journey to work or school, perhaps by Pierre White). parking a few hundred metres further from their Stoke Poges Free Church 47 destination or getting off the bus or tube one stop Duke of Edinburgh Group 49 Named ‘ Top 5 Out of Town Restaurants’ by Square Mile Restaurant earlier. Remember that sitting down for long Guide 2012, Humphry’s innovative take on Modern British Cuisine South Bucks Sports Development 50 and enviable wine list provide an unforgettable treat, all set within the spells, including in the car, is bad for your health. sumptuous, romantic surroundings of Stoke Park’s Georgian mansion. Recreation Report 51 In celebration of Chris Wheeler’s 10th Anniversary at Stoke Park, an In the articles by our regular contributors there is a Social Club 52 strong thread of ideas for getting more active – exquisite 10 Course Taster Menu is on offer, showcasing a signature Stoke Green Rovers FC 55 dish from each of the past 10 years! whether singing in a choir, joining the backstage crew at the drama group or some gentle exercise Neighbourhood Policing 56 Open daily for lunch and dinner. To make a reservation please call 01753 717171 with the bowls club. All are better for you than Bucks Vision 59 sitting in a chair in front of the TV! Stoke Park, Park Road, Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire SL2 4PG www.humphrysrestaurant.co.uk Horticultural Society 60 Ralph Bagge Khalsa School Briefing 61 Editor 2 3 Compered by the debonair Chris Birch, the one-off production took the Guests dance to audience on a journey through the last 100 years of popular entertainment, with the Cee Bee Band reminders of key global, national and local news stories. Various entertainments were linked to each decade, featuring comedy sketches, singers, dancers and a magician. The performers represented many of the organisations who use the hall regularly, including the Stoke Poges Players, the WI, the Ondine Academy of Dance and The Scouts. Piano accompaniment was by the incomparable John Orchard. The Village Hall trustees invited Victoria Secretan, great-granddaughter of Walter Albert Judd (of Holly Hill House, now the site of Pioneer House) who was one of the founding donors who helped pay for the hall to be built. Also present were Victoria’s cousin, Julian Judd and Michael Mobbs and his daughter, Sandra. Michael Mobbs is the grandson of Sir Noel Mobbs (1878-1959), founder of Slough Diana le Estates and former Lord of the Manor of Stoke Poges. The Mobbs Memorial Trust Clercq reads made a large grant towards the building of the hall extension, completed in 1997 the poem and the Trust has regularly made grants to improve amenities in the hall. Ms written for Secretan and Mr Mobbs unveiled the 1913 a commemorative print of the opening Village Hall. Following the stage show, the evening closed with dancing to music from the 60s and 70s, played by the highly Village Hall Centenary accomplished Cee Bee Band. Over 100 villagers marked the centenary of the Village Hall’s opening in fine style on Saturday 19 January. Hardy guests and performers braved the snowy roads and icy temperatures to enjoy an evening of entertainment. Victoria Secretan and Michael Mobbs unveil the commemorative print Dancers from the Ondine Academy of Dance 4 5 abundant in the springtime. Severe accidentally fall in. Keep weather sadly kills off that pond topped up When will the the underweight too so they are less To learn more about hedgehogs come out of hedgehogs that do likely to topple in hedgehogs visit the hibernation? This is like not have a regular when drinking. British Hedgehog asking how long is a food supply. Preservation Society’s piece of string. When a Some of the smaller or (BHPS) website at %'((' hedgehog comes out of So it is possible there older hedgehogs will be www.britishhedgehog. hibernation is not based will be hedgehogs very weak when they org.uk – you will find just on the weather; around when you are wake so if you see any suggestions for feeding, other factors like the reading this. If you see wobbling or out in the feeding stations and size of the hedgehog, them around, or signs day, they need to be much more. Do $)##$(&("$!% whether it is its first of them, do give them a rescued. Put any remember that hibernation, whether it dish of water – they will needing rescuing in a hedgehogs are is a male or female, can not have drunk for high-sided box. Cover a nocturnal and usually all have a bearing. Mild some months – and a hot water bottle with a only come out in the weather probably helps dish of meat-based dog towel and place the day when they are in some of the smaller or cat food. Try to be hedgehog on this with serious trouble. If you hedgehogs to survive extra vigilant and ensure the cloth you used to find a hedgehog the winter because your pond has an pick it up covering it. It needing help or if you there is a little more escape ramp/scrambling can have some meat- need more advice, food around for them net that these extra based dog or cat food call the BHPS on and they are kept going thirsty hedgehogs can and a dish of water. 01584 890801. until the food is more use should they Don’t forget to keep changing the water in the bottle. If you don’t Photo: have a hot water Harry on a hot water bottle use a plastic milk bottle – rescued from Hedgehogs carton or drinks bottle the A412 near and wrap a towel George Green around the hedgehog and bottle to keep Credit: in Spring Viki Herbert-Coulson them together. 6 7 Stoke Poges Bridge Club Stoke Poges Bridge Club continues to thrive and Not surprisingly, there was a bumper attendance. Council Tax we are now averaging six to seven tables each week. What better way to pass the time on a cold We have just had our fifth anniversary – a and/or wet afternoon! celebratory lunch was held at the Fox & Pheasant and Precept pub in mid-February. No one enjoys receiving bills and Duplicate bridge is played in a relaxed and friendly Council Tax is a major monthly atmosphere and there are prizes for the winners. For the past year we have organised a monthly outgoing for us all. For the next year, Computer-dealt hands are used which means draw amongst members: the winner who has to beginning in April, Bucks County paper copies of these are available immediately be present at the time of the draw can nominate Council, South Bucks District Council afterwards to work out what should have a charity to which the club will contribute an and Stoke Poges Parish Council have happened! The results of each session appear on agreed sum of money. all voted to freeze their rates. District our website later the same day. and County enjoy a one per cent grant The club meets at St Andrew’s Church Hall, incentive from Government to keep The annual pairs cup competition was held in Rogers Lane, each Monday from 1.30 pm to their rates down (which is not November.