Hilltop News 10 0 th edition December 2018 & January 2019 In this issue we have included some of the many images that have appeared in the 100 editions of Hilltop News. 2 Hilltop News Hilltop News 3 We’re celebrating! I can’t begin this article without since the beginning. As a mentioning the enormous debt of free magazine we’d be lost without her – and them. gratitude we owe to Graham Lincoln, We must award long service medals to editor since Christmas 2007, and Michael Lulu Stephens, whose famous Apple and Spark who has brought his intrepid Lemon Tart appeared in our first edition professional expertise to our production and who has unfailingly produced a recipe in every issue ever since; Jim Hetherington, and design since 2006. whose ‘Asylum Seekers’ you would have ince this is our 100th edition, I don’t read in 2002 and whose ‘Badgers’ bring think there can be a better moment you bang up to date in this issue; and Chris Sto offer a toast to them and everyone Brown whose Nature Notes and articles else who has made this possible. Without on the History Group are some of the their energy, enthusiasm, encouragement foundation stones of our editorial pages. and hard work we wouldn’t be here. And to those of you who, over the There are the people we miss: Maureen years, have reported unfailingly on the WI, Newall – the driving force behind Hilltop Hort.Soc, HCCPS, Cricket Club, local Pubs, News: Imogen Vallance, who co-ordinated Parish Council, Bucks CC, Neighbourhood the societies, and John Phimester, the first Watch, the Hilltop Churches and the many person we went to for advice during the other activities in the Villages – we thank occasional chaos of the early years. you all. And we must acknowledge our I am particularly grateful to Christine printers: Strongs of Berkhamsted, with their Haysom, who played a huge part in the consistent high standard. early days. Her skills as both writer and And since we’re celebrating an journalist set a pattern for the on-going anniversary and Christmas, we’ve recalled success of Hilltop News. what we think are one or two of our most We might never have come through entertaining and interesting articles that without Tony Taylor whose patience we hope you’ll enjoy. and skill with the new technology made Sixteen years later we’re proof anything typesetting the magazine seem deceptively is possible! This is our 100th issue. We must straightforward. When Brian Lake took have done something right! over, he made it seem just as easy. Anne Butterworth Luckily our linchpins are still with us: David our Vicar, whose messages of hope appeared in every single issue until his illness in November 2017; Paula Angell, our impeccable and talented proof reader; Opposite Rosie Pearce – Hilltop News wouldn’t reach The Hilltop Villages commemorated the you without her organisational skills and 100th anniversary of the Armistice on 11 her team of distributors; and Ann Horn, November. The many events of the day who has nurtured our advertisers and run were expertly organised and coordinated our advertising with impressive efficiency by Janet Hopkinson. Read her report in this issue… Hilltop News 5 the summer, especially if we’re to have care. Each County division will have two THE PARISH COUNCIL the winter the weather forecasters are THE COUNTY COUNCIL councillors and in Chiltern Ridges this I would first like to introduce myself as the predicting. As major works to our roads any congratulations to the means a reduction from five. It is hoped the have been completed, we shall now be editorial team who ensure new council will be up and running by April new Parish Clerk and whilst this is my first working closely with Buckinghamshire Mthat the Hilltop News reaches 2020. time writing an article for the Hilltop News, County Council to ensure that all our minor such a wide circulation and for achieving it is a privilege to acknowledge this as the single-track roads are brought up to an the 100th edition! Many themes repeat The tranquillity of Buckinghamshire acceptable standard. is under threat in many ways. BCC is 100th edition! themselves but one current success is the The damaged heritage finger post at much-improved condition of many local absolutely against agreeing more houses here’s been an awful lot for me Heath End is being replaced/refurbished roads. At the time of writing I can say that along the proposed Oxford to Cambridge to understand in my first month under the initiative of the Parish Council. BCC has accepted a quote to improve Cock Expressway. Aylesbury is grinding to a Tas Clerk, some of which seems There are still allotment plots available at Grove - you cannot imagine how much halt in the rush hour with so many new incredibly complex, but I am enjoying Springhall Hill, so please contact me using effort has gone into this! And Arrewig Lane houses and more proposed at Halton the experience so far. I look forward to the normal email address ( see below) if you can expect more improvements in time. and Woodside. I believe the fight is on further understanding the intricacies of are interested in leasing a plot or would TfB agrees with me that you cannot patch to deter government from building HS2. the allotments, the planning system and just like to have a look around. forever, sooner rather than later more rural The Forestry Commission has opened up the various regulations that go with being Just a reminder regarding the roads must be resurfaced. Wendover Woods to hundreds more cars a Parish Clerk. I am very lucky to have the defibrillator, if you have needed to use it, and coaches. As a Trustee of the Chiltern support of the councillors who probably please call the council to let us know in case Society I have urged that tourism is know my job better than I do at the replacement pads, etc are required, and to carefully managed in the Chilterns. moment! ensure it remains securely stored. Winter will become truly evident when Don’t forget to check our website: www. Christmas will soon be here and I do hope you see the piles of grit at the side of cholesburyparishcouncil.org.uk where you have plenty of good cheer and enjoy the roads in preparation for the morning you can find all you need to know about the hunt and all the other sporting events frost. I’m very pleased that the roads from the parish council together with local on Boxing Day. Greenway to Rays Hill were resurfaced in information on our noticeboard, including Please let me know if I can raise your surveys, details of meetings and updates on concerns with officers at County Hall. local services that will affect you! Tricia Birchley (01296 651823) Finally, I would like thank everyone [email protected] who has helped and contributed to the Parish throughout 2018. Have a very Merry 2018 has been an important year in Christmas and prosperous New Year! Buckinghamshire in terms of celebrating Any queries regarding the Parish please the 100th Anniversary of the RAF and the get in touch… 100th Anniversary of World War 1. A most Joanne Martins, Parish Clerk uplifting service was held at St Mary’s Chesham with the RAF and many families 01296 633323 [email protected] joined together on Remembrance Sunday to reflect on local people lost in the Great Your councillors are: War. John Allen, Chairman: 758095 The announcement of one Unitary Nigel Blomfield: 758314 Authority for Buckinghamshire, whilst Diane Brackley: 01296 625081 long overdue, means a new direction for Chris Brown: 758890 local government. Staff may be required Philip Matthews: 758205 to reapply for their jobs, the number of Bill Ingram: 758258 councillors will be reduced substantially Francis Sanger: 758767 and hopefully the reduction in overheads will release money for roads and social 6 Hilltop News Hilltop News 7 Hawridge AND Cholesbury C OF E SCHOOL ensuring sufficient computers, hardware and software in the ICT suite, supplying whiteboards and cameras for each class, providing external education programmes, additional sports equipment, repainting playground sports lines and equipping the new kitchen. The garden project was completed in 2002 and only two years ago the willow tunnel was restored. A superb area for Reception and Year 1 children, sports wall, quiet area, outdoor church, play area, windmill mosaic from HG Matthews, pond For this special edition of the Hilltop News and a dedicated area for Forest Schools I am looking back, as well as forwards, at outdoor learning have all been introduced Hawridge and Cholesbury School. or restored over the last ten years. The three school houses, Putnams, ounded as a National School in 1874, Orchards and Dinnets were all named after on land given by the Lord of the properties around the school. Reception has FManor, the school has been fortunate always been called Windmills and, in more to keep the surrounding grounds that it recent times, Years 1 to 6 were renamed, was initially granted. The land and school in order, Honey Pots, Little Peppers, Folly were conveyed to the Minister and church Fields, Holly Crofts, Cherry Platts and Great As for recent activities: the children, card designs, wrapping paper orders and wardens of Hawridge for the joint parishes Oaks. All of these names were chosen for thanks to parents and staff, took part in the Christmas Bazaar on1st December. of Hawridge and Cholesbury, in trust, for their links with local fields and woods. a very successful Harvest Festival and a Meanwhile, the school will be looking a public elementary school.