CLUB CORNER

Guiding News

During the lockdown period, Guiding has continued for many local girls. Some took part in the Wendover District “Stay In, Sleep In” badge, which involved sleeping somewhere other than their own beds (preferably outdoors) for at least one night and undertaking other tasks – making family breakfast, for example – in order to complete it. Well done to all who took part.

Wendover District Guiding would like to salute two longtime volunteers, Megan Cawley and Joy Heels, who have decided to retire this year. Megan has been leader of 1st Wendover Brownies since 1994, starting with the unit as a parent helper when her daughter Sarah was a Brownie. She also served as District Commissioner for several years. Joy has held many roles in her 34 years with Guiding, including Leader, District Commissioner and Division Commissioner. Most people currently involved in Guiding will know Joy from the Guide Shop in Wendover Guide Hut. We wish them both a long, healthy and happy retirement!

If you’d like to be involved in Guiding, there are always roles that need filling, both in units and in Friends of Guiding. Please visit http://wendovergirlguiding.org.uk for more information about Guiding in this area.

BBOWT News

The small band of ‘watchers’ at Weston Turville Reservoir has received a huge boost from new volunteers from the local community. When the hot weather came along in May they saw that the litter problem was getting out of hand and took action without waiting to fill in forms! Now we have nearly enough registered volunteers to provide a rota so a pair of patrollers can go round most days, suitably kitted out in BBOWT gear. It’s not just about picking up other people’s rubbish – we aim to be an active visual reminder that BBOWT cares for this reserve and visitors should do the same. A spot on BBC South Today in June raised our profile but there will be plenty of work to do here and in other local reserves as the summer progresses. Please consider joining the team by getting in contact with markvallance@bbowt.org.uk.

College Lake Reserve is open (at the time of writing) from Wednesday till Sunday inclusive from 9.30 to 4.30. There are restrictions on numbers so we can make social distancing possible and as a result the car park gates may have to be closed from time to time. For the latest news on all reserves and when our events programme will restart please go to www.bbowt.org.uk.

Richard Birch

Wendover Bowls Club

At last we have some bowls activity at the Club rather than gardening, though I must say that the lockdown does mean that the gardens look better than ever. The other morning, having just got the mower out on to the green, I noticed a lady taking pictures. She asked if the grass was artificial. The fact that I was standing by the mower should been a bit of a giveaway but she could not believe how perfect it is. She said her club in Wales would be very envious.

As I mentioned, we have started bowling again while observing the restrictions of social distancing. All the activities are within the Club at present, I’m afraid it looks as if it will be some time before we can welcome other clubs for matches. The clubhouse will reopen after the statutory deep clean but at least we can use the green and try to remember what it is all about.

Like many other organisations, lockdown has been a very difficult time with bills to pay and no income. However our hardworking committee has managed to get a grant for small businesses which will be an enormous help. Let’s hope this difficult period will soon pass and we will be able to enjoy our Club to the full again.

Don Knight

Wendover Art Club

One of the highlights of Spring is the Wendover Art Club Exhibition which takes place in May in Wendover Library Room. This year, the Exhibition was virtual, visible at www.wendoverartclub. co.uk/news. Visitors to the physical Exhibition are usually asked to vote for their favourite exhibit to increase interest and trepidation for the artists. Wendover News was asked to judge and can reveal that this year’s prize painting is ‘Bumble Bee’ by Richard Freeman in the Birds and Animal category. The execution of this work required extraordinary delicacy and detail, as well as being a reminder to us all that bees are under threat even though they are essential pollinators.

Bumble Bee by Richard Freeman