Local News in brief

New training to help Bucks charities secure essential funding

Local charity Community Impact Bucks is running its Fundraising Festival (4-13 October 2022) to help charities and community groups in Buckinghamshire to secure essential funding as traditional sources of income are hit by increasing pressure on local government finances and household incomes.

The Festival series will cover four fundraising areas – In Memory and Legacy Fundraising, Trust and Foundation Fundraising, Corporate Fundraising, and Community and Event Fundraising – each of which offer huge amounts of opportunity but can be daunting especially for small charities.

The interactive training sessions are led by professionals who are experts in their chosen fundraising area, and are free for anyone (paid or unpaid) who raises money for a not-for-profit organisation in the county. For more information and to book, visit https://communityimpactbucks. org.uk/event/virtual-fundraising-festival/.

Ashridge Home Care recognised for Service Excellence

At a time when the care industry is under huge pressure,local company Ashridge Home Care is recognised for its efforts to maintain outstanding customer service despite ongoing challenges. The Amershambased company received a silver award in the Service Excellence category at the SME MK and Buckinghamshire Business Awards 2022 ceremony (Small and Medium sized Enterprises) held in June.

The SME MK and Buckinghamshire Awards raise the profile of industrious and enterprising local businesses employing 250 employees or less. All entries are reviewed by a panel of four judges and Ashridge Home Care beat off stiff competition.

To find out more about Ashridge Home Care or if you are considering a change in career, visit www. ashridgehomecare.co.uk or telephone 01494 917344. See advert page 18.

Wendover Evening WI

There is no meeting in August although our members will be enjoying the annual birthday trip to Wimpole House. If you would like to join us for our next meeting it will be on Tuesday, 13 September at 7.30pm at St Anne’s Hall. A talk will be given by Liz Stokes about Narrowboats and Canals. For more information please contact Sheila on 07743133963.

On Saturday, 1 October we will be having a charity fund raising event for Wendover Dementia Alliance and the Trussell Trust Foodbank. It will be

a race night with a hog roast (vegetarian option available), a cash bar and a raffle and will be held at 6.45pm for 7pm at the Memorial Hall. Tickets are £15 each and are available from Margaret on 01296 582318 or Marion on 01296 620543.

Prevent Isolation - become a Befriender

We all need a helping hand or listening ear – sometimes more so due to health, isolation or recovery following an operation. Local charity Connection Support are looking for volunteer befrienders to support their Prevention Matters clients to build a more fulfilling life in Buckinghamshire.

Prevention Matters help adults regain confidence, maintain independence and help them get out and about. The Community Support Workers support clients by finding help, signposting to other services, connecting with others in the local community and providing encouragement to get involved in social events.

For a chat about becoming a volunteer befriender with Connection Support please contact our Volunteer Co-ordinator in Buckinghamshire on 01296 484322 or email volunteers@ connectionsupport.org.uk. Further details can be found on connectionsupport.org.uk/volunteer.

River Thame Bird Atlas

Until now very little was known about the birdlife of the River Thame catchment. An area devoid of any exciting wildlife? "Absolutely not," says Nick Marriner (River Thame Conservation Trust Trustee and project manager), "the Atlas has proved just how important the River Thame is for birds. A very undervalued area for birds and I hope this project has helped raise the profile of the river."

The project has only been made possible with the generous funding provided by the Buckinghamshire Bird Club; Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Environmental Records Centre; Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Natural Environment Partnership; River Thame Conservation Trust; Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment supported by funding from TVERC. The project has been run entirely by volunteers from its project manager to all 63 volunteer surveyors and delivered in partnership with BTO. RTCT is extremely grateful for their support. The atlas is avaiable on https://rtctbirdatlas.co.uk.

Charity launches life-changing support hub for children with neurodisabilities

For the first time, parents of children with neurological disabilities and developmental challenges can access expert help and support through a dedicated online service. The Pace Advice and Support Hub now provides direct access to resources, support and information to empower them as parents, carers and advocates for their children.

This innovative free service, thepacecentre. org/advice/, is a huge step forward in Pace’s mission to address the national disparities in provision for children with neurodisabilities. As a leading specialist provider in therapy and education for children with cerebral palsy and similar conditions, Pace’s Advice and Support Hub provides practical resources, tips, product reviews and basic training, developed through their thirty years of specialist provision.

Oltco launches locally

Oltco, the UK’s leading sustainable resin bound driveway company, recently launched in High Wycombe and Aylesbury and is run by experienced businessman, Adrian Eyre. Oltco will be delivering premium resin bound driveway solutions, including Oltco’s innovative Recycle Bound and Recycle Base products, across High Wycombe, Aylesbury and the surrounding towns and villages. Founded in 2004, Oltco has over 18 years’ experience as a leading sustainable resin driveway company for the domestic market.

The benefits of Oltco’s resin bound and Recycle Bound solutions include a 20-year guarantee, anti-slip surface and porous properties, all of which provide Oltco’s customers with the peace of mind that their Oltco surface is of the highest quality. www.oltco.co.uk

Florence Nightingale Fundraising

In June, a group of Ridgeway Hikers were cheered on by family and friends as they crossed over the finish line after completing a four day hike along the Ridgeway in aid of Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity. Covering over 184,000 steps and burning off 13,900 calories, the walkers covered 80 miles over the four days across the historic paths of The Ridgeway. Not only was this a personal achievement for each walker, as a group they have raised almost £30,000 for the charity.

And in mid-July, over 800 men, women and children lit up the streets of Aylesbury through the night with bunny ears and fairy lights as they took to the streets for the final Midnight Walk for Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity. This was a record-breaking number of Walkers for the charity on one of the warmest nights the event has seen. Photo by Derek Pelling.

Local Councils fund tip removal at Wendover Canal

The Wendover Canal Trust received some muchneeded funding from two local councils who have worked together to help fund the removal of the Tip which has been such a blockage to the restoration of the Wendover Canal near

Tring. Dacorum Borough Council have provided £135,000, and Tring Town Council £20,000. The Wendover Canal Trust thanks both councils for supporting its long-held ambition to open this section for all to enjoy.

Haringtons wins business award at national hairdressing event

Haringtons salon group has won the Marketing Campaign of the Year title, sponsored by Phorest at HJ’s British Hairdressing Business Awards 2022.

Haringtons beat finalists from all over the UK to win the prestigious title, in recognition of its innovative approach to marketing and a thriving brand.

Barry Maddocks from Haringtons in Winchester has also been named Salon Stylist of the Year, sponsored by Revlon Professional at HJ’s British Hairdressing Business Awards 2022.

Aston Clinton Society goes litter picking

The newly-formed Aston Clinton Society organised a cleanup and litter-pick around Aston Clinton on 10 July when, despite the heat, more than 30 willing hands turned out. They collected a sizeable haul of litter which was, "both rewarding and disappointing in equal measures," says Ann, a Society member.

"Litter-picks will be a regular activity of the Society as we try to create a tidier Aston Clinton, but we will also be hosting a number of fundraising events. The funds raised will help us to continue to make improvements to the village's overall appearance but also act as a means of bringing the community together so that there is a shared sense of pride and responsibility in where we live."

Feasibility study highlights challenges of energy transition in schools

Buckinghamshire Community Energy has published the results of a feasibility study analysing the energy transition prospects for seven major public buildings in Wendover.

Conducted in collaboration with Buckinghamshire Council and specialist energy consultants for schools, ReEnergise, and funded by the Rural Community Energy Fund, the study paves the way to protect the organisations from the recent dramatic energy price rises, as well as reducing the carbon footprint of the buildings.

The study aimed to assess the feasibility of putting all seven buildings onto a district heat network powered by a groundsource heat pump. It also looked at what was needed in terms of insulation and energy efficiency measures as well as the potential for installing solar panels to reduce the cost of electricity sourced from the Grid.

The seven buildings involved in the study include: John Colet School, John Hampden School, Wendover Junior School, Wendover Swimming Pool, Wendover Youth Centre, Wendover Memorial Hall and Little Acorns Kindergarten.

Check a Website

'Check a Website' is a new, easy-to-use online tool which helps determine whether a website is likely to be legitimate or a scam … before you visit it. It is hoped to prevent thousands of people in the UK falling victim to unwanted online scams every year. www.getsafeonline.org/checkawebsite/