Wendover News, February 2023

A new future for Wendover News...

What could be better than getting your hands on a free, great-looking, informative monthly magazine every month? A publication full of news and information about your community with adverts for businesses run by people just down the road? That’s what we want to find out. Wendover News is changing.

After over thirty years in various forms and subsidised by the co-founder, Jane Larkham, Wendover News is to be gifted to the community. We are currently in discussions regarding changing from the limited company which currently owns the title into a Community Interest Company (CIC) owned by you – the people of Wendover and the surrounding villages.

Other proposed changes include more online content. But don’t worry, the much-loved paper version will continue. It has a huge following for people who prefer a physical document or simply can’t access online. Advertisers have always been an important part of Wendover News — they will now be better served by both paper and online versions.

If you would like to be included in this exciting new project, it could be the ideal time for you

to make a difference in your own community. There will be opportunities for volunteers to learn new skills, build confidence or simply just ‘give something back’. See page 22 to find out how you could be part of the change.

Lionel Abel Smith Trust

Apply now for financial support

The Trust will be holding its 45th Annual meeting on 26 April 2023 to consider grant applications from individuals and organisations from within Wendover & the Moor Park Estate.

Our website has been up and running for a year now and it has been a great success making applications from individuals and organisations far quicker and easier. Why not take a look?

Applications should be received by 28 February, apply online at www.wendovertrust. org or email to clerk@wendovertrust.org or send to Clerk to the Trust, 51 Dobbins Lane, Wendover, Bucks, HP22 6DL. See also advert page 5.

Grants for urgent need will always be considered throughout the year.

Gwen Williams, Chairperson

Wendover News, established 1989, is delivered through the door to many local households. If you do not receive one at home and would like to volunteer to deliver for us to your road, please contact the office (see above). Wendover News would like to thank all its willing volunteers.

Events

Warm Welcome Café (all ages)

Various times, Wen Christian Centre, see page 14 Incorporates some already established activities eg Tuesday Coffee Drop-In and new times such as Thursday afternoons and Saturday mornings.

Cornelli Sugarcraft Classes

Dates vary, please visit www.cornellisugarcraft. co.uk/our-courses/ for details. See advert p23.

Discover Bucks Museum

Tue-Sat 10am-4pm, Church St, HP20 2QP

Discover how your brain works in the handson exhibition, Your Amazing Brain - lectures to accompany the exhibition throughout February! For more information about our exhibitions and events visit www.discoverbucksmuseum.org.

Events at Real Magic Books

Weekly and one-off events, including after-school drop-in every Tuesday from 2pm and monthly book clubs. https://realmagicbooks.com

Simply Walk

Weekly walks on Tuesdays from Wendover Clock Tower, leaving 10am. If you are a first-time walker, please arrive at least 15 minutes early

and register with the walk leader. After the walk, there's an opportunity to socialise at the weekly all-ages drop-in at Wendover Christian Centre.

Craft Group

Wed 1 & 15, 10am-12noon, Wen Christian Ctre Craft Group provides space in friendly company to work on any kind of craft project. Please bring your own materials or just come to see what others are doing. All welcome. Coffee served at about 11am.

Aylesbury Dolls House Club

Wed 1, 7.30pm, Halton Village Hall

Finishing the 1/48 furnishings. More on p19.

Wendover Horticultural Society

Thu 2, 2.30pm, St Anne's

Hall

Rosie Insley talks about growing cut flowers locally. See page 18 for more details.

Poetry Please

Friday 3, 10.30am, Wendover Christian Centre

Poetry Please is a poetry reading group, meeting on the first Friday in each month. Our theme for February will be poems about people- old, young, rich, poor, adventurous, cautious… Come along with a themed poem to share (or just to listen) for coffee, biscuits and a friendly welcome!

Local History Group

Fri 3, 7.30pm, St Leonards Hall HP23 6NW

The History of Berkhamsted with Julian Hunt. Please contact Chris Brown 01494 758890 for further information.

Quiz for Pace

Tue 7, 7-10:30pm, The Russell Arms, Butlers Cross, HP17 0TS

£18.50pp: includes dinner, donation to Pace and quiz! Teams of 3 - 6. Book on https://thepacecentre.org/event/love-people-love-community-lovethe-planet-quiz-night

Kimble & Ellesborough Horticultural Society

Tue 7, 8pm, Zoom

The Climate Change Garden - Sally Morgan is a trained botanist and author who runs an organic farm in Wincanton, Somerset and has a strong interest in climate change. She returns to discuss how to protect our gardens against torrential rain, heatwaves and drought and discusses some of the plants better suited to these conditions and which techniques, practices and equipment can help make our gardens more robust.

Wills and Estate Planning Surgery

Thu 9, 12noon-2pm, Wendover Library

To find out more, or to arrange a consultation, please call 01296 415700 or send an email to iain@wanstallconsulting.co.uk See advert page 9.

Wendover Art Club

Thu 9 & 23, 7.30pm, St Anne's Hall

9th - Creative Evening of playing with pastels/coloured pencils. There will be

Events

some paper and pastels available for us to try out more of Naomi’s techniques, but if you have any do bring your own as well. With pastels aprons are essential. 23rd - DVD - Come along and watch a professional paint. With a DVD you’re looking over their shoulder and hearing why they are painting that particular subject in that particular way. A lot of great information on ‘how to’. Non members £10 on Demonstration nights and £2 on Creative Evenings. www.wendoverartclub.co.uk

Fabulous February - Green Ink Books

Sat 11, morning, Wendover Library For children 11 or under. See advert page 9.

Consultation Event

Sat 11, 10am-12noon, Wendover Library Room

Considering your voting position for the next election? See advert page 5.

Wendover Evening WI

Tue 14, 7.30pm, St Anne's Hall "Revolting Women" with Alison Bailey. https:// wendoverwi.weebly.com/

Bucks Historical Association

Wed 15, 8pm, online Prof Stephen Smith, Emeritus Fellow, All Souls

College, University of Oxford - Supernatural Rumour in Stalin’s Russia and Mao’s China. Register your interest at: secretarybucksha@ gmail.com

Chiltern Writers Group

Thu 16, 8pm, St Anne's Hall

A talk from local writer Paul Eccentric. His talk ‘A Little Bit Eccentric’ will cover all his books, the commissions, and the whys and wherefores. Visitors welcome, £5. See also page 19.

Aston Wine Club

Fri 17, 8pm, Buckland Village Hall

Michael Boniface, No2 Pound St - Organic Wines. More details on www.astonwineclub.co.uk

Book Club

Sat 18, 10.30-11.30am, Wen Christian Centre

If you enjoy reading, come along to Book Club. No set books, just the chance to hear what others have been reading and, if you choose, talk about the books you’ve enjoyed. We start with coffee and often cake.

Aylesbury Vale Stitchers

Sat 18, 2.15pm, Zoom

Ruth Parkinson Jones - Painted cloth, frayed

edges and loopy stitches https://www. rooparkinsontextiles.co.uk/

RSPB Aylesbury Group

Mon 20, 7.30pm, Preb Hall Comm Ctre HP19 7QW

“Birding Buckinghamshire” with Mike Wallen. A tour of some of the best known sites in Buckinghamshire as well as some of the little known places which he visits.

BBOWT Talk

Tue 21, 7.45pm, Gt Missenden Memorial Hall

Yellow Meadow Ants: Engineers, Farmers & Conservationists. Can ants really live up to that title? They most certainly can and Dr Tim King, of Oxford and the Open University will tell us how. Admission is £5 inc refreshments, no need to book. See page 18 for other events.

Aylesbury Centre of the National Trust

Thu 23, 8pm Broughton Junior School HP20 1NQ

Virginia Deracour talks on 'Farming from the other side of the hedge'. Details from aylesburycentrent@gmail.com

Weston Turville Historical Society

Fri 24, 8pm, Weston Turville Village Hall

"Fleet Marston - Excavation Results" with speaker

Edward Biddulph. Entrance - £2 members, £3 visitors. www.wthsoc.org.uk

Coming Soon - Save the Date!

• Chilterns MS Centre Art Weekend - 4-5 MarchSee advert page 3 and www.chilternsmscentre. org/events/tag/art/

• Tring and District Local History and Museum Society speaker evening "The Wendover Anglo Saxon Burial Ground and other HS2 archeological sites" by Nick Shepherd, Historic Environment Manager HS2 - 15 March

• Aylesbury Choral Society Spring Concert - 1 April

• Annual Parish Meeting - April, date tbc

• Pace BIG Walk - 22 April - https:// thepacecentre.org/event/the-big-walk/

• Wendover Choral Society Concert - 29 April

• Party in the Park - either 7 or 8 May - date tbc

• Bubble Rush - 14 May - Family friendly, register on www.stfrancis.org.uk/bubble-rush

• Walk Your Ridgeway for HoSF - 11 June - www. stfrancis.org.uk/ridgeway

• Freedom Parade – 25 June

• Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity South Downs Hike - 8-11 June, details on fnhospice. org.uk/southdownshike

Here to help.

At the Lionel Abel Smith Trust we understand that sometimes things are difficult and we are keen to help those in need in our community. For example, since we began we have helped with grants towards educational needs, medical equipment and pursuit of talent.

If you, your family or children could benefit from a financial grant, and are a resident of Wendover or Moor Park, get in touch.

To find out more visit www.wendovertrust.org.

Lionel Abel-Smith Trust

Loneliness

The most terrible poverty is loneliness and the feeling of being unloved (Mother Teresa)

Loneliness is a major risk factor, not only for anxiety and depression but also many physical illnesses. Many of us are aware that older people living alone are at risk of loneliness and many try to check on neighbours in that situation. However, we may not realise that someone caring for a husband or wife with dementia is even more at risk.

According to a new study, almost two-thirds of family dementia carers report severe loneliness, compared to around one third for the general population of older adults.

Loneliness does not come from having no people around you but from being unable to communicate the things that seem important to you. (Carl Jung)

Sadly, many people assume that couples have each other and cannot be lonely, but many of these family carers find that as dementia progresses, they are not only socially isolated but also less able to communicate effectively with their husband or wife. The loneliness can be intense and sometimes made worse by the lack of recognition from their friends and neighbours.

So, if you know of anyone in that position, think about reaching out to them. It is important to listen and care.

If you know of a Westongrove patient with a diagnosis of dementia in need of support, please let them know about Wendover Dementia Support. Visit our website on www.wendoverds.org.uk. Anyone can contact us on wendoverds@gmail.com or ring 07732 342409.

Why do I need a Will?

Well over half of adults in England have not prepared Wills, despite events over recent years.

Why?

Some believe they do not need to as they think everything will pass to their other half, or they do not have enough assets; some believe it will be too expensive; and some simply do not want to think about such matters.

However, a professionally prepared Will can, amongst other things:

• Avoid intestacy – where the law dictates who benefits if you do not have a Will. This may well not be what you think, or want, and is especially important with couples who are not married or in a civil partnership, and who own a property together, those with children, and also if you wish to benefit charities.

• You decide: who benefits from your estate and what they receive – and who does not benefit; who looks after your affairs (executors and trustees) and any children under 18 (guardians).

• Deal with more complex family arrangements – such as second relationships with children from an earlier relationship; protecting beneficiaries going through relationship break up; protecting ill or vulnerable beneficiaries, and those on means tested benefits; family succession, later life and business succession planning; and asset protection (eg care fees).

• Inheritance Tax planning.

Most importantly, a well prepared and planned Will can provide you, and your family, with peace of mind.

A Will is probably one of the most important documents you will ever prepare, both for yourself and your family. I therefore recommend that you take specialist professional advice.

If you have any questions, or would like to discuss any of the above, or related matters, please contact me on iain@wanstallconsulting. co.uk or 01296 415700. You can also find more on my website: www.wanstallconsulting.co.uk

See advert page 9.

Wishing you all a healthy and excellent 2023!

Small Dean designs submitted

In January, HS2 submitted the designs for the Small Dean Viaduct (top photo) to Bucks Council. It has been shortened by 40 metres to improve the environmental impact and reduce costs. The visual appearance of the embankment beside the bypass (bottom photo) has also been slightly improved by reducing the noise barrier height by a metre.

The full details can be seen on the Buckinghamshire Council Planning Applications website.

A413 Small Dean Viaduct works

Extensive piling works are needed for the Viaduct piers, and to achieve this safely the A413 will be shifted “east” for a few months. On completion, work will be needed on the other side of the road for another pier involving shifting the A413 “west” towards the railway line. This should form the permanent alignment as the road snakes between them.

We expect further closures of the A413 to accommodate these works and the Parish Council have sought better advanced warning roadside signage. A significant number of motorists have discovered the road closures too late and attempted to use the single track Dunsmore Lane. Better alternative routes are available from the Amersham bypass and Great Missenden.

Small Dean Conveyor and North Embankment

The conveyor over the A413 is being commissioned and is expected to be functioning at the end of March. This will transport spoil north from the Missenden and Rocky Lane excavations to anticipated sites at Wendover and Stoke Mandeville. However, work on the Ellesborough Road crossing has not yet started as

the Environment Agency is still not happy about how the Green Tunnel cutting works will impact on the Coombe Hill aquifer.

Meanwhile, work could start on building the Small Dean North Embankment which will consume about 120,000 cubic metres of spoil and keep the conveyor busy for at least four months.

Help from HS2?

In addition to resolving your complaints, if you think HS2 can help with a social value project in the Wendover area please contact the HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 (which is available 24 hours a day) or email hs2enquiries@ hs2.org.uk. HS2 can support in a variety of ways including financial donations, volunteering hours and material donations. Information on funding is available at https://hs2funds.org.uk/about/

Need our help?

If you need further help, want to join us, or have ideas or suggestions that would mitigate the community impact, then get in touch at enquiries@whs2.org

Doing what’s right for Wendover See whs2.org

Wendover Youth Centre activities

Wendover Youth Centre runs a wide range of activities for young people aged 9-18 years old. The timetable below outlines all the information you need regarding the sessions we provide.

Day Session Description

Tuesday Youth Café (John Colet Students)

After school session to chill with friends and do fun activities.

Wednesday Wednesday Workshop Workshop style sessions where young people create projects mainly arts and baking related.

Girls Group Session for girls to chill and socialise.

Thursday Thursday Youth Club Session for young people to chill and socialise with friends.

Friday Amazing Donkey Session for young people to chill and socialise with friends and try different activities.

Friday Night Youth Group Session for young people to chill and socialise with friends. Pizza included each week.

Time Age group Cost (per session)* Bring money for tuck

1:45pm-3pm Age 11-16 Free

6pm-7:15pm Age 9-16 £2 *

7:30pm-9pm Age 12-16 £2 *

7:30pm-9pm Age 14-18 £2 *

6pm-7:15pm Years 5-6 Age 10-12 £2 *

7:30pm-9pm Years 7-9 Age 11-14 £2 *

We are located at Wendover Youth Centre, Wharf Road, Wendover HP22 6HF

If your child/ren are interested in attending our youth activities or have any questions/queries, please email admin@wendoveryouth.co.uk

Please follow our social media platforms and visit our website for more information about what the Youth Centre is doing.

Facebook: Wendover Youth Centre Instagram: wendoveryouthcentre

HS2 Construction in Wendover - Update

February and March will be a busy time for HS2 in Wendover. To complete our works safely and efficiently, some of our activities will require traffic management to be introduced. This will be either in the form of a lane closure with two- or three-way lights, a narrowing of the carriageway or a full road closure. Further details on the above will be communicated via the HS2 website and emails in due course.

There are many reasons why we might require traffic management to be put in place, but all will be to ensure the safety of road users and our workforce. Where possible we will choose traffic management to be operational in off-peak hours or during school holidays to reduce the impact on road users as much as possible.

If we are closing a road, we will always provide a fully signposted diversion route. All diversion routes are required by law to be directed onto like for like roads; this is for the safety of road users and to ensure roads are of the same standard as the one being closed.

To stay informed of our works and to keep up to date with any impacts to local roads, please register for email updates on the HS2 website. To find out more, visit your community website at www. hs2.org.uk/in-your-area/

During February and March, you will see traffic management in the following areas:

Location Works Traffic Management

Dobbins Lane Utility work Road closure

Chiltern Road Utility work Road closure

A413 London Road Utility diversion Road closure

Ellesborough Road Survey work and trial holes Road closure

Rocky Lane Utility work Road closure

London Road to South St Topographical surveys Overnight Road closure

A413 leading to World’s End Topographical surveys Lane closure

Wendover Bypass Power connection works Lane closure

Nash Lee Road Utility work Lane closure

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2. org.uk

CLAW have now planted around 3,000 trees in Wendover. Our aim is to plant one tree for every resident. So what are the benefits for individual residents, Wendover as a community and for the planet? As we have seen over the last summer, global warming is no longer an event that will happen in the future, it is here. We have experienced some very high temperatures in 2022 and anyone walking under the shade of large trees may have noticed the temperature drop by several degrees.

This is still tree planting season so it is worth thinking about adding native trees to your garden. Trees are clearly nice to look at but they also contribute much more by helping with climate change and increasing biodiversity. With alarming reports about a drastic drop in insect numbers and the effect of avian 'flu on bird populations, anything that helps increase biodiversity and encourage wildlife must be

welcomed. Some concerns may include the effects of trees on property as they cast shade, grow too big or their roots cause damage, but it depends very much on the tree. Trees such as birch and rowan (mountain ash) with small, low density leaf cover cast only dappled shade; some are slow growing or have limited growth; some trees, especially willows and poplars, with potentially invasive roots would be unsuitable for planting near houses, drains or sewers. It’s about the right tree in the right location. It is worth checking which tree is suited to your chosen site. The Woodland Trust can provide further information (https:// www.woodlandtrust.org.uk) as can local arboriculturists.

There is still time for planting trees this winter and if you are inclined then do join us in Ashbrook Park on 4 February for our

community tree planting morning. Contact us at www.climateactionwendover.org

Now that we are entering the coldest part of the year, Wendover Warm Welcome continues. This was initiated by Churches Together in Wendover and Wendover Parish Council, starting in November. During December, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP)’s senior external communications manager Amy Burgess presented Community Retailer of the Year Dary Sweeney of Sweeney’s Budgens in Wendover with £1,000 which was donated to Warm Welcome Café. Please see the flyer, right, giving the times when Wendover Warm Welcome is open. All socials take place in Wendover Christian Centre which is near the mini-roundabout of Wharf Road and Aylesbury Road. Everyone is very welcome.

Chiltern Way Academy teacher leads GB Adaptive Judo Team at Virtus Oceania Asia Games

The Virtus Oceania Asia Games 2022 (OA Games 2022) is an international multi-sport event in the Oceania Asia region for elite athletes with an intellectual impairment.

The OA Games 2022 celebrated people's diversity, sport, ability and culture in a major sporting event allowing athletes to compete on a world stage.

Great Britain entered a Judo Team after the Virtus European Championships were cancelled. This was seen as an excellent opportunity and preparation for the 2023 Virtus World Games in Paris and a pathway to the Paralympics.

Head Coach Matthew Rush who is a teacher at Chiltern Way Academy in Wendover said “It has been a highly successful day for the team with some brilliant Judo on display. We have seen some exceptional performances from the team, and we have all made new found friendships through the power of sport and judo.”

Skye Westwood, who is coached by Matthew Rush, got the GB medal train rolling. She won

her opening contest with ease, defeating her Australian opponent and met her fellow British teammate Nikki McDermont in the final round. She won, to add the Oceania Asia Games title to her impressive collection of titles.

The team continued to be successful throughout the day with an impressive performance from Joshua Hughes, who was making his debut following his recent classification. He faced a strong Japanese opponent and current All Japan Adaptive Champion, to win by Ippon and take the Gold.

In total The Great British Team won 7 Golds, 3 Silvers and 3 Bronzes.

Matthew Rush, Wendover Campus

TEN YEAR GUARANTEE

261769 Mob: 07801 182400 grahamblake123@btconnect.com www.grahamblake.com

NRASTC Lifeguard Training

Several lifeguards need to renew their certifications, so The Wendover Swimming Pool is looking at running another NRASTC training course, ideally 11-12 February

The courses for new certifications are open to anyone over age 16, and take two days (Saturday & Sunday, usually full days). The pool will pay for your course provided you agree to cover at least one session per month for the year following your course. Full training in pool procedures will be given following completion of the course.

Interested? Contact Mel on mel@ wendoverswimmingpool.co.uk with your availability. She will also need your full name, date of birth, email, and mobile number.

Rotary Santa ecoSleigh

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped with the Santa ecoSleigh collections in December and a massive thank you to the kind people of Wendover and Weston Turville who were able to make a donation. Over £3500 was raised on the evenings and at Kings Farm Shop the day before Christmas Eve. This will be given to our current charities – Wendover Dementia Support and

the Wendover Foodbank. Rotary in Wendover and District hopes to add more to the collection before the donations are made. Watch this space for more information in late Spring/early Summer. We were pleased to be able to reward our volunteers with a post-Christmas buffet meal at The Chandos Arms in Weston Turville in January.

Sofia says, "I am so excited to have made it to the final, it is a great achievement!"

Teenagers from

across Great Britain will compete for the crown in a spectacular grand final. The winner of Miss Teen Great Britain will walk away with some incredible prizes including a cash prize!

The grand final of Miss Teen Great Britain will be held in 2023 in Blackpool. The weekend of Miss Teen Great Britain is set to be full of fun, with the finalists enjoying a Beauty Queen Challenge Day, a pyjama diva party and much more!

"Making it to the grand final is a dream come true - fingers crossed I will be able to win the Miss Teen Great Britain crown!"

Aston Clinton Teen in Miss Teen Great Britain Final

Local girl Sofia Greco has won a place in the grand final of Miss Teen Great Britain 2023. Sofia has beaten off competition from across Great Britain to be named as one of the finalists.

Donations from Wendover Celebrates

Wendover Celebrates has donated £2500 raised at the 2022 event to Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust and £3000 to Wendover Dementia Support.

Wendover Cricket Club

Girls-only sessions start 25 February for ages 9 to 13, contact the Juniors Manager Viral Patel on 07930 360495 or wccjuniorscontact@gmail.com as places are limited. Senior indoor nets start 25 February for ages 15 and above.

Wendover Singers

Wendover Singers Children's Choir would like to thank everyone for the encouraging comments after their appearance at the Christmas Lights Switch On. Interested in being added to the Wendover Singers waiting list? Contact on https://wendoversingers.com/

Matilda Florence

Debut Single out 10 February

Local singer songwriter Matilda Florence, 17 years old from Wendover, will release her debut single ‘Red Lights’ on 10 February available to stream on all your favourite music platforms. It’s also available as a download to preorder on the iTunes Store.

Matilda regularly plays at The Drawingroom, Chesham and you may have seen her open Astonbury last year.

It would be great if you could add her to your playlist and keep updated by following her on instagram at matildaflorence_music

Get Around For £2 by Bus

The Government has confirmed that over 130 bus operators such as National Express and Stagecoach managing routes from the north to the south of England will charge no more than £2 for their single tickets, helping passengers with travel costs for education, work and medical appointments as they face pressures from the rising cost of living. Fares valid until 31 March

Proud of Bucks Awards

Each of Buckinghamshire’s 16 Community Boards will be celebrating local people in three award categories. Members of the public are invited to send in their nominations for those who they feel deserve recognition and praise. The three award categories are:

• Local Community Champion – For an individual (aged 21 and over) who has made a clear and positive impact in their local community during 2022.

• Young Community Champion – For a young person (under age 21) who has made a clear and positive impact in their local community or towards their peers during 2022.

• Community Group Contribution – Recognises and celebrates a group in the Community Board area who has made a clear and positive impact on the community during 2022.

There are lots of ways to nominate someone for a Proud of Bucks Award, including submitting a nomination online or downloading a form and returning it by email. People can also visit their local Buckinghamshire library to pick up or drop off a printed paper copy. Find out more at: www. buckinghamshire.gov.uk/PoB-awards

UK Astronomy Inflatable Planetarium

UK Astronomy are excited to offer this unique educational experience to kids, teens, and adults alike. Their inflatable planetariums are designed to bring the wonders of the night sky to life and provide an immersive learning experience.

This revolutionary service allows you to bring the wonders of the night sky to any event. The inflatable planetarium is a large, self-contained dome that can quickly be set up in any indoor location, making them an ideal choice for schools, libraries, museums, festivals, and more. Inside, a powerful projector displays a stunningly realistic image of the night sky, with stars and constellations that can be seen in vivid detail.

The Inflatable Planetarium Service is designed for people of all ages and backgrounds. The entire experience is designed to be engaging, entertaining, and educational. For further information please visit www.ukastronomy.org

New Chief Executive at Chilterns MS Centre

New Chief Executive, Richard Parkin, joins at an exciting time as we move to become a multicondition centre. Richard joins from the Union of Brunel Students at Brunel University where he was the Director of Finance and Resources, also performing the role of Deputy CEO.

Road Farm Countryways CIC

If you, or someone you know, might be interested in Care Farming sessions; our Countrymen’s Club; accessing our quiet space ‘Tent in the Orchard’; or attending one of our specialist workshops on orchard pruning, or woodwork (more courses planned for 2023), please get in touch via email on rfcountryways@gmail.com

Club Corner

Wildlife Trust local activities in February

This is an active month on the reserves where more hands make light work of conservation jobs still to be done ready for new growth to get started. We work to ensure optimum conditions for orchids and gentians and to ensure that grazing can take place securely by repairing fences and gates. Work parties are sociable events where you can learn on the job and make a positive contribution to increasing biodiversity on your doorstep. Email volunteering@bbowt.org.uk and Wayne Brown will tell you which local groups would particularly like support. After that the group leader will mail you with details of upcoming sessions. The Trust website at bbowt.org.uk shows you where the reserves are near Wendover, Weston Turville, Aston Clinton and Tring.

For anyone looking for an indoor rendezvous with nature, the BBOWT Chilterns Group runs a series of talks through the winter, the February one being at Great Missenden Memorial Centre on Tue 21 at 7.00pm on Yellow Meadow Ants: Engineers, Farmers & Conservationists. Can ants really live up to that title? They most certainly can and Dr Tim King, of Oxford and the Open University will tell us how. Admission is £5 inc refreshments.

College Lake Reserve and the Visitor Centre are open throughout the month (except Mondays) for a walk, a light meal and some shopping. There are also bookable sessions for Nature Tots on Tue 7 and Thu 9 Feb, Valentine's Teas on Fri 10 and Tue 14, and other family activities on 14 and 15 February. For details and booking go to www. bbowt.org.uk/events

richardbirch60@yahoo.com

BBOWT Chilterns Group

Wendover Horticultural Society

Our monthly meeting is a talk by Rosie Insley of Wild Rose Flower Company in Hoggeston, entitled “The benefits of growing cut flowers locally”. It is at 2.30 on Thursday 2 February at St Anne’s Hall. Visitors welcome, cost £3.00. Neville Morton

Wendover Bowls Club

With Christmas now a fading memory and only the lower level in my bottle of indigestion mixture to remind of a happy day it is now time to get back to normal. Our year ended with our traditional New Year's Eve party. Unfortunately I managed to pick up a virus and was in bed feeling sorry for myself but I was told it was a great evening. Congratulations to the hard workers

It is always a bit of a flurry at this time of year as we try to fit in our internal matches for the various club trophies. It is good to see that many of our new members have entered. The only way to learn is to take part.

Our matches against other clubs show mixed results apart from our matches against Chinnor who field a team of County bowlers and win every time. One day we will beat them and won't that be good!!

2023 marks the Club's 120th year since it was founded and became part of the fabric of our village. Long may we flourish.

Don Knight

Aylesbury Dolls House Club

This month Aylesbury Dolls House Club will be completing our series of furniture in 1/48th scale by making dressing tables and chairs for the bedrooms begun last year. Moving forward, we now have an exciting programme of projects leading right through to March 2024, with a wide variety of suggestions having been proposed by members.

We would also like to take this opportunity to welcome 4 new members who have joined us recently. If you are thinking of a new creative

hobby, this is one you might like to consider. You are very welcome to come to your first meeting as a guest, and if you decide you would like to join, membership fees are at a reduced rate for the remaining months of the year until our AGM in May. We meet at Halton Village Hall at 7.30pm on the first Wednesday of each month, so our next meeting is on 1 February. We are a very friendly group and welcome new members. For further information, contact Diane on 07899090399 or arcadia96@btinternet.com.

Chiltern Writers Group

We meet on the third Thursday of each month at St Anne's Hall in Wendover and the meetings start at 8pm and usually end by around 9.30. Tea, coffee and biscuits are available on arrival. The cost to visitors is £5, or annual membership is £25. The meetings normally follow one of the following formats:

• A guest speaker talking about a particular aspect of writing

• A writing workshop, led by a guest facilitator or an experienced CW member

• A manuscript evening, where members read a piece of their work and the rest of the group offers advice or constructive criticism

RAF Halton

One of the longest serving Aviators in the Royal Air Force has retired after 45 years of service.

Squadron Leader Neil Hawthorn (64) joined the RAF as an aircraft propulsion fitter in the engineering trade in August 1977, aged 19.

Over the next 15 years he worked his way up to the rank of Chief Technician before commissioning in 1996 aged 38 as an engineering officer.

During his work at Central Training School, (CTS) based at RAF Halton, Neil was responsible for running the team that continuously develops the roles of ground engineering and cyber professions, to ensure that the training provided remains up to date with new functions, equipment and technology.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my career in the RAF and the opportunities that it has offered me, although there have been challenging times,” explains Neil who has served abroad for much of his career including in Kuwait when the Iraqis invaded.

“We watched them come across the border in their tanks from the roof of our flat, we had to hide quickly, fortunately, most wives and children were flown out of the country, but some 33 personnel and their families were captured and used as human shields before later being released. Three of us spent 145 days in hiding before receiving the ‘all clear’ to emerge.”

During that time Neil and his colleagues were passing intelligence to local resistance fighters, a service for which he received the Gulf War Campaign Medal with a rare clasp to acknowledge his unique role in the conflict.

In total Neil, accompanied by his wife Sheila, has served on five overseas tours. This included Akrotiri in in 1981 where he met his wife Sheila who was in air traffic control.

She later accompanied him to Germany where he embedded with the Luftwaffe on Tornadoes as a junior officer between 2002 and 2006 (photo). “This was definitely my favourite tour,” says Neil. I absolutely loved working with the Germans. The RAF paid me to learn a second language.”

He later served at Pax River in the US, where as Acting Wing Commander, he was the UK lead for the 4-Nation Harrier Joint Programme between 2010 and 2012. During this time, he undertook the role of programme manager coordinating the transfer of the entire fleet to the US Marine Corps. A task for which he received the Chief of Defence Materiel’s Team Commendation.

He has also served in Saudi Arabia for seven and a half years as the RAF Engineering Liaison Officer in HQ Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF), reporting directly to a RSAF Brigadier.

Neil’s career has been an inspiration to many who have served alongside him.

“A phenomenal career, it is rare to see such lengthy and distinguished service,” says Wing Commander Phil Poole, Officer in Command of Requirements Analysis Wing at CTS. “I have thoroughly enjoyed Neil’s company and wise counsel.”

Group Captain Dave Melmoth, Commandant CTS said: “As we approach the festive period, it’s an important time to reflect on our past and future. This Christmas, Sqn Ldr Neil Hawthorn finishes his incredible career and departs from the Central Training School, 22 Gp after over 45 years of Regular RAF Service as a professional Aircraft Engineer. His contribution and commitment have been staggering and our Service is in a great place to ensure effective and efficient training for the #NGAF as a result of his efforts."

Local Face:

David Morgan

David Morgan bought a new house in The Paddocks the 1970s and he is still living there even though he is now long retired and looking forward to his 100th birthday on Monday 13 February. Congratulations!

David was born in Sheffield, the youngest of 7 children and volunteered to join the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in 1941 as he turned 18. Initial training took place at Strensall and, after over a year, aptitude tests reassigned him to the Royal Signals in Northern Ireland where he was taught to be a specialist track driver for cable laying. From there he applied for the Parachute Regiment - their training was near Chesterfield in Derbyshire, and 8 jumps were needed to qualify. The Royal Signals Parachute First Division had just returned from North Africa and was set to prepare for "The Invasion". A month later he was Returned to Unit at Catterick only to be sent to Portsmouth after another month then on to a small signals unit attached to the Americans which meant better rations and lots of sport including baseball, basketball and football.

They set off for Utah Beach on D+5 and crossed the Channel but stormy weather meant they couldn't land their heavy vehicles from the American Liberty Ships until D+7. They erected their aerials to communicate with the War Office but that job was done once the Americans reached Cherbourg. Next stop for David was the World War 1 French Fortress at Verdun and eventually hospitalisation in an American Hospital. He rejoined his unit and they crossed the Rhine at Bingen as the war ended. The single men like David regrouped at Minden but had to wait to be demobbed and there he met his wife Hildegard. This encouraged him to sign up with the Army in which he served 22 years including the Suez crisis in 1956. His last overseas posting was in Kenya and the last year of service saw him in Coulsdon, Surrey, as a Permanent Staff Instructor to the Territorials.

David took exams to enter the Civil Service on leaving the Army and was soon sent to the County Court in Bath where he worked in the Lord Chancellor's Department. Promotion led to Aylesbury County Court. Living in Wendover, he became involved in the movement to build the swimming pool including organising fundraising walks. He was one of the original Early Birds, swimming from 6.30am in an outdoor unheated pool. He spotted a vacancy to work in Courts Martial in Germany and applied for the role. Hildegard was happily working as a German language assistant at Aylesbury Grammar School by then and didn't want to return to her home country but she found language work with the education corps in Germany so she was reconciled. David loved the access to sports facilities at HQ Army of the Rhine, including sailing and wind surfing. They bought a holiday cabin near Baden Baden in the Black Forest but after 11 years, retirement beckoned and they returned to The Paddocks but continued to holiday in their cabin. Unfortunately, Hildegard died but their Black Forest cabin neighbour Ursula became David's second wife until she, too, died in 2010.

Back in the UK, David took up Art at Queen's Park Centre and Golf at Ivinghoe. He was "discovered" by Aces High and has recently become a "signer" at their veteran weekends. He finds that meeting up with other veterans is very enjoyable and they are well looked after by Aces High.

David is pleased to have had his driving licence renewed recently as he would really miss his independence without a car, especially to play golf. He enjoys a good social life with friends in The Paddocks and has always found Wendover a very friendly place in which to live.

He is looking forward to his birthday party with friends in The Red Lion and will include some of his Yorkshire family making the trip down south.

Wendover News opportunities

With all the exciting change going on at Wendover News (see front page article), there will be many opportunities for volunteers – including some unpaid director roles. Behind the scenes, we already have a cherished group of over fifty people who have quietly been delivering Wendover News – we hope that they will continue to do their valuable work.

At least initially, Wendover News will retain its core paid employees, so that quality is maintained and deadlines met. Over the next couple of months, we will be recruiting a replacement board of directors and setting up roles to ensure volunteers get clear guidelines, training and opportunities for personal and professional development.

As you might expect, the roles will be open to everyone, regardless of age, gender, ability, educational level, race or religion. We will need administrators, co-ordinators, designers, digital artists, news-gatherers,

photographers, proofreaders, social media specialists, sub-editors, techies, trainers, writers and people who just want to learn and be helpful.

Plans will be in place to ensure that all roles are rewarding, sociable and stress-free. For many people, it will be an ideal way to get back into a work mindset.

If you are interested, at any level, please send your contact details to: email: jane@wendovernews.co.uk text/phone: 07340993802 or post: Wendover News 1 Robert Mews behind 11 High Street Wendover HP22 6DU

There’s no need to send any other details at this stage. With your involvement we can make a difference!'

DAY/DATE TIME EVENT CONTACT

Tue-Sat 10.00-16.00 Discover Bucks Museum, Church St, HP20 2QP, see page 2. www.discoverbucksmuseum.org

Tue-Sun 10.00-16.00 College Lake Nature Reserve Tring HP23 5QG open - see website for details. bbowt.org.uk Wed-Sun 10.00-17.00 Waddesdon Manor grounds and selected buildings open - please book online. waddesdon.org.uk days vary times vary Volunteering opportunities & events at nature reserves with BBOWT. See page 18. volunteering@bbowt.org.uk

Wed 01 10.00 Wendover U3A monthly meeting, St Mary’s Church, Wendover u3asites.org.uk/wendover/welcome Wed 01 & 15 10.00-12.00 Craft Group, Wendover Christian Centre, see page 2

Wed 01 19.30 Aylesbury Dolls House Club, Halton Village Hall, see pages 2 & 19. arcadia96@btinternet.com

Thu 02 13.30 Knit and Natter, Wendover Community Library. Please ask at the Library for details. 01296 382415

Thu 02 14.30 Wendover Horticultural Society with speaker Rosie Insley, St Anne's Hall, see page 18.

Thu 02 19.00-20.00 Wendover Library Reading Group, Wendover Community Library 01296 382415

Fri 03 10.30 Poetry Please poetry reading group, first Friday each month, Wendover Christian Centre. See page 2.

Fri 03 19.30 Local History Group with speaker Julian Hunt, St Leonards Hall HP23 6NW, see page 3. Chris 01494 758890

Sat 04 morning Community Tree Planting with Climate Action Wendover, Ashbrook Park, see page 11. www.climateactionwendover.org

Sat 04 10.00-12.00

Monthly Produce Stall, All Saints’ Church in Buckland

Sun 05 12.00 Crochet Club, Real Magic Books, 2 Kings Head Parade, High St, Wendover realmagicbooks.com

Tue 07 & Thu 09 10.15 Nature Tots at College Lake Nature Reserve, see page 18 www.bbowt.org.uk/events

Tue 07 14.15 & 15.30 “Learn My Way” technology sessions at Wendover Community Library. Please book early! 01296 382415

Tue 07 19.00-21.00 Breast Friends Aylesbury - Breast Cancer Support Group, please contact for details. www.breastfriends-aylesbury.org.uk Tue 07 19.00-22.30 Quiz for Pace, The Russell Arms, Butlers Cross. See page 3. https://thepacecentre.org

Tue 07 20.00 Kimble & Ellesborough Horticultural Society meeting with Sally Morgan, Zoom, see page 3 www.e-voice.org.uk/kehs/ Wed 08 contact Reading Group, Real Magic Books, 2 Kings Head Parade, High St, Wendover realmagicbooks.com

Wed 08 20.00 AC, B & DB Horticultural Society, “The Art of Bonsai”, Anthony Hall, Aston Clinton. www.astonclintonhorticulturalsociety.co.uk

Thu 09 12.00-14.00 FREE Wills & Estate Planning Sessions with Wanstall Consulting, Wendover Library. See advert page 9. iain@wanstallconsulting.co.uk

Thu 09 & 23 19.30 Wendover Art Club, St Anne's Hall, 9th - creative evening, 23rd - DVD. See page 3. www.wendoverartclub.co.uk

Fri 10 & Tue 14 contact Valentine's Teas at College Lake Nature Reserve, please book, see page 18 www.bbowt.org.uk/events

Sat 11 09.00-12.00

Sat 11 & 25 09.00-12.30

Aston Clinton Repair Café St Michael's Church, Aston Clinton https://www.facebook.com/acrepaircafe

Tring Farmers' Market, the Market Place in Brook Street, Tring https://tringfarmersmarket.co.uk

Sat 11 morning Fabulous February with Green Ink Books - event for 11 and under, Wendover Library. See advert page 9.

Sat 11 10.00-12.00 Wendover Labour Consultation Event, Wendover Library Room. See advert page 5.

Tue 14 & Wed 15 contact Family Activities at College Lake Nature Reserve, please book, see page 18 www.bbowt.org.uk/events

Tue 14 19.30 Wendover Evening WI, "Revolting Women" with Alison Bailey, St Anne's Hall. See page 4. http://wendoverwi.weebly.com

Wed 15 20.00 Bucks Historical Association - 'Supernatural Rumour in Stalin's Russia & Mao's China', Zoom, see page 4 http://buckshistoricalassociation.org.uk

Thu 16 09.00-14.00 Legacy Fairs Antiques & Collectors Fair, Wendover Memorial Hall, see advert page 2 peter.stevenspeter@aol.com

Thu 16 20.00 Chiltern Writers Group with speaker Paul Eccentric, St Anne's Hall, see pages 4 & 19. https://www.chiltern-writers.org

Fri 17 19.00 OnScreen, Wendover Library Room. Tickets and film details from the Library. FREE entry, donation requested. 01296 382415

Fri 17 20.00 Aston Wine Club - Michael Boniface, No2 Pound St - Organic Wines, Buckland Village Hall. See page 4. astonwineclub.co.uk

Sat 18 10.00-14.00 Wendover Local Produce Market, Manor Waste.

Sat 18 10.30-11.30 Book Club, Wendover Christian Centre, see page 4.

Sat 18 10.30-11.30

Sat 18 14.30-16.30

Lego at the Library! Wendover Library - ages 5+, please book at the Library 01296 382415

Aylesbury Vale Stitchers, Zoom meeting with Ruth Parkinson Jones, see page 4

aylesburyvalestitchers@gmail.com Sun 19 09.45-11.00 Debutots - interactive storytelling and dramatic play, Wendover Guide Hut HP22 6HH. kathryn@debutots.co.uk

Mon 20 19.30 RSPB indoor talks - 'Birding Buckinghamshire' - Prebendal Hall Community Centre, HP19 7QW, see page 5 Anne 01844 215924 Tue 21 19.10-20.45 6-week Foundations of Mindfulness Course with AZ Intuition, Real Magic Books. See advert page 2. andrew@azintuition.co.uk

View from the Chair

Now we are in 2023! The Clocktower Clock was fixed just in time for Christmas and the all-important New Year’s Eve celebration, my thanks to the Clerk for endlessly chasing the repair company to sort it out in time. It was good that people gathered to celebrate but there are always some who break bottles and glasses in the road which then need to be cleared by the Groundsmen, on what should be a bank holiday! Please ensure that next year your group takes their glassware home to recycle.

We are looking to have some of the extralarge baubles for the big tree next year, so if you have any to spare perhaps you could donate them to us.

The current applications for grants from April 2023 are invited. Major grants of up to £5,000 and minor grants up to £1,000 can be submitted to the Clerk by noon on Monday 13 February 2023, see website for application forms.

I have just received news that the Canal and River Trust have authorised the Wendover Canal Trust volunteers to start their preparations for the new canal path beginning with de-vegetation works between 3 and 10 February this year. This is excellent and we look forward to seeing the project completed later in 2023.

The precept request has been sent to Bucks Council for approval. Unfortunately, due to the extra costs for fuel, utilities etc, we have had to raise the precept from £95.57

to £104.92 per year for a band D property, which is an increase of £9.35 per year.

The parking review implementation has yet to be finalised, but we are hopeful that this will be completed shortly. We are also in the process of arranging for the Wendover Shed to be placed on the Hogtrough Allotment site.

Please send in your nominations for the WPC awards (see details on pages 12-13) to be presented at the Annual Parish meeting in April.

That’s all for now, hopefully the weather will be less wet by the time you read this, otherwise we may need to build arks!

Sheila Bulpett

Parish Council Meeting

Tuesday 7 February, 7.30pm

St Anne's Hall

Aylesbury Road HP22 6JG

Information about upcoming meetings: www.wendover-pc.gov.uk/2022-23-agendas

Grounds Team – Siding Out

Residents might have noticed the grounds team out on the mower using a new piece of equipment, this is for siding out of the footpaths and carriageways and does not clear leaves from pavements. The grounds team have done a great job since getting this equipment before Christmas and it looks very neat.

Wendover Produce Market

Saturday 18 February, 10am to 2pm Manor Waste

Hampden Pond

The grounds team have installed railings around the decking at Hampden Pond. This will be a positive installation for residents as the access to the decking has been made safe.