Club Corner

Scouts Endurance

If you were out and about for a local country walk on the weekend of 4 March, you may have been surprised to see rather a lot of young people in high vis jackets walking too! 800 people took part in a variety of endurance events ranging from 10km for Cubs, to 40km for Scouts and 60 or 80km for Explorer Scouts. 23 Scouts from 1st Wendover Apollo took part in Endurance40 and had 14 hours to walk 40km around a circular walk from Great Missenden, to Chesham, Wendover Woods and back to Great Missenden, visiting checkpoints along the way. With ages ranging from just over 10 years to 13 years old, we were just pleased to have so many taking part (let alone finishing). We were even more delighted and proud that over half of our Scouts completed the full 40km – a fantastic achievement all round.

Each of our 5 walking groups was shadowed and supported by an adult. Aside from the 40km they had to walk, they had the added task of keeping the young people moving and patiently answering the repeated “are we nearly there yet” questions! However, to see the smiles on all their faces made it worthwhile – even more so when one Scout was overheard saying, “Just think, we’re actually making memories today that will really stick with us.”

If you enjoy walking (and other outdoor activities!) then why not get involved? We’d love to have you along to Scouts. For more information, please email apollo@1stwendoverscouts.co.uk.

Into the swing of Spring with BBOWT Chilterns Group

April sees the return of many migrant birds to our local reserves. They tend to burst into full song when they arrive, choose mates and set up their territories so this is a good time to listen out for them. At Weston Turville Reservoir in particular we can with care get close to the reedbed action with reed and sedge warblers plus the resident water rails and reed buntings. Blackcaps will be very active in the scrubby areas. Please be very careful to keep dogs under control on a short lead at this time of the year. There are various apps for mobile phones or you can go online with the RSPB to hear and identify bird song. The spring also sees the return of the litter scourge so if you'd like to help keep things under control please contact the litter patrol organiser Susanna Allford on susannawtr@outlook.com to hear how you can help.

BBOWT arranges small group walks and field trips in spring and summer so please look at bbowt. org.uk/events to see what's coming up and to book a place. They start on Saturday 15 April at Dancersend Reserve. You'll also find details of activities for adults and children organised by the Learning Team at College Lake where the reserve and visitor centre cafe and shop are open daily except for Mondays (unless they are bank holidays).

Finally, in April we prepare for the first of our Plant Markets which raise essential funds for the Wildlife Trust. The spring sale will be on Sunday 14 May at College Lake so this is the time to pot up and label some offcuts of your favourite perennials and to think about preparing to supply some home made produce. Queries to John Catton on richard.catton1@ntlworld.com please.

richardbirch60@yahoo.com, BBOWT Chilterns Group, Supporting and promoting The Wildlife Trust locally

Wendover Bowls Club

Recently the rafters of the Club rattled to the sound of half a dozen noble steeds as they galloped down a fiendish course to the cheers of scores of very noisy punters. All right, perhaps my description is a little vivid but the cheers were genuine and there were six horses even though they were rather battered and cut out of plywood and propelled by large bouncy plastic foam dice. A really super evening that convinced me that I am useless at picking winners, even when they are wooden cutouts.

Time flies and we will soon be let loose outdoors. I already have my grass cutting rota. The rooks are excavating again. If anyone has a spare small boy who is available to stand on the green 24 hours a day with a rattle please contact the Club.

Meanwhile we look forward to a quiz, the preseason dinner and various finals to round off the indoor year. Let's all keep our fingers crossed for good weather this summer with plenty of sunshine to cheer us up.

Don

Wendover WI Ladies in the Pink

To mark Valentine's Day the ladies of Wendover WI celebrated in style by wearing evening dresses and fancy shoes to their monthly meeting, which fell on 14 February. Everyone received an intricate red carnation crafted from a serviette by a team of WI members.

Exceptionally, Peter Andre attended in the form of a cardboard cutout (photo above) and Alison Bailey from the Amersham Museum gave an excellent presentation about the local and surprisingly prolific suffragette movement.

The ladies enjoyed pink Prosecco and a wide range of pink savoury and sweet delicacies.

All attendees enjoyed a fabulous 'pink' evening - even Peter Andre!