Wendover News February 25 by Wendover News

A413 LONDON ROAD SOON TO CHANGE FOREVER

In the last days of January, the view as you drive out of Wendover will change permanently. The viaduct being launched across both the road and railway between 31 January and 2 February will become a permanent feature. The launch event itself will be dramatic, spectacular, fascinating – and something that people will want to tell their grandchildren about in decades to come; so something you should try your best to witness. But it will have a lot in common with watching paint dry. We explain what you can expect in a feature on pages 17-20.

Phase Two of the new Wendover News

As we prepare for the first anniversary of the new community-owned company adopting Wendover News, we have a lot to be proud of. We have exciting plans for the next phase of our development.

We are currently on the lookout for two more trustees to join the existing board. Our plans to supplement the print edition with an enhanced online presence means we need to build a team of online writers/editors for existing platforms and those yet to come. And of course, we need more doughty deliverers – particularly in Weston Turville and Stoke Mandeville, which is a new addition to our coverage. More details will be in the next issue and also on the Wendover News website.

Nothing we have achieved would have been possible without the generosity of people who contributed to our crowdfunding campaign, Wendover Parish Council and the Lionel Able Trust. The Trust is advertising in this issue on page 11 for new applicants in the next round of funding.

Could

the Lionel Able-Smith Trust help you?

Gwen Williams, chair of the Trust, writes: “The Lionel Abel-Smith Trustees will be holding its 47th Annual meeting on 30 April 2025 to consider grant applications from individuals and organisations within Wendover and the Moor Park Estate. Applications for grants are designed to be straightforward, so if you are in need of financial support please take a look at www.wendovertrust.org to see if you are eligible.

Applications need to be made by 1 March . Apply online at www. wendovertrust.org or email clerk@wendovertrust.org, or write to: Clerk to the Trust, c/o Numbers Ltd, 32 High Street Wendover, Bucks, HP22 6EA. Grants for urgent need will always be considered throughout the year.”

Please send your contributions for the March edition (Including payments for advertisements) by Wednesday 12 February at the latest. We may not be able to include unexpected content after that date.

To celebrate the completion of training at RAF Halton, a flypast will take place, weather permitting, at 13:30 on Wednesdays 19 February 2025

Photo: HS2

From

Tribute:

Local Face: Cllr Clive Gallagher

WPC: View from the Clocktower

Published by Wendover Community News CIC: A community-owned Company.

Editorial Team: Wynne Byford, Jane Larkham, Richard Byford, Lorna Archer, Izzie Addison and Simon Eccles.

Coordination, ads, social media and online: Wynne Byford

Production: Richard Byford, Simon Eccles, Jon Theobald

Accounts: James Harrington & Paul Hammett

Distribution and deliveries: Eli Kling and 64 community-minded volunteers. Contents

We are a regulated media company funded entirely by advertising revenue. Please support our advertisers.

THE JOHN COLET SCHOOL

We are looking for several new members of staﬀ to join our friendly John Colet School team

Vacancies include: Casual Exam Invigilators Cover Supervisor Business Studies Teacher

For further information and how to apply, please refer to the Vacancies page on our school website. www.johncolet.co.uk

Events

Simply Walks and Cycle Rides

Wendover – Tuesdays: Weekly walks from Wendover Clock Tower, leaving 10am. You can socialise afterwards at Wendover Christian Centre.

Aston Clinton – Thursdays: from Aston Clinton Park leaving 10.30am. Meet beside “Your Café in the Park” where refreshments are available afterwards. Registration is 15 mins beforehand at both locations.

Aylesbury Cycling UK: Easy Pace: every first and third week of the month, about 30 miles. Newcomers: each second and fourth week and about 20 miles long.

Email: aylesburycuk@gmail.com.

Discover Bucks Museum, Opening times vary, Aylesbury HP20 2QP

Check the website for February half term family activities, including Wild Science animal encounters and interactive storytelling. www. discoverbucksmuseum.org. See p12 & ad p5.

Wendover Cricket Club

Sun 2, 1.00-2.30pm, John Colet School

Senior nets are running on Sundays from 2 February for 10 weeks excluding half term; cost £6/session. Just turn up or check details with Jonathan Seabrook, 07767-148119, or email jseabrook@wendoveremail.co.uk. See p24.

Yoga with Alice D

ST ANNE’S HALL to hire

All enquiries to Angela German 07423 266713 stanneshallwendover@hotmail.co.uk

Mons, Halton Village Hall, HP22 5NG 19.00-20.15 Pregnancy Yoga, 20.30-21.45, Women’s Yoga

Weds, Wendover Memorial Hall, HP22 6NL 10.30-11.30, Mum and Baby Yoga, 12.00-13.00, Nurture Baby Massage. www.yogawithaliced.com See ad p12.

clarity@debooks.co.uk

www.double-entry-bookkeeping.co.uk 07841 427832

Cracklewick Morris

Tues 8.15-10.15pm, Halton Village Hall, HP22 5NG

An all-inclusive mixed Morris side who meet most Tuesdays for dance practice. Everyone welcome – musicians and dancers. No experience needed to dance. Email cracklewickmorris@gmail.com.

Kimble & Ellesborough Hort Society

Tue 4, 8pm, Stewart Hall, Little Kimble, HP17 OXN

Andrew Mikolajski, writer, speaker and RHS judge, returns to talk about hostas and advises how to choose amongst the many fabulous varieties. The talk also covers the history of hostas in gardens, how to grow them (including slug control), propagation and growing in containers. www.kehs.uk

Compassionate Café, Wigginton

Wed 5, 1.30-3pm,

The Sports Ground community café, HP23 6HH

A space for local people affected by bereavement to meet others.

Chilterns Light Network

Wednesdays, 7.30 for 8pm, Wendover Memorial Hall, HP22 6NL 5 ; Mindfulness meditation 12 ; Managing energies can shape your mood 19 ; Fun Wellness Evening – showcasing therapies/ remedies 26; tba. Fun and friendly group. All welcome. £5 non-members. www.chilternslightnetwork.org.

Wendover Horticultural Society

Thu 6, 2.30pm, St Anne’s Hall, Wendover, HP22 6GJ Professor Sandy Primrose is returning to give a talk on “Roses, Romans and Renaissance” He is well-known as a biologist and passionate gardener.

WENDOVER MEMORIAL HALL

Great for Children’s Parties

Ideal for Weddings & Functions

Excellent kitchen facilities

Enquiries : 07804 671445 angelawmh@aol.co.uk

LEGACY FAIRS

Antiques & Collectors Market Wendover Memorial Hall 20 February 9am-2pm (Trade 8am)

For updates Tel: 07543 524212 or email: p.hetheringtonwh@gmail.com Entrance by donation to Charity

Poetry Please

Fri 7, 10.30am, Wendover Christian Centre, HP22 6GJ

Since January’s meeting had to be cancelled, the themes of ‘Weather’ or ‘Water’ will be brought forward to February! Bring a poem on the theme or come and see what others have chosen. Everyone welcome!

Cholesbury-cum-St Leonards Local History Group

Fri 7, 7.30 for 7.45pm, St Leonards Parish Hall, HP23 6NW

Liz Green will talk on the role of a High Sheriff from Anglo-Saxon times to the present. Until earlier this year Liz was High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, so can talk from first-hand experience. Prior to this, in 2018, she was a City of London Corporation Sheriff and will be happy to talk about this ancient role if time permits. www.cholesbury.com

Politics Book Club

Tue 11, 7.00pm, King and Queen, Wendover, HP22 6EF

“The Great Post Office Scandal” by Nick Wallis, a very topical book. Open to everyone. There will be a book for discussion every two months.

Craft Group

Wed 12 & 26, 10am-12pm, Wendover Christian Centre, HP22 6GJ

Craft Group provides time, space, and friendly company to work on any kind of craft project. Please bring your own materials or just come to see what others are doing. Coffee served at about 11am.

Music and movement class for the over 60s

Thu 13, 2pm-3pm, Stoke Mandeville Community Centre, Eskdale Road (Park Room) HP22 5UJ

Fitness and fun. Join fitness expert Katie Mason for a fun session of movement and dance followed by tea, biscuits and a chat. FREE to attend for residents over 60.

Proud Sponsors

Sarah Routley BSc (Hons)

Max Rogers ANAEA

Board Game Café

Thu 13, 2-4pm, Wendover Christian Centre, HP22 6GJ

Enjoy a variety of games old and new or bring your own to play with others. Open and free of charge for all.

Wendover Art Club

Thu 13 & 27, 7.30-9.30 pm, St Annes Hall, Wendover, HP22 6JG 13; Creative evening – “Making your Mark” with Liz Boote showing that paint brushes are not the only tool for an artist. 27; Peter Keegan, demonstrating a garden landscape in oils. Peter’s approach to all his work is very fluid with an influence of the Expressionists that lends colour and movement. Meetings on the second and fourth evenings of each month. Entry £10 for non-member guests for demonstrations, £2 for creative evenings.

Book Club

Sat 15, 10.30 -11.30am, Wendover Christian Centre, HP22 6GJ

No set book. Just go and hear what others have been reading. If you wish, you can talk about something you’ve read – whether you loved it or not. Sessions begin with coffee and sometimes cake.

The RSPB Aylesbury Group

Mon 17, 7.30pm, Prebendal Hall Community Centre, Ayles, HP19 7QW

“Dancersend – 100 Years of Nature Conservation,” by Mick Jones, on our local reserve near Tring. More details: group.rspb.org.uk/aylesbury.

BBOWT

Wed 19, 10am-4pm, College Lake Reserve Family event for children with their parents

Tue 25, 7pm, Gt Missenden Memorial Centre, HP16 9AE

“Bringing back the Barn Owl.” A talk on this scarce, exciting raptor by Karen Thomas of Bucks Owl and Raptor Group. Admission £5 including refreshments and free parking. bbowt.org.uk/events See p24.

Wills and Estate Planning Surgery

Wed 19, 12-2pm, Chilterns Neuro Centre, Wendover HP22 5LX

To book a slot email: iain@wanstallconsulting.co.uk or phone 01296 415700. See ad p26.

Quiz Night at Bel & The Dragon

Fri 21 Feb, 9 High Street, HP22 6DU

Test your knowledge and share some laughs. See ad below.

Compassionate Café, Great Missenden

Wed 26, 11.30am, Great Missenden Library, HP16 0AL

Each session is facilitated by trained volunteers who ensure the café offers a safe and welcoming space for people to come together for emotional support. www.bit.ly/3Zqn5RH

The Arts Society Ballinger

Thu 27, 7.30 for 8pm, Ballinger Memorial Hall HP16 9LQ

“A Village in Heaven: Stanley Spencer’s Cookham”. Art historian and curator Amy Lin explores how few artists have been as rooted in a place as Stanley Spencer was in his home village of Cookham. Contact ballinger@theartsociety.org

Jazz Upfront

Thu 27, St Marys Church, Aylesbury, HP20 2JJ

The Ben Shankland Trio. Winner of BBC Radio Scotland Young Jazz Musician of the Year and two-time Scottish Jazz Award nominee, Edinburgh-born pianist and composer Ben Shankland. Tickets available from Aylesbury Music Shop or www.bit.ly/42azTgs.

Weston Turville Historical Society

Fri 28, 8pm (Doors open 7.30) Weston Turville Village Hall “Caversham Park,” by speaker Dr Stephen Goss. Entrance – £2 members, £3 visitors.

SAVE THE DATE - March

Sat 1 & Sun 2 , Chilterns Neuro Centre Pop-up Art Weekend. See ad p3 Sun 2 March, 09.00-1pm, Wendover Memorial Hall

Let’s Get Moving for Dementia. Donations to: Little Chalfont Area Dementia Support. Phone 01296 624 994 or 07498 330 195. Thu 27, Comedy Night at Bel & The Dragon. See ad p4.

April

Sat 12 - Well-known local celebrity and mental-health advocate, Andy Collins, will join Community Choir champion, Jill Neenan, to host a concert, Sing Out For Mental Health at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre. The concert will feature 200 singers (including children) from The Wing Singers and Wendover Singers, singing together as one large choir.

It promises to be an exclusive evening of uplifting music and song with inspiring stories, singing, laughter, comedy and audience participation.

All profits raised from the concert will go towards charities MIND (National), Lindengate (Wendover) and SPACE Aylesbury. Tickets available now www.singoutfor.org or www.atgtickets.com.

Planning ahead? Wendover News production dates. Don’t wait until the last minute to send details of your event!

All contributions for inclusion in Wendover News can be submitted as early as the first day of the month preceding the issue in which it needs to appear. To ensure we have enough space, email editor@ wendovernews.co.uk or advertising@wendovernews.co.uk to let us know your intentions, as early as possible.

Wendover, with love...

With St. Valentine’s Day later in February, we asked a few readers to pen an ode about the town they love.

A Love Letter to Wendover by Freya Levick

This Valentine’s, let’s celebrate a love we all share - a love of Wendover, our village nestled in the heart of the Chilterns. For generations, Wendover has been more than a home, it’s a backdrop to countless love stories, big and small, where friendships are formed and lifelong connections are made.

The clocktower stands sentinel as a symbol of our community. A community where we meet at local pubs, restaurants and cafes, browse the independent shops, play for local sports clubs, drop children to schools and engage in friendly chats on the high street. Every month, Wendover News reminds us of what makes our village so special. We read inspiring stories of people lending a hand, volunteering their time or supporting local causes. Moments that embody the true meaning of togetherness and remind us how fortunate we are to live here. From remembrance parades to church services, quiet canal walks to busy community events, Wendover is a place to grow, thrive and make memories. It is a place where we can belong.

This Valentine’s Day, let’s cherish those who make our lives richer and the village that makes those connections possible. Wendover is more than just a place; it’s a part of who we are and we are so lucky to call it home.

Wendover Love Story by Isabella Banks

With its high, curved ceilings and lush green surroundings, St Mary’s Church is one of Wendover’s most beautiful and well-known sights. But when you walk past or visit, do you ever really see it? For, much like the illuminations cast by the stained glass windows, the Church is filled with a history whose stories now cast only coloured shadows across its walls. From the medieval pilgrimages made to its revered crucifix, to Oliver Cromwell’s troops camping inside during the Civil War (you can still see the graffiti from their stay!) and the opening of the first penny savings bank in 1799, the church has been witness to many historical events. But it’s not just national history that St Mary’s is steeped in - it’s personal history too. From baptisms, to funerals and weddings, many of us have a special connection to this church. And my parents are no different. After meeting in the nearby town of Amersham, Jennie Grassly and Kyle Banks fell in love. With each other, and then with Wendover Woods. The

A Wendover Love Affair

Joan and Michael (Mick) Edwards lived in Bryant’s Acre for nearly 40 years but this was a ‘love affair’ which began many years before.

Mick had grown up in St Albans and during the 1950s spent many hours exploring the Home Counties on his pedal bike and later his trusty Triumph motorcycle. He was particularly fond of zooming down Tring Hill and into Wendover with its great view of the clock tower and beyond. When he started courting Joan they travelled on the train from London for a day out in Wendover, culminating in lunch at The Shoulder of Mutton.

They agreed that Wendover seemed a pretty, friendly place to live and some years later (1972) when Mick moved to Chesham as a Police Inspector, the family - Mick, Joan, Karen, Debbie and Susan the dog - moved to live in the flat above the police station at the end of Lionel Avenue (now a residential block) They were searching for a house having moved from Oxford and were lucky enough to secure a property in Bryant’s Acre which was to become their forever home.

They became founder members of the Bryant’s Acre ‘Gardening Society’ which planned and held very successful annual parties at the end of the cul de sac.

Mick was also a member of the Wendover Walking Club and always appreciated the countryside around Wendover. On his way home, he would often pop-in to Eileen’s to buy a bunch of Alstromeria for Joan and to have a chat.

Joan worked at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in medical records and then in Marks and Spencer Aylesbury but retired to become a fulltime Nanna in 1988. Mick retired from the police and worked for the BBC before becoming a local magistrate. Both volunteered at Wendover Health Centre – Mick as a driver and Joan booking appointments.

Mick was also a keen golfer at Chiltern Forest Golf Club and Joan a hard-working member and Treasurer of Wendover Evening WI.

They were both hugely grateful for their early visits to Wendover in the 1950s and continued to enjoy the village - we enjoyed many happy family Christmas Eve celebrations in Wendover Chinese/ Wendover Bistro! They loved walking round the village and chatting to their many friends - especially so on market days! They both felt it was very important to look after and give back to their community. They both now look over Wendover and its residents from the churchyard at St Mary’s – loved and remembered every day by their many family and friends.

Joan Edwards 1933-2023 Mick Edwards 1937-2012

Submitted by daughters Karen Cartwright and Debbie Liddiard

stunning greenery and communal town was enough to convince them to buy their first house together on Halton Wood Road, just on the outskirts of the village. And, after a romantic proposal in Grenada, there was a wedding to plan too. But despite the far-away sunshine and sparkling oceans of Spain, happy memories and a beautiful church led them back to Wendover, where they asked Reverend Emma if she would marry them. And so, on the 27th of August 2005, my parents said their vows, like so many before them, within the walls of St Mary’s.

I wish that I could have been alive to witness it, for it was a celebration of love with family and friends at the centre of it. My Uncle Graham played the organ, my mum’s closest friends sang and led readings, and my grandfather (who had no previous experience in baking) spent hours making their wedding cake by hand.

But their story is just one of the hundreds of couples who have fallen in love and chosen St Mary’s. So the next time that you walk past or visit, think of it not just as a building, but as a piece of local history; a place steeped in love.

Welcome to the team: Kelvin Campbell

Wendover News is pleased to welcome several new members to the team. In this issue we focus on Kelvin Campbell. Kelvin is an urbanist, writer and podcaster with over 40 years experience in urban design. He teaches in sustainable urban development at Oxford and is an honorary professor at University College London. By way of an introduction, we asked Kelvin to explain why Wendover is important to him. He said:

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

“I was struck by this quote from the sociologist, Margaret Mead, when I started my career in urban planning and design over 40 years ago. I am more than ever convinced that this has more relevance today as government moves even further from us. There’s nothing better than the power of community to make things happen and, that is why I believe that Wendover could be taken to a place well beyond our dreams.

When we moved into the Old Mill in Wendover, in early 2013, we were looking for community and, we found it. From our first days, when we were welcomed by our neighbours on Hale Road, to where we are today, we have felt the warm embrace of so many good people. Some, like the late Tony Mogford and Dr Colin Riley, were

beacons of the community. They gave so much. There are so many more that could do more, if we can mobilise them with a strong purpose and a sense of civic duty. Wendover has so many fine assets, but the finest asset of all, is its people. We have those with incredible qualities across all sectors including leadership, creative, strategic, communication and, financial expertise, to name a few. Put these people together with those with strong social concerns and we will find our new beacons.

It is easy to mobilise people around negative issues, but, we cannot just be reactive. We must have a bold vision for our future or others will tell us what it is. We know Wendover may be under pressure for new housing given HS2’s impact on the land. If something is going to happen, let’s make it happen on our terms and, through this process, we can build a greater community. There are other obvious opportunities to reinforce the village as a successfully functioning place. The land around the Clocktower represents one opportunity to build a community hub. The former scout hut on Heron Way has been derelict for over 30 years; this would make a fantastic arts venue.

Whatever we do, it must be about quality. Whatever we do must be about building on the unique assets and culture of Wendover. Given a fair wind, combined with strong collaboration and committed organisation, we can do it.”

Kelvin Campbell

Warm welcome on offer at Wendover Shed

While everybody else was sitting at home shivering on the morning after the coldest January night in years, Simon Eccles from Wendover News was out at Wendover Shed.

It was the day that the Shed was visited by an ITN television crew to record a story on registered warm spaces. A short piece was broadcast on the ITV Evening News on Saturday 11 January, where chairman Bob Duggan was interviewed by presenter Ellie Pitt about the popularity of the Shed as a social resource that’s also comfortably warm on cold days. Camera operator Tony Day and ITV producer Khadiya Kothia were also there.

Warm Welcome Spaces all over the country can be found via warmwelcome.uk. They are places where anyone is welcome to go if they can’t keep warm in their own homes, or simply if they need some company and a place to feel comfortable.

Wendover Shed is one of two Warm Welcome Spaces in Wendover this winter. Anyone can drop in for a warm-up, hot drink, free Wi-Fi and a chat if they like, during opening times. These are 10:00 to 12:00 on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and 14:00 to 16:00 on Thursdays. The Shed is outside central Wendover on Hogtrough Lane (HP22 6NJ), on the allotments just past the Rifle Club. It’s on the Ridgeway route so handy for passing walkers and cyclists too.

ROZELLE SCHOOL OF DANCING

Classes for children from 2 years Tap Classes for adults

Wendover Memorial Hall Wharf Road HP22 6HF For more information Telephone 01296 622001 email: suerozelle@gmail.com www.rozelleschoolofdancing.co.uk

Local family business with 30 years experience Carpets and vinyls professionally supplied and ﬁtted at competitive prices Samples brought to your home Call Mark for a friendly service 07912485919 01296 625716 Wendovercarpets@gmail.com

Bob Duggan (left) is interviewed by ITN’s Ellie Pitt, and camera operator Tony Day.

Wendover Shed was also in the news in late November, when at the Proud of Bucks Awards it was awarded Highly Commended in the Outstanding Group category. Its stall at the Wendover Christmas Lights Switch-on fair also raised £690 from the sale of items made by the Shedders. www.wendovershed.org.uk

Bacombe Lane closure and diversion

Bacombe Lane has been closed to allow the Green Tunnel to be constructed, with access to the houses provided by a temporary link road and bridleway from the top of Ellesborough Road.

The right of way from the memorial wood to Bacombe Lane is still open as we go to press, but will be diverted in the spring to use the new roads. Wendover HS2 Mitigation Action Group have requested an updated set of signage to explain the changes for walkers using the Ridgeway and Aylesbury Ring routes. With the ongoing closure of Small Dean Lane, cyclists on the Chilterns Cycleway trying to get to Dunsmore from Hale Road are being encouraged to come through Wendover and Butlers Cross.

Rocky Lane closure and diversion

HS2 need to close Rocky Lane for six months to get utilities diverted onto the new alignment under the HS2 tracks, with motorists being diverted to use Frith Hill at Great Missenden. We’ve been in discussion with HS2 and their intention is to make the new HS2 bridge over the line at Bowood Lane available for cyclists and walkers prior to the Rocky Lane closure expected from the end of February. This will reduce the diversion by about three miles.

Dobbins

Lane

There have been a large number of complaints to HS2 about their intention to use South Street and Dobbins Lane as an access route by HGV trucks for works needed in the fields behind the Kings Farm Shop. Greg Smith MP has taken up the issue on behalf of local residents to push for use of alternative access methods as part of the required planning permission discussions with Bucks Council.

The works are part of HS2’s plan to mitigate the impact on the Coombe Hill Aquifer caused by the excavation of the North Cutting. More details are available on the Wendover HS2 Mitigation Action Group website (https://tinyurl.com/DobbinsHGVs).

Asked for comment, Wendover Parish Council wrote “We have welcomed the opportunity to engage with a number of residents over an issue of local concern. We have been trying to mitigate the usage of Dobbins Lane to access the field at the end for construction works. Initially we believed, in good faith, that this was a “done deal”. However, thanks to discussions with the local MP and Buckinghamshire Councillors we have managed to draw significant attention to this issue on behalf of residents in the hope of a review of the decision. The Parish Council position is clear:

“We are aware of HS2’s intentions to use Dobbins Lane as a route for HGV’s to access the land to the rear of Lionel Avenue, for the purpose of building a spring chamber to help balance water flows in the area.

Working with the Wendover HS2 Mitigation Group we have raised our concerns with Buckinghamshire Council and our local MP. This has led to correspondence from the MP and a significant number of complaints that have been shared with us.

Sadly, we have no responsibility for determining if Dobbins Lane can be used by HGV traffic. However, WPC wishes to make it clear that we remain steadfastly opposed to any HS2 Heavy Goods Vehicles entering Wendover for multiple reasons, there are major safety concerns and will continue to work with all parties to try and find alternative solutions to this situation.

We continue to work with the Wendover HS2 Mitigation Group to try and minimise the impact of HS2 on all residents.”

Bird Nesting – Hedge and Tree Maintenance

Wendover Parish Council will soon be starting to trim hedges that fall within their responsibility. Phoebe Sharps, the council’s estates manager, says: “Let’s make sure our pathways are clear and safe for everyone. Remember, it’s the responsibility of every landowner to keep their property in check.

Take a stroll along the boundary of your property and ensure there are no pesky branches encroaching onto the public highway. Let’s keep our streets free from obstructions!

With the peak bird nesting season starting in March, we urge residents to do any maintenance before this, so we don’t disturb the wildlife. Thank you for doing your part to maintain our community’s safety and accessibility.”

Robert (Bob) Barrett

Anybody who played golf at the Chiltern Forest Golf club or more recently at Aylesbury Park, will be sad to hear of the death of Robert

(Bob) Barrett on 12 December at the age of 92 (shown here on the right, next to his twin brother, Syd). His son, Andrew, tells us he was a resident of the Beeches and a former engineer at Molins. Prior to that, he lived on London Road in Wendover. ”He was a wonderful dad,” said Andrew. “Many people will remember him from his earlier career as a painter and decorator for Woods of Wendover.”

Wendover Community Library Update January 2025

Philip Mitchell, on behalf of Friends of Wendover Library, writes: “I visited the Library this morning, Friday 10 January, and I was able to see the work that is being done. All the messages were positive, and good progress is being made. I think Wendover is going to have a splendidly enhanced Community Library.

The alterations to the building are nearly complete and the redecoration will begin soon. The whole project is due to be completed by the middle of April, and so far, the project is on schedule. Although Bucks County is planning staff reductions in the New Year at some libraries, no staffing reductions are planned for Wendover.

Meanwhile, a limited library service is available at Wendover Clock Tower, with the kind permission of Wendover Parish Council. Due to space constraints, this service will only be available for collection of reserved items and returns, in addition to a limited selection of picture books, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10am to 2pm.

When the redecoration is completed, it will be good to see the library being refurnished. Amongst the changes that people will notice will be some that clearly give the library more space than it used to have.”

Wendover Society

The Wendover Society is running a project to enhance the attractiveness of Wendover for its residents, businesses and visitors.

It seeks the views of residents on what could be done to improve the look and facilities in the centre of Wendover. For example, how can the appeal of the village be improved? Are there enough bins and seats? Should dustbins be left on the street? The appearance of buildings in Wendover centre, paintwork, litter etc. It would also welcome ideas on what could be done to attract visitors to Wendover. Suggestions should be sent to thewendoversociety@outlook.com

CribFest 2024

Christine Wright has provided details of the winners of Wendover Free Church’s CribFest competition:

“The winners in the group category were: 1st John Hampden Infant School (a box nativity scene from each class): 2nd Wendover Evening W.I. (nativity figures built on flower pots), 3rd The 4th Wendover Brownies (fondant nativity figures on a Christmas cake). Winners in the individual category were: Christine Wright (stitched Christmas cards): 2nd Win Woods (a knitted nativity), 3rd Merrenna French (a small scene below a folded paper Christmas tree).

Thanks to all who contributed to make the CribFest a great success and congratulations to all entries, especially the winners!”

The event raised £921 to be sent to ‘Embrace the Middle East’ through the sale of refreshments, crafts, cakes and books.

Wendover artist opens new art studio

Local artist Jay Nolan-Latchford is returning to Wendover and opening a studio above A Little Bird Told Me Gallery in the Courtyard off the

High Street. Jay is a professional artist, illustrator and award-winning tutor who lived in The Old Bakery in the village for several years and started her art journey at Amersham College. When she started selling her range of greetings cards thirty years ago, Kim of Agora (closed only in Autumn 2024) was her first ever customer.

She has collaborated with Melanie at A Little Bird Told Me gallery several times over the years and said: “we see this as a perfect partnership and great use of the cosy space upstairs which has housed pop up shows previously.”

“Having a permanent space in Wendover is really exciting, I’ll be creating art as well as hosting small workshops, selling my work and having a selection of art materials for people to buy. I’m looking forward to collaborating with other local businesses too. The gallery of course will continue to be filled with the same eclectic range of giftware, books, local artists and makers work, colourful prints and offering its framing service.”

You can book workshops via Jay’s website www.jnl-art.com or visit her at A Little Bird Told Me. See ad p5.

Discover Bucks Museum, Aylesbury HP20 2QP

The entries and competition entries in the Bucks Photography Exhibition, with images celebrating Buckinghamshire, are now on display at the museum. You can vote for your favourite, until 4 May

The museum’s exhibition, ‘WEIRD’, which features strange and curious objects, will also be on display. Children wil be able to crawl along Fantastic Mr Fox’s tunnel, investigate minibeasts inside the Giant Peach and explore sound with the BFG in the Roald Dahl Children’s Gallery. Check the website for February half-term activities. Opening times vary. discoverbucksmuseum.org. See ad p5.

• Loose covers

• Curtains

• Re-Upholstery

• Tracks & Poles

TEN YEAR GUARANTEE

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NEEDED VOLUNTEERS

Friends of Wendover Health Centre are looking for Volunteer

Drivers and Reception Desk Volunteers

Friends of Wendover Health Centre is a charity dedicated to providing transport for patients of the surgery to attend healthcare appointments.

We are currently facing a recruitment crisis and are desperately seeking new volunteers to drive and cover our reception desk duties.

VOLUNTEER DRIVERS

The role of a driver is very flexible and as a driver for Friends of Wendover Health Centre you can choose when you are available to drive patients, this can be different from one week to the next. The drives are typically around the local area (Westongrove surgeries. Stoke Mandeville, Wycombe and Amersham Hospitals) but on occasion can be Oxford or further afield – again you can choose the areas you choose to drive too.

RECEPTION DESK VOLUNTEERS

The Friends of Wendover Health Centre desk is open MondayFriday from 1-3pm, typically the desk volunteers agree to the same day per week, however we also have a group of volunteers who provide ad hoc availability on the desk. This role includes taking bookings from patients (face to face or over the phone) and finding drivers to complete these drives.

GET IN TOUCH

For more information or to become a volunteer please call 01296 622565 or email friendsofwendoverhealthcentre@outlook.com

We look forward to hearing from you.

WHAT DO OUR CURRENT VOLUNTEERS AND PATIENTS SAY ABOUT FRIENDS OF WENDOVER HEALTH CENTRE:

‘I have been volunteering for FWHC for 15 years now and there are two main reasons for doing it. Firstly, I enjoy the interaction I get with the people I meet many of whom have interesting stories to tell. Secondly it is the satisfaction gained from helping people at a time when they might be feeling stressed and at least removing the worry of transport arrangements from their situation

Over the years I have got to know some of the people we help quite well, and I like to think that the fact that I do not look upon giving that help as a chore is reflected in the good relationships which have developed.’

- Brian volunteer since 2009

‘I began driving for FOWHC in early 2018. I had spare time and wanted to get involved with a charity helping the general public. I had no specific desire to drive for the Friends. The role has very little training – just a few, somewhat obvious, do’s and don’ts – this made the onboarding process appealing to me. I drive on average once a week – and have completed over 300 drives since volunteering. It could be more, but I play a lot of golf (very poorly) and we take a lot of holidays. This role allows my life to come first without pressure. It’s a pleasure to see and hear the joy from patients, at a problem solved. It’s a pleasure being a part of such a group.’ - Frank volunteer since 2018.

John Breen: "I have used the service for the past four years, for journeys in Bucks and Oxon. Their drivers are without fail utterly reliable, friendly and responsible. They’re always on time for an appointment. Great service"

Monica Tompsett: “I can’t praise them highly enough. Nothing is too much trouble for them. They show a caring and loyalty to their patients that is brilliant. This service that must not be allowed to end.”

Wendover Choral Society Christmas Concert

Jackie Robinson, audience member, writes: “A very wet and windy walk from Wendover High Street brought us to the warmth and welcome of Wendover Choral Society in Saint Mary’s Church.

The evening was opened by a joyous performance of the first part of Corelli‘s Christmas Concerto performed by a local string quintet – the Wendover Players. This was followed by Benjamin Britten’s Ceremony of Carols with the Wendover Choral Society accompanied on the keyboard by Colin Stevens. This began with a thoughtful vocal procession and of the following nine 14th century carols, the audience particularly enjoyed the rousing Wolcom Yole and Deo Gracias. In contrast we heard the portrayal of the stark cold of ‘In Freezing Winter Night’. The singing was clean and tight, conducted with great clarity by the newly appointed and talented Kenton Brigden.

Soprano Siân Dicker’s sparkling personality glowed as she sang New Year Carol by Britten and then gave us the most moving performance of a popular favourite, The Holly and the Ivy. Kenton‘s keyboard accompaniment was so sensitive that he brought a quite beautiful sound quality from the instrument.

After the interval the string ensemble completed the last movements of the celebratory Christmas Concerto. Siân Dicker showed her great versatility by singing Mozart’s Exultate Jubilate followed by O Holy Night – so spiritual and meaningful to many members of the audience.

The choir’s penultimate performance was of selections from Purcell‘s The Fairy Queen – six songs performed with convincing dramatic and funny solos from Siân Dicker, who portrayed a very happy and drunk poet!

The concert included two of Wendover’s favourite carols and ended

with an entertaining rendition of the 12 Days AFTER Christmas, performed brightly by the whole choir, who have ably embraced and performed many new pieces of repertoire under the guidance of their extremely gifted young director.

This was a most enjoyable and unusual Christmas programme and well worth the challenge of braving the wintry elements. I look forward to many more concerts.”

Rod Ainsworth, chair, adds: “Wendover Choral Society is a communitybased choir that always welcomes new members. Rehearsals are on Thursday evenings at St. Mary’s Church, Wendover from 7.45 pm to 9.45. The first rehearsal on 16 January was preparing for a concert in May, featuring music by French composers and including the everpopular Fauré Requiem.” For information see www.wendoverchoral. co.uk

Real Chequers Magic

Carl Gosling, co-owner of Real Magic Books, writes: “Late last year on Tuesday 17 December we at Real Magic Books were honoured to host Emma Patterson, the Head of the House of Chequers, the nearby country residence of the Prime Minister. She gave an evening talk on her life and work as Head Housekeeper, the day-to-day running of the house, working and living with its high profile residents, the history and the many political guests and how the house changes from one Prime Minister to the next.

It was a fascinating talk, Emma was a delightful guest and audience members were all very keen to ask loads of questions as well. It was a really rare opportunity to speak to someone who works at the heart of Chequers.

The event came about after a chance visit to the shop from Emma and David McCormick the Collections Manager. They popped in to talk to us about the very special book about Chequers that had been updated and reissued for visitors to the house by Akshata Murty, wife of former PM Rishi Sunak, before his departure from office. They thought it would be a great idea if we, as the most local bookshop, could exclusively stock the title, so making it available for the first time in years to the general public.

This edition is a beautiful update of the original written by Norma Major. It features an excellent history of the house from the 1100s right through to the present day and is packed full of brilliant and rarely seen interior shots. The event is hopefully the start of a closer relationship with the house and Real Magic, perhaps with more events to come in the future. And we still have copies of the book available in the shop!

There are lots more events coming up in 2025: author events and launches, music, poetry, fiction, non-fiction and much more. Keep an eye out for our events programme on our website www. realmagicbooks.com, on the orange window on the shop front and via our social media: @realmagicbooks.”

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Wendover Stocks in Action

Leigh Porter, Wendover Parish Councillor, writes: “The Christmas lights switch-on event this year was the first outing for the new Wendover stocks. The Villain Of The Peace being pelted with vegetables, wet sponges and “Christmas puddings” was actually the hero of the hour, good guy, Gerald Evans. Now there’s a man prepared to suffer for the greater good, attracting the attention of the Police Cadets and parishioners alike! All the money collected went to fundraising for the forthcoming Wendover Skatepark.

“Cometh the hour, cometh the man.” Not only do we thank Gerald for his extraordinary efforts (and resilience) but also to Councillor Stephen Worth, who commissioned Wendover Shed to build the stocks. Behind the scenes it was a truly community effort, with thanks to the women of the hour too, in particular to Linda Evans for helping to keep her husband trapped in the stocks, and to Nicky

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Gregory of Wendover Antiques for her research on the history of stocks and in trying to uncover any record of them in Wendover. Also included are the ladies at Red Rose Garage, who kindly provided all the sponges, to Nick at Brown & Merry for the use of their car park and providing buckets of “hot” water, and to Matt for allowing us to plug the lighting through the window into the Red Lion. To all the friends and neighbours who helped on the night and to all those who supported the event by spending £1 venting out their various frustrations.

Particular recognition goes to the King & Queen Cricket Team, who had their own start line a good distance from the stocks, and to Tim Cooper of Dayla, who is purported to be a good friend of Geralds, but you wouldn’t think so by the way he walloped a whole bucket of sponges and christmas puddings at his friend.

We can report that the most popular sign hanging around Gerald’s neck was “I♥HS2” and the second was “Slug Lover” for all of those whose sunflowers were gobbled up by slugs during our efforts to Make Wendover Smile. The spectacle raised £113.40 towards the skatepark fund, which is hoped to increase if those without cash on the night and who had a free go are true to their promise to drop their payment into the Clock Tower. If not, there is a petition to bring back the stocks to Wendover, so watch out!

Despite the rumours, Wendover Parish Council’s preferred plan is to provide some healthy activity for our youngsters, ie a new skatepark, rather than revert to medieval punishment methods as the Council tries its best to curb some of the less desirable activities of those with too much energy focused in the wrong direction.

If you feel inclined to get involved with fundraising or would like to donate to a good local cause please get in touch with leigh.porter@ wendover_pc.gov.uk or mark.standen@wendover_pc.gov.uk If you would like to borrow the stocks, no questions asked, send your requests to Councillor Stephen Worth!

Where’s Alex?

York and Birmingham: Done!

Alex continues on his challenge to do a triathlon in every city in the UK to raise money for three charities. Before Christmas, he ticked off York and Birmingham. This is what he said of that one: “Left home in darkness, but was energised by the 6.45.am networking at David

Wendover Dementia Support

Cheryl Akeroyd writes: “Offers are open to buy a signed limited edition 60th Anniversary framed Red Arrows poster ( 47x64cms). Donated by RAF Halton, the stunning piece will be offered to the highest bidder with all proceeds going to Wendover Dementia Support (WDS). To place a bid, please email info@wendoverds.org.uk.

This fundraising initiative was organised by one of our dedicated volunteers, Wendy Jacobs. She already has a track record for fundraising as she previously raised £472 by completing 35,000 skips in the month of Dementia UK’s sponsored skipping challenge. She also donated beautifully wrapped teddy bears and festive hampers for our stall at the Wendover Christmas Light Switch-on event. Wendy is a fundraising superstar and an excellent example of our team of volunteers. It was WDS volunteers who took on the roles of Father Christmas and some of his elves at the Wendover Christmas Light Switch event, while other volunteers manned the WDS stall. The whole evening was very successful, and we are grateful to the Parish Council for making WDS one of the beneficiaries. If you would like to make a donation, please look on our website – or put in a bid for that wonderful Red Arrows poster.

If you know someone living locally with dementia who needs support, contact Wendover Dementia Support: www.wendoverds.org or 07732 342409.”

Clarification

Wendover News would like to correct the potentially misleading headline on the story published on page 14 of the Winter 2024/25 Edition. While the bulk of the wording was provided by Numbers Limited, the headline and introductory paragraphs were added by Wendover News. Neither Wendover News nor Numbers Limited intended to suggest that people could “get out of doing tax returns.” The intention of the article was to explain that expert professional help is on hand in Wendover if needed, to help with completing a tax return.

Lloyd centre in Stourbridge on the way to Birmingham. The 25 m pool at Handsworth Wellbeing Centre was enjoyable, as only one other person in the pool and a lifeguard on duty.

The bike ride took in Birmingham Canal, Sandwell Valley Country Park and Digbeth Branch Canal on the circular router avoiding a few downed trees from storm Darragh. The run in the late evening took in Birmingham’s festive Frankfurt Christmas Markets and Cathedral Square Craft Market – which were filled with people relaxing after their day’s work. The air was filled with great smelling food, beers and gluhwein as I ran by. It’s worth a visit if you’re in the Birmingham area just before Christmas!”

To be continued in the next issue…

Small Dean viaduct: The launch

By Richard Byford, with Murray Cooke

Wendover News

volunteer Richard Byford standing beside the viaduct when it was being fabricated, holding up a banana for scale.

On 31 January, the single most visual aspect of HS2’s work in the Wendover area will appear across the road just outside the town. When all other works are completed and the contractors have left, this conspicuous reminder will be evident for all to see for centuries to come.

Many people remember what it used to be like to drive out of Wendover on the London Road, in the direction of Great Missenden. Not far after passing the church on the left, the road would be joined by traffic coming out of Hale Road – which was was closed off some time ago. Further on, the road would be lined on both sides by trees and shrubs. A break in the vegetation on the left allowed a glimpse of a spinney in a small dip (which was marked “rifle range” on the old maps). Passing the gated boulevard leading to Boswells house and farm, you would see Road Barn Farmhouse, which had been built to look as if it had turned its back on the traffic. Apart from the addition in 1998 of the concrete-walled roundabout at the end of the bypass, most changes have been gradual. Not so now.

As long as a cruise liner

In the last two days of January and the start of February, EKFB, the main contractor for HS2, will ‘launch’ a huge steel and concrete viaduct deck structure at an angle across the road and railway. If it were a passenger ship, it would be the 14th longest in the world, at 345 metres.

If the structure were placed along the combined length of Wendover High Street and Pound Street, it would reach from the Clock Tower to almost as far as the bridge over the existing railway – and stand nearly as high as the Red Lion hotel. Even if it were hypothetically possible to place such a massive structure in the middle of the town, then the 14 metre-wide flared top would have ripped out the top frontages of many of the shops and offices that line the street. At almost 4,500 tonnes, it weighs about the same as all the combined family cars in Wendover put together.

The end of the viaduct currently sits, mostly hidden from sight, behind a tall (permanent) embankment on the left hand side of the road as you drive South. The sliding move to its permanent position will take about 50 hours, spread over a four-day period.

Consultations and development of the design

As a designated HS2 Key Design Element, the viaduct design came out for Public Consultation in September 2018. While the Department for Transport positioned the design as a “thing of beauty in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,” when Wendover

An artist’s impression of the viaduct, showing the final design

Picture: HS2

Photo: Simon Eccles

HS2 Mitigation Group surveyed the local community, 94% of the respondents thought that the design was not acceptable in the AONB; and that quality of life would suffer due to the noise impact from the trains. However, detailed requirements had been developed by the HS2 Chilterns AONB Review Group (involving Bucks Council, the local District Councils, Natural England and the Chilterns Conservation Board) so the eventual design minimised the visual intrusion.

Design changes included changing the number of viaduct spans from six to seven, repositioning the piers to allow for future widening of the A413 during its 100 year design life, and realignment of Small Dean Lane to the north of the viaduct.

Many local people were surprised by the visual impact of the eventual design that has massive girders made of “weathering steel” which will look rusty and very visible to motorists with its limited clearance of only 6m above the road. (To illustrate: most delivery vans are under 3m. Articulated lorries are mostly under 4m and the highest double decker buses are usually less than 4.5m.)

An artist’s impression of the viaduct showing a close-up of the weathered steel box girder, support fins and the bottom part of the 1.8m high textured concrete cladding

A spokesperson for HS2 Ltd said: “We recognise the importance of good design and each of these structures has been developed with consideration for the technical and structural requirements, as well as the impact on their surroundings. We will continue to engage with local people and organisations on these designs.”

In November 2018, the viaduct design was awarded by the HS2 Independent Design Panel, who said: “The panel warmly welcomes the designs being developed by Eiffage Kier with Moxon Architects – finding much to applaud in how the design team has creatively embraced this sensitive context while meeting the demanding requirements of high speed rail.” Residents of Wendover – some of whom will drive under it daily – were muted in their applause.

Full details about the viaduct are available in the “Design and Access Statement” available in the Bucks Council planning applications web portal with reference 23/00052/HS2.

Technical

The Design Award reflects wider considerations than just the visual impact, including the viaduct’s ability to handle future generations

of trains running in both directions at speeds of up to 250 mph (400kph) on a bend. To gain the required rigidity, the piled foundations for the viaduct piers go down 49 metres and the viaduct deck is a sophisticated “dual composite” approach. This was pioneered by Eiffage for viaducts on the French TGV network and uses remarkably little concrete (compared to the HS2 Colne Valley Viaduct), minimising the amount of carbon involved in building the structure.

The viaduct deck has been assembled from steel girders ferried from France in 25m long sections then welded together on-site to form the 345m long structure.

Pre-cast concrete slabs were produced in Derbyshire, and installed to form the upper and lower layers of the deck structure. The resulting deck is expected to weigh 4,350 tonnes and will be slid north into place, at a rate of 8 metres per hour over four days. Although it will appear that it is being pushed over the road and railway, the actual motive power is provided by a very powerful winch pulling it using an attachment at the rear which will be repositioned in stages.

Each of the ‘hammerhead’-topped upright piers sits on a thick concrete foundation, supported by reinforced-concrete boredpiles sunk into the hard ground 49 metres below

Photo: Richard Byford

Picture: HS2

The dual composite viaduct was constructed in France and transported to site, initially by sea and then by road. Once in the EKFB compound, the components were welded together electrically to make the structure shown in the above photograph. Each weld has been examined using x-ray to ensure there were no defects. The welds are the same strength as the structure’s original construction material.

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This photograph was taken in August 2024: Since then, pre-cast panels have been laid in the bottom of each section, and the concrete decking installed on the top. The addition of the concrete makes the structure much heavier and more challenging than the slightly longer viaduct already launched across Wendover Dean early last year.

Photo: Simon Eccles

This photograph, taken in August 2024 from the top of the most northerly pier in the series, shows the route that the viaduct will take across the road and railway. The yellow crane boom (centre, top) indicates where the viaduct sits, ready for its ultimate journey.

The A413 will be closed for one day to avoid motorists being distracted by the passage of the viaduct 6m overhead, and the Chiltern Line will then be halted for the following two days at the weekend, as the deck passes over railway tracks. An animation of the whole construction sequence is available at https://tinyurl.com/sdv2023video

Once the deck is in place we anticipate future night time closures of the A413 throughout 2025 to allow for the road to be realigned onto its final track, and for the installation of the pre-cast concrete viaduct parapets above the road.

The launch ‘event’

You don’t have to be a supporter of HS2 to be interested in the viaduct being launched over the road. Most people recognise that HS2 is going ahead (at least the bit near Wendover), so the viaduct is going to be built regardless. The launch will be spectacular and historic. It will also be educational – even if you have no interest in construction or aspirations to be an engineer. HS2 has been made

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aware that many people in Wendover and the surrounding area will want to see what is going on, and has made arrangements for the activity to be observed from as close a position as it can make safe for public access. HS2’s local engagement manager, Haroun Khan, met with Wendover News to provide some of the details.

He explained that areas from which you can view the viaduct will be limited by the terrain: the structure is only likely to move at a rate of about 8m/hr, so unless you stand still for quite a while, you won’t notice much action. It will still be interesting, but you can have too much of a good thing: once you have seen it moving, you have seen it moving. Think of it as an interesting 30 minute visit – not as a day out.

From Wendover, your best bet is to walk along the London Road or Hale Lane until you get to the roundabout at the end of the Wendover Bypass. On Friday 31 January, the Bypass will be closed and it will be OK to enter the A413 on foot, as far as the safety barriers across the road.

A similar arrangement will be in place from the Wendover Dean side, but you will need to make a substantial detour to get there from the Wendover side. EKFB is intending to close the A413 to traffic as far south as the Great Missenden roundabout. The road to the A413 from Dunsmore will also be closed as well as other roads over on the east side. We walked the obvious footpaths that might give you a view of the scene, but it was not possible to find one that was not obscured by trees or undulations in the terrain. The tree-lined drive to the A413 from Boswells is a private road and access will be strictly forbidden to safeguard livestock in the fields through which it runs.

On Saturday and Sunday 1-2 February, the A413 will be open once again, but the Chiltern Line Railway will then be closed. The viaduct will still be moving, but safe viewing areas will be limited. Vehicles will be transiting the roundabout, as they do normally, and it will be best to stay well back from the moving traffic. If you choose to go on those days, be particularly careful of passing vehicles – particularly as drivers are likely to be distracted. Children should be kept under close supervision at all times.

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Update: Other HS2 news

Ellesborough Road

During December the diversion was fully opened for two way traffic following removal of the old electricity sub-station and a repair to the gas main. We remain concerned about the design of the junction, as west-bound traffic tends to cut the corner and we are requesting a Road Safety Audit by Bucks Council before a serious accident occurs.

Wendover Green Tunnel foundations

In December work started at the foundation level for the first section of the Green Tunnel near the site of the old Cricket Ground, and the scale of the eventual structure can now be seen.

This is the only section of the tunnel where excavation down to the required level could be achieved, but the section south to Bacombe Lane should be completed in 2025.

Grove Farm Culvert shaft

The 17 metre deep caisson shaft has been completed in the big hole next to Bacombe Lane. The 2.4m diameter culvert will be mined using a Tunnel Boring Machine which is due to be lowered into position and launched towards Grove Farm in the first quarter of 2025. Clearly the ground conditions are suitable for tunnelling after all.

HS2 Railway Systems contracts

HS2 have now announced the winners for “Railway Systems” contracts covering the installation of the track, the overhead catenary pylons and mobile wireless masts which will follow completion of the civil engineering. We are awaiting details of what these (and the line-side power transformer sites) will actually look like.

HS2 Project plan reset

HS2 Ltd and the Department for Transport (DFT) were quizzed by the Public Accounts Committee about the cost escalation and project delays reported to Parliament in December. The new HS2 CEO has concluded that their Civil Engineering contracts need to be re-negotiated and a new project baseline plan needed which will take until mid 2026 to be agreed.

This will include completion of the civil engineering prior to the start of installation of the railways systems. DfT are hoping that trains will start running between Old Oak Common and Birmingham by 2033, but this is not committed by HS2.

Given this new push to cut costs there is a potential threat to Wendover that not all the reinstatement works we would expect, provision of the Chilterns Cycleway and most importantly, noise protection would ultimately be carried out. In addition there is always the threat that once green belt land will be reclassified as “grey” – suitable for development. Our 2025 action plan seeks to escalate these issues.

Noise

We are still pursuing responses for noise mitigation. So far HS2’s assessment methodology fails to adhere to the limits set in Undertaking and Assurance 73 to keep peak night time noise below 60dB. Their analysis only deals with noise mitigation if it is seen to exceed 65dB. This means that far more homes could be affected by the likely noise excedances than first thought. Over 400 homes in Wendover could be affected.

The issue has become more acute in Aylesbury with over 2,150 existing homes in Aylesbury likely to be affected, and that does not include the new housing developments to the west of Aylesbury. We will continue to raise this issue (working with Greg Smith MP, Laura Kyrke-Smith MP and our Bucks Councillors) to ensure both Wendover and Aylesbury secure noise mitigation that meets the undertakings in the HS2 Act.

Issues with HS2?

If you’re affected by the construction activity, please contact the HS2 Help-desk team on 08081 434 434 (which is available 24 hours a day) or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk to get your issues resolved. It helps if you have photographic evidence and please get a complaint reference number so that we can follow up issues as needed.

Need our help?

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

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Health and wellbeing

A few weeks ago many people made their New Year resolutions. If you are one of them, you may know by now which you will keep, and which you will quietly discard! If you forget about them, they cease to exist for you – it’s your choice. But do you know that you can also make other choices about how you think?

Choose positive

If you spend your time dwelling on the negative aspects of yourself and your life, then your life will flow in the direction of your negative thoughts. On the other hand, you could do exactly the opposite: when a negative thought drops into your consciousness, just bat it out of court, as if you were having a game of tennis.

Some things people say to you can affect your mood, for good or bad. A sincere and well-meant compliment can make you feel good for hours. Criticism or a sharp rebuke can spoil your day. What you hear can determine how you think – so try to be in situations where most of what you hear is positive and helps to make you feel good, and vice versa, you help others to feel good. Meetings with friends and associating with positive people helps our mood improve. It is quite possible to elicit something positive from a stranger in the street by simply smiling and saying hello to them or passing on a compliment to others. A seed sown for your own harvest!

Your subconscious is listening…

There is some evidence to support the idea that even talking to yourself can change both your mindset and behaviour. It is founded on the observation that what you hear gets processed by the brain slightly differently to what is only an unspoken thought. For some people, this can have profound and beneficial results: try making a list of all your good characteristics and read them out to yourself. If you can’t think of any, ask someone who loves you to help.

Put each positive item onto a Post-it note and place them around

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your mirror or fridge, whichever you go to most. Then each day say the good points about yourself out loud, even if you don’t necessarily agree with them initially. You will probably feel most comfortable doing so out of earshot of other people!

Sleep

positive

Sleep should be the part of the day when you rest, recover and recuperate. For some people, this is far from the case, and they wake up more anxious and worried than when they went to bed. If you go to bed thinking of all the things you haven’t managed to get done during the day and all the things that could go wrong tomorrow, then you can be sure your sleep will suffer, and your worries will be in the forefront of your mind the next day.

Try using a ‘to do’ list. Congratulate yourself for everything you have managed to achieve during the day and make sure everything you need to do the next day is on the list. Then put the list in another room away from where you sleep. Take time to unwind and relax before you sleep by doing something you enjoy and calms you down. Go to sleep thinking about things you achieved and enjoyed during the day. Easier said than done, I hear you say, but try dwelling on all the positive good points in your list, and purposely change your thoughts to the positive. It’s a workout for the mind and takes effort.

Good sleep is essential for us all. There are lots of guides on the best way to achieve this, but the key element is maintaining a pattern of behaviour which allows a similar bedtime and wake up time, even at weekends. Maintaining this pattern allows the body to synchronise the Circadian rhythms in our body’s internal clock and achieve healthy sleep patterns. This may take a little time to achieve, and smart watches, or similar, can assist in the transition.

Walk to positivity

Another of the easiest and best things you can do for good mental health and wellbeing, is to go outside and take a walk. Studies have shown that walking outdoors provides a multitude of mental health benefits. It can affect your mood, making you feel calm and more content. Walking outdoors can reduce stress levels; help manage symptoms of depression and anxiety; improve memory and cognitive function. I discussed this with Sue Clark, a local Wendover counsellor who, among other things, specialises in young people with depression. She is clear that a single walk will not immediately solve all your

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Call our local AA helpline, open 24/7 01628 530055 www.aachilternthames.org.uk National helpline 0800 917 7650 www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

problems. However, with continued practice over time, walking can positively contribute to an uplift in your mental wellbeing.

Fortunately, this doesn’t mean you have to take a 10km hike to feel the benefits! A short walk around the block can make a noticeable difference to someone who hasn’t been outside in a while. According to Sue, the mantra should be “little and often.”

Keep a ‘mood diary’ of your walks. Chart your progress and how your walking habit has affected your mood. The most obvious point, however, is that each of us is unique and therefore any interventions need to be tailored to you personally. The mood diary will help you work out what activity has the most benefit.

Social contact provides an opportunity to listen and share with others experiencing similar issues and to feel part of a larger community. The sense of belonging and being a valued member of a group is supportive of good mental health.

Lorna Archer

Westongrove changes appointments procedures

The Westongrove Partnership health practice, which runs Wendover Health Centre, says it is changing the way patients can request appointments, as a response to customer suggestions. It is no longer

Tailored book-keeping and accountancy solutions to suit you and your business e-mail: paul@ph-as.co.uk Tel:01296 621162 www.ph-as.co.uk

using the Ask First online/app system and has replaced it with a form on the practice’s own website, www.westongrove.com

All appointment requests will be reviewed by the clinical care navigation team (GPs, nurses, paramedics and admin). They will perform an assessment and decide on the best way to help, which could be an appointment, telephone call, referral to elsewhere, or advice.

Westongrove says that “All clinical requests submitted before 4pm will be handled the same day in order of urgency rather than first-come, first-served. Therefore, there is no need to rush in the morning.

However, the online service is only available on weekdays. The website says “Our online services are typically available Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm. Please note that access may also be temporarily unavailable due to staff training, public holidays or if all clinical resources have been exhausted for the day. For urgent medical concerns: Please call 111 or visit: https://111.nhs.uk.”

If you are unable to fill in the online form, you can telephone the surgery (Aylesbury is 01296 320384) or go to the reception during opening hours. The practice’s Contact Team will ask you all the necessary questions and complete the form with you. They will submit the form to the Care Navigation Team for processing.

THE PRACTICAL GARDENING COMPANY

Reliable Lady Gardeners Garden tidying Regular garden maintenance Tel: 07732 484545

For all your building requirements from patios and driveways to alterations and extensions

Building locally for 25 years

Please call 01296 582215

LANDCARE GARDEN SERVICES

Family run since 1985

Is your garden looking tired and uninspired? Well now! Is the time to seek help

With over fifty years of gardening experience, our family has been transforming gardens. We are happy to come and talk and offer advice on what your garden might need from simple tidying repairs to fencing, replanting to a complete garden redesign. Call Ben on 07922 845371 or email: benjaminthegardener@gmail.com for a free no obligation quote Landscaping, Paving, Turfing, Hedging, Fencing, Tree pruning, Replanting, Garden Clearance etc.

OSTEOPATH

Penny H. Dathan BsC (Hons) DO Please call 01296 696999 or email pennydathan@live.co.uk. to discuss your musculoskeletal needs. Website: www.pennydathanosteopath.co.uk

BBOWT

Club Corner

College Lake Reserve with its Visitor Centre shop and cafe will be open from 10am till 4pm every day in February, except Mondays. On Wednesday 19 February it will be hosting a family event for children with their parents. Details and booking on events@bbowt.org.uk All open access reserves are free to visit and there is information on work parties at volunteering@bbowt.org.uk

Wendover Cricket Club

Indoor training has started with juniors and girls only sessions on Saturdays, plus seniors on Sundays (now at the John Colet school). More info including new players’ enquiries to Jonathan Seabrook on 07767-148 119 or jseabrook@wendoveremail.co.uk

Wendover Bowls Club

Don Knight writes: I always feel that Christmas is like a sledge ride, you toil away getting to the top of the hill then, after a short adrenalin rush, it is all over and we wonder if it was worth it. But of course it is and I hope you all had a good time.

We held a coffee morning just before the day that was attended by almost our entire membership, with standing room only. Lots of hard work but it raised a significant sum. Over the days of Christmas there is a bit of a lull in matches but we did see the New Year in with a splendid party with a sit-down meal, games, quizzes and dancing to an excellent band. I must say by the time we saw the Old Year out it was way past my bedtime!

So here we go with a full programme of games, both internal and against other clubs. As we play most other bowls clubs within a 20-mile radius, with both home and away matches, it does need a lot of organising by our hardworking competition secretaries.

Our poor old green is looking very tired at present but this isn’t a good time of the year for any lawn and let’s hope all the hard work will pay off in the spring. Meanwhile we carry on with indoor matches in the comfort of the clubhouse. Though the indoor game is very different to outdoors it still holds the same frustrations with the bowls taking on a life of their own and even a little verbal Anglo Saxon encouragement does not make them see the error of their ways. Why do I do it? I’m sure it is bad for my blood pressure…but I do enjoy it.

Keep warm. Roll on the spring.

Happiness is Scottish Country Dancing

Liz Mitchell writes: The autumn term was rounded off in great style with our popular Christmas Dance. Our marvellous band provided some thrilling music, spurred on by the joy emanating from the dance floor.

We were joined by eight dancers from our (new) twin club in Jerez, Spain, who not only participated with energy and enthusiasm but enjoyed the hospitality of our own dancers during their stay. The twinning arrangement is a new venture for both clubs and already one of our teachers has visited Jerez to offer tuition. We look forward to discovering how the arrangement can be developed to our mutual benefit.

The Ceilidh Dance we held in November, in aid of St Michael’s Open House Project, was such a success that we’ve been asked to run another! Just over 70 people attended and were soon tempted on to the floor by the wonderful music of Ian and Tom Robertson, our talented local musicians. Some skilful MC-ing by one of our teachers kept everyone in order. We were delighted that over £900 was raised for the church funds.

Did you know that Wendover has a swimming pool on the schools campus at Wharf Road? It’s a volunteer-run charity and has public swimming sessions every day. here are free and paid memberships available, and bookings are fully online. ore information, membership and booking at www.wendoverswimmingpool.co.uk

This amount can be added to our other fundraising efforts for our own Charity of the Year, Bank Farm Riding for the Disabled, which brings this term’s total to around £1,400. In addition, we’ve continued to donate items to the Chiltern Food Bank. This reflects the generosity of our dancers who are very happy to fundraise while they dance! By the time you read this, tuition will have resumed for both our classes, but there will still be time for new dancers to join our Beginners’ Class. Scottish country dancing is particularly good for physical and mental fitness, so if you want to improve yours in the year ahead, please join us. We’re a welcoming bunch, eager to help and would love to share the joy of dancing with you.

You can book a place in our Beginners’ Class via our website which contains useful information about class content, teaching videos and photographs too. Email lucyclarkscottish@gmail.com or see www. lucyclarkscottish.org.

Wendover Business Network

Leigh Porter writes: In the years since the lockdowns it seems community engagement, local shopping and visits to our local clubs and groups are struggling to get back to “pre-pandemic” levels. Zoom meetings seem to be replacing the village hall face-to-face gatherings.

After Wendover Publicans suggested a get-together with all local businesses in order to help strengthen the business community spirit, a suggestion was sparked by the meetings to organise the Wendover Pub Crawls.

As a continuation, the Wendover Business Network was created and is carrying on with that spirit. There are now 44 members on the Wendover Business Network WhatsApp group, who are keeping in touch and meeting up every six weeks or so at a local venue over a drink and some nibbles, simply to keep in touch with what matters to the business community, have a gossip, often a good moan, and share their good news and concerns. This coming together is also helping to focus the Network into some action, with the debacle over the changes in the library car park and the proliferation of more white lines and reduced parking spaces being a prominent current topic.

It’s not only a chance to moan: new friendships are being forged and there is a growing sense of comradery among the Network. Our MP Greg Smith and Wendover Parish Chair, Clive Gallagher, have also come along to see how they can help the local business community. If you are a local business owner or work in Wendover and would like to join the Network you can get details from a member or Leigh Porter 07963 407724.

The next Network gathering will be hosted by Tim Guy at Andrew Gardners, The Tanyard, Tring Road, at 5.30 on Thursday 27 February, with the following one at The Red Lion.

TRIBUTE: Odile Pollard

By Margaret (Shinde), John, and Rachel (Dixon)

Odile Pollard, née Rouve, lived in Wendover with her family from 1978 until she returned home to Switzerland in June 2015. She was born in December 1944 in Geneva, Switzerland. She suffered the tragic loss of her mother aged two and her father aged 15. She was close to her brother, Bertrand, whom she lost in 2020. Odile’s life was not shaped by these tragedies. Whilst at school, Odile became a Christian and it was her faith in God and His goodness that shaped her life.

Odile was an adventurer! After finishing school, she moved to England as an au pair before moving back home to study nursing in Lausanne, Switzerland. Next was Antwerp, Belgium to study tropical medicine before midwifery studies in Gloucester, where she first encountered her future husband, David. Following a further meeting in Switzerland, they corresponded by letter for two years whilst she worked in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. David and Odile married in June 1975 and lived and worked in Angers, France, where Margaret was born. David’s job at Aylesbury Grammar School brought them to Wendover, where John and Rachel completed the family!

youth groups, collected sheets to rip and roll into bandages for leprosy patients in India, cleaned for people and helped care for her mother-in-law.

When Rachel left home, Odile returned to nursing at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, where she worked until she was obliged to retire aged 70. David and Odile made plans to retire to Switzerland, having spent many happy holidays in their chalet in Chateau d’Œx. David died unexpectedly after a short illness, just 10 days before the big move. Odile bravely left Wendover, alone, in June 2015 to begin her adventure in Chateau d’Œx, where she once again became a well known face in the village. Living in Switzerland also enabled her to be closely involved in the lives of her four oldest grandchildren.

Sadly, Odile was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in December 2023. She defied the odds and survived 11 months before dying peacefully in her sleep on 12 November 2024. She leaves behind Margaret and Tim with Reuben and Joshua, John and Hannah with Samuel and Benjamin and Rachel and Paul with James and Grace.

A service to celebrate her life took place in St Peter’s church in Chateau d’Œx on Friday 15 November. It can we viewed on YouTube here: www.youtube.com/live/8koHsbb9gvw?si=V1Vd8Ly6y-VTYHIB

Odile featured as local Face in May 2010 - wendovernews.co.uk/ news/local-face-odile-pollard/

Odile was a familiar face in Wendover over the years. She would often be seen on her bike, always shopping locally. She volunteered at playgroups, ran fair trade good stalls, taught Sunday school, ran

David’s Tribute appeared August 2015 - wendovernews.co.uk/news/ tribute-to-david-pollard/ Tribute August 2015

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From left – Rachel, Margaret, John, David, Odile, David’s mother

LOCAL FACE:

Cllr Clive Gallagher

By Jane Larkham

Clive Gallagher is the recently appointed Chair of Wendover Parish Council.

He was born and educated in Harrow. In his youth he was a very keen athlete, representing Middlesex, and was a member of the Thames Valley Harriers youth cross-country team that won both the Southern counties and National cross-country titles.

Clive worked for Barclays Bank for 30 years, starting in the City and then in various head office roles. He also undertook a number of overseas postings with his family, as risk management director in Zambia, and head of international business support, based in South Africa. During the late 2000s global financial crisis he was responsible for leading teams dealing with all Barclays problem debt outside the UK, with responsibility for over 500 staff across 20 jurisdictions.

He is married to Annette, who he met while working for Barclays. They have three adult children, who all attended schools in Wendover and Aylesbury. Daniel works for a bank in the City, Ryan works for the Department for Business & Trade in the Civil Service and Colette is a primary school teacher in Chalfont St Peter.

Clive is very keen on all sport, he is an occasional participant in Park Run, plays golf on a regular basis and was a very keen football player when he was younger. He no longer plays football, but is a Chelsea season ticket holder and attends matches with his sons. He also enjoys taking his dog for daily walks and you will regularly find him up at Wendover Woods or along the canal.

Clive has lived in Buckinghamshire for over 30 years, the last 20 having been in Wendover. He is a passionate supporter of the High Street and wants to ensure we can find ways to preserve what we have and help our local businesses.

In 2014 he set up his own consultancy, and advised companies, banks, hedge funds and regulators in the UK and Europe on distressed debt positions. He was extensively involved in the FCA review of RBS’s Global Restructuring Group, which investigated how small businesses experiencing financial difficulties were treated by RBS.

Clive is involved with a number of charities. He visits local schools to tell them about the work of CAFOD (Catholic Agency for Overseas Development) and is also actively involved with the St Vincent de Paul Society. He is a trustee of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Northampton and chairs its Finance & Audit Committee. Clive is an active member of St Annes RC Church in Wendover.

FRANK FENNELL

He believes that ideas, like the recent “Wendover Pub Crawl,” which encouraged people to visit our local pubs, and the “Make Wendover Smile” campaign, help all our businesses and we need to encourage other activities that will promote Wendover. He is keen to ensure that the impacts of HS2 are minimised and, while recognising the need for house building, believes we should have control over development in our local area.

He has been on the Parish Council since 2021 and has been Chair of the Finance Committee for the last few years and also Vice-Chair of the council for the last 18 months.

PLUMBING & HEATING

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Peter Bird Garden Design

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call Peter on 01296 622790 www.peterbirddesign.co.uk

The views expressed by contributors are their own and not necessarily the views of the editor. If you have a complaint or concern about content in Wendover News, please visit www.wendovernews.co.uk/complaints Postal address only – no visitors: 11 Manor Road, Wendover, HP22 6HL

When you have finished reading this edition of Wendover News, please pass it on to a friend or recycle it responsibly.

Hello 2025!

Wendover Parish CouncilView from the Clock Tower

Wendover Parish Council hopes everyone has had a great start to 2025, and that you have a healthy, happy, and prosperous year. In 2025 we will see local government elections in Buckinghamshire and this includes Parish Council elections - so look out for more information on this.

Christmas in Wendover 2024

It seems so long ago but we would like to thank everyone who attended the Christmas events in Wendover. This year they were all popular and full of Christmas cheer. It was great to see the community come together.

The “Support Local this Christmas” message was echoed at the Light Switch On, with local businesses and charities attending the event. Thank you to all traders and food and drink vendors who attended. The event raised money for Wendover Dementia Support and we will confirm the total amount raised at the Annual Parish Meeting this year!

The event would not have happened without our sponsors: N K Building & Renovations Ltd; J Brown Funeral Services Ltd; Wendover Computers Ltd and Bel & The Dragon, Wendover.

Thank you to Santa for taking time out of his busy schedule to be at our grotto, and also Adam & Callum the helpful and friendly elves.

Wendover Local Produce Market

Saturday 15 February, 10am to 2pm Manor Waste

We're looking for new traders! Contact estates@wendover-pc.gov.uk

www.facebook.com/wendoverparish

Bucks Radio hosted the event and brought along the Bucks Bear –huge thanks to them. Also to Fieldz for providing the staging and tech for the event and to John Colet School Choir and Wendover Choral Society for entertaining us on the night. Chiltern Railways provided free parking for the event. A very welcome gesture!

Look out for information on further Parish Council events during 2025.

Christmas 2024 Competition Winners

Christmas Window Competition, the winner is Eileen’s of Wendover and she has won a three month advertising campaign.

Christmas Tree Decoration Competition

Thanks to the staff and students at Wendover C of E Junior School, Jack in the Box Pre School and The John Hampden School nursery Crickets class for their decorations for the tree this year!

The winner of the 6+ category is Florence from Wendover C of E Junior School with

the impressive Clock Tower decoration. The winner of the 2-4 category is Ivy from John Hampden School nursery Crickets class.Thank you for your colourful decoration, huge congratulations.

On a more serious note...

Buckinghamshire Highways has started a Statutory Consultation as part of the Buckinghamshire Electric Vehicle Action Plan. This includes plans to install new Electric Vehicle (EV) charging bays across Wendover.

Details of the consultation are on the parish council’s website at https://bit.ly/3WenMuX The page also gives information on how you can participate in the consultation.

Let’s shape a sustainable future for Wendover together!

Parish Council Meeting Tuesday 4 February, 7:30pm

St Anne’s Hall, Aylesbury Road HP22 6JG Information about upcoming meetings: www.wendover-pc.gov.uk