Wendover News September 2023

Wendover wins Best Kept Town Trophy

Wendover Parish Council is rightly proud to announce that Wendover has once again won the Michaelis Cup, a Trophy Awarded to the Best Kept (Small) Town in Buckinghamshire size 3,000+ residents.

Our town last won it in 2018, (see photo), but Wendover is a regular recipient. Thanks are due to the Parish Council Staff for their devolved work with grass cutting (while observing No Mow May as appropriate) and general tidiness. Thanks also go to residents who keep their gardens looking attractive.

Visitors often comment to shopkeepers how much they enjoy coming to Wendover.

The Buckinghamshire Best Kept Village Competition was founded in 1957 as an initiative driven by Sir Francis Dashwood and the Local Councils’ Association. The competition’s objective is to encourage entrants to work together as a community, involving all age groups, to make villages and towns more attractive places, not only for

residents but also for visitors. Due to Covid restrictions, the Competition could not run in 2020 and 2021 but was re-launched in 2022.

Bill Chapple, chairman of the Best Kept Village Competition, commented on the 2023 Competition, “The standard of entries was again very high and showed how much diverse community effort is put in to keep our villages and towns looking so nice. The winners will be presented with their trophies at ceremonies in the villages and town on Saturday 23 September.

He continued, "I would like to thank all our sponsors –Buckinghamshire Council, Milton Keynes Council, RT Machinery (Winchendon), CloudyIT (Buckingham), The Buckingham Designer and Motts Travel without whose support we wouldn’t be able to run the competition.

RAF Flypast

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 Send contributions for October 2023 during the week commencing

Monday

11 September

(including payments for adverts) book early to avoid disappointment

07340 993802

editor@wendovernews.co.uk

Postal address only – no visitors: 11 Manor Road, Wendover, HP22 6HL 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.

To celebrate the completion of training at RAF Halton, a flypast will take place, weather permitting.

Wednesday 6 & 27 September 2023

Jane Larkham, editor, Wendover News

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

Physics/Science/Maths Tutor

I am a qualified teacher with 14 years experience at mixed schools.

Tuition in physics, chemistry and maths at KS3/KS4 at your home

Please phone David on 07930 948017

CHILTERN FOOT HEALTH SERVICES

Ian Phipps MCFHP MAFHP Foot Health Practitioner (Wendover - based)

Home visits - 01296 623851

Surgery at the Belmore Centre 01296 612361

Registered member of the British Association of Foot Health Professionals

Make sure you plan well ahead

If you are organising an event locally, here’s how you can increase its chances of being successful; make sure you get it listed in these events pages in good time. This is particularly important if your event will be taking place at the end of a month.

Wendover News is distributed before the last weekend of the month and the preparation for printing begins nearly three weeks before that. So if you want an entry in this section, you may need to be planning up to seven weeks in advance.

Local Walks and Cycle Rides

Simply Walk - Weekly walks on Tuesdays from Wendover Clock Tower, leaving 10am, please arrive at least 15 minutes early to register with the walk leader. After the walk, you can socialise at the weekly allages drop-in at Wendover Christian Centre.

Aylesbury Cycling UK has group rides throughout the county. They all have leaders and alternate weekly between newcomer and easy pace rides, aylesburycuk@gmail. com.

Cornelli Sugarcraft Classes

Dates vary. For more details please visit www.cornellisugarcraft.co.uk/our-courses

See ad p13.

Cream Teas, St Mary's, Weston Turville Mon 28 Aug & Sun 24 Sep, 3-5pm, Treat yourself at St Mary’s in Church Walk. See ad p4.

THE JOHN COLET SCHOOL

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

Vacancies include: Casual Invigilators Learning Support Assistants (for immediate and September starts)

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

www.johncolet.co.uk

Chilterns Light Network

30 August, 7.30 for 8pm Wen Mem Hall

Identifying our spiritual gifts.

SEPT: 6 The importance of earthing and grounding for wellbeing. 13 Harry Rhodes, very popular presenter on the energetic health effects of purifying water and managing EMFs. 20 Peter Ritter explains the new technology which uses frequencies to heal the body. 27 Somatic breathwork.

Poetry Please

Fri 1, 10.30am, Wendover Christian Centre

This month our theme will be ‘Friends’. Bring a suitable poem to read or see what others have found. Everyone welcome!

Table Top Sale

Sat 2, 10am-Noon, HP16 0AL

In front of Great Missenden Library

This will be held as part of the MacMillan Coffee Morning tradition. Please donate cakes, or buy some! Call Jill York 07846 534301.

Annual Mixed Netball Tournament

Sat 2, 10am, John Colet Courts

Shooting competition, raffle, bbq, bar. £70 per team. Email: wendoverladiesnetball@ hotmail.com

Orlando Jopling Amazing Cello concert

Sat 2, 7.30pm, St Peter & St Paul

Orlando Jopling returns to play the three remaining Bach Suites at Great Missenden. Tickets £15, Students £5 incl refreshments.

Kimble & Ellesborough Horticultural Society

Sun 3, 2 00–4 30 pm, Stewart Hall, Little Kimble

Autumn Show includes beautiful dahlias and chrysanthemums as well as offering delicious home-made teas.Tues 5 Bulbs for the Year and How They Get to your Garden John Amand, bulb specialist and Chelsea gold medal winner from Jacques Amand International Ltd., will talk about bulbs, some common and others more specialist.

Cracklewick Morris

Tues 5, 8.15 -10:15pm. Halton Village Hall

Come and meet the brand-new Morris side Cracklewick Morris and even have a go. See article p19.

Craft Group

Weds 6 & 20, 10am to 12 noon, Wendover Christian Centre Craft Group provides warm 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 will be served at about 11am.

Chiltern Miniaturists Club

Wed 6, 7.30pm, Halton Village Hall

Learn how to make woven rugs for miniature scenes, including how to make the initial loom. If you are interested in joining, the club meets at Halton Village Hall, at 7.30 pm on the first Wednesday of each month. For more information, contact Diane on 07899 090399 or arcadia96@btinternet.com.

Wendover Horticultural Society

Thurs 7, 2.30 pm, St Anne’s Hall, Wendover Colin Oakes, a well-known speaker locally, will talk about “Burnham Beeches, countryside protected by the City” cost £3.00. Tues 12

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Chiltern Young Creatives

Join us at Real Magic bookshop

Sun 24 Sept, 11:00am and Sun 22 Oct to finish YOUR book (Fred in the Shed), ready for Christmas. Register with bookshop or library or phone 07525 777888

LEGACY FAIRS

Antiques & Collectors Market Wendover Memorial Hall

Thursday 21 September 9am-2pm (Trade 8am)

For updates Tel: 07503 465532 or email: peterphillips39@yahoo.com

Entrance by donation to Charity

BRENDAN MCFALL

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INTERIOR & EXTERIOR

01296 294175

07581 693653

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Cream Teas - 3 to 5pm St Mary’s, Church Walk, Weston Turville

BH Monday 28 August Sunday 24 September

All welcome

Events

Continued from previous page...

Coach trip to the RHS gardens at Hyde Hall, Essex. Cost £30 as RHS affiliation entitles us to free entry. Space available at time of writing, visitors welcome. If interested, contact Diane, on 01296 624401.

Lucy Clark Scottish Country Dancing

Thurs 7, 7.30pm, Wendover Memorial Hall

The club is restarting after a summer break. To book a place, please contact via the website. First visit is free. www. lucyclarkscottish.org See article p19.

Chiltern Alpine and Rock Garden Group

Fri 8, 7.30pm, Village Hall, Great Kingshill, HP15 6DW

Speaker, Ray Broughton - illustrated talks on growing alpines, and how to use a cold greenhouse. Visitors welcome. https:// chilternalpinegroup.org See ad p5.

Real Magic Events in September

2 Kings Head Parade, High St, Wendover Sat 9, John Niven talks about his new memoir O Brother, the story of John’s younger brother and his suicide at the age of 42. Thurs 14, Widows of Ice: The Women that Scott’s Antarctic Expedition Left Behind with Anne Fletcher. Fri 22, 7pm, Real Magic Music live at The Legion in Chiltern Road, Wendover, very special guest Iraina Mancini! Wed 27, Pessimism Is For Lightweights with Salena Godden. Sat 30, Our 1st Birthday! We’ll be in the shop to welcome you and say thank you for supporting us. www. realmagicbooks.com

Chilterns 3 Peaks Challenge

Sun 10, Princes Risborough School, HP27 0DR

The walking event offers three alternative routes. Tickets £15 adults, £7.50 for children (5-16), u5s free, Group tickets are £40 for two adults and two children. See p9.

RAF Halton Heritage Open Day

Sun 10, 10am–4pm, Halton House, HP22 5NN

A rare opportunity to see the interior of Halton House. The Trenchard Museum and the James McCudden Flight Heritage Centre will also be open. Extensive parking available at Halton House, free transport to the Museum and Flight Centre. Free Admission. See p15.

Wendover Evening WI

Tues 12, 7.30pm, St Anne’s Hall, HP22 6GJ Speaker, Victoria Baptiste, will be giving a talk entitled “A picture tells a thousand stories”. Victoria will explore the power of storytelling and messaging in images. If you are interested in joining our friendly group then please ring Sheila on 07743 133963. See p12.

Countryways CIC Growing Project

Thurs 14, 5 - 6.30pm, Road Farm, Great Missenden, HP16 9LS

Discussion on growing sustainably, the value of heritage plants and associated health benefits of eating a variety of colourful vegetables and fruit. Participants will plant a range of plants for winter/early spring cropping. www.roadfarmcountryways.com

The Aylesbury Centre National Trust

Thurs 14, 8pm Broughton Junior School HP20 1NQ

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Register of Exercise Professionals Level 3

Jim Ellis talks on "Who are you, and why are we different?" Details from aylesburycentrent@gmail.com

Aston Wine Club

Fri 15, 8pm, Buckland Village Hall, HP22 5HZ

With Carole Hazlehurst, Association of Wine Educators. Enjoy a “welcome drink” before the tasting at 8pm, light buffet at 9pm. www.astonwineclub.co.uk/

RNLI

Sat 16, 10am-2pm, Local Produce Market, Wendover

Visit the stall to find out more about this great charity. See p20.

Book Club

Sat 16, 10.30 to 11.30am, Wendover Christian Centre

Find out about authors and titles others have read. At Book Club, there are 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.

Discover Bucks Museum presents CRAFTED

16 Sep to 7 Oct, 11am-2pm, Ayles HP20 2QP

In collaboration with The Buckinghamshire Craft Guild. Daily demonstrations. Sat 23, 10am and 3pm - Meet the makers and take part in some family craft activities.

FlorenceFest – Roman Park Hall, Aylesbury HP18 0YT

Sat 16 September, noon - midnight.

A fun filled day (and night) with live music, street food and drink. wendovernews.co.uk/news/florencefest-16-september-2023/

Aylesbury Vale Stitchers

Sat 16, 2.30pm, Wendover Memorial Hall, HP22 FLU

With speaker, Jaany Ravenscroft-Hull, Wendover artist and designer, who runs a set of art workshops including felt making and batik www.whereinspirationblooms.co.uk. See p12.

Open Garden for the NGS

Sat 16 & Sun 17 from 2-5 pm, 10 Manor Road, HP22 6HQ

You are invited to visit Acer Corner, a stunning Japanese-inspired garden, lovingly designed by owner Jo Naiman. It offers a serene and peaceful atmosphere with beautiful Japanese maples and carefully placed shrubs and stones. Experience the tranquillity and beauty of this unique space. £4/adult, children free. All proceeds go to the National Garden Scheme charity

BBOWT

Tues 19, Doors open 7pm for 7.45pm

Gt Missenden Memorial Centre, HP16 9AE

Phil Townsend, volunteer warden of Aston Clinton Ragpits Reserve will talk on ‘Wildflowers and Butterflies of the Chilterns’, highlighting some rare or very localised species. Admission £4 incl. refreshments and raffle ticket. Free parking. Talks will be on the third Tuesday of every month until February. See p12.

Climate Action Wendover (CLAW)

Thurs 21, 7pm, Witchell Cricket Clubhouse, HP22 6EG ‘Pint and Planet’ social event including presentation on saving energy at home. All are welcome. See p14.

Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care Quiz

Fri 29, 7 for 7:30pm, Wendover Memorial Hall, HP22 6HF

Bring your own meal and enjoy a drink or two from the pay bar. Make up your own table of 8 or join another. Tickets £10 per person from the Rennie Grove shop. We hope you will join us for a very enjoyable evening!

Weston Turville Historical Society

Fri 29, 7.30 for 8pm, Weston Turville Village Hall, HP22 5RW “Windsor Castle, 1,000 years of history”. Speaker – Sophie Jones. Entrance - £2 members, £3 visitors

Coming soon - save the date

Sat 7 Oct, 6.30 for 7.15pm.

Classical Concert, St Mary’s Church, Drayton Beauchamp £30pp E: benefice3@gmail.com/

Wendover Shed Quiz Night

Fri 13 October, 7 for 7.30pm Wendover Memorial Hall HP22 6HF. For details email: emilychesson99@gmail.com

Chiltern Alpine and Rock Garden Group

Chiltern Gentian

We are a group of plant lovers ranging from alpine specialists to people who just enjoy plants of all sorts

New members wanted.

Come and join us!

Monthly meetings at 7.30 pm 2nd Friday of month Sept to May Zoom meetings January & February

The Village Hall, Great Kingshill, High Wycombe. HP15 6DW.

Parking at hall or at the Common

Meetings

2023 Presentation Speaker

Sept 8 Alpine Gardening and The Cold Greenhouse Ray Broughton

Oct 13 The floweriest places in the World Bob Gibbons

Nov 10 Gardens of the Italian Lakes Alan Mason

Dec 8 (Talk TBC) Christmas Social Members talk 2024

Jan 12 Wild daffodils and other Spanish gems (Zoom) Razvan Chisu

Feb 9 Utrecht Botanic Garden (Zoom) Connor Smith

Mar 8 Travels in Japan Diane Clement

Apr 12 A tour of West Green House Gardens Gareth Manning

May 10 Switzerland - Vaud and Valais through the Seasons Anthony Goode

Visitors very welcome (£4) or join us with an Annual Subscription: £18.00 per person, plus a hall meeting attendance charge of £1 to cover refreshments

Contact: John Gill 0776 195 1676 Email chilternalpinegroup@gmail.com

McCOY’S FISH AND CHIPS

When we’re wrong, we say we are wrong…

We were mortified to discover that two of the adverts in the last edition went badly wrong. Wendover News is run for the community and the businesses who advertise are part of that community. The adverts for both McCoys and Fairstone fell well below the standards we set for ourselves. Sorry.

Delicious butcher meatballs

McCoys invested in rebuilding their premises in the High Street and recently revamped their menu and brought in additional staff. The announcement of the new menu deserved a great advert. You can see what it should have looked like on the left-hand side of this page. Fairstone, formerly Hase Osborne, the independent financial advisors, are a long-standing supporter of Wendover News, having taken their favoured spot on the bottom of the back page for as long as most people remember. It’s back there now, in its former glory.

Chicken thighs

Chicken wings

Soon after we go to print, we use the print files, to create an online version. The good news is that we were able to correct the online version, https://wendovernews.co.uk/print-editions/, which probably gets read even more than the print version. Even better, when you click on most of the adverts on the online version, the browser either takes you to the advertiser’s website or initiates an email to them.

Note for techies

The pages are made up using Adobe InDesign CC, in a process which is typically carried out over an intense one week timeframe each month.

Our production team is very small and as the publication is about to be handed over to the new community-owned company, we could do with some having some volunteers on standby who know InDesign.

If you are a graphics or print specialist and know how to use InDesign, we would like to meet up with you. Beginner, or expert, email us: getinvolved@wendovernews.org

Green Tunnel and North Cutting excavation approved by the Environment Agency

We are delighted to announce a breakthrough with HS2 following 10 years of campaigning to protect Wendover watercourses.

HS2 has acknowledged that the Wendover North Cutting would impact the flow of water from the Coombe Hill Aquifer; and has now designed a scheme that will protect the Weston Turville Reservoir nature reserve for future generations. The first phase of the works has started following approval by the Environment Agency.

History

Back in 2013 the Wendover Parish Council was concerned that the draft “Environmental Statement” did not adequately address the impact of the railway on the local watercourses and commissioned a Consultant Hydrogeologist to investigate. We discovered that groundwater flowing from the Coombe Hill Aquifer would discharge into the “Wendover North Cutting”, potentially reducing the supply to the Weston Turville Reservoir Site of Special Scientific Interest and Nature Reserve.

The diverted water would flow downhill towards Stoke Mandeville and increase the existing flood risks in Aylesbury.

Presentation to the House of Commons Select Committee in 2016 resulted in HS2 disagreeing with our view that “tanking” of the cutting would be needed and saying that any issues would be sorted out at the future design stage. However, the MPs demanded provision of a series of monitoring wells from HS2. We measured the groundwater in those wells until 2020 when we had conclusive proof that the water levels had been up to 5 metres above the expected track height at the North Cutting.

During 2021 we had several technical meetings with HS2 as its modelling of the ground conditions and water flows developed, but this appeared to be focused on the impact to the land within 1000 metres of the line; which excluded the Weston Turville Reservoir. We attempted further engagement with both HS2 and the Environment Agency during 2022 to understand the proposed design but this was blocked despite repeated escalation to the Secretary of State for Transport.

The high level design of the North Cutting was revealed in the August 2022 submission to Bucks Council, and we eventually gained access to the details in July 2023 and sought an opinion from a Consultant Hydrogeologist.

The design

A 600 metre section of the North Cutting immediately north of the Green Tunnel will be “tanked” using an underground wall going down 32 metres through the porous chalk layer and embedded into the underlying clay. Walls will be formed on east and west sides of the railway; and also underneath the track at the mouth of the Green Tunnel.

Groundwater flowing east from Coombe Hill will find new routes

to the south of the wall (flowing underneath the green tunnel in porous foundations) or heading north towards Nash Lee down a flight of ponds which will control the rate at which water will discharge into Stoke Brook.

The wall diverting some of the water to the north means that the flows heading east will be reduced, affecting Wendover Brook which feeds the Weston Turville Reservoir and some tributaries that flow into Stoke Brook.

We were pleased to see that the HS2 modelling has now included the impact on the reservoir, covering both the volume and quality

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needed to protect the downstream environmental ecosystems. The reservoir is fed from a combination of Wendover Brook (beside Halton Lane) and two brooks from the Wendover Arm Canal. HS2’s analysis shows that there will be sufficient flows from the canal to cover the shortfall in Wendover Brook; and maintain the current situation where the reservoir perpetually outflows to the north. While the chemical composition of the flows are slightly different, the resulting levels of nitrates and phosphates will be very similar and not adversely affect the ecology.

is expected to start in November, and a second concrete works is being established to make the massive volume of concrete slurry needed for the underground walls.

Maintaining the Stoke Brook tributaries to the east of the cutting will require topping-up of the water volume, which will be achieved by creation of a new well in Rushey Meadow, one of the fields between Dobbins Lane and the King’s Farm Shop.

To ensure that the system works in practice there are two main developments. Firstly HS2 has installed a significant number of additional monitoring points for groundwater levels, stream flow rates, and water quality which will enable monthly monitoring of the performance of the system. This is planned to be in use for at least six years after the start of train operations, which will allow seasonal aspects to be handled. Secondly, the results from this monitoring will then be used to “tune” the system using some flow control features that are also being included in the detailed design.

Overall our assessment is that the scheme is the best we are going to get and the potential impact on Weston Turville reservoir has now been factored in. We now need to ensure that the regular monthly monitoring is done and that the Councils receive the associated reports. Further details are available on our website at www.whs2.org/water.htm

The works

Between Ellesborough Road and Folly Bridge approval has been given to excavate down to 3m above the ground water level. Removing 40,000 cubic metres of 'dry chalk' started in August, and will involve about 3,000 dump truck return trips. North of Nash Lee Road excavation of the exposed clay has also started. Between Folly Bridge and Nash Lee Road the tanking of the cutting

A413 Small Dean closures

During August there were closures of the A413 to enable piling work next to the railway line for “Pier 5” of the Small Dean viaduct. This month we’re expecting more overnight road closures preparing for “east” realignment of the carriageways expected in the autumn. This is is to enable the piling for “Pier 3”, being part of the complex multi-year plan to build the viaduct. HS2’s animation of what’s coming is at https://tinyurl.com/sdv2023video

Ellesborough Road issues

Three more weeks of full closure of Ellesborough Road are expected to bring the diversion over the temporary bridge into use. Various cable ducts were installed during the July closures, but there’s still rerouting of other underground utility services to be done as well as the “tie-ins” to the existing carriageways. HS2 is now estimating that the new road will open in November, but this could well change as some of the contractors are outside of HS2’s direct control.

Issues with HS2?

If you’re affected by the construction activity, please contact the HS2 Helpdesk 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.

Doing what’s right for Wendover

Cross-section of North Cutting

Artist's impression of the second concrete plant to be constructed near Nash Lee Road

Local News

Roy Collins

Wendover News was sorry to hear that Roy Collins, Wendover Motor Spares, passed away on 25 July. We send our condolences to his family and friends.

Closure of Wendover Twinning Association

I felt I had to write to say how sorry I was to hear about the end of an era. Having taught at John Colet for 28 years, I was lucky enough to visit Liffré on many occasions including taking the school production of West Side Story there along with the school orchestra and many helpers , including parents, staff and Philip Mitchell the head teacher. Over the years I made lasting friendships, received the most amazing hospitality and enjoyed the company of the wonderful students I was privileged to teach.

Many not-so-young people will be left with a wealth of lovely memories like mine. Thanks to everyone involved over the years.

Averil Wilkinson M.B.E

Annual Village Quiz

Please remember to contact Wendover Parish Council by Monday 4 September to enter your team in the Annual Village Quiz. It takes place in the Bowls Club in Dobbins Lane on Thursday evenings in October and November, excluding half term. Teams of three compete head to head in a knock out competition. More details at www. wendover-pc.gov.uk/annual-quiz

Chilterns 3 Peaks

Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care is encouraging local people to put their best

foot forward and sign up for the return of its annual Chilterns 3 Peaks challenge event this September. Taking place on Sunday, 10 September 2023, the walking event offers three alternative routes, which all take in some of the Chilterns’ most spectacular peaks. All three routes begin at Princes Risborough School with 6.5, 10 and 18mile options available. The longest of the routes tackles all three peaks – Whiteleaf Cross, Coombe Hill and Ivinghoe Beacon –before a bus takes walkers back to the start point. Transport for the day has kindly been donated by Arriva which is providing both vehicles and drivers to support the event. This year’s event is supported by headline sponsor, Origin Doors and Windows, as well as R. Benson which is supporting this event for the second year.

Laura Elliot, Head of Supporter Fundraising at Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care, says: “The Chilterns 3 Peaks is a long-established event in the area that has been well supported by local people over the years. Every penny raised by the event is used to provide patient care and as we have extended the reach of our services through our recent merger, we’re aiming to make it even more successful than ever before - so we can reach more people in our local area.

“For this we really need the support of our local communities. Whether you have a personal link to the cause or want to take on a physical challenge, this event is perfect for you. Each year we see walkers taking part with their friends, family, colleagues or even their four-legged friends! So why

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not get a group together, sign up and play your part in raising funds to support care for local people with a life-limiting illness?”

Tickets are available now and cost £15 for adults over 16, and £7.50 for children (5-16), with under five-year-olds walking for free. A group ticket is available, priced at £40 for two adults and two children. Visit www.renniegrovepeace.org/C3P to sign up today.

Canal Towpath Progress

Red and white ‘towpath closed’ signs mounted on temporary fencing have become a frustratingly familiar sight for anyone seeking access to the canal in the Wendover area. And there was something especially disheartening about seeing the canal all bandaged up with signs and fencing when the weather decides to take a turn for the better. But now, we are please to discover that started to be opened from mid-August, from Wharf Road to Bankside. This may become a preferred route for schoolchildren when they go back in September. A dry path without car fumes!

Neighbourhood Watch and the summertime blues

During the summer holidays, incidents of petty crime can seem to be on the rise even if police recorded statistics don’t always reflect this. After all, if we don’t report an incident, we cannot assume that the police know about it.

Most of us are familiar with Neighbourhood Watch, and there are several schemes running in streets in Wendover. It's not always about looking out for suspicious activities in your street, however. Neighbourhood Watch also publishes a newsletter with useful information. In the August newsletter a campaign against street harassment offered a downloadable pack including advice on how to behave if you are a bystander witnessing harassment.

In addition you can download the Neighbourhood Watch Impact report, where there are examples of actions that can bring neighbours together while reducing crime. If you’d like more information, go to www.ourwatch.org.uk, or email enquiries@ ourwatch.org.uk

The organisation also monitors and warns about doorstep, telephone and online scams. Since January of this year, 268 people have reported falling victim to a scam involving a telephone call invitation to share a one-time passcode to get onto a Zoom meeting. This actually enables the scammers to enter a WhatsApp group and encourage other members to send them money or similar. Just as a password should never be shared, nor should a two-factor authorisation code (a six-digit code sent by text SMS). Always query an unusual request by contacting the person independently and checking it is genuine.

After some recent vandalism in Wendover, local councillors at parish and council level approached Thames Valley Police. Rebecca Mears, LPA Commander for Aylesbury responded:

“Any resident feeling vulnerable from anti-social behaviour is a matter Thames Valley Police will always take seriously. In the last six months, the wider Wendover Neighbourhood area has seen a reduction in overall crime of 13% from the previous time period and anti-social behaviour (ASB) related incidents that don’t amount to a crime but nevertheless dealt with is down by 65%.

“Reports of ASB will continue to be a priority but will always be balanced with the priorities of other demands which present a higher risk to life such as knife crime and domestic abuse. The local PCSO is very aware of these ASB experiences and there have been additional patrols for the last six months which has had a positive effect on reducing ASB. It is naturally worrying for our older community members.

“When the Neighbourhood team have been made aware, they have attended and engaged with the victim and community as a whole and investigated the matters. There is a need for witnesses to ASB that amounts to a crime, and evidence, for us to be able to take the report further.

“We encourage residents to continue to report incidents of ASB in Wendover. We will be continuing to conduct extra patrols and the Neighbourhood PCSO has, in mid-August, made contact with all the residents involved to discuss any issues and so far, no significant concerns have been raised.”

This shows how important it is to notify anti-social behaviour to the police so any pattern can be spotted, making it easier to deal with. Phone 999 for an emergency, or 101 for non-emergency calls.

The photo taken from the Wharf Road area show a section of the slick, sand-coloured Centrack surface, in its finished form.

Photo: Rory Lavery

Wendover has a growing reputation as a community that cares. Wendover Dementia Support is one of several local charities that depend on the people of Wendover – and they have willingly come forward as volunteers. There are over 35 volunteers working for Wendover Dementia Support.

Road Farm for the Monday Club. The picture shows every generation having a good time with the grandchildren making it more fun for everyone.

This is only one example of how our volunteers often go the extra mile to

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They have many different roles, such as helping with the Monday Club Café, being a voluntary driver or doing home visits. Others work hard behind the scenes with responsibilities such as finances and fund raising.

Our team of volunteers is wonderfully enthusiastic and passionate about what they do. The Monday Club Café is a genuine club bringing volunteers and visitors together to provide friendship, enjoyment and understanding.

Recently two of our volunteers, Christopher and Wendy Trower, organised a visit to

provide new enjoyable experiences for visitors. New visitors can come to WDS feeling anxious and lonely, but they can feel rejuvenated when they realise that others are interested and care about them.

The experience is positive for both volunteers and visitors. Visitors have often led fascinating lives and volunteers can be inspired by how well visitors and their families support and care for each other.

If you know someone with dementia who needs support – ring 07732 342409 – or for more information look on our website: www.wendoverds.org.uk.

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Club Corner

Aylesbury Vale Stitchers

Jaany Ravenscroft-Hull is a local artist and designer. Her oil paintings are inspired by the North Norfolk coast and the West coast of Ireland. Ravenscroft & Daughter is Jaany’s design house. She talks to families and designs motifs based on their lives. These designs are then printed on fabric for soft furnishings. www.jaanyrhart. co.uk

Wendover Bowls Club

Having read my piece in last month’s news my lovely partner said it sounds as if you are the only one who cuts the grass. If that is the impression it conveyed I deserve a slap on the wrist. No, the Club is like that legendary swan, all serene on the surface and paddling like fury underneath. There are rotas for all the duties that any club needs to keep going from cleaning and catering to bar work and, of course, mowing and more. A club is only as good as the effort the members are willing to put in and I’m glad to say that the Club is in a very healthy state.

Our Gala was a great success with 12 visiting clubs enjoying competing against each other in bright sunshine. Do you remember sunshine? It used to be a feature of summer!! The green bowled brilliantly and got high praise but since then the blessed rooks have resumed mining operations.

Though the rain has made the green rather tender we have managed to keep playing. It drains pretty well having been laid 70 years ago on a bed of clinker from the Halton Camp boiler house in the days when they burned coke. Let’s just hope we see a little more of the above mentioned sunshine. Meanwhile, keep dry.

Don Knight

Wendover Evening WI

Come rain or shine, the ladies of the Wendover Evening WI know how to enjoy themselves. Despite the inclement weather with continuing downpours in July, over 30 WI ladies enjoyed a sumptuous, lavish and delicious two-course bring-and share-lunch inside their president’s lovely home.

The Wendover WI ladies always have fun with a great atmosphere, whatever the weather. What better way to spend a wet Monday lunchtime?

Why not go along and join them for fun and friendship? As a WI member, each month you’ll have the opportunity to hear stimulating professional speakers covering a wide range of topics and so much more. For further details phone Sheila on 077431 33963.

Wendover Sparrowhawks Ladies Netball Club

It has been another successful year for the Wendover Sparrowhawks with three teams playing across two divisions in the winter Aylesbury District Netball League. Team Blacks managed to stay in division 4 and Golds remained in division 2 after a tough season for both teams. The real success story this year is most definitely Sparrowhawks Ambers, who had their debut season in the ADNL after coming up from the youth team. Ambers played effectively throughout their season, their talent on court being rewarded with promotion up to division 3 for the next season. This is a huge success, congratulations to everyone in Ambers!

Sparrowhawks hosted a great summer league this year which proved to be a close-run fight for the top of the table. Nine teams entered the league playing across nine weeks, with the top three teams only having a few points between them, congratulations to all teams and players for a fun, friendly and energetic summer season.

Congratulations also go to Vicky who achieved her Level 2 England Netball Coaching qualification earlier this season. Vicky and Ellie head up the ever-growing youth teams (age 13-16), training on Tuesdays 6-7pm at the High School.

Chelsea and Nikki also received their England Netball INTO umpiring qualifications recently, another success for the club, well done to both of them. If you would like to play some netball please get in touch. wendoverladiesnetball@hotmail.com

BBOWT

At College Lake the Reserve and Visitor Centre with shop/café are open daily except Monday and there are also events for young people - see http://www.bbowt.org.uk. For those thinking about getting some binoculars, on 10 September from 10am there’s a drop-in opportunity to try out some OPTICRON optics in situ, with professional advice for beginners and more experienced birders and even racegoers. All our other reserves are open with free access every day (location details online) .

The friendly local Chilterns Group of BBOWT is looking for a person to join the committee to increase the effectiveness of our publicity - please contact richardbirch60@yahoo.com if you’d like to know more.

LANDCARE

Tradesmen win Wendover Village Cup

This year's Wendover Village Cup cricket season represented a return to form for the venerable community competition, writes Alberto

Passaro

Fixtures were played from May to July and culminated in the Finals Day on Sunday 16 July. Ten teams of non-cricketers took part

On Finals Day, Sam Nicholson's last ball six led the King and Queen’s team to a spectacular victory in the Wooden Spoon Final, meaning that the No Balls team collected the trophy this year. Dave Morgan captained the Jollywell Angels to win the inaugural VC Shield match for the players from the Gold league.

In a tightly contested Village Cup final itself, Paul Rosner ensured that The Tradesmen team took home the trophy after an excellent contest with The Wrong 'Uns. His inspiring captain's performance and a scampered couple of runs from the final ball of the match were enough to see them take home the trophy for the first time.

in this year's competition and the season was conducted (both on the pitch and in the bar) with a renewed vigour and respect for the “spirit of the game.”

It was encouraging to witness so many members of the community enjoying the atmosphere, vibe and (sometimes) the action on the pitch each weekend.

Special thanks should go to Tres Corazones restaurant for its generous donation of prizes to the winning teams on the day. The event was well-supported by players, families and the community and was an example of Wendover at its finest.

Photo by John Oswald on Unsplash

Nick Taylor Landscape Gardener

Climate Change. Do something.

Climate Change. Do something. It's easy to feel as if you can't do anything about climate change and the alarming loss of biodiversity. If you live locally, then Climate Action Wendover are very keen to talk to you.

We are proud of the work we have done with our volunteers over the last few years. We have planted 4,000 trees, promoted solar installations, starting a food forest, taken biodiversity education into local schools, created bee corridors and run an ‘on street’ electric vehicle charging project.

We've many new ideas, but we need more local people to implement them. You don't need any specific knowledge. Enthusiasm and a desire to make a local impact are the most important attributes.

We established Climate Action Wendover (CLAW) in 2020 as an informal local group

and we are taking steps to become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), which is a charity with a modest annual budget. Our aims are to locally;

• increase biodiversity,

• raise awareness of the causes and impact of climate change,

• promote waste reduction, encourage reuse and repair and,

• encourage practical steps to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.

You can find out more about us at our website www.climateactionwendover.org or email: climateactionwendover@gmail. com

You can also meet with us at our social evening on Thursday 21 September at the Witchell Cricket Club. Your involvement can vary from helping a small project or running your own. You could even be a trustee of CLAW. We look forward to hearing from you.

RAF Halton Halton House and Trenchard Museum

Trenchard Museum seeks local volunteers

Are you interested in local history, aircraft, engineering, the RAF? Would you like to get out and to meet like-minded people a few times every week? The Trenchard Museum at RAF Halton is seeking local volunteers at all levels.

Established in 1999, the Trenchard Museum covers RAF Halton's history from its first use by the Royal Flying Corps through its life as the home to Lord Trenchard's Aircraft Apprenticeship scheme, to today's recruit training. Exhibits include a Folland Gnat trainer jet; plus two more aircraft; two cockpits; aero engines; and displays of models, tools, weapons and memorabilia which illustrate life, training and events in the station’s history.

In a nearby separate building, the James McCudden Flight Heritage Centre focuses on the history of flight. Exhibits include a a glider, plus a modern replica of the Mayfly powered aircraft built by apprentices in the 1920s; Link Trainers (built in Aylesbury),

models and displays. One of the most popular attractions is a computer flight simulator where visitors can try to fly a representation of a Chipmunk trainer.

Francis Hanford has been the curator for 25 years and is aided by assistant curator Garron Clarke-Darby. Francis says that the day- to-day running of the museum depends on its team of volunteers, who handle all sorts of activities from looking after visitors to helping to maintain and clean the exhibits.

Volunteers until now have often been former RAF apprentices who settled down around Halton after retirement. However, Francis is hoping to engage other local people who might be interested.

“Volunteers can come from any background,” he says. “They don’t need to have served in the RAF, or even know about aircraft or engineering. We’ve seen that they tend to find their own interests. They may come in to help with the visitors or the dusting and polishing, then often find they develop an interest in some aspects of the history or particular exhibits, and then become an expert onthat subject .”

The volunteers can choose when to come in, but Wednesdays are particularly busy, especially on RAF recruit graduation days. However, individuals and parties may arrive all through the week, subject to a few days' notice.

Garron says “If you are not sure then just get in touch and come for an informal chat –even if you are not able to volunteer please come and visit anyway. It is free to enter and we have an awful lot of interesting stuff!”

There is a form on the Trenchard Musem’s website where you can register your interest, here: www.trenchardmuseum. org.uk (or www.bit.ly/3OzNDc7 takes you straight to the form).

RAF Halton open day

For the first time since 2019 the RAF is opening Halton House to the public, on Sunday 10 September, from 10:00 to 16:00.

Halton House is a 19th century chateaustyle mansion that was originally the weekend residence of Alfred de Rothschild, but was converted to the Officer's Mess after the RAF took it over.

There will also be free coaches to and from the Trenchard Museum on the other side of the base, for anyone wishing to see it.

Entry is free and there's car parking, but note that Halton House only has limited disabled access. Follow the signs to Halton House from the B4009 Tring Road at HP22 5NN. www.bit.ly/3YAzFM3

The wide screen flight simulator cockpit is always popular

Peter Bird Garden Design

Over the course of the last few weeks since the previous edition of Wendover News we have had to change the programme of works and the traffic management plans in September for the Wendover area. The current schedule of works is now as follows, but is subject to change, writes Jon Deas, Engagement Manager, Eiffage Kier Ferrovial BAM JV.

• 4 – 6 September: Full closure of Dobbins Lane at the junction with the High Street to commission a water main. While these works are confined to the verge area and could be completed under a lane closure it would mean traffic lights at all junctions of the roundabout. We are installing the closure to reduce the disruption.

• 8 – 17 September: Overnight closures on Risborough Road (A4010) near Old Risborough Road to install a bridge for our internal traffic to pass over the road to reduce our impact on road users. The closures will be in operation from 8.30pm to 5.30am.

The next phase of works to bring the temporary diversions of A413 London Road and Ellesborough Road into operation is now scheduled for October. The A413 London Road will require a mixture of lane and overnight road closures while on Ellesborough Road, due to its narrow width, a full closure will be in operation.

To help you understand exactly what work we will be carrying out around the A413 and why it is required, we have produced a video

using our 4D design model demonstrating upcoming work for the construction of Small Dean Viaduct including road diversions and utility work, please scan the QR code to access.

In July our team took part in our annual fundraising programme, Race the Trace. Over the course of the month members of our team undertook and logged their participation in various physical activities to raise money to donate to local communities. The aim is to encourage our workforce to improve their physical and mental health while raising money for charity. This year the team raised £2,185 which will be donated to Lindengate, the nature-based health and wellbeing charity on Aylesbury Road, Wendover.

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.

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View from Ellesborough Road East of the temporary bridge. 15 August. Photo Simon Eccles.

Calling keen local photographers!

Wendover News is always in need of good quality local photographs. Sometimes to illustrate stories, sometimes just to show what a beautiful place we live in. Our volunteer editorial team already includes a few people who can wield a camera, but they’re not always available at the right time or in the right place. Would you like to help us out?

You don’t need elaborate kit. Modern smartphones are often good enough (though anyone with a camera drone and a license would be particularly welcome). What you do need is a good eye for photographs and know how to take them.

We’re looking for keen photographers who can be on-call to take a brief and deliver results digitally. It may sometimes be short notice, but it’ll probably be short distance too. We can’t promise payment, but you’ll have the pleasure of seeing your photographs and name in print!

If you’re interested, send us an email to: getinvolved@wendovernews.org

Photos: Simon Eccles

Tell us what you think!

Wendover News believes community support is key to creating a thriving area. We would like to hear from a range of people about how to improve the Wendover News website for you and for our community. You can join in the research by clicking the link below or scanning the QR code which will lead you to a form to fill out. Please complete this form and we will be in touch if you are selected to take part.

www.tinyurl.com/3kek36ne

If you are unable to complete the online form but would still like to take part in the research, please email us at getinvolved@wendovernews.org or write to us at 11 Manor Road, Wendover, HP22 6HL.

Youshould be dancing(...yeah!)

September is the month for dancing. So are the other 11, for a lot of people! For many, dancing is all about watching Strictly, Dirty Dancing or Grease and trying to emulate their moves in the living room. Others prefer a bit of sweaty retro-rave dancing. This month, we've found two forms of dancing that you might not have considered. Have a look and consider having a go.

The first is from the Lucy Clark Scottish Country Dance Club, which meets in Wendover Memorial Hall; the second is Crackwick Morris, meeting at Halton Village Hall.

Liz Mitchell from the Lucy Clark SCD writes: We had the perfect ending to a very successful year with the news that two of our teachers had gained their Royal Scottish Country Dance Society Teaching Qualification a few days earlier.

We celebrated in style at our end of term party on 29 June, accompanied by live music, cake and prosecco!

This term’s programme has been packed with extra activities which have been particularly well attended. Our Crowns and Coronets event for the Coronation, our tuition evening for more experienced dancers led by a visiting teacher and our defibrillator demonstration were all well received.

Chiltern Foodbank was our Charity of the Year and our three collection evenings, plus donations, resulted in the provision of about 230 meals and £392.

In this centenary year of the RSCDS, we’re particularly pleased that, for the first time, five of our dancers will attend the Summer School in St Andrews.

Research has shown that Scottish Country Dancing is good for your physical and mental health. If you’re thinking of taking up a new activity, why not give it a go? The first visit is free. To book a place on the New Dancer Class see the website for more details: www.lucyclarkscottish.org or email lucyclarkscottish@gmail.com.

Try out Fusion Morris dancing...

Morris dancers have their own language. A “side” (team) is led by a “squire”. Cracklewick Morris’ own Squire Darryl explains the appeal: "Come and meet the brand-new Cracklewick Morris side and even have a go!"

"We are an all-inclusive fusion side focused on the sheer enjoyment of all things Morris, and we’d dearly like to have you come along, any skill level. You are welcome as a musician, dancer, or both.

We perform many dances, some of which have been written by members of Cracklewick Morris. Fusion Morris takes its inspiration from a range of Morris traditions from Border to Cotswold via Northwest.

"Although we are a new side, we are not new to Morris dancing. Between us, we have over 60 years’ experience playing and dancing. Our dance lead teaches the dances with a deep understanding of both the dances and dancers. Our head musician finds interesting and unusual music from around the world. Our Squire adds a flourish to performances, makes announcements and works hard to liaise with other sides.

This teamwork and culture is key in creating a community of sides for dances out and celebrations. Morris can open a whole new world of friendship, music, and fun so why not give us a try?

It's also a great way to get your steps in for the day. We meet at Halton Village Hall.

If you can’t make the open evening at 8:15 - 10:15pm on Tuesday 5 September, please drop us an email at cracklewickmorris@gmail. com".

Grass Cutting Service

If you have lived in Wendover any amount of time, you will have fond memories of the late Colin Riley – not just a great GP, but also a real gentleman and friend of the community. One of his favourite causes was the RNLI. Although we are miles away from the sea, many locals will have benefitted from having lifeboats to keep them safe when on the water – either whilst sailing or on a beach holiday.

You might want to honour his memory by meeting with the RNLI team at Wendover's Local Produce Market Saturday on 16 September. Andy Stephenson, Chairman of the central Bucks Inshore Fundraising Branch of the RNLI, writes

The Royal National Lifeboat Institute is our national charity that saves lives at sea and last year was no exception as the statistics reveal: Launches: 9,312 Lives saved: 389 People Assisted: .............................. 16,476 Hours at Sea by crew: 57,858

Out of every £1 raised 81p is spent on paying for the Lifeboat Service, the remainder invested in generating greater wealth. The charity requires £405,000 per day to remain operational and all this comes from voluntary donation raised by 95% of the team, being volunteers themselves.

The RNLI is 199 years old and next year we celebrate our Bi-Centenary. As your local Inshore Fundraising Branch of Aylesbury

& Central Buckinghamshire, we want to make this a special year! Our Branch covers the geographical area across the middle of the County from Wing through the county town and across to Brill and the far west, and we have a number of committed volunteers, but we are seeking even more and more importantly those in key locations just like Wendover, who can volunteer within their own community as they know it better than we do!

We know of the work of the late Dr. Colin Riley who for many years ran a terrific collection round for the RNLI in the town and as a tribute to his memory it would be great to recreate that funding stream. The role as volunteers would be to help us by getting all year-round collection boxes out into the community at pubs and shops then service them with our assistance and guidance whenever required. Plus advising us of any opportunities that arise where we may advertise our presence at public events in the town and help raise general awareness. We also have a specialist speaker who is happy to attend local groups to provide talks about the RNLI if there is sufficient interest.

Volunteering need not be an arduous task for you but if you believe you can afford a little time to support the RNLI and extend our fundraising effort you will be helping a great cause please email or contact me and I will be pleased to provide you with a greater understanding of the role and responsibility involved. Come and join us at the Local Produce Market outside Budgens on Saturday 16 September!

& Pilates with Elaine Physiotherapy, Pilates classes

Aston Clinton, Halton, Wendover, Weston Turville

Book Review

Books written, conceived or set in Wendover and the surrounding area...

'Country Music', by Will Burns. Reviewed by Rory Lavery, volunteer writer/sub-editor, Wendover News.

Will Burns is a local poet – and he deserves the title – whose first collection, Country Music, is a delightful debut, and this month’s Wendover News recommendation.

Not only will these poems awaken a nourishing love for carefully woven language, they direct our eyes to details we’d ordinarily miss in our day-to-day lives - restoring our love of the world from which the poems themselves spring.

In ‘Drive South Listening to Country Music’, the shared silence of a car journey between brothers, is lovingly remembered through the ordinarily dull detail of an accelerator: ‘pedal steel flowing / into your silence like all your best fish’ is a delightful image of the deep current that charges the silence of our most intimate relationships.

This poem is lodged firmly and lovingly in the local, but yearns for a larger, more beautiful and encompassing horizon towards which love and poetry point: ‘I’m wishing it was a whole / continent we had to travel into [...] a land ready to receive us / right to the edge of the mesa’. Mesa, I learned, refers to the high rocky tablelands and plateaus in the arid areas of the United States.

The poems contained in the book are cause for nourishment indeed, and, as all good poetry does, it’s left my vision of the world shaken up and sharpened, refreshed and restored. If you like the flavour presented in this column, you can find a copy of the full collection via the author’s website, or our local bookstore.

You can also find an extended version of this book review on the Wendover News website at www.wendovernews.co.uk

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Scarecrow Trail 2023

146 Aylesbury Road, Wendover HP22 6AP | 01296 620 777

Congratulations to all who took part in this year’s Scarecrow Trail around Wendover. The conditions of the competition always include ensuring that any scarecrow entry must be robust enough to withstand poor weather conditions for a fortnight and this year that clause was tested to the limit!

Mexico, by Millie Andrews, was the people's choice

Wendover Scarecrow Trail ran from Saturday 1 to Friday 14 July this year. Families, friends and individuals of all ages enjoyed making their robust displays. Lots of people enjoyed the thrill of walking around parts of Wendover they don’t often visit and this year discovering more about which of the "countries around the world” that each scarecrow represented.

The winning scarecrow was chosen by people who returned their forms to the Rennie Grove Shop at 5 High Street. There were also prizes given to people who guessed correctly which countries the

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various scarecrows were representing. £300 was raised for Rennie Grove Peace, as the renamed charity has been known since 1 July this year.

All winners and runners-up were invited to the Manor Waste on July 22 at 11am to receive their prizes. Once again the

Liberia, by Kingsley Dumoe (above, centre), was the judges' choice. Among the other entries were Canada and Norway.

legendary rain was pouring down and prevented much gathering, but Bob Duggan visited winners who were unable to attend.

The people’s choice put Mexico as the overall winner. The judges chose Liberia as the winner. The contestants with the largest number of correct guesses for countries

was Marlene Brown with Thea, Millie and Ethan. Their entry was picked from eight all-correct submited forms.

Well done everyone to everyone who took part. Your efforts cheered us up in a very rainy month!

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Wendover Parish CouncilView from the Clock Tower

New Councillors

We are pleased to announce that the Council is now up to full strength and the increased capacity will allow us to do more for the community. We welcome Patrick O’Donnell to the Council. Patrick has served all around the world with the RAF and after multiple postings at Halton decided to make Wendover his permanent home. His many experiences should really help the Council and the local community.

Community Orchard

Our Community Orchard, off the Heron Path, is overflowing with a bountiful harvest. There is a mix of apples (cooking and eating), pears and quince all looking good to eat or cook and all free to collect. The wasps are about to start getting

interested in them so it's worth dropping down there to see what you can glean. If you want to learn more about the orchard, then please visit: www.wendover-pc.gov. uk/community-orchard

Best Kept Village

We are proud to announce that we have won the Bucks Best Kept Village, Michaelis Cup (for villages and towns over 3,000 residents). It has been a tough year to keep the parish looking good with many challenges from the canal towpath being out of action, HS2, equipment failure and vandalism so we are pleased that we have been able to make the space look the best it can for residents and visitors alike.

The award also recognises the effort private individuals make to keep their gardens and or communal areas looking in top condition, so this recognition is not just for the Parish Council but all residents and businesses who strive to keep our parish looking great.

Following on from the Best Kept Village there is still a lot of confusion as to who does what around Wendover. A lot of people are worried about the state of the grass, trees and bushes. It is particularly frustrating in Princess Mary Gate where so many organisations are involved in maintaining the space. At PMG we only look after the helicopter play park and for the rest of Wendover there is a map of what we look after at www.wendover-pc.gov.uk/services If you have a problem with something

Sunday Church Services in Wendover

• St Anne’s: 9am Mass

• St Mary’s: 9am and 10.45am

• Wendover Free Church: 10.45am

where you live then your best first port of call is the Buckinghamshire Council Fix My Street reporting tool at www.fixmystreet. buckinghamshire.gov.uk.

HS2

We were pleased to be invited to a site visit at the Wendover Dean Viaduct along with other councillors to see some of the construction and talk about some of the issues impacting the Parish. There is no doubt that the construction is impacting the day-to-day life of the people

of Wendover.

The Parish Council will be looking to hold a public meeting in October to update people on the current issues and what is being done to mitigate against them. Please see the next edition for the date and details.