Wendover News Winter 25

FESTIVE FUN TRAIL FROM WENDOVER TO WADDESDON!

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Wendover | Stoke Mandeville | Dunsmore | The Lee | Halton | Weston Turville | Aston Clinton Winter 2025 FREE

Contents – Winter 2025

Local News 9

Local artist revitalises White Swan sign 13

Lindengate expands wellbeing provision 18

The Holly and the Ivy 19

Culture, performing and visual arts 20

Ferdinand’s grand tours at Waddesdon 22

Remembering the Fallen ........................ 23

Meet the team 24

What happened to Izzie and Rory .......... 25

Warmth can bring Christmas Cheer 26

Caring for vulnerable neighbours 29

Thanks to all our deliverers 30

Bus services around Wendover 32

Stoke Mandeville relief road ................... 33

Wendover HS2 34

EKFB ...................................................... 35

Ellesborough Golf Club 36

Club Corner ........................................... 37

From the Clock Tower Back

Published by Wendover Community News

CIC: A community-owned Company.

Editorial Team: Sean McCarthy, Simon Eccles, Jane Larkham, Jo Durden-Moore, Jon Theobald, Wynne Byford and Richard Byford

Coordination, ads, social media and online: Wynne Byford.

Production: Jon Theobald, Richard Byford, Simon Eccles and Wynne Byford

Accounts: James Harrington

Distribution and deliveries: Bob and Sheila Barry and 65 other brilliant volunteers!

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

LEGACY FAIRS

Antiques & Collectors Market 18 December & 15 January 9am-2pm (Trade 8am)

Events - December 2025

Wendover Horticultural Society

Thu 4, 1-3pm, St Anne’s Hall, HP22 6JG

A members’ lunchtime social get-together. Note earlier time. In order for numbers to be known, please book with Diane, (07966 155775). The price is £4.00.

Poetry Please

Fri 5, 10.30am-12noon

Wendover Christian Centre HP22 6JG What better way to enter into the festive spirit than by coming along to Poetry Please. Lots of poems to share, festive nibbles and a friendly welcome guaranteed! The theme will be ’Christmas.’

Art at Wingrave 2025

Fri 5- Sat 7, 10.30am-5pm, Community Centre, Wingrave, HP22 4PE

Now in its sixth year this vibrant, joyful and free pre-Christmas Art Event showcases the enthusiasm and talent of local artists and makers.

Cholesbury-cum-St Leonards Local History Group

Fri 5, 7.15pm for 7.45pm, St Leonards Parish Hall, HP23 6NW Stephen Barker, author, presenter and expert on the Civil War and WWI will give a talk on Women in the First World War. Women played many roles in the First World War, including in the military, on the home front, and in factories. This talk aims to highlight these well-trodden paths, but also some lesser-known themes. Tea/coffee and biscuits will be served from 7.15pm. For further details see www.cholesbury.com.

Discover Bucks Museum, Aylesbury

Sat 6 & Sun 14, opening times vary Discover the magic of the season with The Science of Christmas workshops – where festive fun meets fantastic experiments! Find out more at www.discoverbucksmuseum.org

Coffee & Chat Morning

support, guidance, and a listening ear. Free community event open to all. 01296 350 019. Biertoncrem.csb@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Annual Christmas Tree Festival

Sat 6, 10am – 5pm & Sun 7, 11.30am – 4.30pm

St Peter & St Paul Church, Great Missenden, HP16 0BA

The trees, decorated by local church and community groups, will fill the church with warmth and colour. The festival, which also includes a Dog Show, will raise money to support Wycombe Women’s Aid and the Parish Church.

Wendover Choral Festive Concert

Sat 6, 7.30pm, St Mary’s Church Wendover

A concert of beautifully varied music by English composers. Tickets from Just, Wendover High Street, or online at www. ticketsource.co.uk. See ad p3

Christingle All Age Service

Sun 7, 10.30am, St Mary’s Church, Stoke Mandeville

Christmas Comedy Charity Chortle

Sun 7 Dec, 4.30-7pm, The Bull pub, Stoke Mandeville

A Christmas comedy afternoon featuring seven comedians from the amateur ‘Roving Comedy Course’. There is also a Xmas DJ and Rudolph raffle. Free to attend and organised by the Stoke Mandeville Village Society with a split of the proceeds being donated to the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

Politics Book Club

Mon 8, 7pm, Wendover Community Library

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

ST ANNE’S HALL to hire

All enquiries to Angela German 07423 266713

stanneshallwendover@hotmail.co.uk

Sat 6, 10am–12pm, Bierton Crematorium, HP22 5BH

In partnership with Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS). This gentle and supportive session offers a safe space for anyone affected by suicide to come together, share a coffee, and connect with others who understand. Trained volunteers will be available to offer

PHYSIOTHERAPY at HOME

For long term conditions Strength & Mobility training for Older People James Wheeler MCSP Tel: 07960 876819 james.wheeler99@googlemail.com

"The Anxious Generation" by Jonathan Haidt. A fascinating and very important topic for the next meeting. You can take part in what is always a lively, fun and fascinating discussion. Everyone is welcome even if you don't have time to read the book!

Chilterns Light Network

Wed 10, 7.30 for 8pm, Wendover Memorial Hall, HP22 6HF

Fun and friendly group. All welcome. Open minded and looking for meaning in your life? There’s a variety of topics and

WENDOVER MEMORIAL HALL

Great for Children’s Parties Ideal for Weddings & Functions

Excellent kitchen facilities

Enquiries : 07804 671445 angelawmh@aol.co.uk

Please mention Wendover News when responding

discussions. £5 non-members. For details see www.chilternslightnetwork.org or emal ChilternsLight@proton.me

Board Game Café

Thurs 11, 2-4pm

Wendover Christian Centre HP22 6JG

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

Carols around the tree

Fri 12, 6.30 -7.30pm. Manor Waste, Wendover

The Chinnor Silver Band will provide accompaniment and song books are available online or handed round at the event. See back page.

Christmas Fair

Sat 13, 10am-4pm

Wendover Christian Centre HP22 6JG

Wendover Free Church supports ‘Embrace’ a charity which works in partnership with projects in the Middle East (including Gaza and Israel) providing humanitarian, medical and educational support for anyone in need.

The Christmas Fair offers hand-made crafts, second-hand books, cakes and home produce plus refreshments, and soup lunches from 12 to 1.30pm. All proceeds are for ‘Embrace’ Charity No. 1076329.

Christmas Tea Dance

Sat 13, 2-4pm, St Mary’s Church, Wendover, HP22 6NL

An afternoon of singing, dancing and refreshments. See front page.

Aylesbury

Vale Stitchers

Sat 13, 2-4:30pm, Wendover Memorial Hall, HP22 6HF

Open Meeting and display of Challenge Items. Take your own sewing. There will be a sales table and raffle. Tea, coffee and cake available. Email: aylesburyvalestitchers@ gmail.com.

Countrymen's Club

Mon 15, 1.30-3.00pm

Road Farm, Great Missenden, HP16 9LS,

A club for retired men at Countryways, based at Road Farm, a working family farm. Meet and chat with like-minded countryside-loving gentlemen and participate in farm-related tasks. Meetings take place twice a month on a Monday.

There is a small voluntary charge, suggested £10-15pp per session if you can afford it. www.roadfarmcountryways.com

RSPB

Mon 15, 7.30 pm, Prebendal Hall Community Centre, HP19 7QW ‘Birdwatching in West Coast Mexico’ by Jeff

Blincow, about the resident and migratory birds inhabiting its long coastline and the interior with its forest, montane and desert environments. More information from: group.rspb.org.uk/Aylesbury.

BBOWT

Tue 16, 7pm, Gt Missenden Memorial Centre HP22 6DJ 'Woodland Wildlife' by John Tyler. Everyone is welcome at BBOWT Chilterns Group talks. Admission is £5 including refreshments and free parking.

Craft Group

Weds 17 & 31, 10am-12 noon, Wendover Christian Centre HP22 6JG Craft Group provides time, space and friendly company to work on any kind of craft project. Please bring your own materials or just go to see what others are doing. Coffee served at about 11am.

Christmas Decorations Workshop

Thu 18, 11am-12 noon, Wendover Community Library

A workshop for making Christmas decorations. Fun for all the family with ARTY Party! Booking is essential with the library reception as spaces are limited.

See: www.happywellyoga.com or www.artyparty.fun

TicketsalsoavailableatJUST

Saturday

6th December 2025 7:30pm St

Wendover Choral

Wendover Players Featuring Sara Bartlett Soprano and guest baritone

Wendover Choral

by Rutter, Gardner & Stopford

Sages (a group for Senior Ages)

Fri 19, 10.15 -11.45am

Wendover Christian Centre, HP22 6JG

The centre is celebrating its 21st anniversary this month and will enjoy Christmas celebrations. All are invited to meet old friends or make new ones and have a sociable time chatting over coffee and cake.

Book Club

Sat 20, 10.30 to 11.30am

Wendover Christian Centre HP22 6JG

No set books. Just go and hear what others have been reading and, if you wish, talk about something you’ve read – whether you loved it or not. It begins with coffee and festive nibbles. All welcome.

JS Bach's 'Christmas Oratorio’

Sat 20, 7.30pm, St Peter & St Paul Church, Tring Tring Choral Society will be accompanied by four professional soloists (Soprano Lucinda Cox, Contralto Carris Jones, Tenor Ashley Turner, Bass William Gaunt). See: www. tringchoral.org.uk. See p21.

Christmas Services at St Mary’s Stoke Mandeville

Wed 24, 2pm, Children’s Crib Service, 6pm. Carol Service Thu 25, 9am Communion Service.

For Christmas services in Wendover see ad below.

January 2026

Poetry Please

Fri 2, 10.30am-12 noon

Wendover Christian Centre

‘He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything.’ (Arabian Proverb). Go along to the next Poetry Please, when the first theme for 2026 will be ‘Health’.

Wendover Horticultural Society

Wed 7, 2.30pm, St Anne’s Hall

The AGM will be on Wednesday, (not Thursday) when Anne Allerton will speak about Eythrope Gardens.

Board Game Café

Thurs 8 & 22, 2-4pm, Wendover Christian Centre

See December listing.

Cholesbury-cum-St Leonards Local History Group

Fri 9, 7.15pm, ZOOM Meeting

With James Wright, historian, archaeologist and researcher of medieval castles and architecture. His talk, ‘From Quarry to Cathedral,’ will be about how cathedrals were built.

Membership of the Local History Group is great value at £12 for the 2025-26 season, providing free access to all meetings. The fee for attending a single meeting is £5.

Friday Art Club

Fri 9, 2-3pm, Gusto Café, Castle Park Road, Wendover

No experience necessary - everybody welcome!. Take a sketchbook or paper, pencil and pens and watercolours if you have them. Different activity each week.

Pay as you go, £15 per session or a block of six for £66. Email art.hub.ox@gmail.com to book a place or join on the day.

Wills and Estate Planning Surgery

Tue 13, 12-2pm, Wendover Community Library, HP22 6DU

To book a slot email: iain@wanstallconsulting. co.uk or call Tel: 01296 415700.

Craft Group

Weds 14 & 28, 10am-12 noon, Wendover Christian Centre

See December listing

Chilterns Light Network

Wed 14, 21 and 28, 7.30pm

Wendover Memorial Hall

For details see website: www. chilternslightnetwork.org

4.00pm

Merry Christmas & every blessing

For further details visit www.stanneswendover.uk www.stmaryswendover.org www.wendoverfreechurch.org.uk

Aylesbury Centre of the National Trust

Thu 15, 7.30pm, Broughton Junior School HP20 1NQ

Alan Fitzgerald speaks on 'The Hidden Rivers of London.’ For details phone 07399 540626 or email aylesburycentrent@gmail.com, or Facebook.

Book Club

Sat 17, 10.30 -11.30am, Wendover Christian Centre

Begin your reading year at Book Club! Aylesbury Vale Stitchers

Sat 17, 2.30pm, ZOOM Online TALK

Jenny O’Leary is a textile artist and tutor living and working in Shropshire. Her work is inspired by the landscape of Shropshire, its colours, patterns textures and shapes. Jenny works predominately in batik (hot wax resist) on tissue paper and fabric, often combined with machine embroidery. www.facebook. com/jennyolearytextileart

Hertfordshire Chamber Orchestra concert

Sat 17, 7.30pm at St Mary’s Church, Wendover, HP22 6NL

In aid of Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity. Featuring music by Haydn, Mendelssohn, Wagner, Gershwin and more.

Tickets £20 (under 16s free) available in advance from Florence Nightingale shop Wendover or on the door.

RSPB

Mon 19, 7.30 pm, Prebendal Hall Community Centre, Aylesbury HP19 7QW

‘Spurn through the Seasons,’ by Harry Appleyard, featuring one of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's most iconic coastal reserves.

BBOWT

Tue 20, 7pm, Gt Missenden Memorial Centre HP22 6DJ 'Chalk streams and Conservation' by Catherine Moncrieff.

The Arts Society Ballinger Wed 28, 10.00am-3.00pm, Ballinger Village Hall, HP16 9LQ

Study day. ‘Pottery Girls: Women in the Ceramic Industry 1860-2000’. Paul Atterbury will give three lectures. £30 including coffee, cake and a light lunch. Open to members and non-members. Booking is required, email ballinger@theartssociety.org

Compassionate Café, Great Missenden

Wed 28, 11.30am, Great Missenden Library, HP16 0AL

Each session is facilitated by trained

25 High Street Wendover HP22 6DU 07519 834251

Regular events

volunteers who ensure the café offers a welcoming space for people to come together for emotional support. www.bit. ly/3Zqn5RH Discover Bucks Museum, Aylesbury Until 22 February 2026. Opening times vary – check website

Step back to the 1990s with the new exhibition ‘I Grew Up 90s’ and relive the decade that brought us Cool Britannia, Britpop, Teletubbies, Trainspotting, Lara Croft and the Spice Girls. Find out more at discoverbucksmuseum.org

Yoga and Mindful Art Classes

Guide Hut, Manor Crescent, Wendover, HP22 6HH

Mon/Wed 10:30 - 11:15am Chair Yoga. www.happywellyoga.com/classes/chair-yoga Mons 11.30-12.30 Mindful HeART Class. www.artyparty.fun/mindful-heart-Mondays Friday 09-10.00 SlowFlow Yoga Friday 10.15-11.15 KundaDance www.happywellyoga.com/classes

Seated exercise classes

Mons, 2-3pm, A/Clinton Baptist Church, HP22 5EX

Homemade mince pies available to pre order over Christmas

Open Christmas Eve: 10am-2pm

Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day New Year’s Day and Sundays and Mondays

Tues, 2-3pm, The Ark Stoke Mandeville HP22 5UT

Weds, 1.15-2.15pm, Wendover Health Centre HP22 6LD

Thurs, 2-3pm, Weston Turville Village Hall HP22 5RW

Details: www.activeinthecommunity.org.uk/ seated-exercise

All classes £3 per session, cash on arrival. Book in advance with amelia.evans@aitc.org. uk or 07399 748803.

Wendover Society

Sun 25, 14:30, Meet next to the Clock Tower

Voluteers are welcome for a working party of community weeding and cleaning of street furniture around Wendover. For further details see www.wendoversociety.org.uk

Yoga with Alice D

Mons, Halton Village Hall, HP22 5NG 7-8.15pm, Pregnancy Yoga, 8.30-9.45pm, Women’s Yoga.

Weds, Wendover Memorial Hall, HP22 6HF 10.30-11.30am, Mum and Baby Yoga, 12-1pm, Nurture Baby Massage. www.yogawithaliced.com. See ad below.

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, leave 10.30am. Meet beside Your Café in the Park.’ Refreshments available afterwards. Registration is 15 mins beforehand at both locations.

Aylesbury Cycling UK – Sundays. Easy pace: every first and third week of the month, about 30 miles. Newcomers: each second and fourth week and about 20 miles. www. cyclinguk.org/group/aylesbury-cycling-uk

Liz Brown Yoga

Tues, 7pm, Wendover Memorial Hall Fris, 10.30 am, St Anne’s Hall 1:1 Yoga Therapy by appointment | Online classes www.lizbrownyoga.co.uk | 07941 425187.

Diamond Bridge Club

Tues 6.45 for 7pm, Ellesborough Village Hall, HP17 0XA

A friendly club with an ethos of playing bridge in a relaxed environment. If you have any questions or would like to join, contact the Membership Secretary at DBCAylesbury@ yahoo.com

Cracklewick Morris

Tues 8.15-10.15pm, Halton Village Hall, 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

Fitness and Fun for the Over-60’s Thurs, 2-3pm, Stoke Mandeville Community Centre, Eskdale Road Every other Thursday afternoon. Refreshments afterwards. clerk@ stokemandeville-pc.gov.uk

Planning ahead?

Here’s the Wendover News next production dates. To ensure we have enough space, email newsdesk @wendovernews.org or advertising @wendovernews.org to let us know as early as possible.

Issue deadline (18:00)

February 2026

March 2026

12 January 26

9 February 26

April 2026 9 March 26

May 2026 7 April 26

June 2026 11 May 26

Summer 2026

15 June 26

September 2026 10 August

October 2026 7 September 26

November 2026

12 October 26

Your local Aerial and Satellite Specialist Old Aerial & Satellite removal service including old cables and clips. Call Rob: 01296 330621 / 07816 659644 rob@justaerials.co.uk

x

I would like to wish all the readers of Wendover News a healthy festive season and all the very best for 2026!

I have now fully merged with ProTrust Consulting, offering the same services as before, plus a range of additional Trust and Estate Administration Services

I am happy to publish my forthcoming surgeries for the New Year and look forward to continuing to offer my advice to the Wendover community and surrounding areas

To book into one of my forthcoming surgeries or to make direct contact, for a no obligation chat, please call me directly on 01296 415 700 or email me at iain@protrustconsulting.co.uk

I also offer free ½ hour consultations via the phone or videocall, at a time that suits you www protrustconsulting co uk

Wills

Lasting Powers of Attorney

Estate Planning

Trust Management

Estate Administration

Inheritance Tax planning

Expert Advice on Later Life Planning

FREE Wills & Estate Planning Surgeries

Wendover Community Library

High St, Wendover, Aylesbury, HP22 6DU

Tuesday 13 January - 12 - 2 pm th Tuesday 10 February - 12 - 2pm th Tuesday 3 March - 12 - 2 pm rd

Local News

No. 2 Pound Street celebrates 15 years of fine cheese and wine

Since opening in 2010, James Grant and his wife Nicola have worked tirelessly to build their cheese and wine business in the corner shop at No. 2 Pound Street. They employ local staff, source high-quality produce and contribute to the community. On 7 November they held a celebration of their time in Wendover in St Mary’s Church, where over 250 guests gathered to celebrate with their team. All net proceeds from ticket sales were donated to St Mary’s church.

Guests were treated to a variety of wines and cheeses to try. They were entertained by Real Magic Music, hosted by Carl Gosling, owner of Real Magic Books. James paid tribute to his team and spoke passionately about the importance of retaining real human connections within the town. He promised more events to bring people together over good wine and food. No. 2 also held its ‘Christmas at the Manor’ market event on 21 November, with a “Slow Food” theme.

Aston Clinton Shell service station re-opens with Co-op shop

After a major refurbishment, the Co-op shop has replaced the former Budgens. Many of the former staff have stayed on, and the shop floor now feels larger, brighter, and easier to move around.

The product range has been expanded, with a broader selection of fresh food, an improved bakery section, more confectionery options, and a wider variety of meats. A local resident described the pastries as “a very welcome addition,” with better choices for quick breakfasts and treats.

The store manager said: “We’re really pleased to be open again and serving the community. The new Co-op has more space and a wider range than the old Budgens, and we hope it makes a real difference.”

Also new are toilets for men, women, and disabled customers.

Wendover Jet Ash enhances Services on A413

On the other side of Wendover, at Wendover Dean, the Ash fuel station replaced all their fuel pumps with brand new digital pumps in late October. Although the Jet-branded fuel station shop on London Road (A413), remains unchanged, the Wendover News team is delighted that it continues to stock the magazine for the convenience of Little London residents and passers-by.

BBOWT Lifetime Achievement Award for Rodney Sims

Rodney Sims, now 91, was given a lifetime achievement award at the recent AGM of BBOWT (Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust) in recognition for his longtime conservation work with BBOWT since the 1980s.

He has been most active in the BBOWT Chilterns Group where he was treasurer for 30 years, and also did geological and palaeontological work at the College Lake Reserve.

His work on fossils and geology as the chalk quarry was excavated was instrumental in the location being declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Emma Routledge, the College Lake Warden and Wendover resident, is verseeing the ongoing maintenance of a particularly important feature excavated by Rodney, called an involution.

He helped preserve the cutback or small cliffs, where the chalk layers had been folded at the end of the last ice age through localised freezing and thawing.

This process deformed the original layers of sediment, creating warped features known as involutions in a similar way that your feet might sink into wet mud, and a pattern remains when the mud dries.

The public can visit College Lake from Tuesday through to Sunday and see a mammoth tusk and teeth found in the early days of excavation and a recently created outdoor exhibit demonstrating the effect of the Ice Age on the chalk, of great interest at this point in a new epoch of climate change.

Rodney was one of the pioneers of the reserve alongside the original visionary of College Lake, Graham Atkins. He was hands-on in the work required for its development, from digging ditches and seeding wildflower meadows to fundraising, delivering talks and cataloguing fossil finds.

The site in College Lake where Rodney Sims excavated and studied the unusual chalk strata caused by the most recent ice age and now affectionately called ‘Rodney’s Rocks.’

Latterly, after an accident at home he continued to support the Trust with administrative duties.

Both the Reserve and BBOWT Chilterns Group welcome new volunteers – please email volunteering@ bbowt.org.uk for more information. For Chilterns Group local programme details email richardbirch60@ yahoo.com, or for College Lake activities go to www.bbowt.org.uk/events

Stick Man Christmas Trail brings festive magic to Wendover Woods Families can join Stick Man for a magical winter adventure as the beloved character, based on the beautiful picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, launches a brand-new Christmas Trail at Forestry Wendover Woods.

The specially designed Stick Man Christmas trails will be hosted until January 2026, and families can team up with Stick Man and Santa as they deliver the final present. This interactive festive adventure invites young explorers to enjoy lots of fun wintry activities, whilst keeping a lookout for hidden letters to discover who the special gift is for.

Josephine Lovelle, national membership and marketing manager at Forestry England, said: “We’re thrilled to bring families this magical Christmas adventure with Stick Man. This festive trail perfectly combines the joy of storytelling with outdoor winter exploration, helping children connect with nature during the most wonderful time of year. Through interactive activities and seasonal discoveries, families can create special Christmas memories whilst learning about how trees

and animals adapt to the colder months. It’s fantastic to see how Stick Man continues to inspire families to explore the nation’s beautiful forests together.”

As families follow the trail panels, they’ll take part in a festive scavenger hunt, uncover hidden letters, and enjoy fun activities inspired by the wintry forest. The trail also offers fascinating facts about how woodland wildlife prepares for winter, making learning about nature engaging and memorable for young adventurers.

Bucks Radio Toy Appeal

The Clock Tower, on behalf of Wendover Parish Council, is a collection point for the Bucks Radio Toy Appeal 2025. Alternatively, you can leave your donations at the Bread and Brew in Back Street, Wendover. It is open 7 days a week 7am-3pm weekdays, 8am-3pm Saturdays and 8am-noon Sundays.

If you are able to donate a new, unwrapped toy, simply drop it off and help bring a smile to a child in Buckinghamshire this Christmas.

Every gift, big or small, makes a real difference. Find out more about the appeal

here: www.bucks.radio/community/ toy-appeal-2025.

Why is Weston Turville left out of the Safe Cycling Network?

Although great strides have been made to improve the provision of safe cycling in Buckinghamshire and around Aylesbury, it is claimed that Weston Turville still remains a cycling island, cut off from the network of existing and planned cycle routes developed throughout the area. Proving the point to local councillors and planners, cyclists from Weston Turville donned hi-vis and helmets to demonstrate the hazards of cycling for school, work or leisure from the village hall to various existing or planned cycle routes outside the village.

The event was organised for early in the morning during a midweek rush hour by Rachel Blackmore of Climate Action Weston Turville, supported by Weston Turville Parish Council and Otec Bikes with a presentation by Damian Campbell. The ride also included Jake Treliving, who manages liaison with Hampden Fields with a special interest in improving plans linking Weston Turville to Hampden Fields.

The group cycled on a planned route around the village to demonstrate that cyclists, including school children, would

The Boiler Blokes Wayne & Clinton

Enjoying a Christmas Trail Photo: Forestry England/Crown copyright

and uses for the old cricket ground.

Heather Thornton, vice chair of Wendover Parish Council began by introducing Greg Smith, MP for Mid Bucks, who is also Shadow Under Secretary for Transport. Greg underlined some of the previous difficulties in getting the concerns of local people heard by the HS2 planners and management.

have to choose between safely cycling on the pavement (potentially breaking the law and angering pedestrians) or risking serious injury by cycling on unsegregated, busy roads. As new, safe cycling routes are being planned by local authorities, the ‘Safe Cycling’ event was an impactful way to ensure the needs of all Weston Turville cyclist are considered in future transport projects.

WHS2 Public Meeting

Over 140 people attended the public meeting organised by the Wendover HS2 Mitigation Action Group (WHS2) on 21 November at Wendover Memorial Hall. The meeting helped WHS2 to seek the views of local people on options it would like to present to HS2, regarding plans for train noise mitigation, Ellesborough Road re-instatement

However, he suggested that now HS2’s new CEO Mark Wild is fully established in the role, dialogue is likely to increase. Greg emphasised the benefits of co-operative relationships with all stakeholders of the HS2 programme.

A carefully prepared presentation from the experts from the mitigation action group gave a succinct update to the important issues affecting the residents of Wendover. Murray Cooke (secretary of WHS2), Andy Band (engineering lead), Richard Williams (lawyer) and Ron Petersen (chairman) each took turns to present on key subjects.

The WHS2 team explained a change in emphasis for HS2

LANDCARE GARDEN SERVICES

Family run since 1985 Is your garden looking tired and uninspired? Well now! Is the time to seek help

engineering, with a new priority to establish 50-mile test track between the Wendover Green Tunnel and Washwood Heath in Birmingham. This will extend into a section of HS2 going through Stoke Mandeville to the northern edge of Wendover for testing the integration of trains, track and control equipment. The WHS2 members emphasised the need for local involvement in feedback to the team on preferred solutions (noise mitigation, Ellesborough Road, the old cricket ground) through a questionnaire on the night and on-line from the WHS2 website www. whs2.org/index.htm. A summary of findings will be published by WHS2 in the February issue of Wendover News.

SPARES

Repairs

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.

Diagnostics

Tyres • Air-Con

Parts & Accessories and more! ALL MAKES AND MODELS

Road, Wendover, Bucks. HP22 6LB 01296 623528 wendovermotorspare@btinternet.com

Rachel Blackmore (centre) organised the safe cycling meeting and included from left to right Trevor White, Helen Jones, David Blackmore, Damian Campbell, with Jonathan Fuller and Matt Scott (from Transport and Strategy, Bucks Council). Photo: Richard Byfield.

Heather Thornton introducing Greg Smith

MP chooses Wendover for constituency office

Mid-Bucks MP Greg Smith has recently confirmed Wendover as the new base for his constituency work in Woollerton House, above the Brown and Merry office. A former resident of Wendover, Greg has already established his new office and sends his Christmas greetings via the message above. He holds the opposition role, as Shadow Under Secretary for Transport, which involves holding the government’s transport ministers to account on every aspect of transport policy – including HS2. He also has a similar opposition role for Energy Security and Net Zero.

St Mary’s Church, Stoke Mandeville Ellen Cowley writes: We have received a generous donation to church funds from the Stoke Mandeville Parish Council.

We are most grateful to the Council who raised these funds at their Party in the Park event July 2025. Thank you to one and all who contributed.

Between the months of November 2025 and February 2026 the church will remain closed on weekdays. However, the church may be visited by appointment.

Please contact the Ark office: bookingsattheark@gmail.com. Details of our Christmas services are listed in the events section.

Artisan candles created from upcycled church candles

Jo Durden-Moore writes: Rather than dispose of a large box of partly used candles collected over the years at St Mary’s church, Wendover resident Sally O’Halloran has turned them into beautiful interior candles. By selling these through the church’s Just shop, she has raised nearly one thousand pounds for the upkeep of the church.

After asking the community to save used half-tins of baked beans, tomatoes, spaghetti hoops etc, she set about cleaning and melting down the candle stubs, adding fragrance oils and pouring them into the tins. They were decorated with colourful old wallpaper samples or ribbon and finished with a dust cover on top.

Sally says “I started experimenting with the idea earlier this year for the Wendover Arts Festival, and they were such a hit I decided to keep going. Now they are a regular item in the shop and continue to sell really well.

There is so much waste in our society, it proves how easy it is to renew and remake just about anything. I use all manner of papers to decorate the tins. Some people love the original ‘baked beans’ designs of the discarded tins as well, so I keep a few in their original state.”

More than 140 candle tins have already been created and sold. A limited-edition

range, created for the festive season and smelling of Christmas, is now available. The perfect stocking-filler for your friends and loved ones. The candles are sold exclusively from Just in the High Street and retail at £6.50. All proceeds go directly to St Mary’s.

Little Acorns Celebrates Triple Success

Hot on the heels of being a finalist in the prestigious Nursery World Pre-School of the Year Awards, Melanie Armstrong, manager of Little Acorns Kindergarten, has announced that the nursery has secured its third consecutive “Outstanding in All Areas” report from Ofsted.

The inspectors praised the nurturing environment, high-quality teaching, and the strong sense of community that shines through every aspect of the pre-school. Staff were recognised for their dedication to helping children thrive, both academically

Greg Smith shepherding ducks at the Rotary duck race alongside the Heron Path

From these...

To these.. get them at Just in Wendover.

and socially, while fostering creativity, curiosity, and confidence.

“This latest success recognises Little Acorns’ commitment to excellence and its role as a shining example of early years education, “said Melanie.

“Parents, children, and staff alike can be proud of this outstanding recognition, which cements the pre-school’s reputation as one of the very best in the region.” www.littleacornswendover.org

One for the wall

The Wendover Canal Trust has launched its 2026 Calendar appeal to raise much needed funds for the canal’s restoration and maintenance. This is the Trust’s third calendar and features photos that capture the seasonal beauty of the canal and its many visitors and inhabitants.

You can order a wendovercanal.org.uk/ supporting-wct-2026-calendar (the price is £9.80 including postage) or visit Number

Have Your Say: Wendover News survey will be launched in February

Since April 2024, Wendover News has been published by Wendover Community News CIC, a Community Interest Company owned by the people it serves.

The publication has been part of local life since September 1989, steadily growing alongside the area it serves. Wendover News was set up to stimulate local conversation and community activities, so we would love to know what sort of topics interest you. You might even want to write for us!

We talk to people across our area, in the street, at events, and in the pubs and shops. Some tell us that we focus too much on HS2, while others tell us the opposite.

Now, more than a year into community ownership, we’d like to hear directly from our readers.

In February 2026, we’ll be launching a Reader Survey to find out who reads Wendover News and what you most enjoy or would like to see improved.

The survey will only take a few minutes to complete and will be available both online, in print and in face-to-face meetings.

Your feedback will help us improve every part of what we do, from the mix of content and design to delivery routes and coverage.

Once all the responses have been collected and analysed, we’ll share a summary of the findings in a future edition so everyone can see what we’ve learned together.

By taking part, you’ll be helping Wendover News stay transparent and truly shaped by the people it represents.

ROZELLE SCHOOL OF DANCING

One, High Street Wendover. Wendover Evening WI Christmas Fair

Sandra Borns writes: “On Saturday 15 November, Wendover Evening WI held their annual fundraising Christmas Fair.

The Memorial Hall was packed with festive fun for all ages although Santa’s Grotto was particularly popular with the younger visitors. A wonderful array of homemade cakes, preserves, gifts and crafts were on offer – all made by the talented WI members.

The morning proved to be very enjoyable for all and, hopefully, has raised a great deal of money for the Florence Nightingale Hospice and Medical Detection Dogs charities as well as Wendover Evening WI.”

Rotary Santa EcoSleigh

Once again, the Rotary Club is getting out the Santa EcoSleigh to facilitate him visiting as many children of all ages in December.

If you would like to join in the fun and support its charities, this year Aylesbury Women’s Aid and the Thomas Ball Cancer Fund (www.thomasball.org.uk), please get in touch via email to rotary.md3@gmail.com or drop in to J Brown Funeral Services at 23 High Street Wendover, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

Santa’ EcoSleigh schedule

Thursday 4, Perry Street, Dobbins Lane, Mill Mead, Coombe Avenue, Forest Close, Vine Trees, Chiltern Road Friday 5, catchup in case of bad weather

From little acorns... Written permission given by parents/guardians

A range of homemade mouthwatering cakes was on offer on the refreshments stall.

Tuesday 9, Aylesbury Road from Castle Park Road to Halton Lane and all roads off

Thursday 11, The Beeches, York Buildings, Manor Road, Wharf Road and all roads off Friday 12, catchup in case of bad weather

Monday 15, Princess Mary Gate

Tuesday 16, Princess Mary Gate catchup

Santa in Weston Turville

Wednesday 17, Weston Turville with Scouts

Thursday 18, Weston Turville catchup

Friday 19, catchup in case of bad weather

Stoke Mandeville is also receiving a visit from a Rotary Santa. In conjuction with Aylesbury Hundreds, the main man will be touring the village on December 4th from 5.30pm and Hawkslade on the 11th also at 5:30pm.

You can join his helpers for mince pies and mulled wine in The Bull community pub, Risborough Road afterwards from 7.30pm

Santa in Stoke Mandeville

Thursday 4, Irvine Drive, Station road, Eskdale Road, Carter’s Ride, Ligo Avenue and Hampden Road

Thursday 11, Atlanta Way, Athens Avenue, Lennon Way, Beethoven Drive (and time allowing up to Winterton Drive).

Giving Tree

Advent started on Sunday 30 November this year. Advent is the season of giving and local parishioners give to many organisations. Wendover’s three churches are now displaying Giving Trees with labels for gifts to give to Aylesbury Women’s Aid and local people in need.

There is often a sudden rush of families who need shelter at this time of year and arrive with nothing. Children of all ages who have no Christmas presents and few possessions at all.

The gifts will be collected by 16 December so please make sure you have left any gift by then.

Tapathon

Jane Larkham writes: This year on Sunday 23 November, Rozelle School of Dancing, once again participated in the Children in Need Tapathon in Wendover Memorial Hall. A number of mothers and daughters attend different classes within the school (see photo) forcefully demonstrating what an important community role it plays in its three locations – Bedgrove, Wendover and Winslow. www. rozelleschoolofdancing.co.uk/.

Congratulations to all the dancers who have been practising hard to Tina Turner’s “Nutbush City Limits”, the lively music for line tapping. Two witnesses, Jane Larkham and Cllr Stephen Worth, verified the number of dancers at 54. As always, the participants bought tee shirts to raise funds for Children in Need and refreshments were sold on the day. They also enhanced their costumes with cowboy hats to get in the mood. A great time was had by all including one ex-school member who returned for the event from University in Swansea. Well done all.

Late news: As we go to press, we hear that the event has raised a total of £1,208.80 for Children In Need.

Wendover Shed shortlisted

for UK Men’s Shed award

Wendover Shed was shortlisted for a UK Men’s Shed award, announced on 27 November. Bob Duggan and Dave Walls, two of the founding members of the Shed, went to the House of Commons for the Awards ceremony. As this was the day after Wendover News went to press, look for updates on the winners online and in the next issue.

The Shed was being considered for the Heritage & Habitat Award, especially for

its innovative off-grid power solutions and its “heritage” approach to adding its own facilities from scratch.

Wendover Shed was founded in 2022 and opened in a converted Portakabin off Hogtrough Lane in February 2023. It has expanded its working spaces, tools, machinery and facilities, and now has 95 members who may turn up for any of the two-hour sessions each week. The members span seven decades, from 17 to 98 years old! Despite being part of the “Men’s Shed” movement, women are welcome and several are very active hands-on members.

“Whether someone comes seeking respite, company, creativity, DIY help, or simply a cup of tea and a chat, Wendover Shed offers a warm, respectful place to belong,” says Bob.

For more information see www. wendovershed.org.uk

Stay safe this festive season

Everybody should be able to celebrate and feel relaxed over the holiday season. Unfortunately, for some people this is not the case and they may get themselves into uncomfortable – or even dangerous – situations.

‘Ask for Angela’ is a scheme which helps to raise awareness of sexual violence and abuse. The aim is to stop harassment that is sometimes experienced across late night venues.

If you are feeling unsafe or threatened whilst on a date in a public venue, such as a pub, you can alert the bar staff by asking for “Angela”. The bar staff will then defuse the situation or arrange to get you home safely. All bars and pubs who are part of the scheme will display a poster in their public toilets.

A Toast to 45 Years in Beer: The Chiltern Brewery’s Festive Line-Up

As winter settles over the Chiltern Hills, the team at The Chiltern Brewery is raising a glass to a remarkable milestone – 45 years in beer.

Set up by Richard and Lesley Jenkinson in 1980 and now managed jointly by their sons George and Tom, Britain’s oldest independent craft brewery continues to do what it does best: brew distinctive, traditional beers with care, character, and a deep sense of place.

George Jenkinson says “This year’s festive line-up is one of the most exciting in memory — a celebration of craftsmanship and flavour that’s both a nod to our heritage and an eye to the future. Whether you’re filling stockings, setting the Christmas table, or simply looking to treat yourself, or even give some beer away, there’s something in this Christmas’s collection for every beer lover!”

This year’s seasonal brews include a return of the Christmas Ale Flagon, described as “a touch of spice, a balance of hops, and a comforting warmth that pairs beautifully with festive fare.” It’s a limited batch and previous years have sold out quickly, so early orders are recommended.

Also new are four special releases: Glad Tidings Winter Stout; Deck the Hops (a New

World Pale Ale); Dear Mr Porter; and Rogers’ Bodger’s Barley Wine a new version of an old favourite, in collaboration with beer writer Roger Protz. The 12 Beers of Christmas box is a mix of old favourites and new releases.

All these and more are on sale at the brewery shop on Nash Lee Road, Terrick, which is stocked with Christmas fare as well as the special beers. If you can’t get there in

person, the website at www.chilternbrewery. co.uk has an online shop.

The Arts Society Ballinger

“Pottery Girls: Women in the Ceramic Industry 1860-2000. Paul Atterbury will give three lectures during a study day on Wednesday 28 January, 10.00am to 3.00pm at Ballinger Village Hall.

Since the 18th century women have played an important but often anonymous role in the process of ceramic manufacture. They were never acknowledged as individual artists or designers until the late Victorian period, but then a revolution took place.

By the early 20th century, women were working as named designers and from the 1920s were creating the industry’s look and style. Women such as Charlotte Rhead and Clarice Cliff became household names.

Today the work of ceramicists such as Susan-Williams-Ellis and Emma Bridgewater are vital in keeping the Potteries on the map.” This is a study day costing £30 including coffee, cake and a light lunch.

Open to members and non-members. Booking is essential, email ballinger@ theartssociety.org

Wishing all our deliverers a happy

Christmas and a wonderful new year

Thank you for taking the time and effort to deliver Wendover News through so many letterboxes in and around Wendover. Without you Wendover News would not exist. Without your enthusiasm and support, we would not be able to produce the magazine and get it out to over 5,000 homes.

Volunteers are at the heart of Wendover News and without your hearts, it would just be a magazine

If you are reading this and would like to be part of the volunteer community, get in touch.

Local artist Emma revitalises White Swan sign

Words and photos by Leigh Porter

When I first saw the new pub sign for The White Swan public house, it made me gasp. It wasn’t just a sign, it was truly a work of art. Little did I know what a special, uplifting and heartwarming story lay behind the picture.

Emma Bracken is the amazing talent who has recently completed the new signs for both the White Swan and the Pack Horse on the Tring Road, which are both traditional pubs with roots going back hundreds of years. She is very much the product of Wendover, being daughter to Pauline and Jim, who own both pubs, and she is a former John Colet pupil.

Some years ago she was the recipient of a grant from the Wendover Trust (now the Lionel Abel Smith Trust, or LAST), which enabled her to set up a small studio at the

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back of The Pack Horse where she could work on her ideas in fabric design.

When Emma was asked by Pauline and Jim to paint a new sign for The Pack Horse, she replicated the original sign but with a small nod to her “Granny and Gramp,” the former Pack Horse owners Pat and Bert Gower, including robins and their favourite tipple. When she was then asked to look at a new sign for The White Swan to replace the faded original, she asked if she could try something

different from the usual swan pub signs.

Once she had the go-ahead, a period of swan research followed and the result is a unique and beautiful work of art in our High Street for all to admire, and to the delight of pub manager Paul Crook and his customers.

Both pubs' roots stretch back in Wendover’s history, with the White Swan dating to "before 1753" and the Pack Horse to "before 1768," still with very traditional atmospheres. The White Swan now features for the first time in the 2026 CAMRA Good Beer Guide.

Emma recently exhibited at an art Exhibition in Leighton Buzzard and was thrilled to that her colourful parrot painting came second in the “People’s Choice” and joint second as the “Artists’ Choice.” These awards and acclaims are especially important to Emma, who suffered from extreme shyness as a child which was only diagnosed as a form of autism when she was an adult.

As I chatted with Emma, who appeared

to all the world as a beautiful, confident and cheerful young woman, it was hard to imagine her struggles and how she has been helped enormously by the support of a life coach funded by Autism Forward, whose aim is to enable autistic adults to break free of the barriers they face in the workplace and beyond, to reach their full potential in life. Emma is truly an inspiration and she is keen to raise awareness to help others.

When you walk down the High Street, take a moment to look up and absorb the detail of this piece of art. If you would like to know more about Emma’s work you can contact her on www.facebook.com/emmabrackenartist (her 9 November entry shows the progression of the swan as she drew it) or contact her on email at emmabrackenartist@gmail.com.

Even better, pop in to the White Swan for a drink and collect a greeting card depicting the new sign, with donations going to Autism Forward.

Call our local AA helpline, open 24/7 01628 530055

Emma with her original painting.

Emma Bracken with Paul Crook under the new sign.

Lindengate expands its wellbeing provision

By Jane Larkham

It’s now 12 years since Sian Chattle and Charlie Powell had the idea of providing social therapeutic horticulture for local adults with mental health issues. The Lindengate journey began on a five-acre site near what is now the Blue Diamond Garden Centre at the north end of Wendover. It has developed in ways that weren’t dreamed of at the outset, but the basic premise remains – gardening and nature based activites, in all their guises, can be very supportive at many stages in life.

Andy Grant, the general manager, and Jacqui Greenham, the wellbeing and business development manager, have been leading Lindengate for nearly a year now and the expansion of the services of this mental health charity means that more than 1,000 more people have benefitted during that time, making 2025 the busiest year ever.

The provision to school age people via a partnership with the alternative education provider Strive means that the youngest beneficiary was only 4 years old and the oldest was 97. One area of concern has been to support secondary school children with their return to the classroom after Covid. A business change has helped to diversify the Charity’s income. The local community is more involved now, but the Open Garden time where anyone is welcome to visit, is also better advertised – Wednesdays to Fridays, 11am to 3pm and Saturdays 1pm to 3pm in this winter season.

The emphasis is on social as well as therapeutic horticulture, but it is not essential to be a gardener to be a volunteer or visitor. To find out more about wellbeing programmes and other provision, email referrals@lindengate. org.uk or telephone 01296 622443. Full

details of courses and volunteering opportunities available can be found at www. lindengate.org.uk/.

The promise of ‘Let’s all grow together’ fits the reality. The need for this inclusive approach to good mental health has grown and will continue to grow as provision elsewhere is cut, so the aim of Lindengate is to double in size in next three years. Well over 95% of volunteers say their wellbeing has improved thanks to Lindengate: the model works and will continue to do so.

Next year, a new Water Garden has been designed as a tranquil, sensory space to explore and enjoy. The sound of moving water, reflections and the surrounding planting will offer a peaceful environment for relaxation, contemplation and discovery.

In addition, Lindengate is pioneering a natural reed bed system which will clean “grey” water before it is channelled back into the ponds and ditches on a naturally waterlogged site. This will provide a sustainable water management system to prevent flooding away from the area in the education centre where a high water-table and a failing soakaway exists.

The team at Lindengate say they are deeply grateful to everyone who supports their work – from volunteers and donors to visitors and friends. Together, they nurture nature alongside their objective to support people of all ages with their mental, physical and social wellbeing.

Lionel Abel-Smith Trust welcomes applications for its financial help

The Lionel Abel-Smith Trust is a local grantawarding organisation that has provided financial help to residents of Wendover and Moor Park for more than 40 years. It provides funding to individuals, clubs and organisations with the aim of improving the lives and wellbeing of people in the parish.

If you, or someone you know of, is in need of help, visit www.wendovertrust.org for further information on how to apply. “The process is very straightforward and each valid application will be dealt with in a welcoming, confidential and professional manner,” say the trustees. Applications can be made at any time, rather than waiting for annual funding decisions.

In the past six months the trust has granted £33,899 in response to 18 applications. The range of sums varied widely, from £100 to many thousands depending on need. They included a simple repair of a cooker, purchase of university books, help towards studies of a master’s degree, help towards an electric wheelchair, replacement carpets in social housing, and transport assistance for a young person’s apprenticeship.

The trust has also supported the needs of local community organisations, such as the library for benches, a garden table and chairs, and helping the Sparrowhawks ladies’ netball club with the costs incurred for indoor training over the winter months.

The Trust was created in December 1977 by Lionel Abel-Smith, who was Lord of the Manor of Wendover, to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. His family had been the principal landowners in Wendover from the 1790s.

Mr Abel-Smith gave cottages and a substantial cash endowment to found the Trust, saying that he wished to create something for the benefit of Wendover and its inhabitants. Since 1977 the Trust has awarded over £2 million in grants to individuals and organisations in the community.

LAST financed the pair of benchess outside the Library for all to enjoy.

The Holly and the Ivy

By Sean McCarthy

As Christmas approaches in Wendover, few plants feel more a part of the season than holly and ivy. Ivy’s characteristic leaves and holly’s bright berries, sometimes with mistletoe, appear in wreaths, window displays and at carol services, symbols of life and colour in the darkest weeks of the year.

But in the woodlands around Wendover and the Chilterns, ivy also sits at the centre of a growing conversation: should we leave ivy to flourish naturally, or cut it back when it starts to dominate?

Ivy is a native species and an important part of our local landscape. In the woodland, parks and along the canal in Wendover and the surrounding beech and mixed woodlands, its dense evergreen shelter provides winter cover for birds, and its flowers are the last vital food source for insects when little else is available in winter months.

However, anyone who walks our footpaths regularly will have seen places where ivy has become dense and over-shaded. In parts of the Chilterns, ivy has increasingly spread in the understory, blocking light from reaching bluebells, wood anemones and young tree seedlings.

Over time, this can reduce diversity and make natural regeneration harder. For this reason, some woodland managers and volunteer groups carry out selective ivy cutting to restore light and encourage a healthier balance of species.

Many conservation projects in the area now take a middle-ground approach: keeping established ivy, especially older flowering vines that support wildlife, while thinning out dense patches that are overshadowing ground flora or competing with young trees.

For anyone managing a bit of woodland or garden ivy around Wendover, the ideal time to cut back is late winter, typically February to early March. This avoids the main bird-nesting season, reduces frost damage risk, and comes just before new growth begins.

As with so much of our countryside management, it’s a question of balance: honouring a plant that is part of our Christmas traditions while making sure our cherished woodlands remain diverse, healthy and full of life for future seasons.

Winter Holly. Photo: Sean McCarthy

Culture, Visual and Performing Arts

World premiere of West End star’s Christmas Musical

Tring’s DEMBE theatre is hosting the world-premiere of a new musical written by West End legend Gary Wilmot MBE - Vote For Father Christmas, from 8 to 14 December. Gary will join the cast and crew on Friday 12 December to talk about his show and how the stories and his characters came to life.

Afterwards there will be an opportunity to mingle with the cast, crew and Gary with an auction, all in aid of children’s charities Inspire Bucks and The Pepper Foundation.

A truly local production

The new show has been gifted to the Vale Musical Society to direct and produce for the very first time, and will host all local professional and amateur actors, including 20 children.

Awarded director, Neil Gurney, is directing and developing thescript with his creative team. While Gary has written all the music and lyrics for the show, as well as the script, it has been scored and orchestrated by a Wendover musician, Lesley Vincent.

Casting took place last December during a workshop with Neil and Gary, and the nine principals have all been cast from Wendover and the surrounding villages.

The 50-strong cast members are now being put through their paces as they gear up for the world premiere on Tuesday 9 December. Emma Loveday, a well-known local performer

Gary Wilmot MBE

and Halton resident, is choreographing the sparkling, snow-dusted, spectacular musical, filled with mischief, magic and mayhem.

A unique story

The plot recounts how after centuries of tireless service, Father Christmas has decided to hang up his boots and retire.

The world is thrown into a festive frenzy as everyone wonders who will take over the most magical job in the world. Every child (but only children) across the globe has their chance to cast their vote for Santa’s successor.

The show follows local hero, a nurse called Sam Wiseman, on his journey from the elections to the North Pole, encountering elves, fairies, reindeer and other magical creatures. However, if he wins the position of the new Santa, it will mean leaving behind his friends and potential love of his life.

The story is told through dialogue, song and dance, taking us into a number of magical scenes including a toy shop, fairyland, Lapland and an enchanted forest.

A labour of love

Gary has been working on the musical for 15 years and has extensively researched Christmas storylines, films, pantomimes and festive musicals. He says that “no other musical, show or film has dealt with the possibility that Santa would ever retire and need to be replaced!

Vote For Father Christmas is a festive show blending the nostalgic warm feel of classic Christmas tales with the razzle-dazzle of modern musical theatre – think Matilda meets Elf!”

No stranger to the magic of Christmas, Gary has performed in many pantomimes at the Palladium Theatre, London alongside many famous musicals over his 40+ year career.

Everyone’s invited

Children as young as six are performing and adults up to 70+ because “elves and fairies exist across all ages, according to Gary and Neil. The storyline has a double narrative and includes many familiar themes of belief, tradition, loyalty and love.

Sunday 14 December will host a relaxed performance, where families of all ages can attend, seats will be unallocated, and reduced audience numbers allows everyone more space to move around the auditorium and sit wherever is comfortable.

The performance will also be interpreted into British Sign Language by a fully qualified

Written and compiled by Jo Durden-Moore

Sign Language Interpreter.

Space will be available on the flat floor for audience members with wheelchairs and prams. Babies and children under three go free and can sit on their grown-ups lap/in their buggy as necessary.

Tickets are on sale at www.dembetheatre. org or see advert on p.3.

Coming up for the festive season…

Chiltern View Ice-rink is back!

The popular ice rink opened in November for some frosty fun and festive sparkle once again.

Chiltern View Nursery has been transformed into a magical winter wonderland with plenty of Christmas cheer for the whole family. It wouldn’t be Christmas without a visit from the man himself, as Santa will take up residence ready to meet families and little ones.

There is a bar serving seasonal treats, you can hop aboard the virtual reality sleigh ride or just watch the skating.

The opening night was hosted by the UK’s number one Christmas boyband, East 17 and panto legend Andy Collins.

Book now at www.chilternviewicerink.co.uk

Little Bird Gallery Christmas Fair

Running throughout December exhibiting and selling festive designs from local artists and creatives. The upstairs space will host at least ten artists and makers who have all made unique gifts especially for the ‘pop up’ Christmas shop.

Open every day except Mondays.

Wingrave Art Event

From 5-7 December, the Wingrave community centre will host a vibrant, joyful and free pre-Christmas art event showcasing the enthusiasm and talent of 20+ local artists and makers.

Expect ceramics; photography; paper sculpture; print making; textiles and felt; glass art; jewellery; watercolours and more.

Wendover Choral Society Christmas Concert

On December 6 at 7:30pm at St Mary’s church, Wendover with Gerald Finzi, John Rutter and others. Tickets £17.50 in advance, £20 on the door, under 18’s for £5, including mulled wine and mince pies, available from the Just shop or www.wendoverchoral.co.uk

See advert on p.3.

Christmas Comedy Charity Chortle

On Sunday 7 December from 4.30-7pm, at The Bull pub, Stoke Mandeville

A Christmas comedy afternoon featuring seven comedians from the amateur ‘Roving Comedy Course.’ There is also a Xmas DJ and Rudolph raffle. Free to attend and organised by the Stoke Mandeville Village Society with a split of the proceeds being donated to the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

Tring Choral Society Christmas Concert

This is held on December 20 at 7:30pm where JS Bach’s ‘Christmas Oratorio’ in English will be performed at St Peter & St Paul Church, Tring. The choir will be accompanied by four professional soloists (soprano Lucinda Cox, contralto Carris Jones, tenor Ashley Turner, bass William Gaunt) and its orchestra of professional and local musicians.

For more information and tickets see www. tringchoral.org.uk

Here’s what you might have missed.

Bucks Art Society Annual Exhibition

The 2025 Autumn Exhibition was held at the Wendover Memorial Hall for the second year on 1 and 2 November.

The Society announced the Young Artist Award (YAA) – a countywide initiative to encourage artistic ability among younger people, with the winner being Annabel Hull for her piece entitled ‘Vanity.’ Queen’s Park Arts Centre showcased the winner and runners up through to 22 November.

Real Magic Mini-Festival Weekend IV

Five venues in and around Wendover hosted the fourth installation of these very popular festivals on 14-16 November, with another celebration of books and music, with talks, a print workshop, with a walk in the woods, a disco in the pub and live music.

I was lucky enough to secure a ticket for the fantastic evening at St Mary’s on Saturday night with the highlight being Sidney Jones and The Murmuration, a seven-piece ensemble with a stunning and haunting vocalist, Sidney, at the helm. The variety and scale of these mini-festivals is impressive, and huge credit goes to the owners of Real Magic – Carl and Sophie Gosling. Their contribution to our community is enormous and supporting their events ensures the future of their growing brand.

Happiness is Scottish Country Dancing

Liz Mitchell writes “We’ve had a busy start to the season. Many familiar faces have returned, and we have welcomed new members. The social dancing later in the evening continues to be popular, especially when there is live music. Before the end of term, we will be squeezing in an informal

dance with live music as well as our ever-popular Christmas Dance.”

“A very enjoyable ceilidh was organised in October at the Red Kite Pavilion in Aston Clinton which raised over £700 for the local church. We are continuing to support the local foodbank and fundraising for Workaid throughout the year.”

Their next beginners’ class starts on 15 January see www.lucyclarkscottish.org

Ballinger Arts Society hosted a talk on 12 November with Alexandra Epps giving three lectures on John Piper - an artist who has painted, written about, designed stained glass. Then on 27 November, the monthly lecture was “Comedy Classical - How do Composers Make us Laugh” with Emma Johnson. She looked at snippets from Mozart’s ‘A Musical Joke’ and Saint-Saens ‘Carnival of the Animals’.

Wendover Christmas Lights Switch-on took place on 29 November. The popular annual event was held on the Manor Waste, hosted by Bucks Radio and organised by the Parish Council.

Wendover Choral Society performed festive songs and excitingly some of the cast of the brand new musical Vote For Father Christmas

(see opposite page) previewed some songs. The star of the show, local performer Jim Aldcroft, later switched on the lights. There were lots of fun activities for all the family, some shops offered late night opening, along with food stalls and festivities.

And to beat the January blues …

The Dung Beatles are coming to Wendover! On Saturday 10 Jan 2026, the Wendover Memorial Hall will host one of the best-loved Beatles tribute bands in the UK.

Wendover Singers is bringing them to Wendover and will feature their musical director, Jill Neenan, as special guest performer. It was 2012 when The Dung Beatles band came together in Aylesbury to play the Beatles’ timeless songs for sheer pleasure and do them justice with vocals and arrangements that capture their energy.

The band’s repertoire now includes roughly 150 songs, and they’ve played hundreds of gigs, from theatres to festivals to BBC radio shows. The band’s reputation has prompted David Stopps (founder of the legendary Friars Club in Aylesbury) to say they’re “one of the best Beatles bands in the world.”

The band plays with energy, authenticity and with a touch of their own personality. “As our name suggests we don’t take ourselves overly seriously, except for the music itself which we work hard on, not least to get the harmonies right,” says guitarist Steve Hillier.

They’ve established quite a following over the years with many regulars coming time and again to their shows, among them hardcore Beatles fans, says Steve, “We love playing the big hits of course, from ‘She Loves You’ to ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’, but we also relish doing the more rarely played songs.”

Their show at Wendover will comprise two sets of over 40 numbers. Tickets £20 (incl booking fee), 7pm doors open, band starts at 7:30pm. Tickets available at www. wendoversingers.com

‘Vanity’ by Young Artist of the Year, Annabel Hull

The Dung Beatles at The Waterside - credit: Ben Shepherd

Follow Ferdinand’s grand tours at Waddesdon

Words

and

photos by Simon Eccles

An historical travel theme runs through this year’s festive tour of Waddesdon Manor and its grounds. Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild (1839-1898) was the original builder of Waddesdon Manor in the countryside north of Aylesbury between 1877 and 1883. He was also a great collector of art and artefacts and an enthusiastic traveller throughout Europe, taking advantage of the latest advances in steam railways and steam ships. In his later years from 1895 he spent months abroad cruising the Mediterranean on his steam yacht Rona, accompanied by his faithful poodle, Poupon.

Waddesdon has adapted the true-life stories of these travels into a Grand Festive Tour this year, making them the theme of its elaborate seasonal decorations inside the manor house, and also of the spectacular animated projections onto the whole front of the house after dark.

Ten of the rooms inside have been beautifully decorated for Christmas, with themed trees and displays, each for a particular country visited by Ferdinand, such as Vienna, Russia, Netherlands, Greece and France, plus Rona’s Mediterranean travels and home again at Waddesdon. Ferdinand’s collections and mementoes from his travels are included among the decorations, some on public view for the first time.

Children (and adults) can also catch glimpses of the dog Poupon and look out for his favourite red ball hidden in each of the rooms. He also features in the light displays outside. 17-year-old Amanda Loverseed created all the Poupon animations.

Visitors can also take a walk through the gardens to enjoy the interactive light shows on the house and in a nearby garden walk – if you want you can pay a smaller rate to enjoy just these outside activities and shows. There’s a Christmas Shop next to the house, and a bus can also take you to the nearby Coach House block where there’s an impressive ‘Sounds of the Season’ display of Christmas themed art, constructions and specially composed music, all created by local schools this year as part of the Manor’s community outreach programme. There will be a Christmas Fair in the grounds next to the hall until 14 December.

These annual Waddesdon seasonal events are always popular – last year saw about 100,000 visitors. The Grand Festive Tour opened on 22 November and will run until 4 January (Wednesdays to Sundays, plus Mon 22, Tue 23, Mon 29 & Tue 30 Dec). It is closed on 25 & 26 December. Opening times are 12pm-7pm, with late night openings until 8pm on all Saturdays until 20 December.

You need to book tickets in advance and choose dates and times. Basic prices are £30 for adults and £15 for children aged 5-17 (infants are free), for the Grounds only (including parking). Tickets for the Grounds plus the House are £45.50 for adults and £21.50 for children. There are extra-cost options for afternoon teas and special tours.

From 27 December the prices are a few pounds less all round. There are also significant discounts for members of various groups including National Trust and Friends of Waddesdon.

You can reach Waddesdon by road on the A41 north from Aylesbury, at HP18 0JH. There are buses from the car park to the house but wrap up well if it’s cold!

Remembering the fallen... local services and memorials

By Jane Larkham, Jo Durden Moore and Simon Eccles

This year, as in every year, people in Wendover and surrounding villages joined together to remember the victims of war.

Usually, just before 11am on the 11th day of November, they gather around their memorial monuments for the laying of wreaths and a two-minute silence.

Most also have another on the Sunday nearest Armistice Day.

Wendover

In Wendover, the main service took place later in the day this year, at 2.30pm because the RAF and Air Cadets were otherwise engaged on ceremonial duties in the morning.

It was centred on the newly repaired monument – which was covered by scaffolding right up to the Friday before the event.

The people of Wendover will be pleased to hear that problem has been repaired and that the monument will now be back under routine periodic maintenance.

Mandeville

In Stoke Mandeville the church service was at 6pm because the local clergy have other parishes to serve earlier in the day.

As before, Stoke Mandeville Parish Council held a service in the morning on the green, next to the village sign.

The parish is looking forward to 2026 when a public war memorial should finally be placed on the village green near Stoke Mandeville School, once the paperwork and necessary licences granted. Currently there is only a small memorial plaque inside the village church.

The project is a joint effort with the Village Society and the Parish Council.

New Heron Path ironwork explained If you’ve walked along the Heron Path where it reaches the High Street end recently,

you’ll have noticed that the old two-part wooden barriers have been replaced by freshly painted ironwork. There’s a story behind those.

They were originally gates that were installed in 1951 at the old Wendover School next to the clock tower. They replaced the original wooden gates that had been blown down in the famous Wendover tornado, that damaged properties around the town.

With WWII fresh in people’s memories, it was decided that these gates should be a memorial to pupils of the school who had died in the two World Wars.

On 10 May 1951 the gates were blessed by the Right Reverend Lord Bishop of Buckingham. He was helped by the vicar, Reverend Pratt and the headmaster Figg Edgington.

The gates carried the shield that is still the Junior School badge today, and a plaque with the names of the fallen was placed by the gates.

When the old school closed, the gates were moved to the new Wendover Junior School site. Some time later, new gates were installed and the memorial gates left nearby to rust and decay.

Wendover resident Simon Fortune discovered the abandoned gates and it became his mission to have the gates restored and placed back into a prominent position in Wendover.

The Parish Council took an active role in helping with the project, while Wendover Senior Football team raised a generous £600 toward the cost, and a special mention should go to Callum Thomas and Bruno Passaro who made this possible.

Now the gates are back, just a few metres from where they started nearly 75 years ago.

The plaque of names is still at the Junior School, but WPC plans to install a new one close to the gates, to explain their meaning.

Stoke

Meet the team!

Almost two years have gone by since Wendover News was handed to the community. Over that time a number of different people have contributed to the editorial which you read each month. The current team comprises seven dedicated individuals who collaborate each month to create the articles and news and put them all into the magazine in time for the printer. There are also several additional contributors who provide news and articles on a more ad-hoc basis, but here is the core editorial team…

Jane Larkham

Founder of Wendover News more than 35 years ago, who remained editor and publisher until she gave it to the community. She has the freedom of Wendover, thanks to her contribution to the local area. A “villager at heart,” she continues to support the publication as fact-checker, news gatherer and fount of knowledge.

Wynne Byford

When you contact

Wendover

News, Wynne is usually the first person you encounter. She co-ordinates advertising, bookings, online updates, social media and collates editorial. She has worked for Wendover News for over 16 years and, despite moving out of Wendover with husband Richard, continues to deliver issues to the High Street each month.

Richard Byford – Helped his friend, Jane Larkham, by stepping in to preserve the legacy of Wendover News in 2023 after Covid. He was and remains a management consultant with wide experience of construction, defence and tech companies. He’s actively involved in most aspects of the company both on a day-to-day basis and as a director – despite moving away from Wendover 15 years ago!

about community, wellbeing, animals and the arts.

Simon Eccles – An experienced journalist and technical magazine editor with long experience of production: computerised page-make-up, design,

image editing, editorial consistency and fact-checking. Interested in new technology, eco-stuff, local history, archaeology and old maps. Loves taking photos and restoring old ones, many which appear in the magazine. Also a founder member of Wendover Shed.

Jo DurdenMoore Community volunteer with fingers in many pies, experienced comms and marketing professional, networker, news gatherer, passionate

Jon Theobald Brought his communications and design experience to Wendover News last year. Co-responsible for issue production he also co-ordinates delivery in Stoke Mandeville Village. Jon is also a Stoke Mandeville Parish Councillor, bee keeper, greyhound lover as well as videographer, photographer and drone pilot.

Sean McCarthy Newest member of the group, interested in environmental and sustainability issues. Sean studied as an ecologist and is thrilled to be living in the Chilterns, an area of such varied and important wildlife habitat.

Wendover News also has some excellent people working behind the scenes whom you hardly ever see or hear about. James Harrington processes all the advertising and payments, keeps the books, looks after IT and Comms and still finds time to play a big part in the distribution process.

Stephen Ellis-Jones is a director benevolently looking over our shoulders to check that we are doing things correctly, according to our commitments as a regulated media company and in line with our constitution.

Last, but certainly not least, there are about 70 wonderful people who turn out in all conditions, to deliver Wendover News to you.

What happened to Izzie and Rory?

When Wendover Community News was set up, it was done so with a clear aim of providing opportunities for people wanting to change career, return to work, learn new skills or regain confidence in the skills they already have.

We also anticipated that a spell as a volunteer with Wendover News might act as a springboard for getting into a new career for some volunteers. Over the past year, that’s exactly what happened.

Izzie Addison already had several years in public relations with Girlguiding when she joined us. As an accomplished communicator, she wanted to move into journalism.

While she was with us, she helped start up a young writers’ group. The group unfortunately ‘went quiet’ when most of the young writers went off to university and we all miss her leadership and guidance (no pun intended). We are currently looking for a volunteer to fill the vacuum that Izzie left. Having enjoyed three months working for the Henley Standard newspaper, Izzie is looking forward to joining the UK’s national news agency, PA Media, as a reporter.

Rory Lavery, on the other hand, had been involved in education from an early age. Moving seamlessly from being a student at Aylesbury Grammar, he gained his bachelor’s degree and then master’s degree in writing at Trinity College Dublin, before returning to Wendover.

He became one of the founding directors of Wendover Community News on the day it

was formed. He later also capitalised on his love of the written word and passion for the art of literature by writing small pieces for this magazine. He’s now back at Aylesbury Grammar, but this time, as a teacher!

We asked them if their involvement with Wendover News had been a positive experience. Rory replied: “Without doubt. My time as a volunteer at Wendover News was filled with learning and positive experiences which have stood me in good stead. I met a lot of wonderful people with a vast amount of experience. The atmosphere was always welcoming, and I’d encourage anyone who’s curious about joining to give it a go!”

Izzie wrote: “Volunteering with Wendover News is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the community and gain new skills. Regulated by IMPRESS and powered by a team of dedicated and talented volunteers, Wendover News is a brilliant example of high-quality, hyper-local journalism.

It definitely helped me understand the value of local news to a community and build that all-important portfolio. I’d really encourage anyone interested in getting involved to give it go.”

We have two more volunteers joining us. Both are new graduates with very clear ideas about where they want to go in life. We welcome Miles and Thomas. Hopefully, their volunteer roles with Wendover News will help them make their first steps in their careers.

Miles Consin Mosheshe joined us two months ago. He says: “I am delighted to be joining Wendover News as a volunteer. I grew up in Abu

Dhabi, an experience that gave me an early appreciation for diversity, global perspectives, and the importance of community wherever you are.

Since leaving the UAE, I have made my home in Aston Clinton, where I have lived for several years. Being part of a village community has deepened my interest in local life and shown me how important it is to keep people connected through shared stories and events. I recently graduated with a degree in Economics from UCL, but what drives me most is not just academia. Rather, making a positive contribution to the people around me gives me a satisfaction and fulfilment like no other.

Volunteering has always been central to that. From working with Oxfam in admin and recruitment, to volunteering at Crisis in customer service, I have found purpose in helping organisations deliver their message and serve their communities.

Alongside volunteering, I take a strong interest in politics, fitness, and meeting new people, all of which keep me engaged, balanced, and motivated to keep learning.

Thomas Dutch is the latest volunteer to join the team. He announces himself: “I am a recent Media and Communications graduate. After studying up north in Loughborough for a few years, I am now local to Wendover again. Soon after I contacted Wendover News, I got a full run down on how the whole operation works. I’ve agreed to join as a volunteer hoping to gain more experience.

Some things to know about me: I’ve always been a big fan of reading and writing, especially on topics that interest me related to culture, music and sport. I’m especially interested in the editorial and writing sides of things, however I understand this is a good opportunity to learn about areas of news production I’m less familiar with.

I’m looking forward to working with everyone and contributing in whatever capacity I can.”

Warmth can bring Christmas cheer

By Sean McCarthy

Although the Met Office has forecast a milder-than-average winter for 2026, we all want to avoid wasting money and energy, especially if we are concerned about climate change and looking after the planet for future generations. While we are thinking about looking after the planet, we shouldn’t forget our neighbours especially at Christmas time when it can be particularly cold and gloomy for those on their own.

The following tips about keeping warm may not be relevant for everyone but mentioning some of these ideas to neighbours may encourage a conversation about how to keep warm this winter.

Starting with the big challenges, do you have the most appropriate energy tariffs? Organisations such as LEAP (Local Energy Advice Partnership) and Which? have independent advice that can help you choose the best supplier and tariff for your circumstances.

Get your tariffs and timing right

Boilers need to be set to produce the right temperature and thermostats and timers can be adjusted to be more efficient without any loss of comfort. As family circumstances change, maybe children are no longer being bathed before bedtime, or work patterns have changed, have you adjusted the timer to stop heating water at the wrong hours?

Washing machines and dishwasher timers can be set to work off-peak. If you have an electric vehicle, you can get very cheap night-time deals, so it makes great sense to find other appliances that can work at night, such as free-standing radiators.

Around the house

Advice from energy experts is to concentrate heating in rooms you use most often. Close the doors, turn off radiators and pull the curtains in rooms that are little used. In earlier times, families would all congregate in one room during the winter, but now families seem to be dispersed through the house, requiring more heating.

If you do need to keep all the radiators on, it is worth getting them serviced along with the boiler, to ensure they operate as efficiently as possible. Balancing the radiators to ensure some rooms (maybe upstairs) are not too hot whilst others, downstairs, are cold. Bleeding air radiators is a job for proficient DIYers, but for many it is worth arranging a service visit from a local central heating company.

Home-made draft excluders at the bottom

of doors and curtains hung behind external doors are very effective traditional methods to keep a house warm.

Insulating a loft is quite a large job and organisations such as LEAP can advise if you are eligible for Government grants but just ensuring the loft hatch is well insulated can save a lot of heat going through the roof. According to the Building Research Establishment an uninsulated loft hatch can leak up to 15 times more energy than the surrounding insulated loft floor. Because hot air rises and loft openings are usually at the top of the house, just adding a layer of insulating board or foil to the hatch can make a big difference. While you have the insulation foil out, don’t forget to discreetly fit a layer between radiators and walls – this is especially effective on cold external walls.

Closing off unused rooms can save energy, but it is also worth closing curtains in all rooms to keep the warmth in. However, if sunshine will come into a room, it is best to keep the curtains open while the sun is still on that side of the house and only close them after the sun moves around.

It may seem counter-intuitive to reduce warm air in the house that has built up in the bathroom or kitchen. Dry air warms up faster than damp air, so opening a small window for a couple of minutes will help dry a room out and also reduce the chances of mould.

The heart of the home

The kitchen is the room where most heat is generated, and where small changes can make a big difference over the winter months. Energy demand is highest for appliances that heat up such as toasters, kettles, microwaves and ovens.

Traditionally people would batch cook when the oven was alight and prepare food for the whole week, a similar approach today will save energy, especially if lots of dishes can be frozen and then reheated in a microwave, which is far more efficient than a gas or electric oven.

Pressure cookers might not be for everyone, but if you have a hungry family, a pressure cooker is much quicker and more energy efficient than a regular saucepan – even one with a well- fitting lid.

Try to not over-fill a kettle, only boiling enough water for the number of cups you want. If you know you will have a second round of hot drinks later and you have a good thermos, it is slightly more efficient to boil extra hot water and store it in the thermos for later use. Even if you don’t have a second cuppa later, the hot water in the thermos can be used for cooking or washing up!

The trend towards air fryers and energy efficient microwaves as well as slow cookers, will reduce energy consumption in the kitchen if you use the appropriate appliance for the job. For example, an induction hob may be best for some cooking. Because

an induction hob heats just the pan and its contents, not the surrounding air, it is inherently more efficient than gas or electric.

Warm your own heart

People living in very cold climates often say it is better to warm the person than the whole house. For example, layering light clothing, with natural fibres next to the body or wearing a warm hat – night caps were commonplace in pre-central heating eras. And of course, hot water bottles, or more recently bean bags warmed in the microwave, are a very cost-effective way of being comfortable in a chilly bedroom. Foot stools keep feet away from drafty and cold floors. It used to be common to wear cotton gloves in doors. These days you can get rather fashionable fingerless gloves to allow the use of smart phones.

Where once ladies sat upright with a light blanket discreetly wrapped around their legs, today low-cost fleece throws, snuggle blankets and oversized hoodies, keep young and old alike warm and cosy as they curl up on the sofa to watch TV or read a book (or their smartphones…).

Finally, Wendover takes part in the Bucks Council ‘Welcoming Spaces’ initiative that has designated warm spaces in Wendover, including such as St Annes Hall (next to the Churrch at the junction of Wharf Road and Aylesbury Road), with times when the Sages (Senior Ages) group meets in the Wendover Christian Centre. Also, the Community Library and Wendover Shed (off Hogtrough Lane) are designated as places to feel warm and secure.

More information about the Bucks Council ‘Welcoming Spaces’ initiative can be found at www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/cost-of-living/ find-a-place-to-keep-warm-welcoming-spaces (or www.bit.ly/4pC6OmS).

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Caring for vulnerable neighbours

By Jane Larkham

Sean’s article on the previous page has given some very useful tips about coping with cold wintery weather. Many of his suggestions can be followed quickly and cheaply. But what about neighbours who need more than physical warmth? Now that Winter is upon us, we must remember that some of our neighbours find this a very difficult time of year, especially if they experience problems with their mobility.

Human connections

If you know people who live on their own, consider making a note in your diary to speak to them every few days. Sometimes, just having somebody who listens to them on the telephone can lift their spirits. Calling in for a chat can make a huge difference, but make sure your visit is appreciated and don’t overstay your welcome. As always, treat them with respect and consideration and don’t do anything that would undermine their sense of independence or cause them worry.

Wendover Library is an official Warm Space designated as such by Buckinghamshire Council and it is not open on Tuesdays, then Friday through to Saturday. Mondays, Wednesdays or Sundays. There are also many activities at Wendover Christian Centre which cater for different enthusiasms. See Events pages for more details.

There is a local Safe Spaces scheme, supervised by Thames Valley Police. It provides reassurance to vulnerable people and their carers, or people who find themselves in challenging situations, so that they can live more independent lifestyles with help available when they are out and about in

the community. Businesses who are part of the scheme will display the ‘Safe Place’ logo, meaning that a vulnerable person can go in and ask for help, for more details go to www. orlo.uk/AzAA0

Longer term

In terms of longer-term care, at the moment the only remaining care home in Wendover is Cherry Trees in Dobbins Lane. They are building their community connections all the time including with Chilterns Neuro Centre in Princess Mary Gate. Cherry Trees is run by Salveo which is building the new Wendover Manor Care Home where the MidBucks Care Home used to be, actually in Weston Turville Parish.

Meanwhile, Ashridge Home Care, run by Trudi Scrivener supports people in their own homes with companionship as well as food, washing and other caring roles. They have just opened a monthly Memory Café at Chilterns Neuro Centre, HP22 5LX on the first Friday of each month. This started on Friday 7 November from 10am to 12noon.

Aston Manor is a new care home in our area that opened at the end of October, with an event attended by community members and the Mayor of Aylesbury. It’s run by Harrington Care Homes. Despite the name it’s in Weston Turville, on the Aston Reach estate on De Havilland Road.

Aston Manor accommodates up to 88 residents, with 84 single bedrooms and two double suites. It also features a hydrotherapy pool, family sports café, cinema, gym, and dedicated activity areas. See: www. harringtoncarehomes.com/care-homes/aylesbury

Dementia support

Wendover Dementia Support supports families in the Westongrove Partnership to look after family members living with dementia and help them all to live life to the full. Their excellent work has been recorded many times in Wendover News, see also www.wendoverds.org.uk/

Freemantle Court care home in Stoke Mandeville supports up to 90 residents providing nursing, residential, respite as well as dementia care for older people. www.osjct. co.uk/care-home/fremantle-court

In November Sister Bernadette (behind the cake!) celebrated the 60th anniversary of taking her vows.

The Daughters of Providence of Saint Brieuc support religious and charitable works, with members involved in education, visiting the sick, and supporting communities through their ministries.

Many of our readers will know Sister Bernadette for her care of the sick, vulnerable and lonely.

Major improvements to bus services around Wendover

Research provided by John Wood

In a major effort to improve mobility across the country, the Government has provided £670 million to enable Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) to deliver their Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIPs) for 2025 to 2026. Buckinghamshire Council will receive £6.76 million to improve local bus services over the next year.

Wendover resident and long-time bus transport expert John Woods has analysed how this investment will be used to make major changes to the local bus routes and timetables.

The introduction of extended hours on the Aylesbury - Wendover number 50 bus route is part of major improvements to services in our area. There are also additions to the Aylesbury - Chesham 55; 55A & 55B services. The Government has given Buckinghamshire Council a grant to improve bus services throughout the County, known as the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) grant, guaranteed until 2029/30.

New evening buses introduced

For over a century, Wendover has had a bus service into Aylesbury along the A413. This route 50 is currently provided by the private operator Red Rose Buses on Mondays to Saturdays. From Aylesbury Bus station route 50 serves Elm Farm Estate, Stoke Mandeville, the western end of Weston Turville, Worlds End, Wendover Clock Tower then along the Tring Road turning around at RAF Halton.

Buses have run broadly every half-hour on Mondays to Fridays and hourly on Saturdays. The service was improved at the beginning of November when a BSIP funded evening service was introduced on route 50.

These additional journeys will depart Aylesbury Bus station on Mondays to Saturdays at 19.10 and hourly until 23.10 (with none stopping at Elm Farm after 18.38). The new evening route 50 buses from RAF Halton via Wendover Clock Tower to Aylesbury are from 19.30 thence hourly until 23.30.

This is the first time in over two decades that Wendover has had an evening bus service, previously been solely reliant upon the train service. Whilst offering new opportunities for evenings out in Aylesbury (and vice versa) it will be very interesting to see how much use is made of these extra services.

Sunday bus services improved for villages

Wendover has always had a limited Sunday bus service from Aylesbury. Provided under various guises over the years, the current service is the Red Rose route 502. This follows the 50 service (though not via Elm Farm) to RAF Halton. It then continues along the B4009 to Tring then via a circular route through villages and College Lake on to Ivinghoe.

On return to Tring it continues back to Wendover and Aylesbury. Four daytime journeys are provided at broadly two hourly intervals with the last bus from Aylesbury to Wendover at 17.03 whilst the last leaving RAF Halton for Aylesbury is at only 16.08.

Scenic routes reintroduced to Chesham

Previously the terminus at RAF Halton was as far as you could go on an AylesburyWendover Monday to Saturday service. This changed in September when the new services

55, 55A and 55B were introduced, again with BSIP funding. These new routes, also run by Red Rose Buses, integrate with the existing 50 route continuing to Chesham on an halfhourly frequency over the trunk Wendover – Aylesbury leg Monday to Friday.

Service 55 is a reinstatement of a route that ran for several years in the late 2010’s but was suspended in 2021 after Covid.

From RAF Halton it returns to the Clock Tower and High Street to continue south on the A413 to Great Missenden then via the B485 (Hyde End) to Chesham.

The 55A and 55B journeys carry on beyond RAF Halton along the B4009 to Tring but then set off through lovely villages in the Chiltern Hills such as Cholesbury and Bellingdon to reach Chesham, the A & B designating the different routes.

In total there are seven services to and from Wendover and Chesham on weekdays. These routes are recommended for an interesting day out from Wendover!

Bypass leads to major alterations for Stoke Mandeville buses

With the opening of the new A4010 Stoke Mandeville bypass in November 2025, the Redline Buses 130/300 routes through the village will be revised.

BSIP funding has been used to increase the early evening Monday to Saturday service to half-hourly and introduce a late bus from Aylesbury on route 300 at 23.00.

Stoke Mandeville was previously served by the main Aylesbury–Princes Risborough routes, and between 2021 and 2024 experienced a period of intense competition between Arriva and Redline, at one point resulting in up to eight buses per hour in each direction. Following Arriva’s withdrawal from this service, frequency has reduced from every 15 minutes to every 30 minutes.

Route 130 uses the new bypass coming from and to Aylesbury, but no longer serves Stoke Mandeville village.

Route 300 still uses the old Lower Road route, but at the roundabout by St. Mary’s church now runs along Station Road via an Eskdale Road stop, which has long requested a service.

It will then go along the A413 and Nash Lee Road meeting with the 130 bus at Terrick, giving an half-hourly service to Stoke Mandeville (hourly on Sundays).

Unfortunately, the old bus stops at the Bull pub and near the Ark will no longer be served as the Risborough Road is no longer a through route.

Making learning enjoyable

Jim

BA (hons)

Photo: Sean McCarthy Peter

Not much relief from diverted road around Stoke Mandeville Village (yet!)

Word and photos by Jo Durden-Moore

On 5 November, the highly anticipated A4010 relief road around Stoke Mandeville village opened to the public. As my husband and I took our inaugural trip round the beautiful countryside to the west of the village, marvelling at the engineering features of both the train and the roads, we had to wonder how much actual ‘relief’ it would bring to residents, commuters and visitors.

Now that the short ‘spur road’ to the Goat Centre area is in place, only the long-overdue South-East Aylesbury Link Road (SEALR) connecting Lower Road to Wendover Road is still to be completed. Without that finished (currently forecast for late 2026), it’s hard to fully appreciate their combined effects – and those of HS2 – will really have on the surrounding villages of Stoke Mandeville, Weston Turville and Wendover.

As everyone is now getting used to their new routes into Wendover, Aylesbury or Wycombe, with the now permanent closure of the historic Risborough Road, businesses are struggling to remain optimistic. Community pub, ‘The Bull’, and new shop ‘Aylesbury Carpets’, are both situated in the centre of the village off Station Road, so are

Specialists

possibly least affected. People driving their usual route from Aylesbury to the ‘Bell’ on Lower Road may be confused by a ‘village only’ signpost at the top of the village. Additionally, a ‘road closed’ sign will also mislead many visitors wanting to reach the iconic ‘Woolpack’ inn.

Some winners have been the village Post Office/shop: Everybody passes them now (until SEALR is opened next year) so they may be inclined to pop in. But The Goat Centre, Grazing Goat café and other resident businesses appear to be the most affected. They are in the epicentre of the HS2 works which has driven away many longtime visitors

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due to the noise, disruption and mess of the past few years. Obsidian Art has relocated already, so here’s hoping Harry Frisk’s Christmas Trees will help bring back some much-needed trade to the centre.

Talking with long-time resident and retired Parish Councillor, Jenny Hunt, who led the mitigation efforts when HS2 was approved some years ago, it would appear there is a lot more to the new relief road as it was never part of the initial railway infrastructure plans.

Originally two huge overhead bypasses were planned through the middle of the village!

There will be more about this in the new year, but in the meantime the Village Society is celebrating the eventual return of Stoke Mandeville feeling more like a village, rather than a gridlocked carpark.

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Spring Chamber Planning Application

As we go to press we’re expecting that the revised planning application for the ‘Spring Chamber’ in the fields at the end of Dobbins Lane will be approved, with construction traffic using site access from Nash Lee End, rather than running HGV lorries through Wendover. If so, this will be a huge relief to everybody who argued against heavy construction vehicles entering the Spring Chamber site via South Street and Dobbins Lane.

Wendover Green Tunnel making progress

The concrete shell of the first phase of the tunnel has been completed, (see photo above) and backfilling has started, with large quantities of rock being delivered to fill the cutting. Progress is being made at the north end, with work started in September on a new temporary access track from the A413 which is needed to finish the structure in the new year.

EKFB erroneously cut down 300m of protected trees along the A413, and we have been campaigning for them to make amends. We are asking them to erect a wooden fence now to shield North Wendover residents from ongoing HS2 construction noise and light pollution. In the longer term this will provide some train noise mitigation while replacement trees grow to hide the fence. Meanwhile work has continued on the Phase 2 section of the tunnel at Bacombe Lane and foundations are being laid for the final phase that crosses under the Ellesborough Road bridges. We understand

HS2 update

that the delays in creating the Tunnel mean that this is the bottleneck in the project plan for the whole HS2 line between London and Birmingham. Work is continuing at pace to get it finished by the end of 2028.

HS2 Test track at Wendover

HS2 have announced that a 50 mile section of the railway between the Wendover Green Tunnel and the new Washwood Heath depot - which will run past Stoke Mandeville and west Aylesbury - will be prioritised as a test track to integrate the new trains with the track and signalling. This may be good news for progressing the project, however the budget constraints imposed by the Treasury and DfT mean that work is being delayed on other parts of the line.

The implication is that work south of the Green Tunnel is being de-prioritised. The parapet walls on the Small Dean Viaduct are now due to be installed over the Chiltern Line during the Christmas railway closure. However work on the section over the A413 has been pushed back into next year. We expect to discover the impact on the other local HS2 construction site timescales early in the new year.

Wendover after HS2

We held an HS2 Update public meeting in November to explain what’s happening and seek community feedback about future land restoration issues as the civil engineering nears completion. The presentations are available on our whs2.org website, and we’ll summarise the outcome in the next edition of Wendover News.

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

Backfilling the Phase 1 tunnel shell (east side) November 2025. Photo: Murray Cooke

Wendover Green Tunnel Phase 2 from the Ridgeway November 2025.

Photo: Murray Cooke

Green Tunnel Phase 2 from Balcombe Lane. November 2025. Photo: Murray Cooke

Small Dean Viaduct

At the Small Dean viaduct, we will be working over the Christmas period to continue the installation of parapets on the viaduct deck and to complete backfill at the pier closest to the Chiltern railway.

We will be working in and around the railway during this period (25 – 28 December, 24-hour working). Railway travel will be impacted for the days while we work under railway possession. For more information on changes to railway timetables, please visit: www.chilternrailways.co.uk/ tickets-and-times/changes

Parapet installation on the viaduct will resume in early 2026 over the A413, London Road. As we will be using a crane on the road to lift the parapets, there will be overnight closures to complete this work safely. An advance works notice will be shared prior to the works with the dates of these overnight road closures.

A4010 realignment - Stoke Mandeville Relief Road

In early November, the finishing works to realign the A4010 Risborough Road onto the

new Stoke Mandeville Relief Road (SMRR) were successfully completed.

In collaboration with Buckinghamshire Council’s South East Aylesbury Link Road (SEALR) the Stoke Mandeville Relief Road is now open to the public. Working around the clock during a series of road closures along the A4010, our teams completed and opened the road on 5 November, including a new footway and dedicated cycle path.

This section of new road connects the A4010 and the B4443 Lower Road, carrying traffic over HS2 and bypassing the village of

Stoke Mandeville.

Following the opening of the A41 Bicester Road and A418 Oxford Road realignments in 2024, this marks the third and final A road realignment we’ve opened in the Aylesbury area.

If you would like to read more about the works and view the advance works notices and maps, then please go to HS2 website www.hs2.org.uk and click the ‘in your area section’ to view the interactive map. (HS2 in your area - HS2)

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

Ellesborough Golf Club – keeping the greens green

By Sean McCarthy

Increasingly hot dry summers in the UK are affecting everyone and the golf courses are no exception. Although golf courses, as a sports ground amenity, tend to benefit from exemptions to local hose pipe bans, this is not guaranteed and is up to the water supply companies whom introduce a ban if needed.

Well-managed golf courses are seeking to improve their environmental sustainability. At the same time, many golf clubs have faced global criticism, especially in arid regions, where courses can be seen as competing with local farmers, residents, and wildlife for scarce resources such as land and water. International organisations such as the not-for-profit GEO Foundation have been set up to help golf courses, governing bodies and club designers adopt credible environmental and climate-action practices.

Locally, the stunning Ellesborough Golf Club, an eighteen-hole course established 1906, is on a journey to maintain and improve the sustainability of its chalk downland environment on the edge of Coombe Hill, not far from Chequers.

The chalk has traditionally provided excellent drainage but with increasingly extreme climate patterns, the tees, greens and fairways are becoming ever more difficult to keep in top playing condition. The grass is becoming brown and dusty earlier in the season needing more watering and feeding. At the same time the Ellesborough management and ground staff are determined to use as little water, weed control and fertilizer as possible, to ensure the natural environment and biodiversity can be improved. The club management are looking for any opportunity to reduce their environmental impact and have even commissioned a new wash down facility for their mowers and other machinery, preventing harmful waste cleaning products ending up in the ground. Instead they use natural products to break the waste down and further contribute to bio-diversity

“The club is keen to be an environmentally responsible custodian of this land, ensuring a sustainable water supply for irrigation and increasing net bio-diversity at the same time as maintaining a beautiful location for our members to play golf”

To that end the club is planning to create a reservoir that will capture and store water during the wet winter months. Currently the

course uses irrigation water from two sources, a borehole on the course and mains water. The increased price for mains water and the possibility of future restrictions on boreholes have encouraged the club to look at more sustainable and environmentally-friendly solutions to this challenge.

If no action is taken, increasingly extreme weather could cause lasting damage to the course and local ecology. To mitigate any long-term damage to the course, the proposed reservoir (technically known as a ‘storage and robbing’ lake) will fill up in the winter months when water is plentiful and empty completely by the following Autumn.

The reservoir might also be filled using grey water collected from roof and car park run-off which should mean that no mains water needs to be used to supply the reservoir and the irrigation system. Ultimately the aim of the project is secure the sustainability of the course for members, with the added benefit of reducing the wasteful use of drinking water for irrigation and improving biodiversity for the local environment.

P KERNAN

Club Corner

Wendover FC Charity Run

On Sunday 2 November, and for the second consecutive year, players from Wendover FC took on the challenging trails of the Wendover woods in their annual half marathon and 10k races. And once again, this was on behalf of local charity Greenfingers.

Greenfingers [based in station approach] aims to provide all life-limited children, their families, and carers, within their hospice, emotional support through the power and pleasure of nature. They create beautiful, well-designed outdoor spaces for children to enjoy with their family, friends and siblings, whether through play and fun, or therapeutic rest and relaxation.

Wendover FC set a target of £500.00 prior to the event and were already at 80% of target come the morning of race day.

No sooner than 24 hours after finishing their Saturday football fixtures, and given the steep hills and masses of mud, the lads turned in some impressive runs as seen below.

Wendover FC wishes everyone at Greenfingers well, and look forward to raising awareness and contribution again the future. www.justgiving.com/page/ wendoverfcgreenfingers25

Results for the 10k:

Callum Thomas - 48:33 - 6th / 200

Guy Mannerings- 53:21 - 29th / 200

Sam Hardy - 55:25 - 42nd / 200

Results for the Half marathon:

Rob Monk - 1:40:26 - 7th / 159

Dominic di Falco - 1:55:53 - 47th / 159

Ollie Sperring - 2:03:42 - 73rd / 159

Wendover Cricket Club

Jonathan Seabrook writes: Winter nets will begin in early January for all juniors and seniors, at weekends. New members are very welcome and should contact wccjuniorscontact@gmail.com for further information. Plans are in hand to provide more girls cricket in 2026.

As a club we are proud to work with around 150 children across our different age groups. This winter we are very pleased to celebrate the additional success of eight of our girls and eight boys who have achieved places in Bucks Cricket’s county pathway structure - congratulations to them all.

The new nets installation at Witchell has been completed and are available for cricket practice. The temporarily fenced-off areas of Witchell will remain until the spring, to give the new grass the best chance of establishment.

Work is continuing on the new ground on Tring Road. The main outfield and training area have been seeded and has greened up, but the remaining areas will now be sown next spring. The pavilion’s roof has been completed and works have started on the rest of the building envelope and internally.

More info can be found in stories at www. pitchero.com/clubs/wendovercricketclub

The club is aiming to hold an Open Day on Saturday 25 April 2026 – date and details TBC. Although the pavilion contract is due to be handed over in March 2026, there will be some fitting out to complete as well as the remaining groundworks.

In 2026, the club expects to use the nets facility and the pavilion but the general playing areas will not be sufficiently established until the 2027 season.

View of the main cricket ground - November 2025

Photo: L-R Guy Mannerings, Ollie Sperring, Callum Thomas, Sam Hardy, Dominic di Falco

Wendover Bowls Club

Don Knight writes: Fifty members attended the 2025 AGM. We started with a minute’s silence for our members who have died during the year. One I must mention is Malcolm Warr who did so much for the Club and, though he had moved away, was still a Trustee, but we will miss them all of course. Financially we are sound and there has been a small increase in membership. Most of the committee volunteered for another year but our Chairman, Michael Greaves, decided it was time to take a rest after several years and there were no takers for the post. Our thanks to Michael for all his hard work.

There was a lively discussion on voting procedure. At present only full members can vote so those who only play in the winter indoor season are not eligible as they pay a lower membership fee. It is a thorny issue for the committee to sort out… good luck!!

Our hardworking catering team came up with the idea of a hearty “brunch”. This proved very popular and the list quickly sold out. I must add a word of warning though, those of us of advancing years and expanding waistlines already have enough trouble getting down low to bowl but I must admit there is nothing better than a good fry-up.

Our indoor season is in full swing with the usual mixed results. The green looks a bit shabby as it hasn’t been cut for some time and the crow has done some minor

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excavation but the reseeding of the bald patches seems to be working well. Meanwhile we will be warm and dry indoors until early April when we will see if all the hard work has paid off.

Aylesbury Centre NT members enjoyed visit to Globe Theatre

2025 has seen a full programme of events including monthly talks, coach visits to National Trust and other destinations, a self-drive visit to Rycote Chapel, Thame, a garden party in Wingrave, coffee morning at The Bell, Stoke Mandeville, and an annual holiday based in Tiverton, Devon.

Our final events for 2025, in early December, are a trip to The Vyne (NT) near Basingstoke plus the Milestones Museum, and our 51st AGM, which will be followed by a social evening.

The development of our programme of events for 2026 is well underway, with the Talks Programme finalised, and our Outings

Team considering destinations for coach trips which will appeal to our members, having recently surveyed opinions.

The Aylesbury Centre NT exists to add value to NT membership or volunteering, through social events, whilst raising funds in support of local NT projects at properties such as Claydon, Ashridge, Stowe and others.

Members pay £3 entrance to talks, which includes refreshments. Visitors are welcome and pay a small supplement. Annual membership is £12 per person.

For more information and a membership form, please contact the Hon. Secretary at aylesburycentrent@gmail.com or phone/ message 07399 540626.

Does your club or society deserve a shout out?

Wendover News is the ideal platform to get stories out to the public of Wendover and surrounding areas.

You probably communicate with members and supporters over social media, but what about people who would like to know about you, but don’t even know you exist? If you have something to say that will interest our readers, contact us at the email on the bottom of the page.

You could grow your membership, celebrate major achievements, talk about your activities, get your name about. This could be your gateway to the wider community…

gblakefurn@gmail.com www.grahamblake.com

Aylesbury Centre NT members enjoying a visit to The Globe Theatre

Wendover Parish Council -

View from the Clock Tower

Our community - coming together at Christmas

I hope you enjoyed our recent Christmas event - the switching on of the tree lights. We have more free events for the community to bring them together at this time of year.

There is nothing more uplifting than a glass of mulled wine and a hearty sing along with Christmas carols and our carols around the tree event is on Friday 12 December 6:30 to 7:30pm. The Chinnor Silver Band will provide accompaniment and song books are available online or will be handed round athe event. After the event we recommend you enjoy dinner in one of our amazing restaurants and hostelries. Check out www. welcometowendover.co.uk/ for details.

Finally, our Local Produce Market on the 20 December from 10am to 2pm is a great place for main presents and stocking fillers. There are some beautiful crafts on display as well as freshly made food and drink. We pride ourselves that most of the stalls are people who live within an 8-mile radius of Wendover with a good proportion living in Wendover itself. You may have been stung at home by one of the bees that made your honey!

Again – check out the website above to get links to our high street businesses and find out what offers and attractions they are providing. As soon as our new businesses open in the vacant units we will try and get their details on there too.

Wendover Local Produce Market

Library car park – Free parking sessions

Whilst we haven’t negotiated the return of the free hour parking to the car park, Buckinghamshire Council are offering free parking in the run up to Christmas.

It will be free Friday 12 December (from 10am) so you can park for the Carols around the Tree, Saturday 13 December (from 10am) to help with Christmas shopping in the High Street and Saturday 20 December (from 10am) for our Christmas Local Produce Market.

Money, Money, Money

The Parish Council have been discussing the budget for the forthcoming year and are keen to resource their plan to invest in the community without adding to the financial burden of the monthly bills of our residents. The final budget was discussed for approval at the December Parish Council on 2 Dec and papers are available on the website. You can visit our website and download the current proposal which was in the meeting pack for the Finance Committee on 18 November. Our current major concern is looking at ways we can protect the town from inappropriate development, and this will require securing land around Wendover for community use. If anyone has any links to funds or grant organisations that feels they can help, please contact the office.

Development on Halton Lane/ Worlds End Lane

We have been approached by a housing developer who is looking to create a development on the field between Halton Lane/ Aylesbury Rd/Worlds End Lane. The plans are changing, and we are not yet aware of the full proposal, but you can keep up to date with information which will be published on our website and in our planning committee packs. All of the information we currently know is in the Planning Committee pack of the 18th November available by going to our website and selecting Meetings>2025/26 from the top menu

Winter works programme in our open spaces

We are well into our winter works schedule to look after open spaces and other areas we manage. We have started putting bark chips down on muddy paths, pruning hedges and raising the canopy on the trees in our parks. With a brief week off to cut and dress the mini-Christmas trees, the team are back into our open spaces, bulb planting for spring and continuing winter tree works. Please note the team are often asked “can you just do my little bit?” or “if I give you some cash can you just?” They can’t! The Parish Council can’t do any private works. There are a lot of local folks offering good quality garden services –many in this fine publication!

Wendover Parish Council l The Clock Tower, High Street, Wendover HP22 6DU l Tel 01296 623056 clerk@wendover-pc-gov.uk www.facebook.com/wendoverparish

Sat 20 December & 17 January 10am–2pm Manor Waste

Contact estates@wendover-pc.gov.uk

Stay informed about local news, events, and parish matters – sign up to receive our monthly newsletter straight to your inbox! Subscribe here: www.welcometowendover.co.uk/#subscribe

Sunday Church Services in Wendover

• St Anne’s: 9am Mass

• St Mary’s: 9am and 10.45am

• Wendover Free Church: 10.45am

St Anne’s Roman Catholic Church – 07753 633713 stanneswendover.uk

St Mary’s Church of England – 01296 696136 / 623123 stmaryswendover.org Wendover Free Church – 01296 622354 wendoverfreechurch.org.uk

Next Parish Council meeting: 6 January, 7:4 0pm Main Meeting room, Wendover Library Information about upcoming meetings: www.wendover-pc.gov.uk

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