Great KingshillResidents’ Association

Newsletter

Winter 2019

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MPLE END

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Contents

2 Editorial 3 Chairman’s Report 4 Events Diary 6 Chameleon 8 Local News and Events 11 Muscat Old Boys on tour – Part 5 16 Autumn Leaves 20 David Jarman 22 A Planet-friendly Christmas 24 Village Hall 27 Neighbourhood Watch 29 Christmas for Pets 33 Chiltern Countryside Group 35 Website and Facebook page 37 Hughenden Parish Council 38 GKRA Bonfire and Firework display 40 Great Kingshill Cricket Club 44 Village Hall Contacts

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WelcometotheWinterNewsletterWell, doesn’t time fly! It doesn’t seem five minutes since we were planning for last Christmas and now here it is again. There has been some mixed news for the village over the autumn. The annual firework display was again a great success, despite the atrocious weather, but at least the sun was shining for the Remembrance Day Service – more about these events later in the Newsletter. On a sadder note, we have recently lost David Jarman, who was instrumental in many of the village activities. He will be greatly missed by us all and the Newsletter team would like to send their sincere condolences to his family. Last summer we again entered the National Parish Magazine competition. Out of over 360 entries, our Newsletter achieved 48th place in the A5 Category. Well done and thank you to all our contributors who helped to make this happen. The Newsletter would not be able to keep going without all your contributions, so please keep them coming. A couple of points to note - the views expressed in the articles within this newsletter are not necessarily the views of the editors or GKRA committee, and the editorial team reserve the right to edit copy as they see fit. We do not have an unlimited number of pages so hope that you will understand if your piece has been shortened in order to fit it in. If you have anything you would like included in the Newsletter please get in touch by email to the following address:

gkra.newsletter@gmail.com Looking forward to hearing from you; copy for the next edition is required by mid February. Rose 712207 Myriam 711314

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RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION OFFICERS CHAIRMAN John Golledge chairman@greatkingshill.org SECRETARY Jackie Goodfellow. jag200509@gmail.com TREASURER Shirley Challis 07771 567921

Chairman’s Report

As I write this winter seems to have truly set in with a dry day becoming something of a rarity – but at least we seem to have been spared the worst of the weather. When you are feeling hard done by you could spare a thought for those in South Yorkshire and even further afield in places like Venice and New South Wales where they really have cause for complaint! Over the last few months the excellent programme of events put on throughout Hughenden parish to celebrate its 125th anniversary has come to an end, whilst here in Great Kingshill itself we have had many of the usual autumn events. The annual Fireworks Display on 1st November was fortunately on one of the few dry days in the last month, numbers were down due to the uncertainty over the weather but it was a thoroughly enjoyable occasion and those who stayed away due to the weather missed a great display. A full write up of the event can be found elsewhere in this issue but I would take this opportunity to add my thanks to all those who contributed to make it a success. Just over a week later, on Remembrance Sunday there was a brief service of remembrance at the village hall and I am pleased to say that this was once again well attended. It seems that as the last veterans from the two world wars are becoming fewer in numbers, paradoxically the willingness to commemorate their sacrifice is increasing. Long may it continue is all I can say. Unfortunately the Cheese and Wine tasting had to be cancelled due to a lack of tickets being sold and the committee is looking at the reasons for

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this and considering how to best arrange the events that will be most supported by the village. If you have any views on this (or any other matter) please do come along to our monthly meetings on the first Monday of the month at 7.30pm in the parish office on the common. Finally I could not write this report without making reference to the sad passing last month of David Jarman, who was, as many of you will know, a stalwart of village life. There is a brief obituary elsewhere in this issue which highlights just some of the areas he was involved in – He will be sadly missed. John Golledge Chairman, Great Kingshill Residents Association

Great Kingshill Residents' Association

Diary of Events

Date Event Sunday 15th December Carols in the Village

Meet outside of the SPAR, continuing with more carols in the Village Hall, followed by mulled wine and mince pies.

2020 February Quiz Night in the Village Hall

Get together with your friends in teams for an evening of fun

May Country Walk An amble around the Chilterns for the whole family

August 31st (Bank Holiday Monday)

Village Event on the Common Watch out for further details of what will be a real village day

November 6th Fireworks and Bonfire

Please look out for posters around the village and on the notice board by the pedestrian crossing for more details and

confirmed dates and times.

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Churchesads2xquarterpage(bothadssameaslasttimeplease)PlushalfpageHughendenchurchXmasad

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Holy Communion (Said)8.oo am

Choral Communion9.oo am

Family Communion11.oo am

Carols by Candlelight5.oo pm

Sunday 22 nd December - 6.oo pm

Sunday 8 th December - 3.oo pm

Sunday 15 th December - 4.oo pm

Crib Services3.oo pm & 4.3o pm

Midnight Communion11.15 pm

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CHAMELEON SINGLES GROUP

We have had a good variety of events over the autumn although we are now moving towards more inside events as the cooler days and darker nights set in. January marks our AGM where we will plan events for the months ahead and look forward to another year of days out, at home events, visits, theatre and pub nights etc. In September we attended the Bluegrass BBQ event at Fishers Brewery. It was a good opportunity to try out some different drinks and alternative BBQ food offering something a little different to the usual. October saw a return visit to the Improve Comedy evening at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre. The team that put on this event make up the comedy from audience suggestions and a very good job they make of it too. We plan to go to another night early in the new year. Our autumn trip to Beamish was a done over a long weekend. Not only did we spend a day visiting the museum but also had a chance to visit the Angel of the North, Newcastle and Whitley Bay as part of the trip. A particularly good Italian Restaurant was enjoyed by all on the Saturday evening. Food & drink events seem ever popular with our members. We hold coffee mornings and at home take-away meals with our hosts making sure everyone is catered for from Tea and Cakes to Fish & Chip suppers. Coming up we have a visit to the Rebellion Brewery and our Christmas events including a dinner/dance at Hazlemere Golf Club, Christmas Lunch at the Spindle & Thread and an at home sharing supper.

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Some events run monthly like the Friday Lunch Club and our new Thursday date for the Pub Night. Both work well making use of quieter times at the venues and are great places to meet other members. They are especially suitable for newcomers to the group. Chameleon also arranges trips to the theatre, cinema, comedy evenings, concerts, days out and various other events throughout the year. We have planned a day trip to Guernsey in the New Year. If you are single, 40-60’s, looking for a great social life and new friends then why not give us a try? There are no strangers at Chameleon, just new friends to be made. We have several local people from Great Kingshill, Widmer End, Prestwood, Hazlemere and surrounding areas and you would be very welcome too. To find out more call our membership secretaries Terrie on 01494 445816, Joyce on 01494 817895 or e-mail: info@chameleonsingles.org.uk. Visit us on-line at www.chameleonsingles.org.uk for more information and our current programme or connect with us through Facebook.

HattyaestheticsadhalfpageadSameaslasttime

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Local News and Events Fancy a challenge for 2020...?

Sign up for the challenge of a lifetime and Trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu for Sue Ryder South Oxfordshire Palliative Care Hub. Be part of Team Incredible as you trek this breathtakingly beautiful route through valleys and high passes, scattered with fascinating Inca ruins. The money you raise will help us support people through the most difficult times of their lives. Whether that's a terminal illness, the loss of a loved one or a neurological condition, we're there when it matters. The dates are 17th -26th October 2020 and for the full fundraising option, the registration fee is £449, with a minimum sponsorship pledge of £4,000. Other payment options are also available. For more information call 01491 641384 ext 246 or email southoxfordshire.fundraising@sueryder.org Coffee Café On Friday mornings between 11am and 12 noon villagers meet for refreshments and a chat in the village hall. A modest fee is charged for coffee/tea and cakes, many of which are home baked. This yields a useful income for the village hall funds. This is an initiative that was set up back in 2004 and has been going strong ever since. As well as providing the opportunity to keep abreast of what is happening in the village, from time to time there are visits from the police to update us on their activities to tackle crime, and to warn of the latest cons and scams.

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It has been customary to hold a Christmas Party each year, a key element of which is the holding of a raffle, the proceeds of which are donated to a local charity.Currently around 25 people attend on a regular basis, but it would be great to swell this number. Why not come along? You will be most welcome. John & Sue Holwill Ladies Badminton Are you free Tuesday mornings, would you like to play badminton at Great Kingshill Village Hall 9.30 to 11.30am, every Tuesday morning. We are a friendly set of ladies with mixed badminton ability if you are interested please phone Christine Gould 01494 714566 or e – mail rickandchrisgould@btinternet.com

Together we can help Buckinghamshire stay safe and well this winter

Health and social care organisations in Buckinghamshire are working together this winter to help residents and their loved ones stay safe and well whatever the weather brings. Winter is a high-pressure season for these services, when lower temperatures and harsher weather can lead to increased demands, especially for GPs and Emergency Departments as the flu season begins.

So, what should people do if they feel unwell?

• If you think you need urgent medical, or you are unsure what to do, call 111 – the free NHS number which is available 24/7. Trained staff can connect you with a nurse, doctor, or mental health nurse. They can also give telephone advice or book an appointment with a GP or the Wycombe Hospital Urgent Treatment Centre, if that is what is needed. It’s also available online: 111.nhs.uk/

• A high street pharmacist is a great first port of call when anyone feels under the weather; they can offer clinical advice and over the counter remedies as well as the flu jab.

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• The flu jab is the best way to protect yourself and your family this winter from a nasty virus that can be life-threatening to vulnerable people – which is why it’s free to those who need it most.

Everyone can play their part this winter and take practical steps to help themselves and others to stay as well as possible. By being a good neighbour to older people you can make a real difference to someone who may be lonely or vulnerable. It’s as simple as offering to get some shopping for an older person– especially in icy weather so that they don’t struggle out and risk a nasty fall.

It’s also a good idea to be ready for winter – so look out for road gritting and weather updates which are broadcast on local radio and social media to help all residents to travel safely and be ready for winter.

More information about being prepared for winter including: staying healthy, flu; volunteering, roads; school closures; floods and emergencies can be found on the Buckinghamshire County Council website :

www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/community/ready-for-winter/

JRWadsameaslasttimeplease

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Muscat Old Boys on Tour - Edgbaston 2015-19Part 5: The Ashes, Be Prepared and Going Cashless. So, The Ashes, back to where the Muscat OB on Tour phenomenon started as a fledgling operation with very little planning normally the responsibility of our astute Quantity Surveyor recruited last time but the same spirit of adventure. Preparations began in earnest only a few weeks after the India test, access to tickets being on the critical path, something that our in-house astute QS knows all about. Being a canny northerner and with Warwickshire CCC planting the seed, I took it upon myself to join the ranks of said county cricket club as an Associate Member. This provided the benefit of access to tickets, in our preferred location, before departure to the Isle of Wight for a well-earned rest. Being modern and mobile- it was a walking holiday after all- there’d be a signal wouldn’t there? Fortunately, the rest of the Muscat OB’s thought this a splendid idea. Contact was made, the only downside was that as a confirmed Lancashire CCC supporter a feeling of guilt was present, although the accrual of further benefits later on had a certain mellowing effect, if you know what I mean. Thus tickets secured for Days 1&2 of the 2019 Ashes test at Edgbaston even Grandad didn’t complain of the additional outlay! The following day, nearly a year before the due date, Brooksie then excelled himself with the immediate confirmation of 5 rooms booked at the Ibis hotel again, in the hope that there would be no key mix ups this time. Brilliant! Day 1 – An early start for everyone yet again, although our Astute QS had to be up and ready well before the rest of us. It transpired that the infamous West Coast Main Line was undergoing substantial works in the Warrington area. Well, why wouldn’t it you might ask. The knock-on effect was that Astute QS had to be at Oxenholme

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station for a 6am train in preparation for a journey that took him on the scenic route, via Stoke-on-Trent. Lucky chap! To be fair, he did make it to Edgbaston just in time for the start of play, but too late for the start of the ‘mellowing effect’ referred to earlier. This I shall now explain. Having checked in at said Ibis hotel and made our way to the ground, without the need for a free cash point, since we old boys were now ‘cashless’, a modern innovation apparently but we took it in our stride and diverted to the bar on the way to our seats. ‘Four pints of Jennings Cumberland Ale please squire and, by the way, does my Associate Members card attract a discount on Test Match days?’ ‘Certainly sir.’ Bingo! A £50 saving over two days. No cash and less actual money for our astute QS to worry about, or so you might have thought. Now for the cricket. ‘Oh, Jimmy, Jimmy’ Anderson bowled for the sum total of four overs with 3 maidens, 0 for 1. Brilliant cameo performance but that was it for Jimmy. Oh, how we missed him later on. Notwithstanding the loss of the Burnley boy we did, not much later on, have Australia at 122 for 8. Happy days. Then Steve Smith arrived at the crease………….. Still, the beer was cheap! For lunch it was fish and chips and very nice too. ‘Is it card or cash?’ ‘Anything you like sir’. It seems the place wasn’t totally cashless, there was a chink of light for kitty man. In fact, this is when our Astute QS really earned his stripes when, following last year’s carafe of Aussie Rose, he authorised the purchase of TWO carafes of Hardy’s! That train journey must have really got to him! Following that it was left for us to watch Australia recover and then back to the Ibis, so that Trousers could change his trousers (well it had been a warm day), followed by a trip to our ‘local’ Wetherspoons and a curry at James Dahl, another place that was rapidly becoming an institution with the Muscat Old Boys. During the course of the day and the evening, of course, we still found time to toast our old buddy Rogers. He would have loved the occasion. Day 2 - Up early for breakfast and off for another day of cricket and camaraderie. Cashless? We shall see. This was an interesting day from an England perspective. We still got the Aussies out for 284 but there was a bit of nervousness about the frailty of the England top order. Rory Burns, though, had something to say about that and worked his way eventually to a brilliant 133.

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Lunch on Day 2 was cheese and bacon toasties. ‘Card or cash?’ ‘Anything you like mate’. Kitty man would really have to earn his crust tonight to balance the economy! During the afternoon session, Biffo had decided that it was getting warm and that, contrary to his normal instincts, ice cream was preferable to beer. Off he went, returning some time later with five ice creams in various stages of melting. Since we were seated on the back row of a block it only required a leg over the seat back on to our row. This Biffo tried to do, three times. At the fourth attempt he made it, ice cream dripping, at which point the whole of the R E S Wyatt stand behind us applauded! It then transpired that when Biffo asked the ice cream man ‘card or cash?’ he got the response ‘no mate, don’t do cards’. Of course, we needed a beer afterwards to wash the ice cream down, even though we had to go cashless. That evening, thanks to some advanced planning by Brooksie, we ate at the Indian Streatery again having booked in advance. Memories of last year’s search for a curry house and resultant late dining had activated Brooksie’s lateral thinking cells yet again! Wise move. So, back to the Ibis, late night coffee and then sleep. The next morning it was up early again for breakfast and a resounding chorus of ‘let’s do it again next year’. So we are. Tickets and hotel booked for Days 2&3 of the West Indies Test, even though it will be in the middle of June. Wonder what the weather in Birmingham is like at that time of year?

Keith A Merton

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Printer to insert peterley ad

Same as time please

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Beacon ad

Same as last time please

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Autumn Leaves

As I write there is a blue sky, but the air is getting distinctly colder. A blustery breeze whisks the slender twigs of our old birch tree. The falling leaves drift by my window, the falling leaves of red and gold. Cue for a song. The autumn colour of Chiltern beechwoods is famous and in the early years of the last century they used to organise char-a-banc trips from London to take tourists to see them. Although, if the truth be told, they cannot rival the autumn display of New England woods in America with their bright red maples. After the brown grass of late summer, autumn brings back a wealth of colour that attracts the painters and photographers every year. But where do these colours come from, why do the leaves change? It does not destroy the magic – in fact it can only enhance it – to try to answer these questions. The answer is not straightforward, and it is only very recent research that has more or less settled the question. For most of the year, of course, leaves are green from the chlorophyll they contain, the chemical that maintains photosynthesis, the engine of life for almost all plants. The process of creating sugars depends on light and warmth, so to conserve energy our native trees (all deciduous except for the yew and the uncommon juniper) shut down over winter, withdrawing all the nutrients from their leaves, breaking down the chlorophyll and with it the leaves’ green pigmentation. That the leaves do not become simply colourless is due to a second group of chemicals in leaves that also play a part in photosynthesis. These are carotenoids, which have yellow or orange (or “gold”) colouring. With the dominating green removed, the leaves are left with these colours alone in the few weeks before they fall to rot on the ground. But that does not explain those vibrant reds which characterise several plants – the maples, spindle, sumac and so on. These

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colours come from another group of chemicals called anthocyanins, which are not present in the leaves at all over the summer. They are manufactured by the tree in autumn to protect the last remnants of chlorophyll that are needed to maintain the process of removing valuable nutrients, especially nitrogen, for storage elsewhere in the plant. So, while the tree is shutting down it needs to keep on working to the very last minute until the leaf finally falls. The red colours of anthocyanin are “warm” – they hold on to the least remnant of sunlight as days shorten and clouds grey the skies – and thus act like a radiator to keep the photosynthesis going to the end. The leaves that go red, for this reason, are the more exposed ones on the outside of the canopy where light values are that their highest. Shaded leaves on the same trees do not manufacture anthocyanins and just turn yellow. Anthocyanins are also produced by many trees in early spring – notice how the young emerging leaves of sycamore are also red. This is for the same reason: to protect the chlorophyll at a time when temperatures are still on the cool side. Printer please insert 2 colour pics of autumn leaves, Norway maple and sycamore After leaves have fallen they still serve an important function. In death there is indeed life. Through summer the leaves already supported much other life than just the parent tree. A summer beech tree supports seventeen species of small insect that create galls or leaf-mines on the leaves, and innumerable

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caterpillars, the bottom rung of a food-chain necessary to many of our birds. A summer oak supports even more – almost a hundred different galls, 31 different leaf-miners and hundreds of caterpillars. When the leaves start to go over they become the realm of minute fungi (four types in the case of beech, seven for oak) that start the process of breaking the leaf down. When the leaves have fallen, however, they attract a much larger range of fungi – 14 species in the case of beech, fifty in the case of oak. These carry out the final part of decay, which is essentially the process of returning all the substances of the leaf to the earth, in which the microfungi are assisted by various soil inhabitants from worms to microbes. So, the leaves end up as humus, from which the reviving tree in spring will extract many of the nutrients it needs to grow and produce fresh leaves. The cycle is never-ending. Not a single atom is ever wasted in nature, which puts our own careless ways to shame. Tony Marshall

Please insert two more pics of autumn colours

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Chiltern alpines full page colour ad – to be emailed

Chiltern Group of The Alpine Garden Society Chiltern Gentian

Come and join our friendly, active group that has been established for over 25 years. We have a membership of around 50 ranging from alpine specialists to people who just enjoy plants of all sorts.

Regular Events

Monthly meeting; 7.30 pm

2 nd Friday of most months.

The Village Hall, Great Kingshill, High Wycombe. HP15 6DW. Parking at hall or at the Common

Raffle and plant sales Annual show; with the chance to win silverware! Summer Garden Party; usually in a member’s garden Holiday; visiting public and private gardens and/or Day trip; nature reserve or gardens Christmas Social; members’ talks

Meetings Date 2019 Presentation Speaker Dec 13 Christmas Social

Date 2020

Jan 10 Western Australia David Haselgrove

Feb 14 Mats, carpets and cushions in Svalbard

and New Zealand- Compare and contrast David Charlton

Mar 13 Chile inc Torres del Paine and Argentina Richard Horswood

Apr 3 Annual Show and AGM

May 8 Member Talk To be confirmed

Visitors very welcome (£3). You do not have to be a member of the Alpine Garden Society to attend our meetings. Annual Subscription: £8.00, plus a meeting attendance charge of £1.

Contact: John Gill 01296 613577 Email chilternalpinegroup@gmail.com

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David Jarman On 22 October 2019, David Jarman sadly passed away in hospital after a short illness. His passing occurred about a month after David and his wife Sheila’s Golden Wedding celebration party, where he appeared to be on good form, having recovered from a fall earlier in the year. David lived most of his married life in Great Kingshill and upon retirement worked hard within the village, advocating policies to create a better community for us all to enjoy. David's vision was clear - he wanted a vibrant community in which all members worked together and helped each other. He was an active member of the Great Kingshill Residents’ Association and Vice Chairman of the Neighbourhood Action Group where, with others, he started the Speed Watch scheme with the goal of reducing speeding through the Parish. The equipment, supplied by the Parish Council and maintained by volunteers, comprises several speed meters which are moved around the village. The Speed Watch initiative has been a success, bringing down the average speed of cars passing through the village. David was also part of a team that encouraged Buckinghamshire County Council to introduce a pilot scheme to look after vulnerable people in the village. The Hughenden Street Association was formed, providing Street Representatives who volunteer to keep an eye on their vulnerable neighbours, helping them avoid scams and advising them on where to get help when needed. David was a long-term Trustee of the Village Hall, believing that a good village hall was necessary for a strong community and that local organisations should be encouraged to make use of it for a reasonable fee. He wanted the hall to be a great community facility, urging that it be maintained to a high standard. One of his

final ideas was to have meetings of the U3A there, once a fortnight, for people to meet and discuss a chosen subject. David was a Parish Councillor, being ward member for Great Kingshill on Hughenden Parish Council for over 8 years. In addition to his many other active interests, he was a committee member of the Bucks branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), where he actively fought against development in rural areas, especially around proposed development in the Oxford to Milton Keynes Corridor. David will be greatly missed by his friends and colleagues in the village. He was a fountain of ideas for the community and an unwavering source of encouragement to get things done. All our condolences are given to his wife, Sheila, their two daughters and family. (Produced by David Davies and Terry Williams 25th October 2019, edited by Barnaby Moore) Printer please insert photo to be emailed

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SJ fashion – to be emailed

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A Planet-friendly Christmas Tis The Season! and if we want future generations to continue to enjoy a traditional Christmas (weather included), why not try to have an eco-friendly Christmas this year? We all need to reduce our plastic consumption, so we've selected a few easy switches, some of which also conveniently double up as perfect stocking fillers, or just little presents to yourself!

Our first idea is to ditch the plastic clingfilm and use something more sustainable to protect your festive dishes. Organic Cotton Bowl Covers, £8.75 www.theplasticfreeshop.co.uk

We all love that complementary cup of coffee after a morning in the supermarket. This stylish reusable cup will cut plastic waste while you enjoy a well-earned drink. Keep Cup coffee cup, from £19 www.uk.keepcup.com

If you prefer to take your own drink when you’re out and about it’s never been easier to be eco-friendly. Much more stylish than a disposable plastic bottle and better for your health and the environment too. According to WHO tests,93% of all bottled water tested by them contained microplastics. Chilly's re-useable water bottle, £25 www.chillysbottles.com

If you would like to find out more about reducing your ecological footprint, this book is competitively priced and full of good ideas. F**K Plastic 101 Ways to go Plastic Free, £6 www.amazon.co.uk

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SJ fashion

And finally, when all the festivities are over, don’t forget the essentials that none of us can do without! Who Gives a Crap, plastic free, eco friendly loo roll, from £24 for 24 rolls subscription www.uk.whogivesacrap.org

We all like to look our best for the Christmas parties and the big day itself, so some planet-friendly beauty products are a must. Made from a raw coconut milk base with nutrient rich oils, this solid shampoo ticks all the right boxes. The coconut one is for dry hair, but they also do varieties for normal and oily hair as well. And don’t forget to remove your make up if you want your face to sparkle the morning after. The make-up remover pads can be washed up to 200 times at 60o making them very good value. Approximately 192million toothbrushes are bought every year in the UK alone. That's almost 4000 tonnes of plastic (from toothbrushes!) that ends up in landfill or the ocean. One way to combat this is to use a biodegradable one - an added bonus is they are made from a type of bamboo not eaten by pandas. Coconut Plastic Free shampoo £10 www.contentbeautywellbeing.com Face Halo re-useable make up remover pads £18 www.beautybay.com Zero Waste Club bamboo toothbrush £5 www.selfridges.com

I hope this has given you some ideas, not just for the festive season, but also for the future of our planet. Happy Xmas!

Sarajane Reynolds

GREAT KINGSHILL VILLAGE HALL

Run by a small committee of volunteer trustees, the Great Kingshill Village Hall continues to provide a valuable community resource, a venue for meetings, parties, education, health & fitness, and entertainment, both public and private events. There’s more about the wide range of events and activities on our web page – and please do sign up to the GKRA mailing list since this is the best way we can keep you updated on what is happening in the hall, and in the village in general. www.greatkingshill.org/index.php/village-hall Many in the village were deeply saddened by the sudden loss of David Jarman, a hall trustee for many years and a wonderful contributor. He simply and quietly got on with getting things done. Our thoughts are with his wife and family. One event that David ran was the Remembrance Day Service each year at the hall. This year David Davies kindly took it over and made sure everything ran smoothly, including the display of detailed information about the soldiers from families in the village who fell during the First World War. We hope to expand that for next year’s 75th anniversary of the end of WWII. Please insert colour pics of remembrance service - to be emailed

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Colour pics of remembrance to be emailed There are two significant projects being considered for improving the hall: the main hall floor, and the kitchen. The hall floor really needs professional treatment, but this is expensive, so for now we are concentrating on plans to refurbish the kitchen, which was last done more than 25 years ago. We are seeking grant funding to top-up finances the hall has been accumulating for this comparatively large expenditure – which will also need considerable management. If you have any suggestions for what the village hall should be used for, any requests, or you’d like to know about hiring the hall, or if you would be able to volunteer a little time to help us run the hall, please let me know: peter.jackling@btconnect.com Peter Jackling Chairman, Great Kingshill Village Hall

Printer please insert 2 new quarter page ads Hughenden valley foot clinic and new advertise your local business ad both to be emailed And half page bay tracks ad, same as last time All colour

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Queens award to be emailed colour please

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Presentation of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service to Wycombe District Neighbourhood Watch Association on 18.9.19.

A proud moment for Wycombe District Neighbourhood Watch Association (WDNHWA) took place on 18th September when the Association was awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. The Queen’s Award was presented by Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, the Lord Lieutenant for Buckinghamshire, at a special ceremony held in The Guildhall, High Wycombe. The award was accepted on behalf of the Association by our Chairman, Stan Jones, and Geoff Pegg, Director of Operations. WDNHWA volunteers and local dignitaries were invited to the ceremony to witness the presentation.

The award particularly recognised the hard work of volunteers to support those who had been affected by scams & cons.

After receiving the award, Stan Jones said: “We were over the moon when we found out about the award and I feel very proud we had been recognised for this”. He described how the Association had organised 65 seminars across the town to explain the dangerous nature of scams and how people can defend themselves against being conned. As we all know, the scams come in all different forms from door knocking, phone calls, to emails, but always people are trying to get money under false pretences.

Following the presentation, Geoff Pegg added “Our main mission is crime prevention and, as everyone heard at the ceremony, a lot of people here have done so much to help those who are being conned and scammed. The certificate we received was signed by the Queen, so it’s a very proud moment for the Association.”

Christmas for Pets

If you are looking for that perfect gift for your pet, then here are some great ideas for Christmas presents for any four legged friends:

1. Doggy cookbook – you can use this to produce gourmet meals or simply to cook up some homemade dog, cat or rabbit treats.

2. Activity monitor – with the huge growth in this market for people it was a matter of time before they became available for our pets. A small motion sensor is attached to your pet’s collar which monitors activity 24 hours a day. The data is then transferred to an app for analysis. You can even add in your pet’s food brand and breed type to calculate the correct amount to feed. If your pet’s activity level changes rapidly then the app can alert you to a potential problem.

3. Intelligence toys and puzzles – pets need to be stimulated not only physically but also mentally. Puzzles require cunning and encourage careful thinking and patience to gain the treat reward.

4. Microchip operated pet door – these allow controlled access to your house and prevent unwanted visitors. Some can be combined with an app which allows you to keep an eye on your pet’s movements while you’re out of the house, lock the door remotely, set curfew times and monitor their behaviour over time.

5. Create your own pet hamper with their favourite treats, toys, a new collar or anything else with a Christmas theme. Otherwise there are many pre-made hampers out there to suit any budget.

6. Cat climbing tower or cat trees - these vary in height and complexity, with most cats preferring features offering height over comfort, particularly if tall enough to allow a clear survey of their territory. While most cats seem to favor tall cat trees, some prefer options which offer shelter or a secluded escape pod.

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7. There has been some controversy over dressing up pets recently but if yours is the type that relishes this then a cosy Christmas jumper may be the answer.

8. Light up collars are a great way of keeping an eye on your dog on an early morning for dark evening walk at this time of year. With new LED technology the lights are bright and battery life better than ever.

9. The Dog's trust slogan says it all, 'a dog is for life, not just for Christmas' but you could make Christmas happier for some pets waiting to find their forever homes. All the local animal charities do a fantastic job rescuing, treating and re-homing strays. You can provide food, send gifts, give your time as a volunteer or make a monetary donation.

Also please be aware that as the Christmas period approaches there are unfortunately more potential hazards to try and avoid:

1. Grapes and raisin ingestion - the reason some dogs develop renal failure following ingestion of grapes and raisins is not known. Types of grapes involved include both seedless and seeded. It is best to avoid all fresh or dried forms as even ingesting small amounts can cause problems.

2. Chocolate poisoning – we tend to have more sweet treats around the house at this time of year so keep them out of reach of pets. This includes edible tree adornments and chocolate coins.

3. Remember to avoid lilies in your Christmas bouquet if there are cats in the household.

4. Alcohol – be careful not to leave glasses unattended and consider if alcohol has been used in recipes before offering any leftovers to your pets.

5. Bones – whether you are distracted by the Queen’s speech or having a quick post dinner snooze be careful that your pets are not helping themselves to their own Christmas dinner in the kitchen. Cooked bones can splinter and be a real danger.

6. Children's or big boy's toys - these can be just the wrong size. Small enough to swallow but too big to pass through to the other end.

7. Christmas decorations - these shiny or glittery items seem to be especially attractive to cats. Be careful your pet does not get a nasty bout of tinsilitis!

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all the residents of Great Kingshill, both two and four legged, a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2020. Tim Ferens

Macmillan Coffee Morning

Well done to everyone involved for raising such an amazing amount of money for such a worthwhile cause. Please insert photo – to be emailed

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Full moon ad same as last time please

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Photo comp – to be emailed

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PRIZE PHOTO COMPETITION

This edition we are launching a competition – all you have to do is identify in which road in the village the following photographs were taken.

A B

C When you have identified where each photo was taken, please email your answers to gkra.newsletter@gmail.com There will be a £10 prize for the first correct answer drawn at random from all the entries. Closing date Sunday 5th January 2020

Can YOU identify where the three gateposts are? All the photos were taken within the village of Great Kingshill.

Chiltern Countryside Group We are a small, friendly, very enthusiastic group (formerly British Naturalists Association). In the Winter we meet at Great Kingshill Village Hall (HP15 6DW) in the Small Hall on Saturday afternoon at 2.30pm on the first Saturday of the month. We have a talk followed by tea and Home-Made cakes, and usually have 15-20 attendees; we would like to invite more people to attend. In the summer we have Nature Walks in places such as Burnham Beeches, Prestwood Nature Reserve and the Jubilee River. Please see below the Winter Schedule:

Saturday 7th December 2019. Dr Brenda Harold on ‘From Orchids to Apple Trees – the genetics of cultivated plants’. Please bring items for a Bring and Buy table.

Saturday 4th January 2020 – PLEASE NOTE TIME CHANGE We are meeting at 12.30pm for a Finger Buffet Lunch followed by the speaker at 2.30pm-everyone to bring a plate of food to share. Speaker to be advised. Saturday 1st February 2020. Brian Clews on ‘Birds of the Jubilee River’ We will have a short AGM. Saturday 7th March 2020. Roger Wilding on ‘A Small Stream of International Importance’. A talk with slides about the local Wye Chalk stream.

Please join us, we would love to see you. You can come as a visitor as many times as you wish, there is no obligation to join. For Indoor Meetings – Members are Free, Visitors are £3 For more details contact: Julie Rockell (Secretary) 01753 652022 (Work) or e-mail:- jrockell@pracbrown.co.uk

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Easy plumb ad same as last time please

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Eazy plumb ad                                                          

Serving the community with Reliable Plumbing & Heating Services:

Boiler & Central Heating Diagnostics

Boiler Servicing & Repairs

Central Heating & Boiler Installation

Gas Installations

Central Heating Power Flushing

All Domestic Plumbing & Heating

Fully Insured

Highly qualified & registered

Small Family business with 15 years of experience

Telephone Gary on

01494 716408 | 07818 085585 Our Accreditations:

New Addition to the Committee

I have lived in the village for some 33 years, having moved here with my family in 1986 at the age of seven. With the passing of a landmark birthday (you do the maths!) I decided it was time to do a very grown up thing – join the Residents’ Association committee – so that I could play an active role in supporting the community of Great Kingshill. Having signed up, I am now in charge of the GKRA website (www.greatkingshill.org), Facebook page (www.facebook.com/GreatKingshillRA) and mailing list. Following training, I embarked upon a repair and refresh initiative for the website – please take a look at the revisions and updated appearance! Hopefully, you will find it easy to navigate and full of useful information. Village news; links to local parish councils and planning pages; information on local shops, schools, transport, pubs and restaurants; it’s all available on the website. Please let me know if there is anything else you would like to see as it is intended to be a community resource – I’ll do my best to cater to all content requests. The Facebook page now features the new logo and continues to be used to promote upcoming events along with any village news – please “like” and share the page with any friends and neighbours who may not have seen it yet. Again, if you have any suggestions for how it might be developed, please get in touch. Finally, if you have subscribed to our mailing list, you will have recently received emails sporting the new look. If for any reason you are not in receipt of these, or perhaps you have not yet signed up, please visit the website and click on the “sign up” button so we can keep you updated on village news and activities! Barnaby Moore (greatkingshillresidents@gmail.com)

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Printer to insert village environmental services ad

And energetic healing ad

Same as last time please

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Relax and Revitalise your Body and Mind

M: 07973 867272 E: carine@energetic-healing.co.uk

energetichealingUK www.energetic-healing.co.uk

Please contact me for more details: Carine Evans - Holistic Therapist

TREATMENTS:• Reflexology (Face, Feet or Hands)

• Reiki

• Face Lift Massage

• Deep Tissue Massage

• Hot Stone Massage

• Ear Candling

• Bespoke combined treatments

BENEFITS:• Reduced stress levels

• Rebalanced hormones

• Deep relaxation

• Increased vitality and energy

• Strengthened immunity

• Improved sleeping patterns

• Feel and look younger

Based in Perks Lane, Prestwood

GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE

PLUS: ‘Facetastics’ Workshops: exercises to lift and tone your face

125 years of parish council autumn update – to be emailed

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125 Years of the Parish & Council A local voice for then, now and the future

At the beginning of the year the Parish Council set out a schedule of events that would take us all the way up to the 125 Year Anniversary of the formation of Hughenden Parish on the 4th December 1894.

There were five main themes 1) Celebratory – opening presentation at the AGM on 23rd April and closing Celebratory event being organised with the National Trust on 4th December. 2) Walks and activities– centred around rogation Sunday and that time of the year, the plan being for all four Wards to host a walk in their area 3) Talks and Events – including films and planned again to be in all four wards – these were scheduled during Autumn as people become more and more aware of the significance of the year. These were all themed to have a local significance. 4) Publicity for the council and potential recruitment of councillors – both through the events above but also through stalls at the various events during the year. 5) Heritage gatherings and community events – mainly centred around Widmer End 6th May, Hughenden on the 6th July and Naphill on 12th October

We have had over 800 people come to the various events throughout the year. The most popular events being the tour of Bomber Harris’s office and RAF Naphill (thanks to the RAF) , the various walks held earlier in the year and the most recent Heritage Day at Naphill which attracted over 100 people.

Understanding and enjoying discussions about the past seems to be a very popular pastime and the recent talks covering both World Wars, Chiltern Woodlands and Landscapes, Bodgers and the Suffragettes have proved to be of considerable

interest to local people,

The Council have been well supported by local people putting on all these events and celebrating what has been a very popular programme during the year.

We look forward to the next 125 years and supporting future generations who will no doubt leave their mark both locally and nationally during that period.

Many thanks must go to all those who have been involved in the organisation of all of this and also to those who have attended any of the events – it’s been a great year!

Cllr Simon Kearey 11/11/2019

Village Bonfire and Firework Display

What a brilliant firework display we were treated to by our long-standing firework event supplier, Dave Hopkins of Pyromagic! The annual village bonfire and fireworks were held on Friday 1st November, and in spite of some wet weather during the day we had a good number of people come along to enjoy the evening. Luck was on our side and the forecasted rain for the evening held off until after the fireworks had finished and so everyone enjoyed the warmth of a massive bonfire and some fantastic fireworks.

Volunteers building the bonfire the day before. During the evening the traditional BBQ selling delicious hot dogs was in full swing - our thanks goes to Mike and staff at the Great Kingshill SPAR for both supplying the rolls and sausages, and pre-cooking them for us. Mulled wine was available to warm people up, and this year we were also able to sell beer supplied by the local Malt Brewery. In addition we had treats for the children to enjoy.

Getting the bar and BBQ ready.

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The event was a real success and enjoyed by all, but for it to be a success the GKRA would like to give a huge vote of thanks to all of the volunteers (too many to name individually, but I'm sure you know who you are) that helped in so many ways: being there during the day, lending us equipment, allowing us to use the field. There is so much that takes place before, during and after, there are a large number of people that are involved, and to whom we are indebted to for their time and commitment. And of course, thank you to all who braved the weather and mud to support this annual village event. So, if you have your diary or calendar for 2020 handy, put Friday 6th November in there as the date for next year's display! Jackie Goodfellow

Universal care half page ad same as last time please

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Stay in the home you love Universal Care has been caring for people in their own homes in Beaconsfield and surrounding areas for over 30 years.

We offer a range of support to suit all types of situations including respite care, live-in care and daily care.

Your care, or that of a family member, will be provided by compassionate, reliable and well-trained staff.

Call now for helpful advice 

 

Tel: 01494 678811 Chester House ● 9 Windsor End ●  Beaconsfield HP9 2JJ Email: care@universal‐care.co.uk  Visit www.universal‐care.co.uk 

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Printer please insert new meditation ad - to be emailed and KJ windows 2 x quarter page

GREAT KINGSHILL CRICKET CLUB A club on the up... What a year 2019 was for us! Great Kingshill Cricket Club was host to some outstanding events this year including our Cricket World Cup Festival. The festival aimed to draw together various parts of the community to celebrate the Cricket World Cup. We had various activities going on with the main event being a fixture between the club and the England Deaf Lions XI. The club experienced their best membership numbers for years and to top it all off, both our 1st and 2nd XI’s achieved promotion from their respective divisions. The 1st XI finished third in the Premier Division One of the Mid Bucks Cricket League and due to second placed Pinner deciding to move to a different League, it has resulted in our promotion to the Championship which is a joint Berkshire, Mid Bucks and Chiltern League. Our 2nd XI having finished in second position, are promoted to Division One of the Mid Bucks Cricket League in 2020.

Would you like to kick start 2020 with some self-care and to feel more centred? Want to retreat, relax and enjoy switching off for a

while in a peaceful space? Join me at the following venues;

Prestwood Village Hall:

Mon 6th Jan & Mon 27th Jan @ 6:30pm – 7.30pm Hyde Heath Village Hall:

Wed 8th Jan & Wed 22nd Jan @ 9.30am – 10.30am Great Kingshill Village Hall:

Thurs 9th Jan & Thurs 23rd Jan @ 1.30pm – 2.30pm

If you would like to book a place and/or would like further information, please feel free to contact me and I’d be happy to

answer any questions

Trish - Tel: 07759 170 963 Email: tricia.godwin@btinternet.com

£10 per class

** Dependant on interest in January I would then look to hold regular sessions moving forward from February 2020 **

GUIDED MEDITATION CLASSES

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Award Winning Club Great Kingshill Cricket Club was recently presented with the award for Most Inspiring and Diverse Cricketing Offer in Buckinghamshire. We also became runner up in the National category for this award. Great Kingshill Cricket Club is proud of the wide range of cricketing opportunities that we provide. We strive to provide a fully inclusive offer which enables people from all backgrounds and abilities to access cricket. Celebrity Evening At very short notice we were fortunate to be able to obtain the services of Middlesex cricketer Sam Robson to stand in for Joe Denly who had to cancel his attendance due to his family circumstances ie the birth of his daughter during the last test match the week before this evening. Sam proved to be an able deputy, Starting with a coaching session with some of our junior players, we then had a talk from him followed by a Q&A session. All who attended have expressed how interesting it was learning of Sam”s experiences, both as a young player in Australia and more recently with England and his time at Middlesex. He also brought along some auction items which helped to make this an enjoyable and profitable evening for the club. Pavilion Regrettably we have recently had two separate instances of burglaries in the pavilion causing much damage to doors and windows and loss of bar stock. However thanks to Dave Carroll, our local councillor at the Bucks CC and Wycombe DC, we have secured a grant from Wycombe DC to cover the cost of an Alarm System. Our thanks also go to Sweet Charity in Prestwood who have given the club a grant to cover the cost of installing security grilles to the windows.

Youth & Participation Section Indoor Winter Programme Holmer Green Senior School Junior Training School Years 3 and 4 :- 13th Jan, 27th Jan, 10th Feb, 2nd March, 16th March School Years 5 and 6:- 20th Jan, 3rd Feb, 24th Feb, 9th March, 23rd March All sessions are from 6pm-7:30pm. Cost is £25 per child upfront payment for the 5 sessions. Places are limited and filling up fast so please contact Jon Hinde (jrhinde@yahoo.co.uk) ASAP to avoid disappointment. Amersham School Indoor Nets School Years 7 and 8- 5th Jan, 19th Jan, 9th Feb, 23rd Feb, 8th March, 22nd March (All Sunday from 6pm-7pm) School Years 9 and 10- 12th Jan, 26th Jan, 16th Feb, 1st March, 15th March (All Sunday from 6pm-7pm) Women & Girls Soft Ball (Age 11+ with Female Coach) - 2nd Feb, 29th March (All Sunday from 6pm-7pm). Senior Team Players - 13 weeks from 5th Jan-29th March ( All Sunday evenings from 7pm-8pm) The cost per player for the above is £4 per session. Please contact Luke Wright (Youth & Participation Section Manager) for more details (lukeyw91@gmail.com). Follow us on Facebook @GreatKingshillCricketClub, Twitter @GKCC1890 and Instagram gkcc1890

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Thameside carpets ad

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Printer to insert village hall contacts – to be emailed

GREAT KINGSHILL VILLAGE HALL – CONTACT LIST

If you want to know more about an activity, please call the contact below – or just go along at the given time

To book the Hall, please call Carol Sammut on 07792 199151

Badminton – Ladies Tuesday 9.30-11.30 am Chris Gould 01494 714566

Ballet – Children (see also Modern Dance)

Tuesday 3.45-5.30 pm Anna Hayward 07841 124697

Ballroom Dancing Thursday 8.00-9.00 pm Linda Paton 07980 951544

Body Blitz Monday 7.15-8.30 pm Alice Ramcharran 07500 772146

Body Control Pilates Friday 9.30-10.30 am Alison Wright 07813 540751

Chiltern Alpine Plants 2nd Friday 7.30-10.30 pm (September-May)

Fred Plumeridge 01296 668170

Chiltern Countryside Group 1st Saturday 2.00-5.00 pm (November-March)

Linda Hughes 01628 530649

Chiltern 20s – Badminton Monday 8.40-10.30 pm Hazel Strathdee 01494 562689

Coffee Café Friday 11.00 am-12.00 pm Just turn up

Dance with Attitude - Children Thursday 4.00-6.00 pm Rebecca Beauchamp 07795 173581

Great Kingshill Ladies 2nd Wed 2.00-4.15 pm Sylvia Briggs 01494 714127

Keep Fit Thursday 9.45-10.45 am Kath Essex 01494 714719

Line Dancing Wednesday 7.30-9.30 pm Donna Livingstone 01844 867052

Mah Jong 4th Monday 2.00-4.00 pm Cathi Grainger 01494 715530

Modern Dance – Children (see also Ballet)

Tuesday 5.30-6.45 pm Anna Hayward 07841 124697

Modern Pilates Wednesday 9.30-10.30 am Nicola Gibbs 01494 525459 07949 164613

Pilates Monday 4.45-5.45 pm and 6.00-7.00 pm

Wednesday 6.15-7.15 pm

Rosie Lewin 01494 812796 07932 607116

Pilates with Pamela Thursday 11.30-12.30 pm Pamela Wilson 07759 831706

Seido Karate – Junior Thursday 6.30-7.30 pm Roger Thyer-Jones 01494 565341

Senior Fitness Monday 10.30-11.20 am Alison Wright 07813 540751

Sit & Sew 1st and 3rd Mondays 1.00-4.00 pm

Cathi Grainger 01494 715530

Table Tennis Monday 7.30-10.30 pm Tuesday 7.30-10.30 pm

Susana Hansell 01494 713572

U3A – Discovering Science 1st Friday 2.00-4.00 pm Michael Wright 07834615595

Wycombe Scrappers (craft group)

(generally) Last weekend in month Fri pm & all day Sat

Alison Maclean 07966 149747

Yogalates Monday 9.15-10.15 am Alison Wright 07813 540751

Scotts Elite Landscapes Same as last time

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ALL ASPECTS OF HARD AND SOFT LANDSCAPING, PATIOS, DRIVEWAYS,

PORCELAIN SLABS, BRICKWORK, TURFING, FENCING, DECKING, GROUNDS MAINTENANCE,

ARTIFICIAL GRASS, TREE SURGERY

SUPERIOR ATTENTION TO DETAILBOTH CONTEMPORARY AND TRADITIONAL

FINISH

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL

Established since 1997 • References available • Fully insured

Pipers Corner School – same as last one, thanks