speen and north dean news...4 sndn 63 what’ s on in sp ee n and north d e an month event where...

Issue 63Autumn/Winter 2015

Editor: James Hazeldine

Advertising: Tom Dent

Production: Jude Awdry

Committee:

Gloria Holmes - ChairMegan ChinnNick Wheeler-RobinsonJulie White

Printer: PK-Inprint LtdTel: 01494 452266

Speen and North Dean News

www.speenbucks.org.uk SNDN 63 3

Contents

What’s On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Speen FunDay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Speen Fete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Down on the Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Speen WI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Speen Heritage Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Speen School & PTA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Wildlife Watch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Care and Support and You . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Speen Village Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Hughenden Parish Council . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Golf Wanderers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Speen and North Dean Golf . . . . . . . . . . .23

Marjorie Jean Ridgley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Message from SNDN Chairman . . . . . . . .25

Speen Pre-School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Speen Church Youth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Speen and North Dean Toddler Group . .31

Help for Heroes Fete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Speen Helping Hospices Group . . . . . . . .32

Who’s Who . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Index of Advertisers

A Cut Above . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Alchemille Garden Design . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Allied Healthcare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Beechdean Farmhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

C.G. Tree & Garden Services . . . . . . . . . . .20

Christine Dunnington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Coles & Blackwell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Fine & Country . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Fraser-Morgan School of Dancing . . . . . .14

Hamptons International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Heppelthwaite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Hughenden Builders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Independent Living Consultants . . . . . . .18

JML Training Consultancy . . . . . . . . . . . .12

John Bishop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Judith A Newenham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

K J Windows & Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

LJM Electrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

M.R. Collins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

MWH Interiors Limited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Natalie Jane Dance School . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

National Energy Foundation . . . . . . . . . . .14

Nelson Electrical Services . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Nick Higgins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Nicki Thomas Web Design . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Painted Kitchens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Paul Newman Limited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

PK-Inprint Limited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Premier Architectural Joinery . . . . . . . . . . .8

Risborough Area Community Bus . . . . . .30

Risborough Carers Limited . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

SB Professional Painting & Decorating . .30

Speen Stores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Springline Cars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Taps UK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Village Environmental Services . . . . . . . .12

NEXT EDITION

Copy for the next edition (64) is due by 14thNovember.

The planned publication date is duringDecember. Please send photos separatelyfrom text, together with captions and aconsent form (download from the SNDNwebsite www.speenbucks.org.uk) if any ofthe photos are of children.Send to [email protected].

Speen and North Dean NewsDo you ever need an extra copy? Furthercopies are available at a cost of £1. Pleasecontact Gloria Holmes on 488420.

Front cover: The 4 lead riders of the AvivaWomen’s Tour passes through HampdenRoad/Bryants Bottom Road junction on 21st June2015. Photo © David Flynn.

4 SNDN 63 www.speenbucks.org.uk

Wha

t’s o

n in

Spe

en a

nd N

orth

Dea

n Month Event Where Contact

September

Thursday 3rd WI. The Magic of the Rainforests Speen Village Hall 7.45pm Jean Morris 488529

Saturday 5th North Dean Fete North Dean Field 2.00pm Andrew Howard 562775

Saturday 5th Festival Décor W/Shop Speen Village Hall 6-8pm

6th-20th Speen Festival View programme at www.speenfestival.org

Wednesday 9th Men’s Philosophical Society

George, West Wycombe 8.30pm Graham Peart 488327

Saturday 12th Great Hampden Village Show

Great Hampden Village Hall Hilary Reid 488611

Thursday 17th Walk the Speen MS Mile

5x round Speen Playing Field Sharon Deacon 01296 696133

Sunday 20th Marquee striking Speen Playing Field Greg Cook 488939

Tuesday 29th Speen v North Dean Golf Harleyford Golf Club Charlie Pearson 488483

October

Thursday 1st WI. My life as a Bird Vet Speen Village Hall 7.45pm Jean Morris 488529

Sunday 11th SHG + WI Oral History Project Speen Village Hall 2.00pm John Radford 488679

Wednesday 14th Men’s Philosophical Society Whip, Lacey Green 8.30pm Graham Peart 488327

Friday 23rd Film & Supper Night Speen Village Hall 7.30pm June Pilkington 488071

Saturday 31st RDA Swing Band Speen Village Hall 7.30pm Gloria Holmes 488420

November

Saturday 7th Speen Bonfire Night Speen Playing Field Tony Bobroff 488688

Friday 13th Theatre in the Village ‘Victor and Albert’ North Dean Village Hall Jez Wicks 563517

Saturday 28th Christmas Bazaar Speen Village Hall 2.00pm Bill Groves 488180

December

Friday 4th Christmas Tree/Carols Speen Playing Field Tony Bobroff 488688

During theintervening monthsbetween this and thelast issue, the village,as usual, has hadplenty of greatevents. Hopefullythey’ve all beencovered in this issue.If they haven’t, thenmake a note tosubmit your copyand photographswhen you next hold an event.

After three years, when I was first “volunteered”by Gloria Holmes to edit the magazine, this willbe my last issue. I would like to take thisopportunity to thank all the contributors,especially the “regulars” and Gloria for all shedoes to remind people to submit copy and inarranging the distribution. In fact I’m not surethere’s an activity or fund-raising event thatwould happen without her.

Also, a huge thanks to Jude Awdry for the hardwork in doing all the layout and production andto Tom Dent for efficiently handling theadvertising sales and administration.

As Autumn approaches we all have more eventsto look forward to including the Festival, which Ithink will be in full swing as this magazine isdelivered, firework night, the craft fair and muchmore.

So, I now hand over the baton to a new editorialand production team in the shape of Jacqui Laingon production, with the new editor to beconfirmed, and wish them all the best for thefuture.

James Hazeldine

Welcome PacksSpeen’s ‘Good Neighbours’ scheme was set upmany years ago and is now run by PatRichardson. One service is to provide newresidents with a Welcome Pack of villageinformation.

If you know of someone new to Speen pleasephone Pat on 488627.

New residents to North Dean should phoneJudith Broadley on 563178 or [email protected]



Risborough Carers Ltd


LettersSir

Safer Routes For Horses is now Hampden Safer Routesfor Horses Bridleways Association

Four years ago Val Firth (from GreatHampden) and I worked with The HampdenEstate to establish some off road routes for ridersto avoid some dangerous sections of local roads.As the result of the ongoing sale of some of theEstate woodlands these routes are no longeravailable.

We decided that rather than shrug ourshoulders and give up, we and the other membersof SR4H would re-establish the group as abridleways access group, affiliated to the BritishHorse Society. This gives us access to expertiseregarding rights of way, and insurance whenclearing obstructions.

We held our first “working party” earlierthis year, when 20 members cleared fallen, rustywire from sections of the bridleway throughMonkton Wood and cut back obstructions alongits length from the Hampden X-roads to itsjunction with Highwood Bottom. In only 2 hoursthe route was opened up and made safe for allusers.

We have another working party planned for theend of August to clear dangerous wire on thetracks at Denner Hill.

We are now working with the Estate toestablish another horse track, to avoid yet moreunpleasant sections of road and link 2 existingbridleways.

Whilst Bridleways are open to all walkers,riders and (since 1968) cyclists, the permissivetracks will only be open to paid up members ofthe group. With a subscription of £10 per year it ishardly expensive!!! The money covers insurancefor the group’s activities, signage and payment tocontractors where heavy machinery will beneeded. Incidentally, the insurance does NOTprovide 3rd party cover for riders, only workingparties.

Details of our activities, working parties,plans for the future and our enthusiasticcommittee members can be found on our website:hsr4hba.zohosites.com.

Now that I have your attention(!!) I’ll takethis opportunity to remind everyone (especiallymotorists) of the need to take great care when

meeting horses on the road. The recommendedmaximum speed (by the AA, Thames ValleyPolice and the British Horse Society) for passinghorses is 15 mph, and be prepared to stop if needbe. You will only lose a few seconds, but if half aton of startled horse lands on your car bonnet,you may lose considerably more!

Jackie EdwardsWoodstock

Coleheath BottomSpeen

* * *

Sir

I am appalled and fearful in equalmeasure at the savaging and subsequent death ofa young breeding ewe on Moses Plat Farm. Mychildren and I have five pet sheep which havebeen frequently grazed in Speen in fields throughwhich run public footpaths. These sheep havebeen hand reared and would be like lambs to theslaughter if a dog attacked them.

I urge all dog owners to keep their dogson a lead when going through fields with sheepor other livestock in them. However lovely a dogmay be, the natural instinct to chase can soon takeover and what seems like play can result in tragicconsequences.

Charlotte BurtonBohemia

Speen RoadNorth Dean

* * *

Sir

How sorry I was to see the lovely avenueof Horse Chestnut trees at The White Housechopped to the ground.

When Major Caldwell lived there in the40s several of us village children used to creepdown the drive to collect the fallen conkers andhope no one would catch us!!!!!

If we had known the new owners wereplanning to do this perhaps we could havearranged to get a preservation order on them -now it is too late, how sad.

Catherine ButlerRose Cottage

Hampden RoadSpeen


Show us your home and we will show you the buyer. Because it’s important to you.

01494 611382www.hamptons.co.uk

Beyond your expectations


Speen FunDayFare Thee Well, FunDay 2015 . . .The Highland Games Draw to a Close

Highland Games Indeed! And, in keeping withour theme, we were blessed with a typicallyScottish mid-Summer’s day, Heaven-sent fromthe North Face of Ben Nevis.

Undeterred, we pressed on and rightly so, for wewere to be duly rewarded. From my countlessvantage points between not winning MessieNessie, not winning Highland Relay and notwinning Whisky Galore, fun was being had in allquarters.

After all the hard-fought contests that struckperfect balance between chaos, gamesmanship(cough, cough) and even the occasional burst offriendly rivalry, the BLUE TEAM emerged

victorious under the steely-eyed, characteristicallyfocused captaincy of Nic O'Brien. WELL DONETO THE BLUE TEAM!

Kiddie Kurling Kup was secured this year by MsMabel Daw who, having tapered her training toperfection, posted a record distance, executed

Speen

with nigh-on perfect poise. Mabel was the worthyrecipient of the prized trophy, presented byoutgoing champion, Ms Olivia Davies. Greatspirit from all competitors and Big Rispekt to theKurlers & Sweepers (who, for legal reasons, shan'tbe named in print).

Special mentions in despatches for:

Geoff ‘The Ref’ Smith – no rule unknown, no foulunseen;

Tony ‘Everywhere’ Bobroff – a giant of thevillage, only smaller;

Andy ‘Caledonian Consultant’ Thompson -Aberdeenshire Granite, powered by oak agedanger.

Dilly & Team at the King Bill: Thanks for yourcontinued support (and chips), provided withunique, inimitable style.

The plaudits just keep on coming:

Enormous thanks, as ever, to the SPF Committeeand usual selection of village volunteers.A notable milestone for the diversity panel,overseeing a yellow team led by a female captain(whatever next!), often while wrestling with a

toddler. Well done Cat The Cook (and Toby).

A Final Thank You . . .to Funday stalwart Pete Symonds, especially sofor the engineering feat of Whisky Galore. I hearwork has already begun on a follow up,rumoured to feature a full-sized, working replicaof the Large Hadron Collider.

So, until the next time on the Bonnie, BonnieBanks of Speen . . .

Get Tae Fun!

Matt Davies


n Fete


A bespoke management training and coaching company established in1997, working in the private and public sector.

Recognise and capitalise on your potentialDo you need to give yourself the space to broaden your thinking, further developyour skills, confidence and competence in today’s demanding environment?

We offer a coaching service that is confidential, flexible, targeted to meet cleargoals and expand your skills base. We provide objective executive coaching thatwill support your professional, business and personal development.

In-house trainingMaximise the level of talent skills and performance in your organisation. Wespecialise in the design and delivery of practical, interactive and results focusedin-house training. Let us help you develop your people.

Check out our website at www.jml-training.com

or call us on 01494 488787 for further information


Down on the FarmScientists have warned us that climate changewould mean more extremes of weather and Ithink this year is proving them correct. After avery late spring, April was hotter than usual andMay and June colder than usual. July was veryhot and dry. These conditions, coupled withheavy infestations of numerous species of bugs,have resulted in poor growth for many crops.

After the weather (and forgetting about diseases)the soil type is the biggest influence on crop yield.In East Anglia, due to the Grade 1 soil type inmany locations, farmers have made their fortunesgrowing vegetables and cereals. Here in theChilterns however, many of the soils are Grade 3- and only suitable for growing grass. Even on thetops of the hills where there is a clay cap and inthe valley bottoms, yields of cereals will be about30% lower than those in East Anglia. From theeconomic point of view the cost of renting land isdirectly proportional to its fertility, but as you allknow, in leafy Buckinghamshire the price of landto buy is artificially high because investors regard

it as having ‘hope value’ being so near London.No farmer can buy land, whatever grade, withthe idea of getting a return from ‘farming’ it.

We recently visited a fruit farm in Kent whichproduces strawberries for the super markets.Acres of land were covered in polythene tunnelsunder which the plants were grown in a syntheticmedium, in beds built at waist height for easypicking. Water and nutrients were provided asneeded by a computer controlled system. It seemsthat more and more acres of these tunnels will beerected as they keep the warmth in the groundand prevent any damage by rain, hail or birds.These systems have evolved because the generalpublic will not buy fruits or vegetables with anyblemishes on them. This begs the question, infuture, will we be needing soil to grow our fruitand vegetables?

The plight of small dairy farmers is again in thenews. The large ‘factory’ dairies will no doubtsurvive but it is the smaller herds which graze thepastures and contribute to maintaining theenvironment which we all like, which willdisappear. The general public must decidewhether they want cheap milk or the landscapefor which our country is reknowned.

Gill Kent

The poorest Chiltern land growing grass

Better Chiltern land growing cereals

Strawberry growing in Kent


Speen WISpeen WImembers havehad a busysummer. MargaretHancoxrepresented themat a Garden Partyat Buckingham Palace, hosted by HRH TheDuchess of Cornwall and attended by othermembers of the Royal Family. 8000 WI membersfrom all over England and Wales converged onLondon for this event to mark the Centenary ofthe WI movement in England and Wales.

In the same week, Jean Morris acted as delegateto the Annual Meeting held at the Royal AlbertHall. This also had Royal Patronage with HerMajesty the Queen opening the meeting andcutting a celebratory cake. Accompanying herwere their Royal Highnesses the Princess Royaland Sophie, the Countess of Wessex. All three areWI members.

Closer to home, Waddesdon Manor was thevenue for a summer Garden Party in honour ofthe 100 years. The sun shone, the band playedand members explored the stalls and the grounds.

At Speen fete, there was a display of Craft bymembers and also a ‘Floral Arch’. For this, morethan a hundred flowers had been made fromplastic carrier bags and when wired to theframework looked beautiful. This is beingreconstructed on the Village Hall gateway archfor the duration of Speen Festival. Members havealso been collecting materials ready for theRailway Children collage making morning, whichis being organised with Speen Pre-School.

As well as all this activity, members have enjoyed

their regularmonthlymeetings andhave also beenon a visit to see aproduction atWycombe SwanTheatre.

We continue tomeet on the firstThursday ofeach month inthe Village Hallat 7.45pm and ifa slice of all thisappeals to you,please pay us avisit.

Jean Morris488529

[email protected]

l-r Sheila Abbott, Gloria Holmes, Mary Dawsonand Barbara Collett enjoy the WI Centenary

Garden Party at Waddesdon Manor

Jacqueline King puts the finishingtouches to the plastic floral arch


We feel we have cometo the end of this seriesof essays about the 10men whose names arerecorded on the WWImemorial at theChapel; it is a pity that

no one attempted this project in the 1950s whenso many members of the major Speen familieswere still living in the village. We have, however,found some more information about Artie RalphBristow. Indeed, we now know more about himthan any of the other WWI casualties.

In Issue 55 of the SNDN we explained that anotherresearcher had kindly sent us Artie Bristow’sservice records. (They are very rare; most WWIservice records were destroyed in the LondonBlitz). The medical details that we found in theArmy records explained why he died, after the Warwas over, age 22. Inthat biography, wewondered about hisunusual first name.His father, AlbertBristow, definitelyentered his son onthe 1901 Census formas “Artie” but theenumerator over-wrote that to read“Archie”. (Hisparents had alsoregistered his birth as“Artie”.) In BobJohnston’s Archives,which, thankfully,are still preserved atthe Chapel, we sawthat an ArchieBristow was enrolledin the Village Schoolas pupil number 403.Artie was enrolled asnumber 406. Wewondered whetherboth boys were born about the same time, indifferent branches of the extensive Speen family ofBristows, and, to avoid confusion, his parentsceded the more obvious name to the other, possiblyolder, child. We searched again and found thatwhen the 1911 Census was taken Archibald CharlesBristow was 13 years old; Artie was 12.

Artie was conscripted into the Army inNovember 1916, shortly after his 18th birthday.He was demobilised, his health broken, inNovember 1919 and died, in Woodbine Cottage,the family home, in October 1920.

The Chapel records say that on 3rd January 1916 hehad requested Baptism. By that time, he probablyknew that The Derby Scheme – a last minuteattempt to recruit volunteers for the Army – hadfailed to produce sufficient numbers, and thatConscription, for men aged 18 to 41, would beintroduced. We can imagine that, over Christmas,he had thought about this. However, we shouldalso appreciate that requesting Baptism when hewas 17 years old was not unusual. Baptists do notpractice Baptism for infants. They consider Baptismto be an adult’s decision.

Archibald Charles Bristow and Artie were both inthe Machine Gun Corps. At the end of the War,Archie was a Corporal, Artie was a Private. Didthose two boys from Speen ever serve together?

Another cousin, Dudley Frank Bristow, recentlydemobilised, registered Artie’s death. In Issue 62of the SNDN we described the fascinatingpostcards that Dudley Frank (always known asDick) sent home, almost every day, when the Warwas over. Even though he simply addressed them“Mrs T Bristow, Speen” etc, they usually arrivedwithin three days.

There is a photo in *The Leaves of Time of the SpeenBrass Band, resplendent in their brand newuniforms. The photo was taken when the Brass Bandreformed after the War. In the back row is DickBristow, third from the left, with his neat moustache.

Archie Bristow isthird from the right.Both are wearingtheir WWI campaignribbons – as is GeorgeDean, middle row, farright. Can anyone tellus if this GeorgeDean is the youngerbrother of CorporalHarry Dean, who wasthe first Speen man tobe killed in The GreatWar?

The Chapel has aregister of burials.Artie Bristow’sgrave is recorded asNo 14 in row H;there is no trace of ittoday. Whoevermaintained theregister entered hisname as Arty.

Clive Rainbow01494 488658

[email protected]

Artie Ralph Bristow

* Copies of The Leaves of Time (revised secondedition) are now available from the Speen HeritageGroup for £5.

Every household should have this fascinating historyof Speen – it is essential reading if you have justarrived in Speen, and will also make a delightfulpresent for anyone who has moved away.

Contact Peter Symonds 01494 488016 [email protected].

Members of the Speen Band (c. 1920).

From left to right:

Back row: 1. Ted Floyd, 2. Roy Bristow, 3. Dick Bristow, 4. Will Floyd, 5. Fred

Plumridge, 6. Arch Bristow, 7. Ted Ridgley, 8. Elsie Plumridge.

Middle row: 1. Will Bristow, 2. Norman Ridgley, 3. Bert Tilbury, 4. William

Plumridge, 5. Ted Bristow, 6. George Dean.

Front row: 1. Harold Mead, 2. Archie Janes, 3. Harold Gibbons, 4. Jack Bristow


I nPr int L imited


Speen School & PTASummer, Spice and Success!It’s the end of another brilliant year at SpeenSchool, a time to reflect on all of the fun activitiesof the summer term.

It’s always a busy term and this one has been nodifferent, packed full of sports. The first event wasthe KS1 Multi-skills tournament at PrincesRisborough School. Speen CE School was successfulin winning this athletic team event against the otherschools in the area. Well done Year Two!

Then there was the Princes Risborough Gym andDance Festival – Year Two joined the otherschools in the Risborough Sports Partnership for 2evenings which showcased the breadth of danceand gymnastics which is taught in our schools.Year Two demonstrated their strength and agilityin a fast moving gymnastic display. Their danceitem featured moves that they had learned duringSpeenSchoolFest performed in a lively PunjabiBhangra style, brilliant to watch.

This year’s Sports day saw very different weatherto last year with raincoats the order of the day.The children ran, threw, balanced and dribbled atspeed before tucking into ice cream generouslydonated by Beechdean Dairies, thank you!

The ever-popular SpeenSchoolFest was also a greatsuccess, bringing together our children with LaceyGreen, Hannah Ball and Speen Pre-School. We alsowelcomed orchestras from Naphill and Walter’sAsh School and from St. John’s School whoserepertoire included pieces from BBC ‘Ten Pieces’.Year Two played their violins very well and there

were pastSpeenstudents inSt. John’sorchestraperformingtoo. Theweekcontinuedwith art,poetry,dance andmusicworkshops

– all masterminded by the musical genius of KateLaughton and a brilliant team of helpers. JeniFairey created some truly beautiful pieces of art forthe ball and got the children learning new skills likesculpting clay models so a huge thank you and toall your helpers in the lead up and on the day.Sarah Uhart got us all inspired as a firebird, writingpoems and creating story boards, thank you somuch and to your trusty assistant Kathy Buxton.

Speen marquee was transformed into a vibrantIndian palace for this year’s summer ball andlooked amazing. The children’s giant peacock,mandala, firebird and holi paint splat canvasfrom SpeenSchoolFest created a stunning

backdrop. The ballcommittee workedincredibly hard puttingit all together, creatingan impressive raffleand auction, makingdecorations, climbinghigh ladders to hangdrapes, organising anincredible menu, toname but a few of thetasks. It was a brilliantevening so a massivethank you goes to AlexAllan, Angela Forkgen,Antonia Winson, Clare Morris, and Helen Davies.The sun shone and whilst supping prosecco in thesun with everyone in their brightly colouredoutfits we definitely had a taste of India.

Many thanks also to this year’s sponsors, AndreaAppleby for all her work on the design of theposters and tickets, and of course to everyonewho helped with the set up and clear away. Weraised around £5,000, unbelievable for such smallschools. This money will be split between schooland pre-school with the school putting it towardsan exciting new sensory garden.

Special mention has to go to our PTA committeefor another fantastic year - Helen Davies as ViceChair, Libby Luckett as Treasurer and LouiseLucas as Secretary – huge thanks from me to eachof you for your never-ending support, workbehind the scenes and always volunteering,especially as all three have held these roles for 2years. A massive thank you also goes to everyonein the village who has supported us throughoutthe year and to our hardworking Governors.

Everyone at the school was delighted with theoutcome of the Ofsted inspection in May. Allareas of the school were found to be good - andpupil behaviour and safety were rankedoutstanding. This is a significant achievement asit is six years since the school was last inspected,since then inspection criteria have changed andstandards have been raised. Manycongratulations go to Mrs Nayna and all of theteaching staff and Governors.

To end the year on a high note and reallyshowcase our school, Katherine Matthews,Governor, and our neighbour Ian Warr arrangedfor a video to be taken of the children on a normalday at school, it’s up on the school website and is adelight to watch.

It’s always a little bit sad at this time of year sayinggoodbye to the year 2s and their families, what afun year group you’ve been and we wish youloads of luck in your new schools, keep in touch!

Becky KhairaChair

Speen School PTAwww.speen-cofe.bucks.sch.uk


unique - beautiful - guaranteed to impress - guaranteed todelight any horse-loving owner

h 01494 488203 m 07713 286358 e [email protected] w www.cdphotos.co.uk

cdphotography equine portraits

ography phot

traits equine por

cddc

unique - beautiful - guarant

h 01494 488203

eed tunique - beautiful - guarantse-loving ownerdelight any hor

01494 488203 m 07713 286358 e info@cdphot

ess -o impreed t eed t guarantse-loving owner

os.co.ukinfo@cdphot w .cdphotwww

oeed t

os.co.uk.cdphot


Wildlife WatchMost of our local wildlife has now completed itsannual breeding cycle. As usual there aresuccesses and failures to report.

In our own garden the Mallard that use our pondtried very hard but I am not convinced any youngsurvived. After regular morning battles on thelawn with up to eight Mallard fighting over thepotential nest site on the little island on our pondone pair became dominant. My belief is that thiswas the same pairing that raised seven young lastyear. The duck laid 14 eggs, 12 of which hatchedon 14th April. A second female Mallard appearedand laid six eggs in a second nest, one foot awayfrom the first nest. Unfortunately all the eggswere taken by a fox but the young ducklingsurvived his visit. In mid-May the mother leadthe 12 ducklings away, through a hole in thefence that I was not aware of, and marched themoff up Abbotswood. Without access to water Iwould doubt that they would have survived thevariety of local predators. The most remarkablenesting attempt was then made by a third femaleMallard that nested under vegetation just two feetfrom our front door. After seeing her incubatingthe eggs for several weeks I was then away so Iam not aware what happened to the nest.

Elsewhere at least two young Moorhens were seenwith parents on the Water Lane pond whilstMandarin ducks with three young were recordedin Great Hampden. Jackdaws nested in a chimneyin Studridge Lane for the first time apparently. Thelocal Great Spotted Woodpeckers raised at leasttwo young and a Red Kite also fledged from a nestto the east side of the village, with probably otherselsewhere. Our garden bird table has been teemingwith young Blue Tits and Great Tits with fouryoung Bullfinches also visiting with their parents.Jays raised five young in the woods whilst twojuvenile Herons visiting the garden together was anew record. Other unusual sightings included apair of Siskins in June (these normally being wintervisitors) and also several Stock Doves visiting thegarden regularly in June searching for seeddropped from the bird table. Ravens have beenheard in the locality on several occasions but themost uncommon bird was probably a Wryneckrecorded in Hughenden Valley on 18th April.

Local foxes have reared young with cubs recordedto the north and the east of the village with theearth being very close proximity to a house to thenorth of the village. Not all of the cubs born havesurvived. Polecats have again been reported fromthe wider local area with Henry Lane reporting avery clear sighting towards Bledlow. The local RoeDeer have again produced fawns. On one occasionI watched a female followed loosely by threefawns. At first I thought that this was a rare caseof triplets but I now suspect that two orphanedyoung were loosely tailing a mother and hersingle fawn. For several years it has been apparentthat the local rabbit population included asomewhat unusual gene pool probably from an

escape orrelease, withlittle blackrabbits notedscuttling abouton local fields.One of these,christened“Sooty” hasnow taken upresidencearoundWoodviewDrive alsomaking visitsthrough toAbbotswood,causing amixture ofconsternationfrom someresidents and amusement for others. The animalhas been present four or five weeks to my ownknowledge, and may have been present muchlonger. Edible dormice (Glis glis)have causedproblems for some residents again and havecertainly affected the breeding success of Blue Titsusing nest boxes in my woodland.

Please let me know of any interesting records -01494 488016 [email protected]

Peter Symonds


Care and Support andYouAt least one in three of us will have care needs atsome point in our lives.

The new Care Act, which came into force in Aprilthis year, brings fundamental changes to social carewhich will affect almost everyone who needs careand support, or looks after someone who does.

In a nutshell, since April 2015:

1. Everyone has a right to an assessment by theCouncil of their care needs, regardless of theirfinancial situation, and should receive information,advice and guidance about care whether they areeligible for Council support or not.

2. Carers’ rights are now recognised in law. Therole that Carers play in supporting people has beenrecognised and carers now have the right to anassessment of their own needs regardless ofwhether or not the person they care for receiveshelp from the Council.

3. A new national level of care and supportassessments means that the same criteria are nowused across the country, making it fairer foreveryone. This also means that care and supportwill continue seamlessly should an individual needto move to a different county.

4. Deferred payments, which are low cost loansfrom the Council to cover the cost of care andsupport in a care home, mean you do not need tosell your property in your lifetime.

There are so many ways we can help you tomaintain your independence as well as provideinformation, advice and guidance about the careand support you may need. To find out moreabout care and support for you, a relative orfriend, visit:

www.careadvicebucks.org or call 01296 383204.

Speen Village HallWe have held some very successful events recentlyincluding a film and food night which wascompletely sold out and a super cream tea andplant sale which, together with a generousdonation from the Garden Club, raised some £233for the Village Hall Funds.

We have purchased ten lightweight folding tablesand a trolley which will make moving chairs andtables a lot easier.These, together with a new urnand replacement tea spoons(!), make the VillageHall an ideal venue for children`s parties andfamily celebrations - so please consider us whenplanning your next event.

Dates for your diary include another film and foodnight on Friday 23rd October and of course theever popular Christmas Bazaar which will takeplace on Saturday 28th November. If anyone hasunwanted items suitable for the Bazaar pleasecontact Margaret Groves on 488180.

Bill Groves Chairman

Speen Village Hall Management Committee

Hughenden ParishCouncil – Grants andLoans 2016The Parish Council has powers to award grantsand loans to local community organisations whichit considers to be in the interests of HughendenParish or its residents. For example, in the last yeargrants have been made to village halls across theParish, various sporting organisations and to assistthe Hughenden Valley Community shop toestablish their very successful café.

This year the Parish Council would like to receiverequests from a wide variety of applicants -charities and nonprofit organisations, so that thebroadest range of local organisations can beencouraged and supported.

If you are aware of, or involved with, anorganisation that could benefit from Parish Councilfinancial assistance now is the time thatapplications for loans and grants should beconsidered for submission as the Parish Councilprepares its annual budget duringNovember/December.

Organisations should therefore write/apply by theend of October in time to be considered for themain bids. Whilst requests for small grants can bemade at any time, there is no guarantee that anyfunds will remain available if the request is notsubmitted by the end of October.

This is a competitive process against other bids,unfortunately the Parish are not able to fund allprojects submitted as there is a limited budgetavailable. All applications are treated equally and ifsuccessful the payment will be made after April 2016.

Applications should be made in writing. If you have any questions as to whether yourorganisation would qualify or if you would like acopy of the Grants and Loans Terms & Conditionsas well as an application form please contact theHughenden Parish Office, tel. 01494 715296, or visitthe Parish Council website athttp://www.hughendenparishcouncil.org.uk/policies-procedures/


Golf WanderersThere is a small group of Speen social golfers whoplay on Thursdays at different courses. RogerClarke is the organiser.

As a thankyou for his efforts over several yearsthe group had a morning's golf at Whiteleaf on18th June followed by a celebratory lunch in hishonour.

John Holmes

Speen and North DeanGolfSpeen v North Dean at BeaconsfieldGolf Club 13th May

On one of the first beautiful days this year 26golfers did battle for the Spring Village trophy.The course was in fabulous condition and it was adelight to play in the sun, and feel warm.

18 holes offfull handicapwere playedand the teamscoresaveraged. Thisleft Speenvictors with anaverage of27.4; NorthDean were notfar behind on25ish.

The individualwinner wasKeith Roslingwith animpressive 39points, he alsowon the prizefor nearest the pin in two on the 18th.

John Mulry was nearest the pin on the 16th.

David Davies won the longest drive on the 17th .

The golf was followed by a good dinner; it wasnice to see John Rogers, Bill Groves and PeterBrownridge appearing in a non playing role. Ihope everyone who turned up had a good day.

Keith Fisher and Peter Brownridge also receivedprizes for various lapses in memory andorganisation!!

If there are any new residents who would like tojoin in please contact Charlie Pearson on 488483.

Charlie Pearson

Charlie Pearson (l) being presentedwith the village trophy

by John Rogers


CAA

BEAUTIFUL, HANDMADE

CURTAINS & CUSHIONS, BLINDS, FABRICS, POLES,

TRACKS

for

ELEGANT, STYLISH HOMES

JUDITH NEWENHAM

FFor Personal Service and a

Free no obligation quote

01494868461 07788718242

[email protected]

Marjorie Jean Ridgley1913 to 2015

Jean Ridgley wasthe Village PostMistress for 31years between1949 and herretirement in1980. She passedaway on 22ndApril 2015, just afew weeks shortof her 102ndbirthday, at theHampden HallCare Centre inWeston Turvillenear Aylesbury.

Jean was born on 9th June 1913 at Speen PostOffice (now the Old Post Office), and lived thereuntil 2009 when her deteriorating health requiredfull time care. She was the third of four daughtersto George Ridgley and his second wife FrancesDell. The four girls all attended Speen School.Jean left at the age of fourteen and went intoservice, but she did not take to this kind of workand soon returned home. Jean settled in helpingher parents with the shop and Post Office. Herfather, as well as being Post Master, was also thevillage baker at that time.

George had originally purchased the property in1881 when it was both a bakery and a shop. ThePost Office role started in 1903. George was stillvery active as the Post Master during the SecondWorld War, but Jean was doing most of the workuntil 1949 when George officially retired as PostMaster aged 95.

As Post Mistress and shopkeeper Jean was a focalpoint for all the village news and gossip.Everybody in the village knew her well and in1963 she was invited by Dr and Mrs Dickson ofGeorge Farm to the wedding of their daughterFiona to the entertainer Roy Castle. On that dayshe met many other celebrities of that eraincluding Miriam Karlin and Harry Secombe.

Jean was a keen gardener and was active in theWomen’s Institute. She liked watching all sporton television and was a faithful supporter ofArsenal from way back. Jean took little time offwork, but once retired she was able to takeholidays including ventures to Holland andAustria with her good friend Frieda Turner.

When it came to retirement Jean could not competewith her father and she decided to go early at theage of 67. To be fair to Jean, when George was 67he had four daughters aged between four andeleven to support! On 31st May 1980, with manyVillagers in attendance, the Head Post Master from

Aylesbury carried out a presentation and theVillagers themselves generously presented Jeanwith a fine carriage clock which she still had withher in the care home.

Jean generally enjoyed good health through herlife but as time went on joints began to wear andshe had both hips replaced. Although the secondoperation in 2003 was a success, it was soonapparent that something was wrong with Jean’smental capacity and, unfortunately, this was thebeginning of dementia which progressively gotworse. With the help of her brother-in-law,Charles Hendry, she was able to stay at the OldPost Office until she went into care in December2009. Physically, Jean had a strong constitutionand Charles always said she would outlive all hercontemporaries – which she did. In longevity,even her father could not compete – he only livedfor 100 years.

Affectionately known as Jeannie to her nieces andnephews, her passing ends an era for our family’slinks with the lovely Village of Speen after over200 years. The Ridgleys , Dells and Chiltons(George’s first wife’s family) can all be tracedback into the 1700s.

Charles Hendry(nephew to Jean)


Message from SNDN Chairman

This will be the last edition of SNDN produced by JamesHazeldine and Jude Awdry. They have worked very welltogether to produce such a high quality villagepublication three times a year. This brings news of thevillage activities and keeps us in touch with organisationcontacts and future activities. We are also kept up to datewith advertising of local services.

Many thanks to James, our magazine editor for the lastthree years, for his excellent efficiency. Jude has been incharge of production for many years. We really appreciateher professionalism and that she has found time to fit inthe magazine with her very busy work schedule.

We are also very grateful to Jacqui Laing who has kindlyagreed to take forward our magazine for the next twoissues. So your support will be much appreciated.

Gloria HolmesChairman


Speen Pre-SchoolThe end of a fun-packed year

We have just reached the end of the summer termand what a busy time it was. All the childrenenjoyed an exciting end of term party with a visitfrom music makers Jo Jingles. We also took partin SpeenSchoolFest in June where we enjoyed amorning of Indian dancing, food tasting anddressing up. July saw our annual sports day withcompetitive running races from both the childrenand grown ups alike! And parents and staff ran astall at Speen Fete offering children the childrento get the chance to get messy with dinosaur jellyand exploding volcanoes!

We have had another successful year offundraising and would like to express our thanksto everyone in the village who comes out tosupport us at our events. Being such a small Pre-School fundraising is absolutely vital to us tokeep the setting going and it certainly keeps ourvoluntary committee (aka mums!) busy. Ourbiggest fundraising event by far is Speen SummerBall, this year A Passage to India, and we enjoyedsupporting Speen School to put on this fantasticevent once more helping to raise significant fundsfor both settings.

This year the staff organised a sponsored walk forthe children on Speen Playing Fields. Theyhopped, skipped, jumped and walked likevarious animals to raise enough money to buy awhole host of new musical instruments for Pre-School.

Our Forest School and on-site outdoor playfacilities have gone from strength to strength thisacademic year. The children have a fantastic areato explore in Ridgley’s field with new woodenseating, den making, a mud pit and swing rope,the children even got to experience a real campfire recently and toast marshmallows, eagerlycounting the number of blows to cool them downbefore they could eat them! Our courtyard spaceback at the village hall is used daily in allweathers and is now fully equipped with sandpit, water play, outdoor kitchen, trikes, balls,hoops etc and building blocks and every day webring the ‘inside out’ offering outdoor story timeand mark making opportunities for all.

We are looking forward to starting back with thenew term on 7th September and welcoming a fewnew children. The staff team is already busyplanning a range of engaging new activities andwe will continue to use our electronic onlinelearning journals to keep track of every child’sprogress at Pre-School.

As several children move on to big school inSeptember we have spaces available in many ofour sessions for immediate start. Prospectiveparents are most welcome to pop in and visit usat any time; however our Open Morning will takeplace from 9.30am to 11.30am on Tuesday 10thNovember 2015 – all prospective parentswelcome.

Speen Pre-School is open to children age from 2to 5 years. To enquire about a place or receive aprospectus please contact our Admissions Officer,Mei Price, on 01494 488155 or call Pre-School on01494 488160 during term time or [email protected].

For more information please visitwww.speenpreschool.org.uk

Alex AllanChair

Speen Pre-School


Summer Holidays withSpeen Church YouthThe first two weeks of the summer holidays werefull of activity for the children and teenagers fromSpeen Church. It began with a bang at LighthousePrinces Risborough, the annual holiday club forchildren, with members from the churchvolunteering to be part of a team of over 200helpers. It was a lively and fun filled week, withchangeable weather conditions enhancing theoverall experience! Speen Church took on the roleof running the café, and contributed to the armyof Lighthouse Keepers, Lamplighters and also tothe Lighthouse band. It was an incredible start tothe summer, and was great to see so manychildren from the village enjoying the week.

At the beginning of August, we travelled down toNew Wine in Somerset, which is a Christianfestival attended by over ten thousand people.Some of us volunteered again to serve on theNew Wine team, while others just enjoyed thethought provoking seminars, fantastic music andactivities that go on throughout the week.

Check out more photographs and find out whatelse has been going on at the church on ourwebsite http://www.speenchurch.org .

Lucy Entwisle

Some of Speen Church Youth with Moira,our missionary from North Dean

currently working in Ethiopia Serving on Team at New Wine

Speen Church sets up camp


Our services to Princes Risborough run on Tuesdays and Saturdays

Depart Risborough High Street 0850, arrive Speen 0905, arrive Risborough High Street 0929

Depart Risborough High Street 1135, arrive Speen 1150, arrive Risborough High Street 1215

An afternoon service on Tuesdays only is available on request. Depart Risborough 1605,

arrive Speen 1625, arrive Risborough 1649

The bus is available for Group Use evenings and weekends for up to 14 people. Our unique door to door service can be used for clubs, families & friends; for your own events or for sports,

shopping, theatres and parties. Ring Georgina on 07941 963097 for information and bookings

We also run regular outings to places of interest including Garden Centres, Bicester Village and tours of the Chilterns. See our new website at www.racb.co.uk or call 07941 963097

RISBOROUGH AREA COMMUNITY BUS


Speen and North DeanToddler GroupEvery Tuesday morning from 10am, North DeanVillage Hall is transformed into a baby andtoddler’s dream. This is a small and extremelyfriendly play group that has been going for wellover 10 years and has evolved accordingly overthe years. We have children from 0-4 yearscoming each week from as far as Bledlow andNaphill, not just Speen or North Dean.

The children have an extensive range of toys toplay with including large Little Tykes ride-onequipment. There is also a designated area formessy play. Most weeks there is an ageappropriate arts and crafts table which is linkedwith the theme for that week. The children areencouraged to have a drink and a biscuit mid-morning while listening to a story followed bysome simple songs. EVERYONE is encouraged tojoin in with the singing.

We are very lucky to have a large outdoor playarea attached to the village hall and when theweather allows we are outside (with a gazeebofor shade).The cost is only £1.50 per child and we even letthe grown-ups have a coffee and biscuit too.

The new term starts on Tuesday 8th Septemberand for further information please contact thenew leader Sarah Uhart [email protected] : 07951 485436

Helen DaviesOutgoing Leader

Help for Heroes feteThe 'Help for Heroes' fete went very well withperfect weather. Our teas were very popular and,even with many helpers, we were pushed at timesto keep up with demand.

Your cakes were invaluable. As a result of myappeal we had lots - see 'photo, but they nearly allwere used. I don't know how we would havecoped without your help.

I am most grateful to you, many thanks indeed.

Gloria Holmes

Speen Helping HospicesGroup The group started their year with The SpringLunch on Friday 15th May held for the fifth yearrunning at the glorious Sefton’s Barn within thebeautiful setting of the Horse Trust.

Once again we had beautiful weather allowingour guests to browse the plants and jewellery forsale in this peaceful and relaxing setting. Oursupporters enjoyed a three course lunch withwine followed by coffee, all prepared and servedby the SHH committee.

This year for the first time we held an auctionwhich proved to be a very lively affair, and notonly enjoyed by all but also added to the funds

the SHH raised to helpthe vital work carriedout by the hospices.

After coffee Helenfrom Helen & DouglasHouse gave us a verymoving talk on howthey supported ateenage boy after hislittle sister had died,showing us that theynot only provide thecare to those with lifelimiting conditions butsupport the family as well.

Helen & Douglas House is one of four hospicesthat the SHH support. This year our supportershelped us raise £1426.64.


PAINTED KITCHENS NAPHILL

07768 975 323

[email protected]

Fitted and Free-Standing Furniture

Manufacturers of

Fine Bespoke Kitchensrestoration & repainting of existing kitchens

excl

usi

ve

ha

nd

-pa

inte

d k

itch

ens


The Spring Lunch was followed by the SHHannual Arts & Crafts Fair held on Sunday 5thJuly in the village marquee on the village playingfield and again was a great success. The marqueewas brimming with the work of 26 local designersand artists along with some local foods. This yearthe event was advertised as a Craft and Food Fairand we would like to apologise for the fact therewas little in the way of local foods for sale. It wasnot for the lack of trying as every avenue tosource them had been exhausted, but for onereason or another could not make the event, andunfortunately too late to change our advertising.

As well as the usual tea, coffee and homemadecakes we did add strawberries and cream with aglass of pink sparkling wine along withBeechdean Ice Cream, which all went down verywell in the hot weather. A BBQ was also providedespecially for the Fair by The King William IV.

The Group would like to thank Valletta andMichael Brown for a very generous donation andfor the help given by Clive and Di Rainbow inrunning the first Silent Auction. Added toeverything else this helped raise over £1500 ofvitally needed funds for Florence Nightingale,South Bucks, Iain Rennie and Helen & DouglasHouse Hospices.

It was a chance to enjoy the lovely village, relax,browse the Craft Fair, refuel at the pub or BBQand the SHH would like to thank all those whocame along and helped make the day such asuccess.

At the end of the year after the final SHH eventall funds raised during the year will be dividedequally amongst the four hospices supported bythe group. Cheques are raised and handdelivered.

Please refer to the SHH new facebook page tokeep in touch with all future events:ww.facebook.com/speenhelpinghospices

The SHH try tomake all theirevents as fun andinteresting aspossible to give allthose who comealong enjoyment,whilst helping raisevital funds for ourlocal hospices. Allhospices aredesperately short offunds and relyheavily on smallgroups like ourselves so a ‘BIG THANK YOU’from all of us on the SHH committee for yourcontinued support.

Ann James


Who

’s W

ho in

Spe

en a

nd N

orth

Dea

n Bucks County Council - Member for Lacey Green Carl Etholen 01494 564771

Hughenden Parish Council - Chairman Roger Beavil 01494 715296

Lacey Green Parish Council - Chairman Cathryn Davies 01844 342800

Lacey Green Parish Council – Councillor for Speen Ward

Roger Craft 01494 488343

North Dean Good Neighbours Judith Broadley 01494 563178

North Dean Village Hall – Bookings Secretary Jez Wicks 01494 563517

North Dean Village Hall - Fete Jez Wicks 01494 563517

North Dean Village Hall - Secretary Robin Hughes 07920 748580

Piggotts 7 ‘48’ Musical Evenings Nick Wheeler-Robinson 01494 562167

Police Contact Non emergency Emergency

101 999

Riding for the Disabled Gloria Holmes 01494 488420

Speen Good Neighbours Pat Richardson 01494 488627

Speen & North Dean Guides Pauline Hall 01494 488372

Speen & North Dean News - advertising Tom Dent 01494 488943

Speen & North Dean News - Chair Gloria Holmes 01494 488420

Speen & North Dean Toddler Group Sarah Uhart 07951 485436

Speen Baptist Church James Entwisle 01494 488875

Speen Fete - Chair Amanda Dobbs 01494 488887

Speen Helping Hospices - Secretary Maureen Laing 01494 488397

Speen Marquee Greg Cook 01494 488939

Speen Playing Fields Chairman Tony Bobroff 01494 488688

Speen Pre-School - Chair Alex Allan 01494 489838

Speen School - Head Denise Nayna 01494 488321

Speen School PTA - Chair Becky Khaira 07815 134330

Speen Stores Alison Templeman 01494 488258

Speen Tennis Court - Secretary Philippa Lane 01494 488453

Speen Village Hall - Bookings Sue Taylor 01494 488500

Speen Village Hall - Chairman Bill Groves 01494 488180

Speen WI - Secretary Jean Morris 01494 488529

Wycombe District Council - Member for Lacey Green & Hampdens

Mel Foster 01494 488670

speen and north dean news...4 sndn 63 what’ s on in sp ee n and north d e an month event where...

Documents