Please find attached a TTRO issued by Buckinghamshire Council for works at Cheddington Road bridge to help alleviate the flooding:

chd rd bridge ttro-application-form-mk-new_117940942_3245110_dd3ca561fc

Pitstone Road, Cheddington, Buckinghamshire

17 July — 17 July

Delays likely – Road closure

Works location: TO SIDE OF COOKS WHARF CANAL BRIDGE

Works description: DRAINAGE DITCH EXCAVATION / CLEARANCE: EXCAVATE SHORT LENGTH OF DRAINAGE DITCH TO SIDE OF CANAL BRIDGE BETWEEN OUTFALL HEADWALL AND CANAL BANK. REGRADE AS NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE A FALL TO CANAL. EXCAVATOR ACCESS TO DITCH VIA CARRIAGEWAY USING A LONG ARM / BOOM EXCAVATOR. HAND DIG CHANNEL BETWEEN WILLOW TREE AND BOUNDARY FENCE FOR MARINA.

Responsibility for works: Buckinghamshire

Current status: Planned work about to start

Works reference: D40025138775

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCIL
(VICARAGE ROAD, PITSTONE)
(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF THROUGH TRAFFIC) ORDER, 2020

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCIL have hereby given notice that, Anglian Water new connection works take place and it is anticipated that the works will commence on 29 July 2020 and will take approximately 3 days between 07:00 and 18:00 each day to complete. This road will be closed for the duration of the works.

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCIL intend to make an Order which will temporarily prohibit any vehicle from proceeding, except for access, in that length of Vicarage Road, Pitstone, which for a distance of approximately 80 metres.

The alternative route for vehicles affected by the closure will be via Vicarage Road, Upper Icknield Way, Tring Road, Church Road, High Street, Marsworth Road and vice versa.

The Order will come into operation on 29 July 2020 when the appropriate signs are lawfully displayed and will continue for a period not exceeding eighteen months or until the said works have been completed whichever is the earlier.

Penalties for not observing these restrictions will be as prescribed by the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and the Road Traffic Act 1991.

Dated 10 July 2020

Due to social distancing and travel restrictions that are in place as a result of Coronavirus, areas of outstanding natural beauty across Buckinghamshire have become even more popular than usual. This includes our country parks. Most of these sites have limited parking and as a result, people are parking in locations that may obstruct access for emergency vehicles.

We propose to address this problem by preventing stopping or parking at any time on specific roads. We will use a combination of ‘24-hour rural clearway’ and ‘no stopping at any time on verge or footway’ restrictions. Signs will indicate the restrictions in place.The proposals apply to the following locations:

Stoke Poges and Wexham – Rowley Lane, Black Park Road, Billet Lane and Bellswood Lane.

Denham – Denham Court Drive, Black Park Road, Fulmer Common Road, Pinewood Road and Alderbourne Lane.

Great Brickhill – Brickhill Road.

Ivinghoe – Upper Icknield Way, Northfield Road and Westfield Road.

https://yourvoicebucks.citizenspace.com/roads-parking/countryparkrestrictions/

Open until 12 July 2020.

Buckinghamshire has many residents, businesses and industrial estates served by freight vehicles. The transportation of goods by freight helps to support Buckinghamshire’s economic growth, but can also cause environmental problems and concerns for local communities.

To help balance the need for efficient distribution of goods with the needs of the environment and communities, Buckinghamshire Council has developed and adopted a Freight Strategy. Policy 8 of the Freight Strategy outlines Buckinghamshire Council’s aim to work collaboratively with local communities to monitor and address local freight issues.

Policy 8: Empowering Communities

‘We will give communities affected by freight access to the information they need to get more involved in managing their own freight issues. Measures like community freight toolkits will help to show them what their options are’.

Buckinghamshire Council has produced online guidance for local residents, haulage companies and drivers. This includes information on how to request a new restriction, and maps that identify the recommended routes for freight vehicles in Buckinghamshire.

This Freight Community Toolkit is designed to complement this online guidance and provide a resource that can be used by interested individuals, communities and stakeholders to monitor freight movements in their local area. The Freight Community Toolkit includes a Guidance Note, Code of Conduct, Survey Form and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) Guide to Lorry Types and Weights to aid volunteers.

Further information on lorry routes, advice for HGV drivers and residents, and full details of the Freight Community Toolkit are available via this link: https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/transport-and-roads/policies/limits-and-routing-for-heavy-goods-vehicles/

UPDATE FROM BVCL

A reminder that Library books may now be returned to BVCL on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons between 2 and 5 pm.

Although the amnesty on fines remains extended until July 31st, please endeavour to return your books as soon as you are able, to enable them to be replaced in circulation.

Many of you may have heard that Mrs Jean Morris has sadly passed away.  She lived in the village for many years and was involved in numerous community groups.

Due to the current Coronavirus restrictions on the people that may attend a funeral her numerous friends, neighbours and colleagues are asked to pay their respects to Jean by lining the funeral route instead.

The procession will leave from Cheddington Road at 11.30 am on Tuesday 7 July 2020 and proceed to Pitstone Church for a 12 noon service.  The hearse will move at walking pace from Pitstone Memorial Hall to Pitstone Church.

Attendees are asked to maintain social distancing wherever possible.  Other residents may like to consider avoiding this route during this period, as it contains some stretches of narrow path where it may be difficult for you to maintain social distancing from those paying their respects.

Our thoughts and prayers are extended to Jean’s family at this difficult time.

Information about upcoming football taster sessions:

On textile recycling:

PPP TEXTILE RECYCLING POSTER

and foreign/old coin collection:

Scouts Currency Poster

As the parish council had been unable to print & distribute the April edition of PPP due to the Coronavirus restrictions in place at the time and the impact this had on our advertisers/contributors, we are replicating the adverts that had been submitted on our website, to help support the local firms that were placing the adverts and to provide the information to our residents.

There is obviously no charge to our advertisers for the April edition/the publication of these adverts on line.

PPP should be back in hard copy format at the end of July.

Please find below the adverts from advertisers beginning with T:  T&S Treecare, Travel Impressions, Tring Market Auctions, Tring Yoga Studios and Tyre Changers.

As the parish council had been unable to print & distribute the April edition of PPP due to the Coronavirus restrictions in place at the time and the impact this had on our advertisers/contributors, we are replicating the adverts that had been submitted on our website, to help support the local firms that were placing the adverts and to provide the information to our residents.

There is obviously no charge to our advertisers for the April edition/the publication of these adverts on line.

PPP should be back in hard copy format at the end of July.

Please find below the adverts from advertisers beginning with N, P and W:

N M Counselling, Pain & Injury Clinic, P E Mead, Plumm Property and Windmill Pharmacy

Whether you’re currently volunteering or not, you could help people in your community by encouraging them to stay active.

Leap aim to improve the lives of residents across Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes through physical activity and sport. Leap are offering a free 1-hour interactive webinar to help volunteers support their friends, family, colleagues and the people they connect with each day to stay active throughout this period and beyond – as well as themselves!

Physical Activity: Supporting people to be active during the Coronavirus outbreak and beyond.

Interactive Online Webinar

Monday 29^th June, 1pm-2pm

Tuesday 30^th June, 11am-12noon

In this session we’ll discuss the importance and benefits of physical activity, national guidelines and practical tips, signposting resources, and having positive conversations about staying active. Participants will receive a resource pack following the session.

You’ll need access to a laptop/computer with speakers and a microphone. You’ll receive a link to join and joining instructions the day before the event. Please note spaces are limited. To book a place please fill out the booking form using the link below.

Monday 29th June – https://www.leapwithus.org.uk/events/physical-activity-supporting-people-to-be-active-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/ 

Tuesday 30th June – https://www.leapwithus.org.uk/events/physical-activity-supporting-people-to-be-active-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak-2/

If you have any questions about the information above please just ask and you can find out more about the work we do at Leap on our website (www.leapwithus.org.uk).

Transport for Bucks have carried out underground investigations on Vicarage Road, by The Pightle, and identified a break in the pipe caused by a third party which they will try and get resolved with Anglian Water as soon as possible.

They are still waiting for contractor availability to carry out the ditch works which will enable the remainder of the work to be carried out by the railway bridge in Cheddington Road.  They apologise for the delay and are escalating this issue.

PCSO C9953 Megan Dean

Wing Police Office

Aylesbury LPA

Thames Valley Police

As the parish council had been unable to print & distribute the April edition of PPP due to the Coronavirus restrictions in place at the time and the impact this had on our advertisers/contributors, we are replicating the adverts that had been submitted on our website, to help support the local firms that were placing the adverts and to provide the information to our residents.

There is obviously no charge to our advertisers for the April edition/the publication of these adverts on line.

PPP should be back in hard copy format at the end of July.

Please find below the adverts from advertisers beginning with J-M: James Chadburn Fine Antique Clocks, Jazzercise, Little IT Company, Moren Associates, Masons and Move it or Lose it.

As the parish council had been unable to print & distribute the April edition of PPP due to the Coronavirus restrictions in place at the time and the impact this had on our advertisers/contributors, we are replicating the adverts that had been submitted on our website, to help support the local firms that were placing the adverts and to provide the information to our residents.

There is obviously no charge to our advertisers for the April edition/the publication of these adverts on line.

PPP should be back in hard copy format at the end of July.

Please find below the adverts from advertisers beginning with H and I – Handyman Dave, Hawthorn Gardening, Ivinghoe Lettings and Ivinghoe Turf

https://linkinglives.uk/

Please visit the above website for a local charity who combat loneliness and social isolation.

They offer a range of services from home visits, telephone calls, outings and social events & activities (some may be temporarily suspended to comply with coronavirus regulations).

MILLENNIUM EDUCATION FOUNDATION 

Registered Charity No. 1077157

Are you hoping to go to University or College in 2021, but are concerned that financial resources might not match up to the requirements? Are you under the age of 22? Have you lived in Aldbury, Long Marston, Marsworth, Pitstone, Puttenham, Tring, Wigginton or Wilstone for at least three years?

To see if you would be eligible for a grant, apply to Tring Charities’ Millennium Education Foundation for information and an application form.

Website details: www.tringcharities.co.uk/education

Telephone: Elaine Winter, Secretary to the Trustees 01442 827913

Email: info@tringcharities.co.uk

Please note that the closing date is 15 November 2020 to lodge a completed application for grants payable from Autumn 2021.

As the parish council had been unable to print & distribute the April edition of PPP due to the Coronavirus restrictions in place at the time and the impact this had on our advertisers/contributors, we are replicating the adverts that had been submitted on our website, to help support the local firms that were placing the adverts and to provide the information to our residents.

There is obviously no charge to our advertisers for the April edition/the publication of these adverts on line.

PPP should be back in hard copy format at the end of July.

Please find below the adverts from advertisers beginning with F and G: F R Jeffery & Son, Footworks, French Tuition, Greensleeves and Grooms Farm Shop.

As the parish council had been unable to print & distribute the April edition of PPP due to the Coronavirus restrictions in place at the time and the impact this had on our advertisers/contributors, we are replicating the adverts that had been submitted on our website, to help support the local firms that were placing the adverts and to provide the information to our residents.

There is obviously no charge to our advertisers for the April edition/the publication of these adverts on line.

PPP should be back in hard copy format at the end of July.

Please find below the adverts from advertisers beginning with B and C : Barry Cato Motor Repairs, Beaconview Windows, C&S Automotives, Cheddington Pre-School, CMC Golf and Computanation.

As the parish council had been unable to print & distribute the April edition of PPP due to the coronavirus restrictions in place at the time, we are replicating the adverts that had been submitted on our website, to help support the local firms that were placing the adverts and to provide the information to our residents.

PPP should be back in hard copy format at the end of July.

Please find below the adverts relating to community services – allotments, the Town Lands Charity and the foodbank.

Food bank poster – requests only   

Food bank poster requests for food

As the parish council had been unable to print & distribute the April edition of PPP due to the coronavirus restrictions in place at the time, we are replicating the adverts that had been submitted on our website, to help support the local firms that were placing the adverts and to provide the information to our residents.

There is obviously no charge to our advertisers for the April adition/the publication of these adverts on line.

PPP should be back in hard copy format at the end of July.

Please find below the adverts from ADM admin and book-keeping and Ashbys chartered accountants.

As the parish council was unable to print & distribute the April edition of PPP due to the coronavirus restrictions in place at the time, we are placing all the articles and adverts onto our website for your information.  Please find below a personal view/article submitted by parish councillor Anil Mitra.

Our reality for now; a lesson for our future?

Well, this is a situation I don’t think any of us thought we would ever experience in our lifetime. Coronavirus has shocked us all- in the community, across the country and throughout the world.

As an eighty something year old man, I have been through many experiences – both incredibly good and shockingly bad. However, this devastating virus has raised mixed emotions. Having lived and experienced the trauma of the partition in India watching my family and country destroyed, to battling through financial and emotional setbacks to set myself and my family up for a good life, I can now enjoy retired life in my happy home with my family. But then, in the midst of this blissful existence, Coronavirus has created some major cracks in life but it is yet to shatter life as I know it.

The fear that has gripped our community is unprecedented. We know the reported facts and statistics from the media which warns us of the increasing daily figures; it is all out of our control. We can only control our own actions.

As a local parish councillor and a member of the Infection Control unit of the Hillingdon Hospital NHS Health Trust and Buckinghamshire NHS Health Trust, working for the community is something I enjoy. However, as I write this, I am now on my 22^nd day in isolation. My wife and I are vulnerable, we are susceptible to illnesses due to our age but we are as strong as we can be. We have pressed pause on our daily ‘going out for coffee’, a little stroll, a drive and our love of shopping. Washing my car in my drive and walking round my garden; this is my safe zone. I can no longer read my daily paper as I can’t get to the shop, our daughter does all our shopping and delivers it via our back gate so she doesn’t step into our home. The smell of antibacterial spray on every item is not the most pleasant but it is the safest smell to have at the moment. The hardest part is being apart from our grandchildren – the daily visits have stopped. We feel empty but this is life as we know it- just for the moment.

However, with all this said, the positives are clear to see.

My wife and I are very lucky; we can see our grandchildren from our upstairs window, they hold up signs from their back garden or when they take a walk/bike ride or dog walk. We hear them calling us and shouting messages – this is all we need to brighten our day; we have mastered video calling, a true achievement for our technology fearing nature.

We live in a community where, on the whole, the rules are respected and followed. The stream of dog walkers, children, families, office workers taking their lunchtime walks have decreased to such a level that we barely see anyone walking by. A lonely existence but a comforting one all the same. When we do see people walking, we see passers-by crossing the road to let others walk by within their 2m or more safe space. Whilst we are lucky to have our family close by for support, the community spirit supporting our vulnerable has been breath-taking – let us hope this is a sign of the future and this will be a permanent feature in the future, rather than a response to the pandemic. The Thursday evening 8pm applause brings the spirit of gratitude together – to hear the village and the country uniting in thanks for all those people risking their lives to keep this country together is a sign of hope.

Our village is also enjoying fewer speeding cars and less HGVs. Despite the fear of the virus, our air is less polluted with fumes and noise. This is definitely temporary as lifting the lockdown will increase both cars, pedestrians and HGVs but we hope during this quiet time we can find a way of controlling the way things are and make it part of our long-term.

The future of our village is positive- there is a newly found enthusiasm and hope for the future (however controversial!) as we embark upon the Pavilion Re-development and new homes along Marsworth Road. Our village will continue to thrive with many new plans and the support of our spirited community. To everyone reading this, stay safe, stay healthy, stay indoors – it’s the only way we will be able to say ‘so long, farewell’ to this pandemic and welcome a new and improved normality.

Anil Mitra

The decision has been made to postpone our celebrations until next year.

We have lots planned for our celebration in 2021 including:

Rogation walk and BBQ,

‘Messy Church’ 800^th birthday celebration

Fete and Historical Pageant

‘Music on Ivinghoe Lawn’ with WI teas

Teddy Bears Picnic and tea party

Art Exhibition

Service of celebration for both church and community led by the Bishop of             Oxford

Christmas Market

Concert on the history of the church by the Beacon Community Choir

Mediaeval Banquet

Further details will follow later in the year

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCILLORS – IVINGHOE WARD

MAY NEWSLETTER

Following the postponement of the May 2020 elections due to Covid-19, all the Shadow Councillors (previous Bucks County and the four District Councillors) became councillors of the new Buckinghamshire unitary Council on 1 April 2020. This situation will continue until May 2021.

The new unitary Council has responsibility for a large range of services including the following:

Adult Social Care Services • Building Control • Car Parks • Children’s Social Care Services • Crematoriums • Community Safety • Council Tax Benefit and Collection • Country Parks • Culture, Sports and Leisure • Economic Development • Education Services • Electoral Registration and Elections • Emergency Planning • Environment: including strategic planning, flooding and waste • Environmental Health • Grounds Maintenance • Health and Safety • Housing – strategy, advice & provision • Housing Benefit • Land Charges and Property Searches • Libraries • Licensing – taxis, alcohol and public entertainment & gambling • National Non-Domestic Rates • Planning, including development control • Public Conveniences • Public Health • Registrars and Coroners • Refuse Collection • Street Cleansing • Street Naming • Transport, including infrastructure and public transport

As individual councillors we will have been assigned to the various committees overseeing these services and you can see details of all committees and the relevant committee members on the Buckinghamshire website.

For the foreseeable future the committee meetings will be virtual, but you will be able to see them on the website.

For more information, please visit Buckinghamshire Council Services

You will have received regular updates on what is happening in Buckinghamshire including information on Covid-19 and again further information can be found on the website.

In addition to sitting on committees the following Councillors are members of the Wing and Ivinghoe Community Board: Ashley Bond, Netta Glover, Peter Cooper, Sandra Jenkins, Chris Poll, Derek Town, and Anne Wight.  For your information, the community boards effectively replace the BCC Local Forums.

The new Ivinghoe Ward embraces Cheddington, Marsworth, Pitstone, Ivinghoe, Ivinghoe Aston, Edlesborough, Northall, Slapton. Horton, Mentmore and Crafton.

Details of the Community Boards are on the Buckinghamshire.gov.uk website.

The most significant change to local services recently has been the re-opening of the ‘tip’ at Aston Clinton on College Road and the resumption of the Garden Waste collections (brown bins).

Stay Safe and Healthy.

With regards – Cllrs Anne Wight, Chris Poll, Derek Town, Sandra Jenkins and Peter Cooper – Ivinghoe Ward

Uncertainly for Our Book Festival – But a Fabulous Programme Awaits

Local book lovers may be wondering, with the ongoing Coronavirus crisis, what is happening about BeaconLit, our local book festival.

At the time of writing, the festival committee, volunteers who organise the event in support of Ivinghoe Library, had planned to have Early Bird tickets for BeaconLit 2020 (the eighth festival) on sale from March. Instead, they found themselves in a no man’s land of uncertainty. A fantastic line up of bestsellers, award winners, rising stars and more is on board, but the safety of attendees, participants and volunteers is paramount. It is obviously way too soon to offer tickets for sale with any certainty; but on balance it is just a little premature to pull the plug on the festival altogether yet.

After much debate, we decided to keep BeaconLit 2020 on the calendar for 11 July for now but continue to monitor the situation and government advice. Whatever happens, and whatever the situation by the time you read this, we hope you will want to join us – whether at BeaconLit 2020 on 11 July or at a later date, or for BeaconLit 2021. Heaven knows, a great book festival will be just the job for so many people when we finally emerge from this most difficult of situations.

We are hoping that, subject to commitments at the time, we will be able to present most of our current line up, which has something for everyone:

• The ever-popular New Voices panel showcasing the some of the most exciting debut authors around and featuring Eve Smith, Ruby Speechley and Sophie Ward.

• Sunday Times Bestsellers Ruth Hogan in conversation with the BBC’s Adina Campbell.

• Characters: Debate and Create – a workshop with author and creative writing tutor Morgen Bailey.

• Historical fiction panel with some of the top names in the genre: Antonia Hodgson, Laura Shepherd-Robinson, William Ryan and Antonia Senior

• Sunday Times Bestseller Cara Hunter in conversation with fellow crime writer Dave Sivers

• And more! Including free parking on Ivinghoe Lawn, refreshments, bookstall and signings, goodie bags and book bag draw.

Meanwhile, we have been thinking of additional ways to maintain interest and offer some little treats to book lovers. We will continue keeping in touch with our loyal supporters and the public via our emailing list, our website, social media and local press. Our website is at www.beaconlit.co.uk, where you can sign up for e-newsletters with all the latest news. If you would like to email, through our Contact Page, an expression of interest in the festival, or a message of support, that would be much appreciated.

Do take care of yourselves.

Very best wishes

Avril, Dave, Jacquie, Mark, Morgen and Rachel

BeaconLit Festival Committee

SERIAL KILLER STALKS TRING IN PITSTONE AUTHOR’S NEW CRIME NOVEL

Pitstone crime fiction author Dave Sivers’ latest novel is a serial killer chiller set in Tring and Hemel Hempstead. It is the first of a new series featuring Detective Inspector Nathan Quarrel.

In Ink opens with a body being found outside a church in Tring. Alastair Murdoch suffered before he died. But what really disturbs DI Nathan Quarrel is the Tarot card motif adorning the body: The Fool. Just 24 hours later, another body turns up – a different card, but from the same pack. Unless Quarrel can decipher the meaning behind the cards and the connection between the victims, more will follow in a twisted agenda of abduction, pain and death.

In Ink is available from Amazon in paperback and Kindle eBook.

Dave grew up in West London and has been writing all his life. His previous eight books include five to date in his popular series featuring Aylesbury based detectives Lizzie Archer and Dan Baines. He is currently working on Archer and Baines book 6. He is also co-founder of Ivinghoe’s annual BeaconLit book festival.

He said of his new series, “Archer and Baines have plenty more stories to tell, but I wanted to rediscover the fun of creating a new cast of characters and I hope readers will enjoy meeting Quarrel and his team as much as I did.”

In Ink was released on 15 May and has already featured in some of the Amazon Kindle bestseller charts, including a top 20 spot in the ‘Vigilante Justice’ category.

You can buy Dave’s new book at https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B087NHP5HX.

Keep up with Dave’s writing news by subscribing to his newsletter at http://davesivers.co.uk/subscribersclub or follow him on Facebook at davesiversauthor1 or in Twitter @davesivers.

As we were unable to print and distribute the April edition of PPP, please find below the update from St Mary’s Church and Ashridge:

Update from St Mary’s Church: 

We are very fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of the world. New life is abundant, in the hedgerows, in our gardens and in the fields that surround our villages. We are experiencing lengthening days and warmer temperatures.

But this year is different as necessary measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus are in place. The church is locked, and funerals can only take place in a limited way, services in the church have ceased but are happening very successfully through Facebook and on the phone. Do contact me if you would like to know more.

As those over 70 are in imposed self-isolation, children and their parents are learning to home educate their children and many people are working from home, we are having to live life differently.

But in all this there is hope. As I write this article, I am seeing members of our village communities offering time to help those who need it. Donations to our food bank have increased significantly and I have had many emails and phone calls from those wanting to help. If you know anyone who is experiencing hardship at this time get in touch with Babs Byrom 07860 780127 or myself 01296 668648 and we will arrange for a box of food to be left on your doorstep. All requests are dealt with confidentially. We are also working together with the Pitstone Covid 19 group and a group from Cheddington in this venture.

My prayer is that in these challenging times, God’s love would be known in these villages and that we would each be able to reflect something of that love in our own lives.

We are without a vicar at the moment but do get in touch with Babs Byrom, David Green or myself on the numbers above if you need advice or support from the church in any way. We are here for you if you need us!

Sandra Green – Licensed Lay Minister. St. Mary’s Church, Ivinghoe.

ASHRIDGE RAMBLINGS

STONE THE CROWS!

Europe’s largest conservation charity, The National Trust, is 125 years old.

This article was to have outlined Ashridge’s plans to celebrate this milestone, but the virus has put paid to all events for now. Once the Visitor Centre reopens, there will be an exhibition called “Ashridge through the ages”, which will be very well worth a look and will continue until the end of the year.

In the meantime, the constraints put on all of us bring into sharp focus for me and, I’m sure, many others, the importance of the great outdoors. At the time of writing, we’re still allowed into it once a day, and that is keeping me sane. The joy of buds bursting open, the first butterflies of the year and the green and blue carpets, are able, during those magical outdoor moments, to banish the virus blues. The Trust recognises this and has vowed to keep its countryside open as far as legally and practicably possible.

My spellchecker hasn’t heard of COVID and autocorrects it to CORVID – i.e. a member of the crow family. As it happens, crows are involved in the spread of another virus that infects humans. In the early 2000s, I was part of the Department of Health’s West Nile Virus (WNV) Surveillance Group. The reason for this was that my former (I have retired) team at Rothamsted Research in Harpenden monitors insects using a nationwide network of traps. Although primarily watching for agricultural pests, mosquitoes are caught, and these form an important part of the WNV transmission cycle. As with COVID-19, WNV can cause mild to fatal flu-like symptoms in humans. It also infects crows, in which it is usually fatal. Mosquitoes that bite infected crows can pick up the virus and pass it to humans, horses and a few other animals. Unlike with COVID, there has not been a major global pandemic of “CORVID-WNV”, largely because it cannot be passed from person to person by infection or contagion. It has to go via the crows.

Fingers crossed that we will continue to have access to our wonderful countryside and that we’ll get to see the exhibition soon.

Rikki Harrington

The Great Brickhill, Wing and Ivinghoe Neighbourhood Police Team would like to provide you with this newsletter to update you on the crime trends and figures for the last few months. Ordinarily I would update these at a community forum, which obviously cannot be held at this time. These should hopefully reassure you that in these strange times, we have still managed to keep crime low and maintain a normal service to your neighbourhoods.

The overriding picture for your neighbourhoods is that the overall crime has dropped when compared to the same period last year. The following figures shown are drawn from 1^st March to 9^th June and are compared to the same period last year:-

• Overall victim based crime has dropped by 31%.
• Residential burglaries have dropped by 75%, with only two being reported.
• Burglaries of sheds and garages have dropped by 60%.
• Commercial/burglaries to business premises have dropped by 22%.
• Theft of motor vehicles have reduced by 67%.
• Theft from motor vehicles have dropped by 36%.
• Interfering with motor vehicles has dropped by 71%.

Our Neighbourhood Priorities remain as before. These are:-

• Prevent and reduce rural crime
• Prevent and reduce Theft from Motor Vehicles
• Prevent and reduce Burglaries (to include sheds and garages).

The above figures show that we are succeeding in these priorities. The Eastern corridor of our Neighbourhood remains on our hotspot patrols and we will remain to upkeep these patrols to deter cross border criminals from using this area. We have remained in contact with Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Police to swap intelligence and assist one another in this location too.

The main issue we have seen an increase in during the last few months is in reports of ASB. This is unsurprising with breaches of the COVID19 social distancing reports coming in, which we have tried to manage via a forecwide response called OP RESTORE. We have made it our purpose to Engage and Explain to those who breached the guide lines, and issued fixed penalty notices to those who failed to adhere to them on several occasions.

We continue to have reports of improper use of the Pitstone Quarry, with persons trespassing onto this site to swim and sunbathe. We are working with Hertfordshire Police, the Transport Authorities and the Health and Safety Executive to try and resolve this issue.

The lockdown has naturally caused some tensions on existing Neighbourhood Disputes. We have taken robust actions where offences have been identified and worked with housing providers where appropriate to deal with tenancy breaches. In one circumstance civil injunctions have been placed on addresses to prevent re-occurrences of ASB. This will not be tolerated and we will do our best to act on such incidents, using our partner agencies when required.

With the likelihood of lockdown measures being loosened in coming months and more people leaving their homes to go to work, I would urge everyone to maintain good crime prevention practices at home:-

• Keep keys (particularly contactless keys) away from doors, and store in a metal tin to block any signal.
• Ensure all doors and windows are locked and secure.
• Consider use of a traditional steering lock on your vehicles.
• Any caravan or motorhome owners should use adequate wheel and towing locks. Consider use of tracking devices in them.
• Trades person must continue to remove tools from their vehicles when unattended and ensure they are marked and serial numbers kept.

We wish you well and thank you for your patience in adhering to social distancing guidelines.

Kind Regards

PC 5688 Matt Craker

Neighbourhood Supervisor for Great Brickhill, Wing and Ivinghoe district.

New grants of between £3,000 and £120,000 are now available to support businesses in Buckinghamshire looking to invest in resilience, repurposing or recovery initiatives as they prepare to overcome the challenges presented by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) crisis.

The Buckinghamshire Recovery Investment Fund, provided by Buckinghamshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), is part of a coordinated support programme for businesses, with Buckinghamshire LEP working closely alongside Buckinghamshire Business First and Buckinghamshire Council.

Andrew M. Smith, Chair of Buckinghamshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said:

“These grants are being made available to support any eligible business based in Buckinghamshire who have started to make plans for how they can recover from the current Covid-19 crisis and are looking at activity to ensure their recovery, future resilience and growth. In addition, these grants are intended to complement those national measures already in place, to support Buckinghamshire businesses during this challenging time.”

Michael Garvey, Chair of Buckinghamshire Business First, added: “Over the past few months we have heard from many Buckinghamshire businesses impacted by COVID-19. We are working hard to do everything we can to support them through these challenging times and help them not only survive but position themselves for recovery. This new fund has been set up to provide support for local businesses whose future viability has been adversely impacted, to support them to grow and flourish post-COVID.”

Match-funded grants of between £3,000 and £120,000 are available to support businesses with innovative projects that contribute towards any of the following: new income streams / product development; improvements in productivity / profitability; jobs growth; accelerated COVID-19 recovery; and future resilience.

Businesses must match-fund 25% of the total project value. For example, the minimum project value which can be supported is £4,000 (the business invests £1,000 and the grant can fund £3,000). The maximum grant value is £120,000 (meaning the match-funding required will be £40,000 for a project value of £160,000 or more to achieve the maximum grant).

Grants are available to organisations that: meet the definition of a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME); have two or more PAYE employees; are registered in the Buckinghamshire LEP area; have not received over €200,000 of de minimis aid in the last three years; and were in good financial health prior to 29^th February 2020.

For further details on these grants and an application form, please go to: www.bbf.uk.com/BRIF.

Hertfordshire Police has sent out a stern warning to people who have been visiting Pitstone Quarry, near Tring.

The quarry is not only on private land but is also very dangerous and poses plenty of risks for people who think it is safe to swim in.

If caught entering the land without permission from the owner, people could be prosecuted and the police could take action if it continues.

In addition to this, swimming in quarry water is dangerous.

Water temperature can be 80 degrees at ankle-deep and then 40 degrees at just below the surface – this can shock a swimmer’s system and they can quickly find themselves in danger.

The sides can be steep and are a mixture of clay, soft silt and gravel which can shift underfoot and can go at any time.

The water is also prone to dead animals and excrement which can cause disease, pollution and rubbish which can cause a number of problems for a swimmer and poisonous and toxic algae.

The location of the quarry makes it difficult for emergency services to access if someone needs assistance so police want to share this advice to those who have been visiting it or may be planning to in the future.

A parking suspension has also been put into place by Transport for Bucks.

Herts Police and Thames Valley Police will continue monitoring the area.

A spokesperson added: “Please, we ask kindly, do not visit Pitstone Quarry to enjoy the sunny weather – there are plenty of other lovely areas in Hertfordshire where you can enjoy this fine weather and socially distance, keeping yourselves and others safe. Thank you for your understanding.

“Entering this land without permission from the owner constitutes the offence of civil trespass, which the landowner could have you prosecuted for in a civil court of law.”

https://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/news/hertfordshire-news/police-issue-strict-warning-not-4179332

Update: Week one complete! A huge thank you for your donations, this week we have walked 79 miles! That’s the equivalent of walking from Pitstone to Westminster and back! Good job everyone!

The children at Windmill and their families are walking, running, cycling and scooting to raise money for their much loved pre-school. We were all sad to see Windmill close its doors back in March and while it is still unclear when it will be safe to fully reopen again, we are a registered charity and we still need to fundraise.

The children have adjusted well to learning from home but they are all eager to return to pre-school and see their friends so we’re getting them involved in our very first social distancing fundraiser! Our annual sponsored walk to Pitstone Windmill as a group cannot unfortunately go ahead so we have invited every Windmill family to go for adventures of their choosing. Out on their bikes, with their favourite teddy in their backpacks, in fancy dress or wearing their pre-school t-shirt, however they do it, they’ll be doing it with a smile on their face and Windmill pre-school in their thoughts.

Please donate if you can, we’d love some funds available for when we reopen to get some new resources for the exciting new projects we have planned.

Link here: https://justgiving.com/campaign/walkforwindmill

We’ll be keeping track of how many miles the children walk each week between now and when the pre-school reopens and sharing some pictures of our travels, so do check back with us to see how we are getting on!

Marsworth Road, Pitstone, Buckinghamshire

18 May — 20 May

Delays likely – Traffic control (Stop/Go boards)

Works location: BETWEEN PITSTONE VILLAGE ENTRY AND ROUNDABOUT AT CHEDDINGTON ROAD

Works description: DRAINAGE CLEARANCE / INVESTIGATION: EMPTY ALL GULLIES, KERB WEIRS AND FLIP TOP GULLIES ALONG LENGTH OF ROAD ON BOTH SIDES OF CARRIAGEWAY BETWEEN PITSTONE VILLAGE ENTRY AND ROUNDABOUT. JET ALL CONNECTING PIPES TO DITCH / MAIN CARRIER PIPE.

Responsibility for works: Buckinghamshire

Current status: Planned work about to start

Works reference: BH0025124225

Please find below, links relating to the sale of two parcels of land within Pitstone:

http://propertylinkassets.estatesgazette.com/images/20200422/1-77671871.pdf

The land is owned by Nicholas King Homes, and being marketed through Aitchison Raffety.   Contact details for enquiries:

Ian Archer MRICS – 01442 220800 Mobile: 07730 766932
Ian.archer@argroup.co.uk
www.argroup.co.uk

Update from National Trust:

As always, our decisions have been based on sticking to government guidance and ensuring the safety of our visitors, staff and volunteers. Please also bear in mind that we will have to retain some flexibility around these plans; if guidance changes again, or if we cannot manage to maintain social distancing and safety, then we may have to adjust.

This is a brief summary:

Ashridge – small, outlying car parks (including Pitstone Hill):  all open as of Mon 11 May, with the exception of Little Gaddesden where we are keeping it closed to minimise dog fouling in the adjacent meadow while the cattle are grazing and Northchurch Flats, where we are trying to promote some grass restoration following a lot of abuse during the wet weather.

Ivinghoe Beacon and Dick’s Camp: these will open by Saturday 16 May. There will probably be third-party operated ice cream vans in both of these car parks on fine days and at weekends.

Ashridge, Monument Drive: this will remain closed until Monday 1 June.  This is because it is a very difficult site for us to try to manage numbers and any kind of social distancing. We will operate it at 50% of the usual capacity and will turn people away once it is full. We will open the toilets; if people do not observe social distancing whilst using them, we will close them again. The shop and visitor centre will remain closed. There may be a reduced, take away offer available from the café. The Juice Dub is likely to be on site at weekends from 1 June.

Dunstable Downs: we will open the main car park and the beach car park at 50% of their usual capacity from 10am – 4pm daily from Monday 18 May. The car park machines will be operating using the ‘Pay by Phone’ facility and the charge will be £3.50 per visit.  The toilets will be open and we will monitor use to ensure social distancing is being observed. There will be a third party operated ice cream van in the beach car park on fine days. Cars that cannot be accommodated will be turned away.

Sharpenhoe, Totternhoe, Whipsnade Heath: all open from Wednesday 13 May.

Sundon Hills and Morven Park: still open – never closed.  There is no parking at Morven.

Whipsnade Tree Cathedral: this will remain closed for now.

Shaw’s Corner: this will remain closed for a long time yet. There is little prospect of us re-opening until social distancing is no longer required. We may look to operate some kind of pre-booked visits later in the season.

Update from Transport for Bucks:

Take Extra Care!

 We are living in unprecedented and uncertain times. During these times, the current government advice is that we should only be travelling for essential journeys. This includes trips to  buy essentials, such as food and medical supplies or trips to the hospital or doctors.

If you are making an essential journey, please remember to always drive at a legal and appropriate speed, wear a seatbelt, don’t use your phone whilst driving and don’t get behind the wheel if you’ve had an alcohlic drink.

We all have a responsibility to avoid putting more strain on the emergency services, so please always use the roads safely and take extra care when making essential journeys.

Taking extra care on the roads isn’t just about you and your driving, though.

With the government currently allocating one trip outdoors for exercise each day, there are more people out on the roads, especially on rural roads. As a driver please take extra care and watch out for cyclists, who may be inexperienced or new to cycling and pedestrians out on their daily walk, taking advantage of the roads that you usually find very quiet.

Both cyclists and pedestrians should look out for each other as they can’t always be heard approaching.  Anyone using the road, be it a pedestrian, cyclist or driver, needs to be aware of their surroundings and take extra care at all times.

The Highway Code gives guidance for pedestrians:

‘As a pedestrian always use the pavement (including any path along the side of the road) where there is one.  If there is no pavement, keep to the right-hand side of the road so that you can see oncoming traffic. You should take extra care and be prepared to walk in single file, especially on narrow roads or in poor light, keep close to the side of the road. It may be safer to cross the road well before a sharp right-hand bend so that oncoming traffic has a better chance of seeing you. Cross back after the bend.

Help other road users to see you. Wear or carry something light-coloured, bright or fluorescent in poor daylight conditions. When it is dark, use reflective materials (eg armbands, sashes, waistcoats, jackets, footwear), which can be seen by drivers using headlights up to three times as far away as non-reflective materials.’

For more information visit: www.gov.uk/highway-code

Busy season for agricultural vehicles

As the weather gets warmer and summer approaches, there are going to be more and more agricultural vehicles out on the roads. Drivers of such vehicles may not be expecting the increase in pedestrians and cyclists on roads that are usually quiet in the rural areas they operate in. If you are a driver of an agricultural vehicle, please be aware that there may be a family out for a walk around the corner, or a cyclist not expecting to meet a tractor and trailer.

Similarly, pedestrians and cyclists need to remember that they are not going to be the only ones using the roads, and there will be more large agricultural vehicles on the roads in the days and weeks to come. Take extra care, especially when going around a corner, and always stay focused on the road ahead and behind you.

Watch your speed

Because we shouldn’t be using the roads for anything other than essential journeys, you may find that the roads are a lot quieter at the moment.

Just because there are less vehicles, doesn’t mean you can take less care. Remember that the roads are not a race track, so please always abide by the speed limit. The traffic on the roads might be different but the speed limits remain the same! It’s also worth keeping in mind that a speed limit is the maximum speed you should be travelling at and isn’t a target. An appropriate speed for the road you are travelling on is not always as fast as the speed limit. Other factors should always be considered, such as weather conditions and the level of traffic on the road.

And remember – the roads might be quieter but the police are still making patrols.

If you crash into someone who is on foot or on a bicycle, your speed helps determine if they live or die. Do you know that the survival chances of a pedestrian hit at 20, 30 and 40 mph?

Challenge bad driving habits and ask yourself, “Would I pass my test is I drove like this?”

If the answer is no, then don’t do it.

With speed in mind, have you had the chance to take our online speed e-learning module yet? It takes about 15 minutes to complete and is free to do. You can find it here: https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/transport-and-roads/road-safety/managing-speed/speed-awareness-e-learning-module/

On your bike!

Around about now we would be promoting Be A Better Biker courses. Due to the current pandemic, these have had to be put on hold. However, throughout the month of May we will be focusing on motorbike safety across our social media platforms.

The warmer weather might tempt many motorcyclists to take their bike for a spin, but we must remind you not to make any non-essential journeys. If you have to travel, think very carefully about whether you should use a motorbike over a car; the consequences of an incident on two wheels generally mean more severe injuries than an equivalent incident in a car and this can place an extra burden on the emergency services at a time when they’re already stretched.

However, for many, a motorbike (or similar two wheeled vehicle) will be their only means of transport. In these cases, it is so important to ensure that your riding is as safe as possible. Although less traffic on the roads should potentially mean fewer moving hazards, a lot of the traffic is moving more quickly and some people may be less focused on what’s going on around them.

Adopting a systematic approach to your riding can give you more time to anticipate and react to situations, potentially avoiding incidents. The acronym IPSGA is a good way to approach hazards in a systematic way. Think about this as you come to a bend, junction or any other hazard:

I – INFORMATION – Consider all the information around you. What can you see, what can’t you see and what might be reasonably expected to happen?

P- POSITION – Given you have the information, where should you be positioned on the road? Select your position according to these three criteria:

• Safety – maintain a “safety bubble” around you
• Stability – if it’s safe, select the road position that gives you the most stability
• View – if it’s safe, and stable, select the road position that gives you the best view

S – SPEED – Change your speed to be the right speed for you to negotiate the hazard

G – GEAR – When you’ve got your speed right, make sure you’re in the right, responsive gear

A – ACCELERATE – As you leave the hazards, accelerate to an appropriate speed and keep scanning for more information to keep the IPSGA process going.

If you’d like to find out more about being smoother, and safer, in your riding contact IAM RoadSmart on 0330 303 1134 or at www.iamroadsmart.com and they’ll put you in touch with your local group

Other interesting road safety news…

• Free road safety resources provided for children https://roadsafetygb.org.uk/news/suppliers-offer-free-road-safety-teaching-resources-for-children/
• Helping commercial drivers plan their essential routes https://roadsafetygb.org.uk/news/commercial-drivers-urged-to-plan-their-journeys/
• Quieter roads and increased speeding – a growing road safety issue https://roadsafetygb.org.uk/news/quieter-roads-and-increased-speeding-a-growing-road-safety-issue/

Westfield Road, Pitstone, Buckinghamshire

05 May — 07 May

Delays possible – Traffic control (multi-way signals)

Works location: 1

Works description: Mains Fittings

Responsibility for works: Anglian Water

Current status: Planned work about to start

Works reference: AD03257353762

Please find below the link to the Buckinghamshire Council update on garden waste collections, which will resume from 11 May 2020:

https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/news/green-waste-collections-restart-and-waste-sites-stand-ready-open/

and the planned re-opening of the household waste centre at Aston Clinton.

The link also contains details from Buckinghamshire Council on safety measures that will be in place at the centres and requests for residents regarding the garden refuse collections.

Please note that travel to and from a household waste centre is currently not considered ‘essential travel’ and therefore the sites can’t re-open before government guidelines change otherwise residents could be stopped and fined by Thames Valley Police.

Pitstone & Ivinghoe United Football Club are putting together a parcel of spare/used football kit to donate to Kit Aid, a charity that sends of football kits and equipment to underdeveloped countries across the world.

Do you have any old football shirts (professional or local clubs), shorts, training wear, football boots etc?

All age group kit is needed and will put a smile on someone’s face who otherwise would have no access to such clothing.

If so, please contact Mart Roberts on : markroberts381@gmail.com

and Mark will arrange a safe pick up next week.

Link to Kit Aid in case you would like more information: kitaid.net

Vicarage Road, Pitstone, Buckinghamshire

24 April — 28 April

Delays possible – Traffic control (Stop/Go boards)

Works location: BETWEEN THE PIGHTLE JUNCTION AND NO.14 VICARAGE ROAD

Works description: DRAINAGE CLEARANCE / INVESTIGATION: EMPTY ALL GULLIES AND KERB WEIRS ALONG LENGTH OF VICARAGE ROAD BETWEEN NO.14 AND THE PIGHTLE JUNCTION. JET ALL CONNECTING PIPES TO MAIN CARRIER PIPE. EMPTY ALL CATCH PITS AND JET MAIN CARRIER PIPE BETWEEN CATCH PITS IF REQUIRED.

Responsibility for works: Buckinghamshire

Current status: Planned work about to start

Works reference: BH0025124228

Thames Valley Police are urging people not to trespass at Pitstone Quarry:

“We are all of course able to partake in exercise and can drive a reasonable distance to do this.

This doesn’t include going to sunbathe and have BBQs at Pitstone quarry.

Update from the National Trust:

We are receiving a few emails and social media posts about the closure of Pitstone Hill Car Park.  Some people feel that this is against the recent guidance that people may drive to the countryside to take exercise.

Just to be clear, that guidance was given to the police, in order to help them to determine what is and what isn’t an acceptable reason to travel.

The guidance to land owners from the government remains unchanged: all car parks capable of holding 25 cars or more should be closed wherever possible to deter visits.

We are very grateful to everyone who is heeding the advice to walk from their homes wherever possible and we look forward to being able to welcome people back to our places when it is safe to do so.

1. Coronavirus Information

These are very challenging and distressing times. It has been very encouraging that our local communities have come together and our thanks to the volunteers for the work they are doing. We ask all residents to follow guidelines to ensure that you can all keep safe.

Buckinghamshire Council is now doing daily video updates, Monday to Friday, for residents about what is going on locally to protect, inform and support our communities. There will be a guest each day to talk about specific areas like working with the health services, public health and businesses. You can find these at –

https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/community-and-safety/changes-to-our-services-due-coronavirus/video-updates/

We also encourage residents to go to the Community Support Hub pages on the Buckinghamshire Council website, a place which gives information for local people to sign up and help those who need it in our communities. More information is available on the website at  https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/community-and-safety/coronavirus/

There is also a website for Service Updates on the Buckinghamshire Council website, so do keep checking here regularly for the latest:

https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/community-and-safety/changes-to-our-services-due-coronavirus/.

Things are changing quite quickly, but this information will keep you updated on specific services that are impacted.

2. New Buckinghamshire Unitary Council outlines political arrangements following postponement of elections due to Coronavirus

Shadow Leader, Martin Tett said that although there were still many details to sort out, the new council’s leadership will follow guidance from the Government with the following arrangements in place:

1. All Shadow Authority councillors become councillors of the new Buckinghamshire Council on 1st April until  May 2021.
2. The existing Shadow Executive members will form Buckinghamshire Council’s new Cabinet until the elections  in May 2021
3. The Council’s new constitution (its operating rules and procedures) will come into force on 1st April and new committees will be established.  The Government is due to introduce emergency rules which will allow committees to hold virtual meetings for a temporary period.

Martin Tett said; “These are clearly challenging and unprecedented times on a truly global scale.  However, we will still launch the new Buckinghamshire Council on 1st April as planned and will continue to provide services to residents with the minimum of disruption. A vast amount of planning and preparation is going on across all our services and we will be keeping people informed as decisions are made. It’s clear that the next few weeks and months will be difficult for all, but we will get through it.

“Buckinghamshire Council will remain in regular dialogue with Government and expect to confirm all legislative and other changes required as soon as possible.”

With AVDC and BCC ceasing as local authorities on April 1st and the local elections now postponed until May 2021 the existing councillors from either AVDC or BCC will be temporary members of the new authority until May 2021. These are:

Anne Wight, Chris Poll, Derek Town, Sandra Jenkins and Peter Cooper.

We are at present still working out exactly how this will operate but wanted to let you know that we are here for all residents within the new Ivinghoe ward which covers:

Cheddington, Mentmore, Marsworth, Pitstone, Slapton, Ivinghoe, Edlesborough, Dagnall and Northall.

All our contact details are on the Buckinghamshire Council website and please do not hesitate to contact us at any time.

The new Buckinghamshire Council encompasses four district councils plus Buckinghamshire County Council. As you can imagine this new Council covers a very large area and Councillors will be allocated seats on the new committees as soon as possible which will probably be ‘virtual’ in their operation for the near future.

3. AVDC Cancels final Council meeting

In the light of the recent Government announcements relating to limiting large gatherings and encouraging social distancing to reduce the spread of coronavirus, the Leader of the Council, Cllr Angela Macpherson, in discussion with the Chairman of the Council, Cllr Judy Brandis, and the Buckinghamshire Director of Public Health, Dr Jane O’Grady, have concluded that the final meeting of Aylesbury Vale District Council, scheduled for Wednesday 25 March, should be cancelled.

Cllr Judy Brandis said: “It is incredibly disappointing to come to this decision, but these are unprecedented times and we are working hard to protect ourselves and others.

“We had invited a number of past Chairmen and Honorary Aldermen to attend the meeting but many are elderly and some have underlying health conditions – putting them in the high risk category if they contract coronavirus.”

Among those attending would have been the first ever AVDC Chairman, former Councillor Anthony Mogford, now 92.

Aylesbury Vale District Council (AVDC) formally came into being on 1 April 1974. AVDC was created as a result of local government restructuring that saw the merger of the boroughs of Aylesbury and Buckingham, Aylesbury Rural District, Buckingham Rural District, Wing Rural District and part of Winslow Rural District.

As with the current restructuring, that will see AVDC, the three other district councils in the county and Buckinghamshire County Council replaced by the new Buckinghamshire Council, there was a period prior to the establishment of the new Council when members met to plan their new future – and the first meeting of Aylesbury Vale District Council took place on 19 June 1973, following elections that had taken place on 7 June 1973.

Cllr Angela Macpherson said: “AVDC has a lot to be proud of and will leave a strong legacy for the new Buckinghamshire Council to inherit. I would like to pay tribute to councillors past and present and to the staff of the council who have worked so hard and diligently to deliver services to local residents”.

Cllr Judy Brandis had a special word of thanks for Bill Ashton, Democratic Services Manager, who will be retiring at the end of the month after 50 years in local government service and 46 years at AVDC. “Bill was here from the very start of the new district council and in recent years has provided members with highly professional insights – keeping us all on track and fully aware of what we can and can’t do as councillors,” said Cllr Brandis, “and he has provided me with excellent support and advice during my year as Chairman.”

4. Buckinghamshire County Council held its last ever full Council meeting on Thursday (March 12) after 131 years of service.
   
   County Councillors, Aldermen and distinguished guests including Lord Lieutenant, Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher Bt, KCVO and High Sheriff, Mrs Julia Upton MBE packed into the Oculus in Aylesbury to mark the historical occasion. The County Council and Buckinghamshire’s four district councils are being replaced by the new unitary Buckinghamshire Council on April 1.

   Alongside regular meeting business, councillors took the opportunity to look back over Council services spanning three centuries. Over this time, average life expectancy in the County has risen from just 46 in 1889 to over 81 currently, and population has nearly trebled to 540,000.

   The last ever Chairman of Buckinghamshire County Council, Brian Roberts, said he was proud to be given the privilege of ending such a historic chapter. He said after the meeting, “This Council has been serving Buckinghamshire residents since 1889. During that time we’ve seen four Monarchs, 26 prime ministers and 32 County Chairman. The decisions made by both our current and predecessor councillors have shaped how Buckinghamshire has developed as a County and how services have contributed to making life better for residents, businesses and communities.

   Brian added, “The County and the four districts councils now pass the baton on to Buckinghamshire Council and I wish the new authority every success going forward.

In closing may we wish all our residents the very best and keep safe at this difficult time. We hope to be able to attend Parish Council meetings in the not too distant future. In the meantime we will endeavour to continue to forward as much information as possible.