We want to help local residents like you to live long, happy and healthy lives. That’s why
we’re working with Active Bucks and other partners to encourage older residents across
Buckinghamshire to try a new physical activity or sport session.

Keeping active as we age is really important for our physical and mental health. It can help us keep up with the grandkids, provide a way to regularly see friends, ensure our minds stay sharp by learning new skills and ward off many preventable diseases.

Current guidelines recommend that people aged 65 and over should aim to be moderately active for 150 minutes each week, that means an activity which raises your heart rate and makes you breathe faster and feel warmer.  Government recommendations also include two sessions of activity each week which
strengthens the major muscles, like digging the garden, Pilates or carrying heavy shopping bags.

There are hundreds of activities taking place across the county to help you achieve these guidelines, and through Active Bucks, your first session is free. Try your hand at activities like nordic walking, gym, swimming, dance, martial arts, badminton, tennis, and yoga.

Ian 67, a retired graphic designer from Steeple Claydon tried Nordic Walking last year and has been hooked ever since.  “From the first session in the cold wind and pouring rain, I loved it! I knew it was doing me good. I feel fitter than I have done for years, I have less aches and pains and I have lost significant weight without any change to my diet. I am racing up hills and inclines where before I would be puffing and panting. It feels exhilarating to get the heart rate up.”  According to Ian, it’s the social which makes it enjoyable with feeling fitter and healthier an added bonus. However with only two other men in the group, Ian is keen to get more men involved.   “It was the social thing more than anything; we have grown together as a group of people.  We didn’t know each other before and now we all look forward to the session.  My wife Val will tell you that I get really annoyed if I have to miss a session of this. So the big message as far as I’m concerned is lets get more men doing it.”

Like Ian, you can feel the social and physical benefits of being more active. Sign up for an activity session today. www.activebucks.co.uk

Do you remember last year’s yarnbombing? That was the Ivinghoe and Pitstone WI celebrating their 100 year birthday.

We now want to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the end of the Great War, in a similar way but this time we’d like to invite community members to get involved as well.

We invite you to make poppies which we will use to decorate areas of both villages; they can be knitted, crochet, sewn, cut out of fabric, card whatever your inspiration creates, although they do need to stand up to the November weather!

Please click on link:

Within the last couple of weeks the Canals and Rivers Trust have undertaken a survey of Brownlow Bridge, Ivinghoe. Ivinghoe Parish Council have had the following response from the Canals and Rivers Trust with respect to the survey.

‘We have asked for a permanent 18 tonne limit to be introduced to prevent damage to the bridge, on the strength of the assessment we have undertaken’.  

Bucks CC have said they welcome the Parish Council to work with them regarding this matter. 

Thames Valley Police have received recent reports of a scam, where residents are told that there is a problem with their drains.

Victims are being contacted by people claiming to be either from Thames water or Dyno Rod, saying that their drains are blocking and require specialist equipment to clean them, costing around £500 to hire.

At one property in Wendover the money was handed over and we are aware of several other attempts in Aylesbury.

If you receive an unsolicited phone call, or someone comes to your property, don’t always believe what they are saying.

Scammer will try and get your confidence and may use technical information, to make it sound like they know what they are talking about.

Consider using a call-blocking service, which will stop calls that aren’t in your address book coming through, unless you authorise them.

You can find more advice and information by visiting the Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards or Action Fraud website.

You can also download a copy of the Little Book of Big Scams  (attached below).

Please look out for vulnerable friends, neighbours or family and make sure they know how to deal with unsolicited telephone calls.

If you have been a victim of this or another type of fraud you can contact Action Fraud online or by calling 0300 123 2040

Press release information from AVDC:

Highways England has today announced that Corridor B is its preferred route for the proposed Cambridge – Milton Keynes – Oxford Expressway, following a programme of stakeholder engagement. This is the first of a number of key decisions that will be taken in respect of this locally and nationally important project. Aylesbury Vale District Council (AVDC) says today’s announcement is important in helping us to start to understand more about the government’s plan for the area and to continue to work with partners to understand the potential implications with its members, local communities and partners.

The expressway is just one of the components of the government’s strategy for the Cambridge – Milton Keynes – Oxford growth corridor and is of great relevance to our residents and businesses as approximately 70% of the new road will pass through Aylesbury Vale.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Angela Macpherson, said:

“Today’s announcement provides clarity on the government’s preferred corridor. Whilst this is a scheme of national importance, it is essential that Highways England engages with us and our communities in the critical next stage of this project that will be focused on determining the detailed route within the identified corridor.

“We now need to take time to properly assess and understand the corridor decision and discuss the implications with our local communities, members and partners, in particular, Buckinghamshire County Council. This cannot be another HS2, and we will press the government to understand the benefits this infrastructure can bring to the Vale.

“The government has identified that the expressway can help to unlock growth across the corridor and we want to work with government to help shape good growth and create successful and sustainable places with our local communities.”

39631_September_Quarterly_Update_for_Great_Brickhill__Ivinghoe_and_Wing

At times our 101 number has to taken a back seat to our ability to answer 999 calls. If you wish to report a non-urgent issue to the police then you can always consider using our online reporting tool – https://mymsg.eu/53hj

St Mary’s Church in Ivinghoe run the local food bank and are in need of donations, particularly tinned meat, cereal, tinned fruit, biscuits and cup-a-soup.

If you are able to help, the church is open during the daytime each day and donations can be left in the box just inside the door on the table.

Windmill Pre-school are excited to announce we are current entrants in the local Tesco ‘Bags of Help’ scheme until 31st October 2018

We are up against 2 other local causes in a bid to win funds to enable us to purchase a range of equipment and train staff in the practices of Forest School, so the children can learn and explore all-year round in a woodland environment

All we ask is that every time you shop at Tesco in either Tring, Berkhamsted or Northchurch, before 31st October 2018 you take a blue token and please please please pop it in our section to help us win!

Windmill Pre-school is a registered charity run by, and for, the local community. The only way for Windmill Pre-School to grow and for us to develop our facilities is through fundraising! We would like to raise enough money so the children at Windmill Pre-School can experience and develop through Forest School.

Forest schools offer an excellent opportunity for outdoor play and exploration all-year round in a woodland environment, with child-led activities that aim at guiding the children’s development. Activities enable children to choose which direction to take and they are able to develop their own problem-solving skills as well as their ability to work within teams. It is an excellent tool for children’s social development as they learn how to share their ideas, listen to others and build their confidence.

Thank you everyone in advance, we are extremely grateful for every bit of support!

Please note that a bridge inspection is currently planned for the railway bridge crossing Cheddington Road on 23 September 2018 and therefore that section of Cheddington Road will be closed between 7.30am and 2pm.

The rest of Cheddington Road and Cooks Wharf will be open to traffic as usual so there are no access issues for residents.

The 167 service from Ivinghoe to Leighton Buzzard which runs on a Tuesday only will now be operated by Star Travel instead of Red Line.   This link takes you to the Bucks County Council bus change information page: https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/transport-and-roads/buses-and-trains/changes-to-bus-services/

There are no changes to the bus timetable (stopping at 9.04 by Albion Road on the way back, arriving back at Albion Road at 12.28).  The full timetable can be found here: https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/media/4511762/167.pdf

The latest edition of the magazine is available here:

FLT-COM-004-18 Inform August 2018

Previous editions are available here:

https://www.london-luton.co.uk/corporate/community/noise/inform-newsletter

The message behind the campaign is that if it’s your rubbish, it’s your responsibility to dispose of it properly and legally. Otherwise dumpers face the possibility of a £400 fixed penalty notice or, if court action is taken, typically fines of several thousands of pounds or even a custodial sentence.

The S.C.R.A.P campaign also features useful advice for both householders and businesses to thoroughly check anyone who they use to dispose of waste on their behalf. Failure to do so means people are not complying with Duty of Care requirements and they may get a nasty surprise if their waste is found fly tipped.

The campaign title stands for Suspect, Check, Refuse, Ask and Paperwork  – a helpful five-point checklist to help people stay on the right side of the law.

More information available here:

https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/news/lets-scrap-fly-tipping-for-good-says-bucks-waste-partnership/

and here:

http://www.recycle4bucks.co.uk/fly-tipping/

Council to consult on ‘realistic’ options to make household recycling centres affordable.

An eight week consultation starts August 28 to hear the public’s views on a series of proposed cost-saving and future growth measures to make the County’s household recycling centres (local tips) affordable for the future.

The ten centres are well used and extremely popular, however, the County Council is having to reduce costs across all its services as funding reductions in the public sector continue to bite.

National figures show that in comparison with other areas, Buckinghamshire has a much higher number of sites serving its population. In addition, centres currently take certain waste like rubble, soil, plasterboard and car tyres for free where other Councils make a variety of disposal charges.

Buckinghamshire County Council Cabinet Member for Planning and Environment, Bill Chapple OBE said the review was a ‘reluctant but necessary step’.

He said: “We have an extremely tough budget to meet from April 2019 onwards and this means facing up to some difficult decisions. There definitely needs to be changes, but my overall aim is to retain a service that still works for the majority of people going forward.

“Looking at all the data available, the responses to our user surveys and what other councils do, and bearing in mind the views of residents at four focus groups we held in July, there are some preferred options that we are setting out in the consultation. Realistically, without these, we’re not going to get anywhere near our financial savings target.

“For example, there is a proposal to permanently close at least one site, with the preferred option being Bledlow. We are also including other proposals for closing two sites, Bledlow and Burnham, and to bring in selected weekday closures on days when the sites at Burnham, Chesham and Aylesbury (Rabans Lane) are less used.

“We’re also proposing to introduce charging at all sites for specific waste that we don’t legally have to accept for free. I completely understand that people don’t like being faced with extra charges, however, I have taken into account the fact that less than a third of waste falls into this category, so the charges won’t affect everyone and it also brings us into line with what other councils do.

“Of course, there are other areas where we have genuine choice and that’s where an open and honest consultation is so important. For example, we’re looking for views on which two weekdays people would prefer Burnham (if this site remains open), Chesham and Aylesbury (Rabans Lane) to be closed, and also what Buckinghamshire residents think about people from outside the county using our recycling centres, which is of course an extra cost to local county taxpayers.”

The Council also plans to extend the operation of reuse shops (currently at Aston Clinton and High Wycombe and run by South Bucks Hospice) so more can be recycled and sold with the money going to charity.

Bill added: “I hope people will see the reasons for the changes I have to bring in and I look forward to hearing views on the areas where there is genuine and open choice.”

The consultation runs until midnight on Monday, October 22. Access to the online survey and supporting information is available at www.buckscc.gov.uk/hrc-review  A series of drop-in events is also planned in local libraries so people can find out more details about the proposals.

The schedule of ‘drop-in’ events is as follows:

Bucks County Show (BCC stand) – Thursday, August 30 – 8am-6pm
High Wycombe library – Friday, September 7 – 10am-1pm
Princes Risborough library – Tuesday, September 11 – 10am-1pm
Aylesbury Library (currently in the study centre) Thursday, September 20 – 10am-1pm
Buckingham library – Wednesday, September 26 – 10am-1pm
Burnham library – Thursday, October 4 – 10am-1pm
Chesham library – Monday, October 8 – 2-5pm
Beaconsfield library – 11th Oct – 10am-1pm

The letter from AVDC confirms that the Pitstone bin collection day will be moving from Thursday to Wednesday.  The brown garden waste collection service will also move to a Wednesday, on the same week as the blue lidded recycling.

The first new collection date will be Wednesday 5 September for blue-lidded recycling bin, food bin and brown garden waste bin (if you are subscribed to the garden waste collection service).

The second collection date will be Wednesday 12 September for green-lidded waste bin and food bin.

The frequency of collections doesn’t change.   Please ensure all bins are put out by 6.30am.

Every resident will have a letter from AVDC, plus collection calendar and information about recycling.   Alternatively, you can check collection service on the AVDC website via https://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/recycle

Please can you let your councillors and community aware of the online event we are holding on 10/09/18 at 19:00 hours.

It is essentially an online forum to discuss any policing issues with their neighbourhood team, in the same manner as a community forum would take place. We are trialling this as a way to get a higher engagement and help towards setting the areas policing priorities.

People can login to the chat, from 7pm on 10/9/18, via the following link:-

http://thamesvp.coverpage.coveritlive.com/

Regards

PC 5688 Matt Craker

Neighbourhood Supervisor

Great Brickhill, Wing and Ivinghoe District

This week, Aylesbury Vale customers will receive a letter, sent directly to every household, from Aylesbury Vale District Council. The letter explains the upcoming new bin collection schedules (coming into force in September) and changes to the recycling and waste service, and contains a new bin collection calendar. We have provided customers with all the information to their new recycling and waste service, alongside some pre-empted FAQs, to help ensure this transformation goes as smoothly as possible. However, we do expect a few teething problems as the crews and our customers become accustomed to the changes.

Residents across Thames Valley are invited to participate in the next Police and Crime Panel meeting by submitting questions for Police and Crime Commissioner Anthony Stansfeld. Anyone who lives or works in the Thames Valley area can submit a question prior to the meeting, which takes place from 11am on Friday 7 September at The Gateway, the head office of Aylesbury Vale District Council (AVDC). During the meeting, the Panel will be looking at the role of the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit, in particular, the unit’s work on tackling ‘county lines’ (gangs and organised crime networks using children or vulnerable adults to carry and sell drugs) in the Thames Valley area. However, questions from members of the public can be about anything relating to the work of the Police and Crime Panel. The Panel examines and reviews how PCC Anthony Stansfeld carries out his responsibilities of ensuring that Thames Valley Police runs effectively and that Chief Constable Francis Habgood is held to account. The Panel also supports the PCC in his work. Councillor Mark Winn, AVDC Cabinet Member for Communities, said:
“I encourage residents to take advantage of this opportunity to ask questions about policing in Aylesbury Vale. The Panel will try and answer your question during the meeting or will provide a written response after the meeting. So if you have any concerns about local policing, please take this chance to raise them with the Panel.”
To participate in the Panel, please email your question to contact@thamesvalleypcp.org.uk by Monday 3 September.

AVDC have issued the Annual Household Canvass forms to all households in the Vale.  You can respond online, by telephone, text or via a provided reply paid envelope.  You must respond, even if you have no changes to make.

Your prompt response is requested, otherwise the costs involved in conducting the annual canvass increase.  If you don’t respond to the first letter, you will be sent a reminder, if you don’t respond to the reminder they will send an Electoral Canvasser to collect the information in person, and if you still don’t provide the required information you can be fined up to £1000.

Click here for more information on the AVDC website: https://aylesburyvale.moderngov.co.uk/mgGeneric.aspx?MD=mgannualectoralcanvass

Please note that some footpaths on Ivinghoe Beacon will be closed on 20 & 21 August 2018 (not for 6 weeks as indicated on the site notices).

The Steps Hill and Incombe Hole areas will not be affected, so you will still be able to enjoy walking at these locations.

Enjoy a relaxing Sunday in the intimate setting of the Bucks County Museum’s walled garden as Aylesbury’s first Gin & Jazz event comes to the town centre.

A selection of more than 10 gins will be available, including the ever-popular pink gins and a range of wines, refreshing beers and delicious cocktails to purchase. To help soak up the drink, there’ll be a variety of mouthwatering cheeses and biscuits from Wendover’s 2 Pound Street, and nibbles and freshly-made burritos from River Street Food.

Acclaimed band ‘Swing Train 42’ will be providing the live music for the day. The London-based swing/gypsy jazz trio covers classic Django tunes and jazz standards with the unlikely instrumentation of mandolin and guitar.

Diana Fawcett, Aylesbury Town Centre & Regeneration Manager, said:

“Aylesbury Town Centre Partnership is delighted to be working with Bucks County Museum and local business Shoot Pool to bring you this brand-new event to add to the extensive calendar of activities bringing culture and entertainment to the town centre.”

Gin & Jazz will take place on Sunday 5 August with two sittings to enjoy, mid-afternoon and early evening. For further information, and to book tickets, please go to: www.visitaylesbury.co.uk

Aylesbury’s Bedgrove Park and Vale Park along with Buckingham’s Heartlands have been recognised by the Green Flag Award Scheme as some of the very best open spaces in the UK.

The parks are among a record-breaking 1,883 UK parks and green spaces that have today received a prestigious Green Flag Award /Green Flag Community Award – the mark of a quality park or green space.

As a testament to Aylesbury Vale District Council’s commitment to providing quality parks and open spaces across the Vale, this is now the ninth year in a row that Bedgrove Park has won the award, and the eleventh year in a row for Vale Park.

Cllr Angela Macpherson, Acting Leader of the Council, said: “We’re thrilled to receive three Green Flags this year, including the first time that Buckingham’s Heartlands has picked up the award.

“We realise how much quality green spaces matter to residents and visitors, and these awards recognise AVDC’s dedication to keeping our green spaces at a high standard.” This international award, now into its third decade, is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

International Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd said: “We are delighted to be celebrating another record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award scheme, with more Green Flags awarded this year than last year.

“Each flag honours the thousands of staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award. We are proud to have so many wonderful green spaces in the UK for people to enjoy, and hope that next year, we award even more flags.”

Recycling small electrical appliances

Please click the link for full details of the Stoke Hammond bypass improvements, road closure and diversion:

https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/news/date-set-for-stoke-hammond-bypass-improvements/

https://consultations.caa.co.uk/policy-development/draft-airspace-modernisation-strategy/consult_view/

What are we asking?

The purpose of this stakeholder engagement exercise is for the CAA to understand your views on our new draft Airspace Modernisation Strategy which will replace our 2011 Future Airspace Strategy (FAS).

This comprises a draft Airspace Modernisation Strategy document and six questions (See ‘Related’ documents below). A transcript of this summary and the questions is also provided for reference.

Why is airspace modernisation needed?

Airspace is a crucial part of the UK’s infrastructure. It must be maintained and enhanced to provide more choice and value for consumers, through the capacity for airlines to add new flights, reduced flight delays and enhanced global connections that can help boost the UK economy, while continuing to improve safety standards.

In addition to accommodating increasing commercial flights, Military requirements and an active GA sector, the UK’s skies are hosting different types of airborne vehicles such as drones. UK airspace will also need to accommodate commercial spaceflight in the future, and other new technologies are constantly emerging.

What is the objective for modernising airspace?

Working together, the Government and the CAA have developed a shared objective for modernising airspace. This objective states that modernising airspace means changing and developing its structural design, and the operational concepts and technology that are used to fly and manage air traffic.

It states that we want to ensure that airspace capacity is not a constraint on the growth of commercial aviation, with the constraint to growth instead becoming the number of runways or restrictions imposed on the use of those runways by government or planning authorities as a condition of that growth.

Our approach in undertaking this programme is to be transparent, inclusive, and to take into account the needs and views of all airspace users and affected parties, including airports, airlines, communities and General Aviation representatives.

Why have we written a new Airspace Modernisation Strategy?

The Government has tasked the CAA with preparing and maintaining a co-ordinated strategy and plan for the use of UK airspace for air navigation up to 2040, including for the modernisation of the use of such airspace.

The Airspace Modernisation Strategy responds to that requirement. It supersedes and replaces the Future Airspace Strategy (FAS), although many key elements of FAS remain relevant and are included in this new strategy. The new Airspace Modernisation Strategy also needs to take into account:

• a new runway at Heathrow: outlined in the current National Policy Statement
• the need to coordinate multiple different airspace changes
• potential changes arising from government policy reviews, such as more explicit policy on how noise must be considered
• drones
• spaceplanes.

The CAA must consult the Secretary of State about the preparation and maintenance of this Airspace Modernisation Strategy and the detail to be included in the delivery plan, and must give a delivery report to the Secretary of State annually.

Our draft Airspace Modernisation Strategy

This draft Airspace Modernisation Strategy forms part of the Government’s new arrangements to take forward the delivery of the airspace modernisation programme. The strategy sets out the ends, ways and means of modernising airspace.

Chapter 1 introduces the need for airspace modernisation and describes its objective, and the approach taken in this strategy.

Chapter 2 sets out the role of the Department for Transport, the CAA, NATS and other relevant stakeholders.

Chapter 3 sets out the ends, or outcomes, that modernised airspace must deliver, all of which are derived from UK and international policies and laws.

In Chapter 4, 14 initiatives are identified as the primary ways of modernising airspace, including new airspace designs, operational procedures and enabling technologies.

Chapter 5 identifies that there are a number of current foreseeable ‘unknowns’ that could change and reshape the context for this strategy.

The means of delivering airspace modernisation – such as the resources needed to bring in changes – must rest with the industry organisations that will use airspace. The need for these plans is addressed in Chapter 6.

In Chapter 7 we set out our assessment of progress towards completion of each major initiative and the supporting designs, operational procedures and technology enablers.

Your views are invited

The CAA is publishing this draft for public engagement so that any interested stakeholders can offer feedback on the document – including its approach and the initiatives it sets out as the primary ways to deliver modernisation – before it is finalised and delivered to the Secretary of State in December 2018. In future years the strategy may be revised, but the CAA will not always publish a full draft document for engagement.

We are asking you to respond to six questions and provide comments before 10 September 2018. We cannot commit to taking into account comments received after this date.

The questions include some multiple-choice answers and the opportunity to submit your comments by completing text boxes. Please note that if you prefer not to give a multiple-choice answer, the questionnaire will still allow you to complete the text box. We understand that some stakeholders may prefer not to be constrained by the questions alone. We have therefore also included a text box for general observations not covered by the questions.

If you would like to discuss anything about how to respond, please email: airspace.policy@caa.co.uk or telephone: 0207 453 6278.

We will assume that all responses can be published on our website. When you complete the online form there will be an option for you:

•     to hide your identity including personal details (which will anonymise your response completely), or

•     to refuse publication altogether; in the interests of transparency, we hope people will not refuse publication.

What happens next?

Your comments will help us to set out a comprehensible and engaging strategy for developing and delivering our shared airspace modernisation objective, and enable the CAA to report on it to the Secretary of State.

This stakeholder engagement exercise will be open until 10 September 2018. We will then review the responses received, and will take on board feedback where it is considered appropriate.

The finalised Airspace Modernisation Strategy will be published at the end of the year alongside an annual delivery report for the Secretary of State. At this time we will also update this site with a summary of what we asked, what you said and what we did in response, and will also publish responses where we have consent to do so.

London Luton Airport Inform magazine 80th anniversary edition:

http://pitstone.co.uk/wp-admin/post-new.php?post_type=localnews

Bucks County Council have now updated their website to show the new timetable for the Number 61 bus.   As you know, Arriva served notice to BCC that they were terminating this route at the end of July and BCC have negotiated with Red Eagle to take over this route.

(This bus service is commercially operated and not funded by BCC)

You can see the new timetable by clicking here:

Red Eagling 61_61a timetable 1 August 2018

Or visiting the BCC website via this link:  https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/transport-and-roads/buses-and-trains/changes-to-bus-services/

Aylesbury Vale District Council (AVDC) has officially launched Our Vale, a new crowdfunding platform for community projects.

This is a new way for people living in the Vale to raise funds for local projects that aim to help shape the Vale’s shared spaces and deliver community projects. Community groups, grant funders, councillors and council officers attended an event on Monday 9 July to celebrate the launch of the programme – which already has a potential pledge pot of £300,000 available to projects crowdfunding through Our Vale.

The crowdfunding model is simple; if residents want to enhance their street or neighbourhood, improve local play areas or simply bring people together, Our Vale will become the best way to raise the money to make this happen. It’s about raising small amounts of money from large amounts of people and organisations to fund projects or innovations. Through Our Vale, residents will have the opportunity to ask friends, family and neighbours to back a local project by pledging money to support it. AVDC has put its weight behind this exciting new scheme and will support projects that have the backing of the local community.

The audience at the launch event heard from local organisations who have already submitted a proposal on the Our Vale platform, one of which will feature on the Our Vale website in a few days.

Christopher Williams, Conservation and Education Director Bucks, Berks and Oxon Wildlife Trust said: “We’re looking to raise £7,500 to create a fabulous new wildlife garden. The whole school, nearly 1,000 school children, will benefit from this Wild Trax makeover project based at Mandeville School. Students taking part will be able to learn about wildlife gardening and creating habitats as they carry out the work. Importantly, they will take on real ownership of the project which will encourage them to look after the garden into the future.”

Councillor Julie Ward, Cabinet Member for Civic Amenities (Customer Fulfilment) said: “This is an exciting initiative for everyone in Aylesbury Vale and we’re looking forward to helping people create special, unusual and interesting projects across the district.

“Crowdfunding is a new way for local people to give their support to local projects that are close to their hearts and a great way to reward residents for getting involved. It’s already proved itself popular with raising funds for the Bowie Earthly Messenger statue that is now drawing attention in the centre of Aylesbury town.

“Many people have great ideas to make places better in the Vale but don’t always know how to find the funding or access the help they need to move their project on. Our Vale will help empower local people to add value to the wider community, improving the quality of life for all.”

The new Our Vale website can be found at: www.spacehive.com/movement/our-vale

–

Repeat of a previous message from Thames Valley Police.   Please also be aware that the quarry at the end of Westfield Road is within private ownership and is not open to the public.  Anyone accessing the quarry lake (which is not suitable for swimming) without the express permission of the landowner is committing trespass.

Thames Valley Police is appealing for people to be sensible and stay safe near open water, especially during the summer holidays when warmer weather might make it tempting to take a dip in a lake, quarry, river or canal. Aylesbury Vale has plenty of excellent swimming pools and leisure centres; these provide the cleanest and safest environment for swimming.

We are reminding members of the public to be aware of the following:

• 60% of all drownings occur in canals, lakes and rivers.
• You can drown in just a few centimetres of water.
• If you fall or jump into the water, the cold will shock your body, making your muscles seize up so you can’t move.
• You could easily cut yourself on rubbish or rocks and you may become ill due to bacteria in the water.

Summer is a fantastic time and we want everyone to enjoy the weather, but more importantly, please take this safety advice seriously. If you want to go swimming please go to a swimming pool or your local leisure centre – don’t put yourself or your friends in danger by swimming in a lake, quarry, pond or canal.

Thank you.

Please note that a section of the A418 has had to be closed for emergency gas repairs to a gas leak from Wingrave Crossroads to Burcott Lane.

The following diversion is in place.  Traffic commuting between Aylesbury and Leighton Buzzard also being affected and long delays at times.

4. ALTERNATIVE ROUTE FOR AFFECTED USERS
Aylesbury Road, Leighton Road, Wing Road, Leighton Buzzard Bypass, Billington Road, Church End, Tring Road,
Dunstable Road, Church Road, High Street, Marsworth Road, Lower Icknield Way, Aston Clinton Bypass, Aston
Clinton Road, Broughton Lane, Stocklake, Douglas Road, Bierton Road.

We understand that the works are due to be completed and the bridge re-opened at some point during 6/7/18.

Planned remedial works to the traffic lights at the bridge will continue as planned later in the month (24/7/18 onwards).

Arriva Bus Changes

From 30^th July 2018 route 61 will be operated by Red Eagle instead of Arriva. Red Eagle are based in Aylesbury and a sister company of Redline Buses who run Service 164 to Cheddington.

Service 61 is not contracted by Bucks County Council and runs on a commercial basis which means that the operator chooses the route and timetable and must cover their costs from fares revenue taken. To change or withdraw a bus service an operator needs only to give notice to the Traffic Commissioner, copied to Local Authorities who have no powers to delay or veto this. Arriva have decided to withdraw the route and the Public Transport team have been trying to find another company to run a replacement which we have now done.

Arriva have reviewed the route and feel it is not viable for them to continue operating, and while there will be a very similar timetable introduced from 30^thJuly 2018 Red Eagle have decided not to run a small number of poorly loaded sections of journey. There are also some minor timing changes to most journeys.

Some buses will operate as service 61A. These will divert between Aston Clinton and Aylesbury to serve Elm Farm  (where Arriva have also withdrawn the service) instead of operating directly along the Tring Road, with some minor timetable adjustments to allow for this.

Within Aylesbury, in line with other services, buses will operate direct along Exchange Street and Friarage Road towards the bus station instead of operating around the town centre via High Street, New Street and Oxford Road – buses leaving Aylesbury will follow their current route.

The following alterations may directly affect some passengers from the Ivinghoe area.

• On Mondays to Fridays the 05:40 journey from Aylesbury to Dunstable will start instead from Pitstone, arriving in Dunstable at a similar time to now.

• The 06:20 journey from Aylesbury to Dunstable will now operate between Aylesbury and Ivinghoe only. Observations have indicated there are very few passengers travelling between Ivinghoe and Dunstable.

• The 15:55 journey from Aylesbury to Dunstable will be retimed to run at 15:50 on schooldays – both this and the 06:45 schoolday journey from Dunstable will divert via Aylesbury Schools Coach Park.

• The 19:45 journey from Aylesbury to Ivinghoe will run earlier at 19:00 (returning from Ivinghoe at 19:40)

·        Full timetables will be on the BCC website in a few days

Please click the link for the latest issue of Inform.  All previous editions can also be found on our website here.

If you have an interest in the westerly Match/Detling departure route, I would like to draw your attention to the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) Post Implementation Review survey which is explained in the first article of Inform and also on the CAA’s website here. The survey is open until 17:00hrs on Monday 2^nd July.

• The works to repair the bridge has now started
• Once the work started, the situation on the state of the bridge was found to be far worse than was originally thought. The bridge was more unsafe than was originally survey suggested with the damage being more substantive than can be seen. One of the corner pillars of the bridge was found to be bowing as a result of the collision and that part of the bridge has had to be taken right down to its foundations to be totally rebuilt.
• There should definitely be no traffic (vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle or pedestrian) movement across the bridge at present, it was highlighted to Canals and Rivers Trust that some traffic is attempting to cross. Until the bridge is fully repaired there is only a minimum amount of structure under the road surface. This is also a building site and should be respected as such.
• As the bridge is Grade 2 listed, it is having to be repaired sympathetically. Matching bricks have had to be sourced (from Belgium) and lime mortar has to be used.
• The contractor is suggesting, unless they find further problems, that they are looking towards mid-July for re-opening the bridge to traffic.
• Some people continue to attempt to cross the bridge.  Please be aware that it is against the law to remove diversion signs and the police will act accordingly.

softball cricket

Please see the above poster for full information from the Buckinghamshire Cricket Board

Updates from County Councillor Anne Wight on NPHT Recruitment and the Rural Bus Survey:

NPHT Recruitment

NPHT — Chairman and Trustee recruitment

As you may know, I am a Trustee for the National Paralympic Heritage Trust as part of my role at BCC.  The NPHT was established on 11th November 2015, exists to enlighten and inspire future generations by celebrating, cherishing and bringing the Paralympic heritage and its stories of human endeavour to life.

The NPHT is currently looking to appoint up to three independent Trustees, ideally with an understanding of, and access to, important networks or contacts in the sport and/or heritage sectors, who are also committed to NPHT aims and values, and to equality and diversity.

They are specifically looking for people with skills and experience in one of the following areas:

• Culture and heritage sector – including collections and archives, and engagement in particular.
• Fundraising experience – particularly in the cultural sector.
• Finance experience – ideally with a formal financial qualification to support sound financial management within the Trust.

Applications should be received by Monday 2nd July 2018. Interviews will take place in July.

For more information or to apply, please download the Trustee welcome pack here or request one by email at vicky.hopewalker@paralympicheritage.org.uk

For an informal discussion, please contact: Emma Boggis, one of the current member appointed Trustees, on 0207 976 3941 or eboggis@sportandrecreation.org.uk

Do please also check out the NPHT website at the link below:

https://www.paralympicheritage.org.uk/news/trustees-at-npht

Rural Bus Route Survey

Overview

We are reviewing the rural bus services that receive financial support from Buckinghamshire County Council and we would like to hear from people about routes affecting our division!

Dates

This survey is open for responses from 7 June to 20 July 2018

Background

Many of the bus routes serving rural areas of Buckinghamshire need ongoing financial support from the County Council to operate. We want as many people as possible in our village communities to have access to public transport, so you can get out and about and do what’s important to you, such as go to the doctors, the shops or visit friends and family.  We need to plan carefully to make sure we use this money as effectively as possible.

Further information about the review is available on the Bucks County Council website at the following link or by clicking on “Have Your Say” on the homepage.

https://democracy.buckscc.gov.uk/mgConsultationDisplay.aspx?ID=7382

How to have your say

Please complete the online survey!

If you would prefer to fill in a printed version of the survey or would like an Easy Read version, there is a print option as well. Alternatively, they are available at any Buckinghamshire library or from our Public Transport Team (see contact details below).

What happens next?

We’ll review all the survey feedback this summer, and later in 2018 we’ll carry out a consultation on any proposed changes. Updates on the review will be available on our website here

Contact

Enquiries about this review can be made by email to our Public Transport Team on passtrans@buckscc.gov.uk or by phoning 01296 382416.

NB: The 164 Redline service between Aylesbury and Cheddington, and the 167 Red Kite service to Leighton Buzzard on Tuesdays are included within this review

Hello

Many of the bus routes serving rural areas of Buckinghamshire need ongoing financial support from the County Council to operate. We want as many people as possible in our village communities to have access to public transport, so you can get out and about and do what’s important to you, such as go to the doctors, the shops or visit friends and family.  We need to plan carefully to make sure we use this money as effectively as possible.

It’s now five years since we looked in detail at our council supported bus routes and how they are used. Between then and now a lot has changed and we’d like to understand how current bus services are being used. We’ll use this information to review how future services can better meet people’s travel patterns, and this may include revising existing routes and timetables or looking at alternatives such as community transport other flexible transport services

Please take a few moments to complete the following survey, which is open for responses between 7 June 2018 and 20 July 2018. We’ll review all the feedback from the survey this summer, and later in 2018 we’ll carry out a consultation on any proposed changes. Updates on this review will be available on this page.

Many thanks for helping us to shape the future of your local bus services.

Paul Irwin

Deputy Cabinet Member for Transport

Vale of Aylesbury Housing Trust have just launched a new grant funding initiative called the Thriving Communities Fund to replace the Community Chest.

There are three streams:

·         Small grants of up to £300 for Trust residents for wellbeing, education, training or employment

·         Micro Grants of up to £1,000 for VCS groups, assessed every two months.

·         Project Grants up to £10,000 for more substantial capital expenditure or core costs.

For further information please visit the VAHT website at:  https://www.vaht.co.uk/thrive

Please click on the link below:

http://www.neighbourhoodalert.co.uk/Attachment/269010/222779/37386/37386_June_Quarterly_Update_for_Great_Brickhill__Ivinghoe_and_Wing.pdf

Extract from TVP e:newsletter below:

Community Forum
The next district community forum will be on 05/06/17 at Cheddington Village Hall 7pm – 9pm.
This is an opportunity for you to speak with the police about what concerns you have and set
our next priority.
Below are the statistics for the past year:
Burglary dwelling Down 46%
VOLUME CRIME which includes those listed below Down 35%
Burglary non dwelling
Theft of motor vehicle (TOMV)
Theft from motor vehicle (TFMV)
Criminal damage
Drug offences
Burglary dwelling still remains down this is due to the work we are continuing to do with
bordering forces and disrupting those responsible.