With the recent heavy rainfall in the area and more predicted over the
coming days Thames Valley Police is warning drivers to take extra care
on the roads.

Many local roads are already flooded and this is likely to get worse if the weather forecasts are correct for the coming days.   A41 into Aylesbury has been partially closed this morning, Chesham and Amersham both also hard hit, some flooding on the route into Leighton Buzzard & Cheddington Road railway bridge flooded.

Several motorists have already been caught out trying to drive through floods – only to find that they are much deeper than they initially appear, leaving them (and their
vehicles) stranded.

Anyone attending Stoke
Mandeville Hospital should also be aware that the Lower Road, Stoke
Mandeville is currently impassable, so access to the hospital can only
be gained from the Aylesbury direction.

Please do not ignore ‘Road Closed’ signs – they are there to keep motorists safe.

Local radio stations put out regular traffic updates, so please listen in to find out up to date information on flooding and traffic conditions. 

The Local Government Boundary Commission is carrying out an Electoral Review of Aylesbury Vale to ensure that each area has a similar % of the population, so that everybody’s vote carries the same weight, and is now inviting comments on its draft recommendations.

At the moment Cheddington, Pitstone and Edlesborough each have their own representative (in Pitstone’s case this is currently Cllr Avril Davies).  The proposal is to combine Cheddington, Marsworth, Pitstone and Ivinghoe village into one two-member ward.   Ivinghoe Aston will be joined with Edlesborough into a separate one-member ward.

The report and an interactive map of the draft recommendations are available in the LGBCE consultation area consultation.lgbce.org.uk

Representations should be made by 8/4/14 through consultation.lgbce.org.uk or by email to reviews@lgbce.org.uk or by writing to:

Review Office (Aylesbury Vale)
Local Government Boundary Commission for England
Layden House
76-78 Turnmill Street
London
EC1M 5LG

Your monthly Neighbourhood Update is now available for your area.  Click on
the below link to find out about your Neighbourhood Policing team and
view the February Neighbourhood Update:-

http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/pub-pg-nh-upds-N416?id=273031

Connecting the Unconnected – Bridging the Generation App

Simple technology connects the unconnected ageing parents to their internet enabled families

 With many of us depending on our smart phones to check everything from our travel arrangements, and finances to exercise performance and latest fashion choices, it seems natural that we should check in on loved ones with the latest app.

But the inspiration behind 3rings.co.uk comes from the days before mobile phones, where the well-known ‘code’ to let someone know all is well was giving them three rings on the telephone. The new service brings this code back for the internet generation.

The initial design for 3rings used an array of sensors within the home to build patterns of ‘normality’ so that anything unusual would be flagged and families alerted. But for the older audience, introducing new technology within the home was deemed a barrier to entry so it was decided to go back to the basic concept of the three rings code, which worked purely with a traditional telephone.

Elderly parents or grandparents only require a landline to receive or make a daily call to the 3rings automated service which then automatically contacts an entire network of family and friends using an app, SMS, email or calls.

Founder Steve Purdham was inspired by his mum, Iris, 82. He explains: “We wanted to create a simple solution which answered the question, ‘are my parents okay today?’.  Despite there now being more forms of communication available than ever before, the older generation are often excluded from the latest technologies. This led us to remember a time when giving someone three rings via the telephone was used to provide peace of mind.

“The objective is to help loved ones maintain their independence and not feel like a burden. 3rings isn’t meant to be a replacement for personal calls and visits but helps ease the worry caused by distance and hectic lives. We strongly believe that this offering can be a catalyst for the changing family care of ageing parents in the UK.”

The service is available online at 3rings.co.uk  with free apps for IOS and android. There are two paid-for services (£5.99/month and £9.99/month) and a free trial available.

For more information please contact steve@3rings.co.uk or call Steve on 07899-803555 or 0161 731 0081

Trading Times matches the skills & availability of people over 50 with the part-time ad hoc resource requirements of local businesses. They went live across the UK on 6^th Jan.

The aims are:

• to help businesses find people with the right skills and experience for one-off, part-time or occasional jobs;

• to do that using the great pool of talent that is the over 50s and part-time family carers;
• to benefit society as a whole by valuing the over 50’s and family carers, and refusing to let their talent go to waste.

For more information or to register yourself or your employment need, please visit:

https://www.tradingtimes.org.uk/

Tell Bucks Community Foundation in which community your heart is in Bucks and win the chance of a romantic meal for two at a top local restaurant

Valentine’s Day, February 14^th, is all about the heart. It’s when our hearts are stirred by what and who is really important to us.

At Buckinghamshire Community Foundation we know that what’s important to us is the strength of our local communities. It is these communities which are at the heart of Bucks and which make this such a great county for people to live and work in.

So, throughout the whole of February, the Community Foundation is inviting you to say in which Buckinghamshire community your heart is. The community could be a whole town or village, a street, a business, a shop, a school, a club or a place of worship. The community just needs to be the place where, thanks to the people in that community, your heart feels most at home, most supported, most cared for and most inspired.

In return for telling the Community Foundation which is your favourite community, your name will be entered into a free prize draw to win one of three prizes of a romantic meal worth £140 for two people at one of Buckinghamshire’s top restaurants (The Old Plow in Speen, The Five Arrows in Waddesdon or The Three Oaks in Gerrards Cross).

Nominations of a maximum of 140 characters explaining ‘my heart is in the community of….’ can be sent to the Community Foundation by email to HeartofBucks@buckscf.org.uk, by Twitter @buckscf or posted to the Foundation at 119A Bicester Road, Aylesbury HP19 9BA.  01296 330134.

Details of the communities nominated and the initials of the person making the nomination will be published on the Foundation’s website at www.buckscf.org.uk and the names of the winning entries will be announced at 5:00pm on February 28^th 2014 on the Foundation’s website.

http://www.buckscf.org.uk/news/?id=258

Transport for Buckinghamshire (TfB) works together with Thames Valley Police, the South Central Ambulance Service and Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service in reminding motorists to drive with caution when road temperatures drop. TfB has gritted its primary routes a total of 20 times since October, however drivers are urged to take care as roads may still be slippery. TfB reminds motorists that many minor roads will not be treated with salt and in severe cold weather, below -8 °C, even salt will not prevent ice from forming.

Deputy Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation, Ruth Vigor-Hedderly, said: “It doesn’t take a severe snowstorm to require more care and attention when driving. We need to all take note when the weather is colder and remember that even though roads may look fine, isolated spots and areas that don’t see the sun may still be slippery.”

Inspector Colin Clark, from Thames Valley Police said: “Both ourselves and South Central Ambulance Service services have attended numerous collisions, where drivers have not taken adequate care and consideration for driving in these conditions.  Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service is frequently called to collisions where people’s vehicles need to be cut open to release them. Road Safety Manager Keith Wheeler said: “Never rush, even if the road conditions mean your journey is taking longer than expected. It’s better to take your time and make sure you arrive safely.”

The organisations are advising drivers to check their vehicles are prepared to drive on winter roads.  Tyre pressure and tread, windscreen wipers and washer fluid, windscreens are fully defrosted, anti freeze and lights should all be checked to ensure they are as effective as possible.

A TfB winter leaflet has advice and information and can be viewed online along with maps of the gritting routes – go to : http://www.transportforbucks.net/Winter-maintenance.aspx

Come along to Adult Education’s Taster Week

Monday 10 March – Friday 14 March

Try out an existing class for FREE!

Bookings open today

To book on a session please phone 01296 383 582

www.adultlearningbcc.ac.uk

The list of possible courses includes

Accounting, Acrylic Painting, Aerobic Workout, African Drumming, Alexander Technique, Ancient Greek, Anger Management, Antiques and Collectables, Arabic, Art and Crafts, Astronomy, Baby Massage, Baby Yoga, Badminton, Ballet, Batik Papercraft, Beadwork, Beauty Therapy, Biblical Hebrew, Bricklaying, Bridge, British Sign Language, Business Courses, Cake Decorating, Ceramics, Childcare, Chinese Brush Painting, Clay Reiki, Coloured Pencil Techniques, Contemporary Dance, Contemporary Drawing, Complementary Therapies, Computing, Cookery, Creative Mandala Drawing, Creative Stitching, Creative Writing, Dance, Deaf Awareness, Decorative Fused Glass, Digital Photography, Drawing and Painting, Dressmaking, Ear Candeling, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL ), Family History, Family Violence, Fashion, First Aid, Flamenco Dancing, Floristry & Flower Arranging, Fossils, Foreign Languages, Freelance Writing, Furniture Restoration, Gardening, Math, Psychology, Golf, Guitar, Hand Embroidery, Hairdressing, Handcrafted Greeting Cards, History of English Criminal Legal System, History of Palestine, Home Improvements, Human Rights, Ipad Courses, Internet and Email, Interior Design, Introduction to Ancient Egypt, Jewellery Making, Knitting, law, Life Coaching, Life Drawing, Lip-reading, Make-up and Beauty, Meditation, Mental Health, Music, Patchwork and Quilting, Pendulum Dowsing, Personal Development, Philosophy, Photography, Pilates,  plumbing, Pottery , Psychology, Public Speaking, Reflexology, Saxophone, Sculpture, Sign Language, Social Media ,sociology, Soft Furnishing ,Stained Glass , stress Management, Street Jazz Dance, Tai Chi, Upholstery, Woodwork, Writing – Creative, Yoga

The parish council has been asked by UK Power Networks to circulate the information below with regard to the possible impact of the potential severe weather forecast for Wednesday 5^th February.

Dear Stakeholder,

Today is a normal day across the networks with no widespread power cuts due to the weather. However, UK Power Networks is working closely with the Met Office to track the high winds and heavy rain that ARE forecast to hit the UK on 5 February.

If the storm materialises and affects power lines, our paramount focus will be on restoring electricity to customers as quickly and safely as possible.

We are currently putting in place a range of measures to be better prepared to respond to any potential impact on our networks and customers.

Measures

We are currently preparing to deal with the storm’s potential impact on our network and customers. Below are some of the measures we are taking:

•           We are arranging additional staff to cover call centre roles. Additional people have been allocated to take and make phone calls and provisions are in place for even more engineers and resources to be available on short notice in case of need.

•           Our emergency teams are reviewing plans and a message has gone out to our trained customer champions to be prepared to be deployed to sites if the storm materialises.

•           We invest in a partnership arrangement with the British Red Cross and can activate their volunteers to support vulnerable customers if power is affected.

•           The emergency teams in the local authorities have access to the web link that enables them to see fault levels. In the aftermath of Storm St Jude, we have improved our systems to make the tracker more robust.

Our electricity network is built to be resilient but extreme weather can affect overhead power lines when tree branches and windborne debris damage them. In the event of a power cuts as result of the winds and rain, UK Power Network’s priority will be to restore supplies as quickly as is safely possible and keep people informed as best we can during a constantly changing situation. We will work from job to job targeting big jobs first where many customers are affected.

In communication with customers, we urge the public to stay well clear from power lines and anyone spotting a damaged power line needs to report it to UK Power Networks.

To report any power cuts and damaged lines on free helplines, please refer customers to the following numbers: In the South East call 0800 783 8866 and in the East of England call 0800 783 8838. You can also see www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk and follow the company on twitter for updates.

Preparing for a power cut

Below is some advice on how our customers can prepare for a power cut:

         Keep our freephone number handy

         See the website for some useful videos offering you advice during a power cut.

         Keep spare batteries for radios and torches – local radio stations often broadcast helpful information

         Keep an old-fashioned corded phone which you can plug in, as cordless phones won’t work in the event of a power cut

         Dress warmly in several layers of clothing, stay in one room or even get into bed

         Take care if using candles, tea-lights and other naked flames

         Keep fridges and freezers closed, with a blanket over as they will stay cold for many hours

         Switch off all your electrical equipment, except one light which will let you know when the power comes back on

         Remember the street lights may also be off so take care if you go out

         Look out for elderly neighbours; please consider taking them a flask of hot water round or hot food

Kind regards

UK Power Networks Stakeholder Engagement Team

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL  
NOTICE PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(2)
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984

 CHEDDINGTON ROAD, PITSTON

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL hereby gives you notice that from 28 January 2014 until 30 January 2014, both dates inclusive, no person shall cause or permit any vehicle to proceed, except for access, in that length of Cheddington Road, Pitstone, comprising the railway bridge.

The closure is required in the interests of public safety whilst emergency repair works, due to adverse weather eroding structure, take place.  The works will take place between 2200 hours and 0600 hours each night for 2 nights.

The alternative route for vehicles affected by the closure will be via Cheddington Road, Marsworth Road, Lower Icknield Way and Cheddington Road and vice versa.

The Notice will only be operative at such times as shall be indicated by signs erected pursuant to the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Direction 2002.  Penalties for not observing these restrictions will be as prescribed by the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984.

Dated 27 January 2014.

A celebratory event for Stoke Mandeville, the birthplace of the Paralympic Movement and Heritage Flame, ahead of the Winter Paralympic Games in Sochi, Russia.

Sunday 2 March, 7.30pm at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

The extraordinary story of the birth of the Paralympic movement at Stoke Mandeville will come to life in this unique event, which brings together leading Paralympic athletes, film, visual arts, live music and performance.

This is a “not to be missed” opportunity to see aerial circus performers from the 2012 Paralympic Opening Ceremony as well as inspiring past and future athletes, together with a very special performance by Andrea Begley, winner of BBC One’s “The Voice”.

Hosted by disabled actor Ben Owen Jones, whose appearances include the BBC’s dramatization of the story of Dr. Ludwig Guttmann, the event will also feature visual artist Rachel Gadsden and, soprano Denise Leigh.

The Sochi Paralympic Torch will also make a special appearance at the event. This will be lit the day before at the flame lighting ceremony at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, a pilot event for how the Paralympic Heritage Flame will link Stoke Mandeville to all future summer and winter Paralympic Games. The Ceremony will be broadcast to a global TV audience as part of the Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony in Russia and will be witnessed live by a small audience of international, national and local community guests.

How to apply for tickets

Tickets to the event are free via a ballot which can be entered by anyone who lives or works in Aylesbury Vale. The ballot will close at midnight on Sunday 16 February and you will be notified if you have been successful by Tuesday 18 February. A ballot of tickets for disabled people is also taking place.

For more information about the event or to enter the ballots visit www.buckslegacy.org.

Remember to pre-book your tickets for the fabulous Lone Ranger showing on the big screen at Pitstone Memorial Hall on 7 February 2014.

See link for full details:

http://pitstone.co.uk/event/community-cinema-the-lone-ranger/

The bar will also be open for refreshments.

Where else can you walk to the movies, get a cut price ticket, enjoy a drink whilst you watch and not have to worry about driving or getting public transport home afterwards?

A child’s scooter has been found in the village this morning.  No-one has reported one as missing to Brookmead school.  It is not postcode protected and does not have a name on it.  If there are any parents out there who realise that it could belong to their child, please get in touch with the parish clerk and provide a full description of the item.

Thank you.

Please find below the link to the Thames Valley Police monthly update:

http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/pub-pg-nh-upds-N416?id=270734

The 2014 Summer Festival is being completely re-vamped and re-formatted. In this year of big changes, we’ve flipped the nights so that Friday night is the Comedy night and Saturday the formal, Black Tie Ball:

Laughter-on-the-Lawn: Friday 20 June

Summer Ball: Saturday 21 June

For the ball, we  have booked a big headlining band: The Collection http://www.thecollectionlive.co.uk/ featuring Keavy Lynch from B*witched.

B*witched has enjoyed huge success in both Europe and North America, releasing two albums and eight singles, all of which made the UK Top 20.  Fronted by Keavy, The Collection play a great mix of music for all tastes and so we’re set for a great evening.

We have engaged a new caterer too. Details to follow.

So it’s a new night, new band, new caterers and hopefully some new friends to share what’s set to be a great evening.

We have been able to maintain the ticket cost at £60.

Booking opens on March 8th. Details to follow.

See also http://ivinghoeentertainments.org.uk

Follow us on Twitter – @Ivinghoeents

For your information the revised dates for refuse and recycling collections over Christmas and New Year are as follows:-

Friday 27 December moves to Monday 30 December
Friday 3 January moves to Saturday 4 January

Further information can be found from these links Aylesbury Vale District Council • Recycling and Waste collections or Aylesbury Vale District Council • Recycling & waste collection dates

Ever forgotten which bin you are due to put out?  Can’t remember if the garden collection is scheduled or not?

Check out the new AVDC on-line calendar.   Simply type in your postcode an a comprehensive calendar will be displayed.  There is a ‘print’ facility if you want to keep the information to hand.

http://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/bin-collections/

Sports Coaches

Do you want to get into coaching or take your skills to the next level?
If you coach in Aylesbury Vale, you may be eligible to apply for up to £500.

Talented Athletes

Are you competing at a high level in your sport and need help with training costs?If you live in Aylesbury Vale, you may be eligible to apply for up to £300.

For full details visit www.buckssport.org/avbursaries    Call 01296 585301 or email sportbursaries@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk. This scheme is supported by AVDC and managed by the Aylesbury Vale Sport and Physical Activity Network.

Do you have a talent in the arts?

If you are between 13 and 19 and live in Aylesbury Vale, you may be eligible to apply for up to £300 funding.

You can apply for funding for:
– One-off short courses, workshops and residences
– Specialist equipment in exceptional circumstances

Aylesbury Vale Arts Council do not fund:

– General equipment
– Course fees relating to full time educational courses or weekly classes

For more information visit www.aylesburyvaleartscouncil.org.uk

Snowdrop Walk at West Wycombe Park
Sunday 9 February 12 – 4pm

The Saunderton based charity Child Bereavement UK is delighted to invite families to take part in their fourteenth annual Snowdrop Walk at West Wycombe Park, on Sunday 17^th March from noon until 4pm.

The Snowdrop Walk is a special day to remember the babies and children who have died and the children who are bereaved each year. Snowdrops will be available for purchase on the day and charity staff and volunteers will be on hand to help with the planting at The Temple of Venus within the park.

Special activities for children will include a Rhyming Creature Hunt so children can join in and find the missing rhyming creatures throughout the walk and receive a fun-filled goody bag at the end.

Hot food and refreshments will be available from West Wycombe Village Hall at the end of the walk, where some extra children’s activities will also be taking place including colouring and puzzle building.

Chief Executive of Child Bereavement UK, Ann Chalmers, said “The Snowdrop Walk has been well supported over the years by local families. As ever, we are very grateful to Sir Edward and Lady Dashwood, for their ongoing support on this special day in Child Bereavement UK’s calendar. It’s a lovely way to spend a Sunday in a beautiful setting and to admire the grounds of the park. Every penny raised will go towards our vital work supporting bereaved families, so please come along and join us.”

Pay on the day:
Adult: £2.50
Concessions and children over 3: £1.50
Children under 3:  Free
Children’s Rhyming Creature hunt – £1.00

Please note that Cheddington Road railway bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic from 25-27 November (inclusive) from 2200hours to 0600 hours to ensure public safety whilst they carry out emergency repair works to the railway bridge.

If you need further information, please visit the Bucks County Council Transport for Bucks website.

The Great Brickhill, Wing and Ivinghoe Neighbourhood Policing Team are
asking local residents to be vigilant following a recent theft in the
Cheddington area.

Sometime between Tuesday 12^th and Saturday 16^th  November scrap metal was stolen from a driveway on Mentmore Road, Cheddington.  The items stolen included an old washing machine and radiators.

A suspicious van was also seen in the area – a white transit van,
containing 2 men with Eastern European accents.  They were seen knocking
at doors, asking for scrap.

Please remain vigilant and make sure that you report any suspicious activity
immediately to the Police.  Where possible try to get a description of
them, along with the make, model, colour and registration number of any
vehicle.

If you need to contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team you can ring
them via the 24 hour Police Enquiry Centre number 101.

Please note that the B488 (the road that runs from Ivinghoe into Leighton Buzzard) is closed at Grove (almost where it joins the A4146) for emergency road works.  There is no access to the A4146, or past Rowden Farm Lane.

The signposted diversion will take you across the Beacon and up the A4146 past Edlesborough.

The roadworks are anticipated to continue until 3 December 2013.

Further information can be found on the Transport for Bucks website.

Self Care

MAKE THE RIGHT CALL

Look after yourself this winter

By being prepared and making the right choices this winter, you will be better placed to stay healthy, keep control of your health and wellbeing and get the right care for you and your family when you need it.

The NHS will feel better too!

If more people are able to meet their own needs that will ease the pressure on health services and help to make sure the right care is available when people really need it.

Where to find help – phone

• Call 111 for health advice 24/7
• Call 0800 085 8480 for transport needs

Where to find help – websites

www.nhs.uk/livewell/winterhealth/
www.nhs.uk/selfcare
www.selfcareforum.org
www.patient.co.uk
www.childhealthbucks.com

Plan ahead

• Talk to your local pharmacist about stocking up with over-the-counter medicines for everyday ailments like coughs, colds, aches and pains. Your pharmacist can also help you make sure that if you take regular medication you order your repeat prescriptions in good time.
• Get your flu vaccine – the flu jab is available free from your GP if you are over 65, pregnant or have a long-term condition such as heart failure, diabetes or respiratory disease. This year the vaccine is also available to children aged two and three as a nasal spray. If you are not in one of these groups you can pay for the vaccine – ask your pharmacist for details.
• Be prepared for bad weather – Make sure you have plenty of warm clothes and food at home and keep an eye out for your elderly neighbours. If you have to go out in bad weather, think carefully about what you wear – especially on your feet – and how you travel.
• Think about doing a basic first aid course. This will help you better deal with minor injuries like burns, strains and sprains, as well as basic life support. For more information about courses visit: www.redcross.org.uk/firstaid

Talk before you walk

Sickness rates increase over the winter. Most people recover from minor illnesses without needing to see a doctor. A combination of rest, fluids and the right over-the-counter medication will usually get you back on your feet – but there is lots of medical help and advice close at hand if you are worried or are not getting better.

• Call NHS 111 – when you need help quickly but it’s not an emergency, call 111 and you will be directed to the best service for your needs. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is free to call from landlines or mobile phones. You can also call NHS 111 for health advice – and health information is available around the clock at www.nhs.uk
• Use your local pharmacist – this is a good place to start when you need health advice. Your pharmacist can provide over-the-counter medication for everyday ailments such as coughs and colds, as well as pain relief for headache, stomach ache and earache.
• Talk to your GP surgery – if it’s gone on for a while or you are worried, contact your surgery. The doctors, practice nurses and other members of the team are there to help. If you phone at a particularly busy time they may need to take a message and arrange to call you back later.

Very many congratulations to the Pitstone Community Cinema on a very successful first screening this evening.   Sincere thanks to the team that have been working hard to  turn the dream of a local cinema into a reality.

Do support this project and book your tickets for the next screening.   It is one not to be missed – Johnny Depp in The Loan Ranger – on 13 December 2013.   Follow the link below for more information:

http://pitstone.co.uk/event/pitstone-community-film-club-the-lone-ranger-12a-13-12-13/

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust will be hosting “A Big Conversation” at the 7 venues listed below. We are also offering patients/ carers/ public the opportunity to participate in smaller patient focus groups.  Alternatively, for those who do not wish to attend a meeting, but still want to share their views, there will be the opportunity to feedback on line in a few days.

At the 7 public meetings there will be an opportunity to hear an update on our work in response to the quality review undertaken by Sir Bruce Keogh earlier this year and group work for people to share ideas and suggestions about how we can continue to improve the experience of our patients.  We know that keeping the patient perspective at the heart of what we do is important to helping us achieve this and our engagement programme provides an opportunity for us to listen to further understand what is important to our patients and carers.

Please accept this as an invitation to these events and should you need any further information or, if you would like to book a place, please contact Dee Irvin at dee.irvin@buckshealthcare.nhs.uk. Venue and exact timings will be sent to you once you have registered for these events.

Location                      Date                         Time                                                                 

Amersham                  21^st November          Morning  9.30 – 12.30
Aylesbury                    28^th November          Evening 6.30 – 9.00pm
High Wycombe           12^th December          Evening – 6.30 – 9pm
Bourne End                14^th  January             Afternoon – 1.30 – 5pm
Beaconsfield               23^rd January             Evening – 6.30 – 9pm
Thame                        31^st January              Morning – 9 – 12 noon
Buckingham                5^th February              Afternoon  – 1.30pm – 5pm

Thames Valley Alert members in the Aylesbury Vale area are invited to a:-

Fraud prevention presentation
On
Thursday 21 November 2013, 7pm
At
Aylesbury Vale District Council Offices
The Gateway
Gatehouse Road
AYLESBURY
HP19 8FF
We are lucky to have a guest speaker, Det Insp Gavin Tyrrell, from the Force’s Economic Crime Unit.  The evening will be opened by Aylesbury Vale’s Deputy Area Commander, Acting Chief Insp Emma Garside.

This promises to be an interesting and informative evening where people should get an insight into fraud and how to prevent becoming a victim themselves.

If you are interested in coming to this presentation, you will need to book your place, as numbers are limited.  You can do this by Contacting Diane Brown on 01296 396262 (leave a message on the answer phone if I am not in the office) or by email diane.brown@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk

Places will be issued on a ‘first come, first served’ basis and those that have been allocated a place will be notified.

I look forward to meeting some of you on the night.

Kind regards

Diane Brown
Neighbourhood Alert & Watch Schemes Co-ordinator
Aylesbury Vale

Follow the link to read the latest Thames Valley Police newsletter for our area:

http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/pub-pg-nh-upds-N416?id=266239

With all the seasonal festivities at this time of year, home security is often the last thing we’ll think about. However, make it a priority this year to assess the security of your home like a burglar would. Christmas is the only time of year we advertise goods in our homes to such an extent. Follow the Community Safety Partnership top tips:

• Securely lock front and back doors/windows with the key, and remember to also lock your side gate.
• Use a light timer switch so your home lights up automatically. This ensures your home isn’t left in darkness whilst you’re not there.
• Before wrapping presents jot down model and serial numbers. UV mark all valuables with your postcode and door number/house name. By doing this your items are less attractive to opportunists because being caught in possession of marked goods incriminates thieves. Also your goods are more likely to be returned to you by police if found.
• Resist putting gifts under the tree until Christmas morning, or if you do before then, pull your curtains or blinds so items are not left on view.
• After opening presents rip up present boxes, making sure not to leave them in view outside. An empty TV box for instance advertises the new item in the home.
•                         Secure and lock your garage/shed as well as your home – they contain the tools a burglar requires to gain access to your property.
• Use your household alarm if you have one.
• Be vigilant of any suspicious behaviour in your area and report it to the police on 101. If you believe a burglary is in progress call 999.
• Be conscious of what you put on social networking websites in regards to going out and leaving the home empty.
• For more information visit: www.thamesvalley.police.uk/crprev
• Have a safe and merry Christmas!

Bonfire Night, Sat 2nd Nov, Ivinghoe Lawn.

Gates18:00. Bonfire lit 18:45. 19:15, fireworks & music.

Family £10; single £5,

BBQ,hot/cold drink fairground ride.

Walk if you can. Parking close to the Lawn will be difficult.

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/IvinghoeEnts

http://ivinghoeentertainments.org.uk

This National Adoption Week (4 – 10 November) Buckinghamshire County Council are looking for people like you to consider adoption for Buckinghamshire children who are waiting to find their new family.

They can ask questions of an expert during National Adoption Week in our ‘Bucks Adopt hour’ via twitter; running 2pm – 3pm every day except Wednesday when it will be from 7pm – 8pm. (reply to our tweets adding #BucksAdopt)

We are also running a training session on the 7^th November for potential adopters (you can contact us to book a place on 08001601900)

There are many myths surrounding adoption and this often puts extremely good prospective parents off the idea of making enquiries. Just as every child is different, so every adoptive parent brings different life experiences, backgrounds and skills to the care and support they can give.

You can adopt:

• Whatever your age, background or lifestyle
• Irrespective of marital status or sexual orientation
• From a home which is rented or owned

People often rule themselves out of being able to adopt because of their age, beliefs and lifestyle. All we ask if that you are over 21, happy to make space in your life and home for a child, patient, flexible and energetic, and determined to make a real difference to a child’s life, for a lifetime.

Discover the rewards of adoption today and know that we’ll be with you all the way – before and after adoption.

If you’re looking to build your family and think you could give a child a place to call home call the First Step Team on 0800 160 1900 email adoption@buckscc.gov.uk or visit www.buckscc.gov.uk/adoption

Traffic congestion outside Brookmead school is becoming an increasing problem again, with drivers parking on both sides of the road and on top of the Keep Clear signs.    Please support the school and their efforts to alleviate the problem before an accident occurs:

• walk  or scoot to school where possible
• if you need to take the car, please park at either Pitstone Memorial Hall or the New May Fu (both of which have kindly granted use of their car parks at school drop off/pick up times) – it only takes 5 minutes to walk from May Fu
• if you need to take a vehicle right up to school, please take advantage of the drop-off service within the school boundary which available every morning
• if there is a special reason why you need to park outside the school, please refrain from parking at the end of Orchard Way and not on top of the Keep Clear signs
• again, if there is a special reason why you need to park outside the school please park on the same side of the road as the school and not on the Haldi side, so that other traffic trying to pass in both directions (which includes buses and lorrys) can still pass

Thank you for your assistance.

Waste dumped in and around Ashridge Estate

2013 has seen several incidents of illegal waste dumping in and around the Ashridge National Trust Estate.  This has included large scale dumping of mixed wastes in woodland and farmland.  Several loads of carpet underlay have been dumped in the Stocks Road car park between Ivinghoe and Aldbury.  The dumping has also included the leaving of significant quantities of litter near parking areas where visitors appear to have had barbeques.

This dumping blights the area and can harm wildlife and farm animals.  Waste may also contain invasive ‘pest’ species, such as Japanese Knot Weed or Spanish Blue Bells which have very negative impact on local flora and fauna.  These also damage the Biological Site of Special Scientific Interest that covers most of the Estate.

The vast majority of visitors to the estate appreciate and value the beautiful countryside they find there, but there is a significant number who clearly feel able to dump waste.  

If you see someone abusing the area in this way, we do ask that you report what you have seen together with the offending vehicle registration on 0845 330 1856  or on line at www.buckscc.gov.uk/fly

Please be advised that action is, and will be taken against offenders.

Thames Valley Police has been working in partnership with Aylesbury Vale District Council (AVDC) to launch Operation Arctic this month which will focus on tackling and raising awareness of winter time burglary.

The operation will run until February 2014 to combat burglaries and target those who commit these crimes during the darker winter months.

As the darker nights are drawing in and the clocks go back on Sunday 27/10, it is important to think about following these simple steps to help to prevent your home from becoming the next target by opportunist criminals:

• Using timer switches help to give the impression that your home is occupied.
• Register your valuables on www.immobilise.com. Its free and takes just a few minutes and if your valuables are stolen, will allow you to tell the police, your insurer, and the second-hand trade to assist in recovering your property and catch the thief
• Ensure that desirable items such as I-pad, I-phones, Laptops, PlayStations and jewellery are keep away from view so as not to attract attention.
• Invest in some additional locks for windows and back doors to improve security, remember if you have a UPVC door make sure you have double locked it, and turn the key in the door whilst in the house.
• A burglar alarm is still one of the best deterrents.

Insp James Davies,said: “Aylesbury Vale has seen a seven percent reduction in burglary dwellings, since April 2013. However, as the nights draw in, we need to start to re-visit security measures to keep safe and deter opportunist burglars that intend to use the cover of darkness to commit crime.

“We aim to raise awareness of winter time burglary and we will be working in partnership with Aylesbury Vale District Council to provide local residents with vital crime prevention advice, to help prevent themselves from becoming a victim of crime during the upcoming winter period.

“The neighbourhood teams will be carrying out high visibility patrols in the town and the rural areas. The team will also be carrying out a series of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) operations during the winter period and proactively patrolling burglary hot spot areas to target known offenders.

“If you have any concerns or just want some advice and information, approach your local neighbourhood officers who will be there to assist you.”

Councillor Pam Pearce, Cabinet Member for Community Matters at Aylesbury Vale District Council, said: “Being the victim of burglary is upsetting for those involved, we want homeowners to think carefully about home security and take some personal responsibility, Prevention is the message we want to get across.”

You can also follow us on Twitter @TVP_Aylesbury for crime prevention tips during the operation

If you see anyone acting suspiciously around a property or outbuilding please report this to the police via the 101 number.

If you don’t want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

By now all households should have received an electoral registration form, which needs to be responded to, to ensure that eligible people are registered to vote. Aylesbury Vale District Council is asking residents to respond to this form straight away to help prevent the council having to waste public money reminding them to do so.

Chris Sheard, Electoral Services Manager, said: “Last year, we had to visit 12,839 households, as they had not registered to vote, which cost the council £17,336.75. With the need to make savings and to protect public money we want to stop this waste, but we need residents to help us.”

It’s about more than just voting as the electoral register is also one of the criteria used by credit checking agencies. People not on the register may find it difficult to get a loan, mortgage or mobile phone contract. Other pitfalls include not being eligible to apply for certain jobs, which require security checks or being able to open a bank account. Not being registered could also result in a fine of up to £1,000.

Most people simply need to tell the council that the information about them is still correct. You can do this by visiting a secure website, by text or by calling a Freephone number. Using these methods can help reduce the costs of keeping the electoral register up to date. If any details on the form need to be changed you will have to post the form back in the pre-paid envelope provided.

On the electoral registration form residents can opt to have their details excluded from the edited register. This will mean their details could not be bought by individuals and commercial organisations. Electors using the telephone or internet services can opt in or out. Residents using the form will need to place a tick in the appropriate column to opt out, or leave the column blank.

The next elections taking place are the European elections on 22 May 2014.

You can respond straight away by:
Visiting www.registerbyinternet.com/aylesbury
Calling our 24 hour Freephone number 0800 197 6185
Text message to 80212
Or, if you cannot use the above options or wish to make changes, return the form by post.

For more information or help with your form call Electoral Registration on 01296 585807.

Nineteen years ago SAVE (Support Aylesbury Vale’s Environment) was launched by Jonathon Porritt and George Monbiot at a big conference in Aylesbury Civic Centre for anyone and everyone interested in supporting their local environment.

I had the idea for SAVE after the 1991 Rio world environment conference urged  ‘think global act local’, and as chairman of environment committee and chairman of the council, I was then in a position to innovate and champion the environment. With the dedicated support of a handful of like minded Aylesbury Vale officers this little vehicle for environmental activists, thinkers and visionaries in the local community has become an ‘environmental innovation hub’.

Five ’round table’ working groups and 2 conferences delivered SAVE week for 6 years including the Green Fair and the Recycled Clothes Show, involving thousands of people. It has supported education projects, community events including theatre and film and Zap Carbon, SAVE Solar, and Superhomes projects enabling residents to improve their homes, install renewable energy systems and reduce bills. SAVE has awarded £40K in grants and presented hundreds of SAVE awards to recognise local initiatives that have resulted in lasting environmental gain. It re-established the Tour de Vale cycle ride in 2005, now a major  fundraiser for the British Wheelchair Sports Association. It set up Furniture Aid, the Aylesbury re-use and recycling centre, and DuckLETS, a cash free trading system. The SAVE code is 10 things you personally can do to contribute to a better Aylesbury Vale, including SAVE on waste, save driving, and save wildlife.

On Oct 3rd I attended a symposium SAVE 20-20 – developing a vision for the next 20 years. There were three speakers at the event. David Lidington MP, Foreign Office Minister for Europe, spoke without notes for 40 minutes on the global economic contributors to climate change, and how without climate security it will be impossible to guarantee future security of food, water and energy supplies. He wholeheartedly encouraged SAVE to press on for the next 20 years. Martin Hodson, environmental scientist, plant biologist from Oxford Brookes University and Haddenham resident, explained in detail and with pictures the whole recent IPPC climate change report and its implications for us locally. Victoria Harvey, South Beds Friends of the Earth told us about some of her campaigns and successful projects, but more importantly the significance of bees to the farmer, supermarket, kitchen table and overall biodiversity,  and what anyone can do to help the survival of bees.

Enthusiastic  questions and discussion meant the event over ran its schedule, and SAVE Is still no nearer deciding its future, but with a success record such as it has, we cannot afford to let it go.

To know more about SAVE and activities in the Vale such as Haddnham in Transition, or Winslow in Transition contact rsmart@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk

Creating a Nature Reserve – the story of College Lake

BBOWT College Lake hosted a book launch and signing on 21st September for this amazing book by Graham Atkins, and at the same event re-dedicated the refurbished Castle hide to George Goddard the cement works manager without whom Graham’s vision would never have materialised. By making some of my Community Leaders Fund available to BBOWT for the advance purchase of the book, the book could be published, the story told, and is available at the College Lake Centre.

http://www.bbowt.org.uk/news/2013/09/23/honouring-founding-fathers-college-lake

Three areas where Transport for Bucks  ‘could do better’ –

highway maintenance, speed reduction measures, and grass cutting.

Getting on for twelve months ago I identified with highways engineers where the priority road maintenance should be done. This is in addition to ongoing pothole repairs. Some  maps show the work to have been completed at the Travellers Rest Roundabout and the B488 from Grove to Rowden Farm, but we couldn’t find it! The other schemes are the rest of the B488 to Great Gap, and Ivinghoe Aston to Slapton ( which will continue to be patched and planed with the bad corner to be prioritised).

Following on the speed watch teams activities last year the Local Area Forum (LAF) considered it worthwhile to fund additional measures in Mentmore, Great Gap and Ivinghoe, and Edlesborough. These ‘are in the pipeline’ as they say. The LAF is going to fund the preliminary work needed on the A4146 between the Travellers Rest and the Pebblemoor turning for a 50mph limit as a result of continuous pressure since this was turned down at the last review. LAF funded Vehicle Activated Signs shared by several parishes have been put in place, although if you are travelling within the speed limit they are hard to spot!

Grass cutting. Can’t say much, it could be libellous. Endless requests along long lines of command produced nothing but more long grass this year, with walking routes badly affected. After the May election Cllr Ruth Vigor Hedderley was handed this responsibility at the County Council. She told members of the Environment Select Committee in September that any Parish Council wishing to take over this service, with the existing by-the-metre funding transferred, should contact her. If your council thinks this is a good idea, please contact me or her directly.

Connected Counties update – high speed broadband www.connectedcounties.org

The Connected counties newsletter shows that the Ivinghoe/Pitstone/Cheddington areas already have the highest speed broadband service, although it doesn’t feel like that as contention problems at peak usage times are daily occurrences.

On digging deeper in to BT websites dslchecker.bt.com  it looks as if by December 31st all the Cheddington exchange Cabinets will have fibre broadband installed, but to different speeds. Eg cabinet 2 downstream UP TO 25.5 Mbps, and cabinet 8 UP TO 57mbps. Upstream speeds much slower of course.

Avril Davies

County Councillor Ivinghoe Division BCC

http://avrildavies.mycouncillor.org

You can help us tackle what’s important to you
Tell us what you want from your County Council in the future

We are contacting you to request your support to complete a consultation on what the County Council’s priorities should be from April 2014 – March 2015.

As you may be aware, the County Council, like other public organisations has been receiving less funding from government, which has meant we have had to dramatically change the way we operate.

We have already started delivering some of our services in a different way and working more with third party organisations.  This has helped us to save over £85 million over the last four years; however we still need to make further savings.

Please take this opportunity to have your say.  The survey can be completed online on www.buckscc.gov.uk/budget. Hard copies of the survey can be made available to residents by contacting our contact centre on 0845 370 8090.

The consultation is open until 18^th November 2013.

A summary of the results will be presented on the have your say page of our website (www.buckscc.gov.uk/haveyoursay).  If you wish to speak to someone about the survey, please call us on 0845 370 8090 or email research@buckscc.gov.uk.

Your views are important and will help us make the right choices.

Raising awareness of domestic abuse support services

Tackling domestic abuse is one of the main priorities of the Aylesbury Vale Community Safety Partnership. Domestic abuse consists of any threatening behaviour, violence or abuse, whether physical, sexual, financial or emotional, between current or past intimate partners or family members. Domestic violence is a crime – it is unacceptable.

Nationally, two women every week are killed by their current or former partner so the seriousness of these crimes should not be underestimated.  It is not only a problem of men’s violence towards women, domestic abuse also occurs where women are the perpetrators and it can happen in same sex relationships too. One in six men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime.

Please see below a list of support service and information about what they offer:

Aylesbury Women’s Aid 01296 436827- Offers support, information, advocacy and access to safe accommodation in Aylesbury and other areas. Provides a 24 hour emergency service.

National Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000 247- Gives support, help and information over the telephone, wherever the caller might be in the country. The helpline is staffed 24 hours a day by fully trained female helpline support workers.

Men’s Advice Line 0808 801 0327- Male victims of domestic abuse can get help and advice.

Anyone in immediate danger should always call the police on 999.

For further information you can visit: www.speakouttoday.co.uk

Bucks County Council has advised that the mobile library service will be moving from fortnightly to monthly with effect from 1 November 2013.   Their evidence shows that most customers visit the mobile library monthly, as items are issued on a four week loan period.

The mobile library stops at the Yardley Avenue Health Centre on a Tuesday from 2.45-3.15pm.

You can find out more information by visiting www.buckscc.gov.uk/libraries or email mobilelibraryservice@buckscc.gov.uk.

Police warning over bank card courier scam

Thames Valley residents are advised to be on their guard to a new type of scam which is becoming prevalent across London and is now spreading to other areas.
The courier fraud scam often targets the elderly and vulnerable and takes the following steps:

1. The victim receives an unsolicited telephone call from fraudsters saying they are from their bank (or in some cases claiming to be the police), stating that their systems have spotted a fraudulent payment on their card or that their card is due to expire and needs to be replaced.
2. The person may be asked to ring the bank back using the phone number printed on the back of their bank card. This helps to convince the person that the call is genuine. However, the fraudster has kept the telephone line open so even though the person has called the bank, the call does not go through. Instead they are unknowingly connected straight back to the fraudster.
3. The fraudster then gains the person’s trust by pretending to be from the bank and seeming to offer assistance. In many cases the person is asked to provide their full bank card details and key in their PIN so that their existing card can be cancelled and their new one activated or authorised. The fraudster will then explain that the bank will need to collect the card.
4. The fraudster will then attend the person’s address or send an innocent courier company driver to collect the card and sometimes provide them with a replacement card which is subsequently found to be fake.
5. Therefore, the fraudster has obtained the person’s name, address, full bank details, the card itself and the PIN. The bank cards are then used fraudulently without the victim’s knowledge.

There are a number of variations to the scam, including:

• Fraudsters pretending to be from the police cold calling members of the public and telling them that their bank account has been compromised by criminals. The fraudster suggests that the person should transfer their bank balance into a ‘safe’ police bank account.
• Fraudsters pretending to be from the police attending people’s addresses and retrieving the person’s card and PIN.
• Members of the public receiving letters on bank headed paper informing them that their account has been the subject of a fraud. The letter advises them to transfer their funds to a ‘safe’ account and that an official will be in contact to provide them with a new card and PIN.
• Fraudsters contacting members of the public requesting them to cut their cards in half because their account has been compromised. They are then asked to post the cut card to an address where fraudsters simply tape the card together again and can use the details to commit fraud.

Between May and August, Thames Valley Police has received 17 reports of fraud of this type, all in the central Milton Keynes area.
Police advice is that if you receive such a call, end it immediately. If you have elderly or vulnerable family members, friends, or neighbours, let them know about the scam.
Please be aware that:

• Your bank will never attend your home
• Your bank and/or the police will never collect your bank card
• Your bank and/or the police will never ask for your PIN

If you receive this type of call, report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040, or via their website. In an emergency, dial 999.

Now available on their web site:

http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/pub-pg-nh-upds-N416?id=261913

My name is Sarah Lawrence and I am Deaf.

Every quarter I write and publish a deaf friendly lifestyle and culture magazine. The Magazine is free and is full of information, advice and deaf friendly
articles that are aimed at people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and
speak British Sign Language.

The magazine can be viewed on-line at http://magazine.slfirst.co.uk

Whilst the magazine itself is free, if you did want printed copies, all I
ask is that people cover the cost of postage and packing, as the costs
of printing itself are prohibitive for a one woman band like mine.

The latest update from TVP for the Wing & Ivinghoe area is now available on their website:

http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/pub-pg-nh-upds-N416?id=260443

Immobilise is the UK national property register, which allows members of the public and businesses to register all kinds of property, including bicycles, tools, and gadgets such as mobile phones, laptops, and tablets, so that they can be reunited with them if they are stolen.

Benefits of registration:

• Immobilise helps police identify the owner of lost & stolen property thousands of times each day.
• Loss & theft updates you make are immediately available to the Police nationally.
• Combat the sale of stolen gadgets & valuables; alert the second-hand trade & publicly checkable stolen goods database if an item goes missing.
• Simplify insurance claims and Police reports with certificates of ownership.
• Great member offers from Immobilise’s numerous supporters, often helping support provision of Immobilise.
• These features are unique to the FREE Immobilise service.

Please register your property FREE at http://www.immobilise.com

Often people invite thieves to take an interest in their vehicle by leaving
valuable items in open view. Thieves also know that people leave laptops
and bags in the boots of their cars so it’s not safe to leave anything
valuable in your car.

When tools are stolen from vehicles the majority are not easily traceable as
they are not security marked with the owners’ postcodes and
business names. We strongly advise that tools are visibly and
permanently marked with these details by engraving or etching. Property
marking also acts as a deterrent to thieves who have to cause permanent
damage to remove the marking, making it difficult to sell these items
on.

In addition to ensuring that tools are locked away whenever they are not
being used, we also advise that alarms are fitted to vans and
outbuildings containing tools and that the alarm is set whenever they
are not occupied.

Tips to avoid becoming a victim of car crime:

•Always park in a well lit area
•Lock all your doors and close your windows
•Never leave anything valuable in your car, as it only takes a few seconds for a thief to smash your window
•Do not leave a jacket or coat on display in your car. A thief may think that it’s hiding your laptop or handbag.

If you have any information about car crime, please contact Thames Valley Police via the non emergency number 101.  If you don’t want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers  anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

Below is a list of activities and events happening this autumn in your local area. Information supplied by Aylesbury Vale District Council.

Simply Walk in Wendover
Tuesdays
10am Meet outside the Clock Tower, High Street, HP22 6DX
Walk – occasional stile and gradient, 60 – 90 minutes

First Thursday of every month
11am. Meet at Wendover Woods café in main car park, HP22 SNQ
Parking charges apply
Walk – occasional stile and gradient, 60 – 90 minutes

Theatre in the Villages

Boo & Bang by Cat Weatherill
Marshmallows or sprinkles? Pizza or chips? Sometimes you just want both! This show is a combination of spooky ghost stories and a funny and wondrous whacky science show, so you can laugh, shiver and go WOW all at the same time. Brilliant! Cat is one of Europe’s most famous storytellers and a best-selling children’s author. Catch her while you can! Suitable for 8+ years.
Sat 12 Oct 3pm
St Anne’s Hall, Aylesbury Road, Wendover, HP22 6JG
Tickets £10 Adults £3 Children (Family ticket available)
Mike Spain 01296 622678 mjp.spain@btopenworld.com or Wendover Tourist Information Centre 01296 696759

The Government Inspector by Flintlock Theatre
Anton Antonovich, a mayor in small-town Russia, is in the midst of a crisis. A government official is on his way to inspect his district where the streets are unkept and Anton has been liberal with the mayoral accounts. The inspector is only too willing to overlook these misdemeanours in exchange for the odd generous bribe. But is he quite who he says he is? Flintlock Theatre presents Gogol’s hilarious satire in a high-energy production featuring four actors swapping characters at break-neck speed and frequent audience participation. Following a sell-out run, The Government Inspector is a captivating night out for all the family. Suitable for 10+ years.
Sun 13 Oct 7pm
Wingrave Community Centre, HP22 4PE
Tickets £10 Adults £5 Children
Sylvia Francis 01296 681566 or Mrs Kelly Targell 01296 688461The Village Shop, Winslow Road, Wingrave.

HeartSong by Cat Weatherill
HeartSong is a show I created specially for churches and old, old buildings. It’s not a religious show but ‘stories and songs to stir the soul and captivate the heart’. The stories are warm, thoughtful and atmospheric. There’s live music too – songs performed with a shruti box and a dulcimer. HeartSong is about feeling connected: as a community, as fellow travellers on life’s journey. It’s the kind of show that will linger in the memory for years to come. Suitable for 12+ years.
Sat 26 Oct 8pm
St Mary’s Church, Church Lane,
Wendover, HP22 6NL
Tickets £12
Mike Spain 01296 622678 mjp.spain@btopenworld.com or Wendover Tourist Information Centre 01296 696759

Full details of the Theatre in the Villages programme are available on the AVDC website: www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/theatreinthevillages

 Energise Gold sessions for the over 50s
Gentle aerobics is followed by a choice of table tennis, short tennis or bowls. Energise Gold take place on Thursdays at Cheddington Village Hall, 10.15am to 12.15pm for only £3 a week.

Home Sweet Home
Be part of a unique art project and see your story brought to life in 3D in Aylesbury Town Centre!  During the Paralympic Flame Celebration in 2012, Shared Space and Light transformed the Court House in Market Square in Aylesbury with a spectacular video projection.  Now they’re back!

This autumn, a 3D video installation in Aylesbury’s Market Square will combine locals’ stories with startling transformations and surprising juxtapositions of architectural images.

What’s your story?
Short informal interviews will take place to collect a wide cross-section of stories and opinions from Aylesbury Vale residents about their home and where they live.
Queens Park Arts Centre, Aylesbury HP21 7RT
Thursday 12 September
20 minute slots between 12pm and 8pm
If you are interested in getting involved then please book your slot by contacting Katie Laird at ladylaird@googlemail.com or 07838 393421.

Autumnwatch

Are you looking for a fun-filled family day out with a difference?
Junior Autumnwatch is an fun event on Saturday 26 October, 11am to 3pm for children, young people and their families to encourage and promote ideas for nature and outdoor activities. The event will take place at Quarrendon and Meadowcroft Community Centre in Aylesbury HP19 9HH. The event runs alongside the BBC programme Autumnwatch due to be aired in September and October.

In today’s society it’s easy for children to fall victim to video games, TV and internet so the event aims to provide the perfect opportunity for children and young people to get closer to and interactive with wildlife. There will be birds from Shuttleworth Birds of Prey, farm animals for the children to play with and live creepy crawlies from The Butterfly World Project. There will also be fun hands-on activities such as willow weaving and arts and crafts.

Also on offer will be a wide range of fun yet educational activities provided by various environmental organisations, local voluntary groups and children’s play providers. Information will be available about local places of interest, local clubs and organisations.

There will be a small entry charge and parents must attend with their children.

Our previous Autumnwatch event in 2010 had over 1000 children and families attend and we’re expecting this year to be even bigger! Come along, have a great time and learn something too.

For more information go to www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/doit

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, PC 6794 Steve Brisley, Neigbourhood Supervisor

Every September people like you join together for the Memory Walk and raise money for people affected by dementia. Some walk to be amongst people who truly understand. All walk with one common goal – to fight dementia. One day for family, friends and fundraising. Alzheimer’s Society is the UK’s leading support service and research charity for people with dementia and those who care for them. The money you raise through the Memory Walk will help them to provide local supported services, so people you know and love can still live their lives well.

Waddesdon Manor Memory Walk – Saturday 21st September 2013 2km or 10km walks Wendover Woods Memory Walk – Sunday 29th September 2013 1km or 3km or 5km walks

To sign up for the Memory Walk and see the full details or to find other memory walks near you, visit memorywalk.org.uk or call us on 0845 306 0898.

 It is important that we keep cool to stay healthy in heatwave conditions. Danger symptoms to watch out for in such weather include: feeling dizzy or faint, easily becoming short of breath, increasing confusion and/or vomiting. Below are our ‘top ten tips’ to help you keep cool: 

1. Keep your fluid intake up. Cold water is best:- avoid excess alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks. 

2. Keep windows closed when the room is cooler than outside temperatures. At night, when outside temperatures have dropped, open windows where there is no security risk.

3. Close curtains to shut out direct sunlight during the day. Alternatively, fit blinds as these can be closed during the day without blocking out the daylight, but note that metal blinds and dark curtains may absorb heat, and therefore make the room warmer – pale curtains and reflective materials are best.

4. Limit your sun exposure. Avoid being out in the hottest part of the day (11am – 3pm)

5. When you are out, try to stay in the shade as much as possible. Wear a hat and light, loose-fitting clothes, preferably cotton. Remember to take a drink with you.

6. Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals.

7. In your home, turn appliances you’re not using off. This will keep your property cooler and also save energy, helping to keep your bills manageable.

8. Make sure your fridge and freezer are working effectively. A fridge or freezer working too hard will expel excess heat. Keep it defrosted and keep the door shut as much as possible.

9. Insulating your loft and cavity walls will keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Additionally, increase lagging on pipes and make sure your hot water tank has insulation. It will also save you £’s on your energy bills.

10. Look out for others, especially vulnerable groups such as the elderly, young children, babies and those with serious illnesses.

If you, or someone near you shows any of the symptoms of over-heating, take the following immediate action, as recommended by the Department of Health:

1) Cool down as quickly as possible (following the above tips)

2) Do not take aspirin or paracetamol unless these are prescribed for you, as these drugs could make the problems worse. You should continue to take all other prescribed medicines as normal.

3) Seek further advice from the NHS 111 service or your doctor.

4) Remember that heatstroke can kill, and can develop very suddenly and rapidly lead to unconsciousness. If you suspect someone has heatstroke, call 999 immediately.

Further Information:

Call the Affordable Warmth Helpline for additional tips on keeping cool: 0800 107 0044. This service can also post information out to you, including a thermometer card so you can see if your house is cool enough in summer, and warm enough in winter. 

Check the weather forecast and any high temperature health warnings at www.metoffice.gov.uk 

NHS Choices have a wide-range of advice available online at: www.nhs.uk Remember that the new non-emergency for the NHS is now ‘111’. This number can be called free of charge from mobiles and landlines, and is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 

Finally, advice is available on protecting your skin during hot weather from the Cancer Research UK ‘SunSmart’ campaign website: www.sunsmart.org.uk