Archives: PPC News

A reminder that the youth cafe re-opens once the school term starts again ie from Wednesday 6 September 2023.

We look forward to seeing you all again.

The parish council offers grants to local community groups and local charities that specifically benefit Pitstone residents.  Applications are considered quarterly.   The next opportunity for grants to be considered is coming up on 26 October 2023.

Some of our most recent recipients include Windmill Pre School for outdoor play equipment, Pitstone Memorial Hall Charity for two current projects and South Central Ambulance for a further dedicated kit for our Community First Responders.

Please see the grant policy on this web site (http://pitstone.co.uk/ppcinfo/grant-policy/ ) for further information or contact the parish clerk for an initial chat.

Applications must be received at least 10 days ahead of the meeting date so that the information can be circulated to all members ahead of the meeting and your application can be advertised on our agenda.

The latest edition of Pitstone Parish Post is currently being hand delivered to every home and business in the parish, the online edition is available here: https://pitstone.co.uk/ppcpubs/pitstone-parish-post-issue-137/ and includes updates from the parish council, the annual report and accounts, updates from Buckinghamshire Council, 75 years of the NHS, information about Thames Valley Police alerts, news from local clubs and churches, event information and much more.

If you would like to advertise or submit an article for the next edition, please email parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk.

The new allotment year starts at the end of September, so renewal of tenancies will start to take place later this month. Often their are plot holders that decide that they do not wish to continue for the forthcoming year, so if you think you might be interested in taking on an allotment, remember to register your interest with the Pitstone Allotment Association (details available here: http://pitstoneallotmentassociation.org.uk/) and they can add you to the waiting list.

Both the Parish Council and the Allotment Association voted not to increase prices for the forthcoming season, so the charge remains at £15 per quarter plot. See the attached annual notice of fees for a full breakdown

We are looking for a back up distributor to help when Rachel is away and/or to help her on an ongoing basis.

The work is not too arduous: PPPs come out 4 times a year, counting takes an hour or two and distributing to the deliverers takes about the same.   You will need a car.

If you would like to discuss this voluntary role, please call or text

Rachel on 07717 471 584.

The parish council offers grants to local community groups and local charities that specifically benefit Pitstone residents.  Applications are considered quarterly.   The next opportunity for grants to be considered is coming up on 27 July 2023.

Some of our most recent recipients include Windmill Pre School for outdoor play equipment, Pitstone Memorial Hall Charity for two current projects and South Central Ambulance for a further dedicated kit for our Community First Responders.

Please see the grant policy on this web site (http://pitstone.co.uk/ppcinfo/grant-policy/ ) for further information or contact the parish clerk for an initial chat.

Applications must be received at least 10 days ahead of the meeting date so that the information can be circulated to all members ahead of the meeting and your application can be advertised on our agenda.

If anyone/local groups have any articles that they wish to appear in the next edition of Pitstone Parish Post, please ensure that they are received by the editor by 30 June 2023.   Email address: pppeditor@pitstone.co.uk

If you wish to place an advert, please click this link to place your booking and upload your artwork: https://pitstone.co.uk/pppadverts/

Thank you.

During late 2021 Nicholas King Homes applied for planning permission for the construction of 21 dwellings (8 flats and 13 houses), including associated works, car parking and landscaping on the two plots of land that had long been earmarked, subject to viability, for a  children’s day nursery and restaurant/pub/cafe.  The Planning Inspectorate have now concluded their investigation and determined that planning permission should be granted.  The parish council had opposed this application and felt strongly that these much hoped-for community facilities were feasible and should be delivered.  Many local residents also objected to the proposals.  Buckinghamshire Council, as local planning authority, were also said by the Inspectorate to be opposed to the application on a variety of grounds.  Planning permission was nonetheless, on balance, granted to NKH.

That, however, is not the end of the story.  The Parish Council understands that Buckinghamshire Council (in conjunction with other local planning authorities) are challenging the Planning Inspectorate’s decision, via a process known as Judicial Review.  They will be seeking a court ruling that the Planning Inspectorate was not properly able to reach the decision that it did, in other words asking that the planning permission should be quashed.  The grounds for appeal are believed to include the Chiltern Beechwoods “Special Area of Conservation”, of which Ashridge forms a part.  There is currently a moratorium on determining planning applications which relate to residential development where the application site is within approximately 8 miles of the Chiltern Beechwoods, which Pitstone is.  The argument runs, it is understood, that if the local planning authority cannot properly determine any such application, the Planning Inspectorate should not have done so either.

Clearly these matters are at a very early stage and the Judicial Review process could be a lengthy one.  If the planning permission is then quashed, NKH’s application will go back to the original decision-maker for further consideration on the correct basis.  That would also be a time-consuming process.  As a consequence, it is unlikely that anything substantive will happen to the two undeveloped parts of Ravensmoor for some time.  The Parish Council is aware that concerns have been raised by local residents about the state of these two areas, and in particular the amount of unsightly litter and debris that they contain.  We have requested that NKH take steps to tidy them up so that our local amenities are not subject to detriment because of the current hiatus.  We will provide a further update when we are able to, about both (1) the condition of the two areas and (2) Buckinghamshire Council’s appeal against the Planning Inspectorate’s decision. 

Buckinghamshire Council (BC) recently attended to sweep the public highways as part of their cyclical (twice per year) maintenance program.

They have been investigating some queries that arose following their visit and identified that the residential roads adopted by BC last year (public roads within Phases I-III of Castlemead) had not been added to the street scene road sweeping work schedule.  They will be returning this week to sweep the affected roads, and send their apologies.  New procedures will now be put in place by BC to ensure that when future roads are adopted by BC, that the street scene schedules are updated more efficiently, so the same issue should not arise for the remaining roads still waiting for adoption (either in Pitstone or other villages).   A few queries arose regarding missed sections of roads and most of these have been identified as not being accessible when the sweeper attended.  

Private roads do not fall under the remit of this BC service.

If your road still falls under the responsibility of a developer, then they continue to be responsible for the highways under their care.  A request has been lodged with Taylor Wimpey for their road sweeper to attend the remaining residential and business park roads for which they are responsible.  Bellway, Croudace and Nicholas King Homes developments should all be swept as part of their maintenance contracts.

In between the cyclical visits, if your road (if adopted by BC) develops an issue and requires an additional sweep, this can be requested via this link to their website:  https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/waste-and-recycling/street-cleaning/report-a-street-that-needs-cleaning/

Should any resident have any ongoing queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us (parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk) so that we can liaise with the appropriate body.

23/5/23

We would like to congratulate Mick Pilkington, who was awarded Volunteer of the Year 2023 at the Annual Assembly for many years of voluntary litter picking around the parish, participation in Keep Britain Tidy campaigns, and managing a litter picking co-ordination website for other local volunteers.  The Chairman presented Mick with a framed certificate and card.  If you are interested in helping with litter picks, please visit: https://pitstone.co.uk/ppcinfo/litter-picking/

Winners normally receive £50, but Mick generously asked that this be donated to the Ivinghoe & Pitstone Foodbank.  Babs Byron thanked Mick on behalf of the Foodbank and provided some information about the scheme to those at the assembly.  If you need assistance from the Foodbank, please contact them in confidence.  If you can provide donations, please also get in touch with them.  Full details available at: https://pitstone.co.uk/localinfo/foodbank/

The Parish Council runs the Volunteer of the Year scheme to celebrate the unsung heroes within our community.  If you know someone who goes that extra mile and provides an outstanding voluntary service to the residents of Pitstone, please submit your nominations to the parish clerk (parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk) so that they can be taken into consideration for the 2024 award.

Who did you nominate?

Come along to the Pitstone Annual Assembly at 7.30pm on Thursday 18 May 2023 to see this years’ winner announced.

If there is someone that you think deserves the award next year, please email your nomination through to parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk.

Thank you.

The Big Help Out is a Coronation initiative, encouraging everyone to get involved and volunteer to help ensure that local communities thrive.

Pitstone parish council is often made aware of local projects and community groups that would welcome your time and involvement.   We also receive calls from residents that would like to volunteer but don’t know what opportunities exist.   So, we set up a database of opportunities. 

If you only have an hour or two a month, or have plenty of time on your hands, there is bound to be a role to suit you!    If you are a community group that would like some extra support, please do get in touch and we will add your details to the database.

As part of the Big Help Out, we have been featuring one local opportunity each day, and today is the last day. Fifteen local groups have been appealing for your help to keep their charities, venues, clubs, tourist/historical attractions, services and facilities running. All these things help to make Pitstone a special place to live and work, with lots of things for residents to enjoy and provide help for those who need it. They are all possible because an amazing team of local volunteers dedicate their time to make them happen. Please do consider joining them.

Below is details of our street light champion scheme that helps to ensure the village is properly illuminated, and the full list of all the opportunities that we have featured over the last three weeks. We also have a display board of opportunities inside the pavilion, so we’d encourage everyone coming to the annual assembly on Thursday to have a browse whilst you are there.

Finally, we’d like to extend our thanks to anyone that has come forward already and registered their interest with any of the local groups that have been featured.

You can also access our full list of volunteering opportunities here (click to open full document):

The Big Help Out is a Coronation initiative, encouraging everyone to get involved and volunteer to help ensure that local communities thrive.

Pitstone parish council is often made aware of local projects and community groups that would welcome your time and involvement.   We also receive calls from residents that would like to volunteer but don’t know what opportunities exist.   So, we set up a database of opportunities. 

If you only have an hour or two a month, or have plenty of time on your hands, there is bound to be a role to suit you!    If you are a community group that would like some extra support, please do get in touch and we will add your details to the database.

As part of the Big Help Out, we’ll be featuring one local opportunity each day.

ARe you able to help those residents that are in need, hardship or distress? Would you like to become a charity trustee? The trustees of the Town Lands Charity & Williamson Trust would love to hear from you. More details below:

You can also access our full list of volunteering opportunities here (click to open full document):

Buckinghamshire Council has advised that the road sweeper will be visiting Pitstone on Monday 15 May 2023.

If there is debris / small weeds etc in the roadside gutter near your home, please try to park off the road on Monday so that the sweeper can clean the area. Buckinghamshire Council are not carrying out curb side weed spraying this year, so it is important that the sweeper can clear as many areas as possible, to try and prevent latter build up.

Thank you.

The Big Help Out is a Coronation initiative, encouraging everyone to get involved and volunteer to help ensure that local communities thrive.

Pitstone parish council is often made aware of local projects and community groups that would welcome your time and involvement.   We also receive calls from residents that would like to volunteer but don’t know what opportunities exist.   So, we set up a database of opportunities. 

If you only have an hour or two a month, or have plenty of time on your hands, there is bound to be a role to suit you!    If you are a community group that would like some extra support, please do get in touch and we will add your details to the database.

As part of the Big Help Out, we’ll be featuring one local opportunity each day.

Do you love books and reading? Could you help organise BeaconLit or help out on the day?

You can also access our full list of volunteering opportunities here (click to open full document):

The Big Help Out is a Coronation initiative, encouraging everyone to get involved and volunteer to help ensure that local communities thrive.

Pitstone parish council is often made aware of local projects and community groups that would welcome your time and involvement.   We also receive calls from residents that would like to volunteer but don’t know what opportunities exist.   So, we set up a database of opportunities. 

If you only have an hour or two a month, or have plenty of time on your hands, there is bound to be a role to suit you!    If you are a community group that would like some extra support, please do get in touch and we will add your details to the database.

As part of the Big Help Out, we’ll be featuring one local opportunity each day.

Can you help to support the youngest members of our parish? The Toddler Group meet on a Thursday morning from 9.30 to 11am and could really do with a hand to make/serve refreshments, get out/put away the equipment or run craft activities with the <5s.

You can also access our full list of volunteering opportunities here (click to open full document):

The Big Help Out is a Coronation initiative, encouraging everyone to get involved and volunteer to help ensure that local communities thrive.

Pitstone parish council is often made aware of local projects and community groups that would welcome your time and involvement.   We also receive calls from residents that would like to volunteer but don’t know what opportunities exist.   So, we set up a database of opportunities. 

If you only have an hour or two a month, or have plenty of time on your hands, there is bound to be a role to suit you!    If you are a community group that would like some extra support, please do get in touch and we will add your details to the database.

As part of the Big Help Out, we’ll be featuring one local opportunity each day.

This unusual survivor is one of the oldest post mills in Britain. Pitstone windmill ground flour for the local village for almost three hundred years until a freak storm in the early 1900s left it damaged beyond economic repair.

Donated to the National Trust in 1937 Pitstone Windmill has been faithfully restored by a dedicated team of local volunteers. Today you can explore both the inner and outer workings of the windmill; including the massive post upon which the mill turns and the tail pole which the miller used to position the sails into the wind, while also taking in spectacular views of the surrounding Chilterns countryside.

National Trust would love you to join their team as a floor guide at Pitstone Windmill open days. With a friendly and inquisitive approach, volunteers unlock the stories for the visitors to enjoy, whether that is the intricate way that the mill worked or the history of the people that worked there.

You can also access our full list of volunteering opportunities here (click to open full document):

The Big Help Out is a Coronation initiative, encouraging everyone to get involved and volunteer to help ensure that local communities thrive.

Pitstone parish council is often made aware of local projects and community groups that would welcome your time and involvement.   We also receive calls from residents that would like to volunteer but don’t know what opportunities exist.   So, we set up a database of opportunities. 

If you only have an hour or two a month, or have plenty of time on your hands, there is bound to be a role to suit you!    If you are a community group that would like some extra support, please do get in touch and we will add your details to the database.

As part of the Big Help Out, we’ll be featuring one local opportunity each day. Today, we are featuring the Pitstone Parish Post. This quarterly newsletter, delivered free to every home and business in the parish, is a vital resource for the local community groups, and local business, to get their messages out to all our residents. Each edition also contains updates from the Parish Council, Buckinghamshire Council and Thames Valley Police, along with listings for local venues, attractions, facilities and groups. Over the last few editions, we’ve swapped to offer full colour production throughout, and been able to reduce the printing costs at the same time. It is partly funded by advertisers, and subsidised & produced by the parish council.

If you’d like to get involved with the production or distribution of the magazine, please do get in touch.

You can also access our full list of volunteering opportunities here (click to open full document):

Thank you to the 190 children that came and completed the free children’s trail and collected their commemorative Coronation Water Bottle prizes, it was lovely to see so many of you having fun on the Recreation Ground and making use of the play space, skatepark and ball court. Our grateful thanks to CuriosiTea for their assistance with handing out the trail sheets and prizes.

It was wonderful that so many of the young people that come to our youth cafe popped along for their free Coronation lunch from the youth cafe gazebo. Our grateful thanks to the older youths, our youth cafe volunteers, our Youth Cafe Manager and the members of the council who all gave up their days to make this possible.

Our congratulations to the two young winners of the fancy dress competition organised by the Memorial Hall Charity.

And finally a big thank you to everyone that joined in with the Big Coronation Picnic and supported the Pitstone Memorial Hall charity and CuriosiTea tea rooms.

We hope you all enjoyed celebrating the Coronation of King Charles III.

The Big Help Out is a Coronation initiative, encouraging everyone to get involved and volunteer to help ensure that local communities thrive.

Pitstone parish council is often made aware of local projects and community groups that would welcome your time and involvement.   We also receive calls from residents that would like to volunteer but don’t know what opportunities exist.   So, we set up a database of opportunities. 

If you only have an hour or two a month, or have plenty of time on your hands, there is bound to be a role to suit you!    If you are a community group that would like some extra support, please do get in touch and we will add your details to the database.

As part of the Big Help Out, we’ll be featuring one local opportunity each day. Pitstone Memorial Hall Charity would love you to become a charity trustee and help make and implement decisions about the hall at their committee meetings. No specialist skills or knowledge required, just an enthusiasm for this valuable local community asset.

You can find more info about the hall, on their website: https://www.pitstonememorialhall.co.uk/

You can also access our full list of volunteering opportunities here (click to open full document):

Who is coming to complete the FREE Coronation children’s trail on the Recreation Ground at the Big Coronation Picnic on Sunday?

Pick up your trail sheets from Curiositea, and pop back into the shop to collect your Commemorative Coronation Water Bottle prize.

Available 10am to 3pm.

Our thanks to CuriosiTea for agreeing to be the collection point for us.

The Big Help Out is a Coronation initiative, encouraging everyone to get involved and volunteer to help ensure that local communities thrive.

Pitstone parish council is often made aware of local projects and community groups that would welcome your time and involvement.   We also receive calls from residents that would like to volunteer but don’t know what opportunities exist.   So, we set up a database of opportunities. 

If you only have an hour or two a month, or have plenty of time on your hands, there is bound to be a role to suit you!    If you are a community group that would like some extra support, please do get in touch and we will add your details to the database.

As part of the Big Help Out, we’ll be featuring one local opportunity each day. We are lucky enough to have a museum in our village, but did you know it is run entirely by volunteers? Hopefully you have all attended one of The Heritage Park, Pitstone Green Museum, open days, but if not please do pop along, they are next open on the Spring Bank Holiday on 29 May. They would love to hear from you if you can help out in any way, large or small. Volunteers work on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the museum, so they’d like to invite you to pop along for a cup of tea and a chat.

You can find a list of their open days, and more info about the museum, on their website: https://www.pitstonemuseum.co.uk/

You can also access our full list of volunteering opportunities here (click to open full document):

The Big Help Out is a Coronation initiative, encouraging everyone to get involved and volunteer to help ensure that local communities thrive.

Pitstone parish council is often made aware of local projects and community groups that would welcome your time and involvement.   We also receive calls from residents that would like to volunteer but don’t know what opportunities exist.   So, we set up a database of opportunities. 

If you only have an hour or two a month, or have plenty of time on your hands, there is bound to be a role to suit you!    If you are a community group that would like some extra support, please do get in touch and we will add your details to the database.

As part of the Big Help Out, we’ll be featuring one local opportunity each day. If you have green fingers, Windmill Pre-School would love to hear from you …

You can also access our full list of volunteering opportunities here (click to open full document):

Issue 136 of Pitstone Parish Post is currently being hand delivered to every home and every business within the parish of Pitstone.

You can access the online edition here: https://pitstone.co.uk/ppcpubs/pitstone-parish-post-issue-136/

The Big Help Out is a Coronation initiative, encouraging everyone to get involved and volunteer to help ensure that local communities thrive.

Pitstone parish council is often made aware of local projects and community groups that would welcome your time and involvement.   We also receive calls from residents that would like to volunteer but don’t know what opportunities exist.   So, we set up a database of opportunities. 

If you only have an hour or two a month, or have plenty of time on your hands, there is bound to be a role to suit you!    If you are a community group that would like some extra support, please do get in touch and we will add your details to the database.

As part of the Big Help Out, we’ll be featuring one local opportunity each day. Today’s opportunity is lots of fun – for 1.5 hours each week you get to play sports & games, join in with craft activities, take on an XBox challenge, bake or maybe serve up a toastie or two. The Pitstone Youth Cafe is a drop-in facility that provides a safe place for young people (senior school age) to meet up, have fun, keep active and get involved in new things to help them learn and grow. Or they can just chat to their mates over a snack. Or confidentially access our professional youth workers help with any issues they may be experiencing. No previous experience of youth work required. No upper age limit (must be over 18 years to count towards our adult:child ratios, but we do offer a separate program for young leaders). The parish council is happy to support volunteers with training in a range of related matters such as Food Hygiene, First Aid, Youth Work etc if you are interested in doing this. Cafe is open from 6.30pm-8pm on Wednesdays during term time at Pitstone Pavilion – do come along and join in the fun one week to see what it is all about, our existing volunteers are a great bunch of people and would love to meet you.

You can also access our full list of volunteering opportunities here (click to open full document):

The Big Help Out is a Coronation initiative, encouraging everyone to get involved and volunteer to help ensure that local communities thrive.

Pitstone parish council is often made aware of local projects and community groups that would welcome your time and involvement.   We also receive calls from residents that would like to volunteer but don’t know what opportunities exist.   So, we set up a database of opportunities. 

If you only have an hour or two a month, or have plenty of time on your hands, there is bound to be a role to suit you!    If you are a community group that would like some extra support, please do get in touch and we will add your details to the database.

As part of the Big Help Out, we’ll be featuring one local opportunity each day. If you love to read, then today’s opportunity may be perfect for you as Beacon Villages Community Library in Ivinghoe would like to tempt you to volunteer …

You can also access our full list of volunteering opportunities here (click to open full document):

The Big Help Out is a Coronation initiative, encouraging everyone to get involved and volunteer to help ensure that local communities thrive.

Pitstone parish council is often made aware of local projects and community groups that would welcome your time and involvement.   We also receive calls from residents that would like to volunteer but don’t know what opportunities exist.   So, we set up a database of opportunities. 

If you only have an hour or two a month, or have plenty of time on your hands, there is bound to be a role to suit you!    If you are a community group that would like some extra support, please do get in touch and we will add your details to the database.

As part of the Big Help Out, we’ll be featuring one local opportunity each day. Today, Ford End Watermill need your help …

You can also access our full list of volunteering opportunities here (click to open full document):

The Big Help Out is a Coronation initiative, encouraging everyone to get involved and volunteer to help ensure that local communities thrive.

Pitstone parish council is often made aware of local projects and community groups that would welcome your time and involvement.   We also receive calls from residents that would like to volunteer but don’t know what opportunities exist.   So, we set up a database of opportunities. 

If you only have an hour or two a month, or have plenty of time on your hands, there is bound to be a role to suit you!    If you are a community group that would like some extra support, please do get in touch and we will add your details to the database.

As part of the Big Help Out, we’ll be featuring one local opportunity each day. Today, it is the 1st Ivinghoe and Pitstone Scouts that wish to set you a four week challenge …

You can also access our full list of volunteering opportunities here (click to open full document):

The Big Help Out is a Coronation initiative, encouraging everyone to get involved and volunteer to help ensure that local communities thrive.

Pitstone parish council is often made aware of local projects and community groups that would welcome your time and involvement.   We also receive calls from residents that would like to volunteer but don’t know what opportunities exist.   So, we set up a database of opportunities. 

If you only have an hour or two a month, or have plenty of time on your hands, there is bound to be a role to suit you!    If you are a community group that would like some extra support, please do get in touch and we will add your details to the database.

As part of the Big Help Out, we’ll be featuring one local opportunity each day. Today, it is the Pitstone Community Car scheme that need you to volunteer to drive local residents to their medical appointment. Sometimes they just have difficulty getting to the village surgery, so a trip doesn’t require a very big time commitment from you, and you only volunteer for the trips that are at a convenient date/time for you so it is very flexible.

You can also access our full list of volunteering opportunities here (click to open full document):

The Big Help Out is a Coronation initiative, encouraging everyone to get involved and volunteer to help ensure that local communities thrive.

Pitstone parish council is often made aware of local projects and community groups that would welcome your time and involvement.   We also receive calls from residents that would like to volunteer but don’t know what opportunities exist.   So, we set up a database of opportunities. 

If you only have an hour or two a month, or have plenty of time on your hands, there is bound to be a role to suit you!    If you are a community group that would like some extra support, please do get in touch and we will add your details to the database.

As part of the Big Help Out, we’ll be featuring one local opportunity each day. Today, it is St Mary’s Church in Pitstone that would like your assistance – please see the information below.

You can also access our full list of volunteering opportunities here (click to open full document):

Pitstone Parish Council would like to introduce our newest member, Councillor Dr Dave Frearson.

Dr Dave Frearson has lived in Pitstone since 2007. He has previously served as a Parish Councillor and is delighted to re-join the Council.

He is a Director of a Business based in Pitstone and has a particular interest in Environmental issues and local Business Development.

His two children attend local schools.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome back to Cllr Dr Frearson.

The last youth cafe of this term will be taking place on Wednesday evening (29 March 2023) from 6.30-8.00pm.

We wish all the attendees and volunteers that make this possible a wonderful Easter, and we look forward to seeing you all again on 19 April.

The Big Coronation Picnic on Sunday 7 May

The Parish Council, the Memorial Hall Charity and CuriosiTea would jointly like to invite you to the Big Coronation Picnic on Sunday 7 May on Pitstone Recreation Ground.  This is part of the Big Coronation Lunch initiative and is designed to make it easier for residents to meet up without having to organise street closures and street parties.   Bring your picnic blankets to the Recreation Ground and enjoy an informal meet up with your friends, family and neighbours.  The bunting will be up and your children can enjoy the play equipment, skate park and ball court whilst there, helping to keep them entertained.  The parish council are providing a Coronation Trail for children – simply pick up your trail sheet from CuriosiTea and return the completed sheet to them to claim your prize – and the Memorial Hall are holding a fancy dress competition, so encourage your children to come dressed in red/white/blue or with a Coronation theme, there will be a prize for the winners.

CuriosiTea are taking orders for pre-bookable take-away Coronation Afternoon Teas, so you don’t even have to pack a picnic.  £17.50 per person.  Call 07775 831153 to book.  See poster below. They will also be open from 10am to 3pm serving their usual delicious menu of sandwiches, cakes, ice creams, hot & cold drinks etc.

If you fancy something alcoholic, the new Memorial Hall bar, Heroes, will be open from 12 noon.

Please do pop into both CuriosiTea and Heroes to support them if you can.

Street Parties / Closures

If you do wish to organise a Street Party, please follow this link to the Buckinghamshire Council page https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/community-and-safety/celebrating-his-majesty-king-charles-iiis-coronation/ to find out what you need to do to organise a street closure. Please note that all applications have to be submitted by 7 April 2023.

Activities and Recipes

For a range of activities to make and bake with your kids and family ahead of the event, from crown hats to bunting, from invitations to flags, and a host of recipes from top chefs, visit https://www.edenprojectcommunities.com/

Big Help Out

The other initiative being promoted by the King is the Big Help Out, encouraging everyone to get involved in volunteering and put back into their local communities.   In the run up to the Coronation, the Parish Council will be sending out a series of social media posts for different opportunities that you might like to consider.  You can also visit this page of our website: https://pitstone.co.uk/ppcinfo/vacancies-and-employment/ where you’ll find the latest downloadable sheet of opportunities that we are aware of.  

There are a variety of roles, and types of opportunity, so there is bound to be something to suit everyone.  You might like to consider: helping at Ford End Watermill, helping to man St Mary’s Church in Pitstone on open days, volunteering at the Heritage Museum in Pitstone, acting as a guide at Pitstone Windmill open days, having fun with the young people at Pitstone youth café, driving residents to medical appointments with the Community Car Scheme, lending a hand at Windmill Pre-School, becoming a Trustee of Pitstone Memorial Hall or the Towns Land Charity, or maybe joining the rota at Beacon Villages Community Library.

We will keep this page updated, so keep checking back for the latest information.

We wish everyone a very happy celebration.

The young people that attend the youth cafe would like to sell some of the games and equipment that are no longer used to raise funds towards some new outdoor equipment.

Please note that all items have been well used by the youth cafe but are in working order. Please message us with details of the items that you are interested in via 01296 767261, parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk, or send us a message via Facebook or Twitter.

Thank you for supporting these young people with their fundraising.

Buckinghamshire Council has advised that no by-election has been called by residents and therefore the parish council will seek to fill the current vacancy via co-option.

More details of the vacancy can be found here: https://pitstone.co.uk/ppcnews/casual-vacancy-in-the-office-of-parish-councillor/

Our thanks to those residents that have already expressed an interest. If you are passionate about our community and have plenty of time to volunteer as a parish councillor, please do get in touch as soon as possible so that we can hand deliver a full information pack to you. Telephone: 01296 767261 (please leave a message if we are unavailable when you call) or email parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk.

Deadline : 20 March 2023

The parish council offers grants to local community groups and local charities that specifically benefit Pitstone residents.  Applications are considered quarterly.   The next opportunity for grants to be considered is coming up on 27 April 2023.

Some of our most recent recipients include Windmill Pre School for outdoor play equipment, Pitstone Memorial Hall Charity for two current projects and South Central Ambulance for a further dedicated kit for our Community First Responders.

Please see the grant policy on this web site (http://pitstone.co.uk/ppcinfo/grant-policy/ ) for further information or contact the parish clerk for an initial chat.

Applications must be received at least 10 days ahead of the meeting date so that the information can be circulated to all members ahead of the meeting and your application can be advertised on our agenda.

If anyone/local groups have any articles that they wish to appear in the next edition of Pitstone Parish Post, please ensure that they are received by the editor by 31 March 2023.   Email address: pppeditor@pitstone.co.uk

If you wish to place an advert, please click this link to place your booking and upload your artwork: https://pitstone.co.uk/pppadverts/

Thank you.

Due to the resignation of Councillors Mrs A Dragon due to a change in personal circumstances, we currently have a casual vacancy for a parish councillor to serve out the remaining term of office until the next election.

Unless 10 electors request a by-election by 9 March, the parish council will seek to fill this vacancy via co-option. See Notice of Vacancy :

When you join the parish council, you also become a corporate trustee to two local charities.

Do you have a passion for Pitstone and plenty of spare time (an average of 3 hours per week) to volunteer? You can find some initial information here: https://pitstone.co.uk/ppcnews/calling-all-community-heroes-become-a-parish-councillor-elections-in-may-2021/ and please contact the parish clerk on parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk as soon as possible and we will provide a full information pack.

We would be grateful if you could reach out to us by 9 March.

We’d like to reunite this little fellow with his family. If you think he may belong to you, please ring 01296 767261 or email parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk

If anyone/local groups have any articles that they wish to appear in the next edition of Pitstone Parish Post, please ensure that they are received by the editor by 31 December 2022.   Email address: pppeditor@pitstone.co.uk

If you wish to place an advert, please click this link to place your booking and upload your artwork: https://pitstone.co.uk/pppadverts/

Thank you.

The last youth cafe of this term will be taking place on Wednesday evening (14 December) from 6.30-8.00pm with a Christmas Disco and Snacks.

We wish all the attendees and volunteers that make this possible a wonderful Christmas, and we look forward to seeing you all again in the New Year.

Seasons Greetings to all our residents. Wishing you all a peaceful Christmas followed by a happy & healthy 2023.

We have a few bookings in the diary for local residents that have friends and family visiting over the Christmas and New Year period, but need a bit more space than they can comfortably accommodate at home. If this rings true for you, why not consider hosting your event at the pavilion?

Our facility was newly built just a couple of years ago and has a light, bright room with beautiful views across the football field and farm land beyond. It can accommodate 40-50 people and has a modern kitchen, tables/chairs, crockery etc. The venue is secure so children can happily play. We have a dedicated car park, and the grounds are accessible by both the cycle and foot path. You can find photographs, hire rates and more information here: https://pitstone.co.uk/localinfo/pitstone-pavilion/

The facility is normally reserved for the football league on a Saturday afternoon / evening but the following dates are available for the forthcoming holidays: Saturday 24 December, 31 December and 7 January.

We also have some availability on 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30 December, plus 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 January (as some of our regular hirers and classes are taking a break over the holidays). Christmas Day itself and 2 January are already booked.

Please note that our premises licence requires all hire periods to end by 11pm and anyone wishing to sell alcohol to arrange for a personal licence holder to be on site throughout your hire period. We have no bar. Therefore our venue is not best suited for late night parties or those where you wish to sell alcohol, but we are ideally suited for family gatherings etc.

To make a booking click here: https://v2.hallmaster.co.uk/Diary/ViewWeeklyDiary/9570

To come and visit or make enquiries, please get in touch with the parish clerk via 01296 767261 or email parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk

The parish council offers grants to local community groups and local charities that specifically benefit Pitstone residents.  Applications are considered quarterly.   The next opportunity for grants to be considered is coming up on 26 January 2023.

Some of our most recent recipients include Windmill Pre School for outdoor play equipment, Pitstone Memorial Hall Charity for two current projects and South Central Ambulance for a further dedicated kit for our Community First Responders.

Please see the grant policy on this web site (http://pitstone.co.uk/ppcinfo/grant-policy/ ) for further information or contact the parish clerk for an initial chat.

Applications must be received at least 10 days ahead of the meeting date so that the information can be circulated to all members ahead of the meeting and your application can be advertised on our agenda.

The parish council offers grants to local community groups and local charities that specifically benefit Pitstone residents.  Applications are considered quarterly.   The next opportunity for grants to be considered is coming up on 3 November 2022.

Some of our most recent recipients include Windmill Pre School for outdoor play equipment, Pitstone Memorial Hall Charity for two current projects and South Central Ambulance for a further dedicated kit for our Community First Responders.

Please see the grant policy on this web site (http://pitstone.co.uk/ppcinfo/grant-policy/ ) for further information or contact the parish clerk.

Applications must be received at least 10 days ahead of the meeting date so that the information can be circulated to all members ahead of the meeting and your application can be advertised on our agenda.

Queen Elizabeth II

1926-2022

The Parish Council would like to express its great sadness at the passing of our late Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth the Second.  We are sure that the people of Pitstone will remember with affection and gratitude the lifetime of service given by our longest reigning Monarch. 

A local Book of Condolence will be available for you to record your thoughts and memories and to take a moment for quiet reflection. The book will be available at Pitstone Pavilion at set times each day, commencing with 1-3pm, Friday 9 September 2022, and includes daytime, evening and weekend availability so that as many local residents as possible have an opportunity to record their memories and condolence. The Book of Condolence will be closed on the day following the funeral. The Pavilion is fully accessible for the disabled and has ample parking.

The Book will form a local record of the sentiments expressed by local residents on the death of Her Majesty. It will form part of the Authority’s archive, and be held at the County Record Office, so that future generations are able to easily gain access to them and find out the way in which this sad occasion was marked in the area.

Opening times for Book of Condolence:

• 1-3pm Friday 9 September 2022
• 10-12 noon Saturday 10 September 2022
• 10-12 noon Sunday 11 September 2022
• 10-12 noon and 6.30-8.30pm Monday 12 September 2022
• 6.30-8.30pm Tuesday 13 September 2022 by appointment, please call 07712836871
• 10-12 noon Wednesday 14 September 2022
• 6.30-8.30pm Thursday 15 September 2022by appointment, please call 07712836871
• 3-5pm Friday 16 September 2022
• 10-12 noon Saturday 17 September 2022
• Sunday 18 September 2022 – available by appointment, please call 07887 390083
• Monday 19 September 2022 10am onwards the Book of Condolence will be available throughout the free live cinematic screening of the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Pitstone Memorial Hall.
• 12noon to 1.30pm Tuesday 20 September.

You are welcome to bring floral or other tributes during the above opening times to lay at the base of the Jubilee tree which is located in the rear of the grounds. Flowers should be unwrapped and removed from any cellophane wrapper where possible. No naked flames or candles should be left. Floral tributes left in other areas of the site, when the venue is not open, will be moved to this location. All flowers and tributes will be removed on the morning after the funeral, the flowers composted and any cards collated to be sent to the archives with the Book of Condolence.

If you cannot attend in person, you may prefer to sign the Buckingham Palace e-Book of Condolence, available at www.royal.uk.

Ivinghoe have a Book of Condolence available for signature at St Mary’s Church. The church is open 10am to 7pm daily.

The Royal Family suggest that citizens may like to consider making a donation to one of Her Majesty’s many charities and patronages, as a fitting
way of paying tribute to Her extraordinary legacy. Read further information on how you can donate and a list of Her Majesty’s charities and patronages here: https://www.royal.uk/charities-and-patronages.

The basis on which our monarchy is built has ensured that through the centuries the Crown has passed in an unbroken line of succession. The proclamation ceremony does not create a new King – it is an announcement of the accession which took place immediately on the death of the reigning monarch.

At 1pm on Sunday 11 September, on the steps of Exhibition Suite, Market Square, Aylesbury HP20 1TX, the High Sheriff, Debbie Brock, will read the Proclamation of our new Sovereign, His Majesty, The King, Charles III. The Lord Lieutenant, The Countess Howe will open the event and invite the High Sheriff to read the Proclamation accession speech. The High Sheriff will briefly give a speech before reading the Proclamation. At the end of the Proclamation, the High Sheriff will call for three cheers for His Majesty the King. Citizens are welcome to attend the reading. Parking on the day is free in all Council-owned car parks. Spectators are asked to approach Market Square on foot. Anyone attending this event may also want to lay flowers or tributes at the temporary memorial next to The Queen Elizabeth II statue in Market Square (next to the steps of Metro Bank). For people who cannot attend the reading, it will be live streamed on Facebook and can be viewed here: https://www.facebook.com/BucksCouncil/.

To mark this sad occasion there will be a two-minute silence at the start of the Parish Council meeting scheduled for 29 September 2022. No parish council meetings will take place during the national period of mourning.

The Commission proposes to make a Scheme (a legal document) for this charity. The Scheme will permit the transfer of a small strip of land to Pitstone Memorial Hall Charity. A copy of the Scheme can be seen at 

www.charitycommission.gov.uk/our-regulatory-work/how-to-comment-on-a-scheme/schemes-and-orders

If you cannot access this please call our contact centre on 0300 066 9197. 

Comments or representations on these proposals can be made to the Commission within one month from Friday 2 September 2022 by completing the form on our website. Please quote NM C-037190.

(Essentially, this relates to the undercover walkway and an area of garage, which are utilised by the Memorial Hall Charity but were historically never officially transferred.)

A reminder that the youth cafe re-opens once the school term starts again ie from Wednesday 7 September 2022.

We look forward to seeing you all again.

The parish council tries to ensure that all our playgrounds are both accessible and include a range of play features that are designed for use by a wide variety of disabilities.

Features in our parks include play equipment such as an extra wide slide so that you can travel down with a child, rocking equipment, sunken trampoline with wheelchair access and basket swings.

Ancillary equipment includes benches with back rests and arms, contrast-coloured gateways and a wide variety of colours and textures for the visually impaired.

If you are a Pitstone parent and your child has a specific need that is not currently being met, please contact the parish council on parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk so that we can take this into consideration whenever we next plan any playground renovation work.

Thank you.