Make Potholes Pay

I got this idea from The Age, the local Melbourne newspaper where I am on holiday, it might be a good plan for Buckinghamshire Highways. "A cash-strapped village in eastern Germany has put its many potholes up for sale in an effort to finance the repair of its crumbling roads". People can buy a hole for 50 Euros and in return the authorities will repair it and put a personal message on top". Visit http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5315642,00.html

Get involved with what’s on

Chiltern Voice is your community website for what’s on in Chesham. Please let us know of events and happenings, by emailing merrinnews@gmail.com and include your own details (let me know if some details are not for publication).

The Mayor Praises Shed@The Park Colour the World

Dear Editor
What a wonderful privilege it was to be at the Swan Theatre in High Wycombe on Sunday evening, where over a hundred young people put on a show which moved the audience through laughter, joy and even tears. Colour the World imaginatively, entertainingly and colourfully encapsulated Shed@ thePark's ethos 'anything is possible'. For those of you who have yet to discover Chesham's gem which is Shed@ thePark, I urge you to keep your eyes open for future performances. For young people, consider becoming involved - there are no auditions and no exclusions - 'anyone can thrive where anything is possible'. Seek them out, you will be amazed.
Justine Fulford
(Mayor of Chesham whose chosen charity is Shed)

Post office future – the latest

Mayor Cllr Justine Fulford continues her campaign to get this essential service reinstated and she succeeded in getting post office officials to a public meeting in Chesham on Monday 1 February. Justine says, “It was great that so many people were able to make it to the meeting, many for a second time, but especially good that our friends from the Post Office were there. Everything did make a bit more sense with answers from the experts and I was pleased to hand over to them the hastily gathered petition which nevertheless had approximately 1300 signatures on it. In turn, they were able to announce that they had managed to bring forward the re-opening date at 81 High Street to Monday 22 February. What the Post Office seemed particularly keen to emphasise was that they have no funding to secure premises and that they don't anticipate being able to make an exception in Chesham. It's a shame that the £1.7bn made available to put the network on a 'more stable footing' from 2007-08 was in the main used to compensate sub-postmasters who were closed down, and not actually invested in the remaining branches. Whilst we should all be pleased that we don't have to wait too much longer to get back an operating Post Office, we also have to be very aware that when interested parties investigate tendering for the franchise, they may not consider that 81 High Street fits their business plan. If the preferred applicant chooses a different address, there has to be a 14 week public consultation process before a move is approved - watch out for the notices.”

Don’t Give Your Christmas Gifts To Burglars

People are urged to put security at the top of their New Year’s resolution list by property marking valuable Christmas presents as soon as possible. Unfortunately, every year Christmas gifts are stolen, sometimes they are recovered but cannot be returned because they are unidentifiable. You can stop this happening to you by property marking your gifts and making a note of their make and serial numbers. Cllr Noel Brown, cabinet member for community safety said, "Thieves hate marked items because they can be identified and are just too hot to handle." Free property marking kits and property marked stickers are available from Chiltern District Council offices in Amersham throughout January. If you have been lucky enough to get a bicycle for Christmas, please contact the Community Safety Officer at Chiltern District Council on 01494 732089 who will supply you with a bike marking wrap-around label.

Post Office Future - Meeting 1 Feb

The rescheduled public meeting about the future of the Chesham Post Office will be on Monday 1 February 2010 at 7pm. It will be held at Trinity Baptist Church, Red Lion Street and this time the Post Office intends to be represented. If you will be travelling by car, you are advised to use the nearest car park to the church which is Water Meadow Car Park off St Mary’s Way. Church parking is restricted to those with mobility difficulties. To clarify, MP Cheryl Gillan apparently did not receive her invitation and that is why she didn’t attend the last meeting, although she sent her apologies.
The Mayor Cllr Justine Fulford received some good news on Friday which will be explained in full. Chesham Town Cllr Chris Spruytenburg said “The public needs to reassured that all the elements which led to this fiasco have been sorted out once and for all”.

Post Office Didn't Show

The Post Office were frightened of snow apparently, so they just didn't show at the public meeting to discuss the debacle since its closure here (see our previous piece). The Mayor, Cllr Justine Fulford said, "They were a laughing stock." MP Cheryl Gillan didn't turn up but had a reason - she hadn't received an invitation! The large crowd are invited to attend another meeting next Monday 1 February at 7pm. There could be some good news.
A summary of the situation has been posted on Facebook by Helen Piper - Chesham Post Office Action Group. (I hope this link works).
If you wish to contact the Post Office and make a complaint the details are: Customer Service Centre PO Box 740 Brampton Barnsley S73 0ZJ Telephone 0845 7223344 email customercare@postoffice.co.uk.

Snow’s Not So Simple Issues

Heavy and prolonged snow is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many people and it is fun to get out and play in it if you are not afraid of slipping. (See last week’s Snow on Snow). The snow looks beautiful (except where it is dirty beside the roads) but it covers imperfections and the bright white is so cheerful. However so many events had to be cancelled or curtailed it is a shame. Countries which regularly have freezing winters, do cope, so we ask why we cannot. It is a balance between spending resources on equipment like snow ploughs, which may lie idle for 15 years (and need maintenance all the while) and all the other needs from the budget of the councils.

Thanks to Rikki Rutter for this Snow scene.

Clearing snow is another issue. In some countries you are encouraged or even legally obliged to clear around your house or premises. But Rod Culverhouse of Fastbreak Sports told me that in Buckinghamshire it's BCC Highway’s responsibility to clear snow and ice from the public highway and public footpaths. Moving snow from one part of the pavement to another, if done in a manner that caused an injury, could expose a householder or shop owner to legal action. In any case is it better to plough snow into a thick pile – would that block some other area? In really cold weather a cleared path can re-freeze like ice, making it treacherous. There are so many aspects to be considered.

Snow on Snow

Tuesday night (5 January 2010) brought several inches of snow to Chesham and the Chilterns, causing problems for commuters and shoppers, Stuart Lines reports. Met Line trains continued to operate, although with some delays. Main roads were passable with care although most side roads were very difficult. With more snow forecast in the coming days, the outlook will be bleak for businesses and workers.

Happy New Year

Sorry not to say it last week. We do hope all our readers have a peaceful and prosperous 2010.

Get involved with what’s on

Chiltern Voice is looking for a volunteer to help prepare the text submissions we receive and find new events to report. You would need to put them into house style and check phone numbers, dates and other details are all there. Would you be willing to help? You would need your own computer, preferably running Word for Windows and a broadband internet connection. We can offer you flexibility of working at your own place at your own pace, computer help and great job satisfaction. This would be ideal for someone wishing to return to work – a gentle introduction, or for someone past retirement who wishes to keep up with technology as well as be informed about so many activities in and around Chesham.

White Christmas

The snow lasted until Christmas day! Have a very merry Christmas everyone.
The downside was cancelled parties and empty shops, but it really brings out the British spirit. I took 10 hours to get home from High Wycombe on Monday afternoon/night. Police said it was due to people unable to drive on the slopes (of course the real hilly routes were closed). Certainly there were masses of abandoned cars but we all had to wait in a stationary queue while drivers a mile ahead skidded and slewed. I do hope you and yours are OK.

Poor picture of gridlock in High Wycombe.

Grit Your Teeth To Stop Them Chattering

Keith Fletcher’s asked, “Where were the gritters?” last Saturday 19 December. He says, “I was out some 36 hours after about 10cms of snow fell and was been shocked by the state of the roads away from the main part of the town. Where are the snow ploughs and the gritters? Until about 20 years ago they would have been out day and night ensuring we could all carry on with our lives. Since that time our council taxes have increased enormously but this service has disappeared. It's just not good enough and we should demand something better. After the major snowstorm of early 1963 I never missed a day’s work even though my job was 11 miles away. Doubt I'd get out of the town now.” Keith is putting into words the concerns of a lot of people. I guess the question is whether resources should be spent on keeping and maintaining equipment for these once in 10–15 year events. Personally I think a lot of drivers need to improve their skills and more householders and shop owners could clean up around their premises.

Directions to Greenway Post Office

Brian Kilbey lives near Greenway Post Office and has seen several ladies of a certain age toiling up the hill from Vale Road. Brian said, “If you do not have your own transport then the only sensible way to get from the closed Chesham Post Office to Greenway Post Office is to take the 52, 62 or 78 bus from bus stop B by the War Memorial. There are some quirks in the timetable so you should check. The information in Chesham Post Office window is not very user friendly.” He has provided these maps which I hope you can make out on our el-cheapo software. But don’t go on Wednesday afternoons.

And We Produce More Carbon Dioxide

Apparently we need to hang our heads in another shame because Bucks Free Press says research by data analysts Experian, shows we (Amersham and Chesham) also produce more carbon dioxide than anyone else in the country. I find it hard to believe such damning figures, we have no more extravagances here than nearby towns.

Watery Questions

Did you know that Three Valleys Water has been replaced by Veolia Water? Their website says “New name, same great service. Serving parts of North West London, Surrey, Beds, Bucks, Herts and Essex.” I wonder why they had to change their name?
Also - who knows how much water is being taken from the Chess by Thames Water up The Vale Road at Hawridge? I understand it is used in Aylesbury.

Quality Newsletter

Town Talk Winter edition has been printed and is being distributed around town. Anne Noakes said, “I hope you like this issue. I do try to get just the right mix of local interest articles so that there's something for everyone in it”. And there is plenty for everyone. I found the article The Factory Relay Race, by Keith Fletcher interesting and timely with its reference to the Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Soldiers and Sailors (NFD&DS&S), touching as it does on the Legion memorabilia search being undertaken by the Youth Council, see Memorable Legion.

Chesham Didn’t Forget

Remembrance Day in Chesham was well attended – people want to pay their respects to service men and women fallen in war, not only Armistice Day but thinking as well of the recent deaths in Afghanistan. The British Legion managed to extend their usual hospitality after the march, this time in the Town Hall, with some of their silver rescued from the fire, on display. Don’t blame the Examiner for not reporting the details along with the services planned for other towns - the Legion itself had decided not to publicize. Luckily I knew something and we mentioned last week the Remembrance service in The Broadway.

Legions of help

At the Remembrance Day reception the British Legion took the opportunity to thank some of the people who had helped since the fire.

The fire brigade were proud recipients of a framed certificate, they were commended for rescuing so much of the silverware - apparently neighbours’ recycling boxes were used to ferry out the cups. TS Arrow (the Sea Cadets), were also recognized for extending the use of their premises to the Legion. Our picture shows Commanding Officer Chief Petty Officer (SCC) Keith Jones and Petty Officer Cadet Zoe Jones proudly displaying the certificate.

Another award went to Tony Pearson for 24 years of service to the Legion and he is pictured here with his daughter Maria Podbury who has put in 15 years, and son-in-law Andrew Podbury who made the wooden cross for the poppy display.

Hunt a tortoise among the bricks

Katharine Dallas has lost her tortoise. It is a spur thighed male that she has had for at least 25 years. Katharine who was formerly Katharine Matthews, from the brickyard, said, “It is my fault, I left the greenhouse door ajar for a little while last Sunday and he did a runner and will probably be trying to hibernate. I live at Peppetts Green, Bellingdon and my phone number is 01494 758207.”

Voice reaches Queensland

We have another Aussie subscriber. John Reeve lived in Market Square for 15 years, and his family lived in Chesham for over a hundred. He used to climb the steps from the Pound and up over the railway bridge to the Baulks, and would like to have his ashes scattered there when the time comes. John lives in Brisbane now, and said, “Although I am 79, with cancer, I don’t expect to go for a few years yet.” His grandfather was a pawnbroker in Church Street and his Uncle Reg Reeve ran the shop now the museum. The cottages and garden were pulled down, together with Gomms the butchers, for the ring road. John’s father volunteered for the RAF and was lost over Mannheim on 17 December 1940. John continued, “The last time I saw him I was nine years old and we sat up the Baulks and looked over Chesham. I left Chesham in 1948 and hardly ever returned. I have sent details of the Reeve family to the museum together with old photos of the shops. It would be nice to contact old friends but I fear most of them are long gone. I have a lot of memories, and happy times pre war." John’s email is john@nlrr.com.au and do tell Chiltern Voice if you make contact with him.

Caption: John we think this photo was taken in the 1970s but does the view look familiar to you?

Adverts don't intrude

We’ve started to take adverts (see above) please click them - we need some funds. They are nice and unobtrusive, although the first one will be a failure – there are no hotels with accommodation in Chesham! (But we are getting one, a Travelodge near the station.)

We don’t mean to bombard you

Chiltern Voice has an automatic e-bulletin on Thursdays at around 2am. However sometimes it fails so I need to create it manually the next morning (and it takes ages to do!) Last week it failed so I tediously copyied the urls (uniform resource locators) etc, then after all that it sent itself automatically the next day. Sorry it if seemed like spamming and I do hope this week’s mailing works ok.

The tension has passed - and so have the kids!

Now it’s the turn of the GCSE students to do well. On Thursday 27 August – Kevin Patrick of Chesham Park said, "Our best results ever - phew". Well done to all of you.

A levels results were great last week – and an improvement.

Read Chiltern Voice on-line

If you are reading this on paper did you know you could have an electronic version of Chiltern Voice emailed to you every Thursday? Visit http://www.chilternvoice.co.uk/ and subscribe by emailing merrinnews@gmail.com (its free).

Seeking Nicole Wuth-Hansen

I’ve heard from Daniel Wilson a receptionist at Harmoni the out of hours doctor’s service for Buckinghamshire. They have found a purse containing multiple cards and forms of ID for a Mrs Nicole Helena Wuth-Hansen. Daniel said, “We have tried to obtain a phone number but have had no joy. I write to you because her name was mentioned on the Chiltern Voice website in an article about traffic. This was the only link we could find for her.” How clever of Daniel to google Nicole. I’ve searched my computer and don’t seem to have a phone number so please one of you, let her know. She just needs to go into the Harmoni part of the building at Wycombe between 6pm and 8am and ask for it, although no doubt she’ll need identification which will be in the purse. There is no phone number you can call either. Do let us all know if you get this message after all Daniel’s detective work.

Is your letter overdue?

If you posted any mail on Friday 17 July – beware, it might have been lost. The post which I know went astray was sent first class. The Chesham business has an account so the post is collected on a daily basis, taken to Hemel Hempstead and then sorted. The office manager told me, “Our collector assured me it was fine at the Hemel Hempstead end but it seems to have got lost thereafter and they are having problems tracking it. It is pretty shocking that still no-one has received it." Apparently there was an unofficial strike.
I remember hearing of a farmer who found a large quantity of undelivered mail – approximately the contents of a postman’s bag in the days when they carried a big load – dumped in a Hedge in the vicinity of Bovingdon. But that must have been eight years ago so let us hope such things don’t happen now. PS - My letter arrived at last, on Wednesday 29 July.

Welcome new readers

Thankyou very much to those of you who forwarded our e-bulletin newsletter and managed to recruit some new subscribers for Chiltern Voice. We estimated we might get 600 however we did get nine. Can I ask you (or those who didn't get around to it!) again to spread the word?

Peaceful rural holiday

We’ve just returned from the most tranquil relaxing holiday at our son’s house in Combeyrol, six kilometres from Jumilhac-le-Grande in the Perigord Vert region of the northern Dordogne, France. If you would like to holiday or work there (via wireless broadband), visit http://www.combeyrol.com/.

Introduce a friend to Chiltern Voice

As regular readers and subscribers know, Chiltern Voice is a voluntary website to spread the word of events that are happening in and around Chesham and district. It is provided at no cost but it does take our time so is not, strictly speaking, free. We have been providing this service for two and a half years without missing a week. Sometimes the newsletter or e-bulletin has failed to be circulated but the website is always there and regularly updated. We would like to feel the platform is of use and valued by Cheshamites and I do appreciate so many of you passing favourable comments or thanking us when you are letting us have copy. However we do need more readers.

To actually count as a reader you need to register as a subscriber – see right hand side of the website http://www.chilternvoice.co.uk/ - Newsletter Sign-Up. If you have received this email e-bulletin you are already registered. Can I ask you to please forward this e-bulletin to at least two friends and ask them to subscribe? If we can increase our ‘official’ readership we will be able to afford new software which will make the website easier to read, easier to search, make the weekly e-bulletin more reliable and also make it easier for us and maybe you, to post up items of interest. We see Chiltern Voice as a website with potential for growth - if supported.
Also if you are viewing this on paper and have email, you too can subscribe. Visit www.chilternvoice.co.uk or email me at merrinnews@gmail.com.

Reaction to redact

Last week’s Redaction edition caused some amusement and thanks to all of you who responded so encouragingly. Some were perplexed and of course some web browsers make the ebulletin look different. Sue Gordon tells me she first came across the term in America. Company employees were being 'redacted' and this meant people were being made redundant or being fired - in other words the company was downsizing. I just thought of it in connection with UK politician’s expenses receipts. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/ defines redact as “to make ready for publication; edit or revise” and http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/redacted “to obscure or remove (text) from a document prior to publication or release”

Civic Trust

June09 update: All is not lost, visit www.civicsocietyinitiative.org.uk
The Civic Trust went into administration in April after more than 50 years of campaigning to improve the quality of the built environment. It was the umbrella organisation for 700 local civic and amenity societies across the UK. Chairman Philip Kolvin blamed the recession, loss of the Green Flag contract and lack of local authority funding. He still believes in the civic movement but it needs grassroots members of vision and energy. There is strong support for the CT from national bodies such as CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England), RIBA (the Royal Institute of British Architects) and the Town and Country Planning Association. They have made offers of help providing office space, finance or/and personnel. There is still hope it or some of CT’s main components such as the Civic Trust (architectural) Awards, and Green Flag accreditation, can be rescued. President Griff Rhys Jones is working with more than 500 civic societies, and hundreds of individuals have also shown their support, many pledging annual contributions along the lines of CPRE membership subscriptions.
Three things are clear: the civic society movement needs an independent champion; the movement needs to be supported as a network where the voice of individual societies and local groups can be strengthened and the future needs to be rooted in what the societies want - they need to drive the way forward. English Heritage will deliver the 2009 Heritage Open Days. The National Trust will fund someone experienced for a year to provide strong leadership for this critical period. It will be Tony Burton who has over 20 years experience in the field. Office accommodation and in-kind support has been donated by CPRE (in London) and the RIBA (in Liverpool) and a charitable home to receive funds and provide governance will be provided through the autonomous North of England Civic Trust.

Legion headquarters burnt

Brian Shrieve, Branch Vice Chairman of the Royal British Legion tells me they are all reeling from the shock of the fire (see our posting We’re all gutted). “The big problem is we now have no club so at the moment we cannot accommodate our Members”. They have been heartened by offers of help from other places including the White Hill Centre and the High Wycombe legion. Brian continued, “We do intend to carry on with our planned Armed Forces Day on Saturday 27 June and we can still do our poppy appeal and welfare. All I can say is my own feelings - I am gutted and very upset, and it will be a big loss to the town. It might take time but we will be back I can assure you.” That’s the spirit of the RBA.

We’re all gutted

What a tragedy for the Royal British Legion, indeed for all of Chesham. The RBL premises at 111 Broad Street, Chesham HP5 3EF has been completely destroyed by fire today, Tuesday 19 May. Apparently it started at 3am but the road has been closed all day causing the extensive traffic jams around Chesham this morning. The road - the A416, is the main route from Berkhamstead and the A41 in the north, south to Amersham and beyond. About ten people were evacuated from nearby premises and some fifty fire fighters controlled the blaze and are investigating the cause. Rick Pirouet said, “I was there yesterday evening and all was well”. The RBL was a popular home for services veterans and personnel, a busy social hub for all the family, and venue for functions most days of the week. I am concerned at the loss of their memorabilia, some trophies were saved and luckily the standards (flags) were stored elsewhere, but lots has been lost. I am so sorry.

Another jewel

A good read: the choices in Town Talk on Chesham’s Town jewels were interesting but a bit of the glitter was missing with the omission of Fastbreak. Fastbreak Sports Emporium has been in place at 29 High Street, and under continuous ownership for 27 years. It is owned by Rod Culverhouse and is independent. I have always received friendly advice and nothing has been too much trouble at Fastbreak. A friend tells me how Fastbreak were able to order in a particular size of javelin and while we were chatting (in the outdoor pool) others praised the shop. When my kids were at school they were offered a discount. Go along or call 01494 786677. Can anyone else think of an omission from Chesham’s Town Jewels we can tell others about?

A good read

Chesham Town Talk issue 40 is out. The cover is super, can you guess the lower right-hand picture (hint we reported it in April 2008) . Town Talk is free and independent and packed with interesting things to read (and thanks Anne for the positive piece about Chiltern Voice).

Chiltern Voice Amersham – Henry Wizgier: More on Amersham

Readers can find more Amersham stories and information by clicking onto: http://chilternvoiceamersham.blogspot.com/ (notice no www) Chiltern Voice – Amersham area, edited by Henry Wizgier. News and information will be updated regularly, but unfortunately will not be sent out to subscribers at present. So please add this address to your website Favorites and keep up to date with what’s happening in the Amersham area.

Pictures return

Apologies for the lack of pictures accompanying last week’s Voice – especially as two pieces specifically referred to them. It was a glitch with the free software we use to upload to the website. I do hope we can get some funding soon to pay for an enhanced website which would make handling easier both for us and for you readers. I have uploaded the pictures now.

Also – have you noticed our new header and custom designed logo? What do you think? (Inserted is a picture of what it used to look like.)

The Jury is out

Have you heard about the Jury Team? It is a political movement created with the goal of making politics more accessible, politicians more accountable and political institutions more transparent. Politicians must comply with the Nolan Principles of Public Life (like a seven commandments for public servants) and have externally decided and transparent remuneration. A former colleague of mine from the old Bucks Examiner Community Voice days Lyn Tofari, is seeking nomination to stand as a Jury Team candidate for the South East for EU elections in June. From Denahm, Lyn has previously been an Independent Parish and District councillor and believes in people not party. Lyn said, “Not everyone appreciates just how many of our laws have emanated from EU Directives - over 80%. This is why, while we are still in the EU, we really do need to have MEPs that are going to act in our best interests.” There is no paper voting, most of the campaigning is done on the World Wide Web, via social networking sites and email. This may galvanise more people to vote, as they don't have to take time out to go to a polling station or meeting, they can vote from wherever they have Internet access. Because Lyn is independent and the Jury Team is a group I'd not heard of, I feel able to report it here for your interest. Lyn said, “This will be the first time in electoral history that the people choose the candidate and not a Political Party - I need all the votes I can get”. Visit www.juryteam.org/candidate-profile.php?id=10033 to cast your vote for Lyn, or text LYNTOF01 to the Jury Team text number 86837 (VOTER) – costs 25p so let’s give her a boost.

And finally …

I have been sent a small poem by a young friend, Charlotte McEwan. There is room to publish it this week and she is keen to know what readers think. I am no judge of poetry so please let us have any constructive and positive comments.

Silent Nights
Evergreen trees
Blowing breezes
Far beneath
Ancient Love
Worn and silent
Land locked still
The wind whispers
Not a sound is heard
Feet tread softly
On earth so hallow
Breathe so clear
The angels mistake
The dulcet tones
For crystal tears.

Wizgier writes for Chiltern Voice

Amersham - Little Chalfont and surrounds now covered. As from this edition, our neighbouring town will be featured regularly. Former Bucks Examiner correspondent Henry Wizgier will present events from communities centred on Amersham. These include Little Chalfont, Chesham Bois, Hyde Heath, Chenies, Penn Street and Winchmore Hill. If anyone has any items concerning these places they would like to see published, please contact Henry Wizgier at h.wizgier@virgin.net, or call 01494 766939.

Chalfont viaduct

A reader from High Wycombe has answered my query on the M25 viaduct last week called A wider journey. (Actually Chris is a friend, I suspect we don’t have many readers from that far afield but if you can contradict that do let me know.) Chris found, by poking around on the Highways Agency's website that it's called the Chalfont Viaduct built before the original M25, and I am pleased to say it will not have to be altered. It is a pity it attracted such enormous graffiti.

In the photo you can see the beginning of clearing the huge area of productive farmland which will be the depot for the works.

Upheavals at the Examiner

I suppose it had to happen - Martyn Pritchard will be retiring from the Examiner at the end of the month. The Examiner and Bucks Advertiser won’t be the same without him (although it is not all so negative for him - watch this space). Sports fans will be equally devastated to lose writer Jill Menghetti at the same time. Julie Voyce the editor is also leaving, as is photographer Tony Bell. We wish them all well and of course, if they would like to work for free (as we do) they are most welcome here at Chiltern Voice, we would all benefit from their talents.

ICC Twenty20 World Cup volunteers

Would you like further experience for a new job or to meet new people? You could volunteer at the prestigious International Cricket Council (ICC) World Twenty20 competition which is being held in England from Friday 5 June. Volunteers are the face of the Tournament, and will work with the venue media centres, tournament accreditation and administration, match day entertainment, and ticketing. No previous experience is necessary because all volunteers will receive full training and there will be volunteer coordinators at each venue at all times offering support. Volunteers must be over 18 years of age by Monday 18 May. So if you are a cricket fan, apply now at www.icc-cricket.com/t20volunteers to offer your services at this summer’s most exciting sports event or visit http://www.icc-cricket.yahoo.com/. The venues will be Lords, The Oval, Trent Bridge and Taunton. The ladies World Cup will run parallel to the men’s competition, commencing on Thursday 11 June.

A wider journey

I went to see the M25 widening exhibition at St Clement Danes School, Chorleywood on Saturday 7 March. Viewers were far outnumbered by business-suited engineers and PR people. The Highways Agency is widening about 102 kilometres of the M25 by adding a lane each direction to make generally a four lane motorway, all on land already allocated or owned by it.  It is the turn of ‘our’ sector - between junctions 16 (M40) and 30 (A13 interchange) and takes place over about seven years starting this month, and is a fait accompli now. Widening is needed because high levels of traffic lead to unpredictability of journey times. Congestion on the M25 is caused by such things as: commuting to work which accounts for 50 per cent of traffic at peak times; use of the M25 for a small part of many longer journeys; low average vehicle occupancy; and a high proportion of heavy goods vehicles. According to the Highways Agency literature nearly 20% of UK road freight either starts or ends its journey in the South East of England. They say improvement of the M25 through widening of the road is essential to secure the long-term economic prosperity of SE England and the country as a whole. Noise, drainage and visual intrusion in the Site of Special Scientific Interest have been ameliorated, and there are lots of provisions for habitat and wildlife. Bunds are a big feature. Take a look at http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/m25flashfiles/webvizhigh.swf for an interesting Flash video showing how it is to be done. I’m pleased to say that the black brick railway viaduct built before the original M25, will not have to be altered. 

Snow lovely

It has been wonderful to see the snow. It is so bright and clean and covers all the road lines, graffiti and rubbish. It muffles sound (although the reduced traffic helped with that) I could hear the laughter of children tobogganing from across the valley. The best sound is the crunch of your footsteps and that lovely compression noise. I admire people who made an effort to go to work, walking great distances where necessary, although I heard the post office closed. There was increased courtesy among drivers and shared smiles and camaraderie between pedestrians. It is having another benefit too – the media has something else to talk about other than the financial straits – not that they aren’t being negative about the snow either.

Pictured - Chickens and Sheep at Hazeldene Farm wondering how to get through the snow to graze or scratch.

Print shop help

Speaking of Orbitpress, I have to say how helpful they have been to me over a last-minute printing job. Chris went to no end of trouble to source stationery and perfect the layout. Call Orbit on 01494 778053, email info@orbitpress.co.uk or drop in at 1 Market Square, Chesham HP5 1HG.

HealthZone before 2011

I counted more than 60 people tonight (Wednesday 21 January 2009) who came out in wintry conditions to see and hear about the latest plans for the HealthZone. They were not disappointed and I too was impressed at the designs and work done towards achieving planning permission for the site in Berkhampstead Road. The ethos of the HealthZone is to bring health services back together, in house. Richard Mills of Buckinghamshire NHS Primary Care Trust (PCT) said, “We need to get the balance right for services which will serve most people. Accident and emergency is not provided because it requires specialist staff and equipment which needs to be shared by patients at large hospitals.” Dr Peter Boast said, “We already carry out small ‘patching up’ procedures for people who don’t need or wish to go to A&E”.

Two surgeries from that end of Chesham will be accommodated – Gladstone Road and Lindo, and they will each retain their autonomy. Richard continued, “We are rebuilding the link between Primary Care Trust and hospital services and have provided for amongst other things - diabetes, mental health, gynaecology and sexual health”. Physiotherapy is not included because it is available at the Leisure Centre and considered a ‘well person’ service. Blood tests will be available and there is a move to provide out of hours cover. Dr Peter Boast said, “We are bringing the existing services together. A room has been planned for the Citizens Advice Bureau and we want to integrate with volunteer groups.” Services rooms will be available for use by all Chesham surgeries. Standard surgery services will be located on the ground floor but there will be large lifts to the first floor for lesser-used treatments. The front elevation features a pharmacy and the materials will be local Chesham bricks and minimum maintenance cedar. During construction efforts will be taken not to disrupt traffic in Berkhampstead Road and by the time patients are using it, there will be a filter lane to facilitate easier turning. The audience was interested, receptive and encouraging to Jeff Moore, MRICS of Brackley Investments Ltd who will build and own the HealthZone, and Martin Wilson the architect. Consensus was that it will be a fine building we can be proud of, and the main part will be completed by August 2010.

Chesham Town Council - a role model

The Town Council officers and Kathryn Graves in particular, can take pride in being singled out by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) on two counts. The Council’s website was praised and the Environmental Policy available to download in pdf file, was acknowledged as an example of good practice. Valerie Hope of Defra said, “An internet search has led us to your authority’s website and a good example of how environmental information is being published electronically. We are planning to quote the link in the guidance in order to help other authorities get an idea of what fellow authorities are doing to disseminate environmental information.” You too can download the Environmental Policy click, and soon you will find the reference from www.defra.gov.uk/.

Building up relationships

It was a coup by our mayor Cllr Alison Pirouet, to invite the Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan Mr Mazood Ul Huq to the town service of Lessons and Carols on Wednesday 17 December. In return she was invited to the High Commission for Pakistan in London to attend a carol service for Christian Asians. “The words were printed in Urdu but of course we knew the tunes”, said Alison.

Insider knowledge

Fans of the popular ITV show Who Wants to be a Millionaire will be familiar with the signature tune and might be interested to read an interview with the composer of the music Matthew Strachan. The soundtrack to the TV has accompanied the game the world over and has earned Matthew several industry awards. He also wrote other scores includeing Victoria Wood’s History of the Sketch Show (BBC1), The People Versus (ITV), Car Wars (BBC2), Question Time (BBC1), The Detectives (BBC1) and The Hypnotic World of Paul McKenna (ITV). Visit www.screenedmusic.co.uk/.

Young voice

Look out for young news on this Voice website and e-bulletin. Chesham High school year 12 students headed by Claire Huxley, Abbey Inglis, Rachel Douglas, and Georgina Ketterman will be contributing news from a young person’s viewpoint. The idea is the result of collaboration between Chiltern Voice and Chesham High School staff - Dr Siobhan Bygate, Community Coordinator Humanities and Mrs Jeanette Dean, Co-Director of Humanities and Head of English. Also helping will be Liz Turner, Media & marketing Officer of Paradigm Housing who is a real, qualified journalist. The difficulty will be to fit it all in, due to the technical limitations of this website. However it will be super to have their angle and enthusiasm and we will all see how they get on in a week or so.

Chesham’s magazine

The Winter edition of Town Talk is out. I’m glad to see a picture of the well tended and charming mini-park (more accurately a garden bed) at Hivings Park on the corner of Great Hivings and Upper Belmont Road opposite Hivings Free Church. I was also interested to learn about Harry Wing, publican of the Golden Ball in 1905. Chesham Town Talk is distributed throughout the town and surrounding area. You can pick up a copy from the Town Hall, Library, White Hill Community Centre, the Elgiva Theatre, local supermarkets and post offices, newsagents or corner shops throughout the town. It can also be seen at most sports centres, cafes and shops, visit www.cheshamtowntalk.org.uk.

White Hill centre has a new website

In keeping with their reputation as a hive of activities for and of the town of Chesham, the new website is more accessible, shows a host of activities and is much more attractive to browse. It also has a link to us, as we do to the White Hill centre (see the right-hand panel).

Helper wanted

We could do with some help with this website for What’s On in Chesham– especially for when we go on holiday. We have not missed a week since we started the blog on 1 March 2007. I would love someone with organizational ability and of course you would need keyboard skills. I can offer flexible time, flexible location ie. your place or mine, tea and coffee, free computing tips, but no money. If you or anyone you know might be interested please get in touch by email to merrinnews@googlemail.com.

ChilternVoice is the website for What’s on in Chesham

The weekly email reminder Newsletter is not the actual blog for What’s on in Chesham, and we recommend readers go to the website itself at www.chilternvoice.co.uk. We have had a constructive comment from a reader who says she has to wade through lots of items to find the ones she is interested in. While we do operate on a shoestring budget and the site has limitations, I can give you a hint to reduce the items displayed – use the Labels buttons at the bottom of each piece. For example if you click the Charity label it will bring up all items labelled Charity. Don’t forget to return to the full list of articles by using your browser’s back button, or you may never see the full range of Chiltern Voice again!
Another idea is to use the search box in the top left corner of our website and search for your key word eg. Rotary.
Back in the email, if you click on the “Read the full story?” link after each item, that takes you to the web site article and at the bottom of that piece click home to go the top of the web site.

Leave your mark on the lead

St Mary’s Church is having the bell tower worked on. It was discovered that the wooden frame which supports the bells was loose and moving within the stonework of the tower and there was concern that the several tons of bells could end up in a heap on the chancel floor or worse. It was also found that the gap between the inner and outer stonework of the tower had only been filled with rubble. Detailed measurements were made over a period to define the amount of movement and the tower is now being strengthened and the bell frame secured. The work is proceeding on plan and no more nasties have come to light. However the scaffolding would make it easy for metal robbers to climb up and remove the lead roofing. Lead is worth a lot of money at the moment. To deter thieves the lead has been painted with a coating with a secret DNA tracer which gives police forensic evidence and links the suspect to the crime scene. Don Sanderson of St Mary’s Church, went to a lot of trouble to put up a notice warning thieves of this – I think that was over and above the call of duty. However he tells me the notice has been stolen!

See you soon Fred

Major Fred Thompson’s retirement from Chesham’s Salvation Army is lamented by everyone. He’s only been here two years but achieved a tremendous amount in the time. He initiated a wonderful Christmas carol concert at the Elgiva last November, and generously donated half the proceeds to the mayor’s charity. I’d never seen the Elgiva so packed. He has also had a large input to Churches Together for Chesham and made the Christmas Day Party for the Elderly go with a swing. At a packed service at the Citadel last Sunday many tributes were made to Fred’s energy, dedication and charisma. Swindon will be lucky to get him. I’m pleased to say there will be another Christmas carol concert this year, despite Fred’s posting, and he will be here for it too. Called Christmas is Coming, it will be an evening of music, carols and dance in aid of the Mayor of Chesham’s Charity Appeal and The Salvation Army. It will feature the talents of The Salvation Army Band, Brushwood Junior School Choir, Hillingdon Salvation Army Dance and Timbrel Group, and Lissa Hermans. Book now tickets cost £10 or £8 for concessions. Visit the Elgiva email boxoffice@elgiva.com or call the Box Office 01494 582900.

NAG calls for Pond Park people to get involved

Chesham Neighbourhood Action Group is anxious to obtain information from the general public (ie. you and me) regarding any anti-social behaviour or public order issues in Pond Park or the surrounding areas. If you have something to report or any concerns, contact PC Gary Blackburn, the officer who covers the Pond Park area at Chesham Police Station preferably by emailing gary.blackburn@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk. Your messages will be treated in confidence. Chesham Police Station operates from 8am – 11pm although the public office is not open after 2pm. The number for non-emergency calls is 0845 8 505505 while for emergencies or crimes in progress you still dial 999.

CarryAbag makes progress

Donna Forbes tells me the movement recently held a meeting for the town's retailers and are actively working to make replacement bags available for the shops that are keen to come on board. We are planning a launch date this summer with around 30 shops. “We are very pleased that all the retailers said they had noticed a considerable increase in people refusing plastic bags and carrying their own bag,” she said. “Sainsbury's had a Saturday campaign to encourage people to re-use their bags rather than take new ones, and CarryAbag went along to cheer them on.
Regarding my concerns about Chesham being too lovely to trash Donna went on to say, “The whole area of rubbish, comes under the banner of 're-using/ not wasting', something the country as a whole needs to address and there is a ground swell of people looking to do something about it. The movement is called Transition Towns and it is about learning to live without dependence upon oil. There is already an embryonic group in Berkhamsted and Tring. We hope there will shortly be one in Chesham.”
See the CPRE campaign headed by author Bill Bryson at CPRE website.

Chesham is too lovely to trash

Bucks CC doesn’t have a bad record for litter collection, unlike some of the councils mentioned by Bill Bryson of CPRE in the media this week. One paragraph says it all, “Nowhere in the world is there a landscape more lovely to behold, more comfortable to be in, more artfully worked, more visited and walked across and gazed upon than the countryside of England. It is a glorious achievement and much too lovely to trash.” But some of Bill’s ideas such as taxing takeaway foods might be worth consideration at Westminster. “People pay a 17.5 per cent tax to sit and have food indoors, . . . but pay no surcharge to take it out . . . where it all too often ends up underfoot.” Bill Bryson says we need a school programme of lifelong education, at present “the education department has no policy on littering and offers no special guidance to schools”.
I too lament the dropping of litter, quite apart from being illegal. I did suggest Julia Brammer, Sally Blackman and Donna Forbes of Plastic Bag Free Chesham would consider extending their remit to campaign for such things, but while they support the ideas, CarryAbag is working at full stretch on the PBF. I'll tell you more of their achievements next week.

Free reflections

Like me David Kavanagh was let go from the Examiner, so in 1999 he set up a website called Country Reflections and all the news stories and articles featured on it until 2006 have been compiled into book form A Country Pillow Book, which is browsable free on Google Books .
Currently you can find David’s writing for Bucks Free Press.

Thankyou

Thankyou for your kind remarks on our first anniversary last week. Hazel Hopkinson said, “My husband’s uncle is now included on your email list and he lives near sunny Bournemouth!” We did get some new subscribers too.

First anniversary edition

It is our first birthday! We are most heartened by the kind comments we have received over the year and being told when a blog posting has helped elicit a response. We started on Wednesday 1 March 2007. It is a labour of love to be honest, with no remuneration. We couldn’t continue indefinitely but if we keep growing we may attract some advertisers and pay for help or afford easier-to-use software. Paper copies are printed out by the White Hill centre, the Royal British Legion, Chesham Children's Centre at 470 Waterside and Pond Park Hivings Free Church. There are 528 subscribers to our weekly email which summarizes the main events. If you wish us to continue please show your support by joining our mailing list. And last week we’ve topped our peak viewing page-loads by miles.
Thankyou to all our readers.

Chiltern Voice for Chesham for your CV

What do you think of our new corporate image? I hope you can notice and inwardly digest so that we achieve high brand recognition.

It’s visual

To see pictures which make you proud of the Chilterns visit www.chilternphoto.org.uk. The site, hosted by the Chiltern Society, has thousands of photographs of more than 40 locations taken over many years, and receives visitors from all over the UK and elsewhere in the world. However there doesn’t seem to be a section for Chesham. There is a camera club here www.cheshamcameraclub.org.ukhttp://apps.buckscc.gov.uk/eforms/photolibrary/webform1.aspx (and we’ve been linked to it for ages) perhaps some are also members of the Chiltern Society. For old, historic photos try the Bucks County Council website Buckinghamshire Photographs and select Chesham - I like the one of the “High Street, arrival of Northumberland Fusiliers. May 4th, 1915, 6.30pm” or “George Tutill's, painters working on banners, 1935”. Another way to find pictures of Chesham is to visit www.flickr.com and search for Chesham.

Happy new year - 2008

And may it be peaceful and prosperous for all our readers.

Chiltern-Today dot com

Good news for the people of Amersham on the Hill, Old Amersham, Chalfont St Giles, Chesham Bois, Chesham, Little Chalfont and Chenies. New website Chiltern-Today.com says it has initially focused on your communities (although I’m a bit threatened by the listing of Chesham!) Alan Watson of Little Chalfont says it is complimentary to our site and has given us a couple of links. It is a local community site run by local people. I say a lot of work is put in by Alan Watson, I will link to them, in the meantime try this www.chiltern-today.com. It follows on from the Amersham Site which had been running for some time through the Amersham Action Group - www.amersham-today.com. The site’s chiltern calendar is a good idea I will copy when my technical expert has time – unless any of you can volunteer?
Well done to Alan and the others!

Chesham talks

Town Talk is packed with interesting information once again. Do read about the work of Norman and Janet Bennet who have been working on the restoration of the land sloping down from Lowndes Park to the Lower Pednor Road and part of the Bury Lake. Chesham is lucky to have such public-spirited citizens willing to put money and effort into preserving and improving our natural heritage and beautiful surroundings.
It is also fascinating to see the video’s of what Chesham people had to eat during the second world war, see www.cheshamatwar.com.
The only correction I have is the web address for this blog which, if you’re reading this you’ll know it has www in front – it is www.chilternvoice.co.uk. Anne Noakes said, "I did make another mistake, put 2 December for the fireworks display. I hope everybody enjoyed the fireworks on 2 November and that nobody will turn up at the football club expecting yet another display or a replay!"
See also www.chilternvoice.co.uk/2007/10/winter-2007.html

Villages spread the voice

Former Voice colleague from the old Bucks Examiner days Sylvia Brown, has been successfully producing a weekly newsletter for her area of Hyde Heath, visit www.hydeheath.com/Newsletter.htm.
Stuart Jones has now started a beautifully laid out newsletter for Great Missenden and Prestwood, available by clicking the link at www.hp16.org.uk but beware, it is a large file.
Don’t say you can’t find out what’s going on.

Tiny plot for sale White Hill

Did you know about the auction of the White Hill triangle green – more of a grass verge really, just down from the Harding Memorial? Apparently when the pub was sold the council bought the land and put up the Harding Memorial they omitted to buy the triangle below it. The auctioneers describe it as “A Freehold Corner Site. Suitable for a variety of uses subject to obtaining all necessary consents". Guide Price = £7,000+, Tenure – Freehold.

Talk of the town

The latest edition of Town Talk is available from the town hall and library, schools, colleges, at Waitrose, Sainsbury's, newsagents, estate agents, Chapter One and Pearces. Find out what the cover picture is all about – not England UK. Town Talk is not only a good read for us but is popular from much further afield. If you’ve moved away subscribe, you can email cheshamtt@aol.com .
The fastidious historian Shirley Foxell has researched how Chesham’s market started 750 years ago and it makes interesting reading. By the way, do keep the date of Sunday 2 September free for the medieval entertainments to celebrate.
The move to recycled paper is very environmentally laudable and it’s still quite shiny. Anne Noakes said, “We want you to be both entertained and informed. “It is gratifying when, along with comments made in person, we hear from readers who don’t even live in Chesham”.

BOATs (Byways Open to All Traffic) not wanted here

Nearly 150 people crowded into the council chamber at the town hall to hear about the limited way objections can be lodged. See BCC's website http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/bcc/content/index.jsp?contentid=-277268918
Bucks County Council has been directed to make Definitive Map Modification Orders to record three routes in Chesham, as Byways Open To All Traffic, following appeals to the Secretary of State. These are Trapps Lane, Bottom Lane and Bunns Lane. This does not mean that they are now recognised as having a right of way for vehicles, just that the Secretary of State says there is evidence and that the way to consider this is to make and advertise Orders.
There will be plenty of objections. People find it hard to understand that modern usage has no bearing on the evidence an inspector would consider. However everyone is urged to write their own letter of objection to BCC at the right time.
Similarly if you see any motorized vehicles already using such lanes, get evidence. Try to get a photo, certainly keep a log of the date and time, number and type of vehicle, location and any other helpful information. A copy of your observations should be forwarded to BCC. You should report every incident to the police and keep a log of those calls as well.
In this way there will be two lines of attack. First to try to stop the Secretary of State from opening these lanes, secondly and separately, to persuade BCC that it is important to put a per-emptive Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) in place so that if the lanes are no longer protected in law, they, their inhabitants and their users are protected by the TRO.
See earlier item
But I wonder who will enforce such an order?

Gordon & Molly Dixon move to Lincolnshire

After 47 years as an active member of a variety of organizations, we cannot let the Dixons escape to Lincolnshire unannounced. Gordon’s too busy clearing his house but I’ve gleaned some idea of his activities. Molly is also an active citizen and her work with the Brownies most valued. What a public spirited pair they are, and active in their church too. Gordon worked towards keeping Sunday train services and is pictured on the left, at the centenary celebrations in 1989 with the then mayor Peter Gibson. He never touched the champagne!
He has worked for the Chesham Society, the Town Twinning, he was a governor of Newtown School and a town councillor from 1960 after he called for more facilities for the newly built William Moulder estate. He was Chesham Town Mayor from May 1988 – 89.
Gordon was an active member of the Chesham Chamber of Trade and Commerce whose retiring chairman Graham Hull paid tribute, “I could not have achieved as much over the last four years without Gordon's help. He has been tireless in active participation in the chamber getting involved in everything from Business 4 Business, the Easter egg hunts, pancake days, Chesham in Bloom and of course the Victorian evening.”

Thanks to Graham Hull and Liz Gibson for the pictures.

www.ChilternVoice.co.uk is the new home of our Blog

To make it simpler to find out what's on in Chesham we've changed the web address (URL) of Chiltern Voice to www.ChilternVoice.co.uk. Hopefully this change will make the job of steering family and friends to Chiltern Voice blog much simpler.
Help us grow by spreading the word - www.ChilternVoice.co.uk.

White Hill and the Royal British Legion spread the word

It is great to hear of the support and enthusiasm from readers of this blog.

For people who don’t yet have access to the internet, an abridged paper copy is available. Chesham and District Community Association is offering a weekly printout, available from Wednesday afternoons.

Their initiative has been taken up by the Royal British Legion too. Thankyou.

Pass on info without any risk

If you have information which could help solve a crime, especially if you don’t wish to give your name, call 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is a charity which allows complete anonymity for callers, and the phone is answered at all times. You could help protect us all from robbery, arson, assault and drug dealing.
Visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org .
If you see a crime actually taking place call 999.

Read about it and comment

Our blog accepts comments. If you've something to say relating to our postings just click on the 'comments' link underneath each posting).

We're always on the look out for new stories and local gossip - drop merrinnews@googlemail.com an email if you've anything to be publicised.

Also, if you've any great Chesham photos you're willing to share do email them. For example High Street in the February snow by Peter Jones.

We 'blog' to tell of events around Chesham

This is the place where you can find out what's on in Chesham. I used to write a column in the Bucks Examiner and Advertiser to publicise local events and when it was discontinued, I transferred to here.

I hope you will spread the word about this new venture to friends who can become our registered readers, as well as letting us know what you or your organisation or charity is up to.

The only way we can do this viably is to use the internet which will mean a big change to some newspaper readers. But the internet or web, has become easier to read, or browse, so do encourage friends or colleagues to have a go. The library is a good place to make a start on the internet but you can get private lessons too, call Merrin on 01494 773381 or email merrinnews@gmail.com .

It is wonderful to have received so much enthusiasm for the site already, thankyou for your encouragement and support.

We recommend you subscribe to this blog site (that doesn’t mean paying). Just enter your Name and email address in the 'form' to the right and once a week we'll send you a short summary of the Chiltern Voice news by email.

If you know of anyone else who might be interested in events in Chesham please let them, or us, know.