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T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F F L A C K W E L L H E A T H C O M M U N I T Y A S S O C I A T I O N

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COMMUNITY NEWS IDEAS DATES SUGGESTIONS EVENTS POINTS OF VIEW NEWS

THE

November ‘14

Flackwell Heath Bowls Club

It has been a very good year for the Bowls club. New membership has increased with at least twenty five full members plus another ten social members, several coming via Grapevine to our open days.

Such was the increase in playing members, another eight fixtures were hastily arranged. In two of the Cup competitions we reached the Quarter finals. In the Bucks League both the Cherry Blossoms and the Cherry Stones finished second place in their respective leagues, the Cherry Trees winning theirs.

In June the Club celebrated thirty years with an Anniversary match and three course meal against Chalfont St. Giles, the Club’s first ever competitive opponents.

During the season the Club held four Inter Club fixtures, plus quizzes and skittles matches.

During the Winter months the Club will be open Monday afternoons for Whist, Wednesdays for Short Mat Bowls, Thursdays for Bingo. Both Bingo and Whist are open to non members. Skittles evenings are arranged at intervals throughout the year. Inquiries re Whist : Janet Jones: 01628 528725. Skittle: Mike White: 01494 531392 (Skittles evenings can be arranged for private parties)

Anyone wishing to join or just have a chat about bowls can ring me 01628 520092

Martin Bateman (Club Captain)

Sing Christmas with The Heath Singers

December 4 & 5 2014 at 8pm

Christ Church, Chapel Road

£8 includes a festive drink

Tickets available in November from Peggy Woolhouse 01628 523464

and Choir members

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Flackwell Heath & Loudwater Local History Group

All activities and ticket sales take place in the Community Library unless otherwise stated.

Fact Finding Forum The Village in living memory

Tuesday 18 November at 7.15 – 9.00pm

Come and share your recollections and possibly discover something new. FH Community Library. Everyone is welcome.

Quiz Night

Friday 21 November at 7.30 pm at the Flackwell Heath Royal British Legion. Following last year’s huge success, we are repeating the general knowledge fun quiz night. There will be prizes and a raffle. Teams of up to 6 people, or join with others when you arrive. Tickets £8 (£6 for FFHL members) including a buffet supper.

Closing date for tickets is 14th November.

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FLACKWELL HEATH RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

Flackwell AmblersIf you would like to join us on Sunday 23 November 2014 The Flackwell Amblers will be going for a walk at Collum Green, Hazlemere. We will be meeting at the ex-Budgen’s car park at 10.00 a.m. This walk will last approximately 2 hours and is undertaken at your own risk. Please wear walking boots or strong shoes. NB. This walk may be subject to change at short notice due to prevailing weather conditions.

The next date for your diary is Sunday 28 December.

EVENTS fhra-events@flackwellheath.net

Let’s get ready for a festive Christmas in Flackwell Heath!

Flackwell’s festive season will start with a flourish on Saturday 29 November so be sure to put the date in your diary so you don’t miss out on the fun. New for this year is a children’s tea party with Father Christmas. Come along to the Community Centre at 3.30 pm where there will be a party tea and entertainment, pantomime style, from the Mavericks not to mention the chance to visit Santa’s grotto. All this before we head outside for the Carol Service at 5 pm on Jubilee Gardens, our paths being lit by the Christmas street lights which will have appeared as if by magic!

At the end of Chris Bull’s traditional service, which will be accompanied by West Wycombe Brass Band, the Christmas tree lights will be turned on by the winners of the children’s colouring competition. We’re not finished yet … you’re all invited for mulled wine and mince pies in the Community Centre. Father Christmas will still be around so don’t worry if you missed him earlier in the day.

The festivities are being held in the main hall and the Community Centre Christmas Tree and colouring competition entries will be in the Sarney Room as usual, along with a display about the next phase of the playground redevelopment.

None of this would be possible without the generous help of the Community Association. Thank you.

DECORATIONS fhra-decorations@flackwellheath.net

It takes a huge amount of time and effort to arrange the Christmas Lights in the village; with the planning usually starting early in the New Year. As well as all of that, FHRA also talks to all the village businesses and invites them to be involved and enter the festive window display competition. We’ll let you know who wins!

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT fhra-planning-environment@flackwellheath.net

We attended the recent Reserve Sites Workshop and were able to join others concerned about the possible development of Abbey Barn South. It was interesting that although others in our discussion group were not from Flackwell Heath they shared the same major concerns we have, namely:

• Traffic issues

• Infrastructure

• Character and quality of any development

• Maintenance of green separation between conurbations

We have expressed our interest in joining the working groups for sites that affect Flackwell Heath should the Reserve Sites be released at the cabinet meeting on the 20th October.

POLICE & TRAFFIC fhra-police-traffic@flackwellheath.net

You will have seen that the Moveable Vehicle Activation Sign has been back in the village.These sessions run for one hour on each road and we are always looking for volunteers to help us. Our aim is not to penalise speeding drivers, but over time to try and get drivers to moderate their speeds. Therefore, if you are able to give up one hour once a month to help it would be greatly appreciated. Contact Ashley Hopkins on 01628 850660 or the above email address for more details.

LATEST NEWS – FLACKWELL HEATH IS TO GET ITS OWN MVAS

Councillors have given their ward budgets to purchase a MVAS solely for use in Flackwell Heath, more details next month.

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Research shows that 210 men left Flackwell Heath to fight in World War1. Some of these men were already regular soldiers but most signed up to serve their country and ‘send those Germans packing’. They all believed the War would be over by Christmas 1914. The truth as we know was far more heartbreaking as at least 50 local men died as a result of the conflict. The names of these men appear on our War Memorial and many of them also appear on the Memorials at Wooburn and Little Marlow.

The statistics for the years 1914 - 1919 are as follows:

1 death in 1914

10 in 1915

6 in 1916

15 in 1917

13 in 1918

2 in 1919

Several men died as a result of illness or trauma associated with the War and others succumbed to disease. Many of course died in action.

Those who served in the Army joined many different Regiments during WW1; understandably many served with the Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry. Many others joined the Isle of Wight Rifles. The Agent of Little Marlow Estate at the time was Lt Col John Rhodes who was in charge of the 1/8th Hampshire Regiment, also known as Princess Beatrice’s Own, the Isle of Wight Rifles. He was able to recruit many local men by offering them a pound to join up which was more than a week’s wages for many of them. The men were mainly mill workers and agricultural labourers.

It was unfortunately the IOW Rifles who gave us the 'blackest day' during the conflict. The Middle East theatre of war claimed many lives. The Regiment were engaged in the 2nd Battle of Gaza on 17 April 1917. Two days later on 19 April, James Payne, Archie Pepper, Owen Rogers and Joseph Summerfield were killed alongside Percy Twitchen and Leonard Southam from Little Marlow, plus at least 4 other men from Wooburn. 800 men went into battle and only 2 officers and 90 men were there at Roll Call. There is a Memorial to these brave men in Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight.

War was a great social leveller. Lord Carrington’s only son, Viscount

Wendover, was also killed. He was a young officer who led his men into battle near Ypres and he died from his wounds in May 1915. William Redding, the son of one of Lord Carrington’s game keepers, also died.

Only two of the men who died were in the Navy. Ernest Gibson served with the Royal Marines and George Plumridge was with the Royal Navy Reserve.

Local families were united in grief. Many were related through marriage so their losses were felt throughout the village - for example the Weedon, Summerfield, Smith, Wilk(e)s, Bowler and Witney families.

The Rogers family lost 4 of their 5 sons between 1915 and 1918.

There were no set rules as regards whose names would be put on the War Memorials after the War and research has shown that several were missed.

For those who survived their lives would never be the same again.

One of our listed men committed suicide and others suffered trauma.

Our village lost a high proportion of young men, fathers, husbands, brothers and sons. Those families left behind were changed forever. Let us always remember the sacrifice they made.

For further information please visit:

tinyurl.com/warmemorials or www.galaxypix.com/Sally/warmemorials/

Ruth Bowler ( Flackwell Heath & Loudwater Local History Group)

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Remembrance Sunday 9 NovemberSunday will begin with a short parade from the Royal British Legion to the War Memorial from about 10.30. The Remembrance Service will be conducted by Rev Chris Bull who is the Chaplain of Buckingham Royal British Legion and the vicar of Christ Church.

For Whom the Bell TollsAs part of the commemoration at the War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday the Local History Group will present to the Rev Chris Bull a volume containing the history of each of the men who are remembered on the Memorial. Local History Group member, Ruth Bowler, will make the presentation and the Rev Bull will receive the volume on behalf of the village.

Among this information is the date of their death. This will enable Christ Church to toll their bell for two minutes at 11 o’clock on the anniversary of the day they died. The bell will toll on 6 November for Albert Wilks. At least fifty local men died as result of the conflict. Their names are on our War Memorial. This ceremony will continue for 12 months and will remind us how many men from a small country village were lost. And how many parents, wives, children and girlfriends mourned them.

Our Men at War 1914-1918

(pictures from SWOP website)

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MethodistsChapel Anniversary - Sunday 2nd November at 11.00am. For anyone who has had contact with the Methodist Church over the years, please come to celebrate with us and we invite you to join us for a Pot Luck Lunch (where everyone brings something to eat to share) following the service. Service to be led by Rev.Mike Hill.

Food for Thought - Journeys Course Beginning on Thursday 6th November at 7.00pm for 5 weeks. This will include an evening meal, and will give an opportunity for you to ask all the questions you have ever had about faith, life, the Universe, God and everything!! Ask Suzanne 01494 673403 or David 01628 483985 and they will give you more details.

Christmas Market - Tuesday 11th November 9.30am til 2.00pm For all of your Christmas needs. There will be a creche operating until 12.00 noon. Please let Shirley 01628 523022 know if you’d like a place for your little one. Come and see what is on offer at the stalls, including Phoenix cards; Jewellry, Usbourne Books, refreshments and others. Want to know more - ask Vicky on 07979541874

Sunday Club - Sunday 23rd November 10.30am-12 noon for 2-11yr.olds. With Bible stories, drama, singing and craft activities. Call Gill on 01628 520901 if you want more infomation.

Christingle Service - Sunday 7th December at 4.00pm This will be the service where we celebrate Jesus as the Light of the World, with an orange, a candle, ribbon and fruits or sweets. Come and share this special Family Service with us and take your Christingle home at the end. Contact Gill Alexander 01628 520901 for more information.

Sunday Live with Toys & Gifts Service - Sunday 14th December Bacon butties served from 10.15am - service begins at 11.00am. Bring toys and gifts to be shared with needy people and children who live in and around our town. Contact Shirley 01628 523022 for more information.

For more information on any or all of the above, please visit our website - www.fhmc.org.uk or call Gill Alexander, Senior Steward 01628 520901.

• Christ Church now has two services EVERY Sunday morning: a 9.00am more traditional Holy Communion service with hymns, and a more contemporary 10.30am service with a mixture of styles and a full range of children’s and youth work.

• Planning a Wedding for 2015? There is information and other helpful advice on getting married in Church on the Christ Church website. Visit www.ccfh.org.uk for details.

• ‘International Baffler and Funny Guy’ Steve Legg will be entertaining at a Men’s Event at St Peter’s Loudwater on Saturday 1st November (7.00pm) The cost £15 includes a (Mr India) curry!

• On Sunday 9 November, Remembrance Sunday, our only Sunday morning Service that day will be at 9.00am, finishing promptly at 10.00am to allow any who wish to do so, to attend the village Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial at 10.45am. The War Memorial Remembrance Service will be led by the Vicar, Rev Chris Bull, who is also Chaplain of Buckinghamshire Royal British Legion.

• On Saturday 15rd November Christ Church will host a fantastic Charities

Fayre from 10.00am to 1.00pm, with lots of charities, local, national and international, offering

lots of great items.... an ideal place for finding your

Christmas gifts!

• All those bereaved, at any time in their lives, their families and friends, are invited to our Annual Memorial Service on Sunday 16th November (6.30pm), which will be shared with ‘Iain Rennie Hospice at Home’. In a service of hymns and music, readings and prayers there is an opportunity to remember “those we love but see no longer”. The service includes the lighting of candles in memory of loved ones, the reading of their names and space for quiet reflection.

• On Saturday 22nd November the Men’s Group (Fellaship) at Christ Church will host a free-range full English Men’s Breakfast with guest speaker Justyn Rees-Larcombe’. Justyn’s book ‘Tails I lose’ is an account of his gambling addiction which cost him £¾m in 3 years and his subsequent recovery. You must book in with the Church Office - breakfast costs £5.

• Please contact the Church Office in Chapel Road for further information on any of the above: 01628 533004 (9.00am – 1.00pm Monday to Friday).

FHCA & FHRA Annual Quiz

Photo: Anne Cameron

The Winners were The Scrambled Eggheads. Stephen Baker, Alan Saunders, Carol Saunders, Nicola Baker, Ellen Lydka, Elizabeth Cutler

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Carrington Junior School has its own newsletter,

The Cherry News; last year the Editor

was Ryan Isaac. Some of the Year 6 contributors wrote on topics of their choice for The Grapevine; Daniel Turner's piece on the after-SATs party appeared in July, and excerpts from others appear below.

Cycling proficiency This week at Carrington Junior School an exciting activity has taken place and this is... cycling! A few instructors have come in and helped all of the Year 6s and Year 5s to learn how to cycle safely and on the road. We learnt how to do U-turns, how to stop, how to get started, looking behind us and many more. Chloe said: “I learnt a lot that I didn’t even know! However it was quite easy; some of the work was a bit trickier, I absolutely loved it!”

Carly Johns

Warwick University TripOn Thursday 26 June, 21 students from Carrington Junior School had the chance

to go on a trip to Warwick University. Firstly for 1 hour we were doing computing on a program called ‘Scratch’. We used a red sensor pad which had on it a slider, a sound sensor, a light sensor and 4 empty wire sockets labelled A, B, C, and D. Then we got to view the 3D printers. It was so cool getting to see the stuff it makes.

It was a very fun day for all. We all (I think) would like to come to this university and do our studies here.

Ryan Isaac

Goodbye Carrington Junior[written in July – Ed] It's that time of year where we are getting ready for our new schools, which can be extremely tough. Many people have loads of friends coming to the same school as them, but others have only a friend or two. So before we leave Carrington Junior School, here are some final thoughts and memories.

When asked what they would remember best, most people replied with PGL, an activity camp for schools. Some people that attended the trip said it was their first time away from home. Even though most of us missed home, we all managed to conquer some fears, make new friends and spend quality time with one another.

People also said about how amazing this was as our final year. During this year we have made new friendships. We also took on major roles in school, like our 'Jobs' where we had many badges. Many people registered for clubs. Such as Active Gamerz, Kobika cheerleading and Drama club. It was never too late to sign up for what we love, especially in our final year! We'll miss Carrington so badly. But we have to move on now. So our time is up....

Emma Ratnayake

October is the time for Annual Meetings, when we hear reports on the year’s activities and the finances, and hold elections.

Morning WI

A long-standing member of our Committee, Dorothy Attwood, has decided to retire and her service will be greatly missed. The remaining Committee members agreed to continue and as there were no other nominations, no ballot was necessary. The President, June Lysaght, Treasurer and Secretary also continue.

We have had an enjoyable year and also welcomed three new members. The Book and Scrabble groups are doing well and the small craft group enjoy their knitting. We concluded by having a quiz with a Scottish theme.

Next month’s speaker will be Graham Horn on ‘Training to be a Blue Badge Guide’.

Evening WI

Our Treasurer for many years, Liz Payne, has decided to stand down; fortunately a replacement came forward. Brenda McKee also retired from the Committee, and two other members have joined.

We held a ‘Craft Dabble Day’ in September. Twenty-nine adults, some WI members, some not, came for the day and each ‘dabbled’ in two new crafts. The choice offered included calligraphy, flower arranging, making a tiny jointed teddy bear, needle felting, knitting an animal, macramé and doodle art, all tutored by our own members. Lunch of soup, bread and apple, and afternoon tea and cake were included. A good time was had by all.

Next month is our Birthday meeting, and we shall have a buffet and games.

Photo of dabblers.

Flackwell Heath Women’s Institute

Cherry News

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Dates for your Diary - November

Thursday 11 Christmas Market at the Methodist Church 9.30 to 2

Saturday 15 Charity Fayre at Christ Church 10.00 to 1.00

Tuesday 18 FH&L History Gp “The village in living memory” at 7.30 in FH Community Library

Friday 21 FH&L History Group Quiz Night at Royal British Legion 7.30

Saturday 29 Children’s tea party with Santa from 3.30 at the Community Centre

Saturday 29 5.00 Carol Service in Jubilee Gardens

December

Thursday 4 & Friday 5 both evenings

Sing Christmas with the Heath Singers at Christ Church at 8pm

As I walked into the main play room of the Little Buddies Nursery in Heath End Road I expected to stand and watch a group of children happily playing under the watchful eye of the staff. So it was a real pleasure to be greeted by several of the children who confidently came straight up to me to show me their toys and to chat (even if one did come to tell me she wanted to go to the toilet!). I was struck by a room that was bright, colourful and stimulating, well-stocked with an assortment of toys and games, and with children of various ages playing on the carpet, led by a member of staff.

Little Buddies Nursery has been open since the beginning of September. It was started by Farzana Khan, who already had more than 20 years’ experience in childcare and education in Bucks. The building reminded me slightly of the Tardis – from the outside it looks small, but inside is surprisingly large, with two separate rooms for babies and older children – although Farzana said she often likes to have all the ages in together, to create a family atmosphere. And that is what the nursery struck me as being – a cosy, homely environment. It has a small kitchen where breakfast, lunch, tea and snacks are provided during the day, and the children are encouraged to talk about what food they would like to have. It also has two separate outdoor play areas, one of which is soon going to be covered so that it can be used in all weathers.

They take babies from 3 months old, and are open from 7.30am until 6.00pm, 51 weeks of the year. They still have places available, and can be contacted on littlebuddiesdaynursery@virginmedia.com

Alison Peach

Little Buddies Day Nursery

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Call Sam Buchanan or Nick Rees (Family Law specialist) for a no obligations chat on 01628 810 707

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Sewing Bee

Wednesday 26 November 7.00-9.00pm Would you like to share

sewing ideas, tips and tricks whilst enjoying chat and encouragement with fellow sewers? Come along and join our friendly monthly “Sewing Bee”. To find out more please call Alison on 07803 044 298

Hola! Spanish Story Time

Saturday 8 November Saturday 22 November Saturday 13 December 11:00 – 11.30am For 3 to 6 year olds to hear a story, play

games, and enjoy singing songs all with a Spanish flavour Come along & join the fun.

Children’s Festive Craft morning

Saturday 6 December 10.30am-12.30pm Children can make Christmas decorations & cards while mums and dads are invited to enjoy a cup of coffee / tea while they wait.

Learn to use a Computer

Want to learn how to use a computer, to keep in touch with family, shop online, use government forms and more?

Learn My Way is a website which can teach you to do all this and more in quick and simple steps. Flackwell Heath Library is an Online Centre so access is free for the first hour.

Speak to a member of staff and we can help you get started at www.learnmyway.com

Free personal tuition on library computers Leave your details with the library staff. We will get Myra Hurley to call to agree a time with you.

Start learning a new language today for FREE!

Unlimited access to over 80 languages courses. Beginner and Intermediate levels. Learn to listen, speak, read and write. All from the Libraries website or download the app and learn on the go.

Library Services for the Disadvantaged

Home Library Service (HLS)

For people who are unable to visit the library because of ill health or poor mobility, HLS is a free service run by volunteers, who will order books for you, deliver them and collect them. To find out more call Helen Wolfenden 01494 475573

Wycombe Talking Newspaper

This is free service for the visually impaired, which provides a digest of local news from the Bucks Free Press & other relevant topics on CD. This is posted weekly to registered participants. Contact Ray Moorin 01494 533147

Friends of Flackwell Heath Community Library

For just £5 per year you get discounts on Local History Group events and you can vote at the AGM

Contact Us

0845 2303232 or fhcl@flackwellheath.net

Library Opening Hours

Monday Closed Tuesday 10:00am – 7:00pm Wednesday Closed Thursday 10:00am – 5:00pm Friday 10:00am – 5:00pm Saturday 10:00am – 1:00pm Sunday Closed

Flackwell Heath Community Library

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Your Local Tree Surgeon Office: 01628 533355

Mobile: 07748 314950

Email: info@rphtreeservices.co.uk

British Summertime ended on October 26th

No prizes for spotting the error!!

I must apologise for the mis-information in the October issue, relating to the end of Summertime. As one observant reader pointed out, the hour goes BACK not Forward in the Autumn.

I must remember: Spring – FORWARD; Fall – BACK. Was my face red! ☺

Burglary

There has been a spate of burglaries across the Wycombe policing area of late, though fortunately not affecting Flackwell Heath to the best of my knowledge. The police have offered several tips to reduce the risk of your being a victim of burglary:

• Keep windows and doors shut, locked and in good condition

• Property mark your valuables with a UV pen or forensic property marking kit

• Use timer switches to make your home look occupied in the evenings

• Ensure car keys are safely stored away from the front door

• Keep tools and ladders locked away out of sight.

For more Crime Reduction tips and

information visit the Thames Valley Police website www.thamesvalley.police.uk and click on the ‘crime prevention’ tab. In addition, the Wycombe District Neighbourhood Watch Association has useful information on their website at:

www.neighbourhoodwatchwycombe.org/2014/02/25/10-ways-to-deter-burglars/

More on unwanted phone calls

Many of today’s phones offer a ‘Caller Display’ facility on the handset, although some providers require a small payment for the ‘Caller ID’ service. However, many cold-callers ‘hide’ their number or display a phoney number which is very frustrating. I had an interesting e-mail from one reader regarding unwanted/unidentifiable phone calls. He has tried two methods of dealing with them. Firstly, answering the call and then blowing a whistle into the microphone before ending the call; secondly, answering the call and just putting the handset down until the caller gets bored with talking to no-one! I have certainly used the second method. However, as the reader pointed out, many legitimate users, both private and business, have their ‘Number Withheld’ for various reasons, so it is very difficult to separate the genuine from the unwanted. If you have an Answerphone, and you don’t recognise the calling number, or it is ‘Withheld’, simply let the call go to Answerphone and listen to any message. A genuine caller who needs to speak to you will usually start to leave a message, whereupon you have the option to pick up the phone and talk. Cold-callers will invariably hang-up.

For further information on these topics or about Neighbourhood Watch, contact:

David Gresswell Area Co-ordinator, Flackwell Heath Tel: 525019 e-mail: flackwell-nhwatch@talktalk.net

Police General & Non-emergency number: 101

Public Safety Team (Anti-social behaviour): 01494 421087

Crimestoppers (Anonymous): 0800 555 111

Trading Standards (Consumer Direct): 0845 4 04 05 06

ACTION FRAUD: 0300 123 2040 www.actionfraud.police.uk

NEW NHS: 111 (replacing NHS Direct)

Youth ClubFlackwell Heath Youth Group starting in January 2015

A Management Committee for the new Flackwell Heath Youth Group has now been established. We are nine members and an additional five volunteers have so far come forward. If others are interested in being involved, we would very much welcome you. Please contact us on the email below.

From January 2015, the Youth Group will meet every Monday evening from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm in the Methodist Church. All 11-16 year olds are invited to join. The aim of the group is to provide a comfortable place for young people to meet and relax. We will offer a variety of games, such as table tennis, table football, snooker and x-box.

To celebrate the launch of the club, we are having an open evening in the Methodist Church on 1st December. At this time, we will provide information about our plans and seek inputs from the young people, their parents and everyone else who are interested. Membership forms will be available on the night.

We are really looking forward to starting the group and we hope that many of the youths will join.

Ulla Griffiths Secretary of Flackwell Heath Youth Group Ulla.griffiths@lshtm.ac.uk

Ladies and Gentlemen Badminton Players

Would you like to join a friendly club to play serious social

badminton? Heathlands Badminton Club meets every Monday night at the Community Centre from 8 till 10. We are all competent players (no absolute beginners), but in

need of a few extra players to boost our numbers.

Please email matthewfenn@yahoo.com and then come along to try us out!

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Editor: Sue Arnautov 58, Chapman Lane, Flackwell Heath,

HP10 9BD • 01628 523907 Tim Kendell • 01628 521149 grapevine@flackwellheath.net

Delivery: Pauline Cooper 01628 522562

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Subscriptions: M Patel 01628 528101

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Flackwell Heath Community Association

Chairman: Chris Cramer 01628 526129

Secretary Chris Thomas 01628 520361

Treasurer Val Weston

01628 523213

Centre bookings Denise Anstey, 07903 070503 fhca-bookings@flackwellheath.net

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01628 298224

Call Stephen for all your electrical work:

• Interior & Exterior wiring • • Upgrades & repairs •

• Outside security lights • • Emergency service •

01628 850968 07790 546975

email: stephen.moorhaven@btopenworld.commember of Elecsa • CRB checked

In the 1950s Janet Faulkner hated that wretched boy Ken Chadbone. But Ken was no fool. He was two years older than Janet and on her way home from work he would give her a lift up Treadaway Hill on the back of his tractor. And what charming young woman could resist such gallantry?

Move on 50 years - 4 Children and 6 Grandchildren. Ken and Janet set up their successful roofing contractor business 50 years ago.

They became interested in American cars and they went to car shows where they met other people who shared their interest in the Cadillacs, Chevrolets, Chryslers and other American cars of the 1950s. And it was not only the cars that attracted them; they loved the rockabilly music played at the American Car Shows.

Ken decided they needed a quality American fifties car in good order and Janet eventually agreed. Neither is a specialist mechanic but by going to shows they met people who could advise them on the condition of the car and what to look for before they bought. The value of a car in this market is influenced by how much of the car is original.

There followed a period of reading the

magazines, looking on the internet, sorting out the dodgy dealers, deciding the right price and agreeing if it was really the car they wanted. In January 2014 they took delivery of a Cadillac Coupe de Ville made in 1959. All the body parts, seats, valve radio etc are original as is the engine. The only bit they had to replace was a carpet in the boot – someone had spilt oil all over it. Fortunately one of their new contacts was able to provide a replacement.

The Cadillac does 9 miles a gallon. But there are compensations. Such cars do not have to have an annual MoT test; neither do they have to pay the Vehicle Tax (the little round tax receipt you had to show in the front of your windscreen up to 30 September 2014). The car also has to be insured and it cost only £140 pa but at that price they could only do 3,000 miles a year. More if they went further.

But 3,000 miles a year fits the Chadbones’ requirements. They can visit as many American car shows in the UK as thy want and they enjoy having knowledgeable friends looking over their beautiful, high quality car and they can listen to more of their favourite rockabilly.

Tim Kendell

With Cadillacs and RockabillyPhotos: James Fanning

Road Closures Blind Lane will be closed to traffic from 9.30 am until 3.30 pm, between the Marlow Road in Bourne End and Wilfreds Wood Close in Flackwell Heath, for 1 day between 20th November & 18th December.Whitepit Lane will be closed to traffic from 9.30 am until 3.30 pm, between The Green in Wooburn and Philip Drive in Flackwell Heath, for 2 days between 24th November and 6th January.In both cases, alternative routes will be sign-posted.Chloe Andrews-Jones, Secretary of the FH Residents Association