Hughenden Valley Residents Association

From Joan Steel

Jill opened the meeting with verses about a smile being infectious and starting an epidemic throughout the world! A happy thought to raise the spirits in these difficult times. A letter from the High Wycombe Multiple Sclerosis Society, thanking the V.W.’s for the £60 donation to their funds, was read out by Jill, and she then introduced our speaker Amanda Raynor whose subject was “The Language of the Fan”.

To set the scene, Amanda had dressed in Edwardian costume complete with chatelaine around her waist, to hold her fan and other useful items. She opened her fan in a particular way to bid us welcome to her talk. Amanda described fans as basically simple and practical items that can also be beautiful and desirable objects, often given in the 1770′s as love tokens, also presented at engagements and weddings. There were many varying styles and qualities of fans but they always followed the fashion of the day. If the costumes had large skirts like crinolines then the fans were big and in the 1920′s with short plain skirts, they were small. Fans first appeared in the 14th century, although the language of the fan was only created in the 18th century and eventually died out by the first world war, as other communications developed. They expressed the language of the heart and could show every type of emotion merely by the position in which the fan was held, e.g. over the mouth, below the chin, towards the shoulder or at the side etc., even the way the fan was fluttered had a meaning. Young ladies of quality would be chaperoned and as discretion was the order of the day, the only way of communicating with the man of their dreams was by fan. It was said in 1770 that ladies could chat without the use of the tongue! Amanda has an amazing collection of over 500 fans and showed us some beautiful slides and photographs of them to illustrate the designs, the kinds of materials used to construct fans and the decoration of hand painting and embroidery. Very much works of art. Heather proposed the vote of thanks for a most interesting talk.

Our next meeting on 2nd March is an Open meeting entitled “Portsmouth to Barcelona Cruise” by Gordon Massie.

A few tickets are available for the Dinner and Concert on 23rd March. Please telephone Doreen on 564877 as soon as possible if you would like to come.

Press release from Bucks County Council

Members of 51m, the alliance of local authorities opposed to HS2, have served a formal letter on the Secretary of State for Transport asking her to rescind her decision to proceed with HS2 and giving notice that they may otherwise challenge the decision by way of judicial review. The Transport Secretary announced her support for the HS2 project on January 10.

Councillor Martin Tett, Leader of Buckinghamshire County Council, speaking on behalf of 51m said: “We are taking this stance with regret. We would far rather that the Government had listened to the people of this country who have decisively rejected this massively expensive project and instead opted for the far better, cheaper and more quickly delivered alternative put forward by 51m. Communities in the Midlands and the north of England risk being bypassed and left to decline by HS2. We should be investing in our existing rail and road infrastructure across the entire country to bring jobs and growth now when it is needed.”

Councillor Ray Puddifoot, Vice-Chairman of 51m and Leader of the London Borough of Hillingdon added: “The consultation process was unfair and inadequate in many respects. Ordinary people whose lives and livelihoods will be severely affected between Birmingham and Manchester and Leeds were not even given an adequate chance to have their say. The whole project represents extremely poor value for money for the hard pressed UK taxpayer and it is right that we challenge the Government’s decision to progress with this misguided scheme.”

51m are not against the principle of High Speed Rail in the UK but do not believe that the case put forward by the Department for Transport/HS2 Ltd is justified as it provides very poor value for money. 51m have proposed a much better alternative, the core of which is doubling the capacity of the current West Coast Mainline costing less than 10% of HS2. This would cater for the future demand predicted by Department for Transport, provide the capacity much sooner so that current crowding problems are addressed, and cause significantly less disruption to the existing network than HS2.

Professional pianist David Meacock is going to give a piano recital to raise funds towards legal action in against HS2. It will contain all-time favourites, which were often played by Liberace and Richard Clayderman, such as the first movement of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, Chopin’s Third Ballade, Liszt’s Liebestraume No. 3 and Debussy’s Clair de lune, as well as Meacock’s own transcriptions of the Deer Hunter and Onedin Line themes.

David, who has appeared abroad and in major London venues such as St John’s, Smith Square and the Queen Elizabeth Hall, has had his playing compared with “the maestro of pianists Maurizio Pollini” in Switzerland and Josef Lhévinne a leading virtuoso who was a contemporary of Rachmaninoff. An audience member of his recent London recital in aid of Cancer Research wrote afterwards: “It was truly an amazing and memorable recital!”

David said: ”Having recovered from the shock and sheer idiocy of the Government’s decision, and reading that a judicial review will cost at least £200K, I decided that I’d better do my bit towards it. As I know that even those who have never been to a piano recital before will probably know much of what I shall be playing and enjoy any they don’t yet know, I hope that we can raise some funds together, enjoy the music together and meet together in yet another show of solidarity against this horrendous environmental threat to our local communities.”

The recital will take place at 7:30 pm, on Saturday 25 February in St Mary’s Church, Amersham.

Tickets will be £10 in advance (students under 21: £7) or £12/£8 on the door available from the A40 Choir (Beaconsfield) page of www.a40music.com or via 01753 886005.

The next Thames Valley Police ‘Have Your Say’ surgery will be at Georges Hill shops on Tuesday 21st February from 10am to 11.30. The Neighbourhood Police Officers will be there to discuss any concerns you may have about local policing.

The Hughenden Neighbourhood Action Group have published their February newsletter with updates on matters of local policing.

Press release from AGAHST says: The AGAHST Federation (Actions Groups Against High Speed Rail Two) has appointed Deanne DuKhan as Campaign Director with immediate effect. The role is full time and will strengthen the campaign and build on growing public and media opposition to HS2. Previously head of the AGAHST Parliamentary Liaison Group, Deanne was appointed by and reports to a new Campaign Board which brings together AGAHST, HS2 Action Alliance, Stop HS2 and Transport Sense. To allow for the growing number of action groups, AGAHST is now organised in regional groups, currently South and Central, with NW and NE forums to be added as the route to Manchester and Leeds is announced.

Jerry Marshall, Chair of the Campaign Board says “Deanne is the right person for the next stage of the campaign, as we take new legal and political action. Momentum against HS2 is building and the new business case is even worse than before, with a net benefit ratio under 50p for every £1 invested when up-to-date information and assumptions are used. It is only a matter of time before Government comes to its senses and begins to invest in our real rail needs, create jobs and growth, and abandons this vanity project.”

For more information please contact Jerry Marshall, Chairman, AGAHST (Action Groups Against High Speed Two) on chair@betterthanhs2.org or 07941 017236 (mobile).

John Morris of the Chiltern Woodlands Project is running two of his popular Woodland Archaeology days at Pigotts Wood North Dean on 2nd and 3rd March. See here for full details and booking form. If you have every wondered what all the bumps, hollows, dykes and ditches in the woods are, this is the day for you.

The Great Hampden Women’s Institute have a full programme for 2012, and new members are always welcome. The group meets in the Great Hampden Village Hall. Get full details by clicking on the image or contact Julie Barr (President) on 01494 488644.

Martin Tett, the Leader of Buckinghanshire County Council and Chairman of the 51m Alliance of local authorities opposed to HS2 has sent this letter to all Town and Parish Councils affected by HS2 pledging to continue the campaign against HS2, including possible legal action.

From Joan Steel
We have a D.I Y evening in January to save speakers having to travel in the event of bad weather. This year we had a Butterfly Drive, which is played like Beetle but by drawing butterflies, so is quite difficult to play at speed, because of more detail in the shape. In recognition of this, Jill gave a prize for the best looking butterfly! Later we had a picture of 12 butterflies to which we had to match the correct names. The whole evening caused much fun and chatter Many thanks to Jill for arranging this.which must have taken some effort to do and as always she makes her every task look easy.

Our next meeting is on February 3rd when Amanda Rayner’s subject is “The Language of the Fan”.

A small competition is to take place each meeting, so this time you are invited to bring an item of interest beginning with the letter S, which is to be judged by the speaker.

On 23rd March a Dinner and Concert by the “Greatest Hits Choir” has been arranged for our fund raising effort. Please come and bring husbands and friends. Tickets £22 from Doreen Bellamy, telephone 01494 564877. Doors open at 7 pm for 7.30pm start.

As widely reported Justine Greening the Secretary of State for Transport has announced the go ahead for the HS2 project with the addition of some new tunnelling. Those that affect our area are a longer, continuous tunnel from Little Missenden to the M25 through the Chilterns and a longer green tunnel to significantly reduce impacts around Wendover and an extension to the green tunnel at South Heath.  In addition there will be a new 2.75 mile bored tunnel along the Northolt Corridor to entirely avoid major works to the Chilterns Line and impacts on local communities in the Ruislip area.  There will also be a longer green tunnel past Chipping Warden and Aston Le Walls, and a curve added to the route to avoid a cluster of important heritage sites around Edgcote.  For full map detail follow this link.  Incidentally, a green tunnel is built differently to a bored tunnel.  The soil is excavated on the surface, a tube is placed in the excavation and is then covered over with soil, plants and grass.  It is the same principle as was used at the infamous Tesco tunnel in Gerrards Cross.  Her full written statement is as follows:

Read the rest of this entry »

The Thames Valley Police Hughenden Neighbourhood Action Group has published its January newsletter with updates on local policing issues.

The next Thames Valley Police ‘Have Your Say’ surgery will be at the Hughenden Valley Community Shop from 10am to 11.30 am on Wednesday 25th January. It’s an opportunity to meet the Neighbourhood Police Team and discuss any issues about local policing. You can also use the Thames Valley Police website to contact the local Police Team.

There are widespread reports in the media today that the Government is set to announce the approval of HS2 next week. The BBC report that Ministers say the proposal is “being seriously considered”. Network Rail have published this report which says that HS2 is better than the alternatives. The Telegraph says that the proposal will be approved by Transport Secretary Justine Greening. The announcement is expected on Tuesday. The BBC also has this map of the route on which you can click to see more detail of each area affected.

The war of words is hotting up in the build up to the final decision on HS2 which the Government says will be announced on or before Friday 13th January.  Today more than 100 business leaders, MPs and economists have mounted a campaign in favour of HS2 in letters to the Financial Times, the Daily Telegraph and the Guardian, they say HS2 would create jobs and ease transport overcrowding.  Read the rest of this entry »

Dirty Mavis has launched their “Oak Tree Lament” on behalf of the StopHS2 campaign in the hope to have a No 1 hit for Christmas.  It can be downloaded from the HMV website and from iTunes.  For further details go to http://www.oaktreelament.org.uk. Read the rest of this entry »

Recently posted on youtube by the Pan Camden HS2 Alliance, this Christmas video uses sound recorded by the BBC to give an indication of what might be expected from HS2.

From Lin Smith:
At our latest NAG Meeting, we were asked to circulate the following information via the Newsletters, and websites.

Firstly, we were asked to report all thefts from sheds and garages or other incidents, for example of Anti-Social Behaviour, to the police on 101, which is the new non-emergency number, or email at lee.turnham@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk. This will enable them to see any patterns that may emerge, which will help them investigate future incidents.

Secondly, could we please identify any particularly bad areas of littering and let your representative know where they are. And if perhaps people could pick up any litter that is outside their own houses, that would help keep the Village looking nicer. Also, litter attracts more litter.

Thirdly, the problem with dog fouling is a perennial one. Please could dog owners please pick up their pets poo and put it in a bag, then put the bag in one of the dog poo bins or take it home. Some people have been putting their bags in hedges, field gates and even into front gardens. We were reminded that allowing your dog to foul footpaths is just as much an offence as on the pavement. If you are already doing the right thing, please do not be offended by my mentioning it here. You are the good guys.

And finally, there is a special Festive ‘Have Your Say’ at Sir William Ramsay School, Rose Avenue, Hazlemere on Saturday December 10. It is your opportunity to come and meet your local Police Team and enjoy coffee and mince pies. Trading Standards and Neighbourhood Watch will also be there.

Currently I am the only representative for Hughenden Valley and Bryants Bottom on the NAG. Gt Kingshill had 6 representatives at our meeting tonight, Widmer End had 4, Naphill had 2. We need to make our voice louder, so if you could give one evening every 6 weeks and would be interested in having a say in policing in our village, please get in touch with me on 01494 562533 or email me on linsmith38@btinternet.com.

Many thanks
Lin Smith

Jerry Marshall, chairman of Action Groups Against High Speed Two, filmed a show for BBC’s “Inside Out” on Monday.

The eight minute film compiled by Mr Marshall was accompanied by a film making the case for the proposed London-to-Birmingham line.

Mr Marshall said: “It was great fun, partly because we have such a strong story.

The programme can be viewed on BBC iPlayer at http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b018032h/Inside_Out_West_Midlands_05_12_2011/

A press release received from the Chilterns Conservation Board says:

The Chilterns Conservation Board is launching an exciting new project to preserve and promote a vital part of our natural and cultural heritage.

The real value of commons lies in their importance to the public as open green spaces at the heart of communities. We need to use them, study them, cherish them and most importantly, maintain them so that we don’t lose these amazing, varied landscapes for good.

More information in the full press release and on the Chilterns Conservation Board website at www.chilternsaonb.org/commons.

Click the link to view this bulletin from the NW Chilterns Local Area Forum which gives you the latest news from Locality Services about community projects and initiatives in the Bledlow-cum-Saunderton, Ellesborough, Longwick-cum-Ilmer, Great and Little Hampden, Great and Little Kimble, Princes Risborough Town, Lacey Green, Bradenham and Hughenden…..

The next ‘Have Your Say’ Neighbourhood Police Officers’ surgery will be at Sir William Ramsey School, Rose Avenue, Hazlemere from 10am to 2pm on Saturday 10th December 2011. The Hazlemere Neighbourhood Policing Team invite you to drop in for coffee and mince pies and to discuss any concerns you may have regarding local policing. Trading Standards and Neighbourhood Watch will also be there.

The Thames Valley Police Hughenden Neighbourhood Action Group has published its December newsletter with updates on local policing issues.

The November issue of The Hughenden News has been printed and is being distributed to all members of the Residents Association.  A big thank you to all contributors and advertisers and especially to Janet and Angus Idle for their stalwart efforts during Janet’s difficult wait for a hip replacement.

Wycombe Community Safety Partnership is made up of organisations working together to improve community safety in the District.  Each year the Partnership produces a Community Safety Partnership Plan which sets out the priorities for improving safety and how the Partnership will do this. Read the rest of this entry »

According to the Independent this morning, the new Transport Secretary, Justine Greening, will today come under huge pressure to change the proposed route of the £34bn High Speed Rail link between London and Birmingham. Read the rest of this entry »

The Thames Valley Police Hughenden Neighbourhood Action Group has published its November newsletter with updates on local policing issues.

The next ‘Have Your Say’ Neighbourhood Police Officers’ surgery will be at the Naphill Village Hall Carpark from 2pm to 3.30pm on Wednesday 23rd November 2011. This is an opportunity to speak to our local Neighbourhood Police Officers and discuss any concerns you may have regarding local policing.

Two men entered the Co-op store in Main Road, Walter’s Ash, at about 9.45pm on 31 October, threatened staff with a knife and forced them to open the till and hand over money.

The men then assaulted the manager of the shop when they were told that there was no money in the shop, punching him in the face, before leaving the shop.

The men were seen getting into a white vehicle and left the scene in the direction of Lacey Green. The men were both white and were wearing grey tops and black bottoms.

Anyone with information should contact Thames Valley Police via the 24-hour enquiry line on 0845 8 505 505. Alternatively, you can contact the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111

The transport select committee has signalled its support for the Government’s HS2 high-speed rail project – as long as it does not drain money from the rest of the rail network.  Mrs Ellman, chairperson of the committee added: “Investment in HS2 must not lead to reduced investment in the ‘classic’ rail network. We are concerned that the Government is developing separate strategies for rail and aviation, with HS2 separate from both. We call again for the publication of a comprehensive transport strategy.” Read the rest of this entry »

The Transport Committee has agreed to publish its Tenth Report of Session 2010–12, High Speed Rail (HC 1185-I), at 00.01 am on Tuesday 8 November.  The press will be receiving embargoed copies at 8:00am on 7 November, so you can expect to be able to read about it in your morning papers on Tuesday.

The committee’s role is to investigate the strategic case for the high speed rail link.  They  are not examining the detail of the route or how it would affect individual businesses and residents.  If it is recommended to go ahead, the specific route will be dealt with by a hybrid bill committee.  For details of the terms of reference of the committee please follow this link Transport Select Committee

Bucks County Council’s Localities and Communities Manager has been in touch to appeal for volunteers to help clear snow or drive 4x4s to help home carers reach vulnerable people in the snow. This poster has all the details.

Maria Eagle, the shadow transport secretary, confirmed in a speech to the Airport Operators Association that Labour has abandoned the route it had proposed when in government for the planned HS2 line between London and Birmingham in favour of an alternative scheme.

Labour now supports a route running past Heathrow and then parallel to the M40 and the existing Chiltern railway line that skirts Princes Risborough, Bicester and Banbury.

The initial plan was drawn up by Lord Adonis, the former transport secretary, two months before last year’s general election. In a speech to the Airport Operators Association, Eagle will admit it was flawed and that it was a “huge mistake” not to connect Heathrow to the route from the start.

Labour’s new proposed route will appeal to many Tories in the Amersham, Great Missenden and Wendover areas who are dismayed by the prospect of a line enabling high speed trains to pass through Conservative heartlands in the Chilterns.

In an attempt to put pressure on Justine Greening, the new transport secretary who is facing opposition over the route from grassroot Tories, Eagle will say that residents in the home counties have been “wrongly insulted as nimbys by Tory ministers”.

The route now proposed by Labour would include a main transport hub at Heathrow, allowing the airport to be directly connected to the High Speed Two (HS2) railway line as early as 2022.  Under the existing plan, Heathrow will be connected to HS2 only by a spur line that is not projected to be completed until 2033.

Greening is already facing a potential battle over the HS2 scheme after Cheryl Gillan, the Welsh secretary, reportedly threatened to resign over the £33 billion project in protest at the route passing through her Buckinghamshire constituency.

The Bryants Bottom Road resurfacing has now finished.  There are no white lines for the time being but there are lots of chippings so please take care and remember….. it is a 30mph limit in the village.

Today the Adam Smith Institute released its new report on High Speed 2, High speed fail: Assessing the case for High Speed 2.
The report examines the case for the HS2 project and finds that in almost every case the evidence is highly doubtful about whether it would be worth the money. Read the rest of this entry »

This year saw the most successful Potter Quiz ever, with 120 contestants taking part in 15 teams and raising a phenomenal £800 towards the Senior Citizens Function next year.  The questions in six rounds including a music round were based around “Invention, Innovation, Inspiration & Creation”,  and teams were given a special task this year to create a clay model based on a creative character.  There were some interesting works of art!

Congratulations to the winners, the church team “Michael and All Angels”.  The scoring was very close this year.  Whilst the winners got 78% of the answers correct, the team that came last still achieved a figure of 60%.  Well done everybody.

According to Jerry Marshall, the chairman of AGAHST (Action Groups Against High Speed Two) this is make or break time in the fight against the HS2 project. Now that Justine Greening has replaced Philip Hammond at the Ministry of Transport a new push is under way to encourage opponents of the scheme to email their MP and the new minister.  To encourage the process a new web site www.highspeedrail.org.uk has been developed to make the process much simpler. Read the rest of this entry »

This is a reminder that the next in the sequence of popular town centre Crime Prevention Events, Read the rest of this entry »

Hughenden Valley Residents Association are organizing two tombolas at the Village Hall Christmas Bazaar, Read the rest of this entry »

Recently, an elderly lady in Hughenden Valley was approached at the door by someone informing her that there had been a legal dispute concerning the quality of the guttering fitted on her house.

Read the rest of this entry »

With the extending hours of darkness, there is always an increase in burglaries and particularly so after the clocks go back at the end of October. So, extra care is needed to prevent these crimes.

Wycombe District Neighbourhood Watch Association (WDNHWA) would like to make you aware of the technology of Selecta DNA. Read the rest of this entry »

If you install an electricity-generating technology from a renewable or low-carbon source such as solar photovoltaic panels, the government’s Feed-In Tariff Scheme (FIT) could mean you receive money from your energy supplier. Read the rest of this entry »

The much-anticipated Parliamentary debate on the proposed HS2 rail scheme went ahead on 13 October – all be it, a bit late! Read the rest of this entry »

The HVRA Planning Sub-Committee has sent details of a useful tool on the Government’s Planning Portal. The ‘The Planning Portal’ allows you to click on possible home improvements on the interactive house to see what does and does not require planning permission. Hughenden Valley is within an “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty” (AONB), often referred to in the portal as a “designated area” and there are several instances within the portal where you will need to take note of the special requirements. The Wycombe District Council website also has information and guidance.

The Thames Valley Police Hughenden Neighbourhood Action Group has published its October Newsletter with updates on local policing issues.

The next ‘Have Your Say’ Neighbourhood Police Officers’ surgery will be at the Georges Hill shops in Widmer End from 4pm to 5.30pm on Tuesday 25th October 2011. This is an opportunity to speak to our local Neighbourhood Police Officers and discuss any concerns you may have regarding local policing.

St. Mary Magdalene Church at Great Hampden are holding a concert in aid of the Church Fabric Fund on Sunday 23rd October 2011 starting at 7.30pm. Professional musicians and students from the Royal Academy of Music will perform works by Telemann, Ravel, Berstein and the ‘Eight Seasons’ by Vivaldi and Piazzolla. Tickets are £10 (£5 for aged 16 and under) and are available from 27th September from the premises of David Shuttle (Princes Risborough), Elizabeth Wintgens (Great Missenden) and Wyngard-Wright & Ellis (Prestwood), and from Hilary Reid (telephone 01494 488611).

Wycombe District Council are holding a Planning Consultation that runs until Friday 14th October. This gives residents an opportunity to learn about and respond to the Council’s latest proposals including further regeneration of the town centre. Full details are on WDC’s website here.

Apparently some Neighbourhood Watch groups are circulating details about a scam where someone claiming to be from BT calls and threatens to cut you off if you do not settle an unpaid bill there and then by giving them your credit card details. The details are in this document. It’s a real scam apparently, and it’s your credit card details that they’re after. BT have information about it on their website and it is covered by internet ‘scam-buster’ sites such as Hoax Slayer. Be vigilant!

Do you or someone you know go to a Day Centre in Buckinghamshire? Bucks County Council have asked us to publicise the fact that they are holdig a series of ‘drop in’ sessions about their plans and designs for new ‘Day Opportunity Centres’ across the county. Full details in this poster.

This year’s HVRA Potter Cup quiz will be on Saturday 8th October in Hughenden Valley Village Hall. The theme will be ‘Invention, Innovation, Inspiration & Creation’. Doors open 7.30pm, quiz starts 8pm prompt. Call 01494 562862 to register your team. Entrance fee £10 per person includes buffet supper. Bring your own drinks and glasses. Click on the poster for full details.

The Thames Valley Police Hughenden Neighbourhood Action Group has published its September Newsletter with updates on local policing issues.

The next ‘Have Your Say’ neighbourhood Police surgery will be at the Hughenden Valley Community Shop from 10.30 to 12.00 on Tuesday 20th September. This is an opportunity to speak to our local Neighbourhood Police Officers and discuss any concerns you may have regarding local policing.

Hughenden Valley residents Association is a member of the High Wycombe Society. The Autumn newsletter of the High Wycombe Society is available here.

Lord Oakshott (LibDem peer) recently raised concern in a TV interview about the apparent dismissal by some Government Ministers of the comments/opposition by the National Trust to the easing of planning regulations and referring to the organisation as left-leaning. The National Trust is completely independent of Government and has more members than any of the political parties. It represents what most of us love about our countryside and national heritage and is a voice that needs to be heard when it comes to the beliefs of its 3.6 million members.

To find out more about the concerns of the National Trust on the “presumed right to build” issue and to decide whether you wish to complete the petition asking the government to reconsider proposals please follow this link.

Similar concerns have been raised by the CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England). See their website.

If you agree with the petition please do act and also let your friends and family know. Don’t assume that others will do it. That happened with the HS2 on line questionnaire when only 44,000 households out of 26 million in the UK objected to the HS2 project and the Government then assumed that 99.8% of households must have no objection.

The consultation period for HS2 closed on July 29th. The Government has said that the outcome will be announced ‘before the end of 2011′. See the Department for Transport website for more details.

Interesting to note that there has been a flurry of negative comment about the proposal in the press following the end of the consultation. On July 31st, the Sunday Telegraph argued “HS2? Just give us a decent train service”. On August 2nd the FT called HS2 a “vanity project unfit for an austere age”. And on August 3rd the Evening Standard called it “the fastest way to waste billions”.

Also on August 3rd, HS2 Action Alliance placed a half-page ad in the Times with a summary of HS2 opinion poll results. And finally here is a compilation of what various MPs, councils, and other bodies have said ‘on the record’ in opposition to HS2 .

The Thames Valley Police Hughenden Neighbourhood Action Group has published its August Newsletter.

Bucks Highways have scheduled the long-awaited re-surfacing of Bryants Bottom Road for 30th August to 16th September. The work will be from the junction with Warrandene Road to the Speen/Hampden crossroads.

Thames Valley police are holding an Open Evening at Hazlemere Police Station on Monday 22nd August between 18.30 and 20.30. This is an opportunity to meet the local Neighbourhood police Officers and the High Wycombe police Superintendent. Details are on this poster.

Consultation on the Government’s HS2 scheme closes at midnight on Friday 29th July. If you have not already submitted a response, it is probably best to do so online on the Department for Transport Consultation Website. The whole thing need take no more than ten minutes. Remember this is the only opportunity you have to give your views about the proposal. There is more information on the consultation questionaire, and suggestions for how to respond, on both the Chiltern Society and Stop HS2 websites.

The Chiltern Society have released this video with commentary by actor and Chilterns resident Geoffrey Palmer showing areas of countryside that would be devastated if the railway was constructed on the current proposed alignment.

The Thames Valley Police Hughenden Neighbourhood Action Group has published its July Newsletter.

There are still a few seats available for the visit to Meadow Farm Nursery and Hanbury Halt (Worcs (NT) on Sat. 6th Aug The coach leaves at 8.45am and the cost will be £17 (NT member) or £24 (non NT member), If anyone is interested please contact Daphne Hicks for more information on 07815 082887.

Anti-HS2 umbrella group Agahst have written to say “As you may know, the pro-lobby are saying they have 400 businesses supporting them. We need to respond and show that there are event more opposed to it! Therefore we like to get businesses to sign a list indicating support to stop HS2. They might be smaller owner managed businesses. Or directors / senior managers.” You can add your name to this list using this sign-up form.

HVRA road reps have distributed this important update leaflet to encourage everyone to respond to the public consultation on the scheme by the 29th July deadline [...]

We are going to be holding a Litter Blitz throughout the HVRA area on Saturday July 16th.

Wycombe District Council have said that they will supply High Visibility Vests, Picking Sticks, and Refuse Sacks, and will collect our refuse either on the day or the following day.

We are aiming to start at 11am and finish at 12.30 when we hope to meet at the Harrow for a celebratory drink.

It would be lovely to have a good turnout, and perhaps gets some good photos for the website, and/or magazine.

If you would like to join in, please contact Lin Smith on 01494 562533, or email her on linsmith38@btinternet.com. Everyone will be welcome, the more the merrier.

The organisers of Speen Festival have been in touch to say that booking for the festival opens on Monday 20 June. See www.speenfestival.org for details of an exciting and diverse 11-day programme and sign up for email updates.

Thirteen local authorities including Bucks County Council have joined together in a national campaign to actively challenge the HS2 scheme. They are known as “51m” because that represents how much HS2 will cost each and every Parliamentary Constituency £51million. The group want to emphasise the impact this proposed scheme will have on every taxpayer in the country for years to come. Their website at www.51m.co.uk is an excellent source of information about HS2 and what we can do about it. Remember that the Government’s HS2 consultation ends on 29th July – make sure you have your say.

The next Thames Valley Police ‘Have Your Say’ surgery will be at The Community Shop in Hughenden Valley from 10.00 to 11.30 on Thursday 9th June. It’s an opportunity to speak with our Neighbourhood Ploice Officers about any concerns or comments about local policing.

The Thames Valley Police Hughenden Neighbourhood Action Group has published its June Newsletter.

At the HVRA AGM on Tuesday Lin Smith was elected as the new Chairman of the Association, and James Perkins as the new Secretary. Angus Idle and Al Bowyer were re-elected at Vice-Chairman and Treasurer respectively. Outgoing Chairman Paul Cawte was thanked by all for his many years of service. Pauls’s Chairman’s report is here. Jim Foy of the National Trust gave a fascinating talk and there was a super display of photographs, maps and other archive material of the local area.

Left to Right: James Perkins, Angus Idle, Lin Smith, Paul Cawte, Al Bowyer

A leaflet giving details of the Alternative Route 2.5 is available at the HS2 Ltd roadshow. This is the route that would cut through Hughenden Valley on a giant viaduct.

We are concerned that this is a ploy to get those living close to the Preferred Route 3 to suggest that the Alternative Route 2.5 which would cut through Hughenden Valley be adopted. If this were to happen there would be no further consultation and therefore no opportunity for Hughenden Valley and neighbouring residents to respond.

The Speen Area Action Group (SAAG) met in Speen Village Hall on 10th May to present the latest details on HS2. SAAG and the Federation of 60 Action Groups Against HS2 (AGAHST) are fighting High Speed Rail outright. HVRA is also a member of AGAHST and contributes to the fighting fund.

Please visit www.speenbucks.org.uk for all the very latest information about the Transport Select Committee which seeks submissions by 16th May 2011 and the Public Consultation which ends on 29th July 2011.

Bucks County Council has formed the 51M Group with 13 Local Authorities, with more coming on board, to give a national profile to the campaign because it will cost every parliamentary constituency in the land £51 million to deliver the scheme. HS2 is a waste of public funds (over £1,000 per household) as it is not value for money. This is based on a cost of £34 billion, but with increasing energy costs and price inflation these figures will rise substantially.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

• Please write to your MP, David Lidington with your views to swell his mailbag
• Also encourage six friends and family who live “off-line” to write to their MPs expressing opposition and encourage each of them to ask six more friends and family who also live “off-line” to write to their MPs.
• Attend the Road Shows. Please do not complete the Consultation document at the Road Show, but take it home and complete it after reading the Q & A section on the SAAG website. This also applies when completing the Consultation document on-line.
• Respond to the Consultation by 29th July 2011.

Congratulations to Ed Furness, Lin Smith, Tony Konieczny and Heather Dempsey who are the newly-elected Parish Councillors for the Hughenden Valley Ward. A full list and and analysis of all the Hughenden Parish Council results is available here.

The organisers of Speen Festival have been in touch to say that this year’s festival will run from 8th to 18th September and will be better than ever. Full details will are online at www.speenfestival.org.

As mentioned in the spring edition of Hughenden News here is the link to the Stop HS2 website where you will find information to assist you with the Consultation on HS2: http://stophs2.org/hs2-consultation

Local Roadshows presented by HS2 Ltd are as follows:

Great Missenden Mobile Exhibition
Link Road Car Park HP16 9AE
Thursday 12th May 8am – 8pm

Wendover Exhibition
Wendover Memorial Hall
Wharf Road HP22 6HF
Friday 13th May 8am – 8pm
Saturday 14th May 9am – 5pm

Amersham Exhibition
Amersham & Chiltern Rugby Football Club
Ash Grove, Weedon Road, HP6 5QU
Wednesday 18th May 8am – 8pm
Thursday 19th May 8am – 8pm

CLOSIING DATE FOR CONSULTATION 29TH JULY 2011

Here are the minutes of the April 2011 HVRA Executive Committee meeting.

The Hughenden Neighbourhood action Group has published its May newsletter with updates of NAG activity on speeding, litter, parking and other matters.

Wycombe District Neighbourhood Watch Association have sent details of their Annual General Meeting to be held on Wednesday 18th May in Booker. All Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators and scheme members are invited.

The Annual General Meeting of the Hughenden Valley Residents Association will be held on Tuesday 17th May in the Large Village Hall starting at 7.30pm. The guest speaker will be Jim Foy, the National Trust’s General Manager for Hughenden Manor, and there will be a Village History Photographic Exhibition. Here’s the poster.

The Hughenden Neighbourhood Action Group has published its April newsletter with updates of NAG activity on speeding, litter, parking and other matters.

Here are the minutes of the March 2011 HVRA Executive Committee meeting.

You can now subscribe to receive the news stories posted on this website by email or RSS. Click on the links in the ‘Subscribe’ box on the News page or click here for news by email or here for the RSS feed.

Community Impact Bucks are holding an open meeting on setting up community car schemes at Lacey Green & Loosley Row Millenium Hall on Tuesday 29th March at 6pm. Full details on this poster.

Thames Valley Police have issued a warning about scrap metal thefts in the area.

At their meeting last night, Hughenden Parish Council dropped their plan to build Rural Affordable Housing on Green Belt and AONB land in Warrendene Road, Hughenden Valley. The Council’s press release says:

“Hughenden Parish Council has now received the results of the Parish-wide Housing Needs Survey that was commissioned from Community Impact Bucks. This was a robust consultation exercise carried out to establish whether there is a need for rural affordable housing in the Parish, and to find out the views of local residents. The results show:-
a) There is some need for rural affordable homes in Hughenden Parish
b) Rural affordable housing in principle is supported by just under 50% of respondents
c) 80% of respondents are against any development in the GB/AONB
In summary, there is sufficient need to justify a small development but this idea cannot be pursued furthe because there is not enough support within the community for it to be possible to use the Rural Exception Site scheme.
The Council passed the following motion at its meeting on 8th March 2011:- The Parish Council accepts the results of the Housing Needs Survey carried out at its request by Community Impact Bucks, and their recommendations. This consultation process shows that, while some need for affordable housing has been established, there is insufficient community support for a small development using Green Belt/AONB land. This Parish Council will not, therefore, proceed further with a Rural Exception Site scheme. The Parish Council recognizes the strength of opposition to any use of green belt/AONB land. Just over 900 survey forms were returned (27% of households) and these show that some 80% of residents responding were opposed to even a small development.
Hughenden Parish Council has a responsibility to try to serve all its residents. It is for this reason that it went through the lengthy consultation process currently required for the use of a Rural Exception Site Scheme. The Council considers the outcome of the consultation exercise to be a reflection of feelings in the Parish, expressed through a democratic consultation process. Parish Councillors (who are non political elected volunteers) have a genuine desire to try to serve those village residents who are not home owners. It is unfortunate that this has led some residents to try to undermine confidence in the Council itself. Now that a decision has been made, the Council trusts that relationships with local residents can be rebuilt.”

Hughenden Parish Council website

The next neighbourhood policing Have Your Say will be at the Hughenden Parish Council offices in Great Kingshill from 10.45 to 12noon on Wednesday 23rd March.

The Hughenden Neighbourhood Action Group have sent their February Meeting Minutes and March Newsletter.

Daphne Hicks has sent the Hughenden Allotment and Garden Association (HAGA) 2011 Programme. She says “New members are always welcome and you don’t need to live in Hughenden to be eligible to join. Just come along to one of our meetings, held on the last Friday of the month at Hughenden Valley village hall. The annual fee is only £2 and membership even allows you 10% discount at Hildreths on certain gardening goods!”

Philip Hammond, Secretary of State for Transport, launched the HS2 consultation today with a speech in Birmingham. The consultation runs until Friday 29th July 2011 and full details are on the Department for Transport HS2 Consultation website. An overview of the process is also given in this HS2 Ltd Newsletter also published today.

Part of the process is a series of ‘roadshows’ along the length of the route, the venues and dates for which are on the consultation website. There is one in Great Missenden on Thursday 12th May, and two in Wendover on Friday 13th and Saturday 14th May.

Protest umbrella group HS2 Action Alliance have issued a statement saying “HS2 Ltd/DfT have launched the HS2 consultation today. We are reviewing the released documents, but currently believe the set to be incomplete, and will advise shortly. We suggest that you do not respond immediately to the questions posed but await the outcome of our reviews.” The Stop HS2 website also has news and reaction to the launch of the consultation.

The Bucks Free Press and others are reporting that the Government is to launch the HS2 Consultation on Monday 28th February in Birmingham. Yet there is nothing about it on the Department for Transport website or the HS2 Ltd website. Anti-HS2 organisation StopHS2 thinks there is dirty business afoot.

Lin Smith, Hughenden Parish Councillor, writes:

“I am aware that there is a move to get more people to stand as candidates for the Local Parish Council at the Elections on 5th May.

I think that this is a really positive move. For too long, we as Councillors have either been ‘returned unopposed’ or like myself, co-opted to fill a vacancy that basically no-one else wanted to fill. While that is not our fault, you cannot lay public apathy at our door, it can lead us into thinking we are always right. After all if no-one stands against you, they must approve of you.

But now, interest is revived, and for better or worse we have a fight on our hands, or should I say seats.

For those possibly teetering on the brink of throwing your hat in the ring, perhaps you will allow me to give you my ‘warts and all’ perspective on being a Parish Councillor.

Let me say at the outset, I love the work. And would heartily recommend it to anyone who enjoys working as a team to maintain some of the infrastructure and ethos of our Parish. We live in a beautiful area, surrounded by lovely countryside, which I as a London girl, even after living here for nearly 30 years have never ceased to wonder at. The people I represent are, for the most part, friendly, reasonable and intelligent.

Our Parish council is made up of 4 Wards as follows:- Hughenden Valley (including Bryant’s Bottom and North Dean), which has 4 members; Naphill and part of Walter’s Ash, which also has 4 members, Gt Kingshill which has 3 members and finally Widmer End, which has 4 members. At elections each ward vote for its own members only.

The hours of work are not usually onerous and many of our Councillors have full time employment as well. There is one Full Council Meeting each month which falls on the second Tuesday at 8pm. There is no Full Parish Council Meeting in August.

There are also 3 Committees.

Firstly, Services which looks at the jobs which need to be done around the Parish and reports back to Full Council and it comprises 2 members from each Ward. These meetings are held 4 times a year.

Secondly, Finance and Administration, whose remit is obvious from its name. This also reports back to Full Council and it comprises 2 members from each ward, and also meets 4 times a year.

And finally Planning which looks at Planning Applications and sends its observations to the Planning Dept at Wycombe District Council. It is the only Committee which can act before reporting back to Full Council first, although it does make a report to them each month. It is important to accept that the Parish council Planning Committee only has an advisory role and cannot directly affect the decisions of WDC, although we like to think that they take our comments into account when considering Applications. This Committee only has 1 member per ward and meets every 3 weeks on a Thursday.

Most members sit on only 1 or 2 Committees so you see that the hours of work need not be huge.

For those with the time and interest, there are outside bodies on which you can sit to represent the interests of the Parish. These might include Wycombe District Association of Local Councils, WDALC to its friends. The North West Chilterns Local Area Forum, (NWCLAF). The Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG), which is also open to non-councillors. And there are others which I cannot call to mind at the moment. You do get used to a proliferation of acronyms, which change as soon as you have learnt them. But attendance to these is not compulsory.

Parish Councils in general have a very interesting and possibly challenging time coming up, when we shall all be on a steep learning curve if the new Localism Bill is enacted. We may possibly find ourselves with more responsibilities and we may have to fight for the funding to carry them out.

What qualities do you need?

Well I suppose you need a reasonable level of intelligence, but no formal qualifications are necessary.

I would say that you need to be able to accept that when there are contentious issues, a balanced view is helpful. It is important to remember that when people get upset it is usually for a reason. Check it out for yourself. If you feel that they have a good point, represent it in council. If you feel that their concerns are unfounded then try to explain why. You will not be able to please everyone all the time. People want different things and sometimes these things are not compatible. On these occasions you have to do what you honestly believe to be for the greater good, and live with the consequences.

You must be honest. If you try to gain advantage from your position you will be found out and the consequences are severe.

It definitely helps if you like your fellow man/woman.

It does not help if you have an inflated ego. It will be punctured in short order.

It helps if you have a sense of humour, and can take the job seriously but not yourself.

Those, I think cover the main points. I think the name Local Government is a misnomer, it is more Local Servitude and that is fine by me.

I hope that these musings have helped to clarify the main issues for prospective candidates, and if you decide to go for it, then good luck I will see you ‘in the ring’.

At least if we have a proper election, whoever is returned will be able to say without fear of contradiction “WE HAVE A MANDATE”

And finally remember on May 6 the new Councillors must not be saying ‘Job Done!’
It is job beginning.”

According to their website, Hughenden Parish Council are due to debate the following motion at their meeting on 8th March: “The Parish Council accepts the results of the Housing Needs Survey carried out at its request by Community Impact Bucks, and their recommendations. This consultation process shows that, while a need for affordable housing has been established, there is insufficient community support for a small development using Green Belt/AONB land. This Parish Council will not, therefore, proceed further with a Rural Exception Site scheme.”

Hughenden Parish Council website
Housing Needs Survey Report
Respondents’ comments

HS2 Action Alliance have circulated this two-page paper rebutting six myths about HS2.

There has been a spate of burglaries in Hughenden Valley. The burglars target garages and outhouses in particular stealing tools etc. Please make your property secure and be extra vigilant reporting any suspicious activities to the police on telephone no. 0845 8 505 505.

Update:  Please also secure your vehicles as there have been a number of thefts from unlocked cars. Please also remember to remove valuables from vehicles.

The HS2 Action Alliance team have been in touch to say:
“There are lots of HS2 public opinion polls going on at the moment. They all go towards raising public awareness of this project. Countryfile are running a poll on whether HS2 should be built at www.countryfile.com/polls. Please cast your vote. If a ‘vote’ button does not appear click the ‘High Speed link…’ title above the photo or the ‘Polls’ link middle, top. You don’t need to login or register to vote.”

Details of the Stop HS2 National Convention on Saturday 19th February are available on this poster and on the Stop HS2 website

The minutes of the January meeting of the Hughenden Neighbourhood Action Group are available here.

A list of security products available from the Wycombe District Neighbourhood Watch Association is available here. The list includes prices and details of how to buy them.

The following update about anti-HS2 petitions has been received from the HS2 Action Alliance team:

“The campaigning group 38degrees is taking votes on whether Stop HS2 should be one of its next campaigns. So far it is ranked 7th. Click here to vote. You can optionally add a comment.

The Stop HS2 Go Petition is now at just over 30000 signatures and is gaining steadily. Good work with spreading the word. Let’s keep it up and get that other 70000.”