Marsworth Parish Council

Mrs Jill Dickinson, Clerk to the Council,
41 Lukes Lea, Marsworth, Herts. HP23 4NH

parishclerk@marsworth.org.uk

 

 

Draft Minutes of Parish Meeting held on 9th April 2018 in Millennium Hall at 7pm

 

Minutes of meeting held on 10th April 2017 were approved.

 

Chairman’s Report – Cllr Dick Brake

Welcome to the 2018 Annual Parish Meeting for Marsworth. Whilst the Parish Council is well represented here I would stress that the meeting is not a Parish Council Meeting but is one for the whole village to participate in. Our task is to ensure the meeting takes place, and is properly managed and recorded, and also to report on the main aspects of the Parish Council activity over the past year.

• Firstly I want to thank my fellow councillors for their efforts over the past year. Councillors give their time freely and often this involves hours of commitment and inconvenience.
• The footpath to Pitstone alongside the B489 is almost complete, and residents are using it already.
• Our thanks go to Councillor Bob Kennedy who has been responsible for the majority of the background work and fund raising over numerous years. 
• New seating has been placed in the Recreation ground, and the Council are looking to place more adult exercise machines at each seat, we are also considering an exercise track round the Rec, for walkers/runners. We would appreciate some suggestions from Villagers as to which machines they would like.

I will close now so we can continue with our guests and local organisations giving their reports.

 

Reports from:

 

1) BCC – Cllr. Anne Wight

Please see marsworth. org.uk for full monthly reports.

 

2) Village Newsletter – Neil Waterman

With the Marsworth News (“MN”) now well established and well received I would like to take this opportunity to thank the team for creating, producing and delivering such an excellent read.

 

Sandra Costello, Elaine Standen and Chas Pearson have all edited and produced the MN over the last year. Graham Dickinson continues to assist the team with his knowledge on presentation, look and design and is a great asset when it comes to proof reading.

 

The committee who meet monthly in one of the local establishments also includes and is grateful to Josie and Evan Kempster, Lynda and Dick Brake, Annie Sandon and Neil Waterman for their support, ideas, copy and reviews. We always have plenty of space for anyone who would like to join us to help edit, produce, comment or create an article.

 

Contributors are increasing with regular copy from and thanks to C A Clog, Margaret Johnson, Bugs in the Garden, Paul Simmons, Angela Polatci, Evan Kempster, Dick Pilkington, Anne Wright, Katjo and the Revd Adrian Manning.  But special thanks must go out to Elaine and Sandra for their monumental efforts and many articles.

 

We are grateful for all the pictures being sent in of our lovely village through the seasons, so please keep sending them in.

 

Annie is our advertising manager and has once again done a great job over the last year on organising the advertisements and collecting the fees.

 

Luckily the task of delivering the MNs is shared among 15 willing volunteers and it was great to see many of them at our December gathering at the Red Lion. Thanks goes out to Elsie Beesley, Carol Jeffries, Valerie Farrell, Paul Egan-Carter, Pam Cotton, Frances Brown, Dick Brake, Chas Pearson, Polly Maslen, Susan Dean, Jean Fulton, Gayle Sturrock, Annie Sandon, Karen and Alan Gray, Stephen Wooler and myself.

 

The MN is printed by Harliquin52Ltd and Mike Harris does a great job for us.

 

As for finances, the MN continues to see a good level of advertising income which closely covers printing costs. We currently have enough funds in reserve for well over a year of print.

 

3) Millennium Hall – Neil Waterman

The Village Hall Committee runs the hall via a charity namely the Marsworth Social Centre for the benefit of the local community. We currently have 8 committee members and have space for any hall user groups to be represented on the committee. Today we only have representatives for the Parish Council and WI.

 

In the past the Church, School and Pre-School have participated but with such a good facility the need to come and air ideas and development needs seems to have waned somewhat. That said anyone who is interested to be part of the committee is more than welcome. We meet on the first Wednesday of each month at 8pm in the Hall.

 

Thanks goes out to all the committee who over the last year included Josie Kempster, Frances Brown, Lynda Brake, Evan Kempster, John Kearsey, Chris King, Annie Edwards, Dick Brake and myself. Not only do they give up their valuable time for our meetings, many extra hours are put in organising the bookings, maintaining the hall and making the fundraising efforts a success. Last week for example item one of our meeting was varnishing the hall floor. So many thanks to the team, you do a fantastic job.

 

The Hall is used mid-week days primarily by Pre School. There is now a mother and toddlers playgroup on Tuesday mornings. Marsworth School have use the hall on Tuesday afternoons. For the evenings we have weekly bookings with dance classes on Wednesdays. Margaret Bonham’s Badminton groups use the hall every Thursday after Grahame Pepper’s keep fit class. WI, Bridge, Parish Council and our committee use the hall once a month for our respective meetings.

 

The self-contained Mike Frost Room continues to be well used. Currently a four times a week Pilates Group use the facility and a weekly Yoga group along with a few occasional one off gatherings.

 

The upkeep of the hall is supplement with three annual fundraising activities.

 

The Firework display is run by the committee and continues to be a great success. Last November we made £448 from the gate money and refreshments less the cost of fireworks. Thanks go out to Paul Rance who purchases the fireworks and provides such a great display. His enthusiasm for the event has definitely helped revitalise it. Three years ago we were struggling to make any money and were considering cancelling this annual village event, so well done Paul.

 

The Christmas Bazaar was well attended and had an excellent array of things to buy. With thanks to Ken and Betty Longhurst for running the mulled wine stall and to the committee for providing tea and cakes. We take a small amount of money on the day from the table fees and refreshments which help cover the cost of the Christmas tree and decorations for the festive period.

 

The Marsworth Hall Charity’s year end is 31^st March and the last 12 months recorded a healthy funds inflow. Bookings which increased 25% year on year in 2017 increased again in 2018 by another 25%. This increase is thanks to the playgroup, the Megafit weekly class, and the success of the Mike frost room with Pilates and Yoga. Lots of weekend parties have not only helped the increase in hall hire funds but made it harder for the cleaner to find a gap in the bookings schedule to clean.

 

Cost of repairs and improvements were low over the last 12 months with just electrical and general maintenance required. We continue to have an issue with the fire doors which are letting in rain water and repairs to date have not been able to permanently fix the problem. We are now looking at a professional repair or possible replacement. Rubbish disposal is also a concern and we have had to resort to locking bins to stop passer-by’s filling them up at the halls expense.

 

The Solar panels continue to produce electricity and so far we have received £4,000 since installation in August 2012. We are on course to recoup the investment cost after 11 year and 3 months.

 

All enquiries on booking either the main hall or the Mike Frost room should be made to Frances on 01296 661211.

 

4) 100 Club – Neil Waterman

The 100 Club is run through the village hall committee for the benefit and upkeep of the Hall. With the collections in 2017 being carried out by Ken and Betty Longhurst, Susan Dean, Ruth Monks, Stephen Wooler and myself. I have to personally thank the team as I couldn’t do this without their help nor could we cover the whole of Marsworth and get so many members to participate without this fantastic effort. We were last out on the streets, as such, in May 2017 and managed between us to increase the membership again. It now stands at 265. Prize money being paid out is currently £1,900 per annum and the hall benefits for about £1,200 per annum.  In total over the last 20 odd years we have just topped the £20k of fundraising mark which is fantastic. As for the monthly draws in the pubs, I must admit that hasn’t attracted as many people as I would like but with combining the newsletter monthly meeting there is sometimes 8 of us to draw the numbers and cheer the winners.

The current subscriptions run to August’s draw so we will be out again over the summer to persuade everyone who’s in or not to join so look out for us.

 

5) AVDC – Cllr .Derek Town

I have attended the full council meetings – 7 present out of 8, member of the Audit Committee 4 present out of 7, I substitute regularly for fellow councillors on Planning Committee meetings (because I have completed the respective training) and Scrutiny committee in addition, I have also been active helping a number of residents with housing issues and refuse collection BINs – most of the problems have been communication and IT complications!!

More general – what have AVDC done

During the last year AVDC have seen the successful completion of the staff culture change programme. Briefly, every member of staff has gone through an assessment process to make sure that we’ve got the right staff in the right jobs. This has resulted in the loss of about 10% of our staff

The savings made have enabled AVDC to develop a balanced budget for the next four years without cutting services.

The culture change programme, together with our digital solutions, has attracted the interest of other local authorities across the country who are similarly suffering from cuts to the Government Grant and we’re now selling our ideas and skills to them – generating over £150,000 of income for AVDC in the last year alone.

Vale Lottery 2017 saw the second anniversary of the Vale Lottery. We’ve now got about 160 organisations signed up and are selling the lottery to other local authorities. I do encourage local good causes to join this, there is no cost to do so and the management etc is done for you. All you need to do is promote YOUR good cause. I can explain in further detail if you wish to contact me or Sandra Jenkins.

The New Homes Bonus scheme has continued to allow us to pass on some of the funds received from Government to local communities. AVDC is one of only a handful of LAs who pass on NHB to communities – the rest use these funds to shore up their revenue budgets.

Local benefits of the NHB are the Marsworth- Pitstone pathway and Ivinghoe Lawn replacement

(iron railings).

The Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan has now been submitted to the Government Inspector. It includes nearly 29,000 new homes across The Vale, 9,000 of which are in respect of the unmet needs of authorities in the south of the county. We are obliged to review the plan within two years because the Government has announced even higher housing numbers for most authorities in the south-east and these will need to be accommodated.

 

Things to Come – the Future

East-West rail will become a reality and this, together with an Oxford-Cambridge Expressway, will open up new housing growth areas that will help to facilitate the increased housing numbers I’ve just mentioned. There are three corridors being considered within which the expressway will run

1/  The southern route that takes a route from Thame past Aylesbury and out to the Stoke       Hammond by-pass via the A418 Wing etc,

2/  A central route  that follows the route of east-west rail and

3/  A northern route that follows the A421 (Buckingham).

 

Unitary. The secretary of state has issued a “minded-to” decision (I interpret this as in favour but not yet decided) to support a single unitary in Bucks (excluding Milton Keynes). This will do away with the four Districts plus BCC and create a new authority based on the geography of Bucks County Council. This is expected to be a new council and not to carry on with the existing BCC - but who knows!! Needless to say, we’re not happy with that “minded to” decision because we honestly believe that local communities are best served by two smaller unitaries – north and south of the county, and that view was strongly supported by Parish Councils across the County when we originally consulted them on our proposals. We have another seven weeks to make representations to the SofS (Secretary of State) and we’re asking PCs to put forward their own comments as part of those representations. Please note this has not been a democratic process and such statements as “generally in favour of a single unitary” leave us councillors mystified because I have no knowledge of any consultation or referendum, only a suggestion in a BCC communication!!.  

 

6) Steam Rally Committee – Cllr .R Kennedy

This event, held every Father's Day, has grown to achieve some 3500 paying attendees each year, and last year, in spite of excessive heat (it was the hottest day of the year) we were able to make the best ever contribution to local good causes. The event involves many villagers who all do so voluntarily and we are hopeful of good support again this year. Anyone wanting to help this year should download a form from the Steam Rally website, complete and return it. Advertisers and would be stallholders need to quickly submit their proposals through the same route to beat the deadline.

 

Donations are normally made to Marsworth Church and School, local Hospices, and other deserving causes or projects. Last year's £15,000 charity donation record was roughly £60 raised for every household in the village which is a stunning achievement.

BBC's national Children In Need campaign manages only around £3 by comparison.

 

Thanks are due to both volunteers and the Committee, which comprises local steam enthusiasts and members who are also involved in other village activities.

Special thanks are due to Evan & Josie Kepmster for providing the space to hold the event, and the patience to put up with the disruption it creates.

 

7) AVDC – Cllr. Sandra Jenkins

I have attended all full AVD full Council meetings.

 

Additionally, I am a member of the Vale of Aylesbury Plan Scrutiny committee. One positive outcome was our success in ensuring the councils in south Buckinghamshire put forward as many development sites as possible, as we are expected to take their unmet housing needs. The south of the county have, of course, got a significant amount of green belt which restricts development but one of my contentions was that their transport and infrastructure was far superior to ours. The Plan has now been submitted to the Government Inspector. It includes nearly 29,000 new homes across The Vale, 9,000 of which for unmet needs. This is due to be reviewed again in two years and housing expectation may well increase.

I am Vice-chairman of the Living and Environment Scrutiny Committee which looks at all AVDC environmental responsibilities. Additionally, we recently had a presentation from the Police on the Community Safety Plan 2018/19. Crime had been generally falling in Aylesbury Vale over the past two years, but there had been an increase in violent crime, thefts of cycles and theft from motor vehicles, most notably tools from unattended work vans They reported budgets had been cut by 20% since 2010 and there is more to come.

Recently we also received a Development Management and Planning Enforcement update. These are high profile services that impact considerably on the environment.  Members saw the potential benefit of additional staffing within the enforcement service due to development and infrastructure growth within the Vale. The committee are aware of residents concerns on this subject and have requested a further update next month.

 

I am also a member of Bucks Council Health and Social Care committee which looks at healthcare provision in the County. One of the issues I am particularly interested in is a pilot scheme developing out of hospital care. This is a joint initiative between Bucks, Oxfordshire and Berks. A key feature of this scheme is 'one stop' community hubs which incorporates the assessment, treatment (particularly of frailty assessment), diagnostic facilities, an extended range of outpatient clinics, and support of voluntary organisations. This pilot service was launched in Thame and Marlow approximately 1 year ago. I think it is important to ensure that following the results of the pilot, if successful, we have a Hub in this locality as logistically it is difficult travelling to Thame and Marlow, particularly for the elderly. We will have a follow- up report at the end of April and I am hoping the committee will be pushing for this.

 

Lastly, I am a member of The Bucks Playing Field association which gives small grants for items associated with playing fields and I have to say they are always looking for applications.

 

8) Badminton Club – Margaret Bonham

I’m Margaret Bonham – Here to represent the Badminton Club, which meets in the main hall, each Thursday, from 8-10pm.

 

We have had a good year, playing a sport we enjoy, with competitive games and meeting up with friends once a week. We would welcome new players! This time last year we had 11 players. This has reduced to 7 this year, with one couple tennis matches on Thursday evenings and another member with an injured knee.

 

The hall continues to provide an excellent venue for us. Minor problems have been some strip lights, which needed replacing, earlier in the year. This has now been done. Also, recently, water coming under the fire escape door on Thursday 29^th Mach, in the very wet pre-Easter weather. Generally, all is fine!  Looking forward to another good year and hopefully an increase in numbers!

 

9) Marsworth CofE Infants School – Headmistress, Mrs A Polatci

Personnel:

I am now into my fourth year of headship. Mrs Wendy Casterton supports me in Goldfinches.

Mrs Jan Stevens takes Robins (Nursery and Reception) Monday to Thursday supported by

Mrs Jenny Nurden in the mornings and Mrs Carter in the afternoons. Mrs Emma Williams (Denyer) was appointed in January 2017 and takes Robins on Tuesday afternoon to cover Mrs Stevens PPA time and all day Friday. Mrs Alexandra Ayres was appointed in September 2017 and covers my office time all day on Mondays and Tuesday’s in KS1. We have been fortunate to keep our SEN support assistant

Mrs Oxley who works every morning in EYFS.

Mrs Pankiw is our office manager and Mrs Oxley, Mrs Carter, Ms Wells and Mrs Hobart are our Midday Supervisors. Mr Broad continues to be our caretaker.

 

 

 

 

 

Group Membership:

The school continues to be a member of the following groups:

• Network Learning Community of Schools (Liaison Group)
• Federation of Small Schools Group

 

Our Level 3 Travel Plan Status has been renewed because of our continued activities in this area. The children enjoy having their “Go for Gold” cards stamped daily by Mrs Pankiw. This is a Travel Plan initiative encouraging children to walk to school.

               

Facilities/Resources:

Mrs Alison Wade and Mr Keith McMahon have recently joined the Governing Body and Mrs Alison Wade has conducted a termly health and safety inspection with Mrs Pottle. 

 

Refurbishment/Maintenance

Our biggest project this year was installing the outdoor classroom which is a quiet area in which the children are able to reflect, draw, and investigate topics on a seasonal theme. We have re-pointed boundary wall as well. Ongoing projects are, general refurbishment and updating storage facilities with Early Years, one of which is a storage shelter for bikes and trikes and any other outdoor equipment.

 

Outside Activities:

The school joined the village at All Saints Church, Marsworth for the annual Harvest Festival service. We then held a sale of produce and the proceeds were donated to Children in Need. The children also raised additional money for Children in Need by dressing up and baking cakes/ biscuit for a donation.

These activities, and through our RE lessons studying different countries, help the children to understand about life in other parts of the world.

In the summer term 2017 we held a Global awareness week and studied the countries South Africa and Ireland. The children participated in activities linked to these countries such as African art, Irish cooking and Dancing, the children listened to and acted out African and Irish stories.

 

We also held a Maths week carrying out lots of investigations and problem solving both in school and around the village. The children took part in World Book Day (despite the snow!) where some parents came in to read to groups of children, the children shared their favourite book and they also took part in a book swap.

 

Life at Marsworth School, as you can see, continues to be varied and enjoyable.

 

We would also like to add our thanks to the whole village for their valued support of our school – it is much appreciated. Mrs Angela Polatci – Head teacher – March 2018

 

10)  Women’s Institute – Denise Cornwall

Marsworth WI. have, once again had a very successful year. 

The membership is now at 44 members, like all organisations our numbers rise and fall but we
continue to add new members, and we always attract a good size attendance each month.

We have various fund-raising activities throughout the year. Such as coffee mornings where

members of the WI open their homes to other members, provide coffee and delicious things to eat, along with a raffle.

We also hold other events and we had a very successful jumble sale in April 2017 netting some £500.

We hope to do the same with the Jumble sale that we are holding this month.

 

Other activities throughout the month are a Book Club. Which is met with much enthusiasm and excitement when a new book is being read and then discussed with book club members.

 

Every third Wednesday we have a craft group and its amazing to see what the most experienced member who can sew, knit etc produces alongside the other members who have never even sewn

on a button.

 

We also have a supper club that has an average of between 12 & 18 members who on the 2nd Tuesday of the month visit a local restaurant or pub to sample their menu.

Once a year the organiser of the supper club arranges a surprise venue, this is always met with great hilarity and suspense. So far no WI Member has guessed where the event is going to take place.

 

We continue to have some very good speakers each month. The last two speakers have been very good, one was spoke about BLOOD BIKES. An organisation that can be called out at all hours of the day or night to transport blood to various hospitals. One thing that surprised all of us was that the thing they transported most was Mothers milk to Great Ormond street hospital. This is truly a life line to premature babies.

 

The other speaker was about a local lad David Butler, who was spending an afternoon on Ivinghoe beacon and sadly picked up an object that turned out to be a land mine. David lost most of his limbs but his determination to lead, as much as possible, a normal life was an inspiration to all of the members who attended WI that evening.

 

We have also had training in the use of the defibrillator which is outside the village hall, approx.

15 members doing hands on training and the rest observed.  Again this was an evening of much hilarity but the outcome was a positive one with some members feeling confident to use the defibrillator.

In November, we had a change of president when the wonderful Elsie Beasley stepped down. 

Chris King was duly elected as the new president, along with a new committee including some new faces. The annual Christmas dinner was a huge success, it was held in the village hall and we enjoyed a wonderful meal, good wine, swapping of presents & the entertainment was provided by an excellent duo called the Cherry Valentines.

 

11) Marsworth Bridge Club – (Absent – Report received)  Betty Longhurst

The Marsworth Bridge Club continues to meet monthly in the Village Hall on the evening of the second Tuesday of every month as it has done for many years. The past year has been particularly successful and we regularly have had five tables playing duplicate bridge. New playing members will always be made very welcome at our friendly and relaxed evening. Surplus funds from the Club continue to be donated to All Saints Church in Marsworth and last August the Club also sponsored two arrangements at the 2017 Marsworth Flower Festival. 

Once again I ran a large charity bridge tournament and lunch in the Hall in February for 108 players. This year the profits of £2,555 were shared between The Florence Nightingale Hospice in Aylesbury and The Pepper Foundation, a local charity that provides home nursing support for families that have children with life-limiting or terminal illnesses.

 

12) Police – (Absent – Report received) PCSO Jackie Dodson

BURGLARY = 1

THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE = 3

BURGLARY NON DWELLING = 4

SUS CIRCS = 2

ASB = 2 RELATES TO A PARTY.

ILLEGAL FISHING = 4

TRAFFIC INCIDENTS = 2

CRIMINAL DAMAGE = 2

 

My name is PCSO Jackie Dodson, I have been working out of Wing for the past 13 years, and I cover the Wing South area which includes Marsworth. I was down to come and attend the annual Parish Council meeting this evening, but due to personal reasons I am unable to make it so would like to extend my apologies and to say that if there are any issues you would like to discuss with me I am more than happy to arrange to come and see you, please leave your details with the clerk who will pass them onto me and I will be in contact soonest.

 

13) Canal Bank Farm planning proposal

Presentation by architect Dominic Eaton on behalf of Mr and Mrs Narduzzo. Dominic reported that following the positive feedback they had received at the previous public presentation where 55 people attended, they had made some amendments to the proposed design of the buildings, particularly with respect to the issue raised about on looking - the proposed location of bedroom windows has been revised and they were now going to continue the red clay tiles down the wall with the main building being predominantly black.

 

Mr Eaton wanted to reiterate their proposals regarding Church Lane, which is the only access road to this development. He apologised that Martin Giles, their Highways expert, had been unable to attend so he would attempt to talk through the plans. They have had lengthy discussions with David Marsh, the Highways consultant at Bucks CC. They propose to create a footpath along Church Lane where possible on the land owned by Highways, but accept that not all of the land along the road is available for this use. They do still plan to propose to reduce the speed limit to 20mph.

(some of Church Lane is currently 60mph for historical reasons).

 

The formal planning application has not yet been submitted because they wanted to get further feedback from this meeting first. He said that they had received pre-application advice from AVDC planners, who were keen on the proposed 6 x 4 bedroomed, farm-type cluster style.

 

When asked about the inadequate sewerage in that area Mr Eaton said he believed a solution had been put forward. He wasn’t asked to elaborate.

 

Agenda of meeting to be held on Monday 9^th April 2018 in Millennium Hall, Marsworth at 7.00pm.

 

2^nd April 2018

 

PARISH MEETING

 

Agenda

 

1)To approve minutes of meeting held on 10^th April 2017

 

2)To receive Chairman’s Report – Cllr. Richard Brake

 

3)To receive BCC Councillors report – Cllr. Anne Wight

 

4)Reports from representatives of village organisations.

 

5)Canal Bank Farm

 

6)Open Meeting

 

PARISH MEETING 10th APRIL 2017

 

Minutes of Parish Meeting held on 10th April 2017 in Millennium Hall at 7pm

 

Minutes of meeting held on 10^th April 2016 were approved.

 

Chairman’s Report – Cllr Dick Brake

Welcome to the 2017 Annual Parish Meeting for Marsworth. Whilst the Parish Council is well represented here I would stress that the meeting is not a Parish Council Meeting but is one for the whole village to participate in. Our task is to ensure the meeting takes place, and is properly managed and recorded, and also to report on the main aspects of the Parish Council activity over the past year.

Firstly I want to thank my fellow councillors for their efforts over the past year. Councillors give their time freely and often this involves hours of commitment and inconvenience. Additionally I want to introduce our new Clerk Jill Dickinson who has taken over from Chris Kelly. This year has been relatively quiet for the Parish Council. We continue to pursue the state of our roads and hope that the repair crews will be coming in the very near future.

Issues such as the footpath to Pitstone alongside the B489 are still being pursued, the
re-development of the White Lion is still one of the villages concerns and is still awaiting Planning consent, as is the development of Bulbourne Yard. This year we will be installing new seating in the Recreation ground, and are considering more adult exercise machines.

I will close now and so we can continue with our guests and local organisations giving
their reports.

 

Reports from:

1) BCC – Cllr Avril Davies

Roads and transport

General poor maintenance but 12 schemes completed Ivinghoe Division

Downgrading A4146 / Dunstable north bypass linking A505 LB bypass to M1

Tri- county signage scheme essential

Weight limit campaign for B488

Revival of the HGV strategy

Finances

Regrettable Increase in Council, tax

Half ring fenced for adult social care and matched with additional spending

Two thirds County budget spent on social care

About 9% each on roads and education

£100M cuts since 2010, £30M more to come

By 2020 no grant from government. Bucks will be paying back.

Schools

Housing development pressure on school places. Some movement on primary place planning in the Ivinghoe Division, including Dagnall proposing to take pupils up to 11.

Secondary school transport is costly and difficult to understand. Increase in fares
coming up.

Proposals to tighten transport charging policy again for September 2017 dropped. Some small individual victories achieved for parents.

Unitary Council(s) for Bucks

No progress on this as government unable/unwilling to reach a decision in time for
May elections.

County council services include

Public Health

Children’s social care

Adult social care and learning disability services

Libraries, museums, archaeology and archives

Education but not direct schools management

Transport and highways including planning

Waste and minerals planning – Economic development

 

 

2) Marsworth CofE Infants School - Headmistress, Mrs A Polatci

Personnel: I am now into my third year of headship. Mrs Wendy Casterton supports me in Goldfinches. Mrs Jan Stevens takes Robins (Nursery and Reception) Monday to Thursday supported by Mrs Jenny Nurden. Ms Emma Denyer was appointed in January 2017 and takes Robins on Monday afternoon to cover Mrs Stevens PPA time and all day Friday. Mrs Karen Scott was also appointed in January 2017 and covers my office time all day on Wednesday and Thursday in KS1. We have been fortunate to keep our SEN support assistants,
Mrs Carter and Mrs Oxley who both work every afternoon Mrs Pankiw is our Bursar/Secretary and Mrs Oxley, Mrs Carter, Ms Wells and Mrs Hobart are our Midday Supervisors.
Mr Broad continues to be our caretaker.

 

Group Membership:

The school continues to be a member of the following groups:

Network Learning Community of Schools (Liaison Group)

Buckingham Sports Partnership

Federation of Small Schools Group.

 

Buckingham Sports Partnership has provided various sporting events for our KS1 children:

Multi-skills sporting events at Cottesloe School

Small Schools Sports Festival at Stoke Mandeville Stadium

These events are continuing due to the new Government Sports Funding to Schools.
This is going to continue for at least the next year. We continue to develop links with Cottesloe School with their Sports Leaders helping out at our Annual Sports Day.

 

Our Level 3 Travel Plan Status has been renewed because of our continued activities in this area. The children enjoy having their “Go for Gold” cards stamped daily by Mrs Pankiw. This is a Travel Plan initiative encouraging children to walk to school.

           

Facilities/Resources:

Mrs Caron Owens (Premises Governor) carries out termly inspections of our premises with Mrs Angela Polatci. She brings a great deal of expertise to this aspect of school life.

 

Refurbishment/Maintenance:

Our biggest project this year was replacing and updating our ICT equipment across the school. This enables the children to access this ever changing subject. Ongoing projects are having our boundary wall reappointed/replaced, general refurbishment and updating storage facilities with Early Years.

 

Outside Activities:

The school joined the village at All Saints Church, Marsworth for the annual Harvest Festival service. We then held a sale of produce and the funds raised (£25.40) were donated to
Save the Children. The children were actively involved in selecting the charities they wish
to support.

 

For the UNICEF Day for Change the children came in ordinary clothes and paid to do this. Their contribution was then sent off to UNICEF – we raised £25.

These activities, and through our RE lessons studying different countries, help the children to understand about life in other parts of the world.

Last June, our KS1 children learnt about different parts of the church and thoroughly enjoyed visiting and listening to Richard Cooper and volunteers at the Church.

 

We also held a Maths week carrying out lots of investigations and problem solving both in school and around the village

 

Our Friends of Marsworth School Fundraising Group continue to hold a variety of events in aid of our school. We have purchased a number of resources for the school thanks to these events.

 

Life at Marsworth School, as you can see, continues to be varied and enjoyable.

 

We would also like to add our thanks to the whole village for their valued support of our school – it is much appreciated.
Mrs Angela Polatci – Head teacher – March 2017

 

3) Women’s Institute – Christine King

This year has been a particularly exciting and busy one for Marsworth, not least because it was our 70^th Birthday, but more about that later.

 

Instead of a January meeting, we held our annual dinner at The Queen's Head in Wing and as anticipated enjoyed a really excellent meal with delicious wines.

 

Our next big event was our annual jumble sale held in April. This was a resounding success, making more than ever before and grateful thanks was extended to all members for their help in arranging this.

 

In May, after listening to a speaker from Sulgrave Manor last year, it was agreed that we would like to  actually visit the house. This was duly booked and 15 of our members had a wonderful day there. We were the only visitors on that day and after coffee with home made biscuits and cakes, we were given a guided tour of the house. For anyone who has not visited Sulgrave Manor, you should really try it, it makes history come to life. After the tour we were treated to a home made lunch, prepared specially for us and had time to visit the gift shop and gardens before taking our leave.

 

Then, of course, came June, the highlight of our year. On 6^th June at Marsworth Church a short service of dedication was held when several of our more talented members presented the tapestry pew runners which they had made to our Vicar and they are now proudly in place. This was followed by refreshments, all home made of course.

 

Last, but by no means least we held our 70^th Birthday Party.  It was based on a 1946 Street Party.  Many members got into the spirit and came in period dress and the hall was decorated with bunting and Union Jacks. Our catering sub-committee produced an authenticate 1946 menu of Fish Pie or Macaroni Cheese followed by jelly and blancmange with evaporated milk.  Surprisingly enough, some of our younger members had never even heard of blancmange let alone tasted it!  We were entertained by Glenn Miller music and also by a short play, acted by some of our members, which told of what we imagined might have happened at our inaugural meeting. This was written and produced by yet another of our talented members.

 

As we moved into July the fun went on with an annual coffee and scones morning held in the garden of our Treasurer. The weather, once again, smiled on us and a great many scones and cream were washed down with coffee and tea. Later in July, on a beautiful Saturday morning, a small but hard working band of members gave the Jubilee Garden a “tidy up” and also administered a coat of varnish to the WI bench located next to the garden.

 

There is no end to our appetite for the home baking skills of our members and on the afternoon of 10^th August we held an afternoon garden party hosted by our President. Luckily, after a doubtful start, the weather was, again kind with warm sunshine and clear blue skies.  The party was very well attended with over 29 guests and vast numbers of sandwiches and mouth watering cakes were consumed with, naturally, a few gallons of tea.

 

Our final meeting of the year was, of course, our Christmas jolly.

 

The Committee gave voice to an unusual carol, written by our talented Committee Member Margaret Johnson, which was sung(!) to the tune of “Good King Wenceslas”. This was followed by a heart rending (but amusing)) poem, again written by Margaret and read by her, called “Christmas Shopping”!

 

After this virtuoso performance we held a Christmas Quiz which made some us really rack our  brains, but the delicious mulled wine and mouth-watering mince pies certainly helped and the evening ended in suitably jovial way with the President wishing everyone a very happy Christmas and New Year

 

The speakers at our monthly meetings continue to interest and entertain us.  Two of our really memorable ones were “Silk for Sundays” by Yvonne Bell and “My Little Evacuee” by Gordon Abbott.  We are all grateful to our Programme Secretary, Chris King, for finding us such excellent speakers each month

 

Our craft club is well attended each month as are our supper club and book club.

 

We continue to give a £200 Bursary each year towards a course at Denman College and our President thoroughly enjoyed her course on “Complimentary Therapies”. The Bursary this year was won by one of our new members, Emma McHale, who attended a course on “French Cuisine” which she greatly enjoyed.

 

The village of Marsworth is planning to erect a Village Sign and Marsworth WI are fully supporting this community venture.

 

Our Institute is going from strength to strength, in spite of losing five members last year, we have gained eight new members, making a total of 50 members in all...

 

 

4) Millennium Hall – Neil Waterman

The Village Hall Committee run the hall via a charity namely the Marsworth Social Centre for the benefit of the local community. We currently have 9 committee members and have space for any hall user groups to be represented on the committee. Today we only have representatives for the Parish Council and WI.

 

In the past the Church, School and Pre-School have participated but with such a good facility the need to come and air ideas and development needs seems to have waned somewhat. That said anyone who is interested to be part of the committee is more than welcome. We meet on the first Wednesday of each month at 8pm in the Hall.

 

Thanks goes out to all the committee who over the last year included Josie Kempster, Francis Brown, Lynda Brake, Evan Kempster, John Kearsey, Christine King, Michelle Churchill, Dick Brake and myself.

 

The Hall is used mid-week days primarily by Pre School. There is now a mother and toddlers group on Tuesday mornings. The School sometimes use the hall during the day too. For evenings we have two Badminton groups using the hall on Monday and Thursday evenings and dance classes on Wednesdays. WI, Bridge, Parish Council and our committee use the hall once a month for our respective meetings.

 

The self-contained Mike Frost Room continues to be used. Currently a four times a week Pilates Group use the facility and I am pleased to see the Parish meeting is being held
here too.

 

The upkeep of the hall is supplement with three fundraising activities.

 

The Firework display is run by the committee and continues to be a great success. Last November we made £543, the second year running to make over £500 from the gate and refreshments. Thanks to Paul Rance who took over the purchase and letting off of the fireworks and his enthusiasm for the event has definitely help us revitalise the event.

 

The Bazaar was well attended and had an excellent array of things to buy. With thanks to Ken and Betty Longhurst for running the mulled wine stall we made £50 in total from table fees and refreshments after providing the tree and decorations for the festive period.

 

The 100 Club is run through the village hall committee and during the last year it was in a 20 month subscription period so only £90 will be recorded in this year’s accounts from new members joining over that time. I trust everyone has seen the recent articles in Marsworth News and has done their best to pay the next £15 for their numbers to help the collection effort. As of Sunday I have managed to collect 70 out of the c250 members so some time to go to complete that task but in the end it will raise another £1,500 for the hall and have £2,250 ready to give out in prizes.

 

The Marsworth Hall Charity’s year end is 31^st March and the last 12 months recorded a healthy funds inflow. Bookings increased 25% in value year on year due to many more occasional one off bookings and the start of a number of new groups namely Pilates, Youth club and the Marsworth Players.

 

 

Cost of repairs and improvements were low over the last 12 months with the purchase of 100 chairs being 50% covered by a community chest grant being added and a new kitchen wall mounted hot water dispenser.

 

The Solar panels continue to produce electricity and so far we have received £3,300 since it’s installation in August 2012. If anyone is interested in investing in solar panels we are on course to recoup the investment cost after 11 year and 4 months.

 

All enquiries on booking either the main hall or the Mike Frost room should be made to Fran on 01296 661211.

 

5) Village Newsletter – Neil Waterman                                                                          

With the Marsworth News (“MN”) now well established and well received I would like to
take this opportunity to thank the team for creating, producing and delivering such an excellent read.

 

Sandra Costello, Elaine Standen, Chas Pearson and Christine John have all edited and produced the MN over the last year. Graham Dickinson continues to bless the team with his knowledge on best look and design and is a true asset when it comes to proof reading.

 

The committee who meet monthly in one of the local establishments includes and is grateful to Lynda and Dick Brake, Josie and Evan Kempster, Annie Sandon and Neil Waterman for their support, ideas, copy and reviews. We always have plenty of space for anyone who would like to join us to help edit, produce, comment or create an article.

 

Contributors are increasing and thanks go out to Bumpkin, Bugs in the Garden, Paul Simmons, Angela Polatci , Evan Kempster, Dick Pilkington, Carole Hawkins, Richard Cooper, the Revd Adrian Manning, Elaine Standen and Sandra Costello for their continued copy.

 

Annie has done a great job again over the last year on advertising and collections.

 

Luckily the task of delivering the MNs is shared among 15 willing volunteers and it was great to see many of them at our December gathering at the Red Lion. Thanks goes out to
Elsie Beesley, Carol Jeffries, Valerie Farrell, Paul Egan-Carter, Pam Cotton, Frances Brown, Dick Brake, Chas Pearson, Polly Maslen, Susan Dean, Jean Fulton, Gayle Sturrock,
Annie Sandon and Stephen Wooler.

 

Since the last Parish meeting the newsletter took on the task of coordinating the fund raising for the village sign and I am pleased to say that within the year the magnificent amount of £4,466 has been raised and/or pledged. Money came in from many of the village organisations amounting to £2,400, individual donations of £786, fund raising £280 and a £1,000 Bucks Community Chest grant. I must just take this opportunity to congratulate Sandra and Elaine who had the vision and determination to make sure this happened for the Village. So very well done to you both and thank you. I and many others look forward to seeing the finished article.

 

In April, I will be transferring the funds for the village sign over to the Parish Council who has kindly agreed to facilitate the purchase and construction. As for general funds, the MN continue to see a good level of advertising income and currently have enough funds for well over a year of print.

 

6) Badminton Club – Margaret Bonham  (Absent – report received)

As members of the Badminton Club, we play at the Millennium Hall each Thursday evening from 8 – 10 p.m. We currently have 11 players, 7 ladies and 4 men. Six of our members
live inthe village. Last year, we had a total of 8 players. So it is good that our numbers
have increased.

 

This time last year, I reported some problems we had encountered at the hall.

Namely water very occasionally entering at the fire exit door and sometimes

dust and debris on the floor. Happily, we have not had any problems this year.

 

The Millennium Hall provides a very pleasant venue for badminton and we are

happy to meet and play there.

 

7) Canal and River Trust – (Absent – Report received).

Our Volunteer Lock Keepers have started back ahead of the summer boating season and are on site on a regular basis to support boaters through the locks.
 

We are also working on a Heritage Lottery-funded project on the Wendover Arm, to

assess the possibilities for the restoration of the canal arm. This will include devising potential activities that could take place on the Wendover arm. Our consultants working on this project will be in touch with people in the local area (various community groups surrounding the Wendover Arm) to assess the possibilities for the restoration project.
 

The South East Waterway Team of the Canal & River Trust will be drawing up a Destination Management Plan for Tring Reservoirs in the next six months. Marsworth Parish Council has been invited to attend the Tring Liaison meeting to discuss this on Tuesday 25 April at 2pm, and has been added to the list of consultees, for the consultants working on the project to talk to. The plan will draw together ideas for the future sustainability and development of the reservoir site and review the facilities available to visitors.
 

The Canal & River Trust, working the leaseholder at the reservoir site (Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust) have been successful in winning funding from the Tesco ‘Bags of help’ fund to implement a new visitor trail at the reservoir site. Across the next year, we will also improve signage alongside this visitor trail project.
 

The Canal & River Trust, along with the Tring Anglers and Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust plan to hold the biannual Tring Reservoir Festival across August Bank Holiday weekend
in 2017.
 

The waste disposal point at Red Lion Bridge has been reported to our operational team.

All enquiries to the Canal & River Trust should be made to enquiries.southeast@canalrivertrust.org.uk.

I will be on maternity leave from 4 May 2017, so please direct all parish enquiries for the Trust to the email address above.

 

 

8) Thames Valley Police – Frank Callaghan – (Absent, report received)

 

1). 19/04/16 – Theft from vehicle at Startops. Radio stolen.

 

2) 12/05/16 – Theft from vehicle on Icknield Way. Leaf blower stolen from trailer.

 

3). 14/06/16 – Theft of lead. All Saints Church. Number of males arrested by Cambridgeshire police for similar offences and charged with this one as well.

 

4). 06/07/16 -  Burglary dwelling – Watery Lane. Forced front door. Nothing stolen.

 

5). 1/07/16 – Criminal Damage. Cheddington Road. Rear windscreen of vehicle smashed.

 

6). 23/07/16 – Theft. Vicarage Road. Scrap copper stolen from outside house.

 

7). 27/07/16 – Burglary dwelling. Lower Icknield Way. Jewellery stolen.

 

8). 22/09/16 – Burglary non dwelling. Marsworth Airfield. Power tools stolen.

 

9) 29/06/16 – Criminal Damage. Watery Lane. Tyres on vehicle had screws put in them. One arrested.

 

10). 03/10/16 – Theft from vehicle. Lower Icknield Way.Power tools stolen

 

11). 13/10/16 – Handling/receiving stolen goods. Lower Icknield Way. Four males arrested concerning theft of motor vehicles. Non local.

 

12). 20/10/16 – Criminal Damage. Lower Icknield Way. Gate Locks smashed on entrance to field.

 

13). 20/10/16 – Sexual assault on a female. Delivery driver tried to hug and kiss a female uninvited and was told to go away. Male arrested.

 

14). 07/11/16 – Burglary non dwelling – Bulbourne Road. Out building broken into and power tools stolen.

 

15). 10/11/16 – Criminal Damage. Stepnells.Sheep attacked by dogs in field.

 

16). 16/11/16 – Burglary non dwelling attempted. Lower Icknield Way. Padlock to barn cut. Offenders disturbed and made off.

 

17). 09/02/17 – Theft. Watery Lane. Lead trimmings stolen from front of house.

 

18). 11/02/17 – Dwelling burglary. Stepnells. Entry via rear window Computer equipment and jewellery stolen.

 

19). 15/02/17 – Dwelling burglary. Startops End. Entry via front door ( possibly insecure ). Computer and camera equipment stolen.

 

20). 13/03/17 – Theft. Lower icknield Way. Lead piping stolen from front area of house.

 

21). 25/03/17 – Theft. Startops End. Person using taxi believes mobile phone went missing between Aylesbury and Marsworth

 

22). 30/03/17 – Burglary non dwelling. Vicarage Gardens. Two bicycles stolen from insecure shed.

 

23). 01/04/17 – Theft from vehicle. Long Marston Road. Power tools stolen. This crime linked to others in different area. Two males have been arrested.

 

24). 02/04/17 – Theft of pedal cycle. Church Lane.

 

25). 04/04/17 – Burglary non dwelling. Lower End. Removed electrical items from unlocked garage and unlocked vehicle.

 

26). 05/04/17 – Burglary non dwelling. Vicarage Gardens. Insecure garage entered and power tools stolen..

 

Thames Valley Police have been involved with Operation Abscind over the last twelve months which is a late evening/ overnight patrolling of hot spot crime areas. The objective being to detect and arrest offenders committing crime on the rural areas and to disrupt their activities. We have had some considerable success with this whereby multiple offenders have been arrested,  a substantial quantity of stolen property recovered and a noticeable decrease in overnight theft from vans containing power tools over that time period. A number of the offenders believed involved in this type of crime appear to have vacated the area due to the continued police presence.

We did have a spate last year of lead theft from church roofs which now seems to have abated comparatively. A number of offenders were arrested by Cambridgeshire Police and charged with a number of offences including the Marsworth offence and others on the Thames Valley Police area.

Very recently two males were arrested on suspicion of theft from motor vehicles occurring in the Aylesbury North Rural areas including offences in the Marsworth area.

As can be seen we have had occurrences of thefts from vehicles and outhouses in the area. Some of these have involved vehicles and outhouses that have been left insecure. We would advise people to lock vehicles at all times, even if left for a short time. Also it is advisable to always keep garages, sheds etc locked when not in use. A lot of criminals are opportunist and will go for the easy target. Lastly we would ask that if you do see or hear anything that you deem suspicious then please call the police. We have attended incidents after the offence has occurred and on conducting enquiries it has been occasionally apparent that residents have heard and seen things but did not report to the police at the time. If you are not happy with something then call it in. It may well be innocent but sometimes it could well be the only chance we have of detecting offenders.

We have not had any reports of Anti Social Behaviour over the last twelve months.

That concludes the Annual Police Report for Marsworth

 

9) Public Participation

 

a) Sandra Costello – Marsworth Village Sign

Sandra thanked everybody involved for all their efforts, the sign is currently being manufactured. The unveiling is to be held on 10^th June 2017 by a county dignitary which will coincide with a local history exhibition held in the village hall where refreshments will also be available.

 

b) Tim Head – Roads

Tim thanked MPC and BCC for the support and action in getting water from moat stopped and some pot holes repaired, although repair quality poor. 

 

 

 

 

Minutes of Parish Meeting held on 13^1h April 2016 in Millennium Hall at 7pm

1. Minutes of meeting held on 13^th April 2015 were approved

2. Chairman’s Report – Cllr Dick Brake

Welcome to the 2016 Annual Parish Meeting for Marsworth. Whilst the Parish Council is well represented here I would stress that the meeting is not a Parish Council Meeting but is one for the whole village to participate in. Our task is to ensure the meeting takes place, and is properly managed and recorded, and also to report on the main aspects of the Parish Council activity over the past year.

Firstly I want to thank my fellow councillors and clerk for their efforts over the past year. Councillors give their time freely and often this involves hours of commitment and inconvenience. This year has been relatively quiet for the Parish Council, This year has been relatively quiet for the Parish Council, Watery Lane closure has been put in place, and extensive work at the Recreation ground has taken place to improve the play area and entrance. The adult equipment that has been installed is being used by residents. There are still monies available for further equipment, so any ideas please let us know. We have, for two years, been trying to get Bucks Highways to dig the banks back in Church Lane to the edge of the tarmac and despite their promises we are still waiting. This also goes for the Bridle path by College Farm and also Watery Lane, both were supposed to have had vegetation cut bacck we will pursue them to carry out the work. The footpath to Pitstone is proceeding and we at this time we are trying to raise funding for it.

3. No report received from Canal and River Trust.

4. BCC Councillor’s report – Cllr Avril Davies not in attendance

5. Reports from:-

1) Village Newsletter – Neil Waterman

With the Marsworth News (“MN”) now well established and well received I would like to take this opportunity to thank the team for creating, producing and delivering such an excellent read.

Sandra Costello, Elaine Standen and Chas Pearson have all edited and produced the MN over the last year and we are delighted that Christine John has also joined the team. Graham Dickinson continues to bless us with his knowledge on the look and design and is an asset to the proof reading effort.

The committee creating the MN also includes and is grateful to Lynda and Dick Brake and Josie and Evan Kempster, Annie Sandon and Neil Waterman for their support, ideas, copy and reviews.

Contributors are increasing and thanks go out to Carole Hawkins, Josie Evans, Bumpkin, Bugs in the Garden, Paul Simmons, Angela Polatci , Margaret Johnson and Revd Adrian Manning for their continued copy.

Annie has done a great job again over the last year on advertising and some good collections in March have help increase the funds.

Luckily the task of delivering the MNs is shared among 15 willing volunteers and it was great to see many of them at our December gathering at the Red Lion. Thanks goes out to them all.

Sadly we lost Brian Allen in January. Brian for more years than can be remembered looked after the printing of the MNs and is missed.

As for funds, we are seeing an increase in advertising income and a fall in printing costs so all good news and all helped by the fantastic voluntary effort of all mentioned above. We currently have enough funds for well over a year of print.

2) Millennium Hall - Neil Waterman

The Committee meets monthly and currently consists of 8 members with user / club representatives only from the Parish Council. There’s plenty of room on the committee with vacancies for representatives from Pre School, School, Church, WI and any other group / society that uses the hall.

Thanks to the Committee, consisting of;

Vacancies – Pre School, School, WI, Church, Bridge

We are a Charity (Marsworth Social Centre no 205732) and our year end is 31^st March.

We have a paid caretaker / cleaner Michelle Churchill 6hrs per week.

Hall income has dropped as we lost the Pilates group run by Jackie Crane and Toddlers on Tuesday afternoons. We received c£8.6k compared to previous years £9.2k.

Regular user income includes:

Pre School 56% of the total hall hire income - Mornings and Afternoons

Badminton – Mondays and Thursday evenings

Dance – Wednesdays

Free Hall – Friday evenings

Monthly etc - WI, Bridge, School, Church, Parish Council

Palates was held in the Mike Frost room.

New soft play activity is being held on Tuesday afternoons and I hear is being well attended

Occasional income (children’s parties for example) – approx. 30 events per annum

Complaints – None in the past 12 months.

Damage – None in the past 12 months.

Issues – Water coming in through the fire exit doors.

Our Income is supplemented with a few annual fundraising events

• Fireworks on the recreation ground – For the last three years the fireworks have been sourced by the committee to make the event viable. Nov15 made £533.
• Christmas Bazaar was well attended and attracted a good variety of stall holders and contributed £111. Thanks to Ken and Betty Longhurst for running the mulled wine stall.
• The 100 Club (currently has 244 members paid up to May 2017) - £2,000 (£3,000 in prize money will be given out over this period)

2016/17 financial year to 31 March 2015 will see a net cash inflow of around £1,000. Thanks to two grants received from Bucks CC £1,000 and the Steam Rally £2,000. Major expenditure was on refurb kitchen units and the purchase and install of the defibrillator.

The solar panels cost £7,725 to install in Aug 2012.

Now getting 24.31p per unit of electricity produced - £2.6k has been received to date (11.3 year pay back !!).

Bookings for the hall and upstairs room are not quite at the level we would hope and the committee continue to looking into marketing and advertising the hall.

3) Women’s Institute – Elsie Beesley

I t has been another very busy and enjoyable year for the members of Marsworth Women's lnstitute. The Wl movement was celebrating its centenary and we, in Buckinghamshire held various events to commemorate this. In June 40 members and friends travelled by coach to Waddesdon Manor and in glorious sunshine enjoyed a garden party. Josie Kempster represented Marsworth at a garden party at Buckingham Palace but we were not given the opportunity to attend the AGM, attended by the Queen and other Royal ladies, at the Royal Albert Hall as it was not our turn to send a delegate! We organised a really interesting tour of the Arla factory and some of us visited Waterperry Gardens. We continue to maintain our Jubilee garden, Margaret Booth's rose and bench in the recreation ground. We have just rubbed down the bench ready for treating. Our charity for last year was All Saint's Church and six of our members have been working pew runners for the choir, priest and Bishop seats. Adrian Manning, our Parish Priest will be dedicating them at a special service in June. You may also have noted the new roses planted either side of the path leading up to the Church and the plaque place in front of the centenary Rose. Marsworth Wl was formed in June 1946 so we are celebrating our own birthday with a street party theme at our June meeting. We are working hard compiling scrapbooks with information and photographs on the last 70 years. I have found it fascinating as I have been a member since the early 70’s and my mother was one of our first members.

Finally it is gratifying that our membership is growing every month with the women of families moving to Marsworth wanting to be part of our group. Our numbers have

Ticked along for many years at 32ish, but we now have 47 members with 3 ladies about to join us. Plus a first for our WI for many years. One of our new younger ladies is getting married in July so happy days for \Marsworth Women’s Institute.

4) Marsworth Charity – Matthew Carter

We had a Charity meeting earlier this week. So that you are aware, I am standing down as Chairman and Trustee as, following my retirement and after 27 years in Marsworth, we are going to look to move to westwards. Our constitution says we should have the following Trustees: One person appointed by Marsworth Parish Council One person appointed by Marsworth Parochial
Church Council One person appointed by Governing Body of Marsworth C of E First school Two persons elected for a term of three years by the Marsworth Annual Parish Meeting

We agreed I would ask Adrian as the Vicar and he has accepted to represent the PCC and Paul Egan Carter has accepted to represent the school. Margaret Johnson and Chris Kew need to get elected and re-elected for the next three years by the Parish Council at the AGM in May to represent the village; leaving one representative to be appointed to represent the PC. Please can you add this to the agenda at the AGM in May to make an election and then let Chris Kew (Charity Secretary) know (cc'd into this email). The Charity is very limited in its funds and our only asset is a 4ac paddock known as the Gravel Pit field located up the track past College Farm in the village. The field is let on an Agricultural Holdings Act tenancy to Amanda Rawding who pays f320 per annum. We currently hold about f3000 in the accounts. We hold two meetings a yea6 the next one will be 9th September 2015, 8pm at Chris's house, Long Moat, 75 Vicarage Road HP23 4LU. Our objective is to apply the income "for such charitable purposes for the general benefit of the inhabitants of the Parish of Marsworth as the Trustees think fit".

5) The Marsworth Bridge Club – Betty Longhurst

The Marsworth Bridge Club continues to meet monthly in the Village Hall on the evening of the second Tuesday of every month as it has done for many years. We regularly have four tables playing duplicate bridge and we would still like to increase our numbers a little from this level if possible. New playing members will always be made very welcome at our friendly and relaxed evening of duplicate bridge. Surplus funds from the Club continue to be donated to All Saints Church in Marsworth and last August the Club also sponsored an arrangement at the Marsworth Flower Festival.

Once again I ran a large charity bridge lunch in the Hall last February and this year the profits of £2,300 were shared between The Hospice of St Francis in Berkhamsted and Rennie Grove Hospice Care. I also organised another lunch and afternoon of bridge last July which raised £1,295 in support of the 2015 Flower Festival.

Betty Longhurst

74 Vicarage Road Marsworth

Home phone: 01296 660711 Mobile:07788 452894

6) Marsworth CofE Infants School – Headmistress ,Mrs A Polatci

Personnel: I am now into my second year of headship. Mrs Jenny Nurden supports me in Class 2. Mrs Jan Stevens takes Class I (Nursery and Reception) all day Tuesday to Friday supported by Mrs Wendy Casterton. Mrs Emma Thompson was appointed in January 2Ot5 and takes Yr l and Reception all day Monday and four afternoons when I hove Office time. Mrs Stevens also takes the Music tuition for the school. Mrs Eccles takes the Year 2's for recorders and keyboards. For this school Year we have two extra SEN support staff , Mrs Carter and Mrs Oxley. Mrs Pankiw is our Bursar/secretary and Mrs Haig, Mrs Carter, Ms Wells and Mrs Hobart are our Midday Supervisors. Mr Brood continues to be our caretaker.

Group Membership: The school continues to be o member of the following groups:

. Network Learning Community of Schools; Buckingham Sports Partnership; Federation of Small Schools Group

Buckingham Sports Partnership has provided various sporting events for our Year 2 children: Multi-skills sporting events at Cottesloe School; Small Schools Sports Festival at Stoke Mandeville Stadium These events are continuing due to the new Government Sports Funding to Schools. This is going to continue for at least the next year.

Our Level 3 Travel Plan Status has been renewed because of our continued activities in this area. The children enjoy having their "Go for Gold" cords stamped daily by Mrs Pankiw. This is a Travel Plan initiative encouraging children to walk to school.

Facilities/resources

Mrs Caron Owens (Premises Governor) carries out termly inspections of our premises with Mrs Angela Polatci. She brings a great deal of expertise to this aspect of school life.

Refurbishment/Maintenance - Our biggest project this year was replacing the canopy at the back of the school with a larger, more enclosed structure which enables us to carry out the Early Years curriculum with outdoor play. This was achieved mainly with a grant from the Big Lottery Fund. Ongoing projects are having our boundary wall repainted/replaced and general refurbishment.

Outside Activities: The school joined the village at All Saints Church, Marsworth for the annual Harvest Festival service. We then held a sale of produce and the funds raised were donated to UNICEF.

For the UNICEF Day for Change the children came in ordinary clothes and paid to do this. Their contribution was then sent off to UNICEF.

These activities, and through our RE lessons studying different countries, help the children to understand about life in other ports of the world.

As a change from our Science week, we will having o number of Science days during the school year linked to the different seasons. We also held a Moths week carrying out lots of investigations and problem solving.

Our Friends of Marsworth School continue to hold o variety of events in aid of our school. We have purchased a number of resources for the school thanks to these events.

Life of Marsworth School, as you can see, continues to be varied and enjoyable.

We would also like to odd our thanks to the whole village for their valued support of our school - it is much appreciated.

Mrs Angela Polatci Headteacher

As there was no further business, the meeting closed at 8.00pm.

Minutes of Annual Parish Meeting held on 13th April 2015 in Millennium Hall at 7pm

1. Minutes of meeting held on 14th April 2014 were approved

2. Chairman’s Report – Cllr Dick Brake
Welcome to the 2015 Annual Parish Meeting for Marsworth. Whilst the Parish Council is well represented here I would stress that the meeting is not a Parish Council Meeting but is one for the whole village to participate in. Our task is to ensure the meeting takes place, and is properly managed and recorded, and also to report on the main aspects of the Parish Council activity over the past year.
Firstly I want to thank my fellow councillors and clerk for their efforts over the past year. Councillors give their time freely and often this involves hours of commitment and inconvenience. Additionally I want to thank our District Councillor Corrie Cashman who is leaving the post at the next elections he has worked tirelessly for everyone in the Cheddington Ward.
This year has been relatively quiet for the Parish Council, but I feel we should remind Parishioners of our remit. We are responsible for the street lighting in the village area, except for the Lower Icknield way. There is one light at Startops which is also ours. We maintain the Recreation ground, dog waste bin and several trees throughout the village. We have certain areas of grass cutting as well. There has been concern over the loss of the 61 Bus route in 2013, this was done by the Bus Company and we have no power to change their business plan. We did however with help from Council obtain a re-route of the 164 into the village and persuaded them to go to Pitstone to meet the new 61 route; otherwise it would have turned at Vicarage Road and gone into Tring to meet the 61. The weekly bus to Hemel was through the work of one of the Parish Councillors and took five years to obtain. We also have been queried on what we are going to do about The White Lion, we can do little, we did oppose plans for the carpark development and change of use, and we all know the outcome. It has been suggested we insist on new amenities when it is developed, we have no power to request this.
We are now in the process of upgrading the Play area at the recreation ground and have taken note of all the forms returned to us with suggestions, including adult equipment. This was the result of the survey carried out in the village Newsletter. I would remind everyone that they can come to the Parish Council meetings to air views and problems.
I will close now so we can continue with our guests and local organisations giving their reports.

3. To receive report from Canal and River Trust – Neil Owen and Sarah Brown
Sarah was introduced to the meeting as the primary contact for local organisations. The structure of CRT has changed with the maintenance teams working regionally. Standard maintenance (brickwork, locks, bridges) is now on a programme. Where damage occurs, an insurance claim is made if possible. Vegetation work, tow-path management, hedges will be routine maintenance. It is hoped to use s106 monies for tow-path improvement as on the Aylesbury Arm following Arla development. Work to Tring Reservoirs is planned with the water level being reduced at Startops for work to repair leaks in the head wall. Works at Tringford are required by the EA.
The CRT is working to build community links with a proposed new car park at Startops and the area used for the works to be a visitor centre. External funding is being sought. The possibility of open water swimming and links with a sailing club are being considered. It is hoped to increase visitor numbers by improving facilities. A 10year management has been produced which encourages partnership working.
The progress of the development of Melbourne was questioned by a Councillor. Discussions are ongoing with planning and there will be consultation on firm proposals.
The development of the former Fencrete site should be completed in 3-6months.

4. AVDC Councillor’s report – Cllr Corry Cashman

First, I would like to thank the Parish Council for always making me welcome at its monthly meetings.

Introduction

In common with recent years and with other councils, this has been another “challenging” year. The council’s workforce continues to contract and this inevitably has consequences in relation to service provision.

Financial matters
Council Tax 2015-16

For the next financial year AVDC has frozen its council tax. This means that the AVDC council tax for a Band D property will remain at £136.35 a year (£2.62 a week).

Both Buckinghamshire County Council and Thames Valley Police have increased their tax by 1.99%. Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service has decreased its tax by 1%.

AVDC takes only 9p in every pound of the total council tax collected, with the rest of the money (81p) going to Buckinghamshire County Council, Thames Valley Police, Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service and individual parish councils.

In 2010 the district council received around £12 million in annual government grant. This has been reduced, over the last five years, to around £6 million this year. The council anticipates that by 2020 this grant will have disappeared altogether.

Council Tax Bands for Marsworth 2015-2016

The total council tax payable in Marsworth Parish is set out below:
Band A: £ 1016.39
Band B: £ 1185.79
Band C: £ 1355.20
Band D: £ 1524.59
Band E: £ 1863.39
Band F: £ 2202.19
Band G: £ 2540.98
Band H: £ 3049.18

Marsworth and Planning Matters

Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan

It is possible that until the Vale of Aylesbury Local plan is adopted in 2017 there will be a large number of speculative developments of all sizes in the Vale. Some of these may be of a kind that would not normally be expected to get planning permission. However, because of the lack of a local plan and the problem of the five year housing supply we are likely to see permission given to some schemes (which in different circumstances might not have been considered appropriate) there being no significant planning reasons with which they can be resisted.

Across the Vale the situation should begin to improve once the issue of the five year housing supply is resolved and as the VALP, with its specific policies for the Vale, begins to emerge during 2016. However it should be noted that the timetable leading to the anticipated adoption of the plan in 2017 is dictated to an extent by the work that adjoining local planning authorities have yet to carry out; the results of which have to feed into VALP.

Local Democracy

Boundary Commission: Cheddington ward
Last year’s boundary commission report resulted in changes to Aylesbury Vale District council ward boundaries both in Cheddington and other wards in the Vale. With effect fro Ivinghoe (village parish ward). It will return two members to the district council.
Slapton, presently in Cheddington ward, will become part of Wingrave ward.
There will be fifteen single-member wards, ten two-member wards and eight three-member wards across the district.

Individual Electoral Registration (IER)

A new voter registration system called Individual Electoral Registration (IER) came into force last summer. Instead of the head of the household being responsible for registering everyone who lives at an address, now every individual is responsible for their own voter registration. Further details: 01296 585807 or by email at
electoralregistration@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk

The District Council
AVDC Committees Reduced in size
All AVDC committees now consist of a maximum of 11 members. I see this as a generally welcome development, as some committees with as many as 17 members did not always operate as efficiently or effectively as they should have. Committees with up to 11 members should still ensure the range of opinion, expertise and experience needed to do an effective job.

Web-casting of District Council Meetings

Aylesbury Vale District Council now broadcasts live web-casts of its meetings. Buckinghamshire county council has already done so for some time. It is too early to say whether or not AVDC webcasts have had any effect on the standard of debate or to gauge to what extent the public have availed of the opportunity to see their council at work.

Unitary Authority Status.

At its February meeting the district council voted, with cross-party support, to spend £80,000 on preparing a business case in support of establishing a unitary authority for North Bucks. This would replace the present two-tier structure.

I abstained on the grounds that spending such money on a project that would barely commence prior to the district, parish and national elections in May was inappropriate and might, in the light of political developments after the elections, prove to have been money wasted. I did, however, stress my support for the principle of a unitary authority based on the north Buckinghamshire area. One council providing the services presently provided by BCC and AVDC would, in my opinion, make for improved democratic accountability and also financial sense.

iESE Improvement and Efficiency Award

The council won the top award in this year’s iESE Improvement and Efficiency Awards for transforming the way it delivers services while reducing costs across the authority.

Works in Progress

Waterside North
A regeneration scheme for the Waterside North area as part of the masterplan being promoted by BCC together with Aylesbury Vale District Council has commenced. 
Aylesbury’s new Education Centre

Good progress is being made on building Aylesbury’s new education centre, which will be known as University Campus Aylesbury Vale (UCAV). Aylesbury Vale District Council have appointed contractor Morgan Sindall to construct the building, which is being built on Walton Street at the head of the canal basin, next to the Waterside Theatre. The centre is due to open this September.

The Swan Pool and Leisure Centre

The Swan Pool and Leisure Centre in Buckingham is to be redeveloped.

The Political Composition of the Council

The political composition of the council is as follows:
Conservative: 36
Liberal Democrat: 17
UKIP: 3
Independents: 2
Labour: 1

Other Matter

A 418 – Wing Bypass

At last September’s Local Area Forum we were informed that a bid by BCC for government funding for an A 418 bypass around Wing had been unsuccessful.
It would appear that, even if future bidding opportunities arose and were successful, it would be unlikely that Wing would see a bypass built before the mid 2020s.

My Allowance and Expenses

My allowance and expenses for the last full financial year (2013–14) were:
Basic allowance: £ 5,304.00
Mileage allowance: £ 508.80
Parking and Fares: £ 50.85

TOTAL: £ 5,863.65

The above figures do not include any costing for the laptop computer on loan to me from the Council. The mileage allowance includes attendance at site meetings all over the Vale for the development management committee.

May Elections

Parish, district council and General elections will take place on Thursday 7 May. On a personal note, I will be standing down at this election.

Looking Ahead

The greatest challenge facing Aylesbury Vale and local councils nationally is the continuing reduction in the government grant funding which they receive to help them provide local services. In the Vale, as I have already mentioned above, this funding is likely to have been reduced from an annual £12m in 2010 to £0 by 2020

The district council will raise approximately £9m in council tax this year. Even doubling this tax would not make up the projected shortfall in government grants anticipated by 2020. Inevitably cuts to and /or abolition of some council services has to be a likely outcome in such situations. Many councils may find it increasingly difficult to deliver mandatory services (such as refuse and recycling and planning) in the future.
Such a challenge may represent an opportunity for a national debate on local democracy. Questions which could be addressed include democratic accountability, new ways of funding local services, local government reorganisation and levels of service provision. It is, in my opinion, a debate long overdue.

5. County Councillors Report – Avril Davies
The BCC budget is £320 million, 71% of which is raised through Council Tax. And an £8 million reserve. The remainder is other grants which are being cut. There are increased costs and demands on the budget. £68 million cost reduction has been achieved but a further £65 million is required. This is against a background of an increasingly elderly population and the fastest growing 0-15 age group in the country. Cases of neglect are an increasing need and the demands of the Care Act have to be met. The budget is high risk which makes services vulnerable.
OFSTED reported that the Children’s Services were not meeting statutory obligations but a recovery plan has achieved government approval and there has been a £6 million increase in the children’s services budget. BCC has found it almost impossible to recruit social workers with only 7 permanent staff and 20 agency. BCC may set up a training programme.
The roads budget of £50 million is raised by Council Tax. 10 roads have been repaired in the Cheddington Ward. Members can request repairs but are not always given priority.
The school bus charging system has problems which have not been resolved and the fees and service are not adequate. The school grant funding is lower that average for the country and a judicial review is taking place to ensure adequate funding is available.
Adult services are being provided by joint working with the NHS. Consultation is taking place on elderly persons housing schemes and on delivery service changes.
Beacon Village Community Library is going from strength to strength and the grant has been guaranteed for 4 years. Volunteers are always required.
Councillor Davies was asked if the expense of providing the Waterside Theatre could be justified. It was explained that the developer had walked away but some development round the canal had raised funds. The shortfall was made up by the sale of right to buy council houses.

General discussion questioned whether local government was fit for purpose. It was felt that the whole issue of Council Tax and grants need to be reviewed. Is it right to fund infrastructure projects from s106?

6. Police Report
The yearly crime figures are as follows:
• Theft from vehicles 2
• Vehicle interference 1
• No dwelling burglaries
• Non dwelling burglaries 4
• Theft of bike from outhouse
• assault 1
• dangerous dog incident when a child was bitten

7. Village Newsletter – Neil Waterman

Last year was a year of change for the Marsworth newsletter with the retirement of Lynne Rayner and the revamp of the newsletter from a new team in charge. A show of thanks for all the hard work and effort Lynne and her mum Val had given to the productions and distribution of the newsletter was given with a presentation at the Church in December.

As for the new team, thanks go to Graham Dickinson and Sandra Costello for creating the excellent new look newsletter. Sandra has taken on the lead role and is being assisted by Chas Pearson, Josie Kempster, Dick and Lynda Brake, Elaine Standen and Carole Hawkins who are all helping with copy, interviews, idea generation and the look and feel of the newsletter. Sandra continues to look for help and has recently persuaded Andrew Burnett to cover for one month as guest editor.

Myself as treasurer and Annie Sandon as advertising manager remained in post. We both look forward to the additional advertising revenue that the new look newsletter will bring in and the team have visions of future improvements to the look and feel of the newsletter as funding allows.

Thanks go out to the delivery team, we have 15 willing volunteers delivering between them 325 newsletters each month and none of them have complained too much about the extra weight they now have to carry.

In the last year the magazine’s reserves reduced slightly to £2,000. With the current publication costing £124 per month, the newsletter remains in good financial health.

8.Millennium Hall

The Committee meets monthly and currently consists of 10 members with representatives from the WI and Parish Council. There’s plenty of room on the committee with vacancies for representatives from Pre School, School, Church and any other group / society that uses the hall.

Thanks goes to the Committee, consisting of;
Josie Kempster - Chairperson Evan Kempster – Parish Council
Steve White - Vice Chair John Kearsey – Co opted
Neil Waterman - Treasurer Sue White – WI
Francis Brown - Bookings Secretary Michelle Churchill – Co opted
Lynda Brake – Secretary Dick Brake – Co opted
Vacancy – Pre School Vacancy – Church
Vacancy - School

We are a Charity (Marsworth Social Centre no 205732) and our year end is now 31st March.

We have a paid caretaker / cleaner Michelle Churchill 6hrs per week.

Hall income is similar to previous year at circa £9,200k p.a.

Regular user income includes:
Pre School 50% of the total hall hire income - Mornings and Afternoons
Badminton – Mondays and Thursday evenings
Dance – Wednesdays
Free Hall – Friday evenings
Monthly etc - WI, Bridge, School, Church, Parish Council
Palates in the Mike Frost room a few times a week.

Occasional income (children’s parties for example) – approx. 30 events per annum

Complaints – None in the past 12 months.
Damage – None in the past 12 months.

Our Income is supplemented with a few annual fundraising events
Fireworks on the recreation ground –For the last two years the fireworks have been sourced by the committee to make the event viable. Nov14 made £346 (2013 £298). As long as it continues to make a profit we will carry on.
Christmas Bazaar was well attended and attracted a good variety of stall holders and contributed £163. Thanks to Ken and Betty Lyndhurst running the mulled wine stall.
The 100 Club (247 members for 15 month period) - £1,347 (£2,100 in prize money will be given out over this period)

2014/15 financial year to 31 March 2015 will see a net cash outflow of around £2,400 due the one off expenditure on refurbishment of the floor which cost £3,300.

The solar panels cost £7,725 to install in Aug 2012.
Earning an average of 22.6p per unit of electricity produced - £1,900 has been earned so far (11.5 year pay back !!).
Upstairs room is now being regularly used by palates group 3 times a week - £980 income being received for first 6 months.

9. Report received from Bridge Club

The Marsworth Bridge Club continues to meet monthly in the Village Hall on the evening of the second Tuesday of every month as it has done for many years. We regularly have four tables playing duplicate bridge and we would like to increase our numbers a little from this level if possible. Since I took over the organisation of the Club about two years ago we have donated profits of £350 to All Saints Church in Marsworth.
Once again I ran a large charity bridge lunch in the Hall last February and this year the profits of £2,500 were shared between the Florence Nightingale Hospice in Aylesbury and the Chilterns MS Centre at Halton. On Tuesday 7th July I am organising a lunch and an afternoon of bridge at the Village Hall in aid of this year’s Flower Festival at All Saints Church. If anyone is interested in coming to this lunch and playing bridge or would like to help on the day I would be very pleased to hear from them.

Betty Longhurst
74 Vicarage Road Marsworth
Home phone: 01296 660711 Mobile: 07788 452894

10. Report received from Marsworth CofE Infant School

Vicarage Road, Marsworth, Bucks, HP23 4LT
Tel/Fax: 01296 668440
E-mail : office@marsworth.bucks.sch.uk Website: www.marsworthschool.ik.org
Headteacher: Miss A Urban

ANNUAL REPORT TO PARISH COUNCIL
FROM MARSWORTH CE INFANT SCHOOL
APRIL 2015

Personnel:

After the retirement of Yvonne Goodwin in July 2014, I was appointed Headteacher as well as continuing as the KS1 teacher. Mrs Jenny Nurden supports me in Class 2. Mrs Jan Stevens takes Class 1 (Nursery and Reception) all day Tuesday to Friday supported by Mrs Wendy Casterton. Mrs Emma Thompson was appointed in January 2015 and takes Yr 1 and Reception all day Monday and four afternoons when I have Office time. Mrs Stevens also takes the Music tuition for the school. Mrs Eccles takes the Year 2’s for recorders and keyboards. Mrs Pankiw is our Bursar/Secretary and Mrs Haig, Mrs Carter and Mrs Hall are our Midday Supervisors. Mr Broad continues to be our caretaker.

Group Membership:

The school continues to be a member of the following groups:

5. Network Learning Community of Schools
6. Buckingham Sports Partnership
7. Federation of Small Schools Group

Buckingham Sports Partnership has provided various sporting events for our Year 2 children:
• Multi-skills sporting events at Cottesloe School
• Small Schools Sports Festival at Stoke Mandeville Stadium
These events are continuing due to the new Government Sports Funding to Schools. This is going to continue for the next 3 years.

Our Level 3 Travel Plan Status has been renewed because of our continued activities in this area. The children enjoy having their “Go for Gold” cards stamped daily by Mrs Pankiw. This is a Travel Plan initiative encouraging children to walk to school.

Facilities/Resources:

Mrs Caron Owens (Premises Governor) carries out termly inspections of our premises with Mrs Yvonne Goodwin. She brings a great deal of expertise to this aspect of school life supported very ably by Mr John White (Premises Governor).

Refurbishment/Maintenance
The large window in Class 2 was replaced and the chimney in class 2 was removed, hopefully solving major damp problems in this classroom. We used our Devolved Formula Capital funding for this. Ongoing projects are to replace two heaters and to develop and improve our outdoor Early Years area as well ongoing maintenance with our boundary wall and damp problems in Class 1.

Outside Activities:

The school joined the village at All Saints Church, Marsworth for the annual Harvest Festival service. The children then distributed their Harvest gifts to people in the village.

For the UNICEF Day for Change the children came in ordinary clothes and paid to do this. Their contribution was then sent off to UNICEF.
These activities, and through our RE lessons studying these countries, help the children to understand about life in other parts of the world.

We also held a Global Awareness week in March (for a third year) to raise awareness of different cultures around the world. This was a very popular week, when the children looked at, and found out about life in France and Brazil.

We also held a Science week for a fourth year. The children studied the weather in Science. They all enjoyed this work.

Our Friends of Marsworth School continue to hold a variety of events in aid of our school. We have purchased a number of resources for the school thanks to these events.

Life at Marsworth School, as you can see, continues to be varied and enjoyable.

We would also like to add our thanks to the whole village for their valued support of our school – it is much appreciated.

11. Report from Marsworth WI (Elsie Beesley)
The WI has had a busy year with increasing membership and many interesting outings to the theatre, an local auction. A very successful jumble sale (organised by Josie Kkempster) raised over £700. The annual Garden Party was held in April Cottage and a coffee morning at the home of Sylvia Frost. Neil Gurney entertained with a flower arranging demonstration. Last year £500 was donated to Hospice of St Francis and Florence Nightingale House. This year, the WI is raising funds for All Saints Church, Marsworth. The speakers at the monthly meetings have included the Grand Canal in China and the work of the RNLI. Marsworth WI hosted a group meeting when 100 local members enjoyed hearing about Jennifer Worth who wrote “Call the Midwife” from her daughter and husband. Members continue to meet socially with monthly coffee mornings, book club, craft group and supper club. This year is the centenary of the WI and special events are being organised.

12. All Saints Church (John White)
The year has proved challenging with the retirement of Rev. Tracy Doyle on 23rd February 2014. It takes a while for the a suitable incumbent to be found but with the support of Ivinghoe and Slapton parishes, Rev. Adrian Manning was offered and accepted the post.
Bell ringing has gone from strength to strength, not always to everyone’s liking, but a simulator means that the bells cannot be heard outside the church and has proved very successful.
This year saw the completion of the remedial work to the masonry and chancel roof. Fund raising proved a major challenge but we managed to achieve it at a very small cost to ourselves.

As there was no further business, the meeting closed at 8.15pm.