Adstock
Marian Mason
01296 713457

AN ANTIQUE EVENING: AN Antique Evening, with guest speaker Hugo Morley Fletcher, is being hosted by Adstock Village Hall Committee on Saturday, April 25, in the village hall at 7pm for 7.30pm.
You are invited to bring a piece of porcelain or glass for valuation.
The tickets are £10 each to include supper and are available from Alison Walker on 01296 713397 or Lorraine Horley on 01296 713438.
EASTER: THE Easter Workshop will take place today, Good Friday, in the village hall, for children of four years and over, commencing at 10am.
Various activities will take place during the day and conclude with a Family Service at 3pm in St Cecilia's Church, followed by hot cross buns and tea in the village hall.
An evening service will take place in the church at 8pm entitled Reflections on the Cross.
EASTER SUNDAY: THERE will be a Holy Communion Service in St Cecilia's Church at 9.30am on Easter Sunday.

Akeley
Sherri Holland 01280 860486

STEP BY STEP: STEP by Step dancing lessons at the village hall each Thursday from 8pm to 9pm, come and join in the fun.
AGM: YOU are invited to Akeley Village Hall AGM which will be held on Wednesday, April 22, at 8pm at the village hall.
A review of the past year and plans for the future.
COME AND JOIN US: COME and join us on Wednesday, April 15 and Wednesday, May 20, from 2.30pm to 4pm both days, at the village hall for a cup of tea and home-made cakes.
A large selection of previously read books will be available to buy, proceeds of which will be donated to Macmillan Cancer Support.
FREE PLAY AROUND THE PARISHES: This event is happening in Akeley on Thursday, April 16 from 2pm to 4.30pm.
AVDC is once again working in partnership with Sure Start Children's Centres.
Together we will provide a wide range of play activities for one- to 11-year-olds inside village halls, pavilions and community centres.
Parents must accompany their children and will need to bring your own refreshments.
There is no need to book, just turn up.
Due to being earlier in the year our Easter provision will be held indoors. 
Each team will have a variety of play equipment for children aged four upwards, including a bouncy castle, soft play, giant games, large construction sets, assorted sports equipment, daily craft activities, face painting, and much, much more.
Under fives will be offered a suitable craft activity and toys.
For further details please telephone 01296 585210.
AEROCISE: AT the village hall on Wednesdays from 9.30am to 10.30am starting on April 22, £5 per session.
Contact Joanne on 07851 032316 for further details.
TAI CHI: TAI chi-based exercise on Mondays from 1.45pm to 2.45pm at the village hall (excluding the first Monday of the month).
The cost is £3.50 per session.

Deanshanger
Jennie Dott
01908 564725

ST GUTHLAC'S CHURCH OPEN DAY: ST GUTHLAC'S Church will be open on Monday, April 13 from 11am until 4pm.
Come and see this wonderful 12th Century church with its very interesting wall paintings and chancel ceiling.
Teas, coffees and biscuits will be available throughout the day and there will be stalls selling books and bric-a-brac to raise money for ongoing renovations and restoration of this ancient church.

Gawcott
Susanne Winterbottom
01280 821079

EASTER: DO come and celebrate Easter in a special way by coming to our Easter Sunday Service at 11am in Holy Trinity Church.
Or just pop in and visit the church during the week to enjoy the lovely floral displays.

Great Horwood
Patricia Rudkin 01296 712930

WINSLOW COMMUNITY BUS: THE Winslow Community Bus calls at Great Horwood by arrangement.
There are several interesting journeys out and about this year.
Contact Sue on 01296 715786 for further information or to book bus trips. Or email wdcbenquiries@btconnect.com or visit the website at www.winslowbus.com.
Everyone is eligible to come on our trips, we pick up near to your house, so please ring Sue to find out more.
The bus is also available for hire to any non-profit-making group in the area. Our charges are very reasonable, and we provide full training if you wish to self-drive.
We are always looking for new volunteer drivers, especially for our longer excursions. Please telephone or email Sue, as above.
THAMES VALLEY COMMUNITY: BUCKINGHAM South Neighbourhood Policing Team and Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) are holding a youth event this month where young people can get careers advice and information on sporting, leisure and voluntary activities.
Young people from Winslow and surrounding villages are invited to attend the event on Saturday, April 25, at the Winslow Centre.
Also, people can take part in a number of activities on the day, including a mobile skate park, a climbing wall, an 'i-van' (where ringtones can be created and downloaded to your phones), learn to DJ, various sporting activities, pottery-making and even a mobile bell tower to learn bellringing.
More than 70 different organisations, groups and charities have so far confirmed their attendance, including the emergency services, the armed forces, the motor engineering industry, agriculture, music and arts, hospitality, construction and hair and beauty.
Voluntary organisations attending include St John Ambulance, Red Cross, Macmillan Cancer Support, Royal British Legion, Guides/Scouts, Youth Café, Youth Club and Duke of Edinburgh Award, to name just a few.
Staff from youth careers service Connexions will be on hand to give advice and specialists on CV preparation and interview skills will be there to give guidance.
As well as showing some aspects of a career in the emergency services, Thames Valley Police, Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service and Central Bucks Ambulance will be staging a medical emergency to give an insight into consequences of dangerous driving.
Food and refreshments are available, including a hog roast.
The event will run between 11am and 6pm, concluding with a live band who will be available all day to talk to young people about the music industry.
For further information about the event, please contact PCSO Wendy Taylor via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505.
GOOD FRIDAY WORKSHOP: THIS event takes place today, Good Friday, from 10am until noon, in the Scout HQ.
The workshop is open for all five- to 12-year-olds who like having fun, making a range of Easter-based crafts, including Easter cards, an Easter garden, cooking, painting, sewing and lots more.
The children should be dropped off at the Scout HQ and picked up from St James Church after a short service to mark the end of the morning.
For more details contact Sue Brazier on 01296 714712.
VACANCY: THE parish council currently has a vacancy and, as we have determined there is no demand to have an election, it is now in a position to co-opt a councillor.
If you take an interest in the life of our community and feel you can make a contribution by joining your parish council then please contact me in the first instance. I will be able to provide you with some literature which explains the role of a parish councillor.
I would also recommend that, if you have not done so already, you attend a meeting at the first opportunity in order to confirm your interest in taking up the role.
John Gilbey, chairman, Great Horwood Parish Council, telephone 01296 711915 or email john@gilbey98.freeserve.co.uk.
FURZE DOWN SCHOOL: FURZE Down School in Verney Road, Winslow, is holding its Spring Fayre on Saturday, May 9 from 10am until 4pm.
There will be traction engines, archery and miniature steam train rides, stalls galore, and fantastic raffle prizes.
Doll's house exhibits, music, dance, karate, gymnastics, crafts to try your hand at and many items to buy.
It promises to be a great day with many new attractions.
Parking limited so park where you can in Winslow and walk.

Lillingstone Lovell
Jennifer Metcalfe 01280 860214

FROCKSWAP: REVAMP your wardrobe for just £5!
Date for your diaries: A frockswap will be held at the village hall on Saturday, April 18 from 2pm until 6pm.
Just bring along good-quality nearly-new clothes, evening and daywear or accessories, and swap them for others.
Tickets are just £5 and you will get swap vouchers for very item bought.
Please bring clothes on the morning of the event if you can, this will help us avoid the rush and get you registered early.
Refreshments will also be available and you can enjoy a stroll around the picturesque village.
There will also be Ruby Rocks designer clothes available to buy.
Towards the end of the day there will be a clothes sale and any unwanted items will go to Willen Hospice.
For further enquiries go to www.frockswap.net or email info@frockswap.net, or contact Verity on 01280 860014.

Little Horwood
Chrissie Beckett 01296 712436

PLAY AROUND THE PARISHES: THANK you so much to the people who came to organise this event.
A wide range of play activities for 1–11-year-old children was made available in the safe environment of our recreation field and old school.
There was an abundance of craft activities and toys for the under fives while a variety of play equipment for children aged four-plus, including soft play and giant games, was put to good use and the older children enjoyed the football and hoops.
It was a great opportunity for parents, grandparents and carers to join the children in the fun and laughter, and an enjoyable afternoon was had by all.
GREENWAY/WINSLOW GREEN: IT was with elation that the village heard the news that the Greenway application had been refused.
The parish council worked vigilantly throughout the campaign to keep us all informed.
Together with Winslow and Great Horwood, they have challenged and prevailed against the largest single housing development ever attempted in north Bucks outside Milton Keynes.
The parish council has sent out a message to thank everyone who played a part, however small, for their support.
In return, we thank them for all the time and effort each one of them has put into helping us keep our vision of living in a village community.
WINSLOW FISHING CLUB: THE club is thriving and welcomes new members.
The fishing pond is in a beautiful spot in Mursley.
If you are interested in joining as an adult or family, please ring me in the first instance.
CHURCH SERVICES: THE Interactive Family Service followed by a shared lunch in the old school held last Sunday was so successful and such good fun that we are going to continue this pattern on the first Sunday of each month starting at 11am in our church.
Everyone is welcome.
On Sunday, April 19 there is a United Benefice Service in Swanbourne Church at 11am.

Maids Moreton
Anita Matthews 01280 814358

CHURCH SERVICES: ON Sunday there is a service of Easter Communion at 10.30am followed by a service of Prayer and Praise at 6pm.
Searchlights are in remission for end of term.
WHIST DRIVE: THERE is a whist drive tonight, Friday, in the village hall at 7.30pm.
WHEATSHEAF QUIZ EVENING: FOLLOWING the success of the last two quiz evenings at The Wheatsheaf public house, the next one will be held on Monday, April 20 commencing at 8.30pm.
Teams should be a maximum of four people.
There will be a nominal charge, which includes a snack buffet, the proceeds of which will be donated to a local charity.
If you require any further information please call Gary on 01280 815433.
GRUMBLE GRANGE GROUP: THE next Grumble Grange meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 21 at 7.30pm.
ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: THE annual parish council meeting was held on Wednesday, April 1, in the village hall.
There was a very good attendance and a very interesting evening was had learning about the numerous organisations that contribute so much to the benefit of the village.
SOUP LUNCH: THE next soup lunch will be on Friday, April 17, in the village hall at 12.15pm for 12.30pm.
MAIDS MORETON CONSERVATION GROUP: THE annual litter pick will take place on Saturday, April 18.
We'll set off from the playing field car park at 2pm.
Please bring gloves and bin liners.
The rubbish will be collected by AVDC's Contract Services the following Monday.
Please support this worthy event, and join us in giving the village a spring clean.

Marsh Gibbon
Ian Metherell 01869 277620

SCHOOL SECRETARY RETIRES: AFTER 26 years as secretary at Marsh Gibbon CofE School, Kath Williams has retired.
Since the early 1980s she has worked with three different headteachers and also been a learning support assistant in the classroom.
On her last day at school last Friday she was presented with flowers and gardening vouchers subscribed for by the children's parents.
The school is now looking to appoint a new finance officer/secretary to start by September. For a job description and an application form email office@marshgibbon.bucks.sch.uk.

Padbury
Sue Wrigley 01280 814199

ADSTOCK & PADBURY GARDEN CLUB: MEMBERS of Adstock & Padbury Garden Club will be hearing all about 'Edible Flower Gardens' when Kathy Brown is the speaker at its meeting next Tuesday, April 14, in Adstock Village Hall starting at 8pm.
Meetings over the next three months will all be outside, either evening visits or a coach trip, and details of these, along with booking forms, will be available on the 14th.
If you can't make this date but would like to make a booking please contact Sue Crook on 01280 816505.
NEW INN ACTIVITIES: THE next quiz night at the New Inn will be on Sunday, April 19 starting at 8pm, so read the papers avidly, listen to the news and generally polish up your general knowledge as you never know what sort of questions Bob Pizzala will ask!
Free nibbles are always available so come and enjoy the evening and see how the pub rebuilding is coming along at the same time.
Nigel's Card Night is a new venture for the New Inn and this will be on Sunday evening, April 26, from 7.30pm.
I understand this will have a whist theme and will be for all levels of players. There will also be someone going round helping those who are not so experienced.
Contact Nicki or Terry on 01280 813173 for more details.
CHURCH BELLS ON ST GEORGE'S DAY: THE bells of St Mary's Church will be rung some time during the evening of April 23 to celebrate St George's Day, so do listen out for them and think about the good fortune we have to live in this green and pleasant land.
If it inspires you to want to find out more about bellringing, please contact Richard Stanworth on 01280 814172.
WINSLOW & DISTRICT ARTS SOCIETY: MEMBERS' informal workshops will be held on Thursday and Friday, April 23 and 24 between 10am and 3pm as usual at West Bourn, Main Street.
The next monthly meeting will be held in the Winslow Centre on Thursday, April 30 starting at 7.30pm when Jill Winch will be demonstrating how to paint a botanical subject in watercolour.
Visitors are very welcome.
To find out more about WADAS please contact the secretary, Alicia Vaux, on 01280 813733 or visit the web site at www.freewebs.com/bucksart.
OPEN GARDEN IN PADBURY: THE Morley-Fletchers' garden at The Old Vicarage, Thornborough Road, will be open to visitors on Saturday and Sunday, April 25 and 26 from 2pm to 6pm.
Signs will be up in the village to direct you and admission is £3 (children free).
It is a large garden of 2.5 acres on three levels with flowering shrubs and trees, a vegetable garden, pond and sunken garden, parterre, magnolias and trilliums and by the time you've seen all that you will be ready for the home-made teas which are also available.
TENNIS CLUB: THE tennis club is holding a Strictly Not Come Dancing evening on Saturday, April 25 in the village hall which will involve a lesson by a real dance teacher and a 'dance off' for those courageous enough to take part.
Contact Tracey Sargent on 01280 816203 for ticket availability but don't leave it too late as I believe they are selling well.
ALI'S DREAM CLAY PIGEON SHOOT: THE Ali's Dream Clay Pigeon Shoot is once again taking place on Sunday, April 26 at Padbury Hill Farm.
This very popular annual event will open at 9am and if you're actually doing some shooting the cost per individual is £55.
This will cover the hire of traps, insurance, clays, cartridges, breakfast and lunch but please note the number of teams is limited to 24 and your entries must be in by tomorrow, Saturday.
Contact Sue Farrington Smith at Padbury Hill Farm on 01296 730230 for all information.
Spectators are welcome at a cost of £10 a head (£5 for children under 12) and there will be a sweepstake and a pool shoot.
To maximise the amount raised at this event, perhaps you or your company might care to sponsor all or part of the many features of the day: insurance, traps, clays, cartridges, catering, trophies and rolling the fields after the event.
Publicity will be given to sponsors, both on the day and in press releases, so if you can help, please contact either Sue or Karen on the above number.
UK BREAST CANCER CHARITIES COFFEE MORNING: SUE Paxton would like to thank everybody who came and supported her coffee morning in aid of UK breast cancer charities as well as those of you who couldn't come but still made a donation.
The event raised a total of £80 which has been sent to UK breast cancer charities.
BINGO: THERE will be bingo in the village hall next Friday, April 17, starting at 8pm as well as (please note) the following Friday, April 24. For any queries, please ring Shirley Lafford on 01280 813525.

Syresham
Christina Munsey

GEORGE AND GERALD'S SALE AND COFFEE MORNING: THE first sale of 2009 will be held on Saturday, April 18, 10.30am until 1.30pm, outside Syresham Chapel.
As always, there will be books, bric-a-brac, toys, videos, furniture plus lots of new stock. Come along and find a bargain and enjoy a coffee and a chat with friends.
EASTER AT SYRESHAM SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB: THERE will be hot cross buns served at the Sports and Social Club tonight, Friday, and then on Easter Sunday there will be an Easter egg hunt at 6pm (50p per child) followed by live entertainment with Tommy Cavenagh from 8pm.
Free entry and there will be a raffle.

Thornborough
Chrissie Vernon 01280 813073

THORNBOROUGH METHODIST CHURCH: COME to our Spring and Buy at the Methodist Church tomorrow, Saturday, from 10am to noon.
Half of the proceeds will go to Willen Hospice.
There will be a plant stall, tombola, bring and buy, cakes and savouries stall and an Easter alphabet table where you win every time (lots of things for children).
Also, have a hot cross bun and a cuppa!
BINGO: THE next bingo in the village hall is on Saturday, April 18 at 7.30pm.
Donations of raffle prizes would be much appreciated.
All welcome.

Tingewick
Joanna Brown
01280 847479

ACORNS AND SAPLINGS: THE Acorns and Saplings will be holding a Good Friday workshop today, Friday, starting at 1pm in Tingewick Church. The theme will be butterflies.
Activities will include biscuit-making, decorating butterflies for an Easter display, making Easter cards, Easter gardens and, of course, hearing the Easter story.
The workshop is suitable for children aged 3–12 years and it is recommended they wear old clothes!
Fresh bread and juice is provided.
There will be a Family Service following the workshop at 4pm.
Contact Eleanor on 01280 847145 for more information.
CHURCH SERVICES: THERE will be a Family Service at 4pm today, Good Friday, and Family Communion at 10am on Easter Sunday.
BARBECUE AND DISCO: THE Royal Oak on Main Street will, weather permitting, be holding a barbecue and disco on Easter Saturday, starting at 6.30pm.
QUIZ NIGHT: THE second Tuesday of the month (April 14) is quiz night at The Crown on Main Street.
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH: ON Wednesday, April 15 the Neighbourhood Watch group is holding a talk on identity fraud.
It starts at 8pm and will be held in the village hall.
After the talk will be the AGM, reviewing the previous year and asking about the future need for the monthly police clinic.
Contact Mike Poole on 01280 847736 for more information.
SPRING GARDEN COMPETITION: TINGEWICK & Water Stratford Horticultural Society is running its Spring Garden competition on Thursday, April 16.
This is an opportunity to show off all your hard work and it's open to members and non-members alike.
Judging will take place between 10.30am and 1pm, contact Pat Swinburne on 01280 847764 for entrance information.
MOBILE LIBRARY: THE mobile library will be in Stowe View at 3.20pm on Thursday, April 16.
PATH WALK: THE annual survey of all the footpaths in the parish will be taking place on Saturday, April 18.
If you can help by walking one (or more) of them, please come along to the Royal Oak at 10.30am for hot drinks and bacon butties before setting off.
Any questions, please phone Tim Poil on 01280 847354.

Wappenham
Jane Harries
01327 860350

EASTER SERVICES: TODAY, Good Friday, there is meditation in St Mary's Church at 12.30pm, and on Easter Sunday there is Family Communion in church, with Sunday school at 11am
PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: THE minutes from the parish council meeting held on March 24 included the following:
The PC supported the extension of the church graveyard involving change of use from agricultural land.
An application to support a business on farm premises was not supported, although the council supported the idea of rural diversification and would in principle support certain development.
Details of the objections can be found in the minutes, to be displayed in the village hall and the shop.
PARISH COUNCIL VACANCY: THERE is currently a vacancy on the parish council as one of the councillors has resigned.
If no one comes forward to be elected, the council will look to co-opt a member, ie without election, so if you are interested, contact parish clerk Liz Hart by emailing wappenham@stationhousehelmdon.co.uk (see noticeboard for address).