Akeley
Sherri Holland 01280 860486
BINGO: VILLAGE bingo is on Monday, February 23 from 7.30pm at the village hall.
WEBSITE: YOU can keep up-to-date with what's been happening in the village and find out what is planned for the next few weeks by visiting the parish council's website on www.akeleyparishcouncil.gov.uk.

Croughton
Jean Coles 01869 810473
PARISH COUNCIL: THE parish council meeting was held in January and the following items were discussed.
The council is carefully monitoring highways and drainage issues and after meeting with Mike Gatland, who is responsible for Area 4 which covers south Northants, and Trevor Gray, community steward, both agreed the repairs to the road in question were poor.
They will send a team to carry out the repairs again.
The council appointed Cllrs Jean Coles, Brian Tomlin, Rob Robbins and Peter Swift to serve as trustees of Croughton charity the Poors Allotment Trust, for the next four years.
CROUGHTON HISTORY GROUP: ON Tuesday, February 24, Derek Batten will talk to the history group about Custer and the Little Bighorn in the village hall, 7.30pm.
Members £1, non-members £3, including refreshments.
For more information call 07958 538583 or 01869 810545.
HOLIDAY CLUB PANCAKE PARTY: ON Tuesday, February 24, we are having pancakes and games from 5.30pm to 7pm for children aged four years of age and over. Come and join us for a fun evening at the village hall.
Enquiries to Lyn on 01869 810203.

Gawcott
Susanne Winterbottom 01280 821079
TABLE TOP SALE: GAWCOTT Pre-School Association is holding a table top sale in the village hall on Saturday, February 28, from 10.30am to 12.30pm.
Free entry with refreshments available for a small charge.
There will also be an indoor activity area for children (unsupervised).
Any enquiries, please contact Claire on 01280 814877 or email info@gawcottpreschool.co.uk.

Great Horwood
Patricia Rudkin 01296 712930
NEW VENUE: GREAT Horwood Silver Band's annual concert will be heard at the community centre at Buckingham on Saturday, March 7 at 7.45pm (the change of venue has caused some confusion, so I hope now all is clear).
Entry via programme available at the door. Admission £6 with concessions at £4.
There will be a raffle, including a luxury hamper.
Light refreshments will be served during the interval.
Details of all the band's events for the coming year can be found on the band website, www.freewebs.com/greathorwood>www.freewebs.com/greathorwood
WI NEWS: THE WI is starting the year full of excitement.
Six members are to attend the WI's college in Oxfordshire on four-day courses of their choice, all expenses paid.
We were fortunate to receive a Lottery grant last year. We also ran a workshop day in the village hall last year so as many people as possible could benefit from the grant.
We learned the art of flower pounding. The results were very pleasing to the eye, but not quite as good on the ears!
A sociable lunch was provided and also afternoon tea.
It was a very memorable day.
In February we had an audio-visual presentation depicting the four seasons.
In March the members who are attending the courses will be sharing their experiences, so a meeting not to be missed.
Our monthly meetings are held on the second Tuesday in the month in the village hall from 7.30pm.
We are a small but very friendly group, give us a try, visitors are made very welcome. Jeannie Marshall 01296 713727
ALLOTMENTS: WHO wants one?
The parish council has been advised it is possible to change the use of the plot of land off Willow Road to allotments.
However, before we go ahead with spending money to clear the site, we would like to know how many residents would be interested in making use of an allotment on this new site.
So if you are definitely prepared to take on the allotment plot, which is accessed between numbers 8 and 12 Willow Road, please contact Duncan Trigg on 01296 715777 or email dst.parishclerk@tiscali. co.uk before the end of February.
We need to know before spending the money to clear the site, so if you definitely want a plot, do let us know. As soon as we have a commitment from you the arrangements will be made as soon as possible so that you can get on the land and cultivate your section. John Gilbey
SCOUTS AND CUBS: SCOUTS and Cubs have got off to a good start this term.
Scouts are practising their indoor and outdoor cooking skills, trying out climbing techniques on our indoor climbing wall and putting into practice their pioneering expertise. They are also making early plans for this year's summer camp.
Cubs are taking part in their Promise Challenge Badge, reflecting on the words of their Cub Promise and how they put it into practice, undertaking their Sport Enthusiasts Badge.
Most of all they are looking forward to hearing from a guest about his experience of climbing Everest!
Cub and Scout numbers are healthy and we have an excellent leadership team for both sections.
Our sadness is that we were unable to find new leaders for our Beaver section which had to be suspended at the end of last term.
However, Beaver Scouts can be restarted any time if we can find some leaders for the enthusiastic group of six- to eight-year-olds. Anyone interested can contact Paul Ketteridge on 01296 670663.
LITTER PICK: THE date for this year's Village Litter Pick was set for Sunday, March 8.
WINSLOW COMMUNITY BUS: VILLAGE pick-ups available for bus outings if required.
For further information or to reserve your place please telephone Sue on 01296 715786.
Winslow & District Community Bus is a non-profit-making organisation with charitable status, run for the benefit of the community, and aims to provide safe, affordable, fully wheelchair-accessible transport for the use of non-profit-making groups and organisations in Winslow and the surrounding area.
To use the service, groups must pay an affiliation fee, details from Sue.
Groups can provide their own driver or, alternatively, our organisation can provide a volunteer driver, depending on availability.
The minibus has 14 seats including the driver, general hire details from Sue.
For further details contact Sue Marchant, WDCB Co-ordinator, c/o Winslow Youth Centre, Avenue Road, Winslow, Bucks; 01296 715786; fax 01296 715824.
NEWCOMERS' WELCOME PACK: THE Welcome Pack is now completed and thank you to all those people who contacted me with information for inclusion.
If you know of anyone moving into the village, please let Sheila or myself know, so we can pop round and say hello and deliver the pack. Monica Gilbey 01296 711915, Sheila Finlayson 01296 715960

Little Horwood
Chrissie Beckett 01296 712436
OVER 55s ANNUAL DINNER: MANY years ago the entertainments committee worked hard to provide a free evening out, in the form of a meal and entertainment, for the senior citizens of Little Horwood.
For most, this may have been the highlight of the year.
They were waited on with good food followed by an abundance of cups of tea, amused by a variety of local artists and, finally, given a pot plant to take home as a reminder over the following months of a pleasant night out!
As the years have passed, the evening may have evolved to suit a changing culture but other things stay the same.
Many of the young people, who were part of the committee then, are now eligible to attend themselves.
It always was an evening of hard work but the benefits were many and everyone enjoyed themselves.
The event is still held and the latest will take place on Saturday, March 7 in the Memorial Hall.
If you are over 55 and have lived in the village, please book your place.
Further details are in Open Gates.
A very big thank you to all those involved in any way with the organisation of the evening and much appreciation to the entertainments committee who work so hard throughout the year.
FRIENDS & NEIGHBOURS CLUB: ANYONE over the age of 55 is welcome to join the Friends and Neighbours Club.
Meetings are held in Swanbourne Village Hall on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 1.45pm (apart from summer holidays).
Visitors and new members are welcome.
The next meeting is on Monday, February 23 when an auction of unwanted gifts will take place.
SAFARI SUPPER: THIS will take place on Saturday, February 28 and tickets are available, priced £12.50, from Luke and Anne.
Volunteers to provide a course will be gladly accepted.
This is a wonderful opportunity for newcomers to our village to meet and make new friends.
Please ring me if you need more information.
POST OFFICE: MANY still seem unaware that Swanbourne Post Office visits our village every Tuesday between 10am and noon.
Orders can be rung through to the stores and Paula will bring them to the village with her.
Parcels and letters can be posted and stamps bought.
There is always a selection of sweets, biscuits and cards for sale too.
A coffee morning is held at the same time and occasional bring-and-buy sales, the proceeds of which go to charity, the memorial hall or church.
It is always such a good time of chatter and laughter and an opportunity for folks to meet.
Please do try to support our post office as it would be such a loss if we were to lose this wonderful facility.
WINSLOW GREEN: A LAST reminder to please write your letters and get them in the post.
The final date for delivery is February 27.
TRAIDCRAFT: TRAIDCRAFT books are being circulated.
If you don't receive one and would like to place an order please contact me as soon as possible.
If you usually buy Fairtrade goods from a supermarket, why not give this a try.
The profits made all go to charities!

Maids Moreton Anita Matthews 01280 814358
CHURCH SERVICES: ON Sunday there is a service of Village Worship and Holy Communion at 10.30am.
There are no Searchlights this week due to half-term.
MERRYMAKERS: DUE to unforeseen circumstances the AGM is now on schedule for Friday, March 6, at 2.30pm in the village hall.
GRUMBLE GRANGE GROUP: THE next meeting has been delayed until Tuesday, March 3 at 7.30pm.
Roger Lammercroft regrets any inconvenience these revised arrangements have caused members.
WELLMORE PIE EVENING: THE restoration of the Wellmore Pie Evening took place on Friday, February 13 at Grumble Grange.
Over 25 Wellmorians assembled to celebrate the re-instatement of this local tradition which had been abandoned during the reign of King George III in the 18th Century following local protests.
The general consensus was that it was a most enjoyable and sociable evening and the organisers would like to thank all those who attended and contributed to making it such a success.
WHIST DRIVE: THE next whist drive will be next Friday, February 27 in the village hall at 7.30pm.
SOUP LUNCH: THE next soup lunch will be held today, Friday, in the village hall at 12.15pm for 12.30pm.
MAIDS MORETON PRE-SCHOOL: THE treasurer advises that the Maids Moreton Pre-School Pie and Mash Evening raised an amazing £817, which is a wonderful result.
The pre-school committee would like to thank everyone who supported this marvellous event so generously.
The proceeds will go a long way to support the village pre-school in its valuable work of providing an outstanding service for the two- to four-year-olds of the village and surrounding areas.
Interested families can contact the lead practitioner, Alice McVeigh, on 01280 824989 to arrange a visit and see the wonderful facilities and activities that are on offer at the happy pre-school.
VILLAGE VOICE: FOLLOWERS of this column may be interested to know that an unexpurgated version of the Village Voice also appears on the Maids Moreton village web site along with additional information relating to the parish council and other activities taking place in the village.

Padbury
Sue Wrigley 01280 814199
THE NEW INN: THOSE of you who have driven past the New Inn recently will have noticed the damage to one of the pub's bay windows.
A couple of weeks ago there was a car accident which caused damage to the building.
Fortunately, no-one was hurt.
The New Inn is obviously a very old building and regrettably cannot open to the public again until temporary repairs are completed and the structural engineer gives his OK.
I'm sure we all hope that it will not be too long before it's back to business as usual for Nicki and Terry.
LENTEN ACTIVITIES: IT'S time again to build up those spiritual reserves during the six weeks run-up to Easter, and it all starts on Ash Wednesday, February 25, with a service in St Mary's Church at noon.
A soup lunch will be available after the service and everyone is most welcome.
During the subsequent weeks of Lent, the regular weekly Lent lunches will be on Thursdays in the church – and very good they are too with usually a choice of soups, fresh bread and a cup of tea or coffee to finish.
No service, no prayers, just good company and raising a bit of money for charity.
Rev Ros Roberts, vicar of St Mary's, is also running a Lent Course and Reflection on Thursday evenings during Lent on February 26 and March 5, 19 and 26 (no meeting on March 12).
These meetings will be held in the church at 8pm and there will be refreshments.
If you would like more information please give Ros a ring on 01280 813162.
WINSLOW & DISTRICT ARTS SOCIETY: ON Thursday, February 26, the Society welcomes Robert Harris for an evening of painting a townscape in watercolour.
Robert Harris demonstrates in a number of mediums but watercolour is his favourite so it should be an interesting evening.
The meeting will be in the Winslow Centre starting at 7.30pm and new members and visitors are always welcome.
PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: THE next parish council meeting takes place on Tuesday, March 3 (apparently the date has been changed from February 24) in the village hall starting at 7.30pm.
TRAIDCRAFT COFFEE MORNING: TINA Mitchell is hosting a Traidcraft coffee morning on Friday, March 6, at her home, Rekela Cottage, Main Street (next to the butcher's) from 10am to noon to celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight.
Lots of Fairtrade goodies will be on sale so it will be well worth coming along.
100 PLUS CLUB CHEESE & WINE PARTY: TICKETS are available for the 100 Plus Club's Cheese and Wine Party on Saturday, March 14, in the village hall and can be obtained from Shirley Lafford on 01280 812535 at a cost of £5 a head (children £2.50).
Shirley's son, Ivor, is cycling from London to Brighton in June in aid of the British Heart Foundation and although Ivor doesn't live in Padbury any more, he wonders whether anyone who knew him or remembers him might care to contribute towards his target of £500.
I understand several local people have already made contact and he now has well over £200, so should you wish to help towards this very worthy cause please contact Shirley on 01280 812535.
BINGO AND 100 PLUS CLUB DRAW: THE charity raffle at last week's bingo session raised £100 for the Great Horwood Band and I am sure they were delighted with that.
Many thanks to all who contributed.
The next bingo evening is next Friday, February 27, in the village hall at 8pm.
Prize-winners in the recent 100 Plus Club draw were Freddie Scott who took home £50 and Padbury's own Rev Ros Roberts who won £25.
Congratulations to both.

Syresham
Chrissie Vernon
ALADDIN: IT'S pantomime time in Syresham again!
If you have not yet seen this year's performance of Aladdin, you can still purchase tickets from the post office for tonight, Friday, at 7.30pm and tomorrow, Saturday, at 7.30pm.
Tickets are just £6 for adults and £3.50 for children and senior citizens.
Come along and experience some half-term eastern magic!
TABLE TOP SALE: THERE are still some tables available for the sale on Saturday, February 28, in the village hall from 10.30am to 12.30pm.
Please ring 01280 850596 for further details.

Thornborough
Christina Vernon 01280 813073
POST OFFICE: THE Community Sub-Post Office in Nash Road is to close from Friday, February 27.
Buckingham Post Office will then be the nearest office to the village.

Tingewick
Joanna Brown 01280 847479
CHURCH SERVICES: HOLY Communion will be held at St Mary Magdalene Church from 11.15am on Sunday, February 22.
Contact the Rev Liz Simpson for more information on 01280 704964.
POLICE CLINIC: ON the last Monday of each month there is an opportunity for people of Tingewick and surrounding areas to raise matters of concern directly with an officer of the Thames Valley Police. No appointment is necessary.
This month's clinic is on Monday, February 23, from 5pm to 6pm in the village hall.
Telephone Charles Tanner on 01280 847680 for more information.
TINGEWICK DIAMONDS: THE Tingewick Diamonds meet in the village hall on the first Wednesday of each month and, weather permitting, go for a walk on the last Tuesday of the month.
On Tuesday, February 24 they are due to meet at 10.30am outside the village hall.
The walks are led by Will Litt and take approximately one-and-a-half hours, usually ending with a pub lunch.
Stout footwear is advisable.
Telephone Chris Carter on 01280 848291, Doll Lake on 01280 847015 or Carol Thurlby on 01280 848569, to make sure it's going ahead this month.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY: ON Wednesday, February 25, the Tingewick and Water Stratford Historical Society will be hosting a talk by John Woolley, the former police officer who first investigated suspicious activities at Leatherslade Farm, the place where the Great Train Robbers were based.
This event is being held in the village hall at 7.30pm for 8pm. Admission is £2 and everyone is welcome. Telephone Jackie Nash on 01280 848431 for more information.
RACE NIGHT: ROUNDWOOD School will be holding a race night on Saturday, March 28 in the village hall.
Doors open at 7.30pm for an 8pm start and tickets are £7 to include food.
Tickets from Alison on 01280 847774 for Tingewick or Beverly on 01280 815745 for Gawcott.
QUIZ NIGHT: THURSDAY, February 26, is quiz night at The Royal Oak on Main Street, starting at 8.30pm.
Telephone the pub on 01280 848373 for more information.
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY: THE Tingewick and Water Stratford Horticultural Society will be holding its AGM in the village hall on Wednesday, March 4 from 8pm.
Members, non-members and potential members are all welcome to come along and bring some fresh ideas. Contact Pat Swinburne on 01280 847764 for more information.
Also, remember the Spring Bulb Show is on Saturday, March 21, schedules available at Tingewick Post Office.
LIVE MUSIC: ON Friday, March 13, Brigitte DeMeyers Allstar Band will bring its Southern groove to the village hall.
Doors open at 8pm and tickets are £12 in advance available from The Duke's Music in Buckingham or see www.empty-rooms.com for more information.
EASTER CRAFT FAYRE: FOLLOWING on from last year's popular event, Tingewick Pre-School will be holding another Easter Craft Fayre this year.
It will be on Saturday, March 28, in the village hall, and run from 2pm to 4pm.
Entry is free and there will be a small charge for each activity such as painting egg cups or making baskets, masks and Easter cards.
There will also be home-made refreshments and an Easter Egg raffle.

Wappenham
Jane Harries 01327 860350
QUIZ NIGHT: THERE will be a quiz night on Saturday, March 14 at the village hall, with a fish and chip supper.
Food will be served at 7.30pm and the quiz starts at 8pm.
Tickets for this popular event will be on sale at the shop for £6.50 or on the door for £7.50.
Real ale from Hoggley's Brewery in Litchborough, and a selection of wine, will be on sale; bring your own soft drinks.
You can make up your own teams (up to six members) or come along and fit in on the night.
VILLAGE HALL: THE area round the village hall has been cleared and covered with gravel and looks great.
Now this space is free to use for events in the summer, such as barbecues. Contact the village hall committee if you'd like to put on an event (see forthcoming newsletter).