Akeley
Sherri Holland 01280 860486
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.
STEP BY STEP: STEP by Step dancing at the village hall is moving from Monday to Thursday evening.
This will allow us to have a lesson each week so hopefully we won't have forgotten the steps between lessons!
Classes start at 8pm (sign in from 7.45pm) until 9pm.
This is a very friendly, fun group so if you would like to learn to dance come and join us next Thursday.
TAI CHI: TAI Chi-based exercise at the village hall on Mondays from 1.45pm to 2.45pm.
Contact Sherri on 860486 for details if you would like to join us.
JUDO: JUDO for all ages, on Tuesdays from 6pm during term-time.
Contact Adrian for further information on 01327 706287.
TABLE TENNIS: TABLE tennis is moving from Thursday evening so please contact Sherri on 860486 for details.

Chackmore
Jennifer Beckett 01280 813448
NEXT Friday, March 13, is the date for the Beetle, Bingo and Bangers (and mash) event organised by Radclive Parish Church in Chackmore Parish Hall at 7pm.
Tickets, to include bangers and mash, are £6.50 for adults, £3.50 for children or £17 for a family ticket (two adults/two children).
They are available from Susannah Lester on 01280 812638 or Sally Howarth on 01280 815555. There will be prizes and a raffle.

Deanshanger
Jennie Dott 01908 564725
DROP-IN AT DEANSHANGER CHAPEL: DROP-IN at Deanshanger Methodist Chapel in Church Lane, Deanshanger, today, Friday.
Come for lunch, for a cup of tea and a chat or just call in to meet new friends. Lunch is served from noon and it is always good and there is always a very warm welcome.
FAMILY HISTORY FOR BEGINNERS AND DISCOVER DEANSHANGER'S PAST: IF you are interested in family or local history come along to Deanshanger Library on Saturday, March 14, from 11am to 1pm.
Local History librarians will give a talk on researching family history using the internet and also on presentation of your family history.
The Deanshanger Village Heritage Society will be mounting an exhibition of a small sample of some of the historic archives held by them for visitors to look at.
Entry is free for Friends of the Library and Heritage Society members, and £2 for anyone else who wants to come. All are welcome.
For further details contact either Deanshanger Library on 01908 562889 (Wednesday to Friday afternoons, 2pm to 6pm, and Saturday morning from 10am until 2pm) or e-mail mrowntree@northamptonshire.gov.uk.
CLOISTERS CARD MAKING CLUB: A CARDMAKING club recently started in the Cloisters at Holy Trinity Church (at the back of the Church, off the Cloisters courtyard).
This new club is being held on the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 9.30am until 11.30am.
The cost is £3 per session and includes tea/coffee and biscuits.
People who already make cards and beginners are all welcome.
HEALTH ON THE NET: FIND out how the internet can help you with health-related problems.
Free taster sessions are being held at Deanshanger Library on Wednesday, March 25 from 1pm-5pm. Sessions last 15 to 20 minutes each.
Contact the library on 01908 562899 for more information.

Great Horwood
Patricia Rudkin 01296 712930
FUNDRAISING FOR WILLEN HOSPICE: PLEASE support the Willen Hospice coffee morning tomorrow, Saturday, which runs between 9.30am and noon at Winslow Public Hall.
There will be a raffle, tombola, cakes, side stalls and much, much more.
Refreshments will be served.
Although financially we are all feeling the pinch, your generous loyalty towards our patients has always been very much appreciated and so may we ask you once again, to help us, to help those with greater need.
GREAT HORWOOD PRE-SCHOOL: WE will be holding an exciting family creative fun day in May with various activities. Watch this space for more information.
Great Horwood Pre-School can now confirm that we have extended our opening hours and hope this suits all those mums who are thinking of returning to work.
We are currently enrolling children of ages two to four-and-a-half years.
The leader and staff are friendly, fully qualified and trained for every individual need.
We look forward to welcoming you and your child to this happy, safe, fun and supported environment.
If you are interested in a place for your child then please contact the leader Wendy on 07999 806961 or email greathorwoodpre-school@hotmail.com.
Pre-School is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
We also can pick up children from the reception class, from Great Horwood School at 12.15pm.
GREAT HORWOOD SILVER BAND: THE band is holding its annual concert at the community centre, Buckingham, tomorrow, Saturday, at 7.45pm.
Entry via a programme available at the door, admission £6, concessions £4.
There will be a raffle, and light refreshments will be served during the interval.
Details of all the band events for the coming year can be found on the band website at www.freewebs.com/greathorwood.
Their AGM is being held on Wednesday, March 18 at 7.30pm in Great Horwood Village Hall.
WINSLOW COMMUNITY BUS: VILLAGE pick-ups are available if required and 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.
They aim to provide safe, affordable, fully wheelchair accessible transport for the use of non-profit making groups and organisations in Winslow and the surrounding area.
For information on the various trips or any other questions you may have please contact Sue Marchant, WDCB Co-ordinator, at c/o Winslow Youth Centre, Avenue Road, Winslow, Bucks, telephone 01296 715786, fax 01296 715824, or e-mail wdcbenquiries@btconnect.com.
GREAT HORWOOD CE COMBINED SCHOOL: THE school is continuing to save Books for School tokens from cereal packets and has now started to save book tokens from The Times and Sunday Times newspapers. These tokens can be exchanged for books for the school library.
Please support us by sending in any tokens you have, your help is appreciated.
We need two play leaders for an hour a day from 12.15pm until 1.15pm, term time only. This is a paid position.
If you would like more details please contact the school office 01296 712622.
The school is in the process of planning to extend its age of admission to include nursery provision. This means that the age of admission would change from four to admitting children in the term after they are three years of age.
We are still at the consultation stage at this present time, but if you would like more information about this proposal or would be interested in your child joining the school in the Nursery, please contact the school on 01296 712622.
SUNBEAMS: THEIR next meeting is on Tuesday, March 10.
If you have a child under school age you would be more than welcome to join us.
We read a story, sing songs and always make something to take home.
Refreshments are also available. For more details please contact Sue Brazier on 01296 714712.
PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: IF you have any items that you would like to bring to the council's attention at any time please contact either the parish clerk (Duncan Trigg, email dst.parishclerk@ tiscali.co.uk or any councillor.)
Meetings are open to all and they include a period of public discussion, during which you may comment on agenda items or raise questions of your own.
Meetings are now held every second Monday in the month.
The next parish council meeting will take place on Monday, March 9 at 7.30pm in Great Horwood Village Hall.
YOGA: TAKES place in the village hall every Monday (except the second one in the month). Contact Sarah on 01525 372136 for more information.
THE RIDGEWAY CLUB: THE Ridgeway Club is an After School Club based in Great Horwood Village Hall offering after school care for children aged four to 11, Monday to Friday, 3.15pm to 6pm, during term time.
The club is very closely linked to the Great Horwood Combined CE School, but is completely independent.
To book a place or for more information, please contact Charlotte Simpson on 07967 701056.
BABY AND TODDLER GROUP: EVERY Wednesday in Great Horwood Village Hall between 1.15pm and 2.45pm, term time only.
Your first visit is free and any future visit is only £1.50 for the first child and 50p for each additional child.
Prices include a tea or coffee, with a biscuit and a juice and a snack for the children.
Our meetings include a choice of exciting and different toys from the Toy Library each month.
All mums, dads, grandparents, mums-to-be and carers are very welcome.
Clare and Shirley

Little Horwood
Chrissie Beckett 01296 712436
SAFARI SUPPER: THANK you to the organisers of this event which took place on Saturday in aid of the recreation ground and also to all those who hosted the meals, welcoming us into their homes.
CHURCH NEWS: WOMEN'S World Day of Prayer 2009 services will take place today, Friday, at 2pm in Newton Longville and at 7pm in Drayton Parslow.
These services are open to all. Prayer Breakfast is held on the first Saturday of each month in the Rectory Rooms, Mursley.
Croissants, tea and coffee are served from 9am to 9.30am with prayer time between 9.30am and 10am.
The next meeting is tomorrow, Saturday, and all are welcome.
The service in Little Horwood for Sunday, March 8, is Evening Prayer at 3pm.
LITTER PICK: THIS year's litter pick will take place on Saturday, March 21.
Please meet outside the bus shelter at 10.30am.

Maids Moreton
Anita Matthews 01280 814358
CHURCH SERVICES: ON Sunday there is a service of Holy Communion at 10.30am followed by a Service of Prayer and Praise at 6pm.
Searchlights should meet at Maids Moreton School at 10.30am.
CHILDREN'S SOCIETY QUIZ EVENING: THERE is a quiz evening being held tomorrow, Saturday, in the village hall.
The event has been organised for the benefit of The Children's Society.
Tables of four and tickets are £5 each, which includes an excellent ploughman's supper. Don't forget to bring your own drinks and glasses.
This event starts at 7pm for 7.30pm.
For further information call 813449.
ANNUAL DCC MEETING: THIS meeting will take place on Monday, March 9, at 7.30pm at St Edmunds Church.
WHIST DRIVE: THE next Whist Drive will be held on Friday, March 13, in the village hall at 7.30pm.
GRUMBLE GRANGE GROUP: THE next meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 17 at 7.30pm.
WOMEN'S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER 2009: THIS year it is the turn of St Edmund's Church to host the annual event.
The service will be held in the church today, Friday, at 11am.
Buckingham and North Bucks village churches join together to take part in this wave of prayer which passes through 170 countries worldwide.
Every year one country prepares the service and we hear about their country and customs.
This year we will hear about Papua New Guinea in the South Pacific.
Papua New Guinea has great cultural diversity with many different ethnic groups where over 800 different languages are spoken. This diversity is reflected in the theme In Christ There Are Many Members Yet One Body.
Members from local churches will be taking part, the speaker will be Melanie Howes from Bicester, hand bell ringers will also be taking part.
There will be 5,000 other similar services taking place today in towns and villages all over the British Isles.
Local people are most welcome to join the service.
MERRYMAKERS: THE AGM is being held today, Friday, at 2.30pm in the village hall.
SOUP LUNCH: THE next Soup Lunch will be held on Friday, March 20, in the village hall at 12.15pm for 12.30pm.
RACE NIGHT: MAIDS Moreton C of E School PTA is holding a race night on Friday, March 13, at 8pm at the school hall.
Tickets are £2.50 each.
Bring your own hamper (corkage charged) and there will be a bar and a raffle.
Dress for the Races is optional and a prize will be given to the best dressed table.
If you want to have a great fun night with your friends and family then call Annie Cooke on 01280 701820.

Padbury
Sue Wrigley 01280 814199
TRAIDCRAFT COFFEE MORNING: TINA Mitchell is hosting a Traidcraft Coffee Morning today, Friday, at her home, Rekela Cottage, Main Street, Padbury (next to the butcher's) from 10am to noon to celebrate Fair Trade Fortnight.
Fair Trade produce will be on sale so bring all your friends to help swell the coffers.
NEW INN QUIZ NIGHT: This will be held this Sunday, starting at 8pm.
PADBURY BENEFIT SOCIETY AGM: THE Padbury Benefit Society is holding its AGM on Tuesday, March 10 in the Blackbird Inn, Padbury, starting at 8pm.
Members please note that subscriptions are now due and these should be paid on or before this date.
Please contact either Barry Picketts, secretary, on 01280 824038; Colin Gibbard, treasurer, on 01280 824277; or Tony Picketts on 01280 816063.
New members are very welcome.
ADSTOCK & PADBURY GARDEN CLUB: DON'T miss the March meeting of the Adstock and Padbury Garden Club, as the speaker is Timothy Walker, the current director of the University of Oxford Botanic Garden.
He has been a guest of the club in the past and is a first class speaker and always most entertaining.
The title of his talk this time is On Top But Never In Control – Tales From A Small Garden, so members will gain some insight into the Walker family garden rather than anything too academic.
The meeting is on Tuesday, March 10, starting at 8pm in Padbury Village Hall.
Visitors are always very welcome and if anyone has any queries, please contact Sue Crook on 01280 816505.
FASHION SHOW: ELSPETH Parkhouse from Bennetts Close in Padbury tells me about a Fashion Show in aid of SANDS (Still And Neo Natal Death Syndrome) being put on by Buckingham Ladies Circle next Wednesday, March 11, in Buckingham Town Football Club, Ford Street, starting at 7.45pm.
Clothes featured are by Per Una, John Rocha, Next, Wallis, Monsoon and many others.
You can try on the clothes, buy them and take them home that evening.
There will be a raffle and a bar.
Tickets costing £3 a head are available from Elspeth on 01280 813957.
PADBURY SCHOOL COFFEE MORNING: PADBURY School is open for coffee on Friday morning, March 20, from 9.30am to 11am, for anyone in Padbury, Adstock, Addington and other villages interested in looking round the school and pre-school.
Entrance is £1 per adult (children free) and this will include a drink and cakes.
There will also be a raffle, a Guess the Weight of the Cake competition and cake stall.
All proceeds will go to the Quicken Trust, a charity that brings new life to a Ugandan orphan community.
The school has tremendous facilities, so if you haven't visited before, do pop in and see what they have to offer.
SCHOOL RACE NIGHT: GET your tickets for the joint PadburySchool and Pre-school Race Night on Saturday, March 21 in aid of school funds.
The well-known wooden horses will be used and the first race will start at 8pm sharp.
Tickets are £5 a head and are obtainable now from Sara Birch either by ringing her at home on 01280 821236 or on her mobile 07880 547494, or by emailing her on sara.birch@talk21.com. Each ticket will go into a grand cash draw to be drawn at the end of the evening.
RELOCATION OF A POST BOX: THOSE of you who have searched in vain for the post box at The New Inn will have noticed that it has become a smaller model on a post and is now just outside Orchard Cottage on the corner of Main Street and Bryne Lane.
However, it seems that once the Padbury Post Office ceased to be, the box itself cannot be on private land so it had to be moved.
LENTEN ACTIVITIES: THE Lent Lunches in St Mary's are taking place once again every Thursday from noon.
There is usually a choice of homemade soups plus fresh bread with a cup of tea or coffee to finish, all for a donation which goes to charity – ideal as a positive Lenten activity.
Ros Robert, vicar of St Mary's, is also running a Lent Course and Reflection on Thursday evenings during Lent (March 19 & 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.
100 PLUS CLUB CHEESE & WINE PARTY: TICKETS are now available for the 100 Plus Club's Cheese & 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 per head (children £2.50).
BINGO: THE next bingo evening is on Friday, March 13, in the village hall starting at 8pm when the charity raffle will be for the Teenage Cancer Trust.
As always, donations of raffle prizes would be most welcome and Shirley Lafford can be contacted on 01280 812535.

Tingewick
Joanna Brown 01280 847479
CHURCH SERVICES: HOLY Communion will be celebrated at St Mary Magdalene's church starting at 10.30am on Sunday, March 8.
Contact the Rev Liz Simpson on 01280 704964 for more information.
DISCO: THE Royal Oak in Main Street will be holding a disco tomorrow, Saturday, starting at 8pm.
Contact the pub on 01280 848373 for full details.
QUIZ NIGHT: THE second Tuesday of the month (the next one is March 10) is Quiz Night at The Crown on Main Street.
REFUSE FREIGHTER: THE refuse freighter will be in the village hall car park from 7.30am to 11am on Tuesday, March 10. No fridges or freezers please.
WHIST DRIVE: THERE will be a Whist Drive in the village hall starting at 7.30pm on Wednesday, March 11.
Contact Herby Taylor on 01280 847088 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.
Tickets are £7 each to include food and are available from Alison on 01280 847774 for Tingewick or Beverly on 01280 815745 for Gawcott.
EMPTY ROOMS: ON Friday, March 13, Brigitte DeMeyers Allstar Band will bring their Southern groove to Tingewick Village Hall.
Doors open at 8pm and tickets are £12 in advance and are 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 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 homemade refreshments and an Easter Egg Raffle.

Thornborough
Chrissie Vernon 01280 813073
BINGO: THE next bingo in the village hall is being held on Saturday, March 14 at 7.30pm.
All welcome.

Twyford
Julia Cook 01296 738810
WOMEN'S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER: WOMEN'S World Day of Prayer is being celebrated today, Friday, at 7.30pm at Twyford United Reformed Church with guest speaker.
Worship has been prepared by Christian Women of Papua New Guinea.
COFFEE MORNING: TOMORROW, Saturday, there is a coffee morning being held from 10.30am to noon at the United Reformed Chapel.
There will be gifts for Mothers' Day, plus cards, cakes, preserves, vegetables, eggs and Fair Trade goods. Free admission.

Wappenham
Jane Harries 01327 860350
COFFEE MORNINGS: THE Chapel Coffee Mornings have started up again and will be held every Thursday. All are welcome to join us for refreshments and a chat in the schoolroom from 10.30am. Bring a friend; mums and tots welcome.
NEWSLETTER: THE spring newsletter is now out, so those from outlying houses and farms can pick one up from the shop.
QUIZ NIGHT: A REMINDER about the quiz night taking place on Saturday, March 14, in the village hall, with a fish and chip supper at 7.30pm.
Tickets are obtainable from the shop for £6.50 or on the door for £7.50.