Abthorpe
John Riches 01327 857703
CECILY ROGERS: Cecily Rogers, who lived in Abthorpe virtually all her life, has sadly died at the age of 83.
Siss, as she was affectionately known, was a real village girl having been born in a cottage overlooking the village green in 1925.
Her primary years were happily spent at Abthorpe School and at the age of 11 she transferred to Silverstone, that, in those days educated secondary age pupils.
When she began work, she was employed here in the village at the boot and shoe factory operated by the British Shoe Corporation as an under-trimmer preparing uppers.
She worked alongside her sister Margaret who still lives in the village with husband John Bunting.
Siss attended the village church and was a member of the choir for some years. She was great friends with sisters Rene Balderson and Elsie Kelcher throughout her life.
In 1949 she married Blakesley man John Rogers - an engineer who successively worked at the former Groom and Tattersall's foundry in nearby Towcester and at the Plessey factory.
After the birth of her daughter Clare, Siss became a full-time housewife.
She is sadly missed by all those who knew her, especially her daughter Clare, grandchildren Nicola, Gemma and Rachael and of course her sister Margaret, and John Bunting.

Akeley
Sherri Holland 01280 860486
BINGO: Bingo will be held on Monday, June 1 at 7.30pm at the village hall.
PICNIC: All are invited to our parish churches picnic on Sunday, May 31 at Akeley Village Green and Hall.Pre-picnic open air family service with the Searchlights at 11am (in the hall if wet). Drinks provided, pack your own picnic.
CLAY SHOOT: A Charity Clay Shoot, for the benefit of air ambulance and Crossroads for Carers, is being held at Akeley Shooting Ground on Sunday, June 28 from 1pm. Teams of four, £100 entry. Top gun wins a day's shooting in North Wales. There will be a bar, pig roast, and raffle. For details contact J Spademan on 07836 541731, J Taylor on 07523 405533 or T Cowley on 07736 667022.
FITNESS: Fitness Pilate classes start on Friday, June 5, from 9.30am to 10.30am at the village hall.
WEBSITE: You can keep up-to-date with what's been happening in the village and what is planned by visiting the parish council's website on www.akeleyparishcouncil.gov.uk.

Deanshanger
Jennie Dott 01908 564725
EXHIBITION: The 10th anniversary exhibition held by the Deanshanger Village Heritage Society was a great day and attracted an estimated three to four hundred visitors who all seemed to be enjoying themselves looking at the old photographs and exhibits that were on display and catching up with old pals.
There was particular interest in the canal society display, the lacemaking, the chemistry of colour (oxide works), and the beekeeping displays where there were people on hand to explain what they were doing.
Many thanks to everyone who took part and, especially, to the community centre committee who were so generous in allowing us time to set up and for providing such a lovely hall in which to hold the exhibition.
FETE: Deanshanger Primary School opened 150 years ago and so this year it is holding a special 150th anniversary fete on Saturday, June 27 from noon until 3pm and, although this is not for a while yet, it would like to know if anyone would like a craft stall at the fete.
The cost is £10 per table and if you would like one please contact Debbie O'Dell on 01908 262212 or email odelldidcot@aol.com.
SCOUTS: The 2nd Deanshanger Scouts held a table-top sale at the beginning of April to raise funds for a special trip to Russia where they will be joining with scouts of other nations to celebrate 100 years of scouting in Russia.
At the sale they raised a total of £288 towards the trip which will take place in July.
They are delighted to say that they have now filled in their visa application forms, had all their injections and have been learning how to purify water, prepare and cook out of doors and to dig their own latrines!
Their fundraising continues and they thank the local businesses that have helped them, particularly The Coffee Pot at Yardley Gobion, The Fox & Hounds at Deanshanger and Hobby Fish at Potterspury, and for the opportunity to raise money by providing refreshments at the Yardley Gobion May Fair.
Currently they are collecting old, unwanted, mobile 'phones (in any condition).
They can be taken along to the Scout Hut in Springfield Gardens, Deanshanger, on any Thursday evening between 7pm and 9pm (during term time).

Gawcott
Susanne Winterbottom 01280 821079
ART: As part of Bucks Art Week Open Studio, Twls Johnson's kiln formed glass studio will be open from noon to 6pm (except Mondays and Tuesdays).
Come and see an artist at work and have a go at making a small piece of fused glass.
ATTRACTIONS: On Saturday, June 13, Roundwood School is holding its annual summer fete from noon to 3pm at the Gawcott school site in Church Street.
Attractions include an owl display, farm animal corner, barbecue, teas and homemade cakes, bouncy castle, face painting and craft stalls selling homemade pickles and jams, popcorn and candyfloss, Gawcott-grown strawberries, handmade cards, secondhand toys, Usborne books and Phoenix Stationery.
QUIZ NIGHT: James and Annette invite you to come to their regular Monday Night Quiz at the Crown in Gawcott which starts at 8pm.
Entrance is £2 per person with teams of up to six.
There are prizes for winning teams and a free light tasty snack to feed the brain cells!
All entrance money is divided equally between a lucky draw winner and the charity of their choice.
For more information tel: 01280 822322 or visit www.thecrowngawcott.co.uk

Great Horwood
Patricia Rudkin 01296 712930
COFFEE: A coffee morning in aid of Willen Hospice will be held on Tuesday, June 9 from 10am until noon at 42 Station Road, Winslow.
It will be a bring and buy, with cakes, a raffle and much, much more.
Please support this worthwhile cause, every penny is needed.
FUN RUN: No date has been fixed for next year's Mad March Hare Fun Run, as a number of the committee have resigned due to other commitments, and unless we can replace them it will be impossible to continue with the event.
If you are interested in keeping this annual tradition alive please contact John or Lois O'Reilly on 01296 715109 as soon as possible.
SUNBEAMS: THE next meeting of the Sunbeams will be on Tuesday, June 9.
For those of you who are new to the village, Sunbeams is a children's service which takes place in the scout hut every second Tuesday in the month between 2pm and 3pm, term-time only.
It is very informal with a wide range of children attending, from small babies to four-year-olds.
For more details please contact Sue Brazier on 01296 714712.
200 CLUB: Great Horwood Pre-School runs a 200 Club.
If anyone would like to join, please let Karen Hogston know on 01206 714501 or 07956 074785.
It costs £12 a year and every half term there is a draw and a chance to win cash prizes.
The Pre-School keeps half the money and the other half goes back into the prize fund to be won.
A big thank you to all those already in our 200 Club - your support is very much appreciated!
CAR SERVICE: The doctors' car service is available to be used by anybody in the village who needs transport to the doctors' surgeries in Winslow, Buckingham or Whitchurch.
Telephone 07704 140110 for availability.
If you have any questions or would like to be a volunteer driver please let John Gilbey know on 01296 711915 or email john@gilbey98.freeserve.co.uk.
PARISH COUNCIL: 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 held every second Monday in the month and 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.
The next parish council meeting will take place on Monday, June 8 at 7.30pm in Great Horwood Village Hall.
SALE: A table top sale will be held on Saturday, June 20, in Winslow Public Hall between 9am and noon. Setting up from 8.15am.
Tables can be booked via Chris Legge on 01296 713415 and will cost £6 each.
Proceeds will be shared between Willen Hospice and St Laurence Church.
GREAT HORWOOD COMBINED SCHOOL: We still need 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 on 01296 712622.
The school welcomes any Tesco Computers for Schools vouchers you may have; small or large numbers will be gratefully received by the school.
We are also collecting Nestle Box Tops For Books and Times Books for School Tokens.
FOCUS: Everything for Focus, Great Horwood's parish magazine, must be in by the 15th of the month, for the following month. Please send any articles to ghfocus@mac.com.

Lillingstone Lovell
Jennifer Metcalfe 01280 860214
GARDENS: The popular open gardens weekend is taking place tomorrow, Saturday, and Sunday, May 31 from noon to 6pm.
Discover over 20 village gardens and visit our historic 13th century church with colourful flower displays themed on traditional old English folk songs.
Enjoy lunch and cream teas in the village hall and listen to bell ringing and organ recitals.
A milking demonstration will take place at Valley Farm and John Starsmore's Model Village working farm machinery will be on display throughout the day.
Admission is £4, children under 16 free of charge.

Little Horwood
Chrissie Beckett 01296 712436
FETE DATES: It is time to start looking forward to church fete days when we have an opportunity to move around our local villages to see for ourselves just what life is like.
Swanbourne Church Fete will be held in the grounds of Swanbourne House School at 2pm on Saturday, June 6.
Mursley Church Fete will be held in the grounds of the rectory, Mursley, at 2pm on Saturday, June 20.
And, Little Horwood Church Fete is being held down at the recreation ground (behind the Old School) on Saturday, July 11.
More details on all these later.

Maids Moreton
Anita Matthews 01280 814358
CHURCH SERVICES: On Sunday there is a service of Holy Communion at 8am.
Preceding The Big Parish Picnic, there will be an outdoor Parish Family Service at 11.30am which is being held on Akeley Village Green (if wet it will be held in Akeley Village Hall).
GRUMBLE GRANGE GROUP: Please note: The meeting due to be held this Tuesday, June 2, has been cancelled.
The next meeting will therefore be on June 16 at 7.30pm.
The Grumble Grange Group Summer Extravaganza is now scheduled for Friday, July 3.
Please watch this space for further information.
WHIST: The next Whist Drive will be held on Friday, June 12 in the village hall at 7.30pm.
MEETING: The next parish council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 3 at 8pm.
It is emphasised that this is a public meeting and you are welcome to attend.
Members of the public will be given an opportunity to ask questions at the conclusion of the meeting or at other times when deemed appropriate.
QUIZ : The next quiz evening at The Wheatsheaf will be on Monday, June 1, 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 815433.
SALE: There will be a jumble sale held at the village hall on Saturday, June 6 at 2pm.
Any donations can be dropped off at the village hall from 10am on the day and will be gratefully received.
FESTIVAL: Maids Moreton Church Flower Festival will be taking place on June 13 and 14, the theme this year will be kings and queens in honour of our Queen celebrating her official birthday that weekend.
If any reader would like to place an arrangement in church, please call Georgie on 01280 815317.
Further details of this event will be posted nearer the time.
PRE-SCHOOL: The Maids Moreton Pre-School is still collecting any old unwanted mobile 'phones as they can be recycled in the Phones 4 Schools recycling scheme and raise much-needed funds for the school.
If you can help with this worthy cause please call Alice McVeigh on 01280 824989 or drop off the 'phones during school times.
CONSERVATION: Wellmore and Maids Moreton Conservation Group would like to express its gratitude to the generosity of all its supporters following the recent ascent by a team of its members to the summit of Snowdon.
All these funds have now been distributed to various local causes which can be seen at The Wheatsheaf public house or at the Wellmore and Maids Moreton Conservation Group office at Maids Moreton House (by appointment).
LUNCH: The next Soup Lunch will be on Friday, June 19 in the village hall at 12.15pm for 12.30pm.

Nash
June Horne 01908 501882
COFFEE: All Saints Church, Nash, is hosting a Coffee Morning tomorrow, Saturday, at Nash Village Hall from 10.30am to noon.
It is in support of Dr Shirley Hayward's work in Nepal.
There will be cakes, bring and buy, preserves, cards, a raffle and plant stalls.
Admission is 50p to include coffee and biscuits
Dr Hayward will be attending the event to meet her friends and supporters and update them on her international work.
Everyone is most welcome.

Padbury
Sue Wrigley 01280 814199
TEDDY BEARS' PICNIC: If you go down to the Vicarage garden this coming Sunday, May 31, there will be a gathering of teddy bears and their families for a picnic following the 11am service in St Mary's.
The service and the picnic are to celebrate baptism and everyone who has been baptised in the last few years is especially welcome.
Bring your teddies, parents, brothers and sisters and of course a picnic. Drinks will be provided for you.
Give Vicar Ros a ring on 01280 813162 if you have any questions.
OPEN GARDENS: Many village gardens will be open on Saturday and Sunday, June 13 and 14, from 2pm to 6pm each day.
St Mary's Church will feature a flower festival entitled Bells, as the church bells are to be refurbished this year.
There will be cream teas and delicious cakes organised by the WI in the village hall.
Fred Morris and his team will have their plant stall just outside the village hall as usual. You are all most welcome to come and stroll around our attractive village and perhaps combine this with some of the venues featured in the Bucks Open Studios fortnight mentioned below.
BUCKS OPEN STUDIOS: Saturday, June 13 sees the start of another fortnight of opportunities to visit the studios and workshops of artists and craft workers in this area, and in Padbury, Georgie Porter and Peter Austin will be opening their studios at the Old Wesleyan Chapel, Main Street, and 2 Bennetts Close respectively on Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays until the event closes on Sunday, June 28. Both studios will be open at 11am but Peter's will close at 5pm and Georgie's at 6pm.
A group of Winslow & District Arts Society members will also be participating in this countywide event with an exhibition of work in The Studio at West Bourn, Main Street, home of Alicia Vaux, the secretary of WADAS, from Saturday, June 13 to Sunday, June 28, daily between 11am to 6pm.
On Wednesday, June 10, WADAS will be visiting Buscot Park House garden, a National Trust property, which contains fine paintings and furniture from the Faringdon Collection and an Italianate water garden designed by Harold Peto.
Please contact the secretary, Alicia Vaux, on 01280 813733 for more details or if you would like to go.
ADSTOCK & PADBURY GARDEN CLUB: Members of the Adstock & Padbury Garden Club are looking forward to an evening tour of the gardens at Tyringham Hall for the meeting on Tuesday, June 9.
The head gardener will be leading the tour and as he will need to know numbers in advance, I do hope you have put your name down.
As always, non-members are very welcome but do please contact Sue Crook on 01280 816505 for full information and for details of the full day outing in July to Spetchley Park in Worcestershire.
PADBURY BENEFIT SOCIETY'S FEAST WEEKEND: The weather was kind to the Padbury Benefit Society this year for all the celebrations over the feast weekend and members accompanied by the Great Horwood Silver Band enjoyed the parade up through the village to St Mary's Church last Sunday evening.
The dance on Saturday evening in the village hall started everything off very well and the music by the local group, Hotline, was much appreciated by all.
Frank Hartley chaired the feast for the third time and invited the vicar, Ros Roberts, to say grace.
She said she was pleased to see the continuing value of the society, which helped maintain the sense of community in the village.
Following the excellent meal, James Tearle proposed a toast to the guests, which was acknowledged by George Howlett.
Nigel Picketts proposed the toast to the Great Horwood Silver Band to which Simon Martin replied on their behalf.
Unfortunately, there was no full band for the whole weekend this year, but members of the Benefit Society much appreciated the music played during the feast by the smaller number of musicians present.
David Spicer gave the traditional speech from the stage table following which the Picketts brothers entertained everyone with various songs.
Secretary Barry Picketts thanked the members and guests for their very generous support for the weekend's special cause, the bells fund for St Mary's church, and once again reference was made to the long connection with the Great Horwood Silver Band.
Following the raffle, a lively and enthusiastic auction was most generously supported, although the amount raised is not yet known
One special point worthy of note: Cyril Watts was attending his 60th consecutive feast, never having missed one (he is now 82 years old) and was pleased to win a bottle of rum from the Heads and Tails competition.
Many thanks to the ladies who were behind the scenes in the kitchen at the feast, as well as to those who supplied the food and drink and to everyone who worked so hard to make the weekend a success.
ALI'S DREAM: Join Ali's Dream for a spectacular night at their summer ball in the ballroom at Buckingham Town Hall on Saturday, June 13 and help raise funds for research into childhood brain tumours.
There will be champagne on arrival followed by a three-course meal, entertainment, a tombola and dancing until 1am.
Tables are beginning to fill up so do let Sue Farrington Smith know if you would like tickets. She, or one of the team, can be contacted on 01296 730230 for full information.
RAISING FUNDS FOR MAIN STREET PLAYGROUND: If you have any clothes, shoes, handbags, fabrics, towels and bedding (although no duvets or pillows please) that you no longer need, please help with the cost of new equipment for the playground in Main Street by putting everything in a black bag and take it (by Friday, June 5) to either 1 Bennetts Close or to Gore Lodge (opposite the New Inn car park).
You can also ask one of the following volunteers to call and collect your filled sacks: Sara Birch on 01280 821236, Julie Wrigley on 01280 817368, Jennie Beebee on 01280 814654, Elspeth Parkhouse on 01280 813957, Debbie Gibbs on 01280 815044 or Felicity Mallam on 01280 820570.
PADBURY PRE-SCHOOL SUMMER PLAYSCHEME: Padbury Pre-school would like to run a playscheme throughout the summer holidays but they need to know how many children would be interested before they can confirm all the sessions.
Activities will include mask making, face painting, sports, arts and crafts, fun with fabric, movies, music and dance and parachute games.
The sessions are for three to four year olds and will last a half day each, so please contact padburypreschool@aol.co.uk by June 1 stating the name and age of your child or children and the number of sessions per week you would like them to attend.
DIABETES OPEN DAY: Jackie Bailey and Tracey Sargent are pleased to say that more than 30 people came to their open day last week and the event raised £105 for Diabetes UK.
BINGO AND THE 100-1 CLUB: The next bingo evening, together with the first draw in the new season of the 100-1 club, will be on Friday, June 5 starting at 8pm in the village hall.
Please contact Shirley Lafford on 01280 812535 if you have any raffle prizes you would like to donate.

Syresham
Christina Munsey
ST JAMES CHURCH FETE: The annual church fete will take place at the Priory in Syresham at 1pm on Saturday, June 6 .
Come along and spend the afternoon at the Priory, starting with a barbecue lunch with a beer or glass of wine.
Then walk around the variety of stalls where you can try your luck on the tombola and sideshows and purchase gifts and produce.
Take the opportunity to stock your garden and browse through the books and bric-a-brac.
Maybe you would like a game of tennis, or to enter your dog in the dog show and then sit and relax with an ice cream, a cup of tea or a beer.
SYRESHAM AND DISTRICT HISTORY SOCIETY: The June meeting of the history society will be held in the village hall on Tuesday, June 2 at 7.30pm and a talk will be given by Marjorie Snedker on Amy Bonham and Syresham Post Office.
The late Brenda Bonham was very well known and one of the most respected and loved residents of the village of Syresham with her family having lived and worked here for many generations. They were a farming family and Brenda's mother Amy ran the post office.
Marjorie Snedker was a cousin of Brenda and she will recount life in the post office with Amy Bonham and tell us her memories of other old Syresham families too.
This promises to be a fascinating and nostalgic talk and visitors are, as always, most welcome.

Tingewick
Joanna Brown 01280 847479
POLICE CLINIC: The monthly police clinic in the village hall has changed day and time and from now on will take place on the first Wednesday of each month from 6pm to 7pm, the next one being on Wednesday, July 1.
This clinic is available for the people of Tingewick and the surrounding villages to come along to meet the local community support officer, who will be available to discuss issues relating to our area.
Contact Mike Poole on 01280 847736 for more information.
PAMPER EVENING: The fantastically popular Tingewick Pre-school Pamper Evening is back bigger and better than ever on June 19 with even more manicures, facials, massages, angel card readings, and other therapies.
Tickets are on sale from Gillian on 01280 848227 or see Claire at Pre-School.
SUMMER FETE: Roundwood School will be holding its summer fete on Saturday, June 13 from noon until 3pm at the Gawcott school site in Church Street. For details see the Gawcott village report.
REFUSE FREIGHTER: The refuse freighter will be in the village hall car park from 12.30pm to 3.30pm on Thursday, June 4. No fridges or freezers please.
TINGEWICK DIAMONDS: The Tingewick Diamonds are going on an outing to Bourton-on-the-Water on June 3. Transport has been arranged, contact Carol Thurlby on 01280 848569 to see if there are any spaces left.
KARAOKE: The Royal Oak on Main Street will be having a Sing Along With Simon karaoke night tomorrow, Saturday, starting at 8.30pm.
Contact the pub on 01280 848373 for more information.
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY: The Tingewick and Water Stratford Horticultural Society will be holding its annual meeting in the village hall on Wednesday, June 3 starting at 8pm.
Contact Will Litt on 01280 847680 for more information.
CARRIE RODRIGUES TRIO: Carrie Rodrigues will be playing a special gig in Tingewick Village Hall at 8pm on Friday, June 5.
It is the 100th gig organised by Empty Rooms Promotions and tickets are £12 in advance from The Dukes Music on Market Hill in Buckingham, or £14 on the night. Also, Rod Picott and Amanda Shires will be playing in Tingewick on June 13.
More information on www.empty-rooms.com.

Thornborough
Chrissie Vernon 01280 813073
PLANT & CAKE STALL: Many thanks to everyone who supported the plant and cake stall, a total of £136 was raised, which will go towards the cost of putting on the annual village show on September 5.
The judging of flower gardens, vegetable gardens, allotments, patio pots, hanging baskets and children's gardens will be carried out week commencing July 13. The cost is 30p per category.
Please put your name and address, which category, and money, in an envelope and hand it to either Mrs J Davies, Chapel Lane Farmhouse, Chapel Lane, Thornborough or Mrs M Banks, 2 Thornhill, Thornborough. The results will be announced at the village show on September 5.
BINGO: The next bingo is on Saturday, June 13, at 7.30pm in the village hall. Everyone welcome.

Twyford
Julia Cook 01296 738810
VILLAGE HALL: A big thank you to everyone who came along to the bring and buy sale, and those who donated such fantastic bargains!
The total of £250 was raised towards the new curtains for the village hall.
The next village hall event is the Arty Party on Saturday, June 20.
Don't forget to collect your canvas from Alan Riley to produce a piece of original artwork.
These will be auctioned off on the evening of the 20th by Will Abbott.
TWYFORD SCHOOL: Come along and join in with the annual cream tea afternoon on Friday, June 12 at school. There will be an opportunity to look around the school and buy delicious homemade cakes too, while enjoying the cream teas served by the children in year four.
TEDDY BEAR WEEKEND: A teddy bear weekend is being held at St Mary's Church on Saturday and Sunday, June 6 and 7 from 2pm to 5pm both days.
Lots of teddy bear-themed fun - teddy bear displays, raffle, teddy bear hunt, refreshments, tombola, teddy bear art competition, biscuit decoration and face painting.
Adults £2, children 50p, under twos free.
On the Sunday there will be a special Sunday service at 11am to be followed by teddy bears' picnic (bring your own picnic), drinks provided.

Wappenham
Jane Harries 01327 860350
TREASURE HUNT: The recreation committee will be organising a treasure hunt (with a bear hunt for the younger ones), with a barbecue and drinks afterwards in the playground.
It will take place on June 6 starting at 11am from the playground.

Wicken
Tish Gordon-Lee 01908 571387
WICKEN FUN DOG SHOW: This will take place on Saturday, June 6, from 2pm to 5pm at the Old Rectory (entrance at the corner of Cross Tree and Leckhampstead Roads).
As well as the fun dog show, the beautiful Rectory gardens will be open for viewing.
There will be a raffle, home produce stall and delicious cream teas. Entrance will be by donation and all proceeds will be in aid of Wicken Church.
VICTORIAN SLIDE SHOW: This event was held recently in the refurbished village hall.
John Marchant would like to thank all who attended and raised £34 for the church.
The evening was a great success until the 80-year-old bulb in the projector failed (not too early, fortunately!) but luckily John has now found a replacement so future showings of this historic material will go on.
Thanks to John for a really interesting show.