Abthorpe
John Riches 01327 857703
RUNNERS: DURING the autumn, the lanes around the village are alive with runners simply keeping fit or in training for athletic events across the world.
Alan Eastwood, 51, has recently competed in his first half-marathon in the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana that started and finished in front of that country's parliament building.
Alan ran the 21km course in 1 hour 43min 36sec. He decided to run in that particular race to support a Slovenian friend whom he first met many years ago when they were both ski instructors.
There were over 10,000 runners in the event that Alan found to be very well organised and extremely interesting.
Eileen Vielvoye competed nearer home in the Run To The Beat race.
London's first half-marathon began and finished at the O2 Arena in Greenwich.
Along the course, runners and spectators alike were serenaded by a host of live bands and other entertainers whose rhythmic beats gave a festive air to the event.
Eileen completed the course in a very respectable 2.13.45.
Helen and Tim Pope, the husband-and-wife team who have previously competed in the London, Paris, Rome and Connemara marathons, ventured outside the European Union this year to run in New York.
Helen said that she agreed with Paula Radcliffe, the British winner, that conditions were tough with strong headwinds and low temperatures.
As a result, Paula took six minutes longer than planned to complete the gruelling course, while Helen and Tim took 12 and 30 minutes longer, respectively, than they had anticipated.
But as crossing the finishing line in the city's Central Park is said to be one of the great thrills of a runner's lifetime, Helen and Tim must be delighted with their times of 3.58.13 and 4.32.44.

Akeley
Sherri Holland 01280 860486
CHRISTMAS BAZAAR: ST JAMES & St John C of E School, Akeley and Chackmore, are holding their Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, November 29 from 2pm to 4pm in Akeley Village Hall.
There will be Christmas crafts, a raffle, home-made produce, gifts, novelty toys, lucky dip, cake stall, jambola and tombola.
Shop for Christmas gifts, mince pies and mulled wine and lots, lots more!
See Father Christmas in his grotto between 2.15pm and 3.45pm – £1.50 including a present.
VILLAGE TEAS: ON Wednesday, November 19, from 2.30pm to 4pm at the village hall for a cup of tea or coffee and a piece of home-made cake.
There will be Pauline Taylor's hand-made cards and Doreen Robinson's jewellery.
A large selection of previously read books will be available to buy and proceeds will be donated to Macmillan Cancer Support.
BEAUJOLAIS EVENING: A BEAUJOLAIS Evening is being held on Saturday, November 22 at 8pm at the village hall.
Tickets are now available from Sherri on 01280 860486 or Stan, priced at £6, to include a glass of wine and a buffet.
Come along and meet friends and neighbours old and new and if Beaujolais isn't really your tipple, don't worry as we have plenty of other wines, beer and soft drinks.
BUCKINGHAM ARTS FOR ALL: FOLLOWING the great success of their first painting competition, with 74 works entered by 37 artists, BAFA is presenting these works in the first annual exhibition in the village hall over this weekend (November 14–16).
Today, Friday, is the preview evening which will be opened by John Bercow MP at 7.30pm.
BAFA is hoping to welcome many visitors with an interest in art.
EXERCISE: ON Mondays from 1.45pm to 2.45pm (except the first Monday of the month) there is tai chi-based exercise at the village hall.
TABLE TENNIS: ON Thursdays from 7.30pm to 9.30pm at the village hall.
BINGO: THERE is Bingo in the village hall on Monday, November 17 from 7.30pm to 9pm with your host John Cowley.

Deanshanger
Jennie Dott 01908 564725
POP-IN AT THE CHAPEL: THIS is a fairly new venture for Deanshanger Methodist Chapel.
Pop-in is a chance to do just that – pop-in and have a cup of tea or coffee or stay for a bowl of warming home-made soup.
There is always a stall to browse over and buy something to raise money for either the chapel or another worthy cause.
Why not come along on Wednesday, November 19 between 10.30am and 2.30pm – meet up with old friends and make new ones.
Everyone is welcome.

Edgcott
Jean Crawford 01296 770453
WINTER FAYRE: ST MICHAEL & All Angels Church Winter Fayre at the village hall tomorrow, Saturday, from 2.30pm onwards.
On sale will be gifts, hand-knitted goods, homemade cakes and mince pies.
There will also be a raffle and tombola.
Tea and mince pie only 50p.
Entrance free.

Gawcott
Susanne Winterbottom 01280 821079
LENBOROUGH SINGERS' CONCERT ON Sunday, December 7, the Lenborough Choir will be giving a concert in Holy Trinity Church at 7.30pm.
Always a very popular and well-attended event.

Great Horwood
Patricia Rudkin 01296 712930
GREAT HORWOOD C of E SCHOOL: WE need your help.
We are looking for someone to help our children and parents to cross the road, in the morning before school and at the end of the day.
If you think you may be able to help with this important role or you would like further information, please telephone the school on 01296 712622.
GREAT HORWOOD SILVER BAND: GREAT Horwood Silver Band is giving a Charity Concert in memory of Leslie Burchett, one of its members who sadly died earlier this year.
Leslie was a member for well over 50 years and was playing euphonium up to a few months before he died, and during his time with the band took on many positions including MD, bandmaster, solo cornet and euphonium.
The concert will be held in the Buckingham Community Centre tomorrow, Saturday, commencing at 7.30pm.
Tickets are available at the door at £6 with concessions at £4.
There will be a raffle and light refreshments
All proceeds will go to Diabetes UK and St Mary the Virgin Church, Thornborough.
BEAVERS: THANKS to the Scout District and a parents' rota we have managed to keep Beaver Scout meetings running until the end of the autumn term.
But, if we can't find a new leader by the end of November, then with deep regret Beaver Scouts will close in December.
Beavers meet for one hour on Thursday evenings at the Scout & Guide HQ in the grounds of Great Horwood School at 6pm.
For more information please contact Paul Ketteridge on 01296 670663.
TRAFFIC ACTION: SINCE I became chairman of your parish council, I have looked at a number of ways of trying to introduce traffic calming, but have always been defeated by lack of funds.
One proposal is introducing a chicane-type feature on each village approach road.
But the cost of this came nearly at the bottom of the BCC Aylesbury Vale funding list and I was told there was no sense in resubmitting it in future ballots.
Since then I have investigated another solution which would involve installing vehicle activated signs (VAS) that would warn vehicles if they were exceeding the speed limit.
To get temporary devices installed BCC must be paid a non-returnable fee of £100 per device.
If BCC deemed such equipment suitable, the estimated cost per device is £6,500 to £8,500, which would mean a total of around £25,000 to provide one at each entry to the village.
Funding options are worse than last year.
Aylesbury Vale's limited budget means Great Horwood will have an average funding of a little over £1,000.
The alternative is for the parish council to fund the scheme for itself, which does not appear feasible with our total current budget of £15,000 per annum.
Thames Valley Police offer a solution called Community Speed Watch.
Parishes are required to purchase equipment for speed monitoring. Volunteers use the equipment and collect data on traffic speeds and also collect registration numbers.
The information must then be input into the police computer system so that warning letters can be sent to any offenders.
The cost is around £2,000, but totally dependent on volunteers.
If you have questions, thoughts or ideas please let me know. John Gilbey, chairman, Great Horwood Parish Council, 01296 711915 or email john@gilbey98.freeserve.co.uk.
THE RIDGEWAY CLUB: THE Ridgeway Club, held in the village hall, is an after-school club offering after-school care for children aged four to 11.
The club is very closely linked to Great Horwood Combined C of E School, but is completely independent.
It is OFSTED-registered, a non-profit-making organisation, run by a management committee.
The club employs staff who are both qualified and energetic, providing a safe, enjoyable, comfortable, fun and loving environment, Monday to Friday, 3.15pm to 6pm during term time.
For further details contact Charlotte Simpson on 07967 701056.
ADVENT LUNCHES: COME and join us for Advent lunches on December 10 and 17 in the village hall from noon onwards.
Everyone welcome.
Monica Gilbey, churchwarden, St James Church.
WINSLOW COMMUNITY BUS: WINSLOW Community Bus is holding a coffee morning at British Legion Hall, Elmfields, Winslow, on Saturday, November 22, between 10am and noon.
Donations welcome, please ring if you have anything to be picked up, contact Sue on 01296 715786.
To discuss bus hire or becoming a volunteer driver contact Sue on the above number or email wdcbenquiries@btconnect.com.
CHRISTMAS CARDS: THESE are on sale from Monica Gilbey and Liz Nicholls.
Proceeds from these will be split between St James Church and the recreation ground.
CHRISTMAS BAZAAR: GREAT Horwood School is holding its annual Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, December 6 between noon and 2pm.
Apart from all the Christmassy fayre, there will be lots to do and see and buy.
There will also be children's games and, of course, Father Christmas will be there with a sack full of goodies.
ADVENT WORKSHOP: THIS will take place on Advent Sunday, November 30, at 2pm in the Scout HQ (in the grounds of Great Horwood School).
Crafts on offer will include Christmas cards, Advent calendars, cooking, table decorations and much, much more.
So, if you are between the ages of five and 12, do come along and have some fun.
Parents should pick their children up from St James at 4pm or arrive at 3.35pm if you would like to join the short service.
For more details contact Sue Brazier on 01296 714712.
CHRISTMAS LUNCH PARTY: TO be held on Wednesday, December 3, at 12.30pm in the village hall.
All senior citizens welcome!
Entertainment and a raffle.
Tickets from June, 5 Wigwell Gardens or telephone 01296 714554.
If you need help with transport or would like to bring a carer or friend with you, please let us know.
Tickets will be on a basis of first come first served.

Maids Moreton
Anita Matthews 01280 814358
CHURCH SERVICES: ON Sunday there is a service of Holy Communion at 8am followed by a Family Service at 10.30am.
Searchlights should meet at Maids Moreton School.
WHIST DRIVE: THERE is a whist drive tonight, Friday, at 7.30pm in the village hall.
SOUP LUNCHES: THE next soup lunch will be on Friday, November 21 in the village hall at 12.15pm for 12.30pm.
MAIDS MORETON PRE-SCHOOL: THE current lead practitioner (headmistress) is unfortunately shortly leaving the post to work in Buckingham.
If you or you know anyone who would be interested in either the position of lead practitioner or practitioner, please get in touch with Helen Morgan on 01280 821791.
Meanwhile, the committee is pleased to let people know that the school is one of the charities you can help in the Waitrose charity boxes in the Buckingham store.
GRUMBLE GRANGE GROUP: WOULD members please note that the meeting dates have been revised to fit in with the Tidy Up Maids Moreton Campaign.
The new dates are Tuesday, November 25 leading up to the Grumble Grange Group Christmas Dinner and Dance at the Wheatsheaf on Friday, December 5.
CHRISTMAS FAYRE: MAIDS Moreton C of E Christmas Fayre is being held tomorrow, Saturday, from 2pm to 4pm at the school hall.
Entrance is 50p per adult, children free.
There will be many stalls including Bodyshop, Phoenix cards, jewellery, bags, Usbourne books, toys and produce, plus much more.
There will also be mince pies and mulled wine, refreshments and a raffle.

Nash
June Horne 01908 501882
COFFEE MORNING: ALL Saints Church is hosting a coffee morning tomorrow, Saturday, in the village hall from 10.30am to noon.
All proceeds are in aid of the work of Dr Shirley Heywood and the International Nepal Fellowship.
Admission is 50p which covers coffee and biscuits.
There will be many stalls including home-made cakes and preserves, hand-made cards, plants, bring-and-buy and a raffle.
Everyone is most welcome.

Padbury
Sue Wrigley 01280 814199
SHOE BOX APPEAL: TODAY, Friday, is the official closing date for the boxes to be received by the committee, for onward despatch to children around the world who have suffered because of war, natural disaster, poverty, illness or neglect.
However, if you haven't managed to do this, the organisers would be just as delighted to receive a donation to help with transportation costs so please contact either Maureen French on 01296 713223 or Sarah Wakeman on 01280 814651 as soon as you can.
They will be most grateful for anything you feel able to contribute.
PADBURY SCHOOL COFFEE MORNING: THE children from Padbury School would like to invite all villagers to their Children In Need Coffee Morning today, Friday, at the school from 10am to 11.30am.
Teas, coffees and cakes will be on sale to raise funds for less fortunate children, so please do come along and help support this national effort.
SAFARI SUPPER: THE Safari Supper also takes place this weekend, tomorrow, Saturday, so, to see if there are any tickets still available, contact Sue or Nick Fane on 01280 823976.
Tickets are £15 a head and with each course in a different house, plus good food and good company, it always makes an excellent and interesting evening.
QUIZ NIGHT: TO complete this busy weekend, go to the New Inn on Sunday evening, November 16, for another of their quiz nights starting at 8pm.
Bring along a group of your own or join an existing table and enjoy the free nibbles while you answer the questions.
MOTHERS' UNION: THE Mothers' Union will be meeting next Thursday, November 20, at noon in St Mary's Church for a service of Holy Communion.
Following discussion of a few business matters, members will once again open their house collection boxes for the Children's Society.
They will also be discussing the Christmas arrangements for decorating the church and assembling the Christingle oranges.
The Deanery Carol Service will be held in Lillingstone Lovell Church on Monday, December 8 at 2pm.
All are welcome to come along and there will be refreshments in the village hall after the service.
This year's collection will take the form of items for the Specialist Unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital.
Children and their parents often arrive at the hospital after a long journey having left home with little time to pack a suitcase. Suggested items are puzzle books, finger puppets and toiletries.
Members hope this will help them overcome a difficult time.
WADAS: CAROL Massey will be talking and demonstrating figure drawing and painting in acrylic at the meeting in the Winslow Centre on November 27.
Carol is a well-known artist who now lives in France, so the society is extremely fortunate that she has been able to fit this visit into her busy schedule.
On November 26, there is an outing to the Byzantium exhibition at the Royal Academy.
This show brings together treasures from Athens and Venice covering 1,000 years of history – icons, mosaics, paintings, jewellery and gold and silver ware.
Contact Alicia Vaux, the secretary, on 01280 813733 to see if there are any places left on the coach.
The date for members' next informal workshop in Padbury is Friday, November 21 from 10am to 3pm.
No workshops in December.
ALI'S DREAM: THE Christmas cards are now available at Padbury Hill Farm, contact the office on 01296 730230 for details.
For those who like personalised cards, visit the website www.charitychristmascards.com, and choose Ali's Dream to benefit.
It all helps to fundraise for childhood brain tumour research.
Its 200 Club now has 101 members so they need another 99!
Please contact the office on the above number for a form to join.
PADBURY PRE-SCHOOL WISH LIST: PADBURY Pre-School seems to be having a great time recently.
It has set out on a bear hunt, cooked up a treat or two, and spent a fortnight learning about farming.
Now for its wish list – they would love any plain, scrap paper for drawing (damaged or printed on is fine); a large camouflage sheet to make an indoor tent; and dressing up clothes, handbags, hats or small ladies' shoes you can let them have.
Please call 07759 675346 if you can help; many thanks in advance.
BINGO: THE next bingo evening is on Friday, November 21, when the raffle proceeds will go to the village hall.
Shirley would be delighted to receive any donated goodies for raffle prizes, particularly as the Christmas Special will be coming up shortly.
She can be contacted on 01280 812535.

Paulerspury
Coral Booth 01327 811606
CHRISTMAS SHOPPING EVENT: A CHRISTMAS Shopping Event is being held on Wednesday, November 19 at the village hall, 7.30pm to 9.30pm.
An evening of shopping with a variety of local businesses offering gift ideas for Christmas presents or a treat for yourself.
Entrance and parking is free.
For more information please contact Jill on 01327 858939 or Jayne on 01327 857851.

Thornborough
Chrissie Vernon 01280 813073
CHRISTMAS BAZAAR: THORNBOROUGH Churches and Pre-Christmas Bazaar is being held on Saturday, November 29 from 2pm to 4pm at the village hall and also at the church.
Come along for some great Christmas present ideas available on the many stalls, a glass of mulled wine and meet Father Christmas.
For further details call Anne Cassidy on 01280 812277.
MEMORIAL CONCERT: TOMORROW, Saturday, Great Horwood Silver Band is giving a concert in memory of Les Burchett in Buckingham Community Centre at 7.30pm.
Tickets are £6, £4 for concessions.
Proceeds to the Diabetic Association and Thornborough Church.
GIFT DAY: ON Saturday, November 22, St Mary's Church is holding its annual Gift Day.
The church will be open from 10am to 4pm or you can drop your envelope into the post office or 3 Palmers Moor.

Tingewick
nJoanna Brown 01280 847479

FIREWORKS DISPLAY AND TORCHLIGHT PROCESSION: THE fireworks were postponed last week due to the torrential rain, but happily they'll be happening this Sunday, November 16, instead (weather permitting!).
The traditional torchlit procession through the village starts at the PSP Auction Rooms on Main Street at 6.15pm and will culminate in a bonfire and fireworks display with music at The Royal Oak.
Admission free, food will be available. More details from the pub on 01280 848373.
CHARITY DINNER & AUCTION: ON November 22, Buckingham Ladies' Circle is holding a black tie dinner and charity auction to raise money for a foetal monitor at the Horton Hospital and for the Stillborn and Neonatal Death Society.
The event is in memory of Emily Collyer, daughter of Corrine and Andrew Collyer from Tingewick.
Tickets are £35 (to include a three-course meal) from Mrs Collyer on 01280 847059.
MUSIC: EMPTY Rooms Promotions are bringing The Southern Tenant Folk Union to the village hall on Friday, November 21, starting at 8pm.
Tickets are £10 in advance from The Duke's Music in Buckingham or £12 on the door. Go to www.empty-rooms.com for more information.
CHURCH SERVICES: ON Sunday, November 16 there will be Holy Communion at Tingewick Church starting at 9.30am.

Twyford
Julia Cook 01296 738810
CHRISTMAS CONCERT: COME and share an enjoyable evening with the Bicester Choral and Operatic Society Christmas Concert on Friday, December 5, to get you in the mood for Christmas.