Abthorpe
John Riches 01327 857703
GARDEN PARTY: THE Lord Chamberlain is commanded by Her Majesty to invite Daniel and Elizabeth Haycock to a garden party at Buckingham Palace.
Elizabeth and her husband, who is better known locally as Barry, are very excited to be able to represent Marie Curie Cancer Care at this prestigious social occasion.
Other organisations have also recognised the Abthorpe couple's amazing service.
Recently they attended the National Awards Ceremony of the Institute of Fundraising in London.
Elizabeth was one of only two people to be nominated in the volunteer section.
The citation in the ceremony's programme stated: "Elizabeth was the longest-serving Marie Curie nurse in Northamptonshire and she now works with her husband Barry running a farm, but are still fundraising for Marie Curie Cancer Care.
For the past 20 years she has organised a fundraising day and evening in her home and each year generates between £3,500 and £4,000.
She is indispensable to the local fundraising team and can always be relied upon to help with the organisation of fundraising events and to sell tickets to her wide circle of friends.
She regularly gives talks about her work as a Marie Curie nurse to local schools and groups, inspiring others to support the charity.
For the past 24 years, once the harvest is safely gathered in on their farm and aided by their many friends, they have arranged a coffee event in their home – always on the last Thursday of October.
To date an amazing £55,962 has been raised for their favourite charity." This year the event is on Thursday, October 30. In order to celebrate the 60th anniversary of both Marie Curie Cancer Care and the National Health Service they wish to break the £60,000 barrier.
So, Elizabeth said with a smile, the people of Abthorpe will have to watch out!

Akeley
Sherri Holland 01280 860486
AFFORDABLE RURAL HOUSING SURVEY: THE parish council has commissioned a survey to establish whether there is a need for a small affordable rural housing development within the village.
A survey form and prepaid reply envelope will be hand-delivered to every household in the parish during July.
Please look out for this and take the time to read the information and complete this survey. We need your views!
TAKE THE WHEEL: THERE is an event for young people aged 15 to 18, without a driving licence, called Take the Wheel on August 6.
This runs from 11am to 5pm at The Grange Youth Centre in Aylesbury. Driving lessons, road safety, roadside aid, car mechanics, test your reactions, theory, speed gun, insurance info. There are 60 places to be allocated on a first come first served basis – call Nicola on 01296 383158 for more info or email nmaycock@buckss. gov.uk.
FIRE SAFETY VAN: FOR information on all aspects of community safety, Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue mobile fire safety van will be at the village hall on Wednesday, July 23 from 11am to 2pm.
You will have the opportunity to book a home safety and fire check and to meet your local police community support officer Nicole Bruce.

Chackmore
Jennifer Beckett 01280 813448
AVDC REFUSE FREIGHTER: THIS will be situated on the hardstanding at the entrance to Chackmore from Stowe Avenue on Thursday, July 24 from noon until 3.30pm.
Please note, it is for household waste only.
See notice on parish noticeboard for further details of unacceptable items.
CHACKMORE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY: THE annual Chackmore Show takes place this year on Saturday, August 16.
The schedule of classes is now available from the secretary Colin Beckett, Gorran, Chackmore, Buckingham, MK18 5JF or telephone 01280 813448.

Claydons
Isobel Ashford 01296 730648
CLAYDON & DISTRICT COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: THE next meeting of the CDCA will be held on Monday, September 1 at 8pm.
If you are part of a fundraising committee, local club or society and would like some financial help, we may have some money available. It would be appreciated if you could show what you hope to purchase and its cost, in writing please, to Mrs S Jennings, Landsdown, North End, Steeple Claydon, Buckingham, MK18 2PG by August 17.

Deanshanger
Jennie Dott 01908 564725
EVENING OF ENTERTAINMENT: THERE will be an evening of entertainment at Deanshanger Sports Club, Little London, tomorrow, Saturday, starting at 8pm.
There will be a singing duo (Dezine) and a comedian (George Saunders).
Everyone is welcome. Entry is free to members and £1 to non-members.
FRIENDS OF DEANSHANGER LIBRARY: IN LINE with many other libraries throughout Northants, Deanshanger has now set up its own Friends group.
Their first official meeting will be held in the library on Wednesday, July 23 at 4pm.
Anyone who is interested in supporting their local library is very welcome to come along and find out more about how to get involved and, if interested, join the friends.
The way the friends scheme works is that people who enjoy their library can, for a small fee, become a friend which opens up a whole range of benefits which work both ways.
As a friend you get a regular newsletter, privileged access to the county's live literature events and a chance to meet the authors.
The friends group at your local library will help raise money and support local events and initiatives.
Why not drop into the library on Wednesday afternoon at 4pm and see if you would like to take part and become a friend?
CHILDREN'S AND YOUNG PEOPLE'S ACTIVITIES: NORTHANTS County Council is putting on a series of children's activities throughout the summer holidays.
On Monday, July 28 there will be an activity morning for five- to 12-year-olds, 10.30am to 12.30pm, at the playing fields opposite the community centre in Little London; there will be organised fun and games.
There will be a further activity morning at the playing field on Monday, August 18 (same times, same age group).
On Monday, August 4, 6pm to 8pm, there will be a mobile skate park in the park behind Springfield Gardens. This will also be coming on Friday, August 22, same time, same location.
Other activities will be available around the county (look on the county council website).
For more information contact 01908 563084.
RHYME TIME AT DEANSHANGER LIBRARY: AFTER a short break, this event is now back on the twice-monthly library programme.
The next Rhyme Time will be on Tuesday, July 29 at 9.30am and then on August 12, also at 9.30am.
Even though the library itself is not open to the general public at these times, those attending Rhyme Time can borrow and return books.

Gawcott
Susanne Winterbottom 01280 813448
NEARLY NEW SALE: GAWCOTT Pre-School is holding its annual children's clothing, toys and accessories sale on Saturday, September 27 from 10.30am until noon.
For a seller's pack (pre-booking essential) please contact Katie on 01280 815840 or email simkat@tesco.net.
GAWCOTT PRE-SCHOOL: NEEDS your help – do you have some spare time to help run the Gawcott Pre-School committee as the new chair?
This voluntary position needs to be filled at our AGM in October and we would like to open this opportunity up to a member of the village.
Your input and commitment will help the pre-school to continue to provide high-quality nursery education, while also maintaining itself as a valuable asset to the community.
You will need to liaise with the pre-school leader and staff, attend the committee meetings which are held twice a term, offer support to the treasurer and secretary and, most importantly, have a passion for the continued success of Gawcott Pre-School.
If you feel you can help in any way or would like some more information please contact Sue on 01280 816675 or Karen on 01280 813892.

Great Horwood
Patricia Rudkin 01296 712930
CRICKET CLUB: THE Village 20:20 Cup will be held on Sunday, August 24 at the cricket club.
Entrance is free and everyone is welcome!
Four teams will be taking part in this knock-out competition.
All matches on the same day and the teams are invited to wear colourful clothing in the true 20:20 style and tradition.
There will be a bar and food available throughout the day!
GREAT HORWOOD PRE-SCHOOL: AN assistant for Great Horwood Pre-School is urgently required for the start of the summer term.
NVQ3 in childcare or equivalent required.
Please contact Vicki on 01296 714998 for further details.
Following our recent AGM, the pre-school desperately needs a treasurer.
You do not need to be a parent of a pre-school child, just someone who can help us with paying staff wages and keeping the accounts up to date. All the systems to do this are in place.
You would need to attend six to eight meetings in the year.
If there is anyone who could help out a great village concern please contact Julia Serest (chair) on 01296 713234.
The pre-school is extending its hours from September. The sessions will run from 9am until 2.30pm Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. The Friday session will be from 9am until 2.45pm.
This is a very popular pre-school, for children aged two to four years, with a waiting list, so if you have recently moved to Great Horwood do contact Wendy and get your child's name on the waiting list.
Contact Wendy on 07999 806961 or email greathorwoodpreschool@hotmail.com.
PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION: A LOT of people came along to the village hall event on June 14 to vote for their favourite photographs to be used to produce Christmas cards, which will raise funds for St James Church and the new recreation area.
Chloe Holland swept the board, winning the first three places in the under 16 years and Jeannie Marshall took first and second with Rod Moulding third in the over 16s.
Chloe and Jeannie won cash, a certificate and a box of chocolates.
Every photo received votes and the organisers would like to thank everyone who submitted photographs.
There were many interesting views of the village.
MUSIC CONCERT: THIS took place on Sunday, June 15 and it was lovely to hear the talented children and adults singing and playing their instruments in the church.
The grand sum of £92.20 was raised and this will go towards the recreation ground.
A special thank you must go to everyone who took part and attended.
Also, thanks to Sheila Finlayson, Charlotte Nash and Sharon Ord who organised it.
TIC TOC: SING-A-LONG for children up to the age of five years, every Friday (term time only) in the village hall from 2pm until 2.45pm. First session free.
Please contact Tracey on 01296 715780.
GREAT HORWOOD SILVER BAND: THE band plays for fetes, carnivals, weddings, church services and many other occasions.
To find out more contact secretary Mrs B Lack, 24 Williams Close, Hanslope, Milton Keynes, MK19 7BS, telephone 01908 510809, email beryl@lack729.freeserve.co.uk.
The band meets in the village hall every Wednesday – the junior band, 6.45pm to 7.45pm, and the seniors from 7.45pm.
Dates for future performances are Saturday, July 26 at Aston Abbotts Church Fete; Saturday, August 16 at Aston Clinton Fete; and Saturday, August 24 at Lowndes Park, Chesham.

Lillingstone Lovell
Malcolm Jones 01280 860312
BARN DANCE: MANY thanks to everybody who came to the barn dance.
I think it is fair to say that everybody enjoyed themselves and the food, as usual, was excellent.
Thanks to your generosity a total in excess of £2,000 was shared equally between the Village Church Fund and Willen Hospice.
We look forward to seeing you again at next year's barn dance which is being planned for June.

Maids Moreton
Anita Matthews 01280 814358
CHURCH SERVICES: ON Sunday there is a service of Holy Communion at 8am followed by a service of Songs of Praise at 10.30am.
Searchlights meet at Maids Moreton School at 10.30am.
As this is the last meeting of the term, parents and carers are invited to join the Searchlights at 11.45am to see what they have been up to during term and to enjoy refreshments.
Please remember to bring your swimming costumes.
TABLE TOP: A TABLE top sale is planned for the village hall tomorrow, Saturday, at 2pm.
Tables will cost £5 each and are payable in advance to Peter Slack on 01280 813469, Peter Dungate on 01280 822163 or David Hill on 01280 812751.
The hall will be open from 1.15pm for stallholders to set up.
During the afternoon there will be a grand raffle and refreshments. Any donations of raffle prizes would be appreciated.
Funds are in aid of the village hall improvements.
GARDEN PARTY & TABLE TOP SALE: THIS event is to be held tomorrow, Saturday, at Maids Moreton Pre-School between 1pm and 3pm.
On offer will be cream teas, refreshments, face painting and children's crafts.
Everyone is welcome.
RACE FOR LIFE: A FUNDRAISING event on behalf of Race for Life is being held on July 26 and 27 and August 2 and 16.
The canal art cruise will be on the Grand Union Canal with a renowned artist and art teacher on board to advise on drawing, watercolouring, pastels, acrylics and oils.
Tickets are £25 each and include lunch and drinks.
For further details please contact Diana Owen on 01280 813111.
GRUMBLE GRANGE GROUP SUMMER EXTRAVAGANZA: THIS event is scheduled for Saturday, August 9.
Watch this space for further details.
VILLAGE HALL: FORTHCOMING events include Saturday, September 20, pie & mash & auction, and Sunday, October 26, James Goff Big Band Concert.
Watch this space for more details.

Padbury
Sue Wrigley 01280 814199
SUMMER ACTIVITIES: TEAMS of play workers from AVDC will be visiting many villages this summer and once again they will be joined by Sure Start Children's Centres to provide a wide range of activities for one- to 11-year-olds.
Padbury will be hosting these events at the sports pavilion at Springfields Recreation Ground on the following four dates: Wednesday, July 30 from 10am to 12.30pm; Monday, August 4 from 2pm to 4.30pm; Thursday, August 14 from 2pm to 4.30pm and Thursday, August 21 from 10am to 12.30pm.
The civic centre's annual children's show will also be visiting the village hall on Wednesday, August 13 from 10.30am to 12.30pm.
Please note that parents must accompany their children and please bring your own refreshments.
There is no need to book, just turn up.
MIDDAY SUPERVISOR REQUIRED AT PADBURY SCHOOL: PADBURY School is looking for a midday supervisor to start in September.
The post is for five days per week from 11.55am until 1.15pm during term time only with a salary of £6.90 per hour.
If you are interested in applying for this position, please contact the school secretary, Marian Barnes, on 01280 813070.
PADBURY SCHOOL NEWS: IT'S been a very busy end of term at Padbury School.
Having passed through time with their (hand-made) time-travel helmets and using the school log books from 1905, the children have considered life for pupils throughout the history of the school, including when it was closed on account of an outbreak of influenza hitting the village, when the school was a refuge for evacuees during wartime and also when the children were allowed outside to see Winston Churchill pass through Padbury.
Coming back to the present time, there are diggers galore at the school at the moment as work progresses to create the new pre-school facility for two- to five-year-olds, as well as a brand new outdoor classroom, an additional classroom in school, plus the refurbishment of the kitchen to enable hot school meals to be brought in (more about that in the future).
In addition, Year 1 and 2 pupils have attended the Small Schools Sports Festival, Dance Festival and French Day at other schools.The school has also said a sad goodbye to staff and pupils moving on to pastures new, but at the same time they have welcomed children who attended the trial day as they will be new to the school in September.
Pictures of all of the above can be found on the school website, www.padburyschool.org.uk.
For further information, please telephone the school on 01280 813070.
TOY COLLECTION: IF you have any toys, puzzles, books or play equipment which you think could usefully be used by the new Padbury Pre-School, please do bring them along to Padbury School on Monday, July 21.
It goes without saying that everything must be in tip-top condition.
Please understand that any toys or whatever that are not selected will be donated to a local charity, but the pre-school will be very appreciative of anything you can offer.
PADBURY YOUTH CLUB: ALL sorts of activities have been happening at the Padbury Youth Club, what with a clay pigeon shoot and barbecue at Padbury Hill Farm (thanks to Sue and Justin Farrington Smith), a visit from Dan Richmond, captain of Bedford Blues rugby team (thanks to Sallyanne and Andrew Lightbown), and a beach party with an aqua slide (courtesy of Teresa Andrews).
Tonight, Friday, is the last night before the club breaks up for the summer holidays and it is having a picnic at the recreation ground at Springfields, so if you would like to join in and see what they do, come along from 7.15pm. Bring your own food and please note that parents must stay with children who are under eight.
Older ones can stay as a guest and see if they like the club.
Registration forms for membership will be available or they can be emailed to you.
Please ensure that if your child is coming for the first time you give the organisers a contact number for emergencies.
TENNIS CLUB: LOTS of people turned out for the tennis club's barbecue and family day a couple of weeks ago which finally took place following two earlier attempts which had been rained off.
During the day they held a very interesting competition organised by David Green which involved a lot of being in and then being out and then being in again. David had the difficult task of keeping score for five people at the same time!
The tennis club will be running its end-of-season tournament in September so, if you are feeling a bit rusty, get up to the court now and start practising.
If you are not a member and would like to join, please ring Sarah on 01280 816262, but you can also hire the court for £3 an hour – please ring the same number for more details.
BINGO AND THE 100+ CLUB: LUCKY winners at the 100+ Club draw last week were Mr and Mrs Paul Evans (£100) and Geoff Iliff-Rolfe (£50).
The charity raffle at last week's bingo raised £100 for Willen Hospice – many thanks to all who contributed.
There will be bingo again tonight, Friday, in the village hall starting at 8pm.
For further information, please phone Shirley Lafford on 01280 812535.

Thornborough
Chrissie Vernon 01280 813073
BINGO: THE next bingo in the village hall is tomorrow, Saturday, at 7.30pm. All welcome.
THORNBOROUGH & THORNTON GARDENING SOCIETY: JUDGING of gardens, patio pots, hanging baskets, vegetable gardens, allotments and children's gardens will take place in the week commencing July 21.
Please put your name and address on a piece of paper in an envelope with your money, 30p each entry, and hand it in either to me, Mrs M Banks, 2 Thornhill or Mrs D Crawley. Little Acorns, Back Street, by tomorrow, Saturday.
COFFEE MORNING: TOMORROW, Saturday, from 10am to noon, the Methodist Church is holding a coffee morning in aid of the Building Fund.
There will be cakes, craft items and a bring-and-buy stall.
Everyone is welcome.

Tingewick
Joanna Brown 01280 847479
HOLY COMMUNION: HOLY Communion will be held in St Mary Magdalene Church this Sunday, starting at 9.30am.
Contact the Rev Liz Simpson for more information on 01280 704964.
MOBILE LIBRARY: THE mobile library will be in Stowe View at 3.20pm on Thursday, July 24.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY: THE July 23 meeting has been changed to Wednesday, August 6 at 7.30pm in the village hall.
Frank Hartley will be giving insights into the history of Padbury church and clergy.
PLAY AROUND THE PARISHES: A TEAM of playworkers will be visiting Tingewick on three dates over the summer holidays, bringing a range of play equipment and free activities for children aged one to 11.
The first date is July 31 from 2pm to 4pm at the recreation ground.
PARTY IN THE PADDOCK: AFTER a two-year break, the Party in the Paddock is on September 19.
Starting at 8pm and featuring live music from ex-Whitesnake guitarist Bernie Marsden and an all-star line up, tickets cost £60 to include a pig roast and drinks.
Advance tickets are already being booked so telephone 01280 848211 or visit www.partyinthepaddock.co.uk to get yours.
All proceeds go to Macmillan Cancer Support, the Florence Nightingale Hospice and the Oxford Kidney Unit.
KARATE: THE Karate Club meets on Thursdays at 6pm in the village hall.
Contact Kath Dearden for information on 01280 705035.
DANCING: COME along to the village hall on Monday nights at 7.30pm to enjoy a session of line dancing led by Anna Donaldson.
You can find out more by ringing Anna on 01280 847809.
On Thursday afternoons at 2pm the Village Dance Club meets in the village hall.
Contact Hazel Thurlow on 01280 838446 for information about this.
RAINBOWS & SCOUTS: RAINBOWS meet in the pre-school every Friday from 6.30pm, contact Janet Mackay for information on 01280 817052.
Scouts meet every Tuesday at 8pm in the village hall. Contact Roger Williams on 01280 847824 for more details.
TODDLER GROUP: ON Thursday afternoons from 1.15pm to 2.45pm there is a drop-in parent and child group, the Tingewick Toddlers.
This costs £1 per family group and gives your child a chance to become familiar with the pre-school room, as well as for you to meet other parents.

Wappenham
Jane Harries 01327 860350
VILLAGE HALL: ON Saturday, July 26, the outside toilets at the back of the village hall are being taken down.
This is a job that is long overdue and needs to be done so we can gravel and generally tidy up the whole area.
It will mean if you wish to use the hall you will be able to access the whole area.
We cannot do this job on our own – we need some village muscle!
So, if you fancy a bit of demolition work (hard hats will be provided) come on down to the hall from 10.30am onwards.
A ploughman's lunch will be provided.
Any queries, contact Jenny Szczerbowski on 860073.
FETE HELP REQUIRED: THE annual fete takes place on Saturday, September 6.
It's a lively event for all ages, with stalls, teas, games and music.
To help continue its success, we need your gifts and unwanted articles for the raffle, tombola, book and bric-a-brac stalls.
Bottles of wine, tins etc – anything you think suitable, so please start collecting now.
Later on we will need volunteers to help with collecting the above; people to make cakes and for the home produce stall.
Also to donate other home produce, including plants and garden produce. (There'll be a list up at the shop for people to sign.)
On the day we will need help with teas, on the gate, etc.
If you want to help or find out more, please contact any of the following: Jane Betts on 01327 860812; Jo Donovan on 01327 861156; or Dene Ayres on 01327 861009.
To donate home produce, contact Hilary Wickham on01327 860236.
All help appreciated!