Transport for Buckingham have announced a proposal of road closures for the repairs of some of the many and various potholes in Whaddon Road from the 10th to 19th June.The extent of the proposed repairs is from A421 to Salden Lane, (better than nothing). Deadline for any objections is 20th May, so if there are no objections, the work will be put in place.
Hurray!

The Bank Holiday weekend again found the Players out in force at the Village Hall. The dedication of these people never ceases to amaze me, especially now that I have first hand knowledge of the time, and angst, taken up by rehearsals, not to mention the performances themselves.
It was a great couple of nights, and if you weren't able to get a ticket, hopefully you have been reading about it on the Forum.
It is perhaps wrong to single anyone out for special praise, but a couple of stand out performaces do come to mind. Lyndon's Gangnam style brought the house down, and all credit to him for not 'goofing it up', no this was a well rehearsed and polished performance, of course size was on his side...
Lyndon also manfully stepped into the breach by taking on the role of Narrator at the last minute.
The funniest moment has to be the 4 man bike, which rumour has it is due to make a return appearance at the Village Fun Day - watch this space.
A whopping profit of £1,674.80 was realised, and this is being split between Medical Detection Dogs - £600; Church Fabric Fund - £537.40; and the Cricket Club nets - £537.40.
A well deserved thank you to all concerned, and here is a photo reminder.

It is the Village Hall AGM on Wednesday 8th May in the Village Hall,  everyone welcome.
The Committee is in need of new members, and this is an exciting time to become involved.
Following a recent legacy, to which hopefully some grant money will be added, a considerable renovation project is planned. So if you want to become involved in that, or just want to help out in some way, please come along on Wednesday evening, when you will be warmly welcomed.
The AGM will last approximately half an hour, and will be followed by a committee meeting.

David Bartlett, the Mursley team captain, commented: “It was a great feeling to win the cup against our local neighbours with the match ebbing and flowing between the two teams throughout the night and for the final to be decided on the very last point of the evening was a truly fitting end to a great contest.”
Mursley currently have 5 teams and Little Horwood 2 teams entered in the Milton Keynes Table Tennis League which runs from September to April each year.

Mursley recently held its first social evening with nearly 40 people attending a demonstration given by the top two players in the Milton Keynes league. They are now arranging for the annual club championships which take place in the last two weeks of May.
Mursley table tennis club holds social table tennis sessions for all abilities on Tuesday mornings and Thursday evenings. For further details contact David Bartlett on 01296 720177.

The Mursley Cricket Club, (see calendar for this year's fixtures) are hoping to construct practise nets at the playing fields
They have the cage and a quote to install the groundworks, which they hope to have in place by May 2013. The cost will be just under £5,000, of which they already have £1,000 and a £2,000 interest free loan. If anyone is interested in contributing to this cause, or has any fund-raising ideas, please ring Andrew on 720425

200 Club winners for this month as follows:

   E North                £50
   Chris Alcock       £25
   Kay Roberts        £15

Congratulations to the lucky winners

We are delighted by the news that the popular landlord of the Green Man has signed on for a further 3 years. The current success of the pub has been due entirely to the hard work of Lyndon and Helen, and its good to know that our favourite watering hole is safe, for the immediate future at least.
Lyndon has great plans for this year, including a Charity Music Fesitval on 3rd August, and he is also taking an active role in the next Wine and Beer Festival which is planned for 16th November - more details on both these events can be found in 'Future Events'.

Plans are afoot to hold an Open Gardens again this year.
Proposed date is the weekend of 22/23rd June
Firstly please put this date in your diary, and if you have been to an Open Gardens here before you will know you are in for a treat.
If you are a budding Monty Don, or just a keen amateur, we want to hear from you with a view to including your garden in our selection, which is not yet finalised.
For further details, or if you would like us to come and visit your garden with a view to including it, please ring Barry or Alison on 728167
Any funds raised will be divided between the Village Hall and charities of the gardeners' choice.

Winners for February are as follows:

£50                 Roger Gurnett             202
£25                 Ray Bonham                69
£15                 Dave Clark                 155

On Saturday 9th February, residents of Mursley awoke to a blanket of snow. Not the usual setting for a major sporting occasion, but the hardy MSA supporters turned out in force to witness the opening of the New Pavilion by the Rt Hon John Bercow MP.
Speeches given by Chairman of the MSA Nigel Peat, and Alex Gallon, Treasurer, drew attention to the help given to them both now and in the past. The Pavilion was duly blessed with both humour and respect by the Vicar, Laurence Meering, and the gold ribbon was cut by Mr. Bercow, as you can see in the picture below.



The entire group then repaired to the Jubilee Picnic Spot for the burying of the Jubilee Memories Box. John Bercow gamely threw the first spadeful (or two) to cover this 'time capsule' containing memorabilia from Mursley residents including the souvenir Calendar and DVD of our Jubilee Day last June. All this was accompanied by a speech from our own Lt. Col. Lyndon Robinson, whose masterly delivery impressed our MP to the extent that he suggested Lyndon should consider becoming an MP! A little bird tells us that Mr. Bercow might be persuaded to come along and witness Lyndon's next star turn for the Mursley Players show in May.
The picture below shows both Lyndon and John Bercow, plus Gill Gallon, who master-minded the planting of the Jubilee Wood last weekend; and Sandra Doherty, Chairman of the Jubilee Committee.



Thoroughly chilled by this time, we were both pleased and surprised to be invited en masse into the Pavilion for canapes and fizz, a gesture that was much appreciated by everyone.
Our congratulations to the hard working MSA team who implemented this marvellous project.
Funding is still needed however, and if you want to help, please contact:
email:  mursleysport@gmail.com
or via their blog http://mursleysports.wordpress.com

Further photos of both occasions are being collated and will be put in the photo galleries in due course.

Bucks CC have posted a sign on Whaddon Road seeking views on the proposal to reduce the speed limit on part of the road to 50 mph. The following link can be used to register responses, including an option to suggest a lower speed limit of 40mph.

Saturday 9th February is a date not to be missed as the new pavilion is fully launched, being opened as it is by John Bercow, a man who has not only already generously contributed to the campaign to raise funds, but who has also taken time out from his busy schedule to take part in what is such an important milestone in Mursley history.
The MSA are delighted by the support from not only luminaries like John Bercow, but also from local businesses large and small, and many Villagers. The role of honour for all who contributed to the 'Buy a Brick' campaign will have its first viewing on Saturday afternoon when all contributors are invited in to view it. Figures we currently have show the fund standing at £6,042.50 with 1209 bricks bought. A local effort to be proud of.
Another local effort to be proud of took place last Sunday when several villagers turned out to plant some 400 trees and over 100 bulbs in the new Jubilee Wood surrounding the Jubilee Oak and picnic spot. The work was overseen by the MSA having been planned in conjunction with the building of the New Pavilion and was funded from the profits raised on Jubilee Day in June last year, and is a fitting memorial of that day. Next Saturday will also see the burying of the Jubilee Memories Box containing memorabilia from everyone in the Village who cared to contribute.
The photo shows some of the Villagers hard at work creating the Jubilee Wood last Sunday.

Whaddon Road will be closed from 4-8th February for emergency road repairs.
At last!

Our local favourite watering hole is in need of a new sign (preferably Gerard proof!) so all of you artists out there get drawing. The new sign must include elements of Village life whilst not forgetting the true meaning of the symbol of the Green Man. All pictures should be given to Lyndon before Easter when the best design will be decided on.
There will be a fundraising evening to help with associated costs - details to follow.
Your pub needs YOU!

Saturday 9th February is a date not to be missed!
Mursley's new Sports Pavilion is being opened by the Rt. Hon John Bercow MP at 11.15,
To be followed by the burial of the Diamond Jubilee Memories box beneath the Jubilee Oak.
Everyone welcome.
Please see the Future Events page for all the details.
We understand that the Buy a Brick campaign, which is now finished, realised 1000 bricks and raised £5,000, well done to all concerned!

Please note, the Jumble Sale has been cancelled due to the bad weather, it will be re-arranged as soon as possible.

NB has now been re-arranged to Saturday 2nd February

Mursley Sports Association has extended its ‘Buy a Brick’ campaign just in case there are any people in the village who still want to purchase a brick (each brick is just £5). This will ensure they have their family name forever printed in the history of the village on a Community Supporters scroll of honour inside the new Pavilion. 

In addition thanks to a generous donation from one of the MSA Community Partners, we are delighted to announce that anyone who has bought, or buys in the future, bricks from the Buy a Brick Campaign will be automatically entered into our fantastic prize draw.


So if you have not already bought your brick(s) its not too late to become part of the legacy. Please buy a brick TODAY.

Final deadline for purchasing a brick is Friday 18 January as the scroll of honour is going to be made up ready for the grand opening at 11am on Saturday 9 February.

202      Roger Gurnett              £50
134      Donna Wilmshurst       £25
200      John Mann                   £15
 

It was with great sadness that I learned this morning of the death of John Fellingham following a bout of pneumonia. A Village 'character' his cheery presence around the place, more often than not in shorts, was known to many of us. I had the privilege of working closely with him on the recent Wine and Beer Festival, and with his enthusiastic support, he was a joy to deal with. He contributed a lot to Village organisations, including the Village Hall, where he has carried out stirling work over the years, and, of course the Bridge Club, of which he was a founder member. He will be a much missed person, villager and friend, and our thoughts are with Shirley and the rest of John's family.
There will be a memorial service in the Church on Monday 21st January at 12 noon, and afterwards at the Betsey Wynne.
Canal and River Trust
MK Theatre
Macmillan Nurses

The Boxing Day Football match proved to be a success and it was gratifying to see so many people attending with a chance to, perhaps, view the new Pavilion for the first time, special thanks go to Gary Ives and Bob Dixon for their help with this.
Phase 1 is now complete, Phase 2 is to start on the 4th January, and there is a healthy starting budget due to the success of the BAB campaign. Although the deadline for contributing to this has now passed, until the BAB Scroll of Honour is produced, currently estimated for the end of January, the MSA are still happy to accept donations.
Grand Opening is still scheduled for the 9th February 2013, and all details of this, together with an update on everything else, will be published on the MSA Blog:
http://mursleysports.wordpress.com

In accordance with the notice being delivered to all houses, an Open Meeting is being held in the Village Hall on Saturday 5th January at 11am to give everyone a chance to express their views on the application to erect a test mast at Cowpasture Farm, please see Future Events for further details

 


The detailed planting plan will be with the MSA this week they hope for people to see and maybe, technology willing, added to their blog - http://mursleysports.wordpress.com

Winners this month, including the Christmas Bumper prize:
£100      137      Jan Bone
£  25      193      S Head
£  15       18      Lee Mallick

Latest update on the 'Buy a Brick' campaign is that the 'wall' is now 800 bricks high and funds have passed the £4,000 mark.
The decision has been taken to close the 'Buy a Brick' campaign on 21st December, so there is now limited time to get your donation in, so if you are interested in donating, contact mursleysport@gmail.com, or visit the blog: http://mursleysports.wordpress.com
Handover is still on schedule for 21/12, and there is also a home football match against Hale Leys on 15/12 as a taster, kick off 2pm
Put a date in your diary for the Grand Opening on 9th February 2013, John Bercow, as well as contributing to the BAB Campaign, has promised to attend.

The lucky winners for this month are:
S Head                          193             £50
Betty Robinson            102              £25
Barbara Williamson     153             £15

With regard to the Pavilion opening, the gas company concerned have hit snags, so the final handover will not now be until 19th of December, so the Grand Opening has also been put back to the 9th of February 2013, still this will at least allow for further funds to be raised in the interim, hopefully there will be no more hold-ups

The Football Team are scheduled to play at the ground on 24th November, and they are hoping to use the new changing rooms, full handover from the builders is scheduled for the Monday 26th (gas connection permitting). It seems only yesterday that they were laying the first bricks!
Also, a provisional date for your diary, the opening of the Jubilee Garden and picnic area, and the planting of the Jubilee Oak and Memories Box Burial, is currently shceduled for 26th January2013, (if you have things for the Memories Box, please get them to Sandra by mid-January). The other trees for the area (from the Woodland Trust) arrive tomorrow and will be planted as soon as possible, as soon as a planting plan has been agreed with everyone concerned.
Fund raising continues to go well, with 453 bricks sold and £2,265 raised so far, but more is needed, so if you haven't yet signed up to the 'Buy a Brick' Campaign, have a look at the MSA blog and sign up today

In just over a week, another milestone has been achieneved with the 'Buy a BrickCampaign'
The more the merrier as they say, particularly as the grant application has yet to be approved, although everyone is hopeful of a successful outcome, and funds are still needed to finish the project. The hard working team would welcome a call from you, please email to mursleysport@gmail.com
or go to the blog to see latest progress:
http://mursleysports.wordpress.com

Great news, the 'Buy a Brick' campaign has reached its first £1000 and the blog has had 384 hits.
They are still short of their target though, and the Sports Association are beavering away trying to bridge the gap. If you are interested in donating, contact mursleysport@gmail.com, or visit the blog:                  http://mursleysports.wordpress.com
 The Sports Association will have a table at the Wine and Beer Festival on Saturday, so you can come along, learn all about latest progress, and make a pledge to this very worthwhile addition to the Village.

The Jubilee DVD is here and will have its first exclusive showing at the Wine & Beer Festival on Saturday. Containing some 20+ minutes of mixed footage, contributed by various Villagers, the DVD will be a first class memory to have of a very special day. Orders will be taken on the day (20th October), price £10, (+ £1 postage if appropriate) cash with order.
Also available to buy on the day are a limited number of the Jubilee calendars, once this supply has been exhausted, orders will be taken, again £10 plus postage, cash with order.
We look forward to seeing you there!

There were 3 draws for September, and the winners were as follows:
£50   S Doherty               G Ives              Kate Davies
£25   Kate Davies            L Aspinal        Sarah Dolder
£15   Lyndon Robinson   K Inions          K Wilson
Congratulations to all concerned

1. The builders are right on schedule, not having lost any days, and so MSA are still on course for a 26/11/12 completion date. Their builders, Parrotts, have been first class.
2. They anticipate a handover and “sporting”-type ceremony opening around that date as that’s what the primary Sports Sponsors need to see. That will provide the phase 1 building.
3. They are £30k short of their ideal funding target, but hope that with all the other fundraising, including the Buy A Brick Campaign, they will be well placed to continue on with phase 2 and concentrate on the community area.
4. They are currently liaising with Hastoe, the affordable housing developers across the road and hope that there will be a “joint” main opening ceremony, probably in mid-January with the whole of the village.
5. The Buy a Brick Campaign has so far raised £635 and as of next week they are going out to over a hundred local businesses as well as continuing to encourage more villagers to contribute
6. Amongst many generous contributions, they would particularly like to thank Ella Homes & New City Scales.
7. The blog www.mursleysports.wordpress.com continues to be updated with the latest photographs(Neal Root is maintaining the story in pictures)
8. The blog has had over 200 hits as of this morning

After several weeks of hard work by the Photography Club, and thanks to them, an order was placed last night for our Jubilee Calendars, which will be on sale at the forthcoming Wine & Beer Festival on 20th October priced at £10 each. So if your Auntie Flo was at the celebrations here in Mursley, and you feel like buying her a present, this is an ideal opportunity; or if you just want to see if you are in the pictures, come along and have a look. A lovely souvenir of a wonderful day! All profits from the sale of the calendars will be donated to a charity of the Photography Club's choosing.

The Chairman and the Clerk of the Parish Council wish it to be known that they consider the content of the Latest News posting of 9th August concerning Best Kept Village to be incorrect.
Said posting states 'The PC have also agreed to investigate extending the maintenance contract to mowing the outlying verges'. Draft Minutes for the PC meeting held on 23rd July (received by us for posting on 30th August, posted 2nd September) state ' it was agreed to defer a decision as to whether, in future, to increase the requirements of the Village maintenance contract'.
The Latest News posting in question was based on information received from the Parish Councillor responsible for this year's Best Kept Village incentive - Barry Agnew - who had been at the meeting on the 23rd July.
When the Clerk to the PC first queried the posting, the writer checked the detail with a 2nd member of the PC whose recollection was the same as Barry's, ie that the PC had agreed to extend the contract. Barry then raised a query concerning the accuracy of the draft minutes which, we believe, was raised at the meeting held on 3rd September. The minutes were passed as correct in his absence.
The content of the Latest News posting was then again queried with the insistence that a correction be posted by a 3rd party without recourse to the writer of the original post, as it did not agree with what the PC had now agreed as a body as per the draft minutes of the meeting held on 3rd September, now posted on the PC section of this web site.
We trust this anomaly will be fully addressed at the next PC meeting in October when Barry will be present to fully discuss the next year's Best Kept Village competition and the extension to the maintenance contract.

For those of you who may have missed the collection this morning, please check the calendar that came with your new bins. Our new collection day is Tuesday, please get your bins out before 6.30, and check alternative dates at times of Bank Holidays.
'Normal' bins next week, ie that is everything you cant now re-cycle!

Several of you asked who was the eventual winner, and how did we 'do' in the final analysis.
The figures show that in our category (small village - Morris Cup) the winner was Cuddington, who had 94 points, the Runner up was Hedgerley who scored 92, and Mursley was 4th with 89 points. So, in the final analysis it was very close, and if we could only find that second phone box and clean it up.....
 If anyone has any ideas as to where this phone box might be, or mores to the point what the judges scored as a phone box (and we are still waiting for confirmation from them as to where it is) please let us know. As some bright spark remarked, it might have been Doctor Who visiting for the day!
Hopefully the Parish Council will be able to agree with their maintenance man a price to keep those outlying verges clear during June, and who knows, maybe next year we will be even higher up in the rankings.
Following the success of Mursley in Bloom, we are running the competition again next year, and our 2012 winner, Alison Rowe has picked a colour scheme of pinks and purples, so everyone can perhaps plan their schemes in the short Autumn days to come. Meanwhile please see the picture of Alison holding the Mursley in Bloom Shield, which she and Brian can have the pleasure of displaying in their home for the next year.

A reminder that the annual Village Horticultural and Craft Show will be held on Saturday 8th September in the Village Hall.
Schedules have been delivered throughout the village and can also be viewed in the Future Events section (on this web site), where further copies of the schedule can be downloaded, or they can also be collected from Sue at 21 Church Lane, telephone 720523 or email susan.gallagher@btinternet.com
Entry forms should be with Sue by 9pm on Thursday 6th September at the latest.
Entries are displayed between 8.30am and 10.30am on Saturday 8th September followed by the judging behind closed doors at 10.45am. All are welcome to view the entries and see who has won a prize from 2.30pm. June Gregory will present the trophies this year (at 3.15pm) followed by a produce sale.
Refreshments will be available throughout the afternoon.

Building works have started on the Mursley Sports Association Pavilion Project and the MSA are anxious to explain the project and launch their 'Buy a Brick' Campaign.

No, we didn't win, but we did receive a Highly Commended Certificate! You can see the certificate below, together with a  letter from Bucks Association of Local Councils commending our effort.So, good effort all round and we would like to have another go next year. The Parish Council are supporting another 'Mursley in Bloom' for June next year, and Alison Rowe, this year's winner, has been asked to choose the colour scheme. Alison will not be allowed to compete for the next two years, to give others a chance, but we hope she and Brian will join in as whole heartedly as they did this year. The Parish Council have also agreed to investigate extending the maintenance contract to mowing the outlying verges, also during the month of June. We obviously need to tackle that second phone box, meanwhile, I think we should all give ourselves a pat on the back, and thankyou to everyone who joined in with this year's Mursley in Bloom.

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Liz Smith. A great character, and our former 'postie' I am sure we all have our Liz stories to tell.
When we took our round the world trip (6 weeks) she insisted on looking after our post at her house, since we have an at home business as well, this entailed homing quite a few items of mail and some large packages as well. Despite our protests she insisted on delivering the lot on our return, (by van, not on her usual bike). She was just the best postie ever. A lovely lady, she will be much missed.
The funeral is on Wednesday 15th August, 10.45am, Mursley Church

July 1st
1    £50    59        Marion Allen
2    £25    82        Eleanor Robinson
3    £15   149       B Priest

July 2
1    £50    71        Jane Sherriff
2    £25    26        G Choo
3    £15   109       A Harrington

A big thank you to everyone concerned with this event, including those who came along to support, despite the weather!
The Grand Total raised was £2080.00
of which £1,880 will help maintain the building of St., Mary's Church, and £250 contribution towards a replacement Village Noticeboard in Main Street - opposite the Green Man.

NB these changes are not to be implemented until September

• All households should have already received a letter a couple of weeks ago informing them about the changes to the service and to expect new recycling bins soon
• An information pack comes with the new bins telling households everything they need to know about the new service, including the new collection dates
• The Aylesbury Vale Times, in addition, will include a 4 page pull-out containing all the relevant information
• All the information about the new service, including FAQ's, is on the web site www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/newbins
• There will be a new letter from AVDC in mid August with any updates and what to do with the old baskets/boxes.

Please remember to use the old system until the new service starts.

A burglary took place at a property being renovated on Swanborne Road, having taken place some time between 4.30 pm on Saturday 14th and 7.30am on Sunday 15th. Offenders stole copper cabling, electric drills and an angle grinder.
Anyone witnessing anything suspicous in the area should contact the police on the 24 hour Police Enquiry Centre number - 101

Highly Commended:     23 Main Street         best basket
                                       Cedars Farm            basket (not the least for the engineering required)
                                       Langdale House
                                          (Maids Close)       basket
                                       Richmond Lodge     trough
                                       25 Main Street         chair

Judging took place last Friday, and we were overwhelmed by the number of house owners who had taken the trouble to do something - we counted 86 in all, this is more than 1 in 3, and with this level of support, it is hoped that we can do something next year. Although 5 highly commended containers have been mentioned above, there were at least a further 20 entries that were only just behind in the marking, and the judge took photos of these and is hoping that a montage will be available at the Horticultural Show

Judge's comments: 'impressed by the very high standard and consistency of the effort' Also commended the care taken with public areas, in particular the Pub, the Village Hall and the Graveyard.

There will be a trophy awarded, but until we know whether there will be a competition next year, we wont know whether this will be a 'one off' or a trophy held each year by the winner (whose name would then be engraved on the trophy). In order to give others a chance, any winner will be discounted for judging purposes for the next 2 years.

Our thanks to the Parish Council, who contributed the prize awarded, and to our Judge, Simon.


a montage of the best exhibits

By kind permission of David Tofield & the Diocese of Oxford the Old Rectory Site will be open on Saturday 30th June between 10am and 12noon for Village viewing.

The following are the answers to the Wine Quiz held during our Jubilee Day. We cannot publish the names of the winners unless they give their permission, so if you would like your moment of glory, please send details in via this web site.
Question 1 - Chardonnay La Belle Maison 2011, France
This was a European wine from the Vin de Pays d'oc in France
Question 2 - Garnacha Monastario de las Vinas 2011, Spain
This was a dry wine, tasting of strawberries, raspberries, cherries ripe and full and was produced in 2011
Question 3 - Klein Steenberg 'Bordeaux Blend' 2011, South Africa
This wine is aged in oak and is made from Merlot, Cabernet Franc & Cabernet Sauvignon and comes from Souith Africa - Constantia Vineyard
If you have any queries with any of this contact Simon, or better still, go and have a chat with him in his shop, where you can almost certainly buy more of the same if you liked them

We understand that successful sale of tickets for the Jubilee celebrations means that there will be a profit, figures not yet confirmed, which will go to the Mursley Sports Association Pavilion project, watch this space.
Members of the Photographic Club are busily assessing the dozens of photographs that have poured in from various sources with a view to producing a photo gallery of the best ones on this web site. Final date for submission of any photos is the end of June, with the hope that the Gallery will be posted some time in July. If you haven't done so already, download your photos onto a cd or memory stick and get them to Barry asap, ring 728570 if you have  any queries.

Mursley certainly know how to party.
After a year of planning, the work put in by Sandra and her team came to fruition on Monday 4th June.
Commencing at 2.00pm with the Grand Parade, led off by Joey, the War Horse, Mursley residents in various states of dress (and undress) proudly waved the banner for their particular section of this little community. Best Float was awarded to a worthy WI float which covered the 6 decades of Her Majesty's reign. Particular highlights after that was the loyal toast at 3.00pm offered by Mursley's own local hero, Lt. Colonel Lyndon Robinson; this was followed up by the 'spectacular' Red barrows display, who gamely provided a dress rehearsal as well as the main event (and we are still picking up the confetti!).
Throughout the afternoon more than 1000 people roamed the various stalls and fairground rides that had been laid on for them. The Wine Tasting Tent proved a popular attraction, and we eagerly await the competition results.
The evening proved no less successful as all ticket holders repaired to the big circus tent that awaited them in the garden of the Green Man, courtesy of the publican and his wife, Mr. & Mrs. Lyndon Broom, and particular thanks go to them.
Proceedings kicked off in the open air with a charming display from 'One Man and his Dog - not to mention Geese! Followed up by a spectacular show from Gerard and his Devil's Horsemen.
Inside the tent we found that Mursley's got talent indeed, performers both young and old raised the roof, and it was particularly pleasing to find one of Mursley's favourite residents, Trent Baker, back at the microphone in fine form after a tough few weeks. After a succesful lighting of the beacon, and thanks to David Roberts for risking life limb and possibly hair in controlling the twin flares, it was back to the Big Top for a real treat as Cherly Hawkin's beautiful voice soared above us in a wonderful redition of patriotic favourites.
It has been a privilege to have been in Mursley at this special time and to have joined in with our own tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and thanks to everyone who contributed to making this event so successful.
We hope to have a souvenir dvd available at some point, plus a photo gallery on this web site and I am glad to say the photo's have been flooding in, here is a taster.

If you have been wondering what has happened to the Green Man sign, take a look at the forum entry on the subject and the picture tells its own story.
Poor Lyndon has not had a good couple of days, as on Friday, the regular pub crown found themselves in the car park following a suspected gas leak. However, the all clear was given and the relieved drinkers made their way inside, although innovative plans had already been formulated to save the evening, a stalwart bunch this lot, they weren't about to give up an evening at their favourite watering hole.
We feel sure 'Bab's Barbecue' on the Saturday more than made up for what has been an uncomfortable couple of days.

A sell out over both nights, everyone saying it was one of the best shows yet, with increased profits to boot.
Barbara would like to thank everyone taking part (including the audience) and advises that the profit of £1605.50 is to be split between the Jubilee (£1,000) and MDNA (£605.50).
Roll on the next production!

Draw 1
1st prize - John Williamson   £50
2nd prize - Kerry Gurman     £25
3rd prize - Mo Sherratt          £15

Draw 2
1st prize - Sue Gallagher       £50
2nd prize - G West                 £25
3rd prize - Lyndon Robinson £15

Wednesday 9th May is the Village Hall AGM, starting at 7.30

This is the opportunity for you to consider the role the Hall plays in the Village and air your views.
In addition, some of the Committe members are standing down and they are in need of new blood, not only to help with events, but to offer new ideas.
So if you are enthusiastic and want to make a difference, the Village Hall Committee want to see you on Wednesday.

Thank you

Monday 23rd April at 8.00pm
This is the once a year event when you can hear the Chairman's Report regading the year's business, following which the meeting is thrown open for Parishioners ro raise issues for discussion.
If you want a say in how things are run in Mursley, this is the time to air your views/concerns.

The Green Man re-opened last night, and the customers, who turned up in their droves, were not disappointed. The pub had been spruced up both inside and out; the newly repainted tubs that first greeted us were overflowing with spring plants; inside was new paint and fittings, and the tiled floor in the 'public' had been restored. Beaming landlord Lyndon Broom, generous to a fault, provided his customers with the first drink 'on the house'. The new menues are both innovative and appealing, popular pub fare coupled with healthy options, and vegetarians are well catered for.
There is really something for everyone in the revitalised Green Man, so get along there and try it for yourself, we plan to head back there tonight.

In the early hours of Friday March 23rd, a number of sheds and/or garages were broken into along Main Street and various items stolen, including a number of bikes and some power tools etc.
If you saw or heard anything, no matter how insignificant it may seem, please make sure you contact Thames Valley Police - non emergency number is 101.
If you were a vicitim of one of these break-ins, please check your property carefully, as one of the 'tricks' that some of these criminals employ is to loosen fixings to doors and windows in order to facilitate a 2nd break-in. In addition, increase your security, you never know when it may happen again.

The Winsow & Buckingham Lifeboats are weighing their anchor for Flag Week and the annual house to house collections, their main fund-raising event of the year. At the moment they dont have anyone to help in Mursley or Great Horwood, so if you have a couple of hours to spare between April 21st and 28th, can don a comfy pair of shoes and a warm smile and knock on a few doors in your neighbourhood, they will supply everything else. Please call Jean and Robert on 01525 240570 for more information

From Monday 13th February to Friday 16th March, the AVDC Safety Partnership will be seeking the views of local residents and businesses on crime and anti-social behaviour so it can use these to help set the priorities for the forthcoming year. The Partnership would like to find out what types of crimes are of concern and has put together a short questionnaire to complete online or on paper

This quesionnaire is available to complete on the AVDC web site at:
www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/haveyoursay
If you prefer you can fill out a paper questionnaire, and this, plus a pre-paid envelope, can be requested from the AVDC Community Safety Team on 01296 585014

Bucks CC have advised that the A421 will be closed from 12-15th March from Whaddon roundabout to Bottledump roundabout between the hours of 19.00 - 6.00am

News from the Jubilee Committee is that following successful sales to date, they are confident that the Event will be a sell out, so if you have family or friends who have not yet booked their place, they should do so without delay.

Any profits from the day will be given towards the Mursley Sports Association Pavilion Project. The MSA have been extremely supportive to the Jubilee effort, and it was felt that this was a good way of thanking them.

For the further information on this, yet another exciting new project for the Village, and which is intended to provide a welcoming environment for the whole Village, please contact Nigel on mursleysport@gmail.com

The proposed Affordable Housing Scheme in Station Road got the go ahead today, subject only to the off-site leisure contribution and some fine detail from the Planners. Also taken into consideration was the concern expressed by some local residents as to pedestrian safety and there may be a further condition applied about this. AVDC were impressed with the perseverance of the Parish Council who have been trying to get such a scheme, to benefit those of the Village who cannot afford anything currently available here, off the ground for many years.
Statement from the Parish Council to the effect that 'the first noticeable development will be a small amount of preparatory work with the hedge to create the new access before the birds begin to nest. Work on the site is planned to commence in the next few weeks'

A distraction burglary took place in Cooks Lane on Monday 20th Feb, some cash was stolen.
The culprits were 2 white males in their 20's with Irish accents, please see 'community messages' section in the Forum for the full message from the police.
Anyone who has information concerning this incident, please ring the the 24 hour Police Enquiry Centre on 101.

Joey, the actual War Horse from Steven Spielberg's epic film is going to make a special 'guest appearance' on 4th June - see the Jubilee page for more details

It has been confirmed that Lyndon Broom is to take over the lease of the pub on 2nd April, with a grand opening event planned for the 5th April, watch Future Events for news of all the things that Lyndon has planned. We wish him every success in this exciting new venture for him.
We would also like to thank Gary and his family for helping to put our pub back on its feet!

As you can see, the web site is showing new additions in the form of a Future Events section and a special area dedicated to the forthcoming Jubilee so that it will be easier for you to find full details of what's coming up (and dates and basic details can still be found on the calendar as well).
The Future Events page is essentially for the bigger events, generally one off or yearly occasions, and the next big thing coming on stream is our major push this year for Best Kept Village, so watch the Future Events page for further detail on this, look out for 1st June!

Going to the pub on Friday night reminded me what a great village we live in! It was heaving and brim full of Christmas spirit, and I dont mean the liquid kind. The carols were great and thanks to the Earmuffs for leading the way. Children everywhere and included was a visit from Father Christmas!
Reading Lyndon's letters from Aganistan today also makes me realise that we have so much to be thankful for
Happy Christmas everyone

On Friday 9th December Whaddon was closed for several hours following a fatal crash. The victim was a young, 29 year old police constable based in Aylesbury. It is believed that no other vehicles were involved, but if you have any information pertaining to this tragedy, please contact your local police station by ringing the new non-emergency number - 101.
This is the 2nd fatality in Whaddon Road in less than a year and surely now must be the right time to approach Bucks CC with a view to installing more permanent speed control measures!

Successful competition at the Green Man on Saturday lunchtime, 13 entries, all dutifully tasted by the judging public, and a winner agreed, and a worthy winner at that - Chris Hodges.
For anyone wishing to take part in this next year, you need to know that all entries should be from the current year's berries, laid down stocks are not eligible, so advance notice to get harvesting next year!

We hear that congratulations are in order for local choir - the Earmuffs, who earned a distinction in the recent Buckingham Music Festival, scoring over 80%
We understand the next appearance of the Earmuffs will be during the evening of carol singing to be held at the Green Man on the 23rd December, it promises to be a great night!

The 'Fright Night' at the Green Man on 29th October raised £340 for the MS Centre at Halton.
We hear the Ghost Trail round the Village was particularly successful!
Thanks to all concerned

We have been advised that fireworks were posted through both letterboxes in the village some time on Saturday. Interviewing the postman this morning he confirmed that he cleared the post box on Saturday morning and he believes that anything posted during Saturday would have been destroyed. When the post was collected on Monday there was some unaffected post on top of the charred remains, which would have probably been posted during Sunday. Anyone with any information on this incident should contact the police, meanwhile if you posted anything on Saturday, there is a good chance it was destroyed. We need to stop this idiotic behaviour right now!

The deadline for returning the questionnaires for the Neighbourhood Plan has now expired. There has been close to a 50% response and the Parish Council are in the process of analysing the data in order to answer the questions posed by AVDC planners.

A summary of the major outcomes will be included in the next issue of the Parish Pump.

Thursday 8th September is the last day for entering the Village show, there are posters around the village, schedules were given to every household, so get busy and make this show the best one yet!

VILLAGE HALL
Saturday 10th September 2011
STARTS 2.30

Classes to include cookery; vegetables; fruit; flowers; floral art; handicraft; photography;

Presentation of awards by David Prosser at 3.15, followed by produce sale.

If you have any queries, please give Sandra a ring on 720609, or Sue on 720523

Download schedule

Download entry form

The comments made by the various attendees at the meeting concerning the proposed affordable housing have been roughly anlaysed, as follows:
14 in favour, 10 with no objection and 15 against.
The main areas of concern were the location, the materials to be used, road safety and whether this project would be a precedent for further development.
One of the comments that recurred frequently was that the wrong site had been chosen. The Parish Council are keen to point out that after 14 years of trying to obtain land for this project, this is the ONLY site available.
The architects are currently discussing these concerns with the AVDC Planning Department and the Bucks Highways Department.
Watch this space!

The meeting on Thursday last was very well attended, and all the comments sheets have gone back with the Housing Association to be analysed. A wise bird tells me that it is hoped that this consultation stage will take approximately 2 months, then, if the response is favourable, a further 2-3 months to get through the planning stage, with hopefully the first house underway early next year. Our impression from various comments made at the meeting is that this is a little optimistic, given the level of apparent anomalies that came to light. The Planners had also gone to a great deal of trouble to preserve, and even add, to the planting, and to preserve the views. We would ask what guarantees do we have that this will be adhered to when the money runs short?

There will be a consultation event during Thursaday 21st July in the Village Hall from 3.30 to 7.30 for everyone concerned about the proposal to build 8 homes, in conjunction with Hastoe Housing Association, on a site up Station Road to view the outline plans and discuss same with the architect. You can register your concerns if you have any, and there will also be an opportunity to record your housing need if you haven't already done so.
The Parish Council would like to know your views and there will be representatives from the PC in attendance during the event.

Advance notice of the Village Hall's 'Come, See, Engage' evening on 16th September, from 7.30 in the Village Hall.
This evening is to celebrate all that happens in the Hall, and there will be various demonstrations and exhibits from current users, also a chance for you to try out for yourselves some of the things on offer. There will be an opportunity for you to air your own views as well on what you would like to have the chance of taking part in, a questionnaire will be available for needs/ideas for future events.
Also planned are power point slideshows of events, and while you are browsing, there will be free wine and cheese, or coffee and flapjack, to add to the fun.
Look out for more detail nearer the time, or if you have any queries, contact Joy Cowell on 720425

There will be a special bank holiday in June next year to celebrate this unique day, being a celebration of the 60 year reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
The late bank holiday is being moved to June 4th giving people a 4 day weekend.
Here in Mursley we intend to push the boat out, planning a BIG party, and volunteers are needed from every street and corner of Mursley to help.
If you are interested in getting involved, either on the day or in this planning stage, or you have any ideas to to share, please contact Sandra Doherty on 720609, or email doherty33@btinternet.com preferably by 20th June.

Meanwhile put June 4th in your diary, you will not want to miss this party!

The Winslow and Buckingham Committee of the Royal National Lifeboats Institution would like to thank everyone in Mursley who collected and donated during the April house to house and street collections. The Village generously contributed £264.37 to the grand total of £10,342.67, being only slightly down on last years figure.
If anyone would like to consider collecting next year, please ring 01525 240570 for an informal chat.