Archived press releases for year 2008

Chairman’s message

FHRA AGM

I would like to draw everyone’s attention to the Flackwell Heath Residents Association Annual General Meeting which is to be held on Thursday March 27th 2008 at 8pm, at the Community Centre. The meeting is open to all residents of the village. If you are interested in your village, or would like to join the Association, please feel free to come along. You will hear what the Association has achieved this year, and its plans for the coming year.
After the meeting refreshments will be served, when you will have the chance to talk to members of the Committee, and some of your local Councillors.

Will all members therefore please bring their membership cards, as only members will be allowed to vote.

I do hope that many of you can come along, and have your say in matters affecting the village.

Grant Foster
Chairman

Events Group

A date for your diaries this summer: this year’s Cherry Fayre promises to be bigger and better than ever! The Cherry Fayre will be on 13 July 2008 from noon until 5.00 pm at the Recreation Ground - free entry. The Theme is ‘The Wild West Comes to Town’ – so come along and meet the Lone Ranger and Silver.

Stall application forms are ready for distribution – if you would like a pitch please contact Terry Darby: 01628 523375.

The Cherry Fayre is a major event within the village and very popular. As you can imagine this takes a lot of planning. We are currently looking for a small but willing number of volunteers who would like to help us in the organisation of this event now and in the future.

Contact: Mike Scullion: 01628 524187

Police and Traffic Group 

Village Traffic Plan [VTP]

David Onslow attended a meeting of the BCC Wycombe Local Area Committee held at the Lane End Conference Centre on the 24th Of January to discuss the report from the BCC Highways engineer, Mr Ken Moloughney, relating to the VTP.  In general, his report was quite positive, with suggestions of what BCC could, or could not, support.

The Group had been advised that the Committee would have reviewed the report and would comment on it, advising on possible funding for some of the proposals.  Unfortunately, however, they felt unable to discuss the report as it was thought that this was a local issue, and therefore the VTP will be passed back to The Chepping Wye Valley Forum for consideration. The Group are disappointed at this outcome, but will continue to press for the VTP to be implemented.

SIDs (Speed Indicator Devices), which flash up the speed of approaching vehicles, and are proposed in the VTP, have been renamed VASs Vehicle Activated Signals.
 
Speed Review by BCC

The Group have replied to the questionnaire, and suggested that the speed along the whole length of Sheepridge Lane is designated 30 m.p.h. rather than 50 m.p.h., as BCC have suggested. They also proposed that the 30 m.p.h. signs up Whitepit Lane from Wooburn Green are moved further down the hill, so that traffic is slowed down earlier before entering the village. 

Illegal Parking

The Group are pleased to note that at last Thames Valley Police are taking positive action against illegal parking in Chapel Road, as well as in Old Kiln Road, during Carrington School’s opening and closing times.  It is hoped that similar action will soon be taken around Juniper School. 

Burglaries

The Group are concerned at the rise in burglaries in the village, and will be discussing this problem at their March meeting with ABO Rob Page. 

David Onslow
Chairman FHRA Police & Traffic Group
E-Mail police-traffic@flackwellheath.net

Please telephone Thames Valley Police on

999 for serious crime

0845 8 505 505 for non-serious crime

In addition please use our PAT Group Helpline No. 07871 825201 to let us know if you have a problem or with the lack of response. All messages left on our Helpline are discussed with our Area Beat Officer Rob Page

Chairman’s message

Firstly I would like to take this opportunity in wishing all FHRA members and residents of Flackwell Heath a very happy and healthy 2008. As ever our aim is to continue working to improve life and community spirit within the village. Please continue to contact our group regarding any aspect of village life, whether it be anti social behaviour, traffic issues, or the look of the village. We would be pleased to hear from you.

Grant Foster
Chairman                                                         

Events Group

On Saturday 1st Dec Flackwell Heath Residents Association held the annual village Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

This year for the first time a parade was held, led by the Egham Brass Band, and consisting of members of local beaver packs and local schoolchildren, all with brightly lit lanterns. Taking up the rear was Father Christmas in his sleigh drawn by a white horse.

The parade followed by crowds of residents, found its way to the grounds of the Community Centre, where the village Christmas Tree had been erected once more. A service of Carols was then conducted by the Rev Chris Bull Vicar of Christ Church.
During a break from singing carols. Father Christmas presented cheques to the FHRA nominated Charities for 2007 - Age Concern, The Cherries Home and Good Companions.
The Christmas Tree lights were then switched on by two children, one from Carrington and one from Juniper Hill Junior schools, who had won the colouring competition to have the honour of switching on the lights, and had also ridden with Father Christmas in his sleigh.

After the Carol service, residents were invited into the Community Centre for refreshments, to meet Father Christmas, and visit the very colourful Craft Fayre, which had been open since mid morning.

All funds raised from the event were in aid of Flackwell Heath Residents Association for its Community Projects and events held throughout next year.

The FHRA would like to thank all the helpers and supporters on the day, and in particular wish to thank Mr Terry Darby, and also to Pam Mannering for organizing all the refreshments.

Crowds gather on the village green

A date for your diaries this summer: this year’s Cherry Fayre promises to be bigger and better than ever! The Cherry Fayre will be on 13 July 2008 from noon until 5.00 pm at the Recreation Ground - free entry. The Theme is ‘The Wild West Comes to Town’ – so come along and meet the Lone Ranger and Silver.

Stall application forms are ready for distribution – if you would like a pitch please contact Terry Darby: 01628 523375.

Contact: Mike Scullion: 01628 524187

Police and Traffic Group
The Group continues to hold regular meetings with Rob Page and the last two Beat Surgeries were well attended. 

On the 23rd of November, 3 Members of the group attended a meeting organised by CWPC, to discuss anti social behaviour with Dominic Grieve, our MP, members of Thames Valley Police led by Supt. Rob Angel, other CWPC village organisations and CWPC Parish Councillors 

Members of the group attended the police Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) meeting on the 14th November, and it is hoped that the Police and Traffic Group will be allocated 2 seats on this committee.  
Dave Rollinson has collated questionnaires from the Parking Survey, and the results have been sent to the police and the county council for their advice and comments. 

A presentation of the Village Traffic Plan was made to Chepping Wycombe District Council by members of the group on the 11th of November, and was well received. 

On the 6th of December David Onslow, together with Mike Appleyard, our County Councillor, attended a meeting with Bucks County Council Highways Department to discuss the Village Traffic Plan. They are finalising their report to the Local Area Committee for discussion at a meeting to be held at the end of the month. 

David Onslow
Chairman FHRA Police and Traffic Group
Contact: David Onslow at police-traffic@flackwellheath.net

Please telephone Thames Valley Police on

999 for serious crime

0845 8 505 505 for non-serious crime

In addition please use our PAT Group Helpline No. 07871 825201 to let us know if you have a problem or with the lack of response. All messages left on our Helpline are discussed with our Area Beat Officer Rob Page

Membership

Renewals became due on the first of January.  If you have not received yours or wish to join the Residents' Association please contact Craig Lewis on 01628 528550.  Membership is currently only £5 and we would like to take this opportunity to thank all the members who've added donations on top.  It would greatly assist us if everyone would renew before the end of January.  Thank you in anticipation of your continued support!