Category Archives: Misc

Dept for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)

Would you like to contribute to government policy? We, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), are currently researching the impact of mobile coverage in rural areas. This is part of our Shared Rural Network programme which aims to increase mobile network coverage across the UK to 95%. Now, we want to find out how this programme can help you in your daily life. 

We particularly want to hear from you if you live or work in rural UK! You can participate via this link: https://dcms.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7QWTy9OUU4PNnmK

Or email Laura.Hensel@dcms.gov.uk to request to complete the survey over the telephone.

Phone scam

For all residents, the following is a report on a recent incident. Basically if someone one phones you threatening to cut you off, it’s most likely a scam. If in doubt contact your provider directly – the number is on your bill. Do not let the caller lead you into revealing any of your details.

“Received a phone call, apparently from BT, informing me that he was disconnecting me because of an unpaid bill.. He demanded payment immediately of £31.00 or it would be £118.00 to re-connect at a later date. The guy wasn’t even fazed when I told him I was with Virgin Media, allegedly VM have to pay BT a percentage for line rental! I asked the guy’s name – he gave me the very ‘English’ John Peacock with a very ‘African’ accent – & phone number -0800 0800 152. Obviously the fellow realized I didn’t believe his story, so offered to demonstrate that he was from BT. I asked how & he told me to hang up & try phoning someone – he would disconnect my phone to prevent this. AND HE DID !! My phone was dead – no engaged tone, nothing – until he phoned me again. Very pleased with himself, he asked if that was enough proof that he was with BT. I asked how the payment was to be made & he said credit card, there & then. I said that I didn’t know how he’d done it, but I had absolutely no intention of paying him, I didn’t believe his name or that he worked for BT. He hung up. I dialed 1471 -number withheld I phoned his fictitious 0800 number – not recognized. So I phoned the police to let them know. I wasn’t the first! It’s only just started apparently, but it is escalating. Their advice was to let as many people as possible know of this scam. The fact that the phone does go off would probably convince some people it’s real, so please make as many friends & family aware of this. How is it done? This is good but not that clever. He gave the wrong number – it should have been 0800 800 152 which takes you through to BT Business. The cutting off of the line is very simple, he stays on the line with the mute button on and you can’t dial out – but he can hear you trying. (This is because the person who initiates a call is the one to terminate it). When you stop trying he cuts off and immediately calls back. You could almost be convinced! The sad thing is that it is so simple that it will certainly fool many. By the way this is not about getting the cash as this would not get past merchant services – it is all about getting the credit card details which include the security number, to be used for larger purchases. Please Copy And Paste……. THIS IS A PHONE SCAM THAT IS GOING ROUND. PLEASE ALERT YOUR ELDERLY RELATIVES TO IT.”

Charity Event- Child Bereavement UK

I am writing to you on behalf of Child Bereavement UK, a national charity based in Buckinghamshire which supports families and educates professionals when a child dies, is dying and when a child is bereaved. Every February we hold Snowdrop Walks across the UK, which are a special day to remember the babies and children who have died and the children who are bereaved each year and guests are invited to plant a snowdrop in memory of a loved one.

If you would like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact Lizee on lizee.graham@childbereavementuk.org or 01494 569049

Details of the event are below:

Sunday 10th of February in West Wycombe Park, Buckinghamshire HP14 3AJ.

Snowdrop

Printer inks free to good home

From Angus Idle, HVRA Co-Chair

I have got some HP Ink cartridges left over after my printer had to be replaced.  They are:

  • HP46 Black (x2)
  • HP58 Photo black
  • HP 56 Black
  • HP22XL  Three colour inks

If anyone is able to use them please feel free to email or call me (contact details on the Contacts page.

Angus

Hughenden Valley v Widmer End Cricket Match Sunday 19th July

SUNDAY JULY 19th at KING GEORGE V FIELD

HUGHENDEN VALLEY FRIENDLY MATCH v WIDMER END
2pm until about 6pm

The Village Shop will be open for delicious refreshments, or bring a picnic with your friends and bask on the hillside. As there is no Village Day this year come and meet friends and support your team.

We have already been informed that parking may be a problem as the Village Hall is booked for a big private event. Hopefully most people will walk to the field, but another parking site may be arranged.

We have two umpires, but we are really keen for those who could bowl an over or two, or wield a bat (over 16yrs) to get in touch with Simon Kearey by email to (simonkearey@gmail.com or by phone on 07956 183262).

Road Closures – Valley Road/Coombe Lane – Latest

The works on the roundabout and short stretches of Valley Road are now expected to take place on 7th and 8th October.  Coombe Lane work is taking place now and the road is closed from 9.30 until 16.30.

The roundabout and short stretches of Valley Road at the bottom of Coombe Lane will be closed on Wednesday 1st October and Thursday 2nd October between 9.30am and 4.30pm for maintenance.  Coombe Lane will also be closed on a number of weekdays following on from this.  As yet it is not clear how long the Coombe Lane maintenance will take but it is scheduled to take up to 9 working days

During this period of time Arriva will be providing a 300A bus service running from the bottom of Cryers Hill through Wycombe and Bradenham up to Naphill and vice versa.  Details can be found here

We will keep this updated as we learn more of the progress being made.

History of Uplands

Marion Miller has kindly sent a copy of her fascinating History of Uplands. Here’s a short extract from the Introduction:

For nearly 100 years Uplands was a gentleman’s country residence owned successively by three different families. After 1956 it began a new existence as a training centre; new buildings were added but the old house remained substantially unaltered. In the early 1980s Uplands was given a new lease of life. The service end of the original house was demolished and the front range became the centre of a radical new development, blending the best of the old with innovative modern design by one of the country’s leading architectural practices. The philosophy extended to the grounds with new landscaping complimenting historic garden features and planting. The recent expansion of the use of the complex to a hotel and conference centre has made Uplands more accessible to a wider audience, enhancing its value as a community asset.

This report covers the history of Uplands during four periods, 1858-1900, 1900-1935, 1935-1956 and 1956 onwards. It then discusses the contribution made by the architects of the buildings and concludes with recommendations for further research, acknowledgements and finally the sources used by the writer.

The full document is here.

Village Day 2014. 50th Anniversary Celebrations.

The big event of 2014.  Hughenden Valley Village Day, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the building of the current village hall.  Make a note of the date… Saturday 19th July 2014.

and here’s a letter from the chairman of the organising committee.

Dear Friends,
Did you know that next year is the 50th Anniversary of the Hughenden Valley Village Hall? So, next year’s Village Day is even more important than normal and I, working with Vicky Bellamy, have agreed to chair the Village Day Committee for 2014.

Also you may not be aware that the Village Hall is a Registered Charity (No: 300282) and of course is in constant need of funds to both maintain and improve it for the vast number of people who use it.

We have already started a series of planning meetings – after all there is only 7 months to go – and as you can imagine there is a lot to do!
We cannot of course do this without a great deal of support and so if you are able to help in any way please get in touch with me either by phone or email.

My contact details are: albert.bowyer@btinternet.com or telephone 01494 562862

Many thanks
Al Bowyer