Papers for this meeting are at https://hughendenresidents.org/docs/
Hughenden News
More back copies of the magazine are now available at https://hughendenresidents.org/magazine/ .
There are gaps which we hope to fill, & I hope that with care we can go further back.
DIG Article for HNews Spring 2023
It had seemed a wet autumn and winter leading up to Christmas, to the extent that the stream had risen in the park. In late January it was rising and flowing from Church Farm and below the pumping station there were the beginnings of the spring rising there in the large field depression.
When the stream is looking like it will run through the village, there is a chance that the sewerage system will become overloaded. So it was around this time that I opened the inspection cover at the front of our property, but am glad to report at this point that the drain was empty. If the sewage system through the valley is running high, the level rises correspondingly in my inspection pit. For us, it’s a sort of early warning system.
Since then, there doesn’t seem to have been any significant rain, which suggests we won’t see the stream rise in the village, nor indeed experience any sewage problems this year. Unless of course, it starts raining in earnest as soon as we go to print.
Drains and Sewers
After pursuing affinity Water relentlessly for the last year or so, I am glad to say that they have finally come back to us and advised that the culverts under the pumping station have been checked. Except that the work was actually carried out during last summer by their contractor, it’s just that Affinity didn’t know. The contractor reported that all blockages were removed, so it does suggest we were right push for this work to be done.
It’s pretty clear that maintenance is a vital part of our everyday lives, although looking after our roads, drains, sewers and other systems seems these days to be run on a crisis basis rather than carried out in a scheduled manner. Whatever the shortcomings of this modus operandi, we do have FixMyStreet and that has been working well for us in recent times.
I happened to be out in Valley Road on a walk recently and spotted Bucks CC engineers clearing the problematic drains at the foot of Trees Road – see the pic.
I reported on the FixMyStreet request we put in about this in the last issue, so it’s really good to see the system is working. It does make me feel that the council are responding well to requests we put in. So, if you see drain and road issues needing work done, just get online and report it, it’s relatively simple to use. Just go to:
Paul Woodford
HVRA committeee meeting 7th March
Papers for this meeting are at https://hughendenresidents.org/docs/
Cable works – for week starting 27.2.2023
The Harry Potter quiz
Hughenden Valley Cycleway
NWC LCWIP Supplimentary Doc – DRAFT Nov 22 (2)
Some of you may recall that at several HVRA Committee meetings we have spoken about a proposed cycle route that runs through the King George V playing field, through NT land, Hughenden Park and onwards to the town and beyond.
With this in mind, please see the attached document regarding the development of Buckinghamshire Council’s Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) which is a draft document that has been produced over the last 18 months by the Community Board’s Transport and Road Issues Action Group. Jill Armshaw, one of our Hughenden Valley Parish Councillors, has passed this on to the HVRA because, as a keen walker and cyclist, she wishes to raise awareness locally about this matter and hopes that you may be able to assist by sharing this information with residents.
Although this is an “aspirational” plan at the present time, support is vital for this initiative to progress into reality. It’s about the future for residents who live in this locality and beyond, i.e. to reduce their carbon footprint and cycle and walk in safety away from speeding traffic. The draft Plan is extensive with schemes covering a wide area. However, on page 7, you will find Map 4 that illustrates the plan for Hughenden Valley.
As comments and feedback have to be submitted to the Community Board by 31st March, could you please pass them on to
| secretary@hughendenresidents.org |
as soon as you can because Cllr Armshaw believes it is important that the Parish Council supports this aspiration to improve provision for cycling and walking locally.
National Trust Hughenden – Nestbox Making Workshop
Join us on National Nestbox Week to make and decorate a bird or bat box for your home or garden.
We’ll have all the kits ready for you to assemble with the help of our brilliant woodwork volunteers, you just need to hammer and screw the pieces together and decorate – subtle is best, but a few pencil drawings and extra wood pieces wouldn’t hurt.
You’ll have a choice between bat boxes and three different types of bird boxes to appeal to a range of birds/bats.
This workshop is suitable for older children and adults alike, but please bear in mind all children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Times
February 2023
| Date | Time/s |
|---|---|
| 14 | 10:30 – 12:0013:00 – 14:30 |
| 16 | 10:30 – 12:0013:00 – 14:30 |
Prices
| Ticket type | Ticket category |
|---|---|
| per kit | £15.00 |
The basics
Booking details: Call 0344 249 1895 Please note this is only pre-bookable as we only have a limited supply of kits.
Suitability: Children over 10 years old.
Meet at the Studybase – next to the Estate Office.
What to bring and wear: Wear warm layers and bring waterproofs, this event will be partially outdoors.
Accessibility: There are 3 stairs to access the Studybase courtyard, then another flight down in to the Studybase (which isn’t essential). Please let us know if you have any other requirements and we’ll do our best to help.
Contact info: Hughenden 01494755573 hughenden@nationaltrust.org.uk
Half term fun for families in Bucks
Families looking for low-cost ideas to entertain their children during the upcoming February half-term need look no further than the local area for inspiration. Buckinghamshire’s libraries, leisure centres and museums have a wide range of events and activities taking place across the week.
A number of Bucks libraries are hosting events. Why not join the brass players of Alina Orchestra for a special kid’s version of Band in a Van? Children can take part in some fun interactive games and afterwards the band will invite attendees to shake some percussion, conduct the group or sing along to some popular songs.
The event is free and there is no need to book in advance:
- Hazlemere Library: Thursday 16 February – 2pm to 3pm
- Chesham Library: Thursday 16 February – 3:30pm to 4:30pm
- Aylesbury Library: Friday 17 February – 10:30am to 11:30am
- Princes Risborough Library: Friday 17 February – 1pm to 2pm
What about joining the Curious Investigators, Scribble and Clipboard on an exciting adventure as they sort through the recycling and discover a strange egg? This highly visual show is aimed at children aged between three and seven and is taking place at:
- Bourne End Community Library: Thursday 16 February 11am and 2pm
- Burnham Community Library: Friday 17 February 11am and 2pm
- Aylesbury Library: Saturday 18 February 11am and 2pm
- High Wycombe Library: Sunday 19 February 1pm
Suggested donations are £5 per ticket. Tickets must be booked in advance and children need to be accompanied by an adult who must also have a ticket.
Other libraries around the county will be hosting regular and extra activities during the week including Bounce and Rhyme, Explore Learning Workshops, Duplo and Lego play sessions, arts and crafts and book clubs. Most are free but sometimes booking is necessary. Visit the website for more details on what’s happening in your local library.
If you are looking for something more physical, leisure centres across Buckinghamshire have a wide variety of activities taking place this half term including:
- Swimming crash courses at Swan Pool in Buckingham. Crash courses are designed to enable children to quickly develop their confidence and ability in the water and are available for a range of swimming abilities, catering for complete beginners, up to children who can swim up to 25 metres.
- Family swimming sessions will be available throughout the half term holiday at Aqua Vale in Aylesbury and in Wycombe, Chalfont and Chiltern leisure centres.
- Adventure climbing at Wycombe leisure centre.
- Soft play at Chesham leisure centre.
- Climbing and soft play at the Chilterns Lifestyle Centre in Amersham.
- Fit for Sport holiday camps offering multi sports to messy arts and crafts at the Chilterns Lifestyle Centre.
More information can be found on the council’s website.
And don’t forget, Buckinghamshire’s museums have a wide selection of interesting and varied exhibitions and activities taking place ranging from craft workshops to an autism reality experience in Aylesbury.
Clive Harriss, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure said: “Our libraries, leisure centres and museums offer a wide range of fun activities and events aimed at children and families throughout the year. During school holidays there is even more to choose from with the majority of activities at affordable prices and some are free, which is great news for everyone. And if you just want some fresh air and exercise, then I’d recommend visiting Waddesdon Greenway, or one of our country parks and green flag parks.”
There are also lots of other activities and events taking place around the county during half term. Visit Buckinghamshire Family Information Service website to find out what’s on. You can search for events based on location, age group, and type of activity.
Chilterns Crematorium
We are hosting an informal drop-in style event at the Chilterns Crematorium for the local community to commemorate the mother figures in their lives that they have lost.
- Our chapel doors will be open from 10-3pm on the day with refreshments available at no charge.
- We will have Cruse bereavement volunteers on site all day who will be available for chats, advise and signposting.
- We will be using seeded paper for attendees to write letters and notes to their loved ones which we will be using to create a wild flower garden within our memorial gardens.
- We will be creating a visual tribute to be showing on the day, at no cost should attendees wish to have their loved ones picture showing and reflective music will be playing should they just want to come and reflect quietly.
Hughenden Valley Residents Association 