The service was led by the vicar, the Rev Chris Denham, prayers were led by the Methodist minister, the Rev Derick Chambers, the lesson was read by John Brown and the address was given by the Catholic priest, the Rev Leszek Wisniewski.

Members of the village's Scouting and Guiding units presented their colours for blessing and a collection taken during the service raised £485 for the Poppy Appeal.

After the service the congregation moved to the war memorial where Haddenham teenager Felicity Fraser sounded the Last Post and Reveille for the first time on her trumpet and the exhortation was given by George Marshall.

Wreaths were laid by county councillor Margaret Aston, parish council vice-chairman David Truesdale (in lieu of chairman Margaret Aston), George Marshall (Royal British Legion), Alan Watkins (Haddenham Lodge of Freemasons), Margaret Watkins (recently elected new president of Haddenham Witchert WI) and by representatives of the Scouting and Guiding units.

Posies were also laid, in memory of two soldiers lost in Afghanistan and Iraq, by villager Nicola Cartwright, whose son Brett (a former County First School pupil) is currently serving in Afghanistan.

PARISH COUNCIL. Those attending the monthly meeting on November 5 felt as though they were in a war zone with deafening fireworks exploding on all sides. Councillors agreed at the meeting to award grants of £80 each to 10 students going on to university or college and £200 each to the three village schools, the Methodist and Baptist Churches and Haddenham Tennis Club – for coaching in the village schools.

Councillors approved a three per cent pay rise for the clerk and Cllr Mike Cousins thanked her for her 'unremitting work'. Chairman Margaret Aston agreed that she did a 'brilliant job'. It was also agreed to renew the contract, with an increase of three per cent in the price, for village handyman Jim Ayers.

Playing Fields. Although those attending October's finance and general purposes committee were not in favour of selling part of the playing field (which is covered by 12 different leases) and some villagers have also indicated to the council that they are against the sale, the council will continue to seek legal advice about whether the whole of the playing field has to be kept as recreational land.

CCTV. The new digital system, with colour cameras and UV night vision, has been installed at Banks Park and is now in operation.

Sports Clubs. The council agreed to take on the lease, with Landmatch, for the new football pitch at the airfield – Haddenham Junior Football Club will pay the £250 annual rent. It was also agreed that the tennis club's lease should be renewed for a further 15 years, with three yearly rent reviews, and that the current rent should be £320 pa. Clubs using the playing field have agreed to contribute £400 each per annum towards the upkeep of the grass, which is in a poor state, and the council will also contribute £400.

Allotments. Cllr Ricky Jeffrey reported that the driveway has been repaired and the allotments are now closed to vehicles until March. Quotes are still being sought for replacing the fence on the allotments' Townside frontage. Fees for allotment plots were due last month but several tenants did not renew.

Street Lights. New lanterns have been ordered for the High Street (near the King's Head) and for Rosemary Lane. Discussion continues on whether a new light should be installed at the southern end of Townside as some adverse comments have been received from residents.

Village Sign. It was reported that the new Haddenham sign was nearing completion (and since the meeting the finished sign has been delivered for future installation). Although it had previously been agreed that the sign should be sited at Fort End it was felt, on reflection, that the green area there is rather cluttered and it was agreed instead to site it at Church End Green, where the Best Kept Village sign is currently enjoying a prominent position.

Burial Ground. The vicar has informed the council that burial space in St Mary's churchyard is likely to run out in the next couple of years. He is to be asked if he would approach the diocese, on the council's behalf, regarding obtaining more land.

Snakemoor Footpath. The county council has put the cost of installing a footpath from the station to Snakemoor at £25,000 (including culverting ditches, kerbing etc to accepted Highways standards). BCC is unable to fund this as there is insufficient usage and has no funds available to part-fund it. It was suggested that the parish council apply for Bonus Ball funding.

Local Development. The council is grateful to residents who responded to the article in the October issue of Haddenham Village News summarising the council's response to AVDC's consultation on their 'Local Development Framework', which sets out the strategy for development in the district up to 2026. Responses will be summarised in the January issue of the newsletter.

Open Forum. Villagers were allowed to speak after the meeting and David Impey of Haddenham Cricket Club thanked the council for the time and thought they have put into consideration of the club's proposals for the playing fields and also for their positive comments.

District councillor Judy Brandis highlighted the problem she has encountered regarding HGVs getting stuck in small village roads when following directions from their satellite navigation systems.
Peter Gulland talked about the distress caused by noisy fireworks to local wildlife and asked whether AVDC or AVALC (Aylesbury Vale Association of Local Councils) could take up the issue with the government.

MIDSOMER MURDERS. The parish council has received a donation of £200 for allowing the use of the parish office for a filming session on October 30. The office was transformed into a prison office and the village hall foyer became the entrance to the prison (!) for an episode entitled Midsomer Life which will be screened next year.

The film team was also in Haddenham in July when they did some filming at Miles Garage and also, appropriately, used artist Penny Heydon's home - Dragon Barn - as an artist's studio for an episode entitled Shot at Dawn. You may remember when her house was used as a café (where a victim froze to death in the walk-in freezer) for the episode Talent for Life which was filmed in 2002.

THIS WEEK. Visitors and/or prospective members will be welcome at any of the meetings publicised below.

Today. Darby and Joan club Beetle Drive (2pm) at the Youth and Community Centre, Woodways (YCC). Haddenham Horticultural Society's annual meeting (for members only) (8pm) in the Walter Rose Room. Haddenham Witchert WI - John Bates with 'Poetry and Prose to Raise a Smile' (8pm) at the YCC.

Barn Dance. You can book tickets in advance (£4 with discounts for families) for Friday's family barn dance (7.45pm at the YCC) by calling John Keyte on 291083 or you can buy them at the door. Please take your own drinks. Proceeds to the Florence Nightingale Hospice.

Please note that, car parking in the Junior School playground will be at a premium in view of the Youth Theatre's performance the same evening but there is plenty of room for bikes in the racks next to the car park and additional parking can be found in the playing field car park opposite.

Youth Theatre. Tickets (£5) are now on sale at Blooming Fruity for Haddenham Players Youth Theatre's two performances of the Sweeney Todd Shock 'n' Roll Show (a musical/panto/play) which are taking place at 7.30pm on Friday and at 6.30pm on Saturday in the Junior School hall.
Christmas Coffee Morning. You can buy gifts, books, cakes etc at the Christian Aid coffee morning on Saturday (10am-noon) at the Scout and Guide Centre.

Christmas Fayre. There will be children's games, a chance to visit Father Christmas, crafts, tombolas and a grand raffle at the County First School's Christmas Fayre on Sunday (1-4pm).

Give Blood. There is a blood donor session on Tuesday (1.30-3.25pm or 4.15- 6.45pm) at the village hall. If you are a new donor, please arrive half-an-hour before the end of a session to allow time for registration.

Book Fair. If you are looking for children's books as Christmas gifts you would be welcome to pop in to the Scholastic Book Fair being held at St Mary's School next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (2.45-3.30pm).
BINGO. Age Concern's Christmas Bingo will now be held next Thursday and not on December 6 as originally publicised. Details next week.
COME AND SING. If you would like to take part in a Come and Sing Advent celebration in aid of the leprosy charity LEPRA on December 1, please call Marjorie Johnston on 290060 for details.