HADDENHAM FESTIVAL. Haddenham Ceilidhs held their 25th Haddenham Festival on December 1 and enjoyed a day of folk song and dance, including 'Voices at the Door' - a lively look, in words and music, at the history of carols and midwinter songs by a group of six singers from Notts and Derbyshire.
The annual festival was started about 10 years after the monthly ceilidhs began and give folk music lovers a more extended opportunity to get together to listen to music. It is still presided over by its founder, John Heydon.
PARISH COUNCIL.
Pos
t Office. At the council's December meeting it was announced that, despite the best efforts of the parish clerk and of parish and district councillors, it has not been possible to get Haddenham Post Office re-opened in time for Christmas.
The contract has now been signed but it takes about six to eight weeks from then, so it will finally be re-opening at the Londis shop in Churchway on January 26.
Cycle Path. Representatives of the Haddenham Safe Walking and Cycling Group and of Haddenham Village Society attended the November meeting of the finance and general purposes committee to present a petition of 400 signatures appealing for the provision of a cycle path from Willis Road, through a proposed new development, and along the edge of the playing fields to Woodways.
An article will be put in the council's January newsletter to seek the views of the whole village.
Village Hall. It was reported that the roof is in poor condition and is leaking in a number of places. Quotes for its repair have been received and it was agreed to accept the one from Julian Tyrell. It was also agreed that some of the unspent precept money could be used to defray the cost and an application to the AVDC Community Chest for a grant would be made.
Precept. It was agreed to set the 2008-9 precept at £82,000 – 3.4 percent less than last year.
Grants. The following annual grants to local organisations were agreed: £100 to Haddenham Parochial Charities, £150 each to Dial-a-Ride and Haddenham Age Concern, £200 each to the Darby and Joan Club, the Thursday Club, the WEA and Action for Youth, and £250 to Thame CAB.
Village Sign. It was agreed to move the Best Kept Village sign to Fort End so the new village sign can be erected at Church End.
Christmas Trees. Chris Hawkins of Haddenham Garden Centre is generously donating two trees to the village this year. They will be sited at Church End - outside the churchyard – and at Banks Park – outside the New Horizons gym.
Snakemoor. Cllr Ricky Jeffrey reported on help given at the November work group morning. Villager Tim Palmer of Harcourt Arboretum and tree surgeon Dickon Johnston employed their tree skills in removing seven failing trees, creating space for new planting of under storey trees below the developing canopy.
Bus Shelter. Chairman Margaret Aston thanked village handyman Jim Ayers for renovating the bus shelter near Rosemary Lane.
Church End Pond. The banks at the pond have eroded and remedial work has been proposed. The £200 received from the makers of Midsomer Murders for filming in the parish office will be used for this project.
Planning. Although the traditional village design of the dwelling proposed for land at the rear of 8 Stockwell Furlong is acceptable, there have been a number of objections to the scheme and the council opposes it on the grounds that Stockwell is a semi-rural footpath and, therefore, there should be no cars or parking beyond the Baptist Chapel. The application to build six dwellings on land adjoining 5 Townsend has been deferred for further investigations.
RECYCLING. Don't forget to put your glass box out next Tuesday as well as your paper, cans and plastic bottles.
FAREWELL. A thanksgiving service for the life of Pat West, who died in October, will be held at St Mary's Church on Friday (1.30pm).
THIS WEEK. Visitors and/or prospective members will be welcome at any of the meetings publicised below.
Carols and Wine. Please support the Witchert Carollers who will be singing carols at intervals between 7.30 and 9pm tonight outside Threshers, Churchway, where a wine tasting evening will be taking place. They will be making a collection for Crisis for Christmas and Threshers will also make a donation to the charity.
Coffee Morning. This month's Veterans' Coffee Morning is tomorrow (10am- noon) at 4 White Hart Lane.
Coffee Stop. Age Concern's Christmas Coffee Stop on Friday (10am-noon) in the Mabel Parkinson Room is the last before the New Year and they will be serving mince pies along with the usual coffee and biscuits.
Carols. Churches Together in Haddenham will be holding its annual carol service for all villagers on Friday (6.45pm) in the village hall. It includes a visit by Haddenham Mummers and local school children will be taking part.
Mummers. Haddenham Mummers will be performing their traditional play at pubs and restaurants in the village next Friday but this Friday they will be at The Plough, Cadsden (8pm), The Bell, Princes Risborough (8.40pm), The Peking Rendezvous (9.40pm) and The Crown, Cuddington (10.20pm).
Police Surgery. Thames Valley Police, in conjunction with AVDC and BCC, will be holding a 'Have Your Say' session at Haddenham Library on Saturday (10.30am-12.30pm). Pc Jim Mullan and PCSO Rachael Hubbard will be there to take your comments and answer your questions.
Concerts. Thame Concert Band's Christmas Concert for all the family is on Saturday (7.30pm) at St Mary's Church and you can get tickets, including wine, soft drinks and mince pies, (£7/ concessions £5 / under-16's accompanied by adult, free) in advance from Blooming Fruity; St Mary's Centre or by calling 291108/ 292445/ 292101. Tickets will also be on sale at the door.
Haddenham's Witchert Chorale is giving a Christmas concert for all the family at St Nicholas, Cuddington, on Saturday (7.30pm) with contributions from Ed Cairns, who will recite a Christmas poem, and Cuddington's Youth Drama group. Entry is free but donations will be welcome.
Line Dance. The Pondarosa Line Dance Club is holding its Christmas social and dance on Saturday (8-11pm) in the village hall. Entry is £5, on the door, and a buffet will be available. Please bring your own drinks.
Quiz. The 4th monthly Cricket Club quiz is on Saturday at the Rising Sun (7.30pm) and teams of up to five people pay £2.50 per person at the door.
St Mary's Fellowship. The group will be enjoying a Christmas party at Manor Farm, with Lizzie Banister, on Monday (2.30pm).
Darby and Joan. The club will be holding its Christmas party next Wednesday (2pm) in the Youth and Community Centre, Woodways.
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