CHILLIN CLUB. Members of the Baptist Church Chillin Club (aged 13-16) brightened a wet afternoon for eight pensioners on November 18 with 'Senior Screen' – a new venture for the club.
They showed the film Chocolat and made sandwiches and cakes for the tea they served after the film. They also served tea and chocolate biscuits in a break halfway through the film and provided chocolates to eat during the film.
CHARITY AND FU
ND-RAISING NEWS.
Brownie Sale. The girls of 4th Haddenham Brownies, assisted by their parents, organised a table top sale on November 7 – selling books, toys, children's clothes and refreshments – in aid of Wheel Power (to enable British Wheelchair Sport to buy hundreds of wheelchairs in time for the 2012 Olympics).
Brown Owl Francesca Flaxton reported: "They raised just over £200, which for a one-hour sale, was really excellent. The girls really enjoyed the event and I have had many positive comments from parents. The toys that were left over were donated to Puddleducks Pre-school, the books were donated to the Oxfam Bookshop in Thame and the clothes were distributed between the Salvation Army clothes bank in Haddenham and local charity shops."
Children in Need. A very talented mum at St Mary's School, Mrs Orr, who is well-known for her intricately decorated celebration cakes, baked and iced Pudsey Bear biscuits and cakes and sold them to children and parents on November 16. She raised £187.33 for Children in Need.
Tearfund. A charity sale and soup lunch were held on November 10 and it has now been reported that £710 was spent on Tearfund crafts, £105 was spent on BRF (Bible Reading Fellowship) books and the soups and other refreshments raised £150 which has been shared between Tearfund, BRF and Grandma's.
Coffee Morning. A total of £424.31 was raised at the Christian Aid Christmas coffee morning with cake, gift, book and toy stalls on November 24.
Barn Dance. Local musicians played for an energetic barn dance held on November 23 and £205 was raised for the Florence Nightingale Hospice.
TRIBUTE. A funeral was held on November 16 at St Michael's and All Angels Church, Aston Sandford, for villager Ray (John Raymond) Robinson, 77, who died on November 6. Mr Robinson was born at Ashendon and was one of 11 children in a close-knit family. He joined the navy at the age of 18 and served for seven years. He subsequently worked for many years at Pressed Steel before being made redundant and spent his last working years at Youngmans in Thame.
He married Margaret 52 years ago at the Aston Sandford church and moved to Harts Road, Haddenham, where the couple raised their three sons, Stuart, Paul and Ray.
A keen gardener, Mr Robinson rode to his allotment every day at dawn on an ancient bike and grew most of the family's vegetables and soft fruit. He is survived by his wife, sons and seven grandchildren and by his six sisters and two of his brothers, including Clarence, the former landlord of the Red Lion.
Two of his siblings have lived in Australia for the past 40 years but returned to England a few years ago for a big family reunion.
AGM. Haddenham Horticultural Society's annual meeting on November 21 was chaired by president Ian Chalk, who attended the meeting despite suffering from a heavy cold.
The secretary, treasurer and show committee reported on another successful year and the committee was re-elected en bloc (apart from Harry Case, who has moved to Warwickshire). The society's summer outing was announced – a coach visit to Wisley RHS gardens on May 4 – and other proposed outings were mentioned. After a very short business meeting, the evening continued with wine and a buffet prepared by Chris Wheeler-Cherry.
100TH BIRTHDAY. Congratulations go to former villager Ivy Alex Oakley who was due to celebrate her 100th birthday on Saturday, with about 20 family members, at the Leonard Pulham Nursing Home, Halton where she has lived for the last couple of years.
Mrs Oakley, who previously lived in Rosemary Lane, had lived in Haddenham for about 40 years. She was a long-time member of the Darby and Joan Club and leader Mary Wellby said she's a lovely lady who was a loyal, quietly supportive and generous club member, who will be particularly remembered at the club for her enjoyment of a game of cards. In recent years, Mrs Oakley also attended the Red Cross Day Centre.
CHURCH END. Kerbing and green enlargement is scheduled for four days from Friday so parking and access in that area may be limited for a few days.
THIS WEEK. Visitors and/or prospective members will be welcome at any of the meetings publicised below.
Today. Indian craft sale (silver jewellery, silks, lacquered boxes, candles, cushion covers etc) at Dormer Cottage, Flint St (10am-noon) - proceeds to UK charity Salt of the Earth which helps the rural poor in Tamil Nadu, southern India. Carry on Learning session at the Haddenham Abbeyfield, Stonehill House (10.30am) with Gina Claye telling 'Tales for the Christmas Season'. The small mobile library van visits Butte Furlong (12.35-12.50pm) and Old Mill Close (12.55-1.10pm). Rose and Thistle's monthly charity quiz (8pm), for the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust. Numbers limited this time so please arrive early to guarantee a place.
Thursday Club. Gina Claye tells more 'Tales for the Christmas Season' at 1.30pm in the village hall lounge.
Bingo. Age Concern's Christmas bingo was moved from tonight to last Thursday.
AGM. Haddenham Village Society's annual meeting and Christmas social, tomorrow (8pm) at Haddenham Community Junior School, is open to members only.
Festive Fayre. Children can visit Santa in his grotto at Haddenham Community Junior School's Festive Fayre on Friday (6-8pm) and there will be crafts, cakes, sweets etc on sale.
Santa's Grotto. Haddenham and District Rotary Club will be running Santa's Grotto at Haddenham Garden Centre on Saturdays (9.30am-4.30pm) and Sundays (10.30am-4.30pm) between now and Christmas. All proceeds will go to local charities.
Winterfest. Haddenham Real Ale Festival's Winterfest in the Manor Farm tithe barn on Saturday (11am-5pm) will feature winter ales, mulled wine and a barbecue, as well as entertainment in the form of carol singing by the Witchert Chorale, a performance by Haddenham Mummers etc. Tickets (£3) are on sale at Blooming Fruity, Parminters, the village pubs (apart from the Green Dragon) and at Fore Golf, Thame.
Proceeds will go to the Florence Nightingale Hospice and to support projects for village clubs and organisations.
Christingle Service. The annual Christingle service will take place at St Mary's Church on Sunday (4pm).
St Mary's Fellowship. The theme of Monday's meeting (2.30-4pm) at St Mary's Centre is 'Christmas Favourites'.
Carols and Wine. The Witchert Carollers will be singing carols at intervals between 7.30 and 9pm next Wednesday in aid of Crisis for Christmas.
They will be singing outside Threshers, Churchway, in conjunction with the shop's wine tasting evening (7-9pm) which includes competitions with prizes.
Threshers will also be making a donation to the charity.
COFFEE MORNING. Please ring the Angela Hart on 292070 if you need a lift to next Thursday's Veterans' Coffee Morning (10am-noon) at 4 White Hart Lane.
