Local News

Studley Green Community Centre

Our AGM is next week – Wednesday 21st September.

We welcome members of the public

Survey for tuberculosis (TB) in road-killed badgers

The Animal and Plant Health Agency is conducting a research project to detect the presence and location of TB infection in badgers in Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Hampshire and East Sussex, collectively known as the Southern Edge Area.

The Government is implementing an ambitious and evolving, evidence-based strategy to eradicate TB in England. A key feature of the strategy is the division of the country into three bovine TB risk areas – High Risk, Low Risk and the Edge Area which lies between the two. These risk areas determine the disease control measures used in both cattle and wildlife. Evidence of the presence and location of TB infection in badgers within each area is extremely valuable to inform future policy as the eradication strategy evolves.

Starting in Spring 2021 and ending in Spring 2022, our aim is to collect a significant number of fresh, found-dead badger carcasses, especially those killed on roads in these counties. These will then be examined and tested for TB.

We are looking for volunteers to help collect badger carcasses. Carcasses will need to be fresh and collected according to a simple protocol that will be provided along with collection kits containing everything needed by collectors. Carcasses will then be collected from your premises by a specialist courier and taken to the University of Nottingham. We offer a contribution of £25 towards any personal expenses associated with the collection of carcasses.

If you would be willing to support this project please let us know and we will send you more detailed information. Equally, if your organisation is able to promote the project within your community we can share material for distribution and offer more information, including through virtual meetings if required.

Find out more:

Email us at southernedgerta@apha.gov.uk

Call us on 07798 882392

See HERE for the agency's leaflet (opens PDF file in new window)

Stokenchurch Community Transport

Support for Covid-19 Vaccinations at Wycombe Town Hall

*** Please do not call Stokenchurch Medical Centre. Wait for them to contact you about vaccination appointments ***

We are able to offer the use of our vehicle, with wheelchair access, for support of those with limited mobility, including wheelchair-bound, who will otherwise find it extremely difficult to get to the vaccination centre. Depending on demand, we may be able to extend the service to others in our community. We are limited to 5 passengers.

  • The service is only available for those who have an appointment for vaccination, issued by Stokenchurch Medical Centre.

  • The service is only available to residents in the parishes of Stokenchurch and Radnage

  • You may be asked to sit in a wheelchair in order for our Escort to provide assistance. A carer can come with you, if necessary.

  • A mask must be worn throughout the journey (unless confirmed exempt).

  • You must not travel if you have Covid symptoms, or are required to isolate. We will check your temperature. We will ask you to use hand sanitiser.

  • Rigorous protocols are in place to protect our volunteers and passengers, and these must be followed throughout.

There is no charge for the service, but donations will be gratefully received.

For further information, please call 07549 838 773

Stokenchurch Community Library

Stokenchurch Community Library has now resumed open-door sessions, with some slight modifications to make them Covid-safe – see website (opens in new window) for more details of what to expect. Opening hours until at least the end of September are now Tueday 2-5, Thursday 2-5, and Saturday 10-1. Alongside the open-door sessions, the library is also continuing to offer its successful home delivery / collection service that it ran during the lockdown period, to cater for those who would prefer not to visit enclosed public spaces, or for whom the revised opening hours cause difficulty.

So that we can be sure to get fully back to normal once the pandemic is over, we are urgently in need of more volunteers to work in the library and in several other roles. If you are interested, please e-mail committee.scl@gmail.com with your name, a little bit of information about you, and a phone number, so that we can call you.

BEES

The Mid Bucks Beekeepers Association offer a FREE swarm collection service in the Parish.

Mid Bucks members cover a large area from Buckingham in the north to Gt Missenden in the south. Tring in the East to Thame in the west.

Honey bees have been under considerable stress in recent years and unpredictable weather patterns have increased difficulties for this important pollinator.

Studies have shown that a swarm collected and house by a beekeeper has a 4 times greater chance of survival that one left to its own devices.

Please click on the images to see a larger version.

EACH PERSON CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE!

Isla started litter picking after learning about different ways to be eco-friendly in her lessons at school. She started collecting litter on her way to and from school in Studley Green and found there was a lot of rubbish along the main road, she wanted to help the environment and be eco-friendly.

Read her full story HERE (Document opens in a new window)


STOKENCHURCH DOG RESCUE

This local charity has just resumed holding tabletop sales at the kennels in Oxford Road on the last Saturday of every month, from 10am till 12 noon. Literally tons of donated new and nearly new clothes, books, household goods, toys, DVDs, records, plants (occasionally), greetings cards and more. Bargains galore. The sales help save dogs' lives and find them good new homes. Helpers are wanted to help set up tables and then later put them away in sheds as most helpers are elderly and more muscle is needed! Setting up is usually from about 8am and then putting tables and goods away from about 11.45.

Any young people in the village able to help? Call Michelle Vickers on 01494 482695. Please park considerately outside the kennels.

Stokenchurch Fire Station Needs you…

As an on-call firefighter you can play a vital role in your local community while continuing with your primary employment and career. It is a highly worthwhile way to use your available spare time. In doing so you will be paid, meet new colleagues, develop new friendships and acquire a range of new skills.

On-call fire crews will be called upon to attend the full range of incidents including fires, floods, road traffic collisions, chemical spills and more, and work alongside their wholetime colleagues at many incidents.

This is your chance to take on a vital role on behalf of your local community without having to change the way you live or work. Operating on an on-call basis, you will respond to emergency incidents as part of your on-call firefighter role.

On-call firefighters are paid a monthly retaining fee and in addition hourly payments plus appropriate disturbance allowances for actual hours worked. These amounts will depend on your role – Firefighter, Crew Manager or Watch Manager – and the hours you are available and actually work

Firefighters are highly trained, skilled individuals who have the fitness and stamina to keep working when the going gets tough. You must be able to demonstrate that you…

  • Are able to get to the fire station safely and within limited time, when alerted – working with the crew to provide 24-hour cover, 365 days a year..

  • Work effectively as part of a team.

  • Are able to communicate with all members of the community.

  • Have a logical approach to problems.

  • Can meet the Fire and Rescue Service's medical standards for eyesight, colour vision, hearing, lung function and general fitness.

  • Have the permission of your primary employer.

For more information, email Stokenchurch Station Commander, Tom Brandon at tbrandon@bucksfire.gov.uk


VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED TO BECOME COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS IN BUCKS

South Central Ambulance Service are currently looking for volunteer Community First Responders and I would be grateful if you could distribute the details below to your colleagues and also if possible as an article on your newsletter.

SCAS encourages members of the public to become Community First Responders in Buckinghamshire

South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) is encouraging members of the public to play a valuable role in their Buckinghamshire neighbourhoods by becoming Community First Responders (CFRs).

CFRs are volunteers available to be dispatched by the ambulance Emergency Operations Centre to attend appropriate medical emergencies in their local area. Volunteers undergo two days of training at one of our training centres, explaining how to recognise and treat many serious and life threatening medical emergencies, ranging from cardiac arrest to strokes in the elderly through to infants, to name but a few of the situations the volunteers may face.

Dave Johnson, a Community First Responder for the Wendover area and also a Buckinghamshire Governor for SCAS, said: “The role of a CFR is to provide assistance to those with a medical emergency and most importantly to start and maintain the chain of survival in cardiac arrest patients until an ambulance crew arrives.”

Dave went on to explain why an early response is vital.

He added: “Our Community First Responders continue to support our frontline operations and we are encouraging new volunteers to join the service. These are valuable volunteer CFRs in local communities who are able to respond to appropriate incidents and assist patients in a serious or life threatening condition before the arrival of an ambulance crew. They make a real difference by saving seconds and minutes which can make the difference to the patient’s outcome.”

Anyone can become a community first responder, as long as they are aged 18 and over and have held a full UK driving licence for a minimum of one year.

No previous medical experience is needed and the ambulance service provides a comprehensive training course and continuous support, together with flexible hours.

Community First Responders log on when they want to, for as long as they want to on the days that they want to. They work in and for their local community.

For further details please go to http://www.southcentralambulance.nhs.uk/our-services/communityresponders.ashx

The Trust also welcomes residents who would be interested in getting involved with fundraising, attending events etc. Contact 0800 587 0207 or cfr@scas.nhs.uk to find out more.

Many thanks

Monica Moro ACIM

Membership, Engagement and Marketing Support Officer

Communications and Marketing department

South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust | 7-8 Talisman Road | Bicester | OX26 6HR | Tel: 01869 365126 (Switchboard 01869 365000) | Mobile: 07788 418915 | monica.moro@scas.nhs.uk | www.southcentralambulance.nhs.uk |Twitter – follow us @scas990

PARKING IN GEORGE ROAD DURING SCHOOL RUNS

Stokenchurch Primary School, the Parish Council and Thames Valley Police have joined together in an initiative to try to solve the problems caused in George Road during school drop-off and pick-up times. The main issues are danger to children and inconsiderate parking.

The Parish Council has written to every parent highlighting their concern. Similarly the police have issued a 'Do and Don't' guidance note. The school have circulated these via their intranet and hand delivered others.

An unofficial one-way system already exists during the two critical periods - in from the A40 via Pigeon Farm Road, out via George Road. County Councillor Carl Etholen has been approached about the problems. He thought the suggestion of making a formal one way system had merit but warned that the process was costly and time-consuming. It was recognised that these problems may be exacerbated when the Tesco store opens.

Other suggestions have been put forward - use the Adult Education Centre car park, a 20 m.p.h. speed limit, school gates opening earlier. These will be progressed.

URGENT APPEAL FOR HELP - STOKENCHURCH COMMUNITY TRANSPORT

Stokenchurch Community Transport (SCT) provides an essential service to our village. They provide mobility to the elderly and disabled enabling them to get to appointments at the Medical Centre, do shopping and meet friends and acquaintances at the Day Centre. Without the SCT many would be left without any form of transport.

SCT is desperately short of drivers and helpers. If you think you can spare an hour or so of your time on a regular basis, please contact DOUG TUCKER on 01494 482211 or 07799 881682

EXPLORE STOKENCHURCH

Did you know that Stokenchurch Parish Council are selling paperback books relating to four circular walks in the Parish. They cost £2.50 each and are available from the office. The booklet has maps, along with descriptive notes of the walks and what to look out for. Also included is the Country Code which all walkers should adhere to. To get your hands on one either pop into the office or telephone 01494 482403 or you can email hallbookings@stokenchurch.org.uk

This website contains a section on 'Local Area' - simply click on the menu or the hyperlink above.

This was formerly named 'living in Stokenchurch but aims to give newcomers a guide to the facilities and activities in the area, as well as those who are residents already. It is by no means totally comprehensive - if you believe that your group has been omitted or that the information is inaccurate, please drop an e-mail to the clerk on clerk@stokenchurch.org.uk.

STOKENCHURCH EDUCATIONAL CHARITY

Residents of the Parish of Stokenchurch who wish to apply for a grant towards academic expenses should get an application form from Mrs P. Colling, Kinda Cool, Wycombe Road, Stokenchurch HP14 3RR (phone: 01494 483120). The closing date is 30 November each year.

Thank you to everyone who attended our AGM this evening. We hope you found the meeting informative. Thank you to our local organisation speakers who provided updates. Congratulations again to Jan & Brian Elson who receive the Parishioner Award for their contribution to the community.