Wendover Parish Council – Matters Arising, June 2023

I’m writing my first view from the Chair following a wonderful Coronation Big Lunch event that was a resounding success. Many thanks to all those involved in making the day so spectacular in particular Phoebe, our Estates and Events Manager, for all her hard work. Thanks to all those of you who came along and contributed to the fabulous atmosphere, and we were most certainly lucky with the weather!

Our outgoing Chair, Sheila, will be sorely missed at the Parish Council where she steered us through quite the most challenging time in recent history with the pandemic and the HS2 project. Sheila worked very hard for our community, and we are very grateful and wish her all the best in her retirement and look forward to seeing her around the village.

My parents have lived in Wendover for 20 years and I moved back here with my husband, daughter (who is currently at Wendover Juniors) and two dogs in 2016. We absolutely love Wendover, the history, and the beautiful Chilterns.

At our 2nd May meeting we agreed the Chair and Vice Chair (Clive Gallagher) and decided all the Committee memberships. We currently have three vacancies so should anyone be interested please contact Andy, our Clerk, for details.

Thank you to all those who responded to our Manor Waste consultations. There were lots of good suggestions that we are going to take into serious consideration but following our meeting in May we will be keeping the historic name and celebrating our heritage.

Wendover Parish Council is responsible for grass cutting of its parks and additionally certain verges on behalf of Buckinghamshire Council. A combination of the weather and preparations for the Coronation event have meant that we are a little behind. This means that the first cuts will be on grass that is longer than usual, and this creates more mess. This is only going to be temporary, and we should be back to normal in the next few of weeks. A reminder that we are not responsible for most hedges as this falls under Buckinghamshire Council or the landowners. Further, any parking on verges (big rocks designed to stop parking on verges) means we must use a strimmer instead of a mower which causes more grass to be blown around. Our contract means that we need to clear grass from pavements but not from the roads. For those who are interested in No Mow May or more wildflower verges we would like to see more too but our contract means that we are unable to do this without negotiation, however it is something we are considering.

The Council  decided to enter the
Buckinghamshire Best Kept Village Competition 2023, in the small towns category. The Parish Council will be making every effort to keep Wendover in a clean, tidy, pleasant, and presentable condition, however much of the judging is based on the condition of private and business properties and areas beyond the jurisdiction of the Parish Council. The judging period runs from Thursday 1st June 2023 through to Friday 14th July 2023. If you want more information, please contact estates@wendover-pc.gov.uk.

Competition Winners – 

Easter Egg Hunt – Martha, age 6

Coronation Drawing Competition – Milly, age 8

Coronation Best Dressed Window – Rumsey’s

Congratulations all!

Finally, we are very much looking forward to hosting the RAF Halton Freedom of Buckinghamshire Parade on Sunday 25th June. Please note there will be road closures, along the High Street, we will share more information on this. We hope to see everyone out enjoying the celebration of what should be an impressive spectacle.

Julie Williams, Chair