Events
A Site Worth Seeing .
History comes alive at Chiltern Open Air Museum's country site in Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles. More than 30 Chilterns' heritage farm and village buildings are on view, many furnished to re-create life as it was once, with frequent hands-on activities, like mediaeval cooking or Victorian iron hoop bowling, for all to experience. The Hawk & Owl Trust exhibition is a 'must', and there is a working forge. The typical Victorian farmyard is very popular, and lambs appear in April/May in the meadows, later to be covered in traditional hay stacks.
There are special events every weekend, including, on 4 & 5 May Bank Holiday weekend, the Windsor Light Cavalry who will demonstrate their skills. 17 & 18 May see historic firearms demonstrations with Civil War soldiers, and the ever-popular The Lion Rampant returns on 25 & 26 May, Spring Holiday, with their Mediaeval Pageant, fair ladies, lances and all. On 31 May & 1 June, COAM-by-Sea is created when it becomes a village-in-waiting for D-Day - the sea will be hard to find, even with the latest Sat-Nav, but there will be guns and parades galore! A special fund-raising event for MacMillan Cancer on 28 & 29 June will take you back for a 1920s Experience, and the Great War will be visited on 16 & 17 August, and even further back in time, the Roman Army will be there over August Bank Holiday.
More animals entertain with Sheep Dog Demonstrations and when Sovereign the handsome Shire horse visits, he is just waiting to be petted and groomed. In contrast, you can see The World of Textiles, Saddlery Demonstrations, Basket Making and try your hand at Mediaeval Cooking during May, June and July. The ever-popular Heavy Horse Show is on 22 June, and Classic Vehicles will line up on 9 &10 August - if you have one and would like to join this event, just ring 01494 871117 for more information.
Fishing Permits
From 1st May
Annual fishing permits for Hampden Pond are available from Wendover Clocktower.
St Mary's Church is open for tea!
Every Sunday 2.30 - 5 pm
What a pleasant way to spend a summer Sunday afternoon! St Mary's Church is open for your enjoyment each Sunday until October from 2.30 - 5pm. Come along and enjoy a cup of tea and slice of cake and relax in the peaceful surroundings of Wendover's historic parish church.
Community Ploughman's Lunch
Tuesday 6 May, 12 noon - 1.45pm
The popular annual Community Ploughman's Lunch is on 6 May at Wendover Christian Centre. Tickets must be bought in advance from Ann (625120) or @stmary's, 11 High Street. There will be a raffle and 'Bring and Buy' stall. Everyone welcome.
Wendover Music
Saturday 10th May : 8.00 p.m : St Mary's Church
Wendover Music's current season continues with a return visit by Joanna MacGregor (piano) who first delighted our audience with her innovative mix of composers and genres in 2003.
This year her programme falls into two contrasting halves. In the first part of the concert we shall hear alternate Preludes and Fugues by Bach and Shostacovich. We go to Latin America for the second part of the programme when we shall enjoy music by composers such as Villa-Lobo, Gismonti and Piazzolla.
Joanna is one of the most popular English classical pianists and is recognized as one of the world's most wide-ranging and innovative musicians, frequently complementing the established piano repertoire with newer music and traditions. This programme is a good example of her range and interests.
Coffee 'n' chat
Saturday 10th May, 9.30 - 10.30am Wendover Christian Centre
A series of Saturday breakfast meetings on topical issues. The topic for May is: 'Living in community'. Revd Ruth Bottoms, former minister of Wendover Free Church, will reflect on her experience of living in community in Dorset and then invite discussion around the table.
Coffee and croissants available from 9.15 am. All welcome. Contact: Revd Alan Kirkcaldy 01494 814904.
Family Fun Day
Saturday 10 May, 10am-4pm
Rain or shine, St Peter and St Paul, Tring, High Street, Hertfordshire: BBQ 12-2pm, cream teas 2-4pm, Teddies Stunt Tower Terrors by the Teddy Tower Team, Mix 96 Megaslide, tower tours, children's activities, maypole dancing, tombola, treasure hunt, adult raffle, plants, cakes and jewellery stalls. Music and More! For more information visit our website
John Hampden May Fayre
Saturday 10 May, 12.30-3.30pm
Entrance only £1 per family. Attractions include Colonel Custard, bouncy castle, raffle, tombola, pottery painting, scooter racing, face painting, nail art, jam jar tombola, plant stall, hot dogs and much more!
Whatever happened to Whit?
For an earlier generation, one of events to look forward to in late Spring was Whitsuntide. Whit Sunday, which took its name from the white clothes worn by those being baptised, was a time for people to enjoy themselves. As an outsider to Wendover, I'm not sure what used to happen here, but in some parts of the country, girls would wear white socks and maybe a new dress to church, and there would be often be processions with each church proudly showing its own banner.
Today these customs seem to have largely disappeared and Whit Sunday is now more commonly referred to as Pentecost. This is the Christian festival which commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit to the Jesus' disciples fifty days after Easter Day. It is, in effect, the birthday of the Christian Church!
Maybe some of the old customs have gone but Pentecost is still a time for celebration. This year, Pentecost falls on Sunday 11th May, and the clergy of Wendover will be swapping churches: Father Tim Russ, the Catholic Priest, will be preaching at Wendover Free Church; Mark Dearnley and Em Coley from St Mary's will be involved with the service at St Anne's Catholic Church, and Alan Kirkcaldy, the minister of Wendover Free Church will preaching at St Mary's. After the church services have finished, the people from all three churches will be gathering at Hampden Meadows for lunch and fun.
So, 'Happy birthday' to the Church on May 11th - and 'Happy birthday' to you too if your birthday happens to coincide with Pentecost.
Alan Kirkcaldy, Minister of Wendover Free Church
Everyone can do something
Christian Aid Week 11th - 18th May
Do you ever feel that you are helpless when you read about extreme poverty and widespread human misery? What can one person do to make any difference? Well, last year, thousands of individuals all over Britain walked the streets during Christian Aid Week and collected over £14,000,000. The DISTINCTIVE RED ENVELOPE DROPS through the door and is collected later in the week. This gives householders a chance to think about their giving and increase it with a Gift Aid declaration. The money generated is used to support disadvantaged communities in India, Africa and South America with schemes of work, training, food production and improved health care. Most importantly the schemes bring HOPE. Christian Aid believes in LIFE BEFORE DEATH.
So, dear reader, if you would like to consider becoming a collector, perhaps working with a friend, please phone Ann (625120) or Judy (622845) for more information or sign up in one of the three churches. If you are unable to collect, please donate generously in the red envelope. Christian Aid Week is May 11th - 18th.
The popular annual Community Ploughman's Lunch is on May 6th at Wendover Christian Centre. Tickets must be bought in advance from Ann (625120 or @ st mary's, 11 High Street. There will be a raffle and 'Bring and Buy' stall. Everyone welcome.
Plant Sale
It's time to stock up the garden with bedding plants, shrubs, cuttings, tomato plants, courgettes and other vegetables so...
Come along to the Plant Sale at Wendover Christian Centre on Saturday May 17th from 9.30 - 11.30 am! Lots of interesting and unusual plants will be available at reasonable prices. Cakes and produce will also be on sale and refreshments will be served. All money raised is for Wendover Free Church's 'Uganda' project
Art and Crafts Market
Saturday 17th May, 10am-4pm
Sally Evans has organised another splendid Art and craft Market, this time in Ellesborough Village Hall, Butlers Cross. The £1 entrance fee is being given to to Bucks Carers and the ladies from St Peter and St Paul Church are providing refreshments.
Participants:
Ros Long... handmade sketchbooks, journals & notebooks
Mick Randall... shaker oval boxes, bangles & pendants
Chalkshire Alpaca... alpaca yarn & handknits
Rani Jadavji... Indian style chutneys & nuts
Adrian Faulkner...nature & wildlife photography
Pat Jenkin...domestic ceramics
Linda Anousta... natural skin care products
Rachel Forgham... oil paintings
Jane Hainsworth... handmade corsages & jewellery
Caroline Partridge... handknitted & sown items
Coral Slade... silk paper
Angela Grainge and Diana Russell... handmade sown goods, preserves, meringues & herbs
Melanie Langton... silver jewellery
Sally Evans... resin & crystal jewellery
Wendover Neighbourhood Police
9am to 1pm 20 May Wendover Police Station
Wendover Police Station is open Monday to Friday 9am -1pm. The Neighbourhood team are always on hand to take any of your queries, suggestions and advice when required. The Neighbourhood team consists of two police officers, Mickey Griggs and Andy Greening, two PCSOs, Mandy Aplin and Helen Taylor, one Crime Management and front counter enquiry officer Gill Franklin. Our Sergeant here is Sgt Bryn Scott.
On the 20 May we are opening the station for a morning surgery to include any new Neighbourhood watch applications and to show how neighbourhood watch works. This will include Business Watch, Pub Watch and Farm Watch. Anyone in the Wendover, Weston Turville, Aston Clinton, Buckland and Stoke Mandeville area please come along all welcome. Businesses, Farms and Pub Managers welcome too.
Dianne Brown and Alan Clements both experienced Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators will be at the station together with the PCSO's to answer any questions and to give advice on how to get started in your area.
Please come along and see what we have to offer it's easier than you think to set up a watch in your area.
Gardens Open
Sunday 25 May
As part of a fund raising effort for the Ian Rennie Hospice at Home, gardens will be open in Wendover on Sunday 25 May. Leaflets are available from Alli Harmer on 01442 890222 and also from the Clocktower. For information, you may also ring Chris Peeler on 01296 624089.
2008 Canal Festival at Tring
Sun 25 and Mon 26 May
The Canal Festival at Tring will once again take place at New Mill in May.
The Festival publicises the canal restoration work of the Wendover Arm Trust, and raises much needed funds for the work to continue. Last year the Festival was cancelled mid-event due to the atrocious weather, resulting in a financial loss for the Trust.
A successful event this year is therefore crucial to the Trust's fundraising, and it is with pleasure that we can announce that the 2008 Festival will go ahead at the usual venue.
The Festival will feature many of the exhibits and attractions which have become almost traditional at the event, including lots of Family Entertainment such as Clowns, Punch & Judy, Circus Skills, Fun Fair, Birds of Prey, Steam Traction Engines, and an Animal Petting Corner. Adults are catered for by a Craft Fair, Trade and Charity Stands, Real Ale Bar, Live Music (Jazz and Brass), and of course the 100+ narrow boats visiting the event.
After last year's problems the Festival Organisers are confidently expecting good weather, making the venue ideal for a picnic. Alternatively a range of Hot Food and Snacks will be available.
The event is held off the B488 Icknield Way, at New Mill one mile North of Tring town centre. Festival open hours are 10.00 am to 5.00 pm on both Sunday 25th and Monday 26th May 2008, i.e. the Bank Holiday weekend. Car parking is free.
For further information about the Canal Festival please contact us via via email , or go to our website
Grand Summer Charity Market
Saturday 7 June
If you would like to rent a stall at this year's Grand Summer Charity Market, please contact the Community Information Office at Wendover Clocktower as soon as possible. It is open Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, tel 01296 696759, or email from the website
Getting Wendover Cycling
Get on your bike! for 2008 events:
Saturday 7 June the Getting Wendover Cycling group will be at the charity fair - come and ask your cycling questions
Sunday 22 June is the Getting Wendover Cycling Sunday bike ride - for everyone who enjoys cycling, especially those getting back on their bikes!
Special Trees and Woods Project
Artwork entries by 17 October 2008
The Special Trees and Woods Project, in partnership with the Chilterns Conservation Board, is hosting an art exhibition open to all those that are inspired by the woods of the Chilterns.
Last year the Special Trees and Woods Project, which is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, hosted an art exhibition attracting 15000 visitors.
Liz Manley, Special Trees and Woods Project Officer said "This year we are asking artists of all abilities to enter a piece of art that has been inspired by a particular wood in the Chilterns."
Artists are welcome to enter artwork of any medium before 17th October 2008. A panel of local art professionals will select work to be exhibited in the River and Rowing Museum in Henley and the Hat Factory in Luton and two prizes will be awarded.
Are you inspired by the woods of the Chilterns? Or are you a local artist that could try your hand at trees and woods? If so, why not enter this free competition?
Special Trees and Woods Project volunteer Joan Skelton Smith is curating the exhibition. She said "The Chilterns landscape has proved inspirational to many artists over the years including Eric Gill, John Piper and Paul Nash. We know that the woods continue to inspire and I am really looking forward to seeing the entries. I know that we will get artwork of every different medium and size, which will create a really exciting exhibition."
More information about the Special Trees and Woods Project and the art competition is available from website or call Liz on 01844 355 525
Wendover Art Club
Summer Exhibition 8th & 9th June
Your local art club is having an exhibition, at the Library room, in the town centre. Where some of the best local artists will exhibit their paintings for you to view, in the pleasant surroundings of the Library Room. There will be a friendly team to welcome you, and you can vote in our competition "Best Picture in Exhibition" . Come and see some of the high quality art from the Wendover area. Free Entry.
The Club meet on the second and forth Wednesday of each month. There are many talks by local artists and some evenings where we just paint and talk. We look forward to meeting you when we start our new season on the second Wednesday in September, or at the Exhibition.
