Just hot off the press, we hear that the 'Give-a-Tin' day was again most successful with a full loading of the estate car and £51 in money - all splendid stuff for which the Salvation Army was most grateful and send their gratitude to you all. You know, there really is room for a permanent meeting place there on The Knoll because obviously the passers-by enjoyed their chat and a seat and a rest and it gives a good opportunity to 'swap shutknives' as the old villagers used to say. Anyway, many thanks to you all, not only from Sherington but from over the hill and down the dale.
We move on to the Thumbstickers. The Boxing Day walkers will meet on The Knoll at 9.25am for a prompt 9.30 departure. Make it a family affair if you like as the rescue car will be on hand. We are giving Snowy some annual leave this year so we are looking for someone to drive the car. Anyone want to put his name forward? Please ring 610984. The walk will be the usual standard of about 2 to 2½ hours. Please wear waterproof footwear and warm clothing. No dogs please.
Crofts End resident, Michael Wing, recently had a few days in the Emerald Isle, the reason being that Mike qualified as outright winner of a golf tournament held at Aspley Hill Golf Club followed by a further qualifying round at Derby. The tournament was in aid of Great Ormand Street Children's Hospital and the International Final took place at The 'K' Club in Dublin. It was a three-day event and although Mike was unplaced, didn't he do well to reach the final in a contest of such esteem?! Well done, we say.
We had the usual spate of All Saints birthdays on 1st November. How come they are all ladies? Nary a man among them. Can't men folk be saints?
From 1st November to 5th November - no, nothing to do with fireworks this one - this is about Ray and Teddy Barber who celebrate their 30 years at our village Post Office. Teddy tells that on arrival at the village centre she wondered just where on earth they had landed because in 1969 things were very much different hereabouts and, on reflection, we were much more agricultural and certainly smaller in population. However, it couldn't have been a bad swap for their former home in Hounslow and gradually they have become part of the fixtures and fittings of Sherington. Tell you what, Ray and Teddy, do another 20 years and then someone will give you an appraisal to see if you make the grade. Meanwhile, our thanks aplenty for keeping our Post Office going as you have.
And this is a good time to say thank you to Nigel and Pat Aisthorpe, formerly of the White Hart who moved on on 1st November. Nigel, Pat and their team re-opened the White Hart two years ago and served the village well in that capacity. They also supported all charities and were unstinting in their efforts to raise money for any good cause. We offer them our sincere thanks and bid them happy times ahead. Taking over the reins is Keith Sheppard, one time of Coney Grey in Gun Lane and lately of Church Road. Keith has maintained the services of Giles and Lucy. One of the features of the change-over is the arrival of an original London taxi which is, it seems, to be used in the movement, here and there, at times, of the White Hart clientele. We bid welcome to the new team and may all go well for them.
We reported two issues ago of Andrew Watts of Crofts End having passed out with honours from Agricultural College. News now reaches us of his arrival in Australia where he will spend a while travelling from place to place, earning his keep from farm to farm. We wish all the best to Andrew.
Forgive us our trespasses but we must pop over to North Crawley for a minute to say a belated Happy Birthday to our old friend and adversary, Tom Bradshaw. Tom, we understand, has now gone into his 90th year and, apart from a bit of leg weariness, is as bright as a button. Age shall not weary them or the years condemn. Keep right on to the end of the road, keep right on to the end.
Still have some Willen Hospice cards for sale. Have sold over £300 worth this year from the travelling case! For service, ring 610984.
Further honours on the shoulders of one of our residents: Mrs Pam Fielding has now been licensed as a Lay Reader within the Church of England. This took place at Oxford Cathedral on 30th October. Our best wishes to Pam and her family on her achieving that distinction.
With four weeks to go to Christmas, we live in hopes of our Chicheley Hill mound being landscaped and shaped by the New Year. Yet another case of flytipping is evident this week just near the seat and last week we had a corner section of a settee in a delicate shade of duck egg blue, to suit the roadside traveller. It could be that the year 2000 could change it all for the better, and wouldn't that be lovely.
Calling at a house in connection with SCAN distribution last month, the owner came to the door clutching a very large bottle of this year's sloe gin. It was unopened, of course, but it certainly looked good enough to drink. But wasn't it rather early? We've just been told that the sloes should have a good frost on them but maybe that is just another of Gordon Adderson's old wives tales.
Pam and Alan Sims at Virginia House Stores are still desparate for newspaper deliverers in Sherington. Surely there is someone, or some two or some three who could help? Please apply to the shop for terms and conditions.
Haven't heard officially but it's a fair guess that the carol singers will be about the village again and so they should. It's been nearly 60 years unbroken that we have enjoyed this pleasure and may that old English custom long survive hereabouts.
We see that the young footballers have got, at last, a second set of goal posts in the play area and the grass has been re-laid. Well done the volunteers who were responsible. It all looked so professional - one former Bolton Wanderer was to be seen casting his beady eye over it all, and with that sort of supervision, they can't go far wrong.
Well now, are you all ready for the New Year celebrations and all that they entail? It seems that Sherington will be up with the runners in that field. It is known that the Millennium Committee has been hard at work thinking it all out so please back them up by taking part in the activities that they are laying on. They have considered all ages and the programme is one of enjoyment for all. So turn up in your multitudes and have fun. We are told that the list of times and events is too lengthy to be included here and that an information sheet will be delivered to your home in due course.
Thank you, you good folk who run after us all year round. Yet another year is almost spent. Yes, we can hear you saying 'Where has the year gone?' we think it has gone in doing all the things that village life provides for us to do, some pleasurable and some not so quite so but, all in all the old place has done us not too badly. So without exploring the finer points, we say thanks to the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker for all your services and a Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year to you all.
