The refuse collections over the holiday period are as follows:
The collections return to normal on Tuesday 12 January.
The opening times over the holiday period are as follows:
| Day | Date | Open | Close |
| Wednesday | 23 December | 6.30am | 6.00pm |
| Thursday | 24 December | 6.30am | 5.00pm |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | Closed | All Day |
| Boxing Day | 26 December | 9.00am | 11.00am |
| Sunday | 27 December | 9.00am | 11.00am |
| Monday | 28 December | 7.30am | 1.00pm |
| Tuesday | 29 December | 7.00am | 5.00pm |
| Wednesday | 30 December | 7.00am | 5.00pm |
| Thurssday | 31 December | 7.00am | 5.00pm |
| New Years Day | 1 January | 9.00am | 11.00am |
| Saturday | 2 January | 7.00am | 5.00pm |
| Sunday | 3 January | 7.30am | 1.00pm |
| Monday | 4 January | 6.30am | 6.00pm |
There will be no newspaper deliveries on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Sunday 27 December and New Years Day. However, papers will be on sale every day in the shop except Christmas Day.
Fresh daily bread will not be available between Christmas Day and Monday 28 December inclusive and New Years Day.
The Government's School and College Performance Tables, published on 30 November, showed that 62% of Ousedale's 15-year-olds achieved at least five A*-C GCSE grades. This compares to a national average of 46.3% (51.5% of girls and 41.3% of boys) and the average of 34.60% for the 10 schools in Milton Keynes. Ousedale results are the best in Milton Keynes and are 4 times those of the bottom school.
At A-level Ousedale students gained an average score of 19.6 points, compared to the national average of 17.8 per candidate (5.3 points per subject). An A grade scores 10 points, a B grade scores 8 points, etc, down to 2 points for grade E. Ousedale is also amongst the top 25% of schools at which pupils made over-the-average progress between the national curriculum tests at 14 and GCSE at 16.
More details: http://www.dfee.gov.uk
Ousedale School is the Upper School in Newport Pagnell whose catchment area includes Sherington
Ousedale School plans to establish a Past Pupils' Association as part of its Millennium celebrations. As a first step the school is compiling a list of those interested and is circulating the news through local magazines and press. The form the Association will take will depend on the response. Those interested should contact Brian George or Carolyn Wilkins at the school (Tel: 210203, Fax: 216574, Email: learning@ousedale.dialnet.co.uk) or use the form in the December issue of SCAN magazine. The school are also looking for people who may be interested in helping in the organisation of the Association.
The recent Safari Supper raised the magnificent sum of £740 for St Laud's Church Fund. A sincere thank you to the hosts and hostesses for their hospitality and to everyone who participated in this event. Particular thanks go to Pat and Jim Fleming who provided the venue for the final get-together of the evening. Many happy faces were to be seen wending their way home at the end of an extremely pleasant and entertaining evening. Christine Bearman
Pearl Teasdale wishes to thank all those who supported the Traidcraft Day on 14 November. It was the best one ever with salesand orders amounting to over £800. Thanks also to friends who couldn't manage to get to the Open Day, but have purchased and/or ordered goods since and especially to those who support Traidcraft throughout the year. Your custom is always welcome.
Mr and Mrs Les Milnes of Hillview thank the people of Sherington for the support shown to them in so many different ways during the sad and trying times of the last few weeks. Coming to terms with the loss of Anne and Eileen's recuperation from her operation is helped tremendously by the caring and concern of so many friends in the village. Again, Thank you.
Helen Harrison sends her sincere thanks to all those friends and neighbours who have been so kind to her since her accident.
Irene Rickett and Family would like to express their sincere thanks for the sympathy and kindness shown to them by friends and neighbours following the sad loss of Ernie.
Captain Andrew Gaudion, the Commanding Officer of the Milton Keynes Corps of The Salvation Army, thanks Philip Smith and the people who contributed to the 'Give a Tin Day' for their donations of food and money, which will be used to make provision for those in need through the Salvation Army's extensive community programme in Conniburrow.
This year the Christmas service in the church will be enlivened by class 2 performing 'Santa's Snowmobile', a fairly contemporary look at Father Christmas' job description! The younger children in Class 1 will retell 'The Story of the First Christmas'.
The recent Book Week was very successful in raising children's awareness and interest in reading material, providing useful stocking fillers and raising funds (taken in the form of books for the school). Thank you to the helpers who staffed the book shop after school each day.
During the week beginning 30 November, the school will again have a 'Cookery Week' with parents and other helpers cooking with groups of children daily. At the end of the week the results will be sold after school - last year's offerings were very tasty.
Recent visitors have included author Simon Pitt who worked with children in Class 2 as part of an Ouse Valley School's literacy initiative.There will be a published anthology of work resulting from Simon's work with the children.
Also visiting Class 1 at Sherington School were 'We Are History', a group of retired people based at the 'Living Archive' in Milton Keynes. Five visitors came complete with photographs and other memorabilia to tell the children about childhood sixty years ago. Of course the memories of the visitors were more than equally fascinating and sparked a lot of children's questions to their parents.
BLUE
Blue is the colour of the school sweatshirt
Blue is a deep sea
Blue is the colour of my Dad's favourite football team
Blue is a felt tip pen
Blue is the colour of Mrs Taylor's trousers
Blue is Donald Duck's shirt
Blue is a book
Blue is the clock in Class 2
First, a big 'thank you' to all those who contributed to making the first Playgroup Christmas Fayre such a huge success in November. Many enjoyed the craft stalls - all items manufactured by local people, the tombola - courtesy of Sherington School PTFA, and the toy sale - a must with Christmas just around the corner. The committee would particularly like to thank those who contributed to the cake stall and a special thank you to Kay for all her help on the day and to Kerry for all her hard work before, during and in the week after!
Fund raising is playing a large part in playgroup this term and we are delighted with the success of our Smartithon in the first half of term. Congratulations to Shaun Dew who raised the most money (over £8 in his tube) bringing the total profit to Playgroup of £76.73.
The Playgroup would like to invite everyone to the Coffee Morning on Thursday 3 December from 10.45am. In addition to coffee there will be a cake stall, raffle and the opportunity to hear the children sing.
On behalf of the committe and staff, Jane Cartwright (Chairman of Sherington Playgroup Committee) wishes you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.
The next bulk skip will be available in Leys View from 8 to 10 December.
The car park is being extended, so that two rows of cars may be parked. We hope this will alleviate the problem of roadside parking in church Road when there are large functions at the village hall. Logs will be fixed in place when the extension has been completed.
Milton Keynes Council has promised a grant of £10,000 towards the cost of extending the village hall. It is hoped additional funding can be found, so that this project may go ahead as planned.
The Parish Council has received written confirmation from Milton Keynes Council that the contractor is 'lined up' to commence the work. However, a further delay has been caused because the official licence has not yet been received from the Environment Agency. We hope this will have been settled by the New Year and the work will start early in 1999.
As mentioned last month, further seats will be available in the village soon. Quotations are being sought at the moment and further news about the seats will be published later.
The Parish Council has received complaints about motorists speeding through the High Street. PC Glyn Hollinshead (Speed Enforcement Officer) has taken up this matter and has been on duty in the High Street on a few occasions lately. PC Hollinshead has caught several speeding motorists and he will continue to monitor the situation.
Thanks to all those who helped plant spring bulbs on the verges recently. We look forward to spring and seeing a 'host of golden daffodils' in Sherington.
The Parish Council has agreed to help fund this project (which is being undertaken by the Millenium Craft Group - not a closed shop, but open to everyone in the village).
A grant of £250 for embroidery/tapestry materials has been agreed. The MKC Parish Partnership Fund will be awarding £125 and the other £125 will be donated by the Parish Council. Anyone interested in helping with the map please contact Enid Pepper (Tel: 616380) or Pearl Teasdale (Tel: 610661).
Sherington Parish Council wishes all SCAN readers a Happy Christmas and a Properous New Year.
The following applications have been submitted to Milton Keynes Council:
4 Field Close - Tree Preservation Order to 30% crown reduce one ash tree and one willow tree. - Within a Conservation Area - 98/1442/MK - Any representations by 7 January.
29 Church Road - Single storey rear and front extensions. - Within a Conservation Area - 98/1350/MK - Any representations by 17 December.
4 Field Close - Two storey side extension and rear conservatory. - Within a Conservation Area - 98/1303/MK - Any representations by 3 December.
| Premier Division | ||||
| 21 Nov | Padbury United | 6 | Sherington | 2 |
| 28 Nov | Sherington | P | Leighton United | P |
| 5 Dec | Sherington | 1 | Roade | 4 |
| 19 Dec | Hanslope | 3 | Sherington | 1 |
| Intermediate Division | ||||
| 21 Nov | Sherington Reserves | 4 | Syresham | 0 |
| 28 Nov | DTS MK97 | P | Sherington Reserves | P |
| 12 Dec | Tesco | 3 | Sherington Reserves | 2 |
| 19 Dec | Sherington Reserves | 0 | Tingewick Sports | 4 |
| Berks and Bucks Intermediate Cup - Third Round | ||||
| 12 Dec | Sherington | 0 | Downley Albion | 2 |
| Intermediate Division Challenge Trophy - First Round | ||||
| 5 Dec | Southcott RA | 3 | Sherington Reserves | 0 |
| 1 Dec | 7.30pm | Sherington School | Parish Council Meeting |
| 3 Dec | - | Village Hall | Sherington Playgroup Coffee Morning and Cake Sale |
| 4 Dec | 7pm | Village Hall | Christmas Bazaar (see below) |
| 11 Dec | 4.30 - 6.45pm | Village Hall | Children's Christmas Disco (see below) |
| 16 Dec | 2.00pm | St Lauds Church | Sherington C of E First School Christmas Concert (refreshments) |
| 26 Dec | 9.30am | The Knoll | Thumbstick Walkers - Boxing Day walk |
| 30 Dec | - | - | Deadline for January (and first 10 days of February) SCAN |
Friday, 11 December - Village Hall.
4.30 - 6.45pm - Organised by the School PTFA
Rising 5's to 9's. Tickets (£1.50) from Alison Boulton (Tel: 01234 391279) or from Committee Members at the school gate.
Friday, 4 December - Village Hall
7pm - Father Christmas will be in his grotto.
Fancy goods, books, toys, homemade cakes and preserves, flowers and gifts, groceries, bric-a-brac.
Children's competition - Make a Christmas card - size not to exceed 15cm x 21cm.
| 1 December | Mrs P Fielding | 4 Griggs Orchard |
| 8 December | Mrs G Hetherington | Carters Barn, Church Road |
| 15 December | Mrs P Teasdale | 33 Crofts End |
The Group had a most enjoyable meeting on 19 November when Chris James of Emberton Flower Club helped to make table decorations the Group were proud of. Certainly, Christmas flower arrangements this year will be improved by one or two classy touches thanks to tips from Chris.
Thursday 3 December - Christmas Dinner for members in the Village Hall - 7.30 for 8pm.
Thursday 17 December - A relaxed Christmas get-together - entertainment, games, mulled wine and mince pies.
A new Thursday Club year starts on 7 January in the Village Hall at 8pm with book reviews. Have you discovered a new book, a new author? Perhaps you would like to share your enjoyment with others?! Come and tell the Group about it.
Saturday 5 December 2.00 - 4.30 pm St Laud's Church
For all children in the parish aged 4 to 10(ish) - Older ones are welcome to lend a hand.
Activities, craft work, singing, refreshments.
Parents particularly welcome for the Christingle service at 4.00pm
Collection at that service for the Children's Society.
| Baptism | Jessica Vale | 1 Nov |
| Wedding | - | - |
| Funeral | Vera Moore | 17 Nov |
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