Swanbourne Community Association

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Sunday 6 December 2020

A well attended United Christingle Service was held
at St. Swithun's Church


Be on the look out for a Christmas


visit from the Pebble Fairy!


If you find one, please send us 


your  photo via the contact page


Swanbourne Remembrance ceremony November 8 2020

This years ceremony had to adhere to the current covid-19 lockdown protocols.
Betsey Duncan-Smith read the roll of honour.
Government advice meant we were unable to formally close the road to traffic and we hoped that at least at 11am all traffic would respect the two minutes  silence. Unfortunately it was not to be, not a single vehicle came to a halt, the drivers obviously in too much of a hurry to pay their respects to those who secured their freedom.

Swanbourne Villagers celebrate 75th Anniversary of VE Day within
the COVID 19 restrictions. The Red Arrows were seen, and heard, as they flew over the nearby WWII Airfield at Little Horwood

Swanbourne Village First Responders drive through and Tribute to NHS fund raiser Capt Tom Moore's  100th birthday 30 April 2020 

                                      "HEROES"

                                            You'll Never Walk Alone -
                           Swanbourne support NHS and frontline workers

          Swanbourne Clap for Carers drive through 23 April 2020

SWANBOURNE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION  CHRISTMAS
LOTTERY   DRAW:-
1st  prize £200
2nd prize £100
3rd prize    £50
Watch it here - ARE YOU A WINNER?





Springtime
in
Millennium
Wood

Swanbourne Remembrance 10-11-2019

          

          Second Swanbourne Open Tennis day a success

 

Professional Tennis coach Paul Robertson conducted an Open Day at the Recreation Ground for all, young and old, total novices and experienced  players.

He provided all the equipment  from “Mini Tennis” equipment for the first time youngsters, a ball serving machine and a service speed gun

for the more serious players.

The event was well supported and thanks to Paul’s coaching skills, all who attended finished the day more knowledgeable and with advice to take away and improve their game. Youngsters Max age 5, and sister Charlotte,age 8 (see photo above) grandchildren of  Clive and Linda Rodgers enjoyed their first game of Mini-tennis and received  one on one coaching from Paul.

There was also a nice surprise for Paul. Some eight years ago,Paul was

voluntarily coaching some local youngsters. He encouraged a three year old youngster to pick up a racket for the first time as he seemed interested in what was going on with the older kids. His name was Thomas Hall and he showed natural talent.When aged 5, Thomas moved to Abu Dhabi with his parents Ivor and Natalie when their careers

took them there. So who should turn up at the Swanbourne Tennis Open day, but a now strapping 11 year old Thomas, back living in the area, and boy did he

have a tale to tell! He had kept up his training while he was out in the Middle East, and still only 5 years old had the good fortune to practice alongside Tim Henman and Pat

Cash at an exhibition match and workshop. Henman was moved to tell his parents that Thomas was an exciting prospect and to keep working at his game

So the family had come back to where it all started for Thomas, the old Swanbourne

recreation ground tennis court, now fully re-furbished.Thomas having been coached

around the world is now back in the Milton Keynes area and picking up awards, thanks to his dedication and supportive parents, and the keen-eyed coach Paul Robertson.

 




Thomas Hall  with his parents  Natalie and Ivor


Despite the disappointingly cold weather about thirty local residents turned out to support the  “official opening”  of the recently re-furbished Tennis facility at Swanbourne Recreation Ground.

Young and old, first timers and keen club players were put through their paces and given advice on improving their skills by British Tennis Coaches Association coach Paul Robertson who coaches at Stowe School.

Paul provided all the equipment including mini-nets, rackets, balls, a ball machine and speed gun.

The event was well received by all who attended, and we hope to arrange regular weekly/monthly  “club” sessions  on a preferred day during the summer, so please let us have your input.

You can of course turn up and play at any time if you have  your own  kit.

 



   Swanbourne is expanding

Breakfast Field (formerly known as Spuddlespits) development (left) comprising twelve new properties             is now occupied and the                         Deverell's Farm project adjacent to       St Swithun's is nearing completion.


Former Swanbourne resident and Lay Minister at St Swithun's and other chruches in our Benefice,                     Helen Walker was licensed at her new local Church St James, Stonesfield on Sunday 6 April. Stoenesfiled is also part of the Oxford Diocese
The Swanbourne congregation wish her well in her new post.

            Spring is Sprung?




Peacock butterfly (left)

and Brimstone (below)

in Swanbourne garden

today -   26 February!

                    SCA FAMILY QUIZ EVENING + SUPPER
                      Saturday, 2nd March VILLAGE HALL

Suitable for adults and + older children teams (3-6 persons per team).

-         Arrive at 6.15pm for fish/chip supper at 6.30pm

-         Quiz begins at approx. 7.00pm

-         Quizmasters: Frankie Fisher and Anne Parker

-         £8 per person (£3 without fish/chip supper)

               * SUPPER MUST BE PRE-ORDERED *

                             BYO Drinks

 

           Please telephone Clive and Linda on  01296  720062
                       or Roger & Anne  on 01296 534647  to book

          Please join us for SCA LUNCH in the Village Hall
               on MONDAY 4th MARCH  at 1.00 pm

                        BYO Drinks

       and next Tea in the Afternoon  is Monday 1st April at 2.30pm

                       Seasons Greetings to all our readers

      SCA lottery second draw of 2018 - Result

The second and final drawing of 2018 lottery was made at our Christmas Lunch 

      by Reverend Simon Faulks  on 3rd December in the Village Hall

                  Congratulations to our winners:-

             1st  prize £200 ticket number 192  Philip and Sylvia Dalton

             2nd prize £100 ticket number 154 David and Dee Blunt

             3rd prize  £  50 ticket number     4 Philip Alderman

             4th prize  £  25  ticket number  73 Helen Cleaveley

   Swanbourne Community Arts Group Biennial 
        Exhibition 10/11November 2018                              

Exhibitors:- Martyn Burdon,Katy Blunt,Chris Damant,Tom Fisher,Michele Greene,                Ruth Marsden, Pippa North, Roger & Anne Parker,Andy Pearson,                                               David Thrower, Paul Stokle and Sheila Ward

   Grand Opening of Swanbourne Playing Fields & Sports Day 15 September 2018


New Play and fitness equipment now open. Thanks to the endeavours of Eleanor Markland, David Thrower  and
Vanda Bennett and the SCA Playing Fields Committee, exciting new facilities were officially opened by the Honourable
Mrs Betsey Duncan-Smith

Winner of the BOYS trophy
HARRY THROWER (right)

The Lesley Campbell Trophy (c)
TOBY ODELL

and MIA ALDERMAN
the GIRLS Trophy 


Vanda Bennett, Chair of the Swanbourne Playing fields Committee receives an award  from The Honourable Mrs Betsey Duncan-Smith. The new equipment  including a Viking Swing, double zip wire, slide and climbing frame was funded by a £49,984 grant from  the "not for profit" WREN's FCC Community Action Fund. In the near future the Tennis/Basketball  court will
                                                                                    be  totally refurbished.

           2 JULY 2018  - SCA LOTTERY RESULTS,,
                        AND THE WINNERS ARE,,,,,,

                       1st Prize £200   NUMBER  35
                      2nd Prize £100   NUMBER  36
                      3rd Prize    £50   NUMBER 203
                      4th Prize    £25   NUMBER 179
               Congratulations to the winners, if you didn't win this time,
   your same numbers will be entered into the Christmas draw in early December.
 THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING SWANBOURNE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

                  A service of Celebration for the life of
                    John Fremantle 5th Lord Cottesloe

   Tuesday 12th June 2018
A service led by Canon John Saunders with readings by Rosie Duncan Smith,Fanny Stanley,Edward Duncan Smith, Canon Cavell-Northam and an emotional, humorous and uplifting address by Tom Fremantle was attended by parishioners,family and friends and had St Swithun's bursting at the seams to pay their last respects to the man who touched and enriched so many hearts and lives               JOHN FREMANTLE 5th Lord Cottesloe. RIP.

John Fremantle, 5th Baron Cottesloe


JOHN FREMANTLE - It is with deep regret we report the passing of John Fremantle at his Swanbourne home today, 21st May 2018, aged 91 years, following a short illness.
John Fremantle was born on 22 January 1927 and was educated at Summer Fields School and Eton College.
He married Elizabeth Ann Barker, who passed away in 2013.
He leaves two daughters, Betsy and Fanny, and a son Tom.
John followed the family tradition set by his ancestor Admiral Thomas Fremantle and joined the Royal Navy in 1945. He commanded H.M.S. Palliser between 1959 and 1961, retiring from the Navy in 1966 with the rank of Commander.
He was High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire in 1969 and Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire from 1984 to 1997.
Commander John Tapling Fremantle, 5th Lord Cottesloe, JP, RN (Retired) will be fondly remembered by all his friends and family in Swanbourne and beyond.

 FUNERAL
The funeral service will be held at St Swithun's Church Swanbourne  on Tuesday 12 June at 2 pm.                           

JOHN FREMANTLE 1927-2018 tributes:-

"A wonderful life - lived to the full. He will be missed by so many"
(Julia Odell, former neighbour in Swanbourne)

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"Lord Cottesloe:- A Gentleman and Man of the People. When my husband and I moved to Swanbourne 42 years ago I remember passing an older gentleman in Tattams Lane We said good morning to each other and he asked if I was new to the village and I explained we were building a house at the end of Nearton End. Whenever I saw him subsequently he always asked with interest about our progress .This was John Tapling Fremantle.
He always encouraged co-operation in the village, whether between church and chapel or in other secular activities. He was willing to support whatever charitable cause was prevalent at the time. He and Ann were a devoted couple and certainly a couple who knew how to enjoy themselves. They would attend parties they were invited to, if they could, and could be seen chatting to all. and sundry. After Anne died, John continued with this. Such a lovely gentleman, God Bless you John may you rest in peace and many thanks for the 100's of memories you have given our family and Swanbourne".
(Anne Parker, neighbour and friend)

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if you wish to add your reminiscences please forward using the link on this website


.

SCA Lottery 2018


The Swanbourne Lottery began in the 1990s as the 200 Club, as a way of raising funds for village amenities. However, changes in both the law and in the way that the SCA is organised have meant that, in recent years, we have changed it into a lottery registered with Aylesbury Vale District Council.

The SCA now intends to hold 2 draws a year, one in July and one in December, winners to be drawn at SCA activities. There will be 200 numbers available, drawn by lot rather than people choosing their own numbers. Each number costs £10 for two draws.

Entrants must be aged 18 or over, and can have 2 entries into the draw if they wish. If anyone under 18 wishes to participate, then the entry must be made on their behalf by an adult.

Prizes in each draw will be:

1st Prize                         £200

2nd Prize                              £100

3rd Prize                              £  50

4th Prize                              £  25

Depending on the number of tickets sold, there could be more than one £25 prize in each draw.

At least 50% of the money paid for tickets will be given out in prize money.                           Any surplus raised will be used to support village activities and events.                                      How to Enter the Swanbourne Lottery

Members of the SCA will  visit each household in Swanbourne during May and June 2018. However, you can help us in carrying this out if you fill in the form below and return it to one of the following addresses to show your interest:

  • Frankie & Ken ‘Kelston’ Mursley Road 
  • Roger & Anne The Barn, Nearton End
  • Clive & Linda   2 Charlton Close


We would like to buy entries into the Swanbourne Lottery.

 

Address: ……………………………………………………………..

 

Telephone number(s).………………………………………………

 

Name:………………………………………………………………..

Number of tickets:……………

 

Name:………………………………………………………………..

Number of tickets:……………

 

Name:………………………………………………………………..

Number of tickets:……………

 

Name:………………………………………………………………..

Number of tickets:……………



Swanbourne Community Association AGM Friday 4th May 2018

Will be held at 7.30pm in Swanbourne Methodist Chapel.
Anyone interested is very welcome to attend.

Swanbourne History Group Talk 16 March 2018

A fascinating evening was enjoyed in the Village Hall as Clive Rodgers and Ken Harris told about the emigration from Swanbourne in 19th Century to Canada, America and Australia and the underlying factors. With the help of Linda Rodgers dedicated research, the group have also traced the descendants of James Adams Lord of the Manor who died in 1775 right up to the current date, with a little help by some recent on location detective work in Fremantle Western Australia by Roger and Anne Parker.

For those of you who couldn't make it to the meeting you can catch up here and listen  to "bite size"  ten minute  chunks by clicking on each of the links below (apologies for the poor quality images, it was not possible to balance the contrast between the brightness of the projector screen and the speakers - but what they had to say was the important part)

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Swanbourne History Group, emigration 160318 PART A

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Swanbourne History Group Emigration 160318 part A

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Swanbourne History Group, emigration 160318 PART C

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Swanbourne History Group 160318 Part D

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Uploaded by roger parker on 2018-03-19.

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Uploaded by roger parker on 2018-03-19.

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Uploaded by roger parker on 2018-03-19.

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Swanbourne History Group 160318 Part H Neil Harris, The Alderman Family

                                      "Swanbournites" meet at Swanbourne Beach Lifesavers Hut
                                                                on 6 February 2018

                        On the  Aboriginal Whadjuk Trail the walkers pose at the signpost above                                                          Swanbourne beach indicating where Dutch sailor Willem de Vlamingh  landed 

                                    Local conservationists at Tom Fremantle's tree, planted in 1990
                                                    on the Swanbourne WA heritage site

                                             The Swanbourne "Twinning Plan" is launched at a
                                                      reception following the walk along the heritage trail

            St Swithun's Annual Christmas window dressing

                                                                                                                                                                                 by Catherine Aziz  >

 <  by Anne Parker

SCA Christmas lunch in the Village Hall

Despite the atrocious weather the SCA Christmas lunch went ahead in the Village Hall on Monday 11 December and a hearty roast turkey lunch was enjoyed by all, though Jo's canine partner Unis made do with his "chobbly bone"

             Sunday 10 December and snow hits  Swanbourne

On Sunday 3rd December 2017 Swanbourne Methodist Chapel celebrated “Christingle"  

About forty Christingles  were traditionally made by the Chapel

Sunday School children using an orange decorated with red tape, sweets and a candle.After the service, a stable and figures depicting the birth of Jesus, was blessed by the Reverend Donna-Marie

                                                                                    Broadbent-Kelly.

Christingle takes place on First Sunday of Advent and is the start of the Christmas season, and the beginning of the Church year. The idea of Christingles came from a Moravian Church in Germany in 1747. The custom has spread to all kinds of churches and is one of the most common and popular Christmas services in the UK, especially among children.

The Crib in a stable was created by local sculptress Michele Greene,

assisted by Reverend Frankie Fisher and Anne Parker, All the figures were handmade from formed wire, then clothed, dipped in cement, fired, and  

hand painted. It sits outside the Chapel and will remain illuminated every evening until the  end of the festive season.

SWANBOURNE FIREWORKS AT THE BETSEY  WYNNE 4 NOVEMBER 2017

ALL HALLOWS EVE                        TUESDAY 31 OCTOBER


If you want to go round the village with the Playout people, meet at 6pm at the top of the New Walk.

 

If you would welcome Halloween visitors please display a pumpkin or lights as we don't want to disturb anyone who does't wish to participate

 

Thank you to all of you who attended the SCA Quiz Night.

Good quizzing enjoyed by all, and the Fish & Chips!
Worthy winners of a £10 shopping voucher for the Swanbourne Stores
 in a close finish were the "Brown Manns" team
of Greg & Trudy Timms and Mo & David Gray

 

     Swanbourne  Endeavour 2017  22 October

Endeavour Swanbourne is a grueling off-road endurance event that allows you to plunge into the wilds of Buckinghamshire – streams, woods, fields, haystacks, fire –  a cross-country endurance race that  pushes you to the limit and beyond. Here are some of the gutsy tailenders enjoying their "day in the country"

SCA LOTTERY WINNERS
1st  prize ticket  # 24 £250 Tony & Jenny Hilton
2nd prize ticket  # 79 £100 Anne Parker
3rd  prize ticket #124 £  50 Jean Tuer
4th  prize ticket #102 £  25  Ruth Marsden
Thanks to all of you who took part and distributed tickets
All proceeds support SCA projects in the community

AVB  technicians hard at work in Nearton End Swanbourne making the final connections and blowing in the ultrafast
fibre cable

           Swanbourne Community Association
       Reminiscence afternoon 13 February 2017

Another successful afternoon in the series as former and current Swanbourne residents reminisce and quiz each other about life in the village  in the early post World War II  years over cups of tea."When did the first TV arrive?" "What TV and  Radio Programmes do you remember? " How about Muffin the Mule, Journey into Space, Dick Barton Special Agent, or   Workers Playtime?
"What did you eat?"  Grape nuts, Chitterlings, Brains on Toast!
Listen here  to the sometimes poignant, sometimes hilarious always interesting recollections of Lord Cottesloe  and friends prompted by Frankie Fisher & Ken Harris

           Lord Cottesloe

"The Commander"  John Fremantle,
seen here with daughter Betsy  and son-in-law Iain Duncan Smith, celebrated his 90th birthday with friends and local residents  in The Betsey Wynne on  5th February 2017

The Giocoso Band launch the run up to Christmas at St Swithun's

Ken Harris leads the
Christmas Nativity performed
by the
Swanbourne Methodist Chapel
Sunday School

                      Bonfire night at The Betsey Wynne 2016

                     Halloweeners in Swanbourne

Young Swanbourne Trick or Treaters observe  Halloween tradition              ("All Hallows Evening") in  colourful scary outfits. Welcoming them to call on willing local residents to receive sweet treats  were many carved and illuminated pumpkins, including "Donald Trumpkin"           in Nearton End.

                                    " DONALD TRUMPKIN"

     Swanbourne War Memorial and Memorial Garden news

Swanbourne War Memorial and Memorial Garden now has a plaque (see left) depicting details of all local residents who fell, were injured or served in World War I and World War II

for further information visit:-
http:/www.swanbournehistory.co.uk
8 AUGUST 2016  NEWS FROM AYLESBURY VALE BROADBAND!

    Ultra-fast fibre broadband has arrived in Swanbourne!

We have some great news for you, which we are confident you have all been looking forward to hearing. At long last and after considerable effort by some amazing people (Swanbourne Estate workers, Tom Finchett and Matt Little) we are very pleased to announce that Aylesbury Vale Broadband's fibre network has now reached Swanbourne.
The public works to lay the ducting for our fibre is scheduled to start Tuesday the 16th August (pending final approval by Buckinghamshire County Council) and we expect it to take approximately two months - but once our civils team has finished their work on your street then we will be able to connect you a week or two later.
If you haven't paid your deposit you can still do so here - Https://www.avbroadband.co.uk/swanbourne - and of course if you have any questions please contact your village champion (his details are on the website page listed above) or you can contact us direct - [email protected]

It won't be long before the residents of Swanbourne will be able to enjoy broadband speeds that only 5% of the UK population can currently access.

Ultra-fast broadband is on its way!


Stuart Greenwood reports   that the first of the fibre ducting was mole ploughed in place today on Avey lane, roughly 2.2km done!


Well done Stuart - Bring it on!



photos Stuart Greenwood

 

Summer flowers Photo Roger Parker

Queens 90th Birthday celebration Party

Master of Ceremonies and Auctioneeer Adrian Hoy  handed over a luxury food hamper (kindly donated by Morrisons Stores Westcroft Milton Keynes) to the winning bidder Jo Hill. Her Canine Partner dog “Derby” seems more interested in the pistachio nuts, than posing for the cameraman!

Disabled herself, Jo made the winning bid and she is actively involved in promoting the Canine Partners charity. The proceeds from the auction were donated to “Riding for the Disabled” and “The Horse Trust”

All the action from Hensmans Farm

The event was organized by local residents Victoria Hoy, Hugo and Wilma Gilbert, Leanne Gibb, and Juliet Robinson and received generous sponsorship from The Wilkinson Partnership, and Taylor French Developments.

The Giocoso Band

Children of the Revolution perform

The Youngsters work up an appetite for Fish & chips                  in the Bouncy Castle

Magician Dave entertains the youngsters

Lord Cottesloe joined in the Festivities

 

"Royal" welcome for partygoers 

May 2016 SWANBOURNE  BROADBAND IS GO!

The Aylesbury Vale Broadband (AVB) has been given the green light to expand its network.
So ultra-fast broadband is definitely on it’s way to Swanbourne, and soon.

This follows the recent meeting in Swanbourne Village Hall, chaired by Tom Finchett, when Andrew Mills of AVB gave a presentation following the successful launch in North Marston, and the current expansion into Granborough.

The AVB  scheme is 95% owned by AVDC, and 5% owned by local IT and broadband expert Andrew.

Stuart Greenwood will act as Swanbourne Broadband “Tsar” you can contact Stuart by phone:-        07855397076, or email [email protected]

To contact Andrew Mills it’s:- [email protected]

Proposed costs are that there will be a £150 ‘one off’ charge to get the cable to your property.

Each subscribing household will then be provided with a kit to carry the fibre from your land into your premises and a router. By eliminating the old fashioned BT copper wire, we will be able to enjoy the fastest speeds in the country direct to your home or business.

The monthly rental is expected to be:-

£30 per month for 30 Mb/s both uploads and downloads

£38 per month for 100 Mb/s both uploads and downloads

£135 per month for 300 Mb/s both uploads and downloads

AVB has partnered with phone company Vonage, so for an additional  £8 per month you can keep your existing phone number and get unlimited UK landline calls.

You can follow progress at the AVB Website:-

http://www.avbroadband.co.uk/

SPRING IS SPRUNG




Will Ford  (right)  cuddles a new
arrival of the lambing season at Nearton End Farm, Swanbourne, and (below) other lambs make an appearance.

SCA Lottery 2015 second draw winners

A big thank you to everyone from the SCA committee to everyone who purchased tickets for the 2015 Lottery, and also those who came along for the prize drawing at the “Christmas Singalong” in the Betsey Wynne on Sunday 20 December.

Steve Hunt entertained those present for two hours before Tom Finchett drew the following lucky balls out of the bag:-
First prize:-  £100  ticket 23 Donna Rooney

Second prize:-  £50  ticket 28 Caroline Walker (again - twice a winner this year!) 

Third Prizes:-   £25  ticket 7 Steve French  and £25  ticket 4 - err-erm,,, Roger Parker.

Swanbourne Memorial Garden  - Lady Cottesloe bench dedication

On Sunday 15th November the Reverend Jackie Brown conducted a ceremony dedicating a Bench in the new Swanbourne Memorial Garden as a lasting tribute  to  Lady Ann Cottesloe who passed away two years ago.

The guest of Honour was Lord Cottesloe who,  assisted by his daughters Betsy and Fanny and grand-daughter Alyssia (pictured left) unveiled the circular teak bench. The Rt. Hon. Iain Duncan Smith (Secretary of State for Work and Pensions) and thirty local residents also attended the moving ceremony.


http://www.accuweather.com/en/gb/swanbourne/mk17-0/current-weather/708860