1985 Hallmark Editorial

Hallmark April 1985. Hallmark Editorial. Our thanks

As we pen these notes the calendar says it's spring, but the weather is still wintry. Which reminds us, we ought to say thank you to the County Council workers. who have kept the roads so clear during this very cold weather. It's an anti-social job, when we roll out of bed and into our cars at seven, eight or nine o'clock we expect the roads salted and cleared, and generally this year that has been the case. As some of these workers live locally, we can send our thanks knowing it will reach the persons concerned.

A new venture. The interest and enthusiasm mounts for the 'Village Day'. ‘That over 50 people attended a meeting called by the Village Hall Committee on a cold February evening is proof of that. Resulting from this meeting, an organising committee of both old and new villagers, with the accent slightly on the new, as it should be for such a new venture.

The date chosen is July 6th, because on that date St. John's Church were already well ahead with plans to celebrate their 160th anniversary, so it was thought this would be a good start, but now other organisations are well ahead with plans for their own 'thing.' Some are still sketchy, others secret, but from what we can hear on the 'grape-vine' a lot will be going on, with a bit of competitiveness between the organisations for the 'best do.!

Financially it will be a free for all, with each organisation taking whatever money they make, and the organising committee donating their profit between the Windmill Restoration Fund, the Home of Rest for Horses (Sefton, Dolly and Co.) and a Wycombe Hospital project. This will be a day not only for the village folk, but for us to show off our village to many people from far and wide. What other village of comparable size can boast a restored working windmill, a church of somewhat the same age ag the windmill, one of the finest views in the south of England, a very good school, a go-ahead sports club, a village hall the envy of many neighbouring villages, with all the clubs, societies and organisations that radiate from it, plus being twinned with a Normandy village.

We have a lot to shout about, and on July 6th we are going to do just that.

Another one! It is indeed exciting news that the Tennis Club are planning a third court; it doesn't seem long ago that a second court seemed a pipe dream. This must make the tennis section the premier section of the Sports Club, a position always held by the cricketers. Sort of knocking them for six! Good rivalry, but fortunately all one club.

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Hallmark October 1985. Hallmark Editorial. Very disappointing

After the exhilaration in our last issue re Village Day, it's very disappointing to. Have to report that a village meeting of the faithful few have decided to run the Village Day bi-annually, alternating with Lacey Green Productions bi-annual production (this year Toad of Toad Hall).

It seems to us a pity that when a right formula appears to have been found, it cannot become an annual event, that goes not only for Village Day, but productions like Joseph and his Amazing. Technicolour Dreamcoat and The Wizard of Oz that have given so much pleasure, granted, to a few people they are time consuming, exhausting and sometimes even heart breaking, but afterwards in more sane moments one feels a satisfaction, so, disappointingly, we must respect the reasons, and accept the decision made,

The price we ought to pay That our disco club has hit the headlines again, and had to be stopped, as usual through no fault of the village teenagers, is deplorable.

During the miners strike, great play was made on the right to work, and a massive police presence was mounted to achieve that end, by the same token is there not a right to play? And if that needs a costly police operation, so be it.

If we breed a nation of hooligans and trouble-makers and after all we can only blame ourselves "collectively" then we must be prepared to pay the price, to police what we have brought upon ourselves.

Douglas Hurd the new Home Secretary says no more money is to be forthcoming for extra men on the beat, and that is particularly disturbing for us with a very undermanned Thames Valley force. Hither we pay, so that we can go about our lawful business and pleasure without fear or disruption, or we bow to the rule of mob law.

The price we have paid

That Mrs, Hart has had to resign as District Councillor through ill health, highlights the price we ask of people in public life, such as Members of Parliament, Councillors and even officers of local organisations. How often do we praise such people, more often we criticise? Mrs, Hart has given of her time, her energy and the ultimate — that the party or the electorate have no right to demand, her health. WE wish her a speedy recovery.

The election for her successor will be held on October 31st, as usual we offer no advice on how to vote, all we say is please, please use your vote. To the successful candidate we say take it easy to start with, we want to be well represented in the Council Chamber, but we aren't worth killing oneself for.