Penn & Tylers Green

10 March 2010 - Felled beech trees change the landscape

The landscape along Common Wood Road has changed dramatically following the felling of several beech trees in Pugh's Wood, opposite Common Wood.

The wood is privately owned and run as commericial woodland. Some of the taller beech are thought to be up to 80 years old. Some trees are being left and it's thought replanting will take place.

Unfortunately, the heavy equipment removing the trees is churning up the ground to the extent that it wil put paid to the roadside Bluebell display that's enjoyed every Spring. But hopefully that will return in the future.

10 March 2010 - Country Fayre unlikely to go ahead this year

It looks as though the annual Country Fayre on August Bank Holiday will not go ahead this year because no group can be found to organise it.

In previous years the cricket club, the church and the scouts - or a combination of all three - have taken on the planning and arranged the considerable man(and woman)power needed to set up stalls and clear up afterwards.

Last year the scouts, the last principal organisers, appealed for other groups to help them, but with only limited success.

The fayre on the front common is popular - usually attracting over 1,000 people from the village - and has proved a good fundraiser for charity. But its timing at the end of August invariably means that many helpers and organisers are away or on holiday in the vital week or two before the event.

If the fayre doesn't go ahead this year, it's hoped a similar village event can be organised for 2011 or for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

27 February 2010 - Alert after caller steals pensioner's purse

People need to be alert after a conman talked his way into a pensioner's house in the village on Friday 26 February and stole her purse.

He is described as in his 40s/50s with a beard and moustache and dark brown hair with grey flecks. He claims to be an ex-soldier and often carries a hold-all containing items he wants to sell.

Yesterday (Friday) he stole a purse from a woman living in the centre of the village. The purse was later found minus its cash in Curzon Avenue.

If you can help catch him, please call the police.

26 February 2010 - Ashwells rejected as potential gypsy site

Councillors have decided that land at the top of Ashwells in Tylers Green will not be considered as a potential gypsy site for the time being.

The area was one of eight in the Wycombe district that was initially considered...and it drew hundreds of comments, mainly opposed.

Now Wycombe Council's cabinet has decided that three sites - in Bishopstone, Stokenchurch and Studley Green - are worthy of further consideration to meet short term requirements for sites for gypsies, travellers and showpeople. They will be subject to a more detailed consultation.

There's a possibility the Ashwells site may be shortlisted again when longer term requirements for gypsy sites are considered, but that is not likely to be for some years yet.

In any event, it's probable that by then the area will be been developed anyway - the council's future strategy contemplates future housing or a combination of allotments and housing.

24 February 2010 - Local schoolboy nets big fish sponsorship deal

Twelve year old Dan Blackwell, from Penn Road, has proved such a big hit on the internet with his tips on angling that he has won a big sponsorship deal.

Dan's website, www.fishing101.co.uk gets thousands of hits a month and his videos on YouTube get him thousands more.

Dan, who finished third in the national Youth Masters angling tournament, writes about tackle, baits and techniques and answers questions online from fishing enthusiasts young and old.

A spokesman for the angling company SPRO, which has just signed a deal with Dan, told the Bucks Free Press:"He is very well known in the fishing world and he seems to have built up quite a following. I have never met a 12 year old like him."

Dan told the paper:"A lot of my schoolfriends don't get fishing, but I love it. I just want to be the best I can and help other people out there."

23 February 2010 - School track opponents could thwart big scheme

Controversy over a planned running track for Sir William Ramsay School in Rose Avenue could scupper a multi-million pound development in High Wycombe.

Wycombe councillors are set to approve outline planning permission for a major coach station, park and ride, office development and hotel next to the Handy Cross sports centre.

But the whole package depends on the existing running track at Handy Cross moving to Sir William Ramsay School - a plan strongly contested by a section of local residents, including the Penn and Tylers Green Residents' Society, who fear increased traffic in the village and in Hazlemere. Local schools, sports clubs and youth groups are said to be in favour however because of the sporting opportunities the track would provide for local young people.

If the Sir William Ramsay scheme is rejected, Sport England - the Government's sporting advocate - has said it will ask the Government to "call in" the Handy Cross coach station scheme because it does not want the scheme to go-ahead if it means not having a running track in the town. Sport England is only backing the Handy Cross scheme on condition the Sir William Ramsay running track goes ahead.

The coach station plan represents a major development for High Wycombe. It will provide coach services every 20 minutes to and from Heathrow and Oxford and every 30 minutes to and from central London, Reading and Slough. Buses will ferry passengers every 15 minutes to and from Wycombe town centre.

The scheme also envisages a hotel with 150 bedrooms and a business park comprising five eight-storey office blocks. In total there'll be parking for over 1,600 cars on the site. Nine wind turnbines will be situated on top of the multi-storey park and ride.

Planners say the coach station will be a "landmark" building with an "eye-catching design with a curved roof" that will provide a recognised gateway development to High Wycombe.

13 February 2010 - Church Rd closure plan referred to county reps

The proposal to close Church Road, Tylers Green is now being considered by the three county councillors who represent Penn and Tylers Green.

Initially the idea seemed doomed after members of the Works, Services and Planning Committtee of Chepping Wycombe Parish Council didn't support it.

But after a joint meeting with Penn Parish Council it has been agreed to put the ball into ther court of the county councillors as Bucks County Council has responsibility for transport in the area.

It is now expected that they will consult with the local community and transport officials regarding the feasibility of closing Church Road to through traffic. Indications are there is support for such a move (see previous story and this site's discussion board).

If you wish to contact our county councillors over the issue, they are:
Cllr David Shakespeare (Tylers Green) on dshakespeare@buckscc.gov.uk
Cllr Peter Cartwright (Tylers Green) on pcartwright@buckscc.gov.uk
Cllr David Schofield (Penn) on dschofield@buckscc.gov.uk

11 February 2010 - First school "good and improving" say Ofsted

Tylers Green First School is a "good and improving school" says Ofsted (the Office for Standards in Education) following a two day visit by inspectors before Christmas.

Their report praises the 180 pupils for their "strong sense of community", the teachers and the leadership and says the parents are very supportive.

The report says that the school should work harder to ensure that all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities should have activities that match individual needs

11 February 2010 - School plans for extending teaching time

Manor Farm Junior School is consulting with parents on plans to extend teaching times during the next school year, starting in September.

The school wants to begin the working day ten minutes earlier at 8.50 and finish 20 minutes later at 3.20pm. They also want to slightly extend lunch breaks to enable them to serve hot meals.

The school says an extension of teaching time from 23.5 hours a week to 25.7 hours a week will give them "time to deliver a curriculum best matched to the needs of the children."

10 February 2010 - Be alert after fresh outbreak of petty thieving

People in the village need to be alert after a fresh outbreak of petty thieving. Police report that on Tuesday 2 February the garages of houses in Meadow Walk and Court Lawns were broken into and a lawn mower stolen from one. Earlier in the day a black Audi parked by the Common was entered by thieves who stole personal items and cash.

Last month a house in Old Kiln Road was raided when thieves forced rear patio doors.

If you can help police solve any of these crimes, or spot suspicious activity, call 0845 8505505