Coleshill Village News

Welcome to news pages of the Coleshill Website - keeping you up to date with all that is going on, in and around Coleshill. If you have any events or information that you would like included on these pages,
please click here to contact us.

Latest News:
Diary Dates

Flower Festival
We will be staging a Flower Festival ‘Through the Eye of the Artist’ on the weekend of 11th/12th July. There will be amazing interpretations of artists’ paintings and we hope that you will all come, bring your friends and families and have a great time. Adults £2 Children free.

Not only will there be flowers but also Music, a Plant Stall and Cream Teas. This will be followed by a Quiet Day in church on Monday 13th July 2009. The cost of this will be £10 but there are limited places.

Coleshill History Project Meetings
Tuesday 14 July 2009

Coleshill Parish Council Meeting
The next Meeting of the Parish Council will be on Thursday 9th July 2009
The last Meeting was held on Thursday 21st May 2009 at 20.00
click here for the minutes from the last meeting

Village Show
Please support us on the 12th September 2009. We are making a day of fun with a BBQ at lunchtime followed by the show in the afternoon, exhibitions from the Coleshill History Project, Glass Art, Quilt Making and of course we are not forgetting the superb afternoon teas that have become a stalwart of the show, followed by the great sale of produce at the end.
Click here to download an application form

FRIDAY 9th OCTOBER 2009
Harvest Supper at Coleshill Village Hall. Help needed - we are looking for some willing bodies. Whatever you can offer however small, however great will be appreciated. Maybe you are good at table decoration or advertising or could sell tickets? Maybe you are new to this, well never mind, so am I. Perhaps you have some previous experience, much welcomed. Please contact by e mail sach@gxn.co.uk

Book Launch and Local History Exhibition - Saturday 7th November 2009
Coleshill Village Hall
11.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m. on
The book will be launched by the Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire,
Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher
At 12.00 noon
Please come along to the Exhibition and have your copy of
the Book signed by the Author
Click here to download a book order form

Tennis Club Fundraiser
The competition takes place on: Friday 13th November @ 7.30pm in the Village Hall - Any age welcome. Act to be a maximum of 3 minutes long
Entries being accepted now, closing date 1st August 2009
Contact Susie Gajadharsingh on susiegaj@btinternet.com

Red Lion Quiz team wins the CUP!
Congratulations to Coleshill Red Lion A Quiz team for their recent victory in the Knock-Out Quiz. They won a decisive victory against The Land of Liberty after a successful season. Not pictured, but who also helped the team to victory in the cup is Keith Glasspoole.
The A team deserved to win having been knocked out of the finals on two previous occaisons.

The win is a first for the Red Lion. The team are pictured here with the two trophies they won in the 2007/8 season.

Red Lion Golf Challenge Boxing day 2008

Click here to see pictures from the latest Red Lion Gold Challenge

New Chairman - Coleshill Parish Council
As recently elected to the position of Chairman of Coleshill Parish Council, I thought it would be a good opportunity to introduce myself.

I moved from Harpenden to Coleshill almost 5 years ago, attracted by the location and beauty of the village, with my partner Heather joining me a year ago. Wanting to contribute to the village, I stood for and was elected to the Parish Council in May 2007 and have had joint responsibility for reviewing planning applications.

My personal interests include riding and maintaining Classic Motorcycles, Real Ale – the Red Lion was a key part of moving to the village! DIY and cooking – I’ve been fortunate to win the Edmund Waller and Red Lion Cups for Cookery at the Coleshill Horticultural Society shows in recent years. Although a Chartered Mechanical Engineer, I’ve spent the last 20 years as an IT Consultant. The traces of flat vowels indicate my roots, having been born just outside Manchester.

It is my belief that a Councillor’s role is to represent the community’s views in local issues and the overarching vision for Coleshill is to manage the inevitable change affecting all of us – population growth, social change, legislation etc. to try to ensure that Coleshill maintains it unique charm and beauty, which is what makes it a very desirable place to live in.

The Council meets 6 times a year and over recent years the council has seen a large number of changes in its membership. You would be afforded a warm welcome at any of the meetings which are held in the Village Hall, full details which are held on the Coleshill website (www.coleshill.org.uk).

Council Meetings include a democratic half hour, where you can raise any issues or concerns with the council. If you are planning any building works, feel free to come and talk to the council.

I look forward to seeing you at the council meetings, at village events or around the village.

The Coleshill History Group resumed their meetings in September with a presentation by Chris Wege on the ponds, wells and pumps to be found around the village. This was topical as a large well had recently been discovered in the middle of Marigold Curling’s lawn at The Rosary. There was a review of progress in writing the Parish History to be published in November 2009 and a discussion of how the book should be launched.

At the October meeting, Patsy Wright-Warren went through her draft chapter on the Parish Council. The surviving minutes begin in 1915, but her predecessors as Clerk were very economical in their minute taking. Whilst blocked footpaths received close attention, the building of the council houses, two world wars and the 1955 changing of the parish boundary are hardly mentioned. The Group also looked at the census returns which are to be put on the Coleshill History Project web-site.(www.coleshill-history.org.uk). The full text of the 1891 Census Enumerator’s Book was projected on to the screen. Members were intrigued by the place name ‘Troy Town’ which appeared to be a group of cottages somewhere between the Plough at Winchmore Hill and the Queen’s Head on Whielden Lane. This local place-name also appeared on the 1861 Census, where it was applied to about six households. One suggestion was that the name was a corruption of Tregoe, the surname of an 18th century tenant farmer whose house and farm buildings were situated on Whielden Lane, about 100 yards east of the junction with The Hill. There is now a large modern house on the site. A pair of half-timbered cottages dating from the 16th or 17th centuries remain. It appears that all the old cottages on the Coleshill side of the boundary here were called Troy Town in the late 19th century.

The November meeting focused on Bowers Farm. John Chenevix Trench had suggested that this imposing 17th century farmhouse might have been the manor house of the manor of Stockbury – the eastern side of Coleshill. Members looked at the documentation which had been collected on the farm, beginning with the 1662 Hearth Tax when the Allnutt family paid tax on four chimneys. There was an intriguing agreement of 1689 whereby Zachary Allnutt conveyed the farm to his son Francis, on condition that he was allowed to live out his retirement in comfort in certain rooms of the house, with a guaranteed proportion of farm produce. The 1700 Court Roll of the Manor of Stock Place – the west side of the parish - recorded that Zachary Allnutt had died and that Francis Allnutt had been admitted to his land. The property mentioned, however, was merely a small cottage at Coleshill Green with a couple of closes of arable land and Moorey Grove. Perhaps John Chenevix Trench was right and Bowers Farm itself was part of Stockbury manor. Members looked at Francis Alnutt’s will of 1736 and also at a 1739 mortgage of Bowers for £1,300. This listed all the land attached to the farm, including several strips in Claremore Field, one of the common arable fields of Coleshill. The mortgage on Bowers Farm was not paid back and the farm was bought by John Crook, a retired perfumer, who lived at Hall Place, near the Church in Beaconsfield, until his death in 1764. By 1828, Bowers Farm was the property of John Parton, the Beaconsfield solicitor, who owned it at the time of the Tithe Award in 1840. Members also looked at a series of eight views of Coleshill, taken last summer from the top of the Water Tower. These had been digitally linked together by photographer John Jefford to make a complete 360 degree panorama.

For information about Coleshill History Project please contact Peter Lawrence at Hampton House Chase Close. 01494 727207 or email at tispml@tiscali.co.uk

Meeting Dates until July 2009
All at 8.00 pm in the Coleshill Village Hall
Tuesday 19 May 2009, Tuesday 16 June 2009 and Tuesday 14 July 2009

The The Women's Institute

What is WI? – The Mystery Explained

The Women’s Institute is a meeting place for women, the biggest organisation for women in the world. It was formed before women’s suffrage when there was little education for country women. It has changed over the years to become a modern voice for women while upholding its core values and creating an atmosphere of friendship and fun for women.

Each Institute caters for its own members needs and interests and no two institutes are exactly the same. We choose what subjects we would like to learn about; which speakers we would like to inform or entertain us; whether and where we would like outings, rambles, theatre trips, concerts etc and how we run our own proceedings. It is NOT obligatory to make jam or pose for nude calendars!

Coleshill WI

We are a group of forty five members meeting in Coleshill Village Hall once a month when we have a speaker and a sumptuous tea. (Second Thursday of each month at 2pm (Nov – Feb) or 2.30pm (Mar – Oct) except August)

We also have frequent outings to the theatre and places of interest.

We are always delighted to welcome visitors for the modest sum of £1.50 if you would like to come and see what we are all about.

Occasionally we have a WI walk ending with a pub lunch and as well as the walking group we have Poetry, Patchwork and Book groups and an occasional craft group, who meet in each others houses.

Some members bake delicious goodies for the Amersham WI market on Fridays in the Free Church hall and help with coffee.

Annual Subscription: £25.00

In 2009 we will celebrate our sixtieth year and are planning several celebrations, including a big party, so it would be a great time to come along and see what we are up to. Over the sixty years, the records we have kept have created a marvellous archive of life in our village and we look forward to the continuation of this terrific village organisation.

NAG - Neighbourhood Action Group
The neighbourhood annual meetings will be taking place at the venues below.
These are meetings for local residents to attend and give their views or issues to the Neighbourhood Action Group. It is also an opportunity for residents to attend and meet with the NAG members and their local police officers.

Village Fete 2008



The Village Fete was a splendid event - the best ever - many thanks to Marion Davies and Kim Richardson and all of the many helpers. The fete raised over £3,000 which was donated to The Heberden Trust (Amersham Hospital Artritis Unit), Robs ARTTT (A Rare Teenage Tumour Trust), The Speen Horse Trust, Macmillan Nursing Care and Coleshill C of E Infant School.

Click here to see images of the 2008 Fete
Click here to see the full accounts from the Fete

Coleshill Mobile Library
Did you know that the mobile library visits Coleshill every other Friday? It stops beside the pond – very picturesque – and is there from 2.20 to 2.35pm. It’s only a short window of time but is WELL worth a visit.

It’s stocked with a wide range of books, including large print, and has a special children’s section with little seats – two year old Molly O’Boyle is a regular visitor. There are videos, DVDs, talking books – and the librarian can even sell you stamps!

Although most of us can get to the main library in Amersham, this one is so special. Unlike the main library you’re not overwhelmed with choice, but the selection of books changes from visit to visit. Somehow there’s always one you never thought you wanted yet there it is in front of you and is just the thing! Books etc taken out from the mobile library can be returned to the main library and vice versa and/or renewed online – all very convenient.

Currently it’s woefully under-used by villagers – so if we don’t use it we shall lose it! Come and have a look – you will not be disappointed.

Next visits are on Fridays 20th March 2009. 3rd & 17th April 2009, 1st, 15th & 29th May 2009, 12th & 26th June 2009. The dates will be on the village notice board to remind you.
Please support this new initiative for the village.
Click here to see the full timetable for the mobile library Coleshill is on Route 25.

Planning News - Latest info
Click here to see the latest planning news

Coleshill Common Working Party
New dates have been set for the work parties starting in Spring 2009.
Click here for details

Neighbourhood Policing
I am PC 1701 Gavin McVeigh, I am the neighbourhood officer for the parish council areas of Coleshill, Seer Green and Penn. One of my responsibilities is to engage with the local communities I police.
Thank you! Gavin McVeigh
Email Gavin.McVeigh@Thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
Fax. 01753884253 Tel. 07800703188 or 08458505505









Village Hall - availability
Monday and Tuesday mornings are available for hire this summer. It is not often that vacancies arise.

Village Newsletter - Easter 2009
Click here to download a copy of the latest Village Newsletter (Warning large file broad band users only)

Morris Men at the Red Lion

See the Red Lion page for more pictures

Parish Council elections
Following the election on Thursday 3rd May 2007 the following councillors have been elected to the Parish Council
Frank AUTON
Peter CLACKETT
David HALL
Colin LAMBERT
Kim RICHARDSON
David SMITH
Richard (Dick) WARE

Village Pond - Consultation
The Parish Council recently commissioned an independent expert study of the pond as a guide to planning what to do over the next five to ten years to maintain the health and life of the pond.
The report is attached and all are requested to read it and send any comments to the clerk of the Parish Council. the report will be debated at the May Parish Council meeting
Attached - Village Pond Consultation document

A memento of an Evening With Charles Pusey, Louie Edwards, Ruby May and Syd Ware - Coleshill Branch of NSPCC
The attached document was prepared following an evening of oral history with the above residents of Coleshill - some sadly no longer with us.

Does anyone know who wrote this up and when the evening was?

The evening was a series of questions and answers with people who had all lived in Coleshill for many years. This report illustrated with many historical pictures of the area makes fascinating reading for anyone interested in the local history of Coleshill.
Click here to view 'An Evening With' Caution this is a large file and best suited for broadband users

Coleshill Girl Guides
Thank you to Sylvia Dollemore for the following information on this photo loaned to us by Bill Dean:-

The photograph supplied by Bill Dean in the Easter Newsletter was taken in January 1940, and shows 'old' members of 1st Coleshill Girl Guides celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Company. The venue is the hut attached to the windmill, used as Guide H.Q. I am not sure, but the nearest girl on the right may be Carter (her daughter was Janet) and the nearest left one of three sisters whose surname escapes me, but one was Louie, who was Kate Barber's mother. The person standing on the left at the end of the table is Ruth Howard, the Captain. She lived at Windmill House with her parents and two brothers. She started the Company in 1930, her father having 'sold' her the windmill for sixpence. The Company was very active for some years, but in the late 1940' s the number of girls of Guide age in the village dwindled. Ruth was invited by Mrs. Nancy Strode, the District Commissioner, to take over 2nd Chesham Bois Guides, which she did in 1948/9, taking the few remaining Coleshill Guides with her each week. I was a member of 2nd CB at the time, sometimes camped at the windmill, and as I grew up Ruth became a good friend. She died in 1968 aged 64, and I took over 2nd CB. I have the original logbooks of Coleshill Guides, with many photographs, and would be happy to show these to anyone interested.

 


New Playground Equipment Installed
The new playground equipment - much discussed - is now installed and ready for use. Special mention must go to Councillor Jan Atkinson for championing the new play equipment.

Rushymead bomb scare pictures
Bill Dean, who grew up in Coleshill 80 years ago, has kindly loaned some photographs showing a worrying time in Coleshill during the last world war. (Bill went into the army in March 1941 and returned home in September 1945, so missed all this drama at home).

The staff of Price-Forbes, Lloyd's Underwriters, moved to Rushymead (the home of Mr Forbes) at the outbreak of war in 1939. Most of the large rooms downstairs were offices, the upstairs were bedrooms for the young female staff and two huts were put up in the chicken run for more offices. The buildings where the lawn mowers and other machines were kept became a cook house and kitchen, and the large lawn in front of the house was dug up to grow vegetables for the kitchens.

On the cricket field, an Army Searchlight Unit arrived. In October, 1940, a German plane was caught in the beam. It is thought to be on its way to Slough but, instead, dropped several incendiary bombs around Rushymead. Then, a month later, the same thing happened but this time a large bomb was dropped in the grounds of Rushymead. With good fortune it did not explode! You will see what a difficult task it was to get the bomb up and remove the explosives to make it safe, by some very brave men of the Bomb Disposal Unit.

The Bomb Disposal Unit worked for several weeks to reach the six foot bomb, weighing 1400kgms, at the bottom of the 36 foot deep shaft. On the crane was Spr. Hunt, and round the shaft, Sgt Kenna MBE, Dvr. Webber, Spr Wood and Spr. Whitehead.


Many thanks to Lindsey Haubner and Bill Dean for this insight to wartime Coleshill.