Friday 4 December
The Tier 2 rules are leaving local pubs with some tricky decisions in this important run-up to Christmas. They have to decide whether they can make a living by serving drinks to a restricted number of customers who must also order a substantial meal.
The pub industry reckons around two thirds of pubs in Tier 2 areas will not open or be unviable if they do. But in our area they are all giving it a go.
At the Red Lion in Penn they are trialling opening their kitchen for limited periods and not opening on Mondays and Tuesdays. Food is being served from 5.30 to 8.30pm on Wednesdays, noon to 8.30pm on Thursday and Fridays; 10.30am to 8.30pm. on Saturdays and noon to 4pm on Sundays.
The Old Queen’s Head in Penn is also closed Mondays and Tuesdays. On Wednesdays and Thursdays it is open between noon and 2.30 and between 5pm and 8.30pm. On Fridays and Saturdays it is open from noon to 8.30pm and on Sundays from noon to 7.30pm.
The Horse and Jockey in Tylers Green is open every day from 4pm and the Three Horseshoes at Hazlemere is open from 4pm Monday to Friday and from noon on Saturdays and Sundays.
Meanwhile the Hit or Miss and the Squirrel in Penn Street, the Crown in Penn, the Potters Arms in Winchmore Hill; the Mayflower and the Crown in Hazlemere, and the Royal Standard of England in Forty Green are open every day of the week to serve meals but you need – or are strongly advised – to book in advance.
All of the pubs are asking their customers be fully aware of the Tier 2 restrictions before they visit and to abide by them.
Scouts show the spirit of Christmas
There’s some real Christmas spirit being shown by the Penn and Tylers Green scouts and their friends and supporters this year.
Normally, of course, the scouts organise their annual Christmas postal service for Penn, Tylers Green and the Manor Farm estate and earn a bit of money for the group and their selected charity by charging a nominal fee for special stamps.
But this Christmas isn’t normal and buying stamps and handling the cash would increase the risk of the virus spreading. So, much to their credit, the scouts this year are running the service entirely free of charge and simply asking for a donation to their selected charity Shelter, which has greater needs than ever this Christmas helping homeless people.
The Scout Post boxes will be in five local shops from tomorrow: Dip’s Kings Ride Supermarket; John’s Barber Shop in Rose Avenue; Joe Gleeson’s Butchers in Hazlemere Road; JJ’s Delicatessen in School Road and Nav’s Village Shop on the Green, next to JJ’s.
There will be collections next Saturday, the 12th, and the following Saturday the 19th and of course the cards will be delivered before Christmas. They have set up a Just Giving page for any donations at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/penn-tylers-green-scout-group
Watch our village Christmas Tree light up…live on YouTube
You will be able to watch the lights on the village Christmas tree on the front common be switched on from your own home on Sunday evening (6th) as it is going to be streamed live on YouTube.
The switch is going to be pulled by Anne Hornabook, of Elm Road, Penn, who, as many of you know, has been a long time active supporter of numerous village events over many years.
A former teacher at Tylers Green First School, Anne has been a member of the team organising the putting up of the Christmas tree and its accompanying Carols on the Common for many years. She has also been one of the organisers of the annual Fun Run for over 25 years, always willing the roll up her sleeves and get stuck into any job that’s required. She’s had a tough time recently, so hopefully this will be a bright spot to end the year.
Sadly, there is no Carols on the Common this year and people are not being encouraged to come and see the switch-on for themselves because of the Covid restrictions. Many thanks to the Cooper family of New Road for arranging and overseeing all the techy stuff.
UPDATE (6 December): You can watch the recording of the switch-on ceremony here https://youtu.be/beRe_Fko7V4
Neil’s multi-marathon
Neil Bellamy, of The Lawns, Tylers Green, succeeded in his quest to run 100 miles during November to raise money for the Stroke Association. His Just Giving page is still open on https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/neil-bellamy2 if you wish to donate. The good news is that Neil’s dad Eddie, a stalwart at the Penn and Tylers Green Sports and Social Club, is making steady progress as he recovers from a stroke suffered on holiday in Turkey this summer. We’re all rooting for you Eddie.
Our local NHS – 61 official complaints and 2,573 official compliments
To put it mildly, it has been a hell of the year for people in the NHS, and in his report to the Buckinghamshire NHS Trust last week, chief executive Neil MacDonald paid tribute to his staff’s dedication and professionalism.
He acknowledged the service has obviously been under strain but they had managed to stick to priorities. For instance, in September 98 per cent of new cancer patients had their first appointment within two weeks of referral. In A&E 83 per cent of patients were seen within four hours…below their target but considering the scrupulous Covid precautions in place, a very good effort.
And it seems the public are certainly onside. In October the Trust received 61 formal complaints…and 2,573 accolades.
News in brief
Cases drop – The number of new coronavirus cases in our immediate area continues to fall. In the seven days to last weekend the figure was so small in Tylers Green (less than three) that it was not officially recorded. There were eight new cases in the Penn/Holmer Green/Knotty Green area and five in Hazlemere.
New cricket facilities – Penn and Tylers Green Cricket Club is considering rebuilding its facilities with a new cricket pavilion. It has launched a consultation for people with any links to the club on https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/W987KVS
New prison – The Government began a public consultation yesterday on building a new prison in Buckinghamshire. It is proposed the Category C prison, accommodating 1,440 inmates, will be built at Grendon Underwood, north of Aylesbury.
Accident blocks main road – A woman had to be released by fire fighters after her car overturned on the Penn Road, Knotty Green by Saucy Corner in the Tuesday morning rush hour, blocking the road for two hours. She was treated in hospital.
Grass cutting – Penn Parish Council is inviting tenders for a three year parish grass cutting contract.
Free parking – There’s free parking in council car parks in High Wycombe for the next three Saturdays to encourage people to shop locally.
This blog is due to be updated again next weekend.