As a mark of appreciation for everything Jack Barratt did for Chenies
 over very many years, the Parish Council dedicated the new wooden
 bench on the green sward.

The plaque was unveiled by Peter Hood at 12.30pm on Saturday 10th April, the second anniversary of Jack’s death. Barbara, Sue and the boys were there with many other friends and villagers.

Our new village sign

The village sign was a project for the benefit of the village proposed to the Chenies Community fund by Nigel Ince.  It was designed and built by Brian Gage, an artist specialising in village signs, based on a brief prepared by Nigel who oversaw the complete installation.

 

The sign shows the Church and the Manor with the chained Swan of Buckinghamshire with the Red Lion and the Goat (the supporters of the Bedford Coat of Arms) on either side. The design is surmounted by an Oak Tree and Acorns signifying the Oak on the green (planted at King George's Silver Jubilee,1935) and also as a play on words (the french for Oak is "Chene")

But Nigel experienced some 'Council Planning' issues along the way....

The Chiltern District Council initially refused planning consent on the grounds that "the sign will be at odds with the historic setting and traditional character to which it refers."  However the Inspector, allowing the appeal stated "the sign would not be detrimental to the interests of the amenity and would complement rather than detract from the listed buildings surrounding the green."
The appeal greatly benefitted from a petition held by Mike Norris at the Red Lion which attracted dozens of signatures in favour.

Well done Nigel for seeing it through and for a brillant result

Chenies Gardeners might like to take advantage of an offer for free well rotted horse manure -Chenies residents can collect from the Home Farm Stables.  Best time is Sunday morning - the owners will be grateful as they curently have to pay for it to be taken away 

The Countess of Warwick Charity - many residents will be aware of this Chenies Charity, which constantly requires support.  For those new to the village it was felt that brief history would be useful in increasing understanding of it and its objectives.

David le Neve Foster has kindly supplied the following brief description:

"To give it its full present title, The Countess of Warwick and Duke of Bedford Charity was originally established in 1603 by Anne Countess of Warwick (a sister of the Duke of Bedford) and came under the authority and direction of HM Charity Commissioners in the 19th Century with the object of making annual pension payments to each of 10 persons (up to 4 men and up to 6 women) resident in Chenies for at least 3 years before receiving such payments.  Curently there are five pensioners living in the village who benefit from the Charity.

The five trustees are appointed by Chenies Parish Council and David Alsop is Chairman, ex officio.  The pensions are made possible by investment income, which recently has been augmented by donations and fund raising.  We currently need to raise about £300 per year over and above the investment income to maintain the pensions at their present level.  Alternatively we could look to raise further capital to invest to produce this level of investment income.

We are lucky in Chenies to have a close community by today's standards and to have our own charity to make a small but real difference is rather special.

The Trustees are most grateful to have been invited to write this short piece to explain the background to this important Chenies charity and its role within our community".