In the past it has been possible to pay the subscription by standing order or cheque. However we have now introduced Direct Debit as the preferred means of payment, and this offers a number of benefits:

• It greatly reduces the time the committee has to spend collecting subscriptions, as the process is automatic and the amount is correct and paid at the right time.
• Because it simplifies the process for us, we can offer a reduced subscription rate. The subscription rate is £20 for payment by standing order or cheque, but only £15 if paid by direct debit.
• When buying tickets online for events, anyone can pay by bank transfer, but some members do not use internet banking so find this unsuitable. However, where a member has an existing direct debit with us, we can use this and the process is very much simpler and does not require internet banking. Just use the link in the email we send you about the event to buy tickets.

The number of direct debits has been steadily growing and now about half our membership subscriptions are collected in this way. We would encourage anyone who does not yet pay their subscription in this way to join the Direct Debit scheme – the process is very straightforward, secure and only takes a few minutes, and benefits both you and the Society. You can sign up for direct debits here.  

Although life members do not need to pay an annual subscription, they can still take advantage of the simplified payments for events by setting up a direct debit. Just click here. No regular payments will be taken, but you will be able to buy and pay for tickets for future events very simply.

The Society is looking at the possibility of setting up a support group for families hosting Ukrainian refugees in Wendover. An initial meeting for those interested has been arranged for 6th July. Please see the Events page for more information.

We have heard with great sadness of the death of Tony Mogford. Tony was a founder of the Wendover Society and supported the Society ever since. He has worked tirelessly for Wendover in many capacities for many years. He will be sorely missed. We send our sympathy to his family.

VOLUNTEERS URGENTLY REQUIRED TO FILL VACANT COMMITTEE POSTS

Key posts - Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary - have been vacant for the last year meaning that the society has been unable to effectively carry out its activities to help “protect the charm and scale of Wendover”.  With the imminent retirement of three of the four remaining Committee members at the end of March the Wendover Society will have to be dissolved unless volunteers step forward to fill the vacant posts before the AGM on 27 March.

COMMITTEE’S REPORT 2019

Following the failure to receive any nominations for the vacant Executive Committee posts (Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Secretary) at the AGM on 22 February 2019, a Special General Meeting was held on 23 April 2019 to review the way forward for the Wendover Society.

During the Special General Meeting there was a wide-ranging discussion with many points made, the majority of which were positive and encouragingly supportive. Several volunteers offered to help with specific tasks and events, which was appreciated. Nevertheless, after more than an hour’s debate, no new nominations for election to the Committee were forthcoming.

It was agreed that in these circumstances the Committee had no alternative but to substantially reduce its current commitments for the remainder of 2019 and place the Society in a period of “hibernation” until the AGM in February 2020, at which time the position would be reviewed.

During the remainder of the year the Committee continued to monitor Planning issues - which is seen as central to the Society’s main purpose  - and to plan for the Annual Harvest Supper held in October.

At the Special General Meeting held on 23 April it was made clear to members that, unless volunteers came forward to stand for election to the vacant Executive Committee positions (Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Secretary) by the date of the 2020 AGM,  the Society would have no choice but to enter a process of formal dissolution due to the impending resignations of three out of the four existing Committee members.

To date, and despite the best efforts of current Committee members to encourage positive responses from the wider membership, there have been no volunteers.   It is, therefore, with considerable regret, we must advise members that this course of action will be followed at the AGM, subject to the receipt of any timely applications to join the Committee before or at the meeting.

Wendover Society Committee – February 2020

Jeff Addison

John Bryson

Bob Lewis

Jenny Senior

9.00am - 1.00pm

Find out from Wendover Parish Council how you will be affected by noise from HS2 train operations in the Wendover area, based on official noise forecasts from HS2.

The WPC Noise Team will be attending the Farmers Market on Saturday 16 November and will have detailed maps and data showing  the official HS2 noise levels forecast for Wendover.

Come and see what is in store for you!!

The residents who will be most effected by HS2 noise are in the following areas:

• The western end of Hale Lane
• The southern end of Hale Road between the most southerly footpath to the Heron Path and Hogtrough Lane, and up to the A413 roundabout
• South Street, between High Street and Church Lane, and including Little Hampden Close.
• The northern end of Dobbins Lane and Thornton Crescent
• Bridleways
• The western end of Lionel Avenue,  The Cedars and  the western End of Perry Street.

These are not the only areas affected, but are the largest concentration of residences that will be adversely  affected.

You can still make a difference, but you need to make an effort, and we can tell you how.

In addition EK/HS2 are holding a drop-in event in St Mary’s Church in the evening on Thursday 14 November 2019 from 3.30 pm to 7.30pm. 

Ask them about Maximum Noise!

The Wendover Society

Find out from Wendover Parish Council how you will be affected by noise from HS2 train operations in the Wendover area, based on official noise forecasts from HS2.

THE WENDOVER SOCIETY
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING
Held on Tuesday 23rd April 2019 at St Anne’s Hall, Wendover
 
 Present: Committee; Jeff Addison (acting Chair), Bob Lewis, John Bryson, Jenny Senior and 56 members.
  
1. Jeff Addison outlined the background (see attached note) and purpose of the meeting which had been agreed at the AGM following the failure of any candidates to come forward to fill the executive positions on the Committee.
 
2. Members present were invited to comment on the situation and where appropriate make suggestions as to a way forward for the Society. There followed a wide ranging discussion with many points made, the majority of which were positive and encouragingly supportive. A number of volunteers offered to help with specific tasks and events which was appreciated. Nevertheless, after more than an hour’s debate, no new nominations for election to the Committee were forthcoming.
  
3. It was agreed that in these circumstances the Committeen had no alternative but to substantially reduce its current commitments, essentially: the newsletters, coffee mornings and the Summer Picnic will be suspended. The Committee will continue to monitor Planning issues - which is seen as central to the Society’s main purpose - and make arrangements for the Annual Harvest Supper. No other activities will be followed through until the AGM in February 2020 at which time the position will be reviewed.
 
4. There was no other Business and the meeting closed at approximately 9.15pm
 
 
By order of the Committee. 20th May 2019
 

2018 has been a very busy year for the Wendover Society.  Sadly, our Chairman John Mayhead resigned from the Committee early in the year.  No one came forward to act as Chairman so the Society has been operating without a leader for much of the year.  The Committeehas tried very hard to attract a new Chairman and some additional members to the Committee but without success.  This is despite extensive advertising of our difficulties.

I will be standing down at this AGM having served four years on the Committee (I originally committed to three but agreed to continue for a further year to provide some continuity).  Due to work and other commitments Forouz Saunders our Social Secretary will also be standing down.  This will leave only four Committee Members and it will be difficult if not impossible for the Society to continue to function with only this number. 

This year we have carried out the following work

• Monitored Planning Applications submitted to Aylesbury Vale District Council and where appropriate made representations about them.  I would like to thank Jenny Senior for all the work she has done on this
• Continued to seek new members of the Society.  It is important that people new to Wendover and younger people get involved as they will be the people living in Wendover in the future
• Attended meetings made representations about the proposed closure of RAF Halton.  Although this is not in Wendover, what happens there will inevitably impact on Wendover itself.
• Made strong representations against the proposed viaduct design
• Supported the Parish Council on their continued quest for a mined tunnel for HS2
• Attended meetings and expressed the Committees view about HS2 noise mitigation for Wendover
• Maintained our website.  I would like to thank John Bryson for this and for keeping our membership records up to date
• Run Social Events including the Jazz Picnic, the Harvest Supper, The AGM and four Coffee Mornings with speakers.  Forouz Saunders has been our Social Events Secretary and I would like to thank her for all the work she has done to make these events such a success.
• Kept a watching brief on the Parish Council’s proposed Neighbourhood Plan and Aylesbury Vale District Councils proposed plan
• Maintained the Purssell Path
• Complied with all the Charity Commission requirements
• Produced two Newsletters.  Sandy Smith, a former Committee Member has continued to edit these and I would like to thank her for continuing in this role and producing such excellent and informative documents

This is an enormous amount of work for such a small number of people and I would like to thank all members of the Committee, Sandy Smith and our President Emeritus Dr Colin Riley for everything they have done in the past year

Jane Campion

Vice Chairman – January 2019