Monthly Archives: May 2022

Right Royal Picnic comes to Lace Hill

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As part of the Council’s four-day event programme to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Buckingham Town Council are hosting Picnic on the Pitch at Lace Hill Sports & Community Centre on Saturday the 4th of June from 11am until 3pm.

Residents from across Buckingham are invited to bring along picnics, tables, chairs, games and share a memory. To help get you in the royal party mood, there will be a big stage and live music from A Big Voice (Maria Scobey) who will be performing a variety of popular songs across the decades and genres of the Queen’s reign to include everyone’s musical party tastes.

It is a free, family friendly event and everybody is welcome, even well-behaved dogs on leads. Children will enjoy visits from Spider-Man and Elsa mascots, badge making, rock painting and a royal themed trail. The Centre’s facilities will be open and available for everybody to use, including an accessible toilet.

To help you fill up your picnic baskets, there will be a small selection of local food traders selling gourmet burgers, luxury ice-cream desserts and plenty of freshly baked cake and cookies. A licensed bar will be on site to help you toast the special occasion.
Chair of the Town Centre and Events Committee, Cllr. Robin Stuchbury said that “The Lace Hill Centre is a fantastic hub for all types of activities and events, the facilities are perfect to host a community picnic with its wonderful panoramic views of the countryside. I hope people will all come together and take advantage of this opportunity to get together and celebrate. Town Council officers are looking forward to welcoming you on the day”

Free parking is available on site including blue badge spaces. But we encourage visitors to travel by public transport or other environmentally-friendly methods wherever possible. The carpark will be marshalled on the day, so it is first come first served. The venue can easily be accessed via local bus routes, the nearest bus stop is on London Rd near Tesco.

New #QuickLitterPick station in Chandos Park

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Buckingham Town Council has installed a new Quick Litter Pick Station in Chandos Park following the success of the first one which was launched in Bourton Park in 2021.  The Council has joined with many communities and organisations across the UK to work to reduce litter and the impact of single-use plastics. The Council no longer purchases single use plastic items for events and for use within its offices and has implemented a sustainable purchasing policy. As plastics and some other materials do not decompose the Town Council also undertake regular litter picks in an effort to remove risks to wildlife, clean up the town and encourage others to dispose of their rubbish appropriately.

The Quick Litter Pick station Bourton Park in 2021 has made it easier for residents and visitors to help out, even if it’s just for a few minutes in reducing litter levels and protecting the environment.

Buckingham Town Council has received requests from residents and community groups asking how best they can get involved in safely clearing any litter they find while out and about and from there, the Quick Litter Pick initiative was born.

The litter pick stations in Chandos and Bourton Park contain 5 individual litter pickers and a supply of bin liners and can be accessed by anyone with the code for the lock. Anyone who would like the code can call (01280 816426) or email the Town Council Office or Buckingham Tourist Information Centre (01280 823020) during opening hours. The access code is the same for both stations and will remain unchanged. Any collected rubbish bags can be placed in the nearest litter bin or left by the side of bin and the Town Council’s Greenspaces Team will collect during their park inspections.

When you’re dealing with someone else’s rubbish the best way to clear up litter is with litter pickers. Keeping the litter at a distance from your body can protect you from broken edges and any unwanted germs that might be lurking.

Cllr. Warren Whyte, Chair of Environment Committee has already been out to have a go and said: “Following the success of the Bourton park Quick Litter Pick Station, I am delighted to help launch the new additional location in Chandos Park to help keep our wonderful parks clean and tidy.”

The new Quick Litter Pick point in Chandos Park is located by the bridge to the University.

The Quick Litter Pick point in Bourton Park can be found near the Bourton Park Car Park and Multi-Use Games Area in Buckingham.

Platinum Jubilee events in Buckingham

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Celebrate Buckingham Day

Kicking off our jam-packed Jubilee weekend is Celebrate Buckingham Day on Thursday 2nd June in Bourton Park from 11am – 3pm. Expect to see over 27 local community organisations each with their own fun activity, multiple delicious food and drink vendors and various entertainment acts. Pack your blankets and bring a chair so you can enjoy the day in comfort.

Winslow Concert Band and Buckingham Ukulele group have got some great performances lined up along with the Brackley Morris Men. A bouncy castle and bungee run, face painter and doodle artist will also be there. You can even take a picture in our giant deck chair!

At 1pm the Town Crier will formally launch Jubilee Celebrations in Buckingham by announcing the formal proclamation.

Make sure to enter our Jubilee Dress through the Ages contest at the Buckingham Town Council stall between 11am and 12:30pm. Raid your family’s wardrobe or if you’re struggling for ideas, visit local charity shops – reuse, repurpose and recycle. There are some great prizes up for grabs for the winners of each category thanks to: Wood Bee Nice, Buckingham University Bookshop, Planet Refill, Cornwall Place Kitchen, Chafor Wine, The Little Buckingham Clinic and Discover Buckingham.

Jubilee Platinum Beacon

Later in the day, a Jubilee Platinum Beacon will be lit at 9.45pm atop St Peter & St Paul’s Church. Arrive from 9.15pm for refreshments in the church.

Music in the Market

On Friday 3rd June Music in the Market returns to the Buckingham Market place – this fantastic event takes place for the 21st time and brings a wide selection of music from original, local music to your favourite covers from 2pm to 10pm.

The fantastic line-up includes Buckingham Ukulele Group Udo Dölz, Crazy Heart, Muz N Jenks, Safari Boots, Mike Weston, Fraser & Toots, Ukesnaile, Brothers Homebrew and 60s Jukebox while this year’s street food traders include Go Greek and Farm Slice Pizza.

Picnic on the Pitch

Picnic on the Pitch is a completely free event and offers everybody the chance to get together and celebrate this truly historic occasion. The event takes place at Lace Hill Sports & Community Centre on Saturday 4th June from 11am until 3pm.
To help you fill up your picnic baskets, there will be a small selection of food traders selling food and treats, including a bar. There will be live music from A Big Voice.co.uk – Maria Scobey, who will be performing a wide variety of popular covers across the decades, visits from Spidey and Elsa mascots and a craft tent to entertain your mini majesties.

Street Parties and Platinum Jubilee Civic Service

Sunday 5th June at 11 am a Civic Service will take place at St Peter & St Paul’s Church to celebrate The Queen. Anyone who would like to attend is welcome.
Street parties will also be taking place across the town, with road closures in place.

Chair of the Town Centre and Events Committee, Cllr. Robin Stuchbury said that “The Town Council have supported Celebrate Buckingham Day, The Platinum Jubilee Beacon, Music in the Market, Picnic on the Pitch and the Jubilee Civic Service. The Town Centre and Events Committee felt it was very important to put on a variety of events as well as support others with their own plans.
The Town Council are facilitating Buckingham’s community celebrations of the Queen’s personal achievement of long service to the country, in a typical Buckingham way – friendly, social, and engaging which is an attribute which the community is renowned for. I know through discussing the Mayor, Cllr. Margaret Gateley, who will play a large role in supporting the community through the weekend, how much everyone is looking forward to celebrating the bank holiday weekend – we look forward to seeing you.”

Success! Post box for St Rumbold’s Fields in Buckingham

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After an appeal by Buckingham Town Council and numerous calls by residents of the new St. Rumbold’s Fields estate in Buckingham, Royal Mail has agreed to install a post box close to Kings Sutton Square in St Rumbold’s Fields, easily accessible to all 398 homes on the estate.

Initially, Royal Mail declined the Town Council’s request as they said there were existing post-boxes within a half mile of the location suggested. However, to access these required crossing a 50mph limit road, twice, as there is no footpath from the new estate to the Bath Lane post box. There’s also no street lighting, making the journey difficult in winter.

Cllr. Mark Cole JP, Chairman of the Planning Committee, was delighted to receive a letter from Royal Mail saying that a post box would now be installed near Kings Sutton Square in the next 12 – 16 weeks. The letter arrived just a few days after the Town Council highlighted the issue, with support from the local newspaper, the Buckingham Advertiser, BBC 3 Counties Radio and Greatest Hits Radio.

Cllr Mark Cole JP, said: “Common sense has prevailed, and Royal Mail has made a u-turn over its original decision not to give St Rumbold’s Fields residents a postal collection point on the estate, even though it delivers to every house. My thanks to the residents who have fought for this, and to the media for their support in our short but successful campaign. And of course, thanks to Royal Mail for seeing reason, and to our friendly local postmen and postwomen.”

Cllr. Mark Cole holds letters and smiles in Kings Sutton Square.

Music in the Market

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Buckingham Town Council is delighted to support the return of Music in the Market to the town centre. This year the event takes place on Friday 3rd June as part of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations.

Buckingham Acoustic Club told us: “Music in the Market will be back in its familiar place, in the Market outside the Gaol, three years after its last appearance there in 2019. Since its modest beginnings 22 years ago, this will be the 21st festival organised by Buckingham Acoustic Club, which thanks to last year’s off-piste extravaganza, which was excellently hosted by the Buckingham Rugby Club, has mounted an almost uninterrupted annual series of events.

The Acoustic Club is a casual group of local musicians who have met weekly in one pub or another, welcoming all comers, originally at the Buckingham Arms in Maids Morton, and then via the Brittania, the New Inn, and most recently the Woolpack, to share their songs and their chops. Currently, they are homeless, and so they are looking for a new home in which to base themselves.

Music in the Market was conceived as a way for these musicians to strut their stuff in front of the whole town, and the Town Council stepped in to promote the event to make it viable.  Musical liaisons formed, bands were created, ideas developed, and are still developing. The motto of the festival could be: “It’s not only covers”. This year will feature the massed ukuleles of The Buckingham Ukulele Group, the world music sounds of Safari Boots, the debut of the Muzz & Jenks big band, and a curious but unmissable ukulele-based performance by Ukesnaile. The music starts at 2pm and continues throughout the day till 10pm, with street food available all day.”

Chair of the Town Centre and Events Committee, Cllr. Robin Stuchbury said that “The return of Music in the Market to the town centre is an opportunity for the community to meet and enjoy live music in the setting of our market town. We’ve been supporting the Acoustic Club with this event for 21 years. This is a chance to gather on the auspicious occasion of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Officers and Town Councillors look forward to enjoying the event with you on the day, having been involved with this event throughout it’s always a great personal pleasure to see people enjoying themselves at a free public event supported by community organisations.”

For enquiries, please contact Paul Hodson at Buckingham Town Council on 01280 816426, communications@buckingham-tc.gov.uk.

Please Mr. Postman! Post box wanted

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Residents of the new estate on Tingewick Road, St. Rumbold’s Fields, have asked for their own post box, and the Town Council is asking Royal Mail to provide one.

Royal Mail has declined the request because technically there are existing post-boxes within half a mile of the estate (measured as the crow flies) and therefore another cannot be justified. The nearest is one on the corner of Bath Lane and Tingewick Road, and there is another within the measured half mile at the corner of Mitre Street and Gawcott Road, and one just further than half a mile on Embleton Way.

Members of the Town Council’s Planning Committee have appealed to Royal Mail, pointing out that to use the Bath Lane post box requires crossing the Tingewick Road – which has a 50mph speed limit currently – twice, as there is no footpath on the southern side, nor any streetlighting between the estate and Westfields and the other two are even less accessible. Apart from the ordinary post, a need for posting Covid test samples may arise again, and the less mobile residents often select postal votes.

There is a perfect spot in the centre of the housing area at Kings Sutton Square, within a short distance of most of the 398 houses, and with space for the Royal Mail’s collection van to park without obstructing other traffic.

Buckingham Town Council Planning Chairman, Cllr Mark Cole JP, said: “For Royal Mail to decide without consultation that a new 400-dwelling estate housing 1,000 people does not merit a post box is, frankly, ludicrous. Royal Mail delivers, so why the reluctance to collect post as it does on all the other estates? Will they tell us next that the 420 houses off Osier Way will not need a post box when that is completed?

“Given the risks in crossing Tingewick Road to get to the nearest post box in town, and similarly having to cross the bypass from the Osier Way development, we urge Royal Mail to reconsider.”

For enquiries, please contact Paul Hodson at Buckingham Town Council on 01280 816426, communications@buckingham-tc.gov.uk

 

 

Community Centre Assistant / Caretaker – Maternity Leave Cover Vacancy

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Job Advert

We have an exciting opportunity for someone to join our team to assist the Lace Hill Sports and Community Centre Coordinator in the smooth, effective and efficient running of the Centre and all associated services.

Tasks will include:

  • Inspections and cleaning of all rooms, ensuring they are presentable, clean and tidy and good housekeeping is maintained at all times.
  • Liaising with hirers and setting up rooms - this will involve manual handling such as lifting / moving / setting up / packing away of furniture e.g. tables, chairs, equipment cages.
  • Opening, security and locking of the centre.

The post will primarily involve early morning, evening and weekend working, and we are seeking a flexible person as the days and hours of work may vary depending on the needs and use of the centre.

Please note we will only accept a completed application pack. If you do not complete an application form you will not be considered. CV's will not be accepted.

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Sam Hoareau, Centre Coordinator on 01280 812 872.

To apply for this role, download the application pack through the links below or by calling the office on 01280 816426.

Applications should be submitted by email to: deputytownclerk@buckingham-tc.gov.uk

Or by post to: Buckingham Town Council, Buckingham Centre, Verney Close, Buckingham, MK18 1JP

Buckingham Town Council is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

Successful applicants will be subject to receipt of suitable references.

Closing date for applications: 16th June 2022. Interviews to be held week commencing 20th June 2022.

Job Type: Temporary

Salary: SCP 3-4 £9.79/£9.99 per hour pending this year's pay award.

Town Clerk Job Vacancy

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Buckingham Town Council Job Vacancy logo

Town Clerk

Based at Town Council Offices, Buckingham

37 Hours per week

SCP 46-49 (£51,334 - £55,274) depending on experience

Buckingham Town Council is seeking to appoint a forward thinking and proactive Town Clerk to take responsibility of all aspects of the managerial, financial and administrative operation of the Council.

The Town Clerk will be responsible for the management of the Council’s finances, and is designated as the Responsible Finance Officer.  The Town Council aims to provide good quality services for the community and to maintain these to a high standard.  The Town Clerk will ensure the delivery of these services and will be accountable to the Town Council.

The Town Clerk will advise the Council on, and assist in the formation of, overall policies to be followed in respect of its activities. In particular, they will produce all information required for making effective decisions.  The Town Clerk is accountable to the Council for the effective management of all its resources.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate significant managerial and financial experience, and should have extensive knowledge of local government law and procedures, hold a relevant professional qualification and show that they have, or are willing and able to obtain, the Certificate in Local Council Administration.

Applicants should read all of the Application Pack prior to completing their application and make clear in their application why they are interested in the position, and what relevant skills and experience they have, with reference to the Job Description and Person Specification.

The application form should be completed in full, and shortlisting will be based on the information provided on the form.  CVs will not be accepted.  Please note the post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

 

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Cllr Margaret Gateley, Town Mayor, on 01280 816317 or email: mgateley@cllr.buckingham-tc.gov.uk.

Buckingham Town Council is committed to equality of opportunity and actively welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

Closing date for applications: Tuesday 7th June 2022 at 12 noon.

We ask that you also submit an Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form with your application. Applications are available on the links below or by calling 01280 816426.

Applications should be submitted by email to: townclerk@buckingham-tc.gov.uk

Or by post to:

Buckingham Town Council, Buckingham Centre, Verney Close, Buckingham, MK18 1JP

Successful applications will be subject to receipt of suitable references.

 

Buckingham Children Celebrate May Day with Traditional Dancing

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May Day was originally a festival to celebrate the arrival of Spring but is probably best known now for the medieval tradition of “dancing the maypole dance”.

For the first time in three years over 100 children from Bourton Meadow Academy gathered on the green outside St Peter & St Paul Church in Buckingham to take part in traditional country dancing and to dance the maypole.

Greeted by the Town Crier and Buckingham’s Mayor Cllr Margaret Gateley, Year 2 students performed a traditional country dance “I want to be near you”. Traditional maypole dances, The Barbers Pole, Gypsy Tent and Crysanthumum were performed by students from Year 4.

Bourton Meadow Academy teacher Debbie Dearlove, who has taught maypole and country dancing for several years at the school, said “how proud she was in the way the children danced and the passion that they showed. All credit must go to the children for learning the dances and performing them in front of the public.  This is a tradition that we must not loose”.

Cllr Robin Stuchbury, Chairman of the Town Centre & Events Committee said “It was a privilege to be there with Buckingham Town Mayor, Councillors and members of the public against the backdrop of St Peter & St Paul Church to watch the children taking part in this tradition”.

For enquiries, please contact Paul Hodson at Buckingham Town Council on 01280 816426, communications@buckingham-tc.gov.uk.

Buckingham’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations

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Kickstarting Buckingham’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations will be Celebrate Buckingham Day on Thursday 2nd June 2022. The event will run from 11am-3pm in the Paddock in Bourton Park and will showcase lots of local voluntary, community and not for profit organisations. There will also be a plethora of entertainment from local bands and musicians to a bouncy castle and face painter. Each stall will also have an activity you can try – firm favourites maggot racing and splat the rat will be returning this year!

Celebrate Buckingham Day is a great opportunity to advertise your organisation to a wide audience and recruit help and donations so please get in touch if you are a local voluntary, community or not for profit organisation. Contact admin@buckingham-tc.gov.uk to get involved.

Chairman of the Town Centre & Events Committee, Cllr Robin Stuchbury, said “The Town Centre and Events committee and Buckingham Town Council officers have been working together to organise The Celebrate Buckingham Day event which will take place on Thursday 2nd June 2022 from 11am – 3pm in the paddock in Bourton Park. We hope you can join us for this event to mark many local organisations’ achievements within the community. This event also gives us all the opportunity to celebrate her Majesty the Queen’s platinum jubilee.”

For enquiries, please contact Paul Hodson at Buckingham Town Council on 01280 816426, communications@buckingham-tc.gov.uk.