Bernwode News

David Chetham, Chairman
Purpose Church magazine disseminating local news and keeping people (church-going or not) in touch with each other.
Successes Primary purpose fulfilled with recent additions to our readership.
Challenges Maintaining a sufficient number of advertisers.
Money received money from BPC? No
Future application for funds? No decision to do so yet. Money is always handy for general expenses. We have no special project to fundraise for.
Support required from BPC? Send us regular bulletins to publish.

Brill Allotments Association

Terry Pinchen, Chair
What is your primary purpose or function?: The Brill allotments are owned by Carter's Charity and managed on behalf of the charity by the Brill Allotments Association
Successes in the last 12 months?: Let 74 out of 75 plots to 57 tenants (including the Scouts). Welcomed some newcomers to the village, and newcomers to gardening, as tenants
Challenges in the last 12 months?: Rising costs (petrol for mower, equipment repair, plant hire to flatten the old weed dumps. Maintaining the water supply pipes, which have been patched in some unusual ways in the past
Money received money from BPC? No
Future application for funds? A grant from the Parish Council could help towards the cost of hiring a digger (£500 + insurance + diesel) to remove overgrown mounds and tidy up.
Support required from BPC? Support for the above idea.

Walks Management Group

Elaine Dickinson
What is your primary purpose or function?: The Walks Management Group is a made up of volunteers from the community who assist the Parish Council with active management of the Walks - a seven acre area of land designated as "Village Green".
Successes in the last 12 months?: Approximately 50 small saplings were planted in the Walks last year. The area is grazed by sheep and lambs belonging to a local farmer. These animals ensure that the vegetation is managed so that the area can be used by local residents and visitors of all ages. The primary focus of working party activity is to ensure footpaths, fences and gates are maintained and trees surrounding the pond are pollarded in rotation.
Challenges in the last 12 months?: Nettle growth last year did get out of hand - however, working with other environment groups and volunteers in the village this problem has now been solved.
Money received money from BPC? No
Future application for funds? The Walks Management Group does not hold any Parish Council funds. The Walks Management Group works with the Parish Council to manage the Walks. It advises the Parish Council if work needs to be done and contractors are employed as necessary to manage tree cutting etc.

Brill Community Cinema

John Powell (Chair) and Jon Cable (Treasurer)
What is your primary purpose or function?: We are a not-for-profit community venture providing cinema screenings for Brill and surrounding villages
Successes in the last 12 months?: 8 screenings of recent release movies and 2 screenings of NT Live Encore productions. Attendance has ranged from 30-60 people.
Challenges in the last 12 months?: 1. Due to circumstances beyond the club's control, we had fewer screenings and exposed vulnerability of a local village club to dependence on a very few volunteers. 2. we have lost one or two volunteers and need to recruit more. 3. costs have risen (e.g. insurance, film licenses) but we have tried to maintain ticket prices. End of year bank balance shows we just about managed to balance income and expenditure but no funds to invest in e.g. updating equipment. Insurance costs have been particularly high (equipment and public liability) - we need to explore an alternative provider
Money received money from BPC? Yes. Money received when we first set up Brill Community Cinema, none received since. We spent it on equipment.
Future application for funds? Further funds would allow us to update some of the equipment or help with our equipment and public liability insurance
Support required from BPC? Any upgrades to the Hall are always very helpful to us and much appreciated.

Brill with Ukraine

Emi Slater and Jennifer Tuffley
What is your primary purpose or function?: Brill with Ukraine is a volunteer support group dedicated to assisting Ukrainian families in the Brill area. They provide comprehensive support, including emotional and wellbeing assistance, as well as practical help for integration into Buckinghamshire life, including English language provision, and support with employment and housing. Additionally, they support the generous residents who have opened their homes and volunteered to help in various ways.
Successes in the last 12 months?: Brill with Ukraine has supported many families to move from sponsored housing into their own homes so that they can become independent as well as feel a part of the local community. Many Ukrainians have attended English classes in Brill to prepare themselves for English medical examinations or other exams. Many Ukrainians have found employment with local businesses and the NHS.
Challenges in the last 12 months?: One challenge has always been finding new sponsors for the Homes for Ukraine scheme, as well as finding suitable private accommodation for the Ukrainian families.
Money received money from BPC? Brill with Ukraine has been jointly funded by BPC and Bucks Council, the majority of the funding coming from Buckinghamshire Council and Heart of Bucks and used to provide English classes and resources.
Future application for funds? No
Support required from BPC? BwU continue to be incredibly grateful to BSSC for allowing us to meet every other Monday. The group still remains so important to both the Ukrainian families and the Brill community and ongoing support from the Parish Council and residents is very much appreciated.

Age Concern Bernwode

Josie Symes, Secretary
Purpose We are a very small, very local charity that provides lifts for local, retired people to medical appointments - doctors, hospitals, dentists, etc. We cover the parishes of Brill, Ashendon, Boarstall, Chilton, Dorton, Ludgershall, Wotton Underwood and Piddington.
Successes In the past year, our drivers made 95 trips, totalling 2,527 miles. Stoke Mandeville Hospital and Thame were the most popular destinations. There were also six trips to Brill Surgery (no charge for these) and five to Haddenham medical centre, among others. In addition to the Oxford hospitals, people went as far as The Chiltern in Great Missenden, High Wycombe and The Horton in Banbury. From the money raised at the coffee mornings, we fund ourselves and can make small donations to other groups with a similar profile, for example, Memory Lane Cafe and the Alice Carter Charity.
Challenges If you would like to help us, please support our Coffee Morning on 14 July at the Brill Sports and Social Club. And, of course, we always welcome new volunteer drivers, who are reimbursed for the use of their vehicles. It is also very helpful if people who need our help with transport, book with the coordinators (Judy and Suzie) as soon as possible.
Money received from BPC? No
Other support required from BPC? A mention in your community pages.

Brill Memorial Hall

Jon Vaile, Chairman and Kate Wilshere, Hall Manager
Purpose Village Hall
Successes The Hall has continued to remain a vital community asset and has been well supported by hirers; both regular and one-offs. The Hall continues to provide a valuable resource for health and fitness, occupational health, dance, indoor bowls, Windmill Players and Cinema to name but a few. It also came to the rescue at Christmas when the Christmas Fayre was being blown of course by a storm in December. One of our highlights this year has been the launch of the new Hall website and booking process, designed by Hannah Hunter, which is a vast improvement on its creaky old predecessor. We operate in an ever more expensive world. Charges across the board have increased particularly in the area of energy. We have taken what steps we can to mitigate the overall impact of these through the introduction of revised hire fees and office rent reviews but we can’t be complacent as the world seems an even more volatile place than 12 months ago. Issues like the car park, EV charging points and kitchen improvement continue to frustrate us but I put this more down to the lack of support available from external sources rather than any lack of ambition on our part. I sense again, it reflects the current economic conditions where available grants etc are much less forthcoming. I hope in time that situation will improve.
Challenges Resurfacing the Car Park / Funding
Money received from BPC? Yes used towards the upkeep of the Hall
Future application for funds? Yes for upkeep of the Hall

Brill Show

Elaine Vaile, Chair
Purpose Brill village show is a vehicle to showcase and celebrate the many talents of local villagers.
Successes We run an annual event in September; last year’s show was well attended and enjoyed.
Challenges Shortage of volunteers for judging, stewarding and as committee members
Money received from BPC? No
Future application for funds? No
Other support required from BPC? Marketing

The Brill Society

Andy Fisher, Chair
Purpose Village charity
Successes Restored the sails and brake system on the windmill so that the sails can be turned
Challenges Raising money to purchase Hartwell's Barn and continue restoring the windmill
Money received from PC? Yes - spent on restoration of the windmill
Future application for funds? Yes - to continue restoration of the windmill and fund raising to purchase Hartwell's Barn
Support required from PC? Work with us to establish a visitors’ centre at Hartwell's Barn including helping to sort out better access.

Brill Community Market

Hannah Hulme Hunter
Purpose Small, open-air, monthly market held during the summer months to enable local people to buy and sell, meet and mingle in a relaxed and friendly environment.
Successes New artwork (thanks to Liz Whiteman RIP) for publicity and posters. Revived Facebook Page. Several new stalls including charities and Scouts. Enthusiasm of seller and buyers when the market goes well.
Challenges The weather! 2/5 markets cancelled in 2023 - and not looking good this year. Variable support from some stallholders leading to disillusioned shoppers who don't come back so, resulting in diminishing support from stallholders; a vicious spiral! Promoting the market is a thankless task right now; after a promising start, things seems to be dwindling. If the remaining months don't pick up, I don't think I personally wish to carry on - although I do have an embryonic idea of moving the market to the windmill and holding it on Sundays, when the windmill is open to the public - or maybe someone on the new PC will take it over with greater enthusiasm and new energy!
Money from PC? Yes, spent on Correx posters (main cost), folding table for PC stall, adverts in Crendon Crier and Oakley Advertiser (2023 and 2024).
Future application for funds? Probably not.
Support from PC? Retain a BPC a stall at the market; it's sure a good opportunity to engage with the public.

Brill First Aid Training

Hannah Hulme Hunter
Purpose To empower residents of Brill and neighbouring villages with skills and confidence to give first aid in a variety of situations.
Successes 1. Getting Community Board funding to buy BHF CPR training equipment and running 8 sessions training a total of over 60 adults (ongoing, now every quarter). 2. Engaging with Mini First Aid, a Bucks-based training provider and running two very successful courses in paediatric first aid; one for Brill Babysitters, and the other for Brill Grandparents.
Challenges Falling numbers for CPR training - but I'll have another push in September. Plus, in spite of trying to recruit a deputy, I am the only trainer at present.
Money received from PC? Yes - used for Mini First Aid fees.
Future application for funds? Yes. I'd like to run a course in adult first aid; heart attacks, stroke and so on.

1st Brill Scout Group

Liz and Peter Johnson, Group Scout Leader and Chair, respectively
Purpose Preparing young people with skills for life: Scouts is where young people make new friends, have amazing adventures, and learn new skills.
Successes We are full, with each section (Beavers 6 - 8 year olds, Cubs 8 - 10 year olds, Scouts 10- 14 year olds) running its own interesting and varied programme. The highlight was the group summer camp. We have been able to attract new leaders.
Challenges The waiting list of children is large; we need more volunteers to allow us to open up new sections to address it. Lack of storage space.
Money received from BPC? No
Future application for funds? No
Support required from BPC? Permission to extend our external storage (proposal in preparation). Bright ideas on finding more volunteers!

Brill Sports and Social Club

Jo Snell, Club Steward
Purpose Community Sports & Social Club and Village Hub
Successes Increased youth activity traction including youth football, the return of KWIK cricket and a Scouts games evening. The return of regular live music via the monthly open mic night which is organised by Trent Baker. Continution of the various sporting sections which include Aunt Sally, Cricket, Football, Touch Rugby, Pool(they one there league this year!), Domino's. Other activities of note are our weekly Quiz nights and Friday coffee mornings together with some special one-off events which have included Curryoke, Cheltenham Gold Cup Afternoon, Burns Night, Christmas Market, Brill Festival Weekend, Supporting Bonfire Night. The club continues to be well used by other community groups for meetings, first aid training, etc and we are pleased to be able to support this. The club through the last 12 months has been able to trade profitability enabling it to re-invest in its facilities and equipment including a new club deck, new decking furniture, new CCTV equipment, 50% of repair costs for the Hayter lawnmower.
Challenges Moving Club to being VAT registered. Bidding for new ground maintenance equipment through the football foundation. Attendance at our weekly Thursday Quiz evenings, Getting Gigaclear to complete a business fibre installation for the club(9mths and counting!) Getting volunteer support to assist with the annual Brill Festival.
Money received from BPC? Yes - spent 50% on Hayter Lawnmower Repair Costs (asset now transferred to BSSC) and 50% of the cost of the bi-annual weed & feed.
Future application for funds? No
Support required from BPC? Continue to support communication of Club events and activities (thank-you) and maintain our positive working relationship.

All Saints Church, Brill

Gemma Beesley, Rector
Purpose To be a Church which serves every person in the community
Successes Small Saints toddler group: Each term time Monday 10-20 families come and enjoy lovely toys, great coffee, stories and songs, and the wonderful welcome of our volunteer grannies- and a grandad! The grown ups say it is the friendliest and most welcoming toddler group in the area…or ever! The small people get to develop their physical, emotional and social skills, helping them to be pre-school/school ready. Our sessions are based on studies for good early years development. Memory Lane Café: (See separate report) Worship: Worship is at the heart of the church family. Each month there are a variety of services to suit everyone. Worship enables the Christians of Brill to go out and live and work in the world, building God’s kingdom of justice and peace, starting here in Brill. We continue to give and receive mutual support from our six sister churches which make up Bernwode Benefice. We run joint benefice home, support and study groups. The annual Love Your Church service in March is a wonderful way for the church to publicly say a huge thank you to the many, many people who do so much to keep the building and activities thriving. Wednesday lunches: Every Wednesday we serve a free lunch of soup, bread and cheese, followed by good coffee and biscuits or cake. It’s a lovely social event, and we all enjoy a great chat over lunch, quite often setting the world to rights! Brill school support: Each week the clergy lead an act of worship for the whole school. This is inclusive of everyone, regardless of faith. Revd Gemma is a school governor, and enjoys working with such a wonderful governing body to make good decisions for the school. The church hosts an annual prayer/reflection space for the whole of Brill school. This is a much loved and valued part of the school year in which pupils and staff are given space to be still, reflect, pray, and look after their spiritual health. Family holiday clubs: Last year we hosted three Lego Club sessions in the church. They were a huge success, with over 60 people at each sessions. Families appreciated the chance to do something free, fun and that the whole family can do together. We will be running the sessions again in July/August this year. Cream teas, fete and festival: These are our main source of fundraising, and we are especially grateful to everyone involved who works hard to make them happen. A special thanks to Brill Sports and Social club for inviting us to run the tea tent at the festival again his year. Not only do they bring in much needed funds for the church, but they make Brill a fantastic place to live in and visit during the summer! Life events: We continue an at least 1000 year old service to local people marking major life events in baptisms, thanksgiving services, weddings and marriage blessing, and funerals and memorial services. Pastoral care: We have small and dedicated prayer team who will confidentially pray any requests. Clergy and church members visit those who are lonely and housebound, and also take home communion to anyone who needs it. The church is an excellent hub for people to be resourced to keep an eye out for neighbours. The clergy are frequently contacted by people who are concerned about their neighbours. Festivals and special services: Christmas, Easter and harvest are big events for the whole community in our calendar, as are special school seasonal services, including the wonderful (but emotional!) leavers’ service in July. The church helps people to reflect on the more solemn occasions such as Remembrance Sunday, and All Souls service in October remembering our loved ones, and a Blue Christmas service for those who find that time of year difficult. A generous donation: Many will have noticed that the railings along the west side of the church have been completely repaired and renovated. This is with many thanks indeed to a very generous donor who wishes to remain anonymous. We appreciated this so much as the work needed doing, but was completely outside of the financial capabilities of the church. Other activities: We have enjoyed/look forward to many other events including a pilgrimage to St Albans cathedral, flower arranging workshop, a Family Railway Fun Day, summer BBQ and beer event, Christmas wreath making workshop, community dementia friends training, and a talk about death/funerals workshop, and loads more.
Challenges Our beloved churchwarden Francis Barlow died, leaving us missing his sharp wit, and gentle, humble leadership. We currently have a vacancy for a churchwarden. Filling roles is becoming increasingly difficult across the whole voluntary sector, including in the Church of England. We rely on a small and aging population. Church finances are also very stretched. Many people wrongly think that local churches are wealthy. All Saints Brill certainly is not, and it was reported at our annual meeting 2024 that we have only one year’s reserves left in our account. The increasing costs of fuel and electricity, plus the death of some regular givers in the past few years have contributed to this. We are also now aspiring to use the church for more and more community events, and do not want to charge for these, so our heating and lighting bills are not covered by the small donations we receive at these events. Consequently we have taken excellent advice form the diocesan Generous Giving Advisor and have an action plan to ensure we are doing everything we can to make sure our finances are as good as they possibly can be. This will involve communication with the local community (watch this space!), and some more fundraising activities- volunteers always appreciated!
Money received from BPC? No
Future application for funds? Yes. As mentioned above we are aspiring for the church building to become a community hub used seven days a week. The current cost of heating for Small Saints and Memory Lane Café each Monday morning is £40 every week (average spread over the year, church is heated September -May), plus the cost of lighting, coffee, refreshments and so on. (Whilst we have had an energy audit and have taken small steps to save energy, other cost saving initiatives such as solar panels or other greener and more sustainable energy options, for example will take a long time to implement, and be subject to many permissions and lots of fund-raising and grant applications). In the meantime, we would like help towards our heating costs. We cannot run activities such as Small Saints and Memory Lane Café in a cold building. We secured a grant for installation and the first two years of bills for wifi, so we can now move forward with initiatives such as a homework hub, being as venue for learning, presentations, after school club etc, so we would like to fit a permanent screen and projector to be available for community and school use.
Other support required? Help with communication and publicity about church-led community events is always appreciated.