Posted on

Eco Literacy Board – Refreshed and Revisited

'how long 'til it's gone'... eco literacy board placed in prestwood by great missenden and prestwood revitalisation group

Our rate of consumption is a problem. We are using the Planet’s natural resources 1.7 times faster than she can regenerate them. It is also a problem because of the mess we leave behind. Much of what we no longer need, finds its way into the Natural World. Here it remains, poisoning the land and impacting the health of life now, and well into the future.

This installation is designed to remind us of the cost of littering, that we have roles as stewards of this land and our responsibility to ensure that it continues to thrive for generations to come. We must reuse, recycle and repurpose all we do not need.

It is a funded collaboration between the GMPRG and the Missendens Community Board, and is guided by the Prestwood Village Association, the Great Missenden Parish Council and the Prestwood Scouts. 

'how long 'til it's gone'... eco literacy board placed in prestwood by great missenden and prestwood revitalisation group
The ‘ecoliteracy board’ refreshed and revisited, on the wall of the Scouts’ Hut at Prestwood Common.
Posted on

Working with Others

Word Cloud showing responses to 10-20 years vision in GMPRG survey

Great Missenden & Prestwood Revitalisation Group (GMPRG) works to initiate and implement schemes for the social, economic and environmental benefit of the local community.

Within our area, covering the Parish of Great Missenden including Prestwood and the villages of Ballinger, South Heath and Heath End, we are fortunate that several other organisations share complementary objectives. In 2019, therefore, we have been pleased to work more closely with other groups, businesses and residents. In certain circumstances, we believe that this can yield greater results and better support across the community.

Examples of such cooperations during 2019 include:

  • A Great Missenden Village Noticeboard, which will be installed early in 2020. GMPRG applied successfully for funding from Missendens Local Area Forum. Various local groups and businesses have since agreed to make contributions of funds or in-kind. These include Great Missenden Village Association (GMVA), the Roald Dahl Museum, Missenden Abbey and the Chilterns Conservation Board. Further funds have been made available through a CDC Community Grant and the Bucks CC Community Leaders Fund (with thanks to Barbara Rowett and Cllr Peter Martin, respectively). A truly community effort!
  • Notwithstanding its negative impacts, there are funds available from HS2 for mitigating the effects on local community and businesses. GMPRG is looking at opportunities with Great Missenden Parish Council (GMPC) and GMVA, and leading a project to consider improvements to the centre of Great Missenden.
  • In the recent past, GMPRG has organised secure bike stands and security rings in various locations, with funding from Bucks CC LAF and from the Mid-Counties Co-operative. Responding to the 2018 Community Vision feedback, GMPRG member Mike Johnstone presented plans to upgrade the bridleway between Prestwood and Great Missenden at GMPRG’s 2019 AGM, and a working committee was proposed. A grant application to CDC Large Projects Fund was subsequently taken forward by Mike as a member of Great Missenden Parish Council (GMPC).
  • Prestwood Common was identified within the 2018 Community Vision as an unattractive and even unsafe location, but one essential to the wellbeing of the community. A successful application to CDC’s Large Project Fund grew from a community project initiated by Prestwood Village Association and GMPRG; documentation prepared by GMPRG was then passed on to GMPC. The £20,000 award adds to an earlier grant to GMPC from Bucks CC Local Area Forum. More consultation and funding is still needed, and GMPRG hopes to contribute as part of a broad cross-community effort in 2020.
  • Another area identified for improvement within the Community Vision is local public transport. A Project Team led by John Cadman has started to consider options. Members include representatives of numerous local groups and businesses.
  • The results of our Community Vision Update consultation have been published, and are available to others to study.
  • GMPRG has helped fund a Midsomer Murders location trail. This was requested by Chiltern & South Bucks Joint Community & Leisure Team, with fellow Old Amersham ‘Revite Group’ acting as ‘bankers’.

Can you help?

Revitalisation Groups draw their members from a broad spectrum of residents and local organisations. GMPRG is therefore in a strong position to research, and to harness skills to fund, initiate and deliver projects for the benefit of our community.

Would you like to bring your skills and enthusiasm to the Committee, or join one of our working groups? If so, please contact secretary@gmprg.org.uk

Posted on

Transport Project Group Update

41 bus from High Wycombe to Great Missenden

To review the membership and objectives of this project group, please visit our Current Projects – Community Transport Group page.

An initial meeting has been held with Arriva to explore ways of improving local bus services. This was then followed by a meeting of the Project Group to review the situation and decide next steps.

  1. The initial Arriva meeting was very disappointing. Arriva is not prepared to invest in the current Route 41 to High Wycombe. It does not consider that there is the demand, even though Great Missenden is a significant transport hub into London.
  2. The subsequent meeting agreed to explore the following.
    a. Community Bus – Age Concern mini-bus possibly available for a 3-month pilot scheme using GMPRG volunteer drivers.
    b. Dial-a-ride – could their vehicles be utilized because Dial-a-ride vehicles used for daytime appointments only.
    c. Car share schemes
    d. Local existing transport providers eg. taxi firms, Red Eagle buses, PACT etc.
  3. Several members of the Group have looked at Community Bus schemes in the past. Nearly all are daytime schemes whereas our focus is Commuters/Schools at peak times.
  4. A meeting was arranged with the local Dial-a-Ride, who were very willing to help if possible but concluded that they are unable to do so.
  5. A further meeting was held with Community Impact Bucks. They are able to provide advice on Community Bus Schemes based on the experience of existing schemes in Bucks, but again mainly daytime.
  6. Steve Burns, formerly of Carousel Coaches and still close to local public transport kindly advised on the scenarios to consider.  The costs, legislation, insurance, the need for paid drivers and a coordinator were highlighted as being very challenging.  Also, the Age Concern Minibus is not compliant.

WHAT NEXT?

A meeting of the Group is planned for November to consider next steps.  It is evident that the financial and human resources needed to implement significant change will require very significant investment of money and people.  Therefore, the meeting will focus on how this can be achieved.

John Cadman
Group Leader

Posted on

Submission to latest Local Plan public consultation

cover of Chiltern & South Bucks draft Local Plan

The consultation on the Chiltern and South Bucks Local Plan 2036 and its accompanying Sustainability Appraisal report closed on 23 August 2019.  For further information see https://www.chiltern.gov.uk/planning/localplan

GMPRG updated its response to the previous 2016 public consultation taking into account the results of the Community Vision Update consultation it conducted in 2018, and the submission was made in time for the deadline.   To see GMPRG’s input please click here.