That Puddle

I noticed that the puddle at the Flaunden Lane crossroads is now beginning to take on the charactarestics of a small lake. By this time next week there may be ducks swimming about on it. Who is responsible for this and more to the point when are they going to do something about it. Lets face it, it has been at least 6 months since they have dug up the Chipperfield Road so its high time they did it again.

I want to pass on my thanks to Mr Phillips from the Pharmacy for his robust defense of the new pharmacy in the village and also for notifying us of the opening hours. I have still to work out quite why it would take 4 days to fill a prescription, but lets just let it rest.

Now on to a particular bug bear. Would those of you who park your car right on the corner of Old Dean please use your brain and try and park it just a little further down the street. I know this means that you may have to walk another 20 metres, but parking right on that corner is so dangerous.

The Bin Men and Other Matters

Well its time to complain again - I really should audition for 'Grumpy Old Men' on TV ! This time I just want to comment on the bin men. Now I have to say that I am very grateful for them coming around every week and picking up my rubbish, but is it beyond their capablities to stack the boxes back neatly. Each week, we play the game of hunt the lid. Its not so bad in the summer, but in the darkness of winter mornings it is a pain in the ass !

On my first blog, I asked if anyone had any firm news on the old Chiltern Jag site at the top of the village. Well all I do know is that Tesco's have bought the site, so I have been reliably informed (well not so reliably, it was after the 5th pint). I sthis genearlly welcomed by villagers ? Will it sound the death knell for the Co-Op and Costcutters ? Will there be a petrol station there or will it just be a Tesco Metro ?

Any contributions and comments greatly received

Once Again Thanks for the Reply

Much as I would like to withdraw what you say is an accusation, I am unable to do so. On the day in question, the pharmacy was closed at 6:20 pm. Maybe you would be so kind as to enlighten us at to the opening hours.

Now on to the matter of repeat prescriptions. You say that of course it does not take 4 days to fulfill a repeat scrip - well if that is the case, why is there a big notice up in the surgery stating that it takes 4 days ?

A tip for anyone who is put out by this. Just write HOLD on the prescription and then collect it from the surgery anytime after 3:00 pm. Take it down to Sainsbury's in Apsley and it will be sorted for you in 20 mins max.

Nice of you to Reply

Mr Phillips

Thank you for your reply to my points regarding Manor Pharmacy.

I am pleased to note that you no longer close early. In fact I am pleased to confirm that I have seen that the pharmacy has been open at 6:30 pm - so a little progress seems to have been made.

However, I have to re-iterate that on the day in question I was politely, well not so politely actually, informed that the pharmacy closed at 6:15. Hopefully the lady, whose feelings I appear to have hurt, has now been re-educated or at least shown how to tell the time.

Whilst we are on the subject of your pharmacy, which, in your words is going to IMPROVE THE SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY. could you please let us all know how it takes you 4 days to process a repeat prescription.

When your predecessor ran the pharmacy, a precription dropped into the doctor on the way to work in the morning was available for pick up at Pampards the same evenings.

Burning

Does anyone know what the rules are in the village regarding bofires. The other night we were sitting out in the garden, quite happily enjoying a pre-dinner glass of Claret, when we were forced indoors by some inconsiderate person who decided to light a bonfire.

Please, if you read this and are a burner, consider your neighbours before you light up. Our pleasant summer evenings are rare occurrencies - so please let us all enjoy them.

Views on Our Village

Hi to anyone who wants to read this blog. It's my first attempt so I hope that you will forgive the typos and the spelling minstooks !

I wanted to create a blog so anybody who lives in the village or is interested in the village has a forum where they can post comments - so its an open forum.

Firstly, isnt it great to see a new shop opening up in the village. I havent visited Stanleys yet but I wish them every success. I just wish that all the families in the village would go in there and purchase something on a regular basis. If we are not careful, the High Street will become a dead zone and the few shops we have will move out.

Does anyone have any news about the old Jaguar site at the top of the High Street. I heard a rumour that the site was purchased by Tescos and they may be opening a Tesco Metro store. Can anyone confirm this.

And now on to Manor Pharmacy. Having a nice new shop front and people in smart white uniforms does not hide inefficiencies behind the counter. Can anybody seriously believe that it will take four days to sort out a repeat prescription. A month or so ago, when we had a proper village pharmacy, they used to get the scrips from the surgery around lunchtime and they were ready to pick up in the evening. Another moan is that the old pharmacy used to stay open to complete prescriptions until the last patient came over from the surgery. This does not seem to be the situation now. 'WE CLOSE AT 6.15', I was informed the other day. Its interesting that at the Pharmacy in Sainsbury's in Apsley, they commented on the upsurge of prescriptions that they have to fill from Bovingdon patients ! Anthony, please come back, the village needs you!

Well thats the moan for now - more some other time