March & April

Party, party, party! Never got an invite but it didn’t seem that raucous anyway. While the world is teetering on the brink of World War 3, with the threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, all our tabloid press are interested in is No 10’s parties! It does seem there was a ‘one rule for them and one for us’ syndrome going on, but that’s all we’ve heard on and on and on! I think I can speak for most people when I say who cares? Get on with running our country!

As I write this piece it is Candlemas Day 2nd February. That is where we say if it’s sunny and bright winter will have another flight, but if dull and grey then winter has gone away. Unfortunately today is a lovely sunny bright day and with the recent cold spell in USA on the East coast then it’s usually destined for us next. That was quick, it’s now February 3rd and it’s snowing! January was very mild and the dormant grass was actually being to grow. I saw catkins early on, that normally come out in the spring. We did have some cold frosty spells towards the end of the month which stopped the growth in its tracks and there’s no sign of daffodils as I write.

What is happening around Aylesbury with all the traffic jams? We see constant stand stills on a daily basis on all directions. If it’s not HS2 it’s the water board or road improvements. Looks as if the A41 roundabout near the Tesco Express is being replaced with the council favoured traffic lights system that’s responsible for actually stopping the traffic flow. At the Watermead junction recently there was an occasion where traffic was stopped both ways for 5 minutes for nobody! Traffic rant over, back to my countryside matters that I understand.

I’ve just completed our annual bird count and noticed that we actually have an abundance of so called endangered species. We have lots of fieldfares, blackbirds, thrushes, robins, pied wagtails and even skylarks. We’ve put out some supplementary food and also a home cooked Christmas cake that went wrong. It really is a pleasure to watch these wild birds visit and very rewarding to be able to encourage their well being. It’s a shame that we have to do a similar thing with our fellow human beings by donating to food banks.

Inflation is a real problem for lots of people with ever increasing food prices and energy bills. I was talking to an elderly lady the other day who was complaining that she just couldn’t afford to make ends meet. I noted that her 4 bedroom detached house must be worth about £750,000 and wondered if had she thought about downsizing or releasing equity. This seems to be a solution to help people with property but unfortunately not for others that do not own property. You have to keep warm, so maybe put on another layer or two before turning the heat up.

Food prices are rising but sticking to the basics like milk, eggs, bread and potatoes will always fill up an empty stomach. Baked potatoes at less than £1 a kilo can make a wholesome meal two or three times a week. Buying cheaper cuts of meat and making soups or stews to freeze is a solution or checking out the supermarkets that have a reduced shelf, so always take a look especially if you are going to use that same day or put in the freezer for later on. I did see green potatoes being sold off cheap in a local store until I told the manager that green potatoes were actually not fit for human consumption, and they were soon removed.

Looking back at old pictures taken of Aylesbury Market Square I see loads of people shopping, milling around and enjoying themselves whereas today hardly anyone makes Aylesbury a tourist destination. The pedestrianised High Street seems forever being repaired but I note Wimpy are returning to our town. I’m sure a few readers remember sitting in the Wimpy that overlooked the outside market in Friars Square in the 70’s. And did you know a scene from Stanley Kubrick’s Clockwork Orange was filmed in the old Friars Square? There is recent film footage of when the Queen visited in 1962 and also the Queen Mother much earlier.

Queen Elizabeth has now reigned for 70 years and in June there will be a four day bank holiday to celebrate her platinum anniversary. I’m not old enough to remember her coronation but have fond memories of celebrating the Silver Jubilee in 1977. I think the Queen at 95 years old has adapted the monarchy very well for today’s modern world. Unfortunately there’s been a few sad and scandalous moments along the way but she has survived to become the longest living monarch in the world.

The new strain of coronavirus seems to be under control with life almost back to near normality. I believe being cautious was the right approach but now it’s almost business as usual around the Vale. Let’s not forget the people who lost loved ones and the impact on the NHS with cancelled appointments and increased mental health issues. Our NHS is amazing so thank you to all involved in looking after us Aylesbury Vale residents.

As I finish off this article it’s another dry sunny February day and can’t help thinking that if nature always repays its debt then the end of the month will be very wet with a chance of snow too! Soon be spring.

God Save the Queen

The Countryman