Residents' Association AGM

The March AGM was a chance to update villagers on WHRA business and presentations were given by Lisa (chair) Chris (treasurer) Karen (vice chair) and Steve.

Chris kicked off with finance, reporting that WHRA had a healthy income in 2025 of over £10,000 against costs of around £9,000 resulting in an increase of total funds at the bank and in cash to over £15,000. We were able to donate all of the £2200 raised at Open Gardens to Rennie Grove Peace Hospice and fund the monthly community lunch. Chris noted that costs have started to rise with bank charges, web and email hosting and our annual insurance all increasing. We also anticipate having to pay for storage of the marquee and other items which have previously been stowed free of charge. As ever, if you have ideas for how the Residents’ Association could contribute to local amenities and events, do bring them to the committee.

Lisa talked about the changes to the way we communicate news and events to villagers. The printed version of Village News, whilst appreciated by locals, was becoming harder to produce. The decision was therefore made to move to digital channels with the website (winchmorehillra.com), WhatsApp and Facebook reaching a large proportion of the community. A small communications sub-committee has been formed and a calendar of local events created for the website. The intention is to send a news email approximately once a month with single occasional emails for bigger or more urgent news. We are also considering a welcome pack for new villagers. If you don’t receive regular village news do add yourself to the email database and WhatsApp group via the website

Our local events continue to be the main focus of the Residents’ Association with regulars like the weekly Monday Running Club hosted by Jamie, monthly community lunches, twice yearly litter picks and Village Show being supplemented by some new or reprised events for 2026. Whilst Open Gardens will be “rested” this year, there will be a bigger Summer Solstice event on June 20th on the Common. We will also soon see the restart of Recycling Sundays (next one Sunday May 3rd). Do leave items outside your house if you no longer need them and think they could find a new home. Favourites include toys and clothes that children have outgrown and household and garden items. Details of all WHRA events can be found at www.winchmorehillra.com.

Finally there are a number of jobs that need doing locally and we’re on the hunt for volunteers. We will share these via the Winchmore Information WhatsAapp so do put your hand up if this is something you can do.

Penn Parish Council Update

As one of our local councillors, Mike West came along to the AGM to pass on news from Penn Parish. He first reassured villagers who have seen the various messages from Bucks Council about a requirement to build 95,000 houses in the county over the next few years. Whilst the consultation to find suitable sites is ongoing, there will be very few in Penn Parish as we are in an area deemed a National Landscape (the new term for AONB).

There is currently a review being carried out of conservation areas in the parish, including the possibility of creating a conservation area around the Common in Winchmore Hill. This will not definitely go ahead, but if it did it would offer further protection for the common area and help preserve the character of the village. Conservation Areas were last reviewed in the 1990s so needs to be refreshed now. It will sit alongside our Local Plan to provide better protection for the

Parish.

Mike finished by offering a standing invitation to residents to attend Parish Council committee meetings. These are all open to the public and space is normally given for people to raise issues of concern or interest. Details of dates and times are on the website.

Other local news

Memorial Hall - see separate article

Toddler Group - see separate article

Wildflower Meadow: The dry spring in 2025 made it a challenging year for lawns and gardens and the Common wildflower area is no exception. The plug plants seem to have come through again this year, so they will hopefully thrive. There is still a lot of thatch which could do with clearing. PPC contributed £100 worth of native cornflower seeds which have been sown in one area for some colour while the other plants recover.

The Plough: there is still interest from a local landlord and it is unclear what is holding it up. We remain hopeful the pub will reopen.

20mph speed limit: There have been some requests for a 20mph speed limit throughout the village. Unfortunately it is not simply as easy as erecting some signs. The PPC would need to cover the costs and these can climb quickly. Winchmore Hill would not be high priority as we don’t have a local school. We would also need to undergo a consultation to secure local support. In addition to speed signs, we would need chicanes that force the traffic to slow down which are expensive. We are hopeful signs encouraging drivers to slow down will be effective.