annual report of the council

april 2025/ april 2026

My first year as chair of the parish council has been an enjoyable experience and the year has gone by so quickly.

The first event I attended as chair was the annual town council mayor making where I was delighted to represent Coldharbour Parish Council. This was followed by an invite from the “Hope for Venezuela” charity where I was introduced to the founders of the charity and purchased some chocolates and a stunning handmade bag. We had line dancing, mindfulness sessions and lots of stalls selling food from South America and other products with all profits going to the charity.

In September, our much loved, Music in the square provided a wonderful opportunity for residents to come together and enjoy live performances in a relaxed and welcoming environment. These events continue to grow in popularity and play an important role in supporting local talent while fostering a vibrant and inclusive community atmosphere.

Remembrance Sunday was marked with great dignity and respect. The parish came together to honour those who have given their lives in service to our country. The strong turnout reflected the continued importance of remembrance within our community, and I hope everyone saw the new addition to the band stand for this event. If not, have another look for it in November this year.

St Mary’s church was the venue for the annual Aylesbury Town Council remembrance service where I attended, along with many other dignitaries, a beautiful service which was poignant and deeply moving. Always such a special event in the calendar.

Our Christmas in the square event was a particular highlight of the year. The community centre was transformed into a festive gathering space, filled with seasonal cheer and community warmth, and lots of goodies were on sale from our stall holders. Families and residents of all ages came together to celebrate with the Aylesbury concert band and to see Father Christmas and his elf in the Christmas grotto where children were given presents which was donated by the WI and myself.

I was also honoured to be asked to join the Monday contact club for their Christmas celebrations, where I helped give out the presents and managed to have a good sing song, jive and chat with the members. The club plays a vital role in supporting members of our community, particularly those who may otherwise feel isolated. Meeting weekly, the club provides a welcoming and friendly atmosphere where people can socialise, enjoy activities and build meaningful connections, whilst having a lovely home cooked dinner. The Club has gone from strength to strength, with consistent attendance and a positive atmosphere noted by all who take part. The importance of such a group cannot be overstated, and this special occasion brought great joy to the members and perfectly captured the spirit of the group. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Janice and the team, whose dedication, care and continued hard work ensure the ongoing success of the club. Their commitment makes a real difference to the lives of many residents and is deeply appreciated by the council and the wider community.

The upgrading of Swallow Lane Play Park remains ongoing, with the Parish Council securing funding to support improvements in equipment, creating a safer and modern environment for children and families. We hope to have a grand opening in the Summer.

We have continued HS2 meetings with Cllr Poland-Goodyer and Cllr Cole, and I, along with the leader of Aylesbury Town Council, Cllr Richard Lloyd, and representatives from the Ernest Cook Trust.

This year, the parish council has introduced a sustainability and biodiversity working group to ensure that we are making the most of our wonderful spaces and are ensuring that the facilities are available to the community for generations to come, whilst playing our part in saving the planet and protecting our natural resources and environment.

The councillors work hard on behalf of all residents to ensure that we meet the needs of our community and continue to make Fairford Leys a great place to live, work and play. Thank you to you all for your commitment and dedication and keeping the residents at the heart of everything we do.

I would like to thank the grounds team for keeping Fairford leys a lovely place to live, and ensuring that the area is safe, pretty and well-kept throughout the year.

The centre staff continue to work hard all year round ensuring the centre is open as much as possible for the community to use as a safe space and a hub – thank you. And I must thank the WI for the beautiful table decorations that they create. These add a real sense of cheer to the centre, and their continued support of the Parish Council’s events is greatly appreciated.

Of course, none of what we all do, could be achieved without the guidance and support of our superb clerk, Keith Gray, whose knowledge and expertise is invaluable to us all – Thank you Clerk.

Sarah James

Cllr James

Chairman of the Coldharbour Parish Council