St Georges Day Flags 
Its almost that time of year when the village comes alive with the St Georges Day Flags.  We'll be putting them up on Sunday 14th April, meeting at 10am at the noticeboard outside the Kitchen Larder.  We understand that time is precious but we really hope you can support us - even if you physically can't be there, please ask your friends and family if they can help.  We had very few volunteers to help with the take down of the Christmas lights and it would be a real shame if we were unable to put the flags up this year. 

Purple Day for Epilepsy Society 
Our last Chamber Seminar was held at the Epilepsy Society where we learnt all about Epilepsy and the fabulous work the Society does with no Government funding.  If you haven't heard of Purple Day, where have you been hiding? It's on 26th March and many of our businesses are turning purple on, and leading up to the day. You don't have to do very much at all.. wear something purple, bake a purple cake... it's more about awareness, but if you can do something to raise money for the Epilepsy Society even better - remember to use the tag #purpleday in your social media posts

Our next Seminar
Our next seminar is at Austenmead, a lovely supported living home in School Lane. We'll be there on 23rd May from about 6pm - presentations start at 6.30pm  At these events you get to learn about some of our members and their businesses as well as enjoying a drink or two with time for informal networking. 
If you would like to showcase your business at one of our  events please do get in contact. 

Your Chamber needs you! 
You may have seen in the Presidents report for 2018 that we finished up last year with 91 members - more than we've ever had! However, we are struggling to find committee members to support all these members. If you have a few hours a week and want to join a proactive team supporting our businesses, please let me know.  You are often the first to know about important information and initiatives and will have a say in any decisions we make. You are more than welcome to attend one of our monthly committee meetings before you commit to anything. Let me know if you want further details. 

Feast Day 
Feast Day will be here before we know it! If you'd like to advertise your business or organisation in the Feast Day brochure please get in contact with Simon on 077866 00070 or simon_harris@talk21.com before the end of March. 

If you can volunteer some time on the day or want to book a stall, please contact the Feast Day and Fun Night organisers.

Subscriptions 2019 

A gentle reminder to pay your subscriptions for 2019 before we need to start the reminder process. All of this will cost us time and effort which we could be making more use of elsewhere.  If you haven't joined yet and would like to know more about member benefits, please get in contact.  

October Seminar 
Chalfont St Peter Tennis Club are delighted to be hosting the Autumn Chamber of Commerce networking event at their club on Friday 11th October. The event will commence at 6pm until roughly 8.30pm. If any attendees would like to have a game of tennis on their courts, this will be available from 5pm. Please email Therese at news@chalfontstpetertennisclub.co.uk if you would like to have a game! Suitable tennis footwear will be necessary to use on the courts and there will be some demo rackets and tennis balls available for use.

Date: 11th October 2019 
Time: 6pm for 6.30pm start (or 5pm to take advantage of the tennis game) 
Location: Chalfont St Peter Tennis Club, Playing Field, Gravel Hill, CSP, SL9 9QZ

Please let us know if you are able to attend to give us an idea of numbers for catering
 

Employability Skills Day – Wednesday 13th November 

The Chalfonts Community College will be holding an Employability Skills Day on Wednesday 13th November, this day is for our Yr11 Students and Sixth Form students. The day will include a careers fair in our main hall, the students will be able to attend four career related workshops, participate in a 1:1 interview with a professional from outside The College and complete an on-line career related psychometric test.

It would be great if local business people and traders could assist us with this day! It is also a great opportunity for you to meet our young people. There are several ways in which you can help us:

• Represent your organisation, area of work at our careers fair. Students are really interested to learn how individuals make their work choices and their career journeys.

• Interview our students. Students are asked to complete a generic application form prior to the meeting, this information will be a starting point for discussion. This is likely to be the first time our students have spoken about themselves in a formal setting. The interview lasts ten minutes and in my opinion is the most personally beneficial part of the day for the student.

• Career Related Workshops. There are a selection of workshops the students can choose to attend, they range from Apprenticeships, Applying to University and University Life, Working in Engineering, Starting Your Own Business, Working in the Catering Industry, Working in Media, Completing a Job Application Form and Writing a CV, Creating a Good Impression….. If you would like to run a workshop, we would welcome the opportunity to discuss this with you further.

If you think you can help, please get in touch with the team on 01753 881744

 

We need your help
The Chalfont St Peter Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1948 and the team of volunteers have done amazing work over the years supporting business and working with the community. Right now we are desperately short on committee members and we're worried that we will have to cut back on some of our activities.  Please contact me if you think you can spare a few hours a week and be able to attend our monthly meetings - we meet at 6pm on the first Wednesday of each month. 

Marie Cavanagh 
President 
Chalfont St Peter Chamber of Commerce 
T: 01753 899108
 

We're really pleased to see that many of our non essential retail stores are starting to open up again and it's been lovely to see so many of you supporting the small independents in the village.  It is a tough time at the moment with restrictions imposed to ensure your safety is paramount.  Each business has had to complete a risk assessment and make significant changes to the way they work - many are operating reduced days/hours so please check before making a special trip to your favourite shop.  Over the coming days you will see some changes in the village centre to further ensure your safety and allow for the social distancing guidelines.  

Click on this link from the Parish Council to see more details. 
 

Double Celebration at Chalfont St. Peter retirement home
 
Residents at Austenmead, an independent living home for the elderly on School Lane in Chalfont St. Peter, had two reasons to celebrate recently.  Decked to the rafters with Union Jack bunting, the eight residents celebrated not only the anniversary of the end to the war in Europe, but also that three of the staff at the home, House Managers Lesley Wilcock & Beverley Green and assistant Mimi Zabarcencu have been locked down with them since the lockdown began in mid-March and, as a result, all staff and residents are still safe and well. 
 
The residents at the home, which has eleven rooms in total, have their own self-contained apartments along with a communal dining room and lounge where home-cooked meals and entertainment are provided all year round.  One House Manager is always on site anyway, but although the residents are relatively fit and well, Lesley and Beverley did not hesitate to offer to stay in complete lockdown with them for the three-month period suggested by the government for the vulnerable, in order to reduce the risk of bringing the virus into the home.  
 
In order to try and make up for the absence of visits from loved ones a laptop was bought for the residents to be able to stay in touch and although the usual external entertainers have been unable to visit, the activities have just become more inventive including gala dinners, with everyone dressing up in their finery, growing the houses own fruit and vegetables using the greenhouse and raised plant beds, quizzes, karaoke and of course the usual bingo, film nights, arts and crafts and puzzle solving!  The residents have also been able to benefit from daily walks in the beautiful grounds and being able to sun themselves on the lounge terrace!
 
Bob Forster, Chair of the team of volunteer trustees who oversee the running of the home, expressed his admiration for both the staff who have devoted themselves to the residents in this way as well as the residents for banding together to get each other through these unprecedented times.
 
The house has also been well cared for within the community with local people dropping off (on the bench outside the house) gifts for the staff and residents often without knowing even who has done it, and so everyone at the home would like to say a big ‘THANK YOU’ to each and every one of them.
 
Asked what the staff are most looking forward to in the future, they replied that they can’t wait to welcome new residents, with one currently waiting to move in when restrictions are lifted, and also to move on with the refurbishment of the home, which is currently on hold due to the crisis, which includes modernisation of all en-suites and redecoration of communal areas.
 

We really love to see our members coming together to work on special projects but this story has really warmed our hearts 

Chef Zhu and Spice Restaurant have been quietly working together over the last few weeks to show their support to the carers who are looking after some of the most vunerable people at Epilepsy Society. Between them they have provided nearly 300 free meals, during a time when their own businesses have been severely impacted. What’s really lovely about this story is that both restaurants are effectively in competition with each other but can put that aside to give back to the community

Crumbs Coffee 

It's great to see Crumbs Coffee back in business with their usual smiling faces ready to serve you.  Pop in and treat yourself to something to take away and enjoy on the common or one of the other lovely open spaces in the village. 
 

Emerald Frames 

Emerald Frames is currently exhibiting Josie Clouting's 'Biomes' The theme of the show is based around paintings inspired by Eden Project in Cornwall.  Many of the paintings are shaped to reflect the glazing in the Eden project’s design.

Keep an eye on Emerald Frames facebook page to see details of the paintings on line. Please contact the team if you would like to reserve one. You are, of course welcome to visit the gallery to view the show, but due to COVID 19 restrictions you will need to make an appointment. 

Pop and Moo

Pop and Moo are delighted to announce that their boutique & gift shop is now open at 10am every day
As they monitor customer needs over the first few days they will review days & hours of opening and updates will be available on their social media pages & website. 
The Pop & Moo team would like to wish all the local businesses the very best of luck as they start to re open again and a great big thank you to everyone who has supported them during these difficult times. 
 

Spoilt Rotten 

Spoilt Rotten are thrilled to be back open to stand alongside the rest of the High Street opening and offering their full range of services, following strict guidelines and safety procedures.  If your doggy is due to be totally Spoilt Rotten this summer advance booking is highly recommended as they are in high demand and at times have a 2-6 week wait for an appointment. They are now accepting new clients too, but there is a wait for an appointment.
Natasha & Dave, would like to personally thank every single individual who has supported their small independent business, whether it is buying a bag of treats, a new dog bed or using their grooming services, through this uncertain time and ongoing and are looking forward to seeing lots of smiling faces and wagging tails in the future. Thank you to all. Spoilt Rotten wish everyone well and are looking forward to welcoming neighbours back and wish them all the best on their reopenings.
 

Bucks Leather 

The Bucks Leather ladies are back and ready to serve you.  Not only can you get your fix in store with their new social distancing measures in place, you can also access them 24x7 online And if that's not enough you can even book your own private appointment.  Just give them a ring on 01753 892342 or email bucksleather@btconnect.com to discuss your requirements. 

Shop Local Week 10th to 16th August 

Shop Local Week is part of the government’s Enjoy Summer Safely campaign, encouraging people to get back to the way of life they have missed, while following safety guidelines.

From popping into a local family-run bakery for a loaf of bread, or buying a quirky gift from an independent shop, by shopping locally people can help local business owners and local communities get back up and running.

Please take advantage of our small independent businesses and help them get through these difficult times 

Pop and Moo Sale now on 

What better way to kick off Shop Local Week than with a Summer sale from Pop and Moo. You'll find plenty of bargains with up to 50% off selected Summer styles. Look out on social media for more styles being added & further reductions! 
New stock arriving daily as we start to think about transitioning into Autumn.  Thanks to the support of customers Pop and Moo are now open 10am - 5pm Monday - Saturday.

Eat Out to Help Out 

Between 3rd and 31st August you can take advantage of the Government's Eat out to Help Out Scheme for a 50% discount on food or non-alcoholic drinks to eat in (up to a maximum of £10 discount per diner) every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  You can use this offer as many times as you like

You can see the participating restaurants here but please double check before booking your table 

Chef Zhu 

Chef Zhu are a true family business and therefore are currently unable to take the risk of reopening to eat in diners. To keep everyone safe they won't be partaking in the Eat Out to Help Out scheme as the business requires all family members to function.  

They are however offering a free main course with any takeaway order over £50 and will be passing on the VAT savings that the government announced recently. 

Give their Facebook page a like to keep up to date of any changes 
 

Chalfont St Peter Tennis Club is thriving 

Since lockdown was lifted in May, Chalfont St Peter Tennis Club has been a fitness lifeline for many people in Chalfont St Peter and surrounding areas.

Membership has risen since they re-opened and with the loyal support of existing members they have had the best adult and junior membership the club has ever seen. With careful financial management and committed voluntary members on the committee, the club can boast 4 Tiger Turf Pro Advantage courts, floodlights on 3 courts and a new online booking system. The club is currently undergoing clubhouse renovation as they were  unfortunately hit by Storm Ciara, but works should be finished in September and the clubhouse will be in tip top condition again. 

The ethos of the club has always been to encourage inclusivity, friendliness and a community spirit, but with social distancing being enforced they have had to cease all social events and roll up tennis. However, this has not deterred the committee from organising organised play for members on 6 days of the week. The club has also organised tournaments and these are underway which will culminate in some sort of finals event in September.

For more details on the club and membership please visit the website
 

Oenone44 at Emerald Frames 
 
Emerald Frames is pleased to announce Oenone44 is exhibiting her fabulous Rainbows collection from 15th August to 12th September, Tues - Saturday 9am to 5pm.  Contact Cath on 07507 774017 to view the collection.