WhAT is Bost?

I've lived in Buckland for more than 20 years, run a Public Relations company from home and have worked as a consultant for charities such as the RNLI, the Thompson Foundation and the International Maritime Rescue Federation.  After starting my career as a journalist, I joined the BBC, became Controller of Marketing Communications for BBC News, then had Corporate Affairs Directorships with the England and Wales Cricket Board, Ofcom, the Audit Commission, and the Camelot Group. I have also been the President of the Media Society, Chairman of Newsworld,  was a Trustee for the national charity Youth Music for nine years and am a Fellow of the Royal Television Society. I spend more time in Buckland now and it’s a great place to live, but without a village pub or shop, it lacks a focal point, and this is why the hall is so important. Since we moved here my wife, Di and I, have annually hosted the charity event ‘Music under the Stars’, an attempt to bring the village together, but we need more activity across the wider creative arts and the hall can be the base for this, and so much more. In essence, I'd like the village hall to become a vibrant, all-inclusive hub of the community with diverse activities and key events during each year that bring us all together. Our charitable purpose is to provide recreation for all, and we'll do this by continuously engaging with the people of Buckland Parish to establish how best to meet that overall objective.

 I came to the Benefice of Aston Clinton, Buckland & Drayton Beauchamp in 2014 as Curate and then became Rector in 2018.  My ministry has never been solely about working inside our parish churches but also about the journey alongside our parishioners out in the community.  For me, we are simply one big community with Buckland Village hall at its heart.  In what can sometimes feel a lonely world I would like the village hall to be a place where we can feel welcome and part of the rich and diverse community both in Buckland and the surrounding villages; a place where we can all come together for different activities and key social events throughout the year. 

I am Paula Graves and have lived in Buckland Village for 31 years. My career was in various branches of Administration and as Office Manager in Sales. I have been a Trustee of the Village Hall for 14 years and carried out the roles of Hall Manager, Secretary and Treasurer very hetic a lot of the time but it is very rewarding and an honour to serve the community . We have taken on new members who have the right knowledge and keenness to take our lovely hall forward to success 

Born in Bedford, I moved to Buckland when I was a few months old. I have lived in Buckland Parish for most of my life, in Buckland Road and Buckland village. I taught Italian in further education at Aylesbury College, and then maths at secondary school level. Having taken early retirement, in 1999 I was elected to Aylesbury Vale District Council as a member for the Aston Clinton ward. I retired from the Council in 2021, having been Cabinet Member for Planning for 19 years. I am currently a Buckland Parish Councillor representative on BOST. I would like to see the Hall become once again the focus of social interaction within the Parish. In its time it has seen many changes, but has formed the central point of our community, e.g. Buckland Society events, the Buckland Players’ theatrical productions, public meetings, Harvest Suppers, lunch clubs, Christmas parties for young and old, wine and cheese evenings . . . . . just a small example of what the Hall has meant to life in Buckland over the years. This proves it has the potential, now we need to use it.

 I have lived in BUCKLAND for over 30 years and have and have contributed to many activities the Parish has organised. This includes BUCKLAND Parish Council and BUCKLAND Society that now sadly has gone.
My background is in health and media communications. 
My goal for BOST is to see the Village Hall utilised as a communication hub for the parish, developing a safe place for the community to gather at social events and hold health education courses and classes.  The hall is ideal for the local community and I openly will encourage users to start new classes and use the hall to its full.
All changes I believe should be driven with the consent of the community and offer the hall use by deleoping a clear offer to potential users in and out of BUCKLAND. 

Hello, my name is Linda Oatley and I am a newly minted Trustee of Buckland  Old School Trust. I have lived in the village since 2007, so I am a relative newbie. Buckland is really a lovely village with a very strong community spirit and the village hall is at the heart of it. The hall lends itself to a large variety of activities and is frequently used for activities such as; birthday parties, wedding receptions, dance and pilates classes. I remember well celebrating Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle at the hall, a lovely day. And on an annual basis we have the 'Bucks Pub' which is a long weekend affair which welcomes visitors from miles around. There is music and food, the object is to raise funds for local charities...always a great success.

On a personal level; I spent my career working in the corporate sector, both here and USA. Since being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis I have been very active in the charity sector, being both chair of trustees and a major fundraiser for the Chilterns MS Centre for several years. In addition I am a governor at Aylesbury High School for girls, so feel very connected to young people.

I look forward to welcoming you to Buckland Village Hall, bring your book group, dance group or knitting group...all are welcome.

I have lived in Buckland Village for the past 26 years and previously in Drayton Beauchamp from childhood.  I have worked in Store Management for Marks and Spencer for many years, and then completely changed direction and became a tennis coach for many local clubs including Aston Park in Aston Clinton.  When my two children came along I devoted time to raising a family and volunteered for many local organisations including being a governor at Aylesbury High School and more recently Club Secretary for Berkhamsted Gymnastics Club, where I was shortlisted to the final 3 for volunteer of the year.  In the past 18 months I joined Buckland Parish Council as Parish Clerk, which I really enjoy.  It gives me an insight into village life and so many different issues.  The Parish Office is based in Buckland Village Hall so I am there twice a week.

During my time living in Buckland I have hired the hall for many family events.   It is a wonderful facility that we are lucky to have in Buckland. 

I have joined BOST as I believe the hall can be utilised as a community space. I would like to see it become more of a hub for many local groups within the village and surrounding areas .