Prestwood Community Association has published the following open letter to all stakeholders in the community.
Dear Prestwood Resident,
Launch Meeting – a good Start
Prestwood Community Association (PCA) was very pleased to host an almost full house for its launch at Prestwood Village Hall on October 29th.
We hope that everyone who attended will have left with the clear understanding that PCA is keen to work with everyone in the village – residents, organisations and businesses.
The turnout on the night was certainly gratifying, and there was plenty of energy in the hall. But it is obvious that this represented only a small fraction of the Prestwood community. This ‘open letter’ seeks to reach well beyond those who managed to attend in person.
What will PCA do?
Our full launch presentation is available by clicking this link.
Key messages are summarised on these two introductory slides:
PCA’s committed team has brought the new association to this point. The team includes residents with a wide range of experience and connections. We have members with experience of project work, community safety initiatives, consultation and surveys, funding applications, networking, and events organisation. Already we are working on certain projects.
But we aspire to take the village to another level. The keys to this are sharing ideas, partnering with local groups and organisations, and adding to our volunteer numbers.
Partnering
Surveys tell us that the environment is important to Prestwood residents. We were very excited that Prestwood Nature (PN) accepted our invitation to present at PCA’s launch. PCA’s projects will include works of an environmental nature, and we look forward to benefitting from PN’s expertise and sometimes working alongside each other.
Prestwood Village Association (PVA) is coordinating with PCA on publicising this open letter, the latest of several news items it has published on our behalf.
PCA has strong links with Great Missenden Parish Council, Missendens Community Board, Great Missenden Village Association, Plan-It Prestwood, Progress for Prestwood and others. We shall keep developing this network.
Volunteering
At the launch, Committee members Matthew Appleby and York Woodford-Smith shared inspiring thoughts on the value of volunteering, not just for the community, but also on a personal level. These include stronger social connections, improved general and mental health, skill building, improved life satisfaction and self-esteem.
For the next stage in its development, PCA needs volunteers. From joining the Committee to lead one of our activities, to joining a working group, to giving time to a specific project, volunteering can take many different forms, with differing time commitments.
PCA presented two big ideas for 2025 – ‘Prestwood in Bloom’ and ‘Prestwood’s Big Week’. Both would require buy-in from a wide section of the community, and cooperation with local organisations, businesses and residents. Success would contribute to the cohesion and ‘feel good’ of the village, and it is hoped, put in place the basis of exciting annual events.
Residents interested in volunteering in any way, or just discussing possibilities, can contact us in the first instance on info@prestwoodcommunity.uk. Or you could speak to one of our Committee members, listed at the bottom of this letter.
Currently, we are especially keen to fill two Committee positions:
We need to find residents with knowledge of Planning. This rather specialised subject will become ever more important in the coming years. If this is you, or you can refer someone with that experience, that would be very welcome.
We are also looking for a lead on Communication. This would be a great opportunity for a resident who will share our excitement, and bring the skills, creativity and enthusiasm to take the PCA, and Prestwood, forward.
Buckinghamshire Lottery – another way of supporting PCA
PCA has no plans at present to raise funds by asking residents to subscribe in cash, but we shall always need to meet some admin costs.
We have joined the Buckinghamshire Lottery. This is a weekly draw, with a top prize of £25,000. Each ticket costs £1. 60p in every pound raised is paid out to ‘good causes’, of which 50p goes to your own nominated cause. In comparison, 25% of funds raised by the National Lottery is paid to good causes.
We invite residents to visit https://www.buckinghamshirelottery.co.uk/support/prestwood-community-association and sign up – either through a monthly recurring plan, or 1, 3, 6 or 12 months of weekly tickets.
We hope that you will be inspired to join and/or support PCA. If not now, then please look out for our news, and perhaps you can join in on a project further down the line.
With best wishes,
The PCA Committee
Karen Pither (Chair)
Graham Cross (Vice Chair)
Robert Gibson (Treasurer)
Denise Martin (Secretary)
Matthew Appleby
Emma Barrows
John Cadman
Kayleigh Lucas
York Woodford-Smith