FixMyStreet is the go-to central system for reporting things which are broken, damaged or dumped - or need fixing or clearing; unsafe pavements, fallen trees, potholes, fly-tipping, flooding - you report it, FixMyStreet will sort it - EXCEPT for streetlights in Brill Village (the Parish Council has devolved responsibility) and issues on Brill Common (owned by Brill Parish Council so private land).

The FixMyStreet website is really easy to use - and there’s a new App for iOS and Android.

Brill’s nearest library, transferred from Bucks CC in 2012 and now a registered charity run by volunteers (help always needed). Books, internet access, newspapers & magazines, information and companionship. OPEN Wednesday 2 - 4pm, Saturday 10am - noon. Visit their website.

A new initiative to reduce costs & waste in Buckinghamshire by repairing and lending items to the community. The Library is housed in a container at the Bucks Railway Centre near Quainton and potential borrowers register and make requests via the I’d Like To Borrow website. Donations of money, equipment, time and skills are welcomed.

Want to get rid of something in reasonable condition? Post a message on the Brill Village Facebook Chat; somebody somewhere will want what you no longer need! Alternatively, if the weather is good, leave the item outside your property clearly marked ‘free to take away’ and it’ll go within a day. (Yes, we’ve heard that story about the woman being accused of fly tipping when she did this - but it wasn’t in Brill.)

There are recycling bins by the Fire Station (see picture) and several excellent and deserving charity shops in Thame. The Thame branch of Boots participates in the Boots Recycling Scheme (including empty blister packs) and Robert Dyas will take small electrical appliances for recycling - but don’t forget you can leave items like toothbrushes, batteries and cables in a clear plastic bag on top of your blue recycling bin on alternate Mondays.

There are EIGHT dog poo bins in Brill Village - so please DO NOT put dog waste in litter bins! Most of the litter bins are emptied by Mr Timms, who helps the parish council keep the village clean and tidy, and finding a torn bag of - Well, you get the idea. Just don’t do it. The dog poo bins are RED and you’re never too far from one.

Dog waste bins are emptied once a week most of the year and twice a week during the summer. This isn’t really logical because dogs produce the same amount of poo throughout the year - but it seems to work. If a dog waste bin is over-flowing REPORT IT and Bucks Council will empty it very quickly. If the problem continues, please tell the parish council; we may need to review the service.

Waste & recycling services are provided by Buckinghamshire Council. Household waste is collected from Brill properties on Monday mornings, with the following rotations:

• Food waste bin - every Monday

• Recycling bin and general waste bin - alternative Mondays

• Garden waste (brown bin, separate payment required) - same Monday as the recycling bin

Check what goes in each bin - or use the handy WASTE WIZARD.

Check your bin day and Report a missed bin collection

Arrange collection of bulky items (££ for 1-3 items)

Everything you’ve always wanted to know about recycling but couldn’t be bothered to ask - visit the heart of recycling in the UK.

To report a crime, contact Thames Valley Police on 101 or visit their report a crime webpage. In an emergency, call 999. To report a crime anonymously, call 0800 555 111 or go to the Crime Stoppers website. To access support to help you recover from the impact of crime, call 0300 1234 148 or visit the Victims First website

For information on all aspects of community security please visit the excellent Buckinghamshire Council’s Safety and Crimes pages or the lively Buckinghamshire Community Security Facebook Page.

Brill’s water supply is managed by Thames Water. Although generally satisfactory, aging pipes do sometimes spring leaks - and, although we all love living on a hill, there are associated challenges related to pumping water up to our reservoir on Muswell Hill and keeping this topped up. If the water goes off, check this page on the Thames Water website or call 0800 316 9800.

Thames Water operate priority services for people who may suffer the most faced with a water outage pensioners including pensioners, those with a mental or physical disability, and families with children under five. Support includes the home delivery of bottled water and registration is quick and easy.

Brill has two PADs - at the Fire Station in Temple Street, and at Brill Sports & Social Club off Church Street. Brill School and Unity Health Surgery also have defibrillators but these are only available when the buildings are open.

Call 999 if someone collapses and the operator will give you the location of your nearest defibrillator and access code - but don’t wait until the worst happens; watch this video on the British Heart Foundation website TODAY. . Read more about Brill’s defibrillators and how to use them.

We are proud of the education services in our village; Windmill Pre-school and Brill Church of England Primary School. Brill falls within the catchment area for several excellent secondary schools: Lord Williams’s School in Thame, Aylesbury High School, Aylesbury Grammar School and Henry Floyd Grammar School also in Aylesbury. Note that Buckinghamshire operates an optional secondary transfer test system (the 11+).

NHS primary healthcare and GP services in Brill are provided by Unity Health. The surgery (which has a dispensing facility and generous parking) is on Thame Road, just before the 30 mph signs. Most Unity Health services can now be accessed online, including appointments and repeat prescriptions. Alternatively, call the surgery on 01844 238284 for assistance.

The nearest NHS hospitals are Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Aylesbury and the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. Both have Accident & Emergency departments. For urgent problems, dial 111 for the NHS 111 service. In an emergency, dial 999.

Brill is served by two churches: All Saints, a Church of England Church and part of the Bernwode Benefice, is just off The Green, and Brill United Reformed Church (URC) is halfway along the High Street. Gemma Beesley is the Rector for All Saints, Jenny Edmans is Associate Minister (01844 237855) and Sue Horton is the URC secretary (01844 237982). See this month’s Bernwode News (on sale in local shops) or the Bernwode Benefice website for details of services and community activities.

Brill has a large playing field - with a stunning view over north Bucks - comprising two football pitches and a cricket field. The football pitches (the George V Playing Fields) are owned by Brill Parish Council and the cricket field is owned by the Aubrey Fletcher Estate, leased to Brill Sports & Social Club. The cricket field and football pitches are used regularly by youth and adult teams (enquire in BSSC) whilst Brill Church of England School uses the junior football pitch for sports and games. Access the playing fields from the alley on Temple Street or the track by All Saints Church. There is very limited parking by BSSC; please park behind the Memorial Hall or by the windmill - NOT on The Green!

We love our MUGA! Completed in early 2022 thanks to the hard work and generosity of lots of people in Brill and beyond and now enjoyed by people of all ages, abilities and sporting interests, from serious tennis players, through keep fit fanatics to parents kicking a ball about with their children. You can book a 30 or 60 minute session on the MUGA - or just turn up and play (so long as nobody with a confirmed booking appears).

We have two wonderful children’s playgrounds on the edge of the playing fields; one for infants and the other (with zip wire and climbing wall) for older children. Both areas were extensively refurbished in recent years - thanks to an amazing community effort led by an enthusiastic volunteer committee. Please park behind Brill Memorial Hall or by the windmill if visiting from outside the village.

Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service retained fire station in Temple Street is apparently “one of the most remote stations in Buckinghamshire”. Manned by local men and women, Monday is drill night. Visit their Facebook Page. Public access defibrillator on outside wall facing Temple Street.

Large village hall close to All Saints Church. Great for weddings, wakes, children’s parties, dances and fitness classes. Home to Brill Parish Council (office and meetings) and Bernwode Lunch Club. Venue for weekly short mat bowls, Pilates, yoga, and children and adult dance and fitness classes. Large kitchen, parking. Visit the Hall website for details of regular events and hiring charges.

Friendly membership club adjacent to the playing fields (access down the short track beside the church). Big screen tv or grandstand seat for the cricket. Cosy bar areas, pool table, terrace. Great for children and dogs. Coffee mornings on Fridays and host to many village meetings and family gatherings. Opening hours vary. Visit their Facebook Page.

Award-winning butcher’s shop behind The Pointer pub. Usually open Thursday & Friday 2.30pm - 6pm and Saturday 9am - 1pm. Email Jon, the butcher.