- Latest News
- News archive
Society sponsors new tree for Chalfont St Giles
Buckinghamshire Building Society in conjunction with the Chalfont St Giles Parish Council planted a new tree by the pond in Chalfont St Giles on Wednesday 17th October 2007. It is a 15 year old pin oak, or Quercus palustris, and replaces the diseased horse chestnut tree which was removed in April this year. Buckinghamshire Building Society is delighted to donate the tree as part of its Centenary Celebrations and continued involvement in the local Community.
Pictured in front of the tree are the Society's Chairman, Howard Machin, and Council Chairman Mike Stannard.
Date modified: 19/10/2007
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE BUILDING SOCIETY SPONSORS CHALFONT ST GILES FUN RUN AND SHOW
The annual Chalfont St Giles Village Show and Fun Run were held on Saturday 1st September this year, and as part of its continuing involvement and support in the local Community, Buckinghamshire Building Society was delighted to sponsor both the Run and the main arena at the Show. The Society’s Chairman, Howard Machin, presented trophies at both events.
The Fun Run winner was Steve Kirby with a time of 37:34, who also won the Chalfont St Giles Shield and the Veteran’s Cup. The first female was Debbie Wenman in 42:44. She was also the first female Veteran. As part of its Centenary celebrations this year, the Society dedicated a trophy to the oldest finisher. This year it was 66 year old Tony Molesworth who came in at number 60 out of a field of 195 in a time of 50:50.
As well as sponsoring the main arena at the Show, which was very well attended and encompassed a great variety of entertainment for all ages, Buckinghamshire Building Society also had a stall where savings accounts, including the Society’s new Centenary Bond account, were advertised and a free prize draw was held. The Society would like to express its gratitude to everyone who stopped by and to congratulate the draw winners, who were:
1st prize, Mr A Marshall
2nd prize, Ms K Pearce
3rd prize, Mrs U Pain
Children’s prize, Ben Dosanjh
Click here to view winners list
Date modified: 04/09/2007
Buckinghamshire Building Society Centenary Walk
Date modified: 06/08/2007
MEMBERS' CENTENARY BARBECUE
On Friday 27th July, the Buckinghamshire Building Society marked its Centenary year with a Members’ Barbecue held in the Merlin’s Cave pub in Chalfont St Giles. Earlier in the day the Society proved its generosity to the community by giving donations to some local charities. Chairman Howard Machin presented cheques to the Iain Rennie Hospice at Home, the National Society for Epilepsy, the Chalfont St Giles Community Library, the Chiltern Society to replace stiles with gates on local walks, Milton’s Cottage Trust, Chalfont St Peter Village Association for new flags for the village’s St Peters Day celebrations and Chalfont St Peter Parish Council towards the renovated Coronation clock on Gold Hill Common. Mr Machin said, “It is important to remember our community spirit and we are pleased to be able to help all of these great local causes.”
The barbecue itself saw a fantastic turn out of over 500 local Members who came along to enjoy a night of great fun. Musical entertainment was provided by radio station Mix 107 fm, and there were plenty of activities to keep the children happy, including a bouncy castle, face painting, balloon modelling and games run by the Society’s staff. Luckily there was only a small shower of rain, and no-one let that dampen their evening. General Manager Robert Watkinson said, “We are overwhelmed by the attendance of our local Members at this function to celebrate our Centenary year. I have also heard so many kind remarks as people seem to have enjoyed the evening enormously.”
A free raffle was also held with many of the prizes kindly donated by local businesses, and the evening finished with an amazing firework display.
Date modified: 01/08/2007
GENEROSITY OF LOCAL BUILDING SOCIETY
Local community projects and charities will benefit from generous donations to be given by Buckinghamshire Building Society to mark its Centenary year. The major beneficiaries are the Iain Rennie Hospice at Home, the National Centre for Epilepsy, the Chiltern Society (to renew gates on local walks), Milton’s Cottage (to renew the fountain in the garden), Chalfont St Peter Parish Council (towards the renovation of the clock on Gold Hill), Friends of Chalfont St Giles Library and Chalfont St Peter Village Association (to replace the flags for the St Peters Day celebrations). An official presentation will be made prior to the Society’s Members’ barbecue on 27th July at the Merlin’s Cave in Chalfont St Giles.
Other groups which have already gained from the Society’s generosity this year include sponsorships for the Royal British Legion Concert, Chiltern Open Air Museum events brochure, Chilterns Conservation Board newsletter, Chalfont St Giles Literary Festival leaflets and Pedal Performing Arts new T-shirts.
|
Date modified: 10/07/2007
Centenary Open Day
On 3rd April 2007, Buckinghamshire Building Society celebrated its 100th birthday. An open day was held in both the Chalfont St Giles and the Chalfont St Peter branches, and customers were offered refreshments and promotional items. There was also a free prize draw held, and the winners of this were:
Hamper – Mrs Woolley | i-pod shuffle – Mr Kitson | Champagne – Mrs Gillan |
Pictured is one of the Society’s valued customers and Mike Stannard, one of the Society’s Directors, in the Head Office Banking Hall on the Open Day.
Date modified: 24/05/2007
Buckinghamshire Building Society among the best for mortgages and TESSA only ISAs
The prestigious What Mortgage magazine awards took place in March again this year. The Buckinghamshire Building Society was named as one of the finalists in the “Best National Building Societies” category over a two year period. This category is made up of mutual lenders with at least one branch that operate the same lending criteria nationwide. With the Society consistently appearing in these awards (third place in 2003 in the Best Value and Best Local Lenders categories), our customers are assured that they are getting a good deal on their mortgage. The What Mortgage magazine awards have been established for nine years and are recognised as the market leader in award indicators. The Buckinghamshire Building Society also received an award nomination this month from Moneyfacts in its category of best TESSA only ISA provider. Moneyfacts is the UK’s largest selling professional financial monthly. It provides financial information to more than 100 National and Regional newspapers, periodicals and websites as well as BBC Ceefax. A TESSA only ISA provides the opportunity to continue earning tax free interest on the capital from a matured TESSA. It is a tax free account which operates within the ISA regulations and can be held in addition to any other ISA maxi or mini.
Date modified: 14/04/2007
A SOLID 2005 FOR THE BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
The Buckinghamshire Building Society has reported another successful year with assets up by 8 percent to £134 million. Mortgage balances stand at just under £100 million.
At the Society’s AGM last week, Chairman Howard Machin reported that although lending was not at the record levels of 2004, the Board was very happy with progress in the light of a hugely competitive mortgage market. In total, the Buckinghamshire lent over £18 million during 2005.
In achieving this figure, the Society has received a fourth successive What Mortgage finalist award. The finalists are those Best Value Lenders that provide the cheapest mortgage deal to existing customers over the year, showing consistency and commitment to long term value.
“This proves our claim to operate on the lowest possible margins for the benefit of both our mortgage customers and our savers,” said Mr Machin.
The Society has also reported a solid inflow of investment during the year, reversing a net outflow of funds last time. “One of our initiatives to attract and retain funds was the introduction of our 90-day Chiltern Gold Notice Account which offers a very competitive rate of interest. This has proved popular with new and existing savers alike.”
Steady future
Looking ahead, Mr Machin is quietly confident. “There is every evidence that the price of houses at the top end have reduced to more reasonable levels” he said, “but there are still major problems for the first time buyer market and even the Government have been forced to take some action over its shared equity schemes and affordable housing for key workers such as nurses and firemen.”
“Fortunately in the middle market where we carry out most of our mortgage lending, we continue our policy of prudent lending at sensible Loans to Value (LTV) and our excellent on-going arrears record proves this.”
100 years of local service
In 2007, the Chalfont St Giles based Buckinghamshire Building Society will mark its centenary and a programme of celebration is planned. “We are very proud of our heritage and have prospered as a small, local, independent Building Society over all that time. I hope that we can continue to do so in an ever changing and challenging world.”
click here to view our Summary Financial Statement
Date modified: 20/06/2006
ANOTHER MILESTONE REACHED
Although it is not due to celebrate its centenary year until 2007, the Buckinghamshire Building Society reached another 100 in 2006.
For the first time in the Society’s history, its mortgage book has exceeded the £100 million mark. This has occurred despite 2005 being a slow year for the housing market in general. In the local area especially property sales have been sluggish, making the amount reached even more significant.
Having also achieved its fourth consecutive “What Mortgage” finalist award in 2006, Buckinghamshire Building Society is confident that it can offer competitive deals to all its borrowers. The mortgage department (pictured here in the Chalfont St Peter office) consists of a knowledgeable and cheerful team who can be relied upon to provide up to date and relevant information as required.
Date modified: 28/02/2006
Updates to Junior Saver account
From January 2006, the following changes have been made to our Junior Saver account to benefit our customers:
The account’s maximum limit has been raised from £5,000 to £25,000, meaning the young person can save more for the future.
The minimum withdrawal amount has been reduced from £5.00 to £1.00.
The age limit has been increased from 16 to 18 years, so older children can now also enjoy the benefits of a Junior Saver account.
You will find further information on this account via our Investments page, and you can also take a look at our competitive interest rates.
Date modified: 01/02/2006
Mega Bucks!
The Buckinghamshire Building Society had cause to celebrate last month after lending reached over £25 million in 10 months, which exceeds the Society’s highest ever annual amount. Mortgage Manager Susan Jones (pictured bottom right), explained, “This was due to the hard work of the Mortgage Department and the competitive products that the Society has offered. We have also been finalists in the “What Mortgage” Lenders of the Year awards for the last two years.” The members of the Mortgage Team, pictured here raising a glass to their achievement, are located in the Society’s Chalfont St Peter branch in Market Place, and will be pleased to provide information on the Society’s current range of mortgage products in their usual friendly and helpful manner.
Date modified: 17/11/2004
