Archive

COMMUNITY leaders have called for closed-circuit television cameras to be installed after police admitted there were almost no officers on duty in Princes Risborough over Easter. Princes Risborough town councillors and community association members made

FORMER gamekeeper turned naked eco-warrior Walter Tickner has turned his attention to the mystery of the vanishing footpath. Sixty-three-year-old Mr Tickner, who bared all to save Slate Meadow in Bourne End, is battling to prove that the public footpath

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE County Council is to blame for head injuries suffered by Simon Gates when he fell over in a playground as an eight-year-old, the High Court ruled on Wednesday. Simon, now 14, of Reynolds Walk, Chesham, sustained a fractured skull when

DESPITE the complaints that there is nothing to do in Beaconsfield, young people seem to be turning their backs on an opportunity to suggest ideas. The steering committee of the proposed Beaconsfield Community Association wrote to 12 schools at the end

AFTER reading the article headed 'Tesco rap at public inquiry' (Midweek, July 21), I was shocked to read what the council barrister Brian Ash QC said. I accept he is acting under the instructions of Wycombe District Council, but who is the council representing

Les Miserables 12 134mins Dir Billie August. HOW do you bring one of the great stories to the big screen? director Billie August must have asked at the beginning of this project. Ignore half of it, pepper it with Hollywoodisms and change the ending; came

Jeremy Austin meets the funniest man not on television. ITALIAN Glaswegian Armando Iannucci, although not a household name, is a television comedy God. Many of the influential and successful comedy shows of the 1990s have been touched by his hand -- I'm

I AM writing to correct any misunderstanding of the current position on the Marlow Parking and Transportation Study which as you know is being jointly prepared by Buckinghamshire County Council and Wycombe District Council in conjunction with our consultants

Parent launches crossing campaign PARENT Jacqueline Mackie has launched a campaign for a pelican crossing after two pupils suffered broken bones and head injuries in two road accidents within a week. Mrs Mackie, 46, of Chiltern Avenue, Castlefield, walks

Paramedic suspended over allergy boy's death A PARAMEDIC has been suspended from duty as ambulance bosses investigate the treatment given to teenager Steven Hall who died after suffering an allergic reaction to a curry. Patrick Hammond-Storey was suspended

Parents struggle to pay court battle costs MOTHER Angela Catchpole's family could be left thousands of pounds in debt after losing a court battle with education officials over her son's schooling. Mrs Catchpole fears she and her husband Michael could

I READ Councillor Stephen Billingham's letter, in these columns last week, about the continuing road accidents on the Bradenham Road leading to Princes Risborough, where there is a bridge over the road on a corner. When I represented as a county councillor

Re: The Inn on the Green Limited, Cookham Dean THEY say, "no publicity is bad publicity", so with that in mind I write not to complain about what was written about this establishment by Steve Warren, in "Lager than Life" (Freetime, August 7), but just

You've Got Mail Dir Nora Ephron Cert PG WHEN rom-com expert Nora Ephron sets out to be funny and touching, and gets Meg Ryan to wrinkle her little nose, and Tom Hanks to be all little-boy-lost, what can a jaded cinema hack do? We have to swallow our cynicism

Get into the right spirit in this traditional pub Jeremy Austin tucks in at the George and Dragon in West Wycombe. APPARENTLY the George and Dragon, West Wycombe, is haunted. Frankly, a building that isn't haunted in this ancient hamlet is probably more

A NEW hospital for psychiatric outpatients in the High Wycombe area will be opened at Harlow House, Harlow Road -- formerly a Catholic Church hall -- on September 3. It will be able to treat 40 patients a day. The week before opening there will be a series

ENGLAND bowls international Lynne Thelwell has been named sports personality of the year by Marlow Town Council. Mrs Thelwell, 53, of Maple Rise, Marlow, has played for Marlow Bowls Club for 18 years where she has won a catalogue of awards. She is a Bucks

AFTER the jubilation of victory at Manchester City on Saturday afternoon, Wanderers were brought back down to earth with a defeat at Notts County on Tuesday night. Wanderers saw all their magnificent work at the weekend slip away as they were stung by

COUPLES are being asked to come forward to test brand-new top-secret condoms. The Chiltern Research Unit has launched a county-wide search to find 100 heterosexual couples to try the contraception -- and will even pay expenses. The revolutionary new condom

VETERAN police officer Gary Conlon fears for his family's safety under plans to slash the number of officers in South Bucks. The 54-year-old PC, who has walked the beat in Chesham for 15 years, said policing in the town will become a nightmare under proposals

FIRST World War veteran Robbie Burns, who is 102, spoke to a captivated crowd about his battlefield experiences. Mr Burns, who now lives in Wokingham, gave his talk at the monthly meeting of the PROBUS Club, at the Royal British Legion, in High Wycombe

HOW do we feel about the River Wye? There seem to be people making outrageous and unnecessary plans to keep the water levels high. To pump water from Marlow is a ludicrous idea, disharmonious with any natural law imaginable. I feel that this would be

Amersham Common (2 seats) Pamela Appleby (L Dem) sitting councillor and school governor. Steven Bates (Con) builder turned logistics company problem-solver who wants more housing for locals. Jane Bramwell (L Dem) solicitor, previously elected as Jane

A GANG of knife-wielding thugs stabbed a 16-year-old boy in the back after cornering him and his friend in an alleyway near a pub. The three men, who were all carrying knives, approached the two boys and demanded money from them as they talked near the

In the nude: Jonathan Sherrard and Merida Saunders pose behind the panel PEOPLE are invited to pose as nude couple Adam and Eve to help raise cash for a hall renovation. Willing punters at Chalfont St Giles' Open Gardens Day can have their pictures taken

THE article about Chiltern Railways, written by Nasser Hashmi (BFP, August 28), was an absolute waste of time and space. When did he take his journey? On a Sunday afternoon. When do most users of the service travel? Monday to Friday mornings and evenings

Chris Herbert meets a dance band on the slippery slope to success ALTERNATIVE dance band Specimen A are set to perform at a two-day snowboarding extravaganza just weeks after becoming the first group to sign to their own label, Squeaky Clean Records.

Lindi Bilgorri takes a trip down memory lane with a visit to the Broadway Continental Restaurant. THERE is nothing continental about The Broadway Continental restaurant in Beaconsfield. It is as English as porcelain tea cups. The restaurant, which is

KEVIN Maizey writing in last week's letters, quite rightly points to the sheer lunacy of Wycombe District Council's idea of having a business park at the AXA Equity & Law offices. Elsewhere in your paper, a report by a local chartered surveyor concludes

I AM writing to ask you to make your readers aware of the appalling situation in Buckinghamshire's schools. A meeting was held last week, at my son's school (John Hampden Grammar), at which we were told that the financial situation has become desperate

TAKE 250 children, 11 days, heaps of enthusiasm, loads of talent and you have Wycombe Swan Summer Youth Project. The children aged ten to 19 are putting on Pirates of Penzance during the summer holiday. More than 500 children went along to the auditions

Campaign grows: Residents from Tylers Green protest at a possible mobile phone mast at the local telephone exchange More join the towering protest against masts A PROTEST has been launched against a mobile phone firm's plans for a 15-metre-high tower

THERE were reunions all round when Chesham World War II veteran Jim Randall visited his former regiment, the Royal Scots Guards, as they commemorated the Battle of Waterloo. Mr Randall's first reunion was with Colonel Aiden Sprot, his reconnaissance troop

HOUSEWIFE Doreen Bates paid tribute to an old schoolfriend this week -- 1960s singer Dusty Springfield, who died on Tuesday. Mrs Bates told how she remembered the superstar when she was merely Mary O'Brien, of Hylton Road, Sands, during the 1940s. Mrs

Sam Fryer talks to Bucks artist Romeo Di Girolamo about his work with a charity which helps partially sighted people to paint ARTIST Cavaliere Romeo Di Girolamo is taking up the Fight for Sight to encourage people to see that art is for everyone. Romeo

MEMBERS of the Hedgerley Historical Society have renewed appeals for help with their project to compile a video to mark the millennium. The video will look at Hedgerley, past and present. Brenda White, involved in the society's 2000 Project, said: "The

I HAVE just had an unforgettable experience in connection with the workings of the NHS, which I should like to share. Following a swimming session, I had very painful chest pains. Our GP acted immediately and I found myself in the tender care of our community

Anastasia (U) A Russian princess loses her crown. Armageddon (12) More rock/Earth interface-based disaster. With Bruce Willis. Barney's Great Adventure (U) Cuddly dinosaur fun for kids. Dr Dolittle (PG) Eddie Murphy talks to the animals. Godzilla (PG)

WE trust that Chiltern Railways, the main provider of rail transport in South Bucks, will be feeling utterly embarrassed after new performance details were published. Figures out this week show that only 86.4 per cent of its trains are running on time

THE Chalfonts and Gerrards Cross Camera Club is celebrating its 50th anniversary this month. The group, originally called the Chalfont St Peter and District Photographic Society, began in the old church room on the site of what is now the car park next

I HAVE to write and get this off my chest. As we are all aware, the M40 is being widened and there are 50mph speed limits in both directions. Did I say 50mph? Perhaps some drivers think that speed limit only applies to the left-hand lane, so if they use

Derek Suffling is pleasantly confused at Ask, Old Amersham. IF a waitress brings you the wrong dish it's normally a cause for complaint. So it's a tribute to the convivial atmosphere, friendly service and fine food at Ask that a mix-up over my main meal

Here is a list of the films playing in the area. Addams Family Values (PG) No, not a film about child ticket prices at Wycombe Wanderers' ground, but the entertaining sequel to The Addams Family. Angelica Houston and Raul Julia star. HHH Deconstructing

I HAVE no doubt there is a good case for installing CCTV cameras in Marlow (although the presence of police officers - a rare breed indeed these days - would be a far more likeable alternative), but I am also in no doubt that there cannot be bland acceptance

BEFORE the Napoleonic wars, if you wanted to be an army officer you would normally be expected to pay for a place. This may seem strange until one is reminded that apprentices in crafts also had to pay for their apprenticeship. Ironically Wellington had

BUSINESSMAN Jonathan Fairley and his two work colleagues have been cleared of endangering lives by skiing off-piste at the height of the avalanche season. Father-of-two Mr Fairley, 38, and two other men, had been jointly charged with deliberately ignoring

Positive parking closed me down TRADER Malcolm Allen has positive proof that Positive Parking killed his business after plotting his shop's decline on a graph on his computer. He says his takings from his model shop Strictly Models have plummeted by more

JOB-SEEKERS in the county are set to act as guinea pigs in a Government bid to improve their chances of finding permanent work. People of working age claiming benefit in Buckinghamshire will be assigned a personal adviser to help them find jobs. Three

TOP International musicians will be arriving in Bucks for Beaconsfield Music Society's 56th season. The society was formed in 1942 as the Penn Music Club and is still run by a group of dedicated volunteers. It aims to bring top professional musicians

I WISH to bring to the public's notice the plight of the elderly people in the High Wycombe area with the introduction by the Government via the local council of the new computerised heating system. The system has been installed, so we are told, to save

Jeremy Austin needs to cool off after sampling the delights of the Country Thai Restaurant in Gerrards Cross WHO'S making this Thai restaurant/ country pub connection? So far three of the restaurants reviewed this month have been connected to timber-beamed

Armageddon (12) Bruce Willis and pals blow up a meteor. The Avengers (12) Better than expected adapation of the cult TV show. Stars Uma Thurman.H Barney's Great Adventure (U) The purple dinosaur in a feature-length flick. Dr Dolittle (PG) Eddie Murphy

WYCOMBE District Council always gets blamed when things go wrong. This time I want to sing its praises. When we moved into our house in 1966 the woods at the side made a pleasant screen from the hill above. Now the woods are used as a rubbish dump and

Jeremy Austin makes himself at home in front of the fire at this friendly pub. AND so the windswept car, covered in mud, its suspension still jangling from a pothole experienced a few miles back, finally came to rest outside the pub. The right pub this

Old girls of the Great Kingshill school have formed a group to organise yearly reunions with ex-classmates. The group had its first meeting on Saturday. Its chairman Mrs Trudy Hall, who went to the school from 1965 to 1969, said: "I remember my time at

Weight-Watchers is the next stop, I'm afraid Samantha Fryer continues her quest to find the perfect Christmas meal. IAM seriously starting to worry that I may be forced to join Weight--Watchers after this series of food reviews. Most people put on a bit

Dream dinner date TV personality Michael Parkinson, who lives in Bray with his wife Mary, tells us of his love of fish and chips. His new talk show starts in January when he will be interviewing Gerri Halliwell, Michael Caine and Dawn French. Favourite

VICTORIOUS campaigner Ernest Stallwood celebrated his 83rd birthday by hearing that a pedestrian crossing will be built near his road. Mr Stallwood of Abbey Barn Road, High Wycombe, began a campaign to force Buckinghamshire County Council to install a

THERE is continuing controversy about the various measures taken in High Wycombe to manage traffic. The considerable weight of opinion appears to be against most of them, but the council presses on regardless. We are approaching the time when we can make

Bledlow-Cum-Saunderton (1 seat) Bruce Holland (Con); Mike Huddy (L Dem) Booker and Castlefield (3 seats) Ted Collins (Lab) former High Wycombe Mayor; Michael Elliott-Jones (Con) postman who ran his own business; Valerie Jemmett (L Dem); Adnan Mateen Khan

THIS photograph shows children sharing tea, sandwiches and a joke at Micklefield Youth Club, High Wycombe, on May 23, 1956. After tea the children would have probably gone to play draughts, snakes and ladders and other board games. If the weather permitted

Chris Herbert asks 'What's in a name?' and finds out the answer is more than he bargained for NOT content with making diners choose from a selection of pizzas, dozens of extra toppings and all the different sizes, customers at Deep Pan Pizza, in Cressex

High Wycombe's Howard Jones is among the artists performing in a fund raising concert at Taplow Court. TAPLOW Court Festival is following in the footsteps of the current 1980s revival with a fund--raising concert featuring Howard Jones, Matt Goss (from

HISTORY lovers have the opportunity to learn more about the architecture and history of toilets in the county. The Marlow Society local history group is holding a talk, entitled Buckinghamshire Privies, in Marlow next Friday. The talk is a nostalgic trip

WYCOMBE Wanderers will face Maidenhead in the Berks and Bucks Cup final at Chesham on Monday. The clash against the Ryman League side will kick off at Chesham's Meadow ground at 3pm, but it is likely to be a Wycombe reserve side turning out. With Wycombe

Three men, Two Brewers and one Marlow mystery Sandra Carter goes for a meal in a pub that inspired author Jerome K Jerome. Or did it? ARTISTS, poets and writers have flocked to Marlow over the centuries to draw inspiration from its idyllic setting beside

Council finds out what the people want WHATEVER county councillors agree when fixing next year's budget, more than 360,000 voters can take comfort in the fact that they were at least consulted. Last year there were moans that council taxpayers were presented

Chris Herbert's final review in the series finds him disappointed with the newly refurbushed Pizza Hut, High Wycombe THERE once was a time when Pizza Hut was synonymous with a good quality meal -- if you fancied a decent pizza you would go there. Recently

FUN-LOVING Mike Kennedy has promised to pose for a picture wearing a pair of Wallace and Gromit pants outside his trousers to raise money for Comic Relief. Mr Kennedy, Chesham's town clerk, pledged to walk to work with his clothes on back to front if

I HAVE had a few letters printed in the Marlow Free Press lately and would like to give readers an update. On August 21, I wrote attacking plans to introduce genetically-modified foods into the UK. If the Government introduces a three-year moratorium,

METHODIST minister Tony Brazier has made friends with the driver of a car involved in the horrific car crash which killed his wife. Mr Brazier has met Michael Bowles three times since his wife, Margaret Brazier, died in the head-on smash with Mr Bowles

A THREAT to Prince Charles's life and the promise of demonstrations did nothing to spoil the celebrations at the opening of Stoke Mandeville's new spinal centre on Wednesday. And there was an added bonus for hundreds of people who turned out to watch

Derek Suffling meets Danny Cannon, the director of I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, who is a first class BEACONSFIELD to Hollywood is one small step for a man. A man called Danny Cannon, that is. The 31-year-old, who trained at the National Film

AN ANGRY farmer, who lost nearly £18,000 when fire raged through 60 acres of corn this week, blamed the disaster on careless ramblers. He believes the fire which devastated his corn harvest on Sunday, was started by people walking on a public footpath

PEDESTRIANS in Marlow High Street are to be asked about the proposed pool at Court Garden. Wycombe District Council hopes to be able to decide whether they should support and afford it. The council will only have to pay £1 million of the £3 million cost

I REFER to the front page piece in the Marlow Free Press (September 11) by Mr Fontannaz regarding the proposed Marlow swimming pool.> Will forum vote be forgotten? I REFER to the front page piece in the Marlow Free Press (September 11) by Mr Fontannaz

THREE drug dealers fell victim to an undercover police operation by selling heroin and cocaine to plain-clothes officers in a pub. The three men were jailed for a total of 17 years at Reading Crown Court last Friday after police swooped on them in the

STRUGGLING High Wycombe insist they are raring to go for tomorrow's clash at basement side Bournemouth, where they hope to pick up some vital points. The South West Two bottom-of-the-table battle could prove just the tonic Wycs need after their disappointing

METHODIST minister Tony Brazier believes his wife's death may have been avoided if council bosses had paid to grit the road where she died. An inquest this week revealed that mother-of-three Mrs Brazier, 55, of Rutland Avenue, High Wycombe, died in January

Where do you go for a taste of old England? Sandra Carter explores historic pubs that please locals and tourists alike YOU get a lot more for your money if you eat at the historic inns that abound in these parts. You enjoy a slice of heritage thrown in

AN unexploded Second World War shell was blown up by the army on Monday evening after it had been thrown about and used as a house ornament for months. The British shell was found in a High Wycombe garden four years ago. But the owner thought the shell

Our war veterans put many of today's youngsters to shame. EVERY teenager in this country should be taken to visit the war graves in Belgium and France. No one can remained unmoved by the sight of the very frail men who fought during the First World War

Derek Suffling talks to top ballet dancer Irek Mukhamedov about the forthcoming Swan Dance season. INTERNATIONALLY acclaimed dancer Irek Mukhamedov is looking forward to treading the boards again at Wycombe Swan. Irek will be one of the high-profile stars

THE bus approached the traffic lights, at the High Street, High Wycombe. A glance through the windows at the waning plants plucked from the flower beds confirmed the end of a season and a start of a new. The falling petals had spoken in silent words,

MANY readers will have supported Wycombe Show in the past and know what a splendid day out this is.> Make 50th show a bumper event MANY readers will have supported Wycombe Show in the past and know what a splendid day out this is. Once again, this

ROBERT Raffety of Central Railway is having a laugh if he thinks the development of his freight line would "greatly benefit people living in the Chiltern area" (Bucks Free Press, April 16, 1999). If Central Railway's scheme to build a predominantly freight

THE COUNTY is to stage a dummy run to make sure it can cope with the chaos that may accompany the millennium celebrations. Exercise Golden Fleece will be held on September 8 and aims to test the links between public utilities, councils, emergency services

Stories which appeared in Midweek in days gone by. 10 years ago CIVIL Aviation investigators have launched an inquiry after a light aircraft from Wycombe Air Park and a British Airways jet flew within a few hundred feet of each other. The incident happened

RESIDENT John King claims traffic-calming measures in his road are not slowing down vehicles. Mr King, 47, said that speed tables put down on Pound Lane, Marlow, have little or no effect. He believes that Buckinghamshire County Council needs to improve

BROTHER and sister Jason and Jade Smith have been blazing a trail in judo competitions recently. Jason, 11, who has won 32 medals since he started competing in the sport at the age of eight, took gold at the Ireland Open Championships in Galway recently

The stage is set for brand new Asian arts and drama festival Lindi Bilgorri finds out how preparations are going for High Wycombe's first ever Asian Mela on The Rye. ASIAN art, music, and drama will be showcased in High Wycombe's first ever Asian Mela

ANGRY town leaders say they have never received their plaque for the best kept village contest ... after winning more than a year ago. Marlow town councillors want to know what happened to the wrought-iron plaque that should have been put up in the town

SOUTH West Division Two clubs are set to vote on plans to introduce end of year soccer-style play-offs, the Bucks Free Press can reveal. The RFU announced the proposals in a bid to stop matches like last Saturday's affair between Marlow and Chiltern being

Youth crime fighters find boss A NEW crime fighter has been appointed to target the persistent problem of young offenders in the county. Pauline Camilleri is set to become the head of Buckinghamshire County Council's Youth Offending Team on March 15.

WYCOMBE Show will celebrate its 50th anniversary next month. Lord Carrington opened the first show in 1947, which drew a crowd of more than 5,000 people and 2,000 exhibitors. Since then, the show has only missed one year and has grown into a two-day event

TEACHERS and pupils at the only school for the deaf in Bucks were celebrating this week after learning that they had virtually won their fight to stay open. Parents began battling to save Penn School more than a year ago after owners Camden Borough Council

Samantha Fryer discovers a new drama group that has opened for young Asian people. ASIAN young people are exploring their heritage and their present lives through a new drama project. Youth and community worker Saqib Deshmukh, who has also been trained

I AM writing with reference to Karen Hoy's column 'Straight Talking' featured in the Midweek on August 11, plus the previous week's columns. First of all, "Only the idle can afford a suntan". I do not consider myself as a dolly bird with no brain, unemployed

AN eccentric recluse, a member of the landed gentry and possibly even an Antarctic explorer were rooted out by a man researching his family tree. Dennis Biscoe, 61, of Elm Road, Cressex, has been researching for ten years and has traced his family back

AWARE of public concern, Wycombe District Council and Thames Valley Police have developed good partnership working, in advance of the new Crime and Disorder Act coming into force next April. When the worrying news of impending changes to local police

Ringsell, 36, who was convicted by a Tunisian court of murdering his 24-year-old wife Angie on holiday in 1992, has been freed by President Zine Lel Abidine Ben Ali as part of the celebrations to mark the 34th anniversary of the country's independence

Jeremy Austin gets a warm glow after a cosy bar meal in Cookham IT was my lager-loving colleague Steve Warren's recent visit to the Old Swan Uppers that sparked my cobwebbed Features Editors brain to come up with the idea for this month's food reviews

JASON Cousins has become the first player to win the Laurent Perrier/Bucks Free Press Player of the Year trophy twice. Captain Cousins reclaimed the trophy he last won in 1994 after being the clear winner in this year's poll. He won despite missing the

Lost in Space Cert 109 mins Dir Stephen Hopkins SOMETIMES I read the quotes from fellow film reviewers splashed all over movie posters and ask: "Did they see the same film as me?" Lost in Space is not the most spectacular film you'll see this summer -

Seagulls bounced off town hall roof A FLOCK of up to 50 seagulls have been given the boot from Chesham Town Hall's roof after anti-gull perching trampoline wires forced them to roost elsewhere. The decision to fork out £500 on specialist pest control

Jeremy Austin meets the saviour of High Wycombe's doomed arts centre MENTION Spring Gardens Arts Centre to anyone in High Wycombe's arts community and they will more than likely snap the lead in their pencil or knock a particularly delicate chip off whatever

"I THINK it would be a very good thing if there was a six-month ban on private cars," Councillor Plumridge told members of Wycombe Rural Council on Monday. Councillor Plumridge, a bus user, was protesting at the council's agreement to a fares increase

WHEN teacher Cynthia Harper met Prime Minister Tony Blair, she asked him the burning question: "What's your favourite pizza topping?" Mrs Harper, a senior teacher at Holy Trinity School, in Wethered Road, Marlow, said she felt she just had to ask something

I DID not observe the letter to which Mr Fontannaz claims to be responding, but it cannot, surely, merit the vicious slur on the character of Messrs Blair and Brown which Mr Fontannaz inflicts by accusing them, by inference of being socialist? Socialism

Lindi Bilgorri finds out how sculpture can improve your garden YOUR garden can be full of interest and impact through out the year -- and it isn't due to the plants. Sculpture can look absolutely stunning set in an outdoor environment especially in winter

EMERGENCY mechanic Mark Bilbey went to fix a mystery leaking fuel pipe and discovered that it had been gnawed through by a hungry mouse. AA patrolman Mr Bilbey, 30, was called to a petrol station on Little Marlow Road, Marlow, by a driver who was alarmed

Ringsell, 36, who was convicted by a Tunisian court of murdering his 24-year-old wife Angie on holiday in 1992, has been freed by President Zine Lel Abidine Ben Ali as part of the celebrations to mark the 34th anniversary of the country's independence

Jeremy Austin speaks to the cast of new Brit film Still Crazy. ACTOR Bill Nighy has one enduring memory of his time playing aged rocker Ray Simms in the Pinewood-shot comedy Still Crazy. "They were the strangest trousers to wear at my time of life..."

OKAY, Henry VIII never slept here. But the King's Arms in Old Amersham has a very strong claim to fame: a few minutes of the film Four Weddings and a Funeral were shot outside the inn. And that's what really causes excitement among the many transatlantic

Historical novelist Marina Oliver tells Jeremy Austin about her winning formula SOMETHING like one in ten people fancy writing a novel or book in their lifetime, says writer Marina Oliver. "That's half a million people in the UK," she tots up impressively

WIDOW Elsie Turner said there was nothing she particularly needed for her birthday when she celebrated her centenary yesterday. Mrs Turner, 100, of Avocet House in Wycombe Road, Stokenchurch, said: "People ask me what I want for my birthday and if I want

Lindi Bilgorri finds out why Richard Hickox is so looking forward to the Wooburn Festival. WHEN conductor Richard Hickox stands on the stage at Wycombe Swan at the Wooburn Festival there could very well be a lump in his throat. Although Wycombe Swan might

RAILWAY buff Clive Foxell has just published his second account of the history of Chesham branch line. Former British Telecom managing director Mr Foxell, 68, of Meades Lane, Chesham, published a full history of the line in his book Chesham Shuttle two

AMERSHAM swimmers collected 15 medals from their second Berks and South Bucks ASA Championships outing last weekend at Maidenhead. And they outstripped local rivals Wycombe by nine. The Wycombe side collected six medals. Captain Phil Jordan was the Amersham

Playtime: Beaconsfield town councillors Lesley Maillinder, Paul Henry, Les Davies, Trevor Egleton and Malcolm Dunlop COUNCILLORS swung into action when they unveiled play equipment costing nearly £50,000. Two playgrounds containing the new play equipment

I STRONGLY object to our High Wycombe Tesco being ousted out. As for being substandard, I fail to see why. It is very convenient to nearly everyone, especially pedestrians. The least the council could do is move Tesco to the new Western Sector plan, and

JUBILANT Tories enjoyed a stunning set of victories across South Bucks in the council elections on Thursday night. Conservatives regained control of Wycombe, South Bucks and Chiltern district councils, which they lost four years ago. The most staggering

COUNCIL tax bills are set to soar by almost four times the rate of inflation after the final calculations were agreed by councillors this week. Householders across South Bucks will be forced to stump up almost ten per cent more per year to pay for Buckinghamshire

I WAS absolutely horrified to read in your paper that a local child who suffers with cerebral palsy was being refused funding for a suit which helps him cope better with everyday life. I cannot believe that his parents are being forced to spend over £1,000

AS one who is very appreciative of the improved environment in High Wycombe centre, I note with some disappointment the comments of Lorna Cassidy with regard to the new sculpture.> Sculpture critic disappoints AS one who is very appreciative of the

Bucks ranks high in primary league table EDUCATION bosses celebrated another great performance by primary schools in Bucks, with the county ranked one of the top 20 local authorities in England. The league tables, published by the Department for Education

THIS morning, whilst waiting for a lift on the London Road, I watched a postwoman drop rubber bands on the pavement.> Dropping bands should be banned THIS morning, whilst waiting for a lift on the London Road, I watched a postwoman drop rubber bands

CONSERVATIVE election hopeful Abdul Karim has revealed he was a fully paid-up Labour Party member until a year ago. Mr Karim is standing for a seat as a Tory councillor in the Oakridge and Tinkers Wood ward in Thursday's Wycombe District Council elections

Sandra Carter doesn't let gruesome tales of in the second of her historical food reviews IT gives you the creeps to think that in the oak-beamed room just above your head, the notorious Judge Jeffreys pronounced the death sentence on the last man to be

YET again another death on that notorious Marlow Road the B482. Not a year since the last one. When is something going to be done to stop this carnage before there is a mass accident? I'm talking about all the school children who collect on the corner

A FEW years ago I remember the county council went to great lengths to convince the residents of Buckinghamshire that a county council structure was far preferable to the unitary authority system. Apart from Milton Keynes being split off, the county council

Carer is prepared to go to court over parking fine CARER Tony Cooper has pledged to take his case to court to fight against a £40 parking fine issued while he was looking after a frail 97-year-old woman in her home. Lay preacher Mr Cooper, 63, of Orchard

SKIPPER Jason Cousins put pen to paper on a new three-year contract this week and then said he doesn't expect to see it out in the third division. Captain Cousins, 28, is the first player to be signed up by new boss Lawrie Sanchez as he bids to surround

Species II 93mins 18 Dir Peter Medak HOW anyone can say that The Avengers is the worst film ever made once Species II hits our screens is beyond me. Honestly, the scariest thing about this sequel to the 1995 hit is the prospect at the end of there being

Last week Samantha Fryer looked at what activities there were for teenagers in Bucks. This week, she talks to the area's elderly. MANY people look forward to their retirement hoping it will free them up to do things they have always wanted to. Many do

Tension builds during The Siege The Siege Dir Edward Zwick 15 116mins. IT'S not often that when watching a film the thought "Why hasn't this happened already?" pops into the mind -- cue link with The Siege. A fanatical Muslim group starts a terror campaign

Campaigners: Wycombe district councillor Stephen Billingham, Nigel Phillips and Chris Shadbolt of the Residents Association 'Help us give our community a heart' CAMPAIGNERS have called for education chiefs to regenerate their neighbourhood after they

Open Letter to the Local Government Ombudsman A FEW weeks ago, Buckinghamshire County Council erected barriers at their Civic Amenity Sites followed shortly thereafter with the erection of signs: Cars Only No Vans or Pick-Ups.> For Full Story I strongly

MICHAEL Forsyth broke down injured just 17 minutes into his comeback match, piling on the problems for whoever takes over as Wanderers boss. Chairman Ivor Beeks hopes to have his new man installed before the Chesterfield game next week and the new manager

Changing heads at Marlow school LONDON headmaster Clive Ricks is to become the new head at Great Marlow School following the retirement of Paul Howson. Mr Ricks, who is currently deputy headmaster at Hatch End High School in Harrow, London, will take

KAREN Hoy is right to be concerned about "unfit, overweight children strapped into cars" (Straight Talking, July 28). Please could she herself walk to work sometimes? This would set a good example and she could use her column to put the walker's view

The Exorcist 18 121mins Dir William Friedkin WHAT better weekend to re-release William Friedkin's monumental horror flick The Exorcist? Oh, the stories that surround this one. The fires on set when it was being filmed; the deaths of various cast members

AS most people are aware, this year's Remembrance will be more than usually significant, since it is the 80th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice. We will remember those who gave their all, their lives, during the First World War, during the Second

The purple dinosaur does stuff for longer than usual.> Film Clips See our listings page to find out what's on where Barney's Great Adventure (U) The purple dinosaur does stuff for longer than usual. City of Angels (12) An angel falls in love with a

Out of Sight Cert 15 Dir Barry Sonnenfeld 140mins. I'M glad I'm not the only one who found the seduction scene in Barry Sonnenfeld's Out of Sight incredibly sexy. Other reviews noted a quickening of the pulse as the mutual aural seduction of loveable

Muslims gather to celebrate Eid MOSQUE secretary Gulzar Khan has thanked Prime Minister Tony Blair for sending a message to Muslims before thousands gathered on Sunday to enjoy Eid celebrations. Mr Khan, secretary of the Wycombe Islamic Mission, in Jubilee

PHOTOGRAPHER Ronald Goodearl took thousands of pictures during his lifetime in High Wycombe and also owned many much older photographs of the town. The Bucks Free Press inherited his entire collection of pictures, which covers more than a century of events

A lump of rock from space threatens to destroy Earth.> FILM CLIPS Armageddon (12) A lump of rock from space threatens to destroy Earth. A lump of rock from Earth (Bruce Willis) is sent to destroy, erm, the thing from spaceHHH Barney's Great Adventure

September 1973 DELIVERY of mail in the High Wycombe area was delayed on Tuesday by a bomb scare at High Wycombe General Post Office. After a carefully-packed cylindrical object had been placed in a litter bin in the post office yard -- later blown up

DOG charities in the county have welcomed Government plans to abolish quarantine laws and introduce a pet passport scheme. Agriculture Minister Nick Brown announced last week that pets that have been microchipped, vaccinated and blood tested will no longer

Lindi Bilgorri meets a working mum with a big budget. SUE Mather is sitting down on her living room floor building a tower of plastic bricks for her 15 month old daughter Rosalind to knock down. When Sue is not playing with her daughter she is in charge

LIFE just seemed a lot simpler for young people in 1956. These youngsters were snapped enjoying themselves at an indoor games session at the Westbourne Street Church Youth Club, in Westbourne Street, High Wycombe. As you can see from the photograph, many

1998 is the 30th anniversary of an organisation called AFASIC which stands for Association For All Speech (and language) Impaired Children. Language impairment is a little-known subject made all the more difficult because there are several different kinds

Jeremy Austin finds the perfect spot for a romantic dinner. IHAD wanted to go to Blakes Bistro ever since I briefly lived in Marlow three years ago. Around that time, my colleague Margaret Thomas reviewed it and said what a snug, romantic place it was

August 1973 AN urgent warning was issued by police this week about potentially dangerous drugs lost in High Wycombe. Three brown plastic bottles each containing 100 tablets and bearing the name of the dispenser, in a blue bag also bearing the chemist's

Claire Adams about her experience of being filmed for a fly-on-the- wall documentary FINDING out the results of your end of year examinations is a nerve-racking experience. Imagine then how it must feel when a camera is trailing behind you, filming your

OLYMPIC swimmer Sharron Davies had a relaxing time this week at the official opening of Wycombe's new £475,000 health and fitness suite, Lifestyles. The blonde, now retired from swimming, sat coyly in a whirlpool bath as anxious photographers lined up

THANK you for your comment (Midweek, August 18) on reducing parking at High Wycombe train station by allowing free parking for drivers carrying at least two passengers. This is indeed one of the good ideas now coming foward to reduce car usage. I hope

SECOND World War veteran Charles Leslie has written his account of the four gruelling years he spent as a prisoner of war in the Far East. Mr Leslie, 78, of Fernside, Hazlemere, was an engineer in the RAF when he was captured by the Japanese in Java,

AFTER years of planning, the £400,000 redevelopment of Chesham's St Mary's Church has begun. Contractors Hawkins & Frewin have won the contract for the work based on a design by church architect Robert Potter, OBE. They started on Tuesday. The project

Judy Warschauer talks to former Parliamentary sketch writer Edward Pearce about his new book. LAST week I met a brilliant man. Edward Pearce is an author and journalist, particularly well-known for his eight years as the Parliamentary sketch writer on

Click here for a synopsis of the latest movies. Antz (PG) Woody Allen stars as Ant Z, a little insect with big ideas, in this story of love, deception and revolution in an animated ant colony. Babe: Pig in the City (U) The little piggy goes to the city

Samantha Fryer takes her maiden voyage under the waters of the Chilterns Pool, Amersham SCUBA diving always conjures up images of beautiful ladies in tiny bikinis diving for shells in James Bond films. I jumped at the chance to take part in a trial session

A selection of Bucks Free Press stories from days gone by October 1973 AMERSHAM Rural District Council has agreed in principle to an open market on Tuesdays at Amersham-on-the-Hill. It has agreed in principle to accept from the Shardeloes Estates a licence

PARISH councillors have thrown Little Marlow Pre-school a lifeline by agreeing a temporary reduction in its termly rent. The school, based at the cricket pavilion in Church Lane, has been struggling financially after losing ten children from the roll.

Woody Allen is Ant Z whose individualstic ideas on love and identity start a revolution in the ordered ant colony.> For Full Story Film clips Antz (PG) Woody Allen is Ant Z whose individualstic ideas on love and identity start a revolution in the ordered

TRIBUTES to former High Wycombe mayor Mohammed Razzaq praised his determination to bring people of different cultures together. At a memorial and thanksgiving service in All Saints' Parish Church on Monday, his three sons Pervez, Zain and Javed spoke

Cert 18 106mins Dir Guy Ritchie OKAY film students, write a list of the ten greatest British films. Somewhere near the top will be The Italian Job, Trainspotting and The Long Good Friday. What's the point you ask? Well, there's a feeling running through

Harry Warschauer is invited to travel from Flackwell Heath to his East German birthplace to remember Kristallnacht. NOVEMBER 1938, 60 years ago, was when the German Nazis held their first dress rehearsal for the Holocaust -- their attempt to wipe out

NOEL Edmonds and a BBC TV crew took over The Britannia pub in Little Marlow Road, Marlow, on Tuesday night and persuaded the customers to do silly things. Object of the exercise was to get film 'in the can' for a forthcoming series to be called the Noel

Gary Oldman tells Jeremy Austin why he agreed to star in a feature length of the 1960s TV show THERE are two main reasons why Brit actor Gary Oldman took the part of Dr Zachary Smith in sci-fi blockbuster Lost in Space -- one mercenary, the other cute

ACCORDING to common folklore, freemasons spend their lives hopping around big country pads with one trouser leg rolled up and knotted handkerchiefs on their heads, giving fellow members hefty backhanders. Judges, policemen, magistrates, politicians and

THREE men have been jailed after they chased father-of-four Martin Joseph from his home and battered him with a baseball bat and a golf club. Witnesses told Reading Crown Court how they heard the attackers, who all come from High Wycombe, shouting "Kill

THIS is the idyllic image which would have greeted you from the top of Bledlow Ridge many years ago. The small group of farm labourers work in unison to complete the arduous task of gathering the hay. The same task that would have then taken a couple

FURIOUS mother-of-three Suzanne Richardson has slammed post office bosses for suspending her from her job. Mrs Richardson, 24, is livid with managers at Beaconsfield Post Office after they blamed her for a £167 shortfall of cash which they say could be

STRIKER Andy Baird is set to give Blues boss Lawrie Sanchez a massive boost by signing a two-and-a-half year contract, the Bucks Free Press can reveal. And 23-year-old reserve goalkeeper Mark Westhead will make it a double celebration for the Wanderers

Lindi Bilgorri goes behind the scenes at C4's Real Gardens which is produced in Chalfont St Giles THE television series Real Gardens (Friday, 8pm, C4) might be filmed all over the country from Scotland down to Cornwall, but the nerve centre of the programme

IT IS quite disgraceful that the party of opposition on Wycombe District Council saw fit to walk out on a supposed matter of principle from the full council meeting held on Monday, October 26. Cllr Coe was properly appointed to be Wycombe District Council's

DENTAL nurse Lisa Ratliffe has swapped the surgery for the catwalk and taken over from Kate Moss as the new face of Calvin Klein. A day out shopping at the Clothes Show Live exhibition in December changed Lisa's life when she was approached by Chrissie

Antz Dir Eric Darnell & Tim Johnson PG 90mins WHO would have thought that an animated movie about a colony of ants could attract one of the most impressive film casts of the past few years? Woody Allen stars as Ant Z, a typically neurotic, non-conformist

BLUES chairman Ivor Beeks insists he will not lower his standards as he searches for a new manager despite Micky Adams turning the job down. Adams was interviewed for the job last Thursday but decided to stay on coaching Nottingham Forest instead. It

A CAMPAIGN to save the last surviving Second World War destroyer has nearly achieved its goal. HMS Cavalier is the last Second World War destroyer commissioned in 1944. The HMS Cavalier Association needs to raise £350,000 to match grants from the National

Christian and Muslim leaders have called on people of different faiths to combat the potential threat together. The Rev Frank Hillebrand, team rector for High Wycombe, said he was disgusted by the cowardice of the racist bombers. He said: "The nail bomb

Making feelings clear: Residents forming the Bassetsbury Area Protection Group launch their campaign to save green land Keep off beauty spot campaign launched RESIDENTS launched a 'keep off the grass' campaign to fight plans to develop a beauty spot.

The Mask of Zorro Dir Martin Campbell PG 160mins. WAS there ever a hero as camp as Zorro? Has there ever been a version of Zorro as camp as director Martin Campbell's vision? Every time the masked Mexican flourishes his sword or flaps his cape, his movements

MASKED robbers threatened a shopkeeper with a knife and stole more than £600 from Star Newsagents, Greenway Parade, Chesham, last Saturday. Former army warrant officer Keith Brockhill, 61, pressed a panic button to alert police after one robber produced

Not all great-tasting food has to be bad for you Derek Suffling admits to over-indulgence at Christmas and takes his first step along the road back to healthy eating. SEARCHING for the antidote to a festive season of foodie over-indulgence? Looking for

Scary Spice, part of Marlow's ever expanding glitterati, was joined by friends Kate Moss and Noel Gallagher's wife Meg Matthews for an afternoon drink in Marlow on Sunday. Scary of the Manor House, Little Marlow, was accompanied by husband Jimmy Gulzar

MORE than a decade of divisional coaching has been rewarded for Royal Grammar School coach Colin Tattersall -- with a top England job. The Wycombe school's sports master has been appointed coach of England's Under-16 squad for the 1999/2000 season. And

£43,000 grant refusal fails to unseat chair arch plan COUNCIL millennium officer Roger Bowen has promised the project to build a monument to the furniture-making heritage of High Wycombe is "not dead and buried"; despite its failure to secure a grant.

Diners at Alfonso's are simply spoilt for choice Lindi Bilgorri finds the only problems with Alfonso's, Cookham, are finding it and then choosing which delicious dish to eat. FINDING Alfonso's could be a problem for some. Instead of it being in a picturesque

THE heart-warming tale of pensioner Ernest Stallwood's victorious fight to have a crucial road crossing installed near his road shows what can be done with people power. In a week when the local elections are anticipated to, yet again, produce a low turnout

Samantha Fryer finds out about plans for an internet cafe for High Wycombe's young people WHEN a young person is too young for pubs and clubs, but old enough to want to do something in the evening, options are limited. Organised events and centres have

THERE can rarely have been a case where a simple piece of action could make a major contribution to road safety and improve the lives of local residents. Currently on the Bradenham Road, West Wycombe, we have the bizarre situation of having signs indicating

SPRING Gardens School is 90 years old.> Please keep heritage alive RE: The threatened demise of Spring Gardens School SPRING Gardens School is 90 years old. An interesting Edwardian building with a comprehensive modern extension, it has an honourable

WE are warned we risk severe punishment if we drink and drive. There are few, if any, buses late at night -- particularly in rural areas like Buckinghamshire. We are told to use registered taxi companies for our own safety. Yet this week the shocking

TAXI drivers are in the spotlight in High Wycombe following the conviction of 32-year-old taxi driver Paul White for indecently assaulting two female passengers. The case of Mr White, also known as 'Cookie' of Hillside, High Wycombe, has raised questions

CANINE pop star Timmy the Bulldog led the way to -- what organisers have hailed -- the best-ever Wycombe Charity Carnival. Timmy, famous for featuring in the video for pop group All Saints' single Never Ever, accompanied procession leader Gerry Shea along

Penn Wood saved by deal CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating after saving of one of the largest and oldest areas of ancient woodland in the Chilterns. The Woodland Trust announced on Tuesday that it had bought and exchanged contracts on Penn Wood, buying out the

INDEPENDENT candidate John Dalton got on his bike this week to urge voters to venture out to the polling stations. He joined Wycombe District Council and fellow candidates who have been campaigning to reverse a steady a decline in local election turnout

Fight: Campaigners against abortion form a human chain PROTESTERS took to the streets to form a human chain in protest against abortion law. Campaigners from The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children demonstrated at Chesham Road, Amersham, on

Film Clips Here's a run down of the films showing at our cinemas this week. Antz (PG) Woody Allen is Ant Z who proves that one individual can make a difference. Love, war and espionage feature in this computer animated classic. HHHHH Barney's Great Adventure

GREY squirrels have been reprieved from a death sentence after councillors rejected plans to poison them. Animal rights protesters, who filled a public gallery at Marlow Town Council on Wednesday night, called the decision "a victory for common sense.

Labour say the poster appeared on a lamppost at the top of Arnison Avenue, High Wycombe, last weekend -- a week before yesterday's Wycombe District Council elections -- and could have confused their own voters into voting Tory. But Conservative agent

I WRITE in response to the articles and letters regarding the Whirligig published in recent issues of your paper.> For Full Story Whirligig artist replies to critics I WRITE in response to the articles and letters regarding the Whirligig published

Film clips Click here for a list of what's hot and what's not on the big screen. Antz (PG) Woody Allen is Ant Z - an independent ant in a well-ordered colony who finds love, war, revolution, and fantastic computer animation. HHHHH Barney's Great Adventure

CONTROVERSIAL Hughenden parish councillor Gloria Leflaive has been officially censured and thrown off all the council's committees after colleagues accused her of harassing the clerk. The measures, unanimously approved by councillors on Tuesday, were

End of mill's 800-year history THE Glory Mill paper factory will mark the millennium by closing down after producing paper on the site for more than 800 years. Three years ago the mill was bought by German manufacturing giant Felix Schoeller, but last

COMMUTERS can help preserve a slice of 20th century life for future generations by donating a briefcase to a museum. The Wycombe Museum, in Priory Avenue, High Wycombe, is in the final stage of its redevelopment. As part of an exhibition, the museum hopes

Mother-of-three Mrs Sanderson started dieting in 1986 after making a deal with her husband, John, who agreed to give up smoking if she lost some weight. The diet was interrupted three times while the couple had their children, Melanie, ten, Michael, nine

MARLOW Regatta is set to clash with Prince Edward's wedding and Ascot week. The regatta, one of the premier events in the British rowing calendar, is being held at Higginson Park on June 19 -- the same day as the royal wedding at St George's Chapel in

I WAS having a late evening hot chocolate with Mrs Mann on Wednesday when I accidentally turned on the TV -- and was subjected to the sight of a naked council officer from Wycombe. It happened accidentally, because we normally prefer the wireless to the

PUPILS will learn what it was like to be an evacuee during the Second World War at a new exhibition. Great Missenden School is taking part in the Evacuee Experience at RAF Hendon Royal Air Force Museum next month. Pupils can try on authentic wartime clothing

Are the glory days of our industry lost for ever? THE closure of the last paper mill in South Buckinghamshire signals the latest in a long line of factory shutdowns that have devastated the area's once rich manufacturing industry. More than 250 workers

PEOPLE queuing for bread in Desborough Road, High Wycombe, in 1974 after the Bakers Union supported a strike for higher pay. A scramble for flour and yeast also took place to home-bake loaves. The bakers who saved the day for many people by continuing

Be prepared: Cubs from Tylers Green helped a man who collapsed ASHORTAGE of volunteers and rising costs are combining to hold back the Scouting movement in South Bucks. The rigours of modern working life mean fewer people have time to offer their services

Bereaved families reject grave compromise A BEREAVED father believes town councillors are out of touch with their community after they took issue with a ring of pebbles around his daughter's grave. Simon Neill and his wife Karen collected 4,780 signatures

I WOULD like to make an appeal through your letters page to the townsfolk of High Wycombe. As Mayor of High Wycombe, I am following in my predecessors' footsteps in chairing the Annual Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, which will run from Saturday, October

THAME will be playing Ryman Division One football next season, after securing a quick return to the first division on Tuesday night with a 2-1 win over Wokingham. Andy Sinnott's men can now sit back and bask in their promotion glory tomorrow when they

ARDAL O'Hanlon, Father Dougal in Father Ted, debut novelist, award-winning stand-up comedian, comes to Wycombe Swan tomorrow (Saturday). Jeremy Austin Quizzes the man who needs no introduction, but has one any way. High Wycombe. Some thoughts... Roundabouts

I AM the editor of the Royal Grammar School's Old Boys' Directory and was very pleasantly surprised to learn from the Bucks Free Press (October 30) that 24 former pupils of the school have entries in that esteemed annual publication Who's Who. I had thought

INJURY jinxed Michael Forsyth masked out the fear over his own future as he joined 13 heroic Wanderers in doing the double over Manchester City. It was brave Brucie's first game in 14 injury-plagued months and he believes it may be the last of his professional

Youngsters escape the Alps after avalanches SCHOOL pupils on a skiing trip headed for home yesterday after avalanches across the Alps had left them stranded for five days. Around 15 teenagers from Beaconsfield were airlifted out of Fiesch in Switzerland

Church service gets a crossed line with show VICAR Nick Molony and more than 400 guides and brownies from across the Thames Valley could not believe their ears when their service was interrupted by a compere introducing a flamboyant wedding show. Due

FILM CLIPS What is that film about? Find out below. Dr Dolittle (PG) Eddie Murphy continues to talk to the animals in this non-musical version of the cuddly story. HHH Elizabeth (15) Stunning telling of the life of Elizabeth I. A few historical facts

WEEKEND trippers who have been using prepared wickets at the picturesque St Mary's playing field at Amersham Old Town for Sunday morning 'knockabouts' have angered residents who have complained to the council which owns the grounds. The cricket field,

STAFF at McDonald's served up a record-breaking fundraising bid to help premature babies born at Wycombe Hospital. The 100 workers at the restaurant's High Wycombe branch took part in activities including bungee jumping and sponsored walks to raise money

Re: The decision by Conservative councillors to stage a walkout during a Wycombe District Council meeting last week. YOUR leader writer was clearly misled in his column last week ("Tories acted like petulant children", BFP comment, October 30). At the

The Horse Whisperer 168mins PG Director Robert Redford YOU'LL feel like you've been in the saddle for a day when the final credits role at the end of Robert Redford's very long adaptation of Nicholas Evan's best-selling novel. It is a film children will

Apathy has most of our election votes POLITICAL power struggles reach a peak next Thursday as the district councils go into the melting pot at the polls. It's going to be very interesting to see the outcome. The one certainty, unless there's a last-minute

Nick's darker side is fast cars Chris Herbert finds out what Pink Floyd's drummer gets up to when he's not behind the drums. WHEN Pink Floyd's drummer tells you that he can still remember a lot of his band's excess-filled early days, you know there is

HENRY Geddes makes some interesting points in his letter (November 20). He is correct in that Cllr Jennings should be consulted in "matters of major importance to his constituents". However, "intimate knowledge of the area and its problems" does not give

JUBILANT Tories enjoyed a stunning set of victories across South Bucks in the council elections on Thursday night. Conservatives regained control of Wycombe, South Bucks and Chiltern district councils, which they lost four years ago. The most staggering

THERE is a diversity of talent coming from the members of Buckinghamshire Art Society. Next weekend the society, which has more than 100 professional and semi-professional artists as members, is holding an exhibition of its most recent works in Beaconsfield

AS firemen scoured the shell of the Isle of Man holiday centre Summerland in the search for more bodies, and while many injured people lay in hospital, High Wycombe Post Office worked flat out in a "mercy dash" to take a special blood serum -- made by

I SINCERELY hope that your paper's interest in the grammar schools debate will stimulate a movement to defend this essential system of education, which is Buckinghamshire's greatest asset. 'Essential' because anyone in the position of recruiting and employing

Shot dead: Jill Dando TV weatherman Bill Giles -- who was hounded by a stalker for more than seven years -- has told of his devastation at the brutal murder of fellow presenter Jill Dando. BBC presenter Jill was killed by a single bullet to the back of

'It's a kick in the teeth for the community and everyone who works here' 250 job losses as last mill closes WORKERS were left stunned this week as bosses announced the closure of the last paper mill in Buckinghamshire with the loss of 250 jobs. Many of

Stories from the Bucks Free Press files. November 1973 IN spite of all the gloom of fuel rationing, rising prices and freezing temperatures, thousands of Wycombe people were in remarkably high spirits on Saturday. Wycombe followers went wild with joy

Dr Dolittle Dir Betty Thomas PG THERE'S an old thespian adage which says 'don't work with children or animals'. But Eddie Murphy seems to come away unscathed in the role of talented medical physician Doctor Dolittle. Eddie Murphy plays a zany doctor who

HOW we hope county councillors listen to trader Malcolm Allen who says his business has been ruined by their positive parking scheme. Many have made similar claims, but Mr Allen has set out in detail on a graph how trade has declined 52 per cent at Strictly

Work out that tension the Swedish way Lindi Bilgorri unknots her shoulders with a Swedish aromatherapy massage. WHEN I told Ashi Le Hunt, the owner of Chilterns Complementary Care, that sitting at a computer all day and meeting deadlines wasn't giving

REGARDING Frank Brunner's letter (November 13), it certainly would be better if roads and vehicles were less over-engineered generally, to match the character of most of our roads as general-purpose public highways. The limitations of traffic-calming

A 16-YEAR-OLD girl suffering from meningitis is said to be improving eight days after she was admitted to Wycombe Hospital The girl, who has not been named, is a pupil at Chesham High School where all her close contacts have been traced and given antibiotics

RGS scrum half Nick Duncombe will make his fourth consecutive appearance at Twickenham as his school bid to claim the Daily Mail Under-18 Schools Cup at the end of this month. The England U18 player has been part of the Wycombe school's amazing success

Blade 120mins 18 Dir Stephen Norrington WHAT does it say about a movie when the first thought on leaving is what a good video game it would make? Blade is one of those high-octane action thrillers in which if people aren't shooting at other people, they

Sam Fryer asks how working mums cope with summer hols SUMMER holidays have started and, for thousands of working mothers across the country, it means the start of a huge juggling act. More and more women are choosing to work while they have children,

OVER the past few years, you have published a number of letters from all corners of the world asking for or giving information regarding a special forces unit formed just prior to the Second World War known as the STAGS (Specially Trained Advanced Group

THE success of buses and trains around Wycombe conflict with a national survey, according to councillors. The Audit Commission published a report on Wednesday which said that many bus and train services are unreliable, unsafe and an unattractive alternative

Shakespeare in Love Dir John Madden 15 123mins. ACCORDING to the story told here, Shakespeare was having writer's block during the creation of Romeo and Ethel, a comedy about cross-dressing and a pirate's daughter. He knew his inspiration would return