Archive

  • Shocks in Chiltern but Tories stand firm

    INDEPENDENT candidate Seb Berry won a seat on Chiltern District Council at the Tories’ expense – but there was a huge shock in Chesham where two Lib Dems were voted out. There were just 37 votes in it as Mr Berry pipped incumbent Gilbert Nockles

  • Tories storm to victory in SBDC election

    THE Conservatives have stormed to an emphatic victory in the South Bucks District Council elections – increasing their headcount to 38 out of 40 councillors. The party held 36 seats and made two gains, taking a seat from the Lib Dems in Iver

  • Lesley Clarke to stand down as leader despite election win

    LESLEY Clarke has today announced she is to stand down as leader of Wycombe District Council. She made the declaration this afternoon after news of her re-election as councillor for the Abbey ward broke. Cllr Clarke will remain a member

  • Writing duo's celebration at new novel

    AMERSHAM writing duo Lorraine Bateman and Paul Cole have examined the affects of war atrocities in their debut novel titled At Midnight in a Flaming Town. Combining a love of writing and an intense interest in military history, the pair released the

  • Early parole chance for Jourdan killer

    ONE of the men convicted for his part in the knife murder of Jourdan Griffiths has won the chance for an early parole after top judges cut the length of his minimum sentence. Lotto Williams, 20, formerly of Whitelands Road, High Wycombe, was

  • Waddock: Don't play the occasion

    GARY Waddock will be telling his men to play the game rather than the occasion against Southend on Saturday. Wanderers know that victory against the Shrimpers will guarantee them a place in League One next season and they can still be promoted even

  • Stay off the pitch

    FANS are being asked to stay off the pitch if Wanderers win promotion tomorrow. This is to allow the players to show their appreciation for the support they have received this season with a lap of honour at the end of the game. Supporters are also

  • No windfall for Phillips due

    WANDERERS’ hopes of an immediate summer cash injection from the sale of Matt Phillips to Blackpool have been dashed by Blues owner Steve Hayes this week. He says the club won’t be getting any of the second instalment of the potential £700,000 fee they

  • I was a twit not to believe in Twitter

    I HAVE recently discovered Twitter, having previously been under the impression that it was as inconsequential and unedifying as the implications of the name might suggest. Tiny little unseen birds making a pleasant but uninformative noise in your

  • My common-sense train is yet to arrive at the platform

    I AM well known for the countless mishaps that have befallen me over the years. Basil Fawlty and Frank Spencer have nothing on me for outrageous calamitous stupidity. So I am flattered to learn that the Star sub editor who looks after this column every

  • Abandon HS2 now Prime Minister

    OPEN Letter to the Prime Minister re proposals for the High Speed 2 rail network. EXACTLY 12 months ago, many of your ministers including local MPs Cheryl Gillan MP and David Lidington MP were re-elected on a platform of defeating Labour’s HS2 proposals

  • A very demanding test

    RE: Wycombe district councillor Roger Colomb’s recent letter (‘green belt policy is in line with manifesto’) in response to a reader’s concerns over the proposals for a stadium at Wycombe Air Park. ALTHOUGH the language of all party manifestos is

  • Put stadium by rail line

    I WONDER if I was the only candidate in yesterday’s local elections who is firmly against any kind of new stadium at Booker – but who could be FOR the idea of a community stadium IF it were genuinely people and eco-friendly, and also, crucially – if it

  • Plan your week ahead with what's on

    THE Wycombe Arts Festival continues this week with a varied programme. On Saturday at 7.30pm St Lawrence Church, West Wycombe Hill will play host to the Chiltern Camerata, conducted by Sam Laughton. They will play Haydn, Mozart and Samuel Wesley.

  • Grammar schools must help all our children

    FOR over a century now, grammar schools have enjoyed an elite, aloof, privileged status in Bucks. Even the grammar schools will agree this is no secret, and most of us have no big issue with this. Currently, all grammar schools are going full speed

  • Make voters have to pass entrance exams

    I SUSPECT that the turn-out for last night’s local elections was ridiculously low as usual, with masses of people spurning the chance to add their voice to democracy. If I’m right, this will be doubly disappointing given that last night was also the referendum

  • This street party didn’t go down as well

    DUE to the road layout, the cul-de-sac where I live has always been a quiet backwater in spite of its proximity to Wycombe town centre. That all came to an abrupt halt on the afternoon of the royal wedding, when our close played host to several hundred

  • Pensioners miss out on their benefits

    MILLIONS of pensioners are struggling to make ends meet, and are suffering real hardship. And yet many are entitled to Pension Credit they never claim. A recent survey by Turn2us has revealed startling statistics on the plight of pensioners in today’

  • Here is one marriage which should succeed

    THE failure of the first marriages of the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal and the Duke of York suggests dysfunction. Is the marriage of HRH Prince William and the commoner Kate Middleton any more likely to succeed where so many have failed and wounded

  • Community news and events

    DENNY and the Diplomates along with DJ Jivin George will have the crowd moving at the Hedsor Social Club tomorrow night. The evening begins at 8pm. For tickets call 07721842142 or email: george.gatrell@topenworld.com. FLACKWELL Heath British

  • Marlow Bottom column May 6, 2011

    Having run Marlow Bottom Pre-school Playgroup for over 20 years, Sue Shaw is leaving Marlow Bottom and heading off to Wales! The group is holding a drop in tea party on Saturday, May 14 from 2 to 5pm at 57 Marlow Bottom Road for anyone who

  • School gives lesson on how to behave

    WHILE no school ever wants to have to deal with a case where a teacher has sex with a pupil, Princes Risborough School deserves credit for its handling of this unfortunate situation. Newly qualified Religious Education teacher Erin La Porte admitted

  • Holden expecting tough test in final match

    LEON Holden takes charge of Wasps for the final time tomorrow before departing for Japan. The New Zealander will be looking to finish his time with the Adams Park outfit on a high with victory against Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park on Saturday. Performances

  • The opulence of the opera in Chilterns estate

    EVERYTHING about Garsington Opera screams opulence from the beautifully presented brochure to the delightful setting of Wormsley Estate and the choice of three well prepared operas. The move from Garsington to Oxford to Wormsley Estate near Stokenchurch

  • Election 2011: Live

    WELCOME to the Bucks Free Press live coverage of the local elections 2011. Voters yesterday went to the polls for ‘Super Thursday’ to have their say on who should spend taxpayers’ money for the next four years. The political battle was

  • Community news and events

    BEACONSFIELD Theatre Group is gearing up for its performances of Alan Ayckbourn's 'Time of my Life' later this month. The show will run from May 26 – 28, beginning at 8pm at the Beacon Centre in Holtspur. Tickets are £12, concessions £10. Visit

  • Widower hoped speeding driver would go to jail

    THE widowed husband of a pensioner who died after being hit by a car said he wished the 20-year-old driver had been given a jail sentence for taking his wife’s life. Thomas Pearce was on his way to work on March 6 last year when he lost control

  • Owner hopes to create closer links

    WANDERERS owner Steve Hayes hopes victory and promotion in front of a packed Adams Park on Saturday will create a closer link between the fans and the players. Hayes is hoping to get a five-figure crowd for the crunch clash against Southend United

  • Planning applications for May 5

    THE following applications were submitted to south Buckinghamshire councils yesterday. To view Wycombe applications click here, for Chiltern applications click here and for South Bucks applications click here. You must accept the terms and

  • County's hockey players celebrate championship crown

    GLORY on the hockey field continues to come Buckinghamshire’s way after the U14 Girl’s team were crowned South County Champions. Five wins in a row after an opening 2-2 draw against Oxfordshire helped them seal the title as they swept all before them

  • Hot meals at last for primary school

    PUPILS at Princes Risborough Primary School can now finally enjoy a hot meal at lunch time after years of planning. The food is freshly prepared at the secondary school in the town and delivered in hot containers. Headteacher Paul New