A NEW cast metal village sign is now welcoming people to Wooburn Green. Parish councillors Kate Airley, Michael Reeves and Dave Airley settled on a simple design of the outline of St Paul’s Church after speaking to residents and other groups. The sign was made at Thames Forge in Maidenhead after Wooburn and Bourne End Parish Council received a Government grant of £1,750 as part of a programme to encourage business growth.

A FLACKWELL Heath farmer says she’ll no longer struggle to get on her tractor after losing five stone in weight. Denise Secker, who lives off Heath End Road, started a Weight Watchers class in Bourne End in January 2011 and has gone from dress size 22 to 14. She now weighs just 10st 12lbs. The 44-year-old said: "I used to struggle getting in and out of the tractor but now everything I do now feels much easier and I no longer have problems with my knees and feet. I feel like a new person."

SHOPPERS in Bourne End have been raving about the handiwork of charity shop worker Tom Eglinton - who has crafted a Christmas tree out of a table and old books. Tom, the assistant manager at the Iain Rennie shop on The Parade, was loathe to chuck away a pile of unsold goods, and decided to turn the items into a Christmas window display instead. He used the table to form the tree trunk and stand, with hundreds of book pages twirled up to be the branches and leaves.

THE Exercise Clinic in Bourne End and one of its users Terry Broom scooped the Member Achievement award at the National Fitness Awards in Leicester last month. Judges were impressed with how the gym helped Terry to prepare for a gruelling challenge to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, which he did in the beginning of November, raising £2,000 for The White Lodge Centre in Surrey. The Exercise Clinic is no stranger to success at the National Fitness Awards having won the same award last year’s event with member Alex Field.

CHRISTMAS trees can be recycled free of charge at Bourne End Garden Centre on Hedsor Road between January 5 – 20. Make sure the trees are placed in the designated area.

FLACKWELL Heath Royal British Legion has entertainment from keyboard player Franz Black tomorrow from 8pm. Tickets are also now on sale for the Legion’s New Year’s Eve party, which features the Frisco Duo and kicks off at 7pm. Tickets are £7, call the Legion on 01628 520 257, or Mary Harding on 01628 520 546.

LOUDWATER Royal British Legion has a ‘Battle of the DJs’ tomorrow between DJ Jivin’ George and DJ Jumpin’ Jim, from 8pm till late. All types of dancing and it is are permitted to bring your own food. Entry is £7 and there will be a raffle in aid of St Tiggywinkles Wildlife Animal Hospital. For more information call George on 07721842142.