Community News: Concert with BBC finalists (From Bucks Free Press)

Community news for Beaconsfield, Gerrards Cross, Seer Green and Jordans

1:10pm Saturday 12th January 2013 in News By Lawrence Dunhill

THREE finalists of the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition will be performing in Beaconsfield this month. The first Beaconsfield Concerts event of the year features pianist Martin Bartlett, violinist Cristian Grajner De Sa and Hyungi Lee on percussion. The trio attend the prestigious Purcell School in Hertfordshire and will perform some of their favourite music including works by Mozart, de Falla, JS Bach, Debussy and Schumann. The concert on January 19 starts at 7.45pm at Beaconsfield High School, with drinks available at the interval. Non-members are welcome with day tickets at £16 (students £5), telephone 01494 678595.

PLANS to replace a family house in Beaconsfield with five new apartments have been rejected by a council. The scheme for 37 Grove Road, proposed by Berkeley Homes (Three Valleys) Ltd, had been recommended for approval by planning officers at South Bucks District Council, but members of the planning committee last month voted for refusal. They cited an "unacceptable level of overlooking" and loss of privacy to adjacent properties.

AUTHOR Frederick Forsyth, who lives in Seer Green, will read from his new book at a concert in the village next Saturday. Holy Trinity Church is hosting the event, which features Royal Opera House soprano Melissa Alder, supported by the church choir. Organisers promise something for everyone, including religious music, opera and musical theatre. Tickets are £10 to include a glass of mulled wine and are available from The Jolly Cricketers pub.

BEACONSFIELD Workers' Educational Association, an adult learning organisation run by volunteers, has two courses starting this week. 'The Literature of Post Colonialism', a ten-week course starting on Wednesday, will explore fiction by Chinua Achebe, Kiran Desai and Arundhati Roy. It runs from 10am – 12 noon at the United Reformed Church Hall in Aylesbury End and costs £145. Another ten-week course, 'Roman Mythology and Opera', will look at works by Mozart, Purcell, Handel and Berlioz. This starts on Monday at the Fitzwilliams Centre, Windsor End, from 2.30-4.30pm and costs £79. Details from Chris Williams on 01628 521806 or see: www.wea.org.uk/courses

RICHARD Nissen, a dowser and member of the Royal Institute of Navigation, is giving a talk on ‘Animal Navigation’ in Jordans tomorrow. He says unravelling the mystery of dowsing could unravel the mystery of animal navigation. Register at 2.30 for a 2.30pm start at the New Jordans Centre on Welders Lane, with the talk running till about 5pm. It costs £6 and you need to book with Susan Scott Powell on 01494 813 214 or chair@thamesvalleydowsers.org.uk

DENNIS Scourfield, chairman of Seer Green Parish Council, said the village should feel "very proud" of its new war memorial in School Lane. It was installed after a campaign from villagers raised £15,000, and features the names of 16 men who died in WW1 and nine who died in WW2.

BEACONSFIELD Library hosts Chatterbooks, a junior book group for ages 7 - 11 on Thursday, from 4.30 -5.30pm. Details on 0845 2303232.

HEDGERLEY Historical Society meets on Wednesday evening, with Pam Reed, chairman and a founder member of The History of Denham Society presenting a talk on her research to identify the location of the historic Manor of Denham. From 8pm at Hedgerley Memorial Hall on Kiln Lane, visitors are welcome. At this meeting bookings will open for the special event on Saturday, May 4 when Paul Atterbury, a familiar face on Antiques Roadshow, presents his talk on Exploring Britain's Lost Railways. Further details from John Lovelock on 01753 647187 or jdlovelock@btinternet.com

BEACONSFIELD Town Council still has some allotment plots available at the Ivins Road Allotments in Holtspur. The fee for the growing year is £27.50. Email town.admin@beaconsfieldtowncouncil.gov.uk or telephone 01494 675473 during office hours.

GERRARDS CROSS Sailing Association meets on Wednesday for a talk from Ray Bridges on ‘Cruising in the Caribbean’. At the Memorial Centre from 8pm. Further details and full programme at www.gxsa.org.uk or phone 01753 884318.