Community news: Funeral for stalwart poppy seller (From Bucks Free Press)

Community news for Bourne End, Flackwell Heath, Loudwater and the Wooburns

8:10am Friday 3rd February 2012 in News By Lawrence Dunhill

THE funeral service for Harry Merryweather, the Flackwell Heath poppy-selling stalwart, will be held at Christ Church at 10.30am today. All who admired and liked Harry are invited to the service and afterwards to his interment at the Little Marlow Cemetery in Fern Lane. After the funeral he will be remembered at the Royal British Legion. Family flowers only. Donations to Iain Rennie Hospice at Home, at the shop or at the Church.

NEARLY 200 villagers have given their views on what the future should hold for Flackwell Heath. A consultation event, organised Flackwell Heath Residents’ Association, took place at the community centre on January 21. Many residents left comments about the state of the buildings on Common Road, as well as the imminent closure of Cherrymead Surgery on Straight Bit. Others complained about the lack of buses in the village. The results will be collated and presented to the association’s AGM in March. This will then form part of a plan for the village.

PUPILS at Carrington Infant School in Flackwell Heath had a prickly visit from a charity last month - as they handed over a cheque for nearly £200. Verity Stewell-Rutter, from Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital, took a hedgehog into the Chapel Lane school last Wednesday for a special assembly. The children have been raising money for the charity, which is based in Haddenham.

THE parish council for Wooburn Green and Bourne End could be split in two - after members agreed to a review of its boundaries. Residents in both villages have complained about the other getting favourable treatment from Wooburn and Bourne End Parish Council. Parish councillor Margaret Marshall said: "I don't believe there's a massive problem or anything like that. We look at both areas equally and have recently put play equipment in both villages. We were just asked if we wanted a review and we agreed." The review is being carried out by Wycombe District Council.

ROTARIANS in Bourne End are staging a Grand Quiz at Wye Valley School next week. The event will raise cash for The Rotary Club of Bourne End and Cookham’s ‘Eradication of Polio Campaign’. Tickets are £10 per person, including a fish and chip supper. It starts at 7.30pm on Friday, February 10. No more than six per team. For an entry form email: richard@regnom.co.uk or visit: www.beac-rotary.co.uk

HEDSOR House will host a unique fundraiser for Sport Relief this month - giving its kitchens over to Olympic rowing and kayaking teams. The athletes will be cooking a three-course dinner for guests at the historic mansion house on February 18, at an evening titled Hedsor's Kitchen: The Battle of Dorney Lake. Hedsor House, in Hedsor Park, is three miles from the lake where the athletes will be competing in the summer.

BOURNE END is the start point for a guided walk around Little Marlow on Sunday, to search for winter wildlife visitors such as waders and wildfowl. A spotting scope will be provided for the walk around the Spade Oak Lake Nature Reserve, but take binoculars if you have them. The route is flat but muddy in places, so wear wellies or walking boots. The event, run by Wycombe District Council's Woodland Service, is suitable for over 10s and places must be booked. Tickets are £4 for adults and £2 for concessions, with a family ticket £10. Meet at the Spade Oak public car park on Coldmoorholme Lane at 10am. Call 01494 421825 or email: Woodland.Service@wycombe.gov.uk

LOUDWATER British Legion hosts a salsa party this evening, promising hot Latin rhythms with a fun and friendly crowd. From 8.30pm, tickets are £8 for members and £9 for non-members. Call Beckie & Rico on 020 8866 9093 for details.

Email ldunhill@london.newsquest.co.uk with news and events for these areas.