FREQUENTLY I’ve written regarding assistance for the Baden Powell groups in Marlow Bottom, but this time its different. It’s very urgent and new, even so soon after last week’s appeal in the MB column. Brown Owl, Sandie Kemp alerted me to the dilemma.

Our 2nd Marlow Bottom Guide Unit meets on a Wednesday evening in Burford School, but the concessional hire fee charged until now is under serious threat.

Pressure on education budgets has understandably forced the school to revise rates for the use of its facilities to reflect the full costs incurred.

However, as that will mean a 350% increase, the new level will be impossible for the individual Guide unit to meet. Even spread across all valley units this will probably force a £5 increase in subs per person per term.

Various options have and are being explored – different nights and different venues – but none has yet been viable. With no location, the unit may have to close in September depriving youngsters of the chance to participate in this most worthwhile activity.

Do you have any suggestions of a venue – a barn, a hall or other ideas? If you can help, please call the Guides’ District Commissioner, Rosemary Lewis, on 01628 440686.

CHILD Bereavement UK is inviting visitors to attend an Open Day on Wednesday July 3 between 2pm and 7pm at the Clare Charity Centre, Saunderton.

The charity, active for nearly 20 years, supports families when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, or when a child is facing bereavement.

It made headlines recently when its Royal patron HRH The Duke of Cambridge visited with the Duchess and met bereaved families participating in the charity’s support groups for children, parents and young people.

During the Open Day, you will be able to learn more about the bereavement services provided for families, and about volunteering and fundraising, and chat to staff and volunteers, who will be on hand to provide information and advice – as well as offering refreshments. For more information, please contact Amanda Freed on 01494 568898, or email amanda.freed@childbereavementuk.org TUESDAY of next week, that’s June 25, is the date of the next Valley Plus meeting. As has become customary over recent months, apart from the main presentation, there will be a short but more immediately informational session.

The subject matter of the first session will affect us all at some time or other, so you can’t really afford to miss it.

Are you still confused about how to get an appointment at the surgery? Either Dr Chris North or Dr Myles Johnson, from Marlow Surgery, will be explaining the new system.

They will also be introducing the audience to a new initiative designed to help Carers, those people who provide assistance for someone – usually a family member – who is disabled in some way.

If that’s the appetiser, then the main course is Mike Walker talking about Wycombe and Great Marlow Railways. There are a lot of train enthusiasts out there – don’t forget that guests can come on payment of £1.

Of course, the time and venue are 2pm in the Methodist Chapel.

BARELY much more than a week to go before Burford’s big celebration day on June 29. The 40th anniversary show has been further heralded by a brochure recently delivered to all valley households.

In the absence of the Rose Carnival, this will be the biggest completely public event in the valley this summer (Rebellion may contest that, but theirs is perhaps of less than universal appeal).

Apart from all the usual attractions of such a fete and the additional interest of exhibitions covering the school’s history and development, you will probably have a golden opportunity of bumping into people you may not have seen for years.

You may remember one of the following events from that past, and that may jog your memory as to who might also be there on the day.

On January 16, 1979 the BBC filmed for their Everyman programme ‘A child’s idea of God’ which was seen on March 9.

On May 16, 1981, the school’s jazz recorder group went for audition for ITV’s Fanfare for Young Musicians. On this occasion they were unsuccessful unfortunately.

In the nineties, there was the great rocket project, culminating with quite a long ITV news report.

But this show should attract all as everybody will have some cause to be associated with Burford.

FOLLOWING Burford’s festivities at the end of June, on July 4, 5 and 6, the Marlow Music Makers present their summer concert at Christ Church URC, Oxford Road, Marlow.

The lively programme of popular music from the 20s up to the Beatles and beyond is at 7.30 each day. The admission of £9 includes wine and light refreshments MMM concert at URC Marlow Music Makers choir are busy rehearsing to deliver three nights of lively music in aid of an important local charity.

Better sort out tickets soon (from Insight in Marlow High Street), this one gets sold out; that’s why there’s an additional performance this year.