THE PARISH Council and the Residents’ Association got together last weekend for a tidy up and pruning of the area at the valley entrance. The maintenance exercise was both seasonal and preparatory for an event that is only about 12 years late!

It’s true, MBVRA now has planning permission for the Steve Redgrave sculpture! Detailed positioning has to be agreed with Bucks Highways (to ensure they are happy about it being free of obstruction of traffic vision). Now, details of the foundations and support need finalising, and checking the costs since they were first estimated years ago.

PEOPLE often ask me why the money they contributed so long ago has not resulted in the erection of the planned sculpture. Only now has it become appropriate to reveal some of the key obstructions. The bench plan had to be changed some time ago, to a sculpture, to overcome objections from the residents of Patches Field who speculated that a seat might attract drug addicts.

The path to achieving complete acceptance of a physical tribute to Steve Redgrave has been a tortuous one, complicated by legal complications initially from the London Olympic Committee, then complicated by multiple changes in WDC organisational responsibilities. Finally, the housing authority, Red Kite, more or less killed the original plans, effectively, by deputing the ultimate decision to a group of residents of their sheltered housing property.

Each step of progress during the years has been thwarted. Planning permission had to be sought (and paid for) on three occasions, as previous agreements expired.

Nobody can conceive of any other small, justifiably proud, community, world-wide, that would have faced such opposition to honouring its most famous and illustrious son.

Throughout this time, by the way, funds from public contributions have been ring-fenced by MBVRA and the Parish Council.

MBVRA aim to complete work before Christmas, if weather conditions allow the construction of foundations.

ALTHOUGH not a resident of Marlow Bottom, many older mothers may remember Anne Lee; many younger residents may owe their healthy arrival into this world to her when she practised as a supervisor midwife in the area.

Sadly, Anne died recently, aged 94. Condolences to all the generations of her very extensive family, many of whom still work or are in business in the area, and some have helped communities in far-flung parts of the world.

As for those to whom she provided services, undoubtedly there may be few parts of the world that have not ultimately benefited from Anne’s skill and influence.

FIREWORKS time is nearly here, can you believe it? I suppose the way that our summer has been prolonged into a mild and mainly fine early autumn makes the approach of November seem precocious. Still, it might make winter seem less permanent than last year’s.

The big show, organised jointly by Friends of Burford (FOB) and the Playing Fields Committee (PFC), takes place on November 9, gates open at 5.30, with fireworks starting at 7pm.

This is consistently a good show, each year, and the price of admission for the family, at £20 (2+2), is just about certain to beat anything you could organise at home by a substantial measure, in price and, spectacularity, regardless of objections from my spell-checker. Under fours are free, individual children up to 13 £5, and adults £6.

The best views are from the large hard-standing area (playground) at the top of the site, with enough, well lit room for everyone to stand and watch the display safely.

There is also a large fence to ensure children and spectators keep well away from the firework launch area in the adjacent field. Down from the top area there is a bar as well as a fairground and stalls area – with rides, displays, games, fun for all the family.

This area includes a full licensed bar, candy floss, hot and cold drinks, sweets, donuts, hot food stall selections and rides and attractions to amuse the children.

If you are new to the valley since last year, there is an excellent display of information at http://www.marlowbottomfire works.com/ and it includes some video of previous years (the best, by far, is of last year’s show).

Of course the profits from the show will benefit the valley, part to FOB school facilities and PFC to management of the field and play area.

HALLOWEEN will be celebrated with a very extensive programme of activities, for children and adults, from 5.30 until 11.30 on November 1, at the Barn Club.

It’s open to all, members and non-members alike. Put it in your diaries now, more details next week.

Also next week, even more frighteningly, it’s time to start announcing the various Christmas events in the valley.

Must search out my fancy red hat.