FRUSTRATING to the point of distraction has been the ear problem I’ve had since early December.

That is why my column has been so irregular since that time. I apologise to those who had wanted their events and activities publicised, but the necessary concentration to write coherent text has so often been beyond contemplation. I’m hoping for better in the coming weeks.

VALLEY Plus meetings can be relied upon to provide absorbing and unusual presentations. The next one, February 25 at 2 pm in the chapel, will delve into Ancient Turkey.

The speaker is Geoff Wing. As many of you probably know, Geoff has travelled extensively in Turkey, including many places off the beaten track. He has, of course, the marvellous advantage of usually having Peri at his side, a Turkish speaker with knowledge of local customs. Some of the ancient sites go way back to very early human history, thousands of years before those in Egypt. It promises to be another enthralling topic, with the extra spice and flavour of long-term personal experience.

The meeting will also provide information about the arrangements for the World War II bunker visit on April 3, with the inevitable request to pay the trip cost of £11.

GRUMBLINGS about the foibles of the valley’s refuse collectors have trickled through to me for the last 18 months or so. At first, I tended to assign the complaints to disgruntled residents whose clarity of thought might have been temporarily impaired by the heat of the moment of some unfortunate incident on the road.

But there have been so many complaints about the execution of a service that traditionally attracted almost universal gratitude that it is clear all is not well with the way refuse teams interact with the public.

The complaints can usually be associated with the original inadequacy of the width of roads in our community, plus the increased dimensions of modern refuse vehicles, but I have to concede that the reports also suggest a certain resentment among the collectors.

There have been many incidents reported where the lorry driver, when choosing a stopping place, has seemed to adopt a road position that most completely obstructs the road for the greatest time.

Though conditions for collectors have improved significantly over the years, the job still has aspects that probably would not appeal to many of us, but most would expect that the work should be done with least disruption to people’s everyday necessary regimen.

If you have legitimate cause to believe that your way is being disrupted as in the incidents above, you should contact the council, rather than get into confrontation with the refuse team. WDC is certainly eager to ensure their contractors adopt reasonable practices to accommodate the public needs.

OFTEN described as Britain’s best loved jazz partnership, the talents of Alan Barnes and Bruce Adams will be at Marlow Jazz Club (The Royal British Legion Hall) next Tuesday, February 18. Alan plays all sizes of saxes while Bruce features trumpet and flugelhorn. Both have won countless awards on their respected instruments and often appear together, with plenty of amusing banter as well as great jazz. Frank Toms and his trio provide the rhythm, and music starts at 8.30 pm with £8 admission.

REMEMBER that charity tea-time Diana Bond organised some months ago with the aid of the Barn Club?

Well, she’s organising another one on Tuesday, February 25, between 2 and 4, again at the Barn Club.

The on-the-door £5 admission includes home-made scones and cakes, and a raffle entry. Proceeds are for Age UK, the modern combination of Age Concern and Help the Aged.

Carol stresses that all the food is home-made, contributed by her donor friends. You must supply the good conversation and the bonhomie. AGREED we have the best pharmacist possible? Well, record your opinion on Raji’s annual satisfaction survey, and return the form as soon as possible.

Do you know what? Last year there were actually one or two people who marked her down a point, mainly because they didn’t realise she had a comfortable confidential consulting room – well she has, just ask.

NEXT week sees the Chippy Chips Award voting.

Marlow Bottom Fish Bar will be participating by decorating the shop, buying spuds locally and offering recipes, cooking tips and taste tests at the chip shop in Brucewood Parade.

Vote on-line at http://chips.lovepotatoes.co.uk/vote/chip-shops and improve on their fourth position in the South East for the last two years.