HAVING been caught inextricably by the new parking machines in Marlow when I encountered them for the first time a few days ago, I have some strong criticism of what I consider to be a very poor use of advanced technology.

I’ll pass on those views as they may be helpful to others tricked into paying unwarranted parking fees.

It took me a quarter of an hour in pouring rain to unravel myself from the machine’s clutches, during which time it stole £1.50 from me, without issuing any authorisation to park.

An elderly lady also lost money as the machine repeatedly demanded 40p from her – she had stopped solely to use the public toilets.

The problem is that technology has been abused to complicate what used to be a 20-second task of obtaining a ticket into an elaborate data entry process requiring at least five minutes and much struggling with touch keys that simply do not work in the rain.

The biggest problem is that WDC has implemented these confounded devices without mentioning anywhere in the instructions that their use is required only when you return at the end of your stay. You need to go to the back of the machine to discover this secret.

It was our trying to pre-pay, as customary, that caused me and the lady desperate for the loo to be in conflict with the machine.

Also, being totally unlit below the screen, it requires very deft use of touch to find the coin entry or return slot.

There is only one good thing to report about these people-hostile machines, WDC has been forced to abandon its long-established practice of setting the parking clocks several minutes early, thereby reducing the time available to park.

The time is now apparently set by satellite. But my advice is always to request a receipt. Without it you have absolutely no proof of payment, and you become very vulnerable if in any subsequent dispute with WDC.

VOTING is now open, and until February 6, for deciding various levels of awards for fish and chips shops throughout the land. Our valley chippy is defending its title of ‘Best in Bucks’, won in last year's competition.

Visit http://chips.lovepotatoes.

co.uk/vote and follow the instructions to record your opinion of our local chippy.

Gav told me that being a fryer these days requires a lot more consideration of customer tastes and needs.

Apart from offering gluten free fish and chips on every second and fourth Tuesday in the month, he is also a regular participant in ongoing surveys, operated by the potato suppliers, into which potato variety offers the best qualities for easy preparation as well as the best flavour chips.

So they work hard at being the best fryers in the county.

If you agree, please do complete your on-line response.

POLICE in the Thames Valley areas are also striving to provide better value to the public. 2014 saw some spectacular successes in crime detection and prosecution. In 2015 they will be using procedures to help the public avoid being crime victims.

One procedure to benefit drivers is to follow up with direct contact if openly visible valuables are spotted in parked cars in known high-risk areas.

The police will attempt to trace the driver, including, if all else fails, sending them a letter offering advice and guidance on protecting against vehicle break-ins.

There will also be increased attention on matters of internet security, including active partnership with the Get Safe Online campaign.

Their website covers a wide range of topics, and will be a useful read for parents, businesses and the vulnerable and elderly too.

Visit www.GetSafeOnline.org Of particular concern will be the safety of children on the internet.

You may have already seen or heard about the new NSPCC online safety campaign, Share Aware. Many parents feel out of their depth in understanding what their children are doing online and what the risks might be. This campaign is aimed at parents and carers of children aged eight-12, and is a good tool to help with understanding what children like to get up to online, and will certainly help parents to have those difficult conversations with children about staying safe. There is a downloadable Share Aware guide for parents which has three main purposes: to provide an overview of sites, apps and games that children and young people use from a user-perspective; to give parents the confidence to facilitate balanced and informed conversations about what their children are doing online; and to encourage parents to look at social networking platforms themselves and form their own views about the appropriateness of popular sites for their children.

Speaking to residents, I have found that our new Da Luca restaurant has sparked considerable interest in the valley and further afield, with universal praise for those who have already visited.

People are talking of it being a ‘village asset’ and a ‘boon to Marlow Bottom’.

A SPECTACULAR Valley Plus gathering for lunch took place at the Crowne Plaza last Tuesday. I’ll need the space in next week’s column to reflect adequately on this highly successful organisation.