VALLEY Plus has an engaging smorgasbord of topics next week on Tuesday, July 29.

The main speaker will be Mike Hyde, the subject is Marlow Museum, past, present and future.

Meanwhile, Sarah Loveday will describe the facilities that will be available at the new Cliveden Manor Care Home in Little Marlow Road on the outskirts of Marlow. There’s been a lot of confusion regarding plans for Handy Cross. Graham Smith from the Bucks Highways Department will come to explain all. There seem to be matters in great need of clarification.

The time is 2pm and the place, Marlow Bottom Methodist Chapel.

Remember, that there’s no meeting in August, the September 30 meeting will reveal the exciting plans for the following months.

SORRY, you could have gone to the tip last weekend, after all.

The doomsday weather predictions, just before, resulted in postponement of the planned roadworks.

The closure is now rescheduled for tomorrow and Sunday, July 26 and 27.

Please pass the word on.

MADNESS – well, ‘More than Madness’ really, it’s a show broadcast every Saturday on Marlow FM from 6-8pm.

Mark Harris is the guest presenter on August 2. Hilary will also be on hand to hold Mark in check.

The programme always has a themed topic focus. Mark and Hilary have chosen War and Peace.

You’ll be delighted to know they won’t be reading the book, just playing music in line with that theme.

Specifically, what music? Well, that’s sort of up to you!

They want you to contact them with pertinent musical ideas.Some lucky people will get an on-air dedication before their suggested track.

You can post your suggestions on LinkedIn, or tweet them to @enterprisedoc.

If you’re friends with Hilary or Mark on Facebook, you can message them there.

So – you’re in charge! What should they play?

GOING on holiday? If you are then make sure your home is secure against burglary.

The High Wyco-mbe Neighbourhood Policing Team don’t want you to become a burglary victim while you are away enjoying yourself in the sun on holiday, so please follow these simple steps to do the best you can to ensure that your property stays safe.

Before you leave, take care that you don’t advertise your plans by public chatter and boasting; but do brief a trusted friend; tell them of your plans and ask them to keep an eye on the property; if they are able to, ask them to collect mail off the floor or from the mail box and to place it in another room.

They could open your curtains in the day and close them at night to make it look like people are in the property and put your dustbins in and out on collection day. Could a neighbour leave their car on your driveway? Cancel any deliveries such as milk or newspapers; leave lights on timer switches; make sure the light is in a room and not on the landing, as burglars know that no one tends to spend long periods of time on the landing or the stairs.

Make sure valuables, important documents, etc, are safe or stowed away in a safe place such as in the bank or with trusted family members.

Any items of value should be security marked with a UV pen or forensic coding system – advice can be sought from the Neighbourhood Team and they will be happy to visit.

Make sure all windows and doors are locked and secured, with keys safely out of view, including garage and shed; lock ladders away; Think about where you leave vehicle keys. Modern cars make it necessary/preferable for car thieves to try to acquire the keys from the house first.

That way they avoid the intricacies of dealing with ignition and other security complications.

Try to make time to read security advice from Wycombe District Council on www.wycombe.gov.uk/ crimeprevention Police, NW and WDC say: “Please enjoy your time away and try not to worry about your property.

“Burglary levels are currently low and if you have followed these useful tips on home security, you have done all you can to try and prevent a burglar entering your home.”

REMEMBER when Marlow Bottom was the focus of attention with a new exercise/dance regime, joining New York and Rio as the only other centres where it was practised? That was Salsa.

Well, there’s another new discipline – FitSteps.

During the long, arduous dance training sessions that are an integral part of Britain’s most successful entertainment show, ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, Natalie Lowe, swimmer Mark Foster and Ian Waite had a great idea – to evolve a fitness system closely related to the fun most people derive from the BBC’s flagship Saturday night programme.

It seems that Mark Foster became a vigorous enthusiast after his experience in the competition.

Now, a valley resident, Shari Pay, has brought to Marlow this simple combination of Latin and Ballroom steps to create a fun aerobic workout. Neither a partner nor dance experience is required.

She says: “it’s an ideal way to get fit fast and deliver the most exciting, fun, fabulous fitness experience you’ve ever had.”

Her classes run on Monday mornings in the Marlow Sea Cadets meeting place at Wethered Road, at 9.30am, and Tuesday evenings in All Saints’ Church Hall, The Causeway at 7.30pm.

It costs £6 per class, with pre-payment discounts available. Visit www.facebook.com/FitstepswithShari for full details.

Shari notes there are already some valley participants, aged 18 to 73; so you may know somebody there.

ROCK Bottom is back – and I will be back to give you more details about it all next week.