Marlow Bottom News June 1, 2012 (From Bucks Free Press)

Marlow Bottom News June 1, 2012

10:20am Sunday 3rd June 2012 in Mike Williams

ZUMBA, once a novel (and controversial) form of musical exercise, has been turned into a very effective fundraiser by Jo Metherell. I may have mentioned before the popularity of her classes that she started last year. Jo decided to devote some sessions or parts of the proceeds into donations for various good causes.

With the help of fee-free use of St Mary’s and a hamper of ROC goodies from Johnson and Johnson, Jo’s latest dedicated evening raised over £200 for St Mary’s Pre-school – in sweltering heat, I’m told. Jo commented that, as far as she is concerned, it’s a good way of generating money – “all I have to do is come along and do my ‘stuff’”.

She is going to be ‘doing her stuff’ at the Rose Carnival on June 16, sometime between 12 and 4.30. BUCKINGHAMSHIRE’S top jazzman – the dynamic young tenor saxophonist Simon Spillett is also a noted journalist, and his recent Jazz Journal feature on fellow sax star Art Themen inspired Tuesday, June 12, gig at Marlow Jazz Club.

The pair will make a rare and potentially exciting appearance together at the British Legion Hall in company with the Frank Toms Trio.

After winning the BBC’s Rising Star award Simon is now one of the busiest and most successful jazzmen in the country, while the unique styling of Doctor Jazz, Art Themen has been a popular attraction at the club since their early days back in the 1970s.

I’m tempted to wish the soloists the traditional stage ‘break a leg’ encouragement. As Art Themen is also a noted orthopaedic consultant, it might not be amiss!

Music starts at 8.30pm; admission £8.

VALLEY Plus, in spite of the very hot and heavy weather conditions, on Tuesday, attracted a very substantial audience of around 40 to 50. The scheduled speaker from Iain Rennie had injured himself the day before, but he was ably replaced by the manager of the fund-raising function and one of the society’s volunteer helpers.

They told the amazing story of an idea, involving just two people, the rapidly ailing Iain Rennie and his wife, increasing to an organisation that now needs several million pounds each year to fund its ‘hospice at home’ services. In fact, they have also acquired a bricks and mortar hospice that allows them to offer a wider choice for the care of their patients, who pay nothing towards the cost of a very comprehensive care programme.

Two other items dealt with in the business section of the meeting are covered separately below.

COMMERCIAL deliveries at One-Stop have long been the root of frustration and irritation among valley people, for road safety reasons. While appreciating the convenience of the store, its operations at a narrow part of the road have been the source of criticism.

Alan and Jean Greening decided to approach the company in a non-accusing manner to discuss if some of the worst problems could be addressed. The result was a very constructive and amicable meeting of senior OneStop staff, the parish council, police and residents. Everything about the meeting was positive, and a number of specific problem areas will be addressed by the company, including considering using smaller vehicles when possible, more ordered parking to allow free thoroughfare for pedestrians and buggies for children, monitored parking manoeuvres, and constraining deliveries to three a week. It’s not all certain yet, but the company is clearly taking the matter seriously to do what it can to make things safer. Another action will be to use High Heavens Wood junction as the preferred turning point for the lorries, the traffic being lighter there and with far reduced chances of children being in danger. I’ll aim to publish the new discipline when it is firmly decided, and from then, the public will be encouraged to note and inform if things do not keep to the agreement.

Finally, thanks to the Greenings for raising the matter in a way that resulted in such amicable discussions.

DECORATING their properties in celebration of any national cause is ensured for three places I can think of.

The Barn Club will be impeccable in acknowledging the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, and they have a substantial programme over the weekend. Look at www.barnclub.co.uk for detailed information.

Secondly, Gav Singh always celebrates all things British and supports everything local that he possibly can. So, the chip-shop will open over the Jubilee period, and will display, for certain, the odd touch of red, white and blue. Gav’s recent activities have included providing a Quiz Night fish and chip supper for a Fieldhouse Lane crèche charity.

Chris and Maria are delighted they came 5th in the South East, for Quality of Chips recently. Isn’t it cheering that our national dish is being highly supported by staff from backgrounds as varied as Poland, Venezuela, Montenegro, Serbia, India and England – brilliant, I think.

Gav is aiming to run a promotion soon, supporting British products, and is planning to involve food manufacturers and local customers.

I wonder if the Swedes have thought of getting the valley Fish Bar to feed the audience of Stockholm’s little musical gathering in 2013?

Thirdly, I have it on authoritative grounds that Goodwood Rise’s own loyalist household will have the bunting out.

Paul is a bit miffed that the mixed weather has lead to a crop failure in one colour, so he can’t entirely say it in flowers!

SNOWY Owl tells me a slightly sad Jubilee story. That Third Brownie pack were invited to join the Rainbows and 1st Marlow Bottom Brownies for a Jubilee party on Thursday at 5.30pm at St Mary’s. All the fun of the iced cakes and jelly had to end a little early for some of them because not all the adults were able to stay to the end because of other commitments.

It’s all because of the rules about ratios of children and helpers.

Surely, with all the membership enthusiasm among the valley’s children to join the various BP groups, shouldn’t the valley feel just a little ashamed that it is unable to commit a handful more adults to ensure all these positive social activities can no longer be threatened by a missing grown-up?

ASSUMING the accuracy of an announcement made late on Tuesday last, we should all be having a fun day today as that promised/threatened road resurfacing will already be in full swing; BCC is ‘planning’ to end the fiasco, all in the course of this one day. A quick word with some traders revealed they were less than impressed with the county’s continued ineptitude to communicate effectively to those whose lives and livelihoods are affected by their instantaneous decision-making.

FINALLY, our much esteemed pharmacist, having successfully fulfilled, on Wednesday, the remaining outstanding stipulation for joining, was enthusiastically awarded honorary membership of Valley Plus, as a mark of thanks and affection. The announcement of the decision at Tuesday’s meeting was greeted with cheers among all those present. Everybody felt it was a fitting recognition for a much valued member of our community.

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