IAN McGeechan admitted that Mark van Gisbergen is struggling after being dropped from the England squad. The Wasps full back looked a certainty to play in the Autumn internationals but a dip in form kept him on the bench for England's matches against
WANDERERS boss John Gorman is on the lookout for another defender after Bristol City recalled Richard Keogh after his loan period at Adams Park ended. Gorman said: "It's a shame he has to go back. He's been fantastic for us, but he is their player and
A HEADTEACHER who has brought success to a High Wycombe infant school is set to retire this month after ten years in the job. Anne Smart, 58, has been the headteacher of Marsh School, in Abbey Barn Road, since 1995 and has been credited with its steady
FREETHINKING furniture designers from Great Missenden have been working with experts from the Chiltern Enterprise Gateway to develop their design and business skills. Year ten pupils from the Misbourne School have been competing in a design project called
As a boy, growing up in post-war Rochdale, the public library was for me a treasure trove of excitement and imagination. I devoured books in much the same way that children today devour television, DVDs and computer games. But I don't subscribe to the
I AM 87 and my wife is 85 and so we are very old age pensioners in this district. We live in a four-bedroom house in Marlow not from choice but because of two reasons. Our family have grown up, married and were unable to find appropriate accommodation
I MUST say I was left feeling sick to the stomach and close to tears after seeing the photo of that poor dog left dying in Micklefield Road, High Wycombe. I am a pensioner and would rather starve myself than starve my dog. The people guilty of this
ON behalf of the High Wycombe Royal British Legion poppy appeal, I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who contributed so generously to this year's annual appeal. Through collections in superstores, shopping centres, shops, offices, factories
DAVID Cameron, the new Conservative leader, tells us that he wants to build a "modern and compassionate" party, but about the only firm commitment he has given is to introduce a Bill to overturn the ban on hunting wild mammals with dogs, his former hobby
LAST Friday, I accompanied 12 children and their teachers from Castlefield School to sing Carols and Christmas songs in the Octagon Shopping Centre outside the Virgin store. This had been arranged by representatives from the Children's Society a national
LAST Sunday my granddaughter, Claire, and I enjoyed a lovely pre-Christmas treat when we joined many local people in West Wycombe library for Christmas readings around a log fire, with mulled wine and mince pies. We really hope that we will be able to
I WOULD be very obliged if an acknowledgement could be made to the Ceramic Tile Company for the way they have smartened up the roundabout at Morrisons. A job well done and something which our council has neglected to do and should be ashamed that it
MRS M Pelham (MSA Madness: letters last week) has no need of motorway serviceareas as she clearly does not use the M40. MSAs were opened at Cherwell Valley junction 10 and Oxford junction 8 in 1994 and 1998. Like Mrs Pelham, I am fortunate in joining
CLLR Valerie Letheren in her letter last week makes a robust defence of the part played by Buckinghamshire3 County Council in the public inquiry on the M40 Junction 2 motorway service area (MSA) recently approved by the Government. But does that defence
WITHIN minutes of reporting an alarming rise in some crime figures in Thames Valley, Chief Constable Peter Imbert announced that he was attempting to cut 25 per cent in police overtime in a year. Although there was a decrease in some crimes, sexual offences
THE anti-climax of a snowed-off FA Cup tie against fourth division Peterborough was cast aside a day later as Wycombe Wanderers learned they have the chance of a Third Round tie against second division Port Vale. After all the hype, the winter's first
ORGANISERS were refusing to reveal the location of 15 newly opened racial abuse centres because they claimed they would be inundated with inquiries. The bases were opened by the Wycombe Racial Incidents Group (WRIG) in a bid to stamp out racial harassment
TWO young ladies were getting ready for a thrilling ride down a snowy hillside in south Bucks back in 1947. The youngsters are wrapped up warm in their winter woollies and they seem to be enjoying the fresh crisp air before they take off down the
Stuart Peacock, an ex-security guard from Bowerdean Road, High Wycombe, says he is brassed off at the cheek of MPs asking for a 22 per cent pay hike. Mr Peacock, 65, thinks they should look how the rest of us live before grumbling. When I saw MPs
Sandy McNicol, from Flackwell Heath, says he is fed up that he won't be allowed to celebrate Christmas this year. The 56-year-old director of Loudwater Tyres Company, in Queensmead Road, refuses to wish people a "Happy Holiday", and says it is political
WHEN the oil depot blew up at Hemel on Sunday, I thought it was the end of the world. I saw the sky fill with smoke from my home in High Wycombe and believed Armageddon was finally here. But then again, I constantly think the world's going to end. And
DR Who fan Tom Rees-Kaye couldn't believe his luck when he was given a chance to travel through space and time in his own back garden. Tom, 13, is a keen follower of the BBC TV series and even films himself with pals making their own episodes, which
SHOPKEEPERS claim a continued drop in trade could be linked with the closure and restrictions in High Wycombe's public car parks. In last week's Bucks Free Press it was reported that many of Wycombe's specialist stores, such as phone shops, florists
A UNANIMOUS decision was made by Wycombe district councillors to call for the county's top health chiefs to come and talk to them on how they intend to improve hospital services. All Wycombe District councillors were in agreement with a proposal put
A NEW development of affordable homes, controversially located on a former bowling green, has been officially opened in Chesham. The Bowling Court flats, 18 in total, are available to people who can't afford to rent on the open market and are in desperate
With Christmas just around the corner we are running our own lights competition, along with our sister paper Midweek, and are urging you to send in your pics. People can vote online for their favourite displays from a selection sent in by our readers
CHESHAM and Amersham MP Cheryl Gillan has been appointed as Shadow Wales Secretary in the first cabinet of new Tory leader David Cameron. The 53-year-old, who was born in Llandaff, Cardiff, replaces Bill Wiggin in the role. Under previous Conservative
FIRST time buyers in the Chilterns are finding it increasingly difficult to get their foot on the property ladder. House prices in the Chilterns are 13.2 times higher than the average salary making it difficult for young couples to get out of rented
Two late goals from Bury brought the Blues 21 game unbeaten run to a heartbreaking halt on Saturday. Betsy found the back of the net after 21 minutes and Wycombe were all set for another win. Sadly they were caught napping and allowed Bury to snatch
A 61-YEAR-OLD woman who weighed just four-and-a-half stone and suffered from a debilitating lung disease died suddenly at her nursing home, an inquest heard. Elaine Ann Wiggins, a full-time resident at the Amersham White House Nursing Home, in Chesham
THE decision to close schools in the Chilterns after the Buncefield oil depot explosion has been questioned by parents and residents. People in the area have said the decision to stop children going to 29 Buckinghamshire County Council-run schools in
DEVELOPERS have been accused of hiding from residents after they pulled out of a public meeting on Marlow FC's new stadium plans. North West Estates decided not to attend a heated debate on Tuesday evening which saw Marlow Football Club's stadium proposal
WANDERERS are to close their High Wycombe shop after admitting it wasn't financially viable. The Wanderers in Town store, situated on the upper floor of the Octagon shopping centre, will be shut on January 14. Operations manager Garry Adamson said:
ROCKETING numbers of 999 calls in Buckinghamshire have forced ambulance bosses to call on an agency to help cope with demand. Up to five ambulances and medical response cars from private company Medi-Logistics are being used as a "short-term measure"
