Marlow

IT is the turn of Marlow to mark the 30 years of town twinning with Marly-le-Roi this weekend. Last month nearly 100 Marlovians visited France and were given a rousing weekend to remember. Reciprocal arrangements were due to have taken place during the town's regatta but had to be pushed back to this weekend because of the French elections.

Leading the French delegation will be the Marly mayor, Jean Yves Perrot. Marlow Town Council's programme includes a buffet supper at Great Marlow School tomorrow evening, a trip to the Henley River & Rowing Museum on Sunday and a visit to the Age Concern fundraiser at Whitewalls in Quarrywood Road on Sunday afternoon.

ENGLAND'S exit from the World Cup could possibly help boost the number of visitors to the county's Bucks Art Week which comes to an end this weekend. You might want to get out and about around the county and support local artisans at work in their studios. Chimneys at Winter Hill, between Cookham and Marlow, is the venue for a mixed exhibition of painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography and handmade cards by six artists; Sylvia Eagles, Mary Roderick, Lyn Rimmer, Dick Rimmer, Shirley Arnold and Jen Riley. It is open from 10am until 5pm tomorrow and on Sunday. Printer Christine Lock will also be in her studio at Marlow Mill, Mill Road from 2-5pm over the weekend as will painter Jackie Webb, who will be displaying her watercolours and ink drawings at Birch Cottage, Frieth Road. There are plenty of other crafts folk opening their studios and exhibiting their skills in the vicinity so it is worthwhile picking up the Bucks Art Week leaflet.

THE prize-winning choir from the link parish of St James in Galeshewe, the black township on the outskirts of Kimberley, South Africa, arrive in Marlow next Thursday. Fundraising has been going on for two years to bring the 22-strong choir to England. They will be performing at various services and concerts over the next two weeks, including singing under the dome of St Paul's Cathedral. One of the main highlights of their stay in Marlow will be a concert on Friday, July 12, at All Saints Church at 8pm. Tickets are now available from the parish office on 01628 481806 and cost £5 for adults and £3 for children.

SONGS For A Summer Evening, being organised by the Marlow Amateur Operatic Society at Christ Church on Saturday July 20, marks a welcome return to Marlow for Glyn Davies, former organist and choirmaster at All Saints Church and head of the music department at Great Marlow School. He was also conductor of the Marlow Youth Choir and the Great Marlow School choir, which competed at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod. Tickets for the concert of light music are £7.50 and include a glass of wine and can be bought at Insight Opticians in Spittal Street.

MARLOW Evening Townswomen's Guild hold its monthly meeting at Liston Hall on Wednesday when Bob Trayling will give a talk to the members on the Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust. It is at 7.45pm.

TESS Watkins from Volunteer Focus, which promotes voluntary action for individuals and organisations, will be at the Area Information Office in the High Street today from 10am, giving advice on voluntary work in the community. Plans are that Volunteer Focus will be open in the High Street on the last Friday of each month.

THERE is plenty of fun available tomorrow when St Peter's Parish Summer Fete takes place at Higginson Park, and Spinfield School holds its annual summer event at Terrington Hill. Both start at midday.

As well as the usual children's games and pony rides, the St Peter's event also features displays of karate and line dancing. A £1,000 worth of holiday vouchers is on offer as the first prize in the raffle.

The Marlow Town Band will be performing at Spinfield School, where pupils will be dressing up as kings and queens for the afternoon. Another feature will be a silent auction and as well as coconut shies and other attractions there will also be a Pimms and beer tent on hand for thirsty revellers.

THE Ramblers' Association have arranged two walks in Marlow on Sunday, one in the morning and another in the afternoon. There is a figure of eight walk of about seven miles starting at 10am while at 1.45pm there is a six-mile ramble planned. Non-members are welcome. Meeting point is Court Garden Car Park.

MARLOW Red Cross is holding a fundraising car boot sale on Saturday, July 20 at their hall in Victoria Road. Tables are available to hire at £10 each and bookings are now being taken if you ring 01628 473790.

THE High Wycombe Orpheus Male Voice Choir is singing in Marlow tomorrow week. They are putting on a concert at the Methodist Church in Spittal Street in aid of Marlow Pastoral Foundation Counselling. Tickets, priced £8, will be available on the door or can be reserved by ringing 01494 452274 beforehand.

JUDGING takes place next month so do get your entry in now for the Marlow In Bloom contest which the town council is running. If you are proud of your garden all you have to do is register it with the council on 01628 484024. The town mayor will host a reception for the winners in September.

WHITEWALLS in Quarrywood Road will be open on Sunday between 3pm and 5pm in aid of Age Concern. Tickets, priced £3 are available from the charity's headquarters in Glade Road or from the Tourist Office in the High Street. A point to note is that wheelchairs can be accommodated to view the gardens and river.

THE Marlow branch of the Conservatives is holding a quiz night at Liston Hall this evening at 7.30pm. Last minute ticket applicants should call 01628 483003. A fish and chips supper is included in the £6 ticket.

MARLOW School of Dance is presenting a Magical Journey in the Desborough Suite at Maidenhead Town Hall next weekend. Performances are at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Saturday, July 6, and at 2.30pm the following day. Tickets and information are being handled on 01494 881768.

THE Band of the Adjutant Generals Corps will be holding a Picnic in the Park on Sunday. It will be going on from 3pm to 6pm in Higginson Park and is being presented by Freemasonry in the Community in aid of the local Brownies and Guides. Admission is free.

ALSO on Sunday in Higginson Park, down by the river, Rick Gifford and Denise Hopkins will be arriving at 5pm after pedalling and poodling 87 miles from Lechlade to raise funds for a cancer research nurse. They set off on their river trip last Tuesday in a Swiss-made pedallo, Sandi G, and a 50 year old wooden launch, Cows Ears. The steam launch Alaska will be among the small boats waiting to welcome the indefatigable couple home.

SOPRANO Jacobine van Laar will be accompanied on the piano by Marissa Thornton-Wood for the Music for a Sunday Afternoon concert at All Saints Church. Admission is free to the recital, which begins at 4pm. Afternoon tea is available.

TOP quality, locally produced food and goods go on sale at the Farmers' Market, which is being held at the Causeway on Wednesday. The rapidly expanding monthly market is on from 10.30am until 1.30pm.

THE Chiltern Camerata, under conductor Simon Lambros and leader Jenny Rothwell, are presenting a concert of works by Mozart, Bach, Lambros and Albinoni at All Saints Church tomorrow evening. Tickets will be available at the door or beforehand from 01494 450307. They cost £5 and children £3.

By John Willis