Marlow Bottom

However, the members of the group were amazed at the variety of dumped items found there, and it is probably worth bringing to the attention of the valley public the sort risks and concerns that are brought about by much of the litter.

Obviously, one of the biggest concerns is that inhabitants of the valley have had to raise around £50,000 (possibly closer to double that in current values) to buy pieces of woodland over the last decade or so.

It seems a poor way to follow up that investment to use it or allow it to be used as a dumping ground for items for which there are adequate means of disposal reasonably accessible.

The second aspect that the collectors found disheartening was the intrinsic danger of some of the items. There were bottles and other pieces of glass, as well as gallon sized cans that may well have contained liquids harmful to people or domestic animals. There were many pieces of wire and fencing and, particularly nasty, barbed wire, often partly buried to the extent that it could not be readily removed on the day.

Pet owners, particularly of dogs that are walked in the woods, should be particularly concerned. There was a case reported in this column just a couple of years ago where hundreds of pounds worth of surgery was necessary to treat a dog cut on abandoned glass on public ground in the village. Many of the items removed would have been capable of severe injury.

There were very large pieces of iron which could trip walkers, and even bed frames, which devalue the amenity value of the woods. Finally, waste and viable vegetative material can cause a change to the environment such that trees die as they are crowded out.

The clearing gang would like those who dump things to think again, and those walkers who come across dangerous items to take them away for proper disposal or seek some help if that is not viable.

Finally, Carol Sullivan, who organised the clean-up, will almost certainly be running another session, so please watch out for news in this column.

BLUE songs were on the programme of the WIs annual revue. Actually, it wasnt as shocking as all that, the songs were about the colour and the associated state of mind.

This show is really quite remarkable.

The amount of work that goes into producing and rehearsing is clearly substantial, as the revue zips along in brisk style. The group doesnt tackle just the easy sing-song numbers reminiscent of the erstwhile Sing Something Simple formula.

Anyone even slightly familiar with music will realise that tackling the chromatic trickeries of A foggy day in London Town (as did Molly Smith with some suave assurance) is a trifle more demanding than Karaoke pop.

The performances the ladies give are not, in the conventional sense, charity shows. They do not collect money for charitable organisations. They put on about half a dozen shows for the likes of Pensioners Voice in High Wycombe, Marlow Blind Association, the MS Society at Hughenden and the older generation in Marlow Bottom.

This years hour long show included songs associated with London, some blue songs including Blue Moon from Lily Emmerson, serious for once but effective, finishing with a selection from Mary Poppins.

A sketch, satirising the focus groups of your typical supermarket head office market researchers hit home with the audience somehow moving everything around on the shelves every month or so may have been rumbled by the local population . It was also poignant in the light of the current Safeway struggles to hear the reaction of cynical customers.

Was I imagining it, or was the audience just waiting for the moment when Lily took the stage again in more characteristic poise?

It always intrigues me how this little, seemingly almost vulnerable, figure just captivates both place and time when she steps forward for her comedy solo. This time, it was Chim-chiminee, the sweeps song from Mary Poppins. She was in her element, as the valleys own cheeky girl, sprinkling dust on the audience as her sweeps brush disturbed the accumulation of years from the village hall beams, and if the words didnt then quite flow for a moment, so what, it all became part of the act. She was in charge, and we all loved it.

The show was put together by Jean Ley (already working on next years, I understand) and produced by Lily. Stan Hinsley and Bill Silver were honorary WI members to provide the male voices, as was Doug Veale on the piano.

One worrying factor is that there are no new faces appearing to carry on the tradition of this Christmas regular.

PHARMACEUTICAL pressure is back on, so it seems. Residents will remember that around a couple of years ago there was some alarm that the governments plans to remove price controls on over the counter medicines would put small chemist shops at a disadvantage, compared with large supermarket chains.

The Residents Committee along with the Valley Church put on a campaign to alert people here that we could lose Rajis Marlow Bottom Pharmacy. Raji has always said that the campaign seems to have brought new faces into the shop and raised the resolve of some of her regulars.

Now the government is planning to remove what may be the last element of control to protect the smaller pharmaceutical business and establish a more or less restriction free business subject to the general rules of competition.

Basically, an NHS licence is necessary to operate a dispensing pharmacy; that is one that can prepare medicines according to a doctors prescription. These licences are issued to businesses with on-site registered, trained pharmacists, but also according to some strict rules of ratio to population and distance between potentially competing shops.

Under the new arrangements, the technical and professional requirements remain unchanged, but, all if all other aspects of suitability are satisfied, any number of licences can be issued without reference to position of business or numbers of licences within a community.

Raji commented that this will probably have no immediate effect on the valley. She can see no apparent attraction to any organisation setting up here in the absence of a doctors surgery. The new arrangements do not alter her relationship to the likes of Asda or any other established business, since full competition already exists.

The situation could change if ever a surgery were established, or from a proliferation of licences being issued to premises as they become vacant in Marlow, which would spread the existing business, both dispensing and over the counter.

Raji went on to point out that there is not, nor will be, any great advantage enjoyed by the currently established pharmacies over her shop in terms of dispensing. Any medicine that she may not have on her shelves can normally be obtained the very same day. As a small operator, she has the incentive to react more assiduously to customers needs. But she stresses that, if Marlow Bottom wants to keep a chemist, the best way to achieve that is to keep using it as much as possible.

PLAYING Field funds are looking for a saintly boost. March 1 (thats St Davids Day) sees them holding a disco at TJs, to which they invite you all.

It starts at 8pm, costs £7 and Barbara Pooley on 01628 486281, and Peri Wing on 01628 472427 can provide you with the tickets.

Always a good evening with good music and you'll know that our local open space will benefit from your support.

It's certainly worth it. We must preserve what we've got.

January 24, 2003 12:00