CURTAILING of concessions for sports and fitness classes and the increase in the amount of paper work have forced Abigail Borrows to resign from the Bucks Adult Learning scheme. Abigail, who teaches gentle exercises classes for the over 60s at Liston Hall, is now trying to negotiate a deal with the Marlow Community Association so that she can continue to offer her students the 50 per cent fee reductions that ceased last September and without raising her class fees.

"I do not do this work for a living", says the Marlow teacher. "What I earn pays hall hire, teachers liability insurance, equipment and music, public performance license, etc. It is a hobby that pays for itself! I do it because I love it and want to help improve the quality of life for my students by the health and fitness training I give."

Abigail maintains that the kind of classes she runs really do help older people to maintain mobility and fitness. They also provide a valuable meeting and socialising opportunity. Her Gentle Exercise and Movement for 60s plus class on Mondays at Liston Hall between 1.15pm and 2.15pm is nearly full, although there are places in the second session which starts at 2.30pm for an hour.

"I encourage new people to come along and try a free session before deciding if it is for them", she says. Fees can be paid weekly, monthly or by the term and concessions can be negotiated.

THE Energise half-term sports coaching programme for the eight to 13 year olds has now been published. No sports are scheduled for Marlow's schools as this time around all sessions are being held at Wycombe High School.

Eight different sports are being taught, including football, cricket, basketball, netball, rugby, tennis, hockey and athletics but note that places are limited. The Area Office in the High Street should have booking leaflets but in case of difficulty call 01494 421871 or email dean_bennett@wycombe.gov.uk

FLOODING issues affecting people in Cookham, Bisham and Hurley will be dealt with at a surgery in Maidenhead Town Hall on Thursday from 5.30pm to 9.30pm.

ANNUAL general meeting of the Mothers Union takes place next Thursday evening at 7.30pm. It is being held at the home of Meg Grattens in Barnhill Close and will be followed by a video, The Family Firm, and a discussion on the Mothers Union on the ground.

PIONEERS of 20th Century Painting is the subject of a WEA Day School at Liston Hall on Saturday, February 15. It is taking place between 10am and 4pm and Brenda Atkinson on 01628 475234 is looking after enrolment. The one-day event, which costs £16 and includes a sandwich lunch, will examine the work of Matisse, Picasso and the Italian Futurists who outraged the traditionalists and delighted the avant-garde.

MORE than 3000 youngsters will converge on Marlow Rugby Club at Riverwoods on Sunday, April 6 for the mini rugby festival, one of the biggest in the country. Every week some 300 boys and girls aged from five to 12 meet at the club to have fun while learning the rudiments of rugby. If you are bored on a Sunday morning why not pop down to the Riverwoods clubhouse at 10am to learn more about the sport. Or alternatively call Tony Giauna on 01628 440625.

METHODIST youth leader, Sarah Jones, is organising an all age social at the Spittal Street church tomorrow evening. Games and fun for everyone is promised and tea and cakes will be served.

DO you want to act in a play by William Shakespeare? Budding thespians are being sought by the Chiltern Shakespeare Company who have chosen As You Like It as their summer offering at Hall Barn, Beaconsfield next June. The open-air production is always a very popular event and if you want to be part of it, auditions are being held at 7.45pm on February 3 and 5 at High March School in Ledborough Lane, Beaconsfield. If you would like more information call 01494 718192.

A UNITED Communion Service at All Saints Church this evening winds up the Worldwide Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. It is at 7.30pm.

THE Ramblers Association is organising a short walk from Hambleden tomorrow. Meeting point is the Stag & Huntsman at 2pm.

MEMBERS of the Anglican and Methodist congregations in and around Marlow are invited to an open meeting to consider possible ways forward together. The meeting follows a working party report, which was recently published, and will be held at Holy Trinity School at 7.30pm next Wednesday.

MARLOW Library is starting a Booksmart Club for children aged between seven and 12 years. The first get-together is on Thursday, March 6. Youngsters will be encouraged to read new books, enter competitions and quizzes and there will also be visits from special guests. Places are limited and booking forms, available from the Institute Road library, should be completed and returned by Tuesday, February 4.

ADMISSION is by a minimum £1 donation to the NCT Children's Nearly New Sale being held at Great Marlow School in Bobmore Lane tomorrow week. It is on from 2.30pm to 4pm.

TATTIES and neeps will complement the haggis when members of the United Reformed Church hold their annual Burns Night Supper tomorrow evening. This year the supper is being held at Sir William Borlase School Hall because of the refurbishment taking place at Christ Church in Quoiting Square.

AGATHA Christie's A Murder Is Announced is the Marlow Players spring offering. They hold rehearsals at their studio next to Liston Hall on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8pm and will be staging the thriller at the Shelley Theatre in April before taking it to Marly-le-Roi the first weekend in May.

THE Marlow Society is holding a new members gathering at Liston Hall this evening.

NEW power ChiYoga is taught at Court Garden Leisure Complex on Saturday morning for an hour from 9.30am.

WYCOMBE Council is launching a girls football Kick Start Coaching Course in March at the Cressex Astroturf Centre. The first of eight weekly lessons takes place on Wednesday, March 5, at 5pm and is aimed at girls aged between eight and 12 years who enjoy soccer and would like to better their skills. Sports Development officer, Dave Bennett on 01494 421871 has fuller details of the scheme.

THE Rotary Club of Marlow is still collecting redundant spectacles, which it puts to good use in helping the underprivileged in Africa and India. Do take any old spectacles along to the Area Information Office in the High Street or reception at Liston Hall where collection boxes are available.

WITH the filthy weather we are experiencing at the moment, it is nice to have something to look forward to and once again the Rotary Club of Marlow is putting on its River Thames trip for the town's senior citizens. It is taking place on Wednesday, June 25, but local residents have to apply to Age Concern at 38, Glade Road, before March 31 to obtain free tickets.

GEORGINA and John Thornton front a members evening when the Marlow Camera Club gathers at Bovingdon Green Village Hall on Tuesday evening. Recent Travels is the theme for the night, which gets underway at 8pm.

SHOP and support at ASDA tomorrow when St Peter's Church and School will be holding a fund raising event which involves a raffle, face painting and other activities.

January 24, 2003 12:00