RAIN, rain and more rain marked last year's Carnival in the Park organised by the community association. It was one of the rare occasions when "rain stopped play" so the carnival committee have cheekily decided that the theme for this year's carnival will be "Boats, Boats and More Boats", celebrating 150 years of rowing in Marlow and Lord Nelson's victory at Trafalgar in 1805.

This year the carnival will be on Saturday, September 17. Floats are needed for the procession from Foxes Piece School and also colourful stalls to fill Higginson Park.

CAMERA CLUB wound up a very successful season by awarding its prizewinners for 2004/2005 at a ceremony in Bovingdon Green village hall.

Sandy Watson scooped the most honours claiming both the slide worker and the print workers shields and adding to them with the John Wilcox and Teuchter Trophies. Phil Stapleton succeeded in two competitions, winning the DPI shield and the Byte Trophy, as did Peter Falconer who triumphed by winning the Jubilee and Keith Long trophies.

The Eric Burger went to Tim Luckett, the intermediate print award to Ray Reeder and the novice print to Kathy Arion. Denis Chapman was judged to be the winner of the intermediate slide certificate.

The club has now concluded its indoor season for the year but after a summer of outdoor photography will be returning to Chalkpit Lane in September.

However, if you would like to judge the standard of the club, they are putting on an exhibition during the Town Regatta and invite all prospective members of all standards to pop by and have a chat.

WYCOMBE Partnership Community Showcase Awards for 2005 aimed at recognising community achievements of groups and individuals must be returned by the end of next week.

Community project, community safety project, community learning, building community bridges, junior community champion (up to and including 18 years olds) and a senior community champion over 18 comprise the six categories up for awards.

Kim and Maureen at the Area Information Office in the High Street felt neglected when I highlighted Mary O'Shaughnessy as fielding the questions about the improvements to Higginson Park so they are eager to promote these awards and look forward to having members of the public drop in to discuss and fill in the relevant forms.

Community safety projects must have had a positive impact on burglary reduction, vehicle, youth or hate crimes, anti-social behaviour and Neighbourhood Watch activities.

The winners will receive their awards on Tuesday, September 13.

1930S DRESS is optional but it will help the atmosphere when a "Murder In The 30s" evening is put on at Danesfield School next Friday, May 27. The evening will start off at 7.30pm with a cocktail and supper.

Tickets cost is £35. Proceeds are going to the Guide Dogs for the Blind. Tickets are obtainable from 01491 875567 or 579716.

MONDAY sees the start of Salters Steamers' regular summer services to Henley and Windsor. The service to Henley is on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and to Windsor on Mondays and Friday. Additionally there are also 40-minute return trips to Temple Lock. Boarding takes place on the Thames in front of Court Garden.

Crewmen provide historical information during the trips and educational fact sheets are available for purchase aboard.

A BLUE BADGE guide will lead a walk around Marlow's pubs on Sunday.

NO STRANGER to the Father Willis organ at All Saints Church, Clem Virgo, the director of music, gives the lunchtime recital today between 1.10pm and 1.50pm. Admission is free and there will be a retiring collection. Light refreshments are available from 12.30pm.

LOOKING for bargain plants, shrubs and vegetables to make the garden into a sure winner this summer? Then a visit to the Horticultural Society's annual plant sale at Liston Hall tomorrow should figure high on your agenda.

It is on from 10.30am until 12.30pm and there will be bargains galore.

ASPIRING Steve Redgraves should be at Dorney Lake, near Eton, next week.

From Thursday until Saturday Great Britain hosts a World Cup Regatta, the opening regatta of the next Olympic cycle.

Sir Steve and Sir Matthew will be with Tim Foster and James Cracknell to row against the team they beat to take the gold in the Sydney Olympics, and other international crews.

Money raised from the Legends Sprint will go to the World Food Programme's tsunami appeal.

It is the first time Great Britain has hosted a World Cup regatta and is a prelude to the 2006 World Rowing Championships to be raced at Dorney in 2006.

FOUR SEASONS Club winds up May with two different outings to keep their members amused. On Thursday they are off to Shakespeare country to visit Stratford-on-Avon and next Saturday opera lovers in the club can enjoy a visit to the Richmond Theatre where Madame Butterfly is being performed.

ORGANISER Linda Niven would like to thank her collectors and members of the public for their generosity in supporting last month's street collection for Save The Children. Just under £700 was raised over the day around the town.

A PROFESSIONAL London guide, Val Pretlove, will take Archaeological Society members on a walk around the City of London on Sunday. She is no stranger to the society as she gave members a talk last year.