Andrew Brown, the leading partner in Wycombe.Info and Wycombeonthenet news websites was killed in a plane crash in Peru on Saturday 2 October at the age of 30. He had been working on a significant redesign of the sites for a relaunch in December.
The sites will now be closed down in his memory, and work on this blog is also being suspended.
We would like to thank the many people who have expressed their shock and sympathy at Andrew's untimely death.
Saturday, 9 October 2010
Friday, 1 October 2010
That was the week...
Hitting the buffers - The Transport Secretary, Philip Hammond, made his second visit in a week to Buckinghamshire to try and calm local Tory fears about his plans to route the high speed London to Birmingham trains across the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, but he only succeeded in making them more annoyed. His expected statement about the route has now been put back until later in year while Mr Hammond and his officials try to find agreement on mitigation measures that will be acceptable. He’s not doing well. Top local Tory Val Letheran said:”He effectively said it was tough luck we were between London and Birmingham.”
Business boost – Further indications that the local economy is doing OK. Heathrow one of the area’s biggest employers, reported that it had its busiest August ever, entirely due to a rise in business passengers, the vast majority of whom came from the Thames Valley, Buckinghamshire and west London. It handled 6.5m passengers in August and in addition had its busiest day ever on 18 July when 232,000 passengers passed through the airport. Figures for September were also well up on previous years. Meanwhile, commercial estate agents Savills said that the take up on office accommodation on the western corridor of the M25 was expected to double this year.
Ronnie remembered – A statue to comic legend Ronnie Barker was unveiled outside Aylesbury’s soon to be opened Waterside Theatre by his widow Joy. He’s depicted as Fletch from one of his series, Porridge, in the statue sculptured by Martin Jennings, who designed the Sir John Betjeman statue in St Pancras Station. The actor, who died five years ago, began his acting career in Aylesbury and kept close links with the town. The ceremony was attended by a host of friends, including Ronnie Corbett and Sir David Jason.
Struck off – A doctor who falsely claimed he could cure multiple sclerosis patients with miracle injections was struck off the medical register. Robert Trossel, aged 56, from Stoke Poges charged patients £12,000 at his private clinic for injections containing cow stem cells, knowing there was no evidence the injections would do any good.
Police reductions – Sara Thornton, the chief constable of Thames Valley Police, said the force had put a freeze on recruiting new officers and was cutting back on backroom staff in anticipation of major reductions in their budget.
World shooting champs – Stoke Mandeville began its countdown to hosting many paralympics events when it hosted the World Paralympic Shooting Championship. Seventy shooters from 15 nations were able to sample the facilities that await hundreds of disabled athletes will enjoy in 2012.
Business boost – Further indications that the local economy is doing OK. Heathrow one of the area’s biggest employers, reported that it had its busiest August ever, entirely due to a rise in business passengers, the vast majority of whom came from the Thames Valley, Buckinghamshire and west London. It handled 6.5m passengers in August and in addition had its busiest day ever on 18 July when 232,000 passengers passed through the airport. Figures for September were also well up on previous years. Meanwhile, commercial estate agents Savills said that the take up on office accommodation on the western corridor of the M25 was expected to double this year.
Ronnie remembered – A statue to comic legend Ronnie Barker was unveiled outside Aylesbury’s soon to be opened Waterside Theatre by his widow Joy. He’s depicted as Fletch from one of his series, Porridge, in the statue sculptured by Martin Jennings, who designed the Sir John Betjeman statue in St Pancras Station. The actor, who died five years ago, began his acting career in Aylesbury and kept close links with the town. The ceremony was attended by a host of friends, including Ronnie Corbett and Sir David Jason.
Struck off – A doctor who falsely claimed he could cure multiple sclerosis patients with miracle injections was struck off the medical register. Robert Trossel, aged 56, from Stoke Poges charged patients £12,000 at his private clinic for injections containing cow stem cells, knowing there was no evidence the injections would do any good.
Police reductions – Sara Thornton, the chief constable of Thames Valley Police, said the force had put a freeze on recruiting new officers and was cutting back on backroom staff in anticipation of major reductions in their budget.
World shooting champs – Stoke Mandeville began its countdown to hosting many paralympics events when it hosted the World Paralympic Shooting Championship. Seventy shooters from 15 nations were able to sample the facilities that await hundreds of disabled athletes will enjoy in 2012.
What's the point of consultation?
There was some surprise that less than one person in a thousand in Buckinghamshire bothered to attend public meetings called throughout the county to discuss spending cuts.
Councillors felt people would flock through the doors to take part in their consultation... the public’s chance, they said, to decide where the forthcoming public spending axe would fall.
There are many reasons perhaps why people couldn’t be bothered. Mostly, of course, the very thought of spending an evening discussing local government finance is about as appetising as a squashed frog.
Then there’s the reasonable line of argument...”we elected you to make decisions, well make them. And we’ll let you know if we agree at the next election.”
But the whole business of “consultation” is treated cynically these days. And not without cause.
Can anyone recall any national or local government recommendation that has been changed or dropped after public consultation?
All that consultation has come to mean is “We’ll ask you. Listen to you. And then ignore everything you say (or find a good argument to knock it down).”
What’s the point of holding a consultation over the route of the proposed high speed rail line when Transport Secretary Philip Hammond meets protesters and begins the meeting by saying, in effect, “this is going to happen now let’s discuss how we can best accommodate it.”
In High Wycombe the council splutter that the up-coming consultation over the site for a new sports stadium is still relevant even though the man calling the shots, Wycombe Wanderers and London Wasps owner Steve Hayes, has said he wants it next to Booker Airfield. Anyone taking any bets on that it won’t be next to Booker Airfield.
So why bother telling councillors where to make cuts, when they have already decided what they are going to do anyway?
Just do it. And let the rest of us get back to moaning about it.
Councillors felt people would flock through the doors to take part in their consultation... the public’s chance, they said, to decide where the forthcoming public spending axe would fall.
There are many reasons perhaps why people couldn’t be bothered. Mostly, of course, the very thought of spending an evening discussing local government finance is about as appetising as a squashed frog.
Then there’s the reasonable line of argument...”we elected you to make decisions, well make them. And we’ll let you know if we agree at the next election.”
But the whole business of “consultation” is treated cynically these days. And not without cause.
Can anyone recall any national or local government recommendation that has been changed or dropped after public consultation?
All that consultation has come to mean is “We’ll ask you. Listen to you. And then ignore everything you say (or find a good argument to knock it down).”
What’s the point of holding a consultation over the route of the proposed high speed rail line when Transport Secretary Philip Hammond meets protesters and begins the meeting by saying, in effect, “this is going to happen now let’s discuss how we can best accommodate it.”
In High Wycombe the council splutter that the up-coming consultation over the site for a new sports stadium is still relevant even though the man calling the shots, Wycombe Wanderers and London Wasps owner Steve Hayes, has said he wants it next to Booker Airfield. Anyone taking any bets on that it won’t be next to Booker Airfield.
So why bother telling councillors where to make cuts, when they have already decided what they are going to do anyway?
Just do it. And let the rest of us get back to moaning about it.
Friday, 24 September 2010
That was the week...
Biggest dairy – Britain’s biggest dairy is set to be built at Aston Clinton if plans by Anchor Butter owners Arla get the go ahead. The company said the factory would employ 500 people, cost £150m to build and be the first dairy in the world to process a billion litres of milk a year.
Leading question – Bucks County Council defended the questions it poses to candidates undergoing equality training. They include “If you’ve never slept with a person of the same sex, how do you know you wouldn’t prefer it?” and “Is it possible your heterosexuality stems from a neurotic fear of the same sex?” Protestors said the questions were too intimidating.
Nurse jailed – A former theatre nurse at Stoke Mandeville Hospital who was more than three times over the alcohol limit at 11 o’clock in the morning when her car mounted the pavement and killed a grandmother, was jailed for eight years. Jacqueline Loosley, 47, of Stokenchurch was on her way to an alcoholics’ meeting. Her lawyer said her drinking troubles began after she suddenly “flipped” in the snowy weather last winter when it took her eight hours to get to work. She told Aylesbury Crown Court: “There’s no punishment you can give me that matches the punishment I give myself every day.” Her victim, Judy De Gelas, 59, was a school secretary at Wycombe’s Royal Grammar School. Her two grandchildren were also badly injured.
Mixed messages – Transport Secretary Philip Hammond visited Buckinghamshire to see what all the High Speed Rail fuss was about, and confused everyone with mixed messages. Local Tories attending a private meeting with him came away convinced that he planned to route the train through untouched countryside in Amersham, but local journalists who spoke to him afterwards said he implied he would move the route. Officials later said that High Speed Rail would happen but not necessarily on the Amersham route so far indicated.
Businessman’s sad end – Peter Lucas, the millionaire former owner of the successful Bucks company the Lucas World of Furniture, died after becoming addicted to drink and drugs, his inquest heard. The 56 year old had it all when he inherited the company 30 years ago and lived the high life. But his body was found in the grounds of his estate at Little Horwood the day after he had gone out in the freezing cold in thin clothes. It’s thought he became disorientated and collapsed in bushes. He died from hypothermia.
Misjudged benefits – Wycombe Council was one of only a handful of councils in the country to overestimate the amount of money it would pay out in housing benefits according to new figures. It’s an indication that the town is surviving the worst of the recession. It will refund £2.3m to the Government.
Ryder pick – High Wycombe golfer Luke Donald was picked as a wildcard player for next week’s Ryder Cup by captain Colin Montgomerie and, as self-effacing as ever, said he thought Paul Casey would get the place ahead of him. He’ll be staying with his parents in Beaconsfield in the run up to the tournament at Celtic Manor.
Leading question – Bucks County Council defended the questions it poses to candidates undergoing equality training. They include “If you’ve never slept with a person of the same sex, how do you know you wouldn’t prefer it?” and “Is it possible your heterosexuality stems from a neurotic fear of the same sex?” Protestors said the questions were too intimidating.
Nurse jailed – A former theatre nurse at Stoke Mandeville Hospital who was more than three times over the alcohol limit at 11 o’clock in the morning when her car mounted the pavement and killed a grandmother, was jailed for eight years. Jacqueline Loosley, 47, of Stokenchurch was on her way to an alcoholics’ meeting. Her lawyer said her drinking troubles began after she suddenly “flipped” in the snowy weather last winter when it took her eight hours to get to work. She told Aylesbury Crown Court: “There’s no punishment you can give me that matches the punishment I give myself every day.” Her victim, Judy De Gelas, 59, was a school secretary at Wycombe’s Royal Grammar School. Her two grandchildren were also badly injured.
Mixed messages – Transport Secretary Philip Hammond visited Buckinghamshire to see what all the High Speed Rail fuss was about, and confused everyone with mixed messages. Local Tories attending a private meeting with him came away convinced that he planned to route the train through untouched countryside in Amersham, but local journalists who spoke to him afterwards said he implied he would move the route. Officials later said that High Speed Rail would happen but not necessarily on the Amersham route so far indicated.
Businessman’s sad end – Peter Lucas, the millionaire former owner of the successful Bucks company the Lucas World of Furniture, died after becoming addicted to drink and drugs, his inquest heard. The 56 year old had it all when he inherited the company 30 years ago and lived the high life. But his body was found in the grounds of his estate at Little Horwood the day after he had gone out in the freezing cold in thin clothes. It’s thought he became disorientated and collapsed in bushes. He died from hypothermia.
Misjudged benefits – Wycombe Council was one of only a handful of councils in the country to overestimate the amount of money it would pay out in housing benefits according to new figures. It’s an indication that the town is surviving the worst of the recession. It will refund £2.3m to the Government.
Ryder pick – High Wycombe golfer Luke Donald was picked as a wildcard player for next week’s Ryder Cup by captain Colin Montgomerie and, as self-effacing as ever, said he thought Paul Casey would get the place ahead of him. He’ll be staying with his parents in Beaconsfield in the run up to the tournament at Celtic Manor.
Wednesday, 22 September 2010
High speed revolt turns the air blue
At first the Transport Secretary Philip Hammond and his officials thought they would be able to brush aside a handful of well-off Nimbys complaining about the proposed route of the £17billion high speed rail link between London and Birmingham.
But after visiting the Chilterns today Mr Hammond knows his problems run much deeper.
His plans to gouge a massive high speed rail link through such true-Blue areas as the Chalfonts, Gerrards Cross, Amersham, Great Missenden, Wendover and the Aylesbury Vale have caused real upset among Conservative activists.
The chairman of Aylesbury Vale Conservative Association has already said he will resign if the High Speed 2 (HS2) route crosses his area. More than 90 per cent of Tory councillors, on both district and county councils, have expressed opposition, and some wealthy supporters are said to be ready to divert their funds from the party to launch a legal appeal.
On top of that, conservationists who work to maintain the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – many traditional Tory supporters – are in no mood for compromise.
All of which puts some heavy Tory MPs on the route of the line in a difficult dilemma. Attorney General Dominic Grieve (Beaconsfield) and Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham) are cabinet members whose constituencies are directly affected. So too is Europe Minister David Lidington (Aylesbury) and the Speaker John Bercow (Buckingham). Under pressure from constituents, Mrs Gillan has already indicated it could be a resigning issue.
Mr Hammond has still to make a final recommendation that will be put to public consultation next Spring. He’s been told in no uncertain terms it’s not too late to change his mind.
But after visiting the Chilterns today Mr Hammond knows his problems run much deeper.
His plans to gouge a massive high speed rail link through such true-Blue areas as the Chalfonts, Gerrards Cross, Amersham, Great Missenden, Wendover and the Aylesbury Vale have caused real upset among Conservative activists.
The chairman of Aylesbury Vale Conservative Association has already said he will resign if the High Speed 2 (HS2) route crosses his area. More than 90 per cent of Tory councillors, on both district and county councils, have expressed opposition, and some wealthy supporters are said to be ready to divert their funds from the party to launch a legal appeal.
On top of that, conservationists who work to maintain the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – many traditional Tory supporters – are in no mood for compromise.
All of which puts some heavy Tory MPs on the route of the line in a difficult dilemma. Attorney General Dominic Grieve (Beaconsfield) and Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham) are cabinet members whose constituencies are directly affected. So too is Europe Minister David Lidington (Aylesbury) and the Speaker John Bercow (Buckingham). Under pressure from constituents, Mrs Gillan has already indicated it could be a resigning issue.
Mr Hammond has still to make a final recommendation that will be put to public consultation next Spring. He’s been told in no uncertain terms it’s not too late to change his mind.
Saturday, 18 September 2010
That was the week...
Mrs Speaker speaks out – John Bercow, the Buckingham MP and House of Commons Speaker, is under increasing pressure to “rein in” his wife Sally, whose comments on her Twitter page are causing fury among Tory MPs. They said that Mrs Bercow was “undermining” the Speaker’s independence by Tweeting comments that include describing Chancellor George Osborne as “mental” and calling for the resignation of David Cameron’s spin doctor Andy Coulson.
Heritage sell-off – As Buckinghamshire County Council confirmed it would be shedding over 500 of its staff in the coming four years, word leaked that it was planning to “sell off” or hand over to volunteers some of the heritage and museum sites in the county it is responsible for. The council is neither confirming nor denying the leak.
“Defective oysters” – Former TV sports presenter Jim Rosenthal sued celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal after he fell “horribly ill” from a meal he ate at Blumenthal’s award winning restaurant, the Fat Duck in Bray. The restaurant admitted that the oysters in the Oyster and Passion Fruit Jelly Lavender were “defective” and had been infected by sewage. Former Wycombe schoolboy Mr Blumenthal was said to be “immensely sad” and had apologised. The restaurant has already paid £6,000 in personal damages to Mr Rosenthal’s party of four, which also included boxing promoter Frank Warren.
Motorway din dimmed – A residents group that’s spent ten years fighting for measures to reduce noise on the M40 finally achieved victory when the Highways Agency said it would resurface the motorway between junctions 3 and 4 – Loudwater to Handy Cross in High Wycombe – with the very latest anti-noise material.
Theatre revamp – High Wycombe’s Swan Theatre reopened after a £1m refurb in the hope of taking some of the gloss off the opening of Aylesbury’s new theatre, Waterside, next month. The revamp includes new seats and ventilation system. The two theatres first big clash comes at panto time with the Swan featuring Eastenders star Steve McFadden in Aladdin and Waterside mainlining Cilla Black in Cinderella.
Heritage sell-off – As Buckinghamshire County Council confirmed it would be shedding over 500 of its staff in the coming four years, word leaked that it was planning to “sell off” or hand over to volunteers some of the heritage and museum sites in the county it is responsible for. The council is neither confirming nor denying the leak.
“Defective oysters” – Former TV sports presenter Jim Rosenthal sued celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal after he fell “horribly ill” from a meal he ate at Blumenthal’s award winning restaurant, the Fat Duck in Bray. The restaurant admitted that the oysters in the Oyster and Passion Fruit Jelly Lavender were “defective” and had been infected by sewage. Former Wycombe schoolboy Mr Blumenthal was said to be “immensely sad” and had apologised. The restaurant has already paid £6,000 in personal damages to Mr Rosenthal’s party of four, which also included boxing promoter Frank Warren.
Motorway din dimmed – A residents group that’s spent ten years fighting for measures to reduce noise on the M40 finally achieved victory when the Highways Agency said it would resurface the motorway between junctions 3 and 4 – Loudwater to Handy Cross in High Wycombe – with the very latest anti-noise material.
Theatre revamp – High Wycombe’s Swan Theatre reopened after a £1m refurb in the hope of taking some of the gloss off the opening of Aylesbury’s new theatre, Waterside, next month. The revamp includes new seats and ventilation system. The two theatres first big clash comes at panto time with the Swan featuring Eastenders star Steve McFadden in Aladdin and Waterside mainlining Cilla Black in Cinderella.
Friday, 10 September 2010
That was the week...
Youth clubs’ reprieve – Plans to sell off every youth club in Buckinghamshire, with the exception of one in High Wycombe and one in Aylesbury, were put back for the time being until the extent of council cuts are known. There remain fears though that most youth clubs will close next year as buyers are expected to be few and far between. The county is already carrying out a consultation on drastically reducing the number of day centres it runs.
Business rallies – While the public sector prepares for cuts, a survey showed that privately run businesses in Buckinghamshire are recovering. A survey for the BBC said more new businesses were launching and more jobs being created. Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce confirmed that business was recovering although there are fears it may stall in the first part of next year.
Bucks patricide – A 22 year old law graduate was found guilty of murdering his father and burying the dismembered body in the garden of their home in Drayton Parslow. Mark Alexander denied killing 70 year old Samuel Alexander, and tried to deceive neighbours into thinking his father was still alive and living in London. But neighbours alerted police who began investigations.
Housing block – The Aylesbury area is going back to the drawing board in planning its future. The council never liked the idea of mushrooming its population by building nearly 27,000 new homes by 2026 imposed on it by the last Government. Now the new Government has scrapped the target, councillors say they want to build less than half that and are seeking permission to start again. Neighbouring South Oxfordshire has already abandoned plans to build over 5,000 new homes, leading housebuilders to warn of house shortages in the area in the years to come.
Street lights plea – The AA began a campaign to switch on the switched-off street lights of Buckinghamshire. As dark nights return, the council has switched off 1,600 lights to save money. The AA say road safety is being put at risk and energy saving lighting should be introduced instead.
Honorary degrees – Roald Dahl’s widow Felicity, former Olympic swimmer Adrian Moorhouse, musician Edwyn Collins, Wycombe Wanderers owner Steve Hayes and the chief constable of Thames Valley Police Sara Thornton all received honorary degrees at Bucks New University during a week of graduation ceremonies.
Channel record – Beaconsfield student Ed Bosson, 17, became the first person to cross the English Channel on a wakeboard – a skateboard adapted to skim the sea. He completed the crossing in two hours and two minutes hanging onto a tow rope attached to his father’s speedboat and fell off 14 times. “Pretty knackering,” was his tired but triumphant comment.
Business rallies – While the public sector prepares for cuts, a survey showed that privately run businesses in Buckinghamshire are recovering. A survey for the BBC said more new businesses were launching and more jobs being created. Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce confirmed that business was recovering although there are fears it may stall in the first part of next year.
Bucks patricide – A 22 year old law graduate was found guilty of murdering his father and burying the dismembered body in the garden of their home in Drayton Parslow. Mark Alexander denied killing 70 year old Samuel Alexander, and tried to deceive neighbours into thinking his father was still alive and living in London. But neighbours alerted police who began investigations.
Housing block – The Aylesbury area is going back to the drawing board in planning its future. The council never liked the idea of mushrooming its population by building nearly 27,000 new homes by 2026 imposed on it by the last Government. Now the new Government has scrapped the target, councillors say they want to build less than half that and are seeking permission to start again. Neighbouring South Oxfordshire has already abandoned plans to build over 5,000 new homes, leading housebuilders to warn of house shortages in the area in the years to come.
Street lights plea – The AA began a campaign to switch on the switched-off street lights of Buckinghamshire. As dark nights return, the council has switched off 1,600 lights to save money. The AA say road safety is being put at risk and energy saving lighting should be introduced instead.
Honorary degrees – Roald Dahl’s widow Felicity, former Olympic swimmer Adrian Moorhouse, musician Edwyn Collins, Wycombe Wanderers owner Steve Hayes and the chief constable of Thames Valley Police Sara Thornton all received honorary degrees at Bucks New University during a week of graduation ceremonies.
Channel record – Beaconsfield student Ed Bosson, 17, became the first person to cross the English Channel on a wakeboard – a skateboard adapted to skim the sea. He completed the crossing in two hours and two minutes hanging onto a tow rope attached to his father’s speedboat and fell off 14 times. “Pretty knackering,” was his tired but triumphant comment.
Thursday, 9 September 2010
Will the rope snap in this county tug-of-war?
One of the unintended results of the coalition government’s policies could be to finally put paid to Buckinghamshire, one of Britain’s most ancient counties.
Chancellor George Osborne is adamant that the prosperous south east won’t be getting any government handouts in future...and that puts Buckinghamshire in the frame.
But one area that’s almost certain to get taxpayers cash to boost jobs and business, is a curiously named South Midlands area, which takes in Milton Keynes and Northampton.
And that’s led to an undisguised clash between the north of Bucks and the south.
For councillors in the north of the county, including Aylesbury and Buckingham, think they ought to throw in their lot with Milton Keynes and Northants; while in the south, councillors think it makes greater sense to develop closer ties with the Thames Valley area, which includes Slough and Reading and which is already one of the richest and most dynamic parts of the UK.
Many observers think that in the end they’ll probably both get their way, leaving the county evenly split and the county council going the way of the former Berkshire County Council....into the history books.
Chancellor George Osborne is adamant that the prosperous south east won’t be getting any government handouts in future...and that puts Buckinghamshire in the frame.
But one area that’s almost certain to get taxpayers cash to boost jobs and business, is a curiously named South Midlands area, which takes in Milton Keynes and Northampton.
And that’s led to an undisguised clash between the north of Bucks and the south.
For councillors in the north of the county, including Aylesbury and Buckingham, think they ought to throw in their lot with Milton Keynes and Northants; while in the south, councillors think it makes greater sense to develop closer ties with the Thames Valley area, which includes Slough and Reading and which is already one of the richest and most dynamic parts of the UK.
Many observers think that in the end they’ll probably both get their way, leaving the county evenly split and the county council going the way of the former Berkshire County Council....into the history books.
Friday, 3 September 2010
That was the week...
Coach crash hero – A coach driver was praised for saving lives after a passenger grabbed the steering wheel of an Oxford to London bus as it sped along the M40 near Beaconsfield at two o’clock in the morning. The driver grappled with the passenger while holding onto the steering wheel and slamming on the brakes. The coach mounted an embankment and turned onto its side but none of the dozen passengers on board were badly injured. A 21 year old male passenger, who ran off after the accident, was later arrested.
Court ban – High Wycombe court became the first in the country to ban people from taking food into the building because they say sandwiches, crisps and bottles of water can be used as missiles to throw at magistrates. The ban has been criticised by lawyers and witnesses who like to bring in packed lunches or snacks while they are waiting to give evidence at court cases and inquests.
Rider collapse – A horse rider was taken to intensive care at Wycombe Hospital after collapsing at the end of her showjumping round at Tring’s annual horse show. Twenty three year old Carla Perotton slid off her horse on the ground moments after completing the course. She was resuscitated in the ambulance. It’s thought she had a heart attack.
Schools return – Thousands of children returned to school while some of their teachers and governors contemplate whether to apply for academy status, which would give them more independence. There are fears that the richer grammar schools would gain more financially at the expense of the non-grammar schools in Bucks.
Pubs bought – The Bel and the Dragon chain of pubs, which includes two of the oldest in the area – the 11th century inn at Windsor and the 14th century bar at Cookham – were bought Joel Cadbury, the heir of the chocolate fortune, and his business partner. The chain also includes a Bel and the Dragon at Goldaming and Reading.
Park closed – A council closed a popular tourist car park and picnic area because of dogging and other “inappropriate behaviour”. The car park at Cobblers Hill, Great Missenden will remain open at weekends.
Tower appeal – High Wycombe’s parish church, All Saints, launched a quarter of a million pound appeal to rebuild its 500 year old bell tower. Death watch beetles have riddled the wooden beams and the masonry is crumbling.
Bright future – Wycombe Wanderers failed to hang on to their brightest prospect – England under 19 international Matt Phillips – when he transferred to newly promoted Premiership side Blackpool on the last day of the transfer window. But it was a good deal for Aylesbury born Matt and for Wanderers whose apprenticeship scheme he joined at the age of nine. The club received £325,000 and the promise of more cash in the future, while for Phillips it was a chance in a lifetime. “We didn’t want to stand in the way of Matt playing Premiership football,” said Wanderers owner Steve Hayes.
Thames piranha – An angler hooked a three inch pirhana fish – normally found in tropical fresh water areas – from the Thames at Marlow. And if you think that’s a bit fishy, wait till you hear the Marlow anglers’ name...Richard Salmon. But it’s all true and Mr Salmon has the picture to prove it.
Court ban – High Wycombe court became the first in the country to ban people from taking food into the building because they say sandwiches, crisps and bottles of water can be used as missiles to throw at magistrates. The ban has been criticised by lawyers and witnesses who like to bring in packed lunches or snacks while they are waiting to give evidence at court cases and inquests.
Rider collapse – A horse rider was taken to intensive care at Wycombe Hospital after collapsing at the end of her showjumping round at Tring’s annual horse show. Twenty three year old Carla Perotton slid off her horse on the ground moments after completing the course. She was resuscitated in the ambulance. It’s thought she had a heart attack.
Schools return – Thousands of children returned to school while some of their teachers and governors contemplate whether to apply for academy status, which would give them more independence. There are fears that the richer grammar schools would gain more financially at the expense of the non-grammar schools in Bucks.
Pubs bought – The Bel and the Dragon chain of pubs, which includes two of the oldest in the area – the 11th century inn at Windsor and the 14th century bar at Cookham – were bought Joel Cadbury, the heir of the chocolate fortune, and his business partner. The chain also includes a Bel and the Dragon at Goldaming and Reading.
Park closed – A council closed a popular tourist car park and picnic area because of dogging and other “inappropriate behaviour”. The car park at Cobblers Hill, Great Missenden will remain open at weekends.
Tower appeal – High Wycombe’s parish church, All Saints, launched a quarter of a million pound appeal to rebuild its 500 year old bell tower. Death watch beetles have riddled the wooden beams and the masonry is crumbling.
Bright future – Wycombe Wanderers failed to hang on to their brightest prospect – England under 19 international Matt Phillips – when he transferred to newly promoted Premiership side Blackpool on the last day of the transfer window. But it was a good deal for Aylesbury born Matt and for Wanderers whose apprenticeship scheme he joined at the age of nine. The club received £325,000 and the promise of more cash in the future, while for Phillips it was a chance in a lifetime. “We didn’t want to stand in the way of Matt playing Premiership football,” said Wanderers owner Steve Hayes.
Thames piranha – An angler hooked a three inch pirhana fish – normally found in tropical fresh water areas – from the Thames at Marlow. And if you think that’s a bit fishy, wait till you hear the Marlow anglers’ name...Richard Salmon. But it’s all true and Mr Salmon has the picture to prove it.
Monday, 30 August 2010
What the local papers aren't telling you...
It used to be said of newspapers that they were black and white and read all over.
Today our local papers are black and blue from being beaten up by deserting readers and hardly read at all.
The latest circulation figures for the first half of this year make depressing reading for those who believe local papers are an essential part of local democracy.
The area’s two biggest selling papers – the High-Wycombe based Bucks Free Press and the Maidenhead Advertiser – both fell below the psychologically important 20,000 circulation mark. They’ve dropped 6.6per cent and 5.3 per cent respectively compared with the first six months of 2009.
The Bucks Herald, based in Aylesbury, took the biggest knock of all losing nine per cent in sales to reach a weekly circulation of 13,823; while the Buckinghamshire Advertiser and Examiner titles, based mainly around Amersham and Chesham, fell 8.4 per cent to a circulation of 11,558.
The papers are recording their lowest circulation figures in living memory, and clearly if the falls continue in the way they have in the last decade, they are not sustainable.
It’s not all gloom for the shareholders: advertising is recovering as are profits, and the numbers of people visiting the paper’s websites are soaring. Whether those people will willingly pay a subscription to view local newspaper websites remains highly debateable however.
The real concern is over the future of local journalism. The papers are employing fewer journalists, and those that remain hardly ever get out of the office to do any real reporting and investigating. The stresses and the strains are showing: some stories are ill-researched and unbalanced. The columns on-line and in print are relying more on anonymous commentators and eager locals providing gossip and chitchat for free.
Optimists believe that in the end people will pay a higher price, online and on paper, for quality journalism. This is precisely the gamble News International is taking in charging for the Times and Sunday Times websites. Time will tell if they are right. In the meantime, the local papers will grimly hang on and hope that something turns up.
Today our local papers are black and blue from being beaten up by deserting readers and hardly read at all.
The latest circulation figures for the first half of this year make depressing reading for those who believe local papers are an essential part of local democracy.
The area’s two biggest selling papers – the High-Wycombe based Bucks Free Press and the Maidenhead Advertiser – both fell below the psychologically important 20,000 circulation mark. They’ve dropped 6.6per cent and 5.3 per cent respectively compared with the first six months of 2009.
The Bucks Herald, based in Aylesbury, took the biggest knock of all losing nine per cent in sales to reach a weekly circulation of 13,823; while the Buckinghamshire Advertiser and Examiner titles, based mainly around Amersham and Chesham, fell 8.4 per cent to a circulation of 11,558.
The papers are recording their lowest circulation figures in living memory, and clearly if the falls continue in the way they have in the last decade, they are not sustainable.
It’s not all gloom for the shareholders: advertising is recovering as are profits, and the numbers of people visiting the paper’s websites are soaring. Whether those people will willingly pay a subscription to view local newspaper websites remains highly debateable however.
The real concern is over the future of local journalism. The papers are employing fewer journalists, and those that remain hardly ever get out of the office to do any real reporting and investigating. The stresses and the strains are showing: some stories are ill-researched and unbalanced. The columns on-line and in print are relying more on anonymous commentators and eager locals providing gossip and chitchat for free.
Optimists believe that in the end people will pay a higher price, online and on paper, for quality journalism. This is precisely the gamble News International is taking in charging for the Times and Sunday Times websites. Time will tell if they are right. In the meantime, the local papers will grimly hang on and hope that something turns up.
Friday, 27 August 2010
That was the week...
Record passes – After record high achievements in A levels, came record high achievements in GCSEs in local schools. But it all added to the pressure at local universities and colleges. Bucks New University in High Wycombe said most of its courses were full and had experts on hand to deal with hundreds of calls from students trying to find a place.
Victim beheaded – Police confirmed that 32 year old Aylesbury man Chris Varian who was found dead at Oxfordshire Golf Club near Thame had been decapitated. Jonathan Limani, aged 33, appeared in court charged with his murder and was remanded in custody.
Flash floods – Torrential storms caused flooding and led to scores of accidents on local roads. Farmers said the rains were delaying the harvest, but there were no signs yet that the quality of crops was being affected. The Bucks County Show on Thursday was a muddy quagmire, but it didn’t prevent thousands from enjoying the show at Weedon.
Movie boost – Pinewood Studios said it was having a better year than it expected with film makers queuing up to make movies. It follows a bleaker outlook earlier this year when it looked like its income would decline for the first time in years. Meanwhile Madonna spent most of the week at West Wycombe House where she is directing her first film, W.E., which tells the story of King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson. Laurence Fox is playing Edward VIII and his father James Fox is playing Edward VIII’s father, George V.
Comic’s victory – Rowan Atkinson won permission to build a futuristic mansion in the Chilterns countryside despite protests from locals and planners who said it would “stick out like a sore thumb.” The 55 year old comic has hired top American futuristic architect Richard Meiner to build him a five bedroom house in glass and white steel in the countryside at Ipsden. Mr Atkinson told councillors the house would be “graceful and elegant”.
Waitrose expands – Waitrose supermarket announced it was moving into the old Woolworth store in Amersham High Street as part of its plans to increase its presence in the area. It’s planning a superstore in the centre of Aylesbury and is expected to open a store in Gerrards Cross.
Runaway kite – A red kite tagged in the Chilterns has been discovered 400 miles away in Perthshire. It’s surprised ornithologists who didn’t think kites travelled so far in one go. A few pairs of red kites were reintroduced into the area at Stokenchurch in the 1990s. There are now estimated to be 800 breeding pairs throughout the Chilterns.
Victim beheaded – Police confirmed that 32 year old Aylesbury man Chris Varian who was found dead at Oxfordshire Golf Club near Thame had been decapitated. Jonathan Limani, aged 33, appeared in court charged with his murder and was remanded in custody.
Flash floods – Torrential storms caused flooding and led to scores of accidents on local roads. Farmers said the rains were delaying the harvest, but there were no signs yet that the quality of crops was being affected. The Bucks County Show on Thursday was a muddy quagmire, but it didn’t prevent thousands from enjoying the show at Weedon.
Movie boost – Pinewood Studios said it was having a better year than it expected with film makers queuing up to make movies. It follows a bleaker outlook earlier this year when it looked like its income would decline for the first time in years. Meanwhile Madonna spent most of the week at West Wycombe House where she is directing her first film, W.E., which tells the story of King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson. Laurence Fox is playing Edward VIII and his father James Fox is playing Edward VIII’s father, George V.
Comic’s victory – Rowan Atkinson won permission to build a futuristic mansion in the Chilterns countryside despite protests from locals and planners who said it would “stick out like a sore thumb.” The 55 year old comic has hired top American futuristic architect Richard Meiner to build him a five bedroom house in glass and white steel in the countryside at Ipsden. Mr Atkinson told councillors the house would be “graceful and elegant”.
Waitrose expands – Waitrose supermarket announced it was moving into the old Woolworth store in Amersham High Street as part of its plans to increase its presence in the area. It’s planning a superstore in the centre of Aylesbury and is expected to open a store in Gerrards Cross.
Runaway kite – A red kite tagged in the Chilterns has been discovered 400 miles away in Perthshire. It’s surprised ornithologists who didn’t think kites travelled so far in one go. A few pairs of red kites were reintroduced into the area at Stokenchurch in the 1990s. There are now estimated to be 800 breeding pairs throughout the Chilterns.
Tuesday, 17 August 2010
Road smash highlights hospital fears
There’s increasing concern about accessibility of hospital services after ambulances taking patients from High Wycombe to Stoke Mandeville had to be diverted the long way round today after a pile-up blocked the Amersham to Aylesbury road for several hours during the evening rush hour. Most accident and emergency cases in Wycombe to to Stoke Mandeville and at present all Wycombe births are being carried out there. If an expectant mother or accident victim had been caught in yesterday’s snarl up it would have taken over an hour to get from Wycombe to the hospital.
The concerns are deepened by persistent reports, officially denied, that Wexham Park Hospital near Slough may become just an accident and emergency unit in order to reduce costs and the hospital trust’s massive debt. Many Wycombe area patients go to Wexham as an alternative to Stoke Mandeville.
Today's accident at the Leather Lane junction with the main road at Great Missenden, involved a car transporter and three other vehicles. One man was badly injured and others had to be rescued from their vehicles.
The concerns are deepened by persistent reports, officially denied, that Wexham Park Hospital near Slough may become just an accident and emergency unit in order to reduce costs and the hospital trust’s massive debt. Many Wycombe area patients go to Wexham as an alternative to Stoke Mandeville.
Today's accident at the Leather Lane junction with the main road at Great Missenden, involved a car transporter and three other vehicles. One man was badly injured and others had to be rescued from their vehicles.
Thursday, 15 July 2010
Now, over to the news where you aren't...
Whenever the BBC newsreader comes to the end of the national bulletin, he or she signs off with words to the effect..."and now over to the news where you are.."
Wrong. In Buckinghamshire our screens switch to the Beeb's central London newsroom where we hear lots of stories about unsafe tower blocks in south London, stabbings in north London, failing schools in west London and a daily winge about the Olympics in east London.
In fact the BBC has a major blind spot when it comes to Buckinghamshire, even though many of its staff and plenty of its "stars" live here. On radio, there's BBC Berkshire, and there's BBC Oxfordshire, but poor Buckinghamshire is lumped in with BBC Three Counties, based in Luton with a team in Watford, which, not suprisingly, concentrates on Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. Rare sorties into Bucks usually stop at Milton Keynes, which is increasingly a law unto itself.
At least Aylesbury has a decent commercial radio station - Mix 96 - which gives a proper news service. In High Wycombe, with a population of over 200,000 in its environs, there isn't even that. It has to be the most poorly served radio/TV town in the country.
Wrong. In Buckinghamshire our screens switch to the Beeb's central London newsroom where we hear lots of stories about unsafe tower blocks in south London, stabbings in north London, failing schools in west London and a daily winge about the Olympics in east London.
In fact the BBC has a major blind spot when it comes to Buckinghamshire, even though many of its staff and plenty of its "stars" live here. On radio, there's BBC Berkshire, and there's BBC Oxfordshire, but poor Buckinghamshire is lumped in with BBC Three Counties, based in Luton with a team in Watford, which, not suprisingly, concentrates on Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. Rare sorties into Bucks usually stop at Milton Keynes, which is increasingly a law unto itself.
At least Aylesbury has a decent commercial radio station - Mix 96 - which gives a proper news service. In High Wycombe, with a population of over 200,000 in its environs, there isn't even that. It has to be the most poorly served radio/TV town in the country.
Wednesday, 14 July 2010
Reason to be nervously cheerful
The June jobless figures for the Buckinghamshire area, announced today, make encouraging reading.
In Chesham and Amersham, for instance, the number of people claiming unemployment benefit has dropped by a staggering 22 per cent compared to the same month last year. High Wycombe has the highest unemployment rate, but at 3.1 per cent of the working population - less than half the national average of 7.8 per cent - there's evidence that, as far as jobs are concerned, the area is leading the way out of the bad times of the past year.
Everyone now waits to see if the trend will continue. Some union reps reckon that up to 400 net jobs will go in the region following the Government's announcement this week to abolish regional health authorities and primary care trusts and hand over responsibilities to GP surgeries. And local authorities in Bucks alone estimate around 500 jobs will disappear in the coming months.
Meanwhile, businesses say that more people are settling for part time jobs rather than have no job at all.
But for now, a reason to be cheerful, albeit somewhat nervously.
In Chesham and Amersham, for instance, the number of people claiming unemployment benefit has dropped by a staggering 22 per cent compared to the same month last year. High Wycombe has the highest unemployment rate, but at 3.1 per cent of the working population - less than half the national average of 7.8 per cent - there's evidence that, as far as jobs are concerned, the area is leading the way out of the bad times of the past year.
Everyone now waits to see if the trend will continue. Some union reps reckon that up to 400 net jobs will go in the region following the Government's announcement this week to abolish regional health authorities and primary care trusts and hand over responsibilities to GP surgeries. And local authorities in Bucks alone estimate around 500 jobs will disappear in the coming months.
Meanwhile, businesses say that more people are settling for part time jobs rather than have no job at all.
But for now, a reason to be cheerful, albeit somewhat nervously.
Friday, 9 July 2010
Pigeon pie...first kill a pigeon (or try to)...
It was almost inevitable. As soon as the council in High Wycombe said it was thinking of culling messy pigeons in the town centre by hiring someone to catch them and break their necks - or use 'cervical dislocation', as the council report so delicately put it - the whole panoply of protestors descended.
A Facebook campaign; an internet petition; a residents' protest and letters bombarding the local papers (to kill them, wrote a lady from Lincoln, would infringe human rights because it would cause great distress to those who care about the birds. Even dafter, the council took the threat seriously and asked a lawyer to check that what they were planning to do was legal. It was.)
But from the majority of people in the area not a murmer, nor even a flutter. The fact is that although many people who live in the Wycombe area are "townies" who have moved here from the hustle and bustle of the cities, a substantial proportion have their roots in what is still a predominently rural area.
A couple of years ago one of the partridges that regularly swoop over Adams Park, even when games are being played, flew into the roof of one of the stands and collapsed, injured, onto the pitch in the middle of a Wasps rugby match. When Wasps player Josh Lewsey, a farmers's son, strode over, picked up the bird, and put it out of its misery with one professional jerk of its neck before handing it to a ballboy, he was applauded by a section of the crowd.
Some hysterics came later of course, but Lewsey was unabashed. He knew, as did most of the crowd, that he acted humanely.
The pebbles under the feather-bedded mattress
These are interesting times to start a regular blog about Buckinghamshire and its neighbouring areas.
The area is one of the most affulent in the country; unemployment is less than half the national average and house prices are some of the most expensive in the land.
Yet now, after 50 years of relentless growth and prosperity, people in Buckinghamshire and its surrounds face a real prospect of hardship.
For the first time, Government investment is being directed away from the south east, where Bucks is one of the wealthiest areas. Government grants to local councils and health authorities - which was already reduced under the previous Government - is being further reduced from a stream to a trickle.
There won't be many tears from areas of the country where unemployment is already high and where public sector cuts will have an even harsher effect, but the peoople of Buckinghamshire are in for a cold shower. Chancellor George Osborne and his partners are putting pebbles, not peas, under the feather-bedded mattress.
How will the people react? Revolution? Strikes? Street demos? Probably not
Stop voting Conservative for the first time in 60 years? That would be something.
We shall see.
The area is one of the most affulent in the country; unemployment is less than half the national average and house prices are some of the most expensive in the land.
Yet now, after 50 years of relentless growth and prosperity, people in Buckinghamshire and its surrounds face a real prospect of hardship.
For the first time, Government investment is being directed away from the south east, where Bucks is one of the wealthiest areas. Government grants to local councils and health authorities - which was already reduced under the previous Government - is being further reduced from a stream to a trickle.
There won't be many tears from areas of the country where unemployment is already high and where public sector cuts will have an even harsher effect, but the peoople of Buckinghamshire are in for a cold shower. Chancellor George Osborne and his partners are putting pebbles, not peas, under the feather-bedded mattress.
How will the people react? Revolution? Strikes? Street demos? Probably not
Stop voting Conservative for the first time in 60 years? That would be something.
We shall see.
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