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.