News Headlines and Events
Here are the latest news and sport headlines coupled with those from the last few months....

Thursday 20th November

Bizarre suicide – It looks like the man found with his throat cut in the driveway of a Downley home at the weekend was a bizarre suicide. Police said last night he had been identified but they were holding his name back until his mother, who lives abroad, had been informed. They said they felt no other person was involved in his death.

Doherty’s team – Babyshambles star Pete Doherty has paid £500 to kit out the pub football team at the Queen’s Head in Hazlemere, High Wycombe. The shirts have a transfer of his image on the front and now the 29 year old is hoping the play for the side. He was introduced to the pub by a mate.

What’s on – Stand up comics do their thing at the Hellfire Comedy Club in Wycombe Town Hall tonight; Aylesbury switches on its Christmas lights; and Irish entertainer Dominic Kirwan plays Aylesbury Civic Centre, accompanied by Tremeloes star Chip Hawkes.

Wednesday 19th November

Second rape – Police are investigating a second rape in High Wycombe in three weeks. The latest was an attack on a 23 year old woman in the gents toilets at the Orchard Reloaded night club in Hazlemere in the early hours of last Friday. A 22 year old man is helping police inquiries. It follows the rape of a 16 year old girl in Booker on Halloween.

What’s on – An advanced screening of the black comedy movie Choke is being shown at Wycombe Cineworld in the Eden tonight, two days before its official British launch.

Tuesday 18th November

No clues – Police were last night no nearer identifying the man found with his throat cut on a Downley driveway despite house to house inquiries and contacts with police forces throughout the country. Officers will spend today checking hundreds of recent missing person reports.

Trains disrupted – Hundreds of local train passengers can expect disruption tonight, tomorrow and Thursday while the signalling system for a new railway station near Aylesbury is connected up. Buses will run between Aylesbury and Princes Risborough and between Aylesbury and Wendover instead of trains, and Marylebone services to and from Wendover will be reduced. It is all to accommodate the new Aylesbury Vale Parkway station – the first new station in the area for over 50 years – which will come into operation on 14 December.

What’s on – The musical Annie opens for a five night run at Wycombe Swan tonight, while at Windsor’s Theatre Royal, Alan Ayckbourn’s adaptation of the farce Tons of Money also opens starring Christopher Timothy, Caroline Langrishe and Judi Dench’s daughter Finty Wiilliams.

Monday 17th November

Death mystery – Police will today launch a nationwide appeal in an attempt to identify the body of a man found dead with stab wounds in the driveway of a house in Downley at the weekend. After a post mortem yesterday police were still unable to say if the man, who had several stab wounds in his neck, was killed by somebody else. They also have no idea who he is, even though a mobile phone was found on the body. He is black, aged in his thirties, with a slight beard at the point of his chin. He was wearing jogging bottoms, a fleece, a beanie hat and trainers.

Company bid – A troubled High Wycombe based building company is expected to become the subject of a takeover bid this week. Taylor Wimpey, which has been laying off staff and whose share price has plummeted, is reported to be the target of two American private equity firms.

Manager linked – Watford Football Club was refusing to comment last night on reports that it wants Wycombe Wanderers manager Peter Taylor to fill its vacant manager post. Soccer sources claimed that Watford will ask Wycombe today for permission to talk with Taylor, who only joined the Blues this summer and has made a big impression. Wanderers are the only unbeaten side in the Football League.

Sunday 16th November

Death probe – A Home Office pathologist will carry out a post mortem on a man in his thirties found dead on the driveway of a home in Downley yesterday. He was found in Telford Way shortly after dawn at at eight o’clock with unspecified injuries to his throat, and it’s likely he had been there all night. Last night police were still keeping an open mind on how he died, but today’s post mortem should decide whether they are dealing with a murder case.

Sheep attacked – The National Trust said yesterday it may have to close off the Chilterns beauty spot, Coombe Hill, near Wendover, to the public if some dog owners continue to refuse to put their dogs on a lead. A number of rare sheep grazing around the headland have been attacked and injured by dogs, despite prominent notices requesting pets to be leashed.

Great show – Wycombe Wanderers’ unbeaten run was extended with a thrilling 1-0 victory over Bradford City at Adams Park yesterday, following a determined goal from full back Lewis Hunt. However, it was the introduction of lively on-loan striker Angelo Bulanta at the start of the second half that galvanised the side and made them worthy winners over their promotion rivals.

Saturday 15th November

Passengers searched – Police checked passengers arriving in High Wycombe via train last night to see if they were carrying knives. The mobile “knife arch” which was used at Aylesbury College earlier this week, was set up for six hours at the railway station entrance. It was part of a clamp down on knife related crimes. Meanwhile, four people were being held on drug-related crimes last night after police raided a number of addresses in High Wycombe.

Tourism award – The Roald Dahl museum in Great Missenden won a top tourist award yesterday. It was named best small visitor attraction in the 2008 Enjoy England Awards for Excellence.

Ownership bid – Wycombe Wanderers fans will have more to discuss than maintaining the club’s unbeaten record when they gather for the match against Bradford City at Adams Park today. They’ll also be discussing an offer by the club’s multi-millionaire managing director, Steve Hayes, to convert nearly £6m the Blues owe him into shares, provided he becomes sole owner of the club.

Friday 14th November

Arson attacks – Police and fire experts are trying to determine if two major blazes in the space of eight hours yesterday were started by the same arsonist. At one o’clock in the morning a pair of barns at Copas Farm, Cookham were destroyed, killing 500 chicks, destroying tons of hay and wrecking farm machinery. Then, seven hours later a warehouse at Brittanica Nuseries in Farnham Royal was virtually destroyed. Last night it was still unclear if that was the work of an arsonist.

New striker – Wycombe Wanderers manager Peter Taylor pulled off a coup yesterday landing one of football’s leading youngsters for an eight week loan. Eighteen year old Angelo Bulanta has already made 19 appearances for Queen’s Park Rangers and scored three goals. Now he is with the Blues to ensure he gets more first team experience.

Thursday 13th November

Station plans – Planners reached agreement yesterday on major improvements to High Wycombe’s railway station. Room will be made for buses to pull into the station forecourt so passengers can get straight from train to bus and vice versa to and from all areas of the town. A multi-story car park will more than double the car parking capacity and improvements will be made to give better access to the station for cyclists and pedestrians. Chiltern Railways will now draw up a detailed plan, which is also likely to include provision of a hotel above the existing station buildings. The whole development could be completed within two years.

Jobless up – As expected, the number of jobless leapt in the Wycombe area during October according figures announced yesterday, but officials believe the true position may be worse than official figures show. An extra 500 people claimed jobseekers allowance in October in the Wycombe, Beaconsfield and Amersham area – and increase of around 20 per cent. But it’s thought hundreds are not claiming allowances and many more are working shorter working weeks. According to the stats, around one per cent of the working population is officially unemployed, one of the best positions in the country. Most of those losing their jobs are in managerial and professionals roles. Figures for Windsor, Maidenhead and Aylesbury regions show similar increases.

Christmas is official – The festive lights go on in Wycombe tonight marking the official start of the Christmas countdown. There’ll be a Christmas parade through the town from 6pm headed by Father Christmas and reindeers. Stars of Wycombe Swan’s panto will also be around.

Wednesday 12th November

Jobs gloom – Major companies with headquarters in High Wycombe announced nationwide job cuts yesterday, some of which are expected to fall in this area. Builders Taylor Wimpey said a further 1,000 job cuts were planned and technology company Psion announced 200 job losses. Nearby, publishers Yell, based at Reading, announced 1,300 job losses. It’s expected that when official unemployment figures are announced tomorrow they will be the worst for 10 years, both locally and nationally.

Knife arch – A thousand students at Aylesbury College yesterday became the first in the area to have to walk through a “knife arch” to get to their classes. The mobile arch, which detects weapons being carried by people who walk through it, was set up in a surprise move by police. However, none of the students were detected carrying any weapons. Police are expected to launch knife arch spot checks at other colleges in the Wycombe area.

Parking row – A councillor said last night he will try to get parking tickets withdrawn after they were issued to musicians taking part in the Remembrance Day parade in Princes Risborough on Sunday. The band members, from RAF Halton, had parked on double yellow lines near to the start of the parade, but Councillor Dennis Green said they should not have been issued because of the “sensitivity of the day”. But another councillor said he would fight any attempt to rescind the tickets. “Taking part in a Remembrance Day parade doesn’t mean you are above the law,” he said.

Tuesday 11th November

Flood alerts – The Environment Agency issued a dozen flood alerts in the Thames region last night, including the area around the River Thame, following heavy rain. There have been a number of alerts in recent week causing concern that the ground is already saturated even before winter sets in. Police urged motorists to slow down as minor flooding affected evening rush hour roads.

Second restaurant – Sir Terry Wogan’s daughter Katharine opened her second pub restaurant in the area yesterday with her husband Henry Cripps. The White Oak at Cookham has been refurbished and will be run on the same lines as the couple’s first pub restaurant, the Greene Oak at Oakley Green. Sir Terry, who is once again hosting the BBC’s Children in Need appeal this week, and his wife Helen live nearby in Bray.

Cup win – A hat-trick from striker Matt Harrold and another goal from Matt Phillips gave Wycombe Wanderers a comfortable 4-1 win at AFC Wimbledon last night in the first round of the FA Cup at the Dons ground in Kingston last night.

Monday 10th November

Heathrow clash – Local Tory MPs will find themselves in a clash with local businesses organisations over the proposed third runway at Heathrow this week. They will vote against the proposal when it is discussed in the Commons, knowing that virtually every business organisation in the area, as well as the Tory controlled Wycombe Council, is in favour of the scheme. The Government will announce its decision before Christmas, and indications are they will let the third runway go ahead.

Abandoned hedgehogs – The Tiggywinkles wildlife sanctuary in the Chilterns is being inundated with baby hedgehogs. The centre said yesterday that 120 baby hedgehogs were brought to it last week alone, bringing the total in their care to 500. They fear that many of the babies still in the wild will die because of the recent cold spell.

Cup draw – If Wycombe Wanderers manage to beat AFC Wimbledon in tonight’s first round of the FA Cup they will face another non-league side in the next round. The draw yesterday pitched the Blues away to the Nottinghamshire side Eastwood Town.

Saturday 8th November

Stadium still on – Wycombe Wanderers yesterday assured fans that the move to a new stadium is still on the cards, even though recent comments from senior figures at London Wasps, the rugby club who are partners in the deal, have indicated that Wasps want to move back to central London. Blues chairman Ivor Beeks said he was encouraged by the support of both Wasps and the local council.

Driver jailed – A motorist who failed to stop after running down and killing a 69 year old woman was jailed for 31 months yesterday. Philip Dench, aged 39, of Waddesdon, ran over Patricia Morris, on the A41 at Aylesbury. Having knocked her over, a court heard, he then drove over her prostrate body in his haste to get away. It later transpired he had been drinking cider and was uninsured.

Friday 7th November

Ambulance changes – The Wycombe area ambulance service is planning to reduce its targets for reaching seriously ill people in rural areas while improving its timings in built up areas. At present the South Central Ambulance aims to reach 75 per cent of people with life-threatening conditions within eight minutes. Yesterday the ambulance trust said it wants to reach 65 per cent of people in that time in the countryside but 85 per cent in urban areas. The plan, however, is causing concern among health service commissioners.

Phone rethink – Orange yesterday backed off building a controversial telecom mast after it obtained planning permission by default. Wycombe Council failed to send the right objection letter to the company about Orange’s plan to build a mast in Foxes Piece, Marlow. It didn’t realise until the time for objecting ran out so the phone company won permission without a fight. But after an outcry, the company said last night it was delaying any move to build the mast until it had further talks with the council about finding a new site.

Judo coup – The world’s top judo players are likely to converge on High Wycombe for training after the town’s Judo Centre received notification that it is to be an official pre-Olympic training centre for the 2012 London Games.

Thursday 6th November

Shopping boost – Town centre car parks in High Wycombe will be free on the three Saturdays leading up to Christmas the council announced yesterday. The unprecedented move follows pressure from shops increasingly worried about the economic downturn, and will cost the council thousands of pounds. The only exception is the car park at the Eden Shopping Centre, but as a concession the centre management has agreed to free parking there every evening after 6pm from next Thursday until Christmas Eve.

Rumour countered – Meanwhile, the department store House of Fraser was forced to issue a statement yesterday rebutting rumours that it was closing down and Debenhams was to take its place. Rumours began just weeks after the store opened in the spring but reached such a pitch that staff at the store began asking managers for reassurances. The rumours – spread on local websites – were launched by people who think House of Fraser is too posh for Wycombe and want Debenhams to move in because they think it’s cheaper. House of Fraser last week announced increased profits, due in part to the success of the Wycombe store.

Wednesday 5th November

Historic night – The US election drew unprecedented interest throughout the Wycombe area early today with hundreds staying up throughout the night to follow the historic victory of new president Barack Obama. Election parties were held in the homes of many of the American community who live in large numbers in the, as well as on the campus at Bucks New University.

Grammars attacked – Schools Secretary Ed Balls launched a fresh attack on grammar schools yesterday, accusing them of making pupils who fail the 11-plus feel like failures. In Bucks grammar schools fear they will be pressurised by the Government to merge and provide fewer places. In the meantime, Mr Balls said he will divert more money to secondary schools in the county and to other secondary schools in the country where selective education remains.

Bus crash – A car driver who died after a crash with a bus in Marlow Bottom yesterday is expected to be named today. The man, in his thirties, was declared dead at the scene in Wycombe Road. No-one on the single decker bus was injured.

Tuesday 4th November

Court appearance – Warehouse manager Harvey Turner, aged 43, of Everest Close, High Wycombe will appear in court today charged with the attempted murder of neighbour Carlos De Souza, aged 48, who was shot in the stomach earlier this year. It's expected a trial date will be fixed.

Fireworks flop – A combination of the economic slowdown and the bad weather has led to a big fall in the sale of fireworks, according to local retailers. One bright spot was a group of Americans who bought £500 worth of fireworks in Maidenhead hoping to celebrate the victory of their candidate in today’s American presidential election.

Apprentice Day – Shoppers in Wycombe will be involved in a competition based on the tv show The Apprentice later this month. Students at Buckinghamshire New University will be trying to sell goods in Wycombe Market, including a new type of doughnut, as part of a challenge to commemorate Enterprise Week.

Monday 3rd November

Runner recovers – A 44 year old man is recovering in hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest half way through the Marlow Half Marathon yesterday. An air ambulance had to be called to airlift the runner to Wexham Park Hospital.

Flood watch – The Environment Agency put the River Thame catchment area on flood watch alert last night after the weekend’s torrential rain storms. There’s concern that the ground in the area is more saturated than usual as winter approaches.

Crowds down – There’s signs that the credit crunch is hitting local sport. Less than 8,000 turned up to watch London Wasps beat Gwent Dragons 21-10 at Adams Park yesterday, when a sell-out crowd of 10,000 was expected, while Wycombe Wanderers crowds have hardly exceeded 5,000 this season even though the team is unbeaten and on a good run

Sunday 2nd November

Adams attack - There was tight lipped anger and bewilderment within Wycombe Wanderers last night after former manager Tony Adams – the new man in charge at Portsmouth – continued his campaign to belittle the club that gave him his first chance in management. In a second condescending attack in 48 hours, Adams told the Sun that Wycombe were so poor when he was manager he had to buy chairs for the players to sit on – a claim thought to be untrue. Earlier Adams had claimed he had been brought in to “save the club” and that everyone in Wycombe thought him a success, even though the club was relegated under his charge.

Still unbeaten – Meanwhile the Blues are somehow managing to survive without the input of the Portsmouth boss. Wycombe are the only club in the Football League and the Premiership without a league defeat this season, their unbeaten record being maintained with a 0-0 draw at Rotherham yesterday. Wanderers are second in League 2 with a game in hand.

Fireworks hit – Torrential rain put a dampner on charity firework displays last night. All of the big firework shows were planned for last night and all went ahead despite the rain. But crowds were well down on last year.

Saturday 1st November

Rethink over death – Police are taking a second look at the circumstances surrounding the death of an 85 year old man two days after he was confronted by two armed, masked burglars in his home in Winter Hill, Cookham. A post mortem concluded that Richard Atherton died from natural causes, reducing the chances that police were conducting a murder inquiry. But yesterday police said further post mortem tests were being carried out to determine the “exact” cause of Mr Atherton’s death, and the results would not be known for some weeks.

Shop wars – Rival shopping centres have launched a surprise attack on Wycombe’s new shopping complex the Eden, as the vital Christmas shopping period looms. The Chimes in Uxbridge and the Harlequin in Watford distributed tens of thousands of leaflets in the Wycombe area yesterday trying to attract shoppers away from Eden. Watford and Uxbridge drew thousands of shoppers from the Wycombe area last Christmas and they don’t want to give them up without a fight.
Bond mania – The frenzy surrounding the new James Bond film Quantum of Solace paid off in the Wycombe area yesterday, the opening day of the film. It was shown 25 times in High Wycombe cinemas alone and each performance was to a sell-out audience. Cinema complexes in Maidenhead, Aylesbury and Gerrards Cross were also sold out.

Friday 31st October

Hi tech – Buckinghamshire has the highest proportion of people involved in hi-tech industries than anywhere else in Europe. Figures from the EU yesterday showed that 11,5 per cent of the working population was involved in computer related industries. In the Wycombe area, the percentage is even higher, making hi-tech firms the biggest employer in the area.

Halloween patrol – Extra police patrols will be out in areas of Wycombe tonight to ensure that Halloween pranks don’t turn to vandalism. They have given out hundreds of posters to people who don’t want Halloween callers on their doorstep.

Thursday 30th October

Roads misery - Thousands of Wycombe area motorists endured a day of misery yesterday as the freak weather from the previous night caused havoc on the roads. The M40 was closed in both directions until late yesterday afternoon after two lorries collided at 3am, killing one of the drivers. A cargo of lard spilled across the motorway covering an area the size of a football pitch. The accident – plus the closure of the Wendover by-pass after an accident – brought gridlock to most local town centres. In addition, the 3cm of snow that fell on Wednesday night, followed by a sharp frost, caused dozens on minor accidents on unsalted roads. It was the first significant October snowfall in the Wycombe area for 74 years.

Swan attacked – Comedian Brian Conley has upset Wycombe theatregoers, saying that the town’s Swan Theatre lacks warmth. The comic, who lives in Denham, starred in Cinderella at the theatre last Christmas. He’s repeating the show in Nottingham’s Theatre Royal this year, where he told the local paper yesterday: “ I was at High Wycombe last year and while the show was a huge success, it just didn't have the warmth. This place is a proper theatre, it's got little boxes where the Queen would sit.”

Rose-tinted specs - New Portsmouth manager Tony Adams surprised Wycombe football fans yesterday saying that his spell as Wycombe Wanderers manager was a success. The ex-Arsenal star took his first managerial role here and succeeded in winning 12 of 53 matches and oversaw a relegation. He said his main job at Wycombe was “to save the club” and added: “Ask anybody there. I think they all thought I was a success.” Most fans on the club’s main supporters discussion board yesterday didn’t agree. A number thought he was the club’s second worst manager since the Blues won league status.

Wednesday 29th October

Weather chaos – Snow in October – the first in living memory – brought chaos to the Wycombe area last night as the authorities were caught on the hop. Cars skidded uncontrollably on ungritted hillside roads and minor floods brought jams to the evening rush hour traffic. Wycombe Wanderers League 2 match against Macclesfield was abandoned after 20 minutes when pitch markings became invisible under a layer of snow and the slippery conditions were too dangerous for the game to continue. There was some criticism of the club for not switching on the underground heating.

Tragic suicide – A post mortem is due to be held today on a 16 year old pregnant schoolgirl found dying under a pedestrian footbridge in Aylesbury. It’s thought that Linzi Hallam committed suicide by jumping from the Friars Way footbridge to the concrete road below. She was discovered at 6.30am and died later in Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

Battling recession – House prices in the Wycombe area fell just three and a half per cent in the 12 months to September according to new figures yesterday. The drop is one of the lowest in the country – the Land Registry figures show that nationally the average fall in house price was eight per cent – and is a further indication that so far the Wycombe area is faring better in the recession that virtually anywhere else in Britain.

Tuesday 28th October

Dodgy fireworks - Potentially dangerous and illegal fireworks, imported from Africa and South Asia, are likely to be offered for sale in the Wycombe area, trading standards officers warned yesterday. They issued the warning after a raid on a van in Chalfont St Peter in which a large number for fireworks were found. Although these weren’t illegal fireworks, the van owner may be prosecuted for storing them illegally.

New appeal – A man in his 80s who died three days after a confrontation with burglars, died from natural causes a post mortem revealed. Police are not linking his death with the burglary in Cookham Dean, but yesterday issued a fresh appeal for information. Meanwhile, in High Wycombe, Keiran Avery, aged 20, whose address was given as the YMCA hostel in Crest Road was remanded in custody for two weeks yesterday charged with murdering Colin Butler, aged 49, whose body was found in his front garden in Marlow Road last week.

McGleish out – Wycombe Wanderers’ leading striker last season, Scott McGleish, was put on the transfer list yesterday in the hope that a club will take him on loan until the transfer window opens again in January. McGleish is unhappy that manager Peter Taylor is not automatically choosing him in the starting line-up.

Monday 27th October

Death after burglary – A post mortem is to be carried out today to try and discover if the death of a man in his eighties three days after his house was broken into was linked to the burglary. The man, who hasn’t been named, was treated for cuts and bruises after clashing with two burglars at his home in Cookham Dean. If police decide the his death is linked with the clash, they could launch a murder inquiry.

Casual cops – Police based Aylesbury are to wear baseball caps, combat-style trousers and black shirts in a radical change of uniform next month. It’s a pilot scheme to see how it affects the public’s perception and attitude to cops.

Dons again – Wycombe Wanderers will visit AFC Wimbledon in the first round of the FA Cup next month. It will bring back memories of a remarkable sixth round match against the original Wimbledon FC seven years ago, which the Blues won on penalty shoot-outs and eventually going on to meeting Liverpool in the semi-final.

Sunday 26th October

Murder charge – A 20 year old man will appear in court tomorrow charged with a murder in High Wycombe. Kieran Avery, from Booker, was charged yesterday with the murder of Colin Butler, aged 49, of Marlow Road, whose body was found in the garden of a house in central High Wycombe early on Friday morning. Mr Butler had suffered head injuries.

TV fame - Local tourism is expected to be boosted after the BBC’s biggest drama offering of the season – an adaptation of Dickens’ Little Dorrit – begins the first of a series tonight. Both West Wycombe and Chenies Manor House feature as major locations in the production.

Still unbeaten – Wycombe Wanderers remain the only unbeaten club this season in the entire Football League after a 1-0 win at Accrington Stanley yesterday, thanks to another injury time goal – their third in four games. Chris Zebroski’s 91st minute goal ensured the Blues opened up a three point gap at the top of League 2.

Saturday 25th October

Murder inquiry – Police launched a murder inquiry after the body of a man in his forties was found in a garden near High Wycombe railway station early yesterday. The body was discovered at three o’clock in the morning in the front garden of a house in Amersham Hill. Half an hour later a 20 year old man in the house was arrested on suspicion of assault. He is still being questioned by police today. The victim’s identity, or the cause of his death, has not been revealed.

Friday 24th October

Famous tree axed – Over £6,000 in fines have been dished out after a yew tree, which has stood in the garden of Wycombe’s Wendover Arms for over 200 years ,was chopped down illegally. Magistrates fined the owners of the pub in Dashwood Avenue £2,750 plus over £1,000 costs and the company that axed the tree – Acacia Tree Services - £3,500 for not checking that the tree was covered by a protection order. They were also fined £500 for lopping a branch off a protected beech tree.

Firms helped – Bucks County Council yesterday promised to pay all its bills within ten days instead of 30 days in an attempt to help small businesses cope with the credit crunch. In a further attempt to help out companies the council is to set up a one stop shop to answer all business-linked inquiries at one go rather than callers having to go through layers of bureaucracy.

Blues row – A battle of wills between Wycombe Wanderers manager Peter Taylor and star striker Scott McGleish came to a head last night when the player was dropped from the squad to visit Accrington tomorrow after saying that he was considering a transfer request. McGleish made his comments after coming on as a sub against Barnet on Tuesday. He later retracted them saying he had spoken in the heat of the moment. But Taylor, while denying he had a problem with McGleish, said if McGleish was upset “then perhaps it’s best if he doesn’t travel up on Saturday”.

Thursday 23rd October

Motorway cameras – Speed cameras are to be introduced on the M40 between High Wycombe and the M25 in an attempt to reduce accidents. The stretch is one of the worst for accidents in Britain – so far nine people have died this year. Police say most of the accidents are due to speeding.
RFrogmoor improvements – Councillors are to have another go at improving Frogmoor, the spacious area in High Wycombe town centre. They plan to scrap the ridiculed water fountains from the pavement, which have never really worked properly. Instead they’ll begin a public consultation to find out what people would like to see. An idea to pedestrianise the whole area, including adjoining Church Street, have been scrapped because there would be nowhere to divert buses.

Wednesday 22nd October

Vet kicked – A local vet is recovering following facial reconstruction surgery after he was kicked full in the face by a horse. Bob Baskerville, one of the country’s top equine vets, was about to begin an operation on a two year old thoroughbred’s rear leg at the Hampden Veterinary Hospital near Aylesbury when the sedated animal hit out. Mr Baskerville, who lives near Wycombe, endured a four hour operation but is expected to make a full recovery.

Council cock-up – A controversial mobile phone mast has been erected despite many protests after the council posted a wrong letter. Wycombe Council meant to send a letter refusing permission for the mast in Marlow but instead sent one that merely asked for further details. By the time it realised its mistake the statutory period for objecting to the phone mast had passed enabling Orange to position the mast at the junction of Foxes Piece and Little Marlow Road, to the fury of nearby residents. The council last night didn’t apologise for its error, but did say it was reviewing its procedures.
RStriker celebrates – Wycombe Wanderers striker Chris Zebroski had cause for double celebration yesterday. First he learned that the red card he was given on Saturday was rescinded on appeal by the Football Association. That left him free to play for the Blues at Barnet last night where he scored the equalising goal to give his team a point that keeps them at the top of League 2.

Tuesday 21st October

Night safety – A big campaign gets underway today to clamp down on drunks and yobs in the centre of High Wycombe. Pubs, clubs and restaurants are to be given a single phone number to ring if they are having bother with rowdy customers after dark. Police will then swoop quickly to evict or arrest the troublemaker. It’s part of a joint campaign to make Wycombe, with its many new eating and drinking outlets, a safe place to celebrate in the run-up to Christmas.

Magical mystery tour – A businessman who left a wax head of Paul McCartney on a train at Maidenhead railway station offered a £2,000 reward for its return last night. Joby Carter was taking the head to be auctioned.

Zeb appeal – Bradford City fluffed their chance to topple Wycombe Wanderers from the top of League 2 last night when they lost of Darlington. The Blues meanwhile attempt to extend that lead tonight, hopeful that striker Chris Zebroski will be able to play. They appealed yesterday against his sending off on Saturday and should hear if they are successful in the appeal before tonight’s match at Barnet.

Monday 20th October

Councils cut back – Top finance bosses are meeting today to consider the cuts that will need to be made if councils in Bucks and in Wycombe are to balance their books next year. Both councils are reporting financial “black holes” worth millions.

Lucky escape – Wycombe Wanderers boss Peter Taylor looks set to make changes has his side travel to Barnet tomorrow to attempt to maintain their unbeaten start to the season. After Saturday’s escape against Darlington – a Scott McGleish penalty in the 96th minute save the Blues a point and was the last kick of the match – Taylor criticised his team for the first time this season.

Saturday 18th October

Shopping boost – High Wycombe entered the top 50 of Britain’s best performing retail centres for the first time yesterday thanks to the new Eden shopping centre. The town moved up a whopping 28 places in the league table contained in the annual report by the independent information group Experian. Wycombe is expected to do even better next year because Eden’s impact has only been felt for half the year surveyed.

Cash buyers – More people in the Wycombe area are buying houses with cash according to local estate agents. Some buyers are taking all their money out of banks because they don’t trust them anymore and putting investments into bricks and mortar instead. One agent told the Bucks Free Press yesterday that one in five of his recent sales were now cash. Buyers that can afford cash are also often able to persuade sellers to reduce their asking price.

News jobs go – Meanwhile journalists on the Bucks Free Press – Wycombe’s biggest selling local paper – were reeling from the news yesterday that more editorial jobs are to go. Five editorial jobs were sliced from the paper two years ago and yesterday it was learned that another five are to go. The paper’s owners, Newsquest – part of an American conglomerate – has been reducing journalist jobs throughout the country because of “challenging economic conditions”.

Friday 17th October

Hospital praised – Stoke Mandeville Hospital won special praise from Health Secretary Alan Johnson yesterday for the way it tackled the hospital superbug C difficile. For three years the bug ran riot in the hospital, and was thought to be responsible for up to 80 deaths, but in yesterday’s annual assessment by the Healthcare Commission the Bucks Hospitals Trust - which includes Stoke Mandeville, Wycombe and Amersham hospitals - now has the best record in controlling C difficile in the whole of the south and midlands.

Dan’s the man – London Wasps said yesterday that the popularity of its star player Danny Cipriani was the reason why they were moving their Heineken Cup game against Leinster to Twickenham from Wycombe’s Adams Park, their usual home base. They reckon up to 33,000 people will want to watch the game because of Cipriani’s celebrity. Adams Park holds 10,000 but it was far from full when Wasps played their last Heineken Cup game there, even with the talents of the Cipriani on show. Meanwhile Wycombe Wanderers signed 19 year old Belgian international Franck Maisia on a month’s loan from Southend United yesterday as cover for suspended midfielder Tommy Doherty.

Wanna be with you – High Wycombe singer Katy Setterfield, who won the TV nationwide talent show The One and Only as a Dusty Springfield tribute act, enjoyed her first gig in her home town last night. Wycombe Swan was packed as Katy, from Geralds Road, thanked locals for their support.

Thursday 16th October

Holding out – More evidence yesterday that the Wycombe area economy is proving resilient in the current economic downturn. Although unemployment rates have increased it’s nothing like the rest of the country. In Wycombe 1,300 people were claiming jobless benefits last month – 1.3 per cent of the working population. Amersham and Becaonsfield have the lowest unemployment rates in the country – just 0.8 per cent, while in Aylesbury, Windsor and Maidenhead the rate is 0.9 per cent. However it’s believed a number of jobs have gone in the last few weeks in the area, which will be reflected in next month’s figures.

Wasps buzz off – London Wasps yesterday moved their Heineken Cup match in January to Twickenham because they said their Wycombe base at Adams Park was too small. It increased the suspicion that the rugby club is looking to leave Wycombe, pulling the rug on a joint bid with Wycombe Wanderers to build a new sports stadium.

Rape remand – The man accused of a rape in High Wycombe 28 years ago did not enter a plea when he appeared before magistrates yesterday. Geoffrey Stoneham, 62, from Swanscombe in Kent was remanded in custody to appear again at Aylesbury Crown Court in two weeks.

Wednesday 15th October

Rape charge – A 45 year old woman raped by two men in Wycombe 28 years ago was told last night that a man has been charged with the attack. Geoffrey Stoneham, aged 62, of Swanscombe in Kent will appear at High Wycombe Magistrates Court today. He is charged with raping a 17 year old woman in Micklefield Road in 1980. Thames Valley Police’s “New Tricks” team had been re-examining the case.

Stowaways held – Thirteen men who are thought to have illegally boarded a lorry on the Continent are being questioned by immigration officials today after they were discovered yesterday in Wycombe’s Cressex industrial estate. Eyewitnesses said the stowaways were banging on the side of the lorry to be let out.

Windsor congestion – A scheme to relieve Windsor’s chronic traffic congestion by creating a park and ride facility on Windsor Racecourse opens for consultation tomorrow.

Tuesday 14th October

Dad’s desperation – The husband of a Marlow police officer who died a month before she was due to give birth to twins has spoken bravely about his determination to bring up the children as she would have wanted. Sarah Underhill, aged 37, was rushed into hospital with complications but died three days later. Her twins Hannah and James were delivered by Caesarean section without Sarah seeing them and are still in hospital. Her husband Richard, also a policeman, said “I want Sarah to be proud of the way I bring up our children.”

Biker killed – A 35 year old motor cyclist from High Wycombe has died after an accident with a car on the A40 near Oxford. He is expected to be named today.

Pubs pricey – Pubs in Bucks and Berks charge more for food than most other pubs in the country, according to the news 2009 Good Pub Guide, published yesterday. But the guide says the prices are fair if the quality of the food is good.

Sunday 12th October

Card fraud - Some customers who have used credit cards at Asda supermarket in Cressex may have become the victims of fraud it has emerged. Police are currently investigating claims that a sophisticated card cloner had been placed in 'chip and pin' readers in stores across Britain that maybe linked to extremists in Pakistan. According to a report in the Sunday Times, shoppers at Asda's High Wycombe store have been particulary hit with one customer claiming there had been 25 illicit withdrawals from his account totalling £1400 after visiting the store. All the withdrawals had been made in Pakistan and the US.

Still standing - Wycombe Wanderers remain unbeaten in League 2 following a draw at Grimsby yesterday. Wycombe trailed for 89 minutes after conceding after just 41 seconds but a 1st minute injury time header from Leon Johnson saved the unbeaten record and kept the Chairboys top of the league. A few minutes earlier Tommy Doherty had been sent off, reducing Wycombe to ten men but few could argue against the point as Wanderers had dominated the match.

Friday 10th October

Councils hit – Local council tax payers could take a £20m hit because their councils have invested in failing Icelandic banks, it emerged yesterday. Throughout the country councils have nearly £800m trapped in Icelandic banks and Prime Minister Gordon Brown last night threatened legal action against Iceland while saying Government aid would be given to the most cash strapped councils. But that’s unlikely to apply to councils and public bodies in this area because their Icelandic investments are small percentage-wise. Thames Valley Police, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire County Councils have £5m apiece at risk, while Wycombe District Council and South Oxfordshire District Council – which covers Henley and Thame – have £2.5m invested each.

Hero to zero – Former Wycombe Wanderers boss Paul Lambert was hailed when he managed the team during its Carling Cup run which ended with a semi-final defeat by Chelsea. Last night he became a hate figure amongst many Blues fans when he took over managership of arch-rivals Colchester United (a strong rivalry that dates back to bitter matches in the Conference).

Thursday 9th October

Terror suspects freed – Two men arrested earlier this week under the Terrorism Act were released by police yesterday and told they were no longer under arrest. Police have refused to release details of why the two 22 year old men were suspected in the first place.

Papers suffer – Local papers are suffering some of their lowest ever circulation figures at a time when revenue from their main funders – local estate agents – is being hit. Latest figures show the biggest selling paper in Buckinghamshire – the Bucks Free Press – dropped to fewer than 23,000 copies a week in June, while all the other local papers recorded similar percentage drops. Around 16,000 people tune into Mix 107 - a Wycombe-based commercial radio station - for at least 15 minutes a week, according to latest figures. The BBC hardly bothers with any Wycombe area coverage.

Library plan – A scheme to transform Wycombe’s old library devised by a 22 year old student has been given the nod by the council and conservation groups. Joanne Marchant-Mills, who lives in High Wycombe, drew up detailed plans to convert the town centre building into a modern art centre which will stage performance art and literary events. The 1920s building will have a major refit with a new glass roof. The council says it will now investigate buying the building and progress the scheme.

Wednesday 8th October

Teenager remanded - A 17 year old youth appeared in court yesterday charged with six sex assaults in eight days. The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was remanded in custody by magistrates at Maidenhead Youth Court. All the assaults took place in the streets of Maidenhead between 26 September and 3 October. He was also charged with assault causing bodily harm. Earlier this week police had warned women not to walk alone in the town after dark.

Gang broken up – Police have broken up a teenage gang who had overrun a middle aged couple’s home in the Wycombe suburb of Downley. They first realised the gang’s presence when they were called to a fire at the house in Cumbria Way last week. Last night they revealed that earlier this week they raided the home in force and dispersed the gang. The couple have been rehoused by the council to a “safe” location.

Stuffed – Wycombe Wanderers were subjected to their worst ever home defeat last night -an embarrassing 7-0 by Shrewsbury in the Johnson’s Paint Trophy. Although without four first team players the Blues were, frankly, rubbish while the Shrews were blistering.

Tuesday 7th October

Terrorism arrests – Two 22 year old men are being questioned by police today following their arrest under the Terrorism Act. Police were conducting inquiries into a separate matter at properties in Desborough Avenue and Mill End Road, High Wycombe when they made discoveries which led to the arrest the two men.

Jobs threat – Local councils may have to cut jobs to make ends meet. Most are spending more than they budgeted for this year, mainly because of the big jumps in energy and petrol costs. But rather than cut council services, councillors will be looking to reduce posts. In Buckinghamshire a plan to cut some costs by sharing services has been dented by Amersham based Chiltern District Council decision to back out of the scheme because they didn’t think it would work. Bucks County Council has a £7m black hole in its accounts, while Wycombe District Council has a shortfall of nearly £2m.

Good deal – Last week Matt Styles celebrated his 21st birthday. The very next day he won £196,633 on an on-line version of the game show Deal or No Deal. The High Wycombe admin worker intends to buy himself a decent car, visit Canada and invest the rest.

Monday 6th October

Women warned – Women in Maidenhead are being advised not to walk alone in the town after dark until a man thought to be responsible for two random attacks within an hour is caught. He’s described as white, aged about 18 with brown hair and wearing a white hooded top. Both women were grabbed and punched and suffered bruises. Police have stepped up patrols in the town.

Fairtrade town – Councillors are set to try and gain “Fairtrade Town” status for High Wycombe when they meet tonight. They will form a group that will work on plans to extend fairtrade products throughout the town and use fairtrade goods in council offices and other public buildings.

Free football – Wycombe Wanderers are letting in season ticket holders and club members free to tomorrow’s Johnson’s Paint Trophy match against Shrewsbury in an attempt to get a decent crowd. They are hoping they’ll cover their costs from profits in the bar and food stalls.

Sunday 5th October

Top of the league – Wycombe Wanderers best ever start to a league season continued yesterday with an impressive 3-1 win against Bournemouth, with goals from Matt Harrold, Chris Zebroski and Scott McGleish. The victory put the Blues two points clear at the top of League 2.

Friday 3rd October

Driving madness - A lorry driver who died in a smash on the M40 had been driving 230 times more than permitted in the previous 34 days, his inquest heard yesterday. On one day a week before the smash, German driver Michael Pokriefke had driven for 21 hours and 18 minutes in a single 24 hour period according to the lorry’s tachograph. He died when his lorry collided with a broken down lorry on the hard shoulder near Stokenchurch in February. Coroner Nicholas Gardiner said it was almost certain the 41 year old driver had fallen asleep at the wheel because he was in a state of extreme fatigue.

Hero dad – A brave Amersham father will be in line for a posthumous bravery award after he left his partner and two young children on a riverbank to dive into a river to save a teenager girl in difficulties. But Leonard Woodman, 37, was dragged under the water by the current from a nearby weir while the girl scrambled to safety. The tragedy happened in the River Colne near Denham in the summer. Mr Woodman acted with selfless courage, said coroner Richard Hulett. The inquest heard that safety equipment by the river had been removed because of constant vandalism.

Most expensive – More evidence yesterday that the Wycombe area is faring better than most in the economic downturn. The highest average price for houses in the country is in Windsor and Maidenhead after dramatic falls in prices in the previous highest, Greater London. The average price in the Royal Borough is £341,191 according to yesterday’s figures from the Land Registry.

Thursday 2nd October

Sister praised – An 18 year old woman probably saved her 16 year old brother’s life in a devastating fire which caused the death of their mother. The full drama of the blaze at the Hall’s home in Wayside Mews, Maidenhead early on Sunday was revealed by family and police yesterday. Even though the house was full of smoke Hannah Hall called the emergency services before jumping to safety from a bedroom window and breaking her back. “Her quick thinking saved valuable time and may well have saved her brother Ben’s life,” said police. He is still in intensive care in hospital in a stable condition while Hannah is also recovering in hospital. Their mother Debbie however was overcome by smoke before she could jump to safety and died in the house. Their father Martin is also recovering in hospital.

Tory revolt – Beaconsfield MP and Shadow Home Secretary Dominic Grieve faces a tricky constituency meeting when he returns from the Tory Party Conference today. Many local Tories are unhappy that the Conservatives have agreed to ban a third runway at Heathrow and that Mayor of London Boris Johnson wants to eventually close down Heathrow altogether and replace it with an airport in the Thames Estuary.

Best defence – Wycombe Wanderers manager Peter Taylor is one of two managers shortlisted for the League 2 Manager of the Month award today after giving the Blues the best start in their time in the league. Currently Wycombe have the best defensive record of any side in the top five English leagues.

Wednesday 1st October

New store – Primark opens its new department store in High Wycombe today, bringing a ray of light amid the economic gloom. The store has been one of the few to real growth in sales and profits nationally in the last three months and expects to do well in the former M&S store in the town centre. Indeed evidence continues to show that High Wycombe stores are thriving more than virtually anywhere else in the country, mainly because the new Eden Centre, opened in the spring, is attracting shoppers that formerly went elsewhere. However, local estate agents confirmed yesterday that September was one of the quietest trading months in memory with buyers either unable or unwilling to buy and sellers, by and large, refusing to drop asking prices significantly. “Something’s got to go pop sooner or later,” said one.

Pub ban – A 33 year old yob was banned from every pub in Buckinghamshire yesterday. Christian Clarke, from High Wycombe, admitted assaulting door staff at the town’s King George pub just ten days ago and then attacking police officers when they came to arrest him. He was also jailed for six months.

Danny’s buoyant – Wycombe’s Adams Park is guaranteed a sell out today when rugby’s golden boy Danny Cipriani is set to make a remarkable return for London Wasps against Bath, just four months and 13 days after he broke his ankle and dislocated it horribly. The 20 year old, who has been praised for his dedication in returning to full fitness six weeks early, is expected to be on the bench for the start of the game.

Tuesday 30th September

Bigamist sentenced – Chesham bigamist Cheal Sweetman was given a suspended jail sentence yesterday after a judge told him: “People like you threaten the building blocks of our society.” The court heard that the 39 year old had married Juliet Bond on New Year’s Eve four years ago even though his third marriage to Amanda Madden had not been dissolved. His fourth “wife” had only learned of his bigamy when she opened a letter from his third wife beginning divorce proceedings. Sweetman, of High Street, Chesham was ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid community work in addition to receiving the 11 week suspended sentence. He attended Aylesbury Crown Court with his new girlfriend.

Tory split – One of Buckinghamshire’s top Tories has been sacked by her own local party members in a bitter row which is threatening to split Beaconsfield Conservatives. Margaret Dewar, who is in charge of community services in the county, has been deselected as candidate for next year’s elections. A party member for 40 years, she told the Bucks Free Press yesterday: “This is not what you do with people who are so loyal.” She is being replaced by Adrian Busby, a “Cameronite” who is 20 years her junior. But the move has unsettled Mrs Dewar’s allies, one of whom said last night her demise “was as brutal as that dished out to Mrs Thatcher”.

Inquest opens – An inquest is due to open today on Debra Hall, a 47 year old office manager, who died in a blaze at her home in Wayside Mews, Maidenhead, in the early hours of Sunday morning. Her 16 year old son Ben, who jumped 15ft from a balcony onto a concrete drive to escape the fire, was improving in hospital where last night he was said to be in a stable condition. Mrs Hall’s husband Martin and 18 year old daughter are also recovering in hospital from smoke inhalation and shock. Police confirmed yesterday they were not treating the cause of the fire as suspicious, but fire brigade investigators are set to spend a second day at the home today to determine what happened.

Monday 29th September

Data theft - Personal details of 50,000 RAF staff were en route to High Wycombe when they were stolen, it was revealed last night. The information was on three computer hard drives taken from RAF Innsworth in Gloucestershire. They were bound for the Strike Command HQ at Naphill. The Ministry of Defence has set up a hotline for concerned RAF personnel.

Fire death – A 16 year old boy saved his own life by jumping from a bedroom window to escape a blaze in which his mother died yesterday. The blaze happened in the early hours in Wayside Mews, Maidenhead. His 47 year old mother could not bring herself to jump from the window despite pleas from neighbours. The boy is in a serious condition in hospital. His 18 year old sister and his father are in a stable condition.

City tragedy – A top City executive who jumped in front of a high speed train and died in Taplow on Thursday was named yesterday as Kirk Stephenson, 47, the chief operating officer of the private equity firm Olivant. Although he lived in London and the west country, Mr Stephenson, a father of one, knew this area well. He was a former group finance director at the pharmaceutical company, Amersham International. An inquest will held to discover how Mr Stephenson had been affected by the current financial crisis.

Sunday 28th September

Disputed goal – Wycombe Wanderers were unlucky not to come away with all three points at their top of the League Two table clash with Bury yesterday, when video evidence appeared to show that David McCracken’s header went over the Bury goal-line. But the referee ruled the ball didn’t cross the line and the teams had to be content with a point each at 0-0, a point manager Peter Taylor said he would be happy to take. The Blues have now gone eight games unbeaten.

Friday 26th September

Bike rage – Police are hunting a road rage motorcyclist who overtook a car in Amersham Road, Beaconsfield; jammed on his brakes; laid down his bike in front of the vehicle; opened the car driver’s door and punched the driver several times in the face. He then rode off without saying a word.

Rush hour chaos – Thousands of motorists were caught in a monster snarl-up in yesterday morning’s rush-hour after four separate accidents in two hours in and around the M4 brought everything to a halt. Maidenhead was gridlocked and at one stage traffic backed up five miles from the M4 to Marlow. Main line trains in the area were also disrupted yesterday after a man died after being hit by an express train at Taplow station in what was thought to be a suicide.

Hotel takeover – The National Trust yesterday took control of one of the area’s most prestigious hotels. The owners of the Hartwell House near Aylesbury – a Jacobean and Georgian Grade 1 listed house in 90 acres of garden – was gifted to the Trust by its owners. It will continue to run as a 50 bedroom hotel. Hartwell House was the home of the exiled King of France, Louis XVIII between 1809 and 1814.

Thursday 25th September

More rail links – Rail services from High Wycombe received a further boost yesterday when a consortium said it planned a direct link from Oxford to Cambridge via Aylesbury and Milton Keynes. Coupled with the previously announced Chiltern Railways plan to restore the Oxford to Wycombe line it will mean quick and direct services from Wycombe to Aylesbury and Milton Keynes. Plans are also being considered to link Wycombe with Maidenhead by rail, once the Crossrail project from Maidenhead to East London is complete. The town is also due to get a new railway station in the next few years.

Lucky 13? – Wycombe boxing hope Gareth “The Gladiator” Couch is to fight for the English super featherweight title in a bout next month. The 26 year old will take on Femi Fehintola. It will be his 13th fight as a professional.

Wednesday 24th September

Phones chaos – Thousands of phones and computers were disrupted throughout the Wycombe and Aylesbury area yesterday following a fault at the main Wycombe exchange. Engineers thought they had cracked the problem last night but the cost of business could run into thousands.

Soldier’s inquest – The inquest on Wycombe soldier Anthony Hernandez was opened and adjourned yesterday. The 29 year old, who was thought to live alone in the town, was found hanged at an army barracks in Pirbright, Surrey at the weekend just days after arriving at the centre for training. He was found a mile from Deepcut barracks where four recruits died amid allegations of bullying.

Olympians parade – Local Olympic stars Zac Purchase, Katherine Grainger, Sarah Winckles and Ian Rose will be among those travelling on an open top bus from Marlow to Wycombe tomorrow. They’ll be meeting the public and signing autographs in Marlow’s Higginson Park from 5pm and set off on the bus at 6pm, arriving at Adams Park an hour later. There, they will be the main guests at Wycombe’s annual sports award ceremony.

Monday 22nd September

End for Heathrow? – Boris Johnson’s idea to build a new airport in the Thames Estuary that will eventually replace Heathrow brought a mixed reaction last night. The Mayor of London and former Henley MP said yesterday that Heathrow should instead be developed as Britain’s silicon valley. The airport and its associated companies combine to employ more people in the Wycombe area than any other industry, although IT technology is now thought to be the second biggest industry in the region as well as the fastest growing.

Plans dropped – Virgin Healthcare this weekend dropped its plans to launch a private GP clinic in the High Wycombe area because of the economic downturn. The company says it will look again the idea later.

Property offers – Local estate agents and developers begin making special offer deals on property today in an attempt to get some movement into a stagnant housing market. New one bedroom flats in one part of Wycombe are being offered at £120,00 compared to £135,000 last week.

Sunday 21st September

Back on top – Ten man Wycombe Wanderers beat Dagenham and Redbridge 2-1 at Adams Park yesterday and are back sharing the top of League 2. Mike Williamson scored both goals in a dramatic tie, which included a missed penalty in the third minute of injury time from the visitors.

Saturday 20th September

Humour by-pass – Local police chiefs refrained from disciplining a sergeant for sending flippant emails about the terror search in woods near High Wycombe because of the strong support he had among rank and file coppers, it emerged last night. Sgt David Bald tried to recruit police volunteers for overnight digs in Kings Wood and Fennels Wood at the time of the terror search two years ago by saying that the overtime payments were good and that three nights in the woods could buy them a holiday in Florida – an action that Chief Constable Sara Thornton said last night has brought “discredit” to Thames Valley Police. However, Sgt Bald has only been “spoken to” about the inappropriateness of the messages after The Times revealed the emails in a po-faced report yesterday. One copper said last night: “The problem with some people in the press is that they’ve had a humour by-pass”.

What’s on – Wycombe Wanderers entertain Dagenham and Redbridge at Adams Park in League 2 today, while on the river at Cookham, the Thames Traditional Boat Society holds its annual parade with classic wooden boats.

Friday 19th September

Fingers crossed – Staff at Wycombe’s Lloyds TSB and HBOS were keeping their fingers crossed yesterday that the town is big enough to maintain both branches following the banks’ merger. But with the former Halifax Building Society office in the High Street now on the fringe compared to the location of the town’s other financial centres, there were plenty who felt it could be vulnerable to closure.

More hope – At the end of a turbulent week there was better news yesterday for staff at Capstone, the High Wycombe based subsidiary of the collapsed bank Lehman Brothers . A company that works with Capstone, Homeloan Management, said they would take on some of the Wycombe staff in the event of Capstone ceasing trading.

Jobless double – Meanwhile, analysis of yesterday’s jobless figures shows that the number of unemployed in the High Wycombe area has doubled in the last 12 months. However, with the figure at just over two per cent, it is still one of the lowest in the country and well below the national average.

Thursday 18th September

Edging to safety – It looked as though the jobs of 500 people working for Capstone, the Wycombe based subsidiary of the collapsed Lehman Brothers bank, could be saved after the administrators, PriceWaterhouseCoopers said yesterday it would be the first asset to be sold. The mortgage business is the only Lehman Brothers subsidiary in the world to be still operating. Mortgage expert KatieTucker said: “Capstone is a wholly-owned subsidiary and is an asset. It is strong and there is no reason why it cannot continue with another owner.”

Pinewood plans – Pinewood Studio’s plans to turn itself into an even bigger movie centre go on show to the public today. In a £200m scheme the studio wants to build a number of massive permanent street sets – some so big they’ll be seen from the M25. However the studio’s neighbours in Iver Heath and Fulmer are likely to fight the plans. They don’t want to see the 1,500 homes Pinewood wants to build in its woodland surroundings to help pay for the scheme.

Paralympic celebrations – Stoke Mandeville Hospital – which hosted the first international disability games 60 years ago today – held its own celebrations yesterday to coincide with the grand finale of the Paralympic Games in Beijing. Plans are in place to involve Stoke Mandeville in some way when the Paralympics come to London in four years.

Wednesday 17th September

Forgotten workers – Staff at the High Wycombe subsidiary of the collapsed Lehman Brothers bank were feeling fed up and forgotten last night. One said: “We have been told not to say anything, but frankly there’s nothing to say. We haven’t been told anything. I supposed we ought to be grateful because we are still working, but no-one has told us whether we are going to be paid.” Around 500 people work at the Capstone Mortgage Services building in Easton Street – and it’s thought several hundred others are contracted - but the administrators are said to think they can sell the business separately as a thriving enterprise.

Computers vetted – People convicted of downloading child porn are to have their internet activity filtered by the police in a pilot scheme being tested in the Buckinghamshire area. Special software has been developed by the charity Kidscape which enables police to check instantly what those convicted are viewing. If the scheme is a success it will be extended nationally, but some campaigners are said to be worried that the software could be abused, enabling police to snoop into general internet usage. Local police denied earlier this week they were snooping in schoolbooks in an attempt to find clues to catch graffiti scrawlers.

Narrow escape – A car thought to have been parked by a parent taking a child to school yesterday, rolled down a busy road in the morning rush hour before smashing into a brick wall, injuring a passer-by. Police were amazed there wasn’t a more serious accident as the Nissan gathered pace down Amersham Hill in High Wycombe, mounted the pavement and hit the wall, scattering bricks far and wide. A woman hit by a brick was taken to hospital with back injuries

Tuesday 16th September

Glimmer of hope – There was a glimmer of hope last night that 500 jobs in High Wycombe – hanging by a thread following yesterday’s Lehman Brothers banking collapse – may be saved. The UK administrators for the bank, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, indicated it will be the end of the week before they can make any announcement about Capstone Mortgage Services, the Lehman Brothers subsidiary in Easton Street. But they did say that a number of the UK subsidiaries of Lehman Brothers were financially sound. The news raised hopes – albeit slim ones – that a buyer may be found.

Anxious time – Several hundred other jobs in the Wycombe area are thought to be in the balance while decisions are made over Capstone. The company deals with a number of suppliers and contractors – many freelance or “one-man-bands” – who rely on work provided by the multi-million pound mortgage subsidiary.

New night club – Despite the current problems, developers are still confident that Wycombe and the surrounding area is a place to invest. Plans were announced yesterday to build a new night club with a 130 bed hotel attached in the town centre, near the Eden shopping development. Details are to be revealed later.

Monday 15th September

Circus return – Circuses are expected to return to High Wycombe after a 16 year gap if, as expected, councillors agree tonight to lift a ban on performing animals. Zippo’s Circus, which includes dog acts and pony parades, has asked the council to reconsider its blanket ban on circuses with animals because it wants to set up its big top on the Rye.

Sorry Rudolph – Animals however, are not going to be made welcome in Wycombe’s spanking new shopping centre the Eden. Ponies and reindeer are to be featured in this year’s Christmas parade in November as part of the big lights switch on, but at the end of the High Street the animals will follow the old route to the Christmas tree in Frogmoor while most of the rest of the parade, including a Scottish pipe and drum band, will divert through Eden. For some reason, retailers thought shoppers might be put off by any deposits the animals might leave on Eden’s shiny polished floor.


Cliveden boost – The National Trust said yesterday that visitor numbers to Cliveden, its magnificent property overlooking the Thames at Taplow, rose 15 per cent in August to 197,000 for the month. They put it down to more foreign tourists in the area because of the weak pound and the fact that the damp weather made the gardens look lush.

Sunday 14th September

Unbeaten record –Wycombe Wanderers maintained their impressive start to the season – and their unbeaten record – with a 0-0 draw against a lively Brentford side at Adams Park yesterday. After six games the Blues have only conceded one goal – evidence of how new boss Peter Taylor has tightened up the defence.

Scouting For Girls – Top indie group Scouting for Girls visit O’Neill’s pub in Wycombe town centre today where they headline the Tuborg Hometown Festival.

Saturday 13th September

Pervert guilty – A trichologist who groped patients and made sexual comments while massaging their scalps was found guilty of indecent and sexual assault yesterday. Praminder Mankoo, aged 47, had denied the assaults against female clients, which took place at his hair clinic in Thame. But a jury at Oxford found him guilty in four cases and cleared him in six others. He’ll be sentenced next month.

Jobs fear – Staff at the High Wycombe office of Lehman Brothers, the independent American bank, were fearing for their jobs yesterday after shares in the company plummeted 42 per cent amid talk of a takeover. The bank operates its mortgage subsidiary from its Easton Street offices.

Nostalgic return – Margaret Thatcher makes what many feel will be her last visit to Chequers today. The ailing former Prime Minister has been invited to lunch by Gordon Brown. Mrs Thatcher loved the PM’s country house retreat near Princes Risborough and oversaw its internal redecoration.

Friday 12th September

Chalfont soaking – Chalfont St Peter suffered one of the heaviest thunderstorms ever recorded in this country according to detailed statistics issued yesterday. A staggering 6.3cm (two and a half inches) of rain fell in just 1hour 50 minutes on one day last month.

Schoolbooks searched – Some teachers have described as unnecessarily intrusive action by police trying to catch graffiti artists in Wycombe. Police officers have taken to looking at schoolbooks hoping they will find a doodle that the same as a graffiti “tag” . Councillors say it’s worth it if it stops graffiti on buildings and public spaces, but some educationalists say it breaches children’s privacy in schools.

Wrong castle – Prince Harry’s must have whooped for joy when 12 barrels of lager turned up at the front door of Windsor Castle in time for England’s match in Croatia – but after some ringing round the embarrassed delivery driver realised he should have gone to the Windsor Castle pub in Maidenhead.

Thursday 11th September

Police row – Wycombe’s local police force wanted Scotland Yard to stop looking for potential terrorist explosives in local woodland because the search was proving too expensive, a top Metropolitan Police officer revealed yesterday. Former assistant commissioner Andy Hayman said bottles of explosive mixtures were found in Kings Wood three months after the search began. But Thames Valley Police, who were having to meet part of the enormous cost of the search, wanted it called off before then, he said. Mr Hayman said a national anti-terrorist force should be formed to prevent such rows in the future.

The discovery of the hydrogen peroxide led to two Wycombe men and six others being charged with terrorist linked offences, although charges that they had planned to use the explosive to blow up airliners were not fully accepted by a jury earlier this week. Yesterday the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed it would be seeking a retrial.

Uni honours – Author Terry Pritchard and sportsmen Sir Trevor Brooking and Lawrence Dallagio will receive honorary degrees from Bucks New University at a ceremony in Wycombe Swan today.

Wednesday 10th September

Wednesday 10 September

Legal battle – A complex legal battle surrounding the Wycombe terror trial seems likely after prosecution lawyers let it be known yesterday that they will be seeking a retrial. They are unhappy that the jury were unable to decide whether the eight accused men, including two from High Wycombe, were plotting to blow up airliners, as alleged, even though three were found guilty of conspiracy to murder. However defence lawyers, supported by friends of the Wycombe accused, argue that the prosecution can’t have a retrial because it didn’t like the result. Prosecutors feel however that the jury – who took an extremely long time to reach any decision – did not fully grasp the case. A decision on a retrial has to be made before the end of the month.

Silver theft – Thousands of pounds worth of rare Georgian silver has been stolen from a house in the appropriately named Moneyrow Lane near Maidenhead.

Trunk road – Police described as “ barmy” motorists who drove under the trunk of a tree that collapsed across a road. The upper branches of the tree ensured that the top end of the main trunk of the alder was around seven foot off the ground when it crashed across Hammersley Lane in High Wycombe during a heavy rain storm. But rather than be held up or divert, some motorists decided to risk driving under the tree...until they were stopped by arriving police.

Tuesday 9th September

Under surveillance - High Wycombe was at the centre of MI5’s biggest ever surveillance operation it emerged last night after Wycombe man Assad Ali Sarwar was found guilty of conspiracy to murder. Sarwar, 28, from Walton Drive, Totteridge was the “quartermaster” for a group of would- be terrorists. But the former Asda shelf-stacker was watched every step of the way by security officers as he bought chemicals to make explosives from local chemists, buried explosives in local woods and got rid of empty chemical bottles in recycling bins outside local supermarkets. The surveillance operation involved hundreds of officers over several weeks and the cost millions. Sarwar and two others were found guilty of conspiracy to murder.

Retrial wait – Meanwhile another Wycombe accused, Umar Islam, will have to wait some weeks before hearing whether he will be retried. The former postman, aged 30, denied conspiracy to murder and the jury failed to reach a verdict on him and three others. He has admitted a much lesser offence of causing a public nuisance. Islam, formerly named Brian Young, made a “suicide” video but said in his defence he never intended to kill anyone. An eighth defendant was cleared of all charges.

Promoting moderation – A Government and council backed campaign to promote the moderate nature of the Islamic faith will now get under full swing in High Wycombe in an attempt to ensure that race relations in the town are not damaged. Sarwar and Islam were said to have met at the Wycombe Islamic Centre and were said to have obtained extremist literature at a local Muslim bookshop. Wycombe MP Paul Goodman said last night that Sarwar’s extremist views in no way represented the moderate views held by the overwhelming majority of Muslims in the area.

Monday 8th September

Air park battle – Private pilots and gliding groups are set to battle to stop being evicted from Booker Air Park to make way for a new stadium for Wycombe Wanderers and London Wasps. Top councillors have told the football and rugby clubs that they’ll do all they can to enable them to build a joint stadium after Wasps officials said they wanted to leave Wycombe and move back to a central London location. But the expanding private plane and glider lobby say they’ll fight to stay at Booker because other private airfields in the area couldn’t cope if Booker was lost.

Blairs move in – Tony Blair and his family held a housewarming party at their new Chilterns home at the weekend. They’ve moved into actor Sir John Geilgud’s former manor house at Wooten Underwood and top politicians and their partners joined them at the party. Missing however was prime minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah, even though they were just a few miles away at Chequers.

Heads down – Wycombe Wanderers manager Peter Taylor won’t bend over backwards to congratulate his players when they resume training tomorrow as League Two’s table-toppers. Instead Taylor, who has given the Blues their best-ever start to a Football League campaign, will tell his players to beware of complacency.

Sunday 7th September

Top of the league - Wycombe Wanderers fine start to the season continued yesterday as they put in another solid display to win away 1-0 to Rochdale. The victory means that after five games the Blues have 13 out of 15 available points, remain unbeaten and have only conceded one goal. Wanderers now find themselves top of League 2 for the first time in nearly 3 years but will be aware it is still very early days.

Champions - If the football team need any inspiration to continue their winning form, then they need look no further than across the town to the cricket team, who were crowned Home Counties Champions yesterday. The Warriors had to settle for a draw in the last match of the season with Welleyn Garden City in a rain interrupted match. However it proved to be enough as a combination of other results and bad weather gave the title to Wycombe.

Saturday 6th September

Celebrations on hold - The rain looks set to scupper Wycombe Warriors chance to become the best cricket team in the Home Counties today. The club are top of division one in the Home Counties Premier League but need a win at Welwyn in the last game of the season to secure the title. Nearly an inch of rain – 20mm – fell over the area last night causing flooding and parts of the Thames were put on flood watch. More heavy rain showers are predicted today.

Lost boy – A 13 year old Afghan boy found wandering by a main road starving, thirsty and “stinking of oil” is thought to have arrived in this country clinging to the underside of a juggernaut. The boy, called Mokhtar, was discovered on the A404 near Marlow by a telephone engineer repairing a junction box. He was in the care of social services last night.

Headline Hedsor – The superb Georgian mansion Hedsor House, overlooking the Thames near Taplow, is fast becoming the last in-venue for the super-rich. Yesterday staff were mopping up after the sumptuous 33rd birthday party of record producer Mark Ronson finished as dawn was breaking. However the famous guest list did not include two of the producer’s biggest stars, Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen, both of whom are reported to be leaving his stable after bust-ups. The house is popular with celebs wanting to celebrate privately because it’s virtually impossible for photographers to get anywhere near.

Friday 5th September

Rugby tragedy – A promising young rugby player who died on the pitch during a game for High Wycombe Rugby Club in April died from natural causes, his inquest decided. Aaron Chesney, aged 17, may have had undiagnosed epilepsy, the inquest heard.

Sales stall – Local estate agents agreed with national figures yesterday that houses are staying on the market longer before being sold. It’s estimated that the number of homes on the market for more than three months has doubled in the past year.

Tight lipped – Wycombe Wanderers are remaining tight lipped over London Wasps statement this week that they see their future back in central London, clearly undermining plans to build a new joint stadium in Wycombe. Most Wasps fans discussing the prospect on the club’s website don’t appear to care whether they stay in Wycombe or not.

Thursday 4th September

Lollipop shortage – More than a quarter of schools in Buckinghamshire began a new term yesterday without a school crossing patrol warden in place. The council are to launch a recruitment drive.

Free meals – Children starting school in Windsor and Maidenhead today are being offered free school dinners for a week in the hope that once they have sampled them they’ll want to carry on.

Wednesday 3rd September

Wasps move – Rugby club London Wasps has said it wants to move closer to London to maximise its commercial potential. Chief executive Tony Copsey told journalists :“Our future will not be secure if we do not find a new stadium.” Some see the comment as an attempt to bounce Wycombe Council into accepting a joint plan by Wasps and Wycombe Wanderers for a new stadium at Booker near High Wycombe, but Copsey’s additional comment “our long-term vision is to play at our own stadium, and we'd like it to be in the capital," has left many wondering if Wasps’ heart really is in the Wycombe area.

More teachers – Bucks County Council is to begin a recruitment drive today – the first day back at school for most pupils - to attract more male teachers into its schools. It follows a report that one in 12 boys in the area go through their entire school career without being taught by a man, and some from one parent families never experience a male role figure.

Fern son attacked – TV star Fern Britton, who lives in Great Kingshill near Wycombe, has revealed that one of her 13 year old twin sons was mugged in an attack which left him badly shaken. The attack is not thought to be linked to another in Gerrards Cross in which a boy of the same age was also robbed of his money and possessions by two youths.

Tuesday 2nd September

Parent’s nightmare – The parents of a man murdered in their home by a mentally deranged killer said yesterday they had not been able to step foot in the house since the tragedy a year ago. Ernest and Barbara Quelch, of Littlewick Green were speaking after paranoid schizophrenic Benjamin Frankrum was found guilty of Richard Quelch’s murder and detained indeterminately at Broadmoor. They said the case have effectively rendered them homeless because they could not bear to return to the scene where Richard was stabbed 82 times as he slept with his two year old son.

New striker – Wycombe Wanderers manager Peter Taylor secured a new 6ft 1in striker from Southend United with just three hours to spare before football’s transfer deadline last night. The club has paid “a five figure” sum for 24 year old Matt Harrold.

M25 widening – Councillors will be told tonight that work on widening the M25 to four lanes on the section between the M40 (junction 16) and the Rickmansworth turn-off (junction 18) will begin next spring and be finished before the London Olympics. There’ll be a 50mph speed limit throughout the works.

Monday 1st September

Eden success – New figures show that Wycombe’s new shopping centre, the Eden, has been a resounding success despite the credit crunch. Around 350,000 people a week have been visiting the centre in its first three months, more than anyone expected. And what’s really pleasing the council and environmentalists is that more and more people are using public transport to get there – the number of passengers on buses to the town centre has gone up by more than 10 per cent in the same period.

Memorial tilting – Emergency work is to be taken to stop High Wycombe’s war memorial from falling over. The memorial, in the grounds of the parish church, All Saints, has taken on a distinct tilt and a scheme to underpin and straighten it is to start soon.

Late deal – Wycombe Wanderers boss Peter Taylor is hopeful of pulling off a last minute deal to secure a new striker before the football transfer deadline closes later today.

Sunday 31st August

Sunday 31 August

Another win – Wycombe Wanderers share 10 points with three other clubs at the top of League Two today after a 1-0 win at Chesterfield, thanks to a Mike Williamson goal. Despite the best efforts of former Chairboy Darren Currie, now a Chesterfield regular, the Blues held their nerve and temper and are looking good for the season ahead.

Saturday 30th August

Thumbs up – London Wasps fans last night gave their approval to plan to create a joint Wasps/Wycombe Wanderers new stadium on the site of Booker Air Park. They were speaking at a fans forum before the team’s first match at Wycombe’s Adams Park of the new season – a friendly against Llanelli.

Friday 29th August

Lean machine – There was good health news for Buckinghamshire yesterday when results from GP surgeries revealed that the area has one of the lowest numbers of obese people in the country. Just six in 100 people are medically obese according to the figure - still too high according to medics, but better than elsewhere. It’s thought the relative affluence of the area means people have more time for exercise and more money for a good diet.

Jury split – The jury involved in the Wycombe terror trial were told by a judge yesterday they could return a majority verdict after it became apparent after nearly three weeks in the jury room they could not be unanimous. Eight men – including two with High Wycombe connections – deny terror charges which centre around alleged activity in the town.

Sent wheeling – When Steve Hill decided to move his family to a new life in France he didn’t fancy lugging crates and packing cases. So he packed all the family’s belongings from their High Wycombe home into 46 green wheelie bins instead. It certainly pleased the removal company, who were able to complete the removal in under two hours, far less than it would normally take them.

Thursday 28th August

Paramedics shortage - Some ambulances are being sent out on emergencies without paramedics on board, the local ambulance service admitted yesterday. South Central Ambulance has launched an urgent recruitment drive to make up for a shortage of trained personnel. The service denied lives were being put at risk, insisting that paramedics are being made available even if they are not in ambulances, but unions and the Patients Association said risks to patients were increased.

Court nightmare – Odd job man Gary Lewis, 38, wept uncontrollably in the dock yesterday as a jury at Reading Crown Court cleared him of any involvement with his boss, Grant Wilkinson, who faces jail today after being found guilty of being one of the country’s biggest gunrunners. Mr Lewis, from Bourne End, had an emotional reunion with his mother outside the court who said “we prayed and prayed and prayed for this.” The court heard that Wilkinson, 34, of High Wycombe converted replica sub-machine guns into lethal weapons that were used in a number of major crimes. He buried them in a field at Wooburn Green until they were needed. Last night police announced a £10,000 reward for information that will enable them to retrieve some of the guns still unaccounted for.

Violent stabbing - Father of three Daniel Quelch, 34 was stabbed 82 times as he lay sleeping with his two year old son at his parents home in Littlewick Green, a court heard yesterday. Paranoid schizophrenic Benjamin Frankum, 26, whose address was given as Broadmoor Hospital, broke into the house a year ago. He is charged with murder but the court was told was deemed unfit to plead..

Wednesday 27th August

Holiday tragedy – An eleven year old boy has died at a water sports activity centre in Marlow after apparently suffering an asthma attack. Helpers tried in vain to help Joe Cronin after his inhaler failed to help him. Young Joe had been enjoying a water sports day at Longridge Activity Centre with friends. An inquest will be held.

Polyclinic delay – Wycombe area health bosses have asked for more time to provide all-in-one polyclinics in the area because they say they can’t make the Government’s deadline of the end of the year. South Bucks Primary Care Trust only recently decided to go along with the polyclinic idea after spending most of the year deciding whether to launch a legal appeal against them. Now they say it will be next year before they can be set up because they need to undergo public consultation.

Cinema fight – Wycombe’s new cinema complex Cineworld is set to go digital as the battle with the out of town cinema complex, Empire, hots up. Empire has been keeping its audiences against the new town centre complex because it can offer free parking and can offer digital presentation. Now Cineworld says it is not only planning digital presentations but more 3D screenings as well. Both cinemas have done better than expected this summer thanks to blockbusters like Mama Mia and the latest Batman movie.

Tuesday 26th August

Still flush – People in Buckinghamshire have more spare cash than anywhere else in the country according to new figures today. Price comparison site Uswitch say people in Bucks spend 35 per cent of their income on basic bills like energy and food. Throughout the country people are spending 72 per cent of their income on bills. The figures help explain why local shops are holding up as the national economy dives and house prices are not falling as they are in other areas,

Blazing boat – Police are investigating how a boat came to be drifting down the River Thames while it was engulfed in flames. Firefighters watched helplessly on the riverbank as the fire-ravaged 12ft pleasure craft floated dangerously near Cookham Bridge in the early hours yesterday. It seems the boat had drifted from its mooring nearby. Firemen in a fireboat called from Reading eventually put out the blaze. No one was injured.

Festival successes- Hundreds of angry fans threw bottles and shoes at a stage at Reading Festival because they had heard top American band Foo Fighters were due to play, but instead got an obscure punk bank called the FF’ers. But despite the “misunderstanding”, the 200 odd arrests for mainly drug and theft offences and a dozen cars being set alight by yobs, the Festival was a great success according to those returning last night. Elsewhere the small Oxfordshire village of Towersey was overwhelmed yesterday when 10,000 plus people turned up for its annual folk festival.

Monday 25th August

Welcome home– Most of the Wycombe area's successful athletes return from the Beijing Olympics today, but celebrations at their local rowing and athletics clubs have been put on hold why they recover from the flight. Yesterday two silver medallists Katherine Grainger and Sarah Winckless sent a message thanking people in Wycombe and Marlow for their support. It was read out at ceremony in Wycombe where a Handover flag was raised to signify the handing over of the Games from Beijing to London. It was one of 500 similar ceremonies across the country.

Catch up – Local farmers are foresaking their bank holiday day off today to catch up on harvesting. A rare rainless day means they have to make hay while the sun shines, and most have fallen behind with this year’s harvest because of the sodden ground.

New striker – A promising striker who was enticed from Wycombe Wanderers school of excellence five years ago by Reading FC, returns to the club today on a month’s loan. Simon Church, 19, gives manager Peter Taylor some breathing space while he looks for a new permanent goalscorer.

Sunday 24th August

Top comic – Aylesbury marketing manager Ed Aczel is set for the big time after scooping a top prize at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe yesterday. The 40 year old, who only took up stand up comedy three years ago, won the coveted prize for the stand-up act with most comedy originality. He has already been building up a big following on the stand-up circuit.

Looking good – Peter Taylor’s new look Wycombe Wanderers side is shaping up nicely, maintaining its unbeaten start to the season with a 1-0 win against Lincoln City at Adams Park yesterday. It should have been more, but a cracking debut goal from Craig Woodman was enough to bag all three points.

Saturday 23rd August

Cricketers strike – A village cricket team will refuse to turn up for its match today in protest at punishments it received after a previous match was abandoned because of a bad tempered brawl. Chalfont St Peter players will forfeit their game against Windsor in the Thames Valley League and run the risk of further punishment from league officials who docked them 50 points and banned two players. The league, who accused the Chalfont side and their opponents, British Airways, of the worst behaviour they had had ever experienced, also dished out the same punishment to the airline’s players.

Petrol thefts – Police in the Wycombe area yesterday began giving away security screws to motorists in an attempt to stop a spate of number plate thefts. Eight vehicles have had their number plates stolen this week. The thieves screw the plates onto their own vehicles, fill up with petrol at local garages and then drive off without paying, knowing that CCTV cameras only pick up the numbers on the stolen plates.

What’s on - Wycombe Wanderers entertain Lincoln City at Adams Park this afternoon in their League Two clash.

Friday 22nd August

New rail link – Chiltern Railways announced plans yesterday to reintroduce a direct rail link between Wycombe and Oxford after a 44 year gap. They plan to build a new track from Bicester to Oxford. The direct link was cut in 1964 when it was deemed uneconomic, but with more people in the Wycombe area now working in Oxford, the new link makes sense.

Long wait – The jury in the Wycombe terror trial begin their tenth day of deliberations today, amid growing speculation that they may be split on some of the issues. It’s thought the judge may recall them today to see how they are getting on. Seven men, including two from High Wycombe, deny conspiracy to murder and linked charges accusing them of being terrorists.

Brain boxes – Eight year old Aran Mohan became the youngest person in the country to have a GCSE in Information and Communication Technology when he got his results yesterday. Aran, from Gerrards Cross, says he wants to be “a scientist like Albert Einstein” when he grows up. Meanwhile 16 year old Wycombe twins Robbie and Alex Kittler got 10 A grades each when they went to pick up their results at the Royal Grammar School.

Thursday 21st August

Shop success – Credit crunch or not, Wycombe’s new department store, House of Fraser, has done far better in its first three months than anyone expected. The group said yesterday that sales in the Wycombe store – a cornerstone of the Eden Shopping Centre – were 15 per cent higher than they predicted.

Pilot killed – A Wycombe based pilot was one of five killed when a light aircraft collided with a microlite near Coventry earlier this week, it was revealed yesterday. Ariel surveyor Jim Beagley, aged 34, was a passenger in the aircraft.

Wednesday 20th August

Road pricing – Local motorists are to be given a chance to take part in road pricing trials in a couple of years. The Buckinghamshire area is being earmarked by the Government to test out a scheme where a satellite box is attached to cars and motorists pay by the mile instead of paying road tax. But human rights groups are opposed to the Big Brother technology saying it will enable the Government to track your every move.

House price surprise – House prices have bucked the trend in the Maidenhead area and risen in price by a staggering 14 per cent during the last three months, according to latest figures. Experts put it down to the town being at one end of the now approved Crossrail scheme which, in a few years, will put the rural town less than an hour away from the City. Prices in the neighbouring Wycombe area are still eight per cent higher than this time last year, but the number of houses being sold are few and far between.

Strikers go – Wycombe Wanderers strikers John Sutton and Leon Knight left the club yesterday – Sutton going to Motherwell on a freebie, and Knight, who cost club £50,000 from Milton Keynes Dons just eight months ago, being released by mutual consent. Knight was thought to have clashed with new manager Peter Taylor, who has hardly disguised his concerns about the players’ commitment. The arrangement will save the club money as both were on wage deals at the top end of the Blues scale

Tuesday 19th August

Rowers celebrated – Local councils and rowing clubs are to meet with the area’s victorious Olympic rowers as they return from Beijing in the next few days to decide how best to celebrate their achievements. Victory parades through Marlow and Henley are on the cards.

Wycombe rape – Police launched a rape inquiry yesterday after a 22 year old woman was attacked in the centre of High Wycombe in the early hours. The woman was in Frogmoor when she was attacked a week last Sunday. As yet police have no description of the attacker and have declined to say why more than a week has passed before an appeal for witnesses.

Sutton exit – Wycombe Wanderers boss Peter Taylor admitted yesterday he is likely to offload striker John Sutton – brother of former England player Chris Sutton – after interest has been shown in the 24 year old from Scottish clubs.

Monday 18th August

Celebrations - There were celebrations at Marlow Rowing club and in High Wycombe yesterday as rowing club member Zac Johnson and Wycombe resident Mark Hunter won Olympic gold in the lightweight double sculls in Beijing. The pair who have been unbeaten all year, won again when it counted as they added to Britain’s impressive medal haul. Hunter, 30 now plans to take a year off before deciding on his future plans while Johnson, 22 is planning on repeating the feat in four years time at nearby Dorney Lake where the rowing will be held as part of the 2012 London Olympics.

There was also glory yesterday for former Marlow Rowing Club member, now turned cyclist Rebecca Romero, who won the Women’s individual pursuit against fellow Britain Wendy Houvenaghel.

Commiserations – Elsewhere there was less fortune for Romero’s former rowing crew, including Marlow’s Katherine Grainger. The Women’s Quads crew, the current world champions, were highly favoured to claim gold but were beaten by a Chinese crew buoyed by the home crowd. However Grainger and her crew still have a silver medal to show for their efforts. Elsewhere there was disappointment for Amersham’s world silver medallist athlete Nicola Saunders who failed to make the 400m final after she could only finish 4th in her semi-final. However there is still a chance for Saunders to salvage something from her injury plagued year when she goes in the 4x400m relay later in the week.

What’s on – Daisy Pulls It Off, described as a parody of English boarding school, opens for a week’s run at Windsor Theatre Royal tonight

Sunday 17th August

First win - Wycombe Wanderers recorded their first competitive victory in the Peter Taylor era yesterday with victory over Chester in league 2. The goalscorers were John Moshinho and Scott McGleish either side of half time.

Olympic hopes - After a great day for Great Britain in the Olympics yesterday and another one on the cards today, Marlow will be looking for their share of the glory as three members of Marlow Rowing club all go for gold in their respective events. The crews of both Katherine Grainger and Zac Purchase go into their finals as gold medal favourites in the women’s quad skulls and men's lightweight skulls respectively. In the latter Zac Purchase is partnered by Mark Hunter who lives in High Wycombe. Meanwhile Sarah Winckless will be looking to sneak a medal in the women’s eight. Meanwhile former member Rebecca Romero, a silver medallist from four years ago before becoming a professional cyclist is guaranteed either a silver or gold when she goes in the final of the women's 3000m pursuit against fellow Britain Wendy Houvenaghel. Elsewhere Amersham's Nicola Saunders safely made it through to the semi finals of the athletics 400m after comfortably getting through her heat.

What’s on – A look at how life was at the time of the First World War is featured at the Chilterns Open Air Museum in Chalfont today.

Saturday 16th August

Best restaurant – The Good Food Guide yesterday named Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck at Bray the best restaurant in Britain, and gave it a rare ten out of ten mark. Now its average four month waiting list for a table is likely to bet even longer.

What’s on – It’s Hurley Regatta Day with races on the river and fun and games on the banks.

Friday 15th August

Second robbery – Police are investigating whether two violent robberies in 24 hours are linked. Thieves used a sledgehammer to smash a window at Nationwide in Beaconsfield yesterday and escape with cash. The raid came just a day after a security guard was attacked at HSBC in nearby Chalfont St Peter by two men, who made off with a large amount of cash.

Thursday 14th August

Uni TV – Wycombe based Bucks New Uni yesterday became the first university in the country to introduce its own tv channel. Bucks TV, a web based channel, was designed and devised by students and will give 5,000 student and staff uni news, entertainment and research information.

Hotel plan - Plans to build a new luxury hotel by the Thames at Maidenhead are revealed in today’s local paper. Developers want to build on the site of Skindles, the famous dirty-weekend hotel of the rich and famous in the middle of the last century. The hotel has been boarded up for some years.

Work to do – Wycombe Wanderers fans and new manager Peter Taylor realised last night there’s still much to do if the Blues are to be promotion contenders this season. The young team were stuffed 0-4 by Birmingham City in the first round of the Carling Cup at Adams Park.

Wednesday 13th August

Hospital slip – A computer glitch meant that some patients may have had the hospital bug MRSA 17 days before being detected, a report has revealed. The Bucks Hospitals Trust – which covers Wycombe, Amersham and Stoke Mandeville Hospitals – was told a new computer system last year failed to work properly, thereby failing to alert staff to isolate potentially infectious patients. Medical notes were only brought up to date by staff filling in forms manually.

Guns buried – Guns used in murders by drugs gangs were buried in a field near High Wycombe, a court heard yesterday. Grant Wilkinson, 34, from High Wycombe and Gary Lewis, 38, from Bourne End deny possessing and supplying firearms. But police told Reading Crown Court yesterday that they buried guns and ammunition in a field in Juniper Lane, Wooburn Green and in nearby Hertfordshire. They said the guns were used in a number of gangland murders in London in 2005 and 2006.

What’s on – Wycombe Wanderers captain Steve McCracken should be fit to play for the Blues tonight when they entertain Birmingham City at Adams Park in the first round of the Carling Cup. The captain unable to play in Saturday’s first game of the season through injury. The game kicks off at 7.45.

Tuesday 12th August

Foodie’s delight – The Marlow area is about to take the title of Britain’s top provincial eating place according to in-the-know gourmets following a decision by top notch eatery Aubergine – where Gordon Ramsay launched his career – to open a restaurant in the town. There are already a number of highly rated restaurants in Marlow, while a few miles away in Bray, Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck and Michael Roux’s Waterside Inn are two of Britain’s very top eating venues. Food critics say Marlow is already on the map of places to visit by touring foodies: now it will become a must.

Incinerator appeal – Waste company Veolia are refusing to confirm reports that they may issue a legal appeal against a council’s decision not to allow them to bid to build an incinerator at Gerrard’s Cross. Bucks County Council ruled them of their thinking to build an incinerator last week but gave no reason for the decision. Now, lawyers for the company are said to be working on evidence to lodge a judicial review.

What’s on – Roald Dahl’s George’s Marvellous Medicine takes to the stage tonight when it begins a five night run at Windsor’s Theatre Royal.

Monday 11th August

Gold celebrations – Wycombe Cycling Club members had special reason to celebrate Britain’s first gold at the Olympics yesterday – 110km women’s road race medallist Nicole Cooke is coached by the club president Gordon Wright. Nicole gave him her special thanks after her victory. Elsewhere in Beijing, Marlow rower Zac Purchase and his partner Mark Hunter were the fastest qualifiers in the men’s lightweight doubles semi-final, while another Marlow rower, Katherine Grainger is also in an Olympic final. Her quadruple scull will be in contention next Sunday after an impressive qualification.

Post delays – Delays in local post deliveries are caused because postmen and women are having to start an hour later – at 6am and not 5am – they say. It’s thought the move has been brought in as a cost saving measure.

What’s on – Jimmy Carr, the former Wycombe grammar school boy who gave up a promising job with Shell to risk it all on stage and develop into who many people believe is the finest stand-up comic in the country, appears at Hayes Beck Theatre tonight.

Sunday 10th August
Score draw – Considering that half the team have only got to know each other in the past few weeks – and that injuries also hit the side – Wycombe Wanderers did ok drawing 1-1 against Morcambe in their League 2 fixture at Adams Park yesterday. Goalscorer Lewwis Spence – the only man in football to spell Lewis with two w’s - was also named man of the match.

What’s on – It poured with rain all day yesterday, but we are promised dry weather today, thus providing a chance to see shiny classic vehicles at a big display at Chiltern Open Air Museum.

Saturday 9th August

Redgrave snub – Villagers wanting to pay tribute to Britain’s greatest Olympian, Sir Steve Redgrave, have been snubbed in a row over the Olympic copyright, according to yesterday’s local paper. Residents in Little Marlow, where the rower has lived all his life, clubbed together and commissioned a statue of Sir Steve to be placed in the centre of the village. But because the design incorporates the famous Olympic symbol of five rings – the most fiercely protected logo in the world – the British Olympic Association refused to allow it to be constructed, said the paper.

What’s on – Wycombe Wanderers, with a new manager – Peter Taylor – and seven new players, get their season underway at Adams Park today with a visit by League Two seasiders Morecambe.

Friday 8th August

Housing offer – In an attempt to boost Wycombe’s stalling housing market, builders Wimpey said yesterday they’ll guarantee mortgage rates of just 4.9 per cent on new flats they are building in the town centre. The rate will be fixed for three years and the cheapest flats have had their prices revised downwards – now starting at £170,000.

Olympics honour – Around a dozen athletes from the Wycombe and south Bucks area will be taking part in the opening ceremony when the Olympic Games get underway in Beijing today.

What’s on – There’s a family fun day at Wycombe’s Hughenden Manor National Trust home and gardens today

Thursday 7th August

Over the top – A leading Muslim has hit out at a £400,000 scheme to combat extremism in High Wycombe as way over the top. Wycombe Islamic Society spokesman Zahid Jawed said highlighting Wycombe implies there is a widespread problem of extremism in the town “when in fact very few people have ever been involved in such things.” With the Government money, Wycombe Council and other groups aim to promote moderate Islamic teachings among young people.

Bowled over – High Wycombe’s Isa Guhu established herself as the best performing women’s cricketer in the country yesterday taking two for 18 off just seven overs for England against South Africa. It followed her five for 14 against West Indies in a women’s international last week.

What’s on – They have been rehearsing intensively since the start of the school holidays, and tonight hundreds of youngsters involved in the Wycombe Swan Youth Project enjoy the opening night of My Fair Lady. It runs at the theatre until Saturday.

Wednesday 6th August

Right to Stand– Wycombe Wanderers supporter Peter Jones is leading a campaign to make the return of standing terraces to all of England’s football grounds part of official Liberal Democrat Party policy. The Chiltern councillor yesterday had his motion accepted for debate at the party’s conference next month. Wycombe Wanderers supports the return of safe standing at football grounds and says that even if it moves to a new stadium an area will be kept for supporters who prefer to stand.

Burnt out – In a dramatic move, Bucks County Council yesterday unexpectedly dropped all plans to consider a site near Gerrards Cross for an incinerator to burn waste. Instead they said it would be built at one of two sites – one near Aylesbury and the other further north. The move was welcomed by campaigners who have been fighting for a year to stop the plan. No reason was given for the sudden change of heart, but locals think it followed talks between Tory leaders of the council and local MP Dominic Grieve, the shadow home secretary.

What’s on – Chance to ride behind a steam engine today as Buckinghamshire Railway Centre holds one of its Steaming Days at its Quainton site near Aylesbury

Tuesday 5th August

Jury’s holiday – The jury in the Wycombe terror trial were sent on a fortnight’s holiday yesterday. They have been deliberating at Woolwich Crown Court for nearly two weeks deciding whether seven men, including two with High Wycombe connections, are guilty of conspiracy to murder. Observers believe they are having difficulty reaching a unanimous decision. They will return on August 18.

Service station – Details of the companies at one of Britain’s biggest motorway service stations – the 50 acre site at Burtley Wood, off the M40’s junction 2 at Beaconsfield – were announced yesterday. In addition to the usual McDonalds, Pizza Hut, KFC, Starbucks and WH Smith there will also be an Accor hotel and a Travelodge. Biggest surprise was that supermarket group Somerfields beat M&S as the supermarket supplier. The site is run by Extra, which is also developing an even bigger service station off the M25 in Cobham, Surrey. But motorists were warned last night that they’ll have to watch petrol prices – at an Extra station in Derbyshire yesterday Shell petrol was on sale at 120.9p a litre, whereas local Shell stations here were selling at 112.9p.

What’s on – Prunella Scales, Angela Lonsdale and Natalie Cassidy take a break from TV comedy and soaps to star in Gertrude’s Secret – described as 10 darkly funny stories – which open’s at Oxford’s Playhouse tonight for a short run.

Monday 4th August

Case collapses – Three men from Chesham who were due to stand trial today accused of killing 29 swans have had the case against them dropped at the last minute because the police lost a vital piece of evidence. A major plank of the prosecution case was that bullets extracted from the swans had been shot from one of the defendents’ guns. But the bullets were lost at a police station in Bedfordshire. Stephen Barrett, 38, Marcus Walker, 51 and Darren Walker, 47, all from Chesham denied killing the swans at a lake in Radwell.

Chase death – An independent investigation is underway after a motorist died in a police chase at the weekend. The 23 year old man was being pursued by police on the Maidenhead to Windsor road late on Saturday night when he collided with two other vehicles and died in the smash. A woman passenger is in a serious condition in hospital. The Independent Police Complaints Commission are holding an investigation.

What’s on – Frazier Hines and Guy Shiner – former stars of Emmerdale and Ello Ello – star in the farce See How They Run, which begins a week’s performances at Windsor Theatre Royal tonight.

Sunday 3rd August

Manager’s return – Former Wycombe Wanderers manager John Gorman, whose sudden departure from the club shortly after the death of his wife Myra left a bitter taste among many fans, has shown he has no hard feelings. He is launching his autobiography next month by hosting a special event at the club. “So many fans wished supported me at the time and I never got chance to thank them face to face,” he told Wanderers’ website.

What’s on - Jools Holland, Jazz Orient, Nikita and the Magic of Motown are at a big open air concert in Slough’s Upton Park today. It begins at 1pm and finishes at 9pm. Tickets are £12.

Saturday 2nd August

Househunting – Model Sophie Dahl and jazz singer boyfriend Jamie Cullum are looking for a house near Great Missenden, where Sophie’s granddad, children’s writer Roald Dahl, lived for many years. The Roald Dahl museum is also situated in the village.

What’s on – The gardens in Cliveden host a Sixties party night tonight, with veteran rockers The Searchers and a Queen tribute band topping the bill

Friday 1st August

River power – Plans for a hydro electricity power plant by the banks of the Thames at Marlow are being drawn up. Software company SAS, which has offices by the banks of the river in the town, has commissioned a feasibility study. They think the plant could supply all their electricity and save thousands in the long run. However planners and river authorities that it could set a precedent for the whole of the riverside.

Shooting probe – A 45 year old man arrested yesterday on suspicion of attempted murder will continue to be questioned by police today. His 48 year old victim was shot in the stomach on Wednesday evening and discovered in Everest Close, Totteridge, High Wycombe. Police said the attacker and the victim – neither of whom has been named – knew each other. The shot man is recovering in hospital.

Thursday 31st July

Taking time – The jury in the Wycombe terror trial begin a fourth day of deliberations today, with indications that there are disagreements in the jury room. Jury members reconvened in the courtroom yesterday to look again at videos made by some of the eight defendants, including two High Wycombe men, which the prosecution allege were suicide bomber videos. Before they adjourned on Monday the jury were told by prosecution lawyers that the men, who deny conspiracy to murder, were a “ruthless gang”, whereas the defence described them as “a group of misguided lads”.

Backing off – Buckinghamshire’s primary care trust yesterday backed off a confrontation with the Government over the Health Secretary Alan Johnson's scheme to introduce polyclinics throughout the country. Bucks medics had indicated they may challenge the Government and press ahead with their own plans for out of hours services at existing GP surgeries and look at an “urgent care service.” But after behind the scenes pressure the PCT decided to go along with the polyclinic idea.

What’s on – The Rioch Women’s British Open Golf championship gets underway at Sunningdale golf course today.

Wednesday 30th July

Madmen in Porsche – Three thugs in a stolen Porsche who deliberately drove at two motorcyclists and then threatened a woman motorist with an axe are the subject of a major manhunt today. One of the motorcyclists suffered serious leg injuries and the other, a police motorbike instructor, was lucky to escape with his life after being upended in front of oncoming traffic on the busy A40 roundabout at Denham. The three white men in the stolen Porsche then threatened a passing woman motorist in a BMW with an axe, forced her out of the vehicle, and drove off at high speed along the A40 towards Beaconsfield. A senior policeman leading the hunt said last night: “This was a serious and malicious attack of the type you only expect to see in the movies.”

Named and shamed – Buckinghamshire County Council yesterday published on its website the names and addresses of 59 people who have been convicted of flytipping in the county. It’s part of a name and shame policy. Fines and costs in the convictions have amounted to nearly £60,000.

What’s on – There’s a day of fun and games for parents and children at Henley’s River and Rowing Museum today.

Tuesday 29th July

Massive fire – Residents were told to keep windows and doors shut on the hottest day of the year so far yesterday after a warehouse full of plastics went up in flames. Around 80 firefighters from throughout the Wycombe district fought the fire at the Empstead Industrial Estate in Henley. Firefighters were on alert again overnight, but this time for flooding after forecasters warned of potential flash floods from thunderstorms.

Personal touch – Wycombe Wanderers players and staff are spending their spare time this week hand delivering season tickets to fans. It’s part of a charm offensive that’s being well received. This year the old style tickets have been replaced by a plastic swipe card, enabling the club to cut back on turnstile operators.

What’s on – More chances to see performers honing up their acts for next month’s Edinburgh Fringe festival at Maidenhead’s Norden Farm Arts Centre tonight and tomorrow. Stand up comic Mark Watson tests out his new material tonight.

Monday 28th July

Fans fears – Wycombe Wanderers and Wycombe Council are being pressed to reassure football fans that the club will not be downgraded after minutes revealed that the council is treating London Wasps as the main party in the deal to establish a new sports stadium in the town. Minutes of a private council meeting last week say the council is entering into an “exclusivity agreement with London Wasps and other involved parties.” The report makes a point of saying the current Adams Park – owned by Wanderers with Wasps as tenants – “has inadequate capacity…for the future playing of rugby by London Wasps.” Millionaire Blues managing director Steve Hayes has recently become a major shareholder in Wasps and is on the club’s board.

Dom’s dosh – Beaconsfield MP Dominic Grieve, the new shadow home secretary, is worth over £3m, the News of the World reported yesterday. According to the paper, he owns a £1.2m home in west London; property that he rents in the City and is part owner of land in France. They said he also holds nearly a £1m worth of shares.

What’s on – Cannon and Ball bring the renowned farce Big Bad Mouse to Windsor Theatre Royal tonight for a week’s run…and with the two veterans in fine form the boast that two nights are never the same will certainly be appreciated by the theatre staff.

Sunday 27th July

B<>River death – A man whose body was found in the Thames on Friday had only married 10 days before he disappeared, it emerged yesterday. Peter Jones, aged 41, was attending a party on a boat sailing on the river at Windsor on Wednesday evening when he was reported missing. Yesterday his devastated wife Caroline described him as a loving husband and father. An inquest will determine how Mr Jones, from Slough, met his death.

What’s on – Over at Ascot Racecourse they’re having a Hong Kong Day today, with Chinese acrobats, ku fung displays, and traditional Chinese dancing to accompany a day’s racing. Nearby, on Smith’s Lawn in Windsor Great Park, it’s the big polo event of the year – the Cartier International, with plenty of Royalty and celebs to gawp at if you’re not interested in the sport. Take plenty of loose change though – entry by vehicle starts at £40 a car.

Saturday 26th July

New canal – Plans to extend an arm of the Grand Union Canal at Slough to join up with the Thames at Windsor are being finalised. It follows British Waterways annual report this week which said more people were using canals for pleasure boating, walking alongside and fishing than at any time in living memory. The Wendover Arm of the Grand Union Canal, refurbished for reuse five years ago, is proving so popular than an extension to that is currently being prepared.

Another signing – Wycombe Wanderers manager Peter Taylor made his seventh signing of the close season yesterday, taking on former England youth players Nathan Ashton from Fulham. The 21 year old is a left sided defender. The Blues beat Stevenage 2-1 in a pre-season game last night, but there was concern after star striker Scott McGleish hobbled off the pitch with a foot injury.

What’s on – History action replay with noise, fighting and plenty of fake gore as the Saxons take on the Vikings at Chiltern Open Air Museum.

Friday 25th July

Stadium site/B> – Top council officials and bosses from Wycombe Wanderers and London Wasps Rugby Club have been visiting woodland next to Booker Air Park amid growing speculation that it is being chosen as the site for a new sports stadium. It is less than a mile from Wanderers’ current home, Adams Park, but has the advantage of being near the M40. Advisors for the two clubs also think its proximity to the air park – one of Britain’s busiest private aerodromes – make it ideal site for a conference centre as well as a sporting complex.

Royal yawn – Only around 200 people bothered to turn to turn out to greet Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall when they visited Chalfont St Giles yesterday to mark the 400th anniversary of poet John Milton’s birth by looking around Milton’s Cottage. There was a similar Royal apathy last month when, aside from invited guests, only a few dozen shoppers hung around to watch Prince Edward open High Wycombe’s Eden shopping centre.

What’s on – The prospect of a new stadium won’t be on the mind of Wycombe Wanderers players tonight when they continue their shaky pre-season run-in with a visit to Stevenage Town. Kick off 7pm

Thursday 24th July

Rail hopes – Campaigners will raise their game to secure the revival of a direct rail link between High Wycombe and Maidenhead following yesterday’s final approval for the Crossrail project which will create a fast train link through central London between Maidenhead and Liverpool Street. Much of the track bed of the old line, which runs through Wooburn Green and Bourne End, is still intact, and campaigners say a direct link to Crossrail would be a great boon to the whole Wycombe area.

New signing – Wycombe Wanderers new boss Peter Taylor last night completed his sixth new signing of the close season, taking on Southend United’s 25 year old right back Lewis Hunt.

What’s On – Treat for children in the grounds of Cliveden today – there’s an outdoor theatre production of Pinocchio at 2.30 and 6pm

Wednesday 23rd July

Judge sums up – The judge in the Wycombe terror trial begins his summing up today.

Eight defendants, including two with High Wycombe connections, deny conspiracy to murder but have admitted lesser charges. In final defence pleas yesterday former Wycombe postman Umar Islam, formerly known as Brian Young, was said not to fit the profile of a suicide bomber – “detached from life, emotion and feeling.” The jury was told he had planned to go to Pakistan to give a fresh start to his wife and children.

Police cleared – A man who began choking minutes after being stopped by police and later died in hospital, had not been subject to any police ill-treatment the Police Complaints Commission said yesterday. The Commission said doctors carrying out a post mortem discovered a package lodged in Habib Ullah’s windpipe and another package “about his person.” Drugs equipment was also found in the car Mr Ullah was in when it was stopped in Sharrow Vale, High Wycombe on July 3. An inquest is yet to be heard.

What’s On – If you’re a fan of Antiques Roadshow you’ll want to travel to Oxford to hear funny behind the scenes stories and unshown TV clips presented by presenters Hilary Kay and Paul Atterbury. They appear at the Oxford Playhouse.

Tuesday 22nd July

Schools anger – About a third of children involved in SATS tests in Bucks will break up for the summer holiday tomorrow without knowin