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

Thursday 29th July

Historic breakthrough – High Wycombe has become the first town in the country to be given special permission by the Government to make wider use of its historic buildings. A new Local Development Order means the council can allow use of the famous Robert Adam designed Little Market House, known as the Pepperpot, or the Georgian Guildhall opposite, as shops or restaurants rather than simply maintain them as empty public areas.

Sneak visit – Transport Secretary Philip Hammond is making a “secret” visit to the Chilterns today to find out what all the fuss is about over the idea to route a high speed rail line through the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Mr Hammond wants to tour the area himself without being lobbied. The plan is causing increasing furore, with the chairman of Aylesbury Conservative Association saying he will quit the party if HS2, as it is called, comes through the Chilterns. Two ministers who are also local MPs – Cheryl Gillan and David Lidington – have said they will vote against HS2 coming through the Chilterns, putting their careers in jeopardy.

Pub closes – A Michelin-starred country pub is closing down this weekend six months after its prize winning chef walked out in a row over the quality of the food. Chef Ryan Simpson said that Paul Castle, owner of The Goose in Britwell Salome, described his food as “too fancy”. Mr Castle blamed the economic climate for the closure of the 300 year old pub.

Wednesday 28th July

Jobs to go – Hundreds of permanent council jobs will go in Buckinghamshire as the council said it was thinking of outsourcing its entire IT, personnel, finance, surveying, security and caretaking operations to private companies to save money. Unions say they’ll consider their reaction once they’ve heard the plans officially.

New stores – Meanwhile, there were signs that the local economy might be turning the corner with news yesterday that Matalan are to open a large store in the centre of High Wycombe. In Aylesbury, Waitrose are also planning to open a new supermarket in the town centre next year.

Memorial renovated – Work began on a complete refurbishment of one of the area’s most famous landmarks yesterday. The Coombe Hill memorial, on the highest point of the Chilterns near Wendover, is being given a makeover following a successful £50,000 appeal. The memorial was built to commemorate those killed in the Boer War.

Tuesday 27th July

Hitman on and off the field – Gavin Grant, the Wycombe Wanderers striker who was a murdering hitman on the side, was jailed for life yesterday for shooting a rival in the back. His sentence meant that details could be released of a previous killing for which Grant was charged but cleared. A judge yesterday sentenced 26 year old Grant to a minimum of 25 years jail for murdering 21 year old Leon Labastide, another promising footballer who lived near him in north London. Two other members of his gang were also jailed for life. Grant had been charged with killing Jahmall Moore a year after the death of Mr Labastide in 2004, but at a subsequent trial was cleared. Details of that trial could not be made public until yesterday’s trial was concluded.

Now Bucks speed cameras could go – Buckinghamshire may follow its neighbour Oxfordshire and withdraw its speed cameras to save money. Councillors meeting yesterday to decide how to cut £9m from this year’s budget heard they would save £600,000 by withdrawing from the Thames Valley Safer Roads Partnership which runs speed cameras, and which is now in danger of folding. Details of the new cuts will be announced tomorrow, but are chickenfeed compared to savings of up to 40 per cent of its total budget that Buckinghamshire fears it may have to impose next year.

Big noise in quiet village – Plans to build a 600 seat theatre for operatic performances alongside one of Britain’s most famous country villages are causing uproar. The family of the late Sir Paul Getty, who own the Wormsley Estate, alongside the village of Turville, famous as the location for TV’s Vicar of Dibley, want to build a theatre in their grounds and stage 21 grand operas a year. But villagers are inundating Wycombe Council’s planning councillors – who will have to make the decision – with complaints that the theatre would wreck the tranquillity of the village.

saturday 24th July

Blues murderer – Former Wycombe Wanderers player Gavin Grant was found guilty of a gangland murder yesterday. The 26 year old, a striker for the Blues during the 2008/09 season, had denied shooting a man in the back in north west London. But a jury at the Old Bailey found him guilty of a revenge attack on rival gang member Leon Labastide. Grant, who was sacked by Wanderers after being charged, will be sentenced with accomplices on Monday.

New defender – Meanwhile, back on the pitch, Wanderers signed a new defender yesterday to replace Adam Hinshelwood who’s had to retire from football because of injury. Former Reading and Brentford player, Alan Bennett, has signed a one year deal.

Friday 23rd July

Cricket bust-up – Umpires abandoned an inter-village cricket match after a bust-up in which one player was head butted and another hit with a cricket bat, it emerged yesterday. The Bucks Advertiser reported that the Knotty Green v Ibstone match in the Mid-Bucks League last weekend got so violent the umpires felt they had no alternative but to call off the game. It’s the first time anyone can recall a cricket match being called off through violence. The clubs are remaining tight-lipped until they attend a disciplinary hearing.

High speed hope – Analysts yesterday felt that Lord Mawhinney’s report recommending that a major rail interchange be built at Old Oak Common in Ealing reduced the chances of a high speed link ploughing through the Wycombe area. Originally, the rail company HS2 Ltd suggested a route to Birmingham through the Chalfonts, Amersham and Wendover because they felt trains would need to link to Heathrow – a recommendation that caused fury in the area. If the Government accepts Mawhinney’s report however, the high speed route could veer to the east of the Chilterns.

Bullet, knife or poison? – In a bizarre twist to the Government’s greater involvement scheme – the Big Society – people in Bucks are to be asked what bits of quality they want reduced from their quality of life. Councillors announced yesterday they are to tour the county in a series of “roadshows” in September, asking people what part of the council’s budget they think should be chopped as they look to save millions.

Thursday 22nd July

Speaker anomaly – The controversial arrangement where main political parties do not put up candidates against the House of Commons Speaker during an election may be changed as part of the Government’s proposed shake up of constitutional arrangements. A number of electors in Speaker John Bercow’s constituency, which stretches from Princes Risborough to Buckingham, complained they felt disenfranchised at the last election. In a letter to the Bucks Herald yesterday, Mr Bercow said he had spoken to deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, who is steering through possible changes. Mr Bercow indicated he was in favour of change by writing he was “fully seized of the strong feeling surrounding this issue.”

Speed cameras may go – Oxfordshire looks set to ditch all of its 72 fixed and 89 mobile speed cameras in an attempt to save money. The council is expected to approve the plan next week as part of a £600,000 saving in its road safety budget. The police will still retain their own mobile speed cameras however.

Wheelchair tennis – Injured wheelchair-bound servicemen and women regaining skills and strength at RAF Halton yesterday began regular tennis sessions as part of an arrangement between the Ministry of Defence and the Lawn Tennis Association. Tennis is recognised as a sport that keeps wheelchair sports enthusiasts fit and active, and LTA coaches are hoping to bring some of the troops up to Paralympic standard.

Wednesday 21st July

New stadium – Wycombe Council yesterday named 19 potential sites in town where a new stadium for Wycombe Wanderers and rugby side London Wasps council be built. The old RAF station at Daws Hill and land at Wycombe Air Park are both included. Businessman Steve Hayes, who owns both Wanderers and Wasps, has agreed three potential options with the council – to build a stadium only; to build a stadium with hotel and conference centre attached or a sports village which will include a stadium, hotel/conference centre and additional sporting facilities for a host of other sports, including athletics. The council say a housing development is also likely to help pay for the scheme.

Doctors “ready” – A group representing 34 GP practices in South Buckinghamshire said yesterday it welcomed Government plans to transfer power and money to local doctors so they can commission their own medical services. The Bucks Primary Care Collaborative said doctors were ready to be forerunners in developing the scheme.

Schools thinking – Meanwhile, local schools break up for the summer holidays today with plenty to think about this summer. Many secondary schools have shown an initial interest in becoming academy schools, which would give them more autonomy, but the area’s grammar schools have yet to show their hand. The heads and governors of local grammars are said to be divided over whether academy status would benefit them.

Tuesday 20th July

Pubs clobbered - The prime minister’s Big Society could mean Big Payouts for pubs and clubs in Windsor in became clear last night. Windsor and Maidenhead was named yesterday as one of four trial areas for David Cameron’s Big Idea. And immediately council leader David Burbage said one of the first things he wants to do is charge pubs and clubs for the additional policing needed on busy nights in the town. He also plans to get rid of red tape holding up the transformation of five weirs on the Thames into energy generating turbines; and he want to pass responsibility for verge-trimming and pot-hole filling from the council to parish councils.

Local tributes - Family members of First World War soldiers from the Oxon and Bucks Regiment who died at the Battle of Fromelles in 1916 attended the ceremony in northern France yesterday to mark a new Great War cemetery in their memory. Hundreds of bodies were discovered in a field two years ago and so far 250 have been identified. Some of those who died at the battle, including a number not yet been identified, came from The Lee near Chesham. The Prince of Wales and the governor-general of Australia led yesterday’s poignant commemoration.

Swan uppers - The annual court of the number of swans on the Buckinghamshire and Berkshire stretch of the Thames gets underway today. Every year Swan Uppers count the swans and check the state of their health on behalf of the Queen, who traditionally owns every swan in the country. The ancient ceremony takes place between Windsor and Marlow today, and continues tomorrow between Marlow and Henley.

Monday 19th July

Farmers warning – As harvesting goes into full swing this week, police are warning local farmers to mark their hay and straw bales with indelible spray to prevent them being stolen. Even though it’s expected to be a good harvest, the price of hay is nearly 40 per cent higher than this time last year because of low reserves... enough to trigger thefts in other parts of the country.

Heat casualties – The humid conditions resulted in a over a dozen casualties in the Wycombe Half Marathon yesterday as runners collapsed. Two people had to be treated in hospital suffering from dehydration but were allowed home last night. Forecasters are predicting hot weather again today and tomorrow, but with thunderstorms likely towards the end of the week.

Strong finish – Wycombe golfer Luke Donald put in a strong finish in the final round of yesterday’s Open Championship, coming 11th after eagling the tricky 17th hole and finishing with a birdie. His brother and former caddy Christian had a good day too – he caddied third place player Paul Casey.

Saturday 17th July

Mental health frontline cuts - A leaked report yesterday showed that mental health services in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire are to be badly hit by budget cuts. The medical journal The Lancet said the area would lose three of its 19 consultant psychiatrists, 16 care co-ordinators and nine other workers as the NHS trust prepares to cut more than £5m from its £42m budget. The report, drawn up by the Oxon and Bucks Mental Heath Trust, says the cuts are likely to lead to a “reduction in quality of service”, which in turn will lead to “patient and carer dissatisfaction.”

Lib Dems slump – It may only be small beer, but a by-election in a Wycombe Council ward where the Liberal Democrats usually do well, saw them come a poor third when the results were announced yesterday. Great Marlow ward has a strong Liberal tradition, yet their candidate Mohan Kavita scraped just 195 votes. Tory Dominic Barnes won with 609 votes and independent Mike Harris was second with 348. Some Lib Dems conceded it may be a reaction by their supporters on their coalition tie up with the Conservatives.

Blown away - Marlow golfer Tyrell Hutton – at 18 the youngest player in the Open at St Andrews - was blown out of the competition yesterday. He landed his ball just 12 ft from the hole on the 11th tee, only to watch the wind catch it and roll it 35 ft from the hole. Minutes later the tournament was abandoned until the weather eased. Laid-back Hutton wasn’t too upset when he failed to make today’s cut with 11 over. He put it down to experience.

Thursday 15th July

Bean’s broadside – Comedy actor Rowan Atkinson last night hit back at critics who have described his plans to build a new home in the heart of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty as “uglier than Didcot Power Station”. Mr Atkinson, who lives near Thame, hired American modernist architect Richard Meier to design five bedroom home made of glass, white steel and plaster in the village of Ipsden. He said : “I don’t want to live in a house that’s weird or futuristic, but one that is simple, graceful and elegant.” Parish councillors in Ipsden disagree, and are urging the South Oxfordshire District Council to reject his planning application.

Thirty year rape solved – A man serving a prison term for murdering a Buckinghamshire woman yesterday admitted raping a 15 year old Maidenhead girl 30 years ago. Ronald Cheshire, aged 52, is already serving life for murdering Rachael Partridge at Bledlow Ridge, near High Wycombe in 1987. Yesterday, after new forensic evidence had been unearthed by a police “New Tricks” team, he also admitted kidnapping and raping the schoolgirl in 1980. He’ll be sentenced in September.

Armed school trip – A party of sixth formers leave for a school trip with a difference today...their teachers will be armed. The 13 strong party from Sir William Borlase School in Marlow will trek across glaciers in the Arctic. On arrival in north Norway they will all be trained in “polar bear avoidance” and their teachers have already been trained in using rifles to scare the bears off. The group has been preparing for the trip with shorter “cold weather excursions” for over a year.

Wednesday 14th July

Jobless drop – The number of people claiming unemployment benefit in the Wycombe area dropped dramatically in June, according to figures released yesterday. In High Wycombe itself the number fell 11 per cent to 1,943 compared to the same month last year. But in neighbouring areas of Beaconsfield, Amersham, Chesham, Aylesbury, Henley, Maidenhead and Windsor the falls were between 18 and 22 per cent. Throughout the region, unemployment is between 1.5 and three per cent of the working population – less than half the national average.

Heartbreak for player – Wycombe Wanderers midfielder Adam Hinshelwood has had to give up football at the age of 26. The injury-prone player told the club’s website yesterday that doctors had told him that if he played football at any level again his knee could crumble and he wouldn’t be able to walk. He’s hoping to take up coaching in the game.

Golfing prospect – The youngest competitor in today’s Open Golf championship at St Andrews is an 18 year old from Marlow. Tyrrell Hatton has had a remarkable season so far – starting the year as number 2,951 in the world amateur rankings. Now he is in the top 300.

Tuesday 13th July

Youngest winner – A 15 year old Prestwood schoolboy who is taught at home because of his dyslexia, was yesterday crowned the youngest ever medal winner at the world’s biggest flower show. James Callicott has won a silver medal for garden design at the Hampton Court Flower Show.

Back to earth - Just two days after the world cup final, it’s back to the nitty gritty tonight when Wycombe Wanderers begin their pre-season run-in with a game at Chesham United . It will be the first opportunity for manager Gary Waddock to see how his six new signings will play together as the Blues aim to return straight into League 1 after last season’s relegation. Although the club are not letting on how many season tickets have been sold, word is it’s less than this time last year, even though ticket prices have been frozen.

Sunday 11th July

Good to be back online. We’ve had a few problems...

No water – Thousands of people were left without water for up to six hours in Wycombe yesterday, on the hottest day of the year so far. A major supply pipe burst at eleven o’clock near the Wycombe Swan theatre in the centre of town. Within minutes 1,600 homes and businesses were without water as temperatures soared to 31 degrees. Supplies gradually returned, but Thames Water officials toured homes with the longest break giving out bottled water. The company apologised for the distruption.

Saturday 3rd July

Murder charges - Two teenagers were charged with murder yesterday following an arson at a house in Maidenhead last weekend. Amaar Najib, aged 19, and a 17 year old girl who is not being named for legal reasons, are charged with killing Saimah Ali, 23, who died in the fire at Moor Lane. They are also charged with arson with intent to endanger life. Amaar Najib, from Slough, was arrested at Birmingham Airport on Wednesday.

Ambulanceman jailed - A local ambulance driver is beginning a 16 year jail sentence today after being found guilty of raping and sexually abusing two schoolgirls. David Holliday, aged 48, of Tamar Close, Aylesbury committed 16 offences in the 1980s and 90s a court heard yesterday. He worked as an ambulanceman for South Central Ambulance Service, but not at the time of the offences.

What’s on – Hissing tractors and whooshing combined harvesters will attract steam enthusiasts from miles around at the Prestwood steam rally today and tomorrow.

Friday 2nd July

Midwife crisis – Local hospitals are desperate to recruit midwives to avoid a staffing crisis in the holiday month of August. The Bucks Hospitals Trust says it will be 17 midwives short during August and will consider temporarily closing the maternity unit at Wycombe Hospital if it can’t resolve the problem in time.

Hotshot signs – There were sighs of relief around Adams Park last night with the signing of promising striker Scott Rendell. Wycombe Wanderers’ lack of goals was the main reason for last season’s relegation, but 23 year old Rendell, who’s signed from Peterborough for an undisclosed free, has a proflic record, having scored 59 goals in 120 games. What’s on – Singer, songwriter and musician Ana Silvera plays Windsor FireStation Centre tonight

Thursday 1st July

Murder arrests – Five people have been arrested on suspicion of murder following the arson attack on a Maidenhead semi-detached at the weekend. Saimah Ali, aged 23, died after petrol was poured through the letterbox of the house in Moor Lane. Those arrested are a 16 year old girl, two 19 year old girls, a 19 year old man and a 25 year old man, all from the Slough area. Police are not commenting on reports that the attack occurred when a long-running family feud reached boiling point.

Drink ban –For the first time in England pubs have increased the age limit for drinking in their bars. Fifteen pubs have imposed a ban on under-21s in the centre of Henley for Henley Regatta, which began yesterday. Drinkers will have to prove they are over 21. It’s another attempt to cut down on young drunks in the streets. Meanwhile, on the river, a number of crews wore special yellow T-shirts yesterday in memory of English rugby player Andy Ripley who died last month from prostate cancer aged 62. He was president of the Tideway Scullers. The T shirts are being sold to raise money for research into the condition.

Swing doors – Popular left back Craig Woodman left Wycombe Wanderers for Brentford yesterday, but as he went out the back door another came in the front. Andy Sandell is the third former Aldershot player to join his former boss Gary Waddock at Wycombe, prompting one unhappy Aldershot wit to comment on his team’s message board last night: “Has any supporter been tapped up to support Wycombe next season?”

Wednesday 30th June

Cuts latest: Treatments curbed – Treatments for non-emergency conditions like varicose veins and hernias are being cut back to save money in Buckinghamshire according to doctors at the British Medical Association conference in Brighton. Meanwhile Bucks county councillors have met in secret to consider up to 80 options to cut or suspend council services. They’ll reveal their decisions in a few weeks.

River patrol – Police will patrol the banks of the Thames at Henley today, the first day of Henley Regatta, stopping people from jumping in to cool themselves off in the heatwave and possibly getting into difficulties. Police presence at the event, which runs until Sunday, has been doubled to try and prevent trouble from drunks that’s marred it in previous years. They are using Bluetooth technology to tell punters which bars are full and when the last trains leave.

What’s on – Former Wycombe Royal Grammar School boy Jimmy Carr brings his razor sharp wit to Wycombe Swan tonight. Although he frequently takes pot shots at the Establishment, the star retains close links with the traditionalist school.

Tuesday 29th June

Pub death – A man died after a fight in a village pub just hours after the England v Germany world cup game, police said last night. A 21 year old man has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter following the death of a 42 year old man in the Crown pub in Benson. At the moment police are treating the death as “unexplained” and appealing for witnesses.

Water OK – Despite one of the driest and hottest May and Junes for years, Thames Water said last night they were confident they could get through the rest of the summer without imposing a hosepipe ban or other water restrictions. The company said its reservoirs were nearly full and they’d had success reducing leakage by replacing Victorian pipes.

What’s on – A stage version of the reggae musical The Harder They Come, gets underway for a week’s run at Oxford Playhouse tonight.

Monday 28th June

Cuts latest: Jobs go – Oxfordshire County Council says that one in four of its managers will lose their jobs as part of its campaign to become “lean and mean”. Neighbouring Bucks County Council is said to be contemplating similar cuts. Meanwhile three local sports clubs in the Henley/Thames area and the appeal to save Henley’s Kenton Theatre are set to have appeals for council grants rejected as South Oxfordshire District Council looks to save cash.

Train route “unlikely” - The boss of the company that building the high speed rail link from London to Birmingham told conservationists at the weekend that she now thought it “unlikely” the route would cross the Chilterns. Alison Munro, chief executive of HS2 Ltd, said she felt that because of the extra work the new Government had asked them to do, the preferred route through Amersham, Great Missenden and Wendover, as well as other suggested Chilterns routes, could now be non-starters.

What’s on – There’s a full night’s racing at Windsor Racecourse this evening.

Sunday 27th June

House unsafe - It could take several days to confirm the identity of the 23 year old woman murdered in an arson attack on a Maidenhead house, police said yesterday. Forensic tests need to be carried out because she was so badly burned in the blaze in Moor Lane in the early hours of Friday. Police were still unable to get into the house yesterday because structural engineers deemed it unsafe. Police are not commenting on speculation that the arson was part of a family feud.

New signings – Wycombe Wanderers have snapped up a couple of free signings from Brentford. Striker Ben Strevens, 30, and 25 year old right back Danny Foster, bring manager Gary Waddock’s signings to four – all freebies, indicating his tight budget.

What’s on – Sunshine, soccer and smiles on the menu today. It’s set to be the hottest day of the year so far today with temperatures topping 30 degrees as thousands search out a TV screen in the shade to watch England v Germany in the World Cup this afternoon...a game that will no doubt get a passing mention when comic Dave Gorman tries out new material for his forthcoming national tour at Maidenhead’s Norden Farm Centre tonight.

Saturday 26th June

Hero at murder scene - A man who rescued five children from a virtual certain death in a blazing house was being praised as a hero last night. The man, who’s not been named at his own request, saw the five young boys at an upstairs window of a blazing house in Moor Lane, Maidenhead in the early hours of yesterday. He grabbed a ladder from his garage, smashed the bedroom window and brought them out one by one, handing them to neighbours gathered below.

A 21 year old woman – one of 11 staying in the house at the time – died and two others were badly injured in the blaze, which turned into a murder inquiry last night. Police said fuel had been poured through the front letterbox of the semi-detached house, which was completely gutted. A number of the same Pakistani family had gathered at the house for a weekend celebration.

Roman brothel – Archaeologists revealed yesterday that a farmer's field at Hambledon, where the skeletons of 100 tiny babies have been discovered, was probably the site of a Roman brothel. With no contraception, babies born to women in the brothel were killed at birth and buried in a mass grave, said the experts. A TV show about the find is scheduled for BBC 2 next month.

What’s on – Bjorn Again and Bucks Fizz are the stars at a special summer gig at Waddesdon Manor tonight.

Friday 25th June

High speed rail rethink – The Government confirmed last night that it was rethinking the plan to drive the London to Birmingham high speed train through the Wycombe area. It postponed the start of the public consultation by three months to early next year and asked the High Speed 2 company to carry out further work on the controversial route across the Chilterns. It also wants details on how to link Heathrow into the high speed rail set up and join it with the current high speed line between London and mainland Europe.

Fox in child’s bedroom – A father discovered a fox just feet from his seven year old son while the boy slept on the floor of his bedroom. Sudesh Jeewon tells today’s Bucks Free Press that he calmly lifted his sleeping son Roshan and opened a window at their home in Earl’s Close, High Wycombe for the frightened fox to escape. The incident comes just weeks after two babies were attacked in their home by a fox in north London.

What’s on – Light aircraft enthusiasts from all over Europe converge on Wycombe Air Park today and over the weekend for the annual AreoExpo UK exhibition, showing the latest aircraft and equipment.

Thursday 24th June

Cuts latest – Court to close – The magistrates court at Amersham is to close as a cost cutting measure the Justice Department announced yesterday. Court cases and inquests held there will be moved to Aylesbury and Wycombe. No jobs will be lost. The Government also announced yesterday it was dropping plans to build a centre in Oxfordshire to hold illegal immigrants prior to deportation.

New centre half - Wycombe Wanderers signed a new centre half yesterday in the shape of 6ft 3in Dave Winfield. The 22 year old has come on a free from manager Gary Waddock’s old club, Aldershot Town.

What’s on - Mum’s The Word , described as an hilarious insight into aspects of motherhood, is playing Windsor’s Theatre Royal this week

Wednesday 23rd June

Cuts latest – Police merge – As councils and other public sector bodies in the area digested the small print or awaited further details from yesterday’s budget, the local police said it was thinking of saving money by sharing services with neighbouring forces. Thames Valley Police said that merging items like forensic investigation with neighbouring forces in Hampshire and Surrey could save cash.

Top jumper – Wycombe high jumper Alan McKie has increased his chances of representing the UK in the Olympics in a couple of years by winning the under-23 national championships. The 21 year old looks certain to be in the squad for the Commonwealth Games later this summer.

What’s on - Raucous Cornwellian Jethro brings his brand of west country humour to Wycombe Swan tonight.

Tuesday 22nd June

Cuts latest – station pause – A plan to build a transport interchange at Handy Cross that will make High Wycombe a major coach centre has been put on the back burner as part of the Government’s spending cutbacks. The news came as Chancellor George Osborne outlines swingeing cuts and tax increases in today’s emergency Budget. However, the Olympics have saved a £7m upgrade of the Windsor and Eton relief road. Work began yesterday on improving the road because it’s a key route to an Olympic venue from the M4 – the rowing competitions at Dorney Lake.

Regatta patrol – Police are to double the number of officers on patrol at Henley Regatta when it starts next week in an attempt to stop rowdy drunks spoiling evening riverside parties. There were a number of arrests last year after drunks who’d been drinking all day, tried to get into private parties.

What’s on – Spiritual medium Derek Acorah will be raising a few ghosts when he visits Wycombe Swan tonight.

Monday 21st June

Supermarket start - Work on the most tortuous Tesco in the country gets underway today, five years late. The tunnel over which the Gerrards Cross Tesco was being built collapsed onto the Chiltern rail line in 2005, causing the supermarket chain to go back to square one. After a complete redesign and complete rebuild the tunnel is finally completed today so that construction work can begin on the actual store. Fingers crossed, Tesco hope to open the supermarket in November.

Litter hero – A Wycombe man who won a court case against the Department of Transport is to be featured as a national hero. Peter Silverman was disgusted by the amount of litter on the M40 near High Wycombe so he used a little known clause in the 1990 Environmental Protection Act to force the Department to clear up the mess. Now his success is being highlighted by the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England as an example of how others can get main roads cleared of litter.

What’s on – Shakespearean actor Simon Callow presents a dramatic production about William Shakespeare in The Man From Stratford at Oxford Playhouse tonight and tomorrow night.

sunday 20th June

Arson charges – A man appeared in court at High Wycombe yesterday charged with setting fire to a house with intent to endanger life. Two people scrambled to safety from a house in Gore Road, Burnham at five o clock in the morning on Friday after their home was engulfed in flames. It’s thought a car was set on fire in the garage and the blaze spread to the adjoining house. Carl Potter, 23, from Slough, was charged with two other cases of arson in the Windsor Lane area of the village at the same time. Meanwhile, six piglets burned to death yesterday after an arsonist set fire to hay and straw in a field at Medmenham.

What’s on – Chiltern Open Air Museum has items it thinks are of interest to dads for Father’s Day today, including a display of heavy horses.

Saturday 19th June

Train cost – Commons Speaker John Bercow dropped a heavy hint yesterday that the plan to build a high speed rail route through the Chilterns will be shelved because of its cost. Mr Bercow who, as Buckingham MP, said the preferred route through the Chalfonts, Great Missenden and Wendover was “irresponsible” told a meeting of councillors and protestors in Aylesbury that the HS2 scheme was unaffordable, given the “appalling state of the public finances.”

What’s on – After the fun of last week’s town regatta, the serious rowing gets underway today when the Marlow Regatta begins its weekend event at Dorney Lake, which is the venue for the 2012 Olympic rowing events.

Friday 18th June

Appeal lost - Villagers who led a major campaign of support for childminder Keran Henderson were stunned last night when she lost her appeal against a prison conviction for shaking to death a baby girl. Judges at the Court of Appeal said they could find no reason to doubt the medical evidence given at her trial, even though senior doctors later challenged it and the foreman of the jury that convicted her said the jury did not fully understand the medical evidence. Mrs Henderson, who has served her three year jail term, was not in court but her family in Iver Heath said she was “absolutely devastated”. The baby’s parents urged Mrs Henderson’s campaigners to drop their campaign.

Starved to death – A man found dead in the middle of a roundabout had starved himself to death, an inquest decided yesterday. Palwinder Singh Khaira, aged 31, from Hayes, was discovered on Denham roundabout in the middle of the pre-Christmas cold snap. The inquest heard he had been sleeping rough.

What’s on – Popular local hardcore metal band Broken Jaws plays Wycombe’s rock venue, the White Horse pub tonight.

Thursday 17th June

Killers jailed - Three High Wycombe people are beginning lengthy jail sentences today for stabbing to death 20 year old Wycombe man Jourdan Griffiths, even though only one of them was holding the knife. But Lotto Williams, 19, Christopher Joseph, 22, and Kieren George, 17, refused to say what happened when Mr Griffiths answered the door to their call at a town centre squat a year ago. So the jury found them guilty at Reading Crown Court as secondary parties to murder and they all went down. Williams, of Whiteland Road, got 14 years, Joseph, of Grenfell Road got 15 years and George, of Spearing Road, got 10 years. The jury was told the three had gone to the squat in White Hart Street to steal drugs and cause violence.

Trust talks – The National Trust is considering whether it should continue to manage its only pub – the 15th century Kings Head in Aylesbury. The Trust has closed the bookshop and coffee shop linked to the pub and stopped guided tours. It says it is committed to maintain the premises - a listed building described as one of the country’s finest examples of an old coaching inn - but will make an announcement soon on the running of the pub. It seems likely it will be managed by a private company. The Trust has owned the pub since the 1920s

What’s on – Maidenhead Operatic Society celebrates its 60th anniversary at Maidenhead Town Hall tonight with a gig featuring highlights of the last six decades.

Wednesday 16th June

Rail plans – Crossrail – the planned cross-London rail link from Maidenhead to the City – could become part of a high speed rail link, calling at Heathrow, sources said last night. It came on the day Transport Secretary Philip Hammond confirmed the Government’s commitment to Crossrail and announced separately that a group would examine how to increase Heathrow’s passenger-handling capacity without building a third runway. Last week Transport Minister Theresa Villiers said the Coalition were considering a high speed rail link to Wales.

Pub thugs – Two thugs set fire to a village pub after robbing the landlord it emerged last night. They attacked landlord Michael Wilder at The Poachers pub in Chalfont St Peter as he was getting ready to go to bed and forced him to open the pub safe. They made off with the takings and set fire to the office, leaving Mr Wilder and his girlfriend to escape suffering from the effects of smoke.

What’s on – The Chiltern Shakespeare Company perform Twelfth Night in the open are at Beaconsfield’s Hall Barn tonight through to Saturday. If it rains they get wet: the audience sits under cover.

Tuesday 15th June

Pub arson – Police are investigating a suspected arson at a village pub. Two people staggered from The Poachers in Chalfont St Peter High Street in the early hours yesterday, suffering from the effects of smoke. Most of the downstairs bar was badly damaged.

Cycle marathon – A Wycombe cyclist is the toast of England fans in South Africa after she cycled 8,000 miles to see the England games. Student Lindsey Cole, 27, decided to ride from Cairo to South Africa. She advertised on the internet for companions and three came forward, while en route another three Brits on bikes joined them. They’ve now raised £50,000 for various charities.

What’s on – When times are hrd, escape with a feel-good rock musical. Rock Around The Clock opens for a week’s run at Windsor’s Theatre Royal tomorrow; while That’ll Be The Day plays Reading Hexagon tomorrow. Meanwhile not much sign of hard times at Royal Ascot, which opens for a five day meet today.

Monday 14th June

Cuts latest – Councils share – The four local councils in Bucks – Wycombe, Aylesbury, Amersham-based Chiltern and Beaconsfield-based South Bucks – are making plans to share the cost of rubbish collection and street cleaning by appointing a single contractor insted of four separate ones they have at the moment. The move could save thousands and lead to fewer administrators, but because recycling arrangements are different in each area it could take months to work out a system. A previous attempt to share other services with Bucks County Council fell apart last year when the councils couldn’t agree.

Housing test – Meanwhile, Wycombe councillors will indicate tonight if they want to stick to building the same number of new houses in the area in the future, after the Government announced last month that targets for building new homes are to be scrapped. The council covering Henley and Thame immediately scrapped a plan to build 5,000 homes, and Aylesbury councillors are said to be also having a rethink over their housing target which calls for 20,000 more homes in the next 16 years. However, estate agents in the area confirmed last week that house prices are rising rapidly again because there aren’t enough homes on the market, and housebuilders say the Wycombe area will become too expensive for many unless sufficient new properties are built.

What’s on – Alan Bennett’s comedy The History Boys, which gave a West End stage debut to Wycombe’s James Corden, opens for a week’s run at Oxford Playhouse tonight.

Sunday 13th June

ITV’s miss – There were boos and hisses from hundreds of people in Wycombe area pubs last night – not at England’s mediocre performance in the 1-1 draw with the USA, but at ITV HD’s disastrous performance in missing the England goal. Many pubs had acquired HD especially for the World Cup but a break in transmission meant that fans missed Steven Gerrard’s England goal and saw a car advert instead.

What’s on – Dragon boat racing, a riverside gig and a firework display mark the second and final day of Marlow Town Regatta and Festival by the Thames today.

Saturday 12th June

Hedge returned – The world cup hedge statue – trimmed in the shape of a footballer – that was stolen from Aylesbury’s main town centre roundabout, was found yesterday dumped in a garden. It’s thought the thieves took fright when they read they’d been spotted on CCTV. Percy the Privet will be back in position on Monday.

What’s on – Bucks New University’s art and design show, displaying the creative work of students throughout the year, opens at the uni’s Gateway building today and runs until Thursday

Friday 11th June

Cops crackdown – Local police will reveal their strategy today for dealing with drunks and yobs out to spoil World Cup and other summer celebrations such as Henley Regatta. It will include additional roadside breath tests and special squads to who’ll rush in to deal with any bother at likely trouble spots. It comes as a special hedge, trimmed in the shape of a footballer, was nicked from Aylesbury’s main roundabout just hours after it was placed there to commemorate the World Cup. The topiary had taken six months to grow. CCTV caught two men walking off with it in the small hours.

New prison – A young offenders institution began moving inmates yesterday as part of a move to create more room for adult prisoners in the Wycombe area. Huntercombe, near Henley, holds around 150 young criminals aged between 15 and 18, but numbers have been dropping because courts are trying to avoid jailing youngsters for offences. The inmates are being moved to Aylesbury and west London so that Huntercombe can be used for adult male prisoners, who are on the increase.

What’s on – Carnivals in Maidenhead and Old Windsor begin their three day festivities today, while Marlow’s Town Regatta begins tomorrow. Chesham Carnival is also tomorrow.

Thursday 10th June

Footy first – A High Wycombe firm is giving its staff time off to watch world cup matches from tomorrow provided they make up the time afterwards. The management at Afix Ltd, a currency trading firm, will man the phones and do the work while employees watch the games. Popular boss Stewart Lancaster told the Daily Telegraph :”We had a choice: block news websites to prevent staff from streaming matches online or give employees a chance to enjoy the matches and improve staff morale. We chose the latter.” Meanwhile, Chesham schoolgirl Jess Nangle, 15, has recorded a World Cup song after successfully passing an audition. Her own catchy number, England’s Dream, is being released next week, along with a video.

School bus crash - Three primary school children were taken to hospital after a lorry crashed into their school bus on their way home yesterday. They suffered minor injuries in the accident on Aylesbury’s Bicester Road. The bus was carrying 28 children from Grendon Underwood School to their homes in surrounding villages. Teachers from the school looked after unharmed children in nearby offices until their parents were called to collect them.

What’s on – The folk due Show of Hands – whose performance includes music on guitars, mandolin, mandocello, fiddle, cuatro, viola and concertina – play Tring’s Court Theatre tonight.

Wednesday 9th June

Trash for cash – Windsor and Maidenhead yesterday became the first council in the country to start a trash for cash scheme to encourage recycling. The more paper, plastic and glass householders put into big blue bins the more money they will get back in the form of shopping vouchers. Communities Secretary Eric Pickles last night praised the “chip and bin” scheme and encouraged other councils to follow suit.

Cuts latest: hospitals save – Health bosses in Wycombe are set to extend a deal with a private health company in a money saving deal. Care UK already runs the health trust’s diagnostic service, but gets paid on the basis that a guaranteed number of patients will use the service. Now, in a deal unique in the country, the company looks set to continue running the service without the guarantee, thereby taking the financial risk. Meanwhile, the health trust that runs Wexham Park Hospital, attended by hundreds of Wycombe area patients, is set to axe 470 jobs at Wexham and its sister hospital Heatherwood. They say they will be mainly clerical and admin workers.

What’s on – The RAF, who have the Freedom of High Wycombe, exercise their freedom rights today with a parade in the High Street at 2pm after a service in the town’s All Saints Church. A Dakota aircraft will fly over the town at about the same time.

Tuesday 8th June

Cuts latest: buses and buildings – No sooner had David Cameron warned everyone that painful cuts were on the way yesterday, local councils followed suit. In Oxfordshire, the £500m building programme is to be slashed meaning that new schools, libraries and roads planned in the next few years will be put back. The council has already said it intends to cut £100m from front line services in the next five years. In Buckinghamshire, the council said it would look at the placing of the county’s roadside speed cameras to see if their siting made financial sense. The county also announced it’s axing it Swan rider bus services which particularly help elderly and disabled passengers.

New keeper – Wycombe Wanderers manager Gary Waddock also kept an eye on the pennies yesterday, signing an out of contract goalkeeper on a paltry one year deal. Former Brentford no 2 keeper Nikki Bull worked with Waddock a couple of seasons ago as Aldershot goalie. Season ticket sales at the club are just over 2,000 – thought to be a drop on the numbers sold by this time last year.

What’s on – The Indian arts group Rifco presents an Asian musical Britain’s Got Bhangra at Oxford Playhouse tonight, charting the rise of British Bhangra music from the 80s to today. According to the blurb, “it’s guaranteed to lift you from the Dhol Drums”.

Monday 7th June

Train blight – The Government is coming under increasing pressure to abandon plans to route the London to Birmingham high speed train tracks across the Chilterns after estate agents confirmed that house prices are being blighted on all three possible routes. The Government has already extended the time for people to apply for compensation under what’s called an exceptional hardship scheme, but that mainly applies to people on the already announced preferred route through Chalfont, Great Missenden and Wendover. However, estate agents say property for sale on the two other possible routes – one through Beaconsfield, Hughenden Valley and Princes Risborough; and another running fairly close to the current West Coast mainline through Berkhampstead and Tring – is also being affected by the possibility that the high speed rail route may plough through their gardens. Campaigners want the Government to start from scratch looking at potential routes.

Bus probe – An investigation will get underway today to discover how a single decker bus was engulfed in flames so quickly. The Arriva bus was empty when it was en route from Henley to Wycombe on Saturday night, catching fire near the Handy Cross roundabout. The driver escaped uninjured but there’s concern as to how quickly the bus filled with smoke. It’s thought an electrical fault caused the blaze.

What’s on – The stage version of the popular TV comedy Dinnerladies opens at Wycombe Swan tonight and runs until the end of the week. Stars from the TV show appearing in the stage version include Andrew Dunn, who plays Tony, and Sue Deavaney, who plays Jane.

Sunday 6th June

On the up – Wycombe golfer Luke Donald has continued his spectacular return to form by equally a course record of 65 at the Welsh Open at Celtic Manor, a venue he looks certain to return to as a member of the Ryder Cup team in September. He was named European golfer of the month yesterday and returns to his home in Chicago tomorrow looking to improve on his standing as ninth in the world.

What’s on – Hundreds of cyclists will be riding the Chiltern Hundred today, starting from Great Missenden and taking in a course that covers most of the Chiltern hills.

Saturday 5th June

Nurse charged - A nurse appeared in court yesterday charged with causing death by dangerous driving and driving with excess alcohol in an accident that happened at 11 o’clock in the morning. Jacqueline Loosley, 46, of Gardens Close, Stokenchurch, who is said to nurse at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, was remanded in custody. The woman who died in the crash in West Wycombe on Wednesday was 59 year old Judy De Gelas, a secretary at Wycombe’s Royal Grammar School. Her two grandchildren who were with her on the pavement when Jacqueline Loosley’s car hit them are still in a serious condition in Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital.

Hero dog – A dog specially trained to sniff out material used to start fires at arsons has been named hero dog of the year. Barney, a collie cross, has attended 226 scenes of fire in Buckinghamshire in the seven years he’s been with the county’s fire brigade. The Dog Trust have him his award three months before he’s due to retire.

What’s on – Aylesbury Civic Centre, a theatre venue in the town for the past 35 years, closes down tonight with a family show hosted by one of its perennial panto stars, Bernie Clifton. The town’s new Waterside Theatre opens in October.

Friday 4th June

Devastated parents - The son of a Bucks couple who won the Lottery was among the victims of mass killer Derrick Bird in Cumbria it was revealed last night. Jamie Clark, 23, an estate agent , had moved to Carlisle to be with his financee who attends the town’s university, was shot in his car at Seascale. His devastated parents, Richard and Jane, who moved to a country home in the Chilterns from Eddlesborough near Tring after winning more than £2m on the lottery eight years ago, issued a moving tribute to their youngest son last night.

Victim named – The woman killed on a day out with her grandchildren was named last night as Judy De Gelas of Haines Road,Widmer End. Mrs Gelas,59, died after a car left the road and hit her on the pavement at West Wycombe on Wednesday. Her grandchildren aged nine and four are still in hospital in a serious but stable condition.

What’s on – Rock legend Paul Weller plays Aylesbury Civic Centre tonight together with “local boy” singer-songwriter John Otway.

Thursday 3rd June

First axe falls – Bucks County Council yesterday announced plans to close its 22 day centres and replace them with three purpose-built “community hubs” – one in Wycombe, one in Aylesbury and one in Amersham/Chesham. The move comes a day after council boss David Shakespeare warned of major changes to council services to save money The council is asking for comments before finalising the plan. The change to day centre services – mainly aimed at the old and the disabled - echoes changes being made locally by the NHS to concentrate specific specialised hospital treatments in one of three hospitals in the area – Stoke Mandeville, Wycombe and Wexham – rather than duplicate services in each.

Pedestrians mowed down - The driver of a car which hit a lamp-post and careered onto the footpath knocking down three people at 11 o’clock yesterday morning has been arrested on suspicion of driving over the alcohol limit and causing death by dangerous driving. A 59 year old woman died two hours after the Volvo smashed into her and two children in the High Street of the National Trust village of West Wycombe, near the entrance to the West Wycombe Hellfire Caves. The children – a boy of nine and a five year old girl – are in a serious but stable condition in an Oxford hospital. Police are not revealing their identities or that of the dead woman who was thought to be with them. The car driver – a 46 year old woman from Stokenchurch – was still in police custody last night.

What’s on - After a break of several years, the circus returns to High Wycombe today. The council agreed last year to lift the ban on circuses that included permitted performing animals, such as horses. Zippos Circus opens on the Rye today and runs until next Tuesday.

Wednesday 2nd June

Doom laden – Council boss David Shakespeare yesterday gave his grimmest warning yet about services ranging from education to welfare in Buckinghamshire. He said the council was staring down the barrel of significant reductions that would affect all services to the public over the next three years. Meanwhile Wycombe’s new MP Steven Baker risked a clash with his own Government yesterday when he said he was opposed to any increase in Capital Gains Tax in the emergency budget later this month.

Pothole alert – With many country roads in the area still dodgy with potholes after the bad winter, cyclists attending one of the country’s top road races on Sunday – the Chiltern Hundred – are being asked to shout “holes” at the top of their voice should they see a pothole in order to alert other riders following behind.

What’s on - Big band music at Reading Hexagon tonight with the Glenn Miller Band.

Tuesday 1st June

Holiday boom – Thousands were out and about in the Wycombe area yesterday in one of the busiest bank holidays for years. Roads in and out of Windsor and Henley were jammed and car parks full, while National Trust and other local attractions were packed. Country pubs enjoyed their busiest lunch-times of the year. Road accidents were low, although 78 year old cyclist is seriously ill after a crash involving a motorbike on the Henley Road in Dorchester. On Saturday a 50 year old woman from Chesham was killed in a road accident in the town.

Homes U-turn – Local councils will meet this week to decide if they want to stick to the numbers of new houses planned for their area after the Government said it was leaving it to councils to decide numbers. The previous Government had laid down targets for the numbers of new homes that councils had to allow, but there were concerns among some Wycombe area councils the figure was too high. South Oxfordshire District Council, which includes Henley and Thame, has already scrapped the 5,000 target it was given and it’s expected Aylesbury Vale will follow suit. Housebuilders are warning however, that there will not be enough homes for people to live in throughout the area unless targets are met.

What’s on - Strictly Come Dancing star Brendan Cole brings a dancing ensemble to Wycombe Swan tonight and tomorrow.

Monday 31st May

Luke’s back – Wycombe born golfer Luke Donald was back in the top ten of the world’s best golfers last night after winning his first tournament for four years yesterday. The Beaconsfield Golf Club and Hazlemere Golf Club professional is ranked ninth after his victory in the Madrid Masters. Donald has had a rough few years due to a wrist injury and the parting of the ways with his brother Christian as his caddy. But he’s been steadily improving this year is now brimming with confidence for the Open.

Traveller injunctions – A council won two emergency injunctions at the weekend to stop travellers moving onto two fields near Waltham St Lawrence A High Court judge granted Windsor and Maidenhead Council an injunction after the council were tipped off that the fields - in Green Belt – were about to be accessed. Travellers had previously illegally used the fields. The council said it will seek an injunction for another open area near Shurlock Row near Maidenhead.

What’s on - Billy Elliot The Musical, presented by an provincial theatre company, opens for a week at Windsor’s Theatre Royal tonight. Elsewhere, loads of bank holiday fetes, fairs and boot sales.

Friday 28th May

What's on - Fairport Convention, whose album Liege and Lief was voted the most influencial folk album of all time, play the Court Theatre at Pendley near Tring tonight. Meanwhile, Hardeep Singh Kholi presents night of laughter and cooking at Beck Theatre.

Thursday 27th May

What's On - United in Dance, a fast moving concoction of dance from all cultures and environments, is performed by young people from the Wycombe area at the Swan Theatre tonight.

Wednesday 26th May

What's on - There's a tribute gig to jazz swing band hero Buddy Rich at Wycombe Swan tonight.

Tuesday 25th May

What's on - American stand up comic Reginald D Hunter presents his sideways look at life at Wycombe Town Hall tonight.

Monday 24th May

What's on - There's an evening's summer racing at Windsor racecourse tonight. Te first race is at 6.15.

Sunday 23rd May

What's on - At the age of 80, the tireless stand-up comic Ken Dodd plays Wycombe Swan tonight.

Saturday 22nd May

Reality strikes - The relality of relegation to League 2 struck home for Wycombe Wanderers when striker Alex Revell moved to Leyton Orient, the team that eventually relegated the Blues from League 1, after earlier indicating he would stay. There's mounting doubt as to whether the club can hold on to their under-19 England international Matty Phillips, who is being eyed by clubs in higher divisions.

What's on - West End musical hits feature in Beyond the Barricade at Reading's Hexagon tonight.

Friday 21st May

Sextruplets born – A 31 year old mum thought to be from the south Oxfordshire area has given birth to six babies – four girls and two boys – at the John Radcliffe Hospital. The babies are in intensive care after being born 14 weeks early, a hospital spokesman said last night. The mum’s identity is being withheld for the moment “to give her time to adjust”.

Mental health cuts – Local mental health charities facing a £400,000 cut in funding from local health authorities said last night that patients will suffer. Oxfordshire NHS is making the cuts in the face of reductions in its own budget. It’s thought the NHS in Bucks is thinking of making similar cuts. The NHS gives grants to charities like MIND and Restore to help with mental health work. The move presents the coalition government with a dilemma because the Tory’s Big Society idea envisages local charities playing a bigger part in community health.

What’s on – There’s a “celebration of swing and hot dance music” as the Pasadena Roof Orchestra play the Beck Theatre in Hayes tonight.

Thursday 20th May

Gloomy outlook - It may not have been co-ordinated, but senior Tories were full of foreboding about major public spending in the Wycombe area yesterday. Boris Johnson hinted that the pan London Crossrail project may not go as far as Maidenhead; Attorney General Dominic Grieve warned Marlow constituents that planned cutbacks to local hospital services may not be stopped because of the financial position; and council leaders prepared statements for publication next month warning of possible council cuts.

Olympic fame – They weren’t exactly leaping for joy in Stoke Mandeville either when they discovered that a rather odd looking one-eyed doll called Mandeville will be one of the official 2010 Olympic mascots. The jury was still out among children puzzled by the expressionless characters, but local shops will hope to cash in when thousands arrive for the Paralympic events at nearby Stoke Mandeville Hospital in 2012.

What’s on – Katy Brand’s Big Ass tour arrives at Wycombe Swan tonight.

Wednesday 19th May

Libel action - A Wycombe religious leader who sued a journalist for calling him a “cult leader and imposter” lost his libel action yesterday. The judge, Justice Eady, ruled that he was unable to deal with the claim against Hardeep Singh brought by Sant Baba Jeet Singh Mahaaraj, from Wycombe’s Gurdwara temple. He said the case could not be resolved without reference to Sikh doctrines and rights and that a secular court could not engage in clerical issues. The allegations were printed in the Hindu Times.

Prices rise – Estate agents confirmed that house prices in the Wycombe area are gradually on the rise again after nearly two years of falls or stagnation. A survey yesterday said that Windsor and Maidenhead was now the second most expensive place in Britain to buy a house – the average of £392,895 was just slightly below the average in the posher parts of west London.

What’s on – Frogmore House, in Windsor Great Park, has been a favourite hideway of many members of the Royal Family over the past 300 years. It is only open to the public six days a year, and today and tomorrow are two such days.

Tuesday 18th May

End of an era – The Chesham Building Society, one of the oldest in the world, officially disappeared yesterday when the Financial Services Authority agreed that it should be swallowed by the Skipton Building Society.

Skydiving MP – Steven Baker, Wycombe’s new MP, who takes his seat in the House of Commons when Parliament resumes today, was just as excited last night about being named Britain’s first skydiving MP. The former RAF man had taken the jump for charity.

What’s on - Lisa Goddard stars in Alan Ayckbourn’s comedy, If I Were You, which opens for a fortnight’s run at Windsor’s Theatre Royal tonight

Monday 17th May

UKIP’s mistake – Former UKIP boss Nigel Farage admitted yesterday he miscalculated when he thought he could beat the Speaker, John Bercow, in his Buckingham seat. Farage came a poor third in election even though Tory, Labour and Lib Dem candidates didn’t stand. Mr Farage said he hadn’t appreciated how popular Mr Bercow was in the constituency, which includes Princes Risborough. “He is not very popular in Westminster but he certainly is in his constituency,” he said. Mr Bercow faces opposition for his role as Speaker when Parliament resumes tomorrow, but he is expected to retain his position.

Philips bid – Preston North End is expected to make a formal bid for Wycombe Wanderers’ best young player, Matty Phillips, today with an offer which is going to be difficult for cash-strapped Blues to resist. The Championship club, led by Darren Ferguson, see Aylesbury-born Philips – who has been named for the England under-19 squad – as a key target in strengthening their side. Meanwhile, an old Wycombe rivalry will be back next season in League 2 after Oxford United yesterday beat York City to win promotion from the Conference.

What’s on – Master comic Paul Merton plays to a packed Wycombe Swan tonight.

Sunday 16th May

Gay prosecution - The gay couple turned away from a Cookham guest house on religious grounds are to sue the owners, Mike and Susanne Wilkinson, it was announced yesterday. The private prosecution by Michael Black and John Morgan is being paid for by Liberty, the civil liberties organisation, on the grounds that the Wllkinsons broke the 1997 Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations. But the Wilkinsons, who will defend the action, say their religious conviction not to let gay people share a bed in their premises should be respected as much as gay rights. Police declined to prosecute the Wilkinsons. The case led senior church leaders to allege that people with religious beliefs are being persecuted – a claim they will repeat as part of the Wilkinson’s defence.

Fair play – They may have been relegated, but Wycombe Wanderers managed to pick up one trophy yesterday. They were presented with the League 1 Fair Play trophy by Prince William just before yesterday’s Cup Final. The team had the best disciplinary record in the league last season.

What’s on – Nostalgic day for former guides and brownies at Chiltern Open Air Museum today. Modern day guides from throughout Bucks have set up guide camps representing guiding through the years.

Saturday 15th May

Balcony fall – The confused 85 year old father of the BBC’s health correspondent, Fergus Walsh, died after falling from the balcony of a Wycombe private hospital, his inquest heard yesterday. Michael Walsh, from Beaconsfield, should never have been left alone at the Shelburne Hospital , the inquest heard, because he was in a very confused state. Fergus Walsh, who lives in Windsor and who was educated at Wycombe’s Royal Grammar School , and other members of his family are said to be taking legal action against the hospital. He told the BBC that unlocked doors to the balcony meant it was “an accident waiting to happen.”

Crossrail safe – The fast rail link from Maidenhead across London to the City - known as Crossrail - will be completed, the new government confirmed yesterday, although they may look for more contributions from the private sector. However there is increasing speculation that new transport secretary Philip Hammond may look for a cheaper alternative to the planned High Speed 2 route which is currently planned to go through tunnels and over viaducts from Denham to Birmingham, via Amersham and Wendover. Meanwhile, more raised eyebrows among traditional Tories in Bucks yesterday when Aylesbury MP David Lidington – a “pro-European” – was installed as a junior Europe minister in what many interpret as a sop to the pro-European Liberal Democrats.

What’s on – The age old tradition of weighing-in the new mayor takes place in Frogmoor in Wycombe town centre this morning (11.30). It will be accompanied by special stalls, free history tours, medieval Italian market, drill displays by the Civil War Society and a fashion show in the Eden shopping centre.

Friday 14th May

TV nightmare – Thousands of viewers had nothing to watch but Channel 5 for six hours yesterday. A fire 450 up a TV mast near Oxford wiped out all analogue and freeview channels in the Henley, Thame and Aylesbury areas but left C5 untouched. Satellite channels were unaffected.

Fewer victims – Stats yesterday showed that the number of crime victims fell by a dramatic 13 per cent in the Wycombe area over the past year – around 2,000 people. Earlier, figures showed their were fewer out of work too, bucking the national rising trend.

What’s on – The election has provided masses of material for stand up comics. You can find out for yourself at a Comedy Night in Aylesbury’s Civic Centre tonight.

Thursday 13th May

Top jobs – Beaconsfield MP Dominic Grieve was putting a brave face on being a casualty of the coalition government last night after he failed to get the job he expected. He takes on the lesser role of Attorney General after it was widely expected he would be Justice Secretary, a role he shadowed. Ken Clarke gets the senior legal job of Justice Secretary after it’s thought the role he was being lined up for was taken by a Liberal Democrat. Meanwhile Maidenhead MP Theresa May was catapulted to the top job of Home Secretary, to general surprise. Some ungenerous commentators suggested she had only got the senior post because there are so few women in the new cabinet. As expected, Chesham and Amersham MP Cheryl Gillan takes the Welsh Secretary role.

Runway relief – Actor Richard Briars will lead a small group of protestors to Downing Street today to thank the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister for killing off the plan to build a third runway at Heathrow. Mr Briars will hand over the deeds to 90,000 tiny plots of land which had been bought by individuals in the middle of the proposed third runway site in an attempt to stop the plan.

What’s on – the Royal Windsor Horse Show begins today for a three day event in the Home Park.

Wednesday 12th May

Mooted response – Clear signs last night that die-hard Conservatives in Buckinghamshire were not exactly thrilled with new Prime Minister David Cameron’s decision to form a coalition government with the Liberal Democrats. One very senior local Tory said party members would find a coalition “hard to swallow”, while in Conservative and Constitutional Clubs in the county, a number of party members were openly critical of the move.

Clearout part 2 – Wycombe Wanderers manager Gary Waddock continued his clearout of players yesterday, dismissing three more and bringing the total to 12. He also indicated he will work with a smaller squad of players next season to accommodate his restricted budget.

What’s on - The Windsor Tattoo begins a four night stint in Home Park tonight – a spectacular military parade involving 600 soliders, sailors and airmen.

Tuesday 11th May

Blues clearout – They might be endlessly negotiating ins and outs in Westminster, but no such niceties at relegated Wycombe Wanderers where manager Gary Waddock yesterday told nine players, including goalie Scott Shearer and striker Matt Harrold, that their services were no longer needed. He’s negotiating new contracts with six players, including popular strikers Alex Revell and Kevin Betsy, and has offered terms to three junior players.

Softly softly – Meanwhile locally elected Tories were being nice to the Lib-Dems yesterday while their party leaders continue to negotiate a coalition. Beaconsfield’s Dominic Grieve and Maidenhead’s Theresa May, both of whom would be cabinet ministers in a Tory minority Government or a Tory-Lib Dem Government’, had warm words for the way the Lib Dems had conducted themselves so far. Meanwhile the new Wycombe MP, Steve Baker, said he had “made peace” with his defeated Lib-Dem opponent Steve Guy after an election war of words on the internet.

What’s on – The Canterbury Tales, some of the oldest stories ever told, are given a modern twist in a production at Windsor’s Theatre Royal which opens tonight and runs until the end of the week.

Monday 10th May

Exams boycott – Hundreds of 10 and 11 year olds in the Wycombe area will not be taking SATS tests today because of a boycott by members of the National Union of Teachers and the National Association of Head Teachers. Most of the schools are in the Windsor and Maidenhead area but it’s thought some in Buckinghamshire will be hit too. The teachers complain that schools are subject to too much testing.

Street stabbing – A 17 year old woman and a 18 year old man have been arrested after a man was stabbed in the street on Saturday night. The 22 year old victim is recovering in hospital after the stabbing in Green Road, High Wycombe.

What’s on - Ruby Wax and musician Juliet Owen bring their new show to Oxford Playhouse tonight prior to a West End run.

Sunday 9th May

Speaker reform – John Bercow, the Speaker of the House of Commons who also represents Buckingham constituency, has dropped a heavy hint that he will enter the electoral reform debate by recommending changes to the system which allows the Speaker a virtual guarantee of re-election. Convention states that the three main parties do not contest the constituency where the Speaker sits, but in Buckingham, which includes Princes Risborough, hundreds told Mr Bercow they felt disenfranchised. Yesterday, Mr Bercow said he is going to report their views to the House of Commons “and look at what approach should be adopted in the future.” Meanwhile, Mr Bercow’s wife Sally has failed in her attempt to become a Labour councillor on Westminster Council.

Cheerful drop – Rarely can so many fans have accepted relegation with a smile on their face, but most left Adams Park cheerfully yesterday even though Wycombe Wanderers will play in League 2 next season. The reason was not only a rousing 3-0 victory against Gillingham – which also relegated the Kent side – but an upbeat message from manager Gary Waddock to fans after the game. He promised to bring in a raft of new players, encourage talented youngsters and further develop an attacking style of football which has characterised the team’s performance in the final games. In contrast to the boos and jeers 2,300 Gillingham fans aimed at their manager, Waddock – who arrived half way through the season - was loudly applauded and cheered by Wycombe fans.

What’s on – Carter’s traditional old steam fair steams up at Pinkey’s Green near Maidenhead today, while the famous and recently restored Pann Mill by the Wye in High Wycombe has an open day.

Saturday 8th May

Animal bill -The Spindles Farm animal cruelty case has cost the RSPCA more than £1m, the charity revealed yesterday. Court costs and vets fees make up most of the costs in what’s been the charity’s biggest investigation. It began when scores of horses, ponies and donkeys were found in poor conditions at the farm in Hyde Heath near Amersham, plus 32 equine corpses lying in fields. On Thursday horse-dealer James Gray and members of his family lost their appeal against conviction and next week Mr Gray will appeal against a 24 week prison sentence. The RSPCA expects to recoup £400,000 in court costs from the Gray family, who have now put the farm on the market for over £1m.

Runway hopes – If this weekend’s talks between Conservative and Liberal Democrats lead to some sort of pact, campaigners against a third runway at Heathrow will be delighted. Both parties are opposed to any further expansion at Heathrow. Campaigners preparing a fight against Labour’s plans to route a high speed rail track through the Chilterns will also feel they have a better chance of re-routeing the planned route away from the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, as candidates said in the election campaign they wanted the idea to “go back to the drawing board”. Meanwhile the prime minister, Gordon Brown, is expected to make what could be his last visit to the PM’s country home, Chequers, near Princes Risborough, today to consider his next moves amid the peace of the countryside.

What’s on – The Hambleden Horse Trials are being held this weekend near Henley, while there’ll be an expected farewell appearance for some Wycombe Wanderers players when they entertain Gillingham at Adams Park today – the last game of the season for the already relegated club.

Friday 7th May

Same again – No big surprises in Wycombe area constituencies in yesterday’s general election with a clean sweep for the Conservatives. Steven Baker (Wycombe), Theresa May (Maidenhead), Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham), Dominic Grieve (Beaconsfield), Adam Afriyie (Windsor) and David Lidington (Aylesbury) were all comfortably returned in a high turn-out poll. In Buckingham, which includes Princes Risbrough, John Bercow was returned as the Speaker. Some comfort for the Liberal Democrats however, who increased their share of the vote in the area compared to the 2005 election

Thursday 6th May

Excitement mounts – All the candidates in Wycombe area constituencies agreed on one thing last night – that turnout for today’s general election is likely to be the highest for years. Unofficial estimates from town halls indicated that the number of postal votes is the highest on record. Meanwhile, many local candidates confirmed a CNN poll last night that the biggest issue on the doorsteps in the campaign was not the economy, but the level of immigration.

Murder mystery – Three young men convicted yesterday of murdering a 20 year old Wycombe man are refusing to say why they did it. Christopher Joseph, aged 22, Lotto Williams, aged 19, and Kieron George, aged 17, all from High Wycombe,were found guilty at Reading Crown Court of murdering Jourdan Griffiths at a Wycombe town centre squat last summer. Jourdan died from a single knife wound when he opened the door to callers.

Det Chief Inspector Peter Vigurs said :“The three people convicted today went to the address on that night intending to do some wrong to someone. As a result, Jourdan Griffiths was stabbed in the heart with a large kitchen knife. None of the three stood up and told the truth about the attack and it now seems likely that Jourdan’s parents will never get to know why he was killed or even whether he was the intended victim.” The three will be sentenced later.

What’s on - Joan Armatrading plays Wycombe Swan tonight, while if you want to put yourself in good humour for the overnight election drama, the final Hellfire Comedy Club of the series is held at Wycombe Town Hall tonight.

Wednesday 5th May

Hustings hearsay - Bookies odds -As election candidates throughout the area undertake widespread canvassing today, the last full day before the election, bookies were detecting tactical voting from Labour to Lib Dems. Odds on Lib Dems winning dropped to 10 to 1 and 25 to 1 in Wycombe and Beaconsfield respectively, putting them in second place. But, unsurprisingly, Tories remain the heavy favourites to retain their seats in Wycombe, Beaconsfield, Henley, Chesham and Amersham, Aylesbury, Windsor and Maidenhead.

Hustings hearsay – UKIP surge – Meanwhile in Buckingham, which includes Princes Risborough, the odds on a victory by UKIP leader Nigel Farage dropped to 4 to 1 last night. None of the big three parties are contesting Buckingham because it’s the seat of the current Speaker, John Bercow – a situation that’s caused much controversy and dismay in the constituency. However Mr Bercow is 1 to 5 on to retain the seat. A pro-Euro former Tory, John Stevens, who is contesting Buckingham as an independent and who threatened to sue a local newspaper for publishing wrong allegations about his funding, won a full apology yesterday. The Bucks Herald also agreed to pay his legal expenses.

What’s on -Wycombe Arts Festival brings “fairytales for adults” with actor Ben Haggarty at Church House in Hughenden Park tonight in a performance entitled The Blacksmith at the Bridge of Bones and other tales of Alchemy. Elsewhere, former Foreign Secretary Lord Douglas Hurd opens the Chalfont St Giles and Jordans Literary Festival tonight. Future speakers include Brian Sewell and Ben McIntyre. See their website for details.

Tuesday 4th May

Hustings hearsay – Tory apology – Wycombe Conservative candidate Steve Baker last night apologised to his Lib Dem opponent Steve Guy for a leaflet the Tories produced saying that the Libs would abolish grammar schools. He accepted it was not part of Lib Dem policy.

Down and out – Wycombe Wanderers, who were relegated from League 1 on Saturday, failed to beat a side three leagues below them yesterday when they lost the Berks and Bucks Cup Final to Maidenhead United by 3-2.

What’s on – An old fashioned farce, The Little Hut, opens at Windsor’s Theatre Royal tonight. It stars Aden Gillett and Janice Dee and runs until Saturday.

Monday 3rd May

Hustings hearsay – Schools row – The future of Bucks grammar schools almost inevitably entered the local political debate at the weekend with angry Lib Dems accusing Conservatives of scaremongering. Tory leaflets printed late last week to combat the Lib Dem surge in support said the party would abolish grammar schools if they were in power. But Lib Dem candidate Steve Guy said it was “simply untrue” and an act of desperation. He said his party would seek a “fairer” distribution of funding to help schools who deal with children from poorer backgrounds.

Flood watch – Yesterday’s heavy rain prompted the Environment Agency to issue a flood alert on the River Thame last night.

What’s on – The last time the picturesque Chiltern village of Aldbury held a May Fair there was a murder – albeit one in Midsomer Murders with Chief Inspector Barnaby on hand to find the villain. Today it’s the real thing, without TV cameras and, hopefully, murder victims. Meanwhile,top comic Rhod Gilbert, whose sell out show at the Wycombe Swan was cancelled at the last minute in March because he was taken ill, returns tonight, in full fitness...

Sunday 2nd May

Protest arrests – Shops shut and buses diverted, but a feared demonstration in the centre of Aylesbury by the ultra right English Defence League went off with just a few scuffles yesterday. There were 12 arrests and around 800 supporters – positively quiet for an EDL rally. However . shops that did remain open suffered because many people stayed away from the town centre, fearing trouble.

Youngest mayor – Windsor will have Britain’s youngest mayor next month when 29 year old Catherine Burnsall takes office as the Queen’s local civic dignitary.

Wouldn’t you know it - Football is often full of ironies. So it was almost inevitable that the man that should put the final nail in Wycombe Wanderers coffin yesterday was Scott McGleish, who left the club earlier this season after a bust-up with former manager Peter Taylor. McGleish hammered home a second goal in Leyton Orient’s 2-0 defeat of the Blues which relegated them to League 2. Manager Gary Waddock – whose former club Aldershot stand a good chance of being promoted from League 2 (another ironic twist) – declared “We’ll be back” as he prepared for a player clear-out and a priority to buy a couple of decent strikers.

Saturday 1st May

Hospital pressure – The future of Wycombe Hospital became the red hot local election topic last night after a woman who broke her hip in the hospital had to be taken to Stoke Mandeville Hospital for treatment. All of the local candidates said they wanted NHS reforms, but health managers say they have to concentrate different services in all the area’s hospitals because they don’t have the cash to spread the services to each of them. They also don’t see how any of the candidates, if they become MP, will be able to persuade the government of the day to provide more cash for the local health service.

Hustings hearsay – The Conservatives announced plans yesterday to give Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, control over commuter rail services if they win the election...odds on the Lib Dem in Maidenhead dropped dramatically to 11-1 yesterday after the party said that Labour voters were joining them in an attempt to topple Shadow Cabinet member Theresa May, who has been criticised for spending most of the campaign away from Maidenhead.

What’s on – The May Day Morris Dancers will be doing their thing from as early as 6am today at one of Britiain’s oldest pubs, The Royal Standard of England, at Knotty Green near Beaconsfield. But you don’t have to get up that early – they’ll be jingling away for periods throughout the day.

Friday 30th April

Train rethink – Top Tory Dominic Grieve went further than official Conservative policy when he told an election meeting last night that his party would “go back to the drawing board” over the high speed rail route through the Chilterns if they won the election. There’s uproar over plans to put the route through Tory heartlands in Chalfont, Great Missenden and Wendover.

Hustings hearsay – An online poll for the Bucks Free Press gave Lib Dems a staggering 65 per cent of the vote in Wycombe yesterday. Although it’s a random, unbalanced poll it adds to Lib Dem claims they are finding major new support. Conservatives say the feedback they are receiving however is putting them well on course to be returned in what they consider a safe seat.

What’s on – Professional story tellers relate classic Indian and south Asian stories to sounds of Indian classical music in The Thousand Petalled Lotus Flower at Trinity United Reformed Church in Wycombe today, as part of the Wycombe Arts Festival.

wednesday 28th April

Horror farm on market – Animal dealer James Gray, jailed for 24 weeks last year for what vets described as the worst case of animal cruelty they have ever seen, is selling his farm – because it’s value could plummet due to the proposed high speed rail line. He’s gambling that someone will buy Spindles Farm for over £1m in the hope that the rail line will not go through its land, even though the Government has said it’s preferred route puts the line through Hyde Heath, where the farm is situated. A number of horses, ponies and donkeys were found dead on the farm and others had to be put down. Gray was ordered to pay £400,000 in court costs to the RSPCA. He and his family have appealed against their convictions and will hear the result of the appeal on election day.

Hustings hearsay – John Stevens, the pro-European former Tory standing as an independent against Speaker John Bercow in Buckingham received a £20,000 donation from two supporters yesterday...an unofficial poll in among students at Buckinghamshire New University showed a staggering 50 per cent support for Lib Dems...and bookies have more than halved the odds on a Lib Dem victory in Wycombe to 11 to 1. The Tories are still favourites on evens.

What’s on – Jools Holland brings his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra to Wycombe Swan tonight, with guest singer Alison Moyet.

Tuesday 27th April

March disruption – Aylesbury bus station and a number of shops in the town centre will close on Saturday afternoon as the right-wing group English Defence League march through the town. The anti-Islamic organisation reckons that hundreds of their supporters will join the march, and today police and council officers meet to finalise plans for controlling the marchers and keeping protestors at bay.

Hustings hearsay – Schools fear – Top Tories in Buckinghamshire have the same fears as their colleagues in Kent about the Conservative proposals for schools, a party source said privately last night. Kent and Bucks both have grammar schools and Kent leaders yesterday went public in criticising David Cameron’s plans to enable parents to set up their own schools. In Bucks some Tories think that some upper schools could be undermined if the “do your own thing” policy becomes law.

What’s on – Spike Milligan’s hilarious wartime autobiography, Adolph Hitler, My Part In His Downfall, takes to the stage at Windsor’s Theatre Royal tonight and runs until Saturday.

Monday 26th April

Hustings hearsay – Things are hotting up in the final full week of the election. Wycombe’s Labour candidate Andrew Lomas caused a rumpus when he said the town’s Tory Council were forced to cut rent increases while the Tories said Labour set rents in the first place. Lib Dem Steve Guy claimed that hundreds were now pledging their support in Wycombe, while in Amersham and Chesham Labour’s Antony Gajadharsingh said he supported country pursuits, but not fox hunting. Meanwhile the returning officer in Henley has changed his mind and said the count will take place on election night, and not the following day.

What’s on – Full programme of turf racing at Windsor Racecourse this evening – the first race is at 5.10 and the last at 7.40.

Sunday 25th April

River rescue – Two drunks who had a blazing row on a boat on the Thames had to be rescued by police and a group of sea cadets. One man jumped into the river at Maidenhead and was dragged out by police, and the other leapt onto a small island and was rescued by sea cadets and their trainers taking part in an exercise.

Still there – Wycombe Wanderers are hanging onto their League 1 existence by the skin of their teeth following a 2-2 draw with Swindon yesterday in a game they could have won but for blown chances. They now need to win both remaining games and hope that other teams in the relegation zone lose to save themselves from the drop.

What’s on – Elgar and Vaughan Williams compositions are being played in a free concert at Marlow’s Parish Church this afternoon.

Saturday 24th April

Double death driver jailed - A Chesham driver was jailed for seven and a half years yesterday for causing the deaths of two of his young passengers.
Jason Hazell, 30, of Cresswell Road was driving a Rover in the early hours on the London Road near Chalfont St Peter last June when it hit a lampost and overturned. Laura Smith, aged 20, from Amersham, and Stephen Smith, aged 24 died instantly.

Mole hunt - Officials at London Wasps are trying to discover who leaked embarrasing details about the club's tax affairs to a national newspaper. News that the club owes £1m to the tax authorities and faced a possible winding up order brought a swift response yesterday. Owner Steve Hayes - who has delicate but controversial plans to move Wasps and Wycombe Wanderers, which he also owns, to a new stadium with council support - was quick to put payment arrangements in place to the Revenue and issue a statement saying the future of the rugby club was safe. The council said yesterday that the story in the Independent would not affect its relations with Mr Hayes and the clubs.

Big game - Meanwhile there's expected to be a big crowd at Adams Park today as relegation threatened Wycombe meet promotion hopefuls Swindon in League 2. Both sides need to win to keep alive their hopes against relegation (in Wycombe's case) or staying in a play-off place (in Swindon's case).

Wednesday 21st April

Pay-back time – People under the Heathrow flightpath who have enjoyed peaceful nights for the last five days, were paying back last night when the number of flights after 10pm was doubled to enable the airlines to bring in as many stranded travellers as possible. The Government gave special permission for airlines to break the 16 night flight limit because of “exceptional circumstances”.

Hustings hearsay – Serious loon – Buckingham Monster Raving Loony candidate Colin Dale has broken a party rule – by being serious. He told his local paper that “current politicians are nothing more than a bunch of crooks” and says he wants a referendum on Europe and stiffer immigration rules. Not a word about official Raving Loony policy of forcing shops to sell socks in threes so that if one is lost you still have a pair.

What’s on – Roy Chubby Brown brings his robust comedy to Aylesbury’s Civic Centre this evening. But as it says in the small print, it’s for over-18s only and if you are “easily offended” don’t bother going.

Tuesday 20th April

Policewoman injured – A policewoman is in a serious condition in hospital after being hit by a van driven by thieves fleeing a burglary. She has multiple injuries after the hit and run in Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury yesterday. The incident capped a flurry of crime in the region. Gold was stolen during a smash and grab at a Henley jewellers in Duke Street yesterday afternoon while in Wycombe, police are hunting an armed gang that raided Poundworld in the High Street in broad daylight.

Hustings hearsay – Own goal – The amazing Lib Dem surge was helped in Chesham and Amersham when the only main candidate to turn up at a major hustings meeting was the Lib Dem candidate. Labour’s Anthony Gajadharsingh had ill-advisedly flown to New York last week and is still stranded there; while defending Tory Cheryl Gillan, the Shadow Welsh Secretary, was canvassing in Wales and putting her foot in it by getting the name of the Welsh First Minister wrong. All of which left Lib Dem Tim Sharkey to ram home his leaders’ message of the main two parties taking voters for granted. “MPs in safe seats see themselves as untouchable” he said.

Price freeze – Wycombe Wanderers yesterday took a pragmatic decision to freeze season ticket prices for next season. Attendances have been falling and with the real prospect of League 2 football, the club is taking no chances. It’s another indication that new boss Gary Waddock will not have a big budget for players and that a major clearout of existing ones is on the cards. Finances weren’t helped when the club were fined £3,500 by the FA yesterday after their players were involved in a fracas with Millwall players earlier in the season.

Monday 19th April

Stranded pupils – Eight Bucks school have 136 pupils and accompanying staff stranded abroad because of the cessation of flights due to volcanic ash, it emerged yesterday. Hundreds of employees in the area also failed to return from Easter holidays yesterday.

Hustings hearsay – Register now – Today is the last day to ensure you are on the electoral register. If you aren’t you can’t vote, but you can still register by contacting your local council. All the candidates will be known tonight because nominations close this afternoon.

What’s on – The Solstice String Quartet play Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven at Chenies Manor House tonight. See amershamfestival.org for details. Meanwhile, a stage version of The Hobbit opens at Wycombe Swan until Saturday.

Sunday 18th April

Sound of silence – Thousands of homes in the Wycombe area heard something really rare yesterday – silence. With the skies out of bounds to aircraft for a third day, due to volcanic ash, the silence above seemed even more noticeable at the weekend. Even light aircraft heeded Civil Aviation Authority advice and remained grounded yesterday.

Hanging on – A winning goal four and a half minutes into extra time kept Wycombe Wanderers hopes of avoiding relegation alive yesterday. A Kevin Betsy scrambled goal in what proved to be the last kick of the match saw the Blues win at Milton Keynes 3-2. They still have a big mountain to climb though, with only three games left and five points from safety, and as luck would have it most of the other relegation-threatened teams pulled off big wins yesterday.

What’s on - The Mustang car owners club meet for their annual gathering at Waddesdon Manor today. The High Wycombe Piano Festival is at Wycombe Town Hall.

Saturday 17th April

Legoland hotel – Windsor’s Legoland has won its battle to become a mini Disneyland after Windsor Council accepted its plan to build a 150 bedroom hotel on the site in time for the Olympics. The hotel is key to a £30m development of the popular attraction.

Hustings hearsay – where’s Paul?- Wycombe’s retiring MP Paul Goodman has yet to play a part in the campaign of his successor Steve Baker. Local Tories expected Mr Goodman to be on the stump, but so far he’s passed no comment on Mr Baker and stuck to commentating on national issues on a Tory blog.

Manager resigns – Paul Ince resigned as manager of Milton Keynes Dons yesterday, hours before his side are due to play Wycombe Wanderers. MK Dons have lost the last seven games and the new chaos may boost Wycombe’s slim hopes of avoiding relegation...or, of course, it may make the Dons players more determined to win on their home ground.

Friday 16th April

Air ambulance grounded – The Wycombe air ambulance was in action just one hour before it was grounded by the volcanic ash cloud that closed all of Britain’s air traffic routes yesterday and today. Traffic on the M40 near Wycombe was stopped while the helicopter lifted a critically injured motorcyclist to hospital. One hour later the helicopter manufacturers ordered it not to fly because of the possible danger the ash could do to its engines.

Hustings hearsay – Local boy does good – Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, who was the clear winner of last night’s first TV election debate according to instant polls, is expected to be asked to return to his birthplace to help local candidates in the election. Mr Clegg was born in Chalfont St Giles and went to a prep school in Farnham Royal before going to Westminster school. Hardly anyone recalls him as a lad, but that won’t worry local candidates who will feel boosted by his success.

What’s on – Chris Barber, one of the great British trombonists, celebrates his upcoming 80th birthday and 60 years as a bandleader when he plays the Court Theatre at Pendley, near Tring tonight with his jazz and blues band.

Thursday 15th April

Hustings hearsay – DIY candidate – Mother of two Debbie Martin couldn’t make up her mind who to vote for in the election...so she is standing herself. Mrs Martin, 53, from Princes Risborough, joins an increasing list of colourful candidates taking on Speaker John Bercow in the Buckingham constituency, which includes Risborough. She told the Bucks Free Press that many of her friends said they weren’t going to bother voting or spoiling their voting paper because the three main parties are following tradition and not putting up a candidate against the Speaker. “I thought what a waste, especially after what Emmeline Pankhurst went through to get women the vote,” she told the paper.

Meanwhile, former BBC journalist and ex-independent MP, Martin Bell, the man in the white suit, will be canvassing in the constituency today in support of pro-Euro former Tory MEP John Stevens, also standing as an independent. Three other ex-Tories, UKIP leader Nigel Farage , the BNP, a man from Haddenham who’s formed his own party – the Free Democratic Party - and, perhaps inevitably, the Monster Raving Loony Party make up the rest of the list.

Charity game – A host of famous soccer stars descend on Adams Park tonight to play a charity game against a Wycombe Wanderes Old Boys side in memory of former Wycombe manager Mike Keen, who died from cancer earlier this year aged 69. Gianfranco Zola, Teddy Sheringham, Gus Poyet, Clive and Martin Allen and Mike Keen’s son Kevin, who played for West Ham, will take on a side comprising current Blues manager Gary Waddock and including former heroes Keith Ryan, Steve Brown, Glyn Creaser, Mark West, Tommy Mooney and Paul Hyde. All money raised goes to cancer research.

Wednesday 14th April

Arson probe – Investigators are probing whether an arsonist may have been responsible for one of the area’s biggest fires for years yesterday. Firefighters from a 15 mile radius spent 16 hours in shifts damping down 100,000 square metres of blazing wood chippings at a furniture factory yard in Iver. They had to draw water from a nearby canal to help quench the flames.

Hustings hearsay – Candidates agree – The man with one of the most hopeless tasks in the election – the Labour candidate for Beaconsfield, Jeremy Miles – had the shock of his life last night. Having spent the campaign complaining that defending MP Dominic Grieve does not spend enough time in the consitutency, Mr Grieve AGREED with him. But Mr Grieve, Shadow Justice Secretary who’s defending a mere 15,000plus majority, said he had to balance time in Beaconsfield with time on the stump nationally and that he was spending has much time as he could canvassing locally while working an 85 hour week.

Revelling in it – A 0-3 win at Tranmere last night set up a fascinating end of season chase for Wycombe Wanderers. Although they are still second from bottom and six points from safety in League Two with four games left, the last two of those games are against fellow relegation strugglers Leyton Orient and Gillingham. A blistering performance from Alex Revell, who scored two, topped a battling performance from the Blues, who could have scored several more. Matty Bloomfield made it three.

Tuesday 13th April

Pupils’ rights – Beaconsfield High School pupils yesterday hit back over their right to have a say in who becomes the school’s new headteacher, following the withdrawal from the post of Wycombe High School deputy head Sally Jarratt, after a Facebook campaign against her. A sixth former called Kate told the Daily Mail’s website: “It is absolutely paramount that teachers and students like a headteacher in order for the school to really work.” She added: “We know what our school needs better than anyone.” The school kept silent over the issue yesterday.

Hustings hearsay... Adolph slur – Henley’s Tory candidate John Howell asked for a police investigation yesterday into a YouTube video which shows a man dressed as Hitler ranting about local Conservatives. He says it is offensive and defamatory. Meanwhile UKIP leader Nigel Farage launches his campaign in Buckingham today, calling for a clampdown on immigration.

What’s on – London Chamber Strings play a concert as part of the Amersham Festival in St Mary’s Parish Church, Amersham this evening. See amershamfestival.org for details

Monday 12th April

Commuter stress – New research shows that people who commute to London regularly may be reducing their lifespan because of the stress. Although people in the Wycombe area generally live longer than the national average, the research by the pensions consultancy Club Vita, published yesterday, has looked in more detail at the figures. Researchers said that in Windsor and Maidenhead, for instance, people of a certain income who commute regularly live a year less than the average. Commuters in neighbouring Hertfordshire can expect to die 1.8 years earlier than the average, they added.

Hustings hearsay – pupil power debate – The debacle at Beaconsfield High School – where a new head appointed from Wycombe High School seemingly failed to take up her appointment because of a Facebook campaign thought to be launched by pupils on the interview panel - looks set to become a major election issue. Tories are expected to condemn the rising influence of pupil power in the running of schools, and may find support from Labour... the Easter conferences of the teaching unions said that pupil power had gone too far.

What’s on– Tom Conti stars in the slick stage comedy Wife After Death, which opens for a week’s run in Windsor’s Theatre Royal tonight.

Sunday 11th April

Head quits after Facebook campaign – The woman appointed head of Beaconsfield High School has quit after a Facebook campaign against her by pupils and teachers, a newspaper claimed yesterday. Sally Jarrett, the current deputy head of Wycombe High School, was chosen despite opposition from pupils on the school interviewing panel, said yesterday’s Telegraph. Mrs Jarrett withdrew from the position without taking it up after a Facebook campaign “got nasty and out of order”, one governor at the girls’ school said. The Facebook page, which fought for pupils’ choice - acting head Owain Johns - to get the role, has now been withdrawn. The job is being readvertised.

Clinging on – Wycombe Wanderers sent their fans home happy for once with a convincing 2-0 win against Hartlepool yesterday, with skillful goals from JP Pittman and Matty Phillips. They are still second from bottom in League 1, but with games against fellow strugglers Tranmere, Leyton Orient and Gillingham to come they could finish with a flourish.

What’s on –Guided walks of Windsor are operating today, beginning at 11.30 and 12.30 by the central station.

Saturday 10th April

New court – The area’s first court to deal specifically with domestic violence cases has been launched in High Wycombe, following an increase in home abuse. It enables witnesses and victims to give evidence via a video link and cases are heard by specially trained magistrates. In addition, help is also available from organisations like Women’s Aid.

Hustings hearsay...count delayed – Speaker John Bercow will have to wait 24 hours to see if he is back in Parliament after the returning officer for his Buckingham constituency decided to count the votes on May 7, the day after the election. The counts for Buckingham and Aylesbury are taking place in the same building with the same returning officer, Andrew Grant, who said yesterday it wasn’t possible to conduct both counts on election night. Mr Bercow shouldn’t lose too much sleep though – an opinion poll conducted by his local paper this week suggested that he would get 69 per cent of the poll.

What’s on – He may be best known for Corrie and TV quiz shows, but Bradley Walsh started life as a stand-up comic on stage. He returns to the art in his one man show at the Beck Theatre in Hayes tonight.

Friday 9th April

Taxmen raid pub – A town centre pub was raided for the second time in 10 weeks yesterday. Revenue and Customs officials swooped on The Two Brewers in North Street, Thame and seized tobacco and alcohol. A man was arrested. In late January police officers seized £6,000 in cash during a raid on the pub using powers from the new Proceeds from Crime Act. A man was also arrested on that occasion.

Hustings hearsay... MPs farewell – Wycombe’s MP Paul Goodman spent his last day in the House of Commons yesterday as Parliament prorogued. When he first arrived on the scene nine years ago he seemed, frankly, a bit of an oddity. The son of Jewish parents, he trained as a novice monk for a couple of years, and bore a striking resemblance to Mr Bean, which he sportingly acknowledged. But he gained respect among the constituency, even receiving an accolade from Wycombe’s Labour leader last month as “an excellent MP”. He strove hard to establish close links with Wycombe’s Muslim community, particularly during the tensions surrounding the liquid bomb plot trial, and there was genuine shock at his announcement last year that he was standing down because he was disillusioned with the Commons following the expenses scandal. He feared that MPs would in future only be “professional pollticians” no longer the “ordinary man in the street.” A complex decision from a complex man. But he’ll be missed.

What’s on – The Amersham Festival kicks off its musical content tonight with a concert featuring Mexican soprano Ana Schwedhelm, featuring everything from Gerswhin and Rogers and Hart to classic South American music. It’s at St James Church Centre in Gerrards Cross. More details from www.amershamfestival.org

Thursday 8th April

Rape charge – A man appears in court today charged with raping a 15 year old girl 30 years ago. Ronald Cheshire, 52, from Thame is also charged with kidnap and false imprisonment of the girl in Maidenhead. It’s the second similar charge in two weeks – a man is currently in custody charged with raping three children in Wycombe over 20 years ago. The charges following the setting up of a New Tricks department at Thames Valley Police, called a major crime review team, who are reinvestigating unsolved crimes with new crime detection techniques.

Hustings hearsay...spoilt for choice – Right of centre voters in the Buckingham constituency, which includes Princes Risborough, are spoilt for choice on May 6, when, by tradition, they shouldn’t have any choice at all. On the right they have UKIP leader Nigel Farage; on the further right, a former Conservative and UKIP member Geoff Howard who’s standing because he’s “disillusioned with party politics”; on the left-right a pro-European Tory John Stevens; and somewhere between centre-right and right-right a former Bucks High Sherriff who says “in the absence of a proper Conservative candidate I offer myself as the next best thing.” Of course, the Conservatives “proper”, Labour and the Lib-Dems aren’t standing because Buckingham is the seat of the Speaker John Bercow, and by tradition no-one usually stands against the Speaker. In fact, usually the ballot paper has just one tick-box on it alongside the phrase “The Speaker seeking re-election”, so Mr Bercow’s name won’t appear on the ballot paper. Whether all that dents his previous 18,000 majority remains to be seen.

What’s on- An exhibition in Windsor Castle’s Drawings Gallery opens today to mark the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII’s accession to the throne. It finishes on 18 April.

Wednesday 7th April

Heads down – It may be a blessing in disguise, but the Wycombe area won’t be seeing many big name politicians in the next four weeks to election day. The big parties have decided that it’s such a True Blue area it’s not worth sending in the big boys and girls to try and persuade voters one way or the other. Indeed, we’ll be lucky to see the political heavyweights we already have: last night Beaconsfield’s Dominic Grieve, the Shadow Justice Secretary, was door-knocking in Carlisle; while Maidenhead’s Teresa May, Shadow Works and Pensions Secretary, was drumming up support in Southampton.

Hustings hearsay – Here’s the first of our daily election snippets between now and polling day on 6 May...Boundary changes throughout the Wycombe area constituencies are likely to spread out the Tory majorities. Marlow, with its Lib Dem tradition, moves into the Beaconsfield constituency but that shouldn’t worry Dominic Grieve with one of the biggest majorities in the country. Hazlemere moves to Wycombe from Chesham and Amersham and Tylers Green to Wycombe from Beaconsfield, probably strengthening the Tories in Wycombe. Princes Risborough finds itself at the southern most tip of the Buckingham constituency, where the main parties aren’t standing against the Speaker John Bercow... but where UKIP leader Nigel Farage is.

Axe attack – A clubber escaped with minor injuries after he was attacked by someone wielding an axe as he left a Wycombe night club at four o’clock in the morning. The 24 year old was taken to hospital with face injuries after the Sunday morning attack, but discharged shortly afterwards. Police are appealing for witnesses to the attack outside the Life on Mars night club.

What’s on - Mock the Week’s Frankie Boyle brings his “in your face” stand up show to Reading’s Hexagon tonight, while at Oxford’s Playhouse, LOL, one act play about love, life and internet dating opens at the BT Studio and runs to end of week.

Tuesday 6th April

Lord Goodman? – Excited political bloggers, beside themselves at the prospect of the General Election being called today, were tipping retiring Wycombe MP Paul Goodman for a role in the House of Lords last night. The Tories need to create around 100 peers if they win the election and they are looking for retiring MPs not affected by the MPs expenses scandal. On top of that Mr Goodman is about to play a major behind-the-scenes role for the Conservatives in the election campaign.

Elsewhere, toys are already being thrown out of the political pram even before prime minister Gordon Brown is sees the Queen today to ask for Parliament to be dissolved. Labour’s Peter Hain said last night that the Chesham and Amersham MP Cheryl Gillan, the Shadow Minister for Wales, would be totally unsuitable to be the Secretary of State for Wales if the Tories win.“Her weekends are in Buckinghamshire surrounded by stockbrokers – it’s diametrically opposed, socially, to Wales,” he told Welsh activists. “The question she has to answer is which constituency is she going to stand up for? She can’t satisfy both at the same time.” The feisty Mrs Gillan thanked Mr Hain for his “concern over my sleeping arrangements” before going on to condemn his personal attack as “gutter politics”.

Clear out – The biggest clear-out of players ever seen at Wycombe Wanderers seems likely after two defeats in three days left the Blues virtually certain of relegation from League 1. Defeats by the same scoreline, 2-1, occurred yesterday at Walsall and on Saturday at Adams Park against Huddersfield Town. With a lot of players out of contract at the end of the season, and many of the current squad on loan, manager Gary Waddock is said to be relishing the opportunity to virtually start from scratch with a new squad next season.

What’s on - High School Hits, an interactive pop gig featuring songs from High School Musical 1, 2 and 3, Hairspray, Camp Rock and loads of number one hits, plays at Aylesbury’s Civic Centre this afternoon. Meanwhile, there’s a free show in the streets of Wendover at 1.30 when a flyover of RAF Halton takes place to mark the passing out of newly trained pilots.

Easter 2010

What’s on this Easter

Here’s a selection of things to do this Easter:

Events

Chiltern Open Air Museum, Chalfont St Giles – displays include 18th century cooking, soldiers preparing for war and women spinning wool.

Thame Country Fair (not Good Friday)

Craft fair and country demonstrations at Hyde End, near Chesham.

Easter Egg trails, egg painting and other Easter attractions at the Roald Dahl Museum in Great Missenden, Waddesdon Manor, Tiggywinkles Animal Centre and Cliveden

The Boarstall Duck Decoy near Aylesbury, one of only three Duck Decoys in the country, opens for the summer season on Sunday. See boarstalldecoy@nationaltrust.org.uk for details.

Chilterns Easter Food Festival – Memorial Hall Park, Great Missenden

Thomas and Tank Engine and steam trains at Bucks Railway Centre, Quainton

Free puppet shows in Aylesbury Friars Square (Friday and Saturday) and Maidenhead town centre.

Sport and action

Wycombe Wanderers v Huddersfield Town (Saturday)

London Wasps v London Irish at Adams Park (Sunday)

Karting at Little Kingshill

Fitness Trail and BMX biking in Wendover Woods

Show jumping at Snowball Farm Equestrian Centre, Burnham (Sunday)

Shows

For the first time TV’s legendary detective Columbo comes to the stage at Windsor’s Theatre Royal. Prescription Murder – the first ever Columbo story – stars American actor Dirk Benedict in the Peter Falk role. It opens on Easter Monday and runs until Saturday.

BBC Children’s entertainers Chris and Pui at Wycombe Swan (Friday morning and afternoon)

What Black Women Want, drama by Yaw Asiyama, at Wycombe Swan (Saturday)

Exhibitions

The summer exhibition of Stanley Spencer’s wonderful art opens at Cookham’s Stanley Spencer Gallery on Saturday, concentrating on his work inspired by his wife Hilda Carline, to mark the 60th anniversary of her death.

Stained glass painting exhibition at the Bucks Goat Centre, Stoke Mandeville

Our Sporting Life exhibition at Henley’s Rowing and River Museum

Thursday 1st April

Hospitals safe – Health officials last night took an extraordinary step to combat growing rumours by issuing an official statement saying that Wycombe Hospital and Marlow Community Hospital were not closing. But in a tacit acceptance that they hadn’t been keeping the public well enough informed about future health plans they said they would be holding several public meetings in the coming months. The statement came on the same day as the opening of the Wycombe Health Centre at Wycombe Hospital, which provides access to family doctors 12 hours a day on a walk-in or booking basis.

Don’t sail – Hundreds of sailors on the River Thames are unlikely to enjoy their first outing of the year this Easter because the river is still flowing dangerously. Several stretches between Oxford and Teddington Lock were still under red alert last night – which prevents all boats from sailing – while many others were under “yellow alert and flow increasing”, which prevents non-powered boats from sailing and advises powered boats to find a safe mooring. With more rain due today and tomorrow, red alerts could cover the whole of the Thames on Sunday and Monday.

What’s on – Drive in movies are featured as part of an experiment at Stubbings Nursery in Maidenhead tonight, tomorrow and Saturday (Dirty Dancing tonight, Titanic tomorrow and The Italian Job on Saturday). It’s £25 per car (or £20 if you book online) and the sound comes via your car stereo. See www.stubbingsnursery.co.uk for details.

Wednesday 31st March

Broadband boost – Superfast Broadband – giving internet speeds at least five times faster than present – is being made available to over 100,000 homes in the Wycombe area. BT announced yesterday that between this autumn and next summer it will upgrade exchanges in Wycombe, Amersham, Beaconsfield, Bourne End, Chesham, Gerrards Cross, Penn, Burnham and Holmer Green.

Festival line-ups – Two of the area’s biggest music festivals have announced headline acts for this summer. Peter Doherty, Carl Barat, Gary Powell and John Hassall will take the stage for the first time for six years as The Libertines play Reading Festival, which has also attracted Guns n’ Roses and Arcade Fire. Meanwhile at the Henley Festival in July, Will Young, Bryn Terfel, Nigel Kennedy and Ronan Keating are among the headliners.

What’s on – Chas, without Dave, appears at Hillingdon’s Beck Theatre tonight. Since Dave retired last year following the death of his wife, Chas has put together a new band with his son Nik on drums and an old school mate Darren who first introduced Chas to Dave. They’ll be doing the usual “Rabbit” type stuff, plus a tribute to Jerry Lee Lewis.

Tuesday 30th March

Rail anger – MP David Lidington said last night that hundreds of people in the Chilterns and Aylesbury area were still “completely unaware” of how badly they could be affected by the proposed high speed rail link through the area. A packed public meeting in Great Missenden – at which over 100 couldn’t get in – was told of one property near the proposed line that had dropped in value from £380,000 to £250,000 in just two weeks. Councils and conservation groups said they would work together to fight the proposal on both environmental and economic grounds and would work towards building up a “war chest” to fund opposition.

Rape charges –A man will appear in court today charged with raping children in High Wycombe more than 30 years ago. Sean Horgan, from North Yorkshire, appears at Aylesbury Crown Court on seven counts of rape, one of gross indecency and one of aiding and abetting rape. All the alleged victims were under 16.

What’s on – From Fred Astaire via 42nd Street to Tap Dogs, a tireless cast present Tap Dance Fever at Windsor’s Theatre Royal tonight, in a show that tip-taps on to the end of the week.

Monday 29th March

Windsor soldier dies – The latest British soldier to die in Afghanistan lived in Windsor, the Ministry of Defence said yesterday. Lance Corporal Jonathan Woodgate, aged 26, moved to the town when he joined the Household Cavalry, based in Combermere Barracks. A member of Third Battalion, The Rifles he was killed in a terrorist grenade attack. He escaped injury six years ago in a “friendly fire” incident which killed a colleague when American pilots attacked his armoured car.

Robotic foot – Doctors at Wycombe Hospital couldn’t help their young patient in A&E yesterday – so they called the fire brigade, who could. The 18 month old boy, who hasn’t been named, had his foot stuck in his favourite toy robot and no-one could remove it. So firefighters gently unscrewed the whole thing, freed his foot, and then screwed it all together again for him to take home as if nothing had happened.

What’s on – Rosamund Pike (Bond villainess Miranda Frost) and Tim McInnermy (Black Adder’s Capt. Darling) team up in Ibsen’s powerful play Hedda Gabler at Oxford’s Playhouse tonight. The play runs until Saturday.

Sunday 28th March

Too little, too late – Wycombe Wanderers earned a creditable point at Colchester yesterday, even though their injury time equaliser in the 1-1 draw from Gareth Ainsworth shouldn’t have been allowed because of his handball. But it’s all a bit too late for the Blues’ luck to be changing...relegation still looks very much on the cards.

Oh pooh! – The world Pooh Sticks championships have had to be cancelled today because the River Thames is flowing so strongly in Oxfordshire that it’s too dangerous for the boats to go on the river to carry judges.

Saturday 27th March

Big Mac vote – Wycombe’s Tory candidate he next election, Steve Baker, risked alienating healthy eaters last night, saying that McDonalds comes in for unfair criticism. “It succeeds because it provides food that people want at the right price and level of service,” he said after a visit to the Wycombe branch. Substantial numbers of people can figure out for themselves what a healthy, balanced diet looks like, he added.

Horizontal biker wanted – It’s not the sort of job ad you see every day. Carters Steam Fair in Maidenhead yesterday advertised for a Wall of Death rider to whizz round the inner wall of a vertical drum, suspended 20 feet from the floor by centrifugal force, riding a 1920s motorbike at 60mph. Applicants, says the ad somewhat unnecessarily, “must not be afraid to take risks.”

What’s on - The Chilterns Open Air Museum in Chalfont St Giles opens for its new season today, with a Second World War theme amid the restored ancient buildings. Meanwhile, compositions by Rossini and Verdi are on the menu tonight as the Tring Choral Society performs its Easter concert at The Church of St Peter and St Paul in Tring.

Friday 26th March

Double whammy – Commuters face a double whammy when work on a major north-south road crossing of the Thames will start on the same day as the national rail strike, called yesterday. Maidenhead Bridge is due to undergo maintenance which will reduce it to single file traffic, and work is due to start on April 6, just as railway workers begin a four day strike.

Theatre line-ups – Aylesbury’s new Waterside Theatre has a strong line-up for its opening weeks in October, it announced yesterday. Lee Mead, Julian Lloyd-Webber and hot comic Rhod Gilbert will be appearing in the autumn, and the theatre opens on October 12 with Swan Lake by the Northern Ballet. The following week the musical Evita will play the venue. Meanwhile, Wycombe Swan yesterday announced a major coup for its pantomime this year – EastEnders hardman Phil Mitchell – actor Steve McFadden – will play Capt Hook in Peter Pan.

What’s on – Meanwhile. former EastEnders star Shaun Williamson takes on the Ronnie Barker role of Fletch in a stage version of Porridge, which plays Reading’s Hexagon tonight and tomorrow.

Thursday 25th March

Spanner in the works – Plans for a multi-million pound development in High Wycombe are in chaos today after councillors last night rejected their own scheme to move the running track on the site to a nearby school. Planning committee councillors agreed with protesting local residents that moving the Handy Cross track to Sir William Ramsay School at Hazlemere would bring too much disturbance. The Handy Cross scheme, involving a major transport interchange, leisure centre and hotel and office complex, can’t be considered until the running track is relocated – and councillors had said Hazlemere was the only available location. Wycombe Council may now be in a novel position of referring a rejection by its own councillors of its own scheme to a Government planning appeal.

Pay-back - A road crash victim who nearly died begins a fund raising bike ride today in an attempt to pay back some of the £1m it cost the NHS to save his life. Joe Robinson, 19, of Stokenchurch, was in a coma for four weeks last year after a crash which killed his best friend Grace Hadman,17, from Thame. The driver, Gabriella Edmonton,18, from Penn, is in jail for causing death by dangerous driving while over the alcohol limit. Joe, who suffered a broken neck, broken back and fractured skull, leaves Paris today to cycle to Thame. He wants to buy life-saving equipment for John Radcliffe Hospital.

What’s on –The former Litten Tree pub opens as a Yates winebar in Wycombe’s Frogmoor today with an official opening by actor Scott Maslen... Jack Branning in Eastenders.

wednesday 24th March

Digital boost – The BBC said yesterday that it is to build a digital radio transmitter in High Wycombe next year after complaints that many people in the area can’t receive its digital radio stations. Reception is poor or impossible for many tucked behind hills or in valleys. It also raises the possibility that the BBC could provide an opt-out Wycombe area news service as part of its Three Counties local radio station. The Wycombe area is the highest populated part of the country without its own dedicated radio station.

Religious assault – A rare charge of religious aggravated assault was laid against a man yesterday after a row in a local pub. Police said two Asian men and a white man were allegedly assaulted at the Fox and Hounds pub in Christmas Common, near Watlington. They said that Paul Darragh, aged 46, from County Down was later arrested nearby in possession of an axe. He’ll appear in court next month on two charges of causing religious aggravated assault in addition to other charges of assault, affray and possession of an offensive weapon.

What’s on – The London amateur premiere of the muslcal The Beauty and the Beast opens at Hillingdon’s Beck Theatre tonight and runs to the weekend.

Tuesday 23rd March

Gay row escalates - The Cookham guest house owners at the centre of a worldwide storm after turning away two gay men because of their Christian principles were taking advice from a Christian action group last night after being advised they may be sued. Mike and Susanne Wilkinson, who say they have received threats and abuse from gay activists, are being advised by the Christian Institute after police said they would not be criminally charged but may be open action in the civil courts. The two homosexual men they turned away from their private guest house in Terry’s Lane, Michael Black and John Morgan, from Cambridgeshire, said they were considering legal action. They are being supported by the gay action group Stonewall.

Trust opposes – The National Trust yesterday said it was opposed to a high speed rail route through the Chilterns, saying it was particularly concerned that the preferred route would badly impact on the historic Hartwell House, near Aylesbury. The impact of the preferred route on Buckinghamshire is to be raised before the election in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, and the first of a number of public meetings, attended by MPs and conservation groups, has been called in Great Missenden next Monday. The Government’s preferred route for the line runs through the Chalfonts, Amersham, Great Missenden, Wendover and Aylesbury. A local councillor said yesterday that already people along the route who were in the process of selling their homes, were having deals falling through.

What’s on - With the gardens looking at their early Springtime best, there are walks around Cliveden’s gardens this afternoon with National Trust guides.

Monday 22nd March

Gay ban - A gay couple have reported a Cookham guest house to the police after the owners refused to let them to stay. Francis and Susanne Wilkinson said it was against their Christian principles to allow two people of the same sex to share a bed in their guest house in Terry’s Lane. But Michael Black, aged 62, and John Morgan, 56, said the Wilkinson’s were acting illegally and have reported them to the police. The Wilkinson’s however, say that they are not a hotel, but a private house operating as a guest house, and say that if they had known before the booking the men were gay they would have told them not to come. They refunded the men’s deposit.

Oldest donkey dies – Pandora the donkey, the oldest resident at the Home of Rest for Horses in Speen, has died at the age of 55. She outlived her daughter Chloe with whom she had lived at the home.

What’s on – The Buckinghamshire Railway Centre in Quainton reopens after its winter break today.

Sunday 21st March

Running sell-out – All eight Sport Relief Miles in the Wycombe area are sold out today. The enormous popularity of the charity means that thousands will be running a mile in Prestwood, Marlow, Maidenhead, RAF Halton, Henley, Windsor, Slough and Stoke Mandeville today, adding even more to the £29m raised in Friday night’s telethon.

It’s over – Wycombe Wanderers let go a 2-0 lead and almost certainly lost their League 1 status in a 2-2 draw with Exeter at Adams Park yesterday. With nine games left they are seven points from safety, but realistically will need to win at least five or six of those remaining games – highly unlikely based on yesterday’s performance.

What’s on – It’s the first day of Spring and a nice sunny day. So if you are not running for Sports Relief, try a brisk walk. There are two guided ones today – one looking at famous film locations in Burnham Beeches, and another over the Wormsley Estate at Christmas Common to look at and learn about Red Kites. You’ll need to book for both – 01753 647358 for the Burnham Beeches one and 01865 810224 for the Red Kites.

Saturday 20th March

Terror alert – A major terrorist alert was launched at the sensitive RAF base in Wycombe yesterday after one of the civilian workers at the site left a rucksack unattended near a social club. Bomb disposal experts and firefighters were rushed to the Naphill base, which houses RAF Air Command, and nearby roads cordoned off for over an hour. Although the worker was given a dressing down, security chiefs were pleased with the emergency response. The country remains on the second highest terrorist alert – severe – which means that a terrorist attack is “highly likely”.

In the dog-house - If you’re going to drop a clanger, drop a big’un. There are red faces all round at the Bucks Herald after they printed a story about a police appeal to find a violent man on the run – and accompanied it with a picture of a mild-mannered local councillor. Fortunately Lib-Dem Steven Kennell seems to be taking it in good part and has accepted a grovelling apology.

What’s on - Wycombe Wanderers entertain fellow relegation strugglers Exeter City at Adams Park today in what has to be a “must win” game. Elsewhere, the Wycombe Swan theatre is holding an open day, which include music, performances and backroom tours of the theatre.

Friday 19th March

Exhumation stopped - The local Polish community yesterday won an injunction to stop the exhumation of a Polish Catholic priest. Father Jozef Jarzebowski was a member of the Marian Fathers religious brotherhood living in Fawley Court, a Thames-side mansion between Henley and Marlow and is buried in the grounds. But when the Fathers sold the mansion to a private buyer for £22m a few months ago they applied to exhume the body and return it to Poland for burial. But local Poles successfully stopped the exhumation pending a review on whether the Fathers’ plans are legal. The Fathers are now offering a compromise – to rebury Father Jarzebowski in the local Henley cemetery.

Birds warning – The RAF issued an appeal yesterday asking people not to feed Red Kites around their Chilterns base at RAF Benson. They fear that birds congregating by the perimeter fence – attracted by people scattering raw meat for them – will cause an accident involving aircraft and helicopters using the base.

What’s on – The British Leisure Show opens for the weekend at Royal Windsor Racecourse today, giving visitors a chance to sample extreme sports, water sports and other outdoor activities.

Thursday 18th March

Child sex charges – A man appeared in court yesterday charged with committing serious sex offences against children in High Wycombe nearly 30 years ago. Sean Horgan, from North Yorkshire, is charged with raping two girls seven times and other sex offences in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He was remanded in custody to appear in court again at the end of the month.

Stadium move necessary – Staying at Adams Park is not an option for Wycombe Wanderers and London Wasps if the clubs want to progress and prosper, the clubs said yesterday, as they confirmed a partnership deal with the council to find a site for a new community stadium, which will include money-making ventures such as a conference centre. The council said it would make a final decision on whether to continue to back the scheme in July next year, once a site had been identified and planning aspects considered.

What’s on – Peter Andre’s UK tour reaches Reading tonight, where the sell-out star appears at the Hexagon.

Wednesday 17th March

Creaking recovery – The Wycombe area is one of the most prosperous and economically dynamic in the country, but figures today will show that its recovery from the recession is painfully slow. Jobless figures are expected to show a slight improvement while house prices since the beginning of the year are expected to show hardly any increase. The High Street is also showing stops and starts – Iceland opens in Wycombe’s former Woolworth store next week, but the gift store Past Times has closed just six months after arriving in the town.

Stadium details – Wycombe Council and Steve Hays, owner of Wycombe Wanderers and London Wasps, will give more details today of the new community stadium for Wycombe they plan to build, probably next to Booker Air Park. The £50m complex will include a 200 bedroom four star hotel, restaurants, shops and offices and have facilities for cricket, football, hockey and rugby training. Bucks New University, who have entered a major sponsorship deal with Wanderers, will have teaching facilities at the stadium. A housing development may also be included to help pay for the development, which, if it gets the go-ahead, is not expected to be completed until 2014.

What’s on – Graham Greene’s surreal thriller, The Ministry of Fear, opens at Oxford’s Playhouse tonight and runs until Saturday.

Tuesday 16th March

Motorway concern – There’s continuing concern over the state of the busiest section of the M40 after more emergency repairs had to be carried out yesterday and overnight. Two lanes of the northbound section were closed yesterday lunchtime at Gerrards Cross after holes appeared on the surface. That’s the third time in a year emergency repairs have had to be carried out at the same spot, causing enormous tailbacks.

Rail protests – Now they’ve had chance to look at the proposed high speed rail route in detail, hundreds of people in the Wycombe area were yesterday facing up to the prospect of either losing their property or seeing thousands wiped off values because of the proximity of the line. Residents in the village of South Heath, between Great Missenden and Chesham, will be one of the most affected. Angry homeowners told their local paper that the first they knew about the line was when they read it in the paper. Further north, at Quainton, concerned residents are holding a public meeting this weekend to formulate their organised resistance. Meanwhile local MPs Chery Gillan (Chesham and Amersham), David Lidington (Aylesbury) and the Commons Speaker John Bercow (Buckingham) have all expressed varying degrees of concern.

What’s on – For 200 years The Country Wife was banned from the British stage for being too raunchy. But the story of the amorous voyeur in the time of the Restoration who sets out to seduce as many London women as he can – pretty tame by today’s standards - launches at Henley’s Kenton Theatre tonight and runs until Saturday.

Monday 15th March

Mobile clampdown – Police in the Wycombe area begin a week long clampdown today on drivers using their mobile phones. Extra police are being seconded to stop drivers on the phone and hand out instant fines of £70 – or a spell at a special education class on the dangers of driving and using mobile phones.

Rail meet – Representatives of conservation groups in the Chilterns are to meet with Transport Secretary Lord Adonis tomorrow to tell him why his preferred high speed rail route via the Chalfonts, Amersham, Great Missenden, Wendover and Aylesbury is a bad one. He will outline to them his reasoning for it.

What’s on – TV stars Stephen McCann, Chris Ellison and Michelle Morris take to Windsor’s Theatre Royal stage tonight in a thriller Inside Job. The play runs until Saturday.

Sunday 14th March

Out of luck – It’s often said that when you’re struggling you never get the lucky breaks. Just as Wycombe Wanderers. Well on their way to a 1-2 away victory at Oldham yesterday, thanks to goals by Harrold and Betsy, when the ref gives an injury time penalty for a dubious looking-handball. The game ends 2-2 and the chances of avoiding relegation from League 1 get slimmer by the minute.

What’s on – As it’s Mother’s Day, the National Trust properties in the Wycombe area are offering free entry to accompanied mums today – and a free slice of Victoria sponge cake.

Saturday 13th March

Relegation battle – Wycombe Wanderers travel to another relegation threatened club today for a vital League 1 clash with Oldham, and next week entertain fellow strugglers Exeter City. Blues manager Gary Waddock said those results could well settle Wycombe’s fate this year.

Friday 12th March

Long battle – Countryside campaigners are digging in for a long battle to stop the London to Birmingham high-speed rail route slicing through the middle of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There was shock yesterday when the Government said it wanted to build a new, 80 ft wide line through Chalfont, Great MIssdenden, Amersham, Wendover and brushing the south of Aylesbury. They plan to tunnel under the most picturesque part – the Misbourne Valley - but last night conservation groups and MPs were saying the route would have a “devastating impact” on communities and house prices near the line. The Conservatives said they would assess local response before commenting.

Hardship scheme - The Government said last night it would introduce what it calls an “exceptional hardship scheme” for people who can prove their property has been blighted by the proposals for the high speed link. It began a consultation on the terms for compensation. If the new route is eventually agreed – following a public consultation in the autumn – it will be ready to pay out millions to people who can prove their property prices have collapsed because of the proximity of the line.

What’s on – Comic Sean Lock’s new stand-up show, Lockipedia, plays Aylesbury Civic Centre tonight.

Thursday 11th March

Rail backlash – Transport secretary Lord Adonis said yesterday he expected an environmental backlash after he unveils his plans for a high speed rail route through the Chilterns today, saying that “very difficult planning issues” would not be overcome unless there was national consensus. The route, which will send 225mph trains through the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty every 15 minutes between Birmingham and London. The Conservatives, who know that protests are likely to come from their own supporters in rock solid Tory seats, are holding back from supporting the Government’s plans until they can assess the reaction. Meanwhile the unions threw their weight behind the plans yesterday regardless of the route, saying that 10,000 jobs would be created while the 80ft wide rail track is constructed.

Online campaign – Steve Baker, the man who’s favourite to become Wycombe’s next MP, yesterday appointed a fellow Conservative to help him with online campaigning during the election run up. Mr Baker said that Tim Hewish will assist campaigning via Facebook, Twitter and blogging. He has his work cut out. The Wycombe Conservatives Facebook site has a mere 35 fans.

What’s on – A “well-known” comedian will take the part of Bottom in the touring version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream when it plays Wycombe Swan tonight, but the identity is a secret until the curtain’s up.

Wednesday 10th March

Getting ready -– Rail operators took countryside and conservation campaigners from the Wycombe area on a trip to see Kent’s high speed train link yesterday in an attempt to show them that the trains are not environmentally damaging. Tomorrow the Government will announce their preferred route of the high speed rail link from London to Birmingham through the Chilterns. It’s expected that the link will be tunnelled under the most sensitive parts of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, but that’s unlikely to appease campaigners wanting to preserve the peace of the area.

Turbine power – - Outline plans to construct turbine generators in the River Thames were presented to the Government by the Environment Agency yesterday. The futuristic plans envisage positioning the generators in areas where the river flow is at its strongest. It’s anticipated that enough electricity can be generated to supply thousands of houses.

What’s on – - Cold Feet star Robert Bathurst heads the cast in Noel Coward’s Present Laughter at Windsor’s Theatre Royal in a production that runs until Saturday.

Tuesday 9th March

Pension costs soar - Councillors in Wycombe received one of the gloomiest financial reports in living memory last night as finance experts warned them to prepare for major cutbacks after the election, no matter who wins. They were warned that pet projects and jobs may have to go and that reserves will drop from £38m to £18m over the next four years. But the biggest public row will come over the amount the council has to pay to support council workers’ pensions. Experts say next year the council’s contribution to its pension fund will increase by a massive 20 per cent, and in the worst case scenario it could be 30 per cent.

High-five rapists jailed – Two men who celebrated their rape of a 13 year old Aylesbury girl with high-fives begin eight years imprisonment today. Walter Mwale, 19 and Elvis Taona, 22, denied rape and the judge at Oxford Crown Court accepted they had not coerced the girl. But she was drunk and vulnerable and they had taken advantage of her, said Judge Julian Hall. He described their attack and celebration as “sordid”.

What’s on – The Bucks County Museum launches its main spring exhibition in Aylesbury today, entitled, somewhat grandly, Half a Million Years of Life in Bucks – a look at local life from the ice age to the Tudors. It finishes in July.

Monday 8th March

Rail dilemma – Tory MPs in the Wycombe area are due to meet today to see if they can find an agreed response to proposals to build a high speed rail link through the Chilterns. A Goverment White Paper, expected on Thursday, will detail the route of the line to the Midlands. It will mean massive local disruption in the 15 years construction stage and will blight property prices within sound of 250mph trains passing every hour. The dilemma for the MPs is that the Conservatives are in favour of high speed links, particularly to Heathrow, but it’s the Tory areas in the Chilterns where the biggest opposition will come from, particularly if the line detrimentally affects homes and environments.

Odds increase – The odds on Wycombe Wanderers failing to escape relegation from League 1 have risen after an abysmal 0-0 draw against Carlisle. Some local bookies are now offering three to one on the Chairboys staying up, because it doesn’t look as though they are capable of stringing the necessary run of wins together.

What’s on – Buckinghamshire’s Claydon House, ancestral home of the Verney family for more than 400 years, opens for its spring and summer season today. See claydon@nationaltrust.org.uk for details.

Saturday 6th March

Drug plot – A Wycombe man faces jail for being part of a gang involved in what’s thought to be Britain’s biggest skunk cannabis operation. Roger Alexander, 44, of Churchill Close, had pleaded guilty at a trial that ended yesterday to conspiring to launder the proceeds of the operation and to supplying the drug. Police said that nearly £70m worth of skunk – a highly potent strain of cannabis – was imported into the UK in boxes of flowers from Holland. Earlier in trial two other Wycombe people – Mandy Cripps and Peter Gilmour – had been cleared of having any involvement with the 12 member gang.

Stitched-up – An ambitious young Conservative faces political ruin today after his conversation on a train plotting against another Tory was taped by a passenger and published on YouTube. Andre Walker resigned yesterday as a political advisor on Windsor and Maidenhead Council. A former executive committee member of the Tory think-tank Conservative Way Forward, 30 year old Mr Walker was tipped for higher things. But his mobile phone conversation planning to overthrow the council’s deputy leader, Alison Knight, and replace her with another councillor was recorded on a Windsor-bound train by a man sitting next to him who said on YouTube that he was “disgusted at what he was hearing”.

What’s on – The last time quirky entertainer Dave Gorman appeared at Wycombe Swan a few weeks ago, he sold out. So he’s back again tonight to bring his own brand of humour to those who missed out. Meanwhile, five of the country’s top saxophonists play a jazz special – Sax Appeal – at the Court Theatre in Penley near Tring tonight, in what will inevitably become a tribute to the late Sir John Dankworth.

On the pitch, Wycombe Wanderers entertain Carlisle at Adams Park in what’s bound to be another tense affair to avoid relegation from League One.

Friday 5th March

High speed route – Well placed leaks in today’s papers indicate that the proposed 200mph high speed rail link from London to the north will not pass through High Wycombe. The Government is planning to announce next week its preferred route for the trains, and sources are saying they are going to plump for an expansion of the main London to Birmingham route from Euston, passing through Hemel Hempstead and Berkhampstead. Initially it was thought the route would go from Paddington to Maidenhead, via Heathrow, and then veer north through Marlow, Wycombe and Princes Risborough.

Parky’s gift – Sir Michael Parkinson said yesterday he will be donating half of his libel payout from the Daily Mail to a trust raising money to build a children’s hospice in east Berkshire and the other half to a school for orphans in South Africa. The TV chat-show host won £25,000 in libel damages from the newspaper which wrongly reported on his family background and then didn’t apologise for nine months after knowing of the error. Sir Michael, who lives in Bray, is patron of The Alexander Devine Children’s Cancer Trust.

What’s on - Comic Rhod Gilbert had to cancel his sell-out show at Wycombe Swan last night because he was unwell. Another date has been fixed for May, although ticket holders can get their money back if they wish. Meanwhile, the Moscow City Ballet visit Reading’s Hexagon today (and tomorrow) to dance Cinderella.

Thursday 4th March

Childminder appeal - Keran Henderson, the Iver Heath child-minder jailed for shaking a baby to death, began an appeal to clear her name yesterday. Britain’s top cot death expert, Professor James Morris, told three appeal court judges that 11 month old Maeve Sheppard could have died from natural causes after suffering a series of viral infections which left the brain looking as if it had been shaken. Mrs Henderson was jailed for three years in 2007 and released a year ago. She has always protested her innocence and villagers launched a major campaign to clear her. The foreman of the jury that convicted her by a majority verdict was later charged with contempt of court after he went public, saying the jury had not understood the original medical evidence.

Worried farmers – Cold and damp soil is worrying farmers in the Wycombe district, a report said yesterday. Soil temperatures are three or four degrees colder than they should be for this time of year, which means farmers can’t prepare their land with fertilisers and insecticides, which in turn will delay crop growing. They’re hoping thing will warm up over the next couple of weeks, but the weather forecasters aren’t confident. Elsewhere, spring flowers which are usually beginning to carpet the Chilterns by now are about three or four weeks behind. Still, behind or not, Buckinghamshire’s famous landscape gardens at Stowe open today for the spring and summer season.

What’s on - Wycombe’s Hellfire Comedy Club - who’s claim to fame is that it was where Noel Fielding first saw Julian Barratt perform, with the consequence that the pair went on to develop the Mighty Boosh comic combo – opens its weekly spring season at Wycombe Town Hall tonight with an array of new and up-and- coming comics.

Wednesday 3rd March

Murder rap rejected - A Wycombe gay businessman who got a sexual thrill out of physical violence was not murdered by the man he paid to fight him, a jury decided yesterday. Colin Butler, 49, died after a fight with Kieran Avery outside his home in Marlow Road 18 months ago after a night out of drinking and drug taking. He had numerous wounds and fractures. Avery, 21, who lived in Wycombe’s YMCA at the time, admitted manslaughter but denied murder. A jury at Reading Crown Court yesterday agreed with him, albeit by a majority verdict. Avery will be sentenced for manslaughter later this month.

Organised fights – Hundreds of schoolchildren have been involved in organised fights in Maidenhead’s town centre, police revealed yesterday. The latest after-school brawl involved over 100 pupils from Altwood and Desborough schools and spread over several streets – although casualties only amounted to one lad with a black eye and a cut lip. Police and the school authorities are now looking at ways of clamping down.

Cosy relationship – The BBC may approach local newspapers in the Wycombe area to supply them with news, it emerged last night. Director General Mark Thompson, in his review of the Beeb, said yesterday he wanted to boost investment in local news on local radio by sharing content. In the Wycombe area – the most populated area in the country without its own local radio station – BBC insiders think this will mean using reports from local newspapers for a fee. The corporate owners of the local papers, fighting falling circulations and advertising revenues, are likely to welcome the move as an added income boost, ignoring concerns about their local news monopoly as they don't compete in each other's areas.

Tuesday 2nd March

Miracle baby – Six week old Landina Seignon was lying seriously ill will head injuries when the earthquake struck. Her hospital in Haiti collapsed killing her parents and scores of doctors and nurses. For two days the little girl was trapped under rubble and suffered more critical injuries – her right arm having to be amputated. But after incredible efforts by British surgeons and aid workers, the little girl is now being looked after by a Chesham family and being treated by Great Ormond Street Hospital. Her foster mum, NajmaLatif, who has three daughters of her own, is a volunteer mother for the charity Chain of Hope and she will look after Landina until she is able to return to Haiti to live with relatives.

New victims – A pensioner has died a month after he walked into a “wall of flame” to save his wife from their blazing Henley cottage. Stanley Harley, 72, was declared a hero after returning into the fire to lead his wife Elisabeth to safety, but although he only suffered minor burns he was unable to recover and died in hospital.

Meanwhile a second motorist has died as a result of a two car smash on the Amersham to Wycombe road last week at Coleshill. A 35 year old man died at the scene and yesterday the 66 year old driver of the second car died in hospital. And a 23 year old woman is fighting for her life after a three car smash at another local accident blackspot, the Amersham to Denham road at Chalfont St Peter.

Top cat – A Marlow IT company was revelling in publicity money can’t buy yesterday after it was named best small company of the year. Softcat Ltd also won three individual awards including best boss. Happy workers are also producing healthy profits – the company hit “double digit” growth last year, despite the recession, and is planning on increasing its workforce. They don’t expect to be short of applicants.

Monday 1st March

Water, water everywhere – The Environment Agency placed 29 flood watches throughout the Thames area last night and warned that currents in the River Thames were strong and getting stronger. However, with a few days of dry weather ahead, officials say they don’t expect serious flooding, although some minor rivers are expected to burst their banks today.

Iceland payout – Local councils who lost money through the Icelandic bank collapse can expect to retrieve 83 per cent of their investments, councillors will be told today. Buckinghamshire expects to get back £5m.

Summertime blues – Noel Gallagher has applied for planning permission to build a thatched roof summerhouse in the garden of his Chalfont St Peter mansion – scotching rumours that the Oasis star is thinking of moving out of the area.

Sunday 28th February

River alert – The River Thames was on red alert from Oxford to Teddington last night as more than four centimetres of rain is set to further drench the Wycombe area today. Flood watches are already in place on parts of the Thames in addition to its tributary the River Thame and the Chalgrove Brook at Aylesbury. The red alert means that river traffic can’t use the river because of dangerous undercurrents and flows.

Chopper rescue – The top deck of a town centre car park was cleared by security men yesterday to enable an air ambulance to land. A woman in her 50s fell and broke her hip as she left her car on the top floor of the multi-storey Eden car park in High Wycombe to go on a shopping trip. Medics decided it was safer for her if a helicopter was brought in to airlift her to Wexham Park Hospital, where she was recovering last night.

Bogey ground – Stockport County may be bottom of the table and struggling to find enough money to keep going, but their Edgeley Park ground remains a bogey ground for Wycombe Wanderers. The Blues haven’t won there in 11 visits and yesterday was no exception. They were 4-0 down after an hour but then dominated the final nail-biting 30 minutes to end up losing 4-3.

Saturday 27th February

Stalker thwarted – A man appealing against his conviction for stalking Wycombe actress Lucinda Dryzek and her family has been prevented by a High Court judge from calling the 18 year old starlet as a witness. Anthony Whitehouse, from Milton Keynes, is appealing against his conviction for harassing the former Wycombe High School pupil and her family, who live in Marlow. He was told yesterday that a barrister appointed by the court will cross-examine a member of Lucinda’s family via a video link instead. The actress starred in Pirates of the Caribbean and is a regular in various TV shows.

Gypsy sites – Councillors yesterday identified three sites in the Wycombe area – at Stokenchurch, Bishopstone and Studley Green – as potential future gypsy and traveller sites. The council has been criticised for not providing enough sites, leading to illegal encampments being set up in protected country areas, but there’ll be big campaigns from local residents as it prepares for public consultation on these three shortlisted sites.

Pitch inspection – A pitch inspection at Stockport’s Edgeley Park takes place at 10 o’clock this morning to see if it is playable – but most Wycombe fans will be en route to Manchester by then as coaches and trains are leaving at 9 for the bottom of the table League One clash.

Friday 26th February

Clearing the decks – Wycombe Council last night agreed to bend over backwards to accommodate a new stadium in the town for Wycombe Wanderers, in complete contrast to the last time the football club wanted to find a new site more than 20 years ago. In the 1980s the council “forgot” to include facilities for a new stadium when it worked out its planning strategy for the district and it took the football club 13 attempts before it got permission for Adams Park, and only then after a government planning inspector forced the council to back down.

This time the council is going to find a site for the new "community" stadium - even if it is in precious Green Belt - and then change its entire planning strategy to accommodate it. But it’s going to be a bureaucratic nightmare – with public consultations first on the stadium site and then on changing the strategy. It will be the end of 2012 before the club can put in a planning application.

Teenage unit – A new unit is to be built for local teenagers with mental health problems it was agreed yesterday. Youngsters in Bucks and Oxfordshire faced visits to London or Birmingham for psychiatric care because the current 15 bed unit near Oxford has to close because it can’t provide single-sex accommodation. Now an £11m, 20 bed unit is to be built at Headington.

Theatres boost – Aylesbury’s new theatre, the 1,200 seater Aylesbury Waterside, will open for business on October 12, the council announced yesterday. The announcement marks a boost for theatre-going in the area – Wycombe’s Swan , with 1,076 seats, is to undergo a £1m revamp this summer, while in Henley campaigners are well on their way to raising the £350,000 needed to secure the future of the 205 year old Kenton Theatre, the third oldest regional theatre in the country.

Thursday 25th February

End of an era – The Chesham Building Society – the world’s oldest surviving building society – finally succumbed to the recession yesterday when its board agreed to be taken over by the bigger Skipton Building Society. The Chesham, formed 165 years ago to provide funding for people in Chesham to buy property, is one of the country’s smallest with branches in Chesham, Aylesbury and Little Chalfont and a staff of 33. But it made a loss last year and the board said yesterday the society needed to align itself to a bigger business. The Chesham has assets of £230m compared to Skipton’s £15.5bn and its 21,000 members are nearly all in the Wycombe area. The merger will have to be agreed by members at an agm in Chesham’s Elgiva Theatre at the end of March and, if agreed, will take effect in June. It’s expected some staff will lose their jobs.

Blues charged – Saturday’s mass brawl at Adams Park between Wycombe Wanderers and Millwall players led to both clubs being charged by the Football Association yesterday. The FA has accused them of failing to keep their players under control and could fine them thousands of pounds. The brawl, involving 21 players, came after Blues defender Gareth Ainsworth floored Millwall’s Tony Craig, but was then himself flattened by another Millwall player. Meanwhile Wycombe councillors meet privately today to discuss the latest developments regarding a new stadium for the Blues and tonight will make their first public statement on the proposal.

Amazing return – Aylesbury racing driver Andy Neate, who suffered horrific injuries when he smashed into a concrete wall at Silverstone at 150mph, made an amazing return to the big time yesterday when he signed to drive for the British Touring Car Championship’s title-winning team, West Surrey Racing. Father of two Andy, aged 35, was in a coma for two weeks, broke his neck, suffered multiple injuries, lost nearly three stone in weight and was unable to walk for two months. But with the help of a titanium plate fitted in his neck he has made a remarkable recovery to fitness.

Wednesday 24th February

New gateway – Councillors are expected to give the initial go-ahead tonight to a massive development that will make High Wycombe a major coach hub. If outline planning permission is given for a coach station and park and ride by the Handy Cross sports centre it will mean coaches leaving for Heathrow and Oxford every 20 minutes, and other coaches leaving every half an hour for central London, Reading and Slough. Buses will ferry passengers every 15 minutes to and from Wycombe town centre. Planners say the design of the coach station will be “a landmark building that will be eye-catching with a curved roof” because it will be seen as a new gateway to High Wycombe.

The plans also envisage five eight-storey high office buildings providing work for over 1,600 people and a hotel with 150 bedrooms. Nine wind turbines are also planned on the roof of the multi-storey park and ride to provide power for the whole site.

Another fatal – The area’s most notorious highway – the A404 between Wycombe and Amersham – has claimed another victim. A 35 year old man died and a 66 year old man is in a serious condition in hospital after their cars collided at Coleshill late on Monday night. They are expected to be named by police today. A couple of weeks ago a 72 year old woman died after her car left the road near Penn Street. It later transpired she died of natural causes.

Saints snuffed – Another spirited performance from Wycombe Wanderers saw them unlucky only to get a 0-0 draw against League Two’s highest goalscorers, Southampton, at Adams Park last night. The new look team plays with twice the energy of the side that started the season thanks to new manager Gary Waddock and now, four points from safety, hopes are high they can avoid relegation.

Tuesday 23rd February

Club rejected –Marlow Football Club has lost its long battle to build a new stadium by the banks of the Thames. A Government planning inspector yesterday rejected its appeal against Wycombe Council’s refusal to allow the 140 year old club to build a small stadium and training pitches on Green Belt near Little Marlow gravel pits. The club has outgrown its Oak Tree Road ground near the centre of Marlow mainly because of the influx of girls and women forming their own teams under the club banner.

Olympic plans – Local air parks at Wycombe, White Waltham and Denham are being asked if they can handle extra charter flights expected into the run up to and during the London Olympic Games in 2012. The Civil Aviation Authority is expecting thousands of extra aircraft movements over the games period, particularly from charter aircraft, and as part of its plans is asking local airfields if they can help relieve the strain.

Not surprising – It’s been the coldest winter for 30 years in the Wycombe area, figures showed last night. The MeteoGroup said the average temperature for the last three months has been just over two degrees – and it hasn’t been that cold for that long since the 1978/79 winter. Snow fell again over higher ground in the area yesterday, and there’s more flurries expected later this week.

Monday 22nd February

Disillusioned MP - Gloomy Wycombe MP Paul Goodman – who is standing down at the next election because he doesn’t think there’s a future for “non career” politicians – yesterday warned that even the bright sparks won’t hang around as MPs. He blogged: “The brightest and best - well, the most ambitious, at any rate - will tend to get in fast, scramble up the ladder of Ministerial office as quickly as they can, and get out faster. They'll be unwilling, on the whole, to hang around the Commons, entering the details of their new private interests in the Register. They'll leave to make money.”

Royal brewers – Brewing is retrning to Windsor for the first time for 70 years. The Windsor and Eton Brewery plans to start brewing real ale in the town later this year. At the end of the 19th century there were five brewers in Windsor providing brews for London but they all went out of business. Now small breweries are booming again – this is the latest in a crop of small brewers that launched in the last few years in the Wycombe area.

My place – When American student Lacey Green googled her own name she was amazed to find she shared her name with the Wycombe area village. The 24 year old arrives in the Lacey Green this week for a few days stay and to meet locals and visit its famous windmill. She has been offered somewhere to stay and will speak to local schoolchildren about her home in Wisconsin.

Sunday 21st February

Power plan – A nuclear power station could be operating on Wycombe’s doorstep in 20 years, the Sunday Times reports today. Scientists want to build Britain’s first nuclear fusion plant and reckon the Didcot power station, which provides most of this area’s electricity, would be favourite because of its proximity to the nuclear research centre at Culham. Nuclear fusion involves zapping frozen hydrogen bullets with strong lasers to produce a series of mini nuclear explosions. Scientists say it’s safe, clean and produces no nuclear waste.

Ballboy attacked – A referee was under attack last night for displaying just a yellow card to a Millwall player who violently shoved a Wycombe Wanderers ballboy in an ill-tempered match at Adams Park yesterday. Millwall centre forward Neil Harris, who earlier had his penalty saved, pushed the young official in the dying minutes of the game because he felt the ballboy was taking too long to return the ball after it was kicked out of play. Referee Alan Hall had earlier sent off a Wycombe’s Gareth Ainsworth for shoving a Millwall player Tony Craig but then failed to dismiss Millwall’s Danny Schofield who went in with arms raised against Ainsworth – an incident that led to 21 players getting involved in a general brawl.

Newcomers triumph – Two of the new loanees gave Wycombe a welcome three points in their 1-0 win against Millwall. Full back Julian Kelly scored on his debut, but the real hero was on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper Tom Heaton who not only stopped a penalty but went full stretch to keep out a blistering shot near the end.

Saturday 20th February

No deal – The Conservatives yesterday turned down an offer from the Government to discuss the high speed rail link route through the Chilterns. They said they will comment on the plans only when they are made public, wrecking the hopes of Transport Minister Lord Adonis who wanted all of the parties to agree on the route before it went for public comment. But the Conservatives, aware that the likely route through the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty between Wycombe and Aylesbury will cause an enormous row in Tory heartlands, said they were not prepared to be part of “some cosy deal reached behind closed doors.”

Signal failures – Meanwhile, there are concerns over existing rail services. Thousands of rail passengers were disrupted yesterday for the second time this week because of signal failures on Chiltern Railways. On Wednesday there was widespread disruption due to signalling problems at High Wycombe. Yesterday a signal failure between Gerrards Cross and Wembley caused cancellations and diversions.

Vital game - Promotion chasing Millwall visit relegation fighting Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park this afternoon in a League 2 game vital for both sides. Only fans with tickets bought beforehand will be allowed in – there’ll be no turnstile sales.

Friday 19th February

Family return – The devastated family of Marlow skier Tracy Boland returned home last night as Austrian police tried to find out exactly how she died on a popular ski slope. Mrs Boland, 46, died after colliding with a 26 year old Dutch woman on the slopes at Kaprun on Tuesday. The results of a post mortem are expected soon. The Dutch skier, who was not as badly injured as first thought, was said to be talking to police last night to explain what happened.

Student boost – The Wycombe based Bucks New University has seen a dramatic rise in the number of students wanting to enrol for undergraduate courses, with a 54 per cent leap in applications compared to last year. The university, which has 6,000 undergraduates and another 3,000 part-time or work based students, puts its popularity down to cash incentives and free activities it is able to offer.

Clearout threat – Three quarters of Wycombe Wanderers’ 24 man squad could leave at the end of the season if the Blues are relegated. Manager Gary Waddock says he is refusing to discuss renewing contracts with the 15 players whose contracts end this summer until he knows for certain the club is staying in League One.

Thursday 18th February

Ski tragedy – A Marlow mother of three has died in a high speed skiing accident in Austria. Tracy Boland, aged 46, of Pound Lane, was on a half term holiday in Kaprun with her husband Paul and children Charlotte, Patrick and Phillip aged between 8 and 12. She died on the ski slope on Tuesday after colliding with a 26 year old Dutch woman skier who is in a critical condition in hospital. A doctor skiing nearby tried in vain to save her. Police said last night that neither woman was wearing a crash helmet.

Second victim – A second person attending a party which saw the death of an Amersham student Ben Walters has died. Lindsey Wilson, aged 28, from Maidenhead, had her life support machine switched off. She never regained consciousness after apparently overdosing on drugs at a house party in Berkhampstead in January. Eighteen year old Ben also died at the party after experimenting with drugs for the first time. Six people were arrested in connection with Ben’s death and are likely to appear in court next month.

Racers jailed – Two drivers racing each other in their Vauxhall Astras through village streets have been jailed after one of them smashed into another car, killing its driver. Villagers in Iver said they had seen the pair overtaking other cars recklessly and going at speeds well over the limit. Dayne Brench, aged 22, from Iver, was unable to avoid a car driven by Mrs Bisa Lester, aged 50, and drove into her at 56mph, killing her instantly. He was sentenced to three years and nine months and disqualified from driving for five years. Daniel Henderson-Neil, aged 21, from Farnham Common, whom Brench was racing, was sentenced to two and a half years jail and disqualified for four years. Both pleaded guilty at Aylesbury Crown Court to causing death by dangerous driving.

Wednesday 17th February

Horror find - Police digging in the garden of a missing pensioner found body parts that had been burned, wrapped in plastic and buried in concrete, an inquest heard yesterday. Pathologists told an opening inquest in High Wycombe that it wasn’t yet possible to say that the body parts are those of Samuel Alexander, aged 70, who hasn’t been seen since he went missing from his home in Drayton Parslow near Aylesbury six months ago. His 22 year old son Mark Alexander has been charged with his murder. Yesterday’s inquest was adjourned indefinitely.

Still a struggle – Figures today are expected to show that economic recovery in the Wycombe area is still a slow business. Jobless totals are expected to show a slight rise on last month’s improved figures, while retailers say that a combination of bad weather and saving after the January sales has hit sales.

And another... - The joke was last night that Wycombe Wanderers players will have to wear name badges for their next game after manager Gary Waddock signed yet another defender yesterday – the experienced Allan Bennett joining on a month’s loan from Brentford. He’s the tenth new signing in six weeks (sorry, we miscounted yesterday!)

Tuesday 16th February

YouTube champs – YouTube celebrated its fifth birthday yesterday by announcing that Marlow brothers Charlie and Harry Davies-Carr have featured in their most-watched video. The number of views topped an incredible 160 million last night and the celebrated one minute shot – taken nearly three years ago - of one year old Charlie biting three year old Harry’s finger is reputed to have earned their parents Howard and Shelly around £100,000 through advertising surrounding the clip, plus a T-shirt franchise and calendars.

Ski-centre plea – Britain’s top Alpine skier, Ed Drake, has joined a growing chorus of winter sports enthusiasts pressurising Wycombe Council into dropping its planning objections for a real snow centre on the site of the old Wycombe Summit ski slope. A planning appeal starts next month after the council turned down the plan, saying the proposed new buildings were too big. Drake, who is going for a medal today at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, trained at the Summit before it was destroyed by fire five years ago this year. So far nearly 2,000 people have signed a petition calling for the new centre to be given the go-ahead.

Another defender – Wycombe Wanderers manager Gary Waddock seems intent on fielding a side of new faces in an attempt to keep the Blues in League 2. He signed 19 year old Reading defender Julian Kelly on a month’s loan yesterday, making him the eighth new signing this year.

Sunday 14th February

Another point –Splutter, splutter, stall, splutter. It was the same old story for Wycombe Wanderers yesterday as they fought like tigers, took the lead but had to be satisfied with a point in a 1-1 draw at Brentford yesterday. Everyone – supporters, players, manager and even opponents – say the Blues can get out of the League One relegation zone, but they are still seven points from safety and slowly running out of games. Still, a goal from Kevin Betsy and a new on-loan goalie from Man U, left many ever-optimistic supporters feeling they can save themselves from the drop.

Saturday 13th February

Murder charge – A son appeared in court yesterday charged with murdering his father. Mark Alexander, 22, was remanded in custody by magistrates in Aylesbury charged with murdering his father Samuel Alexander,aged 70, who has been missing from his home in Drayton Parslow for six months. The charge came two days after police dug up a leg and a foot in the garden of the pensioner’s home. An inquest into the human remains will open in High Wycombe on Tuesday.

New keeper –Wycombe Wanderers manager Gary Waddock made a dramatic swoop yesterday to sign a young Manchester United goalkeeper on loan until the end of the season. Twenty-three year old Tom Heaton will go straight into today’s team against Brentford at Griffin Park in a vital League One game, and if he lives up to his promise he’ll be in goal until the end of the season, spelling the end for regular keeper Scott Shearer who’s form has been indifferent.

Friday 12th FebruaryM/b>

Son held – The son of a missing pensioner faces a second day of questioning today after human remains were discovered in his father’s garden. Police hunting 70 year old Samuel Alexander, who hasn’t been seen for six months, confirmed yesterday they had discovered human remains in the garden of Mr Alexander’s home in Drayton Parslow near Aylesbury. His son Mark, aged 22, has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Dog’s alarm – Gardener Chris Russell drowned in the River Thames after enjoying a few drinks in a riverside pub. He was found by a barman at The Bounty pub in Bourne End after Mr Russell’s pet dog Monty apparently rushed back to the pub trailing his lead. An inquest recorded a verdict of accidental death on Mr Russell, aged 39, of Recreation Road, Bourne End. He had been walking home by the river and was found near a footbridge. Had he been driving he would have been three and a half times over the alcohol limit.

Speed row – Councillors have reduced speed limits on nearly 50 stretches of road in Oxfordshire despite police insisting the limits are TOO LOW on half of them. Thames Valley Police said most drivers would ignore the new limits, they weren’t necessary and it would be difficult for them to enforce. But councillors said nearby residents wanted the speed reductions and it was up to the police to enforce them.

Thursday 11th February

Bigamist unveiled – A Wycombe woman who became pregnant by her fiance has been shocked to discover he already has two wives and another fiancee. Alexander Roy appeared in court in Scotland yesterday charged with bigamy and is expected to be jailed when he returns to court in April. The Sherriff’s Court in Stirling heard that Roy, aged 40, had two wives in Scotland and two finances – one in Perth and another, 22 year old Marie Jackson, from High Wycombe, both of whom he had made pregnant.

Badger fears – Local farmers are calling for a cull of badgers throughout the Chilterns after cases of TB were confirmed yesterday among cattle at a farm near Aylesbury. Farmers believe badgers spread TB among cattle costing the industry thousands of pounds. But the Government are so far resisting culling and instead are pressing for vaccinations to both cattle and badgers, even though farmers say the vaccines don’t work.

Big guns – Young Guns, the Wycombe based rock quintet formed just over a year ago, began work on their debut album yesterday prior to a European tour. The band was named Best New Band and Best British Newcomers by readers of Kerrang! and Rock Sound magazine. Following the Euro tour with an American band, Young Guns will headline their own British tour later in the spring, playing 11 venues.

Wednesday 10th February

Garden search – Police began digging up the garden of missing pensioner Samuel Alexander yesterday but refused to confirm reports that the man arrested on suspicion of his murder is Mr Alexander’s 22 year old son Mark. Seventy year old Mr Alexander, a former university lecturer, hasn’t been seen at his home in the village of Drayton Parslow near Aylesbury since August. The man arrested has been released on bail.

Victim praised – The bravery of a woman kidnapped, threatened and repeatedly raped by a man over a weekend of horror was praised by police and victim groups yesterday. The Maidenhead woman, whose identity is being protected, said after her attacker was jailed: “I was not afraid to call the police; I was more embarrassed by the details. The police were very caring and supportive and I would urge other women not to be afraid to report attacks.” Wycombe man Reynold Reid, aged 47, now living in Maidenhead, was jailed for a minimum six and a half years.

Meanwhile a man appeared in court yesterday charged with raping a 17 year old girl 30 years ago. Norman Stanley, aged 60, from Bedfordshire, was remanded in custody charged with raping the teenager in Micklefield Road, High Wycombe in 1980.

Pay freeze – Everyone employed by Buckinghamshire County Council won’t get a pay rise this year, the council confirmed yesterday. An agreement hammered out with unions means that the number of jobs to be cut by the cash strapped council will be reduced to a minimum. However, in neighbouring Oxfordshire unions said they are likely to ballot for strike action after the council said jobs were threatened in plans to axe over £100m from its budget over the next few years.

Tuesday 9th February

Murder arrest – Police hunting a pensioner who has been missing for six months last night arrested a man on suspicion of murder. A 22 year old man was brought from London to Aylesbury to be questioned about the disappearance of 70 year old Samuel Alexander who was last seen at his home in the village of Drayton Parslow last August.

Electioneering begins – Tory councils in Buckinghamshire look set to grumpily impose council tax increases of around two per cent, but say if it wasn’t for the Government there would be no increases at all. Although the councils are making cuts in services and jobs they say the Government’s decision to give more cash support to councils in the north rather than the south means they have to make increases. But the Government points to Labour councils in London who are all keeping council taxes the same and to Tory led Windsor and Maidenhead Council which is making a four per cent reduction – all with less Government grant.

Late counting – Meanwhile, Beaconsfield MP Dominic Grieve will lead a last minute attempt to “save Election Night” in the House of Commons today. He and other top Tories will propose an amendment to a bill that will stop election officers counting votes the day after an election instead of on the night except in “exceptional circumstances”. A number of constituencies, including Henley, are set to count the next day to save costs during this year’s general election.

Monday 8th February

Staged robbery – A Princes Risborough betting shop manager and his mate staged a robbery for the sake of the betting shop’s CCTV camera, a court was told. Matthew Smith, 23, and Luke Corcoran, 20, held their fake robbery after Smith had closed the shop. Corcoran emerged from the toilets with a toy gun and Smith handed over £8,300 which Corcoran escaped with while Smith rang the police. But after police questioning Smith got cold feet and confessed. He was jailed for two years and Corcoran, who came up with the idea, got three and a half years.

Heathrow investigation – Campaigners against a third runway at Heathrow said last night they were not surprised about a criminal investigation – revealed yesterday – that’s being held into missing emails between Department of Transport and airport operator BAA. It’s suspected that the missing emails relate to doubts about the environmental data used to support the case for the runway. Campaigners have always said the noise and pollution estimates put forward to support the third runway case are unrealistic.

Stadium details – A new sports stadium for High Wycombe will come a step closer tonight when councillors are expected to agree a financial package to look into the feasibility of building the stadium – due to be the new home for Wycombe Wanderers and the rugby club London Wasps – on a site next to Booker air park.

Sunday 7th February

Back to the drawing board - Wycombe Wanderers manager Gary Waddock was forced to admit his club had taken a huge step backwards following yesterday's crushing 4-1 defeat to Yeovil Town. After a promising couple of results leading into the match, optimism was high that the Chairboys could give the fans their first home win of 2010 and make a fight for survival; however a dismal performance marred by defensive errors sees the club look ever more likely to face relegation.

Friday 5th February

MP cleared – Wycombe MP Paul Goodman appealed against a ruling that said he had over-claimed more than £3,800 in expenses – and won, it was announced yesterday. The MP, who is quitting at the next election, said the civil servant responsible for making the claim had made a mistake. In yesterday’s report on MPs expenses it was revealed that Chesham and Amersham MP Cheryl Gillan had repaid the £1,800 she had wrongly claimed.

Sporty Corden – Wycombe comedy actor James Corden is turning his attention to sports presenting this year. It was announced yesterday that he is to front a World Cup show in the summer for the BBC and he’s currently recording a sports quiz show for Sky. He’s not leaving comedy altogether – he is to star in a Sports Relief sketch with David Beckham, Andrew Flintoff and Tom Daley.

Cheers! – Marlow’s Rebellion brewery clearly thinks the recession is over. It’s beer of the month for January was Bankers Bitter. This month’s special brew is called Kick Start.

Thursday 4th February

Brother’s part – Wycombe’s top golfer Luke Donald has parted company with his brother Christian as his caddy after an eight year partnership. Donald, 31, was a top ten world golfer a couple of years ago but is still struggling to regain his best form after a wrist operation. The pair have been together since learning the game at Beaconsfield golf club. US based Donald told the Chicago Tribune of the parting: “It was very emotional. There were some tears, mostly from me. You think ‘he’s going to hate me’ but he totally understood. After eight years sometimes it’s just time for a change.” Christian is now caddying for Paul Casey and John McLaren takes over as Luke’s caddy.”

Pensioner killed – One of the area’s most notorious blackspots – the Henley to Nettlebed Road – has claimed another victim after the 80 year old driver of a stationary car died instantly in a smash involving a moving car. The 44 year old driver of the other car was arrested yesterday on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Terry campaign – A Maidenhead businessman who has launched a website calling for the sacking of John Terry as England football captain has collected more than 10,000 signatures in the first 24 hours. John Tilley, a Manchester United supporter, launched his website SackJohnTerry.com on Tuesday. He said it would be a disgrace for Terry to remain captain “after bedding a team-mate’s girlfriend”.

Wednesday 3rd February

Council review – Top councillors in Wycombe meet in private session next week to decide whether they have enough cash to go ahead with major plans over the next few years, or to put them on the back burner. They include a £1.2m scheme to revamp the town’s theatre, the Wycombe Swan; a £1m plan to investigate demolishing the Abbey Way flyover and change town centre road layouts; and a £2.2m scheme to buy the old library in the centre of Wycombe and commission a redevelopment involving the adjoining old town hall.

Motorway noise – The campaign for more measures to be taken to reduce the impact of traffic noise on the M40 has received a major boost. The Local Government Association has agreed to highlight the campaign to the Government under the new Sustainable Communities Act, which means the Government will look for solutions. Thousands of people in the Wycombe area say their lives are blighted by noise from the motorway and are calling for effective noise screening and quieter road surfacing.

Friends’ farewell – Three Cavalry drum horses who worked together for the Household Cavalry and who retired together to the Horses Home for Rest in Speen near Princes Risborough have all died within a few weeks of each other. Janus, Constantine and Leonidas were great companions in their retirement stables where they moved three years ago after spending more than 20 years as working horses in Whitehall and in Royal parades. They were each in their late twenties. “Leo” was the last to die of a heart attack a few days ago, three weeks after the death of Constantine.

Tuesday 2nd February

Bus death crash - A 23 year old male motorist killed instantly in a collision with a park-and-ride bus on Wycombe’s Cressex industrial park yesterday is expected to be named today. The bus driver was recovering last night after being airlifted to hospital from the scene of the accident in Lancaster Road. The four bus passengers were uninjured. It’s not know if the icy conditions played a part in the collision but elsewhere throughout the Wycombe area the conditions resulted in scores of road accidents and traffic delays during the morning rush period. The cold weather is also thought to be responsible for a big power cut which forced most of the shops in Maidenhead’s town centre to close for over an hour yesterday.

Compensation pay-out - A teenager received millions in compensation yesterday after errors made during her birth at Wycombe Hospital left her needing 24 hour care. Alice Joyce, who’s 14 next month, receives £5.6million from Buckinghamshire Hospitals Trust in an agreed settlement. She has already received £2m in an interim payment which enabled her family to buy a home in Aylesbury which accommodates a hydrotherapy pool, which helps her cope with her severe cerebral palsy and other conditions. High Court judge Nicola Davies, who approved the compensation package, told Alice’s parents she had been “humbled” by the devoted care given to Alice by her parents, Chris and Carolyn.

Revolving door – A busy day at Wycombe Wanderers yesterday as manager Gary Waddock brought in another two players on the final day of the transfer window, and relieved the club of its most famous name. Gareth Ainsworth, who made a big impression during an earlier loan spell from QPR, joined the club on an 18 month contract and he was joined by Kevin McLeod from Brighton. The midfielders are former team-mates of Waddock from QPR days. Meanwhile, former Chelsea star Michael Duberry, who was brought in by former manager Peter Taylor but who has recently failed to make regular first team appearances, was “paid off” and left the club by mutual consent.

Monday 1st February

Terry’s local fling – Aylesbury model Jayne Connery last night revealed a five month affair with under-pressure England captain John Terry, telling the Mirror:“He has no respect for anyone – he has been getting away with it for years.” She said Terry had a five month affair with her, calling regularly at her home in the town, telling her he was single. The affair ended when the model got a call from Terry’s wife-to-be Toni. Terry is under pressure to resign as England captain following reports he made team-mate Wayne Bridge’s partner pregnant and paid for an abortion.

Station revamp – Chiltern Railways is launching a competition among architectural students to come up with ideas and conversion designs for the listed rail shed at High Wycombe station. The winning entrant will receive a cash prize and free travel on the line. The shed, designed by Brunel, is currently used as a tyre depot and storage area. It’s aimed to make it a centrepiece of a redeveloped station.

Early finish – The Olympic rowing venue at Dorney Lake near Windsor will be completed next month, ahead of schedule and within budget, the Olympic Delivery Authority has announced. A new footbridge, linking the finishing line to the athletes warm-up area, was hoisted into place last week.

Sunday 31st January

Welcome win – A couple of penalties and a fighting spirit gave Wycombe Wanderers their first win in nine games yesterday, when they beat Bristol Rovers 3-2 away from home. There’s a long way to go to beat off relegation, but there’s a greater confidence than ever in the Wycombe camp.

Saturday 30th January

Bad mood murderer – An Aylesbury pub chef who killed a Thame teaching assistant because he was “in a bad mood” begins a life sentence today. Robert Cusworth, 25, stabbed 34 year old Sally Garwood as she walked her dogs in Quarrendon Fields. Prosecutor Carl Barker told Reading Crown Court yesterday: "Robert Cusworth did not know Sally Garwood let alone harbour any previous bad feelings towards her. As he told police, he was in a bad mood, and he had bought a knife the day before because he felt 'very very angry' and wanted 'to hurt someone'. “ Cusworth will serve a minimum 20 years.

Prices recover – Local house prices have struggled back to levels of two or three years ago, according to figures from the Land Registry yesterday. The average house price in Buckinghamshire is £242,000, still £30,000 down on 2007 but comparable with 2006. In neighbouring Oxfordshire prices are back to the 2007 levels. Local estate agents say both prices and interest are perking up this month.

Bill-topper – Will Young will be the star attraction at the Henley Festival in July, the organisers announced yesterday. He’ll perform on a vast floating auditorium on the Thames.

Friday 29th January

Pub raided – Police think they have smashed a major local cannabis supply network after a series of dawn raids, including one on a town centre pub. Ten people were held after raids on The Two Brewers pub in Thame, plus houses in Aylesbury, Moreton and Thame. At the same time police entered a warehouse on a farm at Little Milton and smashed down a fake wall to discover 147 mature cannabis plants. They took £6,000 from the pub using laws under the new Proceeds from Crime Act. Last night five people had been arrested in connection with the raids.

Thames heroes – A grandmother is trying to find modest heroes who saved her and her four year old grandson from drowning in the swollen River Thames. Doreen Hughes lost her footing walking on the Thames towpath at Henley while pushing young Thomas in a pushchair. A woman first came to her aid, followed by a man and two students who heard her cries. Mrs Hughes has discovered the identity of her female rescuer but has written to her local paper so she can personally thank the others. The entire navigable stretch of the Thames, from Lechlade to Teddington Lock, has been on red alert for over a week because of dangerous flows and undercurrents. No boats are being allowed to sail.

Plane ditched – A rare 1960s singled engine Chinese plane– one of only two in the country – had to make an emergency landing in a muddy field by the M40 at Flackwell Heath, High Wycombe after suffering an apparent instrument failure. The plane, en route from White Waltham airfield to Denham, was being retrieved last night. No one was injured.

Thursday 28th January

Sporting Mecca – High Wycombe is set to become a major multi-sport venue after plans were leaked yesterday for a community stadium next to Booker air park. The stadium/sports complex will not only host Wycombe Wanderers and the London Wasps rugby club but have facilities for other sports, including cricket, hockey and various indoor activities. It will be mainly owned by the council who will part lease it to two main clients, Wycombe Wanderers and Bucks New University, both of whom will also be investing. Together with a new athletics track in Hazlemere, and with plans for a “real snow” winter sports centre on the site of the old ski slope still on the table, councillors hope Wycombe will become a big sporting attraction. It is already a major centre for Judo and the neighbouring roads around the Chilterns attract national cycle races.

Officer suspended – A second prison officer has been suspended at Aylesbury’s young people’s jail for allegedly having an affair with one of the inmates. Last year a woman officer at Aylesbury Young Offenders Institute was jailed after admitting becoming pregnant by one of the prisoners. Now, a 23 year old warder has been suspended and arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office. She was named last night as Kerry Horne from Aylesbury.

New claim - A claim in the Sun newspaper yesterday that Wycombe businessman Manir Hussain – jailed and then freed for attacking burglars at his home- was the victim of a personal attack and not a random burglary were shrugged off by Mr Hussain’s solicitor last night. The newspaper claimed that the Hussain family were targeted because a jealous husband wrongly believed his wife had been having an affair with Mr Hussain. And police confirmed that the threatening burglar who was in turn attacked by Mr Hussain and his brother has never revealed the motive behind entering the Hussains’ home in Desborough Park Road. Mr Hussain’s solicitor Razi Shah said: “It doesn’t change the underlying debate over the right of householders to defend themselves.”

Wednesday 27th January

Airman tragedy – A trainee airman at RAF Halton collapsed and died after a five a side football match at the base. It’s thought that 30 year old Leading Aircraftman Gary Brumpton died from natural causes. A former Royal Engineer in the Army he swapped services last year and came to Halton where his brother is a flying tutor. He leaves and wife and two children.

Major exercise – A massive disaster training exercise involving emergency services, local health workers and councils and the military takes place today and tomorrow centred on Windsor. Hundreds will be involved in the exercise on Windsor Racecourse which assumes three horror scenarios - a chemical attack, a biological attack and a nuclear attack. Although the exercise has been planned for months it comes just three days after the Government increased the risk of a terrorist attack in Britain from “substantial” to “severe”.

Hero’s honour - War veteran Arthur Stagg has become one of only three people to be made an honorary citizen of his adopted home town of Thame in recognition of his heroics in World War Two. Mr Stagg, now 97, played a vital undercover link role between the French resistance and Britain for much of the war. He was tortured by the Gestapo but didn’t crack and was later released, carrying on his secret agent work. He has already received France’s highest award, the Legion d’Honneur and has the Freedom of the City of Lille.

Tuesday 26th January

Murderer’s Facebook – Aylesbury Young Offenders Institution strongly denied last night that a murderer in its cells had set up a Facebook page via his Blackberry dedicated to getting him freed. Jade Braithwaite, aged 20, is serving life for stabbing teenager Ben Kinsella. On a “Free Jade Braithwaite” Facebook page – now removed – he allegedly wrote “I wish I had a remote control for people. That way I could mute or delete people when I need to...” The prison said last night it used state of the art mobile phone detection equipment on inmates and there was no indication Braithwaite had used a mobile phone or had access to the internet. A statement suggested that a third party had set up the page.

Patients screened – Patients entering Wycombe or Stoke Mandeville Hospitals as emergencies will be automatically screened for the hospital bug MRSA from today. It’s estimated that as many as one in 12 people carry the bug harmlessly on their skin, but it can become lethal in hospitals. Most patients admitted for routine operations are already screened. A few years ago Stoke Mandeville had one of the country’s worst records for MRSA deaths until it cleaned up its act.

Volunteer libraries – After police said they were willing to try volunteers running small police stations, the council said yesterday it was ready to let volunteers run branch libraries. Bucks County Council wants to save money by cutting library jobs but at the same time try and keep smaller libraries open.

Monday 25th January

Fire hero – A pensioner who walked through a “wall of flame” to rescue his wife was being hailed a hero last night. As details emerged of a blaze at the 16th century cottage of Stanley and Elisabeth Harley in Henley, neighbours spoke of how Mr Harley emerged from the flames and then walked back into them when he realised his wife was still inside. He returned with her a few moments later, suffering minor burns to his head. The couple, in their seventies, were recovering in hospital last night.

Council tax cut – Councillors in Windsor and Maidenhead said at the weekend they’ll cut the council tax by four per cent next year, laying down a challenge for neighbouring councils. They’ve achieved the cut by renegotiating contracts, losing some backroom jobs and agreeing flexibility deals with remaining workers.

Volunteer cop shop – Thames Valley Police has set a precedent by allowing volunteers to undergo training so they can man their local police station. If the plan for Ascot police station works, it’s expected it will expand to other small police stations in the Bucks, Berkshire and Oxon area covered by the force which are threatened with closure because of cash cuts.

Sunday 24th January

Terror alert – Reports today suggest that the threat of the terror level in Britain – raised yesterday from “substantial” to “severe” – was due to information that suggested that an airliner flying from India to Heathrow was to be hijacked and crash landed at or near the airport or on a British city. Security at the airport was increased yesterday.

Fire rescue – Neighbours bravely entered a blazing cottage in Henley yesterday to rescue an elderly couple who live there. The 400 year old cottage in Hart Street was badly damaged, but the couple were led from the building unhurt. Fire investigators said the cause of the blaze was not suspicious.

Dream start – Midfielder Josh Payne scored in his debut for Wycombe Wanderers yesterday, but the 1-1 draw at Southend was the same old story: the Blues had most of the play, should have won but didn’t take their chances. They are still second from bottom in League 2.

Saturday 23rd January

Drugs tragedy – An Amersham student has died after experimenting with drugs for the first time. Ben Walters, aged 18, who was studying drama at Amersham and Wycombe College was found dead at a house in Berkhamstead where he was attending a party. Friends said last night he had taken the drug mephedrone – known as meow meow – which can be obtained over the internet. Authorities are considering whether to make the drug illegal after a number of similar deaths in America.

Bye Bucks? – A proposed deal between Buckinghamshire County Council and its district councils to share costs and services collapsed dramatically yesterday, putting the future of the county council in doubt. Its leader David Shakespeare – Tory chief David Cameron’s senior local government adviser – warned last year that Bucks County Council would possibly only last another five years unless a big savings deal could be found, and he was pinning all his hopes on sharing services with district councils based in Wycombe, Aylesbury, Amersham, and Beaconsfield. But the district councils slowly realised that Bucks needed them more than they needed Bucks and pulled the plug. Now, the serious money is that Bucks County Council will go the same way as neighbouring Berkshire County Council – into the history books – leaving the district councils dealing with all local authority services.

Another day, another signing – Wycombe Wanderers took on a promising West Ham youngster on a month’s loan yesterday – the fourth new signing in three weeks. Josh Payne, 19, is a highly rated midfielder who will be in today’s squad for the visit to Southend United.

Friday 22nd January

Bogus cops – Eight pensioners have been robbed of hundreds of pounds by bogus cops who called at their homes saying they needed to fingerprint their money. The tricksters, acting in pairs, called at homes around the Wycombe area showing fake ID cards and badges. They said they were tracing cash stolen by burglars. Police last night urged people to take special care. If approached by plain clothes police they should ask for their shoulder number and ring Thames Valley Police to check their authenticity. The thieves are white. Two are in their twenties, one in his thirties and another in his forties.

HQ move – The famous Commonwealth War Graves Commission headquarters in Maidenhead looks set to be demolished in favour a luxury flats development. The commission looks after thousands of war graves around the world but doesn’t need as much office space as it did when it moved into the distinctive building 30 years ago. It says it is now looking for more suitable accommodation.

New signings – Former Peterborough midfielder Dean Keates , 31, joined Wycombe Wanderers on a free transfer yesterday as manager Gary Waddock continued his efforts to strengthen the side. He has also taken on a new 6ft.5in goalkeeper, 20 year old Steve Arnold, a former Arsenal youth player. The existing number 2 goalie, Jamie Young, left the club yesterday by mutual agreement.

Thursday 21st January

Prayers of thanks – High Wycombe businessman Munir Hussain will spend his first day of freedom resting with his family today before attending his mosque tomorrow to thank his supporters. Mr Hussain, 52, of Desborough Park Road, was released from jail by appeal court judges yesterday after they reduced his sentence for attacking a burglar who threatened his family. His brother Tokeer also had his sentence reduced and is expected to be released from jail in the summer. Scores of wellwishers called at the Hussain’s home last night to offer their support and news websites have been inundated with comments supporting the judge’s “merciful” decision.

Jobless down – The number of jobless in the Wycombe area followed the national trend downwards according to unemployment statistics produced yesterday. What’s perhaps more encouraging for the area is that, unlike other parts of the country, the number of vacancies is also said to be rising.

Top comedy – The rise and rise of Wycombe comedy actor James Corden continued last night when Gavin and Stacey, the TV series he co-wrote and starred in with Ruth Jones, won the best TV comedy show at the National Television Awards.

Wednesday 20th January

Brothers appeal – The High Wycombe brothers jailed for attacking a burglar at their home are hoping to have their sentences reduced today. Munir Hussain, aged 52, was jailed for 30 months and his brother Tokeer for 39 months in December after attacking a burglar who threatened their families. The case aroused world wide controversy and debate about how far people should go in defending themselves. The Appeal Court yesterday upheld the brothers’ conviction, but judges will rule on the sentences today.

Hospital bug – Wexham Park Hospital near Slough yesterday cancelled operations and discharged patients and transferred others to other local hospitals in the area after an outbreak of the vomiting bug Norovirus. The hospital said last night that a small number of patients and staff were suffering from the bug. Hospital authorities are monitoring its spread on an hourly basis, while other hospitals in Buckinghamshire and Berkshire are on alert.

Roads repaired – Bucks County Council withdrew £2m from its reserves yesterday when it discovered that the number of potholes on the county’s roads was worse than first thought. Extra crews are being brought into the repair the roads. Meanwhile, there was chaos around Windsor yesterday when the level crossing gates at Datchet were stuck in the down position for an hour in the morning rush hour, due to an electrical fault. Police had to close the High Street and send traffic on a wide diversion.

Tuesday 19th January

Black-out – Every street light in Buckinghamshire, with the exception of motorways, could be switched off between midnight and 5am in a move that could save the council £200,000 a year. The idea, announced yesterday, is the latest in a string of money-saving ideas and comes after a period when street lights in specific areas in the county were switched off in an experiment. It was found that neither accidents nor crime increased in the areas plunged into darkness.

Fat kids – One in five children starting school is either overweight or obese according to figures released by Oxfordshire’s NHS yesterday. Figures for Buckinghamshire are expected to be similar. It’s likely to lead to a healthy eating campaign aimed at local parents of under-fives.

Posh nosh – Bray’s reputation as the gourmet capital of Britain has been maintained in the 2010 Michelin guide to the best eating spots, published tomorrow. Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck and Michael Roux’s Waterside Inn retain their top mark three stars, and Blumenthal’s nearby pub, the Hind’s Head gets a special mention. And just down the road at Paley Street, the Royal Oak, owned by Sir Michael Parkinson and run by his son Nick, has achieved a one star for the first time.

Monday 18th January

Drug link – A body dumped on a slip road by the M40 last week has been linked to an international drug smuggling gang, according to reports yesterday. The man, believed to be East European, was found by the M40/A40 Denham roundabout. Police are said to be linking his death with the murder of two Vietnamese illegal immigrants found in Birmingham last week. It’s believed they were involved in a plot to import millions of pounds worth of cannabis into Britain.

Rubbish bonanza – Busiest places in the Wycombe area yesterday were the waste and recycling centres as thousands of people – many of whom haven’t had a recycling collection since the week before Christmas because of the bad weather – took advantage of the now clear roads to dump the rubbish themselves.

On the fiddle – The biggest fiddling event in England drew hundreds of enthusiasts to High Wycombe last night. Over 100 fiddlers gathered at Wycombe Swan for the annual Chiltern Fiddle Rally.

Sunday 17th January

Flood alerts – The Environment Agency last night urged people living near rivers in the Thames area to be vigilant as melting snow and a day’s heavy rain began to increase river levels. The agency issued 25 flood watch alerts in the Thames area yesterday.

Wanderers beaten – A 2-1 home defeat by Charlton yesterday left Wycombe Wanderers deep in relegation trouble at the bottom of League One. With 19 games left, new manager Gary Waddock remains optimistic the Blues can reach safety – especially after a run playing the league’s top teams – but the mood among many fans after yesterday’s defeat was far from upbeat.

Saturday 16th January

Jobs going – Windsor and Maidenhead Council announced yesterday that up to 100 council jobs could go in order to save money. They are the first of many jobs on the line in the public sector locally as councils and other bodies look to cut costs by axing jobs or outsourcing services. Buckinghamshire County Council is said to be preparing to offload 400 jobs in the coming years and asking private companies to take on some of its services.

Rail sweetner? – The Government insisted that plans unveiled yesterday to vastly increase the capacity of Birmingham’s New Street station did not necessarily mean that the proposed 250mph high speed rail link will carve through the Chilterns via High Wycombe. Transport secretary Lord Adonis said the upgrade, together with other improvements to the existing line, will attract more passengers and cut the journey time between Marylebone and Birmingham by more than half an hour. He said the Government was yet to decide which route it will recommend for the hugely controversial high speed link from London to the midlands and the north. However, environmentalists see yesterday’s announcement, which had local politicians and councils swooning with delight, as a mere softening up to make the high speed link more acceptable in the Wycombe area.

Tommy walks – Wycombe Wanderers fans were shaken yesterday when one of the team’s best players, midfielder Tommy Doherty, walked out, saying he couldn’t stand working for manager Gary Waddock anymore. The pair have history – Doherty always blamed Waddock for his sacking from QPR during a previous entanglement – but nonetheless it was (wrongly) felt the pair had kissed and made up. Waddock responded by signing up Kevin Betsy until the end of the season - a player he let go from a loan period a few days ago, saying he didn’t want him anymore. But the more mild-mannered Betsy didn’t take offence: he diplomatically said he was glad to be back for today’s Adams Park clash against high flying Charlton.

Friday 15th January

Swine flu – A programme to vaccinate up to 50,000 children aged between two and six from swine flu got underway in the South Bucks and East Berkshire area yesterday, even though the number of cases has been nothing like as bad as feared a few months ago.

Weather cost – Local councils expect the bill for dealing with the bad weather to top £1m once all the costs for dealing with potholes, paying for extra sand and grit and paying overtime to road workers are worked out. The cost to local companies, including transport firms, of lost business , is expected to be much higher though.

Home from home –Newlyweds Jamie Cullam and Sophie Dahl intend to move permanently into their country home near Princes Risborough once its renovations are complete, say friends. The jazz singer and the actress are due back from honeymoon shortly. The house is just a few miles from where Sophie’s grandfather, the children’s writer Roald Dahl, lived in Great Misseneden.

Thursday 14th January

On the up – Jobless figures are expected to fall in the area after local businesses reported yesterday that commerce was picking up better than expected. The Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce said that exports for both manufacturers and service industries improved in the last quarter of last year and that future orders were looking good. Firms had reported a “high level” of staff recruitment. The news came as millionaire entrepreneur Peter Jones announced that the headquarters for his National Enterprise Academy – a Government backed scheme aimed at fast-tracking thousands of 16-19 year olds into private enterprise – will be based at Aylesbury’s new Waterside development and will open in September.

Thawing out - Daytime temperatures begin a steady rise from today, marking the start of a slow thaw, after fresh snowfalls brought fresh chaos to the Wycombe area yesterday. Schools closed; business and office staff finished early and roads were gridlocked. There were stifled guffaws at Maidenhead however when a trailer partly filled with farmyard manure was inexplicably mixed with sand and grit... and the area that was treated to gritted pavements with a distinctive farmyard whiff was none other than on the approaches to the town hall!

Concert for Carrot - As the number of Facebook tributes to Wycombe busker Carrot neared 10,000 last night, Wycombe’s Mayor said that a concert in his honour would be held at the end of the month, raising money for the town’s night shelter for homeless people. Mayor Julie Pritchard was due to host the annual charity concert at the town’s parish church in December but it was called off because of the bad weather. Now the gig has been renamed Concert for Carrot and will take place on 27 January, five days after his funeral. Carrot – 44 year old Gordon Lumsden – was found dead at his home in Chairborough Road last week. It’s thought he died of natural causes.

Wednesday 13th January

Carrot tribute – An astonishing 9,000 people have joined a Facebook tribute to Carrot, the down-and-out looking Wycombe busker who was found dead at his home in Chairborough Road, aged 44. A YouTube video tribute to Carrot, real name Gordon Lumsden, was also attracting hundreds of views last night. The vast range of friendships he made from his pitch outside Wycombe’s Lloyds Bank is evident by the contributors, many of whom were students entertained by his harmonica-blues playing and chat-to-anyone style. There’s talk of a tribute gig and a compilation CD.

Rail link – Chiltern Railways yesterday made a formal application to the Government to build a new rail link that will enable direct services between Wycombe and Oxford. If approved, the company hope that a new line between Bicester and Oxford will be completed in three years, enabling an Oxford-Wycombe-Marylebone service every hour. The £185m plan involves building two new platforms at Oxford.

New striker – Wycombe Wanderers signed a new striker yesterday in an attempt to end their goal drought. Alex Revell, 26, has come on a free transfer from Southend United. He was a prolific goal scorer until he broke his leg and has since struggled while on loan with Swindon. But manager Gary Waddock is convinced that a new start will give Revell the goal-scoring confidence he needs.

Tuesday 12th January

Turned away – Hundreds of pupils turned up for school yesterday, only to be turned away because the schools weren’t ready for them. Some secondary schools in the Wycombe area opened for everyone – but others only for pupils due to take A levels or other exams yesterday. All schools expect to open as normal today but urged pupils to check school websites. Meanwhile, nearly everyone in the area was late for work yesterday as black ice brought gridlock to much of the area during rush hour. There were scores of minor accidents and shunts.

Office crash – The true depth of the 2009 recession in the Wycombe and Thames Valley area was revealed yesterday with figures showing that the amount of new office space being taken up crashed by 80 per cent compared to 2008. Office rents also dropped by more than 10 per cent as businesses sought better deals. Office landlords expressed cautious optimism for the coming weeks however.

Nowhere to be seen Boy – Many Wycombe cinemagoers are said to be disappointed at missing the film debut of local actor Aaron Johnson, playing John Lennon in Nowhere Boy, a bio-pic about the Beatles star. The film opened on Boxing Day but wasn’t to be seen on any of the area’s thirty-odd movie screens by last Friday. Film distributors said the movie was only intended for a two week run, even in Johnson’s home town and even though bad weather prevented many from getting to the cinema.

Monday 11th January

Now, where were we... – The Wycombe area will get back to normal today after a three week Christmas and weather break. Schools will begin their new term three or four days late after hundreds of parents and school staff spent part of their weekend clearing paths and car parks of snow and ice. Two schools – Wycombe High and John Hampden – hired diggers to clear long driveways to make sure pupils due to sit A level exams today would make it ok. Elsewhere, business expects a full return to work in the Wycombe area today after the predicted snow over the weekend failed to materialise in any significant amounts. And, as if to signify the official end of the extended holiday, Wycombe’s panto Aladdin ended last night after a four week run where audiences were often hit by the bad weather.

Tub-thumper – Although he is not standing for re-election, Wycombe MP Paul Goodman is to play a major tub-thumping role for the Conservatives during the election campaign. He has become contributing editor to ConservativeHome, the principal party blogging site, which will help clarify and exemplify Tory policy as the election hots up.

Delicate stage – Negotiations with Wycombe Council over a new stadium for Wycombe Wanderers and London Wasps are at a “delicate stage”, the clubs’ owner Steve Hayes told The Times. Further talks are due this week and there’s still hope a planning application could be ready by the end of the month. Meanwhile as complaints about access to Adams Park mount from rugby fans in particular, London Wasps have agree to switch their big rugby premiership match against Bath in April from Wycombe to Twickenham.

Sunday 10th January

Stocking up – Thousands took advantage of a lull in the weather yesterday to descend on Wycombe area supermarkets. Stores said it was even busier than the day or two before Christmas as shoppers stocked up on bread, milk, vegetables, frozen and tinned foods. Non food shops were quiet and Wycombe’s market was closed. Snow is forecast to fall throughout the area today with plunging temperatures again tonight.

Famous pub goes – One of the Wycombe area’s most famous village pubs is to be demolished to make way for five houses. The One Pin pub in Hedgerley – which featured in the classic British film Genevieve and was often frequented by stars filming at nearby Pinewood Studios – never really recovered after drink-driving rules were tightened, according to the few regulars who were left. Although the pub is over 200 years old, officials said there was not enough of the original interior left to make it worth protecting as a listed building.

Turning point – A battling 1-1 draw against League 1 leaders Leeds United yesterday may well prove the turning point of Wycombe Wanderers season. The Blues recovered from an early Leeds goal and in the end were unlucky not to win. They are still deep in trouble – second from bottom, five points from safety and having played two games more than those around them – but there’s a air of confidence and determination in the team said manager Gary Waddock.

Saturday 9th January

Agreement reached – After a year of negotiation, the Environment Agency and the River Thames lock-keepers reached an agreement on pay and conditions yesterday. It generally marks a victory for the lock-keepers. Originally the Agency wanted to evict them and sell the lock-side cottages, but after a public outcry they did a U-turn.

Beggar’s tribute – Sympathy messages and floral tributes began to pile up yesterday at the spot where local beggar “Carrot” sat, often playing his mouth organ, near Lloyds Bank in Wycombe, by the entrance to the Eden Shopping Centre. It’s not known if his death is associated with the current cold weather.

Games off – Meanwhile, the deep freeze has put paid to local outdoor sports fixtures throughout the Wycombe area today, and schools that host Saturday events are also closed. Elsewhere, a group of 4x4 owners in the Wycombe area have offered their vehicles to ensure that registrars can get to work today to officiate at a number of planned weddings; while in Slough , Age Concern volunteers plan to visit every known vulnerable elderly person this weekend to check they have basic provisions and are warm enough.

Friday 8th January

Emergency plans – Councils and other authorities are preparing contingency plans to get the area moving again after forecasts predicted even more snow this weekend. There’s growing concern about the effect the weather is having on business , education and social care in the Wycombe area, and what will happen if the paralysis goes on for another week. Schools and some businesses remain closed today as temperatures plummet to new lows. At Benson, high in the Chilterns, temperatures were expected to hit minus 20 centigrade last night. Public transport remains limited.

Paper changes – There’s speculation that the Buckinghamshire Advertiser and Bucks Examiner may become a free newspapers after their owner, Trinity Mirror, yesterday declared that all its paid-for weekly newspapers in west London are to become free distribution. Trinity Mirror has already tried in vain to sell the Advertiser and is known to be concerned about its falling circulation.

Wanderers blow – Wycombe Wanderers on loan striker John Akinde was recalled early by his club Bristol City yesterday, giving boss Gary Waddock an unwanted headache for tomorrow’s game at league two leaders Leeds United. Another on-loan striker, Kevin Betsey, has returned to Southend United and the manager agreed this week to sell a striker he had on loan, Chris Zebroski, to Torquay. He has attacking midfielder Scott Davies on loan from Reading for only two more games. Leeds is confident that despite the weather, tomorrow’s game will go ahead.

Thursday 7th January

Conditions worsen – Sharp frosts and bitterly cold winds will add to the weather misery in the Wycombe area today as concerns rise about vulnerable and elderly people living alone. Carers and social workers were unable to make all their regular calls yesterday and the Meals on Wheels service was suspended as around 10 inches (25cm) of snow fell in 18 hours. Ice is expected to make side roads even more inaccessible in the coming days and the Arctic conditions are not expected to ease for at least a week. Councils, who are gritting and salting fewer roads than they want because of dwindling supplies, warned that if temperatures drop below minus 7c, as expected, salting roads becomes ineffective anyway.

Close down –The Wycombe area came to a virtual halt yesterday and things are not likely to change today. There were no bus services, virtually all schools closed and train services were severely limited. Chiltern Railways warned passengers not to use Denham Station because it was too dangerous. Elsewhere, all libraries, the Bucks New University and the Empire Cinema complex at Handy Cross all closed for the day, and less than half of the shops at Wycombe’s Eden shopping centre were open for business. Councils abandoned their revised waste collection services and simply said they’ll try to collect on normal collection days and take whatever is left out. But the show went on at the pantos at Wycombe Swan and Windsor Theatre Royal, even though audiences were down.

Snowballing record – When Wycombe student James Tadgell suggested on Facebook on Tuesday night that people turn up on the Rye for Wycombe’s biggest ever snowball fight, he thought he’d be lucky if 100 showed up. In the event nearly 500 arrived at three o’clock yesterday, and it became one of Britain’s biggest ever snowball fights... featuring on BBC and Channel 4 news, as well as YouTube.

Wednesday 6th January

Worst day – The Wycombe area is standing by for its worst winter day for at least 30 years today. Nearly a foot of snow fell overnight in some parts, virtually closing the town and its surrounding area last night, with empty pubs, clubs and cinemas. Scores of schools announced last night they were closing today and with further heavy snowfall expected well into this afternoon it’s unlikely many will open tomorrow. Gritters spent all night on main routes in and out of the town but disruption is inevitable, police warned.

Special arrangements – Hospitals, emergency services and local councils are making special arrangements in attempts to beat the weather. Many hospitals in the area have plans to get essential staff into work today, while the ambulance service is likely to say that crews will only attend genuine emergencies. At Windsor and Maidenhead council, call centre staff started work at 6 o’clock this morning to deal with early queries. Power companies have teams on stand-by in case snow on power lines disrupts electricity supplies.

Quit moaning – A council leader has issued an astonishing attack against people complaining about the weather. Keith Mitchell, leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said in an email to former Henley Mayor Ken Arlett , who had complained about unsalted footpaths: “I have to ask what has happened to the British spirit that defeated Hitler and yet quails at a little snow? If every householder and every shopkeeper took some salt and a shovel and cleared the area of pavement in front of their home or shop, we might have regained some of the British spirit that has kept this island free for 1,000 years. But no, we have developed a dependency culture that someone ‘up there’ is to blame.”

Tuesday 5th January

Club threatened – Henley Football Club warned yesterday that it may have to fold because of the bad weather. It has only played one game since the beginning of December and relies on after-match takings from its club bar to pay its rent, rates, maintenance and other bills. Last season serious flooding at its Mill Lane ground caused it to lose money and now the club is £12,000 in debt because of the latest snow and ice. Meanwhile, the Met Office issued a severe weather warning for the Wycombe area today saying there could be heavy snow anywhere in Buckinghamshire and East Berkshire tonight and tomorrow. Bucks County Council yesterday sent out 15 work gangs on pothole patrol, filling in thousands of potholes that have appeared since the cold weather took a grip.

Court appearances – Wycombe man Mohammed Sajid, aged 22, of Plantation Road was remanded in custody yesterday charged with rape and assault. The attack is alleged to have occurred in November in Benjamin Road in the town. Elsewhere, Jason Hazell, aged 29, of Cresswell Road, Chesham appears in court today charged with causing the deaths of two people – Laura Smith, aged 20, and Stephen Smith, aged 24 – in a car crash in London Road, Amersham last June. He is also charged with driving without insurance.

Cycling boost – A £48,000 grant from the EU and the Government, announced yesterday, will enable the completion of a 170 mile cycle trail around the Chilterns in time for this summer, according to cycle groups. The trail will have one end in Henley and the other on the Dunstable Downs and include various circular routes in the Wycombe part of the Chilterns.

Monday 4th January

Death mystery – A second post mortem will be held today on the body of a 21 year old man found dead in a Maidenhead hotel room in the early hours New Year’s Day. Four men and a woman, who have been arrested on suspicion of murder, have been released on bail after a first post mortem failed to confirm how the man died.

Big freeze – Social workers and charities helping the elderly will be checking on old people living alone this week as temperatures are set to plummet. Temperatures are not expected to exceed one degree at any time this week and night time temperatures in the Wycombe area are expected to drop to as low at minus six. Forecasters say more heavy snow is possible at the end of the week.

Sunday 3rd January

Teacher dies – A woman who died over Christmas following a road accident was named yesterday as English teacher Ellie Bongers. Pupils at Lord William’s School in Thame will hold a special assembly when they return to school tomorrow in memory of the 32 year old Mrs Bongers, who died on Christmas Eve, four days after the accident in a snowstorm in Kidlington. Her 15 month old son Joseph is still in a critical condition in hospital and her husband Richard also received injuries. Meanwhile, a 19 year old woman from Hertfordshire who died in a road accident near Amersham Tesco on New Year’s Eve is expected to be named tomorrow.

Toddler attacked – Police are hunting a woman shopping in Tesco who “lost it” with a two year old having a tantrum. The woman bellowed in the child’s ear to shut up and then slapped him hard round the face before storming out of the shop in Wycombe’s Eden Centre leaving the boys’ mother shocked and distraught. Police are releasing CCTV pictures of the attacker.

Honour in defeat - Wycombe Wanderers goalkeeper Scott Shearer fully deserved his man of the match award for stopping a series of shots against Norwich yesterday. Unfortunately one sneaked in to give the Canaries a slender victory and leave the Blues deep in the League 2 mire. Still, on the positive side, the Chairboys gave a confident performance – a confidence that will be further tested as they meet the other two table-toppers, Leeds and Charlton, in the next two matches.

Saturday 2nd January

Murder probe – Five people have been arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of a 21 year old man was found in a Maidenhead hotel room early yesterday morning. Police were called to the Kingswood Hotel at four o’clock as new year celebrations were still going strong. A post mortem to try and discover how the man died was completed last night.

New player – Wycombe Wanderers boss Gary Waddock wasted no time in bringing in new blood to strengthen his ailing side. The first day of the football transfer window was yesterday and within hours he announced that the club captain of his former club, Aldershot, was joining the Blues – a rare case of a captain joining a sinking ship, according to one Aldershot cynic. Defender Adam Hinschelwood has a history of injury problems but when fit is recognised as a talented player. He will come straight into the side to meet high flying Norwich City at Adams Park today

Friday 1st January 2010

Happy New Year - The Wycombe.Info/Wycombeonthenet team wish you a successful and enjoyable 2010.

Thursday 31st December 2009

Revellers warned – New year revellers were warned not to be so stupid as to jump into the River Thames tonight as the Environment Agency raised its warnings along the Thames’ entire length to red alert. Police will be keeping a special watch on Marlow Bridge, a traditional venue for people to see in the new year. The Agency said last night that hours of heavy rain combined with melting snow meant there were dangerously strong flows in the Thames and all rivercraft are under orders to remain moored. The Agency also introduced 11 flood alerts in and around Thames tributaries yesterday.

Company sold - Jobs at SpinVox’s headquarters in Marlow are under threat after the company was sold at a knock-down price yesterday to a big American rival. Nuance Communications paid £64m for the company that made its name by converting voice messages into text. The price was said to be less than half SpinVox’s valuation just six months ago. The 230 staff at the Marlow HQ expect to hear about their immediate futures today.

Rail frustration – The Government continued to insist yesterday that it will not reveal its favoured route for the high speed rail link through the Chilterns until the end of March. Meanwhile rumours and counter-rumours are frustrating environment groups. Some of today’s national newspapers say the high speed link report – officially handed to the Government yesterday – favours expanding Euston as the London terminus, indicating that the link would run to the north of Wycombe and Chesham, through Hemel Hempstead and Berkhampstead. But other reports say the link will run from a new terminus in London to Heathrow and onto the Midlands via High Wycombe and Thame – a route, according to the Chilterns Conservation Board, that would “trash” the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wednesday 30th December

Waste confusion – Thousands of people have been left confused after the bad weather threw a spanner in the carefully worked out plans for Christmas waste collections. Windsor and Maidenhead Council yesterday abandoned their Christmas/New Year revised dates and instead said they would make a “double” collection on the normal bin dates. Officials are calling at homes ahead of the bin lorries advising people to put their bins out. In neighbouring Wycombe householders have been left to guess when bin lorries will arrive – the council’s website hasn’t been revised for eight days. In Chiltern District Council area the green bin collection has been suspended until January 18 to enable binmen to concentrate on recycling boxes and “normal” rubbish’’; while in South Bucks the council said it would try to catch up with the revised collection schedule it put out pre-Christmas.

Polling delay – General Election night excitement seems likely to disappear from the Wycombe area after it emerged that local returning officers are thinking of postponing the counting of votes in local constituencies until the day after the election. John Buckle, returning officer at Boris Johnson’s old seat in Henley – which also includes Thame – has already decided to begin vote counting on the Friday after Thursday’s polling day for next year’s election mainly because of the increasing number of postal votes which have to be taken into account. He also says he would rather have tellers that are fresh on Friday morning after a good night’s sleep. The move would also save local councils money because they wouldn’t have to pay council staff overtime. Wycombe is usually the first to declare its result in this area, at around 2am, with the others, Beaconsfield; Windsor, Maidenhead, Chesham and Amersham, Henley and Aylesbury declaring even later.

High flying Rog – Two and a half years ago Roger Johnson was captain of Wycombe Wanderers as the club battled in League Two. Today, he is finding himself being talked about as a potential member of the England squad for next year’s World Cup. Johnson, 26, is being talked up – not least by his manager Alex McGleish – as the one of the main reasons behind his new club Birmingham City’s spectacular progress in the Premiership. For his part Johnson – a product of the Wycombe youth set-up – has won many friends here for saying that his success is based on what he learned at the Blues.

Tuesday 29th December

Rail secrecy – The Government said yesterday that it did not intend releasing exact details of the proposed high speed rail route through the Chilterns until the Spring in order to cut back on “planning blight”. High Speed 2, the Government company set up to look at routes for the London to Scotland link, hands in its report tomorrow. A leak saying that the preferred route will be one from London to Heathrow to Birmingham via High Wycombe, Princes Risborough and Thame was not denied by transport sources yesterday. However, officials said the Government’s recommendations for the route would not be produced until April in order that planning applications for areas potentially covered by the route would not be blighted.

The high speed route would involve major disruption with hundreds of properties being compulsively bought. Eventually up to 36 double-decker trains an hour, each 400 metres long and carrying over 1,000 passengers would use the lines at speeds of up to 250mph. This compares to the current Eurostar which is single-deck and carries just over 700 passengers. Although details are still been kept secret – despite further reports yesterday saying details of the route had been worked out to the nearest half a metre - the Chilterns Conservation Board has already promised a mighty battle to stop the plan which, it says, would scar and destroy vital parts of the Chilterns forever.

Coach station plan – Wycombe Council has revealed details of the transport interchange it plans to develop on the site of the existing Handy Cross sports centre by the M40. In a planning application to be considered next month, the scheme would involve a coach station and park and ride development; a 150 bedroom hotel, a 33,000 sq ft office block, a new leisure centre and parking for over 900 vehicles.

Waddock’s wallies – Wycombe Wanderers continued their Christmas giveaway yesterday, gifting five goals to a side that was just one place above them in the League 1 relegation zone. But the 2-5 defeat by Brighton at Adams Park wasn’t generous: just painful and embarrassing. Having failed to inspire the existing team, new manager Gary Waddock will need to impress with new recruits he’ll need to bring in during the coming weeks, starting with a rejig of a defence that’s leaked nine goals in two Christmas matches so far.

Monday 28th December

Rail shock – A massive rail development carrying trains travelling at 250mph is likley run through High Wycombe and the Chilterns according to a leaked authoritative report yesterday. The Sunday Times said that when the Government receives a report on the London to Scotland link on Wednesday the preferred route from the report authors will be one that runs from London to Heathrow and then via Wycombe, Princes Risborough and Thame towards the Midlands. If true and if eventually approved, the multi-billion pound route will mark the biggest rail development in Britain since the railways were first built and will set off the biggest environmental battle the Wycombe area has ever seen. The high speed route will cut 100 foot wide swath of rail lines, include major tunnelling and house destruction and take nearly 20 years to build. It will blight the property values of thousands of homes. If the Sunday Times report is true it will come as a body blow to local MPs who were told privately only two weeks ago that the link would run alongside the existing main London to Midlands line through Hemel Hempstead, thereby avoiding key areas of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Government was due to produce a White Paper in March giving its views on the route, but the General Election is likely to delay the timing.

Middle class terrorism – Wycombe MP Paul Goodman yesterday warned of the spread of Al –Qaeda terrorists from well-to-do middle class backgrounds. Top banker’s son Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, being held in America after an attempt to blow up an airliner on Christmas Day, was the latest in a long line of converts, said Mr Goodman, who is expected to take up an anti-terrorist advisory role once he retires from politics at the next election. He said in his blog that Aylesbury killer Jermaine Lindsay – one of the suicide bombers in the 7/7 London bombings - and Wycombe born and bred Brian Young, jailed this year for his part in a plot to blow up planes leaving Heathrow, were just two other highly educated terrorist converts among a string of others. It proved, he said, that terrorists didn’t come from “down trodden” masses with nothing to lose.

Start again – Wycombe Wanderers have reached the half way point in their season knowing that if that if they gain the same number of points in the second half as they did in the first – 18 points – they are certain to be relegated from League 1. New manager Gary Waddock will try to recruit new players when the transfer window opens next week so today, in a crucial game against Brighton at Adams Park, players know they are playing for their places, particularly after a crushing 4-0 defeat at Yeovil on Boxing Day.

Friday 25th December

The team at Wycombe.Info wish you a Happy Christmas. We’ll be back on Monday 28 December.

Thursday 24th December

Hospitals plea - Local hospitals last night launched an appeal for walking frames and crutches that patients may no longer needs as they are running out as more and more people are being treated for leg and ankle breaks and strains suffered in falls on ice. They also appealed for new and existing blood donors to try and keep appointments despite the bad weather.

Grit used – Bucks County Council said yesterday that it had already used more than half of the amount of grit on roads it would expect to use for an entire winter. They said gritting crews will work through the night in the current frosty period. However, protests of perceived lack of gritting continue to mount. A Facebook group criticising Bucks’ gritting programme had more than 100 members by last night. Meanwhile 15 motorists who face £150 charges for having their cars removed from the M40 in Wycombe and the Marlow by-pass after they abandoned them on police advice on Monday night, can have the charges reviewed by the Highways Agency, the agency said last night.

Travel arrangements – Don’t forget train services finish early tonight – the last London to Beaconsfield, Wycombe and Aylesbury train leaves Marylebone at about nine o’clock. Taxi services in the area are expected to be fully operational tonight after three days of disrupted service because many drivers didn’t want to risk damaging their vehicles on the ice and snow. Bus services will run as normal today but will begin a restricted service from early evening.

Wednesday 23rd December

Christmas spirit – The Christmas spirit of goodwill was alive and well in the Wycombe area as more stories emerged yesterday of Monday night’s storm that stranded thousands of people. The manager of the town’s John Lewis store was being hailed a hero around the world yesterday when she left nearly 100 customers and staff stay in the store overnight, letting people sleep in the store’s beds and enabling the children to play with toys in the toy department. Landlord Steve Lever invited 40 stranded motorists to spend the night in his village pub in Coleshill, the Harte and Magpies, and Wycombe’s Holiday Inn, which was already booked out, was praised for cramming in as many people as it could to bed down in its reception. At the Salvation Army Citadel in central Wycombe, which accommodated and fed 60 people, a helper said: “It’s Christmas. How could we turn away people when there was no room at the inns.”

Snow’s victims – Amid the camaraderie and humour of people walking miles home after abandoning their cars, there was tragedy. A man in his fifties collapsed and died after leaving his car in High Wycombe to walk home. And in Hurley a motorist who got out of his car after it skidded to a halt was hit by another vehicle which didn’t stop. The victim was in a serious condition in hospital last night. A group of elderly people at old person’s block in Hazlemere, who have been without gas or electricity for two days, were being reconnected last night, while in Princes Risborough hundreds spent the day without electricity yesterday after a power outage. Emergency service workers throughout the area were praised for working extra hours and coming in off leave.

No communication - As thousands of motorists searched in vain on their car radios for local information, the lack of a local radio station in High Wycombe was rammed home on Monday night. The BBC’s presenters at Three Counties, based in Luton, were clearly ignorant of the local geography and assumed the out of town John Lewis department store was in the High Street. The town’s local radio station closed earlier this year, leaving Wycombe the largest populated area in the country without a “proper” local station.

Tuesday 22nd December

Hundreds stranded – Hundreds of people were stranded in High Wycombe overnight as severe weather sealed off the town. They spent the night at Wycombe Sports Centre, the Salvation Army citadel in Frogmoor, the Baptist Church in Easton Street and in Sainsburys and Morrisons supermarkets. Hundreds of others abandoned their cars in the centre of Wycombe and walked home, while others filled the town’s hotels. All the main roads in and out of Wycombe were closed and train and bus services abandoned. Many others were also trapped in surrounding towns and villages. Heavy snow began falling just after 3pm and continued for four hours. Abandoned and crashed vehicles on roads prevented gritters from getting through. Seventy customers spent the night at John Lewis department store after they were unable to leave the car park. Children curled up in the store's display beds.

Chaos today – More chaos is expected today as people try to retrieve their vehicles and others try to catch up with Christmas shopping they have been putting off after three days of bad weather. There’s anger that the council didn’t even manage to keep the main roads open despite forecasts that heavy snow was due. People have flooded Facebook and other social networking and news websites with complaints.

Getting better – It’s going to remain cold and icy at night, but no further significant snow is expected this side of Christmas, weather forecasters said last night. Supermarkets expect to maintain full deliveries, but the councils warned last night they may not be able to complete expected waste collections by Christmas Eve.

Monday 21st December

Retaliation review – Home Secretary Alan Johnson said yesterday the law surrounding the way people can defend their own property will be reviewed following the case of two High Wycombe brothers jailed for beating up a knife-wielding burglar who threatened their family. Mr Johnson told the BBC’s Andrew Marr he felt uncomfortable over the case, but the law allowed the judge to decide what was a proportionate response to defending one’s family and property.

Job losses – Employees at Saab’s UK headquarters in Maidenhead expect to hear the extent of job losses today after the luxury car’s corporate owners, General Motors, said they would be cutting back on the brand. Around 90 people work at the HQ.

Icicle danger – With the cold weather set to continue, the M40 was closed briefly yesterday so workmen could cut down icicles dangling from overhead bridges. Police said the icicles could have speared through a windscreen live a javelin.

Sunday 20th December

Ambulance strain – The local ambulance service admitted it was struggling last night due to an enormous rise in calls because of the bad weather. The South Central Ambulance Service pleaded with people to only ring 999 in real emergencies. Meanwhile as temperatures plunged again last night motoring organisations reported a surge in breakdowns and minor shunts and accidents on treacherous roads.

Panto Blues – Wycombe Wanderers striker John Akinde became a pantomime hero and villain in the space of 15 minutes yesterday as he scored an opening goal and then got himself sent off for lashing out and putting his team on the backfoot. The Blues drew 2-2 in a game which had all the thrills of a Christmas panto with two penalties, several yellow cards, a sending off, four goals, a late late Wycombe equaliser and a referee who often lost the plot.

What’s on – Military bands, massed choirs and the big Christmas Tree outside the entrance to Windsor Castle make a magnificent setting for Windsor’s annual carol concert tonight.

Saturday 19th December

Cold spell – Wycombe Wanderers will decide this morning if their game with Oldham Athletic this afternoon can go ahead. The club said last night that the pitch will be playable – the undersoil heating has been on since Wednesday – but the car park and surrounding area may be deemed too dangerous after temperatures plummeted last night. Christmas shoppers were warned that with winds blowing straight from Siberia, it could feel like minus 8 degrees today. Yesterday schools and roads in the Wycombe area closed, and even the M40 motorway was shut between Wycombe and Stokenchurch because of snow.

Death charge- Chesham man Jason Hazell, aged 29, of Creswell Road, Chesham was charged yesterday with causing two deaths by dangerous driving following a crash six months ago in which a Rover hit a lamppost in the early hours and overturned at Chalfont St Peter. Two people – Laura Smith, aged 20 and Stephen Smith, aged 24, from Amersham and Holmer Green - died at the scene. Mr Hazell is also charged with using a vehicle with no insurance.

What’s on – There’s a Wall of Sound Christmas party at the Firestation Arts Centre in Windsor tonight, featuring Lottie, MPHO and Kids on Bridges.

Friday 18th December

Snow disruption – A number of schools will be closed today as the Wycombe area suffered the worst snowfall in the country after heavy overnight falls. Up to four inches of snow fell with more predicted later today. Some schools decided to close yesterday in view of the forecast and in many areas milkmen made their deliveries last night rather than first thing this morning. There have been scores on minor accidents on ungritted roads


What’s on – Jim Davidson brings his rough-edged humour to Wycombe Swan tonight.

Thursday 17th December

Support grows – An international petition is being launched today in an attempt to free Wycombe brothers Munir and Tokeer Hussain – jailed this week for attacking a burglar who had threatened their family – while an appeal is organised. A Facebook page in support of the brothers had nearly 3,000 members last night just a couple of days after being launched.

Base saved – There was relief last night when the future of RAF Benson near Wallingford was assured. Nearly 1,000 people work at the base which was under threat because of Government cutbacks. But now the Ministry of Defence has decided that the base will serve as the home for Britain’s new Chinook helicopter fleet from 2012.

What’s On - A Continental market, lots of festive entertainment and free parking in council car parks from 10am in Wycombe town centre today as the Christmas shopping frenzy reaches its final days.

Wednesday 16th December

Support for brothers - Thousands of people yesterday rallied to the support of the Wycombe brothers jailed for beating up a knife-wielding criminal who threatened and humiliated their family. The case of Munir and Tokeer Hussain attracted comments from around the world as news websites featured the story. Wycombe MP Paul Goodman, a friend of Munir Hussain, a successful businessman and former chairman of Wycombe?s Race Equality Council, is expected to raise the case in Parliament. The brothers' lawyers are planning an appeal against the sentence.

White Christmas The odds on a white Christmas in the Wycombe area dropped dramatically yesterday as the first snow of the winter is expected to fall today, and forecasters predict the cold spell lasting well into next week.

What's On A Christmas ice rink opens at Bucks New Uni in High Wycombe today and remains open to the public until Friday night.

Tuesday 15th December

Fury over prison sentence - When two Wycombe brothers turned on a man who was holding their family at knifepoint and beat him up, they thought they were delivering their own rough justice. But today Munir and Tokeer Hussain find themselves behind bars while the knifeman was given a supervision order. Yesterday as the Hussain brothers of Desborough Park Road began jail sentences of 30 months and 39 months respectively for attacking Walid Salem, their angry defence lawyer Michael Wolkind QC said: "The criminal justice system has failed twice. The court was unable to sentence Walid Salem with sufficient harshness or Munir and Tokeer Hussain with sufficient compassion.”

But the judge, John Reddihough, said the attack amounted to “ a very violent revenge against a defenceless man.” Salem and two others had been robbing the Hussain’s home when the family returned home from the Mosque. The two others ran off but Salem held the family at knifepoint until he too ran off, only to be chased, caught and beaten up with a cricket bat and a hockey stick. A senior police officer urged to the judge not to jail 52 year old Hussain, a millionaire businessman, but the judge said people should not take the law into their own hands. The court heard that Salem, who was given a two year supervision order, had 54 previous convictions.

What’s on – Eton College holds its annual Christmas Carol concert for the public tonight.

Monday 14th December

Fatal crash arrest - A man was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving yesterday following the fatal crash that closed the southbound section of the M40 at Stokechurch on Saturday for nearly eight hours. The dead man – who was pulled from his blazing van by firefighters – is expected to be named today.

What’s on – The recently refurbished Palace Theatre in Watford is hosting Cinderella as its annual panto this year. The show runs until 3 January.

Sunday 13th December

Fatal smash brings chaos – Fire fighters fought a desperate losing battle to save a driver after his van burst into flames following a collision with a lorry on the M40 yesterday. They managed to pull him from his vehicle but he died at the scene. The smash, between the Watlington and Stokenchurch junctions, occurred at 5.30am and closed the southbound carriageway of the motorway for nearly eight hours. There were tailbacks all the way to Oxford as police arranged traffic to U-turn onto the northbound carriageway. It’s thought hundreds of people trying to get to Heathrow missed their flights.

Unlucky Blues - Wycombe Wanderers were all over Carlisle in the second half of their away clash in League 1 yesterday but just couldn’t find the net after the Cumbrian side scored a first half goal from a doubtfully awarded free kick. The Blues remain third from bottom.

What’s on – Mark Jones is Buttons in Cinderella, this year’s annual panto at the Beck Theatre in Hayes.

Saturday 12th December

Superhero – Wycombe actor Aaron Johnson, who is set for worldwide fame when his acclaimed film portrayal of John Lennon in Nowhere Boy opens on Boxing Day, has signed on the dotted line to star in an even bigger movie next year. He’ll be playing a nerd who becomes a super-hero in the film Kick-Ass, directed by Matthew Vaughn, director of Stardust.

Getaway fans – As thousands cram the shops today on what’s expected to be the busiest shopping day of the year, around a couple of hundred fans will be taking the 700 mile round trip to Carlisle to support Wycombe Wanderers on their longest away visit of the season in League 1.

What’s on – Shane Richie starts in Wycombe Swan’s panto, Aladdin, which opens tonight until 10 January

Friday 11th December

More jailed – Three more men linked with the High Wycombe liquid bomb terror plot were jailed yesterday. Adam Kathib, Nabeel Hussain and Mohammed Uddin, all from east London, were jailed for 18 years, eight years and 15 months respectively for taking part in the Wycombe based plot to make liquid bombs to blow up airliners leaving Heathrow. Earlier this year four men, including two from High Wycombe, were jailed for periods over 20 years.

Tubbywinkle – A hedgehog which had grown to three times its normal weight thanks to platefuls of dog food being left for it by a well-meaning individual, is being treated at the Tiggywinkles Animal Welfare shelter near Aylesbury. It is on an exercise and diet routine.

What’s On – The National Trust is opening Hugenden Manor decorated Victorian style for Christmas. It opens tomorrow with a wine tasting and stays open until 20 December.

Thursday 10th December

Rail relief – A high speed rail link won’t be built through the Chilterns for environmental reasons, Government sources indicated last night. Chancellor Alistair Darling said in his Pre-Budget report that a further statement on the link will be made in the new year, but it looks increasingly that the new high speed track will run alongside the existing main London to midlands line, through Hemel, bringing a sigh of relief to environmentalists. The construction of a new double track through Wycombe and onto Aylesbury would not only cost billions but would have brought noise and disruption to areas of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Managers move – Former Wycombe Wanderers managers were on the move last night. Tony Adams is said to be ready to sign a deal to coach New York Red Bulls, while John Gregory has made an appropriately Christmassy move to manage the Isreali team Nazareth. Meanwhile the future of former Wycombe favourites John Gorman and Keith Ryan – now assistant manager and reserve team manager respectively at Queen’s Park Rangers – looks to be in doubt. Manager Jim Magilton has been suspended and both Gorman and Ryan were sidelined when the youth team manager was put in charge.

What’s On – Rula Lenska is the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella, Reading’s annual panto at the Hexagon, which runs until 10 January.

Wednesday 9th December

What’s On – Wendy Craig and Toby Hull with Emu star in Windsor’s annual panto, which opens tonight. Aladdin runs for a month.

Tuesday 8th December

Cash cut – Chancellor Alistair Darling is expected to hand out less cash proportionately to Buckinghamshire than anywhere else in England when he makes his pre-Budget statement tomorrow. The Government thinks Bucks is well off and doesn’t need as much support as elsewhere, but local politicians say that a cut in Government grants for the second year in succession will lead to real cuts in social services, road maintenance and other council services.

Wet and wetter - The number of flood watches rose to 12 in the Thames area last night as persistent rain on already soaked ground made Environment Agency officials increasingly concerned about potential flooding.

What’s On –Aylesbury’s panto gets underway tonight. Jack and the Beanstalk runs at the Civic Centre Theatre until 30 December.

Monday 7th December

Pay day! – An investigation is underway after a Tesco cash machine paid out £20 notes instead of £10 notes. Delighted customers discovered the error at Aylesbury Tesco before officials noticed and the machine was closed down. The cash machine company may try to reclaim the overpaid money.

Full house – Wycombe’s Adams Park reached a record attendance for yesterday’s rugby clash between London Wasps and Leicester Tigers. The absolute maximum crowd allowed – 10,116 – squeezed into the ground and for some parked at the top end of the car park it was almost as long leaving the area as it was watching the game – a thriller which Wasps won 22-20.

What’s On – Peter Duncan once again directs and writes Oxford Playhouse’s annual panto . Jack and the Beanstalk runs until 17 January.

Sunday 6th December

Improving – Wycombe Wanderers came from behind to take full points from yesterday’s clash with fellow League 1 strugglers Stockport County yesterday. Goals from Chris Westwood and Scott Davies gave the Blues a deserved 2-1 victory.

What’s on – The traditional Festival of Carols, hosted by the Mayor of High Wycombe in aid of local charities, takes place at Wycombe Swan this evening.

Thursday 3rd December

Missing girls – Police last night expressed concern over two teenage girls who have been missing from their homes in Chesham since Tuesday. They said no-one had heard from 15 year old Gemma Gooderham and 16 year old Jade Nurse and appealed for them to get in touch.

Nativity abandoned - Instead of gathering in the stable, children at a Wycombe primary school’s Nativity concert found themselves in the playground after the school’s fire alarm went off. The school was evacuated in the middle of the performance and the children and their parents sang carols in the playground while the fire brigade checked out Hamilton Primary School. There was no fire, but as the children got cold it was decided to send them home and reschedule the Nativity for next week.

What’s on – There’s a real scrap promised at Adams Park this afternoon when Wycombe Wanderers – third from bottom in League One – Stockport County, second from bottom, in what both sides regard as a classic “six pointer”.

Wednesday 2nd December

Thames alert – The whole of the navigable stretch of the River Thames – from Lechlade to Teddington Lock - was closed to boats last night as millions of gallons of water from tributaries caused strong currents in the river. With more rain due over the next two or three days, officials are watching river levels of all of the Thames tributaries in case of flooding. The River Thame has been on flood watch since the beginning of the week.

Trees checked – Rail officials are checking the stability of railside trees after two trees fell onto the Aylesbury to Marylebone line at Great Missenden. The trees fell after heavy rain and strong winds.

Tuesday 1st December

Speed cameras – In an attempt to cut down accidents, speed cameras are to be permanently positioned on the High Wycombe stretch of the M40 between Loudwater and Handy Cross, the Highways Agency said yesterday.

Cancer survival – There was some good news for a change for Buckinghamshire’s hard pressed health services yesterday when Government figures showed that cancer patients in the county have one of the best survival rates in the country.

Hard luck – Wycombe Wanderers had most of the possession but still lost 1-0 at Southampton in League 1 last night, leaving them third from bottom and still in the relegation zone.

Monday 30th November

Celebs holding on – Our local contestants are hanging on as Britain’s three biggest celebrity TV shows reach their climax this weekend. Actress Ali Bastion, who was born in Windsor and brought up in Marlow and Cookham, has been installed as favourite to win Strictly Come Dancing with her partner Brian Fortune; while Maidenhead actor Stuart Manning survived a jungle challenge in I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here last night to increase his chances of winning. Meanwhile former Windsor schoolteacher Daryl Johnson reached the semi-finals of The X Factor last night.

Museum review – Cash strapped Wycombe Council is to set up a group to look at the future of the town’s museum. The council says it needs to find ways of reducing the cost of running the museum, but has ruled out an possibility of closing it as it contains a chair collection of national importance.

Flood warnings – The Environment Agency put a flood watch warning on the whole of the River Thame last night after more than 24 hours of persistent and heavy rain caused minor flooding on roads throughout the Wycombe area. The weather didn’t put off early Christmas shoppers however as shopping centres throughout the area were packed yesterday.

Saturday 28th November

Cash woes – The recession may be easing in the private sector, but it caught up with the public sector yesterday. Bucks Hospital Trust said it needed to borrow an extra £20m in order to pay its staff until the end of the financial year; Thames Valley Police said it may have to cut over 100 jobs because of a cash shortfall of up to £40m, and top Bucks council staff learned they are to have a pay freeze next year.

Girl named – The little girl from east Berkshirewho died of swine flu earlier this month was named yesterday as five year old Nida Qureshi. Her parents said she was only diagnosed with the virus by the time she had been put on a life support machine at St Mary’s Hospital, London.

Horse rescued – Firefighters had to rescue a horse from a ditch in Little Marlow yesterday after all four of its legs sunk in soft mud and it was unable to move. With more rain forecast this weekend the RSPCA warned owners to ensure fields were safe for horses and countryside groups urged country walkers to take extra care.

Friday 27th November

Hayes’ plans – Steve Hayes, the owner of both Wycombe Wanderers and London Wasps, said yesterday he was confident he could make both clubs financially self-sufficient in two years. He told the Evening Standard that he hoped to have a both clubs playing in a new stadium by the start of the 2014 season and that the 100 acre site earmarked for the new stadium – in Cressex – will have “enabling development” . He revealed that Tim Smit, the co-founder of the Eden Project in Cornwall was assisting with the new stadium development. Mr Hayes said he hoped to increase the fan base for both clubs and was particularly keen to attract the 17 per cent of the Wycombe area population who have Asian backgrounds.

Paralympics project - Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell MP visited Cressex Community School in High Wycombe yesterday to meet students who have been working with disabled artists and athletes to create new artwork which tells the story of the Paralympics, its birth in Buckinghamshire, and the inspiration that drives them. The project has been granted more than £50,000 so it can expand its word in time of the 2012 Olympics.

Thursday 26th November

Hospital review – The NHS yesterday launched a major review of community hospitals in Buckinghamshire. The move comes after complaints from local people concerned over a reduction in services and fears the former cottage hospitals will be closed. Recommendations are expected in three months.

Iceland returns – Supermarket Iceland said yesterday it intended to occupy the other half of the old Woolworth store in Wycombe High Street. The cutprice store Poundland has already announced it will fill the other half. Iceland had to leave the town three years ago when their store was demolished to make way for the Eden shopping centre.Today marks the first anniversary of Woolworth going into administration.

Boats ban –The Environment Agency last night warned all boats to stay off the Thames from Oxford to Windsor today as millions of gallons of extra water entered the river from tributaries swollen by heavy rain earlier in the week.

Wednesday 25th November

New stores - German cut price supermarket chain Lidl will be talking to potential customers at a food tasting session in High Wycombe today before deciding whether to submit a planning application for a store in town. They became interested in the town when they realised a number of visitors to their Slough store came from Wycombe and because of the growing numbers of students based at Bucks New University. Meanwhile sexy undie shop Ann Summers opens in Wycombe town centre today. It’s not known if the influx of bargain hunters and students effected their decision to set up shop here!

Trench renovation – An authentic First World War trench is being renovated at RAF Halton near Wendover and will be opened to the public to give them a sample of what life was like. The trench – the only one of its type in the country – was constructed at the base in 1914 to give troops going to France an idea of what to expect.

On the spot – Wycombe Wanderers scrambled to their second successive win thanks to two penalty awards and opponents Brentford being reduced to ten men last night. Matt Harrold blasted home the first penalty but fluffed the second, but it mattered little as the Blues 1-0 victory lifted them to third from bottom of League 2.

Tuesday 24th November

Jobs go – More than 800 finance jobs are to go in Aylesbury it was announced yesterday. The Lloyds Banking Group, which owns HBOS, is axing 570 jobs at the famous glass triangular building near the town centre because of cutbacks in its pensions and investments business. A further 240 admin jobs at Equitable Life insurance, also part of the group, are being shelved as admin work goes to India. The job losses will be phased over two years to give people chance to find other work.

World is your Oyster – Commuters and London bound visitors will be able to use Oyster cards at railway stations, including Wycombe, Maidenhead and Aylesbury, from the new year, the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, announced yesterday. Oyster cards can already be used on London tubes and buses and it is reckoned the move will prove cheaper for travellers.

Monday 23rd November

Racism award - Former Wycombe Wanderers goalkeeper Howard Wells has been awarded £200,000 after claiming he was victimised on the grounds of racism by the Irish Football Association. Englishman Wells, now 62, was sacked from his job as chief executive of the Irish FA. Ironically the breakdown of Mr Wells’ relationship with other officials in Northern Ireland football started with a frosty relationship with former manager Laurie Sanchez, a former Wycombe manager. After retiring at Wycombe keeper he went into sports administration becoming chief executive at Watford and Ipswich before landing the Northern Ireland job five years ago.

Jabs start – Hundreds of more vulnerable patients were injected against swine flu at special clinics held in GP surgeries at the weekend. More special clinics are being held over the next few days.

Love in – People in Buckinghamshire are some of the happiest in the country, a report to Bucks County Council will show this week. A survey has found that eight out of ten people believe different communities get on well together, while 86 per cent say they are satisfied with living in the area.

Sunday 22nd November

That’s better - It was a game full of records - Wycombe’s first win in 15 matches (a club record they were delighted to break); Millwall’s first defeat at their New Den stadium for 14 matches; Wycombe’s first clean sheet of the season. But the most important thing was that Wycombe Wanderers 2-0 victory at Millwall was played by a team full of fight and commitment, a quality sadly lacking so far this season. With five first team regulars out through injury and skipper Michael Duberry dropped in favour of one of the scorers, Chris Westwood, yesterday’s win took Wycombe off the bottom of League 2. Kevin Betsy scored the Blues’ second.

Saturday 21st November

Helping out – WycombeWanderers manager Gary Waddock yesterday called in an old mate to help him stiffen the resolve of the Blues shaky defence. Gareth Ainsworth, a 36 year old midfielder who played alongside Waddock at QPR, has signed on a month’s loan and will line up at Millwall today.

Salt stored – Local councils announced yesterday they have almost double the amount of salt stockpiled compared to last winter so that they don’t get caught out by cold spells as they did earlier this year.

Friday 20th November

Swine flu death – A schoolgirl from the Windsor area has died in hospital from swine flu, it was confirmed last night. The girl, whose name and age has not been released, was taken to St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington for specialist treatment but died last Wednesday, said a statement from East Berks NHS Trust.

Vicious circle – The cases of two women who gave birth in ambulances because of the withdrawal of maternity services at Wycombe Hospital was highlighted in the House of Commons last night. Wycombe MP Paul Goodman said local hospitals were having to make cuts because they received 17 per cent less funding per head of population than the average for the rest of the country. He said the hospitals were trapped in a vicious circle – they had restructured to become more efficient, but as a result had endured a drop in Government funding.

Debt cut – The “knock on” sales of former Wycombe Wanderers players to premiership clubs help reduce the club’s debt by nearly £1m last season, according to figures released yesterday. Increased attendances in the promotion run off also help reduce the operating loss to £700,000. Long term debt has also been virtually cleared following the takeover in the summer by millionaire Steve Hayes, the club’s biggest creditor.

Thursday 19th November

Fight tragedy – Gay businessman Colin Butler got his thrills by paying £50 a time to men to fight and spar with him. But it all went tragically wrong when Mr Butler, aged 49, died after one such fight at his home in Marlow Road, High Wycombe, a jury at Reading Crown Court was told. His attacker, 21 year old Keiran Avery, of High Wycombe admits to manslaughter but denies murder. The case continues.

Barter pub – The Artichoke pub in Amersham has become one of the few in the country to adopt bartering. As a trial customers who offer home grown fresh produce for the pub’s menus can in return get a glass of wine.

Cup exit – Wycombe Wanderers were booted out of the cup 2-0 by Brighton last night, leaving them with just one objective out of what’s already a miserable season – to save themselves from relegation from League 1, which they currently prop up. Last night manager Gary Waddock made five changes to the side that lost 6-0 at the weekend, but it didn’t make a dramatic difference.

Wednesday 18th November

Business pick-up – Clear signs that things are picking up in High Wycombe. Two new stores – Past Times and Ann Summers are due to open in a few days in Wycombe’s Eden Centre, leaving only three empty units in the new part of the complex, while two new hotels – one over the Chilterns shopping centre and another over the Pure night club – are due to open next year.

Christmas starts – Shane Ritchie and his two sons – all of whom are appearing in Wycombe Swan’s panto Aladdin this year – will switch on the town’s Christmas lights tomorrow night.

Big changes – Wycombe Wanderers manager Gary Waddock says there’ll be big changes in the side that plays Brighton in an FA cup replay tonight compared to the side that was beaten 6-0 at Huddersfield at the weekend. Waddock, who hasn’t backed down on his threat to sack under-performing players, says he only wants players prepared to fight for their place.

Tuesday 17th November

Baby anger – Pressure is mounting on health bosses to reintroduce maternity services at Wycombe Hospital after two babies were born in ambulances on their way to the nearest maternity unit at Stoke Mandeville near Aylesbury. The emergencies arose just weeks after maternity services moved to Stoke Mandeville Hospital in a money-saving move. Both babies and mothers are fine but local MPs, who plan to raise the issue in the House of Commons, fear what could happen if a birth is more complex.

Base threatened – The big RAF base at Benson in south Oxfordshire, which employs nearly 2,000 people, may be closed under a Government review. The Ministry of Defence said yesterday it was looking at the future of a number of RAF bases as part of a financial cutback. The recently expanded RAF High Wycombe base is not threatened however.

River warning – The Environment Agency yesterday put up yellow warning boards along the whole of the River Thames from Oxford to Windsor as flows in the river increased following days of heavy rain. With further storms predicted for later in the week, officials urged river users to take extra care.

Monday 16th November

Green belt threat – The Government is expected to comment today on reports yesterday that it is planning to ditch Green Belt protection on parts of land between Maidenhead and Marlow to allow more homes to be built. The Sunday Telegraph said around 20 areas were to be subject to a “green belt review”. The Green Belt was set up 60 years ago to prevent urban areas, particularly in the south east, from merging together. But with Maidenhead set to expand rapidly as one end of the trans-London Crossrail project, pressure for more development in the town is intense. There is hardly any land for houses to be built, without intruding into Green Belt.

Woolies boost – Customers this weekend flocked to Alworths – the revamped Woolworth store in Amersham, which opened last week. Local businessman Andy Latham, who was head of stores and concessions for the Woolworth Group before it folded earlier this year, said he now had backing to provide 50 similar stores in old Woolworth premises.

Players’ fate – As anger continued to mount yesterday over Wycombe Wanderers’ abject performance against Huddersfield on Saturday, manager Gary Waddock today meets owner Steve Hayes to find out how much money is available for new players in the January transfer window. The players meet today to train for Wednesday’s FA Cup replay at Brighton knowing that some of them will soon be shown the door.

Sunday 15th November

Narrow escape – A driver came within inches of death yesterday when a tree was blown over onto his car on the main Wycombe to Amersham road. The silver birch smashed onto the BMW’s boot near Terriers in 50mph gales. Coincidentally two tree surgeons were following the BMW . They helped rescue the driver, chopped down an adjoining birch which was also swaying dangerously and then helped clear the blocked road. The road was closed for nearly an hour.

Players warned – Furious Wycombe Wanderers boss Gary Waddock said some players will be sacked after a 6-0 drubbing at Huddersfield yesterday – the Blues’ equal worst ever performance in league football. Waddock , who described the day as the worst he ever had in football management, said there would be major changes and indicated, quite rightly, that he needs a new defensive line-up.

Perfect day! – Meanwhile there are demands for compensation for Wycombe fans, many of whom did not get into Huddersfield’s ground until well into the second half of yesterday’s fiasco. Their coaches had been stuck in jams on the M1, amid raging storms. Normally the kick-off would have been delayed to enable visiting fans to arrive but as the game was televised a delay was ruled out.

Saturday 14th November

Fire battle - The Fire Brigade has lost the legal battle to stop a local council running its own fire service. The High Court ruled that Windsor and Maidenhead Council has the power under new laws to run Windsor’s fire station, which Berkshire Fire Authority want to close overnight. The fire authority had been calling for a legal review to see if the council were acting within the law. The council say they will keep the station open 24 hours.

Best deal – A little, local building society, which has survived the recession very nicely thank you, yesterday offered the best savings deal in the country. But the Buckinghamshire Building Society, based in Chalfont St Giles, warned that the 5.1 per cent offered in their Chiltern Gold Mine account could be withdrawn “at any time”.

Gusty weather – Winds up to 50 mph could hit the Wycombe area today as people were asked last night to consider any journeys very carefully. The winds, accompanied by heavy rain, are expected to bring down trees and cause minor flooding.

Friday 13th November

Woolies reborn – A former Woolworth employer reopened the old Woolies in Amersham yesterday with a store called Alworths, and selling exactly the same sort of stuff. Andy Latham has employed 20 of the former Woolworth staff and says he is convinced the store can make a profit. Meanwhile, in Wycombe work is nearly complete on converting half of the former Woolworth store into a Poundland.

Jim’s honour – Sir Jimmy Savile will receive an honorary doctorate today to mark his years of active support for the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville. The 83 year old entertainer will become an Honorary Doctor of Arts at the Univesity of Bedfordshire.

Striker returns – Towering striker John Akinde, who scored 7 goals in 11 matches for Wycombe Wanderers last season before joining Bristol City, returned to the Blues yesterday on a month’s loan as manager Gary Waddock tries to improve Wycombe’s scoring record.

Thursday 12th November

Illegal immigrants – The new Beaconsfield service station, opened just six months ago on the M40, has already become one of the country’s top venues for distributing illegal immigrants. Police told a local anti-crime group that illegal immigrants smuggled in by lorries at Dover were travelling via the M25 and the M40 to rendezvous with agents in the service station car park where they transferred to other vehicles to work illegally in other parts of the country.

Top cop’s job – Meanwhile, former Scotland Yard commissioner Sir Ian Blair – who left the Met after a fall out with London Mayor Boris Johnson - has taken on a voluntary role as head of the Thames Valley Parntership, an anti-crime organisation which covers the Wycombe area. Sir Ian will pull together local businesses and community groups in crime prevention initiatives.

Manor sold – A posh preparatory school yesterday paid nearly a million pounds for Bassetbury Manor, the grade two listed 17th century mansion on Wycombe’s Rye the council put up for sale to help its finances. The Crown prep school, which is currently nearby on the London Road, plans to move its pupils in next September.

Wednesday 11th November

Thames “closed” – A stretch of the River Thames may be closed to all river traffic when the Olympics are held in 2012, officials admitted last night. Security experts are said to favour the closure of the river while the rowing events take place at Dorney. But river cruise owners who run pleasure craft from Windsor past the Dorney course say they will lose thousands at a peak time of year if they are prohibited from operating to Maidenhead.

Wycombe interest – Meanwhile at least six countries are expressing an interest in basing their teams in the Wycombe area during and before the Olympics. They include countries with strong contingents in rowing and judo – Marlow and Henley provide perfect rowing training conditions and facilities while High Wycombe Judo Club, one of the best in the country, will be one of the official Olympic training centres. Wycombe Council may also delay the proposed closure of the Olympic sized swimming pool at Handy Cross because of interest in using it as a training venue. The pool and sports complex was due to close in 2011 and be relocated in a new complex with a smaller pool.

Taylor’s new job – Sacked Wycombe Wanderers manager Peter Taylor is expected to be named as Peterborough’s new manager today after the Posh yesterday sacked Darren Ferguson, ironically for the same reason that Taylor was dismissed. Both men had failed to establish their teams in new leagues after promotion. The biggest irony for Taylor is that he tries to revive Peterborough in the Championship, the league above Wycombe’s.

Tuesday 10th November

Stables sealed – A stable yard in Buckinghamshire has been quarantined after a horse contracted a killer disease. The Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra), wouldn’t name the stables last night but confirmed that a horse has been confirmed with contagious equine metritis, a disease which earlier this year brought the American horse breeding industry to a standstill. Defra said strict control measures were in place to try and stop the disease spreading.

Runaway wheel – A woman is in hospital after a spare wheel dislodged from the back of a four by four and bowled into her as she walked on the pavement. The wheel hit her in the back as she was walking by Windsor’s Combermere Barracks yesterday. She received minor injuries.

Inspector returns – Actor Kevin Whately – Inspector Lewis in the ITV series Lewis – returns to a pub this week he first visited as a sergeant nearly 20 years ago. The ancient pub, The Royal Standard of England near Beaconsfield, is being closed for a night so scenes for the TV show can be shot. In the 1990s the pub was used for similar scenes involving Mr Whately as Sgt Lewis in the series Morse.

Monday 9th November

Big health change - A radical change to the way people are treated for medical conditions at night or at weekends has been agreed by Buckinghamshire’s primary care trust. Three private companies have formed a company called Buckinghamshire Urgent Care and signed a deal with the trust. From next March people calling a doctor outside 9-5 weekday hours will have their conditions assessed by a private medic. They’ll then be told either how to treat themselves at home, given the address of the nearest out-of-hours medical centre or, if considered serious enough, a GP on call will visit. The move is aimed to save the trust tens of thousands. The trust says services will be improved.

Woman arrested – A woman in her twenties was arrested yesterday in connection with the hit and run in Wycombe town centre last week when a man in his fifties was knocked down by a van fleeing a chasing police car. The man remains in a critical condition in hospital. It’s thought the van contained rogue traders who had been trying to con a pensioner in the town.

Speed reductions – Speed limits outside most schools in Windsor and Maidenhead are to be set at 20mph following pleas from parents and nearby residents. It’s the latest in a campaign by communities to cut speeding. In Denham, actor Robert Lindsay’s wife Rosemary is leading a campaign to reduce limits in part of the village to 20mph also.

Sunday 8th November

Tourist shot – A Maidenhead man who called into Amarillo in Texas because he liked the Tony Christie song has been shot dead in a bar. Thomas Reeve, a 28 year old barman, was touring the States with two friends. He died in a Texas hospital on Friday. His killer stormed into the bar and shot at customers randomly. A 25 year old local man was last night charged with murder. Last night Thomas’s parents, of Priors Way, Maidenhead paid tribute to their “happy and optimistic” son, who thought the world of his nine month old daughter Tabitha.

Body found - The death of a woman whose body was found by the roadside hours after being released from police custody is being investigated. The woman, in her 50s, was discovered by the Berkhampstead Road in Chesham by a dog-walker early yesterday. A post mortem is being held today but in the meantime police are treating the case as an “unexplained death”. The Independent Police Complaints Commission has also been called in as a matter of routine because the woman, who hasn’t been named, had been in police custody.

Ding dong – Eight goals, three penalties and two sending offs ensured that Wycombe Wanderers FA cup first round clash with Brighton at Adams Park yesterday was a typically robust affair. And after a 4-4 draw they’ll have to go through it all again next Wednesday.

Saturday 7th November

Toy story – The locally based toy business, The Entertainer, is planning to more than double its number of shops to 100 because its business is booming following the demise of Woolworth’s. Gary and Catherine Grant who opened their first toy shop in Amersham 28 years ago and now outlets from London to Liverpool said yesterday their business had never been so busy, due solely, they said, to Woolworth’s closure. To meet demand they are opening a temporary Christmas shop in Maidenhead today.

Soccer tribute – Wycombe Wanderers players will wear special shirts in their FA Cup first round against Brighton at Adams Park this afternoon. The shirts have the poppy emblem sewn into them as a tribute to those who have died on active service and to those currently serving in Afghanistan.


Thursday 5th November

Police chase accident – A man is fighting for his life after being hit by a van which was being chased by a police car. The white transit failed to stop after hitting the man in his 50s on the roundabout outside Marks and Spencer in Wycombe town centre yesterday afternoon. The two men in the van sped off losing their police tail. Roads in the town centre were closed until late last night while police made investigations. They declined to say why they were pursuing the van, which had first been spotted in Deeds Grove a mile away. The Independent Police Complaints Commission has been called in as a matter of routine.

Rail request – The Government has been formally asked to fund the reinstatement of a rail link between High Wycombe and Maidenhead. The line, which travelled through Loudwater, Wooburn Green, Bourne End and Cookham, was uprooted following the Beeching report in the 1960s, but much of the track-bed remains. Windsor and Maidenhead Council has requested the Government to consider the plan with the support of Wycombe Council. The line would give passengers access to the ulta-fast trans-London Crossrail link which will run from Maidenhead to The City in 2015.

Family support – The Wycombe parents of 19 year old John Lennon actor Aaron Johnson said yesterday they were delighted that he was to marry the 42 year old film director Sam Taylor-Wood. The two met on the set of the Lennon bio-pic Nowhere Man, which goes on general release at Christmas. Aaron’s dad, Robert, from Holmer Green, told the Evening Standard that Aaron’s decision to marry a woman more than twice his age “doesn’t bother us a bit”.

Wednesday 4th November

Swans “eaten” – Police have asked people to report suspicious behaviour after a number of swans disappeared from the Thames in the Windsor and Maidenhead area. Some riverside dwellers think the swans - a protected species - are being captured by East Europeans and eaten after a swan was found covered in blood. A number of ducks have also disappeared. Angling clubs have had to take special measures after East Europeans were caught stealing fish from Thames-side fisheries.

Physio charged – Chesham physiotherapist Guillermo Ganet faces being struck off for allegedly groping servicewomen at RAF High Wycombe. One 28 year old female officer told the Health Professions Council that the 46 year old physio used oils and touched her breast while treating her for neck ache. He denies the charges.

Noel quits – Noel Gallagher is set to leave his Little Chalfont mansion and move back to his home town of Manchester, he said last night. The star quit Oasis in the summer after a row with his brother Liam and says that the London area has lost its “sparkle”.

Tuesday 3rd November

Stadium boost – Wycombe Council last night allocated up to half a million pounds to help Wycombe Wanderers and London Wasps rugby club realise their dream of building a new stadium. The money will be used to fund a feasibility study to look at all aspects of building a new stadium, including direct access from the M40 to the site, which is widely expected to be next to Wycombe Air Park in Booker. The council’s “bending over backwards” to help accommodate a new stadium contrasts starkly with its attitude 20 years ago when it wasn’t prepared to offer any site anywhere in Wycombe for a new stadium for the town’s football club.

Reality check – Meanwhile, Wycombe Wanderers has been accused to snubbing its fans after the two nominees from the supporters’ trust for the football club’s board were rejected without explanation. After 100 years of supporter representation in the way the club was run, businessman Steve Hayes bought out the club in the summer. But as part of a sweetener to get supporters’ backing for the take-over, he said two people representing supporters could stay on the board. Now Ian Mather, one of the supporters rejected without explanation, has resigned as chairman of the trust and ripped up his season ticket after more than 20 years supporting the team. His supporters say the club is no longer interested in fan participation in the running of the club.

MP’s perk - Wycombe’s next MP will be likely to be able to claim expenses for a second home in the constituency according to new rules being debated in Parliament. That’s because Wycombe has been deemed to be more than an hour from Westminster, whereas the next door constituencies of Windsor, Beaconsfield and Maidenhead are all within the “hour” rule, meaning their MPs can’t claim for a second home.

Monday 2nd November

New stadium – Leading councillors in High Wycombe meet in secret session tonight to see if they can agree outstanding issues surrounding a plan to build a new sports stadium for the town which will house Wycombe Wanderers and London Wasps rugby club. It’s thought the stadium will include a hotel, shops and other sporting facilities. If councillors can agree commercial and strategic planning niggles tonight, a formal, detailed planning application will put forward in weeks.

Tory choice – A friend of David Cameron’s who is a member of a Tory think tank advocating the lifting of restrictions on trade and the money markets, is set to become Wycombe’s next MP. Steve Baker, a 38 year old engineer who lives next to Mr Cameron’s Oxfordshire constituency, was chosen by local Conservatives at the weekend to replace current MP Paul Goodman, who’s become disillusioned with Parliament. A rising star in the party, Mr Baker – who is married to a GP – beat five others on the shortlist. An earlier attempt to find a candidate ended in farce when party chairman Eric Pickles ordered local Tories to rerun the contest because they hadn’t followed correct procedures.

YouTube favs - Marlow brothers Harry and Charlie Davies-Carr have become the most watched people ever on YouTube. The video of baby Charlie biting toddler Harry’s finger – first filmed in 2007 – this weekend became the most watched YouTube video ever, with an incredible 130million hits. The video – originally filmed to show to their American godparents - is making parents Howard and Shelley tens of thousands of pounds from ad revenue around the video, but Harry and Charlie, now aged five and three, are said to be embarrassed by the whole thing.

Sunday 1st November

Just imagine - Nineteen year old Wycombe actor Aaron Johnson, who’s getting rave reviews for his portrayal of John Lennon in the movie Nowhere Boy, is to marry the 42 year old director of the film, Sam Taylor-Wood it was announced yesterday. The actor, whose family live in Holmer Green, a few streets away from the family of comedy actor James Corden, says he is “blissfully happy”, although no date has been set for the wedding.

Halloween Blues – Wycombe Wanderers gave away a 2-0 lead at half time in their own Halloween horror show at Adams Park yesterday. They lost 3-2 against Walsall and remain rooted at the bottom on League 2, causing new manager Gary Waddock to “go ballistic” in the dressing room after the match.

Sunday 18th OCtober

The only way is up – Wycombe Wanderers sunk to the bottom of League 2 yesterday, but the atmosphere at Adams Park was far from depressing. The team, playing its first game under new manager Gary Waddock, was unlucky not to come away with three points in a 1-1 draw against Colchester United. It included a goal from a rejuvenated Jon-Paul Pittman and a lively debut from loanee Scott Davies.

Back soon – The Wycombe.Info team are taking a break for a couple of weeks. Daily news updates resume in November.

Saturday 17th October

Wasps ultimatum – Wycombe Council and London Wasps were tight lipped last night over reports that the rugby club has issued a December ultimatum to the council to accept plans for a new stadium for it and Wycombe Wanderers. According to BBC sport presenter John Inverdale – who’s backing a campaign to base the rugby club back in the capital because of the “lamentable access to Adams Park” – the rugby club will leave Wycombe if it doesn't get a green light for a new stadium this year. But council sources see the threat as an attempt to bounce the council into an early decision. It’s unlikely to happen now that Wasps and Wycombe Wanderers – who are both owned by Steve Hayes – have just signed a sponsorship deal with Wycombe based university, Buckinghamshire New University.

Royal balloon –When five year old Charlie Castle let off his balloon in a balloon race at his Marlow primary school fete in the summer, he had no idea if anyone would ever find the tag and return it. But it was picked up by the Queen exercising her dogs in Windsor Castle, and now Charlie has received a letter from the Queen’s personal assistant saying how it was found and how happy the Queen was it was his balloon she discovered.

First signing – New Wycombe Wanderers boss Gary Waddock wasted no time strengthening the side in time for today’s League 1 game with rivals Colchester. Yesterday he signed an attacking midfielder – under-21 Irish international Scott Davies on a month’s loan from Reading.

Friday 16th October

Baby flight – From Monday no more children will be born in High Wycombe, unless it’s by home delivery. Final preparations are being made today to close down Wycombe’s maternity units and move them to Stoke Mandeville Hospital, near Aylesbury, thereby removing at a stroke the name High Wycombe from thousands of future birth certificates. Hospital authorities say the new Women and Baby Centre at Stoke Mandeville provides state of the art facilities in a central place as well as save the hospital trust money. Children with serious illnesses will also be treated solely at Stoke Mandeville instead of Wycombe. The move has angered many Wycombe based patient groups.

Crime watch – A handful of people in Buckinghamshire who are especially vulnerable to domestic violence or so-called honour crimes are being fitted with a GPS tracking device and an alarm so police can pinpoint where they are if they are attacked again. A trial of the devices – supplied by the police and Bucks County Council – is being held to see if it cuts down the number of attacks.

Girl found – The 12 year old Aylesbury girl missing for a week turned up safe and sound yesterday after a major police appeal. No details were given, but it’s thought she had been staying with friends.

Thursday 15th October

Girl missing – There’s mounting concern over a 12 year old girl who hasn’t been seen for a week. Nothing is being revealed about her domestic circumstances, but police say they are keen to hear information about Leah Holden, from Aylesbury, who was wearing blue jeans, black hooded top and brown boots when she disappeared last Thursday.

Job shock – Nearly 2,000 council employees received a letter yesterday saying that some of them will have to lose their jobs. Bosses at Windsor and Maidenhead Council said jobs will have to go to keep the council tax down but they didn’t say where or how many. Other councils in the Wycombe area are expected to make similar announcements as they prepare for big budget cuts next year.

Be patient – New Wycombe Wanderers boss Gary Waddock yesterday said he planned to provide “attacking and exciting” football but asked fans to be patient and not expect overnight miracles. The 47 year old boss said his new job was his biggest challenge in football, but he was confident he could keep the Blues in League 1 this season.

Wednesday 14th October

Jail threat – A prison officer who had sex with a “dangerous” inmate in his cell at Aylesbury Young Offenders Institute was told yesterday that she will be sent to jail herself. Kelly Ann McDade, aged 30, admitted misconduct in a professional or public office by having sex with 18 year old burglar Nelson Delgado. She later had his baby.

New manager - Wycombe Wanderers will unveil former Aldershot boss Gary Waddock as their new manager today. The former QPR player has been successful in the rough and tumble of lower league football having promoted Aldershot from the Conference and leading them to sixth position in League 2. He is bringing his coach Martin Kuhl with him. Meanwhile, lawyers are still sorting out compensation following the messy departure of former boss Peter Taylor who insists he was sacked. Wanderers are sticking by their contention that he left by mutual consent.

Economy boost – Agencies yesterday reported a big rise in job vacancies in the Wycombe area as further evidence that the recession in the region is receding. Estate agents say house prices are beginning to increase for the first time this year.

Tuesday 13th October

Sex fiend – A 60 year old Wycombe man was jailed for 12 years yesterday for committing six rapes against two teenage girls. The judge said that Edward Wheller had commited “far more” than the six rapes and four acts of gross indecency he had been convicted of. The assaults happened during four years up to 1993 and came to light only after the women plucked up the courage to talk to police. Wheller’s address has not been revealed, partly, it is believed, to protect his family.

Centre closed – A Wycombe sports centre worker is under observation in hospital after a chemical spillage closed the Handy Cross centre yesterday. The swimming pool at the centre remains closed today while tests are held in the plant room where equipment to clean the pool is kept. The centre was evacuated after the leak just before eight o’clock yesterday morning and two other workers were also sent to hospital for checks.

Pool meet – Meanwhile, a group of volunteers formed to try and save Wycombe’s open air swimming pool, Holywell Mead, meet tonight to decide what to do next following the council’s confirmation that it doesn’t have enough money to maintain the pool.

Monday 12th October

Runway climbdown – Heathrow owners BAA said yesterday they will not be submitting a planning application for a third runway at the airport before the next election. Environmentalists interpreted the move as the beginning of the end of the third runway as the Conservatives reiterated at their party conference last week they were not in favour of the scheme. The move will be welcomed by councils in the Wycombe area who fear increased air noise for thousands of local people if a third runway was built<

Gorman’s no – Former Wycombe Wanderers boss John Gorman yesterday ruled out any return to the club saying he was happy to stay at QPR. Wycombe still expect to name a new boss shortly, with the odds now narrowing on Kevin Keen, a former Wycombe player whose dad Mike was manager for many years.

Gas leak – An investigation is underway after hundreds of people were evacuated from houses and shops near the centre of Aylesbury at the weekend following a gas leak. So much gas was apparently escaping from a pipe in Cambridge Street that all power to the area was switched off in case a spark set off a huge explosion. The area was cleared for several hours.

Sunday 11th October

Gorman’s return- Former Wycombe Wanderers manager John Gorman is set to make a sensational return to manage the Blues, following the sacking of Peter Taylor. The popular manager – currently assistant manager at QPR – was at Gillingham yesterday with Blues owner Steve Hayes to see the side lose 3-2. An official announcement is expected tomorrow.

I was sacked – Meanwhile, Peter Taylor’s departure from Wycombe Wanderers turned ugly yesterday with the former manager insisting he was sacked and did not leave by mutual consent as the club stated. In another twist, former Wycombe player and now BBC pundit Steve Claridge said that the involvement of rugby club London Wasps at Adams Park with the same chairman as the football club “makes you wonder what the priorities are at Wycombe.”

Cricket trek – Cricket fan Olly Broom set off to cycle to Australia yesterday – and plans to arrive in 14 months time to see the start of the first Ashes test. Mr Broom, aged 29, from Cookham aims to raise £100,000 during the journey for charity.

Saturday 10th October

New manager – Wycombe Wanderers expect to announce the name of their new manager in the next day or two following the departure of Peter Taylor after 18 months in charge yesterday. The former England manager’s departure from the club – who have taken only six points from a possible 33 – was amicable but came after club owner Steve Hayes complained about a lack of entertaining football and after the Blues were “turned over” by Tranmere, who also sacked their manager, John Barnes, yesterday.

Bookies bets – Wanderers owner Steve Hayes said last night that the club was targeting its next manager and had made an approach. Betting is strong on Kevin Keen, currently with the management team at West Ham, with outside bets on Steve Coppell and former Blues manager Laurie Sanchez.

Jail sentence – Wycombe public schoolgirl Gabriella Edmundson was sentenced to two years and four months jail yesterday after admitting causing the death of her friend Grace Hardman by driving dangerously and under the influence of alcohol. The court heard that the 18 year old would never forgive herself for the tragedy and that Miss Hardman’s family had expressed sympathy for her plight.

Friday 9th October

Court appearance – An 18 year old public schoolgirl who admitted causing the death of her friend through dangerous driving while over the alcohol limit, is due to be sentenced today. Gabriella Edmundson, from Penn, High Wycombe was driving following a celebration among Oxford’s St Edwards School pupils at Easter. In an accident near Oxford, 17 year old passenger Grace Hardman died and 18 year old Joe Robinson, from Thame, was seriously injured.

Pilgrims gather – Thousands of Catholics are expected to converge on St Joseph’s Church in Gerrards Cross to view a casket containing the relics of St Therese of Lisieux, described by Pope Pius X as “the greatest saint of modern times.” St Therese was a French nun who died aged 24 in 1897. Her casket, viewed by nearly 5,000 people in Oxford, arrived in Gerrards Cross last night as part of a 28 stop nationwide tour.

Deer campaign – The National Trust and the Highways Agency begin a road safety campaign in the Chilterns today to highlight the danger of motorists colliding with deer, now that the autumn rutting period has begun for the animals. There are over 70,000 road accidents involving deer every year in the country, with this area being one of the worst.

Thursday 8th October

Ripped off – A disabled Wycombe pensioner who has been ripped off by bogus builders to the tune of £70,000, has received just £300 back in compensation. One of the crooks that conned him – Danny Keet, aged 22, of Iver - pleaded guilty obtaining property by deception at Aylesbury Crown Cour and was given 250 hours of community service and ordered to pay the pensioner the £300. Bucks Trading Standards said the pensioner was “systematically used as a piggy bank by visiting criminals” since 2004.

Hospitals in crisis – Patients face cuts in services after hospitals used by people in the Wycombe area admitted they are in deep financial trouble. Wycombe and Stoke Mandeville Hospitals, who have asked local doctors to think twice before sending patients for hospital treatment, say they expect to be more than £5m in the red this year. And yesterday Wexham Park Hospital - part of an NHS group that expects to be £10m in debt – said it was in “survival mode”. Chief Executive Julie Burgess said she could not rule out job cuts.

Swine flu death – Local hospital problems are looking even more severe as cases of swine flu seem to be on the increase again in the Wycombe area. Medics confirmed yesterday that a 31 year old woman who died from pneumonia at the Royal Berkshire Hospital last week, had also contracted swine flu.

Wednesday 7th October

Mum mystery – It’s a month since a new born baby girl was abandoned in a bush in Wycombe Town Centre, but police and social workers are no nearer finding her mother. The little girl, called Rosie by nursing staff, is being looked after by foster parents and is perfectly healthy. Extensive checks and DNA tests have drawn a blank. If the mother isn’t found soon, Rosie will be officially adopted.

River check – Scientists are finding out why hundreds of fish were killed in the River Misbourne yesterday. They are testing water in a stretch of the river near Little Missenden to discover what seems to have polluted it.

Docherty back – Some comfort for under pressure Wycombe Wanderers as they look to fight their way from the League 2 relegation zone. Influential midfielder Tommy Docherty resumed full training with the squad yesterday and expects to be named for Saturday’s trip to Gillingham.

Monday 5th October

Spending more than a penny – Wycombe Council is to consider charging for public toilets in the area as one of the options to raise more cash in the future.

Open house – Dorneywood House, the mansion in Dorney that’s the official country residence of the Foreign Secretary, could be let out to charities and voluntary bodies under a future Conservative Government, the Tory Party said yesterday.

Sunday 4th October

Sweet revenge – Striker Scott McGleish, who left Wycombe Wanderers after falling out with manager Peter Taylor, got his revenge yesterday by scoring the only goal for Leyton Orient and plunging the Blues even deeper into the League 1 mire. With six points from 11 games things are beginning to look serious for Wycombe and Taylor, but the manager remained upbeat last night, saying he remained convinced the team was good enough to avoid relegation.

Friday 2nd October

Inspector’s stress – An Ofsted school inspector took his own life because he feared he had screwed up over a school inspection, his inquest heard yesterday. Robert Smith, aged 55, from Stone, Aylesbury, had indicated to staff at Winchester College at the end of a week long inspection that all was OK. But an hour or two after his informal chat he discovered fresh evidence which would have affected his final verdict. He became so stressed out he hung himself in his hotel room that night, the inquest heard.

Dumper fined – Shazia Asif thought all was well when she dumped four bags of rubbish in a country lane without being seized. But she didn’t count of council officials opening he bags and tracing and using the trash to trace it back to her. Now the 33 year old from Squirrel Lane, High Wycombe has had to pay over £1,000 in fines and court costs for dumping rubbish illegally.

Thursday 1st October

Pricy pint – Drinkers in Buckinghamshire and Berkshire pay the third highest prices in the country for their pint, the Good Pub Guide said yesterday. Researchers found that the average price of a pint was £2.85 – just behind London at £2.90 and some way behind Surrey at £3.01. The country’s average is £2.68 a pint.

Historic find – A 366 year local mystery is to be resolved later this month when the exact burial place of famous statesman John Hampden is revealed. Hampden, a cousin of Oliver Cromwell, was killed in the Civil War battle of Chalgrove Field near Stokenchurch in 1643 but his burial place in Great Hampden was kept secret because of fears it would be desecrated. Now, after 25 years of detailed research, local couple Derek and Gill Lester have located the unmarked grave and will reveal it at a special service at the church.

Family link – The son in law of Wycombe Wanderers manager Peter Taylor is facing difficulty from some fans over his regular inclusion in the side. Midfielder Stuart Green is a regular starter in the team but like many of his teammates is having an indifferent spell. Now some fans are complaining on message boards that Taylor is showing family favouritism.

Wednesday 30th September

Referendum effect - If a referendum was in favour of a form of proportional representation outlined by Prime Minister Gordon Brown yesterday, it could have a dramatic effect on Tory safe seats in Bucks. The plan would mean voters giving second and third choices until a winner emerges with over 50 per cent of the vote. That could mean Tories being beaten in both Wycombe and Chesham and Amersham if the proportion of votes remains the same as last time and provided that Labour and Liberal Democrats chose one another as a second choice. However, none of it will happen unless Labour win the next election.

Parks sell off – Buckinghamshire County Council is considering selling off its country parks to non-profit organisations as part of a plan to cut back on spending. They say there is no question of selling the parks off for development however.

Just awful – Boos greeted the end of a passionless performance by Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park last night as they lost 0-1 to Tranmere Rovers. Gloom has descended on the Blues and their supporters as manager Peter Taylor tries to figure out how to instil some confidence into a side now languishing second from bottom of League One.

Tuesday 29th September

It’s not all bad news - Suddenly things don’t seem so bad after all. Figures yesterday showed that house sales in the area rose by nearly a third between April and June compared to the same period last year. Wycombe’s Eden Shopping Centre announced that more empty shops are to be filled by new retailers, bringing the number of empty units to its lowest since the complex was opened last year’; and police announced that crime in South Bucks has fallen 17 per cent in the last three months compared to the previous year.

Sunny September – Even the weather is playing its part in cheering people up. With dry sunny weather predicted today and tomorrow, weather watchers confirmed their earlier predictions that this September is the driest and sunniest since local records began.

How appropriate – Appropriately, perhaps, a touring stage production of Singing in the Rain opens at Wycombe Swan tonight for a five night run.

Monday 28th September

Woolies plans – It looks as though the Woolworth store in Wycombe High Street will be split into two shops – one of which will be the budget store Poundland. Plans being considered by the council next month involve one from a development company to convert the store into two shops, and another from Poundland to use one of the halves as a shop.

Air park – Councillors are expected tonight to urge the Government to treat Wycombe Air Park as an airport and not a aerodrome. If that happens the Civil Aviation Authority will be able to impose environmental conditions on the complex, instead of just safety conditions. It follows a long running campaign by neighbours concerned about increased noise from increased air traffic. However, some private pilots say that the air park has been at its Cressex base longer than the houses, and people who move there should expect aircraft noise disturbance.

Speaker backed – Buckinghamshire MP John Bercow – who did not receive the support of any of his neighbouring Tory MPs in his campaign to become Speaker of the House of Commons – has now received some surprise backing from Wycombe MP Paul Goodman. He told supporters at the weekend that Mr Bercow’s plans to give more power to back-bench MPs was a step in the right direction.

Sunday 27th September

Man held – A 30 year old man is under arrest accused of attempted murder following a stabbing in High Wycombe in the early hours of yesterday. Neighbours heard shouting and fighting outside a house in Amersham Hill at three in the morning. Six hours later police made a dramatic swoop on the house – closing the road and holding up Saturday morning traffic – to make the arrest. The 26 year male victim is in an Oxford hospital being treated for stab wounds to the chest.

House hit – The driver of a car that hit the side of a house failed a breath test police said last night. A 17 year old girl who was attending a party at the house in West Wycombe received minor injuries during the incident late on Friday night. The 37 year old driver is in hospital also with minor injuries. Police are appealing for witnesses.

Debut goal - Ashley Chambers, a 19 year old striker on loan from Leicester, scored his first Football League goal yesterday to salvage a point for Wycombe Wanderers at Swindon. The 1-1 draw still leaves the Blues third from bottom in League One, and the match was far from pretty. It’s looking more and more like its going to be a rough and tumble season.

Saturday 26th September

MP’s anger – Wycombe MP Paul Goodman yesterday appeared unaware of the astounding claim by the Office of Security and Counter-Terrorism that High Wycombe was one of the top three places in the country with the potential to produce violent extremists. And he hit out at the secrecy of a meeting between local Muslims and Government officials in Wycombe on Thursday. Mr Goodman told the Bucks Free Press, whose reporters were not allowed to report the meeting:“If a Government department makes a public claim about levels of violent extremism in a town, it's bound to be asked for evidence”

Hoaxer jailed – Meanwhile, a Wycombe man who falsely claimed that a chemical bomb had been placed in New York’s Times Square was jailed for four years yesterday. Jamal Ahmed, aged 20, called American officials saying the bomb had been planted in Frankie and Johnnie’s steakhouse in Manhattan. The entire area was evacuated and streets closed. Ahmed told Aylesbury Crown Court he was bored and was under the influence of cannabis.

Fence replaced - Beatle George Harrison’s widow Olivia yesterday won a planning battle to replace 8ft high razor wire fence around her Henley home as a security measure. Neighbours led by veteran actor Rodney Bewes objected to the fence saying it was dangerous and unnecessary and injured animals and pets. The fence was originally erected for a temporary period after George was attacked at the house – Friar Park in Gravel Hill – by burglars ten years ago. He died, aged 58, in 2001.

Friday 25th September

Secret meeting – An attempt to improve race relations in Wycombe backfired yesterday when officials insisted that a meeting between Muslims and Government representatives remain secret. Yesterday’s Guardian reported the Office of Security and Counter-Terrorism had named Wycombe as one of three areas in Britain (together with Birmingham and Reading) with the highest risk of producing violent extremists ...a “fact” that was certainly news to most people in the town. Although two of the four men convicted in the recent liquid bomb trail came from Wycombe, council, police and Muslim leaders have stressed repeatedly that community relations in the town are good. However, when the local paper asked for reporters to attend yesterday’s meeting to find out what’s really going on, they were refused permission. A statement said that Foreign Office officials led by Britain’s Ambassador to Iraq met with local Muslim leaders and young Muslims and that the meeting was private.

Husband’s award – The husband of a Wendover woman who died during a botched Caesarean birth received over £400,000 in damages yesterday. Joanne Lockham, 45, from Wendover died at Stoke Mandeville Hospital after medics failed to ensure she was receiving enough oxygen. She died without ever seeing her baby son Finn. She and her husband Peter had been taking fertility treatment to help her conceive. Bucks Hospital Trust had admitted liability in the High Court and at Mrs Lockham’s inquest earlier this year offered its apologies and said there had been serious failures.

Soldier’s return – The family of Acting Sergeant Stuart McGrath, who was killed in Afghanistan last week, held a private ceremony when his body flew into RAF Lyneham yesterday and then joined hundreds of mourners on the streets of Wooten Basset as the coffin was taken to Oxford, where an inquest will be held. Among those paying tribute were former schoolfriends from St Bernard’s School in High Wycombe and neighbours and friends of his family in Southfield Road, Princes Risborough. Acting Sgt McGrath, aged 28, lived with his wife and four young children in Northern Ireland.

Thursday 24th September

Tories meet – Wycombe Conservatives meet tonight to make fresh arrangements for choosing a candidate to stand at the next election following the suspension of the previous process by party chairman Eric Pickles. Conservative Central Office has approved up to 200 wannabe MPs and the local association will have to follow new guidelines for drawing up a shortlist – a scheme which some local Tories regard as interference.

Goats vaccinated – As more e-coli cases were confirmed last night at the now closed children’s animal farm in Surrey, health officials were advising parents and schools that it is still safe to take children to existing farms. The Odds Farm Park in Wycombe continues to attract hundreds of children and this week completed routine vaccinations of its entire goat herds. The farm hosts seven types of goat, including the second biggest collection in Britain of rare Bagot goats.

Housing interest – Estate agents say September will be the busiest month of the year in the Wycombe area for both interest and sales. A new development of 41 houses and flats on the site of the old Terriers School opens this weekend, with the developers saying they have had an upsurge of interest.

Wednesday 23rd September

Merger discussed – The idea of Lib Dems and Labour reaching agreement to field one anti-Conservative candidate in the Tory safe seat areas of Buckinghamshire is gaining ground at think-tank meetings at the Liberal Democrat Conference in Bournemouth. Proponents argue that although a likely Conservative swing could further increase majorities, the party will be hit hard in this area by the anti-Europe party UKIP. In Wycombe, for instance, the combined Labour/Lib-Dem vote in 2005 was 22,060 compared to the Conservative vote of 20,331.

Living on set – Further details of the planned redevelopment of Pinewood Studios yesterday showed that some of the affordable housing the studio wants to build will actually be part of the permanent film sets. In a world-first, Pinewood wants affordable flats to be part of a film street scene with the possibility of the tenants becoming film extras. Opposition to the development – which includes 1,400 homes and new film sets in Green Belt land – is growing however. The local council has put off its decision until next month so it can consider an increasing number of objections from nearby residents.

New fashion - The upmarket, cult fashion and accessory group Cath Kidston unveils its first store in the area tomorrow when is opens in part of the former Cayley’s department store in Windsor’s High Street. Cayleys, opposite the historic Guildhall, was closed by John Lewis three years ago because it was too small as a single department store.

Tuesday 22nd September

Listening in – Wycombe Wanderers is going to have to do something about soundproofing in the Adams Park dressing rooms after it emerged that visiting teams can overhear the home manager’s half time team talk. Milton Keynes player Mathias Doumbe let the cat out of the bag when he told the papers yesterday that during Saturday’s half time break they could hear Blues manager Peter Taylor “losing it” with his players.

Man charged - A man was charged with attempted murder yesterday after a woman was taken to hospital in a serious condition. Mark Messenger, aged 41, was remanded by magistrates charged with attempting to murder a 32 year old woman in the village of Flackwell Heath. His arrest followed a massive undercover police operation in the area. The woman, who hasn’t been named, is recovering.

Veteran rocker – At the age of 68, veteran rocker Joe Brown – who lives in Windsor - begins his 51st year in show biz by launching a nationwide tour in Wycombe tonight. The tour ends in February at the London Palladium.

Monday 21st September

No fair play - Conservative Party chairman Eric Pickles yesterday defended his suspension of the process for electing the Wycombe candidate for the next general election as local Tories continued to fume. He said: “We intervened in Wycombe because we had a number of complaints from candidates that they were being excluded from the process of selection. We have a duty to ensure fairness in the selection process to make sure that all people get a fair hearing. That was the only reason there was any interference.” However, some local Tories suspect Conservative Central Office is trying to impose a candidate on what’s regarded as a safe seat. There’s known to be particular unhappiness over the national party’s insistence that half the final shortlist should be women.

Students helped – Up to 5,000 students begin their studies at Wycombe’s Buckinghamshire New University this week, with more from the Wycombe area itself than ever before. The uni has proved popular for students who live locally because many can stay at home and save money. It’s cash incentives to hard-up students has also scored : for instance, a £500 cash bursary is being offered to all full time undergrads for each year of study, plus no charge for course materials and free tickets for local gigs and clubs. Most of the leisure activities are also free. The £60m Gateway building in the centre of Wycombe also opens this week. It contains studios for dance, video, performing arts and music, plus computer rooms, a gym and cafe.

Dry September – Temperatures soared on the official last day of summer in the Wycombe area yesterday, but with the dry weather set to continue for another week, the “Indian Summer” will stretch into autumn. If it continues for another ten days, local weather watchers say it will be the driest September since records began

Sunday 20th September

Boo boy – Manager Peter Taylor said he would have joined the crowd in booing Wycombe Wanderers after an abysmal first half performance against Milton Keynes yesterday. Instead he blew his top in the dressing room, immediately substituted three players and things perked up in the second half. The Blues still lost 0-1 however, and even before September is out things are not looking good for the rest of the season. Taylor blamed nerves for the first half dross, but some fans are beginning to question his defensive tactics.

Saturday 19th September

Boris link - Stanley Johnson, the father of London mayor Boris Johnson, and Lady Victoria Borwick, the Conservative Party’s Director of Fundraising who fought Boris for the London mayor nomination, are the two potential candidates at the centre of the Wycombe Tory selection scandal it emerged last night. Conservative Central Office suspended the election process after it was informed that Mr Johnson and Lady Victoria had been invited to a cocktail party held by a leading official in the Wycombe Conservative Association without other candidates being invited. Both Mr Johnson and Lady Victoria – who were unaware the others would not be at the party – will remain among the possible runners when the process starts again next month.

Tragic soldier – Tributes poured in last night to Acting Sgt Stuart McGrath, 28, who spent his childhood in Princes Risborough and who was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan on Wednesday. Mac, as he was known by all his friends, had a daughter Niamh who was born in June and whom he had not seen. He also had three other little boys, Ryan, Daniel and Dylan. His wife Emma said: “He died doing the job he loved. He is our hero.” Former Princes Risborough policeman Andrew Wayland said:”I know his mum, his dad, his sisters and brother. He is a true inspiration.” Mac, a professional soldier for nine years, was hoping to enter the SAS.

Chair arch - A modern recreation of the famous High Wycombe Chair Arch – originally built across the High Street to welcome a visit by Queen Victoria in 1877 – is the main attraction at the London Design Festival which opens at the Victoria and Albert Museum today.

Friday 18th September

Tory civil war - Tory leader David Cameron is expected to intervene as the row over picking the next Conservative candidate for Wycombe grew into a nationwide controversy yesterday. Central Office, who suspended Wycombe’s election process because of “irregularities”, intervened by changing the rules half an hour before the party’s local executive was due to meet to shortlist the candidates, one disgruntled local Tory party member said yesterday. He was supported on blogs and websites from other Tory association members unhappy over what they see as Central Office interference on the selection of candidates.

Meanwhile, local Tories – who meet next week to decide their next move –are coming under increasing pressure to modernise and decide the next candidate at an “open primary” – a meeting where prospective candidates are chosen by all local party members. One blogger reflected Mr Cameron’s thinking when he wrote:“Wycombe Tories now owe it to the voters to hold an open primary. Let’s see democracy in action, and be done with drinkies and dinner party smooching up at the laird’s Big Hoose”.

Tourist boom – Tourist attractions in the Wycombe area enjoyed one of their best summers on record, according to figures released yesterday. During August hotel bookings throughout the Wycombe and Chilterns area were up 50 per cent on last year as people went for short breaks or days out instead of foreign holidays.

Thursday 17th September

Tory bust-up – Eric Pickles, the Conservative Party chairman, has suspended the process for nominating a Wycombe Tory candidate for the next election after “irregularities”. Last night the web manager for the Wycombe Conservative Association resigned after publishing a statement on the site accusing Mr Pickles of acting without authority. The statement was taken down from the site after an hour, but other furious Wycombe Tories are expected to consider their position today. Mr Pickles ordered the local Conserative association to start the selection process again from scratch after learning of a dinner party at a local Tory grandee’s house to which some of the shortlisted candidates were invited but not others. Wycombe Conservative top brass insisted everything was above board and are said to be “beside themselves with rage” at what they see as Central Office interference. Wycombe MP Paul Goodman, who’s standing down at the next election, was last night frantically phoning all sides to try and calm things down.

Jobless up – The number of people claiming unemployment benefit continued to rise during August according to figures yesterday, but agencies think the figure is higher than the average three per cent because many out of work are not claiming benefit. Even though jobless figures have now doubled in 12 months to around 5,000 throughout the Wycombe area, the percentage is still less than half the national average.

Rosie fostered – Rosie, the baby abandoned in a shopping bag near High Wycombe Sainsbury’s last week, is now with foster parents police confirmed yesterday. As the 20 year old student who found the baby while walking with her boyfriend yesterday joined the calls for Rosie’s mum to come forward and be helped, police said they were checking their DNA records to see if either the mum or the dad could be identified.

Wednesday 16th September

Hospitals row – Health bosses are under pressure to call off new arrangements covering medical care at small community hospitals in Marlow, Amersham and Thame after councillors insisted on public consultation. In a money-saving move a few weeks ago, Bucks Primary Care Trust outsourced medical care at the former cottage hospitals instead of paying local GPs to provide a service. But Buckinghamshire councillors said the new arrangement amounted to a “substantial change in service provision” and a public consultation should be held. Crunch talks are to be held later this month.

Manor sale – In another attempt to save tax-payers’ money, Wycombe Council said yesterday it expected to receive around £1m from the sale of a Grade 2 listed manor house in owns on the Rye. Bassetsbury Manor is a 17th century mansion that’s seen better days and the council failed to make a go of it as a conference and wedding venue. Now, around eight bids have been received from potential buyers. One wants to convert it into a private school; another into an old people’s home. One couple want to splash out and renovate it as a private house again.

Sex in the suburbs – People living in the rather elite villages that make up The Chalfonts spend SIX times more than the average on adult DVDs, a new sex survey of Britain revealed yesterday. People in Marlow and Maidenhead spend twice the average on condoms, and the citizens of Princes Risborough shell out nearly two and a half times the average spend on bondage and SM items. The survey, by the retailer Love-Honey, says that people in High Wycombe and Aylesbury spend the same as the country’s average on their sex lives.

Tuesday 15th September

New baby evidence – The baby abandoned in bushes in High Wycombe was two days old when she was dumped a week ago today, police revealed yesterday. The baby – called Rosie by medical staff at Wycombe Hospital – still had her umbilical cord attached and was thought to be just a few hours old when she was found in bushes near Sainsbury’s. Now, it seems the mother must have tried to care for her for up to two days before taking the decision to put her in a shopping bag and leave her by a busy road.

Schoolgirl guilty – An 18 year old public schoolgirl from Wycombe faces jail after she admitted yesterday driving while drunk and causing the death of her best friend in a road accident. Gabriella Edmondson admitted causing death by careless driving while over the alcohol limit when she appeared at court in Oxford. The court heard friends had tried to stop her driving because she was over the alcohol limit, but she insisted on doing so. The accident killed Grace Hardman, aged 17, and critically injured Joe Robinson, another passenger. They all attended St Edwards School in Oxford, the country’s top co-educational public school. Miss Edmondson, who lives with her parents in a £2m mansion in Penn, will be sentenced on October 9. The maximum sentence for the offence is 14 years jail.

Sentences welcomed – Muslim and other Wycombe community groups welcomed the life prison sentences handed down to two terrorists from the town yesterday. Assad Ali Sarwar, aged 29, from Walton Drive, Totteridge was told he would serve a minimum of 36 years in jail after being found guilty last week of conspiracy to murder by using explosives on aircraft. Umar Islam, 31, formerly known as Brian Young, of Chairborough Road, High Wycombe, was told he would serve a minimum of 22 years after being found guilty of conspiracy to murder. The jury accepted that Islam did not know about the plot to blow up aircraft but knew a murderous plot was being planned. The judge told both men – and others from East London sentenced to life – that once the minimum terms were served it would not necessarily mean they would be released.

Monday 14th September

Terrorists sentenced – Wycombe terrorists Assad Ali Sarwar and Umar Islam will be sentenced today for their part in the liquid bomb plot to blow up Heathrow airliners. Three other men facing terrorist charges – all from East London – will have to face a third retrial after the jury last week was unable to reach a verdict.

Rubbish row – Councillors will decide to install an incinerator to deal with Buckinghamshire’s rubbish today because too much trash is being buried in the big landfill site by the M40 at Beaconsfield. Bucks County Council is being fined because it is exceeding rubbish targets at the Beaconsfield site, despite increased amounts of recycling. Councillors will choose one of two sites in the north of the county for the incinerator, possibly including Aylesbury Vale – a prospect which is causing massive protests from local people concerned about emissions from the incinerator chimney.

Rosie support – The Facebook group launched to try and persuade the mother of Wycombe abandoned baby Rosie, topped 3,600 members last night. Police are launching a fresh attempt to find the mum, assuring her she is not in any trouble.

Sunday 13th September

National championships – High Wycombe’s increasing prominence in the world of judo is recognised today when the National Kata Championships are held in the town. Kata is the choreographed moves mainly featured in Karate. Wycombe Judo Club is expected to play a major part in judo and related sports during the 2012 Olympics.

First away point – Manager Peter Taylor shuffled the pack and came away with Wycombe Wanderers’ first away point of the season at Hartlepool yesterday thanks to a screamer from Stuart Beavon, one of the players he put in the starting line-up for the first time. The 1-1 draw still leaves the Blues third from bottom of League One.

Heritage visits – Lovely sunshine yesterday brought thousands out to visit houses, churches and other attractions that don’t normally open their doors to the public but have done so for the annual Heritage Weekend. The dry weather will remain today when many of the Chilterns attractions remain open.

Saturday 12th September

Uproar over assault – A millionaire High Wycombe businessman, who faces jail for attacking a criminal who held his family hostage with a knife, received unprecedented support yesterday. Munir Hussain, 52, and his brother Tokeer, 35, were found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to the intruder, lifelong criminal Waled Salem, who with two other men held the family hostage at their home in Desborough Park Road. Following a fight in the house the three intruders escaped but Mr Hussain and a group of others gave chase and cornered Waled Salem in a neighbouring street where he received several injuries.

Wycombe MP Paul Goodman who gave evidence to support the character of Mr Hussain – an active member of Wycombe’s Race Equality Council and a self-made millionaire who made his fortune building up his engineering business – may raise the case in Parliament which resumes on 12 October, three days after Mr Hussain is due to be sentenced. Web sites were bombarded with hundreds of messages of support for Mr Hussain yesterday.

Bag appeal – The canvas bag in which abandoned baby Rosie was found in High Wycombe this week, has moved to the centre of the investigation to find her mum. The pink bag has a black and white picture of beachcombers relaxing on a car bonnet on the side and it is so unusual police feel someone must know who owns it. Meanwhile Rosie is doing fine in Wycombe Hospital where she has received hundreds of cards and presents from well-wishers.

Cyclist killed – A 25 year old woman cyclist was killed during an accident involving a van near Windsor Castle yesterday. A female driver of the van was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. Police were unable to say if the van, in distinctive burgundy colour, is one of the castle’s fleet of vehicles.

Friday 11th September

Mum to mum – The female officer leading the investigation into Wycombe abandoned baby Rosie made an unprecedented appeal last night for the mother to contact her personally. Det. Sgt Kelly Glister said “As a mum, I understand what childbirth is like and my feelings are with Rosie’s mother who is somewhere out there and needs support at this difficult time. If she would like to speak to me personally, she can phone me anytime at Aylesbury police station on 0845 8 505 505.” Meanwhile a Facebook group launched an appeal last night to try and the find the mum so she can receive help.

Council squeeze – Councils in Bucks are anticipating lower than ever funding from the Government when preliminary figures are announced next month. The county is set to get less because the Government wants to shuffle what money there is to poorer parts of the country. Schools, roads and environment spending is likely to be hit and council jobs are threatened.

Cultured or wot! – Both Oxford and Reading have applied to be the UK’s City of Culture 2013. They are two of 29 cities wanting to claim the title after Liverpool’s success last year.

Thursday 10th September

Mother appeal - An urgent appeal was issued last night to the mother who abandoned her daughter just hours after she was born to get in touch with “a GP, a friend or anyone you can trust.” The baby – called Rosie by Wycombe Hospital staff- was found in a plastic bag by a couple walking by a small triangle of waste ground opposite the Job Centre in Oxford Road, High Wycombe. She had been there for up to five hours before she was discovered at 5pm on Monday, having being born earlier in the day. Rosie, who weighs 5lb, is in a good condition, but there is concern for the mother. Police said there was no need for her to be afraid, but said it was important she made contact with someone so she can be helped.

Arson attack – Police are trying to find out why a terraced house was torched, putting neighbour’s lives at risk. The two bedroom house in Oakridge Road, Wycombe was well alight when fire fighters arrived and neighbours were hurriedly evacuated. The arsonist had set light to the house while it was empty.

More shoppers – Wycombe’s new shopping centre, the Eden, is continuing to attract new shoppers to the town despite the recession. One of the key stores, House of Fraser, said yesterday that shopping figures for August – normally a quiet month – were up on the same month last year before the recession on the High Street struck home.

Wednesday 9th September

Savings sought – The leaders of three district councils meet with the head of the local fire brigade, the leader of Bucks County Council and trade unions in private today to see if they can reach agreement on saving thousands of pounds. The councils, based in Wycombe, Beaconsfield and Aylesbury want to share more work to save money, but the unions are worried about job losses.

Soldier’s death – A 22 year old Royal Marine died instantly when the armoured vehicle he was driving hit a roadside mine in Afghanistan, his inquest decided yesterday. Dale Gostick from Great Haseley near Thame was killed while serving in Helmand province in May last year. He had been due to return on leave three days later.

Honorary degrees – TV Breakfast present Bill Turnbull, who lives in the Chalfonts, and Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis, received honorary degrees from the Wycombe based Bucks New University yesterday. They join author Sir Terry Pratchett and sportsmen Sir Trevor Brooking and Lawrence Dallagio on the honorary list. Fifteen hundred students are receiving their degrees at 11 separate ceremonies in Wycombe Swan.

Tuesday 8th September

The hatred in our midst

Inside an inconspicuous garage on a Wycombe housing estate one of the world’s leading terrorists worked on liquid bombs that he hoped would blow up hundreds of people. Assad Ali Sarwar, a former Wycombe postman and shelf-stacker at Asda, tried to portray himself as a “plonker”. But in reality, the university drop out was the quartermaster and bomb-maker of a terror group trained by Al Qaeda in Pakistan who hated Britain and its people.

Now, 29 year old Sarwar, who’s semi-detached house in Walton Drive, Totteridge, will be forever earmarked as a terrorist HQ, faces years in jail after being convicted with two other East London men at Woolwich Crown Court yesterday of plotting to murder thousands of people by blowing up seven trans-Atlantic airliners once they had left Heathrow.

Also convicted with him on a general conspiracy to murder charge was Umar Islam, formerly known as Brian Young, aged 31, of Chairborough Road in High Wycombe who made a martyrdom video to be shown after he had died as a suicide bomber.

But a third Wycombe man accused in the plot – convert Muslim Donald Stewart-Whyte, aged 23, of Hepplewhite Close in Downley - was cleared of all charges and last night his lawyer demanded an apology from the Crown Prosecution Service for “devastating” the young art student’s life. The jury failed to reach a verdict on three other men, all from East London, and the prosecution has a week to decide whether to press for a re-trial.

Wycombe terrorist watch

The operation to catch the plane bombers was the biggest anti-terrorist operation ever undertaken by the police and the security service MI5. It involved hundreds of surveillance officers and cost over £40m. It was early in 2006 when undercover officers began watching Sarwar and others in the town after becoming suspicious of the Walthamstow based ringleader Abdulla Ahmed Ali. They watched and filmed as he bought canisters and chemicals from Wycombe supermarkets and chemists.

Then, in August 2006, in the most dramatic police operation the town had ever witnessed, they swooped on a number of addresses. In Sarwar’s garage they found bomb making equipment. Then in the months that followed, hundreds of police sealed off King’s Wood near Sarwar’s Totteridge home and painstakingly began digging every square foot of soil. They unearthed more bomb making equipment, the ingredients to make the primary charge, HMTD and bottles containing hydrogen peroxide – the explosive the gang intended to inject into soft drinks and take on board seven airliners, blowing them up in mid-air.

Other areas of woodland – Fennels Wood in Flackwell Heath and parts of common land in north Wycombe – were also thoroughly searched.

Community stunned

Wycombe’s community and Muslim leaders will be making statements today expressing shock at the discovery of murderous Islamic fundamentalists in the town. Wycombe has a good record in relationships between Muslim and other communities and the evidence given at the trial produced a feeling of disbelief among many. A number of projects are underway to promote community harmony, and the town’s mosques have taken a lead in promoting moderate Islamic teachings to younger followers.

The convicted Wycombe men still have family living in the town, but they are thought to have moved from their old addresses. The men will be sentenced next Monday.

Monday 7th September

Council fight – Wycombe councillors are set to declare war tonight on Government plans to allocate 15 gypsy sites and two sites for travelling show people in the Wycombe District. They say the number has just been decided arbitrarily without any consideration for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The council is taking a tough line on traveller sites. Last month it began legal action to evict travellers who have set up home on Green Belt land in Princes Risborough and surrounded the site with a two metre high fence.

Jury decides – There’s expectation that the six month High Wycombe terror trial will reach a conclusion today after the jury were given permission by the judge to reach a majority verdict. Eight men, including two from High Wycombe, deny plotting to blow up flights from Heathrow. Much of the evidence in the case was amassed in Wycombe.

Bradley wins – Olympic gold medallist Bradley Wiggins won yesterday’s British Time Trial Championships on roads near Aylesbury yesterday. Hundreds of cyclists took part in an all day event that drew hundreds of spectators.

Sunday 6th September

Appeal considered - Music teacher Guy Button – jailed for three years on Friday after admitting giving his terminally ill father a gun with which he later killed himself – may appeal against his sentence. Mr Button, 30, of Princes Risborough, had been placed in an impossible position wanting to aid his father who was desperate to die, said his defence lawyer. The judge said he had received “numerous glowing testimonials” about Mr Button, who has lost his job at High Wycombe Music Centre over the charges, and imposed the lesser sentence than he could have imposed.

Green comic - Stand up comic Dave Gorman will cycle 90 miles from High Wycombe to Cambridge today following last night’s sell out show at Wycombe Town Hall. The entertainer is completing his nationwide tour on his bike, but the High Wycombe to Cambridge stretch is the longest single span.

Wobbly defence – Wycombe Wanderers defence looked distinctly wobbly at times yesterday as the Blues lost 1-0 at Brighton and have slipped to third from bottom of League One

Saturday 5th September

Jury direction – The jury in High Wycombe terror trial were told by the judge yesterday that he would accept a majority verdict from them after 11 days of deliberation. But the jury were still out last night and will return to Woolwich Crown Court on Monday. Assad Sarwar and Donald Steward-Whyte, of High Wycombe are among eight men accused to conspiring to smuggle liquid bombs on airliners and exploding them. They deny the charges. For seven of the eight accused the case is a re-trial. The first case, which also involved a majority verdict, ended with some of the accused being found guilty on some charges, but not on others.

MP assaulted – The Shadow Justice Secretary and Beaconsfield MP Dominic Grieve called police to his offices yesterday after a constituent let fly at him and refused to leave. Mr Grieve had been unable to help the woman over a planning dispute with her local council. Police confirmed an assault had taken place, but the barrister MP said he wouldn’t be pressing any charges.

Friday 4th September

Nursing campaign – Wycombe Hospital launched an urgent campaign to recruit more nurses yesterday. There’s a particular shortage of operating theatre nurses, and there’s fears operations may have to be cancelled unless nursing gaps are filled.

Tory choice – Wycombe Conservatives are to meet soon to begin shortlisting candidates for the next election following the decision by sitting MP Paul Goodman to stand down. It’s understood that although several local people shown an interest in standing there hasn’t been a flood of interest for what many regard as a safe seat.

Honeytrap doc – A Maidenhead doctor told a court yesterday he was lured into committing a sex act with a patient and then blackmailed by her after she secretly filmed it. Marion Burton, of Slough, denies blackmailing the doctor, who can’t be named, by demanding £20,000. Her husband Terry has already admitted blackmail and will be sentenced later.

Thursday 3rd September

Jury still out – The jury in the trial of eight men, including two from High Wycombe, on terror charges begins its ninth day of deliberations today. Assad Sarwar, aged 29, of Walton Drive and Donald Stewart-Whyte, aged 23, of Hepplewhite Close, deny being involved in a conspiracy to murder passengers on flights from Heathrow by planning to smuggle bombs disguised as soft drinks on board. The trial has been ongoing for six months.

Schools back – As thousands of children return to schools throughout Bucks today, education chiefs have asked head teachers to do everything humanly possible to keep schools open in the event of a swine flu epidemic.

Wednesday 2nd September

Papers falter – The recession has hit local newspapers hard, latest figures shows. All of the papers in the Wycombe area took big circulation hits in the first six months of this year compared to the same period last year. The Bucks Free Press fell 10 per cent to 21,389 and its sister paper the Midweek lost 20 per cent to 4,326. The Maidenhead Advertiser fell nine per cent to 20,814; the Buckinghamshire Advertiser and Examiner was down seven per cent to 12,623 and the Bucks Herald lost 12 per cent to 15,186. The drops make the chances of mergers and subscription fees for their websites more likely.

Last minute swoop – It was a good day for Wycombe Wanderers fans yesterday when the Blues signed up one of their former favourites just three minutes before the football transfer deadline at 5pm. Popular winger Kevin Betsy left Wycombe in 2007 for Bristol City and later transferred to Southend, from where he returned last night on loan until January. In addition, the Blues learned yesterday they can expect around a half a million pound boost to their bank balance after former defender Mike Williamson moved from Watford to Portsmouth just eight months after leaving Wycombe. He’s the second recent Blues player to move to the Premiership this season – earlier in the summer former captain Roger Johnson joined Birmingham.

Post delays – A strike by over 100 postal workers in Maidenhead yesterday is likely to disrupt post deliveries for several days, Royal Mail said last night. Services were also hit in the Henley and Thame areas by strike action. The dispute is part of a national campaign about work practices.

Tuesday 1st September

Virgin no – The chances of a high speed train route through High Wycombe and the Chilterns were dealt a blow last night when Virgin Trains said they didn’t think it would be a good idea. Instead, said Tony Collins, Virgin Trains chief executive, it would be far cheaper and easier to use the existing west coast route and build a 10 mile spur to Heathrow from Willesden. Mr Collins’ views will please environmentalists and local councils who are gearing up for a battle against the 200 mph trains on the basis they will be noisy and ruin large slices of open countryside.

Emergency meeting – Wycombe councillors are holding an emergency meeting tonight so they can vote through funding to stop the town’s war memorial falling down. The memorial in Wycombe parish churchyard is tilting and it will cost up to £50,000 to stabilise it. Councillors are expected to recommend the work go ahead tonight so that next week the council can approve the funding. Unless the work is done imminently, engineers say the memorial could be a dangerous structure.

Sunshine crowds – The Bank Holiday sunshine brought out thousands of people to fetes, fairs, markets and beauty spots yesterday to round off a summer which – despite a wet July and a recession – has proved a good one for most tourist attractions in the Wycombe area.

Monday 31st August

New baby – The widow of Aylesbury terrorist Jermaine Lindsay has given birth to a child at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, the Sunday papers revealed yesterday. But Samantha Lewthwaite, 25, who still lives in the town refused to say who the boy’s father is. Her husband Jermaine Lindsay was one of the July 7 London suicide bombers in 2005. She said she was completely unaware of his activities and has campaigned in the Muslim community against terrorism.

Not suspicious – The death of a woman in a house fire in Hazlemere, High Wycombe on Friday was not suspicious, police said yesterday. A post mortem has discovered that Jeanette Martin, of Fallowfield, died from breathing in smoke.

Hideaway – The big iron gates of Noel Gallagher’s country home at Chalfont St Peter remained firmly shut all day yesterday as the star chilled out after his tempestuous departure from Oasis saying he couldn’t work another day with his brother Liam.

Sunday 30th August

First win – Two cracking goals gave Wycombe Wanderers their first league win of the season yesterday and lifted the atmosphere at Adams Park after a dodgy start. Matty Phillips and Jon-Paul Pittman each rammed home two powerful shots to give the Blues a 2-1 victory over Bristol Rovers. It’s still very early in the season and pessimists will note the Chairboys are just one place above the relegation zone - but optimists will note that the team is just five points off the play-off places!

Saturday 29th August

Sex charges – A 62 year old man was charged yesterday with sex offences against young boys 40 years ago. Police said the alleged offences by Denham Gilbart-Smith occurred at a Maidenhead children’s home between 1964 and 1970. The home has long since closed down and Mr Gilbart-Smith was not an employee. He is also accused of offences in Kent and West Sussex. He’ll appear in court at Reading in October.

Fire death – Police will await the results of a post mortem before deciding how a 57 year old woman met her death. Her body was found in the bathroom of her home in Hazlemere, High Wycombe by fire fighters who had been called to deal with a blaze in an adjoining bedroom. Fire officers toured neighbouring houses yesterday giving fire safety tips.

Singer’s campaign – Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb is leading a campaign to stop services at his home town community hospital being run down. Health officials in Thame want a private company to provide doctors for four hours a week at Thame Community Hospital instead of the present arrangement where GPs are on duty there 30 hours a week.

Friday 28th August

Hospital criticised – A community hospital condemned yesterday in a report by the Patients Association said last night it had changed it procedures, but defended the quality of its care.

Stephanie Hewlett said that her 85 year old mother Oenone had deteriorated after she entered St Mark’s Hospital in Maidenhead with a leg ulcer “but the staff didn’t take any notice as this happened.” She said that after they complained, the Healthcare Commission found that patient note-taking had been poor. East Berks Primary Care Trust chief executive Dr Lise Llewellyn said new protocols regarding patients’ notes were now in place, but the Commission had not criticised Mrs Hewlett’s medical care.

Security breach – Embarrassed bosses at Pinewood Studios yesterday ordered a tightening up of security after a second break in at the highly protected complex in a month. Thieves trying to steal sophisticated camcorders escaped empty handed after they were disturbed by staff working late earlier this week. Earlier this month however thieves did manage to get away with thousands of pounds worth of specialised cameras.

Ali welcome – Hundreds of people are expected to line the streets of Windsor today to catch a glimpse of sports legend Mohammed Ali as he visits the town on behalf of his charity. Many believe this will be the last visit to Britain by the 67 year old, who is increasingly disabled by Parkinson’s Disease. He is due to attend a dinner at an equestrian event in Windsor’s Home Park

Thursday 27th August

Crash suicide –Policeare investigating the circumstances around the death of a student who apparantely committed suicide after crashing his mother’s car. He was named yesterday as Mzuzile Ncube, aged 22, a Zimbabwean who lived in London. His body was discovered by fishermen at Cuddeson Mill on the River Thame on Sunday. A note was found in the crashed car nearby.

Train concerns – The campaign to stop noisy and frequent trains travelling at more than 200 miles an hour through the Chilterns is being stepped up after Network Rail admitted yesterday that sending high speed trains to the Midlands via the Chiltern Line had not been ruled out. Conservationists, MPs and local councils in the Wycombe area will join forces against the Chiltern route being considered on environmental grounds. The company set up to build the super-train network will reveal its preference for the London to Birmingham route at the end of the year.

Show time – Local farmers, gathering for the annual Bucks County Show near Aylesbury today, are reporting mixed results from this year’s harvest, with a disappointing yield from wheat crop but good quality winter barley. Virtually all of the harvest in the Chilterns is expected to be completed within two weeks.

Wednesday 26th August

Recession effects – The effect of the recession in recent months was reported yesterday with news from Wycombe area schools that more former private school pupils were enlisting at state schools; from Wycombe area hospitals that more former private health patients were using NHS services, and figures from Pinewood Studios that its income fell by £12m in the first half of the year because of a drop in demand from film makers.

Booming uni – One area booming however is further education, with more students trying to gain places, in some cases because they can’t find work. Amid reports that as many as 14 students are scrambling for one place in some universities, Bucks New University in Wycombe announced on its website that although it had nearly 50 courses available with spaces, the position was under constant review. At the beginning of the week the university had 90 courses with availability.

No flags – Reading Festival organisers said yesterday that flags would be banned from this weekend’s event because of previous complaints that they blocked the view of other festival goers.

Tuesday 25th August

Woolies filled – In another sign that the local economy might be on the up, the first empty Woolworth shop in the Wycombe area has found a new occupier six months after Woolies went under. The supermarket Sainsbury’s is to take over and refurbish the Woolworth’s in Thame High Street.

Heads hit back – A headteacher and his lover, the deputy head, hit back yesterday a month after reports that a “staff mutiny” against them forced them to go. Head Jon Howard-Drake and his deputy at the Misbourne School in Great Missenden, Bea Bates, said in a letter to their local paper that it was well known they had been in a personal relationship for nearly five years - a relationship, they said, sanctioned by the governors and education authority. They said their departure was nothing to do with so-called dossiers prepared by teachers at the school unhappy with their management style and they had decided on early retirement. But both governors and Bucks education department last night remained tight lipped over their departure.

Pub returns – TV’s dogged interviewer Jeremy Paxman and his neighbours were celebrating last night after winning a five year fight to get their village pub back. The Stonor Arms near Henley had been falling into dereliction but now the council has given the go-ahead to refurbish it as a pub with a shop and restaurant included. Mr Paxman said :“The village lost its post office and school and it never had a church, so there was no focal point of interest.” His neighbour Donna Moss, who is involved i n the redevelopment, added :“Village life can now resume from where it stopped five years ago.”

Monday 24th August

Candidates named – Two local British National Party candidates were accused by the News of the World yesterday of taking part in a racist stunt in which a black doll was given a mock trial and burned over a brazier. The paper said that Dick Hamilton, from Marlow and John Coombes, from Maidenhead – both local council candidates – were with others sitting round the brazier while Mr Hamilton’s sound system played songs supporting Adolf Hitler. The pair made no comment to the paper.

Landlord’s suicide – Pub landlord Bernard Purdov killed himself over money worries, an inquest has decided. Mr Purdoy, 56, owner of the Crown at Burchetts Green died earlier this year after inhaling gas canisters filled with carbon dioxide which are normally used to power bar pumps. He left notes explaining his financial troubles.

Promoting rugby – Representatives from London Wasps, which plays at Wycombe’s Adams Park stadium , will be at the town’s railway station today promoting rugby union and encouraging children in the area to take part in community coaching courses the club is organising. The move is seen as further evidence that Wasps intend staying in the Wycombe area for the foreseeable future.

Sunday 23rd August

Hit for five - Wycombe Wanderers poor start to the new season got worse as they slumped to an embarassing 5-2 defeat yesterday to a Norwich side managed by former Wycombe boss Paul Lambert. Norwich were by far the superior side and Wycombe were lucky that the deficit was not higher. Pressure will now be on boss Peter Taylor to strenghten the squad further in the remaining week of the transfer window.

Saturday 22nd August

Tickets scam – Police and Reading Festival organisers yesterday urged people not to buy tickets for next week’s festival from tout websites. The official festival website, readingfestival.com published a list of sites which have not been issued with tickets to sell-on. These include one called readingfestival2009.com. The organisers said people would not be able to buy tickets at the festival, which features Kings of Leon, Radiohead and Arctic Monkeys. Police said they would investigate if people part with money but do not get tickets.

Lift shaft fall – A workman is in a serious condition in hospital after falling down a lift-shaft at Bucks New University in High Wycombe yesterday. He fell 80ft from the first floor to the ground floor in the new part of the university which is receiving final touches before opening next month. Paramedics and fire fighters worked together to rescue him.

New striker – An England under-19 international is being drafted straight into Wycombe Wanderers first team when they visit Norwich today in an urgent attempt to get the Blues scoring more goals. Manager Peter Taylor yesterday acquired promising striker Ashley Chambers from one of his former clubs, Leicester City, on loan until the new year.

Friday 21st August

Guns swoop - Cops in T-shirts and shorts pounced on two cars and carried out a number of raids on houses in Aylesbury as part of a big undercover operation to seize illegal weapons. Last night eight men were being questioned after being arrested on suspicion of firearms offences. The raids, which involved both local police and those from the Met, included the use of a taser gun, which stuns suspects when fired.

Local grads – More Wycombe area students are set to attend their local university – Bucks New University – in order to save money by continuing to live at home. Many of the local students who learned their grades yesterday had already opted for the Wycombe based uni as their first choice.

New coach – High Wycombe Rugby Club has appointed a high profile coach for its new season. He is Tongan international Feo Vunipola, known as Vinny, who has 50 caps and two world cup campaigns under his belt. He takes the club’s first training session tomorrow.

Thursday 20th August

Fire warnings – People have been warned to take extra care after tonnes of straw and hay were destroyed by fire in the Wycombe area in the past 48 hours. Fire fighters spent most of yesterday dealing with a fire in a barn at Chalfont St Peter which contained 50 tonnes of straw. Earlier, around 12 tonnes of straw was damaged at Wooburn Green and in Maidenhead a field of hay caught alight. None of the fires were thought to be deliberate, but fire authorities urged farmers, walkers and motorists to be aware that much of the countryside is quite dry.

Muslims plea – Wycombe MP Paul Goodman says he is sticking by his decision not to stand at the next election, despite a petition from around 400 Muslims in the town urging him to reconsider. Meanwhile, thousands of Muslims in the area begin Ramadan tomorrow which falls a little earlier than usual in the calendar. It means Muslims will have longer to fast – they begin at just after 4am tomorrow and can only eat after 8pm.

Entertaining food – The Fat Duck at Bray was named the best restaurant in the country by the Good Food Guide yesterday, for the second year running. The editors said the chef, Wycombe born Heston Blumenthal , provides food like theatre. “The way the waiters interact with the table is like a performance,” they judged.

Wednesday 19th August

Hottest day – Weather forecasters are confident that today will be the hottest day of the year in the Wycombe district, with temperatures touching 30 degrees . With temperatures expected to be nearly as high tomorrow, police took the unusual step last night of urging students celebrating their A level results not to overdo the festivities. They fear a combination of heat and drink could lead to problems.

Contingency plans – Local businesses as well as schools and local councils are planning meetings in the next three or four weeks to lay out contingency plans for a second surge of swine flu which is expected to hit in the late summer/early autumn. Starting today, seminars are being held in the Wycombe area advising offices, schools, factories and shops on how to cope if swathes of staff are affected.

Early days but... – Wycombe Wanderers earned their first point of the season in a 1-1 draw with Southend United at Adams Park last night thanks to a Matt Harold goal, but overall it was a fairly unconvincing and dull affair which left supporters muttering afterwards that it could be a long, long season...

Tuesday 18th August

Popular uni – The Wycombe based Buckinghamshire New University is proving so popular some of its vocational courses are virtually full even before Thursday’s A level results are announced. The university reckons it will have around 300 places available via the clearing process in courses such as film and TV production, travel and tourism and sports degrees. The uni, which has over 8,000 students, opens its massive extension – the Gateway Centre – in the middle of High Wycombe early next month. Hundreds of new student accommodation rooms are also ready for occupation nearby.

Countryside saved – Conservationists have won major funding to preserve remaining chalk grasslands in the Chilterns. Eighty per cent of the grasslands have been destroyed in the last 60 years and those that remain contain rare plants and wildlife habitats. Yesterday, the Berks Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust received a £200,000. The Trust, which already runs 13 nature reserves in the Wycombe and Chilterns area, will be looking to create more.

Hollywood arrives – Top Hollywood actors arrive at Cliveden, the famous country house at Taplow, today to shoot scenes for the new Sherlock Holmes movie. Brad Pitt, who plays Moriaty, Robert Downey Junior, who plays Holmes, and Jude Law, who plays Dr Watson, will be filming until the end of the week.

Monday 17th August

Drivers quizzed – The drivers of two separate cars have been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after a horror smash on the M40. The cars with the arrested drivers - a man and a woman - were joining the Wycombe bound carriageway of the motorway at Milton Common at just after midnight yesterday . Two cars already on the motorway collided, resulting in a 46 year old male passenger in one of the cars dying at the scene. The southbound motorway was closed for several hours. Police are appealing for witnesses.

Legoland hotel – Legoland want to build a hotel at their Windsor theme park so can cash in on visitors to the Olympics in 2012. They say more and more of their visitors want to stay for a short break at the park in a similar way to Disney’s theme park in Paris. They are keen to have it up and running by 2012.

Differing fortunes – Two of the area’s biggest sports stars had differing fortunes at the weekend. Amersham athlete Nicola Sanders runs in the semi final of the 400 metres of the World Athletics Championships in German today after a sparkling qualifying run. But Wycombe golfer Luke Donald had a disappointing run in the US PGA championship, just scraping into the top 50.

Sunday 16th August

Soldier held – A 22 year old soldier was being questioned by Military Police last night in connection with handguns that went missing on an Army exercise and later discovered in a High Wycombe house. Two other men arrested following police raids on two other houses in the Wycombe area were released from police custody yesterday. Thames Valley Police said they were still continuing the search for one handgun which was still missing.

Cheers, hic ! – A locally brewed beer, The Pride of Oxford, has been named the world’s best Golden Ale at the World Beer Awards. The poor judges had to sample hundreds of beers from around the world over a period of five months.

Don’t panic – Wycombe Wanderers are the only club in League One not to have won any points following yesterday’s 0-1 defeat by Leeds, but both the manager and the fans are not despairing. Once again the Blues were unlucky not to gain a point from the match against a team who are favourites for promotion.

Saturday 15th August

Guns found – Eleven handguns that went missing during an Army exercise in Wiltshire this week were recovered from a house in High Wycombe. A twelfth gun is still missing. Three men have been arrested following police raids on three addresses in the town, police said last night. The guns were discovered during a raid on Wednesday night in Draper Court. The two other raids yesterday were at Desborough Road and Wooburn Green. A 22 year old man, said to have connections with the military, was arrested on suspicion of theft. Another 22 year old man and a 28 year old man have also been arrested in connection with the raids.

Laser warning – Police issued a warning last night after powerful laser torches, which can easily blind people, were used to peer through windows of houses in High Wycombe. The penetrating beams were reported by householders in Tylers Green yesterday. Earlier this week police in Maidenhead stepped up their search for people with the laser likghtsx after more reports of the beams being aimed at planes coming in to land at Heathrow, distracting pilots.

Sell-out – A massive surge of ticket-selling yesterday means that Wycombe Wanderers’ first home league game of the season, against Leeds, is likely to be a sell-out. The club said there had been a big last minute demand after it was decided the game would be all-ticket, with no admittance on the day.

Friday 14th August

Bucks threatened – Buckinghamshire County Council could have only five or six years of life left before it becomes extinct, like its former neighbour Berkshire County Council, its leader hinted yesterday. Wycombe’s David Shakespeare, leader of Bucks and leader of the Conservative Group on the Local Government Association, said any new Conservative Government would only give local councils five years to prove that they can make big savings. Bucks and the district councils in Wycombe, Aylesbury, Amersham and Beaconsfield are already working more closely together in what’s known as a two-tier system in an attempt to share services and cut costs. But if it doesn’t work, then the county council would probably go at the cost of hundreds of jobs.

Skinned – Police are working on the theory that the theft of rare bird skins from Tring’s Natural History Museum was probably a gang working to order. The collection of 750,000 stuffed birds had been built up over 350 years. The museum isn’t saying exactly how many were stolen but that they included some rare tropical birds.

Turned away – Hundreds of Leeds fans have been turned away from their club’s first visit to Adams Park tomorrow, even though the game isn’t a sell-out. Leeds supporters quickly snapped up the 2,000 tickets for away fans but were unable to buy other tickets because the Wycombe Wanderers doesn’t want home and away fans in the same stand. The chances of Wycombe supporters taking the remaining 8,000 tickets are slim.

Thursday 13th August

Multi-lingual – The number of children in local primary schools who do not have English as a first language is increasing. Figures released by the Government yesterday showed that neighbouring Slough has the highest proportion in the country at 54 per cent. There are increases in Wycombe area schools too. But educationalists said most of the children are able to speak English as well as a mother tongue, and multi-lingual pupils bode well for the future.

Supermarket rethink – Morrison’s is likely to rethink its free parking policy after the neighbouring Sainsbury’s store opened in central High Wycombe yesterday with a car park which charges customers to park. Contributors to the Bucks Free Press website last night were advising Sainsbury customers to park in Morrison’s where they’ll be able to walk over to Sainsbury’s unchallenged provided they carry a Morrison’s bag.

Broken nose – Wycombe Wanderers midfielder Matt Bloomfield will be sidelined for some time after the club revealed he suffered a broken nose and fractured cheekbone during the Peterborough game on Wednesday. The midfielder was stretchered off.

Wednesday 12th August

Shops battle – Three members of staff will cut the ribbon to open Sainsbury’s big new supermarket-cum-department store in Wycombe town centre today, launching a new battle of the big names. With Morrison’s, M&S and now Sainsbury’s all with new stores, Tesco are pressing ahead with plans to revamp their own centre store with a department store feel. Meanwhile, as a further sign of the times, Curry’s are closing their small Wycombe High Street shop in the autumn to concentrate on their superstore further up the London Road.

Shooting stars – Conditions should be perfect tonight to see the biggest shooting star display of the year over the area. Clear skies are forecast to enable observers to see a meteor shower lasting two or three hours from just before midnight. People who know about these things say it will be made even brighter because of the gravitational pull of Saturn.

Squashed – Wycombe Wanderers went out of the Carling Cup in the first round last night, soundly beaten 0-4 at home by newly promoted Championship side Peterborough, and leaving manager Peter Taylor - who made seven changes to the side that lost to Charlton on Saturday – with plenty of to think about as he ponders what to do about a side that has conceded seven goals in its first two games this season.

Tuesday 11th August

Recession clearing – Although the number of unemployed is expected to reach three per cent when figures are announced for the Wycombe area tomorrow – virtually a 200 per cent increase in two years – there was confidence yesterday that the worst of economic times is over. Estate agents reported that house prices continue to slowly rise and activity is increasing, and Mike Dixon, development manager for SEEDA, the South East of England Development Agency, that the Wycombe area was better placed that many to make an early recovery.

Locks close – River locks at Bray and Shiplake are to be closed for part of the winter as part of a multi-million pound redevelopment, the Environment Agency announced yesterday. Eleven other locks on the Thames are to be upgraded and repaired in an operation taking place between November and February, although the work there will not involve their closure.

Posh visit – Wycombe Wanderers manager Peter Taylor is expected to make some changes to the starting line-up when his side entertain Darren Ferguson’s Championship side Peterborough United at Adams Park in the first round of the Carling Cup tonight. The starting line-up against Charlton struggled on Saturday in the first half, and Taylor knows his team can’t afford a poor start tonight.

Monday 10th August

Children banned – Children are to be allowed to visit sick relatives in local hospitals only in “exceptional circumstances”, according to new rules laid down to stop the spread of swine flu. The Bucks Hospital Trust, which runs Wycombe, Stoke Mandeville and Amersham hospitals, is also restricting adult visitors to a maximum of two in most other wards and only one on maternity wards.

Call to alms – Bray’s most famous residents, Sir Michael Parkinson, Rolf Harris and Michael Roux are leading a campaign to keep old people in the Grade 1 listed Bray Almshouses in the village. But the charity that runs the complex, built in 1627, say it simply isn’t fit for purpose anymore. They want to sell the former hospital to a company who will build a modern complex “nearby” to house its residents. It’s not clear what will then happen to the Almshouses themselves.

State visit – The pomp and ceremony of a full state visit will take place in Windsor in October, Buckingham Palace has announced. The President of India, Pratibha Devisingh Patil, will parade through the town with the Queen and be entertained at Windsor Castle instead of Buckingham Palace. It is part of the Queen’s decision to move most of the Royal Court to Windsor for the rest of her reign.

Sunday 9th August

Reasons to be cheerful – Last season Wycombe Wanderers went 19 games without defeat at the start of the season and yesterday they fell at the first hurdle – but no-one was complaining. A new look Blues had an awful, nervy first half at Charlton, but displayed a new found aggression and attacking style in the second half. In the end they were unlucky to lose 3-2, both Chairboys goals coming from Chris Zebroski . Boss Peter Taylor said his team showed Charlton too much respect, but he applauded them for sticking to their task.

Saturday 8th August

Court battle – Local councils have won a battle to fight the proposed third runway at Heathrow in court. The High Court has given the councils, which include Bucks, Wycombe and South Bucks, the go-ahead to present their case at a three day hearing in the autumn. The councils will argue that the Government had no legal right to give permission for the third runway and will call for a legal review over the way the decision was made.

Police charged – A Thames Valley Police officer and a police community support officer were charged yesterday with being in possession of cocaine and intending to supply the drug. PC Matthew Kille, aged 30, and PSCO Lisa Slavin, aged 20, are also charged with wilful misconduct in public office. They will appear in a court in Swindon, out of the Thames Valley area, later this month.

Tickets drop – Season ticket sales at Wycombe Wanderers are said to be down compared to last year even though the club begin their season today in a higher division. Although not confirmed, the numbers are thought to total 2,500 – 15 per cent down on previous seasons. Club officials are blaming the recession.

Friday 7th August

Flood watch – The Environment Agency declared four “flood watch” areas in the region last night – a rare event for August – and put warning boards on parts of the River Thames alerting river users to fast flows after more torrential rain yesterday. However, the Met Office said that today and the rest of the weekend would be fine and dry and reasonably hot and the prospects for the rest of August were good – a relief to farmers after the wettest July for years has left the ground very wet for harvesting.

Police staying – The number of experienced police officers leaving Thames Valley Police to earn more money with the neighbouring Metropolitan Police has reduced, the Chief Constable of Thames Valley, Sara Thornton, said yesterday. Last year 30 police officers from Buckinghamshire and Berkshire left to increase their salary by around £6,000 by moving just a few miles to the Met area. But after a series of “targeted” salary increases, the number has dropped to five so far this year.

Injuries already – Wycombe Wanderers took on two loan signings for a month yesterday to make up the numbers due to player injuries in the pre-season run up. Manager Peter Taylor has seven players unable to be considered for tomorrow’s opening game of the new season at Charlton Athletic. The loanees are former Gillingham midfielder Danny Spiller and the promising 18 year old Spurs defender Adam Smith.

Thursday 6th August

Soldiers barred - A late night drinking bar was on the defensive yesterday after it refused entry to four soldiers because they were dressed in uniform. The troops were with friends commemorating the memory of Rifleman Daniel Hume, from Maidenhead, who was killed in Afghanistan last month. But at the Phatz bar in the centre of Maidenhead they claimed they were told by the doorman “You can all come in apart from the squaddies”. Manager Grant Page said the bar had been told 100 soldiers who had been drinking all day were heading its way. “It’s heartbreaking but I have to protect my customers,” he said. The soldiers say they were not drunk.

Boom town – Initial plans for a major expansion of Aylesbury have been presented to the local council. The scheme proposes 3,000 new houses plus a new school, shops, offices and sport and medical facilities on farmland next to the recently opened Aylesbury Parkway railway station. The planners say there will be plenty of green space – including a novel plan for a community orchard.

Store opening – Sainsbury’s announced yesterday it will be opening its new High Wycombe superstore next Wednesday – ahead of schedule. It praised its regular shoppers who have had to contend with shopping in a large marquee on waste ground behind rivals Morrison’s for the past for few months while the £20m development in the town centre was completed.

Wednesday 5th August

Patients AWOL - Mental health patients are going missing on average every other day from hospitals run by the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Mental Health Trust, figures revealed via a Freedom of Information request showed yesterday. The trust told the Oxford Mail that mistakes did happen but the public were rarely put at risk and many were more of a danger to themselves. The figures include those who have been released from care for a few hours but either failed to return or came back very late. Since April 2005 a total of 847 patients have gone AWOL.

Happy birthday - The world’s oldest model village – Bekonscot at Beaconsfield – celebrates its 80th anniversary today with special attractions, including vintage side stalls, period entertainment and steam train rides.

Tommy bows out – Former Wycombe Wanderers favourite Tommy Mooney retired from professional football yesterday aged 37. The pugnacious midfielder joined the Blues in 2005 and played 87 games, scoring 29 goals before joining Walsall. His biggest moment came when he captained the side against Chelsea in the semi-final of the Carling Cup.

Tuesday 4th August

Coming together - Local councils are moving ahead with schemes to share services they provide to save money and cut jobs. The four district councils in south Bucks – Wycombe, Aylesbury, Chiltern, which covers the Amersham/Chesham area, and South Bucks, which covers the Beaconsfield area – are working on plans to provide a single waste collection scheme instead of four separate ones. They have also agreed – with Bucks County Council – to provide one council magazine instead of five, and are looking at ways to combine their legal teams. Wycombe and Chiltern are nearing agreement on merging their building control departments.

Stay away – Police are warning people not to swim in a pit at the former Chinnor concrete works after intruders found a way past the security fence and took a dip. They said that not only is the site private property, but the water in the quarry contains dangerous chemicals and the water is so cold it could affect swimmers on hot days.

Top polluters – The well-off people of Gerrards Cross the heaviest polluters in the country, according to a survey by an environment group. They blame it on the concentration of four by fours in the village, plus a large number of energy-gobbling domestic appliances. Meanwhile, people in Henley and Thame have been named among the best recyclers in the country, according to another survey. They manage to recycle 70 per cent of their weekly waste.

Monday 3rd August

Lights out – IT specialists have given up on their attempt to cure Windsor’s misbehaving traffic lights. Today they will completely wipe the computer programme that controls the lights and which has consistently failed to ensure they work in a co-ordinated fashion, bringing traffic chaos to the town. While a new computer programme is installed, council workers and contractors will manually control traffic lights in the town at rush hour periods. The council is asking motorists who use Windsor as a through-route to find other routes this week.

Driver arrested – A minibus driver has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving after his vehicle overturned on the M40 at Loudwater, injuring eight passengers. The north-bound section of the motorway was closed for a time while six ambulances ferried the injured to Wexham Park Hospital. Last night they were recovering from a variety of injuries. The accident happened near the junction 3 exit for High Wycombe East.

Shops hit – Henley’s small, independent shops have taken a massive hit in the recession according to a weekend report. The retail analysts Experian said the number of empty shops in the town centre has doubled in the past year. Most of the disappeared businesses were up-market boutiques. The town has dropped 400 places in the league table of 1,000 shopping centres that looks at vacant retail premises.

Sunday 2nd August

Dog restrictions – The Corporation of London, owners of Burnham Beeches, is consulting on plans to stop more than six dogs being exercised at the same time in the woodland. The Corporation says the move comes after complaints from other people about dogs fighting or walkers feeling intimidated.

Ali visits – Muhammad Ali is to visit Windsor this month to promote his charitable foundation. The legendary boxer will attend a gala evening at the European Jumping and Dressage Championships being held in Windsor’s Home Park.

Blues lose – In their final pre-season match before next Saturday’s League 1 kick-off, Wycombe Wanderers lost 3-1 at Championship side Bristol City yesterday, but manager Peter Taylor said he was pleased with the team’s showing.

Saturday 1st August

Pinewood robbery – Security is being stepped up at Pinewood Studios after thieves stole specialist equipment and cameras from a props room. One piece of equipment alone- which converts footage into high definition – is worth £65,000. In a ten minute raid the thieves piled the equipment into two luxury cars – one a Lexus – and sped off.

Mr Enthusiasm – Wycombe Wanderers manager Peter Taylor, a former caretaker England boss, was among the hundreds last night paying tribute to Sir Bobby Robson, a legendary figure in football, who died yesterday aged 76, “He was the most enthusiastic person you could ever meet,” said Taylor, “and nothing was too much trouble. He will be sadly missed.”

Representing England – Three local schoolboys are among those in the England Under 18 first team when they play their first match in the South African rugby tour today. They are Christian Wade and Jack Williams from High Wycombe’s Royal Grammar School, and Sam Jones from Aylesbury Grammar School.

Friday 31st July

Suicide charge - A Princes Risborough music teacher is likely to be jailed after he admitted yesterday supplying the gun and the bullets to enable his terminally ill father to kill himself. Guy Button, aged 30, could face up to five years in a jail when he is sentenced next month. A court in Northampton heard that the Crown Prosecution Service had decided against prosecuting him for assisting in the suicide of his 63 year old father Ian, who shot himself in the head in a hospital ward, but pressed charges for supplying the weapon. Judge Richard Bray said the case was one where “legislation more or less removes a judge’s discretion”, adding “Judges should be allowed where possible to use their experience to pass the sentence required in each individual case.” By coincidence, yesterday the Law Lords signalled for greater clarity of the law in cases of assisting suicides.

Mechanic libelled – A High Wycombe car mechanic, accused by the News of the World of being the financier of an Islamic terrorist cell, won £100,000 in libel damages yesterday. Shakil Akhtar will also receive a fulsome apology in Sunday’s newspaper after the editor accepted that Mr Akhtar had no connection with terrorism and was “a devout Muslim who did not condone or support violence against British forces in Afghanistan or anywhere else.” The paper also agreed in the High Court to meet his legal costs.

The Cheddar has Landed – The Silly Season – that time of the year when the more unlikely stories come to everyone’s attention – was officially launched yesterday with the story of the Cheese from Outer Space that fell on High Wycombe. The chunk of cheddar was released from West Country earlier this week attached to a helium balloon as part of the 40th anniversary celebrations of the moon landing. When the balloon burst high in the upper atmosphere the cheese plummeted to earth, landing in Leonie Gould’s garden in Cressex, a little more mature than it was a few days ago.

Thursday 30th July

Radio snub – The broadcasting regulator Ofcom yesterday withdrew the FM licences for High Wycombe and Amersham and invited bids for new FM stations in London instead. It means that the commercial radio station Mix 107, which closed due to financial problems last month, will not be replaced. Many consider the quarter of a million people who live in the Wycombe and Amersham area to already have the worst local radio coverage in the country. The area is infrequently mentioned by the only BBC station allegedly covering the region, which is based in Luton.

Hospitals in trouble – Jobs at Wycombe, Amersham and Stoke Mandeville Hospitals are threatened as the hospital trust that runs the hospitals struggles with its finances. The group has to make savings of £11m this year as well as make up the £3m it lost last year. Plans to make the trust a foundation trust – where it would have more say in how it spends its money – have been put on hold, the trust announced yesterday.

Poignant funerals - Hundreds of people are expected to pay their respects today at the funeral of soldier Daniel Hume, the 22 year old who was killed on duty in Afghanistan earlier this month. Friends in the 4th Battalion of Rifles will attend the service at Maidenhead’s All Saint’s Church and a gun salute will be fired. Meanwhile, in Wycombe, hundreds are also expected to attend the funeral of popular 20 year old student Jourdan Griffiths, who was stabbed in the town centre last month. Three people have been charged with his murder.

Wednesday 29th July

Flight delays – It’s looking increasingly likely that plans to change flight routes over the Wycombe and Chilterns area will not be finalised until after the next election. There was uproar last year over proposed flight path changes to Luton and Heathrow airports which would have led to more aircraft noise in the area. The plan was withdrawn and a new proposal promised for this summer. Now that plan has been delayed so that a final decision is unlikely to be made until next summer after a public consultation. If the Conservatives win the election, the whole scheme could go back to the drawing board again because they are opposed to expansion at the airports and instead want better train services.

Allotments poser – A third test of soil on a big Wycombe allotment plot is to be made to determine whether it is safe or not. The council closed the allotments in Bassetbury when testers found high levels of copper, nickel and lead in the soil. The gardeners however were far from convinced and hired their own experts who declared the soil was safe after all. But the council has refused to reopen the allotments and said last night that another independent test would be made to try and settle the issue.

Warm welcome –Former Wycombe Wanderers manager John Gorman was given a warm welcome when he returned to Adams Park last night. Gorman – now an assistant manager at QPR – returned with his team for a pre-match friendly.which QPR won 2-1.

Tuesday 28th July

More outsourcing – Jobs in Bucks County Council’s human resources department are set to go after the council agreed to outsource all of its recruiting activities to an outside company. They say the move will save council taxpayers nearly £700,000 in the first year. It comes on top of moves by the council to cut back on social services spending by giving users a budget they can spend on either council services or private care companies.

Child grabbed – Police yesterday appealed for witnesses after a 14 year old girl was grabbed by the arm by a middle aged man in an alley at Lane End, High Wycombe. The girl screamed, shook herself free and ran off. She said the man wore thick, rimless glasses and spoke with a foreign accent.

New skipper – Former Chelsea defender Michael Duberry will captain Wycombe Wanderers in the coming season, the club announced yesterday. Meanwhile manager Peter Taylor has decided against taking on another former Premiership player Carl Cort, who has been training with the team.

Monday 27th July

Care changes – Officials in Buckinghamshire are putting finishing touches this week to a scheme where people receiving home help and other social care services will be given a sum of money so they can choose whether to buy care from the council or from private organisations. The council says it gives people more choice, but critics say it’s simply a way for the council to save money; not provide better care. The scheme is likely to come into effect next year.

Butcher back – The first dedicated butcher’s shop for years returns to the centre of High Wycombe this week. In a move seen as an indication that “real food” is back in vogue, the Wycombe Central Butcher shop will open amid the estate agents and accountancy offices at the eastern end of the High Street. The last dedicated butchers was in the High Street around eight years ago leaving the supermarkets and a weekly visit by the street-market’s mobile butcher as the only places to buy fresh meat.

On the up – Prove positive that the local economy is turning for the better. The man who sells greetings cards on Wycombe market stall told the local paper yesterday that after weeks of selling “Sorry you’ve lost your job” cards, he has sold five “Congratulations on your new job” cards in the last few days – his first sales in that category for three months.

Sunday 26th July

Back on track – Huge relief for Nicola Saunders and her family in Amersham today after the athlete showed at the London Grand Prix she is back to full form after a series injury setbacks. She won the 400m in a good time and is now on track to compete in next month’s world athletics championships.

Knocked off track – Some embarrassment for Wycombe Wanderers however when they lost 2-1 to lowly Dover in a pre-season competition yesterday. But as die-hard fans said after the game, you can’t tell anything from friendlies.

Saturday 25th July

Flu appeal – East Berkshire Primary Care Trust yesterday warned local people not to simply expect to receive the anti-Swine Flu drug Tamiflu on demand. As more and more people in the Wycombe area swamped doctors’ surgeries and health centres the Trust said : “Anyone with flu symptoms must not just turn up to an anti-viral collection point, GP or hospital accident and emergency department expecting to be given the drug.” It said people with flu should stay at home and provide a “flu friend” with official identification. The “flu friend” collecting the drug should also have official identification..

Economy boost – Signs yesterday that the economic gloom is beginning to rise. Estate agents said that July was on course to be the busiest in the housing market this year; Wycombe department store John Lewis said its sales last week were 15 per cent up on the same week last year, while in Wycombe town centre two new stores opened their doors.

Getting the hump – Work is underway to install “rising bollards” in Windsor’s main shopping street, Peascod Street, to prevent a rising number of cars driving through the pedestrianised area.

Friday 24th July

Changing times – A fifth of all couples marrying in church in Buckinghamshire already have children, a survey revealed yesterday. The finding was one of the reasons the Church of England yesterday changed its policy so that it will now welcome joint marriage and baptism ceremonies in church. Earlier this week a survey in neighbouring Oxfordshire found that 80 per cent of people couldn’t name the Ten Commandments – a figure that was well over 90 per cent among younger people.

Murder charge – A 16 year old boy from High Wycombe was remanded in custody yesterday charged with murdering 20 year old Jourdan Griffiths. The boy can’t be named because he is a juvenile. Wycombe men Lotto Williams, aged 18 and Christopher Joseph, aged 21 have previously been charged with Mr Griffiths’ murder.. Mr Griffiths died from a stab wound when he answered the door at a property in White Hart Street, High Wycombe on 29 June.<

Men in black – Wycombe Wanderers revealed their new away strip yesterday, and for the first time the Blues will become the Blacks at away venues this season. The all black strip drew a mixed reaction from fans who witnessed the unveiling at the Wanderers town centre shop.

Thursday 23rd July

Flu friends – Local health trusts yesterday advised people to seek “flu friends” – those who would collect medicines and shopping for sufferers of swine flu who will be too ill to go out. In Bucks the health trust estimated that 78,000 people will suffer from the virus in the coming months. They repeated that the symptoms in the cases so far in the district remain mild.

Stink fine – The company responsible for letting Wycombe’s waste refuse tip – the appropriately named High Heavens – stink too much have been fined £12,000. The Environment Agency said the company that ran the tip for six months at the back end of 2006 had not followed rules to prevent nasty smells. Hundreds of people had complained. Terra Eco Systems, which is now run by Veolia, also had to pay £14,000 in costs.

Community station – The media regulator Ofcom yesterday approved a licence for a new community radio station in High Wycombe. Awaaz Radio will be aimed at the town’s Asian community. It’s range will be much smaller than Mix 107, the Wycombe commercial station that closed down last month. So far there have been no takers for its broadcasting licence.

Wednesday 22nd July

Security extended – Wycombe’s Eden shopping centre, opened just a year ago, has beefed up its security with a range of new CCTV cameras. Security officers will now be able to follow shop-lifters from shops and into surrounding passages and streets. It follows reports that some thieves were able to escape quickly from shops and disappear via one of the centre’s many exits.

Soldier’s funeral – The family of Daniel Hume, the 22 year old Maidenhead soldier killed in Afghanistan two weeks ago, last night asked for donations in his memory to be made to the soldier’s charity Help for Heroes. A page on the charity website - www.helpforheroes.org.uk – has been set up to enable donations to be made in his name. Daniel’s funeral will be next Thursday at Cookham Parish Church by the Thames. Mourners will gather afterwards at the Heroes Bar in Maidenhead. Earlier this week competitors at the British Mountain Bike Championships held a minute’s silence for Daniel, a former champion mountain-biker.

Farmers’ markets – Plans to launch two new farmers’ markets – one in High Wycombe and another in Little Chalfont – were announced yesterday as figures revealed that the number of people buying locally produced food was on the up, despite the recession.

Tuesday 21st July

Air base homes – Up to 1,000 houses could be built on the former American air force base at High Wycombe’s Daws Hill. The council is asking for public views on the plan as it looks are where to build thousands of new homes in the Wycombe district over the next 15 years.

Pensioner sought – Police said last night they were seeking a man in his seventies in connection with an assault on two teenage girls in a Chesham park. The girls were playing in Nashleigh Park when the man sexually assaulted them. He is described as Asian wearing a cream tunic top and trousers.

Cheerless hounds – Michele English and Russell Clement, the winners of the TV series The Restaurant, are now winning plaudits at the new pub/restaurant they’ve opened in Marlow, but there are complaints from locals over why they’ve changed the name of the pub to The Cheerful Soul. The 17th century inn on the Henley Road has been known since it was built as the Hare and Hounds.

Monday 20th July

Best finish – Wycombe golfer Luke Donald was celebrating last night after gaining his best ever finish in the Open. A three under final round at Turnberry left him in fifth position overall. But the better news for the 31 year old Beaconsfield and Hazlemere golf clubs member was that his wrist – which kept him out of the game for five months last year after an operation – showed no ill effects after four tiring days.



Rape charges – A man is due to appear in court today charged with committing three rapes in two days. Richard Petris, aged 36, of the White Hart Hotel in Nettlebed was charged last night. It follows allegations from a 25 year old woman that she was raped at two addresses in the village last week.

Royal watch – For the first time the Queen will watch the ancient ritual of swan-upping on the Thames today. The Queen technically owns all unmarked mute swans in the country and every year for 500 years swan-uppers travel the Thames to catch them, mark them and count them. Today, for the first time in her reign, the Queen will watch the ceremony from a steamer moored near Windsor Castle.

Sunday 19th July

Tills return – Aylesbury’s Tesco store returned to normal yesterday after a computer glitch closed down the tills, bringing long queues and causing the store to be temporarily shut while IT experts solved the problem.

Marathon watch – Officials will be looking anxiously to see if swine flu reduces the number of runners in Wycombe’s half marathon event today. Nearly 1,000 runners have applied take part in the run.

Barracks crowds – Thousands of people visited Windsor’s Victoria Barracks yesterday as the Irish Guards held an open day. Crowds were higher than last year, it’s thought, because people wanted to take the opportunity to show their support for the military.

Saturday 18th July

Broadband slow – Broadband users in Marlow and Henley endure some of the slowest speeds in the country an independent survey has found. The average download is 500 kilobytes per second, seven times slower than the national average. Experts say most users in the town would get faster speeds if they switched to mobile broadband.

Culture shopping – Shoppers in Wycombe’s Eden centre will be treated to the Bard as they make their way round the stores today. A group of Shakespearean actors, in appropriate garb, will be reading extracts from the Taming of the Shrew and Romeo and Juliet in malls, on escalators and in shop doorways.

Donald through – Wycombe’s Luke Donald made the final weekend of the Open golf championship yesterday when he finished the second day three over par. The Hazlemere and Beaconsfield club member was hovering on the cut earlier in the day in difficult conditions, but recovered while others, including his friend Tiger Woods, struggled.

Friday 17th July

Health pressure – Bucks Primary Care Trust admitted last night that GP services and hospitals in the area are being inundated with people suffering flu-like symptoms and urged people who think they have swine flu not to visit surgeries and hospitals. Instead people should ring NHS Direct for advice and stay at home. The Trust said that all of the cases confirmed in the area so far are relatively mild. The NHS Direct number is 0845 4647. Alternatively people can visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

Paramedic struck off – A local paramedic has been struck off by the Health Professions Council after he told a woman suffering severe stomach pains to relax with a glass of gin and orange. The Aylesbury woman, who wasn’t named, took herself to hospital the next day but she died two days later. On another occasion ambulance paramedic Roger Gray told a multiple scerlosis victim she should have taken a taxi to hospital and not called for emergency help when she felt ill.

Attendance down – The recession is hitting audiences at Henley Festival according to the organisers. Despite big stars like Katherine Jenkins and big events like a Salvador Dali exhibition, attendances are down by up to 15 per cent on last year. The organisers are hoping that appearances by comic Jo Brand and tribute band Bootleg Beatles will boost attendances this weekend.

Thursday 16th July

M40 landmark – Plans for a massive business park were unveiled yesterday for Wycombe’s Handy Cross sports centre site alongside the M40. A large office block – intended as the site of an international HQ for a big business – will tower over the motorway. The council said the development will create thousands of jobs. A major coach and bus interchange station is also planned for the site, which will also incorporate a park-and-ride area. The news came on the day that the Wycombe area saw the biggest leap in years in the numbers of people claiming unemployment employment benefit, although the numbers are still very low – just under three per cent of the working population – compared to the national average.

Train attack – A train driver was praised for keeping his cool as his windscreen was smashed by a large stone as he was travelling towards Wycombe station at 80mph. Transport police revealed yesterday that the attack happened as the Marylebone to Banbury train was emerging from a tunnel near Loudwater at half past eleven last Wednesday night. The train stopped at Wycombe and the driver was taken to hospital suffering from trauma and minor cuts. Police have been carrying out forensic tests in the area from where the stone was thrown.

New signings – Wycombe Wanderers manager Peter Taylor continued to strengthen his squad with two new signings yesterday. Stuart Green, 28, an attacking midfielder whose last two clubs were Blackpool and Crystal Palace; and Ian Westlake, 26, a midfielder who’s played for Ipswich and Leeds, will join four other new signings as the team prepares for League One football.

Wednesday 15th July

Friends in tribute – Sixty friends of Maidenhead soldier Daniel Hume joined his family and the people of Wootton Bassett yesterday in silent tribute as his coffin and those of seven others killed in Afghanistan were processed through the town after arriving at nearby RAF Lyneham. They included his 20 year old girlfriend Sasha Buckley. It’s thought Rifleman Hume’s family are arranging a private funeral for the 22 year old from Newlands Drive, but a memorial service to enable the community to express its grief and support may be held. Meanwhile, on Facebook, friends of the former mountain-bike rider are gathering support for a charity ride in his memory at his favourite mountain-bike course in Wendover Woods.

Lottery win – An Amersham woman is celebrating after winning a share of an £8m lottery prize. Ted and Marilyn Newton scooped the prize and will share it with daughter Sarah,36, from Amersham, and sons Darren and Stephen because they are all in a family syndicate. However, Sarah and her brothers had fallen behind in paying their share of the syndicate – an amount, they agreed yesterday, they’ll be quick to pay up!

Long odds – Wycombe golfer Luke Donald is 80 to 1 with the bookies to win the Open which starts at Turnberry tomorrow. However Luke, who is playing is ninth Open, reckons he’s worth a flutter. He turned down an invitation to play at the Scottish Open last week so he could get in more practice on links courses similar to Turnberry.

Tuesday 14th July

School’s prayers – Pupils and staff at Thame’s Lord William’s School will hold a special tribute to murdered classroom assistant Sally Garwood today. Mrs Garwood, aged 34, a devout Christian, died from stab wounds while walking her dog in Meadowfield playing fields near her home in Quarrendon, Aylesbury on Saturday. Robert Cusworth, a 24 year old chef from Levings Close, Aylesbury was remanded in custody yesterday charged with her murder. He will appear again at a court in Reading later this month.

Flu effects - A number of pre-schools and nursery groups in the Wycombe area are closing early for the summer term after pupils are showing flu-like symptoms. A school in Penn for children with disabilities closed a week early last week after six of its pupils and a staff member were confirmed with Swine Flu. Yesterday confirmed number of cases in the area topped the 50 mark, although its thought many others have contacted the virus but staying at home without visiting the doctor.

Monday 13th July

Teacher murder charge – A man will appear in court today accused of murdering teaching assistant Sally Garwood, whose body was found with stab wounds in playing fields at Quarrendon, Aylesbury on Saturday. Mrs Garwood, aged 34, had been taking her dog for a walk. Robert Cusworth, aged 24, who lives in the town, was charged last night.

Bikers tribute – Mountain bike riders in the area are planning their own special tribute to Daniel Hume, the 22 year old rifleman from Newlands Drive, Maidenhead who was killed by a bomb in Afghanistan last week. Daniel was one of the country’s top mountain bikers and was planning a professional career in the sport before deciding, two years ago, to join the army instead. His body is expected to be flown home in the next day or two.

Chef’s return – Henley TV chef Antony Worrall Thompson is planning to reopen one of his former failed restaurants – The Greyhound at Peppard – this week, even though creditors allege they haven’t been paid after the chef’s company went into administration earlier this year. The Sunday Times said yesterday that local suppliers were still owned thousands of pounds.

Sunday 12th July

Local soldier killed – One of the eight British soldiers killed in Afghanistan on Friday was named last night as Rifleman Daniel Hume, aged 22, from Maidenhead. He died while on foot patrol in Helmand Province when a bomb exploded.

In a statement last night his parents, Adrian and Wendy said: "Daniel passed out of Catterick as top recruit and since joining the army he was the happiest we had known him, he had truly found his place in the world. He believed in what the British Army was trying to achieve... his death has left a huge void in our lives, we are fiercely proud of him."

Saturday 11th July

Big signing – Former Chelsea defender Michael Duberry joined Wycombe Wanderers yesterday in one of club’s biggest signings. The 33 year old, who joined from Reading, said he signed a two year contract because he works well with manager Peter Taylor.

Friday 10th July

Boom town – The first signs that Maidenhead is set to benefit as the western end of the cross-London train service, Crossrail, emerged yesterday when Travelodge applied to build a six storey hotel in the town centre, next to the Bell pub. Crossrail is due to start operating in five years time. Meanwhile the council in Wycombe has given more detail about its plan to improve its town centre by removing the 1960s fly-over Abbey Way, plus nearby buildings including the British Legion and the fire station and replacing it with a park containing an opened-up River Wye. The council admits however it hasn’t yet raised the cash for the project.

Experienced defender – Wycombe Wanderers manager Peter Taylor yesterday secured the services of 32 year old central defender Chris Westwood after reaching a deal with Peterborough United over the players’ contract. Westwood, who’s seen as “safe and solid at the back”, had been transfer listed by the Posh’s manager Darren Ferguson.

Thursday 9th July

Healthy-ish – One in five people in Buckinghamshire are obese, official Department of Health figures show. But that’s still better than the country’s average. The stats also show that fewer people in the younger age groups die from cancer or heart disease compared to other parts of Britain.

Players switch – The future of the 112 year old Aylesbury United football club looked shaky last night after 10 of its first team players yesterday switched to a rival side, Aylesbury FC, which was formed earlier this year. The move came after attempts to merge the two clubs failed. Financially stretched United – known as The Ducks – lost their Aylesbury ground two years ago and now share Chesham United’s ground.

Big time – Meanwhile, a former Wycombe Wanderers reject has made it to the big time in Spain. Former Wycombe academy member Ikechi Anya became the youngest player to appear with the first team when he was 16, five years ago, and was named Apprentice of the Year. But after two years the Blues let him go. Now, after training at Glenn Hoddle’s soccer school, he has been signed as a forward for Sevilla, in Spain’s La Liga, and will be facing the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Wednesday 8th July

Headquarters closes – The Local Radio Company announced yesterday it was closing its High Wycombe headquarters, making most of the 30 staff redundant. The company, which was taken over by a rival a few weeks ago, closed its Wycombe station, Mix 107, last month because of mounting losses and handed the licence to broadcast in the area back to Ofcom, the broadcasting watchdog. It’s understood there’s been no interest from anyone wanting to take over the Wycombe licence.

River warning – Swimmers were warned to keep well away from rivers yesterday after torrential storms throughout the region brought flash floods and river flow surges. The 18 year old man who drowned in the Thames at Medmenham was named yesterday as Anwar Ali Ahmed from Harrow. An inquest will be held.

Compensation award – Samantha Fry, a severely disabled Beaconsfield woman, was awarded £3m in a High Court settlement yesterday , 32 years after her brain was damaged during her birth at Wycombe Hospital. She and her family had decided to seek compensation to try and ensure she is adequately catered for as she gets older. The figure was agreed with the hospital authorities.

Tuesday 7th July

Stadium move – Businessman Steve Hayes will move quickly to build a new sports stadium in High Wycombe after he won control of Wycombe Wanderers football club at a shareholders meeting last night. He will form a separate company to build the stadium in a move linked with Bucks New University, the new shirt sponsors. The football club – and London Wasps, which Mr Hayes also controls - will, in effect, become tenants of the stadium and not be responsible for any financial losses. The council has privately indicated it is likely to approve a stadium development on land next to Wycombe Air Park, just off the M40. It’s anticipated the stadium will also include gym clubs, running tracks and other sports facilities.

Teenager drowns – An 18 year old man has drowned after taking a paddle in the Thames and being swept away by strong currents. His body was recovered by police divers five hours after he disappeared under the water at Medmenham. He is expected to be named today. Elsewhere, a 12 year old girl is in a serious condition after a road accident in Beaconsfield town centre yesterday as she was on her way to school. And a child is also in a serious condition in hospital after being catapulted from a people-carrier as it rolled over on the M40 at Stokenchurch. Four others were also injured and southbound traffic built up for 12 miles as the motorway was closed for five hours last night between the Stokenchurch and Wycombe slip roads.

Monday 6th July

Teenager arrested – A 16 year old boy was arrested over the weekend in connection with the murder of 20 year old Jourdan Griffiths, who died from a single stab wound to the chest at a house in High Wycombe. Two other men from the town, Lotto Williams, aged 18 of Whitelands Road, and Christopher Joseph, aged 21, of Grenfell Avenue appeared in court on Friday charged with Mr Griffiths’ murder.

Decision day – Wycombe Wanderers managing director Steve Hayes will learn at a crunch meeting tonight whether his bid to take control of the football club has been successful. He needs the majority of votes from shareholder fans willing to hand their shares over to him. Mr Hayes is hopeful after the club engaged in a massive campaign to gain a yes vote, including pledges of support from some of its more well known supporters, including TV presenter Bill Turnbull, Sky football commentator Alan Parry and former Dr Who actor Colin Baker.

Kiwi threat – Henley Royal Regatta drew to a close last night, having attracted over 30,000 people to the 170 year old event, despite the counter attraction of Wimbledon. On the water, crews from New Zealand were successful in many events, laying down an early marker to challenge the Brits at the 2012 Olympics.

Saturday 27th June

More flu - A second Aylesbury school was hit by swine flu yesterday. So far one pupil at the Thomas Hickman School has been confirmed with the virus, but the school plans to remain open next week.

Accident investigation – Police are appealing for witnesses after a 92 year old woman died after been run over by the car she had been travelling in. Police said yesterday she had just got out of the green Honda in London Road, Beaconsfield on Thursday afternoon, when it apparently moved forward, trapping her underneath. She died later in hospital.

Adams nark – Karen Adams, the grand-daughter of Frank Adams, the man who saved Wycombe Wanderers from going under 60 years ago by donating land for them to play on, has come out against plans by managing director Steve Hayes to take control of the club. The football club has had supporter involvement in its management since its existence 122 years ago, and Ms Adams said her grandfather – Adams Park is named after him – would not have wanted control to go to a single person. However, it is looking more likely that Mr Hayes will get the sufficient number of votes he needs at a crunch meeting on 6 July, but with a significant minority of shareholder supporters voting against him.

Taking a break – The Wycombe.info team is taking a short break. The service will resume in a few days.

Friday 26th June

Station closes – High Wycombe’s local radio station Mix 107 is closing down next Wednesday after losing £90,000 in the past year. Its twin station, Mix 96, covering Aylesbury is to remain on air. The station failed to establish itself as a local network, despite no opposition from the BBC, and averaged 15,000 listeners out of a potential listening audience of over a quarter of a million. The nine people employed on Mix 107 are expected to work on other stations owned by The Local Radio Company, Mix 107’s owners.

More swine flu – An Aylesbury school closed for a week yesterday after two pupils were diagnosed with swine flu. Parents at Pebble Brook School were urged keep an eye on their children to see if they were showing signs of the disease.

Jackson tributes – Tributes to Michael Jackson, who died last night, are planned at clubs in the Wycombe area this weekend.

Thursday 25th June

Swine flu – A case of suspected swine flu was reported in the Wycombe area last night when parents were told that a pupil at Altwood School in Maidenhead has the symptoms. Two schools in Wexham, near Slough, closed for a week yesterday after cases among pupils were confirmed, and in neighbouring Oxfordshire around 20 cases have been confirmed.

Market snub – Wycombe Council issued an embarrassing unreserved apology yesterday after one of its official reports referred to market stallholders as “whingeing traders”. The wording was contained in a council officers’ report on the future of the market and published on the council website, before being withdrawn after complaints. The report told of “whingeing traders complaining about lack of footfall because of the closure of Woolworths.”

First signing - Wycombe Wanderers manager Peter Taylor made his first new signing of the season yesterday, taking on out of contract Wigan Athletic midfielder, 20 year old Lewis Montrose. Further signings are expected this week. Meanwhile the Blues received a £700,000 windfall yesterday when former captain Roger Johnson moved from Cardiff to Birmingham for £5m. When Wycombe sold him to Cardiff there was a “sell-on” clause in the contract. Johnson is the first player from the Wanderers youth acadamy to make it to the Premiership.

Wednesday 24th June

Heritage warning – English Heritage warned yesterday that several conservation areas in the Wycombe area are threatened because councils have allowed out-of-character building extensions, too many satellite dishes and out-buildings that shouldn’t be seen. They named Chesham old town and Maidenhead town centre as areas faced with losing their charm, but added there were problems at Gerrards Cross Common, Taplow by the river, Iver, Stoke Green, Burnham and Uxbridge Lock.

Blues meeting – Wycombe Wanderers managing director Steve Hayes, who wants to take over the club but has to persuade supporter shareholders to back him, holds a meeting with them tonight to put his case. Mr Hayes, who owns rugby club London Wasps, who share the Wanderers’ ground, Adams Park, has issued a statement saying he has no intention to merge the two clubs.

New athletics track – Negotiations are under way to move Wycombe’s athletic track at Handy Cross to land at Sir William Ramsay School in Hazlemere. Handy Cross is to be sold for development and a new sports centre built in the town centre. But there’s no room for a full size track at the new site in Hughenden Road, so councillors are hoping to complete a deal which will enable pupils at the secondary school to share the track with local athletics clubs.

Tuesday 23rd June

Manager stays – Wycombe Wanderers manager Peter Taylor is staying at the club after a heart to heart with managing director Steve Hayes yesterday. Taylor was reportedly upset at not knowing how much money he had to buy players, and was on record as saying he was aiming for July 1 as the date to have all new players on board. It now seems he has received assurances, even though Hayes’s own position is not certain following his threat to stop funding the club unless shareholders concede full control to him.

Flooding concerns – Councillors in Windsor and Maidenhead are set to hold urgent discussions today after an Environment Agency report said nearly 11,500 homes in the area were in danger of flooding in future years because of climate change. Only three other areas in the country are more at risk.

Bucks Speaker - Buckingham MP John Bercow, elected the new Speaker of the House of Commons last night, is the first Speaker from Buckinghamshire since William Grenville in 1789. But even though at 46 Mr Bercow is a young Speaker, William Grenville, who is buried at Burnham, still holds the record as being the youngest...a mere 30 years old when he took the office.

Monday 22nd June

Club crisis – Wycombe Wanderers is in turmoil after reports yesterday that manager Peter Taylor is set to resign today in a row over lack of funding for new players. The move comes two days after the club’s main creditor, chief executive Steve Hayes, said he would walk away from the club unless supporter shareholders agree to a change of constitution that will give him full control. Three days ago the club’s captain David McCracken left amid reports that offers to renew his contract fell below his financial expectations. The club maintained a stony silence throughout yesterday.

Eden discounts – Rents for shops in Wycombe’s new Eden shopping centre have dropped by a third since the complex opened a year ago in an attempt to stop retailers pulling out. The retail property experts Colliers said in a weekend report that the discounts were some of the highest in the country. The tactic may have worked however, as around 10 units remain empty and a number of those are being filled in the next few weeks.

Victims recover – Three men seriously injured in a car accident that killed a 21 year old woman and a 24 year old man from the Wycombe area were making slow recoveries in hospital last night. The two, who died instantly when the Rover they were travelling in hit a lamppost and overturned at Chalfont St Giles on Friday, are expected to be officially named today. No other vehicle was involved.

Sunday 21st June

Quit threat – Shadow Justice Secretary and Beaconsfield MP Dominic Grieve said yesterday he would be ready to quit politics if MPs were regulated so much that they would lose their independence. He told a public meeting in Gerrards Cross that if a regulatory body for the House of Commons was imposed that was answerable to no-one, then he would leave politics “in despair”.

Blast inquiry – Police and health and safety experts will continue to comb a small industrial premises for clues today following a gas blast yesterday which killed one man and injured another. The nitrogen canister blew up at a works in Denham.

Saturday 20th June

Two die in horror smash – Two people died yesterday after a car containing five friends smashed into a lamp-post at an accident blackspot. The driver, aged 29, is in a critical condition and two other men, aged 21 and 24, have serious injuries following the smash on the Amersham to Denham Road at Chalfont St Giles. The two who died instantly, a man aged 24 and a woman aged 20, were named as Steve and Laura on blogs last night.

Supporters resign – Two directors of Wycombe Wanderers Supporters Trust resigned last night, hours after the club’s chief executive Steve Hayes made a predictable bid to take full control of the club. The club’s constitution means no single individual can own more than 25 per cent of the club, so the rules will have to be changed at a crucial meeting next month if Mr Hayes is to succeed. He said yesterday that he will withdraw funding if he doesn’t get his way – and as the football club already owes him at least £3m and is over £7m in debt that would mean the club going into administration.

Meanwhile, on the pitch, Wanderers captain David McCracken left the club last night to join Milton Keynes Dons – a move that will transform him from hero to villain in the eyes of many supporters who don’t recognise the north Bucks club after it entered the Football League by the “back door”, instead of qualifying like every other club.

MP faces music – Shadow Justice Secretary Dominic Grieve, the Beaconsfield MP, is holding a public meeting today to try and draw a line under any controversy surrounding his own expenses claims, which included taxpayers refunding him for a lost key to his garden shed. Wycombe MP Paul Goodman, whose expenses included a cot and a booster seat, has already said he will not be standing for re-election, having become disillusioned with the House of Commons. Amersham and Chesham MP Cheryl Gillan, who mistakenly claimed for dog food on her ex’s and whose latest claims show she received £275 for five portraits of herself has received support from Tory activists in the constituency.

Thursday 18th June

Deal defended - Wycombe based Bucks New University has played down mounting criticism over a tax-funded establishment sponsoring Wycombe Wanderers football shirts by saying that the move will promote the university at football grounds around the country and that the deal is part of a closer working relationshiup between the uni and the football club. Although the uni receives thousands from the Government to promote education, there is nothing in sponsorship or marketing rules preventing such deals.

Swans killed - Police are investigating after two swans were found, apparently stoned to death, on the banks of the River Thame in Thame. They were found shortly after people reported a group of youths throwing bottles at swans from a bridge.

Jobless slowing - Figures yesterday showed that in the Wycombe area the number of people signing on for unemployment benefit saw the smallest monthly rise of the year. At just under three per cent the number of jobless is still far less than the average in the country.

Wednesday 17th June

Shirt controversy – Bucks New University, based in High Wycombe, is set to face criticism after it announced yesterday it is to be next season’s shirt sponsor for Wycombe Wanderers Football Club. Both sides went out of their way to avoid the word “sponsor”, talking instead of a sport and education “partnership”, but the fact remains the state-funded uni will have committed thousands to having its name on the front of Blues’ shirts...the first university in the country to take part in such a deal.

Mystery death – An inquest yesterday failed to resolve the mystery of a man found with his throat cut in a suburban driveway. Nigel Lennon, aged 36, had more than 30 stab wounds in his neck when he was found dead in the driveway of a house in Downley last year. But although a pathologist said the wounds were similar to self-inflicted ones, and the police concluded Mr Lennon, from another part of Wycombe, had killed himself, the Coroner Richard Hulett said it was not possible to say how or why Mr Lennon died. The Coroner recorded an open verdict.

New look – The council began a two month public consultation yesterday on long term plans to radically change the look of High Wycombe’s town centre, getting rid of the concrete flyover that’s split the town since the 1960s, opening up the River Wye in its place and scrapping the multi-mini roundabout at the bottom of Marlow Hill. Critics say it’s a recipe for a massive traffic jam.

Tuesday 16th June

Shops boost – The council in Wycombe has bought up a number of freeholds of empty shops in the town centre and is offering them to businesses at discount rates in an attempt to fill some of the 30 empty units in the town. Meanwhile Bucks County Council announced yesterday it was prepared to help small businesses in the area with grants of up to £5k.

Houses needed – A battle to preserve green fields in the Wycombe area gets underway today after planners warned last night that new homes will be needed sooner than expected. The council hadn’t expected to release its reserve land in the district for nearly 20 years but now fears it may be much sooner. Environmental campaigners in Bourne End, Hazlemere, Tylers Green and Flackwell Heath are expected to mobilise against the plans.

Real Dons – Wycombe Wanderers has snubbed Bucks footballing rival, Milton Keynes Dons, by organising a pre-season friendly against AFC Wimbledon, the original Dons. The Blues have also lined up friendlies with QPR, Bristol City and Luton Town.

Monday 15th June

Rent relief – Thousands of council house residents in Wycombe are to get their recent rent increases halved after the Government gave the council more money to fund rents. Councillors will formally approve the giveaway tonight.

Lucky escape – A 22 year old Wycombe man is suffering shock after realising how close he came to serious injury yesterday. The man, a photographer, was standing by the circuit at Abingdon Motor Rally when one of the cars veered off the track straight towards him. Two marshals stood in front of him received serious injuries, but the photographer, who hasn’t yet been named, was treated for minor cuts and bruising.

No messing – A smash and grab in Gerrards Cross was anything but subtle. Saturday morning shoppers were astounded as two men wearing balaclava’s and holding what witnesses described as “a big axe” smashed the windows of the Bucks Gold Company, grabbed as much jewellery as they could from the display, and roared off in a fast Merc.

Saturday 13th June

Cruelty appeal – Amersham horse dealer Jamie Gray, who is today beginning a six month prison sentence for animal cruelty, is to appeal against his conviction. His wife, two daughters and 16 year old son, who yesterday received community orders after being found guilty of offences connected with the case, are to receive police protection following threats to the family following what vets described as the worst animal cruelty case they had known. The family were not at Spindles Farm in Hyde Heath last night where hundreds of horses were found in appalling conditions. If they appeal is lost they are likely to have to sell the farm to pay over £400,000 legal costs they have been ordered to pay the RSPCA . In addition 45 year old Jamie Gray has been banned from keeping horses for the rest of his life.

Redgrave returns – Sir Steve Redgrave will officially open his home town regatta when the Marlow Town Regatta gets underway today.

Friday 12th June

Collapse inquiry – Building inspectors will spend today trying to find out what caused the roof of a snooker hall in High Wycombe town centre yesterday. Five men were playing pool a the Hurricane Room in Corporation Street when the ceiling fell in without warning. Four managed to scramble to safety while the fifth was trapped in the debris and was rescued, unharmed, by fire fighters.

Thursday 11th June

Dramatic blaze – Firefighters were praised for their heroism and professionalism last night in preventing a blazing petrol tanker from exploding, with devastating consequences. Working against the clock – and at considerable personal risk - 50 firefighters spent three hours in containing the blaze on the M40 at Stokenchurch while at the same time drawing off some of the 8,000 gallons of petrol and diesel in the tanker. Environment Agency workers ensured the escaping fuel - flowing down the hill from the top of the Stokenchurch Gap – did not contaminate the drains. The motorway was closed during the operation late on Tuesday night/ early yesterday morning. Fire crews and specialist vehicles from throughout Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire were involved.

Party apology – The UK Independence Party apologised last night after complaints about the siting of an election banner in Beaconsfield. One of the struts to a memorial to Sinead Healy, who was murdered by her boyfriend in a layby in the town eight years ago, was used to support the large UKIP poster which then obscured the memorial.

Captain sought – Wycombe Wanderers captain Dave McCracken was said to be considering a number of offers from other clubs last night. The popular defender is out at contract at Wycombe, who have offered him an improved deal to stay at the club.

Wednesday 10th June

Rail chaos – Hundreds of non-tube using commuters will be stuck today after Chiltern Railways announced that it won’t be running services from Amersham and Chesham. The stations are owned by Transport for London which is closing them down because of the tube strike. Chiltern Railways also announced last night it will not be stopping trains at Wembley Stadium from noon today, disappointing thousands of fans hoping to use the trains to get to tonight’s England v Andorra World Cup qualifier. The company said it had been advised by police that it would be too dangerous because crowd control would be potentially impossible.

Old boy returns – Former Wycombe grammar school boy Jimmy Carr returns to the town tonight. He’ll be a mile down the road from his old school, starring in his sell-out comedy stand-up at Wycombe Swan.

Boss man – Wycombe Wanderers chairman Ivor Beeks became one of the top figures in British football yesterday when he was elected onto the Football Association’s Council. The veteran chairman will represent 25 clubs from the area on the decision making committees, including Reading, Watford, Barnet, Wycombe and 21 non-league clubs.

Tuesday 9th June

Mother’s grief – The 81 year old Marlow mother whose son was beheaded by Al Qaida terrorists in the Saraha desert last week is still too distraught to talk about her feelings. The mother of Edwin Dyer is being comforted by her three other sons. Some family members have expressed disappointment that Britain did not try to negotiate Mr Dyer’s release after his kidnap four months ago.

Bucks cost – New stats show that half of Buckinghamshire’s businesses either sold or made much less at the beginning of this year when the recession took a dramatic downturn. At the same time unemployment in the county doubled. However, a report by Seeda, the South East Economic Development Agency said that even though the jobless doubled to three per cent this was still far better than elsewhere. And businesses in Bucks are now confident things are picking up, says the report.

Rail warning – Chiltern Railways warned last night that some of its services will not stop at some stations in South Bucks if a London tube strike starts tonight. They expect packed trains and commuters from London should check carefully where trains are stopping before boarding.

Monday 8th June

New MP – Wycombe Tories meet tonight to begin their search for a new candidate to fight the next election in the constituency following Paul Goodman’s announcement not to stand for re-election. The seat – regarded as a Tory cert at the next election – will be much sought after by potential candidates.

Focussing opposition –Meanwhile, a number of Liberal Democrats in South Bucks want to approach Labour with a view to fielding just one opposition candidate against the Tories at the next general election. They are considering meeting Labour to see if they would agree to fielding one anti-Conservative candidate in true Blue Tory seats.

Woolies work – Mystery surrounds the company due to move into the former Woolworth store in Wycombe High Street. Work continued over the weekend in the store, but as yet there’s no official word on the future occupant.

Saturday 6th June

Don’t know, don’t care – Apathy was the real victor in Thursday’s county council elections in Buckinghamshire it became apparent yesterday. Just 40 per cent of people bothered to vote compared with 65 per cent in 2005 when the elections were last held. Of those that did vote, half voted Conservative, increasing the party’s stranglehold on a council it has held for over 100 years. Labour was virtually wiped out, taking just six per cent of the vote compared to 16 per cent last time. The Liberal Democrats, who lost one of their 11 seats on the council, saw their share of the vote fall from 31 per cent to 28 per cent, whereas the UK Independence Party, who took less than one per cent of the vote last time, took 13.5 per cent this time.

Friday 5th June

MP to go - Wycombe MP Paul Goodman is not seeking relection at the next election having become disillusioned with the House of Commons. The 49 year old former leader writer with the Daily Telegraph - the paper who's expenses revelations have shattered the credibility of MPs - said restrictions on MPs meant that in the future the quality and variety of people wanting to stand would be reduced so that "much future talent will avoid the Commons altogether." But Mr Goodman, who was elected in 2001, did not defend the expenses system, describing it in the Bucks Free Press as "contradictory and nonsense."

Voting Brisk – Meanwhile voting was brisk throughout much of the Wycombe area yesterday in the county and European elections although political debate in the area last night was on the timing of the next general election following a third Cabinet resignation last night. Bucks election results will be known this morning and the Euro results on Sunday.

Blues windfall – Wycombe Wanderers will be in for a financial windfall after their former skipper, Roger Johnson, look set to join a Premiership club last night. The midfielder was sold to Cardiff City for £275,000 but with a clause that Wycombe will receive more money if he is sold on. Now, with Birmingham likely to offer up to £5m for the player, Wycombe will receive a handsome slice.

Wednesday 3rd June

Mower probe – Police are investigating after an eight year old boy had part of his foot severed by the council mowing machine. The mower was apparently reversing when Damon King came into contact with it in Henley’s Binfield Heath park. Damon is in hospital where he will need several operations to put his foot back together again.

Motorway check – Highway engineers are carrying out detailed checks on part of the M40 after a three metre pothole suddenly appeared in the fast lane. Three lanes of the northbound section of the motorway near Beaconsfield are closed, causing enormous tailbacks. When the hole first appeared without warning on Sunday, engineers thought they could repair it within 24 hours. Now, they don’t expect to complete the repairs until late tomorrow. They are still investigating how it happened.

Twitter poll – It’s not likely to be the most sought-after Twitter page, but it’s not deterring Wycombe District Council from trying to inject some enthusiasm into tomorrow’s county council elections. They have set up a Twitter page to relay the results as they happen when the count takes place on Friday morning.

Tuesday 2nd June

UKIP boost – Local Tories are stepping up campaigning with just two days to go before the local and Euro elections after reports that their private polls are showing strong support among their traditional voters for UKIP, the UK Independence Party, which wants Britain to pull out of Europe.

Pinewood plans – Councillors in South Bucks yesterday received their biggest ever planning application – a massive £200m proposed extension to Pinewood Studios. The film world says the extension – to include a number of permanent sets – is needed to ensure the British film industry remains strong. The proposed 100 acre extension includes 1,400 flats to house studio workers. They say 1,600 jobs will be created.

Hotel plans – Meanwhile a number of plans have been submitted for new hotels in High Wycombe. Details to a scheme to convert offices above the Chilterns Shopping Centre into a 119 bedroom hotel were announced yesterday, and it’s expected that plans for a hotel above Wycombe railway station will soon be finalised. On a smaller scale, plans to convert the Wendover Arms pub in Wycombe into a 33 bedroom hotel have also been put forward.

Monday 1st June

Fireworks ban – A fireworks display which marks the end of Henley’s famous regatta won’t be held this year. Last year a rower was stabbed following what regatta organisers described as “a marked increase in drunken and potentially dangerous behaviour.” The regatta starts on July 1.

Flu alert – Schools in the Wycombe area are on full alert for swine flu as pupils return after the half term today. Eton College yesterday confirmed that four of their pupils had been diagnosed, with a possible 25 other cases. The college has been closed for the week. Meanwhile, a family of five in Oxfordshire were confirmed with the virus last night.

New baby – Strictly Come Dancing hostess Tess Daly is set to return to her Fulmer home today after giving birth to a daughter, Amber, at the weekend. Tess and husband Vernon Kay already have a four year old daughter Phoebe.

Friday 29th May

College closes – For the first time in living memory Eton College has had to close. Pupils have been given an extra week off after half term because a 13 year old student has been confirmed with Swine Flu and the school wants to make sure the infection doesn’t spread. Pupils due to take exams at the 570 year old college will be allowed to return under “controlled conditions”.

Thursday 28th May

Raves ravaged – Police revealed yesterday that they closed down four raves in the Wycombe area over the bank holiday weekend, including one in a tunnel under the Marlow by-pass. Police also raided unlicensed parties in Thame, Princes Risborough and Ivinghoe, seizing sound equipment and, in Ivinghoe, making arrests for drug possession.

Wednesday 27th May

Childminder freed - Keran Henderson, the Iver Heath childminder jailed for the manslaughter of an 11 month old baby by shaking her to death, has been released from jail after serving half her three year sentence. But Mrs Henderson, who is at the centre massive campaign to prove she was the victim of a miscarriage of justice, is unable to speak for herself because of a pending appeal against her conviction. Meanwhile, the foreman of the jury who convicted her and who spoke out against the conviction is to appeal to the House of Lords against his conviction for contempt of court. Michael Seckerson said in the Times that the jury did not fully understand the medical evidence in the case. Both he and the newspaper were fined for “revealing the secrets of the jury room”.

Tuesday 26th May

Tragedy appeal – Two devastated families will appeal for help today to find the driver of a 4x4 involved in an accident which killed an 18 year old Thame man and left his 17 year old girlfriend in a critical condition in a coma. Greg Stiles died instantly after his car left the road to avoid the 4x4 which had overtaken a line of cars at Kinsey near Thame. His girlfriend, Abigal Dowdy from Prestwood, High Wycombe, whom he met at Thame Leisure Centre where they worked, has remained in a coma since the accident eight days ago.

Saturday 23rd May

MP repays Aylesbury MP David Liddington is among the latest batch of MP's to have had his expenses revealed by The Daily Telegraph. Mr Liddington, whose consituency covers Princes Risborough was reported to have made claims for moisturiser, body spray, toothpaste and for his laundry to be done at a dry cleaners. The Conservative MP has decided to pay back the £51.09 for the toiletries admitting that many people will see them as over-generous. He has also referred his whole claims to the Conservative scrutiny panel set up by leader David Cameron.

Private Transport - Buckinghamshire County Council have awarded a contract to maintain the county's roads to private company Ringway Jacobs for eight years. The deal has effectively privatised the council's transport department with the company also having responsibility for sustainable travel, road safety and development control. The new body will be known as Transport for Buckinghamshire.

Friday 22nd May

Unemployment up Unemployment in Wycombe is at it's highest level for over 12 years new figures released show. Wycombe District Council's percentage of working age people claiming job seekers allowance was 2.9% in April above the 2.4% average for Buckinghamshire County Council. Chiltern District was at 2%, South Bucks at 2.1% and Aylesbury Vale at 2.2%. However Buckinghamshire still has one of the lowest rates of unemployment in the country with the national average at 4.9 per cent.

Thursday 21st May

MP's cutback - Local MP's who controversially claim a second home allowance despite their constituencies been only an hour or so train journey from Westminster will be forced to cut back their claims following new limits set yesterday. From now on MP’s will only be able to claim up to £1,250 per month in either mortgage interest or rent. However Beaconsfield MP Dominic Grieve and Aylesbury MP David Liddington currently both claim more than that and have said they are now considering their options with Dominic Grieve saying he may now swop his second home in Marlow, a rented cottage, to a more modest flat. Both men insisted however that they do need to have a second home to conduct their duties effectively as an MP. Wycombe MP Paul Goodman also claims the second home allowance but for now is unaffected by the new limit as his mortgage claim is less than the new maximum amount. In contrast MP’s in nearby Reading and Slough choose not to have a second home and instead commute into London when parliament sits.

Speaker Grieve? – Dominic Grieve meanwhile emerged as a possible contender to take over the soon to be vacant post of Speaker of the House of Commons after been touted in the Guardian newspaper’s editorial yesterday. Mr Grieve - who is often praised by commentators for his parliamentary skills - has so far not commented on the position. However as he is currently Shadow Justice Secretary it is unlikely he will want to give that up and miss out on the strong possibility of becoming a senior cabinet minister in a new Conservative government.

Wednesday 20th May

Legion destroyed - The Royal British Legion Hall in Broad Street, Chesham was completley gutted yesterday and it's roof destroyed after a huge fire engulfed the whole building. Over 50 fire fighters were called to the blaze which begun in the early hours of the morning which threatened nearby residences and led to precautionary evacuations. The cause of the fire has not yet been identified but arson has not been ruled out as police have asked for witnesses to come forward.

Jobs threat - The human resources director of Buckinghamshire County Council has warned that job losses should be expected within the public sector over the coming year as the impact of the recession spreads. Local authorities have already been forced to look for ways to make funding cuts without cutting services. A proposed project has already been drawn up by the county council and the four Buckinghamshire district councils to pool resources where possible for back office functions.

Old Library Plan - The old High Wycombe library in Queen Victoria Road could finally find a new use after standing empty for the past year. The building has been empty since last June when the libray moved to a new location in the Eden centre. However it has been revealed that the Swan Theatre have begun preliminary discussions to take over the building although have not revealed what they would use it for.

Tuesday 19th May

High savers People in South Bucks have some of the highest average bank balances in the country according to figures released by the Halifax Building Society. South Bucks and Chiltern authorities were both in the top 10 with the average at £14,210 and £12,758 respectively.

New Contracts Wycombe Wanderers defenders Craig Woodman and Leon Johnson have had their contacts extended by a further year until June 2011. The extensions were triggered due to a clause in their contracts meaning an extra year was automatically added when the club won promotion to league one.

Saturday 16th May

Gun charge – The son of a man with a debilitating disease who shot himself dead has appeared in court accused of supplying the gun to his father. Guy Button, aged 30, of Princes Risborough is alleged to have given his father Ian the gun and ammunition while visiting him at Northampton General Hospital. Mr Button senior, aged 63, later shot himself in the head in the hospital ward. Yesterday Guy Button was bailed to appear at court in Northampton again in July.

Why Wye? – A 47 foot long blue glass sculpture was unveiled in Wycombe’s Eden shopping centre yesterday depicting the River Wye as its centrepiece. The artist said the river was featured prominently because the vast majority of people consulted about the piece said they first thought of the river when they thought of High Wycombe. Which is odd really, because the council deliberately chose to hide the river in an underground culvert when they agreed plans for the new shopping centre.

Friday 15th May

Flash floods - Torrential overnight rainstorms brought flash floods to the Wycombe area last night, blocking roads and flooding cellars.

New hotel - Travelodge yesterday won their appeal to build a 75 bedroom hotel in the centre of Chesham.

Tickets boost - Wycombe Wanderers is selling hundreds of season tickets for next season following the team's promotion to League One. Last night the Blues learned they can look forward to another prestigious ground to visit - Elland Road - after Leeds failed to make it out of the League 1 play-offs. Other venues next season include Southampton, Norwich and Charlton.

Thursday 14th May

Shopping boost – Empty shop units are beginning to fill again in High Wycombe in a sign that the recession is easing. The clothing store Cargo are due to take a large unit in the Eden shopping centre and three other smaller units are being filled by local firms. Meanwhile an announcement over the future of the empty Woolworth store in the High Street is expected shortly. Workmen yesterday began emptying fixtures from the store as part of a refurbishment.

In contempt – The foreman of the jury in the Keran Henderson childminder case has been found guilty of contempt of court for speaking to the press about his concerns surrounding the case. Mrs Henderson of Iver Heath was found guilty by a 10-2 majority of shaking 11 month old Maeve Sheppard to death but the verdict has attracted major concerns and an appeal is pending. Yesterday jury foreman Michael Seckerson and the Times newspaper, to whom he spoke, were found guilty of contempt of court for disclosing details about the jury’s deliberations. They will be sentenced next month.

Gas worry – Hundreds of people contacted police, councils and gas companies yesterday after a strong whiff of gas pervaded much of south Buckinghamshire. Last night the National Grid confirmed the gas was not from a local source. It’s thought a gas cloud may have wafted over from the continent, but is not dangerous.

Wednesday 13th May

Waste boost – Work begins today to triple the size of High Wycombe’s main recycling centre – the appropriately named High Heavens – so that it can deal with increasing amounts of rubbish. The multi-million pound project will be completed by Christmas.

Club “safe” – Aylesbury United Football Club chairman Graham Read last night reassured fans that the future of the non-league club is safe even though a proposed ground-sharing deal with Chesham United fell through. The club will continue to look for another ground to share.

Ben’s mate – An unknown Henley teenager has landed a major role in the remake of the classic movie Ben-Hur. Toby Marlow, aged 14, from Henley will play Ben-Hur’s best friend Octovius. Filming begins in Morocco next week.

Tuesday 12 May

Store grows - High Wycombe's John Lewis department store is planning a major refurbishment so that it can sell clothing. The store wasn't allowed to sell clothing as part of its planning permission 20 years ago because the council feared the effect on the town centre two miles away. But with the new Eden shopping centre established in the town centre the council has indicated it's time to lift the ban. The Wycombe branch is the only John Lewish that's doesn't sell clothes.

Dog's breakfast - Chesham and Amersham MP Cheryl Gillian was inundated with complaints from constituents yesterday after she apologised for claiming for dog food as part of her Parliamentary expenses. She said it was an oversight and she had paid back the money. Despite the apology scores of people contacted her office to express their anger.

Monday 11 May

Grammar attack – Liberal Democrats plan to revive the campaign against the 11 plus and grammar schools in Bucks if they do well, as predicted, in next month’s local elections. They reckon there is growing disquiet about the selective system in the county. Three secondary school heads voiced their opposition in an interview with the Financial Times at the weekend. One said: “Failing the 11 plus is a catastrophe in young lives. We spend their first year here repairing their battered self-esteem.”

Rider killed – The main Henley to Oxford Road was closed for most of yesterday afternoon after a female motorcyclist hit a tree at Nettlebed and died instantly. She is expected to be officially identified today.

Somewhere boy – Movie insiders are predicting massive success for 19 year old High Wycombe actor Aaron Johnson who this week begins final scenes for Nowhere Man, a movie based on the early life of John Lennon. Aaron, a former pupil at the Jackie Palmer Stage School, has similar looks to the young Beatle and has wowed studio onlookers. The movie is due for release early next year.

Thursday 7th May

Jail threat – The Amersham horse dealer found guilty yesterday of causing unnecessary suffering to his animals could face jail when sentenced. James Gray and his 16 year old son James junior, of Spindles Farm, Hyde Heath, were found guilty of nine charges of causing unnecessary suffering and two of failing to protect animals from pain, injury, suffering and disease. His wife Julie and daughters Cordelia and Jodie were found guilty of two charges of failing to protect the animals. Thirty one horses, ponies and donkeys were found dead at the farm when RSPCA officers visited in January last year. More than 100 others were removed in a poor condition. The family will be sentenced next month.

Attempted murder – A man was charged with attempted murder yesterday after a 23 year old man was run over outside a kebab shop in Frogmoor, in the centre of High Wycombe. John Simpson, 21, will appear in court later.

Improper councillor – A councillor who tried to influence his council’s planning committee to turn down a planning application by his neighbour was officially reprimanded yesterday. The Standards Committee said Tory Andrew Hodgson, from South Oxfordshire District Council, had acted improperly and should apologise.

Wednesday 6th May

Stations saved – It looked last night that the local radio stations for Wycombe and Aylesbury – Mix 107 and Mix 96 – have been saved from going off air by a last minute deal. The Wycombe based Local Radio Company are recommending a take-over by a Cornish company in a deal that will give the Wycombe company £1m in cash to meet its bills. The company warned last month it may have to go off air at the end of April unless urgent funds were obtained.

Skipper stalls - Wycombe Wanderers captain David McCracken has stalled on a new contract with the club and is thinking of returning to play in his native Scotland, it emerged last night. McCracken, who scored the final goal of the season – a goal, it turned out, that was enough to give the Blues promotion, is out of contract at the end of the month.

Tuesday 5th May

Relatives search - People who may be relatives of soldiers found in a World War One unmarked grave are to be asked to donate DNA to help identify them. Nearly a quarter of the 400 soldiers recently discovered in a mass grave at Fromelles in northern France were from the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry. It’s known a number of men from the Wycombe area were among those killed in the battle near Fromelles in July, 1916. Now, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, based in Maidenhead, need DNA to positively identify the bodies so they can be re-buried in a new military cemetery.

Swine flu victim – Health authorities and schools in the Wycombe area are on alert after a man in the Slough area was a confirmed last night as victim of swine flu. The man, in his 20s, had recently returned from Mexico. He has been given anti-viral drugs and doctors said last night he was in isolation and responding well.

Clear out – Wycombe Wanderers began preparations for League 1 by releasing nine of their first team squad yesterday. They included former top striker Scott McGleish and defender Will Antwi. With loanees returning to their clubs, manager Peter Taylor has slashed the squad to under 30, reducing the club’s high wage costs. New signings are expected in the close season.

Monday 4th May

Hotel quarantine – Hazlemere couple Eddie and Terri Sweeney have been quarantined in Hong Kong’s Metropark Hotel until the end of this week along with 300 other tourists because one of their party has contracted Swine Flu. They have been given anti-viral drugs.

Future plans – Work begins on digging up the pitch at Adams Park today in preparation for a new one, while in the boardroom Wycombe Wanderers manager Peter Taylor will begin outlining his needs for success in League One next season when he meets chairman Ivor Beeks and chief executive Steve Hayes.

Sunday 3rd May

Phew! – Wycombe Wanderers won promotion to League 1 yesterday by the skin of their teeth. They finished third, on the same points as fourth placed Bury but with a better goal difference of just one goal. The Blues lost 1-2 to strugglers Notts County before a capacity crowd of nearly 10,000, a record for a league game at Adams Park. The game finished a full five minutes before the Bury match against Accrington with everyone waiting anxiously for the final whistle at Bury’s Gigg Lane. After the game Craig Woodman was named player of the season and Matty Phillips young player of the season.

Saturday 2nd May

Wycombe expects – Wycombe Wanderers broke a record for pre-match ticket sales for a league game yesterday as they prepared for their promotion-clinching League 2 game against Notts County. When the club’s offices closed last night there were just 250 tickets out of 9,700 allocated for home fans. The club appealed for fans to arrive early to avoid congestion at the turnstiles. Manager Peter Taylor – who will also equal a record by managing five promotion-gaining teams if Wycombe do go up – has a fully fit squad to choose from.

Thursday 30th April

Officer resigns – An Aylesbury prison officer resigned yesterday after giving birth to a baby fathered by an inmate. Kelly-Anne McDade had already been suspended from Aylesbury Young Offenders jail. The 18 year old father, serving time for assaults, has been moved to another prison.

Coma relief – Young sportsman Joe Robinson came out of a coma yesterday three weeks after a car crash which killed a schoolfriend. The 19 year old, who plays rugby for Chinnor and cricket for Thame Town, is still seriously ill with head injuries.

Blues in red – Despite success on the pitch, Wycombe Wanderers are set to lose about a million pounds this season, members of the Wycombe Wanderers Trust will be told at their AGM tonight. The club owes around £7m to its millionaire chief executive Steve Hayes.

Tuesday 28th April

Hospitals ready – Local hospitals are ready to deal with suspected cases of Swine Flu emanating from Heathrow. Pilots and cabin crews, many of whom live in the Wycombe area, are automatically checked for symptoms of the illness and passengers from Mexico are being asked if they feel OK when they land at the airport. Stocks of the flu antidote are said to be in plentiful supply in the area.

Libs surge – Liberal Democrats are confident they will see a surge in support when local elections are held in six weeks. Private polls are showing voters are promising support, switching from both Conserv atives and Labour. In the Wycombe by-election in Totteridge last week the Lib Dems gained more votes that both Tories and Labour combined in a seat held by the late Glyn Galbraith, the leader of Wycombe’s Labour Group.

Big crowd – Wycombe Wanderers are set to announce special ticket deals today in an attempt to fill Adams Park for the final game of the season on Saturday. As it is, the biggest gate of the season is expected for the game against Notts County. The Blues only need a point to be sure of promotion.

Sunday 26th April

Not quite! - Wycombe Wanderers missed out on securing automatic promotion after drawing 1-1 at Port Vale in front of a large travelling support. However other results meant it was not enough to secure promotion and it will now come down to the final weekend of the season next week. Wycombe will be promoted to League One if they at least draw with Notts County at Adams Park next Saturday. The Blues could even be promoted with a defeat if other results go their way.

Friday 24th April

Death plunge – A man who fell to his death from the fourth floor of the Eden shopping centre’s multi storey car park in the centre High Wycombe was identified last night as Antony Williams, aged 45, from Hatters Lane, Wycombe. His death is not being treated as suspicious.

Lee’s deal – Lee McQueen, the Princes Risborough businessman who won the BBC’s The Apprentice last year, has sealed a major deal for his new boss Sir Alan Sugar. He has been working on a digital screen contract for Britain’s BP petrol stations which was finalised this week.

Coach convoy – A convoy of coaches will leave High Wycombe tomorrow carrying hundreds of Wycombe Wanderers fans to Stoke. They hope to see the Blues gain automatic promotion from League 2 with a victory against Port Vale.

Wednesday 22nd April

Thrilling finish - A cracking goal from John Akinde gave Wycombe Wanderers a vital win at Luton Town last night and put them within two points of League 2 leaders Brentford, who lost at Dagenham. It means that if the Blues win at Port Vale on Saturday they will all but be assured of promotion.

Tuesday 21st April

Snow go – Plans to make High Wycombe one of the country’s top winter sports centres are stuck in a snow drift. Legal issues surrounding the scheme at Wycombe Summit, the site of the former synthetic ski slope which was destroyed in a fire three years ago, have still not been resolved despite 18 months of wrangling. Now the council is set to reject new proposals from the company Snow Dome to make the building housing the proposed real-snow centre and ice rink bigger than originally envisaged.

Stage stung – A stage version of the famous movie The Sting is set to receive its UK premiere in High Wycombe next month as part of the Wycombe Arts Festival, which begins this weekend.

Poor record - Wycombe Wanderers boss Peter Taylor is reminding this players that tonight’s vital League Two game at Luton Town is not a foregone conclusion even though the Hatters are already relegated, thanks to a crippling 30 point penalty imposed by the FA for financial irregularities. The clubs have met 16 times – with Wycombe winning only twice.

Monday 20th April

Fore... and counting – Officials are to put a six metre high fence alongside the sixth tee at Wycombe Heights Golf Club because so many players are firing balls into the neighbour’s garden. Around 1,000 balls a year stray into the garden causing a health and safety hazard, says a council report. It also causes rows as golfers trespass into the owner’s property looking for their wayward balls.

Rebranded Luke – Meanwhile, at the other end of the golfing skills ladder, Wycombe professional Luke Donald is set to lose his sponsor RBS. The discredited bank is taking a low profile and withdrawing its logo from the clothing of sports stars. However, the 30 year old golfer won’t be out of pocket from a branding deal said to earn him £80,000 a year. RBS will substitute their logo for one of their subsidiary companies such as Direct Line or Churchill Insurance.

Mad Hatters rush – Luton Town are set to provide more tickets for Wycombe fans for tomorrow night’s crucial League Two game after Wanderers sold out their allocation. Over 1,000 Blues fans are travelling to Luton hoping to see Wycombe secure an emphatic victory similar to the 3-0 defeat of Aldershot on Saturday. A win against the Hatters would put Wycombe in second place and within touching distance of automatic promotion.

Thursday 16th April

Commuter tragedy – Commuters on their way home from work risked their lives to rescue a mother trapped in a blazing car which left the M25 and landed upside down in a field. They used coats, brief cases and car fire extinguishers to try and beat the blaze near junction 16 at Gerrards Cross. But their efforts were in vain. By the time the fire brigade arrived the 44 year old woman from Hertfordshire had died. Her nine year old daughter, who managed to scramble clear, is recovering in hospital. Last night ambulance and fire fighters praised the bravery of the motorists.

Carrying on – A cartoon film of the famous Carry On movies is to be made in tribute to producer Peter Rogers who has died at his Gerrards Cross home aged 95. Mr Rogers lived just a mile or so from Pinewood Studios where he made 31 of the legendary movies. Stars would often visit his home after a day’s filming. Plans to produce a revival movie, Carry On London, have been dropped, b ut the cartoon will feature caricatures of all the big names that appeared in the comedies.

Soccer compromise – Wycombe Wanderers and Luton Town reached a compromise last night to settle a brewing row over ticket prices. Luton, who are already relegated from League Two, want to earn as much cash as they can before the drop and proposed a ticket price of £20 for their clash with promotion chasing Wycombe at the basic Kennilworth Road ground next week. The Blues objected on behalf of their fans so after discussions Luton agreed to a “buy one, get one free” ticket deal.

Wednesday 15th April

Witness appeal – Police fear that the couple found dead in an upturned field off anisolated road may have died after being trapped in the car for up to 11 hours. The couple, who are not been officially identified until family members have been informed, were last seen in a pub where the dead woman in her 20s worked. They were travelling on a country lane near Benson in south Oxfordshire when the car apparently left the road and overturned in the early hours of Easter Monday. They weren’t discovered until noon. Police have appealed for witnesses.

Poisons warning – An investigation is being held in Henley after a pet dog roaming in council-owned woods died after eating rat poison. It’s thought that fly-tippers have been dumping rubbish in the woods and owners of adjoining allotments put out the poison to deter rats attracted to the rubbish.

Buyers struggle – Estate agents confirmed that the Wycombe area is following national trends, published yesterday, which show mortgages are becoming slightly easier to get, but first time buyers continue to struggle. Separate figures from the Tories showed that the Beaconsfield area is one of the worst areas in the country for first time buyers when comparing the average price of property in the area compared to average earnings.

Tuesday 14th April

Couple found – Post mortems will be held on a man and a woman today to discover how long their bodies were in an overturned car before being found. The couple – a man in his 40s and a woman in her 20s – were discovered in an overturned Citroen in a field near the village of Benson yesterday afternoon. The car wasn’t visible from the nearby Watlington Road even though it’s thought it skidded off that road, through a fence and overturned.

Race to the line – Wycombe Wanderers still have it all to do if they are to secure automatic promotion from League 2, following their 1-0 defeat at Exeter yesterday. The team showed signs of nerves in a pulsating game, but are still in a strong position in third with a game in hand over most other promotion rivals.

Monday 13th APril

Ex-manager dies – Former Wycombe Wanderers manager Mike Keen died at his High Wycombe home yesterday after a short illness. Mike, 69, made his name as a player with Watford, Luton and as QPR captain but became manager of his home town club between 1980 and 1984. He opened a successful sports shop in the town centre. His son Kevin who began his professional career with Wycombe went on to play for West Ham and Stoke, and is now first team coach for the Hammers.

Sunday 12th April

Onwards and upwards – A fifth goal in six games for on loan striker John Akinde give Wycombe Wanderers a vital win against Gillingham in a top of the table League Two clash yesterday. The Blues rode their luck, and the Gills missed a penalty, but the result means that with five games to go Wycombe are second in the table and have a game in hand over the clubs below them.

Saturday 11th April

Luke through – Wycombe golfer Luke Donald made the cut at the Masters tournament in Augusta last night, but all eyes were on his partner, the legendary Gary Player, who was taking part in his 52nd and final Masters. Donald also accompanied another golfing legend Jack Nicklaus in his last competitive major at The Open last year.

Friday 10th April

What’s on this Easter – A celebration of Henry VIII at the Chilterns Open Air Museum, trains in steam at Princes Risborough and Quainton, rural pleasures at the Thame Country Show and a major craft exhibition at Great Missenden are among Easter attractions in the Wycombe area.

There are special events at regular tourist attractions – Roald Dahl Museum, Odds Farm, the Home of Rest for Horses in Speen ,the Hellfire Caves and at Henley’s River and Rowing museum. In Windsor, the Windsor Eye is back while there are new exhibits at Legoland.

On the pitch it’s a crucial Easter for Wycombe Wanderers at the top of League 2. They entertain fellow promotion hopefuls Gillingham at Adams Park on Saturday and on Monday travel to another promotion rival Exeter.

Plenty of gigs at local pubs while on stage attractions range from The Chuckle Brothers at Wycombe Swan to the world’s longest touring pop group The Drifters at Hayes Beck. Check all the attractions’ websites for details.

Thursday 9th April

Jade’s legacy – The death of reality TV star Jade Goody has had an astonishing effect on the number of women in Wycombe area taking tests for cervical cancer. Health officials confirmed yesterday that the number of women in the area booked for cervical smears had leapt an incredible FORTY fold in the two weeks since Jade’s death.

Night out tragedy - An 18 year old sportsman from Thame is fighting for his life after being involved in a night out that ended in tragedy. Four friends from a private school in Oxford were travelling home when their car hit a tree on the A34. A 17 year old girl passenger, Grace Hardman, died. The 17 year old girl driving the car has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and driving under the influence of drink or drugs. Joe Robinson, who plays rugby for Chinnor and cricket for Thame Town, is in a critical condition in hospital with head injuries. Another male passenger, aged 18, received minor injuries.

Blues first – Wycombe Wanderers will create a bit of footballing history on Saturday by being the first club to produce a programme specifically for visiting fans. Supporters from Gillingham arriving at Adams Park for a crucial League Two promotion clash will be able to buy a programme featuring a Gills player on the front page, while the home fans will receive a programme featuring a Blues player. In an attempt to get a full house the club are introducing a “buy a ticket get one free” offer for the game.

Wednesday 8th April

Net widens – Police are widening the net to find the driver involved in a hit and run which killed a local cyclist and orphaned his 10 year old son. The family of Jim Fleming will give a press conference today appealing for the driver to contact the police. Mr Fleming, 47, died a week ago on the A413 Amersham Road at Gerrards Cross. His wife had died from cancer a year earlier. Police are making a nationwide appeal to find a blue van involved which will have been damaged. They say it may even have been dumped somewhere and burnt out. They are also appealing for three Polish men who stopped to help but drove on without leaving details. It’s thought they may have seen something important.

Base expands – Work has started on improving over 100 service homes at RAF High Wycombe after complaints they were falling below acceptable standards. More single accommodation blocks are also being built to cope with additional personnel now the base has been expanded. Around 2,500 people work on the site at Naphill.

Lucky seven – A dramatic injury time goal from Chris Zebroski gave Wycombe Wanderers their first win in seven games at Darlington last night and moved them back to second place in League Two. Earlier John Akinde put the Blues ahead before the Quakers equalised.

Tuesday 7th April

Pub game ban – Local landlords are set to ban a pub game because it’s making too many people violent and ill. Pub golf involves people drinking nine different drinks in nine different pubs while dressed up as golfers. Pubs in Henley have already banned the game after the Queen’s Head in the town was wrecked by drunken players. Now other pubs in the Wycombe area are considering joining the ban.

Pay soars – Pressure is mounting on local councils in Bucks to merge to save on astronomical salaries after figures yesterday revealed that the chief executive of Buckinghamshire County Council earns £200,000 a year and the boss of the smaller Wycombe District Council earns £141,000. A few years ago massive savings were made when neighbouring Berkshire County Council was merged into local district councils.

Passenger boom – The number of people travelling to High Wycombe by bus has increased significantly since the new Eden shopping centre opened a year ago, figures revealed yesterday. There’s virtually a 20 per cent increase in bus passengers while the number of park and ride passengers has risen by 58 per cent. Biggest leap is on the Thame to High Wycombe route which saw numbers rise by 60 per cent.

Monday 6th April

Fraud charge – Police hunting people responsible for a series of arson attacks on a Wycombe estate last night charged three people with in connection with an alleged insurance fraud. Two other teenagers earlier arrested with the three in connection with nine fires on the Castlefield estate were released.

Club’s agony – A village football club’s dream date at Wembley was shattered by the ref’s poor timekeeping. Chalfont St Peter were leading in the semi final of the Vase Trophy at Glossop at the weekend at the end of extra time. The fourth official indicated two minutes extra time. After four and a half minutes of extra time however Glossop equalised, and went on to win the penalty shoot out.

Friday 3rd April

Cycle tragedy – A 10 year old boy whose mother died last year from cancer is now an orphan after his father was killed in a hit and run accident. Police yesterday appealed for help in tracing the driver of a vehicle that ran into the back of cyclist Jim Fleming early Wednesday morning on the Amersham Road in Gerrards Cross. Mr Fleming, 47, of Denham died instantly. Last August his wife Pam died from cervical cancer. The couple had two grown up children and a 10 year old son William, who is now being cared for by the family.

Radio fears – Wycombe and Aylesbury’s local radio stations, Mix 107 and Mix 96 could be off the air at the end of the month unless the company that owns them manages to get a fresh injection of cash. Owners the Local Radio Company said shareholders had turned down a plan to inject more money in the company. It’s thought the company’s board are unwilling to accept a takeover from a smaller rival UKRD but says for now it is reviewing “all options”.

MP’s pub plea – Henley MP John Howell yesterday urged people to visit the pub more often. He is supporting a campaign to keep pubs in the Chilterns in business after latest figures show that in recent weeks nearly 40 pubs a week have been closing nationwide.

Thursday 2nd April

Murderer hunted – A man sentenced to life imprisonment for killing an Aylesbury man 35 years ago was being hunted last night by detectives investigating a murder in Yorkshire. Ernest Wright, aged 67, was jailed in 1973 after battering to death his mistresses husband Trevor Hale, burning his body and burying it in a shallow grave in Aylesbury. He was released on licence in 1999. Earlier this week he went missing after a 42 yearold man was shot in the back of the head and another man seriously injured with shots to the chest in Bradford. Police said last night that Wright, who has contacts in the Wycombe and Aylesbury area, should not be approached.

Water warning – The Environment Agency yesterday gave its starkest warning yet about local water shortages unless drastic action is taken to reduce consumption. The agency said that the flow of the River Thames and its tributaries would reduce by more than 50 per cent in the late summer in the next 40 years because of climate change. The rivers provide virtually all of the Wycombe area’s supply. Experts said that water meters in homes, which tend to reduce consumption, were vital.

Cyclist killed – A 47 year old cyclist died on a busy dual-carriageway at Gerrards Cross early yesterday after being hit by a car. The victim, a local man, is due to be identified today. Residents last night called for cycle tracks on the A416 Amersham Road to protect cyclists.

Wednesday 1st April

Hospital blunders – Bucks Hospitals Trust yesterday apologised to the family to a nurse who died while giving birth to the baby she had been trying to conceive for years. The inquest into 45 year old nurse Joanne Lockham, from Wendover, heard that four serious errors were made in the caesarean which led to her being starved of oxygen for 30 minutes at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. She suffered brain damage and her life support machine was switched off without her ever seeing her son Finn. The Trust said a change in procedures had taken place since the tragedy.

Gym deal – A last minute deal was reached last night which means that members of council run gyms in Wycombe, Marlow and Princes Risborough can continue using facilities today. Last week Nexus, the company that runs the gyms for Wycombe Council, wrote to 2,000 members saying that as it had lost the contract to run the gyms their membership would be no longer valid from today. But furious councillors reached a deal with the company yesterday which means that gym membership will be valid until the end of the year.

Poor show – Wycombe Wanderers turned in what was probably their poorest performance of the season in a game which was vital to win last night. Their 1-1 draw with lowly Barnet drew boos at the end of a game in which they could hardly put a foot right. The team are still fourth in League 2 with a game in hand, but there is clearly concern about the lack of confidence and ability.

Tuesday 31st March

Air probe – MPs are to consider the future of airfields at Wycombe and Denham as part of a major Parliamentary review into the use of air space. Noise protesters say that because more advanced private planes and helicopters are using Wycombe Air Park and Denham Aerodrome they should be regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department of Transport in the same way as bigger airports. Wycombe is now thought to be the busiest “non-airport” in the country, with nearly 100,000 air movements a year. The issue is to be considered by the Transport Select Committee.

Media concerns – The bosses of all the major local newspaper groups are to meet the Government to press for a change in merger rules it was announced yesterday. In the Wycombe area each of the main papers – the Bucks Free Press, the Bucks Advertiser/Examiner, the Bucks Herald and the Maidenhead Advertiser are all owned by different groups and under present competition rules are unable to merge.

Meanwhile, the Local Radio Company, the owners of Wycombe and Aylesbury’s local radio stations, Mix 107 and Mix 96, yesterday urged shareholders to pause while the group considered its response to a formal take over bid from the smaller rival radio group UKRD.

Festival queue – The queue for Reading Festival tickets began eight hours before they went on sale at Wycombe HMV store yesterday. By the time the tickets were available, at 7pm, around 200 people were ready to snap them up. The August Bank Holiday festival features Arctic Monkeys, Radiohead and Kings of Leon.

Monday 30th March

Radio takeover – The Wycombe based Local Radio Company is set to be taken over today by a smaller rival, the UKRD Group, in a deal worth over £1m. The company, which owns Wycombe’s Mix 107 and Aylesbury’s Mix 96, has suffered in the recession and recently announced plans to sell Jazz FM. The Local Radio Company runs 20 stations and UKRD runs six stations.

Arson alert – Anxious residents on a Wycombe estate are to meet with police after nine arson attacks in 10 days. Two houses in Castlefield estate have been set ablaze – one so bad it made a family homeless. Other attacks have been on cars and sheds. At the meeting tomorrow police will outline the special measures they are taking to find the culprits.

Pressing on – Wycombe Wanderers manager Peter Taylor is making plans for his team on the assumption they will be promoted this season. Despite a 1-1 draw against Shrewsbury on Saturday – which meant the Blues dropped to fifth place – Taylor is said to have opened talks with new loanee Frank Sinclair about a permanent move if promotion is secured.

Friday 27th March

Widow’s shock – Police have apologised to an Amersham widow after sending her the rope her husband used to hang himself. The blood-stained rope was among John Gilmore’s possessions sent to his wife Angie Gerrelli. An inquest heard that Mr Gilmore, 52, hanged himself in a park in South Wales. Police in Barry, who sent the rope with the possessions, said steps had been taken to ensure such a mistake didn't happen again.

Toilets closed – Three public toilets are being closed because the council can’t afford to keep repairing them after vandal attacks. The loos, in Richardson Street and Abbey Barn Road, High Wycombe and in Red Lion Way, Wooburn Green will shut for good at the end of the month and be demolished.

Experience arrives – Former Chelsea defender Frank Sinclair joined Wycombe Wanderers yesterday on loan from Lincoln City until the end of the month. Manager Peter Taylor swooped on the final day for signing loan players, saying he wanted more experience in the side in the final run up for promotion. Taylor knows the 37 year old well – he was in the Leicester side that Taylor managed in the Premiership.

Thursday 26th March

Maternity tragedy – A pregnant mum died after being starved of oxygen on the operating table while undergoing a Caesarean, her inquest heard yesterday. Joanne Lockham, 45, from Wendover, never saw her baby Finn, who was delivered successfully. Tubes that were meant to supply her with oxygen had not been put in place properly, the inquest heard. She died hours later after suffering irreversible brain damage. Mrs Lockham and her husband had been undergoing fertilisation treatment in trying for a child. The inquest at Amersham continues today.

Death investigated – The death of a 31 year old Wycombe man is being investigated after he collapsed and died less than three hours after leaving a police station. Marcus Cottoy, a father of one, was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of causing damage to a Wycombe pub. After 12 hours he was apparently taken ill and left Amersham police station to be medically cared for. He died later in Stoke Mandeville Hospital. A post mortem yesterday failed to determine how he died and further tests are being carried out. The Independent Police Complaints Commission have been informed as a matter of routine.

Private brigade – The council in Windsor is considering whether to be the first in the country to run its own fire brigade. Anger in the town over the proposed closure of Windsor fire station at night has led councillors to form a group to look at ways for running and paying for the service themselves.

Wednesday 25th March

Youngest MP? – A 25 year old Oxford University student is trying to become Britain’s youngest MP by winning the Wycombe seat at the next general election. The only problem is that Andrew Lomas is standing for the Labour Party, who finished in a distant second place at the last election. Still, even if he is hammered, he can take heart from a 26 year old budding Labour politician who got smashed in the neighbouring Tory stronghold of Beaconsfield in 1982. His name was Tony Blair.

Youngest councillor – Meanwhile a 22-year-old is aiming to become Wycombe’s youngest ever councillor next month. Tim Hewish, a Parliamentary researcher, is standing for the Conservatives in the Labour held ward of Totteridge. The by-election has been caused by the death of the council’s Labour leader Glyn Galbraith.

Allotments boom – The recession and the onset of Spring has brought a surge in interest in allotments in the Wycombe area. Demand is so great that the council are in talks with the National Trust to see if land at Hughenden Manor in Wycombe can be released for allotments.

Tuesday 24th March

Allergic horse – Pandora, a five year old thoroughbred from Flackwell Heath achieved world wide fame yesterday because she’s allergic to grass. Once the story broke on the internet it was featured on news sites throughout the globe. Pandora has to wear a special mask provided by her owners, veterinary nurse Emily Pearce,over her face to prevent a nasty skin reaction.

Woolies revival – Former Woolworth commercial director Tony Page is setting up a base in Maidenhead next month to create up to 300 shops – many old Woolies stores – selling computer games, DVDs and MP3 players. Some empty local Woolworth shops are thought to be on Mr Page’s shopping list.

Skins and punks – A former Wycombe punk who took hundreds of photographs of skinheads and punk rockers is set to make a fortune when is book is published tomorrow. Gavin Watson’s “Skins and Punks: lost archive 1978-1985” contains scores of pictures of punk life in the town and has advance orders in the thousands. He’s thought to be the only punk to have recorded skinhead/punk life from the “inside” at the time of the rage.

Monday 23rd March

Long delay – The Health and Safety Executive is under pressure to explain why their report into the Tesco tunnel collapse at Gerrards Cross is still not ready, three years and nine months after the accident occurred. The tunnel collapsed onto the main Wycombe to Marylebone railway line minutes after a train passed under it. Since then Tesco – who have written off £35m to cover the cost of the collapse - have employed new contractors who have completely redesigned the tunnel and are building a new one. But it is still not known exactly why the original tunnel collapsed because of the unexplained delay in the the health and safety report.

Arsonists strike – Police in High Wycombe are investigating two weekend arson attacks. In the first the Earl Howe pub in Holmer Green was badly damaged after a blaze started in the bar in the early hours when the pub was empty. In the second a semi-detached house was also badly damaged in Chiltern Avenue. Severe damage was also caused to the neighbouring home and residents were evacuated. No-one was injured.

Don’t panic – Wycombe Wanderers manager Peter Taylor cancelled his players’ day-off today for extra training amid fears that the Blues’ promising season is going pear-shaped. The team are now in the play-off positions after once leading League 2 by nine clear points. A 0-1 home defeat by Rochdale on Saturday is followed by an equally crucial game this Saturday against Shrewsbury, who are also in the play-off positions. Taylor said the nine games left this season were “absolutely massive”.

Friday 20th March

Jobs secured - Hundreds of jobs have been secured after two local firms learned yesterday they are to be part of a multi-billion pound project to develop the next generation of Britain’s supersonic stealth jets. Ultra Electronics, in Loudwater, and Martin Baker, the aviation seat ejector experts in Denham, will play major roles in the planes’ development, the Ministry of Defence announced. The news is welcome after the Wycombe area recorded its highest number of jobless claimants for 12 years this week.

Robot fish – Schools of robot fish are to be let loose in the River Thames so scientists can produce a 3D pollution map of the river. The fish-shaped devices are covered in sensors that will record and trace any harmful chemicals dumped in the river. The EU funded scheme, announced yesterday, is a trial. If it works the fish will be on patrol in all of Europe’s rivers.

Promotion push – Wycombe Wanderers boss Peter Taylor yesterday secured another promising 19 year old on loan in a determined effort to secure his side’s promotion. Lee Sawyer, a Chelsea youngster, is an attacking midfielder who will be used to try and beef up the Blues’ midfield scoring rate. Another 19 year old loanee, John Akinde, scored two goals in his debut against Brentford last week and Taylor is hoping for much the same when Wycombe host a crucial game against fellow-promotion hopefuls Rochdale at Adams Park tomorrow.

Thursday 19th March

Tagged patients – Dementia sufferers in the Wycombe area are the first in the country to be voluntarily tagged so they can be easily traced if they go AWOL, it was revealed yesterday. Health authorities throughout the UK are closely following Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Mental Health Trust’s trial with a selected number of patients. There are an increasing number of people suffering Alzheimer’s who lose their bearings and wander the streets, sometimes for days on end.

Medieval experiment – Criminology students from Wycombe’s Bucks New University conducted an interesting sociological experiment yesterday to test people’s reaction to a famous medieval punishment. Student Richard Barter was placed in stocks in the High Street under signs saying he was a persistent shop-lifter and was being subject to an experimental public humiliation sentence. Off-duty community police officers were also on hand to add authenticity and to ensure any abuse didn’t get out of hand. But passers-by, who were only told the 19 year old was innocent after they had given their views, weren’t inclined to throw rotten eggs as the public used to when stocks were commonplace. In fact one woman felt so sorry for him she gave him a bar of chocolate.

Service booms – Just two days after it opened, the new Beaconsfield Service Station on the M40 is proving very popular. Coaches and lorries in particular are pouring into the venue attracted by its ease of parking and convenient location. Marks and Spencer, who failed to get their food outlet at the service station ready in time for Tuesday’s opening, say they will be ready next week.

Wednesday 18th March

Flight protest – Wycombe has become the last local authority in the Heathrow hinterland to join the protest against a possible third runway at the airport. The local authority protest group 2M said yesterday Wycombe had come on board because aircraft noise would be increased over the district if a third runway was built. Previously Wycombe Council had been quietly in favour of Heathrow expansion, along with Slough, because it felt the economic and job generating aspects of the airport outweighed environmental blight. But when Slough came out against a third runway Wycombe found itself isolated and has now changed its position.

Horses rejected – The Horse Trust, the Speen based charity that takes in horses that can no longer be looked after by their owners, has had to stop taking horses for the first time in its 120 year history, it was announced yesterday. The charity has had a fivefold increase in the number of requests from horse owners unable to afford to look after their animals because of the recession. Now, it says it can simply take no more.

Barn storming – A Wycombe barn dance has inspired a number one hit. Barry Islands In The Stream - this year’s Comic Relief single which currently tops the charts - was first featured in TV’s Gavin and Stacey show as the highlight of a barn dance celebration for Gwen, one of the characters. The show’s co-writer, Wycombe comedy actor James Corden, told newspapers he came up with the idea travelling from his parents’ home in Hazlemere to his flat at the time in Beaconsfield. “I saw a sign for a Barn Dance at the roadside and thought ‘that’s it: Gwen’s celebration has to be a barn dance’.” From the barn dance came the song, which became a You Tube favourite. Consequently it’s now sold thousands as the Comic Relief single.

Tuesday 17th March

Wycombe Angel – A massive sculpture – Wycombe’s answer to the Angel of the North – is set to be given the nod by councillors tomorrow. It will be built on the roundabout at the bottom Marlow Hill and be of sufficient size to “create a strong visual gateway to the town”, says a council report. Councillors are set to approve the idea, but there’s no money available or even set aside, so it could be some years yet before anything materialises. One councillor said: “Wycombe was once famous for a giant archway of chairs across the High Street. Something like that, but even bigger, would be a major attraction.”

Services open – A new M40 service station opens day. It’s taken more than 10 years of planning wrangling before Beaconsfield Service Station – built at the junction of the M40 with the main Beaconsfield to Slough road – has been able to welcome its first customers.

Very taxing – A Wycombe software company had to apologise yesterday after a CD which was supposed to contain the latest PAYE tax tables instead contained children’s stories read in German. Software Logistics sent out hundreds of the CDs to small firms on behalf of the Revenue and Customs. They blamed the error on a mix up of labels at their German factory.

Monday 16th March

Jobless leap – New figures this week are expected to show a surge in the number of people unemployed in the Wycombe area. Although jobless numbers in High Wycombe, Aylesbury, Windsor and Maidenhead and the Amersham areas will be below the national average of six per cent, Job Centre officials have reported “significant” increases in people looking for work. It’s expected the local figure will be around three per cent, the highest in the area for over ten years.

Students views – Students in High Wycombe are to be surveyed to find out what sort of facilities they would like to see in the town. The move comes after figures show that students could make up more than a fifth of the town centre population in a few years because of the increasing popularity of Bucks New University and the development of more student accommodation.

Donald completes – Wycombe’s superstar golfer Luke Donald was relieved last night to get through a major tournament without a twinge to his troubled left wrist. He finished 20th at the World Golf Championship’s CA tournament in Miami with nine under par. The 30 year old had to withdraw from his last tournament earlier this month because of concerns over his wrist. He had an operation to repair a tendon last year which put him out of action for six months.

Sunday 15th March

Points shared - Wycombe Wanderers h