Monday 30th April

Tube talks - Last minute talks get underway today to try and avert the threatened one day tube strike, due to start on Wednesday night. A number of coaches are on standby in the Wycombe and Amersham areas to take central London workers into town and back should the stoppage go ahead

Weather worry - Scores of local football teams are struggling to complete their league programme before the weekend. Many minor league and junior teams had to postpone games again yesterday because of waterlogged pitches after the wettest season in memory. Some teams are faced with playing up to five games this week in order to catch up while others are hoping for an extension to the season. Meanwhile a number of early cricket matches were called off yesterday because pitches are not ready.

Sanchez linked - Hardly any Crystal Palace fans want Wycombe Wanderers boss Lawrie Sanchez as their new manager following yesterday's sacking of Alan Smith, the unpopular former Blues manager. Media speculation today has Sanchez as one of the favourites but just four per cent of Palace fans in a website poll plump for him - most want Leicester boss Peter Taylor or their old favourite Steve Coppell

Sunday 29th April

Gun and drugs find - A dramatic police car chase through the streets of High Wycombe ended in Desborough Avenue when police recovered drugs and a revolver from the car. Three men - two aged 21 and a third aged 23 - were being questioned by police in the town last night.

Census warning - Wycombe Council have urged residents to be on guard for bogus callers who may try to gain entry into people's homes today under the guise of being Census enumerators. The council says all Census forms have now been delivered and in any event enumerators never ask to enter your home.

Ton up for Davy - Wycombe's longest serving current player, David Carroll, scored his 100th goal for the club yesterday - and in doing so ensured that his team will almost certainly be playing second division football again next season. Last night Davy was being toasted by players, fans, the board and present and former managers following the Blues 1-1 draw against Bury.

Saturday 28th April

Fire strike threat lifted - Fire fighter union bosses said last night they were prepared to accept a new offer from Berkshire Fire Brigade to undertake a review of the demands of the service, thereby averting Tuesday's threatened strike.

Jewellers sledging - Would be robbers who hammered large sledge hammers against the window and door of De Marsac jewellers in Burkes Court, Beaconsfield fled empty handed when neither the window or door would give police said last night. They roared off in a stolen VW, crashing into a parked van as they left.

Devine concern - Sean Devine, Wycombe Wanderers top striker who has been out of action all season with a mystery knee problem, may not even be ready to start at the beginning of next season, the club has revealed. Today the team travel to Bury knowing that just one point will prevent any possibility of relegation.

Friday 27th April

Profits slump - Wycombe based bus manufacturer Mayflower yesterday blamed the foot and mouth disease for a 34 per cent drop in profits. Bosses told the company agm yesterday that bus and coach sales slumped 21 per cent in the first three months of this year due to the effect of the disease and a weakening American market.

Emergency loos for village - Wycombe Council has installed temporary public toilets in Hambledon village because loos in a number of homes are not working due to flooding. It is the fourth time some houses in the picturesque centre have been flooded out this year.

Getting there - Wycombe Wanderers now just need one point from the final three games of the season to definitely avoid relegation following a fighting 2-0 at Notts County last night. Dave Carroll scored his 99th goal for the club, while a second three minutes from time by Dannie Bulman secured the points.

Thursday 26th April

Army on standby - Army personnel are on standby in case fire fighters in Berkshire go ahead with a threatened strike next Tuesday. Last night union leaders were considering a new offer to break the deadlock over crewing of special appliances.

Crime down - Crime figures announced yesterday for the Wycombe area show big reductions in burglaries and car theft but increases in street crime during the past 12 months. Overall crime has dropped by over seven percent compared with the previous year

Fixture chaos - Wycombe Wanderers and Notts County will try and play tonight after their game last night was abandoned just five minutes from the start due to a waterlogged pitch. There will be a pitch inspection at lunchtime and a final decision made late this afternoon. Both clubs want to play the game rather than face playing four games in the final eight days of the season.

Wednesday 25th April

Asian attacks - As concern grows nationally about increasing attacks by Asian gangs, worries are growing locally too. Three times in the last three days police have reported attacks in the Wycombe area by Asian men or groups on individuals in the street. A 15 year old boy was robbed of £30 outside Wycombe Pizza Hut; a woman had a handbag snatched in Castle Street, and a man was robbed of his mobile phone in Mentmore Road. Meanwhile the hunt goes on for two Asian men involved in the shooting of three brothers in Kitchener Road, Wycombe two weeks ago.

Shayler support - The family of Beaconsfield man Michael Shayler, the former MI6 employee who returns to the Old Bailey today to face breaches of security charges, are standing by him as he calls for more openness in the security service.

Managers no - Two Wycombe Wanderers managers - one past, one present - have dismissed press speculation linking them with other clubs. Blues favourite Martin O'Neill says he has no intention of talking to Manchester United as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor, and the club have ruled out rumours about Lawrie Sanchez talking to Crystal Palace. Wanderers travel to Notts County tonight in their bid to stay clear of the relegation zone.

Tuesday 24th April

Eminem for Reading Festival - Eminem, Manic Street Preachers and Travis will be headline acts at this year's Reading Festival the organisers announced last night. The American superstar will be joined on stage on Sunday August 26 by Marilyn Manson and Queens of the Stone Age. The Manics will appear on the Saturday night and Travis on the Friday.

Council on the make say protestors - National tenants group Hands Off Our Homes has accused Wycombe Council of holding back more than £30million it has received from selling council houses. They say the cash should be spent on improving council homes and keeping rents down, but the council says it needs to keep money in reserve to stop rents going even higher.

Football radio fiasco - The BBC gave way to local radio station elevenSEVENTY last night when builders at Bournemouth's Dean Hall ground cut through all the telephone wires except one. The BBC had to drop their proposed live coverage of Bournemouth v Wycombe match to allow the Wycombe station to take over the line - interrupted by bulletin reports by a Sky reporter to his broadcaster. Despite goalie Martin Taylor saving a penalty, the Blues lost 2-0.

Monday 23rd April

School on four day week - With a number of local schools beginning the new summer term today still short of teachers one school, the Mandeville School in Aylesbury, has become the first in Bucks to go on a four day week.

More restrictions lifted - Foot and mouth restrictions in most of Berkshire were lifted last night, putting more pressure on neighbouring county Bucks to ease its clamp-down.

Critical week for Blues - Wycombe Wanderers travel to Bournemouth tonight at the start of a crucial week which sees them play three away games in six days. They'll have to play without top striker Andy Rammell, out for the rest of the season through injury.

Sunday 22nd April

Man interviewed in murder hunt - Scotland Yard detectives hunting the killer of 26 year old Sinead Healey, whose remains were found in a Beaconsfield lay-by,again questioned an Aylesbury man yesterday. The man, in his thirties, was arrested shortly after Sinead disappeared last October and then released. He was rearrested in January but released again. He was interviewed again hours after Sinead's identity was confirmed on Wednesday but released pending futher inquiries.

Bucks may ease off - There are signs that Bucks County Council may this week begin to ease its hard line on keeping farmland footpaths closed because of the foot and mouth outbreak. The county has been urged by the Government to open up more paths to the public but has so far refused to do so. However a meeting to review the position is to take place. A decision is also due this week on whether the Bucks County Show, planned for August, will still go ahead.

Getting there - The biggest league crowd of the season - 6,844 - saw Wycombe ease away from the relegation zone in a 0-0 draw with battling Swindon Town yesterday, although the Blues need at least four points from their remaining five games to be certain of safety.

Saturday 21st April

Jail for nursing home rapist - A man who broke into a Gerrards Cross nursing home and raped an a woman patient in her fifties in her bed was jailed for three years yesterday. Police said that John Archibald, 29, who lived on a caravan site in Gerrards Cross, took part in a "cruel violation of a sick and defenceless woman in the sanctuary of a nursing home".

Groundsman supreme - Jim Gardner, the man responsible for making the Adams Park pitch the envy of the Football League will receive a Groundsman of the Year award before today's Wycombe Wanderers match against Swindon. It's the third time in six years that Jim has won the prestigious trophy.

All that jazz - Chris Hutchings, 22, from Wendover - described as one of the most exciting jazz musicians for a generation - has taken to top music award. His Chris Hutchings Quartet was last night named best young jazz band at the Perrier Jazz Awards.

Friday 20th April

Murder appeal - Police last night appealed to Beaconsfield residents to think back to October 19 last year and report if they saw anything, however seemingly innocent, taking place at the Pyebush lay-by where Sinead Healey's body was dumped - to be found five months later by a motorist. Sinead's identity was confirmed on Wednesday and yesterday her sister appealed for help to catch her killer. Patricia Bayoumy said her Irish born sister, who lived in West Kensington and worked as a taxi controller, was intelligent, caring and bubbly. Sinead, 26, answered a mobile phone call at 10pm on October 18 and was never seen again. It's believed she knew her killer. An Aylesbury man was released from police custody last night pending further inquiries.

Talks to halt fire strike - Last minute talks are being held today in an attempt to stop a series of one-day strikes by fire fighters in Berkshire. More than 80 per cent of fire fighters had voted to strike in protest at proposals to change the way special appliances are crewed.

Kids cut record - Children at a village school in Penn Street have recorded the first of three CD singles, written by their music teacher Debbie Curtis. The pop songs are accompanied by the 50 strong orchestra at the school, are due to go on sale this weekend.

Thursday 19th April

Man questioned over skeleton find - A man from Aylesbury is being interviewed by police in London today hours after the skeleton found in a Beaconsfield lay-by four weeks ago was positively identified. She was Sinead Healey, a 26 year old cleaner from Hammersmith who was last seen by a friend on October 18. A motorist discovered her skeleton in a lay-by on March 22. A 32 year old Aylesbury man, who has been arrested twice in connection with her disappearance, is being questioned by murder squad detectives at Hammersmith.

Police endeavour ends in success - It took thousands of hours of patient police work and the very latest scientific knowledge to combine to bring about the identity of Sinead. While officers from Thames Valley combed through missing persons reports throughout the country, forensic scientists working with the Met produced a model of her face and a description of the dead woman. When the number of missing people were reduced to match the description, DNA tests were compared with fragments of hair and skin on the missing people's known property. Yesterday, jubilant police officers got the result they had worked for.

Pensioner beats up fraudsters - An 84 year old man suspected two men who said they were from the water board when they called at his Wycombe home yesterday. When they refused to show any identity the pensioner knew they were there to try and rob him - so he picked up his walking stick and walloped them around the head until the bogus callers fled.

Wednesday 18th April

Brothers released - Brothers Shoukat and Azad Khan, who were shot on the doorstep of their home in Kitchener Road, High Wycombe last week by two men were released from hospital last night and moved to a secret address. Their 15 year old brother Jhanghir was improving in an Oxford hospital last night but remained "poorly" with bullet wounds to his head and face.

Waiting list scandal - Ninety seven of the 111 people in the entire south east who have been waiting more than 18 months for a hospital bed are on the waiting list of Stoke Mandeville Hospital, the Department of Health said yesterday. They said health service officials were taking immediate action to correct the hospital's "unacceptable management of waiting lists."

Foot and mouth stand-off - Leaders of Bucks County Council are refusing to give in to Government pressure to open country footpaths to the public even though there are no cases of foot and mouth disease in the county. They told Environment Minister Beverley Hughes they were not prepared to put the livelihoods of people in rural Bucks at risk. Top Labour party officials have accused the Tory-run council of playing politics with the issue.

Tuesday 17th April

Bones mystery deepens - Detectives trying to solve the riddle of a young woman's skeleton found in a lay-by at Beaconsfield two weeks ago now feel she was not reported missing at the time the body was dumped last summer.

"Spiteful" Blues - Wycombe Wanderers were accused by some fans of being spiteful last night after the club allegedly contacted the newspaper Sports First to stop a fan writing about them. Student Ian Baker, 17, who wants to be a journalist, writes a fan's column in the paper but he was banned from Blues home games earlier this year for swearing. The paper withdrew his column.

Relegation relief - Meanwhile, a 90th minute goal by Guy Whittingham gave the Blues the full three points against Bristol City after Danny Sender had opened the scoring and then City equalised. The win puts Wycombe five points clear of the relegation zone.

Monday 16th April

Leaders meet - Leading figures in Wycombe's Asian community are meeting today following the shooting of three brothers last week. The leaders, including town mayor Mahboob Hussain, have already appealed for calm and co-operation with police hunting the would-be killers. Jhanghir Khan, 15 and his 21 year old brothers Shoukat and Azad remain in hospital under police guard while intensive investigations continue.

We want Vialli, not Sanch - Reports that Watford want the services of Wycombe manager Lawrie Sanchez once their manager Graham Taylor retires at the end of the season have been dismissed by the club. It emerged last night that Watford's main target is former Chelsea boss Vialli.

Manager's confidence - Meanwhile Wycombe travel to take on Danny Wilson's Bristol City today with key defender Jamie Bates back after suspension. Sanchez is calm even though his team are just two points above the relegation zone. "We have seven games left and I am confident we can stay out of trouble," he said.

Sunday 15th April

Easter worry - With showers today and rain tomorrow local attractions fear poor business this Easter weekend. Many businesses have already been hit by foot and mouth restrictions and some attractions are opening for the first time this Easter.

Lapdancing cancelled - Organisers of the British Lapdancing Championships yesterday bowed to public outrage in Henley and decided the move the event away from the town. "We seem to have shocked middle England," said organiser Philip Waterman.

Relegation struggle - Wycombe Wanderers know they have a real relegation fight on their hands after they managed to draw 1-1 with Wrexham at Adams Park yesterday, thanks to a goal just four minutes from time by defender Chris Vinnecombe. With only two home matches and five away matches left over the next three weeks, the Blues are just two points off the drop zone.

Saturday 14th April

Drugs link - Police hunting two gunmen responsible for shooting three High Wycombe brothers were refusing to confirm reports last night that a dispute over drugs led to the attack. Jhanghir Khan, 15, is still in a specialist unit at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital with his parents by his bedside. His 21 year old brothers remain under police guard at Wycombe Hospital.

Henley "horror" - Town bosses in upper crust Henley were in shock last night when plans for a three day British Lap Dancing Championship were revealed for the town in July. Mayor Tony Lane said : "Henley is a bit too refined for lap dancing."

Back to business - The serious business of getting away from the relegation zone in Division 2 will preoccupy Wycombe Wanderers today when they play Wrexham at Adams Park. Manager Lawrie Sanchez has asked for Wycombe's new supporters who attended last week's FA cup semi-final to turn out in force.

Friday 13th April

Civic reception farce - Wycombe Council's attempts to give Wycombe Wanderers a civic reception turned into high farce last night. First the double decker bus carrying the team parked in such a way that half the crowd could not see what was going on. Then the sound system was so weak most of the crowd could not hear what was going on. And then when Mayor Mahboob Hussain did manage to make himself heard he called hero goalkeeper Martin Taylor, Dennis Taylor.

How Wycombe Council is the Blues worst fair-weather supporter - see news background

Another Asian attack - Police are hunting a gang of seven Asian youths involved in a fight in which two 13 year old boys were badly beaten in Chesham's Lowndes Park. Meanwhile police were tight-lipped last night on reports that two men were being interviewed in connection with the shooting of three members of the same family in Kitchener Road, High Wycombe in what is thought to be an Asian gang feud. Jahangir Khan, 15, remains seriously ill in an Oxford hospital with bullet wounds to his head and neck.

Gunmen seize car - A 35 year old man was robbed of his flash Subaru Impreza car by gunmen at an Amersham road junction. Three men in a car swerved in front of the Subaru at the junction of Brays Green Lane and Brays Road. They leapt out the car, one carrying a gun, and forced the driver to hand over his keys and get out of his vehicle. They then drove off. Last night three men had been arrested in Northamptonshire

Thursday 12th April

Brothers questioned - Police hunting two men who shot 15 year old Jahangir Khan and his 21 year old brothers Shogat and Azad outside their home in Kitchener Road, High Wycombe will today interview the two older brothers in their attempt to identify the gunmen. They are recovering in Wycombe Hospital with chest and arms wounds while Jahangir, a pupil at Hazlemere's Sir William Ramsay School, is in a critical but stable condition with bullet wounds to his head and neck at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital. Police believe the brothers know the identity of the attackers because just hours before the 6am shooting yesterday neighbours heard a furious row-taking place.

Gang link - The shooting is the latest in a series in what appears to be feuds between Asian gangs in the town. Only last week an Asian gang of youths beat up another youth outside a Wycombe school. Last month two men appeared in court on charges of blackmail and false imprisonment of an Asian man in a Wycombe house, and 20 months ago a young Asian man was shot in the street following a feud between two groups in Castlefield. In February an Asian waiter was stabbed to death in a Burnham restaurant and another Asian has since been charged with murder. Meanwhile Abdul Sallam, a local magistrate who lives in Kitchener Road, said of this latest attack that drug dealers were "rife" in the street.

Brownie banned - Wycombe Wanderers midfielder Steve Brown was banned for three games by the Football Association yesterday because he reached a tally of 15 yellow cards during the FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool. He will start the ban at the same time as his manager Lawrie Sanchez, who has been banned from the touchline for three games following his outburst against the linesman at the Leicester quarter-final game.

Wednesday 11th April

NEWS FLASH - Shooting - A shooting in Kitchener Road, Desborough this morning has left a 15 year old in a "serious" condition. Two 21 year old men were also shot just before 6am. The boy who was shot in the head and neck has been taken to John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford. The two men are not in a life-threatening condition and are recovering in Wycombe hospital. All the casualties have been confirmed as members of the same family. Police have cordoned off the area and an investigation is continuing. They are currently looking for 2 people who were seen leaving the area in a car. Anyone who was in the area around that time and may have seen something are urged to contact High Wycombe CID on 01494 465888.
Wycombe on the Net will have more information on this story later today and tommorrow

Players fear losing Lawrie - Wycombe Wanderers hero goalkeeper Martin Taylor said last night the players feared their manager Lawrie Sanchez may be tempted with a big offer from a richer club during the summer break. "We're all worried we might lose him after what he achieved with us in such a short pace of time," he said.

Semi takes its toll - Meanwhile the Blues visibly tired during the second half of their match against lowly Swansea last night, losing 3-1 to late goals after taking an early lead through Michael Simpson. There was anger that Swansea refused to put the game back 24 hours to give the Blues a longer break after Sunday's exhausting game.

Foot/mouth row grows - Bucks County Council's refusal to open farmland paths even though there is no foot and mouth disease in the county was slammed by the Labour Party last night. A spokesman at the party's Millband HQ said county environment boss Bill Chapple was "talking up the crisis for political gain." But Mr Chapple retorted: "We do not want to let our guard down to save the face of the Government."

Tuesday 10th April

Civic reception - Wycombe Wanderers will be in an open topped bus on Thursday in Wycombe High Street so fans can pay tribute to their glorious FA Cup run this year. The bus will be in the High Street at 6.15 and make its way to the Town Hall for 6.30 where the team will appear on the balcony.

Hero doubtful - Man of the match Martin Taylor is doubtful for tonight's Division 2 clash with Swansea because the keeper badly injured his arm when he dived at the feet of Michael Owen.

Motor cyclist killed - Motor cyclist James Sackett, 31, when his bike collided with a car in Dorney Hill, Amersham during pouring rain.

Monday 9th April

Gallant, glorious Wanderers - Praise from all sides of the sporting world was being heaped on Wycombe Wanderers last night for the fighting way they took on mighty Liverpool in the FA Cup Semi-Final at Villa Park. Only two terrific goals from Emile Heskey and Robbie Fowler in the last 15 minutes of the game saw Liverpool through - but only just. When Blues veteran Keith Ryan scored with four minutes to go the Premiership side were decidedly edgy but survived to meet Arsenal in the final.

Praise all round - Liverpool manager Gerrard Houllier said Wycombe were "committed and disciplined and made the game extremely difficult for us." Liverpool captain Robbie Fowler, wearing a Wycombe Wanderers shirt after the game, said : "Everyone of their players performed magnificently", while outside Villa Park, Liverpool supporters - many of whom stayed on to give Wycombe a standing ovation - shook the hands of Wycombe fans and praised the team." Blues manager Lawrie Sanchez said : "The players did the best they could - that is all I could ever ask of them."

Civic reception - Wycombe will be given a civic reception on Thursday when they parade through the town to celebrate their memorable cup run. We have more details on Wycombe on the Net later.

Sunday 8th April

Sanchez plea - Wycombe Wanderers manager Lawrie Sanchez last night appealed to the 20,000 Wycombe fans at Villa Park for today's FA Cup Semi Final against Liverpool to be "our extra man on the pitch". He urged fans to out-sing, out-cheer and out-shout the famous Kop fans and to let the Chairboys know "you are with them 110 per cent."

Other semi snippets: -

Rhino fit - Club captain Keith Ryan looks certain to start today after passing a fitness test yesterday. Rhino and Jason Cousins, two of the three players still in the team from non-league days, will start and the third and longest serving, Dave Carroll, will be on the bench.

Leisurely start - The team will have a lie in at their hotel at The Belfry today before going to Aston Villa's training ground for light training. They are expected to arrive at Villa Park at around 1.30. Sanchez refused to let them go to Villa Park yesterday to watch the Villa v West Ham game because "once they tasted the atmosphere they would probably never sleep."

On TV - The game is being shown live on ITV (kick-off 4pm) and is being transmitted to cable and terrestrial channels in around 50 countries around the world - giving Wycombe their biggest ever footballing audience of several million.

Go for it - In a message to Sanchez former England manager Graham Taylor said go and make footballing history by qualifying for the FA Cup Final." Other messages of support have come from Vinnie Jones and Dennis Wise, former Sanchez team-mates at Wimbledon, former Blues managers Martin O'Neill, John Gregory and Neil Smillie and from former Dons manager and one-time Wycombe player Dave Bassett.


Flood watch - The wettest winter on record is turning into the wettest spring. Flood watches are in force again this weekend on the Rivers Thames, Misbourne and Thame, and flooding is affecting Bourne End, Amersham, Aylesbury and the Chalfonts. Garden centres are reporting one of the quietest starts to spring trading as gardeners find the ground too wet to work.

Foot and mouth showdown - Bill Chapple, deputy leader of Bucks County Council, said last night he is to meet Environment Minister Beverley Hughes as the row between the county and the government over the reopening of footpaths showed signs of escalating. The Government says all paths should be reopened because there is no foot and mouth disease in Bucks, but the county says precautions should stay.

Saturday 7th April

Top managers support - Two of Britain's top managers will be among 19,400 Wycombe Wanderers fans at tomorrow's FA Cup semi-final clash with Liverpool. Former Blues managers Martin O'Neill, now Celtic boss, and John Gregory, in charge of Aston Villa said yesterday they will be in the crowd cheering on the Blues. Gregory, who will be in the Holte End of his own Villa Park, is today making the Villa training ground and facilities available for Wycombe, and tomorrow the team will use the home dressing room

Other semi snippets -


Murder charge - Former Wycombe man Michael Porter, 27, will appear in court today charged with the murder of Junior Brown, who was shot on the doorstep of a flat in Micklefield, Wycombe last November. He was arrested in Leeds earlier this week.

Foot and mouth row - Bucks County Council and the Government are set for a head-on clash over foot and mouth restrictions. Although the county - which is foot and mouth free - has opened some woodland paths, including the Ridgeway and Wendover Woods, it refuses to reopen paths near farmland, despite Government suggestions it should do so. The row will develop when Tony Blair arrives at his country home Chequers near Princes Risborough tomorrow to find its footpaths still closed.

Friday 6th April

Two days and counting - Journalists and TV crews from around the world descend on Adams Park today to interview the players and management of Wycombe Wanderers. The story of the giant killers versus the mighty Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday has caught the global imagination. Last night manager Lawrie Sanchez was in Spain watching Liverpool play Barcelona. Tonight he and the team travel to the famous Belfry golf club for a two-night stay in a luxury hotel prior to the game. Meanwhile two supporters have said they will add £20,000 to the player's pool if Wycombe beat Liverpool.

Murder arrest - A 27 year old man arrested in Leeds yesterday is being interviewed by police today investigating the murder of Junior Brown, who was shot on the doorstep of a flat in Micklefield, High Wycombe last November. The man originally comes from High Wycombe.

Footpaths cleared - A number of footpaths that have been closed since the start of the foot and mouth scare a month ago are reopening in the Wycombe area today. In a further sign of easing restrictions, the rare breeds centre Odds Farm Park, in Wooburn is reopening tomorrow after getting special permission from Ministry of Agriculture officials.

Thursday 5th April

Heroes return - Wycombe Wanderers return from their four-day break in Spain today to prepare for the biggest match of the players' lives - an FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool on Sunday. Meanwhile 200 additional tickets have been supplied to the Blues and go on sale today - you will have to produce a stub from a Wycombe home game however to get one of the £45 Doug Ellis Stand seats.

Foot and mouth scare - Emergency measures were introduced in the centre of High Wycombe yesterday when vets examining sheep on Sands Bank discovered one animal with familiar symptoms. Government vets cleared the flock hours later however saying the sheep had a mouth infection.

Gielgud auction - Sotheby's are to auction the contents of Sir John Gielgud's Buckinghamshire home today, raising an expected million pounds for charity. The actor, who died in May last year, lived in a Queen Anne house in Wotton Underwood - a house which is also on the market.

Wednesday 4th April

Semi-song - Chalfont St Peter band Winterlong have written and recorded a song - The Winning Way - dedicated to Wycombe Wanderers for reaching the FA Cup semi-final. You can hear the song on www.mrsuperior.co.uk

Sanch fine - Blues manager Lawrie Sanchez has to fly back especially from the team's training centre in Spain yesterday to be fined £2,000 by the Football Association for his outburst against the linesman in the quarter-final match against Leicester. He was also given a touch-line ban for three matches starting from April 23. However the ban could move into next season if, as expected, he appeals.

Hit and run - Police are hunting a van driver who ran over a 23 year old man as children were arriving at Vineo's School in Cressex Road, Wycombe yesterday and drove off at high speed. The man was treated in hospital for head and face injuries.

Tuesday 3rd April

Rhino stays - Popular Wycombe Wanderers midfielder Keith Ryan has decided to see out his career at the Blues. Rhino, who is the second longest serving member of the team having joined ten years ago, has signed a deal which will keep him at the club until the end of the 2003 season.

It's a sell-out - Meanwhile the club last night virtually sold all of its near 19,000 allocation of tickets for Sunday's FA cup semi-final against Liverpool, with just a handful of odd seats left. Over 100 coaches are thought to have been booked.

Scanderful - Wycombe Hospital's £600,000 Scanappeal reached its target yesterday, just two years after it started. The full body scanner at the hospital should be in operation in June.

Monday 2nd April

Rail rip-off - Wycombe Wanderers fans are angry after Chiltern Railways announced yesterday they are suspending their usual offer of "pay for four tickets and get two free" for Sunday's semi-final. They saythe rail company is taking advantage of fans who do not want to travel by road.

In the sun - With six days to go to the biggest match in their history, the Wycombe Wanderers squad and management arrived in Spain last night for a four-day training and relaxation programme - and to plan tactics.

Nurses arrive - Thirty seven Filipino nurses, specially recruited to ease a nursing shortage at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, begin work today. Health officials are planning to visit the Philippines and Singapore in the summer in an attempt to recruit 40 nurses for Wycombe and Amersham hospitals.

Sunday 1st April

Sadness over Mel - Villagers in Marlow Bottom said yesterday they will be sorry to see Spice Girl Mel C leave her mansion in the village because she needs the money. Mel bought the eight bedroomed home three years ago for £2.5m and is hoping to make a million pounds profit. However the village's other famous resident, Sir Steve Redgrave, has no intention of leaving.

Media invasion - Hundreds of journalists from around the world are besieging Chequers, near Princes Risborough, and the Roman Catholic Church in Great Missenden where the Prime Minister often attends when staying at his country retreat, in the hope of following-up Mr Blair's decision last night put off the General Election until June because of the foot and mouth outbreaks.

Blame the semi - Wycombe Wanderers manager Lawrie Sanchez blamed next week's semi-final for another home defeat in the league yesterday after his side lost 2-1 to Wigan with a goal in the third minute of injury time. Sanchez said he did not blame the players because the cup match was affecting concentration, but his anger was apparent as he stormed into the tunnel as soon as Wigan scored.

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