Friday 30th June

Historic farewell - First World War veterans from Buckinghamshire will meet for the last time at a special lunch in Aylesbury today. The Bucks Battalions Old Comrades Association is folding because of diminishing numbers.

Sports car boost - Two local engineers, Andrew Barber and Robin Hall, have reached a quarter of a million pound deal which enables them to produce their own sports car, the FBS 1, from their factory in Haddenham.

Environmental end - A site is being earmarked near Aylesbury for the first "green" burial ground in Bucks. People will be buried in wicker baskets, with a tree planted where they lay. Sheep will also graze on the site.

Thursday 29th June

Caravan swoop - In the second raid in a week, police arrested ten people and recovered five stolen caravans at a travellers camp by the Pyebush roundabout in Beaconsfield yesterday.

Stadium plans - A scheme to build an 85,000 seater Olympic style stadium just 15 miles from High Wycombe will be unveiled tonight. Developers want to build the stadium at Hayes, near Heathrow.

Henley furore - Dozens of women were turned away from the Stewards Enclosure at Henley Regatta yesterday because their skirts were too short. Angry women protested when they told that all skirt levels had to be below the knee.

Wednesday 28th June

Station takeover - High Wycombe's local radio station, elevenSEVENTY has been bought by the broadcasting conglomorate Radio Service Ltd, which has interests in 28 regional radio stations throughout the country. The price is undisclosed.

Bike warning - Bikers with sought-after bikes will have to be on the alert after a gang on motor bikes threatened a biker with a knive in Old Amersham yesterday and then made off with his machine.

Early exit - Young tennis hope Jamie Delgrado, who lives near Maidenhead, made a first round exit from Wimbledon yesterday at the hands of seeded Pat Rafter - but not before forcing the Aussie to a second set tie-breaker.

Tuesday 27th June

Hit and run hunt - Forensic experts say they should know today the make, colour and age of the vehicle that hit 20 year old Paul Bowden, of Prestwood, as he was walking home from the Orchard night club in Hazlemere early Sunday morning. Paul's body was found in the road by a passing motorist. Police say the driver that hit Paul may not have realised he hit a person, as the road where the accident occurred, at Woodrow, is very dark.

Armed raid - Two masked men armed with what was thought to be a handgun robbed Booker Cash and Carry in Halifax Road, Wycombe and made off with cash.

Relief at last - Cookham Bridge, which has been closed since the end of last year for vital repairs, is due to reopen to traffic tomorrow morning, a month later than expected. It will bring relief to thousands of motorists who have had to make long diversions.

Monday 26th June

Coach examination - Police vehicle inspectors are today examining a coach which lost two rear wheels on the M4 while taking a party of High Wycombe Sunday School children on a day out. The driver managed to bring the coach to a halt on the hard shoulder of the motorway near Reading while the rear wheels bowled down the road, hitting the central reservation. The 50 children and three adults on board - on their way to Pangbourne - where shaken but unhurt.

Hit and run - A man aged about 20, who died in a hit and run accident in the early hours on the High Wycombe to Amersham road, should be identified by police later today. They are appealing for any witnesses to the accident which happened just after 3am yesterday near Woodrow.

Arts rescue? - Wycombe Arts Centre, which was due to close next month when its owners Bucks County Council sell the Spring Gardens site, may get a last minute reprieve tonight. Wycombe councillors have a chance to lease the centre for a year while they apply for lottery funding to further develop it.

Sunday 25th June

Bucks star - Film star David Tomlinson, who died yesterday aged 83, is likely to be buried in his adopted county Bucks, where he has been living quietly since his retirement 18 years ago. The star, whose films included Mary Poppins and Bednobs and Broomsticks, fell in love with the area while filming here.

Global street party - Food from virtually every country in the world will be on sale at a People of the World street party in Chesham today. Garland and folk dancers and Irish bands will add to the festivities.

Sir John on stage - Acting legend Sir John Mills, who lives in Denham, makes a rare stage appearance today. The 91 year old actor is at Wycombe Swan recalling conversations and encounters with the late Sir Noel Coward.

Saturday 24th June

Police concern - The Met Police decision yesterday to increase the pay of new police constables by £64 per week has led to concerns in neighbouring Thames Valley Police, which covers the Wycombe area, that recruitment of new cops will be made even more difficult.

Caravan raid - A team of 22 police who swooped on a travellers' site by the Pyebush roundabout on the A40 near Beaconsfield yesterday discovered eight caravans that had been reported stolen.

Clinton search - President Clinton is said to be looking in the area for a house that he would occupy after his presidency is over. Mr Clinton intends to spend many weeks a year in the UK lecturing at Oxford University, and reportedly wants to find a UK home between Oxford and London.

Friday 23rd June

New warning - Police have repeated their warning to women to beware walking alone late at night after a second sex attack within a week in central Wycombe. A 21 year old woman was indecently assaulted in the early hours in Oakridge Road days after a 22 year old was assaulted by another man.

Never too old - Amersham poet Louise Rider has won a national poetry competition at the age of 91. Great grandmother Mrs Rider beat 200 entries in the competition run by a publishing company. She fits in writing in between the art classes she has recently started attending.

Big finish - Wycombe Wanderers start the new season against division 2 hotshots Stoke City at the Brittannia stadium in August. But the real needle match produced in the fixture list published yesterday is on the very last day of the season, when the Blues entertain arch-rivals Colchester.

Thursday 22nd June

Midsomer madness - Filming of the ITV series Midsomer Murders has caused a row in Long Crendon near Aylesbury. Neighbours say that filming at Celia Pridey's house, sometimes in the early hours of the morning, was OK for her because she was paid, but disruptive for them and they received nothing.

Common row - The long running row between neighbours in Gerrards Cross and Chalfont St Peter, who have to pay a hefty fee to the Lord of the Manor because their drives cross common land is to be discussed in Parliament. Attempts will be made to outlaw the practice in the House of Lords.

Rats! - People in Penn and Tylers Green have been asked to stop feeding the ducks in the village pond because rats have been spotted trying to eat the bread instead.

Wednesday 21st June

Dahl museum - Some of author Roald Dahl's most memorable creations will have a permanent home after the late author's family have gained planning permission to convert an old bank near their Great Missenden home into a Dahl museum.

Old folk conned - Police have again warned old people to be on the alert against con men after an 86 year old woman in Holtspurand a 92 year old woman in Little Chalfont were robbed by two men posing as workmen.

Longest night - It's the longest day of the year today, but it was the longest night last night as thousands of football fans packed into Wycombe's pubs to watch England's exit from Euro 2000. Police reported little trouble - just long faces.

Tuesday 20th June

School journey farce - Toby McCrindle, an 11 year old Marlow boy, will have to make a 60 mile round trip to school in Chesham from next term because he cannot get a place at a Marlow, Wycombe or Amersham grammar school. Bucks County Council says it will pays Toby's £50 a day taxi fare, but his father says the situation is ridiculous and he is appealing.

Woman attacked - Police are warning women not to walk alone in unlit streets in the centre of Wycombe at night following an indecent assault on a 22 year old woman in West End Road. The woman fought off her attacker but is in a distressed state, and police say they are treating the assault very seriously.

Booming Wycombe - The furniture store IKEA, who yesterday announced big expansion plans, are eyeing up Wycombe for one of their stores. Sainsbury's are also said to be planning a major expansion to their town centre store.

Monday 19th June

Housing petition - Thousands of people throughout Bucks have signed a petition which will be handed in today - the last day for objections - to the Government protesting at plans to build over 4,000 new homes a year in the county. They say the scheme would soak up hundreds of green fields and should be scaled down.

Tram plan - Councillors in neighbouring Hillingdon are looking at plans to bring back trams onto the streets of Uxbridge to cut down on pollution and traffic.

Remembering John Hampden - People around Thame are paying tribute to Parliamentarian John Hampden. Today battles from the English Civil War will be renacted at Thame Showground for schoolchildren. Yesterday hundreds attended at memorial service on the anniversary of his death at the Hampden Monument in Chalgrove.

Sunday 18th June

Hottest yet - Organisers of today's Penn Seven and Fun Run are putting on two extra water stations to cool down charity runners as temperatures are expected to soar to 30 degrees in the Wycombe area.

Millennium musical - Around 400 children from Marlow are taking part today in a specially composed open air production called New Millennium Heroes in the town's Higginson Park. There are two shows at 2pm and 5.30pm.

Remembering Ratty - Enthusiasts are holding a Kenneth Graham walk in the village of Cookham Dean today (10.30start). The author wrote Wind in the Willows at his home in Dean Lane.

Saturday 17th June

Police watch - Extra police, some on horseback, are being drafted onto the streets of Marlow tonight after revellers at the Marlow Regatta meet with revellers watching the Euro 2000 game between England and Germany on what will be the warmest and stickiest night of the year so far.

Hello Stewert - Wycombe Wanderers new signing Stewert Castledine's wedding to Lucy Alexander is splashed over the front page of society magazine Hello!, partly because of the attendance of EastEnders actress Tamzin Outhwaite who was bridesmaid.

Bucks Art Week - Hundreds of artists, ranging from potters to painters, are throwing open the doors of their studios in villages and towns throughout the area for a week starting today to celebrate Bucks Art Week.

Friday 16th June

M&S for C&A? - There is already speculation that Marks and Spencer will occupy neighbouring store C & A in Wycombe's Chilterns Shopping Centre once the C & A store closes later this year. M & S are keen to find a site for a shop concentrating on home and kitchen ware, although the store group BHS, who are keen to move into Wycombe, may utilise the site until their new store is ready in the Western Sector development.

Roof charge - A man appeared in court yesterday charged with a number of offences following a dramatic death threat on the roof of the Wine Rack store in Great Missenden. Police talked down a man standing on the roof with a TV cord round his neck while firefighters stood at ground level in case he jumped. Peter Hopkinson, of no fixed address, was remanded in custody charged with a number of offences, including threatening behaviour.

Financial boost - Wycombe Wanderers recieved a financial boost yesterday when a £20,000 suspended fine was lifted by the Football League. The fine was hanging over the club because of a poor disciplinary record from two seasons ago however it was lifted yesterday because Wycombe had significantly improved their record over the last season.

Thursday 15th June

Housing clash - Buckinghamshire sets itself up for a confrontation with the Government today over the number of new houses to be built in the county in the future. Councillors are expected to reject Government figures as too high and unacceptable.

Second teenager dies - The 19 year old driver of a car in which his 18 year old friend was killed instantly has also died from head injuries eight days after the crash. An inquest was opened and adjourned yesterday on Luke Taylor of Stoke Poges. His friend Nick Ford, also of Stoke Poges, died instantly after the car left the road near their homes.

Flower potty - hen managers from the residential home Woodrow High House at Hazlemere asked Arab sheik Sultan Al-Nahyan for a few flowers from his Chelsea Flower Show display, they were surprised when five lorry loads of plants and trees, valued at around £40,000, arrived.

Wednesday 14th June

Crime crackdown - Businesses and the police meet today to discuss ways to combat increased crime in the Amersham area. Shops and offices have been burgled, raided and ram-raided in recent weeks and new ideas to beat crime are being considered.

Clare's success - Basketball player Clare Strange, 20, from Radnage, has been selected to play for the British team at the October Paralympics just two years after a riding accident left her paralysed from the waist down.

Door to door con - Residents in West Wycombe Road thought they were being good Samartians when they handed a few pounds last week to a charming young couple who knocked on the door and said they had run out of petrol. Now, police realise, the couple knocked on every door in the road - which has hundreds of houses - over a period of three days and probably conned people out of several hundred pounds.

Tuesday 13th June

Hunt supporters - Local MPs Sir Ray Whitney, Cherly Gillan and Dominic Grieve are expected to vote in favour of retaining fox hunting when MPs get a free vote on the issue, following yesterday's Government announcement. An ITN poll today says that more than 60 per cent of the country are in favour of abolishing hunting with dogs.

Movie debut - Geoff Marshall-Taylor, a former English teacher at Amersham's Dr Challoner's School sees a film he helped produce get a local debut tonight in Chesham's Elgiva. The Miracle Maker is an animated film about the life of Jesus and stars Ralph Fiennes and Julie Christie.

No tune like an old tune - Wycombe area's most talented pensioners take to the stage tonight in the area final for the Most Talented Senior Citizen Act in the UK. The winners will go on to a national competition.

Monday 12th June

Bikers tribute - Bikers from all over the country will converge on Amersham today for the funeral of Chris Ascott, who died after losing control of his bike in the Isle of Man TT races last month. Chris, 36, of Wingrave, near Aylesbury leaves a wife and eight year old son.

Town centre push - The go ahead will be given tonight for a new group with the sole aim of improving the appeal of Wycombe's town centre. It will comprise representatives from Boots, Marks and Spencer, Littlewoods, the Octagon and Chilterns shopping centres and the council.

Brief encounters - Peter Davies is creating one of Britain's wackiest museums by converting part of Carnforth Station in Lancashire into a permanent set identical to the one in the famous romanic film Brief Encounter. Now he is in Beaconsfield trying to find people who remember part of the 1940s film being shot in the town and at Beaconsfield Studios.

Sunday 11th June

Rejoicing - A thousand strong choir will lead the singing at one of the biggest Christian gatherings in Britain today at Weedon Park near Aylesbury. People fromover 300 churches in Bucks, plus overseas guests, are taking part in Pentecost 2000, to celebrate the Millennium.

Percy's pining - Percy, a peacock that has adopted the village of Ivinghoe, is keeping villagers awake with his dawn chorus of cries for a mate. Now residents have set about trying to find a lonely peahen.

Saturday 10th June

Kidnap arrest - A 40 year old man has been arrested on suspicion of kidnap, assault and abduction after officers from Scotland Yard's Serious Crime Group raided Skimmers Orchard Farm in Hazlemere yesterday. Police are giving no further details but it's thought the arrest follows an earlier incident in Uxbridge.

Swan horror - Two swans that have lived on tiny Lock Island in the Thames at Marlow for ten years have been killed by yobs after being shot in the head by a high velocity rifle. Police are appealing for information.

Christians celebrate - Thousands of local Christians will be rocking until midnight at Bucks County Ground near Aylesbury tonight as four gospel bands set the mood for Pentecost 2000, the area's biggest Christian Millennium celebration. Tomorrow the event will be officially opened by TV's Nora Batty, actress Kathy Staff.

Friday 9th June

Labour man - Local councillor Chaudhry Shafique has been selected to fight for the Wycombe seat for Labour at the next election. Meanwhile local Tories are narrowing down their search for a successor to Sir Ray Whitney, the sitting MP who is standing down.

Going for it - Alan Scott, the 19 year old Wycombe man who is Britain's number one junior judo player, has quit his job as a builder to concentrate on the sport full time. He's been helped in his funding by footwear company Brevitt Reiker, who are using him in an advertising campaign.

Fans anger - Former Wycombe Wanderers manager Alan Smith has angered fans by describing his predecessor at the club, Martin O'Neill, as "a man with a darker side who took a run-of-the-mill amateur club out of the non-league."

Thursday 8th June

House fight - Tenants opposed to Wycombe Council selling off its council homes to a housing association meet tonight to discuss a plan of action. They'll be helped by left-wing MP John McDonnell, who has been named as a special adviser to London mayor Ken Livingstone.

First night blues - Thame's Spread Eagle hotel is to hold an investigation after honeymooners Jason and Victoria Fearn arrived from their wedding reception to spend their wedding night at the hotel just after midnight and could not gain access. The couple had to return to Victoria's mum.

All alone - Film star Hugh Grant makes his first public appearance since his split with partner Liz Hurley today when he plays golf at a charity tournament in Stoke Park, Stoke Poges. He is helping raise money for families separated by war.

Wednesday 7th June

Police chase injuries - Two women, a toddler and a baby were treated for minor injuries and shock in hospital after their car was damaged in a high speed police chase through High Wycombe. A police car was also damaged in the chase which ended in West End Road and was followed by a police chase on foot. Yesterday Nasser Hakim of Longland Way, Wycombe was remanded in custody by magistrates charged with various offences.

Rail boost - Embattled Chiltern Railways receive a boost today when a national passenger survey will place them high in a league table of operators in London and the south east. The company receives top score in 11 out of 12 categories.

Nursing home death - A inquest was opened and adjourned yesterday on Philip Wilson, an 84 year old man who died in hospital after falling from an upper window of his old people's home in Chalfont St Peter.

Bard snacks - Outdoor theatre goers are invited to bring a picnic with them as they watch the annual Shakespeare production amid the lake and follies of the grounds of Hall Barn in Beaconsfield tonight.

Tuesday 6th June

Car death - An 18 year old passenger who died when the car he was travelling in tripped into a ditch in the early hours of Sunday at Fulmer has been named as Nicholas Ford of Stoke Poges. The young driver, who has not been named by police, remains critically ill in hospital.

Paramedic boost - The local ambulance service has received a half a million pound boost from the Government to recruit more paramedics. The service says it aims to have trained medics at the scene of emergencies within eight minutes.

Happy medium - Britain's top clairvoyants, spiritualists, astrologists and mediums gather at Wycombe Town Hall tonight for a psychic festival.

Monday 5th June

Bomb warning - London bound train commuters returning to work after the half term break today will be warned to be on extra special alert following the Hammersmith Bridge bombing last week. Anti-terrorist police believe the group, believed to be dissident Irish terrorists, will try to disrupt rush hour traffic.

Service station row - Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott is to decide if there is to be a service station on the M40 near Beaconsfield, and if so where. Developers who had an earlier site near Hedgerley rejected after protests from residents have now had a second suggested site near junction 2 at Beaconsfield turned down by the local council. So they have submitted both applications to a public inquiry, leaving Mr Prescott and his Environment Department to make the final decision.

New sport - The first artificial ski world championships, held at Wycombe Summit, were won by local ski instructor Suzie Jerret from Little Kingshill. There are plans to make the event an annual one.

Sunday 4th June

Tory switches - Former Conservative MP Alan Amos will hear today whether he has been selected to stand at the next election as the Labour candidate for Chesham and Amersham. He faces competition from local men Ken Hulme and and Paul Richards.

Rowing champs - Marlow's rowing fraternity will be celebrating today as local oarsmen Steve Redgrave, James Cracknell, Tim Foster and Matthew Pinsent return after winning the foursome in the World Rowing Championships in Munich yesterday. For Marlow based Redgrave, and Cracknell and Pinsent it is their fourth world championship in a row in the event.

Cricket bonanza - Cricket mad billionaire, Paul Getty, opens his splendid estate at Wormsley, near Stokenchurch today when Bucks play a Kent side in opening round of a cricket cup competition. Tickets are restricted however, and spectators arriving without a ticket may be disappointed.

Saturday 3rd June

Arson probe - Fire investigators will spend today trying to determine whether a devastating fire at the famous Bucks public school, Stowe, was started deliberately. Pupils who live in the wrecked boarding house at the school, whose old boys include Sir Richard Branson, were on the sports fields when fire took hold.

Garage closes - The main Vauxhall dealer in High Wycombe is closing later this month, putting 100 staff out of work. The former Davenport Vernon garage - now owned by Pendragon - has been one of the town's major garages for 50 years. Some believe the garage has been hit by people buying new cars on the internet or obtaining them cheaper abroad.

Ram raiders - Thieves who stole a van and drove it through the shop front of Dillons newsagents in Chalfont St Peter in the early hours fled empty handed when they failed to dislodge a cash machine.

Cheers - Non league Chesham United have appointed their barmaid Christine Scott a club director because of her enthusiasm and commitment.

Friday 2nd June

Chequers meeting - Tony Blair, who has spent the entire week with his family at Chequers, near Princes Risborough, meets with key ministers at his country home today to discuss what many think will be a Government reshuffle.

Farewell peformance - A number of people from the tiny hamlet of Wooton Underwood, near Haddenham, joined leading actors including Sir Alec Guinness, Sir Donald Sinden, Sir John Mills, Lord Richard Attenborough and Dame Maggie Smith in the village church yesterday at the funeral of Sir John Gielgud

No return - There's disappointment amongst Wycombe Wanderers fans who had hoped that former manager Martin O'Neill would be with his Leicester team when they come to Adams Park for a testimonial game in early August. Now there's speculation whether O'Neill, who agreed to join Celtic yesterday, will take with him Steve Guppy, the star winger he nurtured at Wycombe and Leicester.

Thursday 1st June

TT rider killed - Aylesbury bike rider Chris Ascott died yesterday coming off his 400cc bike in a practice lap at the Isle of Man TT races. He is the third rider to die in a practice lap this week.

Lorraine's help - Breakfast TV presenter Lorraine Kelly, who lives in Cookham, is helping lead a campaign to raise half a million pounds to build a hydrotherapy pool for disabled children in West Wycombe.

Dunkirk trip - About 50 Dunkirk veterans in the Wycombe area are leaving for France today for a final reunion to mark the 60th anniversary of the Dunkirk evactuation. The High Wycombe Dunkirk Veteran Association is likely to disband after the trip.

Wednesday 31st May

Drugs charge - Wycombe magistrates have remanded Birmingham man Roy Dutton in custody for a week charged with possessing 100,000 ecstasy tablets with intent to supply. Police stopped Dutton's car on the M40 at Beaconsfield and discovered the drugs, said to be worth one and half million pounds.

Hospital row - Angry workers at Wycombe and Amersham hospitals have been told that from tomorrow they will have to catch buses to work because they can no longer use hospital car parks. The move follows problems for patients and visitors trying to park.

Chair arch - Wycombe's Millennium chair arch - dubbed an eyesore and a disappointment by some critics - is being dismantled today. A number of people say that the arch, comprising chairs attached to scaffolding, was not as grand or imposing as previous celebratory arches.

Tuesday 30th May

Runway fear - Environmentalists are preparing for a long battle to stop a third runway at Heathrow. The runway, which has been proposed to the Government by British Airways, would be north of the existing airport and bring aircraft noise to areas of Wycombe, they say.

Biking marathon - Holmer Green cyclist Mike Cole sets off today to ride his bike from Lands End to John O'Groats to raise money for a village old people's club. Mr Cole will celebrate his 65th birthday en route.

Salmon return - Salmon are now able to travel upstream on the Thames for the first time in over 100 years following the opening of the latest salmon stair at Boulters Lock, Maidenhead. The stair makes the river accessible from Teddington to Mapledurham.

Monday 29th May

Rail row - Central Railway, who have plans to take 40 per cent of Britain's inter-continental lorry traffic off the roads by putting them on supertrains on the Chiltern Line, is under fire over the way it plans to raise the estimated £5billion needed to meet the cost of the scheme. Reports say Central wants companies that will tender for work on upgrading the line to put up the cash to enable it to happen.

Under pressure - TV chat show host Robert Kilroy-Silk - who last week was given planning permission to build a swimming pool at his listed mansion in Little Chalfont - is being investigated by the Child Support Agency following claims by the mother of his 14 year old son that he doesn't pay enough maintenance, according to the News of the World.

Final steaming - Steam trains will appear for the last time on a London tube line today, carrying passengers between Amersham and Watford on the Metropolitan Line. The Steam on the Met weekends are to finish because London Underground says it needs to concentrate on improving the network.

Sunday 28th May

Blair warning - Downing Street has appealed to the media to respect the privacy of the Prime Minister and his family after it became apparent that scores of photographers are staking out Roman Catholic churches around Chequers, near Princes Risborough, in the hope of getting more shots of baby Leo and the other Blair children attending church today.

Holiday washout - Tourist spots are fearing one of their worst bank holiday weekends on record after two days of downpours followed by heavy rain overnight caused minor flooding and rising river levels. By contrast Heathrow was yesterday three per cent busier than last year as tourists are grabbing late flights to the sun.

Soccer talks - Soccer boss Martin O'Neill begins preliminary talks with Celtic football club today who are keen to land him as their next manager. But the current Leicester and former Wycombe boss still lives in the Beaconsfield area, and his reluctance to leave the area he loves and move his children from school may prove a major stumbling block.

Saturday 27th May

Fern's surprise marriage - Local TV presenter Fern Britton married for the second time on Wednesday to TV chef Philip Vickery in a secret ceremony at High Wycombe Register Office in Easton Street. The wedding was watched by only two witnesses who came from a local office.

Steam farewell - Steam trains will make their last ever appearance on the London tube today tomorrow and Monday. They will run as a tourist attraction on the Met Line between Amersham and Watford, but London Underground say this special event will be the last. A free heritage bus service also runs from Amersham station to local attractions. Train tickets can be brought from Amersham station £10 Adults £4 Children £22 family.

Castledine signed - Wycombe Wanderers manager Lawrie Sanchez has signed 27 year old Wimbledon midfielder Stewart Castledine who was available on a free transfer. Castledine is no stranger to either Lawrie Sanchez or Wycombe Wanderers, he was a key member in Lawrie Sanchez's reserve team side at Wimbledon and Wycombe fans may well remember him from a successful 2 month loan spell at Adams Park in 1995.

Friday 26th May

Leo's present - Baby Leo Blair, who arrives with his parents to Chequers, the Prime Minister's country residence near Princes Risborough today, is to be presented with a silver Aylesbury Duck photo frame by the local council.

Tenant offer - Hundreds of Wycombe council tenants will be getting details today of what's in it for them if they vote later this summer to transfer their homes out of council ownership to a housing association.

Faultless towers - Mentmore Towers, the lavish country home that until last year was occupied by the Marharishi Foundation, which funds the Natural Law party, looks set to be transformed into an ultra-luxurious hotel aimed at millionaires.

Thursday 25th May

Looking for Leo - Villagers in Great Missenden are hoping that baby Leo Blair will be making his first public appearance in their village this weekend when Tony and Cherie Blair attend the local Roman Catholic church. The family are expected to arrive at the Prime Minister's country residence at nearby Chequers today.

Hospital open day - Ready Steady Cook star Fern Britton will be among the guests at Wycombe Hospital today when the building has a open day. Visitors can learn life saving skills as well as tour behind the scenes.

Sisters appeal - Friends and neighbours of two little sisters with a rare genetic disease are raising cash to send them on a holiday of a lifetime to Disney World while they are still young enough to enjoy it. Misha and Natalie Griffith, aged four and two, of Waddesdon have been diagnosed with Batten Disease and are unlikely to survive childhood.
If you want to help ring Debbie Jamieson on 01296 641500 or Peter Griffith on 01296 651788.

Wednesday 24th May

Shayler move - David Shayler, the former MI5 employee whose family live in Beaconsfield, was at the centre of a successful High Court appeal yesterday when the editors of two newspapers successfully fought off the latest Government challenge to force them to hand over documents supplied by Shayler. The former John Hampden schoolboy has been in exile in Paris for just over 1,000 days since spilling MI5 secrets.

Noel's home - Unhappy Noel Gallagher is said to be back at his Chalfont St Peter retreat following his latest bust-up with the rest of the Oasis band, including brother Liam. Noel, who loves the tranquillity of the Bucks countryside, is reported to be refusing to go on any more world tours, although its said he will join next month's UK tour.

Sir John tribute - Villagers at Wooton Underwood, near Haddenham, where the late Sir John Gielgud lived until his death at his home there on Monday, are considering how best to pay tribute to him. Sir John was well known in the village and a generous benefactor. The villagers, in return, jealously guarded his privacy.

Dawson out - England rugby skipper Matt Dawson, who comes from Marlow, is out of the game for six months after dislocating his shoulder twice in ten days. He is to have an operation next week.

Tuesday 23rd May

Runway fear - Environmental campaigners fear a third runway will be built at Heathrow after a survey by London businesses, published today, says that three more runways will be need in the south east in the next 25 years if demand for air travel is to be met.

Fact and fiction - War veteran Benny Reeves was allowed onto the set of the latest Steven Spielberg epic - a TV series based on the wartime Normandy landings - when he heard they were filming near his home in Aston Clinton. Benny, 80, praised the detail of the battle scenes in the series, which stars Tom Hanks and Friends star David Schwimmer.

Farewell Super Si - Former Wycombe Wanderers favourite Simon Garner has hung up his boots at the age of 40. Garner still holds Blackburn's all time scoring record and played for West Brom before moving to Wycombe. He ended his playing days with Flackwell Heath.

Monday 22nd May

Housing fight back - The fightback against Government plans to put thousands of additional houses in Buckinghamshire gets underway today when councillors from all areas in the county get together to discuss tactics. They say the Government plans to put 93,000 new homes in the county over 25 years which would wipe away acres of countryside.

Spice Girl award? - Spice Girl Mel B, who lives in Little Marlow, has been nominated for the Public Figure of the Year award which is being presented tonight. Mel B nomination is for her work promoting Aids awareness.

Lego's leap - Windsor's Legoland has overtaken Windsor Castle as the town's top tourist attraction. The theme park is now the fifth most popular tourist attraction in England, attracting 1.62 million visitors last year - 340,000 more than the castle, which has dropped to tenth place in the list of paid-for attractios.

Sunday 21st May

Cells crisis - London's Met Police have warned that there police cells are becoming so overcrowed they may have to request neighbouring forces - including Bucks and Berks - to hold people arrested in the capital in their cells.

West End debut - A new musical, In The Red, written by Bucks councillor Michael Brand, who lives in Amersham, is being debuted at a charity performance in Her Majesty's Theatre in the London's west end tonight. Singer Kiki Dee will also be attending as well as children from Wycombe's Jackie Palmer Stage School

Peace offering - Producers of the ITV series Midsomer Murders will be bribing motorists with a bottle of wine this week if they agree not to park in a part of Long Crendon where they are filming. The filmmakers want to give the impression of a sleepy rural village and too many parked cars will spoil the illusion.

Saturday 20th May

Business boost - High Wycombe has been named the sixth most successful town in Britain for business, according to a new survey. Last year it was 70th. Consultants Dun and Bradstreet, who carried out the survey, put it down to the number of new and wide-ranging businesses setting up the area, plus good transport links, good schools and a skilled workforce.

Drug charge - A man in his fifties has been charged with possessing drugs with intent to supply after his car was stopped near Amersham and £200,000 worth of amphetamines discovered. William Budges, of Willow Chase, Hazlemere was remanded in custody by Amersham magistrates yesterday.

Cup wishes - Former Wycombe Wanderers manager John Gregory - now manager of cup finalists Aston Villa - has received many good wishes from football supporters in the town as he attempts to become the first ex-Blues manager to lift the FA Cup today.

Friday 19th May

Tory boy favourite - Wycombe Conservatives have decided to advertise for candidates to fill Sir Ray Whitney's place when the MP retires at the next election. Favourite so far for the safe seat is Mark Greenburgh, the young Tory leader of Bucks County Council.

Store wars - Neighbouring Wycombe supermarkets Safeway and Sainsbury have declared war after Safeways decision to scrap customer loyalty cards. Sainsbury's say they will accept the Safeway card in return for 500 points on their own loyalty card. Safeway are expected to hit back with a raft of price cuts. Tesco, meanwhile, say they will look for a new town centre site following their failure in the High Court to stop the council evicting them to make way for a new shopping development.

Arson reward - Burglars who set fire to a luxury house at Henley have had a price tag put on their head. Insurers are offering £10,000 reward for information about the arsonists whose fire severely damaged the £1.75million house in Ambridge Wood Road.

Thursday 18th May

Parents alerted - Police are warning parents throughout the Wycombe area to keep a close eye on children after two attempted attacks in 24 hours. A white man in a white van grabbed an 11 year old boy in Magnolia Dene, Hazlemere but he struggled and escaped. Earlier an Asian man indecently assaulted a 12 year old girl on the Amersham Road but she too managed to escape.

New mayor - Mahboob Hussain becomes the new mayor of Wycombe today when he takes part in a ceremony dating back to the middle ages. Mr Hussain will be weighted on giant scales outside the Guildhall - tradition states that if he puts weight on during his year in office, he will not have been working hard enough.

Reward referees - Tring referee Graham Poll, who is preparing to take on the cup final on Saturday, says referees should be paid more money as a reward for their professionalism. Mr Poll will pick up around £600 for Saturday's game. The Aston Villa and Cheslea players he will be referring earn between £7,000 and £25,000 per week.

Wednesday 17th May

New arch - A spectacular arch of chairs, stretching from the historic Guildhall across the High Street, will be officially opened by the Mayor today as part of High Wycombe's Millennium celebrations. The arch will remain in place until May 30th.

Race surgery - The first open surgery to enable people to report race attacks will be held in Wycombe Race Equality offices between 4 and 5.30 today. It's all part of a campaign to urge people subjected to racial abuse to come forward. Reports of racial incidents in Wycombe have risen by nearly four fold since the campaign began.

Witness appeal - Police are appealing for witnesses after a 27 year old man was beaten up and left with a broken jaw in the Pound Lane car park in Marlow

Westy looking around - Wycombe Wanderers no.2 goalkeeper Mark Westhead has been told he can leave on a free transfer if he finds another club that wants him. The 24 year old is frustrated at the lack of first team appearances.

Tuesday 16th May

Robbery charge - A 19 year old Princes Risborough man has been charged with armed robbery after a 16 year old girl was robbed at gunpoint in the town. Barry McCullagh was remanded in custody by magistrates.

Night flight case - Eight residents around Heathrow, including Tony Anderson, who lives near Marlow, are at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg today to argue that night flights at Heathrow amount to an infringement of their human rights because they are deprived of sleep.

Rhino testimonial - Soccer boss Martin O'Neill looks set to bring his Leicester City side to Adams Park on August 1st for a friendly against Wycombe Wanderers, which will also be a testimonal game for Blues veteran, Keith "Rhino" Ryan. Other friendlies are being arranged against Borehamwood, QPR and Crystal Palace. The team are also travelling to Dublin to play Bohemians.

Monday 15th May

Guildhall renovation - A £440,000 renovation of High Wycombe's historic Guildhall gets underway today. The six month programme includes building a second staircase, new lifts, an increased capacity and wheelchair access.

Dons search - Wimbledon's search for a new manager steps up today following their relegation from the premier league yesterday after 14 years in the top flight. Wycombe Wanderers manager, Lawrie Sanchez - a former player with the Crazy Gang - is a favourite among Dons fans, but he has ruled himself out.

That's Entertainment - The High Wycombe Musical Entertainments Society is hoping that original cast members from their first show 60 years ago will join them for a version of Singing in the Rain when they perform at the Wycombe Swan tomorrow.

Sunday 14th May

Euro flop - There was disappointment for Chesham song-writer Gerry Shephard in Stockholm last night when his Eurovision Song Contest song Don't Play That Song Again - co-written with fellow ex-Glitterband colleague John Springate - ended in 16th place

Theatre saved - Henley's Kenton Theatre - the third oldest theatre in the country that is still in use - has been secured for another 45 years following a deal with the owners. The theatre opened in 1805.

Mentmore hotel plan - Plans to convert Mentmore Towers, the magnificent Gothic country home in Bucks, into a luxury hotel for the super-rich are expected to be announced soon. At present the mansion is owned by the spiritual group that support the Natural Law Party at elections.

Saturday 13th May

Dangerous craze - Police in High Wycombe are today warning against a dangerous new craze by local motorcyclists. They say that bikers who ride with the strap of their helmet hanging loose are not only breaking the law - they could cause themselves more damage in an accidend than if they didn't have a helmet on at all.

Thames Walk - A new Millennium walk - a new pathway along one of the prettiest stretches of the Thames - is opened today. It runs from Hurley to Maidenhead and provides new public views of country houses such as Cliveden, Danesfield and Harleyford Manor.

Euro hope - Chesham songwriter Gerry Shepard is keeping his fingers crossed that his song, Don't Play That Song Again, co-written with John Springate, will do the business for Britain in tonight's Eurovision Song Contest.

Cricket - Wycombe have their first ever match in the Home Counties Premier League today against Bletchey. The Thames Valley champions, who will also be opening their new pavilion at the London Road ground, are letting in spectators free of charge.

Friday 12th May

Tesco in fighting mood - Supermarket giant Tesco says it will consider appealing to a higher court after losing its High Court case to stop Wycombe Council evicting them from their town centre shop in order to build a new shopping centre without a Tesco included. In a separate battle the store says it is not prepared to change its plans for a superstore in Gerrards Cross to accommodate more space for railway tracks.

Millennium arch - Work is underway on the 40 foot arch of chairs alongside Wycombe's Guildhall to celebrate the Millennium - similar to five others that have been built at times of national celebration. The completed arch will be unveiled by the Mayor next Wednesday.

New deals - Wycombe Wanderers defender Mark Rogers and young midfielder Danny Sender have signed new deals with the club. Meanwhile the club is applying for funds from the Football Trust now that permission has been given to build a new stand for away

Thursday 11th May

Gun gang attack family - Three shots were fired at a house in Rowliffe Road, Castlefield, High Wycombe late on Tuesday night, terrifying the family inside. Police have issued an urgent appeal for witnesses and say they are looking for a number of people. None of the family were hurt but the house door and windows were damaged.

Millennium cash - Wycombe Council still has around £20,000 left in a special kitty to hand out to local communities who want to hold special events to celebrate the Millennium.

Stand go ahead - Wycombe councillors last night approved plans for the away end extension at Adams Park meanwhile Wycombe Wanderers have decided to release four youngsters - Lee Holsgrove, Richard Thomson, Eddie Gray and Nicky Leach - before the start of the new season.

Wednesday 10th May

Newspaper coup - Newsquest, the media conglomorate whose 130 nationwide titles includes Wycombe's Bucks Free Press, has acquired Newscom, which has 100 local and regional newspapers.

New stand - Councillors meeting tonight are being asked to defer a decision on whether to allow Wycombe Wanderers to build a new stand for away supporters. The plan is opposed by some residents in nearby Sands, although if approved it will not increase the maximum attendance.

Mucky pup - Widdles, the jail sniffer dog employed at Huntercombe Young Offenders prison between Marlow and Henley, has been given boots to wear because inmates complained his paws were leaving muddy prints on their bedding.

Tuesday 9th May

Thames search - Police frogmen are resuming the search today for a 19 year old Italian man, who lives in Chalfont St Peter, who is missing after jumping in the Thames at Henley. Angelo Gnerucci was with friends at the Angel on the Bridge pub. Another man from another party at the pub jumped in the river first but was rescued after hanging on to the Henley Bridge parapet.

Burglary spree - Two men have been arrested after a 14 hour burglarly spree at shops in Gerrards Cross, Beaconsfield and an attempted burglary at the Esso garage in Hazlemere.

Scotty return? - Former Wycombe Wanderers hero Keith Scott has been transfer listed by Reading, sparking rumours that he may be returning to Adams Park. But a likely £50,000 price tag may put cash-strapped Wycombe off.

Monday 8th May

Town centre battle - Tesco are due to go to the High Court today in an attempt to stop a compulsory purchase order on their town centre store. Wycombe Council want to demolish the store so developers can build a new shopping complex. But Tesco are unhappy that in the new complex they are not being offered a store of equivalent size to their existing one.

Taxi costs - Wycombe Council tonight looks set to approve a hike in taxi fares in the town by around 20 per cent. If they get the go-ahead the new charges will take effect at the end of the week.

Ref under pressure - Tring refereee Graham Poll, who is set to officiate at the cup final between Chelsea and Aston Villa, is under pressure after the News of the World revealed that he is a Chelsea fan.

Top honour - Three long serving High Wycombe councillors, Bob Barber, Betty Barratt and Kathleen Peatey are set to become honorary aldermen today in recognition of their years of service to the town.

Sunday 7th May

Phew - Wycombe basked in the hottest day of the year yesterday as temperates touched 77 degrees - and there's more of the same today, but with the risk of thunder.

Top house on market - Billionaires from around the world are expected to be interested in a Grade 1 listed Georgian mansion that has been put on the market this weekend after being unoccupied for 16 years. Thame Park, used as a location for films such as The Madness of King George and Black Beauty, has been owned and partly renovated by a Japanese property company. It is expected to sell for around £10million.

Strong finish - Wycombe Wanderers won their last game of the season at Cambridge yesterday 2-1 with cracking goals from Andy Baird and Jermaine McSporran. It gave the club 61 points - their highest since 1995 - and enabled them to finish in the top half of Division 2, albeit in 12th place.

Saturday 6th May

Fatal crash - Police have appealed for witnesses after a 30 year old man died in road crash near the entrance to Hughenden Manor on Thursday afternoon. The 20 year old driver of the other vehicle involved in recovering in hospital from his injuries.

Free ride - Hundreds of Wycombe Wanderers supporters are taking advantage of an end of season present from the club today - a free coach trip to Cambridge for the final game of the season.

Variety honour - Wycombe's Orpheus Male Voice Choir are singing at a special ceremony in London's Guildhall today to honour world statesman Nelson Mandela with a humanitarian award.

Friday 5th May

Bomb clearance - Army bomb disposal experts safely removed two artillery shells found by workmen in the foundations of a house in Candlemas Mead, Beaconsfield.

Sanchez stays - Wycombe Wanderers manager Lawrie Sanchez, who bookies tipped to be favourite to take over premiership outfit Wimbledon, says he has not been contacted by the club and in any event has no intention of leaving.

Redgrave returns - Top Olympian Steve Redgrave, who lives near Wycombe, will be presenting local sporting honours at the Wycombe and Marlow Sports Council Awards tonight. It's a trip down memory lane for Redgrave - the award was one of the very first he received when he was a junior oarsman for Marlow Rowing Club.

Thursday 4th May

Bucks PM - Wycombe councillor David Shakespeare looks set to become "Prime Minister of Bucks", as leader of a new Cabinet style of local government being proposed for the county. But the proposed new system is already being criticised by local newspapers for its secrecy and by some Tory shadow ministers.

Housing decision - Councillors in Wycombe will tonight clear the way for a ballot among the town's council tenants on whether they want a private company to take over the running of all council houses.

Boxing return - Boxing has returned to High Wycombe for the first time for years. Policeman Roger Moore and John Netherwood, manager of Oasis, have launched the High Wycombe Amateur Boxing Club at Castlefield Community Centre.

Wednesday 3rd May

Sanchez favourite for Dons - Bookies have today installed Wycombe Wanderers manager Lawrie Sanchez as the favourite to replace sacked Egil Olsen as manager of Premiership strugglers Wimbledon. Wycombe fans are already planning a "Don't Go Lawrie" campaign for the last game of the season against Cambridge on Saturday.

Wedding anniversary death - A 24 year old Welsh Guardsman who was injured after an incident outside the Hobgoblin pub in Aylesbury died yesterday after spending two days in a coma. Lance Corporal Michael Wall had been celebrating his wedding anniversary. Magistrates yesterday remanded Emmanual Mbewe of Aylesbury for a week in connection with the incident. He has now been charged with murder.

Chair arch - Work is underway on a 30 high "chair arch" which will be unveiled in two weeks time alongside Wycombe's Guildhall as part of the Millennium celebrations. Children in the town are taking part in a competition to design their own chair - the winning design will be built into reality by furniture makers Stewart Linford.

Tuesday 2nd May

Wounding charge - A man will appear before magistrates today charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent after an incident outside the Hobgoblin night club in Aylesbury. A 24 year old man is in a critical condition at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

Weather blow - Statistics released today show that High Wycombe had one of its coldest Aprils on record - and one of its wettest.

Rent row -A report to councillors tonight says that if Wycombe tenants vote against the plan to transfer Wycombe's council housing stock to a private company, the rent of an average house will rise from £68 a week to £111 within five years. The estimates will anger those opposed to the take-over.

Devine signs - Wycombe Wanderers leading goalscorer Sean Devine has agreed a new four year deal with the club which will keep him at Adams Park until the end of his career. The signing is a coup for the club because Devine, one of division two's leading scorers, was being eyed by some clubs in division one.

Monday 1st May

May Day hope - Local tourist spots are keeping their fingers crossed that crowds will flock out in what is expected to be the hottest day of the year so far, to make out for the wash-out Easter weekend.

Epic meeting in Marlow - The Complete Angler Hotel by the Thames in Marlow was the secret venue where South African Government officials and members of Nelson Mandela's ANC party first met to decide the eventual abolition of apartheid in South Africa ten years ago this week, the Telegraph has disclosed.

Stay plea -Wycombe Wanderers manager Lawrie Sanchez has asked club chairman Ivor Beeks to stick with the club has long has he is around. The club has revealed that a number of High Wycombe based backers are interested in financially supporting the club if the constitution is changed to enable big-backers to move in.


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