Gone 'Down-Under'

I am presently away in Australia visiting my family and so there will be no more postings until the end of the month.
Unfortunately I am going there right in the middle of an Ashes cricket series, which the Aussies tend to take rather seriously, as the above photo of a Sydney bus demonstrates. Also, I will unfortunately be staying with someone who is mad on cricket, so I’ll be praying for England – and rain.
Normal (and even better) service will be resumed on 28th July.
Henry Wizgier

Gardeners rewarded

Amersham Carnival this Saturday will see the presentation of prizes for the best entries in this year’s ‘Amersham In Bloom’ competition. Amersham Town Mayor Councillor Martin Phillips will present gardening vouchers and certificates during the carnival.
The council, which organises the event, states that it was very impressed with this year’s contributions in a competition which seems to have established itself as an annual event in the local calendar.
“There were more entries than ever this year and the judges were impressed by the high standard and effort that local gardeners had taken.”
The following competitors will receive their awards on Saturday:
Amersham-on-the-Hill Schools Competition Winner - Chestnut Lane Infants School: Runner up Chesham Bois Primary School.
Best Hanging Basket Winner- Mr & Mrs Twydle: Runner Up - Melissa Sneath.
Best Garden Joint Winners - Mr & Mrs Denton and Mr & Mrs Jones.
Best Community Garden - Elmodesham House: Runner Up - Amersham Museum.
Best Business Premises Winner- Aston Hearing Services: Runner Up Joint - Badminton Court and Seasons Deli.
Best Allotment Winner - Mr A MacDonald: Runner Up - Mrs C Baldwin.
Amersham Carnival takes place this Saturday on King George V Playing Field, which is next to the swimming pool, starting at 2pm.

Jones boys go poptastic

‘Poptastic Pop Quiz’ is a chance for everyone who loves sixties music and would like to demonstrate their knowledge of it, to do just that. It is being organised by Matthew Jones who runs the very popular ‘Amersham News & Views’ website http://www.amersham.org.uk/ and his brother Mark, both of who are former radio presenters and self-confessed music anoraks.
Amersham’s equally popular Polish Club in Raans Road, next to Blackhorse Bridge, is the venue on Friday 17 July at 8pm for 8.15 start. Tickets are just £2 per person and there are cash prizes to be won, proceeds will go to local charities. Teams of 4-6 are ideal – but can be made up on the night. There is no need to book in advance – just turn up.

Bowls for kids

Nestling in the corner of spacious Hervines Park, surrounded by woods and the grounds of Dr Challoner’s School, Amersham Bowls Club is an idyllic place for playing bowls. The game used to be regarded as a pastime for the elderly, but in fact it has been growing in popularity with young people, and this interest has spawned some serious competitions and with it, some serious prize money. There is even a very keenly-contested four-yearly World Championship, the last one was held last year in Christchurch New Zealand, and was won by a Malaysian. The world bowl website describes it thus:
“Bowls is a sport that is played and followed by millions throughout the world. It is a game of skill and precision rather than physical fitness and has therefore often been associated as a game for the older generation. However, many of the upcoming champions are becoming increasingly younger and the sport has spent recent years making its competitions quicker and more colourful to encourage followers.”
Amersham Bowls Club is providing a great opportunity for all 7-19 year old to have a go at this growing game. On Tuesday 28 July, youngsters in that age category are invited to come along to Hervines Park in Hervines Road between 10am – 12 noon for a free trial session. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Brian Drew Chairman of Amersham Bowls Club says:
“We are trying to encourage young people to try the game. We had organised a family day earlier in the season but unfortunately it rained. But we did get a few youngsters to the re-scheduled day.
Apart from the recommended trainer shoes, all other equipment will be provided, including special small bowls for young children. This trial session will be followed by an optional four-week course. For more information contact Mrs. Beryl Baker 01494 433645.

Mr Perpetual Motion rewarded

The man they call Mr Perpetual Motion down at Amersham Rotary, John Fox, has been recognised by Rotary International Great Britain and Ireland (RIBI). Last week he was presented with the Rotary Community Service Award by Allan Childs, President of the Rotary Club of Amersham on behalf of the President of RIBI Ian Thomson.
In its press release the club added: “John is committed to all his activities and this recognition by RIBI reflects the esteem he is held within the community. Where John gets his energy from is anybody’s guess, as he appears to be Mr Perpetual Motion.”
Among the many activities which have earned him that epithet, John has been organising the annual Rotary Christmas Concert for the elderly. Every December he brings together musicians, singers, dancers, sound and lighting technicians, stage hands and members of the Rotary Club of Amersham, to provide the town’s senior citizens with an amazing afternoon show.
John is also a member of ‘Grace Notes’, who entertain local church groups, clubs and homes for the elderly with a varied and new programme every year. They make no charge, accepting donations that are passed on to charities such as Scannappeal, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children and Dogs for the Deaf. John is part of a duo with Margaret Barnard called Cameo and together they put on concerts to raise funds for local charities helped by friends with musical accompaniment and recording skills. Cameo have released two CD’s which were sold in support of the Iain Rennie Hospice at Home.
Among John’s many other interests is the game of bowls which has a very small number of youngsters playing it. So when a junior section was started at Aylesbury’s Foxhill Bowls Club, where he is a member, he decided to become involved. For nearly ten years now John has been actively teaching and encouraging boys and girls aged between 8 and 18 years to play the game, while he also organises an annual Open Under-18 Bowls Tournament. As a player, John is a member of a three-man team who are involved in the selection and attendance at league matches in the Southeast.

All you need is talent

Rogers & Hammerstein by DFL

The kids of Drama For Life, one of the Amersham area’s top youth drama groups, present their latest production ‘All You Need Is Love’ next month. It is a devised musical about life, love and whatever happened next, featuring songs by Sondheim, Rogers and Hammerstein, Steven Shwartz and many, many more.
This is an extremely talented bunch of actors, musicians and dancers who have been schooled to perfection by DFL founder Coral Ash, and they can guarantee audiences a very entertaining time.
It is also a wonderful opportunity for parents who would like to get their kids into activities which are not only fun but very useful, to take a first-hand look at what can be achieved. To find out more about DFL activities take a look @
http://www.communigate.co.uk/bucks/dfldramaforlife/
‘All You Need Is Love’ will be performed in Little Chalfont Methodist Church Hall, Chalfont Avenue on Friday 10 July at 7.30pm. Tickets available from box office 01494 764739 or at the door at £8 and £5 for concessions. All proceeds to charity.

BLAST for kids

The safety of young children is paramount to every responsible parent, particularly when they are left in the care of carers and education authorities.
With the long summer holidays approaching, many parents must be a little bit apprehensive about where they place their young ones to be looked after safely while they are busy working.
This is where Busy Living After School Team (BLAST) can ease their worries. This is a reputable, well-known, CRB vetted and Ofsted registered holiday club with at least one qualified and first-aid trained manager to ensure the safety and happiness of the children placed in their care. They also provide a daily variety of activities, sports and crafts and encourage the children to choose what they want to do - nothing is compulsory.
Anette Cook and Linda Walshaw who run this little holiday club at the Elangeni School in Woodside Avenue Chesham Bois put an emphasis on the social angle which ensures that children have fun there. They add:
“All the children enjoy their time at the club and we have children from many different local schools who all make new friends and can’t wait to come back.” They offer flexible bookings, hourly rates of £4 with a minimum 4 hours, or daily booking fee of £30 or £25 for siblings. They are open Monday to Friday for the first four weeks of the holidays only, from Monday 20 July to Friday 14 August.
Busy Living Ltd Mobile Creches/Childcare/School Clubs, is run by Anette Cook & Linda Walshaw 90 Woodside Road HP66AN
Website:
http://buckinghamshire.schooljotter.com/elangeni/BLAST+After+School+Club
For more information email: info@busy-living.co.uk or call 01494 722318