Calling All Cake Lovers

Chesham’s Fairtrade birthday bake-off competition is now taking entries. It is hosted by Chesham4Fairtrade as part of celebrating five years as a Fairtrade Town. The birthday bake-off will judge cakes on their taste, appearance and the number of Fairtrade or local ingredients that they contain. There are loads of Fairtrade products in Chesham’s shops, including chocolate, coffee, nuts, fruit, dried fruit, vanilla, honey and sugar. Local ingredients including eggs, honey and flour are also available here. The winner will receive a Fairtrade recipe book and tasty Fairtrade baking goodies. Application forms are available from www.chesham4fairtrade.co.uk and the Town Hall call 01494 583798 or email Kathryn Graves at policy@chesham.gov.uk. Bring your cake to the Town Hall by 11am on Saturday 27 March and you will get free entry into Chesham4Fairtrade’s birthday celebration, which runs from 10am to 4pm and features a Fairtrade Cafe, cookery demonstration, stalls, kids’ activities and presentations, including a live link to Ghana to discover the difference we make when we buy Fairtrade. The competition result will be announced between 3 and 4 pm on the day. Kathryn said, "If you prefer eating to baking, come along on the 27th to sample the cakes, cast your vote and celebrate five years of Fairtrade in Chesham".

Top Pianist Recital for a Belarus Cause

On Saturday 6 March a local charity called Friends of the Belarusian Children's Hospice, present a recital by renowned international pianist Alexander Ardakov. He is a graduate of the Moscow Conservatoire, prize winner at the Viotti international competition and Professor of Piano at Trinity College of Music, London. He will play Tchaikovsky, Scriabin etudes and Mussorgsky - Pictures at an Exhibition. The recital is at 8pm at Dr Challoner’s High School, Cokes Lane, Little Chalfont. Tickets cost £15 for students and £10 for the retired and are available from Perfect Pitch, 72 The Broadway (closed Thursdays) call 01494 727409, 01494 726483 or 01494 722899. Visit www.friends-bch.org.uk. Belarus was heavily irradiated during the Chernobyl disaster in 1986 and the children irradiated then are now adults and having babies with serious health problems. The hospice enables them to be cared for at home instead of going into institutions without parental care. Friends of the Belarusian Children’s Hospice (UK) supports the first children’s hospice and palliative care centre in Belarus. Since it was founded in 1994, the BCH has spun off seven smaller children’s hospices in other towns in Belarus, and also trains palliative care workers throughout the country.

Book and Media Sale

Chesham Methodist Church, on Bellingdon Road, will be holding its annual book and media sale on Friday 12 March from 7 to 9pm and on Saturday 13 March from 9.30am to 1pm. There will be hundreds of second-hand hardbacks and paperbacks for adults and children, sorted by subject and at competitive prices, as well as CDs, DVDs, records, cassettes, videos, jigsaw puzzles and toys. Entrance is free, and there will be refreshments, with light lunches on the Saturday. Offers of books are welcome and they may be brought to the church from Monday 8 March or call 01494 783217.

Quiz for Museum

Chesham Museum is holding its first quiz night for this year on Saturday 13 March at 7.30pm at St Mary's Church Rooms, Church Street, Chesham. Quizmaster will be Steve Coates and tickets cost £12 per person which includes a fish and chip supper and bring your own drink. Bring your friends too, and make up a team of up to eight people. Tickets available from Chesham Museum during normal opening hours or to book a place phone and leave a message on 01494 792549 or call Sue Gordon 01494 772096. Visit the museum website www.cheshammuseum.org.uk. Museum opening hours are - Monday: Closed, Tuesday: 11am - 3pm, Wednesday: 11am - 3pm, Thursday: Closed, Friday: Closed, Saturday: 11am - 3pm, Sunday: 2 - 4pm.

Office Space for Community Groups

Geoff Gigg, Regional Manager of Paradigm Housing says that office space will become available due to the relocation of Paradigm’s head office. It will be offered to community groups and charities on a part‐time basis for occasional use. Geoff is happy to receive expressions of interest, call 01494 830747 and will discuss it in more detail with any interested parties. He said, “No promises at this stage”.

Play Quiz for a Galaxy

Will you help the Endeavour Centre raise money to run a Galaxy, enabling the clients to have a more flexible lifestyle, by bringing a team to their Quiz evening? The Chiltern Friends Of The Endeavour are holding a Quiz Evening on Saturday 27 February 2010 at 7.30 for 8pm at the Chesham Town Hall. It is for teams of eight and it costs £10 each person. There will be a fish and chip supper and drinks available to buy. You can win generous prizes in the raffle. Please register your team with Pam Crawford call 01296 631501 or Angela Baker call 01494 776188 before Sunday 21 February. Chiltern Friends Of The Endeavour is a Registered Charity No. 1080322.

Thanks for Life Shop, Chesham Broadway,

Everyone is invited to go along and support the Rotary Club of Chesham’s Thanks for Life Shop during Rotary Week until Saturday 27 February between 9.30am to 5pm daily. It is at Chesham Broadway, between Garlicks chemist and the Chesham Bookshop. Members from the Amersham and Great Missenden Clubs and members of the public can see displays about the work of Rotary and enjoy refreshments. Donations of cakes or biscuits would be welcome and donated bric a brac will be sold. Monies raised will be donated to the End Polio Now campaign. Call Mervyn Edwards on 01494 792382.

Organ concert – Nigel Ogden returns to Chesham

Please note that this concert is on at St Mary’s Parish Church Chesham on Saturday 27 February at 7.30pm, not Saturday 20 February as we said in our previous posting about this event. Tickets are £10, including refreshments, and are available from Perfect Pitch, Tony Molesworth (773381) or at the door on the night. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this error.

Coffee for a Cause

There will be a bring and buy coffee morning on Friday 26 February from 9.30am-12.30pm. You can enjoy tea, coffee, cakes and biscuits and there will be stalls with lots of lovely things to buy including children's toys. It will be at the White Hill Centre, Chesham in aid of Action Duchenne, for research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and everybody is welcome. For more information call 01494 775190 or email info@whitehillcentre.org.uk. Donations of good quality items or unwanted Christmas gifts to sell, would be gratefully received in advance at the White Hill Centre office between 9am - 4pm on Monday to Friday or call Diana on 01494 758651 if you would like your goods collected.

Inject Your Society with Talent Using Interim Expert Volunteers

Short Term Expert Help for Charities in Buckinghamshire is a project offering charities and other not for profit organisations the opportunity to have a volunteer who is a manager or skilled professional working with them to deliver a short, focussed piece of work with an agreed outcome. It offers managers or skilled professionals who are looking for work an opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills to an organisation and add to their CV. The interim assignments will bring much needed strategic and professional skills to not-for-profit organisations across the County at a time when many are facing challenges due to the economic downturn. Induction into the panel will be covered at two executive workshops which will be held in March. The Interim Expert Volunteers initiative is funded by Bucks Strategic Partnership. This Voluntary Impact Bucks project is being delivered in partnership with Aylesbury College and Bucks Economic and Learning Partnership. For further information on how to be involved, call Interim Expert Volunteers, 8a Temple Square, Aylesbury HP20 2QH on 01296 337456 or 07805 277797 email expertvols@valevolunteers.org.uk.

Local Hospice launches Midnight Walk

Claire de Silva, press officer for the Hospice of St Francis says, “Girls, it's time to grab your friends and dust off your trainers in preparation for Saturday 19 June - a very special night. This year's Hospice of St Francis midnight walk from Hemel Hempstead School promises to be as fabulous as ever - and just as pink. Whether you've walked with us for the past three years or will be joining for the first time, we'd love to see you there under the stars. Walk on your own or walk in a team alongside women of all ages and fitness levels as you Walk with the Stars on the five or 11 mile routes." It costs £15 to register and receive your 2010 pink t-shirt and a fluorescent wristband. Every penny goes to support the care of patients and families at the Hospice of St Francis, so raise as much sponsorship as you can. The Hospice of St Francis cares for people who are seriously ill from Chesham, Amersham, Little Chalfonts, Dacorum, St Albans, Harpenden and beyond. Certan Duggan, general manager, of the newly revamped Red Lion at Water End said,"We're delighted to be working with the hospice in support of this event to help make Saturday 19 June a night to remember. We'll also be giving all the walkers a little thank you of our own for taking part too so we urge you to join up now.” Champney's Tring Health Resort has donated a voucher worth £2000 for two people to stay in a suite and enjoy two hours of free treatments each and every walker will receive discounted relax day voucher. If you can marshall on the night, can support the event, of for more information please contact Fran Martin on fran.martin@stfrancis.org.uk or call 01442 869555, log onto www.walkwiththestars.org.uk or email stars@stfrancis.co.uk.

Bringing Blue Skies To Bowel Cancer

The Trevor Collins Foundation, invites you to attend a curry night of fine dining and fun. It will be at the Rajasthan, 115 High Street, Chesham HP5 1DE, on Monday 22 February 2010 at 7pm. Brenda Collins tells me, “The proprietor Mr Mojibul Hoque, has kindly offered to run a charity evening for us at a cost of £20 per head for a three course dinner. For every attendee Hoq will donate £9 to Trevor’s charity, the Trevor Collins Foundation. Please come along to support us, join in the fun, and enjoy superb Indian cuisine". RSVP to Mrs Brenda Collins, Belmont House, Belmont Road, Chesham HP5 2EJ, call 01494 786827 email brenda@belmonthouse.net. Brenda continued, “Trevor is now a registered charity and we are organising a programme of events for 2010 to raise much needed funds. Drinks are of course, an additional charge and there will be a few little fun things included a raffle and anything else I can dream up. If I can get 56 people to come along we can raise £500. The Trevor Collins Foundation hopes to bring 'blue skies to bowel cancer' by offering counselling services to families who are experiencing it. I need final numbers by 18 at the latest please.”

WaterAid is Aided

Tickets sales are now closed and not available at the door. The United Nations Association, Chesham and Amersham Branch will be holding its quiz night to raise funds for WaterAid. It is on Saturday 13 March 2010 at the Polish Club, Raans Rd, Amersham HP6 6LX. Doors open at 7.30 for an 8pm start. Call Patrick on 01494 727721, Anne 01494 783126 or Liz on 01494 726928. WaterAid has provided low-cost safe water to millions of people for more than a quarter of a century. WaterAid works in 26 countries providing water, sanitation and hygiene education to some of the world's poorest people.

Grant Money For South Bucks

A reminder that the Buckinghamshire Foundation makes grants to local groups and associations, with a maximum grant of £5,000 per group. The Buckinghamshire Foundation invites fresh applications from interested local groups. Written applications should be in the hands of the Committee by Thursday 18 February. For more information contact baldev.dhillon@tiscali.co.uk.

Organ concert – Nigel Ogden returns to Chesham

The Friends of St Mary’s is hosting a concert at St Mary’s Parish Church Chesham on Saturday 20 February at 7.30pm. Tickets are £10, including refreshments, and are available from Perfect Pitch, Tony Molesworth (773381) or at the door on the night.
Nigel Ogden is an organist and radio broadcaster. Born in Manchester, his father was a church organist, and also a lover of the theatre organ. At an early age, Nigel was taken to hear the great Reginald Dixon playing the Tower Ballroom Wurlitzer organ, and was instantly 'hooked'.
He first broadcast in 1971, and in March 1980, when still only in his mid twenties, took over from Robin Richmond as the presenter of the BBC Radio 2 programme, The Organist Entertains, which is still running on Tuesday evenings after 40 years.
He regularly travels around the UK, playing concerts of popular light classical music on all types of organ being equally at home on church organs and electronics – the organ at St Mary’s is part traditional pipe and part electronic.

Chesham United Trust Sponsored Walk

The Supporters' Trust is organising another sponsored walk to raise money for the club and they always pick a local good cause to share the proceeds 50:50. Dave Jeffrey said, “Previously we have raised money for Iain Rennie and Heritage House but this year we would like to support the Veterans Re-Build Fund”. The walk is planned for Saturday 27 February. Dave continued, “We will walk from Chesham United to Leighton Town (Leighton Buzzard) for our league match. We reckon it will be about 20 miles and plan to walk over to Berkhamsted and then follow the Grand Union Canal towpath. We have about 15 already signed up to walk - anyone else is welcome to join in for all or part of the way. In the past we have had kids joining in by cycling which could also be an option along the towpath. Anyone is welcome to join for all or part of the route including cyclists. We also hope to have a support barge for this walk." If you would like to join in send an email to Dave Jeffrey djeffrey@gotadsl.co.uk (I’ve not been given a contact number). Remember the worthy cause - supporting the Chesham Veterans Fund which is raising money to re-build the British Legion after the May 2009 fire.

Pictured are some of last year's walkers.

Musical Medley in Amersham

On Saturday 6 February at 7 for 7.30pm there will be a choral evening with the award winning Wycombe Orpheus Male Voice Choir at Amersham Free Church, Woodside Road, Amersham. The choir will sing everything from well-loved hymns, show songs and gospel favourites to modern pop songs, in a vibrant and exciting vocal style. All proceeds will go to the HeartScan appeal. Tickets cost £10 each from Scannappeal, Amersham Hospital, call 01494 734161 with your credit card details ready or email info.scannappeal@buckshosp.nhs.uk. Scannappeal is a local charity based at Amersham Hospital, which raises money for vital medical equipment for hospitals within the Bucks NHS Trust. One of the current appeals is the HeartScan Appeal which aims to raise £40,000 to start a cardiac imaging service at Amersham Hospital. This will mean patients can be seen locally and many more scans per year can be carried out.

Street Collection Amersham for Haiti Appeal

The next project Amersham Rotary Club has organised is a street collection in Amersham on Saturday 30 January (with permission of Chiltern District Council). Chalmers Cursley said, “We will be collecting for the Rotary International Britain and Ireland (RIBI), Haiti Earthquake Appeal, and we hope to have a demonstration Shelter Box for people to see.” Amersham Rotary Club has already donated £1,000 plus the purchase of two Shelter Boxes at £500 each to this appeal. ShelterBox is an international disaster relief charity that delivers emergency shelter, warmth and dignity to people affected by disaster worldwide. They respond instantly to natural and manmade disasters such as earthquake, volcano, flood, hurricane, cyclone, tsunami or conflict, by delivering boxes of aid to those who are most in need. Each box supplies an extended family of up to 10 people with a tent and essential equipment to use while they are displaced or homeless. The contents are tailored depending on the nature and location of the disaster, with care taken sourcing every item to ensure it will be be of lasting value. The cost of a box is £490, including delivery direct to those who need it. Each box bears its own unique number so as a donor you can track your box all the way to its recipient country via the website. Trained ShelterBox Response Teams distribute boxes on the ground, working with local organisations, international aid agencies and Rotary clubs worldwide.

Amersham Rotary Club Young Chef Competition 2010

This popular Rotary competition sees young people putting their culinary and creative skills to the test. Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland believe it is highly important to encourage and develop creativity in young people, and this includes creativity in the kitchen. Cooking is a growing interest and a valuable life skill. Schools seem to agree and hence the Rotary Young Chef competition moves from strength to strength each year producing some superb quality cooking from our young people aged from 11 to 18. The heat of this year’s competition organised by Pat Armstrong of The Rotary Club of Amersham proved popular, with 21 entries for the cooking stage held on Saturday 16 January at Chesham Park Community College. All were considered to be of a high standard.
Chief Judge Chef Adam Whitlock helped to select the six contestants: Laurel Turton and Rebecca Lewts of the Misbourne School, Jamie Hollander of Dr Challoner’s Grammar School, and Beth Chater, Jenna Reid and Ruby Stewart-Liberty from Dr Challoner’s High School. Overall winner was Ruby Stewart-Liberty whose dishes; Harissa Marinated Chicken with red grapefruit salad and brown rice, accompanied by a dessert of Strawberry Fool with French Madeleine’s and summer berries were chosen for content, appearance and table presentation. The winner will now proceed to the District round of the competition, which will be held in Aylesbury on Saturday 27 February. The National Finalist will win a trip to the olive fields of Tuscany, sponsored by Fillipio Berio, and other prizes include a visit to Jamie Oliver’s 15 Restaurant. Amersham Rotary Club is grateful to Adam and Katy, who work at Gilbey’s Restaurant, Old Amersham, for their help, and also the Chesham Park Community College for their help and support and use of their facilities. Should you be interested in the 2011 competition please contact Pat Armstrong on 01494 726961 email michael.armstrong7@ntlworld.com. Or to find out more about Young Chef and many other Rotary competitions for young people visit www.amershamrotary.org and click on Youth Opportunities.

Chiltern Baroque Soloists

Book now for Saturday 16 January 2010 at 7.30pm at St Mary’s Church, Chesham, the farewell performance from Chiltern Baroque Soloists Chiltern Music-live! (see previous World class musicians will play for us). Tickets cost £12, £10 for seniors and £5 for concessions available from Perfect Pitch, 72 The Broadway (closed Thursdays) call 01494 774826, Lucia’s Delicatessen, 8 Market Square call 01494 776757 and The Record Shop, 5 Woodside Road, Amersham call 01494 433311. Patrick Arbuthnot writes to patrons and supporters of Chiltern Music-live, that they could find no one to continue the role that Moira Allum had filled over a number of years in organising the concerts and the raising additional funding required to make the concerts financially viable. “Sadly, we have to accept that this will be the last event under the auspices of Chiltern Music-live. Even with the good ticket sales for this concert our reserves will be depleted to the point where we cannot finance further events”, he said, and went on to thank everyone for their support. Enquiries to Patrick Arbuthnot treasurer@chilternmusic-live.org .

Caracol Secure

The Caracol project has taken the biggest step since they were founded in 2003 with three members now working full-time. It is a working scholarship where they learn by doing during a one-year work experience while earning a stipend. The young people don’t have to leave their home and village and are developing life skills, technical abilities and their creativity. The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives is helping Caracol to become a youth-led project. Through the Guatemalan Community Arts Network an intercultural youth workshop exchange was held, doing stillt-walking and globoflexia (the art of using balloons to create figures). Caracol has attracted substantial funding from the Canada Fund, Links Charity and twice more from The British High Commission of Belize. These grants have paid for programmes of work, including publication of the second issue of the newsletter Tu Caracolito. Grants are usually made against a proposal which matches the grant funder’s own aims and objectives. Funds are provided for a defined set of activities which will include cost of workshops, equipment, materials, training, rent, travel etc. Funders will not pay for basic costs like rent, food and a small salary for Claudia and Jon. Well done to them, Stuart Ottley and the Caracol Trustees.

Knights Support St Francis

Following the recent successful concert in Berkhamsted, arranged by local chorus The Knights of Harmony, a cheque for £2,700 was presented to the Hospice of St Francis. The concert included the Knights, together with the ladies from Amersham A Cappella and the Kings Langley Community Choir. Speaking on behalf of the chorus, Colin Meehan said they were delighted to support such a worthy cause. See previous report Chesham Choir Wins.

Party on Christmas day

The Christmas day party arrangements are coming on well. Older people who will be on their own on Christmas day have been invited. The mayor Cllr Justine Fulford (who must be the most hands-on mayor we’ve ever had) said there have been donations as usual from Little Chalfont, Amersham and Chesham councils, and the Ley Hill Flower Club. Waitrose is donating Christmas cakes and Sainsbury's are giving mince pies. An additional donation has come from Watermeadow Surgery – the proceeds from sales of second hand books.

Sleigh Touring Chesham

The Chesham Round Table Christmas sleigh is wending its way around the town, and a popular portent of Christmas it is too. The Christmas music cannot be ignored and they take up donations for charity. Joanne Blackwell told me that various organizations can help on different nights. On Monday 14 December Brushwood School PTA helped in the Beechcroft and Poles Hill areas, and collected £500 which will be added to the total and divided among the charities at the end of the tour. On Thursday 17 December the sleigh will travel in Waterside to Lord’s Mill and Bois Moor Road, assisted by the Waterside School PTA; and on Friday 18 December it will cover Ley Hill and Botley Road with assistance from Shed @ ThePark.

Chess Helps Museum

Those interested in the river Chess should hear Bill Templeton talk on The Chess, Portrait of a River at the town's museum. Hear about the important contribution of our river to local industries, the history of the working mills and the mill houses and the current status of the surviving buildings. The evening starts at 8pm on Thursday 17 December 2009. Tickets cost £2.50 or £2 for Super or Life Friends, but space is limited, so booking is advisable. Call 01494 792549 or email via the museum website www.cheshammuseum.org.uk.

Have Fun While Supporting Those Flooded Out

Imagine children without Christmas presents. Trevor Pilling is trying to prevent this happening to the children of Cockermouth. He said, “We are endeavouring to raise money for the young children of Cockermouth, Cumbria who are victims of the terrible flooding in and around their town.” He is putting on an evening of ghost stories and ghostly goings on at the Little Theatre by the Park on Saturday 12 December at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £10 and all funds will go to the appeal to make a brighter Christmas for those who have lost so much in the disaster and will be spending the festive season in a rescue centre or temporary accommodation. If you cannot support the show, please give whatever you can to this appeal by sending any donations to Trevor Pilling, 5 Lycrome Road, Chesham HP5 3JY or call 01494 786902.

Christmas Parcels Scheme for Chesham and Amersham

This year it is the ninth annual Amersham & Chesham Christmas Parcels Scheme. It started at Tesco's, Amersham last Saturday. On Thursday 10 and Friday 11 December volunteers from community service organisations ie. Lions, Rotarians and Round Tables, together with schools, will be collecting donations of food from shoppers at Waitrose. On Saturday 12 December it will be the turn of shoppers at Sainsbury's to contribute. All these food items, together with more bought with charity funds donated by service organisations, and many donated bananas, will be made into parcels/boxes and delivered to needy local residents on Sunday 13 December. Lion Dennis Wright, secretary said, “We ask that the public support this Christmas appeal, as they have done generously in previous years, by buying an extra food item whilst shopping, and putting it in one of our specially labelled trolleys. On behalf of local people less fortunate than ourselves – thank you.”

Singing for Sparkle

On Sunday 13 December 2009, the Damon Singers are putting on a concert at 8pm, at the White Hill Centre in aid of Sparkles, a charity dealing with the needs of pre-school children with Downe's Syndrome. The Choir and friends will be performing a variety of Christmas music, old and new; there will be readings, as well as audience participation carols for all who want to help them out. Uli Wright said, “In the interval, we will serve hot mince pies; mulled wine and soft drinks will be on sale at the bar. We are hoping for lots of audience with full wallets and a generous disposition, to give lots of money to our chosen charity”.

Fair Christmas Trees

Chesham Methodist Church is holding a Christmas tree fayre on Friday 4 December from 4 - 8pm, Saturday 5 December from 11am - 4pm, and Sunday 6 December from 2 - 5pm followed by carols at 6pm. The fayre is open for viewing and refreshments on all three days and on Saturday 5 December only, there will be other activities as well as a visit from Father Christmas, so go along to Chesham Methodist Church, in Bellingdon Road corner Wesley Hill, HP5 2HA.

Legion Race Night

A charity race night is a lot of fun, the horse races are shown on screen. Punters may place as many bets on as many horses as they wish in the following race. When all bets have been placed the race night tote is closed and a race is selected at random so nobody knows which horse will be the winner. On Saturday 5 December the Chesham Veterans Club will hold a Race Night as a joint venture with the Chesham United Supporters at the Football Club in Amy Lane. The Chesham Veterans Club is the name of the fund raising group because any money raised by the British Legion must be ring-fenced for national legion purposed. Admission costs £4 which includes food and there is a bar. You can sponsor a horse or race in advance for £5, or a sponsor a race for £25. Please contact Alison Pirouet on 07952 433378 email alisonp76@aol.com. The first race will be at 8pm.

Alison Pirouet said that the Chesham Veterans Club Appeal Fund will be holding a bottle tombola at the Victorian shopping evening where you can also learn more about the group. Alison went on to thank everyone who contributed to the bucket collection at the fireworks night and helped to raise more than £100.

Chauffeur Guests to Christmas Dinner

Could you be a driver for the Christmas day party for elderly people held at Chesham Town Hall? Using your own transport you would drive a guest or guests from the Chesham, Amersham or Little Chalfont areas to the hall for 11.30am on Friday 25 December , then come back to take them home at 3.30pm. It is a very worthwhile thing to do for the festive season – to help someone who would otherwise be on their own on Christmas Day. For more information please call 01895 837545 or email joy@voluntaryaction.org.

Coordinating Cards for Good Causes

On Wednesday 18 November the Cards for Good Cause charity Christmas card shop is having a Golden celebration. In 1959 a group of medical charities got together to talk about coordinating publicity for selling charity cards. They formed The 1959 Group of Charites (registered charity no. 249039) and in 1964, began selling Christmas cards from empty shops in town centres. Fifty years on it is still going strong and, in conjunction with its trading arm, Cards for Good Causes Limited, has raised £75 million. From this £75 million the charities had to pay for the production and distribution of their cards and any VAT. Shop Manager Jane Paterson said, “We will be celebrating these 50 years of charity cooperation at a special 'Golden Morning' on Wednesday 18 November and there will be free refreshments.” Call 01494 772983.

Legions of help

At the Remembrance Day reception the British Legion took the opportunity to thank some of the people who had helped since the fire.

The fire brigade were proud recipients of a framed certificate, they were commended for rescuing so much of the silverware - apparently neighbours’ recycling boxes were used to ferry out the cups. TS Arrow (the Sea Cadets), were also recognized for extending the use of their premises to the Legion. Our picture shows Commanding Officer Chief Petty Officer (SCC) Keith Jones and Petty Officer Cadet Zoe Jones proudly displaying the certificate.

Another award went to Tony Pearson for 24 years of service to the Legion and he is pictured here with his daughter Maria Podbury who has put in 15 years, and son-in-law Andrew Podbury who made the wooden cross for the poppy display.

Rotary donations recognized

Last week the Rotary Club of Chesham welcomed Lady Joy Baker founder of School Aid in 1998, and presented her with its most prestigious award. Vila Maninga is a community project committed to care for children in Mozambique. It has, among other projects, foster homes for orphans, and a primary school to which School Aid sent a container full of books and equipment. David Unwin said, “We had an interesting meeting where the project was described.”

Chiltern Voice Amersham – Henry Wizgier: Friends of Belarusian Children’s Hospice

Local Polish folk-singing group Amershamki serenaded customers at Amersham’s Cafe Africa last Saturday, as part of a fund-raising programme for young victims of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster in Ukraine. Although it is 23 years since the accident happened, many young victims who were irradiated but managed to grow into adulthood, have passed on serious health problems to their offspring. Some children are severely disabled while others are terminally ill and the country which seems to have inherited the worst of the problem, Belarus, has welcomed much-needed voluntary international help to cope with it. The British-based Friends of Belarusian Children’s Hospice have been involved in raising funds and helping in other ways since 1999. There are now eight establishments run by Belorus Children’s Hospice throughout the country providing palliative care for the children and support for their families. Cafe Africa in Chesham Road, is a not for profit establishment which specialises in serving either local, ethically sourced or fairtrade products and supports all local charities. November has been dedicated to Friends of Belarusian Children’s Hospice which will be the recipient of this month’s profits. There is more Amersham news on this blog's sister site Chiltern Voice - Amersham area http://chilternvoiceamersham.blogspot.com/

Amersham Fireworks provided by the Lions

Amersham's annual Fireworks Display is being held at Amersham-on-the-Hill Cricket Club, Woodside Road, Amersham, on Saturday 7 November 2009. Gates open half an hour earlier this year at 6.15pm and the fireworks start at 7pm. Attendance costs for adults £5, children £1 and there will be a barbeque and hot drinks available. Lion Dennis Wright said when it comes to fireworks, “Think safety first”. The Amersham & Chesham Lions Club (Registered Charity No. 1048417) serves: Talking Newspaper, South Bucks Hospice, Riding for the Disabled, Medic Alert, Water Wells, Sight First, Diabetes Awareness and the Christmas Parcels Scheme.

Festive fun for a good claus

Santas on the Run will be held in Lowndes Park on Sunday 29 November. Join hundreds of people dressed in Father Christmas suits. Santas on the Run 2009 is the seasonal way to support Iain Rennie Hospice at Home and the Pepper Foundation. Choose from a one kilometre mini-run for younger children and their families or a five kilometre run. Last year there were lots of families including toddlers and babies, even dogs participated. It costs £5 per child aged up to 15 (children under three go free) £10 per adult and £20 per family. Entry includes the Santa suit to turn the park a festive red and white. You must enter in advance visit www.irhh.org/santarun, email fundraising@irhh.org or call 01442 890222. Corrected text.

Hospice of St Francis Santa Dash 2009

The Hospice of St Francis is holding its second annual Santa Dash on Sunday 6 December. Last year hundreds of Santas took to the streets of Hemel Hempstead dressed as Santa, to raise money for the Hospice. The event, which starts at Riverside Shopping Centre, is suitable for everyone of all ages and abilities. Despite being off patch I include it to show that Chesham’s Lowndes Park isn’t the only venue for red-and-white runners. Registration costs just £15, £5 for children or you can register the whole family (including the dog) for £35. You will receive your own Santa suit which is yours to keep, plus a medal and an Oojam Indian wrap and tea or coffee at the finish line. For more information and to download a registration form please visit http://www.stfrancis.org.uk/ or call the Fundraising Team on 01442 869555, alternatively email fran.martin@stfrancis.org.uk.

Running for local government

The Town Hall is entering a team for the Herbert’s Hole run put on by Chiltern Harriers on Sunday 15 November 2009. The team comprises Danny Essex from Chesham Moor Gym and Swim, Bill Richards the Town Clerk, Cllr Colette Littley who represents St Mary’s Ward and the Mayor’s husband Simon Fulford. They have even been spotted practising. The team is encouraging sponsors and supporters to donate to the mayor's charity which this year is Shed @ thePark www.shedatthepark.co.uk. Justine Fulford said, “Thanks to Danny's bright idea, I have set up a JustGiving page for the Town Hall runners. You can find it at http://www.justgiving.com/Mayor-of-Chesham-2009-10.”

Pink 30 minute workout

Fitness Club Phoenix is doing a Wear It Pink day to raise money for the Breast Cancer Campaign on Friday 30 October. Heather said, “We will have donation boxes out and hope that anyone who comes into the gym to workout will be wearing something pink and putting a donation into the pot for the privilege. It is a national event. We will probably do a few cakes and things to go along with it so non-members can come in a join in the fun.” Also to tie in with this we are having the Pampered Chef who sells nice kitchen equipment and will probably do discounts on her goodies. I have it on good authority she is bringing a pink cake too, to tie in with the theme of the day. She is not linked with Pink Day but just something extra and a little different. Pop down to Fitness Club Phoenix at 97-99 High Street HP5 1DE, email info@fitnessclubphoenix.co.uk or call 01494 810122.

Trevor Collins’ name lives on

Brenda Collins has been busy since her husband sadly died at the age of 63 in July last year. She has set up the Trevor Collins Foundation to save the lives of people with bowel cancer. People need to be aware that faecal occult blood test (FOB) tests are not reliable. Although better than nothing, they can give false negatives. FOB tests do not pick up every form of bowel cancer and Brenda is calling for more effective NHS screening. Meanwhile she advises people not to wait for the NHS and to have regular checks. In the USA this means a colonoscopy every five years. The Trevor Collins Foundation has just received formal registration and has raised £35,000 already. Brenda said, “We would now like to offer our services to any bowel cancer patient or their family, if they are in need of some help, guidance or counselling. We would also like to put our message out there as someone may be prepared to organise some fund raising activity for us or simply make a donation.” Call Brenda on 01494 786827 or email brenda@belmonthouse.net. Registered Charity No. 1131618.

More books - Six Of The Best by Martyn Pritchard

On another book front, Martyn Pritchard former journalist at the Bucks Examiner, has published a pamphlet called Six of the Best. It is a tribute to his top six heroes, with proceeds going to Thomas Ball Cancer Trust, Restore Hope Latimer and Novi Most. The Mayor, Cllr Justine Fulford has written the forward and said, “At the moment the pamphlets are available only directly through the charities but Suzy Talbot or the Examiner and I will get together to persuade other outlets in Chesham to sell them.” Justine continued, “Martyn always did his best for Chesham during his many years at the Bucks Examiner. I was impressed by his choice of charities and intrigued to know how his heroes qualified.” (Pssst Martyn said it is Ok to tell you – his heroes are: Thomas Ball, Roy Castle, Sammy Davis Junior, Derek Dougan, Robert Louis Dreyfus and Jean Seberg.)

Chiltern Community Awards 2009

Volunteers who work in the community help to improve the quality of life for us all and CDC is pleased to be able to recognise the contribution they make. Nominations are sought for the Chiltern District Council Community Awards 2009 which are presented with the support of Nexus Community and Chiltern & South Bucks Voluntary Action. People who help: run a club; care for the elderly; support working practices; man a museum or put on plays may be the unsung heroes in your neighbourhood. There are seven nomination categories with a new award to celebrate young carers: Group Award : Individual Award : Older & Bolder Award : Young People Award : Business Award : Long Service Award : Young Carers Award. Submit your nomination online www.chiltern.gov.uk/communityawards2009 before Friday 30 October 2009 at 5pm. The awards ceremony will take place on Friday 4 December 2009 at the Chiltern District Council offices in Amersham.

Citizens advise citizens

Chiltern Citizens Advice Bureau is a charitable company limited by guarantee, celebrating its 70th anniversary. At the annual general meeting on Tuesday 29 September they reported helping 3959 unique clients during the year – an 11 per cent increase. Client often have multiple problems so 16,411 different social policy issues were dealt with. The client group broadly reflects the community, especially the poor sections of it, with an over-representation from social housing tenants and ethnic minority groups. Redundancy issues are up by a massive 224 percent as a direct reflection of the recession. However an increase in volunteers enabled longer opening hours and they plan to open on Friday mornings in Chesham soon. People are not fully aware of the effect that volunteer labours are having on citizens. The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free information and advice from over 3,000 locations, and by influencing policymakers.

Coffee for charity

Paradigm Housing and Connaught are holding a Macmillan Coffee Morning this Friday 25 September in Chesham, at the Belmont Club, Windsor Road from 10 am - noon. Everyone is invited and a good part of the money they spend will go towards Macmillan Cancer Support. Sandy Coyle, Community Development Officer at Paradigm said, “It is an opportunity for Paradigm tenants (and others) in Chesham to chat with Paradigm and Connaught staff about any tenancy or repairs and raise money for MacMillan Cancer Support. As you know it's for a very worthy cause." (Henry Wizgier picked up this event before I heard of it but it is a Chesham event – thanks Henry.)

Phoenix risen

Phoenix classes started on Monday 21 September at the studio in the High Street opposite Sainsburys. There is a wide variety of activities to choose from ranging from relaxing yoga and stretch classes to the more invigorating aerobisize and body conditioning workouts. Go along and find former Kaizen staff Jenny, Heather, Jon and Jeremy again, as well as the new trainers Adam and Jamie. Direct debit and credit card systems are now in place and you can book for a free class. Call Fitness Club Phoenix Ltd on 01494 810122 or email alan@fitnessclubphoenix.co.uk.

Sponsored Ride

The Rotary Club of Chesham held a Sponsored Horse Ride at Dundridge Farm on Saturday 5 September - we reported Horseriders chance for the year. About 70 riders attended with their horses, to try negotiating 36 jumps set out over a six mile course, all in beautiful countryside. The weather was perfect, and the ground not too hard. It was a great success and raised funds for the eradication of polio and other Rotary charities. With massive help from the Bill Gates Foundation and the World Health Organisation, Rotary's ambition to remove wild polio virus from the world now seems within reach.

Go ape for the hospice on Sunday 18 October

For those who like to monkey around, the Hospice of St Francis' sponsored tree-top challenge gives you a chance to climb through the trees, slide across high wires, crawl through tunnels, brave rope bridges, balance on planks and then zip down to the ground. Go Ape is an award-winning high wire forest adventure course of rope bridges, Tarzan swings and zip slides – all set high up in the trees of Wendover Woods. For a £15 registration fee, you can monkey around too. On Sunday 18 October you’ll be fitted with a climbing harness and given instruction before trekking from tree to tree high above the forest floor. You need to find 15 people to sponsor you at £10 each and you’ll have reached the £150 minimum sponsorship level. To register download the registration form or call 01442 869555. Minimum age to participate is 10, under 18’s must be accompanied by a participating adult, and height and weight restrictions apply. See the Go Ape! website for more details. For information, pictures and update on local teams taking part please call Claire on 01442 869555. The Hospice of St Francis cares for people from across Hertfordshire in its purpose built Berkhamsted facility. Visit http://www.stfrancis.org.uk/

Shed’s open

Shed @ The Park Theatre Company invites young people aged between seven-18 years, their parents, prospective volunteers and local businesses to attend a free open evening on Thursday 10 September. It runs from 6.30 - 9.30pm in and around the Drama Studio of Chesham Park Community College, Chartridge Lane. As well as being able to enjoy a delicious barbeque and hear about all the plans that Shed @ The Park has in store, it will also be a Gift and Craft event selling items such as painted glass, turkish crafts, textile pictures and handcrafted jewellery. Jayne Pyper said, “Come along and hear what Shed @ The Park is all about”. Visit http://www.shedatthepark.co.uk/ or email info@shedatthepark.co.uk

Shed is also holding a charity street collection on Saturday 12 September from 9.30-2.30pm. It will take place along certain points on Sycamore Road (the Main Street) in Amersham and on the forecourt of St Michael’s Church where there will also be a stall with temporary tattoos etc. Jayne Pyper said, “If you are shopping in Amersham on the day please come and see us at our information stall or put that loose change into one of our tins.”

Walk in aid of Brain Tumour UK

Register now for a walk on Sunday 4 October at 2pm starting at The Old Swan near The Lee, HP16 9NU. It will be an easy four and a half mile circular walk on well defined paths, taking two hours at the most. Choose from three led groups leaving at 2pm, 2.15pm or 2.30pm, the walk suits all ages but be prepared for muddy conditions if wet. Entry fee £5 per person, for entry and sponsorship form if required, please call 01494 723561 or email kiki.connor@braintumouruk.org.uk. Registration beforehand is preferred. Visit www.braintumouruk.org.uk.

Further to the Over the Hill family walk

Further to the Young join in Over the Hill family walk, Marie Djela of On Behalf of Cancer Research UK, invites people to visit the dedicated website to register www.overthehillwalk.co.uk or to come and enter the event on the day - Sunday 20 September by coming at 10am to the Church Mead (behind Memorial Garden in Old Amersham). Entry fee is £10 and children under 16 go free. We are appealing to families and volunteers to get involved, and we are also looking for men to volunteer to give us muscular support. We will ask for a voluntary contribution for late entry.

RAFA charity stall

On Wednesday 16 September the Chesham Royal Air Force Association has a charity stall in Chesham market with new and second hand items. Jean Mayne said, “We have been given some goodies, quality watches, a new electric toothbrush, paper backs at only 30p each, art magazines at 20p each and a few art books from £2. Many other items include RAFA badges and memorabilia so we do hope you find something of interest: or just come along and have a chat. I am sure most people know that RAFA now meet at the White Hill Centre in Friday nights from 8pm to 10.30pm since we lost our Royal British Legion where we all used to congregate. Thanks to the White Hill Centre we have settled in well with a good crowd, and enjoy our evening.”

New altruistic things to do

Been thinking about volunteering now that the summer’s over, but not sure where to start? Marion Scourfield asks if you’d be interested in one of the following opportunities.

Woodrow High House, near Amersham needs a note taker
Spend a couple of hours to take notes of the key points at the monthly meetings of the fund-raising committee? It is an active group who support Woodrow High House charity which provides residential and training opportunities for disabled and youngsters with special needs, as well as schools and youth groups. Monthly meetings are usually on Mondays from 10.30am to 12.30pm and occasionally Wednesdays.
Samaritans, Amersham need a head of fundraising
The volunteers at Chilterns Samaritans are a dedicated group operating 24/7 to help people in need of emotional support. They need a head of fundraising with creative ideas to bring in more money. An experienced person would direct fundraising, develop a strategy and lead the team to reach the annual target of £10K. The branch is run entirely by volunteers and all money raised is used to support local people. The role is flexible, working in your own time, but it would involve occasional evening and weekend work for fundraising events.
Patients need the treatment
The Iain Rennie Hospice at Home (IRHH) needs complementary therapists in South Bucks and High Wycombe. IRHH is looking to recruit aromatherapists, reflexologists, massage therapists, craniosacral therapists and Reiki practitioners with one or two years post qualification experience who would be able to offer half a day a week. Complementary therapy volunteers work as part of the IRHH nursing teams in patients’ homes. A full induction and education programme is offered to suitable practitioners, plus ongoing support in relation to this specialist care.
For further information, please call Joy Johns on 01895 837545, email joy@voluntaryaction.org. Visit www.voluntaryaction.org.

Chiltern Voice Amersham – Henry Wizgier: Come to the Cabaret

The Mayor of Amersham has organised a Charity Cabaret Evening in aid of Amersham Hospital League of Friends and the invitation is open to everyone. It will take place in the Loch Fyne fish restaurant Old Beaconsfield, reputed to be one of the finest seafood establishments in the district. The date is Sunday 27 September 7 for 7.30pm, main course and dessert cost £25. Tickets are obtainable from Amersham Town Council offices, call 01494 586892 or from Mary Norris 01494 433469. Cheques payable to ‘Amersham Hospital League of Friends’.

Ride on wheels or hooves, or walk

The Buckinghamshire Historic Churches Trust will be holding a sponsored walk, horse or/and cycle ride on Saturday 12 September between 10am – 6pm. You can ride or walk from one church to another to raise money for your own church and half for the trust. Lots of churches are involved in this annual and increasingly popular event including St Mary’s, St Georges Tylers Hill, the Methodist Church in Bellingdon Road cnr Wesley Hill, Emmanuel in Newtown, Christchurch in Waterside and Ley Hill Common Methodist Church. Some serve refreshments. You need a sponsorship form and then register at participating churches. Details and forms are available from your church organiser or from the St Mary’s parish organiser, Ken Gooch call 01494 785859. Don’t forget, if your sponsors are tax payers and they sign a gift aid declaration form, the charity will recoup 28% more.

Horseriders chance for the year

The Rotary event not to be missed is their annual sponsored horse ride on Saturday 5 September. It is a six mile course with 30 simple jumps in beautiful countryside away from all roads. Entry costs adults £15 or children £10, together with a minimum sponsorship of £15, and entry forms are available from John Harding call 01494 863067.

Young join in Over the Hill family walk

Marie Djela is a volunteer organising an Over the Hill family fun walk in Amersham. It is a sponsored walk in support of Cancer Research UK, designed for the whole family where dads are welcome and the fancy dress competition a great way to engage young people to walk in the countryside as part of their healthy lifestyle. Walking is the most accessible form of exercise and a great way to spend quality time with the family. The countdown has begun for the walk, set for Sunday 20 September. Marie Djela said, “We’re urging individuals, couples and families to come together and step out at the Over the Hill Family Fun Walk to help Cancer Research UK support scientific research into the causes of cancer and better treatments for the future. Cancer touched my family twice this year and made me realise that the commonly known fact that cancer affects directly one in three people. I decided to do something positive with a lasting benefit to anyone.” Amersham countryside offers great views and plenty of public routes to explore. The walk is a circular five miles along the public footpath starting in Old Amersham. Signing up is just one of the ways you can support Cancer Research UK’s vital research. Experts believe around a quarter of cancers are linked to diet, obesity and alcohol, so it’s important for people to make sure they’re getting five daily portions of fruit and veg, and getting plenty of exercise. Walking is free to do and one of the most enjoyable forms of exercise, particularly when walking with friends. The good news is that thanks to research, better treatments and earlier detection, survival rates for cancer have been improving for more than 20 years and more people than ever are being successfully treated. There is a registration fee of £10 per adult (children under 16 are free) covers the administration, which means that all sponsorship money raised goes directly into research. To register, or to sponsor please get in touch with Marie Djela call 07958 670511 email maria.walk@live.co.uk or visit http://www.justgiving.com/AmershamFunWalk .

The Chesham Education Charities

If you have been at one of Chesham’s schools for the last two years or more, you may qualify for assistance with outfits, tools, instruments or books to pursue your education. There are four educational charities: Rachel Johnson’s Eleemosynary, the W J Standring Trust, the Chesham Students and Apprentices Fund, and the Prior’s Charity and their objects are similar. They are for the educational benefit of the young people of Chesham but because they were set up ages ago there is very little money: but it could be better than nothing. Peter Ward said, “As soon as students have their placements, keep receipts for books or tools and make an application before the end of October”. Email Peter on ward.peter2@googlemail.com, or apply to Peter Ward at 59 Darvell Drive, Chesham, HP5 2QN. The Trustees will tell applicants whether they are eligible and the next trustee’s meeting will be held in early December.

Charity seeks Honorary Treasurer

Brain Tumour UK, a national charity of some 12 years standing based at Latimer Park, wishes to appoint an Honorary Treasurer. Brain Tumour UK is at the forefront of support to brain tumour patients, their carers and families and also works on awareness-raising and funding research projects. We reported. The charity is dependent on voluntary donations. Kiki Connor said, “The Treasurer would advise our Trustees in taking our developing and dynamic charity to its next stage. As well as being a member of the Board of Trustees, you will provide leadership in maintaining an overview of the charity’s finances, working closely with the Chair, Chief Executive and small finance team. You will also chair the Board’s Finance & Planning Sub-Group.” If you have a proven track record in a senior finance role in a successful organisation and a passion for making a difference for brain tumour patients and their families, please download an application pack from www.braintumouruk.org.uk, e-mail anne.rodgers@braintumouruk.org.uk or call 01494 549180.

Chiltern Voice Amersham – Henry Wizgier: Amersham cards for Good Causes

With summer beginning to draw to an end – cynics might say it’s only just beginning – some people are already planning for Christmas. One such group Amersham Cards for Good Causes, the charity Christmas Card shop which operates at St Michael’s Church in Sycamore Road, is looking for an organiser. This is a fairly involved position which carries a modest remuneration and can be shared by two people. Read more about it in Chiltern Voice Amersham area.

Would you like to spend January in India?

Rotary clubs in the district are looking for four individuals who would like to spend four weeks at the beginning of 2010, looking at life in Chennai (formerly Madras) India, with particular reference to their chosen trade or profession. Team members will stay with Rotarians in their own homes and will enjoy a comprehensive itinerary to enable them to get a good understanding of the lives of people there and the way that their counterparts work. Chalmers Cursley said, “We would like the opportunity to interview a number of potential candidates who have a real interest in being part of our team, to go to this fascinating location.” Team members must be between the ages of 25 and 40 years of age and be in employment. The only costs to the individual are personal insurance, immunisation and spending money; other costs are met by Rotary. Interviews will be held in September. Call either Mervyn Edwards of the Rotary Club of Chesham on 01494 792382 or Philip Roberts of the Rotary Club of Amersham on 01494 783513.

Ducks in duck alley

The youth club is having its annual duck race on Saturday 29 August 2009. It will starting at the Town Bridge in Germain Street at the entrance to the appropriately named Duck Alley, at 3pm. The ducks cost one pound each and anyone can ‘buy’ from any youth club committee member such as Di Brackley - dibrackley@hotmail.com, 01494 774545; Noel Brown - nbrown@chiltern.gov.uk; 01494 783164 or Jane Bramwell - jbramwel@chiltern.gov.uk, 01494 775239. Ducks float down to the Meads Water Gardens where the race ends. The small yellow plastic ducks are caught by two people who pass on the prizes to the winners. The duck race will be opened by the mayor Cllr Justine Fulford who has already attended a duck race in her mayoral year.

Chesham’s got talent

A Fairtrade Poetry Competition 2009-2010 has been launched for poets inspired by Fairtrade. The Reverend Colin Cartwright said, “We know there are lots of creative people in Chesham, and we want you to send us your poetry. There are lots of prizes to be won.” The theme is Fair-trade, to find out more, go to the Fairtrade Foundation website http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/, or visit Chesham's Fairtrade website http://www.chesham4fairtrade.co.uk/. Competition rules can be downloaded from http://www.chesham4fairtrade.co.uk/poems.htm, or pick up a hard copy from Chesham Town Hall or the Library. There are various age categories and any style will be acceptable although the maximum length of poem allowed is 32 lines. Winners of each category will have the chance to read out their poems on Thursday 4 March 2010 at the award evening when the overall winner will be announced. The winning poem will then be performed by Shed@ThePark at one of their performances in 2010. Closing date for entries is Sunday 31 January 2010. To get you in a poetic mood, visit the website www.chesham4fairtrade.co.uk/poems.htm for a selection of Fairtrade poetry, written by local poet Susan Lacey.

Waitrose Community Matters to White Hill

The White Hill Centre will be one of your choices in the Waitrose Green token scheme in August. We mentioned this scheme when Chesham Education Charities benefitted. The scheme at Waitrose gives customers a green disc when they shop which they place in one of three boxes giving a proportion of the Waitrose monthly donation to the beneficiaries. We are all urged to shop at Waitrose during August and support the White Hill Centre by putting our token in the right slot. The White Hill Centre, an old Victorian building, is constantly in need of restoration and improvement. It is managed by the Chesham & District Community Association (C&DCA) which was formed in 1976. C&DCA charity serves the community by providing recreational, educational and social facilities and is unique in owning its own premises. The money received from Waitrose will be put towards this fund.

Browse books

Caracol is holding another book sale on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August from 11am to 3.30pm at 12 Lye Green Road. There will be books, mostly fiction but also reference on art, history, as well as children’s topics. There is also a selection of framed pictures. Call Myra Ottley on 01494 782179

D-day appeals for only one item, but it must be good

Retail shopping guru Mary Portas' TV programme on charity shops recently, has prompted the Hospice of St Francis to ask people to donate just one good quality piece of clothing, shoes or accessories. People from businesses and organisations in Bucks, Herts and Beds may have something in their wardrobe or an item from home, for a special Donate Don't Dump D-day appeal. You can hold your D-Day any time and anywhere - perhaps in the staff canteen, at a coffee break or lunch hour or down the pub with friends after work. Simply let everyone know when D-Day is, then set up a collection point and wait for people to bring in that magic item they may never have worn, never wanted or been meaning to throw out. It means money for the Hospice of St Francis and helps provide care for very ill people when they need it most. Claire De Silva said, “It's such a simple thing to do. It just needs someone with a big personality to tell everyone to bring their stuff in, a few big bin bags and a spare half hour. Let us know when you've collected your goodies, send us your pictures and we'll do the rest.” Call Claire at the Hospice of St Francis on 01442 869555.

Rotary’s kids day out

David Unwin tells me that Chesham Rotary Club took 28 young people with learning disabilities on a day out to Whipsnade Zoo in June. The zoo gives special terms and a free train ride for such groups, and Rotary supplied a packed lunch. Other Rotary groups participated as well so there were about 800 young people enjoying the animals and other attractions. The day was a great success, and the children particularly enjoyed the sea lion show and the train ride. Chesham Rotary Club received some marvellous thank-you letters including this picture of a llama and the gift shop. ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is owned by the Zoological Society of London. It covers 600 acres (2.4 km2), and can be seen from afar because of its large white lion hill figure carved into the side of the Dunstable Downs (part of the Chiltern Hills). Visitors may walk or drive between the various animal enclosures or where some animals roam free, and there is also a narrow gauge train. ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is one of Europe's largest wildlife conservation parks, home to 6,405 animals, many of which are endangered in the wild.

The Chiltern Charity Golf Classic 2009

Advance notice of the annual Chiltern Charity Golf Classic which will be held on Thursday 24 September 2009 at the Gerrards Cross Golf Club, Chalfont Park, Gerrards Cross SL9 0QA. The event now in its 23rd year, is organised by The Rotary Club of Amersham and sponsored by the NHBC (the National House-Building Council). The main beneficiaries of the event this year will be the Pepper Foundation, Help For Heroes (Help for Heroes is a new organisation formed to help those who have been wounded in Britain's current conflicts) and other Rotary charities. For an entry form or further information please contact Nick Webb on 01494 434544 or email nickwebb@pwwpl.com (Rotary district 1230 http://www.rotary1260.org.uk/)

Feted at the Hen & Chicks

St George’s Church summer fete will be on Saturday 4 July at the Hen and Chickens, Botley Road from 1 - 4pm. There will be stalls, refreshments, side shows and activities for children. Admission is free. If wet it will relocate to the Ley Hill Memorial Hall.

Tell all about your society or group

The Chiltern Show at Great Missenden* on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July offers a community area set aside for local groups and societies to take part at specially reduced rates. The Chiltern Show is a fun family outdoor show, second only to the county show and growing in size every year. Contact Alison Pirouet for an application form and information, call 0790 524 33378 or email alisonp76@aol.com. Visit www.hdfairs.co.uk/chilterns_show/default.asp . *Specifically the show will be at Town End Farm, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire HP16 9AX.

White Hill AGM

The annual general meeting of the Chesham & District Community Association (C&DCA) will be held at the White Hill centre on Tuesday 16 June 2009 at 8pm. Visit www.whitehillcentre.co.uk, call 01494 775190 or email whitehillcentre@hotmail.co.uk.

Workaid uses sustainable resources

There will be a Workaid open morning on Saturday 6 June from 9.30am – noon, at the Old Boot Factory, 71 Townsend Road, Chesham HP5 2AA. Workaid tackles poverty in developing countries. It collects unwanted items such as tools from all over the UK, repairing and sending them to disadvantaged people, mostly in East Africa. You are invited to go along on Saturday for a look around the refurbished factory to see the work they do. The latest Workaid container left the Little Chalfont storage site destined for Uganda, on Friday 20 March 2009. It is the second 20 foot container to be sent to Africa this year. It is carrying a large quantity of second-hand tools and equipment refurbished by the dedicated and loyal volunteers at the Townsend Road workshop. On board are 459 kits, packed into 710 boxes and weighing 9.3 tons. In all 30 worthwhile vocational training projects and self-help projects will be the beneficiaries thus helping 1,500 disadvantaged people to escape the cycle of poverty. From Mombasa, Kenya the container will travel overland to Workaid's partner Interservice. It is unlikely to actually arrive in Kampala until late in the year because there are long delays at the port of Mambasa. The tools sent are: sewing machines - manual, treadle and electric; typewriters – manual, electric and portable; knitting machines and wool; tool kits for carpentry, masonry, metalwork, mechanics, plumbing, electrical, leatherwork and horticulture; as well as fabric, workmates, nails and screws and other odd tools. Visit http://www.workaid.org/ or our previous report .

Chiltern Voice Amersham – Henry Wizgier: Goodnight Walk

The charity-walk season is in full swing and this Saturday 6 June sees the Goodnight Walk, an 11 mile sponsored trek which takes place around the streets of Amersham, through the night. It is on behalf of the Iain Rennie Hospice At Home and over 1,000 participants, mainly women, are expected to take part. The event starts at the Amersham and Chiltern Rugby Club which is in Weedon Lane, Chesham Bois, at midnight. It will follow well-lit paths taking in most of Amersham and Little Chalfont’s main roads. Visit www.gnwalk.com. Volunteer stewards and other helpers are still welcome, phone Kerri Coote, Community Fundraiser on 01442 890222 or email gnwalk@irhh.org. Facebook users who have an account and would like to donate, there is a facility on the site for the first time.
Last Saturday, the original night-walk took place in London, the famous Moonwalk which is a fund-raiser for cancer charities and is mainly for women. For the third year running (or should that be walking?) Amersham’s Gloria Haynes completed the course – in 6 hours 45 minutes. Gloria’s total sponsorship fund in aid of breast cancer currently stands at £502.05 and should anyone want to add a pound or two, it can still be done .
There is more Amersham news on this blog's sister site Chiltern Voice - Amersham area http://chilternvoiceamersham.blogspot.com.

Civic Trust

June09 update: All is not lost, visit www.civicsocietyinitiative.org.uk
The Civic Trust went into administration in April after more than 50 years of campaigning to improve the quality of the built environment. It was the umbrella organisation for 700 local civic and amenity societies across the UK. Chairman Philip Kolvin blamed the recession, loss of the Green Flag contract and lack of local authority funding. He still believes in the civic movement but it needs grassroots members of vision and energy. There is strong support for the CT from national bodies such as CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England), RIBA (the Royal Institute of British Architects) and the Town and Country Planning Association. They have made offers of help providing office space, finance or/and personnel. There is still hope it or some of CT’s main components such as the Civic Trust (architectural) Awards, and Green Flag accreditation, can be rescued. President Griff Rhys Jones is working with more than 500 civic societies, and hundreds of individuals have also shown their support, many pledging annual contributions along the lines of CPRE membership subscriptions.
Three things are clear: the civic society movement needs an independent champion; the movement needs to be supported as a network where the voice of individual societies and local groups can be strengthened and the future needs to be rooted in what the societies want - they need to drive the way forward. English Heritage will deliver the 2009 Heritage Open Days. The National Trust will fund someone experienced for a year to provide strong leadership for this critical period. It will be Tony Burton who has over 20 years experience in the field. Office accommodation and in-kind support has been donated by CPRE (in London) and the RIBA (in Liverpool) and a charitable home to receive funds and provide governance will be provided through the autonomous North of England Civic Trust.

A big Thank You

Chesham Royal British Legion branch and club would like to say thank you to all those that have opened their doors to RBL members. Brian Shrieve particularly mentioned: Amersham RBL; the Conservative Club; the Belmont Club; the Youth Club; Bill Richards and staff at the Town Hall; and Mick the manager of the Elgiva and the White Hill Centre. Chesham RBL is also grateful for help offered to their Poppy organiser by Chesham Football Club. Brian said, “You have all been fantastic. Due to these organizations, we can continue our roll in the British Legion until we move back to our head quarters in Broad Street.” The British Legion will still be supporting the Chesham Carnival as planned. A special general meeting will be held at the Elgiva on Monday 22 June at 8pm for RBL members. Brian continued, “The Armed Forces service on Saturday 27 June will carry on in Lowndes Park, and after the service we will continue our celebration at the Town Hall, right through till late evening”. So do go and join the RBL on this date Saturday 27 June. “Regards to all the public of Chesham, from all at The British Legion,” Brian concluded.

The RBL spirit

Hellen Loakes, Poppy Appeal organiser of the Chesham Royal British Legion said it took a while to come to terms with what has happened. She has set up a website www.cheshampoppyappeal.vpweb.co.uk/ and said, “I will be using this to keep members and public informed of what is going on. There is nothing left of the legion’s premises at 111 Broad Street and my entire poppy appeal stock was in there. I am starting from scratch but I enjoy a challenge and will do my very best to keep the appeal running normally this year”. Hellen thanks everyone for all the wonderful words of support and the offers of help. There is a facebook entry where you can find many tributes to the Chesham RBL. “The last word is we are a very close knit club and this is only going to bring us closer and make us stronger”.

It’s National Volunteers Week from 1 June

Volunteer Centre Manager Joy Johns poses questions. “Are you thinking of volunteering but don’t know where to start? Do you want to improve your skills, cv, meet people or just have fun?” The Volunteer Centre (Chiltern and South Bucks) advisors can help you. They will be in Chesham Library on Tuesday 2 June from 10am - 4pm. No need to make an appointment, just drop in to find out about the wide variety of opportunities in the area. If you can’t make that day but still want to find out more call 01895 837545, email joy@voluntaryaction.org or visit www.voluntaryaction.org/.

Pednor’s day paid

The garden opening last week at Old Sun House, Pednor raised £2,500 which, as Mark Sharpley said, “Should make the charities happy”. See our notification Out in the garden with a chainsaw.

Creative chance

Mediabox offers disadvantaged 13 to 19 year olds the opportunity to develop and produce creative media projects, using film, television, print, radio or online platforms. Mediabox has announced that Mini Mediabox is now open for applications. Mini Mediabox provides grants of £1,500 to £5,000 and is open to grassroots and community youth organisations with a turnover of £100k or under. The scheme which is run by a consortium consisting of First Light Movies, Media Trust, Skillset and the UK Film Council is for young people to: express their own opinions, ideas and views; gain new skills; encourage creativity; boost personal development and get their voices heard. Applications can be submitted at any time. Full details are on their website www.media-box.co.uk/index.php.

Out in the garden with a chainsaw

The garden at Old Sun House, Pednor will be open on Sunday 24 May (the Bank Holiday Sunday) from 2 - 6pm. This year’s highlight will be a wooden outdoor carving. When a tree right near the house died, Mark commissioned a sculptor from Wales, Simon O'Rourke who has worked in Germany, Japan and America, to carve it into a work of art with his chainsaw. It is acacia so should survive the elements, see if you can pick out the owl and the mouse. There is ample parking with proceeds to the Scouts, and a field for family picnics. Entrance costs £3 and children free. Teas and home made cakes will be served and proceeds from the plant sale will aid Scannappeal. The garden is set in five acres on the top of a Chiltern ridge with spectacular views over farmland. There is a large pond, herbaceous beds, woodland walk and collection of endangered pheasants, chickens, guinea fowl, white peacocks and lots of ten day old chickens.

New Mayor for 2009-10

The new mayor was elected on Monday evening at a packed Town Council meeting. There were no surprises when Cllr Justine Fulford was nominated and praised for the work she has already done for Chesham and Waterside as both a Town and District councillor. In her acceptance speech Justine referred to the many ways Chesham people live up to the town motto of “serve one another”. When she was asked to stand for the town council four years ago she found the people of Chesham actually do serve one another. There are 19 councillors giving their time to make decisions that affect the town. Some council services would be unsustainable without the support of volunteer groups of Friends such as the Allotments Group, the friends of the Moor Gym and Swim, the ushers and Board of Management at the Elgiva theatre. Hundreds of other people freely serve to ease or enrich our lives. Justine praised the Environment Group, which has brought tidiness and reduced the dropping of rubbish despite meeting for only two hours monthly. Their work cleaning up the River Chess has attracted external funding on improvement projects to help restore the chalk stream. The tidiness is being recognised by locals and visitors – could the efforts of a few have shamed those who might previously have dropped litter? Town Talk written and edited by volunteers is “One of the most elegant community magazines being published in the UK,” said Justine, “It serves us every six months, reporting local achievements and positive news”.
In the High Street successful businesses serve us. Pressure groups work for the common good. Justine covered many more instances of serving one another and then went on to praise a local charity, Shed @ the Park. Shed @ the Park is an entirely inclusive youth theatre workshop which undertakes outreach work in mainstream and special schools, echoing the Chickenshed ethos ‘anyone can thrive in an environment where everyone is welcome’. It involves young people who might otherwise be segregated from society and their peers, but the approach does not compromise standards. Justine pledged to bring its work to wider attention during her mayoral year and raise money for running costs, visit http://www.shedatthepark.co.uk/.

Planting for museum

Keen gardeners with some spare vegetable, flower or herb seedlings are asked to support Chesham Museum's next plant sale on Saturday 6 June. The museum is holding a market stall outside what is shortly to be their new home at No 15 Market Square, the former Chapter 1 book shop. Those with plants to give please bring them to No 15 on Friday 5 June between 10am and 4pm so they can be priced up and ready for market day. If you need more information email vice-chairman Chris Spruytenburg on christopher.spruytenburg@ntlworld.com.
Chris tells me the museum's fish and chip supper quiz night at the Little Theatre by the Park raised in excess of £350, "It was a great event and hope to move to slightly larger premises to cope with growing demand".

Retiring mayor

No doubt last year’s mayor Cllr Alison Pirouet will breathe a sigh of relief to be able to spend more time with her teenaged family after her busy and successful year. At the hand-over she said it had been an interesting year. Her theme was young people: they are not all anti-social, hoddie-wearers, but take part in many activities within the community. This culminated in the Youth Council at the opening of the open air pool, helping to make the ‘big splash’, “If I was to make a spectacle of myself they wouldn’t miss it for the world”. Amongst others, Alison thanked the plot holders of Asheridge Road allotments who kept her plot worked, and her own family. Alison handed over a cheque of £1,634 raised for the Pepper Foundation which provides funds for Pepper Children’s Nurses. The nurses provide professional and loving home care on a 24 hour, 365 days of the year – on-call basis, for seriously ill children throughout Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire. A great achievement over a busy year.

Caracol still progressing

It has been a while since we’ve reported on Caracol – August last year in fact. Caracol has been busy and become important in the lives of its young members. It provides a chance to explore their creativity through art, and develop new skills learned in training workshops. The long-term objective is to train the youth leaders to manage the project and be responsible for planning, delivery and evaluation of activities. In June two Caracol youth leaders will graduate from high school and will be employed on a full time basis - another step towards Caracol becoming a youth-lead community arts project serving the needs of young people in Belizean and Guatemalan communities. A new outreach programme has started in Crooked Tree (the village where Caracol first began work in Belize). Once a month children at the Crooked Tree Government School participate in photography and arts-based classes planned and facilitated by the Caracol Youth Leaders from Arenal. For further information call Stuart Ottley, Chairman of Trustees, Caracol-YCD, on 01494 782179 email s.ottley@tiscali.co.uk.

Chiltern Voice Amersham – Henry Wizgier: Fundraiser

Another local fund-raiser Mike Consden who ran in the London Marathon for and with arthritis, he has suffered with the condition for over twenty five years, has also reported a successful event. His sponsorship total is just a few quid short of £2,000 and is destined for Arthritis Research Campaign.
More on these and other stories in Chiltern Voice Amersham area.

Flower festival

Over the Bank Holiday weekend St Mary’s Ballinger will hold a Flower Festival called Country Flowers in a Country Church. It would be a great time to visit this dear little church in Blackthorne Lane, Ballinger Common HP16 9LN. The festival will be on Saturday 2, Sunday 3 and Monday 4 May from 2 – 5pm and admission is free. There will be refreshments including cream teas on Sunday, cake and garden stalls, all to help raise funds for repairs to the church roof. Maggi Cameron said, “We are also having live music in the Church on the Sunday as well”.

Good start

The Friends of Lowndes Park group is feeling upbeat. With the help of their friends, the Friends have been successful in passing Stage One of the Community Spaces Grant application. They will be appointed an advisor who will help prepare the final stage. At the end of February, the Friends submitted a funding application for £49,950. Under the heading of Community Spaces, the bid was presented to the Groundwork Trust, to upgrade the performance space in Lowndes Park. The idea is to restore and add a temporary shelter to the performance space. Chairman Michael Rowan said, “We are still a way off actually receiving the money but we are on the way. We can learn from our experience.” After the disappointment last year when the Town Council was unsuccessful in its bid for heritage lottery funding under the Parks for People scheme this initial success is encouraging. If you would like to join the Friends of Lowndes Park or to find out more, call Michael Rowan on 01494 785146, email michael.rowan@ntlworld.com or visit http://www.lowndespark.org.uk/.

Refurbishing tools

Workaid is charity which refurbishes unwanted tools and equipment from the general public and sends them overseas to desperately poor people in East Africa, where they are used to change lives. Workaid recently moved to the Old Boot Factory in Townsend Road. Workaid’s recycling operation has a positive environmental impact saving more than 60 tonnes of waste going into landfill each year. Some 270 volunteers from the community go each week to help at Workaid. Many are elderly, retired or redundant people who want to do something useful and worthwhile with their time within a caring and supportive environment. Many who were lonely have found fulfilling companionship. Chrissie Russell Flint said, “We are keen to raise local awareness now that we have moved to Chesham".

Chesham Mayor, Cllr Alison Pirouet and her husband Rick visited Workaid recently for a tour of the building and are pictured watching the refurbishment of a sewing machine.

Chesham4Fairtrade donates books

Chesham Library and two schools have received books from Fairtrade, namely: Banana Wars by Harriet Lamb CBE, the director of the Fairtrade Foundation; 50 Reasons to buy Fairtrade by Litvinoff and Madeley; the Everyday Cookbook by Sophie Grigson and Bittersweet World of Chocolate: Sumptuous Recipes Using Fair Trade Chocolate by Troth Wells. The last title was chosen as Hannah Tricks, former pupil of Chesham High School who is in Ghana visiting cocoa farms to see for herself the difference Fairtrade makes to the livelihoods of cocoa farmers and their villages when they can sell their beans on a Fair Trade basis. Colin Cartwright, Chairman of Chesham4Fairtrade, said: “As Chesham is a Fairtrade Town, we were keen to donate something long-lasting to the libraries and the schools. “People can read for themselves how buying Fairtrade makes a positive difference for farmers and workers around the world, and not simply by increasing the price they receive for their products. The Fairtrade Fortnight earlier this year was successful in attracting wider interest and the Fairtrade Group agreed to use some of the proceeds from those events to pay for these wonderful books.” For more information on Fairtrade in the town, visit http://www.chesham4fairtrade.co.uk/.

Don’t you love Colin’s marvellous plastic bag free waitcoat?

Chiltern Voice Amersham area – Henry Wizgier

Iain Rennie Collections
Iain Rennie Hospice At Home provides specialist nursing care for terminally ill patients who wish to be cared for in their own homes. Their recent street collection in Amersham netted £509.89, Sandra Preston volunteer for community fundraising tells me. Their next collection here will be on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 June 2009, at Tesco in Old Amersham. Enquiries phone 01442 890222. Visit www.irhh.org