Buckingham & Winslow Community Care Forum
BWCCF met with the North Bucks Care For Carers for the forum's AGM on January 28.
One of the items on the agenda was our application to the Charity Commission to change our name to Community Care North Bucks. It was voted on by our members unanimously.
The charity's registered number will stay the same and will continue to be the umbrella for the local Hospital Car Service.
This help for the community has been 'on the road' for over 20 years with the help of voluntary drivers and donations from local organisations and individuals, helped by our own fundraising.
If you are an organisation and would like to help us, help your community, or have a few spare hours you could spend driving (we pay mileage) telephone Gerry on 01280 824536 for more information.
Join us for a Big Brunch at SS Peter & Paul's Church, Buckingham, on Sunday, March 1 from 11am to 1pm.
There will be hot butties, bacon with pancakes and maple syrup, etc.
All are welcome.
This is in aid of our local Hospital Car Service, for details call Gerry on the above number.

Buckingham & Dist. Arch. & Historical Society
THE next meeting of the society is being held on Wednesday, February 25, at 7.30pm in Room MB1, University of Buckingham, when Stuart King will give a talk entitled The Romanies and Their Crafts.
This talk will be about Stuart King's experiences with Romanies and gypsies both in this country and in eastern Europe.
It will also cover a little history, mainly over the last 150 years.
Non-members welcome, £2 per meeting.

The Hardy Plant Society, Bucks and Oxon Group
AT our meeting tomorrow, Saturday, there will be a talk by Stephen Lacey, a well-known garden designer, writer, lecturer and television presenter.
His talk will explore the creative process of garden making from inspiration to reality and will be illustrated by some of the fine private gardens he has encountered on his travels.
He will also draw on his experiences of his own garden on the Welsh border.
The meeting starts at 2.15pm at the Winslow Centre, Park Road, Winslow.
Visitors are very welcome but will be asked to pay £4.
Further details from Paul Radcliffe on 01280 813352.

Buckingham Fairtrade Town Steering Committee
FAIRTRADE Fortnight takes place from February 23 until March 8, and to mark it there will be the annual Traidcraft coffee morning in the Salvation Army Citadel in Moreton Road from 10am to noon on Saturday, February 28.
A Fairtrade stall will be there too, as well as local produce from the Swan Market. Café Ignite at the parish church will have Traidcraft goods on sale during the morning.
In previous years we have had displays on the charity stall, but so many people have asked whether they may buy the produce that we have decided to have a stall on the market this year with produce and crafts on sale.
Please come along and have a look at the wide variety of goods that can be obtained with the Fairtrade logo, and learn about the positive impact that your purchases of Fairtrade products has on the lives of poor producers in developing countries.
In this time of tightening our belts in this country, it is important to remember that the Fairtrade mark guarantees a premium to producers, which enables them to send their children to school, provide healthcare for their families and make improvements to their businesses and communities – things we take for granted.

Netmums
THE Netmums meet-up group is here to help local mums get together, whether it be for a coffee and chat while the little ones play, or a night out on the town!
It is run by local mums who are just like you, but if you feel nervous about coming to a meet-up you can always email or call Kelly for a friendly chat.
We meet for informal get-togethers for mums to have a chat and kids to play in a relaxed environment.
The next one is on Wednesday, April 8 at 10am at The Granary, High Street, Buckingham (The Granary is the function room behind the Grand Junction pub).
Just £1 per family to include tea and coffee, juice, milk and biscuits.
Please bring a toy or two along that your child can play with or is happy to share.
We also meet up at Tumblers in Bridge Street, Buckingham, who are kind enough to offer our group a 10% discount on entrance fees – when paying just tell the member of staff you are with Netmums.
Parents and under ones free.
Dates for Tumblers are Friday, February 27 and Friday, March 13 at 12.30pm.
There is also a chance to bring dad along too, on Sunday, March 29 at 11am.
Email netmums-meetups@hotmail.co.uk or call Kelly Webb on 07979 423846 for more information.

Cancer Research UK
JOIN us tomorrow morning, Saturday, for the Cancer Research UK Big Breakfast at Buckingham Community Centre between 9.30am and 12.30pm to enjoy fruit salad/yoghurt, croissants and bacon rolls for £5.
The event is being organised by the Buckingham Action Group for Cancer Research UK and we look forward to meeting you all there.
Telephone 01280 816483 for more information.

Buckingham Acoustic Club
AFTER last week's full house we started slowly but old and new faces soon arrived to give us an excellent and varied evening.
Udo, having set up the sound, started off with a set of finger-style guitar tunes including originals and pieces by Pierre Bensusan and Davey Graham with some ragtime along the way.
Dave Crawford followed with a superb set of songs, largely in memory of our hero John Martyn who passed away last week.
Dave's set also included Hallelujah and his lovely renditions of James Taylor's Sweet Baby James and You Can Close Your Eyes.
Newcomers James and George, playing under the title of Rock Symphony, gave us a real treat when James opened with a Minuet from the Bach cello suites!
They continued with an original song and Light Up by Snow Patrol, accompanied on guitar and cello.
Hoolie made a welcome return, having played his first set for us last week.
Tonight we heard All Along The Watchtower and Wonderwall by Oasis.
Alex was the last of our young players tonight, this time with a solo set.
Increasing in confidence, his set included Cast Some Light by Jose Gonzales and Guitar Town by Steve Earl.
It's wonderful that we have attracted so many new young performers since the move to the New Inn.
It's always great to see our old friend John Howarth.
Tonight there was only time for a short, but as always, meticulously executed set featuring How Long Blues, Baby Where You Been Last Night and ending with his exciting Rag and Bone Man Rag.
Our final performance was from another Acoustic Club favourite, Paul Downhill, leaving us on a high with his energetic performances of songs by T Rex and The Who, and Paul didn't disappoint those expecting a Townsend-style finale leap!
All in all – better than a night in front of the telly (the beer's good too!) – so why not join us at the New Inn next week!

The Film Place
THE Film Place is showing I've Loved You So Long (12A) today, Friday, at 8pm and tomorrow, Saturday, at 7.30pm.
In French with English subtitles.
This film is a masterclass in powerhouse drama.
Director Philippe Claudel tackles several emotive themes but, ultimately, celebrates the enduring power of human love.
Specifically, the love that allows the darkest secrets to be understood and life's normalities resumed.
The film can be seen at the Ian Fairbairn Lecture Hall, Chandos Road Building, University of Buckingham.

Little Oaks Pre-School
LITTLE Oaks Pre-School, Manor Road, Brackley, is holding a Ladies' Night (previously postponed due to snow!) on Tuesday, March 3 from 7pm to 10pm.
It is a night of pampering, shopping, food, drink, talks and demonstrations.
We have lined up a selection of taster treatments in many different therapies – manicure, back massage, angel healing, reflexology, Indian head massage, hand and arm massage, all of which can be booked through the pre-school.
Treatments cost from £5.
There will be stalls from Usbourne Books, Phoenix Cards, Likisma Aromatherapy, Avon, hand-crafted jewellery, Mini-IQ books, and many others.
There will also be a talk and demonstration from The Pampered Chef.
An entrance ticket for the evening is £3 and includes a free glass of wine or soft drink and nibbles.
There will also be a raffle with fantastic prizes donated by the stallholders and local businesses.
Telephone the pre-school on 01280 840201 or pop in to book your treatment.

Old Gaol Museum
A TABLE top sale is being held at the Old Gaol Museum, Buckingham, tomorrow, Saturday, from 10.30am to 12.30pm, for details call 01280 823020.
Also, on Saturday, February 21, don't miss the Cancer Research UK Big Breakfast at Buckingham Community Centre from 9.30am to 12.30pm when you can breakfast with us for £5.
All profit goes to Cancer Research UK.

Royal British Legion Club (Winslow)
THE Royal British Legion Club (Winslow) Ltd will be holding its AGM on Tuesday, February 24 at 8pm.
All members welcome.

Two's Company Social Club
THE singles social club for those aged 35 to 60+.
Still going strong since it's inception in 2004.
Sunday, March 1 – Six-mile walk and/or lunch, meet at the Three Locks PH on the A4146 Leighton Buzzard to MK (south of MK) road at 11.30am.
There is plenty of parking as the pub is on a slip road; also next to the canal bridge there is a public car park.
The walk will take in The Grand Union Canal, fields, the village of Great Brickhill, and the hilly woods of The Greensand Ridge. Be prepared with walking boots and for the possibility of mud.
Lunch will either be at the Three Locks or The Globe (this is a little further down the road but also next to the canal).
Organisers are Julia and Chris Mead.
Saturday, March 21 – 70/80s Party Night, Boogie Wonderland at Wilton Hall, cost is £25.
Two tables have been reserved for 20 people and the cost includes a hot three-course buffet meal.
Let Norman know if you are interested.
Friday, March 27 – CHAT Quiz Night at Rivets Sports & Social Club, Stoke Mandeville Road, Aylesbury, 7.30pm for 8pm start.
Entrance is £8 a ticket which includes supper; the options are cod and chips, chicken and chips or veggie burger and chips.
Come and join in a fun evening of quizzes covering a variety of subjects such as general knowledge, films, music, TV trivia etc. Get some friends together and join in another enjoyable evening.
Ian is the contact for this.
If you are interested in finding out what Two's Company can offer you, please of different animals still have special uses – ostrich feathers are used to prepare car bodies before they are painted, and the hairs of Russian blue squirrels are best for preparing the moulds for vinyl records.
Special brushes are even used on jump-jet fighters!
Following the talk, we were treated to a couple of good jokes from Angus Davidson and Jim Eckersley.
Roy Norris won the raffle, and the meeting concluded with the toast to Fellowship and Friendship.

Gawcott WI
WE have had a busy few months, despite the recent winter weather, with interesting talks and seasonal events.
Our annual meeting in November was an opportunity to look back at the year's activities and to confirm our committee for the coming year.
The evening finished on a lighter note with some entertainment and a light-hearted quiz.
Our guest for the final meeting of 2008 was Sally Chittenden who demonstrated several Christmas flower arrangements using readily available greenery and flowers, with some festive touches.
It all looked so simple when demonstrated so professionally.
We doubted we could create such effective displays ourselves, but Sally got us all involved in making a traditional wreath.
As is the tradition, our first meeting of the new year was our annual (post-) Christmas meal.
We enjoyed a three-course dinner and good company in very pleasant surroundings.
Our president entertained us with a humorous recitation based on the contents of her 'big green bag', inspired by recent events and activities.
In February, we hosted an open meeting where members and neighbours enjoyed a talk entitled Stop Climate Chaos from RSPB speaker David Nobbs.
David told us about the breadth of activities of the RSPB, which is a wildlife conservation society concerned with a wide range of species and habitats, including the re-introduction of the red kite into the Thames valley, and support for the Sumatran rain forest and the endangered albatross.
He went on to review data and trends to illustrate the climate change that has occurred most dramatically over the past 18 years and that is predicted to continue in the future.
For a wide range of plant and animal species the impact of these changes will greatly increase their risk of extinction, as a result of the impact on their habitats.
RSPB and WI are part of a major coalition, campaigning to put pressure on governments for them to take action against climate change.
David's talk was filled with thought-provoking information and concluded with some breathtaking film of a number of the species that could become extinct in the near future.
On the following evening, we made our way to Milton Keynes Theatre for the spectacular Cinderella on Ice show.

Padbury WI
PADBURY WI held its first meeting of the new year on January 8 in the village hall.
Our speaker for the evening was David Greenwood from Marie Curie Cancer Care.
He gave a very moving description of the conditions the Marie Curie nurses work under, bringing much-needed relief to carers as well as to the patients themselves.
He went on to describe various ideas for raising funds which the charity needs to continue its wonderful work.
The February meeting on the 12th was much more light-hearted.
Despite the treacherous road conditions, two young ladies from Waitrose braved the ice and snow to speak about wines and cheeses available from the store.
Sara Rawlinson and her colleague Sue invited us to sample several different types of cheeses and recommended a wine to accompany each selection.
We were told about the corking process, how to store wine, and how to best serve it.
Our next meeting is on March 12 in the village hall at 7.30pm.
The speaker will be Sara Oliver, who will be talking on Musical Entertainment.
Anyone wishing to join us will be made very welcome – you can ring our secretary, Mrs Jackie Percy, on 01280 821625, or just come along on the evening.

Royal British Legion, Buckingham & District
THE next branch meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 24 at 7.30pm at Buckingham Town Football Club in Ford Street.
At the last meeting in January, welfare member Fred Matthews gave an interesting talk about the Royal British Legion holiday home, Galanos, recently opened near Southam.
Following was an excellent slide show of Buckingham in the past 100 years given by Geoff Kirk.
The talk on February 24 will be about the TV series Lark Rise to Candleford which has connections to this area.
New members and friends are always welcome on the first Tuesday of the month.

Winslow Concert Band
WINSLOW Concert Band held its annual Valentine's concert in Winslow Public Hall on February 14.
Also celebraing its 15th anniversary (two of the original members who are still in the band cut a cake that had been beautifully decorated for the occasion), the band entertained the audience with a variety of music, including the premiere of its newly-commissioned march Winslow Winners (Offa's Gift) by Nigel Hall.
Nigel also played the band's new tuba that was bought with a grant from Bucks Community Association.
The audience was moved by the beautiful solos from Steve Raffell, who played an arrangement of Morris Albert's Feelings on the cornet, and Kaz Raffell, who played Gabriel's Oboe from the film The Mission on the oboe.
Also popular was the band's rendition of Duke Ellington's Caravan and a medley of Abba hits made famous by the film Mamma Mia.
During the evening, musical director Paul How announced the winners of the annual band awards.
Voted Bandsperson of the Year by members was Anne Perry who plays the euphonium and is also the band's librarian.
Trumpeter Stuart Carroll was voted Band Newcomer of the Year, while the musical director's award went to the clarinet section.
Winslow Concert Band is a true community band and welcomes woodwind and brass players of all standards and ages.
We rehearse every Thursday evening, generally at Winslow Public Hall – for further details visit the band's website www.winslowconcertband.co.uk or call Alison Cockcroft on 01525 758178.
don't hesitate to drop in to one of our club nights which are held fortnightly at 8pm on Wednesdays in the Lounge, Villiers Hotel, Buckingham.
Please note forthcoming meetings are March 4, 18, April 1.

Buckingham Probus Club
IN spite of the poor road conditions, there was a good turnout of Probus members for their February meeting at the Old Thatched Inn at Adstock.
Vice-president Vic Pennington led the meeting, and the Loyal Toast was followed by an excellent meal of belly of pork.
Birthdays during the month were enjoyed by Keith Deadman, Colin Richardson and Bill Wingate.
Final arrangements were made for the forthcoming theatre visit, with an early notice for the St George's Day dinner.
The speaker was Probus member Peter Cammas, his subject being the background to the Kleeneze man.
The brush-making industry started in the very early days of wooden sailing vessels, for example in the early 18th Century there were 50 brush-making companies in Bristol alone.
Peter explained how the bristles and hairs