THE people of Cookham are without a police officer. Their own beat officer PC Leslie Bullion has been on sick leave for about six weeks. It is unlikely a new police officer can be appointed for several weeks

In the meantime, Cookham folk are fed up with a dramatic increase in crime burglaries, car thefts, break-ins involving the theft of valuable computers and the vandalism which continues apparently unchecked at the Alfred Major Recreation Ground in the Whiteladyes Lane, Cookham Rise.

"This increase in all kinds of crime is very upsetting and Cookham people are very concerned and worried as there is no local beat officer now," David Armstrong, the clerk to Cookham Parish Council told the BFP.

"It seems likely we shall not have a regular police officer for several weeks from now. There are more burglaries at present and more cars have been broken into. Vandalism continues at the Alfred Major Recreation Ground where petrol has been poured on to a new multi purpose court.

"Vandalism costs the Cookham ratepayers a small fortune as play equipment in the children's area has to be replaced or mended and mindless damage to the whole recreation area is put right.

"Cookham Dean and Cookham are particularly affluent areas with large houses where people are particularly vulnerable as targets for aggravated burglary."

MEMBERS of the Probus Club of Bourne End and Cookham enjoyed the annual ladies summer lunch on June 27. This was held at the Flackwell Heath Golf Club and was organised by club member David Kingswood

Guests of honour were Mollie Crowther, the widow of the club's late treasurer Norman Crowther, and Gordon Hopewell the newly installed president of the Rotary Club of Bourne End and Cookham.

There were 77 members and wives at this event.

COOKHAM Parish Council is worried about the present traffic signs at the Cannondown Railway Arch, Cookham, as the give way signs on either side of the railway arch are wrong and positively dangerous.

Traffic leaving Cookham has to give way to traffic approaching from the other direction, and does not have a view of the oncoming traffic while waiting at the stop line.

If the signs were reversed, although not ideal, the waiting traffic could at least have a better view of the approaching traffic at the other side. The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead has been asked by the parish council to reverse the signs for the sake of safety.

WHEN the Dean Rise Women's Institute meets next Wednesday. Mary Ann Stephenson will explain the Fawcett Society's work on women and public life and in August there will be the usual summer garden meeting.

THE amount of money collected for Christian Week in the Cookham Dean Parish totalled £1,463.

AT Cookham Dean Parish Church Michelle Hancock has passed the senior bishop's chorister award and Rebecca Billinghurst the junior award. They will receive their certificates from the Bishop of Oxford in November.

The junior choir is still well below strength and more recruits are needed.

THE Cookhams Fundraising group for the Thames Valley Hospice raised over £5,158 at the open gardens event when visitors enjoyed the different themes of several local gardens.

AT Cookham Dean, new Guiders are urgently needed for the 1st Cookham Guide Unit for girls aged ten to 14 years of age. If you can help contact Sarah France the district commissioner at 01628 781541.

THE Cookham Afternoon Women's Institute has a garden party meeting next Saturday at the Cookham Dean Hall.

ON Saturday, July 7, the Maidenhead Music Society is holding a Stanley Spencer gala concert in Holy Trinity Church, Cookham. Performers will include Alexandra Wood and John Lill and the programme will feature the first performance of a new work by Huw Watkins Pictures at an exhibition, Cookham, commissioned by the Maidenhead Music Society. This is at 7.30pm.