Marlow Bottom

Marlow Bottom Residents' Association's chairman invoked a titter in the crowd last autumn when it was announced at Steve's homecoming from the Sydney Olympics that the valley planned to install a bench to commemorate the rower's achievement. But , what a bench!

The committee is working with the Parish Council, sculptor/blacksmith Steve Woodbridge and Sir Steve, on an impressive piece of sculpture in steel, bronze, stainless steel and wood, which will indeed serve as a dramatic bench, but one quite unlike anything seen in this country before. The next stage is to create a maquette, or miniature model, for evaluation of the design, so watch out for pictures of what should eventually adorn some public site in the valley.

A MAQUETTE of the statue of Sir Steven, planned for Higginson Park, was unveiled to press and dignitaries at Court Garden on Monday last. The winning sculptor from the competition organised by the Royal Society of British Sculptors, Neale Andrew, unveiled Sir Steve in a form rather smaller than that to which we are accustomed. The final statue will, by contrast, be more than life-size. The event served as both press release for the project and launch for the appeal for funds. A surprise announcement from Sir Nigel Mobbs, the county's Lord Lieutenant, appointed Sir Steve as Deputy Lieutenant. If you want to know more about the statue project, go to www.redgraveappeal.org.uk

CHEMIST fears have sparked a group of concerned organisations in the valley to try to make sure that all residents are made aware of the possible implications of the recent changes in statutory pricing policies for branded medicines.

Residents' Association, churches, WI and Pre-schools all fear that the de-control of resale prices could have a severe effect on the revenue of small, independent and largely local pharmacies, such as Raji Amlani's Marlow Bottom Pharmacy. A poster campaign started at last Saturday's Rose Carnival and will be followed up by articles in church magazines and newsletters of other organisations as well as the next Valley News in September.

The organisers are eager to stress that the primary focus is not to give free advertising to Raji's business in the face of increased and changed commercial pressure, but to preserve for residents a service which is a valuable community asset. There is to be no preaching to people to change their buying habits, but the immediate aim is to make sure everyone is made aware of the possible threat and what they might consider doing if they wish to see a local chemist continue here in the valley.

ROSE CARNIVALS have never been so successful - that's official. Last Saturday's event attracted large crowds to the playing field to see Steve Redgrave open the show, crown the queen and judge the fancy dress competition, and many comments were made about the wholly pleasing way in which he conducted the formalities and mingled with the crowd.

Although treasurer, Sabine Bolier-Carp, still has some sums to do, she is confident that the net sum will top £5,000 for the first time. That figure is in spite of a dispiriting hour of intermittent moderate rain right in the middle of the afternoon. By then the Barbecue had sold out, the beer queue was constant, and people were spending freely on all stalls. The Caribbean Sunrise Steel Band kept on playing to the delight of all, and one assumes they will be brought back again next year - their departing remark was certainly, 'see you next year, then'.

Peri Wing must be congratulated on a fine show, and she, in turn, thanks all the contributors of prizes, Rebellion for the firkin of beer won by the tug-of-war team from the Squirrel in Booker, Horizons for generous donations of books, Longhursts for the burgers and hotdogs at helpful prices, Pollenation for perfect posies for the queen and attendant, Summerleaze for organising a popular dog show and supplying the prizes, the WI for their hard work in managing the programmes and Grand Draw, Nigel the Clown and the Caribbean Steel Band for continuous fun.

Perhaps the biggest acclaim goes to the police officer who did more for community relations than his commanding officers could possibly have dreamt of achieving from their whole PR budget. Scores of valley children must now be firm supporters of the police in their assiduous pursuit of the naughty Nigel and his busload of villains, one of those great spontaneous moments.

Coconuts, stalls with football prizes, smashed china, cakes, and a very smartly turned out bric-a-brac stall, thanks to the efforts of local white-van-man, Gary Houiellebecq, all were outstanding in bringing in the funds, and the whole valley ends up as winner as the field is resourced for another year.

Some of the most notable winners were Steve Langley who won the Fortnum and Mason hamper (paradoxically, while he munches his way through that, his wife can cook a recipe from the Two Fat Ladies book which she also won in the Grand Draw!). Summerleaze ran a popular fun dog show, with 26 different dogs this year. Best puppy was Buddy from the Hodgson family, Prettiest Bitch was Magic owned by Karen Coe, Most Handsome Dog was Jack, India Bryant, Best Veteran was Baron, Mrs Coomber, Waggiest Tail belonged to Buster from the Macknay family, and the spectacular best fancy dress was on Murphy from the Colemans.

The Children's Fancy Dress competition seemed to cause Steve Redgrave more difficulties than a mixed boatload of Italians and Australians. He pondered long and hard and involved his family in the final decisions. Eventually, prizes went to Beth Verleys (clown), Sani Knowles (dragon) and the honoured guest could hardly ignore the Steve Redgrave look-alike, complete in Lycra shorts, 5 year old Andrew Sharpe! Putting saw John Wellings as winner, but we don't know how to contact him - so like ET, John, please ring home (or rather, Peri on 01628 486610). John's score, though, was knocked into a black hole by that of very junior winner, Ian from Highwoods Drive, a veritable Tiger Woods in the making. Successfully Up-the-Ladder went seniors A. Thomas and Liz Joucla, while Mallory and Robert were close behind in the girls' and boys' section, respectively. Bowl for Bacon saw success for Alex Dark and Emma Harvey, while another prize-winner, John Last, said it was actually the First time he had ever won anything.

Finally, the whole valley must shout a huge vote of thanks to Peri Wing. It's always a demanding and daunting task to run a village fete (so many to criticise, so few to help), but one that has been yet another record breaker is a particularly worthy achievement. However, all of this has been done by Peri who, just a few weeks ago, was burnt out of her home, and still has the prospect of many months to go before her house is partly rebuilt and totally refurbished. Little, but very large, I must say.

FRIENDS of Burford are next in the limelight, with the Burford School Fete. That takes place on July 1, from 12 until 3. It will be the usual fun-packed event, but we will look at it in more detail next week, including Merlyn Vyner making a rare departure from the Orienteering course.

DON'T miss the jazz Big Band sensation next Thursday at 8pm, when Willie Garnett's magnificent 17 come to TJ's.