Kick start

News, information and features from your district council Issue 15 | Winter 2014/15

Do you have a son or daughter who was born on or after 1st September 1996?

Are you aware that all young people are now required to stay in some form of learning until they are aged 18?

Need more information?

Your son or daughter can ask at school about speaking to an independent Careers Adviser or contact Connexions Buckinghamshire at:

0845 313 3413

www.stayinlearning.org.uk/wdt

Working in partnership with

Apprenticeship

College

Sixth Form

Training

STAYING IN LEARNING LONGER

We can help with the following services :

For further information call 01296 431911 or visit our website

at www.ageukbucks.org.uk

A local independent charity working within the county of Buckinghamshire

Registered Charity 1139423 Email: age@ageukbucks.org.uk

• Befriending Plus

• Memory Advice

• Information & Advice

• Seamless Relocation

• Shopping

• Welfare Benefits

• Computer Training

• Domestic Cleaning

• Gardening

• Hairdressing

• Handyperson

• Toenail Cutting

"I'm using my spare room and helping her live up to her potential

and I get excellent support, great training

and a generous allowance to help me."

Kate from High Wycombe With your help,

more children can be successful in life.

contents • 3

Wycombe District Times is delivered to 70,000 homes across Wycombe District. It costs less than 20p per copy.

There are some big changes happening around the District.

After months of preparation and groundwork, our major projects at Handy Cross and Hughenden are now really taking shape.

The steel framework is rising from the ground at the new sports centre at Handy Cross and over the road at Cressex, Next is investing in a fl agship Home and Garden store. In High Wycombe town the old Compair site (just past Morrisons) is being redeveloped with a green corridor connecting this part of town to Hughenden Park. (see pages 6 and 7)

In Marlow, we are working to create a Business Improvement District at Globe Park to help local businesses take positive steps to help the business parks fl ourish.

To the north we literally put Princes Risborough on the sporting map by getting the Tour of Britain cycle race to go through the town (see page 5). Thousands upon thousands of people lined the route as it came through the town and the riders tackled the climb up Kop Hill. Our Sports Development team have been busy working with school students in Princes Risborough to run cycle events and build on the Tour’s legacy.

As we move into 2015, we’ll keep investing in regeneration for the residents of the District – so watch this space!

Watch this space

Helping hands 8

Cash injection 5

Festive fun 14

Rising up 6

P4 Customer service: How are we doing?

P5 Cash injection: Faster, better, greener

P6 Watch this space… Building for the future

P8 Helping hands: Meet some local heroes

P10 Safe places: A new local scheme

P11 Culture vulture: Local arts round up

P12 Be prepared: Tips for winter living

P13 All wrapped up: ‘Tis the season…to recycle + recycling collection dates

P14 Festive fun: Local Christmas events

Cover shot: Winter sun and fun on the (Chiltern) slopes.

RICHARD SCOTT, LEADER, WYCOMBE DISTRICT COUNCIL

Wycombe District Times is printed on environmentally friendly paper; please recycle it after reading.

Editor: Sue Robinson 01494 421 557sue_robinson@wycombe.gov.ukDesign: Mention Ltd, www.mentionltd.co.uk

If you’d like a free copy of this magazine in large print, or on tape or CD, phone 01494 421 557.

The views expressed by individuals in Wycombe District Times are not necessarily the views of Wycombe District Council. Every effort is made to ensure that all information is accurate at the time of going to press. External advertising in the magazine does not imply an endorsement or promotion of the advertisement, nor its content, products or services by Wycombe District Council.

Some stock images are used in the production of this magazine to help illustrate an article, this is in part to ensure costs are kept to a minimum.

01494 461 000 www.wycombe.gov.ukQueen Victoria RoadHigh Wycombe Buckinghamshire HP11 1BB

Follow us on Twitter@wycombedc

People. Place. Pounds

py.

4 • news

UPDATE

After thousands of responses from local people to the options we set out in our Local Plan consultation, we now have to consider the best way forward. As this magazine is being printed, Wycombe District Council’s Cabinet is due to decide whether we will release the fi ve reserve sites detailed in the Local Plan for development (Abbey Barn North, Abbey Barn South, Gomm Valley and Ashwells, Slate Meadow and Terriers Farm).

These sites have been reserved for development for many years but now, with changes to the way national planning works and the Big Challenge around meeting the need for housing, the best way to keep local control is to proactively manage their development.

Cllr Neil Marshall, Cabinet Member for Planning and Sustainability said: “I’d like to thank the many thousands of people who’ve given us their views in the last few months, and especially those who attended meetings and workshops over the summer.

“We care deeply about Wycombe District and we are determined to fi ght to keep as much local control as we can over our local planning decisions to fi nd the best solutions to manage our growth. We are setting out the problem and being open, asking local people to work with us to achieve this.”

For the updates on what’s happening with the reserve sites and to see the report to Cabinet go to www.wycombe.gov.uk/newlocalplan and click on the ‘Reserve Sites’ button. You will also fi nd the latest on the studies we’ve been doing in Princes Risborough and Longwick (click on the ‘Princes Risborough’ button).

CUSTOMER SERVICE

How are we doing?Local plan

We’re still delivering these important local services to you with 30% less money coming from central government and without putting an increase on your council tax.

We’ve made changes and improvements to how we work – and there are more on the way.

• in 2013/14 we recycled or composted 47.9% of all household waste we collected up from 39.1% last year.

• we helped prevent 392 people from becoming homeless

• we reviewed all our services for performance and value for money

• our website now offers more ‘self serve’ services like reporting missed bins, paying bills and applying for planning permission at www.wycombe.gov.uk

• you can get direct updates and stay in touch with us on Twitter @wycombe.gov.uk

Find out more in the Annual Report on our website.

Next year We’ll be improving and broadening the ways you can interact with the Council giving you more choice about how and when you can access our services.

By working more fl exibly, we’re reducing the offi ce space we use at Queen Victoria Road so that we can lease out one of the council buildings.

By moving our area offi ces into local libraries we’ll maintain a local council contact point for local people in Marlow and Princes Risborough.

ByreQle

Blc

We do a lot more than just collect your waste and recycling – we handle thousands of planning applications, provide sports and leisure facilities, promote local jobs and businesses, run off street car parks, check food hygiene in hundreds of food outlets and manage a range of benefi t payments.

Part of our ‘Pounds’

commitment to deliver

value for money

news • 5

RECYCLING UPDATE

TOUR OF BRITAIN CYCLE RACE

INVESTING IN OUR DISTRICT

£1.44m cash injection

GreenerSome of the money will be used to help to make High Wycombe a greener, and more attractive town centre for visitors and shoppers by planting more trees. The main tree planting areas will be in the town centre to help improve the whole look and feel of the area. A mix of trees suitable for urban environments will be used - so look out for some new ‘green shoots’ literally appearing over the next twelve months.

An innovative way to bring renewable energy to businesses located at the new Hughenden Quarter could create an income for the Council. Early feasibility work looks positive, but there is more work to be done to look at the business case before the project goes ahead.

BetterPlans also include improving Frogmoor to make it more attractive for visitors and shoppers. We’re looking at quite an innovative approach which will see pop up

shops, a café and outdoor activities and play opportunities for children being added outside the Chilterns Shopping Centre.

FasterWe will be also be putting money into extending the coverage of superfast broadband to reach more remote rural parts of the District such as Kimble, Bledlow Ridge, Turville and Cadmore End. Currently Wycombe District has 89.1% coverage of superfast broadband. There is a planned extension which is already funded which would increase coverage to 93.4% by 2016. By injecting extra funding into the project, it means we can push the coverage into more rural areas and reach an extra 2,200 properties, and cover nearly all (96.4%) of the District. Under the Government’s Superfast Extension Programme, the total local contribution of £2.56 million will be matched so this would generate a maximum £5.12m investment opportunity across the whole county.

Going fl at out

Pedal powerOur Sports Development team worked hard to get the world’s top cyclists racing through the District at Princes Risborough – this was one of the toughest sections of the national Tour of Britain 2014 route, with riders tackling a series of short, sharp climbs, including Kop Hill.

We have earmarked £1.44m to invest in projects over the next twelve months which could generate revenue, boost local economic activity, help improve our town centres and help deliver key strategic projects which support the Council’s ‘3P’ priorities of ‘People’ ‘Place’ and ‘Pounds’.

We’ve been busy rolling out the last phase of our new recycling service for people living in fl ats and communal dwellings. Now it’s even easier for you to recycle using our new and improved recycling collection service.

Most fl ats and communal dwellings now have two coloured bins a red bin for dry mixed recycling – foil, cartons, Tetra Pak, aerosol spray cans, glass bottles, glass jars, plastic bottles, food tins, drink cans, plastic pots, tubs and trays and a blue bin for paper, cardboard packaging, newspapers, books, corrugated cardboard, junk mail, toilet roll tubes and greeting cards.

We can also offer separate collections of food waste and compostable garden waste collections on request.

6 • major projects

Watch this space

On part of Cressex Island, Next is building a new fl agship Home & Garden store. At over 7,000 square metres this will be one of the largest of its kind.

Sports and Leisure Centre With thousands of tons of chalk moved, the steel framework is now going up and the building is beginning to rise up out of the ground. The new sports and leisure complex is due to open in winter 2015/16. Facilities will include:• an eight lane 50 metre pool with

moveable fl oor and sub-aqua dive pit

• 20 metre by 8 metre learner pool with moving fl oor 1.2 metre deep

• fun water for toddlers• climbing wall• 150 station gym• dance studio (s)• 12 court sports hall• bowls (four rink)• steam room and sauna• two squash courts• two party or meeting rooms• café

The current Wycombe Sports Centre will remain open while the new sports and leisure centre is being built next to it.

Handy Cross HubWork is now well underway at our Handy Cross (X) Hub redevelopment where we’re building a brand new sports and leisure centre, a new Waitrose, a new coachway park and ride and a new spine road.

Watch the build happen on our live feed web camera showing live images of work in progress. Pictures are refreshed every fi ve minutes.

Get news and updates about Handy X Hub via our monthly e-newsletter and the Handy X Hub blog (details at www.wycombe.gov.uk)

And follow us on Twitter @wycombedc and @handyxhub

Aerial photo taken by drone camera

major projects • 7

Pauls Row improvementsWe’re making improvements to Pauls Row and St Mary’s Street in High Wycombe. This well-used route connects Wycombe Hospital, Buckinghamshire New University and the Swan Theatre with the rest of the town. It is a busy pedestrian route with restaurants and pubs and is an important access point for less able visitors.

The improvements, which are part of the Masterplan for High Wycombe town centre, will create a more attractive space. Look out for the new pavement feature that marks the former course of the river Wye through this part of the town.

HughendenThe old Compair site just past Morrisons in High Wycombe has lain dormant since 2000. Now it’s about to be transformed into Hughenden Quarter. The old Jewsons depot has been demolished and work will start soon to build a ‘spine road’ which will serve the various developments on the site – a new day centre and offi ces for Buckinghamshire County Council, a Royal Star and Garter care home and an ExtraCare Charitable Trust retirement village as well as the newly opened student accommodation blocks to the north of the site. In addition, a ‘green corridor’ will connect the town to Hughenden Park.

Bid to boost Globe Park

Businesses on Globe Park in Marlow are voting this autumn on a proposal to establish a Business Improvement District (BID) on the park which could secure over £750,000 of private sector led investment over fi ve years.

Groundwork and Wycombe District Council have worked in partnership to develop the proposal for the Business Improvement District.

If approved, the BID will be the fi rst of its kind in Buckinghamshire and will work on a range of projects including sustainable transport, image enhancements and a greener trading environment.

Desborough River Wye project The River Wye at Desborough is looking very different after the concrete channel it fl owed in has been taken out and replaced with natural planting and meanders have been added to create a more natural fl ow for the river and to improve habitat diversity.

The water is now aerated with the addition of large stones and natural planting on the banks is beginning to grow.

1960s shot of the Compair site courtesy of The High Wycombe Society

Working to sustainably

regenerate our District

8 • community grants

Helping hands

Citizens Advice Bureau is a national network of advice centres which has been running for 75 years. High Wycombe Citizens Advice Bureau was one of the fi rst branches of the national charity to be set up in 1939 and this year proudly celebrates 75 years of serving local people.

Diana Barrans, High Wycombe Bureau Manager said: “Over the years the service has developed

and grown to meet the changing needs of the community we serve. We’re delighted that the Council continues to support our work locally”.

For more information:www.highwycombecab.org.uk0844 2451289

Our district is full of all kinds of local heroes – volunteers and local organisations who help to make our communities tick. They work tirelessly to help people of all ages and in all kinds of circumstances, in all kinds of ways. This year Wycombe District Council (WDC)is giving a total of £229,000 in community grants to help support many local groups and local events.

High Wycombe Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)HWCAB provides a service for everyone living and working in the District. It helps people with information and advice on a wide range of issues such as debt, benefi ts, housing, employment, equalities, immigration, relationship breakdown and consumer information.

A council grant for local charity SKIDZ will give young people of all abilities the opportunity to take part in its motor vehicle maintenance courses.

Initially launched 16 years ago to combat car crime in the area, SKIDZ has helped more than 8,000 young people in the region to not only gain vocational skills in motor mechanics but also important life skills which have ultimately helped them into employment and improved their self-esteem and confi dence.

SKIDZ CEO Graham Andrews said: “The funds will be put to very good use in support of young people seeking to learn a trade, improve their life skills and secure a more hopeful future.”

For more information:www.skidz.org.uk

@SkidzWycombe01494 550008

community grants • 9

HELP WITH HIRE COSTS

Local community groups can now get a Community Venues fund grant for up to 50% of the cost of hiring a venue in the district for community arts and cultural activities. Since the scheme was launched a year ago 15 local groups have benefi tted, including Marlow Amateur Operatic Society’s production of Back to the 80s at the Shelley Theatre and Wycombe Society for the Performing Arts (WYSPAS) who performed the musical Godspell at the Arts4Every1 Centre, High Wycombe. (see p12)

Find out more at: www.wycombe.gov.uk/council-services/community-and-living/grants/arts.aspx

Princes Risborough Town Festival helps to promote the town and local voluntary and community sector groups. WDC funding paid for the marching band to lead a children’s fancy dress parade along the High Street to start the festival off in style.

Funding from WDC also helped to pay for upgrades to Risborough Rangers Junior Football Club’s Peters Lane football pitch, including levelling, re-seeding and renovating the playing surface to bring it up to an acceptable standard.

The Royal Air Force Association used extra council funding to help cover the cost of refreshments following the annual Battle of Britain Parade and service in High Wycombe in September.

Wycombe United Football Club had funding from WDC to help run a grassroots project in the Totteridge/Terriers area to counter-act anti-social behaviour amongst young people by giving them the opportunity to learn football and helping them to build self-confi dence, learn team playing skills and give them a positive focus.

Part of our ‘People’ commitment

to empower communities to help

themselves and others

Funding is also supporting a range of projects at Wycombe Youth Action – to help young people maximise their chances of getting a job by helping them to set out aims and objectives, building their confi dence and helping them take the right steps to achieve their objectives. Projects include Street Dance, Urban Art, Blink FM radio, conservation volunteering and Wycombe Youth Council.

Twitter: @wycombeyouthaction Facebook: Wycombe Youth Action Email: info@wycombeyouthaction.co.uk

10 • community

NEW LOCAL SCHEME

Safe placesStay safe – the Wycombe District Safe Place SchemeVulnerable people sometimes need a safe haven when out in the community and feeling confused, scared or upset.

The ‘Safe Place’ scheme provides suitable venues, such as local shops and restaurants, where they can go and where a telephone call can be made to someone they trust – who will either come and collect them or advise them about what they need to do. Alternatively, they may just need help with directions.

The programme is coordinated by Wycombe District Council’s community services team, with support from Thames Valley Police and local voluntary organisations.

How the scheme worksParticipating businesses display a sticker in a prominent position that identifi es the premises as a safe place to vulnerable people. Vulnerable people in the community will be told about the scheme (and the identifying logo) and some will carry a card which shows their name and phone number of their trusted person.

How can I get involved?If you own or manage a business and would like to become a ‘Safe Place’, or if you know of someone who would benefi t from carrying one of the contact cards, please contact the community services team.

For more information 01494 421117Email community@wycombe.gov.uk

HEALTH

Local urgent careWe’ve been asking local people to tell us about their experiences of the Minor Injuries and Illness Unit (MIIU) at Wycombe Hospital and the Accident and Emergency department at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

The investigation is being carried out by the Council’s Improvement and Review Commission after councillors voted unanimously to look into urgent health care provision in Wycombe District.

We’ll be making practical recommendations in spring 2015 which we will pass on to the relevant agencies to help to ensure that local people get the best health care treatment they can, as quickly as possible.

WHITE RIBBON DAY

One in four women in the UK are affected by domestic violence in their lifetime Take a stand and wear a white ribbon for White Ribbon Day on 25 November – it’s your way of saying you will not commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women.

Ribbons are available from the council’s reception area and from our area offi ces.

24-hour free phone National Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000 247. In an emergency, always call 999.

Wear a white ribbon

arts • 11

LOCAL DRAMA

FAST FORWARD

PERFORMING ARTS

POETRY AND PERFORMANCE

ARTS4EVERY1GALLERY

There is just time to book your family’s tickets for this year’s rural touring theatre at a community centre or village hall near you. The programme is packed with music, comedy, drama and storytelling. For details of the scheme, funded by WDC with support from Mix96, visit www.wycombe.gov.uk/theatreinthevillages

Hogarth Productions in collaboration with Arts4every1, Desborough Road, High Wycombe ran a series of free courses this year including Aural History. A Sound Art exhibition ‘Wycombe Listening’ was created from this and plans are underway to build on its success in 2015. Arts4every1 is supported by Wycombe District Council. Find out more www.arts4every1.com

A visit to Speen Festival last year by Helen Sharman, the fi rst British astronaut in space, inspired village volunteers to reach for the stars as

they announce dates for next year’s Speen Festival. From 6 - 20 September Speen will celebrate artistic talents in a variety of events inspired by local enthusiasts committed to creative learning. Organisers are calling for your ideas and offers of help. Contactdirector@speenfestival.org or www.speenfestival.org

Talented musical theatre group Wycombe Society for the Performing Arts received national recognition when they performed Godspell at Arts4every1, supported by WDC, this year. In November they will present a toe-tapping, family festive concert It’s Christmas! and in May 2015 they are set to entertain and dazzle audiences with their production of The Vicar of Dibley. To get involved with WYSPAS or check out tickets visit www.wyspas.info

Eleven artists from Commercial Square Studios, High Wycombe, opened a pop up gallery this autumn. Selling original fi ne art this temporary gallery was part of a community of pop up shops in Marlow. It was so successful that the artists are looking for other premises to exhibit their work. If you can help visit www.commercialsquarestudios.co.uk.

Inspired by the life and work of poet and composer Ivor Gurney, artist John Rogers is creating a project which will also commemorate World War 1. Supported by WDC, the

project will incorporate walking, poetry, music, and performance and John is looking for contributions and participants. For information or to get involved contact jmrogersit@yahoo.com

Theatre in the Villages

Pop up art in Marlow

Ivor Gurney and WW1

Sounds like art!

Speen Festival prepares for blast off!

WYSPAS to shout aboutpwaJ

Photo credit: John Rogers - ‘wounded soldiers convalescing in France WW1’

© Christine Dunnington

12 • winter

There are some simple things you can do to help keep you and your family safe and warm this winter.

Protecting your home• putting some simple lagging around

your water tanks, loft and external water pipes could save pipes freezing and avoid fl ooding in your house

• make sure you know where the stop tap for your water supply is in case you need to switch the water off because of burst pipes

• if you run oil or wood heating, make sure that you have ordered enough winter supplies

Out and about• get your car serviced and ready for

winter driving – fi nd advice about winter motoring at www.theaa.com or www.rac.co.uk

• a simple emergency travel kit in your car can help if you get stuck in the snow – make sure you carry a shovel, a piece of old carpet to put under car wheels, blankets and some emergency food and drink (energy bars, bottles of water) in your boot when the temperatures start to fall

• before you make a long journey, check out the forecast for your route on local radio, the internet and Twitter. Check for any severe weather alerts at www.metoffi ce.gov.uk/public/weather

Be a good neighbour• is there someone living near you who

might need help in really bad weather? Be a good neighbour and check they’re OK by giving them a call or dropping by to see them

• you can clear snow and ice from pavements yourself. It’s unlikely that you’ll be sued or held responsible if someone is injured on a path or pavement, so long as you’ve cleared it carefully. You can fi nd more information at www.gov.uk/clear-snow-road-path-cycleway

FloodingIt is your responsibility to take precautions to protect your property from fl ooding. You can get information about property level protection and fi nd out if you’re at risk of fl ooding by checking the Environment Agency website at www.gov.uk/environment-agency

School closuresSchools try to stay open if it’s practical and safe to do so, but snow can force unexpected closures. Check on the morning via your schoool’s website, Bucks County Council website http://closures.buckscc.gov.uk or tune in to local radio.

For more informationWeb: www.wycombe.gov.uk/council-services/public-safety/emergency-planning.aspxCall: 01494 421981Email: emergency_planning@wycombe.gov.uk

EMERGENCY PLANNING

TWEET TWEET!

Twitter updates are

great for real time alerts.

@wycombedc @TVP High Wycombe @metoffi ce

Watch out Watch out this winterthis winterAs we move into the winter months the temperatures begin to drop and the risk of snow, ice and fl oods rises. In recent years we’ve seen record fl ooding in parts of the District as well as snow which has left people and vehicles stranded and unable to get home.

FESTIVE RECYCLING TIPS

10 recycling tips10 recycling tips

This year you can recycle so much more - Christmas wrapping paper, packaging paper and card, plastic bottles, cans and foil and used batteries can all get recycled. No need to go to the bottle bank to recycle your empties, leave out your blue bin for us to collect and we’ll do the rest.

Food waste – from the last of the turkey and brussels to the buffet bits you didn’t eat, it can all go straight into your food waste bin.

Glass bottles – no need to go to the bottle bank, bottles can just go straight into your blue bin.

Plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays – they can all go straight into your blue bin.

Gift wrap paper – once you’re unwrapped those pressies, we’ll collect your gift wrap paper from your paper recycling box.

Greetings cards and envelopes – can go into your paper recycling when you take them down.

Foil – all your clean used foil can go into your blue bin.

Cardboard packaging – once you’ve got the toys and gifts out of their boxes just fi ll up your paper recycling box and we’ll take it away.

Batteries – have the kids worn out the batteries playing with their new toys? Recycle your used batteries in the battery recycling bag and place it on top of your blue bin or bag for us to collect.

Textiles – got new party gear? Put your old ‘glad rags’ into the pink textile sack and place it on top of your blue bin or bags.

…and last but not least – Christmas trees You can recycle your real Christmas tree by taking it to

your local household waste recycling centre or chopping it up so that it fi ts inside your green wheeled bin or green bag – we’ll collect it from your property (please make sure the lid is shut on your green wheeled bin or we can lift your garden waste bags.) We’ll collect your Christmas tree on your next scheduled garden waste collection from Tuesday 6 January.

No collections on 25, 26 Dec and 1 Jan

Normal Day Revised DayWednesday 24 Dec No changeThursday 25 Dec Saturday 27 DecFriday 26 Dec Monday 29 DecMonday 29 Dec Tuesday 30 DecTuesday 30 Dec Wednesday 31 DecWednesday 31 Dec Friday 2 JanThursday 1 Jan Saturday 3 JanFriday 2 Jan Monday 5 JanMonday 5 Jan Tuesday 6 JanTuesday 6 Jan Wednesday 7 JanWednesday 7 Jan Thursday 8 JanThursday 8 Jan Friday 9 JanFriday 9 Jan Saturday 10 JanMonday 12 Jan Back to normal

Garden WasteThere will be a short gap between 22 December and 5 January when our crews won’t collect your garden waste, but the service will resume on Tuesday 6 January.

More information at www.wycombe.gov.uk

CHRISTMAS 2014 AND NEW YEAR 2015 COLLECTIONS

Part of our ‘Place’

commitment to work

towards becoming a

‘greener’ district

With the Bank Holidays the date of your normal waste and recycling collections may change, so please check your calendar to fi nd out when to put your bins and boxes out ready for us to pick up.

recycling • 13

CHRISTMAS EVENTS

14 • community

As the days get shorter and the nights get longer, we’re getting ready to turn on the Christmas lights in the District. Find some festive fun happening near where you live!

This year’s High Wycombe Christmas event is happening on Thursday 20 November from 4pm to 7.30pm – the switch on will be held in Frogmoor at 6.45pm. There will be a Santa grotto, street food market, Christmas stalls, funfair, two stages with lots of performances and live music. Keep an eye on www.hwbidco.co.uk for more information.

Marlow Switch on and Shop is happening on Thursday 20 November 6pm to 9pmA well known local celebrity will be switching on this year’s lights from the top of a double decker bus. The fun starts at 6pm with the switch on at 6.30pm and entertainment from Marlow FM and

the Next Stage choir. There’s late night shopping and all day free parking in the town’s car parks.

Marlow Chamber of Commerce Traditional late night shopping Thurs 4 December Featuring local charity and commercial stalls lining the High Street, late night shopping and a parade to the carol service in the High Street. For those who have been good this year, Father Christmas will be handing out gifts!

Carols on The Causeway Thursday 18 December

Princes Risborough This year’s Princes Risborough Christmas Lights event is set to be bigger and better than ever as the Princes Risborough Festival Committee, Market Group, Business Group and Town Council have been working together to get some new lights and infrastructure for this year’s switch-on.

FREE PARKING

Festive fun

To accompany the new lights there will be a host of music, dancing and fun in the Market Square, starting at 5.30pm on Friday 5 December. There will be performances from the All Stars Academy, dancing from Stagecoach, singing from the St Mary’s Church and local schools’ choirs, Risborough Youth Theatre and a special appearance from the panto stars from The Waterside Theatre. To top this Father Christmas will be stopping by to wish you a very Merry Christmas.

Lane End is having its traditional Christmas in the Village Carol Evening at Lane End Village Hall on Friday 5 December from 6.30pm – 8.30pm and there’ll be lots of festive fun for all the family with complimentary refreshments.

Contact the parish council on 01494 437111 for more information.

Take advantage of free parking in WDC car parks in High Wycombe, Marlow, Princes Risborough and Bourne End for all your Christmas shopping

Check www.wycombe.gov.uk/parking or ask in your nearest area information offi ce for free parking days near you.

museum • 15

Find some more festive fun…Drop in to your local information offi ce for all the latest local events and some new ideas for things to do and places to visit over the festive season including some great routes for winter walks – perfect for Boxing Day and New Year’s Day!

- High Wycombe Library Foyer, Eden Email: tourism_enquiries@wycombe.gov.uk Twitter: @wycombetic Facebook: High Wycombe Information Centre

- Marlow - 55a High Street (entrance in Institute Road)Email: marlow_offi ce@wycombe.gov.uk Twitter: @marlowinfocent Facebook: Marlow Information Centre

- Princes Risborough Bell Street (opposite Marks & Spencer)Email: risborough_offi ce@wycombe.gov.uk Twitter: @RisboroInfoCentr Facebook: Princes Risborough Information Centre

Cards for good causesThis year information offi ces have a great stock of Christmas cards for good causes. These well priced cards help raise money for a range of hand picked charities.

Festive Fun at Wycombe MuseumJoin Wycombe Museum for plenty of fun for all ages this festive season.

Christmas Market at the MuseumSunday 30 November, 2pm to 5pm Get into the festive spirit and pick up some original gifts, from traditional crafts to stocking fi llers, as we transform the museum into a bustling craft market – there’s even hot mulled wine and musical entertainment too.

Free entry

Not ‘all over by Christmas’ – festivities in World War 1Wednesday 3 December, 6pm to 8pmFrom 6pm, join us for a special late-night opening of our Wycombe in World War 1 exhibition and museum shop. Tea and cake will be served in the 1920s kitchen with a special World War 1 musical accompaniment.

Then, at 7pm, join museum curator Catherine Grigg for an illustrated talk to discover why not even the trenches, food shortages or the separation of families could destroy the urge to celebrate Christmas and just why Christmas was so signifi cant during World War 1.

£5, book in advance, Wycombe Leisure Card discount available.

Victorian children at ChristmasSaturday 6 December, 12 to 4pmCome along to our annual family fun day and meet the cook and laundry maid to fi nd out how they prepare for Christmas in Castle Hill House. Make your own Victorian style Christmas cards and festive decorations to take home and have a special photograph taken of your children in Victorian costume.

Photographs: £5 each, Craft activities: FREE, drop-in

Tiny Talk Time: Stars Bright!Friday 12 December, 10:30am to 11:30am and 1.15pm to 2.15pmJoin us for a Christmas session of Tiny Talk Time, our special time at the museum for children aged 2 to 5, with stories, trails and crafts.

£2 per child, book in advance

Festive foliage workshopSaturday 13 December, 10am to 2pmCreate your own festive wreath for your front door using a willow base, natural foliage and trimmings. Learn a skill that you can repeat year on year! All materials, hot drinks and mince pies supplied. Bring your own lunch.

£15, book in advance, Wycombe Leisure Card discount available.

Join as a Choice + member and enjoy: • Heated outdoor pool now open all year

• Gym overlooking pool

• Classes (60 per week)

• Indoor cycling

• Sauna (coming soon)

• Tennis

• Café

• Use of nearby facilities at Hillingdon Sports & Leisure Complex including indoor pools

• Use of multiple facilities in Oxford including 4 indoor pools,

1 large heated outdoor pool,4 gyms, classes + Ice skating at Oxford Ice Rink

Wycombe Rye Lido, The Rye, off Bassetsbury Lane, High Wycombe, HP11 1QX

01494 769 472www.WycombeRyeLido.com

Wycombe Rye Lido is brought to you by Fusion Lifestyle working in

partnership with Wycombe District Council. As an experienced sport and

leisure organisation and a registered charity, Fusion Lifestyle continually

reinvests to improve and develop what’s on offer in your community.

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S P O R T • F I T N E S S • C A F É

Wycombe Rye Lido Keep fit in style this winter