Hear ye Hear ye! The Crier is always looking for things to shout about! Feel free to submit your Thoughts, Poems, Photos, Requests or anything you like to thecrier@cookham.com

A COOKHAM DREAM 4 November 2010  The cast for next year's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' was unveiled at the Sir Bernard Miller Centre on Monday night. Director Richard James also thanked the John Lewis Partnership for their support in providing rehearsal and performance venues, before taking names of those interested in helping backstage. Take a look at the cast photograph - who do you know? Remember, it's never too late to get involved! Visit www.cookhamshakespeare.com. (Click on photo for larger image.) A "DREAM" CAST! 25 October 2010  Following our auditions in Cookham Rise and Cookham Dean (which saw 40 prospective actors of all ages vying for parts), the cast for 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' will be unveiled at the Sir Bernard Miller Centre, Odney Club at 8pm on Monday 1st November. This will also be a chance for everyone else to get involved! Come along, have a drink at the bar and put your name down to help backstage! We need help with everything from sound and lights to costume, makeup and poster design.     We'll find something for you!    COLOURS OF TUSCANY 17 October 2010  Nick Kennedy:  Colours of Tuscany   The next exhibition at the Gallery at Elizabeth House opens next Monday (18th October) and features the work of local artist Nick Kennedy.  'Colours of Tuscany' includes paintings created following a recent stay in Italy which are being shown for the first time.  The exhibition continues to 13th November.   Nick was brought up in Cookham, attending Holy Trinity School.  He became an art lecturer at East Berkshire College in 2000 and is still working at Langley and Windsor. He has continued to paint and has shown his more recent series of paintings, Wales and France, at the last Cookham Festival and at 'Art in The Street' in Maidenhead. The work Nick is exhibiting at the Gallery is typical of his intense use of colour.  As he says, 'the subject matter is just there as a template to hang the intensity of colour upon'.  You can see examples of his work on the Gallery website at http://www.thegalleryatelizabethhouse.org.uk/   Nick will also be leading two acrylic workshops during his exhibition, focussed on texturising paintings, learning brush and palette knife techniques for applying texture paste and exploring the 3D effect of overlaying textured paint. The workshops are from 2-4pm on the 24th October and 7th November: cost is £10 each workshop.  Contact Nick on 01628 625189 or email kennedy473@btinternet.com.   The Gallery is open 9.30 to 11.30am Monday to Friday and 10am to 4pm Saturdays (Note that weekend opening is now on Saturday, not Sunday).  All works are for sale.  More details of the Gallery at http://www.thegalleryatelizabethhouse.org.uk/.   Gallery meeting/party - Sunday 31st October Don't forget we have a gathering at the Gallery on the 31st October when anyone interested in helping the Gallery in any way can come along, have a look round and some tea - and hear about our plans for the Gallery.   And reminder that Mandy McAllen runs her final workshop this Sunday, 17th October (10am - 12.30pm), on Foliage Techniques in watercolour, using brush marks and other materials.  Cost is £10: contact Mandy on 01628 633541. AN INVITATION 30 September 2010  This is aimed specifically at anyone who might (stress 'might') be interested in helping, in some small or larger way, with the Gallery at Elizabeth House.  If that's not you, that's fine and do not read on - and my apologies.   But if you have a passing interest, here's the situation.  The Gallery has been up and running for about a year.  It's been successful in many ways: it has brightened up the otherwise bare walls of our smart new extension; it has provided an outlet - and sales - for several of our local artists; it has generated around £1,000 in commission for Elizabeth House; and it has brought more people into our building to see what we do for our older residents - as well as for our younger - and older - artists!!   What has become clear, though, is that it needs a little more organisation and resources (mainly people) to ensure that it continues to be an asset for us all.  What has been achieved so far has been thanks to a very small band of people and, while Elizabeth House itself - the trustees and others - are very supportive of the Gallery, it's going to need a little more focused support behind it in the future.   We believe that there are a few people out there who would be willing and able to lend a hand - either from time to time (for example with stewarding) or even on a more significant basis.  To find out we are planning a little party both to celebrate one year and to look ahead with hopefully a few more people to help.   If you're still reading, we'd be delighted to see you at Elizabeth House at 2.30pm on Sunday, 31st October.  You'll get some tea and cake and a chance to see the latest exhibition with the work of local artist Nick Kennedy.  Please RSVP to me Mike Copland mandlcopland@yahoo.co.uk or to Mandy McAllen (01628 633541 and i_dissagree@hotmail.com)   Please do not worry about getting over-committed!  Come along at least to hear a bit about our plans and you can decide then if this something for you.  It's certainly important for us. A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM 29 September 2010  Auditions for 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' will be held across two weekends and two venues in October. If you'd like to have a go, you only need to come to one audition, either Sunday 17th October from 2pm at Pinder Hall, Cookham Rise, or Sunday 24th October from 2pm at Cookham Dean Village Hall. The cast will then be announced at a meeting on November 1st at the Odney Club, where we hope those who don't get cast will offer their services to help backstage. It's not about getting a part, but taking part! Aside from the twenty or so characters on stage, we'll need a whole army of people to help with everything from costume and set design to lighting and sound and front of house. In short, there's something for everyone! Performances will take place in May next year for the Cookham Festival. We're lucky enough to have the support of John Lewis and the Odney Club, so we shall be rehearsing and performing at their brand new conference facility, the Sir Bernard Miller Centre. You can find out more and get in touch with Richard for more information by visiting www.cookhamshakespeare.com ACTORS NEEDED FOR PLAY 28 September 2010  Jonathan Yates has written another play, "Outside the Box", a satirical comedy surrounding the subject of redundancy and cleverly set in a Children's Nursery.  The Tarrystone Players have decided to put it on as their autumn production and have asked Jonathan to direct it.  NOW FULLY CAST!!   The actors/workers are toys and we DESPERATELY need some to be a large cuddly TEDDY, a rough and ready action man character called KOMBAT KEV and a larger than life, animated and slightly camp if possible JACK-IN-A-BOX.  Our first rehearsal is set for Tuesday night at the Old Cricket Pavilion in Cookham Dean and then every Tues and Thurs thereafter.  Producton dates are Fri and Sat 26th and 27th November at Pinder Hall. Joanna Yates - 01628 533217 or 07867 638118   www.fidgiti.com NEW SHOW OPENS AT ELIZABETH HOUSE 24 September 2010  New show opens this Saturday (25th September): Mandy McAllen   The new show opening this weekend also marks a change in opening days at the weekend for the Gallery.  We will now be open on Saturdays, not Sundays - still 10am to 4pm.  Please use this change to call in when you're in the Rise on Saturdays.  Remember there is a new show every month.   The latest exhibition features the work of Mandy McAllen.  Well known in Cookham for her involvement in the Cookham Festival since its revival in 2001, Mandy has both been teaching and exhibiting locally for 20 years and examples of her work are permanently on view in The Parish Centre, and behind the altar in Holy Trinity Church. She is best known for her watercolours, of local views “painted with light” in which she is heavily influenced by time she spent working with the country’s best lighting cameramen while studying theatre design and working for the BBC.  Her more recent work explores texture, and is in acrylic and collage but  still rooted in images of the” real” world, often of the English seaside, towns and villages. She says, 'As an artist I seek to find enchantment in the mundane. I look for shapes and patterns, for light and shade. I revel in texture and colour, creating soft edges, and crisp edges, lines and marks. I try to create volume and depth. Most of all I love pigment. Thick and oozy, thin and dribble, washes, smudging and scratching it, stroking, stippling, spraying, being in control, being surprised'. And all works are for sale. Mandy is also running three art courses. Click here for more information SHAKESPEARE COMES TO COOKHAM 14 September 2010  With the summer holidays firmly behind us, it's time to start thinking about next year's Cookham Festival - and in particular, the Cookham Community Shakespeare Project. What do you mean you've never heard of it? Let me explain... This time round, we're attempting something huge - and it can't happen without you. Yes, you. I plan to produce a fully-cast, large-scale production of Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' for the festival next year - featuring the good people of Cookham. You know, the people you see around the village; the postman, the window cleaner, the woman who works in the shop and YOU. And I think we can do it. You can leave all the hard work to me. All you have to do is audition for a role or volunteer to work backstage, come along to rehearsals , then step out on stage in front of 400 fellow Cookhamites at the Sir Bernard Miller Centre at the Odney Club at the beginning of May next year. Easy. And don't worry if you know nothing about Shakespeare or have never set foot on stage before - in fact I'd prefer it! I can give you all the tools you need to stand on stage with confidence and play your part to perfection. All I need from you is your trust, your enthusiasm, and a little of your time. You can find details of the parts I need to cast, what help I'll need behind the scenes and front of house, even a rehearsal schedule so you can out the dates in your diaries now at www.cookhamshakespeare.com, follow our blog at http://cookhamdream.blogspot.com/ or join us on Facebook here. In the meantime, here are the basics: When: Auditions 17th (Pinder Hall) and 24th October (Cookham Dean Village Hall) - you only need come to one. Meeting: 1st November, Odney Club (where the cast will be announced and others encouraged to put their names down for backstage and front of house positions) Rehearsals start: 17th January 2011 Performances: 12th & 15th May, 2011 If you need to know more about the play, what's needed or simply who the devil I think I am, you can catch up with me at the Cookham Dean Summer Fete this Saturday 18th September. I'll be the one in the Shakespeare costume. Including the tights. So come on over and have a chat. Just don't laugh at my legs. Best wishes, Richard James. £1,000 RAISED FOR LEUKAEMIA RESEARCH 11 September 2010  A lot of  local people attended the Charity match at Cookham Dean Cricket Club on August 22 in aid of Leukaemia Research. The occasion was organised by local lad Matt Eckett. Matt's father was well known locally for his coaching work with the Football Colts over the years. Mr Eckett sadly lost his life a few years ago after bravely battling a form of Leukaemia and his son wanted to raise awareness and raise some funds for this worthy cause. The fundraising was spectacular and £1,000 was raised. HELP COOKHAM REDUCE CARBON FOOTPRINT 31 August 2010  As part of the www.350.org 10/10/10 climate change events that are occuring in over 135 countries globally The Samurai Fitness Group is organising a Work Party in Cookham to undertake a litter pick on 10th October 2010 between 10:30am and 11:30am. The Work Party will meet outside Pinder Hall at 10:15am with the aim of recycling as much of the litter that is found as possible. This will enable the energy stored in the waste to be reused and therefore on a very small scale will help reduce Cookham's carbon footprint. We also hope that the event will help the Little Samurai class give back to the community in which it is based. If anyone wants to volunteer they should contact Matt on thesamuraigroup@gmail.com or call 07828 534817. If you would like more information on the global events that 350.org are organising please see the website www.350.org A ROMANTIC REALIST COMES TO COOKHAM 24 August 2010  Our next show features a solo exhibition by Colin Kendall, a New Zealand–born artist, who taught fine art at a local school for a number of years.  Colin calls himself a Romantic Realist, using his experience growing up in the country and working with horses, livestock, machinery and the natural world.  His figurative painting features local farriers and boat-builders at work as well as Thames and Berkshire Downs scenes. He works in oil, acrylic and watercolour and his work offers an interesting contract from the more expressionist landscape in the show that ends this Friday   Colin Kendall’s exhibition opens at the Gallery at Elizabeth House on Sunday 29th August and runs to Friday 24th September. Do get along to the opening viewing on Sunday if you can.  Examples of his work are on the gallery website www.thegalleryatelizabethhouse.org.uk and on http://colinkendall.weebly.com/    The Gallery at Elizabeth House is open each weekday between 9.30 and 11.30 am and on Sundays from 10 am – 4 pm. The gallery will also be open this Bank Holiday Monday.  Its aim is to provide an opportunity for top quality local artists to exhibit their work and to provide local people and visitors the chance to buy paintings.  All works are for sale and Elizabeth House, which runs a club for Cookham’s older residents, receives a commission on all sales. NOT ABLE TO WAIT IN? 22 August 2010  Are you expecting a parcel that has got to be signed for and you don't want to take time off work? Your problem is now solved, as you can have your parcel delivered to Hillcrest Stores off Whyteladyes Lane instead of your address. Also if you need to have something you wish to return this can also be picked up from Hillcrest Stores.  If you are interested in this service Mandy Brar would like to hear from you on 01628 523606 or e-mail mandybrar@hotmail.co.uk or drop in to Hillcrest Stores on Hillcrest Avenue, Cookham SL6 9NB. Open 6am - 8pm Monday - Saturday and 6am - 3pm on Sundays. The cost is only £2 a package.   CURLY CARVER 12 August 2010  A Cookham.com reader has sent us this photo of Curly Carver (click on photo for larger image). Thank you to all those who have contributed to Curly's leaving present. Please note that the fund will stay open until the end of August.   If you would still like to contribute, you may do so through the Nationwide Building Society, 3 Station Hill, Cookham, SL6 9BT. Please make cheques payable to the Maidenhead and Cookham Commons Advisory Committee. Alternatively, you can post cheques to me at Pippins, Popes Lane, Cookham Dean, SL6 9NY. For bank transfers, please use all the details as follows: Sort code: 070093       Bank account: 33333334 Reference no: 1246/704074417    Please call Carol Austen on 01628 898542 if there are any questions SAD DEATH OF "MAC" 8 August 2010  It was with sadness that Cookham.com learnt of the sudden death of "Mac", (David Macdonald) who lived in Terry's Lane, on Wednesday 28th July. Mac was very much a larger than life person. In the past he had been very active with Cookham activities since he moved here with his wife Phyllis over twenty years ago. On leaving school at the end of 1944 he volunteered for the Indian Army and joined the 1st Gurkha Rifles. Following the partition of India he was demobbed from the Seaforth Highlanders in 1948. In 1950 he and Phyllis were married and he joined Marks & Spencer. After a career in Store and Personnel Management – 36 years and thirteen house moves later they moved to Cookham.  Mac took over as Membership Secretary of the Cookham Society in 1993.  He was a member of Rotary and was involved in the revival of the Cookham Regatta. He also was very much involved in Probus, when he was not chasing a white ball around Winter Hill golf course. Click here for article in the Bucks Free Press With sympathy to Mac's wife Phyllis and his family at this sad time. TENNIS AND CROQUET DAY 29 July 2010  Following a very successful Cookham Dean Charity Tennis and Croquet Day on 27th June, over £1400 was raised for the following Charities   Thames Valley Hospice Thames Valley Adventure Playground Elizabeth House Cookham Youth Project Help For Heroes Thanks to all who took part and to our sponsors   David Johnson  -  Bourne End Dental Practice Farncombe Estates         Hawkinsport And to those who donated raffle prizes   David Johnson - Bourne End Dental Practice Winter Hill Golf Club Pearce Autos Jesus de Miguel, Professional Tennis Coach Cookham artist Vivienne Chaikin Locate a Location Next Stage Choir Cookham Decorative Interiors Tom’s DIY Maliks Fleurs de la Maison, Cookham Deliciously French Stratford Wines Village Hardware Stationery Depot Roy Gigg Royal Dry Cleaners Sir Clive Woodward Waitrose Copas Farms Next year is our 30th charity day and we are hoping for an extra special event.   The date will be decided soon and it would be very helpful if those who have played before could send their email address, if they have not already done so, to Gallagher.e@sky.com.   We welcome new participants at all levels in the tennis and croquet events and tuition is available on the day for those new to croquet. An email as above will get you on our circulation list. INSPIRING POINTS OF VIEW 29 July 2010  Two local artists are coming together to show their work at the next exhibition at the Gallery at Elizabeth House.  The exhibition, called ‘Points of View’, opens next Sunday 1st August and runs through to 29th August.   Alison Adcock and Gill Crane met in Maidenhead when they started to paint in oils over 20 years ago.  Their current combined exhibition of landscapes is one of diversity and colour.   As they explain, these are landscapes of the twenty first century, which are as much to do with the actual surface of the paint as the subject. According to Alison,  ‘Our inspiration comes not so much from a view as the possibilities of what can be created from the component parts of that scene; to reinterpret the sensation of the landscape in paint’.  Interestingly, Gill originally trained as a jeweler (and exhibited twice at Goldsmith Hall) whilst Alison was a freelance wallpaper designer.  They have both taught and exhibited locally for many years.   Examples of their work are on the gallery website www.thegalleryatelizabethhouse.org.uk.  And you can see what's coming next at the Gallery there too.   The Gallery at Elizabeth House is open each weekday between 9.30 and 11.30 am and on Sundays from 10 am – 4 pm. GIFT FUND FOR CURLY 29 July 2010   Thank you to all those who have contributed so far to this, your letters, cards and thoughts have very much appreciated by Curly and Rita. Please note that the fund will stay open until the end of August.   If you would still like to contribute, you may do so through the Nationwide Building Society, 3 Station Hill, Cookham, SL6 9BT. Please make cheques payable to the Maidenhead and Cookham Commons Advisory Committee. Alternatively, you can post cheques to me at Pippins, Popes Lane, Cookham Dean, SL6 9NY. For bank transfers, please use all the details as follows: Sort code: 070093       Bank account: 33333334 Reference no: 1246/704074417    Please call Carol Austen on 01628 898542 if there are any questions TEEN BODIES IS BACK 12 July 2010  CHANNEL 4’S EMBARRASSING TEEN BODIES IS BACK!      Are you a teenager and worried about your health? Do you suffer from skin conditions like acne/eczema?  Are you anxious that your body is not developing like your friends?  Have you been experimenting sexually for the first time and are worried about catching an STI?  Or would you and your group of friends be interested in taking part in some of the fun tests and activities we run throughout the show?  If you’re aged between 13-19 years and interested in learning more about your health or want advice about a medical issue from one of our doctors then please contact the team for more information on:   embarrassingbodies@mavericktv.co.uk 0207 874 6647   If selected, your condition will be treated by professionals and you will receive top quality care. Your involvement will raise awareness about your condition, helping other sufferers to seek the treatment they need. SPACE HOP 9 July 2010  Space Hop – the free Summer Reading Challenge – starts in Cookham Library and the other borough libraries tomorrow 10th July. Four to 12-year-olds can join the Ex Libris space ship and set up the first library on the moon. Participants work their way through three stages: Blast Off!, Space Chase and Lunar Landing. To meet the challenge they have to read at least six books during their space voyage – over the summer holidays – and can collect a glow-in-the-dark wristband, spinner to hang from the ceiling, bookmark, rainbow pencil, magnet, gold medals and certificates. Further details on the challenge – and loads of associated activities – at www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/libraries_youngpeoples.htm.  NEW WEBSITE FOR HOLY TRINITY 3 July 2010  Holy Trinity Church has a new website www.holytrinitycookham.org.uk the Parish Centre email address will now be office@holytrinitycookham.org.uk EARLY PHOTOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUES 1 July 2010  Gill Harper - featuring early photographic techniques   First time for the Gallery at Elizabeth House as part of the Bucks Open Studios programme comes to a close this Friday so there's still a couple of days to call in.  We then switch to our next show by Gill Harper which opens on Sunday 4th July and runs to Friday 30th July   Gill, who lives in Cookham Dean, had a small selection of her work in the current exhibition but now moves to a solo exhibition of her fascinating photographic art.  She enjoys hand printing fine art photographs using a variety of processes taken from the early days of photography.  This exhibition will feature gum printing (Arabic gum and watercolour pigments), gelatin emulsion prints and black and white photographs of Cookham and the Thames Valley .  You can see examples of Gill’s work on the gallery’s website www.thegalleryatelizabethhouse.org.uk and she will be demonstrating the processes she uses at the Gallery on Sunday 18th July.    Plus there's more news on what you may have just missed and what's coming up next - plus a growing archive of the work of local artists - on the website.   And we are now back to our normal opening hours -  9.30-11.30 weekday mornings and 10am to 4pm on Sundays. WHO'S FOR TENNIS (OR CROQUET)? 29 June  2010  Sunday 27th June, it was not just the England World Cup match, but also the 29th year of the Cookham Dean Charity Tennis and Croquet Day. This year there were sixty players and seven different venues for tennis and  croquet. Congratulations to the winners. THE WINNERS! click on photo for larger image Tennis Winners Robin Denville and Nikki O'Kane Runners Up  Ashley Hutton and Anita Moiser Croquet Winners Mike and Sherry Smith Runners Up Carol and Peter Austen One of the main organisers, Ed Gallagher, on behalf of the organising committee said" This year we were able to donate £1400 to local charities thanks to the generosity of the players, our sponsors and local businesses who donated raffle prizes.  Next year is the 30th tournament and we hope to have an extra special event to celebrate this and to benefit even more those good causes who are finding  the current economic climate so difficult "   Some of the charities who will be helped by the event are the Thames HospiceCare and Elizabeth House. COOKHAM SHAKESPEARE 19 June  2010  The Cookham Community Shakespeare Project is taking shape with the launch of their new website. Local actor Richard James, who is heading up the event which kicks off next year's Cookham Festival says, 'Now there's a place where anyone interested can see what our plans are and how they can get involved. This is a true community event, so if you've never been on a stage before, or if you have no interest in Shakespeare - so much the better! And, as ever, we'll need lots of help backstage, too.' Visit the website to get in touch and be part of this exciting event! www.cookhamshakespeare.com CAR WASH A GREAT SUCCESS 13 June  2010  Josh, Simon and Charlie are a bit closer to raising £2,100 each for the Scout Jamboree in Sweden in 2011 for which they are representing Berkshire. They raised a fantastic £500 at the Car Wash Event they held on Saturday 12th June in the Parade in Cookham Rise. The fundraisers said "It was a tremendous success - cars were washed solidly from 9am through to 1pm and the generosity from so many was really appreciated - what community spirit we witnessed . The Jamboree scouts are absolutely delighted to announce that they raised £500 and would like to thank you for all your support." PREPARING COOKHAM FOR FLOODING IN THE FUTURE 9 June  2010  Click here for link to Marlow Free Press Cookham Parish Council has established a group to write a Community Flood Plan for Cookham.  Although emergency response to flooding is the responsibility of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) a community plan is advisable for two main reasons:      To gather and make available useful local information missing from the Borough’s plans.      To provide a co-ordinating framework for local volunteers who will wish to help in the event of a flood. Major flooding problems in Cookham have been, mercifully, infrequent.  The main risk is from the river but also surface water, groundwater, sewers and mains water. Major Thames floods have included those in 2003, 2000, 1990, 1974, 1947, and 1894.  Recent flood remediation works around Strand Lane and on Marsh Meadow are reducing our flood risk, but the Environment Agency still advises that there is a risk of flooding all along the river, in some parts of Cookham Village and in eastern parts of Cookham Rise  (see http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/ homeandleisure/ floods/default.aspx).   The community flood plan group are working on a template plan developed by emergency planners at the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (http://www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/sdop_community_flooding_information.htm). The members of the community flood plan group are Councillors Mandy Brar, Pat Brockwell, Gordon Harris, Fiona Hewer, and Mike Innes. Cllr David Ricardo has provided valuable maps and information.  One of our main aims is to ensure that key sites at risk are identified.  These will have responsibilities to make their own plans to protect life and property in the event of a flood, and there is support and information about how to do that.   If you would like to help the group, tell us about your flood plans, or hear about progress, please contact Fiona Hewer (01628 524038 fehewer@mac.com ).   Environment Agency Flood Information number is 0845 9881188. Register online to receive flood warnings for your home or business at https://fwd.environment-agency.gov.uk/app/olr/home . Fiona Hewer 8 June 2010

The Crier Archives Hear ye Hear ye! The Crier is always looking for things to shout about! Feel free to submit your Thoughts, Poems, Requests or anything you like to thecrier@cookham.com

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