A
SET OF FOUR
30
March 2012
|
|
The Gallery at Elizabeth House is
delighted to host a series of exhibitions by
the
Maidenhead Painting Club
over the next two months (till 2 June).
With
the overall title 'A Set of Four', four
exhibitions, each lasting three weeks, reveal the immense range
of talent in our local artistic community. Each
show features the work of one of the various groups which make
up the Club, reflecting a broad range of media and styles.
Make a point of calling in a few times over through April
and May and get a taste of the high quality of work produced by
members of the Club. The works are for sale with a
commission on sales going to Elizabeth House.
The Gallery,
on Station Hill, Cookham Rise, is open weekdays from 9.30 to
11.30 and Saturdays between 10am and 4pm.
It is now into its third year and over that time the
gallery has exhibited the work of more than 20 local artists and
has recorded some £7500 of sales of paintings, bringing
Elizabeth House valuable extra revenue through
commissions on sales. Our
continuing thanks to all the artists who have contributed to our
exhibitions, and to the many others who help with the gallery.
And if you would like to help in some way, please contact Mike
Copland on 01628 630375 or by replying to this email.
|
COOKHAM IN
RUNNER'S BLOG
26
March 2012
|
Dear Cookham Crier,
I am running 1000km in 2012 to raise money for Child Bereavement
Charity (Buckinghamshire based charity!) and Cancer Research, UK
I blog about many of my runs and like to include details on where
I have run. I have run in many famous locations this year,
including having the Silverstone race track all to myself to run
round. I will go onto run Spa Francorchamps circuit in May and be
one of the very few Brits to take part in the Nurburgring run in
September.
However, I have to do lots of local runs to rack up my km's. I am
fortunate to live only 10 minutes away from Cookham, I have
included Cookham in my recent blog. Click
here for my blog.
I am the Youth Worker for the Child Bereavement Charity and I can
safely say all sponsorship will help a bereaved young person feel
less alone and give them a chance to spend time with others who
have had a similar experience.
I have been a long supporter of Cancer Research UK. My Grandfather
died of cancer in November 2008, and at his funeral he asked for
donations to go towards Cancer Research UK. I am continuing this
legacy for him.
If you can relate to my reasoning for why I want to raise money
for these charities, please sponsor me via my fundraising page.
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Challenge1000
Kind Regards and Thank you,
Victoria Young
|
COOKHAM
RISE TAPESTRY
ON DISPLAY AT GUILDHALL
19
March 2012
|
|
Cookham Rise
School’s beautiful tapestry is on display in Windsor
Guildhall. The exhibition, for which admission is free of charge, is
in the Council Chamber and the opening times are:
-
Monday 19th,
Tuesday 20th, Wednesday 21st March 10am to 4.30pm
-
Thursday 22nd
March closed
-
Friday 23rd March
10am to 3.30pm
 Today,
Mrs Bown and Mrs Brett took three pupils (Bethan Terry, Jacob
Smith and Zeke Anderson) to the press opening in order to
represent the school.
Click
here for more information on the Tapestry Project.
click
on photo for larger image
|
COOKHAM
RISE SCHOOL PLANS AN AFRICAN GARDEN
15
March 2012
|
 Cookham
Rise Primary School invited the Maidenhead Advertiser into school
last week as they need your help to collect as many recycle bank
points as it can by the end of April 2012. We would like to build
an African garden in our school grounds. We have teamed up with
the Royal Borough recycling scheme and they will grant us up to £1000
for our project if we can get local residents to donate their
unwanted/unused recycle bank points. It is easy to donate just
login to your recycle bank account and go to about us/green
schools programme. There is a link that will take you to the
donation section where you can decide whether to donate all or
some of your points. We
have recently achieved the ECO schools silver award and RHS level
3 award and would like to further develop our grounds for the
children to expand their knowledge of the ‘grow your own’
concept, retaining the beauty of our village and also make them
aware of the global aspect of caring for our environment. It would be wonderful if this project could be a real
community effort. Please
see http://www.sendacow.org.uk/keyhole-gardens
for more details of the African garden idea and our ECO warrior
section at www.cookhamriseprimary.org
Thank you in advance
for your support.
click
on photo for larger image
|
HERRIES
VISITS THE NIPPERS
7
March 2012
|
 Two
pupils, Emma
Hipkins aged 11 and
Jamilla Smith-Joseph aged 10, from Herries along with Sophie Green, Herries Headmistress,
visited the Trinity Nippers on Tuesday 6th March. After a candle
procession they were welcomed by Father Andrew and there were
songs with the toddlers, prayer and a bible reading by the Herries pupils
followed by a short address by Father Andrew.
Emma
Schumacher, whose daughter Alice attends the Nippers said "We moved to
Cookham last summer from London and we didn't know a soul. My 3
year old daughter and I turned up at the first Nippers of the new
term in September and we instantly felt welcomed to the village!
My daughter really enjoys the songs, stories and packed lunch with
her friends whilst I have met lovely people who have helped us to
settle into Cookham life".
Chantal
Williams whose son Tom attends said "Tom
loves to go to Nippers because the children learn to feel
comfortable in the church - they feel a sense that it's their
church and that they're part of the community."
All parents, carers, toddlers and
babies are welcome at Nippers at 11.15am every
Tuesday in term-time. The mini-service takes place at Holy Trinity
Church and there is lunch afterwards at the Parish Centre. If you
would like more information, please contact Bridget King on 0797
478 1920 or Sarah Parfitt on: 07900 4117 15.
Click
here for more information about the Nippers.
|
LET'S
ROCK THE MOOR HELPS LOCAL SCHOOL
4
March 2012
|
|
Let's
Rock the Moor is back in May and will be raising money for charity
again. Last year the proceeds went to help local charities and
also the Wooden Spoon which is a children's charity for those who
suffer from a lifelong disability. With thanks to a donation from
Let's Rock the Moor the Wooden Spoon was able to give £15,000 to
the BESD school, Westfield School, in Bourne End for children with
behavioural and emotional disabilities. November saw the opening
of an outdoor learning and activity centre with the help of those
who supported Let's Rock the Moor 2011.
Click
here to see some more information about Westfield School and the
help from Let's Rock the Moor.
|
PENNY
IS NUMBER ONE
2
March 2012
|
|
Preparing
for a dance competition is hard work, which Penny Bysshe from High
Road has been discovering. Their minibus left
Reading
at 6.45am. Penny had hair, make up and tan already done and was
carrying ballroom and Latin dresses in a dress bag. The
competitions started at 10.00am in Southend and went on without a
break until 6.30pm when there was the prize giving ceremony. Penny
says " It was a long day but it was great fun and we all did
well in our group.". Penny in fact came first in the ballroom
section.
The
competition was run by the ISTD, (the Imperial Society of Teachers
of Dancing) . The dancers who reach the finals in their
competitions are eligible to dance in the all-England competition
held in
Blackpool
in November. Penny had already come first in both Foxtrot and
Samba at other venues and so qualified again in Southend where she
came first in Waltz and third in the Paso Doble. Is it Strictly
Come Dancing next?
The
photo shows the line up of the finalists for the Waltz at Southend
in which Penny (on the far left) was first.
|
BARBARA'S
OXFAM FAST
24
February 2012
|
 Barbara
Walmsley, who lives on High Road, has been standing outside
Sainsbury in Maidenhead for thirty six hours while she fasts. for
twenty five years, to raise money for Oxfam. Unfortunately just
before she started her 26th year's fast, she was rushed into
hospital. However she had a cardboard doll to help fund raise in
her place. Barbara is now bright eyed and bushy tailed again and
is delighted with the support she had. She raised an amazing
£16,446 for Oxfam. Barbara was overcome with the generous support
and said "It was very humbling and helped so much in my
recoverey...It's sometimes difficult to remember how great
an impact that the money that we give has on people in desperate
situations."
|
DRY
HANDS AT THE PINDER HALL
14
February 2012
|
 For
all those who have used the Pinder Hall over the last few years
and discovered that the hand driers only have been working
intermittently, if at all, will be glad to hear that thanks to
Councillor Michael-John Saunders and the Royal Borough the Pinder
Hall is now the proud owner of two new hand driers one for the
ladies and one for the gents. Liz Kwantes, chairman of the Pinder
Hall Management Committee said "This is a great relief, the
old driers were always breaking down and in the end we could not
repair them, the cost of replacement was quite a lot, so we are
very grateful to Councillor Saunders for supporting us in this
way".
With thanks to
Martin Delahaye for the photo
|
THANK
YOU
12
February 2012
|
|
Peta
Bee and Sarah Parfitt wanted to say a big thank you to all who
supported their "Think and Drink" workshops in Cookham.
The events wouldn't have been possible without inspiring guest
speakers and their sponsors, Station Hill Cafe and Hive
Industries. The final workshop took place on Thursday 9th February
when Charles Luxford and Andrew Prewett gave a really lively
and colourful presentation.
Altogether £540 was raised for local schools, and lots of really
positive feedback was received about the events.
Charles
Luxford and Andrew Prewett
|
BEL
& DRAGON SUPPORT MAYOR'S CHARITY APPEAL
11
February 2012
|
|
The
Bel & Dragon, Cookham,
hosted a reception for around 95
supporters of Elizabeth House on Wednesday which raised
just under£1000. James Molier manager of Bel & the Dragon
welcomed everyone and congratulated the Mayor on his charity
intiative. This event was in support of the Mayor’s Charity
Appeal which Councillor Asghar Majeed launched last May. The Mayor
asked local
restaurants and busineses to support a charity of their choice as
part of his Appeal. At the event the Mayor said “ We now have
ninety six businesses in the Borough supporting a wide range of
charities.
I
would like to thank the Bel & The Dragon for their support
this evening and providing free drinks and canapes, they were one
of the first to come forward when we launched last year. Elizabeth
House is a very important centre providing friendship and services
in comfortable surroundings.”
John
Lloyd Parry Chairman of Elizabeth thanked the Mayor and the Bel
& The Dragon and all their supporters for attending.
left
to right John Lloyd Parry Chairman Elizabeth House, Mayor Asghar
Majeed, James Molier Manager Bel & The Dragon, Cookham
(with
thanks to Maureen McLean for the photograph)
|
SNOW
SCENE IN COOKHAM
10
February 2012
|
|
Sutton Road this
morning saw a car with a bit of a problem. The driver walked away
uninjured, but made a bit of a mess of the hedge!
with thanks to
Stuart Conlin (click on photo for larger image)
|
PHILIP
AVERY AND ADRIAN MOORHOUSE AT THE COOKHAM DELI
7
February 2012
|
|
 On
2nd February weatherman, Philip
Avery, came to talk at the Station Hill Deli as part of the
"Think and Drink" workshop series being run by Parfitt
and Bee Media. He had a lovely story of how he became a
weatherman, an interesting slant on the use of HR.
" After 6 months of flying training with the Royal Navy, it
was considered that I had come to the end of the road. As a
consequence I had to see the Chief Flying Instructor at the Royal
Naval Air Station Culdrose, Cornwall. He was an old and bold
Lieutenant Commander, a darker hair version of Captain Birdseye.
He tried to convince me that he had never 'chopped' anyone from
flying training in all his years in the service. Strange I thought
as several of my fellow students had already been removed from
course. At that moment, he reached into his bottom drawer, and his
hand emerged, covered in a Sooty glove puppet. 'Sorry Phil. What's
that you say, Sooty?' A quick whisper in the senior officer's ear
and my fate was sealed. 'Sorry Phil, Sooty says you're chopped!'
And so it was that my naval flying career came to an end thanks to
a glove puppet., and I then went on to become a weatherman."
On
6th February a second workshop was held with swimmer Adrian
Moorhouse.
(The following is with thanks to
Brian Bower)
What better way to start the day
than in the company of friends,
enjoying a fresh brew at the Stationhill Cafe, listening to
inspirational words from Olympic Gold Medalist Adrian Moorhouse.
Adrian's workshop was one of many
varied and interesting presentations organised in recent weeks at
Stationhill by Parfitt & Bee Media ( all proceeds donated to
local schools). Now currently heading a major Buckinghamshire
Leadership company, Adrian was talking of how success in sport is
closely linked to success in other parts of peoples lives
especially business. Find what motivates you and with ,dreams,
focus a plan and obviously hard work WE could all suprise
ourselves with what WE could achieve.
A highly enjoyable and thought provoking hour spent with a truley
great and very likable Olympian.
Details of future events can be sought at Stationroad Tel;
07957395561
Adrian Moorhouse with Arun Brar (who
is becoming a sports coach)
Adrian Talks to a Member of the
Audience
Andrew Moore
had a photo taken with Adrian Moorhouse about 30 years ago when
Adrian visited his primary school - he is showing Adrian the
picture here!
(With
thanks to Dave Humphrys for the photos)
|
GRYFF
RHYS JONES VISITS HERRIES
23
January 2012
|
|
PUPILS
at Herries School, Cookham Dean, were treated to a lesson by the
television presenter Griff Rhys Jones on Monday morning [January
23rd]. Rhys Jones and an ITV1 production crew spent
several days in Cookham and the surrounding area tracing the life
of Kenneth Grahame, author of The Wind In the Willows, who grew up
in the house that became Herries School.
It
is the proximity of the Herries buildings to the River Thames and
the nearby Bisham Woods that are believed to have provided the
inspiration for the setting of Grahame’s tales of Mr Toad, Ratty
and Mole. And to mark the 80thanniversary of the
author’s death, Rhys Jones is presenting a programme called‘In
Search of Toad: The Story of wind In the Willows’ to be screened
in Spring 2012 on ITV1 as part of the channel’s Perspectives
series.
During
filming, Rhys Jones visited the home of one Herries’ pupil -
9-year-old Sam Martin - to read sections of The Wind In The
Willows as a bed time story. “We had lots of conversations about
the book and the characters,” says Sam. “Griff asked me to
read from The Wind In the Willows and asked me about my favourite
character which is Ratty because he is really kind.”
Rhys
Jones describes himself as a big fan of the book; twenty years ago
he played Mr Toad in the National Theatre’s acclaimed production
of the story adapted by Alan Bennett. “It was a joy to spend
time at Herries,” he said. “People mistakenly think that The
Wind in the Willows is too sophisticated a story for children, but
in fact it is a book that appeals to every generation. The
children here have a great understanding of its messages and
people of all ages enjoy losing themselves in Grahame’s
description of the countryside.”
|
GOOD
NEWS FOR COOKHAM!
15
January 2012
|
Good
news for Cookham! The switchback road footpath and cycle way has
been re-tarmaced. The edges were cleared so the path has been
widened. Drop down curbs at Long Lane have been installed so now
it's a great cycle to Furze Platt for all our Cookham kids!
Brilliant news!
|
COOKHAM
JOURNALISTS LAUNCH MEDIA CONSULTANCY
10
January 2012
|
|
TWO
leading journalists from Cookham are launching a media consultancy
for local companies with a series of inspirational talks by high
profile villagers.
Sarah
Parfitt, a freelance radio producer and trainer at the BBC who has
worked on many programmes on Radio 4, Radio 5 Live and the World
Service, and Peta Bee, a multi award-winning author and writer for
The Times, plan to kick off their new company, Parfitt & Bee
Media , with the hour-long ‘Think and Drink’ sessions to be
held at Station Hill Café in Cookham.
Each
of the talks, which start on Thursday January 19 at 10am,
will feature a villager who has achieved notable success in the
arts, media or sport with all money raised from tickets going to
local schools. Among those lined up to speak are renowned music
producer Stuart Epps who has worked with Robbie Williams, Oasis
and Elton John, BBC weatherman Philip Avery, Olympic gold medalist
swimmer Adrian Moorhouse, children’s author, Charles Luxford,
and illustrator, Andrew Prewett.
“We
have such a wealth of talent in Cookham and we thought it would be
a great idea to celebrate that while raising money for local
schools at the same time,” says Peta Bee. “We hope the talks
will provide an insight into the worlds in which these fascinating
people have excelled.”
Sarah
Parfitt says: “Our ‘Think and Drink’ workshops are open to
anyone in the area who is interested in sport, media and the arts
- we hope that they will inform, entertain, and inspire people.
If as a result of one our sessions, someone discovers a new talent
or even launches a new career, so much the better.”.
Manjit Jaspal, owner of Station Hill Café says: "I think
there promises to be some very inspiring and stimulating talks
from really successful people, and we are delighted to be hosting
the events.
Parfitt
& Bee Media offers a range of consultancy services including
public relations, media training, copywriting and one-off media
campaigns. Between them, Sarah and Peta have provided media
services for companies ranging from Asics, Nike, Condor Ferries
and Singapore Airlines, to Save the Children, the MicroLoan
Foundation, and Gillette.
Tickets
for the Think and Drink sessions cost £10 by emailing info@stationhilldeli.co.uk
. Please note - there are a limited number of tickets
for each workshop, so it’s advisable to book early to avoid
disappointment.
|
A
VERY SPECIAL COOKHAM CHRISTMAS 2011
22
December 2011
|
|
Gareth
Evans, a video producer, who has recently moved to the area
has produced a Christmas video of the Cookham area to wish
everyone a very Happy Christmas.
Click
here to see the video
|
CHRISTMAS
CAROLS AROUND THE TREE
19
December 2011
|
|
The Christmas Carols
around the Tree held at Cookham Parade on Saturday 17th December,
went extremely well, with approximately twenty singers, singing
their hearts out. £140 pounds was collected, so along with the
generous donations Cookham businesses, £500 pounds was
raised in total for The Runaway Campaign, through The Children
Society.
|
REPLY
TO COUNCIL'S DECISION TO CLOSE CAUSEWAY
13
December 2011
|
|
Over
three hundred people signed the petition to keep the Causeway open
for vehicles in the case of flooding. The RBWM Cabinet will
discuss this on Thursday.
Comments
on Officer’s report
Summary
The
Officers recommendation invites Members to note the development of
the Cookham Community Flood Plan but omits to mention that there
was no alternative to the closure open to them without the
withdrawal of this order. (background point 17.4 does not indicate
any agreement with the closure by the Cookham Parish Flood Group).
The Petition is supported by 212 signatures submitted by Cllr
Stretton plus 89 e-signatures via the web site (a total of over
300).
If
the recommendations are adopted, there will be NO benefit to
residents
The
Risk Assessment
does not consider any the means of mitigation such as marshalling
or technological assistance. On previous flooding occasions, the
marshalling was initially carried out by the Police before the
erection of traffic lights. Today sensors could detect when
vehicles are on the Causeway enabling better control of the
lights.
The
Risk may arise only rarely – flooding occurs possibly once every
three years for a short period.
In
the Strategic links section the proposed closure cannot in
any way improve Environment, Economy and Transport. There is no
consideration in the report of the effects on the 20 or more
businesses operating in the Village (including two of the larger
employers in the Borough – John Lewis and CIM).
There
is no consideration in the Officers report of the practicalities
of closing the Causeway: where will the residents park their
vehicles even if the “48 hour warning” is used to remove them
from the village? There is no parking with sufficient capacity
nearer than the Alfred Major playing field which is too far for
some of the village residents to walk. How will the businesses in
the village receive their supplies?
Background
information
In
previous flooding events the Borough and the Parish Council have
successfully managed traffic using the Causeway despite the lack
of proper signage. The occasions when vehicles have entered on the
Causeway simultaneously from both ends despite the traffic lights
were very rare and could have been avoided by appropriate signs
being used.
Despite
the assertion that “it was not safe to allow the use of the
Causeway for both pedestrians and vehicles” there have not been
any instances of collision or injury during previous flood events.
Why should it be any safer for pedestrians when emergency vehicles
are using the Causeway? Do the residents of Cookham Village and
their visitors have no common sense?
Our
recommendation
-
Installation
of temporary traffic lights at either end of the Causeway
during the 48 hour “warning” period (or as soon thereafter
as practicable).
-
Erection
of signs at each end to indicate that vehicles should expect a
delay of up to, say, 4 minutes between green lights and
emphasising that anyone who uses the Causeway does so at their
own risk.
Installation
of road and depth marker posts on the B4447 across the Moor to
allow commercial vehicles to use the road for as long as possible
|
COOKHAM
ARTS CLUB OPENS CHRISTMAS SHOW AT ELIZABETH HOUSE
7
December 2011
|
|
Cookham Arts Club is closing
its 70th anniversary year with an exhibition at the Gallery at
Elizabeth House, opening this Saturday, 10th December.
There is a wide range of work on show and for sale, representing
the varied talents of local artists. It's a great
opportunity to enjoy the high quality of work created locally -
and maybe find just the right Christmas present. The
exhibition continues to the end of February.
The
Gallery is open 9.30 to 11.30am weekdays and 10am to 4pm on
Saturdays - but
note that the gallery will not have its usual Saturday opening
from Christmas Eve through to the end of January.
Full details of the artists who have exhibited at the Gallery can
be found at www.thegalleryatelizabethhouse.org.uk
. Elizabeth House receives a commission on any works sold.
|
CHRISTMAS
AT THE HOCKETT
5
December 2011
|
|
It is the beginning
of the Christmas period and Genevieve and Friends were at the
Hockett on Friday 2nd December to offer some musical Christmas
entertainment for Thames Hospicecare. The entertainment was
accompanied by a delicious two course supper.
Click on photo for
larger image (photo with thanks to Rosalind Hazeldine)
|
SAD
DEATH OF ALAN JAY
20
November 2011
|
|
 Many
Cookhamites will remember Alan Jay who lived in Job's Lane in
Cookham for many years until he moved to Hungerford with his wife
Sheila in 2009. Sadly Alan died suddenly on Thursday evening 17
November 2011. Alan had spent much of his working life with IBM,
including some time in Paris. He was always interested in
computers and was involved in the set up of the Cookham website in
1999 when it was launched. Alan was very much the life and soul of
Cookham Bridge Rotary and was involved with Cookham Twinning, More
recently he worked hard to keep the Cookham Dean Post Office when
it was in danger of closing down and was involved in its transfer
to the Jolly Farmer. Alan was always active and getting involved
in village life.
Following
a private cremation, a service of celebration for the life
of Alan will be held on Monday 28th November. It
will be held at St. John the Baptist Church, Cookham Dean, SL6
9PD at 4pm.
Family
flowers only, donations to Macmillan nurses.
|
JULIA'S
GOT TALENT
1
November 2011
|
 Julia
Bysshe, who was born and bred in Cookham, and whose parents still
live in High Road, is becoming known internationally. Julia has
got into the papers and onto
China
television with her dancing for a Chinese talent show which took
place on
London
Tower
Bridge
last week. She mentioned that she was from Cookham. Click
here to see the article
Julia was also
in a Saudi Arabian talent show last week – two talent shows in
one week! She said many of the Saudi girls had received death
threats for showing their hair. Julia said they all looked very
ordinary when they arrived, but after they put their make up on
the Saudi girls looked stunningly beautifully!
|
FUNDS
FOR LEUKAEMIA
26
October 2011
|
|
Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research will
be £1,550 better off this week thanks to Val Eckett who organised
the Elvis Evening at the Pinder Hall on 23 September. This is a
wonderful effort and a lot of hard work. Congratulations to
Val.
|
CHARLES
CREATES MR WALKER'S WORLD
23
October 2011
|
|
 Charles
Luxford has been busy over the last twenty months. He has been
creating Mr Walker's World in the form of e-books. So far he has
written two books and they are now in the public domain.
Charles
says "The character emerged from my imagination when I was
providing some bedtime entertainment for my youngest sons. Since
being encouraged to go public, the appeal has spread from seven
years old to seventy-seven!"
Click here
to find out more about Mr. Walker and make contact.
The eBooks are available from: Amazon
|
|
|
home
back