DEATH
OF ODNEY'S ROBERT FRASER
2
May 2009
|
 Many
people who remember Robert Fraser who used to run the Odney Club before
Sue Bickle took over in 2005 will be sad to hear that he died last
night. It was a great shock to everyone who knew him.
He had made the Odney Club very much
part of village life and had hosted many events there particularly for
the Cookham Festival and the Spencer Gallery.
Many people in Cookham will have very
happy memories of a very charming person who was Robert.
|
LAST
CHANCE TO SEE THE OPEN STUDIO ARTISTS
2
May 2009
|
 Take
advantage of this lovely weather for a tour around the open studios
this weekend. There are 16 studios open today tomorrow and some on
Monday. A Google map of locations is on the artists studios page
of this web site. The artists are waiting to chat to you about their
work and techniques. if you are inspired to have a try yourself come
along to May Day on the Moor where some of the artists will be guiding
you in a painting Masterclass. There will be four sessions lasting
about an hour for £5 including all materials. Many other crafts to
take part in including clay, paper-making and embroidery. Lots of fun
so make it a date!
Click
here to see the list of studios there is also a map of
their locations.
|
EVER
THOUGHT OF EQUINE SPONSORSHIP?
30
April 2009
|
|
Ever
thought about equine sponsorship? Does your business need a boost?
I'm
based in Cookham and looking to find a local company to sponsor me for
this season's eventing! Benefits are company name and logo splashed
across everything possible to do with the horse and rider - including
the horsebox….announcement at the shows and on clothing used day to
day whilst training and riding locally as well as throughout the
country. Please get in touch if you think you may like to get involved,
it is not as expensive as you think (from as little as £100 per month!)
- the benefits are huge!!! Contact: skinner_kat@hotmail.com
or 07789812379
|
COOKHAM'S
GREENBELT LISTED FOR DEVELOPMENT NOT 'EARMARKED'
28
April 2009
|
|
At the Cookham
Society meeting on Monday 27th April, the committee met with Cllr Alison
Knight – the RBWM cabinet member for planning and development, to
discuss their concerns on the potential threat to Cookham’s Green Belt
Land as contained in the Boroughs LDF and SHLAA consultations.
Cllr Knight asked that the word ‘Earmarked’
be changed on the Cookham Society and cookham.com documentation, because
this is simply not correct. If anyone sees the word earmarked
relating to the planning and development in Cookham's green belt this
should read listed.
|
COOKHAM'S
GREEN GRANNY
22
April 2009
|
|
Several TV production
companies have been in contact with Oxfam about interviewing Barbara
Walmsley in her role as Green Granny. She has been busy inventing
dishes which can be made from left overs. As you may know there
are now four videos on YouTube (search for Oxfam Green Granny) and these
have attracted well over 260,000 hits and over 100 comments. In
addition videos made here have been shown on BBC, ITV, Channel 5 and Sky
News. The one made by CNN may go out worldwide this Wednesday.
If so it will be repeated regularly over 24 hours.
Articles have
appeared in the Yours, Sunday Mirror and the Maidenhead Advertiser (and
even two paragraphs in News of the World).
Oxfam have also
received requests from many other organisations covering several
countries including Australia, Canada and Russia. She is now
discussing which ones she should follow up.
http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/search/4187129.Grandmother_shoots_to_YouTube_fame/
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9230y_granny-goes-green_lifestyle?from=rss
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S48U0UNMxUE
|
WHICH
PLAY WON?
10
April 2009
|
The
Lover, by Harold Pinter won the Tarrystone's Play Idol, 2 nights
out of 3, which would suggest it won and would go through to the
Festival.
BUT
Michael-John Saunders play won over all with more votes in total.
Most assumed an aggregate score wouldn't be taken into account unless
a different play won on each of the 3 nights.
SO
M-J was announced overall winner on the Saturday night.
HOWEVER
- after the curtain closed the performers were told that it was very
close and that both plays would be
submitted for the festival as there were extra slots to be filled.
There
is now a compromise that has been agreed upon, the Festival Chairman
has asked for The Lover to be performed only for adjudication and not
to actually compete.
SO
- Last Thursday in April is the day.
|
COOKHAM
DEAN FOOTBALL CLUB UNDER 12's
4
April 2009
|
|
On Sunday 5th April 10.30am Cookham Dean
FC's table topping Under12s play their last game at home before
travelling out to Spain on Wednesday to take part in an exciting
International Football Tournament in Madrid, why not get along and
cheer the lads this Sunday and help to give them a good send off.
The match kicks off at the Alfred Major
Rec at 10.30am
|
BRAKES
PUT ON GRAVITY GRAND PRIX
1
April 2009
|
|
Health
& Safety Rules have put the brakes On Cookham Dean Gravity Grand
Prix. The new Euro rules means that the race will now have to relocate
to the High Street.
The
organisers of the charity event have branded the ruling by the Health
and Safety Executive (HSE) as ‘ridiculous’. The committee has been
told that the karts’ brakes do not meet new EC regulations.
The shattering news came in a letter from the HSE.
It states: “I must inform you that the karts used in the
Cookham Dean Gravity Grand Prix are defined as ‘powered road vehicles’
for the purpose of the Act.
Although
the legislation has yet to receive Royal Assent in Parliament, all
vehicles taking part will need to comply with Regulation
(EC/6151512/041/A F) Braking Efficiency (Amendment) Act 2009.”
Peter Bartlett, one of the event organisers, stormed: “The problem we
have, as always, is with the letter-of-the-law UK interpretation of an
EC directive.
Anyone
with any sense would class the carts as un-powered. The HSE in their
wisdom have taken the definition literally and decided that the karts
are indeed powered - by gravity.”
“As
powered road vehicles they fall within the scope of the regulations,
which means that the braking systems of all the karts will need to be
certificated against the new standard. It’s ridiculous - and you can
be very sure the organisers of the rival French and German events won’t
be subject to the same petty bureaucracy. My feeling is that the Dutch
are behind this. They have never recognised the sport”
Bartlett went on. “I telephoned the HSE and spoke someone who was
exceedingly unhelpful. The fact that we raised £10k for charity made no
difference to this man’s attitude. He kept saying that he had seen a
video of the event on YouTube and thought it should be stopped,
regardless.
“This
jobsworth approach threatens to undermine Britain’s standing as a
world class Gravity Racing nation.”
“It seems that the only way around the ruling is to hold the event on
flat ground. The committee have decided that, although some last minute
changes to the rules will have to be made, Cookham High Street is now
the likely venue.”
Further
information Peter Bartlett 07771 99 6000
|
UNDER
12'S CAR WASH
28
March 2009
|
 Cookham
Dean Football Club's youngest team, the Under12s, are very busy today
Saturday outside Cookham Train Station washing cars as part of their
fundraising efforts towards their trip to Spain at Easter, when they
become the first ever English team to take part in the XXIII
Alcalá De Henares Cup, a Football Tournament which attracts some of
the top Youth clubs in Europe including Athletico Madrid whom the
Cookham Boys will play on April 10th. The Boys will wash your car for
a donation between 7am and 3pm.
|
TARRYSTONE
PLAY IDOL
27
March 2009
|
Come on Cookham
don’t you want to support your local groups?? Ticket sales for
“Play Idol” their next production are at an all time low! What
more could you want for a night out at The Pinder Hall – three one
act plays and a delicious meal all for £12.50? It’s on next Thurs,
Fri & Sat.
The Tarrystone
Players always do a great job for Cookham , supporting Pinder Hall and
other local charities. Cookham Bridge Rotary Club supply the bar &
give all profits to their charities as well.
You want to know
which plays you’ll be seeing ? – all acted & directed by local
people who you are bound to recognise – well let me tell you.......
“The Lover” by
Harold Pinter – you can’t get much better than that!
“A Year in Red
Braces” – a brand new up to the minute play , written & acted
by a “local councillor”. Guess who?
“Background
Artiste” by Stephen Smith – a very witty comedy about becoming an
“Extra” in the film world.
So there you are,
come and join in the fun. Call 01628 520989 for tickets now! See you
there.
|
ANDREW
MILSOM OPEN IN COOKHAM RISE
22
March 2009
|
|
Andrew Milsom and partners have moved
offices from Cookham High Street to The Parade Cookham. I am sure all
Cookham.com readers would like to wish Jude Newman and her team
every success in their new premises. They will be open this Monday 23
March.
|
CREATE
A GARDEN ON A TRAY COMPETITION
19
March 2009
|
|
Design
and Create a Garden on a Tray Competition is open to all aged 11 years
old or younger!! It will take place on the Moor on Monday 4th May 2009,
so get your children to start designing.
The
Rules:
a.
Tray or base to be no larger than 30cm x 38cm
b.
All material to be as natural as possible using:
1
Good quality plant material for example moss for grass, pebbles for
paths!
2.
All structures to be home made - sheds, fences, gates, pergolas
3.
No LEGO or playmobil etc.
c.
All exhibits MUST be at site tent by 12.00hrs
d.
Judges decision is final and will look for innovation, originality and
best looking!
Prizes
of £20, £10 and £5 in John Lewis vouchers will be awarded to the best
gardens on show by the Lullebrook Garden Society.
|
FEEDING
THE EAGLES
18
March 2009
|
|
This photo was taken by
James Thompson a Cookham.com reader who lives in the US. He says
"No Zoom, I was this close!" The eagles are being attracted by
people giving them fish. Rather like the red kites being attracted by
meat scraps in Cookham. 
|
TENNIS
AND CROQUET DAY
17
March 2009
|
|
It’s
time to think of summer – lunch on the lawn, a nice bottle of wine,
butterflies fluttering by – and the sound of tennis balls on racquets
and croquet balls on mallets!
The
Annual Cookham Dean Charity Tennis and Croquet Day will take place in
its 28th year on Saturday, 28th June 2009. This is
a fun day for all ages, including juniors, who play in groups at private
venues in Cookham Dean. We hope to welcome back all our regular players
and we particularly look forward to meeting those who will be playing
for the first time. It is a great way to get to know your neighbours in
a relaxed atmosphere!
If
you are on our mailing list, entry forms and flyers will be going out in
the spring.
If
you are joining for the first time and would like a form or further
information, please contact Tony Brown on 07968173757
or Nick Dennis on 01628
483365.
We
raised £1500 for local charities last year. If you cannot play this
year but would nevertheless like to make a donation, please contact Tony
or Nick.
See
you all on the 28th June.
|
VILLAGE
LIFE OPENS AT THE SHIRE HORSE CENTRE
16
March 2009
|
|
VillageLife
is delighted to announce the opening of its new and unique
retail, craft and leisure village in the heart of the Home Counties.
Following
major re-development, VillageLife (previously the Old Shire Horse
Centre) now has a range
of businesses including a day
spa, home furnishings shops, chocolatier, children’s book shop, toy
shop and the Stables Food Hall and Café. Shires Farm remains in
the final stages of transformation into a uniquely original attraction,
including a new smart activity centre, and will be open from April.
Developer
and General Manager Rudi Schogger says, “VillageLife has everything to
become a cornerstone of Maidenhead and Home Counties community life for
local people and local businesses. We created and designed
VillageLife to offer something for everyone, all year round, come rain
or shine.”
The
Mayor of Maidenhead will be formally opening VillageLife at 10.30am on
Saturday 11th April, though VillageLife is open now on a
limited basis. The Grand Opening weekend from April 11th
to 13th will have a range of events and entertainments
including street entertainers, live music, food and craft markets, food
displays and tastings and a number of local groups performing.
Further free events will continue all year round, including
St George’s
Weekend later in April and Open Arts and May Day Music in May.
|
SPORT
ENGLAND INVEST IN LONGRIDGE
9
March 2009
|
|
Longridge
are delighted to announce that Sport England have made a £1.1m grant to
the Longridge charity to build a new training facility.
This
facility will have a gym and training rooms as well as new toilet,
shower and changing facilities. This building will replace the
rather inadequate and dilapidated current facilities. It is hoped
that at the same time as building this facility the centre will be able
to improve their infrastructure, create a more secure and better laid
out car park and build a new, better positioned reception block.
Fundraising for this phase of the project begins now in earnest and the
team hope to raise an additional £250,000 by September 2009.
The
award also includes a provision to fund a new full-time coach to provide
training to young people in Longridge’s range of water and land based
sports and potentially work with the ARA to offer rowing to local
schools alongside the newly created Longridge Rowing Trust.
Centre
Director, Amanda Foister, said “We are incredibly grateful to Sport
England for this award and the recognition of how far we have come since
the charity took over the running of the site in 2005. This new training
facility will allow more young people to use our centre for more of the
year, this is vital as the increased use will enable us to repay the £800,000
loan that was taken out to buy the freehold of the site and the
repayment of which remains the charities biggest challenge”.
Hannah
Bladen, Regional Strategic Lead of Sport England commented “Sport
England is delighted to be a partner in this exciting project on the
banks of the River Thames. This site, once fully developed, will
cater for the full range of participants, from complete beginners trying
out paddle sports for the first time, to elite performers participating
within the National Governing Body performance pathway.
The
professional approach to both project development and implementation by
the small dedicated team at Longridge is of note, as is the large
volunteer base that is integral to ensuring the activities provided are
safe, fun and sustainable.
It
is hoped that building work will start September next year, with an
unveiling of the new facility in March 2010.
To
find out more about Longridge and the range of sporting and outdoor
activities available for young people go to www.longridge-uk.org
or contact the site at 01628 483252; bookings@longridge-uk.org
|
PRACTISING
FOR MAY DAY
3
March 2009
|
 The
Cookham Festival is planning a maypole on the Moor for Mayday along with
some Morris dancing. The Festival Committee are showing us how to do it
as they were seen practising their dancing on the Moor yesterday.
'They'll be getting some training from Ellington Morris, the Maidenhead
Morris dance team, who will also be performing at the Festival's May
Bank Holiday event.' click
here for an article by the Bucks Free Press
click on photo for larger image
|
THE
FUTURE OF COOKHAM
DEAN POST OFFICE
26
February 2009
|
|
 Although
scheduled to close in four weeks time, the Cookham Dean Post Office
Stores suddenly closed its doors today with no warning. Richard Campin,
chairman of the committee that has been set up to look at the future of
the Post Office has issued the following statement:
"Following
the circulation of strong rumours that the Post Office might not
continue to exist in Cookham Dean, a meeting was set up in the Post
Office on Thursday the 12th February with Mr Swabey, the
Field Change Advisor from the Post Office, to hear his views about the
future. A wide cross-section of villagers were notified by informal
networking about the imminent meeting and 30 to 40 attended.
Mr
Swabey assured the villagers that the Post Office is committed to
continuing a Post Office operation of some sort in the village but that
his understanding was that it might not be possible to continue in the
existing premises and also that it might not be justifiable on a 5 days
a week basis.
An
impromptu committee of volunteers was set up during and after the
meeting comprising Sarah Broadhead, Richard Campin, Alan Jay, Richard
Kellaway, Robert Mandeville, Elizabeth Runnacles, Richard Simmonds and
Gill Townend.
The
committee’s most immediate objective is to find a solution for the
continued existence of a Post Office service and the follow-on objective
is to then look at the possibility of providing an environment in which
a combined shop and Post Office could be re-opened to serve once again
as a community-focused facility.
The
committee quickly discovered that the Post Office had definitely been
given notice to leave the existing premises in Bigfrith Lane by the 25th
March. The owner of the premises
has now informed the Post Office that there is now no 3rd
Party Liability Insurance in place and therefore the Post Office has no
option other than to close immediately.
The
only immediately available solution is to provide a service hosted in
another premises in Cookham Dean which would provide two sessions per
week of approximately 2½ hours each. Options for the location of this
service are currently being jointly investigated with the Post Office as
quickly as possible.
As
soon as the continuation of the Post Office service has been assured the
committee will move onto investigating the feasibility of
re-establishing the combined Post Office Stores and when the options are
known it will be necessary to get wider feedback from the village on the
level of support that might be gained.
The
committee has not yet discussed how that feedback will be obtained but,
in the meantime, if anybody has any helpful suggestions, available
premises or a desire to run a village shop please input them via the
committee secretary, Gill Townend, preferably using email on gilltownend@aol.com."
Richard
Campin
Committee
Chairman
26th
Feb 2008
Bucks
Free Press
Maidenhead
Advertiser
|
FESTIVAL
ISSUES MAYPOLE SOS
17
February 2009
|
|
The
organisers of this year's Cookham Festival are getting frustrated. The
lack of response to a plea for Maypole Dancers has prompted the Festival
committee members to volunteer to learn how to do it themselves. All
they need is a teacher.
Festival chairman Mike Copland said: "It's tragic that a tradition
like this is dying seemingly due to a lack of available time in the
local primary schools. We understand the pressures on our teachers and
we decided that we should 'stand up and be counted' rather than watch
another tradition fall away".
Mike
hopes that their plea will bring forward someone able to come to the
Festival to give lessons - and even encourage parents and children to
get involved.
Cookham
Festival runs from 24th April to 4th May and the Maypole Dancing, along
with Morris Dancing, performances by local young bands and many other
activities, will take place at the closing May Day on the Moor event on
the Bank Holiday Monday (4th May).
All
offers of help to Mike Copland on 01628 630375.
|
home
back