EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!

It has been a busy week here at the Bucks Freedom Press.

We have our first Landmark Victory!     

Only four days after publishing our Community Restoration Action Plan, Theresa May rolled the scheme out nationwide and re-named it the Community Protection Notice - which quite frankly we didn't think had quite the same air about it. Read more about it here

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2147814/Asbos-overhaul-Homeowners-dump-rubbish-gardens-face-100-fine.html#ixzz1vaoMkiaE

or find out more at Ivor's thrilling blog on the subject over at the Bucks Free Press.

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This Sunday we will also be publishing our much anticipated follow up article to

My Fling With a Bigun!

  

“Ivor seduced me with a romantic break for two…only for it to become a 48-hour romp-fest in a Bourne End B&B”

A forthcoming exclusive written by Edna Welthorpe herself.

HELL HATH NO FURY LIKE A WOMAN SCORNED

COMING SOON ........

ONLY IN THE BUCKS FREEDOM PRESS!

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We are also delighted to welcome a new writer to the Bucks Freedom Press. William Geldart has written our first News article this week, and we look forward to him contributing more in future editions.


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NEWS     + Send us your news, pictures and videos so we don't have to bother to leave the office  

High Wycombe ranked ‘only’ eighth in

identity fraud report, loses out to

Slough 

Wycombe District Council has brushed off the results of the recent Experian Fraud Report that only ranks the town eighth in a top 10 list of major identity theft hot-spots.

Rival fleapit Slough topped the bill with twenty-five cases of identity fraud per 10,000 households. In comparison, Wycombe only delivered thirteen instances within the same parameters.

A spokesperson from WDC, Providence Magee, formerly known as John S. Tape, criticised the findings and their lack of scope.

He said: “To suggest that Wycombe is a hot-bed of bin-fiddling larceny is grossly unfair. The town offers far more than that. For instance, what about the drugs, animal porn-loving councillors and bus station assaults that we’re renowned for? We can’t allow this town to be shown up by places like Slough. ”

Meanwhile, local residents have been reacting to the news that suggests their privacy and security could be under threat.

Mr. G. Smith, who lives in Booker, told the Bucks Freedom Press: “I know of at least six Smiths on this road alone. I don’t think that’s a coincidence, do you?”

Government proposes the impossible:
dig up Ancient Woodland and move it to make way for HS2

In a letter to Cheryl Gillan MP, Transport Secretary Justine Greening has set out her intentions

to preserve ancient woodlands, which includes the idea of ‘transplanting woodland to an adjacent site.’

Steve Rodrick, Chief Officer of the Chilterns Conservation Board said;

“It is not possible to transplant ancient woodland successfully. You can transplant some of it but what you end up with won’t be ancient woodland. Ancient woodland is special because over millennia it has evolved its own ecosystem including soils, root fungi, etc, etc which are lost when disturbed. It is absolute nonsense to suggest that any valuable habitat can simply be trans-located by scooping it up and replanting it. I am not are of any successful example. The idea of trans-locating large trees from an ancient woodland with roots, soil, etc intact isn’t credible, and frankly not even worth debating.”

Think this item is a spoof? Think again! The above article was widely reported in the local press.  Yes, Justine Greening really has considered just digging up ancient woodland and moving it out of the way of her High Speed White Elephant.

To quote Stop HS2 campaign coordinator Joe Rukin: “When the government start talking in all seriousness about transplanting ancient woodland, you begin to realise what really needs transplanting are some brains.”

Quote of the week

The High Wycombe annual Mayor Making ceremony took place last weekend in Frogmoor. Traditionally, councillors and public officials are publicly weighed to make sure they have have put on "no more" weight "dining at taxpayers’ expense".

It was reported that Cllr Graham said he was pleased he had put on no more as he had not been following any special exercises.  He said: “I think today has been the best day. The weather has been kind to us. The crowd is getting bigger and bigger each year."

The Bucks Freedom Press thought this was a rather tactless statement. If there weren't so many takeaway establishments in Frogmoor maybe this would go some way to tackling the problem.

Hands up who can identify with this one?!

Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.

Celebrating Bucks! A - Z of Walks - A

A – Z of Walks in Bucks 

What do you love about our county? For me, it is all about the beautiful countryside.

 

So this week, the Bucks Freedom Press starts an A-Z series of walks. I hope this first walk will tempt you out to go and see the glorious bluebells while they are at their best.

 

The weather forecast is good for the rest of the week, sunset isn’t until around 9 pm – so get out there and enjoy the outdoors!  Send me your photos and share your favourite beauty spot.

            A is for AMERSHAM

               

The walk starts from the Old Town car park, which is situated on the north side of The Broadway next to the B & M Motors garage in Old Amersham.

OS map ref SU960972

Chiltern Society Footpath Map No. 6

http://www.chilternsociety.org.uk/shop-maps.php
 

Length of full walk: 6.7 miles  

Time required: 3.5 hrs at a leisurely pace

Shorter version: 5.7 miles
 

The Crown Inn at Little Missenden

 

 

Can be muddy in places so boots recommended.
 

Toilets: in Old Town car park
 

Refreshments: Plenty of cafes and pubs in Amersham
 

The Crown at Little Missenden
 

Why not take a picnic?

Try my recipe for Leek and Potato Soup with a Coconut Twist ! (see separate post) 

Amersham Walk Route

A.  Starting from the bottom left hand corner of the car park, turn left and  follow the River Walk along the Misbourne. Cross the bridge and pass the cemetery on the right. Leave the river and follow the walled path to a road with Badminton Court on your left and the allotments on your right. Cross at the traffic lights and then School Lane opposite, taking the footpath to the left.  Go between the houses and turn right to pass the Youth Centre, then enter Barn Meadow Recreation Ground.                                                            



River Misbourne



River Walk

A nice picnic spot at the Recreation
Ground

B.  Make for the far corner where you will find a path following the river again for the short distance to Mill Lane. Turn left and then right into the High Street. After about 1/4 mile when you have exited the town by the white gates, take the footpath to the left which leads up to the bypass. Turn right and take great care when crossing this fast, busy road to the footpath between the bollards on the other side.

C. Turn right along the driveway to the wrought iron entrance gates to Shardeloes House. Go through and enter the driveway then take the South Bucks Way
which goes behind the Amersham Cricket Club pavilion and across the grass to a gate.

   

Enter a tree-lined pathway which leads to a kissing gate, with beautiful views of Shardeloes Lake opening up to your right.

Go forward and look out for waterfowl as you follow the lakeside.

We saw Coots and Swans nesting, a Cormorant, Canada Geese and a gaggle of goslings!

Shardeloes Manor

D.  When you leave the lake you will see Shardeloes Manor on the hillside to your left. Go through another gate and then across the fields until you come to a crossing path.

 E.  This is Mop End Lane and if you wish to do the shorter walk turn left and follow the lane uphill to Mop End Farm, where you can rejoin the longer walk instructions by turning left along the road for a short distance and picking up the directions at ( H )

If you are continuing with the longer walk, carry on straight ahead keeping the River Misbourne in view on your right. Cross over a farm track and follow the fenced path all the way to the road at Little Missenden.

Mother and Foal at Kennel Farm

F.  If you wish to see the beautiful gardens and pond at the grade II listed  Mill House take a short detour to the right.
Here we saw a Green Woodpecker in the trees, and a Yellow Wagtail flitting over the pond.




Mill House Pond

 



Mill House Garden

   

   

Retrace your steps and continue up the road to The Crown. Shortly past the pub you will find a bridleway (and the Chiltern Heritage Trail) on the left. This is Toby’s Lane and it climbs steadily for over a mile up to Mop End. It is a lovely green lane with spectacular views at several vantage points looking across the Misbourne Valley.

Ignore a right fork when you reach the wood and carry on until you reach a crossing path. This stretch can get very muddy in wet weather.

Toby's Lane

View across the Misbourne Valley

G.  At the crossing path turn left and go through a kissing gate, cross to another one and then follow the left hand hedge out to a lane at Mop End. ( H ) This is where the short cut rejoins the main route.

Cross straight over and follow the stony track along the edge of the woodland. This is particularly beautiful in May when there is a carpet of bluebells and their scent fills the air. We saw a deer grazing in the woods here.

                                                                                                                                                                             

 

At the edge of the wood you are now near the electricity sub station so stick strictly to the path and veer left to pass next to the pylon and follow the well defined path, soon entering woodland again. Continue downhill and listen out for the birdsong in this wild area.

On leaving the wood follow the path forward along the valley bottom. Carry on for approx. 1 mile, ignoring any branching tracks.


Keep a lookout for wildlife; we were lucky enough to see hares boxing on the skyline to the right! More beautiful views of the Misbourne Valley open out ahead as you cross the parkland.

I.  Just before reaching the driveway to Lower Park House, turn half right to follow a diagonal path across the field towards a tall sycamore tree on the horizon. Listen out for the sound of skylarks!

At the far end of the field, cross the track and carry on straight ahead and follow a path leading to a gap in the hedge. Cross the stile to the bypass. Taking great care again, cross the road to a stile just to the right on the other side.

Descend the steps to follow the path through woodland. Go straight ahead along a fenced path bordering allotments on the left. Look out for comfrey which has spread out from the allotments and lines the path. It is used as a fertiliser and has many medicinal purposes.  Cross the lane and continue ahead through a kissing gate. Carry along the path, eventually passing the Platt cemetery. Look out for a permissive path on the left, through a gap in the wall, which goes through the grounds of Kings Church and joins the High Street by the Kings Arms Hotel.

Turn right and walk back to your starting point.



Picnic Fare

 

Leek & Potato Soup with a Coconut Twist

 

2 tbsp Mild & Light Olive Oil                                     

Small Onion, chopped

1 prepared Leek (approx 400g), sliced

600g Potatoes, peeled and chopped                         

1 lt Vegetable Stock

few Chilli Flakes

½ tsp Ginger Paste

1 sachet Creamed coconut

100g Prawns (optional)

Serves 4

Prep:  20 mins

Cook: 20 mins

1. Heat the oil in a large pan and then cook the onion for a couple of minutes.
2. Add the leek and potatoes.  Stir well, then cover and cook gently for 5 minutes, making sure it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
3. Pour in the stock and bring to the boil. Add the chilli flakes, then turn the heat down and simmer gently for 15 minutes.
4. Cool for 5 minutes while melting the coconut cream, by immersing the unopened sachet in hot water.
5. Add the ginger paste and coconut cream, then blend the soup in a food processor until smooth.

6. Return to the pan, taste and season if necessary.                  
7. Add prawns, if using, and gently re-heat.
8. Serve with crusty bread.

Community Restoration Action Plan

 

District to clean up its Act in time for Jubolympics

Wycombe District Council will be delivering a six point Community Restoration Action Plan to all residents in the next two weeks. The initiative has been applauded by the Big Society Network and other councils will be watching our district closely with a view to rolling out the scheme nationwide.

Despite the Olympic torch route avoiding High Wycombe and Marlow, the powers that be are keen to make sure that the district is spic and span ready for the 2012 celebrations this summer.

Volunteers from each of the 32 wards have been appointed to implement the plan in their area. They will be visiting every household and assigning tasks to ensure that every road and street will be maintained to the highest standard according to the core values outlined in the Action Plan. These co-ordinators will also be familiarising residents with the new “Shop a Neighbour Scheme”.

The HWTCP will co-ordinate efforts in the Town Centre, continuing on from their sterling work installing the flower beds in Frogmoor. * see the bottom of this article for exciting news of their plans for the Autumn.

The Bucks Freedom Press wishes them every success.

COMMUNITY RESTORATION ACTION PLAN

Maintenance of road surface

Untidy Gardens/Verges

Dirty or Damaged Road/Street signage

Dirty vehicles

Litter

Excrement

 

1. Maintenance of road surface 

a)  Asphalt repair kits will be delivered to each designated “potholer”. The kits will come with everything you need to complete the repair, including full instructions, the necessary tools and materials. Diversion signs will also be available.

 

b)  Paint will be delivered in two colours: white and yellow. Paintbrushes will also be provided.

2. Untidy Gardens/Verges

Each household will be responsible for maintaining weed free gardens, neatly trimmed bushes and manicured lawns. They will also take over maintenance of the verges outside their homes.

The elderly, disabled and anyone with a plausible excuse will be exempt. In these instances, volunteers from our neighbours at the Berkshire College of Agriculture and also the Hughenden Manor Study Centre will be drafted in to tidy the gardens. For a small fee, Marketing Force, the UK’s market leader in roundabout sponsorship and roundabout advertising, has kindly agreed to offer an upgrade service in conjunction with Dreams. A limited number of petunias, marigolds, salvias and geraniums are available.

                      

 

3. Dirty or Damaged Road/Street signage

                

 



An “Adopt a Road Sign” scheme will be in operation. Individuals and businesses will be asked to participate. If the programme is successful it may be extended to “Adopt a Highway” similar to those run in the United States. Participants will then be able to erect their own signage, similar to those seen here:  http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/30-strange-adopt-a-highway-signs



Mr Cameron will be out with a mop and bucket
at weekends, doing "his bit" for Big Society 



                

Equipment provided: Buckets and mops for cleaning, secateurs to cut back foliage, screwdrivers, spanners and hammers for repairs.

 Signs include street name plates, road signs and footpath signs.

Gates which were installed at the entrance to all villages at great cost to the taxpayer are also dirty and badly maintained but it will be left to individual co-ordinators to decide on the best course of action. If any white paint is left over from (1) this can be used for sprucing up gates. Alternatively, the gates can be dismantled and used as firewood for one of the Jubilee Beacons in the area.

 

  

  

4. Dirty vehicles

Spot checks will be carried out by local Scout groups at roadblocks. Any vehicle failing the inspection will be given the option of an on the spot wash by the Scouts for £5. Registration numbers of those cars rejecting the offer will be checked against the central database at the DVLA. Volunteers will visit the driver’s home address after the following weekend to ensure that the vehicle is now clean.

5.  Litter

A rota will be drawn up for teams of litter pickers to accompany trained professionals each day. To encourage productivity, there will be remuneration of £1 per sack which is filled with rubbish. Litter pickers and rubbish sacks will be provided.

 

      

 

 6. Excrement  

CCTV will be set up at all known dog fouling areas. Offenders will be given the choice of a fine or attending dog owners’ obedience classes. The classes will cover key areas of social responsibility:

How to successfully bag it and bin it 
                          

Barking

Controlling your dog in a public place

Socialisation

Training your dog to “Come” (Recall)

Please visit the Dogs Trust for further advice:

http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/az/f/fouling(poo)/thesolutionstodogfouling.aspx

Bucks County Council Highways Department have kindly agreed to turn off all street lighting, illuminated signs and illuminated bollards so that visitors won’t notice any that have been identified as being defective due vandalism, collision damage or poor maintenance.

In a remarkable collaboration, monies saved from this exercise will be put towards a fund set up by the District Council to pay for equipment and materials needed for the Plan.

BCC have also pledged to donate the salaries of all council workers put out of work by the volunteers. In a further act of generosity it will also include a percentage of the wages of library staff that have been made redundant with the kind assistance of volunteers.

The site of the new statue

      *The Bucks Freedom Press is proud to report that a statue of Ivor Bigun, the celebrated blogger, will be erected in Frogmoor in the autumn. The students of Bucks

New University have created the sculpture from recycled rubbish in honour of his work in raising awareness of the problems the residents face in their daily lives. It will face in the direction of the empty John Hearn Shoe shop, of which Ivor is said to have many fond memories. It is not yet known if his little donkey will be accompanying him in this magnificent piece of public art.  

 

 

                                                                                                                          

The Bucks Freedom Press has been unable to
 confirm rumours that Ivor will be given the
 Freedom of the Town when the statue is unveiled

The Bucks Freedom Press contacted Clive the Pigeon for his opinion. “This is marvellous news! We have been looking for a new place to perch since leaving the Parish Churchyard and this will be ideal. His finger will also give us the perfect vantage point so we can pinpoint just where our next chip is coming from.”  In a further statement he said “Me and my mates think there should be C.R.A.P.s all across the UK.



Clive is on the left



We are all for C.R.A.P.s