July 2008 Archives

Youngsters aged 10 to 16 can sign up to two days of mountain bike coaching, fun activities and trail riding in Lotts Wood near Hyde Heath, run by British Cycling's Regional Go-Ride Coach.

The first wedding ever to be held at St Andrews Church Hyde Heath took place recently when Chris Herring, landlord of The Plough in the village married Janet Carter of Amersham.

The ceremony was conducted by Rev John Simpson, vicar of Little Missenden in whose Parish Hyde Heath now falls.

The church was built in 1910 by local benefactor Mrs Hampton who specifically requested it to be outside Lt Missenden Parish, originally a mission room, it was at that time in the Parish of Chartridge - only later, in 1956 by virtue of a document signed by HM Queen did it become part of Lt Missenden Parish.

As a daughter church to Little Missenden it has never been licensed for weddings in its own right and this ceremony was only made possible by the granting of a special licence by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The ceremony was followed by a reception at The Plough and an evening party on the common.

Amersham MP Cheryl Gillan is to visit the Quaker Meeting House in Jordans.

Pupils at Chestnut Lane School in Amersham have have scooped a major award for an environmental project.

A 14-strong party from Amersham's twin town of Bensheim in Germany visited this month.

Headed by Gerhard Buch, chairman of the Bensheim twinning group, the party spent several days in and around Amersham.

The next meeting of the Chalfont and District Flower Club will be held at 2pm on Monday, July 28 at The Free Church Hall, Amersham.

The demonstration by Charmaine Grace-Woodham is entitled Hollywood Dreaming. Visitors are welcome at a cost of £5.

A nursery head in the Old Town has retired after 32 years in education.

Thelma Le Maistre, 69, who lives in High Street, Old Amersham, said goodbye to staff and pupils at the Stepping Stones Nursery last Wednesday.

Mrs Le Maistre started Stepping Stones, which is based at Shardeloes, home to Amersham Cricket Club, in 2,000.

Previously, she had worked in the same field over at Jordans where she was much involved in community work.

Stepping Stones has 50 pupils on the roll aged between two and a half and five. Thelma will be succeeded by Tom Hackwood and Pav Jaspal, who will take over the running of the nursery in the autumn.

"A lot of the staff will still be there and I leave with a very heavy heart, " said Mrs Le Maistre. "I have enjoyed my time in the educational field and I have gathered a total of 32 years' service altogether."

Mrs Le Maistre said she would, in particular, miss the children. "This is a very happy nursery school and I am going to miss everyone," she said.

Businessman Gary Grant has lashed out at Amersham Town Council regarding the proposed £1.5million Barn Meadow Project, which he says is 'too grand' and should be scrapped.

David Stowe and Anne Austin used to drive in separate cars from the same street in the same town to their jobs at Chiltern District Council.

Chiltern Pools in Amersham is to let visitors in for just £1 on Saturday, June 21 to celebrate the recent refurbishment of the venue.

The refurbishment included the reception area, changing rooms and works to the pools.