February 2009 Archives

The Hospice of St Francis is looking for Amersham-based volunteers to take part in a fund-raising prospective parachute jump.
Willing skydivers need to raise just £395 in sponsorship money in order to jump for free. The aim is to help the hospice boost its income.
A date for the jump has yet to be fixed. Further details on the event can be obtained by telephoning 020 7424 5522.

Armed robbers left a worker with minor injuries when they raided a bookmakers in Hazlemere.
At about 9.15pm on Wednesday three men entered Tote Bookmakers with what police believe was a gun and a baseball bat.
One man pointed the gun at workers and demanded they hand over cash while another man hit a member of staff with the baseball bat as he tried to get away.

A Little Chalfont man has returned from a triumphal six week journey to New Zealand during which time he cycled more than 1,000 miles from North Island to South Island.
Paul Covell, 69, a retired sales and marketing director, from Birkett Way, Little Chalfont, travelled from Cape Reinga to Bluff, passing some picturesque scenery on the way.
Now, along with friends Richard Salt and Richard Ness, he is planning another life changing experience, a 750 mile trek across the Andes in February 2010 from the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires to the Chilean city of Santiago.

The manager of a retail business in Amersham has apologised for an "oversight" which saw his shop charge an incorrect VAT rate on the purchase of alcohol.
A customer, who contacted the Examiner anonymously, pointing out the mistake, bought alcohol at the Londis store in Hill Avenue on January 31, only to be charged the old rate of 17.5 per cent and not the new rate of 15 per cent.
After pointing out the error, the customer was reimbursed before contacting the newspaper about the misdemeanour.

MP Cheryl Gillan is being honoured for her contribution towards helping businesses to beat the economic downturn.
The member for Chesham and Amersham is one of nine MP's in the Thames Valley region to be lauded by the Federation of Small Businesses.
Linda Walton, chair of the South Bucks and Aylesbury branch of the FSB, said: "I am delighted that Cheryl will be receiving this important award."
The MP will receive a certificate of commendation on Thursday, February 26, at Chartridge Park Golf Club, starting at 5.30pm.

The family accused of creating an 'animal Auschwitz' admitted its farm was a scene of suffering and death but claimed they had nothing to do with it.
James Gray, 45 , his wife Julie, 41, and their daughters Jodie, 26, and Cordelia, 20, all face 12 charges of animal cruelty after RSPCA officers uncovered piles of horse skeletons and stables full of frail equines at Spindle Farm, Hyde Heath.

The man accused of neglecting and failing to meet the needs of horses on his Amersham farm will have to take the stand after the judge in the trial rejected defence claims that there was no case to answer.
James Gray, 45, his wife Julie Gray, 41, and daughters Cordelia Gray, 20, of Spindles Farm, in Chalk Lane and Jodie Gray, 26, of Park Road, Ashford, Middlesex, each face 12 charges under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 of neglect and failing to meet the welfare needs of 125 equines.

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Staff at Amersham Library have unearthed a recession-busting strategy to put paid to the credit crunch.
At a time when unemployment is on the rise, even in picturesque Bucks, the library in Amersham is being championed as the in place, where a myriad of activities take place.
Spokeswoman Glenys Brown launched the initiative on Friday, February 20 - presenting a roadshow offering an insight into just what is on offer at Chiltern Avenue.

A Radio Christmas reunion on Saturday at Cafe Africa in Amersham attracted more than 50 supporters.
Musical entertainment was provided by talented singer-songwriter William Dawson-Pick, a pupil at Dr Challoner's Grammar School.
A Radio Christmas website will be launched towards the end of the summer featuring highlights of the radio station's 380 hour programme which was held over 24 days.