November 2009 Archives

COUNTY council parking bosses have dropped the controversial scheme to charge drivers to park in Amersham Old Town.
The decision not to introduce pay and display and permit spaces was taken after huge public opposition by residents, businesses and visitors to the area - and an admission by Buckinghamshire County Council that no matter how much the plans were amended, they would still not be accepted by most people.
This follows a successful long-running 'Free not fee' campaign by the Examiner, launched in February last year, which opposed the introduction of costly charges across the Chiltern District.

SCHOOLS across Amersham and Little Chalfont will be holding their Christmas fairs as the festive season gets underway.

CELEBRITY chef Jean-Christophe Novelli will switch on the Christmas lights in Amersham Old Town it has been announced.
The Frenchman will be doing the honours at St Mary's Churchyard at 6pm on December 4.
A late-night shopping event will also be taking place on the night and carol singers and a barbershop quartet will be present to entertain the festive shoppers.
A Santa's grotto featuring Father Christmas will be present for the younger visitors. Mulled wine and hot chestnuts are also set to be available to enjoy on the night.

A CHRISTMAS shopping event is set to take place today (26/11) in aid of Amersham Hospital's fundraising charity.
Scannappeal's 'Christmas Cracker' is a festive market including stallholders selling ladieswear, jewellery and gifts and a Scannappeal stall, which will be selling Christmas cards and items.
Entry is free and it takes place at Entrance D of the hospital in Whielden Street between 10am and 3pm. All funds go towards the HeartScan Appeal for a new cardiac imaging service at Amersham Hospital.

NEW parking plans proposed to come into force in Amersham Old Town have been unveiled.
Buckinghamshire County Council held public exhibitions in the town on Friday and Saturday for concerned residents, business owners and shoppers to see for themselves where they will have to pay to park in the future.
High Street, the majority of which is currently unrestricted, will be shared between pay and display between 8am and 6pm - with a maximum stay of three hours - and permit holders only spaces.

AN animal charity has launched its annual Christmas appeal for funds as it shares the story of one cat found dumped on its doorstep in Amersham.
Marjorie Nash Cat Rescue found Daisy left in a box outside the gates of its centre, which keeps its exact location secret following attacks, on October 28.

RETAILER WHSmith has confirmed it will open a new Amersham store early next year.
The high street brand made the announcement that its latest store will be at the site of the former Halfords in Sycamore Road following months of speculation.
It will be sited in the empty premises next to another recently opened shop Alworths, which was officially launched on November 12.

KEEPING it in the family is the key to successfully running a pub, according to a landlord who has been recognised by both the queen and appreciative villagers.
John Ullman, 69, and his wife Christine, 67, were presented with a carved wooden bench by regulars at their pub The Red Lion, in Coleshill on Saturday. They were given the gift, which now takes pride of place in the pub's garden, and a card with the names of their dedicated drinkers for their 20th anniversary of running the facility in Village Road.
Earlier in the year, the Ullmans were also invited to join the queen at a garden party at Buckingham Palace.

POLICE investigating an arson attack on the home of a 62-year-old woman in Pondwicks, Amersham Old Town, have arrested a 40-year-old man. The door of the victim, who last week told the Examiner it was 'the worst experience of her life', was torched deliberately on November 12 in what the woman, who was too frightened to be identified, thought was a case of mistaken identity. She had to be rescued by firefighters after becoming trapped and suffered smoke inhalation and bruising to her legs.
The man has been released on police bail until December 18 pending further enquiries.

PUPILS stranded on a mountainside in South America have been nominated for the finals of a competition to recognise young people as positive role models.
The group of teenagers have been chosen as finalists in the Causeway Buckinghamshire Young People of the Year award for completing voluntary work in Peru in difficult circumstances.
They were nominated by Brett Court, a sports teacher at Amersham School, in Stanley Hill. He led an expedition in July that consisted of current pupils Katherine Thornley, Gemma Hollins, Lucy Jennings, Holly Purkis, Sophie Smith, and Morgan Hodgson and former pupils Charlotte Price, Dymphna Murphy and Natasha Spreadborough from Chesham High School.