Maidenhead Advertiser - 5 Feb 09

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The Advertiser, February 5, 2009

www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk By Daniel Darlington email [email protected] tel 01628 678221

Marlow, Bourne End, Flackwell Heath & the Wooburns

And then there were two Lib Dems Ivor joins Maurice Oram on the town council after beating Tory candidate by 23 votes THE Liberal Democrats have won a closely contested by-election for Marlow North and West, gaining a seat back from the Conservatives. Ivor Coleman (Lib Dem) narrowly beat Conservative candidate Ian Wernham by a majority of just 23 votes after people went to the polls on Thursday. The seat was contested following the depar-

ture of Conservative councillor Tony Dunn, who was disqualified from holding public office last year for breaching code of conduct rules. Shortly after the polling stations closed at 10pm, it was announced that Mr Coleman had won the seat with 503 votes to Mr Wernham’s 480. There was an extremely low turnout

with just 14.5 per cent of people registering their vote. Mr Coleman will join Lib Dem councillor Maurice Oram on the council and is looking forward to trying to push through some of his pre-election pledges – including improving youth activities in the town. “It was a fantastic result and I am still coming to terms with

it,” he said. “I would like to thank the people of Marlow for voting for me. “Maurice has been a lone Lib Dem voice on the council for a long time but now there are two of us. “There will be fairer representation and we will have the ability to put forward proposals and second them.” Cllr Coleman, of Newfield Gardens, is

Marlow born and bred. He has already served on Marlow Town Council for more than 20 years and has been town mayor twice. He is on the management committee for Marlow Youth Club and Marlow St John Ambulance and a governor of Foxes Piece School. Cllr Coleman is now looking forward to getting his feet under the desk of local politics

once more and has pledged to increase short-term parking in the town centre and help build a new bus shelter in West Street. Commenting on the Marlow North and West Town Council by-election result, Richard Scott, chairman of Marlow Conservatives, said: “We were naturally disappointed to lose this mid-term by-election, which was proba-

bly not helped by a turnout of only 14.5 per cent. “We fielded a strong young candidate, who wanted to join the town council, to ensure that the interests of residents continue to be at the forefront of this Conservative led council. “We shall be working hard to ensure that we win back this seat in WINNER: Ivor Coleman. 2011.” Ref:95767-3

Icy highways Never, never sick at sea – well, hardly ever HIGHWAYS staff at Bucks County Council have warned drivers to be vigilant and brace themselves for a prolonged cold snap. The council will be gritting primary routes at appropriate times when snow and ice is forecast and will continue to grit secondary routes throughout the week. With road temperatures forecast to be as low as -4C, the advice for drivers is to watch weather reports and, if driving conditions remain bad, only make the journey if absolutely necessary. Most importantly, they advise, do not assume all roads have been gritted as it is impossible for the council’s highways team to salt every route. Simon Dudley, council road maintenance manager, said: “We could salt the roads all day long but the fact remains we are all still at the mercy of the weather and need to take extra care. If temperatures dip as low as -8C, salt becomes less effective and drivers need to take this into account.” For tips and advice on winter driving, visit the council’s website www.buckscc.gov.uk/winter driving where there is also a map of primary and secondary salting routes.

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ENTHUSIASTIC sea cadets have taken to the high seas in one of the world’s most famous warships. Nine cadets from the Marlow branch in Wethered Road ate and slept on board the Royal Navy’s HMS Ark Royal which set sail around the coast from Portsmouth to Liverpool on January 11-15. The 20,000-tonne Invincible Class aircraft carrier has been touring the United Kingdom for a series of port visits and weapon and sensor trials. Cadets Laura Smith, Kimberley Haggard, Daniel Rose, Alex Rhodes, Vicky Clinch, Max Flint, Bethany Frost, Linzi Hughes and Emily Roberts-Moore witnessed first hand

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aircraft operations from the flight deck and observed challenging engineering scenarios, as well as seamanship and first-aid workshops. However, some of cadets also gained an intimate knowledge of the ship’s medical department, as surgeon commander Nick Imm explained: “Unfortunately, the high sea state did affect a number of the cadets who were admitted for observation due to sea-sickness and, as a consequence, dehydration. “But we are happy to say, they were soon up to flying speed.” Nick Jones, commanding officer at Marlow said: “They all had a fantastic time, particularly seeing the

Merlin helicopter land on the ship and take off again. “They also got the chance to go to areas of the ship they wouldn’t normally get the chance to see. “Unfortunately the sea was quite choppy around the Isle of Wight and a few of them were struck with sea sickness but once they got their sea legs they were fine.” Captain John Clink OBE, Ark Royal’s commanding officer, said: “It was an immense privilege to

host so many potential sailors onboard and it was clear that once they gained their sea legs they relished the opportunity and, I am proud to say, adopted the Ark Royal spirit.” ■ The Marlow branch of sea cadets is currently recruiting adult volunteers to help run the weekly sessions which take place on Tuesday and Friday evenings from 7.30pm. Contact Nick Jones on 07952 922836 for details.

Meeting to discuss works in progress Talking Thames MA614171

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CHOPPY WATERS: Sea cadets from Marlow braved some high seas on their trip on HMS Ark Royal last month.

A SECOND public meeting has been organised to discuss the progress of gas mains replacement work in Bourne End. The National Grid began the £222,000 engineering work on Monday, January 12, in the Parade and the Marlow Road area of the village. The project will see more than half a kilometre of gas mains replaced and is set to be completed by the end of April. Retailers reacted angrily to news that the work would take four months to complete, fearing it would have an impact on their trade. The meeting is being held at 7pm on Thursday next week at St Dunstan’s Church Hall, where residents will have the chance to discuss the latest information on the progress of the scheme with

National Grid representatives. Temporary traffic lights have been installed on the junction of the Parade, Cores End Road and Station Approach. Kevin Wood, construction operations engineer from National Grid, said: “The work will improve supplies following a recent gas leak in the area and, if left untouched, the new pipes should last for at least 80 years.” County councillor Mike Appleyard said: “It is unfortunate that, due to unforeseen complications, the works were unable to be completed when the gas leaks were detected last summer. “However, I am totally reassured that all parties will do their utmost to minimise the inconvenience and get the job done as quickly and as safely as possible.”

Project timetable THE gas mains replacement work will be carried out in four phases, as follows: Phase 1. Junction of Blind Lane and Marlow Road: Work started on January 12 and is expected to last approximately four weeks. Phase 2. Junction of Wharf Lane and The Parade: The work is set to start on Monday, February 16 and will last for approximately three weeks. Phase 3. Junction of Oakfield Road and The Parade: The work is scheduled to start on Monday, March 16 and will last approximately four weeks. Phase 4. Junction of Cores End Road and The Parade: The work is due to start on Monday April 6 and will last approximately four weeks. (The exact dates may change depending on progress).

Spadeoak staff raise £30k for cancer charity MACHO labourers who dressed in pink have raised more than £30,000 for the Breast Cancer Campaign. The committed workforce at Spadeoak, in Town Lane, Wooburn Green, organised a series of fundraising events in

October – including a 10km run – and smashed their initial target of £10,000. Charity officials were so pleased with their efforts they are set to thank them in person today (Thursday) and accept a cheque for £30,491.

A large contribution was also made by the company which pledged £100 to the charity for every order received that month. All the company vans were covered with pink logos while the company website was also

AN ARCHAEOLOGY expert from the Environment Agency is set to give an illustrated talk in Marlow. Stephen Kemp, will be guest speaker at Marlow Archaeological Society’s meeting at All Saints Church in Marlow on Thursday next week at 8pm. The talk, entitled Archaeology and the Environment Agency, will describe projects along the Thames Valley associated with the prospect of climate change and flood risk, as well as documenting the agency’s pledge to ‘create a better place for people and wildlife’. Visitors are welcome and admission is £3.50. For details, call 01494 675220.

given a pink makeover. Activities culminated with a Wear it Pink Day on October 31 when all 160 staff – includ- For breaking ing site labourers – dressed in news see our pink to show their support, attracting some good-natured website at: www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk banter from clients.