February 2010 Archives

FORMER Oasis band member Noel Gallagher is hoping to create an 'oasis' of his own in Chalfont St Giles.
Mr Gallagher, who was a songwriter, guitarist and singer in the popular Britpop group, has applied for planning permission to build a summer house in his ten-acre gardens at his home in Nightingales Lane.

A LIBERAL Democrat parliamentary candidate is set to host a meeting to gauge residents' opinions on how to tackle crime in the area.
Tim Starkey, candidate for the Chesham and Amersham constituency, which also includes Chalfont St Peter and St Giles, will hold the meeting to try and get to the bottom of the problem in the area.

YOUNG people are being targeted by health professionals in Bucks in a campaign to get screened for sexual health infection chlamydia.
A new postal self-test kit is set to become available soon, which people can order confidentially online. Including a prepaid envelope to return the test, the results are available by text or phone within 10 working days.
The initiative, which is part of a national clampdown, is being incorporated into NHS Buckinghamshire's 'More than a Hug' project which highlights the potential infertility that can be caused if the condition is left untreated.

A HORSE trader who is appealing against conviction of animal cruelty offences denied allegations that his horses, ponies and donkeys were starving.
James Gray, 46, of Spindles Farm, Chalk Lane, Hyde Heath, told a court the equines, some of which were given a body condition score of 0 out of 5 by vet Katie Robinson, were in 'decent' to 'good' condition and were not 'emaciated' as alleged by the RSPCA.
The farm was the subject of an extensive investigation by the animal charity's inspectors in January 2008 which involved the removal of more than 100 alive equines and more than 30 carcases.
He was convicted of 11 charges under the Animal Welfare Act in May last year.

TWO schools in Chalfont St Giles joined together to celebrate glowing Ofsted reports.
Chalfont St Giles Infant School in School Lane and the Junior School in Parsonage Lane both received Outstanding Ofsted reports in recent months, so decided to hold a joint celebration.

FEARS have been raised about what the effects of building 2,900 houses in the Chiltern District could have on the area.
Chiltern District councillors spoke about possible consequences the new homes would have on schools, highways and drains at a cabinet meeting to discuss the proposals.
CDC was required by central government to name sites where housing could be built and has released a report to address the issue.

HOUSEHOLDERS are set to face a 2.5 per cent increase in their council tax bill.
The average Band D property owner will pay £159.50 to the district council, up from £155.61, in the next financial year - equivalent to an increase of 7p a week.

A CORNER of Chalfont St Giles was forever Scotland as Burns Night was celebrated, complete with a haggis.
Amersham and District Scottish Association and its invited international guests donned kilts to mark the poet's birthday at Harewood Downs Golf Club.
Guests were piped in by resident piper Alan Rouse before being welcomed by president Eileen Aitchison.
Traditions from north of the border involved the haggis was being addressed by Andrew Swann, and the Immortal Memory was given by Burns' enthusiast, Wylie White.
A selection of Burns' songs were sung by Phil Parkinson, and Leslie Gibson gave extracts from his favourite Burns' poem, Tam O' Shanter at the event on January 23.
The group's next event will be a Ceilidh to be held next month at Coleshill Village Hall. For more information contact the association's secretary on 01494 728729.

MOTORISTS will have to pay more for leaving their cars in council car parks as charges are set to increase.
Plans include charging more for the cost of one hour stays - from 50p to 60p. The cost of leaving a vehcile for two-hours will go up by 20p to £1.20, Chiltern District Council's Cabinet agreed yesterday. An 'upto three hours' band will also be introduced at the Civic Centre Car Park, in Amersham.
The changes to the tariffs at car parks controlled by Chiltern District Council, are due to take effect from April 1.
They would make an estimated additional £130,000 for the council, according to a report.
However a proposal to introduce a half an hour tariff, as seen in car parks in South Bucks district, was thrown out at the meeting.
The issue will come before the full council later this month.

AN AUTHOR from Chalfont St Giles who died suddenly last year has had her first novel published.
Katie Roy, unexpectedly died in February 2009, after collapsing at her home in the village.