Marlow Bottom

The valley WI is holding its Country Market on Saturday, May 19 between 10 and 12 in the village hall. Apart from the cake stall (newcomers to the valley should note that it is essential to be there within milliseconds of the start to buy a cake), there will be other traditional WI produce on offer, books, plants and a raffle. Although bric-a-brac has largely been consigned to history, presumably as the result of increasing affluence and the domination of car-boot sales, there will be the opportunity to buy jewellery and ornaments made for the purpose of fund-raising. If you feel really lucky, why not try naming the doll which will be the prize for the competition?

There's no admission charge, but you can have a mid-buy sitdown with a cup of tea or coffee for 50p.

ROSES, roses, roses. The symbol of the valley's biggest fete of the year never gets questioned, but what really is the significance of 'Rose' to the valley. True, we expect the roses to be in bloom by the beginning of June, but some years the Rose Carnival distinctly beats them to it. In any case, there are not so many roses to be found, at any time, further down the valley as to justify the name of the Rose Industrial Estate. Does anybody have an authoritative justification for the use of the epithet. There must be someone who knows why, so please tell me your explanation so that I can pass on the information to the many people who ask, ready for this year's Rose Carnival.

One name that should attract people to the year's biggest community event is the The Caribbean Sunrise Steel Band. Explaining their name is no problem. They were a very popular and sunny addition to the programme last year and have been invited back because the committee had received so many favourable comments. We just hope they bring the sunshine.

The fete's theme this year is Clowns and Comedy. Following that guidance, the fancy dress competition, open to the valley's two pre-schools and Burford, should attract a good number of entries this year. The event will be judged by someone, perhaps better known for suspense and excitement, the valley's own rowing knight, Steve Redgrave.

The printed programme is being edited and assembled by Barbara Pooley, and is nearing its production deadline. If you would like to support the event with an advert (the programme has been a major source of income for many years), please contact Barbara or Peri Wing on (01628) 486610.

SILENCE may be golden, it certainly has great value in certain religious orders, but it must offer a huge challenge to one in our own community. Someone, who shall be nameless, but who is generally well known for being able to find words for anything, at any time, and until now in any place, has gone on retreat, with a silent order.

Now, I bet a few of you will have guessed who it is. Let's hope she can cope - and spare a thought for the sisters too. That must be the challenge of the year, for all parties concerned.

GRUMBLING among walkers dog owners goes on, and Malcolm Blanksby is totally confused by what is happening in Bucks. After promising to review the status of the county's footpaths last week, BCC did just that, and decided that ALL should remain closed to the public.

In the valley, the situation has changed since last week's report, because several of the valley fields have now been stocked with sheep and cattle, and those fields are adjacent to footpaths. The only path that remains available for use in the whole of our village is the tarmac surfaced path between Beech Tree and the Marlow Bottom Road near Burford school. Malcolm points out the illogical position of being allowed to walk along Ragman's Lane, only feet from grazing sheep, while, just a dozen yards away, being banned from the path that adjoins another hedge of the same field, but he stresses that everyone, nevertheless, should obey the law. The absence of signs merely indicates that some places were overlooked, or vandals have had their way; the county will not be placing replacement signs, for cost and manpower reasons. Some owners of woodland dwellings report that there are still occasional instances of joggers or cyclists breaking the rules, probably unwittingly, but they usually leave the paths without protest when they are made aware of their error.

The Woodland Trust has opened both parts of Munces Wood, but walkers should note that access can only be from Badgers Way or New Road, and they must not enter into the adjoining fields (so you cannot enter via High View Close, for instance). The risk of not complying is that the Woodland Trust might be forced to close the woods again if complaints are made by farmers who own the neighbouring fields, that walkers are not keeping to the rules.

PARENTS of children who may be interested in joining St Mary's Pre-school will have the opportunity to see the current members at work at an open morning on May 17. The staff and other parents will be available for discussions from 10 until 12.

VALLEY Act had satisfying, and most probably satisfied, audiences at their recent performances of The Importance of Being Earnest. No doubt you saw how they have progressed to having a conventional banner put up between Thames Valley Properties and Karen Moody's. Sadly, I was away in Cornwall at the time, but I had a contact who was able to review the production for this column.

He reports that the valley's theatre-going audience were treated to an extremely entertaining night out celebrating the classic wit and social satire of Oscar Wilde in a confident and enjoyable production of The Importance of Being Earnest.

Wilde's sparkling dialogue was complemented superbly by the principal actors who all made the most of their parts - from Rosie Brake (as the indomitable Lady Bracknell) to Andrew Naish (Algernon Moncrieff). "Earnest" himself (Geoff Lavers) also managed to pull off the role of respectable rogue to perfection. Sue Cooke, Erica Buist and Jennie Wood provided excellent support and convinced us all of their capricious natures... A special mention must also be made of the set which (within the confines of Burford School Hall) transported us back to an England of times past.

Director Andrew McWhirter can be justly proud to have created this production which stayed true to the spirit and genius of Oscar Wilde.