Communities - Gerrards Cross

Burglary at Burnham petrol station

2012-05-25T14:51:35Z

A PETROL station was raided for cigarettes by two burglars in the early hours of May 25.

]]> Police are appealing for witness after the Total-run Lent Rise Service Station in Burnham was targeted.

At 2.19am, a grey Audi RS4 drove onto and off the forecourt of the garage in Lent Rise Road twice, before parking in front of the entrance to the shop.

Two men, dressed all in black and wearing balaclavas, got out of the car leaving two others sat in the front of the car.

The two men got through a shutter system and forced open the door with crowbars.

They entered the store and stole a large quantity of cigarettes before getting back into the car. The car left the forecourt at 2.31am and headed towards Iver.

Investigating officer Det Con Austin Parry, of Local CID based in Burnham, is appealing for anyone who saw the incident, or a vehicle matching the above description either prior to or following the incident, to come forward.

If you can help, please call Det Con Parry via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 101.

If you don't want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Iver man jailed for robbing taxi driver

2012-05-23T11:44:42Z

A 24-YEAR-OLD Iver man has been jailed for two years for robbing a taxi driver from Slough.

]]> Adam Hunter, of Swan Road, was sentenced at Aylesbury Crown Court last month (April 10) after a jury found him guilty.

During the early hours of July 3, 2011, Hunter robbed the 30-year-old taxi driver in his vehicle in Langley Park Road, Iver.

Hunter had booked a taxi via a firm in Slough following an evening out drinking. When the pair arrived at Langley Park Road, Hunter pulled up the handbrake of the vehicle, causing it to destabilise. Hunter then head-butted the driver, before making off with his iPhone and £200.

The driver, who sustained a nose bleed following the assault, managed to flag down a passing police car and reported the incident.

Enquiries led officers to Hunter, and he was arrested and charged with robbery. He denied committing the offence and the case went to trial.

Gerrards Cross police station likely to close

2012-05-23T11:16:51Z

A police station is "more than likely to close" according to the new police commander for Chiltern and South Bucks.

The police station in Oxford Road, Gerrards Cross has long been the subject of speculation over its future, and earlier this year it was announced that it is opening hours would be cut to save money.

]]> On Friday last week, area commander Superintendent Steve Hockin, said that the station would probably close due to its size and the relatively small number of police officers who use it.

Supt Hockin said: "It will probably close. It is a very big building, and we don't really need to operate from here any more.

"It costs a lot of money to run it, and a lot of it isn't even used any more.

"It is also not really accessible to the public, as it is a long way out of Gerrards Cross and on a main road, so we are looking for alternative locations."

The news that the station
could close was first revealed in December last year by Sara Thornton, chief constable of Thames Valley Police, who said that the station was becoming too expensive to maintain.

Since then, Gerrards Cross parish council has backed plans for a new police office to be put in place in the village.

Chris Brown, the parish council chairman, said: "I would like to see a much smaller scale office opening in the centre of Gerrards Cross.

"It would give people the chance to get to know the police officers. It would be an ideal solution."

Supt Hockin confirmed that the police were looking for smaller and more accessible police office.

He said: "We want to find a location which is easier for people to access and which is at a more convenient location.

"We don't know where it would be, but it would make more sense than keeping this building running in the future."

Fun Run proves popular again

2012-05-23T11:15:12Z

FITNESS fanatics along with people who like a gentle jog and those who enjoy a village day out came together to make the Gerrards Cross Fun Run another success.

The biennial event, which was launched in 2000, proved as popular as ever, with thousands of people coming along to cheer on the runners.

]]> The 5km race, which starts at the Memorial Centre in East Common and winds its way around the streets of the village, was won by Olympic hopeful Steph Twell, a three-time winner of the European Cross Country Championships and 2010 Commonwealth Games 1500m bronze medallist

She completed the race in 16 minutes and 19 seconds to win a joint health and racquet membership at Stoke Park in Stoke Poges.

The club also gave out goodie bags at the end of the race.

Chris Oddy, of the Frost Partnership team, came second with a time of 16 minutes and 46 seconds,

Priti Patel, one of the race organisers, said: "It was a fantastic event and it was great to see so many people coming along to enjoy the day.

"The weather wasn't as good as last time, in 2010, but there were still as many people there as ever, and it was a big success.

"We'd like to thank everyone that came along, as well as all the sponsors for making the day such a big success."

Gerrards Cross businessman on rich list

2012-05-18T15:21:52Z

A BUSINESSMAN from Gerrards Cross who made his fortune in the security industry in India, has been named as one of the richest men in the UK.

Rahual Nanda, 41, global chairman of Topsgrup, a security firm which he took over when he was 22, has joined the Sunday Times Rich List with an estimated wealth of £168m.

]]> The list includes the 1,000 wealthiest people in the country, who have a combined fortune of more than £414 billion.

Dr Nanda, who owns seven cars and lives in Howards Wood Drive, said: "I am sincerely humbled to be included in the list and to contribute to the combined wealth of the 1,000 richest men an women in Britain.

"I owe this to the employees, customers, my family and friends for believing in my vision to make Topsgrup one of the larges and most reputed companies in the world."

Fulmer in running for title of best kept village

2012-05-18T09:38:59Z

A VILLAGE is vying for the title of best kept village after winning the competition last year.

]]> Fulmer hopes to retain its title in this year's Buckinghamshire's Best Kept Village contest after winning first prize in the Gurney Cup, for villages with a population of 500.

The judges look for good standards of care, maintenance and community effort - the county's 'best kept' villages.

Fulmer was also awarded the Sword of Swords in July 2011 for achieving the highest score out of all the villages.

Chairman of the parish council, Pauline Vahey, said: "We've entered again this year, and we're hoping to retain our title.

"We spend a lot of time looking after out village and this recognises that.

"There's the plaque and sign in the town showing we are the best kept village dating back to the 70s and 80s as we have won several times."

The contest will be judged through June, with results announced in July.

Sports club plans rejected by planning committee

2012-05-17T14:30:16Z

A SPORTS club has been dealt a blow after planning permission for a state of the art new clubhouse was turned down.
Richings Park Sports Club had applied for permission to build a new clubhouse and to rearrange its bowling green, tennis courts and pitches at its site in Wellesley Avenue.

]]> Part of the application involved building homes on part of its site, which was helping to fund the bid.
However, at South Bucks District Council's planning committee meeting on Wednesday night, the plans were rejected, because none of the homes fell into the affordable housing bracket.
Jaquetta Lowen Cooper, chairman of the committee, said that while the council approved of the new clubhouse because of the impact it would have on the community, it could not go against its core planning policies, which are committed to building new affordable housing in the district.
For more information and reaction, see next week's Advertiser.

Residents encouraged to compost

2012-05-15T16:48:44Z

AN ENVIRONMENTALLY friendly district councillor is urging people to make sure that they compost as much as possible.

Rachel Pope, of Camp Road, who represents Gerrards Cross North on South Bucks District Council, is a keen composter and believes that other people living in the area should follow her lead for the benefit of the environment.

]]>
Mrs Pope has recently completed Bucks County Council's master composting course to learn more about the subject.

People who have completed the course attend a number of fetes throughout Bucks to promote the issue.

Mrs Pope said: "I love manning a stall at all the wonderful events around the county to teach people more about composting.

"Everyone I meet at the events has a view about the subject, with new ideas and stories to tell.

"My husband remains bewildered at the increasing number of compost bins that are mushrooming in our garden and the black bags filled with leaves which I keep there."

Mrs Pope has also recently started using a special composting bin in the kitchen for food scraps, which means that any left over food is reused rather than being thrown away.

She believes that by composting effectively, people can cut down dramatically on the amount of rubbish which they generate, as well as helping wildlife to flourish in their back gardens.

She said: "I am delighted to be involved in such a great project and hope everyone can get on board.

"It's a year since my election as a South Bucks District Councillor for Gerrards Cross, which I am getting to grips with alongside my job as a GP in Stoke Poges.

"There are many hurdles ahead and decisions to make, but the environment and the art of composting properly is a good message for all."

If you would like more information on the master composting course, or how to set up composting in your back garden, go to www.buckscc.gov.uk/bcc/waste/home_composting.

Celebrating National Sandwich Week

2012-05-11T13:43:58Z

Next week is national sandwich week, and here at the Advertiser, we would like to hear from you.
Have you invented a unique or interesting sandwich recipe which you would like to share with other readers?
Where in South Bucks can you get the best sandwich?
What, in your opinion, is the sandwich to rule them all?
Send your thoughts and comments to us at bucksnews@trinitysouth.co.uk, and we will try and include them in a special report in Thursday's edition of the paper.

Supermarket to cut opening hours due to recession

2012-05-11T08:10:58Z

ONE of the oldest businesses in a village is set to cut its opening hours owing to the effect of the recession on trade.

Fisher's supermarket, which has been trading from its Gerrards Cross site in Packhorse Road since 1969, is from this week only opening until 5pm on weekdays, having previously opened until 7pm.

]]> In recent years, there have been an influx of stores in the village, with Tesco and Marks & Spencer opening, and Waitrose set to start trading at the end of this month.

Store owner Paul Fisher has now taken the decision because of the drop in trade between 5pm and 7pm in recent years.

He said: "It is a shame, but unfortunately that is the effect the recession has had on our business.

"We are no longer getting enough people coming to the shop to justify keeping it open until 7pm every day.

"I know this will be inconvenient for some of our shoppers, but we can't keep it open if there aren't enough people coming along.

"It is costing us money and I can't really justify doing it any more."

Earlier this year, Tesco gained permission to extend its opening hours to 10pm each week day, saying that they were facing increasing customer demand to do so.

In its application to South Bucks District Council, it also mentioned that the shop had the potential to be open for 24 hours a day.

However, Mr Fisher does not believe the supermarket giant is taking customers away from his store.

He said: "We have a different type of customer to Tesco and the people who need to use Tesco in the evenings tend to be commuters doing a quick shop, so I wouldn't say Tesco has directly affected us.

"I think we are becoming more of a specialist shop rather than a convenience supermarket and, with business as it currently is, it does not make sense to stay open until 7pm every day. If trade were to pick up and we got an indication that people wanted to use the shop until that time, then we would certainly look at opening until 7pm again."

Fun Run gearing up to be the best ever

2012-05-09T10:17:34Z

PLANS are firmly in place for this year's Gerrards Cross Fun Run, which organisers hope will be the best yet.

The event, which takes place on Sunday, May 20, is set to attract 1,500 runners, and around 4,000 people in total on the day.

]]> The 5km run, which starts at noon, is the seventh event since it started in 2001, and takes place every two years.

As well as the main event, there will be a series of children's races on the day, organised by the Academy of Sport and Fitness.

Sue Vaughan, a member of the organising committee, said: "This is such a fantastic community event. Everyone gets involved from the rotary club, to the Brownies, the Scouts, churches, sports clubs, schools and businesses."

The committee is hoping this year's event will raise around £30,000 for the Kids in Sport and Padstones charities. The event has been sponsored from in and around Gerrards Cross, as well as South Bucks and Bucks County Councils.

Mrs Vaughan added: "The sponsors are all critical to the event. They help pay for the set up costs, so that all the money raised on the day goes to the charities.

"With costs increasing each time we put the event on, we are dependent on these organisations."

Olympic hopeful Steph Twell, who is aiming to qualify for the 1,500m and 5,000m races in the London Games, has agreed to take part and start off the fun run this year, which she did for the first time in 2010.

Entertainment will include the Chalfont Community College band, the St James' Church gospel choir, a flight simulator and a bouncy castle.

If you would like to register, go to www.gxfunrun.co.uk.

Huge charity cycle challenge for village man

2012-05-09T09:56:32Z

A FORMER personal trainer has begun a mammoth cycling challenge which is taking him through some of the toughest terrain in Europe.

Lee Goward, 43, of Maine Drive, Gerrards Cross, has already taken on the first two of seven gruelling cycling challenges to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital, and is now set to take on five more.

]]> The married father of four last month rode from London to Paris non-stop, and completed the ride in 15 hours and 37 minutes, before travelling into Belgium to cycle through the country.

He is now set to ride through the Pyrenees in France, before moving into Spain, then into the Italian Alps, moving through to Switzerland over the French Alps.

He is finally finishing off the challenge by riding from London to Monte Carlo.

Mr Goward said: "I've always enjoyed cycling but I've never taken on anything like this before.

"It's a massive challenge, but I thought if you want to raise money for charity, then why not go for it and make it something really special, which is what I'm trying to do."

Mr Goward's trip from London to Paris hit delays when he became lost upon arriving in the French capital.

He said: "I wanted to get there in under 20 hours, which I did, but I lost my bearings when I got into Paris and couldn't find where I was supposed to go.

"I got there in the end but I was starting to panic a bit that I wouldn't make my target time."

Mr Goward is currently seeking sponsorship for the event, and is aiming to raise £25,000.

He said: "People have been really supportive so far, and my wife and kids are right behind me.

"It would be fantastic to reach the target that I have set."

If you would like to sponsor Mr Goward, visit www.justgiving.com/challenge7.

Campaigners try to protect woodland from development

2012-05-09T09:44:27Z

CAMPAIGNERS who are trying to have a patch of woodland reclassified as a village green to protect it from developers say it would be 'a tragedy' if it was ever built on.

Jackie Edington and Robert Leschhorn of South Park Drive, Gerrards Cross are fighting to get a 19-acre patch of woodland between their homes and the A413 reclassified as woodland by Bucks County Council to stop potential developers building homes on it.

]]> The land runs adjacent to Lower Road, which links Chalfont St Peter with Gerrards Cross, and they have managed to secure the support of more than 200 people in the two villages for their campaign.

Dr Edington said: "The woodland is a really attractive area, where people come to walk their dogs and to enjoy the outdoors.

"It isn't just used by people who live nearby, people from all over Gerrards Cross and Chalfont St Peter come here.

"We are worried that the land could be attractive to developers at some point, so in order to stop it being built on, we are asking for it to be reclassified."

There are currently no plans to build on the land, but the campaigners' efforts would make it impossible for any development to take place there in the future.

The woodland is home to wildlife such as badgers, foxes and woodpeckers, as well as a chestnut tree which dates back more than 500 years.

Mr Leschhorn said: "We believe that land such as this should be protected so people can enjoy it.

"We want to get it reclassified now while we still can, rather than have a fight on our hands if developers put in an application to build houses there. Some of the trees in the wood are ancient and it would be a tragedy to see them bulldozed to make way for new houses or flats."

Possible extension at Bull Hotel

2012-05-03T14:17:21Z

A LARGE new extension could soon be built at a prominent Bucks hotel.

The Bull Hotel, in Oxford Road, Gerrards Cross applied for planning permission to South Bucks District Council to build a basement leisure facility, a ground floor function suite and first and second floor bedrooms in 2009.

]]> It also asked to relocate management offices from the ground to the first floor, and permission for the development has already been granted.

However, work on the project has not begun since the plans were approved, and last week the hotel applied for an extension on the time limit on the original permission.

If South Bucks District Council refuses, the Bull will have to re-apply for the development.

A decision on the application is due to be made in the next month.

Flood warning for motorists

2012-05-01T14:27:15Z

Motorists are being advised to take extra care on flooded roads and to watch out for fallen trees and other debris following periods of heavy rainfall and wind.

Keith Wheeler, Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service's road safety officer, said: "Try to avoid car journeys during the worst of the weather, and always check local traffic reports to see if the route is clear before you make the journey.

"In particular, take great care when driving at night in areas that you know have flooded on previous occasions."

Have you found the roads to be flooded in South Bucks? If so, email jackabell@trinitysouth.co.uk with any pictures or comments that you have.