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WYCOMBE AND DISTRICT NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
ASSOCIATION
Neighbourhood Watch is a community self-help scheme, involving
teamwork, where simple and targeted precautions make life better
for everyone. Reporting anything suspicious or anything unusual
makes you a good neighbour, not a nosey-parker-and it can be
done for as little as 50p per year. Being a Neighbourhood Watch
member does not mean "having a go". By following some
simple precautions and guidelines, you will provide additional
security for your home and help to reduce crime figures.
Setting up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme is easy and painless.
All it needs is a number of households to get together. A group
can vary in size depending on what people need. Each group is
led by a co-ordinator and helpers, so it does need people who
can get things done. The time involved depends on how much you
want to put in.
You will develop close links with the local Police and officers
will provide and pass on information about your area and the
incidence of crime there. A two-way flow of information between
Police and Watch helps keep on top of local crime. Good schemes
plan action to deal with an areas problems, whether burglary,
vandalism, graffiti, car crimes or a combination thereof. They
make people aware of the need to prevent crime, show householders
simple, cheap and effective ways to make homes more secure and
support vulnerable people.
The immediate benefit of being a member of Neighbourhood Watch
is access to security products at greatly-reduced prices, and,
most importantly, most insurance companies will allow up to 15%
off premiums for registered scheme members.
For more information on Neighbourhood Watch, or if you want
someone to call to help you set up a scheme, ring Wycombe Police
Neighbourhood Watch Office on 736642 between 8.30am and noon.
Bill Potts
Regional Organiser
Wycombe and District Neighbourhood Watch Assn
The Larkspur Summer
It was warm in the mornings of my Larkspur Summer.
I would jump the clump of scarlet peonies
And run down to the fruit trees to count the apples
After the June drop, making sore of the crop
Before surveying my darlings in their beds.
Their delicate shades delighted me,
I gently plucked the dead away, and cleaned
The cuckoo spit from the tendrils of their greenery.
I cared for them, and shared them with my mother.
On damp days they glowed against the darkened fence,
As I pulled weeds from their slender stems
And waited for seed pods to ripen.
I thought I would have another Larkspur Summer,
By planting the seeds of the Summer before.
But nothing stays the same, I was on the edge of childhood,
On a path leading to adolescence, yet, in a corner of my mind
The innocence of the Summer prevails.
Ian Baker
Sincere Thanks to all in Widmer End for their kind thoughts,
prayers and warm wishes following Ian's accident. Ian (Baker,
formerly of Marigold Walk) sustained a serious head injury as
a rear seat passenger on 23rd January this year; he was at college
in Bridgwater, Somerset, on two weeks "block" during
his third year as an apprentice mechanic. Ian was cared for on
ICU at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, for a week during which
time he was being ventilated and heavily sedated with a intra-cranial
monitor to record the pressure round his brain. A second week
on the general ward followed with a transfer to Ward 5B at Wycombe
for eight days then a week on the Heberden Unit at Amersham returning
home on 22nd February.
Every little thing Ian accomplished during those first dark days
following his injury were like miracles: recognizing family and
friends, breathing unaided, speaking, using a spoon, drinking
from a cup, walking, running upstairs, reading, writing, following
a conversation and joining in - it was akin to watching someone
being re-born. Ian is now, to all intents and purposes, back
to "normal" although he still gets incredibly tired
very quickly. Rye Mill VW Garage have kept his post open, whilst
paying him his usual wage, for which we are most grateful; we
very much hope he will be able to resume his work and training
on a gradual return program in the not too distant future.
All medical professionals who have come in contact with Ian have
been astounded by his rapid and sustained recovery. It seems
incredible now to think that we were discussing organ donation
in the event of his death (Ian has carried a donor card since
learning to drive), post trauma epilepsy and the extent of residual
permanent brain damage - he has been exceptionally lucky. And
we all have, to have such wonderfully supportive friends who
have helped us enormously through this difficult time - thank
you again.
Alan Baker
Letter To the Editor
Dear Sir
I write with reference to the letter in the last Widmer End
News regarding lights in the village.
I have some sympathy with the writer but take a reasoned stance.
Lights, of whatever type, should serve a defined purpose. For
example, security lights serve a valuable purpose and are lit
for only a short time. Garden lights should enhance the garden
and therefore not be very bright nor cause any problem. Porch
or other outside lights should only light the immediate area
and certainly should not light other properties. I am not aware
of any particular problem lights in the village but perhaps the
letter will have highlighted the problem (excuse the pun) and
the offended lights will have been corrected.
As for the Tennis Club lights, the courts are nowhere near
any houses and in my experience at Little Chalfont cause no problem
as they are designed to light only the playing surface.
Of more concern to me is that a new resident does not know
where the
recreation ground is. Perhaps it is time Estate Agents earned
their fees and included a Village Welcome pack for new purchasers
- the pack would obviously contain the latest issue of Widmer
End News.
Yours faithfully
Christine White
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