Robbery at Tesco in the Broadway

On Monday last, 13 May, three hooded robbers made off with a large amount of cash in a late night raid at the Tesco Express in The Broadway, Farnham Common.

The gang arrived at 10.45 pm and demanded that one of the shop assistants opened the till, before fleeing with the cash.

One of the gang is described as wearing a light coloured hooded top with a chequered pattern on the hood, and tracksuit bottoms.   A second man is described as wearing a black balaclava and a dark top, and a third man as wearing a dark jacket with a chequered pattern.

Call 101 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 - 555 - 111 with any information.

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Local Hairdresser seeks model for the final of a major Hairdressing Competition

Donald Houston, aged 22, who works at Blank Canvas in Farnham Common, and who has been shortlisted in the colour category of the Wella TrendVision 2013 Awards, is seeking a female model aged between 16 and 30, 5 ft 7 ins or taller, size 8 - 10 frame, and with mid to long length hair, to have a makeover in the competition.

The final takes place on Monday, 7 October in The Grand Connaught Rooms in London, and the model needs to be available for the day, as well as a styling session before the event.

If you are interested, please e-mail Donald - E : donaldhouston90@hotmail.co.uk or T : 01753 - 645992.

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Local Rotarian raises £ 3,000 to help Villagers in India with sight problems

Ram Bedi, of Farnham Common, is just back from a month long trip to Shahabad, a small village 100 miles north of Delhi, where he helped to fund 120 cataract operations for povery-stricken villagers.

Ram is the first Indian president of the Rotary Club of Slough and he raised £ 3,000 for the annual free eye camp, which was attended by more than 500 blind and elderly residents from villages in the area.

The annual eye camp is organised by the Rotary Club of Slough in Shahabad, which arranges for doctors and a hospital with Mr Bedi's funds paying for the lens - at a cost of £ 25 each.

Mr Bedi, former owner of Slough-based laundry supplies company Super Hanger Manufacturing, got involved with the project 9 years ago, and has attended every year since.

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Age UK's Charity Shop raided

Burglars broke into the Farnham Common Age UK's charity shop in The Broadway between 5.30 pm on Tuesday, 26 March and 9 am on Wednesday, 27 March.
This was the 2nd charity shop break in - believed to be by the same gang - as another Age UK Shop, this time in Bridge Road, Maidenhead, was targetted the Sunday before.

On both occasions, safes were taken, each of which contained hundreds of pounds ;  money which would have been used to help elderly people in need.

The burglars broke a security light before forcing a rear door open to access the Farnham Common shop.

Extra security has been set up in both shops, which were able to re-open last week.

Police have appealed for any witnesses to come forward, by calling 101 with information or calling independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 - 555 - 111 to remain anonymous.

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Farnham Common Sports Club promoted to Division One

The Sports Club was victorious in the Chiltern Quiz League Cup for the first time, earning promotion to division one for next season.

The successful squad included Eric Harris, Alan Morgan, Keith Nickless, Nicola Morgan , Richard Cowan, Pauline Gregory, Barry Owens and Nicky Jenner.

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Farnham Common Infants School presented with the Eco Schools Green Flag

Pupils at Farnham Common Infants School have been giving the green light to saving energy and cutting down on waste for the past two years.

Their initiative was recognised earlier this week when on Tuesday, 12 March, the Chairman of Buckinghamshire County Council - Marion Clayton - presented them with the Eco School green flag.

The Green Flag is the highest Eco-Schools Award, and recognises outstanding environmental performance and Farnham Common Infants School is the 30th School in the county to win it.

Pupils have worked hard to earn the Green Flag, including setting up a wildlife area, a bug hotel, and a vegetable garden from which the pupils have harvested and cooked carrots, parsnips, potatoes and beans.

The pupils' Eco Council chose an owl character which appears around the school to remind everyone to 'switch off' when appliances are not being used.   And every form has a classroom monitor to ensure lights are switched off.

Pupils have made a greenhouse out of recycled bottles and run the 'recycle bag to school' scheme, as well as encouraging everyone to reduce lunchtime waste.  Head Teacher Alison Fischer says the Eco Schools' programme gave good awareness among pupils on how to look after themselves, their school and their environment.

The School is a Forest School which has been up and running for just over 3 years, with 3 accredited Forest School practitioners who take groups of children into the woods 4 days a week - whatever the weather !

During these Forest School sessions, children have the opportunity to toast bread over a fire, use tools to make objects from wood, go tree spotting, build dens and make charcoal.

Head Teacher Alison Fischer comments
 'The children find it very exciting to have lessons outdoors and thrive on the opportunities they offer within the curriculum.   We believe these experiences have a huge positive impact on our children's self esteem and social skills.'

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Local Girl wins through to Teen Star Regional Finals

Melaine Mohanadas from Farnham Royal has won through to the Regional Finals of the national talent competition - Teen Star - and she will now be seeking to win a place in the national finals being held at the famed O2 venue in London.

Melaine is a former pupil of St Mary's Farnham Royal Primary C of E School and is currently in year 9 at Burnham Grammar School.

Thousands of hopefuls entered the contest nationwide, so to win through to the Regional Finals - which are being held on 16 March at The Beck Theatre, Hayes - is already a major achievement.

We wish Melaine well and hope to hear that she has been successful in reaching the Finals.

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Funding Grants available to young people
 in our Village

Applications are invited by the Charles Winter Memorial Trust, which offers grants to help with the education or employment of young people who work, or go to school in the Parish of Farnham Royal.

A special appeal is being made for applications as no applications have been received, for only the 2nd time in more than 30 years.

Rev Graham Saunders, who is a trustee of the Trust, says 'the objective of the Trust is to assist young people in ways that they would otherwise be unable to afford.'

To apply for a grant, anyone who will be under the age of 26 of 1 MAY, who has been on an interesting expedition, or done something worthwhile during the last year, should write an account of their experiences.

The best account will be rewarded by the Trustees and would be published in the Parish Magazine.   In the past, the Trustees have been giving up to £ 100, but the amount varies according to each application.

The trust was established in memory of Rev. Charles Warner, rector of Farnham Royal from 1943 - 1974.   For an application form, call 01753 - 624841, and the closing date is 31 March.

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Victim trapped in car crash in Crown Lane

New Year's Eve saw a serious car crash in Crown Lane in Farnham Common when, following a collision by a BMW, a woman had to be cut from the wreckage by fire crews from both Slough and Beaconsfield Fire Stations.

The trapped woman and the driver both suffered head injuries, but neither was deemed to be serious.


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Steering Group being formed to plan the future of the Farnhams

A new group is being formed to decide how the Parish Council is run.

Farnham Common and Farnham Royal residents, businesses and stakeholders are being invited to join a steering group to help plan how the Parish will be run in the future 'in a way that represents the entire community'.

A meeting is due to be held on Tuesday, 22 January at 7.30 pm in Farnham Common Village Hall, Victoria Road.

For more information, contact the Parish Clerk on T : 648497 or E : clerk@farnhamroyalpc.gov.uk

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The Stag and Hounds re-opens with new owners, following extensive refurbishment


The Stag and Hounds in The Broadway, Farnham Common has been completely refurbished and, with a re-vamped menu and new owners, it has recently re-opened.

The majority of its supplies are coming from local suppliers, including a wide range of real cask ales.

Licensee Matt Clarke and his staff visited the Windsor and Eton Brewery to brew their own batch of the Knight of the Garter golden ale.

To aid the new focus on local ales and food, the pub has had a window fitted which looks directly into the cellar, so that regulars are able to see the 'underbelly of the pub'.

Other changes include the ceiling being covered with a map of Farnham Common, and the bar stools made from old Greene King ale kegs, and a wall which is made entirely of beer bottles.

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Life Saving Equipment may be available via Parish Council

Farnham Royal Parish Council is exploring options to install defibrillators which would help those suffering from cardiac arrest.

Representatives from South Central Ambulance Service gave a presentation on the defibrillators at the recent Council Meeting on Monday, 23 October.

The Council has agreed to purchase a static defibrillator which is installed in a lockable cabinet near a power supply and at a cost of £ 1,750, providing a suitable site can be identified.   The nearest static defibrillator is currently in High Wycombe.

South Central Ambulance Service will also fund a defibrillator if a volunteer, who would be trained to use the equipment and respond to emergency calls, offered to have it in their home.
  Currently the nearest defibrillator volunteer is in Slough.

Potential sites will be discussed at a Parish Council Meeting on Monday, 26 November.

Potential volunteers can contact the Parish Clerk on T : 01753 - 648497 or E: clerkfrpc1@btconnect.com

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Johnny Ball voted off 'Strictly Come Dancing'

The Farnhams' TV Star - Johnny Ball - famed for his part in the iconic children's show 'Playschool' became the first participant to be voted off the popular 'Strictly Come Dancing' TV show on Saturday, 13 October.

After receiving the lowest number of 'phone votes, Johnny Ball faced 'Daybreak' presenter Richard Arnold in a dance-off, and the judges voted to save Richard Arnold, resulting in Johnny Ball's early departure.

He commented 'If we were still in the competition, this week I would have been dressed in leathers, and come out on a Harley Davidson, to dance to 'Born to be Wild', so the British public have done themselves out of that treat !'
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Mopeds causing local concerns

There have been a number of complaints about young people riding around the Village on mopeds, notably in Langtons Meadow, Victoria Road and Parsonage Lane.

PCSOs Sam Khan and Charlotte Webster have spoken to a number of these youths, warning them about their unacceptable behaviour.   The mopeds can be seized if they are used in an anti-social manner.   

Call 101 to report any incidents of such behaviour.

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Apple Event held at Temple Dell Orchard

On Saturday, 22 September more than 300 people attended a special Apple event organised by the Friends of Temple Dell Orchard at the Orchard in Templewood Lane.

There was a demonstration of apple juicing ; talks by bee-keepers ; cake contests ; an apple and spoon race ; apple bobbing ; singing and face painting ; as well as children's games.

It is hoped that this will become an annual event.

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Local Singer releases Debut Single

Michelle Bewley, a supervisor with Lloyds' Pharmacy in the Broadway, Farnham Common has released her first single ' Holding My Breath' under her stage name - Michelle B.

Michelle - from Hedgerley - has toured the UK, taking to the stage in a Union Jack dress to tie in with the Diamond Jubilee and Olympic year.

She will be performing outside Lloyds' Pharmacy in Farnham Common on Friday, 28 September in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

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Stolen Car Crashed

An Audi A8 Quattro was stolen from outside a restaurant in The Broadway between 8 and 10 pm on Monday, 17 September.

The car was found crashed on Green Lane, Farnham Common the next morning, after people in the area heard a loud crash.

If you have any information please contact PC Jamie Smith on 101 ;  or Crimestoppers on 0800-  555 - 111.

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Machete Information Appeal

A 38 year old man has been arrrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, following calls from Crown Lane , Farnham Royal on Thursday, 20 September.

At around 3 pm on the same day, a Shetland pony was attacked and killed by a dog on private land at Allerds Farm, also in Crown Lane.

The arrested man has been bailed to return to Maidenhead Police Station this week.

Anyone with information should contact PC David Del Monte at Burnham Police Station by calling 101 ;   Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 - 555 - 111 ;  or www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
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Dennis Waterman is now a partner in The Emperor, in Blackpond Lane

The Emperor, the popular Farnham Royal Pub in Blackponds Lane, has been re-launched by Dennis Waterman and his business partner, Martin Flood.

The pub will be run by husband and wife team Andy and Lynn Foulkes from North Wales, and Alex Pearson, previously with Tummies Bistro in Cippenham, is the new head chef.

Dennis has lived locally for some years, and the pub has been his local, and when it came on the market, he and Martin decided to acquire it.

Dennis comments 'I'm more of a sleeping partner
as Martin is doing a lot of the work, but I lend a helping hand when I can.'

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Penns aim to get reunited

The Farnham Royal Rugby Club - which was originally known as Old Pennanians when it was started in 1962 - is seeking former members for a planned Club reunion.

The Club changed its name in 2002 but the 1st XV are still callled Pennanians to keep the connections with the Club's past.

The reunion is planned for Saturday, 13 October, and any former players and members who would like to participate are invited to contact Chairman Dave Watson E : dpwatson07@yahoo.co.uk

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           Villager takes part in Olympic
                 Opening Spectacular  

Keith Hughes, of Farnham Road, Farnham Royal, who is a Customs Officer as his day job, was one of the cast in the Olympics Ceremony Opening Spectacular, at the Olympic Village on Friday, 27 July.

He featured in the 'Pandemonium' sequence which portrayed Britain's transformation from a green and pleasant land to the industrial workshop of the world.

Keith began his Olympic journey back in November, when he attended the first audition for the opening ceremony, and he got a callback in January as one of the 'working men and women of Britain' in the opening sequence.

The rehearsals for the event took place over six weekends in the run up to the Games, which involved his commuting to warm ups held in Bromley and Dagenham.

Keith comments 'there were just over 150 hours of rehearsing and around 80 hours of travel time for me in total, but it was absolutely worth it.    It was just a once in a lifetime high for me and thousands of others'.

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       Police issue warning about bike riding 

Police in The Farnhams have received reports that trial bikes, scooters and mini motos are being ridden on prohibited areas such as Burnham Beeches and Farnham Park.

Anyone caught so doing, will be issued with a Section 59 warning for anti social driving offences.

Trial bikes are not designed for use on any road, and anyone caught will also be subject to the same warning.    

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