EVENTS often follow circumstances, I find. So it is that some of this week’s items reflect, on the bad side, the times of austerity and, on the better side, the emergence of signs that winter may be over (though, as I write, there’s a BBC warning of snow in Devon!) TAKING advantage of what may be the better weather we all yearn for, Bucks County Council has begun publicising the Simply Walk scheme.

It’s run in association with Ramblers (formerly the Ramblers' Association) and Macmillan Cancer Care (probably best known as Macmillan Nurses).

The appeal lies in the fact that many people find the activity more rewarding when they can walk with others.

Simply Walks are volunteer-led walks running throughout the year with over 500 walkers joining every week on more than 50 walks across the county.

Volunteer leaders are there to help you walk at your own pace and nobody is left behind.

All new walkers are welcome to the scheme whether you are currently fit and active, or haven’t exercised in a long time. It couldn’t be easier to get started.

No need to book, just choose your walk and, on your first walk, arrive 15 minutes early to register with the walk leader.

The walks are free.Well behaved dogs on non-extendible leads are permitted, at the discretion of the walk leader.

Contact Fiona Broadbent on 01494 475367 or email simplywalks@buckscc.gov.uk ANOTHER rustle of spring attraction – though its context is actually Christmas – that might well appeal to our valley community, is a visit to Uplands House, Cryers Hill, High Wycombe for an outdoor performance of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.

This Wycombe Arts Festival production from Fourways caught my attention as it was my introduction to the bard 60 odd years ago, and I thought it was fun.

It began yesterday, but continues tonight at 7.30pm and tomorrow, May 18, at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Further performances, next week, from Wednesday to Saturday, May 22 to 25, are at 7.30pm.

Refreshments are available or you can bring your own picnics.

Ticket prices are adults £14, concessions £12, family tickets £40, available from the Tourist Information Centre, High Wycombe Library, 01494 421892 or Fourways 01494 522722 or online at www.fourways.org.uk RETURNING to an item possibly emanating from the austerity influence, another urgent warning came to me from helpful county sources.

An email is doing the rounds, purporting to be from the Inland Revenue, offering you a rebate and asking for personal and banking details that would allow the criminals to access your bank account. This is a scam – Never reveal card or account details to senders of unsolicited emails.

Report it.

If you have been scammed, or you think someone has tried to scam you, report it to Action Fraud (the new national consolidated guidance centre on fraud), on 0300 123 2040 or visit www.actionfraud.

police.uk/contact-us.

The Citizens Advice Consumer Service 08454 04 05 06 can provide advice and pass details of rogue traders to Trading Standards.

The inventiveness of scammers is amazing. But, whoever heard of a spontaneous offer of a rebate from HMRC?

NOODLES, potentially washed down with an alcoholic drink, may be very appealing to some, but possibly not to others.

An application has been submitted by the developers of the noodle bar, soon due to replace Visage Kitchens, for an alcohol licence until 11.30pm.

That may surprise some residents, maybe delight others.

Whatever your views, if you want to comment to the licensing authorities, with support or objection, your best source of information is currently posted on the door of the proposed cafe.

THE speaker at the next Valley Plus meeting will be talking to his audience about planes – specifically, those that ferry medical and food supplies to remote parts of the world.

Mission Aviation Fellowship is the name of the charity that provides this vital and hazardous service.

The speaker, David Tester, will be relating some of their experiences.

Please note the date of May 21.

This is earlier than usual to avoid the Bank Holiday week.

As always, visitors are welcome for a small contribution at the door.