FIREWORKS have become an essential part of financing our playing field in Burford Close.

Since the demise of the Rose Carnival, November has become the great fund generating month for the Playing Fields Committee.

The Grand Fireworks display provides good, safe entertainment for residents and visitors alike, and produces enough income to support a significant portion of the annual costs of maintaining the play area for the benefit of all.

Tomorrow, November 8, sees this year’s event underway from 5.30pm, with the first touch paper lit at about 7pm.

It looks as if the weather could be really pleasant, although mighty colder than of late.

Jason Batten says it will be a good chance to celebrate what a fantastic summer and autumn we’ve had with a really exciting family evening.

All the expected food and drink stalls will be there and things to keep the children occupied until the first rocket, and beyond.

The commercial providers of the show are national winners of prizes for the quality of their displays. Go to /www.marlowbottom fireworks.com for ticket prices, availability and a host of further information.

AN exciting evening should be on the cards at Marlow Jazz Club next Tuesday, November 11, when two of Britain’s greatest saxophonists join forces. The award-winning Alan Barnes, playing alto, baritone and clarinet will join up with Karen Sharp on tenor and baritone.

Both first came to national attention as members of Humphrey Lyttelton’s band, although in different decades, and Karen is now widely regarded as the country’s foremost female jazz musician.

They have performed several gigs together over the last few months receiving rave reviews. Although both are well known in Marlow, it will be their first appearance here side by side. The Frank Toms Trio provide the backing, and music at the Royal British Legion Hall starts at 8.30pm with admission at £8.

EVERYONE knows these are hard times, so people across Buckinghamshire are being asked to help the county council make important spending decisions on next year’s budget, and give their preference for the level of council tax, in a residents’ survey that has been running since September.

The survey, Tough Decisions for Tough Times, aims to get people involved in helping to decide which areas of the council’s work spending should be focussed on. The survey is easiest to complete online at www.buckscc.gov.uk/budget, taking no more than ten minutes.

Martin Phillips, Cabinet Member for Community Engagement, says it’s more important than ever for residents to take part in budget decision-making: “The county council is facing its biggest ever challenge this year, and we need our residents to help us make what will be some very difficult decisions on the areas of work where we should prioritise spending.

“Last year, we took the difficult decision to raise council tax by 1.5 per cent. We’re asking residents to tell us their views on what should happen to council tax next year, and in the survey there are options to freeze council tax or increase it again.”

Marlow Bottom Parish Council ask that you all give your attention and a little time to provide good solid information for the county to work on, by visiting the website by November 9.

The meeting with Steve Baker recently confirms that there are many in the valley who have strong and deep-seated misgivings about some aspects of how taxes are spent.

Martin Phillips concludes: “It’s absolutely vital that people tell us what’s important to them: where we should reduce spending, where we should continue to invest, and what should happen to council tax.”

BUCKS 50 PLUS Forum is a county-wide organisation with the interests of that age group always at the head of its agenda.

They meet bi-monthly at 10am at The Hub, Union Baptist Church, High Wycombe. All are welcome. Their next meeting is on November 19.

HAVE you honed your general knowledge and memory ready for St Mary’s Quiz Night on November 22, at 7.15pm?

For only £10, you can join in the fun of declaring your superior knowledge as well as enjoying a fish and chip supper – no prizes for knowing where that will be coming from!

The bar is supplied by the Rebellion brewery, so you can imbibe a little recompense for not knowing enough of the other answers. You might be lucky on the raffle.

Come as a team or they can find you one to join on the night.

Tickets available from Graeme Slocombe on 07785 262078.

PUTTING in a word of praise for the Marlow Bottom fish bar is called for. The St Mary’s quiz night is just one of many local organisations they do good deals for at their events.

Spend a little time when next time you are waiting for your fish and chips in the shop by reading the many letters of thanks and praise for quality of service, displayed on the rear wall.

It’s quite amazing what this business does to support our organisations as well as national campaigns like Breast Cancer Research.

REMEMBER the Poppy Day service at Burford on Sunday at 10.30am.

But, remember, remember, for the benefit of the community, don’t miss those fireworks tomorrow evening. It could be the best weather and display ever.