IT is ironic that, only a year after his death, Bernard Peatey's dream of a new library for High Wycombe is becoming reality.

A library to replace the run-down building in Queen Victoria Road, was one of the main reasons why Bernard stood for, and won, the election in Bowerdean and Daws Hill, High Wycombe, in 1989. He battled for the next eight years, never missing an opportunity to put his case. Bernard was an expert in turning almost any debate on any facet of education into a plea for a new library.

Sadly, he died soon after standing down from council last year. When the new building is completed, possibly by May 2002, as part of an exciting new joint county and district development, let us hope the county council will have the grace to name at least a part of it after Bernard, in memory of his persistence.

IT will be tense times ahead for Tory group leader Mark Greenburgh. The party's southern region is choosing its candidate for the Euro elections on Saturday, May 30, with all paid-up party members eligible to attend.

Mark threw his cap into the ring some time ago, determined to advance his political career. We wish him all the best.

SENIOR education officer Peter Mooney has assured us all that he doesn't see any threat to the grammar school system in the Government's School Standards and Frameworks Bill.

A House of Lords committee has asked the Government to make clear what percentage of parents will petition against grammar schools, to trigger a ballot which could lead to their abolition.

Considering how many parents prefer to stay in Bucks, or move to Bucks because of its grammar school system, any vote is clearly beyond doubt.

THE Bucks section of the ancient Icknield Way will be launched by countryside committee chairman Cherry Aston on June 2. She will later lead a ride and walk along it.

The 23-mile route begins at Bledlow, connecting with the Swans Way and Bledlow circular ride, and follows the chalk escarpment to Pitstone.

WE now have it on good authority that our predictions on changes in the chairmanships of education and social services were a fact.

Mike Appleyard is now education chairman, while comparative newcomer Richard Worrall, of Iver, chairman of the South East Berkshire Health Trust, takes his place as social services chief.

Which leaves both Peter Lawrence, ditched as education chairman, out in the cold, and the future of Margaret Dewar, who must desperately have wanted Peter's job, very much in question.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.