PIMMS, picnics, pulsating sport and plenty to keep the family occupied and amused. All that is needed now is for the sun to shine on the town's most memorable weekend of the year. At 10am tomorrow Sir Steve and Lady Redgrave will officially open the fifth Town Regatta and Festival and start a weekend of activities centred on Higginson Park. This year's event is also special as it marks 150 years of rowing regattas in Marlow and the museum centre project has produced an illustrated booklet to commemorate the event.

Traditional rowing tomorrow, culminating with an illuminated boat procession in the evening, will be followed on Sunday by the Thames Cutters and Dragon Boats and a record 33 teams have entered. Activities on land include the Marlow Showcase of arts and crafts on both days, Traylens traditional fun fair, plus tribute concerts to the Beachboys and the Eagles, will bring the event to a close on Sunday evening.

Cllr Roger Wilson also performs one of his first duties as the new town mayor when he hosts the annual reception at the Shelley Theatre at 11.30am.

SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING is planned for Saturday, July 16, at All Saints Church to commemorate the life of Anthony Wethered who died last week. He was a descendant of the founder of Marlow's brewery, Thomas Wethered, who ran the business for over 200 years and made the town famous for the "making of beer and the drinking of it". The family home, Remnantz, is in West Street.

Anthony Wethered became an important figure in publishing. He was a book editor and then the managing editor of the Reader's Digest book club in New York.

After returning to Remnantz he was later to take up the presidency of the Marlow Society. Last year he published The Power and the Brewery, the history of ther Wethered family and the brewery.

NEXT WEEK is National Bike Week and Saddle Safari of Chapel Street is putting on a treasure hunt to mark the event.

Entry forms are available at the shop from today and the 14-mile bike ride around the area, suitable for the family, has to be completed by the end of the month. Andy at Saddle Safari is offering two prizes; a £50 prize for the winning entrant who answers the most Treasure Hunt questions on the route and another £50 prize for a rider picked out at random after the closing date of June 30.

JESSICA KIRBY is due to receive her Bishop's Chorister Bronze Medal with Merit on Sunday at the parish Eucharist at All Saints Church.

ENTRY FORMS are now available for the Marlow Music Festival, which this year will take place between November 717. Closing date for entries is September 26 and to pick up an entry form before schools close for the summer holidays call 01628 821023.

MP PAUL GOODMAN is holding his monthly clinic for constituents at the Area Information Office in the High Street next Friday, June 17 from 2.30pm. If you have a problem and need advice, do get in touch with his office on 01494 521777 beforehand to make an appointment.

NEW MEMBERS to the National Garden Scheme, Mr and Mrs Ivan Pierce will be opening the gardens of Hillcrest on the Frieth Road on Tuesday. There are features includidng a topiary garden, water feature, vegetable patch and fruit cage among the attractions.

Admission, between 11am and 5pm, is £2 with proceeds going to the British Red Cross.

MR & MRS HOLLINGDALE pop over from Princes Risborough on Tuesday evening to lecture the Horticultural Society on the successful growing of sweet peas. The meeting at Liston Hall begins at 8pm.

HANGING BASKETS and container growing is the subject to be discussed at the open meeting of the Four Seasons Club on Thursdays at Liston Hall at 2.30pm.

DAVID AND RHONA BURFIELD who have recently returned from Malaysia will give members of the Methodist Church up-to-date news of the overseas church when they give a talk at the Spittal Street Church at 7pm on Monday.

ALAN KEENE was elected the new chairman of Bisham Parish Council at its AGM. Mandy Robson-Brown is vice-chairman.

NON SWIMMERS are encouraged by courses at Court Garden Leisure Centre. Instructor Sharon Ferriter is holding beginner classes on Fridays from 8.30am to 9.15pm followed by improver swims from 9.15pm to 10pm.

A WDC RANGER leads a circular walk around Marlow Common on Sunday to enjoy the sights and sounds of summer. Meeting point is the Royal Oak pub at Bovingdon Green. Cost is £2 for adults but there is no charge for children.

JENNIE-HELEN MOTSON and Richard Brooman are giving a piano, leider and opera recital at All Saints Church, Bisham on Sunday week, June 18. Tickets are available from 07768 480192 costing £10, concessions half price, but there should be tickets at the door on the evening at 7.30pm.

STUDENTS of Bisham School raised £1350 from a sponsored walk. The money will go towards creating an outdoor library, resurfacing tarmac in the school grounds and refurbishing the computer suite.

WI MEMBERS from Little Marlow are visiting the English Rose Centre on Thursday. Prior to that the ladies have their monthly meeting at the pavilion on Tuesday afternoon when Nigel Snell will talk about the Red Kites in the Chilterns.

REFURBISHMENT of the Guide hut in Quarry Wood Road will get a further boost on Thursday when a golf day and dinner is held at Harleyford Golf Club. Sue Berry on 01628 472168 has details of the day's activities and they welcome teams and individuals to participate.