MARLOW BOTTOM

QIGONG is a generic term for a whole range of Chinese exercises, and we have, here in the valley's Acorn Therapy Centre, an experienced exponent of some of the techniques involved. Edward Vere teaches a gentle form which addresses Qi, the body's energy force. The aim is to improve health and promote calmness.

On Sunday, July 3, between 3.45pm and 5.15pm, Edward is holding an introductory workshop in the village hall. This completely free session will introduce you to some of the movements involved and will briefly cover the theoretical aspects of Chine medicine which underlie Qigong. He aims to set up a series of workshops in Marlow and Wycombe, starting in September. But now is your chance to find out what it's all about. Just come on July 3 or ring Edward on 07742 312457.

Incidentally, it is not folk-lore that the Chinese partake widely in these exercises. We saw, on a Chinese trip, very large groups participating in public gardens and even supermarket car-parks before the shoppers arrived, or even late into the evening, people seemingly from all walks of life.

CHARITY will benefit from jazz on Thursday when the 16 piece Berks Bucks & Oxon Big Band's monthly concert at TJ's will be in aid of The Blue Cross Animal Welfare Organisation, and especially their new adoption centre, covering this area. It has recently opened at Lewknor, between Stokenchurch and Tetsworth.

The band plus their two vocalists Trisha Bassett and Steve Bailey are preparing a new set of swing classics for the occasion and some rousing music is promised. A raffle with some star prizes should swell the proceeds towards this worthy good cause. It all starts at 8.15pm with admission just £4.

HOSTING DAY is the title given by the valley's latest enterprise to a celebratory open day in Visage Kitchens, in Kingswood Parade. On Saturday, July 9, from 10am until 3pm, there will be cooking demonstrations by the manufacturer Siemens. You can taste the food, accompanied by a glass of wine, and view some of the latest and most technically advanced kitchen equipment around, with special prices for the day. There's a free entry draw for a rather sophisticated coffee machine. Details will be in BFP adverts, or why not drop into the showroom to see for yourself and place your entry in the box.

SOMETHING GOT LOST in translation or editing last week. The piece about the pre-school open morning didn't make it clear that it is the Marlow Bottom Pre-school (that's the formal name for the one that meets every day in the village hall) that holds its meet-the-public event tomorrow between 10am and midday, of course, in the village hall. There's lots to see and do for present and future parents and children, but also an interesting glimpse for anybody else as well.

ROSE CARNIVAL DAY is the big social event of the valley's calendar and it lost none of its long-standing appeal this year. The field was crowded from start to finish, and people enjoyed magnificent weather, with food, drink, music and varied entertainment, without a hint of a threat from the skies. Mind you, we've had many other good show days, but seldom has there been one when the weather was never an issue from several days previous.

The financial figures aren't out yet and I'll come back to cover those and other aspects of the show in a subsequent column, but one or two things deserve mention now.

Have you ever seen a councillor's face red as a consequence of a daring decision he has taken? Well, a spur of the moment prompt led Malcolm Blanksby to have his face painted against the promise of sponsorship money. The obvious choice of subject was Spiderman, since the theme of this year's show was superheroes. I must say it made him look younger and it raised another £60 odd for the Rose Carnival causes, but they refused my offer of an additional contribution if they used indelible paint.

The Caribbean Sunrise Steel Band played tirelessly, as ever, and they would probably claim responsibility for the good weather, while the ice-cream stall ran out of stock before two o'clock. More next week.

BUCKS OPEN STUDIOS is running its twentieth summer event. The valley's landscape painter Keith Beckett-Hester will open his doors between 11am and 7pm every day except Monday and Thursday. An elegant full-colour brochure is available. Ring Keith for more information on 01628 440817.

BEST POST OFFICE in the country? Of course, the valley one is. But to make sure the powers that be recognise this, you only have until Friday, July 8 to place your ballot paper in the box on the counter. The blank forms are in another box alongside.

CONGRATULATIONS, you've won the jackpot. Those are the words you may hear from an intrusive phone call allegedly from Las Vegas. I know I've mentioned it before, but the scourge is back. We received two calls this week from the same recorded voice. You are invited to press 9 to find out how much you have won. Don't do it. This could be an expensive phone scam. Expensive for you, that is. Pressing 9 could be the authority to place a massive debit onto your phone bill, and current law gives you no justification not to pay that bill. Of course, not all such calls are fraudulent, but are you prepared to find out for certain? Simply put the phone down.

STAMINA is what it took last Sunday, according to Roxy Grimshaw who helped organise the Open Gardens day in the valley. The visitors were visibly flagging by the time they got to their last garden, such was the heat and humidity of the glorious June day. Even so, the total amount raised by admission, plant sales and refreshments was, impressively, more than £560, all of which goes to the UK Brain Tumour Society.

Roxy thanks all those who opened their gardens or helped in any way, but I think the valley should praise Roxy for her efforts, as I know how much energy and mental effort and concern she puts into it.