OH WHAT A LOVELY DAY, the sun shone, hundreds of people crowded into the Broadway to watch the carnival. The theme was books: Harry Potter, Jungle Book, Peter Pan to name but a few, were wonderful. Chesham All Girls Band looked good and played well. I thought the Boys Brigade Band played better than I've ever heard them - well done.

MARTIN SIROT-SMITH will give a talk entitled "Tudor Food and Drink" to the Afternoon Club on Wednesday, July 6 at 2.30pm. The venue is the Lowndes Room in the Town Hall. The club meets regularly on the first Wednesday of the month. On September 7 Mae Shepherd will speak on "30 Years in Journalism".

SOUVENIRS OF WAR is a special exhibition at the museum. The many exhibits include a jacket, a clothes brush and dinner plate said to have been saved from a captured German submarine. The plate has an eagle and swastika insignia and was made in Bavaria in 1939.

The gas mask exhibited was found still stored in its canvas bag when clearing out the loft of a lady in Rickmansworth. It is of a type used by firemen and air-raid wardens, so is of more robust design than those issued to civilians. The red can contains charcoal which was designed to absorb harmful chemicals present in the air. The government and the public were very worried about the thought of a chemical gas attack.

Chesham Museum is in Bellingdon Road and open three afternoons weekly, admission is free. Telephone 01494 793491 for details.

FINAL CONCERT OF THE SEASON by the Misbourne Orchestra which contains many Chesham members is on Saturday, July 9, 7.45pm, at Dr Challoner's High School in Little Chalfont. The programme includes Mozart's Third Horn concerto, Donizetti's Concerto for oboe and Franks Symphony. Paul Meadow plays the horn and Hillary Evans oboe, Richard Jacklin conducts.

The orchestra was formed in 1962 to encourage music-making for entertainment and education in this area. It promotes four concerts each year, for £8 tickets write to Brian Hall, 94 Fullers Hill, Chesham HP5 1LR. Make cheques payable to Misbourne Orchestra.

If you are a competent player able to attend Thursday evening rehearsals regularly then phone 01753 888667 to find out more about joining the orchestra.

OPEN GARDENS leaflet is now available from the library.

On Sunday, July 3 the garden of Chesham Bois House, 85 Bois Lane, Chesham Bois, is open from 2pm to 6pm, admission is £2.50 - children under 12 free. There will be a tv there for Wimbledon fans. Three acres of garden, walled gardens, small canal, various flowerbeds with many tender and many unusual plants, clipped trees and lawns, mature trees and a walk through an old orchard adds to the ambience.

On Sunday, July 10, 2pm to 5.30pm you can visit the well established six-acre formal garden in the picturesque setting of Weir Lodge on Latimer Road. Teas will aid the Friends of St Mary's Church.

TWO GREAT EVENTS take place on Saturday, July 2 with an early Summer Show in Baines Hall at Trinity Baptist Church in Red Lion Street. Ring 01494 784391 for details. Then there's the Fusion performances by local young bands at the Elgiva Theatre from 4pm to 11pm.

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION are celebrating VE and VJ Day over the weekend of July 9-10. On Saturday, July 9 there's entertainment by comedy hypnotist Martyn Williams and Southern Voices Disco, this is for adults.

On Sunday, July 10 a wreath will be laid at the War Memorial in Broadway. There will be a family day starting at 2pm with children and everyone welcome. Look out for the barbecue, children's competitions, raffle and disco by Dave Gomm.