IT IS SURPRISING how much change there is in Chesham after a couple of weeks away on holiday. For a start Amy's the cook shop in the High Street is closing down. Also work has started on converting Martins old shop in the Broadway to a book shop and the re-laying of the bricks in the town centre is well on the way. My blind friend says it has been a nightmare to find her way around and getting into some shops was difficult.

The judges have completed a tour of the town for the Britain in Bloom competition. Now we have to wait until September for the result. The town certainly looks lovely with all the hanging baskets, tubs of flowers and flower beds.

IT MAKE ME THINK when I heard a woman ask her companion if she had been in to the Hospice of St Francis shop in the High Street. What is a hospice? It is a place of holistic care, specific to each patient, that extends the care beyond the patient to those who are special to them.

Dame Cicely Saunders, founder of the hospice movement, said you matter because you are you, and you matter until the last moments of your life. The hospice movement will help you not only to die peacefully but to live until you die.

THE ELGIVA has an ever-growing band of volunteers who help in a variety of ways: reception, theatre ushers, backstage; if you fancy spending a couple of hours helping and having fun at the same time, please ring 01494 582900, or call in for a chat. A continuing thank you to all those who have helped so far in whatever capacity.

CHESHAM HEALTH ZONE is a 52-page paper that has been lodged with the Thames Valley Health Authority. A public meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 13 in the Town Hall, Baines Walk at 7.30pm, to update residents on the project's current situation.

GARAGE SALE in aid of charity at 14 Lye Green Road takes place tomorrow from 11am to 4pm. On offer will be furniture, bric-a-brac, toys etc. For all inquiries ring 01494 782179.

VICTIM SUPPORT is an organisation that needs more funds urgently. Victim Support receives some funding from central and local government. Other costs have to be found through fundraising. You can help by sponsoring a project, making a donation or joining Friends of Victim Support.

Victim Support depends upon many thousands of people who give up their time to help victims recover from the distress caused by crime. Volunteers are welcome from all sections of the community. Full training is given and all out-of-pocket expenses are paid.

You can train as a volunteer visitor or as a court-based volunteer. There are also opportunities to help in other ways, for example with fundraising and publicity, office administration, or with translation and interpreting. If you can help Victim Support contact 01494 732788.