CONSTANTLY I wonder how he does it. In world terms, a pretty minor town, yet Marlow figures on the itinerary of many prominent jazz performers on their European tours.

Through the magic influence of Michael Eagleton, the Marlow Jazz Club have come up with another of their “unusual partnership” gigs for next Tuesday, November 8, at The Royal British Legion Hall. Grandson of Gertrude Lawrence, no less, Benn Clatworthy, on tour from his Los Angeles base, will make a rare appearance alongside a very special Club favourite “Doctor Jazz” Art Themen. If Mr Clatworthy’s ancestry from the world of musical comedy first strikes you as improbable, just don’t dare to suggest that Mr Themen stick to his day job – a consultant orthopaedic surgeon of some considerable repute. The Frank Toms Trio (research into Mr Toms’s background revealed nothing alarming) will provide the backing for what promises to be an exciting evening from two extrovert saxophonists. Music starts at 8.30pm and admission £8.

A week later, November 15, the return visit of New Orleans legend Lillian Boutté has been made an advance ticket event. You can get tickets at the gig on November 8 or at the Marlow Tourist Office. There may not be any available on the door on the night, judging by the previous response to a visit from this world famous star.

EVERYTHING went pink, including yours truly, at the chip-shop last Friday. The shop was festooned with pink balloons and the staff and I had fetching and very smart tee-shirts of excellent quality; I may have to risk going to Brighton to wear mine again.

Gav doesn’t know the proceeds for Breast Cancer Awareness yet, but I’ll try to keep you informed.

FANCY a sing? Marlow Music Makers Choir are looking for young talented musicians to perform at their Christmas concert.

Remember, this is the group that was formed only a couple of years back, with the prime aim of getting people singing, for the fun of it, delving into the more popular music catalogue, maybe stretching back to the 1920s. I believe quite a few people from the valley are already members.

MMM’s founder and Musical Director, Barbara Whitehead, said: “We were very fortunate in having Robin Jacob-Owens, a pupil at Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School, delight our summer concert audiences with his saxophone solos. This fulfilled one of the objects of the Choir’s Constitution which is to encourage and support young talented musicians resident in or near Marlow.

So I’d be delighted to hear from school-age individuals or groups who would like to gain valuable experience of performing to an appreciative audience and help to support the valuable work of a local charity”.

Barbara can be contacted on 01628 484937. This year the Choir is raising funds for Iain Rennie Hospice at Home, a charity which is held in high regard in Marlow and beyond.

MMM’s Christmas concert will be held on Friday and Saturday, December 2 and 3 at the United Reformed Church, Oxford Road, Marlow, starting at 7.30 pm.

Tickets for the concert, which includes a glass of wine and light refreshments during the interval, are £8.50. They may be obtained from Insight Opticians, High Street, Marlow or by telephoning 01628 484618 or 01494 883392.

TALKING about brains, as we were a couple of weeks ago, you really ought to consider coming to the Valley Plus meeting, at 2 pm on November 22 in the chapel.

Dr Anne Cooke’s talk Rules and Tools for Brain Repair or D.I.Y. in the C.N.S. may perhaps not help you fix the outcomes of serious brain injury, but it could help overcome some fair wear and tear issues. Last time she came she had us knitting brain cells (patterns supplied). A very enlightening and entertaining pound’s worth, if you are not a Valley Plus member, free if you are. Now that’s got to be a no-brainer!

INVESTIGATING those hats, wigs and tiaras from a week or two ago, I discovered that Emma Wroe is a guide in the 1st Marlow Bottom Guides, doing her Baden-Powell award in guiding.

One of her challenges was to organise and run a Brownie party. So she ran a Hats, Wigs and Tiaras party for the 3rd Marlow Bottom Brownies.

The girls had to come in normal brownie uniform apart from a hat, wig or a tiara. There was a prize for the best piece of head gear and lots of fun and games throughout the evening. Let’s hope Emma’s skill in party organisation helps her to achieve her award.

Afterthought; I’m sure there are lots of hats and wigs in the valley; on the subject of the latter, I’ve often been tempted to suspect a few villagers of wearing someone else’s crowning glory, but has the valley become so affluent as to have liberal supplies of spare tiaras hanging around in dressing up boxes?

TRANSPORT for Buckinghamshire are holding a workshop to help prepare motorists for the challenge of winter driving and maintenance, coping with ice and usual hazards. It will be held at STS Tyres, London Road, High Wycombe on November 15, starting at 7 pm.

To find out more about winter driving and to book a place, visit the web site http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/bcc/transport/winter_driving_workshops.page? or email communications@buckscc.gov.uk, or phone 01296 382450. This workshop has been attended by, and is commended by, Lorna Parkins, our discerning Parish Council clerk. I’m told places are going briskly.

REPORTING recently on Gill’s bench, I quite forgot to mention what a super job BCC and their associates did on its installation and sprucing up the area outside the school gate. The public have commented on how good it all looks. Thank you all.

ONLY two weeks to Children in Need. St Mary’s pre-school are asking their children to turn up in fancy dress on Friday, November 18, and pay £1 to the cause. Then they’ll get down to the serious business of decorating Pudsey Bear biscuits. Sounds like a nice clean morning to me.

With good marketing in mind, they’ll be able to sell their produce at the Christmas Bazaar, scheduled for the next morning, November 19, starting at 10. Father Christmas makes his first valley appearance that day, and the pre-school hopes to beat the £3,000 that last year’’s event brought to their funds.

SHOOTING for everyone. Don’t forget Marlow Rifle and Pistol Club meets in Court Garden tomorrow, November 5, from 10 until 5, to offer the public a target to aim for. £2.50 buys you admission, ten shots and expert instruction and supervision. Under 15s must be accompanied.

FIREWORKS night at Burford starts at 5.30 tomorrow night. If you hurry today to the school office or Bernie’s, you may still get concession price tickets. At the gate it’s full price only. But it’s likely to be a good show with lots to do and all on mud-free viewing surfaces.

MANAGED to cover the promised ice and wigs left over from last week, but still have to postpone DNA, toenails and assorted rubbish ’til next week. Don’t miss it.