TRUTHFULLY, I am very confused about what is the core argument of various protest groups concerning the future of healthcare in this area.

Clearly it matters to us all, and most of us, at some time or other, have seen changes in Wycombe hospital, disturbing in that they suggest switches of treatment focus that may inconvenience us, even though they are allegedly based on improved efficiency, from an industrial point of view.

Now, there is a burgeoning drive to convince us that a massive new hospital near the M4 8/9 interchange is the long-term preferred option.

That has more of an attraction for Marlow Bottom and Marlow residents as it would be greatly more accessible than Stoke Mandeville.

There is to be a meeting in Great Marlow School to enlighten and discuss further the principal benefits of such a new centre.

It seems imperative, if you have strong feelings or confusion about the plan, to attend the meeting on September 7, at 7pm. Both our MP, Steve Baker, and ex-Borlasian, Dr Phillip Lee, the MP for Bracknell, I think the only practising medical doctor in the House, will be present in the audience.

Meanwhile, Save Our Hospital Services is being almost hyperactive in trying to drum up increased public concern in all local matters medical.

Its latest newsletter publicises the September meeting, but I find it unclear what side of the fence it is on as far as the M4 8/9 plan is concerned. The meeting itself is being organised by Marlow People’s Action Group.

One thing is quite clear. SOHS is vigorous in its delving into the more immediate issues of the perceived transfer of responsibilities to Stoke Mandeville, the distance, the relative inaccessibility for patients and their visitors, and the wretched A4010 road connection.

Two things in all this are clear to me, a community like Marlow Bottom, because of its relative geographical isolation, must take every available opportunity to inform itself.

So the meeting on September 7 should be more packed out than an Olympic Mo night.

Go, listen to the arguments, ask the burning questions, but, in any case, it is our civic duty to be there.

The second thing is that, whatever decisions are taken about the M4 8/9 project, currently designated ‘Royal Thames Valley Hospital’, SOHS has a crucial role to play for several years.

A new hospital will take at least a decade to become an operational reality, maybe much longer, and it would be easy to allow community attention to slide towards it to the detriment of the present and immediate care structure. A very significant proportion of the valley’s current population (there’s a recognised, and well understood, skew to older age ranges here), will depend for their well-being on Wycombe/Stoke. So, to have a robust organisation to monitor what’s going on is essential.

Having said that, I, for one, would benefit from understanding the inter-relationship of various interest and pressure groups. Just as the NHS forces seem to be amalgamating to strengthen their arguments, it would seem strategically prudent for a singular public voice to be heard loud and clear. Remember the power of Mo night?

Read more at www.bucksvoice.net/sohs/ or http://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/new-royal-thames-valley-hospital LOCAL radio broadcaster and business guru, Meadow View’s Mark Harris, has moved into food, one of his favourite topics, he claims. His findings are recently published on a blog http://enterprisedoc.

wordpress.com/.

I haven’t had time to read it yet, but was surprised when Mark described it as “one unhappy blog!”. Not enough tasty goodies, Mark?

OBSCURING greetings are, quite reasonably, the concern of one the column’s readers. I’ll explain.

For decades, the area contained in what is technically defined as the Bennett junction at the entrance to the valley has been used as the greetings noticeboard.

There was vigorous objection, years ago, when the county proposed removing the little tree, whose stature must anyway have been stunted by the insertion of countless drawing pins.

However, one banner recently presented a notable hazard.

Strung between the pillars of two road signs, it seriously interfered with drivers’ vision when approaching the junction.

While always technically illegal, most people are tolerant of a fairly endearing tradition of posting greetings of all kinds on or near the tree.

My reader says, please will all celebrants be thoughtful and make sure no messages present a potential danger; remember, it is already a notorious site for minor prangs and sometimes more serious incidents.

Don’t let your private ‘Moonpig’ endanger anyone.

PLEASE let me know what was upsetting new-time foodie, Mark.