Thursday 28th April 2011 Chesham appoints first ever Downs Syndrome town cryer
Chesham’s new town cryer William Ellis is thought to be the first
person with a learning disability ever to hold the post. His first
duties will be at the town’s royal wedding celebrations. Mr Ellis
said: "This is just a wonderful opportunity and I'm very proud to do
it. I am really looking forward to my year." Councillor Jane Bramwell,
Town Mayor said: "I'm thrilled that the Town Council recognises that a
learning disability is not a bar to carrying out such a public role.
As one of my ambassadors, he has shown a great talent for public
speaking, and I'm sure he will have the confidence to support the
Mayor and promote the town." Buckinghamshire

Friday 11th June 2010 Green footballer stolen from roundabout
A topiary footballer has been stolen from the Exchange Street
roundabout in Aylesbury. The foliage was gone within hours of it being
placed in a flower bed laid out in a George Cross design to
commemorate the World Cup. Two males were captured on CCTV carrying
the hedge through a car park, according to the town council. Mayor
Graham Webster described the theft as a pointless act of
vandalism."When the council has put so much effort into topiary and
planting to improve the look of the town, it beggars belief that
people want to damage it," he added. Anyone with information is asked
to contact Thames Valley Police. Buckinghamshire

Friday 30th October 2009 No more piano makers in UK after final closure
A long tradition of making pianos in Great Britain has come to an end
with the closure of Kemble and Co in Milton Keynes. The firm, now a
subsidiary of Yamaha, is moving all production to Asia. The move
brings to an end almost 100 years of piano making at the Bletchley
factory during which 350,000 pianos were made.

The manufacturers plan to continue using the Kemble and Co brand and
specifications, but sadly the UK factory will not be open for its
centenary in 2011. The move will cost 90 workers their jobs. Buckinghamshire

Wednesday 8th July 2009 M25 widening work starts
Transport Minister Sadiq Khan visited Denham, Buckinghamshire to see the start of works to widen the M25 to four lanes on the 22-mile stretch from junction 16 and the intersection with the A1M at junction 23.

The Transport Minister described the work on this section of one of the busiest stretches of motorway in Britain as a major step forward in the Government’s commitment to building Britain’s future. Drivers using the M25 might have another way of describing the work, especially as Trafficmaster are predicting a major increase in congestion as result.

Work also starts later this month to widen another section of the M25 at the 16 miles that runs from the M11 intersection at junction 27 to the Dartford Tunnel. The work on both sections is due to finish in advance of the 2012 Olympics in London. Buckinghamshire