Cookham Community News (April 4)

'Let's buy field to protect green lung'

Parish councillors will try to rally the community to buy a £1million piece of farmland between Maidenhead and Cookham.

A 57-acre field off Switchback Road and Long Lane, now used for growing cereal crops, is up for sale at £1,150,000.

At a full council meeting on Tuesday, councillors argued that an opportunity should be given to the community to purchase the land and maintain it as a green space.

Cllr Mandy Brar, who chaired the meeting, said: “If we all get together and put it to the community a lot of people will be interested.

“If people are able to put in money, even to buy an acre, there must be 70 people in Cookham who can. I would be willing to buy an acre, I don’t mind. I am really determined to keep that green lung.”

At its current value, the land would cost just over £20,000 an acre.

Councillors considered other options to preserve the space, with many keen to maintain the agriculture there.

When one suggested asking the council to purchase it, Cllr Mike Barnes joked that the election will be over by then.

Another possibility was asking the National Trust to buy the land.

Cllr Brar said that a committee led by the parish council and Cookham Society should work to persuade the community to purchase the land.

A letter will be written to the agent, Simmons and Sons, requesting a delay to the sale to allow councillors to drum up support after the local elections next month.

Hidden bluebell woods revealed, for one day only

The owners of a 16-acre bluebell woodland are opening it up for the public to enjoy for one day only.

David and Margaret Harrold, who live in Choke Lane, will open up their garden for the WildCookham ecology group on Tuesday, April 16.

The wood in the Harrolds’ garden hosts a wide variety of spring flowers, and they have invited the group along to enjoy a springtime stroll.

After meeting at 10am, David will introduce the group to the wood, speak about the bluebells and the conditions that they require and explain how they stay in such a healthy condition.

The group will also get to learn about the Harrolds’ wildflower meadow in the garden. Refreshments will be served afterwards.

As the Harrolds’ garden is private land, no dogs are permitted on the walk.

Car parking will also be available for those with mobility issues.

To sign up for one of the limited spaces, visit www.meetup.com/WildCookham/

Seeking snaps of wildlife on our doorstep

The deadline for a wildlife photography competition is now less than three weeks away.

Entries can be submitted for the Wild About Cookham photography competition until Monday, April 22.

Photos can be submitted into three categories – adult, junior and smartphone/tablet.

All images must be taken within the Cookham parish.

A selection of photos will be selected for an exhibition at the Odney Club, in Odney Lane, for the Cookham Festival in May.

Mike Copland, of WildCookham, said: “Our goal is simple – to demonstrate the great variety of wildlife and natural habitats on our doorstep.”

For information on how to enter visit www.wildcookham.org.uk/

Author to sign copies of her magical novel

A children’s author is set to do a book signing at a Cookham bookshop.

Lisa Buddin, author of Five Cat Magic, will be at The Little Bookshop tomorrow (Saturday) at 2pm to read and sign copies of her new book, which was first released in February.

The children’s adventure novel sees the main character, 10-year-old Jessica, unite five magical cats before shadow beings rise up.

Buddin, who lives in Buckinghamshire, is a qualified science teacher who has spent most of her career in the charity sector, and currently tutors mature students. She is also training to become a mindfulness teacher.

Join in the big clean for Cookham

The book is recommended for children ages eight and above.

A ‘Great British Spring Clean’ event is happening in Cookham this weekend.

The parish council is hosting a village litter pick on Saturday and is looking for volunteers.

A group will meet at 10am in Cookham Station Car park and will do their best to fill as many bags as possible with rubbish. Just turn up if you want to help, bring a high visibility top if you can.

The event is part of the nationwide Great British Spring Clean event, which is encouraging people to pick up litter in March and April.

Morning meet for menfolk

A cooked breakfast and talk will take place for the men in the village.

The Men's Breakfast will take place at Holy Trinity Parish Centre in Church Gate tomorrow (Saturday), April 13 at 8.30am.

The event costs £5 per person. To take part email revdavidjoynes@gmail.com

Diary

Saturday: Cookham Parish Council’s Keep Cookham Tidy Litter Pick at Cookham Station Car Park, Lower Road. 10am.

Book Reading and Signing with Lisa Buddin at The Little Bookshop, High Street. 2pm.

Sunday: Vernon Brown Spring Plant Sales at Pinder Hall, Lower Road. 8am.

Choral Eucharist at Holy Trinity Church, Church Gate. 6.30pm-7.10pm.

Monday: Rachel’s Zumba Fitness at Pinder Hall, Lower Road. 9.30am.

Sparky’s Drama Easter Workshop at Cookham Dean Village Hall, Church Road. 10am-3.30pm.

Tuesday: SMILE at Pinder Hall, Lower Road. 9.30am-noon.

Wednesday: Cookham Aerobics at Pinder Hall, Lower Road. 6.30pm-8pm.

Stepping Out Dancers at Cookham Dean Village Hall, Church Road. 6.45pm.