Festive red banner and a story about snakes and bikes set the scene for Fun Night which featured on the front page of the December/January issue of Target. Also there, on the front page, was the news that the community magazine had been placed 8th in the National Parish Magazine Awards. As the only entrant from Buckinghamshire in the top ten listing Target was described as "a good all-round magazine". Judges saw 620 magazines in the competition.

Fun Night on Friday 9 December is getting closer and it's an occasion not to be missed. Ask in any of the shops and they'll tell you that it will be a memorable festival occasion and a special village event. All along The Parade the shops will be open and welcoming. Don't miss the animals and reptiles in Brook House Veterinary Surgery or the beer samples from Rebellion Brewery. The sweet smell of mulled wine will warm the air - that will be excuse for enjoying a glass or two. Carols will be sung by school choirs and you are sure to meet up with people you haven't seen for a year. Santa will be there of course and this year he will have two genuine reindeer, Holly and Ivy, with him.

It's sold as the musical start to the festive season. It's certainly that with a massive big band sound that fills every corner and sets feet tapping and faces smiling. The Bucks, Berks and Oxon Big Band (BBO is the affectionate shortened name) have been part of the local scene for 25 years now and over the years they have raised huge sums of money for charity.

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One of the organisations featured at the Future of Our Village Open Evening in the Community Centre was the Bucks Federation of Women's Institutes. Now they are moving things on from that Open Evening with plans to start a new WI for the ladies of Bourne End. Many years ago Bourne End had its own WI but membership changed and ladies found other interests. Eventually it closed. Close by there were two other local WIs - one in Wooburn Green and the other in Little Marlow. Now the Bucks Federation feels that there is sufficient interest to revive and create a new WI concentrated on Bourne End and meeting regularly in the village.

Penny's Corner occupies a very important position in Bourne End. It was named as a tribute to Penny Walsh who, with husband Brian, had mown the grass and kept the flower beds immaculate for a long time. They were aware that this green oasis caught the eye of everyone as they came into the village whether by train, bus, car, bicycle or simply walking.

Comments that 'there was nothing to do in Bourne End' were proved wrong at last Thursday's Open Evening in the Community Centre. Both halls were packed to capacity with stalls. Club members created displays showing their regular activities and any special events. These same members were then on hand to talk about everything from flower arranging to short mat bowls, dropping off at war games on the way.