DISGUST and anger, in more or less equal measure, formed the response of people I talked to this week concerning the outrage at Huffletts Hardware two weeks ago. Those with the strongest views tend to live nearby and cannot be identified for their own safety, but most express amazement that in such an affluent area this sort of thuggery can happen.

Most people I talked to are concerned that incidents now seem to be much more frequent, and they perceive that policing in the valley, apart from the occasional whoosh through by a patrol car, has largely been abandoned. It was suggested that some people are considering moving out of the valley to less troubled areas.

THE November issue of 'Twogether', the magazine of the valley church, is out this weekend. It includes articles on 'Romania' by Mary Blow and 'Religions at the time of Jesus' by Michael Hughes, together with results of the photo competition. 'Garden Corner' by Harry Macdonald and 'Thoughts on 11th September' are other items that take this beyond the confines of the conventional parish magazine. It's available from Dillons at 60p.

PLAYING Fields hold their AGM at 8pm on November 5 in Burford. More details next week.

GOOD news for the valley is the new bus service which started last Saturday. Six trips a day in each direction, roughly every hour-and-a-half starting from about 9.20am connect the valley with High Wycombe and Marlow town centres as well as Court Garden and Handy Cross leisure centres. This could be a boon for shoppers and parents whose children can now travel to sports activities without the need for a car journey.

Additionally, the Marlow town bus service will now also run on Wednesdays, allowing a chance to go to Marlow market, for instance.

DYNAMIC duo, saxophonist Don Weller and relative newcomer, trumpeter/flugelhorn player, Steve Waterman, join the resident Frank Toms trio at DJ's for the regular fortnightly jazz session at 8.30pm on October 30. Mike Eagleton sees this as the potential start of a new classic partnership, at least it will be an outstanding evening's jazz for a mere fiver.

CHRISTMAS presents of quality and distinction will be on offer at Friends of Burford's Craft Fair at the school on November 7, at 7.30pm.

Admission is free and there will be refreshments, wine-tasting and a book stall.

PHONES, as far as I can tell, are now back in order in the valley. There is anecdotal evidence of a comedy of errors in the last few weeks. BT, NTL, Orange, British Gas, Corning Cables, the county council, Thames Water and Southern Electric were all reported to have been digging holes in the valley during a single week.

As phones were left out of order, street lights extinguished, and the same patch of road being dug more than once, one resident suggested to me that an appropriate term for such an exceptional gathering of excavating companies should be a 'futility of utilities'. The latest evidence suggests that not all of Ragman's Lane is to be dug up, it seems that the gas main work is confined to connecting up a new pipe in the vicinity of The Blacksmith's Arms.

NEIGHBOURHOOD sentiments were much in evidence a couple of Sundays ago. Peri and Geoff Wing celebrated their return home, which had been seriously damaged by fire in the spring, by holding a party for friends and neighbours. Regular tours were held to show how the house has been restored.

While we all thank Peri and Geoff, they would probably want to thank all those who contributed to an appropriate new hearth rug welcome home present. Best of luck to the family, now that the trauma is finally ended.

GEORGE Shave must be thanked for the two thermometers at the entrance to the valley that indicate progress on the twin appeals for extra woodland and a suitable Redgrave commemoration. He is at the ready, at a moment's notice, red paint brush in hand, to reflect the rising funds.

Sadly, the fact is that both appeals are going too slowly at the moment. The residents' association has the tricky task of avoiding preaching to those who may not choose to support the causes, but balancing that with trying to ensure that all residents are aware of the two projects and, at least in the case of the Woodland Trust's aim to extend Munces Wood, that the implications are well understood.

Average contributions and pledges that are being received are very encouraging. If those figures were replicated across all households in the valley, targets would probably be reached.

Sadly, only a very small proportion of the population has responded so far, and there is extensive anecdotal evidence that a lot of people simply have not heard of the appeals. If you have, why not tell a few neighbours?

Bernie's and the chemist have collecting boxes for your envelopes, and both should have a supply of spare pledge forms and envelopes for the bench appeal. (Don't forget the income tax section). Go on, make George's temperature(s) rise, and make him buy more red paint.

WICKED things are planned to happen in Juniper Road. The epicentre of evil will be number 20 at 8pm on November 6. You can get mulled wine and nibbles while you are waiting for a tantalising taste of more sinful things to come. Chocoholics will then be called to place their orders for all their chocolate needs for Christmas.

PROFITS will go to the village hall playgroup that's the one officially called Marlow Bottom Pre-school Playgroup. By the way, while I was away, they had an AGM, and Linda Robins has taken the chair of the committee.