Newsletter Summer 2001

The AGM on 24^th May at Moor Hall was notable in two respects. Firstly, we had over 70 members in attendance, and secondly, we had to ballot for the Chairman and Committee in view of there being an excess of nominations. We must be the envy of many other local organisations, and it clearly reflects the interest of members in the Society’s activities.

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY – Warning to children

Roger Powling, Project Manager for the construction of the new Jubilee River flood alleviation channel is asking for parents’ help to warn children of the potential dangers of water during the school holidays. 

Roger says “I understand that rivers are a great temptation to young people, especially during the warm weather and the summer holidays. I hope that, together with parents, we can discourage children from putting themselves at risk.” 

Particular things to consider are:

• The depth of water in the Jubilee River varies. Jumping into shallow water can be very dangerous and swimming in any water body unsupervised carries the risk of drowning. 

• In some places there might be construction materials under the surface of the water that are not visible from the bank or from bridges. These could cause very serious injury, including paralysis, to anyone jumping into the water and swimming there.

JS

MARSH MEADOW FLOOD DEFENCES – Excellent news

The Environment Agency discussions with the

officers of the Royal Borough have related to the

visual appearance of the wall or bund from the Marsh Meadow side of Berries Road. Up until now the Royal Borough has favoured a bund.

We are pleased to tell you that the officers have now agreed to change their stance and have decided that the flood walls option will now go ahead. This is excellent news.

JS

At the Annual General Meeting a milestone was reached when we were able to announce that a long ideal for the Society to welcome it’s 1000^th member had come to fruition.

An unsuspecting resident in Poundfield Lane succumbed to the blandishments of our Membership Secretary to join the Society even before she had even completed moving the furniture into her new home. Bill is a supreme master, what chance did the poor girl have.

Georgina Woods is delighted to be living in Cookham now and hopes very much to be able to join us in a practical way with our activities. To mark the occasion the Chairman presented Georgina with a bottle of champagne.

JS

At the last Committee meeting in June an Events Sub-committee was formed with added responsibility for fundraising and publicity. 

The sub-committee will be Chaired by Pablo Dubois with Press Officer Margaret Cubley. Other members are Liz Kwantes, Sally Lloyd-Parry and Bill Spicer. The Sub-Committee will seek to maintain the Society’s presence at major events such as the Regatta (1^st September) and the Cookham Dean Fete (15^th September). Bill Spicer has bought a smart new Gazebo in blue and white stripes (the Society’s colours) which will be used at these events to publicise the work of the Society.

We have a new Christmas Card to sell this year – a delightful painting by Pam Hammond showing Cookham Village under Snow.

We expect these to arrive in time for the two events in September; we will also sell them at various Christmas Card Fairs and through some retail outlets.

We believe that Society events should bring Members together, we therefore plan a Christmas Party at the Cricket Club on 16^th November with the Fabulous Shirtlifters Jazz Band. In the New Year we will focus on various aspects of Cookham’s heritage which will form the basis of another event.

To make news of the Society more readily accessible we now have a new Web site – thanks to Liz Kwantes – www.cookhamsociety.org.uk, which although still linked to www.cookham.com may be accessed independently.

The content is being updated and improved.

PD