BOUNDARIES and the community seem to be recurring themes in this week's considerations - either mending fences, constraining or redefining boundaries, bursting through international boundaries, or otherwise contributing to the community's well-being.

GEORGE Shave was understandably rattled by the vandals who destroyed the 'thermometers' which recorded progress on the Woodlands Trust and the Steve Redgrave sculpture appeals. In the process of trashing the signs, the vandals also broke part of the fence around the pond.

Fearing that the gap could just be a hazard to small children, last week George defied the vandals and repaired the fence on his personal initiative.

COMMUNITY friendly deeds are not that uncommon in the valley, though damage by vandals does grab the attention more readily.

Apparently Ragman's Lane, which does attract, from time to time, some inexplicable dumping of rubbish, would be a sight less appealing if it were not for the efforts of Margaret Fletcher. Occasionally refusing a lift in the lane, the motorists are probably unaware of her reasons. Margaret, armed with a bin bag, regularly scours the lane for rubbish and takes it away for disposal.

So, if you see a lady intently inspecting the hedgerows for paper and plastic, she hasn't necessarily taken a wrong turning from Wimbledon Common, but she does deserve the thanks of all of us.

INDEPENDENCE, of a kind, could be something Marlow Bottom needs to consider over the coming days. Quite separately from the proposals which would re-vamp the valley's representation on Wycombe District Council and which have been discussed in this column over several months, there is another Government review taking place which is studying the boundaries and structure of parish councils.

Great Marlow Parish Council has stood more or less unaltered for over a hundred years. You may recall celebrations of its centenary a few years ago with the creation of the handsome parish map. Now, the whole shape of that layer of local politics could change. The discussion of the review of the WDC wards has focussed on the fact that Marlow Bottom is an unusually well defined community, by dint of its geographical and road layout. These arguments and the significant increase in the valley's population could result in a separate Marlow Bottom Parish Council being established.

A leaflet is likely to be distributed within a few days setting out this and other possible changes for your review. Comments need to be made quickly, returned to the current parish council by March 24, for the final WDC cut-off of March 29.

SPRING signs have been provided for us again this year by the now famous dog-walking trio of Julia Harvey, Helen Bogie and Ann Gilronan. It is the result of their efforts that on arriving in the valley from Ragman's Lane, you are greeted by a tub of daffodils.

The ladies started doing it some years ago as a boost to their own spirits by brightening the otherwise dull route they regularly took while taking their dogs out. Now, the rest of us have come to rely on a regularly changing floral display.

EASTER is a time for scarves. Well, when it falls as early as this year, you may need them. But the village hall pre-school children will feature silk scarves in their Easter concert on March 21 when they will use them as part of their music and movement presentation.

It's all the idea of their music teacher, Judith Newman. As a change from Easter bonnets, the children will be wearing the necklaces and brooches they have made for the occasion.

The concert is at 11am on that last day of term and everybody will be welcome, and do buy a raffle ticket.

PLAYING Field organisers are delighted that they have found a sponsor for two significant items in their forthcoming programme of activities. The drive from Burford Close into the field is likely to undergo major repairs starting within weeks and Devonshire and Son Driveways have undertaken to do the work free of charge other than for the materials used.

Obviously, this represents a major saving to the committee and allows it to retain more of its money for use on equipment on the play area itself. A public discussion evening will take place between 7pm and 9pm on April 9 in Burford to review those possibilities. Your opinion is important.

Furthermore, Devonshire has also undertaken to sponsor the Rose Carnival programme for this year's fete on June 22. So the practice of commercial firms engaging in community matters continues with advantage to all concerned.

REBELLION must be feeling positively revolutionary at the moment. Last month they entered products in the International Beer and Cider Competition. There's no concealing the delight down at Bencombe Farm, because Rebellion Red won a bronze medal, while their newest beer, Rebellion White, only introduced last summer, won gold. Of course, the valley's brewery is not entirely new to prize-winning. Just two years ago Rebellion Blonde won a silver medal.

The brewery is open Monday to Friday until around 5.30pm and about 4pm on Saturdays (that's if they can get away), and proud partners, Tim Coombes and Mark Gloyens, are always ready to share their winning ways with visitors along with a taste, to enable you to check scientifically the standards of international judges.

RUMBLINGS in the valley are growing louder about the county's decision to redefine the boundaries for secondary school entrance from this autumn.

The nub of the growing discontent is the constraining of catchment areas for individual secondary schools from this autumn so that they do not overlap as previously. A further irritation to parents of affected children is that a review of the proposals was only announced days before the recent half-term in an undated letter (a practice that would be considered unacceptable in modern industry) to head teachers and chairmen of governors.

Comments had to be received by February 28. The effect was that there was no realistic opportunity to inform let alone consult parents.

The dilemma is that valley parents may have to express a preference for a second choice of school when they are no longer in that school's catchment area.

In the event of their first choice not being granted, and unless there is a sibling already in the second choice school, the perception is that their child could end up being bussed well out of the area in the event that the second school does not select their child.

The matter is complicated, and has not been adequately publicised in the emphatic view of some parents. The best way to get informed is to visit the county website www.buckscc.gov.uk

You will need to click, in successive pages, on Learning, then Schools in Buckinghamshire, School Management, Consultation on Relevant Areas.

There you will find four substantial documents, including the letter, and maps. If you have children about to go to secondary school, then it is important to them and you that you read this information.

FINALLY, tonight and on Saturday are your last chances to see Yeomen of the Guard with valley performers. The show is in the Shelley Theatre at Court Garden and the show will provide great entertainment. Insight Opticians have tickets.

on Saturday is St Mary's Pre-school Easter Fete morning with lots of bargains, good things to eat and special gifts to help the fundraising efforts.

By Mike Williams