Gemma works at Richardsons Financial Services, Thame. Congratulations also go to Susanna Jeffery (SMS) who has been awarded a BSc Hons in marketing and psychology by Keele University.

Former County First School pupil Joseph Slaughter has gained a National Certificate and Diploma (BTEC level 3) in horticulture from Moulton College and has recently set up his own garden design and maintenance company - JMS Designs Ltd. Call him on 07875 131183 if you need help.

His older sister Amy completed her degree in 2005 and is now a fully qualified architect working in Wendover. Primary school teacher and triathlete Lucy Ward (SMS), whose story was told on the sports pages back in August, represented GB in her age group (25-29) at the World Championships in Hamburg in September. Lucy managed to complete the course – in 21st place – and is now looking forward to competing in the 2008 championships in Vancouver.

Licensed lay minister Pam Halliwell, who used to conduct funeral services and carry out pastoral work in the Haddenham Benefice, as well as leading services and preaching at Kingsey and Cuddington churches and taking assemblies at Cuddington School, has now left the village and moved to Bedfordshire to be near her daughter.

MUSEUM. Haddenham Museum Trust chairman Alan Rose has announced that money donated in memory of Reg Flippance has been used to buy a set of high quality English Heritage photos, taken in the village early in the 20th century, and these are now on display in an album in the museum (open Sunday 2- 4.30pm and Tuesdays 10am-noon). Other photos have been donated by individuals so the museum now has 45 out of a possible 79 photos.

If you would like to donate a photo (of your own house perhaps) please contact Alan on 291004 – they cost £18.80 including VAT. Alan says the photos 'contain fascinating detail due to the high resolution. For instance, one entitled 'View along Church Way' actually shows a house under construction in Crabtree. Also, the photo of The Green Dragon shows adverts for all the newspapers'.

At Mike Whitney and Stuart Sloan's 'Evening of Old Haddenham', held recently in the Methodist Chapel, Steve Sharp launched 'The Haddenham Chronicles No. 4'. The issue includes transcripts of two interviews conducted by former village GP Philip Handfield-Jones and a transcript of a tape made by teenager Paul Dorrell in 1978/9 about the restoration of St Mary's Church bells. There are also articles by Steve Sharp, Alan Rose, Peter Chamberlain, Christina Jeffery and others. Copies are on sale at the museum and at Blooming Fruity.

In addition to the Christmas cards and 2008 calendars now on sale at the museum and Blooming Fruity, there is also a new postcard (40p) – an aerial view of Church End and surroundings – taken by The Altitude Balloon Company Ltd, which you can also see on the www.haddenham.net front page.

THIS WEEK. Visitors and/or prospective members will be welcome at any of the meetings publicised below.

Bingo. Age Concern's Christmas Bingo, with special prizes, takes place at the Youth and Community Centre, Woodways, tomorrow (7.30pm). Proceeds will go to the Stoke Mandeville Hospital Ophthalmic Equipment Appeal.

Fifth Friday. Haddenham Third World Link will be selling home-baked cakes, biscuits and preserves as well as Christmas cards and gifts, in aid of small Third World projects, at Age Concern's Friday Coffee Stop this week (10am-noon) in the Mabel Parkinson Room.

60s and 70s Night. Haddenham's Upward Bound Trust, which provides glider training for teenagers, will be the beneficiary of a 60s and 70s night at Thame Barns Centre on Friday (7.30-11.30pm). Call 217308 to book tickets (£10, including a light supper).

Village Prayers. This month's 'Prayers for the Village', organised by Churches Together in Haddenham, is on Saturday at the Methodist Church (9-9.30am; please arrive promptly), and anyone with the interests of the village at heart is welcome to attend.

Compassionate Friends. The Haddenham group of The Compassionate Friends (UK), a group run by and for bereaved parents, is holding its next meeting on Saturday (2-4pm). Call Joan on 292512 for details of the venue or to register an interest for future meetings.

Haddenham Festival. The 25th Haddenham Festival takes place at the village hall on Saturday (noon- 11.45pm) and various individuals and groups, including Paul Scourfield (melodeon) – husband of Inga née Thorogood – will be performing a variety of music throughout the day. The day ends with the Festival Ceilidh (7.45pm) which is accompanied by The Old Swan Band and features dance displays by Thrales Rapper. For details call Haddenham Ceilidhs on 01296 415333 or visit www.haddenham ceilidhs.co.uk.

Steam Train. A special train will be stopping at Haddenham and Thame Parkway station on Saturday (8.10am) to pick up passengers for a day trip to Folkstone and Canterbury and back via Ramsgate, Margate, Faversham and London. A diesel engine will haul the train to London where ex-Southern Railway, Battle of Britain class Pacific steam locomotive, No 34067, 'Tangmere,' decked out in 'Golden Arrow' regalia, will take over to follow the original route of 'The Golden Arrow'. Call Kingfisher Railtours on 0845 053 3462 for more details.

Come and Sing. If you would like to take part in a Come and Sing Advent celebration in aid of the leprosy charity LEPRA on December 1, or attend the performance in the evening at the Methodist Chapel, please call Marjorie Johnston on 290060 for details.

CaféPlus+. The monthly CaféPlus+, organised and run by members of St Mary's Church, is on Sunday (9.30am-12.30pm) in the village hall.

Health Walk. 'Simply Walk' your way to better health on Sunday's four mile circular walk starting at 2pm from outside the library. Don't forget your stout footwear and suitable clothes to cope with stiles and muddy paths.

U3A. Monday's meeting (2.15 for 2.30pm) in the Youth and Community Centre, Woodways, sees, by popular demand, the 'Return of Two Blokes and a Piano' – James Mitchell and Grahame O'Connor – who will perform a light-hearted programme of funny songs, which recapture the wonderful world of 'Flanders and Swann'. Seasonal refreshments will be served.

Parish Council. The December meeting is on Monday (7.30pm) in the Walter Rose Room.

NAG. Haddenham and Long Crendon Neighbourhood Action Group meets on Tuesday (7.30pm) at Stone Village Hall.

Craft Sale. Haddenham Third World Link's Chris Thorogood is hosting an Indian craft sale (silver jewellery, silks, lacquered boxes, candles, cushion covers etc) on Tuesday (7-9.30pm) and Wednesday (10am-12noon) at Dormer Cottage, Flint St. Proceeds will go to UK charity Salt of the Earth which, through its partner organisation Social Change and Development, funds health, education, community, water and income generating projects among the rural poor in Tamil Nadu, southern India. See www.salt-of-the-earth.org.uk for details.

Carry on Learning. Gina Claye will be telling Tales for the Christmas Season at next Wednesday's Carry on Learning session (10.30am) at the Haddenham Abbeyfield, Stonehill House and also at the Thursday Club the following day (1.30pm) in the village hall lounge.

Library Van. The small mobile library van will be paying its monthly visit to Butte Furlong (12.35-12.50pm) and Old Mill Close (12.55-1.10pm) next Wednesday.

Quiz. The Rose and Thistle's monthly charity quiz next Wednesday (8pm), for the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust, takes the form of a Mastermind session. Please note that there will only be one room available this time so it will be first come, first served.

WINTERFEST. Tickets (£3) are now on sale at Blooming Fruity, Parminters, the village pubs (apart from the Green Dragon) and at Fore Golf, Thame, for the Haddenham Real Ale Winterfest in the Manor Farm tithe barn on December 8 (11am-5pm). Featuring winter ales, mulled wine and a barbecue, there will also be entertainment in the form of carol singers, Haddenham Mummers etc. Proceeds will go to the Florence Nightingale Hospice and to support projects for village clubs and organisations.

CONCERT. Thame Concert Band is presenting a Christmas Concert for all the family on December 15 (7.30pm) in St. Mary's Church, Haddenham. This 30-piece wind band will play a wide variety of festive music, including items for all tastes: carols, old standards, classics. It will be a fun evening of rousing music and repartee, guaranteed to get the festive season off to a merry start. Wine, soft drinks and mince pies will be served in the interval.

Tickets, including refreshments, are £7 (concessions £5 / under-16's accompanied by an adult, free) and will be on sale at the door. They can also be bought in advance from Bloomin' Fruity or St Mary's Centre, or by calling 291108/ 292445/ 292101. The band has kindly offered to donate 50 per cent of the proceeds to St Mary's Refurbishment Fund.