Company director Andy Brown knew the odds were stacked against him in a competition where the top prize was a training session in the nets with England cricket heroes Graeme Swann and James Anderson.

But Mr Brown, 55, of Englefield Green, bowled over the judges and convinced them the prize would be better appreciated by his 15-year-old cricket-mad twins, Thomas and William.

The Lyne Village Fete celebrates its 104th year when it returns to Lyne Recreation Ground on Saturday June 16 at 1pm.

The day will feature maypole dancing, roundabouts, tug of war, dog show , go carts, five-a-side football, around 30 stalls and a collection of classic cars.

Firefighters were called out the Englefield Green Infants School following fears the building might have been struck by lightning.

Staff at the school, in Barley Mow Road, became concerned last Thursday (April 19) after one lightning strike at about 2.30pm knocked out the school's alarm system during a massive electrical storm. Later staff could smell burning so contact the fire brigade.

A FAIR of unusual plants will take place at The Savill Garden on Saturday May 12 from 10am until 5pm.

The fair will take place in the car park of the gardens, off Wick Lane, and will feature stalls of may specialist nurseries who exhibit at Chelsea and Hampton Court flower shows.

STUDENTS from Egham joined with a Berkshire school to make beautiful music together.

The pupils from the ACS Egham International School took part in the annual community music concert, 'Friendship Through Music' at St. Bernard's Catholic Grammer School in Slough.

A ROAD safety campaigner says he has been warning the authorities for years that a serious accident would happen at a junction where a student was killed earlier this month.

Egham Hill resident Bill Sheils has emailed Surrey Police, Surrey County Council highways department and councillors over the past few years expressing his fears over the crossroads at the A30 London Road with St Jude's Road and Bakeham Lane in Englefield Green.

The Crown Estate has signed an agreement with The Camping and Caravanning Club to operate Windsor Great Park campsite this summer.

The park will have a 286-pitch campsite open from July 20 until August 16.

A VILLAGE school teacher celebrated her wedding by leaving the church under an arbour of arches made by her pupils.

Graham and Carmen Taylor were the proud parents of Sarah Taylor, 27, when she married Thomas Cates, 27, at the parish church of St Peter and St Andrew, in Old Windsor, on Saturday, October 22.

AN Englefield Green couple say that a good puff pastry is the recipe for a long-lasting love.

Avril and Stanley Beach celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary with family and friends at their daughter's house in Thorpe on Thursday last week (September 29).

Residents are being warned to be vigilant not only over their own properties but for those of vulnerable neighbours too following a spike in distraction burglaries.

Since April there have been 24 cases reported across Surrey, where suspects have claimed to be from the council, or other manipulative stories, to gain access to properties.

Homeowners are advised to keep the door chained and not let strangers in, and always ask to see an identity card. If in doubt, or if concerned, call the police on 999.