Despite the brutal weather for the second year in succession, everyone we have spoken to deems the 2008 parade, with its theme Christmas Stories, a huge success! Our hearts went out for the small children who turned out on such a horrible morning but it must be said that all those who turned out in the parade deserve medals. The organisations that made the floats and dressed themselves up to fit the theme, the walkers, entries such as the Devil’s Horsemen from Mursley; Bernese Dogs; Air Ambulance; Rocky the Train; Red Cross Ambulance; Fire Engines; Sealed Knot; Six Austin Healey Sprites (thanks to Mike Garton) and Dogs for the Disabled - none of whom get the chance to receive a prize all help to make the parade the success it is. Special thanks, of course, go to the Town Council who sponsor the whole event. Michael Graham Estate Agents paid for the making and erection of all the road signs. The unsung heroes are the thirty five marshals fulfilling the requirements of the police. This was a mammoth task and it is impossible to name them all but they are the backbone of the parade manning road closure points in order to keep routes clear whilst the parade takes place. The police themselves did a superb job and special thanks go to them. The parade wouldn’t happen without the judges – former housemasters of Stowe School, Guy Scott and Lionel Weston, Patrick Fealey of the Buckingham School and Mayor Howard Mordue together with our M.P. John Bercow. The High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, Peter Thorogood was in attendance for the first time judging and distributing prizes. The commentary provided by Martin Try was once again superb and not forgetting the committee who gave up valuable time meeting on cold winter evenings. Finally thank you to Heron Signs, Phillips Print and Northward Press and Nick Hawes who gave invaluable help.