Living Along The Thames May/June 2014 by Living Along theThames

May - June 2014

T TM

• Marlow • Maidenhead • Henley • Cookham • Bourne End www.AlongTheThames.co.uk

Gareth Malone HIS UPCOMING TOUR AND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A SEX SYMBOL!

Bees WHY ARE THEY SO IMPORTANT?

AN INTERVIEW WITH

Helen Ambrosen CO-FOUNDER OF LUSH

LIVING ALONG THE•THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014 • Fashion • Beauty • Home & Garden • Food • Travel Health

The Quince Tree Stonor The Quince Tree, set

traditional and contemporary

the

village

food using the finest quality

of Stonor, near Henley-on-

ingredients from Oxfordshire,

Thames, is a 17th Century

Britain and the world. The

coaching inn which has been

Chef’s work hard to create

sensitively restored.

seasonal

picturesque

Inside there is a Pub, Café,

menus

and using

innovative local,

good

Private Dining Room, Farm

quality produce making the

Shop and Events Space.

most of the array of artisan

It is clear to see that the

suppliers on the doorstep.

key focus is ‘quality’, from the

From coﬀee to afternoon

moment you enter this unique

tea in the Café, supper in the

venue. The building itself is a

Pub or Private parties, The

beautiful creation, with the

Quince Tree oﬀers it all.

Pub area being housed in the

Enjoy a day out in the

original brick, which somehow

heart of the Chilterns - only

flows

through

a stone’s throw from Henley-

barn-style

on-Thames, strolling distance

conversion at the rear, with its

from Stonor Park, and with

architectural green oak frame

matchless cycle routes nearby

and vast glass walls, flooding

– it is the perfect place to relax

the Café & Shop with light.

and replenish. You might even

eﬀortlessly

the

The

modern

idea

behind

this

venture is to showcase the best

being easily accessible from London, Oxford, Reading, Henley-on-Thames, and Heathrow – The Almshill room, Stonor, is the perfect place to meet away from the hustle and bustle of town. With delegate rates including refreshments, unlimited WiFi, AV equipment, stationery, and a team on hand for your every need – you can take the stress out of your meetings. After a hard day’s work why not relax with your colleagues over a drink in the Pub or private dinner in the Restaurant?

spot the wild deer roaming free nearby…

The Quince Tree Café Clifton Nurseries

surely one of the most tranquil spots in the capital. Located in the fashionable Maida Vale area, you can choose from a selection of the famous homemade

You can now experience The Quince Tree in the

patisserie, savoury treats and finest teas and coﬀees, along with daily specials created in the kitchen.

heart of the city as well as the countryside. The Café is situated in the award winning Clifton Nurseries – London’s oldest garden centre and

Enjoy the perfect day out in one of London’s hidden treasures and be inspired by the unique combination of plants & patisserie.

The Quince Tree, Stonor, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 6HE 01491 639 039 2

FOR CORPORATE USE

home@thequincetree.com

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

The Quince Tree Café, Clifton Nurseries, 5a Clifton Villas, London W9 2PH 0207 432 1867 www.thequincetree.com

A modern take on the Traditional Village Pub Formerly the Stonor Arms, the Pub had been serving the village residents since the early 17th Century. When it was re-established as The Quince Tree in 2012, it was clear to see that despite the extensive renovation that it underwent, the upmost eﬀort was made to restore the beautiful building that already stood. The rear of The Quince Tree houses the Farm Shop, Café and Function room in a contemporary style, whereas the Pub has managed to maintain that feeling of the traditional village ‘Inn’, with a few unique touches to bring it tastefully into the 21st Century. Strolling along the path and through the gardens, you can admire the original red brickwork which has been lovingly restored. You know you are in the heart of Oxfordshire -

is freshly made on-site and The Quince Tree

everything about the village of Stonor is quaint

proudly support local suppliers and producers

and quintessentially English – from the rolling

in any way they can. Provenance and integrity

green hills on the doorstep, to the chocolate box

are crucial to good wholesome food and that is

cottages lining the road – and what every English

what you will find in this Pub. You can experience

village needs at its heart is a Pub. A meeting place,

traditional classics brought up to date with

to refresh, recoup, and catch up with friends and

modern innovation, such as: Breast of guinea fowl

neighbours. At The Quince Tree, the aim has

with sweetcorn, morels, asparagus & balsamic

always been first and foremost to provide this

jelly, or fillet of bream with confit squid, heritage

beautiful village with just that.

tomatoes, rocket & aubergine salad.

The décor is traditional with a contemporary

Simple, good food with thought put into

twist, and the menus showcase the best of British,

it – no froth and no fuss. Along with a hand

with a European influence perhaps brought about

picked selection of interesting wines, and more

by the French presence in the Pastry Kitchen.

importantly, a good pint of ale, surely that’s all

All food for the Pub, Shop, Patisserie & Café

anyone wants from a local?

home@thequincetree.com

THINKING OF HOLDING AN EVENT? The Quince Tree can provide a unique and magical venue for any party. From intimate dinners in the private dining room, to elaborate canapé & cocktails parties in the large Café space and adjoining terrace, you will find everything you need to host your special occasion.

www.thequincetree.com LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014 3

p20 p30

Inside

188. Ceeleebrrate fa ath herr’s da ay with h our gifft guid de fo or 155th h Jun ne:: 32. Sceentss of Sum mmer New fragrances for summer for you to choose from

p38

37 7. An in nteervieew witth Heeleen Am mbrrossen n Co-founder and product inventor at Lush 34. Happ py Haiir Karine Jackson gives us her tips on looking after your hair this Summer.

p66

54. A New Rosse gard den n forr Cliiveeden n Restored to the originally designed by Sire Geoffrey Jellicoe 57. Beess Why are they so important and what can we do to help their survival? 60. Hissto oryy of th he Henlleyy Royyal Rega attta 70 0. Out & Ab boutt A comprehensive guide to what is on locally over the next two and half months Proud Sponsor of Along the Thames Creative Writing Prize at

May - June 2014

T TM

• Marlow • Maidenhead • Henley • Cookham • Bourne End www.AlongTheThames.co.uk

Gareth Malone HIS UPCOMING TOUR AND WHAT IS MEANS TO BE A SEX SYMBOL!

Bees

WHY ARE THEY SO IMPORTANT?

AN INTERVIEW WITH

Helen Ambrosen CO-FOUNDER OF LUSH

LIVING ALONG THE•THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014 • Fashion • Beauty • Home & Garden • Food • Travel Health

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

You can now read us on your tablet either directly from the website or by downloading the issuu.com app and bookmarking us so you never miss another issue.

May - June 2014

T TM

• Marlow • Maidenhead • Henley • Cookham • Bourne End www.AlongTheThames.co.uk

Gareth Malone HIS UPCOMING TOUR AND WHAT IS MEANS TO BE A SEX SYMBOL!

A Vivid Titles Publication

p42

Serena Edwards Editor ADVERTISING: 01628 627 488 Offi fice e@A Alo ongT The eTh ham mes.cco.uk CONTACT US: Living Along the Thames Magazines 1 Bell Street, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 1BU Tel: 01628 627 488 Mob: 07711 887107 Offi fice e@A Alo ongT The eTh ham mes.cco.uk CONTRIBUTORS: Phil Walker, Christine Chalkin, Kasia Cole, Jill Coleby, David Rhys Price, Claire Fryer, Jacky & Mark Bloomfield, Sophie Ward, Kate Robinson, Claire Thomas ACCOUNTS: Holly Hooper 07771 883 442 Ho ollyy@hja acccou untting g.cco.uk Keep up to date at: WWW W.AL LON NGTH HETH HAM MES..CO O.U UK subscriptions: 01628 627488 FOLLOW US: @A Alon ngTh heTh ham mes LIKE US: fa ace eboo ok.co om/Livvin ngA Alon ngTh heTh ham mes

Local Lifestyle In & around Marlow, Maidenhead, Henley, Cookham & Bourne End

Bees

WHY ARE THEY SO IMPORTANT?

AN INTERVIEW WITH

Helen Ambrosen CO-FOUNDER OF LUSH

LIVING ALONG THE•THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014 • Fashion • Beauty • Home & Garden • Food • Travel Health

This month’s Front Cover: Gareth Malone

welcome to our latest edition

A warm welcome to the May/June edition. At last the weather seems to have turned a corner and we are all able to enjoy brighter and longer days, so we hope the latest edition will be as cheering to read as it was to create. In this edition we showcase some gifts for father’s day and for some lucky Dad, there is the chance to win a F1 Simulator experience, see the details on page 21 and pop on over to our website to enter. Good luck! With the Summer Party Season fast approaching we have several pages of fashion ideas to whet your appetite. If you are lucky enough to be going along to Ascot or Henley, or just have a special occasion, and haven’t yet found the perfect outfit then maybe these pages will give you inspiration, and all can be purchased locally. With it being Henley Royal Regatta at the beginning of July we have been looking at the history of the regatta and this is the 165th time that it has run, a very interesting read. There is a lot on over next few months so if your short on an idea check our ’Out & About’ pages for something to do. We have two fabulous interviews, one with Gareth Malone, who is about to hit out TV screens again with a new series and look out for his upcoming tour. Plus, for all of you who love Lush, we have an interesting interview with Helen Ambrosen, co-founder and inventor. We have also been speaking with the Royal Horticultural Society about the importance of Bees and you can see the outcome of this on page 57 There is so much more in this edition that I could ramble on forever, so best I just let you put your feet up, get a cup of coffee and see for yourself what else is on offer. If you have any feedback for us we’d love to hear it - email me at serena@alongthethames.co.uk. Until then, happy reading……………… Your Local Lifestyle Magazine, for the locals, owned by a local

ISSN 2053 - 0625 Produced by Living Along The Thames Magazines. All Rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the prior written permission of the Publisher and is protected by copyright. The views expressed in Living Along the Thames magazine are not necessarily the views of the editor/publisher. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure quality and content, the publisher cannot be held responsible for errors in articles, advertisements and photographs.

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

A room with a view The McDonald Compleat Angler has recently gone through a stunning transformation with the centrepiece of the upgrade being the opening of new Riverside Restaurant and the newly-named and redesigned Walton Bar. The Riverside Restaurant has been designed to complement the fine dining experience it offers with the old conservatory area being completely re-roofed giving a flow of the design through from the Walton Bar through to the Restaurant. One side of the Walton Bar features a more contemporary design with a polished dark oak wood floor, while the other half has a more classic feel softened with carpets plus tubstyle and high backed chairs in shades which complement the design scheme. The walls feature the original oak panelling and a selection of prints illustrating reproductions of the original artwork from the book The MacDonald Compleat Angler from which the hotel takes its name. This revamp didn’t just include the décor of the Bar and Restaurant, the menus of both have also had a complete make over and now offer some stunning dishes to suit each time of

stunning a la carte experience, showcasing wonderful British ingredients and clearly stating the restaurant ambition to be one of the best fine dining experiences in the area. One of the great occasions that has been maintained at

day. The emphasis is on serving modern British food, served

the MacDonald Compleat Angler is that of the Traditional

in a friendly, relaxing environment on the banks of the River

Afternoon Tea, served with homemade scones, cakes and

Thames. A considerable amount of thought has gone into

pastries along with beautiful finger sandwiches. Alternatively, if

the menus with only the finest Scottish bred beef and lamb

you don’t feel up to the full afternoon tea then a simple Cream

being used from accredited Scottish mainland and island

Tea might suffice served with lovely homemade scones.

farms, with the beef being hung for a minimum of 21 days to improve the flavour and texture. Also, all the fish served in the restaurant is wild and from accredited, sustainable sources. The lunch menu offers a fixed price for either two or

The Riverside Restaurant is certainly a Room With a View with breath taking views over the River Thames, Marlow Weir and Historic Marlow. The stunning new design and décor make this one of the area’s most beautiful

three courses and on Sunday lunch a wonderful roast aged

spots to take time and relax while enjoying some of the

Sirloin of Beef is added to the menu along with a second

finest food available, it is really a must visit destination.

roast that varies for a more traditional Sunday roast meal that

For more information call 0844 879 9128 or

complement the fish and vegetarian options also available.

visit us on line - http://www.macdonaldhotels.

The dinner menu in the Riverside Restaurant offers a

co.uk/our-hotels/macdonald-compleat-angler

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

Kitchen Gadgets Quirky Stem Citrus Sprayer RRP £5.95, www.prezzybox.com Turn citrus fruit into a spray with this handy little device, which has serrated teeth for simple insertion into fruit. Great for using over fish, on pancakes, or in any dish that needs a zesty citrus squeeze.

Special Offers Spanish Tapas: 3 for £13 or 5 for £20 from 12pm till close

FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer

Monday to Thursday and 12pm till 6pm Friday to Saturday

Cocktails: £3.95 from 12pm till 7pm Monday to Friday Sunday Specials: Sunday Lunch 2 courses for £15.90

RRP £119.99, Amazon.co.uk

or 3 for £18.90 from 12pm till 6pm

As the name suggests, this

Ladies Half Price: Food from the Al a Carte Menu Every Sunday from 6pm till close

gadget vacuum seals food,

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU SOON

taking all the air out, to keep

the spanish tapas offer can be used in conjunction with other offers.

it fresh up to five times longer - so you can cook a big healthy meal,

The New Inn Bar & Restaurant, Bath Road, A4 Knowl Hill, Berkshire RG10 9UU T: 01628 822 552 E: info@newinnknowlhill.com W: www.newinnknowlhill.com

seal into portions and eat well for days.

Longhurst’s Marlow’s only local Family Butcher where Quality & Customer Care always come first

ak Ste

s au

ers rg Bu

en ick

BBQ Specialist ORDER ONLINE: www.longhurstsofmarlow.co.uk or visit us in store or call for more details

01628 488 373 Free Local Delivery within a 3 mile radius Open: Mon: 8 .30- 5.30pm (only butchery closed), Tues - Fri: 8.30 - 5.30pm, Sat: 8 - 1pm, Sun: 9 - 12pm 4a Brucewood Parade, Marlow Bottom, Bucks SL7 3PE LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

Banana and Walnut Cake

Prep time 30 minutes. Baking time 30 minutes on 180c then twenty minutes on 160c. This banana cake is an excellent way of utilising bananas approaching their use by date. In addition to the more usual spices of cinnamon, and nutmeg, I have added some allspice and ground cardamom to give it that ‘little extra ‘.

INGREDIENTS: For the Sticky Topping (optional): • 50g Butter • 50g Soft brown sugar

For the Sponge: • 53 Medium sized bananas slices • 150g Self raising flour • 100g Wholemeal flour • 70 g Walnuts pieces • 2 Teaspoons baking powder • 150g Butter/ margarine • 175g Soft brown sugar • 4 Medium sized eggs • 2 Drops vanilla essence • 1 Teaspoon crushed cardamom seeds ( Pods removed) • 1 Teaspoon all spice • 1 Teaspoon ground cinnamon • 3 Teaspoons ground ginger • 1 Tablespoon treacle • Zest of 1 lemon

METHOD: For the Sticky Topping (optional): 1. Grease and line cake tin with baking parchment. 2. Then make the sticky topping, by placing the butter and brown sugar in a small saucepan. Once butter is melted, continue to heat for a little longer, until mixture begins to thicken. 3. Pour mixture into the bottom of the lined cake tin, and spread evenly. 4. Take the banana pieces, and arrange them in a single layer at the bottom of the cake tin

For the Sponge: 1. Firstly cream together the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl, either by hand or with an electric whisk. 2. Then add the eggs one at a time and the vanilla essence, whisking hard as each egg is added. Add a tablespoon of the flour at the same time to avoid the egg curdling. 3. Now fold in the remaining flour, spices, treacle, walnut pieces, and lemon zest. Continue to mix, and then set aside. 4. Pour the mixture into the tin, using a warmed flat knife to ensure an even spread. 5. Place cake in the oven on 180c for 30minutes, and then reduce heat to 160c and bake for further 15 - 20minutes. 6. Check the cake is cooked by inserting a skewer into the Centre. The skewer should come out completely clean. If not place cake back into the oven for a few more minutes. 7. Remove the cake from the oven and allow to cool for about 15 minutes. 8. Insert a flat knife around the rim of cake, to ensure no sponge is sticking to tin, and then place a large flat plate over top of the cake tin. Holding plate and tin tightly, flip over as quickly as possible, so that the cake tin is now upside down. Carefully remove the tin and the baking parchment The cake is now ready for serving.

Based in Maidenhead, David is a passionate cook and writer who provides catering for local functions. He creates his own take on dishes from around the world, particularly through the use of Spices. David Rhys Price ...The ‘Spicy Chef

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

WHAT’S ON AT CROWNE PLAZA MARLOW EXCLUSIVE MENU TASTING 7pm, Thursday, 22nd May One for the foodies. Enjoy 5 sumptuous courses, star ng with canapés, all served with matching wines. It’s a fantas c opportunity to delight in delicious food teamed with knowledgeably chosen wines.

FAMILY FUN DAY 12pm, Sunday, 27th July Join us for a day of family fun on the lawns, BBQs, bouncy castles, face pain ng, games on the lawn and much more.

FREE ADMISSION

£55.00 PER PERSON

NEW: CHILDREN’S PARTY PACKAGES To celebrate the opening of our NEW Children’s Adventure Playground we are now oﬀering Children’s Party Packages at Crowne Plaza Marlow at weekends and during school holidays. Call our MeeƟngs and Events Team today for our Party Packages Leaflet.

PRICES START AT £14.95 PER PERSON.

W: CPMARLOW.CO.UK

T: 01628 496 860

Crowne Plaza Marlow, Fieldhouse Lane, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, SL7 1GJ.

T H E HO R N S CRAZIES HILL

S Fine Wines

S Cosy Fires

S Dog & Child Friendly

S Free WiFi

S Country Walks

S Live Music

S Quality Homemade Food

Large parties welcome - Weddings and Christenings and most other events catered for Monday - Thursday Lunchtime £10 for 2 Courses when mentioning ‘Living Along The Thames’

Come and visit us at The Horns, Crazies Hill for a warm welcome. Crazies Hill, Berkshire RG10 8LY For all reservations call 0118 940 6222 LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

“It’s the heart and soul of Italian cooking, the building blocks of a nation.”

Emanuela Dei Giudici, Chef from Bianco Nero Italian Restaurant in Maidenhead, shares her recipe for simple fresh pasta dough. Ingredients:

and using a rolling pin, roll the

Serves 2

dough out as thin as you can (about

100g Tipo ‘00’ flour

1 playing card thick and with a lot of

2 eggs

serious elbow grease!). Or if you have

Pinch of salt

a pasta machine, you can follow the

1 Tbsp Olive Oil

instructions given and end up with

the same thickness of dough and a METHOD:

long sheet of pasta about 8-10cm.

1. Sieve the flour and then place the

6. Re-flour the pasta, roll it up and

flour on a wooden board or in a

leave it to air dry for between 30

bowl and make a well in the centre.

and 40 minutes. If you are using a

Crack the eggs into the well, add

pasta machine you will need to cut

a pinch of salt and the Olive oil.

your pasta into the desired shape,

cover in flour and leave to air dry.

2. With one hand, mix the egg into the flour until combined.

7. Your pasta is now ready for you to cut into the shape you desire, such as

3. Knead the dough until you

tagliatelle, small pasta for soup etc.

have a silky, smooth, elastic

You can do this using a sharp knife

dough. You are aiming to

making sure the dough is cut evenly.

achieve a playdough texture.

8. Unroll the pasta you have just

4. Cover with a bowl add a further

cut, place it on a floured tray,

teaspoon of olive oil on the top

place in salted boiling water and

of the dough and rest for 20

add a splash of olive oil to make

minutes, to ensure it doesn’t

sure that the pasta doesn’t stick to

dry out before rolling.

itself. Cook for around 2 minutes,

5. To make the pasta, flour your board

drain and mix with your sauce.

TIPS: • You can store your dough in the fridge overnight if you don’t want to cut it immediately, however any longer and you risk the dough turning black or store it in the freezer for use at a later stage.

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

• Always knead your dough on a wooden board as it gives you more purchase. If the dough sticks to your hands (too wet) add a little extra flour

Ristorante Italiano

Tel: 0 16 2 8 6 3 6 13 7

Classic Italian family owned and run restaurant creating dishes inspired by their Italian roots. Join us on Sundays from 1pm - 9pm where children under 10 can eat free from the Kids menu.

For more information on our Theme Nights follow us on Twitter and Facebook: * Johnny Earl: Jukebox Legends * Steve Singh: Elvis tribute * Tony Liotti: Italian classics * Michael Buble tribute * Fresh hand made pasta evening * Wine tasting * Chilli night- tempt your senses! Like us and join us on Facebook www.facebook.com/bianconero2013 @bianconero2013

ÂŁ5 lunch menu Find us at Glynwood House Bridge Avenue Maidenhead SL6 1RS (the former La Conca Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Oro site)

Opening hours: Mon - Thurs: 12 - 14:30 & 18:00 - 22:00, Fri: 12 - 14:30 & 18:00 - 22:30, Sat: 18:00 - 22:30 and Sun: 13:00 - 21:00

For reservations call us on 01628 636 137 www.bianco-nero.co.uk

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

A DRAM FOR ALL DADS If you’re looking for the perfect gift this Father’s Day, why not treat your dad to a bottle of award-winning single malt whisky. We have put together the ideal gift guide for those who are unsure where to start when it comes to buying whisky, covering the best choice for fans of flavour, traditional distilling methods and peaty whisky. THE MACALLAN GOLD

For those who are looking to really treat their Dad’s this Father’s

If your Dad likes to get involved with the latest trends

Day why not indulge in one of the premium expressions below….

why not treat him to a bottle of The Macallan Gold, the first expression in the innovative 1824 Series. This range showcases natural colour and is matured in 100% sherry seasoned oak casks. The Macallan Gold has notes of vanilla followed by dark chocolate, with lingering floral and light oak notes. The Macallan Gold is available in multiple retailers including Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Morrisons (RRP £35.99). www.themacallan.co.uk

HIGHLAND PARK 12 YEAR OLD Highland Park 12 Year Old is the perfect gift for Dad’s who are fans of flavour. This single malt whisky boasts a honey sweetness, followed by fruity notes with a hint of gentle smoke and a flavour that just keeps on delivering. Highland Park 12 Year Old is available at multiple retailers including Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons and Co-op (RRP £34.04). www.highlandpark.co.uk

LAPHROAIG 10 YEAR OLD The classic 10 Year Old Laphroaig offers a bold smoky taste followed by a hint of seaweed and a surprising sweetness. This is the foundation of the iconic Laphroaig range and makes the perfect Father’s Day gift for fans of the unique peaty character offered in any of Laphroaig’s signature expressions. Laphroaig 10 Year Old is available in all major multiples including Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Asda (RRP £35.10). www.laphroaig.com

ARDMORE TRADITIONAL CASK Ardmore Traditional Cask is the perfect whisky for a Dad who appreciates time honoured craftsmanship. Ardmore has continued to adhere to their traditional ways of distilling since 1898, when the distillery was first founded. This single malt whisky offers a full and rich taste, with unique and rare highland peatsmoke tones, followed by a smooth, subtle sweetness. Ardmore Traditional Cask is available in selected major multiples including Asda and all good whisky shops (RRP £32). www.ardmorewhisky.com

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

THE MACALLAN SIENNA Part of The Macallan 1824 Series, The Macallan Sienna is a gentle, smooth and warming single malt. Sienna offers a subtle vanilla nose, zesty orange notes with hints of white chocolate truffles and elegant oak notes. Dates, figs and raisins lead the palate followed by nutmeg and ginger. The Macallan Sienna is available from specialist whisky retailers such as The Whisky Exchange (RRP £66). www.themacallan.co..uk.

HIGHLAND PARK 18 YEAR OLD Having been described as “Christmas cake in a glass” by the distillery manager on Orkney this single malt is the perfect gift for foodies. Those with a sweeter tooth will appreciate the rich toffee sweetness of the award winning malt. Highland Park 18 year Old is available at selected Waitrose stores and whisky specialists including The Whisky Exchange (RRP £84.99). www.highlandpark.co.uk

LAPHROAIG 18 YEAR OLD Bright gold in colour, Laphroaig 18 Year Old offers a toffee sweet flavour, accompanied by its trademark peat smoke taste. Made in limited quantities every year and savoured by a lucky few, this soft sweet and spicy whisky will impress any whisky connoisseur. Laphroaig 18 Year Old is available in selected Tesco stores and specialist whisky stores including The Whisky Shop and The Whisky Exchange (RRP: £77.17). www.laphroaig.com Please drink responsibly www.drinkaware.co.uk

THE OAKLEY COURT WINDSOR

Grovefield House

Stubbings Nursery, located within easy reach of the Thames Valley area, on the edge of Maidenhead, provides the ultimate destination for those seeking mature and semi mature nursery stock to create a new garden or re-vitalise an existing one. It’s Victorian Walled Garden, that forms the centre of

For Your

the Nursery, is full of topiary, all shapes of Buxus and Yew is overlooked by a Café with an enviable reputation for quality and ambience.

Picture Perfect Wedding

Set in its own private grounds and gardens, Grovefield House is the perfect place to start your married life together. This Edwardian country house, tucked between Burnham and Windsor, has a licence for a Civil Wedding, a dedicated suite for your wedding breakfast, a private terrace for reception drinks on summer days and 40 luxurious and contemporary styled bedrooms for you and your guests. We’re also brilliantly located close to the motorway network and hold a rosette for dining excellence. Let Stacey, our wedding coordinator, tell you about our superb packages and facilities, and work with you to create the wedding of your dreams. Call her on 01628 603131 or email

weddings.grovefield@classiclodges.co.uk Taplow Common Road, Burnham, Slough, Buckinghamshire SL1 8LR Tel: 01628 603131 www.classiclodges.co.uk

The Nursery provides a unique customer service of Garden Consultation. One of its’ experts will spend an hour of consultation time in your garden at home. To arrange an appointment phone 01628 825454 and

Photography courtesy of: www.gleedphotography.co.uk www.grahamholtom.co.uk | www.chrisbarry.co.uk.

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

speak to Mona!

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

Temple Golf Club Henley Road, Hurley, Berkshire SL6 5LH

Bird Hills Golf Centre

Pay and Play

HANDICAP MEMBERSHIP

ÂŁ50 inc 20% VAT For Discounted 12 Months Green Fees

Membership Available Full and Flexible packages

%LUG +LOOV LV D SUHPLHU SD\ DQG SOD\ golf, social and function facility all day every day. VLWXDWHG VRPH WZR PLOHV IURP WKH Obtain and retain a Current M4 Motorway close to Windsor, 2IĂ&#x20AC;FLDO +DQGLFDS 0DLGHQKHDG $VFRW %UDFNQHOO DQG Full calendar of :RNLQJKDP &RPSHWLWLRQV DQG 0DWFKHV â&#x20AC;˘ Gently undulating KROH JROI FRXUVH Food and beverage service â&#x20AC;˘ Floodlit 36 bay golf range available all day every day. RSHQ WR SP HYHU\ GD\ %DURQLDO +DOO DQG (OL]DEHWK â&#x20AC;˘ Large American Golf Store 5HVWDXUDQW DYDLODEOH IRU IXQFWLRQ KLUH Â&#x2021; 6FRWW &UDQĂ&#x20AC;HOG *ROI $FDGHP\

)RU LQIRUPDWLRQ WHOHSKRQH %LUG +LOOV *ROI &HQWUH 'ULIW 5RDG 1HDU 0DLGHQKHDG 6/ 67 ZZZ ELUGKLOOV FR XN

Golfing great SensoGlove This robotic ball is controlled directly from your iOS or Android smartphone and after a brief charge, it'll be steering around the room at an impressive 3mph. You'll find 20 apps available for Sphero,

Societies & Visitors Welcome Twilight golf available from 4pm seven days a week.

www.templegolfclub.co.uk 16

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

so you can use it for all manner of other fun too. Connecting over Bluetooth, it has a 50ft range, glows in thousands of different colours and is even waterproof - a rubber duckie for the 21st century.

ÂŁ50.64 from www.sensoglove.com

Reader’s Offers Commuter Series Wallet The new Commuter Series Wallet is a protective case with discrete storage and quick access to cash and important cards. Wasting time looking for money or cards when all you want to do is get to the stage is now a thing of the past. The OtterBox Commuter Series Wallet provides an evolution in smartphone protection to simplify a day to the beach or a night out on the town. A sliding drawer conceals and securely carries up to three cards while adding almost no bulk to the already slim Commuter Series design. The wallet door slides open without having to turn the phone over, keeping its contents hidden from view. The Commuter Series Wallet combines convenience, security and trusted OtterBox protection into pocket-

friendly designs for the Apple iPhone 5/5s and Samsung GALAXY S4. RRP £34.99 - Available from www.otterbox.co.uk We have teamed up with Otterbox to giveaway a White Commuter Series Wallet for an iPhone 5/5S. For your chance to win please visit us online at www.alongthethames. co.uk/competition-entries.

Novelty Camper Van Slippers

USB Astro Light Fits up to Men’s UK size 10. Inspired by the classic VW vans with rubber grips on each sole. They keep feet toasty warm - £24.99 from www.findmeagift.co.uk/gifts

We have one set of slippers to give away to one lucky Dad. Please visit us online at www.alongthethames.co.uk/ competition-entries to enter the give-away by 30th June.

Enter your details by 30th June for a chance to win this fabulous prize. (one entry per household)

The Astro Light is an astronaut shaped USB lamp Works with any USB power source including Laptops, PC, Mac, Kindle and more. Switch the light on and off by opening and closing the astronaut's visor. The bendable cable measures approx 30 cm in length The spaceman measures approx 5.3 cm x 5 cm x 2.8 cm RRP £12.99 from www.findmeagift.co.uk/gifts We have one USB Astro light to giveaway. For your chance to win please visit us online at www. alongthethames.co.uk/competition-entries. Enter your details by 30th June for a chance to win this fabulous prize. (one entry per household)

(one entry per household)

BOING wrist bands are designed for those

who love the outdoor lifestyle and they are made from authentic Climbing and Sailing rope, connected with a strong magnetic stainless steel clasp. Each band is packaged beautifully in its own BOING tin, making BOING bands fantastic gifts, ideal for this Father's Day.

Visit the BOING website at www.boing-inc.com to see the full range of band designs and colours.

Father’s Specia Day l Offer 20% off a t checko on the ut BOIN quoting G website, DAD20 Closing

Date 12th Ju ne

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

HAPPY father’s day 15th June

Gift G

Braun have recently launched their newest innovation yet, the Braun CoolTec shaver, which uses cooling technology to actively transport heat away from the skin to minimise shaving induced skin problems – in other words, it contains a mini fridge inside the shaving head to cool the skin! A great product for men, especially with Father’s Day fast approaching. RRP: £99 (half price in the run up to Father’s Day but usually RRP: £199) Stockist: Boots, www. amazon.co.uk or visit www.braun.com/uk

Mustard P-Neoan Backpack from Diesel. Practical & stylish featuring large external pocket, zip closure, side pocket, water resistant (43(h) x 28(w) x 13(d)) Available: www. brandalley.co.uk

Airkix Indoor Skydiving in Basingstoke is launching the all new and exclusive Fly First Class. This special experience will begin with a VIP welcome on arrival followed by a full briefing and flying tips from one of its top instructors. After feeling the thrill of three flights, including a Hi-FLY to the very top of the tunnel, VIPs will land back down to earth with a glass of champagne or a cold beer to enjoy whilst reviewing their activity up on the big screen! Flyers will then leave with a DVD of their once in a lifetime experience along with a ‘Flew First Class’ certificate to show to friends. Whether you are 4 or 104, this exhilarating indoor sky diving experience gives you the chance to get the adrenaline pumping by free-falling within a safe environment. The ‘Fly First Class’ package is available at the Airkix Basingstoke tunnel ONLY. It is £79.99 per person, £149.99 for a couple or £649.99 for an exclusive half hour use of the tunnel for up to eight people. For further information: www.airkix.com/flights-and-vouchers/offers-and-promotions.aspx Subbuteo Bottle Opener "Over 'ere son... on me lid!". Celebrate an 80s icon with the champion of them all, the Subbuteo Bottle Opener. Relive the glory days, when penny sweets cost a penny and the only massively multiplayer game was British Bulldog, with the Subbuteo Bottle Opener. A fitting tribute to the champion game of all, this officially licensed, solid metal, die cast figurine comes in at a whopping 9cm high. And opens your beer. £12.99 www.thefowndry.com/products/ subbuteo-bottle-opener

A Modo Mio Espressgo Want great coffee on-the-go? Forget your thermos and those lacklustre coffee breaks with the first portable Lavazza capsule coffee machine which prepares the perfect espresso wherever you are. Whether travelling to work, setting off on a camping holiday or embarking on a road trip, pack the A Modo Mio Espressgo and take the taste of your favourite authentic Italian coffee with you. Fast and easy-to-use, the A Modo Mio Espressgo prepares Lavazza espressos in less than two minutes and in just a few simple steps. The innovative machine works using a 12V cigarette lighter socket and fits perfectly into cup holders. It’s the ultimate gift for coffee lovers, gadget fans and holidaymakers who enjoy their home comforts. Purchase includes a starter kit, with a carry bag, sixteen A Modo Mio coffee capsules and a measuring cup. RRP £129.99 - Available: www. lavazzamodomio.co.uk, and Selfridges

18 1

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

uide

The Creative MUVO 10 has the same acoustic features and is slightly smaller in size as compared to the Creative MUVO 20. It is powered by a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery which provides up to 8 hours of playtime on a single charge. Bluetooth wireless audio streaming that makes the speaker sound as good as one with a wired connection The Creative MUVO 10 has a grab-and-go handle that makes it very easy to carry around. RRP £49.99 - www.amazon.co.uk

Kindle F ire HDX Does yo stunning ur dad love en battery HDX display, tertainment? F on-deviclife as well as thfront facing camired HDX featur es e tech su e er pport. F revolutionary “Ma, up to 11 hour rom £199 ay s - www.a day” button for of mazon.c o.uk.

Mighty Buds: These high performance ear buds use sound reactive technology to cascade light through the cable in response to music. With an in-built microphone users can switch seamlessly between listening to music and taking calls. Three pairs of extra cushion tips in S,M,L are provided for customisable fit, precise sound quality, noise isolation and comfort. The cable is tangle free and bounce-back shape. RRP £29.99 - Available: www.wowthem.com

Maui Jim takes flight with Cliff House sunglasses (RRP £204) that feature a pure titanium frame and are a great choice for those who demand durable, comfort and high-performance. Sporting an updated aviator style, which has shown to be a superior choice for wind, sun, glare and UV protection as it covers the complete periphery of the eye. With colour-infused lens technology that wipes out 99.9% of glare, 100% of harmful UV and boosts colour via specially designed lens treatments. So your view is clearer, with crisper contrast and amazing brilliance along with Clearshell scratch coating. For more information or to order visit www.MauiJim.com

Mighty Music Engine: One of the world’s smallest Bluetooth speakers! This pocket-size speaker packs a punch in volume and performance without putting a hole in your pocket. It comes in a variety of colours. Priced at just £19.99 this 3W speaker stands at just 41mm tall and has a durable, silicone outer and a handy lanyard. Available: www.wowthem.com.

Whilst traveling the last thing anyone needs is a broken smartphone. Today’s top smartphones can do just about everything and we take them just about everywhere. * The OtterBox Preserver Series allows smartphone users to relax and rock out without thinking about the safety of their devices. This slim-line case available now for Apple iPhone 5, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c and Samsung GALAXY S4 provides the following protection**: • Waterproof: fully submergible up to 6.6 ft. for 30 minutes making your smart phone a waterproof camera! • Drop proof: protects device from drops up to 6.6 ft. great for drunkenly misplacing your phone in a field! • Dust proof: blocks entry of dust and debris particles ensuring you are safe from what lerks in the deepest depths of your festival parka jacket. • RRP £69.99 - Available - www.otterbox.co.uk

For the sporty Dad - Merrell AllOut Fuse The Best for road to trail running and light trail running. Featuring flexible underfoot wrap-shaped around the foot’s arch creates continuous, flexible contact for increased mobility and efficiency Exclusive Unifly™ impact absorption system made of ultra-resilient foam and strategically placed firmer shock pads for soft landing Circular lug design for multidirectional grip and control with Lug depth 2.5mm, cushioning 12mm, drop 6mm RRP: £90 - www.cotswoldoutdoor.com

Ted Baker ‘M’ Gift Set is one for the on-trend father. Available: www.theperfumeshop.com BOING wrist bands are designed for those who love the outdoor lifestyle and they are made from authentic Climbing and Sailing rope, connected with a strong magnetic stainless steel clasp. Each band is packaged beautifully in its own BOING tin, making BOING bands fantastic gifts, ideal for this Father's Day. From £30. Father’s Day Offer - Quote ‘DAD20’ at checkout at www.boing-inc.com.

For fathers who enjoy a quirky accessory and a nod to tradition, Tanqueray Gin has partnered with world class bartender Tristan Stephenson, co-founder of the Worship Street Whistling Shop, to create a limited edition run of Charles Tanqueray’s 1843 ‘Polish for Boots’ recipe for the very first time. Housed in a stoneware bottle with a label bearing the Tanqueray wax seal and Charles Tanqueray’s signature, the shoe polish makes an ideal and unique gift for all stylish dads. When applied, Tanqueray’s ‘Polish for Boots’ leaves a deep, glossy shine and a protective coating on shoes. Available from www.whistlingshop.com or online from the www.fluid-movement.com - RRP £5 per bottle

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

“Keep your shirt on”.... ..... this expression came from the days when ordinary man had two shirts and he had to take off his precious shirt before getting in a fight. These days most men have more than two shirts and hopefully, don’t get into any fights! A crisp, expertly

centre back of the neck to

tailored shirt remains

the shoulder, then from

a staple item in any

the shoulder down to the

man’s wardrobe, from

wrist bone. The cuffs of

conservative office

your shirt should sit at

professional to seasoned

the ‘hinge’ of your wrist

sartorialist. But unless

and stand out about half

your clothing budget

an inch if you’re wearing

can stretch to a shirt of

a jacket. Unbuttoned,

the bespoke, hand made

shirt cuffs should reach

variety, a real challenge

just beyond your wrist

can be finding a perfect

line. The shoulder

fit for your body shape. And there are few greater fashion sins than an ill-fitting shirt. An oversize collar, billowy folds

seams of any new ‘Nowadays there really is a shirt fit to suit all body shapes, so finding the best one for you shouldn’t be too hard

shirt should sit closely along the line of your shoulders too. Another failsafe ‘cheat’ method

of fabric and sleeves that are either

a task’, says Procopi. ‘And you should

when you’re off shirt buying, says

way too short, or just a tad too long

be prepared to try a fit that you may

Procopi, is to find an existing shirt that

can dramatically affect the look and

have not necessarily tried before.

fits you well. ‘Find that favourite shirt

feel. Even the finest shirt, made from

Not sure about your shape or any

the best quality cotton, won’t make

of your measurements? Then reach for

the cut if it doesn’t fit to perfection.

your tape measure before you shop.

of all time and compare it against the new one you’ve had your eye on.’ Faced with so many choices, buying

‘One of the biggest mistakes people

Or better still, get measured by an in

a new shirt can feel like daunting

make when they buy a shirt is guessing

store expert who knows what they’re

exercise. But it really shouldn’t be. Like

their size’, says Anthony Procopi, Head of

doing and will be able to help you find

any worthwhile investment, buying

Menswear at Jermyn Street shirt maker,

the best size and fit for your figure.

a top quality shirt comes down to

T.M.Lewin. ‘ Taking a wild guess and

As a general guide, the best and most

establishing exactly what you need in

buying your shirt in small, medium or

accurate way to determine shirt collar size

terms of colour, fabric and fit. ‘Doing

large, is asking for trouble’, he says.

if you’re not sure is to measure around

your research should help you buy

the fullest part of your neck and then add

wisely’ says Anthony Procopi.

Most men will have a good idea of their collar size, but really the most thing

half an inch’, says Procopi. ‘Make sure you

to get right from the start is knowing

can comfortably fit one finger between

he says. ‘Buy from a reputable store,

your body shape. Choose the wrong

the collar and your neck’, he says. ‘If it’s

where you 100% trust the quality of the

shirt fit for your figure and you could

a struggle, your collar’s too small. Two

product and be sure to make the most

end up with a perfectly fitting collar and

fingers means the collar’s too big for you.’

of the experts on hand there to help

sleeve but a too-tight or too-loose fit around the body which can look awful.

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

Choosing the correct sleeve length is vital. Do this by measuring from the

‘Don’t be afraid to ask for help’,

you. A really great shirt is one garment you’ll wear over and again, after all.’

Reader’s Offers

Looking for a gift for the Dad who has everything? Lets Race is the answer! Based in Horley near Gatwick, Lets Race is the UK’s first and most advanced full motion F1 simulator centre. Their professional race car simulators feature a booming sounds system, creating an atmosphere that simply has to be experienced to be believed. Their F1 model offers speeds of up to 200mph to give a real rush whilst developing enough downforce to keep racers flying round the track when they hit trick corners. Lets Race’s blacked out sim room comes alive while spectators can sit in the grandstand to watch the race unfold making sure that everyone feels like they are part of a real formula 1 race. Down on the illuminated grated floor their 10 networked sims allow drivers to experience a wide variety of circuits

meaning drivers can race on the same tracks as the real F1 superstars. Lets Race offer a range of gift vouchers from £20 to £100. With full race experiences starting from just £15 the vouchers can go a long way especially as they can also be spent in their onsite restaurant, Fluid Dynamics. Gift Packs can also be purchased for an additional £12.50 and feature a Lets Race lanyard, key ring, memory stick and pen all wrapped up in a stunning presentation pack ready for Father’s Day. To order a gift voucher or book an experience for Father’s Day please call +44 (0)1293 826800 or email info@letsrace.co.uk Gift Cards are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase and can be used towards any sessions and merchandise

Let’s Race and Living Along The Thames have teamed up to give you the chance to win a ‘Race experience for 2’. For your chance to win, please visit us online at http://www.alongthethames. co.uk/competition-entries. Enter your details by 12th June for a chance to win this fabulous prize. (Please note one entry per household)

T&C’s: The prize is a Race Experience for two people at Lets Race in Horley and is valid until 21.12.14. For medical reasons some people may not be able to take part please contact Lets Race for information. Employees of Lets Race and any agencies connected with the competition and their families are not eligible to enter. Lets Race will not accept liability for entries that have been lost or stolen. Entries received after the closing date will not be included in the competition.

The Perfect Father’s Day Gift for Stylish Dads Vitabiotics Wellman Skin Technology Indulge the stylish dad in your life with the ultimate grooming gift this Father’s Day. Vitabiotics, the UK’s No.1 vitamin and supplement company, has introduced a premium skin care range – Wellman Skin Technology - formulated especially for men. Each product has been scientifically developed by Vitabiotics experts using Advanced Research in Male Skincare (ARMS™) resulting in a unique, powerful blend of nutrients and natural botanicals to help keep skin smooth, invigorated and revitalised. So now, the fathers in your life can look as good as they feel. With products covering every man’s regular skincare routine thanks to the luxurious face wash, facial scrub, moisturiser and eye cream, this cool dad is guaranteed to feel like a new man thanks to the refreshing formulas!

Technology is available from Boots and online at www.wellman.co.uk Vitabiotics Wellman Skin Technology and Living Along The Thames have teamed up to give you the chance to win the full skincare range as well as Vitabiotics Wellman Skin Technology Tablets and Wellman Plus Omega 3.6.9 worth in excess of £100. For your chance to win, please visit us online at www.alongthethames. co.uk/competition-entries. Enter your details by 12th June for a chance to win this fabulous prize. (Please note one entry per household)

Each product in the range has been dermatologically tested. Vitabiotics Wellman Skin LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

MIND BODY SOUL Master the Art of Assertiveness

o you find yourself boiling with anger or frustration when a friend makes a comment that hurts, or when a colleague speaks over you in a work meeting? Do you bite your lip and keep your feelings hidden? Learning to stand up for yourself and finding the right words to express how you feel are skills that can be learnt. Our personality is often shaped by our main childhood role model, for women this is often the mother. Some mothers rule the roost, others take a more passive, subordinate role. Society also influences our behaviour and attitudes towards each other. Traditionally children were taught that demanding something was rude and inconsiderate and that putting other people’s needs and feelings before their own was polite. Thus children learnt they shouldn’t be assertive and their feelings weren’t as important. Sometimes these early-learned behaviours stay with us into adulthood. Assertiveness sounds a strong and forceful word. It is often confused with being demanding, pushy, and bossy, in other words aggressive. What assertiveness actually means is, respecting yourself and others and believing that

your feelings are just as important as anyone else’s. In life we constantly interact with people: with our family, with colleagues at work, socially with friends, even popping to the shops. Effective positive communication is central to our self worth and to our personal identity. Assertiveness is an important life skill. To master the art of assertiveness, start by identifying why you become angry or why you back down in certain situations. Is it a fear of failure? Do you have a quick temper? Do you feel guilty if you say no? Are you afraid of hurting someone’s feelings? Do you fear rejection? Or are you afraid of being left out of the group? We all have these fears but they don’t have to govern the way we communicate. Learning to stand your ground can take time but as they say, practise makes perfect. Try these techniques. 1) Take a deep breath when you are challenged and state clearly and calmly what you do and don’t want. 2) Do not over justify yourself to others; keep to the facts. 3) Try and look for a ‘win win’ outcome in an argument, an attempt at compromise will always make you look reasonable. 4) Do not apologise, unless you are genuinely at

fault. 5) You should never accept verbal abuse, criticism or aggressive behaviour. “I cannot talk to you while you are behaving his way,” is an assertive statement. When you feel you have stood your ground in a difficult situation you should rightly feel proud of yourself. Finding your confidence is the key to assertiveness. Keep practising, then watch out everyone! Kate Robinson. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or constitute medical advice. If you are in any doubt or you have been diagnosed with a medical condition, always seek the advice of your medical practitioner.

Sara Mayne Lic Ac MBAcC

Tai Chi ~ Qi Gong ~ Yoga Meditation A gentle yet powerful approach to fitness and well being Regular weekly daytime and evening classes Half day and weekend courses The Cedars, Northern Heights, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5LE

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email: saramayne@btconnect.com Web: www.saramayne.com 22

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

Laser Facts

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SportsAid ... Proudly supporting the next generation SportsAid is the only national charity of its kind, proudly supporting young British sportsmen and women who aspire to be our next Olympic, Paralympic, Commonwealth and world champions. Typically aged 12 to 18 these athletes face huge challenges. They train for more than 15 hours a week before and after school, travel more than 1,000 miles a month and spend more than £6,000 a year to train and compete. Without SportsAid many could not continue competing and their sports could not replace the funding SportsAid provides. The impact on British sport, and as a consequence the British public, is huge: at London 2012 20 of Team GB’s 29 Olympic gold medals and 27 of ParalympicsGB’s 34 gold medals were won by athletes previously supported by SportsAid. They included Jessica Ennis, Chris Hoy, Sarah Storey and David Weir. One of them was 11-time Paralympic champion Dame Sarah Storey who said, “Without doubt, SportsAid will always have a very important part to play in British sport.” One of the athletes currently receiving SportsAid’s support is the youngest winter Paralympian in the history of British sport, Millie Knight, who competed in the visually impaired slalom and giant slalom events in Sochi this year. She said: “My SportsAid Award has helped me to find a guide to train with me, travel with me and ultimately race with me. Before that my mum was my guide to keep the expenses down and it has been great to have someone a little faster!” SportsAid was established in 1976 and its patron is Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge. The charity ensures the right athletes get the right help at the right time by working with the governing bodies of more than 60 sports. Each sport nominates their most promising young sportsmen

The Independent Living Consultants

and women to the charity once a year for financial support. SportsAid uses the funds it raises to provide these athletes with awards of £1,000 a year to help them meet the essential costs of training and competing: costs such as travel, accommodation, kit, physiotherapy and competition fees which they otherwise have to meet themselves. SportsAid athletes receive no other direct financial support – even when wearing the junior GB vest for European and world championship competitions. In the last three years, SportsAid has helped more than 5,000 of the nation’s brightest prospects and with your support the charity will be able to help more of the next generation to achieve their potential. Stoke Park has been supporting SportsAid since 2004 and Sir Elton John will be hosting a Concert for SportsAid on 28th June. At this intimate summer concert for just 5,700 people SportsAid is aiming to raise £500,000 to create a new athlete fund with Sir Elton John that will build on the legacy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to ensure subsequent generations have the support they need to achieve their ambitions. The fund will be looking towards Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020 and beyond, making a huge difference to the future of British sport and to the lives of young sports people throughout the country.

Amber Hill from Bracknell, is the sixteen-year-old holder of the junior shotgun world record and is already the senior British number one and ranked fifth in the world. Earlier this year Amber broke a junior world record with a score that was equal to the senior world record and became the first junior to not only qualify for but win a senior world cup final. SportsAid helps talented athletes like her to overcome some of the huge financial and other the challenges they face before other means of support are available to them. Her financial support from SportsAid was made possible by Lloyds Bank, a long-standing partner of the charity, through its Local Heroes programme.

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LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

Amber Hill’s Ambitions Hoping to make the Commonwealth Games next year and the Rio Olympic Games in 2016. How did you first get involved in your sport? I first got involved in claypigeon shooting when I was 10 through my granddad and shot sporting but I took up Olympic skeet at the beginning of last year.

What do you enjoy the most about being a sportsperson? I enjoy competing and bettering myself to achieve in bigger competitions. Who is your sporting hero? Jessica Ennis because of the amount of work she’s put into her sport and dedication. For more information on SportsAid and all the athletes sponsored visit: www.sportsaid.org.uk

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Bridge Clinic, Maidenhead & Princess Margaret Hospital, Windsor LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

Al stressed out! First we had anxiety, then burnout. Now, thanks to a toxic new “anger cocktail” of stress caffeine – my newly opened local coffee shop is my son’s and friend’s n.1 hang out place. I rest my caseand social media, there’s a new mental health threat = Anger. As a homeopathic practictioner, a subject that most patients have a need to discuss is anger “I feel angry all the time!”, and realise that seeing red is increasingly having a negative impact on their health. What’s more, for some of us the feeling of anger is difficult to articulate and may be associated with an underlying sense of shame and guilt. With constant reports on celebrities checking themselves to anger management classes, gone are the days when venting our frustration was a healthy process! Still, in my experience internalising anger rather than to letting it out, is much unhealthier. There is nothing more worrying than a patient declaring that they never feel angry. The Mental Health Foundation recently published that 25% of us worry about how angry we feel, and 12% of us have trouble controlling our anger. So the question begging to be asked here is: are we getting angrier? If it’s to go by the recently launched workshop R.A.G.E in London and their programme specially designed for woman, the answer is a clear yes. It appears that our need to feel over-busy, want to have it all but not giving up anything, can easily lead to stressed, uncontrollable outbursts and angry behaviour. We now have enough medical research to back up the once holistic tenet that anger makes us prone to illnesses.

Our nervous system can become overactive before shutting down, undermining our immune system. Such remedies are well known for their smoothing effect, and can be safely used by all members of the family, as I have learned that anger does not age discriminate. AMBRA GRISEA: underlying apprehension, you feel worn-out because every time you go to bed, you start to worry and have to get up. But even though you are so tired, you keep over-reacting to things, and might even get a bit hysterical. You find yourself wanting to be alone more. You might have palpitations, where your heart feels as if it is racing, as well as twitching. ARGENTUM NITRICUM: your imagination is going into overdrive, keep imagining the worst. Your throat might get sore, or you might have heartburn and nausea. You might start to lose your voice or lose your co-ordination, and as you get more anxious you get more hurried and frantic.

CARBO VEGETABLIS: You poor thing! You will be feeling weak and exhausted. No wonder you are so irritable too...lots of wind, upward and downward, so your tummy feels constantly full. You keep waking up from horrible dreams, and feel exhausted in the morning. BELLADONA: You literally explode with anger. There are paroxysms of anger and shouting, the whole building hears you shout!. The anger is such that it can bring about coughing while the face becomes extremely red. Angry even at your own mistakes and then wants to break things. However, this is equally rapidly forgotten, like a storm that rages and quickly subsides. For more information contact your local homeopath. They are bound to have the right one for you. Sophie Ward Bsc Hons, RSHom

The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or constitute medical advice. If you are in any doubt or you have been diagnosed with a medical condition, always seek the advice of your medical practitioner.

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LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

www.haahoosceramics.co.uk 0118 932 1441 19 Church Street, Twyford, RG10 9DN

The Painting, Pottery and Party Centre in Twyford

Create the perfect Fathers Day Gift with us! Get a professional photograph taken at HaaHoos and have your children paint the frame to put it in. n We’ll do the rest!

New children’s party ranges now in stock include: • Disney’s Frozen • 1 Direction • Minnie and Mickey Mouse

The photographer will be available on: Sunday 25th May

Keep an eye out for our exciting new range of bespoke party bags ... making your party stand out from the rest!

Friday 6th June

For all your party needs!

(10am - 3.30pm)

(2.30pm - 5.30pm)

Priced at just £35

7 Liston Court, Marlow, SL7 1ER Tel: 07747 321987 www.celebrationspartyshopmarlow.co.uk info@celebrationspartyshopmarlow.co.uk

Call HaaHoos for more info and to book.

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The Marlow Day Nursery Childcare at its best...

The Marlow Day Nursery is the result of our commitment to provide the highest standards in childcare and education. We provide parents with a uniquely individual approach based on investing in highly experienced and qualified staff who combine to create a family atmosphere.

If you would like to know more about us then please visit our website or call to arrange an appointment

Tel: 01628 488114 www.marlowdaynursery.co.uk The Marlow Day Nursery,Sandygate Road, Marlow,SL7 3AZ

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

Texting & Twitter – Not Gr8? When you were weighing up the pros and cons of equipping your child with a mobile phone, how did you rate the impact of texting on their grammar? A senior teacher from the Girls’ Schools Association (‘GSA’) believes texting and Twitter are having an adverse effect on children’s use of English and has spoken out about the dangers of using abbreviations and slang. Head teacher Caroline Jordan chairs the GSA’s education committee. She says: “With the continuing reliance on technology, text-speak is eroding hard-learned skills in such basic areas as spelling and grammar. It is having an inevitable impact on this generation and they need to realise when it's appropriate to write the correct response to a question. If youngsters are not reading in the same way, and if they are spending a lot of time using social media, I wonder how much new vocabulary they are exposed to. “Our English skills are constantly on display, often making the difference between landing a job and having a misspelled application filed in the bin. This is the area we should be seeking to protect above all else. A command of our own language in today’s competitive world is essential.” The Girls’ Schools Association represents the heads of independent girls’ schools. www.gsa.uk.com

h c a o c e g Sta Theatre Arts STAGECOACH HIGH WYCOMBE Venue: The Wycombe High School, Marlow Road, High Wycombe HP11 1TB

4 th -8 th A u g u st 2 0 14 Call Clare 01494 533203 for more information

4-16 years

Peter Pan

Holiday Wo r k s h o ps

www.stagecoach.co.uk/highwycombe www.stagecoach.co.uk/henleyandmarlow Stagecoach Henley, High Wycombe and Marlow 01494 533203

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

Whatever the Occasion....

The summer party season is fast approaching and since the dressing for the occasion is not always easy we have pulled together some looks to give you different ideas for whatever you have planned over the Summer - Ascot, Henley Royal Regatta, F1, Mother of the Bride/Groom or just that special Occasion to name a few!

PURP R LE MAXI MAXI: REN RENATA ATA

£2 £299 www. ww.piza pizazzon piza zzonline line.co. .co.uk u uk

FLOATY DRESS WITH H BO BOLLER E ER ERO RO R O: GEORGE RG RGE GE EDE DE

www. www.piza ww piza pizazzon zazzon zzonline zz nlin liiine line ne.c ne .co. .co. c uk

££33329 299

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

WHITE E/CERISE CERISE MAX XI: ZEILA EIL

£399 9 www.piza zazz zzonline ne.co. .co uk

SOFT LONG DRESS: SEMPER

DRESSY PONCHO FOR R SU UMMER MMER

WHITE JACKET WITH JEANS

www.swishboutiquue.co e .uk

www.swishboutique.co.uk

DRESS WITH BOLER RO

www.no25ofbouurneend.co.uk YELLOW YELL ELL O ELL OW W PATCH ATCHES ATC ES E SD DR RESS: JO RESS OSEP SEPH EPH RIB RIBHOF HOF H OF FF

& WHITEE LACE LA E DRE RESS: VEROMIIA £3 £3 £399 www. ww.no25 no2 ofbo bournneend.co.ukk ROYA OYAL O

www ww.swishboutiqqquue.c e..c .co.uk .uk

CORAL DRESS S: F FRA RANK K LYMAN YM MAN

GREY

& BLACK NET DRESS/BOLERO: VEROMIA £479 www.no25ofbourneend.co.ukk

www.sw sw hbou swis b tiq tiqu quuee.co e...cco.uk e.c uk

BESP POKE KE HAT: RIC CHARD HA DESIGNS IGNS GN

w no25 ww www. 25ofbo ofboourneeend enndd. end. en d co.u c k

FASC SC CIN INTA NTATOR T R (V VAR VA A AR RIOU OUS O OU U US S ST STY STY YLLES ES/COL E CO COLO OL URS

www. ww swis wisshbou hbbou hb hbo booouttiq titiqu iqqque.co e.co ccoo.uk uukk

DRESS DRES SW WITH BOLERO

www.swishbou hbboutiqu hbou tique.c tiqu e.co co.u co .uk uukk

GOING OUT GUIDE • Comfort comes first. It’s important to look sexy and sophisticated but if your shoes are uncomfortable and your feet are hurting it will show and most definitely ruin your allure… • A well fitting outfit is a must. You should be able to move, breath and eat as well as dance and look great at the same time. It’s all in the cut. • If in doubt, wear something simple like a Little Red

Dress but give it a personal touch. A stunning accessory or a killer heel. Something with the ‘WOW’ factor will transform you from looking nice to amazing. • Respect the dress code. You want to be dressed well but not over or under-dressed! • Wardrobe crisis e.g. someone else wears the same dress, make the most of the situation, laugh about it and have a great time. It’s a party time! LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

BRIGHT BLUE NATURAL KAJAL EYE PENCIL FROM BENECOS - AVAILABLE IN A VARIETY OF COLOURS - £3.95 WWW.benecos.co.uk

Lucious Liners in ners METALLIC IS THE NEW BLACK EYELINER FROM STILA - GUNMETAL/ NAVY/GOLD/BLACK GOLD - £24 WWW.stila.co.uk

JEWEL AMETHYST GODDESS EYE PENCIL FROM EYES OF HORUS - AVAILABLE IN OTHER COLOURS - £13 WWW.eyesofhorus.uk.com

SMOKE & ROUGE GEL WATERPROOF EYELINER IN VARIOUS COLOURS - £7.99 WWW.sculptbeauty.co.uk

SUMITA COLOUR CONTRAST PENCILS - IDEAL FOR USE ON THE WATERLINE OR LASH LINE OF EYES - AVAILABLE IN A VARIETY OF COLOURS - £15 WWW.urbanretreat.co.uk

CLARINS QUARTET EYELINER PALETTE COLOURS OF BRAZIL - WET & DRY EYESHADOWS & ROYAL BLUE EYELINER - £32 WWW.clarins.co.uk

Scents of Summer

Salty Sea and splashes of water, spicy, zesty and fresh are the inspiration for Summer’s new fragrances. Drench yourself!

5 6

4 8

7 1. CARVEN L’EAU DE TOILETTE - 30ML - £35 FROM Selfridges 2. ANGEL EAU SUCREE (LIMITED EDITION) - 50ML (NON REFILLABLE) £42 - www.muglerstore.co.uk 3. ASHLEY BY ASHLEY ROBERTS - 100ML - £21.99 FROM www.theperfumeshop.com 4. LA PERLA JUST PRECIOUS - 30ML/50ML/100ML FROM £35 - John Lewis 5. GHOST ECLIPSE - 30ML/50ML/75ML FROM £24.50 FROM www.theperfumeshop. com 6. SEL MARIN BY HEELEY PARFUMS - 100ML - £120 FROM www.lessenteurs.com 7. BOIS NAUFRAGE BY GENERALE - 50ML - £81.50 FROM www.lessenteurs.com 8. CEDRANT ENVIRANT BY ATELIER COLOGNE - 100ML - £85, 200ML - £110 FROM Selfridges and Liberty

Clothes & Accessories with Sparkle & Style If you are going to a wedding as Mother of The Bride/Groom or as a guest you will find some wonderful outfits in the Village of Bourne End, Buckinghamshire. There is a choice of two shops - the celebrated No.25 of Bourne End and their sister shop, next door, Pizazz. Pizazz have special occasion outfits which are competitively priced from approximately £199 to £399 . With ensembles from Chianti, Daneialla, Gold by Michael H, Georgede, Libra, Renate & Zeila Essentials. Plus a selection of fascinators and hats in voile from around £29 to £59. No.25 of Bourne End is the place to visit for all the top designer outfits from Ann Balon, Condici, Cabotine, Ian Stuart, Mon Cherie, Veromia & Zeila. No.25 of Bourne End is the only independent UK shop that specialises solely in outfits for Mother of the Bride/ Groom and is the largest stockist of Condici in the UK. If you can’t find a Hat or Fascinator to compliment your outfit then No.25 of Bourne End have a bespoke service where they can design and colour match a piece of Millinery for you. You will find a wonderful selection of outfits for your Special day, Ascot and hot Summer day Special Occasion wear, including the much sought after sleeve, at No.25 of Bourne End and Pizazz.

25 The Parade, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5SB

Tel: 01628 528877 www.No25ofBourneEnd.co.uk

27 The Parade, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5SB

Tel: 01628 522590 www.Pizazzonline.co.uk

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

Happy Hair This new season brings with it the promise (fingers crossed) of sunnier days. During the summer I’m always asked how clients can keep their hair protected whilst still looking on trend. Whether it’s relaxing by a pool or adventurous sightseeing, keeping your hair in great condition is so important for the summer. Whilst you’re topping up your tan, make sure that you’re giving your hair lots of attention too – you wouldn’t put your skin in the sun without protection and the same should go for your hair... and take the time to experiment with some new styles. Here’s my top tips for happy summer hair:

Haircare Make sure you apply a good leave-in conditioner when you’re in the sun to protect your hair to keep it in optimum condition. If you’re swimming, make sure to wash any chlorine out of your hair every day; if you don’t, you’ll end up with a build-up that can turn blonde hair green! Use a barrier product (even cheap conditioner will do) before going in the water or if you don’t have anything with you, at least wet the hair with clean water first – this prevents excessive chlorinated water getting in to the shafts. As well as your sun cream, pack a hair treatment in your beach bag and apply it after you’ve been in the pool or sea to help protect your tresses from chlorine and salt water. Don’t blow-dry your hair too much in the summer. Embrace a more relaxed vibe and just apply some mousse to damp hair, allowing to dry naturally for gorgeous waves.

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

or a towel so think shower cap in the sauna or bath. Although tying your hair out of the way on a hot day whilst still damp might seem like the best option, I wouldn’t recommend doing it everyday as damp roots don’t allow any air to get to the scalp which can cause an itchy or inflamed scalp.

Summer Styling Look to It Girl Alexa Chung for the definition of effortless hair; easy waves and an undone fringe suit her relaxed cool personality perfectly and are a great look for summer. To get the look, apply a mousse before blow-drying, scrunching the hair as you go to create volume. Tong random pieces of the hair afterward for a loose waved effect. Make this look work for summer festivals by rocking a floral headband or crown. Don’t ever allow your hair to be in direct contact with the sun if it’s a super hot day, pop on a hat or a stylish scarf to keep damage to a minimum. The key to a successful summer updo is simplicity. Put your hair into a French plait and use a comb to get a little lift in the front. Use a spray gel on the sides and slick back with your hands. Don’t be put off by gel, it just gives a soft natural finish that holds in place and keeps frizz at bay. Form a really high ponytail on the top of your head. Twist and wrap around to form a donut shape and pin the end in place. Accessorise with a 90’s scrunchie for the ultimate street style look.

Never use sunning oils on your hair – they are terrible! It’s the equivalent of putting olive oil on your skin and baking in the sun.

Ponytails are a great staple for a look. Experiment with backcombing, plaiting, looping and twisting for a simple to do but intricate looking style.

Rescue any frazzled ends with a treatment to get your hair looking smooth and shiny – they work best in heat under plastic

Karine Jackson is former London Hairdresser of the Year and specialises in organic haircare – www.karinejackson.co.uk

SHOP NOW ONLINE www.swishboutique.co.uk

Swish, 5 Liston Court, Marlow, SL7 1ER, Tel 01628 476467 LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

As the days become lighter and brighter PUT A SPRING INTO YOUR HAIR! Hot off the catwalk hair shows pale muted pastel tones - think pink and violet! Make it more everyday wearable with a soft textured haircut, such as the latest bob with a long casual fringe ... Perfect . For blondes add pretty peach highlights and for brunettes buttery browns. For a colour make-over or a new style, contact Ciro, Lyndsay and Wendy at DiDonna on 01628 477292

didonna

As the popularity for temporary colour splashes continues, the ‘pink brigade’ was evident during February’s AW’14 shows at London Fashion Week, where a line-up of models sported full-on pink hair using label.m Powder Pink spray at the Merit Award Winner, Xiao Li catwalk show. New colours Powder blue, Powder, red and Powder purple. RRP 200ml £9.95. Available from www.labelm.com

Tel: 01628 477 292

Opening hours: Tues and Wed: 9:30 - 18:00, Thurs: 10:00-19:30, Fri: 9:30-19:00, Sat: 9:00-17:00 2 Kingswood Parade, New Road, Marlow Bottom, Bucks. SL7 3NT

TREND ALERT

Lay it on thick Over enthusiastic mascara wearers rejoice: clogged lashes are having a comeback. Behind the scenes at London Fashion week many of the designers went for a double-wand approach, applying a volume mascara followed by an intensity mascara. The other favourite tactic showcased was coating lashes in loose powder before applying mascara - wow - immense thickness. Go for one of the new volumising mascaras and apply as many coats as you dare!!

CODE VLM LIFT LENGTH VOLUME, £19.95 WWW.code-beautiful.com

CLARINS

WATERPROOF VOLUME, £21 WWW.clarins.com

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

BENECOS

MAXIMUM VOLUME, £6.95 WWW.benecos.co.uk

EYES OF HORUS

LORD & BERRY

STRENGTHENS LENGHTENS, £17 WATERPROOF LONGER THICKER WWW.eyesofhorus.uk.com WWW.asos.com

SUMITA

£13

SUPERLASH (BLACK & BLUE) £6 WWW.urbanretreat.co.uk

ORIFLAME WONDERLASH £8.95

WATERPROOF DEFINES LENGTHENS WWW.oriflame.co.uk

Living Along The Thames recently caught up with Lush Co-founder and Product Inventor, Helen Ambrosen. After more than 33 years as a creator, Helen Ambrosen admits she still gets a kick out of her work at Lush, the Poole-based fresh cosmetics company. “It drives me potty sometimes and it is very exhausting,” she said.,“But I think I need it. It’s my way of life and I love it. When did you first start working at Lush? I’ve been working with the creative team for over 33 years now. I started by making products with Mark (Mark Constantine, Lush product Inventor and Co-founder) My record was a tonne of hand and body lotion from the small workroom in Marks house, which I manufactured in a day! I learnt to make many sorts of cosmetics and very quickly got into developing new products. What does your role entail? The invention and development of new products. This takes me into all sorts of areas of the business. The invention is literally thinking about what the customer needs and not necessarily what they want! For example Lush Toothy Tabs (solid toothpaste tabs) were invented because it reduces packaging to landfill. A lot of what I do is often based around solving environmental puzzles and offering people alternative products to those that are tested on animals. What are some of the products that you have invented? I’m good at ‘bases’ for example I invented the bubble bar base, which is a solid form of bubble bath. It gives huge bath tubs of bubbles! I also invented the base for the Toothy Tabs. Ocean Salt, which is our global bestseller, was actually one of Rowena’s ideas (Rowena Bird Lush Co-founder and Inventor) I formulated the product and fragrance but without her vision the product would not exist. What makes Lush different? We created a company that invents its own products, then manufactures and retails them. We created this opportunity, which is completely unique. We even invent and make our own fragrances to go in our products. This enables us to use the most beautiful ingredients and essential oils and to have complete control in the quality and supply chain. This has led us to create unique products in terms of their effects for the customer but also to develop relationships with our suppliers and support projects throughout the world. It’s hugely inspiring to have that opportunity to create, manufacture

and retail our own products. This sets us apart from other cosmetic companies. We create fresh handmade cosmetics with true benefits to the customers. What are the most rewarding/ exciting aspects of working for Lush? There is always something new to learn. I love inventing new product categories and receiving the most amazing ingredients from our SLush project (a sustainable fund Lush set up to invest in ecological growing and rawmaterial related projects) For example, we have just starting to work with fresh aloe leaves from Kenya, which are included in products such as Charity Pot. When you get ingredients like that it is such an honour. I have always wanted to work with fresh aloe; it is a fantastic ingredient and the project makes such a difference to people’s lives. I truly believe work is the answer to war, I think it’s what keeps you interesting and motivated. Do you have a particular Lush product that you couldn’t live without? Lush Ultrabland. I have used this product everyday for the last 35 years. This product has really helped to keep my skin in great condition. I believe that a combination of using Ultrabland and staying out of the sun has kept me looking a lot younger than I am. Do you follow a beauty regime? I do. One of the most important steps within my regime is making sure that my skin is always cleansed, the right type of cleanser is key to keeping the skin looking and feeling healthy. I am also extremely careful with my skin when it comes to sun exposure, even though I lead a very active lifestyle I always make sure I am wearing sunscreen. What’s your ultimate pampering treat? The ultimate pampering treat for me

would be a run through the beautiful Purbeck Hills (Dorset) followed by a refreshing swim in the sea. The feeling I get from the coolness of the sea and the beautiful surroundings is just amazing; it really makes me feel good to be alive. Keeping active is very important, our health is everything and we must preserve it at all costs. Can you tell us a little bit about the new Lush Kitchen and why fresh beauty products are so special? We tell you when our products are made so you can see how fresh they are. That freshness allows us to deliver and provide our customers with products that are truly beneficial. The LUSH Kitchen allows you to see how we make our products, the processes of the fresh ingredients and how they go into the products. This is really very special and we are looking forward to showing people how we do it. What are the latest products that Lush will be introducing in 2014? We have many exciting product launches coming up this year, including sunscreens, new bath bombs, facial cleansers and a moisturiser. We are also launching some of our best selling products, such as Dream Cream, Mask of Magnaminty and Ocean Salt, in reformulated, self-preserved versions. We are working towards all of our products requiring no preservatives in the next few years so this is very exciting for us.

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

Singapore

This south-east Asian island is packed with fast cars, designer boutiques and luxury restaurants. Sam Wylie-Harris recommends the top spots for a glamourous escape A DJ clutches a pair of headphones to his ear, while cueing up the next track on his state-of-the-art mixing deck. The noise of the crowd almost drowns out the pulsing house tune he’s playing, as Singapore’s ‘it’ crowd enjoy a Saturday night on the town. I’m at Ku de Ta, the hottest new rooftop bar in Singapore, and part of the Marina Bay Sands Resort, where tourists and high-flying locals can dance, drink cocktails and literally reach for the stars. The view of the glittering skyline and bustling port sends a tingle up my spine as I get set for my glamorous south-east Asian city break. An important transport hub, former fishing village Singapore is a melting pot of different cultures. It was originally named Singapura, meaning ‘Lion City’, and the iconic Merlion statue of a lion’s head and fish’s body which overlooks the Singapore

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

River is a reminder of this sovereign state’s humble origins. Today, Singapore is home to 5.1 million people and thanks to a thriving economy, there’s a real sense of prosperity in the air. Tourists pass through here on their way to more far-flung destinations, but with a host of architectural wonders, historical treasures, nature reserves and a Grand Prix circuit, there’s plenty to keep them here. And there’s the excellent restaurant and shopping scene to consider! In Singapore, enjoying yourself is a national pastime. But anyone planning on doing some sightseeing should take note: by day, a folding fan, umbrella and a pair of rubber flats are a girl’s best friend. One degree north of the equator, the constant heat (31 degrees is average), intense humidity and short, sharp tropical showers are a minor irritant when moving around the island.

Sam Wylie-Harris was a guest of Singapore Airlines (www.singaporeair.com). Four flights are available from London Heathrow every day, and daily from Manchester International, to Singapore. Fares currently start from ¬£610 return per person in economy when booked by April 30, or ¬£3,140 in Business Class (terms and conditions apply). Doubles at the Ritz-Carlton from SGD 1,016 plus tax. Book at rc.sinrz.reservations@ ritzcarlton.com The Sunday Champagne Brunch costs SGD 172 per adult, SGD 86 per child (six to 12 years old) and SGD 43 per child (three to five years old). For more information on the destination, visit www.yoursingapore.com

For a taste of residential life, Dempsey Hill evokes old world charm and was once the site of the British Army barracks in colonial times. Most of the population live in public-housing tower blocks but there are also some beautiful homes close to Orchard Road. But to truly experience Singapore’s glamorous and colonial heritage, I make the pilgrimage to Raffles Singapore for a Singapore Sling in the Long Bar. We sit at the bar, kicking aside peanut shells (apparently it’s perfectly acceptable to drop them on the floor) and order a 1887 sling. Created to celebrate the hotel’s 125th anniversary last year, the drink features Billecart-Salmon Brut champagne in place of the pineapple juice used in the original recipe. While savouring this delicious cocktail we spy, among the Asian antiquities, a model of a Beefeater on the bar. It’s a reminder that Brits have always felt at home in Singapore, attracted no doubt by the island’s irrepressible sense of fun.

Pictures: PA Feature File

Fortunately, most attractions are within easy reach of my base, the Ritz-Carlton Millenia, which is located in the downtown Colonial District. I’m a short taxi ride from the designer stores that line Orchard Road and the narrow streets of Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam. As I enter the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Chinatown, I’m greeted by the strong smell of incense. Inspired by the architecture of the Tang Dynasty, this building houses a sacred tooth among its treasures and was completed and gilded in 2007. Beyond the shopping districts lies the Singapore Flyer, one of the world’s largest observation wheels, and the Helix Bridge, which spirals across the bay and lights up like a Christmas tree at night. Light, air, mirrors and moving water are some of the feng shui elements reflected in the 32-storey Ritz-Carlton, which is framed by a seven-acre garden oasis, and its Greenhouse restaurant serves one of the best Sunday brunches I’ve ever indulged in. Locals book weeks in advance to put on their designer Sunday best and enjoy a constant flow of Moet & Chandon vintage 2004 rose and brut champagne, while feasting on tiger prawns, oysters, sushi, sashimi, lobster, charcuterie, foie gras, traditional roasts, pasta, a choice of more than 50 cheeses and a pantry of fine pastries and desserts. Eating out is a real adventure in Singapore, and some of the best experiences can be enjoyed in the cheapest places on the street. I sample all sorts of weird and wonderful dishes at Makansutra Gluttons Bay, a famous waterfront hawker centre filled with street vendors. Sitting down on wooden benches, we eat chilli crab, spicy fried noodles and satay, all washed down with cold beer, as rollerbladers whizz along the quay. Afterwards we head up 63 floors to 1-Altitude, the world’s highest al fresco bar where the air is refreshingly cool and the vibe relaxed. Another great night-time illumination can be found at the Gardens By The Bay. Here, vertical plant displays known as Supertrees pave the way to a giant Flower Dome and Cloud Forest. We visit during the day, exploring two air-conditioned conservatories where you can learn about the wonders of the plant world, marvel at exotic orchid displays and enjoy all-day dining at nine different venues.

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

How to choose the right Sunglasses

Without thou hou outt eeye ye pro protection, your eyes w will ill be ex expos exposed po ed to as muchh UV UV ligh llight ightt as a is created by a nuclear blast by th thee time you turn 60-y 60-years-old. year ears-o s-old. ld.

Your holiday is booked and you can’t wait for the break but then you realise that you can’t take all of your clothes! Here are some top tips to help you know what to pack so that you stay within your luggage allowance. 1. Check what the weather is expected to be like at your destination to ensure you pack the right clothes. 2. Think about what activities you will be doing when you are holiday as this will help you decide what you need to pack. 3. Write a list of what you need to pack. 4. Pack dark neutrals such as black, navy, grey or brown, add light neutrals such as white, ivory, beige or stone. Then add an accent colour such as red, orange, green or blue – whatever works for you. 5. Invest in clothes that travel well, e.g. fabrics that are lightweight and don’t easily crease and which have added stretch for comfort. 6. Also choose fabrics that can be hand washed and dried quickly. Hotel laundry facilities are expensive! 7. Choose a bed or a large space on the floor to lay out your clothes so that you can see what you are planning to pack. 2 trousers (one dressy, one casual) 2 skirts (one dressy, one casual) 3-4 tops (one of which is dressy) 1 jacket (can be worn with jeans, trousers, a dress or a skirt) 1 cardigan/jumper 2 dresses (1 which can be dressed down for the day and dressed up for the night) A pashmina or a warm wrap to wear over your shoulders on chilly evenings. Pack it in your hand luggage to keep you warm on the plane too Swimming costume or other alternative Walking shoes

Evening shoes Rain coat Ballet flats or loafers – ones that work with trousers, a dress or a skirt A pair of trainers or walking shoes if you plan on doing lots of walking One pair of simple and classic heels which match everything in your suitcase A day bag (preferably one with plenty of pockets) A pretty evening bag 1-2 scarves 1 belt 1-2 necklaces 1-2 bracelets 1-2 pairs of earrings Claire Thomas

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

Maui Jim, the premium polarized sunglasses company, gives us top tips for purchasing sunglasses that offer the ultimate protection from the sun. In this day and age when we must protect our skin we must also think of our eyes. Maui Jim recently earned the Seal of Recommendation from The Skin Cancer Foundation, which is a symbol of safe and protective sun protection. • Sunglasses should block 100 percent of all UV rays, but in addition, they should also block glare. • Choosing the right lens material for how you use your sunglasses is also important. Glass lenses offer the clearest edge-to-edge optics. However, glass lenses are not designed for active sports where they might get bumped or fall off your face and break. If you wear your glasses for outdoor sports consider purchasing polycarbonate or some of the new hybrid lenses that offer the crisp optics of glass, but provide scratch and impact-resistance. • Choosing a lens colour should be based on the conditions in which you will wear your sunglasses. If you do many outdoor activities, you may need two or three pairs of glasses for optimal vision in a variety of conditions. Neutral Grey lenses offer the highest level of light reduction for bright, sunny days. Rose coloured lenses are high-performance and are for maximum contrast and crisp vision for fast-moving sports like tennis or driving. A palm green colour lets the right amount of useful light into the eye to improve definition and depth perception without losing polarization efficiency. • If you wear prescription glasses, consider prescription sunglasses because they offer crisper vision than wearing contacts with sunglasses. • It is suggested that you try on a variety of sunglass styles, shapes and frame materials to find what looks best on your face. Frames come in colourful nylons, hybrid metals, lightweight titanium and rimless styles. Start by analysing your face shape. If it’s oval, almost any style will look good, especially square-shaped frames with gently rounded edges. If your face is round, look for frames that make your face appear longer. Minimize the curves and choose styles with a double brow or higher temples to pull the eye upwards. Square faces do well in soft, curvy styles. Diamond and triangular faces look terrific in rimless styles that are oval or have a slight cat-eye. The trends this year point to an abundance of colourful frames that celebrate the vibrancy in the world around us – amethyst, cinnamon, honey, chocolate, green, ruby, mauve, smoke grey and sandstone. Sunglass shapes are reminiscent of classic styles from the past, but have been updated to fit today’s fashions. Rounded squares and squared ovals are back in force. Soft cat-eye and wayfarer shapes make a strong retro-fashion statement. Styles that feature burnished metals and strong patterns are hot right now. The tortoise shell-look is back, but it’s been updated with more colourful, aggressive patterns. Textures of wood and shell are popular. The classic aviator has been updated with bolder single- and doublebridges, larger teardrop frames or slightly squared shapes. When shopping for sunglasses, remember that good sunglasses are about eye protection. First decide when and how you wear your sunglasses; then choose lens materials, lens colours and fashion-forward frame styles that offer features for the activities in which you wear them. www.mauijim.com

Bedrocking

The Tyranny of Trust

by Sas Dijk

by Neil Gevisser

Staying Alive by Barry Johnson

A twisting, turning, unexpected tale of deception and intrigue set in Apartheid South Africa In Apartheid South Africa in 1972, Aaron meets Angela in a bar. He has no way of knowing that she has sought him out because he is a White man about to move into District Six – an area that just days before had been Black, with the reclassification causing mass enforced evictions. He’s not to know that she’s Coloured – her skin is as white as his as they disrobe – but now he has broken the law by sleeping with her and his freedom is in her hands. He’s also not to know that she’s a political assassin and probably the most dangerous woman that he’s ever likely to meet. What he does know is that there is something bubbling under the surface in the South Africa around him and there’s an energy in the stolen house he shares with the marijuana smoke, political discourse and public expressions of the flesh. It is unseen and unheard but always

An adrenalin-fuelled prison thriller with violence and despair waiting around every corner… MI5 agent Jake Robinson is back, pitting his wits once again against The Family, a highpowered network with far-reaching arms that simultaneously caress the heights of Government while clawing through the gutters of the criminal underworld. Jake’s intervention in the miscarriage of justice surrounding the murder trial of his friend Jase Phillips is called upon once again when Phillips is murdered in prison. With The Family the obvious conspirators, Jake has no choice but to go undercover to get to the bottom of and avenge the death of his friend. Once inside, Jake is subjected to the threat of violence wherever he turns. He soon floats to the top of the pecking order, but from there the only way is down, with half the prison population and all of The Family are more than happy to facilitate his fall - £17.99.

threatening to build to a crescendo and blow his world apart. - £9.99

The Meltdown of a Banker’s Wife by Gill Davy-Bowker A comic novel set against the backdrop of the banking crisis. Mel is living the pampered lifestyle of a banker’s wife, but she is far from content. Are her children normal? Is her husband having an affair? What enormous creature did the cat dismember all over the kitchen floor? It’s not until the banking crisis hits and her husband’s world implodes that reality dawns… The Meltdown of a Banker’s Wife is a comic novel with a difference, ideal for anyone who enjoys an ironic chuckle at the dark side of the banking world. - £9.99.

Get ready for Holiday Reading with 3 of the latest releases we will be giving away one copy of each of the books featured. For your chance to win one of these fabulous books, please send an email to Office@alongthethames.co.uk by 30th June 2014

BOOK GUILD

The books on this page are from Book Guild Publishing Fic t

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To order, please call 01202 665432 (weekdays only) or visit www.bookguild.co.uk to view our other titles LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

Home Malone Shaun Curran recently met with Gareth Malone - Gareth talks about how everyone has the potential to be a good singer, his upcoming tour and what it means to have suddenly become a sex symbol! The choir master TV personality â&#x20AC;&#x201C;and Officer of the Order of the British Empire - has taken his profession to the main stage, making all things choral popular again.

He’s as British as they come, and after opening up the world to a brand of choral cordiality, Gareth Malone is back in Blighty doing what he does best. TV personality, chart-topper and OBE - Gareth Malone is the national face of choir singing, single-handedly making cool a whole genre in the eyes of a previously indifferent public. His BBC series The Choir and its subsequent spin-offs have been the best of the new breed of TV reality shows in recent years, with Malone as choirmasterin-chief coaxing emotional and cathartic singing out of the uninitiated, uninterested and (quite often) undervalued. But alongside his commendable work helping others - his series Military Wives not only highlighted the plight of soldiers’ widows, but scored a number one single with Wherever You Are - it has made an unlikely star of the 38-year-old from Bournemouth. So much so that, on the back of his album Voices, where he and a carefully-selected choir reinvented a selection of modern classics, Malone is heading out on tour this spring. “It is a new step, but it is a logical one - I am, after all, a musician,” he says. “I love performing live. I have done lots of TV, but the bit where I go and do the performance at the end, that was the part I’d really relish. So I am looking forward to going out there and playing live, building a rapport with the audience and having a good time doing what I love to do. Playing live is such a special thing. With a choir, it is much better live than a recording. Hearing those voices in a room is infinitely better than hearing

them on a CD player.” Promising a night of new, contemporary and classical pieces, Malone will offer a show that is fun, upbeat and big on audience participation, and acknowledges that the size of some of the venues (many boasting capacities of 2,000+) is recognition of the impact that he has in bringing choir to the masses “It’s been incredible how successful The Choir has been and how much attitudes to singing - and singing in choirs - has changed. It seems like a normal thing to do now, and I think this has, in part, been due to having a programme about it on BBC2, and the huge impact that offered. Ten years ago, we couldn’t have done an evening of choir music at these venues.” Of course, choir singing still has some way to go. And Malone believes he knows why. “It’s too closely linked to the church, and that puts people off. But we’re looking at continuing to reinvent the idea of what a choir is. People sing at football matches or at karaoke and that’s okay, but the idea of singing in a choir is somehow not and that’s ridiculous really. It’s an artificial distinction.” Malone has specialised in cajoling people to sing, often against their better instinct. Does everybody have the potential to be a good singer? “Most people have got a voice and can

make a contribution and improve; most people are better than they think they are. It’s very rare that someone has got no ability to sing whatsoever. We’re not all going to be Beyoncé, but we can all give it a go.” The success of Military Wives, Malone says, has been his greatest achievement. “It was wonderful and in terms of national impact the best thing I’ve done. Sometimes, you can affect the life of one person in a seemingly small way and that can be powerful. And that’s the great power of music; it goes beyond words. People who hadn’t even seen the series found out about it. It was life-changing for them and for me. It was going well before, but that changed my whole life really.” So much so that, alongside his musical prowess, Malone is now seen as something of a sex symbol. What does she think about that? “It’s a bit strange,” he laughs. “For years and years, working in music, being a student, generally huffing around, I was routinely ignored by women. And you grow up a bit, grow into yourself and get on TV, people look at you in a different way. I think it is revenge of the geeks. We are finally reclaiming what is rightfully ours!” Gareth Malone gives his first UK tour in May and June 2014 joined by his new choir ‘Gareth Malone’s Voices’, whose debut album is out now. Information and tickets from garethmalone.com/tour.

Most people have got a voice and can make a contribution and improve; most people are better than they think they are. It’s very rare that someone has got no ability to sing whatsoever.

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UP FRONT If you are thinking of selling and want to make a good first impression, or you simply want to improve ‘kerb appeal’ for your own pride, then making the front of your house more attractive is an obvious step to take. The basics are pretty self-explanatory - have a good tidy-up, give tired woodwork a lick of paint and do any necessary repairs, especially to the walls, roof, windows and front door. The other area to focus on is the front garden, which can make an enormous difference to the overall appearance and appeal of your home. This time of year is ideal for brightening up the garden, using window boxes, hanging baskets, troughs and tubs planted with colourful bedding plants. To define the entrance, especially if there could be confusion about which door is the front door, strategically place topiary bushes or tall shrubs in nice pots to guide people to the right door. Hedges provide privacy if your home is close to the pavement, but can make the front room dark, so be careful to strike the right balance. If you don’t want the hassle of maintaining a front lawn, or you don’t have room for one, stick to low-maintenance options like gravel, pebbles or slate chips, all of which

can be used to quickly cover eyesores like concrete and crazy paving. A more expensive, but elegant, option is block paving, paving slabs, or slate or (frostresistant) ceramic tiles, which are easy to maintain because they can be hosed down. Mix in some flowerbeds and you should have a smart, easy-to-maintain front garden that’s the best of both worlds. In some locations, especially urban ones where parking is expensive or in short supply, off-street parking in your front garden can be a valuable addition to your home. That said, creating off-street parking won’t necessarily be cheap, and you may need planning permission - go to www.planningportal.gov.uk for general advice, and also check with the local council before going ahead in case your proposal is an exception to the rules. In some cases, you’ll need planning for both the parking and a dropped kerb (if you don’t already have one), which are separate applications and usually dealt with by different council departments. Often, the council will only tell you how

Bizarre Accident Claims Filed by Home Owners • A trapped badger bashing its way out of a shed and a pigeon causing £8,000 of damage to a home after flying down a chimney are among the most bizarre but successful claims that an insurance provider has seen in recent months. • In another incident, a snail chomped its way through £78 worth of carpet at the home of a 73-year-old man from Preston, according to RIAS, a specialist provider of insurance products for the over-50s. The provider analysed successful claims from over 400,000 home insurance customers, made between September 2012 and October 2013, to find the most unusual, many of which involved children or animals.

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much it will charge to drop the kerb once the planning for the off-street parking has been approved, so, as you can imagine, it can be quite a lengthy process. Also, while off-street parking often adds value, it isn’t very environmentally friendly. Plants have lots of benefits, including encouraging wildlife, and natural surfaces like grass and soil allow water to drain away quickly, helping to prevent flooding. At the very least, choose a permeable hard surface for your front garden. Using a permeable surface, such as gravel, permeable block paving, or porous asphalt, may, in any case, exempt you from having to apply for planning for off-street parking. Whatever you go for, your front garden should be in keeping with your home’s exterior - an ultramodern design probably won’t suit a country cottage, for example. It should also suit your lifestyle, as you don’t want a garden that requires more time and energy than you can devote to it, however good it looks. Julia Gray

Home buyer 'turn-offs' revealed Woodchip wallpaper, mirrored ceilings and nude portraits have been revealed as the top decorative turn-offs for house-hunters - hot tubs were also among the top 10 features that would put off a would-be buyer, according to research from website NeedaProperty.com.

An avocado bathroom suite and have-a-go 1980s paint effects such as "rag rolling" were also among the features that house hunters would be most put out to find.

House sellers looking to attract a buyer may want to consider installing granite kitchen surfaces, a wooden floor, a wood burning stove, a roll-top bath or an American-style fridge, as these were listed as being among the biggest turn-ons in the survey of 2,000 prospective home buyers conducted last month.

Check this out If you’re planning on buying a home or re-mortgaging in the coming months, it might be wise to start reining your spending in now. Thanks to a new set of rules called the Mortgage Market Review (MMR) officially due to come into force on April 26, but already being followed by many lenders - stricter affordability checks will be applied to anyone wishing to apply, or reapply, for a mortgage.

While no one expects you to live a saintly existence, experts say lenders will want to see you are living within your means. So, if you’re a bit stretched financially, now could be the time to ditch your weekly takeaway extravagance in favour of a trip to your local budget supermarket.

In a nutshell, the rules aim to make sure people who can afford to repay their mortgages continue to get access to them, while preventing any return to any irresponsible lending behaviour of the past.

Lenders will also be applying “stress tests”, which will check not only that you can afford your mortgage payments now, but as and when interest rates start to rise.

So even if you’re not planning on applying for a mortgage for some time, housing market experts warn that lenders will probably want to sift through between three and six months of bank statements to work out what your spending habits are. As well as taking particular notice of the outgoings you might expect - regular household bills, childcare, the cost of your daily commute food and debt repayments - they may also pose questions about aspects of your spending you haven’t even realised would be picked up on - some mortgage brokers have seen examples of lenders probing bills to the milkman, or a one-off flutter on the horses.

With lenders needing to check your habits more thoroughly, you may also notice that the process of taking out a mortgage takes longer than in the past. Firms will need to ask you more questions to make sure that a mortgage product is the right one for you, taking into account your personal circumstances, and t he Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) says the “overwhelming majority” of mortgage sales will be advised, taking two hours or even longer to complete. Even if you just want to make a change to an existing mortgage, you will be affected by these rules and may find the process takes longer. Some lenders may split the sales process into two separate interview sessions, and you’ll find yourself having to rummage

around more to find paperwork to back up what you say, so get all your payslips, bank statements, and evidence of overtime or bonus payments lined up. As well as trying to work out how you spend your money now, lenders will also try to gaze into their crystal balls to work out the impact of any anticipated life changes on the horizon, such as retirement. Interest-only mortgages, which allow borrowers to pay off the capital only when the mortgage term ends, will still be offered under these stricter rules, b ut they will be considered a “niche” product - if you want one, you will have to show you have a credible strategy in place to repay the loan when it comes to an end. Last summer, City regulator the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) issued a “wake up call” to interestonly mortgage holders amid fears that up to 1.3 million people do not have enough cash to pay their loans back. This type of mortgage has become much more thin on the ground in recent years amid the concerns about people not having sufficient plans in place to pay their home loan back. Vicky Shaw

How can Pet Owners find the Purr-fect Rental Pad? The Association of Residential Letting Agents (Arla) has teamed up with charity the Dogs Trust to offer tips on how to secure your dream rental property - for you and your pet. • CONSIDER A HIGHER DEPOSIT: This could give the landlord peace of mind that any damage will be covered. It may also be worth offering to pay for professional cleaning on leaving the property, which shows your commitment to maintaining the property.

• PET INFORMATION: When trying to secure a tenancy it’s important to provide as much information about your pet as possible. It could be worth including references from previous landlords and even vets to show that your pet is well behaved. • MEET AND GREET: What better way to show that your pet is friendly than to arrange a meeting between them and your prospective landlord? • WRITTEN PERMISSION: You should get an agreement with your

landlord to allow your pet into their property, which will also help if there are any disputes. • BE FLEXIBLE: Not all landlords are open to renting their property to pet owners, so it’s important to remain flexible on both your location and type of property. Visit the Dogs Trust Lets with Pets website to search for a pet-friendly letting agency in your area - www.letswithpets.org.uk.

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

The team at Calibra Tree Surgeons give their advice on pruning mature trees.

Pruning Mature Trees Pruning is the most common tree maintenance procedure. Although forest trees grow quite well with only nature's pruning, landscape trees require a higher level of care to maintain their safety and aesthetics. Pruning should be done with an understanding of how the tree responds to each cut. Improper pruning can cause damage that will last for the life of the tree, or worse, shorten the tree's life. REASONS FOR PRUNING Because each cut has the potential to change the growth of the tree, no branch should be removed without a reason. Common reasons for pruning are to remove dead branches, to remove crowded or rubbing limbs, and to eliminate hazards. Trees may also be pruned to increase light and air penetration to the inside of the tree’s crown or to the landscape below. In most cases, mature trees are pruned as a corrective or preventive measure. Routine thinning does not necessarily improve the health of a tree. Trees produce a dense crown of leaves to manufacture the sugar used as energy for growth and development. Removal of foliage through pruning can reduce growth and stored energy reserves. Heavy pruning can be a significant health stress for the tree. Yet if people and trees are to coexist in an urban or suburban environment, then we sometimes have to modify the trees. Towns and cities do not mimic natural forest conditions. Safety is a major concern. Also, we want trees to complement other landscape plantings and lawns. Proper pruning, with an understanding of tree biology, can maintain good tree health and structure while enhancing the aesthetic and economic values of our landscapes.

WHEN TO PRUNE Most routine pruning to remove weak, diseased, or dead limbs can be accomplished at any time during the year with little effect on the tree. As a rule, growth is maximized and wound closure is fastest if pruning takes place before the spring growth flush. Some trees, such as maples and birches, tend to “bleed” if pruned early in the spring. It may be unsightly, but it is of little consequence to the tree. A few tree diseases, can be spread when pruning wounds allow spores access into the tree. Susceptible trees should not be pruned during active transmission periods. Heavy pruning just after the spring growth should be avoided. At that time, trees have just expended a great deal of energy to produce foliage and early shoot growth. Removal of a large percentage of foliage at that time can stress the tree.

Tulips

Large Tree Dismantling Tree Thinning and Pruning

Tree Felling and Shaping Fruit Tree Maintenance

Stump Grinding and Logs

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www.calibratree.co.uk

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

No garden should be without tulips, whether you just have room for a few in a pot or a big enough area for a stunning display. They are the majestic queens of spring in colours from white, red and yellow to peach and deep burgundy. My personal favourite is Tulipa 'Queen of Night', which has deep purple, almost black flowers and contrasts effectively with acid green foliage and the wine gum colours of wallflowers. Good cut flower varieties include T. 'Christmas Dream', which is a light raspberry colour, while if you want pillar box red, go for the robust 'Red Riding Hood', with broad leaves streaked with maroon marbled markings. You can also buy dwarf varieties for the rockery such as 'Dream Boat', with orange flowers tinted with red.

Tulips like well-drained soil in full sun. Bulbs should be planted in November at a depth of around 15cm (6in). Some varieties can be left in the ground after flowering, but check on the label because others will need to be lifted and stored until late autumn.

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For beautiful gardens all year round... ...Think Thames Valley Landscapes. Big or small we create inspirational, practical and colourful gardens to play, relax, entertain and grow in.

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New Rose Garden at Cliveden This summer the National Trust at Cliveden near Maidenhead will reveal a newly restored Rose Garden, originally designed by Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe, one of the 20th century’s greatest garden designers.

“Champagne Moments”: David Austin Roses

The new Rose Garden is set to become a major attraction in the gardens which have been enjoying a colourful renaissance in recent years under the leadership of Head Gardener Andrew Mudge. The roses are expected to bloom from mid-June through to September.

visitor and draw them into the garden. We’re creating this effect by using roses of different heights. Tall roses almost five foot high will enclose beds planted with shorter varieties so as you walk into the garden the roses will seem to close around you.”

Known in recent years as the Secret Garden when the beds displayed very different plants, the intimate circular area has been redesigned to retain the tranquil atmosphere of a hidden garden, whilst creating a spectacular display of 800 repeat flowering roses with phased colours from yellow and oranges through to velvety reds and deep crimsons.

The 800 roses were planted in autumn 2013 following over a year of research and design. The Rose Garden is set within a landscape originally laid out in the 1720s. Andrew explains: “Our formal gardens have evolved over the course of 300 years and we aim to highlight the most significant features to create a garden for the 21st century visitor to enjoy.”

The colour scheme is unique and Andrew believes it will reflect Jellicoe’s vision for the garden, perhaps for the very first time. “We’ve worked closely with David Austin Roses to source 45 different rose varieties, that planted together will create swathes of colour moving from yellow through to orange and red,” he says.

The roses in the new Rose Garden are expected to flower from mid-June. Visitors will be able to meet Andrew in the Rose Garden every Tuesday afternoon in June (2-4pm) to hear about the restoration and pick up tips for growing and caring for roses at home. David Austin roses featured in the garden will be on sale in the shop and the café will be serving rose-scented cakes throughout the rose season. There

“The Rose Garden, originally designed in 1959, was intended to envelop the

“Darcy Busseell”: David Austin Roses

will also be a rose-themed trail to help families explore and enjoy the garden. Please see the website for flowering updates, admission prices, opening times: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ cliveden or call 01628 605 069

Three ways to... Beat weeds

Three ways to... Protect strawberries 1. Lay a bed of straw underneath emerging fruits on a dry, fine day to stop them getting wet and rotting. 2. Put netting over the plants, using short sturdy stakes to support the netting and keep the birds at bay. 3. Keep an eye on your crops for signs of botrytis (grey mould) and if you see any grey, fluffy mould on the berries cut them off and bin them, checking over the rest of the crop.

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

1. As tiny seedlings appear, hoe every week or two, preferably on a dry, sunny day, leaving the weed seedlings to shrivel in the sun. 2. If you weed when the annual weeds are bigger, dig them out individually, clearing them away afterwards or they'll root back into the soil. 3. With tough, perennial weeds such as ground elder or bindweed, either use a systemic weedkiller, based on glyphosate, painted or sprayed on the offending plants on a dry day, which is absorbed through the leaves and slowly kills the roots. Wait a few weeks to see if regrowth appears and if it does, treat them again. If you are a committed organic gardener and don't want to use weedkiller, re-visit the offending weeds each week, removing all top growth, which will weaken and eventually kill them.

garden design

Coleby & Faulkner

secluded spaces What better way to while away the lazy summer evenings than sitting in a secluded spot in your garden away from the hustle and bustle of work or a busy family life. Making a special place to sit or lounge can also give you a focal point in the garden, especially if you make a pathway to lead your eye to your favourite spot. You will have a place to sit with a friend for coffee, or somewhere to snooze on a sunny afternoon. If you have established trees in your garden consider a bench under the canopy, or hang a hammock between 2 sturdy branches. Alternatively you could create a second small patio away from the house, screened by hedging or shrubs to give the feeling of a secret space. Use a circle of bricks or small paviors to make a base for a table and chairs. Or set a small platform of sleepers in the grass, scattered with bright cushions this makes a perfect lounging place for lazy summer afternoons.

design & development : project management : planting specialists : consultancy & sourcing : passionate about gardens

01628 478454

www.colebyandfaulkner.co.uk

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Country Wise "Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing absolutely nothing half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows. Kenneth Grahame’s Water Rat was of course not a rat at all but a vole. To be precise a Water Vole Arvicola amphibius and when The Wind in the Willows was written they would have been a common site along our river banks. Alas, that was then, today Water Voles are Britain’s fastest declining mammal. Their numbers have gone from around 8,000,000 in the 1950’s to about 200,000 in recent years. This decline has been due to the loss of habitat and the American Mink. Once the must have fashion accessory, the mink coat or stole lead to many thousands of American Mink being kept on farms to supply the fur trade. Accidental escapes and the criminal activity by animal rights protesters lead to American Mink being released into our waterways. These ferocious predators have all but finished off a Water Vole population that was under pressure from its loss of habitat due to the intensification of farming and building alongside our watercourses. Water Vole numbers in our area are stable or in fact rising whereas nationally numbers continue to fall in many areas. This is due to the Water Vole Recovery Project for Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxford, a partnership project run by Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxford Wildlife Trust in conjunction with the Environment Agency, the Canal and River Trust and Thames Water.

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

The work of the project is to survey and monitor Water Vole populations and co- ordinate the monitoring and control of American Mink. Offer advice on habitat management and enhancement to landowners. The project has a team of 50 dedicated volunteer surveyors who walk our watercourses each summer recording Water Vole activity. How do you spot a Water Vole? Water Voles are often mistaken for a common rat. So if you think you see a rat swimming in the water take a closer look. Voles have a much rounder body shape, darker fur and a shorter chubby face. The chances of see a vole are pretty slim so you will need to look out for other signs. They make a runway of close-cropped vegetation usually within 1 meter of the water’s edge. You may see piles of chopped off grass, as the voles only eat the tasty bit around base of grass or reed. If you are into poo and who isn’t, look out for poo shaped like a tic-tac. Keep listening as you walk along, if you hear a plop like someone dropping a stone into the river in could be a vole diving.

Places to see them, Water Voles have been seen on River Pang at Moor Copse Reserve, River Thames - visit Chimney Meadows, River Windrush in Witney, River Ock in Abingdon. If you do see a Water Vole the Water vole Project would love to hear from you. “We would love to discover more Water Voles so if you are lucky enough to see a Water Vole whilst out and about please report your sighting to the Water Vole Project Officer”. Julia Lofthouse, Mammal Project Officer, Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust, 01865 775476 ext. 213. We would like to thank Julia Lofthouse for her help in writing this article. Jacky & Mark Bloomfield

Bees Why are they so important and what can we do to help their survival? Beekeepers and gardeners have noticed that bees are less healthy and abundant in recent years than they have been in the past. If this trend continues, it could have serious implications, since most plants rely on bees and other insects to transfer pollen from one flower to another in order to set fruits and seeds. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? • The strength and health of honeybee colonies has declined, making it more difficult for beekeepers to maintain their hives in good condition • Some bumblebee and solitary bee species are doing well and have increased their distribution in Britain. Others have shown marked declines over the last 30 years • Bumblebees and solitary bees that are able to collect nectar and pollen from a wide range of plants, including garden flowers, are generally maintaining their numbers and distribution • It is species that are more selective in their flower-visiting habits, or have special requirements for nest sites, that have declined in numbers and now have a more restricted distribution • Many garden plants and agricultural/ horticultural crops need bees to bring about pollination by transferring pollen from the flowers’ anthers to the stigmas. These include most tree and soft fruits, and many vegetables including runner beans, broad beans, tomatoes, marrows and courgettes • Plants that are not pollinated will not set fruits or produce seeds WHY ARE BEES IN DECLINE? The problems facing the honeybee are different to those affecting bumblebees and solitary bees. Several factors have been identified as probable contributory causes of honeybee decline. • Varroa mite: This is a parasitic mite

that sucks bee blood (haemolymph) from the bodies of honeybee larvae, pupae and adult bees. • Diseases: Honeybees and their larvae are affected by many diseases caused by bacteria, fungi and viruses. • Neglect by the beekeeper: Honeybees today need more care and management because of the need to prevent damaging levels of Varroa mites building up. • Pesticides, especially insecticides, are often blamed for bee losses. The instructions on the packaging usually state “Dangerous to bees”. The honey bee is the only bee to maintain a colony throughout the winter, reducing its colony size in autumn and relying on its stores of honey to last it through the winter months when it is too cold for foraging or there is no forage available. Some colonies may have since been lost simply by running out of stores. The Royal Horticultural Society says that we can all help the bee populations by planting the right sort of plants in our gardens “Planting the right sort of plant is important and try to plant in drifts. There are so many bee-friendly plants

including thyme, oregano, mint and viburnum. Plant some trees for bees as well, including spring-flowering cherries, apples, plums and pears.” All blossoms are widely visited by bees including blackthorn, cherry, plum, damson and crab apple. Other trees that are widely visited are the horse chestnut for its nectar and sycamore for its pollen. She also advises gardeners to set aside part of the garden as a decorative wildflower area which will be a magnet for bees, planting white and red clover, borage, thyme, bugle and other beefriendly plants as well as herbs. “Bees also need water, so you can do something like fill a pot lid with water and put stones in it and netting over it so that they can drink without falling in.” Gardeners should make sure they provide a succession of bee-friendly plants which will flower between February and November, to give bees the best chance of building up their stores. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) launched a guide as part of its Perfect for Pollinators initiative, listing more than 200 wildflowers, such as corncockle, teasel and wild parsnip, that provide plentiful pollen and nectar for pollinating insects.

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

Bees: Why are they so important and what can we do to help their survival? The Royal Horticultural Society advises gardeners to: • Avoid plants with double or multipetalled flowers, which may lack nectar and pollen, or insects may have difficulty in gaining access. • Never use pesticides on plants when they are in flower. • Where appropriate, British wild flowers can be an attractive addition to planting schemes and may help support a wider range of pollinating insects. • Observe the plants in your garden. If you know of plants with blooms that regularly attract insects, let the RHS know. • Choose flowers that bloom successively over the spring, summer and fall, such as coreopsis, Russian sage or germander, in order to provide pollen and nectar resources to the native bees of all seasons.

• Encourage bees by keeping honey bees yourself or allowing a beekeeper to place hives in your garden. Nest boxes containing cardboard tubes or hollow plant stems, or holes drilled in blocks of wood will provide nest sites for some species of solitary bees. Such nests are available from garden centres or you can make your own (holes/tubes should be in a mixture of sizes with a diameter of 2mm-8mm). Place these nest sites in sunny positions. Some solitary bees nest in the ground, either in bare soil or short turf. They will find their own nest sites, so tolerate the small mounds of soil deposited by the female bees when they excavate their nest tunnels. has recently colonised in Britain and will often use bird nest boxes

• Provide nest sites for bumblebees: Bumblebee nest boxes can be purchased but they are often ignored by queen bumblebees. They prefer to find their own nest sites down tunnels dug by mice or in grass tussocks. The tree bumblebee, Bombus hypnorum,

If you want to become a beekeeper, details of county beekeepers’ associations and training courses can be seen on www.bbka.org.uk

THERE ARE THREE BROAD GROUPS OF BEES: The HONEYBEE (Apis mellifera) is a social bee that forms large colonies that overwinter. It can be kept in hives and is the source of honey and beeswax. A strong honeybee colony may contain about 60,000 bees

ffee

BUMBLEBEES (Bombus spp.) are also social bees but their nests die out in late summer or early autumn. There are about 24 bumblebee species in Britain but only about 12 are commonly seen in gardens. At peak strength in midsummer, a bumblebee nest may contain up to 200 bees

k a e r b

ACROSS 7. Courage (5) 8. Thriftiness (7) 9. Distinguished (7) 10. Correct (5) 12. Dumbfounded (10) 15. Quibble (10) 18. Test (5) 19. Draw out (7) 21. Exclude (4,3) 22. Freight (5)

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

DOWN 1. Detention (10) 2. Corn (5) 3. Yield (4) 4. Vigour (6) 5. Fairly (8) 6. Still (7) 11. Travesty (10) 13. Marquee (8) 14. Conscientious (7) 16. Cause (6) 17. Wed (5) 20. Diplomacy (4)

SOLUTIONS Across: 7 Nerve; 8 Economy; 9 Eminent; 10 Emend; 12 Speechless; 15 Equivocate; 18 Trial; 19 Extract; 21 Shut out; 22 Cargo. Down: 1 Internment; 2 Grain; 3 Cede; 4 Mettle; 5 Somewhat; 6 However; 11 Distortion; 13 Pavilion; 14 Dutiful; 16 Create; 17 Marry; 20 Tact.

There are about 260 species of SOLITARY BEE in Britain, some of which are rare species confined to restricted habitats. Common types of garden solitary bees include some of the Andrena, Osmia, Megachile, Lasioglossum and Nomada species. Solitary bee nests are even smaller and with these non-social bees, each female constructs and provisions her nest on her own

14 15

16 17

Saturday 14th June

2014

Sunday 15th June

Marlow Town Regatta and Festival Saturday - Traditional Rowing Regatta Sunday - Dragon Boat Festival and Canoe Regatta Sunday spectator entrance is free. Saturday enclosure badges, picnic pitch and car parking tickets can be purchased from the

Marlow Information Centre

55A High Street, Marlow, SL7 1BA (entrance in Institute Road) Opening Times Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm (Thursday 10am - 5pm): Saturday: 9am - 1pm:

Tel: 01628

483597/481717

Email: marlow_office@wycombe.gov.uk Badges & Tickets can also be purchased online:

www.marlowtownregatta.org

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

Henley Royal Regatta

Courtesy Henley Royal Regatta

2nd - 6th July 2014

his year Henley Royal Regatta celebrates its 175th year with the first staging of the regatta in 1839. To commemorate this occasion a new base for the Grand Challenge Cup for men’s eights has been donated by Harvard University.

The first Regatta was held on 14th June 1839 and lasted for some 3 hours, starting at 4.00 in the afternoon. The Regatta has been held every year since 1839, save for the periods of the First and Second World Wars. As no official Regattas were held for 11 years (1915–1919 & 1940–1945 inclusive) this year (2014) represents the 165th Regatta. How did Henley Royal Regatta gain its Royal connections? In 1851 H.R.H. Prince Albert, who was later to become The Prince Consort, agreed to become Patron of the Regatta and it was, accordingly, designated Royal in that year. On his death the Queen consented to the title being retained. On the accession of each monarch since the death of Queen Victoria the Regatta has received notification that Royal Patronage will continue and thus the event is still styled Henley Royal Regatta. Who runs Henley Royal Regatta? Since its establishment in 1839, the Regatta has been organised by a self-electing body of Stewards of Henley Royal Regatta. Since 1881 the Stewards have principally been associated with the sport of rowing. This arrangement continues today.

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

Why is Henley Royal Regatta held at this time of year?

riverside from which their members could enjoy the rowing and the social scene.

Historically rowing is a summer sport and most English regattas were - and indeed are still - held during June and July. Henley is also a part of the ‘summer season’ and follows naturally after Royal Ascot.

After the First World War - principally as a fund raising venture - the Stewards themselves decided to establish their own private enclosure at the Finish and to charge a fee for membership and admission. It was this area that became known as The Stewards’ Enclosure.

As many of the crews competing at Henley are drawn from schools and colleges it is desirable that the event is staged at the very end of the Summer Term. How do the Stewards control the Regatta? The Regatta is in the control of its Stewards, men and women, who are elected for life. At present there are approximately 60 Stewards, although no set number is laid down. It is an interesting fact that when Baron Pierre de Coubertin founded the modern Olympic movement in 1896 he based the constitution of the International Olympic Committee on the constitution of Henley Royal Regatta. What is the Stewards’ Enclosure? In the nineteenth century the Stewards organised viewing stands along the river banks near the Finish, then during the early years of the twentieth century the practice of watching the racing from houseboats moored along the banks became exceedingly popular. This fashion died out in the last years of the Edwardian era when London clubs began to arrange tented sites along the

Within the Stewards’ Enclosure there are two grandstands, three bars, a coffee bar, a large luncheon tent, a seafood restaurant, a shop, an art gallery, a bandstand and a prize tent. There are extensive car parks on the fields adjacent to this Enclosure and many Members choose to picnic by their cars. How long is the Course? The Course is 1 mile 550 yards (2112m) in length. This curious measurement relates to the length of straight water available on the Henley Reach, from the tail of Temple Island to opposite Phyllis Court Club. How many crews row at Henley Royal Regatta? Entries for the 2014 Regatta do not close until 6pm on Monday 16th June. The number of crews will be known at that point. How do crews qualify to row at Henley Royal Regatta? Racing at Henley is on a knock-out (matchplay) basis over five days with the Finals raced on the Sunday. Each event has to be limited to a certain number of crews, which varies from 8, 12, 16 to 32. If more entries are received

Regatta – which is held just two weeks before Henley Royal Regatta and which caters very fully for women’s events. It is extremely important to maintain the correct balance between the events offered at the two regattas. After two years with the Invitation Event for Women’s Eights, the Stewards concluded that there is a place for a limited number of women’s events to be included in the programme at Henley Royal Regatta. This is specifically to create the opportunity for the top women rowers from Great Britain and from overseas to “showcase” themselves to the much wider audience they will reach by racing at Henley Royal Regatta.

Courtesy Shutterstock

for a certain event than the number allowed, then it is necessary to hold a qualifying competition beforehand. Six days after the closing date for the entries the Committee meets to discuss the size of the entry. The best crews, with the best records to date, will not have to row in the Qualifying Races. However, the weaker crews or the crews with no known performance will have to row in the Qualifiers. For example, if 38 crews enter for a 32 boat event then approximately 25 crews will go automatically into the Regatta proper. The remaining 13 crews will race a qualifier to gain one of the remaining 7 places in the Regatta. The Qualifying Races are held on the Friday afternoon and evening before the Regatta starts. Each crew races over the Course and their time is taken. The crews with the 7 best times (on the above example) will gain their places in the Regatta. Are all the rowers amateurs? For 158 years all the rowers racing at the Regatta were required to be amateurs. However, at the end of 1997, and in line with the changes in world rowing, Henley removed the amateur rule. In practice this only impacts a small number of the very top rowers. The vast majority of the rowers at the Regatta remain amateurs in the real sense of the word. Has Henley Royal Regatta ever been affected by freak weather? Most of the Regattas immediately prior to the First World War were held in torrential rain - and the first Regatta was held after the most astonishing thunderstorm and lightning strikes! In 1968 there was a flash flood the day

before the Regatta and the resulting flow of water swept away many of the fixed stages from which the crews boated. It was touch and go that the racing boats could get on and off the water the following day but, through improvisation, a crisis was averted and the Regatta went ahead. Since then the fixed stages have been replaced by floating rafts, which rise and fall with the level of the Thames. In 1994 the Friday evening of the Qualifying Races was affected by one of the worst storms in living memory. Racing was abandoned and, fortunately, nobody was hurt. The programme was successfully completed on the Saturday morning before the Draw. In 2008 thunderstorms delayed the racing programme on one of the racing days.

In 2000 the Stewards changed the Women’s Eights event from an Invitation Event to an Open Event. In 2002 this event became The Remenham Challenge Cup. In 2001 the Stewards introduced an Open Event for Women’s Quadruple Sculls for the first time – The Princess Grace Challenge Cup. This is now the third event for women at the Regatta.. A new event for junior women’s quadruple sculls was introduced to the Regatta in 2012 with the inaugural event being won by Henley Rowing Club. Further information on Henley Royal Regatta can be found at www.hrr.co.uk.

Rain and bad weather generally, although unwelcome, do not stop the rowing and hence Henley is one of the few - perhaps the only - English summer sporting occasion that is not interrupted with the ominous words ‘Rain stopped play’! Why are there only three women’s events at Henley Royal Regatta?

Courtesy Henley Royal Regatta

Historically the Regatta was developed as a Regatta for men. In the sport of rowing, women’s events only appeared in European Championships in 1954, in World Championships in 1974 and in the Olympic Games in 1976. In 1993 an event for Women’s Single Sculls was introduced and is now, as The Princess Royal Challenge Cup, a permanent event at the Regatta. In 1998 and 1999 the Stewards sought to increase the number of events for women by introducing an Invitation Event for Women’s Eights. It must be appreciated that there is another major regatta – Henley Women’s

Courtesy Henley Royal Regatta

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

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01628 474 187 www.escountrysports.co.uk LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

Why? Oh Why? Oh Why? I was on a webinar the other day, and something the speaker said caused me to think quite deeply. Our presenter was arguing that what we did for a living was less important than why we did it. This is an argument that I am familiar with – perhaps you are too. Maybe you have seen the excellent Simon Sinek talk on the TED website – something over 16 million views suggest you might have. Just Google “Simon Sinek why TED” it if you haven’t yet seen it. I have written before about AMP – Autonomy, Mastery and Purpose. About how important it is that we have, and connect with, an overriding sense of purpose in life. What we do should be driven by our purpose, should be aligned with that purpose, and that purpose should be what determines our every action. Sometimes we don’t maintain this ideal, this celestial alignment, this nirvana. On thinking about the extent to which we focus on what we do, as opposed to why we do, I found myself contrasting two recent experiences. I had attended three networking events and had made my first radio appearance. The contrast was what struck me. The networking events seemed to me to be all about what people did. The standard first question of networking was

“What do you do?” I even found myself asking this question. The radio show was somewhat different, and I know that because I have now had chance to review the recording. I noticed at one point of the recording that I had become particularly passionate. My tonality changed, my pace was a little quicker, the power of my words became more forceful. The conversation, led by the skilled and experienced host, had progressed on to a different ground. We were no longer talking about what I do, or about what I had done. We were talking about why. My host had managed to move us on to the really important ground without me really noticing the journey. Why do I do what I do? The question was not asked directly, but we got there sure enough. I like to think that I know why I do what I do. I guess we all might like to think this. I do what I do because I believe people should be able to be the best they want to be. It is a choice that we can make. I want to be part of people being the best they want to be, I get a tremendously good feeling when I help someone along their journey to achieving this. Without doubt, there is payback for me in the sense of satisfaction that comes with this.

I am struck, however, at how often I communicate what I do without taking the time to explain why I do it. I wonder if you do the same. At one of the networking events I was fortunate to hear a dressmaker share why she does what she does. Her passion was obvious. Twenty years of clothes not fitting properly had driven her in the end to make her own clothes, and now she makes them for others too. If we were to connect at the level of why, our connections would be much stronger. As I write my upcoming book, I resolve to ensure I focus on why I have written it and explain it to my readers. I wonder if we should all think about explaining why we do what we do. Phil Walker

Bits and Bobs.. MOBILE WALLET

The proposed new £1 coin, which

Some 'packaged' bank accounts come

As the way we pay for things gets

will have the same shape as the pre-

with travel, mobile phone and breakdown

increasingly high-tech, several companies

decimalisation 12-sided 'threepenny

insurance and may also cover possessions

have launched systems that allow users to

bit', will be the hardest in the world for

away from home. But if someone has

create 'virtual' wallets, by securely storing

criminals to copy, the Government said.

one of these insurance policies separately

card details electronically.

A public competition will also be held to

from another provider, they could end

Mobile wallets enable you do things with

to design the tails side of the coin, to be

up paying more for their next policy,

your phone that you'd be able to with

introduced from 2017 - as with all UK

Gocompare.com says.

a conventional wallet, such as making

coins, the Queen's image will be on the

Many insurance policies have

purchases, redeeming vouchers and using

heads side.

'contribution clauses' which state that if

loyalty services.

CONSUMERS WARNED TO

cover is provided by another insurance

NEW £1 COIN TO BE SHAPED LIKE

CHECK INSURANCE

policy and a claim is made, the respective

OLD THREEPENNY BIT

People are being warned by comparison

insurer would only pay their share of the

The £1 coin is to be scrapped and replaced

website Gocompare to check what

claim.

by a new high-tech version as it emerged

insurance cover they have on their bank

A customer could end up having to make

that over 45 million fakes are now in

accounts and on home insurance policies

two claims, which could ramp up their

circulation.

to see if they are doubling up.

cost of cover next time.

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

Cloud Accounting comes to Harper Broom You may have heard about cloud accounting in the press and all its benefits. Here at Harper Broom we have recently signed up with Xero - accounting software - which means that we can now offer this service to you. Rather than purchasing accounting software and storing the data on your computer or company server, cloud accounting systems, such as Xero, store your data in the cloud and are accessed using the internet. Amongst the many benefits of cloud accounting are: • Reduced costs – No need to purchase hardware or accounting software and no costly updates required. Additionally no worries over server failures – everything is securely stored in the cloud • Ease of access – you can access your accounts and bookkeeping records, on real-time figures, wherever you have internet access, be it at home, the office, or out and about. • Accountants’ access - we can also have access to your records to give you assistance in managing your business on a day to day basis and freeing you up to run your business, rather than dealing with bookkeeping and accounting problems.

• Monthly cost rather than one large costly upfront fee meaning you can ease the pressure on your cashflow. If you would like further information on this, or any other tax or accounting matter please get in touch or visit our website. We offer a free initial consultation for all new customers, either at our offices, in Maidenhead or over the telephone. Please call 01628 785000 to book your appointment.

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

The baby Alfa has been tweaked and primped for 2014 including the clever Twin Air engine. What’s new?: The fundamentals are the same but the Mito has been updated inside and out. There’s some new details on the outside such as chrome on the grille and tweaked rear lights, while inside there is a new dashboard layout including a smart new touchscreen. There are mechanical changes too as the two-cylinder TwinAir engine gets a power boost to 103bhp up from 85bhp. Despite this, Alfa Romeo claims the fuel consumption and impressive 99g/km CO2 figure remain unchanged. The model names and specification have also been tweaked for better value. Looks and image: The Mito stands apart from most of its supermini rivals with a hefty dose of Italian style. It’s certainly a pretty car and its looks help to make it feel a little more exclusive than most small cars. The detail changes include new colours, a sportier rear bumper and grey detailing around the lights, all of which add to its sport appeal. On the looks front the Mito is definitely in a class of its own. Space and practicality: The Mito offers modest space for occupants and luggage; those in the front have good head and legroom although there’s little space to rest your left foot. The rear seats are best suited to children or adults for short journeys, and the lack of a centre seat belt means its suitable for just two in the rear. Boot space is slightly behind the class leaders but still competitive. Behind the wheel: The biggest change here is the extra power from the TwinAir engine, and although it doesn’t turn it into

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

a hot hatch the increased performance is welcome. The unusual two-cylinder layout gives the Mito a distinctive engine sound and to make decent progress you’ll need to use some revs. The Mito has Alfa’s ‘DNA’ switch that allows you to change the throttle and steering settings too. Although the suspension is unchanged the Mito can be fun to drive. With the ‘DNA’ switch in Dynamic mode the steering has a little more weight and adds to the pleasure. When driven more sedately the ride is firmer than some rivals and you’ll need to be patient to try and get the best fuel consumption. Value for money: The standard equipment list is generous, with engine stop/start, air conditioning, leather on the steering wheel and gearknob and rear parking sensors among other features. The big touchscreen is standard too, and on this Sportiva model there are also bigger brakes, unique alloy wheels, sports seats and the electronic suspension system. Who would buy one?: Anyone wanting a small car with personality. The Mito might not be the most practical or the most fun to drive, but it stands out from the crowd with its sharp looks and Italian personality. Although the TwinAir engine is full of character and promises good fuel economy, we’d choose a bigger petrol or one of the diesel options for better allround usability. This car summed up in a single word: Distinctive If this car was a...: Sandwich it would be a panini - a bit fancy and very Italian but ultimately still just a sandwich. Matt Joy

FACTS AT A GLANCE Alfa Romeo Mito TwinAir Sportiva, £16,300 Engine:0-85-litre unit producing 105bhp and 107lb/ft of torque Transmission: Six-speed manual gearbox driving the front wheels Performance: Top speed 114mph, 0-62mph in 11.4 seconds Economy: 67.2mpg combined Emissions: 99g/km of CO2

Keep your pets safe in the garden this Spring. Spring is a time to be out in the garden and get green fingered but for the pet owners out there it’s a time when you have to be careful about what you’re planting….here we share some tips that will ensure your garden is beautiful and your pets stay safe! Did you know that certain types of mulch are made from the hulls of cocoa beans and are poisonous to dogs? This mulch has a rich chocolate aroma that entices animals to eat it. A substance called theobromine is contained, this is a caffeine derivative and is toxic to animals…it can even kill them if enough is ingested. Read labels before you buy and find a natural product that does not contain essential oils and resins. When choosing your bulbs….consider that tulips, daffodils and garden hyacinths are toxic to dogs and cats. Although all parts of the plant are toxic, it is the bulbs that actually contain the most toxins so either avoid these or keep them in an area that can’t be accessed by your pets. Some non-toxic bulbs include spring crocus and grape hyacinth.

All the parts of lilies, even a tiny amount, can cause kidney failure in cats and amaryllis can cause abdominal pain and vomiting. Azalea and Rhododendron can also be harmful to small animals as they contain toxins, which if ingested, can damage the heart and nervous system. Some safe alternatives include Easter orchids, daisies, violets or Easter cactus. Experts at most local garden centres

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should be able to tell you which plants are safe for their pets. Remember to check whether the fertilizers you are using are safe for use around pets and if you are using soil amendments, such as manure or fish emulsion, be sure to monitor your pets when they are outside as many dogs are attracted to the smell and will enjoy a good digging session! Claire Fryer

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A Comprehensive Guide to What’s on in your local area. in&around Marlow, Maidenhead, Henley, Cookham & Bourne End If you would like your event added, please contact us at Office@AlongThe Thames.co.uk

MAY 12: ‘BOUTIQUE CINEMA’, screening starts at 20.00 with a pre-feature comedy classic from 19.30, Clayton’s, Oxford Road. (Book in advance: 01628 488404). 13: ’12 MONTHS OF COLOUR’ a talk for Marlow & District Horticultural Society, 19.30 for 20.00, Liston Hall. 13: ‘THE CAMERA NEVER LIES’, a Bucks Family History talk, 19.45, Bourne End Community Centre, Wakeman Road. 14: ‘WHOOPS’, an entertainment presented by The 4 about life’s journey and its slip-ups, 20.00, Church House (next to Hughenden Church), Hughenden Park, HP14 4LA. Tickets (£8). 14-18: ‘ROYAL WINDSOR HORSE SHOW’. To book tickets: www.rwhs. co.uk or tel: 0844 581 4960. (B) 15: ‘SHOW OFF YOUR SHORTS’, a social evening where talented local filmmakers introduce their short films, 18.30 for 19.00, Arts4Every1 Centre, Desborough Road, High Wycombe. 15: ‘CHAIRWAY TO HEAVEN’, a tour of the older part of High Wycombe Cemetery and discover the stories behind some of Wycombe’s 19th and 20th century chair makers, 19.00-20.30, High Wycombe Cemetery, Priory Road entrance. Tickets (£5) from H/W Library. 15-17: FOURWAYS PRESENTS ‘ROMEO AND JULIET’, Pipers Corner School, Great Kingshill, HP16 6LP. Tickets (£14) from 01494 522722 or www. fourways.org.uk.(B) 16: FREE LUNCHTIME CONCERT featuring ‘Richard Pillner (organ), 13.0013.50, lunches served from 12.30, All Saints’ Church. (Part of Wycombe Arts Festival).. 16-17: LANE END PLAYERS PRESENT ‘ENTERTAINING ANGELS’, a gentle, warm comedy, full of emotion, 20.00, Lane End Village Hall. Box office: 07706 426 320. 17: ‘MARLOW MAY FAYRE’, organised by Marlow Round Table, from 10.00 with the famous ‘duck race’ at 15.30, Higginson Park. 17: ‘LET’S ROCK THE MOOR’, the ultimate 80s festival, gates open 11.00,

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

festival starts 12.00-22.00, Cookham. Tickets from D&J News, West Street or online www.letsrockthemoor.com.(B) 17: MARLOW & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Plant Sale, 10.15, Liston Hall. 17: ‘BERKSHIRE BRASS AND ALL SAINTS’ CHOIRS’, 19.00, All Saints’ Church. Tickets (£8) from Marlow Parish Office, 01628 481806.(B) 17: HAMBLEDEN CONCERTS PRESENTS ‘TRIO OF THE GOLDEN AGE’, music from 17th century England, Italy, France and Germany, 19.30, The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Hambleden. Tickets (£12.50) available from Hambleden Stores.(B) 17: CHILTERN CAMERATA PRESENTS ‘BEETHOVEN PLUS’, a charity concert in aid of Scannappeal, 19.30, All Saints’ Parish Church, High Wycombe. 18: ‘BUSHCRAFT’, join an expert for lessons in nature inc. shelter building & fire lighting, 09.00-12.00 or 13.00-16.00, Hughenden Manor, High Wycombe. Booking essential on 0844 2491895.(B) 18: ‘WEDDING FAIR’, 11.00-15.00, Wycombe Swan and Town Hall, High Wycombe, HP11 2XE. 18: ‘GREAT BRITISH TENNIS WEEKEND’, play tennis for free, 14.0017.00, Marlow Tennis Club, Pound Lane. 18: ‘MARLOW TOWN WALK’ a guided walk with The Marlow Society, 14.30, starting at Liston Hall. (No booking required, £2.50 per adult, children free). 19: ‘BOUTIQUE CINEMA’, screening starts at 20.00 with a pre-feature comedy classic from 19.30, Clayton’s, Oxford Road. (Book in advance: 01628 488404) 19: ‘LITTLE MARLOW’ a talk by Barbara Wallis on behalf of The Marlow Society, 19.30, Garden Room, Liston Hall. 20-24: RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW. 21: MARLOW COMMUNITY CHOIR AT BORLASE PRESENT ‘A CONCERT FOR SPRING’, 19.30, The Performing Arts Theatre, Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School. Box office: 07746 307 218.(B)

21: ‘HISTORY OF CLIVEDEN’, a talk about the buildning’s history as well as some of the characters associated with it, 14.00, High Wycombe Library, Eden Centre. Tickets (£2) on the door. 21: ‘POETRY AND VERSE OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR’, 20.00, Church House (next to Hughenden Church), Hughenden Road, High Wycombe. (Tickets £8). 21-24: FOURWAYS PRESENTS ‘ROMEO AND JULIET’, Pipers Corner School, Great Kingshill, HP16 6LP. Tickets (£14) from 01494 522722 or www. fourways.org.uk.(B) 21-24: WYSPAS PRESENTS ‘GODSPELL’, evenings 19.45, Sat matinee 14.30, Arts4every1 Centre, Desborough Road, High Wycombe. Tickets £13, conc £11. 22: ‘A PRIVATE VIEW’, a private tour after hours of Hughenden Manor preceded by a cream tea, 17.00, HP14 4LA. (Tickets £8 inc. tea). 22: ‘THE KING UNDER THE CAR PARK – THE SEARCH FOR RICHARD III’, a talk for Archaeology in Marlow, 20.00, Liston Hall. 23: FREE LUNCHTIME CONCERT featuring ‘Martin Smith (euphonium) and Patrick Gazza’, 13.00-13.50, lunches served from 12.30, All Saints’ Church. (Part of Wycombe Arts Festival). 23: ‘FESTIVAL JAZZ – STEVE TAYLOR BIG BAND EXPLOSION’ presents ‘To Buddy Rich & Beyond – a tribute’, 20.00, The Royal British Legion Hall, St Mary Street, High Wycombe. (Tickets £12). 23-24: LANE END PLAYERS PRESENT ‘ENTERTAINING ANGELS’, a gentle, warm comedy, full of emotion, 20.00, Lane End Village Hall. Box office: 07706 426 320.(B) 24: OPUS ANGLICANUM PRESENTS ‘A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM – magic, moonlight, music and love’, five men singing unaccompanied with narrator, 20.00, St Lawrence’s Church, West Wycombe Hill. (Tickets £10). 24-25: NGS OPEN GARDENS – Maryfield, 14.00-17.00, High Street, Taplow, SL6 0EX. 25: ‘FROGFEST’, music, children’s

For more information/changes to schedules as listed or information please call Marlow Information C

workshops, circus skills, great food and exciting stalls, free entry 12.00-21.00, Frogmoor, High Wycombe. 25: ‘CELEBRITY PIANO RECITAL’ by Kathron Sturrock, 18.00, St Lawrence’s Church, West Wycombe Hill. (Tickets £10). 26: THE CIOCCHI ENSEMBLE PRESENTS ‘SUMMER SCHUBERT’, 19.30, Trinity United Reformed Church, London Road, High Wycombe. (Tickets £12). 26: ‘BOUTIQUE CINEMA’, screening starts at 20.00 with a pre-feature comedy classic from 19.30, Clayton’s, Oxford Road. (Book in advance: 01628 488404) 26:’ANNUAL GARDEN PARTY’, Oakley Court Hotel, Windsor Rd, Water Oakley, Windsor SL4 5UR 28: ‘WINE TASTING’ with Marlow Wine Society. Spirited Wines present a selection of wines in an informal atmosphere, 20.00, Pugin Rooms, St Peter’s Church, St Peter Street. For more information: 01628 482299. 28: ‘THE FIRST TURNING OF THE SECOND STAIR’, an illustrated talk about TS Eliot by Sally Brocklehurst, 20.00, Church House (next to Hughenden Church), Hughenden Park, High Wycombe. (Tickets £8).). 30: FREE LUNCHTIME CONCERT featuring ‘Andrew Horton (organ), 13.0013.50, lunches served from 12.30, All Saints’ Church. (Part of Wycombe Arts Festival). 30: MOVING ON THEATRE PRESENTS ‘PIAF – LOVE CONQUERS ALL’, 19.30, Hazlemere British Legion, Penn Road, Hazlemere Crosswords, HP15 7LN. (Tickets £10). 31: TRANSITION TOWN MARLOW COMMUNITY MARKET, local foods and crafts plus free practical workshops, 09.30-13.00, Liston Hall. 31: ‘LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD’, Roald Dahl’s interpretation performed by Jackie Palmers’ Girls’ Choir and narrated by Colin Baker, plus other works, 19.30, St Lawrence’s Church, West Wycombe Hill. (Tickets £10). 31: ‘LE BONNET DU FOU – THE JESTER’S CAP’ presented in French by Les Baladins de Marly-le-Roi (twinned with Marlow Players), 20.00, Shelley Theatre, Court Garden Leisure Centre, Pound Lane. (Tickets £12). 31: ‘SHOO RAYNER’S BOX OF MEMORIES’, come and meet this award-

winning author/illustrator, 14.00-16.00, St John Ambulance Centre, Harlow Road, High Wycombe, HP13 6AA. Tickets (£5): 01494 440849. (B) 31: ‘SOUND ART EXHIBITION’, 19.00, Arts4Every1Centre, Desborough Road, High Wycombe. (Tickets £8). 31: NGS OPEN GARDENS Cookham’, 14:00 - 17:00, for more info www.ngs. org.uk

June 01: ‘MARLOW FM RADIO RUN 2014’, 10k starting 09.30, Higginson Park. (Prerace closing date 23rd May). 01: AIR AMBULANCE OPEN GARDENS, 14.00-17.00, Bisham Abbey, Bisham Church, Grange Cottage & The Orchard. (Adults £4). 01: ‘BRADENHAM HARP RECITAL’, plus cream tea, 15.00, Bradenham Manor, HP14 4HF. (Tickets £10 inc. cream tea). 01: ‘FESTIVAL CHORAL EVENSONG’, combined choirs of All Saints’ Wycombe and Marlow sing Choral Evensong, 18.30, All Saints’ Church. 02: ‘BOUTIQUE CINEMA’, screening starts at 20.00 with a pre-feature comedy classic from 19.30, Clayton’s, Oxford Road. (Book in advance: 01628 488404) 03: ‘REBELLION BREWERY TOURS’, all ales currently being brewed available on the night. Talks also given on brewing history and methods, 19.00-21.30, Bencombe Farm, Marlow Bottom, SL7 3LT. All welcome, £10 pp, bbq all year round! 03: NGS OPEN GARDENS FROGMORE HOUSE, 10.00-17.30, Windsor, SL4 1LB. (Advance tickets: 01483 211535, £6 Adult, under 5s free). Please note the mausoleum is closed for

Centre on 01628 483597 or Maidenhead Library on 01628 796969 or Henley Library on 01491 575278

long term restoration.(B) 06:’JULIE MADLY DEEPLY’, 19:30, Kenton Theatre, New Street, Henley on Thames, RG9 2BP. Box Office 01491 575698 06: FREE LUNCHTIME CONCERT featuring ‘Christopher Enston (organ), 13.00-13.50, lunches served from 12.30, All Saints’ Church. (Part of Wycombe Arts Festival). 07: ‘COOKHAM REACH SAILING CLUB’, 11:00 - 15:30. For more information www.cookhamreachsc.org 07: ‘WINE TASTING’, a chance to sample a selection of fine wines available from Laithwaites, 10.00-16.00, at the Rebellion Brewery Shop, Bencombe Farm, Marlow Bottom, SL7 3LT. 07-22: Bucks Open Studios, events in various locations by local artists and makers. For further information: www. bucksopenstudios.org.uk 08: ‘OPEN GARDENS’ IN AID OF SCANNAPPEAL, 14.00-16.30, 14 The Mount Close, High Wycombe, HP12 3PE. 09: ‘BOUTIQUE CINEMA’, screening starts at 20.00 with a pre-feature comedy classic from 19.30, Clayton’s, Oxford Road. (Book in advance: 01628 488404) 10: ‘A DAY WITH ALAN TITCHMARSH’, a talk for the Marlow & District Horticultural Society, 20.00, Liston Hall. 10: ‘BUCKS MACHINE BREAKERS – THE STORY OF THE 1830S RIOTS’, a Bucks Family History talk, 19.45, Bourne End Community Centre, Wakeman Road. 10: ‘HIGH TECH & EASY TO USE: DEMONSTRATION’, on behalf of the H/W Macular Society Support Group, 14.00-16.00, Wesley Methodist Church Hall, Priory Road, High Wycombe.

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

11-14: OPEN AIR THEATRE PRESENTS ‘AS YOU LIKE IT’, 20.00, Hall Barn, Beaconsfield. Box office: 08700 667720.(B) 11-14: ’CALAMITY JANE’, various times, Kenton Theatre, New Street, Henley on Thames, RG9 2BP. Box Office 01491 575698 13: FREE LUNCHTIME CONCERT, 13.00-13.50, lunches served from 12.30, All Saints’ Church. (Part of Wycombe Arts Festival).) 14: ‘HAMBLEDEN COVERED MARKET’, homemade cakes, cheeses, organic bread, local meat, crafts, collectables and hot food all day,10.0015.00, Hambleden Village Hall. 14-15: MARLOW TOWN REGATTA & FESTIVAL, Higginson Park. (Enclosure badges, car parking and picnic pitches available from the Marlow Information Centre. 15: NGS OPEN GARDENS – The Manor House, 14.00-17.00, Church End, Bledlow, HP27 9PB. 15: ‘MAKE DAD’S DAY’, free entry for Dad’s plus a spot of free beer tasting from 12.00-15.00, (supplied by Rebellion Brewery – while stocks last!) Cliveden, nr. Taplow. (Normal admission charges apply).(NT) 16: ‘BOUTIQUE CINEMA’, screening starts at 20.00 with a pre-feature comedy classic from 19.30, Clayton’s, Oxford Road. (Book in advance: 01628 488404) 16: SALTER’S STEAMERS TRIPS TO WINDSOR start for the season, departing 09.30, Higginson Park. 16: ‘PHOTOGRAPHS OF MARLOW’ a talk by Janet Smith on behalf of The Marlow Society, 19.30, Garden Room, Liston Hall. 17-21: ROYAL ASCOT. 18-21: Open Air Theatre presents ‘As you like it’, 20.00, Hall Barn, Beaconsfield. Box office: 08700 667720.(B) 19: NGS OPEN DAY – Lords Wood, 11.00-16.30, Frieth Road, Marlow Common, SL7 2QS. 19: ARCHAEOLOGY IN MARLOW AGM, followed by a talk ‘The English Heritage Aerial Survey Project’, 20.00, Garden Room, Liston Hall. 20: ‘MIDSUMMER BEACON’, join in with the lighting of the midsummer beacon on West Wycombe Hill, 20.0023.00 (beacon lit 21.21), bring a picnic and enjoy a relaxing family evening. For more info: 07771 943093.

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

21: MARLOW INTERNATIONAL REGATTA, Dorney Lake, SL4 6QP. For more information: www. themarlowregatta.com 21:’BLOFELD & BAXTER MEMORIES OF TEST MATCH SPECIAL’, 19:30, Kenton Theatre, New Street, Henley on Thames, RG9 2BP. Box Office 01491 575698 22: ‘GREAT BRITISH TENNIS WEEKEND’, play tennis for free, 14.0017.00, Marlow Tennis Club, Pound Lane. 22: ‘FORGOTTEN MARLOW TOWN’ a guided walk with The Marlow Society, 14.30, starting at Liston Hall. (No booking required, £2.50 per adult, children free). 22: ‘MUSIC FOR A SUMMER’S AFTERNOON’, a free concert featuring ‘Bronte Hudnott (flute) and Andrey Lebedev (guitar) from the Royal Academy of Music, 16.00-16.50, All Saints’ Church. 22:’A LASSIE FROM LANCASHIRE THE GRACIE FIELDS STORY’, 14:30, Kenton Theatre, New Street, Henley on Thames, RG9 2BP. Box Office 01491 575698 23: ‘BOUTIQUE CINEMA’, screening starts at 20.00 with a pre-feature comedy classic from 19.30, Clayton’s, Oxford Road. (Book in advance: 01628 488404) 25: ‘WINE TASTING’ with Marlow Wine Society. Lidl & Aldi present a selection of wines in an informal atmosphere, 20.00, Pugin Rooms, St Peter’s Church, St Peter Street. For more information: 01628 482299. 26:’NEIL HENRY’S IMPOSSIBLE!’, 19:30, Kenton Theatre, New Street, Henley on Thames, RG9 2BP. Box Office 01491 575698 27:’THE ONLY WAY IS DOWNTON’, 19:30, Kenton Theatre, New Street, Henley on Thames, RG9 2BP. Box Office 01491 575698 28:’KISS ME, FIGARO’, 19:45, Kenton Theatre, New Street, Henley on Thames, RG9 2BP. Box Office 01491 575698 28: TRANSITION TOWN MARLOW COMMUNITY MARKET, local foods and crafts plus free practical workshops, 09.30-13.00, Liston Hall. 28: ‘BUBLÉ AND BUBBLES NIGHT’, a tribute night - £15pp inc. glass of bubbly, organised by FOGMS, Great Marlow School, Bobmore Lane. 28: ‘MUSIC IN MARLOW’ presents a Chamber music concert – Trios for piano and strings, 19.30, Christ Church URC, Oxford Road. Box office: 01628 486227.

28: HAMBLEDEN CONCERTS PRESENTS ‘THE IONIAN SINGERS’, secular music for unaccompanied voices, 19.30, The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Hambleden. Tickets (£12.50) available from Hambleden Stores. 29:’CHARITY EVENT’, Cookham Dean Tennis & Croquet Club, £20 per head. For more details www.cookhamdean.net 29: ‘BISHAM GARDENS OPEN DAY’, in aid of Bisham Church funds, 12.3017.30, Bisham. 29: ‘MUSIC FOR A SUMMERS’ AFTERNOON’, a free concert, 16.0016.50, All Saints’ Church. 29-30: NGS OPEN GARDENS – Deepwood Stud Farm, 14.00-17.00, Henley Road, Stubbings, nr. Maidenhead, SL6 6 QW. 30: ‘BOUTIQUE CINEMA’, screening starts at 20.00 with a pre-feature comedy classic from 19.30, Clayton’s, Oxford Road. (Book in advance: 01628 488404)

JULY 01: ‘REBELLION BREWERY TOURS’, all ales currently being brewed available on the night. Talks also given on brewing history and methods, 19.00-21.30, Bencombe Farm, Marlow Bottom, SL7 3LT. All welcome, £10 pp, bbq all year round! 02: ‘VISIT TO WALLINGFORD’, including a walk to the castle and a visit to the museum with The Marlow Society, departing 10.30 . Booking essential: 01628 476610.(B) 02-06: HENLEY REGATTA. For more information: www.hrr.co.uk 03-05: ‘MOVIE MELODIES’, 19:30 at United Reformed Churc, Oxford Road, Marlow. Tickets £10 (incl. A glass of wine and light refreshments). Box Office: 01628 484618 or 01494 883392 or Leightons Insight Opticians, High Street, Marlow 05: ‘WINE TASTING’, a chance to sample a selection of fine wines available from Laithwaites, 10.00-16.00, at the Rebellion Brewery Shop, Bencombe Farm, Marlow Bottom, SL7 3LT. 05: ‘BBO BIG BAND CONCERT’, 19.30-22.00, All Saints’ Church. 06: ‘MUSIC FOR A SUMMER’S AFTERNOON’, a free concert featuring ‘Michael Foyle (violin) and Somi Kim (piano) from the Royal Academy of Music, 16.00-16.50, All Saints’ Church. 07: ‘BOUTIQUE CINEMA’, screening starts at 20.00 with a pre-feature comedy classic from 19.30, Clayton’s, Oxford

For more information/changes to schedules as listed or information please call Marlow Maidenhead Library on 01628 796969 or Henley Library on

Road. (Book in advance: 01628 488404) 08: ‘BEES – What can we do to help them?’, a talk for Marlow & District Horticultural Society, 20.00, Liston Hall. 08-13: RHS HAMPTON COURT PALACE FLOWER SHOW. 08:’WORLD WAR TWO CODEBREAKERS - THE STORY OF ENIGMA’, 19:30, Kenton Theatre, New Street, Henley on Thames, RG9 2BP. Box Office 01491 575698 09:’AN AFTERNOON WITH SUNNY ORMONDE’, 14:00, Kenton Theatre, New Street, Henley on Thames, RG9 2BP. Box Office 01491 575698 09-13: HENLEY FESTIVAL. For more information: www.henley-festival.co.uk 10: ‘MONTHLY TEA DANCE’ by the Marlow Community Association, 14.0016.00, Liston Hall. 10-12:’EXCLUSIVE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE PREVIEW’, various artists, Kenton Theatre, New Street, Henley on Thames, RG9 2BP. Box Office 01491 575698 12: ‘HAMBLEDEN COVERED MARKET’, homemade cakes, cheeses, organic bread, local meat, crafts, collectables and hot food all day,10.0015.00, Hambleden Village Hall. 13: ‘MUSIC FOR A SUMMER’S AFTERNOON’, a free concert featuring students from the Royal Academy of Music, 16.00-16.50, All Saints’ Church. 14: ‘BOUTIQUE CINEMA’, screening starts at 20.00 with a pre-feature comedy classic from 19.30, Clayton’s, Oxford Road. (Book in advance: 01628 488404). 20: ‘GREAT BRITISH TENNIS WEEKEND’, play tennis for free, 14.0017.00, Marlow Tennis Club, Pound Lane.

ONGOIN NG EV VENTS GENERAL MAR RLOW ART & CR RAFT SO OCIE ETY, 1st Thursday in month, 19:30, Marlow Bottom Village Hall MAR RLOW ANTIIQUE BRIC C-A--BRA AC FA AIR R meets 1st Saturday of the month at Liston Hall from 9:00 - 16:00 BU USIN NESS S BIS SCOTT TI - MARLOW W. W. Every second Thursday 9.30 - 11.30. Danesfield House Hotel, Marlow - www. businessbiscotti.co.uk THAMES VALLE EY BUS SINE ESS WOM M E NS GR ROUP. Every second Monday 19:00pm for 19:30pm start - CIM, Cookham, www. TVBWG.com MAR RLOW MUSEU UM, 31st March 31st October. Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays, 13:00 - 17:00 - www. marlowmuseum.org. Pound Lane - opposite Information Centre on 01628 483597 or 01491 575278

the Leisure Club MAR RLOW CAMER RA CLUB B meet every Tuesday with a prearranged programme on Tuesday evenings, 19:45 - 20:00.The Methodist Church Hall, Spittal Street, Marlow, SL7 3HJ HE ENLEY Y PHOTOG GRAPHIIC CLU UB meet with a pre-arranged programme on Tuesday evenings, 20:00 - 22:00, YMCA Hall, off Waterman’s Road, Henley www. henleyphotoclub.com ST TANL LEY SP PENCE ER GALL LERY Y, 2nd April - 2nd November 2014 - 10:30 - 17:30 daily SP PEA AK SPA PAN NISH H in Beaconsfield, Beaconsfield High School. Tuesdays 19:30. Next term starts 23rd April. Suitable for all levels except beginners. Free trial class. Tony on 07947 508755 - anthony. mitchelmore@sky.com MAIIDEN NHEAD OVE ER 30’’S DISC CO PA ARTIIES, every Friday, 20:30pm - 1:00 Bird Hill Golf Club, Drift Road, off Hawthorn Hill SL6 3ST MAIIDEN NHEAD CAM MERA CLU UB, every Tuesday, Cox Green Community Centre, 630861 MAIIDEN NHEAD ARC CHAEO OLOGY SO OCIE ETY,, meet last Wednesday of the month, WRVS, Maidenhead, t: 630 839 CO OLEN NORTON DRA AGON BOA AT CL LUB, Sunday 10.00 - 12.30, Bray Lake Water Sports, Maidenhead SL6 2EB - www. colenorton.co.uk SO OUTH BU UCKS WALK KIN NG GROUP. Regular walks programme days plus organise club weekends, coach rambles, and other social walking events. Di Olden - 01494 714486. - www. southbuckshfwalkingclub.co.uk HE ENLEY Y AND GORIN NG RAMBL LERS S, regular walks programme available - www. ramblers-oxon.org.uk/HG.htm

ONGOIN NG EV VENTS MARKETS MAIIDEN NHEAD PR RODUCE MARKET - 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month on Maidenhead High Street TH HE FARM MERS MAR RKET,, 2nd Sunday of the month from 10:00, Grove Street Car Park BO OURNE EN ND COUNTR RY MARKE ET PR RODUCT T. Small Hall 10 - 12 , Every Friday HE ENLEY Y FARM MER RS MARK KET,, every 4th Thursday in Falaise Square, Henley, 8:30-14:00 BO OURNE EN ND COMMUNIT TY AND D CR RAFT MAR RKET - second Saturday of every month 10:00 - 13:00 in the Jackson Room of Bourne End Library.

Policing diaries

Dear Readers, It’s a scam and it could leave you seriously out of pocket! Throughout the last few months Maidenhead and other parts of Thames Valley have experienced a new scam called Courier Fraud. What is that? I hear you all ask. Well, Courier fraud is a scam which mainly targets the vulnerable and elderly and their bank accounts. So how does it happen? Firstly, the fraudster will ring you up, on your landline, pretending to be your bank or a Police officer. The fraudster will then go onto to explain how their systems have spotted a fraudulent payment on the caller’s card or that their card needs to be replaced as it is due to expire shortly. The caller is then told to hang up the phone and to call their bank using the number printed on the back of their card. This helps to convince the caller that their call is genuine when in fact it isn’t. What happens next is, the caller hangs up as requested, however what they don’t realise is that the fraudster is still on the phone as they have managed to keep the phone line open! The caller, who now thinks they’re speaking to a member of the bank, goes onto confirm their bank details, including PIN number, as well as personal home address. The conversation usually ends by the caller being told that a member of staff, or a courier, will attend their home address to collect their card, providing them with a replacement one which of course later transpires to be a fake card! Of course, transactions are then made by the fraudster using the caller’s card. This scam is particularly distressing as it can result in victims losing hundreds, if not thousands of pounds.It is therefore important that we spread awareness of this type of crime particularly if you’ve got an elderly neighbour or relative, or just a friend of a friend who is vulnerable. Make them aware that the police or bank will never contact you and ask for details in this way. Nor will they attend your home to collect your bank card. So, if you’re at all suspicious, hang up and inform the police immediately. Over the last few weeks PCSO’s have been conducting talks at day centres to make the older generation more aware of these types of scams as they seem to be the target market. PCSO Ellis has also been working with the press team and Detective Inspector Bosley to create a crime prevention video which will soon be available on YouTube to view. For more advice, tips, crime prevention ideas, news, etc. Follow us on Twitter @TVP_maidenhead. If you would like to contact someone from your local neighbourhood team contact our non emergency number on 101. By PCSO’s Abbi Ellis and Jason Miller

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

Stars Christine Chalkin, Astrologer & Life Coach reveals how you can navigate your way to success in May.

Aries:

March 21 - April 20 After the 20th Mars, your ruler, moves into direct motion and any plans that have been held back over the last few months can begin to gather momentum. You can now put your energy into money making schemes. Stern Saturn in your financial area keeps you in touch with reality.

Follow your enthusiasm and curiosity and you’ll find doors are suddenly opening for you.

Taurus:

Virgo:

April 21 - May 21 Three days into the month your ruler Venus moves into fiery and passionate Aries, putting your friends and all sociable activities into the spotlight. You also question old belief patterns as you learn new things.

Gemini:

May 22 - June 22 May indicates that sweeping change is imminent as you try out new forms of communication and a ‘brand new you’ comes into focus. Mercury, your ruler, is in your sign from the 8th bringing the potential for improvements to your social life. Seize your chances and have fun.

Cancer:

June 23 - July 23 May holds some brilliant opportunities and potential for expanding your social and business networks into areas where you can flourish. Mighty Jupiter, strong in your sign, challenges you to take up creative projects and make fresh starts. Doubts and fears can now be put aside.

Leo:

July 24 - August 23 May draws your attention to your goals and ambitions. The radiant Sun and communicative Mercury highlight a pivotal point of your chart, urging you to explore all angles and possibilities.

August 24 - September 23 This month brings up some unanswered questions and the chance for a total re-orientation. Financial issues that have been on hold since March can now resume momentum as Mars turns direct after the 20th. Don’t rush to sort things out; the full moon on the 14th brings opportunities and offers you hadn’t thought of.

Libra:

September 24 - October 23 The warrior planet Mars has been in retrograde motion in your sign since March, slowing so many things down and bringing you annoying setbacks. After the 20th it’s all systems go as you regain your sense of adventure and innovative projects, plans and possibilities start to appear.

Scorpio:

October 24 - November 22 Relationships are in the spotlight during May as the Sun and Mercury occupy your opposite sign of Taurus. You may feel the need to break free from the old ways of doing things, but do keep an open mind as wonderful opportunities for growth and development are available to you this month.

Sagittarius:

November 23 - December 22 This month puts the emphasis on love, relationships and creativity as Venus moves into passionate Aries on the 3rd. Spending

MAY continues the theme of unpredictability, challenge and explosive energy, with the urge for freedom and openness still clashing with dominance and secrecy. The same four planets, Pluto, Uranus, Jupiter and Mars continue to confront each other in the heavens with the grand cross formation. Things may lighten up after the 8th as Mercury moves into the Gemini, the sign of communication and dialogue. The new moon in Gemini on the 28th also brings the possibility for refreshing new points of view. The Sun is in the constructive sign of Taurus and this practical energy can be used beneficially to get new projects off the ground. Taurus is also the sign of nature and many will benefit from getting outdoors and enjoying the pleasures of the natural world. Mars, the warrior planet, has been in retrograde motion since the beginning of March – at last forward motion begins on the 20th and energy levels should begin to return to normal! time with close friends and family is also well favoured. Your generosity of spirit has much to offer and you should feel more confident and powerful than ever before.

Capricorn:

December 23 - January 19 Your home and domestic situation feature strongly during May as you question your purpose and your values. Venus, in dreamy Pisces, allows rewarding and relaxing moments to surface and your creativity is at an all-time high. The full moon on the 14th brings interesting people into your life.

Aquarius:

January 20 - February 19 May ensures that positive communication is emphasised, particularly after the 3rd as Venus changes signs. Involvements with new networks and new study programmes will fire your enthusiasm and your interest. Try to remain open to all possibilities and utilise your talents to the full.

Pisces:

February 20 - March 20 Venus leaves your sign on the 2nd bringing financial affairs to the forefront. Stay open and alert to all possibilities as it is a good time to make creative changes. Jupiter ensures that your personal charm and popularity remain high, go with the flow as exciting opportunities appear.

Visit www.AlongTheThames.co.uk For how you can navigate your way to success in June. Christine Chalkin has an International client base and all her consultations are available in person, by telephone or Skype. For more information contact Christine at www.restyleyourlife.co.uk, Christine@restyleyourlife.co.uk, Telephone: 07813 483549

LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

Useful Numbers MAIDENHEAD - CLUBS Rotary Club of Maidenhead ...................................... 632797 The Maidenhead Players ............................... 07879 476301 Maidenhead Drama Guild ......................................... 635017 Maidenhead Operatic Society .................................. 671589 Maidenhead Musical Comedy Society ........... 07813979894 Grimm Players ......................................................... 820429 Maidenhead Concert Band ...................................... 624514 Maidenhead Folk Club ............................................. 448268 Tuesday Singers ...................................................... 629012 Athletics .................................................................. 522797 Maidenhead & Bray CC ................................. 07885 240209 North Maidenhead Cricket Club .............................. 624137 Rugby ...................................................................... 629663 Hockey .................................................................... 622669 Desborough Bowls Club ........................................... 629403 Rowing ..................................................................... 622664 SportsAble ............................................................... 627690 Maidenhead Tennis .................................................. 623785 Thames Valley Cycling Club ...................................... 638984 East Berks Badminton .............................................. 636283 Maidenhead Camera Club ........................................ 630861 East Berkshire Ramblers .......................................... 634561 Lions Club of Maidenhead ........................................ 634333 Maidenhead Golf Club .............................................. 624693 Five Aces Duplicate Bridge Club ............................... 625663 River Thames Society ............................................... 624025 RBWM - COUNCIL Bus Services ................................................. 0871 2002233 CIS ............................................................................ 507587 Council Tax ............................................................... 683850 Library - Cox Green ................................................... 673942 Library - Holyport Container .......................................796555 Library - Maidenhead ................................................ 796969 Recycling .................................................................. 796474 Police ............................................................ 0845 8505 505 Trains ............................................................ 0845 7000 125 Town Hall ............................................................ .... 683800 Youth & Community Centre ..................................... 685999 Thames Valley Adventure Playground ...................... 628599 COOKHAM - CLUBS Tennis & Croquet ........................................... 07968 173757 Line Dancing ............................................................ 486362 Petanque ............................ ..................................... 417453 Cookham Bridge Rotary Club ........................ 07724 042708 COOKHAM Library ....................................................................... 526147 Police ........................................................................ 531785 Bourne End & Cookham Rotary ................................ 810967 Stanley Spencer Gallery ........................................... 471885 Medical Centre ......................................................... 810242 BOURNE END Library ....................................................................... 524814 Community Centre ................................................... 527502

MARLOW - CLUBS Archaeology in Marlow ............................................. 472126 Marlow Archaeological Society ................................. 523896 Bowls ........................................................................ 485274 Boxing ............................................................ 01494 532826 Crafts ........................................................... 473872/473539 Football ..................................................................... 483970 Hockey ...................................................................... 521830 Plants (Orchids) ........................................................ 486640 Petanque ................................................................... 521783 Photography .............................................................. 483030 Rugby ........................................................... 483911/477054 Running ..................................................................... 474885 Four Seasons Club .................................................... 474095 Tennis ....................................................................... 483638 New Marlow Tennis Academy ................................. 488438 Rifle & Pistol Club .......................................... 01494 676676 Longridge .................................................................. 486595 Marlow & District Wine Society ............................... 630341 Marlow Society/History ............................................ 476140 Rotary Club..................................................... 01494 530952 LETS .............................................................. 01494 523978 U3A ............................................................. 485220/488865 Operatic Society ....................................................... 475973 Community Choir ......................................... 602581/661182 Railway Society ......................................................... 486433 Choral Society ........................................................... 472998 Marlow Orators .............................................. 07738 540287 MARLOW - COUNCIL Bus Services ................................................. 0871 200 2233 Liston Hall ................................................................. 472558 Marlow Information centre .......................... 483597/481717 Library ............................................................ 0845 2303232 Town Council ............................................................ 484024 Neighbourhood Watch ..Nic Martin................ 01895 837220 Wycombe Council .......................................... 01494 461000 Police ............................................................. 0845 8505505 Trains ............................................................. 0845 7000125 HENLEY - CLUBS Henley Rowing Club .................................... 01491 573943 Henley Players ............................................. 01491 636253 Henley Hawks Rugby Club .......................... 01491 574499 Henley Cricket Club ....................................... 01491 57774 Lions Club of Henley ..................................... 01491 57671 Henley Bowling Club ..................................... 01491 57927 Henley Tennis Club ......................................01491 572230 Henley Hockey Club .................................... 01491 576988 Henley Wednesday Bridge Club .................. 01491 573958 Henley Choral Society ................................. 01491 576929 HADISC Badminton Club ............................. 01491 577909 Henley Show ............................................... 01491 410948 HENLEY - COUNCIL Henley Library ............................................... 01491 57527 Police ........................................................... 01189 536000 Henley Town Council .................................. 01491 576982 HOSPITALS St Markâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital .................................................... 632012 Wycombe ...................................................... 01494 526161 NHS Direct .......................................................... 0845 4647 Henley (Townlands) Community Hospital .. 01491 637 400

We do our best to keep these numbers up to date, but if they have changed please let us know and we will happily update them. If you would like your number added please contact us: office@AlongtheThames.co.uk LIVING ALONG THE THAMES | MAY/JUNE 2014

KATHERINE JENKINS CONCERT

STOKE PARK 29th June 2014

For ticket information www.stokepark.com/concerts Stoke Park is a luxury 5 AA Red Star Hotel, Spa and Country Club set within 300 acres of beautiful parkland and offers incredible sporting and leisure facilities. Stoke Park, Park Road, Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire SL2 4PG 35 minutes from London and 7 miles from Heathrow Airport