Living Along the Thames May/June 2017 by Living Along theThames

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Welcome

a l on g t h e t h a m es

Serena Edwards Editor

Well it seems like only yesterday that ‘Spring had Sprung’ and now as the days get longer we all are looking forward to the warmer weather that Summer brings. I love this time of year as it lifts the spirits and it feels like a new beginning all over again!

ADVERTISING: 01628 627 488

We have a very full list of Diary Dates as we move towards the social season, regatta’s and festivals are bountiful and we mustn’t forget the opportunity to see two Opera’s in the open air of the gardens at Stubbings house. With Ascot around the corner our fashion pages focus on what you can wear and our beauty pages focus on the Summer months. Also, not to take away from the fact that we all love to look tanned we have an article on moles and the danger of sunbeds. We have put together a small gift guide for Father’s Day on 18th June plus the opportunity to win a couple of competitions, a foldable Frenzy scooter from Skates.co.uk and a round of golf for four people at Temple Golf Club. Drop over to page 56 for more details and to see how you can enter, Good Luck. We have two great recipes for you to try, one from our very own Vanilla Pod, in Marlow, Smoked lamb rump and Cauliflower along with a White Chocolate and Raspberry Cheesecake from Mary Berry’s current TV series Mary Berry Everyday. We hope you enjoy trying them out.

CONTACT US: Living Along the Thames Magazine Studio 108, 5 High Street, Maidenhead, Berks SL6 1JN Tel: 01628 627 488 Office@AlongTheThames.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS: Dru Ross, Arzu Kara, Christine Chalklin, Karine Jackson, Katy Dunn, Jacky & Mark Bloomfield ACCOUNTS: Jo Murphy jo@Snapdragonaccounting.co.uk DESIGNED BY: Digital Bear Design Tel: 01949 839206 mat@digitalbear.co.uk LOVE MAGAZINES?: subscribe to 6 copies for £18 a year www.VividTitles.co.uk/magazine View our recent editions online at: www.VIVIDTITLES.co.uk FOLLOW US: @AlongtheThames LIKE US: LivingAlongTheThames

Congratulations to all our winners of the All about Dogs show held at Newbury Showground and Maria Moore, who has won the family pass to the last day of the Henley Festival to.

May - June

2017

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a lo n g th e th a m e s

To advertise within Living Along the Thames Magazine contact us at: Office@AlongTheThames.co.uk Visit us at www.vividtitles.co.uk

We hope you enjoy reading this bumper edition and until next time….

Front Cover courtesy of LiquidLeisure.com

MARLOW

| HENLEY

| MAIDENH

EAD | COOK

HAM | BO

URNE END

PEFC Certified

Living Along the Thames is hand delivered into 12,000 ABC1 homes every two months in Henley, Maidenhead, Marlow, Cookham and Bourne End. Magazines can be picked up in Marlow at D&J Newsagents, Swish Boutique, the Information centre, Cedar café & Quad Club. Henley at the Library, Regal Theatre & Town Hall.Maidenhead at the Library, Council Offices, U-Want &Temple Golf Club. Cookham at the Library. Bourne End at The Library and Community Centre.

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.

This product is from sustainably managed forests and controlled sources PEFC/16-33-254

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Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

START ‘EM YOUNG Money skills are a vital part of everyday life - and new research underlines why it pays to start learning from an early age. The Government-backed Money Advice Service (MAS) found that children whose parents involved them in discussions and decisions about money, and allowed them to experience using money from as young as four, are more likely to develop vital financial skills. These skills can have a big impact on their ability to save, budget and plan ahead financially well into their adult life. Kirsty Bowman-Vaughan, a children and young people expert at the MAS, says parents shouldn’t be afraid of starting money conversations from an early age - as that’s when they can have the most impact. She says: “We know that parents might feel as though they’re protecting their children by not talking to them about money, yet helping children to understand how to save and handle money is one of the most important things parents can do to ensure their long-term financial security.” The MAS found children who didn’t have a say in spending their own money were less likely to save.

When 12 to 17-year-olds were asked how they would use £100, those whose parents decide how their money is spent were likely to save the smallest amounts - typically around £53.65. Those whose parents included them in money discussions were likely to save an average of around 20% more than this, the research found. Young people in this age group whose parents decide how they spend their money were also nearly five times more likely to say that borrowing money didn’t bother them - even if they had no plans to pay it back - at 19% against 4% who make spending decisions on their own or with their parents. The MAS says parents have a key role to play in helping their children learn the basics of money management. Nearly threequarters (74%) of children say they talk to their parents about money. But a quarter (24%) of parents surveyed thought they should wait until their children were in secondary school before teaching them the importance of saving. A further 31% of parents of 16 to 17-year-olds say they don’t set and stick to money rules with their teenager. And 17% rarely or never speak to them about the risks of getting into debt.

COURSES ACTIVITIES ANDN DURING FOR CHILDRE LIDAYS THE SCHOOL HO ’S, LASE SIR WILLIAM BOR 2BR MARLOW, SL7

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Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

Jim Campbell Riverside Dining

Marlow Town Regatta & Festival 2017

Marlow’s Premier Summer Sporting and Social Occasion is looking forward to opening its gates on the 10th & 11th June 2017.

The two day event presents a Traditional Rowing Regatta & Garden Party in an idyllic river setting on Saturday. Enjoy picnicking within a tranquil environment, accompanied by the buzz of the competition! On Sunday, we are delighted to welcome back Dragon Boat Racing along with an array of family inspired attractions and Trade & Craft Stalls all planned to create a fun filled family day out.

Saturday 10th June - Traditional Rowing Races, Round

Table Riverside Bar, Jim Campbell Riverside Dining, varied food providers, Marlow FM 97.5 Live Music Stage.

Badges purchased in advance £10 Adults (18 and over), £7 Youth (14-17), £5 Child (5-13). Car parking available on the cricket/football field at £5.

Sunday 11th June - Dragon Boat Racing, Round Table

Riverside Bar, Marlow FM 97.5 Live Music Stage, Family Fun.

FREE ENTRANCE, Car parking available on the football field at £5. For full details and badge purchase go to www.marlowtownregatta.org or Marlow Information Centre, Marlow Library, Institute Road - 01628 483597. To book your table within Jim Campbell Riverside Dining, please visit www.madebymark.net or call Mark on 07930 179062

Hosted by

Learn to ROW Want to try your hand at Rowing?

Maidenhead Rowing Club runs a series of adult (18+) Learn to Row courses aimed at those who have never rowed before and fancy giving it a go, run by experienced coaches who are British Rowing accredited.

Learn to Row Courses in 2017 Evening Course Mondays and Wednesdays 6.30pm - 8.30pm (Open age group).

We have a few places remaining on some of the courses or to find out more about the best adult course for you, email Marion Holmes at learn2row@maidenheadrc.org.uk.

Daytime Course Tuesdays and Thursdays 9.30am -11.30am (Open age group).

JUNIORS – For all enquiries regarding Junior Learn to Row (12-18’s), contact junior-membership@maidenheadrc.org.uk.

Course Overview We will teach you the basics of sculling (an oar in each hand) to a determined level in wide and stable boats along with the option to go out in a single scull, dependent on river conditions. The Cost: For the Learn to Row Stage 1 course is £175.00 per person, which includes membership of the Club for the duration of the course.

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If you would like to use the clubhouse and bar facilities or use the indoor rowing gym then there are social memberships available - www.maidenheadrc.org.uk. British Rowing Certified. Maidenhead Rowing Club is one of the major rowing clubs in the country to hold British Rowing accreditation as a Learn to Row Centre. Please note that rowing is a physical sport and there will be some lifting and carrying of boats at each session. In addition you must be able to swim at least 50 metres in light clothing to undertake these courses.

Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

MOZART’S

THE

Marriage of

PUCCINI’S

Figaro boheme

Friday

21st July

Saturday

22nd July

Enjoy a summer picnic within the stunning private grounds of Stubbings Estate followed by a performance of a popular opera by acclaimed touring company, Opera Brava. A perfect July summer’s evening for opera newcomers, and seasoned enthusiasts alike.

Tickets: Early Booking (before June 1st 2017) Adults £45.00, Children (aged 5-16) £20.00 After June 1st: Adults £50.00, Children £25.00

Gates open for picnics at 5.30pm Performances commence at 7.30pm. Hampers and Corporate Hospitality available - please see online for details.

Performances sung in English and accompanied by Chamber Ensemble

Box Office: 01628

820140 or buy online at

www.stubbingsopera.co.uk Estate l Henley Road LivingStubbings Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

l Maidenhead l SL6 6QL

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How to Dress up for

ASCOT RACES For those of us, who love to go to the races it’s that time of the year again. Where else, would it be perfectly normal to wear a hat that’s bigger than your body circumference! The dress code, as long as your shoulders are covered or your straps are wider than an inch you will be allowed to go in. I am with the ladies who favour the elegant look. Simple but a beautifully cut dress that is on the knee is what you should be looking for. You can then experiment and go wild with your hat and feel rather regal for a day! Ordinarily one would choose wedges for such an occasion but hey who says looking stylish is always comfortable! We have chosen super versatile but gorgeous pieces to choose from or give you inspiration. Enjoy dressing up, drinking lots of champagne and oh don’t forget to watch the races!

Dorothy Perkins Embellished Clutch B £32

Liz Felix purple Hat - POA

Links of London Treasured 18kt Rose Gold Vermeil, Champagne & Blue Diamond Stud Earrings £295

V By Very Mini Platform Minimal Sandal Rose Gold Glitter (Venice) £25

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Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

Court - jewelled heels Dune London Buds - £90

Liz Felix felt hat - POA

Links of London Thames 18kt Rose Gold Vermeil Bracelet £150

Folli Folli Sunglasses £100

G.H. Mumm Rose NV Champagne £27.99

No. 25 of Bourne End Taffeta dress by Ispirato £295

Accessorize Kyoto Beaded Hardcase £49

Wedged Sandals Dune London Maitai £85

Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

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Return of THE PERM I think the most common misconception with perms is that you’ll wake up with beautifully perfect curly hair everyday - in reality, you’ll still need to look after the hair properly and style it to an extent to keep it in check. It needs to settle in in the morning, it will look straight if you lay on it, it will go frizzy if you brush it, if you wear a scarf all the time that will flatten the area it’s sitting on. Most of it is rectifiable by wetting down and adding mouse but is important to know how to style it. Mousse or a similar styling product is an absolute must have for styling a perm, you can’t wash and go! Think about the reason you’re getting the perm - do you want actual curls or just waves and volume - communicate this to your stylist and use images to show the type of hair you want, it’s important to make sure this is a realistic result. Everybody’s hair is different so we can’t predict exactly what the perm will do, and this means they can last for different amounts of time, anything from 8 weeks to 6 months is normal. It’s one to avoid if your hair is bleached or stressed as it may not be strong enough to hold a curl. e’ve had so many requests for perms and volumising services recently – around 4 a day. The perm is definitely back, but it’s much softer and gentler than before. I think the word perm brings up connotations of that super curly old-style perm but technology (and thankfully taste!) has moved on, says Karine Jackson

New Generation Perming

We’ve just launched a new perm in our salon, which is ammonia and thioglycoate free, instead containing a special additive that changes the natural pH level of the hair allowing the creation of a fresh clean curl. The process is the same as a salon perm but is much softer on the hair. We always carry out a stretch test as well as a strand test in our perm consultations so we can come up with the best curl, manage expectations and identify what the hair is lacking (be it moisture or protein). We generally recommend a prescriptive course of shampoos and conditioners prior to the service to prep the hair. If you’re considering a perm, do your research and book a consultation in a salon. We cut a small section of your hair off and perm it so we can see how it takes. If hair has a barrier on it from a build up of silicone product (many high street shampoos contain this for example), the solution won’t be able to penetrate it and you’ll need to use a good clarifying shampoo for around a month to break the coating down.

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In some people’s hair, the bond just doesn’t break down sufficiently, so it simply won’t take - this will be apparent with the perm strand test. If you’ve had an anaesthetic recently, or are on heavy medication such as antibiotics, they change the composition of the hair. This means your hair could react one way on one day, and completely differently 3 days later, so it might be worth waiting until everything’s left your system.

Curl jargon decoded

Confused by all the terms? Read on for the technical terms and explanations. WEAVE WIND – This gives your roots a lift and a kick rather than actual waves and curls. ROOT PERM – This is amazing for flat or fine hair because it lifts the roots rather than making the hair look curly or wavy. This is a great option if your hair has very little or no body and is difficult to style because it won’t hold volume. PERM – While old-fashioned small perm rollers are 0.5cm, salons can now use up to a 2.5cm bendy roller, which is massive in comparison! This ensures a large curl or wave which can still be straightened using irons if you want a change. DROP WIND – By leaving 2 inches from the crown the style is flat on top but gives body and curls on the sides. www.karinejackson.co.uk Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

No.25 of Bourne End are specialists for Mother of the Bride/Groom. Ascot, Special Occasion and Cruise Wear with over 800 outfits in stock. We are the Premier stockist of Condici and Ann Balon in the U.K. Other labels include Capri by Mon Cherie, Vena Infantillo by Ronald Joyce, Ispirato, Ian Stuart, Lewis Henry and Luis Civit. Many outfits at reduced prices. To complement your outfit we have Leather Shoes and Bags, Hats and Fascinators to buy.

25 The Parade, Bourne End, Buckinghamshire SL8 5SB

Tel: 01628 528877 Open Monday to Sunday 9:30am to 5pm. See website for Sunday Opend days

www.No25BourneEnd.co.uk

10 mins from Jct.4 of M40 and Jct. 8/9 of M4 You are welcome to visit us to view, try on and purchase at any time,

summer

beauty Hill & Noble Sweet Jasmine Hand Cream | £5 | www.boots.com

Missguided Babe Power Fragrance | £28 80ml | www.missguided.co.uk

Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil | 4 flavours | £19 Clarins Limited Edition Bronzer Compact | £30 Clarins Limited Edition 4 Colour Eyeshadow Palette | £34 www.clarins.com

Katherine Daniels Slimming Contour Gel 200ml | £27.50 | www.Katherinedanielscosmetics.com

Natura Siberica Tonic Shower Gel 400ml £3.90 | Oblepikha Honey Body Scrub 300ml £6 | Smoothing Heel Foot Balm 75ml £4.30 | www.naturasiberica.co.uk

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Murad MattEffect Perfector | £32 | www.murad.co.uk

Super facialist Radiance Day Cream | £14.99 | Super Facialist Skin Renew Cleansing Oil | £10.99 | Super Facialist Lift Night Cream | £16.99 | www.boots.com

Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

Dr Hauschka Colour Correcting Powder - £25 Dr Hauschka Eye Definer – 7 colours - £14.75 Dr Hauschka Volume Mascara – 3 shades - £21 Dr Hauschka Lipstick – 18 shades - £20.50 www.drhauschka.co.uk

Lash Perfect black Mascara | £12.50 | www.lashperfect.co.uk

DAFNI Go | compact, travel-friendly hair straightening brush | £99.95 | www.johnlewis.com | www.harveynichols.com

Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

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how to avoid diet-induced

DENTAL DAMAGE ow, we’re not going to make any crazy statements - like, ‘Fruit’s just as bad as sweets!’, or, ‘Juicing wrecks your teeth!’ - because that would be over-dramatic and misleading. But it is true that dentists have noticed how certain ‘healthy eating’ or weight-loss and detox trends are taking a toll on the nation’s dental health. It’s even affecting children, with a recent report published by the Royal College of Surgeons stating record numbers of under-fives are having rotten teeth removed - with fruity snacks among the culprits. So what are the health trends, ‘harmless’ habits and diets causing damage, and what can you do to avoid it? Hot water and lemon Starting the day with a hot water and fresh lemon - a traditional detox method - is seeing a popularity resurgence right now, with fans boasting flatter stomachs and glowing complexions as a result. But Shona Wilkinson, nutritionist at SuperfoodUK.com, warns: “Watch out for the advice on drinking warm lemon juice in the mornings. Lemon juice can cause problems with the enamel on teeth. It is great to have warm water with lemon - but,” she suggests, “drink it through a straw to help prevent tooth damage.” Munching ice Zero calories for a satisfying crunch - but munching ice cubes isn’t as harmless as it seems. “Some people add ice to their drinks to increase their hydration levels. This is great and anything which increases water intake is good, but don’t crunch or bite on the ice. This is a common habit, but can leave your teeth vulnerable to damage,” says Wilkinson. “Let the ice melt and sip your drink to help increase your hydration levels.” Sirtfood stains One of the more recent celeb-backed trends, the Sirtfood Diet focuses on

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ingredients rich in ‘sirtuin activators’, said to keep cells healthy when under stress and aid in metabolic function - and coffee and red wine are on the menu. “Drinks such as coffee and red wine are some of the worst culprits for teeth staining,” notes Dr Sameer Patel, clinical director at specialist dental and orthodontic practice, elleven. “This staining’s amplified when consumed on a regular basis, as tannin compounds build up and cause teeth to turn yellowish. To avoid the problem, rinse the mouth with water after consumption, to wash away tannins.” Green tea Packed full of health-boosting antioxidants, calorie and fat-free, it’s little wonder green tea has become so popular. But, while not as bad as coffee, it can cause staining. “Make sure you don’t swish the tea around your mouth - just drink it straight down,” advises Wilkinson. Fruit smoothies and juices It’s nonsense to demonise fruit - a vital source of nutrients and fibre - but the surge in popularity of juicing and smoothies, in regimes promising speedy weight-loss and detoxing, has impacted the nation’s dental health, leading to a rise in enamel erosion, sensitivity and decay. “Natural sugars can erode tooth enamel and lead to decay,” says Dr Patel. “Fruit’s natural sugar, fructose, is a common cause of cavities as the bacteria in the mouth feed on it, so using a straw and keeping your mouth refreshed with regular glasses of water after consumption, is key.” Wilkinson adds: “If you do have a fruit juice, drink it through a straw to help prevent this damage. Even better swap to a vegetable smoothie.” This often applies to sports drinks, too.

Bad gums Consuming too much natural sugar can also be a factor in poor gum health. “Diets which promote a high sugar intake can cause insulin levels to peak and then plummet which, over time, alters the structure of collagen in the body and in the long-term can affect your gums, as it’s collagen fibres that hold your teeth in place,” says Dr Patel. “To limit damage, drink juices through a straw and try to wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth [after eating/drinking]. It’s also important to ensure you’re brushing teeth up to the gum line, to remove trapped food and bacteria.” Bad breath Drastically cutting calories, as well as following a high-protein/low-carb diet, can both cause bad breath - due to chemicals, called keytones, being released when you force your body into the fatburning state of ketosis (remember when Atkins first got popular and everyone was talking about this?). Good oral hygiene helps keep bad breath at bay, but if it’s down to your diet, Dr Patel advises: “Ketosis is brought on entirely by your diet and, unfortunately, no amount of flossing and brushing will combat the smell, so think twice before cutting out carbs completely and stick to healthy ones, such as wholemeal pasta and wholemeal bread to keep bad breath at bay.” Nutritional shortfalls It’s not just a case of what you do eat, but what you don’t eat - and falling into the trap of constant dieting, calorie-cutting and eliminating food groups can lead to nutritional deficiencies, including vitamins, iron and calcium, which are all-important for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. A balanced diet, and two litres of water a day, is the best bet, along with good quality supplements if your diet is lacking. If you do want to lose weight, slow and steady wins the race.

Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

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44 Marlow Bottom (next to the Post Office) SL7 3NB Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

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Salad of smoked lamb rump and cauliflower

Marinade 100g salt 50g sugar 10 juniper berries 5g coriander seed 3G fennel seed 3 cloves garlic 3sprigs rosemary 6 sprigs thyme

Marinade over night 6 lamb rumps Remove from the marinade and place in a stove top smoker . Place the smoker over wood chipping onto the clippings add some rosemary and bay leaf and place to cook for 10 min. Remove smoker from the stove and leave the lamb to rest inside the smoker. Pickled cauliflower 10g white balsamic vinegar 100g water 2Sliced banana shallots into circles 2g cumin seeds 5g fennel seeds 3g mustard seeds Salt and pepper 20 florets of cauliflower( blanched ) Bring ingredients to the boil ad the cauliflower and leave to infuse

Cauliflower purée Using the rest of the cauliflower cook in lightly salted water till soft and drain. Leave for 3-4 min making sure all liquid has gone In a frying pan add olive oil and bring to heat ad cauliflower and quickly reheat with no colour add a touch of cream and blend till it’s a purée . Garnish the plate with pickled cauliflower Cauliflower purée and mustard leaves Use some of the smoked juice from the lamb mixed with olive oil for the dressing Happy cooking Michael MacDonald, Chef Patron, The Vanilla Pod, Marlow www.theVanillaPod.co.uk

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Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

COMPLIMENTARY BOAT CRUISE Join us for lunch in the André Garrett Restaurant, Monday - Friday, throughout May and enjoy a complimentary shared river cruise...

From £33.00 per person

Taplow, Berkshire, SL6 0JF Tel: 01628 607107 reservations@clivedenhouse.co.uk www.clivedenhouse.co.uk

MEDITERRANEAN

mode

Beyond the sightseeing and sun soaking, one of the pleasures of the Med is sampling the local cuisine, and drinking the local plonk. At least it is until you start navigating the wine list... With so many interesting grape varieties, who isn’t tempted to trade up and try something new - even if you can’t pronounce the name - rather than the cheapo looking carafe of vino, with zero character?! After all, the ritual of selecting and tasting the wine can be an adventure in itself. But if you’re short on time and want to fast-track a Riviera lifestyle, here are some time-honoured favourites and refreshingly different styles to whet your appetite... 1. Exquisite Collection Cotes de Provence Rose 2016, France (£5.99, Aldi) Our rose-coloured crush on the wines of Provence shows no sign of wavering, thanks to pretty pinks that can be very dry, very delicious, and very dear. Best bet is to reach for this corsetshaped bottle that has lovely floral aromas, ample berry notes and will leave you with enough change for a bowl of olives.

character, it offers generous aromatics of florals entwined with citrus, a textured palate and melange of orchard fruits, pear and melon, lead to a long, clean finish with a lemony zing on the tail.

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5. Aemilia Shiraz Vranec Petit Verdot 2013, Tikves, Macedonia (£9.99, Waitrose)

3. Santo Nykteri 2014, Greece (£18.49, www.laithwaites.co.uk) Along with its volcanic sands, spectacular views and famous sunsets, one of the charms of Santorini is its ultra minerally, bone dry whites. Made predominantly from the assyrtiko (‘a-seer-tee-ko’) grape, it’s rich (a smidgen of time in oak adds body), with citrusy, blossom aromatics, a well-crafted mix of ripe pear and citrus fruits, and a mouth-watering freshness that makes you want to take flight and head to one of the island’s many wine routes. 4. Golden Valley Grasevina 2015, Croatia (£9.50, Marks & Spencer, in-store)

2. Ca N’Estruc Xarel-lo Catalunya 2015, Spain (£10.95, www.slurp.co.uk) This Spanish beauty is made from the xarel-lo grape, pronounced ‘shah-rehl-loh’, which is also used in cava production. Utterly delicious with a flinty

juicy peach and a fruity, limey tang, it’s concentrated and rich, but refreshingly balanced.

A land of vineyards, Croatia produces an equal number of whites and reds. Grasevina (‘gra-she-vi-na’), otherwise known as the Queen of Croatian wine grapes, is the dominant white and this is a terrific example. Pure and fresh with attractive florals and baskets of ripe yellow apples,

Macedonia’s flagship grape, vranec has been cited as the next big red and it certainly adds plenty of va-va-voom to this bold blend. Vranec translates to ‘black stallion’ which gives you an idea of the flavour profile. A fruity bomb, it’s plush and perfumed with violet and spicy scents, generous blueberry and plummy flavours, and a refreshing acidity reigns the berry richness in. 6. Zensa Primitivo 2015, Puglia, Italy (£9.95, www.fromvineyardsdirect.com) With just the right measure of warmth, this is a finely made wine in a crowd-pleasing style. Seriously good and quite sumptuous, it offers blueberry, raspberry and black cherry fruit, wild berry notes, and vanilla and spice from oak ageing. With each sun-drenched sip, it certainly suits if you l ove Italian classics, and it’s the perfect pairing with pasta and meatballs.

Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

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BERRY BAKES 24 |

back

Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

Viewers were left bereft when Mary Berry announced she wouldn’t be following The Great British Bake Off’s move to Channel 4. But fear not, fans - five months on and the Somerset-born cook, whose final GBBO hurrah came in the form of a National Television Award for Best TV Judge earlier this year, is back with a new BBC Two TV series and accompanying cookbook, Mary Berry Everyday, celebrating items which have formed the cornerstone of her cooking over six decades.

WHITE CHOCOLATE AND RASPBERRY CHEESECAKE (Serves 6-8) For the base: 150g digestive biscuits 60g butter, plus extra for greasing 1tbsp demerara sugar

“I was thinking about, as the title suggests, the everyday,” explains Berry 81, whose culinary career started with training, aged 21, at Le Cordon Bleu school, France. “Everyday can be just with the family, it can mean having friends around, it can be a special occasion.”

For the topping: 200g white chocolate 1 x 250g tub of full-fat mascarpone cheese 300ml pouring double cream 1tsp vanilla extract 500g fresh raspberries 1tbsp icing sugar

While the six-part series will follow Berry as she travels to Scotland to enjoy the best of their everyday larder; tries her hand at bee keeping; and teaches her own grand-daughter to milk a goat and make cheese, the tie-in tome will document her own kitchen creations (120, to be exact), alongside top tricks and tips. With everything from hearty and wholesome, to indulgent and easy crowd-pleasers on the menu, it’s a catalogue that’s sure to please. “All the recipes are tried out at home,” notes the star, who reveals she welcomes constructive criticism from her tight-knit family (Berry often cooks for her husband, Paul Hunnings, and their children and grandchildren). “The children might say, ‘Oh yuck’, or someone may say, ‘That takes too long to do’, and those don’t go in the book,” she confides. “But I make sure there aren’t too many of those!

You will need a 20cm round spring-form tin with deep sides, and a piping bag fitted with a plain nozzle (optional). Butter the base of the tin and line with a disc of baking paper.

“It’s important not to have too many ingredients or pieces of equipment,” she adds. “I want to inspire people to cook, and I do think a book is a nice thing to have. I’m very lucky that people trust me and that they have a go.”

To make the base, measure the biscuits into a resealable freezer bag and use a rolling pin, or the base of a saucepan, to crush into fine crumbs, but still with a bit of texture.

With more than 70 titles under her belt, it’s safe to say people do trust Berry - and fans will be pleased to hear she isn’t hanging up her apron strings any time soon. “I’m not stepping back; I am doing different things,” Berry insists, resolute in her choice to keep busy.

Heat the butter in a small saucepan over a low heat until just melted. Add the crushed biscuits and sugar and stir until combined. Spoon into the base of the prepared tin and press with the back of a spoon until level. Chill in the fridge while you make the topping.

“Maybe Mel, Sue and I will get down to something...” she adds cryptically (the Bake Off co-presenters also decided to quit the popular series when the shock channel switch was announced), though it’s unlikely to happen overnight.

Break the chocolate into a separate bowl, and sit it on top of a pan of simmering water. Stir until melted but not hot, then leave for five to 10 minutes, until cool but still liquid.

“I’ve got a new series on country houses coming up, I’ll be doing a bit at Chelsea [Flower Show] I expect, and I’ll be doing a new series for 2018,” lists Berry.

Meanwhile, tip the mascarpone into a bowl, and mix with a spatula to loosen so it is soft. Stir in the cream and vanilla extract, stirring with the spatula until smooth.

“Don’t worry, I won’t be idle.” Keep busy in the kitchen yourself, with these three recipes from Berry’s new book... Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

To make a coulis for the top of the cheesecake, place half the raspberries into a small blender or

food processor. Add the icing sugar and whizz until runny, then pour through a sieve to remove the seeds. Pour the melted chocolate into the bowl with the mascarpone mixture and stir to combine, taking care not to over-mix. Spoon half the white chocolate mixture on to the biscuit base in the tin. Use the handle of a teaspoon to make a few small holes in the white chocolate mixture, pushing right down to the top of the biscuit base. Pour or pipe enough of the coulis into the holes to fill them, setting aside the remaining coulis for decorating the top of the cheesecake. Spoon the remaining white chocolate mixture on top and smooth and level the top. Cover with cling film and chill in the fridge for a minimum of six hours, or ideally overnight. To serve, arrange the rest of the raspberries on top of the cheesecake and drizzle over the remaining coulis. Run a palette knife around the edges of the tin before removing the sides and base, and sit it on a serving plate. Mary Berry Everyday published by BBC Books, £26. Available now

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Automate Your

WORLD mart home technologies are evolving: from the way you enter your home or control your music and entertainment, through to being able to control lighting or security from your tablet or smartphone; today, the opportunities to automate your world are endless. Technology has changed how we live and work: the Internet-age has truly arrived and now everything you touch has the ability to be automated or controlled by an app on your tablet or phone, and your home is no exception. It is now possible to control many aspects of your world by simply touching a button on your smartphone or tablet device; no matter where you are. Via one app, you can manage, monitor and power your lighting, climate, security, shading, music, televisions, energy consumption and much more. You can even have a robotic lawnmower take care of your garden! The possibilities are endless.

and acoustic treatment, in addition to ambient lighting and motion-controlled chairs, creating a movie experience like no other. Other technologies on show include access control and entry solutions, smart CCTV and security systems, automated shading systems, energy and heating monitors, ambient and smart lighting and multi-room audio and video innovations, all of which can be controlled by a smart device, regardless of whether operated from within the property, or remotely while travelling. The Future is Here “We wanted to create a place where people could visit to really see how automation technology is able to transform any environment, whether it is your home, work or leisure” explains Liam Parker. “The team has a real passion for technology and the power that it has to transform lives. Smart home technologies may sound futuristic, but they are here today and are ready to help you take better control of your home.” As a member of the CEDIA trade association for the home technology industry, Quest End follows a strict code of ethics in order to provide the highest quality service, and as such is committed to delivering design excellence, technical expertise and superior customer service. For those new to automation technology, the team offers a step-by-step, six-phase plan to make the process from initial enquiry to completion as smooth as possible: from enquiry and project scoping; product guidance and demonstrations; site visit and full specification; estimated project plan and cost estimates; installation; to ongoing support. The power of technology means that your vision does not have to stop here: the connected home is today’s reality and Quest End is on hand to show you the many ways that technology can help you fully automate your world.

Quest End, which is a family-owned business led by local businessman Liam Parker, launched to enable people to live and work smarter. Its Maidenhead-based Experience Centre, which is located in the heart of the town on Queen Street, offers the opportunity to see state-ofthe-art smart home systems first-hand, to really understand just what is possible.

Arrange a Demonstration We invite you to visit our Maidenhead Experience Centre to see how control and automation technologies would work in your home.

This includes a superlative Cinema at Home room, which uses the latest 4K digital projector, immersive 3D surround sound

To book a demonstration, contact Liam or Paul at Quest End today. Tel: 01628 290640 Email: Info@questend.co.uk Web: www.questend.co.uk QUEST END | 18 QUEEN STREET | MAIDENHEAD | BERKSHIRE | SL6 1HZ

Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

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efficient and most importantly stress-free for you. With this in mind, our highly experienced, professional installers and craftsmen will ensure that they are as efficient, tidy and timely as possible and that you are delighted with the end result. Our specialist installers have many years experience and can cover all aspects including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, gas, tiling, flooring and plastering. We are particularly proud of the quality of our fitters and their workmanship and of course all installations come complete with the relevant Part P Electrical or Gas Safety certification.

We pride ourselves on our customer service, and our teams friendly and professional approach. We make every effort to make things right from day one, so that you will be delighted with the end result. We welcome you to visit our showrooms where you can start your experience with us. There is always one of our helpful team on hand to show you around and give you more information.

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Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

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TIPS for fab wooden floors

1. To expose and enjoy your home’s period floorboards, uncover them, do any repairs and sand them with an industrial floor sander and edger - which is hard, hot and dusty work. Although more expensive, employing someone to sand them for you is often worth it, and they usually include the cost of the wood stain or varnish in the price. They should also be able to do the job quicker than you can and should have better sanders than those available from hire shops. Another problem with doing it yourself is that you can get ridges in the boards from not using the floor sander properly, and you usually pay for the sanding sheets you use on top of the hire cost, which can soon add up. 2. Period floorboards often have more modern boards mixed in where repairs have been done over the years. You can, of course, replace the new boards with period ones, but there’s no guarantee that the colour will match perfectly when sanded, and it can be hard to find ones the same width, especially if your boards are an unusual width. 3. Painting them makes it easier to disguise the new boards than with wood stain or varnish, although dark stains and varnishes can work really well. Painting floorboards white is a classic look and will go with any wall colour, although it isn’t the most practical choice for high-traffic areas of the home. An oil-based white floor paint will cover in fewer coats, but it’s likely to yellow, so if you

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want the boards to stay white, use a water-based paint. The latter is also ideal if you need to use the room that day because it will dry quickly. 4. If you don’t have period floorboards or you’d prefer not to expose them, consider laying wood or wood-effect flooring. Laminate flooring, which has a picture of wood printed onto the boards, is an inexpensive way to get the look, but laminate isn’t as fashionable as it once was. If you want the real thing, other types of wooden flooring are now as easy to fit as laminate and can be reasonably priced. Boards that simply click and fit together are widely available in both engineered wood and solid wood flooring. 5. Engineered wood flooring has a top layer of real wood, with other layers underneath. The thickness of the wood layer varies - make sure you know how thick it is, as thicker layers can be sanded. A floor that can be sanded a few times is a good investment because it can take more wear and tear. Engineered wood is often a more practical choice than solid wood flooring because the layers give it added strength and durability. Unlike solid wood, it shouldn’t shrink and expand when exposed to moisture and changes in temperature and humidity.

Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

Spa Style Splash out on treats for your bathroom, from smart storage to luxury towels, and turn it into your very own spa. The White Company has large Leather Laundry Bins, currently £148 (reduced from £185) as well as a Seagrass Laundry Basket, reduced from £165 to £132 (www.thewhitecompany.com/ 020 3758 9222). Smarten up an overhead light with Lorraine at Home’s Elgin Fitted Pendant, £35, JD Williams Home (www.jdwilliams.co.uk/0871 231 2000). Made.com’s renowned for bargain price designer style, and its Egyptian cotton Mercer Collection towels are a snip, starting from £18 for two towels (www.made.com/03442 571 888). Soothe the senses with a Jasmine, Lemongrass And Ginger candle, £25, Sara Miller London (www.saramiller.london).

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Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

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TIPS for painting new plaster

the mist coat, or you may end up doing more coats of topcoat than you need to.

1. You first need to seal new plaster to make it less absorbent and to help the topcoat adhere better. A common way to seal it is with watered-down emulsion (known as a mist coat), as the plaster sucks up the water and becomes less absorbent. After you’ve applied the mist coat, you’ll be able to see where you need to fill more easily than you would with bare plaster. 2. Watered-down emulsion is messy to work with because it drips much more than standard emulsion. Be careful to wipe, roller or brush-out drips immediately to avoid a bad finish - the paint dries quickly because the plaster’s absorbent. If your topcoat’s white, it’s best to use watered-down white emulsion for

3. Another problem with using a white topcoat on new plaster is that you can get patches of plaster the topcoat takes several coats to cover. To save time and paint, use a stain block or a basecoat emulsion on these patches. 4. Paints designed to be applied directly to bare plaster are available in DIY stores. Although they’re more expensive than watering down cheap emulsion, they’re much nicer to use because they don’t drip everywhere, but it can be harder to get a good finish with them. Watered-down emulsion produces a ‘soft’ edge on new plaster, whereas bare plaster paints often produce a ‘harder’ edge that can adversely affect the finish, so it is advisable to water down the first coat, if you can cope with the mess. Painting plaster before it’s fully

dry can cause the paint to peel, giving you endless problems, but some bare plaster paints allow the plaster to continue breathing and drying after the paint’s applied. 5. Sometimes patches of new plaster don’t dry out because of damp. Often the best solution is to remove the plaster back to the brickwork and get a plasterer to do a waterproof render before replastering. This should stop any moisture in the brickwork coming back through the plaster. The cause of the damp should also be addressed. Alternatively, there are quick fixes, such as applying damp paint/ seal to the damp patches and then painting, or tiling or cladding the wall (with tongue-and-groove panelling, for example). However, you’re covering the damp rather than dealing with it and it may come through again once the damp paint/ seal starts to fail.

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LET YOUR BODY BREATHE

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flirting with

PINK Pink is spring’s biggest fashion trend - and where designers lead, interior decorators soon follow. Even if you don’t wear pink, there are so many facets to this rosy hue that if styled correctly (much like that pink Zara trench coat that’s flying off the rails), it can lighten the home without leaving it looking like a Disney-esq doll’s house. The secret is to blend, blend, blend... A ballet-slipper sofa, a sugar-almond cushion and a coat of pale pink gloss can be designed to shape, colour and contour, and be as flattering as your favourite blush.

ROYAL FLUSH “If you’re looking to bring pink into your palette, ensure you pick your shades carefully. Avoid overpowering a room with saccharine hues, and opt for more mature tones, that will add a feminine touch without looking too girly. Deep dusky pinks are right on trend and will work perfectly for a look such as this,” says Ian Dykes, founder and director, Voyage Decoration.

The Le Cocktail Chair, Fuschia £425 | oliverbonas.com

furniture to create a contemporary and soft environment in the home. Paired with on-trend metallic, especially copper, clean white walls and touches of grey, pink blush or even bolder fuchsia tones - will create a calm yet vibrant living space.”

ROSE BOUQUET When it comes to updating our favourite rooms, some of us go to great lengths to shop the latest looks.

“If you’re opting for brighter shades, introduce them in small pops on accessories, or through accent detailing such as piping. Placed alongside masculine colours, such as deep navy blues or moody greys, your scheme will be beautifully balanced and seriously stylish.” Another trick is to remember that when pink is combined with white - roses in a white vase, or scented candles on a mirrored table, for instance - it can look cool and glamorous.

And if your last dalliance was with 50 shades of grey (or darker), then the good news is you can rekindle that flame with an innocent petal pink. Rosa, £137.50 | Amara.com

“Adding colour such as pink to a room is an easy way to update the feel of the space,” says Lucy Ackroyd, bed linen design manager, Christy. “Our Harlow bed linen uses a classic design of large-scale flowers, digitally printed in elegant grey and pink tones. Mixing grey and pink is a popular trend for 2017, giving pink an edgier look than traditionally seen.”

“As we enter into the summer months, pink continues to be one of the biggest colour trends of the year,” says Philip Watkin, DFS design director. “It’s a lot more versatile than you first might think and can be used in a variety of ways. We’ve used pink fabrics on our

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Kate Spade New York Greenwich Grove Tea Cup & Saucer, pink grey £45

But if this still sounds a little too innocent and you’re after a touch more drama, pink

Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

The Betsy 3 Seater Sofa in pink £579 | dfs.co.uk

framed by violet or black is a tempting scheme that can be dressed up to suit your space.

FEMININE VIBE When it comes to pink fabrics, we often associate it with lightweight, delicate materials, like silk. So what could be lovelier (and more practical) than introducing the shade to

a scheme with items that are also strong and sturdy? Thankfully, designers are going full-on rose this season and weaving it into heavier furnishings, with wools and rugs popping up in pink, adding texture to the ‘livingscape’ and looking blooming marvellous. “Wool is naturally associated with the winter months, simply due to its cosy texture and warming properties,” says

Martin Aveyard, design director, Bronte by Moon. “However, many forget that wool also regulates temperature, keeping the home cool even in the warmer months. “Consider Shetland wools in fresh and vibrant tones which instantly lift a room, brightening the decor without compromising on warmth and comfort. “Hues of pastel pinks evoke a sense of sunnier climes, and are perfect for updating a statement armchair without losing the cosy feel of wool.”

Pink Pillow £12.99 homesense.com

Ziggurat Table Lamp in Antique Silver £140 Straight Empire Shade in Pink block printed cotton £50 pooky.com

Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

Pink and natural cushion £49.95 brontebymoon.co.uk

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2. Painted stripes look fab on a feature wall, but are fiddly, time-consuming and often frustrating to do properly. You’ll need to use low-tack masking tape for adjoining stripes, and try a tester piece of tape first in case it’s not as low tack as it claims to be. Alternatively, do freehand ‘rough’ stripes with a paintbrush or roller and no tape - it’s much easier, but more of an acquired taste.

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1. You can create a feature wall with colour and/or a pattern, even texture, in pretty much any room - chimney breasts, alcoves and walls behind beds, dining tables and sofas usually work well - but not all rooms have a suitable wall. If not, you can create a horizontal feature on all four walls by using wallpaper or a different colour paint between a room’s picture rail and cornicing, between the picture rail and dado rail, or between the dado rail and skirting board.

3. Wallpaper is popular for feature walls - if you want stripes the easy way, buy a striped design. A feature wall enables you to enjoy patterned wallpaper without it overpowering the room or making it look too busy. It works best if you tie one or more of the colours in the wallpaper in to the rest of room. So, for example, if the other walls are white, a wallpaper on the feature wall with white in it should bring the look together. Murals are similar to wallpaper, but usually depict a scene (a beach, cityscape, mountains, etc) or a large-scale design, such as a map, rather than a more conventional pattern. Unlike wallpaper, which can be hung on as many or few 13:14 walls as you like, a mural is usually designed to be used on just one feature wall. 4. Feature walls can be practical as well as pretty. You could have a tiled feature wall in a bathroom or shower room (using mosaic or glass tiles, for example) and a chalkboard feature wall in a kitchen or playroom. Chalkboard paints are available in different colours, so the wall doesn’t have to be black. If you’d prefer something less permanent, how about a chalkboard sticker? Wall stickers in general are fantastic for feature walls because they come in lots of different designs, colours and sizes. 5. You can also create a feature wall outdoors. Masonry paint comes in a wide range of colours, so why not do something creative if you have a wall or walls in your garden? Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

HOPPEN

TO IT

“Creating a sense of theatre is essential in any living space,” declares Kelly Hoppen, and the dramatic settings in her home, a converted auction house in central London, amply prove her point. “I bought the building as a shell with nothing but a floor, an impressively high ceiling and the structural columns,” she says proudly, gesturing at the vast open-plan living area which runs from an entrance hall at one end through to the study at the other, with living and dining areas in between. The space is decorated in her signature shades of taupe and white. “I’m not frightened of colour, but neutrals are who I am. It’s worked as my signature colourway for 40 years and I’ll continue the Hoppen style,” she insists. “I passionately believe a palette of neutrals - whether taupe, sand or cream based can provide a serene and harmonious backdrop, against which to layer the colour and activity in your life. I like the way they make me feel, as much as they way they look. “But whichever family of neutrals I choose to work with on a project, textural contrast is always absolutely key, to add richness, depth and character,” she adds. Personality abounds throughout the home. The glamorous master bathroom “probably my favourite room” - has a marble bath, set on an under-lit plinth, whose shape’s inspired by a lotus flower. “I also love our study, which is similar to a collector’s room, housing a history of the old auction house as well as books, art and objects,” she confides. “I still believe open-plan is essential to the way we live. I love using glass partitions if I want to create intimate areas and add depth.” Her distinctive style philosophy has won her a portfolio of A-list clients, including David and Victoria Beckham - and now she reveals her decor secrets, and the wisdom that’s helped make her internationally renowned, in her beautifully illustrated book, House Of Hoppen. Only 13 when she realised she wanted to be an interior designer, taking on her first project three years later, Hoppen, 57, began her career extraordinarily young. “By the time I was 17, I’d bought and done up my own apartment in London’s Chelsea, as well as setting up an office there,” she recalls. “Back then, everything came from a real intrigue and experience, rather than just opening a book and copying from it, which is what I feel people do today.

Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

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HOPPEN’S DECOR TIPS COLOUR UP: Splashes of burgundy, dark grey, pastel pink, emerald green, and burnt orange will be the shades of this year. EDGY MIX: An industrial look in design has made a comeback. “Using industrial materials, such as concrete, will automatically inject an urban feel into your home no matter what the location. This versatile material looks incredible contrasted with metals and textures. Mix it up with antiques which will shock and contrast beautifully with this sleek look.” WAKE UP WALLS: “Wallpaper should be a wonderful, luxurious piece of texture, which draws you in but at the same time is a backdrop to whatever style you choose for your home,” explains Hoppen.

My own style evolved in an organic way - it was intuitive.” She has a cautious approach to trends which she believes should be used as a guide, rather than a rule, as if they’re too slavishly followed they can easily date an interior. “What’s important is creating timeless and understated elegance in your home, and to plan before you start designing the space. Times have changed and people want sustainable and modern luxury, while holding on to pieces that will last the test of time,” she says. “The recession has had a big impact on the way people are living their lives and their core values. It’s that juxtaposition between the old and new that will play an important role in the future.”

“We’ve seen an increase in patterned and textured wallpaper which will continue this year. Look out for lots of bold, colourful prints as well as geometric shapes, splatters and messy patterns, a la artist Jackson Pollock. Retro-style tiles will also be huge for walls.” Give one wall a facelift for an easy spring update. Kelly Hoppen Splatter Gold Wallpaper, £23 a roll, Graham & Brown (www.grahamandbrown.com). NATURE NOTES: Bringing nature into the home is absolutely key, Hoppen declares. “I love organic trees which grow indoors, and Sixties-style plants such as palm trees and rubber plants, which are enjoying a revival. Place fresh flowers in every room for an instant spring uplift. Display in clear bowls - which could also be filled with flowers or sand - and are ideal centre pieces or focal points on tables.” Clear Glass Globe Top Band Bowl, £39, Kelly Hoppen (www.kellyhoppen.com).

LIGHTEN UP: Create a lighter feeling for spring by substituting curtains and loose covers in heavy fabrics for more delicate alternatives, such as sheers and cottons. Use mirrors throughout the home where possible. They can double the effect of natural daylight and create an illusion that a space is larger and brighter than in reality. FLOOR SHOW: Different materials and effects will make floors the star of homes this year, Hoppen predicts. “Retro tiles paired with wood, herringbone flooring matched with ceramic tiles, and old wooden floors mixed with stone will be just a few of the new pairings. “Bespoke wood colour will also be a big hit. The wood flooring in my London home is full of subtle warm tones and took six months to perfect. It was like going to the hairdresser and finding the perfect shade. Another popular trend will be photographic tiles - imagery on tiles which can be show-stopping.”

GET THE LOOK Recreate Kelly Hoppen’s style with furniture and accessories from the designer’s range... Grey Wing Accent Chair, £600, and Flow Coffee Table, £1,200. Accessorise with faux Hydrangeas In Glass Vase, £44; a Westbourne Velvet Cushion, £95, all Kelly Hoppen (020 3701 9333/www.kellyhoppen.com) House Of Hoppen by Kelly Hoppen, photography by Vincent Knapp and Mel Yates, is published by Jacqui Small, £50. Available to readers for special price of £40 (including p&p). Visit www.QuartoKnows.com and enter code HOP20 (offer valid until June 30)

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Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

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Pruning Mature Trees Calibra Tree Surgeons says pruning is the most common tree maintenance procedure and 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.

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. 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. Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

Greys Court garden A TRIBUTE TO A LADY

ucked away in its own secret world, the walled garden of the National Trust’s Greys Court reveals its floral treasures room by room. Open a scrolledgate or unassuming door and you can discover a riot of bright peonies or enter a flower tunnel wound through with vines of honeysuckle and roses. Greys Court is very much a spring and early summer garden. In June it’s verdant and fresh, everything is growing and it’s full of light, scent and colour. Lady Brunner designed the gardens after the family arrived at the estate in 1937. She imagined sitting peacefully inside beautiful outdoor rooms, but also had a love of show and drama. Greys Court’s Head Gardener, Adam Ford, feels that as the original creator, her intentions and story are paramount. ‘That’s perhaps what makes the role of a National Trust gardener different,’ says Adam. ‘It’s about historical context. My personal taste doesn’t matter. I’d like Greys Court to be a beautiful space but also a historic landmark that tells the story of its creator and marks her moment in time.’

However, as an actress before her marriage, Lady Brunner also had a sense of fun and theatre and loved big, blousy blooms. Her appreciation of drama shows in the walled garden as each garden room is separated from its neighbours by at least one gate or door. This presents you with choices and decisions to make and a ‘ta-da’ moment as you step through. The reveal of the rose garden is one of those moments. The roses are set around a striped, circular lawn, flanked on one side by the pink and purple border and on the other by the yellow and orange border. This riot of bright summer scents and colours are offset by perfect, mint-green grass. The roses are laid out in chronological order, tracing the evolution of roses from early damask varieties through to modern hybrids. Elsewhere, the peony border is overflowing with pink and purple peonies, delphiniums and sour grape penstemons.

BY KATY DUNN

Water plays gently in the fountains of the Italianate Garden with its soaring columnar juniper trees. The orchard is home to gnarled espalier-trained fruit trees above a meadow dotted with oxeye daisies. At any given time of year, Adam has a different favourite spot, ‘but I love the wisteria room when it’s out of season without flowers or leaves. I love the structure; it feels like an enchanted forest is wrapping you up in twisting 120 year old trees.’ Yet on drowsy warm days in June, with the soundscape of birdsong and bees, when the roses are at their peak of scent and colour, Greys Court is the most beautiful, tranquil place to be. ‘It’s where I feel peaceful,’ says Adam. Greys Court is offering a free regular tea or coffee with any purchase in the Cowshed tearoom on weekdays in June.

(Offer not valid at weekends. Normal admission applies.)

As president of the Women’s Institute, Lady Brunner was very practical. The kitchen garden she created is all about production and jam making. The glasshouses are full of tomatoes, peppers and basil for the café. There are beans, brassicas, roots and salad crops in the beds, and the cut flower borders supply fresh flowers for the house. Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

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flower power

HAVING BEEN SUPERINTENDENT OF THE ROYAL PARKS FOR A QUARTER OF A CENTURY, AND ONE OF ONLY 63 PEOPLE ACROSS THE WORLD TO HAVE BEEN AWARDED THE RSC MEDAL OF HONOUR, THERE’S NOT MUCH JIM BUTTRESS DOESN’T KNOW ABOUT HORTICULTURE. NOW, HE WANTS PEOPLE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY TO TAKE THEIR GREEN SPACES BACK, SO BOTH BRITAIN’S GARDENS AND COMMUNITIES CAN BLOOM AND FLOURISH TOGETHER…

When Jim Buttress first started gardening at school, after being asked out of class by the teacher, he never thought it would lead to him being one of the UK’s leading experts on horticulture for decade after decade, and a starring role on the judging panel for the “greatest flower show on Earth” at Chelsea. “I can’t say it was written in the stars,” says the 71-yearold London-born gardener when describing his passion for the great outdoors, “I can’t say I wasn’t going to be fit for anything else, I was just fascinated by being outside, getting dirty, and then seeing a packet of seeds that I had sown actually germinate, and I’d done it all myself.” From there Jim went on to emulate his own gardening heroes, men like Percy Thrower and Jack Hamilton who “didn’t have scripts, they just got out there and did it.” This idea of active gardening is something Jim is keen to encourage – and he sees the future of Britain’s green and pleasant spaces as being in the hands of the people, rather than the politicians. “Because of the demise of a lot of councils, and cutbacks, the community are taking it on themselves,” he explains, “I’ve always been drawn towards community involvement. It says so much for the area, and the people, and it says so much that people who live next door to one another for ten years, never talked, got on with their own life, and then they find that the two of them are picking up litter on the local common. The community are finding waste bits of land that no-one else wants to know about, and they’re creating these community gardens. It’s crazy, isn’t it?”

there will be loads of people on hand to take a look at it and help you out.” Jim’s dedication to his profession earned him a much-prized, and highly-coveted, Victoria Medal of Honour, alongside 62 other legendary names in the world of horticulture. It is his biggest achievement to date in his expansive career, but he hopes that one day he’ll be able to fulfil another life-long dream.

Despite appearing on BBC Two’s The Big Allotment Challenge, Jim places more faith in a sharing of knowledge throughout the gardening community, rather than to make it a competition.

“I would love to set up my own school, with my own training and help,” he says, “I do a lot with other people, but if I could say that Jim Buttress set up his own School of Horticulture for all those people that may have slipped off the wagon somewhere or another, and it will keep on helping them, that would be a marvellous thing.”

“At the end of the day, gardening is an extremely friendly profession,” he beams, “If you’ve got a real problem,

The People’s Gardener by Jim Buttress is out now via Sidgwick & Jackson, RRP £16.99

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Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

in May 2017 Aquarius January 21 - February 18 Your ruler, the maverick planet Uranus, is in spectacular aspect to practical Saturn all this month. Apply your energies to constructive pursuits and connecting with influential people: Your intellectual powers are sharp, particularly after the 4th as Mercury goes into direct motion. Pisces February 19 - March 20 Your home and your family are in the spotlight this month as energetic Mars stirs up the domestic area of your chart. A new plan of action is on the cards and you may need to make some major decisions. Creativity and intuition flow after the full moon on the 10th Aries March 21 - April 20 Mars, your ruler, remains in the upbeat sign of Gemini all month; plans, projects and anything to do with communication should be gathering momentum as May unfolds. The Scorpio full moon on the 10th brings your Investments and shared resources into the spotlight. Taurus April 21 – May 21 The Sun is in your sign until the 21st and energetic Mars in Gemini continue to give you an extra boost of vitality. Venus, your ruler, is in fiery Aries all month, bringing you a chance to clear up some emotional matters that have been bothering you for quite a while. Gemini May 22 - June 21 Mercury, your ruler, returns to direct motion in your sign on the 4th opening up the possibilities for innovative ideas and exciting new plans to pick up pace and move ahead. The full moon in Scorpio

on the 10th sheds light on an exciting opportunity for the future. Cancer June 22 - July 22 This month brings a pleasing social period your way, opportunities open up and you can bask in the spotlight. Practical matters also look encouraging and you’ll feel ready to put in quite a lot of hard work. After the full moon on the10th you find that help comes from unexpected quarters. Leo July 23 - August 23 Energetic Mars in Gemini remains in a pivotal sector of your chart, bringing all sorts of new developments to your social life. Relationships may be the most exciting part of your life right now as a deep friendship, or even a love affair could become particularly rewarding for you. Virgo August 24 - September 22 Energetic Mars is at the highest point of your chart all month, illuminating the way for brighter career prospects. Avoid wasting energy on trivia and take care not to be distracted. The Taurus new moon on the 25th highlights a brilliant opportunity and a new beginning. Libra September 23 - October 23 Further learning opportunities and long distance travel are both in the spotlight this month. Venus is in fiery Aries all month ensuring that confidence and intuition are at a peak. Take this opportunity to further develop new projects, particularly around the Scorpio full moon on the 10th Scorpio October 24 - November 22 The full moon in your sign on the 10th illuminates the important decisions

THE COSMOS DURING MAY May sees the sign of Taurus the bull moving into the spotlight; this sign is down to earth and constructive and this stable and practical energy can be used beneficially to keep your projects going at a steady pace. Taurus is also the sign of nature, spring is here - be sure to get outdoors as much as possible and enjoy the abundance of the natural world. The planet Mercury finishes its retrograde motion on the 4th, ensuring that things will flow much more smoothly as the rest of the month picks up pace. The full moon in Scorpio on the 10th increases self-awareness and intuition and enhances emotional intensity. The new moon in Gemini on the 26th is lively and curious, increasing our hunger for knowledge and developing our capacities as thinkers and communicators. Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

that you have taken in recent months. Successful work projects now coincide with your determination to succeed in all areas of life. Dynamic Mars in Gemini is strong in your financial sector. Sagittarius November 23 - December 21 Mars in Gemini brings your relationships and partnerships into the spotlight this month. With the love planet Venus strong in fiery Aries, passionate romance is also on the cards. The Scorpio full moon on the 10th is rather introspective, heightening reflection and intuition. Capricorn December 22 - January 20 This month brings a sense of adventure and exciting new possibilities. The Sun and Energetic Mars are both in pivotal positions in your chart, ensuring that you enjoy popularity and recognition. Use positive thinking to get the very best out of any new social endeavours.

Visit www.VividTitles.co.uk to see how you can navigate your way to success in June

NAVIGATE YOUR WAY TO SUCCESS – with in-depth knowledge and cosmic awareness. How is 2017 progressing for you? How can you turn things around to your advantage? Insights gained by having your unique birth chart explained to you will help you to work with the planetary cycles and maximise your potential to achieve whatever you desire. Consultations are available in person, by telephone or Skype. Book now for a revealing personal astrology consultation. Please contact me for more information. Inspirational Astrologer and Life Coach, www.restyleyourlife.co.uk Christine@restyleyourlife.co.uk Telephone: 07813 483549

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TRAVELLING with POETIC LICENCE

The Ocean from Isla Negra

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Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

Valparaiso, Chile

A controversial character, who divided opinion with his socialist beliefs and flamboyant lifestyle, Chilean poet Pablo Neruda was one of the 20th century’s literary greats. Awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971, his fame spread worldwide, yet appreciation for his love poems, historical epics and simple odes to everyday life, is still limited in English-speaking countries. An adventurous, fantasy biopic by lauded film-maker Pablo Larrain will no doubt redress that imbalance. “I was raised in a country where Neruda is in the air, the water and the trees,” says Chilean Larrain. “Our identity and character has been shaped mostly by our poets.”

Isla Negra, Chile

Gael Garcia Bernal plays a supporting role in the semi-imagined story of an episode in Neruda’s tumultuous life, when political differences forced him to live as a fugitive. His character, fascist police investigator Oscar Peluchonneau, engages in a cat-and-mouse game with the defiant artist, and develops both a fascination and respect for him in the process. Bernal shares those feelings: “He’s such a big person, who can build worlds and create landscapes. He would write about things with an emotional perspective, which is so needed. For example, he would have written about this horrendous victory of Donald Trump!” Although work as a diplomat carried Neruda across the globe, his heart always lay with Chile and the Pacific Ocean, so “big, unruly and blue”.

Photo of Valparaiso, Chile

Take a tour through Santiago, Valparaiso and Isla Negra, to discover the colourful backstreets and wild coastlines that inspired his life’s work.

THE SECRET LOVE NEST Where: La Chascona, Santiago Buried at the base of San Cristobal Hill, in the bohemian Bellavista district, Neruda’s landlocked house still has a strong connection with the sea. Fish motifs decorate the walls, and the building itself looks ready to set sail. Built in 1953 as a retreat for secret trysts with his mistress Matilde Urrutia, the property is named after her wild, unruly red hair. Neruda would regularly host dinner parties for friends here, although only he was allowed to serve drinks from behind The Captain’s Bar normally in colourful glasses, because they tasted better that way. A hoarder with a sense of humour, he amassed unusual trinkets and fancy ornaments from his time spent overseas as a diplomat. Look out for a secret stash of playing cards displayed beneath a staircase in The Lighthouse Living room, and a giant shoe once used as a cobbler’s shop sign, now propped in front of the outdoor summer bar. Tickets: £8.50. Closed Mondays. Visit fundacionneruda.org

THE MEAL OF POETS Where: Venezia Restaurant and Mercado Central, Santiago Caldillo de Congrio, a warming fish stew made with the “snowy flesh” of the conger eel, was Neruda’s favourite dish. He loved it so much he even dedicated a poem to the sworn hangover remedy. “In this dish you may find heaven,” he wrote in Ode to Caldillo De Congrio. Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

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Steam Train outside Isla Negra, Chile

Mosaic in Bellavista, Santiago

One of his favourite places to blissfully indulge was the El Venezia Restaurant at Pio Nono 200, a five-minute walk from La Chascona. Black and white pictures of Neruda float between paintings of gondolas on the peeling walls, and Italian football commentators squeal from TV screens. The food is so-so, but the atmosphere certainly makes up for it. A better creation of the dish can be found at Santiago’s Mercado Central, a 19th century fish market where restaurants serve seafood beneath a wrought-iron ceiling. Try La Joya del Pacifico (open daily from 6am), where the stew costs from £7.

A SAILBOAT IN THE SKY Where: La Sebastiana, Valparaiso Nothing really gets going until midday in this free and easy graffiti-splashed seaside town, a 90-minute drive from Santiago. Once a vital trading port for the Americas, until the Panama Canal arrived in 1914, it’s now favoured by hippies, students and stray dogs. The counter culture way of life fits perfectly with Neruda’s own unorthodox sentiments. Eschewing the pretty aristocratic hub of Cerro Alegre (where bars, hotels and restaurants now flourish), he chose to build a five-storey house higher up in one of the town’s 45 hills, amid a hotchpotch of colourful immigrants’ houses. Take one of the town’s trundling 100-year-old funiculars to get there. The view alone is worth the journey surveying the inky blue bay, it’s the

Film Still from film ‘Naruda’

perfect docked crow’s nest. In keeping with Neruda’s eccentric tastes, the house is brimming with oddities styled with a smile. A man and woman in matching Edwardian ruffs glare longingly at each other from gilt frames hung on opposite walls; Neruda purchased the paintings as a pair, fearing they might otherwise get lonely. Tickets: £8.50. Closed Mondays. Visit fundacionneruda.org

his greatest works (always in green pen) including historical epic, Canto General. Mystery surrounds the cause of Neruda’s death in 1973, which coincided with right-wing dictator Pinochet’s coup d’etat, but his body now lies peacefully alongside his two loves, Matilde and the ocean. “Friends, bury me at Isla Negra, before the sea I know, before each wrinkled stretch of stones, and before the waves my lost eyes will see no more.”

A PLACE OF REST Where: Casa de Isla Negra, Isla Negra “I need the sea because it teaches me,” mused Neruda in his poem The Sea. “Until I fall asleep, in some magnetic way I move in the university of the waves.” Throughout his life, the poet had a great reverence for the ocean, and this coastal home, perched on a rocky headland a twohour drive from Santiago, quickly became his favourite. After searching for a place in resort town Cartagena (now a sorry shadow of itself), Neruda moved into the property in 1945 and lived here with Delia del Carril. A steam engine on the front lawn nods to his father’s work as a railway employee, and collections of exotic shells and boats in bottles cram the shelves. A ship’s wheel has been repurposed as a coffee table and a telescope sits neatly at Neruda’s bedside. He once used it to spy a piece of driftwood floating in the ocean, which eventually became his most treasured desk. It was upon this shipwrecked cellar door that the prolific poet composed some of

Tickets: £8.50. Closed Mondays. Expect queues from 10am in high season (Nov - Feb). Visit fundacionneruda.org

WHERE TO STAY? Santiago: Hotel Luciano K, www.lucianokhotel.com Chile’s answer to Gaudi, architect Luciano Kulczewski designed several fairy tale buildings in the 1920s. A few are still standing, including this townhouse converted into a boutique hotel. Pay attention to the meticulous restoration of colourful floor tiling and a jangling lift, which zips up to a glorious rooftop bar with a toe-dipping pool. Valparaiso: Zero Hotel, www.zerohotel.com Wake up to a view Neruda often enjoyed at this Pacific-facing, period townhouse, close to the bars and cafes of Cerro Alegre. Parquet floor bedrooms are homely, and boast arguably Chile’s most comfy beds, and an outdoor terrace is a peaceful place to muse over some of Neruda’s books of poetry.

Travel Facts Sarah Marshall was a guest of The Ultimate Travel Company (020 3051 8098, theultimatetravelcompany.co.uk) who tailor-make a 10-day journey in search of Pablo Neruda from £3,275 pp. Beginning with three nights at Santiago’s Luciano K, the next stop is Hotel Z, Valparaiso before a final three nights at La Casona in the Matetic vineyards. Price includes daily breakfast, dinners at La Casona and private guided sightseeing with car and driver throughout, plus Air France flights from London via Paris.

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Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

The INSPIRATIONAL River Thames The River Thames is a living, changing entity, a key element in the lives of people living in its valley. In the past, inhabitants have used the river as a source of food, for transport and to earn a living. Little has changed. Perhaps it is only the numbers that have changed. The river is to most, a recreational area, to be enjoyed and used. The starting trickle in the Cotswolds is short lived. It quickly changes to become a river stretching 215 miles to the North Sea. Its journey sees it pass through picturesque towns and right into the heart of London then on past Kent and Essex, to the sea. The river has been a source of inspiration to many an artist, and writer. Some of this country’s, most celebrated, have drawn inspiration from the water, wildlife, people and its towns and cities. Painters use the river as an inspirational muse. Canaletto, J M W Turner and Claude Monet, all have painted scenes, depicting the life and work of the river, throughout its history. More recently, Cookham and its inhabitants, appear in many of Sir Stanley Spencer’s biblical paintings. It would be difficult for us, not to mention photography. Someone; you may not have heard of is Henry Taunt. A leading Victorian photographer, who produced the first illustrated pocket guide,

to the Thames in the 1860s. While the first edition, covered the upper Thames, its range expanded over subsequent editions. Writers such as Kenneth Grahame and Jerome K Jerome drew direct inspiration from the river. Grahame’s ‘The Wind in the Willows’ characters Toad, Ratty and Mole are believed to be drawn from the rivers wildlife, while Mapledurham House at Pangbourne is said to be the blueprint for Toad Hall. Jerome K Jerome’s ‘Three men in a boat’ is a witty journey by boat, from Kingston to Oxford. Many pubs and places on the river, mentioned in Jerome’s book, can still be visited to this day.

Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

And so the list continues. The Thames of today still provides those who live along or visit it, with a source of pleasure and inspiration. But we should not take the river for granted. The south-east population is growing through business and the need to build new homes so space limitations inevitability mean some will be constructed close to the river. These pressures increase year on year and so the river needs protection, if it is to inspire future generations with its wild and majestic countenance. Jacky & Mark Bloomfield

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expert tips for cutting sugar the sensible way So there might be a super-size helping of clean-eating backlash simmering at the moment (hurrah!), but that doesn’t mean all notions of healthy-eating need to go out the window. And this includes sugar. Luckily, when it comes to blatant sugar-fests (doughnuts, birthday cakes, family-sized Dairy Milks...), our nauseous stomachs make it clear when enough’s enough. Where it gets trickier though, is all this ‘hidden sugar’ malarkey (I mean, how does a few spoons of beans have more sugar than a biscuit?!). And then there’s fruit, and juice, and all the confusion around that. So how can we have our cake and eat it - without totally screwing up our health goals? What’s wrong with sugar? “For many of us brought up from the Sixties to the Eighties, Saturdays meant a trip to the corner shop or your local Woolworths to spend pocket money on as many sweets as you could fit into a pick ‘n’ mix bag. It was also commonplace to have a well-stocked biscuit tin in the kitchen,” says Rob Hobson, author of The Detox Kitchen Bible and head of nutrition at Healthspan (www.healthspan.co.uk). “We’re now reaping the legacy of this, and of the food industry’s habit of slipping sugar into everything from soups to smoothies, in the epidemic of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and dementia. Highly refined sugars are the worst and have a dramatic effect on blood glucose levels. In excess, these sugars are converted to blood fats called triglycerides, that may have a harmful effect on the liver and encourage the build-up of bad cholesterol, implicated in heart disease risk.” What’s being done about that? Official bodies are “all over the message to cut down on sugar”, Hobson notes. In March last year, the WHO (World Health Organisation) urged us to “reduce ‘free’ sugars added during food processing, preparation or cooking, and in honey, syrups and fruit juice”. A few months on, the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN), which advises the government on diet, recommended slashing added sugars to 5% of daily calories - “half the previous recommended intake,” Hobson adds. Experts now agree

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we should aim for around six teaspoons of added sugars a day, but research suggests most of us consume around 12. Why is it so confusing? “ Unfortunately, it’s not easy to tell how much you consume, as sugar masquerades under many different names. Fructose, for example, may appear on labels as itself or be concealed under the umbrella of sucrose, which is half fructose, half glucose,” explains Hobson. “Weirdly, I sometimes find myself in defence of sugar, as some people begin to focus too much on this single nutrient and become obsessed with anything that contains a single grain of the stuff,” he adds. “A little is fine - and yes, soft drinks are a definite no-no - but worrying about yoghurts and the odd glass of fruit juice seems a bit over the top. “It’s also funny that those worried about sugar turn to ‘natural’ alternatives that are essentially sugar, whether that’s in the form of agave, maple syrup, coconut sugar, date syrup or any other trendy food product. There is also a certain comfort and sense of occasion with sweet foods that you just can’t get from any others. Can you imagine being served a slice of sugar-free birthday cake?” One lump of common sense, or two dear? “The key is to take a sensible approach to how you eat, and unfortunately that goes back to the adage of everything in moderation. Set a realistic goal for reducing sugar that you can stick with in the long-term, rather than go cold turkey,” says Hobson. Here are his seven top tips for reducing sugar the sensible way...

1. Check the label Always check labels. Ingredients are listed in order of amount, so the nearer the top, the higher the quantity. Look for foods with green and amber traffic light labels. 2. Seek out certain ingredients Sucrose, glucose, fructose, or anything that ends in -ose, as well as healthier sounding alternatives, such as raw sugar, barley malt, maple syrup, coconut nectar, palm sugar, agave nectar, date sugar and brown rice syrup are among sugar’s many guises. 3. Take your time If you’re a sugar addict, cut the amount you add to cereals, pancakes, tea or coffee by half. Once you’ve got used to the taste, halve the amount again. 4. Sweet food swaps Try sweetening foods with a little fresh or dried fruit or go for ‘sweet food options’ that are fruit based. A slice of malt loaf has a quarter of the sugar content and twice the fibre of a chocolate cookie. 5. Include proteins and fats A Mediterranean diet, with protein from fish, lean meat, cheese and yoghurt and healthy fats mainly from olive oil, nuts and seeds, will keep you more satisfied between meals, which in turn means you are less likely to reach for the biscuit tin. 6. Get spicy Flavour foods that you would normally sweeten with sugar, with spices.Try ginger, allspice, nutmeg and cinnamon. 7. Don’t be a softie Soft drinks are some of the biggest offenders in boosting sugar intake. But shop-bought smoothies, energy drinks, fruit juices, iced teas, coffees and flavoured waters can all be sugar-laden too.

Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

water Water is the second most popular drink after fizzy drinks! A shocking statistic when you consider that our love of sugary drinks is one reason for soaring levels of obesity, type 2 diabetes, stroke and more. And that’s not even taking into account the rising popularity of specialist coffees served in most high street coffee bars laden with calories, sugar and fat – which is contributing to our expanding waistlines and the health problems that go with it. All reason enough to ditch the sugary drinks and make water the number one beverage of choice. But did you know that water is also a great pick-me-up and is one of the best health and beauty products around. Here are five reasons to drink more water: Boost your brain power 85% of our brain is water – so being dehydrated literally shrinks our brains! Even 2% is enough to reduce your attention, concentration, coordination and memory skills – not forgetting those dehydration headaches.

stresses the brain. What’s more, 2% dehydration can also affect physical performance – making water a good all round pick-me-up. Save on calories Studies suggest women who drink more water are likely to weigh less. This makes sense given that simply swapping sugary drinks for water (yippee, calorie free!) could save you more than 200 calories per day. And with some specialist coffees containing a whopping 500 calories, drinking water instead could save another quarter of your recommended daily calorie intake. Eat less Hunger and thirst are easily confused - another reason why drinking more water can help with weight loss. What’s more, studies show that filling up with water before or with meals can reduce the amount of calories consumed.

Perk yourself up In a food and mood survey of 200 women, backed by mental health charity MIND, 80% reported that drinking more water helped them mentally and emotionally. Not surprising, when you consider how much dehydration

Look more youthful Did you know that one third of your skin is made up of water? So one of the best beauty aids around is staying hydrated. It keeps your skin cells plump and looking brighter, and can help banish blemishes and improve skin tone and clarity. Plus water is a good deal cheaper than all those expensive anti-ageing creams many of us slap on every day. How much is enough? But how can you ensure you’re drinking enough? A rough daily guide is 8 glasses for women and 10 for men. But this depends on a number of things, not least how warm it is and how active you are. A sensible guide is to make water your main drink of choice and to drink little and often. If your pee is a pale straw colour- as opposed to dark or clear - you know that you’re getting it right! Dr Sally Norton. NHS weight loss consultant surgeon www.vavistalife.com

Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

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sun safety

Please don’t ever ever use sun beds says a leading expert as yet another celebrity posts a photo on Instagram of them using a sun bed. Anna Gucova, Skin Cancer Screening Nurse at The Mole Clinic (www.themoleclinic.co.uk) explains that most moles are harmless, but it is important to check them regularly to make sure they are not unusual-looking or new or changing. If you check your moles every few months, and you notice an unusual-looking or new or changing mole, it is important to get it checked by an expert without delay. Many people make the mistake of thinking skin cancer is trivial. Melanoma is the least common but most serious form of skin cancer, caught early, it is easily treated but caught late it can kill. According to Nurse Anna Gucov, self-monitoring is easier than you think. Just follow the ‘ABCDE rule’ on what you should be looking out for. Look for moles that are Asymmetrical in shape; a jagged Border; different Colours from one area to another; a bigger Diameter than 7mm; and whether the mole is Evolving or changing. If you are worried, get your moles checked by an expert. Skin cancer is caused by UV damage done to your skin – either by too much sun or sun bed use. Sunbeds give out harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays that damage your skin. This can make it look wrinkled, older or leathery which people seem to forget. But more worryingly, it can also damage the DNA in your skin cell and over time this damage can build up to cause skin cancer. The amount of UVA given off by sunbeds can be 10-15 times higher than the midday sun. Sunbeds can sometimes be marketed as a ‘controlled way’ of getting a ‘safer tan’ but sunbeds are no safer than exposure to the sun itself, and the amount of UV people receive varies enormously too. The Agency for Research on Cancer says that sunbeds provide no positive health benefits and using a sunbed before you go on holiday doesn’t protect against further damage from the sun while you’re away. Even a sunburn in childhood can cause skin cancer in an adult. Generally, people are only usually aware about the risk of skin cancer when on holiday and the sun is shining. When our bodies are covered up more we are less likely to spot a mole

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and the importance of keeping an eye on your moles that is a potential problem. Whilst skin cancer can affect anybody, lighter skinned people and those with lots of moles are at higher risk. Skin cancers have more chance to spread the longer they are left. By checking your moles regularly and spotting any signs of change you can help detect any skin cancer early - which greatly improves prognosis. A change of size, shape and colour in moles may indicate skin cancer. Normal moles do change very gradually over years but more noticeable changes should be checked by an expert straight away.

Mole removal, whether of a suspicious mole or for cosmetic reasons is usually a quick, simple and painless procedure. It is done under local anaesthetic at a clinic, where consultant dermatologists or surgeons advise on the most appropriate procedure to remove the mole. It is widely agreed that a combination of measures including using shade and clothing as the first lines of defence and sunscreen for the parts you can’t cover, offers the best protection against over-exposure to UV radiation from the sun, such as hats, long sleeved clothing and sunglasses.

When buying sunscreen, the label should have: the letters “UVA” in a circle logo and at least four-star UVA protection a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 to protect against UVB The sun protection factor, or SPF, is a measure of the amount of ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) protection. The star rating measures the amount of ultraviolet A radiation (UVA) protection. You should see a star rating of up to five stars on UK sunscreens. The higher the star rating, the better. The letters “UVA” inside a circle is a European marking. This means the UVA protection is at least one third of the SPF value, and meets EU recommendations. Sunscreens that offer both UVA and UVB protection are sometimes called “broad spectrum”. If you plan to be out in the sun long enough to risk burning, sunscreen needs to be applied twice: 30 minutes before going out, and just before going out

Heliocare 360° Mineral Fluid SPF50 £31| Heliocare Colour Gel Cream SPF 50 £28 | for more of the range visit www.stripwaxbar.com

Sunscreen should be applied to all exposed skin, including the face, neck and ears – and head if you have thinning or no hair – but a wide-brimmed hat is better. Sunscreen needs to be reapplied liberally and frequently, and according to the manufacturer’s instructions, including NeoStrata Sheer Protection straight after being in water, after towel Daily SPF 50 | £34 | drying, sweating or when it may have www.facethefuture.co.uk rubbed off. Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

Next Edition July/August Deadline 10th June

Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

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awareness of dementia, plus things like health and safety. A ‘matching meeting’ is then held with the volunteer, the person they’ve been paired with and their family, and a Side by Side coordinator.

could you help somebody feel less lonely? Loneliness is experienced by many people as they get older, and for those living with dementia, that feeling of isolation can be even worse. Research by the Alzheimer’s Society has found nearly two-thirds (63%) of people with dementia who live alone are lonely, and a similar proportion feel anxious or depressed. But it doesn’t have to be that way and chances are, you can do something about it. LITTLE TIME, BIG DIFFERENCE As little as a few minutes, whenever you can fit it in, can make an enormous difference to a person with dementia, and that’s why the Alzheimer’s Society is trying to recruit as many volunteers as possible to its burgeoning Side by Side campaign, which pairs volunteers and people with dementia based on shared interests. Kathryn Smith, Alzheimer’s Society’s director of operations, is a Side by Side volunteer herself. “Loneliness is a real problem for people with dementia, yet we know that one of the most important things for those affected is to remain part of their community and continue to do the things they love - from going shopping to enjoying a football match,” she says. “Side by Side, offering one-to-one support, is a vital step to making this a reality.” Smith points out that, in the UK, around 225,000 in will develop the condition this year, and 850,000 are currently living with dementia - a figure that’s set to rise to one million by 2021. “So it’s vital we all unite and do what we can to make a meaningful difference,” she stresses. LOST FRIENDS The campaign was first piloted in 2014, after research found people with dementia were more at risk of loneliness. A third said

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they’d lost friends since their diagnosis, and a few didn’t even tell friends they had dementia. And while two-thirds of people with dementia still live in the community, many feel trapped in their own homes, with almost one in 10 only leaving the house once a month. That’s where Side by Side can make a real difference. The initiative isn’t asking volunteers to give huge chunks of their time, just as much as they can spare occasionally, to simply accompany a person with dementia to something they’d like to do - this could mean going to a football match or a local garden centre with them, strolling in the park, keeping them company while going shopping or attending appointments, or simply having a chat over a cup of tea, or even on the phone (the scheme is also looking for volunteers just to ring people with dementia and chat with them). Smith was paired with a woman who loved to go out for lunch, which is what they did together, and has also been matched with a man who likes horses; Smith rides so the two immediately had a shared interest. “Sometimes he might not want to go out at all, he might just want some company, and that’s fine,” she says. “Loneliness is one of the biggest problems for people with dementia, and we’ve got a big list of people waiting to be matched up with volunteers.” MUTUAL SUPPORT Side by Side is currently available in 29 locations nationwide, and it’s hoped the scheme will have been rolled out further by the end of the year, as it now has a waiting list of almost 2,000 people with dementia. The Alzheimer’s Society provides volunteers, who must be over 18 and undergo a criminal records check, with online training to give them a basic

“We make sure you’re going to hit it off,” says Smith, “and if you don’t, it’s perfectly fine for either person to say they don’t think the match will work and can they try someone else - although I don’t think that’s happened yet. “Even if you’ve only got half an hour available once a month, there’ll be somebody you can support with that. Or if there’s something you already like doing, like going for a walk in the park, just take the person you’re matched with too. “Some real friendships are being built through this.” WE LOVE IT! Current Side by Side volunteers have said they’ve gained and shared skills, developed new friendships and even enhanced their CV by taking part in the scheme. Irene Woodward, 66, who has dementia and lives in Leicester, says since meeting Side by Side volunteer Winnie Horton, her life has changed for the better. “I was at a low point when I first met Winnie - my partner had died and then I was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Meeting Winnie was a breath of fresh air; we clicked from the start and have had some great days out roaming around charity shops and having cups of tea and cake. “Without sounding pleased about my condition, I want to enjoy this stage of Alzheimer’s as much as I can. My father had dementia, so I’m aware of what might be ahead, but my attitude is that life is precious and still worth living.” Fiona Phillips, broadcaster and Alzheimer’s Society ambassador, was recently paired with Irene too, because they share a love of football. “Both my parents had dementia, and I wish a service like Side by Side had been in place for my mum and dad,” says Phillips. “Just because someone has dementia, doesn’t mean they can’t keep doing the things they enjoy - they may just need a little support. “It was wonderful spending the day with Irene and sharing our passion for football by watching our rival teams - Leicester City and Chelsea - play at the King Power Stadium. We had so many laughs together and it was inspiring to witness first-hand what a difference Side by Side volunteers can make to people living with dementia.”

Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

POP IN FOR A WARM WELCOME!

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Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

55 |

WIN WIN WIN

a Frenzy 145mm recreational Scooter Frenzy Scooters are designed for recreational and travelling use. to school, work, or just for having fun. Frenzy focus on doing simple scooters as all models are built with a unique folding mechanism to enable small storage and easy carry straps to take with you when not in use. Designed by Slamm Scooters. Available from Skates.co.uk from £79.95. Skates.co.uk and Living Along the Thames have teamed up for one lucky winner to win a Frenzy Scooter. Please tell us who the Scooters were designed by and send your details to Office@AlongtheThames.co.uk by 9th June. In your email please provide your name, address and phone number.

Win a four-ball at Temple Golf Club in Hurley Temple Golf Club mixes 100 years of history with a modern approach to membership. The lifestyle membership at Temple offers an affordable, flexible and family-friendly membership for today’s golfer. For more information www.templegolfclub.co.uk The chalk downland course was designed by the 1887 and 1889 Open Champion Willie Park Junior and to this day the spirit of his ‘inland links’ course is maintained. With stunning views over Marlow and the Thames Valley providing a picturesque backdrop for the challenging 18 holes of golf. Temple Golf Club and Living Along the Thames have teamed up to offer one lucky reader a chance to win a four-ball at Temple, answer the following question:

Q: who designed the Original course? please send the answer, your name and phone number in an email to Office@AlongtheThames.co.uk by the 9th June. T&C’s: A Voucher (no cash value) will be sent to the winner and must be used by 31st July 2017. The winner will need to contact the Club direct on 01628 824795 or by email to secretary@templegolfclub.co.uk to arrange a convenient date and time.

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Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

FATHERS Day 18th June

Gift Guide

Linn’s series 5 Speaker System | from £9,600 | teamed with Harris Tweed Hebrides & Timorous Beasties collection to create a range of exclusive changeable covers | www.linn.co.uk

Fitbit Alta HR | Standard £129.99 | Special Edition £149.99 | www.fitbit.com

Caorunn Gin | RRP £27 | www.caorunngin.com

Noble Isle Lightening Oak Hair & Body Wash | £20 | www.nobleisle.com

R Chocolate London | Handmade truffles in assortment of sizes | 4 (£7), 8 (£12.50), 16 (£25.00), 24 (£37.50) and 36 (£50) | www.rchocolatelondon.co.uk

Graham’s Late Bottled Vintage 2011 (75cl) | RRP £13.50 | available Tesco, Waitrose & Sainsbury’s

Motorola’s VerveOnes wireless earbuds | compatible with iOS and Android devices | comes with Hubble connect for VerveLife App | RRP £199.99 | www.verve.life/uk

The Craft Gin Club for lovers of all things Gin! | monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly | www.craftginclub.co.uk

Braun Multi Grooming Kit 3060 (an 8-in-1 product) | £52.49 | www.boots.com

Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

Man Stuff Man Draw Gift Set | £12.95 | www.justmylook.co.uk

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Manners maketh the dog

got at by small dogs, he could come to dislike them and may be inclined to go in first, creating a problem. Also, consider at what point in the size differential does a small dog having a go at a large one become ‘acceptable’? Well, of course you can’t draw a line and say that one ratio is okay, but another is not, and in that case, it becomes obvious that no size difference makes it okay for a little dog to attack one larger than it.

e don’t expect tall people to be more polite than short ones, so why does it appear there a general acceptance of behaviour from small dogs that would not be tolerated in large ones?

This weekend, while out locally, I was told to put my dog on a lead because ‘it was the more dangerous’. This followed my dog, who weighs 37kg and is 27 inches at the shoulder, being attacked by a cocker spaniel, without warning or provocation. The owner obviously knew this was going to happen as he had just asked if my dog was ‘OK’, so he was basically asking if my dog would retaliate if his dog went for him. He made no attempt made to stop his dog’s behaviour because he was ‘too small to be dangerous’ and it didn’t matter if he went for a dog that was bigger than him. My dog was horrified and backed away with his body language saying ‘Wow there, what’s your problem?’and gave the cocker a wide berth.

training in the ring, including a very large mastiff type dog. After this happened several times in one evening, the mastiff, pinned the chihuahua with a single paw. There was no harm, just a desire to stop the thing snapping at him. There was immediate disapproval of the mastiff. Had the mastiff behaved like the chihuahua, it would have been banned from the club.

I, however, was furious at the casual acceptance that it didn’t matter if a small dog goes for a large one. which is more widespread than you think!

It is common for people to laugh at a small dog barking wildly at a big one. Certainly, sometimes this can be a fear reaction from the small dog, but laughing isn’t going to help the dog get over that fear. Just because a small dog may inflict less significant damage than a large one should not mean that no action is taken to prevent behaviour that may result in damage taking place. If the large dog responds in a similar fashion, then the blame is always squarely put on the large dog.

We go to an agility club where a chihuahua regular heads away from its owner and has a go at other dogs

So, if small dogs just ‘have a go’, there’s no harm done? Well no, for lots of reasons. If a large dog is frequently

www.bigdogbedcompany.co.uk

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Because we can control small dogs by hanging onto them, it seems that we don’t feel the same need to socialise and educate them. However, in the dog world, size does not matter. Body language and audio signals, positive and negative, are the same whether from a cockerpoo or a Great Dane. Dogs respond to the communication they are receiving from each other without regard to the size of dog and we should do also. This is important for the safety of dogs and people. A child can be frightened by a small dog rushing up and barking just as much as by a large one. Large dogs are often much calmer than small ones so, the assumption is often that they will be problematic and possibly aggressive. All dogs should be well educated. We should not renege on our responsibilities just because the dog won’t pull us over when on a lead or the bite is less strong. Everyone should spend time making sure their dogs behave in a civilised way. It is part of being a dog owner, and if you are not willing to make the time, don’t have a dog. A well-mannered dog should not rush up to people or dogs, chase or bark at joggers or cyclists, swing around wildly on a taut lead mowing people down, jump up at friends or strangers, or bark for attention. A well-mannered dog is more fun to own, can be taken anywhere and is generally a happier dog. Let’s everyone take responsibility for and manage our dogs behaviour better. Dru Ross

• Waterproof • Antibacterial • Hardwearing • Comfortable Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

It really is sensational, logic-defying performance What’s under the bonnet? A 3.9-litre V8 can be seen tucked deep within the engine bay - behind the front axle to aid weight distribution. The GTC4Lusso T is designed with longdistance cruising in mind, with 602bhp and 760Nm of torque, there’s more than enough performance to pin you to the back of your seat should you desire. It feels a little perverse talking about fuel economy when there’s a Prancing Horse on the bonnet, but official figures of 24mpg and CO2 emissions of 265g/ km are impressive for a car that offers such pace.

ferrari gt c4 lusso t What’s new? Ferrari’s shooting brake now comes with the brand’s turbocharged V8 - hence the ‘T’ in the name - and circa £30,000 lopped off the asking price, but there’s a lot more to it than simply offering an alternative to the naturally aspirated V12. The engine, which we’re familiar with from the 488 GTB supercar, has been given new pistons and a new intercooler design, while the exhaust system has been reworked to reduce pressure and it’ll go about 30% longer between fuel stops. The 10.25-inch high-definition touchscreen, introduced with the V12 model, works like a tablet and is excellent, while the passenger’s screen gets new features such as the ability to add navigation waypoints and take control of the music. Looks and image The GTC4Lusso is loosely based on its forebear, the FF. An engineer told us he would guess it’s “about 70% new”, with a lot of the changes to the exterior coming from improving aerodynamic performance and modernising the styling. Inside, comfort is almost excellent. The seat design is clearly geared towards being sporty - a very good thing when you’re going great guns, but mile-munching isn’t quite as luxurious as it could be. Space and practicality The idea of this car is to offer all the space most owners could need for everyday use and for the most part, it succeeds. Boot space is plentiful and would easily fit numerous shopping bags or holdalls. Perhaps the only negative space-wise is within the cabin.

Behind the wheel Thumb the wheel-mounted on/off button and the engine barks into life with a flurry of revs. The throttle pedal takes a moment to get used to as there are a few inches of travel before anything happens, but once you’re on the move, the engine’s responsiveness is otherworldly as there’s no such thing as turbo lag here! The four-wheel steering makes the car super agile, particularly in tighter turns, and the hyper-alert steering helps the car dart across twisting tarmac in a way that belies its 1.7-tonne heft. The engine has a deep, gravelly tone that gives the car an aggressive, purposeful demeanour Value for money When you look at the performance figures of the GTC4Lusso T compared with the £30,000 dearer V12 version, it does start to look like good value. However, compared to rivals, it’s by far the pricier option. Its closest rival is the Mercedes-AMG S 65 at £188,550, while the Bentley Continental GT Supersports starts at a little over £177,000. Who would buy one? The GTC4Lusso T is aimed at a wider profile of buyers than the brand is used to. It’s looking at 30 to 45 year-olds who live in the city and need a practical car to carry passengers regularly. As it has rear-wheel drive it’s also aimed at people who live in warmer climates. Verdict There are compromises to be had, yes, the ride is cosseting with the wheel-mounted ‘manettino’ switch turned to ‘comfort’, but it’s a little fussier than a Bentley Continental when the roads get rough.

Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

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Coffee Break

ACROSS

DOWN

7. Harden (5) 8. Ugly sight (7) 9. Axe (7) 10. Dialect (5) 12. Charm (10) 15. Updated (10) 18. Nascent (5) 19. Finance (7) 21. Flower (7) 22. Philander (5)

1. Footpad (10) 2. Enthusiasm (5) 3. Network (4) 4. Epistle (6) 5. Average (8) 6. Importune (7) 11. Exploit (10) 13. Inexhaustible (8) 14. Issue (7) 16. Revenue (6) 17. Sober (5) 20. Blow (4)

14 15

16 17

Down: 1 Highwayman; 2 Gusto; 3 Mesh; 4 Letter; 5 Mediocre; 6 Solicit; 11Manipulate; 13 Tireless; 14 Edition; 16 Income; 17 Staid; 20 Puff.

Across: 7 Inure; 8 Eyesore; 9 Hatchet; 10 Idiom; 12 Attraction; 15 Modernised; 18 Natal; 19 Capital; 21 Blossom; 22 Flirt.

Martin adaMs

MARTIN ADAMS:MARTIN ADAMS.qxd 13/04/2010 10:31 Page 1

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Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

Their FINEST It’s tally ho and chocks away to a tumultuous period when upper lips were jolly stiff and women on the home front actively served the bomb-ravaged nation.

NT Live: Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf (12A) Sonia Friedman Productions presents Imelda Staunton in James Macdonald’s critically acclaimed, five-star production of Edward Albee’s landmark play, broadcast live to cinemas from the Harold Pinter Theatre, London. Thu 18 May, 7.00pm RSC Live: Antony & Cleopatra (12A) Iqbal Khan returns to the RSC to direct Shakespeare’s tragedy, which follows on from Julius Caesar. Wed 24 May, 7.00pm

Based on Lissa Evans’ novel Their Finest Hour And A Half, Lone Scherfig’s wartime comedy drafts frothy drama and heart-tugging romance into active service, assisted by a starry and largely British cast.

NT Encore: Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead (12A) Daniel Radcliffe, Joshua McGuire and David star in Tom Stoppard’s brilliantly funny situation comedy, broadcast live from The Old Vic theatre in London. Thu 25 May, 7.00pm

Inveterate scene-stealer Bill Nighy delivers another masterclass in deadpan delivery and arched eyebrows as a one-time screen idol, whose glory days are far behind him.

World Art: Raphael Lord Of The Arts (12A) The first film adaptation of the life and work of one of the most famous artists in the world, Raphael Sanzio. Wed 31 May, 6.15pm

Gemma Arterton is a delightful foil, banging a drum for gender equality in the face of chauvinist condescension, with sterling support from the likes of Richard E Grant, Helen McCrory, Eddie Marsan and Jeremy Irons. The script, penned by Gaby Chiappe, maintains a brisk pace and a light tone despite the grim historical backdrop, celebrating the power of cinema to dispel the gloom during the Second World War. When her painter husband Ellis (Jack Huston) fails to sell his canvasses, Catrin Cole (Arterton) takes a paid position as a secretary at the British Ministry of Information, which produces propaganda to buoy the nation’s spirits. Roger Swain (Grant) heads up the film division and he entreats scriptwriters Tom Buckley (Sam Claflin) and Raymond Parfitt (Paul Ritter) to unearth a true story of wartime heroism that embodies “authenticity with optimism” and can be immortalised on celluloid. The real-life rescue of wounded British soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk by twin sisters using their father’s boat is just the ticket. Their Finest is a sweet and charming confection with a full conscription of reliable cliches to keep the cinematic fires burning. Arterton and Claflin kindle a spiky on-screen romance, conflicted about their feelings for each other until a supporting character observes, “When life is so precious, it seems an awful shame to waste it.” Period detail is solid throughout and director Scherfig makes light work of the two-hour running time.

Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

British Museum Presents Hokusai (TBC) A groundbreaking documentary and exclusive private view of the forthcoming British Museum exhibition Hokusai: Beyond The Great Wave. Sun 4 June, 3.00pm ROH Live: The Dream (12A) The Dream is Frederick Ashton’s (Founder Choreographer of The Royal Ballet) adaptation of Shakespeare’s riotous comedy in which a forest sprite plays havoc, armed with a love potion. Wed 7 June, 7.15pm

NT Live: Peter Pan (PG) A delight for children and adults alike, Sally Cookson (NT Live: Jane Eyre) directs this wondrously inventive production, a co-production with Bristol Old Vic theatre. Sat 10 June, 2.00pm Exhibition On Screen: Michelangelo (TBC) To coincide with a glorious new exhibition at the National Gallery of London, this film offers a full and fresh biography of Michelangelo. Tue 13 June, 6.30pm Picturehouse Pop-Up : Regal By The River Our cinema under the stars returns to Mill Meadows for four days of classic film from the 80’s. Thu 15 – Sun 18 June from 7.00 with films at dusk NT Live: Salomé (15) This charged retelling turns the infamous biblical tale on its head, placing the girl we call Salomé at the centre of a revolution. Sat 22 June, 7.00pm Regal Picturehouse, 2 Boroma Way, Henley RG9 2BZ 0871 902 5738 | www.picturehouses.co.uk

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May

Diary Dates

01 May - 30 Jun: ‘ RHS Wisley In the Night Garden Adventure trails’

Subject to normal admission. RHS Garden Wisley, Wisley, Woking, Surrey, GU23 6QB | 0845 260 9000 www.rhs.org.uk/wisley

12-28: ‘Thames Valley History Festival’ Windsor | 01753 743585

20 May-04 Jun: ‘ Henley Chelsea Fringe’ various locations

29 Apr- 03 Jun: ‘Wycombe Arts Festival’

programmes from the Marlow Information Centre, Marlow Library – 01628 483597.

Sundays + Thursdays: ‘House Chapel Tours’

let our knowledgeable guides lead you into the famous Cliveden House and the remarkable Octagon Temple Chapel, 15:00-17:00, £2 plus normal admission – 01628 605069.

06+07,13+14,20+21,27+28: ‘Game of Clues Murder Mystery’

a new game around the gardens of Cliveden, band together with your family and friends to solve the murder of Lord Mucke, seek out clues, solve puzzles and unravel the mystery, £5 per group, 8+ years, between 10:00-15:00.

10-21: ‘Cookham Festival’

to find out about this year’s jam packed programme of events pick up a booklet from Marlow Information Centre or visit www.cookhamfestival.org.uk

12: Quiz Night at Bourne End Library

19:00 for 19:30 start, tickets £10 includes a Fish & Chip Supper, tickets from Bourne End Library or 0845 2303232.

13: ‘Spring Ranger Walk’

15-29: ‘Chilterns Walking Festival’ www.visitchilterns.co.uk/walkingfest

18: The Four Seasons – ‘Literary Luminaries of Bucks’ speaker Denise Beddows, at Liston Hall, Chapel Street, £2, 14:30.

18: An evening with Rachel Rhys author of ‘Dangerous Crossing’

at Bourne End Library, 19:00 for 19:30 start, tickets £8 includes a drinks reception from Bourne End Library or 0845 2303232.

19: Afternoon tea with Mark Mason

Walk the Lines London Underground at Bourne End Library, 19:00 for 19:30 start, tickets £8 includes a drinks reception from Bourne End Library or 0845 2303232.

19-21: Tom Kerridge presents ‘Pub in the Park’

gourmet food, cracking music, chef demonstrations, craft beer, shopping village and much more in Higginson Park – for tickets visit – www.pubintheparkuk.com.

at Hughenden Manor, discover spring flowers on this walk through bluebell woodlands with one of our rangers (not suitable for dogs this time) £4 plus admission, to book call 01494 755573.

20: ‘Rock the Moor’ The Retro 80’s Festival

13: ‘Chiltern Camerata Concert’ – Nielsen:

10:00-23:00, Hart St, Henley. Info H.Barnett@henleytowncouncil.gov.uk

Clarinet Concerto, soloist Many Burvill conductor: Sam Laughton as part of Wycombe Arts Festival at St Lawrence’s Church, West Wycombe, 19:30-21:30 - £12/£10, under 18’s free, tickets from Marlow Information - 01628 483597.

14: ‘Pann Mill Open Day’

the Rye, High Wycombe, a chance to see the mill in operation, 11.00-17.00, as part of the Wycombe Arts Festival, free admission.

14: ‘Bohemian Wedding Festival’

12:00-17:00, Culden Farm, Fawley, Henley RG9 3AP. Tickets £10, kids free

14: ‘ Maidenhead Juniors Regatta’ see page 10 for details

15: ‘Henley Management College

Greenlands’ talk by Richard Walker for The Marlow Society at Liston Hall, 20:00, £4.

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Cookham – www.letsrockthemoor.com

20: ‘Henley Street Food Festival’ 21: Happy’s Circus

Marlow Bottom Playing Fields, 14:00, tickets £8 each, £30 Family of 4, £35 family of 5, Under 2’s Free – email: fob.mail@gmail.com or Burford School 01628 486655.

21: ‘Tree climbing - NT Greys Court’,

RG9 4PG, 01491 628529 - Highly skilled and friendly instructors can help all ages reach new heights in a fantastic tree at Greys Court. Tickets £20

23: The Four Seasons – ‘Saville Gardens’ trip

£23.50, 09:15 from the Marlow Donkey to become a member call – 01628 484528.

23: ‘Festival Jazz’ in association with Marlow Jazz Club,

The Garry Potter ‘Hot Club’ Quartet as part of the Wycombe Arts Festival at the Royal British Legion Hall, Marlow, 20:00, £10 from Marlow Information Centre on 01628 483597.

Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

Diary Dates 25: ‘Behind the Scenes Tour’

at Hughenden Manor, join a member of the house team for a 45 minute tour behind the scenes, see our conservation in action and get a sneak peep into some of our store room, 11:00-12:00, £4 plus normal admission to book call 01494 755573.

25: ‘BBO Big Band’

at the Marlow Royal British Legion in aid of The Walk Centre Kenya, 20:15, £8 on the door.

25: ‘Marlow & the River Trade - Julian Hunt’

an AIM talk, 20:00, Garden Room, Liston Court SL7 1DD members £3, non-members £4.50

June

Sundays + Thursdays: ‘House Chapel Tours’

let our knowledgeable guides lead you into the famous Cliveden House and the remarkable Octagon Temple Chapel, 15:00-17:00, £2 plus normal admission – 01628 605069.

Daily in June NT Greys Court Rose Garden comes to life RG9 4PG, 01491 628529

02-17 Love Marlow Festival www.lovemarlow.co.uk

26: An evening with Gerald Seymour

02: ‘Creepy Crawley Roadshow’

author of ‘Jericho’s War’ at Bourne End Library, 19:00 for 19:30 start, tickets £10 includes a drinks reception from Bourne End Library or 0845 2303232.

Join an expert for a one hour show meeting creatures from the rainforest, at Hughenden Manor, £5 plus admission for 2-12 years, 10:30-11:30.

27: An evening with Vaseem Khan

03+04,10+11,17+18,24+25: ‘Game of Clues Murder

author of ‘The Strange Disappearance of a Bollywood Star’ at Bourne End Library, 18:00 – 20:00 start, tickets £8 includes a drinks reception & Indian Street Food from Bourne End Library or 0845 2303232.

Mystery’ a new game around the gardens of Cliveden, band together with your family and friends to solve the murder of Lord Mucke, seek out clues, solve puzzles and unravel the mystery, £5 per group, 8+ years, between 10:00-15:00.

27 May – 04 Jun: ‘Bugs and Beasties’

02+03+04: ‘Beale Park Boat & Outdoor Show’

There’s a creepy crawly theme to the half term activities, pick up a craft pack and make a bug friend then hunt for bugs in the walled garden, at Hughenden Manor, £2, plus admission 10:30-16:00.

28: ‘Town Walk’ (guided walk)

for The Marlow Society, meet at 10:00 at Marlow Museum, £2.50 per person, children free.

28: Frogfest

High Street, High Wycombe, two main stages, roaming performers, children’s activities and festival food, 11:30- 21:30 Free!

28: ‘Serenade to Summer’

with the Elysian Singers conducted by Sam Laughton, music for all ages, as part of the Wycombe Arts Festival at St Lawrence’s Church, West Wycombe Hill, £12 from Marlow Information Centre - 01628 483597 or on door.

29 May -02 Jun: ‘Wild Week’

get muddy, wet or crafty at Cliveden this half term, fun outdoors whatever the weather, drop-in sessions 10:00-15:00 last session 14:30, children must be accompanied, £2 plus admission suitable for ages 4-11 years - 01628 605069.

30: ‘Beasts and Butterflies Walk’

be a nature detective on this walk with a ranger through Hughenden’s Estate as you learn to catch and identify bugs, 10:30-12:00 for 4+ years, £4 plus admission at Hughenden Manor.

31: ‘Phantom or Fantasy?’

the restless imagination of Walter de la Mare. An illustrated talk given to you by Sally Brocklehurst, as part of the Wycombe Arts Festival at Church House (next to Hughenden Church) Hughenden Park, 20:00, £8 tickets from Marlow Information Centre - 01628 483597 or on door.

Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

www.bealeparkboatandoutdoorshow.co.uk

03: ‘British Iris Society Summer Show’

See colourful displays of summer-flowering irises, including photographic displays and plant sales. 11am – 4pm, RHS Garden Wisley, Wisley, Woking, Surrey, GU23 6QB

04: ‘Last Night at the Proms’

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra invites you to join them for the ultimate British spectacular! as part of the Wycombe Arts Festival, at The Swan Theatre St Mary Street, High Wycombe, 19:30 – 01494 512000.

05-24: ‘June in Bloom’

Celebrate flowers coming into bloom throughout the gardens at Hughenden, relax in a deckchair on the parterre and admire floral displays in the Manor, 10:00-17:00, free event but normal admission applies.

06: ‘Rebellion Brewery Open Night’

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, £12.50pp, BBQ all year round!

07-25: ‘Wargrave Festival’ www.wargravefestival.org.uk

07: ‘Tour with Hughenden’s Gardener’

Join the gardener for a tour around the gardens including the Cherry Orchard and Glasshouse areas normally closed to the public, 10:30-11:30, £4 plus normal admission at Hughenden Manor.

08: General Election 10: ‘Thames Valley Air Ambulance Open Gardens’

Little Paddocks, New Road, Bourne End, SL8 5BX, 14:0015:00, adults £5.

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Diary Dates 10+11: ‘Marlow Town Regatta & Festival’

24: ‘Rock Bottom’

10-25: ‘Bucks Open Studios’

24: ‘Town Walk’

Pitches and Badges from the Marlow Information Centre – 01628 483597. www.bucksopenstudios.org.uk

13 +14 : ‘Rhododendron, Magnolia and Camellia Show’

Family open air concert featuring fantastic live music. www.marlowrockbottom.weebly.com Guided walk for The Marlow Society, meet at 10:00 at Marlow Museum, £2.50 per person, children free.

- On top of a riot of colour in the competition classes, information on lime-tolerant rhododendrons, expert advice and free tours will fill this magnificent show. RHS Garden Wisley, Wisley, Woking, Surrey, GU23 6QB | 0845 260 9000 www.rhs.org.uk/wisley

24: ‘The Wind in the Willows – Open Air Theatre’

14: ‘ Rivertime Accessible Regatta’

25: ‘Cookham Dean Charity Tennis & Croquet Tournament’

Children & young adults with disabilities from local schools in conjunction with Rivertime Boat Trust & Give them a Sporting Chance | www.rivertimeboattrust.org.uk

Alive with music and song this magical family show is presented in beautiful traditional costume and features a woodland parade during the interval for everyone to join in with at West Wycombe Park, 18:30.

www.cookhamdean.net

25: ‘Tree climbing - NT Greys Court’

RG9 4PG, 01491 628529 - Highly skilled and friendly instructors can help all ages reach new heights in a fantastic tree at Greys Court.

27– 4 June: ‘Budding Gardeners’

As part of the RHS Campaign for School Gardening, local schools will build their own mini show garden, to be judged by the garden’s Curator. The gardens will be on show until 4 June and there will also be the chance for the public to vote for their favourite. Sponsored by Rotary. RHS Garden Wisley, Wisley, Woking, Surrey, GU23 6QB | 0845 260 9000 www.rhs.org.uk/wisley

27+28: ‘Birds of Prey’

16-18: ‘Henley Women’s Regatta’ 17: ‘Marlow Regatta’

Dorney Lake www.themarlowregatta.com

17+18: ‘Father’s Day Model Train Exhibition’

Wycombe & District Model Railway Society will be back at Hughenden with an exhibition of mixed layouts including an interactive children’s layout, at Hughenden Manor 10:30-16:00.

17 +18: ‘Plant Society Show’

Annual Plant Society show featuring colourful displays, plants for sale and masterclasses. . RHS Garden Wisley, Wisley, Woking, Surrey, GU23 6QB | 0845 260 9000 www.rhs.org.uk/wisley

20: ‘Photography Morning’

Enjoy an early spring morning in the garden to take the perfect photograph of the spring colour. Open from 7.30am. RHS Garden Wisley, Wisley, Woking, Surrey, GU23 6QB | 0845 260 9000 www.rhs.org.uk/wisley

21: ‘Rick Steins Sunset Cinema’

Clivededn House Hotel - www.clivedenhouse.co.uk

Bring the whole family to discover all about birds of prey. See the magnificent birds up close, with agility displays at 11am and 2pm. . RHS Garden Wisley, Wisley, Woking, Surrey, GU23 6QB | 0845 260 9000 www.rhs.org.uk/wisley

28 Jun – 02 Jul:

‘Henley Royal Regatta’ www.hrr.co.uk

29: ‘BBO Big Band’

At the Marlow Royal British Legion, 20.15, £8 on the door

07 May–04 Jun: ‘Bugs and Slugs’

Join us for a week of exciting free activities, including sow and grow workshops, as well as arts and crafts sessions, all themed around the fascinating world of bugs and slugs. RHS Garden Wisley, Wisley, Woking, Surrey, GU23 6QB 0845 260 9000 www.rhs.org.uk/wisley

July 01-03: ‘ Best of British Festival’

Royal Windsor Racecourse. Sundays + Thursdays: ‘House Chapel Tours’ let our knowledgeable guides lead you into the famous Cliveden House and the remarkable Octagon Temple Chapel, 15:00-17:00, £2 plus normal admission – 01628 605069.

21-25: ‘Boodles at Stoke Park’ www.boodles.com

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Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

Diary

Dates

ONGOING events Marlow Art & Craft Society 1st Thursday in month | 19:30 Marlow Bottom Village Hall

01: ‘Samaritans Cycle’

25,50 or 80 miles at West Wycombe Park, tickets available from www.britishcycling.org.uk. 0845 260 9000 www.rhs.org.uk/wisley

04: ‘Rebellion Brewery Open Night’

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, £12.50pp, BBQ all year round!

08: ‘West Wycombe Summer Fayre & Classic Car Show’ Annual summer fayre in the beautiful National Trust grounds of West Wycombe, 11:30-16:00.

05-09: ‘Henley Festival’ From 18:00

ONGOING EVENT

Markets

Maidenhead Produce Market

1st and 3rd Thursday of the month on Maidenhead High Street

The Farmers Market

2nd Sunday of the month from 10:00, Grove Street Car Park

Bourne End Country Market

Small Hall 10 - 12, Every Friday

Henley Farmers Market

every 4th Thursday in Falaise Square, Henley, 8:30-14:00

Bourne End Community Market

second Saturday of every month 10:00 - 13:00 in the Jackson Room of Bourne End Library.

Transition Town Marlow

last Saturday of every month | 9:30 13:00 | Liston Hall, Chapel St, Marlow 07904 369829

At time of print all dates are correct. For more information/changes to schedules as listed or information please call Marlow Information Centre on 01628 483597 or Maidenhead Library on 01628 796969 or Henley Library on 01491 575278. To add an event: office@alongthethames.co.uk Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

Marlow Antique bric-a-brac fair 1st Saturday of the month at Liston Hall | 9:00 - 16:00 Marlow Museum March to October, Saturday, Sunday, bank holidays 13:00-17:00, Wednesday 14:00-17:00 Marlow Camera Club every Tuesday | 19:45 - 20:00 | The Methodist Church Hall, Spittal Street, Marlow, SL7 3HJ Henley Photographic Club every Tuesday evening | 20:00 - 22:00 | YMCA Hall, off Waterman’s Road, Henley www.henleyphotoclub.com Stanley Spencer Gallery 30th March – 1 October ‘ An Artistic Affair’, High St, Cookham, Maidenhead SL6 9SJ. 10:30-17:00 | www.stanleyspencer.org.uk Speak Spanish in Beaconsfield, Beaconsfield High School Wednesdays | 19:30 | Suitable for all levels except beginners | Tony on 07947 508755 | anthony.mitchelmore@sky.com Maidenhead Camera Club every Tuesday, Cox Green Community Centre | 01628 630861 The East Berks RSPB Group monthly | 7.30pm to 9.30pm on Thursdays High Street Methodist Church Hall, Maidenhead www.eastberksrspb.org.uk Maidenhead Heritage Centre last Wednesday of the month | WRVS, Maidenhead | 780555 Colenorton Dragon Boat Club Sunday 10.00 - 12.30 | Bray Lake Water Sports, Maidenhead SL6 2EB | www.colenorton.co.uk South Bucks Walking Group Regular walks programme + club weekends, coach rambles, and other social walking events | Di Olden - 01494 714486 | www.southbuckshfwalkingclub.co.uk Cookham & Cookham Dean Horticultural Society last Wednesday of the month from January - May & September November | 19:30 | Cookham Dean Village Hall | clairephillpot@btinternet.com Maidenhead National Trust second Thursday of every month, except August, at the Jakoby Drama Studio at Desborough College, Maidenhead. More details can be found on our web site at www.Maidenheadnta.org.uk. Jazz Every Thursday | 20:30| Hedsor Social Club, Hedsor Rod, Bourne End, SL8 5ES | £6 Henley & Goring Ramblers No need to book, just turn up, we are a friendly group and new walkers and non members are always welcome | www.ramblers-oxon.org.uk Midsomer Walking Tours Now – 28 October – 11:00-12:00 | The Argyll Pub, Henley-on-Thames | info@theargyllhenley.co.uk

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Useful Numbers CLUBS: MAIDENHEAD Rotary Club of Maidenhead 632797 The Maidenhead Players 07879 476301 Maidenhead Drama Guild 635017 Maidenhead Operatic Society 671589 Maidenhead Musical Comedy Society 07813 979894 Grimm Players 820429 Maidenhead Concert Band 624514 Maidenhead Folk Club 448268 Tuesday Singers 629012 Athletics 522797 Maidenhead & Bray CC 07885 240209 North Maid enhead 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 Belmont Badminton Club 638844 Scottish Dancing Club 628372 Stanley Spencer Gallery 471885 COOKHAM Tennis & Croquet Line Dancing Petanque Cookham Bridge Rotary Club Cookham & Bourne End Inner Wheel Club Bourne End & Cookham Rotary HENLEY Rotary Club of Henley Bridge Henley Rowing Club Henley Players Henley Hawks Rugby Club Henley Cricket Club Lions Club of Henley Henley Bowling Club Henley Tennis Club Henley Hockey Club Henley Wednesday Bridge Club Henley Choral Society HADISC Badminton Club Henley Music School Henley Henley-on-Thames U3A

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07968 173757 486362 417453 07724 042708 07715 441713 810967 01491 628284 01491 573943 01491 636253 01491 574499 01491 577743 01491 576717 01491 579271 01491 572230 01491 576988 01491 573958 01491 576929 01491 577909 07989 396210 07901 674779

MARLOW Liston Hall 472558 Archaeology in Marlow 481792 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 Marlow Striders 475548 Four Seasons Club 484528 Tennis 483638 New Marlow Tennis Academy 488438 Rifle & Pistol Club 01494 676676 ALF (Longridge) 486595 Marlow & District Wine Society 483294 Marlow Museum 01628 482515 Marlow Society/History 476140 MOAS 07899 867757 Rotary Club 01494 530952 LETS 01494 523978 U3A 485220/488865 Community Choir 602581/661182 Railway Society 01494 488283 Choral Society 472998 Marlow Orators 07738 540287 COUNCIL SERVICES MARLOW Bus Services Marlow Information centre Library Town Council Neighbourhood Watch - Nic Martin Wycombe Council

0871 2002233 483597/481717 0845 2303232 484024 01895 837220 01494 461000

RBWM Bus Services 0871 2002233 CIS 507587 Council Tax 683850 Library - Cox Green 673942 Library - Holyport Container 796555 Library - Maidenhead 796969 Library - Cookham 526147 Recycling 796474 Town Hall 683800 Youth & Community Centre 685999 Thames Valley Adventure Playground 628599 HENLEY Henley Library Henley Town Council

01491 575278 01491 576982

BOURNE END Library Community Centre

524814 527502

Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017

‘Hotel Chef of theYear ChrisWheeler’ HOTEL CATEYS 2016 ★★★★★

Celebrated Chef Chris Wheeler invites you to indulge your tastebuds at Humphry’s, Stoke Park’s award winning restaurant. Open to all, Humphry’s fine dining restaurant allows you to enjoy ‘an experience you want to relive again and again’ (At Home with Marco Pierre White). Named as one of the ‘Best of Britain’ in the Tatler Restaurant Guide, Humphry’s innovative take on Modern British Cuisine and enviable wine list provides an unforgettable treat, all set within the sumptuous, romantic surroundings of Stoke Park’s Georgian mansion. Sunday Lunch : 12.00pm – 2.30pm Wednesday - Sunday : Dinner 7.00pm – 10.00pm To make a reservation please call 01753 717172 or email reservations@stokepark.com Living Along The Thames | MAY / JUNE 2017