FREE
Connecting Communities
INANDAROUND MARLOW and BOURNE END
DECEMBER/JANUARY 2011
www.AlongTheThames.co.uk
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PUBLISHER & EDITOR Serena Edwards
serena@AlongTheThames.co.uk
ADVERTISING For all enquiries please call
T: 01628 771419 M: 07711 887107
E:info@AlongTheThames.co.uk
WEBSITE
www.AlongTheThames.co.uk
CONTRIBUTORS
Harriet Subramanian, Alexander Parsons, Kasia Cole, Tony McKeith, Adele Miller, Carol Cottrell, Jill Coleby, Clare Chambers, Health Matters 360
ACCOUNTS Accounts@AlongTheThames.co.uk
FRONT COVER
Courtesy of Universal Sky Pictures www.aerial-photograph.co.uk
ADDRESS PO Box 3987, Maidenhead, Berks SL60 1BF
2010/2011 Deadlines
February/March April/May June/July
14th January 11th March 13th May
The views expressed in Along the Thames magazine are not necessarily the views of the editor/publisher. While all reasonable care is taken to ensure accuracy of our content, the publisher cannot accept liability for errors/ omissions relating to the editorial/advertising in this publication or for loss rising as a result. No part of the contents of this publication can be reproduced without the express permission of the authors and is protected by copyright.
Welcome to the December/January 2011 issue. As I write this I can hardly believe that we are about to celebrate our 4th Birthday. We are all so excited about having reached this point. To celebrate we have updated our logo to feel more modern and we have relaunched our web site. You can now view the latest magazines on line, zoom in and search for key words, along with many other new features. The latest feature on the web site is in the “Out & About� tab. You can now add in your events at any time, so if you have an event you would like to let everyone know about then please visit the web site and enter the details. This is a free service open to everyone. We hope you enjoy all the changes. We are also increasing our distribution to 16,000 homes & retails businesses in Marlow, Bourne End, Cookham, Maidenhead and Bray. Welcome to Alex Parsons, our new hair expert, who as taken over from Scott Cornwall, We also have some great tips from Clare Chambers for party make-up and we feature the latest fashion for winter. Also, a big welcome to our new advertisers and please remember to let them know where you found their details as they are a vital part of the local community. Don’t forget to put your feet up and read your horoscope from Christine Chalkin, our local astrologer. All that is left is for me to wish you and your families a Happy Christmas and Prosperous new Year and we’ll be back in the Spring. Until next time, Happy Reading.......... Contents
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Food & Dining
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Travel
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Health
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Home
24
Fashion
34
Beauty
38
Hair
40
Motoring
44
Pets
42
Garden
48
Business
50
Horoscopes
54
Community
56
Out & About
59
Market Place
63
Useful Numbers
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Š Along the Thames 2010
Delivered FREE to 8,000 homes & retail businesses
Advertising Feature
New Baby Unit Opening 2011 The House that Jack Built was started 10 years ago and in that period of time has grown from just one nursery, a small bungalow in Hazlemere, caring for 18 children to a Company who now care for nearly 200 children a day. The ethos of the Company is to provide a home from home environment, along with nurturing support given to children and parents being of paramount importance. The House That Jack Built day nursery, Marlow Bottom, is expanding to include a new baby unit and training centre with both settings having dedicated car parking and secure outside play areas. The nursery, which opened in 2008, is redeveloping the Pegasus public house in the centre of the village to incorporate additional facilities to the current day nursery. The Pegasus is located next door to the current nursery so when all the building work is completed the new premises will provide the village and the surrounding area with a comprehensive childcare facility for the under 5s. The nursery has embraced working within the community and provides continuing care for children who have moved on to ‘Big School’ by dropping off and collecting from within the Valley. The current nursery has proved very successful and when the owners were given the
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opportunity to acquire next door they saw the potential to enhance the nursery by creating a separate baby unit. Managing Director Margaret Whelan says “The House That Jack Built strives to provide a home from home environment and the new facility will continue this trend with carefully planned play areas and a cosy sleep room. We pride ourselves on our excellent child staff ratios with commitment and dedication of team members who are fully qualified or training towards a qualification in childcare.” Our customers feedback is excellent and is very important to us. Within that time frame two nurseries have achieved outstanding results and this is reflected in the work with our children. The first floor of the Pegasus building is being developed into a staff area and training centre. This new space will allow The House That Jack Built (Day Nursery) Ltd, which also has day nurseries in Naphill, Hazlemere and Flackwell Heath, the opportunity to provide a training area for employees to develop their childcare qualifications and further enhance their Early Years profession.
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The company are very excited about the new facility and all going well the doors should open in February/March 2011. The baby unit will offer the home from home environment by providing: • A welcome area with information boards for parents and easy access for buggies and prams • A playroom with sensory areas for low level holistic play, along with messy areas for developing fine motor skills • Low level seating for children will promote independence • A dedicated sleeping room that allows time for a quiet sleep. • A dedicated kitchen to develop home cooked nutritious food for weaning babies. If you would like further information about the new baby unit or the current nursery please contact Claire Burrett on
01628 481601 or visit the nursery website
www.thtjb-daynursery.co.uk e:info@alongthethames.co.uk
The House that Jack Built 59/61 Marlow Bottom Marlow Bottom Bucks SL7 3NA 56 Place purpose built children’s nursery
For more information Visit www.thtjb-daynursery.co.uk call Claire on 01628 481601 or email info@thtjb-daynursery.co.uk Are you looking for exceptional childcare? The House that Jack Built (Day Nursery) Limited has just been awarded “Outstanding” at one of their nurseries and is amongst one of the few nursery chains to have an Early Years Professional within its dedicated team of staff. We strive to offer: A loving and homely environment where young babies feel safe and secure High quality childcare providing an environment of rich learning experiences Caring, committed and enthusiastic staff A strong partnership with parents Registered to care for children aged from 0 to 5 years Open 51 weeks of the year Monday to Friday Opening times are 7.30am – 6.30pm Breakfast, lunch and tea all provided and freshly prepared by our dedicated chef Are you looking for a career in childcare? please call us for more information and an informal chat
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Employment for under 16’s Most school age teens are keen to find part time work to earn some money. Aside from the financial benefit, in an increasingly competitive market, it’s useful to gain some experience of applying for work and taking on the responsibility of a job. There are two main aspects to consider as your teen (aged 13 to 15) takes their first steps into the world of work: the legalities and actually securing a job.
FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS First of all, under the age of 16 there are employment restrictions on the hours and the type of work that can be undertaken. Below are just a few key rules but you can find more information at www.direct.gov.uk. • 13 is the minimum age for employment • The working day must be between 7am and 7pm • During term time a teen can work a maximum of 12 hours a week, and from Sunday to Friday there’s a limit of two hours a day. Up to 5 hours a day (aged 13 or 14) or 8 hours a day (aged 15) can be worked on Saturdays or school holidays. • During school holidays the limit is up to 25 hours (aged 13/14) or 35 hours (aged 15) a week. • The employer must provide an employment permit, the
application form for which the parent or guardian signs. • There is no minimum wage for under 16s • There are some occupations such as factory work or work in pubs which are not permitted.
FOR TEENS What about getting a job in the first place? There aren’t many around, so if one becomes available you’ll need to be quick and you’ll need to stand out from the crowd. If you see a job you are interested in applying for, send your request in as soon as possible. Often – if it’s unskilled work – an employer will take on the first person to apply. If you are old enough to take on a job, you are old enough to apply for it too. Why would any prospective employer choose an application from Mum or Dad over someone who had applied in person? By all means mention that your parents know you are making the application and that they will support you, but the first contact must come from you. (For parents: if your teen’s application is accepted, it is of course quite reasonable that you meet their employer before the job commences.) If your application is by email, make sure your grammar, spelling and punctuation are faultless, don’t use texting shortcuts and proof read your mail before you send it off. Mails
that say “i saw yr job ad and i am interested” will go straight into the recycling folder. It might be the norm to use short forms and lower case letters with your friends, but it’s not when applying for a job. Add some extra information about yourself. If you keep fit, do voluntary work, or have already had a job mention this in your mail too. You could even add in a photo. Don’t assume that just one mail is enough. If you are really keen, send another, make a phone call or even send a letter. Even if you are told the vacancy has been filled, send a reminder occasionally that you are still interested should another position become available (although don’t make a pest of yourself either!) Your primary goal in doing all this is to stand out from the crowd. If yours is the mail that has perfect spelling, you keep asking and you personalise your application in some way, then you are much more likely to land yourself some paid work.
Cost Effective Advertising for all Sizes of Businesses & Budgets Delivered into 8,000 homes Reach your Customers Locally Contact us
T: 01628 771419 M: 07711 887107 E: info@AlongThe Thames.co.uk
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Award Winning Thames Side Dining The expression “A room with a view” certainly applies to Bowaters restaurant at The Compleat Angler in Marlow.
both enjoyed and had to resist having more otherwise we would never been able to eat the remainder of our meal.
It was a real treat to have the opportunity to have lunch recently at Bowaters where I was amazed at the beautiful outlook the restaurant has over The Thames, Marlow Bridge and the beautiful buildings by the river. It’s such a rare treat to find a restaurant like this in the area where you can enjoy a lovely meal while watching the river gently flow, virtually by your table.
We had wonderfully classic main courses my partner having the Braised medallions of 21 day aged Scottish beef which just melted in your mouth, while I couldn’t resist the Deep fried fillet of haddock with just wonderful hand cut “Caroll’s Heritage” chips. The haddock batter was nice and crispy, also much to my delight it was served skinless which you rarely see in a local restaurant. Last, but certainly not least were two stunning desserts of Apple and Blackberry Crumble, served with ice cream and an Iced tiramisu parfait served with a rich chocolate sorbet.
The restaurant aims to serve modern British food served in a friendly and relaxed environment and boasts two AA rosettes for the excellence it has achieved. We opted for the reasonably priced Market Lunch Menu which provided an excellent choice of four dishes for each of the three courses. I started with a Kipper pate, while my friend opted for the Goat’s cheese pannacotta, great examples of the wide choice we had on the menu. The starters were also accompanied by some home made bread which we
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It was a marvellous lunch, the three courses were certainly filling and great value for money. There were also a good range of wines to choose from, many by the glass, to accompany lunch and the hospitable staff were very helpful in helping us choose what best suited our meal. I am really looking forward
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to going back again soon. Bowaters is offering Along the Thames readers a special offer during January and February 2011 with the Market Lunch priced at two courses for £15.00 and three courses for £19.95 with an additional 10% off all drinks. Please remember to quote Along the Thames when making your booking to receive this offer. In addition to the Market Lunch which runs from Monday to Saturday, Bowaters is also running a series of Jazz lunches and dinners throughout 2011. Here you relax in this beautiful room and enjoy the mellow sounds from one of their two great resident bands. The lunches are on 30th January, 27th February, 27th March and 25th April with the dinners being held on 14th January, 11th February, 11th March and 8th April. Please check with the restaurant for details and pricing by calling the Compleat Angler, Marlow on 0844 879 9128.
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Along the tha mes
reader offer
Lunch in Style at the Macdonald Compleat Angler from £15.00 per person with an additional 10% discount off your drinks The stylish Macdonald Compleat Angler, which overlooks the Thames at Marlow bridge, is offering a winter lunch in the award-winning Bowaters restaurant for just £15.00 per person for two courses or £19.95 for three courses from a special Market Menu with an additional 10% discount off your drinks. Bowaters, which has been awarded two AA Rosettes, serves imaginative British food with mouthwatering dishes created by Head Chef David Smith and his team using fresh seasonal produce. You can watch the passing boats as they gently cruise along the river, while you eat in this most beautiful of settings beside the Thames. Dating back to the 17th century, the elegant AA four red star hotel takes its name from Isaak Walton’s worldfamous book on angling. It’s now a peaceful haven with an enviable reputation for exceptional cuisine, fine wines and stylish accommodation.
www.MacdonaldHotels.co.uk/CompleatAngler MACDONALD COMPLEAT ANGLER, MARLOW | LUNCH READER OFFER
This voucher entitles readers of Along The Thames to lunch from the Market Menu at a special price of £15.00 or £19.95 per person with an additional 10% discount off your drinks. Reservations essential. Please mention Along The Thames and quote ‘Lunch in Style’ when booking your table by calling 0844 879 9128.
Name Address Postcode Email: Please present this voucher on arrival. Macdonald Compleat Angler, Marlow, Buckinghamshire SL7 1RG
Email: bowaters.compleatangler@macdonald-hotels.co.uk www.MacdonaldHotels.co.uk/CompleatAngler
Available Monday to Saturday lunchtimes from January 4th until 31st March. Maximum table size of 8 people. As there is a limited number of tables on this offer, tables must be booked in advance. Please state when making booking that voucher is being redeemed. From time to time, we’d like to send you information about exciting special offers from Macdonald Hotels & Resorts and associated companies. If you would prefer not to receive information please tick the box
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Steak & Mushroom Pies Nothing beats a warming pie during the cold winter months and making quick puff pastry cases instead of topping a pie dish is a great time saver. Both the casserole and pastry cases can be frozen for up to 1 month. Allow the casserole to defrost then simmer in a pan for 20-25 minutes until thoroughly reheated. The pastry cases can be heated from frozen in a moderate oven for 10-15 minutes. Serves 4 - ready in 2 1/2 hours
INGREDIENTS: tablesponn (tbsp) oil 1 large onion, peeled and sliced 750g/(1lb 10oz) lean braising steak 1 tbsp seasoned flour 600ml/(1pt) hot beef stock 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 1 bay leaf 150g/(5oz) button mushrooms, wiped and halved 225g/(8oz) puff pastry Beaten egg to glaze
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1.
Preheat the oven to 170C/325F/Gas 3. Heat half the oil in a frying pan and fry the braising steak, in batches, over a high heat until browned. Transfer to a casserole dish.
2. Add the onion to the pan and fry for 5-6 minutes then stir in the flour and cook for a further minute. Pour in the stock and Worcestershire sauce and bring to the boil then pour over the beef. Add the bay leaf and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cover and cook in the oven for 1 1/2 hours. 3. Heat the rest of the oil in a clean frying pan and fry the mushrooms for 1-2 minutes until browned. Add to the casserole and cook for a further 2030 minutes until the meat is tender. 4. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface and cut out 4 x 13cm/(5in) rounds.Place on a baking sheet; glaze with beaten egg and use the tip of a knife to lightly score a criss-cross pattern. 5. When the casserole is cooked remove from the oven and increase the oven temperature to 220C/425F/Gas 7. Bake the pastry rounds for 10-15 minutes until risen and golden. Split open each pastry round; spoon some of the casserole over the base and top with a pastry lid. 10
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Longhurst’s QUALITY FAMILY PACKS FOR THE WEEK: FEED YOUR FAMILY FOR LESS PACK 1: £24.99 per pack MARLOW’s only 4 x 170gm pork steaks local Family Butcher 680gm minced beef 680gm sausages Often Exceptional 4 x 170gm chicken breasts Always Good 680gm bacon 680gm braising steak Quality & Customer PACK 2: £21.99 per pack Care always come first, 1.2kg small whole fresh chicken which has made 4 pork chops us famous over the 4 x 170gm rump steaks last 10 years. 680gm minced beef 680gm bacon PACK 3: £19.99 per pack 4 x 170 - 200gm chicken supreme 680gm sausages 680gm braising steak 4 x 170gm gammon steak
CALL
01628 488 373
Pack 1,2 & 3 are for 4 people, packs also available for two people, ask for details.
All weights(gm) given are approximate
OPEN: Mon: 8 - 1pm, Tues - Fri: 8 - 5.30pm, Sat: 8 - 1pm, Sun: 9 - 12pm 4a Brucewood Parade, Marlow Bottom, Bucks SL7 3PE
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Chocolate Roulade
This divine dessert is a chocaholics delight and is perfect for Christmas entertaining as it can be made and frozen 2-3 weeks before the festivities start. For an extra festive decoration replace the raspberries and white chocolate curls with edible silver dragees and chocolate holly leaves. Serves 8...Ready in approximately 1 hour
INGREDIENTS: 200g/(7oz) plain chocolate, broken into pieces 150g/(5oz) caster sugar 5 large eggs, separated 2 tbsp icing sugar, to dust 284ml carton double cream 2 tbsp coffee liqueur such as Tia Maria White chocolate curls and fresh raspberries to decorate
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Preheat the oven to 180C, 350F, Gas 4. Lightly grease a 33x23cm (13x9in) swiss roll tin and line with baking parchment.
2. 2. Place the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water and leave until just melted. Remove from the heat. Meanwhile, place the caster sugar and egg yolks in a large bowl and, using an electric whisk, whisk for 5 mins until the mixture is very thick and pale. Gently fold the melted chocolate into the mixture. 3. 3. In a separate bowl whisk the egg whites until stiff. Beat 2 tbsp of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture to loosen it a little then gently fold in the rest of the egg whites. Pour the mixture into the tin. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 mins until risen and just firm to the touch. 4. 4. Sift the icing sugar onto a large sheet of baking parchment. Invert the hot roulade onto the paper and cover with a clean damp tea towel. Leave to cool completely. 5. 5. Carefully peel away the lining paper from roulade. Pour the cream in a bowl and whip until softly peaking then fold in the coffee liqueur. Spread the cream evenly over the roulade. Using the sugared paper as a guide roll up the roulade from one short end, don't worry if it cracks a little. Decorate with chocolate curls and raspberries.
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3ULYDWH DQG %XVLQHVV )XQFWLRQV FDWHUHG IRU 3OHDVH FDOO O\QQ IRU PRUH GHWDLOV Cloves are familiar to us all as part of the warming scent of mulled wine and Christmas food. Some associations are not quite so pleasant though; clove oil is used in the dental surgery as an antiseptic and gentle local anaesthetic. Cloves are highly aromatic dried flower buds which are pink when first picked and turn dark brown after being dried. The word clove comes from the Latin word clavus meaning nail, which is precisely what the clove looks like. Culinary uses include studding hams with cloves, adding them to apple pies and lentil soup and flavouring game dishes. The pungent flavour can be overpowering, so use sparingly. Cloves are used in curry powders and are also one of the ingredients in Worcestershire sauce. Cloves are best bought and used whole as the ground spice loses flavour very quickly. They are too hard to grind at home although a coffee grinder will do the trick. During Tudor times pomanders were made by sticking cloves into an orange and carried to ward off illnesses and bad smells. We still make such pomanders today, although we know they don’t actually ward off the plague. Cloves do, however, have many medicinal uses which are too numerous to mention here. Traditional lore claims that sucking cloves prevents the desire to drink alcohol.
Cost Effective Advertising for all Sizes of Businesses & Budgets Delivered into 8,000 homes Reach your Customers Locally Contact us
T: 01628 771419 M: 07711 887107 E: info@AlongThe Thames.co.uk
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The Lions of Busanga It’s nearing the end of October at my small safari camp as I look out across the vast Busanga plains in the far northern region of the Kafue National Park, Zambia. The dry season runs from July through to October and we are now seeing many changes in the animals around us as they sense the climate change evidenced each day as the sky is now starting to fill with great cumulus clouds, a sure sign that the rains are not far away. Our camp, simply known as “Plains Camp” sits on a small island of raised ground surround by the dried beds of the Busanga. For most of the year this is a perfect if not inaccessible wetland bird sanctuary but during the dry season the Kafue holds some of the greatest diversity of wildlife anywhere in Africa. You are never far from Wildebeest, Lions, Lechwe (a graceful rust coloured water dependent antelope), Antelope, Buffalo and Cheetahs. It’s not unusual that the gathering of large herds of animals attracts the attention of predators and the one constant in this area are the Lions who each year move out over the drying plains to take up there role as apex predator, the nemesis of the Lechwe. Lions are always a
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feature of life around camp as it sits in the territory of two prides and as the weeks passed by we became more and more used to each others presence. Yes Lions are incredibly dangerous but they hold a fear of man and contrary to the assumption that they want to kill and eat us they will run at the sight or sound of man unless surprised at close quarters or with cubs. One of the prides, consisting of four lionesses, two cubs and a handsome male, adopted a small thicketed island adjacent to our camp as a favourite day time rest spot, not always visible in the long grass but the lack of antelope indicated their presence. As the season progressed we appeared to present less of a threat to the pride and being inquisitive as well as intelligent animals they would venture into our camp at night with the morning light revealing clear signs of their patrol. However, it is fair to say that hearing their calls just a feet away from you in the dead of night did leave some of our clients with some sleepless nights, but with fantastic unique memories to last a life time. Like all good safari camps life centres around the camp fire, after a memorable day’s wildlife watching my guests would gather
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by the fire to enjoy the starry sky and the unmistakable sound of the African night. One evening our peace was shattered by the nearby alarm calls of the Puku (antelope) and the Lechwe, that could mean only one thing Lions! I could hear stampeding animals nearby when suddenly my torch picked out Lechwe running by us no more than 30 metres away with the red eyes of the Lioness in hot pursuit. Just as she looked to be losing ground another set of red eyes pounced from nowhere running past our tents to create the perfect trap and to down a Lechwe. What an experience, but mindful that we were no more than 50 metres from the Lions with their kill we retired to the dining room for our dinner while our local neighbours enjoyed theirs. Just days later as I was preparing to pack up before the rains arrived in force I found the cubs running from my little bush office looking guiltily over there shoulders at me with good reason as they had created havoc. Yes they are Lions, but with careful consideration they are at least entertaining if not noisy neighbours. So as the season draws to a close it’s time to leave this wonderful landscape, to say goodbye to the plain and the Lions until the next dry season.
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Glasgow: my kind of city It’s often easy to take for granted what’s right on your doorstep, and if you fancy a city break why not opt for Glasgow rather than New York, Paris or Cologne this holiday season. Not only will you be quids in, but you will also get to indulge your senses with a variety of cultural treats including art and design, architecture, music and enough great places to eat to ensure that you do not fit into your size zero LBD this Christmas. The city’s large student population are to be congratulated for creating a bustling and progressive vibe, and to experience this first hand visit The Glasgow School of Art, www. gsa.co.uk. This should also be the first stop for any Charles Rennie Mackintosh fans. The highlight of the student-guided tour has to be the School’s library which is the centrepiece of Mackintosh’s architectural creations. Not only will you leave the tour having completed a workout, thanks to many flights of stairs, you will also leave wanting to go back to university. Glasgow features an abundance of history and culture, and each way you turn there will be something to satisfy this element
of your city break. Situated just outside the city House for an Art Lover, www.houseforanartlover. co.uk, is also well worth a visit. For the ultimate cultural treat Hotel du Vin, located in the fashionable West End, is currently offering “Art Du Vin Glasgow” – a two night stay featuring an exclusive personally escorted tour with wine, showcasing the highlights of Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. A driver will deliver you back to the luxurious One Devonshire Gardens for a traditional whisky tasting with Hotel du Vin’s master blender followed by a delicious meal in the award winning Bistro du Vin. The promotion starts from £270 per person and is subject to availability. For more information or to book please contact the hotel directly on 0141 339 2001 or visit www.hotelduvin.com . If fashion is your passion then Glasgow will not disappoint you
either. The city contains a vast array of shops from High Street and designer labels to vintage and boutique. The Italian Centre, a five minute walk from Argyle Street, caters for designer label shoppers. Other shopping centres include St Enoch Centre and Buchanan Galleries. Headup to Byres Road for vintage clothing and accessories. Byres Road and the surrounding area are also great places for a stroll, even in freezing temperatures! There are places to eat and drink a plenty in Glasgow, and whatever your favourite food is you are bound to find it. If wonderful coffees, teas and cupcakes are your desire then Cup café on Byres Road should be scheduled into your visit www. cupglasgow.co.uk. However, if you are in the mood for cocktails in a mellow setting with an excellent menu then the popular Stravaigin Restaurant and Bar on Gibson Street maybe the place for you. Another recommended restaurant is The Ubiquitous Chip in Ashton Lane, which is easy to get to from Byres Road. And finally Glasgow is famous this time of year for Hogmanay. George Square will be the setting for the celebrations on the 31st December and feature Scotland’s biggest outdoor ceilidhs. Tickets for Glasgow’s Hogmanay sell out fast and adult tickets cost £19.00 and child tickets are £9.00. Tickets can be purchased by telephoning 0141 564 4220. Both British Airways and Flybe run flights from a number of UK cities,or contact your local travel agent for other options
Hotel Du Vin www.AlongTheThames.co.uk
Freelance writer: Harriet Subramanian.
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All About .... Water. W
inter may be just around the corner – but it is as important in winter to keep up with that intake of water, as it is in summer!
party and to try to ‘help’ her body, she drank over two litres of water over the course of the evening, which allegedly may have contributed to her death..
Central heating, warm shops and offices are de-hydrating places to be in – especially if your workplace has ‘hot air’ heating.
Drinking too much water, especially if you are reducing your salt intake, can strip our bodies of valuable ELECTROLYTES.
The famous – or should I say, notorious?! – “drink two litres a day’ is actually based on HALF of a sentence of a study carried out way back in the 1940’s…….
Electrolytes serve 3 general functions in the body:
The sentence began with words to the effect that a human being’ requires (up to) two litres of water a day… BUT the REST of the sentence reads “Over 90% of which is met by the water content of everyday foods.” . TOO MUCH water is as poisonous to the body as too much oxygen – as ever, we have an exquisitely ‘tuned’ self-regulating system of water management – but upset the balance either way and we can find ourselves in trouble. You may remember the tragic death of 18 year old Leah Betts some years ago – she was taking ‘Ecstasy’ tablets at her birthday
1. Many are essential minerals needed for healthy bones and teeth. They are also involved in blood clotting, the passing of ‘messages’ from nerve to nerve and the reaction in muscle tissue and muscular contraction. 2. They control the movement of water molecules between cells and body tissues by a special process called OSMOSIS. 3. They help keep the acid base (alkali) in balance which is required for normal cell activity. Common electrolytes include Sodium ions and Chloride ions which form as a result of salt dissolving in water. Water is bit of a ‘magical’ molecule with lots of special qualities that make Life processes possible – it is slightly electrically charged and this
favours ionisation. So drinking too much water whilst not replacing the sodium chloride can lead to electrolyte loss – leading in the tragic case of Leah, to death. Shortage of sodium can produce symptoms of muscular weakness, dizziness, headache, tachycardia (irregular heart rhythm) and shock. Sever loss can result in mental confusion, stupor and coma. Excessive sodium can produce symptoms of intense thirst, fatigue, restlessness, agitation and coma. Generally, our diets tend to have ‘too much’ salt than too little. Vigorous exercise leading to sweating along with a deliberate reduction of salt intake may cause us harm. As ever – in ALL things, MODERATION is key! Enjoy the festivities Adele Miller - Registered Homeopath
Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas from Along the Thames As we have just turned 4 years old we are celebrating so we invite you to visit our web-site and see all the changes. www.AlongTheThames.co.uk Have an event? regular club night? etc, Why not enter the details into the “Out & About” section for everyone to see. It’s a free service open to the local community. www.AlongTheThames.co.uk
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Business Mums Wanted* Want a career to fit around your family?
Do you want to work from home? There’s a decent income too!
Just call Jenny on
07743 25 33 73 or on my home phone:
01344 883320 email:yungjennifer5@aol.com
*Dads needed too www.AlongTheThames.co.uk
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Your 360 Survival Kit for the Festive Season As the festive season approaches, our health and well-being experts, have some top tips to help keep you in great shape physically, nutritionally and emotionally. So don’t wait until New Year’s Eve to lead a healthier life… start now and make it a truly happy and healthy Christmas and New Year!
PHYSICAL MATTERS
keep your body in shape • Keep up exercise levels and enter the New Year energized, stop those guilt feelings and avoid the uphill struggle to regain your fitness levels. • Avoid partying too hard - your body will NOT thank you. • Rest is as important as exercise. A good nights sleep will help you recover from all the festivities. • Keep your balance. With extra weighty shopping be aware of weight distribution and balance. • Keep warm and dry to ward off muscle injury and seasonal coughs and colds.
MIND MATTERS
reduce stress at Christmas • Forget the ‘Perfect Christmas’. It’s only one day, avoid internal or external pressure to be a ‘super Christmas organiser’. • Learn to say no. If the whole extended family want to come for the day, and you can’t manage it, or can’t afford it, say so. • Reduce the ‘to do’ list to the things that really matter and focus on the ‘ want to’ and essential things. • Create ‘me time’. Plan in things that you want to do. It’s not just about making it great for other people. • Share tasks – allocate jobs to individuals for the season.
• Stretch. Whether you are at work or simply curling up to watch a festive film stretch out muscles to increase circulation and flexibility.
• Have a plan and enlist family support if you have a difficult relative coming – give them just enough focus to keep things under control.
• Get outside for family walks/ bike rides etc. to work off those extra calories.
• Consider volunteering to help a charity – it’s by giving you receive. • Don’t aim to change your whole life in January. Focus on one or two things that will make a real difference to you next year.
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NUTRITIONAL MATTERS
healthy options and simple ways to enjoy festive treats • Choose smaller portions. • Chew food well, eat slowly and wait 20 minutes between helpings to give your body time to register it’s full. • Choose healthier options - turkey, salmon, sprouts, dried fruits, nuts in their shells. Limit crisps, canapés, sausage rolls and mince pies. • If chocolate is a festive must-have, opt for high cocoa content chocolates i.e. 60-70 %. These have less impact on blood sugar. • If you have sensitivity to gluten, stuff the turkey with brown rice, pine nuts and herbs and make a glutenfree Christmas pudding. • Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. This helps digestion and maintains healthy skin. Ideally 1.5 litres a day. • Try natural digestion aids. Peppermint tea or some grated ginger in hot water. • Stick to the 80/20 rule. If you eat well 80% of the time then the odd mince pie is perfectly acceptable!
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Food Facts We are bombarded daily with information about how to maintain a healthy diet, but how many of the so-called facts we take as gospel are really true? Frozen or tinned fruit and vegetables are not as nutritious as fresh This all depends on how the fresh produce has been kept. If it has languished in the fridge for a week then it may not even have as much nutritional value as tinned or frozen. Generally speaking, though, frozen or tinned produce has as many vitamins as fresh.
All vegetable oils are good for the heart This is a sweeping statement and one often quoted, but not all vegetable oils are good for you. Coconut, palm and palm kernel oils (often found in packaged goods, such as biscuits and cakes) contain saturated fats, which can be
Vegetarians don’t eat enough protein because they avoid meat Vegetarians usually eat a wide variety of protein-rich foods, such as legumes, dried peas, beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, whole grains, nuts, seeds and soy products. All fibre prevents heart disease Studies have shown that it’s only soluble fibre, found in products such as oat bran, oatmeal, beans, peas, lentils, apples, strawberries and citrus fruit that appears to lower cholesterol. Insoluble fibre, found in wheat bran, whole grain products, fruit and vegetables, hasn’t been directly linked to boosting heart health, but it is believed to help prevent certain cancers, such as colon cancer, so has other health benefits.
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detrimental to maintaining a healthy heart. The same is true of vegetable oils which have been hydrogenated (or partially hydrogenated). It’s essential to read the nutrition panels on labels. The words ‘partially hydrogenated’ indicate the inclusion of trans-fatty acids, which aren’t good for your heart. On the other hand, extra-virgin olive oil, canola, safflower,
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sunflower and corn oils contain polyunsaturated fats, which are believed to help lower cholesterol. The same goes for peanut oil, but that should only be used if you are certain there is no one in the family with a peanut allergy. A low-fat diet guarantees weight loss Low-fat does not necessarily mean low-calorie. If we’re talking about a low-fat diet with a high intake of fruit, vegetables and fibre-rich foods, then yes, the title might well be true because they not only are low-calorie but are also filling. But what about the huge array of low-fat products calling to us from the supermarket shelves? We need to read the labels instead of assuming that they’ll be good for weight loss. Many of these products have a high sugar content. Another thing to look for is the fibre content. If this is low then you may feel hungry soon after eating because it isn’t filling enough. After all, pure sugar is fat free but nobody is going to believe that will fill you up and help you lose weight. As with most things in life, exercising common sense is the best guide to healthy living. by Lorraine Mace
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Is a back or joint problem limiting your ability to exercise? Are you concerned about fitness and weight? Have you had an injury which has inhibited your usual exercise regime? Do you suffer from poor circulation and/or cellulite? If the answer to any of these questions is ‘yes’, fat reduction from those ‘stubborn areas’ then we may have the ideal solution for you. Hypoxi Therapy is a low impact, targeted fat burn programme which is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. In a nutshell, Hypoxi Therapy involves gentle cycling in a special ‘capsule’ (whilst in a supported, reclined position) or gentle walking (not running) on a treadmill, whilst vacuum pressure, within the Hypoxi, encourages blood flow into targeted ‘fat holding’ areas – stomach, hips, buttocks, thighs. The body naturally increases the fat burning metabolic rate and fatty acids are transported away from the problem areas, speedily and efficiently.
At Sanus Hypoxi Studios we have been helping people achieve their body contouring goals for over four years. Doctors, chiropractors, personal trainers and other health professionals use Hypoxi Therapy as well as referring clients to us. The environment at Sanus Hypoxi Studios is discrete, personal and friendly. It certainly isn’t like a ‘gym’ atmosphere. The Studio is located conveniently between Maidenhead and Windsor, just 3 minutes away from M4 J8/9 / A404M with ample free parking too.
Sounds complicated? It’s not. Just 30 minutes So if you have been seeking a low impact exercise exercise three times per week can bring dramatic programme, why not discover Hypoxi Therapy and improvements in fitness levels, body toning and find out whether it can work for you. For further information or to arrange a consultation – please contact Sally MacLeod Sanus Hypoxi Studios on 01628 631230 or email info@sanusstudios.com .
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A look at the latest Design, TTrends and Styles
hat is hat ha is tth the he lla he latest ate trend? Who decides that the colour schemes are going to be monochrome, or vibrant acid colours? Is it the manufacturers, who wish to sell more products or a natural progression on a theme? Does the fashion industry influence the direction and trend for the Interior design Industry? We have seen recently in fashion the ‘Retro’ look, which has also been revisited by many of the interior design manufacturers. It appears that styles are cyclical, updated with new colours and a little ‘twist’ on the original design. Ultimately I feel it is very important to design Interiors to fit in with your lifestyle, style of house and of course budget . One of the main and unavoidable influences and trend for the future is ENVIRONMENTAL INTERIOR DESIGN PRODUCTS./ECO Interior design can come alive with the use of environmental and eco products, with a multitude of planet saving methods such as: •
Use of natural materials and natural fibres.
•
Environmentally aware production and manufacturing processes.
•
Use local manufacturers. (High Wycombe still manufacture furniture.)
•
Sound management of resources such as FSC (forestry stewardship council)
•
Energy saving devices and interior artefacts. New LED lighting and energy saving bulbs.
RECYCLED PRODUCTS AND MATERIALS. There is an amazing new enterprise project that
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uses craft, design and art to get disengaged and disruptive young people off the streets. Based in High Wycombe,‘Out of the Dark’ produce truly unique and stunning furniture and crafts. www.outofthedark.org.uk WALLPAPERS: The trend is not only to have bold patterns on a feature wall, but also to wallpaper complete rooms using traditional patterns with a modern twist. Other specialist companies use computer generated techniques, to produce bespoke wall coverings using your own photos, pictures or graphics producing spectacular and novel designs.
Out of the Dark •
Modern design has clean lines and a great functional feel without fuss and embellishments. Fabrics used are leather, woods and metal. Popular syle in kitchen, bathrooms and family rooms.
•
Classic and traditional schemes will never really go out of fashion and if designed well, will always look tasteful and elegant. With the use of many beautiful wallpapers and heavy curtains with trims, the look is rich and opulent.
WINDOW TREATMENTS: The minimalist look is not quite so popular for the general household, and a more luxurious feel is now returning to our rooms. This is achieved by using beautiful fabrics, and also by layering window treatments and using a combination of roman blinds and curtains or voiles. STYLES: Popular styles include •
•
Nordic/Scandinavian schemes where they specialise with white on white but use a lot of different fabric and material textures to add variety. This gives a very light, fresh and uncluttered ambience to the design. Country/Natural schemes using designs depicting floral, bees, butterflies and corals. Fabrics used are wool, herringbone texture, tartans and linens. This style gives a very homely, warm and comfy feel to a room. These fabrics also add an eclectic mix to other schemes.
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Colours and trends keep our lives interesting and versatile, but it is also important to plan a cohesive scheme and not be swayed into trends that you instinctively dislike just for the sake of being ‘up to date’. The monthly periodicals are a fantastic resource to follow the changes designed for interiors, and of course there are many Interior Designers available to help you make the right decision to suit your lifestyle. Good luck and enjoy your designs and projects. by Carol Cottrel
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Advertising Feature
How do you get into your loft? When was the last time you went into your loft space? Perhaps it was to retrieve the suitcases for this year’s summer holiday – did it involve you carrying out a gymnastic exercise to get into it or were you simply just fumbling around in the dark? No doubt you will be contemplating the whole exercise again in a matter of weeks to find the fairy lights and Christmas decorations. Have you thought about a £99 loft ladder supplied and fitted from The Loft Access Company to help make the exercise less painful? - Or perhaps one of our boarding packages that includes insulation, boarding and a loft light! We carry out everything related to the loft space including the supply and installation of roof windows, modular stair cases and even part or full loft conversions. We make access to your loft easy and affordable. Call us to discuss your requirements on 01628 771177
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Advertising Feature
Love the home you’re in? and high ladders properly so that he can reach those awkward places that so often go unnoticed. He is also fully insured and so if the unthinkable does happen everything can be put right quickly and with the minimum of fuss. Christmas aside, in these uncertain times it is probably more cost effective to stay in your existing house and make a few alterations to meet your needs. If that is the case Martin can put you in touch with a wide variety of other tradesmen from bricklayers to electricians who can together make sure you can continue to love the house you live in and he can also bring together a team of decorators for more extensive redecorating. If you would like Martin to visit and discuss your needs, as well as giving you a no obligation quotation, then please do give him a call on After all the glitz and glamour of Christmas and when the tree has been shredded and the last glass bauble put away our homes can look a bit tired and unloved. That’s when you need to give Martin Kingsnorth a call.
07733 536383 and turn your house into a home.
Martin’s family have been in the painting and decorating business for three generations and there isn’t much he doesn’t know about how to make decorating look easy and yet still deliver those professional finishes that you only dream of in glossy magazines. He is experienced in all aspects of painting, paper hanging and other finishes which make the difference between the ordinary and the special. He knows that whilst we are making our homes look lovely we still need to live there and prides himself on leaving your house tidy and liveable in at the end of each day. After gaining his City & Guilds qualification he took a number of other qualifications including such useful things as how to erect scaffolding towers
Love the home you’re in? I can help you make it beautiful Fully qualified,insured painter and decorator with experience of all finishes; helping you achieve the home of your dreams. I would be happy to discuss your requirements and offer an obligation free quotation Contact:Martin Kingsnorth
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Winter W
Stay warm in this chunky knitted set Swish Boutique, Marlow
Suit from Jaego Spring 2011 Collection - No25 of Bourne End,
Jewellery by Cathy Stephens, Maidenhead
Here are some tips on how to stay
• Keep the chill away and look gorgeous this win transitional cover-ups to chunky cardigans • It makes sense to pay a little bit High quality cashmere looks better and last Treat yourself to a cashmere snood. I • Don’t let your winter knits be dominated by da • If you buy only one piece of knitwea It will serve many purposes an • Just because it’s winter it doesn’t mean Knitted dresses are a chic and elegant o 50’s style circle skirts, elegant 60 • Gilets and Faux Fur styles are also a po keep warm, along with pea coats, capes practical parkas, teddy-bear fur and m • Outerwear - the restyled flying jacket, inspi worn with everything, even over a lacy cockta the classic flying jacket has been reworked Exaggerated collars and multiple buckles • The mood this season is minimalistic. Clea towards desirable-yet-functional forever is the first season in a long time where page, particularly when it comes to of • Jazz up your clothes with some fun way of adding a bit of fun and • Use a scarf in a vibrant colo • Invest in animal print. A soft ca will make you look up-t • Stripes are big this season but if you haven’t g them. A pair of long stripy gloves or knee len
Tony Banco Betty Camel Patent Heel Shoes
Blue Leather bag by Dents - No25 of Bourne End,
Wool dress with faux leather detail- Swish Boutique, Marlow
Michaela Louisa dress Spring 2011 Collection - No25 of Bourne End,
Codello Snood - available black, grey or cream Scarlett Monroe, Marlow
Understated timeless classics with a m
Winter T
CAMEL IS THE NEW BLACK - Chic, Sylish, Ageless. Looks stunning in chunky cardigans LEOPARD PRINT ALSO LOOK OUT FOR - Statement Coats, Mid length Dresses, 50’s Style Circle Skirts, Tailor
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winter by investing in a great piece of knitwear. From ans or woolly hats there is plenty to choose from e bit more and buy an expensive yarn. lasts longer and you’ll get so much wear out of it. od. It’s the perfect layer to keep out the chill. y dark shades. Buy into colour and wear it with pride. twear this winter opt for a classic cardigan. es and look stylish at the same time. mean you can’t wear a dress and look feminine. ant option for the winter wardrobe, along with nt 60’s chic and uptown girl 70’s styles.. a popular choice to dress up your outfits and pes, camel classics, military-style officer coats, and mannish styles made from soft leather. nspired by aviation heroines of yesteryear. Can be ocktail dress. In every weight and shape imaginable, ked in butter-soft leather and lashings of shearling. ckles and straps give it a very modern-day feel. Clean-cut chic moving away from fantasy fashion ever pieces which are refreshingly elegant. This here style and fashion are actually on the same to offering outfits that real women can wear e funky accessories. It’s an easy and quick n and glam to your winter wardrobe: t colour to dress up any plain tops ft cashmere pashmina worn as a scarf up-to-date with current trends n’t got the confidence to wear them accessorise with e length socks will transform you into a fashion icon!
Alpaca & Mohair cardigan with ruffles Swish Boutique, Marlow
ay warm yet fashionable this winter:
Aviator Jacket Winter 2010
PRINT - Perfect pattern for injecting some depth into your wardrobe CAPE – shape of the season. ailored Trousers, Webby Knits, Luxurious Tactile Textures - fur, velvet & lace, Kitten Heels,
Bags of style! There’s a wardrobe accessory for women that can be used to dress an outfit up or down, can be a piece of art, is immensely useful, a way to express your personality and even better, it will always fit. What is this miraculous item? A handbag! The right handbag can effortlessly pull an outfit together so you look stylish and besides, it’s also extremely practical. You can wear simple clothes, jeans and a t-shirt, which together with a lovely bag will look amazing. Whereas, someone all dressed-up but carrying a tatty handbag just looks as if they don’t care about themselves.
spends her summers camping will choose something completely different from the lady who lunches at the Ritz, while a mother with small children will need something hardwearing and practical. No longer will a single bag suit all occasions. The modern girl’s diverse lifestyle means she needs a ‘dream set’ of bags. The ideal basic collection a woman should own is: a daily work bag to hold all the necessities for the day, a social bag for those casual nights out or shopping trips, a glamorous evening bag for special events and a fun bag which brightens your mood.
Whether you choose a timeless classic or a trendy style, the right bag can make you feel sexy, chic, elegant, sophisticated, casual, dainty, or business-like. Handbags come in any colour, most materials and can sometimes become an obsession. The perfect one is often elusive, which results in a cupboard full of unused items. It is important therefore to take time to try on handbags, the same way as you try on clothes and always decide what you actually need before buying. Choosing the right bag should be treated as an expedition. Take your lifestyle into consideration; a woman who www.AlongTheThames.co.uk
Choose a bag that is the opposite of your body shape. So if you are tall and slim, select a slouchy, rounded bag while a shorter, heavier person should go for a tall, rectangular shaped bag. The rounder your figure, the more structured your bag should be. As a general rule, pick a bag that lies in the middle of your body as this length will complement most figures. Longer or shorter straps will draw attention down or up. Top-heavy women should choose a style that draws attention down, so select a bag that has a long strap while the most flattering style for a curvy lady is one that sits just above the waist. Proportion is also important; a tiny bag on a tall, large woman will make her look enormous, while a huge bag on a petite person will make her look worn by the bag, rather than the other way around.
Differsent bags suit different people depending on their size and body shape. Having said that a handbag always fits, carefully choosing a bag that flatters can emphasise your good points and draw attention away from those parts of your figure that you’re less happy with. Concentrating on shoulder bags here are some pointers to help you choose the ideal style. 36
A lot of women buy a handbag just because it is fashionable. Don’t base your handbag choice solely on trends; it should last longer than that. Also, a handbag doesn’t have to match your outfit, but it should complement it. Now go out and find your perfect handbag while the sales make really good ones more affordable.
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BRA FITTING SERVICE AVAILABLE A - I CUP... ALSO NEW CRUISE SWIMWEAR COLLECTION 10 LISTON COURT, MARLOW (01628 474102) 10 GREGORIES ROAD, BEACONSFIELD 01494) 730270
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Fabulously festive make-up for the party season! Christmas makeup this year is all about having fun! So bring on the gloss, the glitter and the glamour and follow our tips on how to perfect that party look this festive season. Before you begin, take heed of the Golden Rule! NEVER try to do both bold eyes and bold lips. It’s one or the other. So choose your favourite feature of the two and follow our hints below to get the perfect pout or the perfect eye makeup this Christmas, not both!
flawless festive skin For great coverage to last all night long, always use a primer before applying foundation. We love Arbonne’s Makeup Primer (£24) which prepares the skin for foundation. Apply with clean fingertips to your face and leave to sink in for a few minutes before applying your foundation. When it comes to perfect coverage, Alva’s fluid foundation (£18.40) is a beauty must-have and has the added bonus of being completely organic so will protect even the most sensitive of skins. Apply using a foundation brush and concentrate on areas that are particular prone to redness or uneven skin tone. Finish with a light sweep of Nars Bronzer in Laguna (£22 from SpaceNK) over your cheekbones, jawline and forehead to add a healthy glow.
perfect party eyes 1
2 4
3
When it comes to eyes, metallics, golds and glitter are all the rage this Christmas. We love No7 Stay Perfect Eye Mousse in Fudge (£9.25), Boots 17 Starry Eyes Trios pots (£4.99) which come in a range of sparkling metallics, and Arbonne’s gorgeous Chocolate and Titanium individual colour shadows (£12). Always start with the lightest shade first and sweep over the entire eyelid and under the lower lash line to provide a golden-bronze base. Then blend in the next colour up along the outer ridge of the eye and into the socket to add definition. Finally, smudge the darkest colour along the upper and lower lashes to add shape and produce that festive glittery look. Finish with lashings of mascara and for extra va-vavoom, add a slick of eyeliner and apply some fun false lashes. MAC and Eyelure both do brilliant and affordable ranges.
luscious lips If your lips are your best feature and you’re hoping to pucker up under the mistletoe this Christmas, then leave the eyes natural except for a slick line of black liquid liner (MAC Penultimate Eye Liner £13.50 is a winner every time) and go to town with your lips using rich shades of plum or vibrant reds to ensure you really get noticed. Festive favourites this season are Revlon ColorBurst Lipstick in True Red (£7.99) or for plummy tones, go for Arbonne’s wonderful Lipstick Polish in Raisin (£16) which goes on a treat and stays on all night. Remember, Christmas is the one time of the year that calls for extra glam and extra glitter so don’t hold back! Merry Christmas! Freelance writer Clare Chambers
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The Eyes have it We know the old adage, that the eyes are the windows of the soul. The eyes are the first feature that a person notices on another person’s face. A person can tell a great many things just by looking at a person’s eyes, like age, mood and disposition. Even the simplest and barest of makeup can look beautiful if the makeup is applied correctly to the eyes, in particular. The purpose of wearing eye shadow is to add definition to the eyes. There are different ways of applying eye shadow, depending on the shape of your eye. By knowing how to apply your eye make-up you can open up and create depth to you eyes. The attached charts opposite will assist you in determining your eye shape.
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Almond eyes Closed Set Eyes Considered to have “perfect” Eyes narrower than one width are proportions, any eye technique will work. regarded as close set. Use light colours on the inner corners and extend the outer corners using dark colours.
Down Turned Eyes The focus for this eye shape is to shade “up and out”. Apply liner close to the upper lash line and blend shadow along the socket line in the outer 2/3 of the eyes. Curling lashes and applying mascara can also help to “ lift” the eyes
Deep Set Eyes The eye is deep into the socket with a small mobile lid. Apply light colours on the mobile lid with a deeper colour on and just above the socket line blending up and out.
Protruding eyes This eye shade has a bilge from the sock to the lash and can be difficult to work with. The best way to shade this eye is to use medium to dark matt colours .
Hooded Eyes A fold of skin hangs over the socket line. This happens with age. Use matt colours in medium to dark and keep eye make up simple.
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Alexander’s Hair Surgery Welcome to Alexander Parsons, who has taken over the column from Scott Cornwall. If you have any questions you’d like to ask Alex, then please let us know. We will publish all questions asked. It can be related to how to wear a particular style, an issue, maybe how a product has worked or not, as the case may be. We look forward to hearing from you and hope you enjoy the new column. Dear Alex, I’m finding my hair is shedding a great deal and I am getting a little worried. I am 52 years old and used to have quite full thick hair but the quality is now poor and it seems to break off a great deal. I have highlights every six weeks and my hairdresser has suggested I go short, but I really don’t want to do this. Is there anything you can suggest that would improve my hair quality and stop it falling out? I’m sorry to hear that. Hair loss, for any reason can be distressing for anyone. First we need to find out if the hair has broken, or fallen out due to natural causes. To determine this, look at any short hairs which are shorter than the rest. Look at the ends. If they look blunt, then it’s due to breakage. If the ends look pointed, then it is new growth. So, what do you do? If there is breakage, you must explore a less invasive method of colouring together with regular intensive conditioning treatments to give the hair a chance to grow more healthily. This may take several months, but it will get you into good habits with your hair and certainly improve over time. If the loss is due to natural causes, there are several factors to take into consideration. 1. A change of diet. 2. Illness. 3. Continuous medication. 4, 4. Increased stress levels. 5. Hormonal changes 6.The wrong style!. 7. Genetics.
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Or, any combination of the above. You would be surprised!
you hair is longer than shoulder length, this option will not work.
Discuss these points with your stylist and, try not to think of the past, but deal with the now. It may be something as simple as being taught how to use a more appropriate hair care product together with a few styling lessons.
A simpler alternative would be to seek advice from your stylist on utilising various styling techniques such as tongs, heated rollers, using flat irons to obtain a curl together with the correct products. Or, you could just “fake it” by using hairpieces and wefts (a long strip of hair which can be attached in a variety of ways) for an event or hair extensions for a more longer lasting effect, and no, you won’t have to look like Jordan, unless of course you want to!
Dear Alex, I love these big soft curls I am seeing on all the stars. My hair is very straight and flat and I can’t seem to ever achieve this style in it. I’m considering having a perm to get this kind of big curl result but I don’t know what type of perm to ask for, what would you suggest? Mmmm, those types of styles just happen to be my favourite! Every girl needs a bit of glamour in her life. Unfortunately, no type of permanent wave will produce those types of styles. I wish! However, a soft or temporary curl like a “body wave” would provide the foundation and improve the lasting power of a blowdry. Which is a possibility but, if
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Alexander Parsons
Alexander Parsons has been in the hairdressing industry for 30 years and, in that time, he has worked for a variety of major local salons, but notably was the hair salon manager for the “Champneys Health Resort” group for twelve of those years. During his varied career, Alexander has taken care of clients from all over the world with many different professions and lifestyles. “I think that I have just about seen or heard it all! although, from time to time, there are a few surprises!” Alexander is currently employed by Stoke Park Salon in Stoke Poges and once again, his unique take on all matters hairdressing makes him very popular with his clientele.
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Preventing Hair Loss H air Loss is a common scalp disorder affecting both men and women of all ages.
CAUSES OF HAIR LOSS ARE: • Illness: about 3 or 4 months after an illness or a major surgery, This hair loss is related to the stress of the illness and is temporary. • Hormonal problems: your thyroid gland is overactive or underactive, your hair may fall out. - can be helped by treating the thyroid disease. Hair loss may occur if male or female hormones, known as androgens and estrogens, are out of balance. Correcting the hormone imbalance may help. • Many women notice hair loss about 3 months after they’ve had a baby. This is temporary and once normal patterns resume hormones return to normal. • Some medicines: This loss improves when you stop taking the medicine. • Certain infections: Fungal infections of the scalp can cause hair loss in children. Easily treated with antifungal medicines. • An underlying disease, such as lupus or diabetes.
WHAT IS COMMON BALDNESS? “Common baldness” usually means male-pattern baldness, or permanent-pattern baldness. It is also called androgenetic alopecia. Male-pattern baldness is the most common cause of hair loss in men. Men who have this type of hair loss usually have inherited the trait. Men who start losing their hair at an early age tend to develop more extensive baldness. In malepattern baldness, hair loss typically results in a receding hair line and baldness on the top of the head. It is speculated that any mechanism that enhances supply of oxygen and nutrients to the follicle will aid better
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BEFORE growth and enhance the quality of hair. Women may develop femalepattern baldness. In this form of hair loss, the hair can become thin over the entire scalp.
WHAT ARE THE NORMAL PATTERNS OF HAIR GROWTH? The normal cycle of hair growth lasts for 2 to 3 years. Each hair grows approximately 1 centimetre per month during this phase. About 90 percent of the hair on your scalp is growing with about 10 percent of the hair on your scalp is in a resting stage at any one time. After 3 to 4 months, the resting hair falls out and new hair starts to grow in its place. It is normal to shed some hair each day as part of this cycle. However, some people may experience excessive (more than normal) hair loss. Hair loss of this type can affect men, women and children. Scalp hair grows in cycles, with each hair follicle undergoing 10 to 30 cycles in its lifetime
IS THERE ANY TREATMENT FOR HAIR LOSS? Depending on your type of hair loss, treatments are available. If a medicine is causing your hair loss, your doctor may be able to prescribe a different medicine. Recognizing and treating an infection may help stop the hair loss. Correcting a hormone imbalance may prevent further hair loss. Medicines may also help slow or
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AFTER prevent the development of common baldness, but it can take up to six months to see if they are working. Minoxidil (men & women),is available without a prescription. It is known for its ability to slow or stop hair loss and promote hair re-growth by applying it directly to the scalp. Finasteride (men only) only available by prescription. Hydrodermabrasion (jet therapy) uses accelerated micro droplets of liquid in combination with high, localized air pressure. This stretches and opens micro pores in the expanded epidermis’ painlessly and without the need for injections. Hydrodermabrasion increases blood flow to hair, removes sebum accumulation around the follicle while delivering medicines, such as Minoxidil, deep into the skin and the follicle. It can be used by both men & women.. Hydrodermabrasion for hair loss is available from selected salons either locally (La Perla Clinic, Bucks, Lucinda Ellery, Berks) or in London. It is important to treat hair loss early as well as ask your GP about any excessive hair loss. you are experiencing. If treatment is not available for your type of hair loss you may consider trying different hairstyles or wigs, hairpieces, hair weaves or artificial hair replacement.
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A Course for All Seasons T
emple was founded in 1909, designed by Willie Park Junior of Musselburgh and is considered to be something of a hidden gem. The golf course is beautifully situated in unspoilt landscape and enjoys extensive panoramic views of the river Thames and Chiltern Hills beyond. The view from the 1st tee is simply breathtaking.
rarely used. The course layout is challenging and interesting; difficult enough to test the low handicap player but friendly enough to encourage those with higher handicaps. Sitting high up overlooking the course, the original clubhouse is still in use today and provides a truly magnificent setting for a quiet drink, a snack or enjoying some of the club’s great food. The clubhouse is charming, attractive and comfortable, in addition the club prides itself in providing a friendly an efficient service in a relaxed atmosphere.
A round of golf at Temple is a must for the discerning golfer and if you have not played here before, then a visit is thoroughly recommended. You will not be disappointed and a warm welcome awaits you at one of the friendliest and most vibrant golf clubs in the Home Counties.
The beautiful setting, great attention to detail, wonderful hospitality, excellent value for money and friendly service guarantee and enjoyable and truly memorable visit. We look forward to welcoming you.
Built on chalk downland, the golf course is free draining and stands up well to adverse weather conditions with winter greens and tees
Temple Golf Club Henley Road, Hurley, Berkshire, SL6 5LH
Temple offers a wide range of membership options: • Full and Weekday • Flexible 10 • Intermediate (Ages 25 - 29) & Colt (19 - 24) • Corporate
• Associate (Pay as you Play) • Starter Membership • Junior (under 14 & 14 - 18) • Non-Golfing Social
Built on chalk Temple is an excellent autumn and winter golf venue with play to main greens in all but the very worst of ground conditions. Excellent value for money winter packages are available from 1 Nov - 31 Mar but please book early to avoid disappointment especially if you are interested in one of our renowned golf and festive lunch packages during December. With prices starting from as little as £30, you cannot afford not to visit Temple during the close season. For more information about membership, group packages or to book a round of golf, please contact us.
FOR MORE DETAILS:
Email:secretary@templegolfclub.co.uk www.templegolfclub.co.uk www.AlongTheThames.co.uk
Tel: 01628 824 795 Fax: 01628 828 119 42
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Ford C-Max and the new six-speed gearbox is far better than the outgoing unit with a pleasant, knotchy throw. For a people carrier – even a compact one – it handles brilliantly, with little body-roll in the bends. But the real gem is the new 1.6-litre petrol EcoBoost powerplant. It produces 150bhp and 240Nm of torque which is spread throughout the rev range making the C-MAX extremely responsive and a delight to drive. Other options for under the bonnet include two lower powered 1.6-litre petrol units and two TDCI diesels – a 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre – both of which are excellent.
If you want a seven-seat Ford your choices are about to get a lot harder with the introduction of this, the new C-MAX. Joining the Galaxy and S-MAX in the Ford line-up last autumn was the replacement for the Blue Oval’s popular compact people carrier and it now comes in two body styles – making your decision even harder! The spiritual successor to the outgoing model is the larger Grand C-MAX – this has seven seats, sliding rear doors and a range of new engines to tempt buyers. The smaller five-seat C-MAX is seen by the manufacturer as a softer option to the new Focus which will be sportier than the outgoing car when it arrives in 2011. For this test we focussed on the larger car which is set to account for two-thirds of C-MAX sales. Featuring the maker’s now famous kinetic design it boasts the signature Ford grille at the front, sweeping headlights and a new piano black finish to the plastics. To be honest, it’s not the prettiest of cars in this sector – which includes the VW Touran and Vauxhall Zafira – but it’s what’s on the inside that really counts.
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Here it’s well appointed and designed with real thought. The button layout has taken cues from mobile phones, separating functions from the centre console and adding them to the steering wheel for intuitive inputs. Inside it also has the look of the new Fiesta and Ka with a swooping centre console, smart steering wheel and high quality materials. Buyers in this segment demand practicality – Ford sees the C-MAX being bought mostly by families – so the sliding rear doors which offer easy access to the cabin will be a real boon. The rear seat configuration is also flexible with the centre seat of the middle bench folding away into the chair behind the driver. This is very easy to do and creates a walkway to the two rear seats. Those rearmost perches are only really for children as there’s little legroom, but for emergency seven-up trips they’ll do just fine. Potential buyers will be pleased to hear that just because you’re buying a family car doesn’t mean the end of driving enjoyment. The C-MAX really is great to drive – the new electric power steering is full of feel and perfectly weighted
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Standard kit has also been improved over the outgoing model with a host of handy extras thrown in. On the most popular trim level – Zetec – buyers get those sliding rear doors, Bluetooth handsfree, voice control, a handy powered rear hatch, alarm and parking sensors. There’s more good news for potential owners too – residual values are better than the outgoing car, insurance ratings are lower and the cost of the cars have been cut in comparison to the old ones. The C-MAX range starts at £16,745 and the Grand C-MAX at £18,745. We were really impressed with the C-MAX – packed with kit, comfortable and enjoyable to drive it’s the perfect car for expanding families. By James Baggott, editor of Car Dealer Magazine (CarDealerMag.co.uk)
Ford Grand C-MAX Price: Engine: Power: 0-60mph: Top Speed: Economy: CO2:
£20,995 1.6-litre EcoBoost 150bhp, 240Nm 8.7s 134mph 41.5mpg 159g/km
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Spot the Difference
Answers page 65
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Knowledge, Adventure, Romance, Mystery...........
We would know nothing about our history without the incredible ancient libraries of Alexandria, the Vatican, ancient Egypt and even the Dead Sea Scrolls. Libraries are our link to knowledge, adventure, romance, mystery, the past, present and the future. If you can read a book then you can learn anything. Previously undiscovered hobbies can be born from a quick trip to your local library and all kinds of new possibilities open up from reading and researching. Modern libraries offer much more than books. Most offer the facility to rent DVDs, music CDs and console games. You can browse magazines and newspapers or research vital business information without having to pay a fortune for books that you may only refer to once or twice. Details on local reading groups, book clubs and adult education classes are available. Libraries also offer the use of free internet access which is crucial to many people. Libraries have changed significantly from the quiet,
rather staid atmosphere of the past and some activities may be quite surprising to traditionalists. A few establishments have successfully experimented with an idea of children reading to dogs. Yes, you read that correctly - dogs in a library! It has been discovered that reluctant readers are perfectly at ease reading to pets and, of course, anything that encourages a child to read is good. Many libraries offer special Holiday schemes to persuade children to make use of the facilities, opening up a lifetime of interest and potential. Depending on your location and local library, some of these schemes may include reading groups where professional storytellers bring stories to life in a magical way. Other activities much enjoyed and anticipated every year by older children are reading challenges or quests. They may need to read a certain number of books in return for charts, stickers and a certificate. Others could be virtual treasure hunts where, by researching clues using all of
the library’s facilities, the child finds the answer by utilising their own deductive skills. Children bask in their success and enjoy the thrill of a traditional chase. Surely this is more satisfying than playing computer games or watching the television? It’s definitely more educational, as their research automatically helps them to assimilate other information at the same time. Besides, there’s nothing like a potential reward to encourage reluctant readers to enjoy books. You may find creative writing programs and activity days to look forward to. Some examples that have been run around the country are as diverse as creating a bird nestbox, jewellery making, photography workshops, lantern making, comic book creation, dancing and art clubs. The whole world opens up when you have access to a library. For the seemingly endless, and often rainy, summer holidays, what better way to spend some time than to explore other worlds, lives and hobbies by visiting your local library?
What’s on at Marlow Library?
We also have some additional events on a Thursday afternoon, in the form of a Where's Wally treasure hunt which . There is no age limit to this so bring everyone along after school as well! All of these events are free of charge and are drop-in sessions, so no need to worry about booking a place. We do run other events from time to time which will require a ticket for and a small charge will be applicable
Last piece of news which is very important at the moment is to make you aware of the Library Consultation that is taking place throughout all the Bucks Libraries from 9 November 2010 - 1 February 2011. It really important that we get everyone's view points so please either come in and pick up a form or fill it in online at www.buckscc.gov.uk/haveyoursay Come & visit us to find out about all our activities, joining the library and seeing all we have to offer.
We have a Bounce and Rhyme session every Tuesday from about 1.30pm. This is run by our colleagues from the Children's Centre. We also run our own Bounce and Rhyme on the first Friday of every month at 10.30am.. We run a regular story time session on a Thursday afternoon from 2.15pm for about half an hour - or until they get bored!
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Is your Pet fit?
As you start the year full of enthusiasm for your own fitness, have a thought also for your pets. It should be obvious how to exercise your dog but many people think this only applies to large breeds. This is not the case at all and even the smallest dog will reap great benefits from being taken out into the fresh air. This is an easy way to add to the owner's exercise program too. Cats of course don't get taken for 'walkies', but this doesn't mean they don't need any exercise. Rather cats need to have 'play' exercise which is easily done when you give them something to chase. Shine a torch - or a laser pen if you have one - onto the floor and round the room. Or get a small box and put either something noisy inside or a few cat treats. If you tape some string to this and pull it around you cat will soon run after it. Most pet stores have toys for dogs and cats, but by joining in rather than leaving your pet to play alone, you'll both benefit from the extra exercise and the bonding too.
Don’t forget your furry and fishy friends this Christmas! At Desborough Pets we have everything in store for a great Christmas from food to advent calendars and bedding to toys! Come and see what we have in store today and get that personal touch. We care because you do! Quality Products
Friendly & Fully Trained Staff
We have stores in High Wycombe - 01494 520996 Marlow - 01628 482433 and Beaconsfield - 01494 677440 www.AlongTheThames.co.uk
Expert and Professional Pet Advice
www.desboroughpets.com Full members of the Pet Care Trust 47
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By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen Tree Surgeons The F.A. Bartlett Tree Expert Co. Ltd
All Aspects of Tree Surgery Soil Analysis Pest and Disease Control Tree Consultancy Lightening Protection Mature Tree Planting and Transplanting Stump Grinding/Removal Contractors Arboricultural Association Approved
PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL ARBORIST ON:
01494 677 889 rtrippett@bartlettuk.com www.bartlett.com
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evergreen top 10 Evergreen plants provide winter interest in your garden and the necessary backdrop to all the beautiful seasonal flowers. They are rather like the stage set, with the bulbs and herbaceous plants coming and going like the actors, creating different moods throughout the year. Winter is a good time to assess the space in your garden and plan these key plants to use as focal points to draw your eye through the space. Not all evergreens are static green blobs, there are many useful flowering shrubs that keep their leaves all winter and provide welcome scent as a bonus ... Sarcococca and Viburnum are two favourites of ours. Evergreen doesn’t have to mean just plain green! Variegated and lime green foliage can help to light up a dull corner
We often use Pittosporum and the ubiquitous Choisya Ternata Sundance together. Don’t forget there are evergreen herbaceous plants too. To partner the shrubs in the shade we use the evergreen fern Polystichum setiferum and Hellebores, with glossy evergreen leaves and amazing subtle flowers in the spring. For a hot sunny border Euphorbia ‘wulfenii’ makes a dramatic statement together with Anemanthele (previously Stipa arundinacea) a grass with an arching habit and foliage that which turns a beautiful coppery bronze in the Autumn. And finally Abelia Grandiflora is our absolute favourite evergreen gem of a shrub for sunny aspects. By Marlow gardeners Jill Coleby and Vanessa Faulkner
Euphorbia
Anemanthele
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Abelia
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Polystichum
Helleborus
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Advertising Feature
The Hub Venue
Service, Privacy, Atmosphere, Comfort, Ease of use “the hub provides the perfect venue for me to undertake my coaching with my clients. The whole place has a great feel about it.”
The hub venue offers an alternative and flexible option - ‘exclusive use’ facility - to anyone looking for space for meetings, social events, interviewing, workshops etc. We offer • • • • • •
Rooms tailored to your needs Early access times Late departure times No interruptions Flexible service Quality catering
Gillian Hughes, FAAB Consulting Ltd
“the hub is a great venue for me as a trainer. Early access to a venue is always important to me to set up. Great natural light, with discrete screening for privacy works really well. I am a total convert.” Mike Cowan, MCL Associates
“the hub is great for my organisation. I plan all my monthly management meetings to be held there. It keeps my people from being distracted from their desks and focuses them on our agenda. It is affordable, modern and exclusive. That works for me.” - David Woodley, Managing Director, Weston Computing
The space can be set up as formally or as informally as you wish. The main meeting facility can seat up to 24 theatre style or 12 boardroom style with adjacent space providing somewhere for discussions, refreshments or lunch – you decide. Additionally a private room (seats 4) is available. The service is designed to provide a relaxed atmosphere. Wifi, projector and self-service refreshments all included.
COME and JOIN US. Arrange a viewing and let us talk through your specific needs. Tel 01628 523777
Lots of easy access parking is available around The Green with further free parking available behind the parade of shops opposite.
info@thehubvenue.com www.thehubvenue.com
Join us for an informal gathering of like minded business professionals, while having a cup of coffee. Open to both men & women. NO FEE. Share ideas - exchange information - join our community
Marlow - 9.30 - 11.30 am Danesfield House Hotel on 13th January and 10th February Maidenhead - 9.00 - 11am Temple Golf Club on 20th January and 17th February For more information or to join us on line visit www.businessbiscotti.co.uk www.AlongTheThames.co.uk
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Can licensing help your business? I
n the first instance entertainment, sports and fashion are the areas of licensing that are most readily apparent to consumers, but licensing is not limited to these fields alone. Today licensing and merchandising reaches into the art world, publishing, corporate brands, colleges, universities, non-profit groups, and increasingly SME’s (small and medium sized enterprises) are turning to licensing as a potential new source of revenue. Initially the benefits of licensing for SME’s may not appear relevant or achievable, but delve a little deeper and you might be surprised by what you find and how you can apply it to your own marketing and business development strategies. The application of licensing to protect Intellectual Property, or extend a corporate brand into new categories, areas of a store or into new stores overall are often the most obvious associations. However, licensing is a way to move a brand into new businesses without making a major investment in manufacturing processes, machinery or facilities. Applied strategically licensing can be used as a marketing and brand extension tool which is frequently the case with large corporations as well as ever increasing numbers of SME’s. Currently within the UK the key industry segments for licensing are: • Art • Character • Fashion • Music • Non-profit • Sports • Trademarks/Brands • Publishing.
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The licensing industry incorporates a way of doing business in an ever-widening range of product categories and types of properties, and is not limited to the list above. By attaching an emotion to a product or service, for example, a supplier is using the ‘licensed product’ as a marketing tool to generate additional income. Examples of the emotion might be: • pride in a sports team as represented by its logo; • trust engendered by a well-known brand; • humour and laughter generated by a funny character; • self-image projected by wearing apparel or accessorising with a well-known brand; • appreciation of a beautiful piece of art or design; • a sense of ownership of a favoured brand. It is this emotional connection to a product, brand or service which marketing experts frequently harness to drive sales. The licensing industry may seem complex and a world away, but help is at hand with LIMA UK. LIMA UK provides specialist business support services, UKtailored education seminars, and networking events for SME’s and larger brands too. LIMA UK also offers advice on how to jump start a career in licensing through various educational programs along
with support and networking for industry newcomers. LIMA UK’s Managing Director, Kelvyn Gardner, adds; “Licensing is really a very simple business: if you are a brand owner there are new revenue streams and brand awareness opportunities available to you if you are willing to license-out the use of your brand to companies in fields not competitive to your core products. If you are a manufacturer, buying a license for a top-rated TV show, movie, character or personality is an instant way to gain access to ready-made marketing credibility – far, far quicker and cheaper than building your own brand. We believe that there is the right license out there for every single consumer product and service – give it a try and you’ll soon be convinced.” Founded in 1985 LIMA is the worldwide trade organisation for the licensing industry, and LIMA UK has been in operation since 1999. To contact LIMA UK and for more detailed information on the licensing industry and definitions of licensing and merchandising visit www.licensing.org . To learn about the latest trends and issues affecting the industry log on to
www.licensing.org/uk/winterwarmer. by Freelance writer Harriet Subramanian
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Welcome to the Thames Valley Business Women’s Group (TVBWG) Established in 1989 in High Wycombe, TVBWG is a successful business support, advice and networking forum for businesswomen to meet like-minded people, share ideas, advice & support, network, make friends and learn ways to expand and improve their business, as well as creating sales opportunities. Today, TVBWG has many long-standing members who not only work together but have become close friends too! We hold monthly meetings at the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Moor Hall, Cookham for interactive sessions, some with specialist speakers; and participants are encouraged to liaise, work and socialise together in-between meetings.
TVBWG New Year Meetings 2011: MONDAY 10 JANUARY 2011: ‘Selling your Products and Services’ – Back by popular demand, Clare O’Shea – specialist consultant in longterm sales strategies – will deliver an interactive session covering: A)Understanding how Customer’s Buy B)Understanding why you Bore your Customers with Features C)How to Engage your Customers in Less Time D)Building effective Value Propositions This will help you to engage your customers more effectively and win more business! Please bring any brochures or flyers you have describing, marketing or selling your product or services.
MONDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2011: Annual General Meeting TVBWG monthly meetings are held at the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Moor Hall, Cookham with informal networking in the CIM bar from 6.30pm. Meetings start at 7.30pm with tea & coffee and biscuits, and attendees are encouraged to bring their business cards, leaflets, products and promotions/offers and network!
Non-members are welcome at a cost of £10 per meeting payable at the event. So, if you are a businesswoman, thinking of starting a business or a business manager, feel free to come along to the TVBWG and enjoy what the group has to offer.
For full details, news, offers and contacts visit www.tvbwg.com or contact Nicky Guy, Chair at chair@tvbwg.com Follow TVBWG on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook..... www.AlongTheThames.co.uk
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Horoscopes
Sun sign astrology gives a lighthearted overview for all 12 signs, but did you know that this is just the tip of the iceberg as far as the ancient science and wisdom of astrology is concerned? Would you like to know more about yourself by understanding your very own cosmic map? Your astrology chart helps you become more self-aware and by understanding you can tune into your highest potential. Find some answers to your questions around romance, career change, partnerships and business decisions. Whatever you face, astrological insight can help you look at things in a new light and with an entirely new perspective. Contact me now for a personal forecast. I can provide you with a framework for making more sense of your life by working with energising and productive planetary cycles. Gain insight on how to handle situations more effectively and turn challenges into positive experiences. Gift vouchers are also available; give someone you love a unique and original present! Christine Chalklin
Inspirational Astrologer, Life Coach and Business Consultant www.RestyleYourLife.co.uk...christine@RestyleYourLife.co.uk
Telephone: 07813 483549
GEMINI MAY 22 - JUNE 21 Relationships are high on the agenda this month. You may have more energy to pursue a new relationship, or put some energy back into an existing one. The total lunar eclipse on the 21st could herald the end of a long chapter in your life. Although challenging, you’ll find that as the New Year starts, you are stronger than ever before. January: Money and finances come into focus during this month, has frivolous Gemini spent far too much over Christmas? Money from business or other resources could actually increase, as professional matters are in strong focus and abundant Jupiter brings luck after the 23rd CANCER JUNE 22 - JULY 22 December brings lots of dynamic energy for you to work on in your health and career matters. It is very important that you set the pace for whatever needs changing in these areas of your life. Venus shines on love and passion, but the total eclipse on the 21st could bring an unexpected beginning or ending to a relationship. January: The Sun and wilful Mars in your opposite sign of Capricorn challenge you to be more assertive and straightforward in your dealings with others. As abundant Jupiter changes signs on the 23rd a brilliant new opportunity may come your way and you are ready for advancement.
ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20 The Sun and energetic Mars, travelling through fiery Sagittarius, indicate an adventurous month ahead. A stronger need for personal freedom mean that distant objectives and foreign places could well be on your agenda. Ideas should be flowing and you’ll express them more freely, particularly by the end of the month. January: Jupiter’s move into your sign on the 23rd signifies six months of growth and abundance. Your goals and ambitions are in the spotlight and there may be a need for radical changes. You are a pioneer, sharing knowledge and communicating with more confidence is figuring strongly during this month.
LEO JULY 23 - AUGUST 23 Expansive Jupiter and the maverick planet Uranus remain in the monetary area of your chart this month. Hopefully your financial review has been successful. Venus in Scorpio lights up your home, and creative ideas for new and exciting changes could now be ready to be put in place. January: Energy is dynamic this month, especially for work and career matters. Mars works in your favour for rearranging and reorganizing things that are not working. You’ll tackle challenges and problems more efficiently after Mercury moves into Capricorn on the 13th
TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 21 Abundant Jupiter and exciting Uranus are both occupying the social sector of your chart during December; you want to party - big time! This could also be a rather emotional month, as issues from the past come to light, particularly around relationships. Things should improve after the total eclipse on the 21st. January: The Capricorn sun and motivational Mars, both residing in the travel and adventure sector of your chart has you planning your getaway. As Mercury moves into Capricorn on the 13th you move into a slightly more introspective cycle, in which you crave more time to yourself..
VIRGO AUGUST 24 - SEPTEMBER 22 Career matters are on the agenda this month; things that aren’t working can start to be addressed now. A new moon in forward thinking Sagittarius on the 5th signifies new beginnings, with the focus on change. You can use this creative energy positively by working on reorganization. January: It’s a good month for effective communication, as Venus helps you to come across more smoothly and warmly. Creative juices flow more easily and reliably as Mars, in productive Capricorn, shines on your originality. The full moon on the 19th brings your social life to a peak.
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LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23 - OCTOBER 23 Venus, your ruler, is travelling through the financial sector of your chart; it could be a very beneficial and lucky month for Librans. You’ll present your ideas with lots of enthusiasm and confidence, which increases the likelihood that they are accepted and admired by those around you. January: All change for peace loving Librans – this could very well turn out to be a turbulent month. You should be more direct and decisive when dealing with those around you. A new residence or property could be on the horizon, or you’ll want to improve what you already have.
THE COSMIC FLAVOUR DURING DECEMBER: The love planet Venus remains in Passionate Scorpio, an excellent position for fun at Christmas parties! From the 11th to the 30th, retrograde Mercury will once more be having a little game with us. Just remember to check (I mean double and triple check) all your communications and travel plans, then you should be able to outwit him! The warrior planet Mars, moves from lofty Sagittarius into practical Capricorn on the 8th, hopefully enabling us to get all those niggling projects finished before the Christmas break. The full moon in Gemini, also a total lunar eclipse, coincides with the Winter Solstice on the 21st. On such a powerful day, an abundance of creative and productive energy becomes available to us all.
SCORPIO OCTOBER 24 - NOVEMBER 22 Three planets in the financial sector of your chart highlight the need to check out your incomings and outgoings. You don’t normally take kindly to anyone telling you how to manage your finances, but a little advice may be a good idea, as the energy to make more money is very strong now. January: Venus, the planet of love and desire has been in your sign since mid-September, stirring up your relationships, desires and your values. Now it’s time for a shift and as she moves into optimistic and independent Sagittarius professional matters are also illuminated.
HAPPY NEW YEAR - THE COSMOS JANUARY 2011 The New Year starts with the radiant Sun, transformational Pluto and energetic Mars in Productive and down-to-earth Capricorn. This is an encouraging line up for any innovative and creative projects. The new moon on the 4th brings a conscientious and meticulous mood, reminding us that we have to take austerity rather seriously. New vision and optimism are the themes as gracious Venus moves into farsighted Sagittarius on the 8th. The full moon on the 19th urges us all to look again at our work- life balance. As the giant planet Jupiter moves back into hot-headed Aries on the 23rd, dynamic energy is let loose and sparks will fly. This placement champions values and ideals of freedom and fairness.
SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 21 Three planets occupy your sign at the start of your birthday month. Long term goals need a review now. You are brimming with renewed energy and confidence so this is a great time for being assertive and direct when you are going after what you desire. The new moon on the 5th brings very positive energy for a new beginning. January: Jupiter, your ruling planet and also the planet of growth and abundance is on the move again. Romantic and creative activities heat up after the 23rd and you’ll feel considerably bolder in matters of the heart this month. Your zest for life increases, but beware of becoming overconfident.
AQUARIUS JANUARY 21 - FEBRUARY 18 Social relationships are high on the agenda this month. Difficult or complicated dealings with others tend to improve after the new moon on the 5th. Money planet Venus is at the highest point in your chart, indicating that professional matters are also in strong focus and financial increases are very possible. January: Despite a busy social agenda this month, you are moving into a more introspective cycle in which you crave more time to yourself. This time is important for rest and reflection, and to recharge your batteries as Jupiter moves into action packed Aries on the 23rd.
CAPRICORN DECEMBER 22 - JANUARY 20 Your intuitive powers should be working well for you this month. Although your love feelings remain deeply personal and private, you should begin to trust your instincts about relationships more faithfully. Energy changes on the 8th as Mars moves into your sign and things become more straightforward. January: Your birthday month and the start of 2011 - a dynamic year of change and transformation lies ahead for ambitious Capricorn. Goal-oriented Mars is in your sign until the 16th, make the most of this productive and industrious time. Any problems on the home front can now be resolved; Jupiter in Aries helps clear the air and moves you forward.
PISCES FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 20 Your professional life and your career are in the spotlight during December. You are motivated to make money and should feel that you are at the top of your game. The 21st brings surprises and with abundant Jupiter moving forward in your sign you move into a more confident cycle. January: Your social life is very busy throughout January and romantic opportunities might present themselves through your friends or group associations. As Jupiter moves into Aries on the 23rd, your enthusiasm and confidence soars and you can set your own pace.
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Here at Kileva, we're supporting and encouraging under-privileged children and their families in remote Sagallan villages near Voi in Southern Kenya. Here’s how we’re making a difference:Education Our main project is building the Kileva Foundation Primary School in the village of Mwakoma. So far a pre-school, three classrooms, two toilet blocks and a school house have been completed, and a fourth classroom is half built. Farming • Bees: In cooperation with the Save The Elephants organization, Kileva has built two test bee hive fences to deter crop-raiding elephants. • Dairy: The Kileva Dairy Farm consists of two cows and one bull. A number of calves have been reared along with many goats. Health A two-room Medical Dispensary and Community Centre has been built in the village of Kirumbi. Awards Scheme We run a scheme to award certificates and medals in recognition of outstanding achievement in education, sport, and community development. Water Initiative Links have been formed with hotels and restaurants in the south of England that offer their customers the chance to make a donation to the charity in exchange for a jug of tap water. Further Information To find out more about our charity please visit our blog http://kileva.wordpress.com or follow us at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=30063663462&ref=ts All of us at Kileva volunteer our time to continue this invaluable work and your invaluable support and kind donations go directly to our projects. Thank you very much! Cliff Evans, Founder, Kileva Foundation
WORLD CANCER RESEARCH FUND (WCRF UK)
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You take steps, so we can take strides !
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Help us to prevent cancer – take part in our Walking Together campaign by organising a sponsored walk to support WCRF UK. Download or request your free information pack:
Visit www.wcrf-uk.org/walk or call freephone 0800 970 1461
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World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF UK) 22 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3HH Tel: 020 7343 4205 Website: www.wcrf-uk.org Email: events@wcrf.org Twitter: www.twitter.com/wcrf_uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/wcrfuk Blog: blog.wcrf-uk.org Registered with the Charity Commission in England and Wales (Registered Charity No: 1000739) © 2010 World Cancer Research Fund
“Stopping cancer before it starts”
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Marlow Opportunity Playgroup
Preparing for Christmas
For nearly 40 years the Marlow Opportunity Playgroup has been providing a safe, fun and educational environment for disabled children in our area. The support of the local community in Marlow has always been tremendous and has helped us to provide this vital community service over the years. In January the playgroup will relocate from Marlow as The Red Cross is selling the building that we use. We are not going far though - just down the road to the Scout Hut in Wooburn Green.
Your local neighbourhood
police team are focussed on two main priorities. The first of these is crime and reducing the number of victims of crime and the second is anti-social behaviour. Both of these priorities are seasonally affected and they both traditionally rise with the onset of autumn.
The playgroup is heavily reliant on public support and donations to stay open and we are very lucky to be supported by volunteers who work both with the children, and on the management side on the Board of Trustees. The imminent move however, presents us with additional costs for new storage and removals. Our children have a wide variety of physical and learning disabilities includes Down's Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and Autism. The playgroup provides an environment where they can play together with very close supervision by staff who are specially trained to support their needs; and importantly provides some restbite for their carers. We have lots of singing, music, sensory play, stories, painting, outings and therapy... it is a very happy environment. If you are able to help the Marlow Opportunity Playgroup with either a donation, or by volunteering please contact
marlowopps@btconnect.com
Now is the time to start preparing your property. Criminals like to work under the cover of darkness so the more hours of darkness there are then the greater the opportunity. Check that your timer switches are working and that any valuables you have are property marked. Ensure that car keys are locked away securely and not left on show by the front door. Do not leave spare keys to the house under a flower pot or anywhere else for that matter. Surprisingly burglars have heard of that one and will look. Have you considered the security of your shed? What have you got in there of value or that a burglar could use to get into your house? Please ensure that nothing of value is left in your car especially expensive Christmas presents. A decorated Christmas tree is lovely to look at and if it is surrounded by those expensive presents then it is even more of a temptation for a burglar. Can you then consider if there is a vulnerable or elderly person in your road who might need some help to prepare for autumn. If you cannot assist them then let us know and we will visit them. We work well with our partners in Adult Social Care and Bucks Fire and Rescue to try and ensure that the vulnerable get the assistance that they need. If you would like to discuss any problems that you have in your neighbourhood then please come along to one of our have your say meetings. The details of these can also be found on our website. www.thamesvalley.police.uk.
Bourne End Forum Players present
Treasure Island
Ray Wilks
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Thames Valley Police
Ahoy there mateys! Meet all your panto favourites from the Dame and the Dimwits, to the classic baddie, Long John Silver, and his larger than life feathered accomplice. Performances at Bourne End Community Centre, Wakeman Road, Bourne End on 22nd and 29th January at 2.30pm & 6.30pm and Sunday 23rd January at 2.30pm Family tickets (2 adults, 2 children) £25, adults £8 and children/senior citizens £6. Email leigh@forumplayers.com for more information and tickets or call in to Bourne End library. www.AlongTheThames.co.uk
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Burns Supper J
anuary always seems a bit of an anticlimax after December: the weather’s just as filthy and the days are just as glum, but the supply of parties seems unaccountably to have dried up. But if you feel starved of excuses to celebrate, don’t worry. You need only wait until January 25th, when the same inventive Scots who gave you Hogmanay and the first hangover of the year proudly present Burns Night. Rabbie Burns (1759-96) came from a family of small-to-middling Ayrshire farmers who, although far from wealthy, made sure he got a good education. Don’t let the vernacular folksiness of his poetry fool you: Burns was a proficient linguist and classical scholar with a sophisticated and well-stocked mind. As a young man he seemed to be a solid citizen, working on the farm and joining the Freemasons. But already he was showing signs of what was to become his great weakness: the lassies. In his mid-teens he was writing love songs – his earliest surviving work, O Once I Loved a Bonnie Lass, dates from 1774 when he was 15. After his father died in 1784 he went off the rails. In 1785 he made his mother’s maid pregnant; and in March 1786 an old flame, Jean Armour, gave birth to his twins. In April he claimed to have married her by folk custom; but in May he married Mary Campbell, again in a traditional ceremony of exchanging Bibles. In June he repudiated them both; and in October Mary, who was carrying his child, died of typhus. By
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posthumously, and his friends started holding commemorative dinners on the anniversary of his death. In 1801 the first Burns Club was founded and switched the date to his birthday. Actually they got the date wrong, so the first Burns Night was held on January 29th 1802. The date was subsequently changed to the correct one; but the format of a proper Burns Supper has remained pretty much the same.
HERE’S HOW YOU DO IT.
then Rabbie had already set his cap at a married woman, Nancy MacLehose. They conducted a steamy affair, but only by letter; so Rabbie consoled himself with her maid, who bore him a son the following year. By that time, though, he was back with Jean: they married in February 1788 and Rabbie’s wild days were over. While this was going on, his first book was published and was an instant hit. He was broke at the time, as well as romantically overentangled, and had secured a job in Jamaica: indeed the book was meant to pay for his passage. But its success changed his mind and after marrying he settled down as a customs official in Dumfries, continuing to turn out poetry and collections of folk songs. Alas, his health was poor, and on 21st July 1796, just as things seemed to be going right, he died. His fame continued to spread
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First you have whisky as an aperitif. Then you sit down and say the Selkirk Grace before tucking into a traditional Scottish soup – cock-a-leekie or Scotch broth – accompanied by whisky. Then the piper pipes in the haggis which, after reciting the appropriate poem (again, you toast with whisky. The haggis is eaten accompanied by mashed potatoes, mashed parsnips, and whisky. Dessert should be something like cranachan, a mixture of oatmeal, raspberries (optional), and cream beaten with whisky. Then you toast the Queen, the poet, the host and the lassies, in whisky. Finally you each read out a Burns poem, fortified before hand with whisky. You’re getting the idea, aren’t you? There’s an awful lot of whisky involved – more whisky, in fact, than Burns himself probably saw in his lifetime. The spirit was only legalised in 1784 and remained a Highland speciality for many years after; as a Lowlander, Burns would have seen far more brandy than whisky. Anyway, if it’s all too much whisky for you, you could always substitute Irn Bru.
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Out & About Thames Valley Business Womens Group
Marlow Archaeological Society
10th January, 7.30pm CIM, Cookham local business network
9th February, 8pm Liston Court, Chapel St, Marlow The Archaeology of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) - Ruth Whitehouse
Marlow Archaeological Society
Business Biscotti - Marlow
Comedy Club
Business Biscotti - Marlow
15th December Crowne Plaza Hotel, Marlow www.crowneplazamarlow.co.uk
13th January, 9.30 - 1130am Danesfield House Hotel, Marlow local business networki
Thames Valley Business Womens Group
Jazz Dinner
Bourne End Forum Players present Treasure Island
Winter Wonderland
19th November - 4th January Hyde Park, London
Carols on the Causeway
13th December, 7pm for Carol Singing 6.30 - 7pm for Father Christmas
Marlow Camera Club
14th December, 7.45 for 8pm start The Methodist Church Hall, Spittal St, Marlow - Social Evening
17th December MacDonald Compleat Angler Call 405406 for tickets
Shortest day of the Year 21st December
Marlow Camera Club
12th January, 8pm Liston Court, Chapel St, Marlow Broad, Beer & Roofing materials - John Letts
22nd & 29th January, 2.30pm & 6.30pm 23rd January, 2.30pm Bourne End Community Centre. leigh@forumplayers.com for tickets
Marlow Camera Club
1st February, 7.45 for 8pm start 14th January, 7.45 for 8pm start The Methodist Church Hall, The Methodist Church Hall, Spittal St, Marlow Spittal St, Marlow The Lost World - Peter Brandham Curiosities in the Cotswolds Key to Events: - Alan Copeland One-off events Clubs for Adults
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON EVENTS AT Longridge in Marlow t: 483252 e:bookings@longridge-uk.org Sue Ryder Hospice at Nettlebed t:01491 641384 w: wwwsuerydercare.org Thames Hospice Care t: 08456 128812 w: wwwthameshospicecare.org.uk WAMDSAD t: 627 690 w: wwwamdsad.co.uk
10th February, 9.30 - 1130am Danesfield House Hotel, Marlow local business networki
14th February, 7.30pm CIM, Cookham local business networki i
Murder Mystery Weekend 14th January MacDonald Compleat Angler Call 405406 for tickets
Valentines Day 14th February
Marlow Camera Club
15th February, 7.45 for 8pm start The Methodist Church Hall, Spittal St, Marlow Theatre & Music
Business Meetings
Many clubs meet regularly at Liston Court, Chapel Street. For more information contact them directly on t 472 558 Marlow Antique bric-a-brac fair meets on 1st Saturday of the month at Liston Hall from 9-4pm The Farmers Market, in Marlow Dean Street Car Park every Sunday. 10am - 2pm Bourne End Country Market product Small Hall 10 - 12 Every Friday
Missed the deadline? Want your event noticed? Log onto www.AlongTheThames.co.uk Enter your event in the NEW “Out & About� tab, and know that your event will be seen by the local community. Out & About will be updated as new events come in; do visit us on a regular basis and keep up to date with all the local events.
If you would like your event advertised contact 01628771 e: info@AlongTheThames.co.uk www.AlongTheThames.co.uk 59419 / 07711 887107 ore:info@alongthethames.co.uk
At the Kenton Theatre 12th January, 2011
At the Kenton Theatre 27th January, 2011
An evening with Peter Allis
Paul Jones and Dave Kelly
The evening promises to be one of amusement and entertainment with this much loved figure from the world of golf having the ability to relate stories and anecdotes to keep the audience in fits of laughter. There will also be time for a question and answer session. With his father Percy Alliss among the finest players of his generation, it was perhaps inevitable that Peter would follow his father and make a career in golf. Peter had a successful career as a player, winning 21 professional tournaments between 1954 – 1969, before retiring at the relatively young age of 38. He then turned to commentating with the BBC, having made his broadcasting debut back in 1961. By 1978 Peter had become the BBC’s chief commentator following the death of his co-host and great friend Henry Longhurst, and is now known to millions both at home and abroad, who hang on his every word, because of his knowledge of the game and its personalities. But it is not only as a commentator that Peter is revered. He became part of TV history, fronting 140 episodes of the popular BBC series Pro-Celebrity Golf between 1974 and 1988, and later progressed to an informal chat show on the fairways, entitled Around with Alliss. His most recent series A Golfers Travels is still being screened across the world – and can be bought as a DVD. To say that Peter Alliss is passionate about the game is somewhat of an understatement. He is a prolific author having written over 20 books , the latest being Golf – The Cure for a Grumpy Old Man. Peter is also a regular contributor to golf magazines. This man is also heavily involved, along with partner Dave Thomas in the design of golf courses both at home and abroad, perhaps the most famous of which is The Belfry, which has hosted many prestigious tournaments including The Ryder Cup, in which Peter competed successfully between 1953 and 1969, with the single exception of 1955. Peter is in constant demand as a raconteur and after dinner speaker, as he is noted for his depth of knowledge of the game; and combined with his wit and off the cuff humour, this one man show will be a sell out.
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These long standing co-vocalists with The Blues Band get a big buzz out of taking things down a level, simplifying the music a little, and plying their trade as a duo, thus imbuing their very own personal and individual approaches to a dynamic, rootsy and exhilarating set of Country Blues. Venues large and small have been hushed and then enraptured by the sense of ‘old times’ in the Mississippi Delta. PAUL JONES vocals and harmonica Paul’s career is well charted - heartthrob singer with Manfred Mann in the ‘60s, solo hits, songwriting, film and theatre success .… a thrillingly varied and successful career. Apart from his live work with The Blues Band and The Manfreds, he is also currently well known and respected for his work as a DJ, presenting BBC Radio 2’s Rhythm and Blues show and his Jazz FM programmes. Paul’s feeling for his music and masterfully soulful harmonica playing has kept him at the top of his field. He’s been voted top male vocalist by The British Blues Connection and in 1994 was presented with a special award for ‘services to the blues’ DAVE KELLY vocals and guitar Dave followed his very talented sister, Jo Ann Kelly, into the world of professional music in 1966. They had previously been regular winners of every talent contest they could get their names down for. London’s frenetically hip, yet cool, culture at that time made it seem natural that Dave’s path would cross with the those of Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, John Lee Hooker, Son House, Buddy Guy …. to name a few. Sometimes the meetings were casual but ultimately Dave has played with all of them and toured with Wolf and Hooker. Over the years he’s achieved many accolades for his guitar work and vocals. He was voted Acoustic Artist of the Year in 1992, ‘94, ‘96, ‘97 and ‘98 by the British Blues Connection. Dave’s performances can get you rocking, or dreaming, and can even hit the tear ducts! He performs it – you feel it.
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Kenton Theatre
Group visits to Theatres and places of Cultural Interest
Interested in the Theatre? Enjoy days out?
Wednesday, 22nd to Sunday 26th December Blackeyed Theatre Company BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Wednesday and Thursday 2pm & 7pm Friday (Christmas Eve) 1pm & 5pm Sunday (Boxing Day) 2pm
Select-a-Show is for you
From the Company that brought you last year’s hit Christmas show. This production is chocked full of fantastic, original music, exquisite storytelling and join-in action. a sparkling family show suitable for ‘beauties’ and ‘beasts’ young and old.
Regular exclusive luxury excursions to Matinees and Evening performances in The West End and Regional theatres.
Sunday 9th January, 2pm and 7.30pm Ballet Theatre UK CINDERELLA
Visits to interesting gardens, stately homes and Exclusively guided London walks.
A Return of the Company that sold out at the Kenton last year with the Nutcracker. A new production of this clasic ballet
Wednesday, 12th January 8pm An evening with Peter Alliss
Peter Alliss was described by Golf Digest as ‘The greatest golf commentator’. He is much more modest claiming that ‘he’s a good commentator because he’s an old player, a lover of the game and a good weaver of stories.’
Sunday, 23rd January 2pm and 7pm Chapterhouse Theatre Company: ‘Pride & Prejudice’ Take a step back in time as we meet Elizabeth Bennett and her sisters.
Monday, 24th January 8pm Kenton lectures Carolie Jowett ‘ The Kenton Theatre and The Royal Ballet’
● Supper Performances
● Special lunches ● Special afternoon teas ● Luxury coaches
Contact Diana Yates for the latest programme and application form Phone:
Email: diana@select-a-show.com
Carolie Jowett was appointed Literary Editor of teh daily Express in 2006 and became its Arts Editor two years ago. Her passion is for ballet and teh work of Kenneth MacMillan in particular. Her lecture draws on original interviews and research.
Tally Ho!
Sunday 30th January 8pm Lord Taverners present Sir Timothy West
Timothy West has been gracing stages across Britain for over 54 years. He has been in a variety of shows from ‘The Comedy of Errors’ to the day of the Jackall’.Proceeds from this event will go towards ‘The Lord’s Taverners’ Charity’
Escorted Horse Riding in Windsor Great Park
Sunday 13th February 2.30pm and 7pm Chris Packham – A wild life exposed
Gift vouchers available
Using a series of his astonishing images Chris Charts a quest to reflect the pure beauty of the nature he has long loved and dreamed of encountering. His journey has wound from his roots in Southampton to the far frozen Poles, the sticky forests and searing deserts. It brought him eye to eye with the humble and fearful.
Summer evening pub rides from May to September Special rates for mid week rides
Tuesday 22nd February 11am and 2pm Blunderbus presents ‘ELMER THE ELEPHANT’
2 hour rides - suits all abilities 13 years old + Fully licensed & insured BHS approved
Come and join Blunderbus as they whisk you away to a land of fantasy and make believe with this bewitching new musical adaption of David McKee’s Elmer the Elephant. Especially suitable for 4-7 years old. Please mention Along the Thames Magazine when booking.
Thousands of acres of beautiful park & woodland waiting to be discovered on horseback
FOR DETAILS OF OUR AUTUMN/WINTER PROGRAMME PLEASE CONTACT BOX OFFICE OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE
01491 575698
Telephone
OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT
01344 893700
www.kentontheatre.co.uk
(24hr answerphone)
New Street, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 2BP
www.tallyhostables.co.uk
Free Parking available in Waitrose car park after 6pm
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01494 890010
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Readers Page
A CHEERFUL BOOK OF MISFORTUNES by Ean Wood £10.99 There is nothing so tantalising as other people’s misfortune. No matter our kinship with our fellow man, someone else’s pratfall, cock-up, entanglement or calamity – so long as it rings a resounding note of eccentricity – is a strange and guilty pleasure. A pleasure you can now indulge at your leisure in the delightfully daft and suitably macabre A Cheerful Book of Misfortunes. .
Queens & Empresses by Mark Hitchens £17.99
The Enigma Mission by Stan Ingram £16.99
from Cleopatra to Queen Victoria
It is well known how important breaking the German Enigma code was to the Allied war effort, and the vital role played by those at Bletchley Park in cracking the cipher. But what if Nazi Germany sent spies to England to ensure the protection of their code – at all costs? Stan Ingram, who worked as an electrician on the Bombe machines at Bletchley Park, has created a thrilling tale of espionage and heroism at the heart of the deciphering operation
History is brought to life through the colourful stories of eleven queens and empresses. Their lives were often tempestuous and tragic, ending in execution, suicide, divorce or abdication. Some were child brides, pawns in political games, and most had unfaithful husbands. A fascinating look at some of the most powerful women in history.
For your chance to win one of three copies of “The Enigma Mission” by Stan Ingram, please send your name & email to competition@alongthethames.co.uk by 14th January 2011
The books on this page are from Book Guild Publishing To order, please call 01202 665432 (weekdays only) or visit www.bookguild.co.uk 14 19
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Codeword
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Each letter in this puzzle is represented by a number between 1 and 26. The codes for three letters are shown. As you find the letters enter them in the box below.
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Answers on page 66
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Market Place Advertise in the Market Place:
An essential guide to Services in your local area. Box Advertising: £105 for 3 issues (6 months). Directory Listing: £10 an issue or £55 for the year. Call us on 01628 771419 / 07711 887107 or email info@alongthethames.co.uk
Liquid Nails
The Conservatory Maintenance Company All Types of conservatories repaired & replaced
Mobile Nail Technician
Conservatory polycarbonates upgraded
(Maidenhead & Marlow)
Timber conservatories repaired
NEW Minx Nails
New roofs for timber conservatories
Manicures, Pedicures & Nail Extensions
New conservatories designed & installed Full professional cleaning service
Call Kim on
Call 0845 5433 736
07595 380083
or visit us at
www.theconservatorymaintenancecompany.co.uk
E:kim@liquidnails.co.uk
Starlite Tarot Services Angel / Tarot Readings Past Life Regressions
By Appointment only
Tarot Parties & Corporate Bookings Available
Jo’anna Leah
07898 230000 01628 780470 daviesjoanna@yahoo.co.uk www.starlitetarot.com
Loric Energy Consultants your own personal assistant in your home/office diary/time management
SELLING OR RENTING YOUR HOME? Energy Performance Certificates and Floorplan Providers
data entry/invoicing project management concierge services T: 0118 947 5318 M: 07951 988 683 jacqui@jacquelinedunne.co.uk www.jacquelinedunne.co.uk
www.AlongTheThames.co.uk
Local Business Covering The Thames Valley
Phone:
Competitive Prices Guaranteed
07880 734200
Email: loric.energy@gmail.com Web: www.loric-energy.co.uk
63
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RECRUITING NOW
Successful lifestyle business is seeking 5 working partners to work full time or part time from home without compromising working or family commitments. If you have a Supervisory, Managerial, Sales, Marketing, Recruitment or Self-Employed background or you wish to develop an extraordinary lifestyle call me NOW Vikki Cook on
01494 416436.
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www.1 1stsuccess.com SPOT THE DIFFERENCE - Answers 1. Trouser Colour 2. Smiley Badge 3. Eyebrow 4. Shoe Laces 5. Mug 6. Mountain 7. Eyes 8. Jumper pattern 9. Moustache 10. Stones
ABC Book Keeping + Accounting Services Ltd
Angela Aldridge MAAT ATT 12 Quoitings Drive Marlow Buckinghamshire SL7 2PE
Mobile: 07711 803243 Tel/Fax: 01628 476111 Web: www.abcacc.co.uk Email: office@abcacc.co.uk
www.AlongTheThames.co.uk
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Useful Numbers MARLOW- CLUBS
MARLOW - COUNCIL
Archaeology in Marlow Marlow Archaeological Society Bowls Boxing Crafts Football Hockey History Plants (Orchids) Petanque Photography Rugby Running Four Seasons Club Tennis New Marlow Tennis Academy Rifle & Pistol Club Rowing Club Longridge Marlow & District Wine Society Marlow Society Rotary Club LETS U3A Operatic Society Community Choir Railway Society Choral Society Marlow Orators
472126 523896` 485274 01494 532826 473872/473539 483970 521830 473100 486640 521783 482164/483030 483911/477054 474885 474095 483638 488438 01494 676676 485297 486595 630341 528563 01494 530952 01494 523978 485220/488865 475973 602581/661182 486433 472998 07738 540287
BOURNE END Library Community Centre
524814 527502
Bus Services CIS Liston Hall Marlow Information centre Library Town Council Neighbourhood Watch Police Trains Wycombe Council
01494 421417 0800 328331 472558 483597/481717 486163 484024/481146 020 77723348 0845 8505505 0845 7484950 01494 461000
MARLOW - HOSPITALS Marlow Cottage NHS Direct Wycombe
482292 0800 595000 01494 526161
MARLOW - DENTISTS Marlow Dental Centre La Perla Clinic St John Ambulance
486096 488499 01494 474748
COOKHAM Library Police Bourne End & Cookham Rotary Stanley Spencer Gallery Medical Centre
526147 531785 810967 471885 810242
COOKHAM - CLUBS Tennis & Croquet Line Dancing Petanque
07968 173757 486362 417453
STOCKISTS - from Pages 34/35/38 Swish t: 476 467 .......w:www.swishboutique.co.uk, 5 Liston Court, Marlow Scarlett Monroe t: 488 661 w:www.scarlettmonroe.com, 11 High Street, Marlow No25 of Bourne End t: 528 877 w: www.no25ofbourneend.co.uk a: 22-27 The Parade, Bourne End Cathy Stephens t: 629297 w:cathystephens.co.uk, Nicholsons Shopping Centre, Maidenhead Arbonne t: 07966 122179, Jatinder Panesar
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t: 779 460, Comvita, Maidenheadt
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Ava Organis Cosmetics
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