g n i v i L
ISSUE 45
AUTUMN 2018
TRING
The quality quarterly magazine
WHAT’S ON: 7 PAGES OF AUTUMN EVENTS
KEEP PETS SAFE
IMPROVE YOUR WELLBEING
RECONNECT WITH YOUR KIDS
FREE WITH THIS ISSUE!
NEW SERIES:
VINTAGE UP-CYCLING GUIDE
Eating Out . What’s On . News . Reviews . Food . Recipes . Health . Beauty . Pets . Kids . Leisure & more! For exclusive offers & updates between issues go to:
WWW.LIVINGMAGS.INFO
Tring’s quality quarterly magazine. to 10,335 homes in Delivered by Tring & surrounding villages
TRING
AUTUMN 2018
Summer’s great, but we really love this time of year; warm days, cool nights, crunchy leaves and a sense of something exciting about to happen. Whatever you like to do in the autumn months we’ve got something for you; check out the restaurants we’ve reviewed, try out our latest walk, have a go at a bit of upcycling, get green-fingered in the garden or get involved in the WW1 commemorations. Thank you for your continuing support and we hope you enjoy this issue – we loved putting it together!
PHOTO CREDIT: ADAM HOLLIER
WELCOME TO THE AUTUMN ISSUE!
Alison and Clare
Owner & Editor
THE TEAM Publisher: Editorial: Photographer:
Alison Page Clare Swatman Adam Hollier
CONTACT US
01442 824300
email: info@livingmags.info
The only local magazine offering guaranteed shrink-wrapped delivery to 10,335* addresses in the HP23 postcode area, by Royal Mail every quarter. *Royal Mail postcode data PUBLISHED QUARTERLY IN MARCH, JUNE, SEPT & NOV/DEC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR PART IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED WITHOUT PERMISSION. THE PUBLISHER WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS. OPINIONS EXPRESSED BY AUTHORS AND ADVERTISERS IN THIS PUBLICATION ARE NOT SPECIFICALLY ENDORSED BY ALISON PAGE MARKETING.
REGISTERED ADDRESS: 4 Jubilee Gardens Tring, Herts HP23 4JG Living magazines are published by independent publisher Alison Page Marketing.
The ONLY local magazine with delivery by
Contents 04 18 21 22 24 28 30 32 34 38 41 44 48 52 61
News The latest around the town Shopping Gift and food ideas from the High Street Recipe Yummy Plum Crumble Slice Book Reviews Featuring local authors Kids Disconnect to reconnect with your kids Vintage Try your hand at upcycling! Pets Our handy guide to keeping your pets safe Walk Get out in the countryside Health Improve your wellbeing Beauty We take a look at permanent makeup Gardens Make your garden bee-friendly Property Through the keyhole in Ivinghoe Eating Out Restaurant, café and pub listings What’s On Dates for your diary Services Essential numbers and classified
to 10,335 homes in Tring & surrounding villages
For exclusive offers & updates between issues go to:
WWW.LIVINGMAGS.INFO
THE POLYWRAP IS WIDELY RECYCLABLE AT LARGER STORES
NEWS
TRING PARK SCHOOL ART SHOW
SEND US YOUR NEWS: Tel:
Email:
01442 824300
info@livingmags.info
Next deadline:
News in pictures
5/10/18
Tring Park School for the Performing Arts will return with an even bigger Art Show for 2018, following the success of the inaugural event held at the school last Autumn. For one weekend in September, the Rothschild Mansion will throw open its doors and welcome visitors to the Ballroom and grounds of Tring Park School where you will find paintings, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, glass and jewellery by local and national artists.
WELCOME TO STEPHEN SIMMONS
Tring Athletic Club is delighted to announce that the Nashville singer-songwriter Stephen Simmons will be returning for another live concert at the club on Saturday 29 September as part of his European tour. Find out more at www. stephensimmonsmusic.com, and for tickets, which are £10 in advance and £15 on the door, go to www.tafc.co.uk.
GET MUDDY FOR CHARITY
If you fancy being a mud warrior for the day and taking on the filthiest fundraiser for miles around, look no further than The Hospice of St Francis’ mud pack challenge. For more information or to book your place, visit www. stfrancis.org.uk/mudpack
4 | Tring Living
‘Last year we were lucky to have several pieces by BP Portrait Award Finalist Angela Repping, among many other established artists,’ says Clare Murphy. ‘It’s a chance to showcase the work of up and coming artists, and give them a platform to exhibit their work. ‘Last year we displayed over 100 works of art and this year we hope to make it even bigger and better. The event is held in aid of our building project and our new cardiac screening programme for all of our sixth form students. All items on display are for sale and every artist donates a percentage of their sales to the school.’ Doors open at 9am on Saturday 29 September and 10am on Sunday 30 September, closing on both days at 4pm. The exhibition is free to attend. For further information email art@tringpark.com
IT’S ALL APPLES
Roll up, roll up to the annual Tring Apple Fayre, which opens its doors at the beginning of October and runs for most of the month! Apple Day isn’t officially until 21 October, but here in Tring we like to make a whole month of it. Head to Jeacock’s Orchard, Cow Lane on 7 October for a great day out with market stalls, traditional crafts, apple pressing, medieval displays and refreshments. The Apple Parade is on 13 October, running through the High Street into the churchyard, with the Tring Farmers Market in the square, as well as Morris dancers, a horse and cart and much more. An Appleation Trail will be set up in the High Street shops for children to enter, with entry forms from Save the Children’s shop. Sadly, the organisers hadn’t quite finished all the planning by the time Living Magazines went to press, so there will undoubtedly be more on offer – usually it includes juicing, an apple bakeoff and apple pressing. Hopefully we can let you know on the website soon! www.livingmags.info
• • • •
WINDOWS DOORS CONSERVATORIES FACIAS & SOFFITS
DON’T MOVE IMPROVE UNLOCK THE TRUE POTENTIAL OF YOUR HOME
JUDGE FOR YOURSELF BUY WITH CONFIDENCE WITH OUR
10
YEAR
WARRANTY
We are a ‘Which’ trusted trader. We are also a Checkatrade and Certass member and all our work is warranted with an insurance (independent warranties association) backed 10 year warranty! @ LivingMagazines
/LivingMagazines
What is a ‘Which? Trusted Traders Hertfordshire Trading Standards Approved Endorsement’
ESTABLISHED LOCAL COMPANY Which? Trusted Traders have OVER 20,000 CUSTOMERS partnered with Hertfordshire Trading Standards to 10 YEAR GUARANTEE create a Hertfordshire Trading Standards Approved “A” RATED WINDOWS endorsement. In addition to our standard trading standards assessment, this trader has had a DBS check SHOWROOM OPEN and is subject to a Trading Standards intelligence check. SATURDAYS (10am-2pm) For a no obligation quote call us today on
01442 230376
SHOWROOM: 5 MARK ROAD, HEMEL HEMPSTEAD, HP2 7BN
www.insulatingwindows.co.uk Summer 2018 | 5
NEWS
News in pictures
A NIGHT OF JAZZ AT THE MUSEUM
MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION
Tring & District Model Railway Club are holding their latest exhibition at The Cottesloe School in Wing on Saturday 6 October. There will be 20 plus layouts, traders, demonstrations and refreshments. Tickets are £6 for adults and £3.50 for children. Free on site parking and programme included. More details at www.tdmrc.co.uk
TRING TOGETHER!
Tring Together were nominated for two awards in the SME Herts Awards earlier this year – Networking Group of the Year and Not for Profit Business of the Year – and received runner-up in both. Well done Tring Together!
Nica Rothschild, known as The Jazz Baroness, spent part of her early life at Tring Mansion. To celebrate her remarkable story and her 35 years as friend and patron of jazz musicians in New York, the Tring Local History Society is holding a jazz concert at Hastoe Village Hall on Saturday 22 September at 7.30pm. Music will be provided by the jazz septet The Shoe Horns, who have all studied together at Jazz School UK, and come from far and wide. They will play pieces by at least 12 composers who were friends of Nica, including Thelonius Monk, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker and Horace Silver. Many of these pieces were inspired by, or dedicated to, Nica. The story of Nica’s life, as told by Hannah Rothschild in her book The Jazz Baroness, will be narrated by Tim Amsden. Images of the 1940s and 50s will be displayed, and appropriate clothing will certainly add to the fun. For more information call 01442 827702.
BEST FOOT FORWARD
Get your walking boots on and get exploring the beautiful Chiltern countryside this autumn.
The Chiltern’s Walking Festival takes place from 6-21 October and, as usual, the 16-day programme of over 50 themed guided walks and activities includes walks for everyone from experienced walkers to complete novices. Led by experienced local volunteer guides, the autumn programme includes seasonal highlights such as colourful beech woods, stories of former residents, glorious views and opportunities to learn new skills including map reading and Nordic walking. There are linear and circular walks involving trains, farms, landmarks and churchyards.
ROYAL AWARD FOR VOLUNTEERS
Waterways Experiences of Hemel Hempstead has been granted The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service for its work introducing the disadvantaged to the joys of boating on the Grand Union Canal. The group were nominated by Cllr Bob Mclean, Mayor of Dacorum, who said: ‘I first visited Waterways Experiences during our Deputy Mayoral year 2015/2016 as part of the High Sheriff day. I was stunned by the enthusiasm of the volunteer base and impressed by the focus upon making available a unique experience for disabled and disadvantaged groups across the Borough and beyond. We are delighted that their efforts have been recognised in this way; the entire team should be congratulated on this fantastic achievement.’ Waterways Experiences, known as ‘WExp’, was formed and is run entirely by volunteers with no paid employees. More than 170 volunteers come from all walks of life and together rise to a huge range of different challenges associated with operating three large boats, two of which are quite elderly. Together they ensure that the boats are properly maintained with sufficient crew to deliver the hugely popular trips and that the essential training, finance, admin and communications functions run effectively.
Go to www.visitchilterns.co.uk/walkingfest for more details. 6 | Tring Living
www.livingmags.info
For A unique performing arts and academic education For young people with outstanding talent in Acting, Musical Theatre, Dance or Commercial Music Co-educational day & boarding school from ages 8 – 19 Outstanding academic education offering GCSEs and 23 A Level options
OPENDAYS 5, 11,12 October
www.tringpark.com/opendays
www.tringpark.com info@tringpark.com or tel. 01442 824255 Registered charity no. 1040330 Photo: Amit Ghelani
News in pictures
AND THE WINNER IS . . .
A huge congratulations to Toby and Sarah Murray of Beechwood Fine Foods in Tring for their superb win at the Business Heroes awards last month. Run by Dacorum Borough Council, Beechwood were up against stiff competition in the Retail Hero category, which was aimed at rewarding retail outlets that make shopping pleasurable, including Little Gaddesden Post Office & General Store, Maples Flowers and Tring’s very own G Grace and Son. But Beechwood won the award, and we’re thrilled to bits for them. ‘We are amazed and delighted to have won the inaugural Dacorum Retail Business Hero 2018,’ said Toby. ‘We were told that this was one of the toughest categories; there are so many great high street businesses in the borough, many doing great things in the local community. It proves that despite all the doom and gloom spoken about the high street that it is still very much alive and vibrant – but @ LivingMagazines
/LivingMagazines
it needs the continued support of the local residents and visitors to remain this way.’ The awards ceremony was held at Shendish Manor, and there was also an inspirational speech by Ian Rose Paralympian. Congratulations also go to Tring Brewery who were nominated for the Business in the Community Hero award for companies who give something back to the community, and to Oakman Inns who were nominated for the Environment Hero award. Dacorum’s Den also handed grants to eight entrepreneurial businesses to help them grow, including Maddi Saunders and Emma Donabie, of Tring, who are growing a bespoke paper cut illustrations business. They were awarded £2,000 to buy a cutting machine and an iPad-based design application. Autumn 2018 | 7
NEWS
TRING IN THE
MEDIA
If community services are to survive, let alone prosper, we need support and partnership now. Professor Stephen Spiro Chairman, Rennie Grove Hospice Care, Tring, Herts’ The Times, 7 June 2018 ‘A man of many talents, as a teenager Bradley [Walsh] enjoyed a career as a professional football player. He played for Brentford in their reserve team, with stints on loan at Dunstable Town, Barnet, Tring Town, Boreham Wood and Chalfont St Peter.’ The Sun, 15 July 2018 ‘She works hard to maintain her sensational figure. And Melanie Sykes, 47, made sure to show it off as she basked in the sun at Champneys Tring spa on Wednesday. The TV presenter displayed her golden tan and flat stomach in a white bikini, while lying on a sun lounger and catching up on some reading.’ Daily Mail, 27 June 2018 ‘After retiring from dance performance, he passed his RAD Professional Dancers’ Teaching Diploma with distinction, teaching at many London institution including the London Studio Centre, the Arts Educational School in Tring and Bird College.’ Piece on former Royal Ballet principal dancer Errol Pickford’s death, Daily Mail, 15 June 2018
8 | Tring Living
www.livingmags.info
News in pictures
WALK A MILE, MAKE SOMEONE SMILE
Walking a short distance may seem easy to most people, but for those with multiple sclerosis (MS) it can be a real challenge. Despite this, members of the Chilterns MS Centre will be walking a mile through Aylesbury town centre on 22 September and they would love people to join them. This local charity offers people with MS treatment to help keep them mobile and gain greater control over their symptoms, empowering them to lead happy lives and give them a reason to smile. But it costs over £1m annually to keep the Centre going. Over the past four years, this event has raised more than £100,000 and provided over 2,850 hours of treatment. One of those to benefit is Tring resident Pete who will be taking part. ‘Since being diagnosed over 20 years ago my mobility has gradually decreased,’ he said. ‘Without the support of the physio team, I would be far less mobile than I am today. I was involved in the first year of Walk the MS Mile, and shall be taking part again this year to help such a fantastic place.’ The walk starts in Market Square at 11am and will be supported by Mix96. Visit www.walkthemsmile.org
Financial advice of true family value
We provide a comprehensive wealth management service, offering specialist face-to-face advice tailored to you. Our services include: • Investment Planning • Retirement Planning • Long Term Care • Auto enrolment
• Inheritance Tax Planning • Intergenerational Planning • Mortgages
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. For further details please contact Robert, Richard or Amanda:
01442 874888 stringermann@sjpp.co.uk www.stringermann.com
H2SJP29446 07/18
NEWS
News in pictures
TRING CARNIVAL BUZZ!
Five events in four days made the Tring Carnival go with a bang once again. Starting off with Tring Cinema’s Grease sing-a-long night, which sold out the internet of ‘Pink Lady’ and ‘T-Bird’ fancy dress outfits, Tring Carnival continued its community spirit by hosting the Pepper Foundation and Rennie Grove Hospice Care, which each organised brilliant live music evenings in aid of their good causes and got everyone up and dancing. The highlight was Tring Carnival Day, which this year had a seaside theme. Crowds lined the High Street as the parade opened the day and led everyone to Pound Meadow where there were stalls, the Tring Brewery bar marquee, dog show and beautiful vintage cars. A huge helter skelter, bubbleologists and pony rides delivered on the seaside theme, while vivacious seaside acrobats – The Acro-Chaps – wowed everyone with their strength and skill (and moustaches!). There was also a fancy dress competition and some impressive live performances in the main arena by local community groups. The Carnival came to an end in true Proms style when the RAF Halton Voluntary Band and the Castle Choir performed stunningly in aid of SSAFA, the armed forces charity. Steffi Buse from Tring Together said: ‘We would like to thank everyone involved in the event from sponsors and partners to volunteers, community groups, local businesses and charities. It has been a fantastic event and we cannot wait to see you all again in 2019!’
BLUE HEAD FOR THE HOSPICE
A garden that brought the wow factor to this year’s Chelsea Flower Show is to open at The Hospice of St Francis in September.
The Silver-Gilt winning Myeloma UK Garden will open at the Hospice on Sunday 16 September. Its designers, John Everiss and Francesca Murrell, will give talks about its creation and Dame Carolyn McCall DBE, OBE and Rosemarie Finley, CEO of Myeloma UK, will cut the ribbon. Great Gaddesden resident Peter King, 76, raised over £11,000 to bring the garden to the Hospice. ‘My wife Gill loved flowers so we always went to Chelsea,’ he said. ‘I was very keen that the garden was reused for more people to enjoy. ‘The hospice is such a wonderful place where Gill spent her final six days, and I hope that the garden will bring hope and inspiration to hospice users.’ The centrepiece is a translucent sculpture built from almost 200 layers of Arctic blue acrylic, modelled on Peter and Gill’s daughter, Gemma. At 12ft and seven tonnes, the sculpture appears to be blowing seeds onto fertile soil to represent new medical treatments, and as a sign of hope and growth. Boulders represent plasma cells, and overlapping steel panels are physical representations of barriers in care and treatment. A team from construction engineers Stage One scanned Gemma’s head, hands and shoulders to generate a 3D digital image to achieve the sculptural shape. Designer John Everiss, said: ‘It’s fantastic that the garden will live on at The Hospice of St Francis. It represents a positive message of hope.’ Garden lovers will be welcomed to the hospice between 1pm and 5pm for canapes, guest speakers, live music, butterfly and bee displays and tours. Tickets are £20 in shops or at stfrancis.org.uk/chelseagarden.
10 | Tring Living
www.livingmags.info
NEWS
News in pictures
PLASTIC-FREE TRING!
We’ve all seen the state of the oceans, with millions of pieces of discarded plastic floating around in them, choking the wildlife. But what can we do about it? Reducing the use of single-use plastic is one thing we can all do easily – and Tring in Transition are leading the way with their Plastic-free Tring campaign, in conjunction with Plastic Free Berko and Transition in Kings Langley. Spokesman for Tring in Transition Nigel Crawley said: ‘The main aim is to get local independent coffee shops to switch to 100% compostable takeaway cups and food packaging. Non-recyclable coffee cups are made from paper mixed with fossil-based plastics that are impossible to recycle. In comparison, the compostable cups quickly biodegrade to an environmentally benign substance (compost) at the end of use.’ Since starting the campaign just under a year ago a number of local independent coffee shops have switched to compostable cups and have been awarded #cups2compost badges. Well done Tring in Transition – keep up the good work! For more information go to: www.tringintransition.org.uk
PARKS ARE THE WINNERS!
We’ve always known we have some lovely parks – and now it’s official! Dacorum Borough Council was recently awarded five Green Flag awards for its parks and open spaces, including Berkhamsted’s Canal Fields, which has held the award since 2008, and Tring’s Memorial Garden. Hemel’s Water Gardens also received the award for the very first time. Janice Marshall, Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services, said: ‘We know how important our green spaces are to residents and visitors and that is why we are absolutely committed to making sure that they are safe, welcoming and well maintained. ‘Achieving these Green Flag awards mean that the hard work and commitment of everyone involved is recognised, and I would like to thank the community and volunteer groups, together with council staff, for their hard work and dedication in making this happen.’ To be awarded a Green Flag, a park or open space must meet certain standards. These include being a welcoming place, healthy, safe and secure, well maintained and clean, and having the support and involvement of the local community. A Green Flag flying overhead is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent facilities.
PORTRAITS OF A TOWN
An exciting new project took place in Tring over the summer when local photographer Adam Hollier captured the portraits of hundreds of residents to feature in a new book, due out soon. To mark the fifth anniversary of his photography business, Adam decided he wanted to give something back to the community in which he works. ‘Tring is a very special town,’ he said. ‘A project like this wouldn’t work in many other places, but we have a unique sense of community here.’ Everyone was invited for the shoot, which took place in different locations across the town from June to August, and profits from the sale will go in part to The Hospice of St Francis. 12 | Tring Living
www.livingmags.info
NEWS
News in pictures
LITTLE BEARS AWARD
‘Real-life experiences, such as visits from local people with hearing dogs, help children to learn about disabilities. This supports children’s excellent awareness of the differences between themselves and others.’
Staff and children at a local children’s nursery are celebrating after being awarded the top ‘Outstanding’ grade by Ofsted inspectors. The Ofsted inspector highlighted many aspects about Little Bears, which is set in beautiful countryside in St Leonards. ‘Children make excellent progress in their learning. Highquality, timely intervention by staff ensures that any gaps in children’s achievements close swiftly. Many children exceed expectations for their age, particularly in their communication and language skills. ‘Most-able children are given extensive opportunities to build on their skills in readiness for starting school. Staff include parents in children’s learning. They share home challenges, songs and next steps on a weekly basis with parents.
Playleader Claire Cox was understandably delighted. ‘We have a passion for combining children’s learning with having a positive and fun experience during these vital formative years. We also aim to prepare our children for their next stage, the big move to school. Our children are prepared in the best possible way to ensure they have a smooth transition into school. ‘I am also immensely proud of our dedicated committee and highly professional staff team, whose work ensures our children have the best starts in their lives.’ www.littlebearspreschool.co.uk.
Main dealer quality Local Garage Prices
All makes all models servicing and repairs
All makes and models MOT from £40
We won’t be beaten on price Visit our website for details of our local price guarantee
We supply and fit a wide range of tyre brands Call us for a quote today! *Excludes MOT and valeting **Excludes MOT and air conditioning re gas offer.
10% OFF
*
Your first visit to us on production of this advert
Complimentary wash & vac with all service & repair work**
@ LivingMagazines
/LivingMagazines
RoyChapman
Tel: 01442 871234
Email: info@roychapman.com Visit: roychapman.com 22 Western Road, Tring, Hertfordshire HP23 4BB
Find roychapman on:
Autumn 2018 | 13
NEWS
News in pictures
ACADEMIC SUCCESS AT LOCKERS PARK
Lockers Park School celebrated academic success last term with its 100% pass rate for the Common Entrance exams, with all pupils securing places at their chosen schools. Five pupils also attained sought-after scholarships to leading British senior schools. The academic accomplishments see three boys securing Academic Scholarships to St Albans School, a Music Exhibition to Berkhamsted School and a Sports Scholarship to Millfield School. Headmaster Christopher Wilson said: ‘Well done to all our boys who worked so hard in their final year. To have a 100% pass rate for Common Entrance alongside those boys securing scholarships is a real achievement. ‘Whilst we will be sad to see them leave Lockers Park, we wish them every happiness as they embark upon the next important stage of their educational journey.’ Described by the Good Schools Guide as a school that ‘brings out the best in boys’, Lockers Park is a day and boarding school for boys aged 4-13, preparing pupils for the very best public and independent senior schools. www.lockerspark.herts.sch.uk
OAKMAN WINS MORE AWARDS!
Oakman Inn’s winning streak shows no sign of abating – this time being awarded a Pub and Bar Award at the 35th annual ‘Cateys’, one of the UK’s most respected industry awards. CEO Peter Borg-Neal founded Oakman Inns and opened his first pub, The Akeman, in Tring in December 2007. Now, almost 11 years later, the pub group – which is ranked in the top 20 of the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For – is operating 23 pubs and employing nearly 800 people across Southern England and the West Midlands.
Peter is thrilled that the work that he and his fellow professionals at Oakman Inns put in has been recognised by their peers. He said: ‘Ever since I was first flicking through the appointments section of The Caterer & Hotelkeeper as a teenager, the magazine has been a big influence in my career. Back then, I aspired to being mentioned in an article or even on the front cover! Winning this Catey means so much to me and symbolises a significant milestone in my career. Every day, I realise how lucky I am to be working in this dynamic industry and to be supported by such a talented team.’
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS!
Congratulations to the winners of our summer competitions! Danielle King & family (Berkhamsted) and Sarah Connelly & family (Tring) won family tickets to go and see Robin Hood & His Merry Men courtesy of Chapterhouse Theatre Company. Chapterhouse Theatre Company has been touring six wonderful new open-air theatre productions across the UK and Ireland from June through to September 2018. www.chapterhouse.org Jean Cook won two tickets to visit the new look Woburn Abbey Garden Show with BBC Gardeners’ World’s Adam Frost & Pippa Greenwood in June. Like our Facebook page for information on future competitions: www.facebook.com/livingmagazines 14 | Tring Living
www.livingmags.info
NEWS
News in pictures
LIP READING FOR ALL Did you know that one in six people in this country have some kind of hearing problem?
The new Tring class is on Tuesday mornings at the Nora Grace Hall. To book your free taster session call or text Molly on 07741 095921 or mb.lipreading@gmail.com
Molly Berry, who is profoundly deaf, started losing her hearing in her 30s, and nine years ago was given a cochlear implant. Now, she’s offering lip reading classes to others who need it in Tring and the surrounding areas. ‘Hearing loss can affect anyone of any age. Hearing aids have improved enormously; they use all the advances in modern technology, but even the best aids don’t cure hearing loss. It is still a problem to hear in noisy social or work environments, but all is not lost. Research has shown that joining a lipreading class helps to avoid the damaging social isolation that can accompany hearing loss and increase your chance of developing dementia.’
1HL
@ LivingMagazines
/LivingMagazines
Spring 2018 | 15
NEWS
News in pictures
COMMEMORATING 100 YEARS
America, and more locally from George and Alana at Tring Shoe Repairs.
It’s 100 years since the end of the First World War, and celebrations are taking place countrywide to honour the dead and all those who fought for their country.
But it is also the stories that go with making these poppies; helping with depression and relaxation, therapy following surgery, bringing people together socially, a nearly 90-yearold picking up knitting needles after 20 years, thinking her knitting days were over. A community coming together.’
And Tring is certainly doing its bit. It all started back at the end of June when a service was held at St Peter’s and Paul’s Church to mark the re-dedication of the Tring war memorial, following extensive renovation works by the church. The service was led by Revd Huw Bellis, and ended with the laying of a single wreath on behalf of the town by Tring Mayor, Cllr Penny Hearn and Air Vice Marshal, Sir Michael Simmons. More than 350 people gathered at the memorial on Church Square and the service concluded with a group photograph taken to recreate the sunny day in July 1919 when Tring celebrated Peace Day. The photograph was taken by Mike Bass from a window very close to the position of the 1919 photographer. Copies of the photo will be sold to raise the final £350 to finish the work on the war memorial.
Tring Will Remember The Poppy Project is an ambitious craft installation that will adorn Tring Parish Church, both inside and out, this November to commemorate and honour all those who gave their lives in WW1 - and especially the 116 men from Tring. In 2014, the church’s craft group visited the Tower of London to see the ceramic poppies in the Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red installation and were moved by the sheer scale of lives lost and the impact of such an installation. And so the seeds were sown. Janet Goodyer from Tring Parish Church said: ‘Since then, patterns have been written and circulated, knitting needles dusted off, red wool purchased and donated, black buttons collected from button boxes and charity shops – and the fun started! ‘Add to these poppies, 116 fractured poppy patchwork roundels all named for each of our men lost, and we are very excited about it. The community effort has been overwhelming with poppies coming from around 200 knitters so far. We have had donations of wool from 16 | Tring Living
The team decorated the war memorial gates and archway into the church with poppies for the Tring Memorial restoration celebration, but this will be bigger and even more spectacular. Don’t miss it!
Yarn bomb! As well as the memorial service and poppies at the church, the Tring Yarn Bomb Contributors are also planning something special. They want to keep their exact plans under wraps, as a special surprise for the morning of 1 November, so we won’t reveal too much. Suffice to say it will be spectacular. ‘We’re planning lots and are busy knitting to prepare for the big day,’ promises organiser John Cole-Morgan. ‘We’re making thousands of purple, red and white poppies, as well as knitted animals to honour the animals that helped during the war effort, which we plan to sell to raise money for the Royal British Legion, Help for Heroes, PDSA, 4Paws and the Tring Park Memorial Gardens. We hope the town will really get behind us!’
Tring and the Great War In the years 1914-1918 the people of Tring, and everywhere else in the UK, found themselves involved in the most dreadful war the world had ever seen. It was brought home to them early on when, at the Tring Show in August 1914, all the horses on the showground were bought by the War Office. Soon afterwards, thousands of raw recruits from the north-east of England – men of Kitchener’s Fourth Army – were billeted across the town, doubling its population, while a camp was prepared at Halton. Initially 600 men volunteered for service; later, conscription added another 300. In all, that was one-fifth of the town’s population. Many were attached to Territorial units like the Hertfordshire regiment, which suffered terrible losses at the Second Battle of Ypres and the Battle of the Somme. Others were in Regular Army units such as the Bedfordshire www.livingmags.info
NEWS
News in pictures Regiment. A fair few joined the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and some signed up with the battalions formed at Halton. Many different regiments had Tring people in their ranks, as did the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the Royal Flying Corps and, later, the Royal Air Force. Of the 106 men (eight of whom were officers), whose deaths would be commemorated; 97 were killed in action, one died in an accident and eight from disease. Their valour and courage is shown in the number of decorations they achieved. Edward Barber won the Victoria Cross, only to lose his life days after the event that merited it. Other medals they were awarded included; one Distinguished Conduct Medal, three Military Crosses and three Military Medals. Of course, almost 800 men returned, many grievously injured or scarred with indelible memories. The effect of the war was profound for everyone, whether serving or not, and the urge was strong to commemorate those who had given their lives. Earlier conflicts, such as the South African war, had seen only the names of volunteers listed on tablets. The idea of a public, open-air memorial was proposed in March 1917 and by August various designs had been considered. The one chosen was an Old English cross carrying the figure of Christ, 23 feet above a square plinth on an octagonal base. It was designed by Philip M. Johnston, FSA, FRIBA, architect to the Diocese of Chichester, with 23 other memorials to his credit. It was not possible to erect it, as hoped, by St Peter’s Day 1918, but in late October the firm of Norman and Burt of Burgess Hill began work. The memorial remained draped in the Union flag until 27 November 1918, when the sun broke through leaden skies and a dais was put up in Church Square before a great assemblage of people. On it stood the Vicar, the Revd Henry Francis, representatives of other denominations and Mr Johnston, the architect. General Sir William Robertson, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Great Britain, declaimed ‘In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost and in the glorious memory of the men and boys of Tring who have died for their country, I unveil @ LivingMagazines
/LivingMagazines
1918
2018
this cross.’ The Revd T.C. Fry, Dean of Lincoln (who until 1910 had been headmaster of Berkhamsted School) said he was there, ‘because among those commemorated were the sons of some of his dearest and most beloved friends. His sorrow mingled with their sorrow and his pride with their pride.’ After the signing of the Peace Treaty, a Service of Thanksgiving was held on Sunday 6 July. After the hymn ‘Palms of Glory’, the National Anthem was followed by the Last Post, while the bells played a muffled peal. With thanks to Vivianne Child of Tring Together and Tim Amsden from Tring Local History Museum for their help with this article. Autumn 2018 | 17
SHOP&EAT SHOP&EAT
LOCALLY LOCALLY
12.
BU Y HINGS TO GR E AT T H A M ST E D, ES IN BE R K E V IL L AG H T & G T R IN
4. 9. 5. 8.
SUPPLIER INFORMATION BEECHWOOD FINE FOODS, TRING 1. Ashridge Apple and Pear Juice 75cl £3.50 2. Beechwood Autumn Preserves £3.75
11.
3. Glebe Farm Gluten Free Baking Products £3.25 4. Mrs Middleton’s Stoneground Bread Flour 1.5kg £3.50 5. Thomas Fudge’s Florentines £4.50 FANCY THAT, TRING 6. Alphabet Puzzle £19.98 7.
Jellycat Flora Flamingo £26.50
8. KB Tangerines dungarees kids £28 9. Musical Notes Dominoes £17.50 10. Shut the Box game £25 NUMBER TWENTY, BERKHAMSTED 11. Make your Own Scratch Cards £4.50 12. Stormy Knight expanding cards £3.25 13. The Berko Loop book £15
3. 18 | Tring Living
www.livingmags.info
2.
10.
6. 1.
13.
7.
Autumn 2018 | 19
SHOP&EAT SHOP&EAT
LOCALLY LOCALLY
19.
Y G S T O BU IN H T T A , GR E A M ST E D IN BE R K H V IL L AGE S THE T R ING &
17. 15. 16. 14.
PUDDINGSTONE DISTILLERY Distillers of Hertfordshire’s award winning Campfire Gin
18. SUPPLIER INFORMATION PUDDINGSTONE DISTILLERY, WILSTONE 14. Campfire Gin Special Edition No1 50cl £33 15. Rebellious Spirits Book by Ruth Ball £9.99 BRAMBLE AND BLOSSOM, TRING 16. Luxury Beauty Balm 50g £19 17. Facial Elixir 20ml £19 18.Candles £18 TRING BREWERY, TRING 19. Nutshack Nuts: Garlic & Habanero, Cajun and Bacon - artisanal, vegan-friendly peanuts from an independent family producer. £1.50 per 60g bag.
To feature your products in the Eat & Shop Local section of Tring Living please email info@livingmags.info. 20 | Tring Living
VISIT THE DISTILLERY & SHOP Open Fridays and Saturdays 9.30am – 5.00pm
P U D D I N G S T O N E D I S T IL L E R Y
P E Mead & Sons Farm Shop site Wilstone, Tring, Herts HP23 4NT www.puddingstonedistillery.com
www.livingmags.info
FROM SAR AH MUR R AT BEECHW AY OOD FINE FOODS, TRING
RECIPE
● Line a 20 x 30cm baking tin with baking paper ● Put the butter, sugar and ground almonds into a food processor and pulse until the mixture resembles very rough breadcrumbs. Spoon half the mix into a bowl and set aside. ● Add 140g flour to the mix in the processor and whizz to form a dough. Tip into the prepared tin and press down with the back of a spoon.
PLUM CRUMBLE SLICE Ingredients ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
How to make it ● Preheat oven to 180C/ Gas 4/fan 160C
250g cold butter 225g golden caster sugar 300g ground almonds 140g plain flour, plus 25g 2 eggs 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp baking powder 8-10 plums, stoned and roughly chopped 50g flaked almonds
● Bake for 15-20 mins until golden and leave to cool for 10 mins. ● Set aside a few tablespoons of the remaining mix and put the rest back into the processor. Add the eggs, the 25g flour, cinnamon and baking powder and whizz to a smooth batter. ● Spread over the base, top with the plum pieces and a little extra caster sugar and cinnamon. ● Bake for 20 mins, sprinkle with the remaining crumble mix and flaked almonds. ● Cook for another 20 mins or until golden. Leave to cool in the tin before slicing.
www.beechwoodfinefoods.com
Last of the harvest Making the most of the late summer harvest...
y We are still picking
locally grown fruit & veg y Come in & enjoy Sarah’s many seasonal treats including plum crumble slice
WILSTONE | TRING | HERTS | HP23 4NT
Produce available from over 30 local suppliers! Home produced lamb & beef
y Looking forward to seeing
Heygates animal feeds & pet foods
you at the autumn festivals & fetes fe etes
Relax in our tea room and browse our produce
www.chilterncoldpressedrapeseedoil.co.uk
Autumn 2018 | 21
www.pemeadandsons.co.uk
01442 828478
BOOKREVIEWS by David Guest
The premise of the book is that David, over a period of many years, has visited all 92 football stadiums in England and, while doing so, has learned more about each town. So while he does tell us much about each town – who
The Berko Loop by Kevin Exley
£15, available from Number Twenty and www.theberkoloop.co.uk Taking in a loop – as the name suggests – round Berkhamsted, starting at the top of New Road (by the golf club), through Frithsden, The Amaravati monastery, past Ashridge and Northchurch common, along the Grand Union Canal to Cholesbury,
22 | Tring Living
ny glass n, with its Tiffa A for Accringto and pianolas B for Brentford living Natural History tal Palace, for C is for Crys for Yeovil. the way to Y to offer And so on, all ething unique town has som your rmal guide is Ever y football ball. This info of all 92 of them, besides foot s ction , diverse attra beaten track the ABC to the off and k ll, on large and sma from what you might thin far you’re many of them The next time destinations. match, add of as tourist ewhere to a som lling let and trave to your visit an hour or so es show you round. Halv Towns of Two destination. be a tourist Anywhere can country a little better the Get to know luable book. with this inva 2halves.co.uk www.townsof By the same
sure author: A Pres
of the Hand
56787-2- 9 ISBN 978- 0-99
VE S TWO H AL
Former Berkhamsted Living Editor, Sub Editor, roving news reporter and tea maker extraordinaire, David Guest has just released his second book, Towns of Two Halves. Described as a ‘tourist’s guide to football towns,’ it is just that, plus much much more.
A TOURIST’S
TOW NS of
Rosewood Publishing, £8 paperback, £3.47 on ebook, Amazon
VE S TWO H AL TOW NS ofGUIDE TO FOOTBALL TOWNS
EST DAV ID GU
Towns of Two Halves
EST DAV ID GU
T OW N S of T WO HA LV E S
TOWNS FOOTBALL ’S GUIDE TO A TOURIST
UK £8
iction hing: Non-F & Cover Design r Lance Crozie Photograph: Photograph: Author Photography Keith Barnes
Rosewood Publis
knew that Brentford had a water museum for example? – he also intersperses it with his own personal story at the time, as well as the fate of his beloved Oldham Athletic, the team he’s spent most of his life (blindly) following.
football (a bit), but mostly about England, its people and all its quirks and foibles. It’s perfect for football fans, non football fans, readers and non-readers – and you can devour it in one sitting, or dip in and out as you please.
The result is a charming, funny and heartwarming story about
I urge you to give it go – you won’t be disappointed! CS
Hawridge, Bourne End and Little Heath Farm, this is a fabulous book. It claims to show you places you didn’t know existed, and gives you lots of information along the way. I read it from cover to cover, nodding as I recognised familiar places, while also wondering how I’d missed some of these amazing places in all the years I’ve lived in Berko. The writing is great – witty and entertaining as well as being informative – and it’s made me want to go and get my
bike out and take a pedal round the 30-mile route one day soon. Hopefully I’ll see you there!
www.livingmags.info
Confessions of a Single Mum
The Affair of the Christmas Card Killer by Jack Murray
Available on Amazon kindle unlimited, Free Local artist Jack Murray has turned his hand to writing, and this is his debut novel and, he hopes, the first in a series of ‘cosy crime’ books.
by Amy Nickell It tells the story of a murder at Cavendish Hall at Christmas, 1919. Lord Kit Aston investigates. As the snow falls, tensions rise for the party-goers as they realise there may be a killer in their midst. Perfect for fans of cosy crime fiction.
by Louis Quail
Dewi Lewis Publishing, £35
@ LivingMagazines
/LivingMagazines
Born and bred in Berkhamsted, Amy Nickell worked for a while as a celebrity reporter. She had fun. She didn’t take life too seriously. Then she fell pregnant at 24, and everything changed. In Confessions of a Single Mum, Amy debunks single mum myths, delves into the world of dating (nothing ruins sexy sofa snogging ambience like the watchful eye of Daddy Pig), going back to work just 10 days after giving birth, lactating WAY too close to Simon Cowell, as well answering the questions that come with having a family that is anything but nuclear.
Big Brother Berkhamsted Photographer Louis Quail is a talented man – his 2015 show ‘Before They Were Fallen’ won various awards, and he spends much of his time on personal, long term projects. This gorgeous hardback book is the culmination of years of work. Deeply personal, Big Brother is essentially a collection of photographs of Louis’ older brother Justin, who has suffered from paranoid schizophrenia for most of his adult life. But it’s not just about the illness. In Big Brother, Louis examines mental illness and a mental health sytem in crisis, but also tells the story of the man behind the illness: his brother. Among the photographs are inserts of doctors’ notes and
Published by Headline, £8.49 ebook, £16.99 hardback
drawings by Justin as well as police records and scribbled notes by Justin.
Amy’s wonderfully frank, honest and hilarious story will inspire other parents to own their single status as well as anyone whose life has thrown them a curveball.
The result is a stunning book, which shows the love Louis has for his brother, while also making you stop and think about life, love and family. • Louis will be giving a talk and signing copies of Big Brother at Waterstones in Berkhamsted at 6.30pm on Thursday 27 September. Autumn 2018 | 23
KIDS UNPLUG YOUR
P
Are you worried about how long your kids spend online? Here’s how to disconnect to reconnect
icture the scene; you’re sitting down to dinner with your family for a lovely catch-up at the end of a long day. You turn to your loved ones only to be greeted with a wall of people staring at their phones, engrossed in an online conversation, a game or scrolling mindlessly through social media.
According to recent research by Ofcom, 99% of 12 to 15 year-olds spend almost 21 hours a week online – and parents are finding it increasingly difficult to
24 | Tring Living
control their children’s screen time. Of course we all love our phones, iPads and games consoles – and technology certainly has a place in both society and family life. But do you ever wish you could have your children back in the room with you, and away from the ever-moreenticing online world for a few more hours every week? You’re not alone.
www.livingmags.info
UNPLUG YOUR KIDS Here are some expert tips for controlling your children’s screen time – without causing world war three!
Independent Day School for girls 4 - 16 years Day Nursery & Pre-School for girls and boys from 6 months
The problem Technology itself is not a problem. It plays an essential part in everyday life, and has made a whole host of things so much easier – and more fun! But it most definitely has its place – and increasingly, parents are finding it harder and harder to get their children to step away from consoles, tablets and smartphones and reconnect with the real world, including their families. ‘There are several issues with spending too much time staring at a screen, particularly for a child,’ explains Berkhamsted-based child, teen and parent coach Beth Parmar. ‘Firstly, the flashing lights and moving images provide constant stimulation for their brain, which can be addictive, and can also affect their mood and concentration for the rest of the day. ‘Secondly, if they’re online or playing a game, they’re not interacting with people. Online interaction is not fulfilling the same emotional need as face-to-face interaction.’ As children get older and are out of the house more, policing it can seem like a minefield. But there are solutions, whatever their age – we hope some of them work for you.
Abbot’s Hill is a happy and thriving community in which pupils are encouraged to aim high, to grasp opportunities, enjoy learning and to make lasting friendships.
Prep School Working Open Event Tuesday 12 June, 9.30am See our Day Nursery, Pre-School and Prep School in action. You will need to book, and places are limited. Please contact the Registrar on 01442 839169 or visit our website to book your place.
Bunkers Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP3 8RP E: registrar@abbotshill.herts.sch.uk www.abbotshill.herts.sch.uk
Transition time Most parents don’t understand the difference between a child’s brain and an adult’s brain. Adults find it easy to switch from one thing to another – whether it’s from a noisy, fast-paced computer game to helping with homework, or from listening to loud music to a serious conversation, it’s something that adults are able to do. But children’s brains are still developing, and they simply don’t have that ability to just switch. This means they need time to transition from one thing to the next. ‘There’s no point in telling your kids to get off the Xbox or the iPad and go straight and do their homework,’ says Beth. ‘It’s impossible for their brain to switch from being over-stimulated to settling down to something immediately. ‘Make sure you get them to think about something else for 10 or 15 minutes before asking them to do
@ LivingMagazines
/LivingMagazines
Autumn 2018 | 25
UNPLUG YOUR KIDS Reward, don’t punish Threatening to take away their screen time as a punishment for bad behaviour can be a recipe for disaster because, as Beth explains, if you use it this way, then it means they’ll see screen time as a given, rather than the treat it is.
anything – whether it’s something physical like playing with Lego, running round the garden with a football, or just telling them jokes and making them laugh – as long as it’s taking their mind away from the game they were playing, it will help smooth the transition.’
Decide on limits together If you tell children how long they have on their screens, they’ll almost always fight against it. But if you sit and talk it through with them and get them involved in the decision process, they’re much more likely to be compliant and you’ll end up with an agreement you’re both happy with. ‘Ask them how many hours a day they think is reasonable for them to be on their screens,’ suggests Beth. ‘They may start off by saying something silly like 10 hours, but if you talk it through with them, listen to their reasons and then explain your own, they’re more likely to realise that they still need to find time to do their homework, their sports clubs or whatever it is they like doing, and that, actually, much less time is more reasonable and sensible. That way, you’re much less likely to have a battle on your hands.’
‘Instead of using screen time as a punishment, flip it on its head and get them to earn their time. So whatever it is you want them to do, be it chores, their homework, instrument practice or anything else, make sure it’s clear to them what you expect, and only when it’s completed do they earn an agreed amount of screen time. ‘By treating it like a currency, you’re getting them to understand that it’s a privilege, not a right, and that things have to be worked for, just like money. That makes for easier parenting all round.’
Congratulate them! It might sound silly, but positive reinforcement can be a powerful tool. We’re all too quick to criticise our children for not doing the things they should, but we often forget to praise them when they do good things. ‘Just saying ‘well done’ if they’ve put their iPad or
It’s just as important for older children as well, who may not be in the house for you to keep an eye on as much. ‘Rather than agreeing time limits, maybe you could suggest that, if they have a smartphone, they must agree to have the ‘Find my friend’ app so you can keep track of them if you need to, or that they have to check in with a family WhatsApp group in case you need them. Whatever works for you – just remember that technology can be your friend!’ 26 | Tring Living
www.livingmags.info
UNPLUG YOUR KIDS Xbox away when agreed and without a fuss goes a long way to helping them realise that you do notice when they do things right, and not always when they do things wrong – and that can make them want to do that more often,’ explains Beth.
to agree that, for example, you don’t allow phones at the table, or have a phone-free hour every day. If you can agree it between you and be consistent and stick to it – adults included – then it’s far more likely to work.’
For more information and help go to www.bethparmar.co.uk or call 07775 565220 ■
Lead by example You can’t expect kids to be willing to switch off their phones or tablets if they see you constantly staring at yours, so it’s important to show them that you don’t need them all the time. ‘Try not to spend hours staring at your phone mindlessly in front of them. It can also be a good idea
An outstanding Independent Prep School for boys and girls aged 3-13 years
Happiness, Confidence, Success
Contact: 01442 256143
www.westbrookhay.co.uk London Road, Hemel Hempstead HP1 2RF
OPEN MORNING Saturday 29th September 9.30am – 12.30pm
VINTAGE UPCYCLE
from this - to this!
Welcome to the first of our regular upcycling ‘how to’ features
H
ave you ever looked at an upcycled piece of furniture and thought ‘I’d love to do that’ – but have no idea where to start? Yep, us too!.
Which is why we’ve started our new regular series of ‘how-to’ features! They’re step-by-step guides to upcycling, complete with all the info you need, including paint type, how to prep, and other important hints and tips. So, go on, what are you waiting for? Get upcycling!
For our first feature, we’re taking a look at how to upcycle a stool. Our Editor Clare saw a stool she loved in a catalogue, but at more than £200 it was a bit steep. So, she decided to make her own. Here’s how she did it...
How to The stool was lovely and would have been the perfect addition to my newly finished bedroom. The trouble was, at £200, it was a bit pricey – especially after all the money we’d spent getting the bedroom decorated in the first place! So, I had an idea. Why not try making my own?
then great. But if you’re thinking of buying a cheap one to upcycle then you need to think what you want to do with it. The stool I’d seen and loved had copper legs and a fluffy top, so I needed something I could easily cover and something with legs that could be easily painted. As luck would have it, I found this simple Ikea stool for just £2 from the Aston Clinton recycling centre (you can actually buy it new from Ikea for £4). The top was plastic, which wasn’t perfect as I knew I’d need to attach fabric to it, but the legs were metal and I knew they could be easily sprayed. I was on my way! TIP: A wooden seat will be easier if you’re stapling the fabric to it, as the staples will go straight into the wood.
Step two Buy your materials. This takes some planning. I knew I wanted to paint the legs, but I wasn’t sure what sort of paint to go for. Luckily, my friend Sandra did – copper spray paint! I also needed to pad the seat out and find some fluffy fabric to attach. Here’s what I used (apart from the stool): • A fluffy throw from a charity shop, £5
Now I’m no craft expert. In fact, I’d go as far as to say I’m a bit useless when it comes to these sorts of things. But that just goes to show – if I can do it, anyone can!
• Foam pad, 40x40x4cm, £6, Hobbycraft
Step one
• Glue gun and glue (I already had)
Buy/choose a stool. If you already have one to upcycle 28 | Tring Living
• Copper spray paint, £7.95, Berkhamsted Arts and Crafts • Staple gun (I already had) www.livingmags.info
VINTAGE UPCYCLE
Step three First, spray the legs. It’s best to do this first so that you don’t get paint on anything else. Give the legs a quick rub with sandpaper if you have some, and make sure they’re clean. Then, keeping your mouth and nose covered, spray the paint evenly all over the legs. It goes on fairly easily, and only takes a few moments to dry. I used copper, but you can use silver or gold as well – or any colour you fancy!
Step four Once the paint is dry, cut the foam pad to shape. Tip the stool upside down and draw around the seat, then cut out the shape with scissors or a knife. Glue it firmly onto the top of the stool. TIP: Use plenty of glue. You don’t want the seat shifting around when you sit on it!
Step five
Cost of original stool: £200 Cost of upcycled stool: £20.95 – and I have fabric and paint left over if I want to make another one! Saving: £179.05! ■
HOME&COLONIAL Antiques & Inspiration
Attach the faux fur to the seat. This is where it’s easier if you have a wooden seat as you can carefully staple it straight into the wood. Because I had a plastic seat, I had to attach a piece of wood to the underside of the stool to staple into. Pull the fabric tight, and go carefully round, stapling as you go. TIP: Furry/fluffy material is probably the easiest kind to use as it’s more forgiving if your stapling isn’t very neat. But you can use whatever takes your fancy! And that’s it! It really is as easy as it sounds, especially if you have a wooden seat. It looks amazing – and cost a fraction of the one I saw! @ LivingMagazines
/LivingMagazines
Autumn 2018 | 29
134 High Street . Berkhamsted . HP4 3AT
Tel: 01442 877007
www.homeandcolonial.co.uk
Pets’Corner KEEP YOUR PETS
SAFE!
We all adore our little furry friends – but do you know how to keep them safe? Here’s our handy guide
W
e’re a nation of pet lovers – but how many of us know exactly what to do if our beloved pet gets into danger? Whether it’s eating the wrong things, getting ill or going missing, it’s important to know the ins and outs. Thanks to the Blue Cross, we’ve put together this handy guide to making sure your furry friends stay as safe as possible.
Cats Cats are nosy creatures, and will get into all sorts of scrapes if you let them. There are also a surprising number of dangers in and around your home. Poisons and toxins A number of things are toxic to cats – some of which you’re no doubt aware of, but some less obvious too. • Antifreeze – it may sound obvious but if you spill it, clean it up immediately and avoid using it in water features • Disinfectant, especially those which contain phenols • Slug and rodent bait, insect killers and weed killers • Dog flea treatments • Human medications including paracetamol • Some food such as raisins, onion and chocolate 30 | Tring Living
• Lilies and foxgloves. Even rubbing against them then licking their fur can be dangerous.
Windows Cats may be able to jump great heights for their size, but high windows and balconies can still be dangerous if they fall. If you’re worried, cover high windows with wire mesh, or keep them open on the latch. Appliances Washing machines and tumble dryers may seem like warm, enticing places for cats to curl up, but if you don’t notice they’re in there, these machines are lethal. Keep doors shut when not in use, restrict access to rooms with them in and always check before using. Sunburn They’re covered in fur so you may not think about it, but cats can suffer from sunburn and, if it happens regularly, it can cause skin cancer. White fur with pink skin underneath is particularly susceptible. Ask your vet for animal sunscreen and apply it regularly.
Dogs One of the main dangers to dogs is heatstroke because, unlike humans, they don’t lose body heat through their skin. They cool down by panting and heat loss through www.livingmags.info
Local Pets
To a d 01442 vertise 8 24 3 0 0
Directory of specialists
their paws and nose. Take these precautions to avoid heatstroke:
• Consider contacting neighbouring dog wardens too
• Ensure they have clean water to drink
• Visit places such as local parks and ask people to keep an eye out
• Walk them in the cooler part of the day – paws can burn on hot pavements
• If you’re sure your pet’s been stolen, report it to the police and ask for a crime reference number
• NEVER leave a dog in a car, even with the window open
• Report it to the microchip database so you’ll be informed if someone tries to re-register them
• Give them ice cubes with their favourite treats inside
Protect against theft According to the Missing Pets Bureau, 38% of animals reported lost have actually been stolen. Here’s how to protect your pet from thieves. • Never leave them unattended in vehicles or outside shops. They’re vulnerable to opportunist thieves • Keep microchip details up-to-date • Take photos of you with your pet to prove ownership • Take photos of your pet from different angles to make them easier to identify
• Make and distribute posters • Tell local vets • Report on local community websites and Facebook pages • Contact animal shelters and rescue charities.
With thanks to the Hertfordshire rehoming centre of the Blue Cross. They’re currently trying to raise money to improve their outdated facilities. Please go to: www.bluecross.org. uk/hertfordshire-rehomingcentre-appeal for more details.
DEBORAH CARE FOR PETS • DOG WALKING • HOUSE SITTING • CATS, BIRDS, FISH & CHICKENS • CANINE FIRST AID • REFERENCES AVAILABLE • MATURE & PROFESSIONAL
TEL: 01442 890 365 MOB: 07522 556046
• Train your dog to come when called, and think about an extendable lead in unfamiliar places • Make sure your garden is secure and attach a bell to gates • Keep your dog in sight when he’s in the garden • Vary times and routes of your daily dog walk.
What to do if it’s too late If your pet has already gone missing, or you suspect it’s been stolen, here’s what you should do: • Report it to Dacorum Borough Council’s dog warden on 01442 228418 @ LivingMagazines
/LivingMagazines
“Certified to perform keyhole surgery”
Aiming to provide a high level of clinical care for small animals, in a relaxed & friendly environment
98 Western Road, Tring, Hertfordshire HP23 4BJ 01442 822 151 (24 hrs) | www.springwellvets.com
Autumn 2018 | 31
Pets’Corner START: Layby, Northfield Road, Tring or Tring Station or Aldbury Village ENDS: Layby, Northfield Road, Tring or Tring Station or Aldbury Village DISTANCE: 4.2 miles (7km) ASCENT: Around 152mt (500 feet) MAP: Ordnance Survey Explorer 181 ALDBURY VILLAGE LOOKING ACROSS FROM STOCKS GOLF COURSE: PHOTO © GEORGE EDWARDS
Here’s the second in our new series of dog-friendly local walks. For full details go to the website www.livingmags.info
T
his is a circular walk along part of The Ridgeway and through the picturesque village of Aldbury, which has two pubs and a village shop for refreshments. There are no stiles, or livestock usually, but Northfield Road and Aldbury Village can be busy during commuting hours or at weekends, so dogs should be on leads in these areas. Paths are generally well-marked but may be muddy. The walk includes an ancient track, a golf course and village stocks. Using public transport is possible; by train to Tring station or the 387 bus from Tring to Tring Station and Aldbury – see www.intalink.org.uk.
The Walk On Northfield Road, travelling towards Tring Station, there is a formal layby (1) between the roundabout on the B488, Upper Icknield Way and the track for Honeysuckle Farm and which is usually quiet and accommodates about five cars. In the unlikely event it is full there is another informal, unsurfaced area (1a) for about three cars closer to Tring Station. You may also be able to find some parking in Aldbury around the pond (8) or near the Valiant Trooper pub (7). The pub has a car park but ask permission before you use it. Starting from the formal layby (1) on Northfield Road, head back towards Upper Icknield Way and when you reach the wooded area turn right (2) through 32 | Tring Living
the gate and right up the hill between trees towards The Ridgeway path along Aldbury Nowers ridge. To your left you’ll glimpse a chalk pit, all that remains of Pitstone’s former cement works. Ignore a path to the right and carry on uphill through a metal gate, along the path to The Ridgeway and turn right through a wooden gate into a wooded hill path, which is Aldbury Nowers. Follow The Ridgeway path along the hill and admire the views over Tring and Aylesbury Vale to your right. A little way along the path is a seat and information board overlooking the view (3). Continue along the Ridgeway until you come to a steep stepped descent at the bottom of which is a signpost with four fingers (4) – take care down the steps! Take the left path towards Stocks golf club and shortly afterwards keep to the left path, going through a gate onto a path around the edge of the golf course with fine views towards Aldbury (5). Turn right following the edge of the course and wood until you come to another wooden sign and go straight on towards Aldbury village across the marked path over the golf course – watch for stray golf balls! At the end of the golf course cross the Hertfordshire Way path towards Aldbury church. When you reach Church Farm there may be livestock in the field so dogs on leads. The path reaches Station Road which can be busy, so take care as you turn right along the grass verge for a few metres before crossing over the road to a metal gate with a footpath sign (6) into www.livingmags.info
Walkies a field which may have cereal growing in it. Follow the path until it exits between houses into a cul-de-sac, Stoneycroft, with the Valiant Trooper pub (7) just to the left. Dogs are allowed in the bar and garden areas – see www.valianttrooper.co.uk. The alternative pub is the Greyhound Inn – www.greyhoundaldbury. co.uk/ – carry on along Trooper Road past the garage towards the village pond and stocks (8) – take care the road is narrow and has little pavement. On your left as you reach the pond is Aldbury Village Store an alternative source of refreshment to the pubs and with two convenient seats on the village green where you can study the village stocks. Continuing the walk, make for the Greyhound Inn (9) and take the track to the left of the pub
@ LivingMagazines
/LivingMagazines
“Percy Crow Path” (10) which takes you into a field with the school on your left. Exit the field and immediately turn left towards Church Farm, turning right onto the path you came on towards the Hertfordshire Way. Reaching the Hertfordshire Way on the edge of the golf course, turn left (11) and follow it until it meets The Ridgeway and turn right (12) onto the Ridgeway. Follow The Ridgeway and where it begins its ascent and you’ll find a shady seat under a tree (13). Immediately after the seat take the left path downhill, back towards Northfield Road. Caution as you cross a private road to Northfield Grange (14) and carry on to Northfield Road where you turn right and back to the formal layby starting point. Let us know if you enjoy our walks. ■
History The Ridgeway follows an 87 mile route used since prehistoric times by travellers, herdsmen and soldiers from Wiltshire to Ivinghoe Beacon. Grim’s Ditch follows The Ridgeway across Aldbury Nowers and is a series of linear earthworks thought to be a set of local boundaries used to control the movement of cattle and carts and dating back to the Iron Age. Aldbury is an archetypal historic village including a village pond, stocks and whipping-post, in excellent condition. The village was recorded as Aldeberie in the 1086 Domesday Book. The Valiant Trooper pub first traceable evidence dates back to 1752. In the 1970s, Aldbury was better known as the home of the head of the Playboy Club, Victor Lownes, who lived at Stocks House and held lavish parties there. The house and swimming pool featured on the cover of the 1997 Oasis album, Be Here Now. Aldbury is a popular location for films and television. Among film and television series scenes filmed in the village were: The Dirty Dozen, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, Morse and inevitably Midsomer Murders. ■
Autumn 2018 | 33
DON’T WORRY, BE
HAPPY We all need to look after the health of our minds as much as our bodies. Here are some techniques to help
M
ost of us know that, to stay fit and healthy, we should eat good food, exercise regularly and have the odd check-up.
But how many of us can honestly say we spend as much time looking after our mental health as we do our physical health? health? Exactly.
Sadly, with everyone leading such busy, hectic lives, and setting such high expectations for themselves – “I must have a nice house, look good, spend quality time with the kids, have a good career” – levels of anxiety and stress are through the roof.
‘The mind is a phenomenally strong tool that we undervalue and underestimate,’ says Becky Willoughby from Willow Therapy in Tring. ‘But it can also be a really useful tool in helping to get things under control. Knowing you can control something is the first step to eliminating it. ‘It’s about having a toolkit you can reach into and find the tool you need for a particular moment.’ Here’s how to make sure you keep that toolkit replenished, and help yourself to improve your mental health and wellbeing.
But increasingly experts are beginning to recognise that there is a strong link between the body and the mind – and in order to keep one healthy, the other needs to be nurtured too. As a result, mental health care is changing. And with the focus more and more on happiness and wellbeing, there’s never been a better time to start thinking about how to look after your own mental health. 34 | Tring Living
www.livingmags.info
DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY Pause for thought ‘Many people assume that self care means taking a big chunk out of your day to meditate or do yoga practice,’ says Becky. ‘But, while there is a place for this, self care can take just five minutes out of your day, and make such an enormous difference. ‘It could be going out for a walk with the dog, or taking time for a stroll round the garden. Just putting the pause button on for a few moments to have time to breathe and give yourself space makes all the difference in the world.’
Speak positively ‘One of the most important ways of improving your happiness is to understand how important the use of language is,’ explains Becky. Think about it. How many times have you said, ‘I should have gone to the shop and got some bread,’ or, ‘I should have tidied the kitchen’? But what if you changed that ‘should’ to ‘could’? So it becomes, ‘I could have gone to the shop and got some bread – but in that moment I chose not to because it wasn’t my priority.’
deeper and you realise that the chat they had was via email or WhatsApp and actually, they haven’t really seen anyone, or connected with anyone, in person all day. ‘But interaction with other people is key to staying happy. Even if you’re just travelling into work on the train with other people, or spending time in the office with them, connecting with others is essential.’
That sounds very different – and immediately takes pressure off you. It’s so simple, but it’s also very effective if you can remember to do it. Don’t forget of course, that the use of language can affect your thoughts – so it follows that if you change your words then, in time, you also change your thought process.
Re-connect It’s essential to spend time with people. This might sound simple enough, but thanks to technology and lack of time, we’re becoming increasingly disconnected from the world. ‘Many of the people I see spend much of their time alone, or with young children,’ says Becky. ‘I ask them if they’ve spoken to anyone recently and they might say “oh, I chatted to my friend yesterday”. But dig @ LivingMagazines
/LivingMagazines
Autumn 2018 | 35
Almost one full year under new management Still the same fully equipped Pilates Studio offering highly qualified and knowledgeable instruction...now offering mat classes and workshops
k Manage your back pain k Take control of your post op rehab k Complement your sport
k Correct your posture k Recover from injury k Look after yourself during and after pregnancy
We work on 1 instructor to 3 clients, sessions are tailored to your needs and we make it fun. Classes are small and follow specific needs 1-2-1 sessions available.
WWW.TRINGPILATES.CO.UK
DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY ‘Try this technique,’ suggests Becky. ‘Go into a crowded place such as a coffee shop, choose a table and just sit there alone. ‘It terrifies a lot of people. But that’s because they’re out of the habit of being around people. The next stage is to strike up a conversation with a stranger. It might feel daunting, but the benefits of actually doing it are huge.’
What is mindfulness? Mindfulness is a way of focusing entirely on the present moment; it clears your mind of other worries, and helps keep you calm. It’s about bringing all of your attention to what you’re doing right now, and really focusing on it. The idea behind it is that, by learning techniques to bring your attention to the present moment, you can learn to let your thoughts come and go without letting them define you or your experiences in the world. It helps you notice your body and what it’s trying to tell you – for example, tight neck and shoulders could indicate stress or tension – and it helps create space between your thoughts so you can react calmly. Try these mindfulness exercises, which are suggested by the mental health charity, Mind. • Mindful eating Pay attention to the taste, sight and textures of what you eat. For example, when drinking a cup of tea or coffee focus on how hot and liquid it feels on your tongue, how sweet it tastes or watch the steam that it gives off. • Mindful moving, walking or running Notice the feeling of your body moving. Notice the breeze against your skin, the feeling of your feet or hands against different textures on the ground or nearby surfaces, and the different smells that are around you. • Body scan Move your attention slowly through different parts of the body, starting from the top of your head, moving all the way down to the end of your toes. You could focus on feelings of warmth, tension, tingling or relaxation of different parts of your body.
36 | Tring Living
‘It’s important to connect properly with your children too’, she says. ‘Parents don’t need any more pressure. I tell them to give themselves five minutes at the end of every day with their children where they just shut the door, and listen to what their child has to say without interruption. They always think it’s going to be easy but five minutes is a long time – and it makes the world of difference.’
• Mindful colouring and drawing Focus on the colours and the sensation of your pencil against the paper, rather than trying to draw something in particular. You could use a mindfulness colouring book or download mindfulness colouring images. • Mindful meditation Sit quietly and focus on your breathing, your thoughts, sensations in your body and the things you can hear around you. Try to bring your focus back to the present if your mind starts to wander. Many people also find that yoga helps them to concentrate on their breathing and focus on the present moment.
Tips on getting the most from mindfulness exercises When you do any mindfulness exercise, the key steps are: • Pay attention – for example, when you shower in the morning, make an effort to pay attention to the feel of the water on your skin.. • Notice – when your mind wanders, simply notice where your thoughts have drifted to. • Choose and return – choose to bring your attention back to the present moment, usually by focusing on your breathing or another sensation in your body. • Be aware and accept – notice and be aware of emotions or sensations in your body. Try to observe and accept them with friendly curiosity and without judgement. • Be kind to yourself – remember that mindfulness is difficult and our minds will always wander. Try not to be critical of yourself. When you notice your mind wandering, just gently bring yourself back to the exercise.
www.livingmags.info
DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY Write a diary If you’re feeling anxious or depressed it can be hard to see anything positive. It doesn’t matter what is actually going on in your life – you could have beautiful kids, a happy marriage, the house of your dreams – all of that becomes irrelevant when the darkness of depression descends. A way to help lift yourself from that place – or to prevent yourself from getting there in the first place – is to write a gratitude diary. Every day, try and find one, two or even three things that you’re grateful for, or that make you happy. It can be things that you’re grateful for right in this present moment, or it can be something that made you smile that day, even if just for a moment. Think about it, cherish it, and write it down.
Anxiety/panic attacks ‘There are techniques you can teach people who have panic attacks, which basically involve taking the person out of the situation mentally for a few minutes’, explains Becky. ‘For example, if someone has a fear of flying, I tell them that, as they get on the plane, look around for someone who has red hair, glasses, flip flops and a bag. If they’re doing that then they’re taken out of it for a moment and they have no space in their brain to think about what they’re scared of. Take a moment, now. In the room where
Personal Training
making a difference
“Adele’s plan toned the parts of my body that I really wanted to focus on. I feel great” – Leigh ........................................................... “I’ve gone from unfit and out of shape to completing a triathlon” – Simon ........................................................... “Brilliant motivator! She works me really hard, but every session is fun and varied” – Helen
Call Adele 07905 283 233
www.TringPersonalTrainer.co.uk facebook.com/AdeleLambertPT
er Living toff 1s n sessio only
£ 20
Qualified Personal Trainer (Level 3) with additional qualifications in Weight Management, Nutrition for Sport and Exercise, Core Stability and Pre and Post Natal Exercise.
you are, find as many things as you can beginning with the letter C. Say them out loud when you’ve found them. Afterwards, think. While you were doing that you weren’t thinking about anything else were you? You stopped what you were doing and concentrated only on that. This is a great technique for people if they’re anxious or having a panic attack about something. Often, particularly with children, this can stop them having a panic attack all together because it empowers them. It gives them the tools to know they can stop a panic attack in its tracks, and this can sometimes stop people having them at all. You know you can survive it. For some people sensory things work too. For example, if you hold or press something to keep your mind off the anxiety. ‘Some people need sensory, some need verbal.’ ■
For more help and advice go to: www.mind.org.uk, call 0300 123 3393 or text 86463. Mind Hertforshire is on: www.hertsmindnetwork.org/ or call 020 37273600. Willow Therapy is at: www.willowtherapy.org.uk, or call 07979 814007
MAKE IT PERMANENT
W
Removable make-up is so last season!
hat’s your morning routine like? If you’re one of those people who can just get up, run a brush through your hair and leave the house, then that’s brilliant.
But for most of us, it takes a little more time to get ready in the morning – and for many, applying make-up is a time-consuming chore we could do without. Permanent and semi-permanent make-up has been around for a while, but it’s getting better all the time, and these days the results are outstanding when it’s done well. If you’re unsure what it involves, or how it works, then wonder no more. We have the low-down on all the latest techniques – and our Editor very kindly put herself under the microblade to give you a real-life report of eyebrow make-up. The sacrifices we make!
Eyebrows It used to be so simple – you’d pluck your eyebrows with tweezers to the shape you wanted, and that was it! These days, the options are seemingly endless. Of course there are techniques, such as threading and waxing, which are both more or less the same thing as tweezing, but with a more professional finish. HD brows are one step up from that, and the process 38 | Tring Living
involves having your eyebrows shaped and tinted. They last longer too, around 5-6 weeks. But there are many ways now to get a more www.livingmags.info
MAKE IT PERMANENT in your skin. So, although they fade, they’re always there and just need topping up every now and then.’ There are three ways to get the pigment into the skin, and each method is used according to the needs of the client: • Machine – this is often used if someone has hardly any brow of their own, or they want a more defined look. • Softap – this is a manual method, which is less aggressive and gives you more control. It also gives a softer, more natural finish. • Microblading – this uses a row of needles, called a microblade, which is pulled across the surface of the skin to create realistic hair strokes. Usually the machine is used if the client has hardly any hair coverage on their own brows, and is combined with microblading or softap for more shading.
permanent solution, which means your eyebrows hold their shape for anywhere up to two years. It can be done purely for cosmetic reasons, but it’s also a great solution for women undergoing chemotherapy. ‘When women lose their hair, it’s tough – it can make them feel less than feminine,’ says Shelley AubreySteadman, who runs WOWBella in Tring. ‘One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is being able to help those women feel better about themselves – and giving them eyelashes and eyebrows definitely helps.’ But of course anyone can have semi-permanent eyebrows – and, as the shape of your eyebrow can really help define the shape of your face, you need to make sure you’re using someone who really knows what they’re doing. Shelley has been doing it for five years, and has had some incredible results. She explains what it involves. ‘Permanent, or semi-permanent, make-up means that the molecules of the pigment are placed permanently @ LivingMagazines
/LivingMagazines
Appointments usually last around two hours, and then a follow-up appointment is needed six weeks later. How long it lasts depends on the age of the skin, hormones and many other factors, but a year is average.
Eyeliner If you spend ages honing your eyeliner skills every morning – or, like me, scrape a blunt kohl pencil across your eyes while grimacing – then this could be a good choice. It uses the same pigment as the eyebrows and the colour can be matched to your skin tone, but it’s almost always done manually for accuracy. Nobody wants a machine waving around in front of their eyes! You can choose how dramatic you want your eyeliner to look – but make sure you choose carefully, as you’ll have it for at least a year!
Areola This is a relatively new treatment, but uses the same techniques and pigment to create an areola around the nipple. This is for women who have had to have a mastectomy or breast reconstruction surgery, and a range of shades and tones are offered to match the skin. Autumn 2018 | 39
MAKE IT PERMANENT Lips There are many different shades of semi-permanent lip colour to choose from, and the best way of getting one you’re happy with is to try a few different lipstick shades and try to match it from your favourite. ‘Lips are slightly different because they’re a muscle and the skin is different,’ explains Shelley. ‘It usually takes three sessions instead of two to get the colour right, but once they’re done they last ages.’■
Tried and Tested Shelley offered to show me how it works first hand. Luckily my eyebrows were perfect for this kind of treatment, as they have decent hair coverage but are slightly patchy in places. First I went along for my consultation, which involved a patch test of the dye, and Shelley talked me through the process from start to finish. She explained exactly what each method involved and what to expect, and then why she had chosen the colour she had. Two days later I went along for the treatment. Before arrival I had to apply a little bit of anaesthetic cream, available from the chemist, and cover it with cling film, which I held in place with kirby grips. I was glad I only had to drive from Berkhamsted to Tring because it was an interesting look. On arrival Shelley talked me through the procedure again.
Before
Before
After
And then we got going. First she drew the shape of the brow she wanted to create, which in my case involved filling in the mid-section that was particularly patchy on the right brow. Once she was happy with the shape the treatment began. At first I was really surprised to feel nothing at all. As she worked from the middle outwards, I started to feel a bit more sensation – just on the mid-section where it needed the most work was the most sensitive part. But it wasn’t painful, just a little uncomfortable, and only for short periods at a time. Each brow only took about 10 minutes, and then it was done! The result was amazing. I went from patchy, impossible-to-manage brows to full, shapely ones in a little over an hour. Shelley was very keen to make sure I understood the aftercare routine which, although simple, was necessary, and involved wiping the brows with clean water every half hour for the first two hours and applying a vitamin A cream, and then every hour after that for the rest of the day. This is just to stop any scabs forming and the brows from drying out. Shelley is so professional and everything is done so meticulously you feel confident from the very start. She’s also lovely to chat to, which helps! I still need my follow-up treatment in a few weeks’ time, but I’m thrilled with the result and will definitely be maintaining these now.
After 40 | Tring Living
www.wowbella.co.uk, 07923 646387. Most treatments cost £250. If you book after seeing this, please be sure to tell Shelley!
www.livingmags.info
GARDENS PLANT BUYING
SAVE THE BEES!
A
Make your garden bee-friendly this autumn
utumn is a tricky time if you’re a bee. All summer long there are plenty of sources of nectar and pollen around, with all the flowering plants to choose from.
But come autumn, many of these sources have disappeared, ready for the cold winter. Bees are still around at this time of year – bumblebee colonies produce males and new queen bees during the late summer months – and so they still need somewhere to feed, and somewhere to shelter over the winter.
summer there are lots of flowers to choose from, but by the time September and October roll around, there are far fewer. ‘Things like winter pansies are no good for bees,’ says Simon, ‘as they don’t have any pollen. ‘Instead you need to choose plants whose flowers have pollen, and which flower longer and later into the year. Bees stockpile nectar in the autumn ready for the winter, so it’s one of the most important times of year for them.’
There are ways you can help them. Choosing the right plants is the most important thing, as well as providing somewhere for them to nest and shelter. We spoke to Simon Chasey from Tierra Designs, who gave us these top tips for making your autumn garden bee-friendly.
Plant late flowers It’s important to have a wide diversity of early-flowering and late-flowering plants in your garden. During the @ LivingMagazines
/LivingMagazines
Autumn 2018 | 41
SAVE THE BEES Here are some of the best suggestions, depending on your garden:
the next flower and this means all the plant’s energy goes into helping the next one flower.
• Hebes – these flower from late summer until the autumn, so are perfect for attracting bees
‘The other way is to cut back after the first flowers have died off to give the plants a second flush later in the season.’
• Helleborus, also known as the Christmas Rose – flowers throughout the winter and provides an excellent source of pollen • Ivy – lots of people don’t like ivy as they think it takes over the garden, but in fact if you plant it along a wall in a sheltered place it’s excellent for bees as it provides high quality nectar all year round • Verbena bonariensis – these tall, delicate plants have a long flowering season and bees love them
Provide shelter Bumblebees hibernate during the winter, and need shelter. There are several ways of providing shelter for them in your garden. ‘You can build a twig pile, like a little bug house,’ says Simon. ‘Pile a few logs together and fill the gaps with moss, twigs and leaves.’ This gives them both somewhere to nest, as well as shelter from the rain. Don’t be tempted to clear your borders until the spring either – leaving dead stems will give the bees somewhere to shelter. ‘Bees also love compost heaps, so if you can leave your compost heap alone until the spring it will give them somewhere else to shelter,’ says Simon. Leaving a patch of grass long will also help them, as they like to nest in the long grass. • Build a bee hotel
Plant for spring It’s also important at this time of year to plant bulbs that will flower in the spring, to provide a source of pollen and nectar for the bees coming out of hibernation after the winter. Choose bulbs such as crocuses and alliums.
If you really want to go for it, you could build a bee ‘hotel’. There are lots of ways to do this, but one of the easiest is to use a plastic bottle and buy some lengths of hollow bamboo from the garden centre. Cut off both ends of the bottle, and cut the bamboo
Careful pruning With careful pruning you can ensure plants flower for longer, or even flower later. ‘There are two methods of increasing flowering,’ Simon explains. ‘The single most effective way is to dead-head, the same way you do with roses. So when the first flowers have died off, cut them right back to 42 | Tring Living
www.livingmags.info
SAVE THE BEES 3cm shorter than the bottle so it’s protected from the rain. Try and choose bamboo without many knots as bees can’t get through them. Using wax or modelling clay, block one end of each length of bamboo, then push them into the bottle. Pack them tightly in to make sure they’re secure, then leave it outside in a sheltered place, or hang it up against a wall.
Avoid insecticide Insecticide is not great for bees at all, but if you do want to use it make sure you spray it in the evening when the bees have gone to bed, rather than during the day.
CREATING BEAUTIFUL GARDENS FOR ALL BUDGETS
CONTEMPORARY WITH FIREPIT CONTEMPORARY GARDENCOURTYARD WITH WATER B E R K H A M ST E D
SLOPING GARDEN WITH BREEZE HUT @ LivingMagazines
/LivingMagazines
Autumn 2018 | 43
0800 8278 0800298 298 8278| |www.tierradesigns.co.uk www.tierradesigns.co.uk
IN WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW Vikki and Simon kindly showed us round their beautiful home
W
hen Vikki and Simon were looking for a house to buy in March 2017, they wanted four bedrooms and plenty of downstairs space. So they nearly didn’t look at this house in Ivinghoe.
‘Downstairs was much too small,’ says Vikki. But they decided to take a look anyway – and were glad they did. ‘We fell in love with it she says. ‘It was small, but we could see how to make the house work for us.’ And it was that vision which meant that they found themselves, a few months later and with a baby on the way, moving into a house that needed lots of work. ‘I’m not sure what we were thinking,’ Vikki says. ‘But it seemed like the right thing to do at the time!’ Work started on the house almost immediately. First, the conservatory was knocked down to make way
Before
44 | Tring Living
Before
for the brand new extension, which would eventually become the living area. What had been the back wall of the house was knocked almost completely through, opening up the house into one huge room. About halfway through the work, in June last year, their baby girl was born. They didn’t let it faze them. ‘We’d planned for it,’ says Vikki. ‘Or, at least, as much as we could! We’d sit behind a tarpaulin in the dark, windowless kitchen while the building work was going on feeding a small baby. It felt like ages, but in the end it only took three to four months from start to finish.’ They decided to get the garden done at the same time, to make it almost an extension of the living room . ‘I was keen to make it flow, so we chose tiles for the living room floor that we could carry on into the garden,’ explains Vikki. ‘Now, when we open the bi-fold doors it feels like the garden is part of the house. It’s lovely.’
After
After
www.livingmags.info
The work was finished in October last year, including installation of the kitchen, which Simon did himself, and since then they’ve really made the place their home. ‘I love interior design, and often buy things as I see them rather than planning everything,’ says Vikki. And they like shopping locally where they can too. The 1960s dining table was bought at Home and Colonial in Berkhamsted, as were the tub chairs. The goldpainted chairs were from Luxe 22, on Castle Street in Berkhamsted a few years ago, while the green vases, the picture of the Queen, and the mirror over the table came from Nineteen49 in Tring. ‘I love a mixture of old and new things; it makes the place come alive,’ she says. And the pair have a real eye for colour as well. ‘When we knocked through the back wall of the house we wanted to keep some of the original brickwork,’ she says. ‘We decided the exposed brick in the kitchen would look great painted a dark green-blue colour and I love it.’ It’s a real statement, and the table and mirror really stand out against the bold colour. The parquet floor is a lovely dark yet warm colour, while the wooden wall in the living room brings real warmth to the room. For the kitchen they chose lighter colours, as the room is darker than the extension. ‘The rest of the room is quite dark and masculine, so I’ve tried to add a touch of pink,’ Vikki says. ‘There are these handmade flowers, which my mum made for my daughter’s; birthday the tiles in the kitchen have a hint of pink and the cables
After
After
Elizabeth Anne Curtains & Blinds
Free Measuring & Advice
* Curtains * Blinds * Wallpapers & * Tracks Poles & * Home Commercial
01442 384567
info@elizabethanne-blinds.co.uk www.elizabethanne-blinds.co.uk 98 High Street | Berkhamsted | HP4 2BL (opposite The Gatsby) Open Monday to Saturday 9.30am - 5.00pm
Oven & Carpet Cleaning Agas & Ranges Ovens & Hobs Extractor Fans Carpets & Rugs Sofas & Upholstery End of Tenancy Cleaning 15 years’ experience Loving care | Best results!
Call Warren 07780 865 632 01442 827 899
@ LivingMagazines
/LivingMagazines
Autumn 2018 | 45
IN WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW After
Tring’s Curtain & Blind specialists After
Roller | Pleated | Roman Woodslat | Woven | Vertical Venetian | Curtain poles Tie-backs | Cushions
Free friendly advice and quotations in the comfort of your own home
coming down to the lights above the induction hob do too. It’s subtle but makes it feel softer.’ You can see why the house appealed. Not only was there room for expansion, but there are amazing views across to the Ivinghoe windmill from the living room, and right across the hills from upstairs. And although they haven’t finished work upstairs yet, the master bedroom on the top floor is lovely. The grey painted wall behind the bed makes a real statement and gives the room character – which is why I was surprised to find out that it was a false wall hiding a walk-in wardrobe/dressing room, built by Simon.
Home is where the heart is Where do you consider to be your real home? Is it where you live now, the house you grew up in, or somewhere else entirely? According to a recent survey by door and window company Origin, more than 60% of us still consider our childhood home to be our ‘real’ home. According to the poll of more than 2,000 adults, 30% said the place where they grew up was special because more than half admitted they felt safer there, while for two thirds, it’s all about the happy memories.
Local family-run business NEW SHOWROOM/WORKSHOP in Wilstone, by appointment.
i nteri or s
10% OFF
"
Huge choice of fabric or supply your own
kayes
with this promotion
01442 822055 07767 783955 b l i n d m a n j a m i e @ a o l .c o m
f t
/kayesinteriors
‘The room goes down into the eaves on both sides, so we wanted to give it a bit more shape,’ says Vikki. ‘It means we can hide all our mess behind it!!’ The views from the dormer window are stunning – sun streams through, and you can see right across the fields to the windmill. What a sight to wake up to. This house has everything a family needs – space, light, style and plenty of room for growth. Plus, of course, it now contains some stunning vintage finds. Gorgeous! We had a swing in our basement – it was a great place to play on rainy days! Angela Vanderpluym, Tring Building the Wendy house in the garden, erecting the framed paddling pool every summer, going round the block on our bikes, and staying up on New Year’s Eve. Debbie Clayton, Tring My fondest memory was being able to walk down my back garden, hop over the hidden little picket fence and wander off across the fields to pick blackberries. Lilly Weight, Tring
When asked about the most fondly remembered aspects of their childhood homes, people mentioned gardens, the view from windows, mum’s cooking and laughing together as a family.
I remember our large German Shepherd dog chasing Father Christmas out of our house. It was actually my dad in the outfit and he kept trying to let the dog know it was him, but the dog kept chasing him, getting angrier! We all laughed until our tummies hurt. Ursula Keywood, Berkhamsted
What are your happiest memories of the house you grew up in? We asked a few local residents...
I loved my sodastream, it brings back real memories! Victoria Melbourne, Berkhamsted
46 | Tring Living
www.livingmags.info
Full concept to completion, design and installation service Call or visit one of our showrooms
St Albans 01727 260670
Gaddesden Row 01442 803303
www.hawkkb.co.uk
@ LivingMagazines
/LivingMagazines
Tring 2018 | 47
Resident & Visitor Guide
Lussmanns
21 High St, HP23 5AR 01442 502250
Olive Limes
58-60 High St, HP23 5AG 01442 828444 www.olivelimes.com
Pendley Manor
Cow Lane, HP23 5QY 01442 891891 www.pendley-manor.co.uk
Restaurants
48
Takeaways
48
Cafés
50
Pubs
50
Restaurants
Francesco’s
Akeman
53 High St, HP23 5AG 01442 827258
Crockers
80 Marsworth Rd Pitstone, LU7 9AS 01296 662204 / 661223
9 Akeman St, HP23 6AA 01442 826027 74 High Street, HP23 4AF 01442 767877
Crows Nest
Tring Hill, HP23 4LD 01442 824819
Da Vinci
43 Frogmore St, HP23 5AU 01442 891300
48 | Tring Living
Haldi
Jubraj Tandoori
53a High St, HP23 5AG 01442 825368
King’s Head
Station Rd, Ivinghoe, Beds LU7 9EB 01296 668388
Prezzo
69 High St, HP23 4AB 01442 822610
Restaurant 23
23 High St, HP23 5AH 01442 890948
Tamarind
75 High St, HP23 4AB 01442 822333
Takeaways Chinese Canton City
60 Western Rd, HP23 4BB 01442 823870 / 823802
China Town
2 Akeman St Tring HP23 6AA 01442 824831
Delicious Meal 17-19 Marsworth Rd,
Pitstone LU7 9AT 01296 661969 / 662180
Pa Co
5 Silk Mill Way Tring HP23 5EP 01442 825069
Indian & Bangladeshi Bhujon
12 Miswell Lane Tring HP23 4BX 01442 891062
Haldi
01296 662204 / 661223
Jubraj Tandoori 01442 825368
Mela
01296 630110
Olive Limes 01442 828444
Fish & Chips Fried Fish Shop
12 Akeman St, HP23 6AA 01442 826296
Jamie’s
3 Dolphin Sq, HP23 5BN 01442 822888
Ocean’s
37 Frogmore St, HP23 5AU 01442 822524 www.livingmags.info
EATING OUT
Crockers, Tring
Review
Crockers is a restaurant like no other – at least not around here. It’s not just a restaurant, it’s an all-round dining experience – and we were invited along to try it out. Crockers offer a tasting menu at lunchtime and evenings on Fridays and Saturdays, and this is what we experienced one Friday lunchtime. I was looking forward to it! When we arrived we had a drink in the bar area. It’s a lovely space; all dark blues and wood and uniquely styled. It’s open to anyone without reservations and serves delicious cocktails and snacks, so definitely worth a visit. We were then led upstairs to the dining area. The seats – all 14 of them – are set around one large bar overlooking the kitchen, so you can see what’s going on and you get to sit with some interesting people too. The tasting menu has eight courses, and it didn’t faze them at all when I announced I was not only vegetarian, but lactose-intolerant too (although you are supposed to give seven days’ notice of this I later realised – oops!). They coped admirably and my food was just as good and well-thought-out as everyone else’s, despite the short notice. Apart from one dish I
think, everything was just tweaked – a novelty for a vegetarian! The presentation of the food was outstanding, and it tasted even better! We were also offered the matched wine menu to accompany it, which may not have been the best idea on a Friday lunchtime, but was lovely nonetheless! My friend and colleague, Naomi, sadly couldn’t enjoy it, as she had to drive home. By the end of the meal the camaraderie between the diners, and also between the diners and the team, was lovely and, at times, hilarious – although this could, of course, have had something to do with the amount of wine consumed! To fully enjoy the experience I would suggest you allow at least three hours – and I’d advise leaving the car at home to enjoy the extensive wine list. The whole experience was excellent from start to finish – the décor, the people, the presentation, the food – even the toilets were outstanding, and they say you can tell the quality of a place by its loos! The taster menu is served at lunch and dinner on Fridays and Saturdays and costs £80 per person – but is a real treat. The lunch menu from Tuesday to Thursday is £35 per person, while dinner is £45. Wines can be chosen to match your meal and menus change monthly, so check the website for details. Crockers is closed on Mondays. This photo was taken at the end of the meal and features, in no particular order: Pete White, Julia and Jocelyn Cox, Paul Gooch, Neville and Laura Nankin – and me. If you’re looking for something unique and interesting, Crockers is perfect. You won’t be disappointed. 74 High Street, Tring, Hertfordshire, HP23 4AF 01442 828971 www.crockerstring.co.uk
@ LivingMagazines
/LivingMagazines
Autumn 2018 | 49
EATING OUT
Resident & Visitor Guide The Cog
Pizza Mighty Bite Pizzeria
97 Akeman St, HP23 6AA 01442 823554
Cafés Atkins
66 Western Rd, HP23 4BB 01442 823392
Beechwood
42 Frogmore St, HP23 5AU 01442 828812
Costa
George House, High St HP23 4AF 01442 825778
56 High St, HP23 5AG 01442 828228
Dunsley Farmshop
Pitstone Wharf, Cheddington Rd LU7 9AD
Old School Community Hub, Ivinghoe LU7 9EX 01296 663853 London Rd, HP23 6HA 01442 823357
Garden Café
Tring Garden Centre Bulbourne Rd, HP23 5HF
Pam’s Sandwich Bar
98 High St, HP23 4AF 07886 434373
PE Mead Farmshop
Lower Icknield Way, Wilstone, HP23 4PA 01442 828478
Bluebells
HOTEL & GOLF COURSE
NHM@Tring, Akeman St HP23 6AP
Wine bar Jack and Alice
50 High St, HP23 5AG 01442 823993
Visit the Orangery over-looking the Manor grounds. Open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner or just a drink.
The Orangery Restaurant Shendish Manor, London Road, Apsley HP3 0AA www.shendish-manor.com
Kings Arms
Pubs (Tring)
King St, HP23 6BE 01442 823318
Anchor
Robin Hood
73 Western Rd, HP23 4BH 01442 823280
Black Horse
1 Brook St, HP23 5ED 01442 824912
Pubs (Villages) Anglers Retreat
Planet Coffee
Tring Railway Station
Frogmore St, HP23 5AZ 01442 890066
Startops End, HP23 4LJ 01442 822250
Sandwich Plus
Castle Inn
Carpenters Arms
2a Dolphin Sq, HP23 5BN 01442 826489 50 | Tring Living
Zebra Café
37 High St, HP23 5AA 01442 828760
Café on the Lake
Shendish Manor
Waterside Café
Bell Inn
Startops End, HP23 4LJ 01442 891708 College Lake, HP23 5QG 01442 826774
The Espresso Lounge
CuriosiTea Rooms
64 High St, HP23 4AF 01442 824262
Black Goo
Parsonage Place, HP23 5AT 01442 826146
Park Rd, HP23 6BN 01442 823552
Slapton, Beds LU7 9DB 01525 220563
www.livingmags.info
EATING OUT Grand Junction
Bulbourne, HP23 5QE 01442 891400
Red Lion
Marsworth, HP23 4LU 01296 668366
The
Coach House at the King’s Arms Tring
Red Lion
Greyhound
Aldbury, HP23 5RT 01442 851228 www.greyhoundtring.co.uk
Greyhound
Wigginton, HP23 6EH 01442 824631
Half Moon
Wilstone, HP23 4PD 01442 826410
Water End, HP1 3BD 01442 213549
Rose & Crown Ivinghoe, LU7 9EQ 01296 668472
Three Horseshoes Cheddington, LU7 0SD 01296 668367
Valiant Trooper Aldbury, HP23 5RW 01442 851203
Kings Head
Ivinghoe, LU7 9EB 01296 668388
Village Swan
Ivinghoe Aston, LU7 9DP 01525 220544
Old Swan
58 High St, Cheddington LU7 0RQ 01296 662171
Queens Head
White Horse
Eaton Bray, LU6 2DG 01525 220231
Long Marston, HP23 4QL 01296 668368
g n i v i LADVERTISE TRING
US WITH24300
01442 8
@ LivingMagazines
/LivingMagazines
Autumn 2018 | 51
The perfect venue! n PRIVATE PARTIES
n SIT-DOWN MEALS
n BUSINESS EVENTS
n FAMILY EVENTS
n TAILORED MENUS
n FULLY AIR CONDITIONED
n BUFFET MEALS
BOOKINGS & INFO:
www.kingsarmstring.co.uk
Join us for the 20th
Graham Greene
International Festival 2018
September 20—23
Graham Greene by Anthony Palliser
Talks on: The Third Man Museum in Vienna, adaptations of Greene for radio, ‘Fact and Truth in the Work of Journalists and Novelists’, and other topics. Screenings of: May We Borrow Your Husband? (Yorkshire TV, 1986) and Under the Garden (Thames TV, 1976). Book online at: www.grahamgreenebt.org/tickets/
Ticketing inquiries: email: grahamgreene boxoffice@gmail.com or call 07988 560496. Festival venues: Berkhamsted Town Hall; Berkhamstead Civic Centre; Deans’ Hall and the Old Hall, Berkhamsted School
52 | Tring Living
WHAT’SON l Arts & Crafts l Comedy l Dance l Exhibitions l Fairs l Festivals l Film l Fundraisers
TUESDAY 4 SEP Theatre Rent The Court Theatre, Station Road, Tring HP23 5QY, 7.30pm. To 8 Sep. Adult £12 Child £5 Concs £10. Tring Youth Theatre present Rent, by Jonathan Larson - one year in the life of friends living a Bohemian lifestyle in modern day East Village, New York City, where the group deal with love, loss, AIDS, and modern-day life. www.courttheatre.co.uk
THURSDAY 6 SEP Walk Back in Time Meet at main gate to Castle 10.30am. All events are free of charge. Booking is essential. www.berkamsted-history. org.uk Walk Repton’s Ashridge Assemble outside main entrance to Ashridge House, 2pm. All events are free of charge. Booking is essential. Numbers strictly limited. www.berkamsted-history. org.uk Walk Dacorum Heritage Trust Museum Store Tour Part of Heritage Open Days, 6th-9th and 13th-16th
l Gardens l Kids l Markets & Sales l Music l Sport l Talks l Theatre l Walks September. All events are free of charge. Booking is essential. Not suitable for children under 8, the elderly or those with mobility problems. collectionsmanager@ dacorumheritage.org.uk Music Blues Bar Tring Tring Park CC, London Rd, 8.30pm, £6. Uncle Buck tops the bill. www.bluesbartring.co.uk
FRIDAY 7 SEP Walk Berkhamsted Place, successor to the Castle Meet at top of Castle Hill close to entrance to Berkhamsted Place 10am. All events are free of charge. Booking is essential. www.berkamsted-history. org.uk Walk Back in Time Meet at main gate to Castle 3pm. All events are free of charge. Booking is essential. www.berkamsted-history. org.uk
SATURDAY 8 SEP Walk Lost Wharves of Berkhamsted Meet on Bank Mill bridge. 10am. All events are free of
charge. Booking is essential. berkamsted-history.org.uk Sport A night with cricket legend Jeff Thompson Berkhamsted Cricket Club Pavilion, Castle Hill. £40 incl. dinner. www.berkhamstedcc.com Festival Berkofest 2018 Ashlyns Hall Estate, Berkhamsted, 11.30am-7pm. Adults from £14. www.berkofest.com Theatre An Ideal Husband The Vyne Theatre, Northbridge Road, Berkhamsted. HP4 1EH, 6pm. Tickets £10-15. Part of the successful Oscar Wilde season, an entertaining and politically topical play. 0333 663366 Walk Berkhamsted Place, successor to the Castle Meet at top of Castle Hill close to entrance to Berkhamsted Place 10am. All events are free of charge. Booking is essential. www.berkamsted-history. org.uk
SUNDAY 9 SEP Walk Old Hall and Chapel Berkhamsted Town Hall Open 10.15am-1.30pm. Tour11am. All events are free of charge. Booking is essential. www.berkamsted-history. org.uk Walk Berkhamsted Town Hall Berkhamsted Town Hall Open 10.15am-1.30pm. Tour11am. All events are free of charge. Booking is essential.
www.livingmags.info
Walk Berkhamsted Castle Berkhamsted Castle 10.30am, 2pm and 4pm. All events are free of charge. Booking is essential. Best example remaining of a Norman motte and bailey castle. www.berkamsted-history. org.uk Walk Rectory Lane Cemetery Rectory Lane Cemetery 11am-6pm. All events are free of charge. Booking is essential. A myriad of events and activities RIP. Come and see the transformation that has taken place. www.berkamsted-history. org.uk Walk Inns of Court, Then and Now Meet at back of station. 11am. All events are free of charge. Booking is essential. www.berkamsted-history. org.uk Walk Ashlyns School Ashlyns School, former Foundling Hospital Open 1-5.30pm. Tours 1.30 and 3.30pm led by former foundlings. All events are free of charge. Booking is essential. www.berkamsted-history. org.uk
Potten End Village Hall, HP4 2RH. First lesson free, £4 thereafter. A new term of lessons for novice dancers. All you need to get started is a pair of soft shoes. www.berkhamstedreelclub. org
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Wedding Fayre
Sunday 21 October Make your special day perfect in every way!
Golf Offers
7 day from just £76 pm, Senior 7 day £69 pm, 5 day memberships. Golf societies, pay & play or stay, pay & play. Twilight tee times & buggies.
THE FESTIVE SEASON THURSDAY 13 SEP Talk Philip Farrer: Egypt, birds and antiquities Victoria Hall, Akeman St, Tring 10am www.tringu3a.org.uk Walk Repton’s Ashridge Assemble outside main entrance to Ashridge House, 2pm. All events are free of charge. Booking is essential. Numbers strictly limited. www.berkamsted-history. org.uk Comedy Sarah Pascoe: LadsLadsLads The Court Theatre, Tring, 8pm. £17.50. www.get-stuffed.biz
Friday 30 November Shop from our Christmas stalls. Followed by Lunch
Christmas Wreath Making Workshops Sunday 25 November & Saturday 1 December
Enjoy
Christmas Afternoon Tea
or Lunch in the Orangery Restaurant
Party Nights
Celebrate the season at one of our party nights!
Christmas Day Luncheon Boxing Day Feast Bring along friends & family
Bring in 2019 with a BANG!
NYE Dine & Disco
BOOK NOW!
01442 232220 www.shendish-manor.com sales@shendish-manor.com Shendish Manor London Road, Apsley HP3 0AA
TUESDAY 11 SEP Dance Berkhamsted Strathspey & Reel Club /LivingMagazines
Ladies that Lunch
NYE Gala Dinner
Walk St Peter’s Church and Court House Meet at west door of church 3pm. All events are free of charge. Booking is essential. www.berkamsted-history. org.uk
@ LivingMagazines
Shendish Manor HOTEL & GOLF COURSE
Autumn 2018 | 53
WHAT’SON FRIDAY 14 SEP Walk Berkhamsted Castle Berkhamsted Castle 10.30am and 2pm. All events are free of charge. Booking is essential. Best example remaining of a Norman motte and bailey castle. berkamsted-history.org.uk
SATURDAY 15 SEP Music Charlie’s Brother Reunion Concert The Court Theatre, Station Road, Tring HP23 5QY, 7.30pm. £12.95. After 30 years on from their CD release, CHARLIE’S BROTHER are back for a special one night only concert. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ charlies-brotherreunion-concerttickets-42433919997
SUNDAY 16 SEP Walk Post a Letter Meet at front of station 10.30am. All events are free of charge. Booking is essential. This tour tells you something of the postal history of the town. www.berkamsted-history. org.uk Walk Inns of Court, Then and Now Meet at back of station. 12 noon. All events are free of charge. Booking is essential. www.berkamsted-history. org.uk Gardens Chelsea Grand Opening Event Hospice of St Francis, Berkhamsted, HP4 3GW. 54 | Tring Living
12.30-5pm. £20 includes guest speakers, glass of fizz, canapes, live music, butterfly and bee displays and tours of the Hospice’s seven-acre gardens. Advance booking recommended. www.stfrancis.org.uk Walk Remembering the Fallen of WWI Rectory Lane Cemetery. 2-5pm. All events are free of charge. Booking essential. Poetry, drama, music to commemorate the Fallen and the people of Berkhamsted in WWI. www.berkamsted-history. org.uk Walk Memorials to Fallen of WWI Meet by War Memorial by West door of St Peter’s, 3pm. All events are free of charge. Booking essential. www.berkamsted-history. org.uk
MONDAY 17 SEP Sport Board Games The Open Door, 360-364 High Street, HP4 1HU. 6.45-8.45pm. berkhamstedgamesclub@ gmail.com Film Lady Bird Berkhamsted Civic Centre, 8pm. Also 18 Sep. 8pm. Non-members £5 at door. Humour and pathos in the turbulent bond between a mother and her teenage daughter. Lady Bird (Saoirse Ronan) fights against her mum but is exactly like her. www. berkhamstedfilmsociety. co.uk
www.livingmags.info
WEDNESDAY 19 SEP Arts and Crafts Sewing Meeting room at Sacred Heart Church, Park St, Berkhamsted (parking outside) 9am-12 noon. £5 payable on the day, tea, coffee, biscuits inc. Bring your own equipment and materials. Please book. fiona4mckenna@hotmail. co.uk Talk John Hampden and the Civil War in Bucks High Street Baptist Church, Tring, 8pm. £4. Speaker Wendy Austin, a member of the Society and author of a number of books on local history. www. tringlocalhistorymuseum. org.uk
THURSDAY 20 SEP Festival Graham Greene To Sun 23 Sep. Various events to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the festival, the 60th anniversary of
the publication of Greene’s novel Our Man in Havana and the 70th anniversary of the release of the film The Third Man. www.grahamgreenebt.org/ festival/
FRIDAY 21 SEP Film Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri Nora Grace Hall, Faversham Close, HP23 5BA. Doors 8pm, Film 8.30pm. £7. Cash bar offering drinks and snacks. Tickets from Beechwood Fine Foods or website. www.tringcinema.com
SATURDAY 22 SEP Walk the MS Mile Market Square, Aylesbury outside HSBC. Registration opens 10:15am. Walk starts 11am. £5, Under-12s free. www.walkthemsmile.org
Music Nica Rothschild Hastoe Village Hall, Church Lane, HP23 6LU. £15 from 16 Lakeside, Tring HP23 5HN - with a cheque made out to TDLHMS. Music will be provided by the jazz septet The Shoe Horns. 01442 827702
SUNDAY 23 SEP Markets Tring Lions Club Charity Car Boot Sale Market Square, Brook Street,
WWW.LIVINGMAGS.INFO FOR DAILY UPDATES Tring. 10am-1pm. Set up from 9am. Cars £8, Charity Stall £5. Tea, coffee and hot food available (proceeds from refreshments to Tring Lions). www.tringlions.org.uk
MONDAY 24 SEP Film Happy End Berkhamsted Civic Centre, Also 25 Sep. 8pm. Nonmembers £5 at door. Top acting talent, including Isabelle Huppert, Jean-Louis Trintignant and Toby Jones, in a biting satire on bourgeois family values. www.berkhamstedfilmsociety. co.uk
TUESDAY 25 SEP Talk Let’s face it Nora Grace Hall, Faversham Close, Tring 7.45pm. Speaker: Maggie Lines, holistic therapist. Visitors welcome. Call Mo Reeley for further information. 01442 823768
WEDNESDAY 26 SEP Talk William Camden and the 1618 grant of arms Berkhamsted Town Hall, 8pm. Patric Dickinson will talk about the granting of Berkhamsted’s coat of arms and about William Camden, the eminent antiquary who in his role as Clarenceux King of Arms actually made the grant. www.berkhamsted-history. org.uk
SATURDAY 29 SEP Fundraiser DENS Afternoon Tea Leverstock Green Cricket
@ LivingMagazines
Club, Bedmond Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP3 8LJ 2-4pm. £15. Sandwiches, cakes, cream tea. Music from the Gentle Jazz Quartet. Raffle. fundraising@dens.org.uk Music Stephen Simmons Tring Athletic FC, Cow Lane, Tring, 7.30pm. £10 Advance, £15 Door. The Nashville singer/songwriter returns as part of his European Tour. Support: Zoe Wren. www.tafc.co.uk Music Slim Chance on the Move The Court Theatre, Station Road, Tring HP23 5QY, 8pm. £16. Please note this is a standing gig. Comprising founding members - Charlie Hart, Steve Bingham and Steve Simpson together with the renowned Billy Nicholls, Brendan O’Neill & Geraint Watkins. Support: Tyzack & Tortora. www.courttheatre.co.uk
sarah pasco: ladsladslads
thurs 13th sep 2018
seann walsh: after this one, i’m going home wed 17th oct 2018
WEDNESDAY 3 OCT Sport Eastwoods Pepper Charity Golf Day Ashridge Golf Club. 7.45am for 9.00am shotgun start. Teams of 4, £400 per team includes 18 holes, breakfast, 2 course lunch and auction/ raffle. www.pepper.org.uk
THURSDAY 4 OCT Theatre Call Mr Robeson The Court Theatre, Station Road, Tring HP23 5QY, 7.30pm £10 (Concs £8). Paul Robeson is a world-famous actor, singer and civil rights campaigner. When he gets too radical and outspoken
/LivingMagazines
Autumn 2018 | 55
stephen k amos: Bouquets and BrickBats fri 9th nov 2018
save the date christmas party wed 12th dec This ad is sponsored by
Buy online
www.get-stuffed.Biz
WHAT’SON for the establishment’s liking, he is branded a traitor to his country, harassed and denied opportunities. www.courttheatre.co.uk
FRIDAY 5 OCT Comedy Phil Nichol: Your Wrong Old Town Hall, Hemel Hempstead 8pm, £14 / £12 concessions. www.oldtownhall.co.uk
SATURDAY 6 OCT Exhibition Tring And District Model Railway Club Cottesloe School, Aylesbury Road, Wing, Nr Leighton Buzzard, Beds. LU7 0PD. Adult £6, Child £3.50, Family (2+3) £14. Refreshments, Full Disabled Access. Free onsite parking and programme www.tdmrc.co.uk Music Raphael Wallfisch (cello) and John York (piano) Berkhamsted Civic Centre 7.30pm, £15. Schubert: Sonata in A Minor ‘Arpeggione’, Brahms: Sonata No 1 in E Minor Op 38, Franck: Sonata in A Major. www.berkhamstedmusic.co.uk
landscapes, wildlife and local stories. www.visitchilterns.co.uk/ walkingfest
TUESDAY 9 OCT Theatre Chess The Court Theatre, Station Road, Tring HP23 5QY, 7.30pm. To 13 Oct. £17.50. Berkhamsted Theatre Company present the epic musical CHESS - a story of love and political intrigue set against the backdrop of the Cold War in the 1980’s. www.courttheatre.co.uk
THURSDAY 11 OCT Talk David Devant – Britain’s greatest magician Victoria Hall, Akeman St, Tring 10am. Speaker Ian Keable. www.tringu3a.org.uk
56 | Tring Living
Sport Board Games The Open Door,360-364 High Street, HP4 1HU. 6.458.45pm. 07904 804276 berkhamstedgamesclub@ gmail.com Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool Berkhamsted Civic Centre, www.livingmags.info
Comedy Seann Walsh: After This One, I’m Going Home The Court Theatre, Tring, 8pm. £15. www.get-stuffed.biz
WEDNESDAY 17 OCT Arts & Crafts Sewing Meeting room at Sacred Heart Church, Park St, Berkhamsted (parking outside) 9am-12 noon. £5 payable on the day, tea, coffee, biscuits inc. Bring your own equipment and materials. Please book. fiona4mckenna@hotmail.co.uk
SATURDAY 13 OCT Music Notes for St Francis Berkhamsted Civic Centre, doors 7.15pm for 8pm start. £10. An evening of music to raise money for the Hospice of St Francis, featuring The Elvyne Howlers, Just Nod, Banjax’d and RJ. Tickets from VAH or The Fitness Society, High St Berkhamsted.
MONDAY 15 OCT Walk Chilterns Festival To Sun 21 Oct. The programme will feature over 50 guided walks and activities, mostly free of charge. Expect plenty of family friendly options with an autumn focus on
Also 16 Oct. 8pm. Nonmembers £5 at door. British actor Peter Turner’s story of his romance with Gloria Grahame, legendary star of Hollywood film noir, during the later years of her life. www.berkhamstedfilmsociety. co.uk
Talk The Prison at Norman Cross: The Lost Town of Huntingdonshire Berkhamsted Town Hall, 8pm. Talk with Paul Chamberlain. 200 years ago, Peterborough had a population of 3,500, but five miles to the west was a vibrant community of nearly
WWW.LIVINGMAGS.INFO FOR DAILY UPDATES 7,000 - a prison depot housing many of Napoleon’s soldiers and seamen. This talk tells the story of the prisoners through the prison economy. www.berkhamsted-history. org.uk
FRIDAY 19 OCT Film Darkest Hour Nora Grace Hall, Faversham Close, HP23 5BA. Doors 8pm, Film 8.30pm. £7. Cash bar offering drinks and snacks. Tickets from Beechwood Fine Foods or website. www.tringcinema.com
SATURDAY 20 OCT Kids Boo at the Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo will be celebrating all things spooky at their Boo at the Zoo event. It’s sure to be a fang-tastic day out for the whole family to enjoy. Join in the fun from Saturday 20 to Wednesday 31 October. www.zsl.org/whipsnadezoo
SUNDAY 21 OCT
Fundraiser Mud Pack Challenge Ashridge House, Berkhamsted. 10am-2pm. Early bird price £30. Take on the filthiest mud-fest fundraiser for miles around and get filthy for St Francis at the legendary 5 or 10 mile Mud Pack Challenge! www.stfrancis.org.uk/supportus/events/detail/mud-packchallenge
@ LivingMagazines
TUESDAY 23 OCT Talk Natural remedies for winter ills Nora Grace Hall, Faversham Close, Tring 7.45pm. Speaker: Lucy Blunden, medical herbalist. Visitors welcome. Call Mo Reeley for further information. 01442 823768
WEDNESDAY 24 OCT Fairs Dacorum Schools Careers Fair Shendish Manor, Hemel Hempstead HP3 0AA. 9am-4pm. Employers across all sectors and industries are invited to showcase their apprenticeships, work placements and jobs for graduates and school leavers. cindy@ communityactiondacorum. org.uk
SUNDAY 28 OCT Music Albert Lee The Court Theatre, Station Road, Tring HP23 5QY, 8pm. £25 Advance £28 Door. Accompanied by his great Electric Band. www.courttheatre.co.uk
MONDAY 29 OCT Film Loveless Berkhamsted Civic Centre, Also 30 Oct. 8pm. Nonmembers £5 at door. A razor-sharp portrayal of a family and society on the edge of collapse. The son of a couple going through a vicious divorce disappears. www. berkhamstedfilmsociety.co,uk
/LivingMagazines
Autumn 2018 | 57
all year round
NARROWBOAT DAY HIRE COW MARINA DAYROASTHIRE From Cow roast Marina
ENJOY A LEISURELY CRUISE TO THE WENDOVER ARM OR MARSWORTH & BACK, OR SOUTH TO THE PORT OF BERKHAMSTED
2 BOATS NOW AVAILABLE
VICTORIA & ALBERT •
• • • • • • •
WALL-MOUNTED IPAD WITH FREE SPOTIFY & WIFI SPEAKER. USB PHONE CHARGER WELL-EQIPPED KITCHEN GAS COOKER - 4 BURNERS FRIDGE - FOR YOUR DRINKS HOT & COLD WATER RADIATOR FLUSHING TOILET
HIRE TIMES 9am-4.30pm
INCLUDES FIRST 30-40 MINS OF INSTRUCTION IF YOU CHOOSE TO SKIPPER. PRICE INCLUDES DIESEL & INSTRUCTION. CARRIES 10.
WHAT’SON Festival Tring Festival of Fire Tring Park Cricket Club 5.30-8.30pm. Family £20 (£5 discount for advance online bookings), Adult £8, Child £5, Under-5’s free. Stalls, beer tent, live music and spectacular fireworks display set to popular classics. www.tringfireworks.co.uk Music The Dung Beatles The Court Theatre, Station Road, Tring HP23 5QY, 8pm. £25 Advanc
MONDAY 5 NOV Film Journey’s End Berkhamsted Civic Centre, Also 6 Nov, 8pm. Nonmembers £5 at door. March 1918. A young lieutenant arrives at the front line to join the war-weary officers of C Company as they wait for the start of a new German offensive. www. berkhamstedfilmsociety.co.uk
THURSDAY 8 NOV Talk Fools Gold: Beat the drum Victoria Hall, Akeman St, Tring 10am. www.tringu3a.org.uk
SATURDAY 10 NOV Music Strictly A Capella The Court Theatre, Station Road, Tring HP23 5QY, 7.30pm. £15 (£12 Concs). Strictly A Cappella proudly presents ‘Strictly Goes Dutch’ with co-stars Heart of Holland Chorus all the way from Nieuwegein, the Netherlands. www.courttheatre.co.uk
WEDNESDAY 14 NOV Talk Daniel Axtell: The Berkhamsted Regicide Berkhamsted Town Hall, 8pm. With Murray Neil. Daniel Axtell from Berkhamsted fought as a Parliamentary soldier in the Civil Wars in England and Ireland. He was the Captain of the Guard at the trial of King Charles I and was deemed to be a Regicide and paid the ultimate penalty. www.berkamsted-history. org.uk
FRIDAY 16 NOV Film The Post Nora Grace Hall, Faversham Close, HP23 5BA. Doors 8pm, Film 8.30pm. £7.
Cash bar offering drinks and snacks. Tickets from Beechwood Fine Foods or website. www.tringcinema.com
SATURDAY 17 NOV Fundraiser Pepper Winter Ball Ashridge House, De Vere Latimer Estate, Chesham 6.30pm. £80 per head, tables seat 10 people, accommodation available. Wining, dining and dancing in the elegant Cavendish Suite. Welcome drink, 3 course dinner, grand and silent auctions. www.pepper.org.uk Music Alke Quartet Berkhamsted Civic Centre 7.30pm, £15. Haydn: String Quartet Op 64 No 4 in G Major, Janáček: String Quartet No 1 ‘Kreutzer Sonata‘, Schubert: String Quartet No 15 in G Major. www.berkhamstedmusic.co.uk
FRIDAY 9 NOV Comedy Stephen K Amos: Bouquets and Brickbats The Court Theatre, Tring, 8pm. £17.50. www.get-stuffed.biz
Call Paul now on
07725 184963
or go to www.narrowboat dayhire.com
Save the Date! Friday 30th November 2018 6:30pm 9:30pm
58 | Tring Living
www.livingmags.info
WWW.LIVINGMAGS.INFO FOR DAILY UPDATES
Join our adrenalin-fuelled, fun-ďŹ lled 5 or 10 mile muddy obstacle course!
Sunday 21st October
Ashridge House stfrancis.org.uk/mudpack @ LivingMagazines
/LivingMagazines
Registered Charity No: 280825
Summer 2018 | 61
WE LOVE YOUR SUPPORT!
The perfect black tie Christmas party venue Celebrate the festive season in style with a magical drinks reception in the Grand Hall, followed by dinner in spectacular surroundings, before partying the night away until the early hours. Visit our website to ďŹ nd out more and book your Christmas party. Friday 7 December Saturday 15 December Ashridge House Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire HP4 1NS ashridgehouse.org.uk Email: events@ashridge.hult.edu Tel: +44 (0) 1442 841027 AshridgeHouse 60 | Berkhamsted Living
www.livingmags.info
Essential Services
Need a numb in a hurr er y? K
eep t page ha his ndy
Health A&E Stoke Mandeville Hospital (8 miles)
Mandeville Rd, Aylesbury HP21 8AL 01296 315000
........................... Luton & Dunstable Hospital (10 miles)
Lewsey Rd, Luton LU4 0DZ 0845 127 0127
Transport Bus
Doctors
www.intalink.org.uk 0300 123 4050 50 to Aylesbury via Wendover (Sun only) 50 to Marsworth via Pitstone (Sun only) 61 to Aylesbury (not Sun) 61 to Dunstable (not Sun) 164 to Aylesbury (via Aston Clinton, W Turville, not Sun) 164 to Wilstone (not Sun) 194 to Chesham (Wed, one service only) 387 to New Mill (not Sun) 387 to Tring Station, Aldbury and Beech Park, Wigginton (not Sun) 500/501 to Aylesbury via Aston Clinton 500/501 to Watford via Berkhamsted, Hemel Hempstead
Taxi DMG Bevs 01442 824105 Herts Cabs 01442 828558 John’s 01442 828828 @ LivingMagazines
Rothschild House Surgery
Train London Northwestern Railway www.londonnorthwestern railway.co.uk 0333 311 0039 or visit the website to download the train operator’s app To London Euston via Berkhamsted, Hemel Hempstead and Watford Junction To Northampton via Leighton Buzzard and Milton Keynes
Southern Railway
www.southernrailway.com 03451 27 29 20 or 0208 185 0778 from a mobile To Milton Keynes via Leighton Buzzard To South Croydon via Watford, Olympia and Clapham Jnctn
/LivingMagazines
Chapel St, Tring HP23 6PU 01442 822468
........................... Little Rothschild House
71 Marsworth Rd, Pitstone LU7 9AX 01296 662800 www.rothschildhousesurgery. co.uk
........................... The New Surgery
St Peter’s House, Church Yard, Tring HP23 5AE 01442 890661
........................... Village Health Centre Yardley Avenue,Pitstone LU7 9BE 01525 223211
...........................
Dentists
Bow House Dental Practice
75 Western Rd, Tring HP23 4BH 01442 890384 www.bowhousedental.co.uk
My Dentist
6 Dolphin Sq, Tring HP23 5BN 01442 823081
........................... St Kilda’s Dental Practice
93 High St, Tring HP23 4AB 01442 826565
........................... ...............
Opticians
Brian Clark Opticians
110 High St, Tring HP23 4AF 01442 823034 www.brianclarkopticians.co.uk
........................... Specsavers Opticians
8 Dolphin Sq, Tring HP23 5BN 01442 828778 www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/ tring
...........................
Pharmacies
Rooney
4 Dolphin Sq, Tring HP23 5BN 01442 822604
........................... Lloyds
66 High St, Tring HP23 4AG 01442 822258
...........................
20 Chapel St, Tring HP23 6BL 01442 823101
...........................
Vets Springwell Vets
98 Western Rd, Tring HP23 4BJ 01442 822151 www.springwellvets.com
...........................
...........................
Autumn 2018 | 61
o advT e rtise Call
WINTER 2018 BOOKING DEADLINE 5th OCTOBER 2018
Services Directory
COAL MERCHANT
01442 82430 0
GARDENING SERVICES
LOCKSMITH
WINTER 2018 BOOKING DEADLINE e 5th OCTOBER 2018 s i t r 00 d4v4e2 8243 a Toall 01 C CARPENTRY/JOINERY
LUCAS CARPENTRY & JOINERY
• Bespoke tables & mirrors • Children’s woodland play areas • Kitchen fitting • Storage boxes • Doors • Skirtings & architraving • Shelving & box work • Pub style picnic tables • Window boxes & window seats • 2nd fix
Call Paul for a free quote on:
07989 665347 or 01442 890226 lucas.paul@mail.com
OFFICE SPACE
OFFICE SPACE TO LET IN BERKHAMSTED • Office sizes to suit • Excellent faclities • Ample parking
FUEL
Contact: 07719 441200
We stock a full range of
Logs, Coal, Calor gas, & Charcoal P E Mead & Sons Farm Shop Wilstone, Near Tring HP23 4NT
01442 828478 Opening Times
Mon-Sat: 9am - 5:30pm Sunday: 9:30am - 4:30pm
www.pemeadandsons.co.uk
HANDYMAN
PAINTING & DECORATING Michael Casingena
Painter & Decorator
All types of decorative work undertaken. Excellent rates and references. 25 yrs in the trade.
Call Mike on... 01442 822684 07534 109823 michaelcasingena@hotmail.co.uk
Painting & Decorating Internal/External Friendly & Reliable Clean & Tidy Dust Free Sanding
Professional & local Testimonials available Get in contact today on
07904 891190 pollardpropertyservices@yahoo.co.uk
For all carpentry and landscaping! A friendly, reliable service from a local tradesman! Hourly rate for a small job/daily rate for larger jobs!
Call Ash Sutherland now on:
01296 662138 or 07547 483495 email: info@a-handyman-to-know.co.uk www.a-handyman-to-know.co.uk
WINTER 2018
BOOKING DEADLINE
5th OCTOBER 2018
PHOTOGRAPHY
TV AERIALS
PLUMBING/HEATING
GAS SERVICES & PLUMBING • Boiler service repair & installation • System upgrades • Power flushing • All types of plumbing • Gas safety certification
PA BARHAM LTD Call Pete
STOVES & CHIMNEYS
CHILTERN CHIMNEYS
01442 890041 07921 847317
■ Power Sweeping - using the latest technology & equipment ■ Wood-Burning & Multi-Fuel Stoves - supplied & fitted ■ Chimney Flues re-lined ■ Cowls & Chimney Pots fitted ■ Bird Nests removed ■ Safety Inspections
07831 363182 01442 843703
email: peter.barham1@btinternet.com
www.pabarham.com GAS SAFE REG NO: 132452
g n i 18 v 0 2 i L ES & DEADLIN RY
DELIVE
DATES
N ES MAGAZI G BOOKIN NE DEADLI
18 SPRING 20 018 SUMMER 2 018 AUTUMN 2 18 0 WINTER 2
25-01-18 26-04-18
COPY
DEADLINE
01- 02-18 03-05-18
26-07-18 20-07-18 11-10-18 05-10-18
INSERTLINE
DELIVERY DE
AD
15-02-18
17-05-18 16-08-18 01-11-18
ION DISTRIBUTFROM 2018 5th March 18 4th June 20 18 3rd Sept 20 18 19th Nov 20 STED LIVI
NG
M pies 11,066 co
= BERKHA
ti3s0e0 r e v To ad1442 824 0 Call
DON’T ALLOW BAD TEETH TO BLIGHT YOUR LIFE. Let us give you something to smile about. The award winning, multi-disciplinary team at Bow House is dedicated to making you feel good from the moment you step over the threshold to the aftercare you receive post treatment.
Smiles for all seasons
CALL TODAY TO BOOK YOUR FREE SMILE MAKEOVER CONSULTATION
T 01442 890 384 E info@bowhousedental.co.uk www.bowhousedental.co.uk
N IN
E RS 2
3 01
Bow House a Centre of Dental Excellence | 75 Western Road, Tring, Hertfordshire HP23 4BH
W
01442 890 384 | WWW.BOWHOUSEDENTAL.CO.UK