Village Eye Magazine May 2021 Issue 100!

Priceless!

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vourite The area’s fagazine monthly ma

We’ve been connecting local people to local businesses for 10 years!

Issue 100 May 2021 reaching 11,500 households

Once upon a Burghfield!

100th!

e u ss I

Meetingox Summer Nikki F at Rosebourne

Win a Weekend for four at Marvellous Festival!

Festival!

UK Southern Business Awards

Winner Best Regional Lifestyle Magazine

2019

THE AREA’S FAVOURITE LOCAL MONTHLY MAGAZINE

EACH MONTH WE DELIVER DOOR TO DOOR TO 11,500 HOMES & BUSINESSES IN:

Burghfield Common | Burghfield Village | Beech Hill | Mortimer | Theale | Spencers Wood | Silchester | Sulhamstead Ufton Nervet | Aldermaston | Padworth | Pamber Heath | Tadley | Baughurst | Three Mile Cross | Bramley 1

2

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UK Southern Business Awards

Winner Best Regional Lifestyle Magazine

2019

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NikkiFox

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BBC Watchdog presenter and all round TV 14 lovely Nikki Fox chats to us about her journey.

FOLLOW US TODAY & STAY UPDATED LOCALLY

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What’s inside 22-23. On the Move Are you planning a home move in 2021? Perhaps your dream home is right here. Take a look at what’s on offer with David Cliff this month.

6. 100 Issues of Village Eye magazine! What a milestone!

We’ve been sharing some stories about the early days in the office, so thought we would share them with you, too!

24-31. Pink Pages Electrician? Roofer? Windows?

Whatever you are looking for, check here first! All of our advertisers are following PHE guidelines and wearing PPE when necessary.

13. Bug’s Beauty The weather is warming up and it won’t be long until we’re bearing a bit more skin, so this month Bug is looking at leg care 14. Meeting Nikki Fox As the BBC’s Disability Correspondent, Nikki is on top of all the latest issues and achievements of those with disabilities. Here, we talk to her about her experiences of working in TV and her journey to get there.

37. Food Allergies Food allergies are very common, but mild allergies are often left undiagnosed. Here, Karen Hartshorn tells us more about food allergies and who they can affect.

40. Historic Burghfield Following the lovely feedback that we received about the photos we featured of Mortimer in days gone by, the community in Burghfield has kindly shared some old photos, too. Where can you recognise?

42. Pregancy Fitness If you are planning, expecting or have recently had a baby, local fitness expert, Steve Shreeve gives us some great advice on anti & post natal fitness.

The Village Eye is brought to you by Pinktomato Ltd, a local, independent creative design and marketing company. All content within the publication is copyright of Village Eye. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for views or opinions expressed by contributors or for the accuracy of claims made by the advertisers.

All dates, times, URLs and telephone numbers are understood to be correct at the time of submission to print. Registered Address: Butlers Lands Farm, Mortimer, RG7 2AG

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Hello May!

4. Community News Who do you know in our Community News round-up?

We’ve been finding out all the news around the villages to make sure we keep you up-to-date!

10. Get ready for summer at Rosebourne We are so lucky to have a beautiful store like Rosebourne on our doorstep.

Take a look to see what plants, food and gifts Rosebourne has on offer for you this spring.

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As we proudly bring you our 100th issue and celebrate our 10th anniversary, the team here have been taking a trip down memory lane and pouring over the other 99 back issues. We’ve been taking a look at some of the stories we’ve covered, events we’ve bought to your attention, charities we’ve supported and very importantly, the local businesses (now over 1000 of them) we have worked so hard to promote in this area. I can honestly say that I am immensely proud of our achievements thus far and hope that you continue to enjoy reading the magazine as much as we enjoy putting it together. I also hope that you continue to use the services of our advertisers too - we know that they really do appreciate your business. On pages 6-9, we thought it would be a great idea to tell the tale of how we came to be, how the team has grown, and what our plans are going forward… So grab a cuppa, a chocolate digestive, read our story and meet the team!

Throughout this issue, you’ll see hints of a summer-in-waiting too. With seasonal features about gardening, landscaping, health, beauty and motoring, we are turning up the heat and hoping that soon we’ll be able to banish

Gold Member

PINKTOMATO

the winter socks to the back of the drawer until autumn.

In this issue, we also meet TV’s Nikki Fox, who kindly spent time with us having a chat about her life, her career and her role as the BBC’s Disability Correspondent.

What an amazing and inspiring lady she is - we are now huge fans.

As ever, we bring you a round up of some of the local news stories which have caught our attention and information about some of the events (yes, I did day events) that are taking place around here this year. And, on page 35 we have an amazing competition for you to enter. One lucky reader will win a full weekend ticket for four people (with camping) to attend Marvellous Festival at Dinton Pastures this July. Remember that local, real people win every single one of our competitions - and this time, it could be your turn - so get entering! Please do like and follow us on social media too, as in-between print issues, we use it to bring you a host of local news, information and entertaining posts!

So, without further ado, welcome to our 100th issue, we hope you enjoy the read.

Helle n & the Team xx

Editor: Hellen Shaw Sub Editor: Jackie Stuart Advertising: Lindsey Barker Social/Design: Holly Chrisp Beauty: Amelia Baird Motoring: Adam Tudor-Lane

To contribute, advertise or let us know your news - please call the team 0118 933 3311 or email hello@villageeye.co.uk

Film Buff: Gardening: Finance: Travel: Wellbeing: Fitness:

Rob Barnes Jordan Curtis Mark Penston Michelle Goulding Karen Hartshorn Steve Shreeve

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Burghfield

Buddy’s Now open

fine indian cuisine

UNDERCOVER

OUTDOOR RESTAURANT Bring your own Blanket!

WEDDING: THE RETURN The team at The Old Mill in Aldermaston were really touched last month when they were contacted by a couple who were celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Ken and Ann McSteen had originally tied the knot at The Old Mill in 1971 and were keen to revisit the venue for ‘old time’s sake’.

It was lovely for The Old Mill, a family business, to hear about their wedding day 50 years ago and to share stories. They even managed to recapture a couple of their wedding shots in the same space 50 years on! What wonderful memories…

And, if you’d like to see what the mill is like for yourselves, you can pop down every, Friday Saturday & Sunday until May16 for outdoor dining and drinks - no booking is necessary.

Burghfield Spices

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FOOD IN THE AREA! also English Menu & Pizzas

FREE DELIVERY TO ALL VILLAGE EYE AREAS ORDER ONLINE OR BY PHONE CARD PAYMENTS ACCEPTED

open daily 11:30-2:30 5:30-10:00 www.burghfieldspices.co.uk

MINIPRENEURS! AW,HOW SWEET

It's always a pleasure to hear about our local businesses growing and this one really caught our attention.

We heard about a Burghfield schoolboy who's been bringing joy to hundreds of our local villagers by delivering bags of sweets in his time outside of school. Jack came up with the idea himself when his parents challenged him to think of something different to do instead of playing computer games.

He thought about what children are into and set about planning his first business all by himself, from buying stock, packaging, marketing, delivery and then reinvesting back.

He even ran his first online competition to add some extra magic and thank his rapidly growing customer base. His Mum Pip said "Jack has always been a bright boy but like so many children he has struggled with the seesaw life of school in the last year, this venture has really triggered his mind into thinking about why schooling is important and what you can achieve with that education in the real world. The family are all fully behind our little star" Well, we at Village Eye are delighted with our yummy bag of sweets, delivered for only £2.50 or £2 collected. What a wonderful, happy chap Jack is and we wish him all the best with his Kandy Kidz venture.

*FREE DELIVERY to most loacl areas. (check website for details)

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There haven’t been many good news stories from the nation’s high streets recently, but Parkway, Newbury, certainly has something to celebrate.

They’ve just announced that Aberdeen Standard Investment’s Pooled Pension Fund and Next have exchanged contracts for new 50,000+ sq. ft Next store which will be opening summer 2021.

To give you a guage of the size of this new store, 50,000 square feet is 2/3 the size of a football pitch! The store will carry their full ranges of ladies wear, menswear, kids wear, homeware and will have a Mamas & Papas concession. There are also plans to incorporate a café. Watch this space :)

TO BOOK FLYERS TO GO OUT WITH OUR MAY ISSUE,

0118 983 4040 The Hatchgate, Burghfield Common

ENOURMOUS STORE OPENING SOON!

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CALL OR EMAIL LINDSEY@VILLAGEEYE.CO.UK

0118 933 3311

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Rainbow

Community News

RETIRING FROM THE

When news that Gill and Gillian were handing over the reins of the Rainbow Montessori Nursery in Burghfield Common after 25 years, we felt that we just had to pay tribute to them in the magazine. These ladies have been second Mums to hundreds, probably thousands, of local families over those 25 years, including our editor’s family here at the mag, who are ‘all grown up’ now!

The ladies said, “We greatly appreciate the fantastic opportunity the Nursery has given us, to meet such wonderful people; children, staff and parents. We have learned so much from working at The Nursery, including how fascinating soap dispensers are for 2 year olds, chairs placed in a row make the best train carriages and how much fun children can have whilst playing ‘the spot game’! We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the support and loyalty you have given us over the years and, although we both agree it is the right time to bid the Nursery farewell, we will miss you all tremendously but know we leave you in the very caring and capable hands of all our staff.”

The nursery ownership has been passed into the capable hands of Eliza and Sam Lee, a local young family, keen to build on Gill & Gillian’s foundations to further improve the nursery - welcome Eliza & Sam! We know both ladies will be looking forward to new beginnings, especially the opportunity to holiday during term time and we’re sure our readers will join us in saying thank you for the years of service you’ve provided. You are a pair of stars!

EVERYONE! Ahhhh - Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name...

MAKING JAM WITH KATHERINE & SAM

Our hearts were warmed recently when we received the following news story about Katherine and her brother Sam who have gone the extra mile to demonstrate true community spirit and charitable sentiment , written by Katherine (aged 9), here’s what she had to say: “We started making Lockdown Jam in April last year during the first lockdown. Since then, we have made more than four hundred jars of jam and raised over £500 for West Berks Foodbank.

The first product we made was not jam or jelly; we made dandelion honey because there were more dandelions than fruit around. We have also made things like raspberry and strawberry jam, pumpkin marmalade, and cranberry jelly. We have picked blackberries, apples, rosehips, hawthorn, elderberries, sloes, plums, damsons, crabapples and pears. We have also made special treats like Christmas cakes and Valentine’s fudge.

We wrote to the Queen about our shop and we have been on the news for making money for the food bank. If you would like to try Lockdown Jam for yourself, the box is outside the gates of the Red House on the main street in Aldermaston.”

Well done to the pair of you, you should be very proud of yourselves - keep up the good work!

Last month saw the long-awaited reopening of many pubs and restaurants across our region hurrah!

Even the snow showers and chilly temperatures did little to dampen enthusiasm for outdoor pints. Several of our local pubs have constructed heated shelters for their new - often extended - outside eating and drinking area and have been truly excited to get beer back in the pumps and welcome back the punters! So many of us have missed the atmosphere, ambience and social contact, and were looking forward to a trip to the pub more than anything.

Special good luck wishes go to ‘The Three Amigos’ at The Six Bells in Burghfield who have taken on the running of the pub following the passing of long time landlady Polly Bavin. They said, “What a fantastic day we had welcoming you all, even after waking up to snow this morning.” We’re sure that all of our local landlords felt exactly the same. Good luck to you all!

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WELL I NEVER KNEW

In celebrating Village Eye’s tenth year and 100th issue, Editor, Hellen, and her longstanding co-worker, Jackie, have - unsurprisingly - been sharing the story of how the magazine came to be, and the obstacles and triumphs experienced along the way, with our newest recruits.

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It dawned on us that this story of a young mother of three, starting a business from scratch around her family and building it into a sizeable business, employing local people, really is quite an inspirational story.

And because it’s quite an inspirational story, we thought that you, our readers, would like us to share it with you, too!

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So come with us down memory lane as we relive the highs, the lows, the blood, sweat and tears - and the belly laughs - that went into the making of Village Eye magazine. Our journey starts back in 2011 when the News of the World phone hacking scandal was hitting the headlines and ‘Kate & Wills’ tied the knot at Westminster Abbey. Meanwhile…

Hellen (wife, mum of three and an outsourced marketing manager) sat scratching her head. She’d just had a conversation with one of her clients, Spratley’s of Mortimer, about different ways of getting their business and other local businesses - in front of local customers. Julie Spratley jokingly suggested “You should think about launching a magazine…” After tossing and turning that night, Hellen couldn’t sleep, mulling over Julie’s remark... “Maybe a decent community magazine might just be what the area needs!?

But glossy, like a Sunday supplement, and filled with community information, competitions and articles!” Giving up on a night’s slumber, she got up at 2am and started scribbling. She scribbled designs, calculations and content ideas. By morning, the essence of Village Eye magazine was all there - on three scraps of paper. Her biggest concern was worrying if local businesses would get on board.

Hellen says, “I felt like a contestant on the TV show The Apprentice. I spent two full weeks calling and visiting local businesses to pitch them my idea, but it worked.” Lots of the local businesses she spoke to ‘got it’ straight away and could see the benefit of being a part of a high quality local magazine that would go through people’s doors.

Testament to its success is that many of them are still advertising today, ten years on!” So, with the first issue printed and delivered, Hellen realised she’d need some help going forward and recruited a right-hand woman, Jackie, and together they started to spread the word.

Life at the original Village Eye HQ (the converted garage at home in Burghfield Common) was… errr…cosy to say the least. Hellen and Jackie remember those days fondly, but in 2013 a new opportunity arose. Hellen & her husband, Paul, had a contact who was selling a local TV Studio business, which just happened to have a sizeable office attached. Paul was keen to take over the running of the studio and, in turn, this meant that Village Eye would have glorious office space…and room to expand as time went on! It really was an exciting time, packing up and starting a new venture at their new home in Mortimer.

Five years in and Village Eye was going from strength to strength. There have been a few new additions to the team over the years. Some stayed a few years, others a few months, but each of them brought something different, helping to continually build the business and create awareness locally of Village Eye magazine. In fact, by 2017, the team had started to receive emails and phone calls to ask ‘Why don’t we get it?’ ‘When are you going to deliver here?’ After some more scribbling of calculations, Hellen decided to take the leap and increase distribution to a whopping 11,500 homes and distribute to 17 different local villages which, considering Village Eye started life producing just 6,000 copies each month to three villages, this really was an impressive step and one that demonstrated Hellen’s confidence and belief in the magazine.

Launching a second (and third, and fourth…) magazine had always been the longterm plan and it was in 2019 that the duo felt ‘in the right place’ to start the process. Drum roll please….enter Lindsey Barker! Many of our advertisers will know Lindsey now because she is often first point of call. She joined the team to focus on sales for Village Eye’s new 18,000 drop area (Earley & surrounds which launches this July) but was quickly commandeered for all sorts of other tasks, including bringing our social media up to scratch! Her energy and enthusiasm were just what Village Eye needed to be able to launch into a new area. Then 2020 happened and all plans were put on hold...

COVID. Need we say more.

Like many other local businesses, we were hit hard but, with the support of our regular advertisers, we managed to pull through.

Running the magazine during the pandemic was, at times, a bit like ‘pushing water uphill with a rake’ but we managed to continue producing quality, uplifting magazines every month (except for our May 20 issue which was published online). Plans for Village Eye’s ‘Earley & surrounds’ edition were understandably pushed back slightly, but Hellen continued with her recruitment of a Junior Designer, so that we would be ready to launch the new edition when the time was right. And that Junior Designer is the lovely Holly who brings a fresh perspective to our magazine and adds a lovely vibe to the office.

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ver the years, Village Eye magazine has covered everything from Royal visits to oversized pumpkins. “It is an absolute privilege to be ‘in the loop’ and pulling back the covers on an ‘ordinary’ cluster of villages to discover so much community spirit, talent and achievement,” says Hellen.

It is also such a privelege to have helped nearly 1000 local businesses to grow, get more customers and, more recently, to have given them a helping hand through what can only be described by local small firms and enterprises as the toughest time imaginable. It has been a pleasure to have been able to provide a proven platform to small businesses to be able to advertise their services both in print and via our social media reach, they tell us they’ve really valued our support.

Over the years, the magazine has played its part in helping to publicise 100s of local events too - including the launch of Burghfield’s beer festival ‘Burghfest’ (which, is actually happening and returning this year! YESSS). We’ve also had a hand in bringing you up to speed with the BoxKart Bash, the local Red Bull-style Soap Box race (not running this year, but it will be back in 2022!), festivals, fetes, fairs, concerts, parties and community events. In our recent survey, we learned that 94% of respondents said they’d attended a local event because they’d read about it in the Eye! Charity has always played a major part in the magazine’s ethos too. Every month, we are keen to give a voice to as many charities and local causes as possible. To date, the charities and fundraising efforts we’ve supported in our community has run into the £100s and this is very definitely something that we shall always do. Hellen also dons her elf costume every year in support of the Santa’s annual ‘Santa Cruise’.

If we told you that she regularly dresses up as a bunny to dish out Easter eggs at the Mortimer Easter Egg Hunt, turns up to the office every May 4th as Princess Leia ‘just because’, or spent every Sunday during lockdown sporting a different wacky costume (apparently, she now owns 109 different costumes) to co-host the VE Virtual quiz which we broadcast to entertain our readers, you will get a sense of her penchant for fancy dress, energy, fun and her support of the community as a whole.

And it all seems to be paying off. With three awards already under our belt, the team here at Village Eye magazine have just learned that we’re finalists in the Town & County Business Awards 2021 too - as a Berkshire Business Champion! Keep everything crossed for us.

You see, to us, Village Eye has become much more than a magazine. It has become an intrinsic part of the local community and keeps local people in touch with local matters. It also gives our local businesses an opportunity to showcase themselves to potential customers. Please continue to use them - they’ll love you for it :) So, the next time you pick up a copy and have a flick through, do keep in mind the real, local people bringing you this publication every month with thought, love and conviction. Yes, we know mistakes and typos can occasionally creep in and we don’t always get it spot on, but we really do put everything into it. Saying thank you to you, our advertisers and the wider community doesn’t seem enough - but please know we are forever grateful to you for your messages of encouragement, ideas, comments, contributions and love and support so far. Here’s to the next 10 years!

To contribute, advertise or let us know your news please call 0118 933 3311 or email hello@villageeye.co.uk

Village Eye 2 Earley, Lower Earley & Surrounds.

Advertising bookings are now open!

Follow us to keep updated, locally

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Ready, Set

r e mm u S at Rosebourne

Gardening for life… not just for lockdown

After a year of lockdown and restrictions, we are all craving more freedom and fresh air this summer. You really don’t need to venture too far to reap the benefits. There has been plenty of research to show the health and

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wellbeing benefits of contact with nature, plants and gardening.

Over the last 12 months many of us have taken up a new hobby as a result of spending more time at home. Gardening is just one of those activities that has been ‘discovered’ with an estimated 3 million becoming engaged over

the year. At Rosebourne, the team is eager that these newbies see gardening as a lifelong hobby and not one just for lockdown.

Their knowledgeable horticultural staff are on hand to help you with your queries and provide guidance on suitable plants to select.

different flavours by the slice (3 slices for £7). With Death

by Chocolate, Passion Cake and Oreo Cheesecake it is impossible to walk past!

Summer in the garden...

The idea of your garden being an extra room is not a new one but many more people are viewing it in such a way – seeing the benefits and flexibility of an outdoor space to relax and entertain in. When it comes to garden décor think of your plants as your ornaments that change with the seasons and combined with colourful pots, outdoor mirrors and accessories provide real interest in your outdoor room.

Garden furniture is an essential component – for relaxing as well as entertaining outdoors and at Rosebourne they pride themselves on having a great selection to suit all tastes and budgets. BBQs and firepits are not just for summer and investment in one will provide year-round benefits. With the heat and burning embers of a firepit and a warm blanket you can keep cozy even when the sun goes down and the nights start getting cooler.

Treat yourselves to one of their lovely soft cushions or throws which amazingly are made from recycled plastic bottles!

Rosebourne’s food hall continues to provide a feast for the senses, stocking everyday essentials, fresh local produce, tasty baked goods, quality cuts from their butchers as well as speciality products if you are looking for something different.

A new addition, which is proving to be extremely popular, is their fresh cake counter where you can select

Their restaurants reopened (outdoor only) on 12 April with plans for the full indoor restaurant to reopen on 17 May (in line with the current Government guidance).

They told us “We can’t wait to welcome you back to enjoy the quality menu put together by our chefs. We plan to keep our coffee carts at the entrance to our stores for those of you who want to just ‘grab and go’ – great for hot drinks, sausage rolls, pasties and cakes.”

They will continue to provide their popular ‘Afternoon Tea to go’ which can be ordered via Click and Collect on their website. This proved popular for Mother’s Day and Easter and is just perfect to enjoy when meeting up with friends and family outdoors.

If you are looking for a gift they have some great new ranges instore - many of which are British made. This includes some wonderful soaps and beauty products from Mariana of London and room diffusers and candles from Wax Lyrical.

They also have a new range of greetings cards and wrapping paper to suit all occasions. They are all UK made, recyclable and glitter free. What’s more is that they come without a plastic sleeve helping to reduce single use plastic and the impact on the environment.

So pop along to Rosebourne – they would love to see you!

They have all you need for a wonderful summer in the garden – the one thing that can’t be guaranteed is the good old British weather of course!

Rosebourne, Basingstoke Road, Aldermaston, RG7 4LD www.rosebourne.co.uk info.aldermaston@rosebourne.co.uk | 01189 712123

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Does the thought of revealing your legs to the world after they’ve been hibernating under 60 denier tights all winter and hidden from the entire world during lockdown fill you with dread?

Don’t worry, we’ve taken the legwork out of preparing to bare with our round up of the best smoothers, tanners and de-fuzzers to get your pins perfect for summer.

Tone:

The humidity in winter reduces moisture in our skin which makes the skin on our legs feel dryer than elsewhere. This is because circulation is weaker in the lower limbs. By buffing off dead skin and improving circulation, you’ll be amazed at the difference this makes.

LEG DAY

Harvest Time

According to St Tropez, preCOVID, two days and six months was the longest time that some women have gone without any leg hair removal land we’re second guessing that this previous average may have now have lengthened (just like your leg hair). But now, there are now excuses. Short of epilators, laser treatments and waxing, the simple razor may well be your new hair removing BFF!

Bye bye Orange Peel

Quick Fix: Gillette Venus Razor. More Time: Braun Silk-Expert IPL 399.99

Did you know that around 90% of us suffer from cellulite? This orangepeely effect which shows through the slightest of garments is prone to areas that lack circulation, and is basically fat pushing through layers of collagen fibres under your skin. To banish and conceal it’s blobbley bumpiness, grab a body brush and slap on some cellulite cream.

Slather it on

Fun in the Sun

Quick Fix: Nip+Fab Cellulite Fix Got Longer?: Body Brushing Cellulite Duo £38.

Instant Fix: This Works Perfect Legs Skin Miracle £28.50 www.lookfantastic. co.uk More Time: E45 Cream (and lots of it) every night for a week under your PJs.

Instant Fix: St Mauriz Fast Tan for your body and legs. St Tropez tanning mist for face.

Idulgent fix: Clarins Radiance-Plus Body Golden Glow Booster £27, available at Clarins.co.uk.

No Time: Garnier Body Tonic Sugar Scrub £6.99 More Cash: Margaret Dabbs Toning Leg Scrub £37.50

We moisturise our faces every day, whatever the season, but when it comes to our legs, we tend to hide them completely during the colder months. Now is the time to show your limbs some love and top up your lower half’s moisture levels with lotions and potions that deliver a serious hydration hit.

This is the part your legs love the most - tanning According to a recent survey, nearly 3/4 of women agreed that a little faux colour made them feel more confident about baring their legs. Not only will fake tan lift and even out skin tone and warmth, it is also a master at concealing blemishes, bruises, the lot!

To contribute, advertise or let us know your news please call 0118 933 3311 or email hello@villageeye.co.uk

Bug’s Beauty Follow us to keep updated, locally

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ast month, we caught up with Nikki Fox - BBC News Disability Correspondent – to hear her thoughts on the BBC’s new diversity targets.

There has been some noticeable change recently in the diversity we are seeing onscreen. The Black Lives Matter movement and the LGBTQ community have made significant progress in bringing attention to the barriers they face every day, but recently, the voice of disabled people and those with additional needs has been quieter.

Nikki and her Watchdog co-presenter, Matt Allwright, have visited our TV studio a number of times, so we nabbed Nikki for a chat about working in TV with a disability and how things are changing.

When did you know that you wanted to work in television? Not until I was in my twenties! I never liked having my picture taken or being on video.

I’d always struggled academically, but my primary school offered free music lessons and, because of that, I found something I was good at. I studied music at uni and working in TV was not on the agenda at all!

Were you aware of the obstacles you might face at work because of your disability? I have Muscular Dystrophy which is a progressive disease and comes on slowly.

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We just overcame any obstacles by sorting things out ourselves. I remember when I got my first radio job on a breakfast show, my mum used to get up with me at 2.30am to help me get ready and, on the first day, my Dad, who was a builder, came to fit some ramps and a grab rail. I know the BBC would have helped, but we just sorted it. I was lucky to have them.

What have been the biggest obstacles for you? The days when I was freelancing were difficult. The work was sporadic and I never knew what I’d be doing next, so getting support was hard. At one job, I didn’t want to say that I couldn’t access the bathroom, so I would ‘hold on’ from 6.30am until I got home at 8pm. Looking back, I don’t really know why. I suppose I was so grateful to be there, I didn’t want to be a pain. I would never do that now and would never advise it. It pays to be open.

What, or who, has been the biggest help in your career? I was presented with a mobility scooter – a leaving gift of sorts! – when I was made redundant from Sainsbury’s, my student job. What a gift!

Without it, I would have been stuffed, so that was a big, big help.

The Channel 4 Disability Researcher Training Scheme really was my springboard.

iN kki Fox

It was the first time I’d applied for something which was designed for disabled people and I was lucky enough to get a place.

A lady called Angela Chan, who worked in BBC Diversity, was a key person in my career. She took an interest in me and got me in front of the right people.

She has been so significant and is still in my life now.

What would you say has been your most enjoyable job? I can’t really pick one! I love working on Watchdog. Matt Allwright and I really are best friends. I also love working on The One Show and confess that I am slightly in love with Alex Jones. But working on How to Look Good Naked was brilliant, too! Gok Wan is one of the loveliest people you could meet.

And the worst bits?

I’ve taken a few embarrassing dives. When I was a guest on Would I Lie to You, I was sat on a chair and forgot it didn’t have arms (my scooter has arms), so I went to lean and ended up head first in Lee Mack’s lap!

From your experience, how do you think things have improved for disabled people over the last ten years? The BBC is making a lot of in-roads into having a much more diverse workforce which makes me really proud to work for them. June Sarpong, Director of Creative Diversity, is so smart and is as knowledgeable about disability and other minority groups, as she is about ethnic minority issues. She’s all over it. They have a brilliant scheme called BBC Extend, and Channel 4 run the Disability Researcher Training Programme. Most of the other channels have a similar scheme now, too, which is great.

What advice would you give to a young person wanting to work in television? I get lots of emails from young disabled people asking for advice about working in TV. I always say to check out these schemes that the channels run.

They are attracting some unbelievably talented journalists who are young and exciting and really want to give a voice to minority groups.

Once in the industry, I’d always advise disabled people to speak up about the help that they need because they will get it.

It’s important that we keep pushing.

What does the future hold for you? I love my role as Disability Correspondent, but I also love the presenting work that I’ve been doing. I’d really like to do some documentarymaking. I am full of ideas!

Nikki’s story is an inspirational one. It seems that things are starting to change for the young disabled journalists following in her footsteps and not before time! I’m sure we can expect to see a lot more of Nikki on our screens in the months and years to come.

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To contribute, advertise or let us know your news please call 0118 933 3311 or email hello@villageeye.co.uk

Follow us to keep updated, locally

Getting back the freedom to do the things you love Is a sports injury raining on your post-lockdown parade?

Whether it’s swinging a golf club or hitting a tennis ball, many of us have had our first taste of freedom in months.

Returning to our favourite sport is an incredible feeling after being cooped up for so long and will be hugely beneficial to our health both physically and mentally.

However, many of us have been not just OOO (out of office) during lockdown, but also OOA (out of action).

We’re all eager to get back to normal and make our favourite hobbies an important part of our lives once again – but it’s worth

remembering that our backs, shoulders, elbows and knees have been off-duty for a while, which may mean they’re more susceptible to injury during the first swing or serve of the season.

Putting ourselves out of action for another few months is the very last thing we want to do when we’re more than ready to reclaim our pre-lockdown lives.

Tackling a sports injury Prevention is better than cure, as they say, and the best way to reduce the risk of injury is to warm up and follow a stretching routine before exercising. Easing yourself back into sport slowly is also beneficial (tempting as it is to go at it with full gusto!).

Discover the power of PEMF!

Contact Nick on: 07885 979 166

info@pemfstudios.co.uk

www.pemfstudios.co.uk

However, if you do sustain an injury, help is at hand in Mortimer at the PEMFiT Studio where Nick Elvery has been helping local residents recover from sporting injuries quickly and safley.

Local advanced Personal Trainer, Rachel Hill, who runs Fit4Sports, is just one of PEMFiT’s recent success stories.

“I’ve suffered with back pain for over 30 years.

It’s debilitating and sometimes stops me doing my job fully. Nick at PEMFiT has been a life saver enabling me to get back to fitness in record time.”

“Nick at PEMFiT has been a life saver enabling me to get back to fitness in record time” Rachel Hill, Advanced Personal Trainer, Fit4Sports.

17

“Lafford & Leavey, experts in bringing the outside - inside”

Windows - Doors -Conservatories UPVC or Timber

One of the leading window, door and conservatory installers in Berkshire, offering free quotations and advice from a company with a formidable reputation spanning 50 years. Choose from a wide range of products in a style and finish which will suit your budget and needs, we are only a phone call away.

LAFFORD & LEAVEY LTD ARROWHEAD ROAD, THEALE, READING, RG7 4AZ Tel: Reading (0118) 9303333 Fax: (0118) 9323707 Email: lafford.leavey@btconnect.com

18

Summer is coming Now that summer is on its way, you may be busy planning a trip to the beach or venturing further afield by car...

So, you’ve loaded the car with the family, luggage, sunglasses, maps, sandwiches and the kitchen sink... only to discover a few miles down the road, the blowers aren’t really getting that cold - and worse still, a rather unpleasant smell as your air conditioning works overtime in an attempt to keep you all cool. Sound familiar?

This ‘nasty-niff’ is caused by dust, dirt and moisture that has stuck to the evaporator of your air conditioning unit deep within your dashboard. Because the evaporator attracts moisture, it sticks to the surface and dust particles and other dirt will eventually build up on it. Over time this then becomes the perfect breeding ground for mould and fungi and this is what causes the smell. What a lovely thought!

Getting rid of the smell may not be straightforward. You could try running the system on maximum heat for at least 10 minutes to dry the condenser out. This may remove the problem temporarily, but it is likely to return. There are kits available, online which act as disinfectants and are sprayed into the air conditioning system to kill the bacteria, but again, these often only provide only a temporary respite from the pong.

For a more permanent solution this summer, Spratley’s in Mortimer is offering an Air Conditioning Freshen-up and De-bug for just £29.99 inc VAT. A full Air conditioning re-gas is also available from £99 inc VAT. Just ask. For further information, free advice or to make a booking for your vehicle, please give us a call.

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19

What is landscaping, and do I need it?

We are now spending more time than ever in our gardens. An outside room, a sanctuary - whatever you add to your garden this summer may prove to be money well spent in more ways than one.

What is landscaping?

To define it literally, landscaping is "The process of making a garden or other piece of land more attractive by altering the existing design, adding ornamental features, and planting trees and shrubs". In practice, a professional landscaper should bring much more to the table than simply the labour of planting trees and shrubs: Planning - Before any physical work is started, everything must be planned. If the work is being carried out by an external team rather than a DIY project, this phase will include discussing your needs and desires. This would include discussions surrounding the scope of your particular project and your budget. Plans can then be created, which will outline all of the details needed in order to progress.

Ground Preparation – Frequently, the ground in the area must be prepared prior to any form of installation or build.

20

This can be anything from simply removing grass or existing obstacles to large-scale debris removal and ground levelling. This step is crucial not only for effective installation but for hassle-free maintenance too.

What are the benefits?

The benefits of anything, landscaping included, are often subjective; however, there are some broader benefits to landscaping that we think most people would agree on…

Installation - Now that everything is planned, prepped, and there's nothing left to get in the way, the installation of landscaping elements can begin. Hardscape elements (such as patios, fences, walkways and retaining walls) are often installed first.

This provides a good, defined outline and framework that can be built upon/planted throughout the rest of the installation.

Landscaping creates beautiful spaces You wouldn't think twice about why it is a good idea to hire an interior designer when you are redesigning a room in your house, and the same goes for a professional landscaper. A good landscaper has an eye for what works and what doesn't, can call on their experience to make suggestions in-line with your desires, and, ultimately, help create a beautiful outdoor space.

Maintenance - The installation's done, the space looks beautiful - but that's not the end of the process.

Maintenance is required to keep your newly-landscaped area looking (and living) the way it deserves to.

The amount of maintenance required will vary depending on the project.

Generally, maintenance involves taking care of the plants (weeding, irrigation, fertilising etc.), as well as maintaining any wooden structures or stone paving and bricks.

The visual appeal of a well designed and landscaped space is good not only for property value but also for personal happiness and calm. Imagine the feeling you get from tidying up the lounge, putting everything in its correct place and neatly organised.

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This calm feeling derived from the transition of messy to neat is the same feeling you experience in a neatly organised and landscaped outdoor space.

Increase the value of your property As we alluded to earlier, landscaping can improve the market value of your property. The outdoor spaces around your property are akin to the packaging of a product or the presentation of your favourite dish at a restaurant. Although it isn't 'the main event', it is a major contributory factor to how 'the main event' is perceived.

Spending time and money on the space outside of your property can help bring in a better return on your investment should the time ever come that you decide to sell up.

Professionally-landscaped outdoor spaces are a major selling point for your property, and studies have shown could

see a market value increase of up to 20%. On a few hundred thousand pound house, that percentage represents a fair amount of return.

Landscaping can protect the environment Many landscaping projects help to create unique habitats and microclimates that can aid both the fauna and the flora in the surrounding area. Particularly if the natural surroundings are incorporated, and native plants are used, these outdoor spaces become beautiful, safe havens that require less long-term resources to maintain.

The bees will be particularly grateful. Plants and shrubs attract essential pollinators to the area, helping them survive and thrive whilst also ensuring the continued development and health of our planet. And well, if that isn't enough reason to undertake a little garden landscaping, then I don't know what is?

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Spencers Wood

Handsome Victorian Home This magnificent 4 bedroom home has been extended and greatly improved by the current owners. Situated amongst beautiful gardens approaching a quarter of an acre and offering excellent privacy. The property is full of character and charm and offering excellent family accommodation • Mature plot approaching quarter acre • 4 bedrooms • Dressing room to main bedroom • Living room and separate dining • Fitted kitchen/breakfast room • Utility and cloakroom • EPC rating D

£1,000,000 guide Mortimer Apartment with a view Exceptional three-bedroom top floor apartment within a converted country residence. This light and airy property benefits from high ceilings, 3 spacious double bedrooms offering fantastic scope for the ideal home/work space.

• Country residence • First floor • 3 bedrooms • Lounge/dining room • Balcony • Circa 4 acres gardens • EPC rating E

£400,000 contact our mortimer office: phone: 0118 467 7999 email: mortimer@davidcliff.com visit: davidcliff.com

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Pink Pages: Trades & Services

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Boiler Servicing Using state of the art combustion analysers we can service your boiler and help you comply with all necessary gas safety regulations.

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Pink Pages: Trades & Services

ASHLEYS

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11,500 copies, 17 local villages, estimated 32,000 readers - monthly!

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DO YOU DREAM OF A NEW KITCHEN?

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Miles & Daughters Funeral Directors are here to support and guide you.

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Call us for immediate support, advice or to arrange a home visit. We are here to help 24 hours a day.

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Pink Pages: Trades & Services HOME IMPROVEMENTS

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To request a free quote, or to discuss your requirements, contact us today. We'll be happy to help.

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31

eye

COULD YOU BENEFIT FROM HAVING A LIFE INTEREST TRUST IN YOUR WILL?

There is a range of situations in which life interest trust wills can be beneficial and have a better outcome than a straight-forward will.

Life interest trust wills can be beneficial for people who want to ensure that their children get their share of the family home. If, for example, you leave everything to your spouse/partner under a straight-forward will and that person happens to re-marry or co-habit with another person following your death, your share of the property could pass to their new spouse/partner under a new Will, the intestacy provisions or by a lifetime gift rather than to your children. If, however, a life interest trust was included in your will giving your spouse/partner the right to live in the family home for the rest of their life, then your spouse/partner would not be able to give your share away to another person during their lifetime or on their death.

Legal

Life interest trust wills can also be beneficial when considering potential future care home fees. If you have a straight-forward will leaving everything to a spouse/partner with whom you own a property and following your death your spouse/partner goes into a care home, then the entire value of the property could be used up in care home fees, leaving nothing to pass to children, or your chosen beneficiaries.

Whereas, if you have a life interest trust in your will and your spouse/ partner subsequently goes into care, then only the value of their share of the property can be taken in to account when assessing their contribution towards care home fees and your share will be ring-fenced in the trust and can ultimately pass to your chosen beneficiaries.

There are other situations in which life interest trust wills are beneficial and if you feel you could benefit, you should seek legal advice to discuss your personal circumstances and what tax implications may be involved.

Please contact a member of the Private Client Team at Rowberry Morris who will be happy to assist you in preparing your Will.

Tadley Office Sherfield House Mulfords Hill Tadley RG26 3XJ 0118 981 2992 info-tadley@rowberrymorris.co.uk FREE car park at rear of office Reading Office 17 Castle Street, Reading, RG1 7SB TEL: 0118 958 5611 E: info-reading@rowberrymorris.co.uk Offices also at Richmond and Staines www.rowberrymorris.co.uk

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The silent taxes

DO YOU NEED LEGAL ADVICE?

on

by Mark Penst

WE ARE A NICHE LAW FIRM SPECIALISING IN WILLS, INHERITANCE TAX ADVICE, POWERS OF ATTORNEY AND DEEDS OF VARIATION

The Coronavirus pandemic has taken its toll. Supporting the economy has been a costly exercise that isn’t over yet. It will come as no surprise to most people that Government debt is rocketing. It is at its highest level since 1963.

HOW WE CAN HELP YOU: • Expert advice from an experienced practitioner & technical writer • STEP & SFE qualified solicitor • Appointments in the comfort of your own home or via video conferencing • Evening and weekend appointments available • Friendly and professional service

catherine@legacy-law.co.uk 0118 40 50 131 www.legacy-law.co.uk

PROTECTING YOUR LEGACY

WANT TO FEEL THIS GOOD ABOUT YOUR FINANCAL PLANNING?

Many businesses have suffered, and we have stopped spending. What is known in economic terms as the ‘velocity of money’ has slowed to a snail’s pace. The velocity of money is important because the faster that money travels around the economy, the more opportunities the Government have to tax it! But tax revenues are low and government spending is high.

The books will need to be balanced probably through a mixture of cutbacks (in addition to those still washing through the system from the banking crisis of 2007/8) and an increase in taxation.

Politically, the best place for initial tax rises taxes will be from areas that are not well understood or that don’t affect that may people. One such area is the Pension Lifetime Allowance (LTA).

In simple terms, the LTA is how large your pension fund can be before additional tax becomes due. And at a tax rate of 55%, it should not be ignored. But many people are ignoring it because firstly, they just haven’t heard of it; secondly, it’s deeply complicated and; thirdly, most people would think that it probably won’t ever affect them.

Currently, if your pension fund or pension benefits are over £1.0731M you may be taxed at 55% on the excess. Putting this in to context, if you have a final salary pension that is likely to produce a pension of around £50,000 per year or a personal pension fund worth around £1M, you may have a problem.

The main issue here is that since 2012 the LTA has been reduced from £1.8M to £1.0731M where it has now been frozen until 2026.

As people continue to build their pensions, more and more will unwittingly cross the line and enter territory where their pensions will become liable for 55% tax.

PERSONALISED FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR AN INITIAL CONSULTATION CONTACT US ON: 0118 987 6655 INFO@BLUESKYIFAS.CO.UK WWW.BLUESKYIFAS.CO.UK

BLUESKY Charted Financial Planners is a trading style of BLUESKY Financial Planners LTD which is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority

It may not affect you now, but it might do in the future. I’ve often used the term in the past that many people ‘sleepwalk’ in to retirement without a great deal of financial planning.

The latest move by the Government to freeze the Lifetime Allowance means that over time more people will be caught by the silent tax that they were not aware of.

Another good reason to review your finances before it’s too late.

Mark Penston is a Chartered Financial Planner with Bluesky Chartered Financial Planners.

Mark

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by Karen Hartshorn

PARTY@

HOME

YOUR LOCAL ONE STOP HIRE SHOP FOR YOUR HOME PARTY OR EVENT

Love is not cancelled!

Married recently or are planning to? You may want to read this!

Many industries are hoping that COVID restrictions will continue to be lifted over the coming months and we’ll be able to gather with our friends and family again. Getting married is one of life’s momentous events and deserves to be celebrated. So if you’re coming up to your 1st anniversary or are getting married in the next few months how about holding a wedding celebration later this year. You could even re-create a wedding ceremony to express your love and commitment in front of your nearest and dearest.

Springwood Ceremonies will help you create a memorable ceremony. Personal and unique, we’ll include whatever is most important to you.

For further information please call or visit: www.springwoodceremonies.co.uk hello@springwoodceremonies.co.uk

Furniture Hire including deckchairs and beanbags!

Catering Equipment Mobile Bars Marquees and Gazebos Hot Tubs Hire Bell Tent Hire Fun & Giant Games Popcorn, Slushy Machines, Candyfloss and more...

Decor items **MAD MAY ** Balloons Book your hot tub hire for Photobooth & Selfie Pods any date in May and use Sound Systems & Disco Lighting code EYE40 on our partner booking system for £40.00 Plus much more online!

OFF all bookings.

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All bookings Thursday-Monday included.

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FREE TRIAL Mortimer on Mondays!

Award-winning, high-energy after-school classes in drama and musical theatre Book your child’s free trial drama class today Booking link: https://stageability.class4kids.co.uk

07766 750 446

Other areas: Lower Earley, Tilehurst, Wokingham

Book Your Free Trial Now! T: 0118 933 3791 E: jackie@berkshire.stageability.co.uk W: stageability.class4kids.co.uk

34 34

To contribute, advertise or let us know your news please call 0118 933 3311 or email hello@villageeye.co.uk

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SATURDLinAeYup

Win A Weekend FOR FOUR! FOUR!

eye Win

W

Closing date for entries is midnight on 31st May and full Ts & Cs are available at www. villageeye.co.uk

e are so pleased to learn that Marvellous Festival has been given the green light to go ahead this July. Now only weeks away, and, for so many reasons, this year is going to be truly epic!

If you are itching to get back out safely into the sunshine with your friends and family to enjoy some incredible live music once again and haven’t yet got your tickets, they are selling fast, so be quick!

The area’s favourite family-friendly music festival is set to take place over the weekend of July 17/18 at Dinton Pastures Country Park and promises no fewer than 13 worldclass tribute acts on the main stage, plus a second stage marquee featuring a plethora of unsigned local talent. Marvellous is well-known for serving up an eclectic mix of musical genres and eras, and this year you will be entertained by tributes to Coldplay, Queen, ELO, Ed Sheeran, Tina Turner, The Killers & more!

HOW TO ENTER!

Beginning its life in 2003, Marvellous was the first festival of its kind and - to this day - remains the biggest and best.

It is fiercely proud of its reputation, offering families the opportunity to experience a full-on festival atmosphere in a safe and friendly environment. What’s not to like?

ay Sund Line up

Kids of all ages will find plenty to do too, with fabulous fairground rides, plus loads of free activities in the Big Kids’ Village including balloon modelling, arts and crafts, games and face-painting . . . It’s all going on, and more attractions are yet to be announced.

The festival offers both day tickets and weekend tickets, complete with camping and Glamping packages, and the best way to enjoy the full Marvellous experience is to do the whole weekend under canvas. We have a family weekend ticket (two adults and two children), including camping, up for grabs in our competition below - go for it!

Village Eye have secured a weekend family ticket (with camping) to give away! For your chance to win this exciting prize, please visit www.villageeye.co.uk click the competition tab and answer the following question by midnight on May 31st:

Q. Where is Marvellous Festival a: Wellington Country Park b: California Country Park c: Dinton Country Park

Easy eh? Good luck.

Winner will be contacted by telephone on Monday June 1st.

tickets available at: WWW.MARVELLOUSFESTIVALS.COM

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Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice

Be there when it matters If you’re passionate about care, join our friendly team and enjoy great benefits

Contact us: call: 07975 235450 email: recruitment@sueryder.org

36

Sue Ryder is a charity registered in England and Wales (1052076) and in Scotland (SCO39578). Ref. No. 07290. © Sue Ryder. April 2021.

Food Allergy Awareness Week (May 10-15) and Coeliac UK Awareness Week (May 11-16) are both coming up, and as someone who has experienced both I thought it was a great time to help explain and raise awareness of these conditions.

eye

You will know someone with a food allergy - they are thought to affect one in ten adults and one in 13 children. In fact, the US charity FARE (Food Allergy Research Education) estimates there was a 377% increase in severe allergy diagnoses between 2006 and 2017.

Severe food allergies are life-changing. If someone in your household has one, then that food needs to be eliminated from their life. At the most severe end, even particles of that food on a surface or in the air can cause something called anaphylactic shock, which can result in loss of consciousness and be fatal without immediate treatment.

Whether allergy or intolerance, it is important to balance eliminating the troublesome food from your diet with making sure you don’t miss out on important nutrients, fibre, vitamins and minerals. This is where a session or two with a qualified nutrition coach may help, so do get in touch if you’d like to discuss your situation!

Health

Food Allergies & Intolerances Explained

by Karen Hartshorn

Who can get food allergies?

The simple answer is anyone, although people with asthma, eczema, and hay fever tend to be at higher risk. These are all types of auto-immune disorders, a condition where your immune system does the opposite of what it is supposed to do. A healthy immune system fights off disease and ‘bad germs’ like bacteria and viruses, but in someone with a food allergy the immune system attacks the proteins in that food instead.

Food allergies can come and go - children grow out of them, and adults can develop them later in life. You may also find that food allergies can run in families.

What happens to someone with a food allergy? The reaction to food allergies can vary. For some, the reaction is minor and symptoms include a rash or ‘prickly’ feeling skin, swelling in your mouth, or perhaps a tummy ache or diarrhoea. For others, reactions are very severe, including anaphylaxis.

Allergic reactions can overlap with other medical symptoms and conditions, which is why allergies can be tricky to diagnose.

Coeliac disease, an allergy to the protein gluten found in wheat, barley and rye, runs in my family, but I wasn’t diagnosed until I was an adult. Once diagnosed, it very quickly explained years of bloating, skin rashes, anaemia and other seemingly unrelated conditions. Now I completely eliminate gluten from my diet to solve the problem.

About Karen

www.tarragonnutrition.com karen@tarragonnutrition.com

Based in Burghfield Common, Karen offers confidential coaching sessions in person or via Zoom. She will help you to develop a healthy, positive relationship with food and exercise so you never have to diet again!

For a free initial conversation, please contact:

0118 983 6358 - 07834 466090

To contribute, advertise or let us know your news please call 0118 933 3311 or email hello@villageeye.co.uk

Follow Karen for more tips @tarragon_nutrition

Follow us to keep updated, locally

37

n

ildre ng ch i v i g er: e!” o oth xperienc n e k e li ique tting “A se a truly un

rooms, supporting Bespoke & stimulating children aged 3 the development of months to 5 years old s of private Daily trips to our acre land woodlands and farm ittling and pond Den making, wood wh School sessions dipping in our Forest

Discover Jubilee Day Nursery…

Children are at the centre of all that we do at Jubilee. Our learning experiences are engaging, led by children, and sprinkled with imagination and magic every day! Take a sneak peek at what we have to offer…

Jubilee Day Nursery is set in Padworth. Virtual tours are now available. You can book yours, or request a prospectus by visiting our website or giving us a call.

For Jubilee Day Nursery (full-time) Tel: 0118 970 1600 Email: info@jubileedaynursery.co.uk visit www.jubileedaynursery.co.uk

38

ing and Yoga, plus Trampolining, garden s more exciting activitie supported by our Child centred learning er dedicated EYFS teach School to bridge An inspiring Summer ishing nursery and the gap between fin starting school , catering for Freshly prepared food ments and allergies special dietary require from 7.30am-6.00pm Open all year-round, ays) (excluding bank holid

Don’t just take our word for it, hear what families have to say about us at www.daynurseries.co.uk/reviews Our sister nursery, Jubilee Gems, offers term time childcare, with childcare availability during the holidays.

Email: info@jubileegems.co.uk visit www.jubileegems.co.uk

We are a family run, independent and experienced care provider.

We support independent living for the elderly and adults with disabilities at home

WE OFFER • Day and night care • Respite care • Holiday accommodation • Emergency care • Dementia care • Home from hospital rehabilitation • Competitive and fair rates • All inclusive social events for our clients and family members

Get in touch for more information:

0118 942 9889 | office@chrysaliscare.org 23c Horseshoe Park, Horseshoe Road, Pangbourne, RG8 7JW www.chrysaliscareathome.org es le ac b y 21 Pl aila ntr 20 av e er r fo mb e pt

Se

SENIOR SCHOOL OPEN MORNING SATURDAY 22ND MAY

Covid-secure event with individual appointments from 9am.

Booking online essential - visit www.crosfields.com/senior-school-open-event

Co-educational Independent Day School Shinfield Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG2 9BL. registrar@crosfields.com | 07761 494293 To contribute, advertise or let us know your news please call 0118 933 3311 or email hello@villageeye.co.uk

Follow us to keep updated, locally

39

On History

eld

rghfi Once upon a Bu In April’s issue, we started our journey down memory lane with pictures of Mortimer. This month, it’s Burghfield’s turn! Thank you to everyone who got in touch with us via our socal media pages and sharing some facsinating images from yesteryear with us.

Pictured here are some old photos of the local roads, pubs, homes, post office and the old Tulls store and the Rising Sun (Pre Tesco.) All kindly supplied to us by the wonderful Andrea Hall, Steph Awbery and Sue Wightwick.

Burghfield Common’s Butcher, Baker and Grocer were a huge part of local community spirit and life back in the day. Fruit and veg was seasonal and doing your weekly shop meant having a good ole’ chat with the Weller family, who were a big part of Burghfield life and ran the Greengrocer. The best bit about this - is that 50 years on - the Weller family business is still going strong!

Rising Sun, a local pub for people to meet and chat over a pint. Older Burghfieldians may also remember Three Firs Pub, demolished back in the 50’s. Home to the ‘Hunt Club’, it’s annual Boxing Day tradition which saw regulars watch the hounds and horses set off was very popular (no doubt acompanied by a festive tipple or three). Below is a rare photo of a protest March from London to Aldermaston which trailed through the village back in 1963!

Next month, we’ll be looking at Theale, and would like to invite anyone in possession of any old pictures to get in touch with us before May 7th please.

Email: Holly@villageeye.co.uk

The post office (Pictured above) was originally where the Davis Tate Estate agents now reside. Tulls store (pictured right) was known to everyone as the ‘Cash Stores’. Pre Tesco, stood The

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40

To contribute, advertise or let us know your news please call 0118 933 3311 or email hello@villageeye.co.uk

29/03/2021 14:56

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eye

ON TV with ROB BARNES

A beautiful and tender tale of the harmonious bond between family and nature Inspired by his own childhood experiences, Lee Issac Chung’s Korean-American drama is a heartfelt parable on the healing and uniting power of family and nature.

Determined to grab their own slice of the American Dream the Yi family arrive in Arkansas from California having bought a plot of land that father Jacob (Steven Yeun) plans to turn into a farm. His wife Monica (Yeri Han) has doubts from the start not helped by her surprise new abode, a mobile home propped up on blocks with an unreliable supply of water and power. Together with their young son David (Alan Kim), who suffers from a heart condition, and his big sister Anne (Noel Kate Cho), they struggle to adjust to their new surroundings and community. As Jacob toils on the farm, Monica has no choice but to take a job at a poultry factory sexing chickens.

To tackle her feelings of stress and isolation, and to help with childcare, the family brings her widowed mother, Soonja (Yuh-jung Youn), over to live with them. With a unique zest for life and penchant for profanity, Soonja forms an unlikely bond with David with whom she shares a room. As a small gesture to help their plight she quietly plants some Korean Minari seeds, an edible celery-like plant, on the banks of a neighbouring stream. A family trip to the city to see a heart specialist for David, and for Jacob to meet a prospective client brings their marriage to breaking point. But with Soonja left alone at the farm their love and faith meets it’s true test with the scene they encounter on their return home.

On the face of it Minari is a humble tale of a family trying to lay down roots and start a new life for themselves. However, its success lies in the cracks and complexities found in the clashes in culture, age and faith that simmer away under the surface. Born and raised in America the children know little of the Korean traditions and beliefs imparted by their grandmother. Monica grapples with her own identity and values as she reconnects with in the face of Jacob’s relentless drive for financial success. Religion also plays its part as the family attempts to integrate with a god-loving community in the bible heartland of America. What’s so rewarding is that with every hardship we watch them suffer, and with every relationship that is challenged, there are always the hidden green shoots of rejuvenation that

Fun

ultimately bind the family together. The cinematography perfectly brings to life the extreme wilds of Arkansas, from the freeing beauty of it’s endless vistas and big skies, to the stifling heat and the punishing storms. The ensemble cast are fantastic, ably led by Steven Yeun who many will know from The Walking Dead TV series, and with standout performances from the young Alan Kim and the renowned Korean actress Yuh-jung Youn.

Those that like their drama dialled up to the max may struggle to tune into this more gentle and tender tale, with an open ending that some may find wanting. But for those willing to immerse themselves a little deeper will find Minari a hugely rewarding and award worthy film.

4.5/5

A GOOD READ: WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING When a young man is found dead on the North Carolina coast the local police – and local residents – start looking for the culprit. It doesn’t take long before they turn their attention to Kya, also known as the Marsh Girl. But is she guilty of anything more than being an outsider? What follows is actually two stories intertwined. As the hunt for the murderer continues we learn of Kya’s life in the marsh. At the age of 6 she watched Ma walk away from their shack with a blue case and high heeled shoes. Though Kya waited, her mother never returned and over the following months her siblings left as well, leaving her alone with Pa. He was often drunk or absent, so it was up to Kya to survive, until he finally left when she was 10.

To some extent, this is a coming-of-age story. It is an unforgettable novel; a celebration of nature and some of the most engaging parts are the descriptions of the marsh world through which Kya glides effortlessly in her canoe. It becomes a character in its own right. There is no denying that this novel will stay with you long after you finish it and feel as if you have been along the journey though the marsh with Kya.

41

eye

Pregnancy fitness

Fitness

Here’s what you need to know!

K

eeping fit during pregnancy has many benefits, including a faster return to pre-pregnancy weight and fitness. It’s not just mums-tobe who benefit from exercise during pregnancy-babies do too! Babies born to mums who have exercised throughout their pregnancies tend to be leaner and have lower levels of foetal stress-very cool! Importantly, exercise makes you feel good and helps you to regain a sense of control over your body as it goes through changes during each trimester.

There are three important areas to focus on: Low to moderate intensity resistance training: The hormonal effects of pregnancy make your joints less stable, making them more prone to pain and injury. Resistance training keeps the muscles around the joints strong, which helps to support them. Muscular fitness also helps to make managing the physical changes of pregnancy less tiring.

Cardio: Cardio is really useful for keeping your energy levels up. In order to avoid risk factors such as overheating and umbilical cord issues, it’s better that activities are kept low impact. Regular runners should reduce intensity as pregnancy progresses and

should have reduced activity to brisk walking by their third trimester.

TA and Pelvic floor exercises: As your baby grows, it stretches and weakens a muscle which stabilises your spine called the transverse abdominis (TA), which is why many women get back pain as pregnancy progresses. Very gentle exercises for the TA can keep it working well and keep back pain to a minimum. Pelvic floor muscles also get stretched by the growing baby, so it’s important to exercise them too as they play an important role in the delivery of the baby and help to prevent unwanted accidents. Please don’t do pelvic floor exercises while on the loo though, as it can increase risk of bladder infection!

There are a few things which should be avoided during pregnancy-sit ups, crunches, planks and similar exercises, and it’s important to not do any exercises lying on your back after week 16 because this can restrict the blood flow back to your heart!

Exercise intensity is also reduced during each trimester, so I recommend people think about pregnancy fitness before they get pregnant! Having good fitness levels before pregnancy will mean you’re in a better place at each stage as intensity is reduced,

and it’s not advised to do resistance work during pregnancy if you’ve never done it before so it’s important to get some experience beforehand.

With over 17 years of experience in helping people to work towards their health and fitness related goals, Steve specialises in helping expectant women to maintain a fit and healthy pregnancy and beyond. To find out more or for advisory chat, call steve in confidence on 07881 762644.

Steve Shreeve d d d d

Personal PT Online Personal PT in Person Ante and Post Natal Training

Weight Loss/Body Composition Improvement d Sports Specific Training (SST) d Nutrition Advice d General Fitness & Wellness d Basketball Coaching

07881 762644

www.shreevehandf.com / shreevehealthandfitness

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The Village Eye is a privately owned magazine and bought to you by Pinktomato Limited, a local media company. All content within the publication is copyright of Village Eye. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for views or opinions expressed by contributors or for the accuracy of claims made by the advertisers. All dates, times, URL’s and telephone numbers are understood to be correct at the time of submission to print. To feature your business in this publication please call 0118 933 3311

At Tigers, our chef prepares delicious, fresh meals every day.

We believe it is vitally important for children to have healthy and nutritious meals as it plays a crucial part in their development and growth. The children have access to fresh fruit throughout the day and are encouraged to self serve and make healthy choices.

Spaces available call us for more details

www.tigersdaynurseries.co.uk | 0118 930 3000 16 Church Street, Theale, Berkshire, RG7 5BZ43

CU RIO US to know how much your property is worth?

Even if you’re not thinking of selling right now, we’d love to give you a free no obligation market appraisal of your home in May. Give us a call, you may be pleasantly surprised!

contact our mortimer office: phone: 0118 467 7999 email: mortimer@davidcliff.com visit: davidcliff.com

44Offices also at Wokingham, Binfield and Park Lane, London