Advertiser March19

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The

March 2019

Advertiser

Essential shops & services with everything you need all wonderfully local!

Inside this month: Bovis Homes Faringdon In Bloom Love Kids Photography Kate Herbert: Well Hung Luke Jackson: In Concert Pump House: Ladies Night Become A Town Councillor Al Sylvester MBE: Fund Raiser Kit Collins: Artist Of The Month Regent Cinema: Movies For You Twinning Association: Quiz Night Promoting local business, trade and services.

Advertise! Be Seen! Call Lou 01367 244975 or 07894 554551

The

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|March 2019|

Advertiser Chris Lewis Electrical Domestic and Commercial Works Free Quotations

07834 983 155 www.chrislewiselectrical.co.uk Faringdon based electrician Call us today to see how we can help you?

This Months Cover Geo-4D

Worrying Does not take away tomorrows troubles.

It takes away today’s peace.

lou@theadvertisermagazine.net

www.theadvertisermagazine.net

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WHO’S NEXT?

The Dog Studio Dog Grooming and Hydrotherapy Centre Call Trish: 01367 820060 Cowleaze Farm, Woolstone, Oxon SN7 7QS Email: thedogstudio@live.co.uk

Faringdon Business Breakfast Club With the refurbishment of The Bell continuing, the February meeting of Faringdon Business Breakfast Club took place in Costa Coffee. We were made very welcome by the staff and although the recent snow caused a few problems our meeting went very well. We welcomed John Romeis and Steph Henwood as new members.

Our member presentation this month was given by Graham Dawson who asked the question ‘How effective are you as a leader?’

In the 60-second round we heard about the quality of the advice on the HMRC website about BREXIT but that did not take long! We also heard about the forthcoming change in accounting for VAT with ‘Making Tax Digital’ and as you will see below this will be the timely topic for our next meeting.

We learnt about the businesses run by John and Steph. John runs a consulting business, Verdandi and Steph runs a Virtual PA service called SBS Business Support.

Graham Dawson spoke about how styles of leadership have changed in the past sixty years and the differing leadership development techniques that are being introduced to accommodate the pressures that exist in the modern digital climate. He asked everyone to take his Leadership Effectiveness Questionnaire with some interesting results.

In discussion the challenges of conventional leadership styles were discussed. It came as no surprise to members that know Graham that he finished his talk by telling everyone how his own specialist approach to leadership development through working with horses could be of benefit. Our next meeting will be on Monday 4th march 2019 Sudbury House Hotel at 7.30am fbbc-networking.co.uk/faringdon-business-networking

Faringdon Bell Ringers The All Saints’ ringers had an unusual visitor in February. I hesitate to say unwelcome because everybody is welcome but why didn’t they ask ?

We could have shown them how to get in without breaking the lock ! Tower bells can be very dangerous to the inexperienced but they can’t be stolen (famous last words ?) as they weigh about 4 tonnes and a large crane and lifting equipment would be necessary. If our visitors would like to come back on a Monday evening we’d be pleased to give them something really valuable, a lifelong pleasure, the ringing of church bells.

All the ringers from the various Vale churches are invited to a particular practice once a month. In January we went to Longcot where Josephine Ilott, one of All Saints new recruits was elected to the Oxford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers.

Clare Knock All Saints tower captain has been running training evenings for three other recruits who are progressing well and who we hope will be elected soon.

Whether or not you would like to try ringing, we would love to welcome you to visit Sunday service ringing (9.45-10.30 am) or Monday practice (7.30-9.00 pm) at All Saints Church.

Or you can contact us by emailing faringdonringers@gmail.com

579798

Unicorn Oxon Ltd Plumbing & Heating Specialists

All Gas Work All Plumbing Work Bathrooms Gas Appliances Boiler Servicing Central Heating Landlord Cert's QUALITY WITH CARE Locally based - call Steve 07901 772 058

The Advertiser Magazine Deadline for April Edition is 22nd March

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REGENT CINEMA Weds 6th March - The Wife (15) (2017 - Drama) A wife questions her life choices as she travels to Stockholm with her husband, where he is slated to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature Stars: Glenn Close, Jonathan Pryce, Max Irons Film duration: 1 hour 39 mins (no interval) Free tea/coffee and a biscuit Matinee Club @ The Regent Cinema, The Corn Exchange, Faringdon Doors open 12.30pm, film starts at 1pm tickets in advance £4 from Faringdon Information Centre / £5 on the door Matinee Club Membership - Just £24 for 12 films (inc half price pre-booked Blockbuster evening cinema tickets)

Friday 29 March - Bohemian Rhapsody (12A) (2018 - Biography, Drama, Music) The story of the legendary rock band Queen and lead singer Freddie Mercury, leading up to their famous performance at Live Aid (1985) Stars: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee Film duration: 2hrs 14 min (plus 15 min interval) Licensed bar, refreshments, ice-creams and popcorn Blockbuster @ The Regent Cinema, The Corn Exchange, Faringdon Doors open 7.00pm, film starts at 7.30pm Tickets in advance £3 U18s, £4 Adult, £10 Family from Faringdon Information Centre Tickets on door £4 U18s, £5 Adult, £11 Family For more info or to join the mailing list, please visit our website www.faringdontowncouncil.gov.uk/regent-cinema-2 Tickets can be bought in advance from Faringdon Information Centre, 5 Market Square, Faringdon SN7 7HL

For peace of mind…

A family business you can trust, selling property for over 30 years

Thinking of Buying, Selling or Letting?

Please contact us for a FREE market appraisal

01367 240241 Val Stansford Brings to us, in Concert

The Brilliant Luke Jackson The Corn Exchange on Saturday March 9th.

Doors 7.30pm for 8pm.

Tickets £12.00 from the Information Centre or wegottickets.com

We offer government funded Nursery places to some 2 year olds, as well as 3 and 4 year olds For more information, contact Stephanie Chapman

01367 243800 info@jgodfreyandson.co.uk

Now Open,12 London Street Faringdon

visit www.theoldstationnursery.co.uk

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Carswell Golf Club Visitors, friends and families - we welcome everyone to Carswell Golf Club Membership Deals Come and join our friendly golf club, a variety of packages are available for all abilities and ages Golf Shop Demo clubs available—try before you buy.

Competitive prices with advice and support on hand Lunch Menu Available Daily A selection of great daily specials Mothers Day Sunday Roast Book a table early for our Mothers day roast For more info via phone or email: 01367 870887 / clubhouse@carswellgolfclub.co.uk 01367 870505 / office@carswellgolfclub.co.uk

Roberts Reflections!

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Welcome to you all, as I write amidst a snow-covered countryside, with nearly 600 schools closed in Wales and temperatures down to -15*C in the Scottish Highlands!

I have just been to check my very smart sheep, who are in the shelter of a tall hedge with easy access to grass and in no hurry to come down to the self-help ewe nut feeders.

Did you know sheep have 320-degree vision and selflevelling eyeballs, so as they graze have the ability to recognise 50 or so fellow flock sheep members. Looking outside now, there have been so many birds in the garden, feeding from our feeders and berry bushes, not a single berry remains now, and our pond is only just above freezing!

A flock of lapwings just flew over-head, soon lost in the driving snow. Here is an interesting fact about the Woodcock, it is said to have a 360-degree vision, can you imagine that, birds?

Thinking along the lines of snow and cold weather, there are a string of reports in the American press of black bears that have offered respite and care to young lost children, they have become missing and lost in the bad weather. One little boy told his family that a bear was his best friend for most of the time he was missing. The rescuers heard crying in woods in North Carolina, where Casey had become entangled in a bramble thicket. Although suffering from hypothermia, it seems that the outcome would have been far less happy if a bear hadn’t perhaps been attracted to the crying child two days before he was found. This observation has been recorded at the Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Centre in Minnesota, home of amazing black bear research. A crying child attracting the concern of a black bear mother nearby. Like the researcher and highlyrespected biologist Lynn Leroy Rogers, principal biologist of the WRI and founder of the North American Bear Centre, I too believe in bears. A field course out there, is on my retirement bucket list!

One Health is a very big discussion topic in the veterinary outreach community, having some way to go to match the Canadian veterinary outreach model. In Canada, there is a close collaboration between medical and veterinary professionals, this results in joint establishment of intervention priorities. StreetVet are naturally involved with this concept, and Dogs On The Street too. The model of weekly outreach builds trust with pet owners experiencing homelessness, placing these organisations, veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses, in an ideal position to engage with doctors, nurses and dentists. Lack of trust and mobility impact highly on access to medical healthcare, homeless pet owners may become very ill before help can be Winter Savers found.

New Car Batteries 3 year guarantee As we get through this spell of bad weather, my thoughts are Other Sizes Available with those less fortunate, and what multi-professional care can offer those homeless pet owners.

To end, I add a few lines that the future Queen, as Princess, scratched on a glass window when she was imprisoned at 100 Woodstock by her half-sister, Queen Mary, before the Queen had her imprisoned in the Tower of London, in fear of her 075 life: “Much suspected by me, nothing proved can be”, said 100 Battery £72 Elizabeth the prisoner. Food for thought – thank goodness, 063 Battery £35 075 Battery £66 the Princess became Queen Elizabeth 1. email registration number through to barnard81@hotmail.co.uk On that happy note, have a great month – a month of transition for myself and my family.

Keep warm and safe, see you next month.

01367 244895 NICK MOORE CARS WE WANT YOUR CAR! CASH 4 CAR’S

www.nbmoorecars.co.uk

Robert Elliott

Behind the esso Garage, Unit 3 RAC, Park Road, Faringdon SN7 8LA

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Call us on 01865 820088

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Well Hung!

Kate Herbert

POP-UP FAMILY STUDIO! Free photo-shoots View and order online What is it about your Family NOW that you would like to capture?

Up and coming pop up days….

3rd March Lechlade 6th April Stroud

Local picture framer Kate Herbert has run her studio workshop, Well Hung Framing, in Watchfield since settling in the area in 2015. As a mother of two school aged children, she started picture framing about eight years ago, and has now become something of the ‘go to’ framer of choice for those wanting beautiful, high quality products at very competitive prices. “I love the variety of picture framing, and I really enjoy working with clients to help them select the most appropriate combinations of mounts and frames to complement their pictures” said Kate in her well stocked basement studio.

“It’s such a pleasure being able to frame precious memories for people – from relatively straightforward prints, photographs and certificates, through to more complex pieces like a child’s first pair of shoes, a set of medals or a sporting shirt.”

As Kate has become locally established, she has developed a loyal following from near and far, and takes enormous pride in the personalised nature of her work, spending time with her clients to discuss their ideas, while providing helpful advice on mount colours and styles, and the perfect frame in which to put the work. With more than three hundred frames to choose from, the choice could be bewildering to the uninitiated, but Kate’s creative and experienced advice is sure to help everyone make the right decision.

“Working closely with my clients is the most rewarding thing about my job. Whether it’s a relatively simple job on a budget, or a more complicated piece of fine art, there’s nothing more satisfying than seeing a client delighted with the finished product.”

With a number of testimonials on her website, the evidence of Kate’s professional excellence is clearly undisputed. As one satisfied customers states, “I have used Well Hung Framing on many occasions for all sorts of different pieces and I have been more than delighted with the result every time. Kate has a fantastic eye, so even if you’re not sure where to start with your piece or artwork, photos, medals etc – Kate has lots of great ideas which not only ‘frame’ your chosen piece but enhances it. Kate’s work is great value too – easily beating High Street prices.

Equally the turnaround for getting the work done is always minimal. I would strongly recommend using Well Hung Framing in a heartbeat. Thank you Kate.

Contact Kate on 07710 348 263 bykateherbert@gmail.com www.welhungframing.co

11th May Millets farm dog show To book Contact Lisa info@lovekidsphoto.co.uk www.lovekidsphoto.co.uk

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Join us for an evening with

Al SYLVESTER MBE Al shares his epic journey to the South Pole, his willingness to succeed and determination to reach the bottom of the earth.

Josh & Beth are hosting a fundraising event - at the Corn Exchange Faringdon, to be able to go to Kenya to volunteer in a small village with the youth group YOCO. They are organising ‘an evening with event’ with an inspirational speaker – Al Sylvester MBE. This event will be held at the corn exchange in Faringdon on the:

30th March afternoon 2.30 - 4.30 Evening 7.30 doors open 6.45 There will be a Fantastic Raffle! Prizes include Tickets to the Royal Air Tattoo, Tickets to Lechlade Music Festival, Meal Voucher for the Viceroy, a voucher for the New Inn Restaurant Lechlade, tickets to Adam Henson Farm, signed books from Ben Fogle and Kate Humbleto to name a few.

Tickets will be on sale at a number of outlets – including London Street Barbers, Faringdon Town Council, Uffington Post Office, Facebook and online at www.wegottickets.com Tickets will be £7.50 for adults £5.00 children. Two performances are planned - the one in afternoon aimed more for a younger audience (primarily for scouting and guiding groups) and the evening performance is for the general public .

Contact Tracey on: 01367 820 308 or email: traceyrosum@gmail.com

YOUR COMPLETE OXFORDSHIRE SERVICE & REPAIR CENTRE Call Malcolm on: 01367 718698 � � � � � � � �

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Foxtail Garage is Oxfordshire’s premier independent BMW Specialists offering a full range of professional diagnostics, fault finding and servicing for all vehicle makes and models. service@foxtailgarage.co.uk www.foxtailgarage.co.uk White Horse Business Park Ware Road, Stanford in the Vale Faringdon, Oxfordshire SN7 8NY

Wine Made Easy!

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An Enjoyable Tasting With Friends!

This month I thought it would be interesting to explore how wine changes as it is matured for longer times both in barrels and in bottles. To do this, I have picked on the Spanish wines from the Rioja region. These wines are readily available in our supermarkets and wine retailers. The wines are all made under a controlled style which is independently monitored for the DOC (which translates to controlled designation of origin). This body has also set some clear definitions for the naming of the wines, so with Rioja, we see Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva on the label. There are also Rioja wines without any of these where a grower has chosen to release the wine early.

So I pottered round the supermarkets and bought 6 wines and got a few friends round to a wine tasting. I covered the bottles so we could not tell the age. Then we tried them in pairs to see if we could tell the difference between the two.

For each pair I made sure they where of different ages.

The youngest wine is a 2017 Rioja with no other description, but does have the DOC label. This had a strong fruity flavour and is a lively wine which is mostly due to spending very little time being matures. The grapes would be picked in September 2017 and it is probably bottled and sold by June 2018. Then we had a Crianza, which has to spend 12 months stored in oak barrels, then a year in the bottle before it can be released. This had more tannin than the young wine though most of us found the young wine more drinkable.

I found two Rioja Reserva wines a 2014 and a 2012. This wine spends a minimum of a year in oak barrels, then two years maturing in the bottle before it is sold, This ageing allows the tannin to soften and also makes the fruit flavours more defined, so we could all taste blackberry and black cherry in these wines, plus a spice hint that comes from the oak. If your mouth can separate out the flavours there is also some vanilla to be found, which also comes from the oak.

I also found two Gran Reserva Rioja wines, a 2011 and a 2008.

This wine has spent a minimum of 2 years in the oak barrels and 3 years maturing in the bottle. This investment in time and storage allows more depth to each flavour to come out.

This ageing also softens the tannin and produces a lovely full flavoured wine. The difference was clear to all tasters and everyone voted the 2008 Gran Reserva as the best wine of the evening.

These are the wines 1. Baron Amarillo - Riserva - 2014 £5.79 2. Federico Paternina - 2017 Jueven £7.29 3. Cepa Allegro - Reserva - 2012 £9.00 4. Cune Rioja Gran Riserva - 2011 £11.50 5. Vina Lorea Rioja Crianza - 2015 £9.99 6. El Piadoso Rioja Gran Reserva - 2008 £16.99

Aldi Tesco Sainsbury’s Sainsbury’s Waitrose Waitrose

Outstanding value for the Aldi Rioja Reserva, which was the second favourite of the tasting and keep an eye out for the odd occasion when the Gran Reserva wines are on offer.

After the tasting we had a lovely lamb dish which goes so well with Rioja.

I hope you enjoy your wine and please drink responsibly.

Ian Lloyd

Wine Enthusiast ian@getwine.co.uk

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1000 Continuing with our alphabetical run down of whisky we have reached the letter D – which brings us to one of the most important of the processes relating to whisky and that is: Distillation – which, when referring to whisky, is the process whereby alcohol is driven off from a fermented wash that has been created by adding yeast to a mash of grain and hot water to produce a sugar rich liquid. The wash is heated to a temperature at which the alcohol turns to vapours but the water does not, and then the vapours are condensed so that they turn back to liquid. Alcohol levels rise with each further distillation but care has to be taken to only use the ‘heart’ of each run as there are some unsavoury and downright dangerous elements produced at the beginning and end of the process. Distillation was traditionally carried out in a pot still but can also be done in a continuous still, and is an age old process with many claims as to where and when it started, but in his Whisky Treasury Walter Schobert says that the type of distillation we would recognise today using stills and condensers is likely to date back to around the 12th century.

Distilleries – the general name of ‘distillery’ is used to define the site where all the whisky making processes, from malting to maturation, take part and the changing nature of distilleries over the years is a good reflection of how the whisky industry alters with the times. Often distillery sites evolved from their pre-legal days, when they were hidden away in the hills – hence many of the long established distilleries are located in picturesque but inaccessible places!

Good transport links came to be needed for bringing in supplies and sending out whisky, and initially this meant being close to somewhere a boat could reach easily but increasingly good rail and road links were logistically better and so distilleries were found in more suburban areas as well.

Nowadays, the rise of both large computerised distilleries to satisfy the growing demand for whisky, and small distilleries to fulfil the appetite for craft products, means there is a great diversity of distilleries all round the world. Their role has grown to encompass both educational and marketing purposes along with the actual whisky production, and the importance of this is highlighted by Diageo’s announcement of a £150m scheme that centres on a planned global visitor attraction in Edinburgh plus improvements to other single malt distillery visitor centres across Scotland. Despite the commercial aspects of this I cannot disagree that there can be no better way of gaining a sense of the place a whisky comes from than to stand in its still room or warehouse as you imbibe a dram and find out not just how it is produced but also the events and social history that have shaped it.

Fran Thomas

OPENING TIMES SUNDAY - TUESDAY CLOSED WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

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faringdonjewellers.com

Twinning Association

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Faringdon with le Mêle-sur-Sarthe Normandy Association du Jumelage

QUIZ NIGHT (AND LIGHT REFRESHMENTS) at the Catholic Church Hall (entrance behind the church via Southampton Street car park) Friday 22nd March, 7.00 for 7.30 £10 per team of 4 To register your team contact Hazel on 01367 241893 or go to faringdontwinning@gmail.com If you can’t make up a team, just come anyway!

Est. 1986

GARDENSCAPE Individual Design, Construction & Maintenance To discuss your personal garden requirements phone: 01865 250372 or 07773333531 Roger Hutchence - BA (HONS) NCH (Landscape Construction) www.gardenscape.biz Roger@gardenscape.biz

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| The Advertiser | page 15 | The current Faringdon Town councillors are hoping that more people will be interested in joining them.

The Town Council have not had an election since 2011, the last set of Councillors being elected unopposed. If at least 15 people stand for the Town Council, there will be an election and Faringdon residents will be able to vote to have their say in choosing who will represent them. The council plans to have a series of outreach events at Tesco and other venues throughout the town in the run up to the elections to hear people’s views and recruit potential councillors.

Newly co-opted councillor Bethia Thomas, who began in her position in November last year, would encourage anyone to consider standing: “It has been a really great thing to do and I have been able to revive connections with different groups and individuals in the community as well as to make new links with groups that are helping benefit the health and wellbeing of Faringdon’s residents like Far Runners and Farcycles.”

Bethia is passionate about Faringdon and is keen on improving communications between residents and the council – “it is so important that the council hears what the people of Faringdon are saying and then acts on it – we are supposed to be representing the wishes of residents, and I am determined to make this happen.”

Bethia has been taking advantage of the ‘Couch to 5K’ programme that the Far Runners have organised and is also brushing up her cycling skills with the Farcycles: “The council already has supported the Farcycles financially through their youth grant scheme, and I am sure they would like to forge further links with both groups.”

Wednesday March 13th 6.15pm

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Kit Collins

HIGHWORTH TRAVEL INDEPENDENT LUXURY TRAVEL SPECIALIST

Artist of the Month Faringdon Information Centre is very happy to welcome Kit Collins as March’s Artist of the month.

Years ago, Kit went to a great basketry exhibition at the Sainsbury’s centre gallery in Norwich. The exhibition showcased traditional baskets from various cultures, contemporary architectural basketry, even nests made by birds out of discarded wires, and basketry made from recycled materials.

He had just left art school and his work explored the idea of making useful things out of what people call “rubbish”. A few weeks before this he had found a long length of colourful fishing rope on a Norfolk beach and he kept it thinking it would be useful for something. The basketry exhibition featured illustrations of techniques which inspired Kit to make a basket using the fishing rope he had found. Ever since then Kit has been making recycled fishing rope baskets using rope found from Wales, Cornwall and Norfolk.

Kit enjoys making these baskets as they are practical as well as decorative, with the added bonus of being eco-friendly.

Through making them there is one less piece of waste in the ocean and Kit hopes to promote the idea of a plastic reduced lifestyle and other environmentally friendly ways of living.

Beach rope baskets are made with discarded fishing rope found on the coast and recycled with cotton string and elbow grease, they can be washed, and make great bowls for fruit and vegetables, knick-knacks, or anything you like!

Come along to the Information Centre to see these lovely eco friendly baskets. Kit’s work will be displayed in the Information Centre in the Pump House during the whole of March, open 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 9:30am to 1pm on Saturdays.

BATHROOM SHOWROOM Open to the Public & Trade

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01367 242666 faringdon@activeplumbingsupplies.co.uk office@highworthtravel.co.uk www.highworthtravel.co.uk

Unit A&B, Park Road, Faringdon, SN7 7DS

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Faringdon in Bloom 2019 Faringdon in Bloom 2019 is set to be a fun and exciting competition and free to enter. Categories will include best large garden, best small garden, best allotment, best business floral display, best business hanging basket, best wildlife garden, best patio garden, best new garden, Joy to the community and best junior miniature garden.

Judging will take place on the of 21st, 22nd and 23rd of June 2019. If you would like to take part simply download an application form from Faringdon Town Council website or collect a form from the Information Centre in the Pump House.

Winners will receive engraved trophies, and certificates will be given for Highly Commended achievements in each category.

We look forward to seeing all this year’s entries.

01367 240402

Diggers - Dumpers - Shredders - Floor sanders Breakers - Wallpaper strippers - Heaters Dehumidifiers - Concrete mixers & Much more www.kinchplanthire.co.uk Old Sawmills Rd, Park Rd, Faringdon, SN7 7DS

Faringdon Writing Group My pearl suits me. The sun glints on the water, but my pearl glints more in the polished steel of my mirror. When I look back I can see it’s been part of me, ever since that unfortunate incident on that voyage to the Indies. And it’s brought me luck – no sword has cut me, no pistol ball has touched me – more than can be said for it’s previous owner.

It’s been with me when the waves were higher than the masts and when we sat becalmed under a blistering sun; it’s been there when hunger and thirst have driven men near to mutiny. Of course, my way of dealing with that little problem often changed their minds rather quickly. And as for those who persisted? Well, let’s say, their time on board came to a rather sudden end; after all, the sharks have to eat.

And best of all it’s been with me when we’ve spied another sail on the horizon. Oh yes, the very best of times! Putting on all sail in order to overhaul her, drawing alongside as we roll out the guns and then letting fly. Boarding her and putting paid to any foolish enough to resist, looting her cargo and then sending her to the bottom. I always think it’s tidier with no one left to tell the tale.

Oh yes, the crew and I think it suits me much better than our late lamented captain…...

By Peter Webster Join us on the third Tuesday of every month From 7-9pm, Faringdon Business Centre Contact Julie Farmer at Julie@mypavirtualservices.com

A specialist firm dealing with private client work including Wills • Estate Administration • Lasting Powers of Attorney and all aspects of residential property and conveyancing work such as Sales • Purchases • Remortgages • Shared Ownership Development Transactions • Land Transactions • Property Investment Angel Wilkins LLP, The White Barn, Manor Farm, Manor Road, Wantage, Oxfordshire, OX12 8NE Tel: 01235 775100 Fax: 01235 775101 Email: neil@angelwilkins.co.uk - amanda@angelwilkins.co.uk - suzy@angelwilkins.co.uk elizabeth@angelwilkins.co.uk Angel Wilkins LLP is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority: SRA number: 524327

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JIM GRIFFITHS CARBODY REPAIRS

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Info@crowdyandrose.co.uk

Lechlade Branch

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The Garden of Evening Mists

by Tan Twan Eng

At any one time I have three books on the go. I classify them as follows 1. one non-fiction read 2. one mainstream fiction (sometimes I have called it ‘easy’) read and 3. one heavyweight fiction read.

In the latter category I’m still making my way through the Booker Prize shortlist for 2012. I only just recently caught up with Hilary Mantel’s ‘Wolf Hall’ sequel ‘Bring Up the Bodies’, which – like its predecessor – made a massive impact.

In a similar vein – and also from the 2012 Booker list – I finally picked up The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng. The very nature of my making a distinction between a ‘heavyweight’ fiction novel (and I don’t mean actual weight) and an ‘easy’ read is that the heavyweights are given time to breathe and sink in. Which is just what I did with The Garden of Evening Mists.

Claire Meadows

It took me a long time to read. And I loved every minute of it.

The book revolves around a former judge Teoh Yun Ling, who revisits the pains of her past while she can still remember them. For she is suffering a form of dementia, and there is much to remember about her extraordinary life.

Yun Ling is taken prisoner by the Japanese with her family, including her beloved sister, during World War 2 and there are brutal sections of the book devoted to the savagery doled out to the prisoners at the camp. Yun Ling escapes, but her sister doesn’t. Yun Ling, inspired by her sister’s love of Japanese gardens, begins to study under Nakamura Aritomo, former head gardener to the Emperor of Japan, in spite of her hatred of the Japanese.

The ambiguities and strains of their relationship play out of the course of this extraordinary book. There is a sense of urgency in relaying Yun Ling’s journey owing to her mental decline and her account is brutal, honest and poetic.

It’s a read that takes time and attention, I won’t lie. At the same time as reading this I used Jackie Collins’ Hollywood Wives’ as my easy read.

But it was rewarding. The beauty of the prose and the skill with which the author embodies his characters and makes you forget it’s fiction made it worth the intellectual investment. claire@clairemeadows.co.uk www.clairemeadows.co.uk

| The Advertiser | page 20 |

Selby Lowndes

Family law solicitors

Calling all chocolate fans!

Enjoy fairtrade drinks and chocolaty treats while supporting small farmers.

Special focus on women cocoa farmers.

Market stall with fairtrade Easter Eggs, short films, games, activities etc.

Saturday 9th March, 10 – 2.00pm.

Old Town Hall, Faringdon.

Celebrate Triadcraft’s 40th birthday at the same time. What can you do?

40 acts of kindness?

Plant 40 bulbs/seeds?

Sponsored swim for 40 lengths?

Bake 40 cakes for 9th March?

Come along to find out more!

Offers of help and for more information contact Karen Vogt: 01367-241707, karen@vogt.org.uk or pop into the Mustard Seed shop in Faringdon Market Place.

Experts in Divorce Family and Children law “superior judgement and robust negotiating skills” Chambers & Partners Legal Directory

Oxford Faringdon Swindon Cirencester Cotswolds

Free First Interview Fixed Fees Available

01367 241 701 www.slsfamilylaw.co.uk contact@slsfamilylaw.co.uk Selby Lowndes Solicitors Ltd, 3 Ram Court, Wicklesham Lodge, Faringdon, Oxon SN7 7PN

Healthy Living!

| The Advertiser | page 21 |

Healthy Living Too much health information? Why are we reading it at all?

The surprising health benefits of chocolate Pros and cons of working out twice a day Are raisins bad for you?

The best foods to prevent muscle cramps Foods you should never eat Memory boosting foods The above are just a few of the many headlines I came across when researching this article.

The last sentence I wrote in the February issue was: With knowledge we can make change.

However, there is so much information available it is often hard to know where to start, what is correct and what is just an advertising slogan. The more you read the more you realise there are some common themes that make sense and the others which are pseudoscience or just advertising mumbo jumbo.

Most of us just need to do the basics - as I probably keep repeating. Eat well, move more and do the things that make you happy each day. All the other advice can be seen as fine tuning or quick fix ideas that make little difference long term.

Why do we do it? The research I mean! Why do we read every article on ‘the quickest way to get a six pack’ or ‘how to loose that belly fat instantly!’ I would imagine that it is because we dislike our bodies in some way. Our insecurities, dissatisfaction with ‘our lot’ or a troubled past often lead us to make snap decisions or start on quick fix schemes that are unsustainable and often leave us more overweight and unhappy.

I genuinely want all of you who are reading these articles to be happy with your body, whatever shape, size or weight you might be. I also want you to be healthy too. But should we then ask ourselves why we aren’t happy with who we see in the mirror?

Is what we see down to our genes? Our guts? Our environment? The carbs we eat? How active we are? How unwell we have become? Or how dissatisfied we have become with life?

Maybe the stresses of the modern day world and the decisions we have to make each day are causing us distress.

Our bodies respond to stress in many ways, some of which are reflected by what we see in the mirror or the numbers on the scales.

There are no quick fixes to solve problems with weight loss or self-image. One way to start could be to ask yourself why you want to make the change?

Don’t let weight loss damage your relationship with food.

We need it to survive. The way we look at ourselves and the way we look and possibly judge others can have a long lasting effect, some of them good and some not so good.

Let’s be happy with what we have each day and value what we can do to help others whatever the mirror shows us.

By all means research the latest health and weight loss advice but remember that just simple, sustainable changes can give you the long term positive results we’re all looking for – eat healthily, move more, and make time for things which make you happy!

Richard Marfell – Wellness Coach 07800636004 Richardmarfelluk@gmail.com

Specialising Neck, Shoulder and Back Pain

Massage Therapist 07775 616239 Hours 9am - 9pm Weekdays 1 Market Place, Faringdon SN7 7HL

| The Advertiser | page 22 |

Out and About Date

Event

Venue

Time

Contact

Charge/info

Fri 1st

Women’s World Day of Prayer

All Saints Church, Faringdon

3pm & 7.30pm

Sat 2nd

Race Night

Faringdon Corn Exchange

7pm

Tickets from Stay Grounded or whitehorserotarygroup@gmail.com

£10 per person

Wed 6th

A Youth Perspective of Conflict by students from FCC

Friends’ Meeting House, SN7 8AQ

7.30pm

Jennie 01367 710308 Karen 01367 241707

Donations

Thu 7th

The Wife (15)

Regent Cinema

12.30pm

Tickets from Faringdon Information Centre

Advance £4 On the door £5

Thu 7th

Bus Trip: Dobbies Nursery & Garden Centre, Cirencester

Depart Market Place

1.15pm

Thu 7th

White Horse Garden Club Talk: Curator of Bristol Botanic Garden

Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall, Uffington

7.30pm

Pamela Preene 01367-820251 or parrottspreene@aol.com

Members Free Visitors £2.50

Sat 9th

Mustard Seed Market Stall

Old Town Hall Faringdon

10-2.00

Karen Vogt 01367241707

Fairtrade Faringdon

Sat 9th

Jumble Sale

Stanford in the Vale Village Hall

2pm 4pm

Sat 9th

Auction of Promises

Langford Village Hall

7pm

Chrissy Tineson 01367 860514 Jonny Potter 01367 502759

Sat 9th

What Killed the Dinosaurs? A Science Musical for Families

Museum of Natural History, Oxford

2pm 3pm

https://www.oumnh.ox.ac.uk/events

Tue 12th

Dollies Meet Up - Guest Speak from Faringdon Unwrapped

Blessed Hugh Catholic Church

8pm

Follydollies@hotmail.com

Members Free Visitors £5

Tue 12th

Stanford in the Vale History Soc. Talk: Early Years Stanford Village School

Stanford Village Hall Small Hall

7.45pm

Phil Morris 01367 71028

Visitors £3

Tue 12th Fri 15th

Screening of Cheltenham Festival Racing

Stanford Social Clu

12 noon 5pm

All Welcome

Thu 14th

U3A Talk: Cermaics by Dinah Reynolds

Faringdon Corn Exchange

2.30pm

faringdondistrictu3a.com Margaret Brown on 01367 615 385

Visitors £1.50

Wed 20th

British Legion Talk: Linda & Fidgey from Hearing Dogs

Faringdon Bowls Club

7.30pm

RBLFaringdon@yahoo.co.uk

Non Members Welcome

Thu 21st

Bus Trip: Newbury

Depart Market Place

1.15pm

Fri 22nd

Quiz Night

Catholic Church Hall

7pm

Sat 23rd

Fairtrade Stall

St Denys’ Church

10am 12noon

Sat 23rd

Solid Soul Session

Pump House Project

7pm 11pm

Sat 23rd

Wantage & Lions Bingo

Grove Village Hall

6.45pm

Raffle

earthtrust.org.uk

Online £19 Family, £7 Adults, £4 Child On the Gate: £22 Family, £8 Adult, £5 Child

£6

In aid of St George’s Church, Hatford £10 includes 2 course Meal

£6 Hazel 01367 241893 or faringdontwinning@gmail.com

£10 per team of 4

alcitizencane@gmail.com

£5 on door For Pump House Project and Root & Branch

Sat 23rd Sun 24th

Lambing Weekend

Earth Trust

10am 4pm

Tue 26th

Faringdon Art Society Coach trip to National Gallery

Pick up points: Faringdon Tesco, Spencer’s Close Stanfod in the Vale,

8.45am & 8.55am

Shelagh 01367241173 / 07724109778, shelaghbaxter@gmail.com

Members £18 Non Members £21

Wed 27th

Stanford in the Vale Gardening Club Talk: Alpine Gardening

Stanford in the Vale Village Hall

7.30pm

Rosemary Packer 01367 710455

Visitors £3

Fri 29th

Bohemian Rhapsody (12A)

Regent Cinema

7pm

Tickets from Faringdon Information Centre

In advance £3 U18s, £4 Adult, £10 Family

Sat 30th

Al Sylvester MBE: Journey to the South Pole

Faringdon Corn Exchange

2.30pm 4.30pm

Aimed at younger audience Tracy:01367820 308

Adults £7.50 Children £5

Sat 30th

Al Sylvester MBE: Journey to the South Pole

Faringdon Corn Exchange

6.45pm

Tracy:01367820 308

Adults £7.50 Children £5

Sat 30th

Seann Walsh: After This One, I’m Going Home

The Beacon, Wantage

8pm

beaconwantage.co.uk/whats-on

£15

Sat 30th Sun 31st

Lambing Weekend

Earth Trust

10am 4pm

earthtrust.org.uk

Online £19 Family, £7 Adults, £4 Child On the Gate: £22 Family, £8 Adult, £5 Child

| The Advertiser | page 23 |

Local Events Date

Venue

Time

Contact

Charge/info

Free One to One IT Help

Faringdon Library

2:30pm 4:30pm

Faringdon.library@oxfordshire .gov.uk

Free

Mon, Wed Thu

Lloyds Mobile Bank

Southampton Street Car Park

Mon 9:45 12pm

Wed 12:45pm-3pm Fri 1pm-3pm

Every Mon

Little All Sorts Toddler Group

All Saints Church Barber Room

9:30-11:00

Margaret 01367 244901

Free

Every Mon

Bridge Club

Faringdon United Church

6.45pm 10.15pm

Françoise Stacey, Secretary of the Club: 01367 241813

£2 per person

Every 2nd & 4th Mon

Disco Dots

Pump House Project

9:30-11am

Lucy 07900 800657

£1

3rd Mon

Mon, Tue & Wed

Event

Faringdon WI

Old Town Hall

2pm

Jan vinerjan@hotmail.com

Every Mon & Thurs

Faringdon Day Centre

Baptist Church Hall Bromsgrove

9:15- 2:15

Supervisor 07523 116918

£10 inc lunch. Transport available

1st Tue

Farmers Market

Market Place, Faringdon

Until 1pm

01367 710445

Every Tue

Coffee Morning

Faringdon Library

10:00 - 11:30

Sheena 01367 240311

Every Tue

Baby & Toddler Sensory

The Pump House Project

10:30am 11.30am

wantage@babysensory.co.uk Kat Culverwell 07800568040

Every Tue

Chris Davis Fish Van

Outside The Bell

5:30 6:30

Every Tue

Whist Drive

The Old Town Hall

2:00pm

Sylvia 01367 242007

Free Tea & Coffee

Every Wed

Ferndale Choir

Catholic Church

7-8:30pm

louisejwoodgate@gmail.com

£3.50

Every Wed

The Crafty Crew

The Pump House Project

9.30-11.30am

info@thepumphouseproject.co.uk

Runs during Cake Cafe

Every Wed

Walking for Health

Start at Old Town Hall

10:30am

www.faringdon.org/walking-and-cycling

Walks to suit all abilities

Every Wed

Community Cake

The Pump House Project

9:30-11:30

info@thepumphouseproject.co.uk

£1 for Cake & Drink

Every Wed

Community Singing Group

The Pump House Project

12-1:00

info@thepumphouseproject.co.uk

£3 per person

Every Wed

Citizen Advise

Pump Room Faringdon

10am - 12am

03444 11144

1st Wed

Open Mic Night

Horse and Jockey, Stanford in the Vale

9pm

Info@horseandjockey.org

Free

1st Wed

Buckland WI - Speaker and meeting each month

The Memorial Hall, Buckland

7pm

Libby Calvert 01367 870803

Non members £4 incl. refreshment

1st Wed

Information & Gadget Drop-in

Pump House Project

9:30am-11:30

Sonia

During Cake Cafe

2nd Wed

Free

Follies Dollies WI

Catholic Church Hall

8-10pm

Charlotte 07809 225795

1st & last Wed

The Knitting Group

Horse and Jockey, Stanford in the Vale

7pm

Ruth Chester 01367710362 caston@tlkc.co.uk

Free

Every Wed & Thurs

Slimming World Faringdon

United Reformed Church

Wed 5:30pm Thurs 9:30am

& Wed 7:30pm Louise 07717 681939

£4.95

Every Thu

Baby & Toddler 0-4yrs

United Church

9:30 -11am

faringdontoddlers@gmail.com

£1

Every Thu

Slimming World Stanford

Stanford Primary School

5:30&7:30pm

Amy 07514 255703

£4.95

Every Thu

Slimming World Highworth

Southfield Junior School

5:30&7:30

Louise 07717 681939

£4.95

Every Thu

Quiz

Horse & Jockey, Stanford in the Vale

9pm

01367 710302

Free

Every Thu

Chatterbox

Stanford Small Village Hall

10am - 12pm

Yvonne 01367 710400

Coffee/Tea, Chat, Raffle

1st Fri

Book Club

Faringdon Library

6:00-7:00pm

Sheena 01367 240311

Free

Every Fri

Country Market

Corn Exchange

9:15am 11.00am

Jenny Howard-Jones 01367710382

Tea & coffee available Goods orders taken

Every Fri

Rhymetime

Faringdon Library

10:30 - 11:00

Sheena 01367 240311

Free

Every Fri

Bowling Club - Open Nights

Bowling Club

Fri 7:30

Trevor Durrant 01793 330564

Every Sat

Yoga Classes

Faringdon United Church

9am - 10.15am Adults

www.yogabear.org.uk 7875633923

Every Sat

Stagecoach Faringdon

Faringdon Junior School

Various

Stagecoach.co.uk/faringdon 01367 240663

2nd Sun

Great Coxwell Teas

The Reading Room,

2:30pm - 5pm

Great Coxwell

Tea, Coffee and Cakes

3rd Sat

Junior Book Club 8-11yrs

Faringdon Library

10:30-11:15

Sheena 01367 240311

Free

Sat - Sun

Tom Browns School Museum

Broad St Uffington

2-5pm

Karen Pilcher 01367 820 978

Open Bank holidays

| The Advertiser | page 24 |

Experts - Local Services The Veterinary Surgery of Robert Elliott

Court Cattery

As an independently run family practice, established in 1994, we are able to combine traditional standards with modern techniques and selected high-quality equipment.

We aim to provide high quality care in an especially warm and friendly environment.

E-mail: enquiries@vets-surgery.com www.vets-surgery.com

Stanford-in-the-Vale FAB now ICC & Vale licensed Established in 2000 Family run – Short or long stays; Medical management service available on enquiry.

Veterinary Care provided by the adjacent Robert Elliott Veterinary Surgery you are always welcome to arrange a first-time visit E-mail: sam@vets-surgery.com www.court-cattery.com

01367-710595

KIDS PHOTOGRAPHY

info@lovekidsphoto.co.uk

07854 651 961

Chickens & Poultry Feed All at unbeatable prices

Est. 1960

M.J.Hodgkins � � � �

Open Mon-Sat 8am-12 noon Closed bank holidays Tel: 01865 821537 or 07759551946 www.mjhodgkins.co.uk New Barn Farm, Longworth, OX13 5ED

Located 01367705030

07955499467

01367-711952

JOE PEARCE PLASTERING 07709960598 jplasterer3@gmail.com All internal plasterwork,Traditional lime plastering, External rendering & specialist finishes

Faringdon Art Society Coach to National Gallery London Tuesday 26th March 2019 A return seat on the coach is £18 members, £21 non-members.

Exhibition charge as per National Gallery website. contact Shelagh 01367241173 07724109778, email shelaghbaxter@gmail.com

FARINGDON COBBLER’S � Quality Shoe Repairs � Key Cutting � Engraving - VAPE’S & E-Liquid

01367 243 134

Call Vicky 07958 241342 F A R I N G D O N A I R P O R T

C A R S

T R A N S F E R S

Short/Long Distances Business Accounts Driver Hire 4/7 Seater's

Corporate Service Courier Service Executive Cars Insured Cars

01367243838-07894572919 Enquiries@faringdoncars.co.uk www.faringdoncars.co.uk

OUR SERVICES

FARINGDON 01367 244 611

We stock Nitty Gritty Headlice Lotion

Book in for a hot towel and traditional “cut throat” razor shave

Telephone: 01367 243318 07999 495243 Facebook: @keelysfaringdon 3b London Street Faringdon SN7 7AE

Facebook.com /TheBarbersFaringdon

Hours of business: Monday: 9am - 1pm Tuesday: 9am - 6pm Wednesday: 9am - 6pm Thursday: 9am - 7pm Friday: 9am - 6pm Saturday: 8am - 3pm Sunday 10am - 1pm

NEW BUILDS EXTENSIONS STRIP & RE-TILE PORCHES STORM DAMAGE FULL FASCIA & SOFFIT REPLACEMENT WE ARE FULLY INSURED GET YOUR FREE QUOTE Give us a call today on: 01367 821 108 or 07769 945 779 Email us on lisa@ppfroofing.co.uk www.ppfroofing.co.uk

| The Advertiser | page 25 |

Experts - Local Services We do all types of tree work including pruning, Planting and felling, as well as hedge trimming and stump removal.

Call Gregg on 01865 430536 or 07823 332247 gregg@allseasonstrees.com www.allseasonstrees.com

New!

ianthechippydyble@gmail.com Phone: 01865 820565 / 07974886840

Need Help With Your Shopping?

I can come with you or I could do it for you. You can get in touch with me by emailing my email address which is karen.hockedy@gmail.com

Keratin Hair Treatment No more frizzy hair!

Keratin…

Smooth, silky, shiny & tangle-free hair Lasts 3 - 4 months, only £70 Call Jane Gordon on: 07788156438

DENBOER WINES . TASTINGS . EVENTS

07919 241881 donnarogers@denboerwines.com

denboerwines.com

Lionheart

Homeopathy

Later Life Planning

Society of Homeopaths

GENTLE EFFECTIVE HOLISTIC THERAPY Daytime & Evening Appointments Clinics in Uffington and Wantage Heather Abel BA/BSc RSHom Tel: 01367 820709 www.homeopathy-oxfordshire.co.uk

● Carpets & Rugs ● Upholstery ● Curtains ● Spot & Stain Removal ● Stain Protection ● 30 years experience ● Fully Insured Call John for a free no obligation quotation on 07831245007 / 01235767400

Are you Property Rich and Cash Poor?

Equity release could be the answer, if you are 55 or over and own your own home!

FREE Advice with no obligation from an established company based in Carterton.

01993 220281

07769 730616

Monika Becker H.P Holistic Practitioner

07742 982757 Grove Technology Park Downsview Road Boston House, Unit 7 Wantage, Oxon OX12 9FF

Now Available Wednesdays 12:45 to 4:45pm Lotus Retreat, Faringdon. groveclinicoxon@gmail.com www.grovewellnessclinic.net

Now moved to Bampton Garden Plants call Sarah on

07767 486627

The Advertiser is produced by Lou Guthrie published by The Advertiser Magazine Ltd Tel: 07894 554551. All artwork designed by us is the copyright of The Advertiser Magazine Ltd and must not be used by or in any other publication, in whatsoever format, without our prior written consent. No part of this publication, whether advert, pictures or text, may be reproduced in any format whatsoever without the prior written consent of The Advertiser Magazine Ltd . The information published in the advertisements and other articles is supplied and approved by advertisers. The Advertiser Magazine Ltd does not verify or ratify any claims made in such advertisements or text, nor does it accept any claims or liability arising from contact with or use of services advertised. Every effort is made to ensure the accurate reproduction of information supplied by advertisers in their advertisements or other text submitted. Any inaccuracies must be notified to the publisher immediately following the first insertion so that amendments may be made for subsequent issues. The Publisher does not accept responsibility or liability for claims arising for inaccuracies published in advertisements where the advertiser has not advised The Advertiser Magazine Ltd prior to publication.

| The Advertiser | page 26 |

| The Advertiser | page 27 |

Spring Clean!

As we are approaching that time of year where windows are opened wide and the house is given a thorough clean as we don our marigolds and dive into the cleaning products box, have you considered the origins of spring cleaning? Well, we did our homework, and found a couple of reasons why the months of March and April seem to be the cleanest months of the year.

During the 1800’s and according to The Times, the biggest annual clean took place in the Spring and seemed to have more relevance in colder regions. Light and heat came from kerosene lamps and open fires. With windows mainly closed to keep out the winter cold, layers of soot would build up in every room. The best time to aerate and get the house clean would be as the days got longer and warmer.

In Christianity, the church altar gets cleaned the day before Good Friday which would typically be towards the end of March or the start of April. The Greek Orthodox Church folk cleaned their houses for the whole week before Lent. There are historic references to the Jewish communities cleaning and preparing for Passover, their spring-time memorial feast.

We also uncovered an article that referred to Iran and the Persian New Year. A 13-day period of celebration involving the “shaking out” of the house and wearing new clothes.

Other contributors to the origin of spring cleaning are the Chinese. The Chinese New Year is one of the most important holidays in their culture. It is celebrated for weeks, welcoming spring and celebrating good fortune to come.

Like Iranians, Chinese mark the coming of a new year with a thorough house clean. They do this to symbolically welcome rebirth in all aspects of their life and hoping to bring good luck for the New Year.

If you’ve got teenage children, you might not agree with this, however, apparently we are biologically programmed for a spring clean!

The darkness of winter creates a boost in the body’s production of melatonin, a hormone that causes sleepiness.

With the arrival of spring, the increase in sunlight and decrease in melatonin gives us a natural energy boost. It’s completely possible that the urge to clean in the spring time may simply stem from the body’s desire to get up and do stuff.

There’s a physical payoff to cleaning as well. Clutter becomes an unnecessary and overwhelming stimulus that adds to stress and decreases physical activity. Neater spaces by contrast increase physical activity, as well as creativity and even the urge to eat more healthily, according to Psychology Today.

Whatever the reasons, those carpets, cupboards and mattresses aren’t going to vacuum, tidy and turn themselves so it’s time to get busy with your cleaning weapon of choice!

Jenny Preece MRICS

| The Advertiser | page 28 |