Berkhamsted Living Magazine - Spring 2019

g n i v i L

ISSUE 70

BERKHAMSTED

SPRING 2019

YOUR QUALITY LOCAL MAGAZINE

YOUR LOCAL GUIDE TO NEWS, WHAT’S ON, SHOPPING, EATING OUT, AND MUCH MORE!

THE GOOD LIFE FREE WITH THIS ISSUE! BERKHAMSTED’S QUALITY QUARTERLY MAGAZINE. DELIVERED BY

IT CAN BE FUN TO GROW YOUR OWN FRUIT AND VEG – WHATEVER OUTSIDE SPACE YOU HAVE

TO 11,246 HOMES IN BERKHAMSTED & SURROUNDING VILLAGES

BERKHAMSTED SPRING 2019

Welcome to the Spring issue!

W

e love this time of year – the promise of spring, sunshine and a fresh start. Which is why we decided it was a good time to give ourselves a fresh new look too!

You may notice that your favourite local magazine has been given a bit of a facelift. We’ve worked hard to get this right, while striving to continue to deliver the best content and this will continue to evolve over time. Most notably we’ve changed the name of the news pages to ‘Local Focus’; this is to reflect the fact that, being a quarterly mag, we can’t possibly hope to deliver you the most up-to-date news in print form.

Instead we’re bringing you all the latest local news on our website, and dedicating the precious

pages of our printed magazine to important local issues, and anything else we think you might find interesting and useful.

We hope you like it! Please do let us know your thoughts either on our Facebook page or drop us an email to: info@livingmags.info.

Have a wonderful Easter – see our feature about making your own Easter Eggs, as well as seasonal features on exercising outdoors, planting fruit and veg in your garden and making Mother’s Day cards.

Alison and Clare Owner & Editor

CONTENTS 4 Local Focus

The latest news around the town

12 Local Profile

Clare Swatman spoke to gold medal-winning athlete Zoe Doyle

14 Shop Local

Gift and food ideas from the High Street

17 Recipe

Make your own cake for Easter with this delicious recipe from Beechwood Fine Foods

18 Kids

Let’s get crafty for Mother’s Day

22 Pets

Home is where the pet is

23 Books

Featuring local authors

24 Property

Enjoy a ramble with our latest local walk

34 Gardens

Featured on the front cover, get the good life!

38 Eating Out

Local restaurant, café and pub listings

Improve, don’t move

26 Easter

41 What’s On

Chocs away!

28 Health and Beauty

32 Walks

Learn why exercising outdoors is so good for you

Seven pages of local events to entertain you this quarter

50 Local Essentials

Your local numbers all in one place

The only local magazine offering guaranteed shrink-wrapped delivery to 11,246* addresses in the HP4 postcode area,

by Royal Mail every quarter. *Royal Mail postcode data . Published quarterly in March, June, Sept & Nov/Dec The Team: Publisher: Alison Page / Editorial: Clare Swatman / Photographer: Adam Hollier / Design: Neil Randle Registered Address: Jubilee Gardens Tring, Herts HP23 4JG. Living magazines are published by independent publisher Alison Page Marketing.

CONTACT US 01442 82430 0 INFO@LIVING MAGS.IN

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is strictly prohibited without permission. The publisher will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions.

Opinions expressed by authors and advertisers in this publication are not specifically endorsed by Alison Page Marketing.

For exclusive offers & updates between issues go to:

WWW.LIVINGMAGS.INFO

THE POLYWRAP IS WIDELY RECYCLABLE AT LARGER STORES

FO

LOCAL FOCUS SEND US YOUR NEWS / TELEPHONE: 01442 824300 / EMAIL: INFO@LIVINGMAGS.INFO / NEXT DEADLINE: 25-4-19

Car park update

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ou may have noticed that there doesn’t appear to be a huge amount happening at the site of the new multi-storey car park on Lower Kings Road – but that doesn’t mean work has ground to a halt.

Ben Hosier from Dacorum Borough Council explains. ‘The contractor is in the process of overseeing the utilities diversion works,’ he says. ‘This means diverting existing electricity, gas and telecom services from under the existing surface car park.

‘Once the utilities have been diverted, construction will begin. This is likely to be during March, depending on the weather.’

The project is expected to last for 32 weeks, which means it should be ready by October or November this year. But what is it going to look like?

Currently there are no projected images to reveal, but the design hasn’t changed much from the original application, the drawings for which are shown here. The car park will provide 298 spaces and 15 blue badge spaces.

Although it’s been a controversial addition to the town from the start, let’s hope it all goes to plan and that, by Christmas, we have a car park that’s open and a town centre free of building works – at least for a while!

Berkofest BookFestival is coming to town!

S tar authors will be appearing at a brand new book festival this Spring, thanks to the organisers behind the hugely popular Berkofest.

Berkofest BookFestival will be held on Sunday 12 May, mainly at the Town Hall, with some events taking place at the Rectory Lane Cemetery. A full line-up is still to be confirmed,

NEWS IN BRIEF

but includes bestselling authors Lisa Jewell, Erin Kelly and Rowan Coleman, children’s authors, as well as wellbeing writers, sports writers and drama workshops.

There will also be a short story competition open to children of all ages with fab prizes.

Keep an eye on our website for more details.

Digitally Yours launches

Italian for all!

Berkhamsted’s Samantha Hollier has launched Digitally Yours, a non-profit organisation to build empowered relationships with the internet for children, parents and professionals. Find out more at www.digitally-yours.co.uk

A brand new Italian restaurant, Per Tutti, opened last month on the site of the old Britannia building society – and it’s been a big hit! See our website for a review and more details at www.livingmags.info or go to www.pertuttirestaurant.co.uk

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LOCAL FOCUS SEND US YOUR NEWS / TELEPHONE: 01442 824300 / EMAIL: INFO@LIVINGMAGS.INFO / NEXT DEADLINE: 25-4-19

A new bar for Berkhamsted T

he more eagle-eyed among you may have noticed something’s afoot at the Town Hall.

First, a planning notice was pinned to the door for a change of use; now there are, at last, signs of life in the old Carluccio’s building.

We can now reveal that a brand new bar will shortly be opening – and we’re very excited!

Copper House, which is run by a group of local business people, has had planning permission approved to change the use of the former restaurant to a bar. They’re planning an upmarket cocktail bar, which will serve small hot plates from the kitchen, and also serve as the perfect place for meetings during the day.

We can’t reveal much more just yet, but details will be available soon – and we’ll make sure we let you know all about it!

Safer neighbourhoods

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ant to feel safer? Join your local Neighbourhood Watch (NHW).

Membership of NHW in Berkhamsted currently stands at around 30%, compared to the borough average of 40% – so we’re asking you to get involved.

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Higher NHW membership in an area means that more people are aware of current incidents and therefore more likely to spot if something isn’t right.

And it’s not just on your street – statistics show that, these days, online losses are around four times more likely than being burgled, so you’ll be sent emails (OWL messages) to help make you aware of emerging web problems including fake Inland Revenue texts, fake utility company emails, and fake ‘Windows’ issues.

Your NHW account also has local crime maps, local Trading Standards-approved tradespeople, and how to log street light/pothole issues. You might even be eligible for home insurance premium reductions.

Go to www.owl.co.uk

FOR THE LASTEST NEWS UPDATES AND MORE GO TO WWW.LIVINGMAGS.INFO/NEWS

LOCAL

High Street survival strategy A

ll across the UK shops are closing and being boarded up. We’re hearing tales of the high street dying on its feet.

We’re lucky in Berkhamsted that, so far, most of the high street has survived intact. But that doesn’t mean we should be complacent.

It’s undeniable that shopping habits are changing. Yes, we love our high street, but it’s so easy to shop from the comfort of our sofa – and so we do, in our droves.

In a recent report by The Town Centres Expert Panel, Sir John Timpson, Chairman of Timpsons, said that the UK has, ‘about twice the number of shops we need.’ And even though the Government has promised to spend £675 million on a Future High Street Fund and Town Centre Taskforce, it’s only likely to get worse.

The latest thinking is that we should try and change the look and focus of the high street – to have a rethink about what people really want as the hub of their town these days.

With that in mind, a group from the Berkhamsted District Chamber of Commerce

(BDCC) have started to consider the options for Berkhamsted in the future.

‘We have spoken to Dacorum Borough Council and are due to have a meeting to discuss the options, going forward,’ says town councillor and BDCC member Ian Reay. ‘The high street isn’t doing too badly at the moment, but applications for rent are down, and there are already some sites which are simply sitting empty.’

There’s a long way to go and lots of brainstorming to be done, but the current thinking is that, if retail sites close – particularly on the outskirts of the town – it should be easier for them to change use, for example to residential.

But there are many more options to explore.

‘The main aim is to increase footfall,’ says Ian. ‘The twice-weekly market helps enormously, but we need to look at other ways of getting people to come into town and spend time and money there.’

You’re being asked for your opinion. For more details on this, go to our website at www.livingmags.info or go to www.berkhamstedchamber.co.uk to let them know what you think.

David Gauke backs campaign for better hospital provision

S

outh West Hertfordshire MP, David Gauke, is backing plans to improve hospital provision in the West Hertfordshire area. It has been a long-held concern that facilities in the area need to be improved and there are various proposals as to how this might be done.

A number of local residents have campaigned for a new hospital in the Kings Langley area, but

this now looks unaffordable. The local Clinical Commissioning Group and Hospital Trust are, however, putting forward a bid for £350 million to improve facilities at Watford, plus either Hemel Hempstead or St Albans.

‘I can appreciate the strength of feeling of those campaigning for a new hospital, especially as Watford Hospital is not well placed for my constituents in Berkhamsted and Tring,’ says David. ‘However, at this stage it looks like the only viable way to improve services is to back this bid. It should result in a tangible improvement – something which is long overdue.’

FOR THE LASTEST NEWS UPDATES AND MORE GO TO WWW.LIVINGMAGS.INFO/NEWS

Spring 2019 / 7

LOCAL FOCUS SEND US YOUR NEWS / TELEPHONE: 01442 824300 / EMAIL: INFO@LIVINGMAGS.INFO / NEXT DEADLINE: 25-4-19

School move controversy continues

Y

ou may not be aware of the proposal to move Egerton Rothesay School from one side of the valley to the other – but it will affect us all.

Currently, Egerton Rothesay (ERS) – a private specialist school – is near the top of Durrants Lane, just a few minutes drive from the A41.

Most of their 180 pupils travel in by car.

Proposals by Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) to move the school to a greenbelt site at the top of Bridle Way, adjacent to Bridgewater School, have been met with deep concern.

‘If ERS moves to this new site, the numbers of cars and buses travelling through town will increase dramatically,’ says Alex Haeri, one of the founders of the campaign Save Bridle Way Greenbelt. ‘It will also affect children walking across town to school.’

But that’s only one issue. ‘Pollution levels in Berkhamsted are already high,’ says Alex.

‘Although a few monitors have been placed around the town, they’re only measuring levels of Nitric Oxide in the air (NO2) and not

Particulate Matter (PM), which is easily inhaled and can cause all kinds of health problems from lung disease to cancer.’

As we go to press, Egerton Rothesay haven’t submitted a planning application, but it’s expected any time soon.

‘It’s baffling why HCC are pushing for this move,’ says Alex. ‘The current school has excellent facilities already and is surrounded by lovely grounds. It seems that there is really no need for the school to relocate.

‘Everyone is still working hard to protect this greenbelt site for future generations, as well as protecting the rest of the town from what will be a huge increase in traffic.

‘We’re determined not to let this idea, being driven by Herts County Council, become anything more than a proposal.’

For more on this story go to our website at www.livingmags.info.

Join the Facebook page at ‘Save Bridleway Greenbelt’ or email savebridlewaygreenbelt@hotmail.com.

Berkhamsted in the Media ‘We landed in Berkhamsted, in the northwestern corner of Hertfordshire, by chance. It was the right side of the capital for being closer to our families and we took a shine to the canal and the hills.’

Will Gore, The Independent, 6 January 2019 ‘On the afternoon of 11 November 1918, my father Claud Cockburn, then aged 14, covertly threw the keys of the main gate of his school out of an upstairs window to a soldier waiting below. His purpose was to allow the soldiers being trained locally to break into Berkhamsted School in Hertfordshire and thrash it in retaliation for the refusal of the headmaster, Charles Greene, to call a school holiday to celebrate the armistice, which had just been declared.’ The Independent, 11 November 2018 In 2008 she (Sarah Brightman) performed to a televised audience of at least 1bn at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. She grew up in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, and is now based in Los Angeles. The Times, 3 February 2019

8 / Berkhamsted Living

FOR THE LASTEST NEWS UPDATES AND MORE GO TO WWW.LIVINGMAGS.INFO/NEWS

THERE IS NO SHORTC UT

TO FI N A NC I A L S E C UR I T Y F OR YOU A N D YO U R FA M ILY. Your annual ISA allowance is a valuable opportunity to grow your wealth and protect it from the twin threats of taxation and inflation. But to make the most of it you need to invest it wisely. Our clients have entrusted us with £19.9 billion of ISA investments. Through our distinctive approach to investment management, quality advice and service, we can create the investment solutions to help you reach a more secure financial future.

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BACK IN TIME A new vintage clothing emporium has opened in Tring – and it’s already creating a buzz . .

T

ucked away down a little alley in the centre of Tring, if you didn’t know about Loft68 Vintage Clothing, you may not be lucky enough to stumble across it.

But for lovers of vintage clothes it’s a perfect little gem, and well worth investigating.

In fact, if owners Jordan Grace and Georgina Mortimer have anything to do with it, it will soon be a destination in its own right.

‘We want people to come here because they love what we have to offer,’ says Jordan. ‘We’re not a thrift shop – we hand-pick every item and put careful thought into everything we stock. It’s definitely about the quality over quantity.’

Whether you want a vintage 1960s dress for a party, an authentic rock T-shirt or a 1980s American baseball jacket, you’ll almost certainly find something that catches your eye here.

The shop has a lovely history too. The Grace family opened their original business, a blacksmith’s, in Tring in 1750, and have had businesses in the town ever since. Today, G Grace and Son’s is run by Gilbert Grace, Jordan’s grandfather, and is a well-loved part of the high street. It’s clear Jordan is proud of his heritage

10 / Berkhamsted Living

and his Tring family history. And now he and his partner Georgina, a fashion graduate, hope to make their brand new venture just as successful.

In September last year, Jordan and Georgina opened the doors of Loft68 for the first time and haven’t looked back. ‘It’s been a steep learning curve,’ says Jordan. ‘But we’ve loved every minute of it.’

They are encouraged by how positively the store has been received on social media as well as locally, with many loyal customers returning time and time again.

The pair are particularly proud of the authenticity of the vintage clothes they stock.

With brands ranging from Burberry, Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger, to Dior, D&G and Levi denim, everything is top quality, and fairly priced.

In fact it’s a place that, even if you don’t usually buy vintage clothing, it would be well worth a visit; the loft’s décor is creative and quirky, combining original signs with authentic accessories and a warm, ambient feel. ‘We like to think there is something for everyone here and we update the stock every week so you’ll find

www.livingmags.info

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

something new all the time,’ Georgina says.

The other thing the pair are keen to focus on is sustainability.

‘Our commitment to sustainability is evident throughout our business,’ Georgina explains. ‘It’s part of our ethos, and our aim of being a more responsible, modern and honest company. We’re proud that we support conscious consumption.

‘Buying vintage clothes is a green way to shop, and people are beginning to realise that.

Secondhand clothes have a minimal carbon footprint, and by re-wearing them it means they’re not being sent to landfill.

‘The shop uses very little energy, with lowenergy lighting and heating, wooden hangers, and paper and canvas tote bags to take your shopping away in. It’s important for us and increasingly important for our customers too.’

Loft68 is open Thursday and Friday from 3pm until 8pm, Saturdays from 10am until 6pm and Sundays 11 til 5pm. Find it at Loft 68, 68 High Street, Tring, HP23 4AG Facebook: @loft68vintage Instagram: @loft68vintage It can also be found on TripAdvisor.

And they have giftcards available too!

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Spring 2019 / 11

LOCAL PROFILE

RUN FOR GOLD! In the first of our new quarterly feature on inspirational local people, Clare Swatman spoke to gold medal-winning athlete Zoe Doyle.

Z

oe is the first to admit she came to competitive running much later than most – but she hasn’t let that hold her back. In fact, you could say it’s spurred her on.

‘I always loved running for pleasure,’ she says.

‘But when I’d had my kids, I realised I needed something more, so I decided to enter a triathlon.

I wasn’t much of a cyclist or swimmer so I trained really hard. To my amazement, I won.’

That was the beginning of a new chapter for Zoe. She started competing in local races – and started winning them. That’s when London running club Belgrave Harriers approached her and asked if she wanted to join them.

‘At first I wasn’t sure,’ says Zoe. ‘But then one day I was running in a competition and I got hit by a car because it had been so badly marshalled.

Doctors said I was lucky not to be seriously injured. I decided that, if I wanted to carry on running seriously – which I did – I needed to do it somewhere safe.’

And so Zoe started running with Belgrave Harriers. She trained regularly and in 2014, she found herself ranked number one in the 800m.

‘My coach suggested I should start doing track running instead of cross country,’ Zoe says.

She did just that – and the following year, Zoe entered her very first European Masters in Lyon.

12 / Berkhamsted Living

‘I had no expectations,’ Zoe says. ‘I just wanted to go along and see how I did. It was a very different experience, racing in front of crowds and in the GB kit. I got through all the heats and into the final of the 800m – I was in silver medal position, which I could hardly believe – and then I fell over.’

Zoe picked herself up and came fourth. No medal, and crushing disappointment, but it only gave Zoe the impetus to try again.

‘I got the bug,’ she admits.

After recovering from a stress fracture, she entered the Indoor Championships in 2016 where she came fourth again. It was in 2017 that the hard work finally began to pay off – Zoe won silver in the 800m and 1500m races, and gold in the 200m relay! That summer she also won the 1500m in Denmark at the European Championships.

More injury followed, but Zoe works hard and the medals keep on coming.

‘I train two to three hours a day with one rest day per week,’ she says. ‘I swim, run and do strength training.’

She’s already number one in the UK for the 800m in the over-40s age bracket. But she has another goal for this year.

‘I want to set a new British record for the 800m for the over-40s,’ says Zoe. And do you know what? With her determination I have no doubt she’ll do just that. www.livingmags.info

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Spring 2019 / 13

SHOP LOCAL 03

Great Things To Buy In Berkhamsted, Tring & The Villages

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Beechwood Fine Foods - Tring 01 Belazu Balsamic Vinegar, £14.95 02 Beech’s Fine Chocolate Bunny Family, £3.50 03 Buttermilk Caramel Sea Salt Easter Egg, £8.50 04 Mother’s Day Gift Set, from £7.50 05 Potter’s Crouch Luxury Scented Candles, £16.95 06 Wooden Spoon Fruits in Booze set, £14.95 Fancy That - Tring 07 Little Fox Board Book, £7.50 07 Little Fox Cordyroy, £13 08 Bandana Dribble Bibs, set of four, £15 09 Jellycat Crispin Crab, £22.50 10 Jellycat Dexter Dragon, £39 Number Twenty - Berkhamsted 11 Blank cards and envelopes, 10-pack, £14.50 12 Notepads from £11.25-£20 13 Faux plants in concrete pot, £25 14 Faux flowers from £3.65 per stem Oglee Poglee 15 Crafty Party bags from £4 16 Crafty Emoji party bag, £4 Available from www.ogleepoglee.co.uk

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Puddingstone Distillery - Tring / Wilstone 17 Campfire Cask-Aged Gin, 50cl, £36 18 Limited Edition Domestique Gin, 50cl, £45 Woods - Berkhamsted 19 Trio of Cactus from £7.99 20 All on one picture: Esschart Design copper-plated gardening fork, £10.99 Esschart Design copper-plated trowel, £10.99 21 All on one picture: Candelabra, £84.99 Green/grey ceramic jug, £31.99 Stone cactus pot, £4.99 Cactus from £4.99 Wooden tray, £24.99

Spring 2019 / 15

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RECIPE

CHOCOLATE ORANGE EASTER CAKE For the chocolate cake: • 125g plain flour • 225g caster sugar • 50g cocoa powder • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda • ¼ tsp salt • 125ml buttermilk • 60g melted butter • 1 egg, beaten • 125ml water For the orange cake: • 175g plain flour • 225g caster sugar • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda • ¼ tsp salt

• 125ml buttermilk • 60g melted butter • 1 egg, beaten • Finely grated zest of 1 orange • 125ml water For the icing and filling: • 260g white chocolate • 300g very soft butter • 600g icing sugar • Finely grated zest of 1 orange • 1 tsp orange extract (optional) • Good quality orange curd

How to make it The cakes 1. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas mark 4. 2. Butter and line the base of a 20cm round springform cake tin with baking parchment. 3. Combine the plain flour, caster sugar, cocoa powder, bicarbonate of soda and salt in a large bowl. 4. Whisk the buttermilk into the melted butter and egg, followed by the water. If you can’t find buttermilk, pour 110ml milk into a jug and add ½ tbsp lemon juice. Leave to stand for five minutes until thickened. 5. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, whisk or beat until you have a smooth batter. Pour the batter into your prepared tin.

6. Bake for 35-40 minutes until risen and a skewer inserted comes out clean. Leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before turning out on to a cooling rack. 7.

Repeat to make a second chocolate cake. 8. Repeat the process again using the ingredients for the orange cake, adding the zest to the wet ingredients. 9. The cakes freeze well undecorated if you don’t have time or enough cake tins to make them all in one go.

The decoration 10. Prepare the icing by melting the white chocolate in a bowl over simmering water. 11.Beat the butter, zest (and extract if using) and gradually add the icing sugar.

Add the melted chocolate and beat again until smooth.

12. Trim the tops of the cakes using a sharp knife to level them. This mix produces a delightfully sticky sponge so you will need to keep cleaning the blade.

13. Place one of the chocolate cakes on your serving plate. Spread an even layer of icing to the edge of the cake followed by a thin layer of orange curd leaving about 1cm round the edge. 14. Place the orange cake on a plate or board and spread with the icing and curd.

Place this layer on top of the first chocolate layer. 15.

Place the second chocolate cake on a plate or board and spread with the icing. Place on top of the orange layer.

16. Use the remaining icing to coat the side of the cake.

Use a palette knife or small straight bladed knife to spread around the side, being careful not to drag too many chocolate cake crumbs into the white icing. You may find you have a little icing left over. To create a smoother finish, warm a palette knife in a jug of hot water, dry, and smooth the icing more. 17. Decorate with your choice of Easter eggs, bunnies and chocolates. 18. Enjoy!

Your Independent Deli Serving Tring & Berkhamsted since 2010  Mother’s Day is Sunday 31st March, come and take a look at our gift range

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Spring 2019 / 17

LET’S GET

CRAFTY

We all know it’s the thought that counts and with Mother’s Day just a few short weeks away, these crafty ideas are sure to go down a treat!

Tulip in a heart card What you need: White card Red, pink, green and orange card or thick paper Scissors Gluestick Pencil

• Draw a heart shape on a piece of white card and cut it out.

• Draw a slightly larger heart shape on pink card, cut that out and glue the white heart onto it.

• Cut out a stem and two leaf shapes on green card. Stick them in position on the white heart.

• Fold the heart in half lengthways to make the card shape.

• Cut out three small tulip shapes in red card and three in orange card.

18 / Berkhamsted Living

• Fold them all in half lengthways and glue them one by one on to the card – make sure you only glue one side down, leaving the rest loose.

• Close your card. When you reopen it, there should be a 3D tulip!

• Write your message.

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KIDS

Fingerprint heart card What you need: 2 sheets of white paper

Independent Day School for girls 4 - 16 years Day Nursery & Pre-School for girls and boys from 6 months

Red and pink paints or ink pads Black marker pen Scissors

• Make a heart stencil by cutting a heart shape out of the paper.

• Place your stencil on top of another piece of white paper.

• Using a black marker, draw a tree shape within the heart shape. Dab your fingers into the paint or ink and stamp them all over the tree branches within the heart shape, right up to the edges of the heart. Keep going until you’ve got enough leaves.

• Remove the stencil to reveal a lovely heartshaped tree! Add more branches if you need, using the marker pen.

Abbot’s Hill is a happy and thriving community in which pupils are encouraged to aim high, to grasp opportunities, enjoy learning and to make lasting friendships.

Whole School Open Day Saturday 9 March, 10am-12pm Last tours begin at 11.30am. No booking is required.

Prep School Working Open Event Tuesday 26 March, 9.30am See our Day Nursery, Pre-School and Prep School in action.

Please contact the Registrar on 01442 839169 or visit our website to book your place.

Bunkers Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP3 8RP E: registrar@abbotshill.herts.sch.uk www.abbotshill.herts.sch.uk

Spring 2019 / 19

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01442 251712 Spring 2019 / 21

PETS

HOME IS WHERE THE PET IS

Pets can get lonely if left alone.

Here are some ideas to keep them happy while you’re out of the house.

J

ust like us humans, pets like company. Dogs in particular enjoy the company of other dogs and people. Of course, it depends on the individual animal, as well as their breed, age and experiences, but as a rule of thumb, most pets benefit from some stimulation when left alone – and if they don’t get it, it can lead to all sorts of problems.

‘Some dogs display separation anxiety problems when left alone,’ explains dog behavioural expert Hanne Grice from Tring. This can include going to the toilet in the house, excessive barking and destruction of property.

‘Other pets may seek out their own entertainment to relieve boredom and provide emotional relief,’ adds Hanne. ‘This can mean bar-biting for birds, cats might scratch the sofa or spray, while dogs can destroy shoes and dig or chew the furniture.’

Natasha Lovette, a veterinary nurse from Springwell Vets in Tring, agrees.

‘Dogs in particular are very sociable animals and can react badly to being left alone for long periods of time,’ she says.

‘The recommended guidelines say you shouldn’t leave your dogs for more than four to six hours.

Dogs left for longer can get lonely and depressed and can start developing behavioural problems, including soiling the house, or developing separation anxiety.

‘If you are out more than this then you should get a dog sitter or walker, or you could also consider doggy day care.’

Another way of helping prevent undesirable behaviour is through the use of ‘enrichment’ toys, as Hanne explains.

‘Puzzle feeders, where the pet has to work to get their food, are great as they reinforce licking, chewing and biting, which reduces barking and

22 / Berkhamsted Living

destruction of the house. They also promote serotonin release, which helps mood and promotes restful behaviour.

‘Try to avoid leaving the same toys out every day though, as they will get bored and look for other things to do.’

Some other ideas to consider: Leave the radio or TV on so they can hear voices.

Exercise them before you leave the house if you can, so they’re tired and are more likely to sleep while you’re out.

Install a camera where you can see your pet and where they can hear and see you. This can be done through your phone. Try www.petchatz.com or www.petcube.com Some toys to try: CleverPet Hub – a game console for dogs www. clever.pet. Fetch and iDig pet toys www.goifetch. com. GoDogGo machine ball fetcher www. godoggoinc.com. K9Connectables www. k9connectables.com. KONG – toys to hide treats in and keep pets entertained. Nina Ottosson puzzle toys for cats and dogs www.nina-ottosson.com.

Thanks to: www.doglistener.tv / www.springwellvets.com TV and film names for pets!

This year’s most popular dramas, such as Killing Eve, Doctor Who, Bodyguard and Luther, will have the biggest influence on UK pet names in 2019, according to a list released by My Nametags.

After Bodyguard became the most-watched British TV drama of the last decade, ‘Bud’ – after the lead character – is predicted to be top for male pets, while ‘Eve’ is predicted to be most popular for females after the title character of Killing Eve. Other popular names include ‘Jodie’ and ‘Idris’ after Jodie Whittaker and Idris Elba, as well as ‘Newt’ from Fantastic Beasts and ‘Freddie’ after Freddie Mercury.

BOOKS The Little Café at the End of the Pier

Helen Rolfe, Orion, £7.99 paperback, £4.99 Amazon Kindle Searching for love? You’ll find it at The Little Café at the End of the Pier...

When Jo’s beloved grandparents ask her to help run their café at the end of the pier in Salthaven-on-Sea, she jumps at the chance. Jo soon realises that each of her customers is looking for love. She goes about setting each of them up on blind dates, held in the café, with a special menu designed for the occasion. But Jo has never found love herself. Could love be right under her nose...?

This is the collection of the Café at the End of the Pier novellas that Berkhamsted author Helen brought out throughout 2018. It’s a lovely, feelgood read with warm, likeable characters – perfect for reading on the beach.

Little Spirit AJ Freer, £5.99

A refugee boy called Little Spirit finds himself lost and alone in Berkhamsted, and must try to find his way back to his family. In the meantime though, he must fight to survive – and try and win a reward for recovering the The Lost Sun. This is a lovely little tale by AJ Freer set in Berkhamsted and, specifically, St Peter’s Church and Rectory Lane Cemetery, which is perfect for reading with or to your children.

Available from www.whatdomykidsreadnext.com

A New Way for Mothers Louise Webster, £12.99, Amazon A New Way for Mothers is a brand new book from Louise Webster, founder of www.beyondtheschoolrun.com. The book is a revolutionary approach for mothers to use their skills and talents while their kids are at school, providing inspiration, encouragement and a step-by-step approach for every mother wishing to engage her talents during the hours her children are at school.

And the winners are…

In our last issue we ran a competition to win one of five copies of Donna Ashcroft’s latest book, The Little Christmas Teashop of Second Chances – and we’re pleased to announce our winners!

They are: Sue Redford, Marion Yardley-Jones, Kay Howard, Wendy Lawrey, Scarlett Jones.

Many thanks to all of you who entered, and commiserations to those that didn’t win this time – but keep your eyes peeled for further competitions on our website at www.livingmags.info or turn to page 33.

Spring 2019 / 23

IMPROVE, DON’T MOVE

If you’re unsure whether to move house or improve where you live, read this first…

W

hether it’s uncertainty about the future, rising house prices or the cost of stamp duty, more and more of us are choosing to stay in our current home rather than move. According to the 2018 Barclays Home Improvement Report, 28% of homeowners who were considering moving have decided to stay put.

But never say never, right? Perhaps one day you’ll want to move, so how do you make the most of your current home, while ensuring you future-proof it? We take a look at the best ways to add value and the changes you should avoid.

Add a bedroom Easier said than done if you have no more space to expand, but think laterally; could you go into the loft, basement, or add a bedroom in the garage or on a large landing? If so, this is the single biggest thing you can do to add value to your home.

According to property management website Move With Us, it can add up to 8.8% – that’s a whopping £61,600 on a £700K family home.

‘Be careful not to make your home too top heavy though,’ warns David Milbourn, Mortgage Adviser for Stringer Mann Financial Planners in Berkhamsted. ‘Adding two bedrooms to a three-bedroom semi without increasing the living space downstairs is not ideal. While square footage does have a bearing on value, buyers today value light, airy open plan accommodation.’

24 / Berkhamsted Living

Loft conversion This can add 7.1% value, definitely worth considering if you need more space. You don’t usually need planning permission, but it’s worth checking. A typical loft conversion costs around £35-£45,000.

‘This is a good way to boost property value, however care must be taken to avoid overdeveloping your home for the ceiling price of the area,’ adds David Milbourn.

Add/improve bathrooms An extra bathroom can add 6.1% value. Maybe you’ve got space to squeeze in a small en suite, or a large cupboard which could hold a loo and shower?

Otherwise, simply upgrading can add 5% more value – that’s more than £38,000 on a £700k home!

Replace old baths and basins, retile, replace taps, add mirrors and replace carpets with vinyl or tiles.

New kitchen A new kitchen can add a huge amount of appeal – and almost 6% in value! You can buy a new kitchen quite reasonably, but if you don’t want to replace everything, go for new taps, worktops and new cupboard doors.

Off-street parking Parking is at a premium in both Berkhamsted and Tring, so off-street parking can add an enormous www.livingmags.info

PROPERTY amount of value – more than 5%. Check with Dacorum Borough Council (DBC) about planning regulations in your street.

Conservatory Conservatories are a cost-effective way of creating more room – and add 5% value. Consider a half-brick conservatory and even a proper roof rather than glass.

Windows Most home buyers want double glazing and if you don’t have it they will calculate the cost of adding it. Double glazing can add around 4.2%, and if you’re planning to stay put it can seriously cut your energy bills.

Garden A decent garden can potentially increase the value of your home by 4%. ‘A well presented garden will make your property more attractive and likely to sell over neighbouring ones that lack imagination,’ says David Milbourn. ‘Many buyers don’t seek large gardens but want a low maintenance garden ready for entertaining all year round.’

Timber Reclamation in Studham near Little Gaddesden. www.timberreclamation.co.uk.

Things to avoid You might think that any improvement will add value, but you’d be wrong. Here are the common pitfalls to avoid: Swimming pools If you’re planning to stay in your home and will get use out of it, go ahead and build a swimming pool. But bear in mind that people see them as costly, and they take up valuable space, so they might actually put people off.

Solar panels We’re all for saving the environment and if you want to save money on your energy bills then go for it. But bear in mind some people see solar panels as an eyesore, as well as expensive to upgrade. They rarely add value.

Easy improvements

Kerb appeal If the exterior is scruffy it can reduce value of your home by 5%. Repoint brickwork, replace or repaint windows and old garage doors, repair cracked or broken cladding, replace door knockers and house numbers, and consider adding a porch.

Here are some more simple and affordable ways to make your house more appealing...

Replace carpets According to a survey by HSBC, decent carpets can add almost £2,000 to the value of your property. But if they just need a good clean, get it done professionally – it will be money well spent!

Add wooden floors Wooden floors are a surprising way to add value to your home without too much effort – up to 2% value in fact!

Restore or replace period features If original features have been ripped out of an old home, consider replacing things such as cornices and fireplaces, as buyers look for these. It doesn’t have to cost the earth but can make the world of difference – check out salvage yards such as

Lighting

Give it a lick of paint It’s easy to underestimate the difference fresh paint can make. Choose neutral colours, but this doesn’t necessarily mean pale. You can go dark, but not too bright, as this will put many people off.

Add pots and plants A few pot plants or potted trees in the front garden can transform a property’s kerb appeal. Add gravel to old paths, window boxes or hanging baskets.

Think about the lighting in each room as it can really make a difference; does it need to be bright for a kitchen, and dimmer or more atmospheric for a bathroom or bedroom? Consider lamps, uplighters and spotlights.

Spring 2019 / 25

CHOCS AWAY! Want to make something special this Easter?

Why not make your own chocolate?

26 / Berkhamsted Living

www.livingmags.info

FEATURE: EASTER CHOCOLATE

I

t’s Easter, which means – among many other things – chocolate of course!

The shops are over-run with chocolate eggs of all shapes and sizes, but if you really want to give someone something special, why not give them their very own personalised chocolate made with your own fair hands?

We decided to test out a chocolate making workshop. Here’s how our Editor Clare Swatman got on...

I love a bit of chocolate – dark, milk, white, it doesn’t really matter. My kids are even worse; I can get them to do most things with the lure of a Lindor ball.

So when I told them I was going to try out a chocolate-making workshop, there were cries of ‘that‘s not fair!’ and ‘can we come?’

Well, the answer was no – because this was work!

Kirsty Stickland runs The Choccie Drop, which holds workshops for adults as well as kids parties. As it was January and there wasn’t much call for chocolate workshops so soon after Christmas, I went along to a children’s party to see what they got up to.

When I arrived Kirsty was tempering the milk chocolate. She explained: ‘This means heating it up to 45C and then cooling it under controlled conditions to between 30C and 31C. This helps to avoid the white bloom you sometimes get on chocolate, and it snaps better.’

Once the chocolate was at the right temperature it was set in the middle of the table and we got to work. First, we made lollies

by piping a circle of chocolate on to an edible transfer, and then decorating with chocolate balls, chocolate flakes, honeycomb and sprinkles.

We made four each – I’m amazed how creative some of the girls were. I’m not sure mine were quite as exciting, but I knew my kids would be impressed.

Next we made chocolate-covered honeycomb, fudge and marshmallow chunks, which involved dipping the chunks into the chocolate and carefully removing them with a special fork.

It was pretty messy and mine didn’t look particularly professional, but they tasted delicious.

While these all set, Kirsty told everyone the ‘bean to bar’ story, about how the cocoa bean became this gorgeous sweet treat that everyone loves. It’s a great addition to the workshop.

Then it was time for me to head home with my handmade chocolates. I was actually quite impressed with how nice the lollies looked – the transfer on the back was great!

The workshops for adults are similar, except you get to make slightly more complicated treats, such as salted caramel truffles, and at Easter Kirsty helps you make your own Easter eggs. The best bit is that everything you make you take home with you in lovely gift wrapping.

If you fancy something different this Easter, I’d recommend this. It’s great fun, gives you a real sense of achievement, and you learn a new skill.

Kirsty runs regular workshops, and you can also book private group sessions. For more information go to www.thechocciedrop.co.uk.

Spring 2019 / 27

OUT AND ABOUT

Get fit and stimulate your mind at the same time – why exercising outdoors is so good for you

I

f you’ve ever been for a long country walk you’ll know how satisfied you feel when you get home.

That’s because exercising outdoors can have huge benefits both physically and mentally.

Sadly though, most Brits don’t get nearly as much time outside as they’d like. A recent survey by environmental group LEAF revealed we spend 142 hours every week indoors – that’s 53 years of the average lifespan!

‘Getting outside to exercise has so many benefits,’ explains Tring-based personal trainer Adele Lambert.

‘It gives your body a much more thorough workout. Different terrains and inclines challenge your body and help work your core, while you’re also more mentally stimulated as you have to be more aware of your surroundings. You may also have to work hard against wind resistance, rain, or extreme cold or heat,’ says Adele.

Use a variety of equipment to vary your workout even more. ‘Try tricep dips or step-ups on a bench, push-ups against a lamppost, or pull-ups using a strong tree branch,’ suggests Adele.

Being out in the fresh air among nature can also have enormous benefits on our emotional wellbeing, as it releases endorphins (the feel good hormones), which can reduce anxiety and stress.

We’re lucky to be surrounded by beautiful and easily-accessible countryside, so here are some ideas to help you make the most of it.

Walking/hiking There are so many amazing walking routes round here; we feature a new walking route every issue so visit the website to find those, or buy a walking map and plot out a route.

If you prefer to walk with others, you could join one of these groups...

28 / Berkhamsted Living

Dacorum Health Walks Free, local-led walks run by volunteers with different starting points each week; walks are graded for difficulty. For more information go to www.walkingforhealth.org.uk, email healthwalks. cms@hertfordshire.gov.uk, or call 01992 588433 Nordic Walking For something a bit more energetic, try Nordic Walking. It burns 20-40% more calories than normal walking and is a great overall workout.

Hilary Worrell runs www. nordicwalkingandpilates.com and runs walks every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, while Karen Lem runs www.ridgewaynordicwalking. co.uk which offers similar walks.

Running Take yourself off for a run through some of the stunning countryside, or join a local running group or weekly park run.

Park runs Tring has a weekly Park Run around Tring Park every Saturday at 9am. The 5k route is timed and marshalled, but there’s no speed pressure.

Berkhamsted doesn’t currently have one, so it’s Tring or Gadebridge Park. www.parkrun.org.uk.

Hospice Running Club Meeting at various locations in and around Berkhamsted, Tring and Ashridge every Wednesday morning at 9.30am. £3 suggested donation with proceeds to the Hospice of St Francis. paul.owen@sumtab.co.uk.

Dacorum and Tring AC Road Runners Suitable for all abilities, they meet at Jarman Park Athletics track every Tuesday and Thursday at www.livingmags.info

HEALTH AND BEAUTY 6.30pm for trail, road and track running. Age 16+ with the chance to compete in Division 1 of the Chiltern Cross Country League. £40 a year for adults, £30 for children. www.dacorumandtringac.org.uk Berkhamsted Trail Running Currently meeting every Monday, Wednesday and Friday in Berkhamsted at 9.15am, this group is run

by GB Masters athlete Zoe Doyle, and is pay-as-you-go. Each session costs £6 and is interval training. For more information go to www. facebook.com/berkhamstedtrailrunning Jog On Run by qualified coaches, Erica Carter and Heather Harris, Jog On caters for all abilities. Courses include: Couch to 5k every Tuesday at 9.30am (proceeds go to the Hospice and the nine-week course costs £50); Improvers on Tuesdays at 10.45am; 5k to 10k on Thursdays at 9.30am and Half Marathon on Mondays at 9.30am. All sessions include interval training and drills. www. jogonrunning.com

Cycling Cycling is a great way to get fit. If you don’t fancy going out alone, join one of these organised groups.

Berkhamsted Cycling Club (BCC) Road cycling for all ages and abilities, BCC has a weekly organised ride every Saturday morning, meeting at 7.45am in Tesco car park. Rides are split into ability groups so you’ll never be left behind.

Annual membership is £37.50 for one adult and £50 for two adults. Visit www.berkocc.com or email secretaryberkocc@gmail.com Aston Hill Bike Park If you’re more of a mountain biker, Aston Hill Bike Park is a great downhill mountain bike centre with five graded downhill runs, a two-part cross country loop and a pump track. Sessions cost £7. http://astonhillbikepark.co.uk

Bucks Mountain Biking It’s called Bucks but it covers Herts too and rides are in the Chilterns. They arrange regular group mountain bike rides, and membership costs £10 for adults and £5 for children annually. www. bucksmtb.co.uk

Bootcamps Bootcamps are becoming more popular and are a great way to get active, work hard and enjoy the fresh air. There are several in and around Berkhamsted and Tring.

Jilly B Fitness Personal trainer Jilly B offers bootcamps or ‘group personal training’. Sessions are held Tuesdays at 9.15am, Wednesdays at 7.30pm and Saturdays at 9am, on Lagley Meadow by Berkhamsted sports centre. £8 per session or £35 a month for two sessions a week. www.jillybfitness.com BodyBlitz Berko A 30-minute high intensity HIIT class held at Broadwater, by the skatepark, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9.15am-9.45am, and Saturday at 8.45am-9.15am. www.bodyblitzberko.co.uk Buggy Blitz Berko A 30-minute low intensity HIIT workout for postnatal mums, every Monday and Friday at 10am-10.30am at Broadwater. www.buggyblitzberko.co.uk.

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Spring 2019 / 31

WALKS

Photograph © George Edwards

T

his issue’s featured walk starts either in Tring, for the more energetic of us (6.7 miles/10.8km), or from the highest point in Hertfordshire (800ft or 244m), Pavis Woods in Hastoe, for the shorter, circular route (3.2 miles/5.1km). The walk includes an area with a regular carpet of bluebells during April/ May and passes along parts of the Ridgeway, Chiltern Way and Grim’s Ditch. Those starting in Tring will see excellent views over the town itself, Tring Park and Aylesbury Vale during their ascent to Pavis Woods. There is also a rather extraordinary opportunity to see some dinosaurs and perhaps a fairy garden! Refreshments are to be found at various places in Tring – see our website www.livingmags.info for full directions.

The hamlet of Hastoe dates back to the 13th century when it was known as Halstowe or Halstoe. Grim’s Ditch, an Iron Age structure built around 300 BC, passes close by and is a series of linear earthworks thought to be a set of local boundaries once used to control the movement of cattle and carts. The walk also uses part of the Ridgeway, an 87 mile route used since prehistoric times by travellers, herdsmen and soldiers from Wiltshire to Ivinghoe Beacon.

In the 13th century the manor of Hastoe was conveyed to Ralph le Clerk of Tring by Thomas de Northwode. During the 14th century the land came into the possession of the Verney family and the manor was annexed to the manor of Bunstreux and Richardyns.

During the 19th century Hastoe, like Tring, became closely associated with the Rothschild family. Nathan Rothschild had begun to rent land and properties in the area as early as 1833, including Hastoe House, a large property close to

the walk route (on the track from Gadmore Lane towards Grove Wood). Later, Hastoe came into the hands of Nathan’s son Lionel de Rothschild at auction in 1872. Many of the buildings in Hastoe were built by the Rothschilds and have the familiar Rothschild style; some following the demolition of earlier properties, such as the Hastoe Brewery in 1882.

Also built by the Rothschilds was a corn mill, which burned down in 1964, farm buildings and workers’ cottages. Most were in Church Lane in which the Rothschilds had built an imposing village hall in 1898, the Hastoe Room and, next door to it, a Chapel (hence ‘Church Lane’).

The village hall is endowed in trust by the Rothschild family. It was the subject of a major restoration in 2010 before being reopened by Lord Rothschild in November 2012, and now hosts a range of activities and events – see www. hastoevillagehall.co.uk Pavis Woods, the starting point of this issue’s walk, is now managed by the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trusts – www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/dancersendpavis-woods It is 35 hectares of mature beech woodland, scrub and, more recently, planted woodland on the steep scarp facing Dancersend.

There are old boundary trees and patches of wych elm and hornbeam. In spring chiffchaffs return to nest and bluebells flourish. There are also many marl pits, and saw pits, showing that humans were constantly working this landscape, while the bank and ditch boundaries of three parishes can be traced through the woods.

See also – www.hertfordshire-genealogy.co.uk/ data/places/places-t/tring/tring-hastoe.htm

SEE OUR WEBSITE WWW.LIVINGMAGS.INFO FOR FULL DIRECTIONS 32 / Berkhamsted Living

www.livingmags.info

Win tickets to Dogfest!

L

ove dogs? Want a fun day out with your four-legged friend? We’re offering the chance to win a pair of tickets to Knebworth DogFest on 11-12 May 2019!

Currently in its sixth year, DogFest is now even bigger and better.

TV and Crufts presenter Clare Balding will lead The Great Dog Walk round the grounds, while Professor Noel Fitzpatrick will offer an interactive feature for younger visitors. There will be experts on hand, doggy yoga and obedience training on the main stage, while there will also be a dog display team, live music, fresh street food and plenty of shopping.

To be in with a chance of winning two tickets simply answer the following question: What famous dog show does Clare Balding present every year?

Visit www.livingmags.info/competitions to enter the competition, where you’ll also find terms and conditions.

Closing date is 30/4/19, and all tickets will be posted out in 43_SS_Living Magazine_final.pdf 1 30/01/2019 time for the event. www.livingmags.info.

10:04

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WITH ONE FULL-PRICED ROUND*

*Terms and Conditions One round for £10 with one full paying round. Rounds available Monday to Friday after 10am. To book (up to 7 days in advance), please call 01442 957444 and quote ‘Living Magazine’. The rounds must be played at the same time and must be played before 30th April 2019. Usual booking terms and conditions apply.

WWW.LITTLEHAYGOLF.CO.UK

01442 957444 Spring 2019 / 33

THE

GOOD LIFE

It can be fun to grow your own fruit and veg – whatever outside space you have

W

hether it’s to have fun with the kids, to save money, or just for the hell of it, a new survey by Appliances Direct reveals that more than half of us Brits have grown our own fruit and veg at some point.

If you fancy giving it a go but are worried you don’t have enough space, or don’t know where to start, here’s our beginner’s guide to turning (some of) your outside space into a food patch.

Windowsill If you really are limited for space, don’t despair – you can still have a go at growing something!

Choose a nice bright, sunny windowsill with at least five hours of sun a day. Next, choose the biggest pots you can fit on there – any container will do as long as it’s big enough; try wooden boxes or metal tins.

For salad leaves, such as rocket or baby spinach, your pot will need to be at least 20cm deep and 15cm across. Carrots and beans need at least 30cm depth. Beans will also need a cane to grow up.

Pack the bottom of the pot with stones and pebbles for drainage, then add compost. Plant your seeds and then water at least every couple of days, feed every couple of weeks, and wait!

Balcony If you have a small outside area, such as a balcony or a roof terrace, you’ll still need to grow your fruit and veg in pots, but you’ll have a bit more space

34 / Berkhamsted Living

and therefore choice. Follow the same instructions as above.

Alternatively, you can buy some growing bags.

You can grow carrots, courgettes or green beans in a bag in the same way as pots, and keep well watered.

Small garden For small gardens, again either stick to pots and bags or choose a section to plant in. Choose the sunniest spot, then dig it over, removing weeds and as many stones as you can. Make sure you dig at least one spade-depth down, then add compost and dig it through.

Plants need enough space to grow, so don’t be tempted to overplant or nothing will grow. For example, a row of salad leaves needs at least 20cm around it and be spaced at least 10cm apart, carrots need 35cm between rows, while courgettes will need up to a metre around each plant – they’ll soon fill the space!

If you fancy growing beans then plant near a wall or fence, so you can train them up using canes or a trellis which should be at least 2m high. Most varieties don’t need feeding if you’ve used compost.

What should I grow?

This is partly down to personal taste, of course, but some vegetables and fruits are easier to grow than others. Try these to start with:

www.livingmags.info

GARDENS Salad leaves Salad leaves, such as spinach, grow easily. Sow them in the summer and harvest them a few weeks later. Loose leaf varieties grow quicker than hearted lettuces.

Radishes Radishes are really simple. Plant at least four weeks after the last frost and harvest a month later.

Potatoes Potatoes will grow anywhere – you can even grow them in a bag or bucket. Simply half-fill the bag or pot then plant the potatoes with eyes. When they start to shoot, cover the shoots with more compost and keep watering them. Repeat while the foliage grows, and once the foliage dies back – usually about a month after planting – they’re ready to eat.

Peas Sow between March and April and harvest them two to three months later. They’ll need to be supported by canes, but they do grow easily and taste delicious!

Spring onions These are harvested eight weeks or so after sowing and can be grown in the ground or in pots.

Broad beans These need to be sown early, ideally between December and March, and are picked from June onwards. Sow them into pots until they turn to seedlings which can take around two to three weeks, or plant them straight out. When they’re about 3” tall, pinch off the top leaves to encourage more growth.

Runner beans If you have enough space, runner beans will give you a good crop. Sow them between April and July, and pick two months later. They’ll need to be trained up a cane or a wall, and make sure you pick them when they’re ready as they’ll keep coming!

Onions and garlic Super-easy, even if you’re really short of space!

Plant these in the spring to harvest in late autumn.

They’re ready to pick when the foliage dies back and will keep for months, dried out and stored in a cupboard.

Tomatoes These are great to grow with kids, as they love picking the super-sweet tomatoes from the vine.

Plant between February and April, either in pots, bags or even hanging baskets if you have a small variety. Just keep them regularly watered for a bumper crop.

Courgettes Sow seeds indoors from the end of April, ideally under glass or plastic. Plant seedlings outside from late May in pots or the garden but leave them plenty of space – around a metre all round or one seedling per pot. Plant into holes filled with compost and sprinkled with fertiliser. Water regularly, feed every 10-14 days once the fruits start to develop and pick regularly to ensure a regular crop – when they’re around 10cm long.

You should get courgettes every week from July.

Strawberries These can be planted in pots, the ground or hanging baskets. Line a 35cm basket with polythene and add some drainage holes, then add compost. Plant in four strawberry plants and water well. Hang in a warm, sunny spot, and feed once the flowers start to appear. Strawberries should begin to grow after around six weeks.

Top three rules • Pick a sunny spot – at least five hours of sun a day • Make sure you give the plants enough space to grow • Water, water, water!

Spring 2019 / 35

Very informative, lots of relevant local news and articles.

We also advertise and it is great for local awareness.

The team work hard to get it right, local and worthwhile.

Robert Stringer, Stringer Mann Financial Planners Jan 2019

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www.livingmags.info

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE Lucy Best - Financial Adviser

What’s your favourite local place to eat?

For dinner out it would have to be Thai Cottage, the food is excellent and the staff are always so friendly.

For a pub lunch you can’t beat the Alford Arms in Frithsden, it’s such a cosy atmosphere with a menu full of comfort food!

The last book you read?

Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari, while I was on holiday over the summer. It wasn’t an easy read but it was such an interesting take on our history.

Lucy works at the highly established KDW Financial Planning in St Albans and lives in Berkhamsted. She has been a fully qualified Financial Adviser since 2011, having gone straight into Financial Services from school and joining KDW in 2007 after initially working for a high street bank.

Lucy is able to provide advice on everything from Investments and Pensions to Protection and Mortgages. She also holds a specialist qualification which enables her to provide advice on Equity Release schemes, otherwise known as Lifetime Mortgages, which are available to homeowners aged 55 and over.

Favourite thing about living in Berkhamsted?

Apart from the pubs it would have to be the scenery.

The walks through Ashridge and along the canal are beautiful, especially in Spring and Autumn.

How do you relax?

I like to plan lots of weekend getaways throughout the year to see as many new places as possible, both in the UK and abroad. I went to Loch Lomond just before Christmas and it was so peaceful you couldn’t help but relax!

What do you love about your work?

I love meeting new people and building relationships with them. When you look after people for years you really get to know them and their families.

Mobile: 07850 674 132 Email: lucy@kdw.co.uk www.kdw.co.uk

Pensions

Assurance

Investments

Mortgages

Tax Planning

Equity release

PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY A GUIDE TO FUTURE PERFORMANCE. THE VALUE OF INVESTMENTS AND THE INCOME FROM THEM CAN FALL AS WELL AS WELL AS RISE AND YOU MAY NOT GET BACK THE AMOUNT ORIGINALLY INVESTED. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE. KDW is a trading style of K D Wright Financial Services Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registration No: 509886.

EATING OUT Resturants French Highwayman 262 High Street, HP4 1AQ 01442 285480

I Love Food 25 Lower Kings Road, HP4 2AB 01442 877311

Indian

Pizza Express 350 High Street HP4 1HT 01442 879966

Akash Finest Indian Takeway 59a Gossoms End HP4 1DF 01442 862287

Zaza 21-23 Lower Kings Road, HP4 2AB 01442 767055

Curry Garden 29 High Street, HP4 2BX 01442 877867 Fat Buddha 378 High Street, HP4 1HU 01442 879995 Verandah 333-337 High Street, HP4 1AL 01442 878799 K2 Balti House 5 Two Waters Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP3 9BZ 01442 239993 www.k2baltihouse. co.uk

Modern British Bill’s 163-165 High Street, HP4 3HB 01442 862560 King’s Arms 147 High Street, HP4 3HL 01442 866595 The Meating Room 307 High Street, Berkhamsted HP4 1AL meating-room.co.uk

Modern European The Gatsby 97 High Street, HP4 2DG 01442 870403

Italian

Mediterranean

Ask 249 High Street.

HP4 1AB 01442 878287

Olive Tree 270 High Street, HP4 1AQ 01442 876726

38 / Berkhamsted Living

Thai Giggling Squid 296-298 High Street, HP4 1AH 01442 866087 Thai Cottage 149 High Street, HP4 3HH 01442 870808 www.thaicottage.com

Turkish Tabure 157-159 High Street, HP4 3HB 01442 769472

McCoys 376 High Street HP4 1HU 01442 870387 McCoys 129 High Street, Northchurch HP4 3QR 01442 862460

Grill Flamingo Grill Gossoms End, HP4 1DF 01442 875875

Indian

Takeaways Chinese Lots of Rice 1 Holliday Street HP4 2EE 01442 865033 Orient Express 315 High Street HP4 1AL 01442 879310 Unicorn 372 High Street HP4 1HU 01442 862369

Akash Finest Indian Takeway 59a Gossoms End HP4 1DF 01442 862287 Punjab Brasserie 374 High Street 01442 863314 Kebabs New Crystal 79 High Street 01442 862141 Pizza Domino’s Pizza 346 High Street 01442 878712

Fish & Chips Berkhamsted Fish Bar Station, Lower Kings Road HP4 2AJ 01442 873635

Papa John’s Pizza 211b High Street 01442 862900

www.livingmags.info

EATING OUT Winebar Berkeley 39-43 Lower Kings Road, HP4 2AB 01442 878300

Cafés Bel Caffè 146 High Street, HP4 3AT 01442 877466 Berkhamsted Golf Range The Brickworks, HP4 3GY 01442 862622 Black Goo Home & Colonial, 134 High Street, HP4 3AT 01442 878713 Bon Soirée 116 High Street, Northchurch HP4 3QN 01442 878311

Costa Coffee 300 High Street, HP4 1ZZ 01442 870920 Darvells 102 High Street, HP4 2BL 01442 877688 Epicure 223 High Street, HP4 1AD 01442 873539 Fred & Ginger 125 High Street, HP4 2DJ 01442 874426

Shaken Cow 14 Lower Kings Road, HP4 2AE

Crystal Palace Station Rd, HP4 2EZ 01442 862998

Simmons 234 High Street, HP4 1AG 01442 864970

George 261 High Street, HP4 1AB 01442 863586

Waterstone’s 168-176 High Street, HP4 3AP 01442 878967

George & Dragon 87 High Street, Northchurch, HP4 3QL 01442 864533

Sushi

Greggs Hall Park Garage, HP4 2NB

Zero 8-12 Lower Kings Road, HP4 2AE 01442 237854

HERE 28-30 Lower Kings Road, HP4 2AB 01442 300870

Pubs

Make Believe Ideas Wilderness, HP4 2AZ 01442 863247

Brownlow Café Ashridge HP4 1LX 01442 851670

Mario’s 208 High Street, HP4 1AG 01442 877170

Bueno 3 Prince Edward Street, HP4 3EZ 01442 872500

Miss Darmon’s Little Heath Nursery, Potten End HP4 2RY

Caféspace Sports Centre, HP4 3QQ 01442 507100

Pottery Project 6b Northbridge Road, HP4 1EH 01442 865544

Costa Coffee 162 High Street, HP4 3AP 01442 873546

Puccino’s Railway Station, HP4 2AJ 01442 870402

Alford Arms Frithsden, HP4 1NW 01442 864480

Goat 83 High Street, HP4 2DF 01442 877089 www.facebook. com/The GoatBerkhamsted Lamb 277 High Street, HP4 1AJ 01442 862615

Boat Gravel Path, HP4 2EF 01442 877152

Martin’s Pond The Green, Potten End, HP4 2QQ 01442 864318

Bridgewater Arms Little Gaddesden, HP4 1PD 01442 842408

Old Mill London Rd, HP4 2NB 01442 879590

Bull 10 High Street, HP4 2BS 01442 870364

Plough Plough Lane, Potten End, HP4 2EG 01442 877883

Crown 145 High Street, HP4 3HH 01442 863993

Rising Sun George Street, HP4 2EG 01442 864913

Spring 2019 / 39

LOCAL

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Mouth-watering menu, perfect the Mouth-watering menu, perfectfor forallall the family, groups, parties & corporate events! family, groups, parties & corporate events!

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or visit www.k2baltihouse.co.uk

www.k2baltihouse.co.uk Two Waters Road, Hemel Hempstead HP3 9BZ

Whats on Mother’s Day - Sunday 31st March

Treat your Mum and bring her along to either our Champagne Afternoon Tea or a Three Course Lunch

Golf Open Day - Saturday 20th April

Come and trial the course and speak to the team Our Golf Course is open to members, societies, pay & play

Easter Sunday - Sunday 21st April

Bring the family along for a Three Course Lunch An Easter Egg Hunt will be put on for the Children

Father’s Day - Sunday 16th June

Celebrate Father’s Day with us. Enjoy a Three Course Meal and each Dad will receive a Voucher for 2 to play on our Golf Course FOR MORE INFORMATION

01442 232 220

enquiries@shendish-manor.com London Rd, Apsley, Hemel Hempstead HP3 0AA

www.shendish-manor.com

Two Waters Road, Hemel Hempstead HP3 9BZ

Business, private and commercial caterers

40 / Berkhamsted Living

livingmags.info

WHAT’S ON

WWW.LIVINGMAGS.INFO FOR DAILY UPDATES

7.30pm. £5 In aid of the Hospice of St Francis. northchurch-social-centre. co.uk SUNDAY 10 MAR Dance: Sleeping Beauty The Vyne Theatre, Berkhamsted. 2pm. £10-15. An artsLIVE screening from the Bolshoi ballet. berkhamstedartscentre.co.uk

TUESDAY 12 MAR MONDAY 4 MAR Exhibitions: Roald Dahl-inspired Prints The Upstairs Gallery, 268 High Street, Berkhamsted. To 16 Mar. New exhibition of prints by artists from Bodenpress printmaking studio, inspired

by Roald Dahl’s adult stories. bodenpress.co.uk Film: Beast Berkhamsted Civic Centre, 8pm. Also 5 Mar. Nonmembers £5 at door. Romance, murder mystery, psychodrama. berkhamstedfilmsociety.co.uk

TUESDAY 5 MAR

Sport: Chess Group The Robin Hood, Tring. 8pm Tue and Thu each week. Drop in group, free to all and all abilities. If you want a game just drop by, friendly and informal. No commitment needed. moz@faymoz.co.uk Sport: Tring and District Darts League “Matches every Tuesday from 8.30pm. Participating Pubs:

The Anchor, Angler’s Retreat, Black Horse, The Castle, Conservative Club, Cricket Club, The Greyhound, King’s Arms. Contact the pubs for details. tringdarts. leaguerepublic.com

WEDNESDAY 6 MAR Business: BDCC Breakfast Meeting Berkhamsted Cricket Club, 7am. Speaker: Young Enterprise Presentations - Pupils from Berkhamsted School. berkhamstedchamber.co.uk Talks: The Making of a Maverick Wigginton History Society, St Bartholomew’s Church 8pm. Professor Lloyd Clark on Bernard Montgomery, 1919 to 1939. rbtregoning@btopenworld. com

THURSDAY 7 MAR Business: Community Action Dacorum The Volunteer Centre, The Roundhouse, Marlowes. Also 14 & 21 Mar. Free programme available to people aged 50+ who want to engage with their local community.

01442 247209

Music: East-West Maxwell Street Band Blues Bar, Tring. 8.30pm. bluesbartring.co.uk

SATURDAY 9 MAR Markets & Sales: Jumble Sale Village Hall, Church Road.

HP4 1NX. 10am-12noon.

Organised by 1st Little Gaddesden Scouts. All items gratefully received Friday evening or early Saturday.

01442 842505

Music: Berkhamsted Live 20 The Greene Room, The Kings Arms, Berkhamsted. 8pm.

Supporting Alopecia UK. lstate@btinternet.com

WEDNESDAY 13 MAR Talks: Lord Austin and Lord Nuffield: Giants of the British Motor Industry Berkhamsted Town Hall, 8pm.

Speaker: Julian Hunt. berkamsted-history.org.uk

THURSDAY 14 MAR

Comedy: Andrew Maxwell The Court Theatre, Tring, 7.30pm. £15.

With “Showtime” Andrew continued his long run of domination of the Edinburgh Fringe. courttheatre.co.uk Fundraisers: Quiz Night Northchurch Social Centre,

Talks: History and Development of Maritime London Victoria Hall, Akeman St, 10am. Speaker: Captain William Wells. u3asites.org.uk/tring/home Talks: Puddingstone Distillery Tour Puddingstone Distillery, Tring HP23 4NT. 8-10pm.

Also 21 Mar. puddingstonedistillery.com Spring 2019 / 41

FRIDAY 15 MAR

Centre, 8pm. Also 19 Mar. Non-members £5 at door. A wry comedy and bittersweet tale. berkhamstedfilmsociety. co.uk

Music: The Mighty Boss Cats Blues Bar, Tring. 8.30pm. bluesbartring.co.uk

SATURDAY 23 MAR

TUESDAY 19 MAR Exhibitions: Captured Light The Upstairs Gallery, 268 High Street, Berkhamsted.

To 30 Mar. Exhibition from members of Tring & District Camera Club. tringcameraclub.co.uk Film: First Man Nora Grace Hall, Faversham Close, HP23 5BA. Doors 8pm, Film 8.30pm. tringcinema. com Talks: Talking About Yesteryear Nora Grace Hall, Tring, 10.30-11.45am. Tring Local History And Museum Reminiscence Group. All welcome. Refreshments available. gascoinesusan@ virginmedia.com

SATURDAY 16 MAR Arts & Crafts: Ladies Who Lunch Cheddington Flower Club, Cheddington Village Hall. First demonstration starts 11am. £25 inc lunch and wine. 01296 668781

SUNDAY 17 MAR Fundraisers: Lets Talk Fashion Pendley Manor, Tring, 2-5pm. £30 includes prosecco on arrival and afternoon tea. In aid of Rennie Grove Hospice. renniegrove.org

MONDAY 18 MAR Film: The Other Side of Hope Berkhamsted Civic

Walks: Day Trippers Visit to Blue Bell Tea Rooms Blue Bell Tea Rooms, Tring.

12.30pm arrival. £6 transport only. communityactiondacorum. org

WEDNESDAY 20 MAR Talks: Historic buildings legislation and local case studies High Street Baptist Church, Tring, 8pm. £4.

Speaker: Rory Cullen, Director of Cullen Conservation. tringlocalhistorymuseum. org.uk Arts & Crafts: Berkhamsted and Tring Sewing Bee Northchurch Social Centre, Bell Lane, 9am-12 noon. fiona4mckenna@hotmail. co.uk

THURSDAY 21 MAR Fundraisers: A Fusion of Fun, Fizz and Fashion Tring Park School, 7pm. £20 in aid of Rennie Grove Hospice Care, includes prosecco and nibbles. Fashion show featuring 4 local shops. eventbrite. co.uk/e/a-fusion-of-fun-fizzfashion-tickets-55401795261

42 / Berkhamsted Living

Comedy: Seann Walsh: After This One, I’m Going Home The Court Theatre, Tring, 8pm. £15. get-stuffed.biz

THURSDAY 28 MAR

Arts & Crafts: Just Dahlias Apple Tree Cottage, 3 Nursery Terrace, Potten End HP4 2QU, 10am-1pm. Hands-on workshop. Learn & plant up/ pot your own summer dahlia display. reeleylandscapes.co.uk

SUNDAY 24 MAR Walks: Berko Litter Pick Meeting at 10am at Canal Fields. transitionberkhamsted.org.uk

Fundraisers: Tring Brewery Tour Tring Brewery £25. Proceeds to Rennie Grove Hospice. A guided tour of the brewing process with tasters from a wide range of craft beers. 01442 890222 Music: Pictures at an Exhibition Brookmead School, 7pm. Performance with the Beacon Community Choir of this new choral work by composer John Cameron.

Also 30 Mar. lhewlett@btinternet.com

MONDAY 25 MAR Talks: A Cast of Thousands The Music Room, Berkhamsted School, Mill Street. 7.45pm. Visitors £5. ‘Cast Making & Facsimiles In British Museum’ by Michael Neilson. berkhamstedarchaeology. co.uk

TUESDAY 26 MAR Talks: Highwaymen and Highwaywomen Tring WI, High Street Baptist Church Hall. 7.45pm. Speaker: Paul Heley. 01442 823768

WEDNESDAY 27 Talks: Berkhamsted Citizens AGM Special speaker to be announced. berkhamstedcitizensevents@ gmail.com

Music: Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman The Court Theatre, Tring. 7.30pm. £15. Twice won the coveted Best Duo title at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. courttheatre.co.uk

FRIDAY 29 MAR Music: Space The Court Theatre, Tring. 7.30pm. £17.50.

Britpop legends. Standing event. courttheatre.co.uk

SATURDAY 30 MAR Music: Andy Fairweather Low and The Low Riders The Court Theatre, Tring.

7.30pm. £27.50. Andy is back with his full 7-piece band. courttheatre.co.uk

livingmags.info

MONDAY 1 APR Film: Faces Places Berkhamsted Civic Centre, 8pm. Also 2 Apr. Agnès Varda joins photographer JR on a whimsical tour of rural France. berkhamstedfilmsociety. co.uk

WEDNESDAY 3 APR Talks: Berkhamsted and District Welsh Society Lunch The Plough, Leverstock Green Road.

Hemel Hempstead HP3 8PR, 12pm. facebook.com / BerkhamstedandDistrict WelshSociety Talks: The Jazz Baroness Wigginton History Society, St Bartholomew’s Church 8pm.

Richard Tregoning talks about the life and times of Nica de Koenigswarter, born a Rothschild. rbtregoning@btopenworld. com

THURSDAY 4 APR Music: Krissy Mathews Band Blues Bar, Tring.

8.30pm. bluesbartring.co.uk

SATURDAY 6 APR Markets & Sales: Book Fair Court House, Berkhamsted, 10am-4pm. 01442 862011

holds its spring exhibition. tdmrc.co.uk Music: Spring Concert St Peter and St Paul, High Street, Tring 7.30pm £15. Tring Choral Society and Orchestra perform Elgar’s ‘The Dream of Gerontius’ with The Chamber Choir of St Clement Danes School. tringchoralsociety@gmail. com

WEDNESDAY 10 APR Business: BDCC AGM Berkhamsted Town Hall 6.30pm. Father Mike Eggleton will run a wine tasting from 7-8pm. berkhamstedchamber.co.uk

THURSDAY 11 APR Talks: Life in the 1960s Music Business Victoria Hall, Akeman St, 10am.

Speaker: John Wilford. u3asites.org.uk/tring/home

FRIDAY 12 APR

Film: Bohemian Rhapsody Nora Grace Hall, Faversham Close, HP23 5BA. Doors 8pm, Film 8.30pm. tringcinema. com Talks: Talking About Yesteryear Nora Grace Hall, Tring, 10.30-11.45am. Tring Local History And Museum Reminiscence Group. gascoinesusan@virginmedia. com

SUNDAY 14 APR Music: J D Zelenka De Profundis and Missa Divi Xaverii St. Peter’s Church, Berkhamsted 7pm. Performed

by Chiltern Chamber Choir. chilternchamberchoir.com

WEDNESDAY 17 Arts & Crafts: Berkhamsted and Tring Sewing Bee Northchurch Social Centre, Bell Lane, 9am-12 noon. fiona4mckenna@hotmail. co.uk

THURSDAY 18 APR Music: Sam Kelly’s Station House Blues Bar, Tring.

8.30pm. bluesbartring.co.uk

TUESDAY 23 APR Talks: I’m Not Really Old Tring WI, High Street Baptist Church Hall. 7.45pm. Visitors welcome. Speaker: Hugh Grainger. 01442 823768

WEDNESDAY 24 APR

Exhibitions: Beacon-Rail 2019 Memorial Hall, Vicarage Rd, Pitstone, 10.30am-4.30pm. Tring & District Model Railway Club

Film: Frantz Berkhamsted Civic Centre, 8pm. Also 16 Apr. After WW1 a relationship develops between a German woman and a Frenchman. berkhamstedfilmsociety. co.uk

Forthcoming sale dates ss General Sales on Saturdays

2nd March 2019 1st December 2018 15th December 2018 16th March 2019 5th January 30th March 2019 2019

19th 2019 13thJanuary April 2019

2nd February 2019 27th April 2019

16th February 2019 11th May 2019 2nd 2019 25thMarch May 2019

16th 2019 8thMarch June 2019

30th 2019 22ndMarch June 2019 Viewing Friday prior to Sale 9.30am until 6.00pm

ss

Fine Art, Antique & 20th Century Decorative Art Sales Friday 8th March 2019 Viewing Thursday prior to Sale 9.00am until 8.00pm

ss

Tring Market Auctions Brook Street Tring Herts HP23 5ED

01442 826446 sales@tringmarketauctions.co.uk www.tringmarketauctions.co.uk

Sunday 3 to Tuesday 26 March

25th April: Chroma Ensemble

Comedy Tringe Aperitif

Welcoming 42 acts over 14 nights previewing their Edinburgh shows in the intimate setting of the Coach House next to the Kings Arms in Tring. The full line up is complete.

Visit www.get-stuffed. biz/tringeaperitif to find out more.

THURSDAY 25 APR Music: Chroma Ensemble St Peters Church, Berkhamsted, 7.30pm.

CHROMA Chamber Ensemble presents Awakening, Sacred Spaces Tour. chromaensemble.co.uk

FRIDAY 26 APR Comedy: Mark Watson: The Court Theatre, Tring, 8pm.

Also Sat 27 Apr. £18. Mark Watson performs ‘The Infinite Show’. get-stuffed.biz

SUNDAY 28 APR

MONDAY 29 APR Talks: Medieval Ceramics in British Museum The Music Room, Berkhamsted School, Mill Street. 7.45pm.

AGM and talk by Dr Beverley Nenk. berkhamstedarchaeology. co.uk Film: Call Me By Your Name Berkhamsted Civic Centre, 8pm. Also 30 Apr. Non-members £5 at door. A powerful portrait of first love. berkhamstedfilmsociety. co.uk

WEDNESDAY 1 MAY

Fairs / Festivals: Tring Spring Fayre To 12 May. Two-week festival with seasonal events and activities to get you walking, exploring and enjoying Tring. tringtogether.org.uk

Music: May Day Madrigals St. Peter’s Church, Berkhamsted 6.15am. Chiltern Chamber Choir sing madrigals from the church tower with breakfast in the Court House. chilternchamberchoir.com

44 / Berkhamsted Living

Talks: A Hole in The Ground Wigginton History Society, St Bartholomew’s Church, 8pm. The story of College Lake, its geology, history and nature reserve with Rodney Sims. rbtregoning@ btopenworld.com

THURSDAY 2 MAY Music: Martin Harley Blues Bar, Tring. 8.30pm. bluesbartring.co.uk

SUNDAY 5 MAY Sport: Bowls Open Day Potten End Bowls Club, Hempstead Lane, 11am-4pm. The village’s bowls club stages its spring Open Day. 01442 862887

Music: Faust The Vyne Theatre, Berkhamsted. 2pm. £10-15. An artsLIVE screening from the Royal Opera. berkhamstedartscentre.co.uk

SATURDAY 11 MAY

Business: Tring Job Fair Nora Grace Hall, Faversham Close, Tring. 10.30am-3pm.

Free. Local exhibitors, workshops and CV clinic. steffi@tringtogether. org.uk Fairs / Festivals: Family Fun Day St Peter and St Paul Church and Churchyard, Tring, 11am-3pm. fotch.co.uk Music: Fara The Vyne Theatre, Berkhamsted. 8pm. £14. A welcome return to this awesome foursome from Orkney. berkhamstedartscentre. co.uk

SUNDAY 12 MAY Walks: The Berkhamsted Walk Court House, 10am.

The annual Berkhamsted Walk offers three routes. berkhamstedwalk.com

Save the date!

Talks: Berkofest BookFestival Sunday 12 May. See P4 to learn more.

www.livingmags.info

X

THE PRE-TRINGE TRINGE IS BACK FOR ITS 7 7th YEAR 14 DAYS 42 ACTS 1000’s OF LAUGHS 3-26 March

ANDREW MAXWELL Sat 9th March

MARK WATSON Fri 26th and Sat 27th April

SHAPPI KHORSANDI Wed 22nd May This ad is sponsored by

Arts & Crafts: Berkhamsted and Tring Sewing Bee Northchurch Social Centre, Bell Lane, 9am-12 noon. fiona4mckenna@hotmail.co.uk

12th May: Bubble Rush

THURSDAY 16 MAY Music: George Shovlin and the Radars Blues Bar, Tring.

8.30pm. bluesbartring.co.uk

FRIDAY 17 MAY 12th May: Fun Dog Show Fundraisers: Bubble Rush Gadebridge Park, Hemel Hempstead. 5km charity challenge for all the family. stfrancis.org.uk/ bubble-rush

Church, Tring, 8pm. £4.

Speaker: Trixie Brabner, archivist and tour co-ordinator at Halton House. tringlocalhistorymuseum. org.uk

Fundraisers: Fun Dog Show St Leonards Hall & Field, Jenkins Lane, HP23 6NW, 2pm. chilternsdogrescue.org.uk

Business: BDCC Breakfast Meeting Berkhamsted Cricket Club, 7am. Speaker: Susan Dobinson from Beautiful Ceremonies: ‘How to do Death’. berkhamstedchamber.co.uk

WEDNESDAY 15 MAY Talks: The Story of Halton House High Street Baptist

NARROWBOAT DAY HIRE DEPARTS COW ROAST MARINA

Enjoy a leisurely cruise to the Wendover Arm or Marsworth & back, or South to the Port of Berkhamsted

TWO BOATS AVAILABLE ALBERT & VICTORIA

Price includes diesel, 40 mins of instruction if you choose to skipper.

Use of iPad, USB charger, electricity, fully-equipped kitchen, 4 gas hobs, fridge, hot & cold water, radiator, flushing loo. Carries 10 people.

Hire time 9am-4.30pm

Call Paul 07725 184963 www.narrowboatdayhire.net

46 / Berkhamsted Living

Talks: Talking About Yesteryear Nora Grace Hall, Tring, 10.30-11.45am. Tring Local History And Museum Reminiscence Group. All welcome. gascoinesusan@ virginmedia.com

SATURDAY 18 MAY Fairs / Festivals: Dunfest 2019 Dundale Field HP23 5DJ, 2-9pm. An afternoon with live music, great food and stalls. stallandcraftcollective. co.uk/dunfest-2019-44418-event

SUNDAY 19 MAY Dance: Bolshoi Ballet Double Bill The Vyne

ST. LEONARDS VILLAGE FÊTE HP23 6NW SAT JUNE 1ST FROM 2PM

A Traditional Country Village Fête

Tug-O-War, Punch & Judy Welly Wanging, Morris Men Beer and Pimms tent Teas, Ice cream ...& much much more!

Horse Show from 9.30am 07956 356945 Dog Show from 1pm 01494 758907

Of all the magazines that come through my door Tring Living is the only one I open and read.

Pauline January 2019 (also owner of Tring Yoga who advertise)

Theatre, Berkhamsted. 3pm. £10-15. Carmen and Petrushka. berkhamstedartscentre.co.uk

FRIDAY 24 MAY Film: The Wife Nora Grace Hall, Faversham Close, HP23 5BA. Doors 8pm, Film 8.30pm. tringcinema.com

SATURDAY 25 MAY Fairs / Festivals: Mentmore Arts Festival St Mary’s Church and Mentmore Village Hall, 11am to 5pm, to 27 May. mentmore-artsfestival.co.uk

TUESDAY 28 MAY Talks: Tring WI AGM High Street Baptist Church Hall.

7.45pm. Resolutions and games evening. 01442 823768 SUNDAY 2 JUN Theatre: All My Sons The Vyne Theatre, Berkhamsted.

6pm. £10-15. Sally Field and Bill Pullman star in Arthur Miller’s blistering drama. berkhamstedartscentre.co.uk livingmags.info

The Acting Course presents

Mnemonic

by Complicité Monday 4 March

Muswell Hill

by Torben Betts Thursday 7 March

Come back to the Five and Dime, Let the Right One In

by Jack Thorne adapted from Jimmy Dean Jimmy Dean the novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist

by Ed Graczyk Tuesday 5 March

Head Rot Holiday

by Sarah Daniels Wednesday 6 March

Monday 11 March

Whose Life Is It Anyway

by Brian Clark Tuesday 12 March

All performances start at 7:30pm

Unreserved tickets: £11 Markova Theatre, Tring Park School HP23 5LX Book online: www.tringpark.com/boxoffice or Tel. 01442 821516

Discounts available when you book two or more plays. See online for details.

Design: Brian O’Carroll

CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING

CALOR GAS & FUEL

• residential

Berkhamsted & commercial Carpet Cleaning Ltd • professional • good value

We stock a full range of

www.berkhamstedcarpetcleaning.co.uk

Logs, Coal, Calor gas, & Charcoal

GARDENING SERVICES

P E Mead & Sons Farm Shop Wilstone, Near Tring HP23 4NT

carpets oriental rugs upholstery 35

Greenway

•

• fully insured

David Green

01442 876622 07884 058795

Berkhamsted

•

HP4

3JE

01442 828478 Opening Times

Mon-Sat: 9am - 5:30pm Sunday: 9:30am - 4:30pm

www.pemeadandsons.co.uk

LOCAL SERVICES

GARDENING SERVICES

48 / Berkhamsted Living

l

HANDYMAN

Tree Care l Fencing

LANDSCAPING

For all carpentry and landscaping!

A friendly, reliable service from a local tradesman! Hourly rate for a small job / daily rate for larger jobs!

Call Ash Sutherland now on:

01296 662138 or 07547 483495 e: info@ahtk.co.uk

www.ahtk.co.uk

CALL 01442 824300 TO ADVERTISE

www.livingmags.info

OFFICE SPACE

CALL 01442 824300

OVEN CLEANING

• professional Berkhamsted good value Oven Cleaning Ltd • •fully insured

TO ADVERTISE

LOCKSMITH

complete valet service for: OFFICE SPACE TO LET IN BERKHAMSTED • Office sizes to suit • Excellent faclities • Ample parking

Contact: 07719 441200

all ovens, hobs & extractors 35

Greenway

•

01442 876622 07884 058795

Berkhamsted

LOCAL SERVICES

All types of decorative work undertaken.

Excellent rates and references.

25 yrs in the trade.

Call Mike on...

01442 822684 07534 109823 michaelcasingena@hotmail.co.uk

SCULPTING

Small, professional, local business carrying out all aspects of central heating, gas & plumbing work including bathrooms and emergencies.

STORAGE

self access storage DAGNALL - HP4 1QZ

Clean, dry and weatherproof Storage Containers to 1000sqft internal storage space, available for rental. Ideal for home and business items. Discreet, Secure, Floodlit, 24/7 digital CCTV

07790 515 605

jonbasson66@yahoo.co.uk GAS SERVICES &www.jbplumbandheat.co.uk PLUMBING Ashley Green, Chesham, Bucks HP5 3PL

email: storage@brdac.com

STOVES & CHIMNEYS

PA BARHAM LTD Call Pete

07831 363182 01442 843703

email: peter.barham1@btinternet.com

www.pabarham.com GAS SAFE REG NO: 132452

TV AERIALS

Tel: 07855 264648

• Boiler service repair & installation • System upgrades • Power flushing • All types of plumbing • Gas safety certification

CHILTERN CHIMNEYS

01442 890041 07921 847317

3JE

PETS

Painter & Decorator

JB Services Plumbing and Heating

HP4

SUMMER BOOKING DEADLINE 25-4-19 / CALL 01442 824300 TO ADVERTISE

Michael Casingena

192819

•

www.berkhamstedovencleaning.co.uk

PAINTING & DECORATING

PLUMBING/HEATING

David Green

■ Power Sweeping - using the latest technology & equipment ■ Wood-Burning & Multi-Fuel Stoves - supplied & fitted ■ Chimney Flues re-lined ■ Cowls & Chimney Pots fitted ■ Bird Nests removed ■ Safety Inspections

SUMMER BOOKING DEADLINE 25-4-19 Spring 2019 / 49

LOCAL ESSENTIALS Need a number in a hurry?

Keep this page handy

TRANSPORT

Bus

0300 123 4050 or visit www.intalink.org.uk

Visit our website for more essential services and telephone numbers including opticians, dental surgeries and vets for both Tring and Berkhamsted www.livingmags.info/berkhamstedessential-services

30/31 to Hemel Hempstead via Ashridge, the Gaddesdens and Potten End (not Sun)

Defibrillator machines in the town

502/532 to Northchurch via Sportspace (not Sun)

centre can be found by The Civic Centre, 161 High Street, Berkhamsted HP4 3HD. For a full list of defibrillators in the east of England, visit our website using the above link.

HEALTH

A&E Hemel Hempstead Hospital & Urgent Care Centre (Open 24/7) Hillfield Road, Hemel Hempstead HP2 4AD. 01442 213141 Late Night Pharmacy Open until 10.30pm 7 days a week 172 Tring Road, Bedgrove, Aylesbury HP20 1JR. 01296 432 696

ADDITIONAL USEFUL NUMBERS Police Emergency 999 Police Non-Emergency 101 NHS Medical Advice Line 111 Samaritans Call free from any phone on 116 123 Child Line For free and confidential help for young people: 0800 1111

354 to Northchurch (not Sun) 354 to Chesham (not Sun) 500/501 to Aylesbury via Tring 500/501 to Watford via Hemel Hempstead 502/532 to Hemel Hempstead via Potten End

Community Action

This service provides older or disabled people who have difficulties in using public transport safe, reliable and accessible transport to a local supermarket. 01442 253935 or visit www. communityactiondacorum.org/door-to-store.

Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday morning of each month to Waitrose, Berkhamsted.

Train

London Northwestern Railway 0333 3110039 or visit www.londonnorthwesternrailway.co.uk to download the operator’s app To London Euston via Hemel Hempstead and Watford Junction To Northampton via Leighton Buzzard and Milton Keynes Southern Railway 0345 1272920 or 0208 1850778 from a mobile, or visit www.southernrailway.com To Milton Keynes via Leighton Buzzard To South Croydon via Watford, Olympia and Clapham Junction

Taxis Ace Taxi Hire 01442 874700 / 01442 872872 Choice Yellow Cabs 01442 875100 Berko Black Cab 07961 594435

50 / Berkhamsted Living

[In Alison’s hands] these publications can only go from strength to strength!

Sallie April 2018

This is a great magazine and resource that can only get better [with Alison Page at the helm] Sue August 2018

The Living magazine is a great way to find out what’s going on locally. I bought a necklace from Maggie J Jewellers after seeing it in an issue of Tring Living, it’s packed with great content.

Dee June 2018

Great magazines - I’ve been receiving either Tring or Berkhamsted Living in all my years in the area and find them so useful! In my work life I’ve placed advertisements, had leaflets inserted and secured editorial coverage for several different clients. The Living Magazines team are a total pleasure to work with supporting local businesses and a key part of our local community themselves.

Thanks Alison and colleagues!

Charlotte November 2018

The best local magazines for Tring and Berkhamsted. Packed with local info. Really useful and always a joy to receive.

Sandra January 2019

It’s a great magazine!

Emily January 2019

I love your magazine!

Helen January 2019

Fab magazine for someone who likes to know what’s going on locally!

Anna November 2018

WHY OUR READERS LOVE LIVING MAGAZINES I enjoyed your last issue being a Berko resident!

Jonathan November 2018

I’ve worked with Alison Page Marketing frequently over the last ten years. This year I’m delighted to be undertaking my first ever printed adverts with Living Magazines.

With a new programme of gardening & craft workshops coming up in 2019 Living Magazines will connect me with a new local & regional audience. Thanks Alison for your help with putting the advert together.

Helen Reely of Helen Reeley Gardens Feb 2019

I read the magazine while staying with my sister at Cowroast, Nr Tring and was looking through the magazine for local attractions and places to visit.

Will definitely get my sister to pass her next copy on to me.

Wendy February 2019

A rare gem of a local magazine that is worth reading!

Great balance of interesting articles and useful local information. There’s always something that catches my eye to buy in the shopping section or a cafe or restaurant that I have to try after reading a review. Long may it continue to pop through my letterbox!

Abi September 2018

Great Christmas issue of Tring Living!

John December 2018

SUMMER 2019 BOOKING DEADLINE 25 APRIL. TO ADVERTISE CALL 01442 824300

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