Berkhamsted Living Magazine - Spring 2024 by Magazine

ISSUE 90

BERKHAMSTED

SPRING 2024

LIVE | LIFE | LOCAL

SERVING THE COMMUNITY AND SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES SINCE 2001

BUILDING ON THE TOWN’S HISTORY Taking a closer look at some of Berkhamsted’s historic buildings

TREE-MENDOUS How to choose the perfect tree for a small garden

PAWSITIVE VIBES Meet our readers’ furry and not-so furry friends!

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Welcome to the Spring issue!

BERKHAMSTED SPRING 2024

t’s been a long, rather wet winter, but improved weather and brighter days will hopefully see all of us getting out and about far more in the coming months. There’s so much to see and do, just within Berkhamsted and its surrounding villages. We were reminded of that recently while researching our local history feature - which takes a look at just some of the interesting architecture around the town. There’s much more than we’ve identified - take the chance to tour the town and discover its rich history for yourself. Of course the coming weeks also give us the chance to enjoy Mother’s Day and Easter - see our special hot cross bun recipe - and check out all the local events in our What’s On section! We’ve really enjoyed seeing the photos of some of your pets for our new feature. We hope you enjoy them too! If you missed out on the opportunity for this issue, do send in your photos for the summer magazines. And looking ahead to the summer, we have

CONTENTS 4

News and views from Berkhamsted and surrounding villages

16 Shop local: treat yourself to something special

22 The historic architecture of Berkhamsted

26 Books: local authors and recommended reads

28 Pawsitive vibes - meet our

a second chance for you to win tickets to local music festival, Chilfest, taking place in July. As always, the magazine includes lots of local news, and features on everything from enhancing learning in later life, to choosing trees for a smaller space, and looking beyond the greenwashing to tell just how eco-friendly the products you buy really are. Importantly, we also look into the significance of empowering our teen girls, with local expert Caroline Walker. If you want to be involved in the next issue, please email Naomi at editorial@livingmags.info with your news prior to our summer issue. Happy reading!

Alison and Naomi

Editor Owner &

PER IS WRAP ZINE ADE M AG A BLE. M A T S H, O STARC CO M P TATO O P . IC T F RO M S LA N OT P

30 Kids’ puzzles 34 Encouraging teen girls to embrace their uniqueness

38 Enhanced learning in

42 Choosing trees

for small spaces

45 New: Codeword 46 Greenwashing - making sense of eco-friendly claims

later life

40 Hot cross buns for Good Friday!

41 Quick Crossword

readers’ furry friends!

IN LIVINGMAFOGS@ .INFO

48 What’s on 53 Win tickets to Chilfest! 54 Local Classifieds

The only local magazine offering shrink-wrapped guaranteed delivery to 11,467* addresses in the HP4 postcode area, by Royal Mail every quarter. *Royal Mail postcode data . Published quarterly in March, June, September & December The Team: Publisher: Alison Page / Editor: Naomi MacKay / Designer: Neil Randle Registered Address: Jubilee Gardens, Tring, Herts HP23 4JG. Living Magazines are published by independent publisher Alison Page Marketing. 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.

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Hector’s House hits high note with TV show

erkhamsted-based suicide prevention and mental health support charity Hector’s House has been chosen as one of the Charities of the Year for prime-time ITV show The Masked Singer. The charity was set up in memory of Hector Stringer - who was just 18 years old when he took his own life. His family have dedicated their lives to help the Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire community to prioritise their mental health, so no other family experiences the grief they had to face on that morning in April 2011. ‘We were blown away to be one of the chosen charities by The Masked Singer,’ said Robert Stringer, chairperson and Hector’s father. ‘It was a real ‘pinch-me’ moment when we got the call. Since setting up Hector’s House in 2016 in memory of our son Hector, we cannot tell the local community how grateful we are for their support. And this partnership is a direct result of their unwavering love for our small charity. ‘This partnership with The Masked Singer is a fantastic opportunity for us to reach even more people in need of support, to tell them it’s OK to need help with their mental health and so they know they can text HECTOR to 85258 or get in touch with our small team on hihector@ hectorshouse.org.uk. It means a great deal to us to know even one person might be saved thanks to this amazing partnership - we cannot thank The Masked Singer enough!’

4 / Berkhamsted Living

Niall Carmichael-Johns, Bandicoot commercial affairs producer, said: ‘We are very excited to be partnering with Hector’s House for an electrifying adventure on the latest series of The Masked Singer. Brace yourselves for a rollercoaster of surprises and jaw-dropping performances that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Plus, by joining forces with Hector’s House we’re hoping to make a positive impact on young people and adults as our loyal fans connect with all the great work they do. This series is not just a show, it’s a thrilling journey for the whole family!’ You can catch The Masked Singer on ITV on Saturday nights at 7pm, or on the ITV Hub. www.hectorshouse.org.uk

Gear up to help homeless charity

yclists can get pedalling to help local homeless charity DENS on Sunday 28 April at Hemel Hempstead’s Gadebridge Park. The DENS Hillbuster, in partnership with British Cycling, boasts a selection of routes that take riders over the rolling Chiltern Hills and through the countryside of Herts, Beds and Bucks. With a choice of 25k, 60k, 100k and 120k routes on offer, the charity is encouraging riders of all backgrounds and abilities to take on the challenge for a worthy cause. Book your space at www.dens.org.uk/cycle

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Book a CPRE speaker

id you know that Hertfordshire countryside charity, the CPRE, offers talks to local organisations? The CPRE usually asks for a donation in return for talks, but this can be reduced for smaller groups. Email office@cpreherts.org.uk to enquire. More about CPRE Hertfordshire at www.cpreherts.org.uk

Plan to protect Ashridge

he National Trust has launched ‘Protecting Our Roots’, a strategic project dedicated to safeguarding the future of Ashridge Estate. Its website states: ‘The volume of feet, tyres, paws and hooves on the same ground is causing the ancient soil and the special biodiversity within it to become worn away. ‘We need to make changes to the infrastructure across the estate. This is likely to include new visitor hubs, new car parking arrangements on Monument Drive, surfacing some of the most well-used paths and resting other areas to allow them to recover.’ Details at: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/ essex-bedfordshire-hertfordshire/ashridgeestate/protecting-the-future-of-ashridgeestate

Dacorum Local Plan consultation

he six-week consultation for the revised draft Dacorum Local Plan closed in December, with more than 1,300 people having their say on how Dacorum should look until 2040. The next version of the plan is due in October, after Dacorum Borough Council has finished reviewing all the responses. According to the timeline, it should go for government approval in February 2025, with adoption slated for one year later in February 2026. The council said: ‘The comments provided during this consultation on our Revised Strategy for Growth will strongly influence the creation of the new Dacorum Local Plan 2024-2040.’

Splash of cash for pool

acorum Borough Council has been awarded £47,466 from the first phase of central Government’s £20 million Swimming Pool Support Fund to cover part of its energy costs towards Berkhamsted swimming pool, which is run by Everyone Active on behalf of the council The council said that with recent rises in energy costs, the funding will help towards immediate maintenance costs, heating and pool chemicals.

Pop in to Pop Up Makers Market

here’s a chance to support local small businesses in a new pop-up market coming to Berkhamsted this March. Jo Esson of Lucky Lobster Art told Berkhamsted Living: ‘Meeting the people who make the

6 / Berkhamsted Living

products and supporting local is an amazing shopping experience. Finding out how things are made, and talking to an artist or maker is a great way to connect with local businesses.’ Visit our What’s On section for details.

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145 years of making music

LOCAL

024 marks the 145th year of Montague Pianos’ continuous operation in Berkhamsted, marking a key milestone in its history. The piano showroom is a familiar landmark on Northchurch High Street. The business was established in 1879 – the same year as the invention of the incandescent light bulb by Thomas Edison – changing hands from Tom Montague to Heckscher Pianos in the 1990s. In 2014, musician Lee Chapman took the reins of the business, supported by his family. Montague Pianos’ accolades include the prestigious Retailer of the Year national award from the Music Industry Association, and accreditation by the Arts Council initiative Take it Away scheme, making piano ownership an affordable reality for aspiring and experienced musicians alike. Patrons have included famous composers, establishments such as the Royal Opera House,

and countless musicians of different ages and abilities. The legacy of Montague Pianos has inspired the name Montague Mews, a new 10-home residential development located at the rear of the shop. Reflecting on this anniversary, director Lee Chapman remarked: ‘We are proud to continue the rich heritage of Montague Pianos into 2024. Reaching 145 years is not just an achievement for us but a celebration for the local community who have steadfastly supported this familyowned business. We look forward to continuing to support practising and established musicians alike on their musical journey.’ For more information, visit www.montaguepianos.co.uk.

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Bus-y start for Lynx service

ertsLynx, Hertfordshire’s on-demand bus service, has had a busy start since launching in December. The new service in Dacorum offers a flexible, bookable transport provision for residents in rural areas. The HertsLynx service does not follow fixed routes or timetables, instead passengers use the service to travel anywhere within the operating zone by booking their journey through the app, website or via the call centre, selecting when and

where they wish to travel. The service operates between 7am and 7pm Monday-Friday and 10am and 4pm on weekends and bank holidays. The fleet of three 16-seat Mercedes accessible minibuses, have free passenger Wi-Fi and on-board USB charging. Journeys can be booked though the HertsLynx app, online at bookings.hertslynx.co.uk or over the phone on 01992 555513.

Go for gold at Gaddesden RDA

addesden Place is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and is encouraging supporters to help raise funds. The organisation’s 50 for 50 fundraising campaign challenges you/your team to accomplish and get sponsorship for 50 things, no matter how big or small, to fundraise for its 50th anniversary. From small acts of kindness to daring feats of

courage, every effort counts. It could be to walk, ride, run, swim 50 miles/km/laps, play 50 golf holes, a sponsored silence for 50 hours, make and sell 50 cupcakes… you get the idea! Whatever your idea, sign up and join in at https://app.goodhub.com/rda50for50 to make your own sponsorship page that you can share with family and friends.

Ed’s top marks win prize

inancial adviser Ed Evans has been awarded the Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning Prize for the 2022 academic year by The Insurance Institute of London, also known as the London Institute of the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) and the Personal Finance Society (PFS).

8 / Berkhamsted Living

Ed was awarded this prize for obtaining the highest average mark in the Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning examinations across the 100+ London Institute members who completed the examinations in 2022. Ed joined Stringer Mann Chartered Financial Planners in Berkhamsted, in 2022 after completing a comprehensive training programme at the St. James’s Place Financial Adviser Academy.

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Start spring as a volunteer

erkhamsted’s Rectory Lane Cemetery invites you to roll up your sleeves and join their volunteers for two sessions of gardening and groundwork. Everyone is welcome to join their Wednesday Work Party on 20 March and tackle a variety of green tasks in this award-winning community space. On Saturday 23 March they will be promoting their ‘Adopt a Grave’ scheme, where individual volunteers care for a memorial by creating a miniature garden filled with pollinatorfriendly plants. For details on Spring Volunteering sessions follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ rectorylanecemetery, and for the Adopt a Grave Scheme email team@rectorylanecemetery.org.uk

Helping older people

ast year, the Age UK Hertfordshire Information & Advice team helped older people claim £8.1 million of their benefit entitlements, and distributed £80,000 of food vouchers so they had additional assistance with the costs of living. The food vouchers were made possible by Hertfordshire County Council via the Household Support Fund. Call 0300 345 3446 to find out more. 10 / Berkhamsted Living

New Chief Inspector for Dacorum

new Chief Inspector is at the helm of policing in Dacorum. Dave Skarratts took up the post in January from his predecessor CI Jason Keane. As Chief Inspector, Dave is responsible for overseeing the work of the Neighbourhood Policing Team, which consists of officers and PCSOs who work alongside local partners, to focus on solving long and short-term neighbourhood issues, such as anti-social behaviour, speeding, criminal damage, theft and drug related crime. He is also responsible for managing the Local Crime Unit, which investigates the more serious crimes such as robbery and burglary.

Opposition to Castle Hill SANG

proposal to turn agricultural land at Castle Hill into a Suitable Accessible Natural Green Space (SANG), has received a number of objections from local residents. The SANG would see the area fenced off and landscaped, and a car park and paths created. The Town Council, CPRE and The Chiltern Society have all raised objections to the proposal. Search https://planning.dacorum.gov.uk for more details.

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Cheyney’s teams up with Open Door

small farming enterprise in Ashridge has teamed up with community cafe and arts space Open Door to help its community food programme. Cheyney’s approached Open Door with the idea of donating organic veg boxes to support the programme. This means that box subscribers now have the choice to donate their box to Open Door, should they be on holiday or wish to pause their deliveries for whatever reason.

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LOCAL

The produce will be used to cook meals to serve in the community café, or to fill the Community Pantry, which is available 24/7 for people to access should they need food. Max, who was born and raised in Berkhamsted, and his team from Cheyney’s also produce eggs from pasture-fed happy chickens up at Hill Farm in Ashridge. Following a period of travelling, Max was inspired to try to make some real positive change to food systems in the UK, and went on to set up his own small farming enterprise that dealt with producing the very best quality food based on permaculture principles. Cheyney’s was born in 2019 and is growing steadily. Find out more at www.cheyneys.com.

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Share your eco vision for the town

hat do you want Berkhamsted and the surrounding area to be like in a decade or two? If you’re concerned about climate change and how nature is being depleted in England, head to the relaunch of Transition Town Berkhamsted. On 15 June at the Town Hall, EcoBerko will be relaunching what was Transition Town Berkhamsted (TTB) and would love to hear from as many people as possible about their vision for the area. Chairperson John Bell said: ‘We don’t need to wait, possibly in vain, for someone else, we can get on with it as the vibrant community we are. Lowering emissions will save money, improve health, and free us from dependence on others for energy and food. TTB has been around for 15 years, putting solar panels on Ashlyns, running events and a lot more. Now is the time to up our ambition. If you have a project idea, or to get involved, please email me at john.bell@transitionberkhamsted.org.uk.’

NEWS IN BRIEF Lussmanns has renamed its existing restaurant on Berkhamsted High Street as The Five Bells, referencing the building’s former life as one of Berkhamsted’s oldest and most famous pubs. The Five Bells has been brought back to life more than 150 years since serving its last pint, by Hertfordshire’s most sustainable restaurant group. Owner of the new-look Five Bells Bar & Dining, Andrei Lussmann, says it will be a destination where people can come and enjoy a relaxing drink and/or meal – a far cry from the bare-knuckle boxing that the pub became notorious for in Victorian times.

Save the date!

Make a date with the Medieval Festival, which will be held in Kitchener’s Field on 25-26 August. This is a community/family event organised by Berkhamsted & District Chamber of Commerce. Organisers promise several interesting new acts and events, including a fire-eater!

Podiatrist steps into impressive 100 list

aggie Trevillion from Callen Olive Podiatry in Berkhamsted has been crowned one of the UK’s most impressive female entrepreneurs by Small Business Britain’s ‘f:Entrepreneur #IAlso100’ campaign.

12 / Berkhamsted Living

Maggie, who founded Callen Olive, a luxury vegan range of skincare for legs and feet in 2022, has been profiled among 100 inspirational female entrepreneurs from across the country, as part of the campaign to celebrate the multiachievements of women running businesses in the UK today.

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01442 874888 stringermann@sjpp.co.uk www.stringermann.com Stringer Mann Chartered Financial Planners is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The ‘St. James’s Place Partnership’ and the titles ‘Partner’ and ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives. SJP Approved 17/01/2024

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Could you help a Councils oppose young person? further airport

re you an empathetic and understanding person who has a spare hour each week to make a positive difference in a young person’s life? If so, MCR Pathways is seeking enthusiastic volunteers to join their team as a mentor. MCR Pathways is an award-winning mentoring charity that is dedicated to addressing inequality in education outcomes, career opportunities, and life chances for care-experienced young people and those experiencing disadvantage. The Young Talent programme has been in place in Hertfordshire since the end of 2021 and is currently working in 11 schools in the county: Stevenage, Hertford, Cheshunt, Hemel, Watford and Tring. Register at www.mcrpathways.org or contact peter.hopkins@mcrpathways.org with any questions.

Estate agents wins big at awards

keman Residential has bagged the coveted gold medal for Best Letting Agent in Berkhamsted at the prestigious British Property Awards. Lucinda, co-director of Akeman Residential, said: ‘We’re ecstatic to be recognised by the British Property Awards, especially within our first year, it’s an incredible achievement. It proves that our combined 35 years of experience in the industry are translating into real benefits for landlords and tenants in the Berkhamsted area.’

14 / Berkhamsted Living

expansion

he Planning Inspectorate is currently examining an application to increase Luton Aiport’s annual number of passengers from 19m to 32m a year. The application, which has been made by Luton Rising, the airport’s owner, is being examined as a National Significant Infrastructure Project. Herts County Council is opposing the plans, and in a recent budget meeting, director of growth and place Colin Haigh explained that the council was opposing the expansion due to its environmental impacts - including carbon footprint, noise and pollution. Another factor is traffic congestion and its impact on the highway network in Hertfordshire. Mr Haigh added that the council was also looking at gaining mitigation for the county should the development be approved - which could include funding for those roads affected by congestion. Commenting on the project, Councillor Ron Tindall, Leader of Dacorum Borough Council, said: ‘We remain very concerned at the further expansion of the airport giving rise to greater carbon emissions, noise, air quality and traffic congestion. ‘Together with Hertfordshire County Council and other local authorities, we continue to fight the further expansion of the airport to 32 million passengers per annum through the ongoing examination process.’

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Celebrating the Citizens’ Centenary

erkhamsted Citizens Association (BCA) will celebrate its centenary this July: 100 years of serving and promoting the town of Berkhamsted - not forgetting Northchurch. This year, specifically for the Centenary, the Association has restored the Town Shield (outside the Civic Centre), which it originally donated to the Town in 1953 to mark the late Queen Elizabeth’s coronation. Look out for the grand unveiling! Ever since its foundation in 1924 the BCA has been proud of its ambition but also enthusiastic about its present and its future: 100 years of fighting for the town’s historic fabric, for its amenities, for access to the surrounding countryside, its promotion of the town’s businesses, and its encouragement to the town’s citizens to participate in the democratic process. This year will see a General Election, when the BCA will hold its traditional Hustings to

showcase the candidates for the newly formed Harpenden & Berkhamsted constituency – not to be missed! The BCA is nowadays perhaps most associated with its very popular Footpath Map (including places for refreshment!) – most recently re-published in 2014 to celebrate the BCA’s 90th anniversary but based on a version first launched in the 1930s. The BCA’s defence of the historic built environment is the core of its ‘serious’ work, and its Townscape Group has helped it achieve a formal place in the planning process as a ‘consultee’. Since 1981 the association has given its Environment Award for additions or changes to the town at its AGM - this year it will be held on 21 March. For more details see www.berkhamstedcitizens.org.uk

Festival focuses on the chalk of the Chiltern Hills

ntil April, the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs (CCC) scheme is celebrating the special chalk bedrock of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural beauty (AONB) with a festival of events: Chilterns Chalk. There are all kinds of things planned, from wildlife talks to practical habitat management, river-dipping to geology walks, all ending with a big celebration of everything chalky at the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Heritage Railway. The characteristic chalk and flint of the Chilterns formed around 100 million years ago under a warm, tropical sea as the remains of millions of microscopic algae fell to the seabed.

The same movements of the Earth’s crust that formed the Alps caused this thick bed of chalk to buckle and emerge from the retreating sea, exposing it to the elements and eventually creating the landscape we see today – one rich in wildlife and history. For many millennia, people have used and celebrated the chalk here. From Stone Age flint tools to modern cement, grassy slopes to clear streams, the chalk bedrock has provided the means for shelter, food, agriculture, industry, and art. Chilterns Chalk celebrates this connection to our landscape, both ancient and modern. Events include a guided walk around College Lake in Tring - see our What’s On pages for more events. See www.chilternsaonb.org/ chalkcherrieschairs for more details.

Living Magazines | 01442 824300 | info@livingmags.info Spring 2024 / 15

LOCAL

SHOP LOCAL Don’t just head online, visit your local High Street. Here’s some ideas! 03

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Elementary Skin & Body - Tring 01 Kombucha Infusion Sheet Mask £9 02 Rejuvenate Reed Diffuser £44 03 Sweet Orange & Rosemary Hand & Body Wash £22 16 / Berkhamsted Living

Fancy That - Tring 04 Moongazing Hare Card £3 & Mounted Print £20 05 Jellycat Marshmallows £24 06 Jellycat Jack £39 07 Indigo Jug £18

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PE Mead & Sons - Tring 08 Local Cow Juice Milkshake Returnable Bottle £2.95 09 Home Produced Apple Juice £2.95 10 Just Biscuits £3.25 Puddingstone Distillery - Tring 11 Campfire London Dry Gin £38 Puddingstone Distillery Gin Glass £6 each

Whilst we have made every effort to ensure these details are correct, you must confirm directly with the retailer.

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The Tudor Court House

Building on the town’s history

Taking a closer look at some of Berkhamsted’s historic buildings

“

There’s architecture covering hundreds of years of history, from the Victorian Town Hall and Tudor houses to Carolean almshouses and the oldest extant jettied timber-framed building in England

“

hen you live or work in the town, it’s easy to not notice some of the fabulous buildings you pass as you hurry to the office or head out to do the shopping. But next time you’re on the High Street, take a moment to take a good look at what’s around you. There’s architecture covering hundreds of years of history, from the Victorian Town Hall (picture 1) and Tudor houses to Carolean almshouses and the oldest extant jettied timber-framed building in England. One building that’s hard to miss, with its ornate frontage, is the Town Hall. This neoGothic building was designed by Victorian architect Edward Buckton Lamb - sometimes described as a ‘Rogue-Gothic Revivalist’.

22 / Berkhamsted Living

It was designed to offer a public meeting room, a market hall and to be home to the Berhamsted Mechanics’ Institute, when it was built in 1859. The eccentric architect was chosen to design the building by Lady Marion Alford, the mother of the young Earl Brownlow. And his other sponsors were no less worthy. He was responsible for the Disraeli Monument on Tinker’s Hill in Hughenden Valley near High Wycombe, which politician Benjamin Disraeli described as ‘both for design, execution and even material is one of the most beautiful things not only in the County of Buckingham, but in England!’ He was so impressed that he commissioned Lamb to remodel Hughenden Manor (picture 2).

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Despite his popularity among the wealthy, Lamb was criticised for breaking convention. Although he was later described by Nikolaus Pevsner, an art historian and architectural historian, as ‘the most original though certainly not the most accomplished architect of his day’. Pevsner, who wrote a 46-volume series of county-by-county guides, The Buildings of England, also identified Dean Incent’s House (pictures 3 & 4) (across from Saint Peter’s Church) as ‘the best house in Berkhamsted.’ The timber-framed house was built in the latter part of the 15th century and not only was it the birthplace of John Incent (14801545), who was chaplain to Henry VIII during his divorce from Catherine of Aragon, and became Dean of Saint Paul’s Cathedral, London, from 1540 to 1545, but it belonged to Robert and Katherine Incent. Robert Incent was secretary to Cecily Neville, Duchess of York, who was the last royal resident at Berkhamsted Castle, and mother of two kings - Edward IV and Richard III. The castle became her primary residence in 1471. She died in 1495. John Incent also played a major part in Berkhamsted’s history, founding Dean Incent’s Free School in Berkhamsted in 1541 today it is Berkhamsted School. At 173 High Street (picture 5), almost opposite WH Smith, you’ll find what is thought to be the oldest extant jettied timberframed building in England, dating back to the late 13th century. Although its facade dates back to Victorian times, its medieval timber frame came to light during renovations at the start of this century. At the time, Dr Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage, said: ‘This is an amazing discovery. It gives an extraordinary insight into how Berkhamsted High Street would have looked in medieval times.’ While evidence that its life before it became a pharmacy was as a jeweller or goldsmith’s shop with a workshop behind prompted

LOCAL HISTORY

claims that it was the country’s oldest shop, there are doubts about how long it has actually been a shop and is now believed to have originally been a jettied service wing to a larger house. The Grade II* Listed building is now home to Sterling estate agents. To the 16th Century now and the Tudor Court House (now the parish hall) that sits next to Saint Peter’s Church. This timberframed building is made from red brick and

Living Magazines | 01442 824300 | info@livingmags.info Spring 2024 / 23

John Sayer’s Almshouses

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The Sayer Almshouses were given to the town by John Sayer, who was Charles II’s chief cook and a friend of Samuel Pepys. He lived in Berkhamsted Place

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knapped flint and has a jettied wooden first floor, and it’s believed that it may have been built on the site of an earlier, medieval building. It could be considered the town’s first town hall, as the town council first met there in 1618. The courts of the Manor and Honour of Berkhamsted, held on Whit Tuesday and on the Tuesday after Michaelmas, met to hear ‘all pleas, actions, suits or offences against the laws and liberty of the manor’. In 1838 it became the home of the National School (which would have provided elementary education for the poor), when

LOCAL HISTORY

additional rooms were built on the back of the house, and the cottage next door was built for the schoolmaster. The Court House has had other uses - it was used as an orderly room in World War I, was an extension hospital during the Spanish Flu epidemic in 1918, and became a school once more to cope with the influx of evacuees. The Sayer Almshouses on the corner of Cowper Road, meanwhile, have offered homes to the benefit of people in need for almost 350 years. They were given to the town by John Sayer, who was Charles II’s chief cook and a friend of Samuel Pepys. He lived in Berkhamsted Place. Sayer bequeathed £1,000 in trust ‘for the building of an almshouse and the purchasing of lands for the relief of the poor in Berkhamsted St Peter’, and it was his wife Mary who saw that his wishes TO were fulfilled. The buildings cost £269, and TELEPHONE: the rest of the money 01442 was invested. You can find Sayer’s 824300 black and white marble BOOK MULTIPLE tomb in the Lady Chapel ISSUES TO RECEIVE of St Peter’s church on A SERIES DISCOUNT. the High Street.

S 2024

E BOOKING DEADLIN SUMMER 2024 BOOKING & NEWS DEADLINE 24/04/24 DISTRIBUTION FROM 03/06/24 AUTUMN 2024 BOOKING & NEWS DEADLINE 24-07-24 DISTRIBUTION FROM 02-09-24 WINTER 2024 BOOKING & NEWS DEADLINE 23/10/24 DISTRIBUTION FROM 02/12/24

24 / Berkhamsted Living

BOOK

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EARN MORE FROM YOUR HOME WITH PASS THE KEYS Hassle free ‘short term rental’ management and cleaning service Put your house to work and maximise your earnings this year. There is an increasing demand throughout The Chilterns area for ‘short term rentals’ oﬀering overnight accommodation to visitors for both business and leisure. Could you be making some extra cash? Setting up and managing your property as a short term rental on platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.com couldn’t be easier with the help of Pass The Keys, the perfect partner to get your place up and running.

“I love that Adam and his team are ‘just up the road’, it gives me great peace of mind to know that my property is in good hands. I’m new to the short term rental market and already reaping the beneﬁts. It’s super ﬂexible, I can use my house whenever I need it and it’s always clean and still feels like home” Victoria, Walters Ash “We pride ourselves on our local knowledge, quality of service and ongoing guest management - that’s why we have a 5 star rating on Trustpilot” Adam Michaels, Pass the Keys Chilterns

Whether you’re a frequent traveller or you want to see the beneﬁts of a short term rental versus a long term let, Adam and his local team based in Amersham will guide you through every step of the way. If you’re interested in learning more or would like to enquire about getting your home set up as a short term rental, then give Adam and his team a call today. passthekeys.com/chilterns 01494 411466 chilterns@passthekeys.co.uk

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OUR BOOK CHOICES Here at Our Bookshop in Tring, we are passionate about reading. And we have put together the following recommendations for you to enjoy. Look out for our future picks in the next edition. Kristin Hannah tackles one of the most despicable wars of the last century, the Vietnam War. This is our March Book of the Month. Kristin will be joining us for our Bookclub meeting.

Winner of the 2023 Goldsmiths Prize, and voted book of the year by The Times, Guardian, Telegraph and New Statesman. The triumphant new novel from the Walter Scott Prize-winning author of The Gallows Pole and The Ofﬁng is now out in paperback.

The outstanding new thriller from the no.1 internationally bestselling author of The Silent Patient, Alex Michaelides. Join Alex and author Harriet Tyce in Our Bookshop for a book event in April.

Our Childrenʼs book (for 7–11-year-olds) tells the story of a feather heist from a Natural History Museum. Sounds familiar!? The author took inspiration from Tringʼs famous news story. Signed copies in stock.

87 High Street, Tring, HP23 4AB 01442 827653 www.ourbookshoptring.co.uk shop@ourbookshoptring.co.uk

Born in Toronto, Canada, and now living in the United Kingdom, Jay Myers is ALSO the author oF: Twenty Million Leagues Above the Sea; The Colour Conspiracy; heriff; AND The Oxymoron Murders & Stories of the UnexpecteD.

Farmer Will Farmer Will Young hardly adheres to the traditional image of a farmer - this attractive young man, who initially had plans to be a professional footballer, has made his name on TikTok - and even had a stint on TV’s Love Island. Bringing his love of animals to the fore, this charming book gives an insight into life on his Aylesbury farm in a very accessible way.

The Man Alone with the Lake R T Warner Achieving your dream life is something many of us aspire to - but what happens when that REVIEW dream comes at the cost of your wellbeing? When a 22-year-old football prodigy, achieves his COPY career dreams, he finds that it is not what he envisaged. And when a life-altering incident prompts him to re-evaluate his life journey, he realises that what he really yearns for is a life where is utterly alone. This is the first outing for St Albans-based author R T Warner, who is currently studying medicine at University.

The Deadly Detective Agency Ann Parker It’s not often you get to solve your own murder, but that’s exactly what happens to Abigail Summers when she wakes up dead! Set in Becklesfield, a fictional village in the Chilterns, Abigail finds herself working with psychic Hayley Moon and her policeman husband, to find out how she died. This truly English mystery, complete with May Fayre and Maypole dancing, has a touch of the paranormal thrown in. Warners End author Ann Parker previously ran a dressmaking business, but since retiring has published children’s book Magic & Memories and signed a contract for two cosy murder mysteries - this is the first.

Once Upon A Time at the Hotel Midnight Jay M Myers Mystery magic and allure - that’s what you’ll find in this tale of jazz musician, Myles Jakeman, who finds himself at The Hotel Midnight in London in 1936, where jazz, romance ONCE UPON A TIME AT THE and revenge take centre stage. Myles is caught in a dangerous love triangle with singing HOTEL MIDNIGHT Jay Myers sensation, Midnight Melody. But all is not what it seems: a brass key in the shape of a treble clef commands bizarre power; a hoard of priceless artefacts becomes one man’s obsession; a mysterious tunnel of music stirs the imagination, and a famous detective saves the life of King Edward VIII. Born in Canada, and now living in Wigginton, Jay Myers is also the author of Twenty Million Leagues Above the Sea; The Colour Conspiracy; I Shot the Sheriff, and The Oxymoron Murders & Other Short Stories of the Unexpected. Continued on page 32… Living Magazines | 01442 824300 | info@livingmags.info Spring 2024 / 27

Local authors! Let us know about your book releases. Email editorial@livingmags.info

tive Roule, this was no dream. ampagne, played my trumpet a woman. The picture itself lating with activity beyond d surface. I was in a place that lanation. There was music, and colour . . . life itself! Yet, le to see the outside world way back.’

For the Love of Farming

Once Upon A Time At The Hotel Midnight JAY MYErs

ian, Myles Jakeman, lurches painting. It’s 1936 at The Hotel n London where jazz, romance ge take centre stage. Accused of Mozart’s lost Trumpet Concerto, aught in a dangerous TRIANGLE th singing sensation, Midnight ality is not what it seems: y in the shape of a treble clef bizarre power; A hoard of artefacts becomes one man’s a mysterious tunnel of music magination, but where does it a famous detective saves the g Edward VIII. It’s all part of ry, magic and allure of The Hotel where inexplicable things happen urn. Is there a way back from warp without getting killed? ove prevail? Take your seat in s grand ballroom. A blast of E will set your mind abuzz as you me of the most famous songs and g artists of The Swing Era . . . a time.

BOOKS

Our choice of spring reads from local authors

Our beloved pets take the spotlight See the local friends who make our lives brighter!

Tilly a1g4ed

Send in a cute or funny pic of your furry, or not-so furry, best friend, together with their name, age and location. WhatsApp or email it over to us and then watch this space to see if it makes the cut for the next issue!

Rolo 6 aged

‘Who

me?’

‘Just lounging’ around...

Jazedz1y ag

k ‘Stuc on 2 ’’ down

Teddy

Cleo aged 8

aged 4

‘Give us a ’ ... wink

! ‘Yuum t for tea’

ag ed

Sa m

m y

Doughn

‘Right mum. What’s next?’

Bageedll1a4

‘Doh! Y caughou t me!’

Unscramble the letters: 1. NYBUN……………………………….. 2. NEH……………………………………. 3. KENCHIC…………………………….. 4. KETBAS………………………………

Easter Wordsearch

5. GEG……………………………………. 6. HESEP………………………………… 7. ARCROT……………………………… 8. WERLOF……………………………..

BUTTERFLY EGG FLOWER BUNNY

COLOUR ME IN!

HEN CHICKEN CARROT

An outstanding Independent School for boys and girls aged 3 -16 years

OPEN MORNING

Contact: 01442 256143

Friday 10th May 10:00am – 12:00pm

www.westbrookhay.co.uk

London Road, Hemel Hempstead HP1 2RF

Now extending to Year 11 and offering GCSEs

Discover the magic of Lockers Park

To be anything Achieve everything Join our Reception Stay & Play on Friday 15th March or register for our Open Day on Friday 8th March

or book a private Headmaster Tour - Ideal for 2024 and 2025 admissions Register www.lockerspark.co.uk Excellent results | Enthusiasm for life | Purposefully small

The Last Murder at the End of the World Stuart Turton This dystopian thriller revolves around a murder on an island paradise that holds what is left of the world. The story is told by Abi – an AI entity that exists in the minds of the last 125 people left on Earth. When head scientist Niema is murdered - and everyone’s memories of the night have been wiped - Emory has 91 hours to find out what happened and save the island. Berkhamsted author Stuart Turton is the Sunday Times bestselling and Costa Book Award winning author of The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle and The Devil and the Dark Water.

Finding Hope Nicola Baker The first book in a farm adventure series from Nicola Baker, star of TV’s Our Farm in the Dales. When ten-year-old Ava moves to Whistledown Farm while her parents are working abroad, she must swap city life for mud, wellies and animals. But as one catastrophe follows another, will Ava learn to love life on the farm and find hope in nature? For ages eight and above. Nicola is married to Countryfile presenter Matt Baker. She lives on a smallholding in the Chiltern Hills with her husband and two children.

07884 058 795 Professional Floor Care for your home or business CARPETS RUGS UPHOLSTERY FLOORBOARD RENOVATION www.greensofberkhamsted.com

32 / Berkhamsted Living

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19 02 20 47 41 19 0 2 02 7 1 229170 2

Outstanding care in Hemel Hempstead Outstanding care in Hemel Hempstead Outstanding care in Hemel Hempstead St Pauls Care Centre is a warm and welcoming family-run care home St Pauls Care Centre is a warm and welcoming family-run care home St Pauls Care Centre is a warm anddementia welcoming offering residential, nursing, andfamily-run palliative care care.home offering residential, nursing, dementia and palliative care. offering residential, nursing, dementia and palliative care.

Scan me Scan me Scan me

Long Mimms, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 5XW Long Mimms, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 5XW Long Mimms, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 5XW stpauls@westgatehc.co.uk StPaulsCareHome stpauls@westgatehc.co.uk StPaulsCareHome stpauls@westgatehc.co.uk StPaulsCareHome

EMPOWER THE TEEN GIRLS IN YOUR LIFE

As a girl experiences her teenage years she faces many different pressures, often affecting her confidence. It’s not easy to help girls build their self-belief, but there’s plenty we can do. Here’s three tips to empower teen girls to see the amazing individuals they are She’s unique! One of the contradictions of teenage life is that girls want to conform with their peers, but also feel like an individual. Let’s encourage girls to recognise their uniqueness. Simply by considering that there is no other individual on the planet who has the same personality, abilities, attitude, and approach as each of them. Every girl is unique. ‘Growth mindset’ is helpful here, pioneered by Carol Dweck (author of ‘Mindset’). The main idea is that having a growth mindset means believing we are all capable of developing new skills. What’s key is the effort we put in and the strategies we use. In contrast, ‘fixed mindset’ is having set ideas of what we are good or bad at (for example ‘I’m rubbish at maths’). With a fixed mindset we focus only on the end results, with an emphasis on what other people say, and external circumstances. Whereas with a growth mindset we focus on our own resources, efforts, strategies, and opinions.

34 / Berkhamsted Living

Caroline Walker from local organisation Confident Teens comments: ‘We can encourage young people to embrace growth mindset through the language we use – noticing and praising effort, and that different strategies have been used - rather than focusing purely on the end result. We can help teens see how far they have progressed over time, through their own efforts.’ Confident Teens embeds growth mindset in their approach and offers a series of prerecorded videos supporting girls to gently grow their confidence step by step. Feedback from girls includes statements such as ‘I’ve learnt how to love myself for who I am’. So much of young people’s lives is dictated by others, whether that’s the school timetable, adults’ expectations or peer pressures. But by taking a growth mindset approach the focus is on the effort they decide to make. And that is completely within their control.

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“

Support your teen girl to recognise that it is who she is as a person that matters. Her personality, for example her ability to make others laugh, to be generous, her attitude to life - all these characteristics (and more) is what makes her who she is and why people love her and want to hang out with her

“

Empowering body confidence Body confidence is a minefield for many teen girls. This is the first generation to have grown up when most images we see have been digitally manipulated to show perfection. Where shapes and sizes have been enhanced, and imperfections eradicated. Sadly, many teen girls compare their own bodies to these perfect images and think they fall short. This significantly impacts how they feel about their bodies – and affects their confidence. Our media culture has become so toxic in its pervasive message that the primary value of females is their appearance. Difficult enough for grown women to navigate, but for girls whose bodies are changing and who often feel self-conscious, it is a lot to deal with. But there are ways we can support girls. Helping them to understand that as every image has been digitally manipulated it doesn’t make sense to compare our actual, real body to something that has been created by a computer. These digital images are not real life or real bodies. Encourage girls to notice what real people look like when they are out and about. Support your teen girl to recognise that it is who she is as a person that matters. Her personality, for example her ability to make others laugh, to be generous, her attitude to life - all these characteristics (and more) is what makes her who she is and why people love her and want to hang out with her. Not the colour of her hair, or how long her legs are. As Caroline Walker from Confident Teens explains: ‘It’s who we are as people, and how we make our friends and family feel when they are with us that really matters. Not what we look like. Empowering girls to feel and believe this can help build their confidence.’

KIDS

Kind self-talk Our self-talk – what we say to ourselves as we go about our day - is the sound-track to our lives. We hear our own voice in our heads more than any other voice in our lifetime. And this voice has a powerful impact on how we feel about ourselves and our confidence. Encourage girls to notice this self-talk and become aware of how it is affecting them. For many girls this is enlightening – that their own thoughts are influencing how they are feeling about themselves. Support girls to understand they have a choice about what these thoughts are. Remind your teen to practise kind self-talk. To be supportive and encouraging to herself, instead of finding fault and criticising herself. This move from being critical to being kind is often more effective that asking girls to flip a negative thought to a positive one, which can be a stretch for many people. For more ideas and resources to empower your teen girl, visit www.ConfidentTeens. co.uk

Living Magazines | 01442 824300 | info@livingmags.info Spring 2024 / 35

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TOLD?

TOO OLD TO BE

They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but our ability to learn is much more complex than that, and the yearning for new information and new education in adulthood is one we should embrace… and the research proves it!

ecent research has shown that as we make our way through life, our learning capabilities transform in intriguing ways. In short, what has emerged is a new understanding that the complexities of the brain’s learning processes, from childhood to adulthood, are now challenging the belief that ageing equates to a decline in learning ability. Here’s how… Necessity of learning in adulthood Adults often find themselves in situations requiring new learning, such as pursuing Higher Education through platforms like the Open University, and beyond that, new skills and qualifications required for work. In the UK, a study found that while full-time education saw an enhanced 9.6% pass rate in younger students achieving 1st- or 2nd-class degree status compared to those of a mature age, in part-time study 65% of the latter qualified, as opposed to 45% of those aged 25 and below.

38 / Berkhamsted Living

Advantages adults have over young people in learning Contrary to popular belief, adults may possess certain advantages over young adults in learning. A study conducted in 2016 suggests that adults excel in focused and deliberate learning, leveraging their broader experiences and existing knowledge. Overall, older adults who learned new skills showed an increase in cognitive function their scores for such tasks were at least two to three times higher, one year after learning new skills. A plateau, followed by gradual decline Studies suggest the human brain may retain less information, the older the person is. For many adults, a plateau in cognitive abilities – including learning and thinking – is observed after reaching the 30s or 40s. This seems to then be followed by a gradual slide, particularly noticeable in tasks

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EDUCATION

Learning ability and age: you’re not as far behind as you think While it’s true that overall learning ability undoubtedly declines past early mid-age – a phenomenon evidenced by neurological studies showing changes in brain structure and blood flow – the propensity to learn actually begins to change much earlier. For instance, very young children can learn multiple languages simultaneously, yet this is a capability that diminishes quickly with age. According to research, the brain’s plasticity, which facilitates language learning, is highest until the age of just six, and gradually decreases thereafter. In other words, you’re not much less capable of learning a new language at 40 as you are at 20. Enhancing learning in later life Overall, research suggests the adage “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” is not entirely accurate when it comes to human

learning. While ageing does bring cognitive changes, continuous mental engagement and learning can mitigate these effects. Essentially, as we age, a process of neural ‘pruning’ occurs, focusing our abilities on the most relevant skills. So despite structural changes in the brain, such as reduced grey matter and blood flow, the capacity to learn new spatial information, like adapting to a new house layout, and the adaption of technical, real-life skills, or new projects, are prevalent and prominent. In short, adults bring unique strengths to the learning process, and with the right strategies and a focus on brain health, effective learning can continue throughout life.

“

In the UK, a study found that while full-time education saw an enhanced 9.6% pass rate in younger students achieving 1st- or 2ndclass degree status compared to those of a mature age, in part-time study 65% of the latter qualified, as opposed to 45% of those aged 25 and below

“

measuring processing speed and other mental capabilities, a decline that tends to accelerate further once an individual passes the age of 60. It’s felt that in order to stave off this regression, new skills should be learned by individuals.

Living Magazines | 01442 824300 | info@livingmags.info Spring 2024 / 39

BAKING

PETER SIDWELL’S PRUNE AND ORANGE HOT CROSS BUNS As a master baker and judge of ITV’s Britain’s Best Bakery, Peter Sidwell knows a thing or two about hot cross buns, as this fragrant and delicious recipe testifies

• all

rg Six la e or 10

rge or 1 Six la 0 • all rge or 1 Six la 0s m

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• all

40 / Berkhamsted Living

rge or 1 Six la 0s m

For the crosses and glazing • 1 egg, beaten, for glazing • 75g flour • 4-5 tbsp water • Runny honey to glaze

• all

For the buns • 25g unsalted butter • 500g strong flour (50:50 white and wholemeal), plus extra white flour for dusting

• 7g yeast & salt • 50g caster sugar • 150ml milk, 50ml water • 200ml green tea • 140g California Prunes, finely chopped • 50g candied orange peel, finely chopped • ½ tsp ground ginger • ½ tsp cinnamon • 3 cardamom pods (seeds only)

Method: 1. Remove the bowl from your stand mixer, then add the butter and flour. Rub the butter into the flour with your fingertips to form fine breadcrumbs. Add the yeast, salt and sugar, then stir to combine everything together. 2. In a jug, mix together the milk, water and boiled green tea, make a well in the flour mixture and pour in the liquid. Put the mixing bowl back on the stand mixer, then use the dough hook to combine wet and dry ingredients into a ball. 3. Knead the dough in the mixer for 10 minutes until smooth and stretchy. Cover the bowl with cling film and leave the dough to rise in a warm place for one hour until doubled in size. 4. Prepare the fruit and spices, then scoop the risen dough out of the bowl and stretch it over the work surface until it’s the size of A4 paper. Scatter the spices and fruit over the dough, then fold in

on itself, kneading gently to distribute throughout the dough. 5. Portion off the dough and, on a lightly floured surface, roll into balls – either six large or 10 small. Place on a floured baking tray, 1-2cm apart, and leave in a warm place for about an hour until doubled in size again. 6. Heat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/gas 4. Using a pastry brush, brush the tops of the buns with beaten egg. 7. To make the crosses, make a smooth paste with the flour and water (add 4tbsp first and only add the rest if you think it needs it), put into a plastic piping bag and pipe onto each bun, then bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven. 8. Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack. Leave to cool for 10 minutes, then brush glaze with runny honey, before leaving to cool completely.

Across 1. Fleece, 5. Ponzu, 7. Garibaldi, 10. Dune, 11. Scan, 12. Hotplates, 16. Alien, 17. Apport. Down: 1. Frog, 2. Crib, 3. Cord, 4. Auburn, 6. Crunch, 8. Aheap, 9. Incite, 10. Defeat, 13. Omen, 14. Lamp, 15. Smit.

TREE-MENDOUS Discover a brilliant variety of trees perfect for small gardens, each with their unique charm and benefits

reating a beautiful, space-efficient garden presents a delightful and rewarding challenge, particularly when it comes to selecting the perfect trees for small spaces. This requires careful consideration of size, growth habits and seasonal changes to ensure each tree not only fits aesthetically, but also thrives within limited space. Here’s a selection which tick the boxes and have the potential to transform your garden space. Japanese maple tree Particularly suited for small gardens, the Japanese maple tree enchants with slow growth, fiery autumn foliage and an elegant structure. Ideal for sheltered, partly sunny areas, it can also flourish in containers, making it versatile across various garden layouts. The ‘Orange Dream’ variety stands out, offering a breathtaking display of colour and form, with leaves that transition into vivid shades, adding dramatic flair to any small space.

42 / Berkhamsted Living

Japanese maple tree

Paperbark maple tree Another slow-growing and magnificent small tree, this commands attention throughout the year with its lush, dark green leaves dramatically turning to a vivid crimson in autumn. During winter, the unique appeal continues as its chestnut-coloured bark peels away, revealing an eye-catching orange-red layer underneath, adding a prominent element to the winter garden landscape.

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GARDENS Fig Tree

Judas tree Another widely celebrated for its captivating spring bloom, certain varieties boast not only vibrant flowers but also dramatic foliage. The Judas tree, otherwise known as Cercis chinensis ‘Avondale’ and Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’, is renowned for striking colour and compact growth habit, and perfectly blends aesthetic beauty with practical size. Japanese Dogwood tree This East Asian native blushes with eyecatching white bracts in summer, followed by crimson autumn leaves and pink, strawberrylike fruits. The tree’s ability to combine ornamental beauty with fruit production in a compact form makes it an ideal selection for those seeking to maximise the aesthetic appeal of limited space. Cherry tree Offering the dual benefit of stunning, breathtaking spring flowers and delectable fruits, the cherry tree comes in various forms, combining decorative beauty with productive fruit-bearing capabilities. Varieties cater to both aesthetic appeal and practical use, making them a valuable addition to any small garden.

“

Despite UK climatic challenges for fruit production, fig trees are highly valued for their large, outstanding foliage. They can reach heights of 3-4 metres and their robust growth and ornamental leaves provide a Mediterranean feel. They may even surprise with a fruit crop!

“

Amelanchier tree Amelanchier canadensis and Amelanchier lamarckii are spectacular additions, bursting into life with white spring blossoms, followed by an abundance of summer berries and a stunning display of golden autumn foliage. Adaptable to various lighting conditions, it can grow up to six metres tall, making it a highly versatile and attractive choice for gardeners looking to add year-round interest.

Fig tree Despite UK climatic challenges for fruit production, fig trees are highly valued for their large, outstanding foliage. They can reach heights of 3-4 metres and their robust growth and ornamental leaves provide a Mediterranean feel. They may even surprise with a fruit crop!

Espalier apple tree Ingeniously designed as a ‘family tree’, with different apple varieties grafted onto each arm, this excels when planted against a sunny wall, serving not only as a fruitful producer but also as an attractive garden divider. This innovative approach allows for a diverse harvest and efficient use of space, making such an apple tree a unique and valuable addition to small garden spaces. Hawthorn tree A native gem, the hawthorn is excellent for wildlife, supporting moths, bees and birds throughout the seasons. With a range of cultivars to choose from, it can fit beautifully into even the smallest of garden designs, transforming the space into a haven of natural beauty and biodiversity.

Living Magazines | 01442 824300 | info@livingmags.info Spring 2024 / 43

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THE GREAT

‘GREENWASHING’ SCANDAL

Think you’re a savvy eco-consumer? Think again…

hose of us who remember a time when recycling bins didn’t stand like planetsaving sentinels outside every home in Britain, will also recall that phrases such as ‘eco-friendly’, ‘sustainable’ and ‘clean’ were not words used in the lexicon of brand advertising. These days however, you can almost guarantee such phrases will be plastered across almost every purchase you make. Why? Because brands know that many consumers are now conscientious about their personal environmental impact, and realise the products they purchase can make a difference when it comes to protecting the planet. As the saying goes: you vote with your pound; and even those who feel frustrated with government environmental policy can take comfort in promoting sustainability by investing in brands that do take steps to lessen their ecological impact. But how many of these brands actually take the labels they use seriously, and how many

46 / Berkhamsted Living

are just paying lip service to the sustainable savvy among us? This surge in corporate climate claims is muddying the waters for customers who can no longer distinguish between earnest environmental practices and deceptive declarations. This practice is known as ‘greenwashing’. Online marketing is a particularly fecund arena for claims that are often exaggerated, false, or sometimes potentially illegal. The reason this is possible is because ‘greenwashing’ takes advantage of a somewhat grey area. It is very easy to boast of ‘sustainability’ but there is no concrete definition of what this word means. In other words, claiming something is ‘made in the UK’ or is ‘100% cotton’ can be proved or disproved, but how can you prove something you cannot define? On the subject of cotton, the fashion industry is also prone to greenwashing. ‘Natural’, ‘recyclable’, ‘recycled or ‘organic’ are handy

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GREEN

For example, ‘organic’ and ‘environmentally friendly’ are not interchangeable terms. Just because organic cotton doesn’t use pesticides when grown doesn’t change the fact that it is highly water intensive. It takes roughly 1kg of conventional cotton lint to make one pair of jeans, but this requires around 8,500 litres (1,870 gallons) of water, on average. Recycled polyester doesn’t get corporations off the hook either because it still sheds microfibres. It is estimated that textiles produce 35% of the microplastics entering the world’s oceans – in the form of synthetic microfibres – and just one wash cycle could potentially release around 700,000 microfibres into wastewater. The trouble is, brands have tapped into an unfortunate truth. Many of us, whether consciously or not, have become acutely aware of the impact consumerism is having on our planet and the environment. This can lead to a feeling of guilt and, much like the cotton tote company who plant a tree for every bag sold – ‘buy one, plant one’ – these unsubstantiated claims allow for magical thinking that lets us believe our choices are moving the dial and pushing these industries into the right direction. Fortunately, we can still make better choices as consumers. We just need to be aware of greenwashing and take measures to avoid it. Firstly, don’t take their word for it. If a product truly is ‘eco-friendly’, ‘all-natural’, or ‘biodegradable’, then the manufacturer should be able to prove this with hard facts and figures.

Secondly, be wary of green certification logos. Instead, look for objective third-party certifications from reputable organisations such as the B Corp Certification, Fairtrade Certification, and the Forest Stewardship Council’s FSC Certification. Next, when choosing products, look at the bigger picture. Just because something has a low environmental impact in manufacturing, doesn’t mean it is recyclable or compostable. The entire product lifecycle must be considered. Finally, know that your choices do make an impact and a little research into a brand can go a long way towards the overall goal. After all, if companies didn’t believe consumers had the power to create change, greenwashing would not be an effective strategy in the first place.

“

Be wary of green certification logos. Instead, look for objective third-party certifications from reputable organisations such as the B Corp Certification, Fairtrade Certification, and the Forest Stewardship Council’s FSC Certification

“

buzzwords that clothing brands use to highlight the sustainability of the materials in their items, but ones that ultimately could be misleading.

Living Magazines | 01442 824300 | info@livingmags.info Spring 2024 / 47

WHAT’S ON WWW.LIVINGMAGS.INFO FOR DAILY UPDATES ALWAYS CHECK with the event organiser beforehand. Opening times may vary. If you would like to include your event in future magazines complete the form at: www.livingmags.info/submit-event UESDAY 5 MAR

SATURDAY 9 MAR

WEDNESDAY 13 MAR

Talks: Rothschild Women - Emerging from the Shadows Wigginton History Society, Village Hall, Wigginton, 8pm. cliff. mills@outlook.com

Markets & Sales: Tring Farmers Market High Street, Tring, 9am- 12.30pm. 2nd and 4th Sat of each month. www. tringfarmersmarket.co.uk

Talks: Monopoly Arts Society, Tring Park, Berkhamsted Civic Centre, 10.30am. Expect some surprises as we uncover the story behind the game we all know so well - or do we? artssociety-tringpark. co.uk

WEDNESDAY 6 MAR Talks: Hec-Talk Group The XC Centre, Jarman Way, Hemel Hempstead, 7.30-8.30pm. Every first and third Wednesday of the month. Open to all men to come together and talk. tinyurl. com/5n8c6p3v THURSDAY 7 MAR Music: George Harrison Project The Court Theatre, Tring. 7.30pm. courttheatre.co.uk Music: The Band of the Household Cavalry Centenary Theatre, Kings Road, Berkhamsted, 7.30pm. Doors 7pm. All proceeds will go to the Household Cavalry Foundation. berkhamsted.ticketsolve. com/ticketbooth/ shows/1173651521

Music: The Ultimate Celebration of Carlos Santana The Court Theatre, Tring. 7.30pm. courttheatre.co.uk Music: Simon Woolf/ Andy Panayi Quartet BJazz at the Civic Centre, Berkhamsted, 8pm. This quartet of gifted musicians have performed with musicians such as Benny Golson, Chick Corea. www. bjazz.org SUNDAY 10 MAR Music: Piano and More Tring parish church, 3-4pm. Music by Poulenc, Dvorak and Weber. pianoand-more.org.uk MONDAY 11 MAR Film: Cairo Conspiracy Berkhamsted Civic Centre, 8pm. Also Tues 12. www. berkhamstedfilmsociety. co.uk

48 / Berkhamsted Living

Business: Hospice of St. Francis Corporate Partner Network Meeting The Court House, Berkhamsted, 5.30-7pm. New businesses welcomed. www.stfrancis.org.uk Talks: Pageant Fever Berkhamsted Local History & Museum Society, Wellcome Great Hall, Town Hall, Berkhamsted, 8pm. berkhamsted-history.org.uk THURSDAY 14 MAR Business: Tring BusinessMart Venue tbc. 6pm. www. tringtogether.org.uk Theatre: Murder Steams Ahead Court Theatre, 7.30pm, Sat matinee 2pm. To 16

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Mar. In 1936 there is a lot of activity in a particular railway station waiting room. courttheatre.co.uk FRIDAY 15 MAR Markets & Sales: Lucky Duck Makers Market Civic Centre, Berkhamsted, 10am-3pm. Handmade products from talented makers, artwork from amazing artists and beautiful gifts from local businesses. Live music. Disabled access. @ LuckyDuckMakersMarket Fundraisers: Garden Re-Leaf Charity Walk Starting and ending at Tring Garden Centre, walkers can choose between 2 routes. www. greenfingerscharity.org. uk/activities/29/garden-releaf-day-2024 Fundraisers: DENS Spring Quiz Hobbs Hill Wood Primary School, Hemel Hempstead, 7pm. www.dens.org.uk SATURDAY 16 MAR Markets & Sales: Jumble Sale Little Gaddesden Village Hall, Church Road. 10am-12noon. Organised by 1st Little Gaddesden Scouts. LGScouts@icloud. com Fundraisers: Skydive 2024 Jump from 10,000ft North London Skydiving Centre (Cambridge). www. stfrancis.org.uk

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Fundraisers: Repair Café High Street Baptist Church Hall, Tring. Third Saturday of each month, 10.30am-1pm. A place where people can gather and fix those objects from everyday life that would otherwise end up in landfill. www. sustainabletring.org.uk/ repair-café Music: Tring Music Partnership Gala Performance Victoria Hall, Akeman Street, Tring. www.tringtogether. org.uk Music: Chiltern Chamber Choir Spring Concert St. Peter’s Church, Berkhamsted, 7.30pm. www.chilternchamberchoir.com SUNDAY 17 MAR Markets & Sales: Berkhamsted Farmers Market High Street, Berkhamsted, 10am-2pm. www. facebook.com/berkofm Fundraisers: Appassionata Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, 4pm. In support of Florence Nightingale Hospice. www.atgtickets. com/aylesbury MONDAY 18 MAR Talks: Annual Town Meeting Victoria Hall, Akeman Street, Tring, 8pm. www. tring.gov.uk

WEDNESDAY 20 MAR Business: BDCC Networking Lunch Venue tbc 12.30-2.30pm. www.berkhamstedchamber.co.uk

new programme of music arranged for cello and accordion by JS Bach and Astor Piazzolla. www. behindthemirror.org MONDAY 25 MAR

Talks: The Polish Refugees in Marsworth Baptist Church, Tring, 8pm. tringlocalhistorymuseum.org.uk

Film: Queen of Glory Berkhamsted Civic Centre, 8pm. Also Tues 26. www. berkhamstedfilmsociety. co.uk

THURSDAY 21 MAR

THURSDAY 28 MAR

Music: Dave Kelly Band Blues Bar, Tring. 8pm. www.bluesbartring.co.uk

Theatre: 2 Kool 4 Skool Court Theatre, 7.30pm. Also Sat 23 2.30 & 7.30pm. courttheatre.co.uk

Business: Berko Interchange Informal business networking 8am Waite & Rose Café, Berkhamsted. https:// www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ berko-interchangetickets-547761187457

SATURDAY 23 MAR

FRIDAY 29 MAR

FRIDAY 22 MAR

Music: Tring Choral Society Spring Concert St Peter & St Paul’s church, Tring, 7.30pm. Mozart’s works: ‘Requiem’ and ‘Solemn Vespers’, plus Monteverdi’s ‘Beatus Vir’. www.tringchoral.org.uk

Music: The Unravelling Wilburys The Court Theatre, Tring. 7.30pm. courttheatre.co.uk

TUESDAY 2 APR Talks: The Story of English Alms Houses Wigginton History Society, Village Hall, Wigginton, 8pm. cliff. mills@outlook.com WEDNESDAY 3 APR Talks: Hec-Talk Group The XC Centre, Jarman Way, Hemel Hempstead, 7.308.30pm. Every first and third Wednesday of the month. Open to all men to come together and talk. tinyurl. com/5n8c6p3v FRIDAY 5 APR Talks: The Aylesbury Duck and Aylesbury Prune Cholesbury-cum-St Leonards Local History Group, St Leonards Village Hall. 7.30 for 7.45pm start. www. cholesbury.com

SUNDAY 24 MAR Dance: Senior Dance Show 2024 Markova Theatre, Tring Park School, 2pm / 7.30pm. To 28 Mar. Showcasing the exceptional talents of students on the dance course Years 11 to 14. www.tringpark.com Music: Revelation Behind the Mirror Old Town Hall, Berkhamsted, 7pm. A Living Magazines | 01442 824300 | info@livingmags.info Spring 2024 / 49

SATURDAY 6 APR Fundraisers: Open Door Repair Café Open Door Berkhamsted. First Saturday of each month, 9.30am-12.30pm. Bring along your broken items and let the experts take a look, in exchange for a donation. opendoorberkhamsted. co.uk/repair-cafe Markets & Sales: Pop Up Bazaar Berkhamsted Town Hall, 10am-4pm. First Saturday of the month. Dogs welcome. popupbazaarberko@ outlook.com

Music: Sam Kelly’s Station House Blues Bar, Tring. 8pm. www.bluesbartring.co.uk

Talks: Alex Michaelides and Harriet Tyce Our Bookshop, Tring, 7.30pm. Focusing on their latest thrillers: A Lesson in Cruelty and The Fury. www.tringbookfestival. co.uk

SATURDAY 13 APR

SATURDAY 20 APR

Markets & Sales: Tring Farmers Market High Street, Tring, 9am12.30pm. 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month. www.tringfarmersmarket. co.uk

Fairs / Festivals: Herts Big Weekend Also 21 Apr. Hertfordshire’s biggest celebration of the year. www. hertsbigweekend.co.uk

Risborough Railway, Station Road, Chinnor. 10.30am5pm. www.chilternsaonb.org

Music: Harriet The Court Theatre, Tring. 7.30pm. courttheatre.co.uk

Music: 80s Night with Sledgehammer Court Theatre, Tring, 7.30pm. Non-stop classic 80s pop and rock. courttheatre.co.uk

Music: Craig Milverton Quartet: A Tribute to Oscar Peterson BJazz at the Civic Centre, Berkhamsted, 8pm. www. bjazz.org

MONDAY 8 APR

MONDAY 15 APR

Film: EO Berkhamsted Civic Centre, 8pm. Also Tues 9. www. berkhamstedfilmsociety. co.uk

Talks: Ordinary Council Meeting The Council Chamber, Market House, 61 High Street, Tring. 7.30pm. www.tring.gov.uk

WEDNESDAY 10 APR

TUESDAY 16 APR

Talks: Mexican Art and Culture Arts Society, Tring Park, Berkhamsted Civic Centre, 10.30am. artssocietytringpark.co.uk

Business: Tring BusinessMart Breakfast Venue tba. 8am. www.tringtogether.org.uk

THURSDAY 11 APR Talks: Celebrating Chilterns Chalk Railway Chinnor and Princes

Fairs / Festivals: Tring Spring Fayre To 11 May. Variety of events and activities. www.tringtogether.org.uk

Theatre: ILYYPNC Court Theatre, 7.30pm, Sat matinee 2.30pm. To 20 Apr. I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. Revised for the 21st century. courttheatre.co.uk

50 / Berkhamsted Living

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Walks: The BIG Walk & Superhero Mile Choice of 3 routes. Parking at John Colet School, Aylesbury. thepacecentre.org MONDAY 22 APR Film: Where the Crawdads Sing Berkhamsted Civic Centre, 8pm. Also Tues 23. www. berkhamstedfilmsociety.co.uk WEDNESDAY 24 APR Business: BDCC Networking Breakfast Berkhamsted Lawn and Tennis Club, 7.30-9.00am. www.berkhamstedchamber.co.uk

SUNDAY 28 APR

WEDNESDAY 8 MAY

Sport: DENS Hillbuster Gadebridge Park, Hemel Hempstead. An action-packed day of cycling. www.dens.org.uk

Talks: Everything You Need to Know About the Royal Ballet in 60 Mins Arts Society Tring Park, Berkhamsted Civic Centre, 10.30am. theartssociety. org/tring-park

WEDNESDAY 1 MAY Talks: Hec-Talk Group The XC Centre, Jarman Way, Hemel Hempstead, 7.30-8.30pm. Every first and third Wednesday of the month. Open to all men to come together and talk. tinyurl.com/5n8c6p3v SATURDAY 4 MAY

Business: Hospice of St. Francis Corporate Partner Network Meeting Strathallan Business Centre, Hemel Hempstead, 5.30-7pm. New businesses welcomed. www.stfrancis. org.uk

Fundraisers: Open Door Repair Café Open Door Berkhamsted. First Saturday of each month, 9.30am-12.30pm. Bring along your broken items and let the experts take a look, in exchange for a donation. opendoorberkhamsted. co.uk/repair-cafe

Business: Berko Interchange Informal business networking 8am Waite & Rose Café, Berkhamsted. https:// www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ berko-interchangetickets-547761187457

Markets & Sales: Pop Up Bazaar Berkhamsted Town Hall, 10am-4pm. First Saturday of the month. Dogs welcome. popupbazaarberko@ outlook.com

FRIDAY 26 APR

TUESDAY 7 MAY

Fundraisers: Berkhamsted Society Auction of Promises An evening raising money for the Anniversary Fund. www.berkhamsted. com

Talks: Women in Intelligence Across Two World Wars Wigginton History Society, Village Hall, Wigginton, 8pm. cliff. mills@outlook.com

THURSDAY 25 APR

SATURDAY 11 MAY Markets & Sales: Tring Farmers Market High Street, Tring, 9am-12.30pm. 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month. www. tringfarmersmarket.co.uk Fairs / Festivals: Family Fun Day St Peter and St Paul Church and Churchyard, Tring, 11am-3pm. With Teddy ‘Wings’ zipwire, bouncy castle and more. www.fotch.co.uk SUNDAY 12 MAY Music: Tring Chamber Music Summer Season ‘La Mer’ Hastoe Village Hall, 7.30pm. Debussy’s ‘La Mer’ arranged for piano trio by Sally Beamish and works by Mozart (Duo) and Fauré (Piano Quartet No 1). Paul Barritt, violin; Jonathan Barritt, viola; Sebastian Comberti, cello; Daniel King Smith, piano. www. tringchambermusic.co.uk

MONDAY 13 MAY Talks: Annual Council Meeting The Council Chamber, Market House, 61 High Street, Tring. 7.30pm. www.tring.gov.uk Music: Tring Big Band Extravaganza Court Theatre, 7.30pm. courttheatre.co.uk WEDNESDAY 15 MAY Business: BDCC Networking Lunch Venue tbc 12.30-2.30pm. www.berkhamstedchamber.co.uk THURSDAY 16 MAY Business: Tring BusinessMart Breakfast Venue tbc 8am. www. tringtogether.org.uk Fundraisers: Golden May Ball Moor Park Golf Club, 7-11.30pm. Gaddesdon Place Riding for the Disabled 50th anniversary. berkhamstedchamber. co.uk Sunday 12 May: Tring Chamber Music Summer Season ‘La Mer’

Music: Festival of Music David Evans Court Theatre, Tring. To 18 May. www.bluesbartring.co.uk

Living Magazines | 01442 824300 | info@livingmags.info Spring 2024 / 51

Music: Paul Higg’s Quartet BJazz Civic Centre, Berkhamsted, 8pm. www.bjazz.org

TUESDAY 21 MAY Theatre: Young Frankenstein Court Theatre, 7.30pm. To 25 May. courttheatre.co.uk

SUNDAY 19 MAY

SATURDAY 18 MAY

Markets & Sales: Berkhamsted Farmers Market High Street, Berkhamsted, 10am-2pm. 3rd Sunday of every month. www. facebook.com/berkofm US

INE

SS OF

FRI

EA R 2020

EN D LY

CHILTERN OPEN AIR MUSEUM

Talks: Berkhamsted Town Council Annual Town Meeting Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Berkhamsted, 7.30pm. www. berkhamstedtowncouncil. gov.uk THURSDAY 30 MAY Business: Berko Interchange Informal business networking 8am Waite & Rose Café, Berkhamsted. https://www.eventbrite. co.uk/e/berko-interchangetickets-547761187457

Fundraisers: Repair Café High Street Baptist Church Hall, Tring. Third Saturday of each month, 10.30am1pm. A place where people can gather and fix those objects from everyday life that would otherwise end up in landfill. www. sustainabletring.org.uk/ repair-café

Fundraisers: Bubble Rush Gadebridge Park, Hemel Hempstead. Family friendly course to walk or run. Also suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. www. stfrancis.org.uk

Sunday 19 May: Bubble Rush

SATURDAY 1 JUN Exhibitions: Little Gaddesden Art Exhibition Little Gaddesden Village Hall, Church Road. Until 3 Jun. Saturday/Sunday

10.30am-6pm, Monday 11am-6pm. littlegaddesden. org.uk Fundraisers: Open Door RepairCafé Open Door Berkhamsted. First Saturday of each month, 9.30am-12.30pm. Bring along your broken items and let the experts take a look, in exchange for a donation. opendoorberkhamsted. co.uk/repair-cafe Markets & Sales: Pop Up Bazaar Berkhamsted Town Hall, 10am-4pm. First Saturday of the month. Dogs welcome. popupbazaarberko@outlook. com Fairs / Festivals: St Leonards Fete Parish Hall and Field, Jenkins Lane, St. Leonards. 1-4.30pm. Circus juggling, live band, bouncy castle, dog show, classic cars and more. www. stleonardsparishhall.uk

STEP BACK IN TIME

Find out more at www.coam.org.uk Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles, Bucks, HP8 4AB

www.coam.org.uk

52 / Berkhamsted Living

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COMPETITION

Badness

Marc Almond

WE HAVE TWO PAIRS OF TICKETS TO GIVE AWAY TO TRING’S HOTTEST MUSIC FESTIVAL!

f you missed out on the Chilfest competition in our last issue, the good news is you have another chance to win one of two pairs of tickets to the Saturday event. Soft Cell icon and 80s legend Marc Almond tops another fantastic line-up for 2024 for the family-friendly festival in Tring on 5-6 July. And if you want to make the day extra special, Chilfest have announced VIP passes, which give exclusive access to a dedicated VIP area, fast-track entry, welcome drink on arrival, exclusive VIP bar access, covered area with seating, VIP loos and mobile phone charging station. The Saturday line-up also includes Go West, Nik Kershaw, Glenn Gregory and Martyn Ware of Heaven 17, plus Ska royalty The Selecter. Other acts include 90s favourites The Farm, East 17 and Baby D. Chilfest also welcomes Scouting for Girls with sing-along favourites, including She’s So Lovely. Friday gets the party started with a

galaxy of talented tribute bands as part of Chilfest’s Totally Tribute night including Take That tribute band Rule the World, and acts paying homage to iconic 80s and 90s artistes, including I’m Every Whitney, Rogue Minogue, Badness, and The Smiths UTD. For more information visit www.chilfest.co.uk To enter, answer the question below at www.livingmags.info/competitions by 30 March 2024. What band are Glenn Gregory and Martyn Ware from? We have two pairs of tickets for Saturday to give away. Terms & Conditions apply. Refer to website for details. Congratulations to our winter competition winners... Sharron Bromley and Kevin Hearn each won a pair of Chilfest tickets. Alastair Harrison, Lydia Green and Lorna Peisley each won a copy of Brenda Hurley’s novel Ghostly Light.

Living Magazines | 01442 824300 | info@livingmags.info Spring 2024 / 53

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