Thame Out Autumn 2015 Issue 35

Thame Out The complimentary magazine for the Thame area – Now in our 10th year

Autumn 2015 Issue 35

Fashion to fall for.

Autumn style from White Hart Studio.

Stage craft.

Fitch & Fellows.

The gallery run by an actress.

Tailor made.

Super suits and jackets from Gallant Menswear.

Further Christmas.

Spear Travels guide to European winter markets.

Car loans.

Vehicle hire from Thame Service Station.

LEISURE * BEAUTY * HOME * TRAVEL * LOCAL * COMPETITIONS * AND LOTS MORE *

Witney

THAME OUT *

Contents

4. LOCAL NEWS –Local Author, Thame Food Festival, Local Band, and Towersey Festival.

8. HEALTH & BEAUTY – Expert Eye and Skin care, Personal Training, and Health Regime.

18. FASHION & LIFESTYLE – Kismet Jewellery, Gallant Menswear, White Hart Studio and Fitch & Fellows.

26. TRAVEL – Christmas Markets.

30. HOME & GARDEN –Greens Furnishings, Ridgeway Kitchens and Kingsey Kitchens 40. EDUCATION – Rye St Antony School.

42. FOOD & DRINK – Wine Column, Great Thame Bake, The Mole & Chicken and The Pointer, Brill 52. BUSINESS – Thame Service Station and Darbys Solicitors.

60. OUT & ABOUT – Thame Arts & Literature Festival 60. ENTERTAINMENT – New Theatre and Oxford Playhouse.

64. LISTINGS 66. COMPETITIONS Cover: White Hart Studio See page 18.

Thame Out

Opinions expressed in Thames Out Magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher and the magazine is in no way liable for any such opinion.

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained within this publication is correct, the publishers cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions contained within. No part of this publication including any article, advertisement or graphic in whole or part may be reproduced without the express permission of the publishers. The company nor its agents accept any liability for loss or damage of manuscripts photographs and any other materials submitted to the magazine.

Copyright ©2015 Red Letter

Published by Red Letter, 25 Southern Road, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 2EE 01844 216847 Email: julian@red-l.co.uk www.thameout.co.uk

2015 Attractions Include: • The Devils Horseman • Companion Dog Show • The Traditional Bakery Show • The Sheep Show • Glass Blowing Display • Leather Work Display • Woodturning Display • Home & Garden Marquee • Food Hall • Shopping & Craft Marquee • Many Traders • Food Theatre • Food Courts • Army Roadshow • Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Demonstration

• Morris Dancers • Thame Concert Band • Performances By Local School Children • Local Radio • Livestock Classes Sheep / Cattle • Showjumping • Showing Classes • Alpaca Display • Bird Display • Rabbit Display • Vintage Machinery, Lorries & Tractors • Traditional Steam Fair • Classic Cars • Morris Dancers • Thame Concert Band • Band Stand

Ticket Description

Advanced Price

On-The-Day Price

Adult

£12.00

£15.00

Senior Citizen

£10.00

£12.00

Junior 5 – 15 years

FREE

FREE

Junior 5 – 15 years

£4.00

£5.00

Under 5’s

FREE

FREE

(when accompanied by a paying adult)

Tickets available from: Aylesbury Tourist Information Centre, Princes Risborough Information Centre, C.H. Brown & Son - Oxford Covered Market, The Kennel Shop Stokenchurch, Thame Information Centre, Marlow Information Centre, High Wycombe Tourist Information, Witney Visitor Information Centre, Oxford Visitor Information Centre, Spear Travels - Thame

www.thameshow.co.uk

LOCAL NEWS *

Thame Food Festival Menu of Events DEMONSTRATION STAGE

THA E

FOOD

FESTIVAL Menu of events

Saturday 26th September A double helping of deliciousness as Thame Food Festival unveils two fantastic line-ups.

The Thame Food Festival on Saturday 26th September will see an amazing array of talent taking to the AGA Demonstration stage, hosted by Simon Brown, AGA Demonstrator and cookery presenter on QVC, the home shopping channel.

As well as the Interview Stage hosted

by Patron of the food festival and celebrity chef, Lotte Duncan.

For more information, to book any of the special festival events or to sign up for the Big Thame Bake, please go to www.thamefoodfestival.co.uk.

10am Natalie Coleman Demo for children. Winner of BBC’s MasterChef 2013 11am Richard Bertinet French chef, baker and owner of The Bertinet Kitchen Cookery School 11.45am Giancarlo and Katie Caldesi Caldesi in Campagna, Cafe Caldesi and La Cucina Caldesi Cookery School 12.30pm David Mooney New Moon Pubs 1.15pm Lucie Greenwood Chef and owner of The Milk Shed at Weston-on-the-Green 2 pm Annual Cook-off Between Raymond Blanc Cookery School and Aylesbury College 2.45pm Raymond Blanc Festival Ambassador from Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons 3.45pm Frances Quinn Winner of The Great British Bake-off 2013 4.30pm Miranda Gore-Brown and Luis Troyano Finalists in The Great British Bake-off 2010 and 2014 l AGA Demonstration stage hosted by Simon Brown, AGA Demonstrator and Cookery TV Presenter

INTERVIEW STAGE 11am Natalie Coleman Winner of BBC’s MasterChef 2013 11.45am Richard Bertinet French chef, baker and owner of The Bertinet Kitchen Cookery School 12.00 Noon The Big Thame Bake prize-giving with all the judges and the lucky winners 12.45pm Sophie Grigson TV Chef, Food Writer and Sophie’s Cookery School. A tasting session with Lotte Duncan sampling delights from the stalls 2 pm The Big Thame Bake – Fully Risen. A host of The Great British Bake-off contestants chatting with Lotte Duncan about all things baking Luis Troyano 2014 Finalist Frances Quinn 2013 Winner Howard Middleton 2013 Contestant Miranda Gore-Brown 2010 Finalist 4pm Raymond Blanc Festival Ambassador from Belmond Le Manoir Aux Quat’ Saisons l Sponsored by Barr Kitchens and hosted

by Patron Lotte Duncan l The Bookhouse, Thame will have a pop-up bookshop on the Interview stage where book-signings will take place following each interview l Raymond Blanc will be doing a book signing on Le Manoir stall from 1-2pm

Leading (crossword) man Tony Long is a very active member of Thame Players he also runs a crossword business, which provides personalised gift cards based around a crossword with the recipient’s name as one of the clues. Tony also does a presentation on solving cryptic crosswords, called Cracking Cryptics: a light-hearted look at the mysteries of cryptic crosswords. Those who attend this event can buy a copy of Tony’s book, The Cracking Cryptics Guide to solving

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cryptic crosswords, which has just been produced in an updated edition.

For more information or to order Tony’s book or personalised crosswords call 01844 281563 or go to www.personalcrosswords.com

b COMPETITION Win a FREE SIGNED

copy of Tony’s book.

See page 66.

Sharp practice Thame based Spear Travels has once again been announced as a nominated finalist at the prestigious 2015 British Travel Awards. Voted ‘Best Travel Retailer for Customer Service’ in 2014 Spear Travels is a finalist this year in two categories – Best Local Travel Agency and, once again, Best Travel Retailer for Customer Service’. The winners will be determined by consumers, who have until 30 September to cast their vote, with the winners announced at the BTA Gala Awards Ceremony to be held in London on 25 November 2015.

British Travel Awards’ chief executive Lorraine Barnes Burton said: “The British Travel Awards are the largest consumer voted programme in the UK”.

Good luck to Spear Travels – they must urge all their happy customers to cast their votes by 30th September”.

To vote go to www.britishtravelawards.com

A French connection from a local author

Wheatley based author Siobhan Fraser, is offering Thame Out readers the chance to win her book The Ghosts of Maraval.

A captivating novel of love and loss drenched in the wonders and secrets of South West France and its people.

An exciting debut novel by an internationally collected artist who divides her time between Oxfordshire and France. It’s a great read that weaves together personal tragedy with love, humour and mystery. www.siobhanfraser.com The Ghosts of Maraval is available at all good bookshops and online booksellers.

A High Street paved with gold?

Thame is hoping to win an award - preferably gold in the market towns category of the Great British High Street competition.

Apart from the £50,000 prize money, the winners will be offered digital workshops for up to 100 retailers in each of the seven winning locations of the Great British High Street competition. The retailers will be given the chance,

by Google no less, to adopt new skills in using social media and in developing their websites.

The Great British High Streets Competition was set last year through the Department of Communities and Local Government and is backed by such major sponsors as, in addition to Google, Boots, M&S, Argos, Costa and the Royal Mail.

Helen Johns, who is co-ordinating the Thame entry, said: “High streets are a vital part of out communities and make an important contribution to local economies. There’s a renewed buzz on our high streets, and this competition is searching for the very best ideas, innovation and creativity.

This is great news for Thame and, fingers crossed, our entry will be successful.”

The winners are expected to be announced at the end of October.

• For more information, go to www.thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk.

• Contact Helen Johns on 0771 743 4983 or at helen.johns39@gmail.com for more details of the Thame bid.

b COMPETITION Win a FREE SIGNED copy of Siobhan’s book.

See page 66.

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LOCAL NEWS *

Towersey in Thame A new venue but still the great, traditional Towersey Festival For the first time, this year the Towersey Festival swapped homes.

Moving from Towersey itself to the Show Ground at Thame. For all the pangs over the decision - leaving home is a bitter-sweet experience - it proved a hugely successful one. Accommodating Lisbee Stainton on the main stage

the growing popularity of the Festival has long been a pressing issue. Well, the Thame Show Ground certainly offered a broader site. And a more coherent site it felt easier to move from event to event, from tent to tent, from stage to stage.

There seemed to be more room in the two main performance tents. There was more room for the food and drinks The Sid Bowlin Show

tents. And there was more room for all the great music for which Towersey is famous.

Was the spirit of the original Towersey Festival lost for its few kilometre hike? Not a bit of it. Nothing was left behind. There was the same sense of community, the same pleasure to be taken in fine music, fine food and a fine few drinks.

Towersey might have left home but it all still felt like home. The mouthwatering scents rising from the ovens and the grills, the costumes, the colours, the flags, the dancing, the life-enhancing welcome offered to every generation, the funny and moving theatrical performances, the storytelling, the fantastic music, the warm smiles of people you have never met before.

There was, however, a sadness for me. Not the move from Towersey. But the end of Bellowhead. So I went home happy and a little bit downcast too.

Which, after all, is life itself, as is the Towersey Festival.

John Foster

Zumba class

Debut album 6. Thame Out

The 5th of September saw the release of the much anticipated debut album from local favourites, The 2 Strokes. The ‘scooterpop’ trio signed to BFS Records in 2014 and after a year of hard work in the studio, the band are ready to share their endeavours with their loyal fanbase.

“The 2 Strokes 11 track album, entitled ‘Don’t Look At Me, I’m Irrelevant’, perfectly encapsulates the bands ferocious live sound, remaining true to the raw sound that they are locally renowned for. The three-piece officially launched their debut album at the Black Horse Hotel, Thame on Saturday the 5th September, where the band performed live. www.blackfrogstudios.co.uk

Greens Furnishings

Haberdashery Needles ` Threads ` Buttons ` Zips ` Ribbon ` Elastic ` Scissors ` Patchwork & Quilting Accessories ` Patchwork Fabrics ` Needlework Kits ` DMC Threads ` Beads ` Felt ` Craft Accessories ` Trimming & Lace ` Anchor Tapestry Wools ` Janome Sewing Machines

And new to Greens are: ` Sirdar Knitting Wool and Patterns. ` Knitting & Crochet Accessories. ` Knitting Bags & Sewing Boxes.

4&5 Upper High St, Thame, Oxon OX9 3ES Tel: 01844 212560 email: greenfurnishings@btconnect.com

HEALTH & BEAUTY *

An eye E

stablished in 2008, the TD Tom Davies Bespoke service has risen to worldwide acclaim. From the very beginning of his career, Tom identified a need to offer clients a better solution for well - fitting spectacles that looked good and felt comfortable. He saw many massproduced frames in his first years in the business, and realised that standardised shapes and measurements always led to a compromise of some sort.

HOW IT WORKS: Each TD Tom Davies Bespoke frame is designed and produced by hand, to suit a person’s face, fit their individual

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measurements exactly, match their colouring and reflect their personality and lifestyle.

A Bespoke design consultation starts with getting to know the client. What is their personality like? What do they do for a living? Do they have any issues with their current frames? Perhaps the glasses slip down their nose, or maybe the client finds they are too tight. It could be that the bridge fit is not quite right, or that their frames fail to enhance their natural features.

The Optician then takes a series of measurements and photos which are sent to the TD design studio where the

eyewear is designed before it is submitted to be made at the TD workshop. TD Tom Davies produces all of its own frames so that every step of the process can be carefully controlled. This ensures flawless quality, excellent craftsmanship and a very happy client.

The final handmade product is delivered back to the Optician in approximately 4 weeks. Bespoke frames are finished with the name of the client engraved discreetly on the inside of the temple arm.

Today, TD Tom Davies is resold by an exclusive network of Opticians. At Ivan R. Cammack Optometrists here in

for design British spectacle designer, Tom Davies, has revolutionised the eyewear market by creating his own service for customised eyewear.

Thame (and soon to be in their Wendover branch), they are really pleased to be one of them. Ivan R Cammack offer Ready To Wear and Limited Edition TD Tom Davies spectacles, as well as the Bespoke service across all lines.

Come in and see Ivan R Cammack for a Bespoke consultation. They would love to make you the perfect pair of specs! www.tdtomdavies.com @tdtomdavies #tdtomdavies

John Stratton, Ivan R Cammack’s longest serving dispenser of prescription spectacles is a big fan of the TD Tom Davies range of bespoke frames.

“Everyone’s face is different says John. The overall shape, different ear positions, size and position of the nose and so on. These frames are designed to accommodate faces that are not a standard fit – and that’s most of us he adds. With bespoke lenses combined with bespoke frames, you get a stylish look with spectacles that work at the zenith of their effectiveness. TD Tom Davies bespoke frames also come in an astonishing range of colours, adds John.

Contact: Ivan R Cammack (Thame) T. 01844 212048 E. info@ivancammack.com Chinnor (01844) 351564 Wendover (01296) 625892

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HEALTH & BEAUTY *

Still cutting it F

or over 4 years, Studio 86 – on Thame High Street, has really impressed with its creative skills and its service (complimentary head and hand massages are all included). Little wonder, then, that Jamie, the salon’s master stylist and technician, now has a devoted list of clients. Four years of stylish and imaginative cuts, subtle, elegant

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Studio 86, is now a well established, very fine hair salon in Thame.

colourings, styles to suit the shape of a face, a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, and a willingness to take each and every customer seriously. No wonder customers keep coming back.

Jamie is ably assisted by Holly, a Level 2 NVQ qualified stylist. Like her loyal clients, Holly has been with Jamie for the past 3 years. Holly is working towards

her Level 3 qualification and is looking for models to demonstrate her skills in styling and colouring. So if you are interested, please call the salon.

Jamie and Holly are joined by Charlotte. Charlotte works at the weekend. Jamie rates her very highly and hopes she decides to go into the industry full time.

Ellie & Izzy

Gloria

Mark

Holly

Charlotte

Jamie is happy styling women’s, men’s and children’s hair, rest assured, you will be in the capable hands of a top team.

Studio 86 uses Redken products which are free of ammonia and which are kinder and gentler.

] Contact Jamie on 07985206777 ] jamiestyles77@yahoo.com ] www.jamiestyles.com ] For 24/7 online booking go to www.vagaro.com/studio86

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HEALTH & BEAUTY * Health and fitness advice from Chinnor based personal fitness trainer, Hilary Westall.

Extreme endurance training the pros and cons

A

n ever-increasing desire to push our bodies further and faster has led to a growth in popularity of extreme endurance events. Not content with doing a mere Ironman triathlon these days (a challenging 3.8 km swim, 112 mile bike, and a marathon) triathletes are aiming for a double or triple Ironman in one event; runners are laughing in the face of a mere 26.2 miles and are attempting way more – think ‘Beyond the Ultimate’, a series of four ultra-footraces taking place in the toughest and most extreme conditions of Peru, Nepal, the Namibian desert and arctic Sweden. Or the iconic Marathon des Sables, a gruelling 150 miles of running, walking and trekking over six days in temperatures of up to 120 degrees in the Sahara Desert. And if you’re a keen cyclist, there’s a plethora of endurance events around the world to choose from.

But just how good for your health and wellbeing are such events, and the training required to even contemplate them? Are we looking at the healthiest, fittest beings on the planet as a result… or something more worrying?

The benefits of exercise for the prevention and treatment of many common chronic diseases and overall improvement in cardiovascular health and longevity are well documented, not least by Dr James O’Keefe, a cardiologist from the Mid America Heart Institute, St Luke’s Hospital. However, in 2012 he reported on findings that exercise can be harmful when performed as exhausting long cardio efforts and racing in extreme endurance events such as an Ironman.

Having reviewed many studies of physically active people, O’Keefe isolated the data of extreme endurance athletes and found that the beneficial health effects of regular exercise became less pronounced and were replaced instead by significant heart damage. Specifically, completion of an event such as an Ironman Triathlon was shown to cause structural heart changes and elevations of ‘cardiac inflammatory biomarkers’ – or in simpler terms, a significantly inflamed heart.

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It’s important to put this in perspective and note that these effects return to normal within a week or so of completing a tough endurance event or workout. But for an individual who is frequently competing in such events, the result can be days, months and years of repeated cardiac injury. This can lead to the development of serious heart issues, such as atrial fibrosis (thickening and scarring of the heart’s connective tissues), holes in the heart, a susceptibility to arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) and a built up of calcium in the arteries (which could lead to a heart attack).

For example, distance running legend Micah True, who is better known for his role as Caballo Blanco in the book ‘Born to Run’, died from cardiomyopathy due to an enlarged heart while on a trail run. He was 58 years old. There are many other examples of seasoned endurance athletes who have experienced sudden cardiac events during exercise - but they are extreme examples. O’Keefe’s findings

are by no means conclusive and warrant further investigation to identify at-risk individuals and formulate fitness regimes that enhance cardiovascular health and longevity. But however seriously you take the suggestion that extreme endurance exercise may be bad for your heart, it’s true to say that ultra-endurance exercise, performed on a regular year-on-year basis, does not seem to have all the cardio-protective effects that you might expect – especially if you already have a pre-existing heart condition.

There are additional damaging effects of extreme endurance training that are perhaps easier to grasp as they’re more commonplace: Low testosterone levels (especially in men) combined with low libido; constant fatigue during the day; cessation of periods in women; low motivation and drive; an inability to shed fat despite lots of training; trouble sleeping; nagging injuries; and frequent minor infections, coughs and colds. These are all classic overtraining symptoms that are telling your body to cut back.

But let’s face it - most people don’t scale mountain peaks, jump out of aeroplanes or run across deserts in ridiculously hot temperatures for the perceived health benefits. They do it because of the challenge, the love of competing, the thrill, the sense of achievement. And overall, getting hooked on exercise and pushing your physical and mental limits is more often than not a good thing, given that we’re becoming increasingly sedentary and obese as a population. Provided you get plenty of rest, have good instruction and diet and listen to your body, you won’t go too far or even too far wrong.

Hilary is a Level 3 Personal Trainer and Pilates teacher. She runs body conditioning and Pilates classes in Chinnor and can be contacted on 07812 097562, email: hilarywestall@gmail.com for further details.

Win a FREE b COMPETITION one-to-one workout. See page 66.

HEALTH & BEAUTY *

Make a positive

change today

Sugar is the hot topic of the moment, all over the news for the links with obesity, high blood pressure and heart disease. Michele Duncan explains how the DROPiT21 programme, encompassing clean eating, fitness and wellbeing, can help you to kick the sugar habit for a cleaner, healthier and happier life.

“S “

ugar, yes please”, sound out the lyrics to the Maroon 5 track from earlier this year. But maybe we ought to think twice about the huge consumption of that moreish sweet stuff in our diets and say a resounding “No thank you!”

Recent headlines warn us of the “Bittersweet Truth About Sugar” and how the “Sweet Poison” is ruining our health, and questions if “Sugar is the New Tobacco?” As the obesity epidemic shows no signs of abating and 1 in 5 people in the UK are now classified as obese, it really is the time to take a long hard look at sugar.

According to the BBC, the UK as a nation devours a massive 2 million tonnes of sugar each year, which equates to around 238 teaspoons of sugar per week, per person. We are often unaware that we are even consuming sugar at all. Some food and drinks contain a surprising amount of sugar, which means your intake could be far greater than it should. Some of the added sugar is found in foods and drinks we perceive to be healthy such as low fat yoghurts, cereals, energy drinks, fruit juices and even savoury foods such as sauces and low fat ready meals.

So what is the connection between sugar and obesity? Sugar metabolises as fat in the liver and can lead to an increase in body weight. Overconsumption of sugar can lead to a whole host of medical problems. This was clearly demonstrated by Australian filmmaker Damon Gameau in his feature length documentary, “That Sugar Film”, recently previewed in cinemas.

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Gameau, who had eaten no refined sugar for 3 years conducted an experiment to introduce 40 teaspoons of sugar a day to his diet (the average Australian’s daily sugar consumption), the twist being that all of this sugar was found in foods considered as healthy.

Also he didn’t increase his daily calorie intake overall. Frighteningly, within 18 days Gameau started to show signs of fatty liver disease along with 10 centimetres of visceral fat around his stomach. After 60 days he developed metabolic syndrome, a condition associated with high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and heart disease, and if he had carried on with this diet he would have probably gone on to develop those in full. Encouragingly, when Gameau reverted back to his previous sugarfree diet, all the conditions reversed themselves in 60 days.

And this last point is good news for everyone – you can make a positive change today that can instantly benefit your health and well-being for the long term. DROPiT21 is an online programme focusing on education and motivation

around clean healthy eating, fitness and wellbeing and was established in November 2013 by qualified fitness professional, Sandra Brooks.

Sandra explains, “The structured 21 day plan is geared towards people with busy lives, but who want to make that change to live more healthily, and with the added convenience that the plan can be followed at home.”

No pills, no shakes or meal supplements, calorie counting or a quick fix faddy diet that is impossible to stick to. DROPiT21 is simply about getting back to basics in the approach to food and cooking and avoiding sugar-and chemical-laden processed, refined and packaged foods. It’s about eating real foods, as close to their natural form as possible. Lean protein, good carbs, healthy fats, fresh fruit and vegetables all washed down with plenty of water.

All the ingredients needed are readily available from local supermarkets and are not expensive specialist health foods or supplements.

To help with mealtime inspiration Sandra also provides a weekly meal

plan. Three booklets full of delicious recipes for meat eaters, vegetarians and pescatarians are also provided, proving that food can taste so delicious despite having no added sugar.

Why 21 days? “Our taste buds regenerate every 10-21 days,” explains Sandra. “So if you cut out lots of sugars and processed ingredients from your diet, within 3 weeks the cravings will subside.”

Hundreds of clients, both male and female, have successfully completed the programme since its inception and as a positive side effect the average weight loss is around 11lbs and 11 inches lost. Sandra also adds that the programme seems to have evolved since the beginning, “I am finding a greater number of people are signing on to the programme NOT necessarily for weight loss but for removing sugar from their diet. People are becoming more aware of the effects of the amount of sugar and are looking for an effective way to kick their sugar addictions.”

Sandra concludes, “DROPiT21 offers the solution to make a lasting change on your lifestyle and general wellbeing.

It will change your views on sugar specifically and food in general, you’ll beat your cravings and you’ll simply feel great”.

How DROPiT21 helped me ANN’S STORY: My weight has stuck at 13 stone for some years and last year (aged 66) I was told I was pre-diabetic. I started DROPiT21 in April. Through the daily workouts my skirts and trousers began to look baggy, and I needed more notches on my belt! Suffering from asthma from an early age, I was delighted to note that my whole physical abilities began to improve - I looked better, felt so much better and was walking faster. A few weeks ago I went for my annual checkup and was told that my blood tests were no longer pre-diabetic and now well within safe limits. I am now just hovering at the top end of 11 stone.

Chuffed - you bet I am!

MARGARET’S STORY: My daughter and I both wanted to lose weight so we decided to do the DROPiT21 programme together.

I have type 2 diabetes and although I had managed to reduce my levels it still wasn’t enough, and also I was starting to gain weight again. Thanks to the programme I lost 12lb in 3 weeks and 9 inches overall. I had my blood glucose levels tested recently and they are now much reduced which my GP was really pleased with. She has reduced my medication and I am over the moon with that. I am 64, and am going to re-join my local running club in September.

I enjoy fell walking and I can really feel the difference in my fitness. I would thoroughly recommended DROPiT21 as my eating habits have totally changed for the better.

JEMMA’S STORY: Back in summer 2014, I had about 6 months of being poorly and constantly exhausted and felt I needed to do something about it.

A friend had signed up to DROPiT21 and I was watching her incredible results. I was intrigued, so I signed up in September 2014 and haven’t looked back since.

I started my journey as a size 22/24 and now I’m over 6 stone and nearly 70 inches smaller and currently wearing a size 14, nearly a 12.

I have found DROPiT21 so easy to fit into my every day life. I love the workouts in the morning; they are only 10 minutes so easy to fit in, plus you feel energised for the whole day after. The recipe suggestions are yummy and easy to do. This programme has completely changed my way of thinking about food. Food used to control my life, now I control it. It’s such an empowering feeling knowing that I am doing something good for my body and getting slimmer too.

Jemma before ... ... and after

So are you ready for that Positive Change?

For Further details of DROPiT21 please contact Sandra on 07771 800913 or email sandra@dropit21.com The must-see documentary, “That Sugar Film” is now available from Amazon and iTunes.

Bodies of evidence Some more beneficiaries of DROPiT 21

Sharon before ...

Michele before ...

... and after

... and after

Mobile: +44 7771 800913 Email: sandra@dropit21.com Web: www.dropit21.com

k COM PETITIONk Win a free 21 day online DropiT21 programme – how to kick the sugar habit. See page 66.

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HEALTH & BEAUTY *

Not just skin deep Improving skin tones, banishing wrinkles, rolling back the years. The team of nurses at Thame’s MBNS Clinic are experts in all matters of cosmetic therapy. But their work does more good than simply to help restore looks.

It can make people feel better about both themselves and their lives. As the story of Katherine, a 66-year-old school nurse, movingly shows.

“

I

am originally from the north of England and relocated to Oxford in 1993 when I was offered a senior nurse position at the Radcliffe Infirmary. After my retirement from the NHS and after the death of my beautiful daughter I relocated to Witney in 2010.

I had my 66th birthday in March this year and decided that it was time I did something for myself. My post retirement nursing job is extremely busy and rewarding even so I still needed to find time and attention for me.

Losing my daughter was devastating, I really did not know where to turn and so I needed to channel some energy into something positive. One day I found my daughter’s art material and so I began a journey into the world of art; I found this to be very therapeutic even though I had never done any kind of art before.

One day, whilst walking into Thame I came across the MBNS nurse-led clinic and popped in for a chat about how they could help me. I found that the stress of losing my daughter showed all over my face. I have always been a bit of a skincare junkie by always cleansing properly, moisturising and wearing a daily sunscreen. And it worked somewhat as friends would complement me on my skin! However I went into total shock when my daughter committed suicide in February 2008.

I was the one who found her. And afterwards, I just could not eat or sleep and became a little agoraphobic. My weight plummeted from a healthy 9 stone down to 6 stone in a matter of weeks and it really did show in my face with the loss of volume. Even when I regained two stone, my cheeks still looked hollow. As I started to emerge from my grief, I really felt that something needed to be done!

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As soon as I walked into MBNS clinic I was made to feel so welcome. All the staff are so friendly and caring, they really made me feel at home and I really enjoy my visits there. From a caring smile to a lovely cappuccino, it really is the best therapy!

Initially I was treated by Adrian who gave me his advice on what he felt was appropriate treatment. I was insistent that whatever treatment I received it would still give me movement in my face and it would be completely natural. In addition I have been treated by Marea and Paula. I feel totally comfortable being seen by any of these experienced nurse practitioners. The treatments were quite subtle but everyone commented that I looked like my old self again and consequently I became much more confident in my appearance.

So what treatments did I have?

The nurse practitioners were very attentive and listened to my concerns.

They only added dermal fillers to my cheek area and a small amount of wrinkle relaxant.

”

nominate this years charity. It was the charity that donations went to from her daughter Emily’s funeral. Kath says “I do think mental health is so underfunded in this day and age in the NHS and these charities do a lot of work in this area. MIND also offer courses for professionals including nurses, doctors and counsellors”.

If Kath’s story has inspired you to donate to MIND - you can do so here: www.mind.org.uk.

Kath now has a website showing her paintings: www.paintingsilove.com/ artist/kathmander You can Google Kath Mander and it will direct you to the website. Kath says “My paintings are very spiritual and I almost feel that Emily is channelling through me and guides me as I paint”.

If you would like a consultation with one of our specialist nurses, call MBNS on 01844 213007 or Qutis Clinics on 01993 704050

MBNS Clinic 57 North Street, Thame, Oxon OX9 3BH Tel: 01844 213007 www.mbnsclinic.co.uk

Every year on National Nurses day MBNS collects and makes a donation to a worthy charitable cause. Our clients, our team and the business contributed to the MIND charity. As Katherine had been so gracious in telling us her story, we asked her to

Qutis Clinic Witney 27 Corn Street, Witney, Oxon OX28 6DB Tel: 01993 704050 www.qutisclinics.co.uk www.lookyournaturalbest.com

Katherine in her nursing days with Coronation Street icon Ena Sharples (Actress Violet Carson)

Katherine before treatment

Katherine after treatment

“Ready for my close-up�

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LIFESTYLE *

You wear it well The nights are drawing in, there’s a chill in the air, but what will warm the heart are the Autumn collections that you will fall for at White Hart Studio.

Emily and Fin Established in London in 2002

by Emily Whittle and Ffion Armour-Brown, Emily and Fin has grown into a distinctive British brand. Each collection is designed and developed in-house in their London studio, where a high level of attention is paid to the fit and quality of each garment.

Taking influence from the past to create collections for the present, Emily and Fin continue to develop their unique aesthetic each season.

The combination of original prints and thoughtful design results in flattering women’s clothing that feels at once current and timeless.

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Needle Lizzie and Emma, have spent the last three years bringing their passion for classic style with a contemporary edge to life. Needle has evolved from a women’s fashion led knitwear label to a real life luxury knitwear brand. Lizzie and Emma believe in style over fashion, they think classic with a contemporary edge combines serious with fun to offer their customers stylish knitwear for their everyday needs.

They love to play with colour; they use colour blocking and different stitches to create textured, fun, wearable pieces of knitwear for all year round.

A British brand, designed in Buckinghamshire and developed in the UK with yarns sourced from around the world.

The aim has always been and remains to be, to create luxury knitwear that is stylish, flattering, and has a gorgeously soft hand feel. Everyone will snuggle up and feel great in their jumpers’ everyday.

Braintree Braintree is a natural clothing company born in Sydney, Australia and now based in London.

They are a unique independent fashion outfit with a simple philosophy - to design and make beautiful, timeless fashion while caring for our environment.

They have been championing eco fibres since their humble beginnings in the mid 1990’s producing quality affordable garments, always produced ethically and with sustainability in mind.

The ranges for women and men are made from sustainable fibres such as hemp, bamboo & organic cotton. These fabrics are good for the environment and great to wear!

Swap cotton dresses for organic cotton dresses and feel the difference.

Or envelop yourself in their sumptuous wraps and cardis in mix of classic and contemporary shapes. Made from the

softest yarns, their organic cotton cardigans and luxurious wool throws have been perfected to keep you comfortable, chic and toasty warm.

WHITE HART STUDIO FASH IO N, JEW ELLERY, G IFTS & INTERIORS 15 CHURCHWAY, HADDENHAM, BUCKS HP17 8AB T: 01844 292308 M: 07765 366308 E: JANE@WHITEHARTSTUDIO.COM

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LIFESTYLE *

Kismet Jewellers is clinging on to summer with their sumptuous pearl designs (and celebrate Clogau Gold’s 25th Anniversary). So what makes Pearls so special to Yvette Nix and a certain Egyptian Queen?

Pearl Queen Pearls of wisdom In its natural state, rare beyond gold and diamonds, the pearl is the only gem fashioned by a living creature. In his Natural History, Pliny the Elder, the Roman chronicler, tells this story.

Cleopatra, anxious to impress upon Rome that Egypt was possessed of a culture that placed it above the mere conquest to which barbarian peoples were routinely subjected and made it instead a partner worthy to be courted, held a banquet for Marc Antony. Not any banquet either, she promised, but the most expensive ever to embellish a

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table. The beginning was not auspicious.

The queen sat herself in front of an empty plate and a cup of vinegary wine.

But if Antony was underwhelmed at first, his jaw was soon to fall open in wonderment. Carefully retrieving a pearl from a pair of earrings set at her side, Cleopatra dropped the gem into the acidic wine. Once the 30 million sesterces’ worth of pearl – £2 million in today’s hard cash – had dissolved, she proceeded to drink the cup to its very expensive dregs. Offered the other pearl, Antony, now thoroughly overwhelmed, declined with an uncommon Roman modesty.

The reason for the desirability of pearls was – their gorgeous, translucent lustre aside, single droplets of refracted crystalline light holding within their bounds an infinity of mystery – the scarcity with which they occurred.

Natural pearls are very, very rare. This is because only two molluscs actually produce true pearls: the seawater pearl oyster and the freshwater pearl mussel.

For an object so precious and so amorously coveted, there is a suitably

wondrous and intimate manner in which it is created. Should a foreign body, like a grain of sand or, more usually, a parasite, invade the mollusc, the oyster or mussel reacts to the irritant by coating it in nacre, the substance that forms the inside of the shell. Embalmed in nacre, the intruder is alchemised, by a living process, into a thing of iridescent beauty: the pearl.

Human impatience and ingenuity being what they are, however, we grew weary of the erratic rate at which those living processes delivered up their gems.

As soon as the know-how was available – developed in the first two decades of the 20th century – the cultured pearl arrived. Seeding the molluscs with a parasite ‘nucleus’, most often a polished bead made from oyster shell, pearl farmers were able to replicate nature’s own unreliable methods and produce pearls on an unprecedented scale. Today, almost all pearls are cultured or farmed.

Ask most people to describe a pearl and they will picture it creamy white and more or less perfectly round. Pearls,

Autumn ‘spring clean’

in fact, can come in black, rosy silver, pale gold, shimmering grey, peacock green and aubergine purple, depending on the natural colour of the nacre, and can be dyed a whole spectrum of hues: yellow, green, blue, brown and pink.

And they come in an equal diversity of shape too: round, semi-round, button, drop, pear, oval and circled. The shape of the pearl in part defines how it can be worn as a piece of jewellery. Rounds and semi-rounds for necklaces, the flatter buttons for earrings, drop and pears for pendants.

The best way to value a pearl’s quality is by its lustre. The higher the lustre – the more brilliantly it reflects the light – the deeper the layers of nacre and the better quality the pearl. The smoothness of the skin is important too. As is the roundness and the size of the pearl. It must still have been some sized pearl that Cleopatra swallowed. But then again, befitting that a jewel known as the queen of gems should have ended up inside a queen as imperiously regal as she was.

Summer has been and gone, and the lead up to Christmas begins. With parties, dinners and events appearing in the calendar, we all want our treasured jewellery and watches to be looking and functioning at their best.

Chances are, this summer we may have been wearing those rings, bracelets and watches whilst aboard a boat trip, or by a pool, or on the beach. But the sun, sand, sea and chlorine may have had an adverse effect on them.

Applying sunscreen can lead to a build up of cream residues, and sand particles can become wedged into the most miniscule of areas between gemstones. Over time the friction of cream and grains can erode the settings, leaving the gemstones vulnerable. As for watches, summertime activities can also create wear and tear. Your sports watch may be water resistant, but the corrosive salt that accumulates in the links of the bracelet after those dips in the sea, if left unchecked, can get into the pins and the screws, which will then gradually work loose. Elegant dress watches can be affected by aftershave or perfume too.

As with every area of life, the more we look after something, the longer it will last. Here at Kismet, our in-house services include minor watch repairs, such as battery replacements, bracelet shortening, pin replacement, and, just as importantly, post-summer cosmetic cleaning to remove the effects of sun creams, sea water, perfumes and hair sprays. We can also fit new watch straps from a selection which include ladies and gents leather in various colours and styles, along with those with special fittings such as Swatch and Techno Marine.

In addition to caring for your watch, we can give you the same loving service for your treasured jewellery. Besides a good clean, we can check to make sure stones are safe and secure, and give advice and estimates on any repair work that might be needed. Our in-house designer can also provide you with ideas and advice for a bespoke piece of jewellery, that special piece, maybe, for an engagement or a wedding. Or why not pop in to give your heirlooms a new lease of life with either a clean and polish or a complete re-design (we can prepare a re-design combining more than one piece of your existing or old jewellery)?

Another important part of our service is the work carried out in our workshops.

We can repair and refurbish all brands of watches, be it a matter of mending a seal or performing a full mechanical overhaul.

In the Kismet jewellery workshop, our master goldsmith will clean, polish and refinish your jewellery, re-tip worn or damaged claws or settings, and resize rings to get that perfect fit.

It maybe just what your jewellery needs. An autumn ‘spring clean’ to rid it of the effects of summer and to ready it for winter.

Kismet Jewellers: 01844 261166 Yvette@kismetjewellers.com Follow us on Facebook

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A.M.SIMPSON Interior and Exterior Decorating A local well established business built on reputation and recommendation. No job is too small or too large. We specialise in all aspects of interior and exterior decorating, offering high quality workmanship at competitive prices.

For a free estimate and advice please contact Anthony.

Email: amsimpson@mail.com Call: 07834 592218

Thame Out How to reach more customers The complimentary magazine for the Thame area

Carr parked in Oxford Jimmy Carr at the New Theatre

Autumn 2009 Issue 11

Grape taste Corking wines at Wines Unfurled

Magic of the Middle East

What makes Syria a fantastic holiday destination

Truly engaging Gorgeous bridal gowns and beautiful wedding rings

To advertise in Thame Out call: 01844 216847 or Email: julian@red-l.co.uk See the website: www.thameout.co.uk

LEISURE ☛ BEAUTY ☛ HOME ☛ TRAVEL ☛ LOCAL ☛ COMPETITIONS ☛ AND LOTS MORE ☛

Kitchens

without compromise

NEW STORAGE CONTAINERS Long Crendon 20ft Steel containers for hire, completely dry and vermin proof.

High security.

Private site.

Man, woman and van available.

Call Nick on 07702 119888.

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Kingsey Kitchens is a bespoke kitchen manufacturer and retailer based between Thame and Princes Risborough.

Our specialist team of designers, craftsmen and installers genuinely want to provide a service that enables everyone, from those with small budgets to those looking for a top of the range kitchen, to be able to have something bespoke, uniquely designed and manufactured exactly to their specifications.

We pride ourselves on providing amazing quality furniture using premium materials at competitive prices.

To take advantage of our FREE home consultation and design service, please contact us today.

GREAT AUTUMN OFFERS Contact us or call in for details Kingsey Kitchens & Interiors 1 The Barns, Manor Farm, Risborough Road, Kingsey, Buckinghamshire HP17 8LU 01844 290 899 info@kingseykitchens.co.uk www.kingseykitchens.co.uk

Autumn at

FASH IO N, JEW ELLERY, G IFTS & INTERIORS

White Hart Studio

15 CHURCHWAY, HADDENHAM, BUCKS HP17 8AB T: 01844 292308 M: 07765 366308 E: JANE@WHITEHARTSTUDIO.COM

WHITE HART STUDIO

Thame Out .23

FASHION *

Perfect fit Matthew Stockmore pays a visit to Gallant, Thame’s premier menswear boutique, to size up the suits and jackets.

Q

uality of material and quality of design is all at Gallant. Owners, Lucy and Carol, choose their collections for their poise and balance, their subtly classical and quirky individualistic looks, for their fusion of smart tradition and effortless cool, for their finesse and flamboyance, for their minimalism and their outspokeness, for their muted colours and their dazzle, for their exquisite cottons and wools and cashmeres, for their comfort and their effortless fits.

If you want to look at your best, chaps, Gallant has done all the hard work. Every item is on-trend. All you have to do is dress to impress, whatever the occasion.

What’s new for autumn, I ask. Some fantastic high-end, Italian made suits and jackets is what. Pal Zileri, for example.

The independent linings make the jackets the last word in light comfort.

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More modish and sophisticated designs come in the form of the latest ranges from Lagerfeld and Without Prejudice.

But what happens if you set your mind on a suit or jacket to set all other suits and jackets in the shade but the off-the-peg number doesn’t quite fit you as centimetreperfectly as you would wish? Not a problem. Gallant has its own tailoring service. They can shorten sleeves, taper jackets and trim trousers to your exact body measurements.

And if you’re looking to complement your new outfit with any kind of accessory, then just peruse the racks, shelves and cabinets of shirts, ties, belts, cufflinks and shoes. Each as beautifully made and designed as the suits they are intended to go with.

The 2nd floor

“Customers sometimes forget that there’s more to Gallant than just the ground floor,” says Lucy. “The Room Upstairs is full of more stylish and elegant men’s clothing. And it also serves as a private dressing room where customers can try on their choices and can talk over the look and styling with us.”

For any man who wants to cut a stylish figure, Gallant is most definitely a cut above. And the perfect fit.

The difference is in the detail Brands include: Circle of Gentlemen Pal Zileri Eton Oliver Sweeney Sunspel 7 For All Mankind Hackett Gant Paul & Shark Duchamp Lagerfeld Lanvin Gran Sasso Hiltl Falke Without Prejudice La Martina

10 Greyhound Walk, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 3DY 01844 218 400 www.gallant-thame.co.uk twitter: @Gallant_Thame

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TRAVEL *

Christmas

Munich

H

uge Christmas trees decorated with colourful lanterns transform old market squares into truly magical settings. Stalls offering deliciously scented stollen cakes with a glass of hot glühwein and wonderful gifts hand-made by local craftsmen which evoke the warmth and spirit of a traditional yuletide. European Christmas Markets are the perfect way for you, children and grandchildren to get into the Christmas spirit.

Vienna The Viennese Christmas Markets date back as far as 1294 and take place throughout the city from 15 November until 23 December. The “Christkindlmarkt” at Rathausplatz (starts 26 November) with its elaborately decorated trees is the classic, whereas the Schonbrunn Palace featuring festive

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concerts is the most musical, and the historic Spittelberg quarter where you can buy traditional handicrafts from stalls and shops located in the narrow streets is perhaps the most authentic.

Salzburg This baroque city, dominated by its historic castle, is set against a magical backdrop of spectacular mountains.

Not surprisingly as the home of Mozart, Salzburg’s Christmas Markets, held in many locations throughout the city, are full of music. From 20 November until 26 December there is choral singing from the cathedral steps, ‘Turmblasen’ wind instrument bands in Residenz Square and nativity exhibits in the Residenz courtyard.

Prague With its mediaeval gothic city centre and stylish Opera houses, Prague is one of our most popular destinations, not least at Christmas time.

From 29 November until 11 January it hosts two great markets in Wenceslas Square and the Old Town Square that feature daily carol concerts performed by children’s choirs. Czech Christmas markets also traditionally feature hot wine, waffles, marionettes, straw decorations, cut glass and the best wooden toys in Europe.

Bruges Known as the ‘Venice of the North’, Bruges is one of Europe’s loveliest and best preserved mediaeval towns and it offers the perfect surroundings for a traditional Christmas Market. From

treats

Christmas Markets have been held in many European cities for hundreds of years and today they remain as popular than ever. Tanya Farrer from Spear Travels in Thame selects some of her favourites.

Stockholm

21 November until 2 January there are daily markets in Simon Stevinplein Square as well as Markt Square, which also features a specially built ice-skating rink.

Brussels Just 1 hour 50 minutes by Eurostar from London St. Pancras or 1 hour 40 minutes from Ebbsfleet, Brussels’ Christmas Market is filled with tantalising aromas, decorated with festive lights and hosts a vast number of stalls selling an array of traditional and seasonal products.

From 28 November until 14 January, Brussels makes a cheerful and convenient destination to enjoy the holiday atmosphere.

Lille Now just 1 hour 20 minutes from London St. Pancras on Eurostar, Lille is a great destination at any time of the year.

Between 19 November - 30 December the Place Rihour hosts the largest Christmas Market in Northern France with a giant illuminated Ferris wheel, funfair, concerts, exhibitions and more than 50 stalls. Transfers not included.

Cologne Located on the banks of the Rhine, with the striking gothic Cathedral ‘The Dom’ as its dominant landmark, Cologne offers a diverse range of museums, theatre and opera and has plenty of charm with its cobbled streets dating back to Roman times. There are six Christmas Markets, which run from 24 November until 23 December,

including four located at the Cathedral.

Prices are based on flights from London.

Alternatively, with the high speed rail service from London St. Pancras, you can reach Cologne in just five hours via Brussels.

>>>

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Vienna

Berlin

Tallinn

Copenhagen

From 24 November until 23 December Berlin is home to a plethora of Christmas Markets, from the romantic setting of Charlottenburg Castle in the west of the city to the famous Gendarmenmarkt in the east. A multitude of stands sell everything from stollen and gingerbread to handmade gifts crafted by glass blowers, wood carvers and doll makers.

Full of history and crammed with restaurants, bars and cafés, the Estonian capital is a truly fascinating destination.

From 21 November until 8 January, Tallinn hosts a daily Christmas Market in the mediaeval Town Hall Square that evokes a special atmosphere with its delicious local foods and wide range of local crafts.

From 15 November until 4 January you can delight in a traditional Danish yuletide at the Christmas Markets held in the famous Tivoli Gardens (entrance is £12) and at Nyhavn.

Thousands of lights decorate the icerinks, stalls laden with Christmas gifts and restaurants offering traditional fayre.

Munich

Stockholm

Germany’s most beautiful city is a thriving centre for art and culture and home to a wonderful opera house.

The Christmas Market takes place in the Marienplatz, in front of the gothic town hall, from 27 November until 24 December. Many Bavarian delights are on sale from pewter tankards to straw stars and festive angels.

From 21 November until 23 December there are Christmas Markets throughout Stockholm. The main market in the colourful mediaeval maze of the old town or Gamla Stan is held daily. There is a weekend market at Skansen on Djurgården island: the world’s oldest open air museum, running since 1903.

Budapest The twin cities of Buda and Pest are worth a visit at any time of the year, but from 27 November until 31 December they feature great Christmas Markets too. Centred on the shopping street Vaci Utca and Heroes Square, they feature traditional Hungarian dancing and folk music, carol singing and stalls selling local specialities such as hot sausages and warm glühwein.

Spear Travels Greyhound Walk, Thame, Oxon OX9 3DY 01844 217228 thame@speartravels.net www.speartravels.net

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HOME & GARDEN *

Designs on your

interiors Greens of Thame offers its customers a true chance to make a home of their houses. Charlotte Collins reports.

H

ow often have we traipsed the aisles of furnishing warehouses and huge department stores to find, well, nothing of genuine interest? The same monochrome choice of furniture, fabrics, designs. Yet to these places we all troop in the hope of inspiration, of something distinctive, of something that will make our homes as individual as we are. And to return disappointed, not just with the quality of the goods on offer but with their imaginative, creative failings.

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Sameness, corporate sameness. But if difference is what you’re after, may I suggest you take a different shopping trek. Make your way to Greens Furnishings of Thame, a proudly independent, family-owned store in the heart of the town.

Established in 1963, Greens has always aimed to provide its customers with personal service, with intelligent expertise, with innovative designs that truly match the spirit of the age.

Tim Green, who owns the store along with his brother Pete, explains the philosophy behind it. “We insist on top quality products, of course, whether it’s a bed or a carpet or a curtain or a fabric for a sofa.” he says. “And we insist on giving our customers expert advice on what is the very best buy for their houses. But we also move with the times, updating our designs as tastes change and evolve, tracking trends in colours, stylings, materials, and anticipating shifts in lifestyles. Yet never, ever losing sight of our core values and our promise to every, single person who walks through our doors: what you get from Greens will be the finest quality.”

Greens’ sense of innovation is perfectly married with tradition. And that extends to the people the firm employs.

Imaginative, forward-looking but allied to the craft virtues of the past.

Two recent recruits who demonstrate Greens’ approach to home furnishings are Sian, an interior designer, and Mikayla, a seamstress.

“Like many customers, I was astonished at just how big the store is,” says Sian. “It stretches way past the haberdashery section at the front of the shop, on to the furniture section.”

She’s right. There are choices of curtains, carpets, blinds fabrics, wallpapers and paints everywhere.

(When I visited I was impressed to learn that Greens has a greater range of fabrics than even John Lewis.)

You can get your furnishings re-upholstered at Greens, you can find fabrics by Colefax and Fowler, Saunderson and Harlequin and Romo, blinds of every sort from Luxaflex, tracks and poles from Bradley and Silent Gliss, wallpaper from Osborne and Little (designed by fashion guru Matthew Williamson), paints from Zoffany. Each an internationally renowned brand.

“I’ve noticed that more and more people are having blinds put in,” says Sian. “But what a lot of people don’t realise is that new child-safety laws mean the length of chord has to be of a certain length. Here at Greens we never sell the

old, dangerous sort. Blinds can be a great alternative to curtains, and we have a whole range in a diversity of styles to suit any kind of window,” But it isn’t just a matter of dressing windows. If you want to transform your house, Greens has everything to complement your vision of a home, as modish, as imaginative, as traditional as you yourself might be. Not just the materials - the fabrics, the paints, the blinds, the carpets, the curtains - but, as importantly, the skills - the interior design advice, the expert appreciation of how colours and fabrics can match a space, the matchless fitting, stitching and installing.

With more new houses springing up in and around Thame, I suspect Greens are going to be busy in the coming years.

Turning those houses into real, true, stylish, individual homes.

Greens of Thame 4-5 Upper High St, Thame OX9 3ES 01844 212560 info@greens-furnishings.co.uk

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INNOVATIVE STYLING AVEDA HAIR CARE – THE ROOTS OF AVEDA Aveda started with one shampoo and a mission to create naturally-derived products that care for your hair and the world we live in.

Today our ingredients are over 95% naturally-derived and harvested worldwide.

Our hair care systems deliver salon proven results and feature unique flower and plant Pure-Fume™ aromas that change your mood while you cleanse and condition your hair.

Complimentary Scalp Massage, Hand Massage and Make-up Refresh

Recruiting now for all three Salons.

CREATIVE COLOURING Brothers - Thame 16 Buttermarket, Thame, OX9 3EP Tel: 01844 217365 Brothers - Oxford 57 The High Street, Oxford, OX1 4AS Tel: 01865 250696 Brothers - Marlow 68 West Street, Marlow, SL7 2BP Tel: 01628 484717 Book online @ www.brotherssalons.co.uk

Stylists Technicians and Apprentices.

HOME & GARDEN *

“I know this is impossible, but ...”

The first words spoken to Fay Branch at Kingsey Kitchens & Interiors by a client discussing her new kitchen project. It turned out not to be impossible after all. Sarah Denmark reports.

L

iz and Howard Craig have lived in their charming cottage in Wing for a number of years. The one room that Liz, a keen cook wasn’t happy with was her kitchen. It was small, cluttered and impractical for modern living. The Craigs were resigned to the fact that they couldn’t achieve the kitchen they really wanted, that was until Kingsey Kitchens & Interiors got involved.

Liz had approached Fay at Kingsey Kitchens as she so wanted to improve the kitchen and had heard that they could do ‘the impossible’ from a friend.

Fay has noticed that more and more jobs are now involving re configuring layouts and this was no exception. Liz had suggested removing the wall between the kitchen and the utility room.

Unfortunately this was a supporting wall – in fact it was the back wall of the original cottage.

The original kitchen, small and cluttered

The old dining room wall ...

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... going ...

Kingsey, however had a solution. Why not remove the wall between the kitchen and dining room? By doing so, the room suddenly became a large open space and as Fay says “completely transformed the ground floor”. This re-design was project managed by Kingsey who worked closely with a local building firm called Building Bespoke.“It’s great to be involved in a job and see it through from initial drawings to a perfect conclusion,” adds Fay. It was still a challenge to work within the original footprint, but the end result is a beautiful, spacious and practical kitchen/diner that is the hub of the home.

As you would expect from a Kingsey kitchen, there are some great space saving features. Pull out drawers, for example, to give easy access to pots and pans. “They can carry a great weight, yet simply glide easily out from the cupboard,” says Fay. “We utilised every inch of space in this bespoke kitchen”, she adds. There is a beautiful old style larder that Liz had always wanted but didn’t think she would ever get. It’s hugely useful and attractive.

There is a super little utility room hidden behind the main kitchen area. This features a tumble drier stacked on top of a washing machine with a really handy pull out drawer to make washing and drying easier.

The kitchen itself is a shaker style kitchen that seems to fit perfectly with the age and look of the cottage. ... gone and ...

Painted in Farrow and Ball ‘Bone’, the kitchen cupboards are finished in Hacienda White a beautiful new MFC from the Egger collection making the inside of the carcasses as bespoke as the rest of the kitchen. The worktop is “Tristone” a 100% acrylic solid surface that is elegant, extremely practical, and long lasting. It is resistant to water, heat, bacteria and many chemicals.

Tristone is fabricated by Kingsey Kitchens in their workshop and this particular worktop had a drip strip running all the way round the top.

The cost of a new kitchen can sometimes run away with itself. But at Kingsey Kitchens, that’s something they understand. They combine a range of ‘off-the-shelf’ products and hand-made items to create truly bespoke designs tailored to fit each individual client’s ideas and budget. Customers are able to choose any style of kitchen, from contemporary to traditional. “Clients can be more imaginative and innovative with their budgets,” says Fay. “And spend their money exactly where they want. A lot of kitchen suppliers offer just ‘off-the-shelf’ or just completely bespoke solutions.” she adds.

The one thing Kingsey will always do is find a solution, as they did here in Wing. Creating your dream kitchen is not necessarily an expensive solution.

“Simply moving a door or window let alone a wall can transform a room and improve the ergonomics so much” says Fay. ... a new larder.

The new spacious kitchen/diner

“

We are so pleased, I never thought I would be the proud owner of such a wonderful kitchen Liz from Wing

�

Clever storage No space is wasted

Kingsey Kitchens & Interiors 1 The Barns, Manor Farm, Risborough Road, Kingsey, Buckinghamshire HP17 8LU

So if you want to transform your kitchen and add value to your home, then give Kingsey Kitchens & Interiors a call.

www.kingseykitchens.co.uk 01844 290 899 info@kingseykitchens.co.uk Bespoke design ideas

Thame Out .37

LIFESTYLE *

From the

Once she trod the boards of some of London’s most prestigious theatres. Now she runs a gallery in Thame’s East Street dedicated to the very finest of handbags, jewellery, ceramics and sculptures.

Emily Hurst popped along to fitch & fellows to meet owner Susannah Fellows.

West End to East Street S

usannah Fellows has acting in her DNA. From a theatrical family, she trained and worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company and has played lead roles in many of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s West End productions. When Elaine Page stood down from playing Evita, it was Susannah who stepped into her shoes.

But the stage isn’t Susannah’s only creative passion. She also shares an equal enthusiasm for all forms of art and craft.

“I’ve always collected interesting things.

Before our twin girls were born, we used to go to all kinds of art fairs and craft exhibitions. I got the bug and decided to turn my hobby into a business and to open a gallery “. She got a crash course in “gallery operating” from a friend who had a prestigious Bond St. gallery and off she went.

The enterprise proved a huge success.

Not only did the idea – a gallery centred exclusively around the theme of animal imagery – turn out to be a hit with the customers, the gallery won critical acclaim too. It was made a Crafts’ Council selected outlet for the quality and design of its items.

Then the twins came along and she sold the gallery and went back to acting.

“Because it was more flexible. I could choose when I wanted to work. I wanted to be a good mum!” says Susannah. She and her partner, also an actor, moved out of London to Brill for a better quality of life. She continued to work in the West End in Mama Mia, CHICAGO, The Wizard of Oz, ENRON – but her interest in other creative outlets began to percolate at the back of her mind.

It was then that she met John Markham, known as John the Stitcher, here in Thame. “I’d priced leather working courses and they were ridiculously expensive. I went to John and said that maybe we could help each other. It looked like he needed someone

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Jeff Soan

Ros Ingram Laurance Simon

Ostinelli and Priest

Ikuko Iwamoto

Kate Wilkinson

to help him sort out his premises and I needed someone to teach me leatherwork. We were so different but we hit it off brilliantly”.

Sadly, 4 years into their professional partnership, John became ill and opted to give up the shop and retire. “He’d given me so much – taught me a new business – I asked him if I could possibly take it over. I love Thame and couldn’t think of a better place to set up shop”, she adds.

Fitch

Clara Francis Elin Isaksson

And so fitch & fellows came to be.

(Fitch, by the way, is her middle name and the name of Susannah’s leatherwork company.)” It’s all been a happy labour of love,” she says. Susannah designed the new layout plan for a delightfully bright, airy and intimate gallery space that now occupies the ground floor. Up above is the workshop where she produces

Fitch

handbags, belts, satchels, rucksacks and even funky dog collars and leads. She moved John’s machine and tools up there too so he could still come in and tinker when he wants to. Nobody who knew John’s shop would recognise it now.

Opened for some four months, fitch & fellows is enjoying the same success that blessed Susannah’s Little

Venice gallery. Along with Susannah’s FITCH designed leatherwork is a dazzling selection of ceramics, glassware, jewellery and sculpture from some of the artists she represented in her London gallery, alongside many new artists, discovered since those days. “My old friend ceramicist Laurance Simon’s work is now in the permanent collection at the V&A Museum. As is Ikuko Iwamoto’s work – she’s a new face on the scene. Beautifully crafted and so unusual!”, says Susannah. Jeff Soan’s wooden animals have featured on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow as collectables of the future (Prince Charles is said to be a fan). Elsewhere is an Aladdin’s Cave of the beautiful and the whimsical. You’ll discover beautifully designed and finished gold and silver jewellery by Kate Wilkinson, fine beadwork butterflies by Clara Francis and delicate hand crocheted flowers and fruits by Turkish jeweller Ayca Vural.

Susannah adds “Everything here is the culmination of the artists’ skill, experience, imagination and flair. Every piece is unique. And fun!

I’m a firm believer in art also being fun to have around.”

For which her Thame gallery is a fitting stage.

fitch & fellows 1 East Street, Thame, Oxon OX9 3JS l 01844 215099 l fitchandfellows@gmail.com

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EDUCATION *

Building on excellent foundations Rye St Antony School is building for the future of both boys and girls in its 85th anniversary year

O

xford based independent school Rye St Antony has undertaken some major developments in its 85th anniversary year – a £2.5m building programme and from September 2015 extension of its provision for boys up to the age of 11.

The first phase of the latest building programme for the day and boarding school in Pullen’s Lane has already been completed and includes a reception area and a new technology building as well as developments to external areas.

The second phase is currently under way and includes the reorganisation and refurbishment of the Prep School teaching areas and resources as well as external restoration and landscaping.

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A formal opening event to showcase the school’s newest developments is being held on Tuesday 8 September 2015, to be attended by triple Olympic medallist in Rowing and Chairman of Henley Women’s Regatta, Miriam Luke.

September 2015 also marks a change in the provision for boys. The school currently accepts boys aged from three to eight but has increased provision to the age of 11 in response to demand from parents.

“By enabling boys to complete their primary years here, we offer continuity,” says the school’s Head, Alison Jones.

“Rye is proud to maintain its reputation for providing a first-class education in terms of academic achievements and the development of team skills and leadership skills.” The school is proud too of its Catholic heritage: in the

words of a parent, “It is a school which genuinely reflects the religious, artistic, moral and intellectual ethos of the Catholic tradition.”

The latest developments are part of an ongoing programme for the school, its handsome new buildings carefully harmonised with its original Edwardian villas in their beautiful 12-acre location overlooking the city of Oxford.

Rye St Antony celebrated its 85th year with a Musical and Orchestral Extravaganza as part of its annual St Antony’s Weekend. Pupils were given the opportunity to perform with a professional orchestra and choir, and three pieces composed by the school’s A-level musicians were premiered.

Rye St Antony School Pullen’s Lane Oxford OX3 0BY +44 (0)1865 762802 www.ryestantony.co.uk

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FOOD & DRINK *

Rise to the challenge

Jane Hornby

It’s the Big Thame Bake

N

ew for this year’s Thame Food Festival is the Big Thame Bake, the festival’s first ever baking challenge in aid of good local causes which is now looking for entries.

Whether you’re passionate about pastry or love baking bread, it’s your opportunity to put your creativity to the test.

There are plenty of categories to charge your imagination, whatever your baking skill or age, with fantastic prizes up for grabs as well as the chance to meet some of the biggest names from

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the world of baking including Great British Bake Off Winner 2013 Frances Quinn, Luis Troyano, Miranda GoreBrowne and Howard Middleton alongside patisserie legend Benoit Blin from Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons.

“With the launch of the Big Thame Bake, we’re throwing down the oven glove to bakers everywhere” says food writer and Big Thame Bake organiser Jane Hornby. “We’ve come up with ten great categories to stretch your abilities and give you the chance to show us what you can do, whether you’re an enthusiastic beginner or expert home baker.

Enter as many categories as you like and bring your creation to Thame Town Hall on the big day,” she says.

The Thame Food Festival takes place from 9am to 5pm on Saturday 26th September 2015 in the heart of Thame town centre.

For more information, to book any of the special festival events and to sign up for the Big Thame Bake, please go to www.thamefoodfestival.co.uk.

U

UU

Great fashion. Naturally.

Companions £2.95 or FREE to PDSA Best Friends

The magazine for supporters of PDSA

Between the ears

CERAMICS GLASS

What goes on in the mind of a dog?

JEWELLERY LEATHERWORK

Dale Underwriting Partners

WOOD Also inside: Pet gadgets l Volunteering l Cat v dog l Kids and pets l Day trips l Scaredy cats l What do dogs think? l PDSA news l Celebrity profile l Pet case histories l Competitions l Your letters and pictures l And more ...

Celebrating the unusual

fitch & fellows

in creative craftsmanship

freerange

Spring 2014 Issue 68

Everthing you find in fitch & fellows is the culmination of the artists’ skill, experience, imagination and flair.

Red Letter creative communications

25 Southern Road, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 2EE 01844 216847 julian@red-l.co.uk www.red-l.co.uk

design advertising publishing marketing

THAME

WINE

FAIR

Fund Raising for Thame & District Citizen’s Advice Bureau An opportunity to taste and buy a wide range of fine quality wines from around the world, shown by members of the Association of Small Direct Wine Merchants (Visit the fair without tasting for a £3.00 donation to CAB) Town Hall Sat 14 Nov 12.00-18.00 Contact Sandra Davison on 01844 214498 for further information Organized by Friends of Thame & District Citizens Advice Bureau Registered Charity Number 1117782

Tickets £6

Open Tuesday – Saturday, 10.30am – 5.30pm 1 East Street, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 3JS 01844 215099 fitchandfellows@gmail.com

FOOD & DRINK *

The Mole and Chick’ (as it is known locally) has long been feted as a must-visit gastro pub.

Under the ownership of Steve and Suzanne Bush its reputation has risen even higher.

As Emily Hirst reports.

Modern British and world food A

wonderful old building, its fireplaces framed by beamed ceilings and flagstone floors, its windows and terrace opening out onto vistas that encompass the Buckinghamshire countryside, the Mole and Chicken is the perfect place in which to enjoy a quiet pint, a fabulous lunch or a sumptuous evening meal. Even more so since Steve and Suzanne Bush have been at the helm.

Originally from Hertfordshire, Steve worked as a chef in London for many years, adding experience and expertise to his many kitchen talents. “I was commuting for three hours a day,” he said. “And it just got too much. So when this opportunity to run such a well-established restaurant came up, it seemed too good an opportunity to turn down. My wife, Suzanne, and I leaped at the chance. Our real challenge was to stamp our own culinary personality on the Mole and Chick.”

And how. Over the last seven years, Steve and Suzanne have created a signature pub experience. Suzanne, who charmingly manages front of house, and Steve, who runs the kitchen, have between them raised the Mole and Chicken’s famous standards to yet a higher level.

“The cuisine is modern British,” explains Steve. “But with Mediterranean and Asian influences. So diners get the best of every world. The Asian flavours come from the time I spent on culinary tours in Thailand and Israel.

The Mediterranean tastes and textures are a wonderful result of the period in which I looked after a chain of Lebanese restaurants in Tel Aviv. I simply loved my time in Tel Aviv, and one of the things I wanted to do when taking over the Mole and Chicken was to translate all the nuances of flavour, all the cooking

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techniques, all the approaches to recipes that I picked up there into a menu that worked perfectly with British and north European cuisines.”

And worked perfectly it has. The evening menus have proved a triumph.

(But don’t take my word for it - 800 covers a week and a staff of 15 are a testament to the Mole and Chicken’s popularity.) Starters range from tender devilled lambs’ kidneys, smoked haddock, mouth watering crispy duck and perfectly cooked seared scallops.

While the main menu takes in all manner of succulent steaks and then strides out to spiced lamb rump with smoked aubergine, corn-feed chicken and black quinoa and white asparagus, roasted Cornish hake and steamed samphire, grilled pork chops with saffron risotto, fresh papardelle with braised rabbit and green tomato tart tatin.

“The food is simple and well cooked,” continues Steve. “The menu has been designed to marry great kitchen skills with the sort of unpretentious dishes people enjoy eating on an evening out.

Fish and chips are always on the menu for example. It’s flavoursome, imaginative food that will appeal to every palate.”

The same welcoming, relaxed philosophy applies to the front of house service too. “Our waiting staff are always attentive but never overbearing,” says Suzanne. “You will know that you are being looked after but never that anyone will be looking over your shoulder for the whole meal.”

Steve is keen to point out that the Mole and Chicken is much more than a great place in which to enjoy an evening’s dining. “We have never forgotten that the Mole and Chicken is a community pub,” he explains. “We’ve got a great list of beers and wines. Our lunchtime menu is the perfect complement to a drink -

Spiced Lamb Rump, Smoked Aubergine, Green Beans, Almonds & Aioli

Seared Scallops, Shallot Jam & Truffle Mash

ham and mustard sandwiches, roast beef rib and horseradish sandwiches, brie, bacon and cranberry sandwiches, grilled burgers, spaghetti with creamed wild mushrooms, roast chicken Caesar’s salad, free-range ham and eggs.”

The Mole and Chicken is also a fantastic stay-over restaurant. The five bedrooms that stand next to the pub have recently been refurbished and provide the prefect pillow on which to rest a head after a perfect evening.

Come summer. Come autumn.

Come winter. Come spring. The Mole and Chicken is a restaurant and pub for all seasons.

The Mole and Chicken Restaurant & Rooms Easington, Long Crendon, Aylesbury. HP18 9EY 01844 208387 www.themoleandchicken.co.uk

Emma Lucy photography

Notley Tythe Barn

To stage a great event today, go back to the 12th century.

Notley Tythe Barn is a beautiful, fully restored 12thcentury barn set in picturesque gardens within 500 acres of pasture land at the foot of the Chiltern Hills. It is also an elegant and unique venue for weddings, receptions, parties, celebrations and other special events.

Visit our fabulous

Wedding Fayre

Sunday 27th September 11.00am – 3.00pm Notley Farm, Chearsley Road, Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire HP18 9ER

T. 01844 201226 F. 01844 201226 E. weddings@notleyfarm.co.uk www.notleyfarm.co.uk

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Sponsored by

FOOD & DRINK * The world of wine with Jerome Harlington.

The exciting trend of local to global

A

ugust is the perfect time for stepping back, reflecting, taking a break and exploring new places and cultures. I have just returned from a delightful short trip to Palma and Valldemossa. The variety of Tapas was exceptional and I noted a trend for fusion tapas - particularly merging Malaysian flavours with traditional Spanish cooking.

I was also struck by the quality, and significant improvement, of Majorcan wines.

The more travelling I do the more I realise that the wines we have available in broad distribution in the UK, though impressive in breadth and depth, are just

a drop in the ocean when considering the breath taking diversity of yet to be discovered wines that are to be found off the beaten track. I find this a comforting thought, as to me the pleasure in wine is discovering and exploring new grapes, new producers and new food and wine pairings.

There was a time, even just a few years ago, when it was almost impossible to explore authentic and diverse local food and drink products from around the world without getting out a travelling to remote places on holiday.

But the arrival of broadband and ever faster internet speeds brought with it a fantastic opportunity. It has enabled the small fish smoke house in Norway, the microbrewery in Chumley, the small wine producer in Macedonia, to market their wares to a wider audience beyond their shores without the need for big

distribution contracts with supermarkets.

They can now sell their wares direct to customers anywhere in the world.

Thame has become an impressive hub for a superb variety of locally produced food and drink as well as exceptional food and drink imported direct from small producers around the world.

The upcoming Thame Food Festival on Saturday 26th September should be noted in your Calendar as not to be missed. It’s now attracting people from far and wide and the variety of food and drink on offer accompanied by taste workshops is very impressive.

Another fantastic new event to enjoy is the Thame Wine Fair supported by the Association of Small Direct Wine Merchants. There will be a wide and diverse range of boutique wines from around the world to taste and buy. The event will be held at the Town Hall on Saturday 14th November from 12:00 to 18:00 and is raising funds for the Thame and District Citizens Advice Bureau.

And now for some exciting news. The Trailblazing Wine App is now available to download via iTunes and Google Play!

The Trailblazing Wine app is the first ever wine app that allows you to take a picture of some obscure bottle anywhere in the world and get it sourced and sent straight to you.

As I’m sure you can tell, I’m very excited about this as it is at the heart of the trend of making the best of local available to a global audience.

So, here’s what you need to do. Click the QR codes below for either iTunes for your iPhone or Google Play for your Android or search ‘Trailblazing Wine’ in your app store. The ‘free trial’ version that you’ll get when you download has full functionality, but you’ll only be able to search for three wines, and delivery will come at a cost (unlike the full membership). Nevertheless, get your hands on it, test it out, and see what you think.

Once you’ve had a chance to trial it, send over an email letting me know what you think. jerome.harlington@gmail.com

www.trailblazingwine.com +44 (0)1865 339353 Mobile:+44 (0)7886 916857

A GREAT BRITISH PUB WITH GREAT THAI CUISINE

If you want to enjoy the delights of a traditional British pub – oak beams, stone floors, great beers – and the flavours of fantastic Thai cuisine, there is nowhere better than the Rising Sun in Thame. b TREAT YOURSELF Enjoy a half price Cocktail every Monday. b Tuesday is quiz night (cash prizes) b Food served until 10.30pm b Takeaways available b Lunchtime specials for people in a hurry b Now with an extra bitter on tap

b Live music every other Saturday b Watch Sky Sports & BT live b Loyalty card available (ask in pub) b Find us on Facebook

b SPORT THIS AUTUMN Watch the Rugby World Cup Champions League, Premiership, Championship and FA Cup Football

A BUCKET OF BEER

4 for £10 Choose from Budweiser, Peroni, Sol, Heineken or Corona

The Rising Sun, 26 High Street, Thame OX9 2BZ

01844 214206

www.risingsun-thame.co.uk

FOOD & DRINK * The pub

The farm at Ludgershall

The butchers

A Pointer to fine Emily Hurst enjoys a delicious meal at The Pointer in Brill, a pub and restaurant and butchers dedicated to fresh, locally sourced food.

H

ow many of our gastro-pubs and restaurants come complete with their own farm and butchers?

Not many, I’d hazard a guess, but The Pointer is one of them. A recently refurbished collection of seventeenthcentury red brick buildings in Brill, The Pointer is owned by David and Fiona Howden. David and Fiona also happen to own a farm in Ludgershall, just two miles down the road. A farm where pigs, cattle and chickens graze contentedly and roam the fields; where lettuces and

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broccoli and cabbages sprout green and vibrant from the fertile soil; where fruits and berries load the trees; and where bees harvest pollen to create rich honey.

Nature’s bounty. All of which emerge cooked and prepared to perfection from The Pointer’s kitchen to the delight of the diners assembled in the flagstone floored and wooden-beamed restaurant.

“It was always David’s and Fiona’s intention to create an eating place that is closely connected to the landscape that surrounds it,” explains James Rogers,

who manages The Pointer. “That way our guests can always be sure of the source of the food on their plates.” It also, I note, ensures that the meat is beautifully textured and succulent; that the vegetables are a relish; and that the fruits are bursting with seasonal flavours.

The road, however, to the delightful meal I am enjoying has not been a simple one. David and Fiona bought the pub as the Red Lion back in 2011 and enjoyed a really successful autumn and winter that year. But their wish to embed the pub

food

The restaurant

the buildings; they also chose to restore the pub’s former name, The Pointer.

The result is a wonderful reclamation of the past that, in its commitment to the highest quality food, embraces also the present.

The farm is stocked with rare breed Tamworth pigs – Long Horn cattle and a selection of chickens. With a recent addition of Hampshire Down Lamb.

Every care of husbandry is devoted to the animals on the farm. “The restaurant is really an extension of the way that David and Fiona live,” says James.

“Seasonal fresh food that travels as little distance as possible from the land to plate.

Since its re-opening, the kitchen at The Pointer has been complemented by the skills of the new head chef Mini Patel, who won his culinary spurs working in France, the USA, for Gordon Ramsey, the Battery Restaurant in Canary Wharf and, most recently, at the Cotswold House Hotel.

>>>

not just in the local community – The Pointer Butchers, for example, provides meals for the local schools in Brill – but also to restore its position as a historical village landmark prompted them to embark on an extensive restoration scheme. In January 2012 work began on the refurbishment. Ancient walls and original stonework were rescued. The outbuildings were taken down and then re-constructed, brick by brick. And the impressive garden re-laid out. Nor did David and Fiona stop at the fabric of

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Head Chef Mini Patel

To The Pointer he has brought all his experience and deftness of gastronomic touch: fusing flavours and textures, working wonders with ingredients that are already rich in taste, delivering dishes that are sophisticated, elegant, nuanced and yet bristle, too, with tastebud-tingling exuberance and imagination.

Given the emphasis on seasonal produce, the menu changes more or less after every service, so there is a constant but sumptuous surprise for diners who visit. The menu is supplemented by using artisan suppliers that share The Pointer’s ethos.

Should you so relish the meat on which you feast at The Pointer, you can always buy some to cook in your own kitchen. At the back of the pub is a butcher’s shop (it’s open four days a week) that sells some of the gorgeous cuts of beef, pork and lamb that emerge from the Ludgershall farm. “We are taking orders for our special Christmas hampers from 1st October, some with game birds” explains James. “The starting cost is just £35, and they are a really popular gift.”

The Pointer’s growing reputation as a fine dining venue has drawn in people from far and wide. It has also won it a fair few awards. As well as being chosen for inclusion in the 2015 Good Beer Guide, The Pointer has picked up a Gold for Excellence as a Pub of the Year in the Beautiful South Awards and a Silver in the Flavour of the South East Awards. Recently The Pointer has been awarded two rosettes by the AA. Whether it’s for a great pint, a wonderful lunch or some fine evening dining, you may want to head to The Pointer. Where the good of the land is poured into your glass and served deliciously onto your plate.

The Pointer 27 Church Street, Brill, Buckinghamshire HP18 9RT 01844 238339 info@thepointerbrill.com

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BUSINESS *

On the move Need a hire car or a hire van? As a back-up to your business or for moving house? Then, suggests Andrew Cohen, Thame Service Station is place to go to get you on the road.

M

any of us have needed a hire car or van at some point. It may be because you need a bit of extra transport for your business.

It may be because the family car isn’t quite up to the task of that holiday drive to Scotland. Or it may be because you are moving house and you want to save on the cost of getting in a removals firm. No matter what the reason, you can be sure you’ll get the hire car or van you need at Thame Service Station.

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Scott Price, who runs the hire service department, explains that the process of hiring a car or van is straightforward and stress free. “We see to it that everyone of our customers is looked after,” he says.

“That’s because we appreciate there is more to vehicle hire than just a good price - though we are proud that our hire rates are incredibly affordable.”

Each customer is greeted by one of the Thame Service Station team. They will listen carefully to your reasons for

hiring a vehicle and, rather than foisting anything that’s available in the fleet on you, they ensure that the car or van they suggest is perfect for your needs.

According to what best suits you, there are all manner of extras such as a roof box, tow bar, sat nav, trolley, sack truck, straps and blankets. Once you’ve decided on your vehicle of choice, you are guided through it detail by detail.

You will even get the opportunity of a test drive just so you feel comfortable and confident behind the wheel. When you’re out on the road, there’s the additional reassurance of knowing that you will have 24-hour a day access to members of the Thame Service Station

team just in case there are any problems.

“The condition of each car or van and its safety are absolutely paramount,” continues Scott. Which is why no hire car or van ever leaves Thame Service Station without first being valeted and its engine, tyres, electrical systems and brakes given a thorough check by the mechanics. All cars in the fleet are under two years old and all of the vans under three years old.

The range of Thame Service Station rental vehicles is as impressive as the service supporting them: small cars, family cars, estates, diesels, small vans, large vans and box vans. The aim is to cater for the sheer diversity of Thame Service Station customers, says Scott.

“There are all sorts of occasions for hiring a car or van, and we want to offer everyone a vehicle that fits in with their needs,” he adds. “Your car might be temporarily off the road; you might be planning a long-distance holiday, either in the UK or around Europe and you want to save your own car from the wear and tear involved in a long road trip; you might just require a run-around car, you might need a car for the whole family; you might have a business trip ahead of you; or you might be a business with an unexpected rush of orders that simply

have to be delivered on time. We will have the car or the van for you.”

A special Thame Service Station scheme also includes anyone moving house. “There are increasing numbers of people moving to a new home who decide to do the work themselves to save money and hire a van,” says Scott.

“To help them out, we created ‘Easy Move’. It’s a van rental service with a real difference. When you usually pitch up at a van rental company, you’re just handed the key and you’re on your own. No instructions, no support, no help. Here at Thame Service Station, we don’t think that’s acceptable. I mean, the strains and anxieties of moving house are enough in themselves without having to worry about the journey from one house or flat to another.

“With ‘Easy Move’ you benefit from careful instructions on how to manage the van. Making everything simpler and safer. But more than that you also get all the extra equipment for a easy house move: blankets to protect the furniture; ties and rails to secure the contents of the van; a sack trolley to take the burden of transferring boxes from the house to the van and from the van to the house; and we can supply vans with power assisted tail-lifts so the vehicle does all the

back-breaking work of shifting heavy objects from the pavement to the level of the van.”

There are other advantages to hiring a van or car from Thame Service Station.

It is open all day on Saturday and has a return facility on Sundays, so anyone who wants a rental for just one day over the weekend only pays for the day of hire itself. In other words, no collecting the vehicle on the Friday and returning it on the Monday and paying for the extra two days when you haven’t been using it. Also should you be travelling abroad, Thame Service Station will provide all the necessary paperwork for

Scott Scott Price

your vehicle, along with comprehensive breakdown protection.

It doesn’t matter if you are moving house, fulfilling business orders, off on holiday or find yourself temporarily with out car, a trip to Thame Service Station will get you on the move.

Thame car and van hire 3a Wenman Road, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 3UF 01844 854008 hire@thameservicestation.co.uk

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BUSINESS *

Business owners.

Estate planning for the future.

D

ealing with a bereavement is an extremely difficult time for a family and, if a business is left behind, this can be made even more challenging. Darbys’ Private Client Team can assist with all aspects of estate planning and have the relevant expertise to advise business owners to make sure matters are left in order following death.

After a bereavement, the team are also able to support those left behind with practical advice on what needs to be done going forward.

What will happen to your business following your death?

No two businesses are the same and so Darbys’ Private Client Team will provide a bespoke service specific to your needs and the needs of your business. The Team will find out your objectives, whether this is to minimise inheritance tax, safeguard assets, or provide for either the continuation or liquidation of your business following your death, and will work in conjunction with the firm’s Corporate and Employment Teams, as required. The rules following your death will differ depending upon which type of business is run – are you a sole trader, a partner in a partnership, or a main shareholder of a private limited company? A partnership, for example, will automatically end on the death of a partner unless alternative provisions are put in place by a partnership agreement.

If you are the main shareholder of a private limited company, would you want your spouse to inherit your entire estate outright following your death and so become the main shareholder?

Your spouse may not have had any involvement with the business during your lifetime and so it may be more appropriate to consider a cross option agreement to give the other shareholders first refusal on your shares. This is often funded by a life insurance policy.

Estate planning covers three important areas: Wills, inheritance tax planning and provision for loss of capacity.

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Darbys Private Client Team (left to right) Jane Bedford, Richard Biddle, Susan Floyd, Daniel Boyle and Rebecca Longland.

Make a Will It is vital if you own a business to have a Will. The intestacy rules may not distribute your estate how you would wish and can cause chaos for your business. For example, without a Will, the administrators of your estate may not be able to collect debts due to the business until a Grant has been obtained. Thought should be given about whether or not you would want your business to continue after your death. If you would like it to continue you ought to think carefully about the specific provisions that go into your Will and the powers that your executors and trustees are given.

Inheritance Tax Planning Business property relief can apply to an interest in a business to provide either 50% or 100% relief from inheritance tax. However, factors can negate the relief and so part of the estate planning process is to check that the relief should apply.

The inclusion of a trust in your Will may be efficient planning for inheritance tax purposes. Rather than leave business assets to a spouse which are already exempt from inheritance tax, it could be advisable to leave business assets to a discretionary trust.

A discretionary trust, accompanied by an appropriately thought out letter of wishes, is a flexible way to leave assets for your trustees to deal as they see fit following your death, to benefit your family in a tax efficient way.

Make a Lasting Power of Attorney It is not just Wills which ought to be carefully drafted if you own a business; Lasting Powers of Attorney are also a key part of full estate planning. We now recommend business owners to draft separate Lasting Powers of Attorney, one for personal use and one for business use. This enables different attorneys to be appointed and guidance specific to your business to be included. They must be compatible with a partnership agreement which is in place or with the Articles and Memorandum of Association for a private limited company. It is incredibly important that these documents are entered into now, when you have capacity, and registered as soon as possible. This means they are valid and ready to be used if necessary.

The registration process can take at least three months so delaying registration is not advised. If a Lasting Power of Attorney is not in place and you lose capacity then an application to Court for a deputy to be appointed must be made. This is a time consuming and costly process, however, and can be avoided with the completion instead of a Lasting Power of Attorney.

To speak about estate planning please contact Daniel Boyle, Associate in our Private Client Team on 01844 218000 or email Daniel at dboyle@darbys.co.uk

www.darbys.co.uk

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THE 6th ANNUAL THAME ARTS & LITERATURE FESTIVAL 16th – 18th OCTOBER 2015 Participate ... Enjoy ... Inspire …

With over 30 events packed into one weekend, TAL Festival has assembled a feast of delights to engage your brain, your funny bone, your musical ear, your critical eye that will set your imagination soaring.

Look out for inspiring talks, lovely music, children’s events and much more ...

For more information go to:

www.talfestival.org Tel: 0871 288 3420 Thame Out .57

OUT & ABOUT *

Words of wisdom The Thame Arts and literature Festival runs from 16 to 18 October.

It celebrates the power of the written word to enlighten us on every topic under the sun. Charlotte Collins talks to the Festival’s founder, Yvonne Maxwell.

M

y childhood was illuminated by reading. Words, those little black squiggles on pages of white paper, transported me to other worlds, taught me so much about the one world in which we all live and transformed the way I thought. I fell in love with language and its ability to shape and form me. Through words, I could either leave behind, or engage with, the travails of growing up. Through words, I could span the globe despite only owning a dilapidated bicycle. Through other people’s words, I could retreat into my own imagination. I was a circus acrobat, an otter in a Devon river, or the winner of a golden ticket to the world’s most fabulous chocolate factory. I could laugh out loud or cry quietly and inwardly at the freedom found in a sentence. Books liberated me.

I suspect no-one remains untouched by words spoken or written, whether as a child or an adult. Reading is a habit that catches hold of us. I suspect also that Yvonne Maxwell, who helped set up

Roger Moorhouse

the Thame Arts and Literature Festival, feels the same. For many years, Yvonne attended the prestigious Oxford Literary Festival and even worked there for three years. She felt that Thame could enjoy something similar though more intimate and less formal. After meeting with Brian and Luise Pattinson, who run Thame’s independent book shop, The Book House, the three have been working together ever since. “TAL is fundamentally an accessible, friendly, more local Festival which the authors seem to love,” explains Yvonne. “It’s held during the 3rd weekend in October and we enjoy over thirty events staged in locations across the town. Subjects are broad and eclectic, from poetry to getting published, gardening, history, current affairs, music, children’s events and loads more.”

Setting up the Festival was a challenge, as you might imagine, and in the early days Yvonne, Brian and Luise were busy on the phone persuading publishers to persuade their authors

Will Gompertz

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to agree to visit. Given the storming success of the Festival , however, that is beginning to change. “Whilst we will always have to be proactive to secure interesting speakers, our reputation is growing and increasingly publishers are approaching us,” she says. “In the past we have had visits from such national personalities as Sophie Dahl, Mary Berry, Lucy Worsley, Jonathan Dimbleby and Nick Robinson. Last year we were delighted to host ‘BBC Radio 4’s Any Questions’ live and also welcomed Michael Morpurgo and Charles Spencer. However, what has made us just as proud is that TAL provides a platform for local and up and coming authors, dramatists and musicians.

This year we are delighted to welcome Clare Fuller, a former pupil of Lord Williams School in Thame. Her amazing debut novel, ‘Our Endless Numbered Days’, is the most recent winner of the Desmond Elliott prize for New Fiction”.

Throughout the three-day Festival, events are planned in venues right across Thame, including The Town

Dominic Sandbrook

Julie Summers

Hall, Rumseys, Christchurch, Thame Museum, the Players’ Theatre, the Barns Centre and the Spread Eagle Hotel. “One of the great things about the Festival,” continues Yvonne. “Is that it introduces people to all the wonderful things that Thame has to offer as a vibrant and historic town.”

For anyone who loves the written word, the artistic impulse, and the creative urge may I suggest a trip to Thame on the weekend of 16-18 October. You’ll be inspired, I promise!

As part of securing its future, TAL is always looking for new sponsors.

Yvonne and her team would like to thank all those local businesses who sponsor events and place

Helen Lederer

advertisements in the Brochure as well as SODC and Thame Town Council for all their backing, however if any other organisations would like to get involved then Yvonne and the team would be delighted to hear from you.

For further information visit www.talfestival.org

Tel: 0871 288 3420 Email: info@talfestival.org

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ENTERTAINMENT *

Playing at the Oxford Playhouse East is East 21 – 26 September

Sancho: An Act of Rememberance

Handbagged

17–19 September Set at the time of the height of the British slave trade, Sancho is a brand new play written by, and starring, Paterson Joseph.

Born on a slave ship in 1729 but eventually becoming the first Black man to vote in a parliamentary election, the life of Charles Ignatius Sancho was full of surprising and funny twists.

As Thomas Gainsborough paints his infamous portrait, we are given an insight into the remarkable true story of an African man who dared to act, write, sing and voice his political opinion with wit and charm as he fought to take his place in British society.

One of the UK’s finest actors, Paterson Joseph has performed regularly with the Royal Shakespeare Company and at the National Theatre with lead roles in TV shows including Safe House, Peep Show and Danny Boyle’s gripping police drama, Babylon.

Hello Oxford!

12 December 60. Thame Out

Pakistani chipshop owner George Khan ‘Genghis’ to his kids is determined to give his children a strict Muslim upbringing in 1970s Salford.

Household tension reaches breaking point as their long-suffering English mother, Ella, gets caught in the cross fire, her loyalties divided between her marriage and the free will of her children.

Starring comedy award-winning actress Pauline McLynn (Mrs Doyle in Father Ted, Shameless and EastEnders) as Ella, this criticallyacclaimed production of Ayub Khan Din’s modern classic promises to be unmissable as it makes its return to the stage following the film’s international success.

28 Sept – 3 Oct

Liz vs. Maggie Two enduring icons born in the same year. Queen Elizabeth: destined to rule, Margaret Thatcher: elected to lead. But when the stiff upper lip softened and the gloves came off, which one had the upper hand?

Moira Buffini’s celebrated new comedy speculates on what the world’s most powerful women really talked about behind closed palace doors.

With rave five star reviews including “fresh, exciting, intelligent” (Sunday Telegraph) and a 2015 Best New Comedy Olivier Award nomination, catch this wickedly funny and brilliantly astute West End smash hit here in Oxford.

To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Museum of Oxford, Oxford City Council has commissioned a weekend of performances using the museum’s collections as inspiration. The Playhouse is proud to present Evolve Artist Hannah Ringham as part of this special weekend.

Hello Oxford! is Hannah’s brand new show created together with residents from

Marston Court Care Home, the Museum’s Memory Lane Group and young local artists and performers from across the city.

A night of music and cabaret from the heart of Oxford, come and celebrate the city’s fabulous characters and unique history.

At The Museum of Oxford, Oxford Town Hall, St Aldates, OX1 1BX

The Tempest 14 – 24 October A sparkling new production of Shakespeare’s tale of love, revenge and forgiveness is brought to the stage by award winning director Phelim McDermott.

Robbed of his kingdom and banished to an enchanted island with his daughter Miranda, Prospero patiently plots his revenge on his usurping brother. Conjuring up a terrible storm, Prospero draws the new duke’s entourage to his enchanted island where he manipulates the castaways towards a terrible reckoning. How much can you risk for revenge or for love?

Widely considered to be Shakespeare’s final play, The Tempest combines magic, drama, romance and comedy. This new ensemble production contains visualdelights, original music and plenty of mischief.

k COM PETITIONk Win two tickets for The Tempest on Friday 16th October at 8pm.

See page 66.

Brave New World 6 – 10 October Aldous Huxley’s legendary fantasy of the future bursts into life in this world premiere, stage adaptation.

Welcome to the future where a genetically engineered class system has finally brought order to the world. A World State where people are always happy; where they get what they want, and they never want what they can’t have; a world without religion or war and a world

where “Community, Identity, Stability” is the World State motto.

But what happens when this stability is threatened?

Huxley’s ground-breaking novel shines a blazing light on our future.

Adapted for the stage by awardwinning playwright Dawn King (Ciphers), it is directed by James Dacre with music by These New Puritans.

Aladdin 27 Nov – 10 Jan 2016 An Oxford Playhouse Pantomine

Rebecca 16 – 21 November

Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again…

Following the mysterious death of his first wife, Maxim de Winter returns to Manderley with his new young bride. Surrounded by memories of the glamorous Rebecca, the new Mrs De Winter is consumed by jealousy. She sets out to uncover the secrets of the house and a past fiercely guarded by the sinister housekeeper Mrs Danvers. All is not what it seems in Manderley...

Rebecca is timeless; the book beloved by generations and the iconic Alfred Hitchcock film a classic of the genre. Emma Rice, the award winning director, has created a spellbinding new production of Daphne du Maurier’s masterpiece which conjures Cornish romance and theatrical magic.

Soar with us as we Reach for the Stars on a magic carpet ride of non-stop panto thrills, spills and downright silliness.

Can Aladdin become a Prince and marry Princess Rose? Would a Rose by any other name smell

as sweet? Will the evil Abanazer be stopped or even seduced by Twankey?

And what will become of the Dog and that Duck…?

One thing’s for sure whether you’re Mum, Dad, Grampy or one of the kids – it’ll be sheer GENIEus. Hot on the heels of last year’s spectacular Beauty and the Beast, the Playhouse brings you an Aladdin’s cave of sparkling festive entertainment, written and directed for the first time this year by Steve Marmion, Artistic Director of Soho Theatre and creator of a host of critically-acclaimed pantos for London’s Lyric Hammersmith and elsewhere.

Panto classics – tick, sing-a-long tunes – tick, hilarious for all ages - tick, slap-stick mess and sweeties – tick, lots of chances to get involved – tick tick tick.

Should you be booking now to guarantee your family’s festive entertainment? Oh yes you should!

Ticket Office: 01865 305305 l www.oxfordplayhouse.com

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ENTERTAINMENT *

What’s new at the Hairspray

New Theatre

21 – 28 September

THE Nicest Kids In Town are returning to Oxford as the major 40-week UK tour of Hairspray which comes to the New Theatre.

Tony Maudsley (ITV1’s Benidorm) will play Edna Turnblad, with TV and stage actress and presenter Claire Sweeney (Educating Rita, Guys and Dolls) as Velma Von Tussle, Olivier Award nominated actor and much-loved Blue Peter presenter Peter Duncan (BBC1 Tumble) as Wilbur Turnblad and British singer and West End performer Brenda Edwards (Chicago, We Will Rock You, The X Factor) as Motormouth Maybelle.

Freya Sutton will reprise the role of Tracy Turnblad alongside established musical theatre performer Jon Tsouras (A Chorus Line) who will play the role of Corny Collins. Dex Lee (The Scottsboro Boys) will play Seaweed, Ashley Gilmour (Miss Saigon) will play Link Larkin, Lauren Stroud (Wicked) will play Amber, Monique Young (Top Hat) will play Penny, Karis Jack (Urinetown) will play Little Inez, Adam Price (Hairspray) will play Male Authority Figure, Tracey Penn (Made in Dagenham) will play Female Authority Figure and Layton Williams (Bad Education, Billy Elliot) will play Duane.

Jesus Christ Superstar 28 Sept – 3 Oct

The explosive new production of Jesus Christ Superstar, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ground-breaking rock opera, comes to the New Theatre Oxford.

Jesus Christ Superstar exploded onto the musical scene in 1971.

Stunning audiences, it changed the face of musical theatre forever. Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock opera tells the story of the last seven days in the life of Jesus through the eyes of Judas Iscariot.

As compelling today as it was at its inception over 40 years ago, Jesus Christ Superstar features some of musical theatre’s most legendary songs from I Don’t Know How to Love Him, Everything’s Alright, Gethsemane and Superstar.

Tickets for all shows can be purchased from the New Theatre box office on George Street, by ringing 0844 871 3020, or by visiting our website at www.atgtickets.com/oxford (phone and internet bookings subject to booking/transaction fees).

For bookings of 10 or more, and for Equal Access bookings, please call our dedicated in-house team on 0844 871 3040.

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INSPIRATION THROUGH MUSIC Thame Institute of Music is a place to be inspired by music and where we inspire others to create music. We are the place where students of all ages come to enhance their lives and their learning through music.

Our focus is a quality of tuition, service and happy faces!

Paul Potts

Why not book a TASTER lesson or join our strictly for fun ‘pop’ choir that meet Monday evenings.

Call 07400 071 342.

28 October

PAUL Potts is the UK’s original and best-loved Britain’s Got Talent winner. He is set to inspire audiences once again with his mellifluous classical prowess in a major UK tour.

Paul’s accolades are numerous – he has already performed more live shows than any other contestant from a talent search programme - while in recognition of Paul’s meteoric rise to fame, his life story has been turned into a film entitled ‘One Chance’ and stars award-winning comedian James Corden.

Complementing Paul is special guest Catriona Murray, a classical soprano from Nottingham. Discovered earlier this year by Britain’s Got Talent winner Jamie Lambert, Catriona has begun work on compiling a solo album and has a string of concerts lined up.

From a single drum, hanging around Luke Cresswell’s neck back in 1991, STOMP has taken on a life of its own. In much the same way that rubber hosing, Zippo lighters, plastic bags, bin lids and, yes, even the kitchen sink do.

And the multi-award winning theatrical production returns to the New Theatre Oxford. Celebrating 20 years of bringing foot stamping, finger drumming, adrenalin rushing joy to audiences across the globe.

Since those early days, creators and co-directors Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas have developed a unique, universal language of rhythm, theatre, comedy and dance, which has become a theatrical sensation.

Since their last visit, the Stomp cast performed in the closing ceremony at the 2012 Olympics and have introduced two new pieces to the show: Frogs and Trolleys.

Trolleys taps into the everyday experience of negotiating a busy shopping aisle with a fully laden supermarket trolley but soon transforms

into the closest STOMP will ever get to drum corps and it’s the first fully fledged STOMP routine to be performed entirely in 5/4 time signature: not straightforward to march to!

Frogs explores the bizarre sonic possibilities of a variety of plumbing fixtures. It has to be heard to be believed,

Contact Matt Baker Thame Institute of Music 18 Cornmarket, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 2BL 07400 071342 info@thameinstituteofmusic.co.uk

but close your eyes and this piece sounds unlike anything ever heard in the show till now. Organic, quirky and plumbing new heights.

Still remaining is STOMP’S signature high-octane meeting of slick choreography, tight ensemble work, industrial percussion and a narrative of anarchic clowning.

Stomp 13 – 17 October

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LISTINGS *

What & where & when

NEW THEATRE – OXFORD www.newtheatreoxford.org.uk 0870 606 3500 September 13 Sing-a-Long-a Frozen 14 Nigel Kennedy presents: Hendrix 19 Art Garfunkel 21 - 26 Hairspray the Musical 28 - 3 Oct Jesus Christ Superstar October 13 - 17 Stomp 18 Michael Palin The Thirty Years Tour 20 Squeeze 21 The Rat Pack Vegas Spectacular 23 Dara O Briain: Crowd Tickler 25 Harry Enfield & Paul Whitehouse: Legends!

26 Sally Morgan: Psychic Sally on the Road 28 Paul Potts 30 An Evening of Burlesque 31 The Magic of Motown November 1 Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra 3 I Puritani WNO 4 Orlando WNO 5-7 Sweeney Todd WNO 10 - 21 The Bodyguard 23 Caro Emerald 24 Will Young 25 Diversity: Up Close & Personal 26 An Evening with Noel Fielding 27 Gareth Malone 28 Beyond the Barricade 29 The Carpenters Story 30 The Sensational 60’s Experience December 1-5 Horrible Histories Groovy Greeks 2-5 Horrible Histories Incredible Invaders 6 So This is Christmas 9 Glitz Blitz 70s Hitz 15 - 3 Jan Annie

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OXFORD PLAYHOUSE www.oxfordplayhouse.com 01865 305305 September 23 - 26 Charlotte Sometimes October 1-3 Handbagged 2 The Wonderful Discovery of Witches in the County of Lancaster 6 - 10 Brave New World 14 - 24 The Tempest 20 - 24 Ruffian on the Stair 20 - 24 Blow 27 - 31 Citric Acid 28 - 31 Singin’ in the Rain November 3 - 7 Playhouse Creatures 3 - 7 String 4 - 7 Pentecost 9 - 14 Sunset Boulevard 16 - 21 Rebecca 17 - 21 Dart 24 - 28 The Changeling 24 - 28 Pussyfooting 27 - 10 Jan Aladdin December 1-5 Ten Duets on a Theme of Proximity 1-5 Onlife 10 - 3 Jan Dear Father Christmas THE PLAYERS THEATRE – THAME www.thameplayers.co.uk The Players Theatre, Nelson Street, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 2DP September 25 Susan Black sings Edith Piaf The songs and life of the iconic French singer.

October 2 And this is My Friend Mr Laurel Hi-Di-Hi star, Geoffrey Holland performs his one man show chronicling the life of one of comedy’s greatest talents, Stan Laurel 10 The Bear & The Old Maid and The Thief – A Double Bill of Comic Operas (sung in English) 16 Love Games A saucy comedy offering you plenty of love, lust with laughter and lies.

24 The Golden Age of Musical Satire With Peter Gill 30 Black Frog Presents has put together An evening of excellent local musical talent.

6 Dearly Beloved. A modern comedy.

15 Simon and Garfunkel through the years WATERSIDE THEATRE 0844 871 7607 September 17 - 19 The Last Tango 22 - 3 Oct Jersey Boys

October 5 6 8 9

Bullet For My Valentine Hello Kitty The Dreamboys Michael Palin The Thirty Years Tour 13 Jim Davidson 14 Bay City Rollers starring Les McKeown 15 NT Live - Hamlet Second Space, Aylesbury 15 The Carpenters Story 16 The Sensational 60’s Experience 17 Ellen Kent’s Tosca 18 UB40 19 - 24 Thriller Live 21 RSC Live Screening - Henry V Second Space, Aylesbury 24 The Dung Beatles at The Waterside Second Space, Aylesbury 25 Sunday Night at the Waterside Second Space, Aylesbury 26 - 31 Priscilla Queen of the Desert - Tour 31 NT Live - Hamlet (Encore) Second Space, Aylesbury November 8 Spotlight Variety Performance 9 Ruby Wax - Sane New World 10 Nils Lofgren 11 Show of Hands 2015 12 Carmen/Viscera/Afternoon of a Faun/ Pas de Deux Second Space, Aylesbury 12 An Evening with Noel Fielding 13 One Man Breaking Bad The Unauthorised Parody 14 That’ll Be the Day Christmas Show 15 Sing-a-Long-a Frozen 16 Motown’s Greatest Hits: How Sweet It Is 17 Circus of Horrors 18 Royal Philharmonic Orchestra 2015 19 Abba Mania 20 Westcoast - Music of The Beach Boys 21 Mercury: The Ultimate Queen Tribute 22 Bellowhead The Farewell Tour 23 - 28 The Full Monty 28 NT Live - Hamlet (Encore) Second Space, Aylesbury 29 Grimethorpe Colliery Band – Brassed Off at Christmas 30 Saint Petersburg Classic Ballet presents Giselle December 1-2 Saint Petersburg Classic Ballet presents The Nutcracker 11 - 3 Jan Dick Whittington MIsc September 17 Oxfordshire County & Thame Show 18 Oktober Fest at Chinnor Rugby Club, Thame 26 Thame Food Festival 30 Festival of Music, Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons, Great Milton

MEADOW VIEW PARK Your wedding day will be one of the most memorable days in your life so naturally you will want everything to be perfect.

Attention to detail is of paramount importance to us and we can ensure that your requirements are met in every way.

If you are considering a wedding breakfast and evening reception, Meadow View Park is an ideal location and with over 160 spaces, no need to worry about parking! The Blanchford Suite has it’s own private bar, air conditioning, sound system, seating for up to I 20 guests, and for bigger parties the adjoining room can be incorporated to give you greater flexibility and numbers for dancing and evening entertainment.

For larger weddings we can add a Marquee to the building to increase capacity; please ask for details.

We have a selection of wedding menus, evening buffet ideas and a wine list to complement your wedding breakfast.

Our team at Meadow View Park believe it is important you enjoy the experience of plaming your wedding.

To find out more about how we can make your date unforgettable, or to view the facilities available please contact us at admin@thamefootball.co.uk or 01844 214401 Meadow View Park, Tythrop Way, Thame, Oxon, OX9 3RN www.thamefootball.co.uk October 3 Vale Harvet Food Market Haddenham Village Hall 3 Aylesbury parkrun Fields opposite the Quarrendon & Meadowcroft Community Centre, Free Event 9 Open Mic Nights at Aylesbury Folk Club Queens Park Arts Centre 10 Artists & Makers Fair, Town Hall - Thame 16 - 18 Thame Arts & Literature Festival. Thame Town Hall 23 - 25 Jigsaw festival at Chinnor Methodist Church with tea and cakes, light lunches and Jigsaws to buy, make or simply to admire!

November 1 Spooks and Ghouls Special, Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway 14 Thame Wine Fair, Thame Town Hall

There are some great prizes to be picked up in this issue of Thame Out. You will need to submit a separate entry for each competition that you wish to take part in. All you have to do is answer the particular competition question and send your answer on a postcard marked, for example, personal trainer competition or, say, Oxford Playhouse competition to Thame Out, PO Box 181, Thame OX9 0BA. Closing date for entries is the 7th October 2015. Alternatively, you can email your answer to julian@red-l.co.uk

Free Book Competition A FREE SIGNED copy of ‘The Cracking Cryptics Guide’ by Tony Long will go to the first correct entry out of the hat.

The question Tony is a member of ...? a) Thame Players b) Thame Utd c) Thame Choir (See page 5 for details)

Free Book Competition A FREE SIGNED copy of ‘The Ghosts of Maraval’ by Siobahn Fraser will go to the first correct entry out of the hat.

The question Siobahn divides her time between England and which other country? a) Germany b) Belgium c) France (See page 5 for details)

Personal Trainer Competition A FREE training session with Hilary Westall will go to the first correct entry out of the hat.

The question Dr James O’Keefe is based at which American Hospital? a) St Luke’s b) St George’s c) St Mary’s (See page 12 for details) DROPiT 21 Competition A FREE 21 day online programme ‘How to quit the sugar habit’ will go to the first correct entry out of the hat.

The question How much weight has Jemma lost so far? a) 2 Stone b) 4 Stone c) 6 Stone (See page 15 for details)

Oxford Playhouse Competition A pair of tickets to see The Tempest on Friday 16 October will go to the first correct entry out of the hat.

The question Prospero’s daughter is called? a) Margaret b) Mary c) Miranda (See page 61 for details) Congratulations to our last issue winners.

And the winners were

Conditions 1. One prize per household 2. There is no cash alternative 3. The judges’ decision is final and no further correspondence will be entered into

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Personal Trainer Prize – Judy Keen, Chinnor Oxford Playhouse Tickets – Tony Clark, Thame Signed Book Prize – Amanda Green, High Wycombe

from wordsmith Sandra Smith Find the correct definition of the following three words.

Answers below.

Upior (A) A legendary Polish vampire.

(B) Scaling previously unexplored terrain.

(C) Panoramic view from the summit of a Scottish hill.

Caesura (A) The cutting of ties between feuding families.

(B) A woman who radiates statesman-like qualities.

(C) Division of a metrical foot between two words.

Nipperkin (A) Paper napkin made from recycled material.

(B) The process of engaging with long lost relatives.

(C) A small measure of alcohol.

Sandra Smith FREELANCE WRITER CREATIVE WRITING TUTOR E: sandra.smith81@btinternet.com www.TheCurrentMrsSmith.co.uk Twitter twitter.com/TheCurrentMrsS 01296 624759 07788 552871

1. Upior answer: (A) A legendary Polish vampire.

Win.Win.Win.

Wordplay

2. Caesura answer: (C) Division of a metrical foot between two words.

b

3. Nipperkin answer: (C) A small measure of alcohol.

COMPETITIONS *