Thame Out Summer 2016 Issue 38

Thame Out Summer 2016 Issue 38

The complimentary magazine for the Thame area – Now in our 11th year

The kids are alright Family friendly holidays from Spear Travels

Head girl

Fab Helen Grace hats

Crisis talks

Who can you talk to when times are tough?

Garden gold

Turn End Gardens celebrate their 50th anniversary

Picture perfect Portrait photography from Paul Wilkinson LEISURE * BEAUTY * HOME * TRAVEL * LOCAL * COMPETITIONS * AND LOTS MORE *

Witney

THAME OUT *

Contents

4. LOCAL NEWS –Oakfest, Thame Food Festival, Kismet and What’s Cooking.

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

20. FASHION & LIFESTYLE – Thame Jewellery Workshop, Gallant Menswear, White Hart Studio, Helen Grace Hats, Paul Wilkinson and Working Mums.

26. TRAVEL – Family Holidays with Spear Travels.

36. HOME & GARDEN –Ridgeway Kitchens, Turn End Gardens and Kingsey Kitchens 40. EDUCATION – Rye St Antony School.

48. FOOD & DRINK – Wine Column and Healthy Juices.

50. BUSINESS – Thame Service Station and Pentangle IT Support.

54. ENTERTAINMENT – Art in Action, Towersey Fringe, Towersey Festival, New Theatre and Oxford Playhouse.

64. LISTINGS 66. COMPETITIONS

Cover: Paul Wilkinson See page 46.

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.

Thame Out

Opinions expressed in Thame 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 ©2016 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

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

Thame Out .3

LOCAL NEWS *

Rally to the cause Buckinghamshire’s Steve Hill, a hot contender for a top spot in the 2016 British Rallycross Championship has announced an alliance with Oxford Brookes University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mathematical Sciences.

‘This is a fantastic facility ‘ says Steve ‘ with the latest equipment and technology, backed up by an excellent academic staff. Initially we will be working together on layout and design of sponsorship and colour scheme for the current car. The students will also be helping us with component design and manufacture as well as testing existing components and investigating component failures.’

Professor Gareth Neighbour, Head of Mechanical Engineering and Mathematical Sciences at Brookes said:

‘We pride ourselves in producing the best Motorsport engineers and working close with the sport and industry.

We’ve managed to create a unique relationship bringing the suppliers of the latest printing technology through education to a leading racing team.

This provides a unique experience for students helping teams and creating ‘live projects’ which give our graduates a flying start to their careers’.

Students will be present at several of the 2016 events to assist the team in the paddock and gain useful experience of Rallycross prior to an aspiring career in Motorsport. Good news then, that Rallycross as an event has been recognised by Oxford Brookes, which is acknowledged as the leading provider of Motorsport graduates.

What’s different? Loads!

What’s Cooking re-opens with even more local food!

What’s Cooking, the well-established delicatessen and food shop on Thame High Street, has completed a refurbishment and re-opened to the public in March, offering more space, more choice and a new café.

As specialists in artisan produce, often locally sourced, What’s Cooking want to offer a greater choice to customers and provide a bigger showcase for local food producers. As Sally Dickinson and Tony Hazelton, directors, say: ‘We knew we needed more space and when the premises next door became available, we took the opportunity to add on a café and offer a greater range in a larger shop.

What’s Cooking, 6-7 Cornmarket, Thame OX9 3DX 01844 212209, www.whatscookingthame.co.uk

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It’s not Kismet It’s always a shame when an independently run retailer disappears from our High Street. Especially when that retailer opened at the same time as we launched Thame Out magazine over a decade ago.

Kismet Jewellers closed it’s doors for the last time on 30th April. Kismet’s owner Yvette Nix has thoroughly enjoyed being part of Thame’s thriving community and has made many friends along the way. But a desire to spend more time with her young family meant the time was right to scale down her business. “I am really looking forward to not working on a Saturday for the first time in many years” she said.

Yvette held an emotional ‘leaving’ party on her final Saturday where customers, friends and family came to wish her well and congratulate her for the past 11 years.

Here is the winning entry for the 30th Anniversary long serving customer competition.

Congratulations to Mr B Fagan, who wins a pair of prescription sunglasses.

Ivan Cammack

Ivan R Cammack’s competition winner

Saddle up for sight Local Opticians marks 30th anniversary with search for 30 longest reigning patients and charity fundraising Local independent optician Ivan R Cammack Optometrist is celebrating 30 years in business during 2016.

To kick off the celebrations, the practice searched for 30 of its longest reigning patients. Anyone who has been visiting for 25 years or more was invited to make contact by either calling in or looking at the website link.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, Ivan Cammack will be fundraising for Optometry Giving Sight, a charity that aims to stop sight loss through pioneering research and fundraising. A host of activities are planned to raise money, building towards an anniversary event this Summer.

From the first time I started using your practice until the present day I have always received wonderful service in respect of eye tests, prescriptions and frame selection.

I am particularly thankful that in 1999 I called your practise late on a Thursday afternoon and spoke with Mrs Gregory. I had experienced a problem with vision in my left eye whilst driving to work in London. When I had told her of this vision problem she insisted that I came in the next morning, even before your usual opening time, so that she could assess the problem.

A few weeks before I had been struck on the left side of the head by a cricket ball and knocked out during a league match. Following Mrs Gregory’s examination she organised an appointment with an ophthalmic surgeon at the Oxford Eye Hospital the same afternoon. He discovered holes in the retina which would need an operation. During this operation, it was found that 7 holes in the retina needed repair. The operation was a success and although the vision in that eye was a little poorer I was able to resume playing cricket in 2000. I am sure that Mrs Gregory’s prompt action helped save the sight in my left eye.

Mr B Fagan

Oakfest 16 Music & Beer Festival Saturday 11th June 2016 1.00pm to Midnight

Another way Ivan R Cammack are celebrating the anniversary is a ‘practice party’. Bubbly and cake is being served in the practice on Saturday 9th July 11.00am2.00pm for patients new and old. As a build up to this, a Summer luxury Hamper is being raffled as part of Ivan’s fundraising initiative. Raffle tickets will be available in the practice from 1st June.

Oakley CofE Combined School, Oakley HP18 9QY Live Music, Beer Tent, Tea Tent and Barbecue.

Children’s Entertainment.

Tickets £5 per adult, £3 per child (3-17 years old) Early Bird offer – one free child ticket with each adult ticket purchased Tickets available from the school on 01844 238364 office@oakley.bucks.sch.uk and from Vintage & Modern Guitars, Thame & The Eight Bells, Long Crendon.

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LOCAL NEWS *

Cheers to the cheese Thame Food Festival CIC are holding a Pre-event at LASSCO Three Pigeons in Milton Common, Oxfordshire to fund raise for this year’s festival - including an Auction of some absolutely brilliant lots.

The Festival in association with Emilia Ltd, the fabulous Italian Cheesemonger from Borough Market London (www.emiliauk.london) are holding a prosecco and cheese evening at Lassco (www.lassco.co.uk ) Three Pigeons in Milton Common on 9th June 7-9PM The stars on the night are: Parmesan cheese 36 month (Dairy Agrinascente/ SuperGold at Cheese Awards BBC 2015) in pairing with Organic Prosecco DOCG BRUT (Winery Cantina Pizzolato) Goat Pepper Cheese (Dairy Il Moro/Bronze Medal at International Cheese Award in Nantwich 2015) in pairing with Prosecco DOC No Sulphites Added (Winery Cantina Pizzolato) Castel Rosso cheese (Dairy il Rosso) in pairing with Organic Prosecco ROSE DOC (Winery Cantina Pizzolato) Artisanal Blue cheese (Dairy Il Rosso/Silver Medal at International Cheese Award in Nantwich 2015) in pairing with Cabernet No Sulphites Added (Winery Cantina Pizzolato) Tickets are £35 each.

Simply go to www.thamefoodfestival.co.uk www.lassco.co.uk

THA E

FOOD

FESTIVAL Saturday 24th September 6. Thame Out

GLASS JEWELLERY LEATHERWORK WOOD

Celebrating the unusual

fitch & fellows

in creative craftsmanship

CERAMICS

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

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

Part of Bucks Open Studios 11 - 26 June

HEALTH & BEAUTY *

Overnight success “T

hey work like a dream” This is what I overheard in Ivan R Cammack in Thame. How apt I thought as the gentleman in question was talking about his new Overnight Vision Therapy (OVT), contact lens.

OVT, also known as ‘Ortho-K’ is becoming a popular option at Ivan Cammack Optometrist. OVT uses a specially designed contact lens called ‘Eyedream’ that reduces the power of the cornea at the front of the eye during overnight wear.

Once the full effect has taken place, the eye is effectively “normal” and the Eyedream user can see clearly with no need to wear contact lenses or glasses during the day.

Eyedream lenses are ideal for low-mid short-sighted people of all ages who are involved in recreational activities where it would just be better not to wear contact lenses, and also for people who have considered refractive surgery but are worried about the risks.

If you are myopic (short sighted), like to enjoy an active lifestyle and your prescription is less than -6.00DS (minus six dioptres), and particularly if one of the following applies to you, then ask about Ortho-K:

l My specs are a nuisance when I play sport l I’ve considered laser treatment, but am

too concerned about the risks l I love watersports but I just can’t see and I can’t wear my contact lenses l My contact lenses feel so dry when I use a computer.

To wake up in the morning and ‘just be able to see’ would be wonderful.

Imagine. No glasses. No contacts.

Priced at around £42 per month, Ortho-K is surprisingly affordable.

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Simon Wheeldon is the Club Captain at The Oxfordshire Golf Club. Here is his experience of using Ortho-K. “I first wore specs as a teenager, and have done so ever since - until Ivan introduced me to Ortho-K. I have worn soft contact lenses off and on over a number of years, particularly for sport, but never achieved clear consistent vision because I have a astigmatism.

I believe that I was Ivan’s first Ortho-K patient when I was fitted in 2005. I remember he said that it may not work for me because my prescription was a bit tricky. I have now used overnight vision correction for over ten years, I love it.

The first time I wore them overnight was a bit of a worry, but it need not have been. I had no problem sleeping with the lenses in and when I removed them in the morning the improvement to my vision was amazing.

It took a few days for me to get the full effect, and because of my stigmatism Ivan had to make an adjustment to one of the lenses, but my vision is great, and I only have a slight drop off in clarity in the darker evenings.

Because I now need vision correction for distance vision and for near vision I have to top up with a pair of specs for prolonged reading.

I am a keen golfer, and a bit of a gadget freak. With this little optical miracle I can see to play golf in all weather conditions without the hassle of specs or the intermittent blur and dryness of ordinary contact lenses. Of all of the gadgets I have, my ‘Eyedream lenses’ are my favourite!”

Preventing Myopia in children For children with increasing levels of short-sightedness (myopia), Eyedream lenses are used for myopia control.

Yes, an amazing benefit of OVT is that myopic progression can be reduced or even prevented, which can make a huge difference for life and how you see the world. It also reduces the risk of developing serious eye conditions linked

A return to ‘normal’ vision with Overnight Vision Therapy.

So easy you can do it in your sleep. Jim Maitland visits optometrist Ivan R Cammack, to find out more.

to highly myopic eyes. By only wearing lenses at night children have more freedom to carry out daytime activities without worrying about spectacles or having to wear any lenses during the day.

Spectacle free at school!

Seven year old Caitlin Monument is now spectacle free and has been wearing the lenses at night for three months.

Caitlin had been wearing glasses since the age of 4 with a prescription of -2.50 making her significantly short-sighted at a very young age. Chatting to her in the consultation room recently she said, with a big thumbs up and huge smile, “My eyes are now perfect!”

It didn’t take Caitlin long to learn the technique of putting in the lenses at night.

She wears them for around 12 hours from 7.30 in the evening. Her mum Karen says she can now leave Caitlin to get on with inserting the lenses on her own and only needs help with putting in eye drops. “I must make sure the lenses are really clean

Simon

when I put them in and that I have really clean hands” comments Caitlin.

Caitlin who can even sit at the back of the classroom at school without her glasses also said that she particularly likes not having to wear them for gym, dancing and swimming.

Ivan R Cammack Optometrist Kate Kellett who is delighted with Caitlin’s

progress and success story commented: “She settled into them really well with very little trouble. They are so much easier than traditional contact lenses because all the wear and care is at home, with no need to worry at school”.

Perhaps it’s time you woke up to Overnight Vision Therapy?

Caitlin

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

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

Are you drinking enough?

W

ith summer just around the corner, it’s easier and more enjoyable to get outside for exercise, whatever your choice of sport.

However, with the welcome warmth comes the need to pay more attention to your hydration. I’m off to sunny Spain this weekend to do a half Ironman, involving a 1.9 km sea swim, a 56 mile bike ride, and a 13.1 mile run to finish it (or me) off. One of my concerns is the heat – I find running especially hard in the hotter weather and with a long swim and bike hopefully under my belt, the run will be even tougher if I don’t look after my fluid and energy intake.

When it’s warm, we perspire more to help us cool down and maintain optimal body temperature. Heat is removed from the body when beads of sweat on the skin evaporate, resulting in a loss of body fluid. So when the ambient temperature and humidity increases, sweat production and fluid loss also increases. Add to this an increase in exercise intensity, and fluid loss can be a lot greater than you think.

Deyhdration and performance Water is essential for maintaining blood volume, regulating body temperature and allowing muscle contractions to take place. In most cases during exercise, the rates of sweat loss are higher than the rate you can drink.

So what happens when you don’t drink enough? Your mental and physical performance gradually decrease as dehydration increases. As heart rate and body temperature increase, exercise will start to feel harder, especially when it’s already hot outside. Fluid loss of around 2% of body mass (so a 1.4 kg loss in someone weighing 70 kg) is enough to cause a noticeable decrease in performance. If fluid loss exceeds this, there’s an increased risk of unpleasant side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle cramps and stomach upset. You cannot train your body to handle dehydration; your aim is to prevent it occurring in the first place.

Estimating your fluid loss There are no hard and fast rules for how much to drink while exercising because everyone is different. Factors to consider are your sweat rate, the heat and

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humidity, and how long and hard you are exercising for. Knowing your sweat rate can give you an indication of how much you should be drinking during exercise and is routinely measured by sports dieticians to establish individual fluid plans for athletes. An easy way to find out your sweat rate is as follows: • Weigh yourself just before exercise, preferably after emptying your bladder.

• Do your exercise session.

• At the end of the session, towel off excess sweat and weigh yourself again.

The weight change during exercise reflects your total fluid loss. Remember that this is primarily water loss and not fat loss, and needs replacing soon after finishing exercise. Sweat loss can be monitored to give you an idea of how much fluid to replace during training sessions and competitions.

How much to drink and when • Always start exercise well hydrated drink about two large cups of fluid two hours before the session.

• Develop a plan based on your sweat rate.

• Monitor your weight change immediately after an exercise session to establish fluid deficit, and ensure you replace 125-150% of this deficit over the next 2-6 hours. This takes into account the fluid you’ll continue to lose during recovery in sweat and urine. For example, a fluid loss of 1 kg (1000 ml) means fluid replacement of 1250-1500 ml to fully rehydrate.

• Thirst is not an effective indicator of your hydration status while exercising – there is usually significant fluid loss before you feel thirsty, and quenching your thirst during recovery does not mean these losses are fully replaced.

• Your urine should be pale yellow; very dark, concentrated urine means you are dehydrated, so ensure you check the colour in the hours following a session.

What should you drink?

For low intensity, short duration exercise, plain old-fashioned water does the job.

If your exercise session lasts for an hour or more then diluted fruit juice or a sports drink will provide added carbohydrates for energy plus minerals to

replace electrolytes lost in sweat. Read the labels of sports drinks as there’s a huge choice out there – ideally, the drink will provide around 14 g of carbohydrate, 28 mg of potassium and 100 of sodium per 8 oz serving. Carbohydrate should come from glucose, fructose and / or sucrose, all of which are easily absorbed. Avoid carbonated drinks as the bubbles can lead to an upset stomach.

Drinking too much Hyponatremia is a rare condition that happens when there is too little sodium in the body and can occur when athletes drink too much water. Athletes who take part in endurance events such as triathlons and marathons are at greater risk. It is unnecessary and potentially dangerous to drink at rates that are greater than sweat losses, as the blood sodium levels become overly diluted.

This causes your body’s cells to swell, including your brain, and the lungs may fill with fluid. Symptoms include headaches, confusion, swollen hands and feet, coma and in severe cases, death.

It’s important to note that dehydration is a much more common issue than hyponatremia.

Alcohol Drinking alcohol immediately after exercise will impair vital recovery processes and may impair effective rehydration. So if you fancy celebrating a race with a few beers, make sure you’ve looked after your recovery needs first (fluids, carbohydrate, some protein), and then enjoy the alcohol in sensible amounts. On that note I’m off to pack my bike box and get myself ready for half Ironman Barcelona – hopefully for a race where I don’t let the heat hold me back.

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.

Celebrating the past 30 years but ...

... Looking to the future

We are celebrating our 30th Anniversary.

Everyone at Ivan R Cammack would like to thank our past, present and future staff, suppliers and most of all our fantastic customers.

SEE WHAT COULD BE

HEALTH & BEAUTY *

It’s good to talk Psychotherapist, Jaqui Supple, is there for you when life gets difficult.

H

ave you noticed how some people sail through life seemingly without a care in the world? Well they are a minority. Most of us experience a time when life is difficult, unfair, even unbearable. The woes of the world seem to sit permanently on our shoulders.

It’s at these tough times that people need a shoulder to cry on or have a need to ‘off-load’ on to somebody. Quite often people can’t or don’t want to confide in friends or family.

You need somebody who understands how you feel, listens patiently and can help you find your way foward. You need somebody like Jaqui Supple.

Jaqui is a Psychotherapist offering a flexible therapeutic service tailored to your needs and requirements.

She believes that therapy should take place somewhere informal and safe for you to talk in confidence. To be heard objectively and without judgment. She listens with warmth and respect and can help you tackle any issues you need to address and conquer.

Jaqui is well qualified to help in two ways. Firstly she spent many years working for a well known voluntary organisation, this has given her a great deal of experience across all areas of counselling. Jaqui also holds a Counselling Diploma, passed with

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Distinction from The Blackford Centre for counselling. This covers all aspects of different therapies available such as, addiction, bereavement and loss, stress, anxiety and depression, issues within the work environment and many more.

Secondly and perhaps more importantly, Jaqui has the sort of life experiences that throw up the kind of problems that she sees on a regular basis.

Jaqui has suffered the sadness of both her and her parents divorce, friends with terminal illness’s, emotional break ups and bereavement.

She worked in Human Resources for some very high level corporate businesses such as M&S and BMW. This gave Jaqui a deep understanding of pressures and issues involving work related problems.

She has spent many hours as a practicing counsellor working in her own practice alongside her work for a well known Voluntary Bereavement Society.

Counselling is very important to Jaqui. She will work with you to help you manage emotional, behavioural and symptomatic issues, which might be causing a problem in your life.

“For most people a short course of regular sessions helps to take back

control of their lives and allows them to manage challenges and difficulties in a resourceful way.” says Jaqui. “I am an experienced, trained, non-judgemental individual and will help guide clients through seemingly overwhelming issues.

Therapy can be the key to helping you get your life back on track,” she adds.

There are many areas which can be problematic for people. Confusing and difficult emotions, relationship difficulties, work concerns, pain and long-term illness, difficult upbringing and life experiences are just some of the things that people come to see Jaqui about.

“The list of what I treat is varied.

Whatever the issues are I will help to facilitate long term change and growth through understanding, questioning and encouragement.

I specialise in long and short term therapy, Person centred and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and have successfully worked with a wide range of issues. I have experience in working with both adults and young people.” says Jaqui.

Some of the reasons people consult Jaqui are: l Anxiety & stress l Anger issues l OCD l Trauma l Panic Attacks l Bereavement & loss l Depression l Phobias & fears l Sexual Problems l Relationship Issues l Long Term Pain l Lack of Self-Esteem l Addiction There are many more reasons too.

However, often people have more complex problems in which aspects of the issues listed may be a feature.

Sometimes, people just feel stuck, that their life is not where they want it to be and talking through things in a focussed way can really help them get clarity on what needs to change.

Sometimes her job can be tough, but Jaqui gets so much job satisfaction. She loves working with people and feels a real empathy with her clients.

In the mean time, if you have a problem to share and want to talk in confidence to someone who wants to

listen, simply contact Jaqui. Whatever your personal crisis, talk to someone who cares and can help.

07977904067 jaquisupple@gmail.com Jaqui works in accordance with the guidelines and code of ethics of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy, (BACP) and the National Counselling Society (NCP).

She receives regular supervision to help maintain ethical and professional standards.

Confidentially speaking

“ “

I am a Psychotherapist offering a flexible therapeutic service tailored to your needs and requirements.

I specialise in a mixture of therapies including CBT and humanist.

Whatever issue is troubling you why not get in touch with me and we can find a solution together.

“

Jane Hughes

“

I have been seeing Jaqui on an ongoing basis for a while now and believe she has helped me deal with some very difficult issues.

Jaqui is always friendly and welcoming and calm. I find my sessions very supportive and helpful.

Dom Bennett

“

“

After many years struggling with anxiety I feel I have my life back on track. I was very apprehensive about therapy but having met Jaqui I found her very easy to work with, the sessions were very relaxed and helpful. Her professional and focused approach to my issues helped me to make sense of what had held me back in many areas. Thank you.

The sessions with Jaqui have been a great help to me and I feel much better prepared to deal with the situations which have caused difficultly in the past. I feel ready and able to change things now.

William Thompson

Jaqui Supple Counselling 2 Chinnor Road, Thame, Oxon, OX9 3LW 07977904067 www.jaquisupplecounselling.co.uk/blog

HEALTH & BEAUTY *

Look your natural best Oxfordshire Aesthetic Nurses are helping women look great and feel wonderful. Karen Williams reports.

T

wo local ladies balancing busy work lives and children tell us about their decision to visit MBNS Clinic for treatments that have boosted their self esteem and helped them to look their natural best - without losing who they are.

Carrine Her treatment in her own words Carrine is a 43 year old, working, single mum of two boys. Before treatment at MBNS Clinic she has always maintained a vigorous beauty regime and taken care with her skin health and appearance.

Over the counter beauty products had not achieved the effects that Carrine had hoped for and she felt that she looked tired.

“I had the preconception that aesthetic treatments were not for me, I thought that they would be out of my price range. I also didn’t want to look overdone and not like myself, my aim

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was never to look years younger or different, just to look the best possible me.”

Carrine had dermal filler injections in her cheeks, chin, around the mouth and a nose reshaping. She said that her work colleagues commented that she still looks like herself, but when they look at her pictures from before her treatment, they can see a dramatic difference.

Carrine is open and happy to talk about her treatments at MBNS Clinic.

The questions and comments that she gets the most from friends and colleagues are: what did you have done?, does it hurt?, you don’t look like you have had work done and politely - how do you afford it? - To this final question she explains that she has taken out a 0% interest payment plan where she pays £50 a month.

“Overall it makes me feel much happier, more confident and excited.

I didn’t think that I could afford it but I

can. My payment plan is interest free and the monthly payments are not something that I notice as I am not spending as much on other beauty products and cosmetics that I used to buy on the High Street.”

“A lot of people who I have spoken to say that they would like to have treatment but they wouldn’t know what to ask for, I explain to them that I go to an MBNS Clinic specialist nurse and they advise me what is the best option for me. For instance I thought I was going to have a certain area injected but she explained that for the best results I needed a different treatment. Everything was well explained and you can trust that the nurses know how to make you look your best.”

Amie Her treatment in her own words Amie is a 38 year old mother of 3 and as you would guess, has an incredibly busy life. “Running round after a toddler and being a taxi service for teenagers can be a challenge! By the end of the day it’s exhausting. ”

Carrine

Amie has been coming to MBNS Clinic since 2008 for skin peels and skin care, she has always taken care of her appearance.

“I had started to have wrinkle smoothing injections around 5 years ago and maintained it every 4-6 months but I felt like I had lost volume in my face since my last baby and my nurse suggested some natural, subtle fillers would give me back the volume and definition that I had lost.

I went on to have a dermal filler lift.”

Since my treatment people have commented how much better I look, they can’t put their finger on it but say I look well rested and fresher.

Friends and family that I have told about my experience are genuinely interested and impressed. A few of them have already booked in to MBNS Clinic for a consultation and will be starting their individual treatment plans.

This May Marea Brennan Thorns, Nurse Director of MBNS clinic Thame and Qutis Clinic Witney celebrates her 40th year as a nurse and her 20th as a specialist nurse in Medical Aesthetics.

She says: I’ve seen so many changes in my years as a nurse practitioner, for example we now know it is ageing and not good for your skin’s health to get a suntan.

All my patients are advised by me to wear a sun protection cream daily of at least a factor 30 to 50.

My first staff nurse role was saving lives in A&E. Nowadays I am content to make a real difference to my patients self esteem by my skin health work, my injection facelifts and treating problem skin.

Amie

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 Treatments Include:

MBNS Clinic 57 North Street, Thame, Oxon OX9 3BH Tel: 01844 213007 www.lookyournaturalbest.com

Injection lifts Thread veins Acne Skin tags and age spots Laser hair removal Laser skin rejuvenation

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

Thame Out .17

LIFESTYLE *

A glittering collection from

Thame Jewellery Workshop Fine Australian Opals Choose your favourite Opal and have it customised to your specification. Each Opal can be set into a ring, pendant or earring of your choice. All hand made in our workshop.

T

hame Jewellery Workshop was once an Italian restaurant.

Now the shop in Thame’s lower High Street serves up a feast for the eyes in the form of some beautiful jewellery. Rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings and cuff links adorn the shelves and show cases.

Thame Jewellery Workshop was set up by two Hatton Garden-trained goldsmiths, Dave Hansford and Robert French. Robert is on-site repairing, re-fashioning old jewellery or creating completely new designs. A shop, yes, but it truly is a workshop too.

“We bring our combined expertise to the workshop, whether it’s a matter of spotting new up-and-coming jewellery designers, creating our own unique jewellery or returning prized family possessions to a pristine state.”

Restoring antique jewellery is a particular passion for Rob. “Just by cleaning an old item of jewellery you are essentially giving yourself a new piece of jewellery,” explains Rob. “Bringing it back to its original condition will boost its insurance value.

But, more importantly, it will restore its value to you.” He adds.

Whether the pieces are designed on site or created by jewellery designers the owners admire, new items are always appearing on the shelves.

Here are just some of the latest items to add to the Jewellery Workshop collection.

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Something a bit different Magic Berry or Volcanic Treasure

by Francesca Marcenaro.

CZ Range Sparkling Cubic Zirconia and Silver range.

Classic, bold jewellery with a glittering twist.

Diamond Range Don’t forget, ‘Diamonds are a girls best friend’.

Antique Range Something from the past. Our Antique and Vintage range.

For Gentlemen Simon Kemp designed silver and gold plate iconic cufflinks.

Out of this world Iron core meteorite coated in platinum. Hand made in the workshop with a silver surround.

Thame Jewellery Workshop 87 Lower High Street, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 3EH 01844 690123 thamejewelleryworkshop@yahoo.co.uk

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LIFESTYLE *

Home (and garden) Affordable and individual style for your home and garden?

Janet Rogers takes a stroll around the White Hart Studio in Haddenham.

I

was driving along Churchway in Haddenham one sunny day and I was suddenly reminded of a glorious holiday in the south of France. The reason? I had noticed the White Hart Studio had placed their garden furniture along the pavement in front of the shop.

The style of the items took me back to the Mediterranean, as did the riot of colourful chairs I noticed in the ever changing window. It was time I paid another visit to White Hart Studio to see what other new delights were waiting to be discovered.

On arrival, I headed straight for the chairs I had spotted in the window. It turns out this painted furniture is from a new supplier in Ipswich. These four chairs are so on trend and cost £215.

They really would add a splash of colour to any dining room or conservatory.

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Don’t forget Father’s Day Sunday 19th June

See White Hart Studio’s great selection of greeting cards from individual artists.

Plus a stand of gifts for that special person.

is where the Hart is.

Looking around the interior of White Hart Studio I see that Jane has some fantastic new lines on show. The colour theme is echoed by a lovely nest of music inspired green painted tables.

All the chairs, tables, drawers and bookcases are chosen by Jane not simply because she thinks they will sell well, but because she likes them. They do sell well however, because they are all quirky yet practical and affordable.

Naturally, especially at this time of year, I venture outside. Here you can find items equally stylish and individual for the garden. I notice garden benches in metal (green metal £145) or teak (large teak bench £135 and small £78) These could easily be used inside too.

I spot a lovely black bistro dining set for £115. For something a little more unusual for your garden there is a Large Lotus flower £185 or a giant emu £185.

So wether you are looking to furnish your home or garden White Hart Studio is well worth a visit.

On my way out I notice something that could be for the home or garden that really is different, a suit of armour.

This to me is typically Jane and typically White Hart Studio.

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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Kitchens

without compromise 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.

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

Summer at White Hart Studio 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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FASHION *

Cracking the

Helping gentlemen dress to impress is something that Gallant do on a daily basis. But sometimes you need to look correct as well as look good. Lucy and Carol tackle the dress code.

S

ome summer event dress codes are ambiguous by design.

Helpful? No. But from our experience if you’re not sure, use this rule, whatever your interpretation, go a level of formality up. It’s better to be the most ‘dressed’ person than the least. It also ensures your entry to some prestigious events and saves you from feeling self-conscious or that you haven’t made enough effort.

We can help you put something together that we know will make the right impression and still keep you feeling like yourself.

Whatever the event or occasion, make sure you feel comfortable in your choice and it fits you perfectly. It would be a shame to build up to the day with all the expectation it holds of having a good time and then be disappointed that you’re not at your best. You should be able to forget about what you have on and know that it’s working for you.

We’d also advise putting the whole attire on a few days prior – just to tick all the boxes. Has my shirt been washed?

Can I find both cuff links? Are my shoes clean? And, can I still do my trousers up?

We’ve all been there, but if there is a last minute emergency, we’ll be here to help with that too.

Circle of Gentlemen >>>

A wedding can be the biggest minefield as there are so many different styles these days. It could be a church wedding, a registry office, on the beach or in a field with hay bales. Your attire should still reflect the importance of the day. A suit with or without a tie or a jacket with well-fitting formal trousers works best. Give it a flourish of your own personality with a pop of colour in a pocket square, a colour suede shoe or a bright patterned sock for a flash of wit.

After all, your clothes should never wear you, just reflect your individual style. Most importantly, whatever event is gracing your calendar this Summer, your clothes should allow you to have fun.

HENLEY REGATTA Stewards Enclosure Lounge wear suits; jacket / blazer with flannels plus a tie or cravat is required.

Club blazers are encouraged.

GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED General Entry Dress up but feel free to be a bit more individual.

Richmond Enclosure Jacket and tie is required as a minimum.

Suits are welcome but jeans are not.

Gordon and Lennox Enclosure More formal but no less elegant.

Jackets and ties are not compulsory As a general rule for most events, bare chests or fancy dress are not allowed.

Shorts and sleeveless tops are discouraged.

ROYAL ASCOT General Entry Under no circumstances is fancy dress/ novelty allowed. Replica sports shirts are also not permitted. Smart clothes are encouraged.

Queen Anne Enclosure The requirement is a suit (not separates) with a shirt and tie.

The Royal Enclosure Black/grey morning dress; waistcoat, tie and plain black shoes.

“the difference is in the detail” 10 Greyhound Walk, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 3DY 01844 218 400 www.gallant-thame.co.uk twitter: @Gallant_Thame

dress code

Pal Zileri Circle of Gentlemen Oliver Sweeney Eton Duchamp Jeffrey West 7 For All Mankind Gant La Martina Gran Sasso Hiltl Lagerfeld Without Prejudice

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TRAVEL *

Looking for a family friendly holiday this summer? Thame’s Spear Travels should be your first destination, says Duncan Sherwood.

Happy families A

s a child my summer holiday in the seventies was very simple.

A week, perhaps two in Cornwall or just to be different one year, Devon.

If we managed to see some sunshine, it was a bonus. A tent or static caravan was usually our accommodation, so shopping for supplies and cooking was something we all helped with (to give my poor Mother some sort of break from her normal routine). The sea was always cold and my Dad was for ever saying ‘make the most of it, this is the only holiday we’re getting this year’. My parents toughest challenge was finding

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something to do on rainy days. Eating a pasty in a steamed up car watching rain drops race each other down the windscreen was one fond memory.

When I became a parent, my wife and I were faced with the same concern of keeping the kids happy. Oh how things had changed. We had a huge advantage on my unfortunate parents.

The cost of foreign travel had come down and, yes, we were able to go abroad. Guaranteed sunshine and a beach or pool was all that were needed for happy children. Job done.

Despite our restricted budget and the unreliable British weather, I have great memories of our ‘family holidays’. But I cant help feeling envious of my children and the sun drenched, fun packed world of summer holidays that they inhabit.

Every so often I do like to remind them how lucky they are, because today’s family friendly holidays are simply fantastic.

The two most important aims of a family holiday are having fun and spending time together.

Tour operator, Classic Collection provide affordable yet luxurious

A superb Greek beach

The Algarve. A magnificent complex

holidays. They have a superb range of hand-picked hotels offering the best and most fun-filled facilities for you and your children. Facilities such as separate pools, water parks, kid’s clubs, play areas and even football academies. For older children many hotels offer teen clubs.

Their holiday destinations are exciting and varied. They include Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza, The Costa Blanca, The Costa del Sol, Canary Islands, Italy, Sorrento, Sardinia, Halkidiki, Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Cyprus, Turkey, Malta, Croatia, Madeira and The Algarve.

The team at Spear Travels in Thame are seasoned travellers, as a result, they are well placed to help and advise you on all the finer details of your break, Which resort is best for your particular requirements? What are the local amenities like? Is the beach nearby?

Is it safe for very young children?

Do you require interconnecting rooms?

Need baby sitting services? Child price reduction details, and so on.

A local friendly travel company.

It’s all you need when booking a family friendly holiday.

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

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LIFESTYLE *

Turn End turns 50 That garden of delights that is Turn End celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Martin Bygate, Chairman of Turn End Trust, tells us how this is to be celebrated.

2016 marks the 50th anniversary of Turn End, the “quintessential architect-designed house of the sixties” (RIBA Journal April 2016) in the heart of Haddenham, designed and built by Haddenham resident and architect Peter Aldington, who has the rare distinction of having had all 9 houses he has designed listed, more than any other living architect in the UK. Turn End garden, created as a natural extension to the house has become a source of inspiration for gardeners around the world. To celebrate, Turn End Trust, a charity set up to promote the integration of building and garden design and to secure this unique place for the future benefit of the wider community, has announced three very special headline events.

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Sculpture in the Garden in conjunction with Bucks Open Studio.

Saturday 18th June to Sunday 26th June (11.00-18.00 daily) Art meets nature when Sculpture in the Garden returns to the internationally renowned Turn End garden for its third consecutive year. Curated by Lendon Scantlebury and running this year in conjunction with Bucks Open Studios, the exhibition brings together the work of 35 sculptors in a range of media intriguingly displayed throughout the garden - a superb backdrop for the works themselves, and an inspiration for how they could look in different settings.

In selecting pieces to exhibit, Lendon has ensured a range of size and style to complement all types of garden, and he, along with other sculptors exhibiting, will be on hand to answer questions and talk about the work on show. Turn End is also home to the studios of

Heather Hunter, printmaker and creator of artists’ books, and acclaimed portrait photographer, Paul Wilkinson, and their studios will be open for Bucks Open Studios, with Jean Mould Hart, paper artist, sharing space with Heather Hunter during this time. Turn End is on the Bucks Open Studio ‘Haddenham Trail’ along with 16 other Haddenham venues, and will certainly be a “don’t miss destination” for art lovers this June.

Turn End Garden Party.

All three houses to be opened for the first time.

LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE Sunday 10th July 2016 (13.30 - 18.30) The 50th Anniversary Garden Party will be celebrating Peter and Margaret Aldington and 50 years of Turn End. For this special occasion, Turn End house, as well as the two adjoining houses designed by Peter as an ensemble, will all be open for the first time. A traditional English tea will be served in the garden and a number of special guests will be

An afternoon and talk on ‘The Modern Garden’ and the modern garden with Richard Bisgrove.

Saturday 10th September (15.30 - 18.30) Adults: £25.

Turn End Trust was set up as a registered charity with the aim of protecting this small estate and to make it available as a peaceful haven for the benefit of the wider community. To help it achieve its aims, it is running a special anniversary fundraising event in which Richard Bisgrove, distinguished author and horticulturist, will be giving a talk on ‘The Modern Garden’ and the modern garden.

Richard will be talking about the development of the modern garden and beyond. He will explore how garden designers have responded to the tension between the aesthetic of the Modern Movement in architecture and the natural exuberance of the garden to create the ‘Modern Garden’, and will then trace various strands of garden design in a post-modern world. Richard will be giving his talk in the Methodist Chapel, High Street, Haddenham, preceded by tea and homemade cake, and followed by a reception in Turn End garden. This gives visitors an opportunity to meet Richard and chat informally with him – and enjoy Turn End garden!

Main Photo; Richard Bryant Arcaid

speaking about Peter and different aspects of his work.

Free admission to Friends of Turn End (see below for how to join).

There is a limited number of tickets available: Individual £15, Joint £25, Family £30. Please email: turnendtrustevents@gmail.com

To reserve and purchase tickets, please email: turnendtrustevents@gmail.com Membership of Turn End Turn End Trust operates a Membership Scheme offering private access to the garden twice a month from May to October, participation in exclusive Membership events, and free entry to most other events.

Join Turn End Trust for an afternoon in the company of Richard Bisgrove, distinguished author and horticulturist, on his talk on ‘The Modern Garden’ and the modern garden.

Membership fees are: £25 individual annual membership £35 joint annual membership £200 individual lifetime membership £300 joint lifetime membership £300 corporate membership (for organisations to share membership among colleagues and associates).

Contact Turn End for full details.

To find out more about any of these events or the Friends Scheme, contact: www.turnend.wordpress.com turnendtrustevents@gmail.com 07591 018601

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LIFESTYLE *

The trials and tribulations of working mothers Samantha Stonehouse interviews one of Oxfordshire’s most inspiring and influential Mums, Sarah Willingham on how she manages her busy life, portfolio of businesses whilst bringing up her four young children.

I

n January 2016, Sarah was named one of The Sunday Times’ ‘500 Most Influential people in Britain’.

As a mum of four (aged 9, 8, 6 and 5) and a serial entrepreneur, Sarah believes that parenthood and business can exist side by side, without sacrificing the quality of each other. People talk about that ‘constant daily juggle’, balancing a successful career and a busy family life.

Striking that balance is often a hard thing to do.

“There is no typical day in our household. We all get up at 7am and I start by getting their breakfast ready whilst they get dressed for school. Once fed they are all out the door by 8am.

We are not a routine kind of family, but getting them out of the door everyday at 8am is something we have become good at as well as being organised. Small things like getting their uniform looked out the night before all saves time in morning.

My husband, Michael, does the school run, and whilst he is driving them to school, it gives me a little time to exercise or do what I like to call ‘froofing’ a quick clean up from the night before, tidy up the breakfast things or think about what to cook for dinner.

My husband and I look after the children. We don’t have a live-in nanny or any after school help, we’re a normal family when it comes to childcare. We call on babysitters from time-to-time or friends if we’re really stuck but, in general, Michael and I split the duties evenly. What does help massively, and I am really lucky to be able to do this, is working from home, that really makes all the difference.

I absolutely love being a mum. I want to be the person that plaits their hair, picks them up from school and is on the end of the phone when the teacher phones to say they are not very well and I need to shoot over to the school to collect one of them.

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Michael and I run the business between us, and he plays such a huge role in not only my life but the children’s.

Everything is completely split. We are very good at putting dates on the calendar and knowing when we need to be in certain places at certain times.”

What are your favourite things to do as a family in Oxfordshire? l Enjoying a walk around Blenheim Palace. l Visiting a National Trust property such as Basildon Park. l Going for walk along the Ridgeway by the river. l Having a day out in Oxford. l A nice pub lunch, we are close to The Perch and Pike and they do a great Sunday lunch.

We also enjoy going to The Thatch in Thame.

Your top 3 health, beauty and fashion tips for busy, working Mums? l I love food, but do try and eat a varied diet. Being in the industry that I’m in, it is hard not to have a glass of wine or a cocktail every night, so I really try and limit my alcohol intake to one night a week.

I find that too much alcohol really affects my sleep, and if I manage to have a few days without it my skin looks so much better too. l Buy machine washable clothes that don’t require hours of ironing – forget having loads of dry clean only items. Also I do most of my clothes shopping online.

“Don’t be afraid of flat shoes”

< Sarah and her children

moment, so we are both really busy. In the evenings we put on a good movie, the last film we watched was The Intern, and that made us both sit down and chill-out after we put the children to bed.

l Don’t be afraid of flat shoes! I love

heels, but I’ve just found and fallen in love with the ‘flat shoe’. So much easier to run around in than heels!

Where is your beautiful statement necklace from that you are often seen wearing?

Michael gave this to me when we had our first child. It was made by a friend and she has since named it ‘The Sarah necklace’.

I love it, it is packed full of chipped diamonds, and when I had our second child, I was given a ring that I wear on my right hand which has our children’s names engraved inside it.

Are you quite disciplined with your time, and after a certain time of the day can you switch off ?

We have to switch off, but I find this really hard to do, as you have to be so strict.

We are working on 12 investments at the

H

orse trainer Lawney Hill is Mum to two children. Although they are now both grown up, Gaby 23 and Joe 20, there was no career break for this determined, hard working lady. Lawney shares some of her top tips with advice to Mums wanting to return to work and who has been her inspiration to succeed.

What advice can you give to Mums wanting to return to work after they have been out of the work place for a while?

Going back to work has to be something that you really want to do, it is not for everyone. After you have had children you are even more brilliant than you were before, you have learnt so much – remember that. Be confident, and just be ‘you’.

Do you think companies are starting to do more to assist mums returning to work?

I think we are becoming a lot more aware and we are definitely improving.

Companies were losing a lot of good talent, and now we have become so much better at working out ways to keep people by offering flexible working.

How do you keep up your stamina?

I am very lucky as I have loads of positive energy. I was born like that. I am living my dream, I’ve created this whirlwind that I am totally in control of. My family motivates me and keeps me going.

It was hard not to get wrapped-up in the media frenzy that surrounded one of Oxfordshire’s Olympic gold medallists, Victoria Pendleton, in her quest to race in the Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham Festival. For those that watched the race, or were lucky enough to be at Cheltenham, Victoria not only exceeded

< Lawney (second from right) with Bertenbar and the Wyatt family after Andrew Thornton had ridden him to win at Fontwell

Does your husband play a key role in helping you with the children so that you are able to work?

Absolutely, everything is completely split.

We are really strict with putting dates in the diary, and if it is not in the diary, then it doesn’t happen! I do all the cooking! We also make sure that we spend quality time together, this is hugely important. My Dad lives in France, and from time to time he comes over to stay so that we can go away.

We recently went to Venice, which was really lovely.

When you were little, what did you want to be?

A teacher! My Mum was a teacher but I was always fascinated with business.

Who or what has been your greatest influence in business and why?

Michael my husband. He is so much smarter than I am. He is brilliant, very intuitive and has really taught me a lot.

I can still see us working together in 40 years time, although we don’t want to run a huge empire, we just get on so well.

Download Sarah’s new app Jangle. A tool for parents to support and help them teach their kids essential money management skills.

The app which is designed for children from 7-11 years old teaches more than just how to save, it helps children learn about the concept of earning money, appreciating value and money management. The app is free and developed by Experian in partnership with Sarah Willingham. www.sarahwillingham.com

all expectations by finishing a creditable fifth, but her very determination every race amongst other experienced jockeys was quite simply remarkable. Perhaps it was all down to the skilful training that Victoria received from leading trainer. Lawney who, together with her husband, Alan, trains up to 45 horses on their 1,000 acre farm in Aston Rowant. The couple have been training jockeys for over 25 years and have had plenty of success with all types of horses, from unbroken 4 year olds to soured-off’ racehorses from training.

What was it like to train Victoria Pendleton?

First and foremost, she is a particularly lovely person, she never took anything for granted and was so polite and humble.

I didn’t think of her as an amateur jockey, because of her cycling training Victoria already had the professional determination and stamina for racing built into her.

>>>

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LIFESTYLE *

Victoria Pendleton and Lawney Hill

After 25 years of training we found that seeing the sport through Victoria’s eyes gave us a fresh insight. She described the feeling when she jumped, saying that it was like flying. Her innocent childlike enthusiasm has made us hardened cynics, even more grateful for what we have done daily for many years. It was certainly a proud moment when Alan and I watched the race. A memory I will treasure forever.

Victoria’s husband Scott said “She never chokes on the big stage”, and that she didn’t. She was so studious, she trained so hard, and we worked with her twice a day, six days a week. After training in the morning she would leave the stables at11am and go into London for various commitments. I do think she has definitely raised the profile of amateur racing.

Describe a typical working day?

My morning starts at 5.30am and I am out in the yard by 7am to check round the horses. I then supervise the first, second and third lot, followed by some office work. I am definitely a morning person; I always make time to sit down for lunch and take some time to chill-out between 1pm and 2pm. I think I would work much better if I had a siesta like they do in the Med’! In the afternoon we may have a race so often spend a considerable amount of time driving up and down the country. We race all over, from Alnwick in Northumberland to West Wales, to Cornwall and sometimes a little more locally. We certainly clock the miles in the horse box!

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When your children were younger, did your husband play a key role in helping you so you were able to work?

Alan is a typical alpha male, so not really.

I had a string of au pairs, but they were a bit like horses, one in five of them was a keeper! My daughter Gaby soon sussed them out; we had so many funny incidents that one day I will write a book about some of the amusing stories that happened with them, certainly a few ‘laugh-out-loud moments’.

What advice can you give to Mums wanting to return to work after they have been out of the work place for a while?

Make sure that you are really happy with the childcare that you have in place.

I personally think it is important to go back to work, even if it is just part time.

Not only is it great for your self-esteem but it gives you something else to focus on, and of course maintain your financial independence. When I went back to work it was lovely to be ‘me’ again, and to have some ‘me’ time. It made me a better Mum for being able to work.

Being organised definitely helps.

Plan your menus for the week, do your shopping online and delegate as much as you can. If you are lucky enough to have grandparents, then use them as much as you are able to!

Do you think companies are starting to do more to assist Mums returning to work?

Absolutely, it is easier now than it has ever been with flexible working opportunities.

With the internet, we can all work from home and husbands / partners are a lot more hands-on and involved in day to day life.

Alan, Gaby, Lawney and Joe

When you were little, what did you want to be?

An air hostess! I speak French and German, and I guess my love for languages made me want to travel more, and I loved the glamour of flying around the world. What a different career path I chose!

Who has been your greatest influence in business and why?

I would say Henrietta Knight, now retired; she was a trainer of National Hunt racehorses. You look-up to people like her and Jenny Pitman. In this industry you have to be tough, 99% of trainers are male and those women broke the mould. Jenny became the first woman to train a Grand National winner when her horse Corbiere won the race in 1983.

Lawney Hill Racing, based in Aston Rowant has two yards, while Lawney trains horses running under National Hunt rules, Alan runs a highly successful Point-to-Point operation. Employing 8 full-time staff and 8-part time, Lawney continues to train jockeys and their horses to her impeccably high standards.

Samantha Stonehouse is a freelance PR and Event Manager, and is mum to Sophia 4 and Poppy 2, and lives in Tetsworth, near Thame.

Helen Grace Beautifully hand crafted stylish hats and fascinators for all occasions.

Weddings. Race Days. Regattas. Garden Parties.

To buy or hire.

Come and try on our wonderful hats and fascinators in the privacy of our studio in Shabbington.

Simply call us for an appointment on: 07776 198927 or 01844 201017 helen@helengracehats.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.

FASHION *

Hats off to Helen Jane Dale meets designer Helen Nicholls a lady that simply loves hats and designer bags, and who doesn’t?

H

ats have a long history. One of the earliest known was worn by a bronze age man whose body (including his hat) was found frozen in ice on a mountain between Austria and Italy. Archaeologists believe he had been roaming these mountains some 5,500 years ago.

One of the first hats to be depicted anywhere in the world was found in a tomb painting at Thebes and shows a man wearing a straw hat.

The hat has been, and still is worn for protection from the elements, for ceremonial reasons (think Mortarboard), religious purposes (a bishops Mitre or a Sikh Turban), or for military purposes.

During the middle ages the wearing of a certain style of hat was to distinguish social status.

It wasn’t until the late seventeenth century that women’s headgear began to emerge in its own right and not be influenced by men’s hat fashions. The word ‘milliner’, a maker of women’s hats, was first recorded in 1529 when the term referred to the products for which Milan and the northern Italian regions were well known. These were ribbons, gloves and straws. The haberdashers who imported these highly popular straws were called ‘Millaners’ from which the word was eventually derived.

The latest contributor to this long history of hats is Helen Nicholls. Less than a year ago Helen decided to start up her own company called Helen Grace.

“I have always been a creative person, but for years it never really manifested itself. It wasn’t until I worked with a Milliner called Graham McCartney, that I knew what I wanted to do,” says Helen.

Helen helped Graham sell his hats at horse racing meetings and Regattas.

“It was Graham who encouraged me to start my own company”, adds Helen.

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Her family business couldn’t be more different. They run ‘Pet Care’ the pet shop in Thame, Helen has been known to help out occasionally when they are particularly busy. For a number of years she worked as a Teaching Assistant at Barley Hill school in Thame. It was a job she loved, but in the end, she had to follow her heart (or perhaps her head) and start designing and selling hats.

Helen designs her own hats and Fascinators. She sells these as well as other peoples hats. Brands such as Whitely and Maddox for example, who’s hats have decorated the head of the Duchess of Cambridge.

As well as selling hats off the hat peg, Helen designs hats specifically for customers. These truly are one-offs. The customer might want a hat or fascinator to match the colouring of a favourite outfit or to suit a face shape or hair colour.

It’s a very personal service. Although Helen sells her creations online, she will always encourage potential customers to visit her studio in Shabbington. This way customers get to try them on, see the colours more accurately and simply hold them and feel the quality.

Helen will always work with the customer and ensure the hat or fascinator suits the lady in question and fit perfectly.

“Some of my customers like minimalist style head wear, others like hats with a bit more bling for example,” says Helen.

“Different styles suit different customers, it a very personal ‘one to one’ purchase.

It’s not like ordering a pair of jeans online and simply sending them back. Anyway I would never put any of my creations in the post for fear of damaging the delicate designs”. adds Helen.

Looking around the studio and the display of hats and fascinators, I notice some other fashion items. Designer bags no less. “Ah, yes, that’s my other fashion based business”, says Helen.

“Select Designer Bags. They are all pre-loved designer bags by designers I particularly like. I really love this Chanel bag for example” adds Helen. I notice other famous brands such as Louis Vuitton, Chloé, Gucci and Prada. If there is a particular bag that a customer is looking for, Helen will do everything she can to find it for them.

So, you might be off to a wedding, a day at the races, a Regatta or a garden party. Whatever the event or occasion, I’m sure the perfect hat or fascinator (and designer bag?) is waiting for you in Shabbington. Shabbington Chic you might say.

The Studio

Helen Grace Hats 01844 201017 or 07776 198927 helen@helengracehats.co.uk www.helengracehats.co.uk Select Designer Bags 01844 201017 or 07776 198927 www.selectdesignerbags.co.uk

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HOME & GARDEN *

Let there be light I

am in Bishopstone, in a two bedroom bungalow built during the 1930’s. Since the year 2000 it has been the home of John and Janet and their two children. Solidly built as houses seemed to be then, the bungalow has a generous garden and terrific views over some lovely Buckinghamshire countryside. Simply a lovely home.

What wasn’t so great for John and Janet was their kitchen. It was gloomy and seemed to be in the wrong place.

You had to walk around the dining area to reach a door that led to the bedroom area of the bungalow.

After living with this for a number of years, the couple decided it was time for a change.

When I arrived at the property, I walked into the new kitchen/dining area, and two things came to mind.

First of all, the kitchen design and roominess of the space for the size of property was stunning.

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John and Janet’s kitchen was dark, impractical and under used.

Kingsey Kitchens & Interiors changed all that.

Deborah Williams reports.

Secondly, I thought this is one of Kingsey’s famous kitchen AND extension jobs. In fact I asked John where did the original kitchen end and the extended area start? “We haven’t had an extension” he said.

Recently, more and more customers are coming to Kingsey to discuss their new kitchen at the same time as the building of their extension begins.

Well, not this time.

One internal wall was taken down and a door simply relocated and before they knew it, John and Janet’s dream kitchen was complete.

We had fully intended to build an extension into the rear garden, but Andy at Kingsey convinced us to re-configer the space” says John To be honest, he probably saved us between £50,000 and £60,000.

The one thing Kingsey will always do is find a solution. 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. As this particular job proves. It just shows that quality, bespoke kitchens don’t have to be expensive.

John and Janet are delighted with their new kitchen/dining area. “Andy suggested moving the door to the bedroom area of the bungalow to allow us to walk easily past the kitchen/dining area rather than around it. The removal of a wall, created even more space”, says John. “We wanted to create more light and make the most of the view out to the garden and to the fields beyond.

Replacing the old windows with the large bi-fold window allows the light to flood in”, he adds.

An area big enough to include a dining table and breakfast bar was the main requirement. The breakfast bar and dining area face the garden so the family can enjoy the lovely countryside views that the bungalows location affords.

As for the kitchen itself. The main kitchen/living area is beautifully lit with spot lights, LED’s under the work tops and mirrored plinths. The cupboards

are finished in Farrow & Ball matt grey paint. But rather than the increasingly popular handleless cupboards, these are adorned with some striking handles.

They work really well and add a bit of individuality to the sleek finish of the doors themselves.

The worktop is Tristone, a 100% acrylic solid surface that is elegant and extremely practical - it doesn’t show fingerprints - and, because it is resistant to water, heat, bacteria and chemicals, very long lasting.

Looking around the kitchen area I failed to see an extractor fan. Then, there on the ceiling I saw it. Very discrete and above the hob that is situated rather unusually on the peninsular. Instead of the more usual black, this Siemans induction hob is from their glass metal look flexi hob range. The colour was chosen to echo that of the cupboards.

As with all Kingsey kitchens this one features neat storage ideas, pull out drawers for big pan storage, spacious larder, and cleverly hidden pipe work and electrics.

Also featured is a boiling water tap and a special drinks fridge (as well as the fridge/freezer). I guess that’s where John and Janet keep the champagne to toast their fantastic new kitchen/diner.

Kingsey Kitchens & Interiors 1 The Barns, Manor Farm, Risborough Road, Kingsey, Buckinghamshire HP17 8LU www.kingseykitchens.co.uk 01844 290 899 info@kingseykitchens.co.uk

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EDUCATION *

Senior steps Alex Neil, Deputy Head at Rye St Antony School on the important move from Prep School to Senior School.

M

oving up into Senior School is one of life’s most significant milestones. At Rye St Antony we aim to make the transition from Prep School as smooth and straightforward as possible. New Senior School girls are welcomed in to our Rye ‘family’ through our carefully thought-out mentoring systems and will have already attended induction days, whether they are existing pupils or new ones.

At Rye we take great pride in the level of our pastoral care – each girl’s mental and physical wellbeing is our number one priority and this leads to happy, confident pupils who willingly accept challenges and perform to the best of their ability in all areas.

Whilst academic standards and expectations are high, our small class sizes ensure active, inclusive and confident learning. Girls at Rye benefit from teaching and support targeted to their individual needs, strengths and interests.

The Rye Senior School community is happy, busy and full of life as this ensures our girls reach their full potential, whether academic, sporting or extra-curricular.

Our experienced specialist teaching staff take time to encourage a zest for learning, opportunities to question, research and discover across a broad curriculum. Girls are encouraged to discuss and investigate what they

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have learned, both in and outside the classroom so that they easily switch from learning with others to learning independently. Girls can choose from over 20 GCSE, AS and A-levels as they progress through the school. On average, they will go on to take 10 GCSEs and four to five AS/A-level subjects.

Enrichment is an important component of life at Rye, providing a perfect balance with academic learning.

Walk into our Senior School on any one day and you will see so much more than girls with their heads down in the classrooms. They may be organising a charity activity during break time, taking part in a hockey tournament, practising for their Duke of Edinburgh Award or attending one of the school’s numerous clubs which offer something for everyone.

Do come and witness the Rye Senior School community in action for yourself. We are extremely proud of our school and the activities and achievements made every single day by our Senior School girls.

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

HOME & GARDEN * Next 123

Established in 2010, Ridgeway Kitchens & Interiors are expanding fast.

Sarah Denmark discovers the secret of their success.

The complete service I

t’s been a busy few years for Ridgeway Kitchens & Interiors.

Years that have seen a rapid growth in the amount of and type of business the company handles. Not only are they involved with new-builds and developments, there is also a huge increase in the trend for home extensions and whole-house renovations. These projects allow Ridgeway to do what they do best: provide a one-stop service for their clients which far exceeds the requirements of a simple kitchen fit. Ridgeway can offer a full project management service which means Shuller

that all building work, kitchen and furniture supply and fitting, plastering, decorating, electrical and plumbing work can all be done in-house, using their own skilled team.

Ridgeway also work with local architects and are able to work from drawings to produce interior schemes for the kitchen, utility room and bathroom. The designers at Ridgeway can then take the client through a virtual walk-through of their new-build or soon-to-be-renovated property. This is an invaluable tool to help clients visualise the end result.

Ridgeway have just added several new kitchen brands to their already impressive line-up. Along-side their wonderfully engineered German range now sits the luxurious Next125 kitchen brand. This is premium cabinetwork, with all the robust qualities of German furniture plus some extra features that really boast attention to detail. With extra-large units, pocket doors and stunning finishes, this really is a range that is worth a trip to the showroom to see. Their new display shows a mixture of glass-faceted doors and real wood veneers which exude opulence and quality. Integrated handles and sliding doors are also on show, giving a very modern and innovative feel to these new pieces of furniture.

Every Ridgeway project is installed to the very highest of standards and each client works closely with their project manager, who will remain with you through to the jobs completion.

He will explain details and timings, and ensure a smooth and efficient operation.

Everything you need for a fantastic new kitchen and more, and all under one roof.

Ridgeway Kitchens & Interiors Unit 8, Rycote Lane Farm, Rycote Lane, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 2NZ Phone:01844 279900 www.ridgewaykitchens.co.uk

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LIFESTYLE *

People

portfolio Award-winning portrait photographer, Paul Wilkinson, continues to set the standard says Jim Sherwood.

T

his year my daughter celebrated her 21st Birthday. It was a significant moment in her life and ours. It needed to be celebrated.

Yes she received a special item of jewellery and yes, she had a party, but for me, I wanted to really capture this ‘coming of age’ moment in time. After a brief discussion with my wife, we both agreed that a photographic portrait was required. And after an even briefer discussion, we new exactly who we wanted to capture this milestone in my girls life. Paul Wilkinson.

What Paul doesn’t know about portrait photography you can put on a pin head. In fact he’s written the book on the subject, literally.

Mastering Portrait Photography is it (co-written with Sarah Plater).

A marriage of method and artistry, Mastering Portrait Photography not only includes some of Paul’s finest portraits but also a whole range of insightful tips

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and practical advice on how to achieve fantastic portraits of your own. You only have to flick through Mastering Portrait Photography (as I did during the shoot) to realise how damn good this man is.

It was a pleasure to watch Paul in action. A consumate professional who has this knack of seeing the character behind the face and capturing the person. My daughter was a little selfconscious to start with, but Paul put her at ease and as I expected, the results were fantastic.

These key moments in our lives are really important to record forever, and many more people are realising this.

Paul’s clients are marking their special occasions. These have included having a baby, a child’s early steps, a family reunion, kids leaving home or a landmark birthday: all these (and many more) are wonderful excuses to commission Paul to create some images of a lifetime. If you have a special

occasion that you need capturing, I would strongly recommend a visit to Paul’s fabulous studios in Haddenham.

They are located in the famous Turn End gardens. At this time of year you might want Paul to take some shots outside in these glorious gardens or on location elsewhere, either way you will be left with some lasting memories.

Portrait photography with this award winning photographer – Paul has won a host of awards including the 2015 MPA UK Lifestyle & Location Portrait Photographer of the Year and is the partner photographer to Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons –

Why not visit the team and see their latest work in the studio. Paul will be open from Saturday 18th – Sunday 26th June (from 11.00am – 5.00pm) during Bucks Open Studios. Turn End gardens are featuring a superb Sculpture Exhibition as well.

Haddenham is a great place to visit for Bucks Open Studios as there is an Art Trail featuring over 20 artists in the village.

is a great experience. You will witness first hand Paul’s passion and enthusiasm for his work. This is matched by the other members of the team. The photoshoot is off course only part of the service. Paul and the team will meet with a potential customer first. This is to establish and understand exactly what they require from the shoot itself. They then hand finish all the chosen images and give helpful advice on how best to display the final image or images.

Mastering Portrait Photography is available from all good book shops.

Or contact Paul’s studio.

Paul Wilkinson 6 High Street, Haddenham Bucks HP17 8ER 01844 291000 studio@paulwilkinsonphotography.co.uk

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FOOD & DRINK * Chilling red wine, quelle horreur.

Whatever next? Perhaps not, says Jerome Harlington.

Just chillin’ with a red Summer fruits Is your body summer ready? Asks Rosie Dickinson.

S T

o the wine snob chilling a red wine might be a complete faux pas. But actually, as with most things, whether chilling a red wine is a good idea or not depends on a number of factors.

With the warm weather approaching sipping on a lightly chilled red seems a very attractive prospect to me.

Of course it depends on the wine; if you were to drink a chilled heavy red this wouldn’t be a pleasant experience at all. The tannins in a heavy red would dry your palate completely.

However if you were to chill a lighter red, such as a Beaujolais, Dolcetto or Valpolicella Classico for example, this would be very pleasant indeed to enjoy on a summer’s evening. The tannins are much lighter and therefore would not dry the palate in an unpleasant way.

If we look to the continent, our French and Italian cousins chill their (lighter) reds all the time in summer.

I’m not suggesting you blitz your light reds in the fridge as you would your whites as even lighter reds have tannins.

Over chilling reds will also dumb down the flavours.

As these are red wines with lighter tannins, it’s a good idea to pair your chilled red with food. This will soften the tannins and enhance your enjoyment further.

Fantastic pairings with chilled reds include mezze, salty tapas, cured meats and sharp cheeses such as a good strong Cheddar and soft cheeses such as Brie.

What I would suggest is chilling your lighter reds in the fridge for about half an hour or so to enjoy your wine at a perfect temperature on a summer’s evening.

I hope that helps! For more hints and tips to help you get the most enjoyment out of your wine simply email thameout@trailblazingwine.com and type “hints and tips” in the subject line.

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

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ummer has finally arrived. My summer wardrobe is making an appearance and so is the vast array of seasonal fruit and vegetables in the kitchen.

I don’t know about you, but the longer, lighter, and warmer days give me such a spring in my step, especially when we have sunshine. With this glorious season, it is only natural that we want to look and feel our absolute best at this time. Looking and feeling our best means perhaps losing a few pounds and most importantly of all, adjusting our diet and taking great care of our insides. Rebooting our system with a detox in the Summer is a really effective way of achieving these goals and ensuring we are the healthiest version of ourselves.

Juice cleansing not only helps the body to detoxify but it provides an abundance of easily absorbed nutrients.

A cleanse supports and strengthens the liver, reduces inflammation (a key factor to illness), improves digestion to ensure efficient nutrient absorption and generally aids regeneration. No wonder people enjoy glowing skin, sparkling eyes, deeper sleep, no mid-afternoon slumps and a flatter stomach having lost bloating. Not to mention mental clarity and a more positive outlook as well as extra energy. Imagine waking before the alarm feeling refreshed and ready to go!

As if those weren’t enough benefits, detoxing helps to prevent rebounds when we lose weight and then resume normal eating again. Our body’s natural defence against toxins is to store them in fat. When we lose weight by reducing our food intake, the fat is burnt but the toxins become concentrated – we have the same number of toxins but in a smaller body.

As soon as we resume normal eating again, the body rushes to re-accumulate fat to protect itself.

In addition to our 3 and 5 day cleanse packages, we have just launched our very own organic, cold pressed juice packs.

The multi-choice box gives you the option to choose your own flavours of juice and nut milks which are all made from the finest, freshest seasonal ingredients available. Pressed daily to ensure you receive our juice at its very best and delivered pre-6am, drink them alongside your breakfast lunch or dinner giving you an added nutritional boost.

Be the best YOU ever!

www.thehealthyjuicecompany.co.uk 01869 324328

The Rising Sun and the east

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.

GRAB A BUCKET OF BEER 4 for £10 (Sunday – Thursday) Choose from Sol, Heineken, Fosters Gold & Singha Beer

b Food served until 10.30pm b Takeaways available b Lunchtime specials for people in a hurry b Tuesday is quiz night (cash prizes) b Live music every other Saturday and b It’s SUMMER. Bank Holiday Sunday Celebrate Wednesday b Watch the Euro’s this summer night with a Cocktail. b Loyalty card available (ask in pub) b Half price cocktails every Wednesday b Find us on Facebook

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

01844 214206 www.risingsun-thame.co.uk

It’s SUMMER Enjoy eating and drinking al fresco

Business *

Information Technology is supposed to be a help, not a hindrance says Alun Rowe, Commercial Director of Pentangle. He explains all to technophobe, David Rogers.

Where IT support is in L

ets face it, for some people understanding IT can be a nightmare, I know, I am one of those people. Every time I have a technical issue I call my ‘techy’ people and they with a sigh of impatience will despair at my lack of knowledge. I’m sure they don’t mean to do it, but they make me feel two inches tall.

Alun Rowe the Commercial Director of Pentangle here in Thame listens and most of all sympathises with me.

“We hear this a lot, for us IT is not about making life harder for our clients, it’s about listening and understanding what they need from their IT, making it happen and allowing them to get on with running their business,” he says.

“We believe, when it comes to IT services, they work best when they just run in the background supporting your business.” adds Alun As a company owner, or the employee saddled with the task of finding IT support, the choice is a seemingly neverending one. How to differentiate between Company A that offers the moon on a stick, and Company B that offers the same moon, but with sprinkles and minus a stick.

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“For Pentangle, IT is not about ripping the CEO’s heart out through their wallet, either,” say Alun.

Pentangle see IT as a layer of services and tools designed to give you, the client, the best chance of helping make your company a success. This means the provision of a set of cost-effective, reliable systems that can scale as you grow yet don’t cost the earth to set up when you’re counting the pennies.

They are also pragmatic in their approach. “We know that if you grow – we grow. Hence we have a vested interest in making your IT support experience a richly rewarding one; keenly priced, transparent, proactive and reliable, enabling you to just get on and work in the most effective way possible.” says Alun.

Alun, a former Lord Williams school pupil started Pentangle in 2000. The team of 15 people who work from their offices in Buttermarket are made up of Web experts, programmers, designers, software developers, communications experts and consultants. All hugely talented, enthusiastic and supportive.

Alun it seems is equally supportive of his staff. “We try to get the work/life balance right, we offer flexible working hours for example. If our staff are happy, they work better and that in turn benefits our clients,” he says.

Technology is forever moving on and Pentangle need to be out in front keeping abreast of this changing IT world. They have to be both proactive and reactive.

Pentangle have a knack for finding solutions to problems some clients didn’t realise they had. For example, one paper based company saved £18,000 a year postage when Pentangle helped them move their communications online.

Then there was the equipment rental company whose cumbersome time consuming method of signing in and out hire equipment was revolutionised when Pentangle installed RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) to the main door that simply scanned the items in and out.

The reactive side of the business is when they get called in because a company’s printers aren’t working or they can’t access the internet, or software won’t open or the computers are running slow.

One new enquiry had a problem with

Alun Rowe, Commercial Director

Mike Knowles, Operations Director

Dan Gates, Senior Web Developer

great shape slow running computers and Pentangle found no less than 27,000 different viruses.

“We would much prefer to sort a company’s system at the start rather than fix it after the event and the damage has already been done. Sadly a lot of our work is disaster recovery.” Says Alun.

“We can do an IT audit of a company that would take around two hours and show how much that company is losing in potential revenue.” he adds.

The biggest concern for most companies however is security. Whether it’s people hacking websites just to prove they can or serious industrial espionage, Pentangle are on the case.

With remote working becoming more and more popular, security is paramount. You could be sitting in Costa’s working and because of a badly encrypted password, your work could be intercepted by criminals. Hackers, it seems have got bored with attacking banks. They now target internal payroll and accountancy systems by adding themselves to the transaction list.

So as Hackers become more and more aggressive and inventive so companies like Pentangle strive to outwit them.

Pentangle take security very seriously and have steps / procedures in place to prevent identity and service theft, viruses and malware, denial of service, spamming, call tampering and phishing attacks.

Two more areas that Pentangle are particularly strong in is building websites and software development.

For Pentangle it is all about producing the best website for you and your business. They do not offer ‘off the shelf’ solutions’, but work with you to design a website that reflects your business and gets you noticed.

“What we mean by ‘gets you noticed’ isn’t just about how it looks (although this is very important too). We believe in doing things right first time, so your website will not only look fantastic but it will perform fantastically too.” says Alun “We will help you write rich quality content in line with best practice, ensuring the highest level of SEO and as a result a high organic listing on Google as well as other search engines. This is how you get noticed”. he adds Pentangle now build (as standard) all their websites using WordPress. This is due to the fact that over the past few

years WordPress has been edging it’s way towards becoming the de-facto standard for content and marketing based websites. It’s easy to use content management system coupled with the ability to plug-in new features without too much cost and a strong focus on updates to keep it secure and reliable means it’s ideal to put you in control of your website.

As for software development, Pentangle’s extensive knowledge of web development means they have become well versed in creating web based software solutions tailored to an individual business’s needs.

“From multi-nationals like NETGEAR to local businesses looking for a unique edge we have created a wide variety of solutions”. says Alun.

So, if I was to appoint Pentangle, would all this expertise be expensive?

“Not at all,” says Alun. “Regardless of the size of your business, how many servers, printers, etc you have, we will look after all IT aspects of your business for a fixed rate of just £35.00 per user, per month.” he adds. Seems reasonable to me. Actually, I can’t seem to open Photoshop ...

Part of the community Pentangle are not only based in the heart of Thame, but they are also at the heart of the community. Every Christmas, they set up a website for the local Round Table that enables people to track the whereabouts of Santa as he makes his way around Thame.

The website has generated thousands of pounds in sponsorship since it launched..

In September Pentangle will be providing pop-up WiFi alongside their regular webcam at various locations around Thame during the Thame Food Festival. WiFi that (as you would expect) will be safe and secure to log on to.

112 High Street, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 3DZ ask@pentangle.co.uk 01844 318131

Pentangle are currently recruiting, please visit their website for more details.

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BUSINESS *

Continental

I

f you are planning travel to the continent whether on business or a holiday, why not give your own car a bit of time off?

Perhaps your company car comes with a limited mileage allowance, you might want to save on the wear and tear of your own vehicle or simply fancy a change to a larger family car.

Do you have or even know what is needed these days to travel across or under the English Channel?

Rest assured, Thame Car and Van Hire will provide you with all the necessary paperwork. They also

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supply any additional items that will be required, such as warning triangles, beam deflectors, breathalyser kit (If you are travelling to France, it is a legal requirement to carry a breathalyser with you in the car) or fluorescent jackets.

Thame Car and Van Hire also provide you with the most comprehensive breakdown protection they can find, so in the unlikely event that something happens to your vehicle, it won’t ruin your plans and you can travel with total peace of mind.

Last but not least is the vehicle you hire. Newer safe and reliable vehicles

maintained by Thame Service Station. with 24 hour UK wide breakdown cover provided by the AA and comprehensive insurance cover from AXA. When you rent from Thame Car and Van Hire, this is what they offer: The only hire company in Thame is easily found less than ½ a mile from the town centre, a free pick up and ride back service in the local area and a secure place to leave your own car should you wish to do so. Naturally, you will receive a professional and welcoming service from a small team who greatly appreciates your custom.

shift

It might be a holiday or it might be a business trip. Whatever the reason for driving to the continent, It might be a good idea to hire a vehicle from Thame Car and Van Hire.

Andrew Cohen investigates.

John from Long Crendon explains why he hired a car from Thame Car and Van Hire.

Tips for driving abroad Before you venture across the channel we recommend you familiarise yourself with the rules of the road for the place you are visiting. The rules will not be the same as home, and you won’t want to get caught out.

No matter where you are travelling, here is Thame Hire’s general advice for their customers travelling abroad. l Many countries require all drivers including visitors to carry reflective jackets and wear them in the unlikely event of an emergency or breakdown. l We recommend you carry one reflective jacket for the driver, and one for each passenger.

l We recommend that you always carry

a warning triangle. This is compulsory in some countries, any hired vehicle will come with a warning triangle. l It’s always a good idea to take out travel insurance so that you’re covered for accidents and emergencies, your vehicle will be insured fully comprehensive.

Documentation to take with you You must carry: l Your valid full (not provisional) driving license l Your motor insurance certificate Breakdown pack l Your passport

My brother is fortunate enough to own a small house near Genoa in Northern Italy. He asked if my family would like to ‘house sit’ while he was away for 10 days. Free accommodation in Italy?

Yes please!

We considered flying, but with a family of four people, it wasn’t cheap and the thought of manhandling all that luggage!

We didn’t want to take our car (a Corsa) because it would be tight fitting in two adults, two children and all our suitcases.

A bigger vehicle was required.

We talked to Thame Car and Van Hire. They showed us the options available (we were spoilt for choice).

As a Vauxhall driver I plumped for a roomier, more powerful Astra I have to say, Thame Car and Van Hire were great. The handled all the paperwork, and prepped the car for European travel. I didn’t realise we had to carry items such as a Breathalyser.

It was a long journey, but a brilliant adventure too. It was also reassuring to know I was driving a full insured, recently serviced vehicle. The only downside? I now want to buy an Astra.

Thame Car and Van Hire 3a Wenman Road, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 3UF hire@thameservicestation.co.uk 01844 854008

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ENTERTAINMENT * Billy Bragg

Midge Ure

I

Tom Robinson

n 1965 Towersey Festival started life as a way to raise funds for the local run down Village Hall. Fifty two years on and that same open-hearted, generous, inclusive, community spirit lives on in the modern Festival.

Responsibility for producing this hugely successful and popular event has fallen in recent years on the shoulders of ex Lord Williams pupil and event organiser Joe Heap. Joe took over the running of Towersey Festival from his father.

“It’s a huge undertaking and to be honest a pretty stressful time in the year building up to the event,” says Joe. Expectation levels have never been higher and maintaining the excellent standard of artists, entertainment, food, drink and so on keeps Joe and his team on their toes.

So along with the warmest of welcomes, you can expect artisan foods, real ale and cider, a hands-on workshop programme, a Creative Quarter, films

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and a dedicated dance tent, plus All About Children - a new programme of activities designed to keep younger Towersey-goers thoroughly entertained and amused. It’s that special something that makes Towersey the perfect end to summer.

Whether you like to sit back and let the music come to you or seek out an activity and get your dancing shoes on, Towersey has it covered.

And what a line-up for this, the 52nd Towersey Festival. Billy Bragg, The Wonder Stuff, Kate Rusby and Midge Ure are among the headline acts.

They’re joined by the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, Tom Robinson Band, Edward II, 9Bach, The Young’uns, Nizlopi and Nell Bryden, plus enduring Towersey favourites Roy Bailey, Rusty Shackle and Nancy Kerr and James Fagan.

Billy and Kate will need no introduction to Towersey-regulars.

Influenced by Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan and the DIY punk scene, Billy

is one of the UK’s most respected songwriters, while Kate is one of folk’s most soulful and angelic voices.

The Wonder Stuff head to the festival as part of their 30th anniversary celebrations. The band scored a run of big-selling Top 40 hits in the ‘90s including The Size Of A Cow, Circlesquare and the No1 Dizzy, and continue to wow audiences.

As a solo artist and member of such acts as Ultravox, Thin Lizzy and Visage, Midge Ure has contributed to a staggering number of hits. His most recent album, Breathe Again, saw the musician revisit his Celtic roots, while the accompanying tour boasted such ‘greatest hits’ as If I Was, Vienna, No Regrets, Dancing With Tears In My Eyes and Fade To Grey.

BBC Radio 2 Folk Music Awards 2015 winners also feature strongly in the line-up, with The Young’uns (Best Group), Welsh act 9Bach (Best Album for Tincian), Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker (Best Duo), and Nancy Kerr

Kate Rusby

Towering festival Towersey Festival seems to get bigger and better every year, So what does 2016 have to offer music lovers?

Henr y Bloomfield talks to festival organiser, Joe Heap.

Conservatoire Folk Ensemble

(Best Singer). The Young’uns have infact just won Best Group at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Music Awards again this year.

It’s a great mix of acts, combining big names and new acts with some nice surprises and plenty of Towersey favourites.

Towersey Festival really is a fantastic weekend for all ages from under 8 to over 80. Never been? Try it, you won’t be disappointed.

See festival website for full 2016 listings and ticket details. Tickets are also available in person from Bizzie Lizzie Flower Shop, Upper High Street, Thame. www.towerseyfestival.com

k COM PETITIONk WIN A PAIR OF ADULT TICKETS. Win a pair of adult tickets (including camping) for the entire festival.

See page 66.

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ENTERTAINMENT *

The irresistible draw of Art in Action celebrates its 40th year, and just like all the past shows, it’s a must see for Henr y Bloomfield.

I

’ve been going to Art in Action for years.

Not every year since Art in Action’s first bold attempt at a different kind of craft show in 1977, but most of them. I’ve been to other craft shows but Art in Action is different – bigger, more impressive, and better for you (which I shall explain later). So this is partly about “Why you should go to craft shows”, but more “Why you should go to Art in Action”.

At first, Art in Action looks like other shows – an impressive country house, acres of lawn, marquees containing artists and craftspeople, refreshment tents (I recommend the pancake tent),

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Art in

loos, car parks, and so on. The show evolves year by year – one year there might be a new tent showing another kind of art or craft, some tents might move around but there is continuity; as well as all the usual arts and crafts, this year’s new additions are a demonstration of digital arts, and demonstrations and classes in brush calligraphy. Some years really stand out because of the weather – happily mostly mixed English summer weather, but sometimes blazing hot sunshine and parched grass. One year floods and torrential rain nearly meant cancellation of the whole show. That year was telling though – the way the show continued, mud, water and straw

everywhere, emergency roads being laid through the mud, emergency parking at a nearby aerodrome and everything slightly damp, but with staff and volunteers pitching in and determined to make it work and the public attendees still arriving in good numbers wearing wellies and flip-flops showed how much people love this show.

Like most of us, crafts are not part of my daily life (not true for my wife, who is a professional potter and gets to do this stuff every day – and who did some years ago get through the tough Art in Action selection process to exhibit there). We own handmade things but most of the things we use -

Action furniture, plates, bowls, cutlery, etc. are machine-made. Not many of us now spend a lot of time painting, drawing, weaving, sewing or woodworking. In my day job I work with many others on projects that take weeks or months to deliver. I don’t have that immediate hands-on creativity of the potter or the painter where there is something being created right there in front of me for which I am solely responsible. This is a shame because that creativity is, like cooking a complex recipe successfully or a DIY project that came out nicely, rewarding and fun. And this is where Art in Action comes into its own; it has every variety of arts and crafts you could think

of. Most exhibitors are there, bravely demonstrating in tents in marquees in the middle of a field what they normally spend all day doing in the happy solitude and comfort of their studios. One of these (glass blowing, painting, embroidery, boat building?) when done by skilled professional right in front of you will draw you in and captivate you, and it’s this connection with the creative process that, even second-hand, is rewarding.

Every year hundreds of visitors to Art in Action are sufficiently inspired by what they have seen to have a go themselves in one of the practical classes.

What else? Go and look round the gardens while you’re there. Even when

there are thousands of people at the show there will be quiet, empty bits of the gardens where you can lie on the grass and recover. Then listen to one of the impromptu open-air concerts and have a pancake.

Art in Action 14 - 17 July Early Bird Offer 10% off all tickets purchased online before JUNE 12th 2016. Select your ticket type and then select the Early Bird discounted ticket. www.artinaction.org.uk

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ENTERTAINMENT *

Joe Bor

Fiona Ridgewell

“Gigs should be fun for all concerned, and a Towersey gig was just that, good fun” Dominic Holland

It’s not funny trying to raise funds for the village playing fields. Actually, it’s very funny if that village is Towersey.

Says Duncan Rogers.

Dominic Holland

L

Fringe benefits

ast year I attended the first ever Towersey Fringe. It was the idea of a committee set up to raise funds for the improvement of Towersey village playing fields. Any good?

I hear you ask. Actually it was brilliant.

To be honest I was expecting a small tent, local comics and warm beer.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.

What attracted me to the Towersey Fringe was the chance to see some comedy. We are fortunate in Thame to have live music nights at The Rising Sun and The James Figg for example, but comedy? This, I thought would be a rare treat, and what a treat it was.

58. Thame Out

First of all, I recognised these guys.

Dominic Holland appeared. What was this funny man ‘off the telly’ doing in a field in Towersey? Making a good sized crowd howl with laughter, that’s what.

I know I had a great time, and it seems Dominic did too. The 2016 Towersey Fringe (28th August)will see him return as the headline act. Dominic Holland’s first year at the Edinburgh fringe saw his one man show win the Perrier Best Newcomer award. He has made numerous appearances on television in shows such as Central Television’s Lafter Hours with Harry Hill, he was a team captain for two series of Bring Me the Head of Light Entertainment for Channel Five.

Dominic appeared twice as a guest on Have I Got News for You and They Think It’s All Over. He has appeared

on Rob Brydon’s Annually Retentive, and has been a regular panellist on the daytime debate show The Wright Stuff.

Dominic has also written material for Bob Monkhouse, Lenny Henry, Harry Enfield, Des O’Connor and Clive Anderson. He really is a headline act.

The host for the evening is Joe Bor. Joe, a hugely talented observational character comedian, actor and writer will be appearing as his character Jasper Cromwell Jones.

Look out for two newcomers this year. Fiona Ridgewell and Robert White, who complete a terrific line up for 2016.

So, I know all about a great night at Towersey Fringe, but what I didn’t realise is the great day to be had as well.

The daytime is devoted to music.

Local bands and musicians provide the entertainment. Lost Weekend, MFU,

Robert White Bryn Davis, Mark Wilkins, SYD, Transit and The Muttz Knuttz make for an excellent line up. XT Brewery provide a brilliant bar (day and night). Foods such as pizza, steak frites, curry and a pig roast are available all day. And for the kids, apart from a big field to run around in, you will find plenty of children’s activities such as a football shoot-out and a bouncy castle.

The Towersey Fringe Committee can guarantee an excellent day and night’s entertainment. They can’t unfortunately guarantee the weather, but (just in

case) this year they are providing a big Marquee for either shade or shelter.

Let’s not forget the purpose of the Towersey Fringe is to raise much needed funds for the redevelopment of the village playing fields. As befitting a comedy night, the prices could also be seen as a bit of a joke! Just £20 per person. For this you get to see a brilliant night of comedy. Amazingly, entry to the daytime events is completely free. I think this year I might make a day AND a night of it.

Comedy, music, food and drink. What’s not to like?

Information: www.towerseyfringe.co.uk Contact: info@towerseyfringe.co.uk Tickets: www.ticketsource.co.uk/towerseyfringe

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ENTERTAINMENT *

Playing at the Oxford Playhouse

BRIDESHEAD REVISITED 14 – 18 June

FURIOUS FOLLY 17 & 18 June Art, war and insanity on a grand scale. Furious Folly takes place as night falls, in a no-man’s land on the battle front between two lines.

Taking place in the centenary year of the battle of the Somme, Furious Folly creates an evocative, disorientating war-torn landscape from sound, light and pyrotechnics.

Drawing on the anti-war spirit of the Dadaist artists of the time, this powerful and poignant open-air performance has been created by Mark Anderson, the artist behind the internationally renowned Power Plant. Anderson and his team have made a unique show that rails against the futility and madness of the Great War, and challenges the inhumanity and senselessness of conflicts past and present.

Performance Information: This is an outdoor promenade performance. It is standing only. If you have any specific access requirements please inform us at time of booking, or email box office after you have booked online.

Please come prepared for all weather conditions.

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This elegant and evocative adaptation of the ever popular Brideshead Revisited comes to Oxford. It’s 1943 and finding himself in familiar territory within the English countryside, Charles Ryder confronts memories of his first youthful encounter with Brideshead Manor and its assortment of eccentric inhabitants.

In the acclaimed playwright Bryony Lavery’s sparkling new reimagining of the classic novel, the past and the present blur as Charles recalls those heady days with Lord and Lady Marchmain along with their offspring; Julia, Cordelia and Sebastian Flyte.

This world premiere stage adaptation of the official sequel to J.M Barrie’s Peter Pan is the perfect adventure for the whole family.

It’s 1929, and Wendy and the Lost Boys have all grown up when strange dreams begin to seep out of Neverland. Pirates and mermaids, war paint and crocodiles – the dreams tell them that something must be wrong, and their friend Peter Pan needs their help. So Wendy and the Lost Boys put on their children’s clothes and, armed only with fairy dust, fly back to Neverland for one last adventure.

Fly through a world of circus and fire, shipwrecks and battles, brought thrillingly to life by director and adapter Theresa Heskins.

Based on the best-selling novel by three-times Whitbread Children’s Book Award winner and local writer, Geraldine McCaughrean, this is a show that will fill the golden days of summer with action and delight.

PETER PAN IN SCARLET 12 Aug – 4 Sept

BEACON FESTIVAL 17 – 18 June TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA 19 – 31 July One of Oxford’s most spectacular summer highlights, Oxford Playhouse and the Bodleian Library are delighted to welcome back Globe Theatre On Tour.

Get your summer soaring by seeing one of Shakespeare’s most charming comedies in the unique outdoor setting of the Old Schools Quadrangle, Bodleian Library.

Valentine loves Silvia and Proteus loves Julia – but Proteus is fickle, and falls for Silvia too. Join a joyful ensemble of players as they bounce between elopements, betrayals and forest-dwelling outlaws - plus a bit with a dog.

Along the way, they play out Shakespeare’s immortal themes of deceit, love and friendship.

This riotous new production will delight with songs, romance and chaos, hurling Shakespeare’s anarchic comedy into the 21st century. The perfect play for summer!

k COM PETITIONk WIN TICKETS TO SEE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA. Win a pair of tickets for the opening night of Two Gentlemen of Verona on Tuesday 19th June at 7.30pm. See page 66.

It’s that time of year again. Watlington Beacon Festival time. The organisers have some new and exciting things lined up for this year, not to mention the regular favourites.

Yummy food selections at the numerous stalls, including burgers, pizzas, cream teas and more. The Cider tent and Cocktail bar return.

There’s the improved Kidzone to keep the youngsters amused, (not to mention some of the adults!).

New for 2016 is the comedy tent! Offering some of Oxfordshire’s funniest local talent. And off course, there’s the music! That wonderful catalyst that brings us all together and makes us lose ourselves up here in the Oxfordshire hills.

‘Not the Rolling Stones’, will be treading the boards and getting this community festival off to a flying start on the Friday evening.

On Saturday you have ‘The UK Foo Fighters Tribute’. This is not just any Tribute Band!! The Foo Fighters are essentially a super band and the UK Foo Fighters Tribute have, equally in their own right, earned the title of super tribute band. Support from the amazing Van Susans who are presently touring the festival circuits.

Some of Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire’s finest talent will be on show, plus national touring bands and some amazing acts from around the UK and even across the world.

Tickets are available from www.beaconfestival.net

k COM PETITIONk WIN TICKETS TO THE BEACON FESTIVAL.

Ticket Office: 01865 305305 l www.oxfordplayhouse.com

Win two family tickets (Two adults plus two children) for the Beacon Festival on June 17th and 18th.

See page 66.

Thame Out .61

ENTERTAINMENT *

What’s new at the

New Theatre

CHAPLIN The Charlie Chaplin Story

27 June

Vincent Simone & Flavia Cacace in The Last Tango, their final ever tour.

Fresh from their sell-out hit shows Midnight Tango and Dance ’Til Dawn, Strictly superstars Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace have created their most moving production yet as the pair prepare to dance in their final ever theatre show.

Twenty years of dancing together has seen them become Strictly Come Dancing favourites, World Argentine Tango Champions, and create and star in their own Olivier Award nominated West End productions – but now, as the nation’s favourite dancers prepare to take on new projects, it is time for Vincent and Flavia to say goodbye to audiences across the UK in a brand new, thrilling live performance.

Flavia said; “We have had such a fantastic time creating and dancing in Midnight Tango and Dance ’Til Dawn. It’s an incredible experience to perform live in front of our wonderful audience night after night, but all good things must come to an end, so we’re creating our final ever theatre show. It’s going to be intimate, intense and full of our awardwinning Argentine tango. The Last Tango is going to showcase our best work and most beautiful dance moves before we finally say farewell to theatre.”

Vincent said: “The last few years have been amazing – we’ve loved it. It may be our final theatre tour but we’re going to go out with a bang! This is going to be our best show yet!”

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THE LAST TANGO 7 – 9 July

A heart-warming and powerful story told through the eyes of a young boy on his journey through the dark streets of Victorian Vaudeville London to the glitz of early Hollywood. This story follows Chaplin through his early career, showbiz ambitions and often fractious relationship with his mother, family and his first love.

The cast includes Steven Arnold, best known for playing Ashley Peacock in Coronation Street, Nicole Faraday (Bad Girls / Emmerdale) as Charlie’s mother Hannah Chaplin, Helena Gullan (Once- London’s West End) and also a full cast of talented actor-musicians who’s combined experience includes the following West End shows. Buddy, Dreamboats and Petticoats, Return To The Forbidden Planet, Jersey Boys and The Commitments.

SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME 18 – 23 July

Antony Costa stars in Save The Last Dance For Me

by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran From the team that brought you that huge success, Dreamboats and Petticoats, Save the Last Dance for Me will take you back through the ‘music and magic’ of the early 60s, when each passing week brought another Rock ‘n’ Roll classic.

This nostalgic, feel-good journey will transport you back to music’s golden era as we follow two teenage sisters through the summer of ’63.

For the first time without their parents, the sisters embark on a holiday to the seaside. Full of freedom and high spirits they meet a handsome young American who invites them to a dance at the local U.S. Air force base... But young love and holiday romance is never as simple as it sounds, and the sisters soon realise that while the world around them is still watching itself in black and white, life and love can be much more colourful.

Listen out for the classic hits of Pomus & Shuman including A Teenager in Love, Sweets for my Sweet, Turn Me Loose, Here I Go Again, Viva Las Vegas, Little Sister, His Latest Flame and Suspicion 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.

Thame Out .63

LISTINGS *

What & where & when 7-8 Labels 9 Storm in a Teacup 16 Hotbed 19 - 31 Two Gentlemen of Verona 29 - 30 BT Comedy Club August 12 -13 Peter Pan in Scarlet 16 - 21 Peter Pan in Scarlet 24 - 28 Peter Pan in Scarlet 31 Peter Pan in Scarlet

NEW THEATRE – OXFORD www.newtheatreoxford.org.uk 0870 606 3500 June 8 9 10

Adam Ant The ELO Experience YolanDa Brown with Lemar and Michelle Williams 11 Abba Mania 13 - 18 Priscilla Queen of the Desert - Tour 20 - 25 Let It Be 27 Chaplin - The Charlie Chaplin Story 29 Russell Watson Songs From The Heart 30 - 2 July LazyTown Live 2016 July 7-9 The Last Tango 15 Puppetry of the Penis 18 - 23 Save The Last Dance For Me 30 - 3 Aug The Glenn Miller Story September 6 - 10 The Sound of Music OXFORD PLAYHOUSE www.oxfordplayhouse.com 01865 305305 June 1 14 - 18 17 - 18 24 - 25 28 - 29 July 1 2 5-6

Mark Watson Brideshead Revisited Furious Folly The Wind in the Willows King John The Rape of Lucrece The Girl and the Giraffe Through a Thicket of Made-Up Divisions

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September 1-4 Peter Pan in Scarlet 7 Croft and Pearce 8-9 The Eulogy of Toby 10 Pinocchio 12 Until You Hear That Bell 12 - 17 Relatively Speaking 13 Equations for a Moving Body 15 - 16 The Hitchhikers Guide to the Family 17 Tales from Old Japan 20 -24 A Tale of Two Cities

THE PLAYERS THEATRE – THAME www.thameplayers.co.uk The Players Theatre, Nelson Street, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 2DP July 5-9

23 24

NEON Dance Big Band Dance Night with Down for the Count 25 Silver Wheels Roller disco 25 Crazy Diamond, A Tribute to Pink Floyd 26 The Charlie Chaplin Story 28 - 2 July Horrible Histories Groovy Greeks July 3 Tring Park Dance Show 4-9 The Mousetrap 9 Taking Flight 11 - 16 Chicago The Musical 15 NT - A View From The Bridge, Encore Screening 18 - 23 Shadowlands 23 - 24 Andre Rieus 2016 Maastricht Concert 26 - 30 That’s Entertainment August 6-7 Aliens Love Underpants September 1 NT - The Audience, Encore Screening at Second Space 4-5 King Crimson 8 Jane McDonald 9 Chinese State Circus 11 Nathan Carter 13 - 17 Little Shop of Horrors

Macbeth

Misc

WATERSIDE THEATRE 0844 871 7607

June 9

June 1 Menopause: The Musical 3 - 4 Northern Ballet Jane Eyre 3 - 9 Comedy Club, Second Space, Aylesbury 4 Northern Ballet: Tortoise & the Hare 5 That’ll Be the Day 7 Jimmy Carr: The Best Of, Ultimate, Gold, Greatest Hits Tour 9 Killer Queen 10 The Rat Pack Vegas Spectacular 11 Thank You For The Music 12 Spotlight Variety Show 15 Sensation - Celebrating The Music Of The Who 17 Mix 96 80s Night 19 Jamie Raven Live 22 The Blockheads

11 11 11 - 26 17 - 18

Lassco Cheese & Prosecco evening Thame Carnival Oakfest Bucks Open Studios Beacon Festival

July 14 - 17

Art in Action

August 26 - 29 28

Towersey Festival Towersey Fringe

September 17 - 19 Thame Fair 24 Thame Food Festival

Thame Out .65

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 14th June 2016. Alternatively, you can email your answer to julian@red-l.co.uk Personal Trainer Competition A FREE training session with Hilary Westall will go to the first correct entry out of the hat.

The question What level Personal Trainer is Hilary? a) Level 1 b) Level 2 c) Level 3 (See page 12 for details) Towersey Festival Competition A FREE pair of tickets (including camping) will go to the first correct entry out of the hat.

The question Towersey Festival started in which year? a)1964 b) 1965 c) 1966 (See page 55 for details) Oxford Playhouse Competition Win a pair of tickets for the opening night of Two Gentlemen from Verona on Tuesday 19th June at 7.30pm will go to the first correct entries out of the hat.

The question Two Gentlemen from Verona was written by? a) Shaw b) Stoppard c) Shakespear (See page 61 for details) Beacon Festival Competition Two FREE family tickets (Two adults plus two children) for the Beacon Festival on June 17th and 18th will go to the first correct entry out of the hat.

The question The Beacon Festival is held near which Oxfordshire town? a) Watlington b) Witney c) Wallingford (See page 61 for details) 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

Thame Out How to reach 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

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

66. Thame Out

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

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

Answers below.

1. STELE (A) A dry river bed.

(B) The central core of a vascular plant’s stem and root.

(C) Fragments of tree bark that have broken away from the trunk but remain attached to other bark.

2. SHEBEEN (A) A female yak unable to give birth to live offspring.

(B) An unlicensed establishment private house selling alcohol and regarded as slightly disreputable.

(C) Underground container for storing smuggled goods.

3. PARSE (A) Resolve a sentence into its component parts and describe their syntactic roles.

(B) Discard unwanted items from long term storage.

(C) Excuse oneself from a social gathering.

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. STELE answer: (B) The central core of a vascular plant’s stem and root.

Win.Win.Win.

Wordplay

2. SHEBEEN answer: (B) An unlicensed establishment private house selling alcohol and regarded as slightly disreputable.

b

3. PARSE answer: (B) Resolve a sentence into its component parts and describe their syntactic roles.

COMPETITIONS *