Thame Out Spring 2017 Issue 41

Thame Out Spring 2017 Issue 41

The complimentary magazine for the Thame area

Now in our 12th year

Aisle style

Great bridal looks from Maze Hair

Talking pictures Photographer Paul Wilkinson in conversation

Step into Spring Feet First’s new range of shoes

Mother’s Pride A celebration of Mother’s Day

Open fire

North Mill Stoves new Oxfordshire home

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

“ “ “ “

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Call us now to book your consultation

THAME OUT *

Contents

4. LOCAL NEWS –Towersey Festival, Thame Food Festival, Bucks Open Studios, Garsington Opera and Thame Town Awards.

8. HEALTH & BEAUTY – Expert Eye, Feet and Skin care, Personal Training, and Bridal Hair.

26. FASHION & LIFESTYLE – Gallant Menswear, White Hart Studio and Paul Wilkinson Photography.

30. TRAVEL –South American with Spear Travels.

36. HOME & GARDEN –Ridgeway Kitchens, Shutter Spec Security, PCMS Design, and North Mill Stoves.

52. FOOD & DRINK – Wine Column and Radhuni Indian Restaurant.

56. PET WORLD 60. ENTERTAINMENT – New Theatre and Oxford Playhouse.

64. LISTINGS 66. COMPETITIONS

Cover: Paul Wilkinson.

See page 34.

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.

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

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Autumn 2009 Issue 11

Grape taste Corking wines at Wines Unfurled

Magic of the Middle East

Jimmy Carr at the New Theatre

What makes Syria a fantastic holiday destination

Truly engaging Gorgeous bridal gowns and beautiful wedding rings

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

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

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LOCAL NEWS *

High(St) praise Thame wowed the judges as a finalist at the prestigious awards ceremony in the 2016 Great British High Street Competition. After gaining a Rising Star in last year’s awards, Thame’s star shines even more brightly as a small market town finalist this time round.

The first prize in the small market towns category went to Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire. In addition to winning their category, Hebden Bridge was awarded a special new People’s Choice Prize for receiving a record-breaking 40,000 votes – the most ever cast for a location in the history of the competition.

Thame’s entry was highly praised by the judges for collaboration between the town council, businesses and the community. Thame was also praised for its innovative use of the prize money from last year’s Rising Star award, promoting the town’s Midsomer Murders connection to attract visitors.

The three shortlisted small market towns were Hebden Bridge, Thame and Chipping Norton.

Congratulations and a great effort by all those involved.

‘Into The Night’ sees the light of day BFS Records’ are delighted to announce the recent release of the new EP from Andy Robbins, entitled ‘Into The Night’. This release follows Andy’s 2016 EP, ‘Element of Surprise’ and is available via iTunes and all major digital retailers and streaming sites from the 1st March 2017.

Andy signed to BFS Records in January 2016. The 31-year-old musician is a regular on the Oxford music scene and has performed at renowned local venues such as Oxford’s O2 Academy and the Jericho Tavern, as well as playing shows up and down the UK. Andy’s career highlight to date was a support slot at Hop Farm Festival which saw him perform on the same day as his hero, Bob Dylan.

Talking about the upcoming release, Andy said: ‘’’Into The Night’ is slightly darker in it’s subject matter and its tone than ‘Element Of Surprise’ however I think it stays true to my live sound and I believe it’s my strongest release to date. ‘Into The Night’ is bigger and bolder than any of my previous music and am very excited to share it!”.

BFS Records have also released the EP’s lead single, ‘On Another Morning’.

4. Thame Out

A magic weekend awaits Thame Food Festival 2017, so much more to see and do!

Thame Food Festival has moved to The Thame Show Ground where it has been welcomed with open arms and a warm embrace.

And the big news is, the organisers are delighted to announce a brand new, Headline Sponsor.

MAGIMIX are on board, and they have agreed to be part of this excellent food festival for the next three years.

This shows not only great faith in what the organisers do, but also how much Thame Food Festival has to offer it’s visitors.

Over the years, Thame Food Festival has grown and grown. Now in its tenth year the festival is making the move to our its new home to build a bigger and better event for all to enjoy - and a lot more room to move around.

So, what does the festival have on offer so far?

Well, a full to bursting Demonstration Stage, full of …er…chefs and bakers!

The Thame Food Festival ‘family’ will be there again, including Raymond Blanc OBE, alongside Benoit Blin, Mark

Peregrine and Adam Johnson from Belmond Le Manoir.

Then of course there is Andre Garrett from Cliveden House, Shaun Dickens from Shaun Dickens at the Boat House, Lucie Greenwood, Richard Bertinet and our chef from the north David Mooney.

Sunday sees the festival family of bakers back - including Howard Middleton, Richard Burr, Will Torrent, Chetna Makan, Paul Jagger, Jane Devonshire and more.

There will be a Pop-up-Pub, Pop up Gin Palace (YES!), Bubbles Bar. Pop up ‘Milk Shed’ Restaurant care of Lucie Greenwood and crew. A Chef’s Banquet on the Saturday night - and of course street food trading into the evening with the pub too.

There are wine workshops, local producer/farmer talks and a Dog Show!

Just a fun one for all the family.

But above all, Thame Food Festival will have some amazing, delicious and scrumptious artisan food producers for you all to see, spread throughout the show ground, with much more room to comfortably browse and buy.

Turn End events

Seasonal Walk and Talk: ‘Getting the Garden Ready’ with Jackie Hunt Saturday 25th March: 11.00-12.15 Join Turn End’s gardener to discover what’s in flower and learn about winter and springtime jobs to prepare the garden for the growing season.

House Event: ‘Inside/Outside’ Thursday 27th April: 10.00-13.00 A conversation with Peter Aldington in Turn End house about the relationship of the houses at Turn End to their outside spaces, with a slide show of other examples. Includes morning tea/coffee.

National Gardens Scheme Open Day Monday 1st May: 14.00-17.30 Explore Turn End garden in late spring.

Visit the studio of artist-in-residence Heather Hunter. Proceeds to NGS who support caring and nursing charities.

Plants and books for sale.

Art and Craft Workshop ‘Spring Journal’ with Heather Hunter Saturday 6th May: 10.00-16.00 Join Heather Hunter, our artist-inresidence, and create a spring journal made from an old book. The workshop will take place in the Methodist Hall in Haddenham but will combine Turn End garden for inspiration, collecting and drawing. Includes morning tea/coffee.

THA E

FOOD

FESTIVAL Saturday 30th September & Sunday 1st October

So, there really is so much more on offer for visitors this year and TWO whole days to do it in!

Come along on Saturday 30th September and Sunday 1st October 2017. www.thamefoodfestival.co.uk Find out more about our Headline Sponsor Magimix in the next issue of Thame Out.

House and Garden Open Day Sunday 7th May: 14.00-17.30 Visit this award-winning family home, meet Peter and Margaret Aldington, who built it, and explore the enchanting series of walled gardens. Includes Teas and homemade cakes.

Turn End Tour Saturday 3rd June: 10.00-17.00 Join Peter Aldington and visit three built projects in Buckingamshire by Aldington Craig and Collinge (Peter’s former practice). Meet their owners and have a picnic in one of their gardens. Transport included, some walking required. Bring your own picnic.

Open Garden Weekend Saturday & Sunday 17/18th June: 11.00-16.00 l The studios will also be open for ‘Bucks Open Studios’ from Monday 19th to Sunday 25th June.

Thame Out .5

LOCAL NEWS * KT Tunstall

The Blockheads’

Newton Faulkner

Towering Towersey line-up KT Tunstall, Newton Faulkner, Eliza Carthy and Jon Boden, are set to headline the 53rd Towersey Festival (25-28 August).

They’re joined by Show Of Hands, Lindisfarne, The Blockheads and Foy Vance, amongst others.

Scotland-born and Los Angeles-based, KT Tunstall came to prominence with her 2004 debut Eye To The Telescope, which earned her BRIT and Ivor Novello awards, in additional to Grammy and Mercury Prize nominations.

Her recent album, 2016’s KIN, exemplifies the very best of guitar pop.

The diverse collection includes a duet with KT fan James Bay, the raucous rebellion of It Took Me So Long To Get Here, But Here I Am, the call to arms of Hard Girls, and lilting album closer Love Is An Ocean.

Newton Faulkner boasts two number one albums. His debut, Hand Built By Robots, knocked Amy Winehouse off the top spot in 2007, and he returned to the top again in 2012 with Write In Your Skin. His recent fifth album,

Human Love, saw the once dreadlocked troubadour expanding his classic singersongwriter influences with sounds from other cultures.

Eliza Carthy’s The Wayward Band line-up features some of the UK’s very best acoustic and roots players, including musicians associated with the mighty Bellowhead, Mawkin, Blowzabella, Emily Portman Trio, and more. Their justout debut album, Big Machine, is a big album from a big band, earning Eliza her highest chart placing!

Jon Boden is perhaps most recognisable as the lead singer (and one of the principal arrangers) of the multi-award winning Bellowhead, one of the most exciting live acts of recent years. The band played their last ever music festival show at Towersey in 2015 before retiring last year, allowing Jon to continue with his lauded and diverse solo career.

With founder member Rod Clements still at the helm, 1970’s folk rock pioneers Lindisfarne’s songbook features such tracks as Meet Me On The Corner,

Dancin’ Oxford Oxford’s Annual Spring Dance Festival, 3 - 12 March It may be a cliché, but it is true to say that, Dancin’ Oxford’s annual Spring Festival offers something for everyone. From the crème de la crème of international choreographers, to free outdoor experiences, a 24 hour Dance-A-Thon, professional and amateur companies plus shows for children and workshops, Dancin’ Oxford 2017 has programmed a festival of treats.

Now in its 11th year and funded by Oxford City Council and Arts Council England, Dancin’ Oxford goes from strength to strength.

6. Thame Out

Run For Home, Lady Eleanor and Fog On The Tyne, while The Blockheads’ many hits include Reasons To Be Cheerful Part 3, What A Waste, and Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick.

Irish singer/songwriter Foy Vance has worked with such artists as Sheryl Crow and Ed Sheeran (co-writing several songs on Ed’s X album). Recorded in Nashville, Foy’s latest collection, The Wild Swan, was released via Sheeran’s Gingerbread Man Records, and lists Elton John as Executive Producer.

Towersey Festival Director Joe Heap said: “We have another great mix of artists this year, including BBC Radio 2 favourite KT Tunstall, as well as such Towersey stalwarts as Jon Boden, Eliza Carthy and Show Of Hands, who have visited the festival many times over the years.

“We’re very excited by our full lineup,” continued Joe, adding that there’s been a real buzz around the festival this year. “Off the back of a successful 2016, we’ve already sold out of both our Tier One and Tier Two tickets, so we know our audience is really looking forward to Towersey 2017 as much as we are.”

Tickets for Towersey Festival, which runs from 25-28 August at Thame Showground, are available now with Adult Day Tickets from £30, Youth £21, Child £14, under 5 free. Tickets for the full festival are £126-£57 (Tier 3).

For further information, and to book tickets, see: www.towerseyfestival.com

Bucks Open studios casts its leading lady Bucks Open Studios, the largest visual arts event in Buckinghamshire, has chosen one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s former West End leading ladies, Susannah Fellows, to take charge of its annual artistic extravaganza, which takes place this year 10-25 June 2017.

Susannah will oversee the 2017 event which showcases over 500 artists and makers opening up their studios to the public for two weeks with an impressive line-up of free demonstrations, hands-on workshops and exhibitions in over 200 venues across Buckinghamshire.

Susannah has spent her life in professional theatre, film, television, radio and on the concert stage, clocking up leading roles in 21 West End shows including Evita, Chicago and Mamma Mia. Susannah also has impressive “art world” credentials having owned and run a Craft’s Council selected gallery

in London for several years alongside her theatre work. She now runs “fitch & fellows” gallery in Thame, featuring her own handmade leatherwork as well as ceramics, glass, jewellery and contemporary art and craftwork by celebrated craftsmen and women.

Commenting on her new role, Susannah Fellows said: “I am absolutely thrilled and honoured to have been chosen as the new Chairperson for Bucks Open Studios. I really look forward to introducing new visitors to this great event. The wealth of artists and makers in our county, responsible for the vast array of work which is shown and sold to the public each year, is astonishing.

We have so much talent here and, quite simply, I would like to see Bucks Open Studios become the best known and most successful of all the countrywide art and craft events.”

Something to sing about

Garsington Opera has been nominated in the highly coveted Best Festival category in the forthcoming International Awards. This is the second time Garsington Opera has been nominated in this category since the awards were established in 2012.

Garsington stands beside prestigious international festivals such as Festival d’Aix-en-Provence (France), Festival Verdi (Parma), Wexford (Ireland), Lyon Festival (France) and Spoleto Festival (USA). Also Louise Alder who performed in the highly acclaimed 2016 production of Idomeneo has been

nominated in the Young Singer category as has Jennifer France and Sam Furness both of whom are performing in the 2017 season. Jennifer makes her role debut as Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro and Sam Furness returns to Garsington for the lead role in new commission Silver Birch.

The International Opera Awards is an annual celebration of excellence in opera around the world and attracts all leading opera professionals from around the globe. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London’s Coliseum on Sunday 7 May. www.operaawards.org

Preparations are well under way for Garsington Opera’s 2017 season which includes four productions for the first time. 2017 also sees the arrival of the Philharmonia Orchestra for one opera production each season for the next five years. This year the festival offers Handel’s seductive masterpiece Semele, Debussy’s enigmatic Pelléas et Mélisande, Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, Rossini’s Il turco in Italia and concludes with Silver Birch, a large-scale work for a professional cast with local community participants of all ages, commissioned

by Garsington Opera, from leading British composer Roxanna Panufnik and librettist Jessica Duchen. As part of the Garsington Opera for All programme, funded by Arts Council England and run in partnership with Magna Vitae, Semele will also be screened free of charge in Skegness, Ramsgate, Burnham-on-Sea and Grimsby.

Thame Out .7

LOCAL NEWS *

Helping hands

Your nominations are needed for this year’s Thame Town Awards

Sporting Achievement Someone of any age who has shown great dedication to their sport. Perhaps a player, a coach, even someone who supports your team from the side-lines.

Volunteer of the year An individual or organisation who has worked tirelessly for the good of the community. Thame is a hive of community activity, but who deserves your nomination?

Lifetime Achievement Someone who has made a significant contribution to Thame over an extended period of time. They could be anyone from a teacher or carer to a fundraiser or event organiser. This award can be made posthumously.

Service with a Smile A business or an individual that consistently provides a faultless and friendly service.

Creative Arts Achievement A person of any age who excels in the creative arts. This could be in acting, painting, music, dance, photography – the list goes on!

8. Thame Out

To date, Thame Town Council has awarded 48 Town Awards to local people. One of last year’s winners, Angela Willson, was delighted with her Voluntary Individual award:

“

I was totally surprised to be nominated for the Voluntary Individual award in 2016. I have had the privilege of being part of Lea Park Residents’ Association for many years and this had opened up opportunities to take part in a number of Thame projects such as Thame Tidy Day. In the past I have attended the Thame Town Awards event which highlights the wide range of activities and services that are organised by ordinary Thame citizens. I am thankful to those who nominate others for recognition of their contribution to the life of Thame.

“

T

here are people all around Thame who help their neighbours, support local groups or go out of their way for others in their community. That is why, nine years ago, the Town Council launched Thame Town Awards as a way to recognise, thank and celebrate those special people who are working hard to make our community a safer, more vibrant and happier place to live.

Each year the Council invites members of the public to nominate their local unsung heroes, and this year is no different! They want you to tell them about individuals and groups who have made a special contribution to life in Thame.

This could be a volunteer, a teacher, a shop worker, someone old, someone young – pretty much anyone! This year there are five categories in which you can make a nomination:

Making a nomination could not be easier.

Visit www.thametowncouncil.gov.uk/town-awards and fill out an electronic form, or pop in to the Town Hall Information Centre and pick up a voting card. You can find out a bit more about the Town Awards and meet some of the judging panel at the Thame Market Community Stall on Tuesday 14 March 2017. Why not follow the awards on Facebook ‘Thame Town Awards’ or on Twitter using #ThameAwards!

The closing date for nominations is Monday 3 April.

Please visit www.thametowncouncil.gov.uk/town-awards for terms and conditions.

This year’s awards are generously supported by Risborough Carers, who are celebrating their 25th birthday in 2017.

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Passionate about helping people to feel good about themselves.

Thame Out .9

LIFESTYLE *

Mothering instinct Mother’s Day or Mothering Sunday.

A day to pay tribute to a very important woman. But what are its origins?

10. Thame Out

T

he earliest history of Mothers Day dates back to the ancient annual spring festival the Greeks dedicated to maternal goddesses.

The Greeks used the occasion to honour Rhea, wife of Cronus and the mother of many deities of Greek mythology.

Ancient Romans, too, celebrated a spring festival, called Hilaria dedicated to Cybele, a mother goddess. It may be noted that ceremonies in honour of Cybele began some 250 years before Christ was born. The celebration made on the Ides of March by making offerings in the temple of Cybele lasted for three days and included parades, games and masquerades. The celebrations were notorious enough that followers of Cybele were banished from Rome.

Early Christians celebrated a Mother’s Day of sorts during the festival on the fourth Sunday of Lent in honour of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of Christ. In England the holiday was expanded to include all mothers. It was then called Mothering Sunday.

The more recent history of Mother’s Day dates back to 1600’s England.

Here a Mothering Sunday was celebrated annually on the fourth Sunday of Lent (the 40 day period leading up to Easter) to honour mothers. After a prayer service in church to honour the Virgin Mary, children brought gifts and flowers to pay tribute to their own mothers.

On the occasion, servants, apprentices and other employees staying away from their homes were encouraged by their employers to visit their mothers and honour them. Traditionally children brought with them gifts and a special fruit cake or fruit-filled pastry called a simnel. Yugoslavs and people in other nations have observed similar days.

The custom of celebrating Mothering Sunday died out almost completely by the 19th century. However, the day came to be celebrated again after World War II, when American servicemen brought the custom home and commercial enterprises used it as an occasion for increasing sales.

The idea of official celebration of Mothers day in the US was first suggested by Julia Ward Howe in 1872. An activist, writer and poet, Julia shot to fame with her famous Civil War song, “Battle Hymn of the Republic”. Julia Ward Howe suggested that June 2 be annually celebrated as Mothers Day and should be dedicated to peace. She wrote a passionate appeal to women and urged them to rise up against war in her famous Mothers Day Proclamation, written in Boston in 1870. She also initiated a Mothers’ Peace Day observance on the second Sunday in June in Boston and held the meeting for a number of years. Julia tirelessly championed the cause of official celebration of Mothers Day and declaration of official holiday on the day.

Her idea spread but was later replaced by the Mother’s Day holiday now celebrated in May. It was Anna Jarvis who is recognised as the Founder of Mothers Day in the USA. Though Anna Jarvis never married and never had children, she is also known as the Mother of Mothers Day, an apt title for the lady who worked hard to bestow honour on all mothers.

Anna Jarvis got the inspiration of celebrating Mothers Day from her own mother Mrs Anna Marie Reeves Jarvis in her childhood. An activist and social worker, Mrs Jarvis used to express her desire that someday someone must honour all mothers, living and dead, and pay tribute to the contributions made by them.

A loving daughter, Anna never forgot her mothers word and when her mother died in 1905, she resolved to fulfil her mothers desire of having a day for mothers. Growing negligent attitude of adult Americans towards their mothers and a desire to honour her mother, soared her ambitions.

To begin with Anna would send Carnations to the church service in Grafton, West Virginia to honour her mother. Carnations were her mothers favourite flower and Anna felt that they symbolised a mothers pure love. Later Anna along with her supporters wrote letters to people in positions of power lobbying for the official declaration of a Mother’s Day holiday. The hard work paid off.

By 1911, Mother’s Day was celebrated in almost every state in the Union and on May 8, 1914 President Woodrow Wilson signed a Joint Resolution designating the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. It is thanks to the hard work of these pioneering women of their times, Julia Ward Howe and Anna Jarvis that the day came into existence. Today the festival of Mothers day is celebrated across 46 countries (though on different dates) and is a hugely popular affair. Millions of people across the globe take the day as an opportunity to honour their mothers, thank them for their efforts in giving them life, raising them and being their constant support and well wisher.

Thame Out .11

HEALTH & BEAUTY *

Prickly subject Stinging, bloodshot eyes? Thame optometrist, Ivan R Cammack has a test for those who suffer from dry eye syndrome. Andrew Cohen went along to discover more

W

e are all accustomed to the standard optician’s eye test.

We might even have stared down the lens of a highly sensitive camera that is about to capture an image of our own retina.

But what won’t happen in most eye tests is an examination for a condition that is affecting more and more people: Dry Eye. “Dry Eye,” explains Tanveer Asaria, one of the Optometrists at Ivan Cammack in Thame, “is, as the name suggests, due to a lack of sufficient lubrication on the surface of the eye.

Our eyes are kept moist due to a surface film made up of tears. Tears bathe the eye, washing out the dust and debris that everyday life throws at them. Tears also contain enzymes that neutralise the effects of the micro-organisms that congregate around our eyes. The tear glands are at work all the time, cleansing and irrigating.”

Dry eye syndrome, however, occurs when the lachrymal glands fail to come up with enough moisture to refresh our eyes; or when the tears that are produced have a chemical composition that causes them to evaporate before they have had the chance to do their essential work. “There are two sorts of dry eye complaint,” continues Tanveer. “There’s either an aqueous deficiency where there isn’t enough fluid in the tears. Or there’s a lipid deficiency where the oily make-up of the tears isn’t properly balanced. The latter is more common.”

There are several causes contributing to dry eyes. “It can be part of the ageing process, especially during the menopause” says Tanveer. “Some medications, such as antihistamines, antidepressants, drugs for blood pressure and Parkinson’s disease, and the pill can have an adverse effect.

Then again it can be something as simple as spending too much time in a dry environment due to central heating and air conditioning. Blinking helps to distribute the tears over the eyeball surface. Staring at a computer screen can cause dry eye because we tend to blink less when we concentrate.

12. Thame Out

Driving and reading can have the same results. But the greatest pool of dry eye sufferers can be found among those who wear contact lenses for long periods of time.”

So what are the symptoms?

“Bloodshot eyes,” says Tanveer.

“You may experience a burning or stinging sensation, too, or a grittiness whenever you blink. A sensitivity to light is another sign. In many cases, paradoxically, watery eyes are an indication as well. This is because the eye is compensating for the poor tear quality by overproducing them as a protective mechanism.”

It is to help tackle dry eye syndrome that Ivan Cammack and his colleagues decided to create a dedicated Dry Eye Clinic. “The usual eye examination doesn’t allow sufficient time to conduct the tests you need in order to diagnose the exact causes of dry eye symptoms,” Tanveer continues. “And often consulting a pharmacist or a GP can be a bit ‘hit and miss’. We have a whole series of tests that we carry out - the process

takes a good half hour to complete. That means we have the time, as well as the expertise, to come to a diagnosis and to recommend appropriate treatment.”

Clients who attend the Dry Eye Assessment are asked to fill in a questionnaire. They are then given an examination of their eyelids, lachrymal systems, conjunctivae and corneas, along with other tear function tests aimed at getting to the root of the complaint.

“Once we have performed the examination, we are in a position to suggest possible ways of treating the complaint or managing the symptoms,” says Tanveer. “Depending on the results, this may involve eyelid massage or eyelid cleansing to improve the quality of the tear film. Or it may mean prescribing an Eyebag to boost the moisture of the eyes, or drops that are designed to supplement the tear film. For those with contact lenses, we may suggest lenses that are made from materials that are more wettable; or provide specialist advice on how best to clean contact lenses so that they don’t exacerbate the issue.”

Tanveer also has practical recommendations too. “It’s what we call the 20:20:20:20 vision solution,” she says. “If you are reading or working at a computer, every twenty minutes or so look away for twenty seconds to a distance of about twenty feet and blink twenty times. If the air in your home is particularly dry, get a humidifier. And drink plenty of water to hydrate your body.”

Dry eye syndrome can be a real source of discomfort and distress for those who are afflicted by it. But there are remedies. A good place to find them is at Ivan R Cammack’s Dry Eye Clinic.

Surely that should bring tears of relief to many a dry eye!

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

Thame Out .13

HEALTH & BEAUTY * Hit your way fit says Chinnor based personal fitness trainer, Hilary Westall.

Box clever A

lways do sober what you said you’d do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut. Ernest Hemingway.

Every year in the run up to Christmas, I start to think about my fitness goals for the year ahead.

For the last few years, they’ve been predominantly triathlon-based goals of varying distances; some bike sportives, and the odd endurance open water swim thrown in for good measure.

However, I was feeling generally uninspired late last year and felt like I needed a new challenge. A dinner party at some friends in November, involving too much alcohol and an arm wrestling challenge, suddenly took my fitness goals in a very different direction. After being beaten on both arms without so much as a flicker of weakness by a friend of our hosts - a woman who is about half my size and does no regular, structured exercise (although as a farmer’s wife, maybe she does sheep lifting on the quiet?) – a deeply buried, but neverrealised wish to learn to box surfaced in my mind.

On the way home, I texted a friend who’d done a boxing challenge earlier in the year to ask him which organisation he’d done it with, and before I was even sober, I’d signed up to the Ultra White Collar Boxing challenge: An eight week training programme, aimed at complete novices of any fitness level, with the aim of raising funds for Cancer Research UK. The training culminates in a black tie event that sees contestants fight it out in the ring over three rounds, watched by their nearest and dearest. Hmm. The training wasn’t due to start until late January, so I figured I had plenty of time to change my mind as the whole thing felt way out of my comfort zone. Getting punched in the face doesn’t exactly feature on my Top 10 of Things I Want to Happen to Me, so what the hell was I thinking? I didn’t tell anyone at first as I knew that once I ‘went public’ with my intentions, I would have to see it through.

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White Collar Boxing originated in New York in 1988 when a doctor and an attorney trained for a few weeks before boxing each other at a black tie event. Since then it has been the fastest growing corporate contact sport in the world. Ultra White Collar Boxing is the most established organisation in the UK, running hundreds of events since 2009.

It has raised more money for charity, won more awards and prides itself on being the most conscientious about health and safety than any other organisation. It is Cancer Research UK’s biggest fundraiser in the UK, having raised over £2 Million alone in 2015.

I’m now halfway through the training and loving it. There are two free training sessions a week at the no-frills South Moreton Boxing Club, near Wallingford, with the option to do additional classes and one-to-one sessions at your own expense. The sessions are split into half an hour of boxing bag circuits and half an hour of technique, with a good dose of plyometric, core and strength work included. They are not for the faint hearted. Not surprisingly, following the first training session, a large number of people mysteriously disappeared, never to be seen again.

I’ve also opted for weekly one to one sessions with the formidable Darius Skop, who is one of our trainers.

He moved to the UK from Poland as an amateur and has since turned professional and is, to date, undefeated.

He is clearly passionate about his sport and shows no mercy for lateness, slacking, or poor form. Burpees and press ups between spa sets are pretty standard, and don’t even think about doing anything other than a full-on press up, which was the first mistake I made. At least in my one-to-one sessions I get to hit him. That said, his teaching is second to none and despite my arms feeling like they’re going to drop off after each session, I think I’m improving.

Will I beat Debbie in an arm wrestle at the end of all this training? Doubtful!

That may have been the trigger, but it’s definitely not why I’m still on this path.

A new challenge, different people, a fresh approach to my fitness, and a great cause. Oh and I’d quite like to win my match at the end…!

Find out more at www.ultrawhitecollarboxing.co.uk www.southmoretonboxingclub.com 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.

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HEALTH & BEAUTY *

Secrets of the Skin Nurses Non Surgical Facelift; the gentler approach to smoothing away the years at MBNS and QUTIS Clinics. Becky Herreros explains.

Ali

“My daughter recommended I visit MBNS Clinic where she has been having treatments including a recent non surgical lift. She is 44 and her lines were not nearly as deep as mine but she explained that for her it was about pausing time and preventing further lines forming or deepening”.

Ali, pre treatment

Before treatment Ali was feeling self conscious and concerned about her appearance.

After a thorough consultation with a specialist nurse practitioner Ali decided that for her a non surgical face lift was the best option.

“Obviously I don’t want to look decades younger than I am, I don’t want to look like anyone other than myself, I am proud of my age. I just want to feel refreshed, return the softness and volume to my face and get my confidence back.”

A

t MBNS and Qutis Clinics, we are often asked about a nonsurgical facelift, as many patients say “How can I look my best without succumbing to the surgeon’s knife?”

Recently Ali visited MBNS Clinic, Thame. She celebrated her 74th birthday in January and her reasons for visiting were to get advice on tightening skin, improving volume and address some of the deeper lines that she had noticed.

“I had become increasingly troubled by my appearance, my skin didn’t seem to have any elasticity and the lines, folds and sagging was really making me feel low.”

16. Thame Out

“Last year I had a health scare and needed to have a pre cancerous lesion removed from my cheek, it was obviously a very worrying time for me and my family. Fortunately my doctor had caught it in time and I remain vigilant for any signs of changes to moles and wear high factor SPF daily.”

“The small scar left on my cheek made me feel even more self conscious and I stopped making an effort or wearing make up. This Christmas I avoided being in family photographs and realised I needed to take action and sort this out! ”

Over the course of the next few months Ali’s treatment plan includes: i Dermal filler injections for the deeper nose to mouth lines. i Lip enhancement procedure (returning lips back to their original natural fullness is a real youth enhancement tip). i Restorative three dimensional volume lifting to the cheeks and jowls. i A tiny muscle relaxing injection to soften frown lines and crow’s feet lines. i A course of Intense Pulsed Light Therapy to even out pigmentation caused by sun damage. i A fire and ice medical facial to be combined with our advanced skin-health ‘at home regimes. This give your skin a big drink, improves elasticity and skintone. Provides long-term moisturisation from within!

Dermal filler injection and wrinkle relaxing treatments were the initial stage of Ali’s care plan.

Prices vary by individuals but are only a fraction of a surgical procedure and with no expensive time off work or restrictions on social activities.

We also have payment plans available for most treatments. Spreading the cost over 10 months with 0% interest.

WHY CHOOSE MBNS AND QUTIS CLINICS? Constant training and professional development

“I was absolutely shocked by the instant transformation!. I had numbing cream applied and the injections of dermal filler were not uncomfortable at all. I felt safe and confident in my nurse who explained everything as she was doing it. The deep lines around my mouth and chin area were gone and I really couldn’t believe it. My face was given an “”Uplift”” by dermal filler in my upper cheek which minimised my jowls.”

“I could not stop looking in the mirror after having avoided doing so for months.

I had injections of botox for my frown lines and my nurse explained that these would take up to 14 days to take effect and I am excited that my results will get even better.”

Our nurse practitioners are some of the very best in the Aesthetic industry, and have won the prestigious Aesthetic Nurse of the Year award-twice, judged by the British Journal of Nursing.

We are always striving to bring our patients the very latest in both product and technique and have recently studied a master class in the non surgical face lift technique given by Dr Mauricio de Maio who is a globally-renowned figure in medical aesthetics.

As an international expert in the advanced use of frown relaxing treatments, dermal fillers and nonsurgical treatment, Dr de Maio consults and mentors colleagues worldwide on his latest pioneering techniques. We follow his codes and techniques here, using ‘The 8 Point Lift’, using Juvederm dermal fillers and volumisers to help restore lost ‘scaffolding’, volume and elasticity.

These trademark methods have been passed on to the injectable elite, and our nurse specialists are all in this category.

SO, WHAT ARE THE MD CODES™?

WHY THE MD CODES? In the past, injection methods were rather ad hoc, and instead of treating with purpose, injectors were frequently treating as they saw fit on the day.

The MD Codes™ allow for bespoke, tailor-made treatment still; however, they add a formulated structure to injecting, meaning results are far more superior, and facial anatomy and facial proportions are taken into consideration.

Unlike traditional methods where the problem area was treated directly, the MD Codes™, including the 8 Point Lift which had been previously introduced, take on a holistic approach to injecting.

Instead of adding weight and volume to the issue, the Codes target the source of the problem, greatly benefiting the patient.

WHAT AREAS DO THEY ADDRESS? Dermal fillers can be used extensively across the face for rejuvenation and volume. The main areas of focus are the temples, the brow, cheeks, under eye, chin, jawline and lips.

Visit us for a personalised consultation.

MBNS and Qutis. Nurse led cosmetic clinics, based in Thame and Witney.

Award winning nurses specialising in anti ageing medical aesthetic treatments.

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

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

IMG_1512.JPG Dr de Maio’s MD Codes™ are a series of formulated injections points for dermal filler, which are proven to elevate, rejuvenate and enhance, delivering natural-looking results, tailored to individual requirements.

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

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HEALTH & BEAUTY *

Healthy

O

ver 100 5* reviews have been posted on the DROPiT21 Facebook page. This online, easy to follow, motivational, proven weight loss and wellbeing programme is obviously working wonders.

The creator and founder of DROPiT21, Sandra Brooks, has been in the health and fitness industry for over 20 years. She has seen many diet trends come and go over this time and it is clear that many are extreme and unsustainable.

As a wife and mother, she fully understands the pressures and time constraints of a busy family life.

Sandra firmly believes that fitness and wellbeing has to be fun, you have to be inspired and you need to see results or it’s not worth doing. It doesn’t have to be complicated and difficult or take over your life. This is why Sandra created and launched DROPiT21.

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DROPiT21 is a 21 day programme designed to inform, educate and empower its participants into creating the platform to make a real maintainable lifestyle change.

Thousands of people have benefitted from the programme which is why so many satisfied clients have posted such positive comments as these following examples: Sharon Hayward 30 January 2017 I’ve lost 17lb and 14 inches on the DROPiT 21 programme and I feel great. I can’t really believe I have managed three weeks without sugar or bread in particular and I’m still not craving them. The results are just fantastic and I plan to carry on with the maintenance programme to keep up the good work. I’ve also found that the daily workouts are easy to fit into the day.

I seem to have developed willpower like I’ve never experienced before, and I’ve tried every diet known to man! I think that’s key. This will be a lifestyle change for me, not just another diet. Thank you!

Debbie Blair 29 January 2017 I heard about DROPiT21 through a friend who had nothing but high praise. Since having my son 2 years ago, a shoulder injury and a big bout of virus after virus, the pounds had been creeping on, hitting the highest ever just after Christmas indulgence.

I started DROPiT21 in January 2017 and by the end of the month I am 7.5lbs lighter which I just can’t believe. I barely felt hungry, thinking much more about what goes into my food, not only for me but for my family too. My 2 year old is loving helping me with the food preparation and is very interested in what’s going in to each thing. He seems to be enjoying the new variety too.

Denise Smith 29 January 2017 Having tried to lose weight so many times I am absolutely delighted with the results I have achieved with the help of DROPiT21. In only three weeks I have dropped a dress size, feel brilliant, sleep and energy levels have improved,

comments DROPiT21. The fitness programme for a positive change has received a lot of positive comments too.

Hannah Francesca 17 October 2016 I heard about DROPiT21 from family members who spoke with nothing but praise for the healthy regime. After a year of illness, medication and bad habits from shift work my weight was at an all time high. I had tried and failed to get fit and healthy by myself which left me very de motivated. So I thought I’d give DROPiT21 a go. Three weeks later and I feel brilliant, I’ve lost 1 stone 6lbs and 17 inches! I still can’t believe it!

The first week of sugar withdrawal was not pleasant but it just needed a little determination to push through it and the following weeks were much easier.

I’ve managed to break my addiction to sugar, controlled my portion sizes and I have more energy. I never thought I’d do a night shift without sugar or caffeine but I don’t even notice it anymore.

A big thanks to Sandra for the DROPiT21 programme.

I am receiving compliments and am determined to carry on with the great menus and suggestions from Sandra at DROPiT21. This really is a life changing programme and has made me feel differently about food options and healthy living.

The menus are inspiring and the exercises can be completed at your own pace in the privacy of your own home.

Perfect. Thank you so much Sandra and Leanne and for the encouragement of the other members.

Lynn Collins 11 December 2016 I heard about DROPiT21 on line and then a friend had done it and I saw the results which were fab. I joined the 6th June group and I loved the exercises online, all the recipe ideas and support 24/7. I did amazing in the first 21 days I lost 12lb and 17 inches! I then joined the maintenance group which has the same level of support, ideas and exercises. Just completed my second 21 day challenge and my total loss is now 24lb and 29

inches. It had changed my outlook on food completely, reinvigorated my passionate for cooking from scratch and my fitness levels are the best in years. And I’m sleeping better and energy levels higher, what’s not to love!

Everyone should try the 21 days as it will change your outlook for ever.

Katy Rimmer 3 December 2016 I can’t recommend DROPiT21 highly enough. I was introduced to it at the beginning of this year and haven’t looked back. Exercise is now part of my daily routine, it’s changed the way I cook, what and how I eat and I feel so much better for it! The online groups are fab - a constant source of support, loads of new recipes and a great education on nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. The initial goal was to lose some weight, but the benefits stretch way beyond this leading to better health, sleep, increased motivation, confidence, more positivity in all areas of life.

So are you ready for that Positive Change?

For Further details of DROPiT21 please contact Sandra on 07771 800913 or email sandra@dropit21.com Web: www.dropit21.com Twitter: @LetsDropit21

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HEALTH & BEAUTY *

Hair comes the bride A wedding day. When a bride (and her bridesmaids) will be the professional and amateur photographers main focus.

You want everything to look just right.

After the dresses, nothing makes more of a statement than great hair.

Says Zoe at Maze Hair.

T

he venue is booked, the dress chosen and the button holes delivered. Now for that crowning glory. The hair.

“On the morning of the wedding its not about a cut or a colour, its all about styling for the day. However, before the actual wedding day, we would recommend the bride and bridesmaids book a trial session with your stylist in good time before your wedding day.” says Zoe. “You could try two or three different looks, this would give you a good idea of what will suit both your hair, shape of face and of course your dress.

“Be open to suggestions, as your stylist will have plenty of experience in long hair styling. Take lots of pictures of the sort of styles you like and take pictures of your trial hair styles too. Then, on the day itself, make sure you wear a button shirt or dress that doesn’t need to be lifted over your perfect hair.” Advises Zoe.

Emma

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Chloe “Chloe has long highlighted hair, but this style will easily work on shoulder length hair of any colour. We created some volume and soft wave into Chloe’s hair using a wand styler. The hair was then plaited into a side fish tail. The plait was then loosened away from the scalp to give a softer look which is an on trend bridal look. A tiara was added on the opposite side to the plait the balance the style.”

Emma “We created a more traditional look for Emma, with a softer edge. This style is great on finer texture hair, medium shoulder length, with or without layers. We set Emma’s hair into soft barrel curls, then we smoothed out the front sections away from Emma’s face. The soft curls were then gathered together at the side at the back to create gentle volume and curl. This style can be easily accessorised with a tiara and or veil.”

Emma

l Dresses Supplied by Anna Mcdonald Bridal Gallery, Thame 01844 214190 l Images: All People Photography, Waddesdon 01296 651788

Chloe

Chloe

Chloe

Michelle

Michelle

Michelle Michelle

“This is a great bridal look for those with shorter hair. We created a more vintage wave on Michelle’s hair using a GHD Big Curls Tong. We then added two slim plaits to the front to give an extra twist, lifting the hair away from the face into the tiara. A veil could be added easily to this style. It works great on shorter curly hair.

Maze Hair Salon 11 Friday Court, North Street Thame , Oxfordshire OX9 3GA 01844 218215 Email: Salon@mazehair.com Twitter:@mazehair www.facebook.com/mazehair

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HEALTH & BEAUTY *

L

ocated in Thame High Street, Feet First Podiatry Clinic has been a centre of excellence for all foot care needs since it was established in 2004.

So for owner Jenney Klose BSc (Hons) Pod MChS it was a logical step to open a new shoe shop at the clinic.

Jenney and her colleagues are fully qualified podiatrists naturally, but they are also qualified shoe fitters. “We have been treating people’s feet for many years and it makes perfect sense to offer our clients a range of wider fitting shoes,” says Jenney.

“It’s a perfect fit for our business and most importantly it will be a perfect fit for our clients too. Also in this range we have a very stylish collection of high street width shoes, so we will be able to accommodate all our customer‘s needs.” She adds.

Feet First have teamed up with a long established English company, DB Wider Fit shoes and are now one of their official stockists.

Set up by identical twins Jack and Bill Denton during the 1920’s (although the family have been producing fine footwear since Victorian times), the company is still a family business now run by David and Charles Denton (who coincidently are also identical twins).

With a new spring range of shoes specifically designed for people with wider feet, the new first floor shop (above the

Feet First’s Your feet have always been in safe hands with Feet First Podiatry Clinic now, not only can you get them treated, you can also slip them into some stylish and comfortable shoes in their new first floor shoe shop.

Janet Rogers talks to owner Jenney Klose.

clinic) will cater for women and men.

It will be managed by Julie Anne.

Residents of Thame will recognise her as the former shop manager at Country Casuals and will especially remember her highly popular shoe shop in the Buttermarket. Julie Anne will add her considerable expertise and experience to the rest of the Feet First team.

“She knows what the clients in Thame like and we will work with her to try and provide the best range we can. I have a great team here at Feet First and I am so pleased that Julie Anne is on board as well,” says Jenney.

The Clinic On average we walk over 75,000 miles (or nearly two and a half times round the world) in our lifetime. It’s no wonder that so many of us suffer with feet problems.

If you do, it may be a good time to ask Jenney about treatments on offer at Feet First.

“Our friendly team of experienced podiatrists are Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered and affiliated to The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists (MChS),” explains Jenney. “We are qualified to treat a large range of foot conditions including some specialist treatments,” she adds.

The new light and airy shoe shop

next step Julie Anne

Treatments “Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy is evidence based and treats all kinds of tendon problems which often take a long time to resolve. We only treat the legs and feet as our expertise is the lower limb (from the hip to the toes) and we have excellent results using this wonderful treatment on achilles tendinopathy (achilles tendon tears and inflammation) and also plantar fasciitis, a common and painful condition resulting in heel pain. This treatment really works and gets you back on track quickly,” says Jenney. “It’s a risk free treatment that takes approximately 10 minutes per session. The treatment is also used by Physiotherapists, Osteopaths and Orthopaedic Specialists to treat tendon problems on other areas of the body,” she adds.

Clinically proven Clearanail is an innovative new concept to treat unsightly fungal nail infections using ‘controlled micro penetration’.

The fungus lives and grows on the skin under the nail plate so the key is to get access to this area. Most treatments available are applied to the nail and have little effect because they can’t get to the infection.

Clearanail creates micro pathways in the nail plate allowing deeper access for the antifungal medication to reach the areas of infection without damaging the nail bed beneath. “In my opinion it’s the best treatment available for this stubborn condition; I have treated over 60 patients with fantastic results. If you want to have nice clear nails for the summer this is the treatment for you”, enthuses Jenney.

“These are of course, just two of the specialised treatments available at Feet First. We treat a wide range of foot conditions too,” says Jenney. l Corns and callus l Nail care l Ingrown toenails l Fungal nails l High risk & diabetic feet l Warts/verrucae l Foot Pain, l Gait Problems l Sports Injuries l Flat feet l Fallen arches l High arched feet l Tired aching feet and legs l Heel pain (including plantar fasciitis

and achilles tendinopathy) l Ankle pain (sprained ankles) l Forefoot pain (mortons neuroma,

bunion pain, joint pain) l Knee pain l Shin & leg pain

now protected by law. At this time, most qualified practitioners changed from using the title chiropody to podiatry to reinforce the new protected status. It is really the same word for the same profession and both are correct to use by degree qualified professionals.

“We specialise in the medical diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the foot and lower limbs. In order to lawfully practice in the UK podiatrists, (historically known as chiropodists) must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and must hold a current annual registration. Registration is normally only granted to degree qualified practitioners who hold a bachelor’s degree from one of the 13 recognised schools of podiatry in the UK. This is a medical qualification and requires three years of intense training at university.

“Those who are not degree qualified are known as foot health practitioners (FHPs). This is not a medical qualification.

This qualification is undertaken through distance learning over a year, with two weeks of practical training.

“It’s an important point of difference that clients need to be aware of,” Jenney concludes.

If you are looking for well fitting, stylish, comfortable footwear and expert foot care, Feet First is a step in the right direction.

Expertise Healthy, happy feet means using innovative technology, professional expertise and care. “I am often asked what’s the difference between podiatrists, chiropodists and foot health practitioners,,” says Jenney.

“Chiropody was the term commonly used until 2003 when changes in legislation declared that the professional titles ‘chiropodist’ and ‘podiatrist’ are

13a Upper High Street, Thame, Oxon OX9 3ER Tel: 01844 261023 Email: enquiries@feet-first.org

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NEW SHOE SHOP LAUNCH PARTY 10th and 11th March Join us for fizz and nibbles

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

CERAMICS GLASS JEWELLERY LEATHERWORK WOOD WROUGHT IRON MIXED MEDIA Celebrating the unusual

1 East Street, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 3JS 01844 215099 fitchandfellows@gmail.com

fitch & fellows

in creative craftsmanship

Open Tuesday – Saturday, 10.30am – 5.30pm

LIFESTYLE *

A ‘Garden Room’ event

Nkuku

26. Thame Out

Spring a surprise This is the time of year for rejuvenation and renewal and at White Hart Studio, this is certainly the case. Steph Williams discovers what owner Jane Davies has in store for 2017.

S

pring is such an uplifting time of year. Days start to get that little bit longer, trees and shrubs start to bud and the sun actually begins to feel warm.

Mind you, it could be argued that it’s springtime all year round at White Hart Studio, such is owner Jane’s positive nature and enthusiasm for her business and her love of discovering new products.

Sure enough, Jane has some exciting news to tell me.

“We have now started to host events in the garden room,” she announces with a smile. “At the moment, the room is kept as warm as toast, thanks to our fantastic wood burner.”

The first event was a class to make a ‘ Wacky Paper Book!’ this was on Thursday 9th February .This ran from 10.30am to 3.30pm. The price, I ask? “£45 which also includes teas and coffees. I was thrilled to see it sold out.

The next class is ‘Mixed Media Experiments’ course on Thursday 30th March. This is a fun day using papers, inks, stencils and various creative techniques on papers and fabrics. Exciting results guaranteed. To book a place on this class contact Marilyn directly on marilynpipe@btinternet.com Another change for Spring is the White Hart Studio website, this is being restyled. Not only can you keep up dated with any events, but it will be a showcase for some of the beautiful things Jane has on sale in the shop.

This won’t be an e-commerce site as the stock changes so quickly. It’s great being able to see daily up dates from White Hart Studio by following whitehartstudio on instagram, facebook and twitter.

This is proving very popular as many customers’ have visited the shop through posts they have seen on instagram.

First and foremost the White Hart Studio is a lifestyle shop. A new brand that Jane is now selling is Nkuku.

Many of you may know this company if you have visited Devon on holiday.

Nkuku create beautifully handmade home and lifestyle products. “A perfect fit for White Hart Studio, lovely people and lovely products,” says Jane.

Nkuku work with artisans throughout the world and all products are Fairtrade.

Whatever the season, a visit to White Hart Studio always puts a spring in my step.

WHITE HART STUDIO

WHITE HART STUDIO

JEWELLERY,GIFTS G IFTS& &INTERIORS INTERIORS FAFASHION, S H I ON, JEWELLERY, HADDENHAM, 15 15 C HCHURCHWAY, U R C HWAY, HADDENHA M, BBUCKS UC KS, HP17 HP17 8AB T: 0T:1844 2 9292308 2 3 0 8 M: 36630 8 01844 M: 07765 07765 366308 E: JANE@WHITEHARTSTUDIO.COM E: JANE@WHITEHARTSTUDIO.COM

Thame Out .27

FASHION *

Time gentlemen Clock the new exciting, colourful Spring range of mens clothing, shoes and accessories at Gallant Luxury Menswear.

I

t’s time.

Time to throw off the January blues and embrace all that Spring offers.

Time to challenge yourself not to wear the same ‘uniform’ you’ve been sporting for, well, as long as you can remember and try something new.

A change is as good as a rest, as they say, and we’ve made a concerted effort to find new and unique pieces to give your wardrobe the lift it needs.

We’re not talking a complete overhaul.

The aim is to tweak your look enough not to look out-dated or too classic.

It’s the subtle changes in fashion that make all the difference. This Spring has less seriousness and formality to it.

Denims, chinos and wools are slim (not tight) and a more casual, relaxed fabrication. Shirts are tailored with details such as contrast trims in the collar and contrast buttons. Or perhaps try an all over print with the wit that’s intended.

A micro bird print, for example, that looks like a texture until you get up close.

Jackets are slightly shorter, with two button fastening, two vents and wider lapels. A softer, less structured shoulder also captures the less formal feel to the Season.

Footwear. Anything goes! Be bold, but let your shoes do the talking and pare everything else back, if you want make an impression in the right way.

It’s time to shake off 2016 and lighten up your look for a bright year ahead. 2017 also marks our 5th Birthday and you’re all invited.

It’s time to celebrate!

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please!

Circle of Gentlemen Jeffery West Eton Gran Sasso Seven For All Mankind Sunspel Oliver Sweeney Lagerfeld Hiltl Gant Florentino Robert Charles Antico Borgo

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

Open seven days a week: Monday to Saturday 9:30am–5:30pm Sunday 10am–3pm

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TRAVEL *

Jet set, go!

Rio de Janeiro

It’s the trip of a lifetime from Spear Travels. A tour of South America by ship, by train and by private jet!. Duncan Sherwood discovers more.

S

outh America. It really is a continent of contrasts. With so many ‘bucket list’ destinations, vibrant cities like Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires, fascinating ancient cultural sites like Machu Pichu and Easter Island; nature at its finest with magnificent waterfalls (Iguassu Falls), soaring mountains at Punta Arenas and the unique flora, fauna, animals and birds of The Galapagos and Falkland Islands.

To visit just one of these destinations would be a dream come true. Well incredibly, with Spear Travels you can visit them all.

And you will visit all these amazing destinations in some style.

Your mode of transport for this 20 night grand tour of South America is a private jet.

A privately chartered Boeing 737 that normally has 300 seats will have just 90. The seats convert to lie-flat beds. The service as you would expect is first class. You will enjoy excellent food and fine wines served by a friendly and experienced crew.

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When you’re not part of the jet set, you will be enjoying travel by ship and by train. Part of this epic journey around South America includes a four day cruise to The Galapagos Islands and a trip on the famous Belmond Hiram Bingham luxury train that takes you to the iconic Inca citadel of Machu Pichu.

THE TOUR Flying from the UK, your first stop is the colourful city of Rio de Janeiro. Famous for the towering Christ the Redeemer statue and Copa Cabana beach.

Next stop, the majestic Iguassu Falls where you can take an optional boat ride or helicopter flight.

Then it’s Argentina’s capital city, Buenos Aires. Here you can see Eva Peron’s tomb, visit the district of La Boca, famous for its colourful streets and Tango; then on to the mountains and glaciers at Punta Arenas A short hop takes you to a very British part of South America – The Falkland Islands. Take a war history tour or visit the King Penguins at Volunteer Point.

Easter Island

The Boeing 737’s luxurious interior

Buenos Aires

Machu Pichu

Next you head off to the Pacific Ocean and call in at that most mysterious of places, Easter Island with a full guided tour of the island and its Moai Statues.

Peru is next and the city of Lima followed by the train journey to Machu Pichu.

Not many people have set foot on the Galapagos Islands, but that’s what you will be doing next. The ship M/V Galapagos Legend takes you to this home of some unique and special inhabitants.

From Equador it’s a flight to Cuba and the fantastic city of Havana with its magnificent Spanish colonial architecture and proliferation of 1950’s and 60’s American cars.

Finally home to the UK with treasured memories of a truly unforgettable trip.

INCLUDED IN YOUR TOUR IS:

The Falkland Islands

k Air travel in business class style seats that fully recline. k Accommodation in 5-star hotels (or the best available in remote areas) based on two people sharing a double/twin room. k All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) including regional banquets and numerous dine-around evenings where you can choose from a selection of restaurants. k Wine, beer and soft drinks with meals. k All overseas transport with English speaking local guides. k Full programme of excursions including entrance fees, tipping and taxes. k Special luggage porterage, plus an increased on board luggage allowance. k Services of a Holidays Tour Manager plus four dedicated Tour Assistants and an on board doctor throughout the tour.

JOIN A VERY SPECIAL GUEST SIR RANULPH FIENNES, OBE Sir Ranulph Fiennes, probably the greatest explorer of all time, is the special guest for the first 5 days of this tour. He will be available for informal chats throughout and will carry out a number of pre-dinner presentations.

Sir Ranulph Fiennes is the only man alive ever to have travelled around the Earth’s circumpolar surface (more people have been on the Moon!)

His record-breaking expeditions include travel by riverboat, hovercraft, manhaul sledge, skidoo, Land Rover and ski.

Spear Travels Greyhound Walk, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 3DY 01844 217228 thame@speartravels.net www.speartravels.net The Iguassu Falls

speartravels-thame @speartravels

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24 Upper High Street, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 3EX 01844 214190 l 07787 574206 anna@anna-mcdonald.com

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LIFESTYLE * Paul Wilkinson, Haddenham’s own award winning photographer in conversation with Nic Rogers.

R

enowned wedding and portrait photographer Paul Wilkinson has a life long passion for his art.

Creating beautiful images and capturing those precious moments in time.

I am talking to Paul in his beautiful studio in Haddenham. It’s a hive of industry. Newly framed work is being check and bowed ready for customers to collect and a family are expected shortly for a portrait shoot. I think I know the answer to my first question!

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Photographer in Focus Q. So, how is 2017 looking?

A. Busy. In fact, looking at the diary, it’s looking like our busiest year ever. Our work is taking us across Europe and over to North and South America. My book (Mastering Portrait Photography) is being launched worldwide and I have been asked to run a live photoshoot at the UK Photography Show this March.

Q. What interesting shoots do you have coming up?

A. We have a pre wedding shoot in Switzerland. A beautiful guest experience shoot at Le Manoir and unusually for us a run of maternity photoshoots.

We also have a lovely family get together with relatives flying over from Australia and requests for shoots in the Spring bluebells as soon as they arrive.

I really love being involved in these life changing events.

Q. You mentioned Spring, what is your favourite time of year from a photographic point of view A. To be honest, whatever time of year you asked me that would be my favourite.

I love the way our seasons change. Each one has a different light and presents a photographer with both challenges and opportunities for great shots.

Q. Has your photography changed over the years?

A. One thing that hasn’t changed is my energy and excitement over the next shoot. Often our clients are quite nervous and over the years I have learnt to slow down and work at a pace that the clients are happy with. I too get nervous, which is a good thing as it keeps me on my toes.

We talk through the shoot before the day, what to wear, location ideas and so on, this relaxes everyone.

Even though I have years of experience, I treat every shoot as if it was my first. We have a great studio here which I am using more and more. Along with my photography assistant, I can spend time relaxing with our clients. This means I can capture the personality of our sitters in as natural a way as possible.

Q. What do clients do with their images?

A. Love them! I don’t mean that in an arrogant way, but they put them on their walls or into an album and make them part of their everyday lives. For our clients, their images are memories for them to treasure for ever. And they do.

“

What started off as a simple father’s day gift - a photo session- became a happy, fun, exciting and satisfying experience. Paul was gentle with us and our 6-year-old took to him immediately. Paul worked quietly away as we all felt totally at ease. And the results? Tear jerkingly perfect!

Paul Wilkinson is a master of his craft! Thank you.

”

Cathy, Rob, Sam and Jamie.

Paul’s work might take him all over the world but he is well and truly rooted in the local community. Paul Wilkinson Photography are helping local students with their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Awards and have a week set aside for a group of year 10 work placement students in July. Paul’s studio is opening again for Bucks Open Studios this year from 17th to 25th June. Call in and see Paul’s stunning work.

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

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HOME & GARDEN *

Drawing praise PCMS Design. A dedicated team of award winning architectural designers and project managers are shaping where we live and work.

Jim Maitland investigates.

A

lex Bond established PCMS Design back in 2007. This architectural design and project management practice started life in Chinnor and ten years on, PCMS Design is now a well respected and successful company operating out of larger premises in Haddenham.

A local company, employing local talent that has been building business over the years and servicing clients in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire.

With an established track record in designing and managing construction projects across the education, community, residential and commercial sectors, PCMS Design bring a high level of expertise alongside the friendly approach you’d expect from a small firm of dedicated professionals.

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This undoubted ability has been rewarded recently with a Regional Winner award at the LABC Central Building Excellence Awards (LABC is an organisation that represents all local authority building control teams in England and Wales).

“It’s not the first time that PCMS Design has been nominated for an LABC award” commented Alex. “We have previously been finalists for ‘Best Educational Development’ and ‘Best Sustainable Project’. The presentations recognise building excellence in the delivery of outstanding construction and workmanship.”

For the PCMS Design team, recognition of their talents is all well and good, but the real satisfaction is to see a project through from initial planning to completed build.

“I would describe PCMS as traditional architectural designers,” he continues.

“We start with designs in 2D before moving on to 3D designs and rendering software,” he adds.

“We offer a free initial consultation and simple fee structure, and work to ensure that our clients project is delivered on time, with the minimum of fuss and disruption. We take away the stress of planning submissions and approvals processes by liaising directly with Planning Officers, and help our clients to select contractors who will fulfil their project requirements,” says Alex.

One of PCMS Designs strengths is the ability to work across a variety of different builds. Recent work has included private homes, schools, offices and community projects such as sports pavilions and village halls.

The team bring the same expertise and commitment to every project whether it is an extension to a Grade 2 listed 17th century cottage or a new build home.

“We don’t have a style as such, there’s no such thing as a typical PCMS Design job. We treat each project individually and ensure the design fits both the brief and the setting,” says Alex.

Conversion of a small cottage on a sloping site in Easington

A thatched, listed cottage extended in Thame

A sleek, modern executive home in Long Crendon

TILING So, if you are looking for an architectural design company to help with a conversion or new build, perhaps your initial plan should be to call PCMS Design.

PCMS Design Rectory House, Thame Road, Haddenham, Bucks HP17 8DA 01844 202932 www.pcmsdesign.co.uk

PAINTING DECORATING

07466 713 703 info@vasdeco.co.uk www.vasdeco.co.uk

HOME & GARDEN *

Warmest

congratulations

For thirty years, North Mill Stoves have been bringing warmth to our homes from their Buckinghamshire base. To celebrate this anniversary the company have now expanded to a second location in Oxfordshire. The desire to supply and install stoves still burns bright as Stuart Rogers discovers.

Y

ou could say North Mill Stoves was formed out of adversity. In 1987 Dutch Elm Disease was decimating our woodlands. Trees were being felled in their tens of thousands. What to do with so much cut down wood? A man who had worked with wood all his life saw an opportunity.

Ian Pearce, Managing Director of North Mill Stoves was a highly respected wood turner and cabinet maker back then.

A family friend’s heating had broken down and Ian was called out one cold winters day to provide an emergency source of heat. Ian installed a ‘Clearview’ wood burning stove, much to the owners delight.

With oil and gas prices soaring during the late Eighties and with so much wood available, a business was born.

North Mill Stoves under Ian’s stewardship has gone from strength to strength. It’s a family business. His daughter Laura Morgan is Business Director and manages sales and his sonin-law Richard manages the installation teams. Richard is also a HETAS Engineer and a registered member of the National

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THE FUTURE I am talking to Business Director, Laura Morgan in North Mill Stoves new Oxfordshire showroom.

Mind you, it’s not the sort of showroom you might be thinking of.

We are drinking coffee, sitting next to one of their stoves in LASSCO. This is England’s prime resource for architectural antiques, salvage and curiosities. The establishment has a splendid restaurant. LASSCO is located just off the M40 at Milton Common. “This is just one of our stoves” says Laura (as we warm ourselves on a frosty morning). Dotted around the main building and out buildings you will find further examples of our stoves. All working and in situ,” she adds.

“We have our main office on the first floor and this is where I will be based from now on,” says Laura. “But this is our showroom – she sweeps her arms around the building – and even if I’m not here for any reason, people can still see our stoves in action,” she adds..

So how many stoves are in the North Mill range I ask? “We have eight tried and trusted makes, mostly British, with some Scandinavian brands as well,” she says. “Other companies might have a huge range that they ‘stack high and sell fast’, but that’s not our style. A more limited range means we know our products intimately and truly recommend them, in fact we have them in our own homes.

“We appreciate that purchasing a wood burning stove is quite an investment and is often one that will be around for many, many years. That’s why we must get it right for our customers”, adds Laura.

I think Laura and the team have been doing exactly that for a number of years now, and with North Mill Stoves embarking on their new venture, Laura’s very excited for the future. Fired with enthusiasm you might say.

Association of Chimney Sweeps. The team is made up of engineers Richard Routley and Barry Hawkins.

North Mill Stoves have carried out over 2,000 installations across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Hertfordshire. For the last 25 years they have been based in their 18th Century Paper Mill at Bledlow.

The commissions have included private homes from traditional cottages to ultra modern new builds.

Commercial work has included properties on estates such as the National Trust, Waddesdon and Wormsley.

Oxfordshire Base: North Mill Stoves Limited c/o LASSCO Three Pigeons, London Road, Milton Common, Thame,Oxfordshire OX9 2JN Buckinghamshire Base: (closed Tuesday mornings) North Mill Stoves Limited North Mill Road Bledlow Bucks HP27 9QP Telephone: 01844 342400 Email: info@northmillstoves.co.uk www.northmillstoves.co.uk

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EDGCOTT O.I.E.O ÂŁ1,350,000 An 18th century, six bedroom detached barn conversion.

Lovingly converted by the current owners in the late 1980’s.

Beautifully situated in approximately 4 acres of formal gardens and paddock land, with excellent equestrian facilities, including two stables and adjoining tack room, and a triple garage with power doors.

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Ridgeway make your dream kitchen a reality 4

A complete service from design to fitting, from plans to building

4 4

An in-house team you can trust

4 4 4

Superb range of German engineered and English bespoke kitchens Prices to suit any budget FREE survey Visit our recently refurbished showroom

Ridgeway Kitchens, Rycote Lane, Milton Common, Oxfordshire OX9 2NZ

01844 279900 FOR A KITCHEN THAT HAS EVERYTHING FROM A COMPANY THAT DOES EVERYTHING

www.ridgewaykitchens.co.uk info@ridgewaykitchens.co.uk

HOME & GARDEN *

The green You don’t have to be a zero-tolerance eco-zealot to help our beleaguered environment, writes Michael Roth.

Going green can be a matter of practical housekeeping.

P

lanet Earth is not well. Planet Earth is feverish. Planet Earth has a temperature. Ice caps are melting, equatorial forests are burning, sea levels are rising, islands are sinking. Even here in temperate, weather-modest Britain, symptoms of creeping malaise and mild eco distress are cropping up in the seasonal calendar: butterflies in November, snowdrops before Christmas, the welling of floodplain rivers in winter, the draining of reservoirs in summer.

Some sceptics remain. It is one of those periodic convulsions of nature’s own making, they diagnose, a vast, self-managed re-arrangement of the planet’s physiology, primed to kick in on a geological timescale. With the hot winds of climatic change blowing hard and fast across the continents, however, the scientific consensus points the finger of blame elsewhere: at us, the greatest force of nature there is. Our factories, our exhaust pipes, our power stations, our superheated, energy-spendthrift, fossil fuel-hungry ways are making the environment ill. The atmosphere is drowning in carbon, and the polar bears with it.

It’s easy, of course, to feel helpless in the face of such a global condition. Or to believe that we can contribute nothing meaningful to the remedy. But don’t.

Every green gesture counts, however small. Global warming is calibrated in fractions, which means we can all make fractional contributions that, taken together, add up to a measurable difference. Nor do we have to travel to the wilder shores of environmentalism

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to be green (or, for that matter, abandon travelling anywhere else). No need, either, to forsake all that modern technology has to offer. Simple everyday adjustments to our domestic lives can help save our planet. And, what’s more, can help save us some money into the bargain.

Recycling The secret to successful recycling is to set up a system of rubbish sorting before anything gets as far as the kitchen bin: paper here, plastics here, bottles here.

Once everyone is in the habit of thinking about household waste as a series of separate items, rather than a collective heap, recycling becomes both easier and more efficient.

Costs a packet Sift through the bin bags of almost any home and, on a volume basis, the greatest component will be packaging.

Unless you are able to get everything from a market that wraps your purchases in paper bags, packaging is unavoidable.

So, where possible, buy larger rather than smaller packs (it not only cuts down on packaging proportionately but reduces the price too).

Washing with a clean conscience Ecover non-biological washing powder, it is now claimed, cleans as efficiently as other detergents but, since all its ingredients are plant-based, without dirtying the environment. It tends to leave the wash smelling of the faintest of natural scents rather than pungently chemical.

Polish off the polish One way to avoid the abrasive chemicals that are found in many conventional cleaning agents is to turn to the contents of your kitchen cupboard. A solution of one part olive and one part lemon juice applied via a spray bottle can be as effective at shining and polishing the furniture as aerosols. A damp cloth and some salt work similar wonders bleaching mugs and cutlery.

A big turn off It is astonishing how much energy can be conserved by switching off lights in empty rooms and by powering down appliances that would otherwise glug electricity as they sit glowing and humming redundantly on standby.

Ponder this: if every computer and television in the country were turned off when not being used, the power saved would be sufficient to keep 600,000 homes lit and heated for a whole year.

Power to the environment What we do with our power matters, of course, and so does where we get it from. Although serious question marks hang over the viability of the back garden wind turbines that are due to go on sale this year, domestic solar power looks a more attractive proposition – especially when you consider that a government grant is available to cover 50 per cent of the cost of installing photovoltaic roof panels and that such an installation adds upwards of nine per cent to the value of your home. If solar panels are beyond your means, you can still opt for a greener power source while remaining plugged into the national

house grid. Supplier Green Energy says that almost four-fifths of its electricity comes from renewable sources, while Good Energy puts its renewable credentials at 100 per cent. Although Ecotricity takes its power from the grid, which means coal-fired stations, it has a commitment to investing in renewables. Should you prefer to stick with the main suppliers, you can always enquire about the green tariffs that some offer.

Wrap up

Every colour green There are now eco-friendly house paints on sale in enough shades and hues to match the vision of any DIY interior designer.

Heating without warming the planet If your immersion heater is on its last legs, you may want to consider replacing it with a high-efficiency condensing boiler. Such boilers can

reduce heating bills by as much as a third. According to the Energy Saving Trust, were they to be installed by everyone in the UK with gas central heating, it would cut CO2 emissions by 13 million tonnes annually and our collective energy costs by £1.8 billion a year. For anyone not ina position to purchase a new boiler, turning the thermostat back a notch – 1 degree centigrade – is a good second best.

Having sourced your electricity, you will want to use it efficiently. Many households fritter away their energy, not to mention hundreds of pounds, because lofts are left uninsulated. Each minute of each day of each year tonnes of carbon escape into the atmosphere through porous, gap-riddled roofs as if they were so many open doors and windows. Effective loft insulation may be an investment but it is one that will pay dividends both for the environment and your fuel bills.

Enlightenment If you want your lighting to be green lighting, then the best current choice is the compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) which consumes significantly less power – 80 per cent less in fact – than conventional and wasteful incandescent bulbs, and which burns for much longer.

The green screen Liquid Crystal Display television screens have been shown to be the most powerconservative. Some manufacturers are now investigating LCD sets that can deliver High Definition broadcasts while using as little as 80 watts (that’s glorious, pin-sharp technicolour from the near equivalent of a table lamp).

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ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Designs for living and working With an established track record in designing and managing construction projects across the education, community, residential and commercial sectors, we bring a high level of expertise alongside the friendly approach you’d expect from a small firm of dedicated professionals.

Rectory House, Thame Road, Haddenham, Bucks HP17 8DA l 01844 202932 l www.pcmsdesign.co.uk

HOME & GARDEN *

From a showroom in Swan Walk, Thame, Shutter Spec Security. are securing and protecting your home, garage and commercial premises.

Stephen Dale reports.

Shut it!

U

nfortunately I am a victim of crime. Some years ago my Peugeot 205 GTI was taken from our garage in Wheatley. I loved that car and the shock of seeing an empty space where it once stood rankled with me for years.

The security measure (or lack of) employed by me obviously wasn’t up to the job. Thankfully security is a lot better now and more affordable, as I discover on my visit to Shutter Spec Security in Thame.

Set up by Andrew Levick, this independent company has a bright modern showroom in Swan Walk.

Andrew has been in the garage and security shutter industry for a number of years. But it was the eight years he spent as sales manager for one of his major suppliers (SWS) that was to have a profound effect on his future.

“I saw close up how good SWS products are,” says Andrew.

“Manufactured up north, SWS didn’t distribute in this area, I could see an opportunity to work with SWS locally.

This, I thought, would be good for me and them” he adds. Setting up his business has proved to be a good move

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for Andrew. Shutter Spec Security has been very successful in its two years of operation and now Andrew supplies SWS products from Thame.

Andrew is rightly proud of his products and service. The majority of his work is supplying and fitting garage doors, but a whole host of security products are available.

Garage Doors.

Electronically operated or manual, you can choose from a space saving Roller Garage Door, a Sectional Garage Door for extra insulation or an Up and Over Garage Door.

“The SeceuroGlide garage doors are particularly impressive,” says Andrew.

“They come with a range of extra security features such as a wireless wall switch that allows you to operate the garage doors from anywhere in the home. The extra insulation means the garage is warmer and they are available in a variety of wood finishes and colours as well as a Georgian style panelled option.

“An anthracite grey textured finish is very popular at the moment. To sum up, all our products are from the highest

quality manufacturers with a wide range of materials and colours to suit your home,” says Andrew.

Commercial Security Shutters If it’s an office, a shop or clubs and pubs, Shutter Spec Security can provide the ideal security shutter solution for your business. Depending on the level of security required, they can provide security shutters made from steel or aluminium giving you the knowledge that your building is left safe and secure.

Domestic Security Shutters A wide range of extruded and foam filled aluminium domestic security shutters for your property are available with the aesthetics of your home very much in mind.

Fire Shutters Due to current fire safety regulations, Fire Shutters and Fire Curtains are now being regularly specified in different sectors. Hotels, Hospitals, Schools, Pubs and Sports Clubs are all now instructed to have these where there is a risk of fire spreading. Shutter Spec

Security currently offer one hour, two hour and four hour rated Fire products available in a Galvanised or Powder Coated RAL finish.

Retractable Window Grilles If it’s a domestic or commercial property you need to protect, Retractable Grilles are a perfect way to protect and deter intruders from your premises. Available in X or S lattice, Shutter Spec Security can also offer an array of colours as standard.

From their new showroom, Shutter Spec Security supply quality sales, installation and repair services across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and beyond. “We are more than happy to provide free, no-obligation quotes and we can visit your home or business for a detailed consultation,” says Andrew.

“We have a team of professional installers and we are usually able to supply and fit within a few weeks of our customers placing an order,” adds Andrew.

Looking for some extra protection?

You could do worse than secure the services of Shutter Spec Security.

Call in to the showroom, see the website or call 01844 212152. Don’t be a victim of crime. It’s not nice.

6 Swan Walk, Thame, Oxfodrshire OX9 3HN Tel: 01844 212152 www.shutterspecsecurity.co.uk

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Hardwood Timber Specialists - Since 2005

FLOORING DOORS WORKTOPS ACCESSORIES SPACIOUS SHOWROOM FREE PARKING

Unit G, Lower Road, Garsington, Oxfordshire OX44 9DP Tel: 01865 367888 Email: sales@everythingwood.net www.everythingwood.org.uk

“

Everything Wood did everything they promised. Great product, great service and great price.

Ian & Sarah Ashcroft, Combe, Oxon

”

Great British food, drink and homeware 5, Buttermarket, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 3EW 01844 214229 hello@thedeliatno5.co.uk www.@thedeliatno5.co.uk

FOOD & DRINK * A taste of things to come in 2017. With Jerome Harlington.

You heard it through the grapevine W

ith ‘dry’ January well and truly behind us and with the first heartening signs of Spring in the air I thought now is the perfect time to talk about wines to look out for this year and to consider emerging trends in wine for 2017.

v To kick things off I would recommend looking out for a grape called Canannou di Sardignia which is a grenache based grape from Sardinia. Sardinia was highlighted in a book recently - ‘The Blue Zone solution eating and living like the Word’s healthiest people’ by Dan Buettna of National Geographic. Now people on the island of Sardinia are among the longest lived people on the planet. The average life expectancy is to live beyond ninety so it’s a fantastic place for longevity.

The islanders drink a lot of Canannou di Sardinia, a wine that contains high levels of reservatrol and anthocyanins so is a very good antioxidant, great for the heart and they say it partly explains why the islanders are so long lived.

v Next trend, unfortunately we’re seeing further decline of imports of riesling which looked to be making a bit of a come back between 2012 and 2015 but sadly since then imports from Germany and other riesling wines from other Countries are still very low. It’s a wonderful grape variety but people aren’t really taking to it which is a shame.

the area that they come from. But in my opinion if there’s too much emphasis on natural wine making, removing all sulphur and basically going completely towards non manipulation, then the issue is that it is very difficult to create a good wine in that way. I don’t feel that quality should be compromised and this is often the case with natural wine. So I’m in favour of a pragmatic approach which uses chemicals where necessary.

For me the interest is in the diversity of wine which sometimes natural wines can prohibit as with this method there is a much higher risk of producing a faulty wine.

v In terms of the New World wine we’re seeing Chile, South Africa and New Zealand continuing to grow but also look out for unusual areas for wine like Uruguay and Mexico. I’ve tasted some really interesting wines from there. I’ve also tasted some pretty awful wines from there, but there are some very good ones.

I’ll be making some recommendations on the wines to try coming out of these trends; so if you’d like to try a great Canannou di Sardinia just drop me a line with Canannou di Sardinia in the title and email to thameout@trailblazingwine.com Happy Exploring!

v The 2015 vintage is fantastic in France so definitely look out for Burgundy and Bordeaux wines and also experiment with other regions all over France.

v Natural wine is fairly stable at the moment, there are a lot of people behind it but the growth is slow and it’s still very niche. I’m a big fan of wines made with respect for the environment and also wines that have a sense of place that reflect

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v We should also see a rise in boxed wine. Quality boxed wines are good for the environment but also rather than the really cheap stuff it’s great to have good quality boxed wine for everyday drinking.

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

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.

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 Bank Holiday Sunday b Wednesday is Cocktail night b Loyalty card available (ask in pub) b Half price cocktails every Wednesday b Find us on Facebook b Live sport (Sky & BT)

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

01844 214206 www.risingsun-thame.co.uk

b SPORT AT THE RISING SUN

This Spring watch all the Football, Rugby, Golf and much more ...

FOOD & DRINK *

Book a table From bookshelves to dining tables. Jane Maitland visits a former Library that is now The Radhuni Restaurant in Princes Risborough.

N

o books to read anymore, but there is a mouth watering menu to devour. Fine Indian food served in a quintessentially English setting.

In 2004, owner Akthoraz Miah opened his first Radhuni Restaurant at Flackwell Heath. It has steadily built an excellent reputation for fine Indian cuisine. So good that it has recently been voted Best Indian Restaurant in the EuroAsia Curry Awards 2016.

Buoyed by the success of his first restaurant, Miah decided to open his second Radhuni in the old Library in Church Street, Princes Risborough in 2009. A good decision. Radhuni is hugely popular with both locals and customers who travel from further afield.

The setting in this Grade II listed building that dates back to the 16th Century is a little bit special. The main part of the restaurant is rather aptly an old Elizabethan banqueting hall. Big, bright and airy with high ceilings and wooden beams.

The Radhuni has a really buzzing atmosphere as you would expect from such a spacious area. However, I love the fact that you can find some more intimate dining areas as well, around the corner by the fire place and near the bar for example. A new seating area in the form of a circular banquette is a great addition, perfect for a small party as it can seat up to 12 people.

The restaurant can accommodate up to 100 diners, as you can imagine, this needs a lot of staff to keep things running efficiently. Six chefs, two further

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The Radhuni is a popular restaurant, it was full on a Thursday night.

Booking is recommended.

kitchen assistants and no less than seven waiters ensure the food and drinks flow.

You always get a warm welcome from Miah and his team. If you are waiting for a table or a takeaway there is a relaxing and generously sized reception area and a modern well stocked bar.

So what about the most important ingredient of your dining experience, the food I hear you ask? Fear not, this was my third visit in recent weeks and the food was excellent as always.

Miah is rightly proud of his restaurant’s fayre. “All our food is fresh,”says Miah. “All the preparation is done in the afternoon and cooked to order in the evening. We have dishes from all over South East Asia, traditional favourites from India and Bangladesh as well as some superb special dishes,” he adds.

Miah likes to spice things up (pardon the pun) by regularly introducing new

dishes to the menu. These new dishes are conveniently marked on the menu.

I had Lamb Hariyali (cooked with garlic, green chillli and ginger served in a really tasty sauce). My husband went for one of the new dishes, Chicken Zafrani (marinated in cheese, chilli, garlic and coriander and cooked with coconut milk, tumeric, mustard seeds and fresh green chillies).

The drinks menu varies as well. Recent additions include a very nice award winning wine from Hallgarten Druitt and for hubby a Goa Premium Beer (gluten free evidently) that he liked so much, he had two more!

Open seven days a week, Radhuni Restaurant also hosts occasional entertainment evenings. So look out for jazz nights or appearances from ‘Elvis’ or ‘Tina Turner’.

Take a leaf out of my book and reserve a table at Radhuni Restaurant, you won’t be disappointed.

Radhuni Restaurant. The Old Library, Church St, Princes Risborough HP27 9AA 01844 273412

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PET WORLD *

Bad eggs Easter will soon be with us, and the shops and supermarkets will be stacked with chocolate eggs.

While chocolate may be a treat for people, it is anything but for our pets.

M

uch as your dog may wish to get its paws on that sweetsmelling chocolate, owners must resist the temptation to share a chunk with their four-legged friends. The high sugar content is bad for canine waistlines and teeth.

But even worse is the toxicity.

Chocolate contains a compound called theobromine which can be highly poisonous to dogs and other animals.

The effects of chocolate poisoning in dogs usually appear within 12 hours and can last as long as 72 hours. Initial signs can include excessive thirst, vomiting, diarrhoea, a tender tummy and restlessness. These symptoms can then progress to hyperactivity, tremors, abnormal heart rate, hyperthermia and rapid breathing. In severe cases, pets can suffer from fits, heartbeat irregularities, coma or even death.

High quality or ‘posh’ chocolates, which contain the largest cocoa content, pose the biggest risk to our pets. An average bar of dark chocolate (30g to 45g) can contain over 700mg of theobromine – which is enough to fatally poison a Yorkshire Terrier.

Owners who are keen gardeners should also be on the look-out for cocoa shell mulches. The mulches are often used in flower borders. But, as the name suggests, they contain cocoa and therefore theobromine too. It could be all too easy for an investigative pet to root around in the mulch and to swallow some of it. The message from PDSA this Easter is to keep chocolate out of pets’ reach.

Safe gardening The arrival of Easter is a good time to make sure that all of our gardens are pet-safe too. Commonly used garden chemicals should be stored safely out of the way. Liquids such as white spirit and barbecue lighter fluids can be toxic if swallowed, licked off fur, absorbed through the skin, or inhaled.

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Before using any weedkillers, read and follow the instructions very carefully.

There is a wide range of weedkillers available on the market, and some can harm pets if accidentally swallowed.

Plants treated with some weedkillers may also be poisonous if eaten. Some pets are able to absorb chemicals through the skin, either from spillages or from contact with treated plants.

Many gardeners use pesticides to rid their gardens of unwanted insects, slugs and snails. Some slug bait pellets and rat poison pellets can be deadly if swallowed, and it is very important to keep pets away from treated areas if this is the case. However, there are alternatives to using poisons. Try petproof slug traps. Gardening in a wildlifefriendly way will also encourage natural predators, such as hedgehogs, which will keep slug populations at bay.

Broken bottles and sharp stones are obvious hazards, but grass seeds can also cause problems for pets. The seeds can pierce a pet’s skin, or become lodged in ears, eyes or toes. Dustbins are very attractive to dogs and cats. Keep bins out of the way, and ensure that the lid is on firmly at all times as pets can easily rip open bin liners with their claws, inspecting and eating the contents.

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ENTERTAINMENT *

Playing at the Oxford Playhouse ABIGAIL’S PARTY 3 – 8 April

Amanda Abbington stars in Mike Leigh’s undisputed classic, Abigail’s Party. It’s 40 years since the appalling Beverly first put Donna Summer on the turntable, stacked a plate with little cheesypineapple sticks, plied her guests with alcohol, cigarettes and Demis Roussos and slow-danced her way across the shag-pile into theatrical history.

The drinks party from hell begins when she and husband Laurence invite round new neighbours, Tony and Ange, along with nervous divorcee Sue; jittery about the bash her teenage daughter, Abigail, is throwing up the road. As that party reportedly gets out of hand, this one too descends into chaos, and comedy, as drama and tragedy combine into an iconic piece of theatre.

Amanda Abbington is best-known for playing Mary in Sherlock and Miss Mardle in Mr Selfridge.

Directed by Sarah Esdaile (Talking Heads, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof), this new production of Mike Leigh’s legendary play is as hilarious and horribly compelling as ever.

Ticket prices £15 to £32.50 Age guideline 12+

FANTASTIC MR. FOX 11 – 15 April You know as well as I do: no-one outfoxes a fox!

Boggis, Bunce and Bean are three smelly, horrid farmers who all really hate the cunning Mr. Fox. Mr. Fox is smart, clever and rather fantastic, but he doesn’t realise how determined the farmers are to get him. Can he hatch a plan to save his family and friends? Can they outrun the diggers and keep one step ahead of the terrible trio?

And can Rabbit shut up for long enough to not give the game away?

Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr. Fox is family fun at its finest.

A tale of greed, determination and the power of friendship, this production, in celebration of the centenary of the birth of Roald Dahl, promises a huge theatrical feast. With live music and songs, it’s perfect for the whole family this Easter holiday.

Ticket prices £12 to £23.50 (Discounts available) Age guideline 5+

Ticket Office: 01865 305305 www.oxfordplayhouse.com

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PYGMALION 18 – 22 April Over one hundred years after it was written, this radical new production explores one of the most celebrated comedies of the 20th century, Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion.

Witness the transformation of Eliza Doolittle in a world where people can be digitally altered within seconds.

Through video and sound technology,

director Sam Pritchard’s fearless new staging interrogates class identity and social mobility in Britain today and asks us: how much do our voices still define who we are?

Ticket prices £11.50 to £28 (Discounts available) Age guideline 12+

k COM PETITIONk WIN TICKETS TO SEE PYGMALION Win two tickets to see Pygmalion on Tuesday 18th April (7.30pm).

See page 66.

I CAPTURE THE CASTLE 16 – 20 May Cassandra is 17. She’s writing a diary about her eccentric family.

They are behind with the rent for the tumbledown castle that seemed so romantic when they moved in; the roof is leaking, and the family is surviving on oatcakes and eggs. But the new landlord is a wealthy young American, with an attractive brother. Perhaps things are about to change.

Set in the bohemian England of the 1930s, Dodie Smith’s classic coming-of-age story is thrillingly brought to life on stage in this warm, funny and magical new musical.

Ticket prices £11.50 to £28 (Discounts available) Age guideline 12+

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ENTERTAINMENT *

What’s new at the New

Theatre

THE FIRST HIPPO ON THE MOON 21 – 22 April First Hippo on the Moon ready to land in Oxford Get ready for an adventure of astronomical proportions at David Walliams’ The First Hippo on the Moon comes to the New Theatre Oxford from April 21 – 22.

Based on the comedian’s original children’s book with illustrations

by Tony Ross, The First Hippo on the Moon is an explosively funny space adventure which sees the enormously rich Hercules WaldorfFranklin III and ingenious Shelia compete to be the first hippo to make it to the moon.

David Walliams has taken the literary world by storm and his brilliantly funny stories are adored by children the world over. He has achieved unprecedented critical acclaim and quickly developed a reputation as a natural successor to Roald Dahl.

His books have been translated into over 45 languages and sold over 9.5 million copies in the UK alone. One of his most successful titles Gangsta Granny was adapted for the stage in November 2015 by Birmingham Stage Company and continues on tour until January 2017.

The production has been adapted for the stage by Les Enfants Terribles and Les Petits’ Artistic Director Oliver Lansley whose recent adaptations have included the immersive dining experience Dinner at the Twits and Alice’s Adventure’s Underground.

The puppets for The First Hippo on the Moon have been created by Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell who have previously collaborated on War Horse and The Lorax. The First Hippo on the Moon is suitable for children aged three and up.

The cast includes Dominic Allen, Alice Bounce, Caroline Bowman, Owen Jenkins (who trained at the Oxford School of Drama) and Rosie Nicholls.

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OUT OF ORDER 26 June – 1 July Out of Order, the Olivier Awardwinning comedy returns to the stage in a gleeful new production directed by playwright Ray Cooney, (‘THE MASTER OF FARCE’ - The Telegraph), who is celebrating seventy years in the industry.

Starring Shaun Williamson (EastEnders, Extras) as ‘George Pigden’; Sue Holderness (Only Fools & Horses, Green Green Grass) as ‘Mrs Willey’; Andrew Hall (Butterflies, Coronation Street) as ‘Richard Willey’; Susie Amy (Footballers’ Wives) as ‘Jane Worthington’; and James Holmes (Miranda) as the ‘Waiter’, the production will open in Guildford on 8 March and tour the UK until July. Further casting to be announced.

When Tory Junior Minister Richard Willey tries to spend the evening with Jane, one of the Opposition’s secretaries, in the Westminster Hotel, things don’t exactly go according to plan - starting with the discovery of a body trapped in the hotel’s only unreliable sash window.

Enlisting the help of his hapless private secretary George Pigden, Willey’s sticky situation goes from bad to worse, and with the arrival of Jane’s distraught young husband and with the addition of an unscrupulous waiter, Mrs Willey and Nurse Foster things really come to a head!

Ray Cooney’s credits include Run For Your Wife, Funny Money and Two Into One, Caught in the Net and It Runs in the Family. Out of Order was first produced regionally in 1980, under the original title ‘Whose Wife is it Anyway’, with Cooney playing ‘George Pigden’.

The show was subsequently produced in the West End in 1990 starring Donald Sinden, Sandra Dickinson and Michael Williams, with Cooney directing.

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME 22 – 27 May The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is adapted from Mark Haddon’s best-selling book

by Simon Stephens and directed by Marianne Elliott.

The show tells the story of Christopher Boone, who is fifteen years old. He stands beside Mrs Shears’ dead dog, which has been speared with a garden fork, it is seven minutes after midnight and Christopher is under suspicion. He records each fact in a book he is writing to solve the mystery of who murdered Wellington. He has an extraordinary brain, and is exceptional at maths while ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. He has never ventured alone beyond the end of his road, he detests being touched and distrusts strangers. But his detective work, forbidden by his father, takes him on a frightening journey that upturns his world.

Playing the central role of Christopher Boone is Scott Reid (currently appearing in BBC1’s comedy Still Game), with Lucianne McEvoy as his teacher Siobhan, Emma Beattie as Judy, David Michaels as his father Ed, Debra Michaels as Mrs Alexander and Eliza Collings as Mrs Shears.

The company is completed by Oliver Boot (Roger Shears), Crystal Condie (No.37/Punk Girl/Information), Emma-Jane Goodwin (ensemble), Joel Harper-Jackson (Mr Thompson), Bruce McGregor (Reverend Peters), Sam Newton (alternate Christopher), James Parkes (ensemble), Jams Thomas (ensemble) and Danielle Young (ensemble).

k COM PETITIONk WIN TICKETS TO SEE SILVER LINING. Win a pair of tickets to see Out Of Order on Monday, 26th June.

See page 66.

Tickets for all shows can be purchased from the New Theatre box office on George Street, by ringing 0844 871 3020, or by visiting our website at www.atgtickets.com/oxford (phone and internet bookings subject to booking/transaction fees). For bookings of 10 or more, and for Equal Access bookings, please call our dedicated in-house team on 0844 871 3040.

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LISTINGS *

What & where & when 6 9 20 22

Kraftwerk The ELO Experience Kevin & Karen Dance The Live Tour Kevin & Karen Dance The Live Tour

OXFORD PLAYHOUSE www.oxfordplayhouse.com 01865 305305 March 6-8

NEW THEATRE – OXFORD www.newtheatreoxford.org.uk 0870 606 3500 March 7 - 11 Evita 12 Stornoway 15 -17 Rambert - Ghost Dances plus other works 18 Rick Astley 19 The Glenn Miller Orchestra 20 Jasper Carrott & Alistair McGowan 23 Count Arthur Strong The Sound of Mucus 24 The Dreamboys 25 The Bootleg Beatles: Live in Concert 26 Jimmy Carr: The Best Of, Ultimate, 28 - 1 April Grease April 8 Caro Emerald 9 Paranienormalni 18 Billy Ocean 21 - 22 The First Hippo On The Moon 23 Daniel O’Donnell In Concert 25 Yamato Drummers 28 - 29 My First Ballet - Cinderella May 10 Russell Brand - Re:Birth 13 Steve Hackett - Genesis Revisited with Classic Hackett 14 Paul Rodgers - FREE Spirit Tour 15 - 20 Sister Act 22 - 27 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time 29 Remembering Fred June 2 Motown’s Greatest Hits: How Sweet It Is 3 Madeleine Peyroux 4 Sing-a-Long-a Frozen 4 Sing-a-Long-a Sound of Music

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Matthew Bourne’s Early Adventures 2 10 Bridget Christie Because You Demanded It 11 Andy Parsons 14 - 18 Blithe Spirit 17 - 18 Every You Every Me 20 - 22 The Unbuilt Room 20 - 25 La Strada 24 - 25 Black Comedy 27 - 28 Jack Rooke: Good Grief 29 - 30 All The Little Lights 31 In Tents And Purposes 31 - 1 April Jane Eyre.

April 1 Bright Sparks 3 Heads Up 3-8 Abigail’s Party 4 Letters to Myself 5-6 Hidden 7 John Osborne: 3 Stories from Radio 4 8 Three 10 Mr Fox’s Fables 11 - 15 Fantastic Mr Fox 12 - 23 How to Hide a Lion 18 - 22 Pygmalion May 10 Henning Wehn: Westphalia is not an option 16 - 20 I Capture the Castle June 9 Rory Bremner: Partly Political 10 Shappi Khorsandi: Oh My Country!

THE PLAYERS THEATRE – THAME www.thameplayers.co.uk The Players Theatre, Nelson Street, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 2DP March 7 - 11 Lady Susan This stage adaptation of Jane Austen’s early novella , unlike previous adaptations, uses the majority of the principal characters in the novel.

17 Elvis – The Concerts TCE productions present, Elvis – The Concerts, a unique insight to Elvis, the man and his music, staged in support of Macmillan Cancer Support.

24 Robin Morgan and Glenn Moore A Fringe Favourites Double Bill, featuring Robin Morgan with his show, Free Man, and Glenn Moore with his show, Glengarry Glen Glenn.

26 The Dare Devil Rides to Jarama It’s 80 years since the Spaniards rose up to resist General Franco’s military rebellion.

This compelling and humorous play, Dare Devil Rides To Jarama contrasts the lives of International Brigaders Clem Beckett and Christopher Caudwell who were killed together at Jarama in February 1937, having become friends as members of the British Battalion’s machine-gun company.

April 1 The Empty Stage Purple Dreams brought the comedy, Love Games, to The Players Theatre in October 2015 and we are pleased to welcome their return – this time with a thriller.

8 New Foxtrot Serenaders NFS returns for their annual visit to The Players Theatre. This year the show is called Swing, Swing, Swing and features some of the best big band music from the 1930s and 1940s.

9 Peculiar Ground Patrick Collins has produced another of his thoroughly enjoyable evenings in aid of Amnesty International.

15 Romeo and Juliet by Don’t Hate The Players Theatre Company Saturday 15th April Don’t Hate The Players Theatre Company present Shakespeare’s timeless tale of tragedy and forbidden love, brought to life with a chilling, post apocalyptic twist.

May 19 - 13 Absent Friends Absent Friends is one of the best known plays by British playwright Alan Ayckbourn.

19 How I Got Into Magic Sylar is a psychological magician who intrigues and baffles his audience.

27 Yes Please Yes Please recreate the feel and sound of a classic 70’s YES performance with authentic 70’s instrumentation, arrangements, full harmonies and a unique blend of studio and live recordings.

WATERSIDE THEATRE 0844 871 7607 March 7 - 11 Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story 9 Hedda Gabler - NT Live Screening (Second Space) 10 Comedy Club (Second Space) 13 Reduced Shakespeare Company 15 The 80’s Invasion Tour 16 A Country Night in Nashville 17 Brendan Cole: All Night Long 18 The ELO Experience 21 The Matt Monro Story 22 Halfway to Paradise: The Billy Fury Story 24 - 25 Nutcracker & Ballet Etudes 26 Lee Nelson 27 - 1 April Thoroughly Modern Millie 30 ROH - Madama Butterfly Live Screening (Second Space, Aylesbury) April 2 Rays of Rhythm 5 Masi Da Mission 3 Holy Holy 6 Psychic Sally - Call Me Psychic 7 Chas & Dave 9 An Evening with Pam Ayres 13 Omid Djalili: Schmuck for a Night 14 A Vision of Elvis

14

Comedy Club (Second Space, Aylesbury) 15 You Win Again – Celebrating the Music of The Bee Gees 18 - 22 Ghost 20 NT Live Screening Rosencrantz and Guildenstern (Second Space, Aylesbury) 24 - 29 Jane Eyre 27 NT Encore Screening Twelfth Night (Second Space, Aylesbury) 28 Viva Neil Diamond (Second Space, Aylesbury) 30 Justin’s Party May 5 Think Floyd 6 Some Guys Have All the Luck The Rod Stewart Story 8 Gino’s Italian Escape Live 9 Jimmy Carr: The Best Of, Ultimate, Gold, Greatest Hits Tour 10 King of Pop - The Legend Continues 11 Mercury: The Ultimate Queen Tribute 12 Alexander O’Neal - 30 Years of Hearsay 12 Comedy Club (Second Space, Aylesbury)

13 The Chicago Blues Brothers 17 - 21 Gangsta Granny 18 - 20 Sylar (Second Space, Aylesbury) 24 Royal Philharmonic Orchestra 25 Joe Longthorne 27 Let’s Twist Again 30 - 3 June A Judgement in Stone June 6 Russell Brand - Re:Birth 9 Berliner Philharmoniker: Live Screening (Second Space, Aylesbury) 9 - 10 Northern Ballet: The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas 10 Northern Ballet: Goldilocks & the Three Bears 10 NT Live Screening - Peter Pan (Second Space, Aylesbury) MISC March 12 Ladies Squash Festival Ladies - come on down for a fun afternoon of playing and coaching squash.

FREE creche from 12pm - 3pm Kinds craft workshops 12pm - 1pm and 1.30pm - 2.30pm Thame Racquets Fitness Centre 18 - 19 Art on the hill.

Brill’s annual affordable art fair

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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 12th April 2017. 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 ‘White Coller’ Boxing originated in which American city a) Los Angeles b) Washington c) New York (See page 14 for details)

Oxford Playhouse Competition A pair of tickets to see Pygmalion on 18th April will go to the first correct entry out of the hat.

The question Pygmalion was turned into a 1964 film called? a) Lady and the Tramp b) My Fair Lady c) The Iron Lady (See page 61 for details)

New Theatre Competition A pair of tickets to see Out of Order on 26th June will go to the first correct entry out of the hat.

The question Shaun Williamson stared in which Soap Opera? a) Emmerdale b) Eastenders c) Coronation Street (See page 63 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

And the winners were Congratulations to our last issue winners.

Personal Trainer Prize – Dorrie Oliver, Chinnor Oxford Playhouse Tickets – Michael Sweetman, Aylesbury Deli at No.5 Gin – Wendy Nias, Lewknor (Nr Watlington)

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

Answers below.

Novercal 1. Final test drive of a car prior to manufacture.

2. Relating to or befitting a stepmother.

3. Tactful rejection of unwanted attention.

Spetch 1. A double baton of timber at the base of a theatrical backdrop enabling the canvas to be rolled before storage.

2. A piece of hide used in making glue.

3. A clash of personalities.

Calathus 1. Incoherent speech.

2. The trajectory of a fish along a river bed.

3. A symbol of fruitfulness in classical art.

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

Novercal Answer: 2. Relating to or befitting a stepmother.

Win.Win.Win.

Wordplay

Spetch Answer: 2. A piece of hide used in making glue.

b

Calathus Answer: 3. A symbol of fruitfulness in classical art.

COMPETITIONS *