Thame In Now in our 15th year
The Lockdown Edition
Summer 2020
The complimentary magazine for Thame and the surrounding area
The Home Front A community view from College and County
Lazy Days
Great British Getaways
Avon Calling Beauty products
Doggie Paddle Hydrotherapy healing for dogs
Future Proof Making a Will makes sense STAY SAFE EVERYBODY
Specialising only in the most innovative skin, face and body treatments.
With a highly experienced team of clinicians and therapists, ERA’s philosophy is to simply provide the best, safe, aesthetic procedures with an exceptional customer service. Set in a beautiful period building in the heart of Thame, the clinic comprises pristine, dedicated rooms for each specialist treatment. Book your FREE Consultation today. b Laser Hair Removal b Fat Freezing & Body Toning b HIFU: Non-Surgical Facelift b Advanced Facials / Hydrafacial b Pigmentation Reduction b Acne / Acne Scarring Treatment b Dermal Fillers & Anti-wrinkle Consultations b Microblading & Beauty Treatments b Gift Vouchers Available
Visit www.eraclinics.co.uk or call us on 01844 698441 email: info@eraclinics.co.uk
Waitrose
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ERA Skin & Laser Clinic 98a High Street, Thame Oxfordshire OX9 3EH
IGH THAME H
Town Hall
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We offer a complete design, supply and fitting service and a wide range of style and price options from two of the biggest names in German kitchens, including Nobilia. Plus renowned, traditional, English, bespoke, kitchens, and a comprehensive range of flooring, accessories and
appliances, from AEG to Moduleo - everything you need for the ultimate modern kitchen. Come and see what is possible at our showroom near Aston Rowant - please call: 01844 875232 today, to arrange your appointment.
How to reach more customers
Delivered direct to homes and available at a number of selected pick-up points in Thame and the surrounding area. Places such as Waitrose, Thame & Haddenham and Princes Risborough railway stations, pubs, restaurants, leisure centres, shops and so on. Tell people about your business or service.
4. Thame Out
To advertise in Thame Out Call: 01844 216847 or Email: julian@red-l.co.uk
CONTENTS 6. LOCAL NEWS – The Thatch, Local Author, Thame Town Council, Captain Tom Moore and Local Lockdown Hero’s. 12. HEALTH & BEAUTY – Expert Eye care, Healthy Skin Care and Beauty Products. 12. TRAVEL – Great British Holidays. 26. LIFESTYLE – White Hart Studio and Hill’s Canine Hydrotherapy 30. HOME & GARDEN – College & County, Kingsey Kitchens, 4 Seasons Tree Care and Ridgeway Interiors. 44. FOOD & DRINK – Wine Column and Hannah Sherwood Column. 46. BUSINESS – J Bennett & Son Insurance, and Lightfoots Solicitors 52. ENTERTAINMENT – New Theatre and Oxford Playhouse.
Cover: College and County See page 30.
Thame Out
Opinions expressed in Thame Out Magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher and the magazine is in no way liable for any such opinion. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained within this publication is correct, the publishers cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions contained within. No part of this publication including any article, advertisement or graphic in whole or part may be reproduced without the express permission of the publishers. The company nor its agents accept any liability for loss or damage of manuscripts photographs and any other materials submitted to the magazine. Copyright ©2020 Red Letter
Published by Red Letter, 25 Southern Road, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 2EE 01844 216847 Email: julian@red-l.co.uk www.thameout.co.uk
Top of the range studioLine appliances from Siemens. Earn up to £2,500 studioLine Cashback Offer Remember that we currently have our highest ever consumer Cashback offer running until 31st July (can be claimed up to 31st December): Siemens studioLine 5 Year Warranty Don’t forget that since 1st January 2020, Siemens studioLine has come with a 5 Year warranty. So especially now, when combined with the Cashback offer, there has never been a better time to invest in Siemens studioLine! visit www.kingseykitchens.co.uk for terms and conditions.
Kingsey Furniture & Interiors Ltd Unit 2, Manor Farm, Risborough Road, Kingsey, Bucks HP17 8LU www.kingseykitchens.co.uk 01844 290 899 info@kingseykitchens.co.uk Showroom Opening Times Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm Appointment only
SPACIOUS SHOWROOM OPEN Thame Out 5
LOCAL NEWS
The Thatch at home
The Thatch has partnered with Your Hub. A social enterprise, started by one of their founders, with the aim of serving 3 million meals to those in need, and giving purpose to hospitality workers in these extraordinary times. The Thatch is a central part of the community, and since closing their doors, they have been determined to find a safe way of offering help. Whilst they remain closed, their building will be used as Your Hub, open for click and collect pre-orders of the weekly Thatch in a Box meals for up to four, wine and spirits, every Saturday. Raising essential funds to supply charities, and those on the frontline, with free meals. Head Chef, James Durrant, will be adding more Thatch in a Box meals to enjoy over the next few weeks, so watch this space. To find out more, go to www.yourhub.pub
Local Author
Local author Catherine Jones has had 20 books (under several pseudonyms) published by mainstream publishers including Penguin Random House and Headline. Her most recent books feature a fictional market town - Little Woodford – which bears a passing similarity to Thame. See Amazon for details. Homes and Hearths Gordon and Maxine’s dreams of a blissful life of gardening, pub lunches and quiet retirement in the charming market town of Little Woodford are ruined when three very demanding members of their family come home. harmony in their home?
Catherine’s next book is The Bells of Little Woodford. Out now
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It’s Thame to go to work
Since the start of lockdown, the entrepreneurial spirit of small businesses, in Thame and nationwide has shone through as they took positive action to help themselves and help each other and often putting community interest ahead of their own. In Thame town centre the resilience and determination of many of our local businesses to get through this difficult time in one piece has been amazing - in many cases re-inventing their whole business model virtually overnight. Essential retailers have remained open, often able to provide better stock availability than the big supermarkets. Some set up order and collect services to avoid long queues and many began delivery services to ensure that people were able to get the things they needed to help them navigate their way through their new lockdown lives. Of course, it’s not just the High Street either and we must not forget the trades – the plumbers, electricians, domestic appliance engineers, and many others – who continued to respond to urgent call-outs, adapting their working styles to ensure they meet social distancing requirements. These businesses deserve to flourish as life returns to some sort of normal. This is already beginning, and we have started to see many businesses trading again, with many more joining them from the week beginning 15 June, as non-essential retail are allowed to re-open their doors. Thame Town Council, in partnership with Thame Rewards Club, has been working to get the message out there to encourage people to shop locally and support the independent businesses that are so central to Thame. Find out more about local businesses and their new opening times at www.shopox9.com Find out more about a new SmartQ App from www.adactus.co.uk/smartq. For further information generally, contact Thame Town Council on infor@thametowncouncil.gov.uk
Meg’s music “Use My Body” is the new explosive, energy-driven and hard hitting single from the up and coming Alt- Pop artist, Meg Lawrenson. Intertwining melodic hooks, stirring vocal lines with a driving band, full of strong electric guitar leads and a pushing drum beat, this song is sure to not only have you moving, but thinking too. “This song is really fun” she claims “but has a deep subject matter underneath it all.” She explains the song as a “confession of not respecting my body the way I have come to now”. With Paramore power and lyrically Swift, Morissette vocals and a Maisie Peters venerability, Lawrenson pursues her music career with brutal honesty, powerful messages and vibrant melodies. “This is ultimately a sad song” she claims. “It’s disguised in a happy sounding, sparkly track, but it is a sad song.” Some of the more memorable moments of Lawrensons’ career is supporting “Dancing in the Moonlight” Toploader, stores such as “H&M” and “Costa Coffee” playing her last single We Knew What Love Was, and being the winner of “Weekend Offenders” competition to have Vinyls printed, Lawrenson is running headfirst into the music industry as a force to look out for.
Meg Lawrenson
“Meg Lawrenson is a natural storyteller, and her heartfelt, energetic songs – which glimmer with a sparkling pop sheen - are perfect for singing along to at the top of your lungs.” Gilyeat, BBC Introducing Oxford. www.bfsrecords.co.uk
Thame Treasure Hunt You can take part in a weekly ‘treasure hunt’ in Thame and be in with the chance of winning a £25 voucher to spend at a business in the town centre. Thame Town Council has just launched the first in a series of ‘Lockdown Treasure Hunts’ that are designed to be completed by people of ALL ages when they are out and about on their one form of daily exercise. Participants have to visit 7 town centre businesses and answer a simple question about each of them by looking in
their windows. With only 7 businesses to visit the treasure hunts are designed so that they can be completed all at once on a longer walk, or one business each day of the week. Participants are being urged to make sure that they maintain social distancing at all times allowing others taking part to move on before searching for the answers. The treasure hunts will be launched through Thame Town Council’s newsletter that comes out on Thursday each week.
You can sign up to receive it at www.thametowncouncil.gov.uk/ news/newsletter-sign-up/. Each treasure hunt is only open until the following Wednesday, with the winner being drawn at random from all correct entries received, and announced in the newsletter released the next day. Thame Lockdown Treasure Hunt No 1. is now OPEN for entries and the first set of clues are available from https://www. thametowncouncil.gov.uk/thame-lockdown-treasure-hunts/. Entries must also be made through this page on the form provided. All entries for this Treasure Hunt must be in by Wednesday 7 May. The treasure hunts hope to keep people connected to their town centre, and help them discover businesses that they previously didn’t know about during a time when most residents are spending more time than usual at home due to government guidelines. The hope is that when restrictions ease, people will know more about their local businesses and consider supporting them.
Thame Out .7
LOCAL NEWS
Going the distance The highly contagious Coronavirus is sweeping across the globe. Thankfully kindness and creativity is also catching.
Who would have thought a strange new strain of Coronavirus that appeared on the other side of the world would have such a devastating impact on us all. The numbers of those sadly losing their lives forever increasing as the world economies started shrinking. Testing times like these however, bring out the best in people. OK, we had some idiots hoarding foodstuffs (and toilet rolls - why?) And online scammers feeding on our insecurities. But, in the main people have been magnificent. The big heros have of course been those healthcare workers on the front line. Deservedly receiving a nations applause every Thursday evening. Lets not forget the teachers, shop workers, delivery drivers, postal operatives, bin men, etc, etc. The unsung heros who organise food banks and go shopping for the more vulnerable members of our society. They also deserve our praise. Spirits have been kept high by those musicians and singers giving impromptu performance to their neighbours. ‘Zoom’ quiz nights and numerous funny videos posted online for all to enjoy. One man who encapsulated this kind and determined human spirit this spring was of course Captain Tom Moore. Captain Tom Moore’s extraordinary fund-raising efforts have come to an end raising nearly £33m for the NHS. The war veteran had initially hoped to raise £1,000 by completing 100 laps of his Bedfordshire garden by the time he reached his 100th birthday. By the time his donation page closed at midnight on the day of his birthday, donations totalled £32,794,701 from more than 1.5m supporters. A message on the page said he was now “putting his feet up”.
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With the aid of a walking frame, he hoped to walk 100 laps of the 25-metre (82ft) loop in his garden in Marston Moretaine, in 10-lap chunks, before 30 April but completed his challenge on 17 April. On that day, when the amount raised rose to £17m, JustGiving confirmed it was the largest total ever raised in a single campaign on its site and was “the fastest growing campaign on the platform”. Captain Tom Moore received a personalised card from the Queen for his 100th birthday With his page now closed, a message on the site said: “You can still help provide essential support for NHS
staff and volunteers by making a donation to the charity through their JustGiving page.” Through his efforts, Capt Tom, who was born in Keighley, in what was then the West Riding of Yorkshire, captured the hearts of the nation and his birthday celebrations were extensive, with the occasion marked with an RAF flypast and birthday greetings from the Queen and prime minister. He was also made an honorary colonel, by the 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, in which he had served during World War Two and received an estimated 140,000 cards.
Local hero’s
Martin Bull
Locally, we have been doing our bit as well. Applause for key workers has rippled throughout towns and villages and rainbows adorn home, shop and business windows. Congratulations to everyone who has patiently queued to get into supermarkets and Pharmacists. Some people have gone above and beyond for the local community. Martin Bull who lives in Southern Road, Thame, for example. Furloughed from his work at FS Distributions, he decided to offer his help to some elderly and vulnerable neighbours.
“It’s quite a small knit community round here and I know so many people that would appreciate some assistance,” says Martin. “I popped some postcards through letter boxes offering help with shopping and got quite a response”, he adds. As a result, Martin is a permanent fixture in the Waitrose queue as he shops for eight households. He even called in to a Garden Centre for one couple. Then there is Ben Mulholland. A 17 year-old from Haddenham who attends Aylesbury Grammar School. Ben and a group of friends are playing their part in helping the community - through a foodbank donation scheme. “The idea was I would collect bags of donations from outside people’s doors and deliver them myself to the foodbank.
“Hopefully that would make it as easy as possible for people.” After initially delivering 40 letters to homes in part of Haddenham, where he lives, Ben says the response was ‘so positive’. So he decided to carry it on and an online presence was created to get the word out to others and that got more of the team involved. “Now we have a large number of 16 and 17-year-olds doing some pretty incredible things in their local community. “That now leads to me doing the easy job and driving to collect the food which my friends have got donated. “It’s really an awesome group effort.” “Being 17 and told to simply sit at home whilst NHS workers, like both my parents, and other key workers had to work even harder didn’t quite sit right with me. “It was the only thing I could think of to do to help.” I’m sure there are many more people helping like Martin and Ben. Thame Out (Thame In) salutes you.
Thame Out .9
HEALTH & BEAUTY
Established in 1886 and best known by people of a certain age for the ‘Avon Calling’ advertising campaign, Avon is a company very much of today and one that has always empowered women. Katherine Dickinson explains why she is such a fan.
T
oday I was presented with a chance to promote my business. Let’s be honest, why would I not say yes?! Fear, What if I put myself out there and no one wants to know? 6 months ago I would have said no. This time I say YES! So what has changed? I have learnt, I have grown and I have been supported 100% every step of the way. Eight months ago I decided I needed some extra money. My husband is self employed and in the winter months he has less work. But we have three children, and with Christmas around the
Katherine and Brian
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The start of something beautiful corner I wanted to find a way of affording a few extra treats. I had been doing various freelance projects which have kept some pennies coming in and my brain busy but work was never guaranteed and I was wanting something I had more control over. I am, in the eyes of employers, a disabled stay at home mum - not the most attractive of propositions really! So working for myself was going to be the way forward. So why Avon? I really like Avon products, always have. I suddenly realised I’d lived here 3 years and not once seen anyone giving out brochures. Within a
few hours of applying I had a call from my upline who explained more about Avon, and arranged to come and see me. She and her manager arrived a few days later that week and I was all signed up. I was left with lots of information to take in and understand, but with complete confidence that if I have ANY questions I could contact either one of them - which I did repeatedly in the following weeks. In the first couple of weeks I had several “what have I signed up for?!” moments - most notable covering 50 houses and getting 1 order back for just £2 - I could have cried! But then the next time I came back with over £300, and then after a few short weeks I had over 30 customers. I was enjoying it so much, and my husband decided he really liked the Avon products as well - and so he became a team member, and then another friend joined. Since then it has been a rollercoaster - and we now have an amazing team of lads and ladies across the UK and some of them have also started their own Leadership training and have teams of their own. Avon really is like a big family, the support from other representatives, leaders and managers is excellent, and there is always someone there to celebrate when you have an amazing sale, or to give you a boost if you’re having a rough day, the social side of Avon is as important to me as the sales and I’ve made some amazing new friends.
Avon is not a get rich quick scheme - you do get to keep 20-25% of sales, but you do have to put some effort in to get the sales. But anything worth having is worth some work, and any company that tells you that you can make ÂŁÂŁÂŁ doing nothing is, quite frankly, not being honest with you. But Avon has changed over the past few years, and even more so over the past few months, which is making reaching customers easier. You can now sell purely online, using your personalised Avon store and your digital brochure. These options mean you can literally sell from the comfort of your own home, and your customers can get direct delivery - and Avon will pay you the commission. Plus with paper brochures returning slowly over the next few weeks you will have the choice to add those in as well. There is the online training hub for reps where you can find out all you need to know about Avon and the products, there is the social media hub where you can access offers and brochures to
share digitally with customers, and the new Avon Social App which can post professionally created ads to your social media accounts - all with links back to your online store! I have absolutely loved my Avon journey so far, and I am looking forward to the next stage. The products are great, the support is wonderful, but I am also proud to be working for a company that has been going in the UK for over 60 years, a company that supports causes such as Refuge and Breast Cancer charities, and a company that in 2019 became the first global beauty company selling in China to stop ALL animal testing of ingredients across ALL of its brands. If you would like to find out more about this opportunity then I would love to hear from you, just fill in your details on the link below and I will give you a call for a chat. https://prp.uk.avon.com sellingwithkatherine
email: avonwithkatherineandbrian@gmail.com
Thame Out .11
HEALTH & BEAUTY
Hilary with her son
Hilary Westall with more exercise advice.
Rediscovering your mojo I
I t’s been a strange few months. Let’s face it, it’s not every day we experience a worldwide pandemic, culminating in ‘lockdown’ and all the effects this has, and will continue to have, over the months and years ahead. At the beginning of lockdown, there was an element of novelty in this confinement. Fear of Missing Out disappeared with the closure of all things social and sporting; flour became a scarce commodity as people baked copious amounts of banana bread; Zoom catchups and quizzes with our nearest and dearest became a regular occurrence as we embraced this ‘new normal’; bike sales soared as many re-discovered cycling as a means of escaping the confines of their homes or in preference to using public transport; Jo Wicks’s view ratings went through the roof as everyone jumped out of bed to do his daily morning workouts; and the Ridgeway was rammed with walkers. However, as the weeks have gone on and lockdown has only just started to ease, the novelty has definitely worn off for many. Grief over the loss of our previous lifestyles and the many unknowns we face in terms of jobs, finances, social lives and relationships, and the not knowing when all this is going to end, has seen many of us lose our motivation – whether that’s for keeping up our usual exercise regime or cleaning the house - as every day just slides into the next. A huge part of motivation is fuelled by having plans and goals, but with the cancellation of holidays, family get-togethers and events, we’ve been left
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in limbo. It’s hard to feel motivated when there’s very little to hang our focus on, or something on the horizon to look forward to. So what can you do about it? A couple of key lifestyle changes can fuel your motivation to do other things again. Many of us are not sleeping as well at the moment, which is probably a combination of not getting out and exercising as much, and worrying over the future. If you have a bad night’s sleep, you feel worse the next day and feel less inclined to exercise or do anything, which can become a vicious circle. However, if you spend more time outside, especially with the recent fabulous weather we’ve been having, sunlight triggers hormones in us that keep us awake and motivate us to get moving. Addressing the psychological aspect – being in limbo; worrying about the future – is trickier to deal with. So you might need to revise your existing plans for more attainable and realistic ones. But at least make some plans. If you’ve been looking forward to a round-the-world cruise, this clearly isn’t going to happen any time soon. But a cycling or walking holiday in the UK, possibly by late summer, might be realistic. Other, more immediate plans you can make include going for walks, bike rides and picnics – obviously maintaining social distance from friends and anyone you’ve not been living with – which can now be in groups of up to six people. Plans need to be flexible so that they can be adjusted up or down according to current guidelines. Be mindful about your
goals and try and stay ‘in the now’, without planning too far ahead. A to-do list can be a useful tool, with very basic tasks that you can tick off each day. It’s also important to maintain some sort of routine or structure to your day to help you regain some control through all the uncertainty. If you’ve been furloughed or aren’t working, it’s very tempting to stay in bed longer, especially if you’re struggling to sleep well. Try getting up at the same time each day, perhaps get out for a walk in the fresh air first thing to set you up for the day. Maintaining some sort of exercise is very important if you’ve been holed up for any length of time. We’re all allowed unlimited time outside to exercise now, so don’t be afraid to try something new – get that old bike out of the shed, take up jogging, walk instead of using the car where possible, and get those ‘feel good’ endorphins going. Above all, be kind to yourself. Times are tough and we’re all still learning to cope with the new reality. Give yourself a duvet day if it’s all you feel you can manage. Watch Netflix, bake banana bread. Just balance it with other things to keep your days varied and stimulating. And give yourself a pat on the back if you tick something off your todo list during this global pandemic. We’ve got this far, we’ve still got a way to go. But we are getting there.
Hilary is a Level 3 Personal Trainer and Pilates teacher. She runs Pilates, body conditioning and stretch classes in Chinnor and can be contacted on 07812 097562, email: hilarywestall@gmail.com for further details.
THE LENS THAT KEEPS UP WITH Your demanding days
1-day Acuvue Oasys 10 day FREE Contact Lens Trial. Ask in store. Terms and conditions apply
Thame 212048 l Chinnor 351564 l Wendover 625892 info@ivancammack.com
HEALTH & BEAUTY
M
ore shops are opening, outdoor sports are being played and slowly but surely people are going back to work. Now is perhaps the time to book an eye examination. “As the restrictions of ‘lockdown’ ease, so do the restrictions on who can and who cannot be seen in an optometrists clinic”, Ivan explains. “For more than two months we have focussed on patients with ‘eye emergencies’ or the need for ‘urgent eyecare’, while the hospital Eye Emergency departments have been closed. At the time of writing, although Optometrists are restricted by conditions prescribed by their governing bodies to safeguard the health and wellbeing of
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both staff and patients, these restrictions are slowly lifting. ‘We now have more freedom to see those who need our help“ Ivan adds, going on to explain who can be seen currently, and how to book. Ivan also notes “We expect to be open for all types of appointment from 15th June”.. 1. Ugent and Emergency Eyecare You can talk to an optometrist today and receive immediate advice, if you have an urgent need for medical help with an eyerelated problem. Examples could be: * Sudden and sustained loss of vision * Significant eye pain * Suspected eye infection * Trauma (such as a DIY or gardening injury)
2. Essential Eyecare You can book an appointment for Comprehensive Eye Examination if you have a ‘Reason for Visit’ which is not really ‘Urgent or Emergency’ and is not simply a routine review. Examples. You have: * Lost or damaged your specs, and are having to ‘make do’ with an old pair. * Become worried worried about your eyesight or eye health because your visit is overdue. * Become aware that your vision has changed, and you would benefit by updated contact lenses or specs.
Appointment Booking 01844 212048
Essential eyecare With a focus on safety, Ivan Cammack talks about eyecare as we emerge from lockdown
* Been told by a medical professional or by your optometrist that you have a ‘high risk’ of a sight threatening eye condition, and the delay in this review is making you worried.
Ivan has been fitting these NHS ‘heroes’ with contact lenses free of charge. “This is just one of the ways we have been doing our bit in the fight against COVID 19”, he adds..
If you have symptoms described above then you may call 01844-212048 to make an appointment with our optometrists.
Catherine (59), a Critical Care Nurse at The John Radcliffe Hospital has been fitted with Acuvue soft disposable multifocal contact lenses. After her first week wearing her lenses on the front-line Catherine says “So far so good, I took a few attempts to get them in but It’s getting easier. Many thanks for your help and patience, much appreciated.
3. Routine Eyecare As a result of the COVID19 pandemic and the knock on effect to all clinical appointments, you may be overdue for your routine eye examination. If you do not have any specific problems, then your appointment will have to wait a little longer. ON THE FRONTLINE Ivan Cammack talks about his work during the initial peak of COVID19. “Some of our ‘front line’ NHS workers have found that they cannot wear their specs because the required PPE needs to be air-tight,” says Ivan. As a result,
Helen (46), an Intensive Care Anaesthetist at The John Radcliffe Hospital, who now wears 1-day Oasys disposable contact lenses says “Ivan helped me out with some wonderfully comfortable new lenses that I can work in all day with ease. Thank you for your support at such a difficult time. A really great service, I’m so grateful”
From Peter after his visit on 20th May. “May I just record my appreciation for your outstanding help and professionalism this morning. Bringing in a crushed pair of glasses was dealt with quickly and efficiently. In addition making a repair to my reserve glasses and being handed some saline eye wash (for the dust in my eye) was excellent. Your careful vetting and extra precautions against COVID19 were expertly conducted. Thank you so much!” Going the Extra Mile 86 year old Thame resident Wendy made use of our Urgent & Emergency Eyecare facility when she suffered a sudden and serious eye condition last month. Needing two urgent visits to the Eye Hospital, but with her relatives self-isolating for clinical reasons, Wendy was relieved and ‘so very grateful’ when Ivan offered to be taxi driver and carer. Wendy has two more hospital visits to come, where she has to have an injection into her eye (gulp). Wendy says “I am so grateful to Ivan for looking after me. I don’t know what I would have done without his help. I hope my son will be able to help next time.” Ivan is keen to point out that ‘being a taxi driver’ is not a normal part of the service! However, the Urgent & Emergency Eyecare facility, which has been accessed by more than 150 people since we began lockdown, will continue to provide a ‘first contact’ for any significant eye problems for the foreseeable future. Please call Ivan R Cammack first – not your GP or the hospital.
Ivan R Cammack (Thame) T. 01844 212048 E. info@ivancammack.com Thame: 01844 212048 Chinnor (01844) 351564 Wendover (01296) 625892
Thame Out .15
HEALTH & BEAUTY
The lowdown on lockdown skin With skin clinics like ERA currently closed, what can be done to help alleviate Lockdown skin?
Emma Rothery, owner of ERA Skin & Laser Clinic offers expert advice on treating ‘Lockdown Skin’.
I
s your skin feeling dryer than usual? When you look in the mirror does your skin look dull with more fine lines and wrinkles than usual? Have you lost your normal glow and started to rely on the light reflecting particles in your make up to restore your skin radiance. Well, the (sort of ) good news is that you’re not alone. Lockdown skin is now officially a thing! Lockdown skin is caused by multiple factors including; 1. Spending more time in centrally heated houses which dries your skin out. 2. Lack of outdoor exercise meaning that our skin is not benefitting from skin loving Vitamin D. 3. Dietary changes and stress caused by unplanned routine changes and general worries, has an overall effect on skin health which can lead to break outs, even in the healthiest of skin, Given that your skin is your largest organ, it should come as no surprise that it can react in such a way.
Firstly, it’s important to recognise the changes and identify the area of most concern to you. If you have noticed your skin is dry, whilst it’s may be tempting to grab a new moisturiser during the weekly shop, this may not have the desired effect long term. From the age of 30 it takes between 4-6 weeks for your skin cells to turnover to reveal new skin, so slathering on a new moisturiser on is a bit like putting a plaster on. It might feel better, but it will not always solve the problem. Similarly, lotions and potions promising to make you look younger and firm wrinkles, rarely deliver real results. This is because we lose collagen in our skin as we age. Collagen is what gives us that enviable young looking, plump, dewy skin. After the age of 20, we produce 1% less collagen every year. Many aesthetic treatments, like radiofrequency or IPL (Intense pulsed light) help to stimulate your body’s natural collagen production, which improves skin tone and helps reduce the signs of aging. The key to a good skincare routine is to ensure that your skincare contains active ingredients at the right levels to give results. With a myriad of products available on the High Street, it’s not always that easy to see what strength of product you are getting, but as a rule of thumb, if the ingredient you need is near the top of the ingredient list, then choose that over one nearer the bottom! Speeding up skin cell turnover is one of the best ways to improve your skin results. This is because dead skin cells block your pores. Blocked pores cause blackheads, dull skin and breakouts Using skin loving acids is the best way to achieve skin cell turnover. Whilst the term acids can seem a little scary, just remember Hyaluronic acid naturally occurs in the body and is critical in maintaining skin hydration. Used topically,
it helps to hydrate the skin and maintain this hydration. It can be degraded by free radicals such as UV light, which is why wearing a high factor broad spectrum sunscreen as part of your everyday skincare routine is also very important. The most common acids to include in a skincare routine are; 1. AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) like mandelic acid and glycolic acid or 2. BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acids) like salicylic acid which is best for acneic skin 3. There’s also Azelaic Acid which sits in a class of its own and is a good choice for overlap concerns; think rosacea & acne or rosacea & melasma on the same cheek Aside from the above, the Holy Grail of all skincare turnaround products are Retinol, and Vitamin C. These powerhouse ingredients have been proven to help increase collagen, diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles, improve uneven skin tone and smooth the surface of your skin.
Be warned though, Retinol, AHA’s and BHA’s are strong ingredients and need to be respected. At ERA we always recommend starting slow and low, building up as your skin tolerance increases. The most common reasons people seek our skincare advice Is for acne, hyperpigmentation, rosacea and general anti-aging, If you’re looking for a treatment which gives Instant results, a Hydrafacial can help. Most people hear the word facial and think of creams being applied to the face. Not so with a HydraFacial, this is a medical grade treatment with real benefits for your skin. It provides long-lasting results and is suitable for all skin types. 4. Extraction. Unlike some facials, the HydraFacial extraction process is very gentle. Salicylic acid and honey are used to draw out blackheads and other impurities. This is an important step to ensure your pores are clean and able to benefit from the tightening effects of the treatment.
A Hydrafacial treatment contains 6 separate steps;
5. Hydration. Once pores are clear and dead skin cells have been removed, your fresh new skin is ready to be treated. This step nourishes your skin and drenches it in moisture, with a mix of potent antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, peptides and multi-peptides to support collagen production. This step leaves your skin soft and plump with moisture, combating the appearance of wrinkles.
1. Detox. This first step involves lymphatic drainage which increases lymphatic circulation in your skin. Better lymphatic circulation removes toxins and increases blood flow, providing extra oxygen to invigorate the skin. This in turn hydrates and helps restore tone and firmness.
6. Rejuvenation. Finally, red and infrared LED light is applied. This helps to soothe your skin, reducing redness, and stimulating the production of collagen. It even helps your skin naturally produce vitamin D. Leaving you with skin that feels soft, smooth, and invigorated.
2. Cleansing and Exfoliation. A patented vacuum tip gently smooths away dead skin cells and delivers specialist serum to the new skin beneath. This skin loving serum contains ingredients to revitalise and support your skin, such as lactic acid, glucosamine, antioxidants, and botanical extracts.
This best thing about a Hydrafacial treatment is that it can be tailored to your specific skin concern, our most popular Hydrafacial treatments include boosters which help with anti-ageing, hyperpigmentation, acne and congestion Milia (tiny white keratin filled spots) can also be removed effectively as part of a Hydrafacial treatment. Making changes to your skincare and considering a Hydrafacial treatment will help you take back control of your Lockdown skin concerns revealing a beautiful, more radiant complexion.
3. Brightening. Having removed dead skin cells, a glycolic and salicylic solution is applied which helps gently break up congestion in the pores. This also brightens the skin and prepares your pores for step 4.
ERA is hoping to re-open on or before the 4th July (pending government advice). Exclusive Thame Out Reader Offer: Book a Hydrafacial Skin Health for Life treatment within 4 weeks of our reopening date and you will receive a complimentary skincare analysis plus a Hydrafacial voucher worth £120 to gift to a friend. There are 20 vouchers available. To book your treatment, call 01844 698441 or visit eraclinics.co.uk HydraFacial Treatment starts from £120, please mention Thame Out when booking. Covid-19 Precautions Our therapists have all received Covid-19 training and will be wearing appropriate PPE during your treatment. You will be provided with a personal care pack before entering the clinic and treatment rooms and common areas will be sanitised after every treatment. Additionally, we will be staggering all appointments to avoid people arriving together. To find out more about the measures we have put in place to safeguard our staff and clients please visit www.eraclinics.co.uk/covid19
98a High Street, Thame Oxfordshire OX9 3EH Find ERA on Instagram and Facebook
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It’s more than TRAVEL
Foreign holidays are out this summer. But as soon as our hotels open for business, try a trip closer to home. Here are some of the top destinations around the country should you wish to get away from it all.
Stonehenge
As we go to print foreign travel is off limits. So why not discover that great holiday destination called Great Britain. A place where we can dip our toes in the sea, marvel at some of the world’s finest architecture and ancient monuments. We can survey wonderful landscapes, pop into museums and galleries and visit stately homes. Freedom to walk woodlands and coastlines, to sit quietly and contemplatively beside a river. What follows are some suggestions for great destinations around the UK. But only suggestions, and a limited few. A trip, wherever it is enjoyed, is made not just by a mark on the map but by our memories of it – the smile on a face, a red kite in a blue sky, the Southern England feel of hot sand, a 5 spectral view in the 7 evening light of rising 1 4 cliffs, the scent of wild flowers, a glimpse into a distant past, a hand held. Memories 2 that last far longer than a few days.
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1. Stonehenge, Wiltshire One of the most magnificent structures of the prehistoric world. Anywhere. And now with a visitor centre befitting the digital world. And if the cathedral of the henge is not enough to satisfy your wonder at the ingenuity and visionary imagination of our ancestors, you can always travel across to Avebury and its astonishing stone circles.
The Eden Project
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2. The Eden Project, Cornwall Huge domes bubble from a disused china clay quarry, inside of each is recreated a floral ecosystem. Want to experience the tropical heat (and the plant life) of a rainforest or a Mediterranean wood on a breezy British summer’s day? Then step inside.
ok in the UK
3. Brighton Palace Pier, East Sussex Do as our forebears did: enjoy a splendid Victorian pier. Except with added modern entertainments such as adrenalin-fuelled rides that plunge out over the sea.
4. The Valley of the Rocks, Devon Towering above the Atlantic, you almost feel you can see America. You can’t, of course, but you feel you might be able to on a clear, sunlit day, with the breeze breathing new life into you and the horizon melting into the sky. 5. Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire Landscaped parklands, formal and pleasure gardens, a miniature train, a butterfly house, a playground, a superb eighteenth-century palace, no end of special events and an exhibition on Sir Winston Churchill’s life in the very room where he was born.
6. Aldeburgh, Suffolk A pebbly beach, fantastic fish and chips, Benjamin Britten’s muse and the chance to sit and watch the waves rolling gently in.
7. Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Gloucestershire A wonderful bird conservation site, it is filled not only with our feathered friends but heaps of activities for everyone who isn’t necessarily a bird watcher, from canoe safaris to puddles in which children can get themselves soaking wet and build dams. 8. Snettisham Park, Norfolk A place where children can delight in direct contact with the rural, feeding lambs and collecting eggs and venturing on deer safaris and riding on tractors.
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Midlands
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1. Chatsworth House, Derbyshire Should you prefer your history a little more refined and stately, Chatsworth offers sumptuous elegance, art, sculptures, a maze, a water garden, acres of parkland and a woodland. 2. Ironbridge, Shropshire More heavy lifting with a celebration of the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. And a reconstructed Victorian town complete with shops and a fairground. 3. Black Country Living Museum, West Midlands With more than 40 buildings, carefully transplanted from other parts of the Black Country, the museum occupies a huge open site where you can flit from a chapel to a pub, slip into a 1920s cinema before popping into a 1930s fish and chip shop. And if you wish to discover what it was like being a hewer of coal in the 1850s, you can embark on a tour of a drift mine.
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4. Warwick Castle One of the best preserved castles in Britain, it comes not only with turrets, ramparts, crenellations, towers, dungeons, oubliettes, enough weaponry and plate armour to field a fifteenth-century army, and a near millennia of history but also waxwork tableaux of its medieval and Edwardian past.
1. Jorvik Viking Centre, York Rampaging Nordic warriors, underthe-sword Anglo-Saxons, and lots of tenth-century smells and noises. Life perfectly recreated as it was lived over a thousand years ago. 2. Alnwick Castle, Northumberland Built stark and dominating against the skyline in the fourteenth century, a bastion of northern baronial power, it has since enjoyed a more modern re-incarnation as the location for both the Blackadder television series and the Harry Potter films.
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3. Ainsdale Beach, Lancashire Should you become wearied with paddling or swimming in the sea, you can always explore the local nature reserve or go kite surfing. 4. Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland Focus your attention on the stretch between Brampton and Hexham of this testimony to Roman engineering and military might. As well as granaries, barracks and Roman toilets, you will be able to look, in the Army Museum, at finds excavated at Vindolanda that reveal imperial Rome in a softer light: shoes, jewellery, party invites and postcards home from the cold, shivering soldiers.
Black Country Living Museum
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Scotland
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3. Burnt Island Beach, Fife Breasting the Firth of Forth with its dunes and rockpools the beach itself will keep a family preoccupied for a whole day. But if you need more entertainment, there is the nearby Seaside Park with its summer fairground. 4. Rothiemurchas Forest, Aviemore Gentle walks, tough walks, a loch, a gorge, rafting and kayaking, mountain biking and pony trekking, heart-moving scenery, a wild glory and maybe the occasional sighting of an osprey.
1. Crathes Castle, Aberdeenshire Nuanced gardens, yew hedges and, in summer, fluorescent borders girdle a castle from which every stone seeps the tales of centuries past. In 2013, archaeologists discovered in the castle’s grounds what might be one of the world’s oldest lunar-solar calendars, dating back some 10,000 years. Crathes Castle
Wales and Northern Ireland
3. Llancaiach Fawr Manor, Caerphilly A fine Tudor manor, restored to look as it would have done in 1645. The summer sees various Civil War enactments. 4. Clywedog Valley, Wrexham Walks, attractions, old lead mines, woods, gardens, mills and a heritage centre. Nature and industry cheek by jowl. 5. Murlaugh National Nature Reserve, Co Down One of the most captivating shorelines in the UK. Strangford Lough is spellbinding for its wildlife; almost as spellbinding as the stories told about smuggling and other nefarious activities on the Dead Men’s Tales Lough tours organised in the summer.
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1. Barafundle Beach, Pembrokeshire Acclaimed as one of the best beaches in Europe, it is a gem of the Pembrokeshire coastline. Hillocked by sand dunes, and with a slow drop into the sea, the beach is speckled with rock pools and ringed, at low tide, by caves. 2. Inverewe Gardens, Ross-shire A lush, tropical oasis perched on a peninsula at the edge of Loch Ewe, amid the rugged landscape of Wester Ross, this world-famous historic garden, stretching over 2,000 acres, blends such exotica as Tasmanian eucalyptus, olearia from New Zealand and Chinese Himalayan blue poppies with the local wildlife of red deer, pine martens and otters.
2. Big Pit National Coal Museum, Torfaen Big Pit is one of Britain’s leading mining museums. You can either go on a virtual trip of a modern coalmine or try the real thing: a 300-foot descent by pit cage down the mineshaft that once used to disgorge tonnes upon tonnes of coal. There’s the original winding house engine, the blacksmith’s forge and fan house to see at this award-winning reminder of the role that the coal industry in Wales played in creating the country’s society.
6. Benone Strand, Derry Stretching from the mouth of Lough Foyle in the west to Downhill in the east, it is one of Ireland’s longest and most beautiful beaches. Raths, standing stones, cairns, crosses, holy wells, a nature reserve, a ruined castle, and great fun.
Barafundle Beach
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We’ve missed you. It’s been We’re welcoming you back with 20% off everything!
REOPENING MONDAY 15TH JUNE Stenstroms Sand Eton Seven For All Mankind
Opening times: Monday to Saturday 11.00am to 3:00pm (for walk in customers) 10.00am to 11.00am and 3.00pm to 4.00pm (for arranged appointments.)
Gran Sasso Antico Borgo Hiltl Sunspel Thomas Maine Without Prejudice Baldessarini Plus a welcome return to ... Circle Of Gentlemen Pal Zileri LAB 16. Thame Out 22. Thame Out
We look forward to seeing you all again!
GALLANT LUXURY MENSWEAR 10 Greyhound Walk, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 3DY 01844 218 400 www.gallant-thame.co.uk twitter: @Gallant_Thame
a while
THE MEASURES WE HAVE IN PLACE AND THE NEW WAY TO SHOP WITH US: > One person/2 people from the same household will be allowed in at any one time. We will not be allowing children under 10yrs in to the store for now. > We ask you to either use the hand sanitiser or the disposable gloves provided on entering the shop and before handling any items. > We ask we remain 2 metres from each other where possible. Its a small space as you know so we will be keeping the door open; we have a screen at the till point; and PPE to use when needed. > You will be able to try on clothes. Please be mindful to try on something only if absolutely necessary to check size and fit. Items you don’t wish to buy will have to be quarantined for 72 hours and we’d like as few items as possible to have to do this with. > We are happy to arrange an appointment time with you during opening hours via the shop number 01844 218400. Please don’t email as we may miss it. You can arrange a 30 minute appointment for between 10 - 11am and 3 - 4pm. This will allow you the certainty of a visit without waiting.
> You can visit any time between 11am and 3pm with no prior notice. If there is a wait time, please queue along the front window of the store, so as not to obstruct others in the walkway. > We can take your mobile number and text you when the store is free for you to come in if you would prefer not to wait. > Surfaces, door handles, the fitting room and the card machine will be cleaned between customers. > Tailoring will be resumed and we have gloves and visors in order to pin the garment. > Card payments only at this time. > Our upstairs showroom is closed for now. We continue to offer you the very best service we can. And we can’t wait to catch up with everyone. We will follow the guidelines with the greatest attention to detail. But please be patient and understanding, as this is new to all of us Thank you. Lucy and Carol.
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We don’t love Avon because we sell it, we SELL it because we LOVE the products! From skincare to suncream, toiletries to luxuries and for both men and women Avon really does have something for everyone - we even have an exclusive vegan range! And launching this month we are so excited to be selling the new Protinol Shots - an amazing collagen boosting product that can restore 7 years of collagen loss in just 7 days! The reviews for this product have been incredible and it has already featured in YOU magazine and The Telegraph Online. You can find out more about Protinol and browse all of the amazing Avon products on our website https://www.avon.uk.com/store/shopwithkatherined email: avonwithkatherineandbrian@gmail.com
College & County. Putting home buyers in the picture. Place your property with us and you benefit from our video viewings on ‘Rightmove’ and ‘OnTheMarket’. Sales Director Darren Hunt takes potential buyers on a tour of your property. This increases buyers engagement online and therefore increases interest and viewings.
How can we help you? Come and meet the team or give us a call on 01844 399292
sales@collegeandcounty.co.uk
College & County Thame: 55 North St, Thame, Oxon OX9 3BH 01844 399292 Oxford: 01865 955050
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LIFESTYLE
Walk on with hope in your
Hart We are living through some strange times. White Hart Studio owner Jane Davies describes life as a retailer in lockdown.
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n these unusual times we all need an escape from the stresses of life in lockdown. A safe haven perhaps to take our minds off the dreaded Coronavirus. A chance to enjoy some much deserved self-indulgence. “I live next door to the shop here in Haddenham. So I am always on call you could say. I think its really important to keep in touch with my customers. I have kept in contact with many of them through social media. Instagram and Facebook in particular. Allthough I don’t have a retail web site I have been sending off photos showing a host of items available in store. Clothing, jewellery, furniture, gift ideas and so on,” says Jane.. Once viewed, customers have telephoned Jane directly. She then posts the items out, or on occasions made the bulkier items available for collection. “I have customers who jog to and from the shop. One family walked across the fields from Thame. They decided to include a bit of shopping in their daily exercise,” adds Jane.
White Hart Studio is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10-5. You will find Jane herself and Claire covering those days separately. Jane is happy to open on a Sunday as well, though she would appreciate a call first to agree an appointment time. “I have created a safe environment to shop by allowing households who shield together all in the building at the same time. This has often included another important member of the family – the dog,” explains Jane. There is always a bowl of water ready for canine visitors. “I do feel its been difficult for many households that only one member is allowed in at any one time,” she adds. Children are welcome as always. The shop is large enough to accommodate two families at a time. With two separate rooms it’s easy to maintain our social distancing, “ Jane explains. “I have gloves from the pharmacy that are available as you enter the premises. We want to keep you, our customers safe as well as ourselves,” she adds.
“The shop has been busy over this period. It seems lockdown has made people take a closer look at their homes. Many people have decided to decorate their homes or add new items of furniture. People now working from home need a desk, lighting, storage, etc. “Of course we have all been blessed with a lovely warm and sunny spring. As a result, all our beautiful linen and silk ladies fashion has been selling fast. Fortunately not everything has ground to a halt and I have been able to receive new deliveries,” Jane concludes. Please don’t hesitate to contact Jane by telephone. Retail therapy. It’s good for the sole and great at the ‘Hart.
WHITE HART STUDIO
WHITE HART STUDIO
JEWELLERY,GIFTS G IFTS& &INTERIORS INTERIORS FAFASHION, S H I ON, JEWELLERY, HADDENHAM, 1 5 15 C HCHURCHWAY, U R C HWAY, HADDENHA M, BBUCKS U C KS, HP17 HP17 8AB T: 0T:1 01844 8 4 4 2 9292308 2 3 0 8 M: 36630 8 M: 07765 07765 366308 E: JANE@WHITEHARTSTUDIO.COM E: JANE@WHITEHARTSTUDIO.COM
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LIFESTYLE
Jess exercising Chelsea
Swim to reco Hydrotherapy. It’s a seriously good way to rehabilitate dogs. And it’s fun too. Jane Dale paid a visit to Hill’s Canine Hydrotherapy in Grendon Underwood.
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ealing with water, Hydrotherapy is a non weight bearing exercise utilising the therapeutic properties of warm water. Swimming sessions are carried out by trained Hydrotherapists to improve a dogs fitness and function. There is a huge range of conditions that benefit from hydrotherapy. These include: > Pre and Post operative conditions. > Pain, swelling and stiffness (arthritis, veteran dogs). > Hip and elbow dysplasia, OCD, cruciate ligament injuries. > Spinal injuries, paralysis, amputation (strengthens muscles, increases range
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of movement, promotes overall blood circulation). > Cardiovascular fitness (improves heart and lung function). Excellent for working, agility, racing and show dogs. > Obesity (weight loss in conjunction with diet) and weight management. > Behavioural problems. Swimming allows your dog to release their energy in a safe and healthy manner. This in turn helps to rebalance their mental well being and may help reduce unwanted behaviour. > Because swimming is totally non weight bearing it is extremely useful with young large breed dogs where exercise may be restricted due to possible joint damage.
Established 2009. Katherine Hill bought the business in 2018. Passionate about working with animals, Katherine went from doing a weeks work experience to having a Saturday job, then working full time. Before becoming the new owner of the business which was previously known as Hamilton’s Canine Hydrotherapy. “When I first started, we were happy to be treating just two dogs a day, now we can be seeing up to fourteen,” says Katherine Katherine holds a current Canine First Aid certificate, and has completed theory modules in Canine Anatomy, Spinal Conditions and Orthopaedic Conditions. She regularly attends seminars and lectures
Binky
overy relating to hydrotherapy to further her knowledge and expertise in this field of exercise and rehabilitation. Katherine and her team always allow plenty of time for your dog to get familiar to its surroundings, they never rush them into the pool. All dogs will be required to wear a canine life jacket or a simple harness that Hills provide. The length of each swim will depend on the condition, ability of your dog and the recommendation of your vet. On my visit, a Spaniel called Chelsea was loving her time in the pool.
A trained Hydrotherapist will always be in the water with your dog as this allows immediate support, provides extra resistance and reassures the dog if needed. It is a very effective way of monitoring the dogs condition while swimming. I can’t help but admire the team at Hills. Dog lovers naturally, you can see how much they enjoy their work. They spend hours a day up to their waists in water. As for the pool itself, it is a polypropylene pool, custom built and measures 3.8m x 2.4m and is 1.2m in depth. There is a built in internal ramp which is also used to rest the dogs during their swim. Access up to the pool edge is via a sturdy, gently sloping external ramp. Extra staff will be used to safely assist severely disabled dogs into the pool. Swim jets are used to create a variable water flow. These can be adjusted for position and strength depending on size, condition and fitness of your dog. Jets help encourage movement in the
Mabel
water particularly useful for neurological damage, limb paralysis or fitness work. The pool water is kept at a constant 30-32 oc. Warm water is proven to promote blood circulation, relaxing muscles, easing pain in the joints and tendons, helping to reduce swelling and aiding overall healing. “Our pool is sanitised to the highest standard and the water is tested at least twice a day in line with CHA and IRVAP regulations and adjusted accordingly. These measures ensure a totally safe swim for each and every dog,” explains Katherine. A shower area next to the pool means your dog can be washed before and after their swim. Fresh towels and a dryer are provided so that Hill’s can ensure your dog leaves the centre as warm and dry as possible. Why not let your doggie paddle back to fitness. Call Katherine on 07770 319739
Katherine showers and dries off Chelsea
Hill’s Canine Hydrotherapy Unit 5, Lawn Farm Business Centre, Grendon Underwood HP18 0QX 07770 319739 info@hillscaninehydro.co.uk www.hillscaninehydro.co.uk
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HOME & GARDEN
Moving times The country might have been under lockdown, but College and County have never been busier. Busy with sales, lettings and helping the local community.
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ecent weeks have been tough for everyone. Tough emotionally and tough for business’s. For College and County however their drive and passion for what they do seems to have only grown stronger. Renowned for their customer focused ethical approach to letting and property management, the company launched their sales division in Thame at the start of the year, headed up by Darren Hunt. Coronavirus, has not made things easy but the agencies unique approach using Video and social media seems to have given them the edge at this difficult time. Whilst without doubt the biggest challenge the property industry has faced, College and County has continued to support its staff, landlords, vendors and tenants. “We have focused on ensuring our teams are using this time to offer enhanced services, we have been surprised by how busy the market has continued to be, in fact we let more
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properties remotely via video viewings in April during lock down than we did in April last year,” David Gilson Lettings director explained. Video viewings have been key to their success, with both Sales and Lettings at College and County offering detailed video tours free of charge to all their vendors and landlords. Darren Hunt Sales director said “During lock down months we continued to keep in close contact with our applicants and were able to use our pre-recorded video viewings to keep buyer interest. Some of the videos have been viewed more than 100 times, showing what a powerful marketing tool this can be for anyone looking to sell” Estate agency was one of the first industries to have restrictions released in mid-May, both the Lettings and Sales teams at College and County have seen a huge rush of pent up demand in the market. “We have all spent the last three months realising quite how important
homes are, and I think with an increase in home working and reduction in travel, more and more renters and homebuyers and sellers will be re-considering their location and priorities in their property search,” Sales director Darren explained. He estimates that 60% of calls they received since restrictions were lifted have been from searchers looking to relocate to Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire from London. They are looking for a better quality of life now they are no longer restricted to having to work and live in the same location. A recent Dataloft Homemover Survey has demonstrated how search criteria is changing; 30% of searchers now say garden space has become a much more important consideration for them, a desire for a less urban area and being closer to family and friends has also increased.
Darren Hunt
Extra space to work from home and broadband speed have also become more important, reflecting buyers expectations that homes are now places to both live and work. The survey suggests that Covid-19 is likely to have left a legacy of consumer behaviour change, shifting the relative importance of house buyer requirements. The housing market locally remains buoyant “house prices in Thame and the surrounding villages are stable and likely to increase as relocations from London continue”, explains Darren. “Demand has rocketed”, he adds. “In the last week of May and first week of June we have agreed the sale of nearly 50% of our currently available properties, meaning the next challenge is finding new vendors to help sell as the demand doesn’t show signs of slowing down”. COLLEGE AND COUNTY AND THE COMMUNITY Community and ethics have always been at the heart of College and County’s ethos. At the beginning of the pandemic the team launched a campaign through Facebook and Instagram to offer their services, free to landlords with empty properties. These properties were to be used at no charge on a short term basis by NHS key workers needing to isolate from vulnerable family members (such as elderly
parents or unwell spouses or children). “We were amazed by the response this received and really proud to have been able to support the NHS key workers with this initiative,” explains Lettings Director, David Gilson. The team at College and County have also launched a fundraising campaign raising money to purchase tablet computers for nursing homes across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. They have so far raised £2000, purchasing 10 tablets which have been delivered and are already in use. One device recently helped a resident celebrate his 100th birthday whilst in lockdown.
College & County Thame: 55 North St, Thame, Oxon OX9 3BH 01844 399292 College and County Oxford: 9-10 St Clements, Oxford OX4 1AB 01865 955050 info@collegeandcounty.co.uk
The world might be a different place at the moment, but If you are thinking of buying or selling your house, letting or renting, College & County are here to advise you, represent you, and ensure you achieve your desired home move. Simply call 01844 399292.
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HOME & GARDEN
Building relationships Local kitchen designer and installer Ridgeway Interiors have teamed up with Nobillia UK and local builders, developers and architects.
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superb range of top quality German engineered kitchens, an imaginative and flexible approach to design and a keen pricing structure has made Ridgeway Interiors a hit with domestic customers. What you might not know about is the work they do with developers, building companies and architects. It’s a working relationship that has been in place for nearly 12 years. Ridgeway Interiors are now an official regional partner of Nobilia UK. They have full use of Nobilia’s London Showroom
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as well as their ultra efficient resources and easy-to-access remedial stock. Building a long term trusted relationship is a great benefit to both parties. This applies to working with builders, developers and architects as much as Nobilia. Ridgeway will oversee your project from planning to installation. You’ll have a consistent point of contact throughout, who’ll keep you updated and take responsibility for delivering your project on time, on budget and to an extremely high standard. Basically, Ridgeway can take away some of the hassle from your day to day management of a project.
Ridgeway Interiors reputation depends on the experience and skills of their installers. That’s why they employ their own fitters, who are Nobilia-trained, and work to a consistently high standard. With over £1m worth of stock held at Nobilia UK’s logistics hub, Ridgeway can get hold of most remedial parts within 48 hours – a service no other European manufacturer can match. Ridgeway really are set up specifically to cater for the needs of developers and house builders. They have the relevant site skills, the rights levels of staff, and the design know-how to design stunning
kitchens for differing budgets. Not only will these enhance the value of your properties, they’ll help you stand out from your competition. If you want your business to build a strong working relationship, contact Darren Clarke. He is the Contract Sales Director. You would be dealing exclusively with Darren. He knows his business and has been with Ridgeway for over seven years. Whether Ridgeway Interiors are dealing with the public directly or with the trade, quality, service and price are the
cornerstone of that relationship. A relationship that starts with a simple call to Ridgeway Interiors. Ridgeway Interiors newly re-fitted showroom is open by appointment. Bright and spacious it boasts an impressive range of Kitchen designs and styles. Check the website for details.
Ridgeway Interiors Unit 8, Rycote Lane Farm, Rycote Lane, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 2NZ Phone:01844 279900 www.ridgewaykitchens.co.uk Ridgeway Kitchen Projects www.ridgewaykitchenprojects.co.uk
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Swimming dogs for rehabilitation, fitness and fun. Hydrotherapy is a non weight bearing treatment that aids rehabilitation, cardiovascular fitness and weight loss management. If your dog suffers from the following: l Hip and Elbow Dysplasia l OCD and Cruciate Ligament Injuries l Muscle Waisting Conditions l Pain l Swelling or Stiffnes (which could indicate Arthritis)
Readily accessible from: Aylesbury, Bicester, Thame, Brackley and Buckingham.
Unit 5, Lawn Farm Business Centre, Grendon Underwood HP18 0QX 07770 319739 info@hillscaninehydro.co.uk www.hillscaninehydro.co.uk
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SHUTTER SPEC SECURITY AWNINGS Retractable awnings add extra living space to your home, offer outside shade in the summer and add curb appeal to your home. ShutterSpec Security has recently partnered with Erhardt Markisen, a market leading German manufacturer of solar shading, and glass terrace roof products. This partnership allows us to deliver beautiful awnings to our customers just in time for summer, meaning you can make the most of the longer evenings outside in the garden with your loved ones and friends.
Domestic, Commercial and Industrial Security Solutions
We supply, install and service a range of high quality garage doors, awnings, security grilles/shutters and entrance gates. Please visit our showroom.
GARAGE DOORS Whether it’s a space saving Roller Garage Door, a Sectional Garage Door for extra insulation or an Up and Over Garage Door, we offer you products from the highest quality manufacturers with a wide range of colours to suit your choice.
01844 212152
info@shutterspecsecurity.co.uk www.shutterspecsecurity.co.uk
6 Swan Walk, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 3HN Tel: 01844 212152 www.shutterspecsecurity.co.uk
HOME & GARDEN
We were asked to stay at home, work from home and teach the children at home. So, after our lockdown experience, are our homes fit for purpose?
T
he home has become a crowded place recently. The whole family under one roof. It’s been a place of work, a school and a café. Did your home cope? Is your kitchen equipped for the new normal? As a nation we have long considered the kitchen as the hub of the home. In recent weeks this has become even more the case. More mouths to feed perhaps, more meals to prepare because we’re not eating out. Mind you it’s not just the kitchen area that the virus restrictions have put to the test. Where have you set up your schooling area or the new office? The lockdown has had us all re-assessing our living space, and a lot of us are discovering our homes are not as ergonomically designed as we would like. We lack storage space and room to move. Kingsey Kitchens & Interiors are already being approached by customers wanting a change. Not surprising as Kingsey Kitchens & Interiors take enormous pride in providing high quality, individual kitchens. They also have a talented on site team of designers and craftsman that create solutions beyond the kitchen. You don’t need to sacrifice the dining table or breakfast bar to work from. Kingsey have created some wonderful office spaces that can be hidden away from view for example. Office space for a desk, computer, files, communications that can be housed in the kitchen, dining room, bedroom or even under the stairs. All hidden behind bi fold doors, doors that slide or push back out of sight. An office at home that is hidden from view so you can relax and enjoy your downtime.
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Lay-on Doors
Changing rooms? For Kingsey everything they do is driven by quality and affordability. A truly bespoke kitchen built and installed within their customers budget. How do Kingsey achieve this? I hear you ask. The basis for any kitchen is the quality of the carcase (cupboards). Kingsey would
never compromise on the quality of the kitchen carcase. A Kingsey Kitchen carcase is 18mm thick throughout (most off the shelf products have much thinner backs and often no tops). However to work to bring your dream kitchen within your price range there are a number of options to allow the kitchen to work within any budget.
Handleless Slab Door
Acrylic Slab Door
is a huge difference in price Quartz alone has 7 price groups.
An office in the kitchen
Kingsey specialise in Siemens appliances. But there are always lots of other appliances to choose from depending on budget. All Kingsey Kitchens are designed and built on site using materials sourced locally. If you are looking to improve your home environment with a new kitchen, a new home office or even a garden office, please contact Kingsey Kitchens & Interiors for more information.
An office that doesn’t need its own room
It’s all about choice of door and the material they are made from. The most expensive option is the “In Frame” The door is surrounded by a frame, both the door and or frame can be with or without beading and with or without grain. All have butt hinges and can be painted any colour. Lay-on Shaker - This looks very similar to an in-frame door, it just lacks the frame. These are one of Kingsey’s most popular doors, these can be with or without grain and can also be a plain shaker or they can have a choice of beading on the inside of the shaker detail. They have soft close hinges and again the door can be painted any colour.
Slab Door with handle - This simple plain door can be made from any wood and left as a wood finish or painted any colour. But it’s appearance can be altered amazingly with the choice of handle. It can also be made from other materials which can give a matt or textured finish, real concrete or matt or gloss acrylic. The choice is endless really. Handleless Slab Door - This can be with a finger rail or with a cut out finger recess. This door can be in the same finishes as the slab door. Worktop’s also vary enormously in price, there is a choice of laminate, solid laminate, Marble, Quartz, Corian or Ceramic. Plus within each material there
To ensure social distancing Kingsey are limiting access to the showroom to one set of customers at any given time and the showroom will be cleaned before and after each visit. To book an appointment please give them a call 01844290899 or drop Carmel and email carmel@kingseykitchens.co.uk
Kingsey Furniture & Interiors Ltd Unit 2, Manor Farm, Risborough Road, Kingsey, Bucks HP17 8LU www.kingseykitchens.co.uk 01844 290 899 carmel@kingseykitchens.co.uk Showroom Opening Times Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm Saturday by appointment
SPACIOUS SHOWROOM OPEN Appointment only please
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HOME & GARDEN
Out with the old – The life, death and renewal of a tree explained by Matt Vaughan at 4 Seasons Tree Care.
S
o much of the work we do with trees is about the cycle of life, death and renewal. This is a theme that any garden lover can identify with as trees and shrubs reach the end of their natural life within a garden and are removed to make space for new planting. In this article, I want to focus on a couple of our recent jobs that illustrate this idea. The first case is a large old Beech tree within the grounds of a local golf course. The tree had been surveyed and found to be unsafe and at risk of windthrow. The fungus Kretzschmaria deusta was present at the base of the tree and had decayed much of the timber and buttress roots at and below ground level. There was no option other than to remove the tree. The safest and easiest way to do this was to use a crane. The photos below show our lead climber, James Jeffery, working to remove the tree in sections. Each piece is lowered carefully into a suitable landing zone without any damage to the garden below. In just a few short hours the whole tree is gone and we are able to examine the stump and to see the extent of the decay and appreciate how necessary it was to remove the
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tree before nature took its course. The hole in the stump opened out into a large void below ground level. The second job that I want to look at is all about new trees. It always feels good to plant a tree and to know that the work we do today will grow on to give benefits beyond our own lifetimes. The owner of this garden gave us a fairly free hand to select trees that would provide screening, add colour and interest through the seasons and also improve habitat for local bird life. We designed a scheme that included a mix of different Birch species, Snowy Mespils and a couple of the American Maples. The trees are planted informally in groups to give the feeling of an open copse with some space between the different areas. The mixed hedge behind was also part of the scheme and will provide a good backdrop to the trees as it matures. It is important to prepare the ground well for new trees and at Four Seasons we always include plenty of organic compost into the planting medium along with a myccorhizal fungi product. These beneficial fungi form symbiotic relationships with tree roots and help to optimise soil conditions for tree growth.
– in with the new
Removal of the old Beech Tree
Maples in the foreground, Birch behind.
If you have any tree related projects that you are considering – Four Seasons will be pleased to help.
For a complete tree service and a company that you really can trust, call Four Seasons Tree Care today. They will be pleased to advise and quote for your tree work.
A closer look at the foliage and berries of the Snowy Mespil. Birch planting.
Four Seasons Tree Care Limited 1 Beech Road, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 2AL T: 01844 218222 M: 07973 507876 E: mail@4seasonstreecare.co.uk
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FOOD & DRINK
Will we continue to enjoy better wine despite the Coronavirus? Asks our resident wine expert, Jerome Harlington.
A toast.
To the opening of pubs and restaurants! T
o think that the last Thame Out article I wrote at the beginning of this year provided hints and tips as to how to order wine in a restaurant just shows how much our daily lives have been transformed since then. When I wrote the article we were seeing a rise in demand for eating out and experiences to go with that. The trend was towards more frequent consumption in restaurants, bars and pubs with increased spending and trading up to more premium wines. With the on premise retail landscape on furlough under the Coronavirus pandemic this has had a massive impact on supply and demand for wine. Whilst online wine retail sales have experienced Christmas level surges, this spike has been by no means enough to offset the overall decline in sales. The wine trade has been enjoying an ongoing shift towards premiumisation,
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something I’ve talked about a lot in my hints and tips articles. This trend has been driven in part by a younger audience interested in provenance and keen to taste and discover new wines. Their approach is far more ‘drink less but better’ versus previous generations. I hope this trend continues despite the economic hardship that many of us are facing. Certainly the lockdown period has provided time for reflection and hopefully appreciation of what many of us perhaps took for granted; an endless supply and constant availability of cheap food and drink. Panic buying and stockpiling of essentials that we saw at the beginning of lockdown will hopefully mean we will appreciate the food and drink produced far more. We all deserve to treat ourselves and others occasionally and particularly in difficult times like these. Personally I can’t think of many more enjoyable ways of doing just thought by sharing a socially
distanced decent bottle of wine with a friend or loved one. If you’d like help with selecting some fabulous craft wines, please do just give me a call. I’d love to hear from you. Keep safe everyone. Jerome
info@trailblazingwine.com www.trailblazingwine.com +44 (0)1296 872315 Mobile:+44 (0)7886 916857
FOOD & DRINK Hannah Sherwood. A digital, editorial and marketing manager, Hannah has worked for some of the biggest lifestyle brands in the UK, including Sainsbury’s magazine, and delicious. magazine. So what does this self proclaimed foodie do in lockdown? Cook, naturally.
F
Home cooking
urloughed from her job in London, Hannah is back in her home town of Thame. A keen cook and baker, the kitchen is her domain Lets face it, lockdown has been a bit of a nightmare. For those with a culinary bent however, it has proved to be an opportunity. A chance for their skills to flower. Not easy at first when you couldn’t get any flour. Where did it all go? Here are a couple of recent creations by Hannah.
THE FRUITS OF MY LABOUR British strawberry season is in full swing. I headed over to Rectory Farm PYO (rectoryfarmpyo.co.uk) to fill punnets of the sweetest berries. These were then transformed into jam. I used 1kg fresh strawberries, juice of one lemon, 1kg jam sugar and a knob of butter to make 4-6 jars of jam. Rough method: Before starting, pop two saucers in the freezer. Place the strawberries (cut larger ones in half ) in a large pan with the lemon juice and the sugar. On a low heat gently dissolve the sugar, this should take about 15 minutes. Once the sugar has all dissolved (the liquid should be clear and smooth), turn the heat up to a rapid boil and boil for 5-10 minutes.
To test if your jam has reached setting point, put a teaspoon of the liquid on a frozen saucer. Wait 30 seconds and then push your finger through it. If the liquid pools back, it’s not quite ready (continue to boil for a further few minutes and test again on a cold saucer), if it wrinkles to the sides when you push your finger through, it’s done. Remove the strawberry scum with a spoon from the top of the jam then stir through the knob of butter. Leave the jam to settle for 30 minutes before popping in sterilised jam jars. Fresh strawberries are also great with cream and this pretty tart was another delicious way to eat up the handpicked strawberries. It makes a lovely pudding after a bbq.
A BURGER TO RELISH Gorgonzola-topped beef burgers (can be cooked on the barbecue or in a frying pan). Come rain or shine, everyone loves a beef burger, and with my favourite burger joint, Honest Burger, currently closed I recreated my own. For the burgers, you need a pack of beef mince (higher fat percentage, the better and tastier), 1 onion, 2 tsp Worcester sauce, 1 tsp oregano, salt and pepper, Gorgonzola or extra mature cheddar to top. Rough method: Finely chop the onion and sauté in a frying pan with oil until soft and translucent. Transfer to a bowl and leave to cool. Once cool add the mince to the bowl, with the Worcester sauce, oregano and a good pinch of seasoning. You can flavour your burger with your favourite soft herbs like thyme or fresh oregano. Mix everything together and shape into patties. I made 3 large burgers but you could get 4 out of it. Chill the burgers in the fridge until ready to cook. Heat a frying pan with a drizzle of oil to a high heat and cook the burgers for 5-6 minutes each side, or to your liking. Still in the pan, top the burgers with the cheese, then on a high heat add a splash of water to the pan and cover with a lid. This creates steam which melts the cheese and makes the burger nice and juicy. Serve in a toasted bun with accompaniments of your choice, chips and salad.. I fried off two red onions until they were nice and sticky and put on top of the burger. Instagram: @alwayshungry_han
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BUSINESS
Making a Will Myth busting
It’s perfectly straightforward making a Will as Marilyn Gooch from Lightfoots Solicitors explains.
I
t is estimated that approximately 1 in 3 adults in the UK die without leaving a Will. There are many reasons why people think it is ok not to make a Will. This can be an expensive mistake and stressful for loved ones left behind. If you are one of these people, take a look at the following myths and you may change your mind! Myth 1 – “I’m married so everything will go to my spouse or civil partner” Only true if you do not have any living children or other direct descendants. If your spouse dies first, the law imposes a strict division between your living blood relatives.
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If you have children then the amount that goes to your spouse will depend on the total value of your assets. Anything over £270,000 is divided between your spouse and the children.
Myth 3 – “My family know what I want – they will do the right thing” Do they? Will they? There is nothing like a death in the family to bring out sibling rivalries and conflicts over money. Why take the risk? A professionally drafted will that clearly sets out your wishes is the safest way to ensure that your estate is left to the people or charities that you have chosen.
Myth 4 – “We separated years ago but Myth 2 – “I have lived with my partner for never got round to getting a divorce. He/ She won’t be entitled to anything now” over 20 years so they will get my estate False. A spouse is entitled to inherit no when I die” matter how long ago you separated. If False. A long-standing partner might be you had a binding financial settlement at able to make a claim against your estate the time you separated, you may avoid but they have no legal right to inherit. them making a further claim against Unless you make a will, the strict rules of intestacy will apply and blood relatives will the estate but it is vital that you make a Will to ensure the estate goes to the inherit. beneficiaries you choose.
Myth 5 – “I haven’t seen or heard from my son/daughter for years, so they won’t get anything from me” There is no such thing as a perfect family, but some are less perfect than others. Unfortunately, if you do not make a will, then all your children, or their families, will be entitled to inherit your estate equally under the intestacy rules. Making a will and leaving a letter explaining why the estranged child has been left out may not completely rule out a claim being made depending on the size of your estate but will certainly help to explain your feelings and reasons for choosing the beneficiaries of your will. This is particularly important if you are leaving your estate or part of it to charity.
Myth 6 – “My husband/wife would never disinherit our children” Love is blind – so they say – and in the flush of a new relationship and the excitement of a wedding, making a will is probably the last thing to be thought of but this is where things can go wrong. People wrongly assume that the will that they made with their husband or wife before their first spouse died still exists. This is not the case. A marriage automatically revokes a Will. The law assumes that the new wife/ husband should inherit. This can lead to great distress when the children of the first marriage discover they have been disinherited by mistake. And of course, whilst the newly bereaved spouse might do the right thing, there is no guarantee that they will! Myth 7 – “I don’t have any relatives to leave anything to so why bother” There are many heir hunting companies that make a living out of finding long lost relatives. This could be a second cousin living in Australia, or an estranged aunt or uncle that you didn’t know existed! Making a Will would avoid the expense of tracking down any relatives who might be entitled to your estate and gives you the opportunity of choosing friends or charities who could benefit from your estate rather than a stranger. Myth 8 – “I can write my own will using a pack from W H Smith or online – it’s much cheaper” Yes of course you can do this. But we are continually having to deal with “homemade” wills that are not valid for one reason or another or fail to deal with assets correctly. The fees involved in sorting out the consequences of mistakes in homemade wills far exceeds the cost of having a Will made by someone who is qualified to do this work. The emotional cost in distress to your loved ones should not be underestimated. Lightfoots Solicitors offer a tailored will writing service that ensures your property and possessions go to the ones you love. We are open for business so please contact us if you need advice.
1-3 High Street, Thame, Oxon OX9 2BX. 01844 212 305 enquiries@lightfoots.co.uk also at 28 High Street, Princes Risborough HP27 0AX Thame Out .47
BUSINESS
Will your business continue with
homeworking? Pertinent insurance advice from J Bennett & Son.
I
f you had heard words like lockdown, pandemic, social distancing and self-isolating 6 months ago you would have been forgiven for thinking you were listening to a trailer for the latest Netflix release. Now they are as commonplace as homeworking. Because we are in touch with many businesses in the Thame area, we’ve seen first-hand how the coronavirus has triggered this forced experiment in remote working. The strain it has put on technology resources and physical and mental wellbeing of businesses staff. Some have thrived, some have found it harder. Certainly, it has got peoples creative juices working in finding ingenious solutions when overcoming the difficulties of doing business remotely. The Insurance Implications Most insurers have been very proactive over the need to keep clients covered during the lockdown. They have waived unoccupied cover restrictions and extended cover on equipment, usually at the work address to cover items at employee homes. The important things employers need to do is ensure they can effectively manage their responsibilities to staff and ensure they have a safe working environment. For the employee, they need to ensure that their home insurers are happy with them working at home, although one might think it is common knowledge.
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Does homeworking have a place after Lockdown? In our experience communication seems to have been the toughest part. Who would have thought that with all the tech available to us? For some though it’s been non-stop video or zoom calls, constant emails. The worry of who do I include on the call? Do I reply to the email at 8pm at night, what happens if I don’t? Will the battery on my mobile last the day? In the past you would have had a quick chat in the office or walked over to your colleague’s desk to discuss an issue. Now managers are worrying about whether their teams are doing their jobs, or just sunbathing. Employees are worrying about keeping their jobs and being out of the loop. If they are out of sight, are they out of mind? The crisis has however proved that some homeworking can have a place in the business environment, certainly when it comes to flexible working. There is also the reduction in business overheads, commuter time, saving money on travel and food, managing work more efficiently, seeing children more often. Some even claim that they are more productive. After the pandemic passes and we see businesses open, it is expected there will be a cultural shift towards working from home as a norm and many employees will want to do this, at the very least for a part of the week. Is it then possible to have the best of both worlds? It will depend on your type of business.
How are we coping at J Bennett & Son? From the outside it is very much business as usual. Our culture though is based around people and teams, keeping an ear out to what is going on both in the office and with our clients. We have an open plan environment which allows us to share information, news and of course a little banter openly with everyone. We regularly throw problems around the office and use it as a means to educate each other whilst hopefully offering a solution. Our business is built on relationships with our clients. Meeting them in person, building trust and understanding their day to day problems. No piece of software is going to be able to replace that, and neither is electronic trading going to help those
businesses like pubs, restaurants, gyms and shops who are in a very difficult situation. We will always do what we can to help and if you would like a friendly, personal, self-distancing chat you can call our man in Thame, Mark Nicholl on 01494 455 802 or email him at mnicholl@jbennett.co.uk
Mark Nicholl
J. Bennett & Son (Insurance Brokers) Ltd 30a Upper High Street, Thame Oxfordshire OX9 3EX 01844 202020 www.jbennett.co.uk J. Bennett & Son (Insurance Brokers) Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
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ENTERTAINMENT
Playing at The Oxford Playhouse Evie Fehilly
Sabrina Richmond
Evolve
Sarah Blanc
‘Laura Elliot, Programme Director commented: “We are hugely excited to be working with these exceptionally talented artists over the next year. They were all selected for their willingness to embrace artistic risk and their ambition to work in partnership with communities, both of which are at the core of Oxford Playhouse’s vision. Each artist has a history of working with diverse communities that is hugely inspiring, and we are looking forward to supporting them in creating work that puts this ethos at the centre.” Since their appointment in April, the 20/21 Evolve artists have received online one-to-one and group mentoring alongside planning support for interim and future projects. The current pandemic is having a Jennifer Jackson devastating effect on artists and arts organisations all around the country, and, in response to this, Oxford Playhouse have adapted and extended their vision for artist development. They wish to support as many artists as possible through this difficult time and provide a platform to keep people connected. writer-performer Caroline Horton, founder In order to achieve this, they have of the award-winning company Opera extended mentoring support to previous Up-Close, Robin Norton-Hale, critically Evolve artists, Oxfordshire based artists, and acclaimed performer Lanre Malaolu, and an additional four companies from this years’ local companies Flintlock Theatre, Justice Evolve applicants, Todos Teatros, On the Run, In Motion and Kuumba Nia Arts. WhatNot Theatre and Clodhopper Oxford Playhouse is delighted to Oxford Playhouse aims to create a peer announce its Evolve Artists 2020/2021. to peer support network of past, present and potential future Evolve artists, as well as Sarah Blanc- Irish choreographer and artists who are Oxfordshire based, to enable performer. them to collaborate, connect and share Evie Fehilly - Drag king, queen and ideas, experience and practices during social winner of man up! 2019. distancing. Jennifer Jackson - British/Bolivian theaThey encourage anyone who feels that tre-maker, movement director and actor. they would benefit from this scheme now or Sabrina Richmond - Performer, writer in the future to get in touch via email: and emerging director. artistdevelopment@oxfordplayhouse. com
Artists-in-Residence
Oxford Playhouse is committed to discovering, nurturing and promoting the best emerging creative talent from Oxfordshire and beyond. The Playhouse Evolve Artists-inResidence programme sits at the heart of the theatre’s Artist Development THE FLOWER programme. Now in its sixth year, Evolve supports emerging and midcareer theatre artists and companies by providing rehearsal space, seed funding for projects and assistance with research and development, alongside mentoring and advice from the Playhouse team. Previous residencies include UK Theatre Award-winners Chris Bush and Matt Winkworth, Olivier nominated
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Jennifer Jackson commented: “I am thrilled to be an Evolve Artist In Residence, and am excited to be working with the Oxford Playhouse and their communities over the next year, especially at a time where assembly is challenged, and we are all looking to find new ways for meaningful connections within our communities“
Dim the lights Due to the ongoing situation concerning the Coronavirus pandemic, Oxford Playhouse is announcing a further period of closure. All performances at the Playhouse, the Burton Taylor Studio and the Shakespeare’s Globe on Tour performances at Blenheim Palace are now suspended until Monday 3 August. In addition, the performances of Russell Howard (28 – 30 August) have been rescheduled. Louise Chantal, Director/CEO at Oxford Playhouse commented: ‘The first priority for all of us at the Playhouse remains the safety and well-being of our audience and staff. We are following all the government guidelines on social distancing and hope to have a clearer idea of when we might be able to re-open soon. Meanwhile, the Playhouse team are running all our young companies and community projects online, and have launched the Playhouse At Home programme to ensure we can keep the Playhouse spirit alive until our doors open again. The last few weeks have proved once again how much the Playhouse is part of our community, with this full online programme nourishing creativity and helping it to flourish in Oxfordshire and beyond. Over the coming weeks, we will announce further projects with a range of community partners, ensuring Oxford Playhouse continues to be a beacon for civic life and culture in the region – a role which has been so precious during its 80-year history.” People with tickets for any productions within this closure period will receive an email detailing whether the performance has been cancelled or rescheduled, and their subsequent ticket options. Customers without an email address will be contacted by the Playhouse Ticket Office team by phone as soon as possible.
For all ticketing enquiries, bookers should please contact the Ticket Office via boxoffice@oxfordplayhouse.com During this difficult time, the Playhouse has had to place the majority of its staff on furlough in order to protect the future of the organisation. The Ticket Office is advising bookers that enquiries may take
longer to process as a result of this, and are grateful for the continued support and patience shown by audience members. Online booking remains available at oxfordplayhouse.com for future productions. Oxford Playhouse will continue to take advice from the Government and UK Theatre regarding future performances, and will issue further statements as appropriate.
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ENTERTAINMENT
What’s new at the NEW THEATRE
Coronavirus latest from The New Theatre Due to COVID-19, we are sorry to confirm that all performances at Ambassador Theatre Group venues across the UK have been suspended until Sunday 2 August. We greatly apologise for the inconvenience this will cause, but hope that you understand that this is the correct course of action given the exceptional circumstances we are all experiencing. Over the last few months, our teams up and down the country have successfully rescheduled over 15,000 separate performances of great quality plays, musicals, comedy and live music. For further details please go to www.atgtickets.com/rescheduled-andpostponed-shows/. From November 2020 and throughout 2021, we have a wonderful array of productions on-sale, everything from Pantomime to The Book of Mormon, Disney’s The Lion King to Jimmy Carr, and Derren Brown to Sunny Afternoon. Please book with confidence
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knowing that if there are any further suspensions, your new tickets will remain fully valid for further exchanges or refunds. If you have made a booking that is affected by this suspension, you do not need to do anything. We are currently contacting customers whose original tickets were for performances up to 28 June. Customers booked for performances between 29 June -12 July will be contacted in the week commencing 8 June. Customers booked for performances
between 13 July – 2 August will be contacted in the week commencing 22 June. On behalf of all our staff, backstage crews, front of house teams, actors, dancers, musicians, and the entire British theatre industry we want to thank you for your support and understanding as we work together to ensure the future success of our industry. All of us at ATG are enormously proud to be a small part of British Theatre, renowned as the greatest in the world. The arts has inspired, educated, entertained and enriched the lives of audiences for hundreds of years but has never been challenged like this. With your ongoing commitment we believe we can come back faster and stronger than ever before.